Patent ID: 6189677
Filing Date: 2001-02-20
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
An apparatus for advancing an article in a selected, approximately horizontal conveying direction, comprising(a) a plurality of side-by-side disposed table elements each having an upper, approximately horizontal article-supporting surface; the article-supporting surfaces together forming an approximately horizontal conveying table;(b) first drive means for oscillating each said table element parallel to said article-supporting surface in a motion having two motion components oriented in perpendicular, horizontal directions;(c) second drive means for vertically oscillating each said table element;(d) first synchronizing means for synchronizing the horizontal oscillations in the direction of the two motion components;(e) second synchronizing means for synchronizing the vertical oscillations with the horizontal oscillations;(f) first adjusting means for adjusting a phase of said vertical oscillations of each said table element with respect to said horizontal oscillations; and(g) second adjusting means for individually adjusting an amplitude of the vertical oscillation of each table element.