Infrared, Visible Light, Or Ultraviolet Patents (Class 209/577)
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Publication number: 20120021101Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a sorting apparatus for sorting potato products that are moved in a product flow through a detection zone, whereby irregular products are detected in the product flow and are separated from the product flow, characterised in that a light beam having a wavelength of in between 350 and 450 nm is directed towards said products in said detection zone and wherein the intensity of the light that is irradiated by the products is detected in a detection band from 460 nm to 600 nm, wherein a product is qualified as an irregular product and is separated from the product flow when said intensity is below a predetermined value. Further, the invention also concerns a method and a device for detecting the presence of solanine in potato products by means of fluorescence.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2010Publication date: January 26, 2012Inventors: Paul Berghmans, Christiaan Fivez, Johan Speybrouck
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Publication number: 20110309004Abstract: Fruit handling equipment comprising a conveyor having a plurality of linked carriages, each supporting at least one fruit carrying cup pivotally secured to the carriage, each cup having a latching mechanism operable to hold the cup in a fruit carrying mode and releasable to cause the cup to pivot to a delatched position to eject the fruit, and remotely controllable means in each carriage to release the latching mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2010Publication date: December 22, 2011Inventor: Bruce Thomas Morley
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Patent number: 8030588Abstract: A system and associated method is provided for sorting parts, which includes a conveyor system for receiving and circulating a plurality of randomly presented parts, a sorting buffer for accumulating selected parts from the plurality of randomly presented parts in an assigned buffer location, and a sequencing system for sequencing the accumulated selected parts.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2006Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: James Clete Culp, Stanley E. Sankaran
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Publication number: 20110127202Abstract: A digital versatile disc (DVD) rental kiosk comprises a mechanism whereby the quality of DVDs is assessed on their return to the kiosk following rental. Any DVD that shows signs of damage, or otherwise considered have a poor playback quality, is placed in a quarantine area and is thereby prevented from being issued to a future customer. A method of assessing the quality of returned DVDs is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2010Publication date: June 2, 2011Inventors: John P. Garringer, Sean P. Harte
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Publication number: 20110100883Abstract: The apparatus, which serves for the optical inspection of workpieces, comprises a transport device driven by a drive unit, which transport device is supplied with workpieces delivered by a loading device, which workpieces are transported by the transport device to at least one inspection position, where an optical inspection is performed, and further to at least one discharge position, where the inspected workpieces are selectively extractable by a discharge device. According to the invention, a plurality of transparent receiving bodies are firmly mounted or rotatably supported on the transport device, each of the receiving bodies comprising a recess, into which the workpieces can be inserted individually or in groups, and wherein an inspection radiation can be guided through each receiving body in order to image the held workpieces.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: SONTEC AGInventors: Karl ZURKIRCHEN, Christoph STOHLER, Nicolai RUEDI, Othmar AMREIN
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Patent number: 7863535Abstract: A method of processing toothbrushes includes supplying a plurality of toothbrushes with tufts of bristles attached to heads of the toothbrushes. Similar portions of each of the toothbrushes differ in color from each other. A color of the portion of each of the toothbrushes is determined. The toothbrushes are reorganized according to the determined color.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2004Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventor: Rex E. Reinking
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Patent number: 7858893Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for automated sorting of objects comprising a population, and for methods of sorting using same.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2007Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of AgricultureInventors: Ronald P. Haff, Eric S. Jackson
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Patent number: 7851722Abstract: An optical cracked-grain selector that does not mistakenly identify normal grains of rice having no cracks as cracked grains due to the presence of the embryonic portion and/or surface scratches when optically identifying cracked grains of rice mixed in with material rice grains. An identification part in a cracked grain identification unit obtains a first rice grain image (having an embryonic portion and scratches) based on light passed through the rice grain that is received by a first CCD sensor built into a CCD camera of a photoreaction detection unit and a second rice grain image (having cracks, an embryo portion and scratches) based on light passed through the rice grain received by a second CCD sensor built into the CCD camera, acquires an image of the cracks by calculating a difference in the amount of light between the two rice grain images, and identifies a cracked grain.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Satake CorporationInventors: Takafumi Ito, Masazumi Hara, Masahiro Egi, Takahiro Doi
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Patent number: 7816616Abstract: A system for sorting articles includes a detector system having a plurality of narrow bandwidth sources of electromagnetic energy sequentially illuminating articles passing through the detector system, the detector system further including a collector for collecting electromagnetic energy reflected from the articles; a deflector for deflecting selected articles toward an alternative destination; and a control system, operably connected to the collector and the deflector, for actuating the deflector in response to a sensed parameter of the electromagnetic energy collected in the collector.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2006Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: MSS, Inc.Inventors: Garry R. Kenny, Arthur G. Doak
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Patent number: 7799835Abstract: The present invention provides, e.g., methods to recycle and/or reduce plastic, non-plastic, or a combination thereof, from a waste stream. The methods of the present invention include contacting the plastic waste with infrared (IR) energy at one or more frequencies and at one or more intensities, over a period of time effective to heat plastic present in the plastic waste.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2004Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Next-Tec, Ltd.Inventors: Peter Anthony Smith, Adam J. Koffler, Philip Mark Smith
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Patent number: 7800009Abstract: A system for accurately determining whether a work piece such as a plastic molded bottle cap is defective from quality norms and removing those defective pieces from a stream of work pieces includes a feed conveyor for serially delivering work pieces where adjacent work pieces are in contact with each other. The feed conveyor delivers these work pieces onto an inspection conveyor with a plurality of air holes. Air is forced through the air holes to impinge upon the work piece and thus rapidly accelerate them away from the adjacent work piece it was in contact with and move through an inspection station. An air blower provides pressurized air through the air holes to continue accelerating and separating the work pieces as they move. The inspection station includes a camera to image each work piece. The camera communicates these images to a processing unit such as a computer that can rapidly compare the image to a set of quality control standards each work piece should meet.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Logical Systems IncorporatedInventor: Joseph P. Gochar, Jr.
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Publication number: 20100230327Abstract: A device is disclosed for the classification of a transparent component of a material flow using an optical detector unit, with allocatable optical axis which is directed toward the material flow, at least one illumination unit for illuminating the material flow from a space over the material flow, in which the optical detector unit is also contained, and a classifier, which classifies the component based on information which is recorded from the component using the optical detector unit, and a decision criterion. A retroreflector is provided at least longitudinally relative to the optical axis of the detector unit, downstream from the material flow in the viewing direction of the detector, the illumination unit provides at least two light sources, with first light source emitting light of a first type and a second light source emitting light of a second type, The light of at least the first light source is incident on the material flow longitudinally relative to the optical axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2008Publication date: September 16, 2010Inventors: Matthias Hartrumpf, Rudiger Heintz
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Publication number: 20100198397Abstract: The invention relates to a system comprising a broadband optical light source and a sorting device and more specifically to laser sorting devices. The object of the present invention is to provide a system comprising a sorting device with a light-source offering all wavelengths for the sorting process. This is solved by using an all fiber supercontinuum light source.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2008Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: Belgian Electronic Sorting Technology N.V.Inventor: Paul Berghmans
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Patent number: 7718912Abstract: A outer surface-inspecting method for judging whether a defect of a defective portion (27) extracted from an inspection area in an image (21A) of an object to be inspected through comparison with a template is acceptable or not, including: dividing the inspection area into a plurality of sections (22, 23, 24a, 24b, 25a, 25b, 28a, 28b, 28c) respectively having different acceptable levels (CONDITION 1-6); judging, when at least one extracted defective portion (27) spreads out over some of the sections (28a, 28b, 28c) respectively having different acceptable levels, whether the defect of the defective portion (27) is acceptable or not based on a strictest acceptable level (CONDITION 3) of all the acceptable levels (CONDITION 3-5) respectively set on the plurality of sections (28a, 28b, 28c) on which the defective portion (27) is located.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2005Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCONInventor: Shigeyuki Akimoto
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Publication number: 20100096299Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for sorting a stream of products by scanning this stream of products with a bundle of concentrated light and analyzing the light originating from the scanned products and a background element, wherein this background element is chosen such that the corresponding detected light signal differs from the light signals originating from the products to be sorted in at least one parameter and wherein one or more control signals are generated by shifting the background level of the observed light signals to a signal level chosen such that, in the thus obtained signal, the signal level of the signal of a scanned product to be accepted distinguishes itself from the signal level of the signal of a scanned product to be rejected.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2007Publication date: April 22, 2010Inventors: Dirk Adams, Pieter Op De Beeck
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Patent number: 7607544Abstract: Apparatus for use to check potatoes or similar items, the apparatus including a feeding device for advancing the potatoes in a plurality of rows, a conveying device adapted to receive the rows of potatoes from the feeding device and advancing them while maintaining the row structure, at least one camera with associated image processor for recording and evaluating each individual potato on the conveying device and a sorting device controlled by the image processor, the sorting device being adapted to sort the potatoes. The conveying device includes a plurality of substantially horizontal rollers, the axes of rotation of the rollers extending parallel to the advance direction of the potatoes, the rollers being rotatably mounted in a support frame and connected with a first driving device for rotating the rollers. The rollers are each independently additionally displaceable in parallel forwards and backwards in a substantially straight line.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2004Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: Newtec Engineering A/SInventors: Gunnar Petersen, Anders Petersen
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Patent number: 7602942Abstract: A face detection and recognition system having several arrays imaging a scene in the infrared and visible spectrums. The system may use weighted subtracting and thresholding to distinguish human skin in a sensed image. A feature selector may locate a face in the image. The image may be cropped with a frame or border incorporating essentially only the face. The border may be superimposed on images from an infrared imaging array and the visible imaging array. Sub-images containing the face may be extracted from within the border on the infrared and visible images, respectively, and compared with a database of face information to attain recognition of the face. Confidence levels of recognition for infrared and visible imaged faces may be established. A resultant confidence level of recognition may be determined from these confidence levels. Infrared lighting may be used as needed to illuminate the scene.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2004Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Bazakos, Vassilios Morellas, Yunqian Ma
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Patent number: 7591374Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing seed or seed samples includes an autonomous sorter which sorts seed by pre-programmed criteria. Optional features can include a counter to autonomously ensure the correct number of seeds to a seed package, a cleaning device, a sheller, and a label applicator. A conveyance path, controlled automatically, can move the seed to appropriate and desired stations during the processing while maintaining the sample segregating from other samples. Validation of the sample can be pre-required and information about the sample can be derived and stored for further use.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2007Date of Patent: September 22, 2009Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.Inventors: James L. Hunter, Andrew S. Nickerson, Lyndon J. Schroeder, Ronald D. Rushing, C. Fred Hood
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Patent number: 7588151Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing seed or seed samples includes an autonomous sorter which sorts seed by pre-programmed criteria. Optional features can include a counter to autonomously ensure the correct number of seeds to a seed package, a cleaning device, a sheller, and a label applicator. A conveyance path, controlled automatically, can move the seed to appropriate and desired stations during the processing while maintaining the sample segregating from other samples. Validation of the sample can be pre-required and information about the sample can be derived and stored for further use.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2007Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.Inventors: James L. Hunter, Andrew S. Nickerson, Lyndon J. Schroeder, Ronald D. Rushing, C. Fred Hood
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Publication number: 20090218260Abstract: A xerographic micro-assembler system, method and apparatus that includes a sorting unit that is adapted to receive a plurality of micro-objects. The micro-objects can also be sorted and oriented on the sorting unit and then transferred to a substrate. The system, method and apparatus can also include a device for detecting errors in at least one of the micro-objects on the sorting unit and a protection means for preventing an improper micro-object from being transferred to the substrate. The system, method and apparatus can also include an organized micro-object feeder assembly that can transfer at least one of a plurality of micro-objects to the sorting unit or directly to the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2008Publication date: September 3, 2009Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER, INCORPORATEDInventors: Eugene M. CHOW, Jeng Ping LU, Meng H. LEAN, David K. BIEGELSEN
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Patent number: 7569788Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises a bubble valve for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2005Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: Cytonome/ST, LLCInventors: Manish Deshpande, John R. Gilbert
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Publication number: 20090188841Abstract: An exemplary automatic materials sorting device (100) includes an input belt (11) for transporting materials, a materials sorting mechanism (12), and a control system. The materials sorting mechanism is connected to the input belt, and includes two output belts (121, 122). The input belt and the output belts are configured to transport materials. The control system includes two acting mechanisms (14, 15) and a controller (16). The controller is configured to control the acting mechanisms. The acting mechanisms are capable of creating a force to push the materials to the output belts.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2008Publication date: July 30, 2009Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventors: PEI-CHIN KUO, JUEY-FONG CHANG, WEN-TAO WANG, ZHI-GANG HU, CHAO-YANG SHEN, GENG-XIONG WANG
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Patent number: 7557922Abstract: The present invention is related to a detection system for inspecting a continuous stream of products comprising means for determining the detection system induced variations in its output signal. The detection system comprises a reference element and an intermediate optical element, means for scanning a light beam over the product stream and, via the intermediate optical element, over the reference element and means for converting the light beams re-emitted by the product stream and by the reference element into an electrical signal. The intermediate optical element is positioned such that the light beam successively scans the product stream and at least one region of the reference element, in whatever order. Such detection system and method are of particular use in an apparatus for sorting products, where it is used to inspect products provided to the detection system in a continuous stream.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2006Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: Visys NVInventors: Dirk Adams, Bert Peelaers, Bert Dirix
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Publication number: 20090164318Abstract: The recycle system is capable of motivating consumers to seriously separate wastes. The recycle system comprises: an identifying/measuring unit for identifying kinds of wastes and measuring amounts of the wastes; and a point providing unit for providing a point, which can be used for purchase instead of money, on the basis of the kinds and the amounts of the wastes, which have been identified and measured by the identifying/measuring unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2008Publication date: June 25, 2009Inventor: Mamoru HAMA
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Publication number: 20090120848Abstract: Polycrystalline silicon fragments are sorted into defined particle fractions in a flexible manner independent of initial particle size distribution and desired fraction size by a first mechanical screening into a fine fraction and residual fraction, followed by optoelectronic sorting of the residual fraction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2007Publication date: May 14, 2009Applicant: WACKER CHEMIE AGInventors: Marcus Schaefer, Reiner Pech
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Publication number: 20090107896Abstract: A system for accurately determining whether a work piece such as a plastic molded bottle cap is defective from quality norms and removing those defective pieces from a stream of work pieces includes a feed conveyor for serially delivering work pieces where adjacent work pieces are in contact with each other. The feed conveyor delivers these work pieces onto an inspection conveyor with a plurality of air holes. Air is forced through the air holes to impinge upon the work piece and thus rapidly accelerate them away from the adjacent work piece it was in contact with and move through an inspection station. An air blower provides pressurized air through the air holes to continue accelerating and separating the work pieces as they move. The inspection station includes a camera to image each work piece. The camera communicates these images to a processing unit such as a computer that can rapidly compare the image to a set of quality control standards each work piece should meet.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: LOGICAL SYSTEMS INCORPORATEDInventor: Joseph P. Gochar, JR.
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Patent number: 7518079Abstract: Use of more exotic laying patterns in connection with establishing paving stones of concrete blocks for e.g. paving on yards, are not widely used for cost reasons, as the automated laying machines laying the said paving stones in large surfaces at a time require the stones to be delivered in palletised formats which are handled by machine. The only way in which the said stereotype formats can be laid by machine is, if the paving stones are supplied manually, patterned layers on pallets. There is thus indicated a method for automatic sorting of paving stones (2) of different size from bulk condition to e.g. patterned laid palletisable layers in a standard out format, as the stones (2) after being guided into a row (3) are registered by size by a vision based system and guided into arraying lanes (34) from where these may selectively be dispensed in the preferred laying patterns in the said out formats (22).Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2004Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: KVM Industrimaskiner A/SInventors: Erik Spangenberg Hansen, Kjeld Andersen
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Publication number: 20080308471Abstract: To create a method that can be carried out using known broken glass sorting and detecting devices so the advantages of these devices with respect to robustness and interchangeability are retained but enhanced blow-out accuracy compared with the known method is made possible, it is provided that each of the light sources (7) emitting light beams (14) is associated with position data and with the instant of the activity of a light source (7), of which the position data is linked with the detected intensity values when the light beams (14) impinge on the photocell (18) associated with each light source (7) and this linked data is stored, together with the time data at the instant of detection, in a memory, preferably the control unit (10), and this linking data is linked to linking data obtained in the same way at a later instant, to produce a two-dimensional image of the broken glass material flow which is used as a basis for activation of the blow-out nozzles (11) by the control unit (10).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2005Publication date: December 18, 2008Inventors: Reinhold Huber, Christian Pansinger
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Publication number: 20080302707Abstract: This invention has as its object an automatic process and machine for inspecting and sorting non-metallic objects.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2006Publication date: December 11, 2008Applicant: PELLENCE SELECTIVE TECHNOLOGIESInventor: Antoine Bourely
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Patent number: 7449655Abstract: Apparatus for classifying objects in an input waste stream comprises a hyperspectral sensor, means for moving objects in the input waste stream relative to the sensor and through a sensing region thereof, and processing means for classifying objects in the input waste stream on the basis of signals output from the hyperspectral sensor to the processing means. The apparatus allows classification of objects composed of one of a wide range of materials and also provides for discrimination of objects comprising different grades of the same material.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2004Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Qinetiq LimitedInventors: Donald Cowling, Peter Neil Randall
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Publication number: 20080264835Abstract: In a method for sorting mail items which are unaddressed and held in a number of batches each batch is obtained and registered by recording at least one graphical feature of a mail item which uniquely describes the batch (i.e. clearly identifies the batch from other batches). The graphical reference feature is linked to a batch of unaddressed mail and an associated sorting plan. In a subsequent sorting of all batches, each batch is recorded once again and its reference feature is detected and it is distributed according to the sorting plan, if necessary to an end delivery point.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2006Publication date: October 30, 2008Inventor: Thomas Bayer
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Publication number: 20080121571Abstract: An illumination device for use with a product inspection machine inspecting products according to at least one characteristic using pulsed illumination for inspection in two wavelengths. The invention includes a plurality of arrays of semiconductor light sources from which a wavelength may be selected, either specifically or by combination of specific semiconductor light sources, for impinging on passing product and at least one array of semiconductor light sources from which the same wavelength may be selected and which provides intensity equal to the plurality of arrays impinging on a background surface for detection and comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2007Publication date: May 29, 2008Applicant: SATAKE USA, INC.Inventors: Avi P. Cohn, Larry H. Mack
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Patent number: 7378642Abstract: A counting system for a poultry processing plant that uses conveyors is disclosed. Two types of conveyors are addressed, one where poultry hang from the conveyor and one where the carcasses are supported above the conveyor. The sensors are located at different levels to sense elements of the carriers as well as poultry. Logic within the system compares the readings of the sensors to determine whether a chicken is present and whether to increment the total. Additionally, the sensors are recessed in steel tubing on mounting plates which support their own cover plates. The sensors can thereby be adjusted for alignment while the cover plates move with the sensors. The cover plates are easily removed for cleaning and put back into position without blocking the sensors. Air is blown through the steel tubing to keep a positive air pressure in the tubing to prevent dirt from entering the openings.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2006Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Inventor: Clyde B. Jones
