Patent ID: 6693274
Filing Date: 2004-02-17
Classification: B07C,G01B

Abstract:
A method of dimensionally sorting a plurality of articles received as a group, each article having varying size and shape, the method comprising:conveying the articles along a path; singulating the articles into one or more single file rows as the articles traverse the path; detecting the dimensional characteristics of the articles by detecting the deflection of sensor heads which passively interfere with the progress of each of the articles, as the articles are conveyed, said sensor heads including at least one deflectable sensor operatively associated with a respective one of each of said rows for measuring the height of each article conveyed in that respective row, and at least one deflectable sensor operatively associated with a respective one of each of said rows for measuring the width of each article conveyed in that respective row; and differentiating the articles between a plurality of respective size/shape groupings based upon the detected dimensional characteristics.