Chip sorting devices and related assemblies, components and methods
AssigneeShuffle Master, Inc.
InventorPeter Krenn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Chip sorting devices may include at least one chip collection tube having at least one adjustable wall that at least partially defines an inner diameter of the at least one chip collection tube. The at least one adjustable wall may be at least partially rotatable to define different inner diameters. Chip sorting devices may include a chip hopper having a relief mechanism for clearing chips that become jammed between a chip chamber and a base plate of the chip hopper. Methods of sorting chips may include actuating the relief mechanism to increase a space between a top plate of the relief mechanism and the chip chamber. Methods of setting up a chip sorting device may include adjusting an inner lateral dimension of the at least one chip collection tube.
Claims19
A method of sorting chips, comprising:
- inserting at least one chip into a chip chamber of a chip hopper rotatably mounted over a base plate of the chip hopper, the base plate including a relief mechanism having a top plate in substantial alignment with an upper surface of the base plate;
- receiving the at least one chip into a hole of a plurality of circular holes defined in a separating wheel base of the chip chamber;
- transporting the at least one chip along a circumferential path from the upper surface of the base plate of the chip hopper onto the top plate of the relief mechanism;
- and
- increasing space between the chip chamber and the top plate of the relief mechanism by moving the top plate of the relief mechanism away from the chip chamber while maintaining a spacing between the chip chamber and the upper surface of the base plate.
A method of transporting chips, comprising:
- moving a chip chamber of a chip hopper over a base plate;
- displacing a relief plate away from the chip chamber and the base plate, a top surface of the relief plate being initially oriented substantially flush with an upper surface of the base plate in a non-displaced position;
- and
- biasing the relief plate toward the non-displaced position wherein the top surface of the relief plate is oriented at least substantially flush with the upper surface of the base plate.
A method of transporting chips, comprising:
- moving a chip chamber of a chip hopper over a base plate;
- displacing a relief plate away from the chip chamber, the relief plate being initially oriented substantially flush with an upper surface of the base plate in a non-displaced position;
- and
- pushing at least one chip of the chips into at least one chip well of a chip conveyor unit with at least one at least one finger of a pusher extending through the relief plate.
A method of transporting chips, comprising:
- rotating a chip chamber of a chip hopper, comprising:
- moving the chip chamber over an upper surface of a base plate defining a first portion of a chip path in the chip hopper;
- and
- moving the chip chamber from the upper surface of the base plate to an upper surface of a relief feature defining a second portion of the chip path in the chip hopper;
- displacing the relief feature away from the chip chamber with at least one chip of the chips;
- and
- transporting the at least one chip of the chips to at least one chip well of a chip conveyor unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.