Device and method for sorting of bent elongated articles

Patent 7165681 Issued on January 23, 2007. Estimated Expiration Date:

December 2, 2024. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

2611484

2765076

2781905

3133639

3710935

Pool ball sorting apparatus
Patent #: 4155549
Issued on: 05/22/1979
Inventor: Mims

Method of and apparatus for continuous non-destructive testing of bar-shaped specimens Patent #: 5292007
Issued on: 03/08/1994
Inventor: Beer, et al.

Inventor

Neuhaeusler, Wolfgang

Assignee

Wieland-Werke AG

Application

No. 11002690 filed on 12/02/2004

US Classes:

209/518, Condition responsive means controls separating means209/520, Sensor responsive to item contact209/601, Gauge209/557, Including noncondition-responsive separating means209/598, Sensing contour of item having no missing parts209/645Sorting items by weight

Examiners

Primary: Rodriguez, Joseph

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Flynn, Thiel, Boutell & Tanis, P.C.

Foreign Patent References

35 01 725 DE 07/01/1986
0 162 188 EP 10/01/1988

International Class

B07C 5/12

Abstract

A device for sorting bent elongated articles, in particular rods or tubes, having a measuring span with an inclined plane, down which the articles roll. A separating system provided at the outlet end of the measuring span sorts the bent articles from the straight articles, whereby a pressure gauge is arranged in the measuring span in order to determine the force of the rolling-off articles onto the inclined plane. The measured force of the rolling-off articles in the measuring span is evaluated regarding a curvature and the articles are sorted by the evaluated signal through the separating system.