In an embodiment, a method may determine a first candidate item type and a second candidate item type for a container. The method may determine appearance feature(s) of the first candidate item type and appearance feature(s) of the second candidate item type. The method may determine, using a trained dissimilarity model, a distinguishability score between the first candidate item type and the second candidate item type based on the appearance feature(s) of the first candidate item type and the appearance feature(s) of the second candidate item type. The method may determine to store the first candidate item type and the second candidate item type together in the container based on the distinguishability score between the first candidate item type and the second candidate item type. In some instances, the method may place item(s) of the first candidate item type and item(s) of the second candidate item type in the container.

A material sorting system sorts materials utilizing a vision system that implements a machine learning system in order to identify or classify each of the materials, which are then sorted into separate groups based on such an identification or classification. The material sorting system can sort material pieces containing contaminants, such as copper from steel.

A material sorting system sorts materials utilizing a vision system that implements a machine learning system in order to identify or classify each of the materials, which are then sorted into separate groups based on such an identification or classification. The material sorting system can sort material pieces containing contaminants, such as copper from steel.

An apparatus for sorting containers, in particular, beverage containers, may comprise at least one conveyor belt for transporting a multitude of containers, an identification device for identifying a decor on each container conveyed on the conveyor belt, wherein selection data can be generated by the identification device depending on the respective decor present on a specifically detected container, and a selection device for repositioning individual containers on the conveyor belt depending on the respectively identified decor. The selection device forms a continuous track and has shifting means for shifting the identified containers. The continuous track extends along the conveyor belt in a selection region, and the individual shifting means in the selection region can be accelerated to the same speed as the conveyor belt by means of a transport device, thereby being adjacent to a specific and previously identified container.

An apparatus for sorting containers, in particular, beverage containers, may comprise at least one conveyor belt for transporting a multitude of containers, an identification device for identifying a decor on each container conveyed on the conveyor belt, wherein selection data can be generated by the identification device depending on the respective decor present on a specifically detected container, and a selection device for repositioning individual containers on the conveyor belt depending on the respectively identified decor. The selection device forms a continuous track and has shifting means for shifting the identified containers. The continuous track extends along the conveyor belt in a selection region, and the individual shifting means in the selection region can be accelerated to the same speed as the conveyor belt by means of a transport device, thereby being adjacent to a specific and previously identified container.

Methods for classifying a core cane of an multimode optical fiber are disclosed. In embodiments, the method includes determining a relative refractive index profile Δ(r) of the core cane; fitting the relative refractive index profile Δ(r) to an alpha profile Δ.sub.fit(r) defined by:

[00001]${\Delta }_{\mathrm{fit}}\left(r\right)={\Delta }_{o,\mathrm{fit}}\left(1-{\left(\frac{r}{a_{\mathrm{fit}}}\right)}^{{\alpha }_{\mathrm{fit}}}\right)$

where Δ.sub.o,fit is a relative refractive index at a longitudinal centerline of the core cane, α.sub.fit is a core shape parameter, and a.sub.fit is an outer radius of the core cane; generating a non-alpha residual profile Δ.sub.diff(r)=Δ(r)−Δ.sub.fit(r) for the core cane; computing one or more metrics from Δ.sub.diff(r), and using the one or metrics in a classification of the core cane, the classification comprising a prediction of whether a bandwidth at a pre-determined wavelength of an optical fiber drawn from a preform comprising the core cane exceeds a pre-determined bandwidth at the pre-determined wavelength.

Methods for classifying a core cane of an multimode optical fiber are disclosed. In embodiments, the method includes determining a relative refractive index profile Δ(r) of the core cane; fitting the relative refractive index profile Δ(r) to an alpha profile Δ.sub.fit(r) defined by:

[00001]${\Delta }_{\mathrm{fit}}\left(r\right)={\Delta }_{o,\mathrm{fit}}\left(1-{\left(\frac{r}{a_{\mathrm{fit}}}\right)}^{{\alpha }_{\mathrm{fit}}}\right)$

where Δ.sub.o,fit is a relative refractive index at a longitudinal centerline of the core cane, α.sub.fit is a core shape parameter, and a.sub.fit is an outer radius of the core cane; generating a non-alpha residual profile Δ.sub.diff(r)=Δ(r)−Δ.sub.fit(r) for the core cane; computing one or more metrics from Δ.sub.diff(r), and using the one or metrics in a classification of the core cane, the classification comprising a prediction of whether a bandwidth at a pre-determined wavelength of an optical fiber drawn from a preform comprising the core cane exceeds a pre-determined bandwidth at the pre-determined wavelength.

A suction tool for a system for sorting materials with a vacuum tube, the suction tool comprising a body of flexible material wall to be installed at a distal end of the vacuum tube and forming a tubular wall. It is shaped with alternating rims and waists, and from a proximal end of the suction tool to a distal end thereof; an average diameter decreasing distally over a length of the body of flexible material. Each rim has said local rim diameter larger the local rim diameter of a next one of the rims; each waist has said local waist diameter larger the local waist diameter of a next one of the waists. The body ends at the distal end with a horn having a flared edge forming a lip to enter in contact with items to be handled by the system for sorting materials.

A suction tool for a system for sorting materials with a vacuum tube, the suction tool comprising a body of flexible material wall to be installed at a distal end of the vacuum tube and forming a tubular wall. It is shaped with alternating rims and waists, and from a proximal end of the suction tool to a distal end thereof; an average diameter decreasing distally over a length of the body of flexible material. Each rim has said local rim diameter larger the local rim diameter of a next one of the rims; each waist has said local waist diameter larger the local waist diameter of a next one of the waists. The body ends at the distal end with a horn having a flared edge forming a lip to enter in contact with items to be handled by the system for sorting materials.

Provided is an optical sorting device including a chute having an optical detection slit and a sorting and removal slit arranged on a downstream side of the optical detection slit, an object to be sorted flowing down on a front surface of the chute. A rear-side illuminating portion of an optical inspection unit and an ejector nozzle are attached to a rear-side housing. The rear-side housing is installed on a rear surface side of the chute such that the rear-side illuminating portion faces the optical detection slit, and a leading end of the ejector nozzle faces the sorting and removal slit.