US3800941A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Can sorter
Assignee: MANDREL IND INC US
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Filing: 1973-01-24
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Granted: 1974-04-02
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Expires: 1993-01-24
Abstract
Abstract Cans rolling on a track are inspected by photoelectric means for the presence or absence of a circumferential marking band, and in accordance with the sensing made, are either permitted to continue rolling on the track, or are dropped through to a lower track. To carry out the drop, the upper track is formed with a number of discrete segments displaceable outboardly, the upstream pair of segments being operated by electromagnets under the control of the inspection means to initiate the drop, and the upstream sides of the segments having cam surfaces engageable by a can that has already begun to drop to cause full displacement of the segment and a continuation of the drop. Each segment is shorter than the radius of a can so that it closes in behind a dropping can before the next following can arrives.
Inventors
- 👤 J Powell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:51
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/34; B07C5/3412
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
A can sorter of the type in which cans rolling on a track are inspected for a selected characteristic, and are then permitted to continue rolling on the track or are dropped through the track in accordance with the characteristic, comprising in combination: a displaceably segmented track for receiving cans to be sorted; means for displacing at least one segment of said track for initiating the dropping of a can; means for returning each track segment to an undisplaced position forming a portion of the track when no displacing force is acting on the respective track segment; inspection means responsive to sensing of the selected characteristic for controlling the displacing means; each of the track segments not directly displaceable by the displacing means having a cam surface facing upstream with respect to direction of can roll for engagement by a can that has already begun to drop, said cam surface normally being masked by the next adjacent upstream track segment to prevent engagement by a can unless the adjacent upstream track segment is in displaced position; and each of the displaceable track segments further having a length in the direction of can roll substantially less than the can radius, to permit return of the segment to an undisplaced position before being engaged by an immediately following can that is not to be dropped.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
A can sorter of the type in which cans rolling on a track are inspected for a selected characteristic, and are then permitted to continue rolling on the track or are dropped through the track in accordance with the characteristic, comprising in combination: a displaceably segmented track for receiving cans to be sorted; means for displacing at least one segment of said track for initiating the dropping of a can; means for returning each track segment to an undisplaced position forming a portion of the track when no displacing force is acting on the respective track segment; inspection means responsive to sensing of the selected characteristic for controlling the displacing means; each of the track segments not directly displaceable by the displacing means having a cam surface facing upstream with respect to direction of can roll for engagement by a can that has already begun to drop, said cam surface normally being masked by the next adjacent upstream track segment to prevent engagement by a can unless the adjacent upstream track segment is in displaced position; and each of the displaceable track segments further having a length in the direction of can roll substantially less than the can radius, to permit return of the segment to an undisplaced position before being engaged by an immediately following can that is not to be dropped.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The can sorter of claim 1, wherein the downstream portion of each track segment is shaped to mask the cam surface on the upstream side of the adjacent segment when said segments are in their undisplaced position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The can sorter of claim 2, wherein the displaceable track segments are spaced apart along the direction of the track, so that any one segment may be at least partly displaced without causing any displacement of the adjacent downstream segment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The can sorter of claim 3, wherein the spacing of said track segments in the direction of can roll is such that each segment is at least partly but not fully displaced at the time the adjacent upstream segment is fully displaced by a can.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
109 words
The can sorter of claim 2, wherein: the track includes two parallel side walls spaced apart for closely confining and guiding the ends of the cans; each of said side walls supporting a rail member mounted on respective confronting sides of said walls for supporting the beaded end portions of the cans; the side walls have parallel slots formed therein at the rail level in the zone of the displaceable track segments; and the segments are mounted in the undisplaced position to protrude through the slots to the inboard space between said side walls, so as to define continuations of the rail members in the slot and segment zone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
95 words
The can sorter of claim 5, wherein: each displaceable track segment is detachably mounted at the upper end of a vertically disposed leaf spring, the lower end of the spring being mounted on the outboard side of the corresponding side wall so as to be loaded to bear at the upper end against the side wall and to continuously urge the segment toward the undisplaced position; and an electromagnet is mounted outboard from each of the most upstream opposing segments for displacing said most upstream opposing segments outboardly under the control of the inspection means.
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) | 1977-04-01 | 1977-10-01 | 1978-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-01 | 1981-10-01 | 1982-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-01 | 1985-10-01 | 1986-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |