US3674141A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Article handling with fluid ejection
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1970-12-21
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Granted: 1972-07-04
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Expires: 1990-12-21
Abstract
Abstract Articles are sorted into a plurality of categories in accordance with test results. The articles are picked up on the outer surface of a carrier drum at a loading station and are indexed past a testing station. Test results are stored in a memory. One of a number of separately actuated air ejection nozzles propels an article away from the outer surface of a drum into a desired chute in accordance with test results stored in the memory.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce C Abraham
- 👤 Charles R Fegley
- 👤 George B Lougher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:14
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/34; B65G47/46; B65G47/50; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/36; B07C5/363; B07C5/365
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A machine for handling articles, which comprises: a hollow transporting drum having a plurality of article-holding stations spaced about the periphery thereof, the holding stations being adapted to magnetically attract the articles, each of the holding stations having an aperture extending through a rim of the drum to the hollow interior thereof, the aperture being positioned so that a portion of the article overlies the aperture; at least one fluid ejection unit mounted within the hollow interior of the drum and positioned to direct an ejection blast of fluid through at least one of the apertures in the rim of the drum; and means for activating the fluid ejection unit when a desired one of the apertures is aligned therewith whereby the blast of fluid from the unit flows through the aperture and impinges against the article overlying the aperture, thereby ejecting the article from the drum.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A machine for handling articles, which comprises: a hollow transporting drum having a plurality of article-holding stations spaced about the periphery thereof, the holding stations being adapted to magnetically attract the articles, each of the holding stations having an aperture extending through a rim of the drum to the hollow interior thereof, the aperture being positioned so that a portion of the article overlies the aperture; at least one fluid ejection unit mounted within the hollow interior of the drum and positioned to direct an ejection blast of fluid through at least one of the apertures in the rim of the drum; and means for activating the fluid ejection unit when a desired one of the apertures is aligned therewith whereby the blast of fluid from the unit flows through the aperture and impinges against the article overlying the aperture, thereby ejecting the article from the drum.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for handling articles having magnetic leads of small diameter extending from both ends of a body portion having a substantially larger diameter, which comprises: a hollow transporting drum having at least one magnetically attractive article holding station on the outer periphery thereof, the station having an aperture extending through a rim of the drum to the hollow interior thereof, the aperture being positioned so that the body portion of the article overlies the apertures; and an air ejection unit mounted within the hollow interior of the drum and positioned to direct a blast of air radially outward from the center of the drum through the aperture and thereby eject the article from the drum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for handling articles having magnetic leads of small diameter extending from both ends of a body portion having a substantially larger diameter, which comprises: a hollow transporting drum having at least one magnetically attractive article holding station on the outer periphery thereof, the station having an aperture extending through a rim of the drum to the hollow interior thereof, the aperture being positioned so that the body portion of the article overlies the apertures; and an air ejection unit mounted within the hollow interior of the drum and positioned to direct a blast of air radially outward from the center of the drum through the aperture and thereby eject the article from the drum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the drum is provided with a plurality of said holding stations and apertures and wherein the air ejection unit is provided with a plurality of nozzles whereby sorting of the articles into various categories can be achieved.
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) | 1975-07-04 | 1976-01-03 | 1976-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-04 | 1980-01-03 | 1980-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-04 | 1984-01-03 | 1984-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |