Differential pressure conveyors

Claim 2

A conveyor arrangement comprising an elongated chamber structure having flow means along at least one side, an endless foraminous conveyor belt means having a run thereof supported generally against said one side, said belt means having a relatively large number of flow impeding openings extending therethrough in communication with said flow means, means for moving said conveyor belt relative to said chamber structure, antifrictional means mounted on said chamber structure one side, said antifrictional means being spaced along the length of said one side and being disposed for engagement with said belt means to facilitate movement of said belt means over said one side, said antifrictional means extending transversely of said chamber structure and substantially entirely across said belt means and said chamber flow means, said belt means extending continuously across said chamber flow means, and means for establishing a pressure differential within said chamber.

Claim 3

The combination according to claim 1 wherein said pressure differential means establishes a negative differential within said chamber, a supply conveyor is mounted with an end portion thereof spaced substantially the thickness of articles transferred thereby beneath said foraminous belt means upon engagement of said belt means with said antifrictional means, said conveyor end portion being disposed adjacent one end of said chamber structure, and take away conveyor means are positioned beneath the other end of said conveyor arrangement adjacent a belt release area thereof adjacent the other end of said chamber structure.

Claim 4

The combination according to claim 1 wherein supply conveyor means are mounted with an end portion thereof juxtaposed adjacent one end of said chamber structure, and take away conveyor means are mounted with an end portion thereof juxtaposed adjacent the other end of chamber structure.

Claim 5

The combination according to claim 3 wherein said chamber structure is a vacuum chamber, said pressure differential means are capable of establishing a negative pressure within said chamber, and belt release means are mounted adjacent said vacuum chamber and disposed adjacent at least one of said supply conveyor means and said take away conveyor means.

Claim 6

The combination according to claim 4 wherein said supply and said take away conveyor means are mounted with their respective end portions beneath said chamber structure, said end portions being spaced from said belt means a distance substantially equivalent to the thickness of conveyed articles.

Claim 7

The combination according to claim 3 wherein a plurality of diverter conveyors are mounted in a generally parallel array with their end portions spaced along the length of said chamber structure.

Claim 8

A conveyor arrangement comprising an elongated chamber structure having flow means along at least one side, and endless foraminous conveyor belt means having a run thereof supported generally against said one side, said belt means having a relatively large number of flow impeding openings extending therethrough in communication with said flow means, means for moving said conveyor belt relative to said chamber structure, means for establishing a negative pressure differential within said chambeR, a supply conveyor mounted with an end portion thereof spaced substantially the thickness of articles transferred thereby beneath said foraminous belt means, said conveyor end portion being disposed adjacent one end of said chamber structure, a stacking mechanism is positioned beneath the other end of said conveyor arrangement and adjacent a belt release area thereof, said chamber structure terminating short of said belt release area, the space between an adjacent end of said chamber structure and the adjacent end of said conveyor arrangement being exposed to ambient pressure to define said release area and to release said articles, and a stop member juxtaposed to said belt release area to align said released articles with a stack on said stacking mechanism.

Claim 9

A conveyor arrangement comprising an elongated chamber structure having flow means along at least one side, and endless foraminous conveyor belt means having a run thereof supported generally against said one side, said belt means having a relatively large number of flow impeding openings extending therethrough in communication with said flow means, means for moving said conveyor belt relative to said chamber structure, means for establishing a negative pressure differential within said chambeR, a supply conveyor mounted with an end portion thereof spaced substantially the thickness of articles transferred thereby beneath said foraminous belt means, said conveyor end portion being disposed adjacent one end of said chamber structure, a stacking mechanism is positioned beneath the other end of said conveyor arrangement and adjacent a belt release area thereof, said chamber structure terminating short of said belt release area, the space between an adjacent end of said chamber structure and the adjacent end of said conveyor arrangement being exposed to ambient pressure to define said release area and to release said articles, and a stop member juxtaposed to said belt release area to align said released articles with a stack on said stacking mechanism.

