Abstract

Described is an object sorting system and an object distribution and conveying arrangement for distributing and conveying a plurality of objects. The object sorting system includes a plurality of sorting units. The plurality of sorting units includes a sorting system that includes an object measurement unit for conducting measurement associated with at least one property of an object of the plurality of objects and at least one ejector unit arranged to eject the object conveyed based on the at least one measured property of the object.

IPC Classes  ?

• B07C 5/36 - Sorting apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution
• B07C 5/342 - Sorting according to other particular properties according to optical properties, e.g. colour

Abstract

An object conveying system (10) is provided. The object conveying system comprises a guide plate (100) extending in a longitudinal direction (L), said guide plate (100) having at least one channel (101) for conveying an object (O) between a first end zone (102) and a second end zone (103), at least one object measurement unit (200) for conducting one or more measurements associated with a property of the object (O), and at least one ejector unit (300) arranged to eject the object (O). An object feed device (400) is arranged in the vicinity of the first end zone (102), said object feed device (400) having a central axis (A). The object feed device (400) is arranged such that the central axis (A) is positioned transversally in relation to the longitudinal direction (L) of the guide plate (100).

IPC Classes  ?

• B07C 5/02 - Measures preceding sorting, e.g. arranging articles in a stream, orientating
• B07C 5/342 - Sorting according to other particular properties according to optical properties, e.g. colour
• B07C 5/36 - Sorting apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution

Abstract

Present invention relates to an object sorting system and an object distribution and conveying arrangement (1000) for distributing and conveying a plurality of objects (O). Said object sorting system comprises a plurality of sorting units (100). The plurality of 5 sorting units comprises a sorting system comprising an object measurement unit (13) for conducting measurement associated with at least one property of an object (O) of the plurality of objects (O) and at least one ejector unit (14) arranged to eject the object (O) conveyed based on the at least one measured property of the object.

IPC Classes  ?

• B07C 5/02 - Measures preceding sorting, e.g. arranging articles in a stream, orientating
• B07C 5/36 - Sorting apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution
• B65G 47/46 - Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyors with distribution, e.g. automatically, to desired points
• B07C 5/342 - Sorting according to other particular properties according to optical properties, e.g. colour

Abstract

A method is disclosed for sorting a plurality of objects including an object that is one of a grain, a nut, a tree nut, or a bean. The plurality objects are conveyed along a guide plate having at least two channels between a first end and a second end of the corresponding channel. The channels have a first aperture provided at a first longitudinal position thereof and an additional aperture provided at a second longitudinal position on the guide plate located downstream of the first aperture. An optical measurement associated with a property of the object of the plurality of objects is conducted when the object passes the first aperture towards the second end with an object measurement unit. The object conveyed on the corresponding channel is ejected with an ejector unit when reaching the second longitudinal position based on the measured property of the object and a timing signal.

IPC Classes  ?

• B07C 5/34 - Sorting according to other particular properties
• B07C 5/36 - Sorting apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution
• B07C 5/342 - Sorting according to other particular properties according to optical properties, e.g. colour
• B65G 47/46 - Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyors with distribution, e.g. automatically, to desired points
• B65G 47/52 - Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors, i.e. discharging or feeding devices

Abstract

The invention relates to an object sorting device (1), an illumination unit and a method for such arrangement. The device (1) comprises a transport unit (3) a transport substrate (7) for transporting the objects (5) at specific positions (7a). The object sorting device (1) comprises an illumination unit (8) configured to illuminate the objects (5) and a sensor unit (9) configured to receive light from the objects (5) after illumination, the illumination unit (8) comprising a light source (10) and a mirror array (11) comprising a multitude of pivotable mirrors (12) configured by way of pivotal movement to intermittently guide light from the light source (10) to predetermined specific positions dependent on synchronization signals from a control unit (2). The sensor unit (9) is configured to identify one or more properties of the objects (5) in the predetermined specific positions (7a).

IPC Classes  ?

• B07C 5/342 - Sorting according to other particular properties according to optical properties, e.g. colour
• B07C 3/00 - Sorting of mail or documents according to destination
• B07C 3/04 - Drum-type sorting machines
• B07C 3/14 - Apparatus characterised by the means used for detection of the destination using light-responsive detecting means
• B07C 5/04 - Sorting according to size
• B07C 5/10 - Sorting according to size measured by light-responsive means
• B07C 5/34 - Sorting according to other particular properties
• G02B 6/35 - Optical coupling means having switching means

Goods & Services

Agricultural implements; Agricultural, gardening and forestry machines and apparatus; Machines and machine tools for treatment of materials and for manufacturing; Material production and processing machines; Sorting machines for cereals.

