Selective-sorting harvesting machine and sorting chain including one such machine
US8642910B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 5, 2008 |
| Grant date | Feb 4, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 21, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB07C5/368
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A selective-sorting berry-harvesting machine includes a supply system which supplies a computer vision system, a computer vision system including an artificial vision device for acquiring images of harvest components originating from the supply system and a processing device for analyzing said images so that the harvest components can be recognised and differentiated according to pre-established criteria, and a system for selectively separating whole, ripe and healthy berries from other components of the harvest, controlled by the processing device. The supply system is configured such that the harvest can be spread out to form a single layer, harvest components can be isolated individually and the harvest components, particularly the whole, ripe and healthy berries, can be moved rectilinearly at a controlled speed so that they are conveyed individually through the computer vision system. The computer vision system is configured to individualize and locate each element to control the selective separation system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.