US20050047900A1 - Object catch bin - Google Patents

Object catch bin Download PDF

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Publication number
US20050047900A1
US20050047900A1 US10/649,146 US64914603A US2005047900A1 US 20050047900 A1 US20050047900 A1 US 20050047900A1 US 64914603 A US64914603 A US 64914603A US 2005047900 A1 US2005047900 A1 US 2005047900A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
tray
catch bin
back stop
pivoting
bin
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/649,146
Inventor
Marius Buibas
Ted Lee
Erik Zhang
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
Original Assignee
Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hewlett Packard Development Co LP filed Critical Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
Priority to US10/649,146 priority Critical patent/US20050047900A1/en
Assigned to HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P. reassignment HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: BUIBAS, MARIUS, LEE, TED T., ZHANG, ERIK Y.
Priority to EP04255120A priority patent/EP1510490B1/en
Priority to DE602004001183T priority patent/DE602004001183D1/en
Publication of US20050047900A1 publication Critical patent/US20050047900A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H31/00—Pile receivers
    • B65H31/04—Pile receivers with movable end support arranged to recede as pile accumulates
    • B65H31/08—Pile receivers with movable end support arranged to recede as pile accumulates the articles being piled one above another
    • B65H31/10—Pile receivers with movable end support arranged to recede as pile accumulates the articles being piled one above another and applied at the top of the pile
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H31/00—Pile receivers
    • B65H31/34—Apparatus for squaring-up piled articles
    • B65H31/36—Auxiliary devices for contacting each article with a front stop as it is piled

Definitions

  • This invention relates in general to an object catch bin and, more particularly, to an object catch bin that pivots.
  • Object catch bins are used to stack objects. Often, catch bins are used to catch compact discs after the discs have been printed. In many standard object catch bins, newly printed discs are dropped directly on top of one another. This direct impact may scratch or nick newly printed discs or objects already in the bin. Additionally, the conventional direct impact object catch bin usually leaves the stacked objects or discs in a non-uniform stack.
  • catch bin rests entirely on springs. Although this type of catch bin may effectively cushion the impact of objects dropping directly on one another, this type of catch bin utilizes a significant amount of space and is expensive to manufacture.
  • an object catch bin has a tray disposed to catch objects.
  • the tray is pivotal about an edge. Bias means resist pivoting of the tray.
  • FIGS. 1-3 are illustrations of one embodiment of the object catch bin of the present invention in operation.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the object catch bin of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of the method for stacking objects of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 1 through 3 Illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 is one embodiment of an object catch bin 2 .
  • Object catch bin 2 includes a tray 4 .
  • Tray 4 is disposed to catch objects 6 .
  • Tray 4 is made of any material and has any shape suitable for holding object 6 .
  • Object 6 is any object that is stackable. Examples of object 6 include compact discs, disc cases, cassettes, and boxes.
  • Back stop 8 is any structure capable of catching object 6 in tray 4 .
  • back stop 8 is integral with tray 4 .
  • back stop 8 is not integral with tray 4 .
  • Back stop 8 is attached to tray 4 in one embodiment and not attached to tray 4 in another embodiment.
  • tray 4 rests on a base member 14 .
  • Base member 14 can have any shape or configuration suitable for supporting or holding tray 4 .
  • base member 14 is attached to back stop 8 .
  • base member 14 is detached from back stop 8 .
  • Tray 4 has an edge 10 .
  • edge 10 is located at the vertex of tray 4 and back stop 8 .
  • Tray 4 is pivotal about edge 10 of tray 4 .
  • Bias means 12 is any structure that causes tray 4 to resist pivoting about edge 10 of tray 4 .
  • Examples of bias means 12 are springs, hydraulics, and magnetic bias means.
  • bias means 12 is attached only to tray 4 .
  • bias means 12 is disposed between tray 4 and base member 14 .
  • Conveyor means 16 is any device for projecting objects 6 into tray 4 .
  • Examples of conveyor means 16 include conveyor belts, rollers, and slides.
  • Pivoting of tray 4 about edge 10 of tray 4 serves to cushion the impact of object 6 on tray 4 after object 6 is projected into tray 4 by conveyor means 16 .
  • Tray 4 optionally pivots using a hinge. Pivoting of tray 4 also optionally results in rotation of tray 4 to a desired location depending on the weight and contents of tray 4 . For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 , as the number or weight of objects 6 on tray 4 increase, tray 4 pivots from an angled position ( FIG. 1 ) to a mostly horizontal position ( FIG. 3 ) when full.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates pivoting in another embodiment of the configuration of tray 4 and back stop 8 .
  • tray 4 and back stop 8 are attached to each other at edge 10 . Both tray 4 and back stop 8 pivot about edge 10 of tray 4 .
  • tray 4 pivots from an angled position to a mostly horizontal position
  • back stop 8 pivots from an angled position to a mostly vertical position. The mostly vertical position of back stop 8 facilitates straight stacking of objects 6 .
  • FIG. 5 is a flow chart representing steps of one embodiment of the present invention. Although the steps represented in FIG. 5 are presented in a specific order, the present invention encompasses variations in the order of steps. Furthermore, additional steps may be executed between the steps illustrated in FIG. 5 without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • Object 6 is conveyed 18 into tray 4 .
  • Tray 4 catches 20 object 6 .
  • Catching 20 includes receiving the object 6 after it is conveyed 18 into the tray 4 .
  • Tray 4 pivots 22 about the edge 10 of tray 4 .
  • Bias means 12 bias 24 tray 4 to resist pivoting about edge 10 of tray 4 .
  • bias means 12 may be selected to resist pivoting regardless of the weight and contents of tray 4 .
  • bias means 12 may be selected to modify the degree of resistance based upon the weight and contents of tray 4 . Modification of the degree of resistance of the bias means 12 allows tray 4 to pivot 22 to a desired location. For example, bias means 12 allows tray 4 to pivot 22 from angled when empty to horizontal when full.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Pile Receivers (AREA)
  • Packaging Frangible Articles (AREA)

Abstract

A system for stacking objects has a tray, bias means, and conveying means. The tray is pivotal about one of its edges. The bias means is disposed to resist pivoting of the tray upon conveying of an object into the tray.

Description

    FIELD OF THE INVENTION
  • This invention relates in general to an object catch bin and, more particularly, to an object catch bin that pivots.
    • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • Object catch bins are used to stack objects. Often, catch bins are used to catch compact discs after the discs have been printed. In many standard object catch bins, newly printed discs are dropped directly on top of one another. This direct impact may scratch or nick newly printed discs or objects already in the bin. Additionally, the conventional direct impact object catch bin usually leaves the stacked objects or discs in a non-uniform stack.
  • Other object catch bins attempt to address the shortcomings of the direct impact catch bin through a variety of costly modifications. The upstacker or automated stacker utilizes a robot, which carefully places printed objects or discs on a designated stack after processing. The main drawbacks to this variety of catch bin are that it is very costly and large.
  • Another type of catch bin rests entirely on springs. Although this type of catch bin may effectively cushion the impact of objects dropping directly on one another, this type of catch bin utilizes a significant amount of space and is expensive to manufacture.
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • According to principles of the present invention, an object catch bin has a tray disposed to catch objects. The tray is pivotal about an edge. Bias means resist pivoting of the tray.
    • DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIGS. 1-3 are illustrations of one embodiment of the object catch bin of the present invention in operation.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the object catch bin of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of the method for stacking objects of the present invention.
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • Illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 is one embodiment of an object catch bin 2. Object catch bin 2 includes a tray 4. Tray 4 is disposed to catch objects 6. Tray 4 is made of any material and has any shape suitable for holding object 6. Object 6 is any object that is stackable. Examples of object 6 include compact discs, disc cases, cassettes, and boxes.
  • Back stop 8 is any structure capable of catching object 6 in tray 4. In one embodiment, back stop 8 is integral with tray 4. In another embodiment, back stop 8 is not integral with tray 4. Back stop 8 is attached to tray 4 in one embodiment and not attached to tray 4 in another embodiment. Optionally, tray 4 rests on a base member 14. Base member 14 can have any shape or configuration suitable for supporting or holding tray 4. In one embodiment, base member 14 is attached to back stop 8. In another embodiment, base member 14 is detached from back stop 8.
  • Tray 4 has an edge 10. In one embodiment of tray 4, edge 10 is located at the vertex of tray 4 and back stop 8. Tray 4 is pivotal about edge 10 of tray 4.
  • Bias means 12 is any structure that causes tray 4 to resist pivoting about edge 10 of tray 4. Examples of bias means 12 are springs, hydraulics, and magnetic bias means. In one embodiment, bias means 12 is attached only to tray 4. In another embodiment, bias means 12 is disposed between tray 4 and base member 14.
  • Conveyor means 16 is any device for projecting objects 6 into tray 4. Examples of conveyor means 16 include conveyor belts, rollers, and slides.
  • Pivoting of tray 4 about edge 10 of tray 4 serves to cushion the impact of object 6 on tray 4 after object 6 is projected into tray 4 by conveyor means 16. Tray 4 optionally pivots using a hinge. Pivoting of tray 4 also optionally results in rotation of tray 4 to a desired location depending on the weight and contents of tray 4. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3, as the number or weight of objects 6 on tray 4 increase, tray 4 pivots from an angled position (FIG. 1) to a mostly horizontal position (FIG. 3) when full.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates pivoting in another embodiment of the configuration of tray 4 and back stop 8. In this embodiment, tray 4 and back stop 8 are attached to each other at edge 10. Both tray 4 and back stop 8 pivot about edge 10 of tray 4. As the number or weight of objects 6 on tray 4 increases, tray 4 pivots from an angled position to a mostly horizontal position and back stop 8 pivots from an angled position to a mostly vertical position. The mostly vertical position of back stop 8 facilitates straight stacking of objects 6.
  • FIG. 5 is a flow chart representing steps of one embodiment of the present invention. Although the steps represented in FIG. 5 are presented in a specific order, the present invention encompasses variations in the order of steps. Furthermore, additional steps may be executed between the steps illustrated in FIG. 5 without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • Object 6 is conveyed 18 into tray 4. Tray 4 catches 20 object 6. Catching 20 includes receiving the object 6 after it is conveyed 18 into the tray 4. Tray 4 pivots 22 about the edge 10 of tray 4. Bias means 12 bias 24 tray 4 to resist pivoting about edge 10 of tray 4. Optionally, bias means 12 may be selected to resist pivoting regardless of the weight and contents of tray 4. Alternatively, bias means 12 may be selected to modify the degree of resistance based upon the weight and contents of tray 4. Modification of the degree of resistance of the bias means 12 allows tray 4 to pivot 22 to a desired location. For example, bias means 12 allows tray 4 to pivot 22 from angled when empty to horizontal when full.
  • The foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention embraces all such alternatives, modifications, and variances that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (18)

1. An object catch bin comprising:
(a) a back stop;
(b) a tray angularly disposed to the back stop, the tray pivotal about the vertex of the tray and the back stop; and
(c) bias means for resisting pivoting of the tray.
2. The object catch bin of claim 1 wherein the tray and the back stop are fixed relative to each other.
3. The object catch bin of claim 1 wherein the back stop is pivotal about the vertex of the tray and back stop.
4. The object catch bin of claim 1 further comprising a base member for holding the tray.
5. The object catch bin of claim 4 wherein the bias means is disposed between the tray and the base member.
6. The object catch bin of claim 1 further including a hinge attached to the tray for pivoting the tray about the vertex of the tray and the back stop.
7. The object catch bin of claim 1 further including conveyor means for projecting an object into the tray.
8. An object catch bin comprising:
(a) a tray disposed to catch objects, the tray having an edge and pivotal about the edge;
(b) bias means for resisting pivoting of the tray about the edge; and
(c) a back stop for catching objects within the tray.
9. The object catch bin of claim 8 wherein the back stop is attached to the tray.
10. The object catch bin of claim 8 wherein the back stop is not attached to the tray.
11. The object catch bin of claim 8 further comprising a base member for holding the tray.
12. The object catch bin of claim 8 wherein the bias means is disposed between the base member and the tray.
13. The object catch bin of claim 8 further including a hinge attached to the tray for pivoting the tray about the edge of the tray.
14. The object catch bin of claim 8 further including conveyor means for projecting an object into the tray.
15. A method for stacking objects, the method comprising:
(a) conveying objects;
(b) catching the objects with a tray;
(c) pivoting the tray;
(d) biasing the tray to resist pivoting.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein biasing the tray includes springably resisting pivoting.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein biasing the tray includes hydraulically resisting pivoting.
18. The method of claim 15 wherein biasing the tray includes magnetically resisting pivoting.
US10/649,146 2003-08-27 2003-08-27 Object catch bin Abandoned US20050047900A1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/649,146 US20050047900A1 (en) 2003-08-27 2003-08-27 Object catch bin
EP04255120A EP1510490B1 (en) 2003-08-27 2004-08-25 Object catch bin
DE602004001183T DE602004001183D1 (en) 2003-08-27 2004-08-25 Collecting container for objects

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/649,146 US20050047900A1 (en) 2003-08-27 2003-08-27 Object catch bin

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20050047900A1 true US20050047900A1 (en) 2005-03-03

Family

ID=34104674

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/649,146 Abandoned US20050047900A1 (en) 2003-08-27 2003-08-27 Object catch bin

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US20050047900A1 (en)
EP (1) EP1510490B1 (en)
DE (1) DE602004001183D1 (en)

Citations (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US705998A (en) * 1898-08-05 1902-07-29 Clarence W Hobbs Adjustable receiving-table for scoring-machines.
US1773977A (en) * 1929-03-28 1930-08-26 American Bank Note Co Sheet-delivery machine
US2636933A (en) * 1949-11-21 1953-04-28 Allis Chalmers Mfg Co Control system responsive to presence of magnetic materials
US2658630A (en) * 1947-08-23 1953-11-10 Thomas N Melin Lumber stacking device
US3046010A (en) * 1960-02-04 1962-07-24 Eureka Specialty Printing Co Stacker apparatus
US3655183A (en) * 1970-07-13 1972-04-11 Xerox Corp Sheet feed apparatus
US3772972A (en) * 1972-03-20 1973-11-20 Taylor M L Stacker
US3919972A (en) * 1971-06-04 1975-11-18 Canon Kk Automatic cut sheet feeding unit
US3937456A (en) * 1974-09-26 1976-02-10 Fairchild Industries, Inc. Article stacking apparatus
US4395037A (en) * 1980-06-16 1983-07-26 Herbert Kannegiesser Gmbh & Co. Apparatus for stacking textile fabric sheets on top of one another
US4577853A (en) * 1984-01-16 1986-03-25 Harris Graphics Corporation Stacking apparatus
US4888617A (en) * 1987-03-05 1989-12-19 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Sheet feeding mechanism for an image recording device
US5085421A (en) * 1991-03-04 1992-02-04 Compaq Computer Corporation Dual bin paper feed tray for an image reproduction machine such as a printer or copier
US5183248A (en) * 1989-08-28 1993-02-02 Mita Industrial Co., Ltd. Sheet feeding device
US5259609A (en) * 1991-04-18 1993-11-09 Komori-Chambon Blank stacking apparatus
US5558318A (en) * 1991-01-15 1996-09-24 Roll Systems, Inc. Separator for forming discrete stacks of folded web
US6364309B1 (en) * 1999-08-30 2002-04-02 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Sheet accommodating device
US20020084576A1 (en) * 2000-12-30 2002-07-04 Kyung-Hwan Kim Paper cassette for an image forming device
US6631902B1 (en) * 2000-03-30 2003-10-14 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Media storage bin and method of using same
US6773182B2 (en) * 2001-11-12 2004-08-10 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Paper cassette in printer

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB939288A (en) * 1962-03-14 1963-10-09 Eureka Specialt Printing Compa Improvements in or relating to a stacking apparatus
JP4756751B2 (en) * 2001-02-27 2011-08-24 キヤノン株式会社 Sheet stacking apparatus, sheet post-processing apparatus and image forming apparatus provided with the apparatus

Patent Citations (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US705998A (en) * 1898-08-05 1902-07-29 Clarence W Hobbs Adjustable receiving-table for scoring-machines.
US1773977A (en) * 1929-03-28 1930-08-26 American Bank Note Co Sheet-delivery machine
US2658630A (en) * 1947-08-23 1953-11-10 Thomas N Melin Lumber stacking device
US2636933A (en) * 1949-11-21 1953-04-28 Allis Chalmers Mfg Co Control system responsive to presence of magnetic materials
US3046010A (en) * 1960-02-04 1962-07-24 Eureka Specialty Printing Co Stacker apparatus
US3655183A (en) * 1970-07-13 1972-04-11 Xerox Corp Sheet feed apparatus
US3919972A (en) * 1971-06-04 1975-11-18 Canon Kk Automatic cut sheet feeding unit
US3772972A (en) * 1972-03-20 1973-11-20 Taylor M L Stacker
US3937456A (en) * 1974-09-26 1976-02-10 Fairchild Industries, Inc. Article stacking apparatus
US4395037A (en) * 1980-06-16 1983-07-26 Herbert Kannegiesser Gmbh & Co. Apparatus for stacking textile fabric sheets on top of one another
US4577853A (en) * 1984-01-16 1986-03-25 Harris Graphics Corporation Stacking apparatus
US4888617A (en) * 1987-03-05 1989-12-19 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Sheet feeding mechanism for an image recording device
US5183248A (en) * 1989-08-28 1993-02-02 Mita Industrial Co., Ltd. Sheet feeding device
US5558318A (en) * 1991-01-15 1996-09-24 Roll Systems, Inc. Separator for forming discrete stacks of folded web
US5085421A (en) * 1991-03-04 1992-02-04 Compaq Computer Corporation Dual bin paper feed tray for an image reproduction machine such as a printer or copier
US5259609A (en) * 1991-04-18 1993-11-09 Komori-Chambon Blank stacking apparatus
US6364309B1 (en) * 1999-08-30 2002-04-02 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Sheet accommodating device
US6631902B1 (en) * 2000-03-30 2003-10-14 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Media storage bin and method of using same
US20020084576A1 (en) * 2000-12-30 2002-07-04 Kyung-Hwan Kim Paper cassette for an image forming device
US6773182B2 (en) * 2001-11-12 2004-08-10 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Paper cassette in printer

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE602004001183D1 (en) 2006-07-27
EP1510490A1 (en) 2005-03-02
EP1510490B1 (en) 2006-06-14

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P., TEXAS

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:BUIBAS, MARIUS;LEE, TED T.;ZHANG, ERIK Y.;REEL/FRAME:014189/0643

Effective date: 20030820

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION