Abstract: An optical system is disclosed for use in sorting apparatus to monitor light at a viewing station thereof to generate signals indicative of the optical properties of selected items in the product stream being sorted. In the system light received from a single line at the viewing station is split into discrete beams, which are filtered into different wavelength ranges to determine the category of the respective product items. The beams are directed onto a slit through which the light beams must pass on their way to respective lines of light sensors.

Abstract: An article transporting, and preferably also color and/or weight sorting, assembly and method, support the articles (.g. apples or like pieces of fruit), and effect precise rotation (e.g. within about 5°) of all apples transported thereby. This allows accurate determination of the apple's color by color sensing equipment (e.g. a color camera). The assembly comprises a support element, and two sets of cones mounted to the support by rotatable shafts, each set comprising first and second cones having a tapered exterior surface, the cones on each shaft facing each other and tapering to an imaginary substantially common midpoint. The cones support an apple essentially without the apple engaging the shaft. The cones may be of soft yieldable plastic or rubber with a first taper of about 25-35° (e.g. about 28°), and optionally one or more steps of different taper.

Abstract: A laned conveyor apparatus includes an infeed roller and an outfeed roller rotatably mounted to a frame in spaced apart relation for movably supporting a flexible product-carrying belt that forms a closed loop about the rollers to define a conveying region having a length and a width. A plurality of elastic separating bands are removably positioned around the rollers and the product-carrying belt and spaced apart at intervals along the width of the conveying region to form lanes along the length of the conveying region. The separating bands contact an outer surface of the product-carrying belt to form a frictional interface with the product-carrying belt that causes the separating bands to move in coordination with movement of the product-carrying belt. A guide mechanism mounted to the frame includes multiple guide features spaced apart at intervals along the width of the conveying region for guiding the separating bands so that the lanes are accurately and precisely positioned in relation to the frame.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method employing wet chemistry techniques of treating wrought aluminum alloys in order to quickly and efficiently separate the alloys into their alloy families and major constituent members by separation by surface color of the treated alloys.

Abstract: A granular material sorting apparatus comprises a transfer device for causing material grains to fall down, optical detector units mounted along the falling-down locus of the material grains, an injection nozzle device for injecting air to the material grains, and a control unit for controlling operation of the injection nozzle device in response to detection by the optical detector unit. The optical detector units and the control unit optically detect and discriminate colored grains different in color from good material grains and foreign matters in similar color to the good material grains or transparent, which are mixed in the material grains, and activate the injection nozzle device in a predetermined period of time after the detection to remove the detected bad grains. The control unit sets different injection times and different injection delay times depending whether the bad grains are colored grains or foreign matters.

Abstract: A granular object evaluation device for evaluating quality and shapes of transparent or translucent granular objects includes an illuminating device for irradiating light to the object fed into a measuring area by a feeder, a detecting device in which a detection viewing line is directed to the measuring area through a center portion of the illuminating device and which receives reflection light from the object, a light shielding plate located between the illuminating device and the detecting device, for preventing the light from the illuminating device from directly incident on the detecting device, and having an opening through which the detection viewing line passes, and a control device for analyzing detected signals from the detecting device and evaluating quality and shapes of the granular object.

Abstract: A fiber processing method includes the steps of removing fiber tufts from a series of fiber bales; pneumatically conveying the fiber tufts in a duct; forming images of the conveyed material as it passes through a first location of the duct; determining the degree of lightness or the color of the fiber tufts by an image processing device; determining the degree of lightness of foreign substances, conveyed with the fiber tufts, by the image processing device; comparing the measuring values obtained by the image processing device with a settable limit value; and initiating a switching operation when the limit value is exceeded for branching off to a waste receiver the fiber tufts from the duct at a second location thereof.

Abstract: Sorting apparatus has a conveyor belt or equivalent mechanism for moving particles at a speed sufficient to generate a stream of particles in air, which particles can be graded such that selected material can be removed. The grading or sorting is conducted by a primary scanning system for analysing light reflected from particles in the stream in a plurality of wavelength ranges. Ejectors for removing particles from the stream are disposed downstream of the scanning system, and are instructed in response to signals received from the scanning system. An auxiliary scanning system is also included to establish the presence of material in the stream, and in the event that a void is detected in a given region, then the analysis of that region by the primary scanning system and any corresponding activation of the ejectors is inhibited.

Abstract: Sorting apparatus has a delivery system for creating a stream of product pieces to be sorted in free flight at a sorting station where selected pieces are rejected from the stream. The system comprise a delivery conveyor inclined to the horizontal for receiving product and directing it towards the sorting station. The length of the delivery conveyor, its inclination and speed are selected to effectively create a low friction chute and establish a uniform, stable and constant velocity product stream for delivery to the sorting station.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting fragments of titanium-based sponge on the basis of color is disclosed. The apparatus captures at least one color image of each fragment, inserts relevant color values from the image into an automated color-sorting system to determine the color of the fragment, and segregates the fragments according to color or range-of-color, by way of a physical segregation apparatus controlled by the color sorting system. The color sorting systems usually involve the conversion of color images from the fragments into color signals, which are in turn transformed into color values. The color images are usually represented by a pattern of pixels. The color values are automatically compared to values, which are part of a look-up table based on data sets, which embrace acceptable or rejectable color values. Comparison of color values determined for the fragments with those in the look-up table results in the acceptance or rejection of each fragment.

Abstract: A color-sorting machine for granular materials optically detects raw material grains falling along a substantially fixed path and sorts out no-good grains by color. An optical detection unit to this end comprises a condenser lens, a plurality of optical filters and a plurality of light-receiving sensors corresponding to the filters and can detect a plurality of wavelengths. The light-receiving sensors lie side by side on the same plane, are formed in a unit body, require no positioning adjustment among the light-receiving sensors, and make it possible to reduce the size of the optical system. A prism is provided between the condenser lens and the light-receiving sensors. The prism has light path diffraction surfaces of the same number as the light-receiving sensors, so that the light-receiving sensors receive light of the same point of view and can perform color sorting.

Abstract: A color sorting machine sorts particles of different colors from raw material such as cereal grains or the like. The machine has a down chute descending towards a front side of the machine for letting raw material particles flow down linearly, a photoelectric detection device which subjects the raw material particles jumped out of the down chute to light and discriminates different-color particles in accordance with difference in reflected light, and a nozzle device which injects air to and blows off the different-color particles. The injection nozzle device is situated on the rear side of the machine with respect to a coming-down locus of raw material particles from the down chute and close to the coming-down locus. The sorting machine further comprises a dust collecting device which is situated on the front side of the machine with respect to the coming-down locus of the raw material.

Abstract: The present invention sorts unselected product from selected product using a chute having a grain separating section, a cross section to orientate the product, and a grain stabilizing section; a laser with a laser line transmitted through the product; a photo detector and processor to receive and analyze the light transmitted through the product to determine which product are unselected; and a separator to separate the selected and unselected product.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an electromagnetic source which transmits electromagnetic radiation to an object. The electromagnetic radiation then either passes through the object or is reflected by the object depending upon the electromagnetic source and the type of the object. The reflected or penetrating radiation, depending upon the type of application, is picked up by a receiver. The receiver then sends the penetrating or reflected signal into a splitter which divides it into a first and second stream or a third and fourth stream, if necessary. After each of these streams, the split signal can then be run through a filter before it is analyzed by a sensor. The sensor reading is then fed into a microprocessor which compares, combines, and evaluates the various readings.

Abstract: An optical inspection system inspect products passed through an inspection region. Light is directed onto the products form optical control units including light emitting diodes. Light emitted from the diodes is directed by cylindrical lenses onto the products at a specified target region, and a sensor detects light reflected from the products. Focussing is achieved by an outer row of the diodes being displaced outwardly relative to axes of respectively cylindrical lenses, so that light originating from the outer rows of diodes converges towards that passing along a central axis extending from a central row of the diodes through a central lens to the target region, light from all rows of the diodes being therefore focussed substantially at the target region.

Abstract: A method for minimizing the number of input terminals used in an operator includes generating a conflict graph having nodes with regard to an output path of data to be processed by the operator, coloring the nodes so that no two nodes directly connected to each other have the same color, and selectively inputting data from the nodes with a first color to a first input terminal of the operator and selectively inputting data from the nodes with a second color to a second input terminal of the operator.

Abstract: A method of detecting the color of an article such as gambling chips to permit the different color chips to be sorted. The method comprises sensing the color of the article at a plurality of places thereon by moving the article relative to color sensing means and integrating the color measured with respect to time.

Abstract: A method for sorting fragments of titanium-based sponge on the basis of color is disclosed. The method involves the steps of capturing at least one color image of each fragment, inserting relevant color values from the image into an automated color-sorting system to determine the color of the fragment, and segregating the fragments according to color or range-of-color, by way of a physical segregation apparatus controlled by the color sorting system. A related apparatus for sorting moving fragments of titanium-based sponge on the basis of color is also described.

Abstract: Scrap containing copper is discriminated from iron scrap after being pulverized by imaging iron scrap using a color TV camera, treating RGB signals processed by each of the points in the image as a color vector, and discriminating scrap containing copper from iron scrap when the saturation value of the color vector is larger than a predetermined value and the hue angle of the color vector lies within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A glass cullet separation apparatus according to the present invention includes a hopper (1), a rotary feeder (6), an inclined guide plate (14), a conveying belt (17), and a foreign glass discrimination device (37). The discriminated device can radiate a laser beam onto a surface of a cullet passing over a slit of the conveying belt (17) for emission therefrom and for discriminating a "yes or no" foreign glass determination by analyzing a spectrum of the emission. Also, included is a color discrimination device (41), a foreign glass discrimination trigger sensor (33), a color discrimination trigger sensor (40), and air nozzles (44) for ejecting the cullet at each predetermined positions which correspond to the cullet of the foreign glass and the cullet of each color. A non-contact type photoelectric sensor (45) is provided for sensing the cullet passing the air nozzle (44).

Abstract: A high speed mass flow food sorting apparatus and method comprises a product conveyor for receiving and conveying a laterally-distributed stream of bulk food articles past a product diverter. A camera is positioned to view the stream of food articles upstream of a product diverter. A sorting system downstream of the camera including a product diverter is configured to divert undesirable product in response to optically detected undesirable characteristics pursuant to an automated control system. The automated control system connects to the optical inspection system and the sorting system and includes an operator control console having a display and a screen-adjustable graphical slider usable for altering sorting characteristics corresponding to an undesirable optically detected characteristic so as to direct sorting of the undesirable food article during processing.

Abstract: Sorting apparatus has a conveyor belt or equivalent mechanism for moving particles at a speed sufficient to generate a stream of particles in air, which particles can be graded such that selected material can be removed. The grading or sorting is conducted by a primary scanning system for analysing light reflected from particles in the stream in a plurality of wavelength ranges. Ejectors for removing particles from the stream are disposed downstream of the scanning system, and are instructed in response to signals received from the scanning system.

Abstract: The present invention sorts imperfect grains from perfect grains using a chute having a grain separating section, a cross section to orientate the grains, and a grain stabilizing section; a laser with a laser line transmitted through the grains; a photo detect or and processor to receive and analyze the light transmitted through the grains to determine which grains are imperfect; and a separator to separate the perfect and imperfect grains.

Abstract: In an apparatus for sorting material into desired and undesired pieces or portions according to their optical characteristics, comprising a background, and a viewing means for viewing the material against the background; a method for removing debris from the background is proposed which comprises providing a jet of air or water which is moved relative to and across the background, and directed towards the background so as to remove debris and thereby clean the background. The jet is positioned out of the field of view of the viewing means so that debris removal can take place without interruption of the sorting process. A magnetic type air-cylinder, in which exhaust gas is fed back as the debris-removing air-jet, is preferably used.

Abstract: A multiple channel gravity-fed slide for a sorting machine is disclosed wherein the heights of the divider ribs between channels are at least high enough to define the channels and keep normally sized products flowing within the respective channels. At least some of the dividers or ribs have a tall height for supporting a product guide or keeper to provide some singulation and order to the products in the respective channels while allowing oversized and misshapen items to overlap into adjacent channels, thereby minimizing jamming of one or more channels.

Abstract: This invention includes an optical characterization method capable of determining various characteristics of samples that preferably include naturally-occurring color deviations. In the preferred embodiment, this method is used in connection with food products and, particularly, potato products such as french fried potatoes. The method of this invention overcomes such disadvantages by generating from the RGB pixel values a sample-based color space that corresponds to the naturally-occurring color deviations of the samples. Preferably, the method includes generating HSI pixel values that correspond to the RGB pixel values and are defined with respect to an HSI color space having hue, saturation, and intensity coordinates. The sample-based representation of the color characteristics of the samples is determined on a pixel-by-pixel basis. As a result, color grades for the samples can be assigned according to the distribution of pixels within the sample-based representation.

Abstract: A method of classifying objects comprises the steps of sensing a multiple color image of at least a portion of the object and producing color signals indicative of a plurality of colors in response to sensing the multiple color image. The color signals are transformed to a hue signal and a saturation signal, and the object is classified in response to the hue signal and the saturation signal.

Abstract: To sort materials, in particular plastic parts, the items are carried at known conveying speed past a material recognition system which uses non-contact scanning, for example NIR spectroscopy, of each item to determine its material type and delivers a signal that identifies the type of material, which signal is used in sorting the items according to material type. To ensure that the determination of material type is done at a spot on the item that is not disturbed by a label, metal stamp or the like, the items are also conveyed past an imaging system which takes pictures of the items from which, using electronic image-processing techniques, features of colour and/or shape of the items are determined, from which in turn position data are derived about spots on the item at which an undisturbed determination of material type is possible. With the aid of these position data the determination of material type is then confined to such undisturbed spots.

Abstract: For cleaning foodstuffs in the form of a bulk material, such as cereal grains, rice grains, soybeans, sunflower seeds, coffee beans, and the like, there is provided an optical sorting device (24, 24a, 24a') subsequent to a precleaning system (6), which enables sorting on the basis of color and/or size and/or shape. Each particle of the bulk material is allocated to a particle class determined by parameters and conveyed on a supporting surface transporting the bulk material to a reception area (43, 44, 45) for the respective particle class. To clean the bulk material, impurities and bad particles are sorted out of the product, with the product being partitioned into classes, if required.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for generating colorimetric data useful in the automatic colorimetric sorting of products, such as fruits or vegetables, each product is illuminated by means of a beam producing a succession of lines of light, the energy reflected by the product in preselected wavelengths is reconstituted for each point on each line of light, the light intensity of each point is measured, the measured values are converted so as to form a series of numerical data corresponding, for each wavelength, to the light intensity curves for each line of light, and the series of numerical data are processed, by computing, in accordance with programmed criteria based on a comparison of the values of the homologous points of said series, so as to generate usable colorimetric data.

Abstract: A color sorting apparatus for beans includes a transferring device for transferring beans to be sorted to a detection position, an illuminating device for illuminating the bean at the detection position, a light receiving device for receiving a transmitted light transmitted through the bean and outputting a detection signal, a control device for operating the detection signal, comparing the detection signal operated with a predetermined threshold value to determine whether the bean is a good or defective one, and outputting an ejection signal when the bean is determined as a defective one, and a sorting device for removing the defective bean based on the ejection signal. The transferring device includes two endless belts defining therebetween a parallel gap on which the beans are held and a driving motor for driving the endless belts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining a characteristic of a material, such as composition and/or color, has an electromagnetic radiation source having a first amount of circular polarization. The electromagnetic radiation from the source has the capability of passing through the material. A processor determines the characteristic of the material based on changes in the electromagnetic radiation caused by passing through the material. Changes in electromagnetic radiation include changes in rotation. Additionally, the processor may determine what, if any, electromagnetic radiation was blocked by the material and the amplitude of the electromagnetic radiation passing through the material.

Abstract: Sorting apparatus has a conveyor belt or equivalent mechanism for moving particles at a speed sufficient to generate a stream of particles in air, which particles can be graded such that unacceptable material can be removed. The grading or sorting is conducted by a primary scanning system for analyzing light reflected from particles in the stream in a plurality of wavelength ranges. Ejectors for removing particles from the stream are disposed downstream of the scanning system, and are instructed in response to signals received from the scanning system. An auxiliary scanning system is also included to establish the presence of material in the stream, and in the event that a void is detected in a given region, then the analysis of that region by the primary scanning system and any corresponding activation of the ejectors is inhibited.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process which enables colored foreign bodies to be detected in continuous fibre transport and removed therefrom. A stream of fibres is examined for foreign bodies by color sensors (11). If the color differs, a control system (12) activates compressed air nozzles (13) and removes foreign bodies (17).

Abstract: A scrap particle sorting system and attendant sorting process employs a conveyor for conveying the randomly shaped particles in a random orientation, a position sensor for determining the advancement of the scrap particles in the direction of conveyance by determining the position of the conveyor belt, an image detector for periodically recording the image of a predefined viewing area through which the scrap particles are conveyed, and an image processor for periodic acquisition and processing of the images. The image processor includes logic for defining each image of the viewing area into a matrix of cells, and for each acquired image, analyzing the digital data corresponding to the image to determine for each cell in the matrix whether the pixels in that cell satisfy a predetermined criteria, and establishing a discriminator signal for each cell in the matrix as a function of that analysis.

Abstract: A grain sorting apparatus includes a conveyor belt mechanism for conveying grains, fed by a feed mechanism onto a conveying surface separately from each other at an upstream region with respect to a conveying direction, to a downstream end so that the grains are discriminated and sorted by a discriminating mechanism and a sorting mechanism when dropping from the downstream end along a predetermined path, the belt mechanism being disposed so that the conveying surface thereof declines as going downstream with respect to the conveying direction to prevent the grains being carried by the belt mechanism from rolling toward the upstream direction on the conveying surface of the belt mechanism. It is therefore possible to prevent the grains from rolling on the conveying surface of the conveyor belt mechanism toward the upstream direction relative to the conveying surface of the conveyor belt even when a conveying velocity of the conveyor belt mechanism is high.

Abstract: A high speed mass flow food sorting apparatus and method comprises a product conveyor for receiving and conveying a laterally-distributed stream of bulk food articles past a product diverter. A camera is positioned to view the stream of food articles upstream of a product diverter. A sorting system downstream of the camera including a product diverter is configured to divert undesirable product in response to optically detected undesirable characteristics pursuant to an automated control system. The automated control system connects to the optical inspection system and the sorting system and includes an operator control console having a display and a screen-adjustable graphical slider usable for altering sorting characteristics corresponding to an undesirable optically detected characteristic so as to direct sorting of the undesirable food article during processing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cylindrical body inspection apparatus characterized in comprising: a) rotating mechanism for supporting and rotating a cylindrical body; b) sensor comprising a light emitting unit for irradiating light onto a surface to be inspected of a cylindrical body, and a light detecting unit for detecting incoming light reflected from the surface to be inspected; this sensor detects displacement information corresponding to a displacement of distance from the surface to be inspected to the light detecting unit, and information regarding the quantity of incoming light corresponding to quantity of reflected light from the surface to be inspected; c) computing unit for computing surface information and external form formation based on the above displacement information and information regarding quantity of incoming light from the sensor; and d) discriminating unit for discriminating the presence or absence of defects relating to shape of the cylindrical body based on the surface informat

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for sorting post-consumed bottles exactly and efficiently and an apparatus for carrying out the method. The sorting apparatus comprises a supply section, a separating section, a detecting section comprising a first image pickup camera for detecting the size and contour of each post-consumed bottle and a second image pickup camera for high speed detection of color by a defined image pickup utilizing data from the first image pickup camera, a sorting section for sorting and discharging only post-consumed bottles already classified to sorting containers preliminarily placed in accordance with data received from the detecting section, and a control section for controlling a series of operations timely. Since the scope of the image pickup for detecting color of the post-consumed bottles is defined in accordance with the data from the detecting section, picture processing at a high speed is achieved resulting in remarkable sorting performance.

Abstract: In a color sorting apparatus comprising: a grain guide device); a grain feed device; optical detecting devices including illuminating devices for illuminating the grain, light-receiving sensors for receiving the intensity of light from the illuminated grain and backgrounds; and an ejector device for removing the grain, the illuminating devices comprise first light sources having a spectral energy distribution in a visible light region and second light sources having a spectral energy distribution in a near-infrared region, and the light-receiving sensors comprise a first light-receiving sensor portion having a high sensitivity to light in the visible light region and a second light-receiving sensor portion having a high sensitivity to light in the near-infrared region, so as to detect and remove foreign matter having a different color from the good grain in visible light region as well as to separate and remove other foreign matter having the same color as the good grain or being transparent in near-infrared

Abstract: A photo-optical detector for use in a multi-chromatic sorting machine, each detector including at least two separate photodiode materials responsive to a different spectral range and a multi-peak optical filter having transmission response characteristics that are respectively defined in a frequency spectrum of the respective spectral ranges of the materials. The sorting machine using such detectors can be selectively programmed using the various resulting signals from the detectors after appropriate amplification and threshold detection to cause resulting ejection mechanism activation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process which enables foreign bodies to be rapidly recognized and filtered out of fibre processing lines. A stream of fibres is inspected by color sensors. If foreign bodies are detected in the flow of fibres, they are blown out by compressed air nozzles (13). The inspection and filtering out can be performed with continuous operation, and purposeful filtering out blows only a few foreign bodies out with the fibres.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for sorting plastic items is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of transmitting polychromatic light from a source through each individual item; detecting the quantity of light of a first color passing through each individual item with a detector opposed to the source as a stream of the items is successively directed past the source and the detector; detecting the quantity of light of a second color passing through each individual item with the detector, wherein the second color is different from the first color; and selectively removing individual items from the stream, the removal being based upon a comparison of the quantity of light of the first color detected and the quantity of light of the second color detected.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting pieces of waste of materials having different properties comprises a disk revolving about a substantially vertical axis and comprising a conically upwardly and outwardly tapering rim defining a conveying path, which is concave in cross section, the rim constituting an outer guide wall, and a feeding device for feeding successive pieces to the revolving conveying path at a feeding station. The revolution of the conveying path generates a centrifugal force holding the pieces against the outer guide wall, and a sensor device is arranged along the conveying path for sensing the different properties of the successive pieces. Devices controlled by the sensor device remove single pieces at discharge stations dependent on the sensed properties of the pieces.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical sorting system for a color sorting machine. Product is irradiated with visible, infra-red or ultra-violet light by a transmitter. If there is no product in the ray path of the transmission source, all of the light falls onto a residual light receiver. If product is present, on the other hand, the light is partly or wholly scattered back to one or more product signal receivers.

Abstract: An apparatus for optically sorting small objects such as beans has an annular analysis head with an opening through which the objects fall. Three sets of optical fibers are positioned around the analysis head opening. A first set receives radiant light reflected from the falling objects. This reflected light is digitized and input to a comparator where the reflected light is compared to a reference value and a determination as to the quality of the object is made based on color. The second set of fibers is connected to an infrared light source and transmits a curtain of light across the opening, intercepting the travel of the objects. The third set of fibers receives the infrared light and is connected to a light detector which detects when objects pass through the curtain of light. The curtain of light is preferably wider than the objects. The light detector outputs a signal having peaks caused by the widest portions of objects passing through the light curtain.

Abstract: Automatic sorting machine for sorting and classifying small products of the pharmaceutical and confectionery industries according to form and color. The present invention pertains to an automatic sorting machine for sorting and classifying these products for deviations, via optoelectronic specimen recognition, with the machine including a vibratory inlet device in which the products to be sorted are separated in order to present same to a delivery device for conveying the separated products through a beam/light path of a camera. Each product is optically comprehended by the camera and encoded into electrical signals, via which specimen recognition is carried out through appropriate electronics in order to eliminate unrecognized products having improper deviations.

Abstract: An automated sorter includes a feed slide on which containers or refuse may be fed. The feed slide includes a separation region on which a several objects may be located. A light source directs light on the objects in the separation region. An ejector, including several ejector units, is positioned downward of the separation region. A scanner scans the separation region, determines when an object should be ejected, and controls the ejector units to eject the selected objects. Thus, the selected objects are ejected into a first fraction, and the non-selected objects are left in a second fraction. A fraction thus obtained can be sorted, to separate the containers or refuse into further fractions.

Abstract: Sorting apparatus has a conveyor belt or equivalent mechanism for moving particles at a speed sufficient to generate a stream of particles in air, which particles can be graded such that unacceptable material can be removed. The grading or sorting is conducted by a primary scanning system for analyzing light reflected from particles in the stream in a plurality of wavelength ranges. Ejectors for removing particles from the stream are disposed downstream of the scanning system, and are instructed in response to signals received from the scanning system. An auxiliary scanning system is also included to establish the presence of material in the stream, and in the event that a void is detected in a given region, then the analysis of that region by the primary scanning system and any corresponding activation of the ejectors is inhibited.

Abstract: A color sorting apparatus has a singulator section, a color sorter and a conveyor which drops the sorted objects into appropriate collection bins. Objects for sorting are transported on an endless conveyor on wheels through the singulation and color sorting section. An independently adjustable speed belt rotates in the same direction as the wheels and operates to provide a view of each of four sides of the object to an imaging device. The imaging device, such as a camera, supplies red, green and blue signals to an image processor which performs a color transformation and obtains a single composite hue value for each object or piece of fruit to be sorted. Based on a comparison of the hue value to user programmed grading criteria, signals are provided to the conveyor so that the objects are ultimately deposited in appropriate sorting bins.