Sorting system and apparatus

Sorting apparatus for objects exhibiting identifiable dynamic response to vibrational phenomena comprising:

• means for introducing a quantity of said objects at the entrance location of a sorting zone extending along a given longitudinal axis to an exit location;
• means defining an oscillatory surface within said zone and extending along said longitudinal axis;
• drive means including a dynamically balanced rotative drive member actuable to impart oscillation of predetermined frequency and amplitude characteristics to said oscillatory surface;
• transporter means including a plurality of regularly-spaced parallel carrier components pivotally interconnected in endless chain-like fashion to define a conveyor within said zone extending from said entrance location to said exit location in parallel relationship with said longitudinal axis, each said carrier component having an upwardly disposed support surface when within said zone extending outwardly from a location adjacent said oscillatory surface to a terminus at a predetermined angle of inclination with respect to horizontal, said spacing being selected to provide a two position support upon adjacent said support surfaces for said objects while moving them within said zone in orientations promoting the kinetic reaction thereof with said oscillatory surface, each said carrier component further having an upwardly disposed receiving surface when within said zone extending horizontally outwardly from the vicinity of said terminus for receiving and transporting reacted said objects exhibiting predetermined dynamic response characteristics of said kinetic reaction;
• means adjacent said zone exit location for receiving said reacted objects;
• and
• means for simultaneously actuating said drive means and said transporter means.

The method for sorting a quantity of discrete objects exhibiting classifiable dynamic response to vibrational phenomena comprising the steps of:

• introducing a quantity of said objects to the input of a sorting zone;
• supporting each said object by two spaced thin linear support surfaces while moving said objects in sequential, single-file fashion in a given direction through said zone;
• simultaneously with said movement, promoting a kinetic reaction of said objects by contact thereof with a curved surface disposed along said zone and oscillating at a predetermined frequency and at amplitudes increasing in value along said zone respectively from said input to the output thereof;
• receiving said objects of one class dynamically reacting to said contact by ejective movement transverse to said given direction;
• and
• receiving said objects of another class transported through said zone and exiting from said output thereof.

In potato harvesting apparatus of a variety wherein means are provided for mechanically removing potato laden vines from beneath the surface of the earth situs of their growth, means for separating said vines therefrom, means conveying said potatoes with unseparated rocks and earth clods to a region upon said apparatus designated for separating said potatoes from said rocks and earth clods, the improvement comprising:

• means for introducing said potatoes with unseparated rocks and earth clods from said conveying means to the entrance of a sorting zone situate upon said harvesting apparatus and extending along a given longitudinal axis to an exit location;
• means defining an oscillatory surface within said zone and extending along said longitudinal axis;
• drive means including a dynamically balanced rotative drive member actuable to impart to said oscillatory surface oscillation of predetermined frequency and at amplitudes increasing in value along said zone from said entrance toward said exit;
• transporter means including a plurality of regularly-spaced parallel carrier components pivotally interconnected in endless chain-like fashion to define a conveyor within said zone extending from said entrance in parallel relationship with said longitudinal axis, each said carrier component having an upwardly disposed support surface when within said zone extending outwardly from a location adjacent said oscillatory surface at a predetermined angle of inclination with respect to horizontal, said spacing being selected to provide a two position support for said potatoes, rocks and earth clods upon adjacent said support surfaces while moving them within said zone in an orientation promoting the kinetic reaction thereof with said oscillatory surface;
• means adjacent said conveyor for receiving potatoes transversely ejected from said zone;
• and
• means adjacent said zone exit for disposing of said rocks and earth clods.

In potato harvesting apparatus of a variety wherein means are provided for mechanically removing potato laden vines from beneath the surface of the earth situs of their growth, means for separating said vines therefrom, means conveying said potatoes with unseparated rocks and earth clods to a region upon said apparatus designated for separating said potatoes from said rocks and earth clods, the improvement comprising:

• means for introducing said potatoes with unseparated rocks and earth clods from said conveying means to the entrance of a sorting zone situate upon said harvesting apparatus and extending along a given longitudinal axis to an exit location;
• means for defining an oscillatory surface within said zone and extending along said longitudinal axis;
• drive means including a dynamically balanced rotative drive member actuable to impart to said oscillatory surface oscillation of predetermined frequency and at amplitudes increasing in value along said zone from said entrance toward said exit;
• transporter means including a plurality of regularly-spaced parallel carrier components pivotally interconnected in endless chain-like fashion to define a conveyor within said zone extending from said entrance to said exit in parallel relationship with said longitudinal axis, each said carrier component having an upwardly disposed support surface when within said zone extending outwardly from a location adjacent said oscillatory surface to a terminus at a predetermined angle of inclination with respect to horizontal, said spacing being selected to provide a two position support upon adjacent said support surface for said potatoes, rocks and earth clods while moving them within said zone in orientations promoting the kinetic reaction thereof with said oscillatory surface, each said carrier component further having an upwardly disposed receiving surface when within said zone extending horizontally outwardly from the vicinity of said terminus for receiving and transporting reacted said potatoes;
• means adjacent said zone exit location for disposing of said reacted stones and earth clods;
• and
• loading means having an input adjacent said zone exit and said carrier receiving surface for conveying said reacted potatoes to containment means.