Patent US3554403A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3554403A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for delivering articles into a plurality of tubes
Assignee: Clyde Corp
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Filing: 1968-10-15
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Granted: 1971-01-12
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Expires: 1988-10-15
Abstract
Abstract A movable shuttle has a plurality of openings, each of which is aligned in one position of the shuttle with one of a plurality of tracks and each of which is aligned in another position of the shuttle with one of a plurality of delivery passageways, each passageway being adapted to be connected with a tube. Upon movement in opposite directions, each shuttle opening alternately receives an article from a series of articles in its respective track and transfers it into alignment with its respective track and with its respective passageway. The shuttle is actuated by an air motor within the body of the apparatus. Compressed air is introduced behind the articles aligned with the delivery passageways to propel them into and through the tubes.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary D Ginther
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 07:20
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/02; B65G47/04; B65G47/12; B65G47/14; B65G47/1407; B65G47/1414; B65G47/1421; B23; B23P; B23P19/00; B23P19/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
In an apparatus having a shuttle with a plurality of openings, each aligned in one position of said shuttle with one of a plurality of tracks, and each aligned in another position of said shuttle with one of a plurality of passageways adapted for respective connection with a plurality of tubes, said apparatus being operable to transfer articles from a series thereof in each track, one at a time, into one of said passageways, said apparatus including means for introducing compressed air into said passageways to propel articles therein through said tubes, improved structure which comprises: a body provided with means defining said passageways; compressed air duct means in said body having an inlet, a manifold outlet positioned to introduce air into said passageways, and a portion between said inlet and outlet; motor means operable by compressed air upstream of said duct portion to move said shuttle from said one position to said other position; said shuttle having a portion which, in said one position thereof, pneumatically closes said duct portion; and said shuttle having a port which, in said other position thereof, registers with said duct portion, and thereby places said inlet and outlet in pneumatic communication.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
In an apparatus having a shuttle with a plurality of openings, each aligned in one position of said shuttle with one of a plurality of tracks, and each aligned in another position of said shuttle with one of a plurality of passageways adapted for respective connection with a plurality of tubes, said apparatus being operable to transfer articles from a series thereof in each track, one at a time, into one of said passageways, said apparatus including means for introducing compressed air into said passageways to propel articles therein through said tubes, improved structure which comprises: a body provided with means defining said passageways; compressed air duct means in said body having an inlet, a manifold outlet positioned to introduce air into said passageways, and a portion between said inlet and outlet; motor means operable by compressed air upstream of said duct portion to move said shuttle from said one position to said other position; said shuttle having a portion which, in said one position thereof, pneumatically closes said duct portion; and said shuttle having a port which, in said other position thereof, registers with said duct portion, and thereby places said inlet and outlet in pneumatic communication.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The improved structure defined in claim 1 wherein, in said other position of said shuttle, said openings therein are aligned between said passageways and manifold outlet so that articles in said openings are propelled by aIr into said passageways.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The improved structure defined in claim 1 wherein said openings are arrayed in one direction and path of movement of said shuttle between said positions thereof is lateral of said direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improved structure defined in claim 3 wherein said port is laterally offset from said array of openings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
The improved structure defined in claim 1 wherein said body has an internal guideway within which said shuttle moves, said inlet being on one side of said guideway, said manifold outlet being defined by recessing in said body on the other side of said guideway, a portion of said guideway providing said portion of said duct.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improved structure defined in claim 5 wherein said body comprises two members secured together and defining said guideway, one of said members containing said inlet and the other member containing said recessing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
147 words
The improved structure defined in claim 1 wherein: said body has two members which cooperate to define a guideway, said shuttle comprising a substantially flat plate movable in said guideway; one of said members containing said inlet on one side of said plate, the other of said members being provided with recessing on the other side of said plate which defines said manifold outlet; a portion of said guideway defining said portion of said duct means; said openings in said other position of said shuttle being aligned between said passageways and manifold outlet so that articles in said openings are propelled by air into said passageways; and said motor means comprising an internal cavity in said one body member defining a pneumatic cylinder and a piston in said cylinder operably connected with said shuttle, said duct means having a branch which pneumatically intercommunicates said inlet and cylinder.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
157 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein each of; said openings has a dimension in a direction longitudinal of its respective track which is great enough to receive, in its entirety, an article having a maximum tolerance length in said direction; said shuttle having a recessed portion extending away from each of said openings in the direction opposite to the direction of movement of said shuttle from said one position to said other position; each recessed portion having a depth in said longitudinal direction which is at least as great as the difference between the maximum and minimum tolerance lengths of articles with which said apparatus is adapted to be used; and so that each of said recessed portions clears a second article which bridges the juncture between the respective track and opening incidental to an article of less than maximum tolerance length being received in the respective opening, whereby to facilitate transfer movement of said shuttle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The improved structure defined in claim 1 wherein said motor means comprises a pneumatic cylinder within said body and a piston therein operably connected with said shuttle, said duct means having a branch which pneumatically intercommunicates said inlet and cylinder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improved structure defined in claim 9 wherein an adjustable air flow metering valve is disposed between said branch and said duct portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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 |