Abstract: The present invention reveals a sorting system for use in manual sorting, which presents a detached ephemeral display moving in a manner corresponding to the movement of the article, by which an article to be sorted can be quickly and easily identified. To accomplish its purpose, the device comprises: feed conveyors; a switching unit; optical readers positioned to capture destination indicia affixed to each article; a detached moving display which remains close to the article to be sorted and presents information representative of the article's destination location; a destination location which signals when a related article is approaching; and a controller capable of assigning destination locations and controlling display devices.

Abstract: An article transporting, and preferably also color and/or weight sorting, assembly and method, support the articles (.g. apples or like pieces of fruit), and effect precise rotation (e.g. within about 5°) of all apples transported thereby. This allows accurate determination of the apple's color by color sensing equipment (e.g. a color camera). The assembly comprises a support element, and two sets of cones mounted to the support by rotatable shafts, each set comprising first and second cones having a tapered exterior surface, the cones on each shaft facing each other and tapering to an imaginary substantially common midpoint. The cones support an apple essentially without the apple engaging the shaft. The cones may be of soft yieldable plastic or rubber with a first taper of about 25-35° (e.g. about 28°), and optionally one or more steps of different taper.

Abstract: A grain sorting apparatus includes a conveyor belt mechanism for conveying grains, fed by a feed mechanism onto a conveying surface separately from each other at an upstream region with respect to a conveying direction, to a downstream end so that the grains are discriminated and sorted by a discriminating mechanism and a sorting mechanism when dropping from the downstream end along a predetermined path, the belt mechanism being disposed so that the conveying surface thereof declines as going downstream with respect to the conveying direction to prevent the grains being carried by the belt mechanism from rolling toward the upstream direction on the conveying surface of the belt mechanism. It is therefore possible to prevent the grains from rolling on the conveying surface of the conveyor belt mechanism toward the upstream direction relative to the conveying surface of the conveyor belt even when a conveying velocity of the conveyor belt mechanism is high.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for sorting post-consumed bottles exactly and efficiently and an apparatus for carrying out the method. The sorting apparatus comprises a supply section, a separating section, a detecting section comprising a first image pickup camera for detecting the size and contour of each post-consumed bottle and a second image pickup camera for high speed detection of color by a defined image pickup utilizing data from the first image pickup camera, a sorting section for sorting and discharging only post-consumed bottles already classified to sorting containers preliminarily placed in accordance with data received from the detecting section, and a control section for controlling a series of operations timely. Since the scope of the image pickup for detecting color of the post-consumed bottles is defined in accordance with the data from the detecting section, picture processing at a high speed is achieved resulting in remarkable sorting performance.

Abstract: A sorting system is disclosed for reclaiming lean meat from highfat meat trimmings. The sorting system includes a meat dicing machine which receives laterally extending whole meat trimmings and which dices such meat trimmings without grinding or extruding, and without disturbing the lateral distribution of the meat. This results in a lateral distribution of meat trimmings, without requiring vibratory distribution which is disfavored in meat processing plants. A wide-belt inspection conveyor is positioned at the downstream end of the meat dicing machine to receive the laterally distributed meat dices. The wide-belt inspection conveyor operates at a greater linear speed than does the meat dicing machine to longitudinally space the meat dices from each other. An optical inspection and sorting station is positioned at the downstream end of the wide-belt inspection conveyor to differentiate relatively lean meat dices from relatively fatty meat dices and to separate such meat dices from each other.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for inspecting finish dimensions of and detecting finish defects on containers moving sequentially in a predetermined path. More than one container can be inspected simultaneously. The apparatus includes one or more inspection gauges suspended above the container path. A transport system is provided for aiding in moving containers through the gauges and simultaneously axially rotating the containers about a vertical axis. Rotation of the containers allows the inspection gauges to inspect the entire circumference of the containers at one or more levels on the container simultaneously. Defective containers are detected when the relative separation distance between the gauge plates of the inspection gauge falls outside predetermined limits. If a defective container is detected, a rejection assembly may be activated to physically remove the defective container from the container path.

Abstract: A high rise recycling system for a multi-story building comprises a vertical chute extending from the bottom to top floor, discharge openings on each floor, a rotatable chute at the lower end to discharge garbage into a compactor and to discharge recyclable glass, paper, aluminum and plastic into a selective discharge assembly which selectively discharges each of the separate items into respective containers for such separate items. A control circuit having control switches on each floor controls operation of the selective discharge assembly. A power circuit drives a conveyor belt which carries the recyclable items through the selective discharge assembly to their respective discharge outlets for deposit into their respective containers.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for segregating elongate cylindrical rods of undesirable alloy composition from rods having a desired alloy composition is disclosed. The apparatus includes a rod segregation table having an upper rod transport side for individually moving rods transversely in substantially parallel spaced relation across the table. A thermoelectric tester is positioned at an intermediate rod test position under the upper rod transport side of the table and includes two spaced electrodes maintained at different temperatures and being adapted and arranged to engage a rod as it is moved into the rod test position. A signal representative of the thermoelectrically induced voltage in the rod between the electrodes is generated and compared to a predetermined value. An offset drive signal is generated when the signal representative of the induced thermoelectric voltage is different from the predetermined value.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for grading objects according to their size, the objects are advanced along a broad, flat and divided conveyer path. Image data relating to the size of respective objects is obtained with the aid of a camera scanning against a light source. At the correct moment in time, control signals are transmitted to finger groups, preferably four, which function to guide ten or more objects simultaneously in mutually different directions, in accordance with the respective sizes of the objects. In one embodiment, the lowest fingers are replaced with triangular-shaped guidance blocks. A large number of objects can be sorted gently and effectively from the transport path into mutually different, individually selective sizes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting cylindrically configured pellets for surface defects is disclosed. At least one axially extending linear portion of the peripheral surface of the pellet is optically sensed. A set of discrete digital values representative of the optically sensed linear portion of the pellet surface is generated and the set of digital values is compared to a predetermined standard. Groups of digital values representative of adjacent locations on the surface of the pellet having values greater or less than the predetermined standard are identified. The area of adjacent digital values having a value above the standard, and the area of adjacent digital values having a value below the standard are calculated and compared to a predetermined area. The pellet is rejected when the calculated area exceeds a predetermined area.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating the grade of rice grains includes a grain supply unit, vibrating troughs on which the rice grains run in their longitudinal posture, flow-down troughs having slits each opening to each of the flow-down troughs, a reflected light measuring unit having its light sources and its detecting element for detecting the amount of the light reflected from the rice grains, a transmitted light measuring unit having its light sources and its detecting element for detecting the amount of the light transmitted through the rice grains at the positions of the slits, and a calculation control unit for digitally calculating the values measured at the reflected light measuring unit and the transmitted light measuring unit for evaluating the rice grains into a plurality of grades. The light sources for reflection may be of visible light and the light source for transmission may be of infrared light.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for grading objects according to their size, the objects are advanced along a broad, flat and divided conveyer path. Image data relating to the size of respective objects is obtained with the aid of a camera scanning against a light source. At the correct moment in time, control signals are transmitted to finger groups, preferably four, which function to guide ten or more objects simultaneously in mutually different directions, in accordance with the respective sizes of the objects. In one embodiment, the lowest fingers are replaced with triangular-shaped guidance blocks. A large number of objects can be sorted gently and effectively from the transport path into mutually different, individually selective sizes.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting articles according to size inlcudes a plurality of moving belt assemblies and an elongated hopper provided above the moving belt assemblies for feeding a plurality of articles to the same. The fed articles are aligned and spaced apart as they are transported along the moving belt assemblies. A light emitting device is adjacently disposed on one side of each movable belt assembly, and a photodetecting device is disposed opposite the light emitting device and adjacent to the other side of the movable belt assemblies. The articles cast shadows upon the photodetecting device as they move past the light emitting device. The photodetecting device transmits electrical signals corresponding to the sizes of the shadows which are received by a control circuit. The control circuit classifies the detected articles according to the transmitted electrical signals and actuates a plurality of electromagnetically operated push rods.

Abstract: A sorter sorts discrete bruisable articles, such as pieces of fruit like apples, with minimum bruising. A continuous conveying chain has a number of discrete article supporting elements connected to it for linear movement with it, and for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the chain. At various stations along the chain a self-singulating section is provided in which the articles are singulated onto the supporting elements, a weighing section (or like property determining section) is provided after the self-singulating section, and a discharge section is provided at which the articles are dischargee depending upon the weight sensed in the weighing section. The same chain supporting elements may continue through a second self-singulating section, a second weighing section, and a second discharge section. The supporting elements comprise plastic cups defining a shallow depression on a top face, e.g. a conically shaped depression with sidewalls making an angle of about 20.degree.-30.degree.

Abstract: A regular-interval mail feeding apparatus is disposed between an automatic mail discriminating/postmarking apparatus and an automatic mail sorting apparatus, in an automatic mail handling system. When various kinds of mails are fed at irregularly intervals from the postmarking apparatus to the feeding apparatus, it temporaling stocks the mails at its stock and sends out the stocked mails one by one at a predetermined intervals to the sorting apparatus. When one kind of mails are fed at regular intervals, the feeding apparatus directly conveys the fed mails to the sorting apparatus without passing through the stock, by changing the mail conveying path in the feeding apparatus by using a gate member.

Abstract: A method of optically checking the appearances of chips and sorting the chips comprises the steps of feeding chips onto chip-passage body to cause the chips to run on the chip-passage body in a predetermined direction; during the running of the chips on the chip-passage body, individually separating the chips to stop the chips one by one at each of two predetermined checking positions; irradiating light obliquely and straightly with respect to a chip at one of the predetermined checking positions to pick up an optical image of one of undersurface and top surface sides of the chip as a video signal by means of a first TV camera; irradiating light obliquely and straightly with respect to the chip at the other of the predetermined checking positions to pick up an optical image of the other of the undersurface and top surface sides of the chip as a video signal by means of a second TV camera; sending the video signals to image processing sections, each of which includes at least an analog-to-digital conversion un

Abstract: A sorter sorts discrete bruisable articles, such as pieces of fruit like applies, with minimum bruising. A continuous conveyor chain has a number of discrete article supporting elements connected to it for linear movement with it, and for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the chain. At various stations along the chain a self-singulating section is provided in which the articles are singulated onto the supporting elements, a weighing section (or like property determining section) is provided after the self-singulating section, and a discharge section is provided at which the articles are discharged depending upon the weight sensed in the weighing section. The same chain supporting elements may continue through a second self-singulating section, a second weighing section, and a second discharge section. The supporting elements comprise plastic cups defining a shallow depresssion on a top face, e.g. a conically shaped depression with sidewalls making an angle of about 20.degree.-30.degree.

Abstract: Fish sorting apparatus comprises a lighted viewing conveyor belt arranged to receive fish seriatim and a video camera mounted above the viewing belt and directed downwardly for receiving images of fish on the belt. A second, sorting, conveyor belt is arranged to receive fish from the viewing belt, and a divider wall above the sorting conveyor belt, which extends parallel to the sorting conveyor belt axis, divides a rear exit portion thereof into separate channels. A movable deflector is mounted in front of the divider wall for deflecting fish on the sorting conveyor belt into one of the channels, this deflector being moved in response to signals from an electronic circuit connected to the video camera so that the fish are deflected into one or other of the channels according to the image received on the video camera.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high speed asynchronous fruit sorter, particularly suitable for pit scanning of cherries in order to segregate cherries containing pits from pitted cherries.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus for automatically eliminating a group of articles to be treated of which at least one is missing or defective in this group, this apparatus comprising essentially a detecting cell located above the articles or containers transported by a conveyor, a magazine for storing these containers located near the detecting cell, and pushers arranged vertically under the magazine and under the containers transported by the conveyor.

Abstract: A system and process for sorting and conveying articles consisting of discarded tires and debris from one site to another site. The system and process receives articles in bulk, and concurrently singularizes and conveys the separated articles. Various physical characteristics of the individual articles, such as weight and size, are determined as the articles are continuously conveyed. Those articles having a physical property outside of a predetermined parameter range are ejected from the system. The remaining articles are then accumulated into groups of articles based on a physical characteristic of each article such that the sum of the physical characteristics of the articles of each group will be above a minimum and not exceed predetermined maximum values. The group of articles is then conveyed as a unit out of the system for a following operation such as disposal of the articles.

