Automatic Grading, Sorting and Packaging System

An automatic grading, sorting and packaging system comprising:

• a receiving load cell for weighing an incoming bulk article to be inventoried;
• a hopper which receives the incoming bulk article for grading and sorting;
• a first tray positioned under the hopper, which receives the bulk article as it passes through the hopper, wherein the first tray includes a plurality of indentations which form a plurality of grooves within the first tray;
• a second tray positioned below the first tray, which receives graded and sorted product from the first tray, wherein the second tray includes a plurality of indentations which form a plurality of grooves within the tray;
• a third tray positioned below the second tray, wherein the third tray comprises variously sized channels allowing graded and sorted product having a size within the dimensions of the channels to enter into the channels;
• at least one vibratory machine connected to at least one of the first tray, the second tray and the third tray which causes at least one of the first tray, second tray and third tray to vibrate;
• a carousel housing at least two or more load cells positioned below the third tray, wherein the load cells contain a bag positioned therein for receiving graded and sorted product from a particularly sized channel of the third tray, further wherein the graded and sorted product passed through the channel has a size which permits entry within a bag opening without causing bridging of the graded and sorted product within the channel;
• a bagger machine for disposing bags within the load cells on the carousel prior to disposal of the product from the channels of the third trays in the load cell;
• and
• a label machine for applying data related to the inventoried bulk article and the graded and sorted product onto a label which is applied to bags prior to disposal of the bags by the bagger machine onto the load cell of the carousel, wherein inventory data is encoded on the label through one of the following:
• an identification number, a bar code and a quick release code.

A method for automatic grading, sorting and packaging system comprising:

• receiving a bulk article to be inventoried and measuring the weight of the bulk article on a receiving load cell;
• inserting the bulk article within a hopper for separating the bulk article into smaller pieces;
• allowing the bulk article to pass through an aperture at a bottom portion of the hopper to fall on a first tray positioned under the hopper, wherein the first tray includes a plurality of indentations which form a plurality of grooves within the first tray;
• applying vibratory forces to the first tray allowing the bulk article to be separated along the grooves within the first tray into graded and sorted product, wherein the vibratory forces on the first tray cause the graded and sorted product to travel towards a second tray;
• allowing the graded and sorted product to fall onto a second tray positioned below the first tray, wherein the second tray includes a plurality of indentations which form a plurality of grooves within the tray for further separation and alignment of the graded and sorted product, applying vibratory forces to the second tray allowing the graded and sorted article to be further separated along the grooves within the second tray and wherein the vibratory forces on the second tray cause the graded and sorted product to travel towards a third tray;
• allowing the graded and sorted product to fall onto a third tray positioned below the second tray, wherein the third tray includes a plurality of variously sized channels;
• applying vibratory forces to the third tray allowing the graded and sorted product having a size within the dimensions of a particular channel to enter into the channel and fall towards a load cell positioned below the channel, wherein at least two load cells are positioned within a carousel below the third tray and a bag within the load cells receives graded and sorted product having a size which permits entry within an opening of the bag without causing bridging of the channel;
• recording the weight of the graded and sorted product within the bag in the load cell through use of a sensor within the load cell;
• allowing the carousel to rotate the load cell when it is filled to the appropriate pre-set weight and position a subsequent load cell under the channel;
• removing the bag filled with graded and sorted product from the load cell on the carousel thereby rendering the load cell empty;
• using a label machine for applying data related to the inventoried bulk article and the graded and sorted product onto a label and applying the label to a bag prior to disposal of the bag by the bagger machine onto the empty load cell on the carousel, wherein inventory data is encoded on the label through one of the following:
• an identification number, a bar code and a quick release code;
• and
• rotating the carousel so that the load cell without a bag is positioned adjacent a dump window on a bagger machine and allowing the bagger machine to dispose a bag within the empty load cell on the carousel prior to disposal of the product from the channels of the third trays in the load cell.