Distinguishing elongated articles according to their shape

Abstract

Elongated articles (13), having an undesirable shape caused by a bent lead (14), are distinguished from elongated articles (12) which are desirably straight. The bent articles (13) are separated from a mass of articles (12 and 13), most of which are substantially straight. The articles (12 and 13) are typically axially leaded diodes having leads (14) which are magnetic. Such diodes (12 and 13) are successively introduced between sidewalls (11 and 22) of a bin (17) having a magnetic field which orients each article transverse to guide members (28 and 29) extending lengthwise of the bin (17). Each oriented diode (12 and 13) presents a distinctive configuration according to its shape when viewed against a plane transverse to the guide members (28 and 29). The major portion of a bent diode (13) will be disposed lower than the major portion of a straight diode (12). The diodes (12 and 13 ) are advanced in succession along the guide members (28 and 29) and the configurations of the diodes (12 and 13) form substantially parallel pathways through the bin (17). An interposing and separating mechanism (34) is located in the bin (17) adjacent to the pathways of the diodes (12 and 13). The mechanism (34) interposes at least one member (32) between the pathway of a diode (12) which is substantially straight and the pathway of a diode (13) which is unacceptably bent. The bent diode (13) strikes the interposed member (32) and becomes disoriented in the magnetic field of the bin (17). The bent diode (13) falls away from the guide members (28 and 29) and is drawn downwardly through an exit port (18) into an exit chute (44) which has a magnetic field to orient the diode (13). The straight didode (12) passes over the interposing member (32) and continues to advance along the guide members (28 and 29) to an outlet end (21) of the bin (17).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.