Flexible gap filler

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12459755-B2
Application number	US-202318352755-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 14, 2023
Priority date	Jul 14, 2023
Publication date	Nov 4, 2025
Grant date	Nov 4, 2025

Abstract

A gap filler is provided. The gap filler can include a sheet having a sheet first end and a sheet second end. The gap filler can include a first frame coupled to the sheet first end. The gap filler can include a second frame coupled to the sheet second end. The sheet can be configured to be compressed between the first frame and the second frame such that the first frame extends in a direction angled away from the second frame.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A gap filler comprising:
a sheet having a sheet first end and a sheet second end, wherein the sheet first end and the sheet second end are on opposing ends of the sheet; a first frame configured to be coupled between the sheet first end and a chute; and a second frame configured to be coupled between the sheet second end and at least one conveyor, wherein the chute is set at an angle away from the at least one conveyor, wherein the sheet is shaped into a fan-like formation when the first frame is extended in a direction angled away from the second frame.

2 . The gap filler of claim 1 , wherein the sheet is made of rubber.

3 . The gap filler of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first frame or the second frame is made of metal.

4 . The gap filler of claim 3 , wherein at least one of the first frame or the second frame has a rectangular shape.

5 . The gap filler of claim 1 , wherein the first frame extends in a direction at an angle of up to 35 degrees from the second frame.

6 . The gap filler of claim 5 , wherein the angle between the first frame and the second frame is manually adjustable.

7 . The gap filler of claim 1 , wherein the sheet comprises a plurality of folds each having a first side and a second side.

8 . The gap filler of claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of folds has a rectangular shape.

9 . The gap filler of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of folds are configured to stack on top of each other when compressed between the first frame and the second frame and to extend when pulled between the first frame and the second frame.

10 . An assembly, comprising:
two conveyors; a chute extending between the two conveyors, wherein the chute may be angled away from at least one of the two conveyors; and a gap filler configured to fill a gap between the chute and the at least one of the two conveyors, comprising: a sheet having a sheet first end and a sheet second end, wherein the sheet first end and the sheet second end are on opposing ends of the sheet; a first frame configured to be coupled between the sheet first end and the chute; and a second frame configured to be coupled between the sheet second end and the at least one of the two conveyor, wherein the chute is set at an angle away from the at least one of the two conveyor, wherein the sheet is shaped into a fan-like formation when the first frame extends in a direction angled away from the second frame.

11 . The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the sheet is made of rubber.

12 . The assembly of claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first frame or the second frame is made of metal.

13 . The assembly of claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first frame or the second frame has a rectangular shape.

14 . The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the first frame extends in a direction at an angle of up to 35 degrees from the second frame.

15 . The assembly of claim 14 , wherein the angle between the first frame and the second frame is manually adjustable.

16 . The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the sheet comprises a plurality of folds each having a first side and a second side.

17 . The assembly of claim 16 , wherein each of the plurality of folds has a rectangular shape.

18 . The assembly of claim 17 , wherein the plurality of folds are configured to stack on top of each other when compressed between the first frame and the second frame and to extend when pulled between the first frame and the second frame.

19 . The assembly of claim 18 , wherein the gap filler is attached to the chute by one or more clips.

20 . The assembly of claim 19 , wherein the one or more clips are attached to at least one of the first frame or the second frame.

Assignees

• Intelligrated Headquarters Llc

Inventors

• Quezada Rodrigo Valencia
• Legarreta Seyffert Jaime Enrique
• De Hoyos Frida Daniela García
• Delgadillo Pedro Morales
• Flores Fernandez Aide Fernanda

Classifications

• B65G47/66 Primary

  Fixed platforms or combs, e.g. bridges between conveyors · CPC title

• B65G47/57

  for articles · CPC title

• B65G47/44

  Arrangements or applications of hoppers or chutes · CPC title

• B65G11/103 Primary

  for articles · CPC title