Meia cartridge feeder
US5507410A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 3, 1994 |
| Grant date | Apr 16, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 3, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2035/1086
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A cartridge feeder for dispensing a plurality of cartridges in single order and in upright position, each cartridge being cylindrical shape and having a top end tapering to an aperture therein and a substantially flat bottom end. A hopper stores a plurality of the cartridges and feeds those cartridges to a throat in a bridge to which the hopper is connected. The cartridge is passed through the bridge throat and to the throat of a shuttle. A pair of axially positioned pins with opposing cups close against the top end and the bottom end of the cartridge. The shuttle moves from a location underneath the bridge to a location over a chute. When the shuttle is over the chute, the first and second pins separate releasing the cartridge to fall through the chute. The first and second pins have a profile which engage the cartridge in a manner causing the bottom end of the cartridge to always drop first. The cartridge passes through the chute to a trap door. The trap door releases the cartridge to an opening in a carousel below, and positions the cartridge within the carousel by a flange mounted to the underneath side of the door.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.