Classifying – separating – and assorting solids – Endless feed conveyor with means for holding each item...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-19
2001-07-31
Ellis, Christopher P. (Department: 3651)
Classifying, separating, and assorting solids
Endless feed conveyor with means for holding each item...
C209S593000, C209S919000, C198S370020
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267249
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to the transport system used in an automatic grading/sorting apparatus for fruits and vegetables, and more specifically concerns a new roller element for a roller assembly portion of such an apparatus and further specifically concerns a new quick release chain pin arrangement for such an apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Historically, fruits and vegetables have been sorted by hand in accordance with predetermined criteria which established several quality grades. The price of the fruits and vegetables would then be established in accordance with such grades. Such a hand sorting process, however, is labor-intensive and hence costly.
Mechanical/optical systems have been developed to provide an automatic grading/sorting capability for fruits and vegetables, based on information provided by a sensing part of the automatic system. Gradually, such systems have become more sophisticated and accurate. In one such system, a conveyor carries the articles to be sorted through a viewing station at which a camera is mounted, typically above the conveyor, in such a manner that the articles are scanned as they pass beneath the camera.
The conveyor comprises a series of roller assemblies which are connected together with a drive chain, but are also individually driven so that they rotate as the conveyor moves longitudinally. This results in the articles on the conveyor moving and rotating, which moves the articles into the valleys formed by the roller assemblies and aligns them on their horizontal axes as they are being scanned by the camera, providing a complete view of the passing articles.
The image produced by the camera is then directed to a central processing unit which analyzes the images of the individual articles in accordance with selected criteria, including size (i.e. length), diameter, volume, appearance and imperfections (rot, cracks and damage). The resulting process data about the articles is then compared against pre-selected standards, and the articles are sorted (or discarded) accordingly. Such a system is disclosed in a co-pending U.S. patent application titled: “Apparatus and Method for Grading Articles”, assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. The present invention is directed toward improvements in such previous systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention concerns an improvement in a conveyor system for articles, including fruits and vegetables, the conveyor system comprising a series of roller assemblies, wherein the conveyor system is driven so that the roller assemblies progress longitudinally of the conveyor, each roller assembly comprising a mounting shaft and a plurality of roller elements, the improvement being in the roller elements and comprising: a roller element having a faceted peripheral edge, the number of facets being in the range of eight to fourteen.
Another aspect of the invention is directed toward a conveyor system which includes a plurality of successive roller assemblies which are driven by a chain having connecting pins which extend therefrom for connection to one end of each of the roller assemblies, wherein the roller assembly comprises: a shaft on which roller elements for the conveyor are mounted, the shaft having a first opening in one end thereof to receive a connecting pin element from a first chain assembly which connects all the roller assemblies in the conveyor, wherein the first opening extends longitudinally inward of the shaft; bushing means positioned in the first shaft opening for receiving a connecting pin element for the drive chain; a spring element positioned between the bottom end of the first shaft opening and the bushing positioned therein, such that upon application of pressure on the bushing, the bushing moves inwardly of the shaft toward a bottom end of the opening; a slot in the shaft extending longitudinally thereof from the one end; and means mounted to the bushing and slidable along the shaft, such that when such slidable means is moved along the shaft, the bushing moves away from the connecting pin element therein, permitting the connecting pin element to be released from the shaft through said slot, so that the roller assembly may be conveniently removed from the chain, and the roller assembly can be conveniently removed from the conveyor apparatus.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5029692 (1991-07-01), Warkentin
patent: 5042637 (1991-08-01), LaVars et al.
patent: 5306877 (1994-04-01), Tas
patent: 5477955 (1995-12-01), Madden et al.
patent: 5626236 (1997-05-01), Hiebert
patent: 5626238 (1997-05-01), Blanc
patent: 5901854 (1999-05-01), Ishii
Bedwell Jack L.
Carpenter David Leroy
Defty-Wallace John Lawrence
Crawford Gene O.
Ellis Christopher P.
Exeter Engineering Inc.
Jensen & Puntigam P.S.
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