US3662518A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spear packing apparatus
Assignee: Solbern LLC
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Filing: 1970-10-26
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Granted: 1972-05-16
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Expires: 1990-10-26
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for longitudinally segmentizing cucumbers and packing the segments in a jar with the seeded surfaces of the segments facing outward is constructed with means for receiving a whole cucumber and cutting same to predetermined length. The predetermined length of cucumber is slit longitudinally into spears of segmental cross section that are fed through individual twisted chutes and exit therefrom into a jar with the seeded surfaces of the segments facing outward. Guide means at the exit ends of the twisted chutes directs the segments outward toward the jar wall. Thereafter the guide means and the jar are angularly stepped so that additional spear segments entering the jar are directed between those segments previously placed in the jar. In one embodiment of this invention, after the jar wall is lined with spear segments the guide means is withdrawn from the jar and additional spears are placed in the central region of the jar by hand. In another embodiment of this invention, the guide means is selectively operated to a collapsed and an expanded condition. The jar wall is lined with spears while the guide means is expanded, and after the jar wall is lined with spear segments the guide means is collapsed and additional spear segments entering the jar remain at the central region to fill the jar without interfering with the spear segments lining the jar wall.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard C Eisenberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 04:52
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B25/00; B65B25/02; B65B25/04; B65B19/00; B65B19/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
262 words
Apparatus for slicing elongated articles longitudinally into spears having segmental cross sections and inserting these spears lengthwise into a transparent container with cut edges of these spears lying against the container side wall; said apparatus including a hopper having an open upper end to receive an elongated article having its axis generally vertical, knife means including upwardly facing cutting means at the bottom of said hopper, first means, operating means for moving said first means from an inactive position withdrawn from said hopper downwardly into said hopper to drive an article therein through said knife means, second means positioned below said knife means to receive spears formed thereby and guide each of such spears through independent limited controlled angular movement, third means for positioning an elongated transparent container with its open end below said second means to receive spears issuing therefrom, guide means extending into a container supported by said third means in a spear receiving position below said second means, said guide means being operatively constructed to direct spears entering a container supported by said third means toward the side wall of such container, driving means for moving at least a section of said guide means and a container supported by said third means through a controlled angular step occurring between first and second successive operations of said operating means to said active position, whereby spears formed by the second operation of said operating means to said active position are directed to occupy spaces formed between adjacent spears formed during the first operation of said operating means to said active position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
262 words
Apparatus for slicing elongated articles longitudinally into spears having segmental cross sections and inserting these spears lengthwise into a transparent container with cut edges of these spears lying against the container side wall; said apparatus including a hopper having an open upper end to receive an elongated article having its axis generally vertical, knife means including upwardly facing cutting means at the bottom of said hopper, first means, operating means for moving said first means from an inactive position withdrawn from said hopper downwardly into said hopper to drive an article therein through said knife means, second means positioned below said knife means to receive spears formed thereby and guide each of such spears through independent limited controlled angular movement, third means for positioning an elongated transparent container with its open end below said second means to receive spears issuing therefrom, guide means extending into a container supported by said third means in a spear receiving position below said second means, said guide means being operatively constructed to direct spears entering a container supported by said third means toward the side wall of such container, driving means for moving at least a section of said guide means and a container supported by said third means through a controlled angular step occurring between first and second successive operations of said operating means to said active position, whereby spears formed by the second operation of said operating means to said active position are directed to occupy spaces formed between adjacent spears formed during the first operation of said operating means to said active position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which the guide means includes a guide portion operable between expanded and collapsed positions, said guide portion when expanded directing spears toward the side wall of a container supported by said third means and when in collapsed position directing spears to the central region of such containers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, in which the guide portion is constructed of sheet material having an outwardly and downwardly flaring section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, in which there is a collapsible mechanical support for operating the sheet material from the collapsed position to the expanded position of the guide portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 4, in which the flaring section is generally conical.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, in which the second means comprises a plurality of vertically extending elongated chutes each having a twist therein, said knife means including a plurality of radially extending blade sections and each of said chutes being of generally segmental cross section with the twist therein being substantially less than 180*, said angular step being equal to approximately 180* divided by the number of said chutes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, in which the sheet material defines a bladder, fluid means for expanding said bladder to operate said guide portion to said expanded position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, in which the sheet material defines a bladder, fluid means for expanding said bladder to operate said guide portion to said expanded position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, in which the second means comprises a plurality of vertically extending elongated chutes each having a twist therein, said knife means including a plurality of radially extending blade sections and each of said chutes being of generally segmental cross section with the twist therein being substantially less than 180*, said angular step being equal to approximately 180* divided by the number of said chutes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, in which there is a biasing means which operates to urge the guide portion toward its extended position; said biasing means positioned to permit partial collapse of said guide portion by segmental spears being forced by the first means into a jar supported by the third means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3461646A
Cited
US3468098A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-16 | 1975-11-15 | 1976-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-16 | 1979-11-15 | 1980-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-16 | 1983-11-15 | 1984-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |