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US006199681B1
(12) United States Patent ao) Patent No.: us 6,199,681 Bi
Ballos, III (45) Date of Patent: Mar. 13,2001
(54) CONVEYOR SYSTEM FOR OVERCOMING THE ELASTIC SPRINGBACK IN THE FLAPS OF AN EMPTY BOX
(76) Inventor: Pete Ballos, III, 161 Harter Ave. NW., Canton, OH (US) 44708
( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
(21) Appl. No.: 09/183,314
(22) Filed: Oct. 30, 1998
(51) Int. CI.7 B65G 47/26; B65G 15/00
(52) U.S. CI 198/456; 198/836.2
(58) Field of Search 198/836.3, 836.2,
198/456, 457.02
(56) References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
3,203,534 * 8/1965 Burkhardt et al 198/456
4,064,987 12/1977 Rowan 198/604
4,224,781 9/1980 Salenbo 53/473
4,285,679 8/1981 Wahle 493/125
4,437,851 3/1984 Salenbo 493/124
5,314,057 5/1994 Calvert et al 198/483.1
A conveyor system for retaining an empty box thereon includes a conveyor assembly slidably adjustable on a frame. The conveyor assembly includes a set of rollers rotationally mounted on a support rail attached to the conveyor assembly. A corresponding set of rollers are rotationally mounted to another support rail parallel and spaced apart from the first support rail and fixedly attached to the frame. The rotational axis of each of the rollers is angled forward in the direction of operative travel of the conveyor belt and box. In operation, the angled rollers snugly engage the box and urge the box against the conveyor belt when the box is translated thereby. The distance between the two sets of rollers is adjusted by sliding adjustment of the conveyor assembly with respect to the frame, thus providing for expedited set up of the conveyor system to handle boxes of different widths.
33 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
