Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
Apparatus for sorting particulate articles comprising: A. a rotating inner plate, supported in a stationary base; B. a rotating circular support ring supported apart from said plate, as an extension of the periphery of said inner plate; C. a vertically adjustable rotating circular top gauging ring superposed with respect to said support ring at the periphery of said inner plate, so as to define an exit aperture equivalent in height to the dimension of the articles being sorted; and D. drivE means independently engaging said inner plate, said support ring and said top guaging ring, so as to rotate said inner plate at a velocity sufficient to discharge articles from said plate, and through said exit aperture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
Apparatus for sorting particulate articles comprising: A. a rotating inner plate, supported in a stationary base; B. a rotating circular support ring supported apart from said plate, as an extension of the periphery of said inner plate; C. a vertically adjustable rotating circular top gauging ring superposed with respect to said support ring at the periphery of said inner plate, so as to define an exit aperture equivalent in height to the dimension of the articles being sorted; and D. drivE means independently engaging said inner plate, said support ring and said top guaging ring, so as to rotate said inner plate at a velocity sufficient to discharge articles from said plate, and through said exit aperture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus for sorting particulate articles as in claim 1, including E. a tangential guide leading from said exit aperture, so as to guide away articles discharged through said aperture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus for sorting particulate articles as in claim 2, said drive means including means varying the speed of rotation of said top gauging ring with respect to said lower support ring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus for sorting particulate articles as in claim 3, including a stationary outer baffle extending vertically across said exit aperture intermediate, except in the area of said tangential guide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus for sorting particulate articles as in claim 4, said top gauging ring having an inner wall extending downwardly across said exit aperture, said wall including a plurality of apertures configured to register with articles being discharged there-through.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus for sorting particulate articles as in claim 2, including a circular belt engaging the outer periphery of said top gauging ring and said bottom support ring ana laterally spaced pulley so as to extend over and above said aperture, except in the area of said tangential guide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus for sorting particulate articles as in claim 1, said drive means including means independently varying the speed of rotation of said inner plate, said top gauging ring and said bottom support ring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus for sorting particulate articles as in claim 4, including means tilting said apparatus with respect to vertical as an assistance in sorting.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus for sorting particulate articles as in claim 8, including an article feeding hopper secured to said inner plate, so as to feed articles centrally of said plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus for sorting particulate articles as in claim 9, said hopper being vertically adjustable with respect to said inner plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus for sorting particulate articles as in claim 1, wherein said outer support ring and said inner plate are aligned horizontially.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus for sorting particulate articles as in claim 11, said inner plate having a concave profile.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus for sorting particulate articles as in claim 11, said rotating inner plate having a convex profile and its outer periphery being aligned horizontally with said support ring.