US3857474A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable container conveyor for filling machine
Assignee: Hercules LLC
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Filing: 1973-09-25
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Granted: 1974-12-31
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Expires: 1993-09-25
Abstract
Abstract The invention is an adjustable container conveyor having first and second conveyors, said conveyors having coincident centers of rotation and having first and second generally symmetrical container supports, respectively, said conveyors being adjustable with respect to each other to accommodate varying sizes of containers by means of a conveyor adjustment and drive means having sets of helical gears that convert simple motion into two opposite angular motions to open or close the opening between the first and second container supports.
Inventors
- 👤 G Hutson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 06:12
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B59/00; B65B59/005; B65B43/00; B65B43/42; B65B59/003; B65G; B65G17/00; B65G17/26; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
An adjustable container conveyor comprising: a first conveyor having a plurality of first container supports: a second conveyor having a coincident center of rotation with said first conveyor and having a plurality of second container supports, said first and second container supports defining an opening therebetween for holding containers; first aNd second helical gears, said gears being of opposite hand, said first helical gear operatively connected to said first conveyor and said second gear operatively connected to said second conveyor; and third and fourth rigidly interconnected helical gears, said gears being of opposite hand, said third helical gear intermeshing with said first helical gear and said fourth helical gear intermeshing with said second helical gear, said third and fourth helical gears being transversely movable with respect to said first and second helical gears and said third and fourth helical gears adapted to be rotationally driven to drive said conveyors, said transverse movement of said third and fourth helical gears rotating said first and second helical gears in opposite directions thereby adjusting the opening between said first and second container supports.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
An adjustable container conveyor comprising: a first conveyor having a plurality of first container supports: a second conveyor having a coincident center of rotation with said first conveyor and having a plurality of second container supports, said first and second container supports defining an opening therebetween for holding containers; first aNd second helical gears, said gears being of opposite hand, said first helical gear operatively connected to said first conveyor and said second gear operatively connected to said second conveyor; and third and fourth rigidly interconnected helical gears, said gears being of opposite hand, said third helical gear intermeshing with said first helical gear and said fourth helical gear intermeshing with said second helical gear, said third and fourth helical gears being transversely movable with respect to said first and second helical gears and said third and fourth helical gears adapted to be rotationally driven to drive said conveyors, said transverse movement of said third and fourth helical gears rotating said first and second helical gears in opposite directions thereby adjusting the opening between said first and second container supports.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A conveyor as in claim 1 wherein said first and second conveyors each comprise pairs of sprocket chains, said pairs of sprocket chains interconnected by said first and second conveyor supports, respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A conveyor as in claim 2 further including yoke means connected to said third and fourth helical gears to move said third and fourth helical gears transversely, said yoke means including a crank and threaded shaft for adjustment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
189 words
An adjustable conveyor comprising: a first conveyor having a plurality of first container supports; a second conveyor having a coincident center of rotation with said conveyor and having a plurality of second container supports, said first and second container supports defining openings therebetween for holding containers; first and second helical gears, said gears being of opposite hand, said first helical gear operatively connected to said first conveyor and said second helical gear operatively connected to said second conveyor; and third and fourth rigidly interconnected helical gears, said gears being of opposite hand, said third helical gear intermeshing with said first helical gear and said fourth helical gear intermeshing with said second helical gear, said third and fourth helical gears being transversely movable with respect to said first and second helical gears and said third and fourth helical gears adapted to be rotationally driven to drive said conveyors, transverse movement of said third and fourth helical gears rotating said first and second helical gears in opposite directions thereby adjusting the opening between said first and second container supports the centers of said openings remaining constant with respect to the conveyors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
189 words
An adjustable conveyor comprising: a first conveyor having a plurality of first container supports; a second conveyor having a coincident center of rotation with said conveyor and having a plurality of second container supports, said first and second container supports defining openings therebetween for holding containers; first and second helical gears, said gears being of opposite hand, said first helical gear operatively connected to said first conveyor and said second helical gear operatively connected to said second conveyor; and third and fourth rigidly interconnected helical gears, said gears being of opposite hand, said third helical gear intermeshing with said first helical gear and said fourth helical gear intermeshing with said second helical gear, said third and fourth helical gears being transversely movable with respect to said first and second helical gears and said third and fourth helical gears adapted to be rotationally driven to drive said conveyors, transverse movement of said third and fourth helical gears rotating said first and second helical gears in opposite directions thereby adjusting the opening between said first and second container supports the centers of said openings remaining constant with respect to the conveyors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A conveyor as in claim 4 wherein said first and second conveyors each comprise pairs of sprocket chains each of said pairs interconnected by said first and second conveyor supports, respectively.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A conveyor as in claim 5 further including yoke means connected to said third and fourth helical gears to move said third and fourth helical gears transversely, said yoke means including a crank and threaded shaft for adjustment.
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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) | 1977-12-30 | 1978-07-01 | 1978-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-30 | 1982-07-01 | 1982-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-30 | 1986-07-01 | 1986-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |