US3843019A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Denesting apparatus
Assignee: RL ADAMS PLASTICS INC
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Filing: 1972-08-21
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Granted: 1974-10-22
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Expires: 1992-08-21
Abstract
Abstract A denesting apparatus includes an open-ended vertical storage hopper in which is placed a plurality of lightweight trays or the like which are desired to be individually and sequentially unloaded through an open bottom of the hopper. First holding fingers mounted adjacent each side of the bottom of the hopper are sequentially actuated to separate individual trays from the stack of trays in the hopper and release the tray as it is gripped by a pair of gripping fingers mounted on a carriage assembly which reciprocates between the bottom of the trayholding hopper and a work surface below. The carriage assembly is mechanically coupled to the actuation means for the holding fingers to insure timed sequential operation of the fingers in transferring a separated tray and the gripping fingers which control the movement of the relatively lightweight tray as it is removed from the stack of trays and lowered to the work surface. One finger of the second pair of fingers is actuated to release the tray at the lower travel limit of the carriage assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 R Medendorp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:02
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B43/00; B65B43/42; B65B43/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
An apparatus for sequentially removing an article from a stack of articles and for controlling its motion to a location remote from the stack comprising: retainer means for retaining a plurality of stacked articles in a predetermined orientation; separating means for selectively separating an end article from said stack of articles; movable holding means positioned adjacent said separating means and movable between article holding and article releasing positions for selectively holding and releasing a separated end article; a pair of carriage means positioned on opposite sides of said retaining means and movable between said retainer means and a predetermined location remote therefrom; gripping means coupled to each of said carriage means and movable therewith for alternately gripping and releasing opposite sides of a separated article; and means coupling said carriage means to said separating and holding means to synchronize the movement of said gripping means with said separating and holding means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
151 words
An apparatus for sequentially removing an article from a stack of articles and for controlling its motion to a location remote from the stack comprising: retainer means for retaining a plurality of stacked articles in a predetermined orientation; separating means for selectively separating an end article from said stack of articles; movable holding means positioned adjacent said separating means and movable between article holding and article releasing positions for selectively holding and releasing a separated end article; a pair of carriage means positioned on opposite sides of said retaining means and movable between said retainer means and a predetermined location remote therefrom; gripping means coupled to each of said carriage means and movable therewith for alternately gripping and releasing opposite sides of a separated article; and means coupling said carriage means to said separating and holding means to synchronize the movement of said gripping means with said separating and holding means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said retaining means comprises a hopper having an article receiving central opening therein.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
153 words
An apparatus for sequentially removing an article from a stack of articles and for controlling its motion to a location remote from the stack comprising: a hopper having an article receiving central opening therein for retaining a plurality of stacked articles in a predetermined orientation; separatiNg means comprising first and second fingers projecting inwardly toward said central opening of said hopper and pivotally coupled thereto to allow outward motion of said fingers for selectively separating an end article from said stack of articles; a pair of carriage means positioned on opposite sides of said retaining means and movable between said retainer means and a predetermined location remote therefrom; gripping means coupled to each of said carriage means and movable therewith for alternately gripping and releasing opposite sides of a separated article; and means coupling said carriage means to said separating means to synchronize the movement of said gripping means with said separating means.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
153 words
An apparatus for sequentially removing an article from a stack of articles and for controlling its motion to a location remote from the stack comprising: a hopper having an article receiving central opening therein for retaining a plurality of stacked articles in a predetermined orientation; separatiNg means comprising first and second fingers projecting inwardly toward said central opening of said hopper and pivotally coupled thereto to allow outward motion of said fingers for selectively separating an end article from said stack of articles; a pair of carriage means positioned on opposite sides of said retaining means and movable between said retainer means and a predetermined location remote therefrom; gripping means coupled to each of said carriage means and movable therewith for alternately gripping and releasing opposite sides of a separated article; and means coupling said carriage means to said separating means to synchronize the movement of said gripping means with said separating means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3 and further including actuation means for alternately reciprocating said first and second fingers in a manner to separate an end tray from the stack of trays.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
77 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said gripping means includes at least one fixed finger and at least one movable finger projecting inwardly toward said central opening and camming means for moving said movable finger to grip an article between said fixed and movable fingers when said carriage means is positioned adjacent said hopper and for moving said movable finger to release said article when said carriage means is positioned at said remote predetermined location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said actuation means is coupled to said carriage means to synchronize the movement of said first and second fingers with said movable finger of said gripping means.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
141 words
An apparatus for sequentially removing lightweight trays from a vertical stack of such trays fitted one within another comprising: means for retaining a stack of trays in substantially vertical relationship; separating means coupled to said retaining means for sequentially separating an end tray from the stack of trays to permit removal of the end tray from the stack; movable holding means positioned adjacent said separating means and movable between article holding and article releasing positions for selectively holding and releasing a separated end article; and reciprocating gripping means movable between said retaining means and a position below and remote therefrom for gripping an end tray released by said holding means, carrying said end tray to a lowered position remote from said retaining means and releasing said end tray, and returning to said holding means to receive the next separated end tray.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
141 words
An apparatus for sequentially removing lightweight trays from a vertical stack of such trays fitted one within another comprising: means for retaining a stack of trays in substantially vertical relationship; separating means coupled to said retaining means for sequentially separating an end tray from the stack of trays to permit removal of the end tray from the stack; movable holding means positioned adjacent said separating means and movable between article holding and article releasing positions for selectively holding and releasing a separated end article; and reciprocating gripping means movable between said retaining means and a position below and remote therefrom for gripping an end tray released by said holding means, carrying said end tray to a lowered position remote from said retaining means and releasing said end tray, and returning to said holding means to receive the next separated end tray.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said retaining means comprises: a vertical hopper having a central, tray receiving opening therein for holding said trays in vertical alignment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said separating means includes a plurality of inwardly extending holding fingers coupled to the bottom of said hopper for holding said stack of trays in said hopper, and actuatable for sequentially releasing the bottom tray of the stack.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
232 words
An apparatus for sequentially removing lightweight trays from a vertical stack of such trays fitted one within another comprising: means for retaining a stack of trays comprising a vertical hopper having a central, tray receiving opening therein for holding said trays in vertical alignment; separating means coupled to said retaining means for sequentially separating an end tray from the stack of trays to permit removal of the end tray from the stack wherein said separating means includes at least one pivotable frame pivotally coupled to said hopper for coupling a plurality of inwardly extending holding fingers coupled to the bottom of said hopper for holding said stack of trays in said hopper; means for pivoting said frame a rotating actuation arm periodically contacting one side of said frame causing said frame to pivot in a manner to move said holding fingers outwardly to sequentially release said stack of trays bias means contacting the other side of said fraMe for pivoting said frame causing said holding fingers to move inwardly for holding said stack of trays; and reciprocating gripping means movable between said retaining means and a position below and remote therefrom for gripping an end tray released by said separating means, carrying said end tray to a lowered position remote from said retaining means and releasing said end tray, and returning to said holding means to receive the next separated end tray.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
232 words
An apparatus for sequentially removing lightweight trays from a vertical stack of such trays fitted one within another comprising: means for retaining a stack of trays comprising a vertical hopper having a central, tray receiving opening therein for holding said trays in vertical alignment; separating means coupled to said retaining means for sequentially separating an end tray from the stack of trays to permit removal of the end tray from the stack wherein said separating means includes at least one pivotable frame pivotally coupled to said hopper for coupling a plurality of inwardly extending holding fingers coupled to the bottom of said hopper for holding said stack of trays in said hopper; means for pivoting said frame a rotating actuation arm periodically contacting one side of said frame causing said frame to pivot in a manner to move said holding fingers outwardly to sequentially release said stack of trays bias means contacting the other side of said fraMe for pivoting said frame causing said holding fingers to move inwardly for holding said stack of trays; and reciprocating gripping means movable between said retaining means and a position below and remote therefrom for gripping an end tray released by said separating means, carrying said end tray to a lowered position remote from said retaining means and releasing said end tray, and returning to said holding means to receive the next separated end tray.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said reciprocating gripping means comprises a carriage assembly movably mounted between said bottom of said hopper and a position remote therefrom and including a plurality of inwardly extending gripping fingers including at least one of which is movable to alternately grip and release a tray.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said carriage assembly includes camming means coupled to said movable gripping finger for actuating said finger to grip a released tray at the bottom of said hopper and release said tray when said carriage has moved to said remote position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 12 and further including means coupling said actuation arm to said carriage assembly to synchronize the movement of said holding fingers and said movable gripping finger.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
126 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said separating means further includes a second plurality of inwardly extending fingers coupled to said hopper by means of a second frame pivotally coupled to opposite sides of said hopper and positioned to be actuated by said actuation arm such that said second holding fingers are moved in said first direction when said actuation arm is 180* from its contact position with said first frame, said second frame including biasing means holding said second holding fingers in a normally inward tray holding position, said first and second tray holding fingers being vertically spaced so as to separate an end tray from said stack of trays as said fingers are alternately actuated while simultaneously holding said next end tray.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
156 words
A denesting apparatus for separating a tray from a stack of trays and for positioning the separated tray onto a work surface comprising: a hopper for retaining a plurality of frays stacked one upon the other; holding finger means for holding the trays in the hopper, and sequentially separating one tray from the stack of trays in said hopper; said holding finger means comprising first and second holding fingers spaced apart a predetermined distance and movable to sequentially hold and separate an end tray from said hopper; a carriage assembly reciprocally mounted between said hopper and a work surface; gripping fingers mounted to said carriage assembly and including at least one movable finger for gripping said separated tray thereby carrying said tray between said hopper and said work surface as said carriage assembly travels therebetween; and means for moving said movable gripping finger to release said tray when said carriage assembly is in a predetermined position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
156 words
A denesting apparatus for separating a tray from a stack of trays and for positioning the separated tray onto a work surface comprising: a hopper for retaining a plurality of frays stacked one upon the other; holding finger means for holding the trays in the hopper, and sequentially separating one tray from the stack of trays in said hopper; said holding finger means comprising first and second holding fingers spaced apart a predetermined distance and movable to sequentially hold and separate an end tray from said hopper; a carriage assembly reciprocally mounted between said hopper and a work surface; gripping fingers mounted to said carriage assembly and including at least one movable finger for gripping said separated tray thereby carrying said tray between said hopper and said work surface as said carriage assembly travels therebetween; and means for moving said movable gripping finger to release said tray when said carriage assembly is in a predetermined position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 15 including actuating means for alternately reciprocating said first and second holding fingers toward and away from a tray.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 16 and further including means for coupling said carriage assembly to said actuating means to synchronize the motion of said first and second holding fingers with said carriage assembly motion.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said moving means includes a cam movably mounted to said carriage assembly and in contact with said at least one movable gripping finger to selectively move said finger into a gripping or releasing position.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
82 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 18 and further including stop means mounted to said apparatus at alternate ends of travel of said carriage assembly and positioned to shift said cam to a first position when said carriage assembly is in a first position thereby moving said movable gripPing finger into a gripping position, and to shift said cam to a second position when said carriage assembly is in said predetermined position thereby moving said movable gripping finger into a releasing position.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein said gripping fingers include at least one fixed finger positioned in spaced relationship to said movable finger to grip an edge of a tray between said fixed and movable fingers when said movable finger is in said gripping position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said hopper is positioned to hold a stack of trays in vertical alignment, wherein a pair of first and second holding fingers are mounted at opposite sides of said hopper, and wherein a pair of carriage assemblies each including gripping fingers are mounted at the same opposite sides of said hopper such that a tray is contacted at opposite edges by fingers on opposite sides of said hopper.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
186 words
A denesting apparatus for separating an article from a stack of articles and for positioning the separated article onto a work surface comprising: a hopper for retaining a plurality of articles stacked one adjacent the other; means for holding the articles in the hopper, and sequentially separating and releasing one article from the stack of articles in said hopper; guide means extending between said hopper and a work surface; a carriage assembly slidably mounted to said guide means for movement between said hopper and a work surface; gripping means mounted to said carriage assembly and including at least one movable member for gripping said separated article thereby carrying said article between said hopper and said work surface as said carriage assembly travels therebetween; stop means mounted to said guide means near an end thereof adjacent said work surface; and camming means coupled to said gripping means and actuated by contacting said stop means when said carriage approaches the work surface for directly moving said movable gripping member to release said article when said carriage assembly is in a predetermined position with respect to the work surface.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
186 words
A denesting apparatus for separating an article from a stack of articles and for positioning the separated article onto a work surface comprising: a hopper for retaining a plurality of articles stacked one adjacent the other; means for holding the articles in the hopper, and sequentially separating and releasing one article from the stack of articles in said hopper; guide means extending between said hopper and a work surface; a carriage assembly slidably mounted to said guide means for movement between said hopper and a work surface; gripping means mounted to said carriage assembly and including at least one movable member for gripping said separated article thereby carrying said article between said hopper and said work surface as said carriage assembly travels therebetween; stop means mounted to said guide means near an end thereof adjacent said work surface; and camming means coupled to said gripping means and actuated by contacting said stop means when said carriage approaches the work surface for directly moving said movable gripping member to release said article when said carriage assembly is in a predetermined position with respect to the work surface.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said hopper includes stop means thereon and wherein said camming means engages said stop when said carriage approaches said hopper to actuate said movable gripping member to grip an article separated by said holding means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 23 wherein said camming means comprises a sliding member movably mounted to said carriage and including opposite end portions alternately extending from said carriage to engage the work surface or said stop means to move said sliding member, and means coupling said sliding member to said movable gripping member to move said gripping member between gripping and releasing positions as said sliding member is moved with respect to said carriage.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-21 | 1978-04-22 | 1978-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-21 | 1982-04-22 | 1982-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-21 | 1986-04-22 | 1986-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |