| US 7,467,705 B2 | ||
| Unit for use in automatic container return systems | ||
| Bernhard Lutz, Delbrück (Germany); and Ullrich Marahrens, Lippstadt (Germany) | ||
| Assigned to Wincor Nixdorf International GmbH, Paderborn (Germany) | ||
| Filed on Jun. 09, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/449,817. | ||
| Application 11/449817 is a continuation of application No. PCT/DE2004/002287, filed on Oct. 15, 2004. | ||
| Claims priority of application No. 103 58 203 (DE), filed on Dec. 12, 2003. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2006/0225991 A1, Oct. 12, 2006 | ||
| Int. Cl. B65G 37/00 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 198—598 [198/474.1; 198/408; 198/626.5] | 12 Claims |
| 1. Unit for use in an automatic container return system, comprising:
a) a conveyor device for horizontal transport of a returnable container in a direction of conveyance along a longitudinal
axis of the container, the conveyor device including a circulating conveyor chain;
b) the conveyor chain including conveyor members and a support element for holding the conveyor members;
c) the conveyor members being rotatable around an axis of rotation extending longitudinally in the direction of conveyance;
and
d) a pressure roller engageable against the conveyor members to rotate the conveyor members around the axis.
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