US4213730A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for use in counting small items
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-03-07
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Granted: 1980-07-22
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Expires: 1999-03-07
Abstract
Abstract A trough shaped receptacle for holding a plurality of small items, such as pills, screws, nuts, washers and the like, including a bottom portion having longitudinally spaced depressions in each of which a number of the items can collect, and a side portion having pockets in which separated groups are deposited when the holder is oscillated in one direction about its longitudinal axis, so that the items in each pocket can be quickly counted. The device or holder has a closed end into which excess items can be swept and held by the thumb of one hand of the user, employed to hold the device, and while the device is oscillated in the opposite direction and tilted downwardly toward its opposite end having a pouring lip through which the counted items are discharged by gravity.
Inventors
- 👤 Nicholas A. Di Gaetano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:15
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07D; G07D9/00; G07D9/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A device to facilitate the counting of small items comprising an elongated trough shaped holder having a closed end and an open discharge end, said holder including a transversely rounded bottom adapted to receive a number of small items to be counted and upwardly diverging side walls, the upper surface of said bottom having means for separating the items into small groups, and one of said side walls having inwardly opening pockets to receive the separated items when the holder is oscillated about its longitudinal axis in a direction to cause the side wall having said pockets to assume a bottommost position, whereby the small number of items contained in each pocket may be readily counted and the contents of all the pockets quickly totaled prior to oscillating the holder in the other direction for returning the items to said bottom and so that the items may be discharged through the open end of the holder when the holder is tilted endwise to cause said open end to assume a lowermost position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
172 words
A device to facilitate the counting of small items comprising an elongated trough shaped holder having a closed end and an open discharge end, said holder including a transversely rounded bottom adapted to receive a number of small items to be counted and upwardly diverging side walls, the upper surface of said bottom having means for separating the items into small groups, and one of said side walls having inwardly opening pockets to receive the separated items when the holder is oscillated about its longitudinal axis in a direction to cause the side wall having said pockets to assume a bottommost position, whereby the small number of items contained in each pocket may be readily counted and the contents of all the pockets quickly totaled prior to oscillating the holder in the other direction for returning the items to said bottom and so that the items may be discharged through the open end of the holder when the holder is tilted endwise to cause said open end to assume a lowermost position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 1, said open end having a downwardly inclined pouring lip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A device as in claim 1, said aforementioned side wall having an inturned free edge portion, and a plurality of partitions longitudinally spaced relative to one another and extending inwardly from said edge portion and terminating adjacent said bottom to define said pockets each of which opens into the bottom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device as in claim 3, said other end wall being curved inwardly and terminating in a beaded edge which combines with said inturned edge portion of the first mentioned side wall to define the open top of the holder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device as in claim 1, the innermost pocket, disposed between said end wall and the partition located adjacent thereto, constituting a storage compartment for receiving and holding excess items and which can be confined in said pocket by the thumb of the hand supporting the holder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device as in claim 1, said means for separating the items while lodged on said bottom comprising longitudinally spaced transversely extending depressions formed by and disposed between transversely extending longitudinally spaced ridges.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-07-22 | 1984-01-21 | 1984-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-07-22 | 1988-01-21 | 1988-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-07-22 | 1992-01-21 | 1992-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |