Patent US2732663A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3664061A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of and apparatus for the development of plant growth
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-03-03
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Granted: 1972-05-23
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Expires: 1991-03-03
Abstract
Abstract A development of plant growth in which the seed material or the plants are supplied on an endless conveying means rotating in a horizontal plane to a plurality of successive treatment stations. The conveying means is constituted by a belt provided with a plurality of apertures and at the initiation of the growth, a seeding frame disposed on the belt limits the area of the seed material to be applied onto the belt. The frame or a portion thereof, is displaceable in such a fashion that upon movement of the belt by a length corresponding at least to the width of the frame, the seed material can be moved without difficulty by the frame to a position below the frame, together with the belt to the next treatment station.
Inventors
- 👤 Karl Ocpen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 21:32
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G31/00; A01G31/02; A01G31/04; A01G31/042; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P60/00; Y02P60/20; Y02P60/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
Apparatus for developing plant growth comprising a framework, an endless conveyor, a plurality of rolls mounted on said framework and about which the conveyor passes for movement in a horizontal plane to a plurality of successive treatment stations, said conveyor being defined by a belt provided with a plurality of apertures, a seeding frame, means stationarily supporting said seeding frame on the framework to overlie the belt in proximity to the first treatment station for limiting the area of seed material to be applied to the belt, means for introducing seed material into the seeding frame, at least a portion of said seeding frame being movable upwardly with respect to the belt so that upon movement of the belt by a length corresponding at least to the width of the frame, the seed material can be moved without hindrance below the frame together with the belt to the next treatment station and drive means operably related to one of said rolls for driving said roll and imparting movement to the belt.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
Apparatus for developing plant growth comprising a framework, an endless conveyor, a plurality of rolls mounted on said framework and about which the conveyor passes for movement in a horizontal plane to a plurality of successive treatment stations, said conveyor being defined by a belt provided with a plurality of apertures, a seeding frame, means stationarily supporting said seeding frame on the framework to overlie the belt in proximity to the first treatment station for limiting the area of seed material to be applied to the belt, means for introducing seed material into the seeding frame, at least a portion of said seeding frame being movable upwardly with respect to the belt so that upon movement of the belt by a length corresponding at least to the width of the frame, the seed material can be moved without hindrance below the frame together with the belt to the next treatment station and drive means operably related to one of said rolls for driving said roll and imparting movement to the belt.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus for developing plant growth as claimed in claim 1 in which the size of said apertures in said belt is such as to prevent the seed material falling therethrough.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
88 words
The apparatus for developing plant growth as claimed in claim 1, in which certain of said rolls have an outer surface provided with a plurality of holes therein, a fluid feed conduit located within each of said rolls having guide surfaces focusing a fluid jet radially outward and towards said belt as said belt passes over the roll for cleaning of the apertures of the belt as it passes over the roll, with such passage over the roll causing removal of the plants by gravity and fluid assistance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus for developing plant growth as claimed in claim 3 in which each of said rolls is provided at its surface with outwardly projecting axially extending ledges, with said ledges serving to space the belt from the surface of the roll.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus for developing plant growth as claimed in claim 3 in which a guide plate is coextensive with the roll and immediately adjacent to the belt where the belt passes about the roll for guiding the plants to a conveyor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus for developing plant growth as claimed in claim 1 in which said belt is provided along each of its longitudinal edges with an upper and a lower projecting component, with said edges serving to space a portion of the belt therebetween from the surface of the rolls.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
121 words
The apparatus for developing plant growth as claimed in claim 1 wherein said seed supply means includes a carriage for seed material, rails supported by the framework above the seeding frame, the carriage being movable on said rails, vertical rails spaced outwardly of said supported rails, said vertical rails being provided with pivots to enable a vertical rail to be swung from a vertical position to a horizontal position to provide a switch portion in alignment with the rails supported above the seeding frame, a roll for the carriage for the discharge of the seed material and a downwardly movable ledge for the uniform distribution of the seed material, and an electric motor on the carriage for driving said dischargE rolls.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus for developing plant growth as claimed in claim 1 including a hopper for seed material and feed pipes leading from the hopper to the seeding frame, and means in said hopper and feed pipes for moving the seed material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus for developing plant growth as claimed in claim 8 in which the means in said hopper for moving the feed material includes a trough in the bottom of the hopper and a work conveyor disposed in the trough.
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) | 1975-05-23 | 1975-11-22 | 1976-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-23 | 1979-11-22 | 1980-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-23 | 1983-11-22 | 1984-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |