US3602378A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Article feeding apparatus
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
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Filing: 1969-11-10
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Granted: 1971-08-31
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Expires: 1989-11-10
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus having a movable shuttle with a movable slicing block and separating means for separately and individually removing an article from an article stack.
Inventors
- 👤 James K Thompson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:59
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G59/00; B65G59/10; B65G59/105; B65G59/106; B65G59/06; B65G59/067
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
345 words
An apparatus having an article reservoir for separately and individually removing an elongated article from an article stack positioned within the reservoir at preselected intervals, comprising: a shuttle in contact with and movable relative to articles stacked within the reservoir; power means for moving the shuttle between a first position adjacent a first end portion of the reservoir and a second position adjacent a second end portion of the reservoir; a separating element fixedly attached to an upper surface of the carriage and extending upwardly therefrom with an end of said element extending between and separating portions of a first article from an adjacent second article of the article stack in the first position of the shuttle; a slicer block having first and second end portions and being movably mounted on the shuttle for movement between a first position at which the first end portion of the block is adjacent an end of only the lowermost article in the reservoir and a second position at which the first end portion of the block is at a lower elevation than the lowermost article in the reservoir; a stack lifter having first and second end portions and being movably mounted on the shuttle for movement between a first position at which the first end portion of the lifter is at a lower elevation than the lowermost article in the reservoir and a second position at which the first end portion of the lifter is extended relative to the shuttle for contacting the lowermost article in the reservoir and moving the article stack upwardly a distance sufficient to position a portion of the lowermost article of the article stack at a higher elevation than the separating element; means fOr moving the slicer block to the first position at the first position of the shuttle; means for moving the slicer block to the second position at the second position of the shuttle; means urging the stack lifter to the first position; and means for moving the stack lifter to the second position at the second position of the shuttle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
345 words
An apparatus having an article reservoir for separately and individually removing an elongated article from an article stack positioned within the reservoir at preselected intervals, comprising: a shuttle in contact with and movable relative to articles stacked within the reservoir; power means for moving the shuttle between a first position adjacent a first end portion of the reservoir and a second position adjacent a second end portion of the reservoir; a separating element fixedly attached to an upper surface of the carriage and extending upwardly therefrom with an end of said element extending between and separating portions of a first article from an adjacent second article of the article stack in the first position of the shuttle; a slicer block having first and second end portions and being movably mounted on the shuttle for movement between a first position at which the first end portion of the block is adjacent an end of only the lowermost article in the reservoir and a second position at which the first end portion of the block is at a lower elevation than the lowermost article in the reservoir; a stack lifter having first and second end portions and being movably mounted on the shuttle for movement between a first position at which the first end portion of the lifter is at a lower elevation than the lowermost article in the reservoir and a second position at which the first end portion of the lifter is extended relative to the shuttle for contacting the lowermost article in the reservoir and moving the article stack upwardly a distance sufficient to position a portion of the lowermost article of the article stack at a higher elevation than the separating element; means fOr moving the slicer block to the first position at the first position of the shuttle; means for moving the slicer block to the second position at the second position of the shuttle; means urging the stack lifter to the first position; and means for moving the stack lifter to the second position at the second position of the shuttle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, including an article gate having an opening positioned adjacent the second end portion of the reservoir and constructed to maintain a portion of the articles within the reservoir while passing the lowermost article from the reservoir in response to movement of the shuttle from the first toward the second position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, including controlling means for interrupting the shuttle moving between the first toward the second position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
92 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for moving the slicer block from the first to the second position is a first cam positioned adjacent the slicer block at the second position of the shuttle in the pathway of the second end portion of the block and the means for moving the slicer block from the second to the first position is a second cam positioned adjacent the slicer block at the first position of the shuttle in the pathway of the second end portion of the block.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for moving the stack lifter from the first to the second position is a third cam positioned adjacent the stack lifter at the second position of the shuttle in the pathway of the second end portion of the stack lifter and the means for moving the stack lifter from the second to the first position is a biasing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, including a magnet mounted on an upper surface of the shuttle for urging the lowermost article into forceful contact with the shuttle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 6, wherein the upper surface of the shuttle has a configuration substantially the same as the lower surface of the elongated articles.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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 |