Patent US3568894A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3568894A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Means to meter granular or particulate material
Assignee: ALLEN-HARPER Inc
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Filing: 1969-01-21
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Granted: 1971-03-09
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Expires: 1989-01-21
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus to meter granular or particulate material including a bottomless hopper, means to introduce granular or particulate material into the hopper, a horizontal plate disposed beneath said hopper, the edges of said plate extending outwardly of said hopper, the plate supporting the material within said hopper with a portion of the material peripherally exterior of the hopper and resting on the plate at its angle of repose, and means to oscillate the plate in its plane to distribute the material over the edges thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth M Allen
- 👤 Chester H Harper
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:31
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B37/00; B65B37/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
In an apparatus for metering particulate material: a hopper open at its bottom for holding particulate material of a predetermined maximum thickness in a column therein; a bottom plate disposed beneath and covering the projected area of the hopper and onto which plate said material falls; the plate being spaced below the lower edge of the wall of the hopper a distance several times greater than said maximum thickness; the edges of said plate being positioned outwardly of the hopper beyond the angle of repose of the material on the plate; means to oscillate the plate at least partially transversely of the wall of the hopper to push material over the edge of the plate; a vertical shaft coaxially mounted within said hopper; cam means eccentrically mounted on the bottom of said shaft; bearing means coaxially journaled on said cam means; said horizontal plate being attached to said bearing means; and means to axially rotate said shaft to cause said cam means to oscillate said bearing means and said plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
In an apparatus for metering particulate material: a hopper open at its bottom for holding particulate material of a predetermined maximum thickness in a column therein; a bottom plate disposed beneath and covering the projected area of the hopper and onto which plate said material falls; the plate being spaced below the lower edge of the wall of the hopper a distance several times greater than said maximum thickness; the edges of said plate being positioned outwardly of the hopper beyond the angle of repose of the material on the plate; means to oscillate the plate at least partially transversely of the wall of the hopper to push material over the edge of the plate; a vertical shaft coaxially mounted within said hopper; cam means eccentrically mounted on the bottom of said shaft; bearing means coaxially journaled on said cam means; said horizontal plate being attached to said bearing means; and means to axially rotate said shaft to cause said cam means to oscillate said bearing means and said plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means attached to said shaft within said hopper to agitate said material therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which said agitating means comprise a plurality of radially extending wires attached to said shaft with said hopper.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means to prevent said horizontal plate from rotating about its vertical axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 4 in which said preventing means comprises spring means attached to said plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 5 in which said plate oscillates in a generally circular pattern.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said horizontal plate comprises a circular plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 7 in which said circular plate is coaxial with said bearing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a metering apparatus: a hopper comprising a vertical cylinder having a lower discharge portion open at the bottom thereof and adapted to laterally confine a vertical column of particulate material; a bottom disc; means mounting the bottom disc below the opening and spaced from the bottom edge of the discharge portion of the hopper a distance several times the average thickness of particulate material in the hopper and supporting the disc for oscillating movement thereof at least partially transverse to the wall of the discharge portion between extremes in which the entire outer edge of the plate is positioned outwardly beyond the angle of repose of the column of material in the hopper and on the plate; and drive means for effecting such oscillating movement of the plate and comprising an eccentric drive serving to oscillate the plate in a circular path centered on the hopper.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a metering apparatus: a hopper comprising a vertical cylinder having a lower discharge portion open at the bottom thereof and adapted to laterally confine a vertical column of particulate material; a bottom disc; means mounting the bottom disc below the opening and spaced from the bottom edge of the discharge portion of the hopper a distance several times the average thickness of particulate material in the hopper and supporting the disc for oscillating movement thereof at least partially transverse to the wall of the discharge portion between extremes in which the entire outer edge of the plate is positioned outwardly beyond the angle of repose of the column of material in the hopper and on the plate; and drive means for effecting such oscillating movement of the plate and comprising an eccentric drive serving to oscillate the plate in a circular path centered on the hopper.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 9 including means for preventing rotation of the plate relative to the hopper.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-08 | 1974-09-07 | 1975-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-08 | 1978-09-07 | 1979-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-08 | 1982-09-07 | 1983-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |