Automatic supply apparatus and automatic supply method

{
  "publication_number": "US2009057327A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Automatic supply apparatus and automatic supply method",
  "abstract": "An automatic supply apparatus for an elongate supply target member having elasticity and including both end portions includes a stock mechanism wherein a plurality of supply target members are stocked such that the plurality of supply target members are suspended in an inverted U shape and top portions of the plurality of supply target members are arranged side by side in a row direction, and an extraction mechanism to operate the top portions of the supply target members to extract one supply target member from the plurality of supply target members stocked in the stock mechanism.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An automatic supply apparatus for an elongate supply target member having elasticity and including both end portions, the apparatus comprising: a stock mechanism wherein a plurality of supply target members are stocked such that the plurality of supply target members are suspended in an inverted U shape and top portions of the plurality of supply target members are arranged side by side in a row direction; and an extraction mechanism to operate the top portions of the supply target members to extract one supply target member from the plurality of supply target members stocked in the stock mechanism.",
    "2. The automatic supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stock mechanism includes: a suspension portion extending in the row direction and on which the plurality of supply target members are to be suspended in the inverted U shape; and a row portion arranged side by side with the suspension portion and forming a row space having a width substantially equal to the outside diameter of the supply target member, between the suspension portion and the row portion.",
    "3. The automatic supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the extraction mechanism includes a guide unit and an extraction unit, the guide unit is to move the plurality of top portions arranged side by side in the row direction and is to guide one top portion to the extraction unit, and the extraction unit includes: a storage portion to store the one top portion alone; an abutment portion to abut against a lower side of the one top portion stored in the storage portion and to be moved upward; and a stopper portion to stop an upward movement of top portions other than the one top portion stored in the storage portion and against which the storage portion abuts.",
    "4. The automatic supply apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the extraction mechanism further includes a feed unit to feed one supply target member including the top portion extracted by the extraction unit in the longitudinal direction of the one supply target member to separate the one supply target member from the other supply target member.",
    "5. An automatic supply method for an elongate supply target member having elasticity and including both end portions, the method comprising: stocking a plurality of supply target members by suspending the plurality of supply target members in an inverted U shape and arranging top portions of the plurality of supply target members side by side in a row direction; and extracting one supply target member from the plurality of stocked supply target members by operating the top portions of the supply target members."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "B21F 23/005"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2008-08-28",
  "publication_date": "2009-03-05",
  "priority_date": "2007-08-30",
  "application_number": "US-20049408-A",
  "family_id": "40405787",
  "citations": [
    "US2006086777A1",
    "US2006111222A1"
  ]
}