US3620526A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Constant-space article singulator
Assignee: FMC Corp
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Filing: 1969-12-15
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Granted: 1971-11-16
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Expires: 1989-12-15
Abstract
Abstract A letter-handling apparatus wherein letters are singulated from a stack of letters and transferred with a uniform spacing along an endless belt utilizes a fluidic edge-sensing device to electrically activate and deactivate a solenoid-operable vacuum pickup box for drawing letters one at a time at equally spaced intervals from the stack of letters. The fluidic edge-sensing device is disposed slightly downstream of the vacuum pickup box so as to sense the leading edge of the first letter withdrawn and simultaneously activate the solenoid to prevent the withdrawal of a subsequent letter until the trailing edge of the first letter passes the sensing device. When the trailing edge passes the sensing device, the sensing device deactivates the solenoid and renders the vacuum pickup box operable to withdraw a second letter.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth E Iles
- 👤 Harry J Jung
- 👤 Elmo R Arell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:14
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H7/00; B65H7/02; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/206; Y10T137/2267
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
307 words
A device for separating relatively thin articles and transferring them single file along a transfer path with a substantially constant space between each successive article comprising in combination means for storing a stack of relatively thin articles, an endless belt having perforations throughout its length and being disposed so that one side engages the foremost article in the stack of articles, means for moving said belt, a first vacuum box disposed on the opposite side of said belt from said stack of articles to create a suction through the perforations in said belt to cause said foremost article to adhere to and be transported by the belt, said first vacuum box having a concave face plate over which the belt passes and into which the foremost article of the stack of artIcles can be drawn with the belt by the vacuum in said first vacuum box, solenoid operable valve means cooperative with the said first vacuum box to alternately allow and prevent the suction of said box to cause the said foremost article to adhere to the belt, and control means including a fluidic sensing device cooperative with the said valve means and responsive to the position of an article being transferred along said path for controlling the operation of said valve means, said fluidic sensing device including an air nozzle disposed on one side of said belt and a fluidic sensor disposed on the opposite side of said belt to receive the stream of air emanating from the nozzle when an article traveling along said path does not interrupt said stream of air, said control means including in addition to said fluidic sensing device, a transducer operatively connected intermediate said fluidic sensor and said solenoid to convert a fluidic signal from the fluidic sensor to an electrical signal to activate the solenoid of the valve means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
307 words
A device for separating relatively thin articles and transferring them single file along a transfer path with a substantially constant space between each successive article comprising in combination means for storing a stack of relatively thin articles, an endless belt having perforations throughout its length and being disposed so that one side engages the foremost article in the stack of articles, means for moving said belt, a first vacuum box disposed on the opposite side of said belt from said stack of articles to create a suction through the perforations in said belt to cause said foremost article to adhere to and be transported by the belt, said first vacuum box having a concave face plate over which the belt passes and into which the foremost article of the stack of artIcles can be drawn with the belt by the vacuum in said first vacuum box, solenoid operable valve means cooperative with the said first vacuum box to alternately allow and prevent the suction of said box to cause the said foremost article to adhere to the belt, and control means including a fluidic sensing device cooperative with the said valve means and responsive to the position of an article being transferred along said path for controlling the operation of said valve means, said fluidic sensing device including an air nozzle disposed on one side of said belt and a fluidic sensor disposed on the opposite side of said belt to receive the stream of air emanating from the nozzle when an article traveling along said path does not interrupt said stream of air, said control means including in addition to said fluidic sensing device, a transducer operatively connected intermediate said fluidic sensor and said solenoid to convert a fluidic signal from the fluidic sensor to an electrical signal to activate the solenoid of the valve means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-15 | 1975-05-17 | 1975-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-15 | 1979-05-17 | 1979-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-15 | 1983-05-17 | 1983-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |