Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling a color sorting machine which sorts particulate products based on a color difference between the product and a background. A photoelectric cell receives light reflected from the product and provides an output signal to a microprocessor. The microprocessor uses photoelectric cell output signals of known good products to establish a range of predetermined acceptance values. If the detected signal falls outside the predetermined range, it is determined that the product is defective and an eject signal is provided to an ejector which ejects the bad product from the machine. Outside of the microprocessor, a comparator first compares the photoelectric output signals with the predetermined range of values established by the microprocessor. If the comparator detects a defective product, it provides an eject signal to the microprocessor which then commands the ejector to eject the defective product.

Abstract: A verification system for capsules, tablets and the like includes a test block having a slot through which the capsules are directed by a conveyor. The test block includes first and second spaced sensing planes each having bifurcated fiber optic input and output arrays on the top and both sides of the slot. An optical system provides a planar light beam for sensing the position of the capsules being tested at the output from the test block. The length of the capsule is determined from the speed of the conveyor and the time of interruption of planar light beam. If the capsule is not of the proper colors and length, it is pneumatically ejected into a rejection chute.

Abstract: An iterative and continuous normalizer for ensuring that the ejector rate of the slave channels in a fungible product sorter are operating at the same rate as a channel selected as the master channel. A distributed trip level value applied to a master channel comparator results in a rate of ejection of non-standard products that are counted to a predetermined count, at which time a master channel counter output is produced. In similar fashion, a slave channel output is produced; however, the comparator in the slave channel operates to an adjusted trip level value, which is the distributed trip level value adjusted by a multiplying factor. This multiplying factor is produced by a multiplier controlled by an up/down counter, in turn controlled up or down by whether the slave channel counter output or master channel counter output arrives first.

Abstract: A sorting machine is disclosed for sorting objects by examining light from the objects in at least two different parts of the spectrum. The objects to be sorted are fed to a viewing zone where they are illuminated in at least two different parts of the spectrum. The objects passing through the viewing zone are viewed against at least one background which is illuminated by at least first and second lighting units which are separate from the lighting employed to illuminate the viewing zone, the first and second lighting units being respectively arranged to cause the respective background to emit light in the at least two different parts of the spectrum. A discriminator is employed for determining whether objects which have been so viewed are desired, and there is an object separator controlled by the discriminator, for effecting relative separation between desired and undesired objects.

Abstract: A cleaning device for a window used in an optical inspection device. The cleaning device removes dust which adheres to the transparent window by means of a dust scraper which contacts the surface of the window so as to enable the dust adhering to the surface of the window to be removed.

Abstract: A normalizer for a machine sorting individual items from a stream flowing in a channel having a background with reflectivity characteristics substantially identical to reflectivity characteristics of acceptable items. A photodetector produces an output which is amplified in three stages of amplification, dc coupled together, the second stage having an input adjustment for producing a zero voltage output for channel background reflectivity only. The output used for sorting purposes includes both positive and negative peaks. However, to prevent such peaks from greatly influencing normalizing action, the output of the second stage is applied through a limiter, which substantially clips both the positive and the negative peaks, to an integrator, which produces an average reference input voltage to the operational amplifier.

Abstract: A process for forming paint panel color standards in which a multiplicity of panels are painted and marked with a man/machine readable ID number; the improvement used with this process is as follows:(1) electronically determining the ID number of each panel and measuring each panel color coordinate values and feeding this information to a computer which establishes a criteria for various panel quality standards;(2) sorting the panels by electronically determining panel ID number and feeding the number to the computer which signals a robot to place the panel with a group of panels having the same quality standard.

Abstract: Disclosed is a diagnostic device for use in a color sorting apparatus. A scanner circuit (1-6) successively selects one of a plurality of sorting channels (Q1-Qn) each having a plurality of measuring points (a1-an, b1-bn, c1-cn, d1-dn). A comparator circuit (Ma-Md, Wa-Wd, W'a-W'd, Ha-Hd, G) compares output signals measured at the measuring points and reference signals preset for the respective measuring points. An alarm (8, 9) is provided to indicate a malfunctioning sorting channel and a malfunctioning portion therein. A feeder control (7) may also be provided to interrupt the feeding of grains to a malfunctioning sorting channel.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for processing fruit and the like, particularly for sorting as a function of variables including color, blemish, size and shape. The apparatus provides an illuminator for substantially uniformly illuminating a portion of the item being examined, and a signal detector array for generating a plurality of signals corresponding to respective different portions of the item being examined. The data signals corresponding to a given item are accumulated and then batch processed to determine sorting signals, while a next item is being examined and data signals for it are being accumulated. For blemish detection, the batch processing includes determination of differences between signals representing adjacent surface portions, and generation of blemish sorting signals as a function of such determined differences.

Abstract: A color sorting apparatus has a chute from which grains come out in the form of a linear flux, a photoelectric detection device surrounding the flux and including light sources, light-receiving units each having a lens barrel having a filter unit and adapted to receive the light reflected by or transmitted through the flux of grains, and a jet nozzle which provides a jet of air in accordance with the signal from the light receiving units thereby to blow unwanted grains of different colors away from the flux, so that the desired grains and unwanted grains are separated from each other according to their colors. The filter unit consists of a plurality of filters carried by a plate member which is movably mounted on the lens barrel.

Abstract: A color monitoring device includes a mechanism for removing containers from a path and accurately positioning a preselected area with a color monitor. The color monitor produces an output signal representative of the area being monitored which is amplified and fed to a computer where it is compared with reference signals. If the output signal is outside prescribed limits, the container is rejected, and if it is within prescribed limits, the container is returned to the path. A shuttle mechanism is activated by the computer and automatically removes a container from the path while returning a previously inspected container to the path. Stepper motors are used to vertically and horizontally position a selected point in front of the colorimeter.

Abstract: A photoelectric sorting device of a color sorting apparatus adapted to sort grains according to their colors. The photoelectric sorting device includes a pair of photoelectric chambers 9, 10 disposed within a grain sorting chamber 12 located under a grain chute 3 of the sorting apparatus, in such a manner that the photoelectric chambers 9, 10 opposes to each other across the flux 4 of flow of the grains coming down from the chute. Each of the photoelectric chambers 9, 10 is shielded from the grain sorting chamber by means of a transparent window plate 11 and accommodates a photoelectric detector 5, 6, 15, 17; 7, 8, 16, 18. At least one of the photoelectric chambers 9, 10 is rotatably mounted on the frame of the particle sorting chamber 12 to facilitate the cleaning of the transparent window plates 11.

Abstract: An infrared light generator directs a flashing band of light across a conveyor belt carrying randomly spaced materials having differing properties. The frequency of the flashing band sequentially alternates between two infrared frequencies chosen for their peculiar reflectivity characteristics. Infrared light sensitive cells detect energy reflected from the passing materials as they are exposed to the infrared light. Comparator circuitry examines the detected information, determining the size and material nature of the passing pieces. Powered paddles act at the direction of the comparator, physically separating variously sized inorganic from organic materials, or ripe from unripe comestibles, to cite examples.

Abstract: A downward-flow trough angle adjusting device for a color discriminating machine having a downward-flow trough mounting device for detachably mounting the trough, the device being secured to the upper surface of a frame defining a photoelectric discriminating chamber to provide a unitary structure. The photoelectric discriminating chamber frame is connected at one side to a machine frame for pivotal movement while being movably supported at the other side by the machine frame through a threaded shaft-nut assembly.

Abstract: A method for increasing resistance to treeing in a polymeric layer comprising an insulating layer on a metal conductor. Pellets of an organic polymeric material also containing an organo silane treeing inhibitor are exposed to ultraviolet radiation, and pellets having portions fluorescing above a predetermined threshold level are separated from the remainder. The remaining pellets are blended together and applied to a metal conductor to form a coating on the conductor. In a preferred embodiment, the organic polymeric material is high molecular weight polyethylene, and the ultraviolet radiation has a wavelength of about 3000 to 4000 A.

Abstract: An oscillating grain separator comprised a grain separating plate provided with a rugged surface which oscillates in the angle direction of elevation for shaking up grain and mixed grain is separated at one at front side and/or rear side of the separating plate and flow out sideways from the plate, an oscillating grain separator having photoelectric means consisting of a light source and a light receiving element for detecting the flow conditions of the grain on the grain separating plate and automatically controlling the angle of elevation, mean oscillating angle, frequency or amplitude of the grain separating plate for normal control of the grain flow.

Abstract: Colored markings such as a series of colored rings applied to an ampoule are read by causing the ampoule to move beneath an illuminating system which projects white light at the colored markings. Light reflected or scattered from the colored markings is directed at an aperture member arranged in the field of view of a color sensitive photoelectric detector arrangement and the image of the colored markings moves in a first direction across this aperture member due to relative movement of the object. The aperture member has a series of spaced apart optical apertures which are sequentially moved in a second direction transverse to the first direction and in front of the photoelectric detector arrangement. The photoelectric detector arrangement produces signals corresponding to the transmission of the image of the colored markings through the optical apertures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high speed asynchronous fruit sorter for sorting various types of fruits, such as blueberries, according to maturity. Forming a part of the fruit sorter is an open wire type conveyor having a generally M-shaped profile extending transversely across so as to define a series of laterally spaced and longitudinally extending conveying channels. An illumination source is disposed below the conveyor about an area referred to as a sorting zone. Disposed over the conveyor in the vicinity of the sorting zone is an optical maturity sensing device that continuously derives a differential optical density reading for the underlying passing fruit, and this differential optical density reading is directly related to the maturity of the fruit and is directed to a maturity discriminator circuit. The maturity discriminator circuit is in turn coupled to an air injection sorting apparatus by a series of AND gates.

Abstract: Workpieces (10; FIG. 7), differing from each other only in their color, are optically sorted by illuminating the workpieces with a light beam (13) of stable color temperature. The diffuse reflection from the workpieces is analyzed by three photo-detectors, each of which is filtered to respond to a different color. Two of the colors are primary colors, as defined by the Tristimulus Theory. The third color is not a true primary color but, when added to a percentage of one of the other two colors, effectively synthesizes the third primary color. A workpiece is identified by comparing the set of Tristimulus signals it generates with a look-up table stored in the memory (25) of a microprocessor (17).

Abstract: A sorting apparatus for sorting objects including equipment for causing the objects to travel in a predetermined direction or path. The sorting apparatus includes equipment for emitting light within a given frequency range located in such a position to illuminate at least a portion of the objects as the objects travel in the predetermined direction or path. The sorting apparatus also includes equipment for detecting at least a portion of the reflected light resulting from the illumination of at least a portion of each of the objects that are subjected to the emitted light. Equipment is also provided for sorting the objects based upon the detection of the reflected light from the objects that are subjected to the emitted light. The detection equipment is sufficient to insure that the light pulses are received at a sufficient time frequency or periodic intervals to insure that reflected light is detected from each object.

Abstract: A particle color discriminating apparatus including a vibration feeder for feeding particles to be discriminated, a shooter for causing the particles from the feeder to flow downwardly, photoelectric detecting means located in the vicinity of a path of flow of the particles in a predetermined locus, an air ejector arranged beneath the photoelectric detecting means and control means for controlling the actuation of the air ejector in accordance with an output signal of the photosensitive detector is provided with an automatic control device operative to control the amount of particles supplied by the vibration feeder in accordance with changes in the proportion of particles distinct in color from the particles of interest in the particles supplied.

Abstract: A device for sorting discs or disc-like members of different identities (e.g. roulette chips) withdraws the discs from a receptacle by a conveyor and moves them in oriented succession along a sorting track where they are automatically indentifed and transferred by transfer devices into respective receiving spaces along the sorting track. The receiving spaces receive the discs at their lower ends so as to form stacks in the receiving spaces, the stacks being built up from their lower ends in inclined troughs forming part of the receiving spaces. Preferably each disc has its leading portion deflected upwardly as it approaches its assigned receiving space, while still retaining driving engagement with the conveyor, and the raised leading portion passes onto a disc catching member at the bottom of the receiving space, after which the disc is driven into the receiving space by the remaining engagement with the conveyor.

Abstract: A produce sorting unit that is a separate item of commerce intended for mounting on an existing produce harvester that has a conveyor for conveying produce to be sorted or graded. The unit comprises a frame that is adapted to be lifted onto the existing harvester and installed without requiring major alterations or modifications to the harvester. The frame supports a pair of produce elevating conveyor belts that extend outwardly from the frame and downwardly to the harvester conveyor to pick up produce therefrom. A horizontal conveyor belt supported on the frame receives produce from the elevating conveyor belts and carries it to an inspection location. The unit also includes a rejected produce conveyor belt underlying and extending transversely to the horizontal conveyor belt. Optic-electronic sorting means secured to the frame is responsive to light received from the produce as it is discharged from the horizontal conveyor at the inspection location.

Abstract: Apparatus for sorting items, such as peeled whole potatoes, which, in the absence of abnormalities, exhibit a substantially uniform light reflectivity, includes an illumination chamber through which the items to be sorted are passed successively as a stream. Light sensors are focused on a cross-sectional slice of the illumination chamber through which the items pass, each of these light sensors being focused on only a small portion of the slice. Electronic circuitry in conjunction with the light sensors counts the number of such sensors sensing abnormalities. If the number of sensors sensing abnormalities is greater than a predetermined minimum, a reject signal is produced. If desired, the circuitry may be arranged to also determine whether the number of sensors sensing abnormalities is greater than a predetermined percentage, for example, 50%, of the total number of sensors sensing the item, and thus produce a second reject signal if the abnromalities make up more than the predetermined percentage.

Abstract: An on-line detector for peach pits and peach pit fragments and the like remaining in peach halves following a pitting operation includes a sealed housing bordered on one side by an inclined view plate disposed between a feeding belt and a take-away belt. A peach half, pit cavity down, is passed by a viewing line above the view plate. Two different wavelengths of light are directed toward the viewing line and are reflected by a passing fruit section toward an array of light sensors. One of the wavelengths of light is controlled in on-off condition by a clock, being turned on during only a portion of each clock cycle. Output from each one in the array of light sensors is sampled during the portion of each clock cycle that the one wavelength is on, and differenced with the light sensor output from that sensor when the other wavelength only is on. Differencing occurs during each clock cycle and a difference output appears only in the presence of a pit or a pit fragment.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for high-speed automatic inspection and processing of large numbers of solid discrete particular objects such as multicolored capsule dose forms in regard to color and/or defect detection, in which virtually all unacceptable material is isolated and an accurate running and total count of acceptable material is provided. The objects are transported in a number of channels past respective optical heads comprising an electro-optics system, the transport mechanism being arranged to provide signals representative of relative object location. The electro-optics system is comprised operatively of separate color recognition and shape inspection subsystems. For the former, a plurality of optical channels are arranged in each optical head operatively in P groups of R optical channels each. The R optical channels of each group view different object segments to provide a spatially integrated output for minimizing noise and particularly the effects of printing on the objects.

Abstract: A color recognition system is used to distinguish between objects of various colors. A plurality of light sources are arranged at a sensing station to reflect light from the object as it passes the sensing station to a plurality of cooperatively mounted light detectors. The signals produced by the plurality of detectors are compared with a reference voltage and the comparison utilized to differentiate between objects of different colors passing the sensing station. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the color recognition system is incorporated in a ball separator for a pool table to separate the entirely white cue ball from the partially or wholly differently colored object balls and to divert the cue ball into a first storage station and the object balls into a separate storage station.

Abstract: A produce sorter is described for removing culls, for example green tomatoes from red tomatoes and for removing foreign objects such as dirt and debris. An image of the produce and the foreign objects passing a station is formed on a light diffusing plate. Light from the diffusing plate impinges upon two pair of phototransducers. The transducers are each preceded by a color filter. The color filters are selected so that one pair of transducers produces electrical signals corresponding to two colors or wavelengths and the other pair produce electrical signals corresponding to two different wavelengths. The filters for one pair of transducers are selected to pass red and green. When the red/green signals have a predetermined relationship a reject signal is generated to reject culls. Additionally, when the signals from the other pair of transducers have a predetermined relationship a reject signal is generated to reject foreign objects.

Abstract: A tomato harvester sorting system. Tomatoes from a rear cross-conveyor are caried forwardly by a pre-sorting conveyor where workers remove vegetative trash. An electro-mechanical sorter judges the redness or greenness of tomatoes falling from the forward end of the pre-sorting conveyor and impels green tomatoes into a cull chute, while red tomatoes fall on to an elevating conveyor. An after-sorting conveyor receives red tomatoes from the upper end of the elevating conveyor and carries them forward to an output end, while workers remove blemished and overripe fruit. A tiltable, outwardly-moving clod conveyor, being the terminal portion of a conveyor system for clods and loose tomatoes, has a cull chute at its outer end. The clod conveyor is positioned directly over the elevating conveyor. A worker removes good tomatoes from the clod conveyor and places them in the main sorting stream with the red tomatoes.

Abstract: A circuit for detecting the color of fruit on a plurality of conveyor paths by measuring the light reflected from the surface of the fruit at a viewing station at each path. The circuitry operates to develop a pair of signals at each of the conveyor paths which signals are provided by measurements of the amount of light reflected from the fruit within two distinct bands of wavelengths of light. These signals are routed, one pair at a time, through a pair of amplifiers and a pair of voltage comparators to develop appropriate discharge signals for each of the conveyor paths. A sequencer controls a pair of switching circuits which direct the signals, one at a time, to the amplifiers. The sequencer also directs any signals from the comparators to driver circuits which provide power to divert cull fruit from each conveyor path.