B - Operations – Transporting – 65 – B
Patent
B - Operations, Transporting
65
B
209/29
B65B 35/30 (2006.01) B65B 35/34 (2006.01) B65G 37/00 (2006.01)
Patent
CA 1308383
KLI-001 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus for sorting a plurality of substantially identical parts, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a holding bin having volume for holding a plurality of substantially identical parts and an opening for releasing some of the parts; a means for forward translation of the parts; a channel having a width of approximately nx, where n is an integer greater than one and x is the width of a characteristic dimension of the parts based on a preferred orientation due to translation of said parts; and a fluted chute having n flutes each of a width of at least x, for dividing a single plane of parts into n one dimensional lines of parts such that the parts may be individually handled. The channel accepts a plurality of parts from the opening in the holding bin, and together with the means for forward translation arranges the parts into a single plane of parts of no more than n abreast in the channel and forwards the parts towards a chute. Preferably, the parts sorter is adjustable for handling parts of different dimensions and therefore includes a fluted chute having diverging flutes. To have an adjustable sorter, the relationship between the channel and the fluted chute is arranged such that the width of the end of the channel and the width of the portion of the fluted chute which first receives the parts are substantially equal. This is accomplished by having the fluted chute provided with adjustable fingers dividing the flutes. If automatic adjustment is desired, the optical sensors should preferably be sensitive to the dimensions of the parts. Then with feedback from the sensor to a servo system, the fingers of the chute or the channel walls may be automatically adjusted by the servo system.
564016
Haggerty Matthew K.
Jansson David G.
Haggerty Matthew K.
Jansson David G.
Kirby Lester Inc.
Smart & Biggar
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