Sorting apparatus

1. A sorting apparatus, comprising:

a vibratory conveyor having a distal end, and which generates vibratory energy that transports a produce stream at a predetermined speed along a first path of travel to the distal end thereof, and wherein the produce stream includes unwanted solid materials and a desired liquid which is derived, at least in part, from the produce in the produce stream, and wherein the vibratory conveyor further includes a vibratory tray which has formed therein a multiplicity of apertures, and wherein at least some of the unwanted solid material and the liquid materials pass through the individual apertures under the influence of gravity, and are then received on a top surface of an underlying frame;

a product separation surface mounted in spaced relation relative to the distal end of the conveyor, and wherein the produce stream, including the unwanted solid material, passes thereover and are frictionally slowed to a speed such that the produce stream falls substantially, immediately, vertically downwardly therefrom, and wherein the liquid in the produce stream is substantially separated from the produce stream by the product separation surface, and travels gravitationally, downwardly along a liquid pathway which moves in a second path of travel;

a liquid collection container mounted on the frame, and which is oriented in gravitationally receiving relation relative to the multiplicity of apertures which are formed in the vibratory tray, and the liquid pathway, and wherein the liquid pathway moves, at least in part, along the top surface of the frame;

an inspection zone located downstream relative to the product separation surface, and wherein the produce stream including the unwanted solid material passes therethrough for visual inspection;

a product diversion plate mounted in downstream produce flowing relation relative to the inspection zone;

an imaging device for visually inspecting the produce stream passing though the inspection zone;

an illumination device for illuminating the produce stream passing through the inspection zone;

an ejector assembly located downstream of the inspection zone, and which removes the unwanted solid material and individual produce in the produce stream having undesirable characteristics;

a controller mounted on the frame, and which is controllably coupled to the conveyor; imaging device; illumination device; and ejector assembly;

a user interface mounted on the frame and controllably coupled with the controller;

at least one transparent window which is located between the inspection station, and the imaging and illumination devices, and which impedes any particulate matter which is mixed and/or derived from the produce stream from being deposited on the imaging or illumination devices;

a first solid phase collection container for collecting predetermined, individual desired produce which is contained within the produce stream, and which is diverted by the product diversion plate into the first solid phase collection container after passing by the ejector assembly, and wherein the liquid collection container is coupled in fluid delivering relation relative to the first solid phase collection container; and

a second solid phase collection container for receiving unwanted solid material contained within the produce stream, and any other predetermined, individual produce having undesirable qualities as identified in the inspection zone.

2. A sorting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , and further comprising:

a static, visually reflective background which is located laterally, outwardly, relative to the inspection station.

3. A sorting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , and further comprising:

a static, substantially minimally reflective background which is located laterally outwardly relative to the inspection station.

4. A sorting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , and further comprising:

an optically active background which is located laterally outwardly relative to the inspection station.

5. A sorting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , and further comprising:

means for withdrawing the desired liquid which is directed towards the second solid phase collection container and returning the desired liquid to the first solid phase collection container.

6. A sorting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , and wherein the illumination device comprises a multiplicity of illumination devices which, when energized, emit electromagnetic radiation which is selected from the group which comprises visible; near infrared; infrared; and ultraviolet light.

7. A sorting apparatus as claimed in claim 6 , and wherein the illumination devices, when energized, are modulated.

8. A sorting apparatus as claimed in claim 6 , and wherein the illumination devices emit electromagnetic radiation which is polarized.