Patent ID: 9120130
Filing Date: 2015-09-01
Classification: A23N,B07B

Abstract:
1. A sorting apparatus comprising: a frame having a first side and a second side spaced apart from the first side, each of the first and second sides having a first end and a second end, the frame defining an upper opening spanning between the first and second sides; a sorting surface assembly comprising a plurality of roller members, defining alternating first roller members and second roller members, each one of the plurality of roller members consecutively positioned so as to extend between the first and second sides, and being substantially parallel to each other, and spanning across the upper cavity, each of the plurality of roller members having a first end and a second end, a first follower roller coupled to the first end and a second follower roller coupled to the second end; a roller control assembly including a first fixed cam surface positioned along the first side of the frame, extending between the first and second ends of the frame, a second fixed cam surface positioned along the second side of the frame extending between the first and second ends of the frame, and, a first side first movable cam surface positioned along the first side of the frame, extending between the first and second ends of the frame, and a second side first movable cam surface positioned along the second side of the frame, extending between the first and second ends of the frame, the first side first movable cam surface including a first movable cam surface, and the second side first movable cam surface including a first movable cam surface, substantially corresponding to the first movable cam surface of the first side first movable cam surface; wherein, the first follower roller of each of the plurality of first roller members is associated with the first fixed cam surface with the second follower roller of each of the plurality of first roller members being associated with the second fixed cam surface, wherein the first follower roller of each of the plurality of second roller members is associated with the first movable cam surface with the second follower roller of each of the plurality of second roller members being associated with the second movable cam surface; a first movable cam surface adjustment assembly coupled to the first side first movable cam surface and the second side first movable cam surface, the first movable cam surface adjustment assembly configured to move the first side first movable cam surface and the second side first movable cam surface so as to alter the position of the second roller members having respective first and second followers on the first and second side first movable cam surfaces, to, in turn, alter the spacing between adjacent first and second follower members; and a drive assembly configured to translate the plurality of first roller members and second roller members across the upper opening from the first side to the second side; a first drive belt positioned on the first side with a portion of the first drive belt extending along the frame from the first end to the second end thereof and proximate the first fixed cam surface, with the first end of each of the plurality of first and second roller members coupled to the first drive belt whereupon movement of the first drive belt translates the first and second roller members across the upper opening from the first end to the second end of the frame; and a second drive belt positioned on the second side with a portion of the second drive belt extending along the frame from the first end to the second end thereof proximate the second fixed cam surface, with the second end of each of the plurality of first and second roller members coupled to the second drive belt whereupon movement of the second drive belt translates the first and second roller members across the opening from the first end to the second end of the frame.