US 11,866,312 B1
Needle actuator for cartridge filling machine
James Edward Ellis, Tempe, AZ (US)
Assigned to Credence Engineering, Inc., Tempe, AZ (US)
Filed by Credence Engineering, Inc., Tempe, AZ (US)
Filed on Mar. 14, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/183,704.
Int. Cl. B65B 3/26 (2006.01); B67C 3/26 (2006.01); B67C 3/28 (2006.01); B65B 3/12 (2006.01); B67C 3/00 (2006.01); B65B 37/06 (2006.01); B65B 65/02 (2006.01)
CPC B67C 3/26 (2013.01) [B65B 3/12 (2013.01); B65B 37/06 (2013.01); B67C 3/007 (2013.01); B67C 3/28 (2013.01); B65B 65/02 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. Apparatus for raising and lowering a needle used to dispense a fluid into a plurality of containers, the apparatus comprising:
a) a frame;
b) a pivot arm rotatably coupled to the frame about a pivot axis, the pivot arm having first and second opposing ends, the pivot axis being located between the first and second opposing ends of the pivot arm for allowing the pivot arm to rock back and forth about its pivot axis, wherein upward movement of the first end of the pivot arm is accompanied by downward movement of the second end of the pivot arm;
c) a dispensing needle coupled to the pivot arm proximate the second end of the pivot arm for movement therewith, the dispensing needle moving upward and downward as the pivot arm rocks back and forth;
d) a motor supported by the frame, the motor including a rotatable motor shaft;
e) a cam coupled to the rotatable motor shaft for being rotated by the motor, the cam engaging a first end of the pivot arm for causing the pivot arm to rotate about its pivot axis;
whereby operation of the motor rotates the cam and moves the pivot arm to raise and lower the needle.