Patent US5680102A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5582284A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5582284A
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Transport apparatus
Assignee: Defabs Engineering Systems Ltd
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Filing: 1994-03-31
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Granted: 1996-12-10
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Expires: 2014-03-31
Abstract
Abstract Article transport apparatus (10) comprises first and second transports (12,14) for transporting a plurality of articles, in the form of biscuits (100). The second transport is arranged to receive biscuits from the first transport, and the second transport comprises a plurality of lanes (18) extending lengthwise of the second transport, along which articles can be transported. The first transport comprises a guide (20,22,28) to guide the article towards at least a selected one of the lanes. The guide may be in the form of laterally movable walls (20,22) or rotatable members (28).
Inventors
- 👤 David Calladine
- 👤 David Lynch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:54
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G51/00; B65G51/02; B65G51/03; B65G47/00; B65G47/52; B65G47/68; B65G47/682
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
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.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| 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 |