Gemstone inspection

摘要

There is described an apparatus and method for inspecting and optionally sorting gemstones. The apparatus includes a nozzle or array of nozzles operatively connected to a vacuum pump such that a gemstone located generally underneath one of the nozzles will be supported against that nozzle by air pressure when a vacuum is applied above the nozzle. A drive system moves the nozzles along a path past a gemstone pick-up location so that a gemstone can be picked up by each nozzle as that nozzle passes the pick-up location. One or more measurement devices are located on or near the predetermined path and configured to measure at least one property of the gemstone. One or more ejection locations are provided on the path at which the vacuum applied to each nozzle is reversible to eject the gemstone from that nozzle. The apparatus may also include a plurality of dispensing bins into which the gemstones are dispensed. The bin into which each gemstone is dispensed is chosen in dependence on the measured property.

主权项

1. Apparatus for inspecting gemstones, comprising:
a vacuum nozzle for picking up a gemstone from a supply of gemstones; a transport mechanism for transporting the nozzle and associated gemstone to one or more measurement locations; a measurement system comprising a plurality of measuring devices proximate to the one or more measurement locations, the measuring devices configured to measure one or more properties of the gemstone,
wherein at least one of the plurality of measuring devices is located proximate to at least one of the one or more measurement locations in such a way as to measure at least one of the one or more properties of the gemstone while the gemstone is held on the nozzle,and wherein the transport mechanism is configured such that the gemstone is conveyed to the plurality of measuring devices in sequence, each receiving the gemstone at controlled times and locations; a control system operatively coupled to the vacuum nozzle and measurement system and configured so that the gemstone arrives at the or each measurement location at a time known by the measurement system; and a positive pressure application system for releasing the gemstone from the nozzle at an ejection location.