IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,571,800
Granted Patent B2
US 7,571,800 · App. 11/927,992 · Granted Aug 11, 2009

Vibrating alignment conveyor

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,571,800
App. No.
11/927,992
Granted
Aug 11, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A conveyor having a frame that includes a vibrating frame member connected to a pivot point at one end and a drive member at the opposite end. A conveyor belt is supported by the vibrating frame member and as the drive member vibrates the frame member, the belt is vibrated to cause alignment of food product against a reference edge.

Claims (22)

1. A conveyor for aligning food product comprising:

a frame having a vibrating frame member;

a conveyor belt supported by the frame; and

a drive member directly connected to the vibrating frame member causing the vibrating frame member to vibrate about a pivot point and in turn cause the conveyor belt to vibrate.

2. The conveyor of claim 1 further comprising a reference edge connected to the frame.

3. The conveyor of claim 1 wherein the vibrating frame member has openings that receive guide members.

4. The conveyor of claim 3 wherein the guide members are bowed.

5. The conveyor of claim 1 wherein the drive member comprises a drive motor, a drive shaft operatively connected to the motor at one end, and two counter weights mounted to the opposite end of the drive shaft.

6. The conveyor of claim 1 further comprising a bracket mounted to the frame and positioned such that two springs engage the bracket and the vibrating frame member.

7. The conveyor of claim 1 wherein the conveyor belt is supported by the vibrating frame member.

8. The conveyor of claim 7 wherein vibration of the vibrating frame member repositions a conveyed product on the conveyor belt.

9. The conveyor of claim 8 wherein the vibration of the vibrating frame member causes the conveyed product to be repositioned transversely to a direction of flow of the conveyor belt.

10. The conveyor of claim 1 wherein a reference edge aligns the food product on the conveyor.

11. The conveyor of claim 1 wherein a reference edge is stationary.

12. The conveyor of claim 1 wherein a reference edge is vibrating.

13. The conveyor of claim 1 wherein a reference edge is traveling with the conveyor belt.

14. The conveyor of claim 1 wherein the guide members are received by and pass through openings in the vibrating frame member.

15. A conveyor for aligning food product comprising:

a frame having a vibrating frame member;

a conveyor belt supported by the frame;

a drive member operatively connected to the vibrating frame member causing the vibrating frame member to vibrate about a pivot point and in turn cause the conveyor belt to vibrate;

the vibrating frame member has openings that receive guide members wherein when the guide members are bowed a portion of the conveyor belt is lifted upward away from the frame creating tension in the conveyor belt such that only this portion of the conveyor belt vibrates.