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Fluid operated self aligning rollerRelated Patent Categories: Conveyors: Power-driven, Conveyor Section, Endless Conveyor, Revolvable Means Engaging Carrier Belt Face Automatically Skews To Correct Belt Training DeviationFluid operated self aligning roller description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060219527, Fluid operated self aligning roller. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/910,116, filed Aug. 3, 2004. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of conveyor belts. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART [0003] Many conveyors incorporate a continuous looped belt extending around and supported by a plurality of rollers. Through continued use, the belt may become misaligned or off center relative to the rollers resulting in damage to the edged portion of the belt and even stoppage of the conveyor. Further, articles conveyed by the belt are subjected to movement along a line other than the longitudinal axis of the conveyor. Thus, it is the practice to periodically stop the conveyor in order to realign the belt relative to the central axis of the conveyor resulting in down time and added cost. [0004] In order to solve the aforementioned problem, a variety of self correcting or self centering devices have been incorporated into conveyers in an attempt to automatically align the belt. One such device is shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,668,526 issued to Josef Schmidt. The Schmidt device includes a tracking roller pivotally mounted to a frame to adjust the flow path of the web of material in a packaging machine. Another approach is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,171 issued to J. C. Harris. In the Harris device, a rotating sleeve is coaxially mounted upon inner non-rotating but pivoting sleeve. As the web runs over the rotating sleeve, any imbalance in lateral web tension will cause the non-rotating pivoting sleeve to pivot at its center with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft permitting the non-rotating pivoting sleeve and coaxial rotating sleeve to pivot on the side of least tension until the web tension is equalized across the coaxial sleeve. J. C. Harris also discloses in his U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,106 a similar web tension equalizing roll and tracking apparatus wherein the equalizing roll has a common axis with a shaft mounted horizontally on two bearings for rotation. [0005] The concept of utilizing a pressurized bladder or bladders for centering a conveyor roller may also be utilized in the construction of rollers for applying or metering various liquids onto an impression or applicator roller. For example, a ductor roller is movable to and from an impression roller to evenly apply liquid, such as ink, onto the impression roll. Likewise, a metering roller may be located adjacent an impression roller to control the amount or meter the liquid applied to the impression roller. In both cases, the doctor roller or metering roller may be cocked through usage and/or improper set-up relative to the impression roller and it is therefore desirable to incorporate an automatic device to evenly space the ductor roller/metering roller relative to the impression roller. I have therefore disclosed herein various pressurized bladders to evenly space the ductor roller/metering roller relative to the impression roller. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] One embodiment of the present invention is a fluid operated device for automatically aligning a roller. A roller with opposite ends has a first axis of rotation with the opposite ends rotatably mounted to a roller frame. A support frame has the roller frame movably mounted thereto to allow the roller frame to move relative to the support frame and the first axis of rotation to become skewed to a second axis of rotation. A first pressurizable bladder is positioned between the roller frame and the support frame and normally urges the roller to move from the second axis of rotation to the first axis of rotation. [0007] Another embodiment includes a liquid applicator with a first rotatably mounted roller having a first cylindrical surface and a second rotatably mounted roller having a second cylindrical surface positioned adjacent the first cylindrical surface forming a liquid receiving area. An axle has a longitudinal axis that extends through the second roller but moves relative to the first roller to allow axis to become skewed moving from a first position to a second position. A pressurizable bladder extends between the second roller and the axle and has a constant internal pressure to urge the second roller against the first roller at a constant pressure even though the axle moves between the first position and the second position. [0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for automatically spacing a first roller apart an equal distance along its length from a second roller. [0009] A further object of the present invention is to provide a ductor roller or metering roller that is automatically positioned relative to an impression roller by means of a pressurized bladder or bladders. [0010] Related object and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conveyor incorporating the fourth alternate embodiment of the present invention. [0012] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrows. [0013] FIG. 3 is an end cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrows. [0014] FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrows. [0015] FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary top view of the exit end of the conveyor illustrating the conveyor belt centered on the conveyor. [0016] FIG. 6 is the same view as FIG. 5 only illustrating the conveyor belt located off center relative to the conveyor. [0017] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the right end of the centering roller of FIG. 6 illustrating the skewed position of the roller and the deformation of the bladder. [0018] FIG. 8 is the same view as FIG. 2 only showing the fifth alternate embodiment of the centering roller. [0019] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8 and viewed in the direction of the arrows. [0020] FIG. 10 is a side view of the outer mount. Continue reading about Fluid operated self aligning roller... Full patent description for Fluid operated self aligning roller Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Fluid operated self aligning roller patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Fluid operated self aligning roller or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Variable angled-roller belt and conveyor Next Patent Application: Method and device for measuring conveyor belt elongation, method and device for measuring conveyor belt wear extent, method and device for measuring conveyor belt temperature, rubber magnet sheet, and method of producing rubber magnet sheet Industry Class: Conveyors: power-driven ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Fluid operated self aligning roller patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.13366 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Medical: Surgery , Surgery(2) , Surgery(3) , Drug , Drug(2) , Prosthesis , Dentistry 174 |
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