Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SIDE INDICATOR HANGERS
AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
REMOVING INDICATORS FROM HANGERS
This is a divisional application of copending
Canadian Application Serial No.: 2,245,272 filed August 7,
1998.
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a garment hanger having
a side sizer indicator, and a method and apparatus for
removing the side sizer indicator from the hanger.
Backaround of the Invention
For purposes of displaying garments suspended on
hangers in an orderly manner to the retail customer, certain
retail stores desire to affix an indicating means on the
side of the hook of the hanger where the hook meets the
hanger body. The indicating means identifies some attribute
of the garment suspended from the hanger, such as size,
quality, color, manufacturing data, or pattern.
To accommodate the various types of hangers
available in the industry, numerous indicating means have
been developed in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials.
Similarly, hangers have been developed to accommodate a
variety of different indicating means.
U.S. Patent 4,115,940 discloses a side sizer
indicator for a garment hanger, having a removable
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indicia carrying tab. The indicia is attached to a web
contiguous to the hanger body which is joined to both
the body and the hook.
The small size and the removable nature of
this indicia generated concern on the part of some
garment hanger manufacturers that prompted the
development of non-removable or child proof indicia for
garment hangers.
U.S. Patents 5,096,101 and 5,199,608 disclose
garment hangers with locking or irremovable information
tabs, which hangers use a rib or thickened body portion
to surround the indicia and block access to the
underside of the indicia.
U.S. Patent 5,441,182 also discloses a garment
with a locking infozmation clip having hook like
elements or a raised platform to seat the clip, each of
which prevents easy removal of the clip.
Environmental concerns have also generated a
desire for hangers having information indicia which are
essentially unremovable for the average consumer, but
removable with the appropriate tooling for reuse and
recycle purposes. inasmuch as the indicators are
generally colored plastic, it is highly desirable in
any recycling program to remove the indicator before
grinding the hangers for reuse. Further, in a reuse
program, it is necessary to remove the old size indicia
before fitting a new one.
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An example of a garment hanger with a child proof
size indicator and a special tool for removing the indicator
is illustrated in U.S. Patent 5,449,099. As taught in this
patent, the hanger may be molded with cuts in the protective
rib which surrounds the clip to enable manual access by a
special tool. This system however does not enable automated
removal of the size indicia as necessary for commercially
viable reuse or recycle programs.
U.S. patent 5,611,469 discloses a Hanger with
Identification Clip having a through opening in the
attachment web between the attachment rib and the childproof
safety rib. However, once the indicator is mounted, the
opening is covered and cannot be used to provide entry of an
indicator detachment tool.
Summary of the Invention
Accordingly, it is a feature of one embodiment of
the present invention to provide an improved garment hanger
having an indicator detachment opening which allows an
indicator to be attached to a hanger in one or more of the
foregoing ways, but which permits removal of the indicator
in an automated operation that reduces the likelihood of
damage to the indicator or to the hanger.
The invention therefore provides a molded plastic
hanger having a modified indicator attachment area or tab
holder integrally formed as part of the hanger, with a ridge
on the tab holder which surrounds the tab to prevent a
consumer from obtaining a "finger
CA 02458816 2008-10-08
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purchase" on the tab to remove the tab. The modified tab
holder includes at least one through opening in the web
and ridge which enables an automated wedge tool to be
inserted through the opening and engage the indicator on
one side and a reaction surface on the other to remove the
indicator from the hanger.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention there is provided a garment hanger adapted to
have an information indicator mounted thereon, wherein the
indicator has side walls, the indicator further defining
at least one internal projection; the garment hanger
comprising a body having a hook member joined to the body,
and a web adjacent the hook and the body for receiving the
indicator; the web defining at least one engagement rib
which cooperates with the internal projection to secure
the indicator to the web; the web further having a
security means to prevent outward movement of the side
walls and disengagement of the projection and the
engagement rib; the web defining at least one elongate
through opening, enabling removal of the indicator, said
opening extending through the security means and at least
partially into the engagement rib.
In another embodiment of the invention, the
indicator attachment area includes a raised area for
seating the indicia which prevents unauthorized or
inadvertent removal, since the raised area causes a finger
nail or other sliding tool to "jump" when it engages the
raised portion. In this embodiment, the indicator
attachment area includes a through opening which also
extends through the raised area, and any locking ridges
formed on the indicator attachment area. This opening
enables an automated wedge tool to be inserted through the
opening and engage the indicator on one side and a
CA 02458816 2008-10-08
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reaction surface on the other to remove the indicator from
the hanger.
In use, as will be described more fully below,
the indicator or side sizer is disengaged from the
indicator attachment area by inserting a wedge through the
opening or aperture to thereby release the indicator from
the garment hanger.
The method and apparatus of the present
invention provide an extremely versatile arrangement which
can accommodate virtually all types of side sizer
indicators mounted on a garment hanger. The method and
20
30
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system can also accommodate a wide variety of hanger and
indicia types.
The system includes: a first means for securing
the hanger for removal of the indicator; an automated
actuating means for driving a wedge through an opening or
aperture in the hanger; and means for collecting and
disposing of the indicator.
In operation, the reciprocal wedge is actuated to
engage the indicator and the reaction surface in the
indicator attachment area to remove the indicator from the
hanger while the hanger is secured by in a reference
position.
The hangers with side sizer indicators affixed
thereto can be lined up on a feeding rail which is slanted
such that the force of gravity feeds the hanger into
position against an automated means for manipulating and
securing the hangers in a predetermined area.
The first means of the present embodiment may also
include a milled out portion or template defining a recess
substantially corresponding to the shape and dimensions of
the hanger to be received such that when the hanger is
received in the recess, the through opening is correctly
positioned for the automatic wedge mechanism. When the
indicator engages the recess of the first plate the
indicator detachment mechanism is positioned to remove the
size indicator from the hanger.
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Thus, the system of the present invention is easily
adapted to accommodate a variety of hanger
configurations.
In another embodiment, the first means
preferably further includes a reciprocal wedge
positioned to displace the indicator. The first means
also includes a second plate which reciprocates parallel
to the first plate to secure the hanger for removal of
the indicator.
In operation, the actuating means drives the
first plate downwardly to position the hanger, and then
drives the second plate to separate the hanger from a
bulk supply of the hangers. The reciprocal wedge is
then actuated to engage the indicator and the reaction
surface in the indicator attachment area to remove the
indicator from the hanger while the hanger is secured by
the second plate. The first plate is then raised to
allow the garment hanger to move on for further
processing.
The hangers with side sizer indicators affixed
thereto can be lined up on a feeding rail which is
slanted such that the force of gravity drives the
hanger into position against the first plate. In a
preferred embodiment the second plate may include an
guides or templates for holding the hanger to prevent
the hanger from moving when the indicator is removed by
the reciprocal movement of the sedge. In a particularly
preferred embodiment the second plate is driven
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_7.
downwardly to separate the hanger undergoing the
detaching process from the rest of the hangers on the
feeding rail.
The first plate of the present embodiment may
also include a milled out portion or template defining a
recess substantially corresponding to the shape and
dimensions of the hanger to be received such that when
the first plate is in its lower position gravity forces
the hanger into the recess or template.
To remove the indicator from the hanger the
wedge is driven transversely to the first means by, for
instance, a pneumatic cylinder means, while the hanger
is resting in the recess of the first means.
The system further contemplates forceful
ejection of the indicator from the hanger, which
ejection may direct the indicator into a vacuum capture
plenum.
A vacuum collection system can be attached to
said vacuum capture plenum such that upon ejection, the
indicator is removed from the detaching apparatus and
collected in a separate device.
In a preferred embodiment the first and second
plates may further includes a guide path or window
through which the indicator passes upon ejection. The
guide path or window can be dimensioned to accommodate a
variety of indicator configurations. The vacuum
discharge tube can be attached to said guide path or
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window such that upon ejection the indicator is removed from
the detaching apparatus and collected in a separate device.
There is also disclosed a device for manually
removing an indicator from a hanger with an indicator
attachment mechanism. In a preferred embodiment the device
includes a wedge tool for manual insertion into the through
opening formed in the indicator attachment web of the
hanger.
The device for manually removing the indicators
from hangers can include a bench mounted wedge and a hanger
guide mounted to a support such that the operator need not
handle the device while manually removing the indicator from
the hangers.
A method is provided for removing an indicator
from a hanger by inserting a wedge mounted on a first means
into the through opening in the hanger to displace the
indicator from the indicator attachment area on the hanger.
The method can be performed either manually or
automatically.
The automated method for removing the indicator
from the garment hanger comprises: holding a plurality of
hangers with indicators affixed thereto; selectively
engaging one of the hangers; securing the hanger; and
inserting the displacement wedge into the opening in the
indicator attachment area to remove the indicator from the
hanger.
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In a second embodiment, the method further
contemplates moving a second plate downwardly to secure the
hanger and separate the hanger from the plurality of hangers
while aligning said indicator with a guide path or window in
either the first or second plate and ejecting the indicator
from the hanger through the guide path or window into a
discharge tube.
Before the next hanger is selectively engaged the
second plate is driven upwardly to permit the next hanger
and indicator to advance along a feeding fail and rest
against or in the recess in the first plate and then
downwardly to separate the hanger from the plurality and to
prevent a second hanger in the plurality of hangers with
indicators from advancing. After the indicator is
disengaged from the hanger the second plate is moved
upwardly to permit the next hanger and indicator to advance.
Brief Description of the Drawinas:
The foregoing and other features of the invention
may now be more readily ascertained from the following
detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a front elevation view of the
hook of a hanger incorporating a typical side sizer locking
attachment mechanism, and the through opening of the present
invention formed therein;
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Figure 1(a) illustrates a front elevation view
of a portion of a hanger incorporating a side sizer
locking attachment mechanism, and a modified form of the
through opening of the present invention formed therein;
Figure 2 illustrates an enlarged sectional
view of a portion of the garment hanger and indicator of
Figure 1;
Figure 3 illustrates an enlarged sectional
view of a portion of a second type of garment hanger and
side sizer indicator.
Figure 4 illustrates a diagrammatic view of
the first means for detaching apparatus an indicator in
the detaching position;
Figure 5 is an illustrative view of the wedge
and garment hanger with indicator just before detachment
of the indicator;
Figure 6 is an illustrative view of the wedge
and garment hanger with indicator at the moment of
detachment of the indicator.
Figure 7 is a plan view of one embodiment of a
manual detachment mechanism constructed in accordance
with the present invention;
Figure 8 is a cross-section view of the manual
detachment apparatus illustrated in Figure 7 taken along
section lines 8-81 of Figure 7.
Figure 9 illustrates a perspective view of one
embodiment of the detaching apparatus according to the
present invention with a feeding rail, a plurality of
CA 02458816 2004-03-17
11hangers thereon, and a first plate for receiving a
hanger;
Figure 10 illustrates a second sequential view
of the detaching apparatus according to the present
invention with a second plate securing the hanger, while
the wedge removes the indicator;
Figure 11 illustrates a third sequential view
of the detaching apparatus according to the present
invention with a first plate releasing the processed
hangers, while the second plate maintains a separation;
Figure 12 is an isometric schematic
illustration of the detachment apparatus of the present
invention illustrating the control and actuating
mechanisms therefor.
~5 pP+ a~ y ~~ D-ac 'gty-oz gf the ~referrod Embod;mC
2n the preferred embodiment, the improved
hanger of the present invention is formed of styrene
which provides a clear virtually transparent hanger for
maximum display of garments suspended therefrom.
Alternately, the hanger could be formed from K resin,
H.I. styrene, polypropylene or other suitable
thermoplastic.
The hanger 1 illustrated in Figure 1 is
equipped with a hook 14 for engaging a rod or other
supporting means, and a body 12 for supporting a garment
to be hung on the hanger. A web 16 extends between the
hook 14 and the body 12 to provide an indicator
attachment mechanism to receive an indicator 18 which
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bears an indicia or color, or both, relating to a
characteristic of the garment suspended from hanger body
12. As illustrated in Figure 1, it is common for the
indicator 18 to be attached to the web member 16 by
snapping it downwardly over an attachment rib 20 in the
direction of arrow A, illustrated in Figure 1. The web
also includes a second rib 22 which may be used to
childproof the hanger and prevent easy removal of the
indicator 18.
Environmenta], concerns on the part of large
retail sales organizations have prompted a desire for
hangers having side sizers 18 that are essentially
unremovable for the average customer and, thus,
"childproof" within the meaning of that term as
described by the garment industry. The industry also
desires that the side sizers be removable with the
appropriate tooling for reuse and recycle purposes, but
at present no automated apparatus is available for this
removal. Inasmuch as the indicators are generally
colored plastic, it is highly desirable in any recycling
program to remove the indicator before grinding the
hangers for reuse. if the program is a reuse program
rather than a recycling program, it is necessary to
remove the old size indicator before attaching a new
one.
The present invention includes a hanger having
a side sizer indicia tab wherein the tab is essentially
unremovable for the average consumer, but removable with
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the indicator detachment mechanism of the present
invention. To enable removal of the tab, at least one
through opening 24 is formed in web 16 which extends
through the web, and through the security rib 22 which
S prevents access or "finger purchase" on the edges of
indicia 18. Alternately, the through opening may extend
through both the attachment rib 20 and the security rib
22, or may extend to the attachment rib, with a cut
through the attachment rib 20 as illustrated in the
enlarged portion of Figure 1 (a).
Figure 2 illustrates in cross-section, web 16
of hanger 1 having a side sizer indicia 18 attached
thereto. As illustrated in Figure 2, the size indicia
18 includes a pair of inwardly extending barbs or ridges
26a, 26b which snap over the enlarged retention rib 20
of web 16. A variety of internal rib or barb
constructions are known in the prior art and illustrated
in the various patents referred to in the summary of the
prior art above.
As illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 2, a
security rib.22 is also provided on web 16 to prevent
the easy removal of the indicia by enabling "finger
purchase" under one of the inwardly directed legs 28a,
28b of the size indicia 18.
An alternate security arrangement is
illustrated in Figure 3, wherein the web 16 receives an
indicator 18 in the manner illustrated by arrow A in
Figure 1. The web 16 of the hanger illustrated in
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Figure 3 is formed somewhat differently in cross-section
and uses an alternate means for thwarting the easy
removal of the indicator 18. As illustrated in Figure
1, the web 16 includes a first rib 20, which cooperates
with internal barbs or ridges 26a, 26b to secure the
indicator to the web 16. Web 16 also includes an
enlarged rib 30 which stabilizes the indicator 18 to
prevent undesirable movement of the indicator in normal
use. The arrangement illustrated in Figure 3 also
includes a security land 22a which is elevated above the
planar surface 16a of web 16. In practice, this
elevated land 22a and the curved portion 22b cause a
fingernail or other removal device to "jump" the gap
between the indicator 18 and the land 22a, making it
extremely difficult for the average consumer to remove
the indicator 18.
The present invention uses at least one
through opening 24 formed in web 16 to enable the
removal of the "non-removable" indicators 18. The
through opening 24 includes a reaction surface 24a and
an opening which extends through the web and through the
security rib 22 or the security land 22a to a space 24b
underlying the indicator 18. The through opening may
extend through both the attachment rib 20 and the
security rib 22, or may extend to the attachment rib,
with a cut through the attachment rib 20 as illustrated
in the enlarged portion of Figure 1(a). The through
opening should not be so large as to permit "finger
CA 02458816 2004-03-17
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purchase" on the underside of the indicator, and should
be transverse to the indicator 18.
The removal of the "non-removable" indicator
18 will be described with respect to Figures 5 and 6
which illustrate in cross-section the web 16 of hanger
1, and the indicator 18 of Figure 2 together with the
removal tool of the present invention.
As illustrated in Figure 5, the indicator 18
is securely attached to web 16 by virtue of the
retention rib 20 and internal barbs 26a and b which
engage the retention rib 20. The open ends 28a, 28b are
also supported on web 16 on either side of through
opening 24.
To remove the side sizer indicator 18, a wedge
tool is inserted into the through opening 24 between the
reaction surface 24a and the inwardly extending legs
28a, 28b. As the wedge tool penetrates-through the
through opening 24, a first side of the wedge tool 100a
engages the reaction surface 24a while the tapered
removal edge 100b engages the inwardly extending arms
28a and 28b of the indicator 18. The downward motion
indicated by the arrow B in Figure 6 results in a
laterally outward pressure in the direction of arrow C
on the inwardly extending legs 28a, 28b causing the mid-
portion of the indicator to bow outwardly, to a point
where the barbs or ribs 26a, 26b which are formed of
plastic, will be resiliently deformed and slide over the
retention rib 20 to the position illustrated in Figure
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5. The resilient quality of the plastic materials from
which the indicators 18 are normally formed creates a
sudden release of the indicator 18 from web 16,
expelling the indicator 18 in the direction of arrow C.
The rate of downward movement of the wedge tool 100
determines to some extent the forcefulness of the
detachment of indicator 18 from web 16, and the
detachment process can be regulated to some extent by
varying the penetration rate of wedge tool 100 through
the through opening 24. A thin blade type wedge tool
may also be employed in combination with a through
opening 24 which cuts through the attachment rib 20 to
insure complete removal of the indicator in the event of
multiple security ribs.
The automated detachment of the indicator 18
from the hangers 1 will be described with respect to
Figure 6. One or more hangers are suspended from an
angled rod 105 (illustrated in Figure 12), which may
gravity feed the hangers to the first means 107 for
removal of the indicator. The first means 107 may
reciprocate into a support position by virtue of a
support and drive mechanism 133. A plurality of blocks
200, 202 and 204 may define a template for securing the
hanger from undesirable movement, and in combination
with angled rod 105, define a registration means for
aligning the hanger with the automatic detachment wedge
100. Wedge tool 100 is mounted to the first means,
which reciprocates wedge 100 through the through opening
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24 defined in hanger 1. In a preferred embodiment, it
is driven by a pneumatic cylinder or electric solenoid.
While sandwiched in this position, the wedge
tool 100 is driven through the through opening 24 in
hanger 1 in the manner previously described with respect
to Figure 3. Wedge tool 100 may be easily driven by a
pneumatic cylinder attached to the back plate 107.
Alternately, electromagnetic or hydraulic drive
mechanisms may be utilized as desired. The penetration
of wedge tool 100 results in the forcible detachment of
the indicator 18 as illustrated in Figure 6. The first
means 107 may then be reciprocated out of engagement
with the hanger 1 to provide for removal and/or reuse of
the hanger.
Thus, the detachment mechanism illustrated in
Figure 6 cycles repetitively to automatically detach a
plurality of the "non-removable" indicators 18 from a
plurality of hangers 1.
As illustrated in Figure 6, the first means
107 includes a slot 107a to allow reciprocation of the
means 107 about hanger rod 105. Alternately, first
means 107 could be formed as a laterally reciprocating
plate traversing the space between the support rod 105
and the hanger body 12, provided the wedge tool 100 is
reciprocated to a position approximate that of through
opening 24. While in the start of downward position
illustrated in=Figure 6, the hanger 1 may be further
aligned for processing by means of removable template
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blocks which are illustrated in dotted lines at 200,
202, and 204 in Figure 7. These blocks may be secured
to the back plate 107 by means of a].ignment pins or
screws 206. The template blocks 200-204 enable a
variety of hanger configurations and styles to be
automatically processed by the apparatus of the present
invention. Blocks 200-204 provide registration blocks
for the hanger 1 that maintain the hanger in a proximate
location for entry of wedge tool 100 through the through
opening 24. Blocks 202 and 204 also define therebetween
an exit window for the forcible expulsion of indicator
18 when the wedge tool 100 is driven through the through
opening 24.
Alternatively, recesses may be milled into the
first means 107 to provide a stabilizing template for
the hanger 1 to be processed, and to provide an exit
path for indicator 18.
A vacuum tube 126 may also be provided
adjacent the exit path defined between blocks 202 and
204 to receive the indicator 18 and convey it to a
collection bin for further processing or recycling.
Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, there is
illustrated a tool for manually removing the indicators
18 from hanger 1. Figure 7 illustrates a plan view of
the manual removal tool, while Figure 8 illustrates a
section view taken along section line 8-81 of Figure 7.
The device for manually removing an indicator
from a garment hanger can be hand-held, or may have a
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rectangular shape as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 for
bench mounting. The device includes a plate 138 which
can be made of metal or molded plastic and includes a
recessed area 139 for receiving the hanger and a wedge
tool 100 which extends upwardly from the recessed area
139 to engage the through opening 24 in the hanger
having an indicator to be removed. The wedge tool 100
performs exactly the same function as previously
described with respect to Figures 4-6. The only
difference is that with the manual detachment mechanism,
the hanger 1 is manually positioned with the wedge tool
100 entering the through opening 24, and then the hanger
is pressed downwardly against the recess in plate 139 to
effect removal of the indicator 18. An alignment pin
105a and alignment blocks 200a and 204a may be provided
to assist the operator in aligning the hanger 1 to
engage the wedge tool 100 in the through opening 24. As
the hanger is pressed into engagement with the recessed
area 139, the wedge tool 100 removes the indicator 18 in
the direction of arrow C as illustrated in Figure 7.
Another embodiment of the automated detachment
of the indicator 18 from the hangers 1 will be described
with respect to Figures 9-11. As illustrated in Figure
9, a support rod 105 is angled downwardly and receives a
plurality of hangers 1 thereon which slide downwardly
along rod 105 until they reach back plate 107.
Alternately, a screw rod conveyor may be used for rod
105 to sequentially advance a plurality of hanger 1 into
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position for detachment of the indicators 18. In the
initial start position, the back plate 107 is extended
downwardly, straddling rod 105 as illustrated in Figures
4 and 12. When at least one hanger la has been received
S against theback plate 107, a front plate 106 is
reciprocated downwardly and the direction of the arrow D
in Figure 10 by a pneumatic drive motor 204. Front
plate 106 includes a rounded wedge engagement surface
106a which penetrates the hangers supported on rod 105
and separates hanger la from the remainder of the
hangers 1 as the front plate 106 is driven downwardly.
The front plate 106 and the back plate 107 are mounted
for reciprocation on support means 133 and are driven
upwardly and downwardly by pneumatic drive motors 108a,
108b via connecting rods or pistons 109, 110. It should
be noted that in Figures 9-11 the relative proportions
of the various components have been exaggerated to
clarify the operation of the device, and the depiction
in Figures 9-11 is intended to be illustrative in a
schematic sense, and not a literal depiction of the
elements . As illustrated in Figure 10, the front plate
106 has been extended downwardly to its second position
commensurate with the start position of back plate 107.
Hanger la has been separated for the remainder of the
hangers 1 and is now sandwiched between front plate 106
and back plate 107. While sandwiched in this position,
the wedge tool 100 is driven through the through opening
24 in hanger la and into a matching cavity on front
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-'1-
plate 106 in the manner previously described with
respect to Figures 5 and 6. Wedge tool 100 may be
easily driven in the direction of arrow B in Figure 10
by a pneumatic cylinder 102 attached to the back plate
107.
After the indicator has been removed from
hanger la, the wedge tool 100 is retracted, and back
plate 107 is raised to the position illustrated in
Figure 11 while front plate 106 remains in its downward
position. This enables the hanger la to slide down the
support rod 105 in the direction of arrow E where it may
be collected or advanced for further processing by a
screw rod conveyor or the like.
After the hanger la is free of the detachment
mechanism, plate 107 is reciprocated downwardly to the
position illustrated in Figure 9, and the front plate
106 is raised to the position illustrated in Figure 9 to
allow the collected group of hangers to slide down
support rod 105 into engagement with back plate 107 at
the start position as previously with respect to Figure
9. Thus, the detachment mechanism illustrated in
Figures 9-11 cycles repetitively to detach the "non-
removable" indicators 18 from a plurality of hangers 1.
As illustrated in Figure 4, the back plate 107
includes a slot 107a to allow reciprocation of the back
plate 107 about hanger rod 105. Alternately, back plate
107 could be formed as a laterally reciprocating plate
traversing the space between the support rod 105 and the
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hanger body 12, provided the wedge tool 100 is
reciprocated to a position approximate that of through
opening 24. Figure 4 is an illustration of the
apparatus taken along section lines 7-7' of Figure 10.
It is understood that back plate 107 is supported by the
support means 133 and is reciprocated upwardly and
downwardly in the direction of arrow F by means of the
pneumatic drive 108(b) as previously described with
respect to Figures 9-11. While in the start of downward
position illustrated in Figure 4, the hanger 1 may be
further aligned for processing by means of removable
template blocks which are illustrated in dotted lines at
200, 202, and 204 in Figure 4. These blocks may be
secured to the back plate 107 by means of alignment pins
or screws 206. The template blocks 200-204 enable a
variety of hanger configurations and styles to be
automatically processed by the apparatus of the present
invention. Blocks 200-204 provide registration blocks
for the hanger 1 that maintain the hanger in a proximate
location for entry of wedge tool 100 through the through
opening 24. Blocks 202 and 204 also define therebetween
an exit window for the forcible expulsion of indicator
18 when the wedge tool 100 is driven through the through
opening 24.
Alternatively, recesses may be milled into the
back plate 107 to provide a stabilizing template for the
hanger 1 to be processed, and to provide an exit path
for indicator 18.
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It is to be noted that the blocks 200-204 are
no greater in thickness than the clearance between the
front plate 106 and back plate 107 to enable the hanger
1 to be securely captured therebetween for removal of
the indicator 18. A vacuum tube 126 may also be
provided adjacent the exit path defined between blocks
202 and 204 to receive the indicator 18 and convey it to
a collection bin for further processing or recycling.
As illustrated in Figure 4, the apparatus is
schematically illustrated in isometric form with the
indicators 18 on the opposite side of rod 105, and the
wedge tool 100 mounted on the opposite side of plate
107. In a preferred embodiment, the detachment
apparatus may be driven pneumatically and further
include a position control means 111, an air control
means 114, a first timer 116, a second timer 117, and an
air valve 137 The air valve 137 generates andjor
controls pressurized air by which the detachment
apparatus is controlled and driven.
The air valve 137, the timers 116 and 117, the
actuating means or pneumatic cylinders 108, 108b, the
air control means 114 and the position control means 111
are respectively connected by air tubes for pneumatic
control. The entire apparatus, including a
reciprocating support 133, which is not illustrated in
Figure 12 is supported to a fixed mount as indicated at
120.
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As illustrated in Figure 12, the position
control means 111 includes a first detector 112 for the
position of the front plate 106 and a second detector
113 for the position of back plate 107. The first
detector 112 and the second detector 113 work on a
pneumatic basis and have a similar structure. First and
second detectors 112 and 113 each include contact plates
which are contacted with the upper sides 106 of the back
plate 107 respectively. In the upper positions, the
front plate 106 and the back plate 107 press upwardly on
the contact plates respectively, to create a pneumatic
signal in the position control means 111, thereby
permitting a steady controlled movement of plates 106
and 107.
The actuating means 108a, 108b controls the
movements of the two plates 106, 107 and the control
sequence is such that the front plate 106 cannot move
upwardly when the back plate 107 is not in its lowermost
position, and the back plate 107 cannot move upwardly
when the front plate 106 is not in its lowermost
position. This insures that the hangers having side
sizer indicators to be detached do not slide along
feeding rail 105 under the plates 106, 107 when not
being processed.
The first timer 116 controls the regular cycle
of the movement of the two plates 106 and 107, whereas
the second timer 117 enables a repeated downward
movement of the front plate 106, if, for example, the
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hook of a hanger 1 is bent or damaged, or the indicator
18 is bent or damaged. In this case, the timer 117
gives a signal to the actuating means 108a to lift the
front plate 106 up again and to retry to move it
downwardly. This is repeated until the hanger 1 is
properly received within the alignment blocks 202, 204
of plate 107 so that front plate 106 can move to its
lower position without resistance.
It is understood that although preferred
embodiments of the present invention have been described
and that various modifications may be made by one
skilled in the art without departing from the scope of
the invention is defined in the following claims. While
the detachment apparatus of the described embodiment is
pneumatically driven, the detachment apparatus could be
driven by electrical, mechanical or other appropriate
drive means.
Furthermore, the present invention has been
described and illustrated in connection with a single
type of side sizer indicator 18, although it is
understood that the present invention can be used
without adaption, or easily adapted to accommodate
virtually any type of side sizing indicator.
While it has been shown and described what is
considered to be the preferred embodiment of the
invention, it will, of courses, be understood that
various modifications and changes in form or detail can
be readily made without departing from the spirit of the
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invention. it is, therefore, intended that the
invention not be limited to the exact form and detail
herein shown and described nor to anything less than the
whole of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
