| 摘要 |
<p>An apparatus for classifying or orienting articles having surface areas which differ in the characteristic usually referred to as "smoothness" or "roughness". An air stream (28) is directed against the articles (10) to impinge against one of the surface areas. The apparatus is configured so that if the impinged area is relatively smooth, a laminar flow condition will be established which draws the article toward the air stream (28). If the impinged area is relatively rough, on the other hand, the article (10) will be blown outwardly by the air stream (28). One embodiment has particular utility with flat articles (10a & 10b) having opposed surfaces, one of which is relatively smooth and the other of which is rough (being interrupted by ribs or the like discontinuities). The articles are transported leaning against a flat support member (26) see Figure 2 so that a random one of the respective opposed surfaces will move across an air stream which is expelled from a hole in the support member. If the air stream impinges upon the relatively smooth surface, a laminar flow condition is established and the article is not urged away from the wall and remains in its original orientation. If the air stream impinges upon the rough surface, however, laminar air flow does not occur and the article is blown over away from the support member. </p> |
