Patent US3786540A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3662871A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Article aligner for a conveyor system
Assignee: APV Baker Inc
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Filing: 1970-09-16
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Granted: 1972-05-16
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Expires: 1990-09-16
Abstract
Abstract For aligning articles on a conveyor in straight rows extending transversely of the conveyor. A device is provided which includes an aligner element with means for moving the aligner element into an upper and lower position out of or into engagement with articles. Actuator means is provided for moving the aligner also in a direction longitudinally with the conveyor for contacting the articles from behind and aligning them in straight lines transversely and longitudinally of the conveyor.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul J Koepnick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:47
CPC Classifications
A; A21; A21C; A21C15/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
An apparatus for aligning a plurality of articles in rows extending transversely on a moving conveyor and in rows extending in the direction of travel of said conveyor comprising: aligner means mounted above said conveyor and extending transversely of and downwardly toward said conveyor for contacting articles thereon; actuator means for actuating said aligner means to at least two positions, one position being an upper position located above said articles and the other position being a lower position for contacting said articles; said actuating means including means for actuating said aligner means longitudinally of said conveyor while said aligner means is in said downward position for pushing said articles arranged in a row extending transversely of said conveyor into a straight line extending transversely of said conveyor and spacer alignment elements spaced transversely across said conveyor for aligning said articles in rows extending in the direction of travel of said conveyor.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
151 words
An apparatus for aligning a plurality of articles in rows extending transversely on a moving conveyor and in rows extending in the direction of travel of said conveyor comprising: aligner means mounted above said conveyor and extending transversely of and downwardly toward said conveyor for contacting articles thereon; actuator means for actuating said aligner means to at least two positions, one position being an upper position located above said articles and the other position being a lower position for contacting said articles; said actuating means including means for actuating said aligner means longitudinally of said conveyor while said aligner means is in said downward position for pushing said articles arranged in a row extending transversely of said conveyor into a straight line extending transversely of said conveyor and spacer alignment elements spaced transversely across said conveyor for aligning said articles in rows extending in the direction of travel of said conveyor.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
132 words
An apparatus for aligning articles transversely on a moving conveyor comprising: aligner means mounted above said conveyor and extending transversely of and downwardly toward said conveyor for contacting articles thereon; actuator means for actuating said aligner means to at least two positions, one position being an upper position located above said articles and the other position being a lower position for contacting said articles; said actuating means including means for actuating said aligner means longitudinally of said conveyor while said aligner means is in said downward position for pushing said articles arranged in a row extending transversely of said conveyor into a straight line extending transversely of said conveyor; and spacer-alignment elements positiOned immediately downstream of said aligner means whereby articles pushed by said aligner means are pushed between said spacer-aligner elements.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
132 words
An apparatus for aligning articles transversely on a moving conveyor comprising: aligner means mounted above said conveyor and extending transversely of and downwardly toward said conveyor for contacting articles thereon; actuator means for actuating said aligner means to at least two positions, one position being an upper position located above said articles and the other position being a lower position for contacting said articles; said actuating means including means for actuating said aligner means longitudinally of said conveyor while said aligner means is in said downward position for pushing said articles arranged in a row extending transversely of said conveyor into a straight line extending transversely of said conveyor; and spacer-alignment elements positiOned immediately downstream of said aligner means whereby articles pushed by said aligner means are pushed between said spacer-aligner elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and further including sensing means for sensing the position of said row of articles; and means responsive to the said sensing means for controlling the operation of said actuating means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which the aligner means is arranged to contact the articles at surfaces thereof facing in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of said conveyor, and said actuating means actuates said aligner means while in said downward position in the same direction as the direction of movement of said conveyor and articles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said spacer-alignment elements are located immediately downstream of said aligner means whereby articles pushed by said aligner means are pushed between said spacer-aligner elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which the actuator means includes two separate actuators, one for actuating said aligner up and down and another for actuating said one actuator and aligner as a unit longitudinally of said conveyor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 6 in which the operation of said second actuator is initiated by the previous operation of said one actuator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which the aligner means is a member pivoted on a support member extending transversely of said conveyor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 8 in which the support member is mounted on guide support members located on each side of said conveyor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 9 in which said actuator means is fluid cylinder actuating means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
140 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which a support means is provided extending transversely across and above said conveyor; track means on each side of said conveyor for reciprocally supporting said support means; said aligner means being an inverted L-shaped member and having one leg extending downwardly toward said conveyor and the other leg extending longitudinally of said conveyor; said actuator means including a first actuator for pivoting said aligner means from said one upper position to said lower position, said actuator means being mounted on said support means; and said means for actuating said aligner means longitudinally of said conveyor including a second actuator for applying a force to said support means causing the entire unit including said support means, first actuator, and said inverted L-shaped member of said aligner means to be moved longitudinally on said track means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 11 in which the support means includes an inverted U-shaped frame member mounted on a support bar and said first actuator is a fluid cylinder mounted between the bight portion of said U-shaped member and said support bar.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which a sensing means is provided for sensing the position of said row of articles; and means responsive to the said sensing means for controlling the operation of said actuating means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3498441A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-16 | 1975-11-15 | 1976-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-16 | 1979-11-15 | 1980-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-16 | 1983-11-15 | 1984-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |