Apparatus for determining relative density of produce using weighing and size measuring
US7439457B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 11, 2007 |
| Grant date | Oct 21, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 26, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01G21/22
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The higher the reading of relative density, liquid weight per unit volume, of pieces of produce such as fruits, the juicier the piece of produce is. By comparing a number of pieces of produce of the same type and species and ranking them, the juiciest pieces of produce may be easily selected and purchased by a shopper. An arrangement of linkages and a sliding spring element creates a device with two inputs, one input being proportional to the volume of the produce based on a representative diameter, and the other input being an approximation of the weight of the produce based on the deflection of a spring. The two inputs are mechanically combined to create one output indicative of density, and thus juiciness, and a pointer is employed whose deflection is proportional to the quotient of the weight and volumetric inputs of each piece of produce tested by the shopper.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.