GB2599716A - Conveying mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

A conveying mechanism 20 comprising a plurality of rotatable conveyor members 22,24,26,28. Each conveyor member 22,24,26,28 includes a plurality of receptacles 30,32,34,36 arranged about its periphery. Each receptacle 30,32,34,36 receives an object 42a,42b. The plurality of conveyor members 22,24,26,28 are positioned so that each conveyor member is rotatable to convey at least one received object 42a,42b about its periphery and to exchange at least one received object 42a,42b with at least one other of the conveyor members 22,24,26,28. Each member 22,24,26,28 is rotatable independently of each other and at least two non-adjacent members are simultaneously rotatable. At least one member 22,24,26,28 may be submerged in a liquid or gel and a display background may be provided to provide a visual variation between background and members 22,24,26,28, whilst the visual / haptic uniformity (with visual characteristic such as electromagnetic radiation or colour) is conveying members and associated blocking elements is maintained. The use of alphanumeric characters and/or Braille is also discussed as is a computer-implemented method of displaying the conveying mechanism 20.

Description

CONVEYING MECHANISM

This invention relates to a conveying mechanism, a computer-implemented method of displaying a conveying mechanism, and a computer program comprising computer code configured to perform the computer-implemented method.

It is known to use a conveying device to transport an object.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a conveying mechanism comprising a plurality of rotatable conveyor members, each conveyor member including a plurality of receptacles arranged about its periphery, each receptacle for receiving an object, wherein the plurality of conveyor members are positioned so that each conveyor member is rotatable to convey at least one received object about its periphery and to exchange at least one received object with at least one other of the conveyor members.

By facilitating object conveyance and exchange through rotation of the conveyor members, the conveying mechanism of the invention is not only capable of moving an object in a predictable manner but also permits the design of complex conveyance and exchange paths due to the rotational and modular configuration of the conveyor members. As a result, the conveying mechanism of the invention can be used in a wide range of products and applications.

The rotation of each conveyor member may be driven by a machine, e.g. by a gear assembly, a motor or an engine, or may be driven by hand. The former is advantageous in cases requiring periodic or rapid rotation of the conveyor members, e.g. a watch, a clock or an information board, or in cases for which manual operation would be unduly cumbersome, e.g. rotation of heavy conveyor members and/or conveyance of heavy objects. On the other hand, the latter is advantageous in cases requiring irregular rotation of the conveyor members, e.g. a name plate or door sign, or in cases where a machine or power source is not readily accessible.

In addition, the rotation of each conveyor member may be automatically controlled by a programmable wired or wireless controller, with or without the use of sensors to monitor the rotation of the conveyor members, or may be manually controlled by a user.

The configuration and arrangement of the conveying members and the or each received object may vary, non-limiting examples of which are described as follows.

The modularity of the conveying mechanism provides flexibility in designing the arrangement of the conveyor members to suit a particular product or application.

The conveyor members are preferably equidistantly spaced apart from each other.

The plurality of conveyor members may be arranged in a line. The line may be a straight line (e.g. a column or a row), a curved line or an irregular line (e.g. a wavy line or a crooked line). Depending on the position of each conveyor member in the line, the range of rotation of each conveyor member may overlap with (i.e. intersect) the range of rotation of at least one other conveyor member.

The plurality of conveyor members may be arranged in a grid that comprises at least four conveyor members forming two rows and two columns. Depending on the position of each conveyor member in the grid, the range of rotation of each conveyor member may overlap with the ranges of rotation of at least two other conveyor members.

The plurality of conveyor members may be arranged in an array that is not a line or a grid. The number of conveyor members arranged in an array may be three or more. The array may include several conveyor members arranged, preferably equidistantly spaced, around a central conveyor member. Alternatively the central conveyor member may be omitted to form an annular layer of conveyor members. The array may have a regular shape, e.g. triangle, pentagon, hexagon, or an irregular shape.

The conveyor members may be arranged so that the axis of rotation of each conveyor member extends horizontally, vertically or at a non-zero angle to the horizontal and vertical. The conveyor members may be arranged so that the plane of rotation of each conveyor member lies horizontally, vertically or at a non-zero angle to the horizontal and vertical. The conveyor members may be arranged so that the conveyance and exchange of a received object takes place horizontally, vertically or at a non-zero angle to the horizontal and vertical.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plurality of conveyor members may be divided into a plurality of lines, each line including two or more conveyor members, wherein the conveyor members of each line is configured to carry out the object conveyance and exchange independently of the conveyor members of the or each other line. The ranges of rotation of the conveyor members in each line do not overlap with the ranges of rotation of the conveyor members in the or each other line.

At least one line of conveyor members may be parallel with at least one other line of conveyor members. At least one line of conveyor members may extend at a non-zero angle with respect to at least one other line of conveyor members. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of conveyor members may be divided into four parallel lines.

Each line of conveyor members is permitted to operate independently of the or each other line of conveyor members, thus permitting a wider range of object conveyance and exchange operations of the lines of conveyor members. It will however be appreciated that the lines of conveyor members may be controlled to operate in coordination with each other.

In addition dividing the plurality of conveyor members into a plurality of independently operating lines in this manner simplifies maintenance and repair of a damaged conveying mechanism in comparison to a grid or array of conveyor members in which each conveyor member potentially interacts with a larger number of conveyor members.

Each conveyor member may be solid to provide greater durability. On the other hand, the conveyor member may comprise a hole, a hollowed portion or a cut-out section to reduce weight and cost of the conveying mechanism. This is particularly useful for portable or wearable conveying mechanisms.

Each conveyor member may have a regular or substantially regular cross-sectional shape, e.g. triangle, circle, pentagon, hexagon, or an irregular shape.

The number of receptacles of each conveyor member may vary, e.g. two, three, four, five, six or more receptacles per conveyor member.

Each receptacle may have an inwardly curved shape, a concave shape or any shape capable of receiving an object.

Each receptacle may be formed integrally with the corresponding conveyor member.

More particularly, each receptacle may be formed in an outer wall of the periphery of the corresponding conveyor member.

Each receptacle may be removably attached to the corresponding conveyor member. Each removably attached receptacle may protrude radially from the corresponding conveyor member.

Each conveyor member preferably includes a plurality of receptacles equidistantly spaced about its periphery. This simplifies the control of the rotation of the conveyor members because each conveyor member is only required to rotate in fixed angular amounts corresponding to the positions of the receptacles about its periphery.

Each conveyor member may be configured to be free-rotating, or may be configured to be rotatable to a fixed finite number of angular positions. In a preferred embodiment, each conveyor member may comprise four receptacles arranged about its periphery, and each conveyor member may be rotatable by 90 degrees in a clockwise or an anticlockwise direction.

Each receptacle is preferably arranged so that its rotation around the periphery of the corresponding conveyor member takes place in the same plane of rotation as the rotation of the corresponding conveyor member.

The rotation of the conveyor members may be coordinated. This simplifies the exchange of a received object between conveyor members.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each conveyor member is configured to be rotatable independently of the or each other conveyor member. Preferably each conveyor member is controlled to not come into contact with the or each adjacent conveyor member.

Configuration of each conveyor member in this manner improves the durability of the conveyor member due to reduced wear and tear that would have otherwise arisen as a result of the transmission of torque between conveyor members in engagement. This in turn reduces the need for repair, maintenance and replacement of the conveyor members.

In embodiments of the invention, two or more non-adjacent conveyor members of the plurality of conveyor members may be simultaneously rotatable.

The provision of two or more simultaneously rotatable non-adjacent conveyor members enables the conveying mechanism to perform multiple object conveyancing and exchanging operations at the same time, thus increasing the operational speed and efficiency of the conveying mechanism.

