US3722657A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotational and translational motion controlling methods and apparatusfor cylindrical articles and the like
Assignee: Inland Steel Co
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Filing: 1971-06-01
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Granted: 1973-03-27
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Expires: 1991-06-01
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus for selectively controlling rotational and translational handling and positioning of generally cylindrical objects such as containers for mass production line applications. In the case of handling a container for performing a coating operation or the like thereon, it is subjected to sequential transport and rotational modes. In the case of orientation handling, provision is made for torsionally rolling a container to arrive at a desired angular position, detecting the arrival of the container at the oriented position and longitudinally shifting the container in its fixed oriented position. Any two or more modes may be simultaneously performed with the present methods and apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 J Kiwiet
- 👤 R Kienle
- 👤 G Bass
- 👤 J Deegan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 02:00
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/22; B65G47/24; B65G47/244; B65G47/2445
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
Apparatus for controlling rotational and translational motions of generally cylindrical articles and the like along a path substantially perpendicular to the axis of the article comprising, in combination, runner means adapted to receive the articles one at a time in a transfer station, means for engaging one side of an article with a first movable surface, means for engaging the opposite side of said article with a second movable surface, means for individually and selectively controlling the respective speed and direction of each of said movable surfaces so that said article trapped between the surfaces is moved in predetermined translational and rotational modes in said transfer station and means changing said control means so that at least two modes are used during transport of the article through the transport station.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
Apparatus for controlling rotational and translational motions of generally cylindrical articles and the like along a path substantially perpendicular to the axis of the article comprising, in combination, runner means adapted to receive the articles one at a time in a transfer station, means for engaging one side of an article with a first movable surface, means for engaging the opposite side of said article with a second movable surface, means for individually and selectively controlling the respective speed and direction of each of said movable surfaces so that said article trapped between the surfaces is moved in predetermined translational and rotational modes in said transfer station and means changing said control means so that at least two modes are used during transport of the article through the transport station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the linear speed of the translation mode of the article is given by the expression: V S1 + (S2-S1)/2 where: S1 is the linear speed of said first surface, S2 is the linear speed of the second surface, and S1 < or = S2 and the angular velocity of the rotation mode of the article is given by the expression: omega (S2-S1)/D where: D is the diameter of the article.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said means for changing the relative speeds and directions of said movable surfaces reverses at least one of said surfaces when said article is in the transfer station.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
143 words
Apparatus for controlling rotation and translation of cylindrical shells and the like comprising, in combination, frame means adapted to receive the shells one at a time in a transfer station, first belt means mounted on said frame and disposed along one side of said transfer station, power means for driving said first belt means, second belt means disposed on the opposite side of said transfer station with the space defined between said first and second belt means being such that opposite sides of a shell in said transfer station are engaged by both of said belt means, drive means coupling said second belt means to said power means, and changeover means disposed in said second belt drive coupling for selectively driving said first and second belt means at the same speeds and in the same directions and at different relative speeds and directions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
143 words
Apparatus for controlling rotation and translation of cylindrical shells and the like comprising, in combination, frame means adapted to receive the shells one at a time in a transfer station, first belt means mounted on said frame and disposed along one side of said transfer station, power means for driving said first belt means, second belt means disposed on the opposite side of said transfer station with the space defined between said first and second belt means being such that opposite sides of a shell in said transfer station are engaged by both of said belt means, drive means coupling said second belt means to said power means, and changeover means disposed in said second belt drive coupling for selectively driving said first and second belt means at the same speeds and in the same directions and at different relative speeds and directions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
102 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said changeover selective drive means includes a pair of planetary gear drives with their respective outputs coupled to said first and second belt means, each of said planetary drives having a rotatable housing, an internal housing gear meshing with planetary gears, said planetary gears meshing with a sun gear coupled to an input driven by said power means, and means including a clutch for alternatively maintaining said planetary drive housing stationary and rotating said housingS to vary the rotational speed and direction of the planetary drive outputs connected to said first and second belt means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
181 words
Apparatus for orienting cylindrical shells and the like comprising, in combination, frame means adapted to receive the shells one at a time in an orienting station, first belt means mounted on said frame and disposed along one side of said orienting station, power means for continuously driving said first belt means, second belt means disposed on the opposite side of said orienting station and the space defined between said first and second belt means being such that opposite sides of a shell in said orienting station are engaged by both of said belt means, drive means including clutch means coupling said second belt means to said power means driving the first belt means, detecting means for determining the arrival of a shell at position relative to a fixed reference, means responsive to the detected arrival of said shell at said predetermined position for energizing said clutch means so that said second belt means is driven at the same speed and direction as said first means to longitudinally move the oriented shell along said frame means and out of said orienting station.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
181 words
Apparatus for orienting cylindrical shells and the like comprising, in combination, frame means adapted to receive the shells one at a time in an orienting station, first belt means mounted on said frame and disposed along one side of said orienting station, power means for continuously driving said first belt means, second belt means disposed on the opposite side of said orienting station and the space defined between said first and second belt means being such that opposite sides of a shell in said orienting station are engaged by both of said belt means, drive means including clutch means coupling said second belt means to said power means driving the first belt means, detecting means for determining the arrival of a shell at position relative to a fixed reference, means responsive to the detected arrival of said shell at said predetermined position for energizing said clutch means so that said second belt means is driven at the same speed and direction as said first means to longitudinally move the oriented shell along said frame means and out of said orienting station.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
124 words
The method of orienting cylindrical articles and the like comprising the steps of a. transporting said articles one at a time to transfer station, b. engaging opposite sides of the articles in the station with movable surfaces, c. driving said surfaces at predetermined relative speeds and directions to impart torsional rolling of the article in said station, d. detecting a predetermined position of said article to a fixed reference adjacent one side of the article, e. changing the relative speeds and directions of at least one of said movable surfaces to the same speed and direction as the other movable surface upon the article reaching the predetermined position, and f. longitudinally shifting said article out of the transfer station in its fixed oriented position.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
124 words
The method of orienting cylindrical articles and the like comprising the steps of a. transporting said articles one at a time to transfer station, b. engaging opposite sides of the articles in the station with movable surfaces, c. driving said surfaces at predetermined relative speeds and directions to impart torsional rolling of the article in said station, d. detecting a predetermined position of said article to a fixed reference adjacent one side of the article, e. changing the relative speeds and directions of at least one of said movable surfaces to the same speed and direction as the other movable surface upon the article reaching the predetermined position, and f. longitudinally shifting said article out of the transfer station in its fixed oriented position.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
125 words
The method of controlling rotation and translation of cylindrical articles and the like along a path generally perpendicular to the axis of said articles comprising the steps of a. transporting said articles one at a time to a transfer station, b. engaging opposite sides of the article in the transfer station with movable surfaces. c. driving said surfaces with first relative predetermined speeds and directions to controllably move the article in said transfer station in a first selected mode of rotation and translation, d. changing the drive of said surfaces to second relative predetermined speeds and directions to move the article in said transfer station in a second selected mode of rotation and translation, and e. longitudinally shifting said article out of the transfer station.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
125 words
The method of controlling rotation and translation of cylindrical articles and the like along a path generally perpendicular to the axis of said articles comprising the steps of a. transporting said articles one at a time to a transfer station, b. engaging opposite sides of the article in the transfer station with movable surfaces. c. driving said surfaces with first relative predetermined speeds and directions to controllably move the article in said transfer station in a first selected mode of rotation and translation, d. changing the drive of said surfaces to second relative predetermined speeds and directions to move the article in said transfer station in a second selected mode of rotation and translation, and e. longitudinally shifting said article out of the transfer station.
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) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |