GB1094601A - Rotary bin sorter - Google Patents

Abstract

1,094,601. Classifying articles after testing. TEXAS INSTRUMENTS Inc. March 9, 1965 [March 24, 1964], No. 9989/65. Heading B2H. [Also in Division H2] An apparatus for sorting articles into different categories and responsive to any one of a plurality of categorizing signals comprises a number of article-receiving bins 21, Fig. 1, disposed in an array about a central axis, a delivery spout 58 supported for rotation about the axis, means operable to rotate the spout to register its delivery end 60 with any one of the bins, and control means operable in response to a categorizing signal to arrest rotation of the spout when it is in a selected position corresponding with that categorizing signal. The spout is mounted on a shaft 54 adapted to be driven through a reduction gear unit 56 by a synchronous stepping motor 52. A stationary table 79 supported above the gear unit 56 carries two sets of normally open, magneticallyoperable switches S1-S16 and S1A-S16A, Fig. 3, the switches of each set corresponding in number to the number of bins. The switches S1-S16 are adapted to be operated by a magnet 70 supported by a disc mounted on the shaft 54 and the switches S1A-S16A by magnets 71-78 mounted on the disc at a relatively shorter radius than the magnet 70. In operation, an article 14 to be tested, e.g. a transistor, is inserted by the operator into a socket 12 forming part of a testing unit and is subjected to a series of tests by depression of a button 13. When testing is completed the motor 52 is energized so that the spout 58 and the magnets 70-78 rotate. At the same time, a categorizing signal is generated by the testing unit and, through an appropriate circuit (see Division H2), causes one of the switches S1-S16 to be energized. As the magnet 70 reaches the position above the energized switch, it causes the latter to close so that, through an appropriate circuit, the motor 52 is de-energized to arrest the travel of the spout 58 so that its delivery end is located over a particular one of the bins 21 corresponding to the category of the article as established by the tests. The operator there removes the article from the socket 12 and deposits it in a chute 15 from which it passes via the spout 58 into the particular bin. Instead of magnetically operable switches, indicating lamps and photocells may be employed for establishing control conditions in the control circuits.