Robert C Blankenship

US Patent:

44597347, Jul 17, 1984

Filed:

Mar 8, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/356201

Inventors:

Robert H. Eubanks - Leesburg FL
Robert W. Blankenship - Ocoee FL

Assignee:

Williams Steel Industries, Inc. - Clermont FL

International Classification:

B21D 3900
B23P 1904

US Classification:

29455R

Abstract:

A fruit storage bin apparatus for temporary storage of fruit has a frame wall, a floor and a ceiling forming an enclosure. An inlet is provided in the upper part of the enclosure and an outlet is provided through the walls in the lower part of the enclosure, while the floor is at a raised position relative to ground level. A center column member is mounted between the floor and the ceiling and has a plurality of support arms attached thereto in predetermined positions to support a fiberglass reinforced polymer chute. The chute is made up of sections connected together and to the support arms for lowering the fruit to the floor level, where it is temporarily stored. The method of making a fruit storage bin for the temporary storage of fruit provides for building a framework, attaching a floor and ceiling to the framework, and then attaching a center column between the floor and ceiling. The support arms are of a predetermined shape and attached in predetermined positions along the center column. Chute sections are attached to the support arms as the support arms are being put on to assure proper positioning of the support arms around the center column.