Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
An apparatus for conveying circular flat, thin articles comprising a plenum chamber having a vertically oriented longitudinally extending channel-shaped recess defined by a pair of confronting side wall members and a guide member, said guide member defining the base of said recess, said guide member for supporting circular flat thin articles for rolling movement through said recess, each of said side wall members having a plurality of openings therethrough for transmitting air from said plenum into said recess, the openings through one of said walls being configured to direct air jets substantially perpendicular to the other of said walls to move said articles on the guide member toward said other wall, the openings through said other wall being configured to direct air jets into said recess having flow components predominantly parallel to said other wall for propelling the articles to roll along said guide member.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
An apparatus for conveying circular flat, thin articles comprising a plenum chamber having a vertically oriented longitudinally extending channel-shaped recess defined by a pair of confronting side wall members and a guide member, said guide member defining the base of said recess, said guide member for supporting circular flat thin articles for rolling movement through said recess, each of said side wall members having a plurality of openings therethrough for transmitting air from said plenum into said recess, the openings through one of said walls being configured to direct air jets substantially perpendicular to the other of said walls to move said articles on the guide member toward said other wall, the openings through said other wall being configured to direct air jets into said recess having flow components predominantly parallel to said other wall for propelling the articles to roll along said guide member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said recess has a depth less than the height of articles conveyed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 which further includes a second guide member spaced outwardly from the open side of said recess for confining articles with said recess.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in combination with said articles, said articles being circular, and means providing for air flow outwardly from said recess through its open side and having flow components in directions tending to rotate said articles in the direction of movement thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in combination with said articles, said recess having a depth less than the height of said articles whereby portions of said articles project outwardly beyond said recess and are exposed to view as they are moved along said conveying apparatus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
136 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including a second channel-shaped recess spaced laterally from said first mentioned recess and substantially coextensive with said plenum for receiving the articles, said second recess being defined in part by a pair of oppositely disposed walls having a plurality of openings therethrough for transmitting air from said plenum into said second recess, the openings through one of the walls of said second recess being configured to direct air jets substantially toward the other wall of said second recess for displacing articles within said second recess toward the other wall thereof, the openings through the other wall of said second recess being configured to direct air jets into said second recess having flow components predominantly parallel to the other wall of said second recess for propelling the articles along said second recess.