US3590994A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fruit sorting and box filling device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-04-18
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Granted: 1971-07-06
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Expires: 1989-04-18
Abstract
Abstract A device for grading fruits according to their sizes and for gently depositing them in a container. The fruits are picked up in a reservoir by a conveyor belt. The fruits larger than a predetermined size are then deposited in horizontal carriers moving continuously on an endless chain. At a position of transfer, the fruits in the horizontal carriers are deposited in a vertical carrier which deposit them in a container.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger Goudreau
- 👤 Jean-Jacques Jobin
- 👤 Fernand Goudreau
- 👤 Yvon Roy
- 👤 Luigi Vaccaro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:19
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G17/00; B65G17/30; B65G17/32; B65G17/36; B07; B07B; B07B13/00; B07B13/04; B07B13/07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/04; B07C5/06; B07C5/07; B65G17/12; B65G17/126; B65G69/00; B65G69/16; B65G69/165; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02; B65G2201/0202; B65G2201/0211
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A device for sorting fruits and depositing them in containers, comprising: means for sorting fruits of predetermined sizes; a pair of spaced endless chains adapted to move in a vertical plane at a slow speed; a plurality of horizontal carriers mounted at spaced interVals on the said chains for carrying the fruits towards at least one transfer position, the said horizontal carriers being pivotally suspended on and between the pair of chains for pivotal freedom about a horizontal transverse axis so that the carriers maintain their upright position throughout the movement of the chain; means for opening the carriers at the transfer position; and means for vertically carrying the fruits from the transfer position down into a container.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
118 words
A device for sorting fruits and depositing them in containers, comprising: means for sorting fruits of predetermined sizes; a pair of spaced endless chains adapted to move in a vertical plane at a slow speed; a plurality of horizontal carriers mounted at spaced interVals on the said chains for carrying the fruits towards at least one transfer position, the said horizontal carriers being pivotally suspended on and between the pair of chains for pivotal freedom about a horizontal transverse axis so that the carriers maintain their upright position throughout the movement of the chain; means for opening the carriers at the transfer position; and means for vertically carrying the fruits from the transfer position down into a container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device as recited in claim 1, wherein each carrier comprises a pair of elements mounted in a scissors-type of arrangement, and mechanical pressure means adapted to spread said elements from each other when the carrier passes over the vertical carrying means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as recited in claim 1, comprising stopping and centering means for the containers to receive the fruits from the vertical carrying means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as recited in claim 1, comprising means for picking the fruits from a reservoir and bringing them to the sorting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device according to claim 4, in which the said picking means comprises a belt conveyor having projecting members thereon to pick the fruits in suspension in a liquid contained in the reservoir.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A device as recited in claim 1, in which the vertical carrying means are connected to the endless chains so that the latter produce an upright reciprocating movement of the vertical carrying means in the direction of the container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
A device as recited in claim 1, in which the endless chain is actuated by pinions fixed on shafts and adapted to be driven in rotation, a freely rotating pulley mounted on each one of the shafts, means for connecting the pulleys so as to produce a relative reverse rotation and to actuate the vertical carrying means in an upright reciprocating movement, and means for connecting the movement of the said pulleys and the said pinions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device as recited in claim 7, comprising two pulleys, the means to connect the two pulleys comprises crossed cables between the said pulleys, and cables directly connected between each pulley and the vertical carrying means for supporting the latter means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as recited in claim 7, in which the means to connect the pulleys to the pinions comprise plungers engaging projecting plates fixed relatively to the pulleys and to the pinions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device as recited in claim 7, in which the vertical carrying means comprises plates and means for closing and opening the said plates, the said closing means being directly connected to the tension of the cables supporting the vertical carrying means.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
111 words
A device for sorting fruits and depositing them in containers, comprising: means for sorting fruits of predetermined sizes; an endless chain adapted to move at a slow speed; a plurality of horizontal carriers mounted at spaced intervals on the said chain, each horizontal carrier comprising a scissors-type device suspended from the endless chain and adapted to open when passing over the vertical carrying means at a transfer position, an opening bar located adjacent the endless chain above the vertical carrying means to open the scissors-type device proportionally through spacing between the said chain and the said bar; and means for vertically carrying the fruits from the transfer position into a container.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
111 words
A device for sorting fruits and depositing them in containers, comprising: means for sorting fruits of predetermined sizes; an endless chain adapted to move at a slow speed; a plurality of horizontal carriers mounted at spaced intervals on the said chain, each horizontal carrier comprising a scissors-type device suspended from the endless chain and adapted to open when passing over the vertical carrying means at a transfer position, an opening bar located adjacent the endless chain above the vertical carrying means to open the scissors-type device proportionally through spacing between the said chain and the said bar; and means for vertically carrying the fruits from the transfer position into a container.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device as recited in claim 11, in which each horizontal carrier comprises funnel means having a variable diameter and mounted in the said horizontal carrier, the said horizontal carrier being adapted to vary the diameter of the said funnel means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
72 words
A device as recited in claim 12, in which the said funnel means comprise pallets pivotally mounted about an axle having a polygonal shape, the said pallets being disposed so as to engage the adjacent pallets the said pallets being divided in groups, in group having a master pallet which is actuated by the horizontal carrier the diameter of the said funnel means being proportional to the spreadiNg of the horizontal carrier.
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) | 1974-07-05 | 1975-01-04 | 1975-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-05 | 1979-01-04 | 1979-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-05 | 1983-01-04 | 1983-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |