Systems and methods for providing an improved timing conveyor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A conveyor system comprising:
- a feeder section configured to convey objects in parallel columns, the objects of the columns being located at random positions along a longitudinal direction of the feeder section;
a timing section comprising a timing conveyor belt including a plurality of rollers each having an axis of rotation perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the timing conveyor belt, the timing conveyor belt further including stop members provided at predetermined positions along a length of the timing conveyor belt, the stop members being adapted to limit travel of the objects traveling along the timing conveyor belt; and
a cam positioned adjacent the timing conveyor belt and adapted to engage the rollers;
wherein when the cam engages the rollers, the rollers rotate to drive the objects along the timing conveyor belt toward respective stop members that halt their travel, such that the positions of the objects can be controlled to coincide with the predetermined positions of the stop members.
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Abstract
Disclosed is a conveyor system for evenly spacing conveyed objects. The conveyor system includes a conveyor belt that includes a conveyor having cavities, rollers in some of the cavities and a positioning component. The conveyor system further includes a conveyor drive coupled to the conveyor system and a roller engagement surface positioned adjacent the conveyor belt and configured to engage the plurality of rollers.
40 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A conveyor system comprising:
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a feeder section configured to convey objects in parallel columns, the objects of the columns being located at random positions along a longitudinal direction of the feeder section; a timing section comprising a timing conveyor belt including a plurality of rollers each having an axis of rotation perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the timing conveyor belt, the timing conveyor belt further including stop members provided at predetermined positions along a length of the timing conveyor belt, the stop members being adapted to limit travel of the objects traveling along the timing conveyor belt; and a cam positioned adjacent the timing conveyor belt and adapted to engage the rollers; wherein when the cam engages the rollers, the rollers rotate to drive the objects along the timing conveyor belt toward respective stop members that halt their travel, such that the positions of the objects can be controlled to coincide with the predetermined positions of the stop members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for controlling conveyed objects, the method comprising:
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conveying objects in parallel columns to a timing section; controlling the positions of the objects within each column along a longitudinal direction of the timing section such that the objects of one column are out-of-phase relative to the objects of the another column, the controlling comprising driving the objects of each column forward along a timing conveyor belt toward stop members positioned at predetermined positions along a length of the timing conveyor belt, the stop members being adapted to halt further travel of the objects; conveying the columns of objects to a singulating section; combining the columns of objects into a single column with the singulating section; and conveying the objects in the single column to a subsequent processing section. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A timing conveyor belt comprising:
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a top surface and a bottom surface; a plurality of rollers mounted within cavities provided in the timing conveyor belt, the rollers extending beyond the top and bottom surfaces of the timing conveyor belt and being adapted to propel an object along the timing conveyor belt when the rollers contact a cam; and friction pads provided at predetermined positions along a length of the timing conveyor belt; wherein objects propelled along the timing conveyor come to rest on the friction pads at the predetermined positions. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification