US4246739A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fish sizing device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-06-25
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Granted: 1981-01-27
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Expires: 1999-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A bifurcated funnel presents small fish in alternating orientation to a canning apparatus. The canning apparatus is moved incrementally forward to receive the oncoming fish by a distance equivalent to the width of that individual fish. A flap is disposed in the funnel and each fish displaces the flap by a distance equivalent to its width. The flap is connected to a ratchet wheel which contains electrical contacts for actuating a plurality of solenoids which determine the position of a stop mechanism for the canning apparatus. The distance of movement of the ratchet wheel is designed in accordance with the size of the apparatus which is to receive the fish. When the ratchet wheel moves its total allotted distance, a set of contacts resets the ratchet wheel and the canning apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 John R. Rogerson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:43
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B25/00; B65B25/06; B65B25/061; B65B39/00; B65B39/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
In a fish packing machine comprising: a fish delivery means, a chute means having an inlet disposed below said fish delivery means for receiving individual fish portions delivered by said fish delivery means, and a fish receiving means movably mounted in vertical spaced relation below said chute means for receiving individual fish portions from said chute means, the improvement comprising; fish sizing means for causing movement of said receiving means in accordance with the size of individual fish portions received in said receiving means from said chute means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
In a fish packing machine comprising: a fish delivery means, a chute means having an inlet disposed below said fish delivery means for receiving individual fish portions delivered by said fish delivery means, and a fish receiving means movably mounted in vertical spaced relation below said chute means for receiving individual fish portions from said chute means, the improvement comprising; fish sizing means for causing movement of said receiving means in accordance with the size of individual fish portions received in said receiving means from said chute means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and further wherein said fish sizing means includes a movable flap means disposed across said chute means for displacement by individual fish portions as they pass through said chute means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said fish sizing means further includes a stop cam means disposed on said fish receiving means and movable therewith, said stop cam means cooperatively enaging one of a plurality of vertically displaceable stops, and energization means for causing said stops to be individually, sequentially raised in accordance with the position of said flap means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fish sizing means further includes displacement means positioned in said chute for displacement by individual fish portions, said displacement means being ratchetly connected to a contact wheel for incrementally advancing said contact wheel upon displacement of said displacement means by a plurality of individual fish portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said fish sizing means further includes a plurality of displaceable stops operatively engaged with said fish receiving means for limiting movement thereof, and actuation means for causing sequential actuation of individual ones of said stop means in response to incremental advancement of said contact wheel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
77 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said actuation means comprises a plurality of solenoids and said stop means comprises the cores of said solenoids depending therefrom, and further including an angled cam face attached to said fish receiving means for contacting the cores of said solenoids one at a time, said contact wheel causing individual actuation of said solenoids for lifting said cores therey allowing said fish receiving means to advance until stopped by the next core.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fish receiving means includes a defined space for receiving individual fish portions, and said sizing means further includes signalling means for producing an indication when said defined opening is filled.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 7 and further including reduction means for reducing the size of the defined opening for compacting the fish received therein.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
65 words
The method of canning fish portions comprising the steps of: (1) orienting the said fish portions in a common direction; (2) measuring a common dimension of each fish portion individually; (3) allowing each individual fish portion to fall into a receiving member; and (4) advancing said member by an amount equal to the measured diameter of each fish portion prior to receiving that fish portion.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
65 words
The method of canning fish portions comprising the steps of: (1) orienting the said fish portions in a common direction; (2) measuring a common dimension of each fish portion individually; (3) allowing each individual fish portion to fall into a receiving member; and (4) advancing said member by an amount equal to the measured diameter of each fish portion prior to receiving that fish portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the step of allowing each fish portion to fall into a receiving member includes the step of oppositely orienting alternate fish portion before it enters the member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 10 including the step of halting the movement of said receiving member when said receiving member is filled with fish portions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 11 and further including the step of compacting said fish portions after said member is filled.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 12 and further including the step of allowing said compacted fish portions to fall into a container.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3313394A
Cited
US3408926A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-01-27 | 1984-07-28 | 1985-01-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-01-27 | 1988-07-28 | 1989-01-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-01-27 | 1992-07-28 | 1993-01-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |