Importance

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Abstract

Sorting apparatus comprises a feed system for delivering a stream of articles in free flight to a sorting zone. Ejectors at the sorting zone are selectively activated to eject articles from the stream. A camera is disposed at an imaging zone up-stream of the sorting zone to generate image data to be processed by a computer to identify articles to be ejected at the sorting zone according to one or more sorting criteria. The computer instructs the ejectors on the basis of the processed data. The computer is also coupled to a graphical user interface to display an image of the product stream at the imaging zone, and show the areas of intersection with the product stream of activated ejectors. The ejectors are normally operable to discharge a fluid such as a gas or air, in pulses, and the areas of intersection with the product stream are those directly intersected by the ejector fluid. Provision can be made for adjusting ejection parameters to move the boundaries of these areas of intersection.

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First Claim