US4037474A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Representative sampling device
Assignee: General Mills Inc
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Filing: 1976-02-06
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Granted: 1977-07-26
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Expires: 1996-02-06
Abstract
Abstract A hopper into which loosened pieces of the paper collection are fed. A conveyor for transporting the loosened pieces of paper to a higher elevation. A fan for generating a stream of air to blow through the pieces of paper as they leave the conveyor at the higher elevation. A chamber into which the pieces of paper are gently floated by the stream of air generated by the fan. A vertical tube through which the pieces of paper can flutter downwardly due to the force of gravity. A divider separating the bottom of the vertical tube into a number of parts so that the pieces of paper which flutter down the tube can be separated into desired proportions.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter Robert Kost
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/02; G01N1/10; G01N1/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
An apparatus for separating out a representative sample from a collection of various pieces of paper comprising a chamber having an upper and a lower portion, means for conveying the pieces of paper in an even flow into said chamber, means for generating a stream of air to blow through and gently toss the pieces of paper as they enter into said chamber, an elongated tube means adjacent the lower portion of said chamber through which the pieces of paper can free fall due to gravity after said pieces leave the said chamber, the sides of said tube being free of substantial inward convergence from its end adjacent the lower portion of said chamber to the lower portion of said tube to prevent the sliding of the pieces of paper down the sides of said tube which sliding would provide a separating out of such pieces different in make-up from that provided by the free fall of said pieces, and means associated with the lower portion of said elongated tube to divide the pieces of paper into desired proportions.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
179 words
An apparatus for separating out a representative sample from a collection of various pieces of paper comprising a chamber having an upper and a lower portion, means for conveying the pieces of paper in an even flow into said chamber, means for generating a stream of air to blow through and gently toss the pieces of paper as they enter into said chamber, an elongated tube means adjacent the lower portion of said chamber through which the pieces of paper can free fall due to gravity after said pieces leave the said chamber, the sides of said tube being free of substantial inward convergence from its end adjacent the lower portion of said chamber to the lower portion of said tube to prevent the sliding of the pieces of paper down the sides of said tube which sliding would provide a separating out of such pieces different in make-up from that provided by the free fall of said pieces, and means associated with the lower portion of said elongated tube to divide the pieces of paper into desired proportions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus for separating out a representative sample from a collection of various pieces of paper as called for in claim 1 wherein the means for conveying the pieces of paper includes a belt conveyor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus for separating out a representative sample from a collection of various pieces of paper as called for in claim 1 wherein the means for conveying the pieces of paper includes a belt conveyor and a hopper adjacent said belt conveyor for directing the flow of the pieces of paper onto said belt conveyor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus for separating out a representative sample from a collection of various pieces of paper as called for in claim 1 wherein the means for generating the stream of air includes a screen over which the pieces of paper pass after they enter said chamber and a fan which blows the stream of air through said screen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
An apparatus for separating out a representative sample from a collection of various pieces of paper as called for in claim 1 wherein the means for conveying the pieces of paper includes a forced air chute and the means for generating the stream of air produces a stream of air to blow through said forced air chute.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus for separating out a representative sample from a collection of various pieces of paper as called for in claim 5 wherein the means for conveying the pieces of paper includes an inclined chute connected to said forced air chute and a hopper associated with said inclined chute adjacent said inclined chute for directing the flow of the pieces of paper into said inclined chute.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus for separating out a representative sample from a collection of various pieces of paper as called for in claim 1 wherein said means for conveying the pieces of paper includes a rotating drum having an inlet and an outlet and an inclined slide adjacent the outlet of said drum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus for separating out a representative sample from a collection of various pieces of paper as called for in claim 7 wherein said means for conveying the pieces of paper includes a hopper adjacent the inlet of said rotating drum for directing the flow of the pieces of paper into said drum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus for separating out a representative sample from a collection of various pieces of paper as called for in claim 8 wherein the means for generating the stream of air includes a screen over which the pieces of paper pass after they leave said inclined slide and a fan which blows the stream of air through said screen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus for separating out a representative sample from a collection of various pieces of paper as called for in claim 1 wherein the upper portion of said chamber is vented and said elongated tube is constructed to prevent air current from outside said tube from influencing the free fall of the pieces of paper.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US33634A
Cited
US3738483A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-07-25 | 1981-01-24 | 1981-07-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-25 | 1985-01-24 | 1985-07-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-25 | 1989-01-24 | 1989-07-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |