Patent US4160351A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4160351A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Front flap opener
Assignee: Scott Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1978-01-19
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Granted: 1979-07-10
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Expires: 1998-01-19
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for opening the front flap of a container moving on a conveyor line toward a filling station. The invention includes a circular brush maintained above the conveyor line and rotatable by means of an air motor. The air motor is mounted upon a support member having rollers at the bottom thereof and movable between adjustable stops defining a track, the track running parallel to the conveyor. An air cylinder, pivotally mounted to a bracket at one end thereof, has an extendable rod connected to the top of the support member at another end thereof. Actuation of the air cylinder and air motor causes the rod to pass the rotating brush along the conveyor with the brush making lifting engagement with the front flap of the container. At the end of the track, the support member stops and the rod causes the brush to pass through an arc, assisting in the opening of the flap. A limit switch senses the arcuate motion of the brush and causes the rod to retract to an original position.
Inventors
- 👤 James W. Mais
- 👤 David L. Bianchi
- 👤 Theodore L. Barker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:30
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B43/00; B65B43/38; B65B43/39
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
Apparatus for opening the front flap of a container, comprising: first means for transporting containers in a predetermined direction, the containers having the front flap thereof folded inwardly of the container; second means comprising a brush rotatably mounted upon a shaft and positioned above said first means for engaging the front flap of the container; third means connected to said second means for transporting said second means in said predetermined direction; and fourth means operatively connected to said second and third means for sensing the presence of a container beneath said second means and thereupon actuating said second and third means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
Apparatus for opening the front flap of a container, comprising: first means for transporting containers in a predetermined direction, the containers having the front flap thereof folded inwardly of the container; second means comprising a brush rotatably mounted upon a shaft and positioned above said first means for engaging the front flap of the container; third means connected to said second means for transporting said second means in said predetermined direction; and fourth means operatively connected to said second and third means for sensing the presence of a container beneath said second means and thereupon actuating said second and third means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said third means comprises an extendable rod connected to a support member, a bottom edge of said support member being movable upon a track, and a top edge thereof receiving said rotatable shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said bottom edge has rollers thereon and wherein said track is defined by adjustable stops, said rollers moving between said adjustable stops under control of said extendable rod.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said support member comprises upper and lower elements, adjustably interconnected for positioning of said brush into aligned position with the tops of the containers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said extendable rod is connected to an air cylinder, said air cylinder being pivotally connected to a vertical support member, and wherein said second means further includes an air motor connected to said shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 which further includes switch means connected to said air cylinder for reversing operation of said air cylinder after said rod has extended a predetermined amount.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said air motor is pivotally mounted atop said support member, pivotal movement of said motor actuating said switch means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said first means comprises a conveyor system, said second, third, and fourth means maintained along said conveyor system, and further including a station for filling the containers at an end of said conveyor system and following said second, third, and fourth means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a system for transporting containers along a conveyor line and to a loading station, the containers having the front flaps thereof folded inwardly of the box, the improvement comprising: a rotatable brush centrally positioned above the conveyor line at a level aligned with the top of the containers; a motor connected to and driving said brush, said motor being mounted upon a support member which is movable upon a track; reciprocating means connected to said support member for reciprocatingly driving said support member upon said track; and sensing means positioned along said conveyor line and interconnected with said motor and reciprocating means for sensing the presence of a container beneath said brush and thence actuating said motor and reciprocating means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a system for transporting containers along a conveyor line and to a loading station, the containers having the front flaps thereof folded inwardly of the box, the improvement comprising: a rotatable brush centrally positioned above the conveyor line at a level aligned with the top of the containers; a motor connected to and driving said brush, said motor being mounted upon a support member which is movable upon a track; reciprocating means connected to said support member for reciprocatingly driving said support member upon said track; and sensing means positioned along said conveyor line and interconnected with said motor and reciprocating means for sensing the presence of a container beneath said brush and thence actuating said motor and reciprocating means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement according to claim 9 wherein said track is defined by adjustable stops at each end thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The improvement according to claim 10 wherein said reciprocating means includes a rod operative within a cylinder and connected to said support member, said rod driving said support member to one of said stops, and thence moving said brush through an arc.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improvement according to claim 9 wherein said motor is hingedly mounted atop said support member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improvement according to claim 12 which further includes switch means actuated by hinged movement of said motor for terminating actuation of said motor and returning said reciprocating means to an initial position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement according to claim 9 wherein said support member includes means for adjusting the length thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The improvement according to claim 9 wherein said reciprocating means comprises a rod operative within a cylinder, said cylinder being pivotally connected to a brace, said support member being connected to said rod and having rollers at the bottom thereof and movable between stops upon said track.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The improvement according to claim 9 wherein said sensing means comprises a photodetector.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement according to claim 9 wherein said motor is a reversible air motor and said reciprocating means comprises an air cylinder.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improvement according to claim 9 wherein said brush is comprised of a plurality of radially extending, long, flexible bristles.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improvement according to claim 18 which further includes a weighted pendulum pivotally suspended above the conveyor line between said brush and the loading station.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3852942A
Cited
US3861115A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-07-09 | 1983-01-08 | 1983-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-07-09 | 1987-01-08 | 1987-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-07-09 | 1991-01-08 | 1991-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |