Patent US3595282A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3595282A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for compressing loose material into containers
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-07-29
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Granted: 1971-07-27
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Expires: 1989-07-29
Abstract
Abstract In apparatus for packing fragmentary compressible material, typically tobacco, into containers by delivering the loose fragmentary material into an upright charger disposed above the container and passing a press ram downwardly through the charger to pack the material into the container, a distributor is provided at the top of the charger to assure even distribution of the loose material throughout the cross section of the charger and thus throughout the container. The distributor includes at least one deflector plate which can be moved from a stowed position, in which the press ram is allowed to pass, to a deflecting position in which the plate slants downwardly and inwardly relative to the top of the charger and is effective to deflect incoming loose material across the top portion of the charger. When only one deflector plate is used, the plate is oscillated through a horizontally extending arcuate path at the top of the charger when the plate is in deflecting position. A plurality of plates arranged in a series about the top of the charger can be used, in which case the plates are actuated to deflecting position successively. Presentation of the deflecting plate in its deflecting position successively at a plurality of points spaced about the top of the charger achieves even distribution of the incoming loose material.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis B Fishburne
- 👤 Clarence H Hinnant Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:38
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24B; A24B1/00; A24B1/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
275 words
In apparatus for packing fragmentary compressible material into containers, which apparatus comprises an upright charger via which the compressible material can be fed to the container, and a reciprocatable pressing ram arranged for movement from an initial position above the charger downwardly through the charger to compress the material into the container and then upwardly through the charger to the initial position, the combination of infeed means constructed and arranged to direct the compressible material along a path generally across the top of the charger; deflector plate means mounted at the top of the charger and movable between a stowed position, in which said plate means is disposed in at least substantially vertical position at the side of the charger to allow the pressing ram to pass through the charger, and a deflecting position, in which said plate means slants downwardly and inwardly relative to the top of the charger to intercept the compressible material and deflect the same toward a location which is generally across the charger; operating means for said deflector plate means constructed and arranged to cause at least a portion of said deflector plate means to assume said deflecting position successively at a plurality of different positions spaced about the top of the charger as the compressible material is being supplied by said infeed means; and control means connected to said operating means and operable to cause said operating means to move said deflector plate means to said deflecting position when the pressing ram is in its initial position and to allow said deflector plate means to assume said stowed position whenever the pressing ram is not in its initial position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
275 words
In apparatus for packing fragmentary compressible material into containers, which apparatus comprises an upright charger via which the compressible material can be fed to the container, and a reciprocatable pressing ram arranged for movement from an initial position above the charger downwardly through the charger to compress the material into the container and then upwardly through the charger to the initial position, the combination of infeed means constructed and arranged to direct the compressible material along a path generally across the top of the charger; deflector plate means mounted at the top of the charger and movable between a stowed position, in which said plate means is disposed in at least substantially vertical position at the side of the charger to allow the pressing ram to pass through the charger, and a deflecting position, in which said plate means slants downwardly and inwardly relative to the top of the charger to intercept the compressible material and deflect the same toward a location which is generally across the charger; operating means for said deflector plate means constructed and arranged to cause at least a portion of said deflector plate means to assume said deflecting position successively at a plurality of different positions spaced about the top of the charger as the compressible material is being supplied by said infeed means; and control means connected to said operating means and operable to cause said operating means to move said deflector plate means to said deflecting position when the pressing ram is in its initial position and to allow said deflector plate means to assume said stowed position whenever the pressing ram is not in its initial position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
153 words
The combination defined in claim 1 and further comprising a support; and means mounting said support at the top of the charger for at least generally circular movement in a path lying in a plane which is generally transverse to and centered on the axis of reciprocatory movement of the pressing ram; said deflector plate means comprising a deflector plate mounted on said support for pivotal movement between said stowed position and said deflecting position; said plate being of arcuate transverse cross section and of such dimensions as to lie in immediate proximity to and at least substantially parallel to the wall of the top of the charger when in said stowed position; said operating means comprising a first power device carried by said support for moving said plate between said stowed position and said deflecting position, and a second power device connected to said support to move the same in said path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination defined in claim 2 wherein said control means is constructed and arranged to operate said second power device to move said support, and thereby causing said plate to traverse said path, when said plate is in said deflecting position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
The combination defined in claim 3 wherein said control means comprises two position responsive devices arranged at predetermined points along said path to respond to presence of said plate, and means controlled by said position resPonsive devices and connected to said second power device to control the same to so move said support that said plate oscillates along said path with said points determining the limits of such oscillatory movement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination defined in claim 2 and further comprising an annular shroud disposed at the top of the charger and extending upwardly therefrom, said support and said deflector plate means being disposed within said shroud.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The combination defined in claim 2, wherein said support is a ring having an outwardly projecting circular flange; and said means mounting said support comprises a plurality of rollers spaced-apart in a circular series and each journaled for rotation about a horizontal axis, said rollers being engaged beneath said flange.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The combination defined in claim 6, wherein said first power device is a fluid pressure-operated motor of the piston and cylinder type disposed with its operating axis upright, the combination further comprising a fixed upright annular shroud surrounding the top of the charger and projecting upwardly therefrom, said shroud surrounding said ring, said means mounting said ring, and said first power device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
The combination defined in claim 6, wherein said second power device is located outside of the circular series of said rollers and comprises a driven member arranged for rotation about an upright axis, the combination further comprising a flexible drive belt engaged about said ring and driven by said driven member of said second power device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
The combination defined in claim 8, and further comprising a fixed upright annular shroud surrounding the top of the charger and projecting upwardly therefrom, said shroud surrounding said ring, said means mounting said first ring, and said first power device, said first power device being located outside of said shroud, and said shroud being provided with opening means through which said drive belt extends.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said deflector plate means comprises a stationary support mounted at the top of the charger, a plurality of deflector plates, and means mounting each of said plates on said support swinging movement between said stowed and deflecting positions with said plates occupying different locations spaced about the top of the charger; and said operating means is constructed and arranged to operate said plates successively.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said deflector plate means comprises at least three deflector plates arranged in a series spaced about that portion of the top of the charger not occupied by said infeed means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
103 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the top of the charger is of rectangular transverse cross section; said deflector plate means comprises two flat deflector plates each mounted to swing about an axis parallel to and immediately adjacent a different one of two opposite sidewalls of the top of the charger; and said operating means is constructed and arranged to swing first one of said plates to its deflecting position while maintaining the other of said plates substantially in its stowed position and then to swing said other other plate to its deflecting position while returning said one plate to its stowed position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said operating means comprises adjustable length means connected between said two plates, adjustment of the length of said adjustable length means in one direction operating to pivot said plates toward each other and said adjustable length means then being operative to maintain the resulting angular disposition of said plates relative to each other, and power means connected to one of said plates to swing the combination of both of said plates.
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) | 1974-07-26 | 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 |