Patent · US Active

Sorting apparatus

US8245835B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
8References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 11, 2008
Grant dateAug 21, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 2, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65G47/8838
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A sorting apparatus for sorting products comprises an endless conveying element comprising a support surface. The support surface makes an angle with a horizontal plane, at least at the location of the outlets, about an axis parallel to the conveying direction. The sorting apparatus further comprises locking elements arranged one behind the other, as seen in the conveying direction, which move along synchronously with the conveying element and which can be unlocked independently of each other, which locking elements function to hold the products in place on the support surface. Upon activation of a selected unlocking mechanism, a product is moved downwards from the conveying element towards the outlet under the influence of the force of gravity being exerted thereon.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.