US3601951A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for introducing bottles into crates or the like
Assignee: Holstein und Kappert Maschinenfabrik Phonix GmbH
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Filing: 1969-05-15
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Granted: 1971-08-31
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Expires: 1989-05-15
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for introducing arrayed bottles into crates comprises an arraying table which receives randomly distributed bottles from an upper feed conveyor and includes devices for arranging the bottles in a series of rows so that the foremost bottle of each row advances toward and tilts one of a series of control levers. When all of the levers are tilted by the bottles of the resulting array on the table, they permit a light-sensitive signal generator to actuate a transfer unit which comprises pneumatically operated grippers movable along a path having vertical, horizontal and downwardly inclined portions. The grippers then move downwardly to engage the bottles of an array, upwardly above the table, sideways along a horizontal, thereupon along a downwardly inclined and finally along a vertical portion of the path to introduce the array into a crate which is held in raised position by a vertically reciprocable platform forming part of a lower feed conveyor which advances empty crates to receiving positions located below and laterally adjacent to the arraying table. The crates are staggered during movement with the second feed conveyor, and the apparatus is further provided with guides which engage and guide the bottles of an array during downward movement with the grippers toward a raised crate.
Inventors
- 👤 Gunther Bargel
- 👤 Robert Eggert
- 👤 Wilhelm Kurtenbach
- 👤 Helmut Lorken
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:37
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B21/00; B65B21/02; B65B21/14; B65B21/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
Apparatus for introducing bottles or like articles into crates or analogous receptacles, comprising first feed conveyor means arranged to advance a supply of randomly distributed articles in at least one predetermined direction; arraying means positioned to receive articles from said first feed conveyor means and to assemble such articles into a succession of arrays, said arraying means comprising a support provided with arraying members arranged to guide the articles in the form of plural rows and control means for arresting the foremost articles of such rows so that at least the thus arrested foremost articles of the rows form an array; second feed conveyor means arranged to advance empty receptacles to a receiving position laterally adjacent to and at a level below said arraying means and including means for lifting empty receptacles above said receiving position; and transfer means including grippers operative to engage the articles of an array on said support and to deposit such articles in raised receptacles, and drive means for moving said grippers between positions of registry with the articles of an array on said support and positions of registry with receptacles above said receiving positions along a composite path located partly in a vertical plane, partly in a horizontal plane and partly in an inclined plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
211 words
Apparatus for introducing bottles or like articles into crates or analogous receptacles, comprising first feed conveyor means arranged to advance a supply of randomly distributed articles in at least one predetermined direction; arraying means positioned to receive articles from said first feed conveyor means and to assemble such articles into a succession of arrays, said arraying means comprising a support provided with arraying members arranged to guide the articles in the form of plural rows and control means for arresting the foremost articles of such rows so that at least the thus arrested foremost articles of the rows form an array; second feed conveyor means arranged to advance empty receptacles to a receiving position laterally adjacent to and at a level below said arraying means and including means for lifting empty receptacles above said receiving position; and transfer means including grippers operative to engage the articles of an array on said support and to deposit such articles in raised receptacles, and drive means for moving said grippers between positions of registry with the articles of an array on said support and positions of registry with receptacles above said receiving positions along a composite path located partly in a vertical plane, partly in a horizontal plane and partly in an inclined plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said predetermined direction is inclined with reference to said rows and wherein said arraying means further comprises deflecting means for changing the direction of travel of articles during movement from said first feed conveyor means onto said support.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
109 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said control members comprise levers and said arraying means further comprises a horizontal shaft normal to said rows and rockably supporting said levers, each of said levers having a first arm normally extending into the path of movement of the foremost article in a row on said support and a second arm normally extending across the path of a light beam emitted by a fixed light source, a signal generator positioned to receive light from said source and to thereby start the drive means for said grippers when all of said levers are rocked by the foremost articles of the respective rows.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said support comprises a plurality of endless conveyors having upper stringers arranged to advance rows of articles toward said control means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said arraying members comprise plates extending between said rows of articles on said support and means for moving said plates with reference to said support.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said transfer means further comprises a carrier connected with said drive means, a support for said grippers, and means for releasably coupling said last-mentioned support to said carrier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising staggering means for intermittently admitting empty receptacles to said receiving pOsition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said second feed conveyor means comprises a driven shaft, a cam provided on said shaft, and a motor controlled by said cam, said staggering means comprising a stop movable by said motor into and from the path of movement of empty receptacles in synchronism with operation of said second feed conveyor means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising adjustable stop means for said second feed conveyor means arranged to move between a plurality of positions each of which corresponds to a setting of said second feed conveyor means for delivery of differently dimensioned receptacles to said receiving position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said stop means comprises a limit switch and further comprising elongated guide means and clamping means releasably securing said limit switch to said guide means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
99 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said grippers comprises a fluid-operated article-engaging portion and a rigid elongated tubular portion having a lower end connected with the respective article-engaging portion and an upper end tiltably supported by a carrier of said transfer means, said tubular portions of said grippers being movable up and down against and under the bias of resilient means, each of said grippers further comprising additional resilient means yieldably opposing tilting movements of the respective tubular portion, each of said tubular portions being arranged to supply a fluid medium to the respective article-engaging portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said grippers comprises a fluid-operated article-engaging portion and each of said article-engaging portions comprises a hollow centering portion and a diaphragm received in the respective centering portion and arranged to contract and to engage a portion of an article in response to admission of fluid into a chamber provided between such diaphragm and the respective centering portion, each of said diaphragms having a plurality of projections abutting against the respective centering portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
99 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said transfer means comprises a carrier arranged to support said grippers for movement up and down, switching means provided on said carrier and displaceable with reference thereto in response to upward movement of a gripper when the latter meets an obstruction during lowering into engagement with an article of an array on said support, and means for arresting said drive means in response to displacement of said switching means, said transfer means further comprising resilient means for biasing said switching means downwardly, said switching means comprising a plate connected with said grippers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a safety device operative to arrest said drive means in response to interference with movement of said grippers, said safety device comprising a normally idle safety switch for said drive means and cable means encircling the area accommodating said grippers and operatively connected with said safety switch to operate the same in response to flexing of said cable means.
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) | 1974-08-30 | 1975-03-01 | 1975-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-30 | 1979-03-01 | 1979-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-30 | 1983-03-01 | 1983-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |