Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for unloading rod-like articles from containers

US4303366A · kind A · utility

23Cited by
9References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 29, 1977
Grant dateDec 1, 1981
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 29, 1997

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA24C5/356
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

Trays containing parallel rod-like articles are unloaded by rotation until the trays are at least partially inverted, the rotation being about an axis parallel to the articles. In one arrangement a pair of tray carriers is rotatable to successively invert a full tray over delivery conveyors and to return an empty tray. One of the conveyors is also rotatable about the same axis. A removable slat retains the articles in the full tray until it is completely inverted. In another arrangement a full tray is received in a bracket in which it is moved to a tilted position for unloading. A pivoted closure member is provided for the open top of the tray and this also serves as a barrier for the unloading articles.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.