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. 17, 2001
Filed:
May. 26, 1999
Paul B. Svejkovksy, Coppell, TX (US);
Kenneth C. Petri, Richardson, TX (US);
Thomas G. Knodell, Jr., Fort Worth, TX (US);
Gilbert C. Winfree, Jr., Lewisville, TX (US);
Paul A. Svejkovksy, Marquez, TX (US);
Other;
Abstract
A conveyor,includes a cyclically powered drive mechanism,for moving products along an elongate tray,in a forward direction. The tray,includes a substantially planar floor,for supporting product thereon and tray side,on opposing transverse sides of the tray floor. A flow leveler,is positioned along the tray floor and normalizes the flow of product moving along the tray. In its preferred embodiment, the flow leveler includes a plurality of elongate ramp members,laterally spaced between the tray sides, and optionally arranged in staggered rows. The flow leveler may include a planar leveler floor,for positioning within a cutout in the tray floor and a plurality of securing members,for movably securing the leveler floor to the tray. The inclined ramp surface of the leveler is preferably angled up to 25° to 45°. The flow leveler is particularly well suited for leveling the flow rate of irregularly shaped snack goods conveyed along the linear motion conveyor.