JP3036845B2 - Constant speed air conditioner without damper - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an air conditioner apparatus for use in a lightweight article having a substantially cylindrical shape, and more particularly to a damper for controlling an article conveying speed in a collective manner or in a sparse or individual article flow. Regarding rescue conveyor.

BACKGROUND ART In recent years, air conditioners for transporting lightweight articles, such as cylindrical lightweight beverage containers, have become widespread both during the production of the containers and during the filling process. Such conveyors enjoyed considerable success because they enable the transport of containers much faster than is possible with mechanical conveyors. These air conditioners are
Air jets and louvers have been used in various forms to move containers along a conveying surface. The angle at which the air is introduced into the conveying surface has various angles which are perpendicular to the direction of travel as well as jets or louvers which direct the air parallel to the direction of travel. In general, these devices use an air blowing force to move a container in a desired direction.

The apparatus also utilizes the Coanda effect to supply air through the air jets in a manner that moves the air along the surface of the conveyor and thus along the underside of the container on the conveyor. This effect utilizes the principle of Bernoulli and within the area where the air flows at the highest velocity so that the container operates in response to changes in air pressure, rather than relying on the capabilities of the device to blow the container in the desired direction. Used to create low pressure in These principles have been used to create the desired high and low pressure between adjacent vessels to regulate their flow.

Barker U.S. Pat. No. 3,105,720 shows the use of louvers at both ends of a cylindrical container to vertically move the cylindrical container from one conveyor to another.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,180,688 to Hooter discloses a large conveyor utilizing a series of louvers and vertical jets. The vertical jets allow the items to float above the conveyor, while the louvers provide downstream propulsion to move the items downstream.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,385,490 to Malmgren et al. Discloses an apparatus provided with an inwardly angled louver from the outer edge of the conveyor to the center for conveying web or sheet material along the conveyor. The air grid is provided at the center of the device for exhausting air. The device is adapted to center and transport a sheet of material downstream by a push-down component of air passing through the louver. The inward component of the air from the louvers is equalized on both sides, thus centering the sheet material on the conveyor.

Fong U.S. Pat.Nos. 3,733,056 and 4,033,555 each disclose a conveyor for fluidizing particulate matter,
In addition, a louver directed in both the downstream direction and the movement direction and substantially perpendicular to the movement direction is used.

U.S. Pat.No. 4,165,132 to Hasan et al. Discloses an air conditioner for transporting semiconductor wafers provided at an angle inward from both edges of the conveyor so that an air jet floats and centers the wafers on the conveyor. Disclose the bear. These jets also create a downstream push component that moves the wafer downstream along the conveyor.

U.S. Pat.No. 4,456,406 to Renhart requires a top cover and takes advantage of the formation of high pressure areas between articles,
Disclosed is a large-scale conveyor that forms an air conditioner conveyor for containers and maintains the containers in a loose separated state as goods move on the conveyor. This is to minimize the collision of the containers with each other and possible damage caused by this collision.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,725,513 to Renhart provides a coverless air conditioner bearing in which a jet is inclined slightly downstream through a conveying surface and is provided substantially vertically. Forming air dams to enclose, lift, and move the respective containers at a desired speed to produce a fluid of air;
Side walls are provided. However, if it is desired to adjust the moving speed of a large amount of containers, it is necessary to change the amount of air passing through the jet port by a damper.

All of the foregoing inventions are suitable for their intended purpose. However, to control the flow of goods on the conveyor,
It is necessary to provide dampers at various locations along the plenum to control the amount of air ejected from the air outlet or louver at a particular location along the transport surface. To minimize possible damage to the container as it moves from one working station to another,
This is necessary to change the speed of movement of goods from one part of the conveyor to the next. When using a damper to control the speed of an item, as the static pressure fluctuates up and down, the speed from the deck louvers changes accordingly, and as the speed changes, so does the amount. This makes control very difficult because of two simultaneously changing things. If you set the pressure low to slow down the item, the item will not float well above the deck,
Cannot be transported. Conversely, if the pressure is set high to transport the goods at high speed, the goods will float too high above the deck and fluctuate, and as a result, the goods may not flow down the air conditioner smoothly and may be turned over, Jams along the conveyor.

In addition, in the large-scale air conditioner described above, when goods move from the upstream position to the downstream position, the amount of air acting on each container increases, thereby tending to move the goods at a higher speed toward the terminal speed. It is in. This is especially true for single or sparse containers moving along a conveyor. Such a situation causes the articles to collide with each other with sufficient force and damages fragile containers such as beverage containers.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a damperless, constant speed coverless isometric air conditioner conveyor and method for controlling articles collectively at a constant speed. As used herein, the term "isometric" refers to and relates to a reverse air volume that produces a reverse push vector along the upper surface of a conveyor deck. A first set of louvers penetrates the conveyor surface downstream at an angle to the conveying surface and the air passing through the louvers has a first magnitude downstream push vector. Second
A set of louvers penetrates the conveyor surface in an upstream direction at a predetermined angle to the conveying surface, and air passing through the louvers is first.
Has an upstream push vector of a second magnitude that is less than the magnitude of the second push vector, thereby creating a push vector difference in the downstream direction, causing movement of the item in the downstream direction.
The outer row of louvers along each edge of the conveying surface is angled inward causing a cross flow of air that creates an air barrier, and a single or sparse flow of goods must travel through the air barrier. Instead, the speed of a single or disparate item should be limited. The inward cross flow of air also creates a low pressure suction effect at the trailing edge of sparse items and helps to keep them in an upright position. As used herein, the term "louver" includes any opening through the conveyor deck that directs air along or across the conveyor.

In particular, the first set of longitudinal louvers is such that the outer row of louvers on each side of the deck or transport surface is always part of the first set and alternates with the second set of longitudinal louvers. In a longitudinal row. This ensures that there is at least one more louver row in the downstream direction than in the upstream direction.

Alternatively, multiple rows of louvers extending longitudinally in the downstream direction may have longitudinally extending upstream louvers interposed therebetween. Also, at least a first outer row of longitudinally extending downstream louvers are angled inward to provide air flowing perpendicular to the direction of container movement,
An air barrier may be created to prevent movement of a single or sparse stream of goods. However, when the conveyor is full of items, almost all of the longitudinally extending louvers are covered, so that only the air flow hits the bottom of the container, bringing them together downstream by a net downstream push vector. Move. While the rows of louvers extending longitudinally are configured to traverse the conveyor surface longitudinally, the rows of louvers may also be configured to traverse across the conveyor surface.
That is, depending on the various embodiments disclosed herein, the first and second sets of louvers may be configured as either a laterally or longitudinally extending arrangement across the conveyor surface.

Change the number of downstream louvers relative to upstream louvers,
Or by changing the size of the openings in the individual louvers, without changing the static pressure of the air in the plenum, or providing dampers at various incremental positions in the plenum. A good flow can be obtained. Also, if both the upstream and downstream louvers are used, the amount of air contacting the item at any location between the upstream and downstream positions along the conveyor is the same, thereby keeping the item substantially constant. Can be moved at speed. This speed is determined by the difference between the upstream air amount and the downstream air amount. With this structure, articles such as cylinders with open ends and lightweight articles such as expanded polystyrene can be transported without being blown off the conveyor.

Further advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a conveyor made in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and showing further details of the conveyor.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing the air flow to the bottom of the container on the conveyor through the louver, taken along line 3-3 in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial plan view of one conveyor surface made in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a louver arrangement of a modification, and FIG. 4 is a similar partial plan view.

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of a portion of the conveyor surface showing details of the louver arrangement.

FIG. 7 is an offset horizontal cross-sectional view along line 7-7 of FIG. 6 showing further details of the louver structure.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view showing the air flow through the louver along the line 8-8 in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 3, showing a number of containers along the conveyor.

FIG. 10 is a partial plan view similar to FIGS. 4 and 5, showing a third modified louver arrangement.

FIG. 11 is a greatly enlarged vertical sectional view of a portion of the conveyor showing the flow of air to the bottom of the container through the louvers.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, as seen in FIGS. 1-3, a conveyor 10 is provided, and the conveyor 10 moves a container 16 in an upstream position as described in more detail below. And a conveyor surface in the form of a deck 12 with louvers 14 for transport from the to a downstream location. A plenum 18 is mounted on the bottom side of the deck 12 and is supplied with air through an inlet 20 from a common air supply such as a blower (not shown). An open rail 22 is provided along the outer edge of the deck 12 to retain air on the transport surface. As seen in FIG. 3, air passes through the louvers and flows in the direction of arrow 24 along the surface of the deck due to the Coanda effect. The air flow released from the louver creates a low pressure area, thereby
The bottom 26 is kept closely adjacent to the deck 12.

 The principle of this feature of the present invention is described in detail below.

The isometric deck design of the present invention is based on opposing air volumes at the same speed. A preferred longitudinal louver design across the conveyor deck width is shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the first two longitudinal rows of louvers 14 from each outer edge direct the flow in the direction of the downstream flow. Then, the next internal row 13 of longitudinal louvers is, conversely, upstream, and the next two internal rows of longitudinal louvers 14 are downstream, repeating this pattern. total
With 23 longitudinal rows, the pattern is illustrated as follows: 16 longitudinal rows are downstream, 7
Are in the upstream direction. This allows 228
Percent more downstream louvers are provided. It is estimated that 25% more air volume is desired downstream than upstream in order to achieve the desired maximum velocity of a single container along the deck 12. 228% -25% = 203% This requires an increase in the louver area of 203% for the 16 rows of downstream louvers 14 and 7 rows of the upstream louvers 14 for the downstream louvers.

When the louvers are arranged in transverse rows, according to FIG. 5, the first set of transverse rows 15 extends laterally across or across the conveyor surface, or is interspersed with alternating second sets of transverse rows. Row 17
Extend across the conveyor surface. The first set of louvers directs the flow upstream, as shown in FIG. 5, and the second set of louvers 17 directs the flow downstream. The same type of calculations as described above in connection with FIG. 4 can be performed to achieve the desired maximum speed of a single container when the rows are configured in a lateral direction. That is, providing more louvers in the downstream direction and then adjusting the louver area in the upstream direction is one way in which the desired speed is achieved.

The deck louvers have a trapezoidal design, as shown in FIGS. This design allows the louver area to be varied within very tight parameters, which also controls the amount of air dissipated from the louver. Referring to the example of FIG. 4 above, the louver area can be increased by increasing the height H of the louver opening by several thousandths of an inch as shown in FIG. Can increase. Obviously, by changing the height H, the difference between the indentation vectors can be precisely controlled. Ambient air is also drawn through the side rails 22 to assist in moving the container downstream, as indicated by arrow 27 in FIG.

With this design, a very accurate and infinitely controllable air conditioner carrier can be designed and adapted to the required parameters. This precise control is made possible by today's very sophisticated NC stamping equipment. CAD Deck
Designed using system and computer program,
If the computer program calculates the rate of change of the louver area by simply changing the height H of the louver opening, it will be understood that the transport by air was considered to be almost impossible or impossible just a short time ago. Enter a whole new era where you can do it. Thus, the cost of manufacturing an air conditioner is less than that of a commercially available air conditioner that requires a damper every 8 feet along the plenum, or an axial blade damper in the blower that supplies air to the conveyor. Greatly reduced. Also, no top cover is required. By changing the louver height H or the number of louvers in the upstream or downstream direction, slow down irregular containers before entering the turn,
Furthermore, it can be seen that the isometric deck can be designed to accelerate them out of the turn at positions within the turn and then take the maximum set speed. If the air conditioner is connected to a mechanical conveyor that supplies the containers, the container is accelerated to disperse the density at which the containers are supplied, move away from the mechanical conveyor, and then gradually decelerate to a maximum set speed. Deck can be designed.

Based on a preliminary time survey along the 8-foot section of a 16-foot long conveyor with an isometric design, a single 12-oz, aluminum 211 x 413 open-ended makeup container at approximately 200 minutes per minute Traveling on feet, the cosmetic container can contact a plurality of stationary containers previously placed on a conveyor without overturning the traveling container and causing damage to the container. The test was also performed on a container that came into contact with the container that had fallen, and no overturning occurred.

On the basis of the above test results, the following was derived merely as an example.

Conveyor width between guide rails: 17.5 inches 7 container widths x 4.6 containers / line segment (feet) = 32.2 containers / line segment (feet) Desired container speed per minute = 2500 CPM Above is about 200F without top cover on air conditioner bear
A deck design that propels a single vessel along any distance at the maximum speed of PM. This same deck design can also carry any vessel density at the indicated FPM with the minimum static pressure in the plenum. The collision noise between the containers is extremely low. No damage to the container was detected as the container was transported very gently.

The use of one or more rows of longitudinal louvers at an inward angle near each of the outer edges of the conveyor creates a cross flow of air over the conveying surface. An example of this is shown in FIG. 5, where the outer rows of longitudinal louvers 28 are angled inward with respect to the direction of travel.

A still further embodiment is shown in FIG. 10, where three rows of obliquely extending and angled louvers 30 are provided along each outer edge of the deck 12. This creates a transverse flow of air acting as a barrier, which must move a single or sparse flow of the container. This cross-flow of air also has a suction effect on the rear side of the single or sparse flow of the container, and this trailing edge is
This creates a low pressure area that pulls towards On the other hand, when a batch of containers, for example 100% density, is on the conveyor, the cross-flow of air is restricted and the louvers act only on the bottom of the container, and by the net downstream pushing vector already described, the package Is moved downstream.

Applying the method described above, it is possible to control a single, sparse or group of vessels at substantially the same rate.

When the angle A of the angled louver 30 shown in FIG. 10 is changed, the air flow direction changes as indicated by the arrow 31. If the angle is more perpendicular to the side of the conveyor, a single or sparse flow of the container will have to move through more air resistance and the suction effect on the trailing edge of the container will be less. growing. This results from the louvers being barely covered by the container and the air from the uncovered louvers flowing freely across the conveyor deck surface. As shown in FIG. 10, the crossing amount and the velocity indentation vector (CVV) are the main factors in the above control.

As the containers are packed more tightly on the conveyor, more louvers are covered and the space for free air flow is completely limited. As a result, it is the louver under the container that is acting on the container. Under this circumstance, the flow and velocity push-in vector (FVV) are the main factors for this control.

The greater the amount of air discharged from the angled louver 30, the more effective the louver is at slowing down one or more sparse containers, and at the same time, at the same time, the angled louver 30 is Effectively increases the speed of densely packed containers passing through the container.

For example, an object such as a 12 ounce aluminum container
It requires a 0.5 inch static pressure to levitate about 0.005 inches above the conveyor deck, giving the optimum amount of air below it. The air velocity through a louver with a hydrostatic pressure of 0.5 inches and an opening of 0.00808 square inches is 2832 feet per minute (FPM). The inward angle A of the louver 30 is 60
If desired, the FVV is 30% of 2832 FPM, or 850 FPM, as the desired speed for transporting tightly packed containers.

Single and sparse flow rates are controlled by a combination of reverse louvers and downstream louvers and CVV when the containers are fed to the air conditioner irregularly.

In testing, it was possible to achieve a speed of 174 FPM in a single container and 151 FPM in a tight pack. These speeds are very good for dealing with most situations. The importance of this is that even very small pressures are exerted on each other's containers, and the downstream speed difference between a single container and a tightly packed container is so low that there is no damage to the single container That is.

Vessel speed control in air conditioners is absolutely essential in today's marketplace due to ever-increasing lighter vessels. Lighter containers are more susceptible to damage from collisions between containers or from collisions between containers and guide rails at turns in the conveyor downstream of the straight conveyor section.

As can be seen in FIGS. 8 and 11, the angle of inclination of the louver from the deck surface is approximately 25 ° to 30 °, causing a laminar flow of air across the deck surface, and due to the Coanda effect, the air is surrounded by surrounding air. Flows at high speed. The foregoing tilt angle ranges are merely exemplary. Actual angles may be somewhat larger or smaller. This large velocity of the air causes a pressure reduction according to Bernoulli's principle.
The Coanda effect is the tendency of a gas jet to follow a surface when it is ejected adjacent the surface, even if curved and away from the jet axis. This causes trapping of the surrounding air surrounding the wall, thereby reducing pressure above the wall.

This low pressure area 32 of FIG. 11 acts to stably and pull the container towards the deck, and as indicated by arrow 34, air is drawn from below the diameter of the container between the deck and the bottom of the container. While leaking through a small 0.003-0.005 inch vertical space, it also creates a low pressure area to increase the suction effect and pull the container towards the deck surface.

The shallow angle of inclination of the louvers relative to the deck surface keeps most of the air flow at or very close to the container base well below the container center of gravity. By minimizing the air flow above the center of gravity of the container,
The stability of the containers is greatly increased on an individual basis, and adjacent containers are used to support and prevent inversion when transported individually or irregularly at intervals and further transported together. Does not depend on

From the foregoing, the advantages of the present invention are immediately evident. Conveyorless air conditioner with constant speed without damper
Very little damage to fragile containers such as lightweight aluminum beverage containers. By using an isometric design with one set of louvers pointing downstream and a second set of louvers pointing upstream, the number of louvers and / or louver area can be varied to provide a very accurate downstream direction for upstream airflow. An air flow differential can be provided to control very accurately the speed of a number of containers moving from an upstream position to a downstream position along the conveyor. In addition, 1
Alternatively, by angled the plurality of outer louvers in a downstream and inward direction, an air barrier is created by the cross-sectional flow, hindering the movement of a single or sparse container, and allowing a group of containers to reach the terminal velocity without reaching the terminal velocity. It allows them to flow at about the same speed. Further, by varying the number of louvers or louver areas along the deck, one can obtain the exact increase or decrease in the speed of the container as required to make turns or enter and exit the mechanical conveyor. Also, the net amount of air in the downstream direction is substantially the same at incremental positions along the deck surface when the ratio of the downstream louver area to the upstream louver area is constant. In this arrangement, the deck moves horizontally from the upstream position to the downstream position without the need for additional static pressure to move the items.
It can have an upward tilt angle of 5/16 inches per foot. The isometric conveyor of the present invention can be used for aluminum, steel and plastic containers as well as open-ended cylindrical and expanded polystyrene flat plates.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to specific embodiments,
It will be appreciated that various other modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the invention.

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-3-256922 (JP, A) JP-A-5-124746 (JP, A) JP-A-6-500949 (JP, A) (58) Survey Field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65G 51/00-51/03

Claims (24)

(57) [Claims] 1. A coverless, isometric air conditioner without a damper for conveying goods at a constant speed, which is a coverless, isometric air conditioner, wherein the goods are moved together from an upstream position to a downstream position. A conveyor surface extending from a position to a downstream position and having a first side edge, an opposite second side edge and a back surface; and a conveyor surface connectable to a source of pressurized air and for supplying pressurized air. A common plenum mounted on the back surface, and extending laterally across the conveyor surface such that the passing air has a first magnitude downstream push vector and at a predetermined slope with respect to the conveyor surface. A first set of rows of louvers passing through the conveyor surface from the common plenum; and an air passing therethrough is less than the first magnitude and is pushed in a downstream direction. Selectively longitudinally spaced from the louvers of the first set of rows so as to have a second magnitude of the upstream push vector that creates a difference and moves the article downstream from the upstream position to the downstream position. A second set of rows of louvers extending laterally across the conveyor surface and extending through the conveyor surface from the common plenum at a predetermined slope relative to the conveyor surface. Air conditioner bear. 2. The louvers of the first set and the second set generate substantially the same amount of net air in the downstream direction at an arbitrary incremental position from the upstream position to the downstream position, so that the article is constant and Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus moves from the upstream position to the downstream position at a uniform speed. 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein there are more louvers in said first set of louvers than in said second set of louvers, producing said indentation vector difference. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first set of louvers has a larger overall opening area than the second set of louvers, causing the indentation vector difference. 5. The louvers of the first set and the second set of rows are positionable in an alternating row arrangement.
An apparatus according to claim 1. 6. The conveyor further includes a third set of louvers disposed along each of the first side edge and the opposite second side edge of the conveyor, wherein the outer third set of louvers includes a sparse flow. To create an air barrier through which the article must pass to limit the speed of the article or articles, and to pull the article toward the conveyor surface to maintain the article in an upright position Apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising an inward pushing vector that creates a low pressure at the trailing edge of the item. 7. Each of the louvers of each of the first set and the second set, wherein air emanating from the louvers flows substantially parallel to the surface of the conveyer, and a gap between the bottom surface of the article and the surface of the conveyer is provided. Atmospheric pressure is further applied to the first side edge and the second side to create a pressure that is less than ambient atmospheric pressure to hold the article in an upright position and in close proximity to the conveyor surface.
Claims (1) Claims (1) formed in the conveyor at an acute angle to the conveyor surface so as to pull across the conveyor surface to push the article from the upstream position to the downstream position along the conveyor surface. The device according to (1). 8. The air conditioner according to claim 7, wherein the air emitted from the louver tends to move along the surface of the conveyor due to the Coanda effect, and the velocity of the moving air generates a low pressure according to Bernoulli's principle. apparatus. 9. A coverless isometric air conditioner that collects articles without a damper and has a conveyor surface extending from an upstream position to a downstream position and a common air plenum for supplying air to the conveyor surface. For transporting the air at a constant speed from an upstream position to a downstream position along the first set of rows, such that the air has a large first magnitude downstream direction vector. Directing air from the common plenum along the conveyor surface at an upward slope relative to the conveyor surface by passing through the louver, wherein the air has a small second magnitude upstream direction vector;
In order to create a push vector difference in the downstream direction, the first
Selectively spaced longitudinally from a set of rows of louvers,
By passing air through a laterally extending louver of a second set of rows that can be positioned in an interleaved fashion with the louvers of the first set of rows, the common plenum is directed upwardly to the conveyor surface with respect to the conveyor surface. Transporting the goods along the conveyor surface from an upstream position to a downstream position by directing air along the louvers of the first and second rows of rows. 10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of creating a uniform downstream net air volume from said common plenum at any incremental position between an upstream position and a downstream position.
The method described in. 11. A cross flow of air from said common plenum across a conveyor surface to create an air barrier, to prevent downstream movement of a sparse item or group of items, and to provide a trailing edge for such items. The method of claim 9 including the step of creating low pressure areas to stabilize their movement along the conveyor. 12. An air conditioner having a conveyor surface extending from an upstream position to a downstream position, for conveying articles at a constant speed from an upstream position to a downstream position along a damperless, coverless isometric air conditioner. The first set of rows extending laterally across the conveyor surface and penetrating the conveyor surface at a predetermined slope such that the passing air has a downstream vector of a first magnitude. Louvers, wherein the passing air has a second magnitude upstream direction vector and extends laterally across the conveyor surface such that it can be positioned in an alternating manner with the first set of rows of louvers. ,
A second piercing through the conveyor surface at a predetermined slope selectively spaced longitudinally from the louvers of the first set of rows;
Providing a set of rows of louvers, supplying air from a common plenum to the first and second sets of louvers at a predetermined pressure and amount sufficient to lift an article above the conveyor surface; Pass air substantially parallel to the first and second sets of louvers to create a sub-atmospheric pressure between the bottom surface of the article and the conveyor surface to place the article in an upright position and on the conveyor surface. Adjusting the entire louver area of the first set to the entire louver area of the second set such that the vector of the first magnitude is greater than the vector of the second magnitude; A method of transport comprising moving goods along an conveyor surface from an upstream position to a downstream position by passing air through the first and second sets of louvers. 13. The method of claim 12 including the further step of varying the entire first set of louver areas relative to the second set of louver areas to change the speed of movement of the item from the upstream position to the downstream position. . 14. A cross-flow of air across the conveyor surface to create an air barrier, prevent downstream movement of single or sparse items, and create a low pressure zone at the trailing edge of such items to move them. The method according to claim 12, comprising the step of stabilizing along the conveyor. 15. The conveyor surface extends laterally across said conveyor surface such that the passing air has a downstream push vector of a first magnitude and at a predetermined angle of inclination relative to said conveyor surface. A first set of rows of louvers passing therethrough; and the passing air has a second magnitude of the upstream push vector smaller than said first magnitude, thus creating a difference in the downstream push vector, A first longitudinally spaced louvers from the first set of rows extending laterally across the conveyor surface to move a group of items to a downstream position, wherein A second set of rows of louvers passing through the conveyor surface at a predetermined angle, wherein the first set and the second set of rows of louvers are positionable in an alternating arrangement, particularly in an upstream position. Conveyor surface which is adapted for use in air conditioning Bear for transporting collectively at a constant speed the goods by air to Luo downstream position. 16. A combination of a plurality of upright lightweight containers, each having a cylindrical side wall extending from a bottom surface, and a coverless conveyor for transporting the plurality of lightweight containers, wherein the combination comprises an upstream position to a downstream position. A coverless conveyor for moving the plurality of upright lightweight containers together along the surface;
A common plenum attached to the back surface of the conveyor surface, the front surface including a center, first and second opposed side edges and a back surface, further connected to a source of pressurized air to supply pressurized air; First and second sets of louvers penetrating the conveyor surface from the plenum to produce downstream and upstream indentations of air, respectively, to support above the plurality of upright lightweight container conveyor surfaces. Wherein the louver has a first position below each of the plurality of upright lightweight containers.
The plurality of upright lightweight containers are maintained in an upright position for downstream movement without tilting by creating a low pressure area, wherein the first and second sets of louvers are provided on a predetermined surface on the conveyor surface. A combination configured in a row arrangement to permit controlled movement of said plurality of upright lightweight containers from an upstream position to a downstream position at a constant speed. 17. A method for collectively transporting a plurality of upright lightweight containers, each having a cylindrical side wall extending from a bottom surface, at a constant speed from an upstream position to a downstream position along a damperless, coverless, isometric air conditioner. The method comprises providing a coverless conveyor surface having a center, first and second opposed side edges, extending from an upstream position to a downstream position, and providing a common air plenum for supplying air to the conveyor surface. Moving the air out of the common plenum at a predetermined slope along the conveyor surface such that the air has a large first magnitude downstream vector; Having air from the common plenum at a predetermined slope along the conveyor surface so as to give a push vector difference in the downstream direction. Moving said plurality of upright lightweight containers, each of said bottom surfaces being large enough to be acted upon by air having an upstream push vector and air having a downstream push vector. Positioning the plurality of upright lightweight containers on the conveyor surface by abutting the bottom surface of each of the plurality of upright lightweight containers with air having an upstream push vector and air having a downstream push vector. Transporting from the upstream position to the downstream position along, pulling the plurality of upright lightweight containers toward the conveyor surface, and tilting when the plurality of upright lightweight containers are transported from the upstream position to the downstream position. Maintaining a first low pressure area under a bottom surface of each of the plurality of upright lightweight containers to maintain an upright position without having to. . 18. A method according to claim 18, wherein a plurality of upright lightweight containers, each having a side wall and a supporting bottom surface, are upstream at a constant speed along a coverless isometric air conditioner without a damper having a conveyor surface having a center and opposing side edges. Providing a coverless conveyor having a conveyor surface extending from an upstream position to a downstream position, wherein a predetermined slope is provided such that the passing air has a downstream vector of a first magnitude. Providing a first set of louvers that penetrates the conveyor surface, and providing a second set of louvers that penetrates the conveyor surface at a predetermined slope so that the passing air has an upstream vector of a second magnitude. The first and second sets of louvers are arranged in a predetermined alternating arrangement, and the plurality of upright lightweight containers are transported to a downstream position. Positioned on the conveyor surface at an upstream location, the bottom surface of each of the plurality of upright lightweight containers has a bottom surface that covers a portion of both an upstream set and a downstream set of louvers on the conveyor surface. The first and second sets of louvers from a common plenum at a predetermined pressure and volume sufficient to lift the plurality of upright lightweight containers above the conveyor surface. And directing air in a direction substantially parallel to the conveyor surface,
The plurality of upright lightweight containers are passed through the first and second sets of louvers to create a first low pressure region between the bottom surface of each of the plurality of upright lightweight containers and the conveyor surface. In an upright position and in close proximity to the conveyor surface, so that the entire first set of louver areas is the entire louver area so that the first magnitude vector is greater than the second magnitude vector. And adjusting the plurality of upright lightweight containers via an air flow caused by a difference between the first magnitude vector and the second magnitude vector. A method comprising moving from an upstream position to a downstream position along a conveyor. 19. A conveyorless cover surface having a center, first and second opposed side edges and a back surface, and a plurality of upright lightweight containers each having a cylindrical side wall extending from a bottom surface, said bottom surface being a surface of said conveyor surface. Means for generating downstream and upstream push vectors of air above the conveyor surface, the means for supporting the plurality of upright lightweight containers above the conveyor surface, the air further comprising: The downstream and upstream pushing vectors of the plurality of upright lightweight containers create a first low pressure region below each of the plurality of upright lightweight containers, and move at a constant speed from the upstream position to the downstream position without tilting. An air conditioner unit characterized by maintaining an upright lightweight container in an upright position. 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein said generating means has a first set of louvers for creating said downstream push vector and a second set of louvers for creating said upstream push vector. ). 21. The first and second sets of louvers are directed to a downstream position at any position from an upstream position to a downstream position such that the plurality of upright lightweight containers move at a controlled uniform speed. The air conditioner carrier device according to claim 20, wherein the air volume is substantially the same. 22. A generating means for supplying pressurized air to said first and second sets of louvers, said generating means being connectable to a pressurized air source and attached to said back surface of said conveyor surface. The air conditioner carrier according to claim 20, further comprising a plenum. 23. To limit the velocity of a singular or sparse number of said plurality of upright lightweight containers, respectively, wherein air pushing vectors are respectively directed from said first and second opposed side edges toward said center. The plurality of upright lightweight containers, to create an air barrier through which the plurality of upright lightweight containers move, and further to pull the trailing edge toward the conveyor surface to position the plurality of upright lightweight containers upright. An air conditioner apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising means for generating a second low pressure area at each trailing edge. 24. The means comprises a third set of louvers positioned along each of the first and second opposing side edges, the third set of louvers holding the container in a group. The air-conditioner conveyor device according to claim 23, wherein an inward pushing vector for continuously moving along the surface of the conveyor is generated at step (c).