US3993199A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Filler-fitting alignment apparatus
Assignee: VELASCO SCALE CO Inc
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Filing: 1975-05-05
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Granted: 1976-11-23
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Expires: 1995-05-05
Abstract
Abstract A fluid container filler-fitting alignment apparatus for detecting and aligning the filler-fitting of the container with respect to a known location of a fill valve. There is provided an automated, pivotally mounted filler-fitting alignment apparatus for contacting the top of a fluid container, accurately locating the filler-fitting of the container and positioning the container with the fitting in a predetermined position when moving the container to a fill station for inserting a fill valve and filling the container with a fluid.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry A. Jorgensen
- 👤 Robert H. Reeves, Jr.
- 👤 Harry Louis Kennedy
- 👤 Prakash Kesaree
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:35
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67C; B67C3/00; B67C3/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
An automated filler-fitting alignment apparatus for locating and positioning a filler-fitting of a fluid container, comprising: a main arm pivotally mounted on a support structure adjacent a container receiving station; and a swing arm affixed at a first end to said main arm, said swing arm having, an eccentric locator cone rotatably mounted on said swing arm at a point spaced apart from the first end of said swing arm, and said eccentric locator cone having a roller mount at the lower end of said cone, said roller mount having a guide roller mounted thereto said guide roller for locating a filler-fitting in the upper surface of said fluid container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
An automated filler-fitting alignment apparatus for locating and positioning a filler-fitting of a fluid container, comprising: a main arm pivotally mounted on a support structure adjacent a container receiving station; and a swing arm affixed at a first end to said main arm, said swing arm having, an eccentric locator cone rotatably mounted on said swing arm at a point spaced apart from the first end of said swing arm, and said eccentric locator cone having a roller mount at the lower end of said cone, said roller mount having a guide roller mounted thereto said guide roller for locating a filler-fitting in the upper surface of said fluid container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, further including a drive roller for imparting rotative motion to said drum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said drive roller is of sufficient length for engaging said fluid container substantially along its vertical dimension.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said drive roller is adapted to fit about a ridge extending around the circumference of said fluid container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said main arm is pivotally lowered onto and raised away from the upper surface of said fluid container by a fluid powered actuating cylinder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, further including a second fluid powered actuating cylinder for maintaining said main arm and said swing arm in non-parallel alignment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, further including powered split rollers beneath said drum at a drum filler-fitting alignment station for imparting rotational motion to said drum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
145 words
An automated filler-fitting alignment apparatus for locating and positioning a filler-fitting of a fluid container, comprising: a main arm pivotally mounted on a support structure adjacent a container receiving station; and a swing arm affixed at a first end thereof to said main arm, said swing arm having, an eccentric locator cone rotatably mounted on said swing arm at a point spaced apart from the first end of said swing arm, and said eccentric locator cone having a roller mount at the lower end of said cone, said roller mount having a guide roller mounted thereon, said guide roller being disposable so that pivotal movement of said main arm contacts said guide roller with an upper surface of a fluid container having a filler-fitting thereon, said guide roller movable relative to an upper surface of a fluid container to thereby locate a filler fitting thereon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
145 words
An automated filler-fitting alignment apparatus for locating and positioning a filler-fitting of a fluid container, comprising: a main arm pivotally mounted on a support structure adjacent a container receiving station; and a swing arm affixed at a first end thereof to said main arm, said swing arm having, an eccentric locator cone rotatably mounted on said swing arm at a point spaced apart from the first end of said swing arm, and said eccentric locator cone having a roller mount at the lower end of said cone, said roller mount having a guide roller mounted thereon, said guide roller being disposable so that pivotal movement of said main arm contacts said guide roller with an upper surface of a fluid container having a filler-fitting thereon, said guide roller movable relative to an upper surface of a fluid container to thereby locate a filler fitting thereon.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3610398A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-11-23 | 1980-05-24 | 1980-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-23 | 1984-05-24 | 1984-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-23 | 1988-05-24 | 1988-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |