Apparatus for unloading a container having a matrix of storage positions
US4770591A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 19, 1987 |
| Grant date | Sep 13, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 19, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R43/00
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for discharging serial arrays of solid components contained in a three dimensional matrix of feeding positions, into a delivery track, one serial array at a time. The matrix of feeding positions is comprised of trays each having a row of component containing channels. The trays are stacked one on top of another, and loaded in a box-like container. The container is lowered, presenting one tray at a time to a plurality of funnel-shaped discharge openings. A shuttle, capable of selectively blocking the discharge openings, is aligned with one opening at a time, and is operative to receive a serial array of components contained in a channel aligned with that opening. Upon receiving the components, the shuttle returns to a home position in alignment with the delivery track, whereupon it discharges the components into the track. The shuttle is indexed along a row of channels, one channel at a time, until the tray is emptied. Thereafter, an adjacent tray containing another row of channels is brought into alignment with the funnel-shaped apertures. The indexing of the shuttle and the trays is repeated until the entire matrix of components is unloaded into…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.