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:
May. 12, 2015
Filed:
Nov. 22, 2011
Peter T. Jones, Kennewick, WA (US);
Brandon T. Hall, Walla Walla, WA (US);
David W. Hufford, Walla Walla, WA (US);
Timothy L. Justice, Walla Walla, WA (US);
Tracy L. Mcgowen, Waitsburg, WA (US);
Gerald R. Richert, Walla Walla, WA (US);
Roydan T. Tomlinson, College Place, WA (US);
Jean-francois Pellet, Walla Walla, WA (US);
Peter T. Jones, Kennewick, WA (US);
Brandon T. Hall, Walla Walla, WA (US);
David W. Hufford, Walla Walla, WA (US);
Timothy L. Justice, Walla Walla, WA (US);
Tracy L. McGowen, Waitsburg, WA (US);
Gerald R. Richert, Walla Walla, WA (US);
Roydan T. Tomlinson, College Place, WA (US);
Jean-Francois Pellet, Walla Walla, WA (US);
Key Technology, Inc., Walla Walla, WA (US);
Abstract
A sorting apparatus is described, and which includes a conveyor which transports a produce stream for inspection. A product separation surface is mounted near the distal end of the conveyor, and the produce stream passes over the product separation surface, and is slowed to a speed such that the produce stream falls substantially immediately vertically downwardly. An inspection zone is located downstream relative to the product separation surface. An imaging device is provided, and which images the produce stream passing through the inspection zone; an illumination device is provided for illuminating the produce stream passing through the inspection zone, and an ejector assembly is located downstream of the inspection zone and which removes unwanted solid material in the produce stream having undesirable characteristics.