Ambec, Incorporated

Gordon S Lawless

Robert F Risley

Paul E Barkely

Paul E Barkley

The invention provides both a vacuum combiner and vacuum conveyor for combining a plurality of lightweight containers arranged in a random order and width into a single row of containers, and moving the containers on a conveyor line to downstream workstations at high speed rates. The vacuum combiner includes one or more conveyor belt-type surfaces, while the vacuum conveyor has a single belt-type surface, all of which have openings defined therein. Both devices also have at least two guide rail assemblies, and a vacuum source that adds a 'drag' or 'weighing' force on the light-weight containers moved thereon. The conveyor belt-type surfaces of the combiner and the conveyor may or may not be moving at the same velocity. The guide rail assemblies are each comprised of a plurality of rods and rollers, wherein the rollers are aligned in a unique anti-jamming staggered or diamond pattern. The guide rail assemblies are positioned such that they are either substantially upright, or are positioned such that each is inclined over and above the conveyor surfaces. The rods within the guide rail assemblies may be substantially vertical, or they may be inclined forward. One vacuum source may be used for the plurality of conveyor surfaces, or one vacuum source may be used for each individual conveyor. The vacuum force should be such that it is greatest on the discharge conveyor surface and lowest on the infeed conveyor surface. In an alternative embodiment, the level of vacuum applied to the conveyor surfaces increases along the length of each conveyor surface.

Vacuum conveyor

Vacuum combiner and vacuum conveyor

The invention provides a transport apparatus, or combiner, for transporting light-weight containers at high speed rates. The combiner includes one or more conveyor belt-type surfaces that have openings thereupon, a guide rail assembly, and a vacuum source that adds a 'drag' or 'weighting' force on the light-weight containers. The conveyor belt-type surfaces may or may not be moving at the same velocity. The guide rail assembly is comprised of rods and rollers, wherein the rollers are aligned in a unique anti-jamming staggered or diamond pattern. The guide rail assembly can be positioned such that it is substantially upright, or the guide rail assembly can be positioned such that it is sloped over the conveyor surfaces. The rods within the guide rail assembly may be substantially vertical, or they may be pitched forward. One vacuum source may be used for the plurality of conveyor surfaces, or one vacuum source may be used for each individual conveyor. The vacuum force should be such that it is greatest on the discharge conveyor surface and lowest on the infeed conveyor surface. In an alternative embodiment, the guide rail assembly includes an air-jet means that also helps propel the light-weight containers downstream.

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Finksburg, MD, United States of America

Gordon S Lawless