Abstract: An apparatus and method of transporting food products to a loading station having a cooling conveyor that selectively drops food product into a distributor. The distributor separates product into at least two lanes and drops product onto a conveyor. A balancing and diverting conveyor monitors and counts product in each lane and diverts product selectively based upon the sensed product. An orienter transfers product from a loading conveyor to a buffer conveyor. The buffer conveyor transfers product to a main conveyor which transfers product to a loading head.

Abstract: This application describes a guide plate for collecting and discharging bulk products (12), comprising a first segment (14), said first segment (14) comprising damping means (19, 20), which, during use, dissipate the collision energy of each product (12) to be collected essentially individually. Further, this application describes a sorting machine for the sorting of a continuous single layer stream of products, in which said sorting machine contains a feeding unit, an analysis unit, a removal unit and transport unit, where said transport unit contains such a guide plate in order to collect the products coming from the feeding unit.

Abstract: A parts feeding apparatus feeds projection bolts into a receiving hole in an electrode and includes an excessively long parts detecting device which detects projection bolts having excessively long shanks. The excessively long parts detecting device has a pass control member fixed between a pair of plates of the delivery section for engaging an excessively long shank and a control plate which prevents the projection bolt having the excessively long shank from projecting upward so as to lock the projection bolt in cooperation with the pass control member. A feed rod advances to a predetermined position at which the shanks of the projection bolts are inserted into the receiving hole, and a spacing between the holding head and a receiving hole when the feed rod is in the predetermined position is set to prevent projection bolts having an excessively short shank from reaching the receiving hole.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating non-biogenic plastic from biogenic waste. A stream of waste materials is delivered through an inlet into a conduit in which the biogenic waste drops out the bottom. The non-biogenic plastic is drawn upwardly by a separator in the form of pressurized gas fed tangentially through two ports in an opposite direction with each other to create a vacuum in the conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sorting ammunition casings and adapted to be mounted on a vibrating base. The apparatus includes an input hopper adapted to receive ammunition casings and a sorting track in communication with the input hopper where the sorting tracks has a graduated opening the bottom of the track such that the diameter of the graduated opening increases as the opening extends away from the hopper. The apparatus further includes sorting compartments arranged under the sorting track. Vibration moves the casings from the input hopper to the sorting track, and as the casings move along the sorting track, smaller diameter casings fall through a first opening portion into a first sorting compartment, and larger diameter casings move along the sorting track past the first opening portion and subsequently fall though a second opening portion into a second sorting compartment thereby separating the ammunition into different calibers.

Abstract: A product flow control apparatus for use in sorting of products, and particularly relatively small products. The apparatus includes a reservoir of products to be sorted, a flow-rate control passage at which a flow restrictor limits the flow rate of products passing to a slide before imaging by a product viewer and sorting by ejector. A flow valve operates to provide products to a flow-rate control passage at a flow rate at which the product viewer and the ejector can operate.

Abstract: An apparatus, and method of use, for reducing the operable width of the inclined slide of a gravity fed sorting machine includes an upper section for reducing the flow rate into the slide and for directing the reduced flow to the operable portion of the slide and a lower section for delimiting the operable portion of the slide. The upper section includes a body proximate the gravity fed sorting machine and which is connected to a product flow rate adjustment assembly and a partition so the product flow into the slide may be controlled and the flow of materials directed to the operable portion of the lower section, which includes a slide width control guide to limit the operable width of the inclined slide.

Abstract: A transporting and escapement device includes an internal guide member extending along the conveying path and extending through an aperture in each conveyed article. The guide member will serve to guide the article along the conveying path. The guide member is supported by at least one escapement assembly. Each escapement assembly includes at least two independently operated guide member engaging supports which can selectively engage the guide member at spaced locations along the guide member. At least one support of at least one escapement assembly will be engaged with the guide member at any given time.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a slide for a gravity-fed sorting machine. An optimum gravity slide configuration comprises one or more channels, with or without dividing ribs, and a product guide. The product guide has support tabs integral to or otherwise extending from its perimeter. Those tabs allow the product guide to be supported along it perimeter by brackets while retaining certain degrees of freedom regarding its ability to move. Specifically, the tabs rest in notches in the underlying support brackets that allow the product guide to be lifted up, thus permitting a potential obstruction to pass. Additionally, the brackets themselves are adjustably mounted to the sides of the slide. That allows the product guide's height above the channel bottom or dividing ribs to be varied to provide a clearance to best accommodate the particular product being sorted.

Abstract: A dispensing system that includes an apparatus comprised of a container with a support surface, an opening in the upper portion for receiving items, a passageway in the lower portion for dispensing items, a guide surface to direct items into the passageway, a means for generating pulses of vacuum that draw pulses of air (or other fluid) into the container through the open passageway, and sufficient volume of available air (or other fluid) outside the passageway and outside the container to fill the vacuum generated inside the container. A preferred method of generating the vacuum pulses is injecting pulses of high-pressure fluid in thin sheets into the container through the open passageway with laminar flow against the support or guide surfaces. Items are lifted and separated by the influx of fluid.

Abstract: A machine for the sorting by size of pear-shaped objects including a conveyor (10) able to move essentially horizontally. The conveyor includes a first alignment of equidistant and parallel primary rollers (30) separated each from the next by an interval allowing one object to pass through. The conveyor (10) also has a second alignment of secondary rollers (44) each arranged in alignment with an interval. The machine has a device (42) for guiding the secondary rollers (44) along a sorting path (14) of the conveyor. The guide device (42) being such as to move the secondary rollers progressively away from the primary rollers along the length of the sorting path (14). The primary and secondary rollers do not rotate about their axis for the greater part of the sorting path (14).

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a slide for a gravity-fed sorting machine. An optimum gravity slide configuration comprises one or more channels, with or without dividing ribs, and a product guide. The product guide has support tabs integral to or otherwise extending from its perimeter. Those tabs allow the product guide to be supported along it perimeter by brackets while retaining certain degrees of freedom regarding its ability to move. Specifically, the tabs rest in notches in the underlying support brackets that allow the product guide to be lifted up, thus permitting a potential obstruction to pass. Additionally, the brackets themselves are adjustably mounted to the sides of the slide. That allows the product guide's height above the channel bottom or dividing ribs to be varied to provide a clearance to best accommodate the particular product being sorted.

Abstract: A feeding system and method for placing a plurality of objects within a single designated destination area of a sorting system to increase the throughput rate of the system. The disclosed sorting system includes a plurality of carriages movable under the control of a programmable controller between the loading and unloading stations of the sorting system, each carriage carrying a tilt tray. The geographic destination of each of the objects to be placed on a tray, as well as a dimension of each of the objects to be placed on a tray, is determined by an optical scanner and a measuring device. The controller uses the dimension information to determine whether more than one object having the same geographic destination may be placed on the same tray. The invention is adaptable for use with other types of sorting systems.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly for splitting open contents-filled garbage bags selected from bags filled with yard waste and bags filled with cans and bottles. The assembly is composed of a flighted conveyor that conveys the filled garbage bags into a confined bag splitter assembly. The bag splitter assembly has sidewalls to confine filled garbage bags therein and has an overhead array of blade assemblies laterally spaced across the conveyor for confronting filled garbage bags conveyed by said conveyor into the bag splitter assembly. The blade assemblies are composed of a pivotally mounted blade holder disposed above the conveyor and carry horizontally-disposed canard-like blades having a forward point for confronting the filled garbage bags. The blades are disposed substantially continuously laterally across the width of the bag splitter assembly. For garbage bags filled with cans and bottles, the blades have a forward tip carry pointed elongate elements for puncturing the bags.

Abstract: A fold down sorting pan for providing a surface for sorting small objects. The fold down sorting pan includes a mounting portion adapted for mounting to a wall or countertop. A support arm is pivotally coupled to the mounting portion. A tube is coupled to a bottom of the support arm. An extension arm extends from the tube. A pan is coupled to the extension arm.

Abstract: In a film processor, filmstrips are contained in their specific cartridge shells with their film leaders attached to a leader plate, and are fed into processing baths with the leader plate in the lead, while being pulled out from the cartridge shells. After the filmstrips are separated from the cartridge shells, the cartridge shells drop on a chute and slide down on the chute. Smaller cartridge shells sift through a sifting slit formed through the chute along the sliding direction, while larger cartridge shells slide down to a lower end of the chute. A lateral guide plate extends under the sifting slit, to guide smaller cartridge shells having sifted through the sifting slit in the lateral direction of the sifting chute toward a cartridge recovery box. Larger cartridge shells drop from the lower end of the chute down to a second cartridge recovery box.

Abstract: The device for sorting objects, for example mail items, includes a conveyor (1) that directs the objects to be sorted to sorting output receptacles (7) associated with corresponding sorting outputs and in which the sorted objects are stored. A buffer receptacle (11) is provided at each sorting output. Each buffer receptacle (11) has a retractable bottom (12) and temporarily stores sorted objects before they are transferred into a sorting output receptacle and/or while that sorting output receptacle is replaced by an empty receptacle. Because of these buffer receptacles, the throughput of the sorting device may remain constant while sorting output receptacles are replaced.

Abstract: A bend detector for detecting a bend in headed rod members such as nails, screws, bolts, rivets and terminals. A guide plate, a base plate and a beam are mounted on a base which is being vibrated. Thus, a nail set in the bend detector is vibrated and rolls on the inclined edge of the guide plate and the base plate, which extends parallel to the edge of the guide plate. An air blower is provided under the head of the nail to lift it up from the edge of the guide plate by blowing air. If the nail is straight, it can roll smoothly on the edge of the guide plate and the base plate without its head disengaging from the edge of the guide plate even though it is lifted up from the edge of the guide plate by the air blower. If the nail is bent, its head will jump up until its shank abuts the beam when the crest of the bent portion faces downward while the nail is rolling. Its head will thus disengage from the edge of the guide plate, so that the nail will drop into the gap between the guide plate and the base plate.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for separating a flow of golf balls into a first set of golf balls which meet predetermined specifications and a second set of golf balls which do not meet specifications. The apparatus includes a first elongated cylinder having a central axis positioned at an angle with respect to the horizontal. The elongated cylinder has an open lower end, an open upper end and an interior diameter to allow for the rolling of golf balls of the first set to move therethrough and out of the lower end. A large aperture is formed in an upper surface of the elongated cylinder at a central extent thereof. The interior surface of the elongated cylinder is of an increased diameter between central extent thereof and the upper end thereof. A supplemental small aperture is formed in the upper surface of the elongated cylinder offset from the uppermost extent thereof. The supplemental small aperture is formed at an angle with regard to the axis of the elongated cylinder.

Abstract: A circuit board handling and testing apparatus comprising a housing which defines a top surface. Attached to the housing is a magazine assembly which accommodates a plurality of circuit boards and is adapted to dispense the circuit boards onto a testing assembly attached to the housing one at a time. Each of the circuit boards stored within the magazine assembly defines a longitudinal axis. The testing assembly includes a modular testing component for receiving the circuit board dispensed onto the testing assembly and performing a testing protocol thereon. A reciprocal transport assembly attached to the housing pushes the circuit board dispensed onto the testing assembly laterally relative to its longitudinal axis into the modular testing component of the testing assembly. A sorting assembly which is also attached to the housing selectively directs the tested circuit board into a particular containment vessel based upon the outcome of the testing protocol.

Abstract: Apparatus for handing and testing PC cards and, more particularly, modem cartridge units. The apparatus uses a gravity drop conveyance or slideway in combination with transverse test coupling unit. Feed gate apparatus separates and singly drops each PC card for drop down the chassis slideway and into a test position beneath a test box. The test box is then actuated transversely to connect test plugs to each side of the PC card which then undergoes a predetermined test sequence. Test PC cards are then further dropped along to slideway to separation and classification stages.

Abstract: A document or package sorting workstation (10), ergonomically designed to maximize manual or machine-assisted sorting efficiencies and throughput, while minimizing or eliminating opportunities for losses or mis-sorts and improved methods for sorting documents and packages. The workstation (10) is made of an upper workstation (32) which is an inclined chute (14) with dividers (12) placed parallel to flow of documents or packages, and front stop (29); a lower workstation (28) having a support frame and receptacle for bag holder (24); a bag holder (24) having supporting frames and a glider (22); an accessory holder (30); and a loading shelf (16).

Abstract: A recycling assembly includes a first endless conveyor belt, a second endless conveyor belt, a plate disposed between the first belt and the second belt and a third endless conveyor belt. An upper conveying surface of the first belt is inclined at an angle with respect to a horizontal reference plane. An upper conveying surface of the second conveyor belt is disposed at an inclined angle which is greater than the inclined angle of the upper surface of the first conveyor belt. The plate has an upper surface which is inclined with respect to the horizontal reference plane at an angle greater than the inclined angle of the upper surface of the second conveyor belt. The upper surface of the third conveyor belt is disposed at an angle which is parallel to the horizontal reference plane.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting and essentially vertically guiding workpieces, particularly products of plastics material is arranged between a production machine and at least two subsequently arranged units for producing, conveying or storing. A hopper which can be fastened in a simple manner is arranged in the area in which the workpieces are dropped vertically from the production machine, A frame which is rotatable about a horizontal axis of rotation is mounted at the hopper opening. Webs are fastened to sides of the frame which extend parallel to the axis of rotation. The other ends of the webs are connected to rods arranged spaced from the opening of the hopper. By rotating the frame about its axis of rotation, the webs can be stretched in such a way that an inclined plane is formed along which the workpieces are conveyed in a sliding manner to the subsequently arranged units.

Abstract: There is an IC (integrated circuit) testing device 11 that receives singulated ICs from a singulation station's bottom table 44, where an IC 15 has slid down onto loading ramp or track 16. The IC will slide into test station 18, where stop pin 22 has been inserted to stop the IC in DUT (device under test) station 20. In the DUT station, the IC is securely held in position by an extractor bar 26, insertion bar 28, and a part guide 24. Thereby, test cite station 18 will move downward and insert IC 15 into testing socket 30. After testing the IC, testing station 18 returns upward with the IC in the same secured position. Pin 22 will be removed to allow the IC to slide into part holding station 31. If the IC was not defective, pin 32 will be removed to allow the IC to slide onto track 36 of the IC separator station 34. While the test cite station 18 is in the up position a second IC is slid along track 16 and loaded into DUT cite 20 being readied for the next test cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus for detangling a plurality of conventional garment hangers located on a common supporting rail, comprising a generally cylindrical elongated rigid barrel having a plurality of spaced elongated bristles fixedly attached to the barrel projecting radially from the surface of the barrel, the bristles being spaced substantially around the circumference of the barrel; and, a motor for rotating the barrel about its axis. Hangers presented to the apparatus, such as by a conveyor, are supported by the barrel. The bristles turn in the direction of the hanger hook curve and any crossed hangers are automatically combed apart and separated. The hangers are moved from the front end toward and off the rear end of the barrel during rotation.

Abstract: A gravity conveyor (12) delivers drill bits (10) to carrier tubes (24) which are on an endless conveyor. An optical micrometer (22) or the like identifies the drill bits (10), as to shank type, maximum diameter, overall length, helix angle, back taper, number of margins, etc., and produces an identification signal which is directed to a control computer (B). An identified drill bit (10) is delivered into a given carrier tube (24). The computer (B) controls the endless conveyor (EC) to move the conveyor tube (24) into a position adjacent a dedicated receptacle (30) for the identified drill bit (10) which is one of a large number of dedicated receptacles (30) which are arranged in series alongside the path traversed by the endless conveyor (EC).

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating the grade of rice grains includes a grain supply unit, vibrating troughs on which the rice grains run in their longitudinal posture, flow-down troughs having slits each opening to each of the flow-down troughs, a reflected light measuring unit having its light sources and its detecting element for detecting the amount of the light reflected from the rice grains, a transmitted light measuring unit having its light sources and its detecting element for detecting the amount of the light transmitted through the rice grains at the positions of the slits, and a calculation control unit for digitally calculating the values measured at the reflected light measuring unit and the transmitted light measuring unit for evaluating the rice grains into a plurality of grades. The light sources for reflection may be of visible light and the light source for transmission may be of infrared light.

Abstract: A slide conveyor for an optical sorting machine is disclosed wherein the conveyor is gently twisted over its length by about 85 degrees. The conveyor is channel-like in that it has two sides converging at its U-shaped bottom at an acute angle. The angle has a radius much smaller than the radius of the convex flat side, but slightly larger than the radius of the smallest edge angle radius of the slightly convex, disc-like products being conveyed. At the upper end, the centerline of the bottom angle is vertical and at its lower end, positioned just above the viewing station of the optical sorter, the centerline is about 5 degrees above horizontal. The conveyor slopes at a grade of about 75 degrees. The conveyor both singulates and orients the products conveyed.

Abstract: A first rotatable conveyor section (16) is positioned axially between upper and lower fixed sections (14,18) of a gravity conveyor. Rotatable conveyor section (16) rotates about an axis extending perpendicular to the conveyor section. A gate (42,44) is provided at each end of the rotatable conveyor section (16). An identification device (84) is positioned upstream of the rotatable conveyor section (16). It identifies the end-to-end orientation of an article (10) which is travelling along the gravity conveyor (12). A computer controls the gates (42,44) and a mechanism (104) for rotating the rotatable conveyor section (16). When an article (10) having an improper end-to-end orientation is encountered, the rotatable conveyor section (16) is rotated 180.degree. for the purpose of reversing the article's orientation. A second rotatable conveyor section (120) is mounted for sideways rotation about an axis which extends longitudinally of the slide conveyor (12).

Abstract: A feeding mechanism adpated to feed seeds such as soybeans, navy or pinto beans into a cleaning device. The feeder includes a hopper which is supplied by a hose from a large bin, and which, in turn, feeds a spout emptying into an adjustable chute which forms a metering device. The slope of the chute is adjustable to control the rate of flow of the seeds into the cleaner.

Abstract: A method of optically checking the appearances of chips and sorting the chips comprises the steps of feeding chips onto chip-passage body to cause the chips to run on the chip-passage body in a predetermined direction; during the running of the chips on the chip-passage body, individually separating the chips to stop the chips one by one at each of two predetermined checking positions; irradiating light obliquely and straightly with respect to a chip at one of the predetermined checking positions to pick up an optical image of one of undersurface and top surface sides of the chip as a video signal by means of a first TV camera; irradiating light obliquely and straightly with respect to the chip at the other of the predetermined checking positions to pick up an optical image of the other of the undersurface and top surface sides of the chip as a video signal by means of a second TV camera; sending the video signals to image processing sections, each of which includes at least an analog-to-digital conversion un

Abstract: Apparatus for sorting pieces of non-ferrous scrap metal into a plurality of components, each component being a particular metal type, feeds the pieces into a vertically disposed sorting zone. The pieces fall down a steeply inclined guide member under the influence of gravity and they pass a pair of timing devices which are spaced apart along the guide member, each timing device being a light source on one side of the path of the pieces and a light detector on the other side. The timing devices provide signals representing not only timing but also size an velocity. The pieces then pass an x-ray analysis system including a source of high energy rays to induce x-ray fluorescence and a detector to detect this fluorescence. The detector provides signals indicating the metal type for each piece of scrap. The pieces then fall past a plurality of blast nozzles spaced apart along the guide member.

Abstract: A card-like article inspection device has an inclined table for placing articles thereon in an upright and aligned state, a camera for detecting the foremost article, and an article feed frame for transferring the article having been inspected along one side of the table in its upright posture. The articles having been inspected are pushed separately into two placing portions of the table. Thus, the articles can be classified into a group of non-defective articles or into a group of defective articles.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical orientation system for conveyed articles having a distinguishable top and bottom such as a rail tie plate or the like is disclosed comprising a sensor frame having a transverse pivot axis, a plurality of elongate sensor fingers pivotable about that axis and subject to a biasing force, a plurality of notched beam interceptors, one mounted to each sensor finger, a corresponding plurality of opto switches and a logic circuit, whereby the frame is oriented in relation to a conveyor surface so that the sensor fingers intercept and are triggered by the conveyed article. The pattern of triggered sensor fingers is transmitted through the beam interceptors and opto switches to the logic means, from where it may be used to trigger a conveyed article reorientation device.

Abstract: A chute for an optical selector has a corrugated bottom surface in order to insure that particulate articles to be selected flow linearly and are dispersed uniformly across the width. The corrugations along the bottom surface of the chute are gentle having a small ratio of height to pitch of corrugation, and such corrugations provide shallow valleys which extend linearly from the upper infeed end of the chute to the lower discharge end. When the particulate articles to be selected flow down the chute, they accordingly flow in a linear way rather than following a curved path, but if the flowing quantity becomes so great as to normally cause a vertical piling up at the discharge end, the particulate articles will move sideways rather than piling up.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for high-speed processing of fruit or the like wherein the fruit is initially accumulated and aligned at a pick-up point for capture in spaced-apart pockets of a singulation conveyor at the pick-up point to maintain the fruit in predetermined linear spacing and to accelerate the fruit to a predetermined processing speed, a processing conveyor being operated at a synchronized speed relative to the singulation conveyor for receiving the individual units of fruit, the fruit being carried in trays past a sensor station after which the fruit is discharged from the trays into one of a plurality of discharge passages according to the individual characteristics of the fruit units. A preferred construction for accumulating and aligning the fruit at the pick-up point comprises multiple interconnecting ramps of different inclinations to further assure a continuous supply of fruit at the pick-up point.

Abstract: An arrangement for feeding a fine-particle material to be separated to an electrostatic free-fall cutter is formed as a funnel with braking inserts and inclined walls whose edges limit a small elongated rectangular discharge slot, wherein a greater wall is inclined to an opposite vertical wall which has an inclined downwardly directed guiding member, and a wedge-shaped projection with an upper horizontal surface is located at the lower edge of the inclined wall and extends into the discharge slot.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for separating materials includes a feed splitting assembly (27) which evenly divides the materials to be separated into equal parts for inputs to a like plurality of screen assemblies (16, 17, 18). These inputs are evenly distributed across the width of some of the screen assemblies (17, 18) by manifolds (44, 51). One of the screen assemblies (16) can receive the input directly through an aperture (40) in the feed splitting assembly (27). The material not passing through the screen assemblies (16, 17, 18) is collected at one location and the material passing therethrough is transmitted to a common discharge spout (55).

Abstract: The method of sorting semiconductor devices includes the steps of feeding semiconductor devices into a contact mechanism and simultaneously connecting the contact elements of the contact mechanism to the leads of one semiconductor device, measuring the parameters of this semiconductor device while disconnecting the contact elements of the contact mechanism from the leads of another semiconductor device and delivering the latter. The apparatus for sorting semiconductor devices includes a device for loading the semiconductor devices, a contact mechanism underlying the loading device, coupled to the unit for measuring the electric parameters of the semiconductor devices and comprising contact elements mounted for timed motion, a conveying mechanism underlying the contact mechanism, the latter being associated with a drive and having two slots.

Abstract: In an article elevating apparatus, articles such as cigarette cartons, are picked up at a loading station by inclined roller carriers moving in an upward vertical direction. During upward movement the articles are held on the roller carriers by sliding engagement of the downward end of the articles against a vertical rail. The articles roll off of the carriers at a discharge station defined by the upper end of the rail.

Abstract: A device that can be mounted on an infeed hopper of a cigarette packeting machine, for checking the soundness of the cigarettes in a pile movable along each of the exit channels of the hopper. The device comprises sensor means for checking at least two successive cigarettes per movement cycle of the pile, and at least one ejector device for individual cigarettes, this being placed downstream with respect to the sensor means, in the movement direction of the pile, and controlled by the sensor means.

Abstract: A parts separator for separating small parts from a mixture with larger members, comprising a vertical cylindrical separator baffle wall and a continuously rotating conical rotor mounted co-axially in the baffle; the upper surface of the rotor is radially corrugated with the outer ends of the corrugation "valleys" large enough to accept the small parts but not the larger members. A mixture deposited on the rotor at an input location moves downwardly and outwardly, so that the small parts fall into the corrugation valleys and then through an annular gap between the rotor and the baffle onto a floor at the base of the separator; the small parts are pushed along the floor and out through a small parts discharge port. The larger members ride down the corrugation peaks and come out through a different discharge port, comprising a large gap in the baffle wall. A proximity switch monitors separator operation and affords an alarm in the event of interruption; a friction clutch affords specific overload protection.

Abstract: A novel container sorting and handling system is provided for sorting a plurality of diverse types of containers into preselected types for either reuse, reclamation or disposal depending upon the type of container. The sorting system comprises a housing having a sorting station defined therein and an infeed conveyor for sequentially and individually transporting containers to the sorting station. At the sorting station the individual containers are rotated by a roller in order to bring the UPC Code, bar code or other code on each container into alignment with an optical scanner at the sorting station. The optical scanner produces an output signal representative of the bar code and this is in turn fed to a computer which compares the signal from the optical scanner with a plurality of prestored values in the computer. As a result of this comparison, the computer generates an output signal representative of the type of container at the sorting station.

Abstract: A separator device for separating from a succession of objects in a conveying path those objects having less than a desired length in the conveying direction, including an input channel via which the objects are conveyed to the separator device, an abutment member located downstream of the input channel for limiting movement of each object leaving the channel, a discharge path located below the input channel for conveying objects away from the device, and a mechanism which transfers each object in turn from the input channel to the discharge path while separating out each object which immediately follows an object being thus transferred and which has less than the desired length.

Abstract: Articles, such as rectangular thin film circuits (11), are sorted by advancing a row of the articles along a chute (20). The leading article (11-A) in the row is stopped in a test position with a releasable stop member (40), after which the lead article is tested for a characteristic, such as by a photoelectric detector (41) that scans a circuit and detects the absence or presence of an ink mark (16) previously applied to a defective circuit. If the article is of a first type (good circuit), the stop 40 is released so that the lead article advances further to a receiver (30). If the article is of a second type (bad circuit), a mechanism (45) is operated to eject the article transversely from the chute (arrow C). Preferably, an article to be ejected is pivoted (arrow F) about a transverse axis (F) to disengage the trailing edge (48) of the lead article (11-A) from the leading edge (49) of a following article (11-B) prior to ejection from the chute.

Abstract: A whole fruit size grader comprising a horizontally oscillating table having a generally horizontal flat area on which fruit to be sized is loaded and a sorting area which slopes therefrom downwardly to a prime size fruit collecting area or station. Said sloped sorting area embodies closely spaced side-by-side troughs extending in the direction of the table oscillation. These troughs communicate at their upper ends with the loading area to receive the fruit in response to table oscillation, have oppositely sloped side walls for guiding the fruit to the lower discharge end thereof, and have tapered discharge openings upstream of their lower discharge ends for separating the undersize fruit from the prime size fruit and have associate means in the form of horizontal fins over said discharge openings which retard the fruit as it moves over said discharge openings to influence the separate collection of the undersize fruit.

Abstract: A multi-section feeder-serializer subsystem uses blocking gates controlled by sensors responsive to the quantity of components in the various sections to produce a single-file progression of components from a bulk supply of components. A slotted track conveys a single file progression of components to a testing station where opposed bifurcated jaws grasp a single selected component from the progression and perform tests on the selected component. An orienting station coupled to the output of the testing station by a second slotted track employs mechanical fingers to rotate selected components either plus or minus 90 degrees about a vertical axis.

Abstract: There is an IC (integrated circuit) testing device 11 that receives singulated ICs from a singulation station's bottom table 44, where an IC 15 has slid down onto loading ramp or track 16. The IC will slide into test station 18, where stop pin 22 has been inserted to stop the IC in DUT (device under test) station 20. In the DUT station, the IC is securely held in position by an extractor bar 26, insertion bar 28, and a part guide 24. Thereby, test cite station 18 will move downward and insert IC 15 into testing socket 30. After testing the IC, testing station 18 returns upward with IC in the same secured position. Pin 22 will be removed to allow the IC to slide into part holding station 31. If the IC was not defective, pin 32 will be removed to allow the IC to slide onto track 36 of the IC separator station 34. While the test cite station 18 is in the up position a second IC is slid along track 16 and loaded into DUT cite 20 being readied for the next test cycle.