EP0105453A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for processing fruit and the like
Assignee: Pennwalt Corp
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Filing: 1983-09-27
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-09-27
Abstract
Abstract @ Apparatus and method for processing fruit and the like, particularly for sorting as a function of variables including color, blemish, size and shape. The apparatus provides an illuminator for substantially uniformly illuminating a portion of the item being examined, and signal means for generating a plurality of signals corresponding to respective different portions of the item being examined. The data signals corresponding to a given item are accumulated and then batch processed to determine sorting signals, while a next item is being examined and data signals for it are being accumulated. For blemish detection, the batch processing includes determination of differences between signals representing adjacent surface portions, and generation of blemish sorting signals as a function of such determined differences.
Inventors
- 👤 George A. Mills
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:43
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/34; B07C5/342; B07C5/3422
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
Apparatus for processing items such as fruit and the like, said apparatus having a light signal means for viewing said items and developing a plurality of data signals corresponding to each viewed item, having means for moving successive items into position to be viewed by said light signal means, characterized by: means for illuminating each said item substantially uniformly over the surface thereof being viewed by said light signal means; and difference means for obtaining difference signals corresponding to the difference of data signals from light signal means corresponding to adjacent portions of the surface of each said item and means for sorting said items as a function of said difference signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
Apparatus for processing items such as fruit and the like, said apparatus having a light signal means for viewing said items and developing a plurality of data signals corresponding to each viewed item, having means for moving successive items into position to be viewed by said light signal means, characterized by: means for illuminating each said item substantially uniformly over the surface thereof being viewed by said light signal means; and difference means for obtaining difference signals corresponding to the difference of data signals from light signal means corresponding to adjacent portions of the surface of each said item and means for sorting said items as a function of said difference signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said illuminating means comprises a plurality of light sources directing light at a portion of said item, said light sources being arranged substantially in a plan displaced from said item as it is being viewed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as described in claim 2, wherein said light sources direct light towards said item at an angle relative to said plane, which angle is in a range of about 15° 45°.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said light sources direct light towards said item at an angle relative to said plan of about 24°.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said plurality of light sources comprise a single lamp with light emitted therefrom; and a plurality of mirror means each receptive to said emitted light for redirecting said emitted light toward said item from a plurality of different directions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said mirror means redirect said emitted light to illuminate said items from above at an angle of from between about 15° to about 45° from horizontal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said angle is 24° from horizontal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said light sources further comprise: at least one linear polarized for polarizing said redirected light.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
118 words
Apparatus for processing items such as fruit and the like, said apparatus having a light signal means for viewing said items and developing a plurality of data signals corresponding to each viewed item, said light signal means comprising; means for illuminating each said item substantially uniformly over the surface thereof: at least one array of light detectors, said array being positioned to generate a signal representative of light reflected from a portion of the surface of said items; difference means for obtaining difference signals corresponding to the difference data signals from said light detectors corresponding to adjacent portions of the surface of each said item and; means for sorting said items as a function of said difference signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
118 words
Apparatus for processing items such as fruit and the like, said apparatus having a light signal means for viewing said items and developing a plurality of data signals corresponding to each viewed item, said light signal means comprising; means for illuminating each said item substantially uniformly over the surface thereof: at least one array of light detectors, said array being positioned to generate a signal representative of light reflected from a portion of the surface of said items; difference means for obtaining difference signals corresponding to the difference data signals from said light detectors corresponding to adjacent portions of the surface of each said item and; means for sorting said items as a function of said difference signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for'processing items such as fruit and the like comprising; means for moving said items into position to be viewed; means for illuminating said items substantially uniformly over the surface thereof, said illuminating means including a plurality of light sources each directing light at a portion of said item, said light sources being arranged substantially in a plane displaced from said items as they are being viewed, said light sources directing light towards said items at an angle relative to said plan of from about 15° to about 45°; means for detecting light reflected from said items; and means, responsive to said detecting means, for sorting said items as a function of said reflected light.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for'processing items such as fruit and the like comprising; means for moving said items into position to be viewed; means for illuminating said items substantially uniformly over the surface thereof, said illuminating means including a plurality of light sources each directing light at a portion of said item, said light sources being arranged substantially in a plane displaced from said items as they are being viewed, said light sources directing light towards said items at an angle relative to said plan of from about 15° to about 45°; means for detecting light reflected from said items; and means, responsive to said detecting means, for sorting said items as a function of said reflected light.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said angle is about 24° to said plane.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said plurality of light sources comprise: a single lamp with light emitted therefrom, and a plurality of mirror means each reflective to said emitted light for redirecting said emitted light toward said items from a plurality of different directions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said detecting means is vertically disposed over said items as they are received and wherein said mirror means redirect said emitted light to illuminate said items at an angle of from about 15° to about 45° from horizontal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said illuminating means further comprise: at least one linear polarizer for polarizing said redirect light.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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