US4008889A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vacuum feed mechanism
Assignee: REDCO Inc
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Filing: 1975-06-16
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Granted: 1977-02-22
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Expires: 1995-06-16
Abstract
Abstract A pneumatically operated mechanism for feeding envelopes or other similar stacked articles from a stacked position into a second position where stamping, gluing or the like may be performed. The feed mechanism includes a pneumatic cylinder having a fixed piston rod and a movable cylinder driven by a slide wheel mechanism in such a manner as to create a vacuum at a reciprocating, article engaging, slide shuttle when the cylinder is moved in one direction. When the cylinder is moved in a reverse direction the vacuum is released, allowing the article engaging shuttle to return to the stacked articles for reapplying the vacuum for removing an article.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter D. Ayres
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:32
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H3/00; B65H3/08; B65H3/12; B65H3/122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
A pneumatic feed mechanism for removing one article at a time from the bottom of a stack of articles, the improvement comprising: an article receptacle for positioning a stack of articles on a work table and said work table having an elongated opening therein and having a portion of said opening at the bottom of said receptacle; a vacuum shuttle positioned in said elongated opening and reciprocable therein to engage and move the bottom article from said stack; a feed gate positioned adjacent to said opening and having a movable tongue and roller assembly for guiding articles on said table; a drive mechanism coupled with said vacuum shuttle and said drive mechanism having a rotatable drive member coupled to a pivotally attached slide block; pneumatic means having a slider-drive coupled with the drive member and having piston means and cylinder means; one of said piston-cylinder means being movable with respect to the other of said piston-cylinder means to create an operating vacuum; and said vacuum shuttle having means coupled to said pneumatic means whereby said shuttle moves in unison with the movable portion of said pneumatic means, and said pneumatic means including a fixed piston rod and a cylinder reciprocally movable with respect thereto; and a chambered connecting fitting for transmitting vacuum interconnecting the movable cylinder with the vacuum shuttle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
A pneumatic feed mechanism for removing one article at a time from the bottom of a stack of articles, the improvement comprising: an article receptacle for positioning a stack of articles on a work table and said work table having an elongated opening therein and having a portion of said opening at the bottom of said receptacle; a vacuum shuttle positioned in said elongated opening and reciprocable therein to engage and move the bottom article from said stack; a feed gate positioned adjacent to said opening and having a movable tongue and roller assembly for guiding articles on said table; a drive mechanism coupled with said vacuum shuttle and said drive mechanism having a rotatable drive member coupled to a pivotally attached slide block; pneumatic means having a slider-drive coupled with the drive member and having piston means and cylinder means; one of said piston-cylinder means being movable with respect to the other of said piston-cylinder means to create an operating vacuum; and said vacuum shuttle having means coupled to said pneumatic means whereby said shuttle moves in unison with the movable portion of said pneumatic means, and said pneumatic means including a fixed piston rod and a cylinder reciprocally movable with respect thereto; and a chambered connecting fitting for transmitting vacuum interconnecting the movable cylinder with the vacuum shuttle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The feed mechanism of claim 1, wherein: said article receptable includes a movable carrier assembly having a handle portion and being adapted to vary the size of the receptacle to accommodate various size articles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The feed mechanism of claim 1, wherein: said connector fitting has a generally S-shaped contour including an elongated body portion interconnecting a shuttle connector portion and a cylinder connector portion, and said elongated body extending adjacent the cylinder of the pneumatic 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) | 1980-02-22 | 1980-08-23 | 1981-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-22 | 1984-08-23 | 1985-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-22 | 1988-08-23 | 1989-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |