Patent US3622017A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3622017A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Control system for collating apparatus
Assignee: Graham Packaging Plastic Products Inc
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Filing: 1969-12-12
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Granted: 1971-11-23
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Expires: 1989-12-12
Abstract
Abstract A control unit for an article-collating apparatus having elevator means for shifting a pair of rows of articles from an accumulator position to a storage position, with the control unit including a counter mechanism for each row for determining when a predetermined number of articles are present in each row in the accumulator position and for thereafter actuating the elevator means. Each counter mechanism has a counting ratchet, a row isolating cam and a sequencing cam mounted in ganged relationship on a common shaft, there being a counting element response to each article for actuating the ratchet to step the counter mechanism one position. A row-isolating stop is actuated in response to the presence of a predetermined number of articles in each row, and when the row-isolating stop is actuated, additional articles are prevented from entering the accumulation position. After the predetermined number of articles have accumulated in each row, the elevating mechanism is actuated, and following the completion of the transferring of the rows of articles to the storage position, an actuating mechanism thereby enabling operates each sequencing cam to advance the counter mechanism thereby enabling the counter mechanism to complete a further counting cycle.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin Meuller
- 👤 Bernard Zurhoefer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:34
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G57/00; B65G57/02; B65G57/16; B65G57/165; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/10; Y10S414/115
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A control unit for an article-collating apparatus having means for transferring a row of articles from an accumulation position to a storage position comprising: a counter mechanism having a counting ratchet, a row-isolating cam and a sequencing cam operating in ganged relation, a counting element responsive to each article for actuating said ratchet to step said counter mechanism one position, a row-isolating stop responsive to said row-isolating cam after said counter mechanism advances a predetermined number of positions indicative of the completion of a row to block counting of additional articles, means conditioning said transferring means for actuation after the completion of a row for transferring said row to said storage position, and an actuator for said sequencing cam to advance said counter mechanism after transfer of a counted row to enable a further counting cycle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A control unit for an article-collating apparatus having means for transferring a row of articles from an accumulation position to a storage position comprising: a counter mechanism having a counting ratchet, a row-isolating cam and a sequencing cam operating in ganged relation, a counting element responsive to each article for actuating said ratchet to step said counter mechanism one position, a row-isolating stop responsive to said row-isolating cam after said counter mechanism advances a predetermined number of positions indicative of the completion of a row to block counting of additional articles, means conditioning said transferring means for actuation after the completion of a row for transferring said row to said storage position, and an actuator for said sequencing cam to advance said counter mechanism after transfer of a counted row to enable a further counting cycle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
A control unit in accordance with claim 1 and including an independently operable second duplicate counter mechanism for controlling counting and transfer of a companion row of articles, a second counting element for the counting ratchet of said second counter mechanism, a second row-isolating stop responsive to the row-isolating cam of said second counter, said actuator also controlling the sequencing cam of the second counter mechanism, and means operable after both rows are complete for transferring the same simultaneously.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A control unit in accordance with claim 2 and wherein said transferring means is operatively responsive to the actuation of the row-isolating stop of both of said counter mechanisms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A control unit in accordance with claim 2 and wherein said actuator is operated in response to completion of the operation of said article transferring means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
86 words
A control unit in accordance with claim 2 and in which said actuator includes fluid motor means, a drive link mounted for movement by said fluid motor means, and first and second driven linkage means positioned to be simultaneously actuated by said drive link upon operation of said fluid motor means, said first driven linkage means being positioned to actuate the sequencing cam of the first counter mechanism and said second driven linkage means being positioned to actuate the sequencing cam of the second counter mechanism.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A control unit in accordance with claim 5 and in which each sequencing cam includes an abutment, and wherein each driven linkage means includes a push bar having an end portion engageable with the abutment on itS respective sequencing cam upon actuation of said fluid motor means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
87 words
A control unit in accordance with claim 6 and in which each counter mechanism includes a shaft having the respective counting ratchet, row-isolating cam and sequencing cam mounted thereon, and wherein means mounts each push bar for both rectilinear and pivotal movement, whereby upon actuation of said fluid motor means said push bars move rectilinearly to shift the end portions thereof into engagement with the respective sequencing cam abutment to rotate the respective counter mechanism shaft whereupon said push bars are pivoted by the respective sequencing cams.
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) | 1974-11-22 | 1975-05-24 | 1975-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-22 | 1979-05-24 | 1979-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-22 | 1983-05-24 | 1983-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |