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. 22, 2010
Filed:
Feb. 15, 2006
Allan F. Pardini, Kennewick, WA (US);
Kevin L. Gervais, Richland, WA (US);
Royce A. Mathews, Kennewick, WA (US);
Ronald L. Hockey, Richland, WA (US);
Allan F. Pardini, Kennewick, WA (US);
Kevin L. Gervais, Richland, WA (US);
Royce A. Mathews, Kennewick, WA (US);
Ronald L. Hockey, Richland, WA (US);
Battelle Memorial Institute, Richland, WA (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method are disclosed for separating articles from a group of articles. The apparatus includes a container for containing one or more articles coupled to a suitable fluidizer for suspending articles within the container and transporting articles to an induction tube. A portal in the induction tube introduces articles singly into the induction tube. A vacuum pulls articles through the induction tube separating the articles from the group of articles in the container. The apparatus and method can be combined with one or more unit operations or modules, e.g., for inspecting articles, assessing quality of articles, or ascertaining material properties and/or parameters of articles, including layers thereof.