Sorting of produce, such as date palm fruit is achieve by receiving the unsorted fruit, using a plurality of sensors capable of sensing data for determining characteristics of the produce according to criteria comprising size, moisture or moisture content, and color. A control and evaluation unit, responsive to the sensed data, determines the characteristics of the produce and identifies each item of produce according to the characteristics as one of the predetermined categories. An air jet sorter is used to selectively divert the produce to the different ones of the output bins or ports according to the identified category for that produce.

Sorting of produce, such as date palm fruit is achieve by receiving the unsorted fruit, using a plurality of sensors capable of sensing data for determining characteristics of the produce according to criteria comprising size, moisture or moisture content, and color. A control and evaluation unit, responsive to the sensed data, determines the characteristics of the produce and identifies each item of produce according to the characteristics as one of the predetermined categories. An air jet sorter is used to selectively divert the produce to the different ones of the output bins or ports according to the identified category for that produce.

Apparatuses, method and computer program products for automatically performing sorting operations are disclosed herein. An example apparatus may comprise: an array of gripping elements, and at least one processing component configured to: obtain image data corresponding with the plurality of items; identify, from the image data, one or more characteristics of the plurality of items; determine, based at least in part on the one or more characteristics, an ordered sequence corresponding with the plurality of items; and generate a control indication to cause at least one of the gripping elements to perform the sorting operations based at least in part on the ordered sequence.

Apparatuses, method and computer program products for automatically performing sorting operations are disclosed herein. An example apparatus may comprise: an array of gripping elements, and at least one processing component configured to: obtain image data corresponding with the plurality of items; identify, from the image data, one or more characteristics of the plurality of items; determine, based at least in part on the one or more characteristics, an ordered sequence corresponding with the plurality of items; and generate a control indication to cause at least one of the gripping elements to perform the sorting operations based at least in part on the ordered sequence.

A method and apparatus are provided for sorting items to a plurality of sort destinations. The items are fed into the apparatus at an input station having a scanning station. The scanning station evaluates one or more characteristics of each item. The items are then loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles are individually driven to sort destinations. Once at the appropriate sort destination, the delivery vehicle ejects the item to the sort destination and returns to receive another item to be delivered. A re-induction conveyor may be provided for receiving select items from the vehicles and conveying the items back to the input station for re-processing. Additionally, a controller is provided to control the movement of the vehicles based on a characteristic each item being delivered by each vehicle. The system may also include vehicles having edge-detection assemblies for detecting items being loaded onto or discharged from the vehicles.

Systems and methods for delivering mining material to a multimodal array of different types of sensors and classifying and sorting the mining material based on the data collected from the multimodal array of sensors. The arrays of different sensors sense the mining material and collect data which is subsequently used together to identify the composition of the material and make a determination as to whether to accept or reject the material as it passes off the terminal end of the material handling system. Diverters are positioned at the terminal end of the material handling system and are positioned in either an accept or reject position based on the data collected and processed to identify the composition of the mining material.

Systems and methods for delivering mining material to a multimodal array of different types of sensors and classifying and sorting the mining material based on the data collected from the multimodal array of sensors. The arrays of different sensors sense the mining material and collect data which is subsequently used together to identify the composition of the material and make a determination as to whether to accept or reject the material as it passes off the terminal end of the material handling system. Diverters are positioned at the terminal end of the material handling system and are positioned in either an accept or reject position based on the data collected and processed to identify the composition of the mining material.

A device and a method for automatically categorizing screwdriver bits are provided. The method includes three main steps: accommodating and mixing, vibration feeding, and type categorizing. The device includes a device body and a vibrating feeding cylinder disposed on the device body. The vibrating feeding cylinder includes a rotating holder for vibrating and moving the screwdriver bits and a directional mechanism for arranging the driving tips of the screwdriver bits facing the same direction. A CCD mechanism is disposed on the device body and is used to detect the shape of the driving tips of the screwdriver bits.

A device and a method for automatically categorizing screwdriver bits are provided. The method includes three main steps: accommodating and mixing, vibration feeding, and type categorizing. The device includes a device body and a vibrating feeding cylinder disposed on the device body. The vibrating feeding cylinder includes a rotating holder for vibrating and moving the screwdriver bits and a directional mechanism for arranging the driving tips of the screwdriver bits facing the same direction. A CCD mechanism is disposed on the device body and is used to detect the shape of the driving tips of the screwdriver bits.

A tray assembly is provided for use with a carrier in a product sortation system. The tray assembly includes a platform to receive parcels loaded onto the carrier. A pair of movable edge members are disposed at opposite sides of the platform. Each edge member is integrated with a combination including a pair of pivotable support arms and a spring element intermediate of the support arms. Each support arm supports its edge member at one end and is pivotally mounted at another end to a tray framework. The spring element is fixedly mounted at one end to the tray framework and is connected at another end to its edge member in a biasing relationship. In response to an applied load resulting from a parcel bearing down on the edge member, the support arms pivot downward in a manner sufficient to allow the parcel to reach and then rest on the tray platform. At the same time as the support arms pivot, the spring element deflects. After the package is unloaded from the tray platform, the return action of the spring restores the edge members back to their original location, as guided by the support arms.