Sorting apparatus

US7055670B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• UHLMANN PAC-SYSTEME GMBH & CO. KG · DE

Inventors

• Werner Florczak · Schemmerhofen, DE
• Sandra Amann · Laupheim, DE
• Markus Habdank · Laupheim, DE
• Norbert Damaschke · Seligenstadt, DE
• Markus Weber · Solothurn, CH

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 9, 2004
• Grant date: Jun 6, 2006
• Expiry date: Apr 9, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65G2201/0244
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus for sorting identical flat-bottomed objects has a vibratory conveyor defining a generally horizontal support surface. A plurality of the objects are supplied to an upstream end of the surface standing on their flat bottoms and the objects travel along the surface while standing on their bottoms. A sorting drum rotatable about a horizontal axis at a downstream end of the conveyor is formed with at least one row of radially outwardly open seats generally complementary to the objects and each having a flat floor. The drum is rotated between a pickup position in which the flat floors of the one row of seats are aligned and generally coplanar with the support surface and closely juxtaposed with the downstream end and a handoff position with the one row of seats raised up above the support surface. The objects are taken out of the seats in the takeoff position.