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.

Date of Patent:
Nov. 13, 2001

Filed:

Feb. 17, 2000
Applicant:
Inventors:

Michael McGee, Waco, TX (US);

Ron Rieger, Waco, TX (US);

Dennis Lenart, Waco, TX (US);

Johnny Black, Waco, TX (US);

Terry Brinkerhuff, Waco, TX (US);

Assignee:

Mars, Incorporated, McLean, VA (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B65G 1/732 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B65G 1/732 ;
Abstract

The present invention incorporates an oscillating sorting and feeding apparatus for sequentially sorting and feeding a plurality of objects in a serial arrangement, where the objects are sorted into a specific orientation. The apparatus includes a hollow receiving member having a generally cylindrical shape and an inner wall. The receiving member includes an inlet adjacent one end for receiving a plurality of randomly orientated objects, and also includes an outlet at the other end for sequentially feeding out correctly orientated objects in a serial arrangement.


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