Patent US3683702A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3683702A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Sampler for fruits or vegetables in bulk and method of sampling fruits or vegetables in bulk
Assignee: University of California Berkeley
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Filing: 1971-04-05
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Granted: 1972-08-15
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Expires: 1991-04-05
Abstract
Abstract A sampler for a bulk body of fruits or vegetables includes a cylindrical tube arranged on a vertical axis and movable vertically down into the bulk body. The open, lower end of the tube has a cutting edge. Within the tube are gates movable to block the lower end. Arranged beneath the tube is a separator including an annular or conical member having a central opening smaller in diameter than the tube and having a periphery larger in diameter than the tube. The method involves plunging the tube into the bulk body of fruits or vegetables, the cutting edge severing a column of material. The gates are then closed and the tube and contained column are lifted out of the bulk body. The column contains many whole specimens and some cut specimens. The tube is then poised in axial alignment over the separator and the gates are opened. The falling material is separated by the separator into two parts, the cut specimens, on the outer periphery, falling onto and around the outer part of the separator to discard whereas the whole specimens, in a center core, pass through the central opening in the separator and preferably are caught in a receptacle. Only the material passing through the central opening is utilized as a sample.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael O'brien
- 👤 Wilson B Goddard
- 👤 Rodney B Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:39
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/02; G01N1/04; G01N1/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A sampler for fruits or vegetables in bulk comprising a tube having a tube axis and having a leading end spaced from said tube axis a predetermined distance, a gate, means for mounting said gate on said tube for movement between a first position blocking said leading end and a second position away from said leading end, means for moving said gate between said first position and said second position, a separator having a separator axis and having an outer edge spaced more than said predetermined distance from said separator axis and an inner edge spaced less than said predetermined distance from said separator axis, and means for disposing said tube with the tube axis substantially vertical and said leading end down and for holding said separator in a position spaced below said leading end and with said separator axis substantially aligned with said tube axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A sampler for fruits or vegetables in bulk comprising a tube having a tube axis and having a leading end spaced from said tube axis a predetermined distance, a gate, means for mounting said gate on said tube for movement between a first position blocking said leading end and a second position away from said leading end, means for moving said gate between said first position and said second position, a separator having a separator axis and having an outer edge spaced more than said predetermined distance from said separator axis and an inner edge spaced less than said predetermined distance from said separator axis, and means for disposing said tube with the tube axis substantially vertical and said leading end down and for holding said separator in a position spaced below said leading end and with said separator axis substantially aligned with said tube axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A sampler as in claim 1 in which said leading end includes a cutting edge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A sampler as in claim 1 in which said moving means includes a flexible strap connected to said gate and extending along said tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A sampler as in claim 1 in which said separator is approximately a truncated cone symmetrical about said separator axis and disposed with the base of the cone down.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sampler as in claim 1 including a cushion on and extending around said inner edge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A sampler as in claim including means for positioning said separator on a container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A sampler as in claim 1 and for use with a body of fruits or vegetables in bulk including means for positioning said tube axis over any of several chosen areas of said body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A sampler as in claim 1 including a frame, and means for vertically translating said tube on said frame.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A sampler as in claim 8 including means for mounting said gate moving means for vertical translation with said tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A sampler as in claim 1 in which said tube is a circular cylinder symmetrical with said tube axis and said separator is an annulus symmetrical with said separator axis and defined by said outer edge and said inner edge.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A sampler as in claim 10 in which said gate is an arcuate band having two ends, and pivots mount said ends on the inside of said cylinder approximately on a diameter thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A sampler as in claim 11 in which there are two of said gates symmetrical with respect to said diameter.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
38 words
A method of sampling fruits or vegetables in a bulk body comprising cutting a columnar mass from said body, vertically separating said columnar mass from said body, and separating a columnar core from said columnar mass. columnar therefrom.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
38 words
A method of sampling fruits or vegetables in a bulk body comprising cutting a columnar mass from said body, vertically separating said columnar mass from said body, and separating a columnar core from said columnar mass. columnar therefrom.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as in claim 13 in which said columnar mass includes a core of intact fruits or vegetables and cut fruits or vegetables around the periphery thereof and said cut fruits or vegetables are discarded upon separating said columnar core therefrom.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of sampling fruits or vegetables in a bulk body comprising first cutting a discrete mass of individual fruits or vegetables from said bulk body thereby cutting some individual fruits or vegetables and leaving intact other individual fruits or vegetables, then separating said cut fruits or vegetables from said intact fruits or vegetables, and then using only said intact fruits or vegetables as a sample of said bulk body.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of sampling fruits or vegetables in a bulk body comprising first cutting a discrete mass of individual fruits or vegetables from said bulk body thereby cutting some individual fruits or vegetables and leaving intact other individual fruits or vegetables, then separating said cut fruits or vegetables from said intact fruits or vegetables, and then using only said intact fruits or vegetables as a sample of said bulk body.
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) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |