(12) United States Patent
`Sandberg et al.
`
`I 1111111111111111 11111 lllll lllll 111111111111111 11111 11111 lll111111111111111
`US006669005B2
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,669,005 B2
`Dec. 30, 2003
`
`(54) SERVO-CONTROLLED DISTRIBUTION
`CONVEYOR
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Glenn Sandberg, Lockport, IL (US);
`Scott A. Lindee, Mokena, IL (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Formax, Inc., Mokena, IL (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/201,047
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jul. 23, 2002
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2003/0034225 Al Feb. 20, 2003
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Provisional application No. 60/309,272, filed on Aug. 1,
`2001.
`Int. Cl.7 ................................................ B65G 43/00
`U.S. Cl. .................................................... 198/460.2
`Field of Search ........................... 198/460.2, 459.1,
`198/460.1, 464.1, 502.2, 576, 588, 594
`
`References Cited
`
`(60)
`
`(51)
`(52)
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,751,873 A *
`3,965,783 A
`3,994,386 A
`4,067,435 A
`4,371,076 A
`4,379,416 A
`
`Toby .......................... .
`Muller et al.
`Toby
`Toby
`Nakao
`Kuchler
`
`8/1973
`6/1976
`11/1976
`1/1978
`2/1983
`4/1983
`
`198/34
`
`4,431,104 A
`4,684,008 A
`4,793,228 A
`4,846,336 A
`4,926,999 A
`5,174,430 A
`5,209,339 A
`5,267,638 A
`5,322,154 A *
`5,547,004 A *
`5,906,265 A *
`6,035,994 A *
`6,341,685 Bl *
`6,554,124 B2 *
`
`2/1984
`8/1987
`12/1988
`7/1989
`5/1990
`12/1992
`5/1993
`12/1993
`6/1994
`8/1996
`5/1999
`3/2000
`1/2002
`4/2003
`
`Orlowski et al.
`Hayashi et al.
`Etter et al.
`Hoyland et al.
`Fauth, Sr. et al.
`Ebira
`Antonissen
`Doane
`Lenherr ...................... 198/460
`Fransen ................... 198/460.2
`Spatafora ................. 198/460.2
`Blatter .................... 198/343.1
`Spatafora et al. ........ 198/460.2
`Colamussi et al.
`...... 198/418.6
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`0 634 325 Bl
`EP
`* cited by examiner
`
`12/1997
`
`Primary Examiner-Douglas A. Hess
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Polit & Erickson, LLC
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A feed conveyor is operable in a first direction to deposit a
`stream of articles across a width of a downstream conveyor
`operating along a second direction, the second direction
`being at an angle to the first direction. The feed conveyor is
`an extendable conveyor that is accurately controlled for
`circulating speed, extension speed and retraction speed, to
`deposit articles transversely onto the downstream conveyor
`in a tightly spaced, grid pattern. The extension and retraction
`speed are controlled by a first servomotor and the conveying
`speed of the feed conveyor is controlled by a second
`servomotor.
`
`22 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`51
`
`Weber EX1055
`Weber v. Provisur
`IPR2020-01557
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 30, 2003
`
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 30, 2003
`Dec. 30, 2003
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 30, 2003
`Dec. 30, 2003
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
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`US 6,669,005 B2
`US 6,669,005 B2
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`FIG. 5
`
`DISPLAYW/ ~lOOa
`KEYBOARD
`ENTRY
`
`100
`
`SERVO
`CONTROL
`MODULE
`
`~
`
`101
`
`102
`
`103
`
`DOWNSlREAM
`CONVEYOR
`DRIVE 1
`
`DOWNSlREAM
`CONVEYOR
`DRIVE2
`
`DOWNSlREAM
`CONVEYOR
`DR1VE3
`
`/10,200
`
`t
`
`~
`
`SERVODRIVE
`(SHUTILE)
`
`SERVODRIVE
`(CONVEYOR)
`
`SHUTIIE
`HOME
`PROXIMTIY SWITCH
`
`PATIY FORMING
`RA1E
`PROXIMTIY SWITCH
`
`110
`
`120
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`US 6,669,005 B2
`
`1
`SERVO-CONTROLLED DISTRIBUTION
`CONVEYOR
`
`This application claims the benefit of provisional appli(cid:173)
`cation U.S. Serial No. 60/309,272 filed Aug. 1, 2001.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention relates to conveyors for positioning
`articles, and more particularly relates to a conveyor system
`for positioning meat patties from a feed conveyor onto a
`downstream conveyor.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`s
`
`Conveyor systems are known which include a feed con(cid:173)
`veyor arranged to receive a stream of meat patties from a
`meat patty-forming machine in a grid pattern having a first
`width, and which deposit the stream onto a downstream
`conveyor that is arranged below and at a right angle to the
`feed conveyor. The downstream conveyor has a wider width
`and a slower operating speed. The downstream conveyor is
`typically used for treating the patties, such as for conveying
`the patties through a thermal treating unit, either a heating or
`a cooling unit.
`The feed conveyor is controllably extendable and retract(cid:173)
`able to distribute the stream in a longitudinal direction onto
`the downstream conveyor, in the lateral direction across a
`width of the downstream conveyor. The feed conveyor
`includes a wire mesh conveyor belt having a belt accumu(cid:173)
`lation arrangement located beneath the top surface of the
`conveyor.
`The amount of belt storage, and effectively, the length of
`the top conveying surface, of the feed conveyor are con(cid:173)
`trolled by movement of a carriage. The carriage carries an
`idler roller or pulley that is wrapped by the belt. The carriage
`is moved by a pneumatically controlled cylinder. The con(cid:173)
`veyor system is operated using pneumatic controls. The
`carriage retract distance is set by a limit switch. The carriage
`retraction speed and advancement speed are controlled by
`pneumatic flow control. The retraction of the carriage is 40
`initiated by an electric photo-eye. The conveyor belt circu(cid:173)
`lating speed is controlled by variable speed pulleys.
`Although the aforementioned system operates effectively,
`the present inventors have recognized the desirability of
`providing a system that is more easily adjusted and
`controlled, and can be more cost effectively manufactured,
`and which can be more efficiently and effectively operated.
`
`2
`mechanically connected to the traction device to be moved
`longitudinally thereby; a second electric motor, wherein the
`conveying surface is circulated by mechanical communica(cid:173)
`tion from the second electric motor; and a controller opera-
`tionally connected to the first and second electric motors to
`precisely control the conveying speed of the conveying
`surface and the position of the end.
`The invention also provides a system for depositing
`patties onto a downstream conveyor, comprising: a patty-
`10 forming machine having a reciprocating mold plate and a
`mechanism to eject patties from the reciprocating mold
`plate; a feed conveyor having an endless circulating belt
`with an upper conveying surface and a roller controlling a
`belt accumulation region of the endless circulating belt, the
`15 conveying surface having an upstream region adapted to
`receive a stream of patties from the patty-forming machine
`in rows across a lateral direction of the belt, the belt
`circulated to move the rows in the longitudinal direction to
`an end of the conveying surface, wherein the endless belt is
`20 turned over at the end, wherein circulation of the belt passes
`the rows off of the conveying surface to be deposited onto
`the downstream conveyor, and the longitudinal position of
`the end is movable between an extended position and a
`retracted position passing across at least a portion of a
`25 transverse dimension of the downstream conveyor by lon(cid:173)
`gitudinal positioning of the roller; a first electric motor and
`a traction device, the traction device engaged to be translated
`by the first electric motor, the roller mechanically connected
`to the traction device to be moved longitudinally thereby; a
`30 second electric motor, wherein the conveying surface is
`circulated by mechanical communication from the second
`electric motor; and a controller operationally connected to
`the first and second electric motors to precisely control the
`conveying speed of the conveying surface and the position
`35 of the end.
`According to an exemplary embodiment, the present
`invention provides a feed conveyor operable in a first
`direction to deposit a stream of articles across a width of a
`downstream conveyor operating along a second direction,
`the second direction being at an angle to the first direction.
`The feed conveyor is an extendable conveyor that is accu-
`rately controlled for circulating speed, extension speed and
`retraction speed, to deposit articles transversely onto the
`downstream conveyor in a tightly spaced, grid pattern. The
`45 conveying speed of the feed conveyor is controlled by a first
`servomotor, and the extension and retraction speed are
`controlled by a second servomotor.
`The feed conveyor includes a wire mesh conveyor belt
`having a belt accumulation arrangement located beneath the
`top surface of the conveyor.
`The amount of belt storage, and effectively, the length of
`the top conveying surface, of the feed conveyor are con(cid:173)
`trolled by movement of a carriage. The carriage carries an
`55 idler roller or pulley that is wrapped by the belt.
`The feed conveyor is driven to convey at a precise speed
`by the servomotor. The carriage is connected to an endless
`belt drive that is precisely driven by the servomotor in both
`the extension and retraction directions.
`According to the invention, a controller acts as an opera(cid:173)
`tor interface and as an automatic control. The desired
`extension and retraction distance is set by a keypad entry.
`The articles size is also set by a keypad entry. The speed of
`the articles entering the feed conveyor is input automatically.
`The home position of the carriage, the fully extended
`position of the feed conveyor, is input by a proximity sensor.
`The controller calculates the optimal article spacing using
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`50
`
`The invention provides a feed conveyor for depositing
`articles onto a downstream conveyor, comprising: an endless
`circulating belt having an upper conveying surface; a roller
`controlling a belt accumulation region of the endless circu(cid:173)
`lating belt, the conveying surface having an upstream region
`adapted to receive a stream of articles in rows across a lateral
`direction of the belt, the belt circulated to move the rows in
`the longitudinal direction to an end of the conveying surface,
`wherein the endless belt is turned over at the end, wherein
`circulation of the belt passes the rows off of the conveying 60
`surface to be deposited onto the downstream conveyor, and
`the longitudinal position of the end is movable between an
`extended position and a retracted position passing across at
`least a portion of a transverse dimension of the downstream
`conveyor by longitudinal positioning of the roller; a first 65
`electric motor and a traction device, the traction device
`engaged to be translated by the first electric motor, the roller
`
`

`

`US 6,669,005 B2
`
`5
`
`3
`the retraction distance and the article size multiplied by a
`maximum whole number of articles to be spaced trans(cid:173)
`versely across the downstream conveyor. The controller
`operates the servo controls such that carriage advancement
`or retraction speed, carriage advancement and retraction
`acceleration and deceleration, and carriage stroke, are all
`closely controlled. The carriage belt speed is closely con(cid:173)
`trolled to match the input speed of articles fed onto the feed
`conveyor. The carriage retraction initiation is also controlled
`by the controller.
`The present invention is particularly advantageous as
`applied to meat patties formed by a meat patty-forming
`machine such as a FORMAX F-26 machine available from
`Formax, Inc. of Mokena, Ill. and/or as described in U.S. Pat.
`Nos. 4,182,003 and 4,821,376, and/or PCT WO99/62344.
`The patties are formed by the patty-forming machine and
`deposited onto the feed conveyor. The feed conveyor
`includes a circulating wire mesh belt that delivers a grid
`pattern stream of formed patties to an end of the conveyor
`wherein the patties are deposited row by row onto the
`downstream conveyor as the conveying surface of the feed
`conveyor is retracted across a width of the downstream
`conveyor. Both the feed conveyor and the downstream
`conveyor are continuously circulating. The patties deposited
`on the downstream conveyor are actually deposited in a
`slight angular grid pattern due to the continuous movement
`of the downstream conveyor during deposition of the patties
`thereon.
`The circulating speed of the feed conveyor is servo
`controlled to match the patty output of the forming machine.
`A proximity sensor acts to sense the reciprocation of the
`mold plate of the forming machine to adjust the speed of the
`feed conveyor to achieve a closely-spaced, non-overlapping,
`continuously grid pattern of patties on the feed conveyor.
`The advancing speed of the end of the feed conveyor is 35
`closely controlled to be about equal to the circulating speed
`of the conveyor, and the retracting speed is closely con(cid:173)
`trolled to precisely deposit rows of patties in a closely
`spaced grid positioning on the downstream conveyor.
`Numerous other advantages and features of the present
`invention will become readily apparent from the following
`detailed description of the invention and the embodiments
`thereof, from the claims, and from the accompanying draw-
`ings.
`
`4
`FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a first embodiment conveying system
`10 of the present invention. The system 10 includes a feed
`conveyor 14 that deposits articles, such as meat patties 16,
`onto a downstream conveyor 18. The feed conveyor 14
`receives the patties 16 from a meat patty-forming machine
`24. As an example, the machine 24 delivers a closely spaced,
`grid pattern stream of patties 16.
`The feed conveyor 14 includes an endless belt, wire mesh
`belt 30. The wire mesh belt 30 forms a top conveying region
`10 or surface 34 and a bottom region 38. The bottom region 38
`has a portion wrapped around a movable roller or idler
`pulley 42, effectively creating a belt accumulation region 46.
`Movement of the pulley 42 controls the extension or retrac(cid:173)
`tion of the top region 34, and the position of an end 50 of the
`15 top region 34. The top region 34 is turned over to the bottom
`region 38 at the end 50 by use of a roller or axle 51.
`The pulley or roller 42 is rotationally connected by an axle
`43 (shown schematically by a dashed line in FIG. 4) to
`carriages 54a,54b. A first electric motor 62 is operatively
`20 connected to a traction system for moving the carriages 54a,
`54b. According to a preferred embodiment, the traction
`system comprises a pair of endless belts, positioning belts
`58a, 58b. The carriages 54a, 54b are connected to the
`positioning belts 58a, 58b. The first motor 62 is operatively
`25 connected by a belt 66 to drive the positioning belts 58a,
`58b. The belt 66 is wrapped around a drive pulley 63 which
`circulates the belts 58a, 58b via an axle 59 and sprockets or
`pulleys 64a, 64b. The first electric motor thus controls the
`retraction and extension of the end 50 via movement of the
`30 carriage 54 and the pulley 42.
`A second electric motor 70 is operatively connected by an
`endless belt 74 to a drive pulley 78 of the belt 30. The second
`electric motor 70 drives sprockets 79 to drive the belt 30.
`The second electric motor 70 closely controls the speed of
`circulation of the wire mesh belt 30.
`The electric motors 62, 70 preferably drive the respective
`belts 66, 74 via gear boxes 62a, 70a. The electric motors are
`preferably precise positioning motors, such as servomotors,
`40 that incorporate numerical encoders for precise control. For
`example, the motor 62 communicates exact positioning
`information or feedback to a controller 100 for precise
`control of the end 50 of the conveyor during both advance(cid:173)
`ment and retraction. The motor 70 communicates exact
`45 positioning information or feedback to the controller to
`ensure precise coordination between the belt speed and the
`forming machine patty-output speed.
`The controller 100, such as a programmable logic con(cid:173)
`troller (PLC), a microprocessor, a CPU or other control
`50 device, is signal connected to the motors 62, 70. The
`controller 100 can also receive operator input from a keypad
`100a (FIG. 5). A proximity sensor 110 senses the position of
`the carriage, with the end 50 fully extended as the "home"
`position. The sensor 110 is also signal-connected to the
`55 controller 100. The controller 100 can ensure a proper initial
`position of the feed conveyor end 50 by automatically
`extending the end 50 using the motor 62, until the home
`position is sensed by the sensor 110.
`A proximity sensor 120 is mounted to the patty-forming
`60 machine mold plate to sense reciprocation of the plate. The
`sensor 120 is signal-connected to the controller 100. The
`controller 100 adjust the speed of the motor 70 to ensure that
`the machine output of patties onto the conveyor 30 matches
`the speed of the conveyor to achieve a closely packed grid
`65 pattern of patties on the conveyor 30.
`Adjacent to the end 50 of the conveyor 30, is a ramp
`region 130. The ramp region 130 is angled downwardly
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a plan view of a conveying system of the
`invention;
`FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the conveying
`system of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the
`conveying system of the invention; and
`FIG. 4 is a plan view of an alternate conveying system
`according to the present invention; and
`FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a control system
`for the conveying systems of FIGS. 1 through 4.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in
`many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and
`will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments
`thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is
`to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of
`the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the
`specific embodiment illustrated.
`
`

`

`US 6,669,005 B2
`
`25
`
`30
`
`5
`toward the second conveyor in order to gently deposit meat
`patties onto the conveyor. The angle of the ramp region 130
`is manually adjustable in order to ensure that a gentle deposit
`occurs during retraction, and to ensure noninterference with
`patties on the downstream conveyor during advancement of
`the end 50.
`The controller 100 closely controls the movement of the
`motor 62 so that the rows 140 of patties are deposited onto
`the downstream conveyor 18 as the end 50 is retracted, in a
`closely spaced grid pattern. The operator inputs the retrac- 10
`tion distance of the end 50 and the patty size by keypad
`entry. The controller 100 calculates the optimal patty spac(cid:173)
`ing using the retraction distance and the patty size multiplied
`by a maximum whole number of patties to be spaced
`transversely across the downstream conveyor 18. For 15
`simplicity, the grid pattern shown in FIG. 1 is shown as a
`straight grid pattern having a straight row alignment 141. In
`fact, due to the continuous movement of the conveyor 18 the
`alignment will be an angled alignment 142. Once fully
`retracted, the controller 100 closely controls the speed of the 20
`motor 62 so that the leading row of patties, the row close to
`the end 50, is not prematurely deposited until the end 50
`reaches his fully extended position. Once the fully extended
`position is reached, retraction begins immediately thereafter
`to deposit the next group of patties. The retraction and
`extension (stroke) of the conveyor 14 is reciprocal to fill the
`downstream conveyor.
`As illustrated in FIG. 5, the controller 100 also can receive
`a speed signal from the downstream conveyor 18 and can
`then adjust either the downstream conveyor speed via first
`and/or second drives 101, 102, or first, second and third
`drives 101, 102, 103, and/or adjust the forming machine
`patty output speed and the motors 62, 70 such that all speeds
`are coordinated to achieve an optimally filled conveyor 18.
`The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 utilizes one 35
`drive 101 for the downstream conveyor.
`FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate embodiment 200 wherein
`the downstream conveyor is replaced by a conveyor 206
`having a first perpendicular conveyor section 211 beneath
`the feed conveyor 14, an arcuate conveyor section 212 40
`connected to an in-line conveyor 216. The feed conveyor 14
`is otherwise identical to that described for the first embodi(cid:173)
`ment. The first conveyor section 211 is driven by the first
`drive 101 and the arcuate conveying section 212 is driven by
`the second drive 102. The arcuate section 212 requires a 45
`different drive to independently adjust the speed of the
`arcuate section 212. The in-line conveyor 216 can be driven
`by a third drive 103.
`As illustrated in FIG. 5, the controller 100 can control the
`first and second drives 101, 102, or all three drives 101, 102, 50
`103, and/or adjust the forming machine patty output speed
`and the motors 62, 70 such that all speeds are coordinated to
`achieve an optimally filled in-line conveyor 216. Optionally,
`the third drive 103 can be manually speed-controlled.
`Shuttle Conveyor General Description of Operation
`According to a preferred embodiment, the feed conveyor
`or "shuttle conveyor" is controlled with two servomotors 62,
`70. The first servomotor 62 controls the shuttle movement
`onto the downstream conveyor 18. The shuttle conveyor 14
`can be located in the home position automatically using the 60
`shuttle home proximity switch 110. The shuttle distance is
`entered via the keypad 100a. The shuttle advance speed,
`retract speed, acceleration, and deceleration are all automati(cid:173)
`cally calculated. The second servomotor 70 controls the
`speed of the wire belt conveyor 30. This speed can be 65
`automatically calculated using two pieces of information.
`This first parameter is the patty size. This parameter is
`
`6
`entered via the keypad 100a. The second parameter is the
`forming machine speed. This is calculated automatically
`with the patty forming rate proximity switch 120. This
`allows the shuttle conveyor to increase and decrease speed
`5 automatically to match the forming machine speed.
`The preferred embodiments of the invention allow for a
`number of advantages in operation, such as:
`1. The parameters entered via the keypad can be stored as
`product codes. This allows a one-time setup and fast
`changeovers.
`2. Multiple product codes can be stored, such as 20
`product codes.
`3. The shuttle conveyor can be automatically set by a
`home sequence.
`4. The downstream conveyor speeds can be automatically
`adjusted.
`5. The true positioning control of the shuttle conveyor
`allows for automatic shuttle conveyor retract initiation.
`6. The controller includes the ability to stop the retraction
`of the shuttle conveyor, for any empty rows produced
`by the forming machine, thus maximizing downstream
`belt coverage.
`From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous
`variations and modifications may be effected without depart(cid:173)
`ing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be
`understood that no limitation with respect to the specific
`apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred.
`It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all
`such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.
`The invention claimed is:
`1. A feed conveyor for depositing articles onto a down(cid:173)
`stream conveyor, comprising:
`an endless circulating belt having an upper conveying
`surface;
`a roller controlling a belt accumulation region of said
`endless circulating belt, said conveying surface having
`an upstream region adapted to receive a stream of
`articles in rows across a lateral direction of said belt,
`said belt circulated to move said rows in said longitu(cid:173)
`dinal direction to an end of said conveying surface,
`wherein said endless belt is turned over at said end,
`wherein circulation of said belt passes said rows off of
`said conveying surface to be deposited onto said down-
`stream conveyor, and said longitudinal position of said
`end is movable between an extended position and a
`retracted position passing across at least a portion of a
`transverse dimension of said downstream conveyor by
`longitudinal positioning of said roller;
`a first electric motor and a traction system, said traction
`system engaged to be translated by said second electric
`motor, said roller mechanically connected to said trac(cid:173)
`tion system to be moved longitudinally thereby;
`a second electric motor, wherein said conveying surface is
`circulated by mechanical communication from said
`second electric motor; and
`a controller operatively connected to said first and second
`electric motors to precisely control the position of said
`end and the conveying speed of said conveying surface.
`2. The feed conveyor according to claim 1, wherein said
`first and second electric motors comprise precise positioning
`motors that provide precise positioning feedback to said
`controller.
`3. The feed conveyor according to claim 2, comprising a
`proximity sensor that is signal-connected to said controller,
`said proximity sensor communicating an exact position of
`said traction system when said end is at a home position.
`
`55
`
`

`

`US 6,669,005 B2
`
`7
`4. The feed conveyor according to claim 3, wherein said
`home position is a position wherein said conveying surface
`is fully extended.
`5. The feed conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the
`speed of the downstream conveyor is controlled by said 5
`controller.
`6. The feed conveyor according to claim 1, wherein said
`feed conveyor is associated with an apparatus that supplies
`articles at a supply rate, and said system includes a supply
`rate sensor for detecting said supply rate, said sensor being 10
`signal-connected to said controller.
`7. The feed conveyor according to claim 6, wherein said
`apparatus comprises a molding machine having a recipro(cid:173)
`cating mold plate, wherein articles are reciprocally ejected
`from said mold plate and delivered onto said conveyor, and 15
`said sensor comprises a proximity sensor that is adapted to
`sense reciprocation of said mold plate.
`8. The feed conveyor according to claim 6, comprising a
`keypad that is signal-connected to said controller, and said
`controller is adapted to accept through said keypad an article 20
`size and a supply rate of articles being supplied to said feed
`conveyor and said controller automatically adjusts and con(cid:173)
`trols speed of said first and second electric motors to arrange
`said articles on said downstream conveyor in a pre-selected
`pattern.
`9. The feed conveyor according to claim 1, wherein a
`region of said conveying surface adjacent said end is ramped
`down to be in close proximity to said downstream conveyor.
`10. The feed conveyor according to claim 1, wherein said
`traction system comprises an endless belt conveyor.
`11. The feed conveyor according to claim 1, wherein said
`first and second electric motors comprise servomotors.
`12. A system for depositing patties onto a downstream
`conveyor, comprising:
`a patty-forming machine having a reciprocating mold
`plate and a mechanism to eject patties from the recip(cid:173)
`rocating mold plate;
`a feed conveyor having an endless circulating belt with an
`upper conveying surface and a roller controlling a belt
`accumulation region of said endless circulating belt,
`said conveying surface having an upstream region
`adapted to receive a stream of patties from said patty(cid:173)
`forming machine in rows across a lateral direction of
`said belt, said belt circulated to move said rows in said
`longitudinal direction to an end of said conveying
`surface, wherein said endless belt is turned over at said
`end, wherein circulation of said belt passes said rows
`off of said conveying surface to be deposited onto said
`downstream conveyor, and said longitudinal position of
`said end is movable between an extended position and
`
`35
`
`8
`a retracted position passing across at least a portion of
`a transverse dimension of said downstream conveyor
`by longitudinal positioning of said roller;
`a first electric motor and a traction system, said traction
`system engaged to be translated by said first electric
`motor, said roller mechanically connected to said trac(cid:173)
`tion system to be moved longitudinally thereby;
`a second electric motor, wherein said conveying surface is
`circulated by mechanical communication from said
`second electric motor; and
`a controller operatively connected to said first and second
`electric motors to precisely control the position of said
`end and the conveying speed of said conveying surface.
`13. The system according to claim 12, wherein said first
`and second electric motors comprise precise positioning
`motors that provide precise positioning feedback to said
`controller.
`14. The system according to claim 13, comprising a
`proximity sensor that is signal-connected to said controller,
`said proximity sensor communicating an exact position of
`said traction system when said end is at a home position.
`15. The system according to claim 14, wherein said home
`position is a position wherein said conveying surface is fully
`25 extended.
`16. The system according to claim 12, wherein the speed
`of the downstream conveyor is controlled by said controller.
`17. The system according to claim 12, wherein said
`system includes a patty rate sensor for detecting a supply
`30 rate of said patties, said sensor being signal-connected to
`said controller.
`18. The system according to claim 17, wherein said sensor
`comprises a proximity sensor that is adapted to sense
`reciprocation of said mold plate.
`19. The system according to claim 17, comprising a
`keypad that is signal-connected to said controller, and said
`controller is adapted to accept through said keypad a patty
`size and a patty supply rate, and said controller automati(cid:173)
`cally adjusts and controls speed of said first and second
`40 electric motors to arrange patties on said downstream con(cid:173)
`veyor in a pre-selected pattern.
`20. The system according to claim 12, wherein a region of
`said conveying surface adjacent said end is ramped down to
`be in close proximity to said downstream conveyor.
`21. The system according to claim 12, wherein said
`traction system comprises an endless belt conveyor.
`22. The system according to claim 12, wherein said first
`and second electric motors comprise servomotors.
`
`45
`
`* * * * *
`
`

`

`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
`
`PATENT NO.
`APPLICATION NO.
`DATED
`INVENTOR(S)
`
`: 6,669,005 B2
`: 10/201047
`: December 30, 2003
`: Glenn Sandberg and Scott A Lindee
`
`Page 1 of 1
`
`It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent is hereby corrected as shown below:
`
`In the Claims
`
`At Column 6, Line 40, change "said" to --a--.
`
`At Column 6, Line 45, change "said" to --a--.
`
`At Column 6, Line 51, change "second" to --first--.
`
`Signed and Sealed this
`Nineteenth Day of March, 2019
`
`~~
`
`Andrei Iancu
`Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office
`
`