Patent US3744616A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3744616A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic collator
Assignee: PERKINS PAPERS Ltd
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Filing: 1971-06-18
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Granted: 1973-07-10
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Expires: 1991-06-18
Abstract
Abstract An automatic collator for handling elongated rod like articles and which comprises a plurality of storage means having elongated rod like articles therein and adapted to feed the articles in sequence on an associated guide channel of a conveyor platform. Means are further provided for engaging and conveying the articles along a portion of the guide channels. Discharge meaans discharge the articles longitudinally in a predetermined sideby-side relationship from the conveyor platform.
Inventors
- 👤 G Guillemette
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:56
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/02; B65G47/16; B65G47/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
An automatic collator for handling elongated cylindrical articles comprising a platform having a plurality of stationary guide channels each having a longitudinal opening therealong, a plurality of containers having a plurality of said articles therein and positioned along said platform, each said containers having a discharge throat section through which said articles are discharged one by one on an associated one of said guide channels, one or more driven lugs protruding above said opening to abut against an end of said article discharged on said guide channel to convey said article along a portion of said guide channel, said lugs being transversely aligned with the lugs in adjacent channels so that said articles in each said channel are conveyed by said lugs to a discharge section on said platform in side-by-side substantially parallel relationship and in longitudinally spaced apart groups, a discharge conveyor member synchronized with said driven lugs and adapted to engage said ends of said articles engaged by said lugs at a speed faster than the speed of said lugs whereby said articles are no longer in abutting relationship with said lugs and said articles are discharged in said groups and in side-by-side relationship onto a transfer means where said articles are conveyed in abutting sideby-side relationship.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
An automatic collator for handling elongated cylindrical articles comprising a platform having a plurality of stationary guide channels each having a longitudinal opening therealong, a plurality of containers having a plurality of said articles therein and positioned along said platform, each said containers having a discharge throat section through which said articles are discharged one by one on an associated one of said guide channels, one or more driven lugs protruding above said opening to abut against an end of said article discharged on said guide channel to convey said article along a portion of said guide channel, said lugs being transversely aligned with the lugs in adjacent channels so that said articles in each said channel are conveyed by said lugs to a discharge section on said platform in side-by-side substantially parallel relationship and in longitudinally spaced apart groups, a discharge conveyor member synchronized with said driven lugs and adapted to engage said ends of said articles engaged by said lugs at a speed faster than the speed of said lugs whereby said articles are no longer in abutting relationship with said lugs and said articles are discharged in said groups and in side-by-side relationship onto a transfer means where said articles are conveyed in abutting sideby-side relationship.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
An automatic collator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said storage container has an inclined bottom surface extending downwardly to said discharge throat section and a vibratory plate provided in said inclined bottom surface to impart oscillations to said articles in said container thereby causing them to orient themselves and to prevent blockage of said discharge throat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An automatic collator as claimed in claim 2 wherein a side wall of said storage container is adjustable to accommodate elongated articles of different lengths.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
An automatic collator as claimed in claim 2 wherein said vibratory plate is provided with a cam follower bearing secured thereunder, said bearing being in frictional contact with the periphery of a driven cam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
An automatic collator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lugs are secured to a driven endless chain located under a respective longitudinal opening and extending to said discharge means, said lugs secured to each said driven endless chains being spaced apart a distance exceeding the length of said elongated articles being conveyed and being aligned transversely with the lugs of said other driven endless chains.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
An automatic collator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said discharge conveyor member is a conveyor bar disposed transverse to the longitudinal axis of said conveyor platform and travels along said discharge platform section at approximately twice the speed as said lugs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
An automatic collator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said transfer means is an adjustable conveyor having a driven conveyor belt and driven transfer lugs equidistantly spaced apart and positioned above and transverse to said driven conveyor belt.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
An automatic collator as claimed in claim 7 wherein said conveyor belt and transfer lugs are provided with a variable drive cycle so that said transfer lugs are at their lowest speed when articles are ejected onto said conveyor belt between a pair of transfer lugs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
An automatic collator as claimed in claim 8 wherein said drive cycle is synchronized to the rate of discharge of said articles from said conveying platform.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
An automatic collator as claimed in claim 7 wherein said adjustable conveyor has an adjustable discharge end provided with a discharge receptacle having an adjustable angulated side wall to permit end-to-end alignment of said articles being discharged by said adjustable conveyor.
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) | 1976-07-09 | 1977-01-08 | 1977-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-09 | 1981-01-08 | 1981-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-09 | 1985-01-08 | 1985-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |