US3870194A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for orienting and feeding articles
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-01-28
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Granted: 1975-03-11
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Expires: 1994-01-28
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for selecting an article from a supply of randomly positioned articles and sensing the orientation of the selected article. If the article is properly oriented, it is fed to a work station; if the article is improperly oriented, it is returned to the supply. This sensing mechanism is capable of sensing the proper orientation of different sized articles without any modification. The articles handled by the article feeding mechanism are preferably of the type having opposite side surfaces lying in substantially parallel planes with one surface provided with an indentation or recess of greater depth than the other surface such as buttons.
Inventors
- 👤 Clarence Taylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:50
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/02; B65G47/04; B65G47/12; B65G47/14; B65G47/1407; B65G47/1442; B65G47/1457
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
359 words
In an article feeding mechanism for feeding articles of the type having a substantially planar surface on one side and a non-planar surface on the opposite side, the combination comprising: a movable work table having at least one article receiving pocket which is movable successively through loading, sensing and unloading stations, said pocket having an article supporting surface; means for loading an article in said pocket in random orientation at said loading station, said article being properly oriented in said pocket when said substantially planar surface is in engagement with said supporting surface, and improperly oriented when said non-planar surface is in engagement with said supporting surface; sensing means associated with said pocket and movable between a retracted position in which a part of said sensing means does not extend through said supporting surface into said pocket, and an extended position in which said part extends through said supporting surface into said pocket to prevent an article in said pocket from escaping; means at said sensing station on one side of said supporting surface for retaining an article in said pocket; means at said sensing station on the opposite side of said supporting surface for biasing said sensing means to its extended position when an article is missing from said pocket or improperly oriented in said pocket; said part of said sensing means adapted to engage said substantially planar surface of a properly oriented article at said sensing station to prevent movement of said sensing means to its extended position by said biasing means; and holding means at said unloading station adapted when said sensing means is in its retracted position at said sensing station to releasably hold said sensing means in its retracted position while said pocket is moved through said unloading station whereby a properly oriented article is free to be fed from said pocket, and adapted when said sensing means is moved to its extended position at said sensing station to releasably hold said sensing means in its extended position while said pocket is moved through said unloading station whereby an improperly oriented article in said pocket is retained therein for passage through said unloading station.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
359 words
In an article feeding mechanism for feeding articles of the type having a substantially planar surface on one side and a non-planar surface on the opposite side, the combination comprising: a movable work table having at least one article receiving pocket which is movable successively through loading, sensing and unloading stations, said pocket having an article supporting surface; means for loading an article in said pocket in random orientation at said loading station, said article being properly oriented in said pocket when said substantially planar surface is in engagement with said supporting surface, and improperly oriented when said non-planar surface is in engagement with said supporting surface; sensing means associated with said pocket and movable between a retracted position in which a part of said sensing means does not extend through said supporting surface into said pocket, and an extended position in which said part extends through said supporting surface into said pocket to prevent an article in said pocket from escaping; means at said sensing station on one side of said supporting surface for retaining an article in said pocket; means at said sensing station on the opposite side of said supporting surface for biasing said sensing means to its extended position when an article is missing from said pocket or improperly oriented in said pocket; said part of said sensing means adapted to engage said substantially planar surface of a properly oriented article at said sensing station to prevent movement of said sensing means to its extended position by said biasing means; and holding means at said unloading station adapted when said sensing means is in its retracted position at said sensing station to releasably hold said sensing means in its retracted position while said pocket is moved through said unloading station whereby a properly oriented article is free to be fed from said pocket, and adapted when said sensing means is moved to its extended position at said sensing station to releasably hold said sensing means in its extended position while said pocket is moved through said unloading station whereby an improperly oriented article in said pocket is retained therein for passage through said unloading station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
359 words
In an article feeding mechanism for feeding articles of the type having a substantially planar surface on one side and a nonplanar surface on the opposite side, the combination comprising: a movable work table having at least one article receiving pocket which is movable successively through loading, sensing and unloading stations, said pocket having an article supporting surface; means for loading an article in said pocket in random orientation at said loading station, said article being properly oriented in said pocket when said substantially planar surface is in engagement with said supporting surface, and improperly oriented when said non-planar surface is in engagement with said supporting surface; sensing means associated with said pocket and movable between a retracted position in which a part of said sensing means does not extend through said supporting surface into said pocket, and an extended position in which said part extends through said supporting surface into said pocket to prevent an article in said pocket from escaping; means at said sensing station on one side of said supporting surface for retaining an article in said pocket; means at said sensing station on the opposite side of said supporting surface for biasing said sensing means to its extended position when an article is missing from said pocket or improperly oriented in said pocket; said part of said sensing means adapted to engage said substantially planar surface of a properly oriented article at said sensing station to prevent movement of said sensing means to its extended position by said biasing means; and holding means at said unloading station adapted when said sensing means is in its retracted position at said sensing station to releasably hold said sensing means in its retracted position while said pocket is moved through said unloading station whereby a properly oriented article is free to be fed from said pocket, and adapted when said sensing means is moved to its extended position at said sensing station to releasably hold said sensing means in its extended position while said pocket is moved through said unloading station whereby an improperly oriented article in said pocket is retained therein for passage through said unloading station.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
359 words
In an article feeding mechanism for feeding articles of the type having a substantially planar surface on one side and a nonplanar surface on the opposite side, the combination comprising: a movable work table having at least one article receiving pocket which is movable successively through loading, sensing and unloading stations, said pocket having an article supporting surface; means for loading an article in said pocket in random orientation at said loading station, said article being properly oriented in said pocket when said substantially planar surface is in engagement with said supporting surface, and improperly oriented when said non-planar surface is in engagement with said supporting surface; sensing means associated with said pocket and movable between a retracted position in which a part of said sensing means does not extend through said supporting surface into said pocket, and an extended position in which said part extends through said supporting surface into said pocket to prevent an article in said pocket from escaping; means at said sensing station on one side of said supporting surface for retaining an article in said pocket; means at said sensing station on the opposite side of said supporting surface for biasing said sensing means to its extended position when an article is missing from said pocket or improperly oriented in said pocket; said part of said sensing means adapted to engage said substantially planar surface of a properly oriented article at said sensing station to prevent movement of said sensing means to its extended position by said biasing means; and holding means at said unloading station adapted when said sensing means is in its retracted position at said sensing station to releasably hold said sensing means in its retracted position while said pocket is moved through said unloading station whereby a properly oriented article is free to be fed from said pocket, and adapted when said sensing means is moved to its extended position at said sensing station to releasably hold said sensing means in its extended position while said pocket is moved through said unloading station whereby an improperly oriented article in said pocket is retained therein for passage through said unloading station.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said part of said sensing means comprises a projection movable into and out of said pocket, and said biasing means comprises resilient means for biasing said projection into said pocket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said pocket has an opening extending therethrough, and said part of said sensing means comprises a pin slidably movable within said opening into and out of said pocket, and said biasing means comprises resilient means for biasing said pin into said pocket.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said pocket has a mouth and a pair of openings extending through said pocket and said mouth, and said part of said sensing means comprises a pair of pins slidably movable within said openings into and out of said pocket and said mouth, and said biasing means comprises resilient means for biasing said pins into said pocket and mouth.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
The invention according to claim 4 wherein said sensing means comprises a pivotal plate having a free end, said pins are secured to said plate, and said holding means comprises a guide blade for guiding said free end on one side of said blade for releasably holding said sensing means in its retracted position, and on the other side of said blade for releasably holding said sensing means in its extended position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention according to claim 5 wherein said guide blade is pivotally mounted.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
73 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said movable work table comprises a circular rotatably driven disc, said loading means comprises a hood cooperating with said disc to form a supply hopper for articles through which said diSc is driven, said part of said sensing means comprises a projection movable into and out of said pocket in said disc, and said biasing means comprises resilient means for biasing said projection into said pocket.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
80 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said movable work table comprises a circular rotatably driven disc inclined at an angle to the horizontal, said loading means comprises a hood cooperating with said disc to form a supply hopper for articles through which said disc is driven, said part of said sensing means comprises a projection movable into and out of said pocket in said disc, and said biasing means comprises resilient means for biasing said projection into said pocket.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention according to claim 8 wherein said pocket has an opening extending therethrough, and said projection of said sensing means comprises a pin slidably movable within said opening into and out of said pocket.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
111 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said movable work table comprises a circular rotatably driven disc inclined at an angle to the horizontal, said pocket in said disc has a mouth and is provided with a pair of openings extending through said pocket and mouth, said loading means comprises a hood cooperating with said disc to form a supply hopper for articles through which said disc is driven, said part of said sensing means comprises a pair of pins slidably movable within said openings into and out of said pocket and said mouth, and said biasing means comprises resilient means for biasing said pins into said pocket and said mouth.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
76 words
The invention according to claim 10 wherein said sensing means comprises a pivotal plate having a free end, said pins are secured to said plate and laterally extending therefrom, and said holding means comprises a guide blade for guiding said free end on one side of said blade for releasably holding said sensing means in its retracted position, and on the other side of said blade for releasably holding said sensing means in its extended position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention according to claim 11 wherein said guide blade is pivotally mounted.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention according to claim 10 wherein said article feeding mechanism is further provided with an article back-up plate at said sensing station slidably engageable by one side of said article, said pins being biased by said resilient means toward the opposite side of said article.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said sensing means comprises a pivotal plate having a free end, and said part of said sensing means comprises a pin secured to said plate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said sensing means comprises a spring plate having a free end, said part of said sensing means comprises a pin secured to said plate, and said biasing means comprises the inherent resilience of said spring plate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
62 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said sensing means comprises a spring plate having a free end, said part of said sensing means comprises a pin secured to said plate, and said biasing means comprises the inherent resilience of said spring plate, said mechanism further having cam means for camming said spring plate to its retracted position at said loading station.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
141 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said movable work table comprises a circular rotatably driven disc inclined at an angle to the horizontal, said loading means comprises a hood cooperating with said disc to form a supply hopper for articles through which said disc is driven, said sensing means comprises a spring plate having a free end, said part of said sensing means comprises a pin secured to said plate, and said biasing means comprises the inherent resilience of said spring plate, said mechanism further having an annular cam interposed between said disc and said free end of said spring plate for camming said spring plate to its retracted position at all positions of said disc except said sensing and unloading stations, said cam permitting movement of said spriNg plate to its extended position at said sensing and unloading stations.
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) | 1978-03-10 | 1978-09-09 | 1979-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-10 | 1982-09-09 | 1983-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-10 | 1986-09-09 | 1987-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |