US3876083A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Machine for packaging flexible articles
Assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
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Filing: 1973-10-11
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Granted: 1975-04-08
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Expires: 1993-10-11
Abstract
Abstract A machine for packaging flexible articles, e.g. disposable diapers, which includes mechanism for forming a stack containing a predetermined number of articles including devices for moving the stack and pushing it into a suitable container. The machine includes an infeed conveyor section used to convey and compress the articles whereupon they are ultimately delivered into successive slots of a pad wheel. The articles are stripped from the slots and simultaneously formed into stacks containing a predetermined number of articles. A pusher element and a stack controller arm are provided to convey each stack into the pocket of an intermittently rotating stack wheel. The stack wheel moves successive stacks into alignment with a support plate whereupon a transfer pusher moves each successive stack fully onto the support plate. A tamper plate is provided to exert a small amount of compressive force on the stack prior to lateral movement of the stack between the support plate and a ceiling plate which is adjacent the tamper plate. A reciprocating side pusher is used to move the stack laterally into position for ultimate movement into a container. A container wheel is intermittently rotated alongside the support plate. Container supporting nozzles project from one side of the container wheel, there being a container telescoped over each of the nozzles. When a nozzle containing an empty container is moved into contiguous relationship with the article stacks, a container load pusher is actuated to move the stacks into the container whereupon on further indexing of the container wheel, the filled container is removed by a full container pusher.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen F Evans
- 👤 Eugene R Sorensen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:22
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B63/00; B65B63/02; B65B25/00; B65B25/14; B65B25/141; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/10; Y10S414/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A mechanism for stacking and moving flexible articles comprising the combination of: a. means for forming a plurality of articles into a stack containing predetermined number of superposed articles, b. means for holding the articles along their side edges to maintain them in their upright position and to prevent twisting of the articles as they are being formed into a stack while simultaneously being removed from said stack forming means, c. means for conveying and moving said stack from a stacking station to a second station, and d. means for controlling the completed stack during movement by said conveying and moving means to prevent dislodgement and misalignment of any articles in said stack during movement, said controlling means being actuated synchronously with said conveying and moving means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A mechanism for stacking and moving flexible articles comprising the combination of: a. means for forming a plurality of articles into a stack containing predetermined number of superposed articles, b. means for holding the articles along their side edges to maintain them in their upright position and to prevent twisting of the articles as they are being formed into a stack while simultaneously being removed from said stack forming means, c. means for conveying and moving said stack from a stacking station to a second station, and d. means for controlling the completed stack during movement by said conveying and moving means to prevent dislodgement and misalignment of any articles in said stack during movement, said controlling means being actuated synchronously with said conveying and moving means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
A mechanism for stacking and moving flexible articles as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stack forming means comprises a pad wheel having a plurality of spaced arcuate slots on its periphery, means for depositing articles into the slots thereof and a stripper plate for intercepting a leading edge of each article while supported in a slot to remove the articles from said slots and form a stack of superposed articles on said stripper plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A mechanism for stacking and moving flexible articles as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for conveying and moving said stack comprises an intermittently moving pushing element for moving a newly formed stack to said second station.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A mechanism for stacking and moving flexible articles as claimed in claim 2 wherein said means for conveying and moving said stack comprises an intermittently moving pushing element for moving a newly formed stack to said second station.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A mechanism for stacking and moving flexible articles as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for holding the articles along their side edges comprises a plurality of flexible fingers directed inwardly toward and engaging both side edges of the articles forming the stacks.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
128 words
A mechanism for stacking and moving flexible articles comprising the combination of: a. means for continuously conveying articles in single file order, b. means for receiving successive articles from said conveying means and forming said articles into a stack of superposed articles at a stacking station, c. means for holding the articles along their side edges to maintain them in their upright position and to prevent twisting of the articles as they are being formed into a stack while simultaneously being removed from said stack forming means, d. means for removing said stack from said stacking station after the stack contains a predetermined number of articles, e. said removing means including means for conveying and moving said stack of articles from the stacking station to a second station.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
128 words
A mechanism for stacking and moving flexible articles comprising the combination of: a. means for continuously conveying articles in single file order, b. means for receiving successive articles from said conveying means and forming said articles into a stack of superposed articles at a stacking station, c. means for holding the articles along their side edges to maintain them in their upright position and to prevent twisting of the articles as they are being formed into a stack while simultaneously being removed from said stack forming means, d. means for removing said stack from said stacking station after the stack contains a predetermined number of articles, e. said removing means including means for conveying and moving said stack of articles from the stacking station to a second station.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
84 words
A mechanism for stacking and moving flexible articles as claimed in claim 6 wherein said means for receiving successive articles and forming said articles into a stack comprises a pad wheel having a plurality of spaced arcuate slots on its periphery, means for depositing articles into the slots thereof and a stripper plate for intercepting a leading edge of each article while supported in a slot to remove the articles from said slots and form a stack of superposed articles on said stripper plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A mechanism for stacking and moving flexible articles as claimed in claim 6 wherein said means for conveying and moving said stack comprises an intermittently moving pushing element for moving a newly formed stack to said second station.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A mechanism for stacking and moving flexible articles as claimed in claim 7 wherein said means for conveying and moving said stack comprises an intermittently moving pushing element for moving a newly formed stack to said second station.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
A mechanism for stacking and moving flexible articles as claimed in claim 6 wherein said means for holding the articles along their side edges comprises a plurality of flexible fingers directed inwardly toward and engaging both side edges of the articles forming the stacks.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
131 words
A mechanism for stacking and moving flexible articles comprising the combination of: a. means for forming a plurality of articles into a stack containing a predetermined number of superposed articles, b. means for conveying and moving said stack from a stacking station to a second station, and c. means for controlling the completed stack during movement by said conveying and moving means to prevent dislodgement and misalignment of any articles in said stack during movement, said controlling means being actuated synchronously with said conveying and moving means, said controlling means comprising an intermittently moving stack controller arm having a forwardly projecting pad for engaging the foremost article in the stack during movement thereof to said second station thereby preventing dislodgement and misalighment of any articles in said stack during movement thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
131 words
A mechanism for stacking and moving flexible articles comprising the combination of: a. means for forming a plurality of articles into a stack containing a predetermined number of superposed articles, b. means for conveying and moving said stack from a stacking station to a second station, and c. means for controlling the completed stack during movement by said conveying and moving means to prevent dislodgement and misalignment of any articles in said stack during movement, said controlling means being actuated synchronously with said conveying and moving means, said controlling means comprising an intermittently moving stack controller arm having a forwardly projecting pad for engaging the foremost article in the stack during movement thereof to said second station thereby preventing dislodgement and misalighment of any articles in said stack during movement thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
75 words
A mechanism for stacking and moving flexible articles as claimed in claim 11 wherein said stack forming means comprises a pad wheel having a plurality of spaced arcuate slots on its periphery, means for depositing articles into the slots thereof and a stripper plate for intercepting a leading edge of each article while supported in a slot to remove the articles from said slots and form a stack of superposed articles on said stripper plate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
A mechanism for stacking and moving flexible articles as claimed in claim 11 wherein said means for conveying and moving said stack comprises an intermittently moving pushing element for moving a newly formed stack to said second station.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
A mechanism for stacking and moving flexible articles as claimed in claim 12 wherein said means for conveying and moving said stack comprises an intermittently moving pushing element for moving a newly formed stack to said second station.
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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) | 1978-04-07 | 1978-10-07 | 1979-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-07 | 1982-10-07 | 1983-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-10-07 | 1987-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |