CA1088965A - Conveyor system - Google Patents
Conveyor systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA1088965A CA1088965A CA322,065A CA322065A CA1088965A CA 1088965 A CA1088965 A CA 1088965A CA 322065 A CA322065 A CA 322065A CA 1088965 A CA1088965 A CA 1088965A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cans
- vacuum
- conveyor
- belt means
- conveyor means
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
- B65G47/52—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices
- B65G47/68—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices adapted to receive articles arriving in one layer from one conveyor lane and to transfer them in individual layers to more than one conveyor lane or to one broader conveyor lane, or vice versa, e.g. combining the flows of articles conveyed by more than one conveyor
- B65G47/682—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices adapted to receive articles arriving in one layer from one conveyor lane and to transfer them in individual layers to more than one conveyor lane or to one broader conveyor lane, or vice versa, e.g. combining the flows of articles conveyed by more than one conveyor from a single conveyor lane consisting of one conveyor or several adjacent conveyors
- B65G47/684—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices adapted to receive articles arriving in one layer from one conveyor lane and to transfer them in individual layers to more than one conveyor lane or to one broader conveyor lane, or vice versa, e.g. combining the flows of articles conveyed by more than one conveyor from a single conveyor lane consisting of one conveyor or several adjacent conveyors with recirculation of articles forming a buffer
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
- B65G47/52—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices
- B65G47/68—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices adapted to receive articles arriving in one layer from one conveyor lane and to transfer them in individual layers to more than one conveyor lane or to one broader conveyor lane, or vice versa, e.g. combining the flows of articles conveyed by more than one conveyor
- B65G2047/685—Devices for preventing jamming in converging flows
- B65G2047/687—Lane boundaries which comprise rotatable elements, e.g. discs, cylinders, endless belts
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An article handling system for cans and the like, wherein improved means are employed for selectively isolat-ing individual cans from a substantially continuously recir-culating mass or plurality of cans and for, thereafter, transferring the isolated cans in single file fashion away from said recirculating mass of cans to a discharge station located somewhat remote from the recirculating mass of cans in such a fashion as to avoid adverse interference with the normal movements of the recirculating mass of cans. The single file movement of the isolated cans is then continued as the isolated cans are individually transferred from the discharge station to a further location.
An article handling system for cans and the like, wherein improved means are employed for selectively isolat-ing individual cans from a substantially continuously recir-culating mass or plurality of cans and for, thereafter, transferring the isolated cans in single file fashion away from said recirculating mass of cans to a discharge station located somewhat remote from the recirculating mass of cans in such a fashion as to avoid adverse interference with the normal movements of the recirculating mass of cans. The single file movement of the isolated cans is then continued as the isolated cans are individually transferred from the discharge station to a further location.
Description
96~
1 Among the many proble~ involved in the manufacture of metal cans is the multiple handling and frequent transfer of the cans from one station to another. During such hand-ling and transfer operations, the cans may be handled first as a continuously moving mass of cans at one station, e.g., a washing station, and then reoriented and transferred one by one or in single file fashion away from that station by a conveyor to another station where the cans may again be regrouped and handled again as a moving mass.
This conversion from mass handling to single file handling and vice versa poses many problems including, in particular, the reliabiIity and speed with which the cans can be transposed or converted from mass handling to singular handling, etc~ Further, since the operation of all parts of a can line usually have to be ully correlated, a slowdown in the speed of operation o~ a single instrumentality or section of a can manufacturing line can seriously affect and slow down the entire operation of the overall can producing facility. These problems can be aggravated and magnified 20 when the cans being processed and handled are empty and made of a light weight matexial such as aluminium. Many of the aforesaid problems are substantially overcome by the instant improved system for handling cans and the like at relatively high speed~.
The instant invention is concerned with can hand-ling and conveyor systems. More particularly, it is con cerned with an improved can or container handling and con-veyor system wherein individual and empty cans are ~irst isolated and singled out ~rom a mass or plurality of ,. ~k s 1 recirculating cans in a given area of a can plant and then transferred in singular fashion to other areas of the plant.
The system includes a series of conveyors that can advan-tageously support the containers in an upright condition, and these conveyors are arranged to provide a recirculating or closed path of travel for a plurality of cans. Associated with these conveyors is a moveable, endless and preferably pocketed vacuum belt means selectively disposed across the path of travel of the cans. This belt means operates to selectively and substantially continuously isolate and remove single, individual cans from the mass of recirculating cans without disturbing theix upright condition or otherwise adversely afecting the recirculating movements of the main group or mass of cans. m e belt means then transfers the isolated cans in single file fashion away from the closed path of travel of the recirculating cans and towards a dis-charge station preferably located somewhat remote from the recirculating cans in order to avoid can buildups and jams at the point of can discharge or belt release. The cans are singularly funneled at the can discharge station onto a fur-ther conveyor. m is latter conveyor then finally transfers the cans also in single file fashion from the discharge station to a further can handling or ~reating station and without distur~ing the normal upright position of the cans 25 in which they are initially received from the vacuum belt means.
In the instant system, the final discharge con-veyor is also so oriented relative both to the recirculating conveyors and pocketed vacuum belt conveyor and vice versa 30 wherehy the final discharge conveyor operates to move the .
.
1 cans away rom the vacuum conveyor belt pockets in an improved and efficient fashion. The net result is that can buildups, jams and tippage in the area of the discharge station and final discharge conveyor are minimized and sub-stantially avoided.
The instant development constitutes an improvementover various prior art vacuum conveyors as represented, for example, by those shown in Patents 2,639,025; 3,036,581;
3,158,251; 3,285,387; 3,433,3~5; 3,477,558; 3,592,334;
3,760,453; 3,835,385 and 3,850,096. The instant system also constitutes an improvement over the combined conveyor and takeoff systems disclosed in prior art Patents 2,215,702;
3,604,551; 3,608,698 and 3,734,267, as well as the pocketed endless vacuum timing conveyor belt manufactured and sold under the trademark "CRADLE BELT" by Products Di~ersifica-tion, Inc., of N. Hollywood, Cali~ornia.
Figure 1 is an overall plan view of the improved can handling system of the instant invention and illustrates the unique arrangement and relationship of the takeoff and 20 pocketed vacuum belt and final discharge conveyor relative to the mass transit closed conveyor system;
Figure 2 is an end view generally taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1 with parts removed;
Figure 2A is a ~ra~mentary perspective view with 25 parts removed of a part of the overall can handling system of the instant invention when taken within the circum scribing circle 2A of Figure l;
Figure 3 is an enlarged view taken within the circumscribing circle 3 of Figure 1 with parts removed;
Figure 3A is a view similar to Figure 3 showing a , ~ 65 1 modifiad form of vacuum conveyox belt means; and Figure 4 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 4-4 o~ Figure 3 with parts added.
With furthsr reference to the drawings and~ in particular, Figures 1 and 2, the improved can handling system is generally comprised of a pair of cooperating end-less chain belt conveyors 10 and 12, conveyor 10 acting as a feeding conveyor and conveyor 12 as a return conveyor.
These conveyors comprised of tabletop chain and hinged links of the type sold by the Rexnard Company of Milwaukee, Wis-consin, under the designation "821 Series Chains" conveyors are intercohnected by the flat standard transfer plates 14 and 16 at their respective end portions whereby ~he con-veyors and plates form a closed loop or recirculating path of travel for a plurality of cans 5 that are initially deposited upon the conveyor 10 rom a feed con~eyox 18 driven by motor 20. Conveyor 10 is driven by the usual drive mechanism 22 with the other end of tha conveyor being located and threaded about the idler roller assembly 24. Conveyor 12 is driven by the drive assembly 26 at one end with the other end of belt 12 then being trained about the usual idler roller 28. The top of belt 12 in ~he area of plate 14 can be arranged to a fraction of an inch below the top of plate 14 that is level with the top of belt 10 to facilitate the 25 flow of cans 5 from belt 10 to belt 12. Conversely, the top of belt 12 in the area of plate 16 can be raised a fraction - of an inch above the top of plate 16 that is level with the top of conveyor 10 in order to smooth out the flow of cans from belt 12 to belt 10 in the area of plate 16. Side bar-30 rier plates 30 and 32 are disposed adjacent conveyors 10 and . .
s 1 12, and an expanded divider and barrier plate assembly 34 is appropriately mounted between the conveyors intermediate the ends thereof. Plate assembly 34 provides an interior sepa-rator for the conveyors and helps define the paths of travel therebetween. It will be observed by reference to Figure 1 that the expanded divider 34 is somewhat trapezoidal in plan so as to narrow and restrict the path of can flow between divider 34 and barrier 30 at the aft or exit portion of feeder conveyor 10 in the area A. This 10w restriction of the cans tends to concentrate and direct the main flow of the containers or cans 5 toward the area of can pickup sta-tion A so that they will be more likely to contact rather than bypass the vacuum belted single file conveyor 36 at the forward or entry portion thereof. As indicated, particularly in Figures 3 and 4, belt 36 which is preferably pocketed is advantageously made from a flexi~le molded polyethylene or o~her suitable material that is cut away to form successive, uniformly spaced and arcuate recessed vacuum pockets 40. If desired, vacuum pockets 40 can have stepped or cutaway sec-tions 41 that are bounded by the sid~ shoulders 42 forengaging and directly contacting the articles to be grasped and handled by the vacuum belt 36.
As indicated, particularly in Figure 4, apertures 44 in belt 36 connect pockets 40 with elongated openings 45 25 that can run for most o~ the length of the sidewall 46 of housing 47 containing vacuum chamber 48 that is connected to a vacuum p~ump assembly 50 by means of the standard piping 52. Chamber 48 located within the overall vacuum housing 47 extends for substantially the full length of the transport 30 flight or vacuum pickup section of vacuum belt 36. The at r 6 :
1 end 47'' of housing 47 terminates adjacent pickup station A while the forward end 47' of housing 47 terminates adja-cent discharge station B. VaculIm belt openings 56 located between the pockets 44 help provide belt 36 with the desired flexibility and bendability for smoothly rounding the corners at high speeds during its return movements in the areas o~
the pulleys or sheave elements 58 and 59 at least one of which is positively driven in a standard fashion by the drive motor 59'.
Located at discharge station B and preferably remote from or in spaced relation to the edge 12' of con-veyor 12 is a takeoff single filer conveyor 60 that can be of the type illustrated in U.S. Patent 3,666,082 wherein the bottoms of the cans 5 are supported and rest on a moving cable. Con~eyor 60 includes cable 60' and sheave 60'' and the usual side guides, etc.
A drop-off gap or open space 61 advantageously occurs between the conveyors 12 and 60 at discharge station B. The top flight of conveyor 60 is slightly below the le~el of the top of belt 12 in the area of plate 14 to facilitate movements of the cans onto conveyor 60. Thus, while vacuum belt conveyor 36 successfully bridges and nego-tiates gap 61 and passes cans 5 across the gap from con- ~
veyor 12 to conveyor 60, any tipped over cans 5 will be advantageously urged or pushed off conveyor 12 under ~he influence of conveyor belt 36 and allowed to fall off con- `
veyor 12`into a collecting bin 62 without disturbing the normal flow of cans off or onto conveyor 10, or onto, off or along conveyor 12 and without causing a jam or deleteri-30 ous can buildup in the area of discharge station B. In ' ' , ' .
139~;S
1 short, the circulatory movements of the cans from and to conveyors 10 and 12 can proceed harmoniously with the opera-tion of takeoff conveyors 36 and 60.
A pre~erred embodiment of the invention contem-plates that belted vacuum conveyor 36 will be arrangedcrossways and at selected angle.~ to various portions of the paths of travel of the conveyors 10 and 12 to remove cans from these conveyors without disturbing the operations of these conveyors. Thus, as indicated in Figure 1, ~he vacuum belt 36 can be arranged in plough fashion and at an acute angle, e.g., a 45 angle relative to the feeding con-veyor 10 and at an obtuse angle or a 135 angle relative to the portion of the takeaway or return conveyor 12 that move~
the cans away from the belt 36 for return to feeding belt conveyor 10.
Further advantageous embodiments of the invention contemplate that gaseous baffle unit 65, as indicated in Figure 4, could be used, if desired, to assist in the can takeoff operations of belt 36 by directing a gaseous medium, 20 e.g., air at the appropriate pressure into the open tops of the upright cans in the vicinity of the discharge station ~3 and then down through the cans towards their bottoms. This action will help force the cans 5 not initially collected or isolated by the belt 36 to remain in full bottom contact 25 with conveyor 12 and to continue moving in the closed can loop or circuit for ultimate return to the forward end of the vacuum side of conveyor belt 36. The velocity, psi and volume of air from baffle 65 are all carefully controlled so as to, in effect, seal the cans to belt 12 while avoiding 30 can tippage. Air ba~fle unit 65, as indicated in Figure 4, ~8i~S~6S
1 may comprise a plate 66 that forms part of a housing 67 which is suspended over top of the conveyor 12. Plate 66 is provided with a line of suitably disposed holes 68 which are bored at an angle, e.g., a 30-degree angle, for example, in a direction away from the belt 36 and toward conveyor 12 so as to direct the cans toward conveyor 12. Housing 67 is connected to a suitable air source through fitting 69 and piping 70. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the air source can comprise the exhaust side o~ vacuum pump assembly S0 and thereby advantageously provide a closed air circuit while reducing the installation costs of the overall unit.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the inven-tion, the aft part of the feeding conveyor 10 adjacent the area A may be fitted with a further air deflection device or b~ffle 72 similar in structure to that shown in Figure 4 and previously described. In this instance, however, the air ports 68 would function somewhat differently in that they would be simply reversed and directed toward the vacuum bel~
36 rather than away from the belt as in the case of the previously described air deflector system of Figuxe 4. In other words, as the cans 5 on conveyor 10 approach conveyor 36 as the latter moves to the right as viewed in Figure 1, the air or gas from deflection device 72 will act as an air 25 deflector that tends to propel or urge the cans 5 into the pockets 40 of belt 36.
In lieu of using a pocketed belt 36, the belt as noted in Fig~e 3A may be a flat belt 36' while still having air holes 44' and bores 56'. I~ desired, and as indicated 30 in Figure 4, the tops o~ conveyors 10 and 12 and barrier 34 _ g _ , 1 can be covered by a clear plastic covex 74 and holes or elongated slots 75 can then be provided in cover 74 to accommodate air baffle devices 67 and 72. This equipment enclosure by way of cover 74 helps prevent the cans from tipping over and at the same time tends to act as a sound and noise m~ling device.
The s-tepped arrangement noted between various parts of conveyors 10, 12 and 60 enhances the movements of the cans between the conveyors. It is a}so to be under-stood that if, for any reason, there is too great a flow ofcans from conveyor 18 to conveyor 10, suitable electronic sensing devices such as those manufactured and sold by the Peco Manufacturing Company of Milpitas, California, under the designation "Peco Proximity Sensors and Amplifiers"
can be used to deactivate the drive for conveyor 18 until the overload of cans from conveyor 18 is alle~iated and absorbed by conveyors 10 and 12, etc.
Although not shown, it is to be understood that the instant system will have incorporated therein appropri-ate gas or air bypasses in the infeed piping to pumpassembly 50 to maintain proper air flow through the pump at all times.
An advantageous embodiment of the invention has been shown and described. It is obvious that various 25 changes and modifications may be made therein without departing ~rom the spirit and scope thereof as defined by the appended claims wherein:
1 Among the many proble~ involved in the manufacture of metal cans is the multiple handling and frequent transfer of the cans from one station to another. During such hand-ling and transfer operations, the cans may be handled first as a continuously moving mass of cans at one station, e.g., a washing station, and then reoriented and transferred one by one or in single file fashion away from that station by a conveyor to another station where the cans may again be regrouped and handled again as a moving mass.
This conversion from mass handling to single file handling and vice versa poses many problems including, in particular, the reliabiIity and speed with which the cans can be transposed or converted from mass handling to singular handling, etc~ Further, since the operation of all parts of a can line usually have to be ully correlated, a slowdown in the speed of operation o~ a single instrumentality or section of a can manufacturing line can seriously affect and slow down the entire operation of the overall can producing facility. These problems can be aggravated and magnified 20 when the cans being processed and handled are empty and made of a light weight matexial such as aluminium. Many of the aforesaid problems are substantially overcome by the instant improved system for handling cans and the like at relatively high speed~.
The instant invention is concerned with can hand-ling and conveyor systems. More particularly, it is con cerned with an improved can or container handling and con-veyor system wherein individual and empty cans are ~irst isolated and singled out ~rom a mass or plurality of ,. ~k s 1 recirculating cans in a given area of a can plant and then transferred in singular fashion to other areas of the plant.
The system includes a series of conveyors that can advan-tageously support the containers in an upright condition, and these conveyors are arranged to provide a recirculating or closed path of travel for a plurality of cans. Associated with these conveyors is a moveable, endless and preferably pocketed vacuum belt means selectively disposed across the path of travel of the cans. This belt means operates to selectively and substantially continuously isolate and remove single, individual cans from the mass of recirculating cans without disturbing theix upright condition or otherwise adversely afecting the recirculating movements of the main group or mass of cans. m e belt means then transfers the isolated cans in single file fashion away from the closed path of travel of the recirculating cans and towards a dis-charge station preferably located somewhat remote from the recirculating cans in order to avoid can buildups and jams at the point of can discharge or belt release. The cans are singularly funneled at the can discharge station onto a fur-ther conveyor. m is latter conveyor then finally transfers the cans also in single file fashion from the discharge station to a further can handling or ~reating station and without distur~ing the normal upright position of the cans 25 in which they are initially received from the vacuum belt means.
In the instant system, the final discharge con-veyor is also so oriented relative both to the recirculating conveyors and pocketed vacuum belt conveyor and vice versa 30 wherehy the final discharge conveyor operates to move the .
.
1 cans away rom the vacuum conveyor belt pockets in an improved and efficient fashion. The net result is that can buildups, jams and tippage in the area of the discharge station and final discharge conveyor are minimized and sub-stantially avoided.
The instant development constitutes an improvementover various prior art vacuum conveyors as represented, for example, by those shown in Patents 2,639,025; 3,036,581;
3,158,251; 3,285,387; 3,433,3~5; 3,477,558; 3,592,334;
3,760,453; 3,835,385 and 3,850,096. The instant system also constitutes an improvement over the combined conveyor and takeoff systems disclosed in prior art Patents 2,215,702;
3,604,551; 3,608,698 and 3,734,267, as well as the pocketed endless vacuum timing conveyor belt manufactured and sold under the trademark "CRADLE BELT" by Products Di~ersifica-tion, Inc., of N. Hollywood, Cali~ornia.
Figure 1 is an overall plan view of the improved can handling system of the instant invention and illustrates the unique arrangement and relationship of the takeoff and 20 pocketed vacuum belt and final discharge conveyor relative to the mass transit closed conveyor system;
Figure 2 is an end view generally taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1 with parts removed;
Figure 2A is a ~ra~mentary perspective view with 25 parts removed of a part of the overall can handling system of the instant invention when taken within the circum scribing circle 2A of Figure l;
Figure 3 is an enlarged view taken within the circumscribing circle 3 of Figure 1 with parts removed;
Figure 3A is a view similar to Figure 3 showing a , ~ 65 1 modifiad form of vacuum conveyox belt means; and Figure 4 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 4-4 o~ Figure 3 with parts added.
With furthsr reference to the drawings and~ in particular, Figures 1 and 2, the improved can handling system is generally comprised of a pair of cooperating end-less chain belt conveyors 10 and 12, conveyor 10 acting as a feeding conveyor and conveyor 12 as a return conveyor.
These conveyors comprised of tabletop chain and hinged links of the type sold by the Rexnard Company of Milwaukee, Wis-consin, under the designation "821 Series Chains" conveyors are intercohnected by the flat standard transfer plates 14 and 16 at their respective end portions whereby ~he con-veyors and plates form a closed loop or recirculating path of travel for a plurality of cans 5 that are initially deposited upon the conveyor 10 rom a feed con~eyox 18 driven by motor 20. Conveyor 10 is driven by the usual drive mechanism 22 with the other end of tha conveyor being located and threaded about the idler roller assembly 24. Conveyor 12 is driven by the drive assembly 26 at one end with the other end of belt 12 then being trained about the usual idler roller 28. The top of belt 12 in ~he area of plate 14 can be arranged to a fraction of an inch below the top of plate 14 that is level with the top of belt 10 to facilitate the 25 flow of cans 5 from belt 10 to belt 12. Conversely, the top of belt 12 in the area of plate 16 can be raised a fraction - of an inch above the top of plate 16 that is level with the top of conveyor 10 in order to smooth out the flow of cans from belt 12 to belt 10 in the area of plate 16. Side bar-30 rier plates 30 and 32 are disposed adjacent conveyors 10 and . .
s 1 12, and an expanded divider and barrier plate assembly 34 is appropriately mounted between the conveyors intermediate the ends thereof. Plate assembly 34 provides an interior sepa-rator for the conveyors and helps define the paths of travel therebetween. It will be observed by reference to Figure 1 that the expanded divider 34 is somewhat trapezoidal in plan so as to narrow and restrict the path of can flow between divider 34 and barrier 30 at the aft or exit portion of feeder conveyor 10 in the area A. This 10w restriction of the cans tends to concentrate and direct the main flow of the containers or cans 5 toward the area of can pickup sta-tion A so that they will be more likely to contact rather than bypass the vacuum belted single file conveyor 36 at the forward or entry portion thereof. As indicated, particularly in Figures 3 and 4, belt 36 which is preferably pocketed is advantageously made from a flexi~le molded polyethylene or o~her suitable material that is cut away to form successive, uniformly spaced and arcuate recessed vacuum pockets 40. If desired, vacuum pockets 40 can have stepped or cutaway sec-tions 41 that are bounded by the sid~ shoulders 42 forengaging and directly contacting the articles to be grasped and handled by the vacuum belt 36.
As indicated, particularly in Figure 4, apertures 44 in belt 36 connect pockets 40 with elongated openings 45 25 that can run for most o~ the length of the sidewall 46 of housing 47 containing vacuum chamber 48 that is connected to a vacuum p~ump assembly 50 by means of the standard piping 52. Chamber 48 located within the overall vacuum housing 47 extends for substantially the full length of the transport 30 flight or vacuum pickup section of vacuum belt 36. The at r 6 :
1 end 47'' of housing 47 terminates adjacent pickup station A while the forward end 47' of housing 47 terminates adja-cent discharge station B. VaculIm belt openings 56 located between the pockets 44 help provide belt 36 with the desired flexibility and bendability for smoothly rounding the corners at high speeds during its return movements in the areas o~
the pulleys or sheave elements 58 and 59 at least one of which is positively driven in a standard fashion by the drive motor 59'.
Located at discharge station B and preferably remote from or in spaced relation to the edge 12' of con-veyor 12 is a takeoff single filer conveyor 60 that can be of the type illustrated in U.S. Patent 3,666,082 wherein the bottoms of the cans 5 are supported and rest on a moving cable. Con~eyor 60 includes cable 60' and sheave 60'' and the usual side guides, etc.
A drop-off gap or open space 61 advantageously occurs between the conveyors 12 and 60 at discharge station B. The top flight of conveyor 60 is slightly below the le~el of the top of belt 12 in the area of plate 14 to facilitate movements of the cans onto conveyor 60. Thus, while vacuum belt conveyor 36 successfully bridges and nego-tiates gap 61 and passes cans 5 across the gap from con- ~
veyor 12 to conveyor 60, any tipped over cans 5 will be advantageously urged or pushed off conveyor 12 under ~he influence of conveyor belt 36 and allowed to fall off con- `
veyor 12`into a collecting bin 62 without disturbing the normal flow of cans off or onto conveyor 10, or onto, off or along conveyor 12 and without causing a jam or deleteri-30 ous can buildup in the area of discharge station B. In ' ' , ' .
139~;S
1 short, the circulatory movements of the cans from and to conveyors 10 and 12 can proceed harmoniously with the opera-tion of takeoff conveyors 36 and 60.
A pre~erred embodiment of the invention contem-plates that belted vacuum conveyor 36 will be arrangedcrossways and at selected angle.~ to various portions of the paths of travel of the conveyors 10 and 12 to remove cans from these conveyors without disturbing the operations of these conveyors. Thus, as indicated in Figure 1, ~he vacuum belt 36 can be arranged in plough fashion and at an acute angle, e.g., a 45 angle relative to the feeding con-veyor 10 and at an obtuse angle or a 135 angle relative to the portion of the takeaway or return conveyor 12 that move~
the cans away from the belt 36 for return to feeding belt conveyor 10.
Further advantageous embodiments of the invention contemplate that gaseous baffle unit 65, as indicated in Figure 4, could be used, if desired, to assist in the can takeoff operations of belt 36 by directing a gaseous medium, 20 e.g., air at the appropriate pressure into the open tops of the upright cans in the vicinity of the discharge station ~3 and then down through the cans towards their bottoms. This action will help force the cans 5 not initially collected or isolated by the belt 36 to remain in full bottom contact 25 with conveyor 12 and to continue moving in the closed can loop or circuit for ultimate return to the forward end of the vacuum side of conveyor belt 36. The velocity, psi and volume of air from baffle 65 are all carefully controlled so as to, in effect, seal the cans to belt 12 while avoiding 30 can tippage. Air ba~fle unit 65, as indicated in Figure 4, ~8i~S~6S
1 may comprise a plate 66 that forms part of a housing 67 which is suspended over top of the conveyor 12. Plate 66 is provided with a line of suitably disposed holes 68 which are bored at an angle, e.g., a 30-degree angle, for example, in a direction away from the belt 36 and toward conveyor 12 so as to direct the cans toward conveyor 12. Housing 67 is connected to a suitable air source through fitting 69 and piping 70. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the air source can comprise the exhaust side o~ vacuum pump assembly S0 and thereby advantageously provide a closed air circuit while reducing the installation costs of the overall unit.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the inven-tion, the aft part of the feeding conveyor 10 adjacent the area A may be fitted with a further air deflection device or b~ffle 72 similar in structure to that shown in Figure 4 and previously described. In this instance, however, the air ports 68 would function somewhat differently in that they would be simply reversed and directed toward the vacuum bel~
36 rather than away from the belt as in the case of the previously described air deflector system of Figuxe 4. In other words, as the cans 5 on conveyor 10 approach conveyor 36 as the latter moves to the right as viewed in Figure 1, the air or gas from deflection device 72 will act as an air 25 deflector that tends to propel or urge the cans 5 into the pockets 40 of belt 36.
In lieu of using a pocketed belt 36, the belt as noted in Fig~e 3A may be a flat belt 36' while still having air holes 44' and bores 56'. I~ desired, and as indicated 30 in Figure 4, the tops o~ conveyors 10 and 12 and barrier 34 _ g _ , 1 can be covered by a clear plastic covex 74 and holes or elongated slots 75 can then be provided in cover 74 to accommodate air baffle devices 67 and 72. This equipment enclosure by way of cover 74 helps prevent the cans from tipping over and at the same time tends to act as a sound and noise m~ling device.
The s-tepped arrangement noted between various parts of conveyors 10, 12 and 60 enhances the movements of the cans between the conveyors. It is a}so to be under-stood that if, for any reason, there is too great a flow ofcans from conveyor 18 to conveyor 10, suitable electronic sensing devices such as those manufactured and sold by the Peco Manufacturing Company of Milpitas, California, under the designation "Peco Proximity Sensors and Amplifiers"
can be used to deactivate the drive for conveyor 18 until the overload of cans from conveyor 18 is alle~iated and absorbed by conveyors 10 and 12, etc.
Although not shown, it is to be understood that the instant system will have incorporated therein appropri-ate gas or air bypasses in the infeed piping to pumpassembly 50 to maintain proper air flow through the pump at all times.
An advantageous embodiment of the invention has been shown and described. It is obvious that various 25 changes and modifications may be made therein without departing ~rom the spirit and scope thereof as defined by the appended claims wherein:
Claims (22)
1. An article handling system for empty cans and the like, wherein individual cans are first singled out from a mass of moving cans for further handling in a singular fashion and at high speeds comprising the combination of can conveyor means arranged to provide a recirculating and closed path of travel for a pluraltiy of cans, a moveable endless vacuum belt means having a portion thereof arranged in plough fashion at a selected angle across a given portion of the path of travel of the conveyor means that leads toward said vacuum belt means for selectively and substantially continuously singling out individual cans from the mass of moving cans on and removing the singled out cans from the conveyor means without adversely interfering with the normal recirculating movement and flow of said mass of moving cans and for thereafter directly transferring the singled out and removed cans in single file fashion to a can discharge station located in spaced relation to the conveyor means and provided with drop off gap and can collection means for receiving tipped over cans, means for applying a vacuum to the successive can contacting portions of said belt means and for maintaining said vacuum on said can contacting portions of said belt means at least until the said can contacting portions of said vacuum belt means reach the area of the discharge station and a further means for receiving cans from said vacuum belt means at said discharge station and for continuing the single file movement of the cans while moving said cans away from the discharge station.
2. An article handling system as set forth in claim 1, including baffle means associated with said conveyor means for concentrating the flow of the cans on the conveyor means toward the said portion of the endless vacuum belt means.
3. An article handling system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the endless vacuum belt means is arranged crossways and at predetermined and different angles to the various can feeding and return portions of said conveyor means.
4. An article handling system as set forth in claim 3, wherein the endless vacuum belt means is arranged at an acute angle to the normal path of travel of the feeding portion of the conveyor means that advances the cans toward the vacuum belt means.
5. An article handling system as set forth in claim 3, wherein the vacuum belt means is arranged at an obtuse angle to the normal path of travel of the return portion of the conveyor means that moves the cans away from the vacuum belt means.
6. An article handling system as set forth in claim 1, including a baffle means for diverting cans in said mass of moving cans away from the vacuum belt means in the area of said discharge station.
7. An article handling system for empty cans and the like, wherein individual cans are first isolated and singled out from a mass of moving cans for further handling in a singular fashion and at high speeds comprising the combination of can conveyor means arranged to provide a recirculating and closed path of travel for a plurality of cans, a moveable endless vacuum belt means having a portion thereof arranged at a selected angle across a given portion of the path of travel of the conveyor means for selectively and substantially continuously isolating individual cans from the mass of moving cans on the conveyor means without adversely interfering with the normal flow of said mass of moving cans and for thereafter transferring the isolated cans in single file fashion to a can discharge station located in spaced relation to the conveyor means, means for applying a vacuum to the successive can contacting portions of said belt means and for maintaining said vacuum on said can contacting portions at least until the said can contacting portions of said vacuum belt means reach the area of the discharge station, a further means for receiving cans from said vacuum belt means at said discharge station and for continuing the single file movement of the cans while moving said cans away from the discharge station and a gaseous baffle means disposed above the part of the feeding portion of the conveyor means that is located adjacent the forward part of the vacuum pickup section of the belt means that comes into initial contact with the cans so as to direct the cans toward the said forward part of the vacuum pickup section of the belt means.
8. An article handling system as set forth in claim 1, including means for initially feeding cans to the conveyor means.
9. An article handling system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said further means for receiving cans from said vacuum belt means comprises a cable conveyor that operates to simultaneously translate and support the cans.
10. An article handling system as set forth in claim 1, including cover means for said conveyor means.
11. An article handling system for empty cans and the like, wherein individual cans are first singled out from a recirculating mass of moving cans for further handling in a singular fashion comprising the combination of can supporting conveyor means arranged to provide a recirculating and closed path of travel for a plurality of upstanding cans, a moveable endless and pocketed vacuum belt means arranged at selected angles across given portions of the path of travel of the conveyor means that lead to and away from said belt means for selectively and substantially continuously singling out and collecting single cans from the mass of moving cans on the conveyor means without adversely interfering with the normal recirculating movement and flow of said mass of moving cans and for thereafter directly transferring the singled out and collected cans in single file fashion and in an upright condition to a can discharge station located in spaced relation to the conveyor means and provided with drop off gap and can collection means for receiving tipped over cans, means for applying a vacuum to the individual can contacting pocket portions of said belt means and for maintaining said vacuum on the individual pocket portions of said belt means at least until said individual pocket portions of said belt means clear the conveyor means and reach the area of the can discharge station and a further means for receiving cans from the said pocketed vacuum belt means at said can discharge station and for continuing the single file movement of the cans while moving said cans away from the discharge station.
12. The article handling system of claim 11, wherein said pocketed conveyor belt means includes stepped portions.
13. The article handling system as set forth in claim 11, including baffle means associated with said conveyor means for concentrating the flow of the cans on the conveyor means toward a selected portion of the endless vacuum belt means located remote from the discharge station and in the area of a can pickup station.
14. The article handling system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the endless vacuum belt means is arranged crossways and at predetermined and different angles to the various feeding and return portions of said conveyor means.
15. The article handling system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the endless vacuum belt means is arranged at an acute angle to the normal path of travel of the feeding portion of the conveyor means that advances the cans towards the endless vacuum belt means.
16. The article handling system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the endless vacuum belt means is arranged at an obtuse angle to the normal path of travel of the return portion of the conveyor means that moves the cans away from the endless vacuum belt means.
17. An article handling system for empty cans and the like, wherein individual cans are first isolated and singled out from a recirculating mass of moving cans for further handling in a singular fashion comprising the combination of can supporting conveyor means arranged to provide a recirculating and closed path of travel for a plurality of upstanding cans, a moveable endless and pocketed vacuum belt means arranged at selected angles across given portions of the paths of travel of the conveyor means for selectively and substantially continuously isolating and collect-ing single cans from the mass of moving cans on the conveyor means without adversely interfering with the normal flow of said mass of moving cans and for thereafter transferring the isolated cans in single file fashion and in an upright condition to a can discharge station located in spaced relation to the conveyor means, means for applying a vacuum to the individual can contacting pocket portions of said belt means and for maintaining said vacuum on the individual pocket portions of said belt means at least until said individual pocket portions reach the area of the can dis-charge station, a further means for receiving cans from the said pocketed vacuum belt means at said can discharge station and for continuing the single file movement of the cans while moving said cans away from the discharge station and a gaseous baffle means disposed above the part of the feeding portion of the conveyor means that is located adjacent the forward end of the vacuum pickup section of the belt means which comes into initial contact with the cans so as to direct the cans toward the said forward end of the vacuum pickup section of the belt means.
18. The article handling system as set forth in claim 11 including cover means for said conveyor means.
19. The article handling system as set forth in claim 11 including means for initially feeding cans in an upright position to said conveyor means.
20. An article handling system for empty cans and the like, wherein individual cans are first isolated and singled out from a recirculating mass of moving cans for further handling in a singular fashion comprising the combination of can supporting conveyor means arranged to provide a recirculating and closed path of travel for a plurality of upstanding cans, a moveable endless and pocketed vacuum belt means arranged at selected angles across given portions of the paths of travel of the conveyor means for selectively and substantially continuously isolating and col-lecting single cans from the mass of moving cans on the conveyor means without adversely interfering with the normal flow of said mass of moving cans and for thereafter transferring the isolated cans in single file fashion and in an upright condition to a can discharge station located in spaced relation to the conveyor means, means for applying a vacuum to the individual can contacting pocket portions of said belt means and for maintaining said vacuum on the individual pocket portions of said belt means at least until said individual pocket portions reach the area of the can discharge station, a further means for receiving cans from the said pocketed vacuum belt means at said can discharge station and for continuing the single file movement of the cans while moving said cans away from the discharge station, a gaseous baffle means disposed above the part of the feeding portion of the con-veyor means that is located adjacent the forward end of the vacuum pickup section of the belt means which comes into initial contact with the cans so as to direct the cans toward the said forward end of the vacuum pickup section of the belt means and means interconnecting the input end of said gaseous baffle means with the exhaust side of the means for drawing a vacuum on the vacuum belt means.
21. The article handling system for empty cans and the like wherein individual cans are first singled out from a recir-culating mass of moving cans for further handling in a singular fashion comprising the combination of can supporting conveyor means arranged to provide a recirculating and closed path of travel for a plurality of upstanding cans, a moveable endless and pocketed vacuum belt means extending across and arranged at different selected angles to given portions of the recirculating path of travel of the conveyor means that lead to and away from said belt means for selectively and substantially continuously singling out and collecting single cans from the mass of moving upstanding cans on the conveyor means without adversely inter-fering with the normal recirculating movement and flow of said mass of moving cans and for thereafter directly transferring the singled out and collected cans in single file and in an upright condition to a can discharge station located in spaced relation to the conveyor means and provided with drop off and can collec-tion means for receiving tipped over cans, means for applying a vacuum to the individual can contacting pocket portions of said belt means and for maintaining said vacuum on said belt means at least until the individual can contacting pocket portions of the belt means clear the conveyor means and reach the area of the discharge station and a cable conveyor means for receiving cans from the said pocketed vacuum belt means at said discharge station and for supporting and continuing the single file movement and upright condition of the cans while moving said cans away from the discharge station.
22. The article handling system of claim 21, wherein the tops of certain portions of the conveyor means are arranged at different levels relative to each other to facilitate the recir-culating movement of the cans.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US89517478A | 1978-04-10 | 1978-04-10 | |
| US895,174 | 1978-04-10 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1088965A true CA1088965A (en) | 1980-11-04 |
Family
ID=25404117
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA322,065A Expired CA1088965A (en) | 1978-04-10 | 1979-02-22 | Conveyor system |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS54140359A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU4593979A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1088965A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2911121A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2018705B (en) |
| NZ (1) | NZ189897A (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE10104873A1 (en) * | 2001-02-03 | 2002-08-22 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | Device and method for transporting objects such as bottles |
| FR3086574B1 (en) * | 2018-09-27 | 2020-09-04 | Sidel Participations | HOLLOW BODY MANUFACTURING PLANT INCLUDING A HOLLOW BODY CIRCULATION REGULATOR MOVED BY A LINEAR ELECTRIC MOTOR |
| US11261035B2 (en) | 2018-10-02 | 2022-03-01 | Tera Automation S.R.L. | Component for feeding robots, automation systems and the like |
| CN110171662A (en) * | 2019-06-05 | 2019-08-27 | 东莞士格电子集团有限公司 | A kind of turnover storage platform and the transportation system including the platform |
-
1979
- 1979-02-22 CA CA322,065A patent/CA1088965A/en not_active Expired
- 1979-03-01 GB GB7907328A patent/GB2018705B/en not_active Expired
- 1979-03-13 NZ NZ18989779A patent/NZ189897A/en unknown
- 1979-03-21 DE DE19792911121 patent/DE2911121A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1979-04-09 AU AU45939/79A patent/AU4593979A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1979-04-09 JP JP4294079A patent/JPS54140359A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPS54140359A (en) | 1979-10-31 |
| DE2911121A1 (en) | 1979-10-18 |
| GB2018705B (en) | 1982-04-21 |
| NZ189897A (en) | 1982-11-23 |
| GB2018705A (en) | 1979-10-24 |
| AU4593979A (en) | 1979-10-18 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 19971104 |