US3791509A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Magnetic hopper system for loading and unloading a conveyor
Assignee: Coulter Chemistry Inc
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Filing: 1971-11-03
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1991-11-03
Abstract
Abstract The system includes a first magnetic plate mounted in a generally upright position at a first location adjacent a conveyor and adapted to hold thereagainst a plurality of objects each having a magnetizable material therein. The plate has two slots therein and a movable finger in each slot which is adapted to engage the top side of the object for sequentially moving objects downwardly onto the conveyor. A second magnetic plate is mounted in a generally upright position at a second location downstream from the first location and adjacent the conveyor. A vertically reciprocal ram powered by a pneumatic cylinder is situated at the second location and is adapted to move upwardly to sequentially move objects from the conveyor onto the second plate as each object reaches the second location.
Inventors
- 👤 A Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:47
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G60/00; B65G59/00; B65G59/06; B65G59/067; B65G59/068; G; G01; G01N; G01N35/00; G01N35/02; G01N35/04; G01N2035/0401; G01N2035/0418; G01N2035/0425; G01N2035/0474; G01N2035/0477; G01N35/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
A system for storing a plurality of generally elongate objects at a first location adjacent a generally horizontal conveyor with the long axis of each object extending generally horizontally, for sequentially delivering the objects to the conveyor at that location, for unloading the objects from the conveyor at a second location downstream from the first location, and for storing the objects at the second location with the long axis of each object extending generally horizontally, said system including a generally upright member mounted at the first location adjacent the conveyor, said member having means for magnetically holding thereagainst a plurality of generally elongate objects each of which has magnetizable material therein, first means for sequentially moving objects transversely of the long axis of each object from said generally upright member onto the conveyor, a second generally upright member mounted at a second location downstream from said first location and adjacent the conveyor, said second upright member having means for magnetically holding thereagainst a plurality of the objects, and second means at said second location for moving each object arriving at said second location transversely of the long axis of each object from the conveyor onto said second generally upright member.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
200 words
A system for storing a plurality of generally elongate objects at a first location adjacent a generally horizontal conveyor with the long axis of each object extending generally horizontally, for sequentially delivering the objects to the conveyor at that location, for unloading the objects from the conveyor at a second location downstream from the first location, and for storing the objects at the second location with the long axis of each object extending generally horizontally, said system including a generally upright member mounted at the first location adjacent the conveyor, said member having means for magnetically holding thereagainst a plurality of generally elongate objects each of which has magnetizable material therein, first means for sequentially moving objects transversely of the long axis of each object from said generally upright member onto the conveyor, a second generally upright member mounted at a second location downstream from said first location and adjacent the conveyor, said second upright member having means for magnetically holding thereagainst a plurality of the objects, and second means at said second location for moving each object arriving at said second location transversely of the long axis of each object from the conveyor onto said second generally upright member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said generally upright members are vertiCal plates.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for magnetically holding objects against at least one of said generally upright plates includes a coating of material on said member including a plurality of magnetized ferrite particles embedded in a binder, said particles having been magnetized in such a manner that the magnetic poles of said particles are randomly distributed throughout said material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first generally upright member has at least one vertical slot therein and said means for moving objects from said first member onto the conveyor includes a finger received in said slot and power means for reciprocating said finger in said slot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said finger is deflectable when moved upward against and past an object on said first member and is rigid when moved downwardly into engagement with the topside of the object.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second means includes a ram mounted at said second location adjacent said second generally upright member, power means for reciprocating said ram, and trigger means actuated when an object is received at said second location for operating said power means to reciprocate said ram to move said object from the conveyor and onto said second generally upright member.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
80 words
A system for storing generally elongate objects each having magnetizable material therein with the long axis of each object extending generally horizontally and for sequentially delivering the objects to a generally horizontal conveyor, said system including a generally upright member located adjacent a conveyor, said generally upright member having means for magnetically holding a plurality of objects thereagainst, and means for sequentially moving objects transversely of the long axis of each object from said generally upright member onto the conveyor.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
80 words
A system for storing generally elongate objects each having magnetizable material therein with the long axis of each object extending generally horizontally and for sequentially delivering the objects to a generally horizontal conveyor, said system including a generally upright member located adjacent a conveyor, said generally upright member having means for magnetically holding a plurality of objects thereagainst, and means for sequentially moving objects transversely of the long axis of each object from said generally upright member onto the conveyor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as claimed in claim 7 wherein said generally upright member is a vertical plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system as claimed in claim 7 wherein said means for magnetically holding objects against said member includes a coating of material on said member, said material including a plurality of magnetized ferrite particles embedded in a binder, said particles having been magnetized in such a manner that the magnetic poles of said particles are randomly distributed throughout said material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system as claimed in claim 7 wherein said generally upright member has at least one vertical slot therein and said means for moving objects from said member onto the conveyor includes a finger received in said slot and power means for reciprocating said finger in said slot.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said finger is deflectable when moved upward against and past an object or said generally upright member and is rigid when moved downwardly into engagement with the topside of the object.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system as claimed in claim 11 wherein said finger is pivotably mounted and includes a counterweight mechanism for urging said finger to its object engaging position after said finger moves past the topside of the object.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
110 words
A system for unloading generally elongate objects from a conveyor and for storing the objects each of which has magnetizable material therein with the long axis of each object extending generally horizontally, said system including a generally upright, rectangular plate-shaped member located adjacent a generally horizontal conveyor and having permanent magnet means for magnetically holding thereagainst a plurality of the objects, and means located in close proximity to said generally upright member for sequentially moving objects transversely of the long axis of each object from the conveyor onto the generally upright member as and when each object is moved by the conveyor to a position adjacent the generally upright member.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
110 words
A system for unloading generally elongate objects from a conveyor and for storing the objects each of which has magnetizable material therein with the long axis of each object extending generally horizontally, said system including a generally upright, rectangular plate-shaped member located adjacent a generally horizontal conveyor and having permanent magnet means for magnetically holding thereagainst a plurality of the objects, and means located in close proximity to said generally upright member for sequentially moving objects transversely of the long axis of each object from the conveyor onto the generally upright member as and when each object is moved by the conveyor to a position adjacent the generally upright member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
85 words
The system as claimed in claim 13 wherein said moving means includes a ram mounted adjacent the lower end of said Generally upright member, power means for reciprocating said ram, and trigger means actuated when an object is moved by the conveyor to a position adjacent the lower end of said member for operating said power means to reciprocate said ram to move the object from the conveyor and onto said generally upright member where the object is held by magnetic force on said member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system as claimed in claim 14 wherein said trigger means includes a limit switch located adjacent one edge of said generally upright member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as claimed in claim 13 wherein said generally upright member is a vertical plate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
64 words
The system as claimed in claim 13 wherein said permanent magnet means for magnetically holding objects against said generally upright plate includes a coating of material on said member, said material including a plurality of magnetized ferrite particles embedded in a binder, said particles having been magnetized in such a manner that the magnetic poles of said particles are randomly distributed throughout said material.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
137 words
A system for storing generally elongate objects with the long axis of each object extending generally horizontally and for sequentially delivering the objects to a generally horizontal conveyor, each of the objects having magnetizable material therein and means for positively engaging the conveyor, said system including a generally upright magazine located adjacent the conveyor and means for sequentially moving objects transversely of the long axis of each object from the magazine onto the conveyor, said magazine including a generally upright member having means for magnetically holding a plurality of objects thereagainst and first and second spaced apart side walls connected to said member and defining therebetween a channel shaped guideway for guiding the generally elongate objects into proper registration with object engaging means on the conveyor as each object is moved from the magazine onto the conveyor.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
137 words
A system for storing generally elongate objects with the long axis of each object extending generally horizontally and for sequentially delivering the objects to a generally horizontal conveyor, each of the objects having magnetizable material therein and means for positively engaging the conveyor, said system including a generally upright magazine located adjacent the conveyor and means for sequentially moving objects transversely of the long axis of each object from the magazine onto the conveyor, said magazine including a generally upright member having means for magnetically holding a plurality of objects thereagainst and first and second spaced apart side walls connected to said member and defining therebetween a channel shaped guideway for guiding the generally elongate objects into proper registration with object engaging means on the conveyor as each object is moved from the magazine onto the conveyor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
91 words
