Patent GB-190112856-A (GB)
Title: Means or Apparatus for Automatically Sorting Eggs according to Weight, applicable to the Automatic Sorting of Fruit and other Products.
Inventor: PONCHIELLI GUGLIELMO
Filed: 1901-06-24
Granted: 1902-01-23
Abstract: 12,856. Ponchielli, G. June 24. Separating or sorting by weighing.-Relates to apparatus primarily designed for automatically sorting eggs according to weight, but applicable also for sorting fruit &c. Fig. 1 shows one form of the apparatus in plan view. Around a baseboard b is a circular track consisting of sections e separated by gaps which are bridged by the tilting weigh-plates f of a series of small automatic balances, which are adapted to discharge the eggs according to their weight on to receiving-trays g. The outer wall d, Fig. 5, of the channel or track e is provided with openings for the passage of the eggs, such openings being obstructed by the weigh-plates f, except when the plates are tilted. The eggs are placed on an inclined tray i, and are fed into the sorting-channel by a revolving stirrer or agitator k. The conveyer which carries the eggs through the channel consists of a rotary frame carrying blocks or arms l<4>. The eggs are guided either on rails or in a groove d<7>, Fig. 14, in which shallow oval depressions d<8> are formed at intervals to steady the progress of the eggs. The floor sections e are cut away at their receiving- ends, as at e', Fig. 14, so as to form facing-points which ensure the discharge of an egg the weight of which has tilted the weigh-plate on which it rests. Fig. 8<A> shows one of the balances employed, with the weigh-plate f tilted. The main beam f<1> is pivoted at f <2>, and carries an adjustable counterpoise f Dependent by hooks f<6> from a knife-edge bar f carried by the beam f<1> near its end is a lever f<8>, the rear end of which is suspended by a hook f from one end of a lever f<10>. The lever f<10> ia hung from the main beam by the hook f<11>, and is connected at its other end with a lug on the base-plate by shackles f<12>. Extending upwards from each side of the lever f is an arm f<13>. The tilting weigh-plate f is pivotally connected with these arms at f<14>, and has an arm f<15> dependent from its underside to which is pivoted a locking-rod f<16>, the other end of which passes freely between a pair of uprights f<17> carried by the lever f The upright f<17> are traversed by a pin f<18>, which is adapted to engage with a notch in the locking-rod f<16>. The plate f is thus prevented from tilting, unless the weight of the egg depresses the balance as a whole, in which case the fixed stop f<19> knocks up the end of the rod f<16>, disengaging the pin f<18> from the notch, and allowing the weigh-plate to tilt. As the egg falls from the weigh-plate, it momentarily tips a plate n, Fig. 5, and actuates a counting-device. In a modified form of the apparatus, the eggs pass round an elongated track, the greater part of which consists of two parallel channels. The eggs are discharged from the weigh-plates on to conveying- bands moving beneath and transversely of the sorting-channels. All parts of the apparatus likely to damage the eggs are suitably covered with soft material.