US3585785A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic can packer for pineapple slices
Assignee: Castle and Cooke Inc
•
Filing: 1969-12-15
•
Granted: 1971-06-22
•
Expires: 1989-12-15
Abstract
Abstract Pineapple slices are loaded automatically into a substantially cylindrical pocket in an intermittently rotating turret and carried to a can loading station where the load is discharged into an empty can. A plunger normally maintains the loading end of the empty pocket closed but retracts within the pocket as it is loaded. The extent of retraction of the plunger determines the number of slices in the load and is variably controlled by adjustably limiting the projection of the plunger rod out of the pocket. The plunger remains in retracted position until the can loading station is reached where the plunger rod is actuated to move the plunger back to normal position and to discharge the load into the can. The plunger may be moved beyond normal position so as to enter the can somewhat and thereby to compact the load of slices in the can.
Inventors
- 👤 Russell R Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 08:36
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B5/00; B65B5/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
Apparatus for canning sliced pineapple having a rotatable turret with at least one substantially cylindrical axially aligned pocket and indexing mechanism for intermittently rotating said turret and stopping it with said pocket at a pocket loading station and then at a can loading station, wherein a can load of pineapple slices is fed on edge to said pocket at said pocket loading station, carried in said pocket to said can loading station, and there discharged into an empty can, in which the improvement comprises a plunger movable axially in said pocket with a plunger operating rod projecting out of the end of said pocket, said plunger being movable between an outer pocket-closing position where its outer face is flush with the adjacent face of the turret and an inner retracted position where the pocket is capable of receiving a can load of pineapple slices corresponding to the size of the empty can, stationary guide means slidably engaged by the end of said plunger rod for maintaining the plunger in one or the other of said positions during certain portions of the rotation of the turret, and operating means engaging said rod at said can loading station for moving said plunger from its inner position to its outer position to discharge the load of pineapple slices into the empty can.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
219 words
Apparatus for canning sliced pineapple having a rotatable turret with at least one substantially cylindrical axially aligned pocket and indexing mechanism for intermittently rotating said turret and stopping it with said pocket at a pocket loading station and then at a can loading station, wherein a can load of pineapple slices is fed on edge to said pocket at said pocket loading station, carried in said pocket to said can loading station, and there discharged into an empty can, in which the improvement comprises a plunger movable axially in said pocket with a plunger operating rod projecting out of the end of said pocket, said plunger being movable between an outer pocket-closing position where its outer face is flush with the adjacent face of the turret and an inner retracted position where the pocket is capable of receiving a can load of pineapple slices corresponding to the size of the empty can, stationary guide means slidably engaged by the end of said plunger rod for maintaining the plunger in one or the other of said positions during certain portions of the rotation of the turret, and operating means engaging said rod at said can loading station for moving said plunger from its inner position to its outer position to discharge the load of pineapple slices into the empty can.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, certain of said stationary guide means maintaining said plunger in its outer position and terminating at said pocket loading position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, said plunger at said pocket loading station being free to retract in said pocket as the load of pineapple slices advances into the pocket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, certain of said stationary guide means being located at said pocket loading station to limit the projection of said rod out of said pocket and thereby to control the size of said can load.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4, said extension-limiting guide means at said pocket loading station being adjustably mounted to enable variation of the size of said can load.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4, including a slice-retaining member having a surface closely adjacent the loading end of said pocket as it moves from said pocket loading station to said can loading station.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, including at said can loading station a power-operated means for engaging the end of said plunger rod and moving said plunger to its outer position to discharge the load of pineapple slices into the can.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7, the movement of said plunger rod being sufficient to move said plunger partially out of the pocket and into the open end of the can to seat the load therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8, including resilient means interposed between said plunger rod and turret structure for resisting movement of said plunger into said can end for returning said plunger to its flush outer position on withdrawal of said power-operated means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9, said power-operated means including a cam having a rise to move said plunger rod in its load-discharging stroke, said cam also having a dwell which limits the return movement of said plunger under the influence of said resilient 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) | 1974-06-21 | 1974-12-21 | 1975-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-21 | 1978-12-21 | 1979-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-21 | 1982-12-21 | 1983-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |