Rotating Illuminated Accumulation Unit for Transparent Containers or Other Objects

• US 20100209218A1
• Filed: 02/19/2009
• Published: 08/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: David Kirk Ogden
• Original Assignee: David Kirk Ogden
• Inventors: Ogden, David Kirk
• Application Number:
  US12/228,079
• Publication Number:
  US 20100209218A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/222.10
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/90 in a container or its contents G01N21/91 takes precedence

Abstract

The inventor lays claims to a “continuously rotating and illuminated accumulation table onto which a stream of manufactured objects, such as transparent bottles, are directed from a conveyor.” The rotating accumulation unit is comprised of (three) principle components; a driven disc, a lamp or illumination device, and a flat, smooth translucent accumulation surface. Vertical orientation of objects, such as bottles, is maintained while the illuminated accumulation surface provides backlighting for visual inspection of the objects.

This method of simultaneously accumulating and backlighting transparent plastic bottles or similar products provides the dual benefits of improved workplace ergonomics for off-packing as well as an enhanced opportunity to identify and cull products which do not meet quality standards.

Claims

I. I). Provide a means for accumulating in-process goods or products, such as plastic containers, in a convenient, self-loading manner so as to need no human action or intervention.

II. II). Provide a means of maintaining the vertical orientation and organization of accumulated goods or products, such as plastic bottles, such as is often required or desirable in an industrial manufacturing environment.

III. III). Provide an inherently safe method of driving the rotating portion of the accumulation system so as to reduce or eliminate the opportunity of pinch point injury to personnel.

IV. IV). Provide improved ergonomics for personnel involved in selecting, culling, removing, or repackaging accumulated goods or products.

V. V). Provide backlighting of accumulated goods or products so as to improve the observation of potential defects or irregularities in transparent or translucent objects, such as transparent plastic bottles.