US3920134A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drop loader
Assignee: RA Jones and Co Inc
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Filing: 1974-07-24
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Granted: 1975-11-18
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Expires: 1994-07-24
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for loading multiple pouches into a continuously moving product bucket in which pouches are fed single file from a form-fill-seal machine, diverted into two lanes and deposited into a collector in stacks of two or more. The stack of pouches is dropped into a loader having trap doors and means for moving the loader in the direction of and in approximately the speed of the moving product bucket. At a predetermined time the loader, overlying a product bucket, is moved in the direction of the product bucket and simultaneously its trap doors are opened to drop the stack of pouches into the product bucket.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric W Scarpa
- 👤 Robert J Weichhand
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 12:30
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/34; B65G47/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
In apparatus for loading articles into product buckets of a conveyor moving continuously with respect to a fixed base, the combination comprising, a loader including transversely slidable trap doors overlying said conveyor, means for longitudinally reciprocating said loader over said conveyor. cam means between said base and said doors for sliding said doors apart to drop articles into product buckets as said loader is moving in the direction of said conveyor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
In apparatus for loading articles into product buckets of a conveyor moving continuously with respect to a fixed base, the combination comprising, a loader including transversely slidable trap doors overlying said conveyor, means for longitudinally reciprocating said loader over said conveyor. cam means between said base and said doors for sliding said doors apart to drop articles into product buckets as said loader is moving in the direction of said conveyor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising, a fixed collector overlying said loader, means for supplying a plurality of articles to said collector, means for dropping said articles from said collector into said loader when a predetermined number of articles has been supplied to said collector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 further comprising, an interrupter located between said supplying means and said collector, means for interposing said interrupter in the flow of articles from said supplying means during the dropping of articles from said collector to said loader.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 in which said interrupter includes a trap door which is normally open, means for closing said trap door after said predetermined number of articles has been supplied to said collector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 in which said supplying means includes a chute adapted to receive articles from a single incoming file the discharge end of said chute overlying said interrupter, means for cocking said chute from side-to-side over said collector to drop two side-by-side stacks of articles into said collector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said cam means comprises a cam plate on each side of said loader and having cam tracks diverging in the direction of said conveyor movement, and, cam rollers on said trap doors, said rollers being received in said tracks.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said reciprocating means comprises drive means for moving said loader in the direction of said conveyor, returning said loader to its original position, and holding said loader in its original position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 in which said dropping means comprises a trap door mounted for reciprocation below said collector, and a linear motor having an armature connected to said trap door for reciprocating said trap door.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
97 words
In apparatus for loading articles into product buckets of a continuously moving conveyor, a loader comprising a loader box mounted for reciprocation over said conveyor, said loader having trap doors openable as said loader is moving in the direction of said conveyor a fixed collector sEction located over said loader box for accumulating a load of pouches to be dropped into said loader box, said collector section having a trap door for retaining and releasing said pouches, and an interrupter section overlying said collector section, said interrupter section having a trap door for releasing and retaining pouches.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
97 words
In apparatus for loading articles into product buckets of a continuously moving conveyor, a loader comprising a loader box mounted for reciprocation over said conveyor, said loader having trap doors openable as said loader is moving in the direction of said conveyor a fixed collector sEction located over said loader box for accumulating a load of pouches to be dropped into said loader box, said collector section having a trap door for retaining and releasing said pouches, and an interrupter section overlying said collector section, said interrupter section having a trap door for releasing and retaining pouches.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
83 words
In apparatus for loading articles into product buckets of a conveyor moving continuously with respect to a fixed base, the combination comprising, a loader overlying said conveyor and having article supporting doors which are movable between open and closed positions, means for depositing articles on said doors, means for longitudinally reciprocating said loader over said conveyor, and means for moving said doors to open position to drop articles into said product buckets as said loader is moving in the direction of said conveyor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
83 words
In apparatus for loading articles into product buckets of a conveyor moving continuously with respect to a fixed base, the combination comprising, a loader overlying said conveyor and having article supporting doors which are movable between open and closed positions, means for depositing articles on said doors, means for longitudinally reciprocating said loader over said conveyor, and means for moving said doors to open position to drop articles into said product buckets as said loader is moving in the direction of said conveyor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3282585A
Cited
US3805944A
Cited
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 |