Method and apparatus for sorting

A sorting apparatus comprising:

• a source of individual products to be sorted;
• a conveyor for moving the individual products along a given path of travel, and into an inspection station;
• a plurality of selectively energizable illuminators located in different, spaced, angular orientations relative to the inspection station, and which, when energized, individually emit electromagnetic radiation which is directed towards, and reflected from, transmitted by or absorbed by the respective products passing through the inspection station;
• a plurality of selectively operable electromagnetic radiation detection devices which are located in different, spaced, angular orientations relative to the inspection station, and which, when selectively rendered operable, captures the electromagnetic radiation reflected from or transmitted by the individual products passing through the inspection station, and forms an interrogation signal of the electromagnetic radiation which is captured, and wherein the respective electromagnetic radiation detection devices each form an interrogation signal;
• a controller coupled in controlling relation relative to each of the plurality of illuminators and electromagnetic radiation detection devices, and wherein the interrogation signal of each of the electromagnetic radiation detection device is delivered to the controller, and wherein the controller selectively energizes individual illuminators, and electromagnetic radiation detection devices in a predetermined sequence so as generate multiple interrogation signals which are received by the controller, and which are combined into a multiple aspect image, in real-time, and which has a multiple of characteristics and gradients of the measured characteristics, and wherein the multiple aspect image which is formed allows the controller to identify individual products in the inspection station having a predetermined feature;
• and
• a product ejector coupled to the controller and which, when actuated by the controller, removes individual products from the inspection station having features identified by the controller from the multiple aspect image.