US3703242A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic tray-loading device for cigarette packaging machines
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-10-21
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Granted: 1972-11-21
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Expires: 1990-10-21
Abstract
Abstract A device for automatically feeding cigarette-trays into the hopper of a cigarette packaging machine within a remarkably reduced time, having the magazine of full trays located just above the floor level and under the magazine of empty trays so as to have a direct linkage between the tray-loading device and the tray-filling machine. This tray-loading device includes on a transfer mechanism at least one pair of tiltable tray containers which operate simultaneously in order to transfer full trays over the hopper of the packaging machine and empty trays from the hopper to a lifting mechanism. The same lifting mechanism, in addition to conveying the empty trays to the proper magazine, also conveys the full trays from the magazine to the transfer mechanism. A number of pneumatic cylinders are also provided for imparting movement to the various parts of the device, these pneumatic cylinders being actuated by sensing means such as limit switches and photocells.
Inventors
- 👤 Renato Marradi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:13
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24C; A24C5/00; A24C5/35; A24C5/352; A24C5/356
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
Tray-loader device for automatic feeding of cigarette-trays to packaging machines, comprising: a magazine for full trays with a superimposed magazine for empty trays; a lifting mechanism to convey the full trays from the magazine to a transfer mechanism and convey the empty trays from the transfer mechanism to a magazine for empty trays; a transfer mechanism comprising one or more pairs of tilting containers adapted to transfer full trays from said lifting mechanism to a packaging machine hopper to the aforesaid lifting mechanism, said magazine for full trays including a metal frame, at the base of which runs at least one belt conveyor driven by a first pneumatic cylinder, and at the front end of which is attached in an articulated manner a cradle driven by a second pneumatic cylinder, this cradle being adapted to receive at least one full tray and to transfer it along the path of said lifting mechanism.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
Tray-loader device for automatic feeding of cigarette-trays to packaging machines, comprising: a magazine for full trays with a superimposed magazine for empty trays; a lifting mechanism to convey the full trays from the magazine to a transfer mechanism and convey the empty trays from the transfer mechanism to a magazine for empty trays; a transfer mechanism comprising one or more pairs of tilting containers adapted to transfer full trays from said lifting mechanism to a packaging machine hopper to the aforesaid lifting mechanism, said magazine for full trays including a metal frame, at the base of which runs at least one belt conveyor driven by a first pneumatic cylinder, and at the front end of which is attached in an articulated manner a cradle driven by a second pneumatic cylinder, this cradle being adapted to receive at least one full tray and to transfer it along the path of said lifting mechanism.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
152 words
Tray-loader device for automatic feeding of cigarette-trays to packaging machines, comprising: a magazine for full trays with a superimposed magazine for empty trays; a lifting mechanism to convey the full trays from the magazine to a transfer mechanism and convey the empty trays from the transfer mechanism to a magazine for empty trays; a transfer mechanism comprising one or more pairs of tilting containers adapted to transfer full trays from said lifting mechanism to a packaging machine hopper to the aforesaid lifting mechanism, said magazine for full trays including a metal frame, at the base of which runs at least one belt conveyor driven by a first pneumatic cylinder, and at the front end of which is attached in an articulated manner a cradle driven by a second pneumatic cylinder, this cradle being adapted to receive at least one full tray and to transfer it along the path of said lifting mechanism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
152 words
Tray-loader device for automatic feeding of cigarette-trays to packaging machines, comprising: a magazine for full trays with a superimposed magazine for empty trays; a lifting mechanism to convey the full trays from the magazine to a transfer mechanism and convey the empty trays from the transfer mechanism to a magazine for empty trays; a transfer mechanism comprising one or more pairs of tilting containers adapted to transfer full trays from said lifting mechanism to a packaging machine hopper to the aforesaid lifting mechanism, said magazine for full trays including a metal frame, at the base of which runs at least one belt conveyor driven by a first pneumatic cylinder, and at the front end of which is attached in an articulated manner a cradle driven by a second pneumatic cylinder, this cradle being adapted to receive at least one full tray and to transfer it along the path of said lifting mechanism.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
Tray-loader device according to claim 1, wherein the movement of the belt conveyor is performed step by step, one step equal to the maximum depth of one tray.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
166 words
Tray-loader device for automatic feeding of cigarette-trays to packaging machines, comprising: a magazine for full trays with a superimposed magazine for empty trays; a lifting mechanism to convey the full trays from the magazine to a transfer mechanism and convey the empty trays from the transfer mechanism to a magazine for empty trays; a transfer mechanism comprising one or more pairs of tilting containers adapted to transfer full trays from said lifting mechanism to a packaging machine hopper to the aforesaid lifting mechanism, said magazine for empty trays comprising a metal frame supporting at least one fixed runner for the unloading of empty trays and at the front end of which is attached in an articulated manner a cradle for picking up of an empty tray for said lifting mechanism and transferring it onto the fixed runner, the necessary ''''to'''' and ''''fro'''' movement being supplied to said cradle by a pneumatic cylinder via a pair of rods connected to a support plate fixed to said cradle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
166 words
Tray-loader device for automatic feeding of cigarette-trays to packaging machines, comprising: a magazine for full trays with a superimposed magazine for empty trays; a lifting mechanism to convey the full trays from the magazine to a transfer mechanism and convey the empty trays from the transfer mechanism to a magazine for empty trays; a transfer mechanism comprising one or more pairs of tilting containers adapted to transfer full trays from said lifting mechanism to a packaging machine hopper to the aforesaid lifting mechanism, said magazine for empty trays comprising a metal frame supporting at least one fixed runner for the unloading of empty trays and at the front end of which is attached in an articulated manner a cradle for picking up of an empty tray for said lifting mechanism and transferring it onto the fixed runner, the necessary ''''to'''' and ''''fro'''' movement being supplied to said cradle by a pneumatic cylinder via a pair of rods connected to a support plate fixed to said cradle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
149 words
Tray-loader device for automatic feeding of cigarette-trays to packaging machines, comprising: a magazine for full trays, with a superimposed magazine for empty trays; a lifting mechanism to convey the full trays from the magazine to a transfer mechanism and convey the empty trays from the transfer mechanism to a magazine for empty trays; a transfer mechanism comprising one or more pairs of tilting containers adapted to transfer full trays from said lifting mechanism to a packaging machine hopper to the aforesaid lifting mechanism, said lifting mechanism comprising a pair of uprights guides vertically positioned between said magazines and said transfer mechanism, along which two blocks connected by a bar can slide, each block being fitted with an arm bearing a support pad at the top, these pads being able to support a tray and transfer it to and from the magazines, driven by chains attached to the sliding blocks.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
149 words
Tray-loader device for automatic feeding of cigarette-trays to packaging machines, comprising: a magazine for full trays, with a superimposed magazine for empty trays; a lifting mechanism to convey the full trays from the magazine to a transfer mechanism and convey the empty trays from the transfer mechanism to a magazine for empty trays; a transfer mechanism comprising one or more pairs of tilting containers adapted to transfer full trays from said lifting mechanism to a packaging machine hopper to the aforesaid lifting mechanism, said lifting mechanism comprising a pair of uprights guides vertically positioned between said magazines and said transfer mechanism, along which two blocks connected by a bar can slide, each block being fitted with an arm bearing a support pad at the top, these pads being able to support a tray and transfer it to and from the magazines, driven by chains attached to the sliding blocks.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
157 words
Tray-loader device for automatic feeding of cigarette-trays to packaging machines, comprising: a magazine for full trays, with a superimposed magazine for empty trays; a lifting mechanism to convey the full trays from the magazine to a transfer mechanism and convey the empty trays from the transfer mechanism to a magazine for empty trays; a transfer mechanism comprising one or more pairs of tilting containers adapted to transfer full trays from said lifting mechanism to a packaging machine hopper to the aforesaid lifting mechanism, said transfer mechanism including at least one pair of basically prismatic containers, open at least at two sides, each one adapted to receive a tray and both being attached, diametrically opposite, to a pair of shafts, these shafts being lifted by a lifting means and made to rotate by a rotary pneumatic cylinder, each rotation movement taking place through an angle of 180*, together with the simultaneous tilting of the said pair of containers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
157 words
Tray-loader device for automatic feeding of cigarette-trays to packaging machines, comprising: a magazine for full trays, with a superimposed magazine for empty trays; a lifting mechanism to convey the full trays from the magazine to a transfer mechanism and convey the empty trays from the transfer mechanism to a magazine for empty trays; a transfer mechanism comprising one or more pairs of tilting containers adapted to transfer full trays from said lifting mechanism to a packaging machine hopper to the aforesaid lifting mechanism, said transfer mechanism including at least one pair of basically prismatic containers, open at least at two sides, each one adapted to receive a tray and both being attached, diametrically opposite, to a pair of shafts, these shafts being lifted by a lifting means and made to rotate by a rotary pneumatic cylinder, each rotation movement taking place through an angle of 180*, together with the simultaneous tilting of the said pair of containers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
68 words
Tray-loader device according to claim 5, wherein one of said two open sides of each container is partially closed by means of a pair of retaining flaps, these flaps being able to hold the bottom of the tray inside the container, the other open side of the container being closed by a plate which is made to slide in a slot by the action of a pneumatic piston.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
Tray-loader device according to claim 5, wherein said lifting means of said pair of shafts comprises a pair of arms, connected to the shafts in an articulated manner and resting on a pair of levers keyed to a rotating shaft on which is also keyed another lever connected to a pneumatic cylinder actuated by the impulse signal of a photo-electric cell or similar detecting device.
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) | 1975-11-21 | 1976-05-22 | 1976-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-21 | 1980-05-22 | 1980-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-21 | 1984-05-22 | 1984-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |