Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating data relating to the quality of product in a bulk stream product during its passage through a monitoring station. An inspection of at least a portion of product in the monitoring station is conducted at intervals while the stream is owing. The inspectors identities individual product pieces in the portion being inspected by using one or more of various techniques. Those individual pieces are then examined according to chosen criteria, and a measure is established of the quantity or proportion of such individual product pieces that fail to meet those criteria. The data generated by these inspections can be analysed to provide an indication of the quality of the bulk stream.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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 sorting apparatus for sorting material into desired and undesired pieces or portions includes a moving reflective surface such as a rotating cylindrical drum which is interposed between an illuminated background and a viewing system so that the background is indirectly viewed via the reflective surface. Any liquid or other debris from the product spills onto the reflective surface, rather than the background and is then moved away to be cleaned off. Thus, the viewed optical characteristics of the background remain constant and periodic cleaning of the background is not required.

Abstract: A valve device is disclosed for controlling the delivery of gas from a pressurised source suitable for use in a pneumatic ejector in particle sorting apparatus. It uses a diaphragm as a valve member disposed over an output port from a chamber which is in substantially continuous communication with a source of gas or air under pressure. Both sides of the diaphragm are exposed to pressurised gas or air in the chamber. For this reason, and because the diaphragm itself engages the output port to close it, when the input pressure is applied there is a differential pressure which elastically deforms the diaphragm to close the output port. The diaphragm has a piezoelectric element, and the valve device includes an electric circuit operable to selectively activate the piezoelectric element and withdraw the valve member from the output port to admit pressurised gas or air thereinto.

Abstract: A stabilizer unit for material on a moving conveyer surface comprises a framework mounted over the surface with a drive pulley making driving engagement therewith. A drum is rotatably supported in the framework and carries a stabilizer surface thereon. The drive pulley is coupled to the drum to rotate the drum with its peripheral velocity substantially equal to that of the drive pulley, thus imparting the corresponding velocity to the stabilizer surface. The stabilizer surface can be a belt loosely carried on the drum, which follows a path with a first section overlaying the conveyer surface, a second section in engagement with a segment of the drum surface, and third and fourth sections extending between the drum surface and the respective points of separation of the stabilizer belt from the conveyer surface. Movement of the conveyer surface rotates the drive pulley and thereby the drum to advance the stabilizer belt around its path at a speed equal to the speed of the conveyer surface.

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 sorting machine comprising a transparent tube (16); a material supply member (15) from which material, which is to be sorted into desired and undesired portions, may pass through the transparent tube (16); a light-detector (20) disposed externally of the transparent tube (16) for receiving light from material passing through the latter; a discriminator (21), controlled by the light-detector (20), for discriminating between the desired and undesired portions; a separator (22), controlled by the discriminator (21), for separating the material which has been passed through the transparent tube (16) into the desired and undesired portions; a cleaning member (32); and a movement effecting device (36) for moving the cleaning member (32) against the wall of the transparent tube (16) characterized in that the cleaning member (16) forms part of a cleaning-calibration member (31) which is used in the calibration of the discriminator (21); and there is an actuator (30) operable so that each one of the material supply

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting material conveyed in a product stream and across a substantially level single layer on a conveyor, wherein the conveyor passes beneath an examination device which determines the presence and transverse location of any undesired material; a number of movable conduits are positioned transversely across the conveyor downstream from the examination device, and are arranged in staggered rows to transversely encompass the entire product stream on the conveyor; the suction device and movable conduits are respectively controlled by the examination device, to cause each conduit to selectively move toward the conveyor and remove undesired material from the conveyor as it passes beneath the suction device, and to move away from the conveyor when no undesired material is positioned beneath the suction device; a valve in the common suction line connected to all conduits stabilizes suction pressure during operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A support member for supporting objects undergoing inspection, the support member having an uppermost layer whose color is highly reflective in predetermined wavelengths in the range 580 to 1000 nm, the uppermost layer being in direct contact with a further layer which further layer is disposed below the uppermost layer and which reflects at least 70% of any light falling on it having predetermined wavelengths in the range 360 nm to 870 nm.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting or otherwise treating objects, wherein the apparatus includes an endless belt which is in contact with a guide by means of which the endless belt is given a curved portion. At least one path between the guide and the curved portion of the belt is provided for the passage of objects therethrough. The path has an inlet portion arranged to receive objects which have traveled thereto along a trajectory which has a substantial horizontal component at the inlet portion, and the path has a vertically disposed outlet portion. A feeder is provided for feeding the objects to the inlet portion of the path. The belt is driven so that objects passing into the path through the inlet portion thereof are centrifugally forced against the belt and carried thereby to the respective outlet portions. The objects are sorted or otherwise treated as they fall under gravity from the outlet portion.

Abstract: A sorting machine comprising a chute for moving a plurality of objects sequentially past a plurality of viewing zones which are spaced apart in the direction of movement of the objects so that the moving objects pass to an object separation zone in which relative separation is effected between desired and undesired objects. Light sources are on opposite sides of the moving object for directing beams of light to the viewing zones. Viewing devices view the objects passing through the viewing zones from opposite sides, respectively, of the moving objects. A discriminator, controlled by the output from the viewing devices, determines whether objects which have been so viewed are desired or undesired. An object separator controlled by the discriminator effects relative separation at the object separation zone between the desired and undesired objects.