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.

Date of Patent:
Jun. 13, 2017

Filed:

Sep. 25, 2015
Applicants:

Frito-lay North America, Inc., Plano, TX (US);

Applied Spectra, Inc., Fremont, CA (US);

Inventors:

Scott Fagan, Dallas, TX (US);

Paul Allan Martin, Celina, TX (US);

Scotty G. Richardson, Gainesville, TX (US);

Richard E. Russo, Walnut Creek, CA (US);

Chen C. Shao, Plano, TX (US);

Jong Hyun Yoo, Dublin, CA (US);

Chunyi Liu, Fremont, CA (US);

Assignees:

Frito-Lay North America, Inc., Plano, TX (US);

Applied Spectra, Inc., Fremont, CA (US);

Attorneys:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01J 3/30 (2006.01); G01N 21/84 (2006.01); G01N 21/71 (2006.01); G01N 21/85 (2006.01); G01J 3/443 (2006.01); G01N 33/02 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G01N 21/84 (2013.01); G01J 3/443 (2013.01); G01N 21/718 (2013.01); G01N 21/85 (2013.01); G01N 33/02 (2013.01); G01N 2021/845 (2013.01); G01N 2201/129 (2013.01);
Abstract

A method and apparatus for analyzing one or more elements of targeted moving snack food surfaces uses laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy to detect the presence, absence, or amount of an element on a heterogeneous surface, including seasoned and ready-to-eat snack foods. A laser is used to quantify the element concentration without destroying the targeted sample. An automated on-line system may be integrated into the method to create a closed-loop feedback control system, adjusting the concentration as desired.


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