Patent Publication Number: US-8991618-B2

Title: Method of cartridge case sorting and sorting apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     The present patent application claims the priority of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/402,312 filed on Aug. 27, 2010, inventor and applicant Jeffrey Scott Green. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to improved methods and apparatus for sorting. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The ammunition reloading industry suffers from a lack of a cost effective high volume method of sorting used firearm cartridge cases for both commercial reloaders and the hobby or recreational reloader. We will simply refer to any person or entity that reuses firearm cartridge cases to create loaded ammunition as a “reloader”. Many reloaders obtain mixed lots of used cartridge cases that typically include many different calibers (sizes). The reloader must separate the cases by size. The majority of most lots typically will include 4 or 5 of the most popular sizes along with any number of other sizes. Many of the cases are similar in size and difficult to sort. Most reloaders sort these cases manually. This is a very time consuming and tiring task. The only known device available to the hobby market is a set of trays with holes in each tray that permit only the smaller sizes to pass to the next tray. Possibly faster than manual sorting, using this device is a slow and tedious process. The trays must constantly be emptied after each small quantity is sorted. The holes in any of the trays will possibly fill with larger rimmed cases requiring even more effort to empty that tray. There are also commercial devices available, but their size and cost make them impractical for smaller commercial reloaders and the hobby or recreational reloader. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One or more embodiments of the present invention provide an automated method of sorting cartridge cases and an apparatus utilizing the method. The apparatus, in at least one embodiment, can be manufactured in a size and price range appropriate to both the commercial and hobby reloader market. The apparatus in at least one embodiment can also be resized as desired to increase speed and capacity. In at least one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for sorting objects, such as firearm cartridge case. The apparatus may include a motor, such as an electrically powered motor. The apparatus may also include a tray assembly having a first plurality of slots, a box assembly, a base assembly having a bottom member, and a first bin lying beneath the first plurality of slots. The tray assembly may be fixed to the box assembly so that the tray assembly is angled with respect to a flat ground surface when the bottom member lies on the flat ground surface. The motor may be connected to the tray assembly so that when the motor is electrically powered on, the motor vibrates the tray assembly. Each of the first plurality of slots may be sized so that a first type of object will fall through each of the first plurality of slots and into the first bin. 
     Each of the first plurality of slots may include a first section and a second section, such that there are a plurality of first sections and a plurality of second sections, one first section and one second section for each slot of the first plurality of slots, wherein the first section has a first uniform width and the second section has a second uniform width. The first bin may lie beneath each of the first sections of the first plurality of slots, and the first bin may not lie beneath each of the second sections of the first plurality of slots. The apparatus may further include a second bin lying beneath each of the second sections of each of the first plurality of slots. 
     The apparatus may further include a first plurality of openings following the first plurality of slots along the tray assembly, wherein each opening of the first plurality of openings is sized differently from each of the first plurality of slots. 
     The apparatus may further include a hopper having first, second, third, and fourth sides which surround a chamber, and wherein the hopper has a bottom member having a first plurality of openings. The hopper may be fixed to the box assembly and the tray assembly near a first end of the tray assembly, and above the tray assembly, so that a plurality of objects can be loaded into the chamber of the hopper and fall through the first plurality of openings and onto the tray assembly, near the first end of the tray assembly. The hopper may includes a second plurality of slots. A trash collection bag may be attached to the hopper underneath the second plurality of slots. 
     The box assembly may be fixed to the base assembly by one or more springs which allow the motor to vibrate the box assembly and the tray assembly with respect to the base assembly. 
     In at least one embodiment a method is provided of sorting a plurality of differently sized objects using an apparatus as previously described. The differently sized objects may be firearm cartridge cases. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a hopper of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a top view of a primary sorter tray assembly of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3B  is a cross sectional view of the primary sorter tray assembly; 
         FIG. 3C  is a left end view of the primary sorter tray assembly. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of an alternate tray assembly which can be used instead of the primary sorter tray assembly with the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of a typical known straight wall firearm cartridge case; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of a typical known rimmed firearm cartridge case; and 
         FIG. 7  is a top detail view of a slot of the primary sorter tray assembly of  FIG. 3C . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a cross sectional view of an apparatus  1  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus  1  includes hopper  10 , box assembly  12 , primary tray assembly  14 , diverters  18  and  20 , upper spring supports  24  and  28 , case guide  32 , hopper support bracket  34 , motor mounting bracket  36 , vibration motor  38 , springs  40  and  42 , trash collection bag  44 , collection bins  46 ,  48 , and  50 , base assembly  52 , dividers  54   a  and  54   b , lower spring supports  58  and  60 , tray support panels  30  and  22 , hopper base  64 , plurality of slots  70 , a plurality of dividers  72 , and holes  74   a  and  74   b  shown in  FIG. 3A . The hopper  10  includes sides  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c , and  10   d , and a bottom member  10   e  The sides or side walls  10   a - d  surround a hopper chamber or cavity  10   f  into which a plurality of differently sized firearm cartridge cases can be loaded or dumped. The base assembly  52  includes side wall  52   a , side wall  52   b , and bottom member  52   c . The bottom member  52   c  sits on a flat surface  90  (which may be ground). The apparatus  1  is typically operated with the bottom member  52   c  lying on a flat, zero degree incline ground surface  90 . The tray assembly  14  typically would be at an angle A of ten to fifteen degrees with respect to the bottom member  52   c  (which is shown by angle A with respect to dashed line L 5 , where dashed line L 5  is parallel to member  52   c  and ground  90 ), so that firearm cartridge cases, such as  200 , slide down the tray assembly  14 , when the vibration motor is powered on and vibrates the box assembly  12  and the tray assembly  14  connected to the box assembly  12 . 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the hopper  10 .  FIG. 3A  is a top view of a primary sorter tray assembly  14 .  FIG. 3B  is a side view of the primary sorter tray assembly  14 .  FIG. 3C  is a left end view of the primary sorter tray assembly  14 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3A  the primary sorter tray assembly  14  includes the plurality of slots  70  which includes slots  70   a ,  70   b ,  70   c ,  70   d ,  70   e , and  70   f . Each of slots  70   a - 70   f  may be identical and may be elongated. The primary sorter tray assembly  14  also includes a body portion  56  in which the slots  70  are formed. The body portion  56  is a flat sheet, which has sides  56   a ,  56   b ,  56   c , and  56   d , shown by  FIGS. 3A and 3C . The primary sorter tray assembly  14  further includes the plurality of dividers  72 , which includes dividers  72   a ,  72   b ,  72   c ,  72   d , and  72   e . The assembly  14  further includes openings  74   a  and  74   b . Dividers  54   a  and  54   b  are fixed to the body portion  56 . 
     One or more embodiments of the present invention are not limited to any particular mixture, but the typical user of this device will desire primarily to sort pistol firearm cartridge cases. Rifle firearm cartridge cases are not as common to be sorted in large quantities. The typical mixed lot of pistol firearm cases will include straight wall cases as shown in  FIG. 5  and rimmed cases as shown in  FIG. 6 . The mixture of firearm cases will vary depending on the source, but will usually contain the most popular firearm cartridges in use. Currently that includes the .22 LR firearm cartridge (.22 Long Rifle rimfire 5.6×15 mm—millimeter R—radius), the 9 mm (millimeter) firearm cartridge, the .38 Special rimmed centerfire cartridge from Smith &amp; Wesson, the .357 Magnum revolver firearm cartridge (9×33 mmR), the .40 S&amp;W (10×22 mm Smith &amp; Wesson) rimless pistol firearm cartridge, and the .45 ACP (11.43×23 mm) automatic Colt pistol firearm cartridge. There will likely be numerous other sizes in smaller quantities within the lot. Note that most dimensions of the .38 Special firearm cases and .357 Magnum firearm cases are the same except for length and both may be referred to in this document as .38 Cal. 
     One or more embodiments of the present invention described in the present application are for this typical mixture of cases, but can be varied for most other mixtures by changing the dimensions of the components. The most significant change will be to the slots of a primary tray assembly  14  shown in  FIG. 3A . 
     The primary tray assembly  14  is mounted in a box assembly  12  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Box assembly  12  is suspended over a base  52  that houses collection bins  46 ,  48  and  50 . The suspension is via springs  40 ,  42  and others not shown. The springs permit the vibration of the box assembly  12 . Box assembly  12  contains a hopper  10 , collection bag  44  and a vibration motor  38 . There are diverters  18  and  20  contained in the box assembly  12  to route firearm cartridge cases placed in the hopper  10  to the proper collection bin  46 ,  48 , and  50 .  FIG. 1  shows the firearm cartridge  200  on the tray assembly  14 . Based upon specific diameter, the firearm cartridge cases  200  and  210  will fall through the appropriate section of the plurality of slots  70  or opening  74   a  or  74   b  and be collected in one of bins  46 ,  48  or  50 . 
     The apparatus  1  may be constructed of plastic, metal or any other material that may be fabricated with properties and tolerances as required for the part. In a preferred embodiment, typically it is critical that the plurality of slots  70  ( FIG. 3A) and 170  ( FIG. 4 ), be precisely cut to allow only the desired sizes of firearm cartridge cases to pass though one of the slots  70  or  170 . Other parts must be carefully selected to allow proper vibration of the apparatus. 
     The vibration motor  38  may be electric, pneumatic or any other power as required and of the proper size for the apparatus  1  being constructed. The motor  38  may be of variable speed to provide more precise control of the flow of cases. Various other methods of vibration may be employed as required for the size device being constructed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , operation begins with a quantity of mixed firearm cartridge cases added to the hopper  10 . The motor  38  is started causing the box assembly  12  to vibrate. Typically, in at least one embodiment, .22 LR cases are not reused and are considered either trash or scrap. Most dust, small debris and .22 LR cases will fall through one or more of the plurality of slots  63  in hopper base  64  and into the trash collection bag  44 . Larger firearm cartridge cases enter plurality of holes  62  and continue onto the tray assembly  14 . Tray assembly  14  contains lanes with dividers  54   a ,  54   b , and  72 , shown in  FIG. 3A , to control the firearm cartridge cases to pass over or through slots  70 . The hopper  10  will be filled as required to keep a continuous flow of firearm cartridge cases, each of which may be, for example, similar to or identical to firearm cartridge case  200  or  210 , shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , respectively. Filling the hopper  10  may be done manually by a person or by means of a larger automated hopper, not shown, delivering cases as required to hopper  10 . 
     Each of the openings or slots  63  in hopper base  64  may have a width W 1 , shown in  FIG. 2 , which may be 0.30 inches, in at least one embodiment. In at least one embodiment, the width of 0.30 inches is critical and is sized to allow .22 LR firearm cartridge cases and other small firearm cartridge cases to fall through and collect in trash collection bag  44 . Larger firearm cartridge cases will continue to plurality of slots  70 . The plurality of slots  70  is a critical and unique part of at least one embodiment of the present invention. In at least one embodiment, each of the plurality of slots  70  (including  70   a - 70   f ) have two sections of different widths. These different widths are shown in  FIG. 3A  and are shown in greater detail as W 2  and W 3  for slot  70   a  in  FIG. 7 . Each of slots  70   b - 70   f  may be identical to slot  70   a  and may have the same widths W 2  and W 3 . The position at which the width changes from W 2  to W 3  will coordinate with the position of diverter  18 . Typically, the greatest diameter of 9 MM (millimeter) firearm cartridge cases is 0.392 inches. A first section of each of the plurality of slots  70 , such as first section  71   a  having a width of W 2 , which may be 0.40 inches allows 9 MM (millimeter) firearm cartridge cases to fall through first section  71   a  and into the bin  46 . Larger diameter firearm cartridge cases will pass over section  71   a . Furthermore, .38 Cal. (caliber) firearm cartridge cases have a neck diameter of 0.379 inches that is close to the overall diameter of 9 MM cases and a rim diameter of 0.44 inches that is close to the overall diameter of .40 S&amp;W Cal (caliber) firearm cartridge cases which is 0.424 inches. Each of the first sections of each of the plurality of slots  70 , such as section  71   a  of slot  70   a  have a width W 2  (such as 0.40 inches) which allows .38 Cal firearm cartridge cases to fall partly through and remain supported by the wider rim of a .38 firearm cartridge case. Each of the plurality of slots  70  has a second wider section, such as  71   b  for slot  70   a , that is W 3  inches in width, which may be 0.45 inches. In at least one embodiment, the W 2  width of about 0.40 inches (within a range of +/−0.005 inches, wherein the range is critical in at least one embodiment so that the firearm cartridge cases will fall through the appropriate openings or slots) and the W 3  width of 0.45 inches is critical. The vibration movement of box assembly  12  caused by motor  38 , which also vibrates tray assembly  14 , diverters  18  and  20 , which are fixed to the box assembly  12 , will allow the .38 Cal firearm cartridge cases to continue to the wider portion of each of the plurality of slots  70 , such as section or portion  71   b  of slot  70   a , which begins directly above diverter  18  and fall through to bin  48 . The .40 S&amp;W Cal cases will also continue past the smaller width sections of the plurality of slots  70 , such as section or portion  71   a  and fall through to bin  48 . Firearm cartridge cases larger than .40 S&amp;W Cal will continue past the plurality of slots  70  and fall through hole  74   a  or  74   b  and be collected in bin  50 . 
     Firearm cartridge cases of similar diameter to the described firearm cartridge cases will be collected in the same bin. These other cases will later be removed manually during a final quality control check. Alternatively, additional trays similar to or identical to tray  14  can be created and sized to sort specific mixtures. Larger devices with longer trays similar to or identical to tray  14  can have additional slots preceding or succeeding the plurality of slots  70  of other sizes to further sort and reduce these mixtures. A longer tray for tray  14  may be required to allow dwell time for the cases to fall through the appropriate slot. 
     One embodiment of an alternative tray would be to further sort the contents of bin  48 . After using the primary tray assembly  14 , bin  48  will contain primarily a mixture of .40 Cal, .38 Cal and .357 Magnum firearm cartridges or cases. The primary tray assembly  14  may be removable and can be replaced with the alternate tray assembly  114  in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  is a top view of the alternate tray assembly  114  which can be used, instead of the primary sorter tray assembly  14 , with the apparatus  1  of  FIG. 1 . The tray assembly  114  includes plurality of slots  170 , including slots  170   a ,  170   b ,  170   c ,  170   d ,  170   e , and  170   f , plurality of case diverters  176   a ,  176   b ,  176   c ,  176   d ,  176   e , and  176   f , and a plurality of dividers  172  including dividers  172   a ,  172   b ,  172   c ,  172   d , and  172   e . The tray assembly  114  also includes dividers  154   a  and  154   b , body portion  156 , and holes  174   a  and  174   b . The tray assembly  114  differs from the tray assembly  14  with the configuration of slots  170  and the inclusion of a of plurality of diverters  176  (includes diverters  176   a - 176   f ) positioned at the end of each of slots  170 . Each of the plurality of slots  170  may have a width of W 4 , which may be 0.40 inches in width allowing the neck of .38 Cal. firearms cartridge cases to partially fall through. In at least one embodiment a width W 4  of 0.40 inches may be critical. The end of each of slots  170 , such as end  171   a  of the slot  170   a , is widened to W 5 , which may be 0.50 inches, for a length L 1 , which may be 0.75 inches. The dimensions, in at least one embodiment are critical for sorting specific firearm cartridge cases. Slots  170  will extend to a point preceding diverter  20  to prevent .38 Cal cases from falling into the bin  50 . The contents of bin  48 , in at least one embodiment are now sorted with this additional tray  114 . I.e., the tray  14  is taken out of the apparatus  1 , and replaced by tray  114 , and then the apparatus  1  is run again to sort what previously fell into bin  48 . 
     When the alternate tray assembly  114  is used in place of primary tray assembly  14  in the apparatus  1 , the plurality of slots  170  of the alternate tray assembly  114  allow .38 Cal firearm cartridges or cases to travel to the end of the plurality of slots  170  and fall through into bin  48 . Diverters  176  will prevent the .40 Cal firearm cartridges or cases from entering plurality of slots  170  and allow the .40 Cal firearm cartridges to continue into hole  174   a  or  174   b  and bin  50 . 
     Unlimited variations of the tray assembly  14  can be designed for any case combination. 
       FIG. 7  is a top detail view of slot  70   a.    
     The slot dimensions, W 2  and W 3  shown in  FIG. 7  of slot  70   a  (and of identical slots  70   b - 70   f ) are critical dimensions, but these dimensions will vary based upon the particular mixture of firearm cartridge cases that the tray assembly, such as tray assembly  14 , is configured to sort. The slot portion or section  71   a  shown in  FIG. 7  may have a length L 3  which may be 9.3 inches. The slot portion or section  71   b  shown in  FIG. 7  may have a length L 4  which may be 5.3 inches. The two section slot, such as slot  70   a  in  FIG. 7 , having two widths W 2  and W 3  is a critical part of one or more embodiments of the invention, that allows the apparatus  1  to function and function well. In contrast, if the apparatus  1  had just a bunch of holes of the same size each hole would jam with the rimmed .38s in the 9 MM slot, so this allows a continuous flow that is not otherwise possible. 
     In at least one embodiment, the configuration and/or sizing of the plurality of slots  70  is critical to making the apparatus  1  work well in continuously sorting firearm cartridge cases. 
     For example, a typical firearm cartridge case mixture today would probably include three of the most popular firearm cartridge cases: 9 MM, .38 special and .40 Caliber S&amp;W. 
     In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of a cartridge case is significant in the sorting process.  FIG. 5  is a side view of a typical known straight wall firearm cartridge case  200 . The firearm cartridge case  200  includes portions  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 , and  210 . The portions  202 ,  206 ,  208 , and  210  are cylinders. The portion  204  has a gradually decreasing diameter from an end connecting to portion  202  to an end connecting to portion  206 . The apparatus  1  typically performs sorting based upon the diameters of the firearm cartridge cases. In at least one embodiment, the length of any firearm cartridge case has little if any impact on the operation. 
     The greatest diameter of the firearm cartridge case  200  is D 1  which is the diameter of the portion  202  and the portion  208 . The firearm cartridge case  200  is known as a straight wall cartridge case because the portion  208  is the same diameter as the portion  202 . Firearm 9 MM cartridge cases and .40 Caliber cartridge cases are straight wall cartridge cases and may be similar to or identical to firearm cartridge case  200  in  FIG. 5 . For 9 MM firearm cartridge cases, the diameter D 1  (of  FIG. 5 ) would typically be 0.392 inches. For .40 caliber firearm cartridge cases the diameter D 1  (of  FIG. 5 ) would typically be 0.424 inches. 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of a typical known rimmed firearm cartridge case  220 . The firearm cartridge case  220  includes portions  222 ,  224 ,  226 , and  228 . The portions  222 ,  224 ,  226 , and  228  are cylinders. The portion  222  has a diameter of D 2 , while the rim  226  has a diameter of D 3  which is larger than D 2 . Firearm .38 special cartridge cases are rimmed firearm cartridge cases and may be similar to or identical to firearm cartridge case  220 . For .38 special firearm cartridge case, D 2  is typically 0.379 inches and D 3  is 0.44 inches. 
     In a known sorting technique referred to on the web site www.shellshorter.com (trademarked), a plurality of different trays are provided, one tray for each diameter of shell or firearm cartridge case. The known www.shellsorter.com (trademarked) sorting technique does not refer to a machine but rather generally sorting manually with the plurality of trays. For example, the shellsorter.com technique might include first, second, and third trays. The first tray, would have slots of a first uniform width, the second tray slots of a second uniform width, and the third tray would have slots of a third uniform width, with the first, second, and third uniform widths being different from one another. The first uniform width of slots of the first tray, for example, might be 0.40 inches to allow 9 MM firearm cartridge cases (straight wall configuration—0.392 inches outer diameter D 1  of  FIG. 5 ) to fall through the slots of the first tray to separate the 9 MM firearm cartridge cases from larger diameter firearm cartridge cases. The second uniform width of slots of the second tray, for example, might be 0.45 inches to allow .40 caliber firearm cartridges cases (straight wall configuration—0.424 inches outer diameter D 1 — FIG. 5 ), and .38 special firearm cartridge cases (rimmed configuration—D 2 : 0.379 inches, and D 3 : 0.44 inches) to fall through the second tray and be separated from larger diameter cartridge cases. The third tray might have slots of a third uniform width greater than 0.45 inches to allow larger firearm cartridges to fall through to allow other firearm cartridge cases to be sorted from a group of different types of firearm cartridge cases. 
     The known www.shellshorter.com (trademarked) technique does not provide a powered machine in contrast to embodiments of the present invention. The known www.shellsorter.com (trademarked) technique merely provides a plurality of trays or bowls which can be used to sort firearm cartridge cases or shells of differing sizes. 
     In contrast, one or more embodiments of the present invention provide a machine, or apparatus  1 , which is typically electrically powered having electrically powered motor  38 , which shakes or causes vibration of box assembly  12  which is connected to and thereby causes vibration of tray assembly  14  to cause firearm cartridge cases to slide down tray assembly  14  and into one of appropriate bins  46 ,  48  or  50 , through plurality of slots  70  or openings  74   a - 74   b.    
     In addition, in at least one embodiment of the present invention, the problem of rimmed firearm cartridge cases like case  220  in  FIG. 6  is dealt with. The .38 special firearm cartridge cases, because they are configured like case  220  in  FIG. 6 , can be a problem if slots of uniform width are used in the apparatus  1 , instead of stepped slot  70   a  shown in  FIG. 7 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For example, if a machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, were constructed with two sets of slots (in place of stepped slots  70 ) each of uniform width in series on the tray assembly  14 , with each of the first set of slots having a first width of 0.40 inches and each of the the second set of slots having a second width of 0.45 inches, the smaller diameter of the top section of the .38 special firearm cartridge case (D 2  in  FIG. 6 ) will fall into the 0.40 inch slot of the first set of slots but the 0.44 rim (diameter D 3  in  FIG. 6 ) of the .38 special firearm cartridge case would prevent complete passing through the first set of slots and would cause the .38 special firearm cartridge case to remain suspended by the rim in the hole of first set of separate slots thus clogging the first set of separate slots in this possible embodiment of the present invention. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, to solve the .38 special firearm cartridge case, instead of two sets of slots of different uniform widths, each slot of the plurality of slots  70  has a stepped configuration, as for slot  70   a  shown in  FIG. 7 . The width W 2  of the first section  71   a , in this example, is 0.40 inches, and the width W 3  of the second section  71   b  is 0.45 inches slot. Using these dimensions for slot  70   a , a .38 special case falls partly through the narrow section  71   a  (i.e. section  222  of  FIG. 6  falls partly through  71   a ), the .38 special case is suspended by the rim ( 226  of  FIG. 6 ) of the .38 special firearm cartridge case and will continue moving or sliding along the tray assembly  14 , while the assembly  14  is being shaken by electrically powered motor  38 , to the larger 0.45 inch section  71   b  where the .38 special case completely falls through the slot  70   a  and into the bin  48 . In at least one embodiment, bin  48  will contain both .38 special and .40 caliber firearm cartridge cases. This may be acceptable in one or more embodiments and may be further sorted with an alternative tray, such as tray  114  of  FIG. 4 . 
     However, although the stepped slot  70   a  is preferred for each of slots  70  (identical to slot  70   a  shown in  FIG. 7 ) other embodiments of the present invention may include two or more sets of separate slots along the length of the tray assembly  14 , wherein each set of slots has a uniform width as opposed to a stepped width. 
     The overall dimensions of the apparatus  1 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, is determined primarily by the dimensions of the tray assembly  14 . In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the dimensions of tray assembly  14  are about 7.5 inches in width, W 6 , shown in  FIG. 3A , and about twenty-four inches in length, L 6 , shown in  FIG. 3A  and in  FIG. 1 . The dimensions for the length L 6  of the tray assembly  14 , in at least one embodiment, may be critical to allow the firearm cartridges case enough length along the tray assembly  14  to properly be sorted. In at least one embodiment, all other parts may be sized accordingly to accommodate the tray assembly  14 . 
     Although the invention has been described by reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to include within this patent all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of the present invention&#39;s contribution to the art.