US3554351A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for lining up objects
Assignee: Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft
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Filing: 1968-11-08
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Granted: 1971-01-12
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Expires: 1988-11-08
Abstract
Abstract Objects delivered by a supply conveyor onto a table operate feelers that control the operation of a pusher for moving the objects so assembled and lined up to a further conveyor. Further embodiments include brakes, additional feelers, additional independently driven conveyors, and time comparator circuits for improving the performance.
Inventors
- 👤 Theo Rothenbach
- 👤 Werner Gaberthuel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 02:55
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B35/00; B65B35/56; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/02; B65G47/04; B65G47/06; B65G47/08; B65G47/084; B65G47/086
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
283 words
A device for lining up objects, such as individual packages or boxes, that are carried irregularly spaced in at least two rows on at least one first conveyor, and including a collecting table for receiving the objects advanced by said first conveyor; a pusher for moving from a starting position the objects in groups from said table to a second conveyor; an individual lineup feeler associated with said table for each row of objects, and positioned to be operated by the leading object of a respective row for controlling the operation of said pusher to cause the latter to execute a stroke only when an object has operated at least one of said lineup feelers, a brake located at the discharge end of said first conveyor for each row of objects for holding the objects stationary on said first conveyor while the latter is moving when said brake is applied, an individual backup feeler associated with said first conveyor upstream of each said brake for controlling the release of the respective said brake, and positioned to be operated by the backed-up objects of a respective row, said first conveyor comprising as many intermediate conveyors as there are rows of objects, and further including a supply convey for delivering rows of irregularly spaced objectS to said intermediate conveyors; an individual disengageable drive coupling for each said intermediate conveyor; a prefeeler associated with said supply conveyor for each row of objects thereon, and positioned to be operated by the objects of a respective row for controlling the operation of the drive coupling of the corresponding intermediate conveyor, whereby the drive coupling is caused to be engaged when said prefeeler is operated by a passing object.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
283 words
A device for lining up objects, such as individual packages or boxes, that are carried irregularly spaced in at least two rows on at least one first conveyor, and including a collecting table for receiving the objects advanced by said first conveyor; a pusher for moving from a starting position the objects in groups from said table to a second conveyor; an individual lineup feeler associated with said table for each row of objects, and positioned to be operated by the leading object of a respective row for controlling the operation of said pusher to cause the latter to execute a stroke only when an object has operated at least one of said lineup feelers, a brake located at the discharge end of said first conveyor for each row of objects for holding the objects stationary on said first conveyor while the latter is moving when said brake is applied, an individual backup feeler associated with said first conveyor upstream of each said brake for controlling the release of the respective said brake, and positioned to be operated by the backed-up objects of a respective row, said first conveyor comprising as many intermediate conveyors as there are rows of objects, and further including a supply convey for delivering rows of irregularly spaced objectS to said intermediate conveyors; an individual disengageable drive coupling for each said intermediate conveyor; a prefeeler associated with said supply conveyor for each row of objects thereon, and positioned to be operated by the objects of a respective row for controlling the operation of the drive coupling of the corresponding intermediate conveyor, whereby the drive coupling is caused to be engaged when said prefeeler is operated by a passing object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
103 words
The device as defined in claim 1, including a time comparator circuit connected between each said backup feeler and the corresponding said brake, and controlled by the respective said backup feeler, for ensuring that the respective said brake is released only when a backed-up row of objects has operated the corresponding said backup feeler, and a further individual time comparator circuit connected between each said backup feeler and the corresponding said drive coupling, and controlled by the respective said backup feeler, for ensuring that the corresponding drive coupling is engaged only when a backed-up row of objects has operated the corresponding backup feeler.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device as defined in claim 1, including a switch operated by said pusher when the latter is at the end of its working stroke for controlling the retraction of said pusher and the engagement of said drive couplings.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3160259A
Cited
US3250371A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-11 | 1974-07-13 | 1975-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-11 | 1978-07-13 | 1979-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-11 | 1982-07-13 | 1983-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |