Patent US3695346A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3695346A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Table and/or table conveyor structure
Assignee: W A NICHOLS CO
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Filing: 1970-08-11
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Granted: 1972-10-03
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Expires: 1990-08-11
Abstract
Abstract A processing table particularly for food products wherein the table is a hollow shell of non-corrosive material with all of the wells connected to provide a substantially continuous surface with no openings or joints or crevices that can collect material. The elongate table structure is supported on spaced pedestals connected to the bottom, and there is a rigid synthetic foam substantially filling the shell to form a compression resisting structure. A conveyor belt operates over pulleys mounted at the ends of the table structure with one run movable longitudinally of the table top and the other run under the shell. One of the pulleys is supported in bearings and at one end of the table structure and driven from a motor and speed reducer, the other pulley being at the other end of the table and supported in bearings mounted on arms swingably mounted relative to the table whereby said pulley may be moved from a belt slack position to a belt tightened position, said swingable arms having adjustments for adjusting the tension of the belt. Key means is arranged relative to the table and swingable arms to hold the arms in belt tightened position. The table has lateral portions providing work surfaces at each side of the top run of the belt and said table has refrigeration coils under the table top for cooling the top and thereby retarding growth of bacteria. A belt washing apparatus is arranged at one of the pedestals for cleaning the belt with provisions at said pedestal for disposal of the wash liquid.
Inventors
- 👤 William A Nichols
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:27
CPC Classifications
A; A22; A22C; A22C25/00; A22C25/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S165/00; Y10S165/225; Y10S165/227
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A processing table comprising: a. an elongate hollow shell having a top wall, side walls, a bottom wall, and end walls connected at adjacent edges to form a closed elongate structure with the top wall having portions forming work surfaces conveying means on said top wall adapted for movement therealong; b. spaced supports having connection with said bottom wall to support said shell, c. a rigid synthetic resin foam substantially filling said shell and bonded to inner surfaces thereof to form a compression resisting structure therein supporting the top wall against deflection, and d. heat transfer means operably adjacent the underside of said top wall and at least partially within said foam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A processing table comprising: a. an elongate hollow shell having a top wall, side walls, a bottom wall, and end walls connected at adjacent edges to form a closed elongate structure with the top wall having portions forming work surfaces conveying means on said top wall adapted for movement therealong; b. spaced supports having connection with said bottom wall to support said shell, c. a rigid synthetic resin foam substantially filling said shell and bonded to inner surfaces thereof to form a compression resisting structure therein supporting the top wall against deflection, and d. heat transfer means operably adjacent the underside of said top wall and at least partially within said foam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
The table as set forth in claim 1, wherein said heat transfer means comprises: a. a plurality of refrigeration tubes inside the shell and adapted for circulating refrigerant and cooling the top wall of the table, b. said rigid synthetic foam being in contact with said refrigeration tubes and forming a heat insulation whereby the cooling effected by the circulating refrigerant is concentrated on the top wall above said tubes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
125 words
A processing table comprising: a. an elongate hollow shell having a top wall, side walls, a bottom wall, and end walls connected at adjacent edges to form a closed elongate unitary wall structure with the top wall having portions forming work surfaces; b. spaced supports having connection with said bottom wall to support said shell; c. a rigid synthetic resin foam substantially filling said shell and bonded to inner surfaces thereof to form a compression resisting structure therein supporting the top wall against deflection; d. a depressed portion in the table top extending longitudinally thereof for the length of said table, and e. a continuous conveyor belt longitudinally encompassing said table and movably supported with one run movable over said depressed portion of the table.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
125 words
A processing table comprising: a. an elongate hollow shell having a top wall, side walls, a bottom wall, and end walls connected at adjacent edges to form a closed elongate unitary wall structure with the top wall having portions forming work surfaces; b. spaced supports having connection with said bottom wall to support said shell; c. a rigid synthetic resin foam substantially filling said shell and bonded to inner surfaces thereof to form a compression resisting structure therein supporting the top wall against deflection; d. a depressed portion in the table top extending longitudinally thereof for the length of said table, and e. a continuous conveyor belt longitudinally encompassing said table and movably supported with one run movable over said depressed portion of the table.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
122 words
A processing table comprising: a. an elongate hollow shell having a top wall, side walls, a bottom wall and end walls connected at adjacent edges to form a closed elongate unitary wall structure with the top wall having portions forming work surfaces; b. spaced supports having connection with said bottom wall to support said shell, c. a rigid synthetic resin foam substantially filling said shell and bonded to inner surfaces thereof to form a compression resisting structure therein supporting the top wall against deflection, d. a continuous conveyor belt longitudinally encompassing said table and movably supported with one run movable over said top wall, and e. said top wall being wider than the conveyor belt providing work surfaces extending laterally outwardly therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
122 words
A processing table comprising: a. an elongate hollow shell having a top wall, side walls, a bottom wall and end walls connected at adjacent edges to form a closed elongate unitary wall structure with the top wall having portions forming work surfaces; b. spaced supports having connection with said bottom wall to support said shell, c. a rigid synthetic resin foam substantially filling said shell and bonded to inner surfaces thereof to form a compression resisting structure therein supporting the top wall against deflection, d. a continuous conveyor belt longitudinally encompassing said table and movably supported with one run movable over said top wall, and e. said top wall being wider than the conveyor belt providing work surfaces extending laterally outwardly therefrom.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The table as set forth in claim 2, including: a. a plurality of raised protrusions on said top wall with flat top surfaces supporting said one run of the conveyor belt.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
The table as set forth in claim 2, including: a. at least one perforated brace member extending longitudinally of the shell within same and secured to the top wall and bottom wall for substantially the length thereof forming a strut member to maintain relative spacing thereof; b. said synthetic resin foam having supporting contact with said perforated brace member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
A processing table as set forth in claim 2, wherein: a. the supports are hollow pedestals with each having an enlarged base and upstanding column thereon terminating in laterally extending arms, and b. mounting brackets on said arms and secured in supporting relation to the table bottOm wall.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-03 | 1976-04-03 | 1976-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-03 | 1980-04-03 | 1980-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-03 | 1984-04-03 | 1984-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |