US4363341A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plant container filling machine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-01-21
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Granted: 1982-12-14
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Expires: 2001-01-21
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for continuously metering soil into moving containers is provided. Two synchronated rotating bladed wheels dispense soil from a hopper into flats of pots moving on a conveyor in a coordinated manner beneath the wheels. The hopper is vibrated by impingement of the wheel blades against the lower portion of the hopper and the containers are agitated by movement of a frame against the conveyor underside.
Inventors
- 👤 Calvin F. Powell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:54
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G9/00; A01G9/08; A01G9/081; B; B65; B65B; B65B1/00; B65B1/04; B65B1/10; B65B1/20; B65B1/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A system for continuously metering predetermined amounts of particulate matter to moving containers comprising an overall framework; a conveyor mounted on said framework; a hopper having an outlet located above said conveyor, said hopper including first and second rotating wheels having radially extending blade members closing said outlet; and, drive means connecting said conveyor and wheels to regulate the movement thereof, said wheels being spaced apart from each other a distance sufficient to allow overlap of corresponding blade members on each respective wheel, said hopper including a resilient portion extending into said outlet a distance sufficient to allow contact with at least one of said blades.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
A system for continuously metering predetermined amounts of particulate matter to moving containers comprising an overall framework; a conveyor mounted on said framework; a hopper having an outlet located above said conveyor, said hopper including first and second rotating wheels having radially extending blade members closing said outlet; and, drive means connecting said conveyor and wheels to regulate the movement thereof, said wheels being spaced apart from each other a distance sufficient to allow overlap of corresponding blade members on each respective wheel, said hopper including a resilient portion extending into said outlet a distance sufficient to allow contact with at least one of said blades.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the axial alignments of said wheels are about parallel with one wheel being vertically offset from the other wheel a distance about equal to the thickness of a blade member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said first wheel includes a first shaft, said first shaft being journaled to opposing sidewall portions of the hopper wherein one end of said shaft has secured thereto a conveyor sprocket, a power sprocket and a first drive sprocket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said second paddle wheel includes a second shaft, said second shaft being journaled to opposing sidewall portions of the hopper wherein one end of said shaft has secured thereto a second drive sprocket which is connected to said first drive sprocket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises a power source connected to said power sprocket including a conveyor drive sprocket mounted for rotation on the frame and connected to said conveyor sprocket whereby said power source causes rotation of said power sprocket thereby simultaneously causing rotation of said conveyor sprocket and said first drive sprocket resulting in rotation of said wheels and rotation of said conveyor drive sprocket causing movement of said conveyor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 4 including an idler sprocket mounted on said hopper which is connected to said first and second drive sprockets.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said resilient portion comprises one or more hopper wall portions extending into said outlet a distance that allows one or more blade members to impinge thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said hopper wall portions comprise an elastic member covering a portion of the interior surfaces of said hopper.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
78 words
The system of claim 1 including means for agitating containers of particulate material on said conveyor comprising a frame located beneath the conveyor and connected to said overall framework at one end with a resilient connector and having a free end connected to said framework by an eccentric means which is supported by a rotatable shaft journaled to said frame whereby rotation of said shaft will cause the angular displacement of said frame against said conveyor or containers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 1 wherein each wheel has an equal number of flat blades extending outwardly about parallel with the longitudinal axis of said wheels and are spaced-apart an equal distance about the circumference thereof.
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) | 1985-12-13 | 1986-06-14 | 1986-12-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-12-13 | 1990-06-14 | 1990-12-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-12-13 | 1994-06-14 | 1994-12-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |