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:
Mar. 04, 2014
Filed:
Dec. 06, 2011
Peter T. Jones, Kennewick, WA (US);
Philip L. Hoffman, Walla Walla, WA (US);
Hans G. Halmberger, Milton-Freewater, OR (US);
Ken Mcgarvey, Walla Walla, WA (US);
James Ruff, Walla Walla, WA (US);
Mike Lemke, Touchet, WA (US);
Timothy Reardon, Walla Walla, WA (US);
Peter T. Jones, Kennewick, WA (US);
Philip L. Hoffman, Walla Walla, WA (US);
Hans G. Halmberger, Milton-Freewater, OR (US);
Ken McGarvey, Walla Walla, WA (US);
James Ruff, Walla Walla, WA (US);
Mike Lemke, Touchet, WA (US);
Timothy Reardon, Walla Walla, WA (US);
Key Technology, Inc., Walla Walla, WA (US);
Abstract
The present invention is an apparatus and method for sorting foreign material and undesirable articles from a product stream. A mechanical diverter having a concave shape is responsive to an inspection station coupled to the product stream. The mechanical diverter is employed to effectively launch or otherwise redirect undesirable articles in an alternate path. In addition, an air ejector in one form of the invention is provided and is responsive to the inspection station and is employed to dislodge foreign material from the product stream.