1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a conveying arrangement for changing the spacing of articles on a conveying chain.
2. Related Art
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As shown in
A conveying arrangement in accordance with the present invention includes a conveying chain having a series of stems on which items to be conveyed can be spaced at a first distance, and a plurality of adapter blocks attached to at least some of the stems such that the items can be spaced at a second distance. As such, the plurality of adapter blocks change the spacing of the conveying chain.
The plurality of adapter blocks include a plurality of first adapter blocks adapted to receive an item to be conveyed at a first position offset with respect to the chain stems, and a plurality of second adapter blocks adapted to receive an item to be conveyed at a second, different position offset with respect to the chain stems. The plurality of first and second adapter blocks are arranged such that the items can be spaced at the second distance.
Further objectives and advantages, as well as the structure and function of preferred embodiments will become apparent from a consideration of the description, drawings, and examples.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements.
Embodiments of the invention are discussed in detail below. In describing embodiments, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected. While specific exemplary embodiments are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations can be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the invention. Any reference cited herein is hereby incorporated by reference.
The present invention utilizes a combination of adapter blocks to change the spacing of the conveying chain from a first spacing to a second spacing. In the exemplary embodiment, the spacing of the mounting chucks can be changed from 3.0 inches to 3.5 inches, which can more efficiently accommodate mounting chucks for, for example, bottles that are greater than 16 ounces.
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In the exemplary embodiment of
The following dimensions are by way of example only. The half offset blocks 6, 7 are generally cube shaped with a length 14 of about 2.7 inches, a width 16 of about 1 inch, and a height 18 of about 1.6 inches. The two upper bores 22 of each half offset block 6, 7 have a diameter of about 0.4 inches. Each of the upper bores 22 of the half offset block 6, 7 has a center about 0.6 inches from an adjacent end of the half offset block, and the lower bore 24 of each half offset block 6, 7 has a diameter of about 0.4 inches. The lower bore 24 of the half offset block 6, 7 has a center about 1.1 inches from one of the ends of the half offset block.
The following dimensions are by way of example only. Each full offset block 10, 11 is generally cube shaped with a length 26 of about 3.2 inches, a width 28 of about 1 inch, and a height 30 of about 1.6 inches. The two upper bores 32, 34 of the full offset block 10, 11 have a diameter of about 0.4 inches. One of the upper bores 32 of the full offset block 10, 11 has a center about 0.6 inches from one of the ends of the full offset block, and the other upper bore 34 of the full offset block 10, 11 has a center about 2.1 inches from the same end of the full offset block 10, 11. The lower bore 36 of the full offset block 10, 11 has a diameter of about 0.4 inches and a center that is about 2.6 inches from the end of the full offset block.
Although the illustrated embodiment of the adapter blocks are adapted to receive mounting checks, other embodiments can include mounting chucks formed integrally therewith. Further, although the exemplary embodiment desribed herein is used for transporting containers, the invention can also be used to transport other articles suspended from a drive chain. The use of half offset blocks and full offset blocks is by way of example. A person skilled in the art could utilize differently dimensional sets of offset blocks to achieve a variety of spacings. The spacings could be similar or dissimilar depending on the particular use. The invention is useful for obtaining similar or regular spacings between chucks or objects being conveyed. It will be understood that more than two types of offset blocks may be utilized to achieve different spacings.
The embodiments illustrated and discussed in this specification are intended only to teach those skilled in the art the best way known to the inventors to make and use the invention. Nothing in this specification should be considered as limiting the scope of the present invention. All examples presented are representative and non-limiting. The above-described embodiments of the invention may be modified or varied, without departing from the invention, as appreciated by those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.