Patent US3721340A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3721340A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for transporting cigarette packs or the like
Assignee: Körber AG
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Filing: 1970-11-12
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Granted: 1973-03-20
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Expires: 1990-11-12
Abstract
Abstract Cigarette packs are transported by the upper stretch of a first belt to move into the range of a pneumatic overhead conveyor which transfers some or all of the packs onto one or more additional belts. The pneumatic conveyor has an apertured disk which is driven at a constant speed and rotates at a level above the first belt so that a portion of the disk overlaps the path of oncoming packs. The disk rotates below one or more suction chambers at least one of which is normally disconnected from and can be connected to a suction generating device when a selected pack reaches the disk whereby the disk cooperates with the suction chamber to lift the selected pack off the first belt and to transfer it onto another belt. The selection is made by a circuit employing a detector which is adjacent to the first belt and serves to produce signals in response to detection of defective packs or in response to detection of each pack whereby a timer circuit energizes the solenoid of a valve which controls the evacuation of air from a suction chamber above the revolving disk to effect the transfer of each second or third, etc. pack onto a second belt and the transfer of all other packs onto a third belt.
Inventors
- 👤 F Kruse
- 👤 G Wahle
- 👤 O Erdmann
- 👤 W Rudszinat
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 14:22
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/74; B65G47/90; B65G47/91; B65G47/917
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of transporting packs of tobacco-containing articles or analogous commodities, comprising the steps of conveying a series of commodities along a first path located in a first plane; scanning the commodities of said series in said first path; producing signals in response to detection of selected commodities in said series; pneumatically lifting the selected commodities of said series in response to said signals into a second path located in a second plane which is at least substantially parallel to said first plane and conveying the thus lifted commodities along at least a portion of said second path; and the additional step of transferring commodities from said second path into at least one further path.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of transporting packs of tobacco-containing articles or analogous commodities, comprising the steps of conveying a series of commodities along a first path located in a first plane; scanning the commodities of said series in said first path; producing signals in response to detection of selected commodities in said series; pneumatically lifting the selected commodities of said series in response to said signals into a second path located in a second plane which is at least substantially parallel to said first plane and conveying the thus lifted commodities along at least a portion of said second path; and the additional step of transferring commodities from said second path into at least one further path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said second path is a substantially circular path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said additional step comprises transferring commodities from said second path into a plurality of further paths, anD further comprising the step of conveying the commodities along each of said further paths to discrete processing stations.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said step of pneumatically lifting said selected commodities comprises lifting the commodities by the application of suction and wherein said signals are utilized to control the application of suction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said scanning step comprises counting the commodities of said series and wherein the commodities which are to be lifted into said second path are selected in accordance with a predetermined schedule.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the commodities of said series include at least two classes of commodities and said scanning step comprises detecting one of said classes of commodities.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said step of conveying the lifted commodities includes continuously moving such commodities along said portion of said second path.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said further path is at least substantially parallel to said first path.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
108 words
Apparatus for classifying packs of tobacco-containing articles or analogous commodities, comprising a first conveyor for conveying a series of commodities along a first path located in a first plane; a pneumatic overhead conveyor operative to lift at least some commodities from said first path and to transport the thus lifted commodities along at least a portion of a second path located in a plane which is disposed above and is at least substantially parallel to said first plane, said penumatic conveyor comprising an air-permeable rotary conveying element and at least one suction chamber adjacent to said conveying element; and receiving means for accepting commodities from said pneumatic conveyor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
108 words
Apparatus for classifying packs of tobacco-containing articles or analogous commodities, comprising a first conveyor for conveying a series of commodities along a first path located in a first plane; a pneumatic overhead conveyor operative to lift at least some commodities from said first path and to transport the thus lifted commodities along at least a portion of a second path located in a plane which is disposed above and is at least substantially parallel to said first plane, said penumatic conveyor comprising an air-permeable rotary conveying element and at least one suction chamber adjacent to said conveying element; and receiving means for accepting commodities from said pneumatic conveyor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said receiving means comprises at least one additional conveyor arranged to transport commodities along at least one further path.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said element has a first side facing said first plane and a second side, said suction chamber having an open side facing said second side and extending along said portion of said second path.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said conveying element is a rotary apertured disk.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said first conveyor comprises an endless belt.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said receiving means comprises at least one further conveyor having an endless belt for reception of commodities from said pneumatic conveyor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9, further comprising selector means for selecting those commodities which are lifted by said pneumatic conveyor, said selector means comprising detector means for scanning the commodities of said series.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein said detector means comprises means for producing signals in response to detection of at least some commodities of said series.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said selector means further comprises means for operating said pneumatic conveyor in response to at least some of said signals.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said pneumatic conveyor comprises means for changing the direction of travel of commodities between said first path and said receiving means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9, further comprising means for continuously rotating said conveying element.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for transporting packs of tobacco-containing articles or analogous commodities, comprising a first conveyor for conveying a series of commodities along a first path located in a first plane; a pneumatic overhead conveyor operative to lift commodities from said first path and to transport the thus lifted commodities along at least a portion of an endless second path located in a plane which is disposed above and is at least substantially parallel to said first plane; receiving meAns for accepting commodities from said pneumatic conveyor; and selector means for selecting those commodities which are lifted by said pneumatic conveyor, said selector means comprising detector means for scanning the commodities of said series and having means for producing a signal in response to detection of each commodity of said series, and counter means for operating said pneumatic conveyor in response to reception of a predetermined number of signals from said detector means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for transporting packs of tobacco-containing articles or analogous commodities, comprising a first conveyor for conveying a series of commodities along a first path located in a first plane; a pneumatic overhead conveyor operative to lift commodities from said first path and to transport the thus lifted commodities along at least a portion of an endless second path located in a plane which is disposed above and is at least substantially parallel to said first plane; receiving meAns for accepting commodities from said pneumatic conveyor; and selector means for selecting those commodities which are lifted by said pneumatic conveyor, said selector means comprising detector means for scanning the commodities of said series and having means for producing a signal in response to detection of each commodity of said series, and counter means for operating said pneumatic conveyor in response to reception of a predetermined number of signals from said detector means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB425989A
Cited
US2924093A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-19 | 1976-09-18 | 1977-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-19 | 1980-09-18 | 1981-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-19 | 1984-09-18 | 1985-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |