Methods and apparatuses for detecting characteristics of a card include a method for identifying a card containing foil, the foil detection method comprising converting an image file depicting a card into a hue, saturation, value (“HSV”) colour space, applying a value mask to exclude a group of pixels from analysis that do not form an intensified brightness area, and comparing the number of remaining pixels against a threshold to determine whether the card contains foil. In another aspect, a method for assigning a condition grading to a card comprises converting an image file depicting a diffusely illuminated card into an HSV colour space, isolating a uniform portion of the converted image file, applying a value mask to the converted image file to exclude pixels forming an undamaged portion of the card, and comparing the number of remaining pixels to a plurality of grading thresholds to assign a condition grading.

The invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a prophylactic article, especially of a glove, from a (carboxylated) diene rubber, according to which a layer of a (carboxylated) diene latex is applied on a former and the (carboxylated) diene latex is cross-linked with a cross-linking agent, which is immobilized on inorganic and/or organic particles with formation of modified particles, and the modified particles are added to the (carboxylated) diene latex.

Provided is a method for detecting objects to be sorted with an optical sorter that can detect lateral portions of objects to be sorted with a flat shape.

A chute is provided with a plurality of parallel longitudinal grooves formed in the longitudinal direction by a plurality of elongated protruding walls, and objects to be sorted with a flat shape are allowed to flow downward on the surface of the chute such that substantially flat faces of the objects to be sorted touch the elongated protruding walls in the longitudinal grooves, and lateral portions of the objects to be sorted face the front-rear direction of the chute so that the optical detection unit detects the lateral portions of the objects to be sorted at the detection position. Preferably, the objects to be sorted with the flat shape are rice grains, and the optical detection unit detects bran remaining on back strings of the rice grains at the detection position.

Provided is a method for detecting objects to be sorted with an optical sorter that can detect lateral portions of objects to be sorted with a flat shape.

A chute is provided with a plurality of parallel longitudinal grooves formed in the longitudinal direction by a plurality of elongated protruding walls, and objects to be sorted with a flat shape are allowed to flow downward on the surface of the chute such that substantially flat faces of the objects to be sorted touch the elongated protruding walls in the longitudinal grooves, and lateral portions of the objects to be sorted face the front-rear direction of the chute so that the optical detection unit detects the lateral portions of the objects to be sorted at the detection position. Preferably, the objects to be sorted with the flat shape are rice grains, and the optical detection unit detects bran remaining on back strings of the rice grains at the detection position.

A method and apparatus are provided for sorting items to form groups at respective sort destinations. A scanning station evaluates one or more characteristics of each item fed into the apparatus. The items are 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. When an item to be manually sorted is encountered, a visual alert aligned with a selected destination is activated until manual transfer is confirmed.

There is provided a computer implemented method comprising obtaining image data representing a platform, processing the image data using an algorithm, the algorithm configured to determine a property of the platform, obtaining, from the algorithm, data indicating a property of the platform and determining, based on the data indicating the property of the platform, a location to which the platform is to be transported.

An apparatus for detecting matter including: a light source arrangement adapted to emit a first and a second set of light beams towards a first detection zone through which the matter is provided. A spectroscopy system adapted to receive and analyse light which is reflected and/or scattered by matter in the first detection zone. A laser triangulation system including, a laser arrangement adapted to emit a line of laser light towards a second detection zone. A camera-based sensor arrangement configured to receive and analyse light which is reflected and/or scattered by matter in the second detection zone. The received light of the spectroscopy system completely or partially intersects the received light of the camera-based sensor arrangement and/or the line of laser light.

Grain sorting process and apparatus (1) includes a grain infeed chute (2) for delivery of bulk cereal grain into the apparatus (1) past an in-line measurement station (3) which analyses selected parameters of grain delivered through the infeed chute (2). The grain infeed chute (2) discharges onto a horizontal grain sorting conveyor (4) which discharges the grain into storage silos (5, 6) in response to one or more measured parameters of the grain determined at the measurement station (3). The measurement station (3) has a sensor unit (7) which includes a near-infrared light source for emitting light onto grain delivered through the grain infeed chute (2) or through the grain sorting conveyor (4). The light is reflected from the grain and reflected light is detected by the sensor (7) to provide a spectrum of the grain. A spectrometer (8) connected to the sensor unit (7) converts the spectrum into one or more corresponding preselected grain parameter values. The grain parameter values generated by the spectrometer (8) are delivered to a controller (9). The controller (9) then controls operation of the sorting conveyor (4) in response to the measured grain parameter values to deliver the cereal grain into a storage silo (5, 6) having a grain parameter corresponding to the measured grain parameter.

A container screening device (200) including: a star wheel (60) arranged on or above a conveyance surface (201) on which inspection objects (101) are conveyed and having an outer periphery formed with plural housing portions (110) configured to house the inspection objects (101); a rotation shaft (220) arranged under the conveyance surface (201) and configured to rotate with the star wheel (60); a bearing portion (230) rotatably supporting the rotation shaft (220); air holes (60a, 60b, 220a, 220b) extending through interiors of the star wheel (60) and the rotation shaft (220) and communicating with the rotation shaft (220) and the housing portions (110); and an air coupling (240) fixed to a periphery of the rotation shaft (220) and configured to generate suction force in the air holes (60a, 60b, 220a, 220b) to suck the inspection objects (101) to the housing portions (110).

A container screening device (200) including: a star wheel (60) arranged on or above a conveyance surface (201) on which inspection objects (101) are conveyed and having an outer periphery formed with plural housing portions (110) configured to house the inspection objects (101); a rotation shaft (220) arranged under the conveyance surface (201) and configured to rotate with the star wheel (60); a bearing portion (230) rotatably supporting the rotation shaft (220); air holes (60a, 60b, 220a, 220b) extending through interiors of the star wheel (60) and the rotation shaft (220) and communicating with the rotation shaft (220) and the housing portions (110); and an air coupling (240) fixed to a periphery of the rotation shaft (220) and configured to generate suction force in the air holes (60a, 60b, 220a, 220b) to suck the inspection objects (101) to the housing portions (110).