In further embodiments of the invention, at least two of the plurality of conveyor members may be rotatable to arrange their respective receptacles to define opposingly facing receptacles that are capable of simultaneously receiving the same object.

The ability to arrange opposingly facing receptacles to simultaneously receive the same object advantageously secures the object throughout the exchange of the object between the conveyor members, thus greatly reducing the risk of the object being dislodged or dropped from the conveying mechanism.

In still further embodiments of the invention, the conveying mechanism may include a plurality of actuators, each actuator operable to selectively drive a rotation of a respective one of the plurality of rotatable conveyor members to a fixed finite number of angular positions. Each actuator may include a motor, engine, gear arrangement, mechanical linkage arrangement or other mechanical system. In a particular embodiment, each actuator may include a gear arrangement that is configured to convert a continuous rotary motion into an intermittent rotary motion (commonly known as a Geneva drive or Maltese cross), where the intermittent rotary motion corresponds to the fixed finite number of angular positions.

The provision of the actuators in the conveying mechanism of the invention enables precise rotational control of the conveyor members.

Each conveyor member may be formed of a rigid material, a semi-rigid material, a deformable material or a combination thereof. Such materials include wood, metal, rubber, plastic, polymer, fibreglass, wax, rubber, composite or a combination thereof.

Each receptacle may comprise an elastic, flexible and/or cushioning material for contacting the received object. The elastic, flexible and/or cushioning material may be integral with the corresponding conveyor member, or may form part of the corresponding conveyor member.

Each receptacle may have a smooth receiving surface for receiving the object. A smooth surface may be a surface with low surface roughness, a polished surface or a low friction surface.

In embodiments of the invention, the conveying mechanism may comprise a housing, the housing defining an internal conveyance space, the plurality of conveyor members disposed inside the internal conveyance space.

By disposing the plurality of conveyor members inside the internal conveyance space, a received object may be enclosed by the receiving receptacle and an inner wall of the housing during an object conveyancing operation by the conveyor members, thus ensuring that the received object is safely retained within the housing.

Each conveyor member is preferably spaced apart from the housing to allow for ease of rotation without contacting an inner wall of the housing. Seals may be arranged between each conveyor member and the housing, without interfering with the capability of the receptacles to receive objects. A received object may abut the inner wall of the housing.

The housing may be made of any material, such as wood, metal, rubber, plastic, polymer, fibreglass, wax, rubber, composite or a combination thereof. The housing may have any shape, such as a prism, a cube, a sphere or a cylinder.

In such embodiments, the conveying mechanism may include at least one object for receipt in the receptacles, wherein an inner wall of the housing may include a first guide member configured to be engageable with a second guide member of the or each object so that, in use, the or each second guide member travels relative to the first guide member during rotation of the or each conveyor member receiving the or each object. Each receptacle may include a third guide member that may be configured to be engageable with the second guide member of the received object.

The provision of the guide members smooth and reliable conveyancing and exchange of the or each received object during the rotation of the conveyor members.

One of the first and second guide members may include at least one free-rotating cog (also known as a sprocket), and the other of the first and second guide members may include a track. When the second guide member includes at least one free-rotating cog, the third guide member may include a track. When the second guide member includes a track, the third guide member at least one free-rotating cog. The or each free-rotating cog engages with the or each track so that, in use, the or each second guide member travels relative to the first guide member and/or the third guide member during rotation of the or each conveyor member receiving the or each object.

The conveying mechanism may include at least one holding member for receipt in the receptacles, where the or each holding member may be for receiving an object. The holder member may be an annular holding member. Thus, each conveyor member may be rotatable to convey at least one received holding member about its periphery and to exchange at least one received holding member with at least one other of the conveyor members. The or each holding member may be designed specifically for receiving a particular object.

Optionally at least one of the conveyor members may be submerged in a liquid or gel.

The or each conveyor member may be fully or partially submerged in the liquid or gel. The liquid or gel may be a lubricant, such as lubricant oil, to reduce friction between surfaces, such as between a received object and a receiving receptacle, when the conveying mechanism is used to convey at least one object.

Further optionally the liquid or gel may be chosen for interaction with the or each received object, non-limiting examples of which are described throughout the specification.

The or each received object may be capable of filling part or whole of the receiving receptacle. The or each received object may be capable of filling the whole of the receiving receptacle so that the conveyor member and the or each received object combine to form a regular cross-sectional shape, such as a circle. When an object is being exchanged between conveyor members, the exchange object may be capable of filling the whole of the receiving receptacles of the conveyor members so that the exchanged object combine with each of the conveyor members to form a respective regular cross-sectional shape, such as a circle.

At least one object may matingly correspond to the shape and size of each receptacle so as to matingly fit in each receptacle and to matingly fit between opposingly facing receptacles. For example, when the receptacles are concave-shaped, a received object may be convex-shaped.

At least one object may be removable from the conveying mechanism and exchangeable with other objects for maintenance purposes or for customising the appearance or function of the conveying mechanism.

The conveying mechanism of the invention is applicable to a wide range of products and applications, non-limiting examples of which are described as follows.

In embodiments of the invention including at least one object for receipt in the receptacles, a visual and/or haptic characteristic of the or each object may be different from a visual and/or haptic characteristic of the conveyor members to create a visual and/or haptic variation between the or each object and the conveyor members. When there are multiple objects received by the receptacles, a visual and/or haptic characteristic of each object may be the same as or different from a visual and/or haptic characteristic of the or each other object.

The conveying mechanism may function as a visual and/or haptic display mechanism for conveying information by sight and/or by touch to non-visually impaired users and/or visually impaired users. The object conveyance and exchange capabilities of the rotatable conveyor members not only enables the display mechanism to change its visual appearance and/or its haptic appearance to display information in a controlled and reliable manner but also permits a wide range of information to be displayed by the display mechanism due to the myriad conveyance and exchange paths made possible by the rotational and modular configuration of the conveyor members.

The conveying mechanism of the invention can be used as a display mechanism in a wide range of products and applications. The visual and/or haptic display mechanism may be a dynamic display mechanism (such as a clock, a watch or an information board) or a static display mechanism, such as a door number or a name plate. The visual/and or haptic display mechanism may be used for displaying dynamic or static artwork.

In further embodiments of the invention, the conveying mechanism may include a display background in overlapping arrangement with the conveyor members so that the display background is viewable through at least one of the receptacles, wherein a visual characteristic of the display background is different from a visual characteristic of the conveyor members to create a visual variation between the display background and the conveyor members. The display background may be attached to or formed integrally with a housing of the conveying mechanism. Alternatively the display background may be spaced apart from the conveyor members and/or the housing.

An object received by a receptacle of a conveyor member may be positioned over the display background so as to impede the view of the display background through the receptacle and thereby produce a change in the visual variation between the display background and the conveyor members, thus changing the information displayed by the display mechanism.

The provision of a display background in the conveying mechanism provides another way of creating a range of visual and/or haptic variations to display different information.

At least one received object may be transparent or translucent so that the display background is viewable through the or each received object. At least one conveyor member may be transparent or translucent so that the display background is viewable through the or each transparent or translucent conveyor member. The or each transparent or translucent component may include a transparent or translucent material, such as glass or a polymer.

At least one conveyor member may be opaque so that the display background is not viewable through the or each opaque conveyor member.

Optionally the conveying mechanism may include at least one blocking element for receipt in the receptacles. A visual and/or haptic characteristic of the or each blocking element may be the same, or substantially the same, as a visual and/or haptic characteristic of the conveyor members to create a visual and/or haptic uniformity between the or each blocking element and the conveyor members. The or each blocking element is preferably opaque so that the display background is not viewable through the or each opaque blocking element.

The provision of the or each blocking element not only provides control over the visual variation but also emphasises the visual variation, thus making it easier to identify the information displayed by the display mechanism.

The provision of the or each blocking element also permits the configuration of the conveying mechanism to display visual and/or haptic information through one or more combinations of one or more empty receptacles and one or more filled receptacles.

The visual characteristic may come in many forms that is observable within the visible light spectrum or the non-visible light spectrum. For example, the visual characteristic may include at least one electromagnetic radiation property (e.g. opacity, reflectance) at least one colour property (e.g. hue, saturation, brightness), at least one pattern, at least one image or a combination thereof.

The haptic characteristic may come in many forms that are identifiable by touch. For example, the haptic characteristic may include texture, temperature, hardness, at least one hole, at least one groove, at least one protrusion or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the haptic characteristic may include a dot shape, a line shape or any other shape.

The conveying mechanism may include at least one masking element in overlapping arrangement with part or whole of at least one of the conveyor members, wherein at least one of the conveyor members are rotatable to convey at least one received object so as to conceal the at least one received object behind the or each masking element. The or each masking element may be opaque or translucent. The or each masking element may cover a single region or multiple regions of the conveyor members.

The or each masking element provides control over the displayed information by hiding at least part of at least one conveyor member and/or at least one received object that is not required to provide the visual and/or haptic variation. A received object may be conveyed using the conveyor members to move into and out of the masked region(s) to change the visual and/or haptic variation and thereby change the displayed information.

The provision of the or each masking element therefore allows for the definition of a visual and/or haptic display section not covered by the or each masking element and a second section covered by the or each masking element. This not only draws an observer's attention to a particular section of the conveying mechanism but also provides flexibility to create a greater range of displayable information by masking the parts of the conveying mechanism that are not required to provide the visual and/or haptic variation.

In embodiments of the invention, the conveyor members may be rotatable to create an image, an alphanumeric character (numbers 0-9 and letters A-Z), a language character or a Braille character from the visual and/or haptic variation between the or each object and the conveyor members. Relevant products and applications may include, but are not limited to, the display of information, the display of art, a watch face or a clock face. The conveyor mechanism may be configured to provide at least one seven-segment display to display the information. A plurality of seven-segment displays may be utilised to display any one of a time, a date, a word or a name.

There may be provided an object manipulation device that comprises the conveying mechanism as described hereinabove, wherein the plurality of conveyor members may be positioned so that each conveyor member is rotatable to convey at least one received object about its periphery and to exchange at least one received object with at least one other of the conveyor members so as to manipulate a plurality of objects so as to combine the plurality of objects.

The object conveyance and exchange actions by the rotatable conveyor members may be used to manipulate and combine a plurality of received objects in a controlled and reliable manner. Furthermore the rotational and modular configuration of the conveyor members permits the design of complex manipulation and combination actions by the conveyor members.

In such embodiments, each of the at least two objects may be a yarn, a ply, a thread, a fibre, a filament, a string, a strand, a rope or a cable. The object manipulation device may be used for yarn making, weaving, rope-making and so on. The object manipulation device may be used for braiding, plaiting or twisting the at least two objects.

There may be provided an object sorting device that comprises the conveying mechanism as described hereinabove, wherein the plurality of conveyor members may be positioned so that each conveyor member is rotatable to convey at least one received object about its periphery and to exchange at least one received object with at least one other of the conveyor members so as to sort a plurality of objects into different groups. The object sorting device may be used to sort objects with different properties, such as type, shape, size and quality. The object sorting device may be used in a warehouse, a factory or a post office.

The object sorting device may include at least one sensor for identifying the or each object prior to or during sorting by the conveyor members, and a controller for controlling the conveyor members to sort the or each identified object based on information received from the or each sensor.

The object conveyance and exchange actions by the rotatable conveyor members may be used to sort the or each received object in a controlled and reliable manner.

Furthermore the rotational and modular configuration of the conveyor members permits the design of complex sorting actions by the conveyor members.

There may be provided a production line that comprises the conveying mechanism as described hereinabove, wherein the plurality of conveyor members may be positioned so that each conveyor member is rotatable to convey at least one received object about its periphery and to exchange at least one received object with at least one other of the conveyor members so as to move an object along the production line. The production line may be used for mass and/or rapid production.

The object conveyance and exchange actions by the rotatable conveyor members may be used to move the or each received object in a controlled and reliable manner. Furthermore the rotational and modular configuration of the conveyor members permits the movement of objects through complex production lines, especially multi-stage production lines, in a safe manner.

There may be provided a food processing device that comprises the conveying mechanism as described hereinabove, wherein the food processing device may be configured to, in use, process food received in at least one of the receptacles. At least one receptacle of the food processing device may receive a food object, such as a plant-based food, a meat-based food, an animal-based food or a fungus-based food. The food processing device may be any type of cooking appliance, such as an oven, a grill, an oven and so on. The food processing device may be a domestic, commercial or industrial food processing device.

The object conveyance and exchange actions by the rotatable conveyor members may be used to process the or each received object in a controlled and reliable manner. Furthermore the rotational and modular configuration of the conveyor members permits the performance of complex food processes, especially multi-stage food processes, in a safe manner.

The components of the conveying mechanism preferably include materials suitable for food processing, e.g. plastic, silicone, metal or other materials as appropriate.

Each conveyor member may be configured to include an additional temperature control element (such as a heater element), or may be configured as a temperature control element (such as a heater element). The conveying mechanism may be arranged to expose the conveyor members to a food processing environment, such as a heated environment.

At least one receptacle may be configured to retain a food processing liquid or gel, such as oil or water. Multiple receptacles may be configured to retain food processing liquids or gels of different types or temperatures.

At least one of the conveyor members may be submerged in a food processing liquid or gel, such as oil or water. Multiple conveyor members may be submerged in food processing liquids or gels of different types or temperatures.

There may be provided an object storage device that comprises the conveying mechanism as described hereinabove, wherein the object storage device may be configured to, in use, store one or more objects in at least one of the receptacles. The object storage device may be a domestic, commercial or industrial object storage device.

The object conveyance and exchange actions by the rotatable conveyor members may be used to store the or each received object in a controlled and reliable manner.

Furthermore the rotational and modular configuration of the conveyor members permits the design of complex storage devices.

The object storage device may be a food storage device. At least one receptacle of the food storage device may receive a food object, such as a plant-based food, a meat-based food, an animal-based food, a fungus-based food or a beverage. The food storage device may store the food in a room temperature environment or a temperature-controlled environment, such as a refrigerator or a freezer. The food storage device may be a domestic, commercial or industrial food storage device.

The components of the conveying mechanism preferably include materials suitable for storage, e.g. plastic, silicone, metal or other materials as appropriate.

Each conveyor member may be configured to include an additional temperature control element (such as a cooling element), or may be configured as a temperature control element (such as a cooling element). The conveying mechanism may be arranged to expose the conveyor members to a temperature-controlled environment, such as a cooled environment.

At least one receptacle may be configured to retain a storage liquid or gel, such as oil, water or brine. Multiple receptacles may be configured to retain storage liquids or gels of different types or temperatures.

The food processing and storage devices may be combined to form a food production apparatus.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer-implemented method of displaying a conveying mechanism, the conveying mechanism comprising a plurality of rotatable conveyor members, each conveyor member including a plurality of receptacles positioned about its periphery, each receptacle for receiving an object, wherein the plurality of conveyor members are positioned so that each conveyor member is rotatable to convey at least one received object about its periphery and to exchange at least one received object with at least one other of the conveyor members, the method comprising the steps of rotating at least one of the conveyor members to convey at least one received object about its periphery and rotating at least one of the conveyor members to exchange at least one received object with at least one other of the conveyor members.

The features and advantages of the conveying mechanism of the first aspect of the invention and its embodiments apply mutatis mutandis to the features and advantages of the computer-implemented method of the second aspect of the invention and its embodiments. The features of the embodiments of the first aspect of the invention employing the use of visual characteristics are particularly applicable to the conveying mechanism of the computer-implemented method of the second aspect of the invention.

Applications of the computer-implemented method of the second aspect of the invention may include, but are not limited to, the display of information, the display of art, a watch face, a clock face or a game.

The computer-implemented method may be carried out by an electronic circuit that includes a processor and memory including computer program code, the memory and computer program code configured to, with the processor, enable the electronic circuit at least to perform the computer-implemented method. The electronic circuit may be, may include, may communicate with or may form part of one or more of an electronic device, a portable electronic device, a portable telecommunications device, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a tablet, a phablet, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a server, a cloud computing network, a smartphone, a smartwatch, smart eyewear, and a module for one or more of the same.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program comprising computer code configured to perform the method of any one of the second aspect of the invention and its embodiments.

The features and advantages of the first and second aspects of the invention and their embodiments apply mutatis mutandis to the features and advantages of the computer program of the third aspect of the invention and its embodiments.

It will be appreciated that the use of the terms "first" and "second", and the like, in this patent specification is merely intended to help distinguish between similar features, and is not intended to indicate the relative importance of one feature over another feature, unless otherwise specified.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, and the claims and/or the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and all features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a conveying mechanism according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figures 2a to 2d show exemplary conveyor members and their ranges of rotation; Figures 3a to 3e show exemplary conveyor members arrangements for use in the embodiments of the conveying mechanism of the invention; Figure 4a to 4f show a conveying mechanism according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figures 5a and 5b show a conveying mechanism according to a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 6a shows a conveying mechanism according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; Figures 6b and 6c show different components of the conveying mechanism of Figure 6a; Figures 7a to 7d show examples of information that can be displayed by embodiments of the conveying mechanism of the invention; Figure 8 shows a weaving device according to a fifth embodiment of the invention; Figure 9 shows a conveying mechanism according to a sixth embodiment of the invention; and Figure 10 shows an actuator of a conveying mechanism according to a seventh embodiment of the invention.

The figures are not necessarily to scale, and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic form in the interests of clarity and conciseness.

A conveying mechanism according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 1 and is designated generally by the reference number 10.

The conveying mechanism 20 comprises a plurality of rotatable conveyor members, namely first, second, third and fourth conveyor members 22,24,26,28. Each conveyor member 22,24,26,28 includes a respective set of four concave receptacles 30,32,34,36. Each set of receptacles 30,32,34,36 is arranged equidistantly about the periphery of its respective conveyor member 22,24,26,28. The conveyor members 22,24,26,28 are arranged so that the ranges of rotation of adjacent conveyor members 22,24,26,28 overlap with each other. In the embodiment shown, the distance between the centres of the cross-sections of adjacent conveyor members 22,24,26,28 is exemplarily equal to the square root of 2r, where r is the radius of each conveyor member 22,24,26,28, but the centre-to-centre distance may vary in other embodiments.

The conveying mechanism 20 further comprises a housing 38 that defines an internal conveyance space 40. The conveyor members 22,24,26,28 are disposed inside the internal conveyance member 42. In the embodiment shown, the housing 38 is rectangular with the internal conveyance space 40 shaped as a series of overlapping circles. The housing and internal conveyance space may have different shapes in other embodiments.

In Figure 1, a first object 42a is received by a first receptacle 30 so that it is supported by the first receptacle 30 and an inner wall of the housing 38. Rotating the first conveyor member 22 conveys the first object 42a about the periphery of the first conveyor member 22. The first object 42a can be transferred from the first conveyor member 22 to the second conveyor member 24 in two steps. Firstly, the first conveyor member 22 is rotated by 90 degrees in an anticlockwise direction or 270 degrees in a clockwise direction to rotate the first object 42a about the periphery of the first conveyor member 22 until the first object 42a is received by a second receptacle 32 of the second conveyor member 24. Secondly, the first object 42a is fully transferred to the second conveyor member 24 by rotating the second conveyor member 24 by a sufficiently large angle, e.g. 90 degrees so that the first object 42a is no longer received by the first conveyor member 22.

In Figure 1, a second object 42b is received by a third receptacle 34 and a fourth receptacle 36 so that it is supported by the opposingly facing third and fourth receptacles 34,36. Rotating either of the third and fourth receptacles 34,36 conveys the second object 42b about the periphery of the third or fourth conveyor member 26,28. The second object 42b is fully transferred to the third or fourth conveyor member 26,28 by rotating the third or fourth conveyor member 24,26 by a sufficiently large angle, e.g. 90 degrees, so that the second object 42b is no longer received by the other conveyor member 26,28.

The conveyor members 24,26 are rotatable to convey the objects 42a,42b to any position in the conveying mechanism 20 and exchange the objects 42a,42b between any two adjacent conveyor members 22,24,26,28. The conveyance and exchange of the objects 42a,42b can take place concurrently so long as the objects 42a,42b do not interfere with each other.

The conveyor members 22,24,26,28 are arranged in a straight line so that each conveyor member 22,24,26,28 is rotatable to convey the first and second objects 42a,42b about their respective peripheries and so that adjacent conveyor members 22,24,26,28 are rotatable to exchange the first and second objects 42a,42b between each other. The exchange of objects 42a,42b between conveyor members 22,24,26,28 is made possible by the overlapping ranges of rotation of adjacent conveyor members 22,24,26,28. By rotating a conveyor member 22,24,26,28 and not rotating the adjacent conveyor member(s) 22,24,26,28, the conveyor members 22,24,26,28 are controlled so that they do not come into contact with each other.

The configuration and arrangement of the conveyor members 22,24,26,28 permits transportation of the objects 42a,42b in a smooth and predictable manner in any direction depending on the orientation of the conveying mechanism 20.

An object sorting device may comprise the conveying mechanism. A received object may be any type of item, such as a package, a parcel, a container. The conveying mechanism may convey objects to different destinations depending on characteristics of the object, which may be identified using a sensor so that a controller may control the conveyor members to sort the identified object based on information received from the sensor. The destination may be a delivery vehicle, a packing area, a processing machine and so on.

A cooking device may comprise the conveying mechanism. One or more food items may be received by the receptacles of the conveying mechanism. The conveying mechanism may be operated to convey and exchange the food item for various purposes, e.g. ensuring an even cooking process, moving a food item into and out of a cooking section, moving a food item between different cooking sections of the cooking device. Cooking the food item can be carried out in different ways. At least one conveyor member may be partly or fully submerged in a cooking fluid, such as heated oil or boiling water. At least one conveyor member may include a heater element or may itself be configured as a heater element. The housing may include one or more heater elements. At least one conveyor member may be exposed to a heated environment suited for cooking.

Figures 2a to 2d show different exemplary conveyor members and their ranges of rotation. The range of rotation of a given conveyor member is a circle with a radius equal to the distance between the centre of the cross-section of the conveyor member and the outermost point of the cross-section of the conveyor member. The radius of each conveyor member is suitably sized to prevent interference between adjacent conveyor members when a selected conveyor member is rotating.

Figure 2a shows a conveyor member 44 that comprises four receptacles that are formed as concave recesses in an outer wall of the periphery of the conveyor member 44 and are equidistantly arranged about the periphery of the conveyor member 44. Adjacent receptacles are separated by a circular segment that resembles a pointed outermost end. An apex of the pointed end lies on the circumference of a circular range of rotation of the conveyor member 44. The right-hand image of Figure 2a shows the circular range of rotation of the conveyor member 44.

Figure 2b shows another conveyor member 46 that comprises four receptacles that are formed as concave recesses in an outer wall of the periphery of the conveyor member 46 and are equidistantly arranged about the periphery of the conveyor member 46. Adjacent receptacles are separated by a circular segment with a flat outermost end. The right-hand image of Figure 2b shows the circular range of rotation of the conveyor member 46.

Figure 2c shows a conveyor member 48 that is similar in structure to the conveyor member 46 of Figure 2b, with the addition of a cushioning material 50 in each receptacle. The right-hand image of Figure 2c shows the circular range of rotation of 15 the conveyor member 48.

Figure 2d shows a conveyor member 52 that comprises three receptacles that are formed as cup-shaped receptacles and are equidistantly arranged about the periphery of the conveyor member 52. The right-hand image of Figure 2d shows the circular range of rotation of the conveyor member 52.

It is envisaged that, in other embodiments of the invention, the number of receptacles in each conveyor member may vary and/or the shape of each receptacle may vary so long as it is capable of receiving an object. It is also envisaged that, in still other embodiments of the invention, a given set of receptacles may be arranged non-equidistantly about the periphery of a corresponding conveyor member. It is further envisaged, that the received objects may have other shapes so as to fill part or whole of the receiving receptacle(s).

Figures 3a to 3d show different arrangements of conveyor members and the range of rotation of each conveyor member in such arrangements.

Figure 3a shows an arrangement 54 in which two sets of four conveyor members are arranged in respective straight lines that are parallel. In each set, the conveyor members are rotatable to convey an object to any position in the line and exchange the object between any two adjacent conveyor members in the same line. The ranges of rotation of the conveyor members in each line do not overlap with the ranges of rotation of the conveyor members in the other line. As a result, the conveyor members of each line is configured to carry out the object conveyance and exchange independently of the conveyor members of the other line. Object conveyance and exchange between the two lines is not possible. In other embodiments of the invention, the number of conveyor members and/or the number of lines may vary. In still other embodiments of the invention, the lines may be non-parallel.

Figure 3b shows an arrangement 56 in which a plurality of conveyor members are arranged in an irregular line. The irregular line comprises a horizontal section and two vertical sections, each vertical section joining a respective end of the horizontal section at right angles. The range of rotation of each end conveyor member overlaps with the range of rotation of one adjacent conveyor member. The range of rotation of each intermediate conveyor member overlaps with the range of rotation of two adjacent conveyor members. In other embodiments of the invention, the irregular line may be curved, crooked, wavy or have any shape as long as it is capable of carrying out the object conveyance and exchange operations.

Figure 3c shows an arrangement 58 in which a plurality of conveyor members are arranged in a grid comprising two columns and three rows. The range of rotation of each corner conveyor member overlaps with the range of rotation of two adjacent conveyor members. The range of rotation of each intermediate conveyor member overlaps with the range of rotation of three adjacent conveyor members. In other embodiments of the invention, the plurality of conveyor members may be arranged in a grid comprising any number of rows and any number of columns.

Figure 3d shows an arrangement 60 in which a plurality of conveyor members are arranged in an array that is not a line or a grid. The range of rotation of each conveyor member overlaps with the ranges of rotation of one, two, three or four adjacent conveyor members depending on the position of the conveyor member in the array. In other embodiments of the invention, a plurality of conveyor members may be arranged in an array having any shape and size.

Figure 3e shows an arrangement 62 in which a plurality of conveyor members are arranged in a hexagonal array, with six outer conveyor members surrounding a central conveyor member. The range of rotation of each outer conveyor member overlaps with the ranges of rotation of three adjacent conveyor members. The ranges of rotation of the central conveyor member overlaps with the ranges of rotation of the outer conveyor members. In other embodiments of the invention, the hexagonal array may be expanded to include more conveyor members.

Figures 3a to 3e therefore show that the rotational and modular configuration of the conveyor members makes it possible to design a wide range of object conveyance and exchange paths, ranging from simple straight paths to complex grid-based and array-based paths.

Figures 4a to 4f show a conveying mechanism 120 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The conveying mechanism 120 of Figures 4a to 4f is similar in structure and operation to the conveying mechanism 20 of Figure 1 and like features share the same reference numerals.

The conveying mechanism 120 functions as a visual display mechanism as follows.

The conveying mechanism 120 comprise a plurality of conveyor members 22,24,26,28, a plurality of blocking elements 142a and a plurality of display elements 142b. Each element 142a,142b is received in a respective one of the receptacles. In particular, the conveying mechanism 120 comprises four conveyor members that receive six blocking elements 142a and seven display elements 142b. Each element 142a,142b is shaped as a convex lens so that each element 142a,142b matingly corresponds to the shape and size of each receptacle so as to matingly fit in each receptacle and to matingly fit between opposingly facing receptacles.

A visual characteristic of each blocking element 142a is the same as a visual characteristic of each conveyor member 22,24,26,28 and the housing 38 to create a visual uniformity between the blocking elements 142a and the conveyor members 22,24,26,28 and housing 38. In the embodiment shown, each blocking element 142a has the same colour as the conveyor members 22,24,26,28 and the housing 38.

A visual characteristic of each display element 142b is different from a visual characteristic of each conveyor member 22,24,26,28 and the housing 38 to create a visual variation between the display elements 142b and the conveyor members 22,24,26,28 and housing 38. In the embodiment shown, each display element 142b has a different colour from the conveyor members 22,24,26,28 and the housing 38.

Other visual characteristics may be employed, non-limiting examples of which are

described throughout the specification.

The colour configuration of the blocking elements 142a, the display elements 142b, the conveyor members 22,24,26,28 and the housing 38 permit positioning of the display elements 142 to enable the conveying mechanism 120 to display a symbol.

The intermediate two conveyor members 24,26 and the received elements 142a,142b define a seven-segment display region. For example, in Figure 4a, the blocking element 142a and display elements 142b received by the intermediate two conveyor members 24,26 are arranged to form a number "9". The remaining blocking elements 142a and display element 142b are received in the remaining receptacles of the end conveyor members 22,28.

Different symbols can be displayed in the seven-segment display region by rotating the conveyor members 22,24,26,28 to convey and exchange the blocking elements 142a and the display elements 142b, thus moving the elements 142a,142b into and out of the seven-segment display region. In Figure 4b, one of the intermediate conveyor members 26 is rotated 90 degrees in a clockwise direction. This is so that the blocking element 142a and display elements 142b received by the intermediate two conveyor members 24,26 are now arranged to form a number "0", as shown in Figure 4c.

In other embodiments of the invention, the blocking elements 142, the conveyor members 22,24,26,28 and the housing 38 may have the same or different visual characteristics so long as the blocking elements 142, the conveyor members 22,24,26,28 and the housing 38 all have a different visual characteristic from the display elements 142b.

In Figure 4d, the elements 142,142b indicated by "X" are not required to form part of the symbol displayed by the seven-segment display region. It is preferably to hide these elements 142a,142b to make it easier to discern the symbol displayed by the seven-segment display region.

An opaque masking element 66, as shown in Figure 4e, may be employed. More specially, the masking element includes two masking sections that are arranged to hide the elements 142a,142b that do not form part of the seven-segment display region. A first masking section is in overlapping arrangement with part of the end conveyor member 22 so as to mask three of the elements 142a,142b received by the end conveyor member 22, while a second masking section is in overlapping arrangement with part of the end conveyor member 24 so as to mask three of the elements 142a,142b received by the end conveyor member 24. In this way the mask element 22 is arranged to leave only the seven-segment display region exposed, as shown in Figure 4f. In other embodiments, a transparent section may be arranged between the masking sections and over the seven-segment display section.

In use, the conveyor members 22,24,26,28 are rotatable to move the elements 142a,142b into and out of the seven-segment display region so as to change the symbol displayed by the seven-segment display region.

The inclusion of seven display elements in the conveying mechanism 120 enables the provision of a seven-segment display region capable of 127 different arrangements that include the representation of Arabic numerals "0-9" and alphabet letters "A-Z".

Once the seven-segment display region is configured to display a particular symbol, it is not required to use energy to maintain the position of the conveyor members 22,24,26,28. This is particularly useful for equipment, such as price signs or room numbers, that are required to display information over a long period of time.

In other embodiments of the invention, the conveying mechanism 120 may function as a haptic display mechanism. A haptic characteristic of each blocking element 142a is the same as a haptic characteristic of each conveyor member 22,24,26,28 and the housing 38 to create a haptic uniformity between the blocking elements 142a and the conveyor members 22,24,26,28 and housing 38. For example, each blocking element 142a may have the same texture as the conveyor members 22,24,26,28 and the housing 38. A haptic characteristic of each display element 142b is different from a haptic characteristic of each conveyor member 22,24,26,28 and the housing 38 to create a haptic variation between the display elements 142b and the conveyor members 22,24,26,28 and housing 38. For example, each display element 142b may have a different texture from the conveyor members 22,24,26,28 and the housing 38.

Various haptic characteristics may be employed, non-limiting examples of which are

described throughout the specification.

In other embodiments of the invention, the conveying mechanism 120 may function as a haptic and visual display mechanism.

Figures 5a and 5b show a conveying mechanism 220 according to a third embodiment of the invention. The conveying mechanism 220 of Figures 5a and 5b is similar in structure and operation to the conveying mechanism 120 of Figure 4a and like features share the same reference numerals.

The conveying mechanism 220 of Figures 5a and 5b differs from the conveying mechanism 120 of Figure 4a in that the conveying mechanism 220 of Figures 5a and 5b comprises four conveyor members that receive five blocking elements 242a and eight display elements 242b. In addition, in the conveying mechanism 220, the blocking elements 242a have a different visual characteristic from the conveyor members 22,24,26,28 and the housing 38. The visual characteristics of the display elements 242b are different from the visual characteristics of the blocking elements 242a, the conveyor members 22,24,26,28 and the housing 38.

In Figure 5a, the blocking elements 242a and display elements 242b received by the intermediate two conveyor members 24,26 are arranged to form a number "3". The remaining blocking elements 242a and display elements 242b are received in the remaining receptacles of the end conveyor members 22,28. Rotating each of the conveyor members 24,28 by 90 degrees in the clockwise direction 68,70 results in the blocking elements 242a and display elements 242b received by the intermediate two conveyor members 24,26 being arranged to form a number "4", as shown in Figure 5b.

Non-adjacent conveyor members may be rotated simultaneously to speed up the symbol changing process. This is because the ranges of rotation of non-adjacent conveyor members do not overlap. On the other hand, it is preferable to individually rotate adjacent conveyor members at different times due to their overlapping ranges of rotation in order to avoid interference between the adjacent conveyor members.

Similarly, a masking element as described hereinabove may be employed in the conveying mechanism 220 in the same way.

Alternatively the inclusion of eight display elements in the conveying mechanism 220 enables the provision of a seven-segment display region capable of 120 different arrangements that include the representation of Arabic numerals "0-9" and alphabet letters "A-Z". The provision of an additional display element allows the conveying mechanism to change the displayed information.

Figure 6a shows a conveying mechanism 320 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. The conveying mechanism 320 of Figure 6a is similar in structure and operation to the conveying mechanism 120 of Figure 4a and like features share the same reference numerals.

The conveying mechanism 320 of Figure 6a differs from the conveying mechanism 120 of Figure 4a in that the conveying mechanism 320 of Figure 6a omits the display elements.

The conveying mechanism 320 comprises a display background 72 arranged behind the conveyor members 22,24,26,28 so that the display background 270 is viewable through gaps 72 defined by empty receptacles, as shown in Figure 6b. The display background 72 comprises a first background section 76 and a second background section 78. The first background section 76 overlaps with the intermediate conveyor members 24,26 so that the first background section 76 is viewable through gaps 72 defined by any empty receptacle in the intermediate conveyor members 24,26. The second background section 78 overlaps with the intermediate conveyor members 24,26 so that the second background section 78 is viewable through gaps 72 defined by empty receptacles in the end conveyor members 22,28.

A visual characteristic of the first background section 76 is different from a visual characteristic of the second background section 78 to create a visual variation between the first background section 76 and the second background section 78. A visual characteristic of the first background section 76 is different from a visual characteristic of each blocking element 342, each conveyor member 22,24,26,28 and the housing 38 to create a visual variation between the first background section 76 and the conveyor members 22,24,26,28 and housing 38. In the embodiment shown, the first background section 76 has a different colour from the second background section 78, the conveyor members 22,24,26,28 and the housing 38.

A visual characteristic of the second background section 78 is different from a visual characteristic of each blocking element 342, each conveyor member 22,24,26,28 and the housing 38 to create a visual variation between the second background section 78 and the conveyor members 22,24,26,28 and housing 38. In the embodiment shown, the second background section 78 has a different colour from the blocking elements 342, the conveyor members 22,24,26,28 and the housing 38. In other embodiments of the invention, the second background section 78may have the same visual characteristics as the conveyor members 22,24,26,28 and the housing 38.

The colour configuration of the background sections 76,78, the blocking elements 342, the conveyor members 22,24,26,28 and the housing 38 permit positioning of the blocking elements 342 to enable the conveying mechanism 320 to display a symbol that is defined by the first background section 76. For example, in Figure 6a, the blocking elements 342 are arranged to leave empty receptacles in the seven-segment display region that form a number "4" that has the same colour as the first background section 76. Different symbols can be displayed in the seven-segment display region by rotating the conveyor members 22,24,26,28 to convey and exchange the blocking elements 342, thus moving the elements 342 into and out of the seven-segment display region.

In other embodiments of the invention, the display background may omit the second background section 274.

In still other embodiments of the invention, the display background may be omitted from the conveying mechanism. In such embodiments, the conveying mechanism may be operated to arrange the receptacles to form specific combinations of empty and filled receptacles, where the filled receptacles contain the blocking elements. These specific combinations of empty and filled receptacles can be used to provide visual information due to the visual variation between the empty receptacles and the filled receptacles and/or provide haptic information due to the haptic variation between the empty receptacles and the filled receptacles.

The conveying mechanisms 20,120,220,320 may be used to display different types of information.

Figure 7a shows a conveying system comprising a plurality of conveyor members that are divided into four parallel lines displaying a time, namely "12:34", which can be changed by rotating the conveyor members. Figure 7b shows a conveying system comprising a plurality of conveyor members that are divided into four parallel lines displaying a date, namely the year "2024", which can be changed by rotating the conveyor members. Figure 7c shows a conveying system comprising a plurality of conveyor members that are arranged in six parallel lines displaying a word, namely the name "ELLINS", which can be changed by rotating the conveyor members.

Figure 7d shows a game board that uses a conveying mechanism 79 having a plurality of conveyor members arranged in a grid. Each conveyor member is designated as a grid position, and each receptacle is designated as a wall position. Each conveyor member may be rotated to move the wall positions around its periphery. The game involves two or more players, and the aim is to capture the higher (or highest) number of grid positions at the end of the game.

Initially the game starts with each conveyor member having empty receptacles so that the whole board (known as the "grid") is empty of walls. An empty grid position is one in which a conveyor member does not contain any player piece and is not a captured grid position by either player. An empty wall position refers to a receptacle that does not contain a wall object. "On-grid" refers to a player whose piece is on the grid. "Off-grid" refers to a player whose piece is off the grid. The player pieces are indicated as 0' and 'X' in Figure 7d.

Each player piece should start beside the grid, i.e. both players start off-grid. Each player must choose their own colour. Players take alternating turns. A move-set must be played on each turn. It is not possible to skip a turn. Each move-set consists of one individual action or multiple individual actions taken in a specific order. Different move-sets must be followed depending on the on-grid or off-grid status of the player and depending on whether certain special conditions are met.

A "Build Wall" action involves placing a new self-coloured wall within any empty wall position (i.e. receptacle) on the grid.

A "Move Position" action involves moving a playing piece to any empty grid position. If there are no empty grid positions, a different action must be performed.

A "Spin Position" action involves turning a playing piece clockwise or anti-clockwise any number of times (e.g. 90, 180 or 270 degrees). The playing piece must remain in its current position during the "Spin Position" action. The state of the walls will be evaluated only after the completion of the "Spin Position" action. Any wall can be spun during the "Spin Position" action, which may lead to completion of opposing walls and capture of opposing grid positions.

Possible move-sets for an on-grid player includes: * Build Wall; * Spin Position and then Build Wall; * Build Wall and then Spin Position; * Move Position; Spin Position and then Move Position; Move Position and then Spin Position.

When there are empty grid positions, possible move-sets for an off-grid player includes: * Move Position; * Move Position and then Spin Position.

When there are no empty grid positions, possible move-sets for an off-grid player includes: * Build Wall.

When there are no empty wall positions, possible move-sets for an on-grid player includes: * Spin Position; * Move Position and then Spin Position.

When there are no empty wall positions, possible move-sets for an off-grid player includes: * Move Position and then Spin Position.

The game ends when all empty wall positions have been filled and at least one grid position has been captured. The player to make the final move has one last chance to do a new wall assessment before the game is finished. The next player cannot make a move after this step, even if they were originally the second player to take a turn.

The current number of captured grid positions for each player is then added for each player, with the winner having the higher (or highest) number of captured grid positions.

A tie game is possible if both players end up with the same number of captured grid positions at the end of the game. In the event of a tie game, a winner may be determined as the player who last claimed or re-claimed a grid position.

Another end game scenario may take place when a player takes three consecutive turns without placing down a single wall and is thereby automatically declared the loser of the game, even if they have more captured grid positions.

The conveying mechanism may be displayed, for example on an electronic display screen, a touchscreen or a smartwatch, using an electronic circuit that includes a processor and memory including computer program code. The memory and computer program code are configured to, with the processor, enable the electronic circuit at least to implement an electronic version of the conveying mechanism.

The computer-implemented method may be carried out by an electronic circuit that includes a processor and memory including computer program code, the memory and computer program code configured to, with the processor, enable the electronic circuit at least to perform the computer-implemented method. The electronic circuit may be, may include, may communicate with or may form part of one or more of an electronic device, a portable electronic device, a portable telecommunications device, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a tablet, a phablet, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a server, a cloud computing network, a smartphone, a smartwatch, smart eyewear, and a module for one or more of the same. It will be appreciated that references to a memory or a processor may encompass a plurality of memories or processors.

It will be understood that Figure 7d can be implemented, for example as a board game, using a physical conveying mechanism.

Figure 8 shows a weaving device comprising a conveying mechanism 420 according to a fifth embodiment of the invention. The conveying mechanism 420 of Figure 8 is similar in structure and operation to the conveying mechanism 120 of Figure 4a and like features share the same reference numerals.

The conveying mechanism 420 of Figure 8 differs from the conveying mechanism 120 of Figure 4a in that, in the conveying mechanism 420 of Figure 8, the blocking and display elements 142a,142b are replaced by holding members 80. Each holding member 80 is in the form of an annular member, such as a ring or a tube.

In use, each holding member 80 receives a respective yarn 82. Preferably the weaving device comprises a weaving support structure to hold each yarn 82 in a taut state. The conveyor members 22,24,26,28 are rotatable to convey and exchange the holding members 80 so as to manipulate the received yarns 82 to perform a weaving operation.

In other embodiments of the invention, only some of the receptacles may receive a holding member, and the or each other receptacle may be left empty or filled with a blank.

In still other embodiments of the invention, each holding member may receive multiple yarns.

The conveying mechanism may be used in other object manipulation devices, such as another type of fabric production device or a rope-making device, and may be used to carry out a twisting operation, a braiding operation, a plaiting operation or a combination thereof.

The object conveyance and exchange capabilities of the conveying mechanism of the invention may be used in other products and applications, including object sorting devices, object storage devices (e.g. food storage devices) and production lines.

Figure 9 shows a conveying mechanism 520 according to a sixth embodiment of the invention. The conveying mechanism 520 of Figure 9 is similar in structure and operation to the conveying mechanism 120 of Figure 4a and like features share the same reference numerals.

The conveying mechanism 520 of Figure 9 differs from the conveying mechanism 120 of Figure 4a in that the conveying mechanism 520 of Figure 9 further comprises the following features: * an inner wall of the housing 38 includes a first guide member 84 in the form of a toothed track; * each received object 542 includes a second guide member 86 in the form of a plurality of free-rotating cogs; * each receptacle 36 includes a third guide member 88 in the form of a toothed track.

In use, when a given object 542 is received in a given receptacle 36, each free-rotating cog 86 engages with the first and second tracks 84,88 of the housing 38 and the receptacle 536. Rotation of the conveyor member 28 causes each cog 86 to travel relative to the first track 84 as it is conveyed around the periphery of the conveyor member 28. When the object 542 is moved to a position where it is received between opposingly facing receptacles 56, the free-rotating cogs engage with the first tracks 88 of the opposingly facing receptacles 56.

The provision of the guide members ensures smooth and reliable conveyancing and exchange of the received objects 542 during the rotation of the conveyor members 28.

In other embodiments of the invention, the first and third guide members may be in the form of free-rotating cogs and the second guide member may be in the form of a track. The first and third guide members may each include a single free-rotating cog, instead of multiple free-rotating cogs.

There is provided a conveying mechanism according to a seventh embodiment of the invention. The conveying mechanism of the seventh embodiment of the invention is similar in structure and operation to the conveying mechanism 120 of Figure 4a and like features share the same reference numerals.

The conveying mechanism of the seventh embodiment of the invention differs from the conveying mechanism 120 of Figure 4a in that the conveying mechanism of the seventh embodiment of the invention further comprises a plurality of actuators 90, each of which is operable to selectively drive a rotation of a respective one of the conveyor members to a fixed finite number of angular positions. That is to say, each actuator is operable to control the rotation of the corresponding conveyor member to rotate by fixed angular amounts in order to provide precise rotational control over the conveyor members.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 10, each actuator 90 includes a gear arrangement that is configured to convert a continuous rotary motion into an intermittent rotary motion. Each actuator 90 includes a rotatable driving wheel 92 and a rotatable driven wheel 94. The driving wheel 92 includes a guide element in the form of a pin 96. The driven wheel 94 includes four radially extending slots 98, where the slots 98 are equidistantly spaced apart around the circumference of the driven wheel 94. Hence, adjacent slots 98 are spaced apart from each other by 90 degrees. Each driven wheel 94 is operably coupled to a respective conveyor member so that rotation of the driven wheel 94 causes the rotation of the corresponding conveyor member.

In use, the driving wheel 92 rotates until its pin 96 enters a slot 98 of the driven wheel 94. This enables the driving wheel 92 to drive the driven wheel 94 in 90 degree steps. In the first 45 degrees of the 90 degree step, the pin 96 moves along the slot 98 radially from the periphery of the driven wheel 94 towards the centre of the driven wheel 94. In the second 45 degrees of the 90 degree step, the pin 96 moves along the slot 98 radially from the centre of the driven wheel 94 towards the periphery of the driven wheel 94 before exiting the slot 98. Each actuator 90 includes a detent element 100 that abuts the driven wheel 94 when the pin 96 is outside the slots 98, so that the position of the driven wheel 94 is locked between consecutive steps. In this way, instead of being free-rotating, each conveyor member is controlled by the corresponding actuator 90 to rotate in 90 degrees steps to four angular positions.

It is envisaged that, in other embodiments of the invention, a given conveyor member is controlled by an actuator to rotate by other angular amounts so that the conveyor member has a different number of angular positions. In still other embodiments of the invention, it is envisaged that each actuator may include a motor, engine, gear arrangement, mechanical linkage arrangement or other mechanical system that is configured to drive a rotation of each conveyor member by fixed angular amount to a fixed finite number of angular positions.

It will be appreciated that the above numerical values are merely intended to help illustrate the working of the invention and may vary depending on the requirements of the conveying mechanism and the associated application.

The listing or discussion of an apparently prior-published document or apparently prior-published information in this specification should not necessarily be taken as an acknowledgement that the document or information is part of the state of the art or is common general knowledge.

Preferences and options for a given aspect, feature or parameter of the invention should, unless the context indicates otherwise, be regarded as having been disclosed in combination with any and all preferences and options for all other aspects, features and parameters of the invention.

Claims (25)

1. CLAIMS1. A conveying mechanism comprising a plurality of rotatable conveyor members, each conveyor member including a plurality of receptacles arranged about its periphery, each receptacle for receiving an object, wherein the plurality of conveyor members are positioned so that each conveyor member is rotatable to convey at least one received object about its periphery and to exchange at least one received object with at least one other of the conveyor members.
2. 2. A conveying mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each conveyor member is configured to be rotatable independently of the or each other conveyor member.
3. 3. A conveying mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims wherein two or more non-adjacent conveyor members of the plurality of conveyor members are simultaneously rotatable.
4. 4. A conveying mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least two of the plurality of conveyor members are rotatable to arrange their respective receptacles to define opposingly facing receptacles that are capable of simultaneously receiving the same object.
5. 5. A conveying mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims including a plurality of actuators, each actuator operable to selectively drive a rotation of a respective one of the plurality of rotatable conveyor members to a fixed finite number of angular positions.
6. 6. A conveying mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each receptacle comprises an elastic, flexible and/or cushioning material for contacting the received object.
7. 7. A conveying mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the conveying mechanism comprises a housing, the housing defining an internal conveyance space, the plurality of conveyor members disposed inside the internal conveyance space.
8. 8. A conveying mechanism according to Claim 7 including at least one object for receipt in the receptacles, wherein an inner wall of the housing includes a first guide member configured to be engageable with a second guide member of the or each object so that, in use, the or each second guide member travels relative to the first guide member during rotation of the or each conveyor member receiving the or each object.
9. 9. A conveying mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims including at least one holding member for receipt in the receptacles, the or each holding member for receiving an object, wherein each conveyor member is rotatable to convey at least one received holding member about its periphery and to exchange at least one received holding member with at least one other of the conveyor members.
10. 10. A conveying mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the conveyor members is submerged in a liquid or gel.
11. 11. A conveying mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims including at least one object for receipt in the receptacles, wherein a visual and/or haptic characteristic of the or each object is different from a visual and/or haptic characteristic of the conveyor members to create a visual and/or haptic variation between the or each object and the conveyor members.
12. 12. A conveying mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims including a display background in overlapping arrangement with the conveyor members so that the display background is viewable through at least one of the receptacles, wherein a visual characteristic of the display background is different from a visual characteristic of the conveyor members to create a visual variation between the display background and the conveyor members.
13. 13. A conveying mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims including at least one blocking element for receipt in the receptacles, wherein a visual and/or haptic characteristic of the or each blocking element is the same, or substantially the same, as a visual and/or haptic characteristic of the conveyor members to create a visual and/or haptic uniformity between the or each blocking element and the conveyor members.
14. 14. A conveying mechanism according to any one of Claims 11 to 13 wherein the visual characteristic includes at least one electromagnetic radiation property or at least one colour property.
15. 15. A conveying mechanism according to any one of Claims 11 to 14 wherein the visual characteristic includes at least one pattern or at least one image.
16. 16. A conveying mechanism according to any one of Claims 11 to 15 including at least one masking element in overlapping arrangement with part or whole of at least one of the conveyor members, wherein at least one of the conveyor members are rotatable to convey at least one received object so as to conceal the at least one received object behind the or each masking element.
17. 17. A conveying mechanism according to any one of Claims 11 to 16 wherein the conveyor members are rotatable to create an image, an alphanumeric character, a language character or a Braille character from the visual and/or haptic variation between the or each object and the conveyor members.
18. 18. An object manipulation device comprising a conveying mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the plurality of conveyor members are positioned so that each conveyor member is rotatable to convey at least one received object about its periphery and to exchange at least one received object with at least one other of the conveyor members so as to manipulate a plurality of objects so as to combine the plurality of objects.
19. 19. An object manipulation device according to Claim 18 wherein each of the at least two objects is a yarn, a ply, a thread, a fibre, a filament, a string, a strand, a rope or a cable.
20. 20. An object sorting device comprising a conveying mechanism according to any one of Claims 1 to 17 wherein the plurality of conveyor members are positioned so that each conveyor member is rotatable to convey at least one received object about its periphery and to exchange at least one received object with at least one other of the conveyor members so as to sort a plurality of objects into different groups.
21. 21. A production line comprising a conveying mechanism according to any one of Claims 1 to 17 wherein the plurality of conveyor members are positioned so that each conveyor member is rotatable to convey at least one received object about its periphery and to exchange at least one received object with at least one other of the conveyor members so as to move an object along the production line.
22. 22. A food processing device comprising a conveying mechanism according to any one of Claims 1 to 17 wherein the food processing device is configured to, in use, process food received in at least one of the receptacles.
23. 23. An object storage device comprising a conveying mechanism according to any one of Claims 1 to 17 wherein the object storage device is configured to, in use, store one or more objects in at least one of the receptacles.
24. 24. A computer-implemented method of displaying a conveying mechanism, the conveying mechanism comprising a plurality of rotatable conveyor members, each conveyor member including a plurality of receptacles positioned about its periphery, each receptacle for receiving an object, wherein the plurality of conveyor members are positioned so that each conveyor member is rotatable to convey at least one received object about its periphery and to exchange at least one received object with at least one other of the conveyor members, the method comprising the steps of rotating at least one of the conveyor members to convey at least one received object about its periphery and rotating at least one of the conveyor members to exchange at least one received object with at least one other of the conveyor members.
25. 25. A computer program comprising computer code configured to perform the method of Claim 24.