US 2003/0170078 A1 · Dual inserter applicator

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for feeding sliders (31) from a source of sliders to the slider insertion area (27) of at least two slider insertion devices (18, 19). A sensor (30, 52) on a sender track (20, 21) detects a lack of sliders (31) in the sender track. A signal is sent from the sensor (30, 52) to actuate a vibratory bowl (14) of sliders (31) and a plunger (35) to open a passage, thereby releasing the sliders (31) to a sender track (20, 21). When a sensor (46, 56) detects a lack of sliders (31) in a loading rack (25, 26) or a slider insertion area (27), the sensor (46, 56) signals a plunger (44, 58) and a pneumatic valve (48, 60) to open a passage to provide an air blast, thereby launching the sliders (31) onto the slider insertion area (27) of each slider insertion device (18, 19). A directional gate (33) sends the sliders (31) to either sender track (20, 21) prior to launching to either slider insertion device (18, 19), or a directional gate (79) sends the sliders (31) to either slider insertion device (18, 19) after launching of the sliders (31).

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for feeding sliders from a supply of sliders to a plurality of slider insertion areas used in the insertion of sliders onto zippers, said apparatus comprising:

a slider entry port positioned at the supply of sliders;
at least two elongated sender tracks attached to the slider entry port, each of said sender tracks having a slider exit port opposite the slider entry port;
a first controller including a blocking member and a slider directing member interposed between the slider entry port and the sender tracks, said first controller being responsive to a quantity of the sliders on said sender tracks to control a flow of sliders from the slider entry port to each of said sender tracks;
a feed tube extending from the slider exit port of each sender track toward the slider insertion areas;
and
a source of pressurized air having an outlet directing said pressurized air to urge the sliders along said sender tracks through said feed tubes and onto the slider insertion areas.

3 more elements

An apparatus for feeding sliders from a supply of sliders to a plurality of slider insertion areas used in the insertion of sliders onto zippers, said apparatus comprising:

a slider entry port positioned at the supply of sliders;
an elongated sender track connected to the slider entry port, said sender track having a slider exit port opposite to the slider entry port;
at least two feed tubes extending from the slider exit port, with each of the slider insertion areas attached at an opposite end of each feed tube;
a first controller including a blocking member interposed between the slider entry port and the sender track, said first controller being responsive to a quantity of the sliders on said sender track to control a flow of sliders from the supply of sliders to said sender track;
and
a source of pressurized air having an outlet directing said pressurized air to urge the sliders along said sender track through said feed tubes and onto the slider insertion areas.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dual inserter applicator

Life of this patent

Dual inserter applicator

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20