초록 ▼

An apparatus for sorting objects or articles of produce according to preselected visually ascertainable criteria. Each object is singulated and transported between adjacent pairs of plural rollers attached to a conveyor chain so as to be freely rotatable on an axis oriented normal to the conveying p

An apparatus for sorting objects or articles of produce according to preselected visually ascertainable criteria. Each object is singulated and transported between adjacent pairs of plural rollers attached to a conveyor chain so as to be freely rotatable on an axis oriented normal to the conveying path. A rotation control surface along the conveying path causes rotation in the rollers and in the object supported therebetween, increasing the surface of the object accessible for optical scanning. Information obtained during scanning is utilized to unload the objects. Pivotally mounted between each pair of rollers below the object transported therebetween is an elongated discharge plate. Each object is unloaded at an appropriate discharge location by pivoting upwardly the discharge plate therebelow. Pivoting of the discharge plate is caused by the activation of a diverter arm at the discharge location. The activated diverter arm directs an orientation control surface attached to the discharge plate onto a ramp adjacent the conveying path. The apparatus involves a single sorter chain having attached thereto a plurality of three parts: rollers, discharge plates, and roller mounts. Rollers and discharge plates are supported on the roller mounts, which are in turn releasably secured to the sorter chain.

대표청구항 ▼

A system for handling objects, comprising: (a) a moveable chain defining a conveying path; (b) roller mounts secured to said chain, each of said roller mounts capable of upholding a roller for rotation on an axis substantially normal to said conveying path and being provided with a pivot pin extendi

A system for handling objects, comprising: (a) a moveable chain defining a conveying path; (b) roller mounts secured to said chain, each of said roller mounts capable of upholding a roller for rotation on an axis substantially normal to said conveying path and being provided with a pivot pin extending parallel to said conveying path; (c) rollers upheld by said roller mounts for rotation on axes substantially normal to said conveying path, adjacent pairs of said rollers together forming a conveying pocket and providing rotating support of individual ones of said objects whereby said objects are rotated while being conveyed; (d) discharge plates disposed sufficiently below each of said conveying pockets pivotally mounted on said pivot pins such that said objects are not substantially contacted by said discharge plates so that the objects are freely rotated upon said adjacent pairs of rollers prior to discharge of the objects; and (e) activation means for tilting selected individual ones of said discharge plates upward to tip an object supported in said conveying pocket above said discharge plate off the side of said chain.