US3850478A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Accumulator apparatus and method
Assignee: HOTCH AND MERRIWEATHER MACHINERY
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Filing: 1973-02-22
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Granted: 1974-11-26
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Expires: 1993-02-22
Abstract
Abstract An accumulator apparatus and method wherein articles are fed along an air conveyor with means to accumulate the articles, thereby evening out irregularities in production rates and feeds. The invention is illustrated and described with respect to aerosol valve assemblies for aerosol containers, but the invention is applicable to the feeding of many kinds of articles including those which may be difficult to handle individually. An air conveyor is used to feed the articles between lateral guide means, and wherein the guide means are perforated whereby the articles may be accumulated and still avoid the development of an excess amount of friction between the articles and the guide means which would prevent easy subsequent feeding of the articles on demand.
Inventors
- 👤 S Hurd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:22
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G51/00; B65G51/02; B65G51/03; B65G51/035
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
An apparatus for conveying and accumulating articles comprising a perforated deck plate having a plurality of slots arranged along said deck plate for issuing air jets having a flow component extending along the deck plate, a plenum chamber on one side of said deck plate for supplying air under pressure through said slots, means for supplying air under pressure to said plenum chamber, a member mounted on the other side of said deck plate in confronting relationship to said plurality of slots for supporting and guiding articles handled by said apparatus, said supporting and guiding member comprising a pair of spaced wall portions extending outwardly from said deck plate and having inwardly extending spaced flange means for receiving and supporting an article in operative relationship to air jets issued through said slots, a pair of top guide members mounted on said wall portions and having inwardly extending spaced flange means for overlying guiding said articles being handled, and perforations in said flange means and said top guide members of said supporting and guiding member for dissipating air issued through said slots.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
181 words
An apparatus for conveying and accumulating articles comprising a perforated deck plate having a plurality of slots arranged along said deck plate for issuing air jets having a flow component extending along the deck plate, a plenum chamber on one side of said deck plate for supplying air under pressure through said slots, means for supplying air under pressure to said plenum chamber, a member mounted on the other side of said deck plate in confronting relationship to said plurality of slots for supporting and guiding articles handled by said apparatus, said supporting and guiding member comprising a pair of spaced wall portions extending outwardly from said deck plate and having inwardly extending spaced flange means for receiving and supporting an article in operative relationship to air jets issued through said slots, a pair of top guide members mounted on said wall portions and having inwardly extending spaced flange means for overlying guiding said articles being handled, and perforations in said flange means and said top guide members of said supporting and guiding member for dissipating air issued through said slots.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An accumulator apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said supporting and guiding member includes portions of horizontal runs and portions of vertical runs and said articles are accumulated only on said horizontal runs.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3134588A
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US3105720A
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US3129978A
Cited
US3384287A
Cited
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US3743359A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-25 | 1978-05-27 | 1978-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-25 | 1982-05-27 | 1982-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-25 | 1986-05-27 | 1986-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |