US4471865A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Packaging machines
Assignee: Baker Perkins Ltd
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Filing: 1982-04-14
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Granted: 1984-09-18
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Expires: 2002-04-14
Abstract
Abstract Article feeding apparatus includes a series of equally spaced pushers for advancing along a platform a procession of sweets or the like lying flat on the platform. The platform has a downwardly extending ramp and as the sweets travel down the ramp they are turned through 90° to an erect position under control of one or more restraining fingers which move in timed relationship with the pushers. A further turnover device may be provided for turning the erected sweets through a further 90°.
Inventors
- 👤 Reginald F. Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:58
CPC Classifications
C; C07; C07D; C07D261/00; C07D261/02; C07D261/06; C07D261/08; B; B65; B65G; B65G19/00; B65G19/02; B65G47/00; B65G47/22; B65G47/26; B65G47/28; C07C; C07C45/00; C07C45/61; C07C45/67; C07C45/68
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
Article feeding apparatus comprising a platform having an upper horizontal portion, a lower horizontal portion and an upwardly convex curved ramp leading from the upper to the lower portion, a chain conveyor carrying a series of regularly pitched pushers arranged to feed along the upper portion of the platform and down the ramp a procession of individual sweets or like articles lying flat on said upper portion and restraining means moving in timed relationship with and cooperating with the pushers, said restraining means including a restraining finger arranged to travel in front of and cooperate with a leading end of each article as it reaches the ramp to prevent the article overshooting the ramp and cause the article to conform with the ramp and turn through 90° to an erect position as it reaches the lower portion of the platform and thereafter to move away from the erected article to free it for continued advance by one of said pushers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
Article feeding apparatus comprising a platform having an upper horizontal portion, a lower horizontal portion and an upwardly convex curved ramp leading from the upper to the lower portion, a chain conveyor carrying a series of regularly pitched pushers arranged to feed along the upper portion of the platform and down the ramp a procession of individual sweets or like articles lying flat on said upper portion and restraining means moving in timed relationship with and cooperating with the pushers, said restraining means including a restraining finger arranged to travel in front of and cooperate with a leading end of each article as it reaches the ramp to prevent the article overshooting the ramp and cause the article to conform with the ramp and turn through 90° to an erect position as it reaches the lower portion of the platform and thereafter to move away from the erected article to free it for continued advance by one of said pushers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the restraining means is a positively rotated paddle wheel carrying at least one blade constituting the finger.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, in which the paddle wheel carries a plurality of equally spaced blades which coact with consecutive articles in the procession.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the length of the ramp, measured horizontally, is slightly less than the pitch distance between the pushers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, which includes a further turn-over device located above the lower portion of the platform and operative to turn each erected article through a further 90° as it is advanced by the pushers along said lower portion.
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) | 1987-09-18 | 1988-03-19 | 1988-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-09-18 | 1992-03-19 | 1992-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-09-18 | 1996-03-19 | 1996-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |