Patent ID: 7044306
Filing Date: 2006-05-16
Classification: A01C,B07C,B65G,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A machine comprising: a bin having a bottom portion with an opening in the bottom portion; a piston having an end with a concave depression therein, the piston being positioned to pass through the opening in the bin bottom portion; an actuator coupled to the piston and operable to move the piston through the opening in the bin between a first position wherein the end is substantially flush with the opening in the bottom portion of the bin and a second position where the end is raised above the bottom portion of the bin wherein movement of the piston from the first position to the second position under the control of the actuator causes a single individual piece of particulate matter to be captured by the concave depression and raised above the bottom portion; and an automated means external to the piston for removing the captured individual piece of particulate matter from the end of the piston following movement of the piston to the second position.