APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SORTING AND ORIENTING FOOD ITEMS

Apparatus for sorting and orienting food items, comprising a first conveyor having a first and second end, a second conveyor extending from said second end and for transporting items received from the first conveyor, an opening at said second end, a first sensor device for obtaining information on the items, a pick-and-place robot to pick said items from the first conveyor and place them on the second conveyor, a control module receiving information from the first device and controlling said robot. The shape of each item is determined based on said information. Said food items are categorized in two categories based on said determination. The robot is controlled to pick items from the first conveyor and to place and orient the item on the second conveyor, if the item belongs to the first category only, and such that items belonging to the second category will pass into the opening