FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to product manufacturing and, more particularly, to guides for conveyers used in product manufacturing.

DESCRIPTION OF BACKGROUND

[0002] Air conveyer systems typically include an arrangement of tracks, hangers, guides, or other mechanical means for supporting, guiding, and aligning objects such as for example, plastic beverage bottles or other types of containers or products. A plenum or hood is arranged proximate to the tracks. A pressurized air source may be connected to the plenum, and pressurized air is emitted through vents in the plenum resulting in an air flow that impinges on the objects. The air flow exerts a force on the objects that drives the objects along the tracks in a desired direction.

[0003] Guides are arranged on opposing sides of the bottles to promote the movement of the bottles along the tracks. The guides reduce the swaying, swinging, and vibratory motion of the bottles. The conveyer systems are often used to move containers of products having different sizes and/or shapes. For example, a conveyer system may be used move 1 liter bottles for a particular manufacturing or bottling run, while the conveyer system may later be used to move 3 liter bottles for subsequent manufacturing or bottling run. To promote the desired motion of the bottles along the conveyer system the guides may be positioned with different distances between opposing guides and at different distances relative to the tracks depending on the size and shape of the bottles

[0004] Previous conveyer systems that may be used to move different sized bottles (in different runs) included a plurality of sets of opposing guides arranged at different distances relative to the tracks. The guides are adjustable to define gap or space where the bottles or containers pass therebetween. Thus, for example, when the conveyer system is configured for a run of a particular 1 liter bottle, a set of guides fixed at a particular distance from the tracks may be extended to define a desired gap for the 1 liter bottles. When the conveyer system is configured for a run of a different shaped bottle, such as a 3 liter bottle, the guides used for the previous run are retracted, and guides fixed at another distance from the tracks may be extended to define a desired gap for the three liter bottles. Thus, previous conveyer systems often included a plurality of sets of guides each fixed at a particular distance from the tracks.

SUMMARY

[0005] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a guide assembly includes a carriage portion slidably linked to a support member, a cam member connected to the support member, and a guide member connected to a guide arm portion, the guide arm portion slidably linked to the carriage portion and the cam member, wherein a vertical position of the guide member is adjusted as a result of slidably moving the carriage portion and a horizontal position of the guide member is adjusted due to an impingement force exerted by the cam member on the guide arm portion.

[0006] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a guide assembly includes a carriage portion slidably linked to a support member, a cam member connected to the support member, the cam member including a channel portion defining an impingement surface, and a guide member connected to a guide arm portion, the guide arm portion slidably linked to the carriage portion and the cam member such that a portion of the guide arm portion contacts the impingement surface.

[0007] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for operating a guide assembly includes sliding a carriage portion along a first axis, the carriage portion slidably linked to a support member, and positioning a guide member connected to a guide arm portion, the guide arm portion slidably linked to the carriage portion and a cam member, wherein a position on the first axis of the guide member is adjusted as a result of slidably moving the carriage portion and a position of the guide member on a second axis is adjusted due to an impingement force exerted by the cam member on the guide arm portion.

[0008] Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention. For a better understanding of the invention with the advantages and the features, refer to the description and to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The subject matter that is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0010] FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a conveyer system.

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a front partially transparent view of the guide assembly.

[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates an expanded view of the guide assembly.

[0013] The detailed description explains the preferred embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a conveyer system 100. Referring to FIG. 1A, the conveyer system 100 includes a track arrangement 102 that includes tracks 104. A plenum 110 includes an interior cavity 112, and vents (not shown). The track arrangement 102 is secured to the plenum 110.

[0015] In operation, a plurality of objects 151, such as, for example plastic beverage bottles having a neck ring, product containers or other objects are disposed in a gap 101 defined by the tracks 104. The objects slidably engage and are supported by the tracks 104. The plenum 110 receives pressurized air from, for example, a pressurized air source (not shown). The pressurized air is emitted into a hood region 114 partially defined by the plenum 110 via the vents. The pressurized air impinges on the objects 151 and drives the objects slidably along the tracks 104. In the illustrated embodiment, objects 151 having different sizes and shapes are shown arranged on the tracks 104 for illustrative purposes, however during operation the objects 151 will typically be similar in size and shape for a particular production run. Thus, FIGS. 1A and IB illustrate a superposition of objects 151 having different sizes and shapes to illustrate the operation of the conveyer system 100.

[0016] In this regard, the conveyer system 100 includes opposing guide assemblies 120. The guide assemblies 120 each include a guide member 122 connected to a guide arm portion 124. The guide arm portion 124 slidably engages a carriage portion 126. The carriage portion 126 slidably engages a support member 127. The guide arm portion 124 is slidably linked to a cam portion 128 that includes an impingement surface or channel 130. The cam portion 128 includes opposing substantially planar surfaces that are communicative with the channel 130. The carriage portion 126 may be retained in position relative to the horizontal plane defined by the arrows 121 by the support member 127. The carriage portion 126 may be retained in position relative to the vertical plane defined by the arrows 123 by an adjustable or removable clamp assembly (not shown) that is operative to secure the carriage portion 126 in a desired position along the vertical plane, or an actuator assembly 132 such as, for example, a pneumatic, electric, or hydraulic actuator or device that is mechanically linked to the carriage portion 126 and is operative to exert a linear force on the carriage portion 126 and secure the carriage portion 126 in a desired position.

[0017] The guide members 122 define a gap having a width x. The guide members are spaced a distance y from the tracks 104. In operation, if a different position for a guide member 122 is desired, the force securing the carriage portion 126 in position may be removed and a linear force may be applied to move the carriage portion 126 relative to the support member 127 along the axis 123. The motion of the carriage portion 126 results in the impingement surface 130 of the cam portion 128 exerting a force on the slidably linked guide arm portion 124 generally along the axis of shown by arrow 121. The slidable engagement of the guide arm portion 124 with the carriage portion 126 allows the position of the guide member 122 to move along the axis 123 and 121. The profile of the impingement surface 130 corresponds to the movement of the guide member 122 and the width x of the gap between the opposing guide members 122. The linear movement of the carriage portion 126 corresponds to the linear movement of the guide member 122 along the axis 123 and the distance y between the guide member 122 and the tracks 104.

[0018] FIG. IB illustrates the guide members 122 positioned in an alternate position as a result of the movement of the carriage portion 126 along the support member 127 resulting in a distance y' between the guide members 122 and the tracks 104. The profile of the impingement surface 130 results in a gap x' defined by the opposing guide members 122.

[0019] The profile of the impingement surface 130 is merely an example. Any desired profile may be used for the impingement surface 130 to result in a desired position of the guide members 122. Though the illustrated embodiment shows the guide members 122 moving to similar positions, the opposing pairs impingement surfaces 130 for each of the guide assemblies 120 may be dissimilar such that the mid point of the gap defined by the guide members 122 may change positions horizontally relative to the tracks 104. The guide assemblies 120 are shown having separate actuator assemblies 132, thus, each guide assembly 120 may be moved independently of the other if desired.

[0020] One of or each of the guide assemblies 120 may include a pair of guide members 122 where each guide member of the pair is slidably linked to the carriage portion 126 and the impingement surface 130 in a similar manner as described above. Such an arrangement would provide two pairs of opposing guide members that may be positioned in a similar manner as described above.

[0021] The cam portion 128 of the illustrated exemplary embodiment includes an orifice that defines the impingement surface. Alternate embodiments may include, for example merely an impingement surface 130 that guides the guide arm portion 124. In such an embodiment, a biasing member (not shown) such as a spring, or a retaining member may be provided to encourage contact between the guide arm portion 124 and the impingement surface 130.

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates a front partially transparent view of the guide assembly 120. The line 202 shows the relationship of the position of the guide member 122 to the profile of the impingement surface 130 (or impingement orifice). In the illustrated embodiment, the guide arm portion 124 is connected to a bushing or bearing member 204 that engages the impingement surface 130. A positioning member 206 is linked to the guide arm portion 124 and slidably engages the carriage portion 126. The positioning member 206 may be provided to provide stability to the guide member 122 and counteract torque and axial forces acting on the guide arm portion 124.

[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates an expanded view of the guide assembly 120.

[0024] Though the figures described above may include a variety of dimensions, the dimensions are provided merely for illustrative and non-limiting purposes. Alternate embodiments may include any alternative arrangement of dimensions or scales.

[0025] The technical effects and benefits of the above described embodiments provide an apparatus and system for conveying objects using a conveyer system. The embodiments include a guide assembly that is movable along at least two axes.

[0026] While the preferred embodiment to the invention has been described, it will be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in the future, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall within the scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construed to maintain the proper protection for the invention first described.