US4169528A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apple orienting system
Assignee: Atlas Pacific Engineering Co
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Filing: 1977-12-12
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Granted: 1979-10-02
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Expires: 1997-12-12
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to an apple orienting device suited to orient apples particularly those known as the Red Delicious variety and which are generally relatively long as compared to their diameter. The present orientor includes a pair of eccentrically mounted wheels, and represents an improvement over presently known devices. The orienter uses two eccentrically mounted wheels to aid in orienting the apples.
Inventors
- 👤 John H. Amstad
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:27
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/22; B65G47/24; A; A23; A23N; A23N3/00; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02; B65G2201/0202; B65G2201/0211
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
An apple orientor comprising a support movable over a path in a horizontal plane, at least one receptacle in said support having an open bottom and a frusto-conical side wall, means mounting said receptacle on said support for movement with respect to said plane, a shaft rotatably mounted on the underside of said support and extending to a position below the opening in said receptacle, a plurality of wheels each mounted eccentrically on said shaft for rotating in a first vertical plane in said open bottom to rotate an unoriented fruit positioned in said receptacle, another wheel mounted upon said shaft for rotation adjacent the outer upper edge of the receptacle to engage a fruit in said receptacle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
An apple orientor comprising a support movable over a path in a horizontal plane, at least one receptacle in said support having an open bottom and a frusto-conical side wall, means mounting said receptacle on said support for movement with respect to said plane, a shaft rotatably mounted on the underside of said support and extending to a position below the opening in said receptacle, a plurality of wheels each mounted eccentrically on said shaft for rotating in a first vertical plane in said open bottom to rotate an unoriented fruit positioned in said receptacle, another wheel mounted upon said shaft for rotation adjacent the outer upper edge of the receptacle to engage a fruit in said receptacle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
In an orientor as in claim 1, wherein the another wheel is of a diameter such that the upper edge of the another wheel extends above the upper surface of the cup, the surface of said another wheel being roughened to provide a fruit engaging surface for contact with a fruit positioned in the cup.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
In a fruit orientor as in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of wheels has a knurled surface for engaging a fruit in the cup.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
In an orientor as in claim 1, further including a helper wheel for orienting a piece of fruit in a horizontal plane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
In an orientor as in claim 1, further including means on said receptacle for tilting said receptacle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2933174A
Cited
US3586081A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-10-01 | 1983-04-02 | 1983-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-10-01 | 1987-04-02 | 1987-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-10-01 | 1991-04-02 | 1991-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |