BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The invention is diagrammatically illustrated, by way of example in the drawings appended hereto, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the inventors' prior art apparatus as described in the above “Background” portion of the present application;
FIG. 2 is an end view of the prior art apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a schematic end view of a preform which has become frictionally locked in the prior art apparatus, in a manner discussed in the foregoing;
FIG. 3A is an enlargement of the portions of FIG. 3 which are most pertinent to the locking action;
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but depicting the improved structural features of the present invention which serve to overcome the frictional locking effect;
FIGS. 4A and 4B are enlargements of the portions of FIG. 4 which are most pertinent to the improvements of the invention;
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but showing a further embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5A is an enlargement of the portions of FIG. 5 which are most pertinent to the improvement shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but showing how a preform may become properly seated in the gap between conveying belts, and also showing a blow-out nozzle positioned to remove improperly seated preforms; and
FIG. 6A is a view similar to FIG. 6, but showing an improperly seated preform being blown from the line of conveyance by the blow-out nozzle.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As seen in FIGS. 4, 4A, and 4B the handling disc 64 during deflection by blow-out or other means impinges against a lateral edge of belt 37 which has been modified to the form of a linearly sloping surface 65 which diverges in an upward direction to preclude or minimize any frictional locking as might otherwise occur as the preform 60 is displaced upwardly and to the right in the sense of the Figures. The angle 68 of the slope with respect to a perpendicular to the belt 37 can typically be such as shown, i.e. as to bring the sloped surface into a substantially vertical plane, The lateral edge of the opposed belt 35 can be sloped in a similar manner to minimize possible lock at that edge; however the more important modification is at belt 37 which is assumed in the Figure to be the direction in which the improperly seated preform 60 is being deflected.
A further advantageous modification of the prior art apparatus is the addition of downwardly extending guide walls 70. These extend downwardly in the gap between the belts and serve to guide and stabilize the advancing preforms which have properly seated in the gap.
FIGS. 5 and 5A are similar to FIGS. 4 and 4A, except that the lateral edge of belt 37, instead of being uniformly sloped, is formed into a smoothly upwardly diverging curved surface 72. This arrangement provides a corresponding function to the sloped surface of the prior embodiment. As in that prior embodiment the lateral edge of belt 35 can be similarly formed, and combinations of divergent surfaces at the lateral edges of the belts abounding the gap can also be used.
FIGS. 6 and 6A are illustrative of a further feature of the invention, viz. an improved deflection means. FIG. 6 shows a preform 75, which is properly seated, and advancing in the gap between belts 35 and 37. A further preform 76 which did not properly seat is shown in the course of being deflected by an air stream from bow-out nozzle 71. This nozzle 71 directs the air stream through an opening 74 in guide wall 33 (FIGS. 1 and 2) at a point near the output end of the apparatus where the deflection is to be accomplished. FIG. 6A shows the blow-out preform 76 as it continues to deflect from the conveying line.
While the present invention has been set forth in terms of specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood in view of the present disclosure that numerous variations upon the invention are now enabled to those skilled in the art, which variations yet reside within the present teachings. Accordingly, the invention is to be broadly construed and limited only by the scope and spirit of the claims now appended hereto.
Patent Application
20080029367
