US3841471A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Feeder and orienter
Assignee: Lipe Rollway Corp
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Filing: 1972-11-09
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Granted: 1974-10-15
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Expires: 1992-11-09
Abstract
Abstract A vibratory feeder has a feed surface that is inclined upward and doubled back so that objects falling from the upper level drop to the lower, input level. The feed surface is covered with a pile material that has filaments inclined from the vertical toward the direction of feed up the incline, and the filaments have a size, density and resilience for flexibly supporting objects on the filament tips for movement up the incline. The lower and upper levels of the feed surface are preferably driven by separate vibrators in the respective general directions of the pile inclinations.
Inventors
- 👤 D Mead
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 00:23
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/02; B65G47/04; B65G47/12; B65G47/14; B65G47/1407; B65G27/00; B65G27/04; B65G47/1492; B65G47/22; B65G47/24; B65G47/256
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A feeder and orienter comprising: a. a first feed surface inclined upward from an input region for receiving objects to be fed; b. a second feed surface leading from the output end of said first feed surface to a discharge region disposed so said objects falling from said second feed surface drop to said first feed surface; c. each of said feed surfaces being covered with a pile material having flexible filaments uniformly inclined by about 5* to 25* from the vertical toward the direction of movement of said objects along said feed surfaces; d. said filaments having uniform length and thickness and a sufficient density so that only the tips of said filaments support said objects to be fed; e. means for vibrating each of said feed surfaces in a generally reciprocal motion in the general direction of the inclination of said filaments; and f. said filaments being sufficiently resilient to flex under said objects during upward movement of said feed surfaces in said reciprocal motion to increase the feeding speed and force of said feed surfaces in moving said objects.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A feeder and orienter comprising: a. a first feed surface inclined upward from an input region for receiving objects to be fed; b. a second feed surface leading from the output end of said first feed surface to a discharge region disposed so said objects falling from said second feed surface drop to said first feed surface; c. each of said feed surfaces being covered with a pile material having flexible filaments uniformly inclined by about 5* to 25* from the vertical toward the direction of movement of said objects along said feed surfaces; d. said filaments having uniform length and thickness and a sufficient density so that only the tips of said filaments support said objects to be fed; e. means for vibrating each of said feed surfaces in a generally reciprocal motion in the general direction of the inclination of said filaments; and f. said filaments being sufficiently resilient to flex under said objects during upward movement of said feed surfaces in said reciprocal motion to increase the feeding speed and force of said feed surfaces in moving said objects.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The feeder and orienter of claim 1 wherein said vibrating means includes a separate vibrator for each of said first and second feed surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The feeder and orientor of claim 2 wherein said separate vibrators operate in phase with each other and have respective reciprocal motions in the general direction of the inclination of said filaments for said respective first and second feed surfaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The feeder and orienter of claim 2 wherein said direction of said reciprocal motion of said vibrators is from vertical to 75* from vertical in the plane of said inclination of said filaments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The feeder and orienter of claim 1 wherein a laterally adjustable guide rail extends along said second feed surface for adjusting the width of said second feed surface so improperly oriented objects fall to said first feed surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The feeder of claim 1 wherein said objects are generally cylindrical with approximately equal length and diameter, and said discharge region includes a tube leading vertically downward from said discharge region.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The feeder and orienter of claim 1 wherein said objects are generally cylindrical with greater length than diameter, and said discharge region includes a guide trough leading horizontally from said discharge region.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The feeder and orienter of claim 1 including pile material arranged in the region of the junction between said first feed surface and said second feed surface and having flexible filaments uniformly inclined from said first feed surface toward said second feed surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The feeder and orienter of claim 8 wherein said vibrating means includes a separaTe vibrator for each of said first and second surfaces, and said separate vibrators operate in phase with each other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The feeder and orienter of claim 9 wherein said first and second feed surfaces are sloped to bias said objects toward the outside of said first and second feed surfaces.
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) | 1977-10-14 | 1978-04-15 | 1978-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-14 | 1982-04-15 | 1982-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-14 | 1986-04-15 | 1986-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |