An automated object sorting system is provided. In various embodiments, the automated object sorting system includes an automated object extraction assembly and an automated object collection assembly. The automated object extraction assembly extracts one or more objects from an object sorting tray based on one or more attributes and/or traits of interest. The automated collection assembly selectively deposits the extracted objects in selected collection receptacles according to the particular attributes and/or traits of each respective object.

Provided is a reject selection device for selecting rejects from a set of dried fruit or nuts moved on a conveyor belt, the device including a support element with a central zone above the conveyor belt at a distance thereto, parallel and transversal thereto, a sensor suitable for detecting physical and/or chemical qualities of the dried fruit or nuts and the position thereof on the conveyor belt, suction means with a set of suction nozzles arranged in the central zone, and identification software in communication with the sensor and suction means for identifying rejected pieces of fruit or nuts and instructing the suction means to remove the rejected pieces from the conveyor belt.

A device and a method are for weighing capsules having a filling. The device has a weighing unit having a receptacle, a transporter for transporting individual capsules to the weighing unit in a direction of movement, and a stopping device. The receiving section of the receptacle is configured as a friction support and is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction. Upon reaching the weighing unit, the capsule is stopped from moving in the movement direction via the stopping device and is deposited in the receiving section in an inclined manner such that a front end, with regard to the movement direction, of the capsule is located lower down than a rear end of the capsule, and such that the capsule comes to rest on the receptacle in this position and with regard to the direction of movement solely because of static friction. The capsule is then weighed.

An apparatus for sorting objects is described, and which provides high-speed image data acquisition to fuse multiple data streams in real-time, while intentionally creating and utilizing known signal interference to enhance contrasts when individual sensors or detectors are utilized in providing data regarding features of a product to be inspected.

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 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.

The invention relates to a candling apparatus for the rapid discrimination, removal and relocation of non-live avian eggs. The invention further relates to methods of use of the candling apparatus for the candling, removal and relocation of avian eggs.

A device and system for optically analyzing food products is provided. The device comprises first and second imaging devices respectively sensitive to first and second wavelengths; the imaging devices include a line-scan camera to acquire images of food products at a line in a food-path-facing direction, and a line-scan spectrometer to acquire spectroscopic images at the line. The device includes an optical filter configured to: convey the first wavelengths from the line to the first imaging device; and convey the second wavelengths from the line to the second imaging device. The device includes a frame to align the optical filter and respective optical axes of the first and second imaging devices, relative to each other and the food-path-facing direction, such that the first imaging device and the second imaging device are optically aligned via the optical filter to image the line.

A sorting apparatus is described and which includes a selectively heated avalanche photodiode (APD) which is maintained at a predetermined temperature and which further demonstrates a higher gain and signal-to-noise ratio with greater stability at a predetermined temperature for enhancing sorting efficiency.

An optical sorting or classifying machine for sorting or classifying product, comprising a housing (3) which includes an internal region (19), a chute (5) which has a guide surface (29) and is supported by the housing (3), an illumination unit (7a-d) for illuminating product as delivered on and/or from the chute (5), and at least one detector (9a, b) for detecting product as delivered on and/or from the chute (5); characterized in that the chute (5) is pivotably coupled to the housing (3) about a first pivot (31) between a first, operative configuration, in which the chute (19) extends across the internal region (19) and prevents access or entry into the internal region (19) by an operator, and a second, stowed configuration, in which an operator can access or enter the internal region (19).