US3743117A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for removing compost from mushroom trays
Assignee: Longwood Development Corp
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Filing: 1971-07-08
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Granted: 1973-07-03
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Expires: 1991-07-08
Abstract
Abstract A non-dirigible frame of a width for extending across a mushroom tray is supported on the casing of a screw conveyor extending across the front of the frame and on a series of discs mounted upon a shaft extending across the rear of the frame. An electric motor and change speed means carried by the frame are operable for actuating the shaft and the discs mounted thereon, and for thereby advancing the machine. As the machine advances, the casing scrapes along the bottom of the tray. The electric motor and change speed means are also operable for actuating the screw, as a consequence of which the compost scraped up from the bottom of the tray and scooped into the casing is conveyed by the screw to one side of the tray for discharge therefrom.
Inventors
- 👤 G Frezzo
- 👤 T Placentino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:08
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G18/00; A01G18/60; A01G18/62
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
In a power operated machine for traversing the length of a mushroom tray and removing the compost therefrom, the combination comprising A. a frame of a width for extending across said tray, B. a screw conveyor extending across the front of said frame including 1. a screw having a core revolvably mounted in said frame and helical ribbon spiralling about said core, and 2. a casing extending over the back and top of said screw for shrouding the same and arranged for engaging the bottom of said tray and thereby supporting the front of said frame, C. drive means Revolvably mounted on said frame including 1. principal drive means extending across the rear of said frame and arranged for engaging the bottom of said tray and thereby supporting the rear of said frame, said principal drive means being operable for advancing said machine, whereupon said casing scrapes the bottom of said tray and the unshrouded front of said screw is urged into the compost, and 2. auxiliary drive means arranged for directly engaging the side of said tray and operable for coacting with the principle drive means to advance said machine, D. an electric motor, E. change speed means, said motor and change speed means being mounted upon said frame, and F. means operatively connecting said change speed means with said screw and with said principal and auxiliary drive means for actuating the same.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
234 words
In a power operated machine for traversing the length of a mushroom tray and removing the compost therefrom, the combination comprising A. a frame of a width for extending across said tray, B. a screw conveyor extending across the front of said frame including 1. a screw having a core revolvably mounted in said frame and helical ribbon spiralling about said core, and 2. a casing extending over the back and top of said screw for shrouding the same and arranged for engaging the bottom of said tray and thereby supporting the front of said frame, C. drive means Revolvably mounted on said frame including 1. principal drive means extending across the rear of said frame and arranged for engaging the bottom of said tray and thereby supporting the rear of said frame, said principal drive means being operable for advancing said machine, whereupon said casing scrapes the bottom of said tray and the unshrouded front of said screw is urged into the compost, and 2. auxiliary drive means arranged for directly engaging the side of said tray and operable for coacting with the principle drive means to advance said machine, D. an electric motor, E. change speed means, said motor and change speed means being mounted upon said frame, and F. means operatively connecting said change speed means with said screw and with said principal and auxiliary drive means for actuating the same.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
120 words
auxiliary drive means including a. a shaft extending upright along one side of said machine, b. a plurality of disc members axially spaced along said shaft, and c. pointed elements circumferentially spaced about said disc members and extending radially outwardly therefrom for effectively gripping the side of said tray successively as they present outwardly from the side of said machine, said auxiliary drive means being operable for coacting with said principal drive means to advance said machine, D. an electric motor, E. change speed means, said motor and change speed means being mounted upon said frame, and F. means operatively connecting said change speed means with said screw and with said principal and auxiliary drive means for actuating the same.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
120 words
auxiliary drive means including a. a shaft extending upright along one side of said machine, b. a plurality of disc members axially spaced along said shaft, and c. pointed elements circumferentially spaced about said disc members and extending radially outwardly therefrom for effectively gripping the side of said tray successively as they present outwardly from the side of said machine, said auxiliary drive means being operable for coacting with said principal drive means to advance said machine, D. an electric motor, E. change speed means, said motor and change speed means being mounted upon said frame, and F. means operatively connecting said change speed means with said screw and with said principal and auxiliary drive means for actuating the same.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
a casing extending over the back and top of said screw for shrouding the same and arranged for engaging the bottom of said tray and thereby supporting the front of said frame, C. drive means revolvably mounted upon said frame including
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
a casing extending over the back and top of said screw for shrouding the same and arranged for engaging the bottom of said tray and thereby supporting the front of said frame, C. drive means revolvably mounted upon said frame including
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
In a power operated machine for traversing the length of a mushroom tray and removing the compost therefrom the combination comprising A. a frame of a width for extending across said tray, B. a screw conveyor extending across the front of said frame including
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
In a power operated machine for traversing the length of a mushroom tray and removing the compost therefrom the combination comprising A. a frame of a width for extending across said tray, B. a screw conveyor extending across the front of said frame including
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
auxiliary drive means arranged for directly engaging the side of said tray and operable for coacting with the principle drive means to advance said machine, D. an electric motor, E. change speed means, said motor and change speed means being mounted upon said frame, and F. means operatively connecting said change speed means with said screw and with said principal and auxiliary drive means for actuating the same.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
68 words
auxiliary drive means arranged for directly engaging the side of said tray and operable for coacting with the principle drive means to advance said machine, D. an electric motor, E. change speed means, said motor and change speed means being mounted upon said frame, and F. means operatively connecting said change speed means with said screw and with said principal and auxiliary drive means for actuating the same.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
a casing extending over the back and top of said screw for shrouding the same and arranged for engaging the bottom of said tray and thereby supporting the front of said frame, C. drive means Revolvably mounted on said frame including
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
a casing extending over the back and top of said screw for shrouding the same and arranged for engaging the bottom of said tray and thereby supporting the front of said frame, C. drive means Revolvably mounted on said frame including
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination according to claim 2 wherein the principal drive means is disposed under the frame, and the auxiliary drive means is disposed between the casing and the principal drive means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
72 words
The combination according to claim 2 wherein the change speed means includes two units connected serially with the electric motor, one of said units and the screw are connected by a first endless link chain drive, the other of said units and the principal drive means are connected by a second endless link chain drive, and the principal and auxiliary drive means are connected by means including other endless link chain drives.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
55 words
The combination according to claim 4 wherein the electric motor is disposed on the discharge side of the machine, the first endless link chain drive and the auxiliary drive means are disposed on the opposite side of the machine, and the second endless link chain drive is disposed intermediate the opposite sides of the machine.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
66 words
The combination according to claim 4 wherein the means connecting the principal and auxiliary drive means includes gear means for converting rotation about a horizonTal axis to rotation about a vertical axis, an endless link chain drive from the principal drive means to the input of said gear means, and an endless chain drive from the output of said gear means to said auxiliary drive means.
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) | 1976-07-02 | 1977-01-01 | 1977-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-02 | 1981-01-01 | 1981-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-02 | 1985-01-01 | 1985-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |