Inventors:
John R. Patois - Wayne NJ
Jack D. Warren - Oshkosh WI
Assignee:
J&J Container Handling Systems, Inc. - Little Falls NJ
International Classification:
B65G 1514
Abstract:
A conveyor apparatus is provided which includes a pair of conveyor belts constructed from a resilient material and arranged to securely grip and release the neck ring of bottles to be conveyed. Each one of the conveyor belts is formed with a groove having coacting opposed sides. The opposed sides part to open the groove to facilitate and expedite receiving the bottle neck ring in the grooves of the conveyor belts. The opposed sides of the groove then coact to close the groove and securely grip the neck ring therebetween to transport the bottle. At the discharge area of the conveyor line, the opposed sides once again flex away from the groove to facilitate and expedite the discharge of the bottle from the groove of the conveyor belts. Also provided is an adjustable block to support the conveyor belts, which block is constructed with at least one (1) port arranged to direct the flow of gas along the conveyor belt and into the conveying path. The introduction of the air stream into the conveying path permits the bottles to levitate or float above the belts without the belts having to be idled.
