US3706257A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for packing a nonfluent composition
Assignee: ATK Launch Systems LLC
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Filing: 1970-05-11
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Granted: 1972-12-19
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Expires: 1990-05-11
Abstract
Abstract A crumbly, tacky, nonfluent mass is first separated into small segments by a shredding plate operating against the mass; these segments are then formed into firm, rounded, fluent pellets by a vibrating conveyor and dispensed into a tubular case, where they are tamped into a solid mass by a reciprocating, self-adjusting tamping rod, the case being supported on a rotating table.
Inventors
- 👤 Joel Collman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:18
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G65/00; B65G65/30; B65G65/34; B65G65/40; B65G65/48; B65G65/4809; B65G65/4818; B65G65/4827; F; F42; F42B; F42B33/00; F42B33/02; F42B33/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
Apparatus for packing a crumbly, tacky, nonfluent composition into a tubular case, comprising: a segment former comprising a downwardly-convergent hopper to receive the composition, a plurality of vertical baffles each fixed to the inner wall of the hopper and extending inwardly thereof to prevent angular motion of the nonfluent composition in the hopper, a horizontally-disposed, rotatable, shredding disk having scoops, each extending upwardly over a corresponding hole in the disk, which is positioned intermediately in the hopper below the baffles, for supporting the nonfluent mass therein and whereby strips may be carved off the bottom of the nonfluent mass of the composition, to fall in small segments therefrom; a vibrating conveyor to form the segments into firm, rounded, fluent pellets and to convey the pellets into the tubular case; reciprocating tamping means, for tamping the pellets into a solid mass in the tubular case, having a tamping head of smaller cross-sectional area than that of the case, the tamping head also having surface lubricity to prevent adhesion to the pellets; and lateral motion means operatively connected to the tamping head and case combination to effect relative lateral motion therebetween, whereby the entire cross-sectional surface area of the composition in the case may be tamped uniformly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
Apparatus for packing a crumbly, tacky, nonfluent composition into a tubular case, comprising: a segment former comprising a downwardly-convergent hopper to receive the composition, a plurality of vertical baffles each fixed to the inner wall of the hopper and extending inwardly thereof to prevent angular motion of the nonfluent composition in the hopper, a horizontally-disposed, rotatable, shredding disk having scoops, each extending upwardly over a corresponding hole in the disk, which is positioned intermediately in the hopper below the baffles, for supporting the nonfluent mass therein and whereby strips may be carved off the bottom of the nonfluent mass of the composition, to fall in small segments therefrom; a vibrating conveyor to form the segments into firm, rounded, fluent pellets and to convey the pellets into the tubular case; reciprocating tamping means, for tamping the pellets into a solid mass in the tubular case, having a tamping head of smaller cross-sectional area than that of the case, the tamping head also having surface lubricity to prevent adhesion to the pellets; and lateral motion means operatively connected to the tamping head and case combination to effect relative lateral motion therebetween, whereby the entire cross-sectional surface area of the composition in the case may be tamped uniformly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein all surfaces that normally contact the nonfluent composition are at least coated with polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tamping head is made of polytetrafluoroethylene and tapers to a flat, elongated surface that is aligned, relative to the tubular case, to extend from the center thereof to the case wall, with ample clearance therefrom, and wherein the lateral-motion means is a rotating table to which the tubular case is concentrically clamped.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for dividing a mass of crumbly, tacky, nonfluent composition into small segments, comprising; a downwardly-convergent hopper; a horizontally-disposed, rotatable, shredding disk having scoops, each extending upwardly over a corresponding hole in the disk and oriented in the direction of rotation of the disk, which is positioned intermediately of the hopper for supporting the nonfluent mass therein, and whereby circular strips may be carved off the bottom of the mass, to fall in small segments therefrom; vertically-disposed baffles, fixed to the inside of the hopper above the shredding disk to prevent motion of the nonfluent mass, as the shredding disk rotates; and rotating means for rotating the disk, wherein all moving parts are shielded from contact with the nonfluent composition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for dividing a mass of crumbly, tacky, nonfluent composition into small segments, comprising; a downwardly-convergent hopper; a horizontally-disposed, rotatable, shredding disk having scoops, each extending upwardly over a corresponding hole in the disk and oriented in the direction of rotation of the disk, which is positioned intermediately of the hopper for supporting the nonfluent mass therein, and whereby circular strips may be carved off the bottom of the mass, to fall in small segments therefrom; vertically-disposed baffles, fixed to the inside of the hopper above the shredding disk to prevent motion of the nonfluent mass, as the shredding disk rotates; and rotating means for rotating the disk, wherein all moving parts are shielded from contact with the nonfluent composition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the scoops and their corresponding holes are positioned in radially staggered, slightly overlapping relationship in the shredding disk, so that, as the disk rotates, no uncarved lands are foRmed on the bottom of the nonfluent mass between strips carved off by the scoops.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein ample clearance is provided between the shredding disk and adjacent parts, to avoid pinching the nonfluent composition therebetween, and wherein all surfaces that contact the composition are coated with polytetrafluoroethylene.
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) | 1975-12-19 | 1976-06-19 | 1976-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-19 | 1980-06-19 | 1980-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-19 | 1984-06-19 | 1984-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |