US3767082A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-adjusting plate separator for self-leveling plate dispensers
Assignee: Shelley Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1971-02-01
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Granted: 1973-10-23
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Expires: 1991-02-01
Abstract
Abstract A plate separator for use with disposable paper or plastic plates being dispensed from a self-leveling well-type plate dispenser and comprising a bent metal body member swingably arranged at one end with respect to one side of the dispensing well opening is described. The bent sheet metal body member is formed along its length into a reversely bent nose portion adapted to abuttingly engage marginal underside portions of upside-down stacked and upwardly pressed plates at one side of the dispenser well, which nose portion merges into a donwardly extending abutment portion adopted to limit the rotative swinging movement of the body member during the dispensing of plates, while at the same time urging a plurality of uppermost plates in the stack into abutting position against the other side of the well for proper co-operation with the nose portion in ''''fanning out'''' a lesser plurality of the uppermost plates for dispensing.
Inventors
- 👤 B House
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:17
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47F; A47F1/00; A47F1/04; A47F1/06; B; B65; B65G; B65G1/00; B65G1/02; B65G1/04; B65G1/06; B65G1/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
328 words
A self-adjusting plate separator for self-leveling plate dispensers of the type having a vertically extending, open-top well for receiving vertically stacked plates to be dispensed and including mechanism normally resiliently constraining the stacked plates therein in the upward direction from underneath for dispensing, comprising, in combination; a body member having an elongated top portion, means for pivotally securing one end of said elongated top portion with respect to the top opening of the dispenser well so that its other end extends radially into said opening and is swingable in the vertical direction, said other end of said elongated top portion defining a coaxially extending, outwardly projecting, rounded nose portion, said body member further comprising a downwardly directed body portion extending from said nose portion at a position inwardly of the outer extremity thereof, said nose portion being operative to clampingly engage with marginal edge portions of the stacked plates being dispensed with respect to the plate constraining mechanism for separating a plurality of uppermost plates in the stack in fan-like fashion at a position opposite said body member, said downwardly directed body portion, in its swinging movement about said pivotal axis resulting from the constraining force being applied upwardly against said nose portion being operative to urge uppermost ones of said stacked plates sidewardly into abutting engagement against well side wall portions opposite said body member, and an inwardly curved body portion extending from the outer end of said downwardly directed body portion for guidingly constraining said uppermost ones of said stacked plates in the sideward direction, said means for pivotally swinging said top portion being so arranged that the underside of said nose portion is disposed below the horizontal plane including the swinging axis of said pivotal securing means upon said downwardly directed body portion reaching the limit of said sidewardly urging position in its urging of said uppermost ones of said stacked plates sidewardly into abutting engagement against well side wall portions opposite said body member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
328 words
A self-adjusting plate separator for self-leveling plate dispensers of the type having a vertically extending, open-top well for receiving vertically stacked plates to be dispensed and including mechanism normally resiliently constraining the stacked plates therein in the upward direction from underneath for dispensing, comprising, in combination; a body member having an elongated top portion, means for pivotally securing one end of said elongated top portion with respect to the top opening of the dispenser well so that its other end extends radially into said opening and is swingable in the vertical direction, said other end of said elongated top portion defining a coaxially extending, outwardly projecting, rounded nose portion, said body member further comprising a downwardly directed body portion extending from said nose portion at a position inwardly of the outer extremity thereof, said nose portion being operative to clampingly engage with marginal edge portions of the stacked plates being dispensed with respect to the plate constraining mechanism for separating a plurality of uppermost plates in the stack in fan-like fashion at a position opposite said body member, said downwardly directed body portion, in its swinging movement about said pivotal axis resulting from the constraining force being applied upwardly against said nose portion being operative to urge uppermost ones of said stacked plates sidewardly into abutting engagement against well side wall portions opposite said body member, and an inwardly curved body portion extending from the outer end of said downwardly directed body portion for guidingly constraining said uppermost ones of said stacked plates in the sideward direction, said means for pivotally swinging said top portion being so arranged that the underside of said nose portion is disposed below the horizontal plane including the swinging axis of said pivotal securing means upon said downwardly directed body portion reaching the limit of said sidewardly urging position in its urging of said uppermost ones of said stacked plates sidewardly into abutting engagement against well side wall portions opposite said body member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A self-adjusting plate separator as defined in claim 1, wherein said body member is integrally formed of bent sheet-metal stock.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
A self-adjusting plate separator as defined in claim 1, wherein said pivotal securing means comprises a pair of upstanding bracket members, means for securing said bracket members with respect to said well flange, said bracket members having laterally opposed openings, said elongated top portion being formed at said one end with laterally opposed, outwardly extending lug portions received one each in said bracket openings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A self-adjusting plate separator as defined in claim 3, wherein said bracket openings are in the form of laterally extending slots.
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) | 1976-10-22 | 1977-04-23 | 1977-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-22 | 1981-04-23 | 1981-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-22 | 1985-04-23 | 1985-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |