Patent ID: 6206174
Filing Date: 2001-03-27
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A pressureless combiner for management of a bulk input flow of objects traveling on a conveyor line into discrete object channels having a substantially even flow of objects therein, the pressureless combiner being of a type used to feed a machine requiring an orderly and sequential input of objects, the pressureless combiner comprising:an input conveyor portion for supporting and advancing a mass of objects along a predetermined path of travel;an intermediate multi-track conveyor generally downstream from and connected to the input conveyor portion for receiving the objects therefrom, said multi-track conveyor comprising a guide member mounted transverse to the conveyor surface to urge the objects transversely from one conveying track to a next, each conveying track of said multi-track conveyor being driven at a velocity gradient with a fastest conveying track being located farthest from said guide member;a separation conveyor generally downstream from and connected to the intermediate conveyor for receiving the objects therefrom, said separation conveyor comprising at least two tracks, each track of said separation conveyor being driven at a velocity gradient with a fastest conveying track being located farthest from said guide member of said intermediate conveyor thereby achieving a separation of the objects between each track, said tracks each bearing a single file procession of objects;an output conveyor assembly comprising at least two discrete output channels each connected to a track of said separation conveyor for linear transfer of objects exiting each track of said separation conveyor;a plurality of detectors for detecting the flow of objects in the apparatus including the flow of objects in each output channel and for generating a signal corresponding to detected flows; anda computer for receiving the flow signals from said plurality of detectors and for controlling said input, intermediate and output conveyors so as to maintain a substantially even flow of objects in all of said output channels.