Autoloader for cassettes and/or pallet
AssigneeEastman Kodak Company
InventorsJohn C. Boutet, Roger S. Brahm, Darryl D. DeWolff, Jeffrey J. Yaskow
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mechanism and method for conveying a cassette or similar like article from a support surface into an adjacent apparatus. The mechanism comprising: a first pinch roller having a central axis about which the first pinch roller rotates; a second pinch roller having a central axis about which the second pinch roller rotates; a mechanism for moving the first and second pinch rollers toward each other so as to engage a cassette therebetween with a predetermined amount of biasing force; and a motor for rotating the first and second pinch rollers manner about their respective axis so as to move the cassette from and/or on to the support surface.
Claims26
A mechanism for conveying a generally flat rectangular rigid article from a support surface, comprising:
- a first pinch roller having a central axis about which the first pinch roller rotates, said first pinch roller being pivotally mounted to said mechanism about a first substantially vertical axis, said first pinch roller having an upper section and a lower section, said upper section having a substantially cylindrical upper drive surface and said lower section having a generally tapered lower support drive surface which extends radially outward from and below the cylindrical upper drive surface;
- a second pinch roller having a central axis about which the second pinch roller rotates, said second pinch roller being pivotally mounted to said mechanism about a second substantially vertical axis, said second pinch roller having an upper section and a lower section, said upper section having a substantially cylindrical upper drive surface and said lower section having a generally tapered lower support drive surface which extends radially outward from and below the cylindrical upper drive surface;
- means for moving said first and second pinch rollers from a spaced rest position toward each other so as to engage a cassette therebetween with a predetermined amount of biasing force;
- and
- means for rotating said first and second pinch rollers about their respective axis so as to move said cassette from and/or on to said support surface.
A mechanism for conveying a cassette from a support surface, comprising:
- a first pinch roller having a central axis about which the first pinch roller rotates;
- a second pinch roller having a central axis about which the second pinch roller rotates;
- means for moving said first and second pinch rollers from a spaced rest position toward each other so as to engage a cassette therebetween with a predetermined amount of biasing force, and
- means for rotating said first and second pinch rollers about their respective axes so as to move said cassette from and/or on to said support surface wherein said first and said second pinch rollers include means for lifting the forward end of an engaged cassette from said support surface so as to reduce drag as said cassette is translated over said support surface.
An apparatus for supplying cassettes to an adjacent reader, comprising:
- a frame;
- means for supporting a cassette at a delivery station;
- a first pinch roller having a central axis about which the first pinch roller rotates;
- a second pinch roller having a central axis about which the first pinch roller rotates;
- a second pinch roller having a central axis about which the second pinch roller rotates;
- means for moving said first and said second pinch rollers form a spaced rest position toward each other so as to engage a cassette therebetween with a predetermined amount of biasing force;
- and
- means for rotating said first and said second pinch rollers about their respective axes so as to cause said rollers to move a said cassette from and/or on to said support surface wherein said first and said second pinch rollers include means for lifting the forward end of an engaged cassette from said support surface so as to reduce drag as said cassette is translated over said support surface.
A method of delivering a cassette containing a photosensitive material from a support surface to an apparatus, comprising the steps of:
- providing a cassette on a substantially horizontal support surface;
- providing means for removing the cassette from the support surface in a substantially horizontal direction while also lifting the forward end of the cassette form the horizontal support surface.
A mechanism for conveying a cassette from a support surface, comprising:
- a first pinch roller having a central axis about which the first pinch roller rotates, said first pinch roller being pivotally mounted to said mechanism about a first substantially vertical axis, said first pinch roller having an upper section and a lower section, said upper section having a substantially cylindrical upper drive surface and said lower section having a generally tapered lower support drive surface which extends radially outward from and below the cylindrical upper drive surface;
- a second pinch roller having a central axis about which the second pinch roller rotates, said second pinch roller being pivotally mounted to said mechanism about a second substantially vertical axis, said second pinch roller having an upper section and a lower section, said upper section having a substantially cylindrical upper drive surface and said lower section having a generally tapered lower support drive surface which extends radially outward from and below the cylindrical upper drive surface;
- means for moving said first and second pinch rollers form a spaced position toward each other so as engage a cassette therebetween with a predetermined amount of force;
- and
- means for rotating said first and second pinch rollers in a synchronous manner about their respective axis so as to move said cassette form and on to said support surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.