Small item pneumatic diverter
US7121399B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 21, 2003 |
| Grant date | Oct 17, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 21, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S209/932
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A small item pneumatic diverter for high speed diversion of articles, such as fruit, from a moving conveyor in a product handling system. The pneumatic diverter is particularly suited for diversion of small, relatively fragile articles after they have been optically scanned for size, weight, quality or other characteristics. The diverter has a nozzle connected to an electrical solenoid controlled air valve that is connected to a source of compressed air and a computer for controlling the release of air to the nozzle. The nozzle has a plurality of small discharge ports at one end for discharging air towards an article on the moving conveyor. In one configuration, the nozzle discharges air across the top of a small article to provide lift and against the article to off-load it from the conveyor. A delay mechanism is utilized to selective discharge an article after it has been scanned.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.