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. 26, 1999
Filed:
Feb. 09, 1998
James L Dowling, Milford, NH (US);
Laurier Inc., Londonderry, NH (US);
Abstract
A conveying apparatus for sequentially feeding a plurality of stacked carrier members, each carrying a plurality of components to be assembled, to an automatic assembly retrieval area where the plurality of components can be retrieved to manufacture a desired product. The conveying apparatus includes a supply bin for storing a desired quantity of stacked carrier members and a feed mechanism which sequentially feeds one of the stacked carrier members from the supply bin to a conveyor mechanism. The conveyor mechanism conveys the supplied carrier member to the automated assembly retrieval area where the components are retrieved. Once all of the components are properly placed on a desired product, the conveyor mechanism conveys a new carrier member, containing a fresh supply of components, to the automated assembly retrieval area and simultaneously conveys the emptied carrier member to a collection bin which facilitates collection of the emptied carrier member. The supply and collection bins can be provided with an elevator assembly which maintains a desired spacing between an exit of the conveyor mechanism and a collection surface of the collection bin.