Patent US3561585A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3561585A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Article handling apparatus
Assignee: Molins Machine Co Ltd
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Filing: 1969-05-07
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Granted: 1971-02-09
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Expires: 1989-05-07
Abstract
Abstract This invention is mainly concerned with a sensor for controlling one of two conveyors extending horizontally in opposite directions from a junction which may, for example, be a T junction into which cigarettes are delivered in an upward stream. The sensor consists of two sensor members which rest on the cigarettes at the junction and which both control a single speedregulating mechanism controlling the speed of one of the conveyors. Each sensor member is particularly sensitive to a drop in the level of the cigarettes above the end of one of the conveyors, and the arrangement is preferably such that the position of the speed-regulating mechanism is determined by whichever sensor member is lower.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan K Mccombie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 15:41
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24C; A24C5/00; A24C5/35; B; B65; B65G; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A conveyor system for conveying cigarettes and other rodlike articles in stack formation in relation to which the articles lie transversely, including two substantially horizontal conveyors extending in opposite directions from a junction zone above which is arranged a sensor mechanism comprising two sensor members which are arranged to rest on the articles in positions lying respectively approximately above the ends of the two conveyors, and including a conveyor speed-regulating mechanism which controls the speed of one of the conVeyors and is coupled to each sensor member by a lost-motion device so that the speedregulating mechanism can be moved in one predetermined direction as a result of movement of either one of the sensor members while the other sensor member remains stationary.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A conveyor system for conveying cigarettes and other rodlike articles in stack formation in relation to which the articles lie transversely, including two substantially horizontal conveyors extending in opposite directions from a junction zone above which is arranged a sensor mechanism comprising two sensor members which are arranged to rest on the articles in positions lying respectively approximately above the ends of the two conveyors, and including a conveyor speed-regulating mechanism which controls the speed of one of the conVeyors and is coupled to each sensor member by a lost-motion device so that the speedregulating mechanism can be moved in one predetermined direction as a result of movement of either one of the sensor members while the other sensor member remains stationary.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A conveyor system according to claim 1 in which the predetermined direction in which either sensor member can move the speed-regulating mechanism corresponds to downward movement of either of the sensor members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A conveyor system according to claim 1 in which the two conveyors and the two sensor members form a substantially symmetrical arrangement about a vertical plane passing through the center of the junction zone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A conveyor system according to claim 1 in which the two sensor members are pivoted about spaced axes parallel to the articles, and in which the sensor members extend towards one another and cross one another as viewed in a direction parallel to the articles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A conveyor system according to claim 4 in which the sensor members are slotted and intermesh with one another.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A conveyor system according to claim 5 in which the ends of the sensor members remote from the pivots also intermesh with stationary members to prevent any articles from escaping.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A conveyor system according to claim in which the parts of the sensor members which bear on the articles in the junction zone are convex, as viewed in the direction of the articles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
A conveyor system according to claim 2, in which the speed-regulating mechanism has a rotary movement, and in which the lost-motion devices connecting the sensor members to the speed-regulating mechanism consist of lever means connected to the speed-regulating mechanism and pulling means connected respectively to the two sensor members, each pulling means being arranged to transmit only a pulling force to the lever means of the speed-regulating mechanism, and not a push force.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A sensor mechanism comprising two pivoted sensor members, substantially in accordance with claim 4.
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) | 1974-02-08 | 1974-08-10 | 1975-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-08 | 1978-08-10 | 1979-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-08 | 1982-08-10 | 1983-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |