US3651968A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for unloading tiered rows of articles from cellular containers
Assignee: Hunter Industries Inc
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Filing: 1969-03-20
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Granted: 1972-03-28
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Expires: 1989-03-20
Abstract
Abstract A method of and apparatus for positively holding, and loading and unloading articles such as large empty, light weight, square, slippery plastic milk bottles into and out of a magazine so that they do not jam the handling apparatus. Typically the bottles, after molding, may sometimes be made at the place of business of a plastic manufacturer and used at some other location. The light weight resilience, and slippery surface of empty plastic milk bottles make them extremely difficult to handle. This difficulty is overcome through the use of the present invention in that movement of each bottle is positively guided and handled throughout the entire handling apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Keith B Cleland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 00:17
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G59/00; B65G59/06; B65G59/061; B65G59/062; B65G57/00; B65G57/30; B65G57/301; B65G57/302; B65G59/063; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02; B65G2201/0235; B65G2201/0244
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
Article handling apparatus comprising: a container having an open lower end cover with a bottom panel; releaseable means to hold said panel on said container; a bottom panel well; a stop at the end of said well, said stop being positioned above the lower surface of said panel and below the lower edge of said container; article unloading means adjacent the rear end of said well to receive articles from said container; power means to carry said container over said well in a position such that said stop slides said panel out from under said container; panel support means for said panels; and power means to lower said panel support means into said well after said stop slides a panel out from under said container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
Article handling apparatus comprising: a container having an open lower end cover with a bottom panel; releaseable means to hold said panel on said container; a bottom panel well; a stop at the end of said well, said stop being positioned above the lower surface of said panel and below the lower edge of said container; article unloading means adjacent the rear end of said well to receive articles from said container; power means to carry said container over said well in a position such that said stop slides said panel out from under said container; panel support means for said panels; and power means to lower said panel support means into said well after said stop slides a panel out from under said container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
203 words
Article handling apparatus comprising: a rectangular open bottom container having spaced vertical end and side walls to receive a series of articles stacked on one top of another; an unloading housing having vertical side walls below and in line with the side walls of said container, said housing also having one end wall below and in line with one end wall of said container; a releasable first stop at the top of said housing to restrain the fall of articles out of the bottom of said container; a second releaseable stop spaced downwardly inside said housing a distance from said first stop at least a little greater than the height of said articles; a horizontal conveyor at the bottom of said housing spaced a distance below said second stop at least a little greater than the height of said articles, the other end wall of said housing starting at the top of said housing and terminating approximately one article height above said conveyor; and a vertical gate to occupy the space below said other end wall of said housing in line therewith, said gate being movable out of said space to allow said articles to move out of said housing on said conveyor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
203 words
Article handling apparatus comprising: a rectangular open bottom container having spaced vertical end and side walls to receive a series of articles stacked on one top of another; an unloading housing having vertical side walls below and in line with the side walls of said container, said housing also having one end wall below and in line with one end wall of said container; a releasable first stop at the top of said housing to restrain the fall of articles out of the bottom of said container; a second releaseable stop spaced downwardly inside said housing a distance from said first stop at least a little greater than the height of said articles; a horizontal conveyor at the bottom of said housing spaced a distance below said second stop at least a little greater than the height of said articles, the other end wall of said housing starting at the top of said housing and terminating approximately one article height above said conveyor; and a vertical gate to occupy the space below said other end wall of said housing in line therewith, said gate being movable out of said space to allow said articles to move out of said housing on said conveyor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-28 | 1975-09-27 | 1976-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-28 | 1979-09-27 | 1980-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-28 | 1983-09-27 | 1984-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |