US3679076A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for handling sheet material
Assignee: Pilkington North America Inc
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Filing: 1970-07-20
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Granted: 1972-07-25
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Expires: 1990-07-20
Abstract
Abstract This application discloses transferring glass sheets from a horizontal conveyor to a vertical storage buck by permitting each sheet to ride over and drop off a driven roll at the discharge end of the conveyor and onto the angled face of a vacuum platen which receives, aligns and retains it. The sheet is then carried forward by the platen, swung from the receiving to a stacking angle and released, whereupon the conveyor and platen index themselves rearwardly and the platen returns to receiving position.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfred H Miller
- 👤 George A Dean
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 22:22
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G49/00; B65G49/05; B65G49/06; B65G49/068; B65G2249/00; B65G2249/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of handling individual sheets of frangible material which comprises supporting said sheets in a substantially horizontal plane while moving the same in succession along a definite path, progressively discontinuing said support of each successive sheet from the leading to the trailing edge thereof at a predetermined point in said path to cause said sheet to tilt and fall downwardly toward a vertical position, arresting said downward movement after said sheet is at an angle to the horizontal but before it reaches the vertical by catching and holding said sheet in said arrested and angled receiving position, moving said held sheet bodily forwardly from said receiving to a depositing position, then swinging said sheet into a second angled position at the opposite side of the vertical from said first angled position, and then releasing said sheet to deposit the same.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of handling individual sheets of frangible material which comprises supporting said sheets in a substantially horizontal plane while moving the same in succession along a definite path, progressively discontinuing said support of each successive sheet from the leading to the trailing edge thereof at a predetermined point in said path to cause said sheet to tilt and fall downwardly toward a vertical position, arresting said downward movement after said sheet is at an angle to the horizontal but before it reaches the vertical by catching and holding said sheet in said arrested and angled receiving position, moving said held sheet bodily forwardly from said receiving to a depositing position, then swinging said sheet into a second angled position at the opposite side of the vertical from said first angled position, and then releasing said sheet to deposit the same.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as defined in claim 1 in which said sheets are moved at one speed toward said predetermined point, and at a different speed as their support is being progressively discontinued to control the angle at which they tilt and fall downwardly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as defined in claim 2 in which said sheets are moved at a faster speed as their support is being progressively discontinued.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as defined in claim 1 in which each successive sheet is moved bodily forwardly toward and is released at a point one sheet thickness short of the point where the preceding sheet was released.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as defined in claim 1 in which said sheet is held in said angled position from one surface and supported along an edge thereof, and said support is withdrawn from said edge during said bodily forward movement toward said depositing position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as defined in claim 5 in which said hold is also withdrawn from said surface after movement into said second angled depositing position to release said sheet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 1 in which said sheet is caught and held in said angled position by suction applied to a major surface thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as defined in claim 7 in which said held sheet is also supported along its lower edge during said forward bodily movement, said edge support is discontinued before said sheet reaches said second angled depositing position, and said suction is released after said sheet reaches said second angled depositing position.
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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) | 1975-07-25 | 1976-01-24 | 1976-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-25 | 1980-01-24 | 1980-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-25 | 1984-01-24 | 1984-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |