US3722665A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vacuum elevating conveyor
Assignee: Anchor Hocking LLC
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Filing: 1971-03-31
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Granted: 1973-03-27
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Expires: 1991-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A conveyor is disclosed for moving articles such as closure caps and other articles in a continuous stream to a higher elevation along a relatively steep path. The conveyor has an endless belt with an air permeable surface. An inclined article transporting run of the belt passes over and communicates with a vacuum box whereby articles fed onto the bottom of the moving belt are held on the belt by a vacuum force as they are carried upwardly to the elevated discharge point. A control is included in the vacuum forming box to automatically regulate the vacuum force on the articles in accordance with the number of articles held on the moving belt.
Inventors
- 👤 C Probasco
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:54
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/02; B65G47/04; B65G47/12; B65G47/14; B65G47/1407; B65G47/1478; B65G47/1485; B65G21/00; B65G21/20; B65G21/2027; B65G21/2036; B67; B67B; B67B3/00; B67B3/02; B67B3/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
309 words
A vacuum elevator conveyor for continuously moving differing numbers of cup-like articles in a line from a supply position to a discharge position at a different elevation comprising the combination of: an elongated vacuum box including an air outlet port; conveyor belt mounting pulleys positioned at opposite far ends of said box; an elongated endless conveyor belt mounted on said pulleys and having an article transporting run engaging an elongated upper surface of said box; an air permeable zone of spaced perforations extending longitudinally and completely around said belt; an elongated longitudinally directed air entry slot positioned in said elongated upper surface of said box and communicating with said air permeable zone on said belt; means for driving said conveyor; means coupled to said air outlet port for evacuating air from said box thereby drawing air into the box through said air permeable zone on said belt and said air entry slot; support means for said box positioning it with one of said pulleys at said supply position and the other of said pulleys positioned at said discharge position and with said one belt run thereby being inclined from the horizontal; automatic control valve means on said box for adjusting the volume of air drawn into said box for controlling the air flow through said air permeable zone in accordance with the number of said articles on said article transporting run; guide rails extending along opposite edges of the article transporting run portion of said belt for guiding said articles laterally of said belt; a top rail extending above at least an initial portion of said article transporting run for aligning said cup-like articles with their openings parallel to the article transporting run of said belt; and guide means adjacent the pulley at said discharge position and beyond said air entry slot for directing articles off of said belt.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
309 words
A vacuum elevator conveyor for continuously moving differing numbers of cup-like articles in a line from a supply position to a discharge position at a different elevation comprising the combination of: an elongated vacuum box including an air outlet port; conveyor belt mounting pulleys positioned at opposite far ends of said box; an elongated endless conveyor belt mounted on said pulleys and having an article transporting run engaging an elongated upper surface of said box; an air permeable zone of spaced perforations extending longitudinally and completely around said belt; an elongated longitudinally directed air entry slot positioned in said elongated upper surface of said box and communicating with said air permeable zone on said belt; means for driving said conveyor; means coupled to said air outlet port for evacuating air from said box thereby drawing air into the box through said air permeable zone on said belt and said air entry slot; support means for said box positioning it with one of said pulleys at said supply position and the other of said pulleys positioned at said discharge position and with said one belt run thereby being inclined from the horizontal; automatic control valve means on said box for adjusting the volume of air drawn into said box for controlling the air flow through said air permeable zone in accordance with the number of said articles on said article transporting run; guide rails extending along opposite edges of the article transporting run portion of said belt for guiding said articles laterally of said belt; a top rail extending above at least an initial portion of said article transporting run for aligning said cup-like articles with their openings parallel to the article transporting run of said belt; and guide means adjacent the pulley at said discharge position and beyond said air entry slot for directing articles off of said belt.
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 |