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:
Aug. 27, 2002
Filed:
Dec. 22, 2000
Hans Hansen, Middelfart, DK;
Christian Ibsen, Hoejer, DK;
ECCO SKO A/S, Bredebro, DK;
Abstract
An assembly for processing blanks comprises a first endless conveyor ( ) with locations for holders for the blanks and at least one stationary processing station as well as optionally a second conveyor ( ) arranged next to said first conveyor ( ). The first conveyor ( ) comprises a number of self-propelled vehicles ( ), where each vehicle carries a tool ( ) and a holding device ( ) for the blank device. The first conveyor ( ) comprises at least one guiding line ( ) marked on the running surface ( ). Each vehicle ( ) comprises sensors ( ) detecting the guiding line, and guiding means ( ) guiding the vehicle into the guiding line ( ) of the running surface. The running surface ( ) comprises a main path ( ) and at least one siding path ( ), where the siding paths can be used either for a temporary removal/replacement of a tool ( ) on each vehicle ( ) as well as for an overtaking or for allowing a temporary putting aside of each vehicle ( ) relative to the main path ( ) without involving a change of the succession of the vehicles ( ) in the main path ( ). The processing station ( ) is positioned radially outside both the siding path ( ) and the main path ( ). As a result an assembly is obtained which is far more simple than previously and far less vulnerable in case one or more vehicles must be stopped.