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US 6,206,171 B1Granted
Foodstuff collating system and method
AssigneePaul Crawford
InventorPaul Crawford
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A foodstuff collating apparatus having a plurality of discrete channels within which foodstuffs are collated. The apparatus is elevated at one end to provide a slide for the foodstuff with the channels converging from one end of the apparatus to the other. As the foodstuff slides down a channel, the former is oriented from a random position to an ordered vertical disposition.
Claims10
A method of collating loose articles from a relatively disordered state, comprising the steps of:
- providing a plurality of channels having a width dimension, said channels for slidably transporting said articles, said channels having a receiving end for receiving said articles and a discharge end for discharging said articles, each channel having a width dimension, diagonal wall, opposed wall and top edge, each channel having a generally sawtooth configuration adjacent said receiving end with said width dimension progressively decreasing from said receiving end to said discharge end, said receiving end being elevated relative to the discharge end;
- introducing said articles at said receiving end at any orientation relative to said channels;
- sliding said articles down a respective channel to progressively orient said articles;
- and
- discharging said articles in an ordered array.
2 more elements
A method of collating loose unpackaged food articles from a relatively disordered state, comprising the steps of:
- providing a plurality of channels having a width dimension, said channels for slidably transporting said articles, said channels having a receiving end for receiving said articles and a discharge end for discharging said articles, each channel having a width dimension, diagonal wall, opposed wall and top edge, each channel having a generally sawtooth configuration adjacent said receiving end with said width dimension progressively decreasing from said receiving end to said discharge end, said receiving end being elevated relative to the discharge end;
- introducing said articles at said receiving end at any orientation relative to said channels;
- sliding said articles by gravity along edges of said channels while simultaneously repositioning said articles into said channels;
- orienting said articles within a respective channel during said sliding from a non-vertical altitude to a substantially vertical altitude;
- and
- discharging said articles in an ordered array for packaging.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.