US 12,330,885 B2
Laned container flow equalizer
Douglas A. Imes, Greer, SC (US); Geromy Lanich, Greer, SC (US); and Craig Mummert, Greer, SC (US)
Assigned to ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed by ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed on Jan. 25, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/101,465.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/303,240, filed on Jan. 26, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0234786 A1, Jul. 27, 2023
Int. Cl. B65G 47/29 (2006.01); B65G 47/71 (2006.01); B65G 47/88 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 47/29 (2013.01) [B65G 47/71 (2013.01); B65G 47/8823 (2013.01); B65G 2203/0241 (2013.01); B65G 2203/042 (2013.01); B65G 2205/04 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for controlling a flow of articles, comprising:
a conveyor driven in a direction to convey articles in the direction;
a plurality of lanes disposed along a portion of the conveyor, wherein each lane of the plurality of lanes is configured to accept a row of articles along the direction;
a plurality of sensors for counting the articles in each lane; and
a plurality of actuators for controlling flow rates of the articles along the conveyor, wherein the flow rates are based on a lowest count of articles in a respective lane of the plurality of lanes, wherein at least one actuator of the plurality of actuators comprises a paddle, wherein the paddle is configured to close off at least a portion of the plurality of lanes, wherein the paddle includes a pressure regulator.