Patent US4492070A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4492070A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Case loading apparatus and method
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1980-03-27
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Granted: 1985-01-08
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Expires: 2000-03-27
Abstract
Abstract A case loading apparatus comprises a first conveyor for moving a plurality of articles therealong and a second conveyor for moving open-ended cases therealong. The first conveyor deposits a stacked plurality of the articles on a platen, mounted on an elevator, for movement to a lowered position whereat the articles are transferred to a receptacle. The receptacle is moved adjacent to one of the cases and is inserted therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Hugh B. Morse
- 👤 Helmut E. Masch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:05
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B39/00; B65B39/007; B65B35/00; B65B35/30; B65B35/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
A case loading apparatus comprising: first conveyor means for moving a plurality of articles therealong, second conveyor means mounted adjacent to said first conveyor means for moving a plurality of open-ended cases therealong, elevator means, including an endless chain having a plurality of platens secured thereon, for directly moving vertically and intermittently from a first position closely adjacent to said first conveyor means to receive a plurality of stacked articles thereon to a second position below said first conveyor means, receptacle means for moving from a generally vertical first position adjacent to the second position of said elevator means to a generally horizontal second position adjacent to said second conveyor means, first actuating means for moving between a space defined between an adjacent and vertically spaced pair of said platens to move said stacked articles from said elevator means to said receptacle means when said elevator means is in its second position and said receptacle means is in its generally vertical first position, and second actuating means for moving said stacked articles from said receptacle means into a recpective one of said open-ended cases when said receptacle means is in its generally horizontal second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
A case loading apparatus comprising: first conveyor means for moving a plurality of articles therealong, second conveyor means mounted adjacent to said first conveyor means for moving a plurality of open-ended cases therealong, elevator means, including an endless chain having a plurality of platens secured thereon, for directly moving vertically and intermittently from a first position closely adjacent to said first conveyor means to receive a plurality of stacked articles thereon to a second position below said first conveyor means, receptacle means for moving from a generally vertical first position adjacent to the second position of said elevator means to a generally horizontal second position adjacent to said second conveyor means, first actuating means for moving between a space defined between an adjacent and vertically spaced pair of said platens to move said stacked articles from said elevator means to said receptacle means when said elevator means is in its second position and said receptacle means is in its generally vertical first position, and second actuating means for moving said stacked articles from said receptacle means into a recpective one of said open-ended cases when said receptacle means is in its generally horizontal second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first conveyor means comprises first belt means for receiving and moving said articles thereon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising hold-down means mounted vertically above said first belt means for holding said articles thereon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first conveyor means further comprises second belt means disposed in linear alignment with respect to said first belt means for receiving said articles from said first belt means, said second belt means comprising a plurality of first belts aligned linearly with said first belt means and second belts disposed vertically above said first belts, said first and second belts having the same linear speed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein each of said first and second belts has a construction composed of a low-friction material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said first conveyor means further comprises third belt means for receiving articles from said second belt means and wherein said third belt means has a linear speed substantially greater than the speeds of said first and second belt means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said platens are secured exteriorly on said endless chain in equally spaced relationship thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said first actuating means comprises a double-acting fluid cylinder having a pusher plate for movement from a retracted position to an extended position between a pair of said platens for moving said stacked articles off said platen and into said receptacle means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for compressing said stacked articles within said receptacle means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said receptacle means comprises a bottom plate and at least one side plate to define a receptacle and wherein said means for compressing said stacked articles is mounted on said side plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said means for compressing said stacked articles comprises a double-acting fluid cylinder mounted on said side plate and a compression plate disposed in parallel relationship relative to said bottom plate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said receptacle means comprises a receptacle and further comprising third actuating means connected to said receptacle for rotating said receptacle to align said stacked articles with an open end of a respective one of said cases.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said third actuating means comprises a double-acting fluid cylinder and a bellcrank connecting said cylinder to said receptacle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said third actuating means is connected to said receptacle for pivoting said receptacle 90°.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second actuating means comprises a double-acting fluid cylinder having a pusher plate secured on a rod end thereof.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for end loading a case with a plurality of stacked articles comprising the steps of conveying said articles in a first direction, intermittently moving a plurality of platens in an endless path, stacking a predetermined pluarlity of articles on a said platen while simultaneously lowering said platen, stopping said platens while simultaneously pushing said articles off said platen and into a generally vertically disposed receptacle, moving said receptacle generally horizontally to align said stacked articles with an open end of a case, and pushing said articles from said receptacle and into the open end of said case.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for end loading a case with a plurality of stacked articles comprising the steps of conveying said articles in a first direction, intermittently moving a plurality of platens in an endless path, stacking a predetermined pluarlity of articles on a said platen while simultaneously lowering said platen, stopping said platens while simultaneously pushing said articles off said platen and into a generally vertically disposed receptacle, moving said receptacle generally horizontally to align said stacked articles with an open end of a case, and pushing said articles from said receptacle and into the open end of said case.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said conveying step comprises the steps of first conveying said articles at a first linear speed and second conveying a plurality of said articles at a second linear speed which is substantially higher than said first speed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of counting said predetermined plurality of stacked articles and preventing further articles from being conveyed after such count.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of compressing said articles in said receptacle to define a predetermined composite dimension thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said moving step comprises the step of pivoting said receptacle with said plurality of stacked articles retained therein.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 20 wherein said pivoting step comprises the step of pivoting said receptacle and the plurality of stacked articles retained therein through an arc of approximately 90°.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said pivoting step includes the step of pivoting said receptacle and the stacked articles retained therein from said generally vertically disposed disposition to said generally horizontally disposed disposition.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-01-08 | 1988-07-09 | 1989-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-01-08 | 1992-07-09 | 1993-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-01-08 | 1996-07-09 | 1997-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |