Method and apparatus for using passive exhaust for pneumatic sorting system
US5339964A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 20, 1993 |
| Grant date | Aug 23, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 20, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB07C5/368
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A passively vented rejected article chute (40) includes at least two vents (44, 45) extending downwardly into the chute to vent air in directions (50) safely away from sorting and conveying functions, thereby improving sorting effectiveness. Rejected articles (14) that include defects (24) are deflected by an air ejector module (30) into the vented chute and are directed downwardly past the vents to preventing the vents from being blocked. The vents, formed by panels (46, 48), are flared open at their outer ends (54, 56) to decrease the velocity of exhaust air as it passes upwardly through them. Reducing the exhaust air velocity allows small and/or light weight articles entrained in the exhaust air to fall back into the reject chute, thereby preventing spillage of the entrained articles.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.