Method and apparatus for sorting fruit in the production of prunes
US5808305A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 23, 1996 |
| Grant date | Sep 15, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 23, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB07C5/3422
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Fruit defects of interest in the production of prunes are identified based on characteristics of illumination reflected by the fruit. Various reflection characteristics can be used in this regard including near infrared reflectivity and polarization state of the reflected illumination. In one embodiment, the apparatus (10) of the present invention includes a transport system (12) for transporting fruit (14) through an inspection zone (16), an illumination system (18) for illuminating the fruit (14), a detector system (20) for detecting reflected illumination (21), a sorting system (22) for separating defective fruit from good fruit, and a control system (24) for controlling operation of the sorting system (22) based on signals from the detector system (20) and transport system (12). The signals from the detector system can be improved by treating the fruit inorder to diminish the chlorophyll response.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.