US3571971A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic flat filler and dibbler
Assignee: Hoyer Foundry and Machine Co
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Filing: 1968-05-23
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Granted: 1971-03-23
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Expires: 1988-05-23
Abstract
Abstract An automatic flat filler and dibbler apparatus wherein empty nursery flats are conveyed to a hopper device and filled with packing media, such as soil. The filled flats pass under a compacting roller for compressing the material within the flats and are then moved under a scraper for removing excess soil from the flats. The filled flats are then transported to a dibbler mechanism with the flats being momentarily stopped to permit a dibbler plate to be pressed into the soil to form a plurality of dibbles or openings therein. The flat is then removed from the dibbler apparatus and is in condition for receiving transplants.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J Broersma
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 06:21
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G9/00; A01G9/08; A01G9/081; A01G9/088; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S47/00; Y10S47/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further including first sensing means mounted on said stop means for sensing the presence of said one tray and for initiating the movement of said dibbler means from said first position toward said second position, second sensing means movably mounted on said frame adjacent said conveyor member for indicating when no tray is positioned in alignment with said dibbler means for causing said stop means to be disposed within the path of movement of said trays, and third sensing means mounted on said frame within the path of movement of said dibbler means and adapted for contacting said dibbler means for indicating when the dibbler means has completed the dibbling operation and for withdrawing the stop means out of the path of movement of said one tray for permitting the continuously running conveyor member to move the tray out of said predetermined position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
267 words
An apparatus for forming dibbles in trays containing packing media and movable along a path, said apparatus comprising: a frame adapted to be supported on a support surface; dibbler means mounted on said frame for reciprocating movement between first and second positions along a line of movement which intersects the path of movement of said trays, said dibbler means when in said second position being adapted to form openings within packing media contained within a tray; drive means mounted on said frame for causing reciprocation of said dibbler means between said first and second positions; stop means for positioning one of said trays within a predetermined position in alignment with said dibbler means, said stop means including a stop member movably mounted on said frame for movement between first and second positions, said stop member when in said first position being disposed within the path of movement of said trays for positively contacting one of said trays and maintaining said tray in said predetermined position whereby movement of said dibbler means to said second position causes said tray to be dibbled, said stop member when in said second position being laterally displaced from the path of movement of said trays for permitting said dibbled tray to be moved out of said predetermined position; said stop means further including a drive unit interconnected to said stop member for moving same between said first and second positions; and sensing means for indicating when no tray is positioned in said predetermined position and interconnected to said drive unit for activating same to move said stop member to said first position.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
275 words
An apparatus for forming dibbles in trays containing packing media and movable along a path, said apparatus comprising: a frame adapted to be supported on a support surface; dibbler means mounted on said frame for reciprocating movement between first and second positions along a line of movement which intersects the path of movement of said trays, said dibbler means when in said second position being adapted to form openings within packing media contained within a tray; drive means mounted on said frame for causing reciprocation of said dibbler means between said first and second positions; stop means for positioning one of said trays within a predetermined position in alignement with said dibbler means, said stop means including a stop member movably mounted on said frame for movement between first and second positions, said stop member when in said first position being disposed within the path of movement of said trays for positively contacting one of said trays and maintaining said tray in said predetermined position whereby movement of said dibbler means to said second position causes said tray to be dibbled, said stop member when in said second position being laterally displaced from the path of movement of said trays for permitting said dibbled tray to be moved out of said predetermined position; and actuating means for sensing the presence of a tray in said predetermined position and for energizing said drive means for causing movement of said dibbler means from said first toward said second position, said actuating means including an actuating member movably mounted on said stop member and disposed for contacting a tray as said tray is moved into said predetermined position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, further including reversing means coacting between said dibbler means and said frame for automatically reversing said drive means for returning said dibbler means to said first position after same reaches said second position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said stop means includes: a drive unit interconnected to said stop member for moving same between said first and second positions; and sensing means for indicating when no tray is positioned in said predetermined position and interconnected to said drive unit for activating same to move said stop member to said first position.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
274 words
An apparatus for forming dibbles in trays containing packing media and movable along a path, said apparatus comprising: a frame adapted to be supported on a support surface; dibbler means mounted on said frame for reciprocating movement between first and second positions along a line of movement which intersects the path of movement of said trays, said dibbler means when in said second position being adapted to form openings within packing media contained within a tray; drive means mounted on said frame for causing reciprocation of said dibbler means between said first and second positions; stop means for positioning one of said trays within a predetermined position in alignment with said dibbler means, said stop means including a stop member movably mounted on said frame for movement between first and second positions, said stop member when in said first position being disposed within the path of movement of said trays for positively contacting one of said trays and maintaining said tray in said predetermined position whereby movement of said dibbler means to said second position causes said tray to be dibbled, said stop member when in said second position being laterally displaced from the path of movement of said trays for permitting said dibbled tray to be moved out of said predetermined position; said stop means further including a drive unit interconnected to said stop member for causing movement thereof between said first and second positions; and control means, including circuitry means, operably interconnected between said drive means and said drive unit for automatically controlling the movements of said stop member and said dibbler means relative to each other and relative to said frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said drive means includes a first fluid-pressure power cylinder interconnected to said dibbler means for causing movement thereof between said first and second positions; said drive unit comprising a second fluid-pressure power cylinder interconnected to said stop member for causing movement thereof between said first and second positions; and said circuitry means including a pneumatic fluid pressure circuit interconnected between said first and second power cyLinders, said circuit including valve means for controlling the flow of pressure fluid to said first and second power cylinders.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
189 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said control means includes: first means for sensing the presence of a tray in said predetermined position and for causing energization of said drive unit for moving said stop member to said first position when no tray is present in said predetermined position: second means for sensing the presence of a tray in said predetermined position and interconnected to said drive means for causing energization of same for moving said dibbler means from said first toward second position when a tray is present in said predetermined position; third means for sensing the presence of said dibbler means in said second position and interconnected to said drive means for reversing the energization thereof to automatically move said drive means from said second position back toward said first position; and fourth means for sensing the movement of said dibbler means from said second position toward said first position and interconnected to said drive unit for automatically causing energization thereof for moving said stop member from said first position to said second position for permitting the dibbled tray to be removed from said predetermined position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
92 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said drive means comprises: a first fluid-pressure power cylinder; said drive unit comprising a second fluid pressure power cylinder; and said control means including a fluid-pressure circuit having first valve means associated with and comprising a portion of said first sensing means, second valve means associated with and comprising a portion of said second sensing means, third valve means associated with and comprising a portion of said third sensing means, and fourth valve means associated with and comprising a portion of said fourth sensing means.
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) | 1974-03-22 | 1974-09-21 | 1975-03-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-22 | 1978-09-21 | 1979-03-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-22 | 1982-09-21 | 1983-03-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |