US3565237A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Feeding rod-shaped articles into bins
Assignee: Tobacco Res & Dev
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Filing: 1969-04-01
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Granted: 1971-02-23
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Expires: 1989-04-01
Abstract
Abstract The invention deals with means to prime a bin with rod-shaped articles such as filter rods and cigarettes. The articles are fed at one end of the bin between an arm and an overlying curtain which maintains the orientation of the articles. The articles between these two elements press on a switch which causes the arm to swing through the bin in a step-by-step operation. Eventually when the volume of articles is such that they can form a heap on their own, the arm becomes inoperative and an endless conveyor in the base of the bin is caused to move in response to the switch.
Inventors
- 👤 Mauritz L Strydom
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 22:46
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24C; A24C5/00; A24C5/35
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
The combination of a bin composed of parallel sidewalls and a base; a support arm arranged to sweep the bin from a receiving position in which the arm is substantially parallel to and above the base through the cavity of the bin to a neutral position in which the arm leaves the bin cavity substantially unobstructed; a constraining element which overlies the support arm in its receiving position; means to feed rod-shaped articles into the space below the constraining element and above the support arm when the latter is in the receiving position; means responsive to the pressure of articles accumulated between the constraining element and the support arm to cause the arm to move from the receiving position towards the neutral position; and means to contain a body of articles accumulated in the expanding space between the arm and the constraining element along a any exposed face at least until that body reaches its natural angle of repose on the base of the bin.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
The combination of a bin composed of parallel sidewalls and a base; a support arm arranged to sweep the bin from a receiving position in which the arm is substantially parallel to and above the base through the cavity of the bin to a neutral position in which the arm leaves the bin cavity substantially unobstructed; a constraining element which overlies the support arm in its receiving position; means to feed rod-shaped articles into the space below the constraining element and above the support arm when the latter is in the receiving position; means responsive to the pressure of articles accumulated between the constraining element and the support arm to cause the arm to move from the receiving position towards the neutral position; and means to contain a body of articles accumulated in the expanding space between the arm and the constraining element along a any exposed face at least until that body reaches its natural angle of repose on the base of the bin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination claimed in claim 1 in which the constraining element is a curtain.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination claimed in claim 1 in which the containing means is an end wall to the bin, the arm sweeping the bin in contact with the end wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The combination claimed in claim 3 in which the arm is extensible.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination claimed in claim 4 including means to cause the arm to move to a position overlying the bin cavity after the arm forms an angle with the base which exceeds the angle of repose of the accumulated articles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination claimed in claim 1 in which the arm in its neutral position forms an end wall to the bin, the containing means being a series of curtains hanging in and above the orbit of the arm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination claimed in claim 1 in which the base of the bin is formed by an endless conveyor band, and including means to drive the band, the drive means only becoming operative after the arm has moved into its neutral position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination claimed in claim 1 including means to detect the absence of articles at a predetermined position on the base, the detecting means being arranged to actuate reversal of the arm towards its receiving position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-22 | 1974-08-24 | 1975-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-22 | 1978-08-24 | 1979-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-22 | 1982-08-24 | 1983-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |