US3594847A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for loading perishable bulk commodities within a hopper
Assignee: ACF Industries Inc
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Filing: 1969-10-03
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Granted: 1971-07-27
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Expires: 1989-10-03
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for loading perishable commodities, such as potatoes, in a hopper and having an elongate chute adapted to fit within a hopper, and a valve within the chute mounted for vertical up and down movement. The valve is normally positioned adjacent the upper end of the chute in a closed position and is pushed down by the potatoes when the potatoes are discharged thereby to minimize the fall of the perishable commodities into the bottom of the hopper. The valve is opened automatically by the potatoes when the downward travel of the valve with the potatoes is restrained at the lower end of the chute. A negative pressure is exerted adjacent the upper end of the chute and holds the valve in its upper position for the initial discharge of the potatoes in the hopper. An upward airflow is provided in the chute during the loading of the potatoes in the hopper and is effective to remove foreign matter, such as dirt or dust, entrained with the potatoes, during the entire loading operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Dallas W Rollins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 01:05
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G69/00; B65G69/16; B65G11/00; B65G11/20; B65G11/206; B65G69/18; B65G69/181; B65G69/182; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02; B65G2201/0202
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A loader particularly for loading bulk commodities into a hopper through a hatch opening of a covered hopper railway car comprising, an elongate chute adapted to fit within the hatch opening for extending vertically downwardly into the hopper, a valve mounted within the chute for vertical movement up and down the chute, means Adjacent the upper portion of the chute for exerting a negative pressure thereon and maintaining the valve adjacent the upper portion of the chute when the negative pressure is exerted, and means adjacent the upper portion of the chute for the discharge of bulk commodities into the chute, said valve upon the initial discharge of perishable commodities into the upper portion of the chute being carried downwardly by the weight of the commodities to a position adjacent the lower end of the chute thereby permitting the bulk commodities to be discharged into the hopper with a relatively small fall from the chute.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A loader particularly for loading bulk commodities into a hopper through a hatch opening of a covered hopper railway car comprising, an elongate chute adapted to fit within the hatch opening for extending vertically downwardly into the hopper, a valve mounted within the chute for vertical movement up and down the chute, means Adjacent the upper portion of the chute for exerting a negative pressure thereon and maintaining the valve adjacent the upper portion of the chute when the negative pressure is exerted, and means adjacent the upper portion of the chute for the discharge of bulk commodities into the chute, said valve upon the initial discharge of perishable commodities into the upper portion of the chute being carried downwardly by the weight of the commodities to a position adjacent the lower end of the chute thereby permitting the bulk commodities to be discharged into the hopper with a relatively small fall from the chute.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
190 words
In apparatus for loading perishable bulk commodities into a hopper through a hatch opening of a covered hopper railway car; an elongate chute adapted to fit within the hatch opening for extending vertically downwardly into the hopper, a valve mounted within the chute for vertical movement up and down the chute and responsive to a negative pressure for closing, means for exerting a negative pressure adjacent the upper portion of the chute and maintaining the valve in a closed position adjacent the upper portion of the chute when the negative pressure is exerted, means adjacent the upper portion of the chute for the discharge of commodities into the chute, said valve upon the initial discharge of perishable commodities into the upper portion of the chute being carried downwardly by the weight of the commodities to a position adjacent the lower end of the chute, and stop means to stop the downward travel of the valve within the chute with the bulk commodities automatically opening the valve upon stopping of the valve thereby permitting the bulk commodities to be discharged into the hopper with a relatively small fall from the chute.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
190 words
In apparatus for loading perishable bulk commodities into a hopper through a hatch opening of a covered hopper railway car; an elongate chute adapted to fit within the hatch opening for extending vertically downwardly into the hopper, a valve mounted within the chute for vertical movement up and down the chute and responsive to a negative pressure for closing, means for exerting a negative pressure adjacent the upper portion of the chute and maintaining the valve in a closed position adjacent the upper portion of the chute when the negative pressure is exerted, means adjacent the upper portion of the chute for the discharge of commodities into the chute, said valve upon the initial discharge of perishable commodities into the upper portion of the chute being carried downwardly by the weight of the commodities to a position adjacent the lower end of the chute, and stop means to stop the downward travel of the valve within the chute with the bulk commodities automatically opening the valve upon stopping of the valve thereby permitting the bulk commodities to be discharged into the hopper with a relatively small fall from the chute.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
166 words
A loader particularly for loading perishable bulk commodities into a hopper through an upper opening in the hopper, an elongate chute adapted to fit within the upper opening for extending vertically downwardly into the hopper, a valve mounted within the chute for vertical movement up and down the chute between upper and lower positions, means for maintaining the valve in a closed upper position adjacent the upper portion of the chute means adjacent the upper portion of the chute for the discharge of commodities into the chute with the valve in its upper position, said valve upon the initial discharge of perishable commodities into the upper portion of the chute moving downwardly to a position adjacent the lower end of the chute, and stop means to stop the downward travel of the valve within the chute, said valve opening upon stopping of the valve at its lower position thereby permitting the commodities to be discharged into the hopper with a relatively small fall from the chute.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
166 words
A loader particularly for loading perishable bulk commodities into a hopper through an upper opening in the hopper, an elongate chute adapted to fit within the upper opening for extending vertically downwardly into the hopper, a valve mounted within the chute for vertical movement up and down the chute between upper and lower positions, means for maintaining the valve in a closed upper position adjacent the upper portion of the chute means adjacent the upper portion of the chute for the discharge of commodities into the chute with the valve in its upper position, said valve upon the initial discharge of perishable commodities into the upper portion of the chute moving downwardly to a position adjacent the lower end of the chute, and stop means to stop the downward travel of the valve within the chute, said valve opening upon stopping of the valve at its lower position thereby permitting the commodities to be discharged into the hopper with a relatively small fall from the chute.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
183 words
Apparatus for loading bulk commodities into a hopper through an upper opening in the hopper, an elongate chute adapted to fit within the upper opening for extending vertically downwardly into the hopper, a valve mounted within the chute for vertical movement up and down the chute between upper and lower positions, means for maintaining the valve in a closed position adjacent of the chute for the discharge of bulk commodities into the chute with the valve in its upper positions, said valve upon the initial discharge of perishable commodities into the upper portion of the chute moving downwardly adjacent the lower end of the chute, stop means to stop the downward travel of the valve within the chute, said valve opening upon stopping of the valve at its lower position thereby permitting the bulk commodities to be discharged into the hopper with a relatively small fall from the chute, and means providing an upward flow of air within the chute with the air being removed from the chute adjacent its upper end thereby to remove any foreign matter separated from the bulk commodities.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
183 words
Apparatus for loading bulk commodities into a hopper through an upper opening in the hopper, an elongate chute adapted to fit within the upper opening for extending vertically downwardly into the hopper, a valve mounted within the chute for vertical movement up and down the chute between upper and lower positions, means for maintaining the valve in a closed position adjacent of the chute for the discharge of bulk commodities into the chute with the valve in its upper positions, said valve upon the initial discharge of perishable commodities into the upper portion of the chute moving downwardly adjacent the lower end of the chute, stop means to stop the downward travel of the valve within the chute, said valve opening upon stopping of the valve at its lower position thereby permitting the bulk commodities to be discharged into the hopper with a relatively small fall from the chute, and means providing an upward flow of air within the chute with the air being removed from the chute adjacent its upper end thereby to remove any foreign matter separated from the bulk commodities.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus for loading bulk commodities into a hopper as specified in claim 4 wherein an air inlet is provided adjacent the lower end of the chute for providing the upward airflow withiN the chute.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus for loading bulk commodities into a hopper as specified in claim 5 wherein a fluid conduit connects the air outlet adjacent the upper end of the chute with the air inlet adjacent the lower end of the chute for providing a continuous recirculation of air, and filter means are provided in said fluid conduit for the removal of foreign matter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus for loading bulk commodities into a hopper as specified in claim 4 wherein said means adjacent the upper portion of the chute for the discharge of bulk commodities into the chute comprises an air lock to maintain a generally airtight seal at the upper end of the chute.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1021757A
Cited
US3147846A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-26 | 1975-01-25 | 1975-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-26 | 1979-01-25 | 1979-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-26 | 1983-01-25 | 1983-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |