US4585113A — Apparatus for transferring articles

Claim 1

Independent Claim 236 words

Apparatus for transferring articles from a single file conveyor having uniformly spaced positions for articles to groups of at least two articles and to create batches of articles of a predetermined number with preselected spacing between batches whether or not the single file of articles has an article in each of the spaced positions, comprising: a first conveyor for conveying articles in longitudinally-spaced file positions, a diverter for temporarily removing from said single file as many articles as are necessary to create the preselected spacing between batches, said diverter returning said articles to said first conveyor and depositing them onto or adjacent to undiverted articles which are carried on said first conveyor, an article counter to count the number of articles passing single file upstream of said diverter, said article counter triggering the operation of said diverter after a predetermined batch of articles has been counted, a cycle counter for counting a preselected number of said single file positions, means associated with said cycle counter for terminating the diverting actions of said diverter after a preselected number of diverting actions has been completed, thereby creating the preselected spacing between batches, whereby the article counter assures that there is a desired number in each batch and thereupon triggers the operation of said diverter, and whereby said cycle counter, controlling the number of diverter actions, assures that there is a preselected number of empty article positions between batches.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 236 words

Apparatus for transferring articles from a single file conveyor having uniformly spaced positions for articles to groups of at least two articles and to create batches of articles of a predetermined number with preselected spacing between batches whether or not the single file of articles has an article in each of the spaced positions, comprising: a first conveyor for conveying articles in longitudinally-spaced file positions, a diverter for temporarily removing from said single file as many articles as are necessary to create the preselected spacing between batches, said diverter returning said articles to said first conveyor and depositing them onto or adjacent to undiverted articles which are carried on said first conveyor, an article counter to count the number of articles passing single file upstream of said diverter, said article counter triggering the operation of said diverter after a predetermined batch of articles has been counted, a cycle counter for counting a preselected number of said single file positions, means associated with said cycle counter for terminating the diverting actions of said diverter after a preselected number of diverting actions has been completed, thereby creating the preselected spacing between batches, whereby the article counter assures that there is a desired number in each batch and thereupon triggers the operation of said diverter, and whereby said cycle counter, controlling the number of diverter actions, assures that there is a preselected number of empty article positions between batches.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 58 words

Apparatus for transferring articles as in claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of receptacles for receiving batches of articles; means for indexing said receptacles, one at a time, to the discharge end of said first conveyor; said indexing means operating only during the interval between discharged batches of articles, said interval being created by the diversion of articles.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 45 words

Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said diverter comprises: a wheel overlying said first conveyor; vacuum cups uniformly spaced about said wheel; means timing said wheel to said first conveyor to pick up articles one at a time as they pass under said wheel.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 78 words

Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said first conveyor has a plurality of longitudinally-spaced lugs for receiving one article between pairs of spaced lugs, the spacing of the centers of each pair of said lugs corresponding to one cycle of the apparatus; said diverter comprising: a wheel overlying said first conveyor; vacuum cups uniformly spaced about said wheel; and means timing said wheel to said first conveyor to pass a vacuum cup between each pair of lugs.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 78 words

Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said diverter comprises: a wheel overlying said first conveyor, the periphery of said wheel being oriented to move in the direction of said first conveyor; a plurality of article-grasping devices uniformly spaced about the periphery of said wheel and engageable with articles on said first conveyor; and means for rotating said wheel in timed relation to said first conveyor to pick up a selected number of articles from said first conveyor.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 53 words

Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said diverter comprises: an endless belt having a plurality of article-grasping devices uniformly spaced along its length, said belt having a lower run extending parallel to and overlying said first conveyor; and means for driving said belt and first conveyor in timed relation to each other.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 36 words

Apparatus as in claim 6 in which the lower run of said endless belt has an inverted U-shaped loop in which said belt moves away from said first conveyor and then returns to said first conveyor.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 75 words

Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said diverter comprises, an endless conveyor overlying said first conveyor and having a path of movement in a vertical plane, said conveyor having a series of spaced compartments for receiving and conveying articles, guides positioned adjacent at least a portion of said endless conveyor to confine received articles within their respective compartments, and means for directing articles from said first conveyor into said compartments on said endless conveyor.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 51 words

Apparatus as in claim 8 in which said directing means comprises, a wheel rotatable about a horizontal axis and overlying said first conveyor, vacuum cups spaced around the perimeter of said wheel, said vacuum cup picking up articles from said first conveyor and placing them in compartments on said endless conveyor.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 76 words

Apparatus as in claim 8 in which said directing means comprises, a normally horizontal plate pivoted adjacent said first conveyor and having a free end pivotable to an operative position adjacent a guide and in the path of articles on said first conveyor, means for pivoting said plate to said operative position whereby articles on said first conveyor ride up said plate and onto said guide where they are received and conveyed by said endless conveyor.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 64 words

Apparatus as in claim 8 in which said directing means comprises, at least one upwardly-directed air nozzle disposed below said first conveyor adjacent a guide, means for applying air under pressure to said nozzle when an article to be diverted passes over it, said air raising said article onto said guide where it is received and conveyed in a compartment on said endless conveyor.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 87 words

Apparatus as in claim 8 in which said first conveyor has spaced upwardly-projecting lugs forming compartments within which articles are conveyed, said endless conveyor having two spaced wheels on horizontal axes about which said conveyor passes, said endless conveyor having outwardlyprojecting lugs, said endless conveyor having a lower run which carries its lugs in substantial alignment with and close to the lugs on said first conveyor so that articles which are urged upwardly away from said first conveyor lugs will be captured by said endless conveyor lugs.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1989-04-28	1989-10-28	1990-04-29	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1993-04-28	1993-10-28	1994-04-29	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1997-04-28	1997-10-28	1998-04-29	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Apparatus for transferring articles

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