US3772971A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Batch stacker
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-05-27
•
Granted: 1973-11-20
•
Expires: 1991-05-27
Abstract
Abstract A batch stacker for converting a downstream moving stream of overlapping articles into stacks of said articles. The articles are fed to the stacker in a continuous and overlapped stream by an infeed conveyor and carried away in stacks by an outfeed conveyor. A batcher feeds the overlapped articles to the outfeed conveyor on which the stack is formed. Intermittent drives drive the batcher and the outfeed conveyor in alternate relationship so that the outfeed conveyor stops to receive a stack while the outfeed conveyor takes the stack away, both without requiring stoppage of the infeed conveyor. The batcher acts as a gate, stopping flow to the outfeed conveyor while a completed stack is moved away and accommodating and accumulating incoming flow during the removal operation. A preferred but optional feature of the invention includes a counter which causes actuation of the intermittent drive means so that scacks of predetermined count are delivered. Another preferred but optional feature of the invention is means for driving the batcher in the reverse direction while the outfeed conveyor is driven in its forward direction to carry away a stack so as to provide a more positive separation in the stream.
Inventors
- 👤 O Dutro
- 👤 S Hewson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:50
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H29/00; B65H29/66; B65H29/001; B65H31/00; B65H31/30; B65H31/3027; B65H31/32; B65H33/00; B65H33/12; B65H2404/00; B65H2404/20; B65H2404/26; B65H2404/269; B65H2404/2693; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/10; Y10S414/102; Y10S414/103; Y10S414/105; Y10S414/115
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
250 words
A batch stacker which converts a downstream moving stream of overlapping articles into stacks of said articles, said articles being fed to the stacker from an infeed conveyor, and said stacker comprising: an outfeed conveyor; first intermittent drive means in driving connection with said outfeed conveyor adapted to drive said outfeed conveyor forwardly to remove articles from the stacker, and to stop to enable the outfeed conveyor to receive articles to be stacked; a batcher receiving articles from the infeed convEyor and delivering the articles to elevation outfeed conveyor at a reference elevation second intermittent drive means in driving connection with said batcher adapted to drive said batcher forwardly to deliver articles to the outfeed conveyor, and to cease its forward drive to stop delivering articles to said outfeed conveyor; and drive control means operatively connected to the drive means which alternates the forward driving of the batcher and of the outfeed conveyor, the outfeed conveyor being stopped when the batcher is driving forwardly, and driving forwardly when the batcher is not said outfeed conveyor having a receiving end and a delivery end, and comprising a table pivoted at the delivery end so that its receiving end can move up and down in an arc below the reference elevation and adjacent to the batcher, whereby the elevation of the receiving end can be lowered as a stack deposited on it grows in height, whereby to maintain the top of the stack at a level at or beneath the reference elevation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
250 words
A batch stacker which converts a downstream moving stream of overlapping articles into stacks of said articles, said articles being fed to the stacker from an infeed conveyor, and said stacker comprising: an outfeed conveyor; first intermittent drive means in driving connection with said outfeed conveyor adapted to drive said outfeed conveyor forwardly to remove articles from the stacker, and to stop to enable the outfeed conveyor to receive articles to be stacked; a batcher receiving articles from the infeed convEyor and delivering the articles to elevation outfeed conveyor at a reference elevation second intermittent drive means in driving connection with said batcher adapted to drive said batcher forwardly to deliver articles to the outfeed conveyor, and to cease its forward drive to stop delivering articles to said outfeed conveyor; and drive control means operatively connected to the drive means which alternates the forward driving of the batcher and of the outfeed conveyor, the outfeed conveyor being stopped when the batcher is driving forwardly, and driving forwardly when the batcher is not said outfeed conveyor having a receiving end and a delivery end, and comprising a table pivoted at the delivery end so that its receiving end can move up and down in an arc below the reference elevation and adjacent to the batcher, whereby the elevation of the receiving end can be lowered as a stack deposited on it grows in height, whereby to maintain the top of the stack at a level at or beneath the reference elevation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A batch stacker according to claim 1 in which the second intermittent drive means drives the batcher in the reverse direction while the outfeed conveyor is driven in the forward direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A batch stacker according to claim 1 in which counter means is included in said control means so as to cause the control means to cause the second intermittent drive means to stop the delivery of articles from the batcher to the outfeed conveyor when a given count is reached.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
A batch stacker according to claim 3 in which a feed speed sensor is mounted to the stacker which projects from the stacker in order to sense the velocity of the supply of articles and to supply a signal to a motor control controlling the velocity at which the batcher and infeed conveyor move the articles so as to equalize said velocities to that of the supplied articles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
A batch stacker according to claim 3 in which a movable stabilizer is disposed downstream of the intended location on the outfeed conveyor of a stack to be formed so as to restrain the members of the stack from spilling forwardly while the stack is being formed, and to move away out of the path of the completed stack while the outfeed conveyor is carrying the stack away from the batcher.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A batch stacker according to claim 5 in which a top drive means is adapted to engage the top of the completed stack and drive it at the same rate as the outfeed conveyor while the outfeed conveyor is carrying the stack away from the batcher.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
A batch stacker according to claim 1 in which means responsive to an elevation of the receiving end which is indicative of a stack of given height is connected to said drive control means so as to cause the control means to cause the second intermittent drive means to stop the delivery of articles from the batcher to the outfeed conveyor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
A batch stacker according to claim 1 in which a movable stabilizer is disposed downstream of the intended location on the outfeed conveyor of a stack to be formed so as to restrain the members of the stack from spilling forwardly while the stack is being formed, and to move out of the path of the completed stack while the outfeed conveyor is carrying the stack away from the batcher.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A batch stacker according to claim 8 in which a top drive means is adapted to engage the top of the completed stack and drive it at the same rate as the outfeed conveyor while the outfeed conveyor is carrying the stack away from the batcher.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
A batch stacker according to claim 1 in which a top drive means is adapted to engage the top of the completed stack and drive it at the same rate as the outfeed conveyor while the outfeed conveyor is carrying the stack away from the batcher.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A batch stacker according to claim 1 in which a jogger is provided adjacent to the receiving end to impel the member articles of the stack toward the stabilizer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
74 words
A batch stacker according to claim 1 in which the batcher includes conveyor means upon which the sTream of articles rests as it is moved toward the outfeed conveyor, and also includes a top drive means resting upon the top of the stream in driving relationship with the articles thereof at the same linear speed as the said conveyor means, whereby the stream is driven by the batcher from both its top and bottom.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
61 words
A batch stacker according to claim 12 in which means responsive to an elevation of the receiving end which is indicative of a stack of given height is connected to said drive control means so as to cause the control means to cause the second intermittent drive means to stop the delivery of articles from the batcher to the outfeed conveyor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
A batch stacker according to claim 12 in which counter means is included in said control means so as to cause the control means to cause the second intermittent drive means to stop the delivery of articles from the batcher to the outfeed conveyor when a given count is reached.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
68 words
A batch stacker according to claim 14 in which a feed speed sensor is mounted to the stacker which projects from the stacker in order to sense the velocity of the supply of articles and to supply a signal to a motor control controlling the velocity at which the batcher and infeed conveyor move the articles so as to equalize said velocities to that of the supplied articles.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
A batch stacker according to claim 15 in which a stacker speed sensor senses the velocity of the articles along the stacker to verify that their velocity is that of the supply of articles.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
A batch stacker according to claim 12 in which a height sensor senses the top of the stack and causes adjustment of the elevation of the receiving end to maintain the top of the stack at or below the reference elevation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
A batch stacker according to claim 17 in which said sensor is a photoelectric cell responsive to a light beam directed across the stack.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A batch stacker according to claim 17 in which the drive control means includes a clutch adapted selectively to engage the drive means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
70 words
A batch stacker according to claim 17 in which a movable stabilizer is disposed downstream of the intended location on the outfeed conveyor of a stack to be formed so as to restrain the members of the stack from spilling forwardly while the stack is being formed, and to move out of the path of the completed stack while the outfeed conveyor is carrying the stack away from the batcher.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
47 words
A batch stacker according to claim 20 in which the stabilizer is a pivoted arm, and in which motive means is connected to said arm to move it out of the path of the stack while the outfeed conveyor is moving a stack away from the batcher.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
A batch stacker according to claim 1 in which the drive control means includes a clutch adapted selectively to engage the drive means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
70 words
A batch stacker according to claim 1 in which a feed speed sensor is mounted to the stacker which projects from the stacker in order to sense the velocity of the supply of articles and to supply a signal to a motor control controlling the velocity at which the batcher and infeed conveyor move the articles so as to equalize said velocities of articles to that of the supplied articles.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
A batch stacker according to claim 23 in which a stacker speed sensor senses the velocity of the articles along the stacker to verify that their velocity is that of the supply of articles.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
A batch stacker according to claim 1 in which the outfeed conveyor, batcher, and an infeed conveyor are all mounted to the same frame.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
68 words
A batch stacker according to claim 1 in which a feed speed sensor is mounted to the stacker which projects from the stacker in order to sense the velocity of the supply of articles and to supply a signal to a motor control controlling the velocity at which the batcher and infeed conveyor move the articles so as to equalize said velocities to that of the supplied articles.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-19 | 1977-05-21 | 1977-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-19 | 1981-05-21 | 1981-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-19 | 1985-05-21 | 1985-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |