US3721352A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drive mechanism employing suction cup coupling
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-08-06
•
Granted: 1973-03-20
•
Expires: 1991-08-06
Abstract
Abstract A drive mechanism including a drive member, such as a piston movable within a pneumatic cylinder, a working member, such as a label applicator for transferring labels from a supply strip to merchandise packages, and a coupling for transmitting motion from the drive member to the working member. The coupling includes at least one, and preferably a pair of opposed suction cups which adhere to each other, but which separate to break the driving connection when the working member meets more than a predetermined resistance. When one suction cup is employed, it cooperates with a member having a flat surface.
Inventors
- 👤 E Messmer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:35
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65C; B65C1/00; B65C1/02; B65C1/021; B65C9/00; B65C9/08; B65C9/18; B65C9/1865; B65C9/1876; B65C9/1884; B65C9/26; B65C9/36; B65C9/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A drive mechanism comprising: a. a drive member serving as a source of motion; b. a movable working member; c. bearing means supporting said working member and guiding its movement, and d. a coupling for transmitting motion from said drive member to said working member, said coupling including two parts which separably adhere to each other when engaged with sufficient force, at least one of said parts being a suction cup, said parts being operatively connected to said drive member and said working member, respectively, and said parts being separable by a separating force higher than some predetermined value, whereby when said working member meets more than a predetermined resistance during its movement said parts separate so that movemeNt of said working member stops while said drive member continues its operation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A drive mechanism comprising: a. a drive member serving as a source of motion; b. a movable working member; c. bearing means supporting said working member and guiding its movement, and d. a coupling for transmitting motion from said drive member to said working member, said coupling including two parts which separably adhere to each other when engaged with sufficient force, at least one of said parts being a suction cup, said parts being operatively connected to said drive member and said working member, respectively, and said parts being separable by a separating force higher than some predetermined value, whereby when said working member meets more than a predetermined resistance during its movement said parts separate so that movemeNt of said working member stops while said drive member continues its operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A drive mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said parts is a suction cup.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A drive mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein the other of said parts is a member having a flat surface facing the concave surface of said suction cup.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
A drive mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said working member has a working stroke during which it moves in one direction and a return stroke during which it moves in another direction, the force applied to said coupling during said working stroke being one which tends to separate said parts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
A drive mechanism as defined in claim 4 wherein each of said parts is a suction cup having a concave surface which engages the other suction cup, the concave surface of said suction cup operatively connected to said drive member facing in a direction opposite to the direction in which said working member moves during its working stroke.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A drive mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said drive and working members move along parallel paths, and the axis of said suction cup is parallel to said paths.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A drive mechanism as defined in claim 1 including an element rigidly connected to each of said drive and working members, one of said parts being secured to each of said elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
A drive mechanism as defined in claim 1 including two stationary spaced apart bearing means, a rod fixed to and movable with each of said drive and working members, each of said rods being slidable in one of said bearings, the axes of said rods being colinear and parallel to the direction of movement of said drive and working members, and each of said rods carrying one of said parts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A drive mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said working member is a label applicator for transferring a label from a supply source to a delivery position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A drive mechanism as defined in claim 9 wherein said label applicator includes a working head having an opening facing each label which it transfers, and means for applying suction to said opening to cause the label to adhere to said working head.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
A drive mechanism as defined in claim 9 wherein said label applicator reciprocates through opposite working and return strokes, a label being transferred during each working stroke, said parts tending to separate during each working stroke and being pressed together during each return stroke.
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) | 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 |