A sample cup holder for use in an automatic chemical analysis apparatus, said holder being adapted to be temporarily stored in a magnetic hopper of a hopper system in the apparatus and having a generally rectangular block shape with a plurality of sample cup receiving pockets therein, a strip of magnetizable material secured to one side thereof, and a plurality of recesses therein, said recesses being adapted to receive holder engaging means on a conveyor whereby positive engagement can be effected between said holder and the conveyor for transporting said holder.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
91 words
A sample cup holder for use in an automatic chemical analysis apparatus, said holder being adapted to be temporarily stored in a magnetic hopper of a hopper system in the apparatus and having a generally rectangular block shape with a plurality of sample cup receiving pockets therein, a strip of magnetizable material secured to one side thereof, and a plurality of recesses therein, said recesses being adapted to receive holder engaging means on a conveyor whereby positive engagement can be effected between said holder and the conveyor for transporting said holder.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
232 words
A magnetic hopper system for loading and unloading sample cup holders onto and from a conveyor in an automatic chemical analysis apparatus, each holder having a strip of magnetizable material on one side thereof, said system including a first magazine located adjacent a conveyor at the upstream end of a sampling station of the apparatus, a second magazine located at the downstream end of the sampling station, each magazine including a vertically disposed plate coated with a magnetic substance and first and second spaced apart sidewalls connected to said plate and defining therebetween a channel shaped guideway, said plate of said first magazine having first and second vertical slots therein, means for sequentially moving holders from said first magazine onto the conveyor, said means including deflectable fingers which are received in and vertically movable in said slots for engaging and moving a holder in said first magazine downwardly in said guideway onto said conveyor and in registration with holder engaging means on the conveyor, and means at the bottom of said second magazine for moving said holders upwardly from the conveyor into said second magazine, said moving means including a vertically reciprocal ram, power means for reciprocating said ram, and switching means, actuated upon movement of one of said holders by the conveyor to a position between said sidewalls of said second magazine, for operating said power means to move said ram.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
232 words
A magnetic hopper system for loading and unloading sample cup holders onto and from a conveyor in an automatic chemical analysis apparatus, each holder having a strip of magnetizable material on one side thereof, said system including a first magazine located adjacent a conveyor at the upstream end of a sampling station of the apparatus, a second magazine located at the downstream end of the sampling station, each magazine including a vertically disposed plate coated with a magnetic substance and first and second spaced apart sidewalls connected to said plate and defining therebetween a channel shaped guideway, said plate of said first magazine having first and second vertical slots therein, means for sequentially moving holders from said first magazine onto the conveyor, said means including deflectable fingers which are received in and vertically movable in said slots for engaging and moving a holder in said first magazine downwardly in said guideway onto said conveyor and in registration with holder engaging means on the conveyor, and means at the bottom of said second magazine for moving said holders upwardly from the conveyor into said second magazine, said moving means including a vertically reciprocal ram, power means for reciprocating said ram, and switching means, actuated upon movement of one of said holders by the conveyor to a position between said sidewalls of said second magazine, for operating said power means to move said ram.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
105 words
A system for storing elongate sample cup holders each having magnetizable material therein with the long axis of each holder extending generally horizontally and for sequentially moving the holders transversely of the long axis of each holder relative to a conveyor, said system including a generally upright, rectangular plate-shaped member located adjacent a conveyor, said generally upright member having permanent magnet means for magnetically holding a plurality of the holders thereagainst with the long axis of each holder extending generally horizontally, and means for sequentially moving the holders transversely of the long axis of each holder between said generally upright member and to the conveyor.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
105 words
A system for storing elongate sample cup holders each having magnetizable material therein with the long axis of each holder extending generally horizontally and for sequentially moving the holders transversely of the long axis of each holder relative to a conveyor, said system including a generally upright, rectangular plate-shaped member located adjacent a conveyor, said generally upright member having permanent magnet means for magnetically holding a plurality of the holders thereagainst with the long axis of each holder extending generally horizontally, and means for sequentially moving the holders transversely of the long axis of each holder between said generally upright member and to the conveyor.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system according to claim 21 wherein said moving means is operable only to move holders onto the conveyor.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system according to claim 22 wherein said generally upright member has at least one vertical slot therein and said means for moving holders include a finger received in said slot and power means for reciprocating said finger in said slot.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 21 wherein said moving means is operable only to move holders off of the conveyor.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
84 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein said moving means includes a ram mounted adjacent the lower end of said generally upright member, power means for reciprocating said ram, and trigger means actuated when a holder is moved by the conveyor to a position adjacent the lower end of said member for operating said power means to reciprocate said ram to move the holder from the conveyor and onto said generally upright member where the holder is held by magnetic force on said member.
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) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |