US3643787A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sterilizing machines
Assignee: Mather and Platt Ltd
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Filing: 1970-02-17
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Granted: 1972-02-22
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Expires: 1990-02-17
Abstract
Abstract A sterilizing machine in which the carriers for the sticks of cans have a number of equiangularly spaced pockets in a beam which is relatively rotatable with an external shell having an axial inlet and outlet slot. Locking means are provided at one end of the carrier to prevent such relative rotation and an orientating means is provided at the other end of the carrier. The carrier is also provided with a toothed wheel which engages an agitating chain and an indexing means which is associated with a releasing means for the lock between the beam and shell. Cam and guide mechanism is provided for orientating the carrier if necessary to present the axial slot to discharging and loading stations.
Inventors
- 👤 William Woof
- 👤 Colin Barlow
- 👤 Arthur Gray
- 👤 Richard Wigram
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 06:21
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23B; A23B2/00; A23B2/20; A23B2/22; A23B2/225; A23B2/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
357 words
In a sterilizing-cooking apparatus handling cans arranged end to end to form can sticks, a carrier for supporting and conveying can sticks, comprising a beam having four longitudinal pockets adapted to accommodate four angularly spaced can sticks; a selectively perforated shell around the beam and with an axial slot serving as an inlet and outlet for the cans of the can sticks, the shell also having an end plate at each of its ends; and a spindle secured at each end of the beam and extending rotatably through a respective said end plate, so that the beam and the shell are relatively rotatable between a position in which the can sticks cannot leave or enter the longitudinal pockets and a position where the can sticks can leave or enter the longitudinal pockets, wherein each said pocket is asymmetric in cRoss section providing a relatively flat runout side and a relatively arcuate receiving side for the cans. CM,12For a sterilizing apparatus handling cans to be sterilized, which are arranged end to end forming can sticks, a conveying mechanism comprising a series of carriers supported between a pair of endless conveying chains and each carrier comprising a beam adapted to accommodate a plurality of angularly spaced can sticks; a shell surrounding the beam save for an axial slot which serves as an inlet and outlet for the cans of the can sticks, the beam and shell being relatively rotatable between a position in which the can sticks cannot enter or leave the beam accommodation and a position in which the can sticks can be loaded into or discharged out of the beam accommodation; a circular series of pegs on a toothed wheel fastened with and at an end of each said beam; releasable locking means between each carrier shell and associated beam in the form of a spring-loaded pivoted pawl lever on said carrier shell for engaging any of said pegs associated with the respective beam; and releasing and indexing means for acting on the locking means at predetermined locations to permit relative rotation between each carrier shell and beam to allow unloading, loading and closure of the carrier.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
357 words
In a sterilizing-cooking apparatus handling cans arranged end to end to form can sticks, a carrier for supporting and conveying can sticks, comprising a beam having four longitudinal pockets adapted to accommodate four angularly spaced can sticks; a selectively perforated shell around the beam and with an axial slot serving as an inlet and outlet for the cans of the can sticks, the shell also having an end plate at each of its ends; and a spindle secured at each end of the beam and extending rotatably through a respective said end plate, so that the beam and the shell are relatively rotatable between a position in which the can sticks cannot leave or enter the longitudinal pockets and a position where the can sticks can leave or enter the longitudinal pockets, wherein each said pocket is asymmetric in cRoss section providing a relatively flat runout side and a relatively arcuate receiving side for the cans. CM,12For a sterilizing apparatus handling cans to be sterilized, which are arranged end to end forming can sticks, a conveying mechanism comprising a series of carriers supported between a pair of endless conveying chains and each carrier comprising a beam adapted to accommodate a plurality of angularly spaced can sticks; a shell surrounding the beam save for an axial slot which serves as an inlet and outlet for the cans of the can sticks, the beam and shell being relatively rotatable between a position in which the can sticks cannot enter or leave the beam accommodation and a position in which the can sticks can be loaded into or discharged out of the beam accommodation; a circular series of pegs on a toothed wheel fastened with and at an end of each said beam; releasable locking means between each carrier shell and associated beam in the form of a spring-loaded pivoted pawl lever on said carrier shell for engaging any of said pegs associated with the respective beam; and releasing and indexing means for acting on the locking means at predetermined locations to permit relative rotation between each carrier shell and beam to allow unloading, loading and closure of the carrier.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
In or for a sterilizing apparatus, a conveying mechanism as claimed in claim 2, in which the releasing and indexing means is a cam adapted to act on the pawl lever to disengage it from the pegs and an indexing lever adapted to engage the toothed wheel to rotate the carrier beam, means being provided to resist rotation of the carrier shell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
187 words
In or for a sterilizing apparatus handling cans to be sterilized which are arranged end to end forming can sticks, the apparatus being of the type having carriers for the can sticks as well as loading and unloading stations for the cans, a means for correctly orienting a carrier relative to the loading and unloading stations, the means comprising cam or guide means for contacting the carrier to rotate it to the desired orientation and further means for maintaining the carrier in its orientation, said guide means including a guide track on a stationary part of the apparatus, a stationary abutment adjacent to and external of the track, a follower on an end of the carrier for passage along the track in a selected position on the carrier when the latter is correctly oriented, and an abutment of said carrier end at a position angularly spaced from the follower and adapted to contact the stationary abutment if the carrier is incorrectly oriented relative to the loading and unloading stations to rotate the carrier through the intermediary of a cam surface of the track to a correct orientation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
187 words
In or for a sterilizing apparatus handling cans to be sterilized which are arranged end to end forming can sticks, the apparatus being of the type having carriers for the can sticks as well as loading and unloading stations for the cans, a means for correctly orienting a carrier relative to the loading and unloading stations, the means comprising cam or guide means for contacting the carrier to rotate it to the desired orientation and further means for maintaining the carrier in its orientation, said guide means including a guide track on a stationary part of the apparatus, a stationary abutment adjacent to and external of the track, a follower on an end of the carrier for passage along the track in a selected position on the carrier when the latter is correctly oriented, and an abutment of said carrier end at a position angularly spaced from the follower and adapted to contact the stationary abutment if the carrier is incorrectly oriented relative to the loading and unloading stations to rotate the carrier through the intermediary of a cam surface of the track to a correct orientation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
In or for a sterilizing apparatus, a carrier orientating means as claimed in claim 4, in which the entry to the track is defined by two pivoted resiliently mounted plates such that the entry is converging.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3469671A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-21 | 1975-08-23 | 1976-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-21 | 1979-08-23 | 1980-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-21 | 1983-08-23 | 1984-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |