Improved Apparatus for Mechanically Grading or Sorting Eggs, or such like Bodies, according to Size.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 20th July, 1899
Complete Specification Left, 7th Apr., 1900-Accepted, 16th June, 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Mechanically Grading or Sorting Eggs,
or such like Bodies, according to Size.
JOHN PHILLIP BENNETT, 2, Anglesea Place, Cork, Milling Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The apparatus consists:-
1st. Of two or more rollers placed horizontally or otherwise side by side, at
the same level or otherwise. Said rollers to be either true cylinders, or tapered,
or made in sections of different diameters, or any combination of these; to be
mounted parallel to each other or otherwise, so that the space between them shall
be of a graduating breadth, and their relative positions adjustable. Aforesaid
rollers to be rotated, by suitable mechanical arrangements; so that their con-
tiguous sides shall have an upward motion.
2nd. A conveyor consisting of a moving band, Archimedian screw, or the like,
so fixed relatively to rollers as to place eggs or like bodies in position on said
rollers.
3rd: A finger or fingers mounted over space between rollers and by suitable
mechanical arrangements moved in direction of length of rollers from right to
left or vice versa.
4th: An endless band or bands placed under rollers and moving across same.
Said band or bands to be divided into sections by means of adjustable partitions
or other convenient arrangement.
Dated this 18th July 1899
Improved Apparatus for Mechanically Grading or Sorting Eggs,
or such like Bodies, according to Size.
JOHN PHILLIP BENNETT, 2, Anglesea Place, Cork, Ireland, Milling Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the fol-
lowing statement:-
-
My invention as illustrated in annexed drawings Fig. 1 is a plan Fig. 2 front
elevation: consists
1st Of two rollers A A made in any number of sections of different diameters,
and mounted in suitable bearings B B B, B₁, two of which B₁ B₁ are adjustable
by means of screws C C or other convenient mechanical arrangement. Said
rollers are placed horizontally side by side with their axis parallel so that the
FD Q77

page_text: space between them is of a graduating breadth as shewn in plan. Aforeaid
rollers to be rotated by means of toothed wheels D D; endless band or the like
in the direction indicated by arrows so that their contiguous sides shall have an
upward motion. If found more suitable the rollers instead of being made in
sections of different diameters, may be made true cylinders, or tapered from end
to end or any combination of these shapes may be used. The rollers may be set
out of the horizontal; sloping towards one end or they may be placed at different
levels; or they may be placed out of parallel; inclining to each other at an angle ;
the object to be attained in all cases (where it is desired to grade into more than
one size) being a graduated space between the said rollers. If true cylinders be
used and it is desired to grade into more than one size, the axis of rollers must
not be parallel, but set at such an angle as will give the necessary variation in
width of space between said rollers. If found necessary only one roller need be
rotated, one remaining stationary and a straight edge of any other section than
circular may be substituted for this roller.
It is generally preferable to use a pair or pairs of rollers rotated as described,
but more than two rollers may be used. If an odd number are used, the inter-
mediate rollers to remain stationary and they may be replaced by straight edges.
In the drawings herewith the difference in size between the several sections of
rollers, is represented for clearness of illustration; as greater than would be
usually necessary and the rollers are drawn farther apart than would be generally
required. These dimensions would be regulated by size of objects to be graded.
2nd A conveyor E consisting of an endless band fixed between the rollers and
inclined at an angle as shewn, to carry forward and place on the rollers the eggs
or other objects to be graded. An Archimedian screw or other form of conveyor
may be substituted for band, and band or conveyor may be carried beyond rollers
if desired.
3rd A finger or fingers F mounted over rollers and by suitable mechanical
arrangements moved in direction of length of rollers, for the purpose of pushing
the bodies to be graded along rollers. These fingers must be of sufficiently flexible
material, or so mounted as not to break or damage the eggs or other objects.
4th An endless band conveyor G placed under rollers and moving across same
on to which the eggs or like bodies fall when they arrive at the space between
rollers that corresponds with their diameter. This band is used to carry the
graded objects to any desired receptacle and may be extended beyond machine
if necessary. If found convenient two or more bands may be used for this pur-
pose. Sail band or bands to be divided into sections by adjustable partitions
marked H in drawings.
The eggs or such like bodies are fed on to rollers at or about point J either by
hand or suitable mechanism, they then move along rollers by action of feeding
belt E and fingers F: if band carrying fingers be extended over point J as
illustrated feed belt E may be omitted. When the eggs or the like arrive at the
space between rollers that corresponds with their diameter they pass through
between rollers on to belt conveyor and are carried by it or its extensions to any
desired position.
Annexed drawings are made to a working proportion not to exact scale.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
:-
1st In a machine or apparatus for grading or sorting eggs or such like bodies
the use of rollers of such shapes and construction as herein before described,
arranged in the manner shown and rotated so that their contiguous sides shall
have an upward motion.
2nd The combination of such grading rollers with conveyors of suitable con-
struction for bringing objects to be graded on to rollers and carrying them from
same when graded or sorted.

page_text: 3rd A suitable mechanical device such as herein before described for moving
objects to be graded along grading rollers.
4th The combination of band conveyor G with moveable partitions H as illus-
trated, for conveying objects as graded.
5th In a machine or apparatus for grading or sorting eggs or such like bodies,
the use of the herein before described parts and devices, conjointly as described,
or such of them as may be required in any particular instance.
Dated this 5th day of April 1900.
JOHN PHILLIP BENNETT.