US5582284A — Transport apparatus

Claim 1

Independent Claim 93 words

Article transport apparatus comprising: first and second transport means for transporting a plurality of articles; the second transport means being arranged to receive articles from the first transport means; said second transport means comprising a plurality of lanes extending lengthwise thereof along which the articles can be transported; the first transport means comprising guide means to guide the articles towards at least a selected one of the lanes; and the lanes being selectively movable laterally to divert the articles from one or more of said lanes to one or more other said lanes.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 93 words

Article transport apparatus comprising: first and second transport means for transporting a plurality of articles; the second transport means being arranged to receive articles from the first transport means; said second transport means comprising a plurality of lanes extending lengthwise thereof along which the articles can be transported; the first transport means comprising guide means to guide the articles towards at least a selected one of the lanes; and the lanes being selectively movable laterally to divert the articles from one or more of said lanes to one or more other said lanes.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 23 words

Article transport apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first transport means defines a low friction zone across which the article can travel.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 19 words

Article transport apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first transport means is in the form of an airbed.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 19 words

Article transport apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the airbed slopes at an angle of between 1° and 6°.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 19 words

Article transport apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the airbed slopes at an angle of between 2° and 3°.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 22 words

Article transport apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the guide means comprises wall members movable laterally across the first article transport means.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 86 words

Article transport apparatus comprising: first and second transport means for transporting a plurality of articles; the second transport means being arranged to receive articles from the first transport means; said second transport means comprising a plurality of lanes extending lengthwise of the apparatus along which the articles can be transported; the first transport means comprising a plurality of rotatable members arranged across the first transport means; and said rotatable members being adapted to prevent articles being directed towards a selected one or more of the lanes.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 86 words

Article transport apparatus comprising: first and second transport means for transporting a plurality of articles; the second transport means being arranged to receive articles from the first transport means; said second transport means comprising a plurality of lanes extending lengthwise of the apparatus along which the articles can be transported; the first transport means comprising a plurality of rotatable members arranged across the first transport means; and said rotatable members being adapted to prevent articles being directed towards a selected one or more of the lanes.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 53 words

Article transport apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the rotatable members are movable from a first position in which the upper surfaces thereof are flush with the surface of the first transport means, and a second position in which the rotatable members block the path of articles on the first article transport means.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 21 words

Article transport apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the rotatable members are arranged across the exit of the first transport means.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 18 words

Article transport apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the rotatable members are in the form of rotatable discs.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 23 words

Article transport apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the first transport means defines a low friction zone across which the articles can travel.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 19 words

Article transport apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the first transport means is in the form of an airbed.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 19 words

Article transport apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the airbed slopes at an angle of between 1° and 6°.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 19 words

Article transport apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the airbed slopes at an angle of between 2° and 3°.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 24 words

Article transport apparatus according to claim 1 or 7 wherein each lane is provided with a conveyor to convey the articles in said lanes.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 26 words

Article transport apparatus according to claim 1 or 7 wherein the second transport means includes channelling means arranged between the lanes and the first transport means.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 23 words

Article transport apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the channelling means comprises a plurality of paths to channel the articles to corresponding lanes.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 33 words

Article transport apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the channelling means is sloped downwardly towards said lanes at an angle of between 10° and 25°, whereby the articles can slide towards said lanes.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 20 words

Article transport apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the channelling means slopes at an angle of between 15° and 20°.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 18 words

Article transport apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the channelling means slopes at an angle of substantially 18°.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 42 words

Article transport apparatus according to claim 1 or 7 including intermediate conveying means arranged between the first transport means and the second transport means, the intermediate conveying means being in the form of at least one belt conveyor to convey said articles.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 33 words

Article transport apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the intermediate conveying means comprises a plurality of belt conveyors arranged side by side, each conveyor belt being adapted to convey articles to selected lanes.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 22 words

Article transport apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the speed of the belt conveyors of the intermediate conveying means are individually controllable.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 16 words

Article transport apparatus according to claim 23 wherein separating means are provided between adjacent conveyor belts.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 61 words

Article transport apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the lanes are arranged in first and second sections, the second section being downstream of the first section, the first section comprising a plurality of lanes adapted to be movable laterally in a first direction, and the second section comprising a plurality of lanes adapted to be movable laterally in a second direction.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 29 words

Article transport apparatus according to claim 25 wherein each of said first and second sections comprises a plurality of outer lanes movable independently of a plurality of inner lanes.

Claim 29

Independent Claim 57 words

A method for transporting articles, said method comprising guiding said articles on a first transport means to a second transport means in a desired arrangement, and thereafter transporting said articles in a plurality of lanes on the second transport means, wherein the articles on the second transport means can be selectively diverted laterally be selectively movable lanes.

Claim 30

Independent Claim 57 words

A method for transporting articles, said method comprising guiding said articles on a first transport means to a second transport means in a desired arrangement, and thereafter transporting said articles in a plurality of lanes on the second transport means, wherein the articles on the second transport means can be selectively diverted laterally be selectively movable lanes.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 28 words

A method according to claim 27, wherein the step of guiding the articles on the first transport means by comprises providing at least one lateral movable wall member.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 27 words

A method according to claim 27, wherein the step of guiding the articles on the first transport means comprises providing a pair of opposed movable wall members.

Claim 33

Independent Claim 81 words

A method for transporting articles, said method comprising guiding said articles on a first transport means to a second transport means, in a desired arrangement, and thereafter transporting said articles in a plurality of lanes on the second transport means, wherein the articles can be guided by the use of a plurality of selectively movable rotatable members adapted to be moved into the path of articles on the first transport means to block the path of some of the articles thereon.

Claim 34

Independent Claim 81 words

A method for transporting articles, said method comprising guiding said articles on a first transport means to a second transport means, in a desired arrangement, and thereafter transporting said articles in a plurality of lanes on the second transport means, wherein the articles can be guided by the use of a plurality of selectively movable rotatable members adapted to be moved into the path of articles on the first transport means to block the path of some of the articles thereon.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-12-10	2000-06-10	2000-12-10	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-12-10	2004-06-10	2004-12-10	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-12-10	2008-06-10	2008-12-10	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Transport apparatus

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