Optical systems for use in sorting apparatus
AssigneeSortex Limited
InventorsDavid Roy Winterbottom, Laurence John Robinson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An optical system is disclosed for use in sorting apparatus to monitor light at a viewing station thereof to generate signals indicative of the optical properties of selected items in the product stream being sorted. In the system light received from a single line at the viewing station is split into discrete beams, which are filtered into different wavelength ranges to determine the category of the respective product items. The beams are directed onto a slit through which the light beams must pass on their way to respective lines of light sensors.
Claims27
An optical system for monitoring light at a viewing station in sorting apparatus, which system comprises means for illuminating product pieces in the viewing station;
- a prism section for splitting light received from a said product piece into a plurality of beams;
- light sensors for receiving light in each of three discrete wavelength ranges;
- a lens for directing light in each beam on the respective light sensor;
- filter means for restricting the light in each said beam to one of said wavelength ranges;
- and a slit disposed between the lens and the light sensors through which the light is directed to the light sensors, said slit limiting the beams to the appropriate sensors.
An optical system for monitoring light at a viewing station in sorting apparatus, which system comprises means for illuminating product pieces in the viewing station;
- sensors for receiving light in each of three discrete wavelength ranges;
- means for splitting light emitted from the viewing station into a plurality of discrete beams corresponding to said wavelength ranges, and for directing said beams onto respective light sensors;
- filter means for restricting the light in each said beams to one of said wavelength ranges;
- and a slit between the splitting means and the sensors through which said beams are directed thereto, said slit limiting the beams to the appropriate sensors.
In sorting apparatus having a viewing station for product to be sorted, an optical system for monitoring light at the viewing station, which system comprises means for illuminating product pieces in the viewing station;
- a prism section for splitting light received from a said product piece into a plurality of beams, the prism section comprising prisms each having an angle of less than 5°;
- light sensors for receiving light in each of a plurality of wavelength ranges;
- a lens for directing light in each beam on the respective light sensor;
- filter means for restricting the light in each said beam to one of said plurality of wavelength ranges;
- and a slit disposed between the lens and the light sensors through which the light is directed to the light sensors, said slit limiting the beams to the appropriate sensors.
A method of monitoring light emanating from a viewing station in sorting apparatus, comprising splitting the emitted light into three discrete beams;
- directing the beams to light sensors for receiving light respectively in three wavelength ranges equal to the number of discrete beams, the beams passing through a slit disposed between the light splitter and the sensors.
Sorting apparatus having a sorting section and a delivery system for creating a product stream of product pieces to be sorted at the sorting section, the sorting section including a viewing station and an ejection station, the viewing station comprising means for illuminating pieces in the product stream during passage therethrough;
- light sensors for receiving light in each of three discrete wavelength ranges;
- means for splitting light emitted from the viewing station into a plurality of discrete beams corresponding to said wavelength ranges, and for directing said beams onto respective light sensors;
- and a slit between the splitting means and the sensors through which said beams are directed thereto;
- and a computer for analysing light received by the sensors to establish whether a product piece in the product stream is acceptable, and for instructing the ejection station to remove from the product stream any product deemed to be selected.
An optical system for monitoring light at a viewing station in sorting apparatus, which system comprises means for illuminating product pieces in the viewing station;
- a prism section for splitting light received from a said product piece into a plurality of beams;
- light sensors for receiving light in each of a plurality of wavelength ranges;
- a lens for directing light in each beam on the respective light sensor;
- filter means for restricting the light in each said beam to one of said plurality of wavelength ranges;
- and a slit disposed between the lens and the light sensors through which the light is directed to the light sensors, said slit limiting the beams to the appropriate sensors, wherein the illuminating means comprises means for illuminating product pieces in the viewing station from the side at which the light sensors are disposed and a radiation source on the opposite side to provide background light.
An optical system for monitoring light at a viewing station in sorting apparatus, which system comprises means for illuminating product pieces in the viewing station;
- sensors for receiving light in each of a plurality of wavelength ranges;
- means for splitting light emitted from the viewing station into a plurality of discrete beams corresponding to said plurality of wavelength ranges, and for directing said beams onto respective light sensors;
- filter means for restricting the light in each said beam to one of said plurality of wavelength ranges;
- and a slit between the splitting means and the sensors through which said beams are directed thereto, said slit limiting the beams to the appropriate sensors, wherein the illuminating means comprises means for illuminating product pieces in the viewing station from the side at which the light sensors are disposed and a radiation source on the opposite side to provide background light.
In sorting apparatus having a viewing station for product to be sorted, a method of monitoring light emanating from the viewing station comprising splitting the emitted light into a plurality of discrete beams;
- directing the beams to light sensors for receiving light respectively in a number of wavelength ranges equal to the number of discrete beams, the beams passing through a slit disposed between the light splitter and the sensors, and wherein product pieces in the viewing station are illuminated from the side at which the light sensors are disposed, and background light is provided by a radiation source on the opposite side.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.