US3601282A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for dispensing flanged elements from a stack thereof
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-06-23
•
Granted: 1971-08-24
•
Expires: 1989-06-23
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus is disclosed for dispensing such flanged elements as trays and plates from a stack thereof. The apparatus has a pair of units spaced apart to receive the stack between them and each unit includes a pair of blades vertically spaced by a distance equal to the thickness of the margins of the elements and movable into and out of margin supporting position. Operating means provide a cycle in which the stack is first supported by the upper blades, then by the lower blades, the upper blades then returned to their supporting position and the lower blades retracted to release the lowermost element. When the lowermost elements may adhere to the stack, pry means are provided to become operative when the lower blades are retracted. Fluidpressure and cam-operated embodiments of the apparatus are detailed.
Inventors
- 👤 Leo G Vogel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 22:03
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G59/00; B65G59/10; B65G59/105
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
Apparatus for dispensing elements from a stack thereof, the elements being of the type having flanges between which blades may be inserted, said apparatus comprising a pair of units spaced apart to receive the elements between them, each unit including upper and lower blades, and means separately connecting the upper and lower blades to the appropriate units with the distance between them equal to the flange thickness of an elemEnt and with corresponding blades of the units being transversely aligned with and disposed towards each other and movable between advanced operative positions in which they underlie the flange of an element and retracted inoperative positions in which they are disengaged therefrom, and means in control of the blades providing that the upper and lower blades of both units are first operatively positioned with the stack supported by the upper blades, the upper blades are retracted to permit the stack to drop and be supported by the lower blades, the upper blades are again operatively positioned and finally the lower blades are retracted to release the lowermost element, the upper blade of at least one of the units including a transversely pivoted intermediate section yieldably held in alignment with the lower blade thereof, and means connected to and movable with the lower blade thereof and operable to pivot said section as an elementreleasing pry when the lower blades are retracted.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
229 words
Apparatus for dispensing elements from a stack thereof, the elements being of the type having flanges between which blades may be inserted, said apparatus comprising a pair of units spaced apart to receive the elements between them, each unit including upper and lower blades, and means separately connecting the upper and lower blades to the appropriate units with the distance between them equal to the flange thickness of an elemEnt and with corresponding blades of the units being transversely aligned with and disposed towards each other and movable between advanced operative positions in which they underlie the flange of an element and retracted inoperative positions in which they are disengaged therefrom, and means in control of the blades providing that the upper and lower blades of both units are first operatively positioned with the stack supported by the upper blades, the upper blades are retracted to permit the stack to drop and be supported by the lower blades, the upper blades are again operatively positioned and finally the lower blades are retracted to release the lowermost element, the upper blade of at least one of the units including a transversely pivoted intermediate section yieldably held in alignment with the lower blade thereof, and means connected to and movable with the lower blade thereof and operable to pivot said section as an elementreleasing pry when the lower blades are retracted.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the lower blade includes sections that are spaced apart by a distance such that the pry blade section may swing downwardly between them.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the pry blade section includes a stop member on its undersurface that is exposed for engagement by a tray if it adheres to the lower blade as the lower blade is retracted.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which each upper blade includes a depending stop exposed for engagement by a tray if it adheres to a lower blade as the lower blades are retracted.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the upper blade of at least one of the units includes a transversely pivoted section provided with a rearward, downwardly disposed cam portion, and the lower blade includes an upwardly disposed cam portion coacting with the cam portion of the upper blade section as the lower blade is retracted thereby to pivot the upper blade section as an element-releasing pry.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the pry blade section is counterweighted.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and spring means yieldably urging the pry blade section into alignment with the remainder of the upper blade.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
81 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the blade control means includes cam carried by each unit, one for each blade and including a driving connection with the other, each blade includes a cam follower in operative engagement with the appropriate one of the cams, a driving connection between corresponding cams of the two units, one unit is adjustable towards and away from the other unit, the driving connection includes a shaft consisting of telescopic sections of a mating noncircular section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 8 in which the driving connection includes a shaft, a gear on each end of said shaft, said shaft having an elongated keyway for one of said gears, and said one gear including a part entrant of said keyway.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the means in control of the blades include fluid-pressure-operated devices, one for each blade and connected thereto, a source of fluid under pressure, and means to connect said devices to said source in predetermined order.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 9 in which the fluid pressure devices are double-acting piston-cylinder units.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 10 in which the piston of each unit is adjustably connected to the appropriate one of the blades.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 10 and bleeder valves for each device, and cam means for operating the bleeder valves in a predetermined manner.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 12 and an air motor including a drive for the cams operating the bleeder valves.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which each unit includes upper and lower slideways and the blades include mounts, one slidable in the upper slideway and one slidable in the lower slideway, one of the slideways is movable relative to the other to vary the spacing of the blades, and adjustable means limits the extent to which the slideways may move Toward each other.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 14 in which one of the slideways of each unit is pivoted at its rear to swing upwardly and downwardly relative to the other slideway of that unit, and a threaded connection between first portions of the slideways is operable to establish and maintain the desired spacing between the blades.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 16 in which the base includes vertical walls having lengthwise, transversely aligned slots and the slidable unit includes supports extending through the slots.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which each unit includes a reciprocable member for each blade and each blade is connected thereto to enable its operative position to be advanced or retracted.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which each unit includes a reciprocable member for each blade and each blade is connected thereto to enable its operative position to be advanced or retracted to enable its vertical position to be varied.
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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) | 1974-08-23 | 1975-02-22 | 1975-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-23 | 1979-02-22 | 1979-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-23 | 1983-02-22 | 1983-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |