Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A device for removing improperly oriented covers from a continuous flow of covers, the continuous flow of covers having a flow pattern and a direction of flow, each cover having a middle portion positioned substantially in a plane perpendicular to the direction of flow and an edge portion surrounding the middle portion and oriented relative to the plane, the device comprising: conveyor means for transporting the covers in the direction of flow; generator means for generating a field in the continuous flow of covers; detector means associated with the conveyor means for detecting a wrongly oriented cover by a change in the field and for generating a signal whenever a change occurs; and ejector means associated with the conveyor means and responsive to the signals generated by the detector means for removing wrongly oriented covers from the continuous flow of covers, wherein the detector means and the ejector means are mounted to the conveyor means in substantially the same axial position relative to the flow of the covers.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
168 words
A device for removing improperly oriented covers from a continuous flow of covers, the continuous flow of covers having a flow pattern and a direction of flow, each cover having a middle portion positioned substantially in a plane perpendicular to the direction of flow and an edge portion surrounding the middle portion and oriented relative to the plane, the device comprising: conveyor means for transporting the covers in the direction of flow; generator means for generating a field in the continuous flow of covers; detector means associated with the conveyor means for detecting a wrongly oriented cover by a change in the field and for generating a signal whenever a change occurs; and ejector means associated with the conveyor means and responsive to the signals generated by the detector means for removing wrongly oriented covers from the continuous flow of covers, wherein the detector means and the ejector means are mounted to the conveyor means in substantially the same axial position relative to the flow of the covers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the generator means comprises means for generating a magnetic field across metal-containing portions of the covers which fluctuates whenever a change occurs in the flow pattern.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the generator means comprises means for generating a magnetic field across metal-containing edge portions of the covers which fluctuates whenever a change occurs in the flow pattern.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the generator means comprises means for generating an electric field across metal-containing portions of the covers which fluctuates whenever a change occurs in the flow pattern.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the generator means comprises means for generating an electric field across metal-containing edge portions of the covers which fluctuates whenever a change occurs in the flow pattern.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
163 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the ejector means comprises a pneumatic drive operatively connected to a plunger assembly and responsive to signals generated by the detector means; the plunger assembly having a lower stationary mounting plate attached to the conveyor means, a pneumatic cylinder connected to the mounting plate and operatively connected to the pneumatic drive, a plunger at least partially in the pneumatic cylinder which is pushed outward toward the flow of covers when the pneumatic drive is actuated and which retracts into the pneumatic cylinder when the pneumatic drive is deactivated, a block member mounted to an outer end of the plunger, and an ejector plate mounted to the block which is introduced at least partially into the flow of covers to force a wrongly oriented cover out of the continuous flow of covers whenever the pneumatic drive is activated in response to a signal from the detector means and which is subsequently withdrawn when the pneumatic drive is deactivated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
156 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the ejector means comprises an electric drive operatively connected to a plunger assembly and responsive to signals generated by the detector means; the plunger assembly having a lower stationary mounting plate attached to the conveyor means, a plunger housing connected to the mounting plate, a plunger at least partially in the plunger housing which is pushed outward toward the flow of covers when the electric drive is activated and which retracts into the plunger housing when the electric drive is deactivated, a block member mounted to an outer end of the plunger, and an ejector plate mounted to the block which is introduced at least partially into the flow of covers to force a wrongly oriented cover out of the continuous flow of covers whenever the electric drive is activated in response to a signal from the detector means and which is subsequently withdrawn when the electric drive is deactivated.