US3981394A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Feeding and assembly apparatus
Assignee: International Telephone and Telegraph Corp
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Filing: 1975-06-03
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Granted: 1976-09-21
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Expires: 1995-06-03
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus is described for feeding different type items which are assembled for packaging as a single unit. A plurality of machines comprise the apparatus and each machine deposits items of one type in a row on a conveyor. The items are automatically fed from a trough in the machine and conveyed forward to the depositing position by vibrating V-grooved members. The members are designed to convey only items which are lined-up lengthwise and the thus aligned items are conveyed to a depositing means which properly positions the items in a given row across the conveyor.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald A. Slathar
- 👤 Christiaan H. Neutkens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 16:55
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B35/00; B65B35/30; B65B35/54; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/02; B65G47/04; B65G47/12; B65G47/14; B65G47/1407; B65G47/1442; B65G47/1471
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
In feeding and assembly apparatus, a machine comprising: means for feeding a plurality of individual items from a supply; vibrating means for receiving said fed items and moving them along their major axis, said vibrating means includes a row of vibrating members, each of said members are V-grooved and have a narrow middle section for providing a space between adjacent members, whereby all items which are unaligned lengthwise along the V-groove drop through the spaces provided between adjacent members; means coupled to said vibrating means for engaging said items and depositing them in a row across a conveying means moving transversely to said vibrating means, said means for engaging and depositing include a row of wheels terminating said vibrating means for engaging said items, a chain lug bed for receiving said items from said wheels and depositing them onto a slide chute, and a reciprocating means for positioning the items from the slide chute in said row across the conveying means; and means for returning the dropped items to said supply.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
In feeding and assembly apparatus, a machine comprising: means for feeding a plurality of individual items from a supply; vibrating means for receiving said fed items and moving them along their major axis, said vibrating means includes a row of vibrating members, each of said members are V-grooved and have a narrow middle section for providing a space between adjacent members, whereby all items which are unaligned lengthwise along the V-groove drop through the spaces provided between adjacent members; means coupled to said vibrating means for engaging said items and depositing them in a row across a conveying means moving transversely to said vibrating means, said means for engaging and depositing include a row of wheels terminating said vibrating means for engaging said items, a chain lug bed for receiving said items from said wheels and depositing them onto a slide chute, and a reciprocating means for positioning the items from the slide chute in said row across the conveying means; and means for returning the dropped items to said supply.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The machine of claim 1, wherein said feeding means includes elevator means for lifting an excess amount of said items from a trough and depositing them onto a stationary corrugated chute.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The machine of claim 2, wherein said chute delivers said items by gravity feed to said vibrating means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
168 words
Confectionary apparatus comprising in combination: means for feeding individual items from a supply position in a plurality of rows; a row of vibrating means for receiving said fed items and moving them in said plurality of rows along their major axis; means coupled to said vibrating means for engaging said items and depositing them in a row across a conveying means moving transversely to said vibrating means; said feeding means includes elevator means for lifting an excess amount of items from a trough and depositing them onto a stationary corrugated chute; said vibrating means includes a row of vibrating members, each of said members are V-grooved and have a narrow portion for providing a space between adjacent members; a row of wheels terminating said vibrating means for engaging said items; a chain lug bed for receiving said items and depositing them onto a row of slide chutes; and a reciprocating bar and catcher for locating the items from the slide chutes in a row across the conveying means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
168 words
Confectionary apparatus comprising in combination: means for feeding individual items from a supply position in a plurality of rows; a row of vibrating means for receiving said fed items and moving them in said plurality of rows along their major axis; means coupled to said vibrating means for engaging said items and depositing them in a row across a conveying means moving transversely to said vibrating means; said feeding means includes elevator means for lifting an excess amount of items from a trough and depositing them onto a stationary corrugated chute; said vibrating means includes a row of vibrating members, each of said members are V-grooved and have a narrow portion for providing a space between adjacent members; a row of wheels terminating said vibrating means for engaging said items; a chain lug bed for receiving said items and depositing them onto a row of slide chutes; and a reciprocating bar and catcher for locating the items from the slide chutes in a row across the conveying means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
200 words
A machine comprising: means for feeding a plurality of individual items from a supply; vibrating means for receiving said fed items and moving them along their major axis, said vibrating means includes a row of vibrating members, each of said members are V-grooved and have a narrow middle section for providing a space between adjacent members, such that all items which are unaligned lengthwise along the V-groove drop through the spaces provided between adjacent members; means coupled to said vibrating means for engaging said items and depositing them in a row across a conveying means moving transversely to said vibrating means, means for engaging and depositing include a row of wheels terminating said vibrating means for engaging said items, a chain lug bed for receiving said items from said wheels and depositing them onto a slide chute, and a reciprocating means for positioning the items from the slide chute in said row across the conveying means; said reciprocating means include a reciprocating bar and attached row of catchers positioned on an oblique line across the conveyor, whereby said catchers receive and position the items from said row of slide chutes; and means for returning the dropped items to said supply.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
200 words
A machine comprising: means for feeding a plurality of individual items from a supply; vibrating means for receiving said fed items and moving them along their major axis, said vibrating means includes a row of vibrating members, each of said members are V-grooved and have a narrow middle section for providing a space between adjacent members, such that all items which are unaligned lengthwise along the V-groove drop through the spaces provided between adjacent members; means coupled to said vibrating means for engaging said items and depositing them in a row across a conveying means moving transversely to said vibrating means, means for engaging and depositing include a row of wheels terminating said vibrating means for engaging said items, a chain lug bed for receiving said items from said wheels and depositing them onto a slide chute, and a reciprocating means for positioning the items from the slide chute in said row across the conveying means; said reciprocating means include a reciprocating bar and attached row of catchers positioned on an oblique line across the conveyor, whereby said catchers receive and position the items from said row of slide chutes; and means for returning the dropped items to said supply.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The machine of claim 5, wherein said feeding means includes elevator means for lifting an excess amount of said items from a trough and depositing them onto a stationary corrugated chute.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The machine of claim 6, wherein said chute delivers said items by gravity fed to said vibrating 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) | 1979-09-21 | 1980-03-22 | 1980-09-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-21 | 1984-03-22 | 1984-09-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-21 | 1988-03-22 | 1988-09-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |