Apparatus and method for segregating parts

An apparatus for segregating articles of predetermined dimensions from a jumbled flow of such articles and unwanted pieces longer than said predetermined dimensions, comprising:

• path means, including a chute having a cylindrical inside surface defining a lateral opening therethrough, for restricting the jumbled flow to a fixed flow space along a flow length, the cylindrical surface defining the fixed flow space, the fixed flow space being inclined for gravity flow therethrough;
• a three-dimensional array of pickup fingers substantially filling the fixed flow space and extending therebeyond, distal end portions of said pickup fingers being spaced apart by distances greater than the predetermined dimensions of the articles, the distal end portions of the pickup fingers being so disposed in the chute as to contact both the articles and the unwanted pieces passing therethrough;
• retaining means overlying a portion of the cylindrical surface and biased thereagainst;
• means to continuously move successive distal portions of the pickup finger array out of and into the fixed flow space, for selectively picking up and removing the unwanted pieces from the cylindrical inside surface of the chute and thereby urging the unwanted pieces along and retaining them between the retaining means and the cylindrical surface;
• and stationary means so located along the flow length as to be disposed between the adjacent pickup fingers and extending from the fixed flow space laterally to a position adjacent thereto, for receiving the unwanted pieces from the pickup-finger array thereby stripping the unwanted pieces from said pickup fingers during pickup-finger array movement, the stationary stripping means extending through the cylindrical surface lateral opening.