Patent US4597491A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4597491A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Truck loading apparatus and method
Assignee: Gerber Products Co
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Filing: 1984-04-05
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Granted: 1986-07-01
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Expires: 2004-04-05
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for the high volume loading of produce or other material into a bulk container such as a truck or rail car. The invention includes an endless belt driven across the opening of a hopper, and a driven rotor assembly utilizing a series of semi-flexible loops to urge the material to be loaded into engagement with the belt. The radially disposed portions of these loops provides an essentially continuous yet flexible circumferential surface for contact with the material being moved. The cooperation of these loops with the belt gives the flexibility to accommodate various sizes of material, and yet provide sufficient contact with the material to forcefully and accurately propel it from a discharge chute into the bulk container.
Inventors
- 👤 Glenn T. Conklin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:01
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G31/00; B65G31/02; B65G31/04; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02; B65G2201/0202; B65G2201/0211; B65G2207/00; B65G2207/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A material throwing apparatus comprising: inlet means for entry of the material into the apparatus; means, including a belt, for conveying said material along a path within the apparatus; a rotor assembly means, including a plurality of radially extending semi-flexible loops positioned adjacent one another wih adjacent loops supporting one another to reduce deflection of the loops in a rotary direction, the outer ends of said loops defining a flexible, circular, rotatable circumferential surface, a portion of which circumferential surface opposes a portion of the belt, for urging said material into contact with the belt; and discharge means for exit of said material from the apparatus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A material throwing apparatus comprising: inlet means for entry of the material into the apparatus; means, including a belt, for conveying said material along a path within the apparatus; a rotor assembly means, including a plurality of radially extending semi-flexible loops positioned adjacent one another wih adjacent loops supporting one another to reduce deflection of the loops in a rotary direction, the outer ends of said loops defining a flexible, circular, rotatable circumferential surface, a portion of which circumferential surface opposes a portion of the belt, for urging said material into contact with the belt; and discharge means for exit of said material from the apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said loops are constructed of flexible PVC covered fabric.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The truck loading apparatus of claim 1 wherein said belt includes a cleated belt constructed of flexible PVC covered fabric.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said drive means includes a variable speed motor for driving both said belt and said rotor assembly means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said inlet means comprises a gravity hopper.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the circumferential surface has a generally scalloped cross-sectional shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the rotor assembly means includes a plurality of radially extending semi-flexible loops positioned adjacent one another with adjacent loops supporting one another to reduce deflection of the loops in a rotary direction, the outer ends of said loops defining said circumferential surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said belt and said circumferential surface are driven at substantially the same speed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a back-up plate supporting at least part of said belt portion opposing said circumferential surface portion so to prevent deflection of the belt at the back-up plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rotor assembly means is driven by the belt.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The throwing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rotor assembly means includes means for rotating said assembly about an axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The throwing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the distance between the opposed belt and flexible circumferential surface portions varies according to the speed of movement of the circumferential surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
106 words
A material throwing apparatus comprising: inlet means for entry of the material into the apparatus; means, including a belt, for conveying said material along a path within the apparatus; a rotatable rotor assembly including a plurality of radially extending, mutually supporting, semi-flexible loops defining a resilient, circular circumferential surface, a portion of said circumferential surface opposing a portion of said belt so to resiliently capture the material to be thrown therebetween; an arcuate back-up plate supporting at least a part of said belt portion so to prevent deflection of the belt at the back-up plate; and discharge means for exit of said material from the apparatus.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
106 words
A material throwing apparatus comprising: inlet means for entry of the material into the apparatus; means, including a belt, for conveying said material along a path within the apparatus; a rotatable rotor assembly including a plurality of radially extending, mutually supporting, semi-flexible loops defining a resilient, circular circumferential surface, a portion of said circumferential surface opposing a portion of said belt so to resiliently capture the material to be thrown therebetween; an arcuate back-up plate supporting at least a part of said belt portion so to prevent deflection of the belt at the back-up plate; and discharge means for exit of said material from the apparatus.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for loading fruit, vegetables or other material to a trailer or other bulk container comprising: placing said material onto a moving belt; urging said material into contact with said belt with a rotor assembly comprising a plurality of flexible loops mounted in a circular arrangement so that the outer ends of said loops form an essentially continuous circumferential surface for contacting the material to be moved; and discharging said material into the bulk container.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for loading fruit, vegetables or other material to a trailer or other bulk container comprising: placing said material onto a moving belt; urging said material into contact with said belt with a rotor assembly comprising a plurality of flexible loops mounted in a circular arrangement so that the outer ends of said loops form an essentially continuous circumferential surface for contacting the material to be moved; and discharging said material into the bulk container.
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) | 1989-06-30 | 1989-12-30 | 1990-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-06-30 | 1993-12-30 | 1994-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-06-30 | 1997-12-30 | 1998-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |