Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting dark portions such as blemishes from articles such as potato stick. In order to detect the blemishes the articles are conveyed through an inspection station by a conveyor having a plurality of rollers arranged perpendicular to the direction of conveyor. The rollers are rotated thereby rotating the articles as they are conveyed through the inspection station so that each side of the articles may be inspected. The inspection station utilizes a raster scan television camera and output signals therefrom are used to actuate one of a plurality of cutting devices in order to sever from the articles those portions containing blemishes. The severed portions containing blemishes are thereafter separated from the remainder of the articles by either a screen or by air jets.

Abstract: Sorting apparatus, e.g. for root vegetables such as potatoes, comprises a roller table conveyor which has an inspection area onto which a video camera is directed. An operator uses a hand-held probe or wand incorporating a light source and provided with a pressure-sensitive switch in its tip. The switch is actuated by touching a selected article in the inspection area. The position of the wand as indicated by light is given in the video signals fed from the camera to a control circuit to which the switch is also connected. The control circuit also receives speed indicating signals from the conveyor and it provides control signals to operate a finger bank to selectively deflect those articles indicated by a touch of the wand. Provision may be made for a plurality of wands to be used at the same time, each wand having an individually modulated light.

Abstract: In apparatus for sorting potatoes a roller table conveyor conveys potatoes beneath a television camera which produces on a television monitor screen a picture of an inspection area of the roller table. An operator watching the monitor screen selects potatoes to be rejected by pointing a light pen at the monitor screen. The light pen feeds to a microcomputer a signal indicative of the light pen position on the television monitor screen, which corresponds to a transient position of the potato in the inspection area. Sensors deriving signals from sprocket-wheels coupled to the conveyor feed to the microcomputer a signal dependent upon the conveyor speed, and the microcomputer actuates selectively a bank of deflector fingers to deflect reject potatoes. The choice of deflector fingers actuated is determined by one orthogonal co-ordinate of the light pen, and the timing of actuation of the deflector fingers is determined by the other orthogonal co-ordinate of the light pen and the speed of the conveyor.

Abstract: An article sorting apparatus provides a continual indicator stream which is directed by operation of an indicator member onto a selected article of several articles conveyed through an inspection area. The position of the indicator member when the stream impinges on it is detected to generate a position-dependent signal which is fed to a deflector to deflect the selected article from the path followed by the other articles.