Method and apparatus for grading fruit
US5164795A · kind A · utility
20Cited by
22References
23Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 23, 1990 |
| Grant date | Nov 17, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 23, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB07C5/3422
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method and apparatus is disclosed for grading the surface of generally apherical fruit according to surface characteristics such as color and blemish. The fruit are moved in single file past a scanning camera while being rotated about a transverse horizontal axis. Reflectivity data in three separate wavelength bands is collected for a series of scans of each article of fruit, and this data is processed to eliminate all duplicative data arising from the fruit's rotation. Color ratio signals based on the remaining reflectivity data are then utilized to grade the fruit according to their surface color and degree of blemish.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.