Patent US3776346A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3776346A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Automatic bottle handling machines
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-04-26
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Granted: 1973-12-04
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Expires: 1992-04-26
Abstract
Abstract A device for automatic handling and orientation of bottles for delivery to a work station. The device comprises a storage tub into which bottles are dumped, the bottom of the tub having a plurality of conveyors thereon. A corresponding plurality of channels each having a conveyor extending into the tub in the vicinity of a corresponding one of the conveyors therein. A selective reversing device disposed at the downstream end of the each of the channels and including a brush with bristles in the path of movement of the bottles for holding a bottle momentarily if it is in open end first position and for turning it over before entering a corresponding drop chute or if it is in closed end first position, for pushing the brush out of the way and in either case enabling the bottle to fall in closed end first position into its corresponding drop chute. A delivery conveyor disposed at the bottom of the drop chute for carrying bottles upright to a work station. The device further comprises a sensing device disposed at the upper end of each drop chute, a compartmented transfer member having as many compartments as there are corresponding drop chute, the transfer member having a retaining plate extending transversely for blocking bottles from falling to the delivery conveyor in a first position and for allowing them to drop to the delivery conveyor in a second position, and retractable abutments disposed at the height of at least one bottom above the retaining plate for regulating the passage in the drop chutes to the retaining plate.
Inventors
- 👤 L Dubuit
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:35
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/02; B65G47/04; B65G47/12; B65G47/14; B65G47/1407; B65G47/1442; B65G47/1471; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02; B65G2201/0235; B65G2201/0244
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A device for the automatic handling of empty containers comprising a storage tub into which empty containers are dumped, a plurality of channels each including a conveyor whose upstream end extends into the storage tub, a corresponding plurality of drop chutes arranged vertically at the downstream ends of said channels, a delivery conveyor disposed in alignment with the drop chutes, means for controlling the conveyors of the channels independently of one another, means for stopping the conveyor of a channel when its corresponding drop chute is filled with containers, each channel conveyor passing over at least two wheels, one of said wheels driving the corresponding conveyor, the driving wheel being fixed for rotation with a driven pulley, and a transmission belt passing over the driven pulley and a driving pulley fixed for rotation with a driving shaft common to all the channel conveyors and over a tensioning pulley carried by a pivotable lever for effecting an independent control.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
158 words
A device for the automatic handling of empty containers comprising a storage tub into which empty containers are dumped, a plurality of channels each including a conveyor whose upstream end extends into the storage tub, a corresponding plurality of drop chutes arranged vertically at the downstream ends of said channels, a delivery conveyor disposed in alignment with the drop chutes, means for controlling the conveyors of the channels independently of one another, means for stopping the conveyor of a channel when its corresponding drop chute is filled with containers, each channel conveyor passing over at least two wheels, one of said wheels driving the corresponding conveyor, the driving wheel being fixed for rotation with a driven pulley, and a transmission belt passing over the driven pulley and a driving pulley fixed for rotation with a driving shaft common to all the channel conveyors and over a tensioning pulley carried by a pivotable lever for effecting an independent control.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein each channel comprises two parallel guides having convex semi-circular surfaces facing each other, each channel conVeyor having blades for pushing the containers, said blades passing between the guides of its associated channel during the movement of its associated conveyor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein each channel comprises three successive obtuse sections.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
117 words
A device according to claim 1, further comprising a compartmented transfer device common to the plurality of drop chutes and interposed between the drop chutes and the delivery conveyor, the compartmented transfer being mounted for transverse reciprocation with respect to the movement of the delivery conveyor, the compartments od the said transfer member being open at their upper and lower ends, and a retaining plate extending transversely along the top of the transfer member relative the delivery conveyor, and retracable abutments normally extending into the drop chutes at a distance from the top of the transfer member at least as great as the height of a container, said transfer member and the retaining means operating in synchronization.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of conveyors equal in number to the channel conveyors are provided on the bottom of the storage tub, the conveyors on the bottom of the storage tub extending into the vicinity of the upstream end of the corresponding channel conveyor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 5, wherein each conveyor on the bottom of the storage tub is disposed between vertical partitions mounted for reciprocating movement.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
149 words
A device for the automatic handling of empty containers comprising a storage tub into which empty containers are dumped, a plurality of channels each including a conveyor whose upstream end extends into the storage tub, a corresponding plurality of drop chutes arranged vertically at the downstream ends of said channels, a delivery conveyor disposed in alignment with the drop chutes, means for controlling the conveyors of the channels independently of one another, means for stopping the conveyor of a channel when its corresponding drop chute is filled with containers, and a selective reversing device for effecting a predetermined longitudinal orientation of the empty containers entering the drop chutes, comprising a brush-like member with its bristles normally extending into the path of movement of the containers in a channel, said selective reversing device being pivotally mounted and including means for returning the said selective reversing device to its normal position.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
149 words
A device for the automatic handling of empty containers comprising a storage tub into which empty containers are dumped, a plurality of channels each including a conveyor whose upstream end extends into the storage tub, a corresponding plurality of drop chutes arranged vertically at the downstream ends of said channels, a delivery conveyor disposed in alignment with the drop chutes, means for controlling the conveyors of the channels independently of one another, means for stopping the conveyor of a channel when its corresponding drop chute is filled with containers, and a selective reversing device for effecting a predetermined longitudinal orientation of the empty containers entering the drop chutes, comprising a brush-like member with its bristles normally extending into the path of movement of the containers in a channel, said selective reversing device being pivotally mounted and including means for returning the said selective reversing device to its normal position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device according to claim 7, wherein the brush-like member includes a support for the bristles, and two flanges extending along opposed sides thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 7, wherein the return means of the selective reversing device comprises a counterweight.
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 |