A sorting system (10, 20) for sorting sorting objects (1), including a sensor unit (2) which is adapted to detect a property, in particular a size, shape, weight, color and/or material, of a sorting object (1), and a valve arrangement (3) which is adapted to blow on the sorting object (1) in order to convey the sorting object (1) to one of a plurality of possible sorting destinations (4), wherein the sorting system (10, 20) is adapted to selectively set, according to the detected property, a blowing strength (8) to a first blowing strength (8A) greater than zero or to a second blowing strength greater than zero, the second blowing strength being different from the first blowing strength (8B), and to blow the sorting object using the valve arrangement with the set blowing strength to cause the sorting object to be conveyed to the sorting destination.

A sorting device which is suitable for sorting parts by means of air blasts and which includes at least one sorting unit which includes a valve support fitted with sorting valves. Each sorting valve is capable of optionally connecting a sorting passage ending in a sorting nozzle to a feed passage and of disconnecting it therefrom. In addition, several or all of the sorting passages of the sorting unit areindependently of the sorting valvesconnected to a common purge air passage, so that purge air can flow through them without any involvement of the sorting valves, with the result that no impurities enter the sorting passages.

An efficient material recovery facility is disclosed, including: a first sorting device configured to: process a first instruction to remove a first target item from a set of items; and in response to the first instruction, perform a first sorting action to remove the first target item from the set of items, wherein the set of items excluding at least the first target item is to be transported towards a second sorting device, wherein the second sorting device is associated with a same sorting device type as the first sorting device; and wherein the second sorting device is configured to perform a second sorting action to remove a second target item from the set of items excluding at least the first target item in response to receiving a second instruction to remove the second target item.

A controllable array sorting device is disclosed, including: an array of diverting mechanisms; and a processor coupled to the array of diverting mechanisms, wherein the processor is configured to: process an instruction to perform a sorting action on a target item, wherein the instruction specifies a selected at least subset of the array of diverting mechanisms to use to perform the sorting action; and in response to the instruction, cause the selected at least subset of the array of diverting mechanisms to perform the sorting action on the target item.

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.

An electronic component conveyance machine includes: a conveyance table including a plurality of accommodation through holes in which electronic components are to be accommodated; a base including a plurality of air discharge outlets facing the conveyance table; and a discharge unit including: a plurality of classification holes that are located on an opposite side from the plurality of air discharge outlets via the conveyance table; at least one collection path that is connected to the plurality of classification holes; and a guide unit that guides electronic components having been discharged from the plurality of accommodation through holes and having passed through the plurality of classification holes due to air discharged from the plurality of air discharge outlets, to the at least one collection path.

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.

Systems and methods for vacuum extraction for material sorting applications are provided. In one embodiments, a vacuum object sorting system comprises: a vacuum extraction assembly that includes at least one vacuum extractor device having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the at least one vacuum extractor device is configured to convert a controlled compressed air stream into a channeled vacuum airflow entering the inlet and exiting the outlet; and an object recognition device coupled to sorting control logic and electronics, wherein the controlled compressed air stream is controlled in response to a signal generated by the object recognition device; wherein the at least one vacuum extractor device is configured to capture a target object identified by the sorting control logic and electronics utilizing the channeled vacuum airflow, and further utilizing the channeled vacuum airflow, to pass the target object through the inlet and outlet to a deposit location.

A bidirectional air conveyor device is disclosed, including: a housing that includes an intake port and an outlet port; a first air input port; a first airflow generator defined within the housing, wherein the first airflow generator is coupled to the first air input port; a second air input port; a second airflow generator defined within the housing, wherein the second airflow generator is coupled to the second air input port; wherein the first airflow generator is configured to cause a first airflow to enter the intake port and exit the outlet port in response to a first supply of air to the first air input port; and wherein the second airflow generator is configured to cause a second airflow to enter the outlet port and exit the intake port in response to a second supply of air to the second air input port.

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.