Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
In apparatus for loading articles into an open-top receptacle, the combination of: a receiving plate adapted to receive the articles successively at prescribed time intervals; a suction member communicating with a source of vacuum and having a suction port to which the article on said receiving plate is caused to attach by suction; a platform supporting said recepticle thereon; means for reciprocating said suction member between a first position over said receiving plate and a second position over said receptacle on said platform, said reciprocating means including a lever; means for arresting the motion of said suction member which has traveled from said first to said second position with the article attached to said suction port, said arresting means being effective to horizontally shift said second position of said suction member by increments relative to said receptacle each time said suction member brings the article from said first position, said arresting means including a movable element which engages said lever of the reciprocating means to determine the different second positions; and means for causing the article to drop into said receptacle from said suction port of said suction member in said second position thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
In apparatus for loading articles into an open-top receptacle, the combination of: a receiving plate adapted to receive the articles successively at prescribed time intervals; a suction member communicating with a source of vacuum and having a suction port to which the article on said receiving plate is caused to attach by suction; a platform supporting said recepticle thereon; means for reciprocating said suction member between a first position over said receiving plate and a second position over said receptacle on said platform, said reciprocating means including a lever; means for arresting the motion of said suction member which has traveled from said first to said second position with the article attached to said suction port, said arresting means being effective to horizontally shift said second position of said suction member by increments relative to said receptacle each time said suction member brings the article from said first position, said arresting means including a movable element which engages said lever of the reciprocating means to determine the different second positions; and means for causing the article to drop into said receptacle from said suction port of said suction member in said second position thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein said receiving plate is pivotable between a first position for receiving the successive articles and a second position for causing attachment of the received article to said suction port of said suction member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
142 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reciprocating means comprises: a guide channel extending horizontally over said receiving plate and said receptacle on said platform, said suction member being supported by said guide channel so as to be slidable therealong; a slider slidably received in said guide channel, said slider being slidable therethrough simultaneously with said suction member; a lever pivotally supported at one end and operatively coupled to said slider at the other end whereby the swinging motion of said lever on said one end is translated into the sliding motion of said slider through said guide channel; resilient means biasing said lever in such a direction that said suction member tends to travel toward said second position thereof; and crank means capable of rotation to cause said lever to swing against the bias of said resilient means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
The combination as set forth in claim 3, wherein said arresting means comprises: rotatable cam means with which said lever swings into abutting engagement to stop said suction member in said second position; and means for rotating said cam means through a predetermined angle during each complete reciprocation of said suction member from said second to said first and back to said second position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination as set forth in claim 4, wherein said rotating means is interposed between said crank means and said cam means to transmit the rotation of the former to the latter in a predetermined ratio of speed reduction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 which further comprises cam means for shifting said second position of said suction member in one direction until a predetermined number of articles are loaded into said receptacle, and then in the opposite direction until said predetermined number of articles are again loaded into said receptacle, whereby the articles are arranged in layers in said receptacle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1, further comprising means for rotating said platform and thereofre said receptacle through a predetermined angle in a horizontal plane each time a predetermined number of articles are loaded into said receptacle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination as set forth in claim 7, wherein said predetermined angle of rotation of said platform is 180°.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1, further comprising electrical control means for automatic operation of said apparatus.