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:
Aug. 21, 2012
Filed:
Aug. 11, 2008
Wouter Balk, Baambrugge, NL;
Jozef Walter Maria Hopman, Huizen, NL;
Wouter Balk, Baambrugge, NL;
Jozef Walter Maria Hopman, Huizen, NL;
Eurosort B.V., Weesp, NL;
Abstract
A sorting apparatus for sorting products comprises an endless conveying element comprising a support surface. The support surface makes an angle with a horizontal plane, at least at the location of the outlets, about an axis parallel to the conveying direction. The sorting apparatus further comprises locking elements arranged one behind the other, as seen in the conveying direction, which move along synchronously with the conveying element and which can be unlocked independently of each other, which locking elements function to hold the products in place on the support surface. Upon activation of a selected unlocking mechanism, a product is moved downwards from the conveying element towards the outlet under the influence of the force of gravity being exerted thereon.