US3799336A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for treating discrete articles
Assignee: Standun Inc
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Filing: 1972-11-03
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Granted: 1974-03-26
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Expires: 1992-11-03
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for using a vibratory type conveyor means for processing discrete articles, for example elongated articles or produce, including grading the articles by length. Readily removable and adjustable tray means are carried by the conveyor means in spaced relation to a bottom wall of the conveyor means, the tray means comprising a plurality of tray sections of selected configuration and design depending upon the treatment of the article. Tray sections are designed to longitudinally orient elongated articles, certain of said tray sections having their trailing discharge edges spaced longitudinally and vertically from the adjacent end portion of the succeeding tray section. The tray section is provided with longitudinally extending fingers to span the space between adjacent ends of tray sections for retaining orientation of those articles which pass over said space, permitting articles of less than a selected length to fall to the conveyor wall there beneath for separation purposes. A tray means including a plurality of tray sections of different design and configuration for varying the treatment of articles transported by said conveyor means. A vibratory conveyor means having a resilient support means and drive means therefor to provide an efficient versatile material handling apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 L Holman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 01:15
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07B; B07B13/00; B07B13/04; B07B13/07; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S209/00; Y10S209/932
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
In a vibratory conveyor including a conveyor section with a bottom wall, resilient means supporting said conveyor section, and drive means for imparting vibrations to said conveyor section and including a drive shaft supported from the conveyor section and a stabilizer arm for the drive shaft, the combination therewith of: means carried by said conveyor section above said bottom wall for conveying and treating discrete articles and including means for orienting said articles longitudinally with respect to the conveyor section, said orienting means including orienting trays spaced from said bottom wall and positioned across said conveyor section, adjacent orienting tray portions being spaced longitudinally and vertically relative to each other to provide a longitudinally extending gap zone of selected length, and finger means extending over said gap zone to maintain orientation of oriented articles being transferred from one tray portion to another tray portion, oriented articles of selected length falling through said gap zone for travel along said bottom wall of the conveyor section to a selected discharge point.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
In a vibratory conveyor including a conveyor section with a bottom wall, resilient means supporting said conveyor section, and drive means for imparting vibrations to said conveyor section and including a drive shaft supported from the conveyor section and a stabilizer arm for the drive shaft, the combination therewith of: means carried by said conveyor section above said bottom wall for conveying and treating discrete articles and including means for orienting said articles longitudinally with respect to the conveyor section, said orienting means including orienting trays spaced from said bottom wall and positioned across said conveyor section, adjacent orienting tray portions being spaced longitudinally and vertically relative to each other to provide a longitudinally extending gap zone of selected length, and finger means extending over said gap zone to maintain orientation of oriented articles being transferred from one tray portion to another tray portion, oriented articles of selected length falling through said gap zone for travel along said bottom wall of the conveyor section to a selected discharge point.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
In a conveyor as stated in claim 1 including tray means having perforations therein on said conveyor section for removal of unwanted substances mixed with said oriented articles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
In a conveyor as stated in claim 1 including means for separating oriented articles in accordance with their width.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
114 words
Means for separating articles according to at least one dimension and including vibratory conveyor means to move said articles along a path, comprising: a plurality of tray members arranged in tandem relation to define a pathway; certain of said trays having a bottom wall provided with means for longitudinally orienting an article; said bottom wall including longitudinal corrugations; adjacent transverse edges of bottom walls of adjacent trays being spaced longitudinally and vertically selected distances; and means extending from the edge portion of the uppermost tray over the space between said trays and over the adjacent edge of the lowermost tray to laterally restrict movement of articles being separated at the gap between said trays.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
114 words
Means for separating articles according to at least one dimension and including vibratory conveyor means to move said articles along a path, comprising: a plurality of tray members arranged in tandem relation to define a pathway; certain of said trays having a bottom wall provided with means for longitudinally orienting an article; said bottom wall including longitudinal corrugations; adjacent transverse edges of bottom walls of adjacent trays being spaced longitudinally and vertically selected distances; and means extending from the edge portion of the uppermost tray over the space between said trays and over the adjacent edge of the lowermost tray to laterally restrict movement of articles being separated at the gap between said trays.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
119 words
Means for separating articles according to at least one dimension and including vibratory conveyor means to move said articles along a path, comprising: a plurality of tray members arranged in tandem relation to define a pathway; certain of said trays having a bottom wall provided with means for longitudinally orienting an article; said bottom wall including mesh-like openings of selected width and length; adjacent transverse edges of bottom walls of adjacent trays being spaced longitudinally and vertically selected distances; and means extending from the edge portion of the uppermost tray over the space between said trays and over the adjacent edge of the lowermost tray to laterally restrict movement of articles being separated at the gap between said trays.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
119 words
Means for separating articles according to at least one dimension and including vibratory conveyor means to move said articles along a path, comprising: a plurality of tray members arranged in tandem relation to define a pathway; certain of said trays having a bottom wall provided with means for longitudinally orienting an article; said bottom wall including mesh-like openings of selected width and length; adjacent transverse edges of bottom walls of adjacent trays being spaced longitudinally and vertically selected distances; and means extending from the edge portion of the uppermost tray over the space between said trays and over the adjacent edge of the lowermost tray to laterally restrict movement of articles being separated at the gap between said trays.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
108 words
Means for separating articles according to at least one dimension and including vibratory conveyor means to move said articles along a path, comprising: a plurality of tray members arranged in tandem relation to define a pathway; certain of said trays having a bottom wall provided with means for longitudinally orienting an article; adjacent transverse edges of bottom walls of adjacent trays being spaced longitudinally and vertically selected distances; and means extending from the edge portion of the uppermost tray over the space between said trays and over the adjacent edge of the lowermost tray to laterally restrict movement of articles being separated at the gap between said trays.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
108 words
Means for separating articles according to at least one dimension and including vibratory conveyor means to move said articles along a path, comprising: a plurality of tray members arranged in tandem relation to define a pathway; certain of said trays having a bottom wall provided with means for longitudinally orienting an article; adjacent transverse edges of bottom walls of adjacent trays being spaced longitudinally and vertically selected distances; and means extending from the edge portion of the uppermost tray over the space between said trays and over the adjacent edge of the lowermost tray to laterally restrict movement of articles being separated at the gap between said trays.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
In a means as stated in claim 6 including longitudinal support means on said conveyor means for said tray members; and means for adjustably slidably mouNting said tray members on said longitudinaly support means to vary the length of the space between adjacent end portions of said tray members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
In a means as stated in claim 6 wherein said means for longitudinally orienting articles on said bottom wall includes longitudinally extending parallel crests and valleys; and wherein said laterally restricting means includes longitudinal elements extending from the crest on one tray to the corresponding crest on an adjacent tray.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
In a means as stated in claim 7 wherein said plurality of trays have side walls of progressively increasing height to vary the vertical height of the gap between adjacent end portions of said tray members.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
In a means as stated in claim 9 including securement means for releasably retaining said trays on said longitudinal support means in adjusted relation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
146 words
In a method of separating a random mixture of articles in accordance with at least one of their dimensions as the articles travel along a pathway, comprising the steps of: feeding the random mixture of said articles to one end of said pathway for movement therealong; directing streams of fluid against said articles to orient said dimension of the article parallel to the direction of movement along said pathway, moving said articles while in such orientation into a plurality of spaced stepped gap zones in said pathway whereby articles having a selected dimension span certain of said gap zones for continuation of said movement along said pathway and whereby articles having a lesser dimension fall through other of said gap zones and are separated from other articles, and restricting lateral misalignment of said articles from their orientation according to said dimension while in said gap zone.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
146 words
In a method of separating a random mixture of articles in accordance with at least one of their dimensions as the articles travel along a pathway, comprising the steps of: feeding the random mixture of said articles to one end of said pathway for movement therealong; directing streams of fluid against said articles to orient said dimension of the article parallel to the direction of movement along said pathway, moving said articles while in such orientation into a plurality of spaced stepped gap zones in said pathway whereby articles having a selected dimension span certain of said gap zones for continuation of said movement along said pathway and whereby articles having a lesser dimension fall through other of said gap zones and are separated from other articles, and restricting lateral misalignment of said articles from their orientation according to said dimension while in said gap zone.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a method as stated in claim 11 including the step of separating articles oriented in accordance with said one dimension in accordance with a second dimension.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3682301A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-25 | 1977-09-24 | 1978-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-25 | 1981-09-24 | 1982-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-25 | 1985-09-24 | 1986-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |