Continuously adjustable apparatus for repositioning discrete articles
AssigneeThe Procter & Gamble Company
InventorsDavid Alan Harnish, Amy Christine Charlton, David William Slack
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Abstract
An apparatus for changing the spacing between discrete articles having at least one linear motor disposed radially from a central axis, and a pick-up disposed proximate to the linear motor. The at least one linear motor is capable of adjusting the radial position of the pick-up with respect to the central axis so that an article is transferable from a first surface to the pick-up, the at least one linear motor adjusts the pick-up radially from the central axis, and the article is transferable from the pick-up to a second surface.
Claims20
An apparatus for changing the spacing between discrete articles comprising:
- (a) at least one linear motor disposed radially from, and capable of rotatation about, a central axis;
- and,
- (b) a pick-up operably connected to said linear motor, said at least one linear motor being capable of adjusting the radial position of said pick-up with respect to said central axis;
- said pick-up being capable of receiving an article from a first surface;
- wherein said at least one linear motor adjusts the position of said pick-up radially from said central axis;
- and,
- wherein said article is transferable from said pick-up to a second surface, said second surface having a different radial position from said first surface.
An apparatus for changing the spacing between discrete articles comprising:
- a plurality of linear motors orbitally disposed about a central axis, each of said linear motors having a first pick-up operatively associated therewith;
- wherein each of said plurality of linear motors is capable of adjusting the radial distance of said pickup operatively associated therewith from said central axis;
- wherein said first pick-up contacts an article;
- and,
- wherein said linear motor adjusts said radial distance of said first pickup from said central axis.
A method for changing the spacing between discrete articles, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a plurality of articles on a first surface;
- (b) contacting each of said articles with a pick-up, said pick-up being operably connected to a linear motor, said linear motor being disposed radially about a central axis;
- (c) adjusting the radial position of said pick-up with said linear motor with respect to said central axis;
- and,
- (d) transferring said article from said pick-up to a second surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.