US PATENT SUBCLASS 198 / 457.01
.~.~ To change direction of longitudinally moving stream

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

434  DF  CONVEYOR SYSTEM FOR ARRANGING OR REARRANGING STREAM(S) OF ITEMS {5}
456  DF  .~ By laterally or vertically moving successive items in longitudinally moving stream {2}
457.01.~.~ To change direction of longitudinally moving stream {6}
457.02  DF  .~.~.~> Item supporting rollers cause direction change
457.03  DF  .~.~.~> Item supporting endless belt causes direction change
457.04  DF  .~.~.~> Item supporting screw causes direction change
457.05  DF  .~.~.~> Fixed guide causes direction change
457.06  DF  .~.~.~> Nonsupporting endless belt causes direction change
457.07  DF  .~.~.~> Nonsupporting rotary member causes direction change

DEFINITION

Classification: 198/457.01

To change direction of longitudinally moving stream:

(under subclass 456) Subject matter wherein the direction of movement of the succession of articles after they have been successively shunted is along a new path that is transverse to, or inclined relative to, the original particular direction of movement.

(1) Note. Included in this subclass is apparatus wherein each of the articles is successively shunted in a transverse direction, and each is successively shunted into a new path that is parallel to the old path, laterally displaced from the old path, and in a direction reverse to the old path. In brief, each article follows a "U-shaped" path.

(2) Note. Structure for this subclass includes a first conveyor for moving articles in a first direction and delivering the articles to a second conveyor that moves the articles in a different direction. In such structure the claimed disclosure of the patent is important to the proper placement of the patent for original and cross-reference purposes. If the attitude of the successive articles relative to the conveyors is not significant (i.e., not claimed or particularly disclosed), the patent disclosing such conveyor structure is properly placed in this subclass as an original. If the attitude of the successive articles is significant (e.g., a claim recites a turning of the conveyor article), the effect of such turning should be considered for placement. If the turning of the article relative to the conveyors is such that on the first conveyor a particular face is headed in the conveyed direction and during turning, and when on the second conveyor said particular face is still headed in the conveyed direction, then its attitude relative to its conveyed direction has not been changed; a patent claiming such "turning" is proper for original placement in this subclass. If the turning of the article is such that on the first conveyor a particular face is headed in the conveyed direction, and if during turning or when on the second conveyor a different face is headed in the conveyed direction then its attitude relative to its conveyed direction has been changed; a patent claiming such turning is proper for original placement in subclasses 373+.