Patent ID: 7014126

Claim:
A sorting machine for diverting an article from an article stream, the sorting machine comprising: a manifold having a first blow-off conduit and a second blow-off conduit formed therein, said first blow-off conduit terminating at a first blow-off port and said second blow-off conduit terminating at a second blow-off port; a first valve supported on said manifold, said first valve being in fluid communication with said first blow-off conduit of said manifold for supplying a burst of fluid out of said manifold through said first blow-off port to divert an article from an article stream intersecting with said first blow-off port, said first valve further having a by-pass duct in fluid communication with said second blow-off conduit of said manifold; and a second valve supported on top of said first valve, said second valve being in fluid communication with said by-pass duct of said first valve for supplying a burst of fluid out of said manifold through said second blow-off port to divert an article from an article stream intersecting with said second blow-off port.