US 7,464,803 B2 · Orientating apparatus

Abstract

An orientating apparatus and associated method includes an agitator, one or more channels adjacent the agitator, and a lower component delivery portion. The agitator is powered by a drive assembly, which induces a motions in relation to the channels. The channels are designed such that a component for orienting can only pass through the channels in a preferred orientation, and the agitator provides opportunities for the components to achieve proper orientation to enter the channels. This allows the components to pass through the channels to the staging portion in an orientated manner. This orientating apparatus, intended for the automatic positioning of wicks, will work on manufacturing lines with any number of apparatus or parts, as long as it is generally adjacent the utilization point.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An orientating apparatus for orientating components for receipt at a utilization point, the components each having a preferred cross-section relative to the direction of orientation, comprising:

a. a component source having an inlet and an outlet;
b. one or more channels, adjacent the component source outlet, each channel having a channel inlet, a channel outlet, a first channel wall, a second channel wall opposed to the first channel wall, a channel axis, a channel restriction;
and
c. an agitator, adjacent the component source outlet said agitator defining a groove mated to only the first channel wall such that the agitator moves relative to the first and second channel walls in a direction parallel to the channel axis, whereby the components pass orientated with a component preferred cross-section perpendicular to the channel axis.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Orientating apparatus

Life of this patent

Orientating apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17