US3661242A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Packaging apparatus
Assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
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Filing: 1970-05-28
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Granted: 1972-05-09
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Expires: 1990-05-28
Abstract
Abstract Envelope-type packages are detached from a packaging machine and deposited in overlapped relation in longitudinally distinct groups each containing the same number of packages on a continuously moving conveyor belt. Group separation is accomplished by periodic cam actuated displacement of the conveyor belt so that a package deposited upon the belt after a group of a predetermined number have been deposited in overlap will lie on the belt in definite spacial relation to that group and will be the leading package of the next group. The cam speed may be varied to select the number of packages in a group.
Inventors
- 👤 David Clancy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 15:27
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B35/00; B65B35/30; B65B35/44; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/74; B65G47/90; B65G47/91; B65G47/915
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
Packaging apparatus comprising a platform structure, means defining a conveyor surface moving at a predetermined speed in a predetermined direction on said platform structure, means for depositing a series of packages upon said surface at substantially equal time intervals in successive overlapped relation, and means for periodically relatively displacing said platform structure and conveyor surface relative to said package depositing means for providing effective separation of the deposited overlapped packages longitudinally along the conveyor surface into distinct groups each containing the same predetermined number of packages.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
Packaging apparatus comprising a platform structure, means defining a conveyor surface moving at a predetermined speed in a predetermined direction on said platform structure, means for depositing a series of packages upon said surface at substantially equal time intervals in successive overlapped relation, and means for periodically relatively displacing said platform structure and conveyor surface relative to said package depositing means for providing effective separation of the deposited overlapped packages longitudinally along the conveyor surface into distinct groups each containing the same predetermined number of packages.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein means is provided for disposing complete packages at a transfer station at equal time intervals, and said means for depositing said packages upon the conveyor surface comprises cyclically operating means for detaching the successive packages arriving at the transfer station and moving them in succession to the conveyor surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said package depositing means is arranged to cyclically move in a substantially defined path, and means is provided for periodically displacing said conveyor surface a predetermined distance in said direction at a speed that is greater than said predetermined speed to effect said group separation, said conveyor surface being gradually returned said predetermined distance while the packages of a group are being deposited in normal overlap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein means is providing for varying the number of packages deposited in each group.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said groups are separated by spaces between them along the conveyor surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the separation of said groups is defined by a longitudinal overlap of the leading and trailing packages of successive groups that is less than the individual package overlap in the groups.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
Packaging apparatus comprising an endless conveyor belt assembly having a substantially horizontal top flight moving in a predetermined direction at a predetermined speed, transfer means for depositing packages at equal time intervals for successive overlap upon said top flight, means supporting said belt assembly, and means for separating the deposited packages into longitudinally distinct groups along said top flight comprising means for periodically relatively rapidly displacing said support means a predetermined distance in said direction from an initial position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
79 words
Packaging apparatus comprising an endless conveyor belt assembly having a substantially horizontal top flight moving in a predetermined direction at a predetermined speed, transfer means for depositing packages at equal time intervals for successive overlap upon said top flight, means supporting said belt assembly, and means for separating the deposited packages into longitudinally distinct groups along said top flight comprising means for periodically relatively rapidly displacing said support means a predetermined distance in said direction from an initial position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein means is provided for gradually returning said support means to initial position during deposit of the packages of a group.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said return means for the support means comprises spring means energized by the rapid displacement of said support means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said means for displacing said support means with respect to said initial position comprises cam means operatively connected to said support means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 9, comprising means for selectively changing the intervals between displacements by said cam means for selecting a desired number of packages in a deposited group.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said cam means is a rotatable cam and said speed change means comprises a variable speed gearing drive for the cam.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
Packaging apparatus as defined in claIm 10, wherein said cam means is a rotatable cam having a substantially 360* gradual rise surface between substantially radially aligned low and high regions and wherein a motion transmitting linkage connecting it to the support means comprises a follower lever engaging the cam surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said mechanism includes a motion amplifying linkage.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said transfer means is actuated in timed relation to the speed of said belt assemblies, and said support displacing means is operated in synchronism with said transfer means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said transfer means comprises a suction head and means for energizing said head while it is at a transfer station where it picks up a package and deenergizing said head when it has positioned the package at said belt assembly.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
50 words
Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said support is a slidably mounted platform carrying a drive pulley for said conveyor belt assembly and means is provided for preventing interruption to drive of said belt assembly during displacement of said support comprising an extensible drive connection for said pulley.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
Packaging apparatus as defined in claim 7, comprising stationary parallel side guides disposed above said top flight of the belt assembly and located adjacent the region of deposit of the packages upon said belt assembly by said transfer means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1676939A
Cited
US3145828A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-09 | 1975-11-08 | 1976-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-09 | 1979-11-08 | 1980-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-09 | 1983-11-08 | 1984-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |