US3747738A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Article handling system
Assignee: American Flange and Manufacturing Co Inc
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Filing: 1970-09-18
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Granted: 1973-07-24
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Expires: 1990-09-18
Abstract
Abstract A pneumatic conveyor transfers articles from a floor mounted bulk storage bin to an elevated feeding and orienting hopper. The articles are automatically dispensed from the bulk storage bin into an entrance chute on the pneumatic conveyor. At an elevated conveyor discharge station the articles are dropped into the feeding and orienting hopper which includes means for sensing the article supply and activating the dispensing means on demand.
Inventors
- 👤 E Greck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:59
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G51/00; B65G51/02; B65G65/00; B65G65/30; B65G65/34; B65G65/40; B65G65/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
The method of conveying closure caps comprising dumping randomly oriented closure caps into a bulk supply, withdrawing limited quantities of closure caps from said bulk supply, intermittently dispensing said withdrawn closure caps in a controlled manner, introducing said bulk dispensed closure caps under the influence of gravity into a restricted closure cap conveying passage, decreasing the air pressure in said passage, accelerating said closure caps away from said path, applying a continuous upwardly directed uniformly applied force to said closure caps, conveying said closure caps to an elevated location, releasing said closure caps from the influence of said force, properly orienting said released closure caps, feeding said oriented closure caps to a subsequent work station, sensing the presence of oriented closure caps in feeding position and controlling said closure cap dispensing through said sensing.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
134 words
The method of conveying closure caps comprising dumping randomly oriented closure caps into a bulk supply, withdrawing limited quantities of closure caps from said bulk supply, intermittently dispensing said withdrawn closure caps in a controlled manner, introducing said bulk dispensed closure caps under the influence of gravity into a restricted closure cap conveying passage, decreasing the air pressure in said passage, accelerating said closure caps away from said path, applying a continuous upwardly directed uniformly applied force to said closure caps, conveying said closure caps to an elevated location, releasing said closure caps from the influence of said force, properly orienting said released closure caps, feeding said oriented closure caps to a subsequent work station, sensing the presence of oriented closure caps in feeding position and controlling said closure cap dispensing through said sensing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as in claim 1 wherein said withdrawing is controlled by said sensing.
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) | 1976-07-23 | 1977-01-22 | 1977-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-23 | 1981-01-22 | 1981-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-23 | 1985-01-22 | 1985-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |