Patent ID: 6056127
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: B07C,Y10S

Abstract:
Sorting apparatus having a sorting station and a delivery system for creating a stream of product pieces to be sorted in free flight at the sorting station where selected pieces are ejected from the stream, the delivery system comprising a delivery conveyor including a conveyor belt oriented at an inclination of at least 45.degree. to the horizontal; means for feeding product pieces to an upper end section of said conveyor belt; and means for driving the conveyor belt such that a section thereof carrying product pieces moves in a downward direction toward the sorting station, the length of the conveyor, its inclination and speed being selected to establish a speed of discharge for product pieces from the delivery conveyor belt substantially equal to the vertical speed reached by pieces in free fall through the vertical length of the conveyor belt from its upper end to its lower discharge end.