US3566944A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for preparing sugarcane stalks for subsequent processing
Assignee: Canadian Cane Equipment Ltd
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Filing: 1967-12-20
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Granted: 1971-03-02
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Expires: 1987-12-20
Abstract
Abstract A method for preparing a mass of randomly oriented, slender cane stalks for subsequent processing at a selected location. The method is intended to deliver the stalks in cleaned condition, chopped into uniform, relatively shorter lengths and aligned longitudinally in their direction of motion. The method includes delivering the mass of stalks to a series of successively, more rapidly moving, conveyor means and subjecting the stalks to sudden vertical deflections at some of various junctions between adjacent ones of the conveyor means. At some of the junctions heavy debris (such as rocks) mixed with the stalks is caused to gravitate rearwardly and downwardly between adjacent ones of the conveyor means. At least one junction, leading portions of the stalks in the mass are also subjected to a force in a downstream direction aligned with their direction of travel upstream of the one junction. At another junction concurrently with vertical motion the canes are also subjected to a force in a direction downstream of the other junction, inclined transversely to direction of travel of the canes upstream of the other junction to exert a disentangling effect on the canes. The canes are progressively thinned out and aligned in the direction of travel and, at a point where substantially all the stalks are aligned in the direction of travel, they are chopped into shorter lengths while moving longitudinally. The chopped lengths are then realigned. At some point in their travel, the stalks are projected at high velocity across a vertical discontinuity in the conveyor means to cause the stalks to become partially airborne, at which time fluid is directed through the stalks to remove trash. Apparatus for preparing a mass of randomly oriented, slender cane stalks for subsequent processing includes a series of separate conveyors successively receiving the stalks. Some of the conveyors in the series are arranged with their downstream ends spaced vertically above and overlapping the upstream ends of the next succeeding conveyors to define cascading junctions, between adjacent conveyors at which a vertical deflection is imparted to the stalks. At least one pair of successively related, cascading conveyors have their respective directions of travel aligned and another pair of successively related, cascading conveyors have their respective directions of travel transversely inclined. With this arrangement, the stalks are subjected to simultaneous vertical and accelerating forces, the latter being at separate times in different perpendicularly related directions, thereby facilitating disentangling and alignment of the canes. A chopping means is positioned adjacent one of the conveyor means positioned sufficiently downstream, at a point where almost all of the canes are travelling longitudinally. The chopping means cuts the stalks transversely thereof into uniform shorter lengths, while they are moving longitudinally. Realigning means positioned adjacent the chopping means realign the chopped lengths of stalk in parallel relation. At some point in their travel, the conveyor means project the stalks at sufficiently high velocity across a transversely extending, vertical discontinuity in the series of conveyor means to cause the stalks to become at least partially airborne durIng which time fluid-directing means directs fluid through the stalks to remove trash.
Inventors
- 👤 Sydney E Tilby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 00:51
CPC Classifications
C; C13; C13B; C13B5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
371 words
A method of preparing a mass of randomly oriented slender sugarcane stalks for subsequent processing, the method comprising the steps of: delivering the randomly oriented mass of sugarcane stalks onto a series of conveyor means; subjecting the mass of stalks to a sudden vertical deflection at a first junction between two of the conveyor means in the series to cause the leading portions of individual stalks in the mass to experience an abrupt deflecting motion in the vertical direction and simultaneously subjecting the leading edge portions of the stalk to a force in the direction of travel of the conveyor means downstream of the first junction tending to accelerate the individual stalks in the direction of travel of the conveyor means receiving the stalks with the force aligned with the direction of travel of the conveyor means upstream of the first junction; subjecting the mass of stalks to another sudden vertical deflection at a second junction between successive conveyor means in the series to cause the leading portions of individual stalks in the mass to experience an abrupt deflecting motion in a vertical direction and simultaneously subjecting the leading edge portions of the stalks to a force in the direction of travel of the conveyor means downstream of the second junction with the force inclined transversely to the direction of travel of the conveyor means upstream of the second junction; accelerating the mass along the conveyor means to cause the mass of stalks to become thinned in the direction of travel; raking the upper portion of the mass of stalks during travel to assist in thinning the mass in the direction of travel and to assist in spreading the mass of stalks laterally of the direction of travel; chopping the stalks transversely thereof into relatively shorter lengths, the chopping of the stalks including the steps of: periodically gripping portions of the stalks between mating surfaces moving in alignment with the stalks to advance the stalks longitudinally; and severing the stalks transversely thereof while in the gripped condition at a point rearwardly adjacent the gripped portion of the stalk; delivering the chopped stalks to a work station; and directing fluid through the stalks at some point during their travel to remove trash.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
371 words
A method of preparing a mass of randomly oriented slender sugarcane stalks for subsequent processing, the method comprising the steps of: delivering the randomly oriented mass of sugarcane stalks onto a series of conveyor means; subjecting the mass of stalks to a sudden vertical deflection at a first junction between two of the conveyor means in the series to cause the leading portions of individual stalks in the mass to experience an abrupt deflecting motion in the vertical direction and simultaneously subjecting the leading edge portions of the stalk to a force in the direction of travel of the conveyor means downstream of the first junction tending to accelerate the individual stalks in the direction of travel of the conveyor means receiving the stalks with the force aligned with the direction of travel of the conveyor means upstream of the first junction; subjecting the mass of stalks to another sudden vertical deflection at a second junction between successive conveyor means in the series to cause the leading portions of individual stalks in the mass to experience an abrupt deflecting motion in a vertical direction and simultaneously subjecting the leading edge portions of the stalks to a force in the direction of travel of the conveyor means downstream of the second junction with the force inclined transversely to the direction of travel of the conveyor means upstream of the second junction; accelerating the mass along the conveyor means to cause the mass of stalks to become thinned in the direction of travel; raking the upper portion of the mass of stalks during travel to assist in thinning the mass in the direction of travel and to assist in spreading the mass of stalks laterally of the direction of travel; chopping the stalks transversely thereof into relatively shorter lengths, the chopping of the stalks including the steps of: periodically gripping portions of the stalks between mating surfaces moving in alignment with the stalks to advance the stalks longitudinally; and severing the stalks transversely thereof while in the gripped condition at a point rearwardly adjacent the gripped portion of the stalk; delivering the chopped stalks to a work station; and directing fluid through the stalks at some point during their travel to remove trash.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
392 words
A method of preparing a mass of randomly oriented slender sugarcane stalks for subsequent processing, the method comprising the steps of: delivering the mass of randomly oriented sugarcane stalks to the first of a series of separate conveyor means arranged to successively receive and convey the mass of stalks; subjecting the mass of stalks to a sudden vertical deflection in one direction at a first junction between successive conveyor means in the series to cause the leading edge portions of individual canes in the mass to experience abrupt deflecting motion in the one vertical direction and simultaneously subjecting the leading edge portions to a force aligned with the direction of travel of the conveyor means upstream of the first junction in the direction of travel of the conveyor means downstream of the first junction tending to accelerate the individual stalks in the direction of travel of the conveyor means receiving the stalks; subjecting the mass of stalks to another vertical deflection in an opposite direction to the first vertical direction at a second junction between successive conveyor means in the series to cause the leading portions of individual stalks in the mass to experience an abrupt deflecting motion in an opposite vertical direction and simultaneously subjecting the leading edge portions of the individual stalks to a force in the direction of travel of the conveyor means receiving the stalks downstream of the second junction but with the force applied to the leading edge portions of the stalks downstream of the second junction inclined transversely to that applied to the leading edge portions of the stAlks upstream of the second junction; chopping the stalks transversely thereof into relatively shorter lengths while the stalks are traveling in longitudinal alignment with the direction of travel; raking the stalks in the upper part of the mass thereof at some point in their travel to spread the stalks; dropping the chopped stalk portions onto a plurality of parallel longitudinal equally spaced ribs with alternate ones of the ribs projecting vertically above the other of the ribs at a spacing apart a small amount greater than the length of the chopped portions of the stalk; directing the fluid through the stalks at some point in their travels to remove the trash therefrom; and delivering the aligned chopped sugarcane stalks to a work station for longitudinal splitting and depithing.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
392 words
A method of preparing a mass of randomly oriented slender sugarcane stalks for subsequent processing, the method comprising the steps of: delivering the mass of randomly oriented sugarcane stalks to the first of a series of separate conveyor means arranged to successively receive and convey the mass of stalks; subjecting the mass of stalks to a sudden vertical deflection in one direction at a first junction between successive conveyor means in the series to cause the leading edge portions of individual canes in the mass to experience abrupt deflecting motion in the one vertical direction and simultaneously subjecting the leading edge portions to a force aligned with the direction of travel of the conveyor means upstream of the first junction in the direction of travel of the conveyor means downstream of the first junction tending to accelerate the individual stalks in the direction of travel of the conveyor means receiving the stalks; subjecting the mass of stalks to another vertical deflection in an opposite direction to the first vertical direction at a second junction between successive conveyor means in the series to cause the leading portions of individual stalks in the mass to experience an abrupt deflecting motion in an opposite vertical direction and simultaneously subjecting the leading edge portions of the individual stalks to a force in the direction of travel of the conveyor means receiving the stalks downstream of the second junction but with the force applied to the leading edge portions of the stalks downstream of the second junction inclined transversely to that applied to the leading edge portions of the stAlks upstream of the second junction; chopping the stalks transversely thereof into relatively shorter lengths while the stalks are traveling in longitudinal alignment with the direction of travel; raking the stalks in the upper part of the mass thereof at some point in their travel to spread the stalks; dropping the chopped stalk portions onto a plurality of parallel longitudinal equally spaced ribs with alternate ones of the ribs projecting vertically above the other of the ribs at a spacing apart a small amount greater than the length of the chopped portions of the stalk; directing the fluid through the stalks at some point in their travels to remove the trash therefrom; and delivering the aligned chopped sugarcane stalks to a work station for longitudinal splitting and depithing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
112 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the step of directing fluid through the stalks includes: transferring the chopped stalks onto downwardly inclined second conveyor means having a foraminous surface; applying suction internally of the conveyor means to adhere the trash to the foraminous surface of the conveyor means; delivering the stalks from a downstream end of the conveyor means while continuing to apply suction to adhere the trash to the foraminous surface of the conveyor means; ceasing suction at a point downstream of the point at which the cane stalks were delivered to cause the trash to fall from the conveyor means; and conveying the trash to a separate location.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
299 words
In a method wherein a mass of trash-containing randomly oriented slender sugarcane stalks is prepared for subsequent longitudinal splitting and depithing of each individual stalk, the improvement which comprises: delivering the randomly oriented mass of sugarcane stalks onto conveyor means; subjecting the mass of stalks to a sudden vertical deflection at a first junction between two of the conveyor means in the series to cause the leading portions of individual stalks in the mass to experience an abrupt deflecting motion in the vertical direction and simultaneously subjecting the leading edge portions of the stalk to a force in the direction of travel of the conveyor means downstream of the first junction tending to accelerate the individual stalks in the direction of travel of the conveyor means receiving the stalks with the force aligned with the direction of travel of the conveyor means upstream of the first junction; subjecting the mass of stalks to another sudden vertical deflection at a second junction between successive conveyor means in the series to cause the leading portions of individual stalks in the mass to experience an abrupt deflecting motion in a vertical direction and simultaneously subjecting the leading edge portions of the stalks to a force in the direction of travel of the conveyor means downstream of the second junction with the force inclined transversely to the direction of travel of the conveyor means upstream of the second junction; wherein at the time of reaching a final one in the series of conveyor means, substantially all of the stalks in the mass are aligned longitudinally in the direction of travel of the final one of the conveyor means; and chopping the stalks transversely thereof into relatively shorter chopped lengths as the stalks are fed outwardly from the final one of the conveying means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
299 words
In a method wherein a mass of trash-containing randomly oriented slender sugarcane stalks is prepared for subsequent longitudinal splitting and depithing of each individual stalk, the improvement which comprises: delivering the randomly oriented mass of sugarcane stalks onto conveyor means; subjecting the mass of stalks to a sudden vertical deflection at a first junction between two of the conveyor means in the series to cause the leading portions of individual stalks in the mass to experience an abrupt deflecting motion in the vertical direction and simultaneously subjecting the leading edge portions of the stalk to a force in the direction of travel of the conveyor means downstream of the first junction tending to accelerate the individual stalks in the direction of travel of the conveyor means receiving the stalks with the force aligned with the direction of travel of the conveyor means upstream of the first junction; subjecting the mass of stalks to another sudden vertical deflection at a second junction between successive conveyor means in the series to cause the leading portions of individual stalks in the mass to experience an abrupt deflecting motion in a vertical direction and simultaneously subjecting the leading edge portions of the stalks to a force in the direction of travel of the conveyor means downstream of the second junction with the force inclined transversely to the direction of travel of the conveyor means upstream of the second junction; wherein at the time of reaching a final one in the series of conveyor means, substantially all of the stalks in the mass are aligned longitudinally in the direction of travel of the final one of the conveyor means; and chopping the stalks transversely thereof into relatively shorter chopped lengths as the stalks are fed outwardly from the final one of the conveying means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as defined in claim 14, further including the step of: directing fluid through the mass of stalks at some point during their travel to remove trash mixed with the stalks.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as defined in claim 14 including an additional realigning step subsequent to the step of chopping the stalks, the realigning step including: receiving the chopped lengths of stalks; and guiding the chopped lengths of the stalks into parallel longitudinal alignment one with another.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
160 words
A method as defined in claim 16 wherein the step of guiding the chopped lengths of the stalks includes: DROPPING the chopped lengths of stalk randomly into a plurality of parallel, longitudinally extending first channels of greater transverse extent than that of the chopped length of the stalk, the channels being provided by longitudinally and vertically extending sidewalls; diving dividing each of the first channels into at least two, second longitudinally extending channels by providing at least one intermediate wall between and spaced below the sidewalls, each of the second channels being of less transverse extent than that of the chopped length of stalk whereby the chopped lengths fall from the first into the second channels; providing third conveyor means beneath the walls to move the chopped lengths along the second channels; and converging the walls defining the second channels in the direction of motion of the third conveyor means to progressively longitudinally align the chopped length of the stalk.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as defined in claim 16 including the step of: directing fluid through the stalks at some point during their travel to remove trash mixed with the stalks.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
398 words
In a method wherein a mass of trash-containing randomly oriented slender sugarcane stalks is prepared for subsequent longitudinal splitting and depithing of each individual stalk, the improvement which comprises: delivering the randomly oriented mass of sugarcane stalks onto conveyor means; subjecting the mass of stalks to a sudden vertical deflection at a first junction between two of the conveyor means in the series to cause the leading portions of individual stalks in the mass to experience an abrupt deflecting motion in the vertical direction and simultaneously subjecting the leading edge portions of the stalk to a force in the direction of travel of the conveyor means downstream of the first junction tending to accelerate the individual stalks in the direction of travel of the conveyor means receiving the stalks with the force aligned in the direction of travel of the conveyor means upstream of the first junction; subjecting the mass of stalks to another sudden vertical deflection at a second junction between successive conveyor means in the series to cause the leading portions of individual stalks in the mass to experience an abrupt deflecting motion in a vertical direction and simultaneously subjecting the leading edge portions of the stalks to a force in the direction of travel of the conveyor means downstream of the second junction with the force inclined transversely to the direction of travel of the conveyor means upstream of the second junction; accelerating the mass along the conveyor means to cause the mass of stalks to become thinned in the direction of travel; raking the upper portion of the mass of stalks during travel to assist in thinning the mass in the direction of travel and to assist in spreading the mass of stalks laterally of the direction of travel; chopping the stalks transversely thereof into relatively shorter lengths, the chopping of the stalks including the steps of: periodically gripping portions of the stalks between mating surfaces moving in alignment with the stalks to advance the stalks longitudinally; and severing the stalks transversely thereof while in the gripped condition at a point rearwardly adjacent the gripped portion of the stalk; directing fluid through the stalks at some point during their travel to remove trash, guiding the chopped stalks into parallel longitudinal alignment with one another; and delivering the aligned chopped stalks to a work station for longitudinal splitting and depithing of the chopped stalks individually.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
398 words
In a method wherein a mass of trash-containing randomly oriented slender sugarcane stalks is prepared for subsequent longitudinal splitting and depithing of each individual stalk, the improvement which comprises: delivering the randomly oriented mass of sugarcane stalks onto conveyor means; subjecting the mass of stalks to a sudden vertical deflection at a first junction between two of the conveyor means in the series to cause the leading portions of individual stalks in the mass to experience an abrupt deflecting motion in the vertical direction and simultaneously subjecting the leading edge portions of the stalk to a force in the direction of travel of the conveyor means downstream of the first junction tending to accelerate the individual stalks in the direction of travel of the conveyor means receiving the stalks with the force aligned in the direction of travel of the conveyor means upstream of the first junction; subjecting the mass of stalks to another sudden vertical deflection at a second junction between successive conveyor means in the series to cause the leading portions of individual stalks in the mass to experience an abrupt deflecting motion in a vertical direction and simultaneously subjecting the leading edge portions of the stalks to a force in the direction of travel of the conveyor means downstream of the second junction with the force inclined transversely to the direction of travel of the conveyor means upstream of the second junction; accelerating the mass along the conveyor means to cause the mass of stalks to become thinned in the direction of travel; raking the upper portion of the mass of stalks during travel to assist in thinning the mass in the direction of travel and to assist in spreading the mass of stalks laterally of the direction of travel; chopping the stalks transversely thereof into relatively shorter lengths, the chopping of the stalks including the steps of: periodically gripping portions of the stalks between mating surfaces moving in alignment with the stalks to advance the stalks longitudinally; and severing the stalks transversely thereof while in the gripped condition at a point rearwardly adjacent the gripped portion of the stalk; directing fluid through the stalks at some point during their travel to remove trash, guiding the chopped stalks into parallel longitudinal alignment with one another; and delivering the aligned chopped stalks to a work station for longitudinal splitting and depithing of the chopped stalks individually.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
266 words
A method of preparing cane stalks for subsequent processing, the method comprising the steps of: dumping the stalks in a randomly oriented mass comprising at least several tons, on conveyor means; accelerating the mass along the conveyor means to cause the mass of stalks to become thinned in the direction of travel; raking the upper portion of the mass of stalks during travel to assist in thinning the mass in the direction of travel and to assist in spreading the mass of stalks laterally of the direction of travel; providing at least one abrupt bend in the conveyor means at which the direction of travel downstream of the bend is substantially transverse to the direction of travel upstream of the bend to cause a centrifugal toppling effect to be exerted on stalks in the upper part of the mass thereof relative to stalks in the lower part thereof at the bend tending to spread the stalks laterally of the conveyor means downstream of the bend; aligning the stalks longitudinally in the direction of travel of the conveyor means; whereby a flow of stalks substantially a single layer thick with individual stalks aligned in the direction of feed of the conveyor means is achieved; and chopping the stalks transversely thereof into relatively shorter lengths, the step of chopping the stalks including the steps of: periodically gripping portions of the stalks between resilient, mating surfaces moving in alignment with the stalks to advance the stalks longitudinally; and severing the stalks transversely thereof while in the gripped condition at a point rearwardly adjacent the gripped portion of the stalk.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
266 words
A method of preparing cane stalks for subsequent processing, the method comprising the steps of: dumping the stalks in a randomly oriented mass comprising at least several tons, on conveyor means; accelerating the mass along the conveyor means to cause the mass of stalks to become thinned in the direction of travel; raking the upper portion of the mass of stalks during travel to assist in thinning the mass in the direction of travel and to assist in spreading the mass of stalks laterally of the direction of travel; providing at least one abrupt bend in the conveyor means at which the direction of travel downstream of the bend is substantially transverse to the direction of travel upstream of the bend to cause a centrifugal toppling effect to be exerted on stalks in the upper part of the mass thereof relative to stalks in the lower part thereof at the bend tending to spread the stalks laterally of the conveyor means downstream of the bend; aligning the stalks longitudinally in the direction of travel of the conveyor means; whereby a flow of stalks substantially a single layer thick with individual stalks aligned in the direction of feed of the conveyor means is achieved; and chopping the stalks transversely thereof into relatively shorter lengths, the step of chopping the stalks including the steps of: periodically gripping portions of the stalks between resilient, mating surfaces moving in alignment with the stalks to advance the stalks longitudinally; and severing the stalks transversely thereof while in the gripped condition at a point rearwardly adjacent the gripped portion of the stalk.
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) | 1974-03-01 | 1974-08-31 | 1975-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-01 | 1978-08-31 | 1979-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-01 | 1982-08-31 | 1983-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |