US3749003A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seed cotton handling apparatus
Assignee: Cotton Inc
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Filing: 1972-05-16
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Granted: 1973-07-31
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Expires: 1992-05-16
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method are disclosed for temporarily storing cotton after harvesting. The apparatus includes a box frame which is open at the top and the bottom is closed by a pallet. The apparatus includes a carriage which is mounted for movement longitudinally along the top of the frame. The carriage includes a vertically reciprocating compaction head which serves the dual purpose of spreading the cotton horizontally in the frame and compressing the cotton against the pallet. The frame also has retractable wheels on opposite sides to raise the frame from the pallet, and to allow the frame to move longitudinally relative to the pallet. The compressed cotton on the pallet passes through a doorway in the rear of the frame as the frame advances.
Inventors
- 👤 L Wilkes
- 👤 J Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:55
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D85/00; A01D85/001; A01D85/004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
Seed cotton handling apparatus comprising: frame means having opposite side walls and having openings at the top and bottom of said frame means; pallet means extending across said bottom opening; and compactor means on said frame means, said compactor means including a platen movable in opposition to said pallet means and movable longitudinally between said side walls, whereby said platen is movable to spread said cotton longitudinally of said frame means and to compress said cotton.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
Seed cotton handling apparatus comprising: frame means having opposite side walls and having openings at the top and bottom of said frame means; pallet means extending across said bottom opening; and compactor means on said frame means, said compactor means including a platen movable in opposition to said pallet means and movable longitudinally between said side walls, whereby said platen is movable to spread said cotton longitudinally of said frame means and to compress said cotton.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said frame means has opposite end walls, one of said end walls including a door extending substantially the entire distance between said side walls and being contiguous with said pallet means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 including power means for opening and closing said door, and power means for raising and lowering said platen relative to said pallet means, and power means for advancing said compactor longitudinally of said side walls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pallet has at least as great a length as said frame means and is longitudinally flexible.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said compactor means includes a carriage and supporting means mounting said carriage on said frame means for movement longitudinally of said side walls.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said compaction platen is supported on said carriage and said carriage includes means for raising and lowering said platen relative to said pallet means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said raising and lowering means includes a plurality of bars secured on said platen and being received in said carriage, at least one of said bars having a rack, said carriage having a gear engaging said rack, and motor means on said carriage for selectively rotating said gear to raise and lower said platen.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said supporting means includes rail extending longitudinally of said frame means adjacent said top opening and said carriage includes wheels engaging said rails, whereby said carriage rolls along said rails.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 including power means for rolling said carriage along said rails, said power means including a drive chain connected with said carriage for driving the carriage in either direction along said rails, said drive chain extending along one of said rails and a sprocket wheel on said frame means engaging said chain for imparting longitudinal movement to said chain in either longitudinal direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
102 words
Seed cotton handling apparatus comprising: a box frame having opposite side walls and an opening at the top and bottom of the frame, said frame also having a door forming the rear wall of said frame; carriage means on said frame, means mounting said carriage means across said top opening between said opposite side walls, said carriage means being movable longitudinally of said frame means; platen means on said carriage means, said platen means being movable in opposition to said bottom opening, and wheel means on said frame, said wheel means being movable between a ground engaging position and a retracted position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
102 words
Seed cotton handling apparatus comprising: a box frame having opposite side walls and an opening at the top and bottom of the frame, said frame also having a door forming the rear wall of said frame; carriage means on said frame, means mounting said carriage means across said top opening between said opposite side walls, said carriage means being movable longitudinally of said frame means; platen means on said carriage means, said platen means being movable in opposition to said bottom opening, and wheel means on said frame, said wheel means being movable between a ground engaging position and a retracted position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said frame includes ground engaging runners extending along said side walls, said wheel means being raised above saiD runners when in said retracted position and extending below said runners when in said ground engaging position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said side walls include removable extensions adjacent said bottom opening, whereby the height of said top opening relative to the ground may be changed.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of storing seed cotton and similar materials comprising: placing a frame over a pallet, said frame having opposite side walls and an open bottom; depositing seed cotton into the interior of said frame means between said side walls; advancing a platen longitudinally between said side walls and through said cotton, thereby leveling said cotton throughout the length of said frame; and subsequently moving said platen in opposition to said pallet to compress said cotton against said pallet.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of storing seed cotton and similar materials comprising: placing a frame over a pallet, said frame having opposite side walls and an open bottom; depositing seed cotton into the interior of said frame means between said side walls; advancing a platen longitudinally between said side walls and through said cotton, thereby leveling said cotton throughout the length of said frame; and subsequently moving said platen in opposition to said pallet to compress said cotton against said pallet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 13 including advancing said frame longitudinally relative to said pallet after said compressing step.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 14 wherein said frame advancing step includes elevating said frame relative to said pallet.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 15 including lowering said frame over said pellet after said advancing step and subsequently depositing said seed cotton in said frame and compressing said frame against said pellet.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-30 | 1977-01-29 | 1977-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-30 | 1981-01-29 | 1981-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-30 | 1985-01-29 | 1985-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |