Patent US3948443A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3948443A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for spreading granular material, especially fertilizer
Assignee: Norsk Hydro ASA
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Filing: 1974-11-25
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Granted: 1976-04-06
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Expires: 1994-11-25
Abstract
Abstract Granular material, such as a fertilizer, is continuously or intermittently fed into one or several launching tubes and compressed air pulses are introduced at regular time intervals behind each quantity which at any time has been fed into the tube(s), so that part quantities of the material are shot out at a certain rate and over a certain range.
Inventors
- 👤 Bjarne Omdal
- 👤 Johs. Skaadel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:01
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G53/00; B65G53/34; B65G53/40; B65G53/46; B65G53/4608; B65G53/4616; A; A01; A01C; A01C15/00; A01C15/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
53 words
A method for spreading a granular material, particularly fertilizer, said method comprising: feeding separate quantities of granular material into tube means; and intermittently introducing into said tube means, behind each said quantity of material, separate individual pulses of compressed air, and individually shooting each said quantity of material out of said tube means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
53 words
A method for spreading a granular material, particularly fertilizer, said method comprising: feeding separate quantities of granular material into tube means; and intermittently introducing into said tube means, behind each said quantity of material, separate individual pulses of compressed air, and individually shooting each said quantity of material out of said tube means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tube means includes separate tube cells, and said separate pulses are introduced into each of said tube cells.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said separate pulses are introduced sequentially into said separate tube cells.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising controlling the range of said shooting by adjusting the duration of said pulses.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising controlling the range of said shooting by adjusting the air pressure of said pulses.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimd in claim 1, further comprising program controlling the range and area of said shooting.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
64 words
An apparatus for spreading a granular material, particularly fertilizer, said apparatus comprising: an adjustably positioned tube means; means for feeding into said tube means separate quantities of granular material; and means for intermittently introducing into said tube means, behind each said quantity of material, separate individual pulses of compressed air and for individually shooting each said quantity of material out of said tube means.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
64 words
An apparatus for spreading a granular material, particularly fertilizer, said apparatus comprising: an adjustably positioned tube means; means for feeding into said tube means separate quantities of granular material; and means for intermittently introducing into said tube means, behind each said quantity of material, separate individual pulses of compressed air and for individually shooting each said quantity of material out of said tube means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said tube means includes a plurality of separate tube cells, into each of which are fed a separate said quantity of material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said tube means further includes an outlet tube, said separate tube cells being successively communicable with said outlet tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said separate tube cells are mounted in a rotatable feeding means operable for successively moving said tube cells into alignment with said outlet tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said tube cells are mounted in said rotatable feeding means in plural concentric circles.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said separate tube cells each have connected thereto air introduction means for simultaneously introducing pulses into separate of said tube cells.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein individual of said tube cells are positioned for achieving spreading of said material quantities over different areas and ranges.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said separate tube cells each have connected thereto air introduction means for alternately introducing pulses into separate of said tube cells.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein individual of said tube cells are positioned for achieving spreading of said material quantities over different areas and ranges.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the discharge end of said tube means is formed of a flexible material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a deflector plate mounted to be swung into a position in front of the muzzle of said tube means.
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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) | 1979-04-06 | 1979-10-06 | 1980-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-04-06 | 1983-10-06 | 1984-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-04-06 | 1987-10-06 | 1988-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |