William S Covert

US Patent:

53419189, Aug 30, 1994

Filed:

Apr 16, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/046944

Inventors:

William J. Covert - Berlin NJ

International Classification:

B65G 3326

US Classification:

198659

Abstract:

An article transfer device for transferring articles from a first position to a second position including a transfer screw, a conveying system, a stationary dead plate and a pressure adjustment wall. The screw is constructed from a flexible material and is essentially a continuous helical spiral having its ends connected to a support structure. Because of the flexible nature of the screw, different size articles can be transferred across the dead plate without having to change the screw. The article transfer device is useful in a clean room and less clean room application where articles need to be transferred between the rooms without returning any contaminants to the clean room. No individual part of the transfer device moves from the clean room to the less clean room and back again, thereby maintaining the sterile environment in the clean room. When it is desired that a different size article be transferred between the rooms, the pressure wall is adjusted so that the screw conforms to the different size articles and transfers the same. Lost production time and additional labor are eliminated as a result of the conforming nature of the article transfer device.

US Patent:

43857019, May 31, 1983

Filed:

May 15, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/263914

Inventors:

William F. Buckminster - Voorhees NJ
William J. Covert - Berlin NJ
Wilson Y. Conyngham - Clayton NJ

Assignee:

Garvey Corporation - Blue Anchor NJ

International Classification:

B07C 534

US Classification:

209598

Abstract:

In an article elevating apparatus, articles such as cigarette cartons, are picked up at a loading station by inclined roller carriers moving in an upward vertical direction. During upward movement the articles are held on the roller carriers by sliding engagement of the downward end of the articles against a vertical rail. The articles roll off of the carriers at a discharge station defined by the upper end of the rail.

US Patent:

52825256, Feb 1, 1994

Filed:

Nov 6, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/972539

Inventors:

William J. Covert - Berlin NJ

International Classification:

B65G 100

US Classification:

1983471

Abstract:

An article accumulator utilized between a product infeed line and a discharge conveyer feeds articles from the infeed to the discharge conveyer in a single, continuous line. The accumulator includes a wide horizontal moving conveyer belt that accumulates articles in the event of a backup at the discharge end. A slow moving flexible guide belt located just above the conveyer belt and angled toward the discharge conveyer engages the sides of the articles and helps to move them toward the discharge conveyer. In the event that a substantial number of articles accumulate on the accumulator conveyer belt, these articles push sideways on the guide belt forcing it rearwardly behind a guide rail that runs along the length of the guide belt. The articles then engage the guide rail and are less influenced by the movement of the guide belt. This arrangement helps to ensure that the articles that are first placed on the conveyer belt tend to be the first articles to be discharged.

US Patent:

50389092, Aug 13, 1991

Filed:

Aug 17, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/395257

Inventors:

William J. Covert - Berlin NJ

International Classification:

B65G 100

US Classification:

1983473

Abstract:

A device for accumulating objects carried between an up stream location and a down stream location, including a frame mounting a conveyor to define a path through the device from an entrance to an exit. The device includes a magazine on the frame and contains a plurality of chambers, the chambers being movable to position each chamber in operable relationship with the path. The chambers each include a plurality of object nests individually sized to each carry an object into or out of the path when the chamber is moved. Also provided are stop operable to regulate the flow of objects along the path to selectively position objects for accumulation by the magazine.

US Patent:

54776635, Dec 26, 1995

Filed:

Feb 17, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/018094

Inventors:

Bruce D. Smith - West Chester PA
William J. Covert - Berlin NJ
Edward F. Vander Bush - Downingtown PA
Roy B. Melton - Pottstown PA
Paul W. Sirgenson - Schwenksville PA
Frank C. Tammaro - Phoenixville PA
Bernard F. Sykes - Mont Clare PA
Eric Shoup - Manalapan NJ
J. Donald Birtwell - Pottstown PA
Thomas A. Stalnaker - West Chester PA

Assignee:

The West Company - Lionville PA

International Classification:

B65B 510

US Classification:

53475

Abstract:

In a system for transferring groups of containers from one location to another, a loading station including a transfer mechanism for continuously delivering rows of containers from the transfer station to a tray loading station. A device at the tray loading station is included for cycling the tray in a predetermined controlled sequence to receive rows of containers delivered by the transfer mechanism and to position them in a compact array in the tray.

US Patent:

51692830, Dec 8, 1992

Filed:

Aug 26, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/749857

Inventors:

William J. Covert - Berlin NJ

International Classification:

B65G 5703

US Classification:

4147937

Abstract:

A stack of baskets carrying frozen chickens or the like are mounted on a dolly which is wheeled into a denester having spaced apart vertical side walls. Each of the side walls carries a vertically moving conveyor having spaced hooks adapted to be moved inwardly to engage the baskets. As the conveyors move upwardly, the top basket is lifted from the top of the stack. As the conveyors continue to move, the next basket is lifted and this continues until all of the baskets are lifted off of the dolly and are spaced apart from each other. A horizontal conveyor is then interposed beneath the lowermost basket. The vertical conveyors are moved downwardly until the lowermost basket rests on the horizontal conveyor and the conveyor hooks are removed therefrom. This basket is then conveyed horizontally to make room for the next lowermost basket and the process continues until all of the baskets have been denested.

US Patent:

54216869, Jun 6, 1995

Filed:

Mar 29, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/038377

Inventors:

William J. Covert - Berlin NJ
Walter D. Robison - Haddon Heights NJ

Assignee:

Hull Corporation - Hatboro PA

International Classification:

F26B 1330

US Classification:

414287

Abstract:

A system for automatically loading and unloading bottles, vials, or other containers into and out of a freeze dryer or other material treating apparatus includes a loading station and a conveyer for bringing bottles to the loading station. A transfer vehicle movable between the loading station and one or more freeze dryers includes a horizontally arranged platen for supporting an entire dryer shelf of bottles. When the vehicle is aligned with the loading station, a pusher bar slides bottles from the loading station onto the vehicle platen. The vehicle then moves to a dryer where the platen aligns itself with one of the dryer shelves. A guide bar at the rear end of a rectangularly shaped lasso or transfer cage moves forwardly pushing the bottles onto the shelf. The forward end of the cage is then raised above the height of the bottles and removed from the dryer. To unload a dryer shelf, the cage enters the dryer above the bottles and the forward end drops down behind them.

US Patent:

52679241, Dec 7, 1993

Filed:

Jan 7, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/001720

Inventors:

Robert S. Miller - Blue Bell PA
Robert P. Wolk - Fort Washington PA
Guido LaPorta - Dalton PA
Harold Schoenhaus - Cherry Hill NJ
William J. Covert - Berlin NJ
Ray M. Frey - Cherry Hill NJ
Semond Levitt - Huntingdon Valley PA

Assignee:

Advanced Kinetics, Inc. - Fort Washington PA

International Classification:

A63B 2310

US Classification:

482 79

Abstract:

A continuous passive motion (CPM) device includes a foot support plate and a toe plate. The foot support plate pivots back and forth, driven by a rod connected to a motor. A toe plate pivots separately from the foot support plate, and receives its motive power solely from the foot support plate. The engagement of a pair of pins, one pin connected to the foot support plate and the other pin connected to the toe plate, causes the toe plate to pivot at the desired moment. The toe plate pivots in the opposite direction from that of the foot support plate, and pivots only when the foot support plate reaches a predetermined angle. At other times, the toe plate does not move. The latter arrangement enhances the level of comfort felt by the patient, by increasing the effective angle of flexing of the foot, while limiting the amount of flexing of the heel to a comfortable level. The positioning of the pins determines through how many degrees the toe plate pivots for each degree of rotation of the foot support plate.