US3708208A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for selective distribution of light weight materials
Assignee: Free Flow Packaging Corp
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Filing: 1970-11-02
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Granted: 1973-01-02
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Expires: 1990-11-02
Abstract
Abstract A system (method and apparatus) for rapidly and selectively conveying and distributing light weight materials in subdivided free flowing form. The system operates in conjunction with blower and air dissipating means to selectively deliver predetermined amounts of light weight materials to various remote distribution outlets associated with a generally closed air conveyance system. The system makes use of volumetric air dissipating means at each such outlet which operate both to discharge predetermined amounts of the subdivided light weight materials at such outlets and to replace from a central source only the amounts of material discharged. The system has utility in the distribution of predetermined amounts of subdivided materials (e.g., cushioning and packaging materials, dry cereals, chemicals and similar light weight materials) to localized filling and packaging operations.
Inventors
- 👤 G Fuss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:18
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G53/00; B65G53/34; B65G53/60; B65G53/04; B65G53/06; B65G53/40; B65G53/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
In a system of apparatus for the selective distribution of light weight materials in subdivided form, a hopper containing a substantial quantity of said material, said hopper having a screened gas dissipating outlet, substantially closed conduit means in fluid communication with said hopper outlet, said substantially closed conduit means including a venturi positioned immediately adjacent and in communication with said hopper outlet, means to adjust the cross-sectional area of said venturi, blower means in fluid communication with said conduit means and said gas dissipating hopper outlet, said conduit means being provided with at least one remote distribution outlet, and gas dissipating discharge means at said distribution outlet to effect a controlled discharge of a predetermined volume of said material from said distribution outlet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
In a system of apparatus for the selective distribution of light weight materials in subdivided form, a hopper containing a substantial quantity of said material, said hopper having a screened gas dissipating outlet, substantially closed conduit means in fluid communication with said hopper outlet, said substantially closed conduit means including a venturi positioned immediately adjacent and in communication with said hopper outlet, means to adjust the cross-sectional area of said venturi, blower means in fluid communication with said conduit means and said gas dissipating hopper outlet, said conduit means being provided with at least one remote distribution outlet, and gas dissipating discharge means at said distribution outlet to effect a controlled discharge of a predetermined volume of said material from said distribution outlet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
145 words
In a system of apparatus for the selective distribution of light weight materials in subdivided form, a feed hopper containing a substantial quantity of said material, said hopper having an outlet, substantially closed conduit means in fluid communication with said hopper outlet, said conduit means including venturi means in fluid communication with said hopper outlet, gas dissipating screen means positioned in said hopper outlet between said hopper and said venturi means, blower means in fluid communication with said substantially closed conduit means and normally adapted to vent through said screen means in said hopper outlet, said substantially closed conduit means being provided with at least one remote distribution outlet, gas dissipating means at each remote distribution outlet, and discharge valve means cooperating with the gas dissipating means at each said distribution outlet to effect a controlled discharge of material on operation of the valve means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
145 words
In a system of apparatus for the selective distribution of light weight materials in subdivided form, a feed hopper containing a substantial quantity of said material, said hopper having an outlet, substantially closed conduit means in fluid communication with said hopper outlet, said conduit means including venturi means in fluid communication with said hopper outlet, gas dissipating screen means positioned in said hopper outlet between said hopper and said venturi means, blower means in fluid communication with said substantially closed conduit means and normally adapted to vent through said screen means in said hopper outlet, said substantially closed conduit means being provided with at least one remote distribution outlet, gas dissipating means at each remote distribution outlet, and discharge valve means cooperating with the gas dissipating means at each said distribution outlet to effect a controlled discharge of material on operation of the valve means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system of apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said substantially closed conduit means is provided with branch conduit means to effect fluid communication with a series of remote distribution outlets.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system of apparatus as in claim 3 wherein each of said branch conduit means is in fluid communication with said conduit means along an axis which is coextensive with the axis of the conduit means at a point of branching.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system of apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said branch conduit means include venturi means positioned at a point of branching.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system of apparatus as in Claim 3 wherein each of said distribution outlets is provided with valve means to separately effect a controlled discharge of a predetermined volume of said material.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
175 words
A system of apparatus for the rigid selective delivery of predetermined volumes of light weight subdivided materials, comprising: a feed hopper adapted to contain a substantial volume of said material, a screened outlet for said hopper adapted to discharge light weight material therefrom by gravity flow, substantially closed conduit means in fluid communication with said hopper, said conduit means including a flattened venturi section immediately adjacent and in fluid communication with said substantially closed hopper outlet, blower means in fluid communication with said screened conduit means and normally adapted to vent through said screened hopper outlet, a series of remote distribution outlets forming a part of said substantially closed conduit means, each of said distribution outlets including branch conduit means terminating in an elongate portion formed of screening means, valve means associated with said branch conduit means and operable to selectively effect a controlled discharge of material from said branch conduit means, each of said valve means being selectively operable to successfully effect discharge and replacement of a predetermined volume of said light weight material.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
175 words
A system of apparatus for the rigid selective delivery of predetermined volumes of light weight subdivided materials, comprising: a feed hopper adapted to contain a substantial volume of said material, a screened outlet for said hopper adapted to discharge light weight material therefrom by gravity flow, substantially closed conduit means in fluid communication with said hopper, said conduit means including a flattened venturi section immediately adjacent and in fluid communication with said substantially closed hopper outlet, blower means in fluid communication with said screened conduit means and normally adapted to vent through said screened hopper outlet, a series of remote distribution outlets forming a part of said substantially closed conduit means, each of said distribution outlets including branch conduit means terminating in an elongate portion formed of screening means, valve means associated with said branch conduit means and operable to selectively effect a controlled discharge of material from said branch conduit means, each of said valve means being selectively operable to successfully effect discharge and replacement of a predetermined volume of said light weight material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system of apparatus as in claim 7 wherein the screen area of each of said branch conduit means, within the screened portion thereof, is substantially greater than the screen area of the screened hopper outlet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system of apparatus as in claim 7 wherein each of said valve means comprises a scissors valve adapted to manual operation with a single hand.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
165 words
In a method for the rapid selective delivery of predetermined volumes of light weight subdivided materials at remote locations, the steps of creating a source of gas under pressure, introducing gas from said source to a generally closed conveyance system, positioning a source of supply of said light weight material adjacent said closed conveyance system, normally directing gas from said pressure source to a zone of gas dissipation between said source of supply of light weight material and said closed conveyance system to thereby effect a holding and supporting of said source of light weight material in suspended relation, and selectively diverting a substantial portion of the flow of gas from said pressurized source to a distribution outlet in said closed conveyance system to both interrupt the flow of gas to said zone of dissipation and to reduce the gas pressure therein, whereby a portion of said supply of light weight material is caused to pass through said closed conveyance system to said distribution outlet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
165 words
In a method for the rapid selective delivery of predetermined volumes of light weight subdivided materials at remote locations, the steps of creating a source of gas under pressure, introducing gas from said source to a generally closed conveyance system, positioning a source of supply of said light weight material adjacent said closed conveyance system, normally directing gas from said pressure source to a zone of gas dissipation between said source of supply of light weight material and said closed conveyance system to thereby effect a holding and supporting of said source of light weight material in suspended relation, and selectively diverting a substantial portion of the flow of gas from said pressurized source to a distribution outlet in said closed conveyance system to both interrupt the flow of gas to said zone of dissipation and to reduce the gas pressure therein, whereby a portion of said supply of light weight material is caused to pass through said closed conveyance system to said distribution outlet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 10 wherein said diversion of the flow of gas from said pressurized source is effected by discharge of substantially all the gas flow through said distribution outlet.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 11 wherein the diverting flow of gas to said distribution outlet produces a negative gas pressure at said zone of dissipation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 10 wherein said light weight subdivided material comprises a multitude of individual cushioning and packaging units.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 13 wherein said cushioning and packaging units are formed of foamed expanded plastic material having a bulk density of about 0.3 to 4.5 pounds per cubic foot.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
132 words
In a system of apparatus for the selective distribution of light weight materials in subdivided form, a hopper containing a substantial quantity of said material, said hopper having a gas dissipating outlet, substantially closed conduit means in fluid communication with said hopper outlet, said substantially closed conduit means including a venturi positioned immediately adjacent and in communication with said hopper outlet, said venturi being flattened to provide an inside dimension substantially equivalent to the inside diameter of said hopper outlet, blower meaNs in fluid communication with said conduit means and said gas dissipating hopper outlet, said conduit means being provided with at least one remote distribution outlet, and gas dissipating discharge means at said distribution outlet to effect a controlled discharge of a predetermined volume of said material from said distribution outlet.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
132 words
In a system of apparatus for the selective distribution of light weight materials in subdivided form, a hopper containing a substantial quantity of said material, said hopper having a gas dissipating outlet, substantially closed conduit means in fluid communication with said hopper outlet, said substantially closed conduit means including a venturi positioned immediately adjacent and in communication with said hopper outlet, said venturi being flattened to provide an inside dimension substantially equivalent to the inside diameter of said hopper outlet, blower meaNs in fluid communication with said conduit means and said gas dissipating hopper outlet, said conduit means being provided with at least one remote distribution outlet, and gas dissipating discharge means at said distribution outlet to effect a controlled discharge of a predetermined volume of said material from said distribution outlet.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
120 words
In a system of apparatus for the selective distribution of light weight materials in subdivided form, a hopper containing a substantial quantity of said material, said hopper having a gas dissipating outlet, substantially closed conduit means in fluid communication with said conduit means and said gas dissipating hopper outlet, said conduit means being provided with at least one remote distribution outlet, and gas dissipating discharge means at said distribution outlet to effect a controlled discharge of a predetermined volume of said material from said distribution outlet, said last named means being in the form of an elongated conduit formed of screening means and having a volume substantially equivalent to the volume of material to be discharged from said distribution outlet.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
120 words
In a system of apparatus for the selective distribution of light weight materials in subdivided form, a hopper containing a substantial quantity of said material, said hopper having a gas dissipating outlet, substantially closed conduit means in fluid communication with said conduit means and said gas dissipating hopper outlet, said conduit means being provided with at least one remote distribution outlet, and gas dissipating discharge means at said distribution outlet to effect a controlled discharge of a predetermined volume of said material from said distribution outlet, said last named means being in the form of an elongated conduit formed of screening means and having a volume substantially equivalent to the volume of material to be discharged from said distribution outlet.
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) | 1976-01-02 | 1976-07-03 | 1977-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-02 | 1980-07-03 | 1981-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-02 | 1984-07-03 | 1985-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |