US3590551A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic apparatus for packing articles in boxes
Assignee: Sunkist Growers Inc
•
Filing: 1969-03-27
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Granted: 1971-07-06
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Expires: 1989-03-27
Abstract
Abstract A machine to pack oranges in boxes has a central packing station occupied by a box and has two supply stations on opposite sides of the packing station where the fruit is arranged in staggered rows on channel assemblies that expand for gravitational supply movement of the fruit and contract to form patterns of fruit, the right channel assembly forming one particular pattern and the left channel assembly forming another particular pattern, the two patterns alternating in the layers in a box. A right pickup head and a left pickup head are mounted on an overhead carriage that shifts between a right position and a left position. At the right position the vacuum cups of the right head pick up a new layer from the right channel assembly and the vacuum cups of the left pickup head deposit a layer in the box. At the left position of the carriage the vacuum cups of the left head pickup a pattern at the left channel assembly and the vacuum cups of the right head deposit a layer of fruit in the box. The cycle control comprises a gang of switch-operating cams on a common shaft that is rotated by a suitable electric motor. The cams control the horizontal reciprocations of the carriage, the up and down movements of the two pickup heads, the vacuum cycle in the vacuum cups of the two pickup heads, the vacuum cycle in the vacuum cups of the two pickup heads, and expansion and contraction of the two channel assemblies. A selector switch having four positions for three-layer, four-layer, five-layer, and six-layer boxes, respectively, determines which cams are activated for a particular operating cycle for packing a box with a particular number of fruit in a particular number of layers.
Inventors
- 👤 Fred W Riddington
- 👤 Paul F Paddock
- 👤 Henry J Lanfrankie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 00:17
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B25/00; B65B25/02; B65B25/04; B65B25/046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
In an apparatus for packing different numbers of layers of articles in receptacles wherein pickup means reciprocates laterally and also reciprocates up and down to engage successive layers of the articles from supply means and to release the layers in receptacles at a packing station, the improvement comprising: cycle means including a plurality of cycle elements operable simultaneously through repeated cycles, different cycle elements being effective to control the lateral reciprocations of the pickup means for different numbers of layers of the articles in receptacles, different cycle elements being effective to control the up and down reciprocations of the pickup means for different numbers of layers of the articles in the receptacles, different cycle elements being effective to control the engagement and release of articles by the pickup means for different numbers of layers of the articles in the receptacles; and a single master control means to make the cycle elements effective selectively, said master control means being adjustable to different settings for packing different numbers of layers in the receptacles.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
In an apparatus for packing different numbers of layers of articles in receptacles wherein pickup means reciprocates laterally and also reciprocates up and down to engage successive layers of the articles from supply means and to release the layers in receptacles at a packing station, the improvement comprising: cycle means including a plurality of cycle elements operable simultaneously through repeated cycles, different cycle elements being effective to control the lateral reciprocations of the pickup means for different numbers of layers of the articles in receptacles, different cycle elements being effective to control the up and down reciprocations of the pickup means for different numbers of layers of the articles in the receptacles, different cycle elements being effective to control the engagement and release of articles by the pickup means for different numbers of layers of the articles in the receptacles; and a single master control means to make the cycle elements effective selectively, said master control means being adjustable to different settings for packing different numbers of layers in the receptacles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
An improvement as set forth in claim 1 which includes: conveyor means to deliver successive empty receptacles to the packing station; and means to actuate said cycle means in response to arrival of an empty receptacle at the packing station.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
An improvement as set forth in claim 1 in which said pickup means comprises two pickup heads to pick up layers of two different complementary patterns, respectively, to form alternate layers in a receptacle, said cycle means being programmed to start the packing of each receptacle with a layer of a given pattern of the two complementary patterns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
83 words
An improvement as set forth in claim 1 in which said supply means includes a set of parallel channels to form rows of articles; in which means is included to expand the set of channels laterally for free movement of the articles and to contract the set of channels to nest the rows of articles to form the patterns of layers; and in which said cycle means includes at least one cycle element to control expansion and contraction of the set of channels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
An improvement as set forth in claim 1 which includes tapered means at the packing station to guide the pickup means into the interior of the receptacles; which includes a platen to elevate newly arrived empty boxes up to the guide means; and in which said cycle means includes at least one cycle element to control said platen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
An improvement as set forth in claim 1 in which said pickup means comprises a left pickup head and a right pickup head; and in which said cycle means includes different cycle elements to control the up and down movements of one of said pickup heads for packing different numbers of layers in the receptacles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
An improvement as set forth in claim 1 in which said cycle means includes a plurality of different cycle elements to control the engagement and release of articles by the pickup means for packing different numbers of layers in the receptacles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
An improvement as set forth in claim 1 in which said cycle means comprises: a plurality of cycle elements in the form of cams operatively interconnected for simultaneous operation; and switch means operated by the respective cams.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
An improvement as set forth in claim 8 in which the master control means makes said switches effective selectively for carrying out operating cycles for depositing different numbers of layers in the receptacles.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
An improvement as set forth in claim 9 in which said master control means is movable to different positions for packing different numbers of layers of the articles in the receptacles; and which includes indicia for the different positions to indicate the different numbers of layers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
185 words
In an apparatus for packing different numbers of layers of articles in receptacles wherein pickup means reciprocates laterally and also reciprocates up and down to engage successive layers of articles from supply means and to release the layers in the receptacles at a packing station, the improvement comprising: cycle means operative through a predetermined cycle to control the lateral reciprocations of the pickup means, the up and down reciprocations of the pickup means, and the engagement and release of articles by the pickup means; conveyor means to deliver successive empty receptacles to the packing station and to remove packed receptacles therefrom; means to stop the conveyor means and to initiate operation of said cycle means in response to arrival of an empty box at the packing station; means to actuate the conveyor means in response to completion of the operation of said cycle means; means to sense the position of a newly arrived empty receptacle at the packing station; and means responsive to the sensing means to prevent actuation of the cycle means when a newly arrived receptacle is incorrectly positioned at the packing station.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
185 words
In an apparatus for packing different numbers of layers of articles in receptacles wherein pickup means reciprocates laterally and also reciprocates up and down to engage successive layers of articles from supply means and to release the layers in the receptacles at a packing station, the improvement comprising: cycle means operative through a predetermined cycle to control the lateral reciprocations of the pickup means, the up and down reciprocations of the pickup means, and the engagement and release of articles by the pickup means; conveyor means to deliver successive empty receptacles to the packing station and to remove packed receptacles therefrom; means to stop the conveyor means and to initiate operation of said cycle means in response to arrival of an empty box at the packing station; means to actuate the conveyor means in response to completion of the operation of said cycle means; means to sense the position of a newly arrived empty receptacle at the packing station; and means responsive to the sensing means to prevent actuation of the cycle means when a newly arrived receptacle is incorrectly positioned at the packing station.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
67 words
A combination as set forth in claim 1 which includes: conveyor means to deliver successive empty receptacles to the packing station; tapered means at the packing station to guide the pickup means into the interiors of the receptacles; a platen to elevate newly arrived empty receptacles up to the guide means; and means to initiate operation of the cycle means in response to elevation of the platen.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
87 words
In an apparatus having an operating cycle wherein pickup means reciprocates laterally and reciprocates up and down to engage successive layers of articles from a supply means and to release the layers in receptacles at a packing station, the improvement comprising: fluid-actuated means to raise and lower the pickup means; means to supply fluid at a relatively high pressure to the fluid-actuated means to raise the loaded pickup means; and means to supply fluid at lower pressure to the fluid-actuated means to lower the empty pickup means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
87 words
In an apparatus having an operating cycle wherein pickup means reciprocates laterally and reciprocates up and down to engage successive layers of articles from a supply means and to release the layers in receptacles at a packing station, the improvement comprising: fluid-actuated means to raise and lower the pickup means; means to supply fluid at a relatively high pressure to the fluid-actuated means to raise the loaded pickup means; and means to supply fluid at lower pressure to the fluid-actuated means to lower the empty pickup means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
142 words
In an apparatus having an operating cycle wherein pickup means reciprocates laterally and also reciprocates up and down to engage successive layers of articles from a supply means and to release the layers in receptacles at a packing station, the improvement comprising: a carriage carrying the pickup means, said carriage beinG laterally reciprocative for lateral reciprocation of the pickup means, said pickup means being movable up and down relative to the carriage; a cylinder; a piston in the cylinder connected to the carriage; means to admit pressurized fluid into the opposite ends of the cylinder to advance the piston in opposite directions for reciprocation of the carriage; and means responsive to approach of the carriage to each of its opposite limit positions to restrict the release of fluid from the cylinder on the advancing side of the piston to decelerate the carriage.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
142 words
In an apparatus having an operating cycle wherein pickup means reciprocates laterally and also reciprocates up and down to engage successive layers of articles from a supply means and to release the layers in receptacles at a packing station, the improvement comprising: a carriage carrying the pickup means, said carriage beinG laterally reciprocative for lateral reciprocation of the pickup means, said pickup means being movable up and down relative to the carriage; a cylinder; a piston in the cylinder connected to the carriage; means to admit pressurized fluid into the opposite ends of the cylinder to advance the piston in opposite directions for reciprocation of the carriage; and means responsive to approach of the carriage to each of its opposite limit positions to restrict the release of fluid from the cylinder on the advancing side of the piston to decelerate the carriage.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
131 words
In an apparatus having an operating cycle wherein pickup means reciprocates laterally and also reciprocates up and down to engage successive layers of articles from a supply means and to release the layers in receptacles at a packing station, the improvement comprising: a conveyor to deliver empty receptacles to the packing station and to remove packed receptacles therefrom; a continuously running motor; a clutch to connect the motor to the conveyor in response to completion of said operating cycle and to disconnect the motor from the conveyor in response to arrival of an empty receptacle at the packing station; and a brake to stop the conveyor in response to arrival of an empty box at the packing station and to release the conveyor in response to completion of said operating cycle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
131 words
In an apparatus having an operating cycle wherein pickup means reciprocates laterally and also reciprocates up and down to engage successive layers of articles from a supply means and to release the layers in receptacles at a packing station, the improvement comprising: a conveyor to deliver empty receptacles to the packing station and to remove packed receptacles therefrom; a continuously running motor; a clutch to connect the motor to the conveyor in response to completion of said operating cycle and to disconnect the motor from the conveyor in response to arrival of an empty receptacle at the packing station; and a brake to stop the conveyor in response to arrival of an empty box at the packing station and to release the conveyor in response to completion of said operating cycle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
138 words
In an apparatus having an operating cycle wherein two pickup heads reciprocate laterally and also reciprocate up and down to engage successive layers of articles from a supply means and to release the layers in receptacles at a packing station, the improvement comprising: a substantially horizontal track; a carriage mounted on the track for lateral reciprocation thereon; a cylinder; a piston in the cylinder connected to the carriage; means to admit pressurized fluid into the opposite ends of the cylinder to advance the piston in opposite directions for reciprocation of the carriage; two substantially upright cylinders on the carriage; two pistons in the two upright cylinders respectively, said pistons carrying the two pickup heads respectively; and means to admit pressurized fluid into the opposite ends of the two upright cylinders to raise and lower the two pickup heads.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
138 words
In an apparatus having an operating cycle wherein two pickup heads reciprocate laterally and also reciprocate up and down to engage successive layers of articles from a supply means and to release the layers in receptacles at a packing station, the improvement comprising: a substantially horizontal track; a carriage mounted on the track for lateral reciprocation thereon; a cylinder; a piston in the cylinder connected to the carriage; means to admit pressurized fluid into the opposite ends of the cylinder to advance the piston in opposite directions for reciprocation of the carriage; two substantially upright cylinders on the carriage; two pistons in the two upright cylinders respectively, said pistons carrying the two pickup heads respectively; and means to admit pressurized fluid into the opposite ends of the two upright cylinders to raise and lower the two pickup heads.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
An improvement as set forth in claim 16 in which said means to admit pressurized fluid to the two upright cylinders comprises means to admit relatively high pressure fluid to raise the two pickup heads and means to admit relatively low pressure fluid to lower the two pickup heads.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
An improvement as set forth in claim 16 which includes means to decelerate the carriage as it approaches its two opposite limit positions.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
An improvement as set forth in claim 16 which includes means to prevent movement of the carriage in response to failure of either pickup head to pick up a complete layer of the articles.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
70 words
An improvement as set forth in claim 16, which includes at least one guide rod for each pickup head to stabilize the up and down movements of the head; in which each pickup head has a group of vacuum cups to pick up the articles; and in which each of said guide rods is hollow to form an air passage for evacuating the vacuum cups of the corresponding pickup head.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
90 words
In an apparatus having an operating cycle wherein pickup means reciprocates laterally and also reciprocates up and down to engage successive layers of articles from a supply means and to release the layers in receptacles at a packing station, the improvement comprising: a safety enclosure for moving parts of the apparatus including the pickup means; and means not only to interrupt the upward movement of the pickup means but also to lower the pickup means when the enclosure is opened for replacement of a missing article on the pickup means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
90 words
In an apparatus having an operating cycle wherein pickup means reciprocates laterally and also reciprocates up and down to engage successive layers of articles from a supply means and to release the layers in receptacles at a packing station, the improvement comprising: a safety enclosure for moving parts of the apparatus including the pickup means; and means not only to interrupt the upward movement of the pickup means but also to lower the pickup means when the enclosure is opened for replacement of a missing article on the pickup means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
42 words
An improvement as set forth in claim 20 which includes a conveyor to deliver empty receptacles to the packing Station and to remove packed receptacles therefrom; and which includes means to prevent operation of the conveyor when the safety enclosure is opened.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
An improvement as set forth in claim 2, including means for receiving and temporarily storing packed receptacles, whereby the packing cycle may continue uninterruptedly.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
An improvement as set forth in claim 20, which also includes means to sense the absence of a receptacle at the packing station, and through said responsive means prevent actuation of the cycle means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
214 words
In an apparatus for packing layers of articles in receptacles wherein pickup means reciprocates laterally and reciprocates up and down to engage successive layers of articles at a supply means and to release the layers in the receptacles at a packing station, the improvement comprising: cycle means operative through a predetermined cycle to control the lateral reciprocations of the pickup means, the up and down reciprocations of the pickup means, and the engagement and release of articles by the pickup means; a safety enclosure for moving parts of the apparatus including the pickup means; a safety enclosure for moving parts of the apparatus including the pickup means; means to interrupt said cycle and not only to interrupt the upward movement of the pickup means, but also to lower the pickup means in response to opening of the enclosure for replacement of a missing article on the pickup means; means to resume the upward movement of the pickup means in response to subsequent closing of the safety enclosure; and means to resume the interrupted cycle of operation in response to the subsequent closing of the safety enclosure, said means to resume the cycle of operation including time delay means to permit completion of the upward movement of the pickup means before the cycle is resumed.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
214 words
In an apparatus for packing layers of articles in receptacles wherein pickup means reciprocates laterally and reciprocates up and down to engage successive layers of articles at a supply means and to release the layers in the receptacles at a packing station, the improvement comprising: cycle means operative through a predetermined cycle to control the lateral reciprocations of the pickup means, the up and down reciprocations of the pickup means, and the engagement and release of articles by the pickup means; a safety enclosure for moving parts of the apparatus including the pickup means; a safety enclosure for moving parts of the apparatus including the pickup means; means to interrupt said cycle and not only to interrupt the upward movement of the pickup means, but also to lower the pickup means in response to opening of the enclosure for replacement of a missing article on the pickup means; means to resume the upward movement of the pickup means in response to subsequent closing of the safety enclosure; and means to resume the interrupted cycle of operation in response to the subsequent closing of the safety enclosure, said means to resume the cycle of operation including time delay means to permit completion of the upward movement of the pickup means before the cycle is resumed.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
203 words
In an apparatus for packing different numbers of layers of articles in receptacles wherein pickup means reciprocates laterally and also reciprocates up and down to engage successive layers of the articles from supply means and to release the layers in receptacles at a packing station, the improvement comprising: cycle means including cycle elements operable simultaneously to control the lateral reciprocations of the pickup means, to control the up and down reciprocations of the pickup means, and to control the engagement and release of articles by the pickup means, various of said cycle means being programmed for depositing different numbers of layers of the articles in the receptacles; control means to make the cycle elements effective selectively, said control means being adjustable to different settings for packing different numbers of layers in the receptacles; conveyor means to deliver successive empty receptacles to the packing station; means to actuate said cycle means in response to arrival of an empty receptacle at the packing station; means to sense the position of a newly arrived empty receptacle at the packing station; and means responsive to the sensing means to prevent actuation of the cycle means when a newly arrived receptacle is incorrectly positioned at the packing station.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
203 words
In an apparatus for packing different numbers of layers of articles in receptacles wherein pickup means reciprocates laterally and also reciprocates up and down to engage successive layers of the articles from supply means and to release the layers in receptacles at a packing station, the improvement comprising: cycle means including cycle elements operable simultaneously to control the lateral reciprocations of the pickup means, to control the up and down reciprocations of the pickup means, and to control the engagement and release of articles by the pickup means, various of said cycle means being programmed for depositing different numbers of layers of the articles in the receptacles; control means to make the cycle elements effective selectively, said control means being adjustable to different settings for packing different numbers of layers in the receptacles; conveyor means to deliver successive empty receptacles to the packing station; means to actuate said cycle means in response to arrival of an empty receptacle at the packing station; means to sense the position of a newly arrived empty receptacle at the packing station; and means responsive to the sensing means to prevent actuation of the cycle means when a newly arrived receptacle is incorrectly positioned at the packing station.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
253 words
In an apparatus for packing different numbers of layers of articles in receptacles wherein pickup means reciprocates laterally and also reciprocates up and down to engage successive layers of the articles from supply means and to release the layers in receptacles at the packing station, the improvement comprising: cycle means including cycle elements operable simultaneously to control the lateral reciprocations of the pickup means, the up and down reciprocations of the pickup means, and the engagement and release of articles by the pickup means, various of said cycle means being programmed for depositing different numbers of layers of the articles in the receptacles; and control means to make the cycle elements effective selectively, said control means being Adjustable to different settings for packing different numbers of layers in the receptacles, said pickup means comprising two pickup heads to pick up layers of two different complementary patterns, respectively, to form alternate layers in a receptacle, said cycle means being programmed to start the packing of each receptacle with a layer of a given pattern of the two complementary patterns, the two pickup heads moving to the packing station alternately to release layers of the articles and when an odd number of layers is being packed in the receptacle, the cycle means omitting the release operation of one of the two pickup heads between the end of one operating cycle and the beginning of the next operating cycle thereby to cause the packing of each receptacle to start with a layer of said given pattern.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
253 words
In an apparatus for packing different numbers of layers of articles in receptacles wherein pickup means reciprocates laterally and also reciprocates up and down to engage successive layers of the articles from supply means and to release the layers in receptacles at the packing station, the improvement comprising: cycle means including cycle elements operable simultaneously to control the lateral reciprocations of the pickup means, the up and down reciprocations of the pickup means, and the engagement and release of articles by the pickup means, various of said cycle means being programmed for depositing different numbers of layers of the articles in the receptacles; and control means to make the cycle elements effective selectively, said control means being Adjustable to different settings for packing different numbers of layers in the receptacles, said pickup means comprising two pickup heads to pick up layers of two different complementary patterns, respectively, to form alternate layers in a receptacle, said cycle means being programmed to start the packing of each receptacle with a layer of a given pattern of the two complementary patterns, the two pickup heads moving to the packing station alternately to release layers of the articles and when an odd number of layers is being packed in the receptacle, the cycle means omitting the release operation of one of the two pickup heads between the end of one operating cycle and the beginning of the next operating cycle thereby to cause the packing of each receptacle to start with a layer of said given pattern.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
223 words
In an apparatus for packing different numbers of layers of articles in receptacles wherein pickup means reciprocates laterally and also reciprocates up and down to engage successive layers of the articles from supply means and to release the layers in receptacles at the packing station, the improvement comprising: cycle means including cycle elements operable simultaneously to control the lateral reciprocations of the pickup means, the up and down reciprocations of the pickup means, and the engagement and release of articles by the pickup means, various of said cycle means being programmed for depositing different numbers of layers of the articles in the receptacles; control means to make the cycle elements effective selectively, said control means being adjustable to different settings for packing different numbers of layers in the receptacles; tapered means at the packing station to guide the pickup means into the interior of the receptacles; and a platen to elevate newly arrived empty boxes up to the tapered guide means, said cycle means including at least one cycle element to raise and lower the platen when the receptacles are packed with a given number of layers of the articles, said cycle means further including a second cycle element to control the raising and the lowering of the platen when the receptacles are packed with a different number of layers of the articles.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
223 words
In an apparatus for packing different numbers of layers of articles in receptacles wherein pickup means reciprocates laterally and also reciprocates up and down to engage successive layers of the articles from supply means and to release the layers in receptacles at the packing station, the improvement comprising: cycle means including cycle elements operable simultaneously to control the lateral reciprocations of the pickup means, the up and down reciprocations of the pickup means, and the engagement and release of articles by the pickup means, various of said cycle means being programmed for depositing different numbers of layers of the articles in the receptacles; control means to make the cycle elements effective selectively, said control means being adjustable to different settings for packing different numbers of layers in the receptacles; tapered means at the packing station to guide the pickup means into the interior of the receptacles; and a platen to elevate newly arrived empty boxes up to the tapered guide means, said cycle means including at least one cycle element to raise and lower the platen when the receptacles are packed with a given number of layers of the articles, said cycle means further including a second cycle element to control the raising and the lowering of the platen when the receptacles are packed with a different number of layers of the articles.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
143 words
In an apparatus having an operating cycle wherein pickup means reciprocates laterally and also reciprocates up and down to engage successive layers of articles from supply means and to release the layers in receptacles at a packing station, the improvement comprising: means to sense the position of a receptacle at the packing station; and means to prevent initiation of the operating cycle in response to incorrect positioning of a receptacle at the packing station, said sensing means comprising three switches in series actuated by the receptacles, one of the three switches being a normally closed switch positioned short of the correct position of the receptacle, a second of the three switches being a normally closed switch positioned beyond the correct position of a receptacle, the third switch of the three switches being a normally open switch at the correct position of the receptacle.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
143 words
In an apparatus having an operating cycle wherein pickup means reciprocates laterally and also reciprocates up and down to engage successive layers of articles from supply means and to release the layers in receptacles at a packing station, the improvement comprising: means to sense the position of a receptacle at the packing station; and means to prevent initiation of the operating cycle in response to incorrect positioning of a receptacle at the packing station, said sensing means comprising three switches in series actuated by the receptacles, one of the three switches being a normally closed switch positioned short of the correct position of the receptacle, a second of the three switches being a normally closed switch positioned beyond the correct position of a receptacle, the third switch of the three switches being a normally open switch at the correct position of the receptacle.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
159 words
In an apparatus having an operating cycle wherein pickup means reciprocates laterally and also reciprocates up and down to engage successive layers of articles from supply means and to release the layers in receptacles at a packing station, the improvement comprising: the provision of a plurality of different supply means to supply the articles in layers of different patterns for packing into the receptacles, the supply means of said plurality of supply means being interchangeable in the apparatus; and the provision of a plurality of different pickup means each designed to pick up layers of one of said patterns for release into the receptacles, the pickup means of said plurality of pickup means being interchangeable in the apparatus, whereby the apparatus may be changed over from packing oNe pattern of the articles to packing another pattern of the articles by substituting in the apparatus one supply means for another supply means and one pickup means for another pickup means.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
159 words
In an apparatus having an operating cycle wherein pickup means reciprocates laterally and also reciprocates up and down to engage successive layers of articles from supply means and to release the layers in receptacles at a packing station, the improvement comprising: the provision of a plurality of different supply means to supply the articles in layers of different patterns for packing into the receptacles, the supply means of said plurality of supply means being interchangeable in the apparatus; and the provision of a plurality of different pickup means each designed to pick up layers of one of said patterns for release into the receptacles, the pickup means of said plurality of pickup means being interchangeable in the apparatus, whereby the apparatus may be changed over from packing oNe pattern of the articles to packing another pattern of the articles by substituting in the apparatus one supply means for another supply means and one pickup means for another pickup means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
239 words
A control system for automatic packing apparatus to change over the apparatus to pack different numbers of layers of articles in receptacles of different dimensions with different patterns of the layers, wherein the apparatus has supply means to supply layers of selected patterns of the articles, a carriage to reciprocate between the supply means and a packing station, and pickup means carried by the carriage to pick up the layers of the selected patterns by vacuum action, said pickup means being reciprocative vertically relative to the carriage to pick up the layers at the supply means and to deposit the layers in receptacles at the packing station, said control system comprising: a plurality of cycle elements movable in synchronism through repeated cycles to cause repeated cycles of operation of the apparatus, at least one of the cycle elements being effective to control the delivery of empty receptacles to the packing station, at least one of the cycle elements being effective to control the reciprocations of the carriage, different cycle elements being effective to control the vertical reciprocation of the pickup means, different cycle elements being effective to control the vacuum cycles of the pickup means; and a single master control having different settings to make different combinations of the cycle elements effective during the repeated cycles, each combination of the cycle elements causing the apparatus to pack a given number of layers in a receptacle of a given size.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
239 words
A control system for automatic packing apparatus to change over the apparatus to pack different numbers of layers of articles in receptacles of different dimensions with different patterns of the layers, wherein the apparatus has supply means to supply layers of selected patterns of the articles, a carriage to reciprocate between the supply means and a packing station, and pickup means carried by the carriage to pick up the layers of the selected patterns by vacuum action, said pickup means being reciprocative vertically relative to the carriage to pick up the layers at the supply means and to deposit the layers in receptacles at the packing station, said control system comprising: a plurality of cycle elements movable in synchronism through repeated cycles to cause repeated cycles of operation of the apparatus, at least one of the cycle elements being effective to control the delivery of empty receptacles to the packing station, at least one of the cycle elements being effective to control the reciprocations of the carriage, different cycle elements being effective to control the vertical reciprocation of the pickup means, different cycle elements being effective to control the vacuum cycles of the pickup means; and a single master control having different settings to make different combinations of the cycle elements effective during the repeated cycles, each combination of the cycle elements causing the apparatus to pack a given number of layers in a receptacle of a given size.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
26 words
A control system as set forth in claim 31 in which some of the cycle elements are common to all of said combinations of cycle elements.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
141 words
A control system as set forth in claim 32 in which a given interval of time is required for the apparatus to pick up a layer of the articles at the supply means and to deposit the layer of articles in a receptacle at the packing station; in which the carriage reciprocates once in each of said intervals of time; in which a first given number of time intervals is required to pack a receptacle with a given number of layers; in which a second given number of the time intervals is required to pack a receptacle with a different number of layers; and in which one cycle of said plurality of cycle elements occurs in a number of said time intervals which is a multiple of said first given number and is also a multiple of said second given number.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
38 words
A control system as set forth in claim 33 in which one cycle of said plurality of cycle elements occurs in a number of cycles which is the least common denominator of said first and second given numbers.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
38 words
A control system as set forth in claim 33 in which said plurality of cycle elements includes a cycle element effective to arrange the articles in layer patterns at the supply means during each of said time intervals.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
72 words
A control system as set forth in claim 33 in which a platen is provided to raise and lower receptacles at the packing station; in which one of the cycle elements is effective to raise and lower the platen once in said first given number of time intervals; and in which a second cycle element is effective to raise and lower the platen once in said second given number of time intervals.
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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) | 1974-07-05 | 1975-01-04 | 1975-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-05 | 1979-01-04 | 1979-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-05 | 1983-01-04 | 1983-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |