Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for singulating, orienting, and delivering oriented objects (e.g., embryos) to a desired location (e.g., a plate containing a selected medium).

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for determining soil clod size distribution as an agricultural implement is being towed across a field by a work vehicle may include a vision-based sensor provided in operative association with one of the work vehicle or the agricultural implement. As such, the vision-based sensor may be configured to capture vision data associated with a portion of the field present within a field of view of the vision-based sensor. Furthermore, the system may include a controller configured to receive vision data from the vision-based sensor. Moreover, the controller may be further configured to analyze the received vision data using a spectral analysis technique to determine a size distribution of soil clods present within the field of view of the vision-based sensor.

Abstract: A vision inspection system includes a rotary sorting platform rotated about an axis to rotate parts. The vision inspection system includes an inspection station positioned adjacent the rotary sorting platform including imaging devices to image different sides of the parts. The vision inspection system includes a vision inspection controller receiving images from the imaging devices and processing the images from the imaging devices based on an image analysis model. The vision inspection controller processes the images to determine inspection results for each of the parts. The vision inspection controller has an artificial intelligence learning module operated to update the image analysis model based on the images received from the imaging devices.

Abstract: An exemplary laser microscope can be provided, comprising at least one first laser source which emits at least one (e.g., pulsed) excitation beam, a scanning optical configuration (e.g., configured to scan the excitation beam over the surface of a sample), a focusing optical configuration (e.g., configured to focus the excitation beam onto the sample), and at least one detector configured to detect light emitted by the sample due to an optical effect in response to the excitation beam. A second laser source facilitates a pulsed ablation beam for a local ablation of the material of the sample. The ablation beam can be guided to the sample via the scanning and focusing optical configurations. The first and second laser sources can be fed by a mutual continuous wave pump laser and/or a mutual pulsed pump laser. The first laser source can emit pulses with at least two different wavelengths.

Abstract: Provided is a can inner surface-coating apparatus with which inspection of bottomed cylinders can be favorably performed in parallel without being affected by the coating process. In the can inner surface-coating apparatus, inspection cameras to be used for inspection following coating of the inner surface of a bottomed cylinder that will become the body of a can or bottle-shaped can are disposed above spray devices that are used for coating the inner surface of bottomed cylinders. Moreover, the coating area including the spray devices and the inspection area including the inspection cameras are covered with a cover. By supplying air inside the cover from the upper part (air supply port) of the inspection area and discharging the air out of the cover from the lower part (coating mist collection duct) of the coating area, an air flow is formed from the upper part of the inspection area to the lower part of the coating area.

Abstract: The spray dryer comprises a spray drying chamber having a substantially cylindrical top section, a conical wall and a narrowed lower section. In the top section, atomizing means is provided. One or more cameras are associated with the drying chamber in order to monitor the process. At least one of the cameras is an infrared camera adapted for measuring the temperature within a predefined area.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a conveyor inspection system and a method of sorting a substrate. The conveyor inspection system includes a moveable conveyor and a rapid conveyor. The moveable conveyor is configured to transfer undesired substrates to the rapid conveyor. The method includes determining that the substrate is undesirable for entry into a modular inspection unit, transferring the substrate to a rapid conveyor in response to determining that the substrate is undesirable for entry into the modular inspection unit, and transporting the substrate on the rapid conveyor. The conveyor inspection system and method remove substrates from the test system upon first entering the test system, which reduces time wasted in analyzing undesired substrates that would be discarded.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for removing a non-conforming comestible from a counter-stacker. One of the methods includes receiving, on an upper conveyor included in a counter-stacker, a first comestible; transferring, by the counter-stacker that includes a stacking frame and a stacking platform and while the first comestible substantially maintains its shape, the first comestible through an aperture defined within the stacking frame and onto the stacking platform; creating, by the counter-stacker, a stack of comestibles that includes the first comestible and has a threshold quantity; receiving, on the upper conveyor, a second comestible; rotating, by one or more actuators included in the counter-stacker that are coupled to the stacking frame, the stacking frame to cause the second comestible to fall onto a lower conveyor; and removing, by the lower conveyor, the second comestible from the counter-stacker.

Abstract: For sexing silkworm cocoons, a delivery mechanism carries a checker cocooning frame holding silkworm cocoons. A detection mechanism detects a female silkworm cocoon based on an optical wavelength emitted by the female silkworm cocoon. A sorting mechanism sorts the silkworm cocoons, putting female silkworm cocoons into a female collecting box, and male silkworm cocoons into a male collecting box.

Abstract: The separation of oats from a combination of grains is performed by obtaining optical data includes both reflectance data and visual data and then analyzing the data in multiple ways, including analyzing information obtained based on ratios of wavelengths and grain imagery. The reflectance data relies on near infrared spectroscopy at requisite ratios of wavelengths in the range of 1100 nm to 2200 nm, while the grain imagery encompasses images of both sides of each of the combination of grains and can also take into account grain size and shape differentiations. The results is an oats separation process wherein at least 99% of foreign grains are rejected with only about 3% of the oats being rejected, while enabling volume processing of grains and establishing a supply of oats with a gluten level well below 20 ppm.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering mining material to a multimodal array of different types of sensors and classifying and sorting the mining material based on the data collected from the multimodal array of sensors. The arrays of different sensors sense the mining material and collect data which is subsequently used together to identify the composition of the material and make a determination as to whether to accept or reject the material as it passes off the terminal end of the material handling system. Diverters are positioned at the terminal end of the material handling system and are positioned in either an accept or reject position based on the data collected and processed to identify the composition of the mining material.

Abstract: A harvesting apparatus for a fruit or vegetable product includes a maturity determination device to determine a maturity level of the fruit or vegetable product; a harvester to harvest the fruit or vegetable product; a power source generator to drive the harvester; and a controller to determine whether or not to supply the power to the harvester based on a determination result on the maturity level provided by the maturity determination device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and a device (1) to test the sealing of cork stoppers (R). The device (1) comprises a partitioning mechanism dividing a chamber in two compartments (8a, 8b). The partitioning mechanism comprises: an adjustable insulator (9) configured to hermetically seal a central part of the stopper (R) from the outside environment and simultaneously to arrange each end of the stopper (R) in one of the compartments (8a, 8b); and an insulator actuation member (10) to arrange the insulator (9) on the central part of the stopper (R). The device farther comprises a block (11a) for closing the compartment (8a); an inlet (12) connected to a test fluid source, the source arranged in the block (11a), and a detection member (13) connected to the same block (11a). The present invention finds application in the field of cork stopper production and in the cork industry in general.

Abstract: A fruits sorting apparatus includes: a conveyance device configured to convey a plurality of charged fruits from a detection area located on an upstream side to a sorting area disposed on a downstream side; an imaging device configured to photograph the fruits in the detection area of the conveyance device; a processor configured to detect a rotten fruit and a nonstandard fruit having an irregular shape or size based on images of the fruits and vegetables imaged by the imaging device; and a robot configured to pick up the rotten fruit and the nonstandard fruit detected by the processor in the sorting area.

Abstract: A machine vision system for automatically identifying and inspecting objects is disclosed, including composable vision-based recognition modules and a decision algorithm to perform the final determination on object type and quality. This vision system has been used to develop a Projectile Identification System and an Automated Tactical Ammunition Classification System. The technology can be used to create numerous other inspection and automated identification systems.

Abstract: A transmission and positioning mechanism includes a guiding assembly, a driving assembly and a positioning assembly. The guiding assembly includes two sliding rails, a transmission belt, a plurality of sliding members. The sliding members are slidably disposed on the sliding rails. The positioning assembly includes a transmission rod, a positioning rod connected to the transmission rod, a positioning block sleeved on the positioning rod, a driving rod sleeved on the transmission rod. The driving rod defines a spiral slots and at least one limiting slot. The driving assembly is connected to the positioning assembly and rotates the transmission rod, the positioning rod and the driving rod, the spiral slot engages one of the plurality of the sliding members to move other sliding members to the at least one limiting slot and the positioning blocks, and the at least one limiting slot and the positioning blocks latch the sliding members.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and a control system are described for controlling operations involving residue. The method and system include analyzing residue on an agricultural field. A first image is captured with an image sensor of an area of the field that is ahead of or behind the implement. The first image is analyzed to determine an indicator of residue coverage on the field. A subsequent operation on the field is executed, one or more aspects of which are controlled based upon the determined indicator of residue coverage.

Abstract: An automated apparatus and method for collecting and dispensing rejected cards in a tray in a card attaching system. Sheets are transported on a moving belt. Cards are fed from a feeder above the moving belt. Cards are deposited onto the sheets. When a card rejection condition is detected, a rejected card is diverted and deposited in a tray having a sloped chute. The sloped chute extends down to a lower position beyond an outside edge of the moving belt. To facilitate movement down the chute, the tray is vibrated. This vibration is accomplished by supporting the tray on a roller assembly that rolls on a surface of the moving belt as it passes under the sloped chute. The roller is non-circular or of an eccentric configuration, such that the axis of the roller will experience a vertical displacement as the roller rotates, jogging the tray.

Abstract: A retail checkout system includes a camera, a database, a processor, and a memory. The camera outputs an image of a purchase item. The database contains features of known items. The processor performs operations to extract features of the purchase item from the image of the purchase item, and identifies matches between the features of the purchase item and the features of known items. The processor identifies a group of candidate items among the known items responsive to insufficient matches between the features of the purchase item and the features of any one of the known items. The processor displays information identifying the candidate items, receives a command selecting one of the candidate items as matching the purchase item, and adjusts information in the database that defines the features of the selected one of the candidate items based on the features of the purchase item.

Abstract: A specimen storage device capable of easily identifying a specific specimen plate stored in a rack is proposed. The specimen storage device for storing a tested specimen plate in a rack capable of storing a plurality of specimen plates, the specimen storage device including specimen storage section configured to store the specimen plate in the rack, and a control section configured to control the specimen storage section to store a specific specimen plate, whose test result satisfies a predetermined condition, in the rack in a manner distinguishable from a one or more specimen plate, whose test result does not satisfy the predetermined condition.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems and methods for receiving shipment parcels at, for example, materials handling facilities. In some embodiments, a parcel monitoring system detects an exception for a shipment parcel. The parcel monitoring system identifies a vendor associated with the shipment parcel. In response to the exception being detected, the parcel monitoring system controls a conveyor system in accordance with an action specified by an exception handling rule for the vendor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a brominated flame retardant determining method that determines whether or not a brominated flame retardant is contained in a determination target object by emitting light to the determination target object composed of resin, receiving reflected light from the determination target object emitted with the light, calculating an absorption spectrum of the determination target object based on the reflected light, and determining whether or not a brominated flame retardant is contained in the determination target object in the absorption spectrum, based on an absorption spectrum in a wavelength band of 1.40 ?m or more and 2.50 ?m or less.

Abstract: An optical type granule sorting machine is provided which allows a sensitivity setting to be easily performed by effectively utilizing RGB three-dimensional color space information similar to information obtained via human eyes and which enables signal processing to be substantially simplified.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of handling portions comprising a respective at least one slice, wherein the slices have been produced by slicing food products, wherein the portions are conveyed, in particular line-wise, one after the other in a main conveying stream along a conveying direction, wherein incomplete portions, in particular portions low in weight, are automatically recognized and/or classified, wherein incomplete portions are expelled from the main conveying stream and are supplied to a correction station in a correction stream, wherein incomplete portions are respectively completed by at least one single slice which is removed from a slice store with the aid of an automatic transfer unit and wherein completed portions are automatically channeled back into the main conveying stream.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for sorting foreign matter from a flow, the method comprising the steps of: identifying objects within a flow; for each identified object, determining reflectance intensities at at least two different wavelengths or ranges of wavelengths; and for each identified object, comparing the reflectance intensities at the at least two different wavelengths or ranges of wavelengths to a reference intensity profile, wherein the identified object is characterized as foreign matter when the reflectance intensities at the at least two different wavelengths or ranges of wavelengths fall within a predetermined region of the reference intensity profile.

Abstract: A high-speed, high-resolution, triangulation-based, 3-D method and system for inspecting manufactured parts and sorting the inspected parts are provided. The method includes consecutively transferring the parts so that the parts move along a path which extends from a supply of parts and through an imaging station. A triangulation-based sensor head is supported at the imaging station. The sensor head is configured to generate focused lines of radiation and to sense corresponding reflected lines of radiation. The focused lines are delivered onto an end surface of each part to obtain a corresponding array of reflected lines of radiation. The sensor head senses the array of reflected lines to obtain a corresponding set of 2-D profile signals. The set of profile signals represent a 3-D view of the end surface. The set of 2-D profile signals of each part is processed to identify parts having an unacceptable defect.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention comprises associating a marker with at least some of the seeds containing a genetic element of interest of the bulk sample, exciting the seeds using an photonic emitting device, evaluating at least some of the seeds of the bulk sample for the presence or absence of the marker, and sorting the seeds containing a genetic element of interest based on the presence or absence of the marker. In various other embodiments, the method may comprise associating a red fluorescent protein marker with at least some of the seeds containing a genetic element of interest of the bulk sample, evaluating at least some of the seeds of the bulk sample for the presence of the red fluorescent protein marker using an evaluating device, and sorting the seeds containing a genetic element of interest based on the presence of the red fluorescent protein marker.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Rare Earth downconverting compositions for optical encoding objects and related methods and apparatuses. The rare earth (RE) downconverting phosphor compositions are capable of generating a unique optical spectrum or unique optical signature from which an optical code or barcode can be derived. In one exemplary embodiment, the RE downconverting phosphor composition may contain two or more lanthanide materials each having a host and at least one downconverting emitter. Each lanthanide material emits a detectable electromagnetic radiation emission peak at an intensity, which is proportional to the amount of emitter present, upon excitation with an absorbable electromagnetic radiation, the emitted radiation comprising a lower energy, i.e., a longer wavelength than the absorbable radiation. One or more ratios of the intensities of the emitted detectable electromagnetic radiation may be used to uniquely identify the composition.

Abstract: A high-speed, high-resolution, triangulation-based, 3-D method and system for inspecting manufactured parts and sorting the inspected parts are provided. The method includes consecutively transferring the parts so that the parts move along a path which extends from a supply of parts and through an imaging station. A triangulation-based sensor head is supported at the imaging station. The sensor head is configured to generate focused lines of radiation and to sense corresponding reflected lines of radiation. The focused lines are delivered onto an end surface of each part to obtain a corresponding array of reflected lines of radiation. The sensor head senses the array of reflected lines to obtain a corresponding set of 2-D profile signals. The set of profile signals represent a 3-D view of the end surface. The set of 2-D profile signals of each part is processed to identify parts having an unacceptable defect.

Abstract: High-speed, triangulation-based, 3-D method and system for inspecting manufactured parts and sorting the inspection parts are provided. A plurality of angularly-spaced, triangulation-based, sensor heads are located at an imaging station to simultaneously deliver focused lines of radiation onto a plurality of exterior side surfaces of the part during motion of the part relative to the focused lines to obtain corresponding arrays of reflected lines of radiation. The sensor heads simultaneously sense their corresponding arrays of reflected lines to obtain corresponding sets of 2-D profile signals. Each set of profile signals represent a 3-D view of one of the exterior side surfaces and the sets of 2-D profile signals represent a 360° panoramic composite 3-D view of the outer peripheral surface of the part.

Abstract: A high-speed method and system for inspecting a stream of parts using at least one transparent traveling carrier of a conveyor subsystem are provided. The subsystem has a forward reach and a return reach. The method includes controllably receiving a stream of parts in rapid succession on the at least one traveling carrier and utilizing the subsystem to transfer the stream of parts in rapid succession to a part inspection station. The bottom surface of each part is illuminated through its traveling carrier with radiant energy when the part is located at the inspection station to generate reflected radiation signals which travel through its traveling carrier. A bottom image of each illuminated bottom surface is formed from the reflected radiation signals at an imaging location between the forward and return reaches at the inspection station. The bottom images are detected at the imaging location.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods to improve detection of PET polymer materials within a waste material to be sorted. The methods disclosed allow for municipal solid waste to be separated so that PET polymer materials, including those containing liquids, are separated for recycling, or other purposes. PET polymer materials, such as water bottles which have been disposed of while still containing liquid may now be separated by the enhanced methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods to improve detection of PET polymer materials within a waste material to be sorted. The methods disclosed allow for municipal solid waste to be separated so that PET polymer materials, including those containing liquids, are separated for recycling, or other purposes. PET polymer materials, such as water bottles which have been disposed of while still containing liquid may now be separated by the enhanced methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: A sorting and inspection apparatus comprising a feed system for delivering a product stream sequentially through an imaging zone and a sorting zone, at least one tight source for illuminating a product at the imaging zone, at least one optical sensor and detector circuit for viewing at least a portion of the illuminated product at the imaging zone, for collecting viewed data, for determining a condition of that at least portion of the illuminated product from the viewed data and then for outputting a signal dependent upon the determined condition of that at least portion of the illuminated product, and at least one ejector for ejecting product at the sorting zone dependent upon the output signal. The imaging zone comprises at least two sensor zones, sequentially arranged one after another in a direction of the product stream.

Abstract: A nondestructive system and method for aflatoxin detection based on red-orange fluorescence is described. A sorting plane is illuminated with a wide band black light source. At least one image of unsorted produce on said sorting plane is obtained. A red component of the at least one image is evaluated. Contaminated produce is determined based on the red component.

Abstract: A system for detecting oil contaminated product and foreign matter within a product stream is provided. The system includes a first conveying means for delivering a product stream; a first detection apparatus for detecting oil contaminated product, the first detection apparatus positioned proximate the product stream, the first detection apparatus including a high intensity infrared light source directed at the product stream; and a high speed NIR spectrometer sensor tuned to detect a reflected signal from a taggant disposed in the oil of the oil contaminated product; a second detection apparatus for detecting foreign matter within a product stream, the second detection apparatus positioned proximate the product stream, the second detection apparatus including a light source for illuminating the product stream and a detector for detecting light reflected from the product stream; and a controller for determining whether the product stream contains oil contaminated product or foreign matter.

Abstract: An inspection system is configured for use with a conveyer apparatus including carrier bars. Each carrier bar conveys pellet-shaped articles along a predetermined path. The inspection system includes at least one camera unit for sensing a predetermined characteristic of the pellet-shaped articles, a removal unit, and a controller. The removal unit, downstream from the at least one camera unit, removes selected pellet-shaped article(s) from the carrier bar(s) depending on whether the characteristic is sensed by the at least one camera unit. The controller is in communication with the at least one camera unit and the removal unit. The controller provides a signal to the removal unit in accordance with the sensed characteristic. The removal unit includes a rotatable ejection drum having extended vacuum nozzles along its length, equal to the number of articles conveyed in each carrier bar. Each vacuum nozzle selectively removes article(s) from the carrier bar(s) by suction.

Abstract: A wire sorting system identifies and sorts wire from mixed electronic waste solely by the shape of the wire. A digital image of a stream of articles is created, and the image data may be processed using a Gabor filter technique to identify elongated narrow objects such as wire.

Abstract: A system is provided for identifying at least one physical characteristic of items in a stream of items moving along a path through an inspection zone, and for separating items from the stream of items based upon the at least one physical characteristic. The system includes a movable transversely scanning mirror arranged to reflect electromagnetic energy from the inspection zone onto an array of detectors. The detectors of the array are arranged to sequentially receive electromagnetic energy so that on each transverse scan of the mirror for any given sub-zone within the inspection zone the detectors of the array receive electromagnetic energy reflected from the mirror at different times. The controller is then operable to correlate input signals from the various detectors corresponding to detected levels of electromagnetic energy received at different times from each given sub-zone within the inspection zone.

Abstract: Provided is an asperity detection device for a can which does not need an additional conveyance device for inspection, reduces increased inspection costs, and allows for quick detection of defective merchandise while conveying the can.

Abstract: A sample processing apparatus comprising: a plurality of sample processing units, each processing a sample contained in a sample container; a transport apparatus that transports a sample rack holding a sample container to at least any one of the plurality of sample processing units; a rack feeding section that receives a sample rack and feeds the received sample rack to a transport line of the transport apparatus; and a controller configured to instruct the transport apparatus, according to a quantity of sample racks received by the rack feeding section, to transport a sample rack fed by the rack feeding section to either (a) a sample processing unit which can accept a subsequent sample rack more rapidly than any other sample processing unit or (b) a sample processing unit having a lower processing load than any other sample processing unit. Also, a sample rack transporting method.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate sorting used printed sheets of paper or other media, identifying reusable pages (i.e., pages without print on one or both sides), and outputting the reusable pages for reuse. If print is detected on one side of a used page, a security or interference pattern, or a blackout pattern, is printed over the detected print (e.g., text or the like) to conceal or obscure the print to render it illegible. In this manner, potentially sensitive or confidential information is concealed, and the reusable pages are output for use in a user-selected application (e.g., label printing, etc.) while ensuring that confidential information is obscured.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a container sorting system capable of increased sorting efficiency. The present invention discloses a device in which the distance is shortened between detection and ejection of containers being sorted by reflective infrared radiation, transmission infrared radiation, or both. The present invention also includes a method of operating such device.

Abstract: A device for obtaining a material from a mixed fraction (including particles of a desired material and particles of another material with different optical properties) has a first sorting apparatus and at least two further sorting apparatuses below the first sorting apparatus. From the first sorting apparatus, a major fraction is introduced into a first further sorting apparatus and purified further there, while a minor fraction is passed into a second further sorting apparatus and processed further there.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus is described, and which includes a conveyor which transports a produce stream for inspection. The conveyor has various regions formed in part of ridges, troughs and apertures which reduce the weight of the produce stream, as well as reduces the vertical and horizontal components of motion of the produce stream, as the produce stream progresses from one end to the other.

Abstract: A method for sorting out interfering objects (2) in a material stream (13) consisting of acceptable material (1), preferably cullet, wherein during a sorting process the interfering objects (2) and the acceptable material (1) are respectively sorted in at least one separate room area or container, preferably a shaft (9, 10). In order to achieve high degrees of purity with low loss of acceptable material and to simultaneously avoid the use of high fluid blowout pressures and quantities, it is provided that the material stream (13) is continuously subjected during a sorting process to a fluid stream, preferably consisting of compressed air, having a blowing pressure, wherein the fluid stream is interrupted temporally and/or locally depending on a detection result of a detection device (14), which detects the interfering objects in the material stream (13).

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for sorting particles into quality classes are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a measurement device (400) for determining at least one analytical property of said particles. A transport device (300) transports the particles past the measurement device. A sorting device (500) is operatively coupled to the measurement device and sorts the particles into at least two quality classes based on the analytical property. To achieve rapid and reliable transport, the transport device comprises a transport surface (310) configured to move in a transport direction. The transport surface has a plurality of perforations. The transport device further comprises a pump (130) for applying a pressure differential to these perforations, to cause particles fed to the transport device to be aspirated to the perforations and to be transported on the transport surface past the measurement device to the sorting device.

Abstract: A method for distinguishing and sorting seeds containing a genetic element of interest from a bulk sample. In various embodiments, the present invention comprises associating a marker with at least some of the seeds containing a genetic element of interest of the bulk sample, exciting the seeds using an photonic emitting device, evaluating at least some of the seeds of the bulk sample for the presence or absence of the marker, and sorting the seeds containing a genetic element of interest based on the presence or absence of the marker. In various other embodiments, the method may comprise associating a red fluorescent protein marker with at least some of the seeds containing a genetic element of interest of the bulk sample, evaluating at least some of the seeds of the bulk sample for the presence of the red fluorescent protein marker using an evaluating device, and sorting the seeds containing a genetic element of interest based on the presence of the red fluorescent protein marker.

Abstract: A process for purifying plastic from a waste stream can include separating a waste stream into two or more mixtures of flakes with each mixture containing one or more plastic types and performing an automated sorting process on the first mixture to increase the weight percentage of a plastic family in the first mixture. The separation process can include at least one process selected from the group consisting of density separation, electrostatic sorting, froth flotation, and density differential alteration. Prior to the automated sorting process, the first mixture can include at least 80% by weight of one or more plastics from the plastic family.