Method and apparatus for a conveyed product directing system

• US 7,395,920 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2005
• Issued: 07/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Automated Industrial Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Automated Industrial Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Little, Shawn, Sill, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): Choi; Jacob Y.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HARP, WILLIAM RAY
• Application Number:
  US11/218,967
• Publication Number:
  US 20070051589A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 198/343.1, 198/343.2, 198/348, 198/351, 198/370.03, 198/353, 198/363, 198/377.03, 198/434, 198/436, 198/442, 198/443, 198/445, 198/448, 198/454, 198/456, 198/463.1, 198/636, 198/798, 198/800, 198/803.14, 198/861.1, 198/861.2, 198/861.5, 198/866, 198/890.1, 414/477.1, 414/754, 414/774, 193/25.A, 193/25.E, 193/25.R
• US Class Current: 198/861.1
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 21/2072 Laterial guidance means

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus and method for directing a conveyed product on a conveyor. The apparatus includes a filing channel that includes the ability to adjust the location of at least one end of the filing channel. In one embodiment, the filing apparatus includes a plurality of cards successively arranged wherein the cards are supported by a support member. The cards define the filing channel and the shape of the channel is maintained despite repositioning at least one end of the filing channel.

Claims

1. A product directing system comprising:

a conveyor;

at least one product to be conveyed, the conveyor providing a product flow;

a filing channel placed along the product flow, the filing channel shaped according to the outline of the at least one product;

a plurality of cards successively arranged along the path of the product flow, the cards defining the filing channel; and

a mechanism to adjust the location of at least one end of the filing channel while substantially maintaining the shape of the filing channel.

2. The product directing system of claim 1 wherein the mechanism supports the plurality of cards in the product flow.

3. The product directing system of claim 2, wherein the mechanism comprises at least one support arm, the cards supported by the support arm.

4. The product directing system of claim 3, wherein each card of the plurality of cards is in contact with at least one other card.

5. The product directing system of claim 4, wherein each card of the plurality of cards is slidably arranged to at least one other successively arranged card.

6. The product directing system of claim 1, further comprising at least one guide bar, the at least one guide bar arranged to divide the plurality of cards into more than one stack of cards.

7. A product directing system comprising:

a conveyor;

a product to be conveyed via the conveyor, the conveyor providing a product flow;

a plurality of cards successively arranged along the path of the product flow;

a support member supporting the cards, the positioning of support member being adjustable in order to adjust the location of the cards;

a filing channel created by the cards, the filing channel shaped to allow a product from the product flow to pass through the channel; and

wherein the shape of the filing channel is substantially maintained during positional adjustment of the cards.

8. The product directing system of claim 7, wherein each card of the plurality of cards is in contact with at least one card.

9. The product directing system of claim 8, wherein each card of the plurality of cards is slidably arranged to at least one other successively arranged card.

10. The product directing system of claim 7, the filing channel shape further comprising a shape intended to mimic the outline of the conveyed product.

11. The product directing system of claim 7, wherein the support member is an elongated arm, the cards secured to the elongated arm.

12. The product directing system of claim 7, further comprising at least one guide bar, the at least one guide bar arranged to divide the plurality of cards into more than one stack of cards.

13. A method of directing products conveyed by a conveyor, the method comprising:

placing a product on a conveyor;

creating a filing channel in the shape of the profile of the conveyed product;

placing a plurality of cards along the path of the conveyed product;

passing the conveyed product through the filing channel; and

adjusting the position of at least one end the filing channel.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of selectively stopping the conveyed product.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of substantially maintaining the shape of the filing channel during the step of adjusting the position of at least one end of the filing channel.