Alvey, Inc.

John J Kilper

Dennis Wiggers

The invention herein is concerned with not only limiting the velocity of packages on a downwardly inclined conveyor trackway, but effecting a cyclically operable system of brake assemblies that not only brake the flow of packages down the trackway but effect reversal of groups of rollers in the trackway for short periods of time so that gaps are created between packages as they accumulate at the end of the trackway so that the pressure between packages is redudced so as not to damage the contents. The brake assemblies are distributed in adjacent series along the trackway and operate in association with different groups of rollers and in timed cycles so that packages are prevented from developing a free or unretarded flow under gravity influence.

Controlled flow gravity conveyor

An endless flexible apron or carrier assembly includes a pair of parallel spaced endless drive chains connected by longitudinally spaced parallel cross tubes which slidably support a series of package transfer pushers. The drive chains are supported by parallel spaced elongated side frame members which also support one or more sets of modular crossover sender, receiver and switch units. The side frames have longitudinally spaced sets of holes for conveniently positioning the sets of units at longitudinally selectable locations. Each pusher has a load carrying roller and a smaller guide roller which engages long wearing guide surfaces on repositioning blocks and on the sender and receiver units, and the guide rollers also engage a multiple step divider block on the sender unit. The crossover units are connected by guide tracks with linear sections positioned at different angles, and the chains extend around sprockets mounted on end shafts which also support resilient disks for engaging the pushers carried by the cross tubes.

Sorting conveyor system

An endless chain having a tension and a relaxed non-tension run, and a lubricant delivery control including friction responsive elements to sense the friction condition between the chain and a part of a supporting track and respond on increasing friction to dispense lubricant into the non-tension chain run which is carried to the friction sensing element to eventually reduce the friction and allow the sensor to cut-off lubricant supply.

Growing community of inventors

St. Louis County, MO, United States of America

John J Kilper