Rotating-spiral diverter
First Claim
1. An article-diverting conveying device comprising:
- a frame;
a first set of one or more left-handed spirals rotatably supported in the frame on axes of rotation;
a second set of one or more right-handed spirals alternately arranged parallel to the first set of left-handed spirals and rotatably supported in the frame on axes of rotation;
a motorized spiral drive rotating the first and second sets on their axes of rotation, wherein the motorized spiral drive rotates the first set and the second set in the same direction to transport conveyed articles across the spirals in a first direction and wherein the motorized spiral drive rotates the first set and the second set in opposite directions to divert conveyed articles across the spirals in a different second direction;
an actuator selectively actuating one of the first set of left-handed spirals and the second set of right-handed spirals.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A conveyor having an article-diverting device with left-handed and right-handed spirals rotated in the same direction to transport articles in a first direction or in opposite directions to transport articles in a different second direction. The left-handed spirals are arranged alternately and parallel to the right-handed spirals. Rotating all the spirals at the same speed in the same direction in one version of the conveyor passes articles straight across the spirals perpendicular to the axes of rotation of the spirals. Rotating the left-handed spirals opposite to the right-handed spirals diverts the articles atop the spirals parallel to their axes of rotation. In other versions, one set of spirals is constantly rotated and the other set is actuated by geared engagement into and out of rotation in the opposite direction or by raising and lowering into and out of position in contact with articles.
15 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An article-diverting conveying device comprising:
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a frame; a first set of one or more left-handed spirals rotatably supported in the frame on axes of rotation; a second set of one or more right-handed spirals alternately arranged parallel to the first set of left-handed spirals and rotatably supported in the frame on axes of rotation; a motorized spiral drive rotating the first and second sets on their axes of rotation, wherein the motorized spiral drive rotates the first set and the second set in the same direction to transport conveyed articles across the spirals in a first direction and wherein the motorized spiral drive rotates the first set and the second set in opposite directions to divert conveyed articles across the spirals in a different second direction; an actuator selectively actuating one of the first set of left-handed spirals and the second set of right-handed spirals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A conveyor comprising:
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an infeed conveyor; a diverting device receiving articles from the infeed conveyor and including; a frame; a first set of one or more left-handed spirals rotatably supported in the frame on axes of rotation; a second set of one or more right-handed spirals alternately arranged parallel to the first set of left-handed spirals and rotatably supported in the frame on axes of rotation; a motorized spiral drive rotating the first and second sets on their axes of rotation, wherein the motorized spiral drive rotates the first set and the second set in the same direction to transport articles across the spirals in a first direction and wherein the motorized spiral drive rotates the first set and the second set in opposite directions to divert articles across the spirals in a different second direction; an actuator selectively actuating one of the first set of one or more left-handed spirals and the second set of one or more right-handed spirals. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification