US3776405A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for unloading cartridges from trays
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1972-01-24
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Granted: 1973-12-04
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Expires: 1992-01-24
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for unloading cartridges from a tray, and particularly suitable for use in a cartridge handling system in which the unloaded cartridges are fed to a spooling machine where they are loaded with film. The cartridge handling system comprises an in-feed section for unloading rows of empty cartridges from the tray and feeding the cartridges one at a time into the spooling machine, and an out-feed section for removing the loaded cartridges one at a time from the spooling machine, arranging the cartridges into rows, and loading the rows of cartridges into empty trays. The tray unloading apparatus comprises an elevator mechanism for lifting the empty cartridges from a tray to an elevated position clear of the tray, and a retaining mechanism for retaining the cartridges in proper orientation on the elevator mechanism during the lifting operation. In addition a cartridge sweeping mechanism sweeps the rows of cartridges lifted from the tray to a transfer-conveying system which converts the rows of cartridges into a single row and feeds them in single file order to the spooling machine.
Inventors
- 👤 J Gade
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 14:37
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03D; G03D13/00; G03D13/001; B; B65; B65G; B65G65/00; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02; B65G2811/00; B65G2811/06; B65G2811/0647
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
In a mechanism for unloading articles from a compartmented tray having elongated openings in the bottom of each compartment, the combination comprising: means for supporting the tray Containing articles; elevating means comprising bars movable upwardly through the openings in the tray for engaging the bottoms of the articles and lifting the articles clear of the tray; and free floating retaining means movable adjacent to the tops of the articles and engageable thereby for retaining the articles on said bars as the articles are lifted by said bars; and means for moving the articles along said bars while they are retained by said retaining means for discharge therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
In a mechanism for unloading articles from a compartmented tray having elongated openings in the bottom of each compartment, the combination comprising: means for supporting the tray Containing articles; elevating means comprising bars movable upwardly through the openings in the tray for engaging the bottoms of the articles and lifting the articles clear of the tray; and free floating retaining means movable adjacent to the tops of the articles and engageable thereby for retaining the articles on said bars as the articles are lifted by said bars; and means for moving the articles along said bars while they are retained by said retaining means for discharge therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said retaining means comprises a plurality of retaining bars positioned above and in register with said elevating bars.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said retaining means is releasably latched in a retracted position above the articles, and, when released, falls under the influence of gravity to a retaining position adjacent the tops of the articles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
130 words
In a mechanism for unloading inverted generally U-shaped cartridges stacked in rows in the compartments of a tray having elongated openings in the bottom of each compartment, the combination comprising: means for supporting the tray containing cartridges; elevating means comprising first bars movable upwardly through the openings in the tray for engaging the bottoms of the cartridges and lifting them clear of the tray; and retaining means comprising second bars positioned above and in register with the rows of cartridges; and lock means for releasably locking said second bars in a retracted position spaced above the cartridges, said second bars adapted, when released by said lock means, to fall under the influence of gravity to a retaining position in which said second bars are adjacent the tops of the articles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
130 words
In a mechanism for unloading inverted generally U-shaped cartridges stacked in rows in the compartments of a tray having elongated openings in the bottom of each compartment, the combination comprising: means for supporting the tray containing cartridges; elevating means comprising first bars movable upwardly through the openings in the tray for engaging the bottoms of the cartridges and lifting them clear of the tray; and retaining means comprising second bars positioned above and in register with the rows of cartridges; and lock means for releasably locking said second bars in a retracted position spaced above the cartridges, said second bars adapted, when released by said lock means, to fall under the influence of gravity to a retaining position in which said second bars are adjacent the tops of the articles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention according to claim 4 wherein said second bars are moved to said retaining position at substantially the same time that said first bars engage the bottoms of the cartridges.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention according to claim 4 wherein said retaining means further comprises means for damping the fall of said second bars to said retaining position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
166 words
In a mechanism for unloading inverted generally U-shaped cartridges arranged in rows in the compartments of a tray having elongated openings in the bottom of each compartment, and sweeping the rows of unloaded cartridges onto a cartridge receiving means, the combination comprising: means for supporting the tray containing cartridges; elevating means comprising bars movable upwardly through the openings in the tray for engaging the bottoms of the cartridges and lifting them clear of the tray to an elevated position; retaining means positioned above the rows of cartridges and movable between a retracted position spaced above the cartridges in the tray and a retaining position adjacent the tops of the cartridges; cartridge receiving means having a receiving surface in alignment with the top surface of said bars in said elevated position; and sweeping means having a normal rest position above and in register with the tray, and movable to an end-of-sweep position for sweeping the cartridges from said bars in their elevated position onto said receiving surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
166 words
In a mechanism for unloading inverted generally U-shaped cartridges arranged in rows in the compartments of a tray having elongated openings in the bottom of each compartment, and sweeping the rows of unloaded cartridges onto a cartridge receiving means, the combination comprising: means for supporting the tray containing cartridges; elevating means comprising bars movable upwardly through the openings in the tray for engaging the bottoms of the cartridges and lifting them clear of the tray to an elevated position; retaining means positioned above the rows of cartridges and movable between a retracted position spaced above the cartridges in the tray and a retaining position adjacent the tops of the cartridges; cartridge receiving means having a receiving surface in alignment with the top surface of said bars in said elevated position; and sweeping means having a normal rest position above and in register with the tray, and movable to an end-of-sweep position for sweeping the cartridges from said bars in their elevated position onto said receiving surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention according to claim 7, and further comprising lock means for releasably locking said retaining means, in its retracted position, to said sweeping means, said retaining means adapted when released by said lock means to fall under the influence of gravity to said retaining position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention according to claim 7 wherein said retaining means further comprises means for damping the fall of said retaining means to said retaining position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention according to claim 7 wherein said lock means has a cam adapted when said lock means is locked for raising said retaining means out of engagement with the tops of the cartridges on the bars in their elevated position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention according to claim 7 wherein said retaining means comprises a plurality of retaIning bars positioned above and in register with said elevating bars.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1976-12-03 | 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 |