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. 26, 2001
Filed:
Feb. 24, 1999
Robert E. Ruthven, College Place, WA (US);
Quentin F. Kemph, Walla Walla, WA (US);
Key Technology, Inc., Walla Walla, WA (US);
Abstract
The present invention relates to sorting apparatuses and sorting methods. According to one aspect of the present invention, a sorting apparatus includes an intake section configured to receive plural articles to be sorted; an exhaust section located downstream of the intake section; and an air manifold adjacent the intake section and positioned to emit an air stream in a generally downstream direction and wherein the articles move in a given direction of movement, and the emitted air stream sorts at least some articles from remaining articles and directs the at least some articles in the downstream direction from the intake section to the exhaust section. A sorting method according to one aspect of the invention includes providing a sorter; receiving plural articles to be sorted within the sorter; moving the articles along discrete courses of travel in a given direction within the sorter; subjecting the articles to an air stream substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the articles and in an area defined between the discrete courses of travel to sort at least some articles from remaining articles and wherein the sorting occurs in the area defined between the discrete courses of travel; and exhausting the at least some articles.
Data source: USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) public patent records. Weekly synchronization. How IDiyas builds this profile