Patent US3684077A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3684077A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Structure for and method of sorting and orienting
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-05-11
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Granted: 1972-08-15
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Expires: 1990-05-11
Abstract
Abstract A mechanical sorting and orienting structure and method are disclosed. The structure includes a rotatably mounted bowl having a ledge around the top thereof, means for feeding parts to be sorted and/or oriented onto the ledge of the bowl as it is rotated, structure for causing parts to be sorted having one characteristic or those having an undesired orientation to fall from the ledge into the bowl and for feeding parts having another characteristic and/or correctly oriented parts from the ledge away from the bowl, means for returning parts from within the bowl back to the means for feeding the parts onto the ledge of the bowl again and drive means for the bowl and the feeding and returning means. The method includes the feeding of the parts onto the ledge of the rotating bowl, moving parts having one characteristic into the bowl and subsequently back to the feeding means and onto the ledge of the bowl again and feeding the parts on the ledge having another characteristic from the ledge of the bowl away from the bowl.
Inventors
- 👤 Archibald A Macintyre
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:16
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/02; B65G47/04; B65G47/12; B65G47/14; B65G47/1407; B65G47/1442; B65G47/1471
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
Sorting and orienting structure comprising a rotatably mounted bowl having a ledge at the top thereof, feeding means operably associated with the bowl for depositing parts on the ledge, structure for moving parts having one characteristic from the ledge into the bowl and for feeding parts having another characteristic from the ledge and away from the bowl, means for returning parts from the bowl back to the feeding means and means for driving the bowl, feeding means and returning means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
Sorting and orienting structure comprising a rotatably mounted bowl having a ledge at the top thereof, feeding means operably associated with the bowl for depositing parts on the ledge, structure for moving parts having one characteristic from the ledge into the bowl and for feeding parts having another characteristic from the ledge and away from the bowl, means for returning parts from the bowl back to the feeding means and means for driving the bowl, feeding means and returning means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
Structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the feeding means comprises a bulk storage hopper, a gravity chute positioned over the ledge on the bowl, and an elevator extending from adjacent the bottom of the bulk storage hopper within the bulk storage hopper to the gravity chute.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
73 words
Structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein the bowl includes radially outwardly positioned openings in the bottom thereof and the returning means includes a stationary plate positioned beneath the bowl having an opening therethrough sequentially alignable with the openings in the bowl on rotation of the bowl and an endless conveyor extending beneath the opening in the stationary plate at one end and over the bulk storage hopper at the other end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
135 words
Structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein the drive means comprises a drive motor, a first rotatable shaft, means connected between the first shaft and the driver motor for rotating the First shaft on energizing the drive motor, means connected between the first shaft and elevator for driving the elevator on rotation of the first shaft, means connected between the first shaft and conveyor for driving the conveyor on rotation of the first shaft, a second rotatable shaft, a wheel having a rubber-like periphery rigidly secured to the second shaft for rotation therewith which wheel is in engagement with the bottom of the bowl for driving the bowl on rotation of the second shaft, and means connected between the first and second shafts for rotating the second shaft on rotation of the first shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
86 words
Structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for moving the parts positioned on the ledge includes a plurality of separate stations including means for receiving the parts on the ledge in any orientation for moving parts off the ledge into the bowl which are positioned on the ledge on the sides of the parts for moving parts off the ledge into the bowl which are positioned on the ledge upside down and for feeding parts having a desired orientation away from the bowl.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
Structure as set forth in claim 5 wherein the means for moving the parts off the ledge into the bowl which are positioned on the ledge on the sides of the parts comprises a stationary cam attachment positioned above the ledge and in vertically spaced relation thereto to allow parts positioned on their top or bottom to pass beneath the cam attachment and operable to engage parts positioned on their sides on the ledge.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
Structure as set forth in claim 5 wherein the means for moving the parts off the ledge into the bowl which are positioned on the ledge upside down includes a scalloped ledge attachment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
66 words
Sorting and orienting structure comprising a rotatably mounted bowl having a ledge at the top thereof, feeding means operably associated with the bowl for depositing parts on the ledge, structure for moving parts having one characteristic from the ledge into the bowl and for feeding parts having another characteristic from the ledge and away from the bowl and means for driving the bowl and feeding means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
Sorting and orienting structure comprising a rotatably mounted bowl having a ledge at the top thereof, feeding means operably associated with the bowl for depositing parts on the ledge, structure for moving parts having one characteristic from the ledge into the bowl and for feeding parts having another characteristic from the ledge and away from the bowl and means for driving the bowl and feeding means.
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) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |