US3822008A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transfer apparatus for packaging machine
Assignee: RA Jones and Co Inc
•
Filing: 1973-02-01
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Granted: 1974-07-02
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Expires: 1993-02-01
Abstract
Abstract A packaging machine for packaging a group of packets into a carton has an incoming conveyor adapted to transport the packets in single file fashion, and a transfer wheel is juxtaposed with the end of the incoming conveyor to receive the packets and transfer them to an outgoing conveyor travelling at a slower velocity than the incoming conveyor. The outgoing conveyor carries a series of compartments, and a plurality of packets are deposited into each of the compartments in stacked relationship.
Inventors
- 👤 H Benner
- 👤 C Cloud
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 18:35
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/74; B65G47/90; B65G47/91; B65B; B65B35/00; B65B35/10; B65B35/16; B65B35/18; B65G47/84; B65G47/846; B65G47/848
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
In a packaging machine for forming and filling a plurality of packets and transporting them in serial relation on a first conveyor, the combination comprising: a transfer wheel, a series of grippers mounted around the periphery of said transfer wheel for gripping individual packets as they are transported by a first conveyor, means for causing said grippers to grip said packets as they are transported by a first conveyor, a constantly moving outgoing conveyor having a plurality of compartments each receiving a plurality of said packets in stacked relationship, means for rotating said transfer wheel for transporting said gripped packets over said outgoing conveyor, and release means for releasing said packets from individual grippers sequentially at different angular positions of said grippers to deposit a plurality of packets in each moving compartment of said outgoing conveyor, thereby forming stacks of said packets in each of said compartments.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a packaging machine for forming and filling a plurality of packets and transporting them in serial relation on a first conveyor, the combination comprising: a transfer wheel, a series of grippers mounted around the periphery of said transfer wheel for gripping individual packets as they are transported by a first conveyor, means for causing said grippers to grip said packets as they are transported by a first conveyor, a constantly moving outgoing conveyor having a plurality of compartments each receiving a plurality of said packets in stacked relationship, means for rotating said transfer wheel for transporting said gripped packets over said outgoing conveyor, and release means for releasing said packets from individual grippers sequentially at different angular positions of said grippers to deposit a plurality of packets in each moving compartment of said outgoing conveyor, thereby forming stacks of said packets in each of said compartments.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said grippers are divided into a plurality of groups, and wherein said release means causes corresponding grippers in each of said groups to release their packets at the same angular positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said grippers comprises a suction cup supported on said wheel facing radially outwardly therefrom, and said means for causing said grippers to grip said packets including means for connecting a partial vacuum to said suction cup.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said connecting means comprises a hollow tube connected at one end with each of said suction cups, the opposite end of each of said tubes being connected with an aperture provided in said wheel at a face thereof normal to the axis of rotation of said wheel, and valve means in sliding contact with said face for connecting said aperture to a source of a partial vacUum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said valve means includes a fixed bearing plate against which said wheel rotates, said bearing plate having a plurality of radially spaced arcuate grooves therein on the surface contacting said face, and means for connecting a source of a partial vacuum with said groove.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said bearing plate has a further groove therein on the surface contacting said face, said further groove being separate from the arcuate grooves, and means for connecting a source of pneumatic pressure greater than atmospheric with said further groove, said further groove being disposed on said surface to be aligned with said apertures when said grippers are released.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a first conveyor transports said packets in single file relationship, a first conveyor having support means for supporting said packets as they are transported, said support means supporting said packets generally in a first plane parallel to the direction of motion of a first conveyor, and including means for supporting said packets generally in a second plane inclined to said first plane as said packets are gripped by said transfer wheel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said support means includes a bevelled surface adjacent the end of a first conveyor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a first conveyor includes a pair of guide rails for supporting side margins of said packets as they are transported, said guide rails having a bevelled end portion for supporting said packets in said second plane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, including control means for controlling the attitude of said packets as they are released by said transfer wheel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said control means comprises a leaf spring adapted to bear on said packets as they are supported by said transfer wheel, for urging said packets toward said compartments.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, including means for supporting one end of said leaf spring above a first conveyor, said leaf spring engaging said packets as they are gripped by said transfer wheel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said compartments includes a projection projecting rearwardly from the forward wall of said compartment, said projection being spaced above the bottom of said compartment to receive the leading edge of the first packet deposited in said compartment therebelow.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said compartments is provided with open sides on the sides of said compartment parallel to the direction movement of said conveyor.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of processing articles transported in serial relationship on a first conveyor, comprising the steps of gripping each of said articles on said first conveyor, transporting said gripped articles through an arcuate path in a vertical plane aligned with said first conveyor, and releasing a plurality of said items sequentially at different angular positions along said path into a single stack on a constantly moving conveyor.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of processing articles transported in serial relationship on a first conveyor, comprising the steps of gripping each of said articles on said first conveyor, transporting said gripped articles through an arcuate path in a vertical plane aligned with said first conveyor, and releasing a plurality of said items sequentially at different angular positions along said path into a single stack on a constantly moving conveyor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 15 including the step of releasing each of said articles as it reaches a point aligned vertically above one of a plurality of receiving compartments supported on a second conveyor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method according to claim 16 wherein said second conveyor is moved at a controlled speed slower than the speed of said first conveyor, and including the step of dropping said articles into a plurality of said receiving compartments in groups, so that each group of successive items transported on said first conveyor is deposited into an individual receiving compartment of said second conveyor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 15, including the step of gripping the upper surface of each of said articles.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 18, including the step of releasing said upper surface so that said articles fall toward said preselected location.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The meThod according to claim 15, including the step of tipping said article about a horizontal axis during said gripping step.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3684279A
Cited
US3683730A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-01 | 1977-12-31 | 1978-07-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-01 | 1981-12-31 | 1982-07-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-01 | 1985-12-31 | 1986-07-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |