Patent US2009438A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3781554A
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Method and apparatus for sorting tomatoes by colour
Assignee: NII KONSERVNA PROMISHLENOST
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Filing: 1971-09-27
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Granted: 1973-12-25
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Expires: 1991-09-27
Abstract
Abstract A method of and an apparatus for sorting tomatoes by color wherein a light beam is projected onto each tomato and transmitted light rays are detected on symmetrically opposite sides of the light beam at angles of 135* thereto, the detected rays are combined through a semitranslucent reflector and a ratio of wave lengths is developed which represents the internal coloration as well as surface flaws in the region of the tomato transluminated by the incident and transmitted beams. The tomatoes are sorted by electromagnetic actuators responding to this ratio.
Inventors
- 👤 P Vatev
- 👤 A Vassilev
- 👤 G Petrov
- 👤 D Kolev
- 👤 G Krivoshiev
- 👤 D Erinkov
- 👤 C Tanev
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:38
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/34; B07C5/342; B07C5/36; B07C5/363; B07C5/365
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of sorting tomatoes comprising the steps of projecting an incident light beam into a succession of tomatoes; detecting light rays transmitted through each tomato exposed to the incident beam at an angle of about 135* to the incident light beam and on symmetrically opposite sides of the axis thereof; combining the detected light rays to form a combined light and spectrally analyzing the combined light to form a ratio of wave lengths in the visible spectra characteristic of the internal coloration of the tomatoes and surface characteristic in the regions thereof transluminated by said beam and said rays; and directing said tomatoes along different paths in accordance with said ratio.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of sorting tomatoes comprising the steps of projecting an incident light beam into a succession of tomatoes; detecting light rays transmitted through each tomato exposed to the incident beam at an angle of about 135* to the incident light beam and on symmetrically opposite sides of the axis thereof; combining the detected light rays to form a combined light and spectrally analyzing the combined light to form a ratio of wave lengths in the visible spectra characteristic of the internal coloration of the tomatoes and surface characteristic in the regions thereof transluminated by said beam and said rays; and directing said tomatoes along different paths in accordance with said ratio.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
210 words
An apparatus for sorting tomatoes for color comprising conveying means for advancing a succession of tomatoes along a path; means for projecting an incident light beam across said path and against the tomatoes successively advanced therealong; a pair of mirrors lying generally parallel to said incident beam but disposed symmetrically on opposite sides on the axis thereof beyond said path for interjecting light rays transmitted through each tomatoe at an angle of about 135* to the incident light beam; a semipermeable mirror receiving light rays simultaneously from both of the first mentioned mirrors for adding the light reflected by said first mirror and forming two analysis beams therefrom; respective lenses traversed by said analysis beams to form the same into pencils of light; respective filters in the paths of said analysis beams; respective photosensitive detectors responsive to each of said pencils for producing electrical signal representing the wave length of the light of said pencils; a circuit connected to said photosensitive detectors for forming a ratio between the output signals thereof; means for comparing a signal representing said ratio with predetermined threshold levels thereof; and respective electromagnetic actuators connected to the last-mentioned means for directing the tomatoes transluminated by said incident beam along respective paths in accordance with said ratio.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
210 words
An apparatus for sorting tomatoes for color comprising conveying means for advancing a succession of tomatoes along a path; means for projecting an incident light beam across said path and against the tomatoes successively advanced therealong; a pair of mirrors lying generally parallel to said incident beam but disposed symmetrically on opposite sides on the axis thereof beyond said path for interjecting light rays transmitted through each tomatoe at an angle of about 135* to the incident light beam; a semipermeable mirror receiving light rays simultaneously from both of the first mentioned mirrors for adding the light reflected by said first mirror and forming two analysis beams therefrom; respective lenses traversed by said analysis beams to form the same into pencils of light; respective filters in the paths of said analysis beams; respective photosensitive detectors responsive to each of said pencils for producing electrical signal representing the wave length of the light of said pencils; a circuit connected to said photosensitive detectors for forming a ratio between the output signals thereof; means for comparing a signal representing said ratio with predetermined threshold levels thereof; and respective electromagnetic actuators connected to the last-mentioned means for directing the tomatoes transluminated by said incident beam along respective paths in accordance with said ratio.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-24 | 1977-06-25 | 1977-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-24 | 1981-06-25 | 1981-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-24 | 1985-06-25 | 1985-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |