US3700127A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for assembling layers of packages on a pallet
Assignee: Moorman Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1970-11-16
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Granted: 1972-10-24
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Expires: 1990-11-16
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for arranging bags in layers with the sewn end of each bag in each layer facing inwardly of the layer and for depositing each layer on a pallet. Some bags are turned 180* and some bags are turned 90* while the bags are being conveyed to a marshalling station where the bags are gathered sequentially in groups. The first two groups are sequentially moved onto a plate to form a layer of bags having a predetermined pattern. Then, the plate is moved over a pallet and the layer is wiped off the plate over the pallet while the plate is retracted. The next two groups are arranged in a layer having a different pattern and deposited over the pallet in like manner. These steps are repeated several times to quickly deposit eight layers on the pallet with adjacent layers having interlocking patterns. Preferably, 90* turning of a bag is accomplished by blocking movement of the bag on one side near one end while quickly moving a guide member along the other side of the bag toward the other end and then quickly retracting the guide member.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth G Kurk
- 👤 Robert S Kilbride
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:13
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/02; B65G47/04; B65G47/06; B65G47/08; B65G47/084; B65G47/086; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/10; Y10S414/102; Y10S414/103; Y10S414/106; Y10S414/116
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
292 words
Method for assembling at least one layer of packages on a pallet with the packages in each layer arranged in a predetermined pattern, said method comprising the steps of: conveying packages in a first direction with each package oriented in a given direction; conveying said packages in a second direction to a marshalling station; turning selected packages while they are being conveyed in said second direction; sequentially gathering groups of said packages at said marshalling station; moving the first group of packages gathered at said marshalling station onto a plate while it is in a first position; moving a second group of packages gathered at said marshalling station onto said plate while it is in said first position to form a layer of packages arranged in a predetermined pattern; moving said plate with said layer thereon to a second position over a pallet; and wiping said layer off of said plate while retracting said plate to said first position to deposit said layer on said pallet; each layer of packages arranged on said plate including two packages arranged end to end in abutting relationship and a plurality of other packages arranged side by side, the longitudinal extent of said two packages abutting each other end to end being less than the lateral extent of said other packages arranged side by side, said method further including the step of spreading apart said abutting ends of said two packages arranged end to end while wiping said layer off of said plate onto said pallet whereby the outer ends of said packages arranged end to end on said pallet will be in line with the outer facing sides, respectively, of the outer two packages of said other packages arranged side by side on said pallet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
292 words
Method for assembling at least one layer of packages on a pallet with the packages in each layer arranged in a predetermined pattern, said method comprising the steps of: conveying packages in a first direction with each package oriented in a given direction; conveying said packages in a second direction to a marshalling station; turning selected packages while they are being conveyed in said second direction; sequentially gathering groups of said packages at said marshalling station; moving the first group of packages gathered at said marshalling station onto a plate while it is in a first position; moving a second group of packages gathered at said marshalling station onto said plate while it is in said first position to form a layer of packages arranged in a predetermined pattern; moving said plate with said layer thereon to a second position over a pallet; and wiping said layer off of said plate while retracting said plate to said first position to deposit said layer on said pallet; each layer of packages arranged on said plate including two packages arranged end to end in abutting relationship and a plurality of other packages arranged side by side, the longitudinal extent of said two packages abutting each other end to end being less than the lateral extent of said other packages arranged side by side, said method further including the step of spreading apart said abutting ends of said two packages arranged end to end while wiping said layer off of said plate onto said pallet whereby the outer ends of said packages arranged end to end on said pallet will be in line with the outer facing sides, respectively, of the outer two packages of said other packages arranged side by side on said pallet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
101 words
The method of claim 1 wherein each package conveyed in said second direction is initially positioned with one axis thereof extending transversely of said second direction, and each selected package is quickly turned, first, by obstructing movement of one side of a selected package near one end thereof and, second, by moving a guide member in a forward direction substantially parallel to said second direction and into engagement with the other side of said package and then along said other side toward the other end of said package while obstructing said one side near said one end to turn said package.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method of claim 2 including the step of moving said guide member in a reverse direction into engagement with said other side of said package and then along said other side toward said one end of said package, while engaging said one side at said point where it was obstructed, to align said package with said one axis of said package substantially parallel to said second direction.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for quickly assembling packages in at least one layer having a predetermined pattern, said method including the steps of: conveying said packages to a layer forming station with a given axis of each package extending transversely of the direction it is being conveyed at one point in time during the conveying thereof; quickly turning selected packages at said point in time while they are being conveyed, first, by obstructing forward movement of one side of a selected package near one end thereof, and second, by moving a guide member in a forward direction substantially parallel to said conveying direction and into engagement with the other side of said package and then along said other side of said package toward the other end of said package while obstructing said one side of said package near said one end thereof to turn said package; and sequentially forming said packages into a layer having a predetermined pattern at said layer forming station.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for quickly assembling packages in at least one layer having a predetermined pattern, said method including the steps of: conveying said packages to a layer forming station with a given axis of each package extending transversely of the direction it is being conveyed at one point in time during the conveying thereof; quickly turning selected packages at said point in time while they are being conveyed, first, by obstructing forward movement of one side of a selected package near one end thereof, and second, by moving a guide member in a forward direction substantially parallel to said conveying direction and into engagement with the other side of said package and then along said other side of said package toward the other end of said package while obstructing said one side of said package near said one end thereof to turn said package; and sequentially forming said packages into a layer having a predetermined pattern at said layer forming station.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the step of quickly turning said selected bags includes the further step of moving said guide member in a reverse direction and into engagement with said other side of said package and then along said other side toward said one end of said package, while engaging said one side of said package at said point where it was obstructed, to align said package with said given axis of said package substantially parallel to said conveying direction.
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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) | 1975-10-24 | 1976-04-24 | 1976-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-24 | 1980-04-24 | 1980-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-24 | 1984-04-24 | 1984-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |