Rotational sorter for spherical items
US10676290B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 10, 2018 |
| Grant date | Jun 9, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 5, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G2201/0211
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A sorter for agricultural items comprising a main frame with a circular horizontal plate having an outer edge cam surface. A circular sub-frame is mounted for rotation about the plate's vertical axis, in parallel relation to the plate. The sub-frame includes plural item cups pivotally mounted on its periphery. The cam surface tilts the cups from a raised loading position, to a horizontal viewing position, to a lowered ejection position. A loading zone includes means for loading an individual item into a respective cup. A viewing zone has camera means for optically viewing individual items as each rolls through the cup, producing an output signal corresponding to reflectivity characteristics. Computer means compares the output signal to predetermined values and produces a corresponding ejection signal. A re-direction zone includes plural ejectors, whereby a selected one of the ejectors ejects the item out its cup in response to an ejection signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.