The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 19, 1976
Filed:
Oct. 21, 1975
Robert E Bowser, Lynchburg, VA (US);
Simplimatic Engineering Co., Lynchburg, VA (US);
Abstract
Apparatus is provided for sensing the position of the top of a carton situated on an upwardly moving hoist beneath the draw plate of a palletizer. The carton top has a flap thereon which, in some instances, is partially opened and which will require a given force to close it such that it does not interfere with the sensing of the position of the top of the carton. The apparatus terminates the upward movement of the hoist when the top of the carton is in the desired position and then withdraws to permit the draw plate to deposit the next tier of cartons on the hoist. The apparatus comprises a support situated below the draw plate and a movable carriage mounted on the support. An element extending from the carriage, which normally intersects the path of movement of the carton, is mounted on the carriage for limited pivotal movement with respect thereto in response to a movement of the top of the carton, between an initial pivotal position along the path prior to the desired position of the carton top and a final pivotal position corresponding to the desired position of the carton top. Means are provided for urging the element towards the initial position by exerting a force on the element greater than the force required to close the flap, if same is opened. Control means are operatively connected to the element for actuation when the element is in the final pivotal position to terminate the movement of the hoist and to actuate means for moving the carriage to a position where the element is withdrawn from the path of carton movement so that the area above the carton is unobstructed. Means are provided for preventing the element from abruptly 'snapping back' due to the urging thereof towards its initial pivotal position, as the carriage is withdrawn.