(19)
(11) EP 0 865 833 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
03.02.1999 Bulletin 1999/05

(43) Date of publication A2:
23.09.1998 Bulletin 1998/39

(21) Application number: 97118260.5

(22) Date of filing: 21.10.1997
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)6: B07C 5/342
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
Designated Extension States:
AL LT LV RO SI

(30) Priority: 19.03.1997 US 816782

(71) Applicant: SATAKE USA INC.
Houston, Texas 77036 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Pawley, Jeffrey S.
    Sugarland, Texas 77479 (US)
  • Svatek, Dale A.
    Needville, Texas 77461 (US)
  • Gray, Calvin G.
    Houston, Texas 77027 (US)

(74) Representative: Frankland, Nigel Howard 
FORRESTER & BOEHMERT Franz-Joseph-Strasse 38
80801 München
80801 München (DE)

   


(54) A reflective background for a sorting machine


(57) A background for an electro-optical sorting machine viewing station where fungible products pass during sorting and are distinguished by being acceptable or nonacceptable in at least two spectral ranges comprising a first layer responsive to light reflectivity in a shorter spectral range and nonresponsive in a longer spectral range and a second layer behind the first layer and responsive to a longer spectral range that is received following penetration of the first layer. The first layer can be paint, transparent tape or a thin film. The second layer is preferably painted metal, plastic, wood or a wood and glue combination.






Search report