Patent ID: 12208422

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The apparatus for sorting particles based on a measurable parameter of the particles shown inFIGS.1and2comprises a supply conduit10carrying particles to be sorted from a feed supply10A which supplies the particles in a continuous stream for presentation through the conduit to a rotary body11rotatable around an axis12. In the embodiment shown the rotary body is a flat disk with the axis12arranged vertical so that the disk provides an upper horizontal surface onto which the particles13are supplied in the stream from the conduit10. The conduit is arranged at the centre of the disk so that the particles are deposited onto the centre of the position where the disk is rotating but where there is little outward velocity. The kernel velocity at this point is from the flow in the supply conduit10. The velocity at a point on the disk is v=wr where w is the angular velocity and r is the radius. If kernels are deposited in a region where the change in velocity is too high, they bounce and the flow is chaotic. Kernels are deposited in the central region to minimize the change in velocity.

On the upper surface of the disk forming the rotary body is provided a plurality of ducts14each extending from an inner end15adjacent the axis outwardly to an outer end16spaced at a greater radial distance outwardly from the axis than the inner end. In this embodiment the outer end16of the ducts is arranged adjacent to but spaced inwardly from the edge17of the disk11. In this embodiment each duct14extends from a position closely adjacent the centre to the periphery17of the disk so that the centre the ducts are arranged immediately side by side and the ducts diverge outwardly so that at the outer end16they are spaced around the periphery17.

The inner ends15are thus arranged in an array adjacent to the axis so that the supply conduit10acts to deposit the particles to be sorted at the inner ends of the ducts for entry of the particles to be sorted into the inner ends. As the inner ends are immediately adjacent at the centre of the disk, the particles there form a pile at the centre which is automatically sorted evenly in to the open mouths of the ducts at their inner ends. Assuming a continuous pile of the particles at the centre, the rotation of the disk will act to evenly sort the particles into the individual ducts in a stream defined by the dimensions of the mouth relative to the dimensions of the particles. At the outset of the path along the duct, the particles will be immediately adjacent or overlapping. However passage of the particles along the duct while they are accelerated by the centrifugal forces will act to spread the particles each from the next to form a line of particles with no overlap. As the forces increase with increasing radial distance from the axis12, the particles will be increasingly accelerated and thus the distance between particles will increase along the length of the duct. The kernels align with the duct axially in the first part of the duct and the kernel length defines an initial center to center spacing with some variation due to differences in kernel size. The centrifugal acceleration is uniform at a given radius, but the frictional forces for grain kernels vary by about 20%. The frictional forces scale with the Coriolis force=uN (u=coefficient of friction approximately 0.2-0.25, N=normal force to duct wall supplied primarily by the Coriolis force. As set out above, the duct can be shaped to minimize the normal force and friction by curving the duct along the line of net force (mentioned in text earlier). Conversely, the particle acceleration can be reduced by curving the duct to increase normal forces, curving the duct to constant or even decreasing radius, or increasing the coefficient of friction of a selected portion of a duct by changing the texture and/or material.

Selection of the length of the duct relative to the size of the particles can be made so that the spacing between each particle and the particle behind can be selected to be a proportion of the length of the particles. In the example where the separator is used for seeds, the separation between each seed and the next can be at least equal to the length of the seeds and typically 1.5 or 2.0 times the length of the seed.

Thus the ducts are shaped and arranged so that the particles are accelerated as they pass from the inner end to the outer end so as to cause the particles to be aligned one after the other in a row as they move toward the outer end.

The outer ends16are arranged in an angularly spaced array at an outer periphery of the rotary body so that the particles of the row of particles in each duct are released by centrifugal force from the disk outwardly from the axis of the disk. The openings all lie in a common radial plane of the disk. The ducts can be formed either as grooves cut into the upper surface of a thicker disk or by additional walls applied on to the top surface of the disk, or two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional shaped guides.

An array20of particle separating devices21is arranged in an annulus at the outer edge17of the disk so that the individual separating devices21are arranged at angularly spaced positions around the disk.

Each separating device is operable to direct each particle into one of a plurality of paths as determined by operation of the separating devices. In the example shown the separating devices are arranged to direct the particles upwardly or downwardly relative to the plane of the outlets16. As shown inFIG.2and theFIG.3Athe separating device21can take up an initial intermediate or starting position where the particles are not separated to one direction or the other. As shown inFIG.3B, the separating device can be moved upwardly so as to direct the particles downwardly into a path22for collection within a collecting chamber23. Similarly when the separating device is moved to a lowered position as shown inFIG.3C, the particles are moved upwardly over the top of the separating device along a path24for collection within a chamber25. The two paths22and24are separated by a guide plate26which ensures that the particles move to one or other of the chambers23,25.

In order to control the separating devices21, there is provided a measuring system generally indicated at28which is used to measure a selected parameter or parameters of the particles as those particles move from the end of the duct at the edge of the disk toward the separating devices. The measuring devices are carried on a mounting ring28A.

The measuring system can be of any suitable type known in this industry for example optical measuring systems which detect certain optical characteristics of the particles to determine the particular parameters required to be measured. Other measuring systems can also be used since the type of system to be used and the parameters to be selected are not part of the present invention.

In a typical example, the analysis of the particles relates to the presence of degradation of the seed due to disease and this can often be detected optically for example using the systems and disclosed in the prior U.S. Pat. No. 8,227,719 of the present inventor, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference or may be referenced for further detail.

Each separating device21is associated with a respective detecting device28, which may include multiple detecting components, operable to measure the parameter of the particles and in response to the parameters measured by the associated detecting device, the respective or separating device is operated to select the path22or the path24.

It will be appreciated that the number of paths can be modified to include more than two paths if required depending upon the parameters to be measured. Such selection to an increased number of paths can be carried out by providing subsequent separating devices21positioned downstream of the initial separation. In this way one or both of the paths can be divided into two or more subsidiary paths with all of the separating devices being controlled by a control system29receiving the data from the measuring device is28.

The disk11thus has a front face30facing the supply conduit and the ducts14lie in a radial plane of the disk and extend outwardly from the axis to a periphery17of the disk11.

As shown inFIGS.1and4, the ducts14form a standing wall14A with an open face facing toward the supply conduit10and transversely across the disk. The wall14A defines a V-shaped cross-section with two sides14B and14C converging an apex14E at which is provided rifling14D. However the ducts may be closed at the top surface with only the mouth15and the discharge end16open.

As shown inFIG.1, the ducts14are curved so that the outer end16is angularly retarded relative to the inner end15. This forms a side surface14B of each duct as best shown inFIG.4which is angularly retarded relative to the direction of rotation in the counter clockwise direction as shown at D. This curvature of the ducts is arranged to follow substantially the Coriolis and centrifugal forces so that the particles follow along the duct without excessive pressure against either side wall of the duct. However the shape of the duct is arranged so that the Coriolis forces tend to drive the particle against the downstream side14B of the duct14. As shown inFIG.4, the sidewall14B is inclined so that the force F on the particle pushes the particle against the inclined wall driving the particle toward the apex14E of the duct14. This acts to bring all the particles toward the apex14E of the duct so the particles emerge from the disk at a radial plane of the apexes14E of the ducts14.

As shown inFIGS.1and4, the wall14B includes rifling14D formed as grooves or ribs running along the sidewall so that as the particles roll over the surface from an upper edge of the surface to the bottom wall, the particles are rotated around a longitudinal axis of the particles both tending to align the particles with their longer axes longitudinal of the wall and also tending to spin the particles around this longitudinal axis. The rifling grooves or ribs shown inFIG.4are segments of generally helical paths that intersect the duct surfaces. The helical pitch regulates the particle spin. In this way, as the particles slide along the surface from the inlet15to the exit16, the particles move toward the apex of the surface and rotate around their axes to properly orient the particles and the impart spin or rotation. As the particles emerge from the discharge16, these particles are therefore aligned in a common radial plane, aligned with their longitudinal axes along the duct and with some spin as they emerge for better analysis of the particles by the detection system28. The rotation allows different surfaces of the particles to be presented to the detection system28to obtain averaging of the surface characteristics. At the same time the particles are presented in a common orientation.

As shown best inFIG.1, the ducts14are immediately side by side at the inner ends15adjacent the axis and increase in spacing toward the outer ends16. At the inner ends15the ducts are immediately side by side so that the maximum number of ducts is provided by the maximum number of openings15. The number of ducts can be increased, in an arrangement not shown, where the ducts include branches so that each duct divides along its length into one or more branches.

In another arrangement not shown the ducts can be stacked one on top of another at the inner ends15to increase the number of the duct openings at the inner end. That is for example, if three rings of ducts are stacked one on top of another, the total number of ducts can be increased threefold. The ducts then are arranged in a common radial plane at the outer ends by the uppermost ducts moving downwardly when space becomes available at the outer edge to accommodate the three rings of ducts in a common plane. In this way the outer ends16of the ducts can be arranged directly side by side at or adjacent the periphery17of the disk.

In the embodiment ofFIGS.1and2, the detection device28and the separating device21are both located within the periphery17of the disk. In this way the particles are guided as they pass from the outer end of the ducts to the array of separating devices.

InFIG.5is shown an alternative arrangement where the separating devices21are beyond the periphery17of the disk. In this embodiment, the particles travel along a trajectory determined by the angular velocity of the disk11and the direction of the duct14at the outer end16. The associated detecting devices28are located relative to the separating device21to act on the particle in its trajectory. That is, the trajectory is arranged in the free space between the outer periphery17and the separating device21so that a particle exiting the discharge end16of a duct travels past one of the detecting devices28depending upon its position of release and from that detecting device the particle moves to an associated separating device21which acts to separate depending upon the analysis carried out by its associated detecting device28. It is necessary therefore the trajectories are consistent and ensure that the particle that is detected is moved to the requisite separating device.

If required there is provided a movable guide member (not shown) at the outer end of each duct for changing the trajectory with the guide member forming a guide surface which can be rigid or flexible which changes orientation in an angular direction to direct particles to the nearest detector and associated separator as the disk and the ducts thereon rotates and moves from one detector to the next.

In another arrangement, not shown, instead of using the particle trajectory to control movement of the particle past the required detecting device and associated separating device, each separating device21is associated with a guide channel into which the particle enters when it is released from the outer end16and the associated detecting device28acts on the particle in the guide channel.

In another arrangement not shown, both the detecting devices and the separating devices are mounted on the disc for rotation with the ducts. In this way the separating device is directly associated with a respective one of the ducts to ensure that the particles travelling in the duct move past the associated detecting device and from that detecting device directly to the separating device to ensure accurate separation without the possibility of errors caused by differences in trajectory of the arrangement ofFIG.5. Again the separating devices act to separate the particles, depending upon their detected characteristics in to a path or separated by a guide. In this arrangement the path is through an opening in the disk.

As best shown in theFIGS.2,3A,3B and3C, each separating device21comprises a separating head40having a front edge41lying generally in a radial plane of the disk11so that particles released from the outer ends16move toward the front edge41. The separating head40includes the inclined guide surfaces42and43on respective sides of the front edge41. In this way the separating head40is generally wedge shaped. The separating head is mounted on a lever44mounted inside a tube45so that the lever and the actuating mechanism for the lever are protected inside the tube which is located behind and protected by the separator head. An actuator46is provided for moving the front edge41between first and second positions above and below the radial plane47defined by the path of the particle13. Thus inFIGS.2and3Aa central and neutral position is shown. InFIG.3Bthe front edge41has moved upwardly which is arranged to direct the particle to a side of the radial plane below the radial plane. In the position shown inFIG.3C, the front edge is moved downwardly to a second side of the radial plane and is arranged to direct the particle to the first or upper side of the radial plane. This movement of the wedge shaped head and its front edge requires little movement of the front edge41and uses the momentum of the particle itself to cause the separation simply by the particle sliding over the guide surfaces42and43. The separation head therefore does not need to move into impact with the particle or to generate transverse forces on the particle since the head merely needs to move into position allowing the particle to generate the required separation forces.

In view of the provision of the lever, the actuator46required to generate only small distance movements and hence can be moved by piezo electric members. Alternatively the movements can be carried out by a small electromagnetic coil. This design allows the use of components which can generate the necessary high-speed action to take up the two positions ofFIGS.3B and3Csufficiently quickly to accommodate high-speed movement of the particles. As shown the actuator46is located outward of the separating head and lies in a radial plane of the separating head.

The arrangement of the present invention therefore provides a system for separation of the particles, for example kernels, where the particles are supplied in a feed zone and are separated by the ducts and the inlet of the ducts so as to form a plurality of streams of the particles.

The flow rate of the feed tube10is determined by its narrowest waist and this can be controlled to provide a suitable flow rate for the particles. The kernels fill the central zone at the centre of the disk and flow radially into the channels in an alignment zone. The removal rate of the particles along the ducts is arranged by selection of dimensions and rotation rate to be equal to the feed rate supplied by the feed duct10. The flow satisfies the continuity equation P1V1=P2V2 where P1 and P2 are the kernel number densities and the V1 and V2 are the kernel velocities. The average centre to centre separation between kernels is proportional to V.

A second constraint is provided by the width of the ducts14where the channel width is selected so as to avoid kernel blockages. Thus the channel width is preferably greater than the kernel length to avoid a blockage. Where the channel width is greater than 1.5 times the kernel length, the kernels can flow without constriction. In this way the number of channels times the width of the channel may be approximately equal to the feed tube diameter. However, the channels do not need to start at the feed tube diameter. In general, there can be a flat zone with diameter greater than that of the feed tube diameter before the start of the channel.

A further constraint relates to the allowable difference in velocity between the disk11proximate to the feed duct10and the feed duct10itself. The difference in velocity between the feed and the disk at the feed zone radius must be less than 2 m/s and preferably less than 1 m/s for wheat kernels. The allowable difference in velocity in general varies with the type of particle to be singulated. Kernels with large Delta v bounce up from the disk. A larger velocity can be tolerated in an arrangement where a cover is provided over the disk at the central feed location. A small initial velocity from the feed tube is desirable to aid movement from the feed zone to the alignment zone. If the initial velocity is too large, the kernels bounce up. The initial velocity is regulated by the vertical separation between the feed tube and the disk11. A central cone may be provided to assist in the directing the material outwardly at the center away from the axis.

In the alignment zone provided by the ducts, kernels flow from the feed zone into the channels. The flow is promoted by centrifugal force which in this zone is close to 1 G. Initially the kernels are close packed. As kernels gain radial velocity, the average separation increases and the Coriolis force, typically 1 to 3 G, proportional to the radial velocity is exerted on the kernels. The Coriolis force causes kernels to align end-to-end along the downstream or trailing side wall of the channel or duct. The kernels experience a drag force due to friction from the side wall proportional to the vector sum of gravity and Coriolis forces. The coefficient of friction is minimized or reduced by fabricating the disk from a smooth abrasion resistant material. Preferably the sidewalls of the ducts are curved or inclined in the vertical direction so that the kernels move into a common radial plane in the Z direction due to the Coriolis force along the sidewall of the channel.

In the acceleration zone the spacing between kernels increases as the kernels are accelerated by centrifugal force. As shown the ducts are curved so that the Coriolis force also contributes to kernel acceleration. The sidewalls of the channel are manufactured from a smooth hard material to minimize the friction and wear. The net force on each kernel is typically much greater than 1 G and increases rapidly with radial displacement. In one example, in a disk of 220 mm diameter spinning at 400 rpm the maximum force is approximately 44 G. Aerodynamic drag forces on the kernels become important with increasing velocity, ultimately setting a terminal velocity between 8 m/s and 9 m/s. Higher velocities can be achieved if the ambient pressure is lowered at the disk by a vacuum pump or the region surrounding the disk is filled with a gas less dense than air such as helium. A difference in pressure can be used to increase the flow rate in the feed tube while the same time increasing the terminal velocity. Ignoring frictional forces, the final velocity of the kernel leaving the peripheral edge17of the disk is equal to the angular velocity of the disk times the disk radius.

In respect of the rate of kernels passing the detector28, it is desirable to have a centre to centre separation sufficient to allow ejection of one kernel without influencing the trajectory of the following kernel. By the continuity equation given above, a separation of two wheat kernel lengths corresponds with a kernel rate of approximately 80 kernels per second for every 1 m/s of kernel velocity.

The detection of the characteristics of the kernels is not a part of the present invention and hence is not described in detail. Many different sensing systems can be used using different techniques and the different characteristics of the particle.

In one example an optical system is used where a sampling region is illuminated with suitable light characteristics. Reflected light is received from the particle under investigation as the particle travels through the sampling region. The reflected light can be analysed for different characteristics at different wavelengths. The analysis can be carried out by a spectrometer.

As described above, the kernels are deflected by a mechanical lever. In one embodiment, the mechanical lever may be attached to a rotary voice coil. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical lever is driven by a piezoelectric transducer. In one embodiment, a piezoelectric stack produces a small displacement which is amplified by leverage. In a preferred embodiment, the piezoelectric transducer is a bimorph. The wedge head40with an apex angle of between 20 and 45 degrees is mounted on the end of the bimorph. More preferably the apex angle is between 30 and 35 degrees. Kernels are directed toward the front edge of the wedge shaped head by the singulation apparatus. When voltage is applied to the bimorph, the wedge is deflected away from its central resting position. If the sign of the voltage is reversed, the direction of deflection is reversed. A bimorph 40 mm long can produce about 2 mm of displacement. A bimorph can be driven significantly faster than other types of ejectors. A shorter response time at the ejector allows a higher kernel rate.

Turning toFIGS.7and8, there is shown a further embodiment including a disk300driven by a motor301. A feed conduit302supplies the particulate material along a path303to a feed location304where the particular material is dropped onto the upper surface of the disk300. A central cone or dome portion305is located directly under the conduit302so as to assist in spreading the material outwardly into the plurality of ducts306,307, the number of which of course is variable from minimum of one up to the maximum number which can be obtained within the area available. Particularly when there is a large number of ducts, there is provided a gate308,309each of which is positioned out the inlet to the respective duct so as to control the flow of the particular material into the ducts. In this way when the quantity of feed material is relatively low, some of the ducts can be closed off by operating an actuator310driving the respective gate.

Each duct is formed by a channel with two generally upstanding sidewalls311and312between which the particles pass. These may be vertical, but more likely have “inclined” sidewalls as described previously. Also, depending on the item being sorted and the geometry of the rotary body, this duct can be a tube (circular, oval, triangular or quadrilateral etc.) or a partial tube i.e. C-shaped, L-shaped, V-shaped, or a minimal two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional shape following the path(s) where force is exerted on a particle by the duct.

Each duct such as the duct307shown inFIG.8includes a first portion313, a second portion314and the third portion315at spaced positions along the length of the duct leading to a discharge mouth316at the end of the duct opposite from the gate309. The first portion313of the duct is shaped and arranged so as to provide acceleration of the particles after entering through the gate309so as to separate the particles of each from the next longitudinally along the length of the duct portion.

The second duct portion314includes one or more sensors317,318,319at spaced positions along the length of the duct portion314. The sensors can be used to measure different characteristics of the particles passing through the duct portion314so that a control device320which receives the signals from the sensors can direct the separation system for separating the particles within the duct.

The second duct portion314is shaped and arranged so as to provide a reduced acceleration of the particles within the second duct portion. Preferably the arrangement is such that in the second duct portion there is a very low or zero acceleration of the particles so that they maintain a nearly constant velocity through the second duct portion as they pass the sensors. This can be achieved, for example by setting the friction in the second duct region to balance centrifugal acceleration. Alternately or in combination with friction, the centrifugal acceleration can be reduced by arranging the second duct portion along a curve of nearly constant radial distance from the axis of rotation.

The third duct portion315acts as a separation system in that duct portion315is pivotal about a mounting pin321so as to move the discharge end316between at least two separate positions. In the position shown on the right end at the duct307, the discharge opening316lies in the same plane as the disk and directs the particles exiting this discharge opening into a first channel322for collection as a set of the particles having a first characteristic measured by the sensors. A second channel323is provided for receiving the particles in the second position of the duct portion315as shown at the left end ofFIG.8in respect of duct306.

Thus it will be noted that the duct portion315is moved between the first and second positions of the channels322and323by an actuator324which lifts the discharge end316upwardly and downwardly between the channels322and323. Typically the actuator324is an electromagnetic voice coil which provides sufficient force and movement to lift the duct portion315between the two positions.

As shown, in this embodiment the third duct portion315forms a part of the main duct306or307and is carried on the disc300for rotation therewith.

The third duct portion315as shown is also shaped differently from the first and second duct portions in a manner which causes a deceleration of the particles passing therethrough. Thus the particles as they emerge from the discharge end316are at a velocity which is reduced relative to the velocity during the measurement stage so as to reduce the possibility of impact damage after the particles leave the discharge end. It should be noted that the desired velocity profile through the duct is depends on the material properties. For some materials, the third duct portion may be shaped to provide an increase in velocity. As an alternative, the third duct portion can be replaced by an inclined gate which can be rigid but more preferably is flexible and curved so as to apply lower redirecting forces on the particles.

In addition to or instead, the particles within the duct portion314can be decelerated by an airstream directed along the duct tending to slow the movement of the particles. Again this is used to decelerate the particles to prevent or reduce impact damage from when the particles leave the opening316.

In addition to or instead, the particles within the duct portion314can be decelerated by a water curtain such as a waterfall or meniscus as previously described.

In addition to or instead, impact damage can be reduced by providing a resilient layer326on the surface of the channel322,323against which the particles impact when they leave the discharge opening316. In one example the layer326is a resilient material such as rubber. In another arrangement, impact damage can be reduced by inclining the surface against which the particles impact.

In the arrangement ofFIG.1, the separator21includes a cover portion21A which forms a closed channel through which the particle selected for the path24passes. This channel can include impact surfaces and/or other components which act to cause deceleration. Also inFIG.1, the material exiting from the periphery17of the disk is collected in a collector channel98which contains a suitable deceleration material99as described herein.

All of the methods mentioned pertaining to deceleration while approaching the separation system are potential techniques that could be used to decelerate the particles after separation. Deceleration after separation will be very important depending on what is being sorted.

Thus in this embodiment, the end portion of the duct is mounted on a hinge which enables the end portion of the duct to slope either up or down so that exiting the duct are deflected either up or down. The end portion of the duct is attached to an actuator which may be a piezo actuator, a rotary voice coil or other suitable actuator. The advantage of this method is that the angular displacement of the end portion to the duct can be varied based on kernel quality characteristics to sort kernels into a plurality of output streams with a single device.

In the ejector, the kernel travels toward the ejector which consists of the wedge shaped head40mounted on the end of a piezo bimorph mounted in the tube. The position shown inFIG.3Ashows unpowered piezo bimorph in which a kernel has equal probability of being deflected into the upper bin or the lower been separated by the divider. The position shown inFIG.3Bshows position of ejector when +100 V is applied to piezo bimorph and kernels are deflected into the lower been. The position shown inFIG.3Cshows position of ejector when −100 V is applied to piezo bimorph and kernels are deflected into the upper bin.

The separator system as described and illustrated herein can be used with systems where there is no specific measurement of a parameter of the particle as the features of the separating device can be used in other fields.

As shown inFIG.10, there is shown a seeding system generally indicated at400including a seeding tool bar401on which is mounted a series of individual planting devices402. Each planter402is fed with seeds by a transfer duct system403which is fed with seeds from a separator404generally as described above where a hopper405supplies seeds to the separator.

Thus the measurement and separation system of the present invention is used on the seeding or planting apparatus400to sort seeds according to measured parameters related to viability so that seeds most likely to produce viable plants are planted and less viable seeds are used for other purposes. The present invention can be used to sort seeds according to size as detected by a sensor406for compatibility with planting devices. The sensor406can be used to count seeds so that a specified number can be planted or packaged. The arrangement also provides a rapid stream of singulated seeds separated by the separator407of known quality and number in a planting device. Because the number of singulated seeds per second provided by the present invention is much higher than prior art, a farmer can seed more acres per hour.

As shown at408, a portion of the duct proximate to the measurement device406is comprised of a transparent material409.

Also as shown at410a measurement devices is located proximate to a gap411in the duct gaps to measure different parameters of the particle with a view unobstructed by the walls of the ducts. In this arrangement the duct portion412is substantially parallel to the average velocity vector of the particles at the location of the gap411to minimize perturbation of particle flow along the duct.

As shown inFIG.6, one duct is shown which basically has the V-shaped profile shown inFIG.4. That is the duct14is shaped such that the acceleration causes the particle to move against the walls14B,14C of the duct where the wall is V-shaped to confine the particle to a base of the V-shape.

The wall14includes one or more openings14G at the apex such that the particles13run on the walls14B,14C but components13A smaller than the particles are separated from the particles by release through openings14G. In the embodiment shown the openings14G are in the form of a generally continuous opening along the apex. Thus each duct includes an associated second duct14S parallel to the duct14into which the separated smaller components enter. This is then followed by a third duct14T which again takes yet smaller particles13B Thus there is a stack of such ducts14,14S,14T so that the particles are separated by size from the first duct14.

Also as shown schematically inFIG.10, the separation of the particles at separator407is carried out using electrostatic forces where the particles are charged differentially according to selected parameters and then passed through a field412so that the differential charging causes the particles to divert to different paths.

FIG.9is a schematic illustration of a method including a series of stages using the separation apparatus ofFIG.1.

As shown, an initial singulation and separation process indicated at500based on particle size communicates the separated materials in paths501and502. In path501the particles are subject to a coating step503followed by a UV curing step504. In path502the particles are subject to a UV sterilization step505followed by an antibody application step506.

At the end of path501, a second separation step507based on size passes the particles accepted through a path508. In path508the particles are subject to a UV sterilization step509followed by an antibody application step510. At the end of path508, a further separation step511selects the particles for accept or reject paths. Similarly at the end of path502, a further separation step512selects the particles for accept or reject paths.

FIG.11is a schematic illustration of different actions on the particle using the method of the present invention. That is in these cases the singulation method is used not for sorting as described above but instead for various operations such as counting, coating, sterilization and others.

FIG.12is a schematic illustration of a disk of the apparatus ofFIG.1showing different options for duct shape. In each duct, the angle of the duct to a radius of the disk causes different effects of acceleration, no acceleration (constant velocity) and deceleration. That is in duct141the particle as it moves outwardly is subjected to increasing acceleration. In duct142the particle as it moves outwardly is subjected to acceleration followed by constant velocity followed by further acceleration. In duct143the particle as it moves outwardly is subjected to acceleration followed by constant velocity followed by deceleration. In duct144the particle as it moves outwardly is subjected a variable velocity profile.