US4355734A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Scraper and sensor apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-11-25
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Granted: 1982-10-26
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Expires: 2000-11-25
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for dispensing material from a container comprising a plate having an aperture therein through which material is caused to flow out of the container when the plate is caused to move vertically within the container. A scraper member is spaced from and coupled to such plate to engage the inside walls of such container to scrape material from the walls as the plate moves vertically relative to the container. A space is formed between the scraper member and the plate to form a cavity which communicates with the aperture and which includes a material entering opening, the level of material in the cavity being controlled during operation of the apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Leo M. Moore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:43
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67D; B67D7/00; B67D7/06; B67D7/58; B67D7/62; B05; B05C; B05C11/00; B05C11/10; B05C11/1042; B29; B29B; B29B13/00; B29B13/02; B29B13/022; B67D7/64; B67D7/645; B67D7/80; B29K; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/0097; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/6416; Y10T137/6606
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
Apparatus for dispensing material from a container comprising: a plate having a top surface and a bottom surface and having an aperture therethrough; means coupled with said plate for causing said material to flow through said aperture in a direction extending from said bottom surface towards said top surface; means coupled with said plate for causing said plate to move vertically relative to a container such that said plate may be caused to move into or out of a container as desired; means spaced from and coupled with said plate for engagement with the inside walls of a container to scrape material from said walls as said plate moves vertically relative to a container, said space formed between said scraper means and said plate forming a cavity which communicates with said aperture and which includes a material entering opening; and, means associated with said cavity for controlling the level of said material which might enter said cavity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
Apparatus for dispensing material from a container comprising: a plate having a top surface and a bottom surface and having an aperture therethrough; means coupled with said plate for causing said material to flow through said aperture in a direction extending from said bottom surface towards said top surface; means coupled with said plate for causing said plate to move vertically relative to a container such that said plate may be caused to move into or out of a container as desired; means spaced from and coupled with said plate for engagement with the inside walls of a container to scrape material from said walls as said plate moves vertically relative to a container, said space formed between said scraper means and said plate forming a cavity which communicates with said aperture and which includes a material entering opening; and, means associated with said cavity for controlling the level of said material which might enter said cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said scraper means is resiliently attached to said plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said level control means includes a sensing member which extends into said cavity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said sensing member is coupled to said plate moving means to control the rate at which said plate moves vertically relative to said container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein said level control means further includes a check valve which when in a closed position encloses said cavity at said opening to prevent communication of said cavity with said aperture and which when in an open position opens said cavity at said opening to allow communication of said cavity with said aperture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein said check valve seats upon said plate and said scraper means to enclose said cavity at said opening when said check valve is in a closed position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said level control means includes a check valve which when in a closed position encloses said cavity at said opening to prevent communication of said cavity with said aperture and when in an open position opens said cavity at said opening to allow communication of said cavity with said aperture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein said check valve seats upon said plate and said scraper means to enclose said cavity at said opening when said check valve is in a closed position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as described in claim 8 wherein said level control means further includes a sensing member which extends into said cavity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for dispensing material from a container comprising: a plate having a top surface and a bottom surface and having an aperture therethrough, said plate including a plurality of intermittently spaced mounting areas positioned about the periphery of said plate; a pump coupled with said plate for causing said material to flow through said aperture; means coupled with said plate for causing said plate to move vertically relative to a container such that said plate may be caused to move into or out of a container as desired; a scraper member extending about the periphery of said plate and being attached thereto at said mounting areas, said scraper member otherwise being spaced from said plate to form a cavity having a material entering opening adjacent said bottom surface which communicates with said aperture; and, means associated with said cavity for controlling the level of said material which might enter said cavity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for dispensing material from a container comprising: a plate having a top surface and a bottom surface and having an aperture therethrough, said plate including a plurality of intermittently spaced mounting areas positioned about the periphery of said plate; a pump coupled with said plate for causing said material to flow through said aperture; means coupled with said plate for causing said plate to move vertically relative to a container such that said plate may be caused to move into or out of a container as desired; a scraper member extending about the periphery of said plate and being attached thereto at said mounting areas, said scraper member otherwise being spaced from said plate to form a cavity having a material entering opening adjacent said bottom surface which communicates with said aperture; and, means associated with said cavity for controlling the level of said material which might enter said cavity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus as described in claim 10 wherein said scraper member comprises a plurality of resilient segments the central portion of each of which is attached to one of said mounting areas and the end portions of each of which is spaced from said plate, and including spring means positioned between each of said end portions and said plate for facilitating the resiliency of said scraper member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein adjacent end portions of said scraper member are coupled together.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein said level control means includes a sensing member which extends into said cavity.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as described in claim 13 wherein said sensing member is coupled to said plate moving means to control the rate at which said plate moves vertically relative to said container.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
138 words
Apparatus as described in claim 14 wherein said plate comprises a first flanged area which extends from and about the periphery of said plate adjacent said opening and a second flanged area which extends from and about the periphery of said plate below said first flanged area and said opening and wherein said level control means further includes a check valve, said check valve comprising an annular-like member, said annular-like member moveably extending about the periphery of said plate between said first and second flanged areas said check valve enclosing said cavity at said opening when said annular-like member engages said first flanged area to prevent communication of said cavity with said aperture and opening said cavity at said opening when said annular-like member disengages said first flanged area to allow communication of said cavity with said aperture.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as described in claim 15 wherein said annular-like member seats upon said first flanged area and said scraper member to enclose said cavity at said opening to prevent communication of said cavity with said aperture when said check valve is in a closed position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
138 words
Apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein said plate comprises a first flanged area which extends from and about the periphery of said plate adjacent said opening and a second flanged area which extends from and about the periphery of said plate below said first flanged area and said opening, and wherein said level control means further includes a check valve, said check valve comprising an annular-like member, said annular-like member moveably extending about the periphery of said plate between said first and second flanged areas, said check valve enclosing said cavity at said opening when said annular-like member engages said first flanged area to prevent communication of said cavity with said aperture and opening said cavity at said opening when said annular-like member disengages said first flanged area to allow communication of said cavity with said aperture.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as described in claim 17 wherein said annular-like member seats upon said first flanged area and said scraper member to enclose said cavity at said opening to prevent communication of said cavity with said aperture.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as described in claim 18 wherein said level control means further includes a sensing member which extends into said cavity.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus of claim 11, 14, 16, or 18 wherein said plate comprises means for heating said material and includes a plurality of heat radiating fins extending vertically from said bottom surface of said plate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus of claim 15, 16, 17 or 18 wherein said plate comprises means for heating said material and includes a plurality of heat radiating fins extending vertically from said bottom surface of said plate, and extending laterally from said plate to form said second flanged area.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13 or 19 wherein said plate comprises means for heating said material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-10-25 | 1986-04-26 | 1986-10-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-10-25 | 1990-04-26 | 1990-10-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-10-25 | 1994-04-26 | 1994-10-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |