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:
Oct. 25, 2005
Filed:
May. 14, 2002
Colin R. Hart, Klive, IA (US);
Kenneth M. Welborn, Charlottesville, VA (US);
Colin R. Hart, Klive, IA (US);
Kenneth M. Welborn, Charlottesville, VA (US);
F.R. Drake Company, Waynesboro, VA (US);
Abstract
A buffer device for buffering a flow of stacks of discrete objects between a stacking machine and a packaging machine is disclosed which buffer includes a plurality of individual trays mounted on carriers which carriers are mounted on a frame and driven about the periphery of the frame by a drive. A first number of stacks of objects is placed on a first number of carriers on a first side of the frame and a second number of stacks are removed from a second number of carriers on a second side of the frame where the first number can be greater than, less than or equal to the first number. The carriers clamp onto a continuously moving drive belt in a manner that allow the drive belt to slip through the carrier clamps when motion of the carriers is obstructed. A method of using the buffer device is also disclosed.