Centralized control of multiple sorting facilities is disclosed, including: a feedback interface configured to collect sorting results feedback data from a first sorting facility, wherein the first sorting facility is associated with a second sorting facility; and one or more processors configured to reconfigure a set of sorting facility devices located in the second sorting facility based at least in part on the sorting results feedback data.

Co-located sensors in a sorting facility are disclosed, including: a first sensor associated with a first field of view, and wherein the first sensor is located in a sorting facility; a second sensor associated with a second field of view, wherein the second field of view is adjacent to or overlaps with the first field of view, and wherein the second sensor is located in the sorting facility; and one or more processors configured to: receive a first image including a first set of objects from the first sensor; receive a second image including a second set of objects from the second sensor; and evaluate the first image and the second image to determine a sorting decision with respect to a target object.

Time-varying control of a controllable air stream is disclosed, including: a set of image sensors configured to capture image data showing a target object being conveyed by a conveyor device along a Y-direction; an array of air jets located along an X-direction, wherein the X-direction crosses the Y-direction; and a processor configured to: receive the image data from the set of image sensors; determine a classification of the target object within the image data; and modify a two-dimensional firing polygon of air to be directed by the array of air jets on the target object based at least in part on the classification of the target object; and wherein the array of air jets is configured to perform a sorting operation on the target object as the target object is translated across the array of air jets based at least in part on the modified two-dimensional firing polygon.

A method and system for sorting workpieces, such as chicken nuggets. The sorting system includes a conveyor system that advances in a forward direction and one or more blow off bars positioned over the conveyor system. The blow off bars extend along the forward advancing direction. The blow off bars include one or more valved nozzles connected to a pressurized source of a fluid, and the nozzles are positioned to discharge the fluid across the conveyor system.

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 may include an x-ray fluorescence system to perform a classification of the materials in combination with the vision system, whereby the classification efforts of the vision system and x-ray fluorescence system are combined in order to classify and sort the materials.

A food article defect removal apparatus includes a manifold that defines one or more chambers for holding pressurized fluid. First channels extend from a first side of the manifold into fluid communication with the chambers. Second channels extend from the first side of the manifold to a second side of the manifold. Valves selectively connect corresponding first channels and second channels together to dispense the pressurized fluid from the manifold. The manifold can have an exterior wall that at least partially defines a first chamber and a second chamber, with an interior wall disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber. The interior wall can define the second channels. The valves can be included with a valve assembly, which includes a driver operably coupled with the valves. The valves can be pluggably coupled with the driver.

The present invention intends to provide an optical sorting machine which can improve the collection rate of non-defective products without increasing the size of the machine. The optical sorting machine of the present invention includes a granular object feed unit including storage means that stores an object to be sorted, and transfer means that transfers the object to be sorted from the storage means; an optical sorting unit including optical detection means that detects an object to be sorted falling along a predetermined trajectory from an end portion of the transfer means, determination means that determines a type of the object to be sorted based on a detection signal from the optical detection means, an ejector that removes an object to be sorted determined as a specific type from the predetermined falling trajectory based on a determination result by the determination means, and a discharge hopper having a first discharge passage provided at a falling position of the object to be sorted falling along the predetermined trajectory, a second discharge passage provided at a falling position of the object to be sorted removed from the predetermined falling trajectory, and a third discharge passage formed between the first discharge passage and the second discharge passage; and conveyance means that conveys an object to be sorted discharged from the third discharge passage of the discharge hopper in the optical sorting unit to the storage means of the granular object feed unit.

A system is provided for the identification and separation of heterogeneous material, the system comprising: a hyperspectral identification system for capturing spectra of material; a computer receiving and analyzing data from the hyperspectral identification system and selecting desired materials from the heterogeneous materials; and an ejection system, whereby the desired materials are ejected from the system.

A seed sorting system for sorting seeds includes a seed transfer station configured to move seeds through the system. An imaging assembly includes a first camera mounted above the seed transfer station and configured to acquire images of the seeds as the seeds move through the system and a second camera mounted below the seed transfer station and configured to acquire images of the seeds as the seeds move through the system. A sorting assembly is configured to sort the seeds into separate bins based on the acquired images of the seeds.

A method and system for sorting workpieces, such as chicken nuggets. The sorting system includes a conveyor system that advances in a forward direction and one or more blow off bars positioned over the conveyor system. The blow off bars extend along the forward advancing direction. The blow off bars include one or more valved nozzles connected to a pressurized source of a fluid, and the nozzles are positioned to discharge the fluid across the conveyor system.