US2044981A

US2044981A - Grading and sorting machine

Info

Publication number: US2044981A
Application number: US580671A
Authority: US
Inventors: Guttman Solomon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1931-12-12
Filing date: 1931-12-12
Publication date: 1936-06-23
Anticipated expiration: 1953-06-23

Description

June 23', 1936. s. GUTTMAN GRADING AND SORTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 12, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 June V23, 1936.

S. GUTTMAN I l GRADING AND SORTING MACHINE Filed Dec.

l2, r 71951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 23, 1936. s. GUTTMAN GRADING AND SORTING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 12, 1931 f77/vena?" y 71/7/5AZZ0777/ey3 'MM/9% VMM June 23, 1936. s, GUTTMAN :2,044,981

GRADING AND SORTING MACHINE Filed Deo. 12, 1931' 4 Sheets-Shes?l 4 Ml l f77/venia?" www1/Mm Ey 71125 Aorneys Patented June 23, 1936 UNITED4 s'iA'ri-:sv

.PATENT oFFlcE 2,044,981 f GRADING AND SOBTING MACHINE Solomon Guttman, Minneapolis, Minn. Application December 12, 1931, Serial No. 580,671

8 Claims. (Cl. 209-111) Y This invention relates to apparatus controlled by the variance in intensity of an electrical current for the purpose of sorting, selecting or grading articles or material.

The invention has extremely wide applicability for the above stated purposes and has special utility for grading and sorting articles through the variance of current intensities eiected by subjecting the article to different forms of energy which will variously affect highly responsive media associated with the controlling electrical current and varying the intensity of the current in accordance with characteristics of the article. The' medium may be, and preferably is, the photos electric cell, and rays, such as visible or invisible light, may constitute the source of energy.

Itis an object o my invention to provide highly efficient and accurate apparatus for selecting, grading or sorting various articles, controlled by i the variance in the intensity of an electrical current, which current is adapted to control electrically operated means for selectively controlling mechanical means to physically separate and/or grade theY articles or materials;

It is another object to provide apparatus of they class described which isx selectively controlled by the characteristics of the material i'or permitting or restricting passage-of energy, such as visible or invisible light, sound waves,l heat, radio waves, etc., therethrough.

Another and more specic object is to provide apparatus of 4the class described which is controlled by the intensity of an electrical current which is varied substantially in accordance with the translucency ofthe article. This phase of the invention is especially applicable to an apparatus for accurately candling, grading and/or sorting eggs.

Still another object is to provide new and improved apparatus controlled by thevariance of intensity of an electrical current, i'or sorting, selecting or grading articles or material and utilizing a photo-electric cell forproducing variations in said current and further providing means for subjecting the articles or material to visible or invisible light rays in such manner that the translucency or the ability of the article toreflect or refract .light will affect the photo-electric cell and in so doing control electrical mechanism for causing mechanical means to select or grade the article. y

The embodiment of the invention illustrated is particularly adapted for automatically Ycandling and sorting eggs in accordance with their condition. It is a fact'that improper condition of an egg, due to decay, heat, cold, humidity. etc., materially changes its light permeability.` In the form of my invention illustrated the eggs are successively subjected to a beam of light directed toward a photo-electric cell, which because oi its characteristics varies the intensity of an electric current' in a relay circuit in accordance with the light intensity impressed upon the cell. `The relay or relays selectively control the operation of means for actuating mechanical separating mechanism, which, as shown, includes mechanical means for receiving the eggs successively, cooperating with ejecting means for directing the eggs of the various standards to appropriate receivers.

In the specific egg-candling and sorting ma.- chine illustrated, the sensitive relay circuit controls a number of electro-magnetic mechanisms, .which, in turn, adjust or determine the operating movement of mechanism which receives and carries each egg, after candling, toua predetermined point, depending upon the translucentl characteristics of the egg, and which mechanism cooperates with other means for discharging the egg from the carrier to the appropriate one of the several suitable receivers.

One form of my invention is illustrated in the attached drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:-

Fig. 1 is a horizontal sectional-view taken apd proximately on the line I-l of Fig. 2 with the top of the housing removed and showing most of the mechanism in top plan; c

Fig."2 is a vertical section taken longitudinally of the machine approximately on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1; A

l Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section taken approximately on thel line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 isa detail view in vertical section showing the candling box, the egg turning 'rollers and showing the direction o! the main beam of light when an'egg is not positioned operatively for candling; Y

Fig. 5 is a. fragmentary horizontal section takenv through the wall at the delivery side of the machine and showing in detail the intermittent mothe eggs; l

. Fig. 6 is a side velevation of said intermittent motion mechanism;

` Fig. 7 is'an electricaldiagram schematically u showing the circuits utilized in the -form oi the invention illustrated in Figs. -1 to 6 inclusive thephoto-electric cell,

Fig. 3 is an electrical diagram schematically showing modied electrical circuits utilized where the reverse type of. circuit for the cell vis employed, 'and Fi'g. 9 is a vertical section taken through a modified form'of candling'box where the photo-electric cell is connected in the reverse circuit schematically shown in Fig. 8. Y

In the form of my invention illustrated a rectangular frame or housing is provided having'the end walls and I2, the side walls I3 and I4 and the horizontal top I5. A main driving shaft I6 is suitably journaled in the end walls II and |2, .extending longitudinally and horizontally within the upper portion of the frame or housing. 'I'his shaft as shown is suitably driven in clock wise direction when viewed from the end of the machine and to'this end an electric motor M may be mounted in the bottom of the housing and connected by a belt I1 with a pulley I8 fixed to said shaft I6 for driving the.same at suitable speed. A horizontal 'cross shaft I9 is' suitably journaled in bearings providedin side walls I3 and I4 of the housing or frame and rigidly carries a worm gear 20 which is driven by means of a worm |6a carried by the medial portion of shaft I6. Cross shaft |9 revolves clock wise when viewed as in Fig. 2. Most of the working mechanisms of the machine are driven from one `or the other of shafts I6 and I9.

A rectangular candling box 2| is supported upon one end of the top I5 of the housing or Yframe, said box enclosing a smaller rectangular scanning casing 22 in the upper portion thereof.

A pair of cooperating spool-shaped or more exactly diabolo-shaped egg-turning rollers 23 are suitably mounted in horizontal alignment within the lower portion of candling box 2|, said rollers being aillxed to shafts 23a which are sultablyjournaled in opposite walls of box 2|, projecting through the inner wall ofthe box and provided with aligned driving pulleys 23b which are both' driven in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3 by suitable means such as a crossed belt 24 wrapped around the upper portions of said pul- -leys and also trained about a larger pulley- 25 aillxed tothe main driving shaft |6. An inclined track or chute comprising, as shown, a lpair of rails 26 guides the eggs upon entering the machine to the supporting and turning rollers 23. Directly above the inner end of said track and cooperating with the turning rollers is mounted a paddle wheel 21 xed'to a horizontal'shaft 21a which is suitably journaledin the candling box 2| and projects from the inner side thereof rigidly carrying a sprocket 2lb. Paddle wheel 21 is driven intermittently through partial revolutions for the purpose of removing an egg. from the turnving rollers to an inclined delivery chute or track 28 and simultaneously lifting another egg from track 26 onto the turning rollers.

'I'he mecha'- nism forintermittently driving paddle wheel 2'I is illustrated in detail in Figs. 5 and 6 and comprises an eccentric 29 ailixed to cross shaft I9 adjacent thewall I4 of the casing, said eccentric working in a, vertical elliptical yoke 30 which is alxed for reciprocating a. rod 3| slidably mounted in bearings.32 which m'ay be conveniently attached to wall I4. 'I'he opposite end of rod 3| is pivotally connected by a short link 33 with one end ora pawl lever 34 which is journaled upon a.`

stub shaft- 35 suitably journaled in bearings afiixed to the wall I4 of the casing and projectingv v4where the forward type of circuit is employed for horizontally and laterally of the casing'. VPawl 36 by engagementv with peripheral teeth 36avcarvried thereby. A retaining pawl 3l may be mounted on wall |4 above the beveled gear to hold vthe beveled gear against counter-clockwise move- -ment. Beveledv gear 36v-iskmeshed with a smaller beveled gear 38 xed to a stub shaft 39 which may be journaled in` a bracket 39a afhxed to the wall I4 and said shaft at its opposite end carries a driving sprocket 40 which is connected for driv-A ing the sprocket 21h of the paddle wheel by suitable means such as a chain 4|.

The bottom of the scanning casing 22 is provided with a narrow slot 22a affording a light passage (best shown in Figs. 1 and 4) which slot is vertically aligned with the longitudinal center of the space between the egg-turning rollers 23. 'I'he length of the slot isv preferably somewhat less than the average length of an egg. A main source of light, such as an electrical lamp 42 is positioned at the outer ends of turning rollers 23, midway-between the axes of said rollers; and this lamp is covered by means of a casing 43 which is provided with an upwardly inclined, relatively small tubular light passage 43a communicating with the interior and .directed between the rollers 23 to a point disposed inwardly of the light slot 22a of thescanning casing, to project a single beam of light as indicated by the dotted line in Fig. 4. A secondary source of light in the form of an electrical lamp v44 is suitably mounted below the bottom of candling box 2l vertically aligned with the space between turning 5 rollers 23 and enclosed by housing 45 which communicates at its upper kend with the interior of candling box 2l through a vertical passage 2Ia the bottom of said box. A suitablephotoelectric cell C is mounted horizontally within scanning casing 22 vertically aligned with the light slot 22a. and connected in an electrical cir- -cuit hereinafter to 'be more fully described. A

horizontal scanning disk 46 is mounted between photo-.electric cell C and light slot 22a, as shown, with its marginal edge just covering said slot and this disk is provided with circumferentially spaced apertures preferably inthe form of small circular holes 46a spaced a distance apart substantially ning disk 46 is revolubly mounted in scan-- ning casing 22 and as shown isaixed to the lower end of a`vertical shaft 41 which projects through and is journaled'in the top of casing 22 equal to the length of light 51m; 22a. scan- 50 and which has aiiixed to the outer end thereof a bevel gear '41a which is constantly meshed with v a bevel gear 48a affixed to one end of a horizontal shaft 48 journaled in a bracketV 49. lShaft 48,

. and consequently scanning disk 46 are constantly driven by suitable means such as an endless belt 5|I which surrounds a driving pulley 5| faiixedv to the main driving shaft I6 which extends -`longitudinally of the housing of my machine.

Thedelivery end'of the discharge chute or l ltrack 26 overhangs a horizontal endless carrier 65 ends in an .auxiliary-upright Vframe 56 which is 75 2,044,981 l mounted in spaced relation to the side Il of the main housing or frame. Endless carrier. 52 selectively delivers the eggs one at a time to a number of egg-receivers which may be in the form of inclined chutes N. O, P and Q positioned at the outer longitudinal edge of the carrier and extending transversely thereof and slightly overhanging said edge. The endless egg carrier is Vintermittently driven `after ca ndling of the egg to predetermined distances for alignmentof the egg with its appropriate egg-receiver or chute, depending upon the characteristics or 'quality of the egg and suitable mechanism for intermittently ,driving and varying the travel of said conveyor is provided, as will hereinafter be more fully explained. Ejecting mechanism' isprovided for removing the eggs Aone at atim'e from conveyor 52 to the appropriate egg receiver or chute N, O, P and Q andas shown includes a horizontal rock shaft 51 journaled'in theends of Vsuitable brackets 58 amxd to the exterior of the wall Ilof the hous-f ing; saidrock shaft having fixed thereto a series i of, as shown, four, normally depending ejector plates! each positioned above the conveyor and in front of one-of the receivers -or chutes; `An

, elongated rocker 51a is xed'to rock shaft 51 and the inner en'd of said arm is connectedA by a linkv or pitman Sil'with a crank wrist ilal carried by a pinion 6l. Pinion 6I is driven by the inter- 'mittent motion mechanism previously described for paddle wheel 21 which is illustrated in detail in Figs. 5 and 6 and to this end a relatively large driving gear BZis aflixed to stub shaft l! as shown,'being 'disposed between the beveled gear 3U and the chain sprocket lll, and

being in constant mesh with pinion 5|. Pinion 6l is ,iournaled onta stub shaft Glbysee Fig. 6,

5- which may be ,suitably amxed, irdesired, te a ver-V fio tical arm 33h carried by supporting bracket 39a.-

The ratio of beveled gears and 38 and the ratio Vof pinion 6I with its driving gear 52 are such that other energy responsive fmedium. Asshown,` Y shaft a for the conveyorl 52 isdrivenby meanszof a chain ilwhich-is trained abouta driving 1 sprocket Il and .about a suitable sprocket'-55` aflxed-to saidshait.' Chain sprocket Il is amxed tothe outer end of Aa stub shaft 4suitably journaled in a bearing provided in the wall Il of the housing. 'Ihe inner Vend of' conveyor'driv-Vv ing shaft 56 has affixed thereto a gearl which is in constant mesh with a large driving 868,1 5I

affixed to 'a cross shaft 59 which may be suitably journaled in the walls. Il and I3 of the vhousingv and which is disposed horizontally some distance below the main driving shaft I6. The large driving 'gear sa is intermittently driven through partial' revolutions by means of an actuating lever' 'Il which may be pivoted on the shaft Il disposed as showninwardly. of large gear and urged agalnsta large'netuating cam 1I by suitable means anchas a contractile spring 121 (see Figs. 1 andi). Cam Il is affixed to cross shaft Il Y gear 68.

and revolves clockwise as shown in Fig. 2. Actuating lever 10 carries a pivoted spring actuated pawl 13 which engages a ratchet wheel 1I ailixedto shaft 63 for driving large gear 68. It will be'apparent that actuating lever 15 has a predetermined throw through its engagement with cam 1| and driving engagement between this lever and ratchetowheel 14 is variedY and regulated by mechanism which I will now describe.

An arc shaped ratchet guard 15 is mounted externally and eccentrically of ratchet 1l and has a free end which is disposed beneath pawl 13 covering a number of the teeth of ratchet 14 and when moved counter clockwise as shown in Fig. 2,

raising pawl 13 and preventing'said pawl from engaging the ratchet until actuating lever 10 has moved through a predetermined angulation. Ratchet guard 15 may be affixed to a radial arm 16 which is pivotally Amounted upon shaft 69 and the position of said arm and guard consequently determines the portion of the throw or movement of actuating lever 10 vwhich directly effects the driving of ratchet v1l and. with it the large Suitable means are illustrated in the accompanying drawings whereby the position of ratchet guard 15 may be regulated although it will, of course, be understood that other means may be substituted if desired. As shown, said regulating means includes a sector 16a rigidly attached to the radial arm 16 and urged upwardly by suitable Vmeans such as a contractile spring 11. Sec# tor 16a is normally held downwardly i`n the position shown in Fig. 2 by means of a small -lever18 which may be piveied te the .wen 'u of the neusr ing and which engages --a horizontal pin 1Gb mountedat the lower end of-.sector 15a the opposite end of said lever .being controlled by means of a small cam 19 which is afllxed to a horizontal stub shaft suitably'journ'aled in the lower part'of wall I4 (see Figs. 2 ,and 3). .Shaft Il and cam 15 are driven from the main cross shaft I9 bymeans of a chain Il trained about suitable sprockets 80a and lla fixed to the respective A shafts and said sprockets are of the same diam-y eter in order that the shafts I! and 80 will be driven at the same speed. Selective positioning of sector 15a and consequently guard 15 is dil rectly controlled by the abutment of an arm 82 -with the' lower end of an automatically 'adjustable -lar extension 21 which rides against a profile cinn u leiiixeii to the' inner end'er stub shaft u,

said-cam "controlling the' swinging of arm I2 to release`it from 'abutment engagementwith the lower end of sector 83 Vat a predetermined time in thecycle of operation of the machine.

' Sectorj l; isA urgedfdownwardly; by suitable means such as a coll spring l5 and the position of said sector is controlled by means o f a series of, as shown three, electromagnetically controlled levers l5 ofthe bell crank type (see Fig'. 3) hav- .ing short horizontal' ends 86a, which are actuated by short horizontal levers or armatures l1 suitvablyfulcrumed and controlled by electromagnetic coils hereafter in be fully explained. sector s;

levers II, thepoints of engagement of said levers being positioned different radial ,from

'in 'varying' the electromagneticfforce exerted by coil n uponja" stoppin' 89 Vs1`J'.1`Jp'orted from the wall |4. Sector 83 atfits outer edge is provided with two arcuate' `sets of ratchetteeth 83h and 83e respectively, the inner-set, 83h of which are directed downwardly and are engageable with a retaining 'pawl 9|l'to limit th'edownward movement of the sector when it has been regulated by levers 86.- Pawl 90 is urged against teeth 83h by-means of a leaf spring 90a.- lf

-fA double action retaining member 9| is pivotally'mounted adjacent its lower end on a pin 9 Icwhich may be conveniently aixed to the wall |4 of thehousng and which is positioned substantially centrally between-the arcuate paths of movement of sectors 16a. and 83. Retaining element 9| at its lower end is provided with a pair of outwardly and downwardly projecting engagement teeth one ofv which is adapted to engage with the outer series of ratchet teeth 83o carried by segment 83 when element 9| is positioned as shown in Fig. 2. The other retaining tooth of element 9| is adapted to engage with upwardly directed ratchet teeth carried by sector 16a when element 9| is lswungA to cause said last mentioned retaining tooth tomove downwardly and in a left hand direction as viewed in Fig. 2. Element 9| hasan upwardlyextending arm lila` which is urged against an actuating cam 92 fixed to cross shaft |9. Retainingv element 9| carries a tooth equipped arm Sib extending from 'the right hand side ythereof 'as Aviewed, in Fig. 2, the tooth of which is adaptedto engageand retract retaining pawl 99 from engagement with the inner series of" ratchet teeth 83h of 'sector v85|, at a predetermined'point vin'thefcy'cle 'oi operation of the machine.`l f jI N The three levers 8B whichselectively control the `positionof sector 83'are operated by means of threeelectromagnets'X; Y-and Z which may be ,conveniently positioned on a' horizontal shelf 93 'mounted in the main frame or housing and A. disposed below the short levers 81. Levers 8l act as armatures, the endsithereoi toward wall I3 ofA thej, liou sing 'be ing attractedwhen their respective electromagnetsI-'X'Y and Z are energize'dfandswinging'downwardly to in turn swing leve`rs8|iH mectromagnetsX, Y and Z are selective.y en rgizfeda's-sliown Figs. l and 7 through thlpeaicts ieffia suitableirelaysmechamsm Comu feleengelywipe said contacts in. acc'e wit thv intensity of the vcurrent flowrough t "gnetic coil 94. Movable rent;A as the battery 97. j conical-'controlling:system which cludes:thejphotoelectric /cellC is provided for '94'of the "relay -meclianismin accordance with the jiigh peineabilityfand-'consequently the quality incidence. @am Figs `ofeach'eggr otherarti'cle scanned or candled by to illinclusive;` machine is shown as equipped with a candling box, scanning casing and sources of light for a system or photo-electric circuit of the forward type, where the intensity of the current in the output circuit increases in accordance with the increase of light to which the photo-electric cell C is subjected. A suitable forward circuit for energizing relay coil 94 is schematically shown in Fig. 7, said circuit including three stages of amplification effected as shown by means of conventional thermionic amplifiers which must. be of a type for applying D. C. As shown, separate sources of filament supply current are provided by A-batteries for each thermionic tubenand a single large B-battery may be tapped at different points as schematically illustrated to provide plate current and grid bias.

Referring again to the selective switch for controlling the three electromagnets X, Y and Z, it will be noted that the contacts y, z and a are arranged circumferentially in an arc concentric with the pivot of movable contact 96. It will further be noted that contact a. (see Fig. 7) is spaced from contact z approximately twice the distance between contacts a: and y and contacts y and z; The normal position of movable contact 9E when the lights 44 and 42 are illuminated and no egg is in the candling. box is, as shown in Fig. 7, midway between contacts z and a, the light intensity aiiecting the cell at that time being slightly below maximum. Contact a, it will be noted, is elec- When Contact zr, shown in Fig. '7, is engaged,

electromagnet X is energized, controlling the delivery of fourth grade eggs, to receiver N. Engagement of contact y controls energization of electromagnet Y and delivery of third grade eggs to receiver O. When contact z is engaged electromagnet Z is energized controlling delivery of second grade eggs to receiver P. Movable contact 96 is positioned to engage xed contact z when a second grade egg which is somewhat less translucent than the first grade eggs is scanned or when an egg having small or slight spots therein is interposed between the source of light and the photo-electric cell C. The normal or illustrated position of movable contact 96 does not change the position of regulating mechanism and the conveyor is operated for delivering first grade eggs to receiver Q. Engagement of the upper contact a energizes electromagnet Z and controls the delivery, to receiver P, of a second gradeegg of the type where air cells are present within the shell f due to drying or shrinkage of the contents. The above mentioned type of egg is quite common and is classed, commercially, as a second grade egg. This type of egg when-scanned causes the impression of a maximum amount of light on photoelectric cell C raising the movable contact 96 above its normal position into engagement with ,contact a.

With a forward type of photo-electric cell circuit it is' desirable to normally maintain the reguf lating sector 83 in the lowered position against intensity of the electrical current and consequently the force exerted bythe coil of the relay is decreased in accordance with the increase of light transmitted to the photo-electric cell. The normal or starting position of the movable contact 96 of the relay must be reversed in this reverse circuit and the position of contacts 1:, y and a which control the circuitsr through electromagnets X, Y and X respectively must also be reversed. It is also desirable where the reverse photo-electric circuit or system is used to somewhat modify the locations and functions of the sources of light in the candling box and scanning casing.

Fig. 9 shows a suitable construction of candling box, scanning casing and sources of light for use in said reverse circuit. In such construction the main source of light or lamp |00 is mounted below candling box 2i vertically aligned with the space between turning rollers 23 and with photoelectric cell C. A small auxiliary light IUI is disposed in the scanning casing between scanning disk 46 and photo-electric cell C and has a constant effect on the cell. The cell is thus subjected to maximum light before an egg is positioned on the turning rollers and during the' transitional period when an eggis being removed to the grading conveyor 52 and before the next egg is centered upon the rollers. At such time the movable contact 96 of the relay is positioned as shown in Fig. 8.

The auxiliary light Illi is provided, when the reverse circuit is utilized, mainly for the purpose of producing a minimum limit on the amount of light directed against the photo-electric cell. This prevents an excessive output in the intensity of thecurrent in the controlling circuit. The auxiliary light also has the effect of increasing at all times 'the amount of light directed against the cell which has been found by me to be of advantage if a reverse type photo-electric cell is utilized.,

@parution In theform of the invention illustrated the eggs are directed by declined track 26 t'o the paddle wheel 2l, which is intermittently driven through partial revolutions. Paddley wheel 21 in each intermittent movement lifts one of the eggs to the scanning position upon the turning rollers -23.

\ Rollers 23 are constantly driven, as is scanning disk 46, and the egg while it is supported upon said rollers and before it is removed therefrom is turned through at least one complete revolution.

Assuming the candling and scanning mechanism to be constructed as illustrated in Figs. 1 to l` inclusive and assuming .that the forward type of photo-electric cell circuit is used, next to the maximum intensity of light is impressed upon the photo-electric cell C by auxiliary light 4 4, before the rst egg enters the candling position. The intensity of the current in the output circuit of the amplifier is then maximum, causing the movable contact 95 of the relay device to be held in the neutral or first'grade egg position, schematically shown in Fig. 7.- Regulating sector 83 is then held in the neutral position by means -of springs 85 against the stop pin 89.

The egg uponl rollers 23 illuminated chiefly by the main source of light 42, the intense beam of said light striking the traitors being mused Bild diverted 'will be candled or I to more or-lessllluminate the entire egg. The

vdiiused light rays pass upwardly through the egg,

through the slot 22a at thebottom of scanning casing 22 and through scanning disk 46 and are impressed upon the cell.I The cooperation of the scanning disk l46 having the small circumferentially'spaced -apertures adjacent its periphery and the turning rollers produces an eiiicient scanning or candlingA of the entire egg. If the egg being candled is a first grade egg having no opaque spots throughout, substantially the same intensity of light is impressed upon the cell as was present before the egg was introduced into the candling box. This is due to the influence of the main source of light 42 which did not affect the photo-electric cell before the egg was moved into scanning position.

Assuming that the egg'just scanned possesses bad-characteristics and is No. 4l grade, `the intensityl of light directed against cell C will be greatly reduced, effecting a decrease in the intensity of current in the controlling circuit and consequently reducing the magnetic effect exerted by coil 94 of the relay device, whereby the vmovable contact 96 will engage fixed contact fr' closing the circuit through electromagnet X, which operates the left hand controlling lever 86 swinging the regulating sector 83 to the extreme upward position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

The various regulating and actuating elements of the machine are so synchronized that the large actuating cam 1i, the small cam 92, for actuating the double action retaining element 9i, the small cam 19 for releasing the sector 16a and the profile cam 64 for permitting disengagement of the stop arm 3 2 with the lower end of sector 83 are all positioned as shown in Fig. 2 just after an egg of No. 4 grade has been scanned. At this step of the operation the regulating sector 83 has been locked against upward swinging movement by the engagement of the right hand tooth of double action retaining element 9i with one of the teeth 83e of the sector and against downward swinging movement by the engagement of retaining pawl 90 with one of the inner series of teeth 83h carried by the sector. After the proper positioning and locking of regulating sector83, paddle wheel 21 in the candling box is again driven by the intermittent driving mechanism illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 through ar partial revolution discharging the scanned egg upon one of the depressed portions 52a of conveyor 52 and simultaneously lifting a second egg from track- 26 onto the scanning rollers 23.

Simultaneously, drive controlling sector 16a of the regulating mechanism is released after the high point of the small cam `8l! disengages the 'right hand end of the small retaining lever 18.

VSector 16a swings upwardly, urged by coil spring 11 until the retaining arm -82 strikes the lower end of regulating sector 83. Drive controlling sector 16a carries with it the regulating ratchet guard 15, which, in the upward swinging action of sector 16a, engages and releases pawl 13. Double action retaining element 9i is then moved counter-clockwise by engagement of its shank Sia with the high point of the small cam 92 fixed to cross shaft I9 to cause -the left hand tooth of said retaining element to engage the upwardly extending teeth of sector 16a, said engagement and consequent locking taking place before the right hand tooth of retaining element 9| has completely disengaged the teeth 83e of regulating sector 83. Further swinging movement o' retaining element Si causes the complete disengagement of the teeth 83o of regulating sector 83 and also causes the hook tooth SIb to momentarily release the retaining pawl from engagement with the inner series of teeth 83e carriedv by the regulating sector 83, releasing sector 83 which is then returned to neutral position by the spring 85. Immediately after release of said sector, hook tooth 9Ib slips past the end of retaining pawl 90. Just prior to the release and return of retaining sector 83 the proiile cam 84 engages the depending end 82h ofstop arm 82 causing said stop arm to swing out of the return path of sector 83.

Drive controlling sector 16a and ratchet guard 15 are now positioned and locked as controlled by the scanning of a No. 4 grade egg and at this time the large actuating cam 1| has moved through approximately one-half a revolution from the position shown in Fig. 2 and engages throw lever 10 swinging the same to the left. When lever 18 has swing a sufficient distance to permit the pawl 13 to disengage the end of the arcuate tooth guard 15, ratchet 14 will be engaged by said pawl and the driving gear 88 will be driven through a partial revolution thereby driving the gear 61 a predetermined number of revolutions, which in turn drives the conveyor 52, positioning the" No. 4 grade egg directly in front of its appropriate receiver or chute N. Lever 10 is returned to normal position by spring 12. Drive controlling sector 16a is slowly returned to its neutral positionby theswinging of the small lever 'I8 which engages the pin 16h at the lower end of sector 16a, and the left hand end of which is swung downwardly by the small cam 19.

Immediately after conveyor 52 has been driven the predetermineddistance ejector plates 59 are swung rearwardly by means of the intermittent motion mechanism illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, discharging the No. 4 grade egg from 'the conveyor to the chute or receiver N. Simultaneously paddle wheel 21 is again moved through a partial revolution removing a second egg from the turning rollers 23 to the conveyor and also at the same time lifting a third egg into scanning position upon rollers 23. n

The operation is the same for second and third grades of eggs scanned, the variances in the intensity of the current in the output of the ampliiler eiecting the relay device and causing the appropriate electromagnet X, Y or Z as the case may beto swing its corresponding lever 86 for properly positioning regulating sector 83. When a first grade egg is scanned, regulating sector 83 remains in the neutral position and is locked therein at that time abutting `the stop arm 82 of drive controlling sector 16a, the other operations of the regulating and conveyor driving mechanism being as above related.

When a second grade egg of the type where air cells are present withinthe shell due to drying or shrinkage o the contents, is scanned, a slightly greater intensity of light is impressed upon the photo-electric cell than in the case of a first grade egg. This increased intensity of light with the forward circuit effects an increased intensity in the current of the output of the system, swinging movable contact 96 into engagement With-the contact a which effects the energization of electromagnet Z (as does engagement of contact z) and the said egg having the air cells is delivered automatically to the second grade receiver P.

The operation of the machine is similar to that above described when the reverse type of photoelectric cell circuit is utilized, as is schematically shown in Fig. 8 and when the candling and scanning mechanism shown in Fig. 9 is employed. It

v will be noted, however, that in the diagram for the reverse type of photo-electric cell circuit I have not provided means in the selective switch for grading an egg which has air cells due to shrinkage of its contents, although it will of course be obvious that the same may be provided for.

It Will be noticed that the levers 86 which control the positioning of regulating sector 83 and the controlling circuits are so arranged that the lever producing the greatest swinging variance of the sector, to wit, the lever nearest the ful.

cruznv of the sector, is controlled in the forward circuit by a relatively small intensity of the current passing through; electromagnetic coil 94 of the relay. Thus the effects of the other levers are sucessively cut out and if any opaque spots are present in the egg aiecting the intensity of light during scanning the grade is determined from the darkest spots of the egg rather than n from the lightest spots of the egg, except in the instance where an egg of the type having air cells is scanned.

While the embodiment'of the invention illustrated is primarily for thepurpose of automatically, quickly and eiiiciently candling eggs, it will be apparent that operating and selecting mechanism controlled by a variance in the intensity of an electric current may be employed for grading or sorting various diierent articles -or materials in accordance with their charac- -lecting or separating means illustrated and described herein.

In the claims the words radiant energy are used in the broad sense to include energy, such as visible or invisible light, heat, radio activity ,f

and radio waves.

In the claims the expression indicating the grade is used`broadly to include the physical separation of the articles tested, the marking or otherwise identifying of the articles or the indicating by instruments, signals or the like.

The terms regulating element and regulated element refer broadly to elements capable of performing the functions of applicants regulating sector 83 and regulated sector 16a, respectively. i

What is claimed isz- 1. In grading or sorting apparatus, means for successively testing a series of articles whereby characteristics of said articles will vary the intensity of an electrical current,a series of receivers for articles of diierent grades, a conveyor movable variable distances for carrying an article to any one of said several receivers, means for positioning an article upon said conveyor after it has been tested, means for driving said conveyor, actuating means having a predetermined movement, means for connecting said actuating means with said conveyor driving `means in a plurality of different positions corresponding to the number of said receivers whereby said conveyor will be driven a dierent distance to deliver to eachreceiver and relay mechanism responsive to the intensity of said electrical current for selectively controlling said regulating means.

2. In grading or sorting apparatus, a testing chamber, means associated with said chamber for testing an article positioned therein whereby characteristics of said article will determine the different grades, all having communication with said conveyor, a driving member for said conveyor, an actuating element, means for moving said actuating element through a predetermined course, means for connecting said actuating element with said driving member in a plurality of different positions corresponding to the number of said receivers whereby said conveyor will be driven a different distance to deliver to each receiver and regulating means for selectively determining the position of connection of said actuating element, said regulating means4 including electro-magnetic mechanism selectively controlled by the intensity of the electrical current in the output of said testing means.

3. In grading or sorting apparatus, article testing means including a photo-electric cell and a circuit including said cell and having an output wherein the intensity of current varies in accordance with the characteristics of articles tested, a plurality of article receivers, article directing means adapted to receive articles from `said testing means and-adapted to directA artiin accordance with the position of said regulat-` ing element and means associated with said regulated element for selectively controlling the operation of said article directing means.

4. In grading or sorting apparatus, article testing means whereby characteristics of an article will vary the intensity of an electrical current, a plurality of article receivers, article directing means adapted to receive articles from said testing means and adapted to direct articles tol any one of said several receivers, an adjustable regulating element, electro-magnetic means selectively controlled by said testing means an'd operative to adjust said regulating element, means for momentarily locking said elementl in an adjusted position after an article has been tested, a regulated element, means for moving said regulated element into abutment with'sad regulating element immediately 'after said regulating'elementr is locked in adjusted position, means for locking said regulated element after it has been adjusted by abutment with said regulating element, means for immediatelythereafter releasing engagement between said regulating and regulated elements and means associated with said regulated element for selectively controlling the operation of said article directing means.

5. In apparatus for grading or sorting eggs, a testing chamber having therein a source of light, an egg support and a photo-electric cell circuit for varying the intensity of an electricaly current in accordance with the translucency of eggs tested, a plurality of electrical circuits each adapted to control 'the selection of one grade of eggs, One of4 said circuits controlling the selection of second grade eggs, a selective relay switch controlled'by the output of said photo-electric cell circuit, said switch including a movable contact and a series of iixed contacts, one of said contacts being engaged by said movable contact when an egg having somewhat less translucency than a first grade egg is tested, another of said contacts being engaged by said movable contact when ran egg having greater translucency than y a rst grade egg is tested, both of said specifically f time to said testing means, means for moving an l article being tested toV succes ively subject portions of said article to said tes ing means, a regulator for said gradeindicating -mechanism and a series of movable elements each of a diierent sensitivity controlled selectively bythe variance in intensity of the current of said testing means, each of said elements' having a different predetermined regulating movement and consequently having a different predetermined regulating effect on said regulator; l l

7. The structure set forth in claim 6, and means for -restraining movement of said regulator in one direction Aduring said testing period.

8'. In-grading or sorting apparatus, a testing chamber, means associated with said chamber for testing an article positioned therein whereby characteristics ofsaid article will determine the intensity of an electrical current, means for intermittently introducing articles, one at a time, into said chamber, a carrier for receiving articles, one at a time, after testing, a series of receivers for articles ofdiierent grades, all connectable with said carrier in different predetermined positions of said carrier, an actuating element, means for moving saidactuating element through apredetermined course, a driving member for said carrier, vmeans for connecting said actuating element with said driving member' in a plurality of different predetermined positions corresponding to the number of said receivers whereby said carrier will be driven a. diierent distance to deliver to each of the several receivers and regulating means `for selectively determining the posi'- tlon of connection of said actuating element, said SOLOMON' GUTI'MAN.

regulating means being responsive to the intensity of electrical current.