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.

Date of Patent:
Oct. 24, 2017

Filed:

Apr. 20, 2012
Applicants:

Siobhan D'gama, London, GB;

Maxwell Ralph Willis, Oxfordshire, GB;

Nicholas Matthew Davies, Berkshire, GB;

Graham Ralph Powell, Berkshire, GB;

Inventors:

Siobhan D'Gama, London, GB;

Maxwell Ralph Willis, Oxfordshire, GB;

Nicholas Matthew Davies, Berkshire, GB;

Graham Ralph Powell, Berkshire, GB;

Assignee:

DE BEERS UK LTD., London, GB;

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B65G 47/244 (2006.01); G01N 21/87 (2006.01); G06T 7/70 (2017.01); G01N 33/38 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B65G 47/244 (2013.01); G01N 21/87 (2013.01); G06T 7/70 (2017.01); G01N 33/381 (2013.01);
Abstract

A method and apparatus for orientating discrete objects, such as gemstones, is described. The method comprises providing the objects on a travelling path; providing a pair of opposed walls () extending generally along the direction of the path; and generating relative oscillatory movement () between the pair of walls () and the travelling path (in a direction generally transverse to the direction of the path), so that the pair of walls () imparts lateral force to the objects to thereby urge them into their most stable orientation as they progress along the path. A device for checking the orientation of the discrete objects is also described.


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