US3556279A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotary inspecting means for nonround articles
Assignee: Anchor Hocking LLC
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Filing: 1968-05-08
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Granted: 1971-01-19
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Expires: 1988-05-08
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for transporting articles to an inspecting station and for rotating the articles about a predetermined axis during an article inspecting or similar operation. The apparatus is particularly adapted for handling nonround articles and for positioning such articles for rotation about a predetermined vertical axis. The rotating means comprises a turntable and the means for centering the articles on the turntable comprises a pair of cooperating pocket wheels. An article locating pocket is formed above the turntable by adjacent pockets in the two pocket wheels. In addition to the locating pocket, a centering plunger may be used for the final positioning of articles having an open central mouth.
Inventors
- 👤 James F Cotter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:50
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/04; B07C5/12; B07C5/122; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/74; B65G47/84; B65G47/846
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
In article inspecting apparatus an improved means for positioning the article on a rotating inspecting platform comprising the combination of not more than a pair of pocket wheels, the pockets in said wheels being equal in number and forming substantially identical semicircles, and said wheels being rotatably mounted adjacent to one another whereby a pocket in one pocket wheel combines with a pocket in the other pocket wheel to form a generally circular article positioning enclosure concentric with the axis of said platform.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
In article inspecting apparatus an improved means for positioning the article on a rotating inspecting platform comprising the combination of not more than a pair of pocket wheels, the pockets in said wheels being equal in number and forming substantially identical semicircles, and said wheels being rotatably mounted adjacent to one another whereby a pocket in one pocket wheel combines with a pocket in the other pocket wheel to form a generally circular article positioning enclosure concentric with the axis of said platform.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises a conveyor for guiding articles into pockets in one of said pocket wheels, means for intermittently rotating said wheels in synchronism for forming said enclosure, and means for returning articles from said second pocket wheel to said conveyor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises an article centering plunger movably mounted above the central portion of the platform.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises a conveYor for guiding articles into pockets in one of said pocket wheels, means for intermittently rotating said wheels in synchronism for forming said enclosure, and means for returning articles from said second pocket wheel to said conveyor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises an article centering means movably mounted above the central portion of the platform.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
95 words
An improved inspecting station for an article inspecting machine comprising the combination of an article supporting turntable, not more than a pair of pocket wheels rotatably mounted on opposite sides of said turntable, the pockets in said wheels being substantially similar and arcuate, said pocket wheels being positioned so that a pocket in one wheel forms a circle above said turntable in combination with a pocket in the other wheel, means for rotating said turntable, and means for turning said pocket wheels in synchronism to advance successive pairs of pockets into position above the turntable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
95 words
An improved inspecting station for an article inspecting machine comprising the combination of an article supporting turntable, not more than a pair of pocket wheels rotatably mounted on opposite sides of said turntable, the pockets in said wheels being substantially similar and arcuate, said pocket wheels being positioned so that a pocket in one wheel forms a circle above said turntable in combination with a pocket in the other wheel, means for rotating said turntable, and means for turning said pocket wheels in synchronism to advance successive pairs of pockets into position above the turntable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
104 words
An improved inspecting station for an article inspecting machine comprising the combination of an article supporting turntable, means consisting of a pair of pocket wheels rotatably mounted on opposite sides of said turntable, the pockets in said wheels being substantially similar and arcuate, said pocket wheels being positioned so that a pocket in one wheel forms a circle above said turntable in combination with a pocket in the other wheel, means for rotating said turntable, means for turning said pocket wheels in synchronism to advance successive pairs of pockets into position above the turntable and vacuum means at said turntable for releasably holding articles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
104 words
An improved inspecting station for an article inspecting machine comprising the combination of an article supporting turntable, means consisting of a pair of pocket wheels rotatably mounted on opposite sides of said turntable, the pockets in said wheels being substantially similar and arcuate, said pocket wheels being positioned so that a pocket in one wheel forms a circle above said turntable in combination with a pocket in the other wheel, means for rotating said turntable, means for turning said pocket wheels in synchronism to advance successive pairs of pockets into position above the turntable and vacuum means at said turntable for releasably holding articles.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
102 words
An improved inspecting station for an article inspecting machine comprising the combination of an article supporting turntable, not more than a pair of pocket wheels rotatably mounted on opposite sides of said turntable, the pockets in said wheels being substantially similar and semicircular, said pocket wheels being positioned so that a pocket in one wheel forms a circle above said turntable in combination with a pocket in the other wheel, means for rotating said turntable, means for rotating said pocket wheels in synchronism, means above said turntable for engaging and centering articles thereon, and means for raising and lowering said centering means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
102 words
An improved inspecting station for an article inspecting machine comprising the combination of an article supporting turntable, not more than a pair of pocket wheels rotatably mounted on opposite sides of said turntable, the pockets in said wheels being substantially similar and semicircular, said pocket wheels being positioned so that a pocket in one wheel forms a circle above said turntable in combination with a pocket in the other wheel, means for rotating said turntable, means for rotating said pocket wheels in synchronism, means above said turntable for engaging and centering articles thereon, and means for raising and lowering said centering means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The station as claimed in claim 8 in which said centering means comprises a plunger which includes a flared camming surface for engaging circular rim portions on the articles.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-18 | 1974-07-20 | 1975-01-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-18 | 1978-07-20 | 1979-01-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-18 | 1982-07-20 | 1983-01-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |