Container transport system
First Claim
1. A transport system for transport of containers, comprising:
- at least one switch having an entry zone, an exit zone with at least two different transport paths for conveying a container to conveyors immediately disposed downstream of the exit zone, and a switch mechanism for selectively controlling the transport of the container to the transport paths;
a support assembly defining a plane for support of the container between the entry zone and the exit zone;
an alignment and propulsion mechanism disposed in the entry zone for aligning and advancing the container in a controlled manner;
a propulsion and guide assembly rendered operative in response to a transport of the container along the transport paths, said propulsion and guide assembly including a control mechanism and at least two modules disposed in the exit zone below the plane of the support assembly and constructed for elevation into the transport paths in one-to-one correspondence above the plane of the support assembly, said modules operated by the control mechanism such that only the one of the modules is raised into a plane above the plane of the support assembly when the container is intended for transport along the transport path associated with the one module, wherein the alignment and propulsion mechanism has a catch member extending transversely to the plane of the support assembly and constructed for engagement against opposite longitudinal sides of a recess formed in an underside of the container and extending in longitudinal direction of the container to thereby apply a contact pressure upon the container and advance the container.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A transport system for transport of containers has a switch with an entry zone, an exit zone with at least two different transport paths for conveying a container, and a switch mechanism for selectively controlling the transport of the container to the transport paths. During their travel, the containers are supported by a support assembly, and aligned and advanced in a controlled manner in the entry zone by an alignment and propulsion mechanism. A propulsion and guide assembly in the exit zone is rendered operative in response to a transport of the container along the transport paths and includes at least two modules which respectively cooperate with the transport paths and are disposed in the exit zone below the plane of the support assembly. The modules are hereby so controlled that only the one of the modules is raised into a plane above the plane of the support assembly, when the container is transported along the associated transport path.
20 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A transport system for transport of containers, comprising:
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at least one switch having an entry zone, an exit zone with at least two different transport paths for conveying a container to conveyors immediately disposed downstream of the exit zone, and a switch mechanism for selectively controlling the transport of the container to the transport paths; a support assembly defining a plane for support of the container between the entry zone and the exit zone; an alignment and propulsion mechanism disposed in the entry zone for aligning and advancing the container in a controlled manner; a propulsion and guide assembly rendered operative in response to a transport of the container along the transport paths, said propulsion and guide assembly including a control mechanism and at least two modules disposed in the exit zone below the plane of the support assembly and constructed for elevation into the transport paths in one-to-one correspondence above the plane of the support assembly, said modules operated by the control mechanism such that only the one of the modules is raised into a plane above the plane of the support assembly when the container is intended for transport along the transport path associated with the one module, wherein the alignment and propulsion mechanism has a catch member extending transversely to the plane of the support assembly and constructed for engagement against opposite longitudinal sides of a recess formed in an underside of the container and extending in longitudinal direction of the container to thereby apply a contact pressure upon the container and advance the container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A transport system for transport of containers, comprising:
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at least one switch having an entry zone, an exit zone with at least two different transport paths for conveying a container to conveyors immediately disposed downstream of the exit zone, and a switch mechanism for selectively controlling the transport of the container to the transport paths; a support assembly defining a plane for support of the container between the entry zone and the exit zone; an alignment and propulsion mechanism disposed in the entry zone for aligning and advancing the container in a controlled manner; a propulsion and guide assembly rendered operative in response to a transport of the container along the transport paths, said propulsion and guide assembly including a control mechanism and at least two modules disposed in the exit zone below the plane of the support assembly and constructed for elevation into the transport paths in one-to-one correspondence above the plane of the support assembly, said modules operated by the control mechanism such that only the one of the modules is raised into a plane above the plane of the support assembly when the container is intended for transport along the transport path associated with the one module, wherein each of the modules of the propulsion and guide assembly includes rollers extending transversely to the plane of the support assembly, and at least one driving belt, for engagement against opposite longitudinal sides of a recess of the container to advance the container.
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13. A transport system for transport of containers, comprising:
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at least one switch having an entry zone, an exit zone with at least two different transport paths for conveying container to conveyors immediately disposed downstream of the exit zone, and a switch mechanism for selectively controlling the transport of the container to the transport paths; a support assembly defining a plane for support of the container between the entry zone and the exit zone; an alignment and propulsion mechanism disposed in the entry zone for aligning and advancing the container in a controlled manner; a propulsion and guide assembly rendered operative in response to a transport of the container along the transport paths, said propulsion and guide assembly including a control mechanism and at least two modules disposed in the exit zone below the plane of the support assembly and constructed for elevation into the transport paths in one-to-one correspondence above the plane of the support assembly, said modules operated by the control mechanism such that only the one of the modules is raised into a plane above the plane of the support assembly when the container is intended for transport along the transport path associated with the one module, wherein the switch mechanism includes an operating element in the form of a leaf spring, which extends transversely to the plane of the support assembly and has opposite flat sides, and plural guide rollers disposed on the flat sides in parallel relationship, said leaf spring having one end securely fixed in an entry-zone-proximal region and another end outwardly deflectable through bending. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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Specification