Apparatus for conveying articles

Claim 1

An apparatus for conveying reusable carrier cases each said carrier case having a cover and containing articles, said apparatus, comprising: a main conveyance path; carrier bodies propelled along said main conveyance path for conveying said carrier cases therein, said carrier cases removably insertable in said carrier bodies; a first input/output means located along said main conveyance path for receiving carrier cases transferred from said main conveyance path and for supplying carrier cases to be transferred to said main conveyance path, said carrier cases transferred to and from said carrier bodies; a second input/output means located along said main conveyance path and spaced from said first input/output means and comprising a carrier case output position for receiving carrier cases transferred from said main conveyance path and a carrier case input position for supplying carrier cases to be transferred to said main conveyance path, said carrier cases transferred to and from said carrier bodies, said main conveyance path coveying carrier cases inserted in said carrier bodies between said first input/output means and said second input/output means; and opening means provided near said carrier case output position at said second input/output means for opening the covers of said carrier cases when said covers are closed.

Claim 2

An apparatus for conveying reusable carrier cases each said carrier case having a cover and containing articles, said apparatus, comprising: a main conveyance path; carrier bodies propelled along said main conveyance path for conveying said carrier cases therein, said carrier cases removably insertable in said carrier bodies; a first input/output means located along said main conveyance path for receiving carrier cases transferred from said main conveyance path and for supplying carrier cases to be transferred to said main conveyance path, said carrier cases transferred to and from said carrier bodies; a second input/output means located along said main conveyance path and spaced from said first input/output means and comprising a carrier case output position for receiving carrier cases transferred from said main conveyance path and a carrier case input position for supplying carrier cases to be transferred to said main conveyance path, said carrier cases transferred to and from said carrier bodies, said main conveyance path coveying carrier cases inserted in said carrier bodies between said first input/output means and said second input/output means; and opening means provided near said carrier case output position at said second input/output means for opening the covers of said carrier cases when said covers are closed.

Claim 9

A apparatus for conveying reusable carrier cases, each said carrier case having a cover and containing articles, said apparatus comprising: a main conveyance path; carrier bodies propelled along said main conveyance path for conveying said carrier cases therein, said carrier cases removably insertable in said carrier bodies; a first input/output means located along said main conveyance path for receiving carrier cases transferred from said main conveyance path and for supplying carrier cases to be transferred to said main conveyance path, said carrier cases transferred to and from said carrier bodies; a second input/output means located along said main conveyance path and spaced from said first input/output means and comprising a carrier case output position for receiving carrier cases transferred from said main conveyance path and a carrier case input position for supplying carrier cases to be transferred to said main coveyance path, said carrier cases transferred to and from said carrier bodies, said main conveyance path conveying carrier cases inserted in carrier bodies between said first input/output means and said second input/output means; and closing means provided near said carrier case input position at said second input/output means for closing the covers of said carrier cases before conveyance when said covers are opened.

Claim 10

A apparatus for conveying reusable carrier cases, each said carrier case having a cover and containing articles, said apparatus comprising: a main conveyance path; carrier bodies propelled along said main conveyance path for conveying said carrier cases therein, said carrier cases removably insertable in said carrier bodies; a first input/output means located along said main conveyance path for receiving carrier cases transferred from said main conveyance path and for supplying carrier cases to be transferred to said main conveyance path, said carrier cases transferred to and from said carrier bodies; a second input/output means located along said main conveyance path and spaced from said first input/output means and comprising a carrier case output position for receiving carrier cases transferred from said main conveyance path and a carrier case input position for supplying carrier cases to be transferred to said main coveyance path, said carrier cases transferred to and from said carrier bodies, said main conveyance path conveying carrier cases inserted in carrier bodies between said first input/output means and said second input/output means; and closing means provided near said carrier case input position at said second input/output means for closing the covers of said carrier cases before conveyance when said covers are opened.

Claim 14

An apparatus for conveying carrier cases containing articles comprising: a main conveyance path and a plurality of spaced apart stations located along said main conveyance path, said main conveyance path conveying articles between said stations; at least a first station of said plurality further comprising a first stop position on said main conveyance path, a first branch conveyance path including a storage section adjacent said first stop position and a subconveying section adjacent said storage section, said subconveying section including a reversible conveyor belt and said storage section including two adjacent horizontal conveyor belts, said first station also comprising a first input/output section adjacent said subconveying section; and at least a second station of said plurality further comprising a second stop position on said main conveyance path, a second branch conveyance path located adjacent said second stop position, and a second input/output section located adjacent said branch conveyance path, said second input/output section including a carrier case input position and a carrier case output position and means for automatically moving carrier cases therebetween.

Claim 15

An apparatus for conveying carrier cases containing articles comprising: a main conveyance path and a plurality of spaced apart stations located along said main conveyance path, said main conveyance path conveying articles between said stations; at least a first station of said plurality further comprising a first stop position on said main conveyance path, a first branch conveyance path including a storage section adjacent said first stop position and a subconveying section adjacent said storage section, said subconveying section including a reversible conveyor belt and said storage section including two adjacent horizontal conveyor belts, said first station also comprising a first input/output section adjacent said subconveying section; and at least a second station of said plurality further comprising a second stop position on said main conveyance path, a second branch conveyance path located adjacent said second stop position, and a second input/output section located adjacent said branch conveyance path, said second input/output section including a carrier case input position and a carrier case output position and means for automatically moving carrier cases therebetween.

Claim 25

An apparatus for conveying carrier cases containing articles between a plurality of stations comprising: a main conveyance path and a plurality of at least three spaced apart stations located along said main conveyance path, said main conveyance path including a linear induction rail system, a plurality of carrier bodies propelled along said system, said carrier cases removably insertable in said carrier bodies, said main conveyance path conveying said carrier cases containing articles between said stations by propelling said carrier bodies when said carrier cases are inserted therein; a first station of said plurality comprising a first stop position on said main conveyance path, a first branch conveyance path including a storage section adjacent said first stop position and a subconveyance section adjacent said storage section, and a first input/output section adjacent said subconveyance section; a second station of said plurality comprisiong a second stop position on said main conveyance path, a second branch conveyance path located adjacent said second stop position, and a second input/output section located adjacent said second branch conveyance path; said main conveyance path conveying carrier cases between any one station to any other selected station, any one of said plurality of stations being selectable from any other of said stations.

Claim 26

An apparatus for conveying carrier cases containing articles between a plurality of stations comprising: a main conveyance path and a plurality of at least three spaced apart stations located along said main conveyance path, said main conveyance path including a linear induction rail system, a plurality of carrier bodies propelled along said system, said carrier cases removably insertable in said carrier bodies, said main conveyance path conveying said carrier cases containing articles between said stations by propelling said carrier bodies when said carrier cases are inserted therein; a first station of said plurality comprising a first stop position on said main conveyance path, a first branch conveyance path including a storage section adjacent said first stop position and a subconveyance section adjacent said storage section, and a first input/output section adjacent said subconveyance section; a second station of said plurality comprisiong a second stop position on said main conveyance path, a second branch conveyance path located adjacent said second stop position, and a second input/output section located adjacent said second branch conveyance path; said main conveyance path conveying carrier cases between any one station to any other selected station, any one of said plurality of stations being selectable from any other of said stations.

Claim 28

An apparatus for conveying carrier cases containing articles between a plurality of stations comprising: a main conveyance path and a plurality of at least three spaced apart stations located along said main conveyance path, said main conveyance path including a linear induction rail system, a plurality of carrier bodies propelled along said system, said carrier cases removably insertable in said carrier bodies, said main conveyance path conveying said carrier cases containing articles between said station by propelling said carrier bodies when said carrier cases are inserted therein; a first station of said plurality comprising a first stop position on said main conveyance path, a first branch conveyance path including a storage section adjacent said first stop position and a subconveyance section adjacent said storage section, and a first input/output section adjacent said subconveyance section; a second station of said plurality comprising a second stop position on said main conveyance path, a second branch conveyance path located adjacent said second stop position, and a second input/output section adjacent said second branch conveyance path; said main conveyance path conveying carrier cases from either said first or said second station to a selected destination station, said selected destination station being either the other said station or any other of said plurality of stations, said destination station being selectable from either said first or said second station.

Claim 29

An apparatus for conveying carrier cases containing articles between a plurality of stations comprising: a main conveyance path and a plurality of at least three spaced apart stations located along said main conveyance path, said main conveyance path including a linear induction rail system, a plurality of carrier bodies propelled along said system, said carrier cases removably insertable in said carrier bodies, said main conveyance path conveying said carrier cases containing articles between said station by propelling said carrier bodies when said carrier cases are inserted therein; a first station of said plurality comprising a first stop position on said main conveyance path, a first branch conveyance path including a storage section adjacent said first stop position and a subconveyance section adjacent said storage section, and a first input/output section adjacent said subconveyance section; a second station of said plurality comprising a second stop position on said main conveyance path, a second branch conveyance path located adjacent said second stop position, and a second input/output section adjacent said second branch conveyance path; said main conveyance path conveying carrier cases from either said first or said second station to a selected destination station, said selected destination station being either the other said station or any other of said plurality of stations, said destination station being selectable from either said first or said second station.

Claim 30

An apparatus for conveying carrier cases containing articles between stations comprising: a main conveyance path for conveying said carrier cases; a plurality of stations located along said main conveyance path, each station comprising a stop position on said main conveyance path and a branch conveyance path adjacent each said stop position, each said branch conveyance path further comprising a storage means located adjacent said stop position for temporarily storing said carrier cases, and transferring means for transferring carrier cases between said main conveyance path and said storage means at each stop position, said transferring means comprising a guide shaft provided perpendicularly to said main conveyance path, a movable member movable along said guide shaft and having a pushing plate extending down therefrom, said movable member attached to a timing belt located around a pair of pulleys, one of said pulleys operatively connected to a pulse motor to move said movable member along said guide shaft, said pushing plate pushing carrier cases between said stop position and said storage means when said movable member is moved.

Claim 31

An apparatus for conveying carrier cases containing articles between stations comprising: a main conveyance path for conveying said carrier cases; a plurality of stations located along said main conveyance path, each station comprising a stop position on said main conveyance path and a branch conveyance path adjacent each said stop position, each said branch conveyance path further comprising a storage means located adjacent said stop position for temporarily storing said carrier cases, and transferring means for transferring carrier cases between said main conveyance path and said storage means at each stop position, said transferring means comprising a guide shaft provided perpendicularly to said main conveyance path, a movable member movable along said guide shaft and having a pushing plate extending down therefrom, said movable member attached to a timing belt located around a pair of pulleys, one of said pulleys operatively connected to a pulse motor to move said movable member along said guide shaft, said pushing plate pushing carrier cases between said stop position and said storage means when said movable member is moved.

Claim 32

An apparatus for conveying carrier cases containing articles between stations comprising: a main conveyance path for conveying said carrier cases, said carrier cases removably insertable in carrier bodies and said carrier bodies conveyed along main conveyance path, said carrier bodies including a fixing mechanism to hold said carrier cases in said carrier bodies during conveyance along said path; a plurality of stations located along said main conveyance path, each station comprising a stop position on said main conveyance path and a branch conveyance path adjacent each said stop position, each said branch conveyance path further comprising a storage means located adjacent said stop position for temporarily storing said carrier cases, and transferring means for transferring carrier cases between said main conveyance path and said storage means at each stop position, said transferring means comprising a guide shaft provided perpendicularly to said main conveyance path, a movable member movable along said guide shaft and having a pushing plate extending down therefrom, said pushing plate pushing carrier cases between said stop position and said storage means.

Claim 33

An apparatus for conveying carrier cases containing articles between stations comprising: a main conveyance path for conveying said carrier cases, said carrier cases removably insertable in carrier bodies and said carrier bodies conveyed along main conveyance path, said carrier bodies including a fixing mechanism to hold said carrier cases in said carrier bodies during conveyance along said path; a plurality of stations located along said main conveyance path, each station comprising a stop position on said main conveyance path and a branch conveyance path adjacent each said stop position, each said branch conveyance path further comprising a storage means located adjacent said stop position for temporarily storing said carrier cases, and transferring means for transferring carrier cases between said main conveyance path and said storage means at each stop position, said transferring means comprising a guide shaft provided perpendicularly to said main conveyance path, a movable member movable along said guide shaft and having a pushing plate extending down therefrom, said pushing plate pushing carrier cases between said stop position and said storage means.

Claim 36

An apparatus for conveying reusable carrier cases with covers and containing articles comprising: a main conveyance path for conveying said carrier cases; a first input/output means located along said main conveyance path for receiving carrier cases transferred from said main conveyance path and for supplying carrier cases to be transferred to said main conveyance path; a second input/output means located along said main conveyance path and spaced from said first input/output means and comprising a carrier case output position for receiving carrier cases transferred from said main conveyance path and a carrier case input position for supplying carrier cases to be transferred to said main conveyance path, said second input/output means including detecting means for detecting whether said carrier cases contain articles, said main conveyance path conveying carrier cases between said first input/output means and said second input/output means; and opening means provided near said carrier case output position for opening the covers of said carrier cases when said covers are closed.

Claim 37

An apparatus for conveying reusable carrier cases with covers and containing articles comprising: a main conveyance path for conveying said carrier cases; a first input/output means located along said main conveyance path for receiving carrier cases transferred from said main conveyance path and for supplying carrier cases to be transferred to said main conveyance path; a second input/output means located along said main conveyance path and spaced from said first input/output means and comprising a carrier case output position for receiving carrier cases transferred from said main conveyance path and a carrier case input position for supplying carrier cases to be transferred to said main conveyance path, said second input/output means including detecting means for detecting whether said carrier cases contain articles, said main conveyance path conveying carrier cases between said first input/output means and said second input/output means; and opening means provided near said carrier case output position for opening the covers of said carrier cases when said covers are closed.

Claim 40

An apparatus for conveying carrier cases containing articles comprising: a main conveyance path and a plurality of spaced apart stations located along said main conveyance path, said main conveyance path conveying articles between said stations; at least a first station of said plurality further comprising a first stop position on said main conveyance path, a first branch conveyance path including a storage section adjacent said first stop position and a subconveying section adjacent said storage section, said subconveying section including a reversible substantially vertically positioned conveyor belt and said storage section including two adjacent horizontal conveyor belts, said first horizontal belt having an end adjacent said first stop position and said second horizontal belt having an end adjacent one end of said subconveying section, said first station also comprising a first input/output section adjacent said subconveying section; and at least a second station of said plurality further comprising a second stop position on said main conveyance path, a second branch conveyance path located adjacent said second stop position, and a second input/output section located adjacent said branch conveyance path, said second input/output section including a carrier case input position and a carrier case output position and carrier case moving means including a plurality of transferring belts arranged in a U-shaped configuration within said second input/output section for automatically moving carrier cases between said input position and said output position.

Claim 41

An apparatus for conveying carrier cases containing articles comprising: a main conveyance path and a plurality of spaced apart stations located along said main conveyance path, said main conveyance path conveying articles between said stations; at least a first station of said plurality further comprising a first stop position on said main conveyance path, a first branch conveyance path including a storage section adjacent said first stop position and a subconveying section adjacent said storage section, said subconveying section including a reversible substantially vertically positioned conveyor belt and said storage section including two adjacent horizontal conveyor belts, said first horizontal belt having an end adjacent said first stop position and said second horizontal belt having an end adjacent one end of said subconveying section, said first station also comprising a first input/output section adjacent said subconveying section; and at least a second station of said plurality further comprising a second stop position on said main conveyance path, a second branch conveyance path located adjacent said second stop position, and a second input/output section located adjacent said branch conveyance path, said second input/output section including a carrier case input position and a carrier case output position and carrier case moving means including a plurality of transferring belts arranged in a U-shaped configuration within said second input/output section for automatically moving carrier cases between said input position and said output position.

Claim 47

An apparatus for conveying carrier cases containing articles comprising: a main conveyance path and a plurality of spaced apart stations located along said main conveyance path, said main conveyance path conveying articles between said stations; at least a first station of said plurality further comprising a first stop position on said main conveyance path, a first branch conveyance path including a storage section adjacent said first stop position and a subconveying section adjacent said storage section, said subconveying section including a reversible substantially vertically positioned conveyor belt and said storage section including two adjacent horizontal conveyor belts, said first horizontal belt having an end adjacent said first stop position and said second horizontal belt having an end adjacent one end of said subconveying section, said first station also comprising a first input/output section adjacent said subconveying section; and at least a second station of said plurality further comprising a second stop position on said main conveyance path, a second branch conveyance path located adjacent said second stop position, and a second input/output section located adjacent said branch conveyance path, said second input/output section including a carrier case input position and a carrier case output position and means for automatically moving carrier case therebetween.

Claim 48

An apparatus for conveying carrier cases containing articles comprising: a main conveyance path and a plurality of spaced apart stations located along said main conveyance path, said main conveyance path conveying articles between said stations; at least a first station of said plurality further comprising a first stop position on said main conveyance path, a first branch conveyance path including a storage section adjacent said first stop position and a subconveying section adjacent said storage section, said subconveying section including a reversible substantially vertically positioned conveyor belt and said storage section including two adjacent horizontal conveyor belts, said first horizontal belt having an end adjacent said first stop position and said second horizontal belt having an end adjacent one end of said subconveying section, said first station also comprising a first input/output section adjacent said subconveying section; and at least a second station of said plurality further comprising a second stop position on said main conveyance path, a second branch conveyance path located adjacent said second stop position, and a second input/output section located adjacent said branch conveyance path, said second input/output section including a carrier case input position and a carrier case output position and means for automatically moving carrier case therebetween.

