Abstract: An inspection device for inspecting a granular product includes a feed tray having a receiving region for receiving the granular product and an imaging region and a vibration device configured to impart vibrations to the feed tray for moving granules of the granular product from the receiving region to the imaging region. The inspection device also includes an image capturing device configured to capture an image of a sample of the granular product in an image area of the imaging region. In addition, a method for inspecting a granular product includes disposing the granular product on a receiving region of a feed tray, vibrating the feed tray so as to induce a movement of the granular product from the receiving region of the feed tray to an imaging region of the feed tray, and capturing an image of a sample of the granular product in an image area of the imaging region.

Abstract: A particle inspection device includes a feeder configured to drop a particle through an image area. The feeder includes a tray surface having a flat portion and an edge portion disposed above the image area. The inspection device also includes a vibration device configured to vibrate the feeder induce movement of the particle from the flat portion to the edge portion and an image capturing device configured to capture an image of the particle in the image area. The edge portion may be a downwardly curved edge section and configured to maintain the orientation and reduce tumbling motion as the particle slides off the tray and falls through the image area. Alternately or additionally, a landing element is provided having a landing surface disposed in the image area and angled with respect to the flat portion of the tray surface and configured to receive the particle. The image capturing device is configured to capture an image of the particle on the landing surface.

Abstract: A particle inspection device includes a feeder configured to drop a particle through an image area, a reflector configured to provide a reflected view of the particle in the image area, and an image capturing device configured to capture an image of the particle in the image area such that the image includes at least a direct view of the particle and the reflected view of the particle. In addition, a method for inspecting a particle includes dropping the particle through an image area, providing a reflected view of the particle in the image area using a reflector, and capturing an image of the particle in the image area using an image capturing device so that the image includes a direct view of the particle and the reflected view of the particle.

Abstract: A particle inspection device includes a feeder configured to drop a particle through an image area, a reflector configured to provide a reflected view of the particle in the image area, and an image capturing device configured to capture an image of the particle in the image area such that the image includes at least a direct view of the particle and the reflected view of the particle. In addition, a method for inspecting a particle includes dropping the particle through an image area, providing a reflected view of the particle in the image area using a reflector, and capturing an image of the particle in the image area using an image capturing device so that the image includes a direct view of the particle and the reflected view of the particle.

Abstract: An inspection device for inspecting a granular product includes a feed tray having a receiving region for receiving the granular product and an imaging region and a vibration device configured to impart vibrations to the feed tray for moving granules of the granular product from the receiving region to the imaging region. The inspection device also includes an image capturing device configured to capture an image of a sample of the granular product in an image area of the imaging region. In addition, a method for inspecting a granular product includes disposing the granular product on a receiving region of a feed tray, vibrating the feed tray so as to induce a movement of the granular product from the receiving region of the feed tray to an imaging region of the feed tray, and capturing an image of a sample of the granular product in an image area of the imaging region.