GB647498A - Improvements in or relating to apparatus for sorting apples, eggs or other suitable articles - Google Patents

Abstract

647,498. Sorting &c. by weighing. HODGINS, R. D. SCOBLE-. Sept. 12, 1947. Nos. 25021 and 30422. Divided out of 647,486 [Class 143] Apparatus for sorting apples, fruit, eggs. certain vegetables and other suitable articles is of the type set forth in Specification 647,486, except that trays containing articles the weights of which are either in excess of a predetermined weight or lying between a plurality of weight ranges displace weighbridges which comprise electrical contact means for opening the trap gate or one of a number of trap gates adjacent the path, which are normally closed to prevent entry of a tray and which, upon opening, admit a tray which deposits the article contained therein into a compartment associated with the open gate. The feeding and conveying means and the trays are as described in Specification 647,486. The platforms 50, however, of the weighbridges, Fig. 16, are each connected through a link 73 to a quadrant arm 74, loaded with a weight 75, which is supported by pivot 76. The weight of a loaded tray causes arm 74 to move across stationary electric contacts 77, 78 and 79. According to the weight of the article in the tray the arm will come to rest on a contact 77, 78 or 79. Finger 22 of the tray now passes to another platform closing a switch 80 before passing on to track 23. This allows current from a battery to operate a solenoid 83, 84 or 85 respectively. The solenoid opens a trap gate 86, 87 or 88 the movement of which closes a holding-in contact 89, 90 or 91 so that the trap gate remains open as tray finger 22 passes from switch 80 along track 23 and into the open gate. As finger 22 enters the open gate it strikes the lower gate limb to close the gate behind it. In the case of arm 74 coming to rest midway between two contacts, however, two contacts are bridged and the two corresponding trap gates open. Finger 22 enters the first gate leaving the other open. A normally closed switch 82 placed before platform 50 is provided so that a succeeding tray finger first opens this switch which cuts off the current to all the gates. Alternatively a coupling device, Fig. 17, is provided, such as links 97, 97<SP>1</SP>, &c. pivoted to each trap gate and joined by links 98 so that finger 22 engages the link 97 which in turn engages the lower limb 103 of the first gate and also through link 98 causes the link 97<SP>1</SP> to engage lower limb 102 of the second gate so that both are closed. Various modifications of the weighbridge, contact means 1 and the trap gates are described, e.g. track 23 may be vertical, and the weighbridge may comprise a plurality of weighted rods adapted to be lifted in turn in the manner described in Specification 647,486, and the traps may comprise a sliding instead of a pivotally mounted gate. Specification 333,938, [Class 143], also is referred to.