US3916694A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Continuous container inspection machine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-12-14
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Granted: 1975-11-04
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Expires: 1993-12-14
Abstract
Abstract A machine for inspecting the openings of glass bottles or containers comprises a plurality of pairs of inspecting heads positioned over a line of containers conveyed in a forward direction. The pairs of heads are reciprocated with respect to each other such that the feelers of one pair are lowered into inspecting position on the containers when said one pair of heads is moving in the forward direction, the other pair of heads moving in the reverse direction with the feelers thereof raised from the inspecting position.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodore G Loos
- 👤 David F Sklar
- 👤 Executrix By Francis S Stein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:11
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/04; B07C5/12; B07C5/122; B07C5/124
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
289 words
In a continuous container inspection apparatus, the combination of means for conveying a line of containers through the apparatus in a forward direction, a plurality of pairs of rotatable inspecting heads having feelers thereon and positioned over the line of containers as they are being conveyed, each pair being spacedly mounted on a reciprocable carriage, means for reciprocating each of said carriages with said pairs of heads thereon with respect to each other, means for rotating the heads during reciprocation of the carriages with respect to each other, means for lowering the feelers of the heads to bring the feelers of said heads into testing position onto containers as a carriage with a pair of heads is being moved in the forward direction, means for raising the feelers of the heads of the other pair on the other carriage which is traveling in a reverse direction of the containers, the heads of a pair being spaced to contact alternate containers of the conveyed line of containers, a single belt drivingly engaging both heads to each of said pairs, means for driving said belt, means for maintaining said belt in driving relationship with said heads during reciprocation thereof to continuously rotate the heads, means for reciprocating said carriages relative to each other including a pair of lead screws for each carriage and a rockable lead screw engaging means, spring biased means for urging said lead screw engaging means into engagement with the other lead screw after moving along one lead screw a predetermined amount, and means on each pair of heads for simultaneously raising and lowering the feelers of that pair when the direction of reciprocating movement of said pair is reversed, said raising and lowering means comprising interconnected cams.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
289 words
In a continuous container inspection apparatus, the combination of means for conveying a line of containers through the apparatus in a forward direction, a plurality of pairs of rotatable inspecting heads having feelers thereon and positioned over the line of containers as they are being conveyed, each pair being spacedly mounted on a reciprocable carriage, means for reciprocating each of said carriages with said pairs of heads thereon with respect to each other, means for rotating the heads during reciprocation of the carriages with respect to each other, means for lowering the feelers of the heads to bring the feelers of said heads into testing position onto containers as a carriage with a pair of heads is being moved in the forward direction, means for raising the feelers of the heads of the other pair on the other carriage which is traveling in a reverse direction of the containers, the heads of a pair being spaced to contact alternate containers of the conveyed line of containers, a single belt drivingly engaging both heads to each of said pairs, means for driving said belt, means for maintaining said belt in driving relationship with said heads during reciprocation thereof to continuously rotate the heads, means for reciprocating said carriages relative to each other including a pair of lead screws for each carriage and a rockable lead screw engaging means, spring biased means for urging said lead screw engaging means into engagement with the other lead screw after moving along one lead screw a predetermined amount, and means on each pair of heads for simultaneously raising and lowering the feelers of that pair when the direction of reciprocating movement of said pair is reversed, said raising and lowering means comprising interconnected cams.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
241 words
In a continuous container inspection apparatus, the combination of means for conveying a line of containers through the apparatus in a fOrward direction, a plurality of pairs of rotatable inspecting heads having feelers thereon and positioned over the line of containers as they are being conveyed, means for reciprocating said pairs of heads with respect to each other, means for rotating the heads during reciprocation of the pairs with respect to each other, means for lowering the feelers of the heads to bring the feelers of said heads into testing position onto containers as a pair of heads is being moved in the forward direction, means for raising the feelers of the heads of the other pair which is traveling in a reverse direction of the containers, the feelers on each head being movable with respect to said head, means on each pair of heads for simultaneously raising and lowering the feelers of the pair when the direction of reciprocating movement of said pair is reversed, said raising and lowering means comprises interconnected cams, a vertically reciprocal shaft in each head, the feelers of said head being mounted on the lower end of said shaft, a cam roller on the upper end of said shaft, said cam being on the top of each head and engaged by said roller, and means for pivoting concurrently said cams on a pair of heads to raise and lower said roller and thereby said feelers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
241 words
In a continuous container inspection apparatus, the combination of means for conveying a line of containers through the apparatus in a fOrward direction, a plurality of pairs of rotatable inspecting heads having feelers thereon and positioned over the line of containers as they are being conveyed, means for reciprocating said pairs of heads with respect to each other, means for rotating the heads during reciprocation of the pairs with respect to each other, means for lowering the feelers of the heads to bring the feelers of said heads into testing position onto containers as a pair of heads is being moved in the forward direction, means for raising the feelers of the heads of the other pair which is traveling in a reverse direction of the containers, the feelers on each head being movable with respect to said head, means on each pair of heads for simultaneously raising and lowering the feelers of the pair when the direction of reciprocating movement of said pair is reversed, said raising and lowering means comprises interconnected cams, a vertically reciprocal shaft in each head, the feelers of said head being mounted on the lower end of said shaft, a cam roller on the upper end of said shaft, said cam being on the top of each head and engaged by said roller, and means for pivoting concurrently said cams on a pair of heads to raise and lower said roller and thereby said feelers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
In an apparatus as claimed in claim 2 and an actuator link pivotally connecting both cams of a pair of heads.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
In an apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said cam pivoting means comprises a cam bar on one cam of a pair, and means engageable by said cam bar to pivot said interconnected cams in one direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
In an apparatus as claimed in claim 4 and means engageable by one end of said actuator link to pivot said interconnected cams in the other direction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3422542A
Cited
US3814241A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-03 | 1979-05-05 | 1979-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-03 | 1983-05-05 | 1983-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-03 | 1987-05-05 | 1987-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |