US3552541A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Article handling apparatus
Assignee: OI Glass Inc
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Filing: 1969-01-29
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Granted: 1971-01-05
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Expires: 1989-01-29
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is a novel means for diverting cartons and similar articles after discharge from a conventional inclined roller or roller belt-type conveyor to one or more takeoff branch conveyors and comprises a set of driven carrier-rollers axially parallel to the rollers of the inclined conveyor, this set of carrier-rollers being positioned in a diverting area provided at a ''''break-point'''' in the inclined conveyor and extending across the normal ''''straight-through'''' conveyor path, as well as just ahead of the branch conveyor, there being a set of bidirectional supplemental rollers arranged circumferentially about the medial portion of the carrier-rollers and adjustable as to their axial position to divert cartons generally laterally onto groups of supplemental peripheral rollers mounted in the ''''end zones'''' of the carrier-rollers, these latter supplemental rollers having their axes fixed so that together with the force of gravity, they subject the cartons resting thereon, to both a slight retrograde and limited lateral movement and thereafter advance the cartons along a fixed side, or guide rail onto the branch conveyor.
Inventors
- 👤 Darius O Riggs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:21
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/52; B65G47/68; B65G47/71; B65G13/00; B65G13/08; B65G13/10; B65G2207/00; B65G2207/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
Apparatus for diverting cartons discharged from one end of an elongated inclined conveyor to a branch conveyor disposed at an acute angle to the latter, comprising, a series of driven carrier-rollers arranged side by side at least in part in the plane of said inclined conveyor and rotatable on horizontal axes disposed transverse to the length of the inclined conveyor, a plurality of freely rotatable supplemental rollers mounted on the carrier-rollers about their circumference, certain of the supplemental rollers being angularly positioned and others being angularly positionable so that cartons resting thereon will freely move laterally thereon under the influence of gravity to one end of the carrier-rollers, and means operable both to limit the extent of such lateral movement of the cartons on the supplemental rollers and guide them to the branch conveyor during their advance under influence of the driven carrier-rollers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
Apparatus for diverting cartons discharged from one end of an elongated inclined conveyor to a branch conveyor disposed at an acute angle to the latter, comprising, a series of driven carrier-rollers arranged side by side at least in part in the plane of said inclined conveyor and rotatable on horizontal axes disposed transverse to the length of the inclined conveyor, a plurality of freely rotatable supplemental rollers mounted on the carrier-rollers about their circumference, certain of the supplemental rollers being angularly positioned and others being angularly positionable so that cartons resting thereon will freely move laterally thereon under the influence of gravity to one end of the carrier-rollers, and means operable both to limit the extent of such lateral movement of the cartons on the supplemental rollers and guide them to the branch conveyor during their advance under influence of the driven carrier-rollers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, the last-named means being an elongated guide rail extending from the inclined conveyor to the branch conveyor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, the positionable rollers being mounted in ring-carriers, and means for angularly moving said carriers to correspondingly change the angle oF the axes of the supplemental rollers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, the positioned supplemental rollers being in a group between the positionable rollers and the last-named means and having their axes of rotation fixed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, each of the carrier-rollers having a circumferential series of longitudinal flat surfaces provided with radial openings to accommodate the supplemental rollers, said supplemental rollers in part extending into the carrier-rollers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, the carrier-rollers rollers being hollow, and means at least in part within certain of these rollers for angularly changing the axes of rotation of the positionable supplemental rollers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6, said angle-varying means comprising pushrods connected to selected groups of the supplemental rollers and means for simultaneously operating the pushrods.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7, the last-named means comprising a disc coaxial with and axially shiftable relative to each carrier-roller, the pushrods being attached to the disc and means associated with the disc for shifting it axially and thereby moving the pushrods.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8, and means whereby all of the discs may be shifted axially simultaneously.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
In combination, an elongated carrier-roller, a multiplicity of freely rotatable supplemental rollers mounted upon the circumference of the carrier-roller with their axes of rotation parallel to each other, said supplemental rollers being so mounted as to be capable of adjustment to change the angular relationship between their axes and the axis of the carrier-roller
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
In combination, an elongated carrier-roller, a multiplicity of freely rotatable supplemental rollers mounted upon the circumference of the carrier-roller with their axes of rotation parallel to each other, said supplemental rollers being so mounted as to be capable of adjustment to change the angular relationship between their axes and the axis of the carrier-roller
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A carrier-roller as defined in claim 10, and a rotatable carrier-ring for each supplemental roller connecting it to the carrier-roller.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
In a carrier-roller as defined in claim 10, the supplemental rollers being arranged in circumferentially spaced-apart, longitudinal rows, along the carrier-roller and in staggered relationship circumferentially of the latter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A carrier-roller as defined in claim 11, and means for imparting rotary motion to all of the carrier-rings simultaneously and to the same extent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A carrier-roller as defined in claim 12, pushrods individual to and operatively connected to the rollers of each said row, and means for reciprocating the pushrods in unison.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE1198735B
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-04 | 1974-07-06 | 1975-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-04 | 1978-07-06 | 1979-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-04 | 1982-07-06 | 1983-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |