Abstract: An outer appearance quality inspection system comprising a mechanism for aligning objects to be inspected, a mechanism for transporting the aligned objects, light projectors for illuminating a light within a predetermined wavelength range against the objects being transported, light receiving devices for receiving the light reflected from each of the objects so as to convert the light into an electrical signal, an electronic circuit for obtaining the data representative of the conditions of the surfaces of the object in response to the electrical signal derived from the light receiving devices, and a mechanism for sorting the objects being transported in response to the data derived from the electronic circuit. The system can inspect the size, visible surface damages and coloring of an object such as orange automatically and reliably.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to rapidly and automatically scan the UPC, or bar code, from a series of containers and maintain tallies of the brands and types of containers processed. The containers are fed in end-to-end orientation onto the upper end of the trough between an inclined pair of parallel rollers. Both rollers are rotated in the same direction, causing each container to spin as it slides down the length of the rollers. The inclination of the rollers causes the containers to accelerate, increasing the spacing between containers as they reach the lower end of the rollers. A number of scanners are positioned above the lower end of the rollers to read the UPC from each container.

Abstract: An apparatus for ore sorting includes a neutron irradiator (12), and a detector assembly (14) for detecting gamma radiation emitted by irradiated lumps (21) of the ore. The irradiated lumps (21) after discharge from the irradiator (12), are divided into two channels (30) by at least one bifurcating device (28) held above a relatively high speed conveyor (26) transporting the lumps (21). Each channel (30) is subsequently divided into three streams (37, 38, 39) by diverting selected lumps (21) from the channel (30) as the lumps (21) are projected from the end of the high speed conveyor (26). The diverted lumps (21) in each stream (37, 38, 39) are allowed to fall on to a relatively low speed conveyor (50) which then presents the lumps (21) to the detector assembly (14).

Abstract: A garment portion loader utilizes a plurality of photo-electric sensors to determine the positions of garment portions at selected stations including a delivery assembly which supplies garment portions for loading, a pick-up assembly which removes garment portions from the delivery assembly and places them on an alignment conveyor, and an alignment assembly which aligns the garment portions with a pre-established standard relative to the alignment conveyor. A rejection assembly is provided to remove garments which are not properly aligned. The loader may be controlled by a microprocessor receiving input from the sensors and controlling the various assemblies.

Abstract: A reversed can end ejector system is provided for detecting and ejecting a can end in reverse orientation with respect to a moving stack of otherwise similarly aligned and nested can ends. This system comprises an optical detection apparatus including a light-emitting portion for emitting light in a direction toward the path of travel and a light-detecting portion located adjacent said path of travel. The optical detection apparatus is responsive to one of the presence or absence of light incidence upon its light-detecting portion for producing a control signal. An ejector is movable relative to the stack for contacting and ejecting a reversed can end therefrom and an actuator is coupled with the ejector and responsive to the control signal for driving the ejector in a direction for contacting and ejecting the reversed can end from the stack.

Abstract: A coin counting device for simultaneously counting a number of coins, all of which are of a selected denomination. The device includes a hopper, an inclined planar member to receive coins from the hopper, members mounted to prevent coins from rolling down the planar member and to prevent coins from sliding down the planar member atop one another. The device also includes an array of pin members to disperse the coins transversely across the surface of the planar member. Gate means are mounted at the bottom edge of the inclined planar member to count coins as they slide passed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for high-speed processing of fruit or the like wherein the fruit is initially accumulated and aligned at a pick-up point for capture in spaced-apart pockets of a singulation conveyor at the pick-up point to maintain the fruit in predetermined linear spacing and to accelerate the fruit to a predetermined processing speed, a processing conveyor being operated at a synchronized speed relative to the singulation conveyor for receiving the individual units of fruit, the fruit being carried in trays past a sensor station after which the fruit is discharged from the trays into one of a plurality of discharge passages according to the individual characteristics of the fruit units. A preferred construction for accumulating and aligning the fruit at the pick-up point comprises multiple interconnecting ramps of different inclinations to further assure a continuous supply of fruit at the pick-up point.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for automatically feeding and measuring circular discs (12) includes a gauging station (15). The latter includes a pair of opposed capacitive displacement measuring probes (27 and 28). The probes are connected to a thickness measuring test set (66), adapted to provide a capacitance-derived measurement of the thickness of each advancing disc (12) at either one or a plurality of spaced measurement points (142) extending across the major surfaces thereof. Precise control must be maintained over the speed at which each disc is passed between the capacitive probes (27, 28) in a non-contacting manner. This is accomplished through the use of a controllably driven drive wheel (98), and a cooperative arcuate feed channel section (74), which includes an outer arcuate sidewall ramp insert (92).

Abstract: A verifier for a chip type component placement mechanisms which has an air track conveying the component from a supply source to a placement head. The verifier is positioned in the air track and stops the chip for testing to determine whether the proper chip is presented and whether the chip is the proper electrical value. If the chip is acceptable, it is sent on down the track to the placement head, and if unacceptable, it is rejected from the system.

Abstract: Transport apparatus is disclosed for moving a stream of objects along a substantially continuous path between a source and a collection station and past a viewing station. A stream of successive, spatially separated objects is moved into end-to-end abutment to form successive stacks of objects. Each stack is spiraled past the viewing station with minimal vibration to expose the complete surface of each object to inspection. Subsequently each stack is rearranged into spatially separated objects which are rapidly sorted by diverting those objects from the continuous path which do not conform to predetermined criteria upon inspection. The transport apparatus achieves high throughput without compromising the accuracy of the inspection process.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting and intercepting an irregular product in a product flow are disclosed. The product flow is conveyed along a path from a first, product feed station past other product handling stations. Product flow is singulated and aligned at a guide station. The product then is delivered along a product flow axis and in a single file manner to an inspection station where the product, which may be processed, pitted fruit, is graded for firmness and where extraneous matter, such as fruit pits or portions of pits, is detected. Detection involves probing or otherwise impaling each individual product in the flow with a plurality of spaced, pin-like projections. An irregular product resists such probing and produces a pressure differential between the projections and the conveyor belt by which the irregular product is detected. After inspection, detected irregular products are discharged from the product flow.

Abstract: A system for sensing the size of electronic components processed within a machine for placing components on a media such as a printed circuit board. The size of a component is determined at a sensing station and the component is thereafter precisely positioned according to its size relative to a placement head. The placement head picks up the thus positioned component and places the component on the media.

Abstract: An automated inspection station comprises a pair of rotating rollers for supporting a collected group of pellets. A pusher drops in behind the group to urge the entire group forward. The rotating rollers cause the entire group of pellets to spin in unison as the pellets pass through an optical inspection station. The optical inspection station comprises a light source, diverging and collimating lenses to illuminate each rotating pellet in turn. Signals are generated by at least two arrays of photodiodes in response to light reflected from the surface of the pellets. Circuitry normalizes the signals of the respective diodes for variations unrelated to pellet surface features. The signals are analyzed to ascertain conformance of each pellet to length, cylindricality diameter and surface reflectivity requirements. A pellet sorter diverts unacceptable pellets from the path, while the acceptable pellets are transported to a collection station.

Abstract: Apparatus for orienting and sorting mushrooms includes an inclined plate along which the mushrooms move, a tunnel for erecting an air dam in the path of movement of the mushrooms to singulate the mushrooms, and a photoelectric mechanism for sorting the mushrooms according to size.

Abstract: Apparatus for the evaluation of test strips conveys the strips on a disposable web (e.g., a paper tape) from a first position where the test strips are placed onto the web, past a second position where the test strips are evaluated by a reflex photometer or other probe, to a take up position where the strips are wound up with the web for disposal. At the second position a barrier strip is disposed between two reciprocating arms or connecting rods, and serves to align the test strips with the probe. The connecting rods also carry at least one gripper having a beveled edge to urge the aligned test strip into registry with the probe. After evaluation, the barrier and gripper or grippers are lifted so that the evaluated test strip can be carried to the take up position.

Abstract: An article selection apparatus is disclosed having a first conveying device for conveying an article along a path and a second conveying device for receiving the article at an entrance end spaced apart by a predetermined distance from a conveying end of the first conveying device and for conveying the received article, wherein the first conveying device has a gap extending along the conveying path to the conveying end thereof, and a width of the gap is made smaller than the predetermined distance from the conveying end of the first conveying device to the entrance of the second conveying device.

Abstract: Apparatus for sorting slender elongate items, some of which are defective, includes a viewing area with sensing means that sense defects in the items and produces a signal when a defect is sensed, and a removal area with removal means that operate in response to the signals from the sensing means to remove defective items. A conveyor having upstanding walls defining a series of longitudinal side by side channels receives a flow of randomly oriented items and places them in substantially singulated end to end alignment. An endless belt conveyor is arranged as a longitudinal continuation of the first conveyor and has a series of troughs aligned with the series of channels for receiving the substantially singulated and aligned items from the channels of the first conveyor and for carrying the received items through the viewing area and into the removal area in substantially singulated end to end alignment.

Abstract: Feed apparatus and method for feeding objects such as ore rocks in such a way that they are arranged into at least one moving stream of spaced apart objects. The objects are fed onto a first conveyor belt which may have longitudinal channels to arrange the objects into moving rows. The moving objects are projected from end of the belt in free flight path and caught on downwardly moving section of a second belt which passes to a horizontal run via a concavely curved belt section so that objects are stabilized on the second belt by centrifugal action to emerge on horizontal run as one or more fast moving streams.

Abstract: An arrangement for sorting a plurality of bottles, discharged from a bottle washer in random fashion, into spaced single file columns on a plurality of parallel conveyor belts arranged substantially perpendicular to the direction of bottle discharge. Guides selectively extend across the top of the conveyor belts in the direction of the discharge of bottles from the washer, and are utilized to divide the randomly discharged bottles into a number of fractional portions, with each fractional portion being directed onto one of the conveyor belts. The guides are side rails extending in the discharge direction of the bottles substantially transversely to the direction of travel of the conveyor belts. The guide rails serving a particular conveyor belt extend to the edge of that belt at which they are curved in the upstream direction from which the belt is traveling to facilitate an orderly discharge of a single column of spaced bottles onto that belt.

Abstract: An improved sorting apparatus for separating loose debris, rocks and clods of dirt from root crops such as potatoes includes a channelizing conveyor, a take-away conveyor having an inlet end positioned below the discharge end of the channelizing conveyor, and a plurality of diverter paddles aligned with the channels of the channelizing conveyor. The channelizing conveyor includes an endless series of segments, each segment comprising a bar having hook portions at the ends thereof and an elastomeric molding formed thereon. Each molding includes several uniformly spaced, wedge-shaped projections, and the projections are longitudinally aligned to form channels for the potatoes, rocks and clods. The segments are interconnected with the hook portions thereof being engaged upon the trailing segment.

Abstract: An article weighing machine having a turntable with fixed rakes for directing articles, i.e., fruits or vegetables, on the turntable along prescribed paths into side-by-side metering assemblies where successive articles are placed in successive pockets formed by opposed fingers on continuous chains, the fingers moving in linear parallel paths above cooperating parallel feed belts. Brushes over the entrance and exit of each assembly engages each article as it enters and leaves the fingers. The parallel belts receive the successive, equally spaced articles thereon and transport them successively to weighing cells where such articles are individually weighed and analog signals corresponding to the weight of the individual article are fed to a control logic which then converts such signals to digital form and transfers the logic output to a computer.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, methods and machinery are provided for automatically inspecting shaped, lined closures and rejecting those which fail to meet pre-established criteria for shape and seal. Specifically, shaped closures having concave interior portions and resilient sealing liners are supplied to an inspection station comprising one or more female inspection nests for receiving individual closures and one or more respective male inspection heads for insertion into the concave portions of respective closures. The inspection heads are provided with exterior shapes approximating the interiors of ideal closures so that penetration into the closure indicates the conformity of the closure to the ideal. Preferably, the inspection head is connected to a source of pressurized fluid for testing both the depth of penetration and the adequacy of the sealing ring.

Abstract: A whole fruit size grader comprising a horizontally oscillating table having a generally horizontal flat area on which fruit to be sized is loaded and a sorting area which slopes therefrom downwardly to a prime size fruit collecting area or station. Said sloped sorting area embodies closely spaced side-by-side troughs extending in the direction of the table oscillation. These troughs communicate at their upper ends with the loading area to receive the fruit in response to table oscillation, have oppositely sloped side walls for guiding the fruit to the lower discharge end thereof, and have tapered discharge openings upstream of their lower discharge ends for separating the undersize fruit from the prime size fruit and have associate means in the form of horizontal fins over said discharge openings which retard the fruit as it moves over said discharge openings to influence the separate collection of the undersize fruit.

Abstract: A system is described for receiving mixed mail pieces, for singulating the machinable mail including flats, and for culling all of the pieces into respective discrete categories for further processing. The system is characterized by an inherent freedom from jams and consequent mail damage and features a recycle loop which provides a continuous, substantially uniform output of machinable mail.

Abstract: A sorting machine feeds longitudinally aligned carrots onto a transversely directed sloping conveyer. The conveyer, after first positioning one end of each carrot against a baseboard, transports the carrots past progressively longer supporting rods parallel to but progressively displaced from the baseboard. The rods allow progressively incrementally longer carrots to drop through the conveyer into one of several bins. Thereby, each bin is filled with carrots of less than a predetermined length, which length is commensurate with the displacement from the baseboard of a respective one of the supporting rods.