US3618937A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vacuum conveyor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1968-07-25
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Granted: 1971-11-09
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Expires: 1988-07-25
Abstract
Abstract A vacuum conveyor having a plenum chamber has a zigzag bottom with planar walls having openings which are normally closed by sheetlike main flaps. The leading edge of a sheet engages pilot valve flaps on the main flaps to first open the pilot valve flaps and then engages and opens the main flaps.
Inventors
- 👤 William E Follett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 17:47
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H5/00; B65H5/22; B65H5/222; B65H5/224; B65H29/00; B65H29/26; B65H29/32; G; G06; G06K; G06K13/00; G06K13/02; G06K13/07; G06K13/073; G06K13/08; G06K13/10; G06K13/107
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
In a vacuum conveyor, A PLENUM CHAMBER HAVING A PAIR OF SIDEWALLS AND ZIGZAG BOTTOM WALL MEANS INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF PRIMARILY VERTICAL FIXED PLANAR WALLS HAVING OPENINGS THEREIN, MEANS FOR CREATING A VACUUM IN THE CHAMBER, A PLURALITY OF SHEETLIKE FLAPS ADAPTED TO COVER THE OPENINGS, AND A PLURALITY OF HINGE MEANS SUSPENDING THE FLAPS ON HORIZONTAL AXES PIVOTALLY BETWEEN POSITIONS CLOSING THE OPENINGS AND POSITIONS SPACED AWAY FROM THE OPENINGS, MEANS FOR MOVING A SHEET EDGEWISE IN A PREDETERMINED DIRECTION ALONG THE LOWER EDGES OF THE SIDEWALLS, THE FLAPS HAVING ACTUATOR PORTIONS EXTENDING BELOW THE BOTTOM WALL MEANS AND ENGAGEABLE BY THE LEADING EDGE OF THE SHEET AND MOVABLE BY THE LEADING EDGE OF THE SHEET TO MOVE THE FLAPS AWAY FROM THE OPENINGS,
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
In a vacuum conveyor, A PLENUM CHAMBER HAVING A PAIR OF SIDEWALLS AND ZIGZAG BOTTOM WALL MEANS INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF PRIMARILY VERTICAL FIXED PLANAR WALLS HAVING OPENINGS THEREIN, MEANS FOR CREATING A VACUUM IN THE CHAMBER, A PLURALITY OF SHEETLIKE FLAPS ADAPTED TO COVER THE OPENINGS, AND A PLURALITY OF HINGE MEANS SUSPENDING THE FLAPS ON HORIZONTAL AXES PIVOTALLY BETWEEN POSITIONS CLOSING THE OPENINGS AND POSITIONS SPACED AWAY FROM THE OPENINGS, MEANS FOR MOVING A SHEET EDGEWISE IN A PREDETERMINED DIRECTION ALONG THE LOWER EDGES OF THE SIDEWALLS, THE FLAPS HAVING ACTUATOR PORTIONS EXTENDING BELOW THE BOTTOM WALL MEANS AND ENGAGEABLE BY THE LEADING EDGE OF THE SHEET AND MOVABLE BY THE LEADING EDGE OF THE SHEET TO MOVE THE FLAPS AWAY FROM THE OPENINGS,
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The vacuum conveyor means of claim 1 including pilot valve means carried by the flaps in positions covering pilot valve openings in the flaps and feeler means engageable by the sheet for openings the pilot valve means prior to engagement of the flap by the sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The vacuum conveyor of claim 1 wherein the planar walls are substantially vertical.
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) | 1974-11-08 | 1975-05-10 | 1975-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-08 | 1979-05-10 | 1979-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-08 | 1983-05-10 | 1983-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |