The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 27, 1978
Filed:
Jun. 01, 1976
Michael C Hoover, Houston, TX (US);
William C Long, Houston, TX (US);
Geosource Inc., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
Apparatus for three-way sorting of particles in a singulated particle stream is characterized by a viewing assembly including a first and a second classifying section each respectively classifying each particle passing therethrough according to first and second predetermined physical characteristics, such as opaqueness and color, and generating an appropriate classification signal representative thereof. The classification signals so generated are transmitted through an appropriate signal delay circuit to actuator circuits which actuate ejector elements. Actuation of the appropriate ejector in response to a classification signal directs certain of the particles exhibiting the first and the second physical characteristics out of the singulated stream and into respective collection receptacles while others of the particles are permitted to pass unimpeded to a separate collection area. An electronic circuit associated with each ejector actuator permits actuation of only one of the ejectors in the event that a particular particle within the stream has been classified for ejection by both the classifying sections.