Small object sorting system and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11897003-B2
Application number	US-202117393287-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 3, 2021
Priority date	Jun 28, 2006
Publication date	Feb 13, 2024
Grant date	Feb 13, 2024

Abstract

An automated object sorting system is provided. In various embodiments, the automated object sorting system includes an automated object extraction assembly and an automated object collection assembly. The automated object extraction assembly extracts one or more objects from an object sorting tray based on one or more attributes and/or traits of interest. The automated collection assembly selectively deposits the extracted objects in selected collection receptacles according to the particular attributes and/or traits of each respective object.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An automated object sorting system for sorting objects and depositing the sorted objects into selected receptacles, the system comprising:
first and second sorting trays each configured to hold multiple objects to be sorted;
an indexing table configured to hold the first and second sorting trays at opposite end portions of the indexing table;
a transfer funnel disposed generally below the indexing table, wherein the indexing table is further configured to rotate about an axis to selectively position one of the first and second sorting trays over the transfer funnel;
an array of nozzles operable to remove multiple ones of the objects from the one of the first and second sorting trays positioned over the transfer funnel; and
a collection assembly including multiple collection receptacles, the collection assembly operable to position the collection receptacles under the transfer funnel to receive the removed objects from the array of nozzles, via the transfer funnel;
wherein the transfer funnel includes at least two internal passages for directing the removed objects through the transfer funnel to at least two of the multiple collection receptacles.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second sorting trays each include multiple wells, and wherein the multiple objects to be sorted are disposed in the wells of the first and second sorting trays;
wherein the first sorting tray further includes a first identification device attached to the first sorting tray, the first identification device associated with logistic data for each of the multiple objects in the first sorting tray; and
wherein the second sorting tray further includes a second identification device attached to the second sorting tray, the second identification device associated with logistic data for each of the multiple objects in the second sorting tray.

3. The system of claim 2 , further comprising a reader configured to read the first and second identification devices and obtain the logistic data for each of the multiple objects in the first and second sorting trays; and
wherein the array of nozzles is operable to remove the objects from the one of the first and second sorting trays positioned over the transfer funnel based on the obtained logistic data for the one or more of the objects.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the collection assembly is operable to selective position one or more of the multiple collection receptacles under the transfer funnel to receive the removed one or more objects, via the transfer funnel, based on the obtained logistic data for the one or more of the objects.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the array of nozzles is further operable to selectively deposit the removed objects into the transfer funnel based on the obtained logistic data for the objects.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein each of the multiple objects includes a seed, and wherein the logistic data for each of the multiple objects includes one or more of a size, a shape, a color, a quality, a weight composition, and/or a genetic trait.

7. The system of claim 2 , wherein the nozzles are geometrically arranged in the array such that a spacing between adjacent nozzles corresponds with a spacing between adjacent wells of the first and second sorting trays.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the collection assembly includes a stage configured to support the collection receptacles, the stage disposed generally below the indexing table.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein each of the nozzles includes a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure at a tip of the nozzle.

10. An automated object sorting system for sorting objects and depositing the sorted objects into selected receptacles, the system comprising:
a sorting tray configured to hold multiple objects to be sorted;
an indexing table configured to hold the sorting tray;
a transfer funnel disposed generally below the indexing table;
an array of nozzles disposed generally above the indexing table; and
a sensor located adjacent the transfer funnel, the sensor configured to determine a position of the sorting tray relative to the array of nozzles, wherein, in response to a determination by the sensor that the sorting tray is positioned under the array of nozzles, the array of nozzles is operable to remove one or more of the objects from the sorting tray and transfer the removed one or more objects to the transfer funnel.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein, in response to a determination by the sensor that the sorting tray is positioned away from the array of nozzles, the indexing table is operable to move the sorting tray to a position under the array of nozzles, whereby the array of nozzles is then operable to remove one or more of the objects from the sorting tray and transfer the removed one or more objects to the transfer funnel.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the sorting tray includes multiple wells, and wherein the multiple objects to be sorted are disposed in the wells; and
wherein the sorting tray further includes an identification device attached to the sorting tray, the identification device associated with logistic data for each of the multiple objects in the sorting tray.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the array of nozzles is operable to remove the one or more of the objects from the sorting tray based on the logistic data for the one or more of the objects.

14. The system of claim 13 , further comprising a collection assembly including at least one collection receptacle, the collection assembly operable to position the at least one collection receptacle under the transfer funnel to receive the removed one or more objects from the array of nozzles, via the transfer funnel.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the at least one collection receptacle includes multiple collection receptacles, the collection assembly operable to selective position one or more of the multiple collection receptacles under the transfer funnel, to receive the removed one or more objects, based on the obtained logistic data for the one or more of the objects; and
wherein the array of nozzles are further operable to selectively deposit the removed one or more objects into the transfer funnel, for receipt by the one or more of the multiple collection receptacles, based on the obtained logistic data for the one or more of the objects.

16. The system of claim 10 , wherein each of the multiple objects includes a seed, and wherein the logistic data for each of the multiple objects includes one or more of a size, a shape, a color, a quality, a weight composition, and/or a genetic trait.

17. An automated object sorting system for sorting objects and depositing the sorted objects into selected receptacles, the system comprising:
a sorting tray configured to hold multiple objects to be sorted;
an indexing table configured to hold the sorting tray;
a transfer funnel disposed generally below the indexing table;
an array of nozzles disposed generally above the indexing table, the array of nozzles operable to remove multiple of the objects from the sorting tray; and
a collection assembly disposed generally below the transfer funnel, the collection assembly including multiple collection receptacles configured to receive the removed objects from the array of nozzles, via the transfer funnel;
wherein the transfer funnel includes at least two internal passages for directing the removed objects through the transfer funnel to different ones of the multiple collection receptacles.

Assignees

• Monsanto Technology Llc

Inventors

• Deppermann Kevin L

Classifications

• B07C5/361 Primary

  Processing or control devices therefor, e.g. escort memory · CPC title

• B07C5/00

  Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches (sorting by hand only B07C7/00; separating solids from solids by sieving, screening, or sifting or by using gas currents or other separating by dry methods applicable to bulk material B07B) · CPC title

• B07C5/3425

  of granular material, e.g. ore particles, grain (investigation moving fluids or granular solids using optical means G01N21/85) · CPC title

• B07C5/368

  actuated independently · CPC title

• B07C5/38

  Collecting or arranging articles in groups · CPC title