Claim 10

A conveyor arrangement comprising an elongated chamber structure having flow means along at least one side, an endless foraminous conveyor belt means having a run thereof supported generally against said one side, said belt means having a relatively large number of flow impeding openings therethrough communicating with said one side, means for moving said conveyor belt means relative to said chamber structure and means for establishing a pressure differential within said chamber structure, said chamber structure being closed at both ends and a perforated return roller for said belt means is rotatably mounted adjacent one of said chamber ends for establishing a pressure differential through said belt means at an associated belt return of said belt means, and conduit means coupled to said perforated roller and to said pressure differential means, said pressure differential means being capable of establishing a negative pressure differential within said chamber and said roller, said conveyor arrangement being mounted in a generally upstanding position for elevating articles adhered to said conveyor arrangement, a first horizontal conveyor positioned with an end thereof adjacent the lower end of said chamber structure, a second horizontal conveyor positioned with an end thereof adjacent said perforated roller so that articles can be conveyed between said first and said second horizontal conveyors by adherence to said belt means during passage of said article along said chamber one side and at least partially around said perforated roller.

Claim 11

A conveyor arrangement comprising an elongated chamber structure having flow means along at least one side, an endless foraminous conveyor belt means having a run thereof supported generally against said one side, said belt means having a relatively large number of flow impeding openings therethrough communicating with said one side, means for moving said conveyor belt means relative to said chamber structure and means for establishing a pressure differential within said chamber structure, said chamber structure being closed at both ends and a perforated return roller for said belt means is rotatably mounted adjacent one of said chamber ends for establishing a pressure differential through said belt means at an associated belt return of said belt means, and conduit means coupled to said perforated roller and to said pressure differential means, said pressure differential means being capable of establishing a negative pressure differential within said chamber and said roller, said conveyor arrangement being mounted in a generally upstanding position for elevating articles adhered to said conveyor arrangement, a first horizontal conveyor positioned with an end thereof adjacent the lower end of said chamber structure, a second horizontal conveyor positioned with an end thereof adjacent said perforated roller so that articles can be conveyed between said first and said second horizontal conveyors by adherence to said belt means during passage of said article along said chamber one side and at least partially around said perforated roller.

Claim 12

A conveyor construction comprising an elongated chamber structure having flow means along at least one side, an endless foraminous conveyor belt means having a run thereof supported generally against said one side, said belt means having a relatively large number of flow impeding openings therethrough communicating with said one side, means for moving said conveyor belt relative to said chamber structure and means for establishing a pressure differential within said chamber structure, said pressure differential means being capable of establishing a positive differential pressure in said chamber structure, said belt means including an endless flexible belt, said chamber structure having lateral flanges along said one side, each of said flanges including a channelled bracket of generally U-shaped cross section disposed to engage an associated edge portion of said belt between leg portions of said bracket to maintain sliding seals between said belt edge portions and said flanges along the length thereof.

Claim 13

A conveyor construction comprising an elongated chamber structure having flow means along at least one side, an endless foraminous conveyor belt means having a run thereof supported generally against said one side, said belt means having a relatively large number of flow impeding openings therethrough communicating with said one side, means for moving said conveyor belt relative to said chamber structure and means for establishing a pressure differential within said chamber structure, said pressure differential means being capable of establishing a positive differential pressure in said chamber structure, said belt means including an endless flexible belt, said chamber structure having lateral flanges along said one side, each of said flanges including a channelled bracket of generally U-shaped cross section disposed to engage an associated edge portion of said belt between leg portions of said bracket to maintain sliding seals between said belt edge portions and said flanges along the length thereof.

Claim 14

The combination according to claim 9 wherein said flexible belt is provided with transversely extending stiffening rods spaced along the length of said belt.

Claim 15

The combination according to claim 5 wherein said conveyor construction is tilted along its longitudinal axis so that articles deposited thereon will slide toward one lateral side of said chamber structure for alignment purposes, and an alignment rail extending longitudinally of said chamber structure and mounted adjacent the lower one of said sealing flanges for engagement by said articles.

Claim 16

A conveyor arrangement comprising an elongated chamber structure having flow means along at least one side, an eNdless foraminous conveyor belt means having a run thereof supported generally against said one side, said belt means having a relatively large number of flow impeding openings therethrough communicating with said one side, means for moving said conveyor belt relative to said chamber structure, cleaning means for said belt mounted exteriorly adjacent said belt and extended transversely thereof, said cleaning means comprising a perforated roller engaged with an external surface of said belt, and means for maintaining a negative pressure differential within said perforated roller and within said chamber structure.

Claim 17

A conveyor arrangement comprising an elongated chamber structure having flow means along at least one side, an eNdless foraminous conveyor belt means having a run thereof supported generally against said one side, said belt means having a relatively large number of flow impeding openings therethrough communicating with said one side, means for moving said conveyor belt relative to said chamber structure, cleaning means for said belt mounted exteriorly adjacent said belt and extended transversely thereof, said cleaning means comprising a perforated roller engaged with an external surface of said belt, and means for maintaining a negative pressure differential within said perforated roller and within said chamber structure.

Claim 18

A conveyor arrangement comprising an elongated chamber structure having flow means along at least one side, an endless foraminous conveyor belt means having a run thereof supported generally against said one side, said belt means having a relatively large number of flow impeding openings therethrough communicating with said one side, means for moving said conveyor belt relative to said chamber structure, means for establishing a pressure differential within said chamber structure, cleaning means for said belt mounted adjacent said belt and extended transversely thereof, said cleaning means including a perforated roller engaged with said belt, and means for maintaining a negative pressure differential across said perforated roller, said roller being partially immersed in a tank capable of containing a cleaning solution.

Claim 19

A conveyor arrangement comprising an elongated chamber structure having flow means along at least one side, an endless foraminous conveyor belt means having a run thereof supported generally against said one side, said belt means having a relatively large number of flow impeding openings therethrough communicating with said one side, means for moving said conveyor belt relative to said chamber structure, means for establishing a pressure differential within said chamber structure, cleaning means for said belt mounted adjacent said belt and extended transversely thereof, said cleaning means including a perforated roller engaged with said belt, and means for maintaining a negative pressure differential across said perforated roller, said roller being partially immersed in a tank capable of containing a cleaning solution.

Claim 20

The combination according to claim 13 wherein brush means are mounted on said roller and extend longitudinally thereof.

Claim 21

A conveyor arrangement for use in unscrambling applications where a depalletizing mechanism is mounted adjacent one end of said chamber structure, said conveyor arrangement comprising an elongated chamber structure having flow means along at least one side, an endless foraminous conveyor belt means having a run thereof supported generally against said one side, said belt means having a relatively large number of flow impeding openings extending therethrough communicating with said one side, means for moving said conveyor belt relative to said chamber structure, means for establishing a pressure differential within said chamber structure, an unscrambling blade mounted for insertion between said depalletizing mechanism and said conveyor belt, said blade having an inclined edge for individually releasing layered and rowed articles supported on said depalletizing mechanism as said blade is moved in a direction generally opposite to the movement of articles carried on said conveyor arrangement, and release means mounted on said conveyor arrangement adjacent the other end of said conveyor structure for releasing said articles one by one from said conveyor arrangement.

Claim 22

A conveyor arrangement for use in unscrambling applications where a depalletizing mechanism is mounted adjacent one end of said chamber structure, said conveyor arrangement comprising an elongated chamber structure having flow means along at least one side, an endless foraminous conveyor belt means having a run thereof supported generally against said one side, said belt means having a relatively large number of flow impeding openings extending therethrough communicating with said one side, means for moving said conveyor belt relative to said chamber structure, means for establishing a pressure differential within said chamber structure, an unscrambling blade mounted for insertion between said depalletizing mechanism and said conveyor belt, said blade having an inclined edge for individually releasing layered and rowed articles supported on said depalletizing mechanism as said blade is moved in a direction generally opposite to the movement of articles carried on said conveyor arrangement, and release means mounted on said conveyor arrangement adjacent the other end of said conveyor structure for releasing said articles one by one from said conveyor arrangement.

Claim 23

The combination according to claim 15 wherein said conveyor arrangement is a vacuum conveyor, said depalletizing structure is mounted beneath said conveyor, and an alignment conveyor is mounted with one end therefor generally beneath said conveyor arrangement release means.

Claim 24

The combination according to claim 16 wherein said alignment conveyor includes a skewed roller portion for aligning said articles in single file.

Claim 25

A conveyor arrangement comprising an elongated chamber structure having flow means along at least one side, endless foraminous conveyor belt means having a run thereof supported generally against said one side, said belt means having a relatively large number of flow impeding openings extending therethrough in communication with said flow means, means for moving said conveyor belt relative to said chamber structure, means for establishing a pressure differential within said chamber, said conveyor arrangement being an air float conveyor and said chamber structure one side being disposed at the top thereof, said pressure differential means being capable of establishing a positive differential pressure in said chamber structure, said conveyor structure being tilted along its longitudinal axis, and an alignment rail

Claim 26

A conveyor arrangement comprising an elongated chamber structure having flow means along at least one side, endless foraminous conveyor belt means having a run thereof supported generally against said one side, said belt means having a relatively large number of flow impeding openings extending therethrough in communication with said flow means, means for moving said conveyor belt relative to said chamber structure, means for establishing a pressure differential within said chamber, said conveyor arrangement being an air float conveyor and said chamber structure one side being disposed at the top thereof, said pressure differential means being capable of establishing a positive differential pressure in said chamber structure, said conveyor structure being tilted along its longitudinal axis, and an alignment rail

Claim 27

A cOnveyor arrangement comprising an elongated chamber structure having flow means along at least one side, an endless foraminous conveyor belt having a run thereof supported generally against said one side, said belt having a relatively large number of flow impeding openings therethrough communicating with said one side, means for moving said conveyor belt relative to said chamber structure, and means for establishing a pressure differential within said chamber structure, said conveyor arrangement being a vacuum conveyor, said pressure differential establishing means including a blower or the like, said chamber structure being coupled to the inlet of said blower, and a pressure hood mounted substantially to enclose that portion of said belt which is juxtaposed to said one chamber structure side, said pressure hood substantially coextending with said chamber structure side, said pressure hood being coupled to the outlet of said blower and having cutaway portions shaped to permit passage of articles adhered to said belt.

Claim 28

A cOnveyor arrangement comprising an elongated chamber structure having flow means along at least one side, an endless foraminous conveyor belt having a run thereof supported generally against said one side, said belt having a relatively large number of flow impeding openings therethrough communicating with said one side, means for moving said conveyor belt relative to said chamber structure, and means for establishing a pressure differential within said chamber structure, said conveyor arrangement being a vacuum conveyor, said pressure differential establishing means including a blower or the like, said chamber structure being coupled to the inlet of said blower, and a pressure hood mounted substantially to enclose that portion of said belt which is juxtaposed to said one chamber structure side, said pressure hood substantially coextending with said chamber structure side, said pressure hood being coupled to the outlet of said blower and having cutaway portions shaped to permit passage of articles adhered to said belt.

Claim 29

A conveyor arrangement comprising an elongated chamber structure having flow means along at least one side, an endless foraminous conveyor belt having a run thereof supported generally against said one side, said belt having a relatively large number of flow impeding openings therethrough communicating with said one side, means for moving said conveyor belt relative to said chamber structure, means for moving said conveyor belt relative to said chamber structure, means for establishing a pressure differential within said chamber structure, said conveyor arrangement being an air lift conveyor and said pressure differential establishing means including a blower or the like, said chamber structure being coupled to the outlet of said blower, and a vacuum hood mounted for substantially enclosing that portion of said belt which is juxtaposed to said one chamber side, said vacuum hood substantially coextending with said chamber side, said vacuum hood being coupled to the inlet of said blower and having cutaway portions shaped to permit passage of articles adhered to said belt.

Claim 30

A conveyor arrangement comprising an elongated chamber structure having flow means along at least one side, an endless foraminous conveyor belt having a run thereof supported generally against said one side, said belt having a relatively large number of flow impeding openings therethrough communicating with said one side, means for moving said conveyor belt relative to said chamber structure, means for moving said conveyor belt relative to said chamber structure, means for establishing a pressure differential within said chamber structure, said conveyor arrangement being an air lift conveyor and said pressure differential establishing means including a blower or the like, said chamber structure being coupled to the outlet of said blower, and a vacuum hood mounted for substantially enclosing that portion of said belt which is juxtaposed to said one chamber side, said vacuum hood substantially coextending with said chamber side, said vacuum hood being coupled to the inlet of said blower and having cutaway portions shaped to permit passage of articles adhered to said belt.

Claim 31

A conveyor arrangement comprising an elongated chamber structure having flow means along at least one side, an endless foraminous conveyor belt means having a run thereof supported generally against said one side, said belt means having a relatively large number of flow impeding openings therethrough communicating with said one side, means for moving said conveyor belt means relative to said chamber structure, and means for establishing a pressure differential within said chamber structure, said conveyor arrangement being a vacuum conveyor, a plurality of diverter conveyors mounted in a generally parallel array with their end portions spaced along the length of said chamber structure, said diverter conveyors having their respective end portions beneath said chamber structure and disposed directly and respectively beneath a like number of belt release areas of said conveyor arrangement, said belt release areas being similarly spaced along the length of said chamber structure, said conveyor arrangement having a like number of means for equalizing the pressures on opposite faces of said belt mounted within said chamber structure and juxtaposed respectively to said belt release areas.

Claim 32

A conveyor arrangement comprising an elongated chamber structure having flow means along at least one side, an endless foraminous conveyor belt means having a run thereof supported generally against said one side, said belt means having a relatively large number of flow impeding openings therethrough communicating with said one side, means for moving said conveyor belt means relative to said chamber structure, and means for establishing a pressure differential within said chamber structure, said conveyor arrangement being a vacuum conveyor, a plurality of diverter conveyors mounted in a generally parallel array with their end portions spaced along the length of said chamber structure, said diverter conveyors having their respective end portions beneath said chamber structure and disposed directly and respectively beneath a like number of belt release areas of said conveyor arrangement, said belt release areas being similarly spaced along the length of said chamber structure, said conveyor arrangement having a like number of means for equalizing the pressures on opposite faces of said belt mounted within said chamber structure and juxtaposed respectively to said belt release areas.

Claim 33

The combination according to claim 21 wherein delayed action means are provided for actuating selected ones of said pressure-equalizing means in accordance with the time intervals required for selected ones of said articles to travel to said belt release areas respectively.

Claim 34

A conveyor arrangement for use in sorting and diverting operations wherein articles of a plurality of categories are transported by said supply conveyor, each of said articles having coded means thereon corresponding to the category of said article, said conveyor arrangement comprising a chamber structure having flow means along at least one side, an endless foraminous conveyor belt means having a run thereof supported generally Against said one side, said belt means having a relatively large number of flow impeding openings therethrough communicating with said one side, means for moving said conveyor belt means relative to said chamber structure, means for establishing a pressure differential within said chamber structure, supply conveyor means mounted with an end portion thereof juxtaposed to one end of said chamber structure, and take away conveyor means mounted with an end portion thereof juxtaposed to the other end of said chamber structure, said differential pressure establishing means being capable of establishing a negative pressure differential within said chamber structure, said supply and said take away conveyor means being mounted with respective end portions beneath said chamber structure, said take away conveyor means end portions being disposed directly beneath a like number of belt release areas of said conveyor arrangement, said conveyor arrangement having a like number of pressure equalizing means mounted within said chamber structure and juxtaposed respectively to said belt release areas, signal generating means juxtaposed to said supply conveyor and capable of interaction with said coded means, said signal generating means having variable outputs corresponding to said coded means and the related categories, a signal discriminator coupled to said signal generating means and having a plurality of output means including terminals corresponding respectively to said signal generator outputs, circuit means coupling each of said discriminator terminals to a corresponding one of said pressure equalizing means respectively, and said circuit means each including a delay network coupled between each of said pressure equalizing means and its associated discriminator terminal to delay the operation of said pressure-equalizing means for a time corresponding to that required for an article to travel from said signal generating means to its associated diverter conveyor.

Claim 35

A conveyor arrangement for use in sorting and diverting operations wherein articles of a plurality of categories are transported by said supply conveyor, each of said articles having coded means thereon corresponding to the category of said article, said conveyor arrangement comprising a chamber structure having flow means along at least one side, an endless foraminous conveyor belt means having a run thereof supported generally Against said one side, said belt means having a relatively large number of flow impeding openings therethrough communicating with said one side, means for moving said conveyor belt means relative to said chamber structure, means for establishing a pressure differential within said chamber structure, supply conveyor means mounted with an end portion thereof juxtaposed to one end of said chamber structure, and take away conveyor means mounted with an end portion thereof juxtaposed to the other end of said chamber structure, said differential pressure establishing means being capable of establishing a negative pressure differential within said chamber structure, said supply and said take away conveyor means being mounted with respective end portions beneath said chamber structure, said take away conveyor means end portions being disposed directly beneath a like number of belt release areas of said conveyor arrangement, said conveyor arrangement having a like number of pressure equalizing means mounted within said chamber structure and juxtaposed respectively to said belt release areas, signal generating means juxtaposed to said supply conveyor and capable of interaction with said coded means, said signal generating means having variable outputs corresponding to said coded means and the related categories, a signal discriminator coupled to said signal generating means and having a plurality of output means including terminals corresponding respectively to said signal generator outputs, circuit means coupling each of said discriminator terminals to a corresponding one of said pressure equalizing means respectively, and said circuit means each including a delay network coupled between each of said pressure equalizing means and its associated discriminator terminal to delay the operation of said pressure-equalizing means for a time corresponding to that required for an article to travel from said signal generating means to its associated diverter conveyor.

Claim 36

A conveyor arrangement comprising an elongated chamber structure having flow means along at least one side, an endless foraminous conveyor belt means having a run thereof supported generally against said one side, said belt means having a relatively large number of flow impeding openings therethrough communicating with said one side, means for moving said conveyor belt means relative to said chamber structure, and means for establishing a pressure differential within said chamber structure, said belt means including a plurality of closely spaced endless belt strips mounted in a generally parallel array with the apertures of each of said strips being aligned with a longitudinal slot in said chamber structure one side, said longitudinal slots being spaced laterally of one another, and a like number of strips of open cell foam material secured respectively along the lengths of said belt strips, said chamber structure one side being substantially closed by said belt strips.

Claim 37

A conveyor arrangement comprising an elongated chamber structure having flow means along at least one side, an endless foraminous conveyor belt means having a run thereof supported generally against said one side, said belt means having a relatively large number of flow impeding openings therethrough communicating with said one side, means for moving said conveyor belt means relative to said chamber structure, and means for establishing a pressure differential within said chamber structure, said belt means including a plurality of closely spaced endless belt strips mounted in a generally parallel array with the apertures of each of said strips being aligned with a longitudinal slot in said chamber structure one side, said longitudinal slots being spaced laterally of one another, and a like number of strips of open cell foam material secured respectively along the lengths of said belt strips, said chamber structure one side being substantially closed by said belt strips.

Claim 38

The combination according to claim 24 wherein each of said belt strips is provided with a single-longitudinal row of apertures intermediate the lateral edges thereof, the lateral edges of each of said strips engaging a sliding seal surface of said chamber structure on each side of the associated longitudinal slot.