Universally adjustable star wheel
Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000
United States of America Patent
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Apr 16, 2013
Grant Date -
Nov 10, 2011
app pub date -
May 7, 2010
filing date -
May 7, 2010
priority date (Note) -
In Force
status (Latency Note)
Importance
Abstract
A universally adjustable star wheel for conveying articles on an automated handling line is disclosed. In one embodiment, the adjustable star wheel includes rotatable elements that are configured to rotate around a central axis. Each rotatable element has a central axis, a periphery, and at least one control surface for assisting in controlling the article being conveyed. The control surfaces on the rotatable elements are arranged to together form at least one pocket for the article, wherein the pocket has a width and a depth. The angle defining the control surface on at least one rotatable element is different from the angle of another rotatable element to form the depth of at least a portion of the pocket. In this embodiment, the boundaries of the pocket are configured solely by at least partially rotating at least some of the rotatable elements to adjust the location of the control surfaces of the different rotatable elements to form a pocket for the article being conveyed. An automated adjustment mechanism for adjusting a star wheel to accommodate different articles is also disclosed. The automated adjustment mechanism may be used with any suitable star wheel.
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