Apparatus and method for processing fruit and the like

• US 4,534,470 A
• Filed: 09/30/1982
• Issued: 08/13/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1982
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Maf Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Pennwalt Corporation (Arkema)
• Inventors: Mills, George A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reeves, Robert B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WACYRA, EDWARD MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US06/430,084
• Time in Patent Office: 1,048 Days
• Field of Search: 209/555, 209/556, 209/558, 209/580-582, 209/585, 209/586, 209/587, 250/562, 250/563, 250/571, 250/572, 358/106, 358/107
• US Class Current: 209/585
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 5/3422 using video scanning devices, e.g. TV-cameras

Abstract

Apparatus for processing fruit and the like, particularly for sorting as a function of variables, including color, blemish, size and shape. The apparatus provides an illuminator for substantially uniformly illuminating a portion of the item being examined, and for generating a plurality of signals corresponding to respective different portions of the item being examined. A circuit is provided for obtaining difference signals corresponding to the difference of data signals corresponding to adjacent portions of the surface of the fruit. The fruit is sorted as a function of those difference signals.

Claims

1. Apparatus for processing items such as fruit and the like, said apparatus having a light signal means for viewing said items and developing a plurality of data signals corresponding to respective portions of the surface of each said item, said plurality of data signals corresponding to substantially the entire surface of each said item, having means for moving successive items into position to be viewed by said light signal means, characterized by:

means for illuminating each said item substantially uniformly over substantially the entire surface thereof being viewed by said light signal means;

difference means for obtaining a plurality of difference signals by subtracting the values of data signals from said light signal means corresponding to adjacent portions of the surface of each said item and means for sorting said items as a function of said difference signals;

said illuminating means comprising a plurality of light sources directing light at a portion of said item, said light sources being arranged substantially in a plane displaced from said item as it is being viewed; and

said light sources further comprising a single lamp with light emitted therefrom and a plurality of mirror means each receptive to said emitted light for redirecting said emitted light toward said item from a plurality of different directions.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mirror means redirect said emitted light to illuminate said items from above at an angle of from between about 15°

to about 45°

from horizontal.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said angle is 24°

from horizontal.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said light sources further comprise:

at least one linear polarizer for polarizing said redirected light.

5. Apparatus for processing items such as fruit and the like, said apparatus having means for moving said items into position to be viewed by a light signal means, said light signal means for viewing said items and developing a plurality of data signals corresponding to respective portions of the surface of each said item, said plurality of data signals corresponding to substantially the entire surface of each said item, said light signal means comprising:

means for illuminating each said item substantially uniformly over the surface thereof;

at least one array of light detectors, said array being positioned so that each said detector generates a signal representative of light reflected from a respective portion of the surface of each said item;

difference means for obtaining a plurality of difference signals representing absolute difference of data signals corresponding to respective adjacent portions of the surface of each said item, summation means for obtaining a summation of said difference signals and generating a summation signal corresponding to said summation; and

means for sorting each said item as a function of said summation signal.

6. The apparatus as described in claim 5, wherein said illuminating means comprises a plurality of light sources directing light at a portion of said item, said light sources being arranged substantially in a plane displaced from said item as it is being viewed.

7. The apparatus as described in claim 6, wherein said light sources direct light towards said item at an angle relative to said plane, which angle is in a range of about 15°

-45°

.

8. The apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein said light sources direct light towards said item at an angle relative to said plane of about 24°

.

9. Apparatus for processing items such as fruit and the like comprising:

means for moving said items into position to be viewed;

means for illuminating said items substantially uniformly over the surface thereof, said illuminating means including

a plurality of light sources each directing light at a portion of said item, said light sources being arranged substantially in a plane displaced from said items as they are being viewed, said light sources directing light towards said items at an angle relative to said plane of from about 15°

to about 45°

;

said plurality of light sources further comprising a single lamp with light emitted therefrom, and a plurality of mirror means each reflective to said emitted light for redirecting said emitted light toward said items from a plurality of different directions,

means for detecting light reflected from said items; and

means, responsive to said detecting means, for sorting said items as a function of said reflected light.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said angle is about 24°

to said plane.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said detecting means is vertically disposed over said items as they are received and wherein

said mirror means redirect said emitted light to illuminate said items at an angle of from about 15°

to about 45°

from horizontal.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said illuminating means further comprises:

at least one linear polarizer for polarizing said redirected light.