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:
Apr. 03, 2001
Filed:
Feb. 16, 1999
Thomas Mueller, Weinfelden, CH;
Ernst Kuenzler, Weinfelden, CH;
IPT Weinfelden AG, Weinfelden, CH;
Abstract
The conveying method comprises a flying takeover of containers (,) being fed into a takeover area (U.,) in a container stream, hanging conveyance of the containers along a conveying path (FS) with a freely selectable course and delivery of the containers in a delivery area (U.,). For taking over the containers, a sequence of individual and equidistant holding means (,) is supplied to the takeover area (U.,) along a descending curved path (,′) joining a container feeding path (,) tangentially at the end of the takeover area (U.,) and the holding means (,) are introduced into the container stream each between two containers (,). At the beginning of this introduction, the holding means have a speed (v′) greater than the container speed (v) and during introduction they are decelerated to the container speed (v). Thereby, the feeding of containers and holding means is matched such that each holding means (,) reaches the container feeding speed (v) when it encircles the container downstream, i.e. when it is in an at least potential holding position relative to this container. At the latest in the delivery area, the holding means are turned by 180° around a vertical axis such that for delivery the containers to a container removing means (,), the holding means (,) can be conveyed away along an upward curved path. The curved path of the holding means in the takeover area (U.,) and/or in the delivery area (U.,) may also be realized by individual pivoting of the holding means (,).