US3581949A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Controlled volumetric feeding apparatus
Assignee: RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co
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Filing: 1968-11-12
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Granted: 1971-06-01
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Expires: 1988-11-12
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for feeding a supply of a multiple element material at a controlled volumetric rate comprising a drum mounted for rotation about an inclined axis with a large intake opening at its raised end and a feed scoop and discharge spout mounted on a removable discharge head on its lower end. As the drum rotates, longitudinal bars located on its inner surface near the discharge end keep the feed material tumbling and the feed scoop passing through the mass of material lifts a measured amount upwardly dumping it by gravity into the discharge spout. The discharge spout and its cooperating semicircular opening are axially offset on the head permitting the use of a larger spout for a given drum size and the lip of the intake opening is arranged to be lower than the upper edge of the discharge spout to prevent uncontrolled discharge of the material through the spout in the event of overfeeding of the drum.
Inventors
- 👤 Lucas Jones Conrad
- 👤 Jesse Randolph Pinkham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 15:52
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47F; A47F1/00; A47F1/02; A47F1/03; A47F1/035; A22; A22C; A22C21/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
In a volumetric feeder of the type including a drum for holding the material to be fed, said drum rotating about an inclined axis and having an input opening at its raised end and a discharge opening at its lower end, the improvement which comprises a discharge head at the lower end having a spout member thereon defining said discharge opening, said spout member blocking the dischArge of the material in the bottom of said drum and directing material through said discharge opening when fed from above and the entrance of said discharge opening being disposed farther from the bottom of the drum than the edge of said input opening to prevent uncontrolled feeding through said discharge opening when the drum is oversupplied.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
In a volumetric feeder of the type including a drum for holding the material to be fed, said drum rotating about an inclined axis and having an input opening at its raised end and a discharge opening at its lower end, the improvement which comprises a discharge head at the lower end having a spout member thereon defining said discharge opening, said spout member blocking the dischArge of the material in the bottom of said drum and directing material through said discharge opening when fed from above and the entrance of said discharge opening being disposed farther from the bottom of the drum than the edge of said input opening to prevent uncontrolled feeding through said discharge opening when the drum is oversupplied.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
147 words
A controlled volumetric feeder apparatus comprising: a. drum for holding material to be fed, said drum being mounted for rotation about an inclined axis and having an intake opening at its raised end; b. a discharge head mounted on the lower end of said drum for rotation therewith, said head having a discharge opening therein with its center offset from the axis of said drum; c. means disposed near the periphery of said discharge head and rotating therewith for picking up a given amount of material during each rotation and dropping the material during a particular portion of its rotation; and d. a spout member on said head defining said discharge opening, and for blocking the discharge of the material in the bottom of said drum through said offset discharge opening and receiving the material dropping from said pickup means and directing it through said discharge opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
147 words
A controlled volumetric feeder apparatus comprising: a. drum for holding material to be fed, said drum being mounted for rotation about an inclined axis and having an intake opening at its raised end; b. a discharge head mounted on the lower end of said drum for rotation therewith, said head having a discharge opening therein with its center offset from the axis of said drum; c. means disposed near the periphery of said discharge head and rotating therewith for picking up a given amount of material during each rotation and dropping the material during a particular portion of its rotation; and d. a spout member on said head defining said discharge opening, and for blocking the discharge of the material in the bottom of said drum through said offset discharge opening and receiving the material dropping from said pickup means and directing it through said discharge opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said pickup means is mounted on said discharge head.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
85 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of lugs on the periphery of said discharge head and means on the discharge end of said drum defining slots having an entrance portion accommodating the passage of said lugs and an offset portion extending from said entrance portion in a direction opposite to the direction of drum rotation and holding said lugs therein during drum rotation so as to permit the mounting and removal of said head on said drum by simple manual manipulation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising means on the inner surface of said drum near said discharge head for agitating the material therein during drum rotation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the entrance to said discharge opening is disposed farther from the bottom of said drum than the edge of said intake opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said discharge opening comprises a semicircle with its center of revolution offset along a radial line containing its straight edge from the axis of rotation of said drum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said discharge head comprises a circular plate with a concentric annulus of conical cross section at its periphery.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-31 | 1974-11-30 | 1975-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-31 | 1978-11-30 | 1979-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-31 | 1982-11-30 | 1983-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |