Abstract: A sorter is provided for sorting unacceptable agricultural products or foreign objects from acceptable ones. Preferably, the sorter is a monochromatic one performed as the products pass in streams past an illuminated viewing station. The view station includes a plurality of aligned optical sensors. The optical sensors sense the reflected light from the stream of product passing the optical station and form electrical signals indicative of the sensed light. The electrical signals are then processed and the product is accepted or rejected based on its optical characteristics. The sorter may illuminate the product stream with a source capable of generating a visible light spectra or with a source capable of generating a near-infrared spectra. Each illumination source having specific mounting sockets in the sorter. Additionally, the sorter is capable of operating a near-IR source at a significantly reduced voltage whereby the working life of the source is greatly extended.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning a viewing surface of a product sorter viewer, the apparatus, in one embodiment, having a movable body for supplying air under pressure to the surface to remove debris or dust; and, in another embodiment, a viewer cleaning aparatus having a movable body with a cleaning element for contactingly cleaning a viewer surface such as a viewer window or optical fiber end. In one aspect a device according to this invention has a cleaning element that conforms in shape to the shape of a viewing surface.

Abstract: An ejector for an objector product sorter is disclosed which, in one embodiment, has a solenoid with a coil having a hollow center through which air flows and, in one aspect, has a relatively small air reservoir space to increase ejector accuracy. In one embodiment, balanced air flow provides for uniform travel of a valve seat cover, further increasing accuracy and efficiency.

Abstract: Viewer apparatus for object sorting machines and illumination system for such viewers, the viewer in one embodiment having a housing with a viewing device and a light source mounted therein and an opening through which objects to be sorted pass, with one or more reflectors disposed in the housing to reflect light onto portions of the object.

Abstract: A bichromatic product sorter is disclosed which uses both pattern checking and ratio checking of reflected light, indicating the color of the product, to determine the acceptability of the product. The ratio checking compares the two color components with each other against a dark background. The sorter can perform pattern checking, ratio checking, or a combination of both on the product. A number of individual channels are combined on the sorter to reduce the space and electronics required to provide a given throughput. The electronics are multiplexed to reduce the required number of components. The viewing chambers are shaped to allow improved space utilization in the classification area, reducing the total amount of space required for multiple channel operation.

Abstract: A sorter is provided for sorting unacceptable agricultural products from acceptable ones. The sorter is preferably a monochromatic one performed as the products pass in streams past an illuminated viewing station. The view station includes a plurality of optical stations, each composed of a plurality of aligned optical sensors. The optical sensors sense the reflected light from the stream of product passing the optical station and form electrical signals indicative of the sensed light. The electrical signals from the sensors in individual optical stations are sequentially sampled or multiplexed at a rate which permits the product to pass through the viewing station at an increased volume, rather than in serial fashion, increasing the productivity of the sorting operation. Unacceptable products are ejected as they are sensed. The ejected product stream is subjected to a second sort to increase sort accuracy.

Abstract: A bichromatic sorter for agricultural products such as coffee beans, peanuts, beans and other types of agricultural products is provided to sort and reject undesired product based on color characteristics of the product in at least two component colors. Problems of synchronization between component color signals are overcome by the optical scanning portion of the sorter. The complexity of the electronics portion of the sorter is materially reduced by multiplexing or time sharing certain functions the electronics must perform.