US3741371A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for inspecting and selecting products
Assignee: General Foods Corp
•
Filing: 1971-02-04
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Granted: 1973-06-26
•
Expires: 1991-02-04
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for inspecting and selecting generally cylindrical products such as husked ears of corn. The apparatus comprises conveyor means, in-feed regulating means, product rotating and translating means, mechanical memory means and product separating means. The apparatus is especially useful in the inspection of generally cylindrical products, typically agricultural commodities and specifically husked ears of corn, where it is desirable to examine all of the surface of individual units of such products and to divert selected products to a different path from that of the others.
Inventors
- 👤 C Oldershaw
- 👤 Kramer D De
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:54
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23N; A23N15/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
Apparatus for inspecting and selecting generally cylindrical products comprising, in combination: infeed regulating means for said products, conveyor means adapted to receive said products from said infeed means, means for rotating and translating said products associated with said conveyor means, mechanical memory means mounted on said conveyor means and adapted to be activated when said products are observed on said rotating and translating means, and means for separating said products activated by said mechanical memory means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus for inspecting and selecting generally cylindrical products comprising, in combination: infeed regulating means for said products, conveyor means adapted to receive said products from said infeed means, means for rotating and translating said products associated with said conveyor means, mechanical memory means mounted on said conveyor means and adapted to be activated when said products are observed on said rotating and translating means, and means for separating said products activated by said mechanical memory means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said conveyor means and means for rotating and translating said products are a roller conveyor and conveyor rails mounted on a frame over which the conveyor rolls pass.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said infeed regulating means comprises paddles parallel to the axis of said conveyor rolls and which are adapted by cam movement to pass between adjacent rolls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 in which said means for separating said products include limit switches and means for diverting said products from said conveyor means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
ApParatus according to claim 4 further comprising discharge conveyor means associated with said means for diverting said products for receiving said products after they have been inspected and selected.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 further comprising a belt conveyor and an inclined chute for feeding said products to said infeed regulating means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1996535A
Cited
US2194381A
Cited
US2253572A
Cited
US3060794A
Cited
US3241433A
Cited
US3605983A
Cited
US3645394A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |