Small object sorting system and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9387518-B2
Application number	US-76931807-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 27, 2007
Priority date	Jun 28, 2006
Publication date	Jul 12, 2016
Grant date	Jul 12, 2016

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 small object sorting system comprising:
an object sorting tray configured to hold a plurality of objects;
a transfer funnel;
an automated object extraction assembly, comprising:
an automated object offloading mechanism including a nozzle array having a plurality of nozzles, the nozzles of the automated object offloading mechanism connectable to a vacuum source to selectively provide a vacuum pressure at a tip of each nozzle; and
an automated moveable indexing table configured to support the object sorting tray, the indexing table operable to position the object sorting tray over the transfer funnel, and the nozzles of the automated object offloading mechanism configured to extract, via the vacuum pressure, one or more objects from the object sorting tray and deposit the one or more extracted objects into a reception end of the transfer funnel;

multiple collection receptacles configured to receive the one or more extracted objects from the transfer funnel;
an automated collection assembly configured to selectively position one or more of the collection receptacles under the object sorting tray: the collection assembly comprising a receptacle retention apparatus structured to removably retain the collection receptacles, and mounted on an automated X-Y stage configured to position the receptacle retention apparatus such that the selected collection receptacle is positioned adjacent a disposition end of the transfer funnel, in accordance with the one or more extracted objects to be deposited into the transfer funnel; and
at least one processor based master control system operable to control the object offloading mechanism and nozzle array utilizing electronically stored logistic data to stipulate specific ones of the nozzles to which vacuum pressure is to be provided such that selected ones of objects in the object sorting tray are extracted,
wherein the logistic data comprises data identifying particular traits or characteristics of each object in the sorting tray and the location of each respective object within the sorting tray such that the at least one master control system commands the offloading mechanism and nozzle array to extract the selected objects based on the traits or characteristics of each respective object;
wherein the transfer funnel is disposed below the indexing table and at least partly within a footprint defined by the indexing table when the object sotring tray is in the position for the array of extraction nozzles to remove, at about the same time, the one or more objects from the object sorting tray.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the indexing table comprises at least one automated actuator configured to hold the object sorting tray in position on the indexing table.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one processor based master control system is adapted to control operation of the system utilizing the electronically stored logistic data to stipulate the specific collection receptacle into which to deposit each extracted object.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the object sorting tray comprises an identification device coupled thereto that provides the logistic data for each object within the object sorting tray.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the nozzle array is interchangeably connected to an automated head unit of the offloading mechanism, the head unit structured to move the nozzle array within an X-Y-Z coordinate system to extract the one or more objects from the object sorting tray.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein each nozzle includes a custom tip structured to handle each object as it is extracted from the object sorting tray and deposited into the transfer funnel without causing damage to each respective object.

7. The system of claim 1 , 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 object sorting tray tray.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the indexing table is configured to rotate the object sorting tray into position for the array of nozzles to remove, at about the same time, multiple objects from the object sorting tray.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the indexing table is configured to move the object sorting tray in at least two different directions.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the X-Y stage is disposed below the indexing table.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the transfer funnel includes at least two internal passages for directing objects through the funnel.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the indexing table is configured to selectively rotate the object sorting tray into a position over the transfer funnel for the nozzles of the offloading assembly to remove objects from the object sorting tray.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the nozzles are geometrically arranged in the array and operable to move together as a group to remove, at about the same time, multiple objects from the object sorting tray.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the indexing table is operable to:
move the object sorting tray to a first position in which the object sorting tray is above the transfer funnel so that the automated object extraction assembly can extract the one or more objects from the object sorting tray;
move the object sorting tray to a second position so that the automated object extraction assembly can deposit the at least one or more extracted objects into the reception end of the transfer funnel; and
move the object sorting tray back to the first position so that the automated object extraction assembly can extract one or more additional objects from the object sorting tray.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the indexing table is operable to:
move the object sorting tray into the position over the transfer funnel so that the automated object extraction assembly can extract the one or more objects from the object sorting tray;
move the object sorting tray into a position away from the transfer funnel so that the automated object extraction assembly can deposit the at least one or more extracted objects into the transfer funnel; and
move the object sorting tray back into the position over the transfer funnel so that the automated object extraction assembly can extract one or more additional objects from the object sorting tray.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the nozzles of the object offloading assembly are operable to remove, at about the same time, multiple objects from the object sorting tray.

17. The system of claim 1 , wherein the X-Y stage is located below at least part of the indexing table and at least partly within a footprint defined by the indexing table, and wherein the transfer funnel is located between the indexing table and the X-Y stage and at least partly within the footprint defined by the indexing table.

Assignees

• Deppermann Kevin L
• Monsanto Technology Llc

Inventors

• Deppermann Kevin L

Classifications

• B07C2501/009

  Sorting of fruit · CPC title

• B07C5/38 Primary

  Collecting or arranging articles in groups · CPC title

• B07C5/361 Primary

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

• B07C2501/0081

  Sorting of food items · CPC title

• B07C5/368

  actuated independently · CPC title