Thomas W Spangenberg

US Patent:

6365906, Apr 2, 2002

Filed:

Jul 22, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/359431

Inventors:

Thomas Spangenberg - Baltimore MD
Thomas Lamb - Silver Spring MD

Assignee:

AMBEC, Incorporated - Owings Mills MD

International Classification:

G01N 2186

US Classification:

2505593, 250223 B, 25055929, 3562394, 3562401

Abstract:

The invention is directed to an apparatus for detecting and ejecting fallen containers on a conveyor line. The detecting apparatus includes at least three sensors arranged beside the conveyor system. Two of the sensors are positioned to detect the top of a container and a third sensor is positioned to detect the bottom of the container. When a container is judged to be fallen on the conveyor line, a control system sends a signal to an ejector apparatus to remove the fallen container from the conveyor line.

US Patent:

6772872, Aug 10, 2004

Filed:

Nov 3, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/701365

Inventors:

Thomas Spangenberg - Baltimore MD
Carl Rakowski, Jr. - Owings Mills MD

Assignee:

AMBEC, Inc. - Owings Mills MD

International Classification:

B65G 4726

US Classification:

198442, 198427

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for diverting articles from a single lane to one of a plurality of lanes wherein the articles in the single lane are moving on a conveyor along a travel path, the apparatus comprising a pair of spaced apart flexible rails suspended above the conveyor where the flexible rails define a guide channel therebetween. The guide channel can have an upstream portion configured to receive the articles in the single lane and a downstream portion configured to distribute the articles to one of the lanes. The flexible rails are movable in a direction substantially parallel to the travel path. The downstream portion of the guide channel is configured to be selectively movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the travel path in order to selectively distribute the articles to one of the lanes.

US Patent:

6772876, Aug 10, 2004

Filed:

Jul 2, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/189291

Inventors:

Thomas Spangenberg - Baltimore MD

Assignee:

AMBEC, Inc. - Owings Mills MD

International Classification:

B65G 2900

US Classification:

19886702, 19886706, 19886715

Abstract:

A chain link comprising an elongated body having opposed first and second ends defining a longitudinal axis therebetween. The body has guide shoes that project from a bottom portion of the body for supporting the link on a track. The chain link further includes a gripping member that has a structure that is in sliding engagement with a cooperating structure disposed along the body of the link. The cooperating structure permits the gripping member to move relative to the body in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body.

US Patent:

20050077146, Apr 14, 2005

Filed:

Aug 10, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/915110

Inventors:

Thomas Spangenberg - Baltimore MD, US
Carl Rakowski - Owings Mills MD, US

International Classification:

B65G047/26

US Classification:

198442000, 198427000

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for diverting articles from a single lane to one of a plurality of lanes wherein the articles in the single lane are moving on a conveyor along a travel path, the apparatus comprising a pair of spaced apart flexible rails suspended above the conveyor where the flexible rails define a guide channel therebetween. The guide channel can have an upstream portion configured to receive the articles in the single lane and a downstream portion configured to distribute the articles to one of the lanes. The flexible rails are movable in a direction substantially parallel to the travel path. The downstream portion of the guide channel is configured to be selectively movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the travel path in order to selectively distribute the articles to one of the lanes.

US Patent:

63281511, Dec 11, 2001

Filed:

Feb 4, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/498477

Inventors:

Thomas M. Spangenberg - Baltimore MD
Cloyd K. Leedy - Hampstead MD

Assignee:

Ambec, Inc. - Owings Mills MD

International Classification:

B65G 4714
B65G 4731

US Classification:

1983474

Abstract:

The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for combining randomly oriented containers on a conveyor into single file. The apparatus includes a pressureless combining conveyor having at least two or more conveyor sections adjacent to one another, and angled about the axis of a guide rail. The substantially linear guide rail extends at an angle across the combining conveyor. The guide rail is constructed such that the lower part of a container which starts to fall toward the guide rail contacts the guide rail first, then tilts toward the guide rail, touching the guide rail at a height of the container near the center of gravity of the container, and then returning to its stable position. The container's center of gravity always remains within its stability region. The apparatus includes an input conveyor to supply a plurality of containers having no specific orientation, and an input guide rail section to guide moving containers to one side of the input conveyor.