Apparatus for measuring fruit properties including a function for automatically controlling the intensity of light from a light source
US7068369B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 26, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jun 27, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 19, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S250/91
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for measuring fruit properties, in order to classify fruit according to internal qualities, measures the sweetness of a fruit sample using near-infrared spectroscopy. The apparatus includes a pair of waveguides (12), a pair of optic emitter/sensor assemblies (14), a light-interrupting unit (20), and a light detector (40). The light detector calculates the intensity of light, transmitted from a light source and received by the optical emitter/sensor assemblies, thus allowing spectral analysis and interpretation for the determination of sweetness and acidity of a variety of fruits. The light detector controls the light-interrupting unit to interrupt the optical path when the light intensity is reduced. The apparatus is suitable for use in an automated line, for effective and reliable measurement of internal fruit properties, to improve operational efficiency and precision in fruit selection.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.