US 4,730,956 A · Shock absorbant single filer

Abstract

The multiple rows of containers are brought into an alignment zone, arranged in nested relationship, merged into an equilateral triangular configuration with mutually touching side edges in a nesting section within the alignment zone and accelerated into a high pressure buffer section of the alignment zone where they are separated from each other and converged into single file. The buffer section eliminates the possibility of transmission of upstream forces through the single file apparatus due to engagement of the single file containers by downstream equipment. In one embodiment, the imperforate sidewalls in the buffer section slope downwardly away from an imperforate top cover to provide gradual relief of air pressure within the buffer section. In another embodiment, the imperforate sidewalls have an upper edge which is contiguous with a top cover which is in the form of a plenum having rows of jet openings positioned above the jet openings in the air table. The imperforate sidewalls extend downstream to a point where the air buffer zone is less than two container diameters in width. The containers provide a self-valving action wherein the most downstream container moves away from the imperforate sidewall on one side and relieves the air pressure so that the next upstream container moves downstream. In another embodiment, the top cover is imperforate except for the downstream end which has a plurality of rows of apertures for gradually relieving the static pressure as the containers sequentially pass the apertures.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A shock absorbant single filer for the transport of upright, cylindrical articles from a multiple row arrangement at an upstream location to a single file arrangement at a downstream location and providing a shock absorbant buffer zone between said upstream location and said downstream location to separate and isolate the articles at said upstream location from the articles to said downstream location, said single filer comprising:

a table extending from said upstream location to said downstream location, having a surface, side edges and an underside with a prearranged pattern of flotation air jets, wherein said air jets are in rows spaced laterally inward from said side edges, slanted in a downstream direction and communicating said surface and said underside of said table;
a plenum connectable to a source of air under pressure and attached to said underside of said table surface;
means at said upstream location for supplying the articles to said buffer zone in two contiguous nested rows wherein the articles form an equilateral triangular configuration with the surfaces of all adjacent articles in contact with each other;
converging, open side rails extending along said table through said buffer zone to reduce the articles from a two article width at said upstream location to single file adjacent said downstream location;
cover means over said buffer zone to create a high pressure area within said buffer zone to isolate and separates the articles at said upstream location from any movement of the articles at the downstream location in a reverse upstream direction due to sequential engagement of the single file row of articles by other apparatus performing additional work on the articles;
imperforate side walls extending through said buffer zone, having a downstream edge, for selectively decreasing the air pressure from said buffer zone to said downstream location;
and
acceleration jets in said table along said buffer zone for accelerating the articles so that they can be converged by said side walls into single file as they are separated from the contiguous triangular configuration.

5 more elements

A shock absorbant single filer for the transport of upright, cylindrical articles from a multiple row arrangement at an upstream location to a single file arrangement at a downstream location and providing a shock absorbant buffer zone between said upstream location and said downstream location to separate and isolate articles at said upstream location from the articles at said downstream location, said single filer comprising:

a table extending from said upstream location to said downstream location, having a surface, side edges and an underside with a prearranged pattern of flotation air jets, wherein said air jets are in rows spaced laterally inward from said side edges, slanted in a downstream direction and communicating said surface and said underside of said table;
a plenum connectable to a source of air under pressure and attached to said underside of said table surface;
means at said upstream location for supplying the articles to said buffer zone in two contiguous nested rows wherein the articles form an equilateral triangular configuration with the surfaces of all adjacent articles in contact with each other;
converging, imperforate side walls extending along said table through said buffer zone to reduce the articles from a two article width at said upstream location to single file adjacent said downstream location;
cover means over said buffer zone to create a high pressure area within said buffer zone to facilitate separation of the articles therein;
spaced apertures in said cover only adjacent the downstream end thereof;
for selectively decreasing the air pressure from said buffer zone to said downstream location;
and
acceleration jets in said table along said buffer zone for accelerating the articles so that they can be converged by said side walls into single file as they are separated from the contiguous triangular configuration.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Shock absorbant single filer

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Shock absorbant single filer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14