Automated gemstone feeding

{
  "publication_number": "US11897088B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Automated gemstone feeding",
  "abstract": "The present subject matter relates to automated gemstone feeding in a gemstone processing machine. In an implementation, the gemstone processing machine has a feeding conduit unit to receive a rough gemstone affixed to a holder from a user. The feeding conduit unit delivers the holder to a base plate. An actuating arm picks the holder from the base plate and transfers the holder to a pre-defined position in the gemstone processing machine. The automated feeding mechanism is controlled by the computing device and uses low-cost hardware equipment having limited or no manual intervention. Thus, providing an apt tradeoff between the accuracy of transfer of the rough gemstone and the cost associated with the equipment used for the processing of the gemstone.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A gemstone processing machine comprising: a feeding conduit unit to receive at least one rough gemstone affixed to a holder from a user; and a gemstone feeding unit comprising: a base plate to receive the holder through the feeding conduit unit; and an actuating arm to detachably contact with the holder positioned on the base plate, to transfer the holder to a pre-defined position on the gemstone processing machine, wherein the actuating arm comprises a first gripping member and a second gripping member, the first gripping member and the second gripping member being provided at diametrically opposite ends of the actuating arm.",
    "2. The gemstone processing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base plate has a sensor to detect presence of the holder.",
    "3. The gemstone processing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the feeding conduit unit comprises: a conveyor to hold a plurality of rough gemstones affixed to their respective holders; and a stopper positioned along the conveyor for allowing one holder, from amongst the plurality of the holders, to pass through to the base plate.",
    "4. The gemstone processing machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the conveyor is a sliding rack.",
    "5. The gemstone processing machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the stopper is a rotating disc having an indentation corresponding to a profile of the holders, such that the holder is allowed to pass along the sliding rack when the indentation aligns with the holder.",
    "6. The gemstone processing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuating arm moves in X-Y plane.",
    "7. The gemstone processing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuating arm rotates about Z-axis.",
    "8. The gemstone processing machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein the actuating arm rotates by a pre-defined angle.",
    "9. The gemstone processing machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the pre-defined angle is based on the pre-defined position and is controlled by a computing device.",
    "10. The gemstone processing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pre-defined position corresponds to a rotating disc of a cutting fixture of the gemstone processing machine.",
    "11. The gemstone processing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pre-defined position is a bin for one of a processed gemstone, a bin for unprocessed gemstone and holders located within the gemstone processing machine.",
    "12. The gemstone processing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuating arm has at least one gripping member to detachably attach to the holder, wherein the gripping member is provided with an electromagnet, and wherein the holder is made of a magnetic material.",
    "13. The gemstone processing machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein of the electromagnet is actuated by a computing device, and wherein the holder attaches to the gripping member upon actuation of the electromagnet.",
    "14. The gemstone processing machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein magnetic field of the electromagnet is controlled by varying current supply to the electromagnet.",
    "15. A method for feeding gemstones in a gemstone processing machine, the method comprising: receiving, at a feeding conduit unit, at least one rough gemstone mounted on a holder from a user; allowing the holder to be positioned on a base plate of a gemstone feeding unit; transferring, by an actuating arm detachably contacting with the holder, the holder positioned on the base plate to a pre-defined position in the gemstone processing machine, wherein the actuating arm comprises a first gripping member and a second gripping member, the first gripping member and the second gripping member being provided at diametrically opposite ends of the actuating arm; and processing, by the gemstone processing engine, the at least one rough gemstone on the holder.",
    "16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein a stopper positioned along a sliding rack of the feeding conduit unit allows a holder from, amongst plurality of holders, to pass through the sliding rack to be positioned on the base plate.",
    "17. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising engaging the holder with a gripping member of the actuating arm electromagnetically.",
    "18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the engaging is controlled by a computing device.",
    "19. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein determination of the pre-defined position is controlled by a computing device."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present subject matter relates, in general, to gemstone processing and, particularly but not exclusively, to gemstone processing machines.\n\nGemstones are naturally occurring deposits of minerals and can include, for example, diamonds, quartz, opals, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and topaz. Since the gemstones are rare, they are highly valued for use. The value of these gemstones results from their color, luster, and the manner in which they transmit, refract, or reflect rays of light. For the enhancement of such properties, rough gemstones are processed, by various techniques, such as cutting, faceting, shaping, and polishing. Thus, techniques for effective gemstone processing have been areas of active research.\n\nThe detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.\n\nFIG. 1 illustrate schematics of a gemstone processing machine communicatively coupled to a computing device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.\n\nFIGS. 2 (a), 2 (b), 2 (c), and 2 (d) illustrate movement of a gemstone, affixed to a holder through a feeding conduit unit of the gemstone processing machine, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter.\n\nFIGS.",
  "cpc": [
    "B24B 9/163",
    "B23Q 7/08",
    "B23Q 7/14",
    "B23Q 7/16",
    "B23Q 7/18",
    "B24B 41/005",
    "B24B 41/06",
    "B24B 5/355",
    "B65G 47/08"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B23Q 7/08",
    "B23Q 7/14",
    "B23Q 7/16",
    "B23Q 7/18",
    "B24B 41/00",
    "B24B 41/06",
    "B24B 5/35",
    "B24B 9/16",
    "B65G 47/08"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Sahajanand Technologies Pvt Ltd"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Chirag Dineshchandra Oza",
    "Munjalkumar Dhirajlal GAJJAR",
    "Rahul Mahendrakumar Gaywala"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2018-10-16",
  "publication_date": "2024-02-13",
  "grant_date": "2024-02-13",
  "priority_date": "2017-10-17",
  "application_number": "US-201816629492-A",
  "family_id": "64332346",
  "cited_by_count": 0,
  "citations": [
    "US3425169A",
    "DE1943350A1",
    "US6077154A",
    "US6345728B1",
    "US6672476B2",
    "US7975362B2",
    "WO2008074174A1",
    "WO2019077484A1"
  ]
}