The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 06, 2007
Filed:
Dec. 05, 2003
Juan Gutierrez Ibarra, Alta Loma, CA (US);
James B. Sheffler, Chino Hills, CA (US);
Matias C. Gonzales, Jr., Yucaipa, CA (US);
Richard D. Heck, Lucerne Valley, CA (US);
Henry A. Affeldt, Jr., Llano, CA (US);
Juan Gutierrez Ibarra, Alta Loma, CA (US);
James B. Sheffler, Chino Hills, CA (US);
Matias C. Gonzales, Jr., Yucaipa, CA (US);
Richard D. Heck, Lucerne Valley, CA (US);
Henry A. Affeldt, Jr., Llano, CA (US);
Sunkist Growers Inc., Ontario, CA (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus of sorting plant products based on damage to the plant products is disclosed. A beam emitter emits an illumination light toward the outer surface of a plant product. A beam detector detects substantially a single wavelength of a reflected light produced by the plant product responsive to the illumination light. A control unit determines at least one of a presence, an amount, and a severity of damage responsive to the reflected light. The control unit assigns a damage category to the plant product responsive to the determination of damage.