Title of Invention

A SORTING MACHINE FOR SORTING A MIXTURE OF DIFFERENTLY SIZED ELEMENTS SUCH AS CASHEW NUTS

Abstract

A sorting machine is disclosed. The sorting machine for sorting a mixture of differently sized elements. The machine comprises at least one set of two longitudinally extending counter rotating sorting rollers spaced apart from each other. The counter rotating sorting rollers rotating in a direction away from each other on the operative top surface of the sorting rollers. The machine has a hopper cooperating with the sorting rollers and collecting means cooperating with the sorting rollers adapted to receive the sorted elements.

Full Text

FORM - 2 THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 of 1970) & THE PATENTS RULES, 2003 COMPLETE Specification (See section 10 and rule 13) SORTING MACHINE MAHAJAN PRAKASH DATTATRAY an Indian National of 1692, Bhagya Darshan, Near S.P. College & Gtahak PethT Sadashiv Peth, Pune 411 030, Maharashtra, India THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED. Field of invention: This invention relates to sorting machine. Background of the invention: Introduction: Harvested crops are often cleaned before they are offered for sale in the markets. Especially in case of fruits, they are not only cleaned but also sorted according to their grades. After the process of sorting is complete the fruits are packed in boxes. The sorting process is very important, as it is necessary that fruits of the same grade be packed together. Such sorted packed boxes are sent to the local and international markets for sale. In accordance with the standards of the international markets it is necessary that the error rate in the process of sorting be maintained below a certain prescribed limit. The process of sorting is usually a manual, time consuming, laborious process. Hence there was need to provide an apparatus, which automatically sorts fruits according to their grades. Prior Art: US Patent No. 5806686 illustrates a unique mechanical method and device for sorting pieces (e.g. vegetables and fruits) of any desired size from unsorted and irregularly sized pieces. The device includes a pair of elongated cylindrical brushes, one of which is equipped with a spiraled furrow for propelling the unsorted pieces and another brush being a smooth surfaced bristled brush (an expelling brush) laterally positioned to the propelling brush so as to form a trough between the two brushes for longitudinally moving the pieces. However this device cannot be extended for sorting of cashew nuts. As 2 the size of the cashew nut is small this device cannot be efficiently used for sorting of cashew nuts. US Patent No. 6758342 illustrates a cereal grain sorting system includes a wind force sorting device, a rough sorting device and a roll sorting device. The wind force sorting device is operative for selectively sorting lightweight foreign materials from feedstock cereal grains. The rough sorting device is operative for selectively removing foreign materials having different diameters from the standard one from the feedstock cereal grains. The roll sorting device is operative for selectively removing foreign materials having different forms from the standard ones from the feedstock cereal grains having been subjected to the wind force sorting step as well as to the rough sorting step. The disclosed sorting device cannot be extended for sorting of cashew nuts, as this device will not be efficient for sorting the cashew nuts according to their grades. This invention seeks to overcome the limitations of the prior art. An object of this invention is to provide a simple, efficient machine for automatic sorting of cashew nuts. Summary of the invention: In accordance with this invention there is provided a sorting machine for sorting a mixture of differently sized elements according to their grade, said machine comprises: at least one set of two longitudinally extending counter rotating sorting rollers spaced apart from each other, said counter rotating sorting rollers rotating in a 3 direction away from each other on the operative top surface of said sorting rollers, said sorting rollers defining a space between them throughout their length, an operative top end and an operative bottom end, said set of sorting rollers being inclined at an angle in the range of 7 degrees to 17 degrees with respect to the relative horizontal, said space between said sorting rollers being narrower at the operative top end and broader at the operative bottom end. Typically, said machine has a plurality of sets of sorting rollers arranged in an array forming a bank of rollers. Typically, said sorting rollers have sections, each of said section varying in diameter. Typically, said sorting rollers are machined in a manner such that each section has uniformly reducing diameters from the operative top end to the operative bottom end of said sorting rollers. Typically, said reducing diameter of said sorting rollers is in the form of discrete steps. Typically, each of said sorting rollers define a central shaft over which sleeves of reducing diameter are mounted. Typically, said sorting rollers are tapering and are chamfered at both ends. Typically, said sorting rollers are cylinders of uniform diameter and are fitted skewedly in relation to each other to define said space. 4 Typically, said machine includes driving means adapted to drive said sorting rollers. Typically, said driving means is at least one selected from a group of driving means consisting of a motor, handles, animal drawing means, hydraulic and wind operated. Typically, said driving means include speed varying elements which are at least one selected from a group of speed varying elements consisting of belt drive, drive shaft, gear, pulley and reduction gear box. Typically, the alternate spaces between each set of sorting rollers rotating in a direction towards each other on the operative top surface of said sorting rollers is covered. Typically, said machine includes an alignment means for aligning said elements in a single array as said elements fall on said sorting rollers. Typically, said sorting rollers are made from a material which is at least one selected from a group of materials consisting of metal, synthetic polymeric material, nylon, rubber, glass, fiber, Teflon, wood, composite material and shell. Typically, said machine includes a hopper for receiving said elements, said hopper cooperating with said sorting rollers. 5 Typically, said machine includes collecting means cooperating with said sorting rollers to receive elements of different sizes falling through the spaces between said sorting rollers. Typically, said collecting means are in the form of pipes extending from said bank of sorting rollers. Typically, said elements are cashew nuts. Brief description of the accompanying drawings: The invention will be described in detail with reference to a preferred embodiment. Reference to this embodiment does not limit the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 illustrates the sorting machine in accordance with this invention; Figure 2 illustrates a front view of the roller bank in accordance with this invention; Figure 3 illustrates a back view of the roller of the sorting machine; Figure 4 illustrates a non operational left hand side view of the sorting machine; Figure 5 illustrates a non operational right hand side view of the sorting machine; Figure 6 illustrates the bank of rollers in accordance with this invention; Figure 7 illustrates another set of rollers of the roller bank in accordance with this invention; 6 Figure 8 illustrates yet another set of rollers of the roller bank in accordance with this invention; Figure 9 illustrates yet another set of rollers of the roller bank in accordance with this invention; Figure 10 illustrates the method used for sorting the elements in accordance with this invention; and Figure 11 illustrates the method used for sorting the elements in accordance with this invention. Detailed description of the accompanying drawings: The invention will now be explained with reference to Figures 1 to 11 of the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 illustrates the sorting machine in accordance with this invention. The device comprises: at least one set of two longitudinally extending counter rotating sorting rollers spaced apart from each other. The machine has a plurality of sets of sorting rollers arranged in an array forming a bank of rollers (10). The bank of rollers (10) is inclined at an angle in the range of 7 degrees to 17 degrees with respect to the relative horizontal. A hopper (12) is adapted to receive batches of cashew nuts to be sorted. The hopper (12) cooperates with the sorting rollers in a manner such that the elements falling from the hopper (12) fall in between the set of rollers provided in the roller bank (10). The machine includes collecting means (14), which cooperates with the sorting rollers to receive elements. The collecting means (14) collecting means are pipes extending from bank (10) of sorting rollers. 7 Figure 2 illustrates the front view of the roller bank in accordance with this invention. The roller bank (10) consists of at least one set of two longitudinally extending counter rotating sorting rollers (16) spaced apart from each other. The counter rotating sorting rollers (16) rotate in a direction away from each other on the operative top surface of sorting rollers (16). The sorting rollers (16) defining a space between them throughout their length. The sorting rollers (16) define an operative top end and an operative bottom end. Space between the sorting rollers (16) is narrower at the operative top end and broader at the operative bottom end. The sorting rollers (16) have a plurality of sections (18). The sorting rollers (16) are machined in a manner such that each section (18) has uniformly reducing diameters from the operative top end to the operative bottom end of the sorting rollers (16). The reducing diameter of the sorting rollers (16) is in the form of discrete steps. Alternate spaces between each set of sorting rollers (16) rotating in a direction towards each other on the operative top surface of the sorting rollers (16) is covered by a cap (20). Figure 3 illustrates an alternate view of the roller of the sorting machine. At least one roller is provided at the element falling end of the hopper (12). Typically, a set of two rollers, a big roller (22) and a small roller (24) are provided for separating the elements falling from the element falling end of the hopper (12). The rollers (22) and (24) are adapted to counter rotate. The counter rotating rollers (22) and (24) facilitates easier separation of elements and provide the separated elements to the sorting rollers (16). 8 Figure 4 and figure 5 illustrates a non-operational left hand side view and right hand ride view of the sorting machine respectively. The machine has driving means (26) adapted to drive the sorting rollers (16) and the rollers (22) and (24). The driving means (26) is at least one selected from a group of driving means consisting of a motor, handles, animal drawing means, hydraulic and wind operated. The driving means (26) include speed varying elements which are at least one selected from a group of speed varying elements consisting of belt drive (27), drive shaft, gear, pulley and reduction gear box. Typically, the driving means used is a 1440 rpm induction motor with a reduction gearbox to reduce the speed of rotation at least by one third. Figure 6 illustrates the bank of rollers in accordance with this invention. Cylindrical sections (18) of varying diameters are secured over the main shaft (28). The rollers (16) are counter rotating. The space between the sorting rollers (16), which rotate away from each other on the operative top surface is covered by cap (20) so that the elements to be sorted are not crushed. Figure 7, 8 and 9 illustrate the different types of rollers that are provided in the roller bank. The rollers in figure 7 are two cylindrical rollers (16), which are placed at an angle from each other. The rollers in figure 8 are two cylindrical rollers tapering at the operative bottom end of the sorting rollers (16). The rollers in figure 9 comprise a main shaft over which sleeves of varying sizes are separately secured to the main shaft (28). The rollers of the set of rollers are counter rotating. The space between the rollers is narrower at the operative top end and broader at the operative bottom end of the rollers. The sorting rollers (16) are made from a material which is at least one selected from a group of materials consisting of metal, synthetic polymeric material, nylon, rubber, glass, fiber, Teflon, wood, composite material and shell. The reducing 9 diameter of the sections (18) of the sorting rollers (16) is in the form of discrete steps. The method in which the elements, typically cashew nuts are sorted can be explained in the following manner with the help of figure 10 and figure 11 of the accompanying drawings. The elements (30) fall from the hopper (12) onto the sorting rollers (16). Due to the presence of the cap (20) the elements (30) fall between the rollers, which are rotating away from each other on the operative top surface of the sorting rollers as seen in figure 10 and 11. Due to the rotation of the rollers the elements slide down the sorting rollers. The space between the sorting rollers is kept such that only a particular grade of elements to be pass through the space between the sorting rollers (16). The elements (30), which pass through the space are collected in containers (32), which are indicative of the grade of the elements, which are sorted. Examples: Example 1: For the purpose of testing the sorting machine in accordance with this invention for sorting efficiency, speed and accuracy of sorting, batches of cashew nuts from Banda village in Goa and Chandgad village in Kolhapur district in Maharashtra were chosen. Mixed grade cashew weighing lOOKg were used and were sorted in the sorting machine and same batch was later manually sorted. The following results were obtained after sorting using the sorting machine in accordance with this invention. 10 GRADE PERCENTAGE BY WEIGHT W150 1% W180 2% W210 10% W240 18-20% W320 45-50% W400 17-24% It was observed that the sorting machine sorted lOOKg cashew nuts in 70 minutes. While 5 skilled person took 10.5 hrs to sort lOOKg cashew nuts. Also manual sorting led to a count variation of 50 or more, while sorting using the machine provided a variation of 20 only. Example 2: The sorting machine was tested against manual sorting for a batch of mixed grade cashew nuts weighing 200Kg. The following results were obtained after sorting using the sorting machine in accordance with this invention. GRADE PERCENTAGE BY WEIGHT W150 1% W180 2-3% W210 8-10% W240 20-22% W320 40-45% W400 19-29% 11 It was observed that the sorting machine sorted 200Kg cashew nuts in 200 minutes. While 5 skilled person took 24 hours to sort 200Kg cashew nuts. Also manual sorting led to a count variation of 150 or more, while sorting using the machine provided a variation of 80 only. Example 3: The sorting machine was tested against manual sorting for a batch of mixed grade cashew nuts weighing 300Kg. The following results were obtained after sorting using the sorting machine in accordance with this invention. GRADE PERCENTAGE BY WEIGHT W150 1-2% W180 3% W210 10% W240 20% W320 50-55% W400 10-16% It was observed that the sorting machine sorted 300Kg cashew nuts in 350 minutes. While 5 skilled person took 45 hours to sort 300Kg cashew nuts. Also manual sorting led to a count variation of 245 or more, while sorting using the machine provided a variation of 140 only. Example 4: The sorting machine was tested against manual sorting for a batch of mixed grade cashew nuts weighing 400Kg. The following results were obtained after sorting using the sorting machine in accordance with this invention. 12 GRADE PERCENTAGE BY WEIGHT W150 1% W180 3% W210 10-12% W240 20-25% W320 50% W400 9-16% It was observed that the sorting machine sorted 400Kg cashew nuts in 490 minutes. While 5 skilled person took 60 hours to sort 400Kg cashew nuts. Also manual sorting led to a count variation of 310 or more, while sorting using the machine provided a variation of 195 only. Example 5: The sorting machine was tested against manual sorting for a batch of mixed grade cashew nuts weighing 500Kg. The following results were obtained after sorting using the sorting machine in accordance with this invention. GRADE PERCENTAGE BY WEIGHT W150 2% W180 3-5% W210 10-12% W240 18-20% W320 40-45% W400 16-24% It was observed that the sorting machine sorted 500Kg cashew nuts in 550 minutes. While 5 skilled person took 82 hours to sort 500Kg cashew nuts. 13 Also manual sorting led to a count variation of 375 or more, while sorting using the machine provided a variation of 220 only. From the experiments it was observed that sorting of cashew nuts using the machine in accordance with this invention provided better results than manual sorting. The machine helps improve the efficiency and speed of sorting cashew nuts. While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the various components of the preferred embodiment and the interrelationships between the component parts of the preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that many alterations can be made and that many modifications can be made in the preferred embodiment without departing from the principles of this invention. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation. 14 I Claim: 1. A sorting machine for sorting a mixture of differently sized elements, said machine comprising: at least one set of two longitudinally extending counter rotating sorting rollers spaced apart from each other, said counter rotating sorting rollers rotating in a direction away from each other on the operative top surface of said sorting rollers, said sorting rollers defining a space between them throughout their length, an operative top end and an operative bottom end, said set of sorting rollers being inclined at an angle in the range of 7 degrees to 17 degrees with respect to the relative horizontal, said space between said sorting rollers being narrower at the operative top end and broader at the operative bottom end. 2. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said machine has a plurality of sets of sorting rollers arranged in an array forming a bank of rollers. 3. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sorting rollers have sections, each of said section varying in diameter. 4. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sorting rollers are machined in a manner such that each section has uniformly reducing diameters from the operative top end to the operative bottom end of said sorting rollers. 5. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein said reducing diameter of said sorting rollers is in the form of discrete steps. 15 6. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said sorting rollers define a central shaft over which sleeves of reducing diameter are mounted. 7. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sorting rollers are tapering and are chamfered at both ends. 8. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sorting rollers are cylinders of uniform diameter and are fitted skewedly in relation to each other to define said space. 9. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 1, includes driving means adapted to drive said sorting rollers. 10. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein said driving means is at least one selected from a group of driving means consisting of a motor, handles, animal drawing means, hydraulic and wind operated. 11. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said driving means include speed varying elements which are at least one selected from a group of speed varying elements consisting of belt drive, drive shaft, gear, pulley and reduction gear box. 12. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein alternate spaces between each set of sorting rollers rotating in a direction towards each other on the operative top surface of said sorting rollers is covered. 16 13. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said machine includes an alignment means for aligning said elements in a single array as said elements fall on said sorting rollers. 14. A sorting machined as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sorting rollers are made from a material which is at least one selected from a group of materials consisting of metal, synthetic polymeric material, nylon, rubber, glass, fiber, Teflon, wood, composite material and shell. 15. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said machine includes a hopper for receiving said elements, said hopper cooperating with said sorting rollers. 16. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said machine includes collecting means cooperating with said sorting rollers to receive elements of different sizes falling through the spaces between said sorting rollers. 17. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 16, wherein said collecting means are in the form of pipes extending from said bank of sorting rollers. 18. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elements are cashew nuts. Dated this/l2th day of June, 2006. MOWAWTOWAN OF R. K. DEWAN & COMPANY APPLICANT'S PATENT ATTORNEY 17 ABSTRACT: A sorting machine is disclosed. The sorting machine for sorting a mixture of differently sized elements. The machine comprises at least one set of two longitudinally extending counter rotating sorting rollers spaced apart from each other. The counter rotating sorting rollers rotating in a direction away from each other on the operative top surface of the sorting rollers. The machine has a hopper cooperating with the sorting rollers and collecting means cooperating with the sorting rollers adapted to receive the sorted elements.

Documents:

730-mum-2005-abstract (complete).doc

730-mum-2005-abstract (complete).pdf

730-mum-2005-abstract(12-6-2006).pdf

730-MUM-2005-ABSTRACT(26-11-2013).pdf

730-mum-2005-claims (complete).doc

730-mum-2005-claims (complete).pdf

730-mum-2005-claims(12-6-2006).pdf

730-MUM-2005-CLAIMS(AMENDED)-(26-11-2013).pdf

730-MUM-2005-CLAIMS(AMENDED)-(29-2-2012).pdf

730-mum-2005-correspondence(10-4-2008).pdf

730-mum-2005-correspondence(12-6-2006).pdf

730-MUM-2005-CORRESPONDENCE(19-9-2013).pdf

730-MUM-2005-CORRESPONDENCE(2-11-2010).pdf

730-mum-2005-correspondence-received.pdf

730-mum-2005-description (complete).pdf

730-mum-2005-description (provisional).pdf

730-mum-2005-description(complete)-(12-6-2006).pdf

730-mum-2005-description(provisional)-(21-6-2005).pdf

730-mum-2005-drawing(12-6-2006).pdf

730-mum-2005-drawing(21-6-2005).pdf

730-MUM-2005-DRAWING(26-11-2013).pdf

730-mum-2005-drawings.pdf

730-MUM-2005-FORM 1(26-11-2013).pdf

730-MUM-2005-FORM 13(26-11-2013).pdf

730-mum-2005-form 18(15-4-2008).pdf

730-mum-2005-form 2(complete)-(12-6-2006).pdf

730-mum-2005-form 2(provisional)-(21-6-2005).pdf

730-mum-2005-form 2(title page)-(12-6-2006).pdf

730-MUM-2005-FORM 2(TITLE PAGE)-(26-11-2013).pdf

730-mum-2005-form 2(title page)-(provisional)-(21-6-2005).pdf

730-mum-2005-form 5(12-6-2006).pdf

730-mum-2005-form-1.pdf

730-mum-2005-form-2 (complete).doc

730-mum-2005-form-2 (complete).pdf

730-mum-2005-form-2 (provisional).doc

730-mum-2005-form-2 (provisional).pdf

730-mum-2005-form-26.pdf

730-mum-2005-form-3.pdf

730-mum-2005-form-5.pdf

730-MUM-2005-MARKED COPY(26-11-2013).pdf

730-MUM-2005-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT(29-2-2012).pdf

730-MUM-2005-REPLY TO HEARING(26-11-2013).pdf

730-MUM-2005-SPECIFICATION(AMENDED)-(26-11-2013).pdf

abstract1.jpg