Patent ID: 6799684
Filing Date: 2004-10-05
Classification: B07C,Y10S

Abstract:
A system which portions discrete articles which are within a predetermined range of a predetermined specification, said system comprising:A. a detector unit which detects and maintains a tally of articles that are received in said system and fall within said predetermined range of a predetermined specification, which detector generates an out-of-specification signal when an article received in said system falls outside said predetermined range; and B. a device which comprises: (1) a portioning bin positioned to receive articles from a flow of articles delivered to said device; (2) a diverter gate which holds and releases batches of articles for further processing, said diverter gate being disposed in said portioning bin; (3) at least first and second outlet gates for emptying articles from said device into respective first and second locations which are separated from each other; and (4) a control unit which causes said diverter gate to move between a first position where it holds a batch of said articles and a second position where it releases a batch of said articles for further processing; and which causes said first outlet gate to open when the articles fall within the predetermined range of the predetermined specification, and causes said second outlet gate to open in response to receipt of an out-of-specification signal from said detector unit.