US3792768A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Egg accumulation conveyor
Assignee: FMC Corp
•
Filing: 1972-10-10
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Granted: 1974-02-19
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Expires: 1992-10-10
Abstract
Abstract An egg accumulation conveyor includes an endless conveyor belt adapted to receive the eggs at one end and to convey them to the other end while allowing the eggs to accumulate if they cannot be removed from the downstream end at a fast enough rate. A plurality of generally flat slats in a spaced and aligned arrangement are placed atop the belt to relieve the forward conveying pressure on the eggs as they accumulate to thereby prevent damage to the eggs. The slats are formed with non-linear portions at their downstream ends to further relieve the conveyor pressure on the accumulated eggs. Also at the downstream end of the belt means are provided for channeling the eggs into lanes so that they can be removed from the accumulation conveyor in rows and at a predetermined discharge rate.
Inventors
- 👤 W Cheeseman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:07
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B23/00; B65B23/02; B65B23/06; A; A01; A01K; A01K43/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
An accumulator for fragile articles such as eggs comprising an endless belt having a flat conveying surface arranged in a generally horizontal plane with a receiving end and a discharge end, means for continuously moving said belt to transport said articles on said conveying surface from said receiving end to said discharge end thereof, a plurality of slats having generally flat shapes and being arranged in laterally spaced and generally aligned relationship, and means for mounting said slats in stationary positions with their flat surfaces directly adjacent to said conveying surface of the belt, said slats each having a relatively small dimension in the vertical plane so that eggs moving in a horizontal direction on said belt may easily pass over said slats, said slats covering a large portion of said conveying surface adjacent said discharge end thereof, said slats having side edge portions at said discharge end of said conveying surface which are non-linear with respect to the direction of movement of said belt to cause said articles to travel over said slats during the normal course of their movement with said belt so as to relieve the conveying pressure on said articles and allow them to accumulate at said discharge end of the belt without damage thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
An accumulator for fragile articles such as eggs comprising an endless belt having a flat conveying surface arranged in a generally horizontal plane with a receiving end and a discharge end, means for continuously moving said belt to transport said articles on said conveying surface from said receiving end to said discharge end thereof, a plurality of slats having generally flat shapes and being arranged in laterally spaced and generally aligned relationship, and means for mounting said slats in stationary positions with their flat surfaces directly adjacent to said conveying surface of the belt, said slats each having a relatively small dimension in the vertical plane so that eggs moving in a horizontal direction on said belt may easily pass over said slats, said slats covering a large portion of said conveying surface adjacent said discharge end thereof, said slats having side edge portions at said discharge end of said conveying surface which are non-linear with respect to the direction of movement of said belt to cause said articles to travel over said slats during the normal course of their movement with said belt so as to relieve the conveying pressure on said articles and allow them to accumulate at said discharge end of the belt without damage thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An accumulator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said slats cover the major portion of said conveying surface adjacent said discharge end thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
An accumulator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said slats are arranged so as to form article conveying lanes on said conveying surface, said non-linear portions of said slats causing said lanes to extend in a serpentine fashion at said discharge end of said conveying surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
An accumulator as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said slats has an upper surface with a slight crown thereto so as to prevent an article of rounded shape from coming to rest thereon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
An accumulator as set forth in claim 3 including means at said discharge end of said conveying surface for directing said articles in singulated fashion into said lanes including a plurality of guide members extending above said slats and being generally centered on and in alignment therewith.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
An accumulator as set forth in claim 5 wherein each of said guide members comprises a flat plate oriented in a generally vertical plane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
An accumulator as set forth in claim 6 wherein said means for directing articles into said lanes further includes means for oscillating the upstream ends of said guide members in a direction transverse to the direction Of movement of said conveying surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
187 words
An accumulator for fragile articles such as eggs comprising a flat conveying surface having a receiving end and a discharge end, means for moving articles at random onto said receiving end of the conveying surface, means for continuously moving said conveying surface to transport said articles from said receiving end to said discharge end thereof, means at said discharge end for removing articles from said conveying surface in spaced and aligned arrangements and at a uniform rate, a plurality of generally flat slats arranged in laterally spaced and generally aligned relationship on said conveying surface so as to form article conveying lanes thereon, and means for mounting said slats in stationary positions upon said conveying surface, said slats covering a large portion of said conveying surface adjacent said discharge end thereof, said slats having non-linear portions at said discharge end of said conveying surface to cause said articles to travel over said slats during the normal course of their movement with said conveying surface so as to relieve the conveying pressure on said articles and allow them to accumulate at said article removing means without damage thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
187 words
An accumulator for fragile articles such as eggs comprising a flat conveying surface having a receiving end and a discharge end, means for moving articles at random onto said receiving end of the conveying surface, means for continuously moving said conveying surface to transport said articles from said receiving end to said discharge end thereof, means at said discharge end for removing articles from said conveying surface in spaced and aligned arrangements and at a uniform rate, a plurality of generally flat slats arranged in laterally spaced and generally aligned relationship on said conveying surface so as to form article conveying lanes thereon, and means for mounting said slats in stationary positions upon said conveying surface, said slats covering a large portion of said conveying surface adjacent said discharge end thereof, said slats having non-linear portions at said discharge end of said conveying surface to cause said articles to travel over said slats during the normal course of their movement with said conveying surface so as to relieve the conveying pressure on said articles and allow them to accumulate at said article removing means without damage thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
An accumulator for fragile articles as set forth in claim 8 wherein said slats cover the major portion of said conveying surface adjacent said discharge end thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
An accumulator for fragile articles as set forth in claim 9 wherein said non-linear portions of said slats cause said lanes to extend in a serpentine fashion at said discharge end of said conveying surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
An accumulator as set forth in claim 10 wherein each of said slats has an upper surface with a slight crown thereto so as to prevent an article of rounded shape from coming to rest thereon.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3236363A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-18 | 1977-08-20 | 1978-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-18 | 1981-08-20 | 1982-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-18 | 1985-08-20 | 1986-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |