US 2026/0233984 A1Published application

Energizable adjustable clamp apparatus and method for extracting liquid from containers

AssigneeJ. Nicholas and Kristin Gross Trust U/A/D April 13, 2010

InventorJohn N Gross

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

An apparatus adapted to remove liquids from containers is disclosed, with active energy delivery elements designed to dislodge and cause movement of the material within the container using vibrational energy to overcome viscosity. The apparatus includes an energizable clamp structure with flexible structural fingers that position and secure a container with a claw-type grip. The fingers include vibration elements to deliver vibrational energy to a container in an efficient manner and shake loose hard to remove material collected in the container. Additional heating elements can be employed to reduce viscosity and improve flow as well. During an activation mode electrical energy can be used to power the vibration elements such that controlled and continuous removal of material can be achieved. The clamp can include a base as well.

Claims19

Dependent claims

An apparatus for assisting in dislodgement and movement of a volume of fluid within a solid container, which container has a first bottom end and a second top end comprising:

a. a base structure adapted for housing power and control circuitry;
b. a clamp assembly attached to the base structure and situated in a substantially vertical orientation, said clamp assembly including at least a first body member and a second body member opposing said first body member;
wherein said clamp assembly includes a screw mechanism adapted to cause said two opposing body members to contact and secure the solid container between them;
c. one or more energy delivery finger structures attached to and/or forming part of said first and second body members and configured to contact one or more surfaces of the solid container;
wherein said energy delivery finger structures include:
i. a first set of one or more vibration elements situated in said first body member, which first vibration elements are activatable by electric energy supplied by said power and control circuitry;
said first body member being further adapted to make contact with and position said vibration elements in proximity to a first container surface;
ii. a second set of one or more vibration elements situated in said second body member, which second vibration elements are activatable by electric energy supplied by said power and control circuitry;
said second body member being further adapted to make contact with and position said second vibration elements in proximity to a second first container surface;
wherein the apparatus includes an activation mode enabled by electrical power, during which activation mode the apparatus can apply sufficient vibrational energy to the container through at least one of the first container surface and second container surface to assist and facilitate movement of the volume of fluid from a first bottom end of the container to a second top end of the container.

7 more elements

An apparatus for assisting in dislodgement and movement of a volume of fluid within a solid container, which container has a first bottom end and a second top end comprising:

a. a base structure adapted for housing power and control circuitry;
b. a clamp assembly attached to the base structure and situated in a substantially vertical orientation, said clamp assembly including at least a first body member and a second body member opposing said first body member;
wherein said clamp assembly includes a spring mechanism adapted to bias said two opposing body members to make contact and secure the solid container between them;
c. one or more energy delivery finger structures attached to and/or forming part of said first and second body members and configured to contact one or more surfaces of the solid container;
wherein said energy delivery finger structures include:
i. a first set of one or more vibration elements situated in said first body member, which first vibration elements are activatable by electric energy supplied by said power and control circuitry;
°said first body member being further adapted to make contact with and position said vibration elements in proximity to a first container surface;
ii. a second set of one or more vibration elements situated in said second body member, which second vibration elements are activatable by electric energy supplied by said power and control circuitry;
°said second body member being further adapted to make contact with and position said second vibration elements in proximity to a second first container surface;
wherein the apparatus includes an activation mode enabled by electrical power, during which activation mode the apparatus can apply sufficient vibrational energy to the container through at least one of the first container surface and second container surface to assist and facilitate movement of the volume of fluid from a first bottom end of the container to a second top end of the container.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.