Produce grading and sorting system and method
US5903341A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 26, 1997 |
| Grant date | May 11, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 26, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB07C5/3422
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method and apparatus for inspecting and sorting agricultural products which includes launching each product individually from an input transport unit with substantially no change in speed or direction across a gap to an output transport unit. Fixed line scan camera and photocell units are mounted at spaced intervals around the gap to simultaneously optically line scan in the same plane the surfaces of the product. A plurality of simultaneous line scans are sequentially taken at intervals timed to the speed of the input transport unit as the product travels across the gap, and data obtained from the sequential line scans is used to determine the size, shape, weight, color and other characteristics of the product. The product is graded based upon this characteristics and is sorted based upon its grade by a mechanical sorting unit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.