Abstract: Inspection apparatus comprising a transparent or translucent tubular member having at least a frusto-conical portion, illuminating elements disposed externally of the tubular member for producing an illuminated zone within the frusto-conical portion, and a viewing arrangement disposed externally of the tubular member and arranged to view objects passing through the illuminated zone in the frusto-conical portion so as to respond to the value of a property of said objects, the tubular member reflecting substantially no light from the illuminated zone onto the viewing arrangement.

Abstract: An improved method of sorting biological cells in a conventional cell sorter apparatus includes generating a fluid jet containing cells to be sorted, measuring the distance between the centers of adjacent droplets in a zone thereof defined at the point where the fluid jet separates into descrete droplets, setting the distance between the center of a droplet in said separation zone and the position along said fluid jet at which the cell is optically sensed for specific characteristics to be an integral multiple of said center-to-center distance, and disabling a charger from electrically charging a specific droplet if a cell is detected by the optical sensor in a position wherein it will be in the neck area between droplets during droplet formation rather than within a predetermined distance from the droplet center.

Abstract: Blueberry sorting, i.e. classifying, and apparatus therefor, to separate ripe berries from unripened berries and stems, by dynamically immersing all of the berries beneath the surface of a water bath, the unripened berries being controllably allowed to rise to float on the surface of the bath, the ripe berries being deposited on a submersed conveyor and conveyed out of the bath to a separate location. Berry immersion is achieved hydrodynamically by a downward stream of water which propels the berries down to cause release of gas bubbles on the ripe berry surfaces, carry them through a flow zone to the conveyor and then recirculate.

Abstract: Separation of heavy tramp metal pieces from lighter weight machine tool turnings and chips is accomplished by apparatus and method in which turnings or chips containing tramp objects are moved along a conveying path and across an elongate free-fall area or region which is generally transverse to the conveying path. A stream of gas is directed through the free-fall area to blow the chips and turnings away from the free-fall area and into a separate processing path while the tramp objects fall through the free-fall area under the influence of gravity. In order to ensure than the tramp objects are properly dumped into the elongate free-fall area and do not bridge the free-fall area in the conveying path, an abutment member is placed along the elongate free-fall area for deflecting a leading portion of an elongate tramp metal object upwardly and/or sidewardly with respect to the conveying path.

Abstract: Disclosed is an evaporator apparatus and method for encapsulating individually isolated particles with a coating material wherein uniformally sized droplets, normally having no more than one particle, are formed from a mixture of the coating material, the suspended particles, and a carrier liquid; the droplets then being charged, steered by an electrostatic arrangement of a tubular electrode and at least one other electrode so as to be retained in a temperature controlled, predetermined area for a sufficient time period to allow the complete evaporation of the carrier liquid.

Abstract: A liquid flow system contains suspended biological cells for the purpose of orienting them, spacing them from each other and analyzing the cells. Many biological cells are not of spherical shape but may be disk-like or rod-like in appearance. The present flow system includes means for orienting the cells with respect to the liquid flow and for either centering them or displacing them into a desired plane within the fluid flow. The cells are electrically charged, suspended in a dielectric fluid and deflected by a suitable electric field. Optionally an image analysis may be performed.

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

Abstract: Herein described is a machine for removing raisins spoiled by mold from good raisins. An angularly disposed rotating screened cylinder causes raisins to be lifted and dropped to the bottom of the cylinder. Because of the fact that the bad raisins are soft and sticky they will stick to the screen. Good raisins will be tumbled towards the bottom of the screened cylinder and out. Spray nozzles force water through the screened cylinder washing the stuck raisins into a trough where they are kept separate from the good raisins.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a separate single drop wherein a fluid stream is formed in air and an electrical charge or radiant energy is applied to the stream at a particular location in order to disturb the stream and create a single drop. The drop may be formed surrounding a particle and the drop may be charged when formed, then deflected for separate collection.

Abstract: Blueberry sorting, i.e. classifying, and apparatus therefor, to separate ripe berries from unripened berries and stems, by dynamically immersing all of the berries beneath the surface of a water bath, the unripened berries being controllably allowed to rise to float on the surface of the bath, the ripe berries being deposited on a submersed conveyor and conveyed out of the bath to a separate location. Berry immersion is achieved hydrodynamically by a downward stream of water which propels the berries down to cause release of gas bubbles on the ripe berry surfaces, carry them through a flow zone to the conveyor and then recirculate.

Abstract: Shrimp are introduced individually onto a rotating disk inward of an adjustable gauging strip fixed above the disk's surface. Shrimp passing under the gauging strip under the influence of centrifugal force and are channeled to a first output chute. Those retained by the strip exit the disk through a second output chute. Disks may be ganged vertically to provide a plurality of sorted grades or in parallel for increased throughput.

Abstract: Apparatus for sorting containers such as bottles according to their shape, size or color in which there is a conveyor along which the containers pass with a plurality of exits. Container recognition apparatus is provided which controls means to direct the different containers to selected ones of the exits.

Abstract: The sorting method includes moving materials at a certain horizontal speed such that on falling their points of impact are disbursed over a moving sorting belt in such a manner that the materials become located at points which are sufficiently different to enable effective sorting to be obtained by small adhesion differences so that the adhering materials are carried by the sorting belt to a discharge region and the non-adhering or weakly adhering materials are rejected by the belt. The apparatus includes a feed device located above a moving adhesion belt having an adjustable speed control and an arrangement for adjusting the position of the feed device relative to the adhesion sorting belt.