Apparatus and methods for controlling spacing of conveyed objects
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for controlling spacing of objects conveyed by an object conveyor traveling at a first linear speed, the apparatus comprising:
- flights that can be actuated from a retracted state to an extended state in which the flights extend transversely across the object conveyor and travel at a second linear speed slower than the first linear speed, the flights limiting travel of the objects to control their relative spacing, wherein the flights actuate with relatively little force such that a retracted flight will not extend once it contacts a directly adjacent object that occupies space into which the retracted flight would normally extend.
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Abstract
In one embodiment, apparatus for controlling spacing of objects conveyed by an object conveyor include flights that can be actuated from a retracted state to an extended state in which the flights extend transversely across the object conveyor, the flights limiting travel of the objects to control their relative spacing, wherein the flights actuate with relatively little force such that a retracted flight will not extend once it contacts a directly adjacent object that occupies space into which the retracted flight would normally extend.
40 Citations
22 Claims
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1. Apparatus for controlling spacing of objects conveyed by an object conveyor traveling at a first linear speed, the apparatus comprising:
flights that can be actuated from a retracted state to an extended state in which the flights extend transversely across the object conveyor and travel at a second linear speed slower than the first linear speed, the flights limiting travel of the objects to control their relative spacing, wherein the flights actuate with relatively little force such that a retracted flight will not extend once it contacts a directly adjacent object that occupies space into which the retracted flight would normally extend. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. Apparatus for controlling spacing of objects conveyed by an object conveyor traveling at a first linear speed, the apparatus comprising:
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a belt traveling at a second linear speed slower than the first linear speed and including a plurality of flights that can be actuated from a retracted state in which the flights are substantially parallel to the belt to an extended state in which the flights are substantially perpendicular to the belt, the flights being adapted to limit travel of the objects to control their relative spacing along a length direction of the object conveyor; an actuation mechanism adapted to actuate the flights when they approach the object conveyor to transition the flights from the retracted state to the extended state, the actuation mechanism being adapted to actuate the flights with relatively little force such that a retracted flight will not extend once it contacts a directly adjacent object that occupies space into which the retracted flight would normally extend; and a retraction mechanism at least adapted to maintain the flights in the retracted state until the flights are intended to be actuated and placed in the extended state. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for controlling spacing of objects provided on an object conveyor that conveys the objects at a first linear speed, the method comprising:
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operating a belt adjacent the object conveyor at a second linear speed that is slower than the first linear speed, the belt comprising a plurality of flights adapted to limit travel of the objects; extending individual flights when they are positioned alongside the object conveyor such that they transition from a retracted state in which the flights are substantially parallel to the belt to an extended state in which the flights are substantially perpendicular to the belt; limiting travel of individual objects conveyed by the object conveyor with the extended flights; not extending a retracted flight that contacts a directly adjacent object that occupies space into which the retracted flight would normally extend; and retracting the extended flights after they have been used to limit the travel of an object.
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Specification