US3721345A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and machine for selecting potatoes of given size from massed potatoes of random size
Assignee: Milestone Inc
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Filing: 1971-05-06
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Granted: 1973-03-20
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Expires: 1991-05-06
Abstract
Abstract Potatoes or other items of random sizes are fed, en masse, onto one end of a sizing deck made up of longitudinally extending screw rolls rotatably mounted in mutually spaced, side-by-side relationship, and are conveyed toward the opposite, discharge end of the deck. Oversize items are retained by the deck and travel thereover to discharge, while others drop through the deck and are collected below. The screw threading of the rolls is of the same hand throughout and of scalloped formation, with uppermost portions of the screw thread and valley substantially aligned, respectively, diagonally across the deck, so as to define longitudinally extending, side-by-side series of sizing openings. The rolls are all rotated in the same direction for conveying the fed items toward the discharge end of the deck, and guide means, preferably a rotating roller, is provided along the side of the deck toward which the items tend to move in their travel from the feed end toward the discharge end of the deck. Provision is preferably made for adjusting the spacing of the rolls relative to each other.
Inventors
- 👤 S Brown
- 👤 O Ward
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:15
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07B; B07B1/00; B07B1/46; B07B1/4609; B07B1/4636; B07B1/12; B07B1/14; B07B1/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A machine for selecting items, such as potatoes, of given size from a random sized mass of same, comprising a sizing deck having a feed end and a discharge end and formed by a plurality of sizing rolls extending longitudinally from said feed end to said discharge end in mutually spaced, side-by-side relationship, each of said rolls being of scalloped screw formation and all being of the same hand with the ridges and valleys thereof substantially aligned, respectively, diagonally across said deck to form longitudinally extending series of sizing openings; and means for rotating said rolls unidirectionally to convey items from said feed end toward said discharge end of the sizing deck.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A machine for selecting items, such as potatoes, of given size from a random sized mass of same, comprising a sizing deck having a feed end and a discharge end and formed by a plurality of sizing rolls extending longitudinally from said feed end to said discharge end in mutually spaced, side-by-side relationship, each of said rolls being of scalloped screw formation and all being of the same hand with the ridges and valleys thereof substantially aligned, respectively, diagonally across said deck to form longitudinally extending series of sizing openings; and means for rotating said rolls unidirectionally to convey items from said feed end toward said discharge end of the sizing deck.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
111 words
A machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sizing rolls are cantilevered for rotation by respective stub shafts extending from corresponding ends of the rolls and journaled in respective sets of mutually spaced uprights at corresponding ends thereof; and wherein the means for rotating said rolls comprise other shafts for the respective rolls that correspond to said stub shafts and are themselves journaled in the respective sets of uprights; means gearing together the stub shafts and the other shafts, respectively; sprockets rigidly secured, respectively, to the said other shafts; an endless roller chain looped around said sprockets in common; and a drive sprocket at one end of said roller chain.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
A machine in accordance with claim 2, wherein the sets of uprights are pivotally mounted, respectively, on the other shafts; and wherein means are provided for laterally displacing the sizing rolls simultaneously relative to one another, said means comprising an operating lever pivotally mounted independently of said rolls, and links respectively interconnecting said lever with the free ends of uprights of said sets of uprights.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
A machine in accordance with claim 3, wherein means are provided holding the center sizing roll of the sizing deck rigidly against lateral movement; the operating lever is pivoted intermediate its length; and the links connected with rolls lying at one side of said center roll are all connected to said lever at one side of its pivot, while the links connected with rolls lying at the other side of said center roll are all connected to said lever at the other side of its pivot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein guide means extends longitudinally along the side of the sizing deck toward which the items tend to migrate as they travel from the feed end toward the discharge end of the deck.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A machine in accordance with claim 5, wherein the guide means comprises a roller, and means are provided for rotating said roller toward the sizing deck.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A machine in accordance with claim 6, wherein the roller is longitudinally fluted.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sizing rolls are mounted for lateral displacement relative to one another, and means are provided for laterally displacing said rolls relative to one another.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
A machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein means are provided for feeding massed items onto the feed end of the sizing deck; means are provided below said deck for collecting items that pass through said deck; and means are provided at the discharge end of said deck for receiving items discharged from the deck.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
75 words
A method of selecting potatoes of given size from a mass of potatoes of random size, comprising feeding said mass onto the feed end of the sizing deck of a machine constructed in accordance with claim 1, conveying the fed potatoes longitudinally of said deck toward the discharge end thereof by rotating the sizing rolls of the deck; and discharging from said deck those potatoes that do not pass through sizing openings of the deck.
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) | 1976-03-19 | 1976-09-18 | 1977-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-19 | 1980-09-18 | 1981-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-19 | 1984-09-18 | 1985-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |