US3976208A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for providing endless succession of compartmented trays
Assignee: Quaker Oats Co
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Filing: 1975-02-03
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Granted: 1976-08-24
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Expires: 1995-02-03
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus is disclosed for providing an endless succession of compartmented trays for holding pouches or the like to be processed. The apparatus has a first conveyor to provide a plurality of compartmented trays end on end in endless fashion; means for taking the trays off of the end of the conveyor and stacking them; means for destacking the trays and placing them on a second conveyor; and means for changing the trays from the second conveyor to the first conveyor to provide an endless succession of trays thereon.
Inventors
- 👤 Louis F. Buix
- 👤 Harry J. Gribnitz
- 👤 Gary A. Hohner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:54
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23B; A23B2/00; A23B2/001; B; B65; B65G; B65G37/00; B65G37/02; B65G60/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S414/00; Y10S414/10; Y10S414/106; Y10S414/107
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
An apparatus for providing an endless succession of stackable, compartmented trays for holding items to be processed, said apparatus comprising: a first conveyor for moving a plurality of trays, said first conveyor having a first end and a second end; means for moving the first conveyor in a first direction; means for depositing articles in said trays; means for stacking trays received from said first conveyor; first sensing means operable to lower said stacking means a predetermined distance; means for destacking the trays; means for transferring the stacked trays to said destacking means; means for removing items from said trays; a second conveyor located below said first conveyor for receiving empty trays from said destacking means; a second sensing means operable to raise said destacking means a predetermined distance so that said trays can be received by said second conveyor; means for moving the second conveyor in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the first conveyor and at a rate such that the rate of trays leaving the second conveyor is at least equal to the rate of trays leaving the first conveyor; means for directing said compartmented trays end on end onto the first end of the first conveyor; transfer means for moving the trays on the second conveyor to the means for directing compartmented trays end on end onto the first end of the first conveyor; a third sensing means operable to raise said transfer means a predetermined distance.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
244 words
An apparatus for providing an endless succession of stackable, compartmented trays for holding items to be processed, said apparatus comprising: a first conveyor for moving a plurality of trays, said first conveyor having a first end and a second end; means for moving the first conveyor in a first direction; means for depositing articles in said trays; means for stacking trays received from said first conveyor; first sensing means operable to lower said stacking means a predetermined distance; means for destacking the trays; means for transferring the stacked trays to said destacking means; means for removing items from said trays; a second conveyor located below said first conveyor for receiving empty trays from said destacking means; a second sensing means operable to raise said destacking means a predetermined distance so that said trays can be received by said second conveyor; means for moving the second conveyor in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the first conveyor and at a rate such that the rate of trays leaving the second conveyor is at least equal to the rate of trays leaving the first conveyor; means for directing said compartmented trays end on end onto the first end of the first conveyor; transfer means for moving the trays on the second conveyor to the means for directing compartmented trays end on end onto the first end of the first conveyor; a third sensing means operable to raise said transfer means a predetermined distance.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1979-08-24 | 1980-02-23 | 1980-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-24 | 1984-02-23 | 1984-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-24 | 1988-02-23 | 1988-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |