US3854612A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Container discharge systems
Assignee: Bulk Unit Load Systems Ltd
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Filing: 1973-05-11
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Granted: 1974-12-17
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Expires: 1993-05-11
Abstract
Abstract A bulk container discharge system has a vibratory support frame to support a container. This frame can be vibrated by rotatable out of balance weights arranged to give different strengths of vibrations and/or vibrations in different directions depending on the amount of material in the container. Generally the less material in the container the weaker the vibrations need to be.
Inventors
- 👤 G Snape
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:21
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D88/00; B65D88/54; B65D88/64; B65D88/66
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A bulk container discharge apparatus comprising a vibratory support frame having means to support a container, and on which there is a vibratory device to vibrate the container when placed thereon by the application to the vibratory support frame of forced vibrations of different characteristics, depending upon the amount of material in the container, in which the vibratory device comprises two out of balance weights, one of which is capable of being fixed rigidly to a rotatable shaft, and the other of which is mounted on and is rotatable relative to said shaft, which weights have two pairs of corresponding abutments disposed so that when the shaft is rotated in different directions, the weights take up configurations giving different combined effects.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A bulk container discharge apparatus comprising a vibratory support frame having means to support a container, and on which there is a vibratory device to vibrate the container when placed thereon by the application to the vibratory support frame of forced vibrations of different characteristics, depending upon the amount of material in the container, in which the vibratory device comprises two out of balance weights, one of which is capable of being fixed rigidly to a rotatable shaft, and the other of which is mounted on and is rotatable relative to said shaft, which weights have two pairs of corresponding abutments disposed so that when the shaft is rotated in different directions, the weights take up configurations giving different combined effects.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which there is further vibration inducing means in the form of a discrete out of balance rotational element operating at a different time from the aforesaid two out of balance weights.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which there is a vertically deflectable mounting between the vibratory support frame and a container to be supported thereby, and a proximity switch arranged to alter the strength of the applied vibration when the amount of material is reduced beyond a certain level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as Claimed in claim 1 in which there is safety means in the form of a cut out switch, which can be brought into operation as a result of prolonged running of the vibratory device at a maximum strength.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which at least the one vibratory device is mounted on the vibratory support frame at an angle of approximately 45* to the vertical.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which at least one vibratory device is disposed with its axis rotatable from 60* to the horizontal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the abutments are formed of a single axial projection on one weight, which is arranged to engage radial faces on the other weight, on different sides of the projection depending upon the direction in which the shaft is rotated, and in which the projection is movable to different positions on the one weight so that the degree of variation of out of balance on shaft reversal is variable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in combination with a container which has a generally square plan form, and has a discharge opening at its base on rectangular plan form, the walls of the container adjacent its base being inclined at different angles to the horizontal depending on whether they lie on the long or shorter side of the rectangle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which there is means for remotely operating a discharge trap for the discharge opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 in which the lower edge of a discharge opening has a downwardly extending flange surrounding it, for engagement with a corresponding flange on a vessel to be supplied with material from a container.
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) | 1977-12-16 | 1978-06-17 | 1978-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-16 | 1982-06-17 | 1982-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-16 | 1986-06-17 | 1986-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |