The present invention disc loses a novel intelligent and multi-channeled grading machine with trajectory tracking sensor network for grading objects into multiple grades in a single pass based on external characteristics viz. size, shape, color, texture, surface, properties or any other possible external characteristics by continuously tracking the trajectory of objects. The novel grading machine comprises of hopper: at least one feeding unit; multiple optics units multiple conduits; multiple sensor networks in multiple conduits; at least one master controller; at least one ejector unit comprising of arrays of single-angled or multiple angle ejectors in each conduit; multiple vacuum creators placed respectively opposite to each ejector; multiple collecting chutes; and multiple collecting locations. The novel grading machine is extremely simple, accurate, and automated, power-efficient and cost-effective. The present invention also discloses a novel process for grading objects into multiple grades in a single pass by continuously tracking the trajectory of objects based on external characteristics.

When a granular object is determined to have to be sorted out two or more times in two or more of sort-out necessity/unnecessity determination results determined by a determination portion, a sort-out signal setting portion of an optical sorting apparatus sets a sort-out actuation signal that contains information for actuating an ejector when the granular object advancing in the air passes through a sorting region based on a combination of the sort-out necessity/unnecessity determination results from a predetermined signal setting table.

A method for removing foreign matter from an agricultural product stream of a manufacturing process. The method includes conveying a product stream past an inspection station; scanning a region of the agricultural product stream as it passes the inspection station using at least one light source of a single or different wavelengths; generating hyperspectral images from the scanned region; determining a spectral fingerprint for the agricultural product stream from the hyperspectral images; comparing the spectral fingerprint obtained in step (c) to a spectral fingerprint database containing a plurality of fingerprints using a computer processor to determine whether foreign matter is present and, if present, generating a signal in response thereto; and removing a portion of the conveyed product stream in response to the signal. A system for detecting foreign matter within a agricultural product stream is also provided.

A sorting machine for orienting a container by fall, irrespective of how it is positioned on a housing, involves the activation of a pendulum which, leaning on the neck of the container, creates a rotation fulcrum for the container itself. The machine further comprises a control and/or reading system which detects the orientation of the container, said information generating a signal that is transmitted to handling means acting on the pendulum defining the suitable positioning thereof for the correct orientation of the container during the fall in an underlying cradle.

Provided is a method for monitoring a manufacturing process of an agricultural product. The method utilizes hyperspectral imaging and comprises scanning at least one region along a sample of agricultural product using at least one light source of a single or different wavelengths; generating hyperspectral images from the at least one region; determining a spectral fingerprint for the sample of agricultural product from the hyperspectral images; and comparing the spectral fingerprint so obtained to a spectral fingerprint database containing a plurality of fingerprints obtained at various points of the manufacturing process, using a computer processor, to determine which point in the manufacturing process the sample has progressed to.

Methods and systems for processing ores by assaying the ore to determine what ore constituent has to be separated, by controlling the volume of ore processed at one time, and/or by controlling the amount of heat added to or extracted from the ore.

Methods and systems for processing ores by assaying the ore to determine what ore constituent has to be separated, by controlling the volume of ore processed at one time, and/or by controlling the amount of heat added to or extracted from the ore.

An optical sorter includes a light source configured to irradiate a sorting target in transit on a conveyance route with light, an optical sensor configured to detect light emitted from the light source and associated with the sorting target, a determination portion configured to determine whether the sorting target is a foreign object and/or a defective product based on a signal acquired by the optical sensor with respect to the light associated with the sorting target, and at least one intermediate member disposed at a position located between the light source and the conveyance route in a direction in which the sorting target is irradiated with the light from the light source and located in such a manner that the intermediate member does not affect the detection of the light associated with the sorting target. The at least one intermediate member includes a reflection region on which the light emitted from the light source is reflected. The optical sensor is further configured to detect the light emitted from the light source and reflected on the reflection region.

An optical sorter includes a first light source disposed on a first side, a second light source disposed on a second side, an optical sensor configured to detect light during a plurality of scan periods including a first scan period and a second scan period, a determination part configured to determine a foreign object and/or a defective product, and a light source control part. The light source control part is configured to control the first light source and the second light source during the first scan period so as to turn on the first light source and/or the second light source in a first lighting pattern, which is a lighting pattern arbitrarily selected from a lighting pattern in which the first light source and the second light source are at least partially on, a lighting pattern in which only one of the first light source and the second light source is at least partially on, and a lighting pattern in which only the other of the first light source and the second light source is at least partially on, and is also configured to control the first light source and the second light source during the second scan period so as to turn on the first light source and/or the second light source in a second lighting pattern, which is a lighting pattern selected arbitrarily except for the first lighting pattern.

There is described an apparatus and method for inspecting and optionally sorting gemstones. The apparatus includes a nozzle or array of nozzles operatively connected to a vacuum pump such that a gemstone located generally underneath one of the nozzles will be supported against that nozzle by air pressure when a vacuum is applied above the nozzle. A drive system moves the nozzles along a path past a gemstone pick-up location so that a gemstone can be picked up by each nozzle as that nozzle passes the pick-up location. One or more measurement devices are located on or near the predetermined path and configured to measure at least one property of the gemstone. One or more ejection locations are provided on the path at which the vacuum applied to each nozzle is reversible to eject the gemstone from that nozzle. The apparatus may also include a plurality of dispensing bins into which the gemstones are dispensed. The bin into which each gemstone is dispensed is chosen in dependence on the measured property.