Abstract: Device for classifying products such as fruits, comprising: a number of product carriers for carrying the products in a transport path of a conveyor with classification outlets, radiating means for irradiating the products, one or more radiation receiving elements for receiving a radiation sample of radiation emitted by the radiating means once it has irradiated the product during transport of the products by the conveyor.

Abstract: A sieving device with a vibratory supporting frame and a vibration frame which is held against said supporting frame so as to be able to vibrate freely. A simple, compact design which provides good sieving and conveying performance is achieved in that the vibration frame is spring-elastically coupled to the supporting frame by torsion-bar-like spring elements.

Abstract: A checkweighing station includes a weigh platform mounted on a load cell which in turn is mounted on a rotatable shaft so that the entire assembly can be rotated to tilt the platform in one direction for an acceptable weight of a weighed item and in another direction for a rejected weight or weight of a different catgegory. A memory device can determine a trend and make adjustments in a production process.

Abstract: A rotatively oscillating separator comprising separating vessels 4 each having cone-shaped separating plate 5 disposed in the vessel, and drive means 6 for rotatively oscillating said separating vessels 4, mixed rice consisting of unhulled rice and unpolished rice being fed onto the separating plates in the separating vessels at a given location to separate the unhulled rice and the unpolished rice from each other, the unpolished rice being discharged through raised peripheral portions of the vessels, and the unhulled rice being discharged through the central bottoms of the separating vessels.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating recyclable corrugated paper from a stream of commingled waste. Commingled waste is loaded onto a conveyor with two alternating sets of jogger beams. A motor drives the jogger beams out of phase with respect to one another causing the waste to fall between the jogger beams, while corrugated paper remains above and moves along the jogger beams, thereby separating the two components. Optionally, a second stage of jogger beams can be positioned forward of the conveyor to create a drop therebetween to further separate the commingled waste. The jogger beams are cantilevered beyond the motor so that waste falls clear of the motor.

Abstract: A disposable first tube (68) extends axially through, and is detachably connected to, an annular main body (10'). An input piezo electric element (38) is attached to a first end of the tubular main body (10'). A second, sensor piezo electric element (40) is attached to the opposite end of the main body (10'). A nozzle (20') having a nozzle passageway (110) and a discharge opening (112) is detachably secured to an outlet end of the first tube (68). A second tube (102) within the first tube (68) delivers a core liquid to the nozzle passageway (110). A sheath liquid is delivered through a space in the first tube (68) surrounding the second tube (102). The nozzle passageway (110) forms the core and sheath liquids into a small diameter jet stream. Electrical energy is delivered to the input piezo electric element (38), to vibrate the nozzle (20') and break the jet stream into droplets.

Abstract: A disposable first tube (68) extends axially through, and is detachably connected to, an annular main body (10'). An input piezo electric element (38) is attached to a first end of the tubular main body (10'). A second, sensor piezo electric element (40) is attached to the opposite end of the main body (10'). A nozzle (20') having a nozzle passageway (110) and a discharge opening (112) is detachably secured to an outlet end of the first tube (68). A second tube (102) within the first tube (68) delivers a core liquid to the nozzle passageway (110). A sheath liquid is delivered through a space in the first tube (68) surrounding the second tube (102). The nozzle passageway (110) forms the core and sheath liquids into a small diameter jet stream. Electrical energy is delivered to the input piezo electric element (38), to vibrate the nozzle (20') and break the jet stream into droplets.

Abstract: A handler/sorter for articles such as the trays of integrated circuit chips is provided with an unstacking elevator system, an inspection station, a sorting station for repopulating the tray with non-defective integrated circuit chips, and an output station. The output station has a stacking elevator which is essentially the mirror image of the unstacking elevator at the input station, reducing the number of different parts. The elevators employ pneumatic or linear motor drives which gently place the trays on the conveyor shuttles, without rattling the integrated circuit chips. In an optical inspection embodiment, a focussing elevator is provided at the inspection station. The focussing elevator operates in response to focus control signals issued by a scanning camera system. Transportation between the respective stations is provided by a pair of conveyor shuttles which employ linear motors.

Abstract: A system for sorting randomly oriented objects of various sizes based upon the size of the object includes a transport for conveying a series of objects from an input location to one of a plurality of output locations. An image system is disposed along the transport for capturing the image of each object to be sorted. An image processor detects the minimum and maximum linear dimension of each object based upon the captured image. The image processor further determines the shape of each object based upon the captured image. The minimum or maximum linear dimension is selected based upon the shape of the object. The object is categorized by size based upon the selected minimum or maximum dimension. Structure is provided for selectively routing the object based upon the categorized object size to one of the plurality of output locations.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for sorting parts to be tested. A first head selects a part and places the part in a testing location. A second head positions the part in a testing location where the part is tested to determine whether it conforms to certain criteria. The second head then places the tested part in a first storage location if the part conforms to the criteria, or in a second storage location if the part does not conform to the criteria.

Abstract: Potatoes which are to be graded according to their size prior to further processing, for example in the manufacture of a snack food product, are deposited in a hopper 16 at the lower end of an upwardly inclined walking beam conveyor 18. Pockets 35, 37 formed in the conveyor 18 pick up potatoes from the hopper 16 and convey them along the conveyor by transferring each potato from pocket to pocket. Any potatoes whose dimensions are greater than those of the pockets 35, 37 are either not picked up or fall out of the pockets under gravity as the conveyor 18 is operated and drop back into the hopper 16. Periodically, a base wall 17 of the hopper 16 is opened to discharge the accumulated large-size potatoes therefrom.

Abstract: The method of sorting semiconductor devices includes the steps of feeding semiconductor devices into a contact mechanism and simultaneously connecting the contact elements of the contact mechanism to the leads of one semiconductor device, measuring the parameters of this semiconductor device while disconnecting the contact elements of the contact mechanism from the leads of another semiconductor device and delivering the latter. The apparatus for sorting semiconductor devices includes a device for loading the semiconductor devices, a contact mechanism underlying the loading device, coupled to the unit for measuring the electric parameters of the semiconductor devices and comprising contact elements mounted for timed motion, a conveying mechanism underlying the contact mechanism, the latter being associated with a drive and having two slots.

Abstract: A stone sorting apparatus for viewing stones individually through a microscope includes a platform having a reservoir adjacent a surface thereof for storing the stones. One end of a rod projects upward through an opening disposed at the bottom of the reservoir, the rod adapted to slide along the opening, and having at the one end a concave indentation facing upward and shaped to support one of the stones. Connected to the other end of the rod is means for sliding the one end of the rod between a first position within the reservoir, and a second position outside the reservoir, whereat the one end is positioned exactly within the field of view of an objective of the microscope such that a stone supported by the indentation is disposed precisely at the focal length of the microscope objective.

Abstract: A whole fruit size grader comprising a horizontally oscillating table having a generally horizontal flat area on which fruit to be sized is loaded and a sorting area which slopes therefrom downwardly to a prime size fruit collecting area or station. Said sloped sorting area embodies closely spaced side-by-side troughs extending in the direction of the table oscillation. These troughs communicate at their upper ends with the loading area to receive the fruit in response to table oscillation, have oppositely sloped side walls for guiding the fruit to the lower discharge end thereof, and have tapered discharge openings upstream of their lower discharge ends for separating the undersize fruit from the prime size fruit and have associate means in the form of horizontal fins over said discharge openings which retard the fruit as it moves over said discharge openings to influence the separate collection of the undersize fruit.