Patent US4120373A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3777911A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for manipulating containers for cigarettes or the like
Assignee: Körber AG
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Filing: 1972-03-06
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Granted: 1973-12-11
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Expires: 1992-03-06
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for transporting trays between the tray filling unit of a cigarette making machine and an evacuating unit which dumps the contents of filled trays into the magazine of a cigarette packing machine comprises a pair of superimposed storing units and an intermediate conveyor which transports filled trays from the lower storing unit to the evacuating unit. The upper storing unit receives empty trays directly from the evacuating unit and delivers them directly to the filling unit. The filling unit delivers filled trays directly to the lower storing unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Ulrich Bornfleth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:19
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24C; A24C5/00; A24C5/35; A24C5/352
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
Apparatus for transporting discrete containers for cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles which containers are movable independently of each other between producing and consuming machines, comprising a filling unit arranged to receive articles from at least one producing machine and having loading means for loading articles into empty containers of polygonal outline to thus convert such containers into filled containers of polygonal outline; an evacuating unit including receiving means for receiving filled containers and for discharging the contents of such containers for delivery into at least one consuming machine; and transporting means for conveying filled containers from said filling unit only to said evacuating unit and for conveying empty containers from said evacuating unit only to said filling unit so that each empty container leaving said evacuating unit is converted into a filled container prior to being returned to said evacuating unit and each filled container leaving said filling unit is converted into an empty container prior to being returned to said filling unit, said containers being separable from said transporting means and said transporting means providing a direct connection between said units and comprising first and second storing means common to said units and respectively arranged to accomodate supplies of empty and filled containers, said first and second storing means respectively comprising a first and second conveyor means movable independently of each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
Apparatus for transporting discrete containers for cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles which containers are movable independently of each other between producing and consuming machines, comprising a filling unit arranged to receive articles from at least one producing machine and having loading means for loading articles into empty containers of polygonal outline to thus convert such containers into filled containers of polygonal outline; an evacuating unit including receiving means for receiving filled containers and for discharging the contents of such containers for delivery into at least one consuming machine; and transporting means for conveying filled containers from said filling unit only to said evacuating unit and for conveying empty containers from said evacuating unit only to said filling unit so that each empty container leaving said evacuating unit is converted into a filled container prior to being returned to said evacuating unit and each filled container leaving said filling unit is converted into an empty container prior to being returned to said filling unit, said containers being separable from said transporting means and said transporting means providing a direct connection between said units and comprising first and second storing means common to said units and respectively arranged to accomodate supplies of empty and filled containers, said first and second storing means respectively comprising a first and second conveyor means movable independently of each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said transporting means further comprises intermediate conveyor means interposed between one of said units and one of said storing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said loading means is located at a first level and said second storing means is located at a second level, said filling unit further comprising conveyor means for transporting successive containers from said first storing means, past said loading means and to said second storing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
109 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said evacuating unit is located at a level above said second storing means and said transporting means further comprises intermediate conveyor means for transporting successive filled containers upwardly from said second storing means to said receiving means, said receiving means being movable from a first position in which it is ready to receive a filled container from said intermediate conveyor means, to a second position in which it is ready to discharge the contents of such container, thereupon to a third position in which the thus evacuated container can be accepted by said first storing means, and back to said first position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the effective length of at least one of said storing means is adjustable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said receiving means comprises supporting means for containers, said supporting means being movable by containers between idle and supporting positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising control means including control elements adjacent to at least one of said storing means and arranged to control the operation of at least one of said machines as a function of the number of containers in the respective storing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said control elements Include electric switch means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said second storing means is provided with auxiliary means for facilitating manual introduction and withdrawal of containers from said second storing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
196 words
Apparatus for transporting discrete containers for cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles between producing and consuming machines, comprising a filling unit arranged to receive articles from at least one producing machine and having loading means for loading articles into empty containers to thus convert such containers into filled containers; an evacuating unit including receiving means for receiving filled containers and for discharging the contents of such containers into a consuming machine; transporting means for conveying filled containers from said filling unit to said evacuating unit and for conveying empty containers from said evacuating unit to said filling unit, said transporting means for providing a direct connection between said units and comprising first and second storing means common to said units and respectively arranged to accommodate supplies of empty and filled containers, said second storing means being provided with auxiliary means for facilitating introduction and withdrawal of containers from said second storing means, said auxiliary means comprising lifting means located below the path of movement of containers in said second storing means and means for moving said lifting means up and down whereby said lifting means respectively lifts containers, above and deposits containers in said second storing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
196 words
Apparatus for transporting discrete containers for cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles between producing and consuming machines, comprising a filling unit arranged to receive articles from at least one producing machine and having loading means for loading articles into empty containers to thus convert such containers into filled containers; an evacuating unit including receiving means for receiving filled containers and for discharging the contents of such containers into a consuming machine; transporting means for conveying filled containers from said filling unit to said evacuating unit and for conveying empty containers from said evacuating unit to said filling unit, said transporting means for providing a direct connection between said units and comprising first and second storing means common to said units and respectively arranged to accommodate supplies of empty and filled containers, said second storing means being provided with auxiliary means for facilitating introduction and withdrawal of containers from said second storing means, said auxiliary means comprising lifting means located below the path of movement of containers in said second storing means and means for moving said lifting means up and down whereby said lifting means respectively lifts containers, above and deposits containers in said second storing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said second storing means comprises a pair of endless transporting members operable to advance filled containers away from said filling unit, said lifting means comprising a platform located between said transporting members.
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) | 1976-12-10 | 1977-06-11 | 1977-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-10 | 1981-06-11 | 1981-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-10 | 1985-06-11 | 1985-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |