US3920118A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bottle sensing apparatus
Assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche ACMA SpA
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Filing: 1973-10-09
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Granted: 1975-11-18
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Expires: 1993-10-09
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for sensing whether a bottle is oriented with its handle in the proper position as it is being conveyed on a conveyor belt. The sensing mechanism comprises two fingers which are spring-biased into contact with a vertical surface of the bottle, the sensing fingers being positioned one above the other, so that when one is in contact with the handle area, the other is in contact with a similar surface where there is no handle present. The comparison of the difference in position of the sensing fingers determines whether a handle is present. This difference is indicated by suitable photocells associated with the fingers. Other photocells determine when the bottle is in the proper position for the sensing fingers to be actuated. If the photocells determine that the bottle is oriented with its handle in the wrong direction, a suitable turning mechanism is actuated to turn the bottle so that it is positioned with its handle in the correct position.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J Krooss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 10:25
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/22; B65G47/24; B65G47/244; B65G2203/00; B65G2203/04; B65G2203/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
377 words
A bottle orientation sensing mechanism for sensing an asymmetry in a bottle comprising: a first sensing finger positioned to contact a first surface of a bottle and sense an asymmetry in the surface of the bottle a second sensing finger positioned to sense a second surface of a bottle, said second surface being positioned on substantially the same vertical surface of the bottle as said first surface a sensing means including a first sensor associated with said first sensing finger, a second sensor associated with said second sensing finger, said first and second sensors acting together to indicate the presence or absence of said asymmetry in the surface means acting in response to said sensors which is adapted to activate a mechanism to reorient said bottle said first and second sensing fingers comprise long thin members which are mounted for pivotal movement into contact with the bottle a vertical pivot member on which said sensing fingers are mounted, one of said sensing fingers being mounted directly above the other for movement in a substantially horizontal plane said sensing means being electric one end of said first finger adapted to contact the bottle and the first sensor being attached to tHe other end of the finger and wherein one end of said second finger is adapted to contact the bottle and said second sensor is attached to the other end of said second finger the first sensor comprising a photoelectric eye and the second sensor comprising a light source, said light source and eye being mounted so that when the first and second fingers are positioned directly above each other, the eye will receive illumination from the light source a first spring attached to said first finger proximate said first sensor and a second spring attached to said second finger proximate said second sensor, said springs being mounted to bias said fingers into contact with the bottles a support, said vertical pivot member being mounted thereon and said springs being attached thereto the asymmetry comprising a grasping means sensing means being provided to determine the position of said bottle, said sensing fingers being actuatable in this position, and said sensing means comprising photoelectric eyes and light sources which determine the position by locating the neck of the bottle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
377 words
A bottle orientation sensing mechanism for sensing an asymmetry in a bottle comprising: a first sensing finger positioned to contact a first surface of a bottle and sense an asymmetry in the surface of the bottle a second sensing finger positioned to sense a second surface of a bottle, said second surface being positioned on substantially the same vertical surface of the bottle as said first surface a sensing means including a first sensor associated with said first sensing finger, a second sensor associated with said second sensing finger, said first and second sensors acting together to indicate the presence or absence of said asymmetry in the surface means acting in response to said sensors which is adapted to activate a mechanism to reorient said bottle said first and second sensing fingers comprise long thin members which are mounted for pivotal movement into contact with the bottle a vertical pivot member on which said sensing fingers are mounted, one of said sensing fingers being mounted directly above the other for movement in a substantially horizontal plane said sensing means being electric one end of said first finger adapted to contact the bottle and the first sensor being attached to tHe other end of the finger and wherein one end of said second finger is adapted to contact the bottle and said second sensor is attached to the other end of said second finger the first sensor comprising a photoelectric eye and the second sensor comprising a light source, said light source and eye being mounted so that when the first and second fingers are positioned directly above each other, the eye will receive illumination from the light source a first spring attached to said first finger proximate said first sensor and a second spring attached to said second finger proximate said second sensor, said springs being mounted to bias said fingers into contact with the bottles a support, said vertical pivot member being mounted thereon and said springs being attached thereto the asymmetry comprising a grasping means sensing means being provided to determine the position of said bottle, said sensing fingers being actuatable in this position, and said sensing means comprising photoelectric eyes and light sources which determine the position by locating the neck of the bottle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the grasping means comprises a handle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the grasping means comprises a dimple.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the sensing mechanism is associated with a bottle conveying mechanism.
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) | 1978-11-17 | 1979-05-19 | 1979-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-17 | 1983-05-19 | 1983-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-17 | 1987-05-19 | 1987-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |