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:
Sep. 11, 2001
Filed:
Feb. 23, 2000
Wolfgang Schnabel, Oststeinbek, DE;
Topack Verpackungstechnik GmbH, Schwarzenbek, DE;
Abstract
Apparatus for transporting cartons of cigarette packets or analogous block-shaped commodities employs an indexible turret which advances a series of successive equidistant commodities along an arcuate horizontal path into the inlet of a straight horizontal second path defined by an elongated reach of an endless belt conveyor. The conveyor carries spaced-apart receptacles each defined in part by an outwardly extending retaining element affixed to the belt conveyor, and in part by a two-armed lever which is pivotably mounted on the conveyor and is biased by one or more springs to an idle position in which the respective receptacle can receive a commodity from the turret during travel past the inlet of the second path. A commodity which is in the process of entering a receptacle at the inlet bears upon one arm of the lever against the spring bias to thus move the other arm to a position in which the other arm cooperates with the retaining element to advance the commodity along the second path. The other arm and the retaining element cooperate with one or more fixed rails to confine the commodity in a filled receptacle to movement along the second path.