US3867041A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for detecting bruises in fruit
Assignee: United States Department of Agriculture
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Filing: 1973-12-03
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Granted: 1975-02-18
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Expires: 1993-12-03
Abstract
Abstract Detection of bruises in several genera of fruit including apples, peaches, and pears has been accomplished by measuring the reflectance of near infrared light from the fruit surface. The method is particularly adaptable to automation.
Inventors
- 👤 Galen K Brown
- 👤 Larry J Segerlind
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:17
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/02; G01N33/025; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/25; G01N21/31; G01N21/35; G01N21/3563
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of detecting bruises in apples, peaches, pears, and the like comprising the steps of: a. illuminating the outer surface of a fruit, said surface being unbroken, with diffuse light at wavelengths of from 700 to 2,200 nm.; b. detecting the light reflected from the fruit surface with a photoemissive detector; c. determining the amount of light reflected from the surface of an unbruised portion of said fruit; d. determining the amount of light reflected from each portion of the entire fruit surface having an area equal to the area of the portion disclosed in (c); e. comparing the amount of light determined in (c) to the amount of light determined in (d); and f. detecting a bruise in the fruit when the amount of light determined in (d) is significantly lower than the amount of light determined in (c).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of detecting bruises in apples, peaches, pears, and the like comprising the steps of: a. illuminating the outer surface of a fruit, said surface being unbroken, with diffuse light at wavelengths of from 700 to 2,200 nm.; b. detecting the light reflected from the fruit surface with a photoemissive detector; c. determining the amount of light reflected from the surface of an unbruised portion of said fruit; d. determining the amount of light reflected from each portion of the entire fruit surface having an area equal to the area of the portion disclosed in (c); e. comparing the amount of light determined in (c) to the amount of light determined in (d); and f. detecting a bruise in the fruit when the amount of light determined in (d) is significantly lower than the amount of light determined in (c).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method described in claim 1 wherein the area of the portions of fruit surface disclosed in (c) and (d) is equal to or less than the area of each bruise to be detected.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method described in claim 1 wherein the amount of light determined in (d) is from 0.02 to 0.32 reflectance units lower than the amount of light determined in (c).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method described in claim 1 wherein the fruit are apples.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method described in claim 1 wherein the fruit are peaches.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method described in claim 1 wherein the fruit are pears.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3393800A
Cited
US3765775A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-17 | 1978-08-19 | 1979-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-17 | 1982-08-19 | 1983-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-17 | 1986-08-19 | 1987-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |