Classifying – separating – and assorting solids – Sorting special items – and certain methods and apparatus for... – Condition responsive means controls separating means
Patent
1994-02-02
1996-07-02
Valenza, Joseph E.
Classifying, separating, and assorting solids
Sorting special items, and certain methods and apparatus for...
Condition responsive means controls separating means
209912, 209919, 198397, B07C 5342, B65G 1732
Patent
active
055313310
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to apparatus for sorting of differently identified articles, and in particular to apparatus capable of sorting differently coloured gaming chips.
U.K. patent specification 2061490 discloses apparatus for sorting differently coloured gaming chips where a plurality of photodetectors are used to detect the colour of chips on a conveyor and separate them into corresponding storage compartments.
I have now devised an alternative and improved apparatus for sorting differently identified articles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for sorting a plurality of differently identified gaming chips, said apparatus comprising transfer means arranged to remove individual ones of said chips from a store of randomly arranged chips and transfer said chips in sequence to conveyor means, said conveyor means being arranged to carry said chips in sequence first to sensing means arranged to sense the identifiable characteristic of said individual chips, and subsequently to chip ejector means arranged to remove individual ones of said chips from said conveyor means and deposit individual said chips in a respective selected one of a plurality of receptacles depending on the characteristic of said individual chip identified by said sensing means.
Typically the gaming chips are disc like, and typically the identifiable characteristic of the gaming chips are their colour. For example, in a set of fifty gaming chips, ten may be black, ten blue, ten red, ten yellow, and ten white.
It is preferred that the transfer means is in the form of a circular disc rotatable around a central axis perpendicular to the plane of the disc. Advantageously, the plane of the disc is inclined at an acute angle to the horizontal. Typically the circular disc is provided with a plurality of formations, preferably projecting formations, proximate the periphery of the disc and spaced circumferentially thereabout. Advantageously these formations are arranged to carry individual ones of the chips from said store along an arcuate path to said conveyor means.
Typically a plurality of pairs of pins are provided around the peripheral portion of the disc, with each pair of pins being arranged to carry an individual chip.
It is preferred that the disc is rotatably driven by a motor, and that the speed of the motor and hence the speed of rotation of the disc is adjustable.
Advantageously the apparatus is provided with a deflector means arranged to lift individual ones of said chips from said first transfer means and position said chips in/on said conveyor means. In a preferred embodiment according to the first aspect of the invention the deflector means may be in the form of an elongate finger member or the like arranged to lift and deflect said chips from the surface of the rotating disc. Advantageously, a circular groove or slot is provided proximate the periphery of the disc within which the distal end of the finger member may be received.
It is preferred that the conveyor means comprises a plurality of chip collector apertures adapted to collect and retain individual ones of said chips. Typically one or more resilient members are provided around the collector aperture to aid retention of the chip therein. Typically, when the chips are in the form of discs, the collection apertures are circular and may be provided with a resilient peripheral plastics or rubber member to aid retention of the chip discs therein. Advantageously, the collector apertures in the conveyor means are arranged such that the chip may enter and be located in the aperture from one side of the aperture, and be ejected through the opposed side of the aperture.
Typically the conveyor comprises a plurality of linked, preferably substantially square or rectangular elements, each element being provided with an individual chip retaining aperture. Advantageously the conveyor elements are pivotally linked such that adjacent elements may pivot relative to one another.
It is preferred tha
REFERENCES:
patent: 3017184 (1962-01-01), Gruss
patent: 3556282 (1971-01-01), Moeltzner
patent: 3565248 (1971-02-01), Messerschmidt
patent: 4308942 (1982-01-01), Ackley
patent: 4660710 (1987-04-01), Swapp et al.
patent: 4879025 (1989-11-01), Sharpcott
patent: 5060782 (1991-10-01), Marti
Patent Abstracts of Japan vol. 13, No. 154 (M-814) 14 Apr. 1989.
Gordon David P.
Nguyen Tuan
Valenza Joseph E.
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