Patent US3779377A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3779377A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pecan cleaner
Assignee: PHELPS DAVIS Inc
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Filing: 1972-05-05
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Granted: 1973-12-18
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Expires: 1992-05-05
Abstract
Abstract A pecan separator and cleaner consisting of an inclined infeed elevator leading to a vertical air conduit supplied with upwardly moving air by a blower provided with a manually adjustable air intake port. As the harvested pecan material reaches the top of the infeed elevator, the pecans and heavier debris drop down to a second inclined elevator, the lighter residue material being blown upwardly to an outwardly directed discharge chute. The second inclined elevator overlies a grating which has a first part consisting of closely spaced rods through which light trash and faulty pecans drop by gravity. Beyond the first part of the grating is a second part having widely spaced rods through which acceptable pecans drop onto an inclined lateral chute leading to an inspection table. Elongated twigs and similar debris are discharged forwardly from the top end of the second elevator. The air intake port can be adjusted so that all material lighter in weight and less streamlined than acceptable pecans is transported upwardly by the upwardly moving air.
Inventors
- 👤 W Phelps
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:57
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D33/00; A01D33/08; B; B07; B07B; B07B9/00; B07B9/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
A machine for separating and cleaning pecan nuts or the like comprising support means, an upstanding air conduit on said support means, an outwardly directed discharge conduit portion at the top end of said air conduit, air blower means connected to the lower end of said conduit, infeed first conveyor means connected to and communicating with the air conduit, a grating mounted in the air conduit below the connection of said first conveyor means thereto and being inclined downwardly and away from said connection, said grating allowing light trash material and relatively light defective pecans to be blown toward said discharge conduit portion by air passing therethrough from said blower means, outlet duct means on said air conduit adjacent the lower end of said grating, second conveyor means mounted below said outlet duct means and positioned to receive material from said duct means, said second conveyor means having a stationary subjacent grating to support material moved therealong by said second conveyor means, said last-named grating having relatively closely spaced aperture-defining elements in the region subjacent to said outlet duct means, defining apertures too close to allow mature pecans to drop therethrough, said last-named grating having more widely spaced aperture-defining elements in its outer region, defining apertures sufficiently wide to allow mature pecans to drop therethrough, and collection means mounted beneath said outer region to receive such mature pecans.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
A machine for separating and cleaning pecan nuts or the like comprising support means, an upstanding air conduit on said support means, an outwardly directed discharge conduit portion at the top end of said air conduit, air blower means connected to the lower end of said conduit, infeed first conveyor means connected to and communicating with the air conduit, a grating mounted in the air conduit below the connection of said first conveyor means thereto and being inclined downwardly and away from said connection, said grating allowing light trash material and relatively light defective pecans to be blown toward said discharge conduit portion by air passing therethrough from said blower means, outlet duct means on said air conduit adjacent the lower end of said grating, second conveyor means mounted below said outlet duct means and positioned to receive material from said duct means, said second conveyor means having a stationary subjacent grating to support material moved therealong by said second conveyor means, said last-named grating having relatively closely spaced aperture-defining elements in the region subjacent to said outlet duct means, defining apertures too close to allow mature pecans to drop therethrough, said last-named grating having more widely spaced aperture-defining elements in its outer region, defining apertures sufficiently wide to allow mature pecans to drop therethrough, and collection means mounted beneath said outer region to receive such mature pecans.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The separating and cleaning machine of claim 1, wherein said collection means comprises a downwardly and outwardly directed inclined chute.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The separating and cleaning machine of claim 2, and inspection table means subjacent the outer end of said outwardly directed chute.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The separating and cleaning machine of claim 3, and wherein said inspection table means comprises a relatively slow-moving conveyor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The separating and cleaning machine of claim 1, wherein said first conveyor means comprises a belt conveyor assembly inclined upwardly toward said air conduit and provided at its lower end with an infeed hopper.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The separating and cleaning machine of claim 5, wherein said second conveyor means comprises a belt conveyor assembly inclined upwardly away from said air conduit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The separating and cleaning machine of claim 1, wherein said air blower means comprises an air blower assembly having an air intake opening, and adjustable air-flow regulating means mounted so as to partially overlie said intake opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The separating and cleaning machine of claim 7, wherein said air-flow regulating means comprises a plate member pivotally connected to the air blower, and means to fasten said plate member in an adjusted position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The separating and cleaning machine of claim 8, wherein said blower has a housing having opposite sidewalls, said intake opening being located in one of said sidewalls, said plate member being pivoted to the housing for adjustment parallel to said one sidewall.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
The separating and cleaning machine of claim 9, wherein said plate member is provided with a row of apertures arranged concentric with its pivotal connection and said one sidewall has an aperture registrable with a selected one of said first-named apertures, and wherein said means to fasten the plate member comprises a pin member insertable through said selected aperture, and said last-named aperture.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The separating and cleaning machine of claim 1, and wherein said outwardly directed discharge duct is provided with at least one screened aperture to relieve air pressure adjacent the infeed conveyor means connection to the air conduit and adjacent said outlet duct means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-17 | 1977-06-18 | 1977-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-17 | 1981-06-18 | 1981-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-17 | 1985-06-18 | 1985-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |