Patent US3637064A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3637064A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for and method of transferring articles
Assignee: Reynolds Metals Co
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Filing: 1969-05-23
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Granted: 1972-01-25
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Expires: 1989-05-23
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for and method of transferring articles, such as cylindrical cans, from a plurality of can forming devices to a high speed can trimming machine whereby cans are transferred in a positive and efficient manner and shutdown of one or more of the plurality of can forming devices will not require stopping of the can trimming machine.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel S Cvacho
- 👤 Harry W Lee Jr
- 👤 Field I Robertson Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:04
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q7/00; B23Q7/14; B23Q7/1405; B21; B21D; B21D43/00; B21D43/02; B21D43/04; B21D43/12; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/52; B65G47/68; B65G47/681
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for transferring articles from an input device to an associated machine, said apparatus comprising, a pickup wheel for receiving articles from said device, said pickup wheel being driven by said device in synchronized relation therewith, a conveyor for feeding said articles to said machine, a conveyor feed wheel for feeding articles on said conveyor in a predetermined spaced relation, and an intermediate wheel for transferring said articles between said pickup wheel and feed wheel, said conveyor, feed wheel, and intermediate wheel being driven by said machine in synchronized relation, said intermediate wheel being adapted to serially receive each article from said pickup wheel with said device and machine operating independently of each other.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for transferring articles from an input device to an associated machine, said apparatus comprising, a pickup wheel for receiving articles from said device, said pickup wheel being driven by said device in synchronized relation therewith, a conveyor for feeding said articles to said machine, a conveyor feed wheel for feeding articles on said conveyor in a predetermined spaced relation, and an intermediate wheel for transferring said articles between said pickup wheel and feed wheel, said conveyor, feed wheel, and intermediate wheel being driven by said machine in synchronized relation, said intermediate wheel being adapted to serially receive each article from said pickup wheel with said device and machine operating independently of each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
92 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising another pickup wheel driven by another input device which provides articles which are substantially identical to said first-named articles, another conveyor feed wheel for feeding articles on said conveyor in a predetermined spaced relation and alternately with the feeding by said first-named feed wheel, and another intermediate wheel for transferring said articles between said other pickup wheel and other feed wheel, said other feed wheel and other intermediate wheel being driven by said machine in a synchronized manner with said conveyor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which each of said wheels has a plurality of article supporting cradles provided on the outer circumference thereof, each of said cradles having at least one fluid passage communicating therewith, and a fluid system operatively connected to each passage to enable holding each article within its cradle by vacuum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said conveyor comprises an endless conveyor having a plurality of equally spaced article supports, said conveyor having a portion thereof supported to provide substantially horizontal movement of said supports, and said conveyor feed wheel being synchronized to deposit articles on said supports by gravity during said horizontal movement thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said machine has an infeed wheel provided with equally spaced articles supporting cradles adapted to receive articles from said conveyor and said conveyor has a plurality of article supports which are equally spaced on said conveyor to correspond to the equal spacing of said article supporting cradles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 in which said conveyor comprises a chain conveyor and has an end sprocket arranged adjacent said infeed wheel, said end sprocket having a radius which is correlated with both the radius of said infeed wheel and the configuration of said supports to enable smooth transfer of articlEs from said conveyor to said infeed wheel by gravity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a positive nonslipping drive system operatively connected between said machine and said conveyor, feed wheel, and intermediate wheel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 in which said drive system comprises a chain drive system providing positive synchronized movements of its associated components with a minimum stress buildup in said components.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
168 words
An apparatus for transferring articles from a plurality of input devices to a machine which performs additional operations on said articles, said apparatus comprising, a plurality of pickup wheels corresponding in number to said plurality of devices, each of said pickup wheels receiving articles from an associated device and being driven by its device in synchronized relation therewith, a conveyor for feeding said articles to said machine, a plurality of feed wheels corresponding in number to said plurality of devices, each of said feed wheels feeding said articles on said conveyor in a predetermined spaced relation, and a plurality of intermediate wheels corresponding in number to said plurality of devices, each intermediate wheel transferring articles between its associated pickup wheel and feed wheel, said conveyor, feed wheels, and intermediate wheels being driven by said machine in synchronized relation, each of said intermediate wheels being adapted to serially receive each article from its associated pickup wheel with said devices operating independently of each other and independently of said machine.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
168 words
An apparatus for transferring articles from a plurality of input devices to a machine which performs additional operations on said articles, said apparatus comprising, a plurality of pickup wheels corresponding in number to said plurality of devices, each of said pickup wheels receiving articles from an associated device and being driven by its device in synchronized relation therewith, a conveyor for feeding said articles to said machine, a plurality of feed wheels corresponding in number to said plurality of devices, each of said feed wheels feeding said articles on said conveyor in a predetermined spaced relation, and a plurality of intermediate wheels corresponding in number to said plurality of devices, each intermediate wheel transferring articles between its associated pickup wheel and feed wheel, said conveyor, feed wheels, and intermediate wheels being driven by said machine in synchronized relation, each of said intermediate wheels being adapted to serially receive each article from its associated pickup wheel with said devices operating independently of each other and independently of said machine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 in which each of said wheels has a plurality of article supporting cradles provided on the outer circumference thereof, each of said cradles having at least one fluid passage communicating therewith, and means connecting each passage to an associated fluid system to enable holding each article within its cradle by vacuum.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
75 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 in which each of said wheels has a plurality of substantially semicylindrical article supporting cradles defined in the outer periphery thereof, a plurality of passages exiting the supporting surface of each cradle with the outlets of said passages being arranged in a substantially rectilinear path, and means connecting the passages of each cradle to a vacuum device to enable holding each article within its cradle by vacuum.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
101 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 in which said conveyor comprises an endless conveyor having a plurality of equally spaced article supports, said conveyor having a portion thereof supported to provide substantially horizontal movement of said supports, said conveyor feed wheels being synchronized to deposit articles on said supports by gravity during said horizontal movement thereof, and each feed wheel being synchronized to deposit an article every Nth support wherein N equals the number of devices defining said plurality of devices, whereby any breakdown in one or more of said devices will not require a shutdown of said machine.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 in which said articles comprise substantially cylindrical articles and each of said wheels has a plurality of cutouts in its outer periphery defining a corresponding plurality of cradles for supporting said articles.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
115 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 in which said machine has an infeed wheel provided with equally spaced article supporting cradles adapted to receive said articles from said conveyor, said conveyor comprises a chain conveyor having an end sprocket arranged adjacent said infeed wheel and having a plurality of article supports which are equally spaced on said conveyor to correspond to the equal spacing of the article supporting cradles provided on said infeed wheel, and said end sprocket has a radius which is correlated with both the radius of said infeed wheel and the configuration of said supports to enable smooth transfer of articles from said conveyor to said inFeed wheel by gravity.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 14 in which each of said article supports comprises a semicylindrical support carried on an associated arm fixed to said chain conveyor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 14 in which each of said article supports comprises a substantially trapezoidal support having a forwardly sloped portion which promotes easy transfer of an article carried thereby to said infeed wheel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
172 words
In combination: a can trimming machine, a plurality of can forming devices, and an apparatus for transferring cans from said devices to said trimming machine, said apparatus comprising, a plurality of pickup wheels corresponding in number to said plurality of devices, each of said pickup wheels receiving cans from an associated device and being driven by its device in synchronized relation therewith, a conveyor for feeding said cans to said machine, a plurality of feed wheels corresponding in number to said plurality of devices, each of said feed wheels feeding said cans on said conveyor in a predetermined spaced relation, and a plurality of intermediate wheels corresponding in number to said plurality of devices, each intermediate wheel transferring cans between its associated pickup wheel and feed wheel, said conveyor, feed wheels, and intermediate wheels being driven by said machine in synchronized relation, each of said intermediate wheels being adapted to serially receive each can from its associated pickup wheel with said devices operating independently of each other and independently of said machine.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
172 words
In combination: a can trimming machine, a plurality of can forming devices, and an apparatus for transferring cans from said devices to said trimming machine, said apparatus comprising, a plurality of pickup wheels corresponding in number to said plurality of devices, each of said pickup wheels receiving cans from an associated device and being driven by its device in synchronized relation therewith, a conveyor for feeding said cans to said machine, a plurality of feed wheels corresponding in number to said plurality of devices, each of said feed wheels feeding said cans on said conveyor in a predetermined spaced relation, and a plurality of intermediate wheels corresponding in number to said plurality of devices, each intermediate wheel transferring cans between its associated pickup wheel and feed wheel, said conveyor, feed wheels, and intermediate wheels being driven by said machine in synchronized relation, each of said intermediate wheels being adapted to serially receive each can from its associated pickup wheel with said devices operating independently of each other and independently of said machine.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
59 words
A combination as set forth in claim 17 in which each of said wheels has a plurality of can supporting cradles provided on the outer circumference thereof, each of said cradles having at least one fluid passage communicating therewith, and means connecting each passage to an associated air system to enable holding each can within its cradle by vacuum.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
58 words
A combination as set forth in claim 18 in which said plurality of devices comprise a plurality of drawing and ironing machines and further comprising means for moving each drawn and ironed can in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis and then allowing it to drop by gravity into a cradle of a pickup wheel arranged therebeneath.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
101 words
A combination as set forth in claim 17 in which said conveyor comprises an endless conveyor having a plurality of equally spaced can supports, said conveyor having a portion thereof supported to provide substantially horizontal movement of said supports, said conveyor feed wheels being synchronized to deposit cans on said supports by gravity during said horizontal movement thereof, and each feed wheel being synchronized to deposit a can every ''''Nth'''' supports wherein ''''N'''' equals the number of devices defining said plurality of devices, whereby any shutdown in one or more of said devices will not require a shutdown of said machine.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
54 words
A combination as set forth in claim 20 in which said machine comprises an infeed star wheel provided with equally spaced can supporting cradles adapted to receive cans from said conveyor and a plurality of substantially frictionless guides cooperating with said infeed star wheel to provide efficient feeding of said cans to said machine.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
78 words
A combination as set forth in claim 17 and further comprising a first drive chain operatively connected between said machine and said conveyor, a second drive chain driven by said first drive chain and extending longitudinally along said conveyor, and a plurality of transverse drive systems corresponding in number to said number of devices with each transverse drive system being driven by said second drive chain and driving an associated feed wheel and intermediate wheel in synchronized relation.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
54 words
A combination as set forth in claim 22 in which each transverse drive system comprises a third drive chain driven by said second drive chain, said third drive chain driving an associated intermediate wheel, and a fourth drive chain driven by said third drive chain, said fourth drive chain driving an associated feed wheel.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
170 words
A method of transferring cans from a plurality of can forming devices to a can trimming machine; said method comprising the steps of; operatively connecting a pickup wheel to each of said plurality of devices, each pickup wheel being adapted to receive cans from an associated device and being driven by its device in synchronized relation therewith; operatively connecting a conveyor for feeding said cans to said machine, a plurality of feed wheels corresponding in number to said plurality of devices with each of said feed wheels feeding said cans on said conveyor in a predetermined spaced relation, and a plurality of intermediate wheels corresponding in number to said plurality of devices, each intermediate wheel transferring cans between its associated pickup wheel and feed wheel; and driving said conveyor, feed wheels, and intermediate wheels in synchronized relation using said machine; each of said intermediate wheels being adapted to serially receive each can from its associated pickup wheel with said devices operating independently of each other and independently of said machine.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
170 words
A method of transferring cans from a plurality of can forming devices to a can trimming machine; said method comprising the steps of; operatively connecting a pickup wheel to each of said plurality of devices, each pickup wheel being adapted to receive cans from an associated device and being driven by its device in synchronized relation therewith; operatively connecting a conveyor for feeding said cans to said machine, a plurality of feed wheels corresponding in number to said plurality of devices with each of said feed wheels feeding said cans on said conveyor in a predetermined spaced relation, and a plurality of intermediate wheels corresponding in number to said plurality of devices, each intermediate wheel transferring cans between its associated pickup wheel and feed wheel; and driving said conveyor, feed wheels, and intermediate wheels in synchronized relation using said machine; each of said intermediate wheels being adapted to serially receive each can from its associated pickup wheel with said devices operating independently of each other and independently of said machine.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
99 words
A method as set forth in claim 24 in which said wheels have a plurality of can supporting cradles provided on their outer peripheries, each intermediate wheel having at least the same number of can supporting cradles as its associated pickup wheel and each intermediate wheel being driven at a rotational speed greater than the rotational speed of the associated pickup wheel and being constructed to assure a can supporting cradle of the intermediate wheel is always available to receive a can from the associated pickup wheel even though each pickup wheel and associated intermediate wheel are driven independently.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
110 words
A method as set forth in claim 25 in which said conveyor comprises an endless conveyor having a plurality of equally spaced can supports, and comprising the further steps of, supporting said conveyor so that a portion thereof is supported to provide substantially horizontal movement of said supports and synchronizing said conveyor feed wheels to deposit cans on said supports by gravity during said horizontal movement thereof with each feed wheel being synchronized to deposit a can every ''''Nth'''' support wherein ''''N'''' equals the number of devices defining said plurality of devices, whereby any shutdown in one or more of said devices will not require a shutdown of said machine.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as set forth in claim 25 and comprising the further step of supporting each of said cans in its associated can supporting cradle of each wheel by vacuum.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as set forth in claim 25 in which said driving step comprises driving said conveyor, feed wheels, and intermediate wheels with cooperating drive chains driven directly by the prime mover used to drive said machine.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as set forth in claim 25 and comprising the further step of moving each formed can in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis and then allowing it to drop by gravity into a can supporting cradle of a pickup wheel arranged therebeneath.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method as set forth in claim 29 in which said plurality of can forming devices comprises a plurality of drawing and ironing machines and said step of moving each formed can in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis comprises forcefully ejecting each formed can axially against a stop and then allowing it to drop by gravity into its associated can supporting cradle.
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) | 1975-01-24 | 1975-07-26 | 1976-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-24 | 1979-07-26 | 1980-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-24 | 1983-07-26 | 1984-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |