(57) A method of, and apparatus for, sorting elongate articles such as pieces of metallic
cutlery (8, 9, l0, ll, l2, l3) comprising the provision of a belt (l) which is movable
at a uniform speed in a predetermined direction (2) carrying such articles on its
upper surface, the elongate articles each having one end abutting against a datum
line (4) and being arranged to mask photo-electric cells or other energy receivers
(5, 6, 7) spaced at different distances from said datum line (4) as they move along
the belt (l) in said direction (2). The cells or other energy receivers (5, 6, 7)
are linked to a programmable logic controller or other computer which is programmed
to recognise the individual pieces of cutlery (8, 9, l0, ll, l2, l3) by way of the
patterns of masking of the energy receivers (5, 6, 7) which they respectively produce,
means governed by the programmable logic controller or other computer being provided
to direct the individually recognised pieces of cutlery off the belt (l) to corresponding
individual destinations. Preferably, the programmable logic controller or other computer
is so programmed, and the energy receivers (5, 6, 7) are so arranged, that the disposition
of each piece of cutlery on the belt (l) can be recognised so that any such piece
disposed one way round can be displaced from the belt (l) to its destination via means which will reverse it end-for-end through substantially l80° while an identical
piece of cutlery disposed on said belt (l) the opposite way round will be directed
to its destination from the belt (l) without encountering the last mentioned means
and thus not being reversed as regards its orientation.
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