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Publication number: 20080099381Abstract: A system and associated method is provided for sorting parts, which includes a conveyor system for receiving and circulating a plurality of randomly presented parts, a sorting buffer for accumulating selected parts from the plurality of randomly presented parts in an assigned buffer location, and a sequencing system for sequencing the accumulated selected parts.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2006Publication date: May 1, 2008Inventors: James Clete Culp, Stanley E. Sankaran
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Patent number: 7364043Abstract: A high-speed fastener inspection system is provided to perform 100 percent inspection of various geometry features and to sort a large number of fasteners at high speed. The inspection system includes a rotary table having an outer periphery, an inner periphery, and a plurality of radial slots extending from the outer periphery to the inner periphery. When a fastener is be placed in a radial slot with the head of the fastener facing upward and the shank extending into the slot, the side view of each fastener is unobstructed. A loading mechanism, an anti-jam mechanism, and a sorting mechanism are arranged along the outer periphery of the rotary table. At least one vision inspection camera is provided for capturing the image of each fastener after each fastener is placed in a radial slot. An image analyzer is operatively connected to the vision inspection camera for analyzing the captured image and to determine whether the fastener is defective.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2003Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Zen Voce Manufacturing Pte LtdInventors: Hock Seh Ong, Ta Seng Jeffrey Mah
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Patent number: 7341156Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting data pertaining to glass, plastic and/or paper composition within an input stream that includes recyclable material. The data collected can pertain, for example, to the weight and/or volume of the glass, plastic and/or paper within the input stream. The data can be certified for use a third party.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2005Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: Casella Waste Systems, Inc.Inventors: James W. Bohlig, Sean P. Duffy
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Patent number: 7335903Abstract: A detachable bill acceptor mounting arrangement includes a face panel of a vending machine, the face panel having two protruding locating plates at two sides and an angled guide groove at each protruding locating plate, and a bill acceptor formed of a lower unit and an upper unit, the lower unit having two recessed locating portions detachably coupled to the protruding locating plates of the face panel and two pair of stub guide rods insertable into the angled guide grooves to secure the lower unit to the face panel, the upper unit having two flat pivot rods detachably coupled to a respective pivot hole on the lower unit and two hooks releasably hooked in a respective retaining slot on the lower unit to lock the upper unit to the lower unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2007Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: International Currency Technologies CorporationInventors: Ya-Huei Yang, Wei-Jr Chen
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Patent number: 7335847Abstract: Method and apparatus for the separation of foreign bodies from a material flow, in particular a tobacco stream. Method is characterized in that at least a portion of the material from the material flow is conveyed into the area of a foreign-body detection device in the form of a partial material flow, whereby foreign bodies are identified by the foreign-body detection device in the partial material flow and subsequently removed from the partial material flow, whereby the partial material flow is formed by a separation step by an air flow upstream from the foreign-body detection device. Apparatus is characterized in that a material flow conveyor and a separation device arranged diagonal to the material flow conveyor are provided by which a partial material flow can be separated from the material flow. A foreign-body detection device is arranged after the separation device and after this, a foreign-body separation device.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2005Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: HAUNI Primary GmbHInventors: Harry Drewes, Frank Schuster
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Patent number: 7322574Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a separator sheet handling assembly 10 that includes a lifting assembly 20 adapted to receive a pallet 12 containing a stack of separator sheets 14. The lifting assembly 20 positions the stack of separator sheets 14 into a predetermined location where a feed assembly 30 engages a separator sheet 16 positioned at the top of the stack of separator sheets 14. The feed assembly 30 removes the separator sheet 16 and transports it to a test assembly 50 where the separator sheet 16 is monitored for a particular characteristic such as cleanliness or structural integrity. The separator sheet 16 is delivered to a first storage assembly 60 if the separator sheet 16 has the particular characteristic, or a second storage assembly 70 if the separator sheet 16 does not include the particular characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Busse/SJI CorporationInventors: Jeff G. Van Nice, Dennis A. VanderHoeven, Brian E. Busse
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Publication number: 20080000816Abstract: A material handling apparatus includes a part feeding device such as a bowl feeder with a perimeter track, a second track extending around the perimeter track, a vision inspection system, and an ejector device. The second track has a transparent floor and the vision inspection system includes a controller and at least one camera operably connected to the controller for looking through the transparent floor to identify defective parts. The ejector device is operably connected to the controller for ejecting bad ones of the received parts, the ejector device being located downstream of the cameras. A related method is also provided. The arrangement is very compact, and has a very small foot print, but can operate at speed up to or more than 4000 pieces per minute.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2006Publication date: January 3, 2008Inventor: Ernest K. Kenneway
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Patent number: 7297930Abstract: A device for measuring the width L of a mail item on the fly in a mail handling machine in which mail items are caused to move parallel to a reference wall, the device comprising: a detector device rendered active when the presence of a mail item passing over a plurality of levers is detected, said levers being disposed at a determined set pitch perpendicularly to said reference wall; an emitter device for emitting a light ray, which emitter device is disposed facing a first lever of said plurality; a receiver device for receiving said light ray; a measurement device for measuring the light intensity of the light ray received at said receiver device; and a processor device for computing a determined number y of levers activated by said mail item going past, on the basis of a comparison between said measurement of the received light intensity and an initial measurement of the light intensity of the light ray received at said receiver device when no mail items pass over said plurality of levers, the width L ofType: GrantFiled: May 19, 2006Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: Neopost TechnologiesInventor: Sébastien Defosse
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Patent number: 7290665Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing seed or seed samples includes an autonomous sorter which sorts seed by pre-programmed criteria. Optional features can include a counter to autonomously ensure the correct number of seeds to a seed package, a cleaning device, a sheller, and a label applicator. A conveyance path, controlled automatically, can move the seed to appropriate and desired stations during the processing while maintaining the sample segregating from other samples. Validation of the sample can be pre-required and information about the sample can be derived and stored for further use.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2003Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.Inventors: James L. Hunter, Andrew S. Nickerson, Lyndon J. Schroeder, Ronald D. Rushing, C. Fred Hood
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Patent number: 7262380Abstract: A system for automatically inspecting matter for varying composition comprises one or more detection stations through which one or more streams of matter are advanced and particular materials therein are detected through their diffusely reflected IR spectra, if any, and/or through their variation of an electromagnetic field by their metallic portions, if any. A row of light sources distributed across the overall width of one or more belt conveyors may cause desired portions of the stream to reflect light diffusely onto a part-toroidal mirror extending over that overall width, whence the light is reflected, by a rotating, polygonal mirror through optical filters dedicated to differing IR wavelengths, onto detectors the data output of which is utilized in controlling solenoid valves operating air jet nozzles which separate-out the desired portions.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2000Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Titech Visionsort ASInventors: Borre Bengt Ulrichsen, Clas Fredrik Mender, Geir Foss-Pedersen, Jon Henrik Tschudi, Ib-Rune Johansen
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Patent number: 7244902Abstract: A method for classifying beverages of natural origin, such as wine or coffee. Classification is carried out by means of NIR spectroscopy and corresponding numerical-mathematical conditioning of the spectral data of the individual beverage samples, wherein respective obtained spectra are then correlated with a predetermined beverage, class. By means of the method of the invention it is possible to classify wines by sort of wine, growing regions, grape, vine, vintage, kind of material or wood of the wine cask used, and varying degree of maturity of the wine, and by other chemical parameters. Coffee, for example, may be classified by coffee sort, country of origin, coffee growing region, roasting method and defined chemical parameters, e.g., caffeine content, or chlorogenic acid content.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2002Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: Bionorica AGInventors: Michael A. Popp, Günther Bonn, Christian Huck, Wolfgang Guggenbichler
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Patent number: 7232687Abstract: An optical illumination and monitoring subsystem controls the operation of a flow cytometer having a carrier fluid that flows along a channel coupled to a droplet generator, which controls a point at which droplets break off from the carrier fluid, and a droplet sorter that is operative to cause selected droplets to be sorted along one or more droplet travel paths. The subsystem is operative to illuminate a respective droplet monitoring location along each of one or more droplet travel paths with a respective beam of light, such as that sourced from a common laser. In response to backscatter reflection from a droplet passing through the respective beam of light at a respective droplet monitoring location, the amplitude of the beam of light is increased. Then the droplet is monitored for the presence of a particle therein exhibiting detectable fluorescence as a result of the increase in the amplitude of the respective beam of light.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.Inventors: Todd P. Lary, Robert C. Burr, Christopher W. Snow
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Patent number: 7205498Abstract: A system is disclosed for detecting or inspecting for a lining of a container closure that is formed of a sheet metal and has a panel on an inside surface of the closure. The panel of the closure has a lining formed thereon. The system according to the present invention includes a conveyor for moving plural closures longitudinally and substantially through the system, a color sensor that inspects the panel of each one of the closures on the conveyor for a predetermined color, and a separator that is capable of removing closures that lack the predetermined color. The system may include an oven downstream from the sensor to bake the lining. Thus, the system automatically identifies and removes the closure having the deficient color from the conveyor. A corresponding method for identifying and removing a closure having a deficient color is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2004Date of Patent: April 17, 2007Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies CorporationInventors: Gerald M. Gresko, Daniel L. Brant
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Patent number: 7202434Abstract: A method of sorting sorting objects within a bulk of objects from a heterogeneous population is provided. The bulk of objects to be sorted has an inherent variation, and at least one class, having less variation than the originally inherent variation of the bulk, is separated from the bulk. This lesser variation represents a quality of composition with reference to any organic material of the objects within the bulk.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2002Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Bomill ABInventors: Bo Lofqvist, Jesper Pram Nielsen
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Patent number: 7111740Abstract: This invention provides a seed-sorting apparatus that includes an alignment trough having a plurality of grooves into which the seeds are distributed, a line sensor camera for inspecting the seeds, a nozzle device having a number of nozzles that is the same as the number of grooves on the upper surface of the alignment trough, and a control unit. The control unit, through a series of calculations, is capable of differentiating between different types of seeds and can direct a seed sorting and sucking device to suck the seed.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2003Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Assignee: Daiichi Jitsugyo Viswill Co., Ltd.Inventors: Fumihiro Ogawa, Koji Tsutsumi, Satoko Hirahara
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Patent number: 7071469Abstract: A process and an apparatus are useful for identifying articles which are at least partly made from at least one polymer. The process and apparatus use an optical spectrometer and a transport system, whereby the articles to be identified are moved by the transport system past the optical spectrometer, where they are irradiated, response measured and analyzed. An external reference object is also transported, by the transport system, past the optical spectrometer such that it becomes possible to use the measured response for the reference object to identify, with greater accuracy, the articles to be identified.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2001Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: DSM IP Assets B.V.Inventors: Antonius Christianus Berghmans, Michel Joseph Germain Huys
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Patent number: RE42090Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for sensing the presence of bright white paper on a conveyor of a paper sorting system. The conveyor is constantly illuminated with ultraviolet light. When bright white paper is present in the inspection zone of the conveyor, it will re-radiate fluorescent light energy as a result of the ultraviolet light. Periodically, the inspection zone of the conveyor is illuminated with a second light source in the visible light spectrum. Light is collected from the inspection zone of the conveyor, including reflected light from the secondary source and including emitted fluorescent light energy as a result of the ultraviolet light falling on bright white paper. Periodically a microprocessor associated with the sensor senses reflected light from the second source to determine whether any object if present on the conveyor. The microprocessor then senses the level of fluorescent light energy being emitted from any object on the conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2005Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: MSS, Inc.Inventors: Russell S. Bruner, David R. Morgan, Garry R. Kenny, Paul G. Gaddis, David Lee, James M. Roggow