Method and apparatus for feeding articles
US5305867A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 24, 1993 |
| Grant date | Apr 26, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 24, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G47/846
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A feeding apparatus includes an upper movable carrier (1) having a plurality of guides or receptacles (7) which are transported at a predetermined speed and with a predetermined spacing along a predetermined path. The guides each have an open bottom and are each adapted to receive articles which are individually fed thereto. Over a first portion of its path, each guide (7) lies immediately above a lower carrier (11) which closes the bottom of and moves in synchronism with the guide (7), so as to allow one of the articles to become held within the guide (7) by the lower carrier (11) for a sufficient period of time as to allow the article to settle. Over a subsequent portion of the path, the guide (7) and the lower carrier (11) are separated from one another, thereby exposing the article on the lower carrier with accurately defined position and timing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.