Sorting machine

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a slide for a gravity-fed sorting machine. An optimum gravity slide configuration comprises one or more channels, with or without dividing ribs, and a product guide. The product guide has support tabs integral to or otherwise extending from its perimeter. Those tabs allow the product guide to be supported along it perimeter by brackets while retaining certain degrees of freedom regarding its ability to move. Specifically, the tabs rest in notches in the underlying support brackets that allow the product guide to be lifted up, thus permitting a potential obstruction to pass. Additionally, the brackets themselves are adjustably mounted to the sides of the slide. That allows the product guide's height above the channel bottom or dividing ribs to be varied to provide a clearance to best accommodate the particular product being sorted.

1 . A gravity-fed sorter for product to be sorted, comprising: 
 a hopper, said hopper retaining said product to be sorted, said hopper having depth, said hopper having a bottom side, said bottom side of said hopper having a hopper orifice;    a feeder, said feeder having a first feeder orifice and a second feeder orifice, said first feeder orifice communicating with said hopper orifice;    a slide;    said slide being acutely angled to the horizontal plane;    said slide having an inclined chute having a chute upper end, a chute bottom and two chute sides; a first support bracket and a second support bracket, said first support bracket and said second support bracket each mounted to a side of said chute, each of said first and second support brackets having an upper edge distal said chute bottom; each of said first and second support brackets having at least one alignment notch located on its upper edge; a product guide supported by said support brackets; said product guide having a guide upper end and two guide sides; said product guide having at least one guide tab extending from each said guide side; at least one guide tab receivable in each said at least one alignment notch of said first support bracket; at least one guide tab receivable in each said at least one alignment notch of said second support bracket; attachment means attaching said guide upper end to said chute upper end; said attachment means limiting movement of said product guide laterally in relation to said chute bottom; and said attachment means allowing relative movement of said product guide normal to said chute bottom;    said second feeder orifice communicating with said slide at said chute upper end of said chute of said slide;    an optical viewing station, said optical viewing station below said slide; and;    at least one ejector; said ejector located proximate said optical viewing station.    
   
   
       2 . The sorting machine of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 said slide comprising a chute having a chute bottom, chute sides and a chute upper end;    said attachment means allowing movement of said product guide normal to said chute bottom; and    said attachment means limiting lateral movement of said product guide in relation to said chute bottom.    
   
   
       3 . The sorting machine of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 each of said first and second support brackets having at least one adjustment mechanism; and    each said at least one adjustment mechanism operable to adjust the height of said bracket upper edges in relation to said chute bottom.    
   
   
       4 . The sorting machine of  claim 2  further comprising: 
 said attachment means comprising at least one elongated pin extending from said chute at said chute upper end; and    at least one pin-receiving opening provided in said product guide at said guide upper end.    
   
   
       5 . The sorting machine of  claim 2  further comprising: 
 said product guide constructed of a flexible material allowing flexing movement of said product guide in relation to said chute responsive to biasing forces.    
   
   
       6 . The sorting machine of  claim 2  further comprising: 
 a plurality of channel dividers extending upwardly from the channel bottom;    at least one of said plurality of channel dividers a different height from at least one other said plurality of channel dividers.    
   
   
       7 . The slide of  claim 2  wherein: 
 each said alignment notch defining a notch bottom and two notch edges; and    the notch edge distal said chute upper end comprising a tapered edge such that the notch opening is wider at the bracket upper edge than at the notch bottom.    
   
   
       8 . A gravity-fed sorter for product to be sorted, comprising: 
 a hopper, said hopper retaining said product to be sorted, said hopper having depth, said hopper having a bottom side, said bottom side of said hopper having a hopper orifice;    a feeder, said feeder having a first feeder orifice and a second feeder orifice, said first feeder orifice communicating with said hopper orifice;    a slide, said slide being acutely angled to the horizontal plane; said slide having an inclined chute having a chute upper end, a chute bottom and two chute sides; a first support bracket and a second support bracket, said first support bracket and said second support bracket each mounted to a side of said chute, each of said first and second support brackets having an upper edge distal said chute bottom; each of said first and second support brackets having at least one alignment notch located on its upper edge; each of said first and second support brackets having at least one adjustment mechanism; each said at least one adjustment mechanism operable to adjust the height of said bracket upper edges in relation to said chute bottom; a product guide supported by said support brackets; said product guide constructed of a flexible material allowing flexing movement of said product guide in relation to said chute responsive to biasing forces; said product guide having a guide upper end and two guide sides; said product guide having at least one guide tab extending from each said guide side; at least one guide tab receivable in each said at least one alignment notch of said first support bracket; at least one guide tab receivable in each said at least one alignment notch of said second support bracket; said guide upper end rotatably movable about said chute upper end planar with said slide;    said second feeder orifice communicating with said slide at said chute upper end of said chute of said slide;    an optical viewing station, said optical viewing station located below said slide; and;    at least one product ejector; said ejector located proximate said optical viewing station.