Abstract: Apparatus to move rectangular blanks from a receiving station to a loading station position. The apparatus has a support framework and a driven track to move the blanks from the receiving station towards the loading station. A feed station receives the blanks. Alignment devices in the feeding station position a blank. A blank is prevented from moving along the feed station while a further blank is being aligned. A separator separates the stacked blanks and a scanner system detects blanks of a predetermined width. A magazine stores blanks detected by the scanner system. Blanks detected by the scanner system can be moved from the track to the magazine. An end stop is on the track and a transfer device, over the track, before the end stop, receives a course of blanks. A scanner system, remote from the end stop, determines how a partially formed course of blanks should be completed.

Abstract: Apparatus for sorting ore rocks in which rocks are fed in stream past detector to measure characteristic selected as basis for sorting and into free flight trajectory from which selected individual rocks are deflected according to measure of said characteristic for those rocks. Apparatus is characterized by rock feed means comprising pair of movable elements having surfaces defining upwardly facing nip and which move downwardly at nip to grip rocks and accelerate them downwardly into free flight such that the free flight trajectory is substantially vertical.The movable elements may be a pair of horizontal rollers having resiliently deformable peripheral surfaces or a pair of flexible endless belts arranged in loops having upper parts defining the nip and, below the nip, adjacent downwardly extending runs between which the rocks are gripped and moved downwardly for some distance below the nip before being projected into vertical free flight.

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

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for inspecting the side walls of transparent bottles for the detection of dirt or foreign bodies therein which eliminates the necessity of rotating the bottle during inspection. The inspection is effected by projecting a plurality of images of the side walls of a bottle, as viewed from at least two different directions in plan, on to at least one integrated circuit device comprising an array of photodiodes arranged in a plurality of rows in combination with means to interrogate each diode in turn, along each row in turn, to provide a video signal comprising a sequence of electrical signals corresponding to the light energy each diode has received. The video signal is differentiated and unwanted signals outside of the limits of the side walls to be inspected are gated out, whereby to generate a video output pulse representative of dirt in the bottle.

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

Abstract: A sorting apparatus classifies and discharges articles, such as items of agricultural produce, in accordance with their individual weights. A multichannel conveyor cooperates with a front end singulator which receives the produce from a source of supply and which provides the items in single file to a continuous line of spaced carrying cups moved by the conveyor along each channel. The cups are disposed for movement between an upright article carrying position and a depending discharge position, and they are supported by a rail in each channel. The rail has openings therein at each of a plurality of discharge stations spaced therealong. The cups each pass over a weighing scale aligned with the supporting rail near the front end of each conveyor channel which scale comprises a pivotally mounted bar upon which the cups ride.

Abstract: The invention comprises one or more feed conveyors in communication with a sorting conveyor, so that items placed on the feed conveyors can be transferred to the sorting conveyor. Where more than one feed conveyor is used, their outputs are first run through a merge conveyor so that the outputs are compatible with use of a single sorting conveyor. A device for reading a code that has been placed on the item to be sorted is provided and a computing device to which such reader is connected is programmed to determine which diverter is to be activated by a particular code read by the reader. A timing device is provided that, when used in conjunction with the computing device, integrates the travel time of an item along the sorting conveyor to determine when the item has reached the particular diverter required to be activated to cause the item to be properly sorted. A control signal emanates from the computing device when the timer has completed its cycle and is used to switch on the pertinent diverter.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method and apparatus which allows the sorting of particles or cells in accordance with their physical and/or chemical properties such as size, DNA and/or protein content.

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: A can sorting apparatus is described for processing over 600 filled metal cans per minute. An infeed conveyor moves alongside a main conveyor in which the main conveyor is moving at a speed greater than the infeed conveyor. A transverse diverter directs the moving cans from the infeed conveyor to the main conveyor causing the cans to be automatically spaced as they move from the infeed conveyor to the main conveyor. The cans move past a sensing station to individually identify the cans and determine which cans are to be separated from the others. An overhead separating conveyor extends across the main conveyor at a separating station. An overhead electromagnet is positioned at the separating station to selectively lift a can from the main conveyor and bias the can upward against the lower flight of the overhead conveyor. The overhead conveyor then directs the lifted can transversely from the single line of filled cans to perform the separation of the cans.