Patent US3746163A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3746163A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Damaged cap ejector
Assignee: Anchor Hocking LLC
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Filing: 1971-12-10
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Granted: 1973-07-17
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Expires: 1991-12-10
Abstract
Abstract An improved bent cap ejector for a closure cap feed chute. A cap gauge captures and holds improperly shaped or bent caps as they pass along the chute. Sensing devices detect the resulting stoppage of cap flow and the gauge with the bent cap therein is moved clear of the chute and is opened up. An air nozzle positioned adjacent to the chute then blows the improperly shaped cap from the gauge and the gauge is then closed and is moved back into the chute. A stop is automatically operated by the gauge movement to stop the flow of caps along the chute when the gauge is moved clear of the chute. The reinsertion of the gauge into the chute disengages the stop member from the chute thereby reinstating flow of the caps. The ejection cycle may also be operated by caps with crushed covers so that they would still pass through the gauge even though they are defective. A pair of proximity detectors sense the crushed cap and immediately activate an air operated plunger which engages the crushed cap. This stops cap flow through the chute causing the same ejection cycle to occur as occurs when a cap is caught in the gauge.
Inventors
- 👤 C Ochs
- 👤 C Probasco
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:35
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/34; B07C5/36; B07C5/363; B07C5/365; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S209/00; Y10S209/906; Y10S209/928
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A cap ejector comprising a chute in which closure caps travel, a cap gauge in said chute for passing properly formed caps and for capturing and holding improperly formed caps, means for moving the cap gauge out of and back into the chute, and means for removing the improperly formed caps from the gauge when the gauge is out of the chute comprising a movable gauge cover and means for opening and closing said cover.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A cap ejector comprising a chute in which closure caps travel, a cap gauge in said chute for passing properly formed caps and for capturing and holding improperly formed caps, means for moving the cap gauge out of and back into the chute, and means for removing the improperly formed caps from the gauge when the gauge is out of the chute comprising a movable gauge cover and means for opening and closing said cover.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A cap ejector as claimed in claim 1 in which a stop means is positioned to stop cap flow through the chute means where an improperly formed cap is captured.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 in which sensor means are positioned adjacent said chute above and below said gauge for initiating the cap gauge motion when one sensor means detects caps above said gauge and another sensor detects an absence of caps below said gauge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 in which the means for capturing and holding improperly formed caps comprises a pair of sensors positioned to be activated by spaced portions of properly formed caps and to provide an ejection signal when only one sensor is activated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 4 in which said sensors comprise proximity sensors with one being positioned for sensing skirt portions of a cap and the other being positioned for sensing cover portions of a cap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The mechanism as claimed in claim 4 which further includes a cap stop means for actuation by said ejection signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A cap ejector as claimed in claim 1 in which the means for opening and closing said cover comprises cam means positioned for opening and closing said cover during the gauge movement out of and back into the chute, respectively.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The cap ejector as claimed in claim 1 in which said cap removing means further comprises an air nozzle positioned to project an air blast against caps in the cap gauge when the cap gauge is out of said chute.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
111 words
A cap ejector comprising a chute means in which closure caps travel, first cap inspection means including a cap gauge in said chute having an opening corresponding to cap cross-section for capturing and holding improperly formed caps, second cap inspecting means at said chute including spaced detectors for sensing crushed caps and a cap stop for halting said crushed caps at said gauge, means to move said cap gauge transversely out of the chute generally in the plane of motion of said caps, means for initiating the movement of said gauge, means for removing the improperly formed caps from the gauge, and means to move the gauge back into the chute.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
111 words
A cap ejector comprising a chute means in which closure caps travel, first cap inspection means including a cap gauge in said chute having an opening corresponding to cap cross-section for capturing and holding improperly formed caps, second cap inspecting means at said chute including spaced detectors for sensing crushed caps and a cap stop for halting said crushed caps at said gauge, means to move said cap gauge transversely out of the chute generally in the plane of motion of said caps, means for initiating the movement of said gauge, means for removing the improperly formed caps from the gauge, and means to move the gauge back into the chute.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A cap ejector as claimed in claim 9 in which the means for moving the gauge and the means for removing the cap are air operated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
A cap ejector as claimed in claim 9 in which said initiating means comprises sensor means adjacent said chute above and below said gauge which activate the gauge moving means when the sensor above the gauge detects caps and the sensor below the gauge detects an absence of caps.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cap ejector as claimed in claim 9 in which said second inspecting means comprises proximity detectors.
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) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |