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:
Jan. 24, 2012
Filed:
Feb. 08, 2005
Benedict Mark Murray Deefholts, London, GB;
Benedict Mark Murray Deefholts, London, GB;
Buhler Sortex Limited, London, GB;
Abstract
A chute for inspection and sorting apparatus is disclosed. It comprises two sections; a first, upper section () and a lower, grooved section (). The first section has a smooth, normally polished surface which allows product pieces thereon to move laterally as well as downwards. In the lower section () product pieces are restricted in their lateral movement by the grooves () and move into alignment with the grooves before being discharged into the inspection zone () of the apparatus. If the apparatus is for inspection only, then the product pieces continue to a collection receptacle. If the apparatus is for sorting, then an ejector () is included which acts in response to signals from the inspection station to eject selected pieces from the product stream. Those are deflected into a reject receptacle () while the remainder proceed into the collection receptacle ().