US3884018A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Harvesting marine growths and packaging the treated product
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-01-08
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Granted: 1975-05-20
•
Expires: 1993-01-08
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for removing marine growths from a body of water such that the growths are removed from the water by suction, and immediately cut into short lengths. Thereafter, the water accompanying the cut growths is separated and the growths are compressed, removing additional amounts of water. Then the cut growths are sterilized and partially dried, fortifying and/or other materials are added, and the product so treated is baled for shipment, with the entire procedure being accomplished automatically.
Inventors
- 👤 Merle P Chaplin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:48
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D44/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
An apparatus for removing marine growths from a body of water, comprising, in combination: a generally tubular member having at least one inlet and being positionable beneath the surface of a body of water substantially parallel to this surface, means coupled to said tubular member for applying suction thereto to cause encountered marine growths to enter each said inlet, rotatable cutter bar means mounted on a frame means forming part of the apparatus to rotate in a plane substantially at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of said tubular member in close vicinity to each said inlet and serving to cut growths which enter said tubular member into substantially uniform lengths, means coupled to said tubular member for conducting said cut growths to a close-by location for further processing, and means for driving each cutter bar, said means for driving each cutter bar being mounted on said frame means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
150 words
An apparatus for removing marine growths from a body of water, comprising, in combination: a generally tubular member having at least one inlet and being positionable beneath the surface of a body of water substantially parallel to this surface, means coupled to said tubular member for applying suction thereto to cause encountered marine growths to enter each said inlet, rotatable cutter bar means mounted on a frame means forming part of the apparatus to rotate in a plane substantially at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of said tubular member in close vicinity to each said inlet and serving to cut growths which enter said tubular member into substantially uniform lengths, means coupled to said tubular member for conducting said cut growths to a close-by location for further processing, and means for driving each cutter bar, said means for driving each cutter bar being mounted on said frame means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said cutter bar means includes a number of respective rotatable cutter bars, and each said rotatable cutter bar interacts with a respective stationary cutter mounted on said tubular member adjacent each said inlet of said tubular member in cutting the entering growths.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
83 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, including a number of respective slots disposed in said tubular member, Wherein said cutter bar means including a number of respective rotatable cutter bars, and each said rotatable cutter bar is operative in a respective one of said slots disposed in said tubular member at a location removed from each said inlet, each said cutter bar being of sufficient length to extend across a respective branch of said tubular member and cut the growths passing therealong.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means coupled to said tubular member for selectively controlling the depth below the surface of the body of water at which said tubular member is operative.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus for removing marine growths from a body of water comprising, in combination: a plurality of relatively horizontal tubular members each having an inlet and each being positionable beneath the surface of a body of water substantially parallel to this surface at least one cutting device having a rotatable cutting bar mounted on a frame means forming part of the apparatus, in a plane substantially at a right angle to the longitudinal axes of said tubular members in close vicinity to said inlets for cutting growths which enter said tubular members into substantially uniform short lengths, a shield secured to said tubular members adjacent to said cutting device, water jet producing means positioned in the vicinity of said inlets and said cutting device for directing encountered growths toward said cutting device, and means coupled to said tubular members for applying suction thereto.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus for removing marine growths from a body of water comprising, in combination: a plurality of relatively horizontal tubular members each having an inlet and each being positionable beneath the surface of a body of water substantially parallel to this surface at least one cutting device having a rotatable cutting bar mounted on a frame means forming part of the apparatus, in a plane substantially at a right angle to the longitudinal axes of said tubular members in close vicinity to said inlets for cutting growths which enter said tubular members into substantially uniform short lengths, a shield secured to said tubular members adjacent to said cutting device, water jet producing means positioned in the vicinity of said inlets and said cutting device for directing encountered growths toward said cutting device, and means coupled to said tubular members for applying suction thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which said cutting device includes a stationary cutter bar.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
94 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 5, including a respective slot disposed in each said tubular member at locations removed from their respective inlets, and wherein each said cutting device includes a respective rotary cutter bar operating in a respective one of said slots, each said cutter bar being of sufficient length to extend across each respective said tubular member and cut the growths passing therealong and each of said cutter bars being rotatable at substantially a right angle to the longitudinal axis of that portion of that tubular member in which it operates.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which a single rotary cutter bar is utilized and said tubular members are defined by a pair of tubes, in order to cut entering growths into substantially uniform lengths.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
154 words
A device for harvesting marine growths from a body of water comprising, in combination: a generally horizontally disposed tubular member positionable beneath the surface of a body of water substantially parallel to this surface, a generally vertically disposed tubular structure, to the lower end of which tubular structure said tubular member is operatively attached, said tubular member having an inlet, means for applying suction to said tubular structure, to cause a reduced pressure to exist at said inlet of said tubular member and thus causing encountered marine growths to enter, a cutting means mounted on a frame means forming part of the apparatus and including a rotary cutting bar disposed in operative association with said tubular member in close vicinity to said inlet to rotate in a plane substantially at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of said tubular member, for cutting marine growths which enter said tubular member into substantially uniform lengths.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
154 words
A device for harvesting marine growths from a body of water comprising, in combination: a generally horizontally disposed tubular member positionable beneath the surface of a body of water substantially parallel to this surface, a generally vertically disposed tubular structure, to the lower end of which tubular structure said tubular member is operatively attached, said tubular member having an inlet, means for applying suction to said tubular structure, to cause a reduced pressure to exist at said inlet of said tubular member and thus causing encountered marine growths to enter, a cutting means mounted on a frame means forming part of the apparatus and including a rotary cutting bar disposed in operative association with said tubular member in close vicinity to said inlet to rotate in a plane substantially at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of said tubular member, for cutting marine growths which enter said tubular member into substantially uniform lengths.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device as defined in claim 9 including mechanical means for assisting movement of cut growths up through said tubular structure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device as defined in claim 9 in which said rotary cutter bar is positioned adjacent said inlet of said tubular member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
73 words
The device as defined in claim 9, including a slot disposed in said tubular member, and in which said rotary cutter bar is positioned in said slot disposed in said tubular member substantially transverse to the length of said tubular member, said rotary cutter bar being of a length sufficient to periodically cut the marine growths being drawn throUgh said tubular member, thus causing the marine growths to be of substantially uniform length.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
66 words
The device as defined in claim 9 in which a second tubular member having an inlet is provided, said second tubular member and the first-mentioned tubular member constituting a pair of spaced, substantially parallel tubular members operatively attached to the lower end of said tubular structure, said rotary cutter bar being operative with respect to both said tubular members, to cut growths entering their respective inlets.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device as defined in claim 13 in which said rotary cutter bar operates at said inlets of said tubular members.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device as defined in claim 13, including respective slots in said tubular members, and in which said rotary cutter bar operates in said slots in said tubular members and is spaced rearwardly from said inlets of said tubular members.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device as defined in claim 9 in which means are provided for controlling the vertical positioning of said tubular structure, thus enabling the depth at which said tubular member is operative to be selectively controlled.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
62 words
The device as defined in claim 9 including means defining at least one chamber disposed about the exterior of said tubular structure, with perforations being utilized such that the interior of said chamber is interconnected with the interior of said tubular structure, whereby suction applied to said chamber will be manifested in said tubular structure as well as in said tubular member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
77 words
The device as defined in claim 9 including means defining two or more chambers disposed at spaced locations about the exterior of said tubular structure, with each chamber being connected by means of perforations to the interior of said tubular structure, with suction being applied to the lowermost chamber to bring about the removal of water from entering growths, and means for applying heat to the uppermost chamber, thus to assist in the drying of the growths.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device as defined in claim 9 in which said tubular structure is provided with an outlet disposed above the surface of the body of water, and including processing means adjacent said outlet for further processing the marine growths.
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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) | 1978-05-19 | 1978-11-18 | 1979-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-19 | 1982-11-18 | 1983-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-19 | 1986-11-18 | 1987-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |