US4096939A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for feeding glass containers at spaced intervals
Assignee: OI Glass Inc
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Filing: 1976-03-12
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Granted: 1978-06-27
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Expires: 1996-03-12
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus is disclosed which provides an entrance gating structure for spacing the entry of containers carried by a conveyor into a testing device. The containers arrive at the testing device under line pressure and are then permitted to enter a testing apparatus where they are conveyed through the testing device and then returned to the conveyor. The gating device is a spring-loaded pivot arm having a pair of legs. One leg stops the flow of containers until the prior container clears the length of the long or other leg. The gate functions automatically without requiring any external operator.
Inventors
- 👤 Darius O. Riggs
- 👤 Charles G. Vogel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 19:10
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/74; B65G47/88; B65G47/8807; B65G47/8823; B65G47/22; B65G47/26; B65G47/28; B65G47/29; B65G2205/00; B65G2205/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
246 words
In apparatus for feeding glass containers to a test device wherein: a moving, horizontal conveyor carries a plurality of containers in single file to a means for guiding containers from the side of the conveyor into the entrance of a testing device mounted at the side of the conveyor, the test device having container sidewall engaging means for moving the containers in precession from the entrance, to and through a testing station, the improvement comprising: a generally arcuate, horizontal arm, said arm having a short leg and a long leg; means mounting said arm at the entrance to said test device for pivotal movement about a vertical axis intermediate said legs; said short leg, in a first position, contacting a container and blocking movement thereof into engagement with said container sidewall engaging means; said long leg of said arm engaging containers that are being moved by said container engaging means to a point just prior to the testing station; means biasing the long leg of said arm into engagement with a container; said biasing means permitting said arm to pivot into a second position when the long leg is not in engagement with a container to thereby move the short leg out of said first position and permitting a single container to move into engagement with said engaging means and said long leg of said arm whereby containers will be fed to the testing device at spaced intervals depending on the length of said long leg.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
246 words
In apparatus for feeding glass containers to a test device wherein: a moving, horizontal conveyor carries a plurality of containers in single file to a means for guiding containers from the side of the conveyor into the entrance of a testing device mounted at the side of the conveyor, the test device having container sidewall engaging means for moving the containers in precession from the entrance, to and through a testing station, the improvement comprising: a generally arcuate, horizontal arm, said arm having a short leg and a long leg; means mounting said arm at the entrance to said test device for pivotal movement about a vertical axis intermediate said legs; said short leg, in a first position, contacting a container and blocking movement thereof into engagement with said container sidewall engaging means; said long leg of said arm engaging containers that are being moved by said container engaging means to a point just prior to the testing station; means biasing the long leg of said arm into engagement with a container; said biasing means permitting said arm to pivot into a second position when the long leg is not in engagement with a container to thereby move the short leg out of said first position and permitting a single container to move into engagement with said engaging means and said long leg of said arm whereby containers will be fed to the testing device at spaced intervals depending on the length of said long leg.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said biasing means comprises a tension spring connected to the short leg of said arm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein container engaging means comprises a rotating wheel in engagement with the sidewall of the containers and further including guide means for returning the containers to the conveyor after passing through the test device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said long leg of said arm is arcuate in plan view and generally parallel to the contour of the container sidewall engaging means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said horizontal arm is mounted in generally parallel relationship with said rotating wheel at an elevation intermediate the height of said wheel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guiding means comprises a pair of spaced, curved end guide rails engaging opposed sides of said containers, and said short leg of said arm blocks the movement of containers from the exit of said guide rails.
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) | 1981-06-26 | 1981-12-26 | 1982-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-26 | 1985-12-26 | 1986-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-26 | 1989-12-26 | 1990-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |