US3977161A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Closure cap feed chute with automatic cap stop
Assignee: Anchor Hocking Packaging Co
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Filing: 1975-07-28
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Granted: 1976-08-31
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Expires: 1995-07-28
Abstract
Abstract An improved chute is disclosed for feeding articles such as closure caps from a supply device with a positive cap operated stop or feed control action. A cap stop is positioned on the feed end of the chute which includes a latching means for positively holding the next to the last cap in a fixed position in the chute while the end cap is held in position by a spring mounted detent. A latch releasing trigger is mounted at the chute end in position to be activated as the end cap is removed from the chute by a moving container. This momentarily opens the cap latch permitting the second cap in line to move to the pick-up position under the trigger which resets the stop latches.
Inventors
- 👤 Josef Faber
- 👤 Henry Wellington Moats
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 17:41
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67B; B67B3/00; B67B3/20; B67B3/204; B67B3/2046; B65; B65B; B65B43/00; B65B43/42; B65B7/00; B65B7/16; B65B7/28; B65B7/2807; B65B7/2835; B67B3/02; B67B3/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
In a cap feed chute for feeding a line of caps to moving containers an improved stop comprising the combination of: a trigger positioned at the exit end of the chute for engaging the endmost cap for movement thereby; means for mounting said trigger for movement by the endmost cap; a latch for engaging one of the caps in the line of caps behind the said endmost cap; means for movably mounting said latch rearwardly of said trigger; means operatively coupling said latch to said trigger for movement thereby; and said coupling being positioned whereby said latch engages a closure cap only when a preceding cap is in engagement with said trigger.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a cap feed chute for feeding a line of caps to moving containers an improved stop comprising the combination of: a trigger positioned at the exit end of the chute for engaging the endmost cap for movement thereby; means for mounting said trigger for movement by the endmost cap; a latch for engaging one of the caps in the line of caps behind the said endmost cap; means for movably mounting said latch rearwardly of said trigger; means operatively coupling said latch to said trigger for movement thereby; and said coupling being positioned whereby said latch engages a closure cap only when a preceding cap is in engagement with said trigger.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The cap feed chute as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises a foot portion on said trigger positioned for slidably engaging top portions of caps in said chute, and a stop arm portion on said latch positioned for engaging edges of closure caps at a position spaced from the center line of cap travel through the chute.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The cap feed chute as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises a pair of stop arm portions on said latch for engaging the edges of closure caps, one of said stop arms being positioned on one side of the center line of cap travel through the feed chute and with the other stop arm being positioned on the opposite side of the center line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The cap feed chute as claimed in claim 1 in which said means for movably mounting said trigger comprises a shaft mounted transversely of the feed chute engaging a bearing portion on said trigger, and resilient means urging said trigger towards the tops of caps in said feed chute.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The cap feed chute as claimed in claim 1 in which said means for movably mounting said latch comprises a shaft mounted transversely of the cap feed chute.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
The cap feed chute as claimed in claim 1 in which said trigger and said latch are each mounted on spaced shafts mounted transversely of the cap feed chute, and said means operatively coupling said latch and said trigger couples facing portions whereby a turning of the trigger in one direction about its mounting shaft turns said latch in an opposite direction about its mounting shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The cap feed chute as claimed in claim 1 in which said latch includes a pair of spaced stop arms for engaging closure caps, and said means for operatively coupling said latch to said trigger comprises a pair of operating arms on said trigger with one operating arm operatively engaging each of said stop arms on said latch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The cap feed chute as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises cap detent means mounted at the end of said cap feed chute for releasably engaging closure caps at the chute end adjacent to said trigger.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The cap feed chute as claimed in claim 1 in which said cap feed chute includes means for detachably mounting it at the end of a second cap feed chute for receiving caps from said second cap feed chute.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The cap feed chute as claimed in claim 9 in which said means for mounting said cap chute on said second cap feed chute includes a pivot means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
189 words
In a cap feed chute for feeding a line of caps to moving containers an improved stop comprising the combination of: a trigger positioned at the exit end of the chute for engaging the endmost cap for movement thereby; said trigger having a foot positioned for engaging each cap cover; means for pivotally mounting said trigger for movement by the endmost cap; cap detent means mounted at the end of said cap feed chute for releasably engaging closure caps at the chute adjacent to said trigger; a latch for engaging one of the caps in the line of caps behind the said endmost cap; said latch having a stop arm positioned outwardly of the feed chute center line for releasably engaging caps in said feed chute; means for pivotally mounting said latch rearwardly of said trigger; means operatively coupling facing portions of said latch and said trigger whereby pivotal movement of said trigger in one direction pivots said latch in the opposite direction; and said coupling being positioned whereby said latch stop arm engages a closure cap only when a preceding cap is in engagement with said trigger foot.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
189 words
In a cap feed chute for feeding a line of caps to moving containers an improved stop comprising the combination of: a trigger positioned at the exit end of the chute for engaging the endmost cap for movement thereby; said trigger having a foot positioned for engaging each cap cover; means for pivotally mounting said trigger for movement by the endmost cap; cap detent means mounted at the end of said cap feed chute for releasably engaging closure caps at the chute adjacent to said trigger; a latch for engaging one of the caps in the line of caps behind the said endmost cap; said latch having a stop arm positioned outwardly of the feed chute center line for releasably engaging caps in said feed chute; means for pivotally mounting said latch rearwardly of said trigger; means operatively coupling facing portions of said latch and said trigger whereby pivotal movement of said trigger in one direction pivots said latch in the opposite direction; and said coupling being positioned whereby said latch stop arm engages a closure cap only when a preceding cap is in engagement with said trigger foot.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The cap feed chute as claimed in claim 11 in which said means for movably mounting said latch comprises a shaft positioned transversely of the cap feed chute.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
The cap feed chute as claimed in claim 11 in which said latch includes a pair of spaced stop arms for engaging closure caps, and said means for operatively coupling said latch to said trigger comprises a pair of operating arms on said trigger with one operating arm operatively engaging each of said stop arms on said latch.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The cap feed chute as claimed in claim 11 in which said cap feed chute includes means for detachably mounting it at the end of a second cap feed chute for receiving caps from said second cap feed chute.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The cap feed chute as claimed in claim 14 in which said means for mounting said cap chute on said second cap feed chute includes a pivot means.
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) | 1979-08-31 | 1980-03-01 | 1980-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-31 | 1984-03-01 | 1984-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-31 | 1988-03-01 | 1988-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |