US3289808A

US3289808A - Apparatus for determining end orientation of produce

Info

Publication number: US3289808A
Application number: US460230A
Authority: US
Inventors: Patrick M L Simmons
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Magnuson Corp
Priority date: 1965-06-01
Filing date: 1965-06-01
Publication date: 1966-12-06
Anticipated expiration: 1983-12-06

Description

Dec. 6, 1966 P. M. L. SIMMONS APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING END ORIENTATION OF PRODUCE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

Filed June 1, 1965 INVENTOR. PATRICK M. L. SIMMONS ATTORNEYS Dec. 6, 1966 P. M. L. SIMMONS 3 APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING END ORIENTATION OF PRODUCE Filed June 1, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVEN'TOR.

PATRICK M. L. SIMMONS (if y ATTORNEYS Dec. 6, 1966 P. M. L. SIMMONS 3,289,808

APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING END ORIENTATION OF PRODUCE Filed June 1, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

PATRICK M. L. SIMMONS ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofiice 3,289,808 Patented Dec. 6, 1966 3,289,808 APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING END ORIEN- TATION F FRQDUCE Patrick M. L. Simmons, San Jose, Calif., assignor of onehalf to Genevieve ll. Magnuson, Saratoga, Calif., and one-half to Genevieve 1. Magnuson, Robert Maguuson, Lois J. Fox, trustees of the estate of Roy M. Maguuson Filed June 1, 1965, Ser. No. 460,230 9 Claims. (Cl. 198-33) This invention relates to an electronic apparatus for determining the end orientation of products such as corn, carrots, banana peppers and other produce having a longi tudinal taper on one end and a blunt shape on the other.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved electronic apparatus for determining the end orientation of products having different configurations at their respective ends.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved electronic apparatus comprising a predetermined array of light-sensitive cells and light sources located at the output end of a shufile feed or on a conveyor for determining the orientation of elongated objects which have different configurations at their res ective ends so that only such objects which have the same orientation are fed into a processing apparatus.

Other and further objects of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates from the following specification, claims and drawing.

In accordance with this invention there is provided a product end positioner which was developed to solve the problem of random end orientation of such products as corn, carrots, banana peppers :and other produce whose physical appearance comprises a longitudinal taper on one end and a blunt shape on the other. It is desirable in the processing of these products to have them oriented so that they enter the processing apparatus all in the same orientation so that the efiiciency of the processing apparatus may be maintained. For example, in the processing of corn where the kernels areto be removed from the cob, if the corn is fed into the machine with the blunt end first when the machine is adjusted to receive the corn oriented with the tapered end first, the net result is that from 10% to 40% of the corn kernels will be left on the cob, depending on the specific shape of the cob. Likewise, in the processing of other similar produce too large a percentage thereof is wasted by machines used to process it if the article is not presented thereto with the proper end first. Other features and details of this invention will be set forth in the specification, claims and drawing, in which, briefly:

FIG. 1 is a view showing this invention applied to a single file conveyor showing the light-sensitive cell apertures such that only the tip of the tapered end of an ear of corn would obscure one of the apertures when this end of the ear is presented to the array of light-sensitive cells first;

FIG. 2 is a view showing the blunt end of an ear of corn (in broken outline) presented to the light-sensitive cell array, and this view shows all of the light-sensitive cells being obscured;

FIG. 3 is a view of the output end of one file of a shufile feed showing this invention applied thereto;

FIG. 4 is an end view of one file of a shufile feed showing an ear of corn (in broken outline) being reoriented as it leaves the shufile feed;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the electronic control employed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic wiring diagram of one of the photoelectric amplifiers employed in the arrangement shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic wiring diagram of one of the pulse coincidence amplifiers shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a schematic wiring diagram of the power switch employed in the arrangement shown in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic wiring diagram of the power supply employed in the arrangement shown in FIG. 5.

Referring to the drawing in detail, reference numerals 10 and 11 designate belts forming a V conveyor between them such as disclosed in application, Serial No. 122,970 filed July 10, 1961, now Patent No. 3,212,621 and assigned to a common assignee, for conveying articles of produce to a processing apparatus (not shown). The photoelectric cell housing 12 is attached to the end of the conveyor by means of suitable brackets so that the top of this housing is substantially in alignment with the bottom of the V in the conveyor. The top of this photoelectric cell housing 12 is provided with

apertures

13, 14 and 15 below which the

photoelectric cells

16, 17 and 18, respectively, are positioned to receive light from the

light sources

19, 20 and 21, respectively, shown in broken outline. These light sources are positioned in suitable housings supported on frame members of the conveyor system.

Suitable ramps

22 and 23 are positioned beyond the housing 12. The ramp 22 is aligned with the conveyor to receive ears of corn when they are presented in orientation designated by the ear of corn 24. The corn in the undesired orientation shown by the broken outline 25 is shifted to the ramp 23 by the air jet supplied from nozzle 26 which is controlled by a valve actuated by a simple solenoid 27. On the other hand, this valve structure and solenoid may be of the type shown in Patent No. 2,950,424.

The light-

sensitive cells

16, 17 and 18 and the rotary solenoid 27 are connected in accordance with the diagram of connections shown in FIG. 5 and described hereinafter.

This invention may also be used with a shufiie feed of the type disclosed in Patents Nos. 2,738,816 and 2,792,929, and in that case a different configuration for the apertures 13a, 14a and 15a of the light-sensitive cells is employed. Thus, the light-sensitive cell housing 12a in this case is positioned under the end member of one file of the shufile feed. Apertures 13a, 14a and 15a are. provided in this member so that light from the light sources in the

housings

29, 19a. 20a and 21a is projected to the lightsensitive cells in the housing 12a through these apertures when no corn or other produce is interposed. A bracket 31 is provided for supporting the light sources and this bracket is attached to the shufile feed frame. A rotary solenoid 29 is also attached to the frame of the shuffie feed and this solenoid is provided with an arm 32 which is rotatable thereby so that it is adapted to be moved upward, as shown in FIG; 4, when the solenoid is energized whereby the orientation of the ear of corn may be shifted through the imposition of this arm 32 before the ear of corn is deposited on the conveyor 33. The conveyor 33 may be made up of two belts arranged in a V configuration. A part of this conveyor, shown in FIG. 4, is broken away to expose the solenoid 29.

Light-

sensitive cells

16, 17 and 18 which are positioned under

apertures

13, 14 and 15, respectively, are connected to the inputs of

amplifiers

34 and 35, as shown in FIG. 5. Each of these amplifiers is connected as shown in FIG. 6, in which the detail wiring diagram thereof is illustrated. It will be noted that the light-sensitive cell 16 is connected across a capacitor 36 which may be variable and which is employed to delay the signal from this cell in order to give the corn or other produce being processed enough time to settle in position with respect to all of the light-sensitive cells before a measurement is made. Lightsensitive cell 16 functions as the trigger cell supplying the trigger input to amplifier 35. Light-

sensitive cells

17 and 18 are connected in parallel to the input of amplifier 34.

The schematic diagram, FIG. 5, shows this apparatus as comprising four

amplifier units

34, 35, 34a and 35a, pulse coincidence amplifier 37, power switch 38, power supply 39 and solenoids 27 and 27a connected to the output. Thus, the apparatus shown is actually a dual arrangement designed to work with a left and a right sensor and actuator associated with the left hand and right hand files of the shufile feed or with two V-belt conveyors. The light-

sensitive cells

16, 17 and 18 are positioned to sense the file proceeding on the right hand side of the shuffle feed, whereas, the light-sensitive cells 16a, 17a and 18a are positioned to sense the file proceeding on the left hand side of the shuttle feed.

The amplifier shown in FIG. 6 illustrates one of the

amplifiers

34, 35, 34a and 35a, shown in FIG. 5, and each of these amplifiers employs three

transistors

48, 41 and 42. The base of transistor 48 is connected to the

lightsensitive cells

17 and 18 although only one cell 18 is shown. In the case of amplifier 35, the base of transistor is connected to light-sensitive cell 16 and capacitor 36. The base of transistor 48 is also connected to the 12-16 volt supply line 43 through resistor 44. The collector of this transistor is connected to line 43 through resistor 45 and to the base of transistor 41 through resistor 46. The emitters of

transistors

46 and 41 are connected together to provide emitter-coupled feedback and they are both connected to the ground line 49 through resistor 47. The base of transistor 41 is connected to ground line 49 through resistor 48.

Resistors

45, 46 and 48 are connected in series between the 12 volt supply line 43 and ground 49, and the base of transistor 41 is connected to the common connection between

resistors

46 and 48. The collector of transistor 41 is connected to the supply line 43 through resistor 58. This collector is also connected to the cathode of diode 51, the anode of which is connected to the base of transistor 42. The anode of diode 51 and base of transistor 42 are also connected to the upper terminal of resistor 52, the lower terminal of which is connected to the ground line 49. A capacitor 51a is connected across diode 51. The collector of transistor 42 is connected to the output terminal 53 and to the lower terminal of resistor 54, the upper terminal of which is connected to the line 43 and terminal 55. The emitter of transistor 42 is connected to ground line 49.

One section of the pulse coincidence amplifier 37 is shown in FIG. 7. This section is provided with

input terminals

56 and 57 which are connected to the bases of

transistors

64 and 69, respectively. The other section of this amplifier is the same as that shown in FIG. 7 and it is provided with

corresponding input terminals

56a and 57a which are connected to the outputs of

amplifiers

34a and 35a, respectively. Terminal 68 is connected to the power supply line 61 which is connected to a terminal on the power supply 39. Terminal is common to both sections of the pulse coincidence amplifier. The output terminal 69 of the pulse coincidence amplifier is connected to the terminal 63 of a power switch 38. The corresponding output terminal 59a of the other section of the amplifier is connected to a similar terminal 63a of power switch 38. The ground terminal 58 of this amplifier is connected to the ground line 62.

The pulse coincidence amplifier shown in FIG. 7 is provided with transistors 64 to 78 inclusive of which

transistors

64 and 69 are provided with signals from

photo amplifiers

34 and 35, respectively. The signals supplied to transistor 69 is referred to as the trigger input.

The collectors of

transistors

64, 66, 67 and 69 are connected to the 12-16 volt positive supply line 71 through

resistors

72, 73, 74 and 75, respectively. The collectors of

transistors

65, 68 and 78 are connected directly to the positive supply line 71. The emitters of

transistors

64, 65, 66, 69 and are connected to the ground line 81 through

resistors

76, 77, 78, 79 and 80, respectively. The emitter of transistor 67 is connected to the emitter of transistor 66 to provide emitter-coupled feedback and both of these emitters are connected to the ground line 81 through resistor 78. The emitter of transistor 68 is connected to the base of transistor 66 to provide a capacitive regenerative feedback which is variable by varying the strength of the signal applied to the base of transistor 68. The cathode of diode 82 is connected to the collector of transistor 64 and to the lower terminal of resistor 72. The anode of diode 82 is connected to the base of transistor 65, to the lower terminal of resistor 84, and to the anode of diode 83. The upper terminal of resistor 84 is connected to the positive line 71. The cathode of diode 83 is connected to the emitter of transistor '78.

Diodes

82 and 83 form a coincidence and gate which allows transistor 65 to be conductive only when the signals at the cathodes of these diodes are simultaneously positive.

One side of the capacitor 85 is connected to the collector of transistor 69 and the other side of the capacitor is connected to the base of transistor 78 and to the anode of diode 86, the cathode of this diode being connected to the ground line 81. Capacitor 85 differentiates the square wave pulse generated by transistor 69 and the diode 86 is polarized so that it bypasses one of the differentiated signals around transistor 78. Thus, only the differentiator signal from the rise of the square wave pulse is applied by transistor 72 to the cathode of diode 83.

A relatively short pulse on the order of 3 milliseconds is supplied from transistor 65 to the base of transistor 66 through diode 87, the anode of which is connected to the emitter of transistor 65 and the cathode of which is connected to the base of transistor 66.

Transistors

66, 67 and 68 form a multivibrator which is basically of the Schmitt trigger type with a very long coupling time constant and regenerative feedback which alters the bistable Schmitt trigger circuit to monostable multivbrator. This multivibrator functions as a pulse stretcher circuit with a relatively high amplification factor and it is capable of being triggered by a pulse a millisecond long to provide an output pulse which may be adjusted by a

variable RC circuit

98, 91 from approximately 100 milliseconds to several seconds.

The base of transistor 67 is connected to the common connection between

resistors

88 and 89.

Resistors

73, 88 and 89 are connected in series between the positive supply line 71 and the ground line 81. The left hand terminal of resistor 88 is connected to the collector of transistor 66 and also to the bottom terminal of resistor 73 and the lower terminal of resistor 88 is connected to the ground line 81. The collector of transistor 67 is connected to the upper terminal of capacitor 90 and the lower terminal of this capacitor is connected to the upper terminal of the potentiometer 91. The variable contact of potentiometer 91 is connected to the base of transistor 68 and the lower terminal of potentiometer 91 is connected to the upper terminal of resistor 91a. The lower terminal of resistor 91a is connected to the ground line 81. A diode 92 is connected across potentiometer 91 and 91a to discharge capacitor 98 after the output pulse duration to provide improved uniformity of output pulse duration. The variable contact 93 of the potentiometer provides means for adjusting the length of the output pulse, as previously mentioned, by controlling the bias applied to the base of transistor 68, which providesthe feedback to the base of transistor 66. For this purpose, the emitter of transistor 68 is connected to the base of transistor 66 while the collector of transistor 68 is connected to the positive supply line 71.

The output supplied to terminal 59 of the amplifier is derived from the collector of transistor 67. This output is supplied to terminal 63 of the power switch 38, the

1 a3 wiring diagram of which is shown in FIG. 8. The power switch includes two similar units, each of which is to be supplied from a separate pulse coincidence amplifier, such as shown in FIG. 7. Corresponding parts of the second unit of the power switch are indicated by the same reference numeral as in the first unit except that the suffix 61" is added to each of the reference numerals of the second unit.

The first unit is provided with an input terminal 63 and a ground terminal 94 which is common to both units. Terminal 63 is connected to the cathode of diode 95', and the anode thereof is connected to the base of transistor 96. The emitter of transistor 96 is connected to the ground line 94 through resistor 101, and the collector of this transistor is connected to the 24 volt line 1119 through resistors 103 and 111 1 which are connected in series. The common connection of resistors 1153 and 1114- is connected to the base of transistor 97. The collector of transistor 97 is connected to the ground line 94 through resistor 102, and the emitter of this transistor is connected to the positive 24 volt line 109 through resistor 105. The emitter of transistor 97 is also connected to the base of transistor 93. The collector of transistor 98 is connected to the cathode of diode 99, to the anode of diode 1%, and to the output terminal 198. The anode of diode 99 is connected to the ground line 941. The cathode of diode 109 is connected to the emitters of transistors 98 and 98a and to the cathode of diode 106, the anode of which is connected to the positive 24 volt line 1119 which is provided with a terminal 107 that is connected to the output terminal 111 of the power supply 39.

Output terminal 111% of power switch 38 is connected to one side of the solenoid 111 and the other side of this solenoid is connected to the ground line 62. Output terminal 198a of power switch 38 is connected to one side of the solenoid 112 and the other side of this solenoid is connected to the ground line as.

The wiring diagram of the power supply 39 is shown in FIG. 9. This power supply includes a transformer 113 having a primary that is adapted to be connected to a conventional 115 volt, 60 cycle power supply and a secondary, the output of which is rectified by

rectifiers

114,, 115, 116 and 117. One side of the secondary is connected to the anode of diode 114 and to the cathode of diode 116. The other side is connected to the anode of diode 115 and the cathode of 117. The anodes of

diodes

116 and 117 are connected together and to the ground line 118 and terminal 119. The cathodes of

diodes

114 and 115 are connected together to the input of the filter circuit, including

capacitors

120 and 121, and to output terminal 110. The terminal 119 is also connected to the cathodes of

diodes

114 and 115 to supply the unfiltered 24 volt rectified A.C. for the solenoids 111 and 112 through power switch 33.

A resistor 112 is connected between the upper terminals of

capacitors

120 and 121 and resistor 123 is connected between the upper terminal of capacitor 121 and the collector of transistor 12 1. Transistor 12 1 functions as a series voltage regulator and

transistors

127 and 130 form an amplifier supplying bias to the base of transistor 12 the collector-emitter circuit of which is connected in the positive line leading to the output terminal 136. A resistor 125 is connected between capacitor 121 and a common connection between capacitor 129 and the lower terminal of resistor 126. The lower terminals of

capacitors

120, 121, 128 and 129 are connected to the ground line 118. The upper terminal of capacitor 128 is connected to the collector of transistor 124., and the upper terminal of the resistor 126 is connected to the collector of transistor 127. The emitter of transistor 127 is con nected to the base of transistor 128 and the base of transistor 127 is connected to the collector of transistor 130 and to the lower terminal of resistor 132. The emitter of transistor 130 is connected to the cathode of diode 131 and the anode of this diode is connected to the ground line 118. The emitter of transistor 13% is also connected to the lower terminal of resistor 133 and the upper terminal of this resistor is connected to the emitter of transistor 124 and to the anode of diode 134. The cathode of diode 134 is connected to the upper terminal of resistor 132 and to the right hand terminal of resistor 134. The left hand terminal of this latter resistor is connected to the common connection between

resistors

122, 123 and 125. The emitter of transistor 124 is connected to the upper terminals of

resistors

133 and 137, and to the upper terminal of capacitor 138 and also to the output terminal 136 which supplies the current to the photo amplifiers 3 1 and 35 and the pulse coincidence amplifier 3'7. Resistors 137, 1.19 and are connected in series between the ground line and the output line leading to terminal 36 and resistor 139 is provided with a variable contact 139a which is connected to the base of transistor 139. Variable contact 13% provides a control whereby the output voltage supplied at terminal 136 may be varied between certain limits. The operation of this apparatus may be summarized as follows: When the produce, for example, the ear of corn 24, is positioned on the conveyor 1011 with the tapered end thereof forward as shown in FIG. 1, the light-sensitive cell 16 under aperture 13 will be covered by the forward end of the ear of corn, whereas, the light-

sensitive cells

17 and 18 positioned in the apertures 1-1 and 15, respectively, will be uncovered. Since this is the desired orientation of the ear of corn, the circuit does not respond to this condition and the ear of corn 2-1 is allowed to proceed forward onto the channel 22. However, if the ear is proceeding from the conveyor 111-11 with the blunt end first, as shown in FIG. 2, all three light-

sensitive cells

16, 17 and 18 are covered. The trigger signal from cell 16 is delayed by virtue of the electrolytic capacitor are connected across the cell in order to give the ear of corn enough time to settle in the proper position before a measurement is made. This capacitor is not necessary when this apparatus is used with V-belt conveyor shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is used only when the apparatus is employed with the shufi le feed shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

When the corn covers all three

cells

16, 17 and 18, a positive pulse occurs that the trigger input 57 of the pulse coincidence amplifier and a positive DC. level of approximately 12 volts is established at the data input, that is, the terminal 56 of the amplifier. Capacitor 85, which is connected to transistor 269, differentiates the square wave pulse produced by this transistor. Thus, a pulse is supplied at the forward end of the square wave pulse and at the trailing end of this pulse. One of these pulses, that is, the negative or trailing pulse, is bypassed through the diode 86 to the ground line 81, and the other is transmitted to the base of transistor 79.

Diodes

82 and 83 form a coincidence AND gate connected to the base of transistor 65, and this gate allows the transistor to conduct only when the signals at the cathodes of

diodes

82 and 83 are simultaneously positive. Transistor 65 produces a three millisecond output pulse from the emitter thereof which is applied through diode 87 to the base of transistor 6'5. Transistors d7 and 68 constitute a monostable multivibrator circuit which produces a relatively long output pulse from a relatively short input pulse. The input pulse is the three millisecond output pulse from the emitter of transistor 65. The output voltage of the multivibrator rises to approximately 12 volts D.C., depending upon the external load applied to terminal 59. Transistor 63 conducts current back into the base of transistor 66, whereby maintaining this transistor in its conducting state even though the input pulse has expired. The length of the output pulse supplied to terminal 59 may be adjusted by adjusting the position of contact 93 of potentiometer 91 so that the output pulse may be adjusted from 101) milliseconds to several seconds. This time may, however, be further 27' adjusted depending upon the values of capacitor 90 and resistor 91.

In this apparatus a positive D.C. level exists at input terminal 56 when the light-

sensitive cells

17 and 13 are uncovered and light is impinging thereon. A positis e pulse occurs at terminal 57 when a product has covered light-sensitive cell 16 and has just finished passing over the cell and light is restored.

The power switch 38 functions to control energization of solenoids 111 and 112 which control

air valves

127a and 127, respectively. Solenoid 27, shown in FIG. 2, corresponds with one of the solenoids 111 or 112, shown in FIG. 5, and the valve controlled thereby controls the supply of compressed air to nozzle 26. The width or length of the pulse supplied to the solenoid 111 through the power switch transistor amplifier, including

transistors

96, 97 and 93, is adjusted as described above to permit the desired amount of air to be supplied to nozzle 26 so that the ear of corn proceeding with the blunt end first may be deflected from the end of the conveyor 1tl11 to the channel 23 from which the corn may be passed to another conveyor, if desired.

The operation of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is similar to the operation of the apparatus just described. In this case, when the apertures 13a, 14a and 15a are covered by the blunt end of an ear of corn, the circuit shown in FIG. functions to energize the solenoid 29 which corresponds to one of the solenoids 111 or 112. Solenoid 29 rotates the arm 32 upward to deflect the ear of corn 28 and cause it to roll over so that the tapered end thereof is turned to the left and faces in the direction of motion, as indicated by the arrow of the conveyor.

While I have shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that the invention is capable of variation and modification from the form shown so that its scope should be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

What I claim is:

1. In apparatus for determining the end orientation of elongated produce which is tapered at one end and blunt at the other, the combination of an array of lightsensitive cells arranged in a predetermined pattern, means transmitting light to said cells, means moving elongated tapered articles in sequence between said light transmitting means and said cells, said articles each having a blunt end and a tapered end, electrical circuit means connected to said cells, said electrical circuit means producing an output signal indicating that said tapered article is presented to said array of cells in a predetermined orientation, and means responsive to said output signal to indi cate the end orientation of the article corresponding thereto.

2. In apparatus for determining the end orientation of elongated produce which is tapered at one end and blunt at the other, as set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said means responsive to the output signal comprises a solenoid controlling an air jet which is directed against the article to deflect said article.

3. In apparatus for determining the end orientation of elongated produce which is tapered at one end and blunt at the other, as set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said means responsive to the output signal comprises a solenoid having an arm that is actuated thereby to reorient said article.

4. In apparatus for determining the end orientation of elongated produce which is tapered at one end and blunt at the other, as set forth in claim 2, further characterized in that said electrical circuit means supplies an electric current pulse to said solenoid and said electrical circuit means includes means for adjusting the duration of said pulse so that said solenoid is energized a suflicient length of time for said air jet to deflect said article.

5. In apparatus for determining the end orientation of elongated produce which is tapered at one end and blunt at the other, as set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said light-sensitive cells in said array are divided into two groups, one of said groups supplying a trigger signal and the other of said groups supplying a datum signal, said electrical circuit means including a coincidence circuit supplying a pulse to said pulse length adjusting means when both a trigger signal and a datum signal are supplied thereto.

6. In apparatus for determining the end orientation of elongated produce which is tapered at one end and blunt at the other, as set forth in claim 5, further characterized in that said article moving means comprises a conveyor and said light-sensitive cells are arranged so that light to the cell supplying the trigger signal is interrupted first when said article is moved by said conveyor so that the tapered end of said article is pointing in the direction of motion, said cells also being arranged so that the light to both of said cell groups is interrupted when the blunt end of the article is pointed on said conveyor in the direction of motion.

7. In apparatus for determining the end orientation of elongated produce which is tapered at one end and blunt at the other, as set forth in claim 5, further characterized in that said article moving means comprises a shuflie feed mechanism and said light-sensitive cells are arranged in a pattern such that light is interrupted to all of the cells only when the blunt end of the article is presented thereto.

3. In apparatus for determining the end orientaton of elongated produce which is tapered at one end and blunt at the other, as set forth in claim 4, further characterized in that said means for adjusting the duration of the pulse comprises a monostable multivibrator having a feedback circuit with means for varying the effect thereof controlling the duration of the pulse produced by said multivibrator.

9. In apparatus for determining the end orientation of elongated produce which is tapered at one end and blunt at the other, as set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said means responsive to the output signal comprises a solenoid controlling means for deflecting the article when said solenoid is ener ized, and said means for adjusting the duration of the pulse comprises a monostable multivibrator having a feedback circuit with means for varying the effect thereof controlling the duration of the pulse produced by said multivibrator to energize said solenoid long enough to deflect said article.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1934 Cockrell 2S0223 X 7/1957 Brennan 250-223 X

Claims

1. IN APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING THE END ORIENTATION OF ELONGATED PRODUCE WHICH IS TAPERED AT ONE END AND BLUNT AT THE OTHER, THE COMBINATION OF AN ARRAY OF LIGHTSENSITIVE CELLS ARRANGED IN A PREDETERMINED PATTERN, MEANS TRANSMITTING LIGHT TO SAID CELLS, MEANS MOVING ELONGATED TAPERED ARTICLES IN SEQUENCE BETWEEN SAID LIGHT TRANSMITTING MEANS AND SAID CELLS, SAID ARTICLES EACH HAVING A BLUNT END AND A TAPERED END, ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID CELLS, SAID ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MEANS PRODUCING AN OUTPUT SIGNAL INDICATING THAT SAID TAPERED ARTICLE IS PRESENTED TO SAID ARRAY OF CELLS IN A PREDETERMINED ORIENTATION, AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO SAID OUTPUT SIGNAL TO INDICATE THE END ORIENTATION OF THE ARTICLE CORRESPONDING THERETO.