Abstract: The invention relates to an optical sorting system for a color sorting machine. Product is irradiated with visible, infra-red or ultra-violet light by a transmitter. If there is no product in the ray path of the transmission source, all of the light falls onto a residual light receiver. If product is present, on the other hand, the light is partly or wholly scattered back to one or more product signal receivers.

Abstract: An apparatus for optically sorting small objects such as beans has an annular analysis head with an opening through which the objects fall. Three sets of optical fibers are positioned around the analysis head opening. A first set receives radiant light reflected from the falling objects. This reflected light is digitized and input to a comparator where the reflected light is compared to a reference value and a determination as to the quality of the object is made based on color. The second set of fibers is connected to an infrared light source and transmits a curtain of light across the opening, intercepting the travel of the objects. The third set of fibers receives the infrared light and is connected to a light detector which detects when objects pass through the curtain of light. The curtain of light is preferably wider than the objects. The light detector outputs a signal having peaks caused by the widest portions of objects passing through the light curtain.

Abstract: Sorting apparatus has a conveyor belt or equivalent mechanism for moving particles at a speed sufficient to generate a stream of particles in air, which particles can be graded such that unacceptable material can be removed. The grading or sorting is conducted by a primary scanning system for analyzing light reflected from particles in the stream in a plurality of wavelength ranges. Ejectors for removing particles from the stream are disposed downstream of the scanning system, and are instructed in response to signals received from the scanning system. An auxiliary scanning system is also included to establish the presence of material in the stream, and in the event that a void is detected in a given region, then the analysis of that region by the primary scanning system and any corresponding activation of the ejectors is inhibited.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus (10) for dividing meat components such as fat and lean mean, the combined fat and lean meat are extruded into one or more chains of material wherein the fat and lean meat are divided into discrete sections along the length thereof. Each chain of material passes through a conduit (14) and the character of material along each chain is sensed by a suitable sensor (18). The fat and lean meat are then diverted by a diverter (20) functioning in delayed response to the sensor (18) in order to separate the fat and lean meat. The apparatus (10) includes an arrangement for preventing the buildup of material on the internal surface of each conduit (14) and thereby prevents any such buildup from interfering with the operation of the sensor (18) or diverter (20). The buildup preventing arrangement preferably includes a heater element (54) associated with each conduit (14) to heat the inner wall of the conduits.

Abstract: A scrap particle sorting system and attendant sorting process employs a conveyor for conveying the randomly shaped particles in a random orientation, a position sensor for determining the advancement of the scrap particles in the direction of conveyance by determining the position of the conveyor belt, an image detector for periodically recording the image of a predefined viewing area through which the scrap particles are conveyed, and an image processor for periodic acquisition and processing of the images. The image processor includes logic for defining each image of the viewing area into a matrix of cells, and for each acquired image, analyzing the digital data corresponding to the image to determine for each cell in the matrix whether the pixels in that cell satisfy a predetermined criteria, and establishing a discriminator signal for each cell in the matrix as a function of that analysis.

Abstract: A device for a stocking turning machine for automatically separating only partially turned stockings from completely turned stockings.Each stocking which leaves the automatic stocking turning machine is conducted by a chute into a pneumatically operating ejection tube which bears two photocells with corresponding reflectors. The adjustable distance between the two photocells is such that when the stocking in question has been completely turned, its toe and the stocking welt simultaneously darken the two photocells. A cylinder is then actuated in such a manner that a guide chute which is connected to it assumes a deflection position shown in solid lines in the drawing, whereby the stocking falls into the container, whereupon the guide chute again returns into its starting position.

Abstract: A pulse color sorter which permits removal of internally and externally moldy pulse having afuratoxine as decomposition product is disclosed. The pulse color sorter comprises a first detector which provides a first and a second detection signal according to dispersed and transmitted light having two different wavelengths (for instance 700 and 1,100 nm) with different contents of information due to the separation of wavelengths, a second detector which provides a third detection signal according to reflected light, and a controller which calculates division of the first and second detection signals from the first detector, compares the resultant value calculated to a first predetermined threshold value while also compares the third signal from the second detector to a second threshold value, and outputs an eject signal if either of the compared signals is beyond the corresponding threshold value. According to the eject signal, corresponding defective pulse is forcibly ejected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting foreign matter in a particulate material stream, particularly tobacco, including an optical scanner, in combination with a camera system with beam splitter and filters, and a computer to process signals from the camera to determine whether foreign matter is present. If foreign matter is detected, a diverter deviates the flow of the contaminated material onto a discharge conveyor.

Abstract: A plastic container sorter (10) moves labeled plastic containers (14, 20, 48, 54, 58) of various colors and transparencies through an inspection zone (18). A pair of line-scanning color cameras (22, 24) capture respective transmittance and reflectance images of the containers and generate raw transmittance and reflectance image data. The raw container data are digitized, normalized, and binarized to provide accurate transmittance and reflectance container RGB image data and binarized image data for differentiating container image data from background data. Container sorting entails eroding (120) the binarized transmittance image and merging (122) the eroded image with the transmittance image data to yield a transmittance image. The eroded transmittance image is analyzed (124, 126) to determine whether the container is opaque. If the container is opaque, color analysis proceeds by analyzing the reflectance image data.

Abstract: An in-line ram rejector system particularly for high speed bottling lines with unspaced plastic containers relies on a multi-beam optical system to keep track of the containers between a contamination detection station and a rejector station equipped with a ram rejector. The rejection station is also provided with an automatic side gate on the conveyor. When the leading edge of a tracked, identified container meets the beam, the side gate on the conveyor opens, and when the trailing edge of the same tracked identified container passes by the beam, the container, for example, a plastic beverage bottle is rammed out the open gate onto a neck rail, which catches the container upright.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus according to the present invention includes a conveyor belt having a solid translucent sheet segment for carrying a stream randomly-arranged articles, ones of which are translucent and others of which are opaque. Preferably, the translucent articles are pieces of post-consumer plastic products (e.g., beverage containers) and the opaque articles are foreign matter, such as aluminum or polypropylene container tops or caps of the beverage containers. The conveyor belt carries multiple articles simultaneously through an inspection zone. A background light source is positioned in the inspection zone opposite the translucent sheet segment from the articles to direct light through the translucent sheet segment toward the articles. A video camera is positioned to receive light from the background light source transmitted through the translucent sheet segment and translucent ones of the articles.

Abstract: A position indicator device for conveyed objects having a checking area disposed in a conveying passage where a plurality of objects are unidirectionally conveyed while being aligned in a conveying direction and a direction normal thereto; an indicator manually movable to a position of a target object within the checking area for indicating a position of the same; and an indicator-position detector for detecting a two-dimensional position of the indicator within the checking area. The checking area includes a plurality of beam emitters operable together to project beams of light in a grating form within the area and a plurality of beam receivers each operable to receive a light beam from a corresponding emitter. The indicator acts as a beam-blocking member for blocking the beam transmission between the emitter and receiver. The indicator-position detector detects a position within the checking area of the indicator based on a position information of the receiver blocked by the indicator.

Abstract: An electrooptical packet control method, whereby parallelepiped packets are fed along a given route by two conveyors at least partially offset in relation to each other and cooperating with two opposite faces of the packets. Electrooptical pickup means located along the aforementioned route pick up a given number of faces on each packet as it travels along the first conveyor, and the remaining faces on the packet as it travels along the second conveyor. The resulting images are then compared with a reference image, the outcome of which comparison determines acceptance or rejection of each packet.

Abstract: A capsule-inspection apparatus includes a base and a capsule-receiving tray slidable on the base to cause all of the capsules cradled in pockets formed in the tray to be turned simultaneously about their longitudinal axes to enhance visual inspection of substantially the entire exterior surface of the cradled capsules. An inspection mask is positionable on the tray to permit a user visually to inspect the coating dip line of coated caplets cradled in the tray quickly and easily to determine if the coating dip line is located substantially in the middle of the caplet to ensure that the caplet coating causes the caplet to resemble a two-piece capsule.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manipulation of products, comprising a conveyor for conveying a plurality of products in a prescribed path, a locator for emitting light at the position of a specific product out of the plurality of products being conveyed in a detection zone on the path of the conveyor a video sensor and a microcomputer for receiving the light and, based on the received light, issuing a position coodinate signal indicating the position of the specific product in the detection zone, a conveyor speed detector for detecting the speed of the conveyor and issuing a travel speed signal corresponding to the speed, a microcomputer for issuing a current position coordinate signal indicating the position of the specific product in a separation zone of the conveyor situated downstream relative to the detection zone based on the position coordinate signal issued by the video sensor and microcomputer and the travel speed signal issued by the conveyor speed detector, and a removing device for giving necessary treatmen

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus which can be utilized for the quality inspection of fish fillets and enables the detection of faulty spots resulting from processing deficiencies, such as skin or fin remainders, blood spots, bones, as well as from parasites and others. To this end, fillets are guided to a light emitter by means of a conveyor belt which is made from a material which allows light to pass at low absorption. The light emitter comprises light sources which are arranged out of direct sight by means of screens. Due to its characteristic to allow light to pass by dispersion, the fillet will appear illuminated in darker surroundings.

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: An article coding and separating system such as for instance, in which articles or defective eggs which are randomly dispersed in a plurality of similar articles are coded and their location identified. An elongated pivotally mounted pointer is disposed so as to be pivotable over an inspection area in mutually orthogonal directions, parallel and transverse to the longitudinal axis of a conveyor, and axially movable towards and away from the articles being conveyed. The pointer generates signals for simultaneously indicating the position of articles on the conveyor within the inspection area, and the type of article being identified.

Abstract: A continuous series of vials carried by their caps on reciprocable vacuum chucks on a turret move continuously (a) through a gross visual inspection station while slowly rotated and under side, top, and back lighting, and with each vial in an intense beam of light from below which moves with the vial; (b) then, while raised into stabilizing cups, across a spinner belt which rotates the cups and vials at high speed; and (c) then, while stopped with their contents rotating, through a particulate visual inspection station with similar lighting for observation of foreign matter suspended in the contents. Inspectors have unrestricted view of each entire vial, except only for the top of the cap, in a continuous series for comparison or pattern inspection and can, with a finger, tap defective vials off the chucks to a reject conveyor for reinspection.

Abstract: A medicinal capsule inspection device in which the capsules are arrayed end to end between adjacent rotating rollers and visually inspected as they are rotated by the rollers. The rollers are supported by and roll around a pair of circular ledges comprising the smaller diameters of a pair of parallel, concentric flanged discs. The rollers are driven around the ledges by projections on a pair of rotating discs which are synchronously driven from a common source. A feed chute, discharge outlet, an air ejection system and a light source are provided to facilitate the operation of the device and to facilitate the detection of faulty capsules.

Abstract: An article sorting apparatus provides a continual indicator stream which is directed by operation of an indicator member onto a selected article of several articles conveyed through an inspection area. The position of the indicator member when the stream impinges on it is detected to generate a position-dependent signal which is fed to a deflector to deflect the selected article from the path followed by the other articles.