Claim 54

An apparatus for conveying reusable carrier cases with covers and containing articles comprising: a main conveyance path for conveying said carrier cases, said carrier cases comprising dual opposing covers biased by hinges to an open position, a releasable latch hinged on one said cover engaging a claw on the other said cover; a first input/output means located along said main conveyance path for receiving carrier cases transferred from said main conveyance path and for supplying carrier casees to be transferred to said main conveyance path; a second input/output means located along said main conveyance path and spaced from said first input/output means and comprising a carrier case output position for receiving carrier cases transferred from said main conveyance path and a carrier input position for supplying carrier cases to be transferred to said main conveyance path, said main conveyance path conveying carrier cases between said first input/output means and said second input/output means; and opening means including a vertically movable pushing member for releasing said latch to allow said covers to open under the bias provided by said hinges.

Claim 55

An apparatus for conveying reusable carrier cases with covers and containing articles comprising: a main conveyance path for conveying said carrier cases, said carrier cases comprising dual opposing covers biased by hinges to an open position, a releasable latch hinged on one said cover engaging a claw on the other said cover; a first input/output means located along said main conveyance path for receiving carrier cases transferred from said main conveyance path and for supplying carrier casees to be transferred to said main conveyance path; a second input/output means located along said main conveyance path and spaced from said first input/output means and comprising a carrier case output position for receiving carrier cases transferred from said main conveyance path and a carrier input position for supplying carrier cases to be transferred to said main conveyance path, said main conveyance path conveying carrier cases between said first input/output means and said second input/output means; and opening means including a vertically movable pushing member for releasing said latch to allow said covers to open under the bias provided by said hinges.

Claim 56

An apparatus for conveying reusable carrier cases with covers and containing articles comprising: a main conveyance path for conveying said carrier cases, said carrier cases comprising dual opposing covers biased by hinges to an open position, releasable engaging means on said covers for maintaining said covers in a closed position against said bias; a first input/output means located along said main conveyance path for receiving carrier cases transferred from said main conveyance path and for supplying carrier cases to be transferred to said main conveyance path; a second input/output means located along said main conveyance path and spaced from said first input/output means and comprising a carrier case output position for receiving carrier cases transferred from said main conveyance path and a carrier case input position for supplying carrier cases to be transferred to said main conveyance path, said main conveyance path conveying carrier cases between said first input/output means and said second input/output means; and closing means for closing the covers of said carrier cases before transport, said closing means comprising a pair of walls opposing each other and a vertically movable pushing member, said walls each including an essentially parallel portion with a channel therebetween and a portion inclined outwardly from said parallel portion to form a widened region of said channel therebetween, said carrier cases moving through said widened region to said channel to force said opposing covers into an essentially closed position, and said pushing member pushing said releasable engaging means to fully close said covers and engage said engaging means.

Claim 57

An apparatus for conveying reusable carrier cases with covers and containing articles comprising: a main conveyance path for conveying said carrier cases, said carrier cases comprising dual opposing covers biased by hinges to an open position, releasable engaging means on said covers for maintaining said covers in a closed position against said bias; a first input/output means located along said main conveyance path for receiving carrier cases transferred from said main conveyance path and for supplying carrier cases to be transferred to said main conveyance path; a second input/output means located along said main conveyance path and spaced from said first input/output means and comprising a carrier case output position for receiving carrier cases transferred from said main conveyance path and a carrier case input position for supplying carrier cases to be transferred to said main conveyance path, said main conveyance path conveying carrier cases between said first input/output means and said second input/output means; and closing means for closing the covers of said carrier cases before transport, said closing means comprising a pair of walls opposing each other and a vertically movable pushing member, said walls each including an essentially parallel portion with a channel therebetween and a portion inclined outwardly from said parallel portion to form a widened region of said channel therebetween, said carrier cases moving through said widened region to said channel to force said opposing covers into an essentially closed position, and said pushing member pushing said releasable engaging means to fully close said covers and engage said engaging means.