Utensil sorting apparatus
OwnerJay M. Boyerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A utensil sorting apparatus simultaneously sorts and/or orients a plurality of utensils, such as spoons, forks, and knives. A movable conveyor is movably disposed over a template having a plurality of first aperture sized to receive therethrough only the spoons. The conveyor sequentially moves the utensils through locations, including a receiving location, and a sorting location.
Claims20
A utensil sorting apparatus for simultaneously sorting a plurality of utensils, including at least first and second utensils, the apparatus comprising:
- a) a template having a plurality of first apertures sized to receive therethrough only the first utensils;
- and
- b) a movable conveyor, movably disposed across the template and the first apertures, configured to move the first and second utensils across the first apertures in the template, and sequentially through at least two locations, including:
- i) a receiving location to receive at least one of the first and second utensils;
- and
- ii) a first sorting location to pass any first utensil through the first apertures in the template.
A utensil sorting apparatus configured to sort a plurality of utensils, including at least first and second different utensils, the apparatus comprising:
- a) a template having at least one aperture sized to receive therethrough only the first utensils;
- b) the template having a frusto-conical shape;
- and
- c) a movable conveyor, movably disposed over the template and the at least one aperture, to sequentially move the first and second utensils across the aperture;
- and
- d) the movable conveyor having a frusto-conical shape.
A method for sorting a plurality of utensils, including at least first and second utensils, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) simultaneously receiving a plurality of utensils on a movable conveyor;
- b) simultaneously moving each of the plurality of utensils past one of a plurality of apertures in a template by moving the conveyor, the apertures being sized to receive only the first utensils;
- and
- c) simultaneously moving any remaining second utensils past the plurality of apertures.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.