Method for selectively controlling the amount of wax applied to fruit
US6153253A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 18, 1995 |
| Grant date | Nov 28, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 18, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA23P20/18
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Application of wax to fruit in a conveyor system is controlled to optimize the protective and cosmetic effects of the wax application and to efficiently utilize the wax notwithstanding variations in size, texture, nature or number of the fruit, the type(s) of wax or the processing environment by providing an intelligent wax controller. The wax controller has a camera which detects fruit passing through a field of view defined by an optical housing in which the camera is fixed. Two-dimensional pixel maps of the fruit passing through the viewing area are assembled and an image is processed to provide distinct pixel images even when the fruit are touching. The diameter of the fruit for each of the separated images is then determined from which the total surface area of the fruit passing under the viewing area is computed. Based on this computation a plurality of variable stroke pumps and wax nozzles are each individually controlled at appropriate positions across the conveyor system to apply the appropriate amount of wax to the fruit then passing under the wax applicator nozzles.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.