Centrifugal feeder
US5954185A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 6, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 21, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 6, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G47/1464
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A centrifugal feeder for rectangular items with one of its upper or lower surfaces having luminescent characteristics which are greater than the other surface. It is desired to orient the items with its elongated axis in the direction of the output and its luminescent surface downward. The feeder has a rotating bowl surrounded by a rotating rim. Items are placed on the rotating bowl by any suitable device. A sweep pushes the items randomly onto the rim and a pair of sweeps then insure that the items are flat and only one layer high. The rim then narrows so that items not disposed with their elongated axis tangentially will over balance and fall off the rim. A sensor then determines the space between items, and if the space exceeds a preselected interval, signals for more items to be placed onto the bowl. A luminescence sensor then determines if the item thereunder is disposed with its greater luminescent surface up and a kick off device kicks off items with the greater luminescent side up. As the items fall off the rim a turn over device places the items on the bowl with the desired surface up and the items then go through the selection process again along with the newly deposited …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.