US3598268A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Article conveying and loading machine
Assignee: AMF Inc
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Filing: 1969-05-14
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Granted: 1971-08-10
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Expires: 1989-05-14
Abstract
Abstract The machine is a loader for a cigarette packer in which a pivoted container conveyor is capable of swinging down to a loading position and swinging up to an inclined position and thereafter to a ready position adjacent a discharge position. A clamp arrangement is provided for holding a container at the discharge position while it is emptying and for conveying an empty tray from the discharge position to a take away path. Turning mechanism is provided so that the tray in the ready position is pivoted into the discharge position as soon as the empty tray has cleared the discharge position on removal therefrom.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy Wallace
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 00:26
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24C; A24C5/00; A24C5/35; A24C5/352; A24C5/356
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A machine for the sequential conveying of a series of containers to and away from a discharge position, comprising a carrier adapted to receive a container pivotally mounted on a shaft and axially slidable thereon and conveying said container laterally from a tray receiving position to a ready position adjacent said discharge position, a second device for conveying a discharged container from the discharge position to an outlet path for the empty containers, a sprocket and chain arrangement coupled to rotate said shaft and driven by a pair of rams to move said carrier from the ready position to the discharge position on removal of the discharged container from the discharge position and a container conveyor provided for moving the containers towards the tray receiving position, wherein said carrier is pivotable into a lowered position which is the tray-receiving position, above one end of the container conveyor, into a raised inclined position at which lateral movement takes place into the ready position; and into an upright position which is the discharge position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A machine for the sequential conveying of a series of containers to and away from a discharge position, comprising a carrier adapted to receive a container pivotally mounted on a shaft and axially slidable thereon and conveying said container laterally from a tray receiving position to a ready position adjacent said discharge position, a second device for conveying a discharged container from the discharge position to an outlet path for the empty containers, a sprocket and chain arrangement coupled to rotate said shaft and driven by a pair of rams to move said carrier from the ready position to the discharge position on removal of the discharged container from the discharge position and a container conveyor provided for moving the containers towards the tray receiving position, wherein said carrier is pivotable into a lowered position which is the tray-receiving position, above one end of the container conveyor, into a raised inclined position at which lateral movement takes place into the ready position; and into an upright position which is the discharge position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein means are provided for moving said carrier laterally along the shaft comprising a lever pivotally connected at one end to a fixed part of the machine and to the carrier by means of a link, and a ram interposed between the machine and said lever.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
90 words
A machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein means are provided for moving said carrier laterally along the shaft comprising a two-way acting ram mounted on the machine beneath the shaft on which the carrier is mounted, said ram having a double-ended piston rod carrying at each end a pulley, and a chain passing over the pulleys, the ends of the chain extending towards each other and being connected to a fixed part of the machine, said chain being connected between its ends to a bearing member for said carrier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
A machine as claimed in claim 3 wherein said second device comprises a clamp pivotally mounted on a shaft of a rotary actuator, said clamp being adapted to grip the tray at the discharge position for retaining said tray in said discharge position and for moving the tray from said discharge position to the outlet path by swinging through an angle of 180* on actuation of said rotary actuator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A machine as claimed in claim 4, including switching mechanism whereby the carrier shaft is rotated to move the carrier into the discharge position at the moment the rotary actuator has swung an empty tray out of the dischArge position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A machine as claimed in claim 5 where the carrier is provided with a slidable bottom wall and mechanism for effecting sliding of said bottom wall at the moment the carrier arrives in the discharge position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
A machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein said mechanism for effecting sliding comprises a pair of forked arms pivotally mounted on the carrier and engaging pins extending from the ends of the bottom wall, a spring for urging said forked arms in a direction tending to slide said bottom wall into an open position, and release mechanism for preventing pivoting of said forked arms until the carrier arrives in the discharge position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
A machine as claimed in claim 7 wherein said outlet path comprises a take away conveyor extending rearwardly of the machine and comprising a pusher arm capable of reciprocation by means of a ram arranged to operate after release of the empty tray by the clamp to move the empty tray on to the take away conveyor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A machine as claimed in claim 3 wherein the second device is a clamp slidably mounted on a shaft between the discharge position and the outlet path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
A machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein said clamp comprises a casing slidable on said shaft, clamp jaws pivotally mounted on said casing and extending downwardly from said casing in the clamping position on the tray, and a ram connected by levers and links to said clamp jaws.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
A machine as claimed in claim 10 wherein switching mechanism is provided whereby the carrier shaft is rotated to move the carrier into the discharge position at the moment driving mechanism for said clamp has moved the latter and the tray held thereby out of the discharge position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
128 words
A machine as claimed in claim 11 wherein the carrier is provided with a slidable bottom wall and mechanism for effecting sliding thereof comprising a pair of forked arms pivotally mounted at the corner and engaging pins extending from the ends of the bottom wall, a spring for urging said forked arms in a direction tending to slide said bottom wall into an open position, and release mechanism for preventing pivoting of said forked arms until the carrier arrives at the discharge position, said release mechanism including a notched disc arranged to rotate with the forked arms and a detent engageable with the notch and releasable by a release member when the latter comes into contact with a stop on arrival of the carrier into the discharge position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
A machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein a cam is provided fixed to the machine which cam is engageable by a follower rigidly attached to said disc to return it to a position at which it is held by the detent as the carrier moves away from the discharge position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
A machine as claimed in claim 13 wherein the outlet path comprises a further clamp which is rotatable through 180*, the clamp jaws thereof extending upwardly when gripping the empty tray conveyed to the outlet path by the laterally sliding clamp and downwardly when the rotatable clamp has rotated through 180*.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
A machine as claimed in claim 14, wherein said outlet path further comprises a chute with spring-loaded sides for retarding the fall of the empty tray after release by the rotatable clamp.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
A machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein a take away conveyor is provided beneath the full tray conveyor, and a pusher device operated by a ram is provided to move the empty tray from the bottom of the chute onto the take away conveyor which conveys the tray forwards for removal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
56 words
A machine as claimed in claim 16 wherein said outlet path comprises a take away conveyor extending rearwardly of the machine and comprising a pusher arm capable of reciprocation by a ram arranged to operate after release of an empty tray by the laterally slidable clamp, to move the empty tray onto the take away conveyor.
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) | 1974-08-09 | 1975-02-08 | 1975-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-09 | 1979-02-08 | 1979-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-09 | 1983-02-08 | 1983-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |