US5265764A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for pneumatically dispensing a bagged soft frozen product
Assignee: RO CO MANUFACTURING Inc A Corp OF TX
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Filing: 1991-08-22
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Granted: 1993-11-30
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Expires: 2011-08-22
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for pneumatically dispensing a bagged soft frozen product using low pressure air, the apparatus including a free floating piston and a cylinder with a low friction index, and additionally providing for a double acting piston.
Inventors
- 👤 James H. Rowe
- 👤 Bruce D. Parten
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 23:11
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23G; A23G3/00; A23G3/02; A23G3/28; A23G9/00; A23G9/04; A23G9/14; A23G9/16; A23G9/163; A23G9/22; A23G9/28; A23G9/281; A23G9/283; A23G9/285
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
Apparatus for pneumatically dispensing a bagged soft product at temperatures between 0° F. and 30° F. using low pressure air, comprising a cylinder for containing the bagged product, the inside surface of the cylinder having a low friction index; a front end piece and a rear end piece, abutting a front end and a rear end of the cylinder, respectively; a free-floating piston with seal, located within the cylinder between the front end piece and the rear end piece the piston and seal dimensioned to sealably and slidably engage the walls of the cylinder, the piston, cylinder and rear end piece defining a first pressure chamber within the cylinder; and means for communicating low pressure pneumatic air to the first chamber of the cylinder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
Apparatus for pneumatically dispensing a bagged soft product at temperatures between 0° F. and 30° F. using low pressure air, comprising a cylinder for containing the bagged product, the inside surface of the cylinder having a low friction index; a front end piece and a rear end piece, abutting a front end and a rear end of the cylinder, respectively; a free-floating piston with seal, located within the cylinder between the front end piece and the rear end piece the piston and seal dimensioned to sealably and slidably engage the walls of the cylinder, the piston, cylinder and rear end piece defining a first pressure chamber within the cylinder; and means for communicating low pressure pneumatic air to the first chamber of the cylinder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cylinder has a high dimensional stability in the 0° F. to 30° F. temperature range, where high dimensional stability for a 6 inch diameter cylinder comprises approximately 12 times 10 -6 /°K.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cylinder is comprised of thermal insulating material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the piston contains a plurality of seals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 that includes refrigeration means and wherein the means for communicating pneumatic air and the refrigeration means are electrically powered by 110 volts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cylinder, the piston and the front end piece define a second pressure chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 6 including a first and second aperture in the first and second pressure chambers, respectively, the apertures connected to the means for communicating pneumatic air.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 7 including an air valve attached to the means for communicating pneumatic air, the valve having a first setting that directs pneumatic air to the first pressure chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the air valve has a second setting that directs pneumatic air to the second pressure chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the air valve has an exhaust means for communicating air from the first chamber to regions outside of the apparatus when the air valve is in the second setting.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the air valve has a third setting that communicates air from the first chamber to regions outside of the apparatus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 that includes an air dryer attached to the means for communicating pneumatic air.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 that includes refrigerator coils attached to the apparatus, the coils maintaining the temperature of the product in the cylinder in a range between 0° F. and 30° F.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the coils are spaced from the cylinder wall.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the spacing of the coils from the cylinder wall is between 3/16 of an inch and 1/2 of an inch.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 13 that includes a heat conducting plate in contact with the refrigerator coils.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the plate is located on a side of the coil opposite the cylinder wall.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 that includes a lubricant applied to the interior surface wall of the cylinder.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the lubricant is comprised of an FDA silicone lubricant.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1 that includes an air pressure regulator means attached to the means for communicating pneumatic air, the regulator means having an air pressure monitor and a means for adjusting the pressure of the pneumatic air.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1996-11-29 | 1997-05-31 | 1997-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-11-29 | 2001-05-31 | 2001-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-11-29 | 2005-05-31 | 2005-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |