Abstract: Provided is a package sorting method, a sorting area layout, a sorting system, and a path optimization method. The package sorting method includes: dividing a sorting area into at least a first logical partition close to a first item collecting area and a second logical partition close to a second item collecting area, where the first logical partition includes a first item dropping area, and the second logical partition includes a second item dropping area. By this method, a total path of package delivery is reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for sorting particles of a material flow into at least two fractions, the particles in the material flow being observed by means of at least one detector, particles being subjected to acoustic pressure on the basis of the properties determined by the detector so that they are supplied to different fractions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods capable of identifying, tracking, and sorting particles or droplets flowing in a channel, for example, a microfluidic channel having a fluid medium. The channel and the fluid medium can have a similar refractive index such that they appear translucent or transparent when illuminated by electromagnetic radiation. The particles or droplets can have a refractive index substantially different from that of the channel and the medium, such that the particles or droplets interfere with the electromagnetic radiation. A sensor can be disposed adjacent to the channel to record the electromagnetic radiation. The sensor can be attached to a system for identifying, tracking, and sorting the droplets.

Abstract: A system for handling eggs includes a pusher comprising an axis and an egg support at a free end of the axis. The system for handling eggs further includes a brake associated with the pusher, to selectively apply a brake force thereon.

Abstract: An example includes a field-flow fractionation device for the continuous separation of sample components including a channel comprising a sample inlet and a plurality of sample outlets, the channel being for coupling to a flow generator for translocating the sample components along the channel in a first direction from the sample inlet to the plurality of sample outlets, an actuator, which is not the flow generator, coupled to the channel, for translocating the sample components in a second direction, at a first angle with the first direction, an array of electrodes for connection to an AC power source, being in a path taken by the sample components in the channel, arranged in a plurality of rows, and in such a way that adjacent rows can be set at different potentials and every other row can be set at the same potential.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a material sorting system adapted to engage a material handling vehicle. The material sorting system can include a base including fork pockets adapted to receive a pair of forks from the material handling vehicle and a carousel assembly coupled to the base. The carousel assembly can include a plurality of storage units, and an actuation mechanism configured to move the plurality of storage units relative to the base. The base can also include at least one electrical contact within the base and in electrical communication with the carousel assembly.

Abstract: A method for sorting products and sorting apparatus with a flow of granular products moving in an inspection zone, in which a light beam is moved over the product flow to generate a reflected stream of light. At least one detector unit is provided to detect light reflected by the products to generate detection signals. This detector unit cooperates with a control unit to sort the products by these detection signals. The detector unit contains at least two sensors that are provided one after the other in the reflected stream of light so that a sensor is placed upstream of a downstream sensor. Each sensor detects a different part of the reflected stream of light.

Abstract: A sorting device with a transport medium pivotable between two pivot positions and placed around two shafts. The pivot axis about which the transport medium is pivotable is spaced apart from the shaft axes and an upper run formed by the transport medium is straight in both pivot positions.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for container location flaps with increased degrees of freedom for sortation systems. In one embodiment, an example rotatable flap for use with an item sortation machine may include a first portion having a first frame and a first mesh grid coupled to the first frame, a second portion having a second frame and a second mesh grid coupled to the second frame, and a first coupler configured to couple the second portion to the first portion. The second portion may be configured to rotate from a first position coplanar to the first portion to a second position transverse to the first portion, and the first portion may be coupled to a frame of the item sortation machine and configured to rotate with respect to the frame.

Abstract: An object sorting system is presented which includes a hopper, a feeder, a roller pair, a pair of orientation flaps, an adjustable assembly, a first and second camera boxes and an ejection assembly. Feeder receives the shells from the hopper and feeds them uniformly over the gap between the rollers which guides and provides fixed orientation to the shells passing through them and conveys the shells which are relatively bigger than the gap between the rollers to one side of the pair of rollers towards the first collection chute by inclining the roller assembly in the range of 0 to 15 degrees towards the first collection chute. A pair of orientation flaps is placed parallel and exactly below the pair of rollers to avoid the deflection of shells caused immediately after passing through the roller gaps.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating horticultural products includes in series at least: a first station, which has first elements for the individual handling of respective horticultural products, and at least one vision system, for the acquisition of information related to at least one parameter of interest of each horticultural product. A second station includes second elements for the individual handling of respective horticultural products and at least one device for weighing each horticultural product in transit, and a third station, which includes third elements for the individual handling of respective horticultural products. The first elements, the second elements and the third elements are offset along two respective laterally adjacent trajectories for the advancement of the horticultural products.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating horticultural products having in series at least: a first station, which includes first elements for the individual handling of respective horticultural products and at least one vision system, controlled by an electronic control and management unit, for the acquisition of information related to at least one parameter of interest of each horticultural product. The apparatus further includes a second station, including second elements for the individual handling of respective horticultural products and at least one device for weighing each horticultural product in transit, controlled by the electronic unit, and a third station, including third elements for the individual handling of respective horticultural products. The second station includes an intermediate unloading assembly, which can be actuated selectively by the electronic unit for the early release of the horticultural products, handled by the second elements.

Abstract: An installation for sorting articles comprises a carousel sorting conveyor having transport bins, an article feed magazine in which articles stored loosely are put into series and then injected one-by-one into the transport bins of the conveyor by an injection device, and a monitoring and control unit that acts on the bins so as to open each of them over a receptacle that corresponds to a delivery address of the article, the injection device comprising piston pushers and a system of sensors being provided to generate data representative of an outline of the article seen in plan so as to enable the data processing unit to detect inappropriate positioning of the article before it is injected into a bin, and, in such a situation, direct the improperly positioned article towards a reject receptacle.

Abstract: A separating device for separating different material fractions out of a feed-material mixture having a flow channel, which has a slope, extends in parallel with the direction of gravity in particular in its main longitudinal extension direction and comprises an inner chamber. The separating device has a first end region, a second end region, a material inlet region intended for feeding the feed-material mixture into the inner chamber of the flow channel, an outlet through which an air stream containing a lightweight material can exit the flow channel, at least one conveying means that conveys air through the flow channel, and a cross-flow device that has a separation chamber and an air intake that leads into said chamber and through which the cross-flow device can introduce air into the separation chamber in a flow direction extending at an angle to the main longitudinal extension direction of the flow channel.

Abstract: An axle useable in a disc or star separator screen for waste includes a rotation shaft defining a longitudinal axis, a plurality of discs or stars integrally coupled with the rotation shaft, and a plurality of anti-clogging sleeves mounted idle on the rotation shaft, each of the anti-clogging sleeves being interposed between a respective pair of consecutive discs or stars. Each anti-clogging sleeve has a first rotating element and a second rotating element arranged adjacent to each other, at least one of which is a tubular body. The rotating elements are mounted idle on the rotation shaft so as to rotate independently with respect to each other.

Abstract: A method for separating cells in a biofluid includes pretreating the biofluid by introducing an additive comprising a cell activator, flowing the pretreated biofluid through a microfluidic separation channel, and applying acoustic energy to the microfluidic separation channel to accumulate target cells in a primary stream and non-target cells in a secondary stream. A system for microfluidic cell separation capable of separating target cells from non-target cells in a biofluid includes at least one microfluidic separation channel, a source of biofluid, a source of additive comprising a cell activator, and at least one acoustic transducer coupled to the microfluidic separation channel.

Abstract: A classifier device for separating heavy materials from a stream of water and lighter materials includes an upper deck above lower deck, each deck having entrance and exit sides. The exit side of the lower deck terminates in a plurality of apertures. An exit plate is disposed adjacent the exit side of the upper deck and elevated relative thereto. A trap compartment is disposed below the exit plate and receives a removable trap that has an open top side and a plurality of pipes that each have at least one fluidizing aperture and that are aligned with one of the apertures of the lower deck. A classification plate is included between the exit side of the upper deck and the exit plate for directing the larger light materials up and over the exit plate back into the stream of water. Smaller materials drop through the classification plate into the trap.

Abstract: Collection systems for flow cytometrically sorted samples are provided. Aspects of the collection systems include: a collection container having a sort tube configured to be in droplet receiving relationship with a sort block of a flow cytometer; and a sample output operatively coupling a cell collection location of the collection container to a mating connection for a receiving container, such as an evacuated receiving container. Also provided are methods using the collection systems, as well as assemblies and kits including components of the systems.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rejection of defective mineral fibre slabs in a continuous production process of mineral fibre slabs.

Abstract: A system is configured to control a clutch that connects a first rotating body and a second rotating body. The system includes a biasing portion, an actuator, an energization device, and a control unit. The biasing portion permanently biases the clutch in a connecting direction. The actuator drives the clutch in a disconnecting direction. The energization device energizes the actuator. The control unit controls the energization device. The energization device outputs a first current value to the actuator when a connection of the clutch is detected even if a condition for permitting a disconnection is satisfied. The energization device outputs a second current value lower than the first current value when the condition for permitting the disconnection is satisfied and a disconnection of the clutch is detected.