The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 30, 2001
Filed:
May. 27, 1999
Carl C. Maeder, Hinwil, CH;
Bruno Lutz, Gruet, CH;
Ferag AG, Hinwil, CH;
Abstract
A system for conveyance and processing of large numbers of identical or at least similar objects (piece goods) has a large number of holders (,) which are movable in sequence along a conveying path (F) which is closed on itself. The holders convey held objects along the conveying path. In stations (,) along the path, actions directed to objects or holders (,) are triggered. For controlling these actions, a selected number of the holders are equipped as signaling holders (,) such that between each two successive signaling holders (,), there is a different number of non-signaling holders. The stations (,) have sensor means (,) for detecting signaling holders (,) as well as a counter (,) and a memory (,) for storing the counter reading. In response to a signal (S) generated on detection of a signaling holder (,), the memory contents are overwritten with the current counter reading and the counter is reset to zero. The counter (,) counts time cycles (T) generated by a clock (,) or holders (,) detected by a suitable detector (,). The memory content and the counter reading together clearly identify a specific holder being conveyed through a station. The signals (S) can, in addition, be used for synchronizing a station cycle (T) and a local conveying cycle.