Automatic box loader

US3981406A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the United States Energy Research and Development Administration · US

Inventors

• Harry H. Eldridge · Monterey, US
• Robert Jones · Madison, US
• Gordon M. Lindner · Norris, US
• Paul H. Hight · Lebanon, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 31, 1975
• Grant date: Sep 21, 1976
• Expiry date: Oct 31, 1995

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65G57/04
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

This invention relates to a system for repetitively forming an assembly consisting of a single layer of tubes and a row of ferromagnetic armatures underlying the same, electromagnetically conveying the resulting assembly to a position overlying a storage box, and depositing the assembly in the box. The system includes means for simultaneously depositing a row of the armatures on the inclined surface of a tube retainer. Tubes then are rolled down the surface to form a single tube layer bridging the armatures. A magnet assembly carrying electromagnets respectively aligned with the armatures is advanced close to the tube layer, and in the course of this advance is angularly displaced to bring the pole pieces of the electromagnets into parallelism with the tube layer. The magnets then are energized to pick up the assembly. The loaded magnet assembly is retracted to a position overlying the box, and during this retraction is again displaced to bring the pole pieces of the electromagnets into a horizontal plane. Means are provided for inserting the loaded electromagnets in the box and then de-energizing the electromagnets to deposit the assembly therein. The system accomplishes the boxin…