Method and system of sorting a plurality of received articles having varying size and shape
AssigneeFMC Technologies, Inc.
InventorsRandy Baird, Arthur L. Dean
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for dimensionally sorting a group of received articles, like fruits and vegetables, and using the determined different sizes for differentiation during the subsequent processing and handling of the articles. Generally, the size and shape of each article is determined by the degree of deflection of one or more sensor heads located along a path the article is traversing. The determined size and shape is then used to direct the article during the subsequent processing and/or handling of the article.
Claims21
A method of dimensionally sorting a plurality of articles received as a group, each article having varying size and shape, the method comprising:
- conveying the articles along a path;
- singulating the articles into one or more single file rows as the articles traverse the path;
- detecting the dimensional characteristics of the articles by detecting the deflection of one or more sensor heads which passively interfere with the progress of each of the articles, as the articles are conveyed;
- and
- differentiating the articles between a plurality of respective size/shape groupings based upon the detected dimensional characteristics.
A system for dimensionally sorting a plurality of received articles, each article having a varying size and shape comprising:
- a conveyor having one or more paths along which the articles are formed and transported in single file rows;
- one or more sensor heads positioned at one or more points along the one or more paths, each sensor head including a contact shaft which passively engages the articles and deflects an amount corresponding to the size/shape of the article passing in proximity thereto;
- and
- a processing unit for receiving the sensor head readings and making a determination of the size/shape of the articles and for producing output data for later differentiation of the articles.
A system for dimensionally sorting a plurality of received articles, each article having a varying size and shape for use with a means for conveying articles comprising:
- path dividers for singulating the articles into single file rows along one or more paths, which the articles pass;
- one or more sensor heads positioned at one or more points along the one or more paths, each sensor head including a contact shaft which passively engages the articles and deflects an amount corresponding to the size/shape of the article passing in proximity thereto;
- and
- a processing unit for receiving the sensor head readings and making a determination of the size/shape of the articles and for producing output data for later differentiation of the articles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.