Touchless guide device for a conveyor

• US 9,346,623 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2015
• Issued: 05/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Laitram LLC
• Original Assignee: Laitram LLC
• Inventors: Ragan, Bryant G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nicholson, III, Leslie A
• Assistant Examiner(s): CAMPBELL, KEITH
• Application Number:
  US14/706,147
• Publication Number:
  US 20150321854A1
• Time in Patent Office: 383 Days
• Field of Search: 198/457.05, 198/367, 198/370.13, 198/452, 198/636, 198/637, 198/619, 198/836.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 21/2009 Magnetic retaining means
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 21/2018 for retaining the load on the load-carrying surface, retaining loads by magnetic load-carriers, e.g. belts B65G15/58, chains B65G17/46; individual magnetic grippers B65G17/323
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 21/2072 Laterial guidance means
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2201/0252 Cans
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2207/18 Crossing conveyors
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2811/0668 Magnetic or electrostatic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/53 between conveyors which cross one another
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/66 Fixed platforms or combs, e.g. bridges between conveyors
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 54/02 electrostatic, electric, or magnetic

Abstract

A conveyor and method for moving articles comprising a conductive material across a conveying surface using a touchless guide device disposed adjacent to a product path. The guide device generates a repelling force on a conveyed product to propel the conveyed product along the product path. Embodiments of the guide device include a linear induction motor and an array of alternating permanent magnets.

Claims

1. A conveyor, comprising:

a conveyor belt for conveying articles along a product path; and

a guide device comprising a linear induction motor positioned relative to the conveyor belt adjacent the product path for generating a repellent force on conveyed articles to direct the conveyed articles along the product path.

2. The conveyor of claim 1, wherein the linear induction motor generates a magnetic field as the repellent force.

3. The conveyor of claim 1, wherein the linear induction motor forms a rail disposed adjacent to the product path.

4. The conveyor of claim 3, wherein the rail is curved.

5. The conveyor of claim 1, wherein the guide device comprises a grid of linear induction motors below the product path.

6. The conveyor of claim 1, further comprising a low friction surface between the product path and the guide device.

7. A conveyor, comprising

a conveyor belt for conveying articles along a product path;

and

a guide device comprising an array of alternating permanent magnets for touchlessly guiding the articles along the product path without mechanically contacting the articles.

8. The conveyor of claim 7, wherein the array of alternating permanent magnets form a curved rail.

9. The conveyor of claim 7, wherein the guide device is disposed below the product path.

10. The conveyor of claim 7, further comprising a low friction surface between the product path and the guide device.

11. A conveyor, comprising

a conveyor belt for conveying articles along a product path;

and

a guide device disposed below the product path for touchlessly guiding the articles along the product path without mechanically contacting the articles.

12. The conveyor of claim 11, wherein the guide device comprises a plurality of curved rails below the product path.

13. The conveyor of claim 12, wherein each curved rail comprises a linear induction motor.

14. The conveyor of claim 11, wherein the guide device comprises an array of linear induction motors having varying drive angles.