Patent US3724656A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3724656A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Separating and sorting apparatus
Assignee: Pneumatic Scale Corp
•
Filing: 1971-04-07
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1991-04-07
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for sequentially separating and distributing items from a mixed relatively compact mass of items having appendages so intertwined as to make separation difficult, comprising tandemly arranged separators for successively operating on the mass. Each separator apparatus has a hopper and an elevator. The elevator in the first separator loosens items from the initially compact mass and transfers random complements to the hopper of the second separator where they collect in the form of a loose mat. The elevator of the second separator loosens the items in the mat and transfers continuous complements to the hopper of a sorting apparatus. The hopper of each apparatus has a sloping bottom so that the mass gravitates toward its lower end and the elevator of each separator comprises a conveyor situated at the lower end of the hopper which extends upwardly relative to the bottom and has fixed to it a plurality of spaced parallel flights operable by movement upwardly relative to the bottom of the hopper to effect oscillation of the mass so as to loosen items in the mass. Eccentrics are mounted in engagement with the bottoms of the hoppers for effecting vibration thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 W Sterling
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:41
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/02; B65G47/04; B65G47/12; B65G47/14; B65G47/1407; B65G47/1442; B65G47/1471
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
345 words
Apparatus for sequentially separating and distributing items from a mixed, relatively compact mass of items having appendages so intertwined as to make separation difficult, comprising providing tandemly arranged separators, the first separator comprising a hopper having a downwardly sloping bottom wall onto which the compact mass is adapted to be deposited, and spaced parallel side walls for retaining the mass on said bottom wall, means at the lower end of the hopper against which the entire mass gravitates and is supported, said means comprising an upwardly inclined conveyor extending upwardly from the lower end of the bottom wall between the side walls beyond the top, the portion the conveyor travelling upwardly in the hopper at any time comprising a closure at the lower end of the hopper and the portion of the conveyor above the hopper operating to carry items separated from the mass upwardly away from the hopper to a place of discharge, said conveyor extending entirely across the hopper from side wall to side wall and spaced parallel flights on the conveyor disposed transversely thereof from side wall to side wall and extending forwardly from that portion of the conveyor travelling upwardly in the lower end of the hopper, and means for effecting movement of the conveyor to cause the flights to travel upwardly from the bottom against the mass resting against the portion of the conveyor at the lower end of the hopper to effect repeated oscillation of the mass, said flights embodying means for scraping items from said ends of the mass and for entraining random items scraped from said end and carrying them upwardly out of the hopper for discharge into the hopper of said second separator, and said second separator comprising a hopper having a downwardly sloping bottom onto which items transferred thereto from the first separator are deposited in the form of a loose mat, and means at the lower end of the second hopper against which the mat gravitates operable to remove therefrom uniform complements of items and transfer them to the hopper of a sorting apparatus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
345 words
Apparatus for sequentially separating and distributing items from a mixed, relatively compact mass of items having appendages so intertwined as to make separation difficult, comprising providing tandemly arranged separators, the first separator comprising a hopper having a downwardly sloping bottom wall onto which the compact mass is adapted to be deposited, and spaced parallel side walls for retaining the mass on said bottom wall, means at the lower end of the hopper against which the entire mass gravitates and is supported, said means comprising an upwardly inclined conveyor extending upwardly from the lower end of the bottom wall between the side walls beyond the top, the portion the conveyor travelling upwardly in the hopper at any time comprising a closure at the lower end of the hopper and the portion of the conveyor above the hopper operating to carry items separated from the mass upwardly away from the hopper to a place of discharge, said conveyor extending entirely across the hopper from side wall to side wall and spaced parallel flights on the conveyor disposed transversely thereof from side wall to side wall and extending forwardly from that portion of the conveyor travelling upwardly in the lower end of the hopper, and means for effecting movement of the conveyor to cause the flights to travel upwardly from the bottom against the mass resting against the portion of the conveyor at the lower end of the hopper to effect repeated oscillation of the mass, said flights embodying means for scraping items from said ends of the mass and for entraining random items scraped from said end and carrying them upwardly out of the hopper for discharge into the hopper of said second separator, and said second separator comprising a hopper having a downwardly sloping bottom onto which items transferred thereto from the first separator are deposited in the form of a loose mat, and means at the lower end of the second hopper against which the mat gravitates operable to remove therefrom uniform complements of items and transfer them to the hopper of a sorting apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for entraining random items from the mass are combs carried by the flights upwardly through the mass.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising means vibrating the bottom of the hopper of the first separator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hopper of the first separator is adapted to receive an unbroken mass of predetermined dimensions and the hopper of the second separator is approximately half the volume of the first.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
254 words
Apparatus for sequentially separating and distributing items from a mixed, relatively compact mass of items having appendages so intertwined as to make separation difficult, comprising providing tandemly arranged separators, the first separator comprising a hopper having a sloping bottom onto which the compact mass is adapted to be deposited, means at the lower end of the hopper against which the mass gravitates, said means being operable to effect oscillation of the mass so as to loosen items from the mass, and means movable in engagement with said end to remove therefrom random complements of iteMs and transfer the same to the second separator; said second separator comprising a hopper having a sloping bottom onto which the items transferred thereto from the first separator are deposited in the form of a loose mat, and means at the lower end of the second hopper against which the mat gravitates operable to remove therefrom uniform complements of items and transfer them to the hopper of the sorting apparatus, said means at the lower end of each hopper comprising an endless conveyor supported with one run adjacent the lower end of the hopper for movement upwardly relative to the bottom of the hopper and transversely disposed flights mounted on the conveyor movable thereby upwardly relative to the bottom of the hopper, each flight embodying a flat plate having a transverse flight corresponding substantially to the width of the hopper at the lower end, and inclined downwardly and away from the hopper with respect to the direction of movement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
254 words
Apparatus for sequentially separating and distributing items from a mixed, relatively compact mass of items having appendages so intertwined as to make separation difficult, comprising providing tandemly arranged separators, the first separator comprising a hopper having a sloping bottom onto which the compact mass is adapted to be deposited, means at the lower end of the hopper against which the mass gravitates, said means being operable to effect oscillation of the mass so as to loosen items from the mass, and means movable in engagement with said end to remove therefrom random complements of iteMs and transfer the same to the second separator; said second separator comprising a hopper having a sloping bottom onto which the items transferred thereto from the first separator are deposited in the form of a loose mat, and means at the lower end of the second hopper against which the mat gravitates operable to remove therefrom uniform complements of items and transfer them to the hopper of the sorting apparatus, said means at the lower end of each hopper comprising an endless conveyor supported with one run adjacent the lower end of the hopper for movement upwardly relative to the bottom of the hopper and transversely disposed flights mounted on the conveyor movable thereby upwardly relative to the bottom of the hopper, each flight embodying a flat plate having a transverse flight corresponding substantially to the width of the hopper at the lower end, and inclined downwardly and away from the hopper with respect to the direction of movement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein there is a comb at the distal edge of each plate substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
159 words
Apparatus for separating items from a mixed mass of entangled items comprising a hopper having a sloping bottom such that the mass gravitates to the lower end, means adapted successively to become an end portion of the hopper at the lower end, said means comprising an endless conveyor, supported with one run adjacent the lower end of the hopper for movement upwardly relative to the bottom, said conveyor comprising transversely disposed flights, mounted on the conveyor movable thereby upwardly relative to the bottom of the hopper, each flight embodying a flat deflector plate having a transverse length corresponding substantially to the width of the hopper, and inclined downwardly and away from the conveyor with respect to the direction of movement, which pushes the mass upwardly on the bottom, and means associated with the deflector plate for catching such items as from time to time occupy a predetermined position in the loosened mass to lift said items from the mass.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
159 words
Apparatus for separating items from a mixed mass of entangled items comprising a hopper having a sloping bottom such that the mass gravitates to the lower end, means adapted successively to become an end portion of the hopper at the lower end, said means comprising an endless conveyor, supported with one run adjacent the lower end of the hopper for movement upwardly relative to the bottom, said conveyor comprising transversely disposed flights, mounted on the conveyor movable thereby upwardly relative to the bottom of the hopper, each flight embodying a flat deflector plate having a transverse length corresponding substantially to the width of the hopper, and inclined downwardly and away from the conveyor with respect to the direction of movement, which pushes the mass upwardly on the bottom, and means associated with the deflector plate for catching such items as from time to time occupy a predetermined position in the loosened mass to lift said items from the mass.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the last means is adapted to retain items which occupy said predetermined position when intercepted and to reject items not so positioned.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the last means embodies transversely spaced combs adapted to intercept items which occupy said predetermined positions to extract them from the mass.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the movement of the parts while constituting end portions of the hopper is rectilinear.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein there are elevator plates at the lower edges of the deflector plates disposed at right angles to the direction of movement of the conveyor, and wherein said means for catching items to lift them from the mass comprise transversely disposed spaced notches at the distal edges of the elevator plates.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
68 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the conveyor is supported on spaced parallel sheaves for continuous movement of one run upwardly relative to the hopper and the other run downwardly relative to the hopper, and wherein the line of centers of the sheaves is situated at an angle to the bottom of the hopper such that the upwardly moving run is substantially at right angles to said bottom.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the deflector which forces the mass away from the lower end comprises a flat plate disposed at an angle of approximately 30* to the upwardly moving run of the conveyor and the elevator which lifts the mass is a flat plate disposed at right angles to said upwardly moving run of the conveyor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the conveyor comprises pivotally connected links to which are fixed the flights and wherein as each flight passes over the upper sheave to the downgoing side it is inverted so as to dump the items caught thereby.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
252 words
Apparatus for separating items from a mixed, relatively solid masS of items, wherein the items comprise rigid parts from which extend elongate, flexible appendages, and wherein the appendages are so entangles within the mass as to require loosening of the mass to separate individual items therefrom; comprising a hopper having a flat sloping bottom such that a mass of entangled items deposited in the hopper will gravitate toward the lower end, means at the lower end of the hopper adapted successively to become an end portion of the hopper, said means comprising a plurality of flights movable rectilinearly at said lower end in a direction from the bottom upwardly into engagement with the mass, each flight embodying a transversely disposed plate situated substantially at right angles to the direction of movement of the conveyor while comprising an end portion of the hopper, said plate having a toothed edge, the distances between the teeth being less than the major dimension of the rigid part of the item and greater than the flexible appendage, such that said toothed plate will hold items in suspension with their rigid parts resting against its upper side and with the flexible appendages descending therefrom, and each flight operating to push the mass away from the lower end of the sloping bottom and to lift the mass upwardly from the bottom, and means for effecting said movement of the flights in such a way as to jostle items loose from the end of the mass resting against said flights.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
252 words
Apparatus for separating items from a mixed, relatively solid masS of items, wherein the items comprise rigid parts from which extend elongate, flexible appendages, and wherein the appendages are so entangles within the mass as to require loosening of the mass to separate individual items therefrom; comprising a hopper having a flat sloping bottom such that a mass of entangled items deposited in the hopper will gravitate toward the lower end, means at the lower end of the hopper adapted successively to become an end portion of the hopper, said means comprising a plurality of flights movable rectilinearly at said lower end in a direction from the bottom upwardly into engagement with the mass, each flight embodying a transversely disposed plate situated substantially at right angles to the direction of movement of the conveyor while comprising an end portion of the hopper, said plate having a toothed edge, the distances between the teeth being less than the major dimension of the rigid part of the item and greater than the flexible appendage, such that said toothed plate will hold items in suspension with their rigid parts resting against its upper side and with the flexible appendages descending therefrom, and each flight operating to push the mass away from the lower end of the sloping bottom and to lift the mass upwardly from the bottom, and means for effecting said movement of the flights in such a way as to jostle items loose from the end of the mass resting against said flights.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the spaces between teeth are dimensioned to accommodate but a single item.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus according to claim 15, comprising a part situated along the root line of the teeth for limiting the entrance of items into the spaces between teeth to a position such that the flexible appendages are held away from the bottoms of the tooth spaces and so remain loose in said spaces.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the distance between successive flights is greater than the length of the flexible appendages.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 15, comprising means for effecting vibration of the bottom of the hopper at its lower end.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 15, comprising an eccentric operably associated with the bottom of the hopper at its lower end, and means for effecting rotation of the eccentric to effect vibration of the bottom.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 15, comprising means for effecting vibration of the lower end of the conveyor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus according to claim 15, comprising eccentric means operably connected with the bottom of the hopper at the lower end, means for effecting rotation of the eccentric and hence vibration of the bottom at the lower end of the hopper, and means connecting the eccentric to the lower end of the conveyor for effecting vibration of the conveyor simultaneously with the vibration of the hopper.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the distance between the side walls of the hopper is greater than that of the compacted mass to allow an initial expansion of the mass.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
121 words
The method of separating from a relatively solid mass of items for deposit in the hopper of a sorting apparatus, comprising effecting an initial separation by depositing the mass in a hopper of larger dimension than the mass to permit an initial spreading of the mass, subjecting an end of the mass to repeated oscillation to effect loosening, successively combing from said end random complements of loosened items, transferring the items combed from the mass to a second hopper of small dimension in the form of a continuous mat, subjecting an end of the mat to repeated oscillations to effect loosening, successively combing from said end continuous complements of items and transferring said items to the hopper of a sorting apparatus.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
121 words
The method of separating from a relatively solid mass of items for deposit in the hopper of a sorting apparatus, comprising effecting an initial separation by depositing the mass in a hopper of larger dimension than the mass to permit an initial spreading of the mass, subjecting an end of the mass to repeated oscillation to effect loosening, successively combing from said end random complements of loosened items, transferring the items combed from the mass to a second hopper of small dimension in the form of a continuous mat, subjecting an end of the mat to repeated oscillations to effect loosening, successively combing from said end continuous complements of items and transferring said items to the hopper of a sorting apparatus.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
94 words
The method of separating from a relatively solid mass of items embodying appendages intertwined with each other comprising effecting an initial separation by depositing the mass in a hopper of larger dimensions than the mass to permiT initial spreading of the mass, subjecting an end of the mass to repeated oscillations to effect loosening, successively combing from said end random complements of loosened items, forming a continuous mat of the random complements of items, successively combing from said mat uniform complements of items and transferring the uniform complements of items to a sorting apparatus.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
94 words
The method of separating from a relatively solid mass of items embodying appendages intertwined with each other comprising effecting an initial separation by depositing the mass in a hopper of larger dimensions than the mass to permiT initial spreading of the mass, subjecting an end of the mass to repeated oscillations to effect loosening, successively combing from said end random complements of loosened items, forming a continuous mat of the random complements of items, successively combing from said mat uniform complements of items and transferring the uniform complements of items to a sorting apparatus.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
85 words
The method of separating items from a relatively solid mass of items embodying appendages intertwined with each other in the mass, comprising reducing a compact mass of such items to its component items by repeatedly shaking the mass to loosen items in the mass, successively combing random complements of items from the mass, forming a continuous mat of the items randomly combed from the mass, successively combing uniform complements of items from the mat and transferring the uniform complements of items to a sorting apparatus.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
85 words
The method of separating items from a relatively solid mass of items embodying appendages intertwined with each other in the mass, comprising reducing a compact mass of such items to its component items by repeatedly shaking the mass to loosen items in the mass, successively combing random complements of items from the mass, forming a continuous mat of the items randomly combed from the mass, successively combing uniform complements of items from the mat and transferring the uniform complements of items to a sorting apparatus.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
88 words
The method of sequentially separating and distributing items from a mixed relatively compact mass of items having appendages so intertwined as to make separation difficult, comprising subjecting the mass to repeated oscillations and vibrations such as to loosen some of the items from the mass, successively combing from an end of the mass random complements of items, forming a continuous mat of the random complements of items, successively combing from the mat full complements of items and transferring the items combed from the mat to a sorting apparatus.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
88 words
The method of sequentially separating and distributing items from a mixed relatively compact mass of items having appendages so intertwined as to make separation difficult, comprising subjecting the mass to repeated oscillations and vibrations such as to loosen some of the items from the mass, successively combing from an end of the mass random complements of items, forming a continuous mat of the random complements of items, successively combing from the mat full complements of items and transferring the items combed from the mat to a sorting apparatus.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
74 words
The method of separating from a relatively solid mass of items embodying appendages intertwined with each other in the mass comprising depositing the mass in a hopper of larger dimension than the mass to permit an initial spreading of the mass to the larger dimension of the hopper, oscillating the mass in the hopper to loosen items in the mass, and successively combing loosened items from the mass until the mass is completely disseminated.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
74 words
The method of separating from a relatively solid mass of items embodying appendages intertwined with each other in the mass comprising depositing the mass in a hopper of larger dimension than the mass to permit an initial spreading of the mass to the larger dimension of the hopper, oscillating the mass in the hopper to loosen items in the mass, and successively combing loosened items from the mass until the mass is completely disseminated.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
115 words
The method of separating from a relatively solid mass of items embodying appendages intertwined with each other in the mass comprising depositing the mass in a hopper of larger dimension than the mass to permit an initial spreading of the mass to the larger dimension of the hopper, oscillating the mass in the hopper to loosen items within the mass, successively combing random complements of items from the mass, transferring the random complements to a hopper of smaller dimensions to form a continuous mat therein, oscillating the mat in the hopper, successively combing uniform complements of items from the mat, and transferring the uniform complements from the mat to the hopper of a sorting apparatus.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
115 words
The method of separating from a relatively solid mass of items embodying appendages intertwined with each other in the mass comprising depositing the mass in a hopper of larger dimension than the mass to permit an initial spreading of the mass to the larger dimension of the hopper, oscillating the mass in the hopper to loosen items within the mass, successively combing random complements of items from the mass, transferring the random complements to a hopper of smaller dimensions to form a continuous mat therein, oscillating the mat in the hopper, successively combing uniform complements of items from the mat, and transferring the uniform complements from the mat to the hopper of a sorting apparatus.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method according to claim 29, comprising depositing the mass in a hopper having an inclined bottom such that the mass gravitates toward the lower end, effecting oscillation of the mass by repeatedly pushing the mass away from the lower end and releasing it, and successively removing random complements of loose items from the lower end by combing upwardly through the mass from the bottom.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 29, comprising transferring the randomly combed complements to a second hopper in the form of a continuous mat, effecting oscillation of the mat, and successively removing uniform complements of items from the mat by combing upwardly through the mat.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 29, comprising vibrating the mass and the mat.
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) | 1976-04-02 | 1976-10-02 | 1977-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-02 | 1980-10-02 | 1981-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-10-02 | 1985-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |