Patent US3838716A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3838716A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for packing particulate material into long cylindrical containers
Assignee: United States Department of the Interior
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Filing: 1973-07-24
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Granted: 1974-10-01
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Expires: 1993-07-24
Abstract
Abstract Particulate material is deposited in an elongated container by continuously and uniformly depositing the material in the container while repeatedly lifting and dropping (and impacting) the container and the particle delivery means. Post-impact vibration and bouncing are damped.
Inventors
- 👤 C Ripple
- 👤 R James
- 👤 J Rubin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:02
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B1/00; B65B1/20; B65B1/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
A process for homogeneously and densely packing a vertically oriented, cylindrically elongated collection zone with particulate material comprising a. inserting a delivery zone into said collection zone adjacent the bottom of said collection zone; b. feeding particulate material out of the bottom of said delivery zone into said collection zone so as to fill said collection zone; c. displacing said delivery and collection zones from one another throughout said filling step so that, in effect, said delivery zone passes around the vertical axis of said collection zone, and simultaneously passes toward the top of said collection zone; d. preventing free-fall flow of particulate material from said delivery zone into said collection zone throughout said filling step by continuously maintaining the bottom of said delivery zone in compression-free contact with the top surface of the continuously-enlarging body of particulate material in said collection zone, so that a continuous mass of particulate material is formed within and between said delivery and collection zones; e. repeatedly lifting and dropping, with impacting, said collection and delivery zones throughout said filling step; said zones being simultaneously lifted and simultaneously dropped the same height; and f. damping post-impact vibration and bouncing of said zones throughout said filling step.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
A process for homogeneously and densely packing a vertically oriented, cylindrically elongated collection zone with particulate material comprising a. inserting a delivery zone into said collection zone adjacent the bottom of said collection zone; b. feeding particulate material out of the bottom of said delivery zone into said collection zone so as to fill said collection zone; c. displacing said delivery and collection zones from one another throughout said filling step so that, in effect, said delivery zone passes around the vertical axis of said collection zone, and simultaneously passes toward the top of said collection zone; d. preventing free-fall flow of particulate material from said delivery zone into said collection zone throughout said filling step by continuously maintaining the bottom of said delivery zone in compression-free contact with the top surface of the continuously-enlarging body of particulate material in said collection zone, so that a continuous mass of particulate material is formed within and between said delivery and collection zones; e. repeatedly lifting and dropping, with impacting, said collection and delivery zones throughout said filling step; said zones being simultaneously lifted and simultaneously dropped the same height; and f. damping post-impact vibration and bouncing of said zones throughout said filling step.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said delivery zone feed particulate material directly toward the axial portion of said collection zone and directly toward the peripheral portion of said collection zone, and wherein larger volumes of particulate material are fed toward said peripheral portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said delivery zone is positively revolved around said vertical axis of said collection zone, and wherein said delivery zone is positively moved upwardly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the level of particulate material within said delivery zone is maintained substantially constant throughout said filling step.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
113 words
A device for filling particulate material into a container comprising a. a vertically disposed, elongated cylindrical container; b. a vertically disposed filling tube within said container, with an opening at the bottom of said tube; c. means to displace said tube and container from one another so that, in effect, said tube moves upwardly from the bottom of said container, and rotates about the vertical axis of said container; d. additional means to repeatedly lift and drop, with impact, said container and filling tube, wherein said container and tube are simultaneously lifted and simultaneously dropped the same height; and e. means to damp post-impact vibration and bouncing of said container and filling tube.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
113 words
A device for filling particulate material into a container comprising a. a vertically disposed, elongated cylindrical container; b. a vertically disposed filling tube within said container, with an opening at the bottom of said tube; c. means to displace said tube and container from one another so that, in effect, said tube moves upwardly from the bottom of said container, and rotates about the vertical axis of said container; d. additional means to repeatedly lift and drop, with impact, said container and filling tube, wherein said container and tube are simultaneously lifted and simultaneously dropped the same height; and e. means to damp post-impact vibration and bouncing of said container and filling tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
91 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means to displace said tube and container from one another comprises a threaded screw rod parallel to but axially displaced from said filling tube, means connecting said tube to said roD so that said tube revolves around said rod as said rod turns on its axis and so that said tube moves upwardly simultaneously with upward movement of said rod; means to turn said threaded rod through a threaded sleeve; and means to maintain said threaded sleeve at a fixed distance above said container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
118 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said tube is circular in crosssection throughout most of its length with the exception of its lowest segment; in which its lowest segment is circular in cross-section at the top of its lowest segment, and is generally sector-shaped in cross-section at the bottom of its lowest segment; wherein the cross-sectional area of said lowest segment progressively enlarges from the top of said lowest segment to the bottom of said lowest segment; and wherein, at the bottom of said lowest segment, said sector, at its narrowest dimension, is disposed in the axial section of said container, and wherein said sector, at its widest dimension, is disposed in the peripheral section of said container.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said lifting and dropping means comprises a vertical push rod below said container; cam means below said push rod to periodically lift said rod so that said rod periodically lifts and drops said container upon a solid stop; and means to rotate said cam means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
100 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said damping means comprises a horizontal plate fixed to said container throughout said filling operation, said plate provided with bushings to receive fixed vertical guide rods, said guide rods extending through and above said bushings whereby said plate moves up and down said guide rods during said lifting and dropping of said container; springs surrounding each guide rod at the top segment of each rod, said springs fixed adjacent the top of said rods, said springs being in close proximity to said plate so as to essentially prevent vibration and bouncing of said plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said lifting and dropping means comprises a vertical push rod below said container; cam means below said push rod to periodically lift said rod so that said rod periodically lifts and drops said container upon a solid stop; and means to rotate said cam means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3300849A
Cited
US3716081A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-30 | 1978-04-01 | 1978-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-30 | 1982-04-01 | 1982-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-30 | 1986-04-01 | 1986-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |