Key Technology Corporation

Visys Nv

Visys

Dirk Adams

Johan Calcoen

Timothy Justice

Gerald Ray Richert

Bert Dirix

Pieter Op De Beeck

Bert Peelaers

Joachim Van Der Perre

Tim Van De Laak

Gerald R Richert

Timothy L Justice

An apparatus for cutting a stream of products using a source of high pressure liquid is disclosed, and where a conveyor is provided for moving a stream of product along a path of travel which is at least partially unsupported, and a liquid jet is provided all which generates a pressurized liquid stream which severs individual objects in the stream of products while the individual objects are moving in an unsupported fashion along the path of travel.

Method of cutting and cutting apparatus using high pressure liquid

An object detection method includes an electromagnetic radiation emitter, and an electromagnetic radiation detector on a first side of an inspection zone, a reflective background on a second side of the inspection zone and a controller operably connected to the emitter and the detector to measure/determine a first time of travel for emitted electromagnetic radiation waves/pulses to travel from the emitter, to the reflective background, and return to the detector, and to measure/determine a second time of travel for emitted electromagnetic radiation waves/pulses to travel from the emitter of electromagnetic radiation to objects of interest passing through the inspection zone along an unsupported path of travel and to be reflected to the electromagnetic radiation detector, and any determined time of travel which varies from the first time of travel is evidence there is an object within the inspection zone and between the emitter and the reflective background.

Object detection method

A method and apparatus for sorting objects is described, and which provides high-speed image data acquisition to fuse multiple data streams in real-time, while avoiding destructive interference when individual sensors or detectors are utilized in providing data regarding internal and external features and characteristics and qualities of products being inspected.

Method and apparatus for sorting

A method of application of cutting a stream of products using a source of high pressure liquid is disclosed, and where a conveyor is provided for moving a stream of product along a path of travel which is at least partially unsupported, and a liquid jet is provided all which generates a pressurized liquid stream which severs individual objects in the stream of products while the individual objects are moving in an unsupported fashion along the path of travel.

A system and a method for inspecting a stream of products (&#x2033;) is disclosed, comprising a scanning focused light beam () for scanning the product stream and a camera () for detecting light beams directly returned from the scanned product stream, whereby the scanning movement of the focused light beam is synchronized with the exposure time of the camera.

System and method for individually inspecting objects in a stream of products and a sorting apparatus comprising such system

A method and apparatus for sorting objects is described, and which provides high-speed image data acquisition to fuse multiple data streams in real-time, while avoiding destructive interference when individual sensors or detectors are utilized in providing data regarding features of a product to be inspected.

The present invention is related to an apparatus for sorting products, in particular granular products such as raisins, blueberries but also pellets e.g. plastic pellets. The sorting apparatus comprises a supply system, a detecting system, a selecting system and a chute. The chute comprises a first guiding element having an upwardly-curved surface for guiding the stream of product moving under influence of gravity towards the detecting system and the selecting system. Optionally the chute comprises a second guiding element having a surface which is downward-curved at least over a certain distance along the movement of the stream of products, such that products which are propelled by the first guiding element and received by the second guiding element are redirected in an essentially vertical downward direction. The detection system will inspect the products when moving in a substantially vertical direction.

Method for sorting products moving in a continuous stream on a chute

The invention concerns a method and apparatus for sorting a stream of products by scanning this stream of products with a bundle of concentrated light and analyzing the light originating from the scanned products and a background element, wherein this background element is chosen such that the corresponding detected light signal differs from the light signals originating from the products to be sorted in at least one parameter and wherein one or more control signals are generated by shifting the background level of the observed light signals to a signal level chosen such that, in the thus obtained signal, the signal level of the signal of a scanned product to be accepted distinguishes itself from the signal level of the signal of a scanned product to be rejected.

Method and device for sorting products

Disclosed is a method and system for inspecting and sorting unsuitable or irregular objects in a stream of products, the system includes means for scanning the stream of products along a scan line. The scan line is formed by means of at least one light source directing light along the scan line, and means for detecting light beams reemitted by the product stream upon scanning. The scanning means includes a focusing means for concentrating the light in at least one dimension. The detecting means includes a focusing means for forming an image in an image plane. The detecting means is oriented towards the scan line such that points on the scan line form a projected scan line in the image plane and the image substantially located in the image plane is substantially focused in at least one dimension by the focusing means. The detecting means also includes a spatial filtering means that filters the image in substantially the direction perpendicular to the direction of the projected scan line.

Method and system for use in inspecting and/or removing unsuitable objects from a stream of products and a sorting apparatus implementing the same

The present invention is related to a detection system for inspecting a continuous stream of products comprising means for determining the detection system induced variations in its output signal. The detection system comprises a reference element and an intermediate optical element, means for scanning a light beam over the product stream and, via the intermediate optical element, over the reference element and means for converting the light beams re-emitted by the product stream and by the reference element into an electrical signal. The intermediate optical element is positioned such that the light beam successively scans the product stream and at least one region of the reference element, in whatever order. Such detection system and method are of particular use in an apparatus for sorting products, where it is used to inspect products provided to the detection system in a continuous stream.

Detection system for use in a sorting apparatus, a method for determining drift in the detection system and a sorting apparatus comprising such detection system

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Tongeren, Belgium

Dirk Adams