US3701410A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Conveying vials in a straight path
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-09-01
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Granted: 1972-10-31
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Expires: 1992-09-01
Abstract
Abstract A predetermined number of vials are supported by a carrier and the carriers are delivered to a path of conveyance and while in the path of conveyance, the vials are removed from the carrier by removing the carrier from the path of conveyance while retaining the vials against vertical movement. After the removal of the vials from the carrier the vials are advanced by the retaining means to a walking beam mechanism including a member actuated in a delayed or omitted sequence to advance the vials in predetermined numbers less than the number originally on the carrier.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter A Shields
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:12
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B3/00; B65B3/003; B65B3/006; G; G06; G06M; G06M7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
In apparatus for conveying vials in a straight path, first means arranged to support a plurality of spaced vials, second means to deliver said first means to the path of conveyance, third means reciprocating in the path of conveyance to move the first means form the second means into the path of conveyance, a platform pivotally supported in the path of conveyance to receive and support the first means, fourth means mounted above the platform and arranged to grip the vials on the first means supported by the platform and supported by the third means, fifth means to actuate the platform toward and away from the path of conveyance, said fourth means being moved by the reciprocation of the third means to advance the vials after the platform is actuated away from the path of conveyance and while the vials are engaged by the fourth means, and walking beam mechanism extending on opposite sides of the path of conveyance and in a different horizontal plane than the plane of the fourth means to receive the vials from the fourth means in its advanced position and having a member actuated in delayed sequence to advance the vials in predetermined numbers less than the number originally on the first means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
In apparatus for conveying vials in a straight path, first means arranged to support a plurality of spaced vials, second means to deliver said first means to the path of conveyance, third means reciprocating in the path of conveyance to move the first means form the second means into the path of conveyance, a platform pivotally supported in the path of conveyance to receive and support the first means, fourth means mounted above the platform and arranged to grip the vials on the first means supported by the platform and supported by the third means, fifth means to actuate the platform toward and away from the path of conveyance, said fourth means being moved by the reciprocation of the third means to advance the vials after the platform is actuated away from the path of conveyance and while the vials are engaged by the fourth means, and walking beam mechanism extending on opposite sides of the path of conveyance and in a different horizontal plane than the plane of the fourth means to receive the vials from the fourth means in its advanced position and having a member actuated in delayed sequence to advance the vials in predetermined numbers less than the number originally on the first means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
In apparatus for conveying vials in a straight path as claimed in claim 1, a kicker pivotally mounted and actuated to move the first means in a downward direction during the actuation of the platform from the path of conveyance and after the gripping of the vials by the fourth means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus for conveying vials in a straight path as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first means comprises a plate provided with equidistantly spaced pins projecting from one face of the plate to vertically support the vials.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus for conveying vials in a straight path, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second means comprises an endless belt conveyor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus for conveying vials in a straight path as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third means comprises a carriage reciprocally mounted and actuated longitudinally of the path of conveyance, and an air actuated piston supported by the carRiage to extend in the path of conveyance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus for conveying vials in a straight path as claimed in claim 5, wherein the piston is actuated to move the first means prior to the forward movement of the carriage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus for conveying vials in a straight path as claimed in claim 5, wherein the carriage in reciprocated by a lever having an intermediate portion pivotally connected to the carriage, one end pivotally anchored to the carriage and the opposite end pivotally mounted, a continuously rotating cam disc acting on another intermediate portion of the lever, and an air cylinder having a piston actuated by a regulated supply of air and pivotally connected to the lever to maintain positive action between the lever and the cam disc.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus for conveying vials in a straight path as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fourth means comprises two mating jaws having corresponding recesses in the mating edges, one jaw being fixedly suspended from the carriage and the other jaw being pivotally suspended from the carriage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
In apparatus for conveying vials in a straight path as claimed in claim 8, an air cylinder suspended from the carriage and having a piston pivotally connected to the pivotally suspended jaw to reciprocate said jaw toward and away from the fixed jaw in synchronism with the reciprocation of the carriage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus for conveying vials in a straight path as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fifth means comprises an air cylinder pivotally mounted below the path of conveyance and having a piston pivotally connected to the platform whereby increased air pressure in the cylinder actuates the platform toward the path of conveyance and a decreased air pressure in the cylinder actuates the platform away from the path of conveyance.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus for conveying vials in a straight path as claimed in claim 1, wherein the walking beam mechanism comprises a pair of horizontally spaced plates having recesses in corresponding edges to engage the vials, cam actuated levers pivotally connected to the plates to impart reciprocatory movement to the plates toward and away from the path of conveyance, and a second cam actuated lever pivotally connected to the plates to impart reciprocatory movement to the plates parallelly of the path of conveyance.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
139 words
Apparatus for conveying vials in a straight path as claimed in claim 11, wherein the member of the walking beam mechanism actuated in delayed sequence comprises two rails reciprocally mounted in opposed space relation to the walking beam plates, the first rail in the advancement of the vials having a predetermined number of recesses corresponding to the number of vials supported by the first means, and actuating means connected to said first rail and arranged to reciprocate said first rail toward the vials in synchronism with the walking beam plates for three consecutive times and on every fourth movement toward the vials the first rail is retained against such movement so that one third of the number of vials in the recesses in the first rail are advanced after each third movement of the first rail from the vials.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus for conveying vials in a straight path as claimed in claim 12, wherein the second rail is reciprocated regularly in synchronism with the walking beam plates toward and away from each other.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-31 | 1976-05-01 | 1976-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-31 | 1980-05-01 | 1980-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-31 | 1984-05-01 | 1984-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |