CA2495948A1 - Automated quality assurance method and apparatus and method of conducting business - Google Patents
Automated quality assurance method and apparatus and method of conducting business Download PDFInfo
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- CA2495948A1 CA2495948A1 CA 2495948 CA2495948A CA2495948A1 CA 2495948 A1 CA2495948 A1 CA 2495948A1 CA 2495948 CA2495948 CA 2495948 CA 2495948 A CA2495948 A CA 2495948A CA 2495948 A1 CA2495948 A1 CA 2495948A1
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- 238000000275 quality assurance Methods 0.000 title description 10
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 49
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 36
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 26
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 8
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- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 description 33
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- 238000005303 weighing Methods 0.000 description 10
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- 238000009529 body temperature measurement Methods 0.000 description 7
- 244000144977 poultry Species 0.000 description 7
- 235000013594 poultry meat Nutrition 0.000 description 7
- 238000003908 quality control method Methods 0.000 description 6
- 235000015278 beef Nutrition 0.000 description 5
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- 238000012552 review Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004513 sizing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000032258 transport Effects 0.000 description 2
- 241000972773 Aulopiformes Species 0.000 description 1
- 241001465754 Metazoa Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000282320 Panthera leo Species 0.000 description 1
- 206010034203 Pectus Carinatum Diseases 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/84—Systems specially adapted for particular applications
- G01N21/85—Investigating moving fluids or granular solids
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01G—WEIGHING
- G01G11/00—Apparatus for weighing a continuous stream of material during flow; Conveyor belt weighers
- G01G11/04—Apparatus for weighing a continuous stream of material during flow; Conveyor belt weighers having electrical weight-sensitive devices
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/17—Systems in which incident light is modified in accordance with the properties of the material investigated
- G01N21/25—Colour; Spectral properties, i.e. comparison of effect of material on the light at two or more different wavelengths or wavelength bands
- G01N21/31—Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry
- G01N21/35—Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light
- G01N21/3554—Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light for determining moisture content
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- G07C3/00—Registering or indicating the condition or the working of machines or other apparatus, other than vehicles
- G07C3/14—Quality control systems
- G07C3/146—Quality control systems during manufacturing process
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Biochemistry (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Immunology (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention provides a dynamic continuous and/or semi-continuous and/or static product measurement characterizing and identifying system and apparatus for food stud and food product portions and other objects comprising a conveyor means for transport of product or object to be measured to one or more detection regions to detect information comprising height, length, width, dimensional, spatial or topological characteristics, coloring characteristics, and/or moisture content and/or weight and temperature while conveyed products are in motion or static or a combination thereof on said conveying; means.
Description
Automated OuaGtv Assurance Field of thQ Invention The present invention relates to a method and apparatus, and method of doing business tl~re~by, for automating quality control functions in processed food production and preparation of beef, poultry and other food segments and portions, and more particularly to automated means and method for dimensional suing, weighing and temperature testing and spatial characteristic determination of food and other products.
Baekground of the Invention To fiu~lher efficiency in modern food product processing and packaging operations, and in food portion control, efforts have been made to replace formerly manually conducted operations with automated procedures and methods. Such methods and products are particularly desirable in quality assurance operations and procedures to ensure that regulated and mandated quality standards are consistently adhered to throughout production operations.
For e~nple, in L~.S. patent application publication No.: LJ.S. 2003/0024'744 ~F'ebruary 6, 2003 ) to Ring, there is disclosed a data acquisition and/or control method and device which employs a conveyor weigh scale, or "weigh scale control", which is said to automatically determine a crucial sample period for accurately weighing various food productsa T'he described method also employs an algorithm for data acquisition and control in a food product weighing operation In this method, a conveyor weigh scale senses a dynamic weighs of a product as it passes over a weigh scale, which can be expressed as a weight waveform of sensed weight over time as the product passes over the scale. As described, an accurate weight reading for the moving product is made during a brief sample period within the waveform where weight readings are most constant and representative of the static weight of the produ~~t. 'Chic rnethad is said to be art advantage over conventional continuously moving produ~~t scales which use laser sensor or photosensitive components, such as an optical or other external triggering device. ~'hese devices are used to detect the entry of a product into a weigh scale, and then actuate the scale which uses fixed timing numbers to estimate the position of the sample period on a weight waveform to make weight measurements.
The improvement associated with this method is said to be the provision of a software algorithm for a weight scale associated with a continuously moving conveyor which is capable of positioning the sample period on each product weight waveform and in which the weight and speed of the product passing over the scale does not at~ect the positioning of the sample period. fihe algorithm calculates the sample period using waveform slope characteristics.
The weight measurement method described above is also said to be useful with such conventional food processing methods, such as illustrated, for example, in U.S.
Patent IVos. 3, X04, 26~; 5 and 5,724, $'~4 which is a slicing machine with a conveyor drivelclass~er system that is responsive tc~ a weigh scale to direct products within a weight tolerance, to an "accept conveyor, and out-ofrweight tolerance products to a a "rgjest" sonvgyor' Thg slicing machine produces a series of stacks of food loaf sliees which move outwardly of the machine on an input conveyor which, as described, continuously :senses the weight of the sliced product appearing on the scale, which, in turn, outputs a continuous succession or' weight readings of samples at regular time intervals to de~~ne corresponding waveforms, and which are characterized as dynamic weight measures of product. The assemblage enables rapid weight measurement on the order of eve-hundred samples per second, with a rapid conveyor product speed of over one-hundred product stacks per minute. The system is applicable to all different types of commercial food product loaves, such as ham, beef pork, fish in a variety of shapes anti sizes, and in dliff'erently shaped stacks of food product.
Other conventional food processing measurement systems include two-dimensional (2-D) imaging systems to determine length and width, and used, for example, in oyster measurements and in sizing other food objects. ~'hese systems typically prod~.uce a ~-D image which corresponds to an amount of light and corresponding current, which is picked up by pixels of a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera, and which is positioned to recesve it»ages tconr a particulcr area.
These systems are also able to olntain individual weight data per pmduct, such as the weight of an oyster, by carrelating a :ample group weight of food products with pixel data using an equation relating to 2-I~ image and volume.
Further refinements to such methods ofdetermining food product volume employ three-dimensional (3-D) optical valume measurement such as disclosed in U.S.
Patent No.: 6,369,401 to Lee. ~~n this method, ane or more lines ol'radiation are projected from a radiation source, such as a laser light source, onto a food object, and thereafter detecting lines of radiation rgflested from the ohjgsts R~flsstgd radiation is soatpared with that reflected from a reference surface to determine the height, length and width ofan object at a location corresponding to at least one line of radiation impinging on the object. As fiurther disclosed in this method, several laser lines are impinged onto a surface area on which a food product object is located, and onto a reference surface of which no food product object is located. A light sensitive device, such as a camera, having a plurality of pixel elements that can receive light firom a plurality of surface locations, which is light reflected fi~om the food product object, or surface, is used to determine light intensity received, and displacement of laser lines relative to a reference location.
Flaw umage data liom the camera is received by a central processing unit (CPtn, which determines the binary image ofprojected area to determine length and width dimensions. T'he ~i'~J also uses laser line displacemern data to determine object height at the various locations of the object, all of which data is then used by the C~'~L1 to calculate the product or object volume.
Another food product data processing/process control system and method is discloses in International latent Application I~o. ~'C~/~'rB~9/(~07~6 to VVhitehouse. In this system, a food product traverses an inspection region on a conveyor belt, and a transducer determines shape, size and cross-section of the product in the inspection region. Data generating transducers can he rotated about an object or product to be measured so a3 to inspect the whole of the product surface for accurate size and shape measurements, with signals generated when a length ofproduct ewers and leaves an inspection region, and with computation means capability to produce product arrival and product deparbare signals.
As also diselossd; data ge~rating laser displacement transducers may bs mounted in a ring pattern around or at an inspection site or region, and situated to direct their beams through a gap between two in line conveyors, with the ring being driven by a servo motor, and with output data of the transducers logged by a computer means.
In yet another example of conventional product characteristic data gathering in commercial fcrod processing techniques, Li.~. Patent application publication No. U.S.
2UU2%U01444~4 (February ~, 20U~) to I~eirranlc descr'bes a method and apparatus for automated poultry egg classification. A conveying system is used transport eggs to an inspection station where, among other characteristics, egg temperature is measured by a thermal codling system which measures temperature by detecting corresponding infrared radiation, thereby generating corresponding signals which are sent to a controller, or CPU.
Currer,~tly, in conventional poultry, meat and processed food plant operations in general, qual'tty control and assurance techniques are oftentimes labor intensive. For example, in a typical poultry plant operation, a sample of all boneless breast meat product is tested for si:zx, weight, temperature and other characteristics and/or dei'ects or standard deviations by amethod(s) which require at least some aspect of manual labor or exertion to produce measurable data, e.g. a quality assurance data point.. Lisually, to obtain weight measurements, an employee is required to extract a sample of product i~rom a product process line and place it on a scale for weighing. Tine product weight can then be recorded in a log, or other database, such as a computer database program.
Product thickness, or other dimensions of width and tength~re also typicahy manually mea;cured, such as, for exampleR by using calipers, which data is also manually logged; or otherwise fed to a database: '1'he temperature ofgaeh product sample is also manually chec;iced and recorded. Such labor intensive efforts are undesirable in that up to two minutes o~r more is required to check each product sample, thereby resulting in significantly less data gcnerat~:d thin if pertirrmed by automatic machine ~~esns. Additionally, such human intervention with quality assurance checking procedures im~ariably results in inconsistent or even fabricated data generation leading to unnecessarily unreliable quality assurance measures.
It is therefore desirable, and an object ofthe present invention, to provide a completely automated method and system to generate all data contemplated as required for any processed food product quality as: urance pral;ram or ut!~er product standardization or portion control operation.
Sammarv of the Invention In asr~;~rdan~ with those objects and desires set forth above; the present invention provides a method and apparatus, and method of doing business thereby, of automating quality control and assurance in commercial food processing, packaging and handling. In this inventive product measuring system total ~~r~~lu~ or o~~ect ~neastarement~ e.~; length width, height, weight, spatial characteristicswolume and temperature measurement functions and other product/object characteristic determinations are combined in an automated means, in which one or more sample food products on an automated conveying means is transported to one or a phlraiity of inspection sites or regions, which can be located in a llouS111~ means. In accordance with this invention" once transported to the desired loc:ation(s), a product sample may traverse one or more inspection regions, (i wherein it is preferred that out of a pluraiit~~ oi~ possible ~nspectic~n means at least one detection means is provided which is effective to measure product dimensions and spatial characteristics, e.g., the height, length and width, volume and generally the topography and the unique spatial characteristics ofa sample product; another detection means measw:~e is provided to measure the weight of said sample product; and an additional detection means is present to measure the temperature of the sample product.
Multiple deta~tion means are contemplated for use in a variety of embodiments of this invention to measure and/or detect any desired characteristic of a food product or any object traversiing an inspection region. The system can also be optionally provided with accept output conveyor means and reject output conveyor means, for example, for defective products, or products falling outside of standardization parameters, as desired.
the inventive system is also contemplated for use with one or more executable programs to generate, process and store data in a database and to operate all contemplated functions of the inventic>n, bar code generating means to codify product measurement characteristics and any other conventional data processing technology.
The present invention as to its manner of operation and further objects and advantages is best understood by referertw;e to the (allowing lJetailed Description of ('referred Embodiments, accompanied by reference to the drawing.
Hrief Description of the Drawing dig. 1 is a perspective schematic view ofan embodiment ofthe inventive measuring method and system for automated dycsamie product configuration/dimensional deterrninatior~, weight and temperature determination.
Detailed Description of Preferred ~mbQdunents o~ tire ~reseut ~ovention T'he present invention provides an automated f=ood product and object measuring system which is particularly suited for use in food plant product quality assurance and control operations. In this invention, a conveyor means, such as a servo-computer operated conveyor belt, t~~ansports one or more, or a plurality of products, to one or more inspection or measurement regions to be measured for, e.g. quality control purposes, product standardization and packaging, ar for any reason contemplated. fine product may be a poultry part or food portion, such as a boneless chicken breast, or a beef or pork section or portiion, a whole fish, or any food or prepared food product contemplated, such as chicken or beefpiea, prepared casseroles and the dike, or any non-food product desired for characteristics measurement andlar identification.
In this e:xemplifed embodiment, once entering an inspection region by way of conveyor means, the product is subjected to a first detection means for dimensional or spatial dimensional or otherwise total topological and/or 2-13 or ~-D
detection and determination uicluding, far example, the product's height, length and width, and spatial and/or topological characteristicsx a second detection means for product weight determination., a.nd then a third detection means for product temperature determination, all of which aolleeted information can ba automatically stored in a database.
The order of placement of detection means can be that of any order as desired and is not critical to the practice of this invention However, in a preferred embodiment, there is thought to be an advantage to <:onducting a spatial or topological determination prior to a temperature determination, as the temperature of an object can then be measured at an optimum local of an object, fir example, the thickest portion of an object as desired. fihe inventive measuring system provides for an e~cient, human-intervention-free and accurate snap-shot product review at any point desired an a food product production line, with a concomitant reduction in labor required for its undertaking, and an elimination of a specially traizu;d labor force required for product quality control and assurance operations. The inventive system by way of its conveyed continuous operation also enables a significant increase over conventional manual operations in product satnple(s) review and quality control data collection.
Taming now to Fig. l, there is shown a perspective schematic view ofa preferred embodiment of the inventive product sample measuring/quantifying system for automated dyriunic product configurationldimensional determination, weight and temperature determination. In Fig. 1, a conveyor means l, such as a standard conveyor belt, transports one or more, or a plurality, of' food pmduc;t samples 2, such as a poultry portion or beefor pork food portion for hwnan, and/or animal consumption, to one or more inspection regions. An operator can manually place a food product 2 on the conveyor mean; 1, or it may be deposited from a hopper means (not shown) or by any suitable conventional deposit means desired or contemplated. The speed of conveyor means 1 can be set and controlled by a computer means (not shown) or other Central Processing Unit (~PLJ'~; with stop/start and food product entry and depart functions automated and controlled as well by the computer means or CQ~J, or other control function means.
l~pon lbeing conveyed to a fast inspection region 12, a 1=urst detection means 3 is similarly situated and is ei~ective to detect and make 3->=~ measurements and/or determine product configuration f~f'the sample product. first detection means 3 can be any known or conventional device, pre~erabiy such as a scanning device, iaor example, a laser scan, to determine the height, length and width ofthe sample product at any cross-sectional plane ofthe pmduct to provide an accurate spatial, topological, two-or three-ciimetasional product configuration output profile and volume of the product.
Irregularly shaped food products such as boneless chicken parts have a varying topography and are preferably checked and measured far total length, mean and average height and wie~th through several cross sectional portions or pre~orms ofthe sample. If preferred, two-dimensional measurements are also contemplated.
ScannE~rs contemplated as use#'ul in this example as a first detection means, and in this invention in general, can be any conventionally available teclumlogy, such as, for example, two and three-dimensional optical sizing systems employing camera means positioned in inspection region 12 to receive images from the inspection region. Such devices are wE;l1 known, of which examples are discussed in 1.1.5. ~'atent ~o.
6,369,401, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. -~r»~ther example of conventional 2-D or 3-D spada~ imaging methodology or technology useful in this invention includes that di.isclosed in the C~pton non-contact whole field 3-D lVloire measurement machine series, such as first described in Takeda, "Faurier Transform profilometry for the automatic measurement of 3-D object shapes"; University of El~trocommunications 0982), all o:f which is incorporated by reference herein. In this system an optical sensor head which acquires images is provided, and which are based on 3-D
calculations. In operation, a grating pattern is projected onto an object to be topologically characterized from a grating projector by way of a stn~be means, e.g., a Xenon strobe, with deformed grating patterns ut the surtace ot~ the object ;u be measured by~ being picked up and entered into a computer by way ofdetection from a change-coupled deviice (CCI~) camera which digitizes the gating images and general Bl~l imaiges on the object. As is known a CC>~
camera contains light sensitive integrated circuits which store and display the data for an image in such. a way that each picture element (pixel) in the image is converted into an electrical charge ofwhich its intensity is related to a color of°the color spectrum. For example, in a system supporting h~,~~~ c.;olors, there will be a separate value for each color that can be stored and recovered. ''his method and system is known for its improved shutter speed and effectiveness in imaging and use with moving objects to produce accur,~te shape and color measurements with wide held, high resolution and high speed measurements via the use of high speed, strobe aided cameras. The system is also equipped with a laser pointer for auto-focusing and controlling the orientation ofthe camera, a lighting means, e.g. a white light lamp to illuminate an object targeted for measurement and for illuminating ink lines and reference marks as desired. An optical probe means for uniaxial point measurement, or a snap-shot one point 3-D
measurement, at any point desired in an object is another feature. As also discussed, a grating shifting mechanism can be employed to improve data spatial resolution.
As ~ntioned; in ap~ratioa a grating pattern is projestai onto a surface to be measured which is de~'orm~ed according to an object's particular topography.
The deformed grating pattern taken into a computer by the CC~ camera is saved as a digital image. Vi~ith av flat sur#'ace to be measured located at a reference position, for example, the most desirable focus position, the deformed image received by the camera will be ane ofsubstantially straight lines which may have a particular pitch characteristic. 1~or a non flat surface at a reference position to be measured, the deformed image received by the camera will be; one of non-straight lines and a changed grating pitch, with a change of light intensity ofthe grating image, which is measured and processed. 'l'hus, for example, the first image of a flat or substantially flat object, such as a conveyor belt surface, is used a reference wave with a certain frequency in camparison with a second image of a deformed wave with its phase modulated. 'f he phase diff=erence can then be calculated, for example, by use of an algorithm, such as the Maire 3-l~ algorithm as based on the Talreda publication, between the reference and deformed waves for individual pixels of the CCD camera, with a depth (Z coordinate) and X and Y coordinates obtained.
Many other 2-D or ?~-D irnaging/topologicat measuring methods and systems are known, any of which are contemplated for use herein.
By way ova series ofsnap shots of cross-sectional segments ova sample product, providing height, length and width data ofa varying topography of a products' configuration, the product's volume may be determined, as well as its spatial characteristic:, such a detailed topographic map, fxom which a host of desired information can be extracted, including, for example, maximum thickness a~
length along any axis of' interest. Other information operations which might be performed in6lude, for exampl8, praduw~t outline template ehesk~ing, shape irregularity moment such as t~or unusual protuberances, shape; checking, and thinness and thickness checking over selected areas, all of which can be automatically calculated and determined by computer means or a CPt,1 station. As can be seen, an enormaus amount ot~reliable data, and sample product information, can be gathered and logged or processed in a rapid amount of time to control product output quality as precisely as desired or required.
Further proceeding into another inspection region, inspection region 14 in Fig, l, by means of conveyor means 1, product sample 2 is next subjected to a weight detection or determination means 4 which is effective to determine total product sample weight.
Weight detection means 4 situated in inspection xegian I 4 can be of any known conventional technology, such as a load call or other device effective for dynamic weight measurement of products on a continuously moving weigh conveyor. Examples of such conventional continuous weighing technology suitable for use in the present invention is provided, for example, in L1.S. Patent Application Publication Na. U.S.
2UU3/0024744.
Any of the many conventional load cell weighing systems or indicators are suitable for use in this nnvention, including, for example, that provided by Weigh-Tronix, for weighing muxed items of varying size and weight, i.e. irregularly shaped and configured food product samples, in high speed conveyed weight validation. Other preferred suitable examples useful herein include such load cell-based process weighing systert~s as provided by BI,H Vishay weight indicators and products, and that of Sensortronics and RL Scales, Inc. s which provide load cell weighing systems for use in automatic check out counters, as well as in pickingishipping systems and general industrial applications, any 1~
of which such conventional weighing tcshnolagy is contemplated for usg in this invention.
Having uindtrrgone dimensional/spatiaUtopological configuration; volume anti weight analysis, product samples ne~ct are transported in dig. 1 by conveyor means 1 into a third inspection region 6 for temperature determination/analysis or temperature verification. As shown in dig. 1, a temperature detection means 5 is situated in or contemporaneous to inspection region lh, and is e~'ective for continuous dynamic temperature measurement of food product samples continuously traversing region 16. In this preferred embodiment, a temperature prove means fa, Sb is indicated for use, which may be a computer engaged probe insertable in any cross sectional portion of a sample product, such ;~s one of irregular topographical product configuration, to pmvide an average or mean temperature per piece or product sample, and to ensure accurate temperature measurement. As is known, dwell times of such temperature measurement products can be set as desired to further ensure accurate product temperature measurement cm a continuously moving conveyed sample produc.-lion line.
Also suitable for use in this inven Lion are non-contact temperature measurement devices, such as radiation thermo-detection means which are capable of providing accurate and reliable temperature determinations and values at a distance over a continuously nwving conveyed line. Such instruments, as known, employ optical components which can focus infrared radiation onto a solid-state detection where it is converted into an electrical signal and read out as temperature on a digital display. Some eommgrsial sxamples include; For sxa~lg, ~quipment produced by Raytelc as the Thermalert gees Of products.
The corweying means of the invention can be any movable belt or moving surface means compos~rd o~ for example, antibacterial materials to avoid food product contamination, and can be actuated and speed controlled by a servo or computer means.
The conveyor means in accordance with the invention may be continuously conveyed in product m~easureme~~t operation, or, for example, stopped, started, or moved or pulsed at intermittent speeds, dek ending on the measuring or detection operation desired or contemplated, the desired speed of data generation, or any other production or business reason contemplated. The conveyor means is also preferably constructed of materials conducive and complimentary to detection measurement, such as light pulsed measurement and the like of product sample characteristics and with surface reference characteristics stored in a database in a computer means. It is also contemplated that the system be equipped with pane or more conveying means for accepted sample products and for rejected sample products, with rejected samples being diverted to a conveyor or area by an acuateable component or means, such as a pop-up roller or automatically insertable panel or gate means, or other directing member means. The conveyor means can extend through one or more detection regions in a perpendicular or angled fashion, and be ofa substantially flat surface v3r concave or convex in portions depending upon such factors as, for example, detection means employed, physical characteristics of a sample being measured, and the shape of a sample product to be measured.
Any conventional d~ataction means is contemplated far use in thg presant invention, and which can be placed in any order in conjunction with the conveyer means.
For example, in some food dye colored products, a color detection means may be desired, or in other applications useful to grade fish species via their natural color characteristics such as salmon or beef sources or to detect blood spots in poultry and f sh.
$eef marbling may be detected in such a continuous operation to grade certain cuts, or to determine fat percentage in ground beef. Ivloisture content detection means may be employed, for example, along with weight and temperature measurements to gauge product shrinl~:age in processing and packaging operations.
Further, all of the data generated may be used in conjunction with bar code, or other coding technology, to grade specific ar desired food lots and quantities, and/or used in conjunction with a user's computer network to receive product parameters, such as QA
data, to report pmduct line status to a control computer and to proved real time product reports.
In another aspect and embodiment of the present invention, it is further contemplated that the automated quality assurance method and apparatus my be employed in conjunction with one or more business methods, particularly methods of conducting food production operations, and stand alone quality assurance business method applications.
It will further be appreciated by those persons skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary of the principles ofthe invention, and that many modifications and variations are possible without departing tom the spirit and scope of the invention and claims.
Baekground of the Invention To fiu~lher efficiency in modern food product processing and packaging operations, and in food portion control, efforts have been made to replace formerly manually conducted operations with automated procedures and methods. Such methods and products are particularly desirable in quality assurance operations and procedures to ensure that regulated and mandated quality standards are consistently adhered to throughout production operations.
For e~nple, in L~.S. patent application publication No.: LJ.S. 2003/0024'744 ~F'ebruary 6, 2003 ) to Ring, there is disclosed a data acquisition and/or control method and device which employs a conveyor weigh scale, or "weigh scale control", which is said to automatically determine a crucial sample period for accurately weighing various food productsa T'he described method also employs an algorithm for data acquisition and control in a food product weighing operation In this method, a conveyor weigh scale senses a dynamic weighs of a product as it passes over a weigh scale, which can be expressed as a weight waveform of sensed weight over time as the product passes over the scale. As described, an accurate weight reading for the moving product is made during a brief sample period within the waveform where weight readings are most constant and representative of the static weight of the produ~~t. 'Chic rnethad is said to be art advantage over conventional continuously moving produ~~t scales which use laser sensor or photosensitive components, such as an optical or other external triggering device. ~'hese devices are used to detect the entry of a product into a weigh scale, and then actuate the scale which uses fixed timing numbers to estimate the position of the sample period on a weight waveform to make weight measurements.
The improvement associated with this method is said to be the provision of a software algorithm for a weight scale associated with a continuously moving conveyor which is capable of positioning the sample period on each product weight waveform and in which the weight and speed of the product passing over the scale does not at~ect the positioning of the sample period. fihe algorithm calculates the sample period using waveform slope characteristics.
The weight measurement method described above is also said to be useful with such conventional food processing methods, such as illustrated, for example, in U.S.
Patent IVos. 3, X04, 26~; 5 and 5,724, $'~4 which is a slicing machine with a conveyor drivelclass~er system that is responsive tc~ a weigh scale to direct products within a weight tolerance, to an "accept conveyor, and out-ofrweight tolerance products to a a "rgjest" sonvgyor' Thg slicing machine produces a series of stacks of food loaf sliees which move outwardly of the machine on an input conveyor which, as described, continuously :senses the weight of the sliced product appearing on the scale, which, in turn, outputs a continuous succession or' weight readings of samples at regular time intervals to de~~ne corresponding waveforms, and which are characterized as dynamic weight measures of product. The assemblage enables rapid weight measurement on the order of eve-hundred samples per second, with a rapid conveyor product speed of over one-hundred product stacks per minute. The system is applicable to all different types of commercial food product loaves, such as ham, beef pork, fish in a variety of shapes anti sizes, and in dliff'erently shaped stacks of food product.
Other conventional food processing measurement systems include two-dimensional (2-D) imaging systems to determine length and width, and used, for example, in oyster measurements and in sizing other food objects. ~'hese systems typically prod~.uce a ~-D image which corresponds to an amount of light and corresponding current, which is picked up by pixels of a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera, and which is positioned to recesve it»ages tconr a particulcr area.
These systems are also able to olntain individual weight data per pmduct, such as the weight of an oyster, by carrelating a :ample group weight of food products with pixel data using an equation relating to 2-I~ image and volume.
Further refinements to such methods ofdetermining food product volume employ three-dimensional (3-D) optical valume measurement such as disclosed in U.S.
Patent No.: 6,369,401 to Lee. ~~n this method, ane or more lines ol'radiation are projected from a radiation source, such as a laser light source, onto a food object, and thereafter detecting lines of radiation rgflested from the ohjgsts R~flsstgd radiation is soatpared with that reflected from a reference surface to determine the height, length and width ofan object at a location corresponding to at least one line of radiation impinging on the object. As fiurther disclosed in this method, several laser lines are impinged onto a surface area on which a food product object is located, and onto a reference surface of which no food product object is located. A light sensitive device, such as a camera, having a plurality of pixel elements that can receive light firom a plurality of surface locations, which is light reflected fi~om the food product object, or surface, is used to determine light intensity received, and displacement of laser lines relative to a reference location.
Flaw umage data liom the camera is received by a central processing unit (CPtn, which determines the binary image ofprojected area to determine length and width dimensions. T'he ~i'~J also uses laser line displacemern data to determine object height at the various locations of the object, all of which data is then used by the C~'~L1 to calculate the product or object volume.
Another food product data processing/process control system and method is discloses in International latent Application I~o. ~'C~/~'rB~9/(~07~6 to VVhitehouse. In this system, a food product traverses an inspection region on a conveyor belt, and a transducer determines shape, size and cross-section of the product in the inspection region. Data generating transducers can he rotated about an object or product to be measured so a3 to inspect the whole of the product surface for accurate size and shape measurements, with signals generated when a length ofproduct ewers and leaves an inspection region, and with computation means capability to produce product arrival and product deparbare signals.
As also diselossd; data ge~rating laser displacement transducers may bs mounted in a ring pattern around or at an inspection site or region, and situated to direct their beams through a gap between two in line conveyors, with the ring being driven by a servo motor, and with output data of the transducers logged by a computer means.
In yet another example of conventional product characteristic data gathering in commercial fcrod processing techniques, Li.~. Patent application publication No. U.S.
2UU2%U01444~4 (February ~, 20U~) to I~eirranlc descr'bes a method and apparatus for automated poultry egg classification. A conveying system is used transport eggs to an inspection station where, among other characteristics, egg temperature is measured by a thermal codling system which measures temperature by detecting corresponding infrared radiation, thereby generating corresponding signals which are sent to a controller, or CPU.
Currer,~tly, in conventional poultry, meat and processed food plant operations in general, qual'tty control and assurance techniques are oftentimes labor intensive. For example, in a typical poultry plant operation, a sample of all boneless breast meat product is tested for si:zx, weight, temperature and other characteristics and/or dei'ects or standard deviations by amethod(s) which require at least some aspect of manual labor or exertion to produce measurable data, e.g. a quality assurance data point.. Lisually, to obtain weight measurements, an employee is required to extract a sample of product i~rom a product process line and place it on a scale for weighing. Tine product weight can then be recorded in a log, or other database, such as a computer database program.
Product thickness, or other dimensions of width and tength~re also typicahy manually mea;cured, such as, for exampleR by using calipers, which data is also manually logged; or otherwise fed to a database: '1'he temperature ofgaeh product sample is also manually chec;iced and recorded. Such labor intensive efforts are undesirable in that up to two minutes o~r more is required to check each product sample, thereby resulting in significantly less data gcnerat~:d thin if pertirrmed by automatic machine ~~esns. Additionally, such human intervention with quality assurance checking procedures im~ariably results in inconsistent or even fabricated data generation leading to unnecessarily unreliable quality assurance measures.
It is therefore desirable, and an object ofthe present invention, to provide a completely automated method and system to generate all data contemplated as required for any processed food product quality as: urance pral;ram or ut!~er product standardization or portion control operation.
Sammarv of the Invention In asr~;~rdan~ with those objects and desires set forth above; the present invention provides a method and apparatus, and method of doing business thereby, of automating quality control and assurance in commercial food processing, packaging and handling. In this inventive product measuring system total ~~r~~lu~ or o~~ect ~neastarement~ e.~; length width, height, weight, spatial characteristicswolume and temperature measurement functions and other product/object characteristic determinations are combined in an automated means, in which one or more sample food products on an automated conveying means is transported to one or a phlraiity of inspection sites or regions, which can be located in a llouS111~ means. In accordance with this invention" once transported to the desired loc:ation(s), a product sample may traverse one or more inspection regions, (i wherein it is preferred that out of a pluraiit~~ oi~ possible ~nspectic~n means at least one detection means is provided which is effective to measure product dimensions and spatial characteristics, e.g., the height, length and width, volume and generally the topography and the unique spatial characteristics ofa sample product; another detection means measw:~e is provided to measure the weight of said sample product; and an additional detection means is present to measure the temperature of the sample product.
Multiple deta~tion means are contemplated for use in a variety of embodiments of this invention to measure and/or detect any desired characteristic of a food product or any object traversiing an inspection region. The system can also be optionally provided with accept output conveyor means and reject output conveyor means, for example, for defective products, or products falling outside of standardization parameters, as desired.
the inventive system is also contemplated for use with one or more executable programs to generate, process and store data in a database and to operate all contemplated functions of the inventic>n, bar code generating means to codify product measurement characteristics and any other conventional data processing technology.
The present invention as to its manner of operation and further objects and advantages is best understood by referertw;e to the (allowing lJetailed Description of ('referred Embodiments, accompanied by reference to the drawing.
Hrief Description of the Drawing dig. 1 is a perspective schematic view ofan embodiment ofthe inventive measuring method and system for automated dycsamie product configuration/dimensional deterrninatior~, weight and temperature determination.
Detailed Description of Preferred ~mbQdunents o~ tire ~reseut ~ovention T'he present invention provides an automated f=ood product and object measuring system which is particularly suited for use in food plant product quality assurance and control operations. In this invention, a conveyor means, such as a servo-computer operated conveyor belt, t~~ansports one or more, or a plurality of products, to one or more inspection or measurement regions to be measured for, e.g. quality control purposes, product standardization and packaging, ar for any reason contemplated. fine product may be a poultry part or food portion, such as a boneless chicken breast, or a beef or pork section or portiion, a whole fish, or any food or prepared food product contemplated, such as chicken or beefpiea, prepared casseroles and the dike, or any non-food product desired for characteristics measurement andlar identification.
In this e:xemplifed embodiment, once entering an inspection region by way of conveyor means, the product is subjected to a first detection means for dimensional or spatial dimensional or otherwise total topological and/or 2-13 or ~-D
detection and determination uicluding, far example, the product's height, length and width, and spatial and/or topological characteristicsx a second detection means for product weight determination., a.nd then a third detection means for product temperature determination, all of which aolleeted information can ba automatically stored in a database.
The order of placement of detection means can be that of any order as desired and is not critical to the practice of this invention However, in a preferred embodiment, there is thought to be an advantage to <:onducting a spatial or topological determination prior to a temperature determination, as the temperature of an object can then be measured at an optimum local of an object, fir example, the thickest portion of an object as desired. fihe inventive measuring system provides for an e~cient, human-intervention-free and accurate snap-shot product review at any point desired an a food product production line, with a concomitant reduction in labor required for its undertaking, and an elimination of a specially traizu;d labor force required for product quality control and assurance operations. The inventive system by way of its conveyed continuous operation also enables a significant increase over conventional manual operations in product satnple(s) review and quality control data collection.
Taming now to Fig. l, there is shown a perspective schematic view ofa preferred embodiment of the inventive product sample measuring/quantifying system for automated dyriunic product configurationldimensional determination, weight and temperature determination. In Fig. 1, a conveyor means l, such as a standard conveyor belt, transports one or more, or a plurality, of' food pmduc;t samples 2, such as a poultry portion or beefor pork food portion for hwnan, and/or animal consumption, to one or more inspection regions. An operator can manually place a food product 2 on the conveyor mean; 1, or it may be deposited from a hopper means (not shown) or by any suitable conventional deposit means desired or contemplated. The speed of conveyor means 1 can be set and controlled by a computer means (not shown) or other Central Processing Unit (~PLJ'~; with stop/start and food product entry and depart functions automated and controlled as well by the computer means or CQ~J, or other control function means.
l~pon lbeing conveyed to a fast inspection region 12, a 1=urst detection means 3 is similarly situated and is ei~ective to detect and make 3->=~ measurements and/or determine product configuration f~f'the sample product. first detection means 3 can be any known or conventional device, pre~erabiy such as a scanning device, iaor example, a laser scan, to determine the height, length and width ofthe sample product at any cross-sectional plane ofthe pmduct to provide an accurate spatial, topological, two-or three-ciimetasional product configuration output profile and volume of the product.
Irregularly shaped food products such as boneless chicken parts have a varying topography and are preferably checked and measured far total length, mean and average height and wie~th through several cross sectional portions or pre~orms ofthe sample. If preferred, two-dimensional measurements are also contemplated.
ScannE~rs contemplated as use#'ul in this example as a first detection means, and in this invention in general, can be any conventionally available teclumlogy, such as, for example, two and three-dimensional optical sizing systems employing camera means positioned in inspection region 12 to receive images from the inspection region. Such devices are wE;l1 known, of which examples are discussed in 1.1.5. ~'atent ~o.
6,369,401, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. -~r»~ther example of conventional 2-D or 3-D spada~ imaging methodology or technology useful in this invention includes that di.isclosed in the C~pton non-contact whole field 3-D lVloire measurement machine series, such as first described in Takeda, "Faurier Transform profilometry for the automatic measurement of 3-D object shapes"; University of El~trocommunications 0982), all o:f which is incorporated by reference herein. In this system an optical sensor head which acquires images is provided, and which are based on 3-D
calculations. In operation, a grating pattern is projected onto an object to be topologically characterized from a grating projector by way of a stn~be means, e.g., a Xenon strobe, with deformed grating patterns ut the surtace ot~ the object ;u be measured by~ being picked up and entered into a computer by way ofdetection from a change-coupled deviice (CCI~) camera which digitizes the gating images and general Bl~l imaiges on the object. As is known a CC>~
camera contains light sensitive integrated circuits which store and display the data for an image in such. a way that each picture element (pixel) in the image is converted into an electrical charge ofwhich its intensity is related to a color of°the color spectrum. For example, in a system supporting h~,~~~ c.;olors, there will be a separate value for each color that can be stored and recovered. ''his method and system is known for its improved shutter speed and effectiveness in imaging and use with moving objects to produce accur,~te shape and color measurements with wide held, high resolution and high speed measurements via the use of high speed, strobe aided cameras. The system is also equipped with a laser pointer for auto-focusing and controlling the orientation ofthe camera, a lighting means, e.g. a white light lamp to illuminate an object targeted for measurement and for illuminating ink lines and reference marks as desired. An optical probe means for uniaxial point measurement, or a snap-shot one point 3-D
measurement, at any point desired in an object is another feature. As also discussed, a grating shifting mechanism can be employed to improve data spatial resolution.
As ~ntioned; in ap~ratioa a grating pattern is projestai onto a surface to be measured which is de~'orm~ed according to an object's particular topography.
The deformed grating pattern taken into a computer by the CC~ camera is saved as a digital image. Vi~ith av flat sur#'ace to be measured located at a reference position, for example, the most desirable focus position, the deformed image received by the camera will be ane ofsubstantially straight lines which may have a particular pitch characteristic. 1~or a non flat surface at a reference position to be measured, the deformed image received by the camera will be; one of non-straight lines and a changed grating pitch, with a change of light intensity ofthe grating image, which is measured and processed. 'l'hus, for example, the first image of a flat or substantially flat object, such as a conveyor belt surface, is used a reference wave with a certain frequency in camparison with a second image of a deformed wave with its phase modulated. 'f he phase diff=erence can then be calculated, for example, by use of an algorithm, such as the Maire 3-l~ algorithm as based on the Talreda publication, between the reference and deformed waves for individual pixels of the CCD camera, with a depth (Z coordinate) and X and Y coordinates obtained.
Many other 2-D or ?~-D irnaging/topologicat measuring methods and systems are known, any of which are contemplated for use herein.
By way ova series ofsnap shots of cross-sectional segments ova sample product, providing height, length and width data ofa varying topography of a products' configuration, the product's volume may be determined, as well as its spatial characteristic:, such a detailed topographic map, fxom which a host of desired information can be extracted, including, for example, maximum thickness a~
length along any axis of' interest. Other information operations which might be performed in6lude, for exampl8, praduw~t outline template ehesk~ing, shape irregularity moment such as t~or unusual protuberances, shape; checking, and thinness and thickness checking over selected areas, all of which can be automatically calculated and determined by computer means or a CPt,1 station. As can be seen, an enormaus amount ot~reliable data, and sample product information, can be gathered and logged or processed in a rapid amount of time to control product output quality as precisely as desired or required.
Further proceeding into another inspection region, inspection region 14 in Fig, l, by means of conveyor means 1, product sample 2 is next subjected to a weight detection or determination means 4 which is effective to determine total product sample weight.
Weight detection means 4 situated in inspection xegian I 4 can be of any known conventional technology, such as a load call or other device effective for dynamic weight measurement of products on a continuously moving weigh conveyor. Examples of such conventional continuous weighing technology suitable for use in the present invention is provided, for example, in L1.S. Patent Application Publication Na. U.S.
2UU3/0024744.
Any of the many conventional load cell weighing systems or indicators are suitable for use in this nnvention, including, for example, that provided by Weigh-Tronix, for weighing muxed items of varying size and weight, i.e. irregularly shaped and configured food product samples, in high speed conveyed weight validation. Other preferred suitable examples useful herein include such load cell-based process weighing systert~s as provided by BI,H Vishay weight indicators and products, and that of Sensortronics and RL Scales, Inc. s which provide load cell weighing systems for use in automatic check out counters, as well as in pickingishipping systems and general industrial applications, any 1~
of which such conventional weighing tcshnolagy is contemplated for usg in this invention.
Having uindtrrgone dimensional/spatiaUtopological configuration; volume anti weight analysis, product samples ne~ct are transported in dig. 1 by conveyor means 1 into a third inspection region 6 for temperature determination/analysis or temperature verification. As shown in dig. 1, a temperature detection means 5 is situated in or contemporaneous to inspection region lh, and is e~'ective for continuous dynamic temperature measurement of food product samples continuously traversing region 16. In this preferred embodiment, a temperature prove means fa, Sb is indicated for use, which may be a computer engaged probe insertable in any cross sectional portion of a sample product, such ;~s one of irregular topographical product configuration, to pmvide an average or mean temperature per piece or product sample, and to ensure accurate temperature measurement. As is known, dwell times of such temperature measurement products can be set as desired to further ensure accurate product temperature measurement cm a continuously moving conveyed sample produc.-lion line.
Also suitable for use in this inven Lion are non-contact temperature measurement devices, such as radiation thermo-detection means which are capable of providing accurate and reliable temperature determinations and values at a distance over a continuously nwving conveyed line. Such instruments, as known, employ optical components which can focus infrared radiation onto a solid-state detection where it is converted into an electrical signal and read out as temperature on a digital display. Some eommgrsial sxamples include; For sxa~lg, ~quipment produced by Raytelc as the Thermalert gees Of products.
The corweying means of the invention can be any movable belt or moving surface means compos~rd o~ for example, antibacterial materials to avoid food product contamination, and can be actuated and speed controlled by a servo or computer means.
The conveyor means in accordance with the invention may be continuously conveyed in product m~easureme~~t operation, or, for example, stopped, started, or moved or pulsed at intermittent speeds, dek ending on the measuring or detection operation desired or contemplated, the desired speed of data generation, or any other production or business reason contemplated. The conveyor means is also preferably constructed of materials conducive and complimentary to detection measurement, such as light pulsed measurement and the like of product sample characteristics and with surface reference characteristics stored in a database in a computer means. It is also contemplated that the system be equipped with pane or more conveying means for accepted sample products and for rejected sample products, with rejected samples being diverted to a conveyor or area by an acuateable component or means, such as a pop-up roller or automatically insertable panel or gate means, or other directing member means. The conveyor means can extend through one or more detection regions in a perpendicular or angled fashion, and be ofa substantially flat surface v3r concave or convex in portions depending upon such factors as, for example, detection means employed, physical characteristics of a sample being measured, and the shape of a sample product to be measured.
Any conventional d~ataction means is contemplated far use in thg presant invention, and which can be placed in any order in conjunction with the conveyer means.
For example, in some food dye colored products, a color detection means may be desired, or in other applications useful to grade fish species via their natural color characteristics such as salmon or beef sources or to detect blood spots in poultry and f sh.
$eef marbling may be detected in such a continuous operation to grade certain cuts, or to determine fat percentage in ground beef. Ivloisture content detection means may be employed, for example, along with weight and temperature measurements to gauge product shrinl~:age in processing and packaging operations.
Further, all of the data generated may be used in conjunction with bar code, or other coding technology, to grade specific ar desired food lots and quantities, and/or used in conjunction with a user's computer network to receive product parameters, such as QA
data, to report pmduct line status to a control computer and to proved real time product reports.
In another aspect and embodiment of the present invention, it is further contemplated that the automated quality assurance method and apparatus my be employed in conjunction with one or more business methods, particularly methods of conducting food production operations, and stand alone quality assurance business method applications.
It will further be appreciated by those persons skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary of the principles ofthe invention, and that many modifications and variations are possible without departing tom the spirit and scope of the invention and claims.
Claims (25)
1. A dynamic continuous and/or semi-continuous or static product measurement, characterizing and identifying system for food stuffs and food product portions and other objects comprising a conveyor means for transport of product or object to be measured to one or more detection regions to detect information comprising height, length, width, dimensional, spatial or topological characteristics, coloring characteristics, and/or moisture content and/or weight and temperature while conveyed products are in motion or static or a combination thereof on said conveying means.
2. The system of Claim 1, wherein employed to measure rigid bulk food.
3. The system of Claim 1, wherein there are one or more discontinuities in the conveyor means.
4, The system of Claim 1, wherein the conveyor means extends through one or more detection regions in one or more planes perpendicular or angled thereto, and further comprising computer means inclusive of data descriptive of the surface of the conveyor means where it extends through one or more detection regions.
5. The system of Claim 4 wherein the conveyor means is of a surface shape selected from the group consisting of substantially that, concave in portions and convex in portions.
6. The system of Claim 5 wherein the surface characteristics of the conveyor means form a reference database stored in a computer means to be compared to a transported sample product or product to be measured in one or more detection means.
7. The system of Claim 1 further comprising reject product conveyor means and accept product conveyor means.
8. The system of Claim 1, further comprising one or more 2-D or 3-D
dimensional and-or spatial characteristic measuring means effective to determine the length, width and height of an object and/or spatial or topological characteristics of an object.
dimensional and-or spatial characteristic measuring means effective to determine the length, width and height of an object and/or spatial or topological characteristics of an object.
9. The 2-D or 3-D measuring means of Claim 8, which is an optical scanning measuring device.
10. The system of Claim 1 further comprising a sample weight determining means.
11. The system of Claim 1, further comprising a contact or non-contact heat or temperature sample detection means.
12. The system of any of Claims 8 and 11 wherein said dimensional/spatial measuring means and heat detection means is locatable in ring means surrounding said conveying means and rotatable to any desired angle to said conveying means while detecting product dimensions/spatial characteristics and temperature.
13. Apparatus for a dynamic continuous and/or semi-continuous or static product measurement, characterizing and identifying system for food stuffs and food product portions and other objects comprising a conveyor means for transport of product or object to be measured to one or more detection regions to detect information comprising height, length, width, dimensional, spatial or topological characteristics, coloring characteristics, and/or moisture content and/or weight and temperature while conveyed products are in motion or static or a combination thereof on said conveying means.
14. The apparatus of Claim 13 further comprising a use to measure rigid bulk food.
15. The apparatus of Claim 13 where there are one or more discontinuities in the conveyor means.
16. The apparatus of Claim 13 wherin the conveyor means extends through one or more detection regions in one or more planes perpendicular or angled thereto, and further comprising computer means inclusive of data descriptive of the surface of the conveyor means where it extends through one or more detection regions.
17. The apparatus of Claim 16 wherein the conveyor means is of a surface shape selected from the group consisting of substantially flat, concave in portions and convex in portions.
18. The apparatus of Claim 16 wherein the surface characteristics of the conveyor means form a reference database stored in a computer means to be compared to a transported sample product to be measured in one or more detection means.
19. The apparatus of Claim 13 further comprising reject product conveyor means and accept product conveyor means.
20. The apparatus of Claim 13 further comprising one or more 2-D or 3-D
dimensional and/or spatial characteristics measuring means effective to determine the length, width and height of an object and/or spatial or topological characteristics of an object.
dimensional and/or spatial characteristics measuring means effective to determine the length, width and height of an object and/or spatial or topological characteristics of an object.
21. The 2-D or 3-D measuring means of Claim 20 which is an optical scanning/measuring device.
22. The apparatus of Claim 13 further comprising a sample weight determining means.
23. The apparatus of Claim 13 further comprising a contact or non-contact heat sample detection means.
24. The apparatus of Claims 13 and 23 wherein said dimensional/spatial measuring means and heat detection means is locatable in a ring means surrounding said conveying means and rotatable to any desired angle to said conveying means while detecting product dimensions/spatial characteristics and temperature.
25. A method of conducting business comprising a dynamic continuous and/or semi-continuous product measurement, characterizing and identifying system and/or apparatus for food stuffs and food product portions and other objects comprising a conveyor means for transport of product or object to be measured to one ore more detection regions to detect information comprising height ,length, width, dimensional, spatial or topological characteristics, coloring characteristics, and/or moisture content and/or weight and temperature while conveyed products are in motion, static or a combination thereof on said conveying means.
me
me
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| CA 2495948 CA2495948A1 (en) | 2005-02-02 | 2005-02-02 | Automated quality assurance method and apparatus and method of conducting business |
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| CA 2495948 CA2495948A1 (en) | 2005-02-02 | 2005-02-02 | Automated quality assurance method and apparatus and method of conducting business |
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| US20160286845A1 (en) * | 2012-12-21 | 2016-10-06 | John Bean Technologies Corporation | Thermal measurement and process control |
| EP3007559B1 (en) | 2013-06-14 | 2017-04-26 | GEA Food Solutions Bakel B.V. | Temperature detection device and heat treatment device |
| CN108273761A (en) * | 2018-03-12 | 2018-07-13 | 华侨大学 | A kind of device and method of sorting building waste |
| CN110871442A (en) * | 2018-08-31 | 2020-03-10 | 发那科株式会社 | Detection system |
| CN114051377A (en) * | 2019-06-26 | 2022-02-15 | 维京遗传学Fmba | Animal weight determination based on 3D imaging |
-
2005
- 2005-02-02 CA CA 2495948 patent/CA2495948A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20160286845A1 (en) * | 2012-12-21 | 2016-10-06 | John Bean Technologies Corporation | Thermal measurement and process control |
| EP2935056B1 (en) | 2012-12-21 | 2017-02-01 | John Bean Technologies Corporation | Thermal measurement and process control |
| US10123557B2 (en) | 2012-12-21 | 2018-11-13 | John Bean Technologies Corporation | Thermal process control |
| US10602759B2 (en) | 2012-12-21 | 2020-03-31 | John Bean Technologies Corporation | Thermal measurement and process control |
| EP2935056B2 (en) † | 2012-12-21 | 2023-07-26 | John Bean Technologies Corporation | Thermal measurement and process control |
| EP3007559B1 (en) | 2013-06-14 | 2017-04-26 | GEA Food Solutions Bakel B.V. | Temperature detection device and heat treatment device |
| CN108273761A (en) * | 2018-03-12 | 2018-07-13 | 华侨大学 | A kind of device and method of sorting building waste |
| CN110871442A (en) * | 2018-08-31 | 2020-03-10 | 发那科株式会社 | Detection system |
| CN114051377A (en) * | 2019-06-26 | 2022-02-15 | 维京遗传学Fmba | Animal weight determination based on 3D imaging |
| CN114051377B (en) * | 2019-06-26 | 2023-08-29 | 维京遗传学Fmba | Animal weight determination based on 3D imaging |
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