Abstract: An apparatus for sorting and related methods are described and include acquiring a multiplicity of synchronized image signals of a product stream which is to be sorted; generating a multiplicity of fused sensor signals; forming an image model previously acquired from the objects to be sorted; identifying objects in the product stream, and generating object presence and defect signals; determining a spatial orientation of the objects in the product stream; detecting the defects and removing the defects from the product stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting is described and includes acquiring a multiplicity of synchronized image signals of a product stream which is to be sorted; generating a multiplicity of fused sensor signals; forming an image model previously acquired from the objects to be sorted; identifying objects in the product stream, and generating object presence and defect signals; determining a spatial orientation of the objects in the product stream; detecting the defects and removing the defects from the product stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting is described and includes acquiring a multiplicity of synchronized image signals of a product stream which is to be sorted; generating a multiplicity of fused sensor signals; forming an image model previously acquired from the objects to be sorted; identifying objects in the product stream, and generating object presence and defect signals; determining a spatial orientation of the objects in the product stream; detecting the defects and removing the defects from the product stream.

Abstract: A method of sorting is described and which includes a step of acquiring a multiplicity of synchronized image signals of a product stream which is to be sorted; generating a multiplicity of fused sensor signals; forming an image model previously acquired from the objects to be sorted; identifying objects in the product stream, and generating object presence and defect signals; determining a spatial orientation of the objects in the product stream; detecting the defects and removing the defects from the product stream.

Abstract: A method of sorting is described and which includes a step of acquiring a multiplicity of synchronized image signals of a product stream which is to be sorted; generating a multiplicity of fused sensor signals; forming an image model previously acquired from the objects to be sorted; identifying objects in the product stream, and generating object presence and defect signals; determining a spatial orientation of the objects in the product stream; detecting the defects and removing the defects from the product stream.

Abstract: A method of sorting is described and which includes a step of acquiring a multiplicity of synchronized image signals of a product stream which is to be sorted; generating a multiplicity of fused sensor signals; forming an image model previously acquired from the objects to be sorted; identifying objects in the product stream, and generating object presence and defect signals; determining a spatial orientation of the objects in the product stream; detecting the defects and removing the defects from the product stream.

Abstract: A method of sorting is described and which includes a step of acquiring a multiplicity of synchronized image signals of a product stream which is to be sorted; generating a multiplicity of fused sensor signals; forming an image model previously acquired from the objects to be sorted; identifying objects in the product stream, and generating object presence and defect signals; determining a spatial orientation of the objects in the product stream; detecting the defects and removing the defects from the product stream.

Abstract: A computer controlled method and apparatus for meat slabbing according to updated information from the meat product and/or the slab cut from the meat product. Such information may include the weight and fat content of the cut slab. This information may be used to reoptimize the slabbing of the meat product and also may be used to further process the cut slab. Such processing might include marking the location of fat to be trimmed, trimming the fat from the slab, portioning the slab and sorting the slab in accordance with preselected parameters.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing diced food product includes a endless wire mesh conveyor belt for supporting food product to be diced. In one embodiment, a plurality of high pressure water jet nozzles are spaced apart on a water manifold that extends in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt and is reciprocative across the conveyor belt. The jets of water pass through the product, the belt and a slotted grid matching the spacing of the water jets. In one specific arrangement, the nozzles extend over a length at least equal to twice the length of transverse movement of the manifold less the distance between adjacent nozzles, and the speed of movement of the manifold and conveyor belt are equal, whereby to produce diced food product of square configuration. In another arrangement, the speed of movement of the manifold or belt is made faster or slower than the other, whereby to produce diced product of diamond configuration.