Automated feeder system and apparatus
US5628428A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 6, 1995 |
| Grant date | May 13, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 6, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G59/062
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A feeder system for sequentially supplying a plurality of cuvettes or other objects to a conveyor track. The system includes a cassette, an escapement, and an actuator. The cassette retains the objects/cuvettes in at least one substantially vertical stack over the conveyor. The escapement is movable between a first position in which the escapement supports the bottom object in the stack, a second middle position in which the escapement supports both the bottom object and the object above it and a third position in which the escapement continues to support the object in said stack above the bottom object and releases the bottom object to be deposited on the conveyor. The actuator moves the escapement between the first, second and third positions. Novel apparatus for use in the system, including a stick for loading cuvettes into a cassette and a cuvette particularly adapted for stacking, are also provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.