US3775941A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Article packaging machine
Assignee: Pennwalt Corp
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Filing: 1972-02-10
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Granted: 1973-12-04
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Expires: 1992-02-10
Abstract
Abstract The present article packaging machine is particularly suitable for use in depositing capsules into rows of pockets formed in a web. As the web pockets are formed by separate apparatus, th web is periodically advanced a predetermined distance. The packaging machine includes a depositer which oscillates over the web pockets, the depositer moving forward with the advancing web. Shortly after the web movement stops, the depositer reaches the end of its forward stroke where the first capsules are discharged. Remaining capsules are sequentially discharged during the return stroke, the capsules being arranged in columns in vertically arranged passageways formed in the depositer. A plurality of vertically arranged pin gates in each passageway hold the capsules therein until the depositer reaches the proper discharge zone. When the depositer reaches the end of its rearward stroke, a top pin gate opens and a bottom gate closes in each of the passageways. This allows a column of capsules to drop within each of the passageways, and be held therein by the bottom gate. The depositer is thus ready to repeat the cycle when the web is once again advanced. A stationary transition member is mounted between the depositer and web, this member having a plurality of openings extending therethrough which openings are located over the web pockets to be filled; because the openings are suitably shaped, this member accepts the discharged capsules so as to allow them to clear the moving depositer, and at the same time guides the discharged capsules into the web pockets.
Inventors
- 👤 C Bross
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:58
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B5/00; B65B5/10; B65B5/101; B65B5/103
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
An article packaging machine for receiving and holding a predetermined number of articles formed in a column, and sequentially discharging said articles into a web having a row of pockets formed therein, said machine comprising a depositer mounted for cycles of oscillating movement over said web in the direction of said row in a substantially horizontal plane, said depositer having a vertically arranged passageway extending from the upper to the lower surface of said depositer for containing said column of articles, top clamping means mounted for movement into alternate clamp and release positions for alternately clamping and releasing the top article of said column in said passageway, intermediate clamping means mounted for movement into alternate clamp and release positions for alternately clamping and releasing an intermediate article in said column, means for moving said intermediate clamping means into said clamp and release positions, bottom clamping means mounted for movement into alternate clamp and release positions for alternately holding and releasing the bottom article of said column, and means for moving said top clamping means into one of said positions while simultaneously moving said bottom clamping means into the other of said positions and vice versa, and means for sequentially first moving said bottom clamping means, then moving said intermediate clamping means, and finally moving said top clamping means each into said release positions during one portion of each of said cycles.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
231 words
An article packaging machine for receiving and holding a predetermined number of articles formed in a column, and sequentially discharging said articles into a web having a row of pockets formed therein, said machine comprising a depositer mounted for cycles of oscillating movement over said web in the direction of said row in a substantially horizontal plane, said depositer having a vertically arranged passageway extending from the upper to the lower surface of said depositer for containing said column of articles, top clamping means mounted for movement into alternate clamp and release positions for alternately clamping and releasing the top article of said column in said passageway, intermediate clamping means mounted for movement into alternate clamp and release positions for alternately clamping and releasing an intermediate article in said column, means for moving said intermediate clamping means into said clamp and release positions, bottom clamping means mounted for movement into alternate clamp and release positions for alternately holding and releasing the bottom article of said column, and means for moving said top clamping means into one of said positions while simultaneously moving said bottom clamping means into the other of said positions and vice versa, and means for sequentially first moving said bottom clamping means, then moving said intermediate clamping means, and finally moving said top clamping means each into said release positions during one portion of each of said cycles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An article packaging machine according to claim 1 including manifold means disposed above said depositer, and adapted to release articles to said passageway.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
An article packaging machine according to claim 2 wherein said means for simultaneously moving said top and bottom clamping means to opposite clamp and release positions, includes a connecting member, said connecting member being pivotally connected to said top and bottom clamping means, and being mounted so as to pivot about a point located between said top and bottom clamping means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
An article packaging machine according to claim 3, wherein said means for moving said intermediate clamping means into said clamp and release positions includes cam means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
An article packaging machine according to claim 4, wherein said cam means includes stationarily mounted frame means having a cam track formed therein, and a cam finger adapted to reciprocate within said depositer, said cam finger being adapted to move into and out of said depositer during said oscillating movement to alternately move said intermediate clamping means into said clamp and release positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
An article packaging machine according to claim 4, and further including means stationarily mounted between said depositer and said web for allowing said articles being sequentially discharged from said depositer to clear the depositer while being simultaneously guided into said pockets.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
110 words
An article packaging machine according to claim 6 wherein said latter mentioned means comprises a transition member having plurality of openings extending from the upper to the lower surface thereof, said openings being formed in a row and disposed in line with said row of pockets, the upper end of each of said openings being larger than the lower end thereof, the lower ends of said openings being located directly above said pockets, Said openings being formed so as to allow the entire discharged articles to clear said depositer, whereby said articles sequentially discharged from said depositer are easily accepted by said guide means, and guided into their respective pockets.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
An article packaging machine according to claim 6 wherein said manifold means includes a vertically arranged elongated hollow flexible member, the lower end of said flexible member being connected to the upper end of said passageway, and adapted to contain a supply of said articles for release into said depositer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
82 words
An article packaging machine according to claim 5 wherein said depositer includes a plurality of said passageways transversely spaced across the width thereof, each of said passageways having said top clamping means, said bottom clamping means, and said intermediate clamping means, and means connecting each of said clamping means in each passageway with the corresponding clamping means in the remaining passageways whereby said means for sequentially moving said clamping means into their alternate positions simultaneously moves all of the corresponding clamping means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
An article packaging machine according to claim 9, and further including an air cylinder for moving said top and bottom clamping means, the piston rod of said air cylinder being fixedly connected to said depositer.
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) | 1976-12-03 | 1977-06-04 | 1977-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-03 | 1981-06-04 | 1981-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-03 | 1985-06-04 | 1985-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |