Patent ID: 6065607
Filing Date: 2000-05-23
Classification: B07B

Abstract:
Apparatus for grading sensitive products, comprising an in-feed device, ridge-belts for moving and grading the products, and guide rails for guiding the ridge-belts, the ridge-belts comprising a plurality of units, triangular in cross section, and connected to form endless belts guided by the guide rails from the in-feed device to remote end, the ridge-belts being spaced from each other on the guide rails so that spacing of the ridge-belts is greater at the remote end than at the in-feed device, the apparatus further comprising a setting mechanism for adjusting the distance between individual guide rails, grading compartments under the ridge-belts, and a drive mechanism, whereby, in use, the products to be graded are fed onto the in-feed device and directed onto the ridge-belts that move and grade the products according to thickness into the appropriate grading compartments, wherein the in-feed device comprises at least one adjustable step for directing the products onto the ridge-belts so that the velocity of the products is controlled and orientation of the products is adjusted, and wherein the guide rails for the ridge-belts have downwardly open slots into which support members of the setting mechanism extend, the position of the support members being settable by the setting mechanism to determine the distance between the ridge-belts.