US3802154A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Machine for grouping objects such as bottles
Assignee: Pont a Mousson SA
•
Filing: 1973-01-30
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Granted: 1974-04-09
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Expires: 1993-01-30
Abstract
Abstract The machine comprises a tray filling station, two object-seizing stations, transfer devices movable between the seizing stations and the filling station and carrying object-seizing devices. Two conveyors respectively feed the objects to the two seizing stations. A tray feeding and transfer conveyor extends through the filling station and leads to a tray stacking station. The conveyors extend in directions different from the direction in which the transfer devices move.
Inventors
- 👤 M Dillon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:57
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B21/00; B65B21/02; B65B21/025; B65B35/00; B65B35/56; B65B35/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A machine for grouping objects of elongate and dissymetrical shape by head-to-toe loading of the objects on trays and then stacking a plurality of loaded trays, said machine comprising a tray filling station, two object-seizing stations, transfer devices movable between the seizing stations and the filling station, object-seizing devices carried by each of the transfer devices, two conveyors for feeding the objects and respectively leading to the two seizing stations and oriented in dirEctions different from the direction of movement of the transfer devices, a tray stacking station, and a tray feeding and transfer conveyor which extends through the filling station in a direction different from the direction of movement of the transfer devices and leads to the tray stacking station.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A machine for grouping objects of elongate and dissymetrical shape by head-to-toe loading of the objects on trays and then stacking a plurality of loaded trays, said machine comprising a tray filling station, two object-seizing stations, transfer devices movable between the seizing stations and the filling station, object-seizing devices carried by each of the transfer devices, two conveyors for feeding the objects and respectively leading to the two seizing stations and oriented in dirEctions different from the direction of movement of the transfer devices, a tray stacking station, and a tray feeding and transfer conveyor which extends through the filling station in a direction different from the direction of movement of the transfer devices and leads to the tray stacking station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transfer devices comprise guides and carriages movable on the guides.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the three conveyors are parallel to each other and the guides are also parallel to each other and perpendicular to the three conveyors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conveyors feeding the objects comprise cradles which are spaced equal distances apart at a given pitch, the cradles of one of the conveyors being offset half said pitch from the cradles of the other conveyor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
A machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the seizing devices of a given transfer device are spaced apart a distance equal to said pitch of the cradles of the object feeding conveyors, and the seizing devices of one of the two transfer devices are offset half said pitch from the seizing devices of the other transfer device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the transfer devices carries one more seizing device than the other transfer device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein each seizing device comprises two arms which are pivotable relative to the corresponding transfer device, a jack operatively connected to the two arms for shifting the two arms, a finger portion carried at an end of one of the arms and a cavity provided at an end of the other of the arms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tray stacking station comprises a vertically movable chassis, a jack for vertically moving the chassis, horizontal telescopic finger structures slidable with respect to the chassis, and means for controlling the finger structures and comprising arms pivotable relative to the chassis and operatively connected to the finger structures and a jack for shifting the arms.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the jack for vertically moving the chassis has a constant travel.
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) | 1977-04-08 | 1977-10-08 | 1978-04-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-08 | 1981-10-08 | 1982-04-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-08 | 1985-10-08 | 1986-04-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |