Apparatus and methods for dynamically controlling the spacing of conveyed objects
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A dynamic gapping conveyor, comprising:
- a conveying surface extending in a conveying direction from a first end to a second end and laterally from a first side edge to a second side edge; and
a flight extending laterally across the conveying surface, the flight having a planar central portion spanning the conveying surface, a first drive tab connected to a first driver on a first side of the conveying surface, a first notch extending up from a bottom edge of the flight to separate the first drive tab from the planar central portion, a second drive tab connected to a second driver on a second side of the conveying surface and a second notch extending up from the bottom edge of the flight to separate the second drive tab from the planar central portion.
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Abstract
A conveying system employs independently controlled flights. The flights are controlled separately from a conveying surface. The conveying system includes a dynamic gapping conveyor for spacing conveyed objects in a selected manner. The dynamic gapping conveyor uses flexible flights independently driven by drivers to control the spacing between conveyed objects. The independent drivers allow the position of the flights to be controlled based on the length of a conveyed object.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A dynamic gapping conveyor, comprising:
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a conveying surface extending in a conveying direction from a first end to a second end and laterally from a first side edge to a second side edge; and a flight extending laterally across the conveying surface, the flight having a planar central portion spanning the conveying surface, a first drive tab connected to a first driver on a first side of the conveying surface, a first notch extending up from a bottom edge of the flight to separate the first drive tab from the planar central portion, a second drive tab connected to a second driver on a second side of the conveying surface and a second notch extending up from the bottom edge of the flight to separate the second drive tab from the planar central portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A dynamic gapping conveyor comprising:
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a conveying surface extending in a conveying direction from a first end to a second end and laterally from a first side edge to a second side edge; a first flight extending laterally across the conveying surface; a first driver connected to the first flight for driving the first flight about a first circuit, the first driver comprising a first drive belt extending along a first side of the conveyor surface in an upper span and returning below the conveyor surface in a returnway; a second flight extending laterally across the conveying surface; and a second driver connected to the second flight for driving the second flight about a second circuit, the second driver comprising a second drive belt extending along and outward of the first drive belt in an upper span and returning below the conveyor surface in a returnway. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A flight for a conveyor, comprising:
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a body extending from a first side to a second side and from a top edge to a bottom edge; a first notch spaced from the first side and extending from one of the top and bottom edges to form a first drive tab between the first notch and the first side for connecting to a drive belt; a first endless drive belt connected to the first drive tab on the same top or bottom edge as the first notch; a second notch spaced from the second side and extending from the one of the top and bottom edges to form a second drive tab between the second notch and the second side for connecting to a drive belt; a second endless belt connected to the second drive tab on the same top or bottom edge as the second notch, wherein the space between the first notch and second notch forms an object interface surface that spans a conveying surface of a conveyor. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification