US PATENT SUBCLASS 198 / 418
CONVEYOR SYSTEM FOR ESTABLISHING AND MOVING A GROUP OF ITEMS

Current as of: June, 1999
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198 /   HD   CONVEYORS: POWER-DRIVEN

418CONVEYOR SYSTEM FOR ESTABLISHING AND MOVING A GROUP OF ITEMS {8}
418.1  DF  .~> Having items discharged from plural distinct outlets into group {2}
418.5  DF  .~> Having plural successive groups discharged by single conveyor into larger group
418.6  DF  .~> Having conveyor drop grouped items simultaneously onto another conveyor
418.7  DF  .~> Subdivides continuous item stream into longitudinally spaced groups {4}
426  DF  .~> By shifting group of items simultaneously from stream conveyor to form a group {3}
431  DF  .~> By depositing items successively from one conveyor onto group conveyor
432  DF  .~> By shifting group from row conveyor onto row conveyor
433  DF  .~> By shifting group from row conveyor onto stream conveyor

DEFINITION

Classification: 198/418

(under the class definition) Apparatus including at least two conveyor sections cooperating for the purpose of conveying plural articles in such manner that a particular plurality of articles will be arranged or formed into a particular array or cluster comprising a specific number of such articles, and for subsequently conveying said array or cluster as a separate collection.

(1) Note. This note is intended to express in short form the differences in the concepts among patents placed in this subclass (418) and those of the two following coordinate subclasses 434 and 463.1. In all three major subclasses and their indented subclasses, the function of the disclosed structure is the movement of one or more items via two or more conveyors. In this subclass (418) the items are arranged as an identifiable and significant group consisting of a predetermined plurality of items moved as a group through that structure being claimed by the patent. In subclass 434, the items are arranged as a succession of items consisting of an indeterminate number of items moved consecutively via the conveyors being claimed by the patent, and at least the last downstream claimed conveyor does not provide structure for individualization or separation between the successive conveyed items. In subclass 463.1 the items

are individual and separate one from the other, each being an identifiable and significant item being moved separately via the conveyors being claimed by the patent, and at least the last downstream claimed conveyor does provide structure for individualization or separation between one item and a preceding or succeeding item.

(2) Note. For a patent to be placed in this or an indented subclass it is not necessary for a group to retain its identity separate from other such groups. For example, in a subclass such as 418.1 a formed group of items could be packed into a container (not claimed) into which other groups have been or will be packed. Nor is it necessary for all of the claimed structure to move the group as a group. For example, in a subclass such as 431 a group of items is formed by depositing successive items one by one into group formation, after which the group is moved as a group. The term "array" is inclusive of, but not limited to, a plurality of items arranged in a straight line; the term "cluster" is inclusive of, but not limited to, a plurality of items arranged in an irregular formation or a formation such as a circle. For purposes of convenience, the term "group" will be used in the definitions of subclasses indented hereunder unless one of the other terms is specifically applicable.

(3) Note. See the search note below for the line between Class 198 and the Material or Article Handling, class relative to apparatus for placing articles into or removing them from an intersupporting group.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS

271, Sheet Feeding or Delivering, 213+, for a conveyor on which sheets are delivered in succession to form a stack, on which conveyor the stack is moved as a stack without the aid of structure other than the conveyor.

414, Material or Article Handling, the line between Class 198 Conveyors: Power-Driven, and Class 414, Material or Article Handling, relative to apparatus for placing articles into or removing them from an intersupporting group is as follows: (a) Class 198 takes such apparatus when (1) it consists of a power driven or gravity conveyor, (2) the site on which the group is supported is a horizontally extended conveyor surface, and (3) the group is formed on the surface of the conveyor while the conveyor both moves and transports the article in a horizontal direction; and (b) Class 414 takes such apparatus, even if it consists of a conveyor(s) proper for Class 198, when either (1) the site on which the group is supported is other than a conveyor proper for Class 198 (e.g., an elevator, a shelf) or (2) the site on which the group is supported is a conveyor surface which has been fully stopped while each article is added to the group.