US4075087A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Continuous grader for fruits or the like
Assignee: Sunsweet Growers Inc
•
Filing: 1975-10-14
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Granted: 1978-02-21
•
Expires: 1995-10-14
Abstract
Abstract A continuous grader for fruits or the like including a unit having a plurality of aligned V-troughs and projecting fingers secured to the terminal end of a shaker table across which the fruit moves in a single layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfred W. Gerrans
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:11
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07B; B07B13/00; B07B13/04; B07B13/07; B07B1/00; B07B1/12; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S209/00; Y10S209/921
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A continuous grader for fruits or the like which comprises, means forming substantially a planar surface arranged to conduct fruit thereacross in substantially a single layer, a plurality of laterally spaced fingers arranged to receive fruits from said planar surface and to conduct fruits above a predetermined size in rows between said fingers, undersized fruit dropping between the fingers so as to be continuously separated from the lager fruits during their advance, the closest surfaces of adjacent fingers constituting substantially linear edges, and a plurality of V-troughs interposed between said planar surface and said fingers to orient the fruits passing therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A continuous grader for fruits or the like which comprises, means forming substantially a planar surface arranged to conduct fruit thereacross in substantially a single layer, a plurality of laterally spaced fingers arranged to receive fruits from said planar surface and to conduct fruits above a predetermined size in rows between said fingers, undersized fruit dropping between the fingers so as to be continuously separated from the lager fruits during their advance, the closest surfaces of adjacent fingers constituting substantially linear edges, and a plurality of V-troughs interposed between said planar surface and said fingers to orient the fruits passing therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A continuous grader according to claim 1 wherein adjacent fingers diverge vertically in the direction of fruit advance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A continuous grader according to claim 1 wherein said fingers each have a rectangular cross-section and the corners of the rectangles defined by adjacent fingers constitute the minimal spacing therebetween.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A continuous grader according to claim 1 which comprises fruit conveying means disposed below said fingers for receiving and conveying undersized fruits dropped between said fingers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A continuous grader according to claim 1 which comprises a second plurality of laterally spaced fingers arranged to receive and conduct thereacross fruits discharged from the end of said first plurality of fingers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
83 words
A continuous grader for fruits or the like which comprises, a shaker table, vibrating means connected to said table whereby fruits received thereon en masse are conducted thereacross in a predetermined direction and in substantially a single layer, and a plurality of fingers connected to the discharge end of said shaker table in predetermined laterally spaced relation to conduct the fruits thereacross in single rows so that undersized fruits drop between said fingers, the closest surfaces of adjacent fingers constituting substantially linear edges.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
A continuous grader for fruits or the like which comprises, a shaker table, vibrating means connected to said table whereby fruits received thereon en masse are conducted thereacross in a predetermined direction and in substantially a single layer, and a plurality of fingers connected to the discharge end of said shaker table in predetermined laterally spaced relation to conduct the fruits thereacross in single rows so that undersized fruits drop between said fingers, the closest surfaces of adjacent fingers constituting substantially linear edges.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A continuous grader according to claim 8 which comprises a plurality of V-troughs connected to said shaker table in interposed relation between it and said fingers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A continuous grader according to claim 7 wherein said fingers and said V-troughs constitute a unit releasably connected to said shaker table.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US2432235A
Cited
US3211289A
Cited
US3347368A
Cited
US3701418A
Cited
US3799336A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-02-20 | 1981-08-22 | 1982-02-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-20 | 1985-08-22 | 1986-02-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-20 | 1989-08-22 | 1990-02-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |