An object of the present invention is to provide an optical sorter which enables to eliminate occurrence of welding distortion on a frame and simply attain high positional accuracy of component members attached to the frame. There is provided an optical sorter according to the present invention, comprising: a chute arranged to slope and to allow a raw material as objects to be sorted out to flow down; optical detection means for detecting the objects to be sorted out dropping from a lower end of the chute; ejector means for sorting out and excluding the objects to be sorted out on the basis of a detection result by the optical detection means; and a discharge hopper that separately discharges the objects sorted out by the ejector means, wherein further comprising a frame having a pair of right and left sidewalls which are screw-fixed to a base, the chute, the optical detection means, the ejector means and the discharge hopper are attached to the frame, and the sidewalls of the frame are coupled with braces in a diagonal shape.

A method for object classification, including: guiding a continuous stream of objects from a transport mechanism directly into an unsupported path, along which the object stream is fed through a detection region; illuminating the detection region with a radiation band in a first direction; optically scanning the detection region to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected by the at least one object in the detection region by viewing the detection region along a second direction, wherein the directions have a cross-section in the detection region and form an angle relative each other of 10-80; analyzing the information; and classifying objects in at least two different directions based on the analysis of the transparency information from the optical scanning; wherein the step of analyzing the information from the optical scanning includes analyzing the objects based on the intensity, spread and texture of the detected radiation from the optical scanning.

Disclosed is a system for sorting copper-bearing ore to select portions having a desired target copper content. The system includes a first magnetic resonance analyzer for measuring the copper content of ore input into the system and a controller that controls a diverter to divert portions of the input ore to a collection path when the copper content meets or exceeds a predetermined cut-off value. The system also includes a second magnetic resonance analyzer to measure the copper content of the ore in the collection path. The measurements are then fed back to the controller where the controller can adjust the predetermined cut-off value above, up or down, to optimize the yield of ore with the targeted copper content.

A method for detecting mentholated tobacco, comprising irradiating tobacco containing menthol and a fluorescent taggant with radiation and observing the tobacco for fluorescence from the taggant. A system and method for detecting and separating mentholated tobacco from non-mentholated tobacco within a product stream is also provided.

A vibratory conveyor includes a feed tray, an electromagnetic linear actuator and a movable drive train interconnecting the feed tray and the electromagnetic linear actuator such that the electromagnetic linear actuator will move the feed tray during energization of the electromagnetic linear actuator. A sensor assembly is positioned to detect movement of the electromagnetic linear actuator. A controller connected to receive an output of the sensor assembly and connected to control energization of electromagnetic linear actuator, wherein the controller is configured to adjust energization of the electromagnetic linear actuator based upon the output of the sensor assembly. A vibratory conveyor in which the movable drive train includes at least one parallel spring element therealong is also disclosed.

A sorting device includes a transport unit, an identification unit, and a plurality of nozzles. Each of the plurality of nozzles has a valve that adjusts a flow amount of pulse air, a pulse air flow path that is connected to the valve, and a pulse air blowing port that is arranged at a tip end of the pulse air flow path. The pulse air flow path has at least one bent portion. An adjustment flow path is connected to the bent portion of the pulse air flow path. An adjustment member capable of increasing and decreasing a volume of the adjustment flow path is provided in the adjustment flow path.

Disclosed is a system and method for sorting copper-bearing ore to select portions having a target copper content. The system includes an analysis and selection station including first magnetic resonance analyzer measuring the copper content of input ore and a controlled diverter to divert portions of the input ore to a collection path when the copper content meets or exceeds a predetermined cut-off value. The predetermined cut-off is adjusted by a controller in response to the first magnetic resonance analyzer. A second magnetic resonance analyzer measures the copper content of the ore in a product path. That measurement is fed back to the controller to fine tune the adjusted cut-off value above, up or down, to optimize the yield of ore having the targeted copper content. The system may include a station for sizing the input ore, a station for sizing the output ore, and a station for sizing waste produced by the system.

A food article defect removal apparatus includes a manifold that defines one or more chambers for holding pressurized fluid. First channels extend from a first side of the manifold into fluid communication with the chambers. Second channels extend from the first side of the manifold to a second side of the manifold. Valves selectively connect corresponding first channels and second channels together to dispense the pressurized fluid from the manifold. The manifold can have an exterior wall that at least partially defines a first chamber and a second chamber, with an interior wall disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber. The interior wall can define the second channels. The valves can be included with a valve assembly, which includes a driver operably coupled with the valves. The valves can be pluggably coupled with the driver.

A method for detecting mentholated tobacco, comprising irradiating tobacco containing menthol and a fluorescent taggant with radiation and observing the tobacco for fluorescence from the taggant. A system and method for detecting and separating mentholated tobacco from non-mentholated tobacco within a product stream is also provided.

A method of sorting is described and which includes a step of acquiring a multiplicity of synchronized image signals of a product stream which is to be sorted; generating a multiplicity of fused sensor signals; forming an image model previously acquired from the objects to be sorted; identifying objects in the product stream, and generating object presence and defect signals; determining a spatial orientation of the objects in the product stream; detecting the defects and removing the defects from the product stream.