A cap sorter comprising: first and second belts traveling along a closed loop belt path substantially adjacent and parallel to each other, the belt path defining a non-vertical cap receiving section, a sorting section extending substantially upwardly therefrom, a discharging section provided above t
A cap sorter comprising: first and second belts traveling along a closed loop belt path substantially adjacent and parallel to each other, the belt path defining a non-vertical cap receiving section, a sorting section extending substantially upwardly therefrom, a discharging section provided above the sorting section and a return section extending from the discharging section and returning to the cap receiving section; a cap providing element provided above the cap receiving section for discharging the caps on the cap receiving section; and first and second belt actuators for moving respectively the first and second belts along the belt path. The first and second belts are each provided with a plurality of cleats mounted outside of the first and second belts, each of the cleats extending across both the first and second belts, the cleats being alternately secured to the first and second belts.
대표청구항▼
1. A cap sorter for sorting caps, said cap sorter comprising: first and second belts, said first and second belts being in a substantially adjacent and substantially parallel relationship relative to each other, said first and second belts traveling along a closed loop belt path defining a longitudi
1. A cap sorter for sorting caps, said cap sorter comprising: first and second belts, said first and second belts being in a substantially adjacent and substantially parallel relationship relative to each other, said first and second belts traveling along a closed loop belt path defining a longitudinal direction therealong, said belt path defining a cap receiving section inclined from the vertical, a sorting section extending substantially upwardly from said cap receiving section, a discharging section provided above said sorting section and a return section extending from said discharging section and returning to said cap receiving section; andfirst and second belt actuators operatively coupled respectively to said first and second belts for moving respectively said first and second belts along said belt path;said first and second belts being each provided with a plurality of cleats mounted outside of said belt path, each of said cleats extending substantially laterally across both said first and second belts, said cleats being each secured to one of said first and second belts while being movable relative to an other one of said first and second belts, said cleats alternating between being secured to said first and second belts along said belt path;said first and second belts being selectively movable disjointly and jointly, wherein said first and second belts are moved disjointly by changing a phase between said first and second belt actuators to change a spacing between adjacent ones of said cleats and wherein said first and second belts are moved jointly along said belt path to sort said caps. 2. The cap sorter as defined in 1, further comprising a belt guiding element for guiding said first and second belts at least in said sorting section so that said first and second belts have a predetermined shape in said sorting section. 3. The cap sorter as defined in claim 2, wherein said belt guiding element is configurable between belt guiding element first and second configurations, wherein a belt inclination relative to the vertical of said first and second belts differs between said belt guiding element first and second configurations. 4. The cap sorter as defined 3, wherein said belt guiding element is continuously configurable between said belt guiding element first and second configurations. 5. The cap sorter as defined in claim 3, wherein said predetermined shape is substantially rectilinear. 6. The cap sorter as defined in claim 3, wherein, in said guiding element first configuration, said cleats face downwardly relative to said first and second belts in said sorting section, and, in said guiding element second configuration, said cleats face upwardly relative to said first and second belts in said sorting section. 7. The cap sorter as defined in claim 3, wherein said belt guiding element defines a slot extending substantially longitudinally along said belt path, said slot being flanked by two deformable bands that are substantially resiliently deformable, said belt guiding element first and second configurations being achieved by deforming said deformable bands. 8. The cap sorter as defined in claim 7, further comprising coupling elements, said deformable bands being linked to each other by said coupling elements which are each secured to both of said deformable bands at substantially longitudinally spaced apart locations along said deformable bands so that said deformable bands deform substantially similarly as said belt guiding element is deformed between said belt guiding element first and second configurations. 9. The cap sorter as defined in claim 7, further comprising a body and a caddy, said deformable bands being mounted to said caddy, said caddy being movable relative to said body to deform said deformable bands to move said belt guiding element between said belt guiding element first and second configurations. 10. The cap sorter as defined in claim 9, wherein said deformable bands each have a portion thereof that is fixed relative to said body spaced apart from said caddy. 11. The cap sorter as defined in claim 7, wherein at least one of said first and second belts defines belt guides extending therefrom at substantially longitudinally spaced apart locations therealong, said belt guides engaging said belt guiding element in said sorting section so that said at least one of said first and second belts conforms to said predetermined shape. 12. The cap sorter as defined in claim 11, wherein said at least one of said first and second belts defines a belt inner surface facing said deformable bands and a substantially opposed belt outer surface, said belt guides each including a stem extending from said belt inner surface and an end member extending from said stem opposed to said belt inner surface, said stem being insertable in said slot, said end member being wider than said slot. 13. The cap sorter as defined in claim 3, further comprising a tension maintaining mechanism operatively coupled to said first and second belts for maintaining a predetermined tension in said first and second belts as said belt guiding element is moved between said belt guiding element first and second configurations. 14. The cap sorter as defined in claim 13, further comprising a body and wheels operatively coupled to said body to guide said first and second belts along at least part of said belt path, said first and second belts being mounted to said wheels, at least one of said wheels being movable relative to said body to accommodate changes in said belt path when said belt guiding element is moved between said belt guiding element first and second configurations. 15. The cap sorter as defined in claim 14, further comprising a biasing element operatively coupled to said at least one of said wheels and to said body to maintain said predetermined tension. 16. The cap sorter as defined in claim 1, wherein said cleats each define a cap receiving surface facing generally upwardly in said sorting section, said cap receiving surfaces being of a first type for said cleats mounted to said first belt and of a second type for said cleats mounted to said second belt, said cap receiving surface of said cleats of one of said first and second types being substantially perpendicular to said first and second belts and said cap receiving surface of said cleats of an other one of said first and second types being beveled. 17. The cap sorter as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second belts each include a plurality of substantially planar belt elements substantially longitudinally extending from each other and articulated relative to each other. 18. The cap sorter as defined in claim 1, further comprising a nozzle substantially adjacent said discharging section for delivering air jets to said caps in said discharging section to transversally move said caps relative to said cleats. 19. The cap sorter as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second actuators each include a stepper servo motor. 20. The cap sorter as defined in claim 1, further comprising a cap providing element configured for providing said caps on at least one of said first and second belts in said cap receiving section. 21. The cap sorter as defined in claim 20, wherein said cap providing element includes a hopper, said hopper including a cap discharge provided above said cap receiving section, said hopper discharging said caps on said cap receiving section through said cap discharge.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (10)
Hinsley, Dan Davis; Cotney, III, Arnold D., Cap sorter and associated cleat.
Aidlin Stephen H. (1521 Eastbrook Dr. Sarasota FL 34231) Aidlin Samuel S. (5079 Village Garden Sarasota FL 34234) Kincaid Larry (2635 Hyde Park St. Sarasota FL 34239), Variable angle conveyor assembly.
Aidlin Samuel S. (5079 Village Garden Dr. Sarasota FL 34234) Aidlin Stephen H. (1521 Eastbrook Dr. Satasota FL 34231) Kincaid Larry (2635 Hyde Park St. Sarasota FL 34239) Cordonnier Kenneth (1970 Set, Variable angle conveyor assembly with stepped cleat.
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