US3831734A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Centrifugal method of sorting particulate articles
Assignee: HOPPMAN CORP
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Filing: 1973-03-26
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Granted: 1974-08-27
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Expires: 1993-03-26
Abstract
Abstract High speed feeding, counting, orienting and storing of small parts such as candy, machine screws and nuts, ammunition, pills and the like. The articles are accelerated and centrifugally distributed in single file alignment upon a rotating inner plane, then discharged upon an inclined stationary ramp which delivers the articles in single file alignment to a rotating outer plane. The articles are spaced longitudinally by guiding or restraining the articles during their radial discharge from the rotating outer plane. The articles may be stored in reservoirs at the periphery of the outer plane. Modifications of invention include variously configuring rotating planes and guiding wall, pivoting the articles during their discharge so as to advance their center of gravity radially outwardly and vertically orienting the articles by gravity drop feeding in a reservoir at the periphery of the outer rim.
Inventors
- 👤 K Hoppmann
- 👤 G Edmunds
- 👤 H Schober
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:53
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/02; B65G47/04; B65G47/12; B65G47/14; B65G47/1407; B65G47/1442; B65G47/1457; B65G47/1464; B65D; B65D1/00; B65D1/09; B65D1/095
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
Centrifugal method of sorting particulate articles comprising: A. centrifugally distributing and aligning while accelerating said articles upon a rotating inner rim; B. discharging said accelerating articles in alignment upon an inclined stationary ramp at the periphery of said rotating inner rim; C. centrifugally carrying said articles in single file alignment away from the top of said ramp upon a rotating outer rim; and D. guiding said articles across said rim, so as to separate longitudinally said articles prior to their peripheral discharge from said rim.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
Centrifugal method of sorting particulate articles comprising: A. centrifugally distributing and aligning while accelerating said articles upon a rotating inner rim; B. discharging said accelerating articles in alignment upon an inclined stationary ramp at the periphery of said rotating inner rim; C. centrifugally carrying said articles in single file alignment away from the top of said ramp upon a rotating outer rim; and D. guiding said articles across said rim, so as to separate longitudinally said articles prior to their peripheral discharge from said rim.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
Centrifugal method of sorting particulate articles as in claim 1, wherein said guiding is by stationary restraining in a vertical plane above said rim.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Centrifugal method of sorting particulate articles as in claim 1, including substantially tangentially guiding said articles away from said rotating rim.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
Centrifugal method of sorting particulate articles as in claim 1, wherein said guiding is by means of a moving baffle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
Centrifugal method of sorting particulate articles as in claim 1, wherein said guiding is by means of a vertical baffle having a low coefficient of friction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
Centrifugal method of sorting particulate articles as in claim 1, wherein said centrifugal carrying of said articles is upon a rim surface having a high coefficient of friction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
Centrifugal method of sorting particulate articles as in claim 1, including: E. pivoting said articles upon said rotating outer rim, such that the heavier end of said article is discharged radially towards the outer periphery of said rim.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
Centrifugal method of sorting particulate articles as in claim 1, including: F. vertically orienting said articles at the outer periphery of said rotating rim by rotating said rim at a speed such that the force of gravity overcomes centrifugal forces at the outer periphery of said rotating rim.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
Centrifugal method of sorting particulate articles as in claim 1, including: G. storing by retaining said articles at the periphery.
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) | 1977-08-26 | 1978-02-25 | 1978-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-26 | 1982-02-25 | 1982-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-26 | 1986-02-25 | 1986-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |