US5094339A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pocket plate
Assignee: Nigrelli Systems Inc
•
Filing: 1991-01-14
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Granted: 1992-03-10
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Expires: 2011-01-14
Abstract
Abstract A multi-part tray is provided to carry a plurality of objects in precise and accurate array through a process device. The tray parts are each fastened to a flexible plate and also to a conveyor. The conveyor is caused to travel a circuitous route around convex curves which thereupon splay the tray parts apart beneath a loading station and also beneath an unloading station where the objects are slidably moved onto or removed form the tray. A plurality of loading and unloading fingers slide in corresponding grooves in the bottoms of the tray-parts and beneath the objects.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian L. Thelen
- 👤 Michael A. Balz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:33
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B43/00; B65B43/42; B65B43/52; B65B43/54; B65B43/56; B65G; B65G17/00; B65G17/30; B65G17/32; B65G17/34; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A device for holding a wide variety of products in accurate location for subsequent operation thereupon, said device including: at least one pocket plate having a plurality of holding members; each holding member having a side wall, two of said holding members having finger-receiving grooves therein, at least one loading finger and at least one unloading finger arranged to slide in each groove, laterally flexible, axially rigid spring plates secured to each of said holding members, so as to retain said holding members in precise location with respect to each other when said flexible plate is disposed in a single plane, but which permits said holding members to splay open or move away from each other when carried around a circuitous path prior to said loading and after leaving the area of the unloading fingers.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
A device for holding a wide variety of products in accurate location for subsequent operation thereupon, said device including: at least one pocket plate having a plurality of holding members; each holding member having a side wall, two of said holding members having finger-receiving grooves therein, at least one loading finger and at least one unloading finger arranged to slide in each groove, laterally flexible, axially rigid spring plates secured to each of said holding members, so as to retain said holding members in precise location with respect to each other when said flexible plate is disposed in a single plane, but which permits said holding members to splay open or move away from each other when carried around a circuitous path prior to said loading and after leaving the area of the unloading fingers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device of claim 1 wherein said flexible plate is metal and is fixedly secured to each of said holding members, and said holding members are secured to a conveyor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
A device of claim 2 wherein said conveyor is a chain belt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
A device of claim 2 wherein said conveyor is a timing belt.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device of claim 1 wherein said loading and unloading fingers are flexible, metal strips.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 3 wherein the flexible rigid plate is fastened to a plurality of links in the chain belt and all of the holding members in each pocket plate are fastened to a single, flexible plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 6 wherein the positioning of the holding members is independent of any mechanical wear on the chain belt.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 1 wherein at least two of the products are in axial alignment within the holding member, and two of the products are in side-by-side alignment within the holding member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 8 wherein the holding member presses against the side wall of the products, substantially above the base of the products.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 9 wherein the clamping pressure against the side wall of the product is applied between 25 to 60% of the height of the product.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 9 wherein the clamping pressure against the side wall of the product is applied between 40 and 45% of the height of the product.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 9 wherein the clamping action of the holding member against the side wall provides dimensional integrity in both machine and cross-machine direction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1 including at least one index pin in each pocket plate to insure accurate orientation of the pocket plate with subsequent operating devices.
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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) | 1995-03-10 | 1995-09-09 | 1996-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-10 | 1999-09-09 | 2000-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-10 | 2003-09-09 | 2004-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |