US3733033A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compost and refuse shredding and shifting apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-03-22
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Granted: 1973-05-15
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Expires: 1991-03-22
Abstract
Abstract An improved apparatus for shredding, shifting and aerating organic wastes, refuse and other material that includes an endless web carrying a plurality of outwardly projecting elements which is moved in an upwardly and forwardly extending orbital path as the working face of the web engages the material and also includes a rotatable drum having outwardly extending elements that is positioned forwardly of the web near the lower portion of the orbital path. The plane of the web is adjustable relative to both the longitudinal and vertical axis of the chassis and the drum is vertically adjustable in a direction generally parallel to the plane of the upwardly moving web. In the preferred embodiment, the web and drum are supported from a self-propelled chassis.
Inventors
- 👤 H Cobey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:11
CPC Classifications
B; B03; B03B; B03B9/00; B03B9/06; C; C05; C05F; C05F17/00; C05F17/90; C05F17/921; C05F17/943; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P20/00; Y02P20/141; Y02P20/145; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/40; Y02W30/50; Y02W30/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
An improved apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said shredding means includes an elongated drum rotatably carried by said frame, said drum being substantially horizontally disposed forwardly of said web near said lower shaft and having a plurality of elements projecting outwardly therefrom, and means are provided for rotating said drum.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
An improved apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said outwardly directed drum elements are comprised of radially directed teeth arranged in rows along the length of said drum, said rows being substantially equally spaced from adjacent rows around the circumference thereof, with the teeth in each row being disposed in staggered relation to the teeth in the two adjacent rows.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
An improved apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said frame includes means for vertically adjusting said rotatable drum along a line generally parallel to a plane passing through said upper and lower shafts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
An improved apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said rotatable drum is journaled in movable bearing blocks normally biased to a neutral position by spring means and shiftable against said bias in the event said drum encounters an obstruction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
An improved apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said bearing blocks and spring means are mounted on said brackets and means are provided for selectively adjusting said slide brackets relative to said frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
An improved apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said shredding means includes a generally flat plate spaced forwardly of the upwardly moving portion of said web, said plate extending substantially the width of said web and having a number of resiliently mounted restriction elements thereon extending rearwardly out of contact with said web for increasing the shredding and limiting the flight of material being moved by said moving web.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
An improved apparatus as defined in Claim 7 wherein said restriction elements are plates hingedly mounted on said flat plate, said restriction plates having a spring means for normally biasing said hinged restriction plates outwardly from said flat plate when no material is passing between said web and flat plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
An improved apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said restriction plates are resilient and deflectable such that said restriction plates will bend when struck by said moving material to thereby allow said material to escape while limiting the escape velocity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
An improved apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame includes an angularly adjustable contact plate mounted forwardly thereof for compressing a portion of said material as said apparatus moves forwardly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
101 words
An improved method for shredding, shifting and aerating organic waste, refuse and other material, comprising: advancing a surface engaging chassis across a surface on which organic waste, refuse and other material is located, said chassis supporting a frame ahead of said chassis, said frame carrying upper and lower generally horizontal shafts; orbiting an endless web having outwardly projecting elements thereon about said upper and lower shafts so that said elements present an upwardly and forwardly directed working face; and engaging said material with said working face whereby said material is shredded, shifted and aerated as said chassis advances across said surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
An improved method as defined in claim 11 including the step of angling said working face at an intermediate angle between 0* and 90* to either side of the line of relative movement between said working face and said material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
An improved method as defined in claim 12 wherein said angle is selected in the range of 30*-60*.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
An improved method as defined in claim 11 and the step of subjecting said material to additional shredding action by engaging said material with shredding means positioned forwardly of said working face and in cooperative relationship thereto.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
An improved method as defined in claim 14 wherein said material is initially subjected to the shredding action of a rotating drum, having outwardly projecting elements thereon, located forwardly and adjacent the lower edge of said working face.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
An improved method as defined in claim 14 wherein said material passes upwardly between said working face and one or more restricting elements projecting substantially rearwardly toward said working face.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
An improved method as defined in claim 11 wherein said material has been previously dumped at a landfill site and said orbiting web is progressively moved across said landfill site in engagement with said material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
An improved method as defined in claim 17 wherein said material is subjected to several engagements with said orbiting web at periodic intervals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
An improved method as defined in claim 17 wherein said orbiting web is laterally angled relative to its direction of movement across said landfill site so as to laterally shift said material upon engagement with said web.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
127 words
An improved method for shredding, shifting and aerating material such as organic waste, refuse and other debris, comprising the steps of: rotating a cylindrical drum having outwardly projecting elements thereon for engaging at least a portion of said material, said shredding means being operable to initially set said portion of material into motion and to partially shred it; orbiting an endless web, having outwardly projecting elements thereon, about upper and lower generally horizontal shafts, to present a generally upwardly and forwardly directed working face for further shredding said material previously set in motion and for engaging other of said material not previously set in motion, said orbiting web being operable to shred and aerate said material and to throw it generally upwardly and forwardly of said web.
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) | 1976-05-14 | 1976-11-13 | 1977-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-14 | 1980-11-13 | 1981-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-14 | 1984-11-13 | 1985-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |