초록 ▼

The present invention relates to an orientation unit for a fruit sorting and grading machine, for rolling apples around their major axes at a fixed rpm depending upon the imaging and processing speed so as to make it possible for the camera to scan the entire periphery of each apple. This orientatio

The present invention relates to an orientation unit for a fruit sorting and grading machine, for rolling apples around their major axes at a fixed rpm depending upon the imaging and processing speed so as to make it possible for the camera to scan the entire periphery of each apple. This orientation unit of the present invention consists of a pair of rollers, wherein each of the rollers has a conical profile on one side and a flat laminar surface on the other side to orient an apple of any shape with its major axis aligned along the axis of rotation. This set of rollers is spring loaded to make it possible for the rollers move to and fro to accommodate apples of size ranging from 60 mm to 100 mm. A rotating belt is provided underneath the rollers to rotate the fruits at a desired rpm so that a camera with an image processing system can scan the entire periphery of the fruit, including the size and shape, and surface bruises, and grade them into multiple categories in terms of quality.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. An orientation unit for a fruit sorting and grading machine, which comprises a proximally placed set of two pairs (12,14 & 15,16) of spring (8,11) loaded freely rotatable rollers on horizontal shafts (10) mounted on vertical supports (9); each of the said pair of roller

The invention claimed is: 1. An orientation unit for a fruit sorting and grading machine, which comprises a proximally placed set of two pairs (12,14 & 15,16) of spring (8,11) loaded freely rotatable rollers on horizontal shafts (10) mounted on vertical supports (9); each of the said pair of rollers (12,14 & 15,16) consisting of a conical (14,16) and cylindrical (12,15) rollers, wherein the inside edge of the conical rollers (14,16) of each of the said pair of rollers (12,14 & 15,16) having an elliptical profile (14,16) and the inside edge of the cylindrical rollers (12,15) of each of the said pair of rollers (12,14 & 15,16) having a flat laminar surface (12,15); the said set of two pairs of rollers (12,14 & 15,16) being provided with direct underneath contact with a variable speed horizontally moving endless belt (7). 2. An orientation unit for a fruit sorting and grading machine according to claim 1, wherein the proximally placed set of two pairs (12,14 & 15,16) of spring loaded (8,11) freely rotatable rollers on horizontal shafts (10), consists of the conical rollers (14,16) with elliptical profile on one side and the cylindrical rollers (12,15) with flat laminar surface on the other side capable of accommodating apples of size ranging from 60 mm to 100 mm. 3. An orientation unit for a fruit sorting and grading machine according to claim 1, wherein a base plate (1) is provided on which the entire system is mounted. 4. An orientation unit for a fruit sorting and grading machine according to claim 1, wherein the variable speed horizontally moving endless belt (7) is mounted on a horizontal rotatable drum (6) powered by a variable speed motor (2) through a coupler (3) and shaft (4) having guides (5). 5. An orientation unit for a fruit sorting and grading machine according to claim 1, wherein the springs (8 & 11) of the spring (8,11) loaded freely rotatable pair of rollers (12,14 & 15,16) on horizontal shafts (10) are placed between the vertical supports (9) and outer edge of the rollers. 6. An orientation unit for a fruit sorting and grading machine according to claim 1, wherein surfaces of the rollers are provided with soft sponge cushioning against sharp edges and covered with blue acrylic cloth.