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:
Mar. 26, 1996
Filed:
May. 09, 1994
Abstract
An apparatus for receiving ferromagnetic container lids from a first processing unit and for advancing the lids to a second processing unit includes a storage track having first and second magnet assemblies extending parallel to the length dimension of the storage track. The magnet assemblies have a clearance from one another corresponding to an expected outer diameter of the lids for accommodating the lids in the clearance in an orientation in which the lid plane is perpendicular to the length dimension of the storage track. The lids are adapted to be suspended in the clearance by magnetic forces generated by the first and second magnet assemblies. First and second abutments are provided at opposite ends of the storage track and can be abutted by outermost lids suspended in the clearance. A supply conveyor extends to the storage track for introducing the lids in a vertical direction into the storage track; and a removal conveyor extends from the storage track for removing a lid therefrom. The lids in suspension in the clearance assume a spaced relationship relative to one another by mutual repulsion.