The present invention relates to a packaging device and sorting system (82) for directional packaging of products (P), such as vegetables and fruit, and a method therefore. The packaging device according to the invention comprises: a sensor system (54) configured to detect a collection of suitable pick-up points; at least one directing unit (16) configured to direct a product and provided with at least one degree of freedom for rotation of the product around a substantially horizontal rotation axis; and a manipulator (28) comprising: a pick-up element (44); and a moving device (30) comprising at least four degrees of freedom for translation of the product and rotation around a substantially horizontal axis, wherein a rotation of the product around a substantially vertical rotation axis is possibly by means of providing the moving device and/or directing unit with an additional degree of freedom.

An inspection station for detecting oil or lubricant contamination in a manufactured product, the inspection station having (a) a conveyor for advancing manufactured product, and (b) an infrared detection apparatus, including (i) a high intensity infrared light source for directing at the manufactured product, and (ii) a high speed NIR spectrometer sensor tuned to detect an emitted signal from a taggant disposed in the oil or lubricant.

The invention relates to an eliminator for detecting and removing products, such as vegetables and fruit, which are oversized and/or have undesired product properties, and to a singulator and sorting system provided therewith, and method therefor. The eliminator comprises: a feed system for supplying products; a detector configured to determine dimensions and/or product properties of a product of the supplied products; a controller operatively connected to the detector and configured to determine on the basis of determined dimensions and/or product properties of the product whether the product is suitable for processing in a sorting device; and a remover operatively connected to the controller for separating products which are not suitable for processing in the sorting device from products which are suitable for processing in the sorting device.

A method and apparatus for sorting objects is described, and which provides high-speed image data acquisition to fuse multiple data streams in real-time, while avoiding destructive interference when individual sensors or detectors are utilized in providing data regarding internal and external features and characteristics and qualities of products being inspected.

Methods and systems for detecting foreign material within a product stream in real-time, involve illuminating a portion of the agricultural product stream with light spanning a wavelength range including or within near-infrared and/or shortwave infrared wavelengths; scanning a line of the illuminated agricultural product stream to acquire a hyperspectral image of the line, the hyperspectral image of the line having a width of a single pixel; processing the hyperspectral image of the scanned line to obtain spectrum data for one or more pixels of the hyperspectral image of the scanned line; comparing the obtained spectrum data of the one or more pixels to predetermined spectrum data to determine whether the obtained spectrum data is indicative of foreign material within the scanned line of the agricultural product stream.

The present invention discloses a novel color based optical grading system with multi-reflectance and multi-angle views for grading objects of different external characteristics, and a novel color based optical grading method for grading objects based on different external characteristics. The system comprises of: multiple advanced optics units and at least one master controller. Each optics unit comprises of multiple programmable cameras, multiple spectral light sources, multiple adjustable mirrors/prisms, a mirror/prism adjustment assembly to ensure the enhanced surface analysis of the objects; at least one backlighting domes to provide uniform backlight for capturing objects in multi-reflection and multi-angle views and at least one image processing unit for processing images of each objects. The system is capable of not only identifying the type or color grade of individual object with enhanced accuracy, but is also efficient in analyzing different objects based on external characteristics like different sized objects are analyzed due to functioning of multiple adjustable mirrors or prisms. The system is automated and accurate color grading system which is capable of not only analyzing all possible color variations of any object, but is also capable of analyzing all other possible external characteristics.

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 object detection method includes an electromagnetic radiation emitter, and an electromagnetic radiation detector on a first side of an inspection zone, a reflective background on a second side of the inspection zone and a controller operably connected to the emitter and the detector to measure/determine a first time of travel for emitted electromagnetic radiation waves/pulses to travel from the emitter, to the reflective background, and return to the detector, and to measure/determine a second time of travel for emitted electromagnetic radiation waves/pulses to travel from the emitter of electromagnetic radiation to objects of interest passing through the inspection zone along an unsupported path of travel and to be reflected to the electromagnetic radiation detector, and any determined time of travel which varies from the first time of travel is evidence there is an object within the inspection zone and between the emitter and the reflective background.

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.

An online vending system for vending physically any unique food items. The vending system has a food rack system and individual robots for carrying the food items to and from the food rack system. Each food item is characterized by obtaining for it at least its image taken from plural sides thereof and a customer interface is provided that allows a customer to view and obtain various parameter data relating to each physically unique food item, to enable individual selection of fresh fruit items such as apples, pears and the like.