US3580379A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Package turning device
Assignee: Icore Ind
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Filing: 1969-05-12
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1989-05-12
Abstract
Abstract A package turning device wherein a package is supported on a series of carriers which are free to slide from side-to-side on rods carried by endless chains on each side of a conveyor. The turning action is provided by a switching mechanism whereby the front portion of the carton is conveyed in one direction by a series of carriers while the rear portion of the package is supported on carriers which are switched to a different direction, so that as the package travels it is turned about 90* to its previous orientation. In a preferred embodiment of the device, two lanes are provided so that a series of packages in single file are divided into two files with the packages turned at 90* to their former orientation.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Shuster
- 👤 Richard L Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:59
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G17/00; B65G17/005; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
240 words
A turning device comprising in combination; a. an endless conveyor having an entrance end and a discharge end, b. means for driving said conveyor in a single direction, c. a plurality of carriers slidably mounted on said conveyor for movement laterally thereof perpendicular to the direction of movement of said conveyor, d. a cam follower on each of said carriers, e. a first cam track extending from the entrance end of the conveyor to the discharge end of the conveyor, said first cam track having a generally angular path whereby a carrier which follows said path is displaced laterally in one direction as it passes over the conveyor, f. a second cam track starting at about the midpoint of the conveyor and joining the first cam track and extending to the discharge end of the conveyor, said second cam track defining a diverging track from the first cam track whereby a carrier which is diverted to and follows said second cam track is displaced in a lateral opposite direction with respect to its former direction and arrives at the discharge end of the conveyor laterally nearer to its entrance position than carriers which foLlow said first cam track, and g. switching means whereby carriers can be directed to follow the first cam track from the entrance end to the discharge end of the conveyor or can be diverted to follow the second cam track to the end of the conveyor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
240 words
A turning device comprising in combination; a. an endless conveyor having an entrance end and a discharge end, b. means for driving said conveyor in a single direction, c. a plurality of carriers slidably mounted on said conveyor for movement laterally thereof perpendicular to the direction of movement of said conveyor, d. a cam follower on each of said carriers, e. a first cam track extending from the entrance end of the conveyor to the discharge end of the conveyor, said first cam track having a generally angular path whereby a carrier which follows said path is displaced laterally in one direction as it passes over the conveyor, f. a second cam track starting at about the midpoint of the conveyor and joining the first cam track and extending to the discharge end of the conveyor, said second cam track defining a diverging track from the first cam track whereby a carrier which is diverted to and follows said second cam track is displaced in a lateral opposite direction with respect to its former direction and arrives at the discharge end of the conveyor laterally nearer to its entrance position than carriers which foLlow said first cam track, and g. switching means whereby carriers can be directed to follow the first cam track from the entrance end to the discharge end of the conveyor or can be diverted to follow the second cam track to the end of the conveyor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The structure of claim 5 wherein a package sensing device is employed to actuate the switch, and wherein a package is carried on a plurality of carriers and said sensing means actuates said switch when a package is about half way across the switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The structure of claim 2 wherein the package sensing means comprises a light path across the conveyor and light sensing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The structure of claim 5 wherein the first and second cam tracks are paired and wherein switching means is provided at the entrance end of the conveyor to switch alternate packages from one set of cams to the other set of cams.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3009572A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |