Abstract: A sorting or classifying apparatus comprising an illumination device for providing illumination or foreground illumination, the illumination device comprising a reflector (61) which has a reflecting surface (63) providing a reflection envelope, a first light source (70) which is disposed in spaced relation in front of the reflecting surface (63) and provides light of a first spectral output to the reflecting surface (63) for reflection thereby and which first light source (70) comprises a plurality of light elements or incandescent lamps (72), wherein the light elements or lamps (72) are disposed on or near a focal axis (X) of the reflector (61), and a second light source (71) which is disposed in spaced relation in front of the reflecting surface (63) and provides light of a second spectral output, different to the first spectral output to the reflecting surface (63) for reflection thereby and which second light source (71) comprises a plurality of light elements or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (75) arranged

Abstract: An optical sorting or classifying machine for sorting or classifying product, comprising a housing (3) which includes an internal region (19), a chute (5) which has a guide surface (29) and is supported by the housing (3), an illumination unit (7a-d) for illuminating product as delivered on and/or from the chute (5), and at least one detector (9a, b) for detecting product as delivered on and/or from the chute (5); characterized in that the chute (5) is pivotably coupled to the housing (3) about a first pivot (31) between a first, operative configuration, in which the chute (19) extends across the internal region (19) and prevents access or entry into the internal region (19) by an operator, and a second, stowed configuration, in which an operator can access or enter the internal region (19).