Abstract

A detector system is disclosed herein that includes a plurality of light guides. Each light guide is guiding incoming light from a respective object in use, wherein the incoming light is provided by means of an illuminating means. The detector system comprises diffracting means for diffracting the incoming light in different wavelength ranges, at least one focuser for projecting the incoming light exiting the light guides onto the diffracting means, a detector having a detector area for receiving the diffracted light from the plurality of Sight guides, and a control unit. These are arranged to pulsate incoming light via only one light guide at a time based on a pulse timing parameter, and record a spectrum of light diffracted from each light guide and detected by the detector based on the pulse timing parameter.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01J 3/10 - Arrangements of light sources specially adapted for spectrometry or colorimetry
• B07C 5/34 - Sorting according to other particular properties
• G01J 3/28 - Investigating the spectrum
• G01J 3/36 - Investigating two or more bands of a spectrum by separate detectors
• G01J 3/02 - SpectrometrySpectrophotometryMonochromatorsMeasuring colours Details
• G01N 21/31 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry
• G01J 3/32 - Investigating bands of a spectrum in sequence by a single detector
• G01N 21/85 - Investigating moving fluids or granular solids

Goods & Services

Agricultural, earthmoving, construction, oil and gas extraction and mining equipment; Agricultural, gardening and forestry machines and apparatus; Machines and machine tools for treatment of materials and for manufacturing; Material production and processing machines; Sorting machines for cereals.

Abstract

An object conveying system is provided. The system comprises guide plate (10) having at least one channel (11) for conveying an object (O) between a first end (11a) and second end (11b) of the corresponding channel (11). Each channel (11) comprises a first aperture (121) provided at a first longitudinal position thereof (P1). The system further comprises an object measurement unit (13) for conducting an optical measurement associated with a property of the object via the first aperture (121) when the object passes the first aperture (121) towards the second end (11b). At least one ejector unit (14) is arranged to eject the object conveyed on the corresponding channel when reaching a second longitudinal position (P2, P2') located downstream of the first aperture (121) based on the measured property of the object and a timing signal associated with a conveying velocity of the object being conveyed along the channel (11).

IPC Classes  ?

• B07C 5/34 - Sorting according to other particular properties
• B07C 5/36 - Sorting apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution

Abstract

An object conveying system is provided. The system comprises guide plate (10) having at least one channel (11) for conveying an object (O) between a first end (11a) and second end (11b) of the corresponding channel (11). Each channel (11) comprises a first aperture (121) provided at a first longitudinal position thereof (P1).The system further comprises an object measurement unit (13) for conducting an optical measurement associated with a property of the object via the first aperture (121) when the object passes the first aperture (121) towards the second end (11b). At least one ejector unit (14) is arranged to eject the object conveyed on the corresponding channel when reaching a second longitudinal position (P2, P2') located downstream of the first aperture (121) based on the measured property of the object and a timing signal associated with a conveying velocity of the object being conveyed along the channel (11).

IPC Classes  ?

• B07C 5/34 - Sorting according to other particular properties
• B07C 5/36 - Sorting apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution

Abstract

A detector system (100) comprising a plurality of light guides (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) is provided. Each light guide (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) is guiding incoming light from a respective object in use, wherein the incoming light is provided by means of an illuminating means (10). The detector system (100) comprises diffracting means (12) for diffracting the incoming light in different wavelength ranges, at least one focuser (13) for projecting the incoming light exiting the light guides onto the diffracting means, a detector (14) having a detector area for receiving the diffracted light from the plurality of Sight guides, and a control unit (15). These are arranged to pulsate incoming light via only one light guide at a time based on a pulse timing parameter, and record a spectrum of light diffracted from each light guide and detected by the detector (14) based on the pulse timing parameter.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01J 3/28 - Investigating the spectrum
• B07C 5/34 - Sorting according to other particular properties
• G01J 3/02 - SpectrometrySpectrophotometryMonochromatorsMeasuring colours Details
• G01J 3/32 - Investigating bands of a spectrum in sequence by a single detector
• G01N 21/27 - ColourSpectral properties, i.e. comparison of effect of material on the light at two or more different wavelengths or wavelength bands using photo-electric detection

Abstract

The present invention relates to a spectrometer (20) comprising illuminating means (10) for providing incoming light, diffracting means (6) for diffracting the incoming light in different wavelength ranges, reflectors (4) for projecting the diffracted incoming light onto a detector (8), having a detector area. The incoming light is divided into a plurality of light channels, each light channel having a port (12) and diffracting means, and the detector area is divided into a plurality of detector subareas (8a-8h) corresponding to said plurality of light channels. The present invention also pertains to a detector of this kind and a method of operating this spectrometer.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01J 3/02 - SpectrometrySpectrophotometryMonochromatorsMeasuring colours Details
• G01J 3/18 - Generating the spectrumMonochromators using diffraction elements, e.g. grating
• G01J 3/28 - Investigating the spectrum
• G01J 3/32 - Investigating bands of a spectrum in sequence by a single detector

Abstract

A drum (100) for sorting objects is provided. The drum has a cylindrical shape, and said drum (100) comprises a cylindrical body (101), with an inner and an outer envelope surface. A plurality of pockets (104) are arranged on the inner envelope surface of the cylindrical body (101), and said pockets (104) are provided with openings (105) opening up into the outer envelope surface. At least one groove (106) is arranged on the outer envelope surface, said groove (105) interconnecting at least two openings (105). A machine (1000) comprising such a drum (100) and a method for manufacturing such drum (100) are also provided.

IPC Classes  ?

• B07C 5/36 - Sorting apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution
• B07C 3/04 - Drum-type sorting machines
• B07C 5/342 - Sorting according to other particular properties according to optical properties, e.g. colour