Appeal No. 97-1626
Application 08/299,123
and a discharge part C. The transport receptacles 1, 2, 3, 4
and 5, which serve for receiving [articles for transport,] . .
. are guided in an endless T-rail 6” (column 2, lines 10-15).
The carrier chain 7 is driven intermittently (column 2, lines
10-12) and includes members 7a for engaging the receptacles.
Transfer part B comprises two horizontally spaced, parallel
endless belts 8 and 9 continuously driven by motor 8a (column
2, lines 32-34). As seen in Figure 2 and described at column
2, lines 34-46, the upper reaches of belts 8, 9 frictionally
engage the lower surfaces of receptacles coming off receiving
part A for transferring the receptacles to discharge part C.
Part C comprises a carrier chain 10 similar to carrier chain 7
of part A for receiving receptacles from part B and conveying
them to a downstream work station. Ultimately, receptacles
coming off discharge part C are recycled to receiving part A
by means of endless band 11. In all instances, receptacles
remain engaged with and are guided by endless T-rail 6.
Claim 1, the sole independent claim on appeal, calls for
a plurality of intermittent conveyors being intermittently
driven, and a supplemental conveyor being constantly driven
and disposed between an adjacent two of said intermittent
-4-
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Last modified: November 3, 2007