Apparatus for separating and/or counting individual elements of a plurality

• US RE29,393 E
• Filed: 01/28/1974
• Issued: 09/13/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Becker, Reinhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Reeves, Robert B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Handren, Frederick R.
• Application Number:
  US05/437,179
• Time in Patent Office: 1,324 Days
• Field of Search: 221/185, 221/211, 221/278, 221/160, 111/77, 214/1 BS
• US Class Current: 221/211
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 7/044 Pneumatic seed wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 65/4881 rotating about a substantially horizontal axis

Abstract

Apparatus for separating and/or counting individual ones of a plurality of substantially similarly shaped particles, elements, grains, or the like, such as grains of seed, pills, etc., and including a hollow rotating drum, constructed to have plural, inwardly tapering indentations, terminating in a bore open to the interior of the drum and having at the bottom of the indentation dimensions smaller than the particles so that the particles cannot traverse the bore, the indentations being wider than the particles at the surface of the drum, the indentation dimensioned to hold at least one particle each. A nozzle directs an air jet towards the drum at direction and position so that the air strikes along the leading wall portion of the closest indentation as the drum rotates. Particles are fed towards the drum, so that at least one particle is in each indentation as it passes the jet.

Claims

1. Apparatus for separating and counting individual ones of a plurality of substantially similar shaped particles, elements, grains, or the like, such as grains of seed, pills, etc., and including a rotating drum, feeder means for the particles and a housing for the drum, the improvement comprising:

the drum being hollow and .[.constructed to have plural.]. .Iadd.having in its outer surface a plurality of .Iaddend.inwardly tapering indentations, .Iadd.each indentation .Iaddend.terminating in a bore open to the interior of the drum and having at the bottom of the indentation dimensions smaller than the particles so that the particles cannot traverse the bore, the .[.indentations.]. .Iadd.indentation .Iaddend.being wider than the particles at the surface of the drum, the indentation dimensioned to hold .[.at least.]. .Iadd.therein more than .Iaddend.one particle each;

means including a nozzle for directing .[.an.]. .Iadd.a defined .Iaddend.air jet towards the drum at direction and position so that the air jet is directed towards and into .[.an indentation.]. .Iadd.successive indentations .Iaddend.striking along the leading wall .[.portion.]. .Iadd.portions .Iaddend.thereof as the drum rotates; and

the feeder means constructed to feed particles towards the drum, so that at least one particle is in each indentation as it passes the jet.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, the indentations having conical configuration, the apex angle being between 40°

and 90°

.

3. Apparatus as in claim 2, the bore merging in the conical indentation being cylindrical.

4. Apparatus as in claim 2, the apex angle being 45°

to 60°

.

5. Apparatus as in claim 1, the drum disposed in a cylindrical housing covering the drum for .[.most.]. .Iadd.part .Iaddend.of its circumference, the feeder means opening the housing along .[.the remaining.]. .Iadd.another .Iaddend.part of the circumference, the nozzle arranged at the one end of the opening .[.where, in direction of rotation,.]. .Iadd.so that .Iaddend.the drum surface enters .Iadd.under the .Iaddend.cover .[.by.]. .Iadd.of .Iaddend.the housing .Iadd.after passing the jet. .Iaddend.

6. Apparatus as in claim 5, the opening providing to expose about three indentations to the feeder means.

7. Apparatus as in claim 5, the feeder means being arranged in the upper portion along the ascending path of the rotating drum, the housing having an outlet at the bottom. .[.8. Apparatus as in claim 1, the nozzle having

8. menixcus-like cross section..]. 9. Apparatus as in claim 1, the drum

9. including an ejector means. .Iadd.10. Apparatus for separating and counting individual ones of a plurality of substantially similar shaped particles, elements, grains, or the like, such as grains of seed, pills, etc., and including a rotating drum, feeder means for the particles and a housing for the drum, the improvement comprising:

the drum being hollow and having a plurality of indentations extending inwardly from its outer surface, each of said indentations terminating in a bore open to the interior of the drum and having at the bottom of the indentation dimensions smaller than the particles so that the particles cannot traverse the bore, the indentations being wider than the particles at the surface of the drum, the indentations dimensioned to hold at least one particle each;

means including a nozzle for directing a defined air jet towards the drum at direction and position so that the air jet is directed successively towards and into an indentation as the drum successively passes the indentations by the jet to blow particles in excess of one from the respective indentation while urging the remaining particle to seat in the indentation; and

the feeder means constructed to feed particles towards the drum, so that at least one particle is in each indentation as it passes the jet. .Iaddend. .Iadd.11. Apparatus for separating and counting individual ones of a plurality of substantially similarly shaped particles comprising;

a rotating drum having angularly spaced surface indentations, each indentation being sufficiently large to retain at least one particle therein and terminating in a bore opening to the atmosphere, the respective bores being smaller than the particles so that the particles cannot pass therethrough;

means including a nozzle for directing a defined air jet successively into each indentation as the drum successively passes the indentations by said jet to blow particles in excess of one from the respective indentation while urging the remaining particle to seat in the indentation;

means adjacent to the drum and for feeding particles into the indentations prior to their passing in the path of said jet; and

retaining means next to the drum for retaining particles in the indentations after the indentations pass the air jet. .Iadd.12. The invention defined in claim 11 in which each indentation is tapered from a large end larger than the particles to a small end at its respective bore. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13. The invention defined in claim 12 characterized by each indentation being of conical configuration which has its main axis on a radius of the drum. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14. The invention defined in claim 11 in which the indentations face outwardly and the bores open inwardly of the drum, the means for feeding particles into the indentation is a chamber holding said particles that is positioned on the upper side and is in communication with the drum, and is further positioned so that air from said jet is deflected from the indentations into the interior of the chamber. .Iaddend. .Iadd.15. A seed separating and individual counting apparatus comprising;

a rotating seed conveying drum rotatable about a horizontal axis and having in its outer surface outwardly opening seed holding indentations terminating in bores smaller than the seeds opening internally of the drum;

a seed chamber opening downwardly and in communication with the indentations;

a seed discharge structure for receiving and discharging seeds from the indentations;

a housing formed about the drum for retaining seeds in the indentations between the chamber and discharge structure;

a single means for pressurizing the chamber including a nozzle for directing a defined jet of air successively into each of the indentations as the drum rotates for removing excess seed from each indentation and for urging a remaining single seed to seat in the respective indentation, and so that air leaving the nozzle moves first into the indentations and from there into the chamber. .Iaddend.

10. Iadd. A seed separating and individual counting apparatus comprising:

a rotating seed conveying drum rotatable about a horizontal axis and having in its outer surface outwardly opening seed holding indentations terminating in bores smaller than the seeds opening internally of the drum, the dimensions of said indentations being such that each indentation may hold a plurality of seeds;

a seed chamber opening downwardly and in communication with the indentations;

a seed discharge structure for receiving and discharging seeds from the indentations;

a housing formed about the drum for retaining seeds in the indentations between the chamber and discharge structure; and

an air nozzle for moving pressurized air into the chamber and directing a defined jet of air successively at each indentation as the drum rotates so that air leaving the nozzle moves and blows back into the chamber all but one seed and urges the remaining one seed to seat in the respective indentation. .Iaddend. .Iadd.17. A seed separating and individual counting apparatus comprising;

a rotating seed conveying drum having seed holding indentations formed on its outer surface;

the indentations terminating in bores smaller than the seeds;

a seed chamber in communication with the indentations and for depositing seed therein as the drum rotates;

a seed discharge structure for receiving and discharging seeds from the indentations;

means cooperative with the drum for retaining seeds in the indentations between the chamber and discharge structure; and

an air nozzle for moving pressurized air into the chamber and directing a defined jet of air successively at each indentation as the drum rotates so that air leaving the nozzle moves and blows back into the chamber all but one seed and urges the remaining one seed to seat in the respective indentation. .Iaddend. .Iadd.18. A seed separating and individual seed counting apparatus comprising;

a moving seed conveying member having a surface and seed carrying indentations in the surface with bores at their bases;

a seed chamber disposed alongside the member and having a discharge in simultaneous communication with a plurality of said indentations as said member moves the indentations through the chamber; and

a pressurized air nozzle discharging into the chamber for pressurizing the latter and directing a defined air jet successively toward and into each of said plurality of said indentations as they pass the nozzle for blowing all but one seed from the respective indentation and urging said one seed to seat in said indentation at its bore immediately prior to the respective indentation leaving the chamber. .Iaddend. .Iadd.19. The invention defined in claim 18 in which said member is carried around an axis and said indentations lie in at least one row and as said member moves the row continuously traverses the discharge of said chamber and said indentations in the row consecutively receive seed from the discharge and consecutively pass through said jet. .Iaddend. .Iadd.20. The invention defined in claim 18 in which the indentations are tapered with the wide ends of the indentations opening to the discharge and the small ends of the indentations being at the bores. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21. The invention defined in claim 18 in which the indentations are tapered and as the member moves, it moves the indentations by the air jet so that the jet strikes the leading wall portion of each indentation. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22. The invention defined in claim 21 in which the moving member is a rotating drum with a peripheral row of indentations and said indentations pass successively through the discharge and by the air jet just prior to leaving the discharge of said chamber. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. A seed separating apparatus comprising;

a seed chamber opening downwardly at its base;

a movable member closing at least a portion of the chamber base and having at least one row of surface indentations that pass under the chamber as the member moves and open upwardly to receive seeds from the chamber, said indentations having bores therein smaller than the seed for passing air through the indentations; and

an air nozzle opening into the chamber for pressurizing the latter and directing a defined air jet toward and into successive indentations as they pass the nozzle and just prior to each respective indentation leaving the chamber for blowing excess seeds back into the chamber while urging a remaining single seed to seat in the respective indentation. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. The invention defined in claim 23 further characterized by a cooperating surface member for retaining seeds in the respective indentations after they leave the chamber. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25. A seed separating apparatus comprising;

a seed chamber opening downwardly at its base;

a rotating member having at least one row of tapered surface indentations that pass under the chamber as the member rotates to receive seeds from the chamber, said indentations having bores therein smaller than the seed for passing air through the indentations;

an air nozzle opening into the chamber for pressurizing the latter and directing a defined air jet toward and into successive indentations as they pass the nozzle and just prior to each respective indentation leaving the chamber for blowing excess seeds from the indentation back into the chamber while urging a remaining single seed to seat in the respective indentation;

a housing formed about the rotating member for retaining seed in the indentations after leaving the chamber; and

discharge means permitting discharge of the seeds from the indentations. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. The invention defined in claim 25 in which there are a plurality of indentations in each row simultaneously within the chamber. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27. Apparatus for separating and counting individual ones of a plurality of substantially similar shaped particles, elements, grains, or the like, such as grains of seed, pills, etc., and including a rotating drum, feeder means for the particles and a housing for the drum, the improvement comprising;

the drum being hollow and having in its outer surface a plurality of indentations, each indentation terminating in a bottom bore open to the interior of the drum and having at the bottom of the indentation dimensions smaller than the particles so that the particles cannot traverse the bore, the indentations being wider than the particles at the surface of the drum, each indentation dimensioned to hold a plurality of particles;

means including a nozzle for directing a defined air jet towards the surface of the drum at direction and position so that the air jet is directed successively towards and into the respective indentations as the drum rotates; and

the feeder means constructed to feed particles toward the outer surface of the drum so that normally a plurality of particles gravitate into each indentation prior to its passing the jet. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28. Apparatus for separating and counting individual ones of a plurality of substantially similarly shaped particles comprising;

a rotating drum having angularly spaced surface indentations, each indentation being sufficiently large to retain a plurality of particles therein and terminating in a bore opening to the atmosphere, the respective bores being smaller than the particles so that the particles cannot pass therethrough;

means including a nozzle for directing a defined air jet at each indentation as the drum successively passes the indentations by said jet; and

means adjacent to the drum and for gravitationally feeding normally more than one particle into each indentation prior to its passing in the path of said jet. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. A seed separating and individual counting apparatus comprising;

a rotating seed conveying drum rotatable about a horizontal axis and having outwardly opening seed holding indentations, each being formed in its outer surface, each indentation being capable of holding a plurality of seed, said indentations terminating in bores opening internally of the drum, said bores being smaller than the seeds;

a seed chamber opening downwardly to a top quarter-side portion of the drum and in communication with the indentations;

a seed discharge structure for receiving and discharging seeds from the indentations;

a housing formed about the drum for retaining seeds in the indentations between the chamber and discharge structure;

means producing a defined air jet for moving pressurized air into the chamber and directed at and into successive indentations at a top portion of the drum as the drum rotates so that air leaving the jet moves first into the indentations and from there into the chamber; and

means for rotating the drum so that the respective indentations are filled with seed from the chamber prior to their passing under the jet. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30. Apparatus for separating and counting individual ones of a plurality of substantially similar shaped particles, elements, grains, or the like, such as grains of seed, pills, etc., and including a rotating drum, feeder means for the particles and a housing for the drum, the improvement comprising;

the drum being hollow and having on its outer surface a plurality of inwardly tapering indentations, each indentation terminating in a bore open to the interior of the drum and having at the bottom of the indentation dimensions smaller than the particles so that the particles cannot traverse the bore, the indentations being wider than the particles at the surface of the drum, each indentation dimensioned to hold at least one particle each;

means including a nozzle for directing a defined air jet towards the drum at direction and position so that the air jet is directed towards and into each successive indentation as the drum rotates and striking the respective indentation along the leading wall portion thereof as the drum rotates, said nozzle having a meniscus-like cross section; and

the feeder means constructed to feed particles towards the drum, so that at least one particle is in each indentation as it passes the jet..Iaddend.