AU2001248147B2 - A processing apparatus for measuring individual items - Google Patents

Description

WO 01/76774 PCT/AU01/00409 1 A PROCESSING APPARATUS FOR MEASURING INDIVIDUAL ITEMS This invention relates to an apparatus for processing items. The invention is suited for use in produce items such as abalone, mussels, scallops, carrots, potatoes and in particular oysters, and it will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to this particular application. It should be appreciated however that the invention has wider application.

The supply of oysters, and indeed any of the previously identified product items, to market generally involves some type of processing to determine whether they satisfy market requirements. The processing may include counting, weighing and/or measuring the length of each individual item. These processing steps generally require a preprocessing step of separating the individual item from a plurality of the items.

Oysters are tested in order to determine whether they satisfy certain market requirements. Each oyster is tested for weight and/or the length of its outer shell.

Testing an oyster's suitability for market has previously involved the process of extracting each oyster manually and judging the weight by feel and length by eye. This form of testing is subjective, time consuming and rather tedious. Accordingly it is difficult to maintain a reasonably consistent standard of oyster being sent to market.

Furthermore it is difficult to find and retain staff to perform the laborious testing process.

Attempts have been made to remove the tests subjectivity and automate the process of determining whether an oyster is suitable for market by using x-ray and/or video imaging machinery to measure the shadow or area of the oyster. The imaging machinery requires the oysters to be individually presented which has required each oyster be manually placed on a conveyor. Accordingly the process is not fully automated, with the manual task still being quite tedious. Furthermore this apparatus does not include means to weigh the oyster, and is therefore unsuitable for testing both relevant indications of oyster size. Still furthermore the imaging machinery is quite expensive and therefore unlikely to be economically viable for all but the largest of oyster producers.

Another prior arrangement includes manually loading a carousal with oysters which are subsequently weighed by a machine. Again the process involved is labour PCT/AU UI/UU4UY Received 06 February 2002 2 in,.nsive and does not test the length of the oysters.

There is a demand to provide an automated process and apparatus to facilitate testing an oysters suitability for satisfying market requirements.

According to this invention there is provided a processing apparatus for automatically processing a plurality of items according to a predetermined standard including: separator means which receives the plurality of items and separates individual items from the plurality of items, the separator means includes a queuing means including a pair of substantially parallel cylinders the outer surfaces of which define a passageway along which the items are progressed, at least one of the cylinders being rotatable about its longitudinal axis, the at least one rotatable cylinder having a raised scroll for controlling the movement of the items along the cylinder, the pitch of the scroll increases along the length of the cylinder to increase the separation between the items as they move along the cylinders; and measuring means which measures each separated individual item to determine whether it satisfies the predetermined standard.

It is preferred that the separator means includes a funnelling element which receives the plurality of items at an upstream end, and funnels the items towards a downstream end of the funnelling element to discharge therefrom in substantially a single file. It is further preferred that the funnelling element rotates about its longitudinal axis to facilitate the funnelling process. It is further preferred that the speed at which the funnelling element rotates is adjustable to adjust the speed of the funnelling process. It is further preferred that the upstream end of the funnel element is raised relative to the downstream end of the funnel element to facilitate the funnelling process. It is further preferred that the funnelling element is angled relative to a horizontal plane such that the upstream end is raised relative to the downstream end, whereby the angle of the funnelling element relative to the horizontal plane is adjustable. It is further preferred that the funnelling element includes a hollow frusto conical portion having a relatively wide opening at one end thereof, and a relatively narrow opening at an opposite end thereof, wherein the wide opening is positioned at the upstream end of the funnelling element. It is further preferred that the funnelling element includes a hollow cylindrical portion extending from the end of the frusto conical portion having the narrow opening.

It is further preferred that the frusto conical portion is substantially coaxial with the cylindrical portion. It is further preferred that the internal surface of the funnelling element defines a passageway along which the items progress, whereby the internal AMIENDED SHEET

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PCT/AU01/00409 Received 06 February 2002 3 sitface is treated to facilitate the progression of the items. It is further preferred that the internal surface of the funnelling element is treated with water. It is further preferred that the internal surfac3 of the funnelling element is treated by coating it with a substance having a low coefficient of friction.

It is preferred that the funnelling element is supplied with the items at a controllable rate by a supplying means, the supplying means includes a supply conveyor being in communication with a store of the items, the supplying means also includes a batch weigher which is supplied with the items by the supply conveyor and temporarily accommodates the items whilst they are being supplied to the funnelling element, the batch weigher weighs the amount of temporarily accommodated items and where this weight exceeds a predetermined weight the supply conveyor is stopped until the weight of the items is less than the predetermined weight, at which point the supply conveyor is started again. It is further preferred that the predetermined weight is adjustable to optimise the rate of supply of the items to the funnelling element.

It is further preferred that the queuing means receives the items from the funnelling element and supplies the items to a spacing and orienting conveyor at a ,constant rate. It is further preferred that the cylinders are adjustably angled relative to a horizontal plane to facilitate the progression of items along the cylinders. It is further preferred that both the cylinders are rotatable about their longitudinal axis to further facilitate the progression of the items along the cylinders. It is further preferred that both of the cylinders include a raised scroll. It is further preferred that the speed of rotation is adjustable to regulate the speed of progression of the items along the cylinders. It is further preferred that the external surface of each cylinder is treated to facilitate the progression of the items. It is further preferred that the external surface is treated with water. It is further preferred that the external surface is treated by coating it with a substance having a low coefficient of friction. It is further preferred that the scroll extends from a mid portion of the at least one cylinder to a discharge end of the cylinders at which end the items are supplied to the spacing and orienting conveyor. It is further preferred that the pitch of the scroll increases along the length of the cylinder.

It is further preferred that the raised scroll extends from the mid point of both of the cylinders. It is further preferred that the raised scroll has a rectangular cross section.

It is further preferred that the spacing and orienting conveyor functions to space or further space each item, and orient the longitudinal axis of each item with its direction w:,roI eWn wr.,uo.o. oc AMENDED SHEET

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WO 01/76774 PCT/AU01/00409 4 of travel as the items are progressed along the spacing and orienting conveyor. It is further preferred that the spacing and orienting conveyor includes a pair of sloping surfaces which have an included angle of between 600 to 1200 for facilitating orientation of the longitudinal axis of each item with its direction of travel. It is further preferred that the spacing and orienting conveyor includes vibrating means to further facilitate orientation of the longitudinal axis of each item with the direction of travel. It is further preferred that the sloping surfaces are formed by a plurality of belts extending around a plurality of bobbins, whereby the vibrating means includes at least one bobbin associated with each belt being formed with an irregular external surface to cause the belt to vibrate as it passes over the bobbin. It is further preferred that the spacing and orienting conveyor includes a first portion and a second portion whereby the speed of the first portion is slower that the speed of the second portion so as to space the items as they progress from the first to second portions.

It is further preferred that the spacing and orienting conveyor supplies the items to the measuring means in a spaced and longitudinally oriented manner, wherein the measuring means includes a length measuring means for measuring the longitudinal dimension of each item. It is further preferred that the length measuring means includes a photocell, ultraviolet or laser beam emitter which measures the length of each item. It is further preferred that means for storing the length measurement for each item is included, comparing that with a predetermined standard length and identifying the item as either under length, over length or on length.

It is further preferred that the measuring means includes a selector means which receives the items after they have been processed by the length measuring means, the selector means functions to separate the items into under length, over length and on length. It is further preferred that the selector means includes at least two movable blades for deflecting those items identified as under length or over length. It is further preferred that the selector means includes a selector conveyor for progressing the items through the selector means, whereby the at least two blades deflect those items identified as under length and over length in a direction substantially transverse to the direction in which the items are progressed by the selector conveyor.

It is further preferred that those items identified as on length are progressed by the selector conveyor to a weight measuring means, which weight measuring means WO 01/76774 PCT/AU01/00409 measures the weight of each item. It is further preferred that means for storing the weight measurement for each item, comparing that with a predetermined standard weight and identifying each item as either on weight or not on weight.

It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in greater detail by reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate one form of apparatus incorporating a embodiments of the invention. The particularity of the drawings and their related description is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the broad identification of the invention as given in the attached claims.

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic plan of one form of apparatus incorporating an embodiment of the invention Figure 2 illustrates the batch weigher and funnelling element.

Figure 3a illustrates the funnelling element, queuing means and part of the spacing and orienting conveyor.

Figure 3b illustrates an alternate form of queuing means.

Figure 4a illustrates the spacing and orienting conveyor with the measuring means at a distal end of the spacing and orienting conveyor.

Figure 4b illustrates an alternate form of the spacing and orienting conveyor.

Figure 5 illustrates a part of the spacing and orienting conveyor comprising a bobbin carrier with a pair of bobbins.

Figure 6 illustrates the spacing and orienting conveyor and part of the selective conveyor.

Figure 7a illustrates part of the spacing and orienting conveyor, the length measuring means and part of the selector means.

Figure 7b illustrates an alternate form of the selector means.

Figure 1 illustrates schematically the preferred embodiment of the processing apparatus I which includes separator means 2 supplying measuring means 3. In general terms a plurality of oysters are provided to the separator means 2 at a funnelling element 4 which supplies single and possibly separated oysters to a queuing means 5, which in turn supplies oysters to a spacing conveyor 6 which supplies each oyster in a spaced manner to the measuring means 3. Each oyster is supplied to a length measuring means 7 of the measuring means 3 to measure the length of the oyster, and provided the oyster satisfies the market requirements for length it is WO 01/76774 PCT/AU01/00409 6 supplied to a weight measuring means 8 via a selector means 9.

In the particular arrangement shown the funnelling element 4 is supplied with the plurality of oysters by an elevator conveyor 10 raising the plurality of oysters in clumps from a store of oysters located at a position below the funnelling element 4, however this is clearly not essential. Any suitable means, such as a declining chute leading from a store at a position above the funnelling element 4, may alternatively be utilised to supply the funnelling element 4 with oysters.

Referring now to Figure 2 there is illustrated a batch weigher 13 which functions to regulate the supply of oysters from the elevator conveyor 10 to the funnelling element 4 so that the rate of supply does not exceed the rate at which the oysters are processed by the funnelling element 4. The batch weigher 13 illustrated includes a temporary holder 36 balanced by a counter-weight 37 and pivotally connected thereto via a pivot 38. Where the rate of supply of oysters exceeds the rate at which the oysters are processed by the funnelling element 4 the overflow of oysters will collect in the temporary holder 36. Where the weight of the overflow of oysters in the temporary holder 36 exceeds the counter-balanced weight 37 the temporary holder 36 will drop to engage a switch 39. The switch 39 is in communication with the power supply to the elevator conveyor 10 so as to shut off the power to the elevator conveyor 10. This allows the funnelling element 4 to continue processing the overflow of oysters which reduces the weight in the temporary holder 36 and enable the counter-balanced weight 37 to overcome the weight of the overflow of oysters, which disengages the temporary holder 36 from the switch 39 and returns the power to the elevator conveyor 10. Other means for controlling the supply of oysters to the funnelling element 4 are clearly possible.

The funnelling element 4 illustrated in figures 3a and 3b functions to allow each oyster to exit individually and possibly separated from adjacent oysters. This may be achieved in any suitable manner, however the preferred embodiment shown in figure 3 has the funnelling element 4 including a flared entry portion 11 spaced from an exit portion 12 providing a guide path for the oysters to the queuing means 5. The funnelling element 4 as illustrated is adjustably angled to the horizontal by approximately between to 20 degrees, and preferably 10 degrees, to use the force of gravity to assist with the processing of oysters through the funnelling element 4. It should be appreciated that PCT/AUO 1/00409 Received 06 February 2002 7 at yustment of the angle of the funnelling element 4 will control at least in part the speed of processing of the oysters through the funnelling element 4. The processing of the oysters may also be assisted by rotation of the funnelling element 4 about its longitudinal axis. The speed of rotation may be adjusted to further control the speed of processing of the oysters through the funnelling element 4.

Rotation of the funnelling element 4 facilitates alignment of the individual oysters from the clump of oysters, which in combination with the size of the exit portion 12 relative to the size of the oyster allows each oyster to exit individually and possibly separated from adjacent oysters.

In the example shown in figures 3a and 3b the exit portion 12 is located relative to the queuing means 5 to supply individual oysters to one end of the queuing means Referring initially to figure 3a the queuing means 5 shown includes a pair of cylinders 14, 15 which are arranged in the processing apparatus 1 side by side such that their longitudinal axes are substantially parallel. It is preferred that the outer rotating surfaces be positioned to retain the oysters whilst they are in the queue. To achieve this regard may be had for the diameter of the cylinders 14, 15 and their relative positions. More specifically the cylinders 14, 15 may be positioned such that their outer surfaces-are almost touching or spaced up to 15mm. It should be appreciated that this spacing may change for shellfish and other product items of a different size and accordingly the cylinders 14, 15 are preferably adjustable to accommodate the different sizes.

The cylinders 14, 15 rotate in opposite directions and receive the individual oysters on their outer rotating surfaces. Again the speed of rotation of the cylinders 14, assists in the control of the speed at which the oysters progress along the queuing means 5. Tie cylinders 14, 15 are angled relative to the horizontal in a manner similar to the funnelling element 4, to allow the force of gravity to further assist in the progression of the oysters along the cylinders 14,15. Both the speed of rotation of the cylinders 14, 15 and the angle the cylinders 14,15 relative to the horizontal may be adjustable to control the progression of the oysters along the cylinders 14,15. Again a lubricant, preferably water, is applied to the cylinders 14, 15 to reduce the friction between the oysters and the cylinders 14, Referring now to figure 3b an alternate embodiment of the queuing means 5 is illustrated whereby each of the cylinders 14, 15 include a raised scroll 36 for facilitating progression of the oysters along the queuing means. The scroll 36 illustrated commences approximately mid way along the cylinders 14, 15, however it may W:VaryOMBFSpecrPCT.AUO1.00409A.DOC AMENDED SHEET 1PENAU commence at a different position. The pitch of the scroll 36 as illustrated increases as it progresses along the cylinders so as to space the oysters. It should be appreciated that the spacing function of the scroll may be achieved by having only one of the cylinders provided with the raised scroll.

The cross-sectional shape of the raised scroll 36 may be in any appropriate form however a rectangular cross sectional shape has been found most suitable. Other shapes including square and semi-circular have also been found suitable. The raised scroll may be formed and attached to the cylinder or formed integrally with the cylinder.

The queued oysters are supplied to the spacing and orienting conveyor 6 as illustrated in figure 3 in a single line. The oysters will be supplied spaced from each other when the scroll 36 is used or in contact with each other if no scroll 36 is used. It is intended that the speed of movement of the oysters along the queuing means 5 be substantially similar to the take up rate of a receiving end 16 of the spacing and orienting conveyor 6, while this is desirable for greatest efficiency it is not essential.

The embodiment of the spacing and orienting conveyor 6 illustrated in figure 4a includes a support rail 17 for supporting a plurality of bobbin carriers 18 along its length.

As illustrated in figure 5 each bobbin carrier 18 includes arms 19 with each arm 19 accommodating a bobbin 20 and providing an axis of rotation for the bobbin 20. Each bobbin 20 on each bobbin carrier 18 is connected to a corresponding bobbin 20 on an adjacent bobbin carrier 18 by a plurality of flexible bands which have been removed for clarity. It is preferred that the bands be formed from a elastomer, such as urethane, with each band being tensioned by moving the bobbin carriers 18 along the support rod 17, but this is not essential.

The bands connected to each of two adjacent bobbins 20, as shown in figure 4a, are sufficiently close to one another to effectively form a supporting surface for each oyster received from the queuing means 5. In the example shown in figure 5 the arms 19 are angled at approximately 90 degrees relative to one another. As a result, the oyster supporting surface associated with one of the bobbins 20 is angled at approximately 90 degrees relative to the oyster supporting surface associated with the other bobbin 20. It should be appreciated that other angles may also be appropriate, with included angles of between 60 to 120 having been found suitable for receiving oysters of various sizes.

Referring to figure 4a it is intended that the speed of an oyster increase as it progresses along a first portion 21 of the spacing and orienting conveyor 6 to space W:MaryOMBFRSpeciPCT.AUO-00409B.DOC each oyster. Referring to figure 5, each bobbin 20 illustrated is composed of large diameter sections and small diameter sections arranged in alternating fashion along a major portion of the length of the bobbin 20. Referring again to figure 4a the successive increments of speed are achieved in the example illustrated by connecting the large diameter of the bobbins 20 at the receiving end 16 with the small diameters of adjacent bobbins 20, and repeating this connection through the length of the spacing conveyor 6. It should be appreciated that the first and final bobbins 20 of the spacing conveyor 6 may alternatively be of constant large and small diameters respectively and still allow the spacing conveyor 6 to function. Others means for increasing the speed of the oysters through the first portion 21 length of the spacing conveyor are possible.

Referring to figure 4a, while the first portion 21 of the spacing and orienting conveyor 6 is designed to space and orient the oysters a second portion 43 is designed to give the constant speed required for accurate measurement and also to settle movement of the oysters after the agitation of the previous stage. The constant speed is maintained by attaching for the eurthane bands to bobbins grooves of the same diameter. However, one of the bobbin pairs in this portion has the alternating diameter grooves of the first section in order to create a perturbation within the constant speed section to complete the oriention of those the oysters which may not have been fully orientated transiting the first portion 21.

Referring now to figure 4b, there is illustrated an alternative form of the spacing and orienting conveyor 6. The illustration shows the supporting surfaces defined a plurality of belts 37 extending around bobbins 20. A number of the bobbins illustrated have an irregular external surface for vibrating the belts, which vibration facilitates orienting the longitudinal axis of each oyster with the direction of travel.

Figure 4b also illustrates the spacing and orienting conveyor 6 having a first portion 41 and a second portion 42. The first portion is to progress the oysters at a slower rate that the second portion so as to space or further space the oysters as they progress along the spacing and orienting conveyor. It should be appreciated that where the queuing means 5 has sufficiently spaced the oysters to allow the measuring means 3 to function, the first and second portions 41, 42 (21, 43) may not necessarily operate at different speeds Referring to figures 4a and 6, the length measuring means 7 as illustrated includes a photocell, laser, or ultra violet beam which is to be obstructed by each W:WaryO\BFSpeciPCT.AU1.00409B.DOC WO 01/76774 PCT/AU01/00409 moving oyster. The length measuring means 7 as shown in figure 6 is located just clear of the end of the second portion 34 of the orienting and spacing conveyor The length measuring means 7 as illustrated in figure 6 includes a beam emitter 22 for emitting a photoelectric, laser or ultra violet beam which is to be obstructed by each moving oyster.

In order for the beam emitter 22 to be effective each oyster should be oriented to have its longitudinal axis aligned with the direction of travel, and be travelling at a constant speed. The orientation of each oyster is achieved by the combination of the moving bands and the pair of sloping faces gently jostling the oyster to naturally align its longitudinal axis with the direction of movement. With each oyster travelling at a constant speed the length of each oyster can be determined by the duration it obstructs the beam from the beam emitter 22. The measured length can then be compared with the market requirements to determine whether the oyster is suitable. It is intended that the information on the suitability of the oyster be retained for use in determining the proposed mode of operation of the selector means.

Referring to figure 6 it should be noted that any of the bobbin pairs can be a drive bobbin pair. In the illustration the drive pair is at the end of the conveyor next the measuring device 7. The drive is essentially transmitted to the conveyor by a dual output motorgearbox (not shown).

The oysters having traversed the beam 22 of the measuring means 7 are received by the selector means 9.

The selector means 9 operates in two modes including, a transfer mode where it transfers only those oysters satisfying the predetermined standard for length to the weight measuring means 8, and a classify mode where it further classifies those oysters not satisfying the predetermined standard for length. The selector means 9 as shown in figure 7 includes the common chute 27 to deliver on length oysters and chutes 28 and 29 to deliver over length oysters and under length oysters respectively to dedicated cross conveyors, 30 and 31 respectively. On length oysters continue on the common chute 27 to chute or carousel baggers. (Not shown).

It should be understood that each oyster may not satisfy the predetermined standard as it is too long or too short for the market requirements. These modes of operation may be achieved by the example shown in figure 7 where the common chute WO 01/76774 PCT/AU01/00409 11 27 has two gates. It is intended that the selector mean 9 include moveable gates 33 and 32 to be moved by operation of pneumatic cylinders 34 and 35 respectively.

However other means may also be suitable. The gate 32 is located in the floor of the common chute 27 and is movable in a direction transverse to the floor to divert under length oysters to the cross conveyor 30. The gate 33 situated further along the common chute 27 is set in the vertical plane in line with one side of the common chute 27. When an over length oyster is signalled from the electronic control, the gate 33 moves from its position adjacent to one side of the common chute 27 to the other side, each position defining the transfer and classifying modes of operation respectively. More specifically in the transfer mode an oyster measuring between the limits set of on-size oysters will continue in its forward movement and be transferred by the common chute 27 to a bagger or basket as required. (Not shown).

Referring now to figure 7b, there is illustrated an alternate form of the selector means 9 having a pair of movable blades 38, 39 associated with a selector conveyor 40. The blades 38, 39 move substantially transverse to the direction that the oyster are progressed by the selector conveyor. Again, the blades 38, 39 deflect those oysters identified as underlength or overlength from the selector conveyor, whilst those oysters identified as on length will progress to the weight measuring means 8.

The oysters transferred across the common chute 27 will be supplied to the weight measuring means 8 in a separated manner. This facilitates measuring each oyster for weight which can indicate if an oyster is dead.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the present invention provides an automated apparatus for the separation and orienting of oysters which facilitates the measuring of length and/or weight of each oyster. Furthermore the invention is adoptable for other product items.

Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the apparatus previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

Claims (39)

1. A processing apparatus for automatically processing a plurality of items according to a predetermined standard including: separator means which receives the plurality of items and separates individual items from the plurality of items, the separator means includes a queuing means including a pair of substantially parallel cylinders the outer surfaces of which define a passageway along which the items are progressed, at least one of the cylinders being rotatable about its longitudinal axis, the at least one rotatable cylinder having a raised scroll for controlling the movement of the items along the cylinder, the pitch of the scroll increases along the length of the cylinder to increase the separation between the items as they move along the cylinders; and measuring means which measures each separated individual item to determine whether it satisfies the predetermined standard.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the separator means includes a funnelling element which receives the plurality of items at an upstream end, and funnels the items towards a downstream end of the funnelling element to discharge therefrom in substantially a single file.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the funnelling element rotates about its longitudinal axis to facilitate the funnelling process.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the speed at which the funnelling element rotates is adjustable to adjust the speed of the funnelling process.

An apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the upstream end of the funnel element is raised relative to the downstream end of the funnel element to facilitate the funnelling process.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the funnelling element is angled relative to a horizontal plane such that the upstream end is raised relative to the W:W aryOWZFXSpecPCTAUOI-O04-daim.DOC AMENDED SHEET IPEAIA! i PCT/AU01/00409 Received 06 February 2002 13 )wnstream end, .whereby the angle of the funnelling element relative to the horizontal plane is adjustable.

7. An apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the funnelling element includes a hollow frusto conical portion having a relatively wide opening at one end thereof, and a relatively narrow opening at an opposite end thereof, wherein the wide opening is positioned at the upstream end of the funnelling element.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the funnelling element includes a hollow cylindrical portion extending from the end of the frusto conical portion having the narrow opening.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the frusto conical portion is substantially coaxial with the cylindrical portion.

An apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the internal surface of the funnelling element defines a passageway along which the items progress, whereby the internal surface is treated to facilitate the progression of the items.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the internal surface of the funnelling element is treated with water.

12. An apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the internal surface of the funnelling element is treated by coating it with a substance having a low coefficient of friction.

13. An apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 12, wherein the funnelling element is supplied with the items at a controllable rate by a supplying means, the supplying means includes a supply conveyor being in communication with a store of the... items, the supplying means also includes a batch weigher which is supplied with the items by the supply conveyor and temporarily accommodates the items whilst they are W:MaryOBFSpeiPCT-AUO1-40-daIms.DOC AMENDED SHEET IPEA/AU PCT/AUO 1/00409 k Received 06 February 2002 14 .b ing supplied to the funnelling element, the batch weigher weighs the amount of temporarily accommodated items and where this weight exceeds a predetermined weight the supply conveyor is stopped until the weight of the items is less than the predetermined weight, at which point the supply conveyor is started again.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the predetermined weight is adjustable to optimise the rate of supply of the items to the funnelling element.

An apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 12, wherein the queuing means receives the items from the funnelling element and supplies the items to a spacing and orienting conveyor at a constant rate.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the cylinders are adjustably angled relative to a horizontal plane to-facilitate the progression of items along the cylinders.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein both the cylinders are rotatable about their longitudinal axis to further facilitate the progression of the items along the cylinders.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the speed of rotation is adjustable to regulate the speed of progression of the items along the cylinders.

19. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein both of the cylinders include a raised scroll.

An apparatus according to any one of claim 16 to 19, wherein the external surface of each cylinder is treated to facilitate the progression of the items.

21. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the external surface is treated with water.

W:UlarOBFSpec ~PCT-AUO-4O9-dalms.DOCNDED SHEET AMEIEAU SHEET IPE~fau PCT/AU0 1/00409 Received 06 February 2002 An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the external surface is treated by coating it with a substance having a low coefficient of friction.

23. An apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 22, wherein the raised scroll extends from a mid portion of the at least one rotatable cylinder to a discharge end of the cylinders at which end the items are supplied to the spacing and orienting conveyor.

24. An apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 23 wherein the raised scroll extends from the mid point of both of the cylinders.

An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the raised scroll has a rectangular cross section.

26. An apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 25, wherein the spacing and orienting conveyor functions to space or further space each item, and orient the longitudinal axis of each item with its direction of travel as the items are progressed along the spacing and orienting conveyor.

27. An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the spacing and orienting conveyor includes a pair of sloping surfaces which have an included angle of between 600 to 1200 for facilitating orientation of the longitudinal axis of each item with its direction of travel.

28. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the spacing and orienting conveyor includes vibrating means to further facilitate orientation of the longitudinal axis of each item with the direction of travel.

29. An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the sloping surfaces are formed by a plurality of belts extending around a plurality of bobbins, whereby the vibrating means includes at least one bobbin associated with each belt being formed with an irregular external surface to cause the belt to vibrate as it passes over the bobbin.

W:.WyOBF'SpecAPCT-AUOt.0040g-dc ns.DOC AMENDED SHEET IPEA/AU PCT/AU01/00409 Received 06 February 2002 16 3 An apparatus according to any one of claims 26 to 29, wherein the spacing and orienting conveyor includes a first portion and a second portion whereby the speed of the first portion is slower that the speed of the second portion so as to space the items as they progress from the first to second portions.

31. An apparatus according to any one of claims 26 to 30, wherein the spacing and orienting conveyor supplies the items to the measuring means in a spaced and longitudinally oriented manner, wherein the measuring means includes a length measuring means for measuring the longitudinal dimension of each item.

32. An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the length measuring means includes a photocell, ultraviolet or laser beam emitter which measures the length of each item.

33. An apparatus according to claim 32 including means for storing the length measurement for each item, comparing that with a predetermined standard length and identifying the item as either under length, over length or on length.

34. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the measuring means includes a selector means which receives the items after they have been processed by the length measuring means, the selector means functions to separate the items into under length, over length and on length.

An apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the selector means includes at least two movable blades for deflecting those items identified as under length or over length.

36. An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the selector means includes a selector conveyor for progressing the items through the selector means, whereby the at least two blades deflect those items identified as under length and over length in a direction substantially transverse to the direction in which the items are progressed by the selector conveyor. W:\MoryO\BF\S cWiCT-AU01-(claims.DOC AMENDED SHEET PAMENAUDED SHEET IPEA/AU

37. An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein those items identified as on length are progressed by the selector conveyor to a weight measuring means, which weight measuring means measures the weight of each item.

38. An apparatus according to claim 37 including means for storing the weight measurement for each item, comparing that with a predetermined standard weight and identifying each item as either on weight or not on weight.

39. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the raised scroll is formed separately from the at least one cylinder and subsequently attached thereto. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 38, wherein the raised scroll is formed integrally with the at least one cylinder. W:\MaryOBF\SpedPCT-AU01-00409cfams- A.DOC