초록 ▼

A method and apparatus are provided for continuously supplying product to a machine for intermittently performing work on at least one product. The apparatus comprises a loading conveyor, a continuous drive motor operably coupled to the loading conveyor for moving the loading conveyor at a substanti

A method and apparatus are provided for continuously supplying product to a machine for intermittently performing work on at least one product. The apparatus comprises a loading conveyor, a continuous drive motor operably coupled to the loading conveyor for moving the loading conveyor at a substantially constant loading speed, a transfer conveyor positioned adjacent the loading conveyor and adapted to receive product therefrom, a low speed drive for moving the transfer conveyor at a predetermined low speed to receive product from the loading conveyor, a high speed drive for moving the transfer conveyor at a high second speed relatively greater than the low speed to the machine, and a controller for operating the low speed and high speed drives in sequence so that the low speed drive is activated to receive product from the loading conveyor at low speed, and the high speed drive is activated to transfer the product to the machine at high speed.

대표청구항 ▼

A loading apparatus for continuously supplying product to a machine which intermittently performs work on at least one said product, said machine having a work station and a machine transporter driven by a machine motor for intermittently moving said product through said work station, said apparatus

A loading apparatus for continuously supplying product to a machine which intermittently performs work on at least one said product, said machine having a work station and a machine transporter driven by a machine motor for intermittently moving said product through said work station, said apparatus comprising: a first moving surface for receiving a continuous supply of said product; a continuous drive motor operably coupled with said first moving surface for driving said first moving surface at a substantially constant loading speed; a second moving surface adjacent said first moving surface for receiving said product from said first moving surface and intermittently moving said product to said transporter; a low speed drive engaged to said continuous drive motor and operably coupled to said second moving surface for driving said second moving surface at a predetermined low speed to receive said product from said first moving surface; a high speed drive adapted to engage said machine motor and operably coupled to said second moving surface for driving said second moving surface at a high speed relatively greater than said low speed to transfer said product to said machine; and a controller for controlling said low speed and high speed drives in sequence so that said low speed drive is activated to move said second moving surface at said low speed when receiving said product from said first moving surface, and said high speed drive is activated to transfer said product from said second moving surface to said machine transporter, whereby said product may be continuously supplied to said first moving surface and periodically transferred by said second moving surface to said machine transporter without interrupting said continuous supply of said product.