公开(公告)号：US5492215A

公开(公告)日：1996-02-20

申请号：US311937

申请日：1994-09-26

Applicant: Henry A. Affeldt ,  Tim D. Conway

Inventor： Henry A. Affeldt ,  Tim D. Conway

IPC: B07C5/36 ,  B65G47/96 ,  B65G25/00

CPC classification number: B65G47/965 ,  B07C5/361 ,  B65G2201/0211

Abstract: The conveyor system is made of a plurality of spools connected by chains at each end of the spool. The space between an adjacent pair of spools defines a pocket. An ejector is carried by the chain within each pocket to eject fruit from the pocket. The ejectors are selectively activated by solenoids lying underneath the chain and mounted on a conveyor channel across which the chain and spools are pulled. An over-the-end detector detects whether fruit passes over the end of the detector and has not been otherwise ejected from the conveyor system. Depending upon the periodicity and the timing in which fruit passes over the end of the conveyor, it can be determined whether one or more ejectors are damaged, or whether ejectors or solenoids are inoperable, and in each case which one.

Abstract translation: 输送机系统由多个线轴组成，通过链条在卷轴的每个端部连接。 相邻的一对线轴之间的空间限定了一个口袋。 喷射器由链条在每个口袋内承载以从口袋中排出果实。 喷射器由位于链条下面的螺线管选择性地启动，并安装在链条和卷轴被拉动的输送通道上。 一个超前检测器检测水果是否通过检测器的末端，并且没有其他方式从输送系统中喷出。 根据水果通过传送带末端的周期和时间，可以确定一个或多个喷射器是否损坏，或者喷射器或螺线管是否不可操作，并且在每种情况下都是这样。

公开(公告)号：US3930994A

公开(公告)日：1976-01-06

申请号：US403173

申请日：1973-10-03

Applicant: Tim D. Conway ,  Paul F. Paddock

Inventor： Tim D. Conway ,  Paul F. Paddock

IPC: G01N21/85 ,  B07C5/34 ,  B07C5/342 ,  G01B11/30

CPC classification number: B07C5/3416 ,  Y10S209/925

Abstract: Apparatus and method for automatically evaluating articles particularly citrus fruits, on the basis of the uniformity and non-uniformity of their transparency to light rays and selectively separating them into different grades according to such evaluations, the fruit being oriented and carried by a conveyor in a path between a light ray source and light ray detectors positioned to straddle the fruit core portion, the signals from the detectors being carried to an internal quality computer controlled by timing sensors responsive to fruit movement through the light rays, wherein the percentage of internal damage is computed for each fruit, after which the fruits are successively separated into different predetermined grades according to their respective damage evaluations.

公开(公告)号：US5651446A

公开(公告)日：1997-07-29

申请号：US617970

申请日：1996-03-11

Applicant: Henry A. Affeldt ,  William Kirk ,  Tim D. Conway

Inventor： Henry A. Affeldt ,  William Kirk ,  Tim D. Conway

IPC: B07C5/02 ,  B65G47/24 ,  B65G47/84 ,  B65G43/00

CPC classification number: B65G47/24 ,  B07C5/02 ,  B65G47/846 ,  B65G2201/0211 ,  B65G2203/042

Abstract: Fruit or other objects placed on the conveyor and spun by the conveyor are properly oriented on the conveyor by the method and apparatus of the invention by ejecting one or more adjacent touching objects or ejecting objects which form stacked triplets. An optical sensor determines when there is or is not a gap between objects and relates that gap detection to the position of the objects on the conveyor. Detection of a continuous signal through a controller circuit causes a downstream solenoid to be energized according to predetermined timing. The solenoid in turn, when energized, rotates a finger which is coupled to, carried with the conveyor system and situated underneath the pocket between adjacent spools. The finger rotates upwardly and ejects the objects sitting in the pocket, thereby removing the misplaced or touching objects on the conveyor belt.

Abstract translation: 放置在输送机上并通过输送机旋转的水果或其他物体通过本发明的方法和装置通过喷射形成堆叠三联体的一个或多个相邻的触摸物体或喷射物体在输送机上适当地定向。 光学传感器确定物体之间是否存在间隙，并将该间隙检测与传送带上物体的位置相关联。 通过控制器电路检测连续信号使得下游螺线管根据预定的时间被激励。 螺线管在通电时依次旋转一个手指，该手指与传送系统一起运送并位于相邻卷轴之间的口袋下方。 手指向上旋转并弹出坐在口袋中的物体，从而去除传送带上的错位或触摸物体。

公开(公告)号：US5620519A

公开(公告)日：1997-04-15

申请号：US292898

申请日：1994-08-19

Applicant: Henry A. Affeldt ,  Tim D. Conway ,  David M. Musoke

Inventor： Henry A. Affeldt ,  Tim D. Conway ,  David M. Musoke

IPC: A23B7/16 ,  A23P1/08 ,  B05C11/00

CPC classification number: A23B7/16 ,  A23P20/15

Abstract: Application of wax to fruit, or groups of fruit in a conveyor system, can be controlled to optimize the protective and cosmetic effects of the wax application and to efficiently utilize the wax notwithstanding variations in size, texture, nature or number of the fruit, the type(s) of wax or the processing environment, by providing an intelligent wax controller. The wax controller has a camera which detects fruit passing through a field of view defined by an optical housing in which the camera is fixed. Particularly if the camera is a line-scan camera, two-dimensional pixel maps of the fruit passing through the viewing area are assembled and image processed to provide distinct pixel images even when the fruit are touching. The entire width of the conveyor belt is detected furing each detection time. The diameter of the fruit for each of the separated images is then determined, from which the total surface area of the fruit passing under the viewing area is computed. Based on this computation a plurality of variable stroke pujps and wax nozzles are each individually controlled at appropriate positions across the width of the conveyor system to apply the appropriate amount of wax to the fruit then passing under the wax applicator nozzles.

Abstract translation: 可以控制将蜡应用于水果或输送系统中的水果组，以优化蜡应用的保护和美化效果，并且尽管水果的尺寸，质地，性质或数量有变化，但是有效利用蜡 蜡类型或加工环境，提供智能蜡控制器。 蜡烛控制器具有一个相机，其检测通过其中相机被固定的光学外壳限定的视野的水果。 特别是如果相机是线扫描相机，则通过观看区域的水果的二维像素图被组装和图像处理，以便即使当水果触摸时也提供不同的像素图像。 在每个检测时间检测到传送带的整个宽度。 然后确定每个分离的图像的水果的直径，从中计算通过观察区域的果实的总表面积。 基于该计算，多个可变冲程喷嘴和蜡喷嘴分别在输送系统的宽度上的适当位置单独控制，以将适量的蜡施加到水果上，然后通过蜡施加器喷嘴下方。

公开(公告)号：US5482154A

公开(公告)日：1996-01-09

申请号：US335266

申请日：1994-09-26

Applicant: Henry A. Affeldt ,  Tim D. Conway

Inventor： Henry A. Affeldt ,  Tim D. Conway

IPC: B07C5/36 ,  B65G47/96 ,  B65G47/46

CPC classification number: B65G47/965 ,  B07C5/361 ,  B65G2201/0211

Abstract: The conveyor system is made of a plurality of spools connected by chains at each end of the spool. The space between an adjacent pair of spools defines a pocket. An ejector is carried by the chain within each pocket to eject fruit from the pocket. The ejectors are selectively activated by solenoids lying underneath the chain and mounted on a conveyor channel across which the chain and spools are pulled. During operation, chain stretch is measured between two sensors at each end of the conveyor system. When the stretch has exceeded a predetermined limit, a warning signal is generated and the conveyor system can be stopped to allow appropriate repositioning of the solenoid assemblies for activating the ejectors or the timing of the firing of the ejectors automatically readjusted by software control.

Abstract translation: 输送机系统由多个线轴组成，通过链条在卷轴的每个端部连接。 相邻的一对线轴之间的空间限定了一个口袋。 喷射器由链条在每个口袋内承载以从口袋中排出果实。 喷射器由位于链条下面的螺线管选择性地启动，并安装在链条和卷轴被拉动的输送通道上。 在运行过程中，在传送系统两端的两个传感器之间测量链条拉伸。 当拉伸超过预定极限时，产生警告信号，并且可以停止输送系统以允许用于激活喷射器的螺线管组件的适当重新定位或通过软件控制自动重新调整的喷射器的点火定时。

公开(公告)号：US5164795A

公开(公告)日：1992-11-17

申请号：US498354

申请日：1990-03-23

Applicant: Tim D. Conway

Inventor： Tim D. Conway

IPC: B07C5/342

CPC classification number: B07C5/3422

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for grading the surface of generally apherical fruit according to surface characteristics such as color and blemish. The fruit are moved in single file past a scanning camera while being rotated about a transverse horizontal axis. Reflectivity data in three separate wavelength bands is collected for a series of scans of each article of fruit, and this data is processed to eliminate all duplicative data arising from the fruit's rotation. Color ratio signals based on the remaining reflectivity data are then utilized to grade the fruit according to their surface color and degree of blemish.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种根据诸如颜色和​​瑕疵之类的表面特性对大致球形水果表面进行分级的方法和装置。 水果在单个文件中通过扫描相机移动，同时围绕横向水平轴线旋转。 收集三个不同波长带中的反射率数据，以便对每个水果物品进行一系列扫描，并处理此数据以消除水果旋转产生的所有重复数据。 然后利用基于剩余反射率数据的颜色比信号根据其表面颜色和瑕疵程度对果实进行分级。

公开(公告)号：US4693607A

公开(公告)日：1987-09-15

申请号：US862126

申请日：1986-05-12

Applicant: Tim D. Conway

Inventor： Tim D. Conway

IPC: G01B11/00 ,  G01B11/28

CPC classification number: G01B11/00

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optically measuring the volume of a succession of individual, generally spherical fruit, each located in a separate receptacle of a conveyor. A pair of linear, coplanar arrays of phototransducers are arranged to view a narrow examining region from orthogonal directions as the conveyor moves the fruit through it, and each array is read at regular intervals of time to produce a plurality of pairs of orthogonal width measurements for each fruit, each pair of measurements corresponding to a separate narrow cross section of the fruit. A microprocessor multiplies together each measurement pair and sums together the successive products to produce a measure of the fruit's volume. In addition, the microprocessor compares the maximum width measurement for each fruit with a count of the number of cross sections for the fruit, to ensure that the volume measurement is based on just a single item of fruit. The microprocessor also eliminates the effect of any light-reflecting debris in the receptacle adjacent to the fruit by detecting certain characteristic patterns in the signals derived from the two phototransducer arrays and substituting predetermined width estimates when those patterns are detected.

Abstract translation: 一种用于光学测量一系列单独的，通常为球形的水果的体积的方法和装置，每个水果都位于输送机的单独的容器中。 布置一对线性共面的光电转换器阵列，以便当输送机通过它移动水果时，从正交方向观察窄的检查区域，并且以规则的时间间隔读取每个阵列以产生多对正交宽度测量值 每个水果，每对测量对应于水果的单独的狭窄横截面。 微处理器将每个测量对相乘，并将连续的产品相加在一起以产生水果体积的量度。 此外，微处理器将每个水果的最大宽度测量与水果横截面数的计数进行比较，以确保体积测量仅基于单一水果。 微处理器还通过检测从两个光电传感器阵列得到的信号中的某些特征图案并且在检测到这些图案时代替预定的宽度估计，消除了与果实相邻的插座中的任何光反射碎片的影响。

公开(公告)号：US4476982A

公开(公告)日：1984-10-16

申请号：US433245

申请日：1982-10-07

Applicant: Paul F. Paddock ,  William G. Krage ,  Tim D. Conway

Inventor： Paul F. Paddock ,  William G. Krage ,  Tim D. Conway

IPC: B07C5/342

CPC classification number: B07C5/342

Abstract: Method and apparatus for grading articles, particularly lemons, according to their surface color. The apparatus measures each lemon's reflectance in infrared, red and green wavelength bands, and computes the ratio of the red and infrared measurements and the ratio of the red and green measurements. If the red/infrared ratio is less than a prescribed crossover threshold, the apparatus compares the red/infrared ratio to a first set of thresholds, to grade the lemon into either a very dark green, dark green or light green color grade. Conversely, if the red/infrared color ratio is greater than the crossover threshold, the apparatus compares the red/green ratio to a second set of thresholds, to grade the lemon into either a silver, tree-ripe or bronzy color grade.

Abstract translation: 根据其表面颜色对制品，特别是柠檬进行分级的方法和装置。 该设备测量红，红和绿波长带中的每个柠檬的反射率，并计算红色和红外测量的比例以及红色和绿色测量的比率。 如果红/红比小于规定的交叉阈值，则该装置将红/红比与第一组阈值进行比较，将柠檬分级为非常深绿色，深绿色或浅绿色等级。 相反，如果红/红比比大于交叉阈值，则该装置将红/绿比与第二组阈值进行比较，以将柠檬分级为银色，树木成熟色或黄色级。