Patent US3868960A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3868960A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Machines for washing bottles and like containers and removing labels therefrom
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-09-13
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Granted: 1975-03-04
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Expires: 1993-09-13
Abstract
Abstract A machine for washing bottles and like containers and for removing labels therefrom in which the bottles are encapsulated in pockets that are moved by a conveyor through a number of tanks containing cleansing liquids. In at least one, and preferably two, of the tanks, the conveyor moves the bottle pockets through a label removal zone in which the pockets follow an arcuately curved path shaped to bring the neck ends of the pockets into close proximity to one another. A bank of nozzles is disposed substantially at the center of curvature of the path to direct jets of cleansing liquid through openings at or near the neck ends of bottle pockets in the label removal zone so that said jets pass generally lengthwise through the pockets and entrain any previously detached labels that they contain. The punts of the bottles in the pockets bear against the bars of an open grid in the label removal zone so that the jets of cleansing liquid and entrained labels and label remnants can pass readily between the bars with a minimum of impedance.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony Raymond Cove
- 👤 Jack Tween
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:35
CPC Classifications
B; B08; B08B; B08B9/00; B08B9/08; B08B9/20; B08B9/28; B08B9/30; B08B3/00; B08B3/04; B08B3/10; B08B3/14; B08B9/083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
An apparatus for washing bottles and removing labels therefrom, comprising: a washing tank for containing a cleaning fluid; a conveyor for conveyIng bottles into and through said tank; a plurality of bottle pockets open at both ends mounted to said conveyor for holding said bottles while being conveyed through said washing tank, said pockets being arranged in a plurality of substantially aligned rows across at least a portion of the width of said conveyor; means for retaining said bottles in said pockets while being conveyed through said washing tank; nozzle means located in said washing tank adjacent said conveyor for expelling jets of fluid into and through said bottle pockets being conveyed past said nozzle means; and means for bringing the neck portions of said bottle pockets, and bottles contained therein, in adjacent rows into close proximity with each other, and for correspondingly diverging the bottom portions of said adjacent bottle pockets and therein contained bottles, in the path of said fluid jets being expelled from said nozzle means, including a bottle guide mounted in said tank and having an arcuate portion for guiding bottles held in said pockets through an arcuate path, the center of curvature of said arcuate portion being substantially coincident with the location of said nozzle means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
211 words
An apparatus for washing bottles and removing labels therefrom, comprising: a washing tank for containing a cleaning fluid; a conveyor for conveyIng bottles into and through said tank; a plurality of bottle pockets open at both ends mounted to said conveyor for holding said bottles while being conveyed through said washing tank, said pockets being arranged in a plurality of substantially aligned rows across at least a portion of the width of said conveyor; means for retaining said bottles in said pockets while being conveyed through said washing tank; nozzle means located in said washing tank adjacent said conveyor for expelling jets of fluid into and through said bottle pockets being conveyed past said nozzle means; and means for bringing the neck portions of said bottle pockets, and bottles contained therein, in adjacent rows into close proximity with each other, and for correspondingly diverging the bottom portions of said adjacent bottle pockets and therein contained bottles, in the path of said fluid jets being expelled from said nozzle means, including a bottle guide mounted in said tank and having an arcuate portion for guiding bottles held in said pockets through an arcuate path, the center of curvature of said arcuate portion being substantially coincident with the location of said nozzle means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said nozzle means are mounted in said tank below the normal fluid level and are disposed to direct said jets of fluid in a substantially downward direction; and said arcuate portion of said bottle guide further comprises a plurality of substantially parallel arcuate members defining an open floor arrangement in said guide through which said fluid jets pass after passing through said bottle pockets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
112 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: label collecting means located in said tank below said open floor arrangement and defined at least partially by said bottle guide; a suction exit located at one lateral side of and adjacent the lowermost portion of said collecting means; further nozzle means located at the opposite lateral side of and adjacent the lowermost portion of said label collecting means for expelling jets of fluid transversely across said collecting means in the direction of said suction exit; and separating means coupled to said suction exit to draw label containing fluid out of said collecting means and to separate said labels from said drawn out fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
138 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: label collecting means located in said washing tank below said open floor arrangement and defined at least partially by said bottle guide; and separating means for drawing label containing fluid out of said collecting means for separating said labels from said drawn out fluid, said separating means including: a separating tank, conduit means coupling said label collecting means to said separating tank to draw label containing fluid out of said label collecting means and into said separating tank, a rotary sieve drum rotatably mounted in said separating tank and partially submerged in the fluid in said tank, means contacting said drum for removing excess liquid from labels adhering to said drum, and means for removing said labels from said drum after the removal of said excess liquid from said labels.
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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) | 1978-03-03 | 1978-09-02 | 1979-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-03 | 1982-09-02 | 1983-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-03 | 1986-09-02 | 1987-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |