US3623672A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Disposing apparatus for burned-out or defective fluorescent tubes
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-06-03
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Granted: 1971-11-30
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Expires: 1989-06-03
Abstract
Abstract The entire disposing unit is mounted on the lid of a standard 20-gallon can. The apparatus includes an inlet chute having a passageway for receiving a fluorescent tube, an electric motor connected to a rotatable tube-breaking chain, and a stop positioned a predetermined distance below the outlet opening of the inlet chute. The inlet chute includes an upwardly telescoping protective tube for enclosing (when in its upwardly extended position), substantially the entire fluorescent tube, as a safety feature. Also included is a switch in series with the motor and biased to an open position; the switch can be closed to energize the motor only by raising the telescoping protective tube.
Inventors
- 👤 William De Frank
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 23:38
CPC Classifications
B; B02; B02C; B02C23/00; B02C23/04; B02C19/00; B02C19/0056; B02C19/0068
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A fluorescent tube breaking apparatus comprising: a. a lid for covering a mating, open-top container; b. an inlet chute having a passageway for a fluorescent tube and being connected to said lid and having an inlet opening, and an outlet opening; c. means connected to said lid for breaking up a fluorescent tube as it emerges from said outLet opening of said inlet chute; and d. a stop connected to said lid and positioned a predetermined distance below said outlet opening of said inlet chute to define the lowermost extent of travel of a fluorescent tube down through said passageway.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A fluorescent tube breaking apparatus comprising: a. a lid for covering a mating, open-top container; b. an inlet chute having a passageway for a fluorescent tube and being connected to said lid and having an inlet opening, and an outlet opening; c. means connected to said lid for breaking up a fluorescent tube as it emerges from said outLet opening of said inlet chute; and d. a stop connected to said lid and positioned a predetermined distance below said outlet opening of said inlet chute to define the lowermost extent of travel of a fluorescent tube down through said passageway.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
103 words
A fluorescent tube breaking apparatus comprising: a. a lid for covering a mating, open-top container; b. an inlet chute having a passageway for a fluorescent tube and being connected to said lid and having an inlet opening, and an outlet opening; c. means connected to said lid for breaking up a fluorescent tube as it emerges from said outlet opening of said inlet chute; and d. said inlet chute including a movable protective tube movable into an extended position wherein said fluorescent tube receiving passageway has a length sufficient to embrace substantially the entire length of a fluorescent tube to be received therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
103 words
A fluorescent tube breaking apparatus comprising: a. a lid for covering a mating, open-top container; b. an inlet chute having a passageway for a fluorescent tube and being connected to said lid and having an inlet opening, and an outlet opening; c. means connected to said lid for breaking up a fluorescent tube as it emerges from said outlet opening of said inlet chute; and d. said inlet chute including a movable protective tube movable into an extended position wherein said fluorescent tube receiving passageway has a length sufficient to embrace substantially the entire length of a fluorescent tube to be received therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 including switch means engageable by said movable protective tube for rendering said breaking up means operable only when said movable protective tube is in said extended position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said inlet chute includes a stationary tube and wherein said movable protective tube telescopes within said stationary tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
96 words
Apparatus for disposing of glass fluorescent tubes comprising: a. a container; b. a mating lid for said container; c. an inlet chute connected to said lid and having an inlet opening above said lid and outlet opening below said lid, said inlet chute extending through said lid and having a fluorescent tube receiving passageway therein; d. an electric motor connected to said lid; e. a rotatable tube breaker connected to and driven by said motor; and f. a stop connected to said lid and positioned a predetermined distance below said outlet opening of said inlet chute.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
96 words
Apparatus for disposing of glass fluorescent tubes comprising: a. a container; b. a mating lid for said container; c. an inlet chute connected to said lid and having an inlet opening above said lid and outlet opening below said lid, said inlet chute extending through said lid and having a fluorescent tube receiving passageway therein; d. an electric motor connected to said lid; e. a rotatable tube breaker connected to and driven by said motor; and f. a stop connected to said lid and positioned a predetermined distance below said outlet opening of said inlet chute.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said inlet chute includes an extendable protective tube movable into an extended position wherein said passageway has a length sufficient to embrace substantially the entire length of a fluorescent tube to be received therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus according to claim 6 including an electric switch connected in series with said motor, said switch being coupled to said extendable protective tube such that said switch is closed to energize said motor only when said extendable protective tube is in said extended position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said inlet chute includes a stationary tube and wherein said extendable protective tube is a telescoping tube slidably mounted within said stationary tube and wherein said switch includes an actuator arm extending inside of said stationary tube in operative engagement with said protective tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said rotatable tube breaker comprises a chain.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
130 words
Apparatus for disposing of glass fluorescent tubes comprising: a. a container; b. an inlet chute for receiving a fluorescent tube and for delivering a fluorescent tube received therein into said container; c. means for breaking up a fluorescent tube delivered into said container through said inlet chute; d. said inlet chute including at least a portion thereof being movable into an extended position in which the inlet chute has a length sufficient to embrace substantially the entire length of a fluorescent tube to be received therein; and e. switch means coupled to said inlet chute for energizing said breaking-up means only when said inlet chute portion is in said extended position and for preventing energization of said breaking-up means when said inlet chute portion is not in said extended position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
130 words
Apparatus for disposing of glass fluorescent tubes comprising: a. a container; b. an inlet chute for receiving a fluorescent tube and for delivering a fluorescent tube received therein into said container; c. means for breaking up a fluorescent tube delivered into said container through said inlet chute; d. said inlet chute including at least a portion thereof being movable into an extended position in which the inlet chute has a length sufficient to embrace substantially the entire length of a fluorescent tube to be received therein; and e. switch means coupled to said inlet chute for energizing said breaking-up means only when said inlet chute portion is in said extended position and for preventing energization of said breaking-up means when said inlet chute portion is not in said extended position.
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) | 1974-11-29 | 1975-05-31 | 1975-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-29 | 1979-05-31 | 1979-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-29 | 1983-05-31 | 1983-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |