초록 ▼

Variable speed conveying apparatus includes a conveyor (16) having a plurality of conveying surfaces (18) for engaging a stream (10) of articles along a path, and elements for progressively changing the speed of the surfaces as they progress along the path. The conveyor may include a series of pivot

Variable speed conveying apparatus includes a conveyor (16) having a plurality of conveying surfaces (18) for engaging a stream (10) of articles along a path, and elements for progressively changing the speed of the surfaces as they progress along the path. The conveyor may include a series of pivotally interconnected links (18), the angular disposition of the links being controlled as they move along the path. Typically the conveyor may be used for changing the height of a multi-layer stream of rod-like articles such as cigarettes. Similar conveyor arrangements may be used to convey articles or people by providing slats (322,324) carried by conveyor links (318) or by providing independently-controllable carrier members (218) movable on an endless track (236).

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] Conveying apparatus for conveying rod-like articles moving in a direction transverse to the lengths of the articles as a continuous stream of articles, comprising a first conveyor for delivering articles in a continuous stream having a first height, a second conveyor for receiving

[ We claim:] [1.] Conveying apparatus for conveying rod-like articles moving in a direction transverse to the lengths of the articles as a continuous stream of articles, comprising a first conveyor for delivering articles in a continuous stream having a first height, a second conveyor for receiving articles in a continuous stream having a second height, and conveyor means for conveying articles continuously along a path extending between said first and second conveyors, so that the height of the stream of articles being conveyed on said path changes along its length, wherein said conveyor means has a plurality of conveying surfaces forming an endless conveyor for engaging the stream along said path, drive means for moving the endless conveyor along said path to convey said articles and controlling means for progressively changing the speed of said conveying surfaces as they progress along said path by independently controlling the relative rate of movement of said conveying surfaces along said path as said endless conveyor is being driven by said drive means, said controlling means including spacing control means extending longitudinally adjacent said path and having a member which is rotatable about an axis extending generally parallel to said path, and carrying engagement means which, on rotation of said member about said axis, causes said conveying surfaces to be relatively displaced.