US3854601A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for forming patterned layers
Assignee: Miller Engineering Corp
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Filing: 1973-07-05
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Granted: 1974-12-17
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Expires: 1993-07-05
Abstract
Abstract Discloses an apparatus and a process for forming patterned layers of rectangular objects on a conveyor for subsequent loading onto a pallet located on an elevator. The pallet is located on a vertically moving elevator which is incrementally lowered to receive successive layers of mirror image or opposite hand patterns. The apparatus of this invention functions to receive articles from a feed conveyor, turn said articles alternately transversely on a second conveyor by turning said article around a center of rotation located at the distal corner opposite to the direction of rotation of said article. Successive articles are turned transversely to either side of said conveyor and selected articles are turned again so as to lie parallel and laterally spaced from their original line of travel. The articles which are twice turned determine the pattern and are oppositely located for successive patterned layers so as to form opposite hand or mirror image patterns.
Inventors
- 👤 F Miller
- 👤 D Witherspoon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:54
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/02; B65G47/04; B65G47/06; B65G47/08; B65G47/084; B65G47/086
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
243 words
A pattern forming device for stacking patterned layers of articles onto a pallet, comprising: A. an endless conveyor, including a receiving zone for receiving articles, a loading zone comprising an aperture in said endless conveyor through which said articles gravitationally pass onto said pallet, and a fixed stop disposed over the terminal border of said pallet for stopping said articles and to maintain said articles in fixed position for loading onto said pallet through said aperture. B. the improvement in said pattern forming device of: 1. a first turning station for turning articles clockwise and counterclockwise to both sides of their original line of travel along the long axis of said conveyor so that each turned article lies laterally spaced from the center line of said conveyor and with each turned article''s longitudinal axis turned at about 90 degrees from the center line of said conveyor; 2. a pair of second turning stations, one on either side of said conveyor operative to turn articles a second time so that the longitudinal axes of the twice turned articles on one side are parallel and laterally disposed to their original line of travel and normal to the longitudinal axes of the once turned articles on the other side of said conveyor, and, 3. a pattern closer and locator for pushing articles on either side of said conveyor together so as to close the pattern and locate a patterned layer of said articles over said pallet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
243 words
A pattern forming device for stacking patterned layers of articles onto a pallet, comprising: A. an endless conveyor, including a receiving zone for receiving articles, a loading zone comprising an aperture in said endless conveyor through which said articles gravitationally pass onto said pallet, and a fixed stop disposed over the terminal border of said pallet for stopping said articles and to maintain said articles in fixed position for loading onto said pallet through said aperture. B. the improvement in said pattern forming device of: 1. a first turning station for turning articles clockwise and counterclockwise to both sides of their original line of travel along the long axis of said conveyor so that each turned article lies laterally spaced from the center line of said conveyor and with each turned article''s longitudinal axis turned at about 90 degrees from the center line of said conveyor; 2. a pair of second turning stations, one on either side of said conveyor operative to turn articles a second time so that the longitudinal axes of the twice turned articles on one side are parallel and laterally disposed to their original line of travel and normal to the longitudinal axes of the once turned articles on the other side of said conveyor, and, 3. a pattern closer and locator for pushing articles on either side of said conveyor together so as to close the pattern and locate a patterned layer of said articles over said pallet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
a work arm pivotably mounted at one end to said reaction arm and at the other to said drive shaft for said turning member,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
a work arm pivotably mounted at one end to said reaction arm and at the other to said drive shaft for said turning member,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
a work arm pivotably mounted at one end to said reaction arm and at the other to said drive shaft for said turning member,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
a work arm pivotably mounted at one end to said reaction arm and at the other to said drive shaft for said turning member,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
a pair of second turning stations, one on either side of said conveyor operative to turn articles a second time so that the longitudinal axes of the twice turned articles on one side are parallel and laterally disposed to their original line of travel and normal to the longitudinal axes of the once turned articles on the other side of said conveyor, and,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
a pair of second turning stations, one on either side of said conveyor operative to turn articles a second time so that the longitudinal axes of the twice turned articles on one side are parallel and laterally disposed to their original line of travel and normal to the longitudinal axes of the once turned articles on the other side of said conveyor, and,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
a reflector mounted in said turning member for reflecting a beam of light from said light source,
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
a reflector mounted in said turning member for reflecting a beam of light from said light source,
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
A pattern forming device, as defined in claim 1, in which said first turning station comprises: A. a turning member including an article receiving recess; B. means to turn said turning member clockwise and counterclockwise, whicH comprises:
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
7 words
power means for moving said support arm,
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
7 words
power means for moving said support arm,
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
8 words
a piston rod extending from said cylinder casing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
8 words
a piston rod extending from said cylinder casing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
means for moving said defecting bar in and out of the path of articles, comprising: a. a fluid motor, including:
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
means for moving said defecting bar in and out of the path of articles, comprising: a. a fluid motor, including:
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
a drive shaft rotatably journaled in the free end of said support arm and operatively connected to said turning member for turning said member clockwise and counterclockwise,
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
a drive shaft rotatably journaled in the free end of said support arm and operatively connected to said turning member for turning said member clockwise and counterclockwise,
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
a pattern closer and locator for pushing articles on either side of said conveyor together so as to close the pattern and locate a patterned layer of said articles over said pallet.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
a pattern closer and locator for pushing articles on either side of said conveyor together so as to close the pattern and locate a patterned layer of said articles over said pallet.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
53 words
A pattern forming device, as defined in claim 2, in which said turning member comprises: A. a center of rotation, B. legs projecting radially from said center and forming quadrants, C. two alternate quadrants forming alternate receiving recesses, and, D. reinforcing blocking members extending between the radially projecting legs of said remaining quadrants.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
the improvement of adjustment means for lengthening or shortening said reaction arm.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
the improvement of adjustment means for lengthening or shortening said reaction arm.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
the improvement of adjustment means for lengthening or shortening said work arm so as to decrease or increase the arc through which said drive shaft is rotated.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
the improvement of adjustment means for lengthening or shortening said work arm so as to decrease or increase the arc through which said drive shaft is rotated.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
a photoelectric cell in alignment with said reflector for receiving a reflected beam of light,
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
a photoelectric cell in alignment with said reflector for receiving a reflected beam of light,
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
38 words
a switch in operative relation with said photoelectric cell and with said power means so as to actuate said power means when the reflected beam of light is broken by arrival of an article in said turning member.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
38 words
a switch in operative relation with said photoelectric cell and with said power means so as to actuate said power means when the reflected beam of light is broken by arrival of an article in said turning member.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
A pattern forming device, as defined in claim 3, in which A. said reinforcing blocking members are curved sheet metal members welded to the projecting legs of said turning member.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
45 words
an articulated two-arm linkage pivotably joined together and mounted at one end to a fixed point and operatively connected at the other end to said drive shaft and responsive to the movement of said support arm for turning said drive shaft of said turning member.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
45 words
an articulated two-arm linkage pivotably joined together and mounted at one end to a fixed point and operatively connected at the other end to said drive shaft and responsive to the movement of said support arm for turning said drive shaft of said turning member.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
38 words
A pattern forming device, as defined in claim 2, in which said means for moving said support arm comprises a fluid driven motor comprising a cylinder, a reciprocating piston, and a piston rod extending outside of said cylinder.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
50 words
A pattern forming device, as defined in claim 2, the further improvement in said first turning station which comprises: A. a sensing means in operative relation with said turning member for sensing the arrival of an article in said article receiving recess and for activating said power means which comprises,
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
A pattern forming device, as defined in claim 2, in which A. said articulated two-arm linkage comprises:
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
A pattern forming device, as defined in claim 7, in which said means for lengthening or shortening said work arm comprises a threaded yoke into which said work arm is threadably connected.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
30 words
A pattern forming device, as defined in claim 8, in which said yoke contains a threaded bore in its bight portion through which said work arm projects for adjustable connection.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
A pattern forming device, as defined in claim 2, in which said articulated two-arm linkage comprises:
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
A pattern forming device, as defined in claim 1, in which A. each of said second turning stations comprises:
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1977-12-16 | 1978-06-17 | 1978-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-16 | 1982-06-17 | 1982-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-16 | 1986-06-17 | 1986-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |