US3633732A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for filling boxes with a preselected quantity of discrete articles
Assignee: Brogdex Co
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Filing: 1969-07-07
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Granted: 1972-01-11
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Expires: 1989-07-07
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for filling a box with a preselected aggregate number of articles or a preselected aggregate weight of articles utilizing a vertical feed conveyor having a bottom article release end received within a box being filled to minimize the distance a released article falls to the bottom of the box or to a layer of articles already deposited in the box. The box is raised to enclose the release end of the vertical feed conveyor and as each article is deposited in the box, it is counted. At a preselected intermediate count of articles the box is incrementally lowered a selected vertical interval to provide space for additional articles. In a second example of the invention, the weight of each article as it is placed in the box is sensed and upon reaching a preselected intermediate weight, the box is incrementally lowered a selected vertical interval. Means are provided for shaking the box during the filling operation to settle and closely arrange the articles in the box.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth F Russell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 16:28
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B25/00; B65B25/02; B65B25/04; B65B25/046; B65B57/00; B65B57/20; G; G06; G06M; G06M7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
An article conveyor means for use with an apparatus for filling receptacles with a predetermined, precise, quantitative measure of articles, including the combination of: an endless conveyor belt having a belt lay disposed vertically for entrance into the top opening of a receptacle to be filled with articles, said belt lay including a plurality of spaced article support elements and an opening between adjacent support elements and opposite the position of an article on said support elements, means supporting said receptacle below said endless conveyor belt, an article holding belt extending parallel to said vertical belt lay and having a portion thereof cooperable with an adjacent portion of the vertical belt lay to hold and position an article on a support element, counting means associated with the conveying means for sensing, through the openings, the presence or absence of an article on an article support element, and means for moving said conveyor belt and article holding belt at substantially the same linear speed to move the adJacent portions thereof downwardly to carry the articles therebetween into said receptacle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
An article conveyor means for use with an apparatus for filling receptacles with a predetermined, precise, quantitative measure of articles, including the combination of: an endless conveyor belt having a belt lay disposed vertically for entrance into the top opening of a receptacle to be filled with articles, said belt lay including a plurality of spaced article support elements and an opening between adjacent support elements and opposite the position of an article on said support elements, means supporting said receptacle below said endless conveyor belt, an article holding belt extending parallel to said vertical belt lay and having a portion thereof cooperable with an adjacent portion of the vertical belt lay to hold and position an article on a support element, counting means associated with the conveying means for sensing, through the openings, the presence or absence of an article on an article support element, and means for moving said conveyor belt and article holding belt at substantially the same linear speed to move the adJacent portions thereof downwardly to carry the articles therebetween into said receptacle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
151 words
An article conveyor means for use with an apparatus for filling boxes with a predetermined, precise, quantitative measure of articles, including the combination of: an endless conveyor belt having a belt lay disposed vertically for entrance into the top opening of a receptacle to be filled with articles, said belt lay including a plurality of spaced article support elements and having an opening between adjacent support elements and opposite the position of an article on said article support element, an article holding belt extending parallel to said vertical belt lay and cooperable to hold and position an article on a support element; light-responsive means adjacent the lower end of said conveyor belt for directing a light beam through said opening for detecting the presence or absence of an article on an article support element, and means for moving said conveyor belt and article holding belt at substantially the same linear speeds.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
151 words
An article conveyor means for use with an apparatus for filling boxes with a predetermined, precise, quantitative measure of articles, including the combination of: an endless conveyor belt having a belt lay disposed vertically for entrance into the top opening of a receptacle to be filled with articles, said belt lay including a plurality of spaced article support elements and having an opening between adjacent support elements and opposite the position of an article on said article support element, an article holding belt extending parallel to said vertical belt lay and cooperable to hold and position an article on a support element; light-responsive means adjacent the lower end of said conveyor belt for directing a light beam through said opening for detecting the presence or absence of an article on an article support element, and means for moving said conveyor belt and article holding belt at substantially the same linear speeds.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
102 words
In an apparatus for precise filling of receptacles with fruit or the like, the combination of: means conveying each fruit in discrete longitudinal position relative to adjacent fruit, said conveying means including a first advancing belt provided with spaced support elements to space said fruit; a companion advancing belt normally biased in the direction of the first belt and extending therealong for holding fruit in position at said support elements on said first belt; and light-responsive means including an opening in said first belt adjacent each support element for response to the presence or absence of a fruit at said support element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
102 words
In an apparatus for precise filling of receptacles with fruit or the like, the combination of: means conveying each fruit in discrete longitudinal position relative to adjacent fruit, said conveying means including a first advancing belt provided with spaced support elements to space said fruit; a companion advancing belt normally biased in the direction of the first belt and extending therealong for holding fruit in position at said support elements on said first belt; and light-responsive means including an opening in said first belt adjacent each support element for response to the presence or absence of a fruit at said support element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a conveyor means for transporting discrete articles in spaced relation for precise filling of a receptacle with such articles, the combination of: means for advancing articles along a selected path; conveyor means for changing the direction of said path into a vertical pathway leading to a receptacle; said conveyor means including spaced generally parallel belt means extending into said receptacle and for holding articles in discrete spaced relation along said vertical pathway; means biasing one of said belt means toward the other belt means to position and hold such articles; and means along said vertical pathway responsive to the presence or absence of an article in said pathway.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a conveyor means for transporting discrete articles in spaced relation for precise filling of a receptacle with such articles, the combination of: means for advancing articles along a selected path; conveyor means for changing the direction of said path into a vertical pathway leading to a receptacle; said conveyor means including spaced generally parallel belt means extending into said receptacle and for holding articles in discrete spaced relation along said vertical pathway; means biasing one of said belt means toward the other belt means to position and hold such articles; and means along said vertical pathway responsive to the presence or absence of an article in said pathway.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
In a conveyor means as stated in claim 4 wherein said article responsive means includes an opening in one of said belt means and; a light-responsive means directing a beam through said opening.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A conveyor means as stated in claim 5 wherein said light-responsive means is located adjacent the lower end of said vertical pathway for counting an article just prior to its release into said receptacle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A conveyor means as stated in claim 4 wherein said article responsive means includes photoelectric means for directing a light beam into said vertical pathway to determine the presence or absence of an article.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2223704A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-10 | 1975-07-12 | 1976-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-10 | 1979-07-12 | 1980-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-10 | 1983-07-12 | 1984-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |