US3857477A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tray turnover device
Assignee: REPUBLICBANK DALLAS NA A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION
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Filing: 1972-08-24
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Granted: 1974-12-31
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Expires: 1992-08-24
Abstract
Abstract Tray turnover apparatus for conveying and discharging bakery products following proofing or cooling. The apparatus consists of a plurality of tray turnover devices which are adapted to carry the bakery products and which are sequentially moved over a discharge area by a conveyor. Each tray turnover device is turnable or tiltable about a horizontal axis from a normally upright position to a discharge position, and includes a wheel member which is rotatable to cause the carrying tray to turnover to the discharge position. A motor driven disc at the discharge area is disposed to rotatably engage each wheel member as the tray turnover devices pass by, thereby turning each carrying tray over to the product discharge position. Rotational speed of the drive disc is variable to control the tray turnover speed for products having different sticking consistencies, and means are included for maintaining the carrying tray in the discharge position to insure product discharge. Each tray turnover device also includes improved means for removably holding a cloth cover to the tray body, which enables simple and convenient removal of the cover for washing or discarding.
Inventors
- 👤 F Chipchase
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 03:40
CPC Classifications
A; A21; A21B; A21B3/00; A21B3/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
In bakery apparatus including means for advancing a tray of bakery products, invertible about a first axis thereof, in a direction orthogonal to the first axis to a location where the products are unloaded by inverting the tray, the improvement which comprises: a. a disc rotatable about a second axis parallel to said first axis; b. variable speed drive means independent of the tray advancing means for causing rotation of said disc at any speed within a predetermined range; c. resilient means mounting said drive means for limited independent motion of said second axis transverse to itself and to the direction of movement of said tray; d. and a wheel member carried by said tray concentrically with the axis of inversion thereof, and positioned so that the advance of said tray brings said member into a position of tangential contact with said disc, so that further advance of the tray causes said independent motion while said disc and said member remain in contact for a period determined by the rate of movement of the tray.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
In bakery apparatus including means for advancing a tray of bakery products, invertible about a first axis thereof, in a direction orthogonal to the first axis to a location where the products are unloaded by inverting the tray, the improvement which comprises: a. a disc rotatable about a second axis parallel to said first axis; b. variable speed drive means independent of the tray advancing means for causing rotation of said disc at any speed within a predetermined range; c. resilient means mounting said drive means for limited independent motion of said second axis transverse to itself and to the direction of movement of said tray; d. and a wheel member carried by said tray concentrically with the axis of inversion thereof, and positioned so that the advance of said tray brings said member into a position of tangential contact with said disc, so that further advance of the tray causes said independent motion while said disc and said member remain in contact for a period determined by the rate of movement of the tray.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
220 words
In bakery apparatus including means for advancing a tray of bakery products, invertible about a first axis thereof, in a direction orthogonal to the first axis, from a first location where the products are loaded on the tray to a second location where the products are unloaded from the tray, the improvement which comprises: a. a disc rotatable about a second axis parallel to said first axis; b. variable speed drive means independent of the tray advancing means for causing rotation of said disc at any speed within a predetermined range; c. resilient means adjustably mounting said drive means for limited independent motion of said axis transverse to itself and to the direction of movement of said tray; d. and a wheel member carried by said tray concentrically with the axis of inversion thereof, and positioned so that the advance of said tray brings said member into a position, of tangential contact with said disc, at which the distance between said first and second axes is greater than the component thereof normal to the direction of motion of the tray, so that further advance of the tray causes said independent motion while said disc and said member remain in contact for a period determined by the rate of movement of the tray and the adjusted position of said resilient means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
220 words
In bakery apparatus including means for advancing a tray of bakery products, invertible about a first axis thereof, in a direction orthogonal to the first axis, from a first location where the products are loaded on the tray to a second location where the products are unloaded from the tray, the improvement which comprises: a. a disc rotatable about a second axis parallel to said first axis; b. variable speed drive means independent of the tray advancing means for causing rotation of said disc at any speed within a predetermined range; c. resilient means adjustably mounting said drive means for limited independent motion of said axis transverse to itself and to the direction of movement of said tray; d. and a wheel member carried by said tray concentrically with the axis of inversion thereof, and positioned so that the advance of said tray brings said member into a position, of tangential contact with said disc, at which the distance between said first and second axes is greater than the component thereof normal to the direction of motion of the tray, so that further advance of the tray causes said independent motion while said disc and said member remain in contact for a period determined by the rate of movement of the tray and the adjusted position of said resilient means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which there are a plurality of said trays, each of which carries one of said wheel members, and advance of the trays brings the wheel members thereof sequentially into said position of tangential contact with said disc.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 together with means positively initiating return of the tray to its uninverted position upon still further advance of the tray.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 in which the tray includes an eccentrically disposed elongated member extending essentially parallel to the inversion axis of the tray, and the return initiating means comprises a stationary tripping member disposed to contact the elongated member of each tray which remains inverted.
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) | 1977-12-30 | 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 |