US3591041A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Denesting machine
Assignee: True Plastic Corp
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Filing: 1969-01-31
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Granted: 1971-07-06
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Expires: 1989-01-31
Abstract
Abstract A machine for denesting and dispensing individual containers comprising a magazine for holding a stack of containers, conveying means for delivering additional stacks of containers to the magazine, and a release mechanism mounted for reciprocal movement transversely to the bottom end of the magazine for selectively denesting and discharging individual containers from the magazine. The reciprocal release mechanism comprises oppositely mounted members which are alternately inserted between the two lowermost containers in the magazine so as to release only the lowermost container while holding the balance of the stack within the magazine.
Inventors
- 👤 Santo Digrande
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 00:30
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F11/00; G07F11/02; G07F11/04; G07F11/12; G07F11/16; G07F11/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
A machine for denesting and dispensing individual baskets from a stack of baskets which are characterized by side panels having an open-grid construction made up of substantially vertical struts and horizontal side rails and which when stacked in nested fashion are vertically spaced so that the upper edges of the side panels of each lower basket lie below horizontal rails of the side panels of the next higher basket, said machine comprising: a vertical magazine for containing and supporting at least one stack of said baskets, and a release mechanism mounted for reciprocal movement transversely to the bottom end of said magazine, said mechanism comprising means for releasing only the lowermost basket from said magazine while supporting the next-to-the-lowermost basket and all baskets above it within the magazine, said release mechanism comprising a plate disposed to move below said stack in supporting relation therewith and at least one fork unit mounted for movement into an exposed opening of said next-tothe-lowermost basket, said fork unit and plate being arranged so that said fork unit may support said next-to-the-lowermost basket and all baskets above it as said plate moves out from under the lowermost basket, to be supported by said plate whereby said lowermost basket may be discharged from said stack.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
A machine for denesting and dispensing individual baskets from a stack of baskets which are characterized by side panels having an open-grid construction made up of substantially vertical struts and horizontal side rails and which when stacked in nested fashion are vertically spaced so that the upper edges of the side panels of each lower basket lie below horizontal rails of the side panels of the next higher basket, said machine comprising: a vertical magazine for containing and supporting at least one stack of said baskets, and a release mechanism mounted for reciprocal movement transversely to the bottom end of said magazine, said mechanism comprising means for releasing only the lowermost basket from said magazine while supporting the next-to-the-lowermost basket and all baskets above it within the magazine, said release mechanism comprising a plate disposed to move below said stack in supporting relation therewith and at least one fork unit mounted for movement into an exposed opening of said next-tothe-lowermost basket, said fork unit and plate being arranged so that said fork unit may support said next-to-the-lowermost basket and all baskets above it as said plate moves out from under the lowermost basket, to be supported by said plate whereby said lowermost basket may be discharged from said stack.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
135 words
A machine according to claim 1 wherein said release mechanism comprises opposed fork units and a plate which is fixably located between but at a lower level than the fork units, the space between said fork units being large enough to permit downward movement of the baskets from the magazine onto said plate when the forks units are moved to a first predetermined position, said plate also being at a level such that when the stack of baskets is resting thereon, said exposed openings in the side panels of said next-to-the-lowermost basket are in line with said fork units, and further including means for reciprocating said release mechanism so that each successive lowermost basket is released by said plate as one of said opposed fork units is inserted into said opening in said next-to-the-lowermost basket.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A machine as described in claim 2 further including means coupled to each fork unit for producing a downwardly acting force when said each fork unit is inserted within said exposed openings so as to pry apart the lowermost basket from the stack.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
84 words
A machine of claim 2 further including means for indexing successive stacks of baskets to said magazine, said means for indexing comprising a conveyor for carrying said stacks to said magazine, first means for preventing movement of said stack by said conveyor, and second means for operating said first means so as to permit movement of said stacks by said conveyor, and third means for actuating said second means when the supply of baskets in said magazine has been depleted by a predetermined amount.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
A machine according to claim 1 further including: means connecting said plate and said at least one fork unit so that said plate and said at least one fork unit are adapted to move in synchronism with one another; and means for effecting reciprocal movement of said plate and said at least one fork unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
A machine according to claim 3 wherein said means for producing a downwardly acting acting force is an elongate spring member having one end affixed to said fork unit and the other end free to bend away from said fork unit and further including means for bending each spring member away from each fork unit as said each fork unit penetrates said stack.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
125 words
A machine for denesting and dispensing individual containers from a stack of containers, said machine comprising: a vertical magazine for containing and supporting at least one stack of said containers; and a release mechanism adapted to release only the lowermost container from said mechanism while supporting the next-to-the-lowermost container and all containers above it within the magazine, said release mechanism comprising a carriage mounted for reciprocal movement transversely to the bottom end of said magazine and provided with first means disposed to move under said stack to support the same and second means disposed to engage said stack to simultaneously release only the lowermost container and support the next-to-the-lowermost container and all containers above it when said first means moves out from under said stack.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
125 words
A machine for denesting and dispensing individual containers from a stack of containers, said machine comprising: a vertical magazine for containing and supporting at least one stack of said containers; and a release mechanism adapted to release only the lowermost container from said mechanism while supporting the next-to-the-lowermost container and all containers above it within the magazine, said release mechanism comprising a carriage mounted for reciprocal movement transversely to the bottom end of said magazine and provided with first means disposed to move under said stack to support the same and second means disposed to engage said stack to simultaneously release only the lowermost container and support the next-to-the-lowermost container and all containers above it when said first means moves out from under said stack.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A machine according to claim 7 wherein said first means includes a plate and said second means includes spaced opposed fork units with said plate being located between and below said fork units.
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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 |