US3603441A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for sensing the orientation of flat article having a raised portion one side thereof
Assignee: AT&T Inc
•
Filing: 1970-02-27
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Granted: 1971-09-07
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Expires: 1990-02-27
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus senses the orientation of a flat article having a raised portion on one side thereof by forcing the article against a wall where a valve stem is depressed if the raised portion faces the wall. A valve enclosing a chamber is opened by the depression of the valve stem to release fluid pressure from within the chamber. Pressure-sensing facilities operated by the fluid pressure in the chamber control an orientating mechanism to insure that all articles are placed into a predetermined orientation.
Inventors
- 👤 Willie T Ansell
- 👤 James C Mcconnell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:09
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/22; B65G47/24; B65G47/256
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
An apparatus for sensing the orientation of a flat article having a raised portion on one side comprising: a guiding and indexing means for feeding the articles, one at a time, through a passageway past a substantially flat wall at a sensing station; a chamber; a valve member forming one wall of the chamber; means for biasing the valve member to close the chamber; a valve stem extending from the valve member with the end of the valve stem being substantially flush with the wall at the sensing station when the valve is closed; means for injecting fluid from a pressurized source into the chamber; means cooperating with the guiding and indexing means for forcing an article against the wall to depress the valve stem and to open the valve member when the raised portion of the article faces the wall; and means cooperating the article forcing means for sensing the fluid pressure in the chamber to indicate the orientation of the article.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
163 words
An apparatus for sensing the orientation of a flat article having a raised portion on one side comprising: a guiding and indexing means for feeding the articles, one at a time, through a passageway past a substantially flat wall at a sensing station; a chamber; a valve member forming one wall of the chamber; means for biasing the valve member to close the chamber; a valve stem extending from the valve member with the end of the valve stem being substantially flush with the wall at the sensing station when the valve is closed; means for injecting fluid from a pressurized source into the chamber; means cooperating with the guiding and indexing means for forcing an article against the wall to depress the valve stem and to open the valve member when the raised portion of the article faces the wall; and means cooperating the article forcing means for sensing the fluid pressure in the chamber to indicate the orientation of the article.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, including: means controlled by the sensing means for orienting all articles into a predetermined orientation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, including: a first twisted passageway extending from the sensing station for rotating articles with a first orientation into a predetermined orientation; a second twisted passageway extending from the sensing station for rotating articles with a second orientation into the predetermined orientation; and means operated by the sensing means for selectively directing the articles into the first and second twisted passageways.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the selectively directing means includes: a nozzle for emitting a fluid at an article to urge the article into the first twisted passageway; and a valve means controlled by the sensing means for selectively applying fluid from a pressurized fluid source through the nozzle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3144740A
Cited
US3460664A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-06 | 1975-03-08 | 1975-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-06 | 1979-03-08 | 1979-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-06 | 1983-03-08 | 1983-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |