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US3682301A
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Method and apparatus for orienting elongated articles
Assignee: Big Heart Pet Brands LLC
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Filing: 1970-02-02
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Granted: 1972-08-08
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Expires: 1990-02-02
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for lengthwise orientation of elongated articles having a center of gravity displaced from the geometric center. Articles in random lengthwise orientation are moved along a path interrupted by at least one gap. The gap length along the direction of movement is sized in relation to a given range of article length so that the articles of one orientation tilt about a fulcrum near one edge of the gap and drop through with their heavier end foremost. In one form articles of heavier end foremost orientation are segregated from the reversely orientated articles. In another form lighter end foremost articles which initially bridge the gap are tilted backwards and dropped through the gap with their heavier ends foremost. In another form a plurality of gaps are interposed in the path of movement with successively increasing gap lengths to both grade and orient articles of increasing length ranges. In still another form articles are dropped through gaps for length grading, and then through further gaps for lengthwise orienting.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward E Ross
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 15:40
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/02; B65G47/04; B65G47/12; B65G47/14; B65G47/1492; A; A23; A23N; A23N7/00; A23N7/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
In apparatus for handling elongated agricultural articles having a center of gravity displaced from the geometric center in a direction away from the lighter and toward the heavier end thereof, means forming an article conveying path including a plurality of supporting surfaces spaced apart in the direction of article movement, each successive surface being spaced from a preceding surface to define therewith a plurality of gaps having successively increasing gap lengths, means forming a fulcrum near one edge of each of said gaps, and means moving articles of random lengthwise orientation along the path and over said surfaces whereby articles of a given length size range are caused to tilt by gravitational rotation about the fulcrum of an upstream gap and to drop through said upstream gap with their heavier ends foremost, and whereby articles of a length size range greater than said given size range are moved across said upstream gap and along said path where they are caused to tilt by gravitational rotation about the fulcrum of a downstream gap and to drop through said downstream gap with their heavier ends foremost.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
In apparatus for handling elongated agricultural articles having a center of gravity displaced from the geometric center in a direction away from the lighter and toward the heavier end thereof, means forming an article conveying path including a plurality of supporting surfaces spaced apart in the direction of article movement, each successive surface being spaced from a preceding surface to define therewith a plurality of gaps having successively increasing gap lengths, means forming a fulcrum near one edge of each of said gaps, and means moving articles of random lengthwise orientation along the path and over said surfaces whereby articles of a given length size range are caused to tilt by gravitational rotation about the fulcrum of an upstream gap and to drop through said upstream gap with their heavier ends foremost, and whereby articles of a length size range greater than said given size range are moved across said upstream gap and along said path where they are caused to tilt by gravitational rotation about the fulcrum of a downstream gap and to drop through said downstream gap with their heavier ends foremost.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
208 words
A method of handling elongated agricultural articles to effect endwise orientation of the same, the articles being characterized by having a center of gravity displaced from the geometric center in a direction away from the lighter and toward the heavier end thereof, the steps of moving articles in the direction of their length along a predetermined path interrupted by a gap of a length that is less than the length of some of the articles of a given length size range, causing articles of at least one orientation and within said given length size range to tilt by free gravitational rotation about a fulcrum near one edge of the gap and to drop from said fulcrum through the gap with their heavier ends foremost, causing other articles within a length size range greater than said given size range to bridge across the gap and continue along an extension of said path which is interrupted by another gap of a length greater than said first mentioned gap length, and causing said other articles of at least one orientation to tilt by free gravitational rotation about a fulcrum near one edge of said second mentioned gap and to drop from said fulcrum through said gap with their heavier ends foremost.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
208 words
A method of handling elongated agricultural articles to effect endwise orientation of the same, the articles being characterized by having a center of gravity displaced from the geometric center in a direction away from the lighter and toward the heavier end thereof, the steps of moving articles in the direction of their length along a predetermined path interrupted by a gap of a length that is less than the length of some of the articles of a given length size range, causing articles of at least one orientation and within said given length size range to tilt by free gravitational rotation about a fulcrum near one edge of the gap and to drop from said fulcrum through the gap with their heavier ends foremost, causing other articles within a length size range greater than said given size range to bridge across the gap and continue along an extension of said path which is interrupted by another gap of a length greater than said first mentioned gap length, and causing said other articles of at least one orientation to tilt by free gravitational rotation about a fulcrum near one edge of said second mentioned gap and to drop from said fulcrum through said gap with their heavier ends foremost.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
A method as in claim 2, in which said articles moving with their heavier ends foremost are caused to tilt forwardly by free gravitational rotation about a fulcrum near the leading edges of said gaps and to drop from said fulcrums through the gaps with their heavier ends foremost, and said articles moving with their lighter ends foremost are caused to tilt backwardly by free gravitational rotation about fulcrums near the trailing edges of said gaps and to drop from said fulcrums through the gaps with their heavier ends foremost.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
168 words
In apparatus for handling elongated articles having a center of gravity displaced from the geometric center in a direction away from the lighter and toward the heavier end thereof, means forming an article conveying path including a supporting and conveying surface inclined downwardly from the horizontal and interrupted by a gap of a length that is less than the length of the articles, means forming a first fulcrum near the leading edGe of the gap and a second fulcrum near the trailing edge of the gap and spaced vertically below the level of said first fulcrum by a predetermined distance sufficient to preclude hang-up of any curved articles moving across the gap, and means for moving articles of random lengthwise orientation along the path at a speed such that each article moving with its heavier end foremost is cause to tilt by gravitational rotation about the first fulcrum while each article moving with its lighter end foremost is cause to tilt by gravitational rotation about said second fulcrum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
168 words
In apparatus for handling elongated articles having a center of gravity displaced from the geometric center in a direction away from the lighter and toward the heavier end thereof, means forming an article conveying path including a supporting and conveying surface inclined downwardly from the horizontal and interrupted by a gap of a length that is less than the length of the articles, means forming a first fulcrum near the leading edGe of the gap and a second fulcrum near the trailing edge of the gap and spaced vertically below the level of said first fulcrum by a predetermined distance sufficient to preclude hang-up of any curved articles moving across the gap, and means for moving articles of random lengthwise orientation along the path at a speed such that each article moving with its heavier end foremost is cause to tilt by gravitational rotation about the first fulcrum while each article moving with its lighter end foremost is cause to tilt by gravitational rotation about said second fulcrum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as in claim 4, in which the means for moving the articles includes means to impart vibratory movement to said conveying and supporting surface.
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) | 1975-08-08 | 1976-02-07 | 1976-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-08 | 1980-02-07 | 1980-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-08 | 1984-02-07 | 1984-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |