Abstract: A reciprocally moveable cutting knife is described and which includes an elongated main body having a first, and an opposite, second end for engaging an object of interest; and a protrusion is made integral with the elongated main body and which extends outwardly from a plane which is defined by the outside facing surface of the main body, and which inhibits an adhesion from being created between the outside facing surface of the elongated main body, and the respective sidewalls of a knife guidance track when a source of water wets the outside surface of the elongated main body and the spaced sidewalls of the knife guidance channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting objects is described, and which provides high-speed image data acquisition to fuse multiple data streams in real-time, while avoiding destructive interference when individual sensors or detectors are utilized in providing data regarding features of a product to be inspected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting objects is described, and which provides high-speed image data acquisition to fuse multiple data streams in real-time, while avoiding destructive interference when individual sensors or detectors are utilized in providing data regarding features of a product to be inspected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting objects is described, and which provides high-speed image data acquisition to fuse multiple data streams in real-time, while avoiding destructive interference when individual sensors or detectors are utilized in providing data regarding features of a product to be inspected.

Abstract: An object imaging assembly includes a source of individual objects which move along a predetermined course of travel; an image capture device having a line of sight which extends across the course of travel; and an electromagnetic radiation emitter which emits electromagnetic radiation in a beam which extends transversely across the predetermined course of travel and the line of sight.

Abstract: An electrical transducer is described, and which includes a housing defining an internal cavity; a moveable electrical coil form received within the internal cavity; an electrical coil positioned on the moveable electrical coil form; a pair of magnets mounted in the internal cavity of the housing, and which cooperate with the electrical coil; a spring biased guide rod located within the housing and which cooperates with the electrical coil form; and a mounting fixture mounted on the electrical coil form.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting objects is described, and which provides high-speed image data acquisition to fuse multiple data streams in real-time, while avoiding destructive interference when individual sensors or detectors are utilized in providing data regarding features of a product to be inspected.

Abstract: A vibration generating assembly is described, and which includes an exterior housing having an internal cavity, and opposite first and second ends; a reciprocally moveable carriage which is biasingly supported within the internal cavity of the housing; and an electrical transducer have a magnet which is supported by and reciprocally moveable relative to the biasingly supported carriages, and the electrical transducer has a fixed cylindrically shaped electrical coil which is mounted on the exterior housing.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly is described and which includes a reciprocally moveable and elongated conveyor bed; a drive assembly which imparts reciprocal motion to the elongated conveyor bed; and a controller for selectively energizing the drive assembly and which is operable to move a product deposited on the conveyor bed along a selectively adjustable path of travel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting objects is described, and which provides high-speed image data acquisition to fuse multiple data streams in real-time, while avoiding destructive interference when individual sensors or detectors are utilized in providing data regarding features of a product to be inspected.

Abstract: A light source for a sorting apparatus is described and which includes an illuminator having a multiplicity of modules which are electrically coupled together, and which further include a plurality of light emitting diodes which can be selectively energized, by a computer network so as to parametrically control a temporal, spatial, and spectral energizing of the respective modules; and a light diffuser member is located in spaced relation relative to the illuminator, and which passes and substantially renders a visibly luminous or invisible emission substantially uniform.

Abstract: An electrical grounding arm is described and which has a predetermined geometry that dissipates stress imparted to the electrical grounding arm by the repeated movement of the electrical grounding arm, so as to inhibit stress related damage from being imparted to the electrical grounding arm, and which further, inhibits a source of fluid from pooling or collecting on the exterior facing surface thereof in order to prevent an unsanitary condition from developing.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus for use on a stream of discrete objects is described and which includes a conveying surface for transporting a stream of discrete objects; an image capturing device for capturing images of the discrete objects; a controller coupled to the image capturing device and which identifies foreign objects and unacceptable features of objects being processed; a voice coil actuator mounted above the conveying surface; and a knife mounted on the voice coil actuator and which is reciprocally moved into and out of engagement with objects passing therebeneath.

Abstract: A clamp is described and which includes a moveable object engagement member having a distal end which is movable along a predetermined path of travel between an open and closed position; and a moveable force application assembly pivotally cooperating with the moveable object engagement member, and which is used to move the object engagement member along the predetermined path of travel between the opened and closed positions.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly is described and which includes a reciprocally moveable and elongated conveyor bed; a drive assembly which imparts reciprocal motion to the elongated conveyor bed; and a controller for selectively energizing the drive assembly and which is operable to move a product deposited on the conveyor bed along a selectively adjustable path of travel.

Abstract: A linear motion conveyor is described and which includes an elongated conveyor bed having a product transporting surface for supporting and transporting a product between the opposite first and second ends thereof, and a drive assembly oriented in force transmitting relation relative to the elongated conveyor bed, and where the elongated conveyor bed, when reciprocated by the drive assembly is operable to move product alternatively between the opposite ends of the product elongated conveyor bed in a first direction; a second direction; and which is further rendered operable to substantially stop the movement of the product located between the opposite ends of the elongated conveyor bed.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly is described and which includes a reciprocally moveable conveyor bed, having a product conveying surface, and a reactive mass electrical transducer, which is oriented in spaced relation relative to the conveyor bed and which, when energized, imparts reciprocal motion to the conveyor bed to move the product along the product conveying surface of the conveyor bed.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor is described and which includes a base frame; a reciprocally moveable conveyor bed which is resiliently supported on the base frame by a first multiplicity of elongated springs, and a conveyor bed driving assembly which includes a reciprocally moveable driver which is biasingly supported on the base frame and which further when energized, magnetically cooperates with the base frame so as to impart movement of the reciprocally moveable driver along a given path of travel, and which simultaneously generates a force which causes the reciprocally moveable conveyor bed to reciprocate in a predetermined manner so as to move product along the reciprocally moveable conveyor bed.

Abstract: A linear motion conveyor is described and which includes an elongated conveyor bed having a product transporting surface for supporting and transporting a product between the opposite first and second ends thereof, and a drive assembly oriented in force transmitting relation relative to the elongated conveyor bed, and where the elongated conveyor bed, when reciprocated by the drive assembly is operable to move product alternatively between the opposite ends of the product elongated conveyor bed in a first direction; a second direction; and which is further rendered operable to substantially stop the movement of the product located between the opposite ends of the elongated conveyor bed.

Abstract: An object imaging assembly is disclosed and which includes a source of individual objects which move along a predetermined course of travel; an image capture device having a line of sight which extends across the course of travel; and an electromagnetic radiation emitter which emits electromagnetic radiation in a beam which extends transversely across the predetermined course of travel and the line of sight.