Apparatus for sorting objects by conductivity or resistivity

Sorting apparatus comprising an electrically conductive member the location of which is at least substantially fixed;

• rotary carrier means adapted to support objects to be sorted and to carry them, while so supported, past the electrically conductive member, at least a portion of the carrier means being electrically conductive;
• control means responsive to the electrical conductivity or resistivity of the objects;
• the electrically conductive member, the said electrically conductive portion, and the control means being connected in a normally open electrical circuit which is adapted to be completed by an object on the said electrically conductive portion of said plate as it passes the electrically conductive member;
• a sorting device, controlled by said control means, for effecting a relative separation between those objects which have, and those which fail to have, a predetermined electrical conductivity, the control means being responsive to the presence of an object at the electrically conductive member irrespective of whether the object is electrically conductive, and the sorting device separating nonconductive objects from those having the said predetermined electrical/conductivity.

Sorting apparatus comprising an electrically conductive member the location of which is at least substantially fixed;

• rotary carrier means adapted to support objects to be sorted and to carry them, while so supported, past the electrically conductive member, at least a portion of the carrier means being electrically conductive;
• control means responsive to the electrical conductivity or resistivity of the objects;
• the electrically conductive member, the said electrically conductive portion, and the control means being connected in a normally open electrical circuit which is adapted to be completed by an object on the said electrically conductive portion of said plate as it passes the electrically conductive member;
• a sorting device, controlled by said control means, for effecting a relative separation between those objects which have, and those which fail to have, a predetermined electrical conductivity, and indicator means for indicating the presence and absence of an object at the electrically conductive member.