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:
May. 22, 2012
Filed:
Feb. 09, 2010
Randy Allard, Issaquah, WA (US);
Vincent E. Bryan, Jr., Quincy, WA (US);
Marc Bommarito, Mercer Island, WA (US);
Alex E. Kunzler, Issaquah, WA (US);
Pete Kunzler, Mercer Island, WA (US);
Randy Allard, Issaquah, WA (US);
Vincent E. Bryan, Jr., Quincy, WA (US);
Marc Bommarito, Mercer Island, WA (US);
Alex E. Kunzler, Issaquah, WA (US);
Pete Kunzler, Mercer Island, WA (US);
Picker Technologies LLC, Mercer Island, WA (US);
Abstract
A downloader conveyor is described and claimed. The downloader conveyor comprises an endless belt to which a plurality of cups is pivotally attached. The cups are adapted to receive apples or like relatively delicate objects. As the cups containing the apples descend into the bin, the cups rotate so as to permit the apples or other objects to roll out of or exit from the cups and to retard the cup acceleration. Each apple engages a skirt, which breaks the fall of the exiting apple. A distal end of the skirt can be arranged to scrape over the bin floor or scrape over the top of apples or other objects already placed in the bin, so as to again break the fall of the apple so that the apple is placed in the bin without substantial freefall.