Single drive, multi-screw sorter with pusher means

摘要

PCT No. PCT/JP97/01500 Sec. 371 Date Dec. 12, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Dec. 12, 1997 PCT Filed May 1, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO97/41974 PCT Pub. Date Nov. 13, 1997The present invention is a sorter for products conveyed successively and continuously. The sorter components include a main screw rotated continuously by a drive shaft to arrange in order and convey products to be sorted. The main screw has helical grooves for engagement with the products and an annular groove portion for stopping therein each of the to-be-sorted products. The annular groove portion is positioned between helical grooves of the main screw. A rotatable sub-screw with helical grooves is located near the main screw at the annular groove portion for engagement with the products to be sorted. The sorter further includes a delivery means disposed at the annular groove to deliver the products from the main screw to the sub-screw and an interlocking mechanism rotating off the drive shaft which synchronizes the delivery means with the sub-screw. This sorter is a high speed, reliable system for sorting products undamaged.