Patent US3794440A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3714818A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and means of measuring the moisture content of grain
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-03-10
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Granted: 1973-02-06
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Expires: 1991-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A method for determining the moisture content of grain is comprised of the steps of depositing a quantity of grain to be tested at a fixed point above a supporting surface so that the grain will, through gravity, form a uniformly inclined surface extending outwardly and downwardly from the point of deposit, and measuring the magnitude of the angle created between the surface of the grain and a horizontal plane. The means for measuring the moisture content of grain includes a triangular box having an opening at its upper end and an opening at its lower end. The moisture content of the grain is determined by measuring the slope of the pile of grain which accumulates in the box as the grain is poured into the box.
Inventors
- 👤 W Relph
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 14:39
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/02; G01N33/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for determining the average moisture content inside the kernels of a given quantity of grain, comprising, depositing a quantity of grain to be tested at a fixed point above a supporting surface so that the grain will through gravity form a uniformly inclined surface extending outwardly and downwardly from the point of deposit, maintaining the supply of grain to be tested in sufficient quantities so that the inclined surface of said grain extends to and forms an apex substantially at the point where said grain is deposited above said supporting surface, measuring the magnitude of the angle created between said inclined surface of said grain and a horizontal plane intersecting said inclined surface, whereby the magnitude of said angle can be compared to similar angles formed by surfaces of grain of known moisture content subjected to the aforesaid conditions whereby the moisture content of the grain so deposited can be ascertained.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for determining the average moisture content inside the kernels of a given quantity of grain, comprising, depositing a quantity of grain to be tested at a fixed point above a supporting surface so that the grain will through gravity form a uniformly inclined surface extending outwardly and downwardly from the point of deposit, maintaining the supply of grain to be tested in sufficient quantities so that the inclined surface of said grain extends to and forms an apex substantially at the point where said grain is deposited above said supporting surface, measuring the magnitude of the angle created between said inclined surface of said grain and a horizontal plane intersecting said inclined surface, whereby the magnitude of said angle can be compared to similar angles formed by surfaces of grain of known moisture content subjected to the aforesaid conditions whereby the moisture content of the grain so deposited can be ascertained.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for determining the average moisture content inside the kernels of a given quantity of grain, comprising, depositing a quantity of grain to be tested at a fixed point above a supporting surface so that the grain will through gravity form a uniformly inclined surface extending outwardly and downwardly from the point of deposit, maintaining the supply of grain to be tested in sufficient quantities so that the inclined surface of said grain extends to and forms an apex substantially at the point where said grain is deposited above said supporting surface, measuring the magnitude of the angle created between said inclined surface of said grain and a horizontal plane intersecting said inclined surface, whereby the magnitude of said angle can be compared to similar angles formed by surfaces of grain of known moisture content subjected to the aforesaid conditions whereby the moisture content of the grain so deposited can be ascertained.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for determining the average moisture content inside the kernels of a given quantity of grain, comprising, depositing a quantity of grain to be tested at a fixed point above a supporting surface so that the grain will through gravity form a uniformly inclined surface extending outwardly and downwardly from the point of deposit, maintaining the supply of grain to be tested in sufficient quantities so that the inclined surface of said grain extends to and forms an apex substantially at the point where said grain is deposited above said supporting surface, measuring the magnitude of the angle created between said inclined surface of said grain and a horizontal plane intersecting said inclined surface, whereby the magnitude of said angle can be compared to similar angles formed by surfaces of grain of known moisture content subjected to the aforesaid conditions whereby the moisture content of the grain so deposited can be ascertained.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said angle is measured when said grain is in a static condition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said angle is measured when said grain is progressively flowing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said grain is deposited on said supporting surface by pouring said grain into an enclosed box through an opening in the top wall of said box until said grain within said box blocks said opening.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
93 words
Apparatus for measuring the moisture content of grain comprising: a box having an inclined bottom wall, an upstanding side wall, and a top wall positioned over said bottom wall; said top wall having an inlet opening therein at a point spaced from said side wall; feed means for pouring grain into said box through said inlet opening whereupon said grain will fall upon said bottom wall and accummulate in a pile between said bottom wall and said side wall; and measuring means for measuring the slope of the upper surface of said pile.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
93 words
Apparatus for measuring the moisture content of grain comprising: a box having an inclined bottom wall, an upstanding side wall, and a top wall positioned over said bottom wall; said top wall having an inlet opening therein at a point spaced from said side wall; feed means for pouring grain into said box through said inlet opening whereupon said grain will fall upon said bottom wall and accummulate in a pile between said bottom wall and said side wall; and measuring means for measuring the slope of the upper surface of said pile.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said side wall has a lower end and an outlet opening in said lower end for permitting grain to flow out of said box; said outlet opening being smaller than said inlet opening whereby said grain may enter said box through said inlet opening at a rate faster than it can leave said box through said outlet opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said feed means comprises an elongated feed chute having an inlet opening and a discharge opening, said discharge opening being in communication with said inlet opening of said box; a conveyor means being in communication with said inlet opening of said discharge chute whereby grain being conveyed by said conveyor means will enter said feed chute.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said feed chute is inclined downwardly from said conveyor means whereby gravity will cause grain to enter said feed chute from said conveyor means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said outlet opening of said box is in communication with said conveyor means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said measuring means includes a sensing device on said side wall for sensing the depth of said pile of grain at said side wall; indicator means being associated with said sensing means for indicating the depth of said pile of grain at side wall.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus According to claim 10 wherein said sensing means comprises a plurality of photoelectric cells.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
BE528088A
Cited
US3538618A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-06 | 1976-08-07 | 1977-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-06 | 1980-08-07 | 1981-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-06 | 1984-08-07 | 1985-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |