Abstract: Apparatus for successively projecting a light beam through articles of produce on a moving conveyor. The apparatus is useful in an internal quality produce grader for grading agricultural products according to one or more internal characteristics.The apparatus is comprised of two cylinders positioned on opposite sides of a conveyor which carries uniformly spaced articles of produce in a single row past an inspection position. The cylinders have a plurality of equiangularly spaced apertures in their walls. The apertures are at the same vertical height as the produce on the conveyor. A bellows-like, tubular light shield of opaque, flexible, elastomeric material is disposed in each aperture and extends radially therefrom. The cylinders rotate in synchronism with the movement of the produce on the conveyor and when each article of produce is at the inspection position a pair of light shields, one from each cylinder, is aligned along an axis with the article. The light shields yieldingly engage the article.

Abstract: An ejector for produce sorting apparatus including a drooping or sagging sheet of substantially air impervious material suspended in front of an air nozzle and adjacent the path of articles of produce moving along a free fall path. Upon occurrence of a reject signal from produce grading apparatus, an air blast impinges against the sheet to extend it to a taut condition into the free fall path to eject an article of produce.