US3580640A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for distributing and advancing objects
Assignee: JONKOPING AB
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Filing: 1969-03-18
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1989-03-18
Abstract
Abstract A system for distributing and advancing objects comprises a continuously pendulating, flexible distributing arm or chute with an inlet end into which said objects are fed sequentially at high velocity, and an outlet end which reciprocates transverse to a plurality of individual tracks which are separated from each other by separating means. The outlet end of the distributing arm is located on a higher level than that end of the separating means which is located nearest to the arm. The system further comprises means for compulsory advancing said objects along said arm and said tracks so that the objects passing the arm in a single row become uniformly distributed amongst said tracks.
Inventors
- 👤 Birger Sture Erik Eriksson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 10:21
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/52; B65G47/68; B65G47/71
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
In a system for distributing and advancing objects, which is connected e.g. to a machine for manufacturing and ejecting said objects and comprises a lane; separating means comprising guide rails for dividing said lane into a plurality of individual tracks having inlet end portions which are situated nearest to said machine and extend close to and parallel to each other, a flexible distributing chute which is located between said lane and said machine and has a fixed inlet end which is connected to the output of the machine, and an outlet end which is located adjacent to said inlet end portions of said tracks; means for imparting to the outlet of chute a reciprocating movement transverse to said tracks for distributing the objects from the machine amongst said tracks; and means for compulsory advancing said objects along said chute and said tracks, the improvement which comprises that said distributing chute, which is flexible, is oscillated substantially continuously by said movement imparting means, and has the bottom of its outlet end located on a higher level than and directly above the guide rails of the separating means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
In a system for distributing and advancing objects, which is connected e.g. to a machine for manufacturing and ejecting said objects and comprises a lane; separating means comprising guide rails for dividing said lane into a plurality of individual tracks having inlet end portions which are situated nearest to said machine and extend close to and parallel to each other, a flexible distributing chute which is located between said lane and said machine and has a fixed inlet end which is connected to the output of the machine, and an outlet end which is located adjacent to said inlet end portions of said tracks; means for imparting to the outlet of chute a reciprocating movement transverse to said tracks for distributing the objects from the machine amongst said tracks; and means for compulsory advancing said objects along said chute and said tracks, the improvement which comprises that said distributing chute, which is flexible, is oscillated substantially continuously by said movement imparting means, and has the bottom of its outlet end located on a higher level than and directly above the guide rails of the separating means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
147 words
The system according to claim 1, characterized by the provision of a perforated base which forms a support for the distributing chute and comprises a box for supply of compressed fluid and the perforations of which are arranged in rows, which diverge in a fanlike manner from the inlet end of the distributing chute, said perforations having such a direction that the fluid emerging in the form of jets from said perforations advances said objects towards said lane, and at least one further similar box for the supply of compressed fluid and having a perforated top wall which constitutes the bottom of said tracks and the perforations of which are arranged in rows, one row being provided in and extending along the bottom of each track, said perforations having such a direction that the compressed fluid emerging from said further box advances said objects along said tracks.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system according to claim 2, characterized by the provision of means for temporarily arresting said distributing chute during its normal continuous movement in front of a track which has an incidental shortage of objects in relation to other tracks.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
160 words
The system according to claim 3, characterized in that said arresting means comprise a plurality of switches equal in number to the number of tracks and each allotted to an individual track, said switches being sequentially actuable by the outlet end of said distributing chute when said outlet end passes the respective tracks, an equal plurality of pressure fluid sensitive means each associated with a respective one of said switches and located directly opposite to a respective one of said tracks at a distance from said distributing chute, each of said pressure sensitive means cooperating with its associated switch to temporarily arrest the drive motor of said distributing chute, when the time interval between two successive strength alterations, caused by the passage of an object past the pressure sensitive means of a track, of the impacts on the fluid pressure sensitive means of the respective tracks of the jets from the perforations of the respective tracks, exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
83 words
The system according to claim 1, characterized in that said separating means are comprised of resilient members which are located nearer to the respective bottoms of adjacent tracks than to adjacent resilient members for supporting in cooperation with the bottom of an adjacent track such objects as are delivered in misalignment with a track during the initial portion of their advancement along said track, said resilient members having smooth upper sides for facilitating the complete sliding down of said objects into said tracks.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system according to claim 5, characterized in that said resilient members are tightly coiled, helical springs for curtains.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
The system according to claim 1, characterized in that said means for reciprocating said distributing chute are comprised of a motor, a pair of chain wheels, one of which is driven by said motor, and an endless chain, continuously running over said chain wheels and extending substantially perpendicular to the inlet portions of said tracks, the outlet end of said distributing chute being articulated to said chain by means of a link.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
102 words
The system according to claim 1, characterized by the provision of means for automatic removal of incorrectly positioned objects projecting out of their respective tracks, said automatic removing means comprising a source of compressed fluid, a compressed fluid duct which leads from said source and has one mouth in each track, valve means interconnected in said duct, and electric control means for opening said valve means in response to an object''s occupying of an incorrect position to direct, through said opening of said valve, a jet of compressed air against said incorrectly positioned object for blowing it away into a collecting hopper.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
76 words
The system according to claim 8, characterized in that said control means comprise a photocell and a light source directed towards said photocell, which are so arranged on mutually opposite sides of said lane, that an object which during its advancement along said lane occupies said incorrect position with respect to its track interrupts the light beam from the light source to the photocell for actuating said valve means to blow away said incorrectly positioned object.
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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 |