초록 ▼

A sizing apparatus has input and output ends and a sampling window therebetween. Sizing means determines the size of each item passing through the sampling window. Singulating means arranges the items in a line and delivers them sequentially at the input end of the sizing apparatus. A lower conveyor

A sizing apparatus has input and output ends and a sampling window therebetween. Sizing means determines the size of each item passing through the sampling window. Singulating means arranges the items in a line and delivers them sequentially at the input end of the sizing apparatus. A lower conveyor belt extends through the sizing apparatus from the input end through the sampling window to the output end. The lower conveyor belt is translated at a speed sufficient to receive, transport, and maintain the items in sequential fashion. A flexible upper stabilizer belt is arranged above and generally in alignment with the lower conveyor belt, and is driven to match the speed of the lower conveyor belt. The upper stabilizer belt is suspended so as to engage the items incoming from said singulating means and to maintain loose contact with them until the items have passed through the sampling window.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for determining the size of items, comprising: a. a sizing apparatus having an input end, and output end, and a sampling window therebetween, said sizing apparatus including sizing means for determining size for each item passing through said sampling window;b. singulating means for

1. An apparatus for determining the size of items, comprising: a. a sizing apparatus having an input end, and output end, and a sampling window therebetween, said sizing apparatus including sizing means for determining size for each item passing through said sampling window;b. singulating means for arranging items in a line and delivering them sequentially at said input end of said sizing apparatus;c. a rigid V-shaped belt trough extending through said sizing apparatus from said input end to said output end, said belt trough including tapered and curved end portions;d. a flexible lower conveyor belt, said lower conveyor belt having a segment lying within and being formed by said belt trough, said segment of said lower conveyor belt being V-shaped in cross-section having a lower portion and upwardly diverging sidewall portions, said tapered and curved end portions of said belt trough transitioning said lower conveyor belt from a flat belt into a V-shaped belt segment and back into a flat belt, said lower conveyor belt being translated at a speed sufficient to receive and transport the items delivered by said singulating means in sequential fashion; and,e. an upper stabilizer belt, said upper stabilizer belt being arranged above and generally in alignment with said lower conveyor belt, said upper stabilizer belt further being flexible and driven to match said speed of said lower conveyor belt, said upper stabilizer belt being suspended so as to engage the items incoming from said singulating means and to maintain loose contact with them until the items have passed through said sampling window. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said sizing means uses X-Ray irradiation to determine the size of items. 3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which the items are agricultural comestibles, including nuts, fruits, berries, carrots, garlic, and potatoes. 4. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said singulating means comprises a plurality of rotatably driven rods defining each side of an inclined trough, said plurality of rods on each side having their axes arranged in parallel relation and inclined downwardly and converging with respect to the rods comprising the other side. 5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said lower conveyor belt and said upper stabilizer belt are endless and driven together. 6. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said upper stabilizer belt is driven and supported at said input end of said sizing apparatus by a drive roller and a pinch roller, said upper stabilizer belt being frictionally engaged between said drive roller and said pinch roller, and in which said upper stabilizer belt is supported at said output end of said sizing apparatus by an idler roller. 7. The apparatus of claim 6 in which said drive roller is coupled to a lower conveyor belt drive. 8. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said upper stabilizer belt is made from a polyester or nylon fabric. 9. The apparatus of claim 1 including sorting means downstream from said output end of said sizing apparatus, said sorting means being responsive to an output signal from said sizing apparatus and effective to act upon individual items exiting from said output end and direct them to a collection container for other items having an identical or similar size. 10. An apparatus for determining the size of items, comprising: a. a sizing apparatus having an input end and an output end, said input end being adapted for receiving items delivered sequentially in a line;b. a rigid V-shaped belt trough extending through said sizing apparatus from said input end to said output end;c. a flexible lower conveyor belt, said lower conveyor belt having a segment lying within and being formed by said belt trough, said segment being V-shaped in cross-section having a lower portion and upwardly diverging sidewall portions, said lower conveyor belt thereby being configured to receive the items delivered at said input end and to transport them sequentially in a line until outputted from said output end;d. sizing means for determining a size for each item passing through said sizing apparatus, said sizing means being located between said input end and said output end; and,e. an upper stabilizer belt, said upper stabilizer belt being arranged above and generally in alignment with said lower conveyor belt, said upper stabilizer belt further being flexible and suspended so as to engage each item incoming at said input end and to maintain loose contact with it until its size has been determined by said sizing means. 11. The apparatus of claim 10 in which said sizing means uses X-Ray irradiation to determine the size of items. 12. The apparatus of claim 10 in which the items are agricultural comestibles, including nuts, fruits, berries, carrots, garlic, and potatoes. 13. The apparatus of claim 10 in which said upper stabilizer belt is driven and supported at said input end of said sizing apparatus by a drive roller and a pinch roller, said upper stabilizer belt being frictionally engaged between said drive roller and said pinch roller, and in which said upper stabilizer belt is supported at said output end of said sizing apparatus by an idler roller. 14. The apparatus of claim 13 in which said drive roller is coupled to a lower conveyor belt drive. 15. An apparatus for determining the size of items, comprising: a. a sizing apparatus having an input end, and output end, and a sampling window therebetween, said sizing apparatus including sizing means for determining a size for each item passing through said sampling window;b. an item singulator including a plurality of rotatably driven rods defining each side of an inclined trough, said plurality of rods on each side having their axes arranged in parallel relation and inclined downwardly and converging with respect to the rods comprising the other side, said singulator being effective for arranging items in a line and delivering them sequentially at said input end of said sizing apparatus;c. a rigid V-shaped belt trough extending through said sizing apparatus from said input end to said output end;d. a flexible lower conveyor belt, said lower conveyor belt having a segment lying within and being formed by said belt trough, said segment being V-shaped in cross-section having a lower portion and upwardly diverging sidewall portions, said lower conveyor belt being translated at a speed sufficient to receive and transport the items delivered by said item singulator in sequential fashion; and,e. upper stabilizing means, said upper stabilizing means being arranged above and generally in alignment with said lower conveyor belt, said upper stabilizing means being suspended so as to engage each item incoming from said item singulator and to maintain loose contact with it until each item has passed through said sampling window. 16. The apparatus of claim 15 in which said upper stabilizing means comprises a flexible belt. 17. The apparatus of claim 16 in which said flexible belt is driven at said speed said lower conveyor belt is translated. 18. The apparatus of claim 17 in which said flexible belt is driven and supported at said input end of said sizing apparatus by a drive roller and a pinch roller, said flexible belt being frictionally engaged between said drive roller and said pinch roller, and in which said flexible belt is supported at said output end of said sizing apparatus by an idler roller. 19. The apparatus of claim 17 in which said drive roller is coupled to a lower conveyor belt drive. 20. The apparatus of claim 15 in which said sizing means uses X-Ray irradiation to determine the size of items.