US3868012A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Container orienting apparatus
Assignee: KINSLEY CORP
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Filing: 1973-03-30
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Granted: 1975-02-25
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Expires: 1993-03-30
Abstract
Abstract A machine for orienting randomly stored containers of elongated shape having a closed end and an open end including a conveyor for lifting the containers from a storage bin to the entrance end of an inclined chute. The containers are gravity fed to the delivery end of the chute along a plurality of channels. Near the entrance end of the chute is located a counter-rotating clearing drum which aids in aligning the containers in end-to-end relationship. Spaced from the drum are escapement gates, one for each channel, which serve to release in unison, at preselected intervals, a group of containers equal in number to the number of channels. The containers leaving the gates strike orienting pins mounted on rotatable arms. If a container having its open end forward reached a pin, it enters onto the pin and when the associated arm is subsequently rotated, the container is pivoted 180* and arranged with its closed end forward. If the container already has its closed end forward, it continues sliding forward toward the discharge end. The containers are then arranged on a platform in front of recprocating members, one for each channel. The reciprocating members are activated to push groups of containers from the platform into continuously moving discharge rotating pockets. The reciprocating members are operated simultaneously once during the time it takes for the number of discharge pockets equal to the number of channels to pass in front of the platform on which the containers are oriented.
Inventors
- 👤 Lewis H Kinsley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:28
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/02; B65G47/04; B65G47/12; B65G47/14; B65G47/1407; B65G47/1442; B65G47/1471
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
259 words
A machine for arranging randomly oriented containers of elongated shape having an open end and closed end comprising, a storage bin for holding a plurality of said containers in random orientation, an inclined chute having an entrance end and a discharge end, dividers located above said chute for defining a plurality of channels, conveyor means for transporting containers from said bin to the entrance end of said chute, said containers falling into said channels and moving by gravity from said entrance end toward said discharge end, drum means rotatable in a direction counter to the direction of movement of said containers along said chute for permitting said containers to pass only when arranged in end-to-end relationship in said channels with either their closed ends or open ends forward, escapement means for releasing groups of said containers equal to the number of said channels at preselected intervals, closed-end-forward orienting means for operating on said groups to insure forward movement of each container down the chute only with its closed end forward, reciprocating means located adjacent said discharge end of said chute for pushing each group of containers forwardly in unison at preselected intervals, collection means including U-shaped receiving pockets and means for continuously moving said pockets in front of said reciprocating means with the open ends of said U-shaped pockets facing said reciprocating means, and means for timing the operation of said escapement means, said closed-endforward orienting means and said reciprocating means in order to push each group Of said containers in unison into unfilled pockets on said collection means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
259 words
A machine for arranging randomly oriented containers of elongated shape having an open end and closed end comprising, a storage bin for holding a plurality of said containers in random orientation, an inclined chute having an entrance end and a discharge end, dividers located above said chute for defining a plurality of channels, conveyor means for transporting containers from said bin to the entrance end of said chute, said containers falling into said channels and moving by gravity from said entrance end toward said discharge end, drum means rotatable in a direction counter to the direction of movement of said containers along said chute for permitting said containers to pass only when arranged in end-to-end relationship in said channels with either their closed ends or open ends forward, escapement means for releasing groups of said containers equal to the number of said channels at preselected intervals, closed-end-forward orienting means for operating on said groups to insure forward movement of each container down the chute only with its closed end forward, reciprocating means located adjacent said discharge end of said chute for pushing each group of containers forwardly in unison at preselected intervals, collection means including U-shaped receiving pockets and means for continuously moving said pockets in front of said reciprocating means with the open ends of said U-shaped pockets facing said reciprocating means, and means for timing the operation of said escapement means, said closed-endforward orienting means and said reciprocating means in order to push each group Of said containers in unison into unfilled pockets on said collection means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said drum includes radially disposed baffles for displacing misaligned containers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination recited in claim 1 further including adjustment means for moving said dividers widthwise of said chute for varying the width of said channels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said escapement means comprises gates, each gate including a seim-flexible U-shaped holding member, and means for rotating said member into and out of engagement with said containers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said means for rotating includes pneumatic cylinder means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
101 words
The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said closed-end-forward orienting means includes elongated projections mounted in the path of movement of said containers and positioned to enter the open ends of containers having their open ends forward, and means for rotating said projections at preselected intervals, whereby containers with their closed ends forward continue sliding down the chute upon rotation of said projections, and containers having their open ends forward are concurrently lifted and rotated in such a manner as to permit said containers to drop to the chute with the closed end forward to continue their movement down said chute.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination recited in claim 6 wherein said projections are attached to support arms, said support arms being coupled to a shaft which extends above and across said channels, and means for rotating said shaft at preselected intervals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said reciprocating means includes a plurality of plungers and means for reciprocating said plungers in unison between forward and rearward positions for successively pushing said groups of containers into said receiving pockets.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
132 words
The combination recited in claim 8 wherein each of said plungers comprises an upper horizontal wall means and a vertically disposed forward wall means, and further including a collection surface above which said plungers reciprocate and a discharge table disposed vertically below said collection surface and spaced therefrom, said pockets being located immediately above said table, said timing means being operative to deposit said containers initially on said horizontal wall means when said plungers are in said forward position, said containers dropping by gravity to said collection surface when said plungers are moved to said rearward position, said containers being subsequently thrust by said forward wall means of said plungers into said pockets and concurrently dropping by gravity onto said discharge table upon subsequent movement of said plungers to the forward position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
107 words
A machine for arranging randomly oriented containers comprising means for delivering a container from a storage bin to a chute, second means for vertically positioning said container, reciprocal means upon which said container is vertically positioned, stationary support means below said reciprocal means for receiving said container and upon which said container is momentarily stationary, and pocket means to which said container is directly delivered by said reciprocal means without stopping said continuously moving pocket means, and drive means for continuously moving said pocket means, said reciprocal means being a ram, said ram moving in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of said pocket means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
107 words
A machine for arranging randomly oriented containers comprising means for delivering a container from a storage bin to a chute, second means for vertically positioning said container, reciprocal means upon which said container is vertically positioned, stationary support means below said reciprocal means for receiving said container and upon which said container is momentarily stationary, and pocket means to which said container is directly delivered by said reciprocal means without stopping said continuously moving pocket means, and drive means for continuously moving said pocket means, said reciprocal means being a ram, said ram moving in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of said pocket means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination recited in claim 10 wherein said pocket means includes an endless chain, and suitable generally horizontal structural means to support said container as it is transported in said pocket means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination recited in claim 10 and further including motive means for moving said pocket means and delivering to said pocket means said container while said pocket means moves past said support means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination recited in claim 12 and further including cam means for timing the movement of said reciprocal means relative to said pocket means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination recited in claim 12 and further including a generally vertical wall means for restraining said container from moving backwardly and out of said pocket.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
126 words
In a machine for placing containers in a moving path, the combination comprising support means for supporting said containers so that said containers are momentarily stationary, reciprocal means upon which said container is vertically positioned, continuously moving pocket means to receive said containers and position them in a moving path, and said reciprocal means delivering said containers from their stationary position on said support means directly to said continuously moving pocket means without stopping said continuously moving pocket means, said pocket means including several pockets secured to an endless chain and movable transverse to said additional means for delivering said containers from saie support means to said pocket means and suitable horizontal structural means to support vertically oriented containers as they are transported in said pockets.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
126 words
In a machine for placing containers in a moving path, the combination comprising support means for supporting said containers so that said containers are momentarily stationary, reciprocal means upon which said container is vertically positioned, continuously moving pocket means to receive said containers and position them in a moving path, and said reciprocal means delivering said containers from their stationary position on said support means directly to said continuously moving pocket means without stopping said continuously moving pocket means, said pocket means including several pockets secured to an endless chain and movable transverse to said additional means for delivering said containers from saie support means to said pocket means and suitable horizontal structural means to support vertically oriented containers as they are transported in said pockets.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination recited in claim 15 and further including motive means for moving said pocket means, said containers being received in said pockets as said pocket means moves past said additional means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination recited in claim 15 and further including cam means for timing the movement of said containers into said pockets.
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) | 1978-02-24 | 1978-08-26 | 1979-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-24 | 1982-08-26 | 1983-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-24 | 1986-08-26 | 1987-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |