Patent US3694993A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3694993A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Automatic bottle packing method and apparatus
Assignee: Simplimatic Engineering Co
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Filing: 1970-05-20
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Granted: 1972-10-03
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Expires: 1990-05-20
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for automatically packing bottles into a series of cases in a necks-down position. Means are provided for receiving the bottles in an upright position on a rotatable support, rotating the support to a position in which the bottles are held necks-down and releasing said bottles in such necks-down position into an elevated case. Guides and hold-back means are provided both for the cases and the bottles to insure properly timed automatic operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerry L East
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:57
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B35/00; B65B35/56; B65B35/58; B65B21/00; B65B21/02; B65B21/04; B65B21/14; B65B21/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
An apparatus foR automatically packing a plurality of containers into a case at a packing station, comprising: conveyer means for conveying a continuous supply of containers in an upturned position in a given direction to said packing station; a support at said packing station aligned with said conveyer means and adapted, in a first position, to receive said containers from said conveyer means and to support same in an upturned position in a plurality of closely spaced rows and columns, said support comprising means on an operative support surface thereof, active on the bottom surfaces of said containers and adapted to positively hold said containers on said operative surface, means for shifting said support to a second position in which said containers are held by said holding means in a downturned position, and releasing means operatively connected to said holding means for releasing said container from said holding means, whereby said containers are adapted to enter said case.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
158 words
An apparatus foR automatically packing a plurality of containers into a case at a packing station, comprising: conveyer means for conveying a continuous supply of containers in an upturned position in a given direction to said packing station; a support at said packing station aligned with said conveyer means and adapted, in a first position, to receive said containers from said conveyer means and to support same in an upturned position in a plurality of closely spaced rows and columns, said support comprising means on an operative support surface thereof, active on the bottom surfaces of said containers and adapted to positively hold said containers on said operative surface, means for shifting said support to a second position in which said containers are held by said holding means in a downturned position, and releasing means operatively connected to said holding means for releasing said container from said holding means, whereby said containers are adapted to enter said case.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for feeding a supply of cases to said packing station substantially in said given direction and means for elevating a case to a position directly beneath said containers after said holding means has been shifted, means for lowering said case after said containers have been released from said holding means into said case, and means for conveying a thus loaded case away from said packing station.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 2, in which said shifting means comprises means to rotate said support about an axis substantially parallel to said given direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said holding means is provided with at least first and second differently facing operative surfaces each of said surfaces effective to hold a plurality of containers at said packing station, said means for shifting said holding means being adapted to shift each of said first and second operative surfaces of said holding means from said first to said second position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said containers are received at one side of said support in a plurality of rows, means at the other side of said support adapted to engage the leading containers in each row for sensing when a designated number of containers is positioned on said support, and cut-off means operatively connected to said sensing means for cutting off the flow of containers to said support when a designated number of containers is positioned on said support.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 4, in which said holding means comprises suction means, and said releasing means comprises means for disabling said suction means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
81 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said containers are received at one side of said support in a plurality of rows, means at the other side of said support adapted to engage the leading containers in each row for sensing when a designated number of containers is positioned on said support, and cut-off means operatively connected to said sensing means for cutting off the flow of containers to said support when a designated number of containers is positioned on said support.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 7, in which said holding means comprises suction means, and said releasing means comprises means for disabling said suction means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 8, comprising means responsive to said sensing means and said cut off means for urging said containers against said suction means after the flow of containers to said holding means is cut off.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 7, comprising means responsive to said sensing means and said cutoff means for urging said containers against said holding means after the flow of containers to said holding means is cut off.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for urging said containers against said holding means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising grid means adapted to support said containers directly above and spaced from said holding means, and wherein said urging means comprises means for shifting said Grid means out of its operative supporting position to enable said containers to drop onto said holding means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising guiding means comprising a plurality of guide rails disposed above said holding means and defining a plurality of lanes each adapted to receive a single row of containers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said grid means comprises a frame, a plurality of supporting cross bars operatively connected to said frame, each disposed in its operative supporting position in one of said lanes overlying said holding means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a plurality of guide bars each extending from one of said guide rails into one of said lanes spaced above said support surface and adapted to operatively engage said containers and wherein said supporting cross bars are adapted to shift to a position underlying said guide bars whereby said containers are prevented from shifting with said supporting cross bars.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said guiding means further comprises a support surface underlying said grid means and wherein said plurality of guide rails are mounted on said support surface, said support surface having apertures adapted to allow said containers to drop onto said holding means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for moving said case towards said containers when said containers are in said downturned position, whereby said containers drop only a small distance into said case when released from said holding means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1, in which said holding means comprises suction means, and said releasing means comprises means for disabling said suction at said suction means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising means for urging said containers against said suction means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for urging said containers against said holding means.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of automatically packing a group of containers in a case at a packing station comprising: guiding a group of containers to said packing station; supporting said group of containers in an upturned position on a support; applying suction to said containers in a direction drawing said containers to said support, shifting said support to a position in which said group of containers is holdingly retained by said suction on said support in a downturned position above said case; and releasing said suction thereby to release said group of containers from said support while in said downturned position, whereby said group of containers enters said case.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of automatically packing a group of containers in a case at a packing station comprising: guiding a group of containers to said packing station; supporting said group of containers in an upturned position on a support; applying suction to said containers in a direction drawing said containers to said support, shifting said support to a position in which said group of containers is holdingly retained by said suction on said support in a downturned position above said case; and releasing said suction thereby to release said group of containers from said support while in said downturned position, whereby said group of containers enters said case.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
141 words
The method of claim 21, wherein said support is adapted to hold and retain said containers on first and second differently facing operative surfaces thereof, and comprising the further steps of guiding a second group of containers to said second surface of said support while said first mentioned group of containers is held and retained on said first surface of said support; holding said second group of containers on said second surface of said support by applying suction thereto while shifting said support to a position in which said second group of containers is held and retained on said second surface of said support in a downturned position above said case, and releasing said suction on said second group of containers thereby to release same from said second surface of said support, whereby said second group of containers enters said case.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 22, in which said first and second surfaces are on opposing sides of said support whereby said second surface of said support is adapted to receive said second group of containers when said support is in position to retain said first group of containers on said first surface of said support in a downturned position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 22, comprising the step of urging said containers against said suction applying means prior to shifting said support.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
81 words
The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said containers are received at one side of said support in a plurality or rows, means at the other side of said support adapted to engage the leading containers in each row for sensing when a designated number of containers is positioned on said support, and cut-off means operatively connected to said sensing means for cutting off the flow of containers to said support when a designated number of containers is positioned on said support.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 21, comprising the step of urging said containers against said suction applying means prior to shifting said support.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 21, further comprising conveying a supply of cases to said packing station in a given direction, and wherein said step of shifting said support comprises rotating said support about an axis substantially parallel to said given direction.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
91 words
In a packing apparatus for packing a plurality of objects into a case at a packing station, support means at said packing station, means on said support means for gripping a plurality of said objects, means for guiding a supply of said objects to said support means at said packing station, grid means adapted to support said plurality of objects directly above and spaced from said gripping means, and means for shifting said grid means out of its operative supporting position to enable said objects to drop onto said gripping means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
91 words
In a packing apparatus for packing a plurality of objects into a case at a packing station, support means at said packing station, means on said support means for gripping a plurality of said objects, means for guiding a supply of said objects to said support means at said packing station, grid means adapted to support said plurality of objects directly above and spaced from said gripping means, and means for shifting said grid means out of its operative supporting position to enable said objects to drop onto said gripping means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said gripping means comprises suction means.
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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) | 1975-10-03 | 1976-04-03 | 1976-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-03 | 1980-04-03 | 1980-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-03 | 1984-04-03 | 1984-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |