US3853235A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for opening and emptying a container
Assignee: Johns Manville Corp
•
Filing: 1973-04-20
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Granted: 1974-12-10
•
Expires: 1993-04-20
Abstract
Abstract A method is described for opening closed, perforable, flexible containers. The containers are perforated along lines parallel to and transverse to their direction of travel along a conveyancing device. They are then moved to a position overlying a hopper where the weight of the contents causes the container to open along the lines of perforation, thus emptying the contents into the hopper. Apparatus for performing the method is also described.
Inventors
- 👤 G Lambert
- 👤 C Greenlay
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 19:07
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B69/00; B65B69/0008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
361 words
A device for emptying the contents of a closed, flexible container, which comprises: a. a support; b. a hopper adjacent said support; c. means for moving said container on said support toward said hopper; d. means for perforating said container along a plurality of generally parallel lines each substantially aligned with the direction of travel of said container on said support, with at least one pair of said plurality of generally parallel lines being disposed with one line, respectively, proximate to each of the transverse extremity portions of said container, said transverse extremity portions being determined with reference to said direction of said container on said support; e. means for perforating said container along at least one line extending transversely across said container from a point adjacent one of said pair of generally parallel lines proximate to one of said transverse extremity portions to a point adjacent the other of said pair of generally parallel lines proximate to the other of said transverse extremity portions of said container; f. means for releasably gripping the perforated container above the lines of perforations; g. a conveyor means for moving said releasable gripping means, said means for releasably gripping the perforated container extending beneath said conveyor means and into engagement with said container, h. said conveyor means and releasable gripping means adapted to move the Gripped container from said support to a position overlying said hopper, whereby the motion progressively deprives the bottom of said container of support, and the weight of said contents causes said container to open along said lines of perforation and leaving the opened portion of the container attached to the remaining portion of the container, thereupon releasing said contents from said container and depositing said contents from said container and depositing said contents in said hopper; i. said conveyor means adapted to move the empty container away from said hopper and further including means for releasing the grip on said container, and j. wherein all of said means for releasably gripping and for moving said gripped container are located above said generally parallel lines whereby the contents released from said container do not contact said gripping and moving means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
361 words
A device for emptying the contents of a closed, flexible container, which comprises: a. a support; b. a hopper adjacent said support; c. means for moving said container on said support toward said hopper; d. means for perforating said container along a plurality of generally parallel lines each substantially aligned with the direction of travel of said container on said support, with at least one pair of said plurality of generally parallel lines being disposed with one line, respectively, proximate to each of the transverse extremity portions of said container, said transverse extremity portions being determined with reference to said direction of said container on said support; e. means for perforating said container along at least one line extending transversely across said container from a point adjacent one of said pair of generally parallel lines proximate to one of said transverse extremity portions to a point adjacent the other of said pair of generally parallel lines proximate to the other of said transverse extremity portions of said container; f. means for releasably gripping the perforated container above the lines of perforations; g. a conveyor means for moving said releasable gripping means, said means for releasably gripping the perforated container extending beneath said conveyor means and into engagement with said container, h. said conveyor means and releasable gripping means adapted to move the Gripped container from said support to a position overlying said hopper, whereby the motion progressively deprives the bottom of said container of support, and the weight of said contents causes said container to open along said lines of perforation and leaving the opened portion of the container attached to the remaining portion of the container, thereupon releasing said contents from said container and depositing said contents from said container and depositing said contents in said hopper; i. said conveyor means adapted to move the empty container away from said hopper and further including means for releasing the grip on said container, and j. wherein all of said means for releasably gripping and for moving said gripped container are located above said generally parallel lines whereby the contents released from said container do not contact said gripping and moving means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said means for perforating said container along a plurality of generally parallel lines comprises a plurality of knife blades.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said knife blades have essentially straight cutting edges.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said knife blades have curved cutting edges.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said means for perforating said container along a plurality of generally parallel lines comprises a blade having a series of perforating protrusions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said means for perforating said container along a line extending transversely across said container comprises a knife blade.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The device of claim 6 wherein said knife blade is disposed in an essentially horizontal plane and is adapted to contact and perforate a face of said container, said face extending upwardly above said support and being disposed essentially transverse to said direction of travel of said container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said face is the leading face of said container.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 6 wherein said knife blade is disposed in an essentially vertical plane and is adapted to contact and perforate the bottom of said container.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said gripping means comprises at least two opposed gripping faces that are adapted to move towards one another to grip the container therebetween and to reverse said movement to release said container.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 10 wherein the gripping faces are studded with pins which perforate the sides of the container.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said gripping means are adapted to grip the container by one end and the top and comprises a vertically movable gripping face for gripping an end of said container and a gripping face for gripping the top of said container.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 12 wherein gripping faces are studded with pins which perforate the container.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1977-12-09 | 1978-06-10 | 1978-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-09 | 1982-06-10 | 1982-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-09 | 1986-06-10 | 1986-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |