Integrated food sorting and analysis apparatus
US5526437A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 15, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jun 11, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 15, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S209/939
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An integrated bulk food sorting and analysis apparatus comprises a wide-belt product conveyor which receives and conveys a laterally-distributed stream of bulk food articles past a product diverter. An upstream camera is positioned to view the stream of food articles upstream of the product diverter. Automated sorting logic is responsive to the upstream camera to individually determine optical characteristics of each food article. The product diverter is responsive to the automated sorting logic to divert a portion of the food articles from the stream depending upon their individual optical characteristics. The apparatus also includes a downstream camera positioned to view the stream of food articles downstream of the product diverter. A data processor is responsive to both the upstream camera and the downstream camera to periodically examine samples of food articles and to calculate upstream and downstream quality statistics regarding the stream of food articles. The data processor is programmed to compare the calculated upstream and downstream quality statistics to derive diverted product quality statistics regarding the food articles diverted by the product diverter. The data pr…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.