Optically controlled, pneumatic sorting process for sorting fruits - has gas stream deflecting into predetermined channels according to selected parameters

摘要

Sorting of small objects, esp. grain, leguines, beans and drapes, involves introducing the individual objects into a stream (pref. of air), (pref. all around) optically imaging the entrained objects to detect selected sorting parameters and deflecting the gas stream according to the selected parameters into predetermined channels for sorting the objects. The objects are pref. sepd. into individual objects by vibration (2) with an advancing vibration amplitude pattern to achieve equidistant spacing and then directly introduced into an air stream (3). The entrained objects are pref. scanned by linear CCD photodiode arrays, fed with linear image sections of the objects by spaced optical fibres (7), for evaluation and control. Deflection of the air stream is pref. effected by switching one or more cascade-connected flow flip-flops (12,13). ADVANTAGE - The process is reliable and allows sorting according to more than one parameter.