EP0492738A1 - A process for sorting bulbous and tuberous produce according to size, in particular suitable for potatoes - Google Patents
A process for sorting bulbous and tuberous produce according to size, in particular suitable for potatoes Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0492738A1 EP0492738A1 EP91203389A EP91203389A EP0492738A1 EP 0492738 A1 EP0492738 A1 EP 0492738A1 EP 91203389 A EP91203389 A EP 91203389A EP 91203389 A EP91203389 A EP 91203389A EP 0492738 A1 EP0492738 A1 EP 0492738A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- produce
- class
- sorting
- classes
- main
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 244000061456 Solanum tuberosum Species 0.000 title claims abstract description 18
- 235000002595 Solanum tuberosum Nutrition 0.000 title claims abstract description 18
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 15
- 235000012015 potatoes Nutrition 0.000 title claims abstract description 13
- 244000291564 Allium cepa Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000002732 Allium cepa var. cepa Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 244000141359 Malus pumila Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000021016 apples Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
- B07B—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS BY SIEVING, SCREENING, SIFTING OR BY USING GAS CURRENTS; SEPARATING BY OTHER DRY METHODS APPLICABLE TO BULK MATERIAL, e.g. LOOSE ARTICLES FIT TO BE HANDLED LIKE BULK MATERIAL
- B07B13/00—Grading or sorting solid materials by dry methods, not otherwise provided for; Sorting articles otherwise than by indirectly controlled devices
- B07B13/04—Grading or sorting solid materials by dry methods, not otherwise provided for; Sorting articles otherwise than by indirectly controlled devices according to size
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
- B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
- B07C5/00—Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches
- B07C5/04—Sorting according to size
Definitions
- This invention relates to a process for sorting bulbous and tuberous produce into successive size classes, in particular suitable for sorting potatoes.
- potatoes are sorted into different size classes using internationally applied square size.
- the square size of a potato can be defined as the length of the side of the small square opening through which the potato can pass.
- the potatoes are sorted by means of riddles into a number of classes, e.g., a first class of potatoes having a square size below 35 mm, a next class of potatoes having a square size ranging from 35 to 45 mm, etc.
- a first class of potatoes having a square size below 35 mm
- a next class of potatoes having a square size ranging from 35 to 45 mm, etc.
- potatoes are sorted into three size classes of, e.g., 20-30 mm, 30-50 mm and 50-70 mm
- a relatively large number of produce having a square size ranging from 26 to 30 mm will generally be present in the class of 30-50 mm.
- a process of the above type is characterized according to the invention in that in the transitional range between at least two successive main classes at least one intermediate class is defined; that a first sorting operation is carried out, in which produce is sorted according to sizes falling within the remaining range of the at least two main classes and the at least one intermediate class; that the produce selected as falling within the remaining range of the main classes are passed to collections of produce belonging to those main classes; that the produce falling within the at least one intermediate class is subjected to a second sorting operation, the produce falling into an intermediate class being separated into a first group belonging to the one main class pertaining to the relevant intermediate class and a second group belonging to the other main class pertaining to the relevant intermediate class; and that the two groups are added to the collections belonging to the main classes.
- the Figure schematically shows, by way of example, three size classes, according to which bulbous and tuberous produce such as potatoes, but also, e.g., onions wit the stems cut off, apples etc. can be sorted.
- the size classes I, II and III correspond to, e.g., sizes determined according to the square size principle of respectively 20 through 29 mm, 30 through 49 mm and 50 through 69 mm.
- the sizes of the major part of the produce classified during the sorting process into a wrong class are just below the sizes belonging to the next class of larger produce.
- intermediate classes are introduced for produce having sizes that are near the boundary with the next class.
- the intermediate class may be completely within one of the original classes, but may also overlap the boundary between two original classes.
- two intermediate classes IV and V are defined for produce having sizes of from, e.g., 26 and 24 mm and 46 and 54 mm, respectively.
- channel sorting method could be used as described in applicants' simultaneously filed Dutch patent application, according to which method produce like potatoes can be sorted based on the square size by measuring the height of the potato located in a V-shaped channel.
- the produce present in the intermediate class is accurately sorted into two groups, the separation between the two groups being formed by the boundary between the orginal classes.
- the sorting operation indicated at 4 separates the produce into produce below 30 mm and produce above 29 mm, respectively.
- the first group is passed to the collection 20/29 and the second to the collection 30/49, as schematically indicated by arrows 6, 7.
- the produce is separated at 5 into a first group below 50 mm and a second group above 49 mm, as indicated by arrows 8, 9.
Landscapes
- Apparatuses For Bulk Treatment Of Fruits And Vegetables And Apparatuses For Preparing Feeds (AREA)
- Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
- Preparation Of Fruits And Vegetables (AREA)
- Medicines Containing Plant Substances (AREA)
- Seasonings (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to a process for sorting bulbous and tuberous produce into successive size classes, in particular suitable for sorting potatoes.
- In potato trade and processing industry potatoes are sorted into different size classes using internationally applied square size. The square size of a potato can be defined as the length of the side of the small square opening through which the potato can pass. The potatoes are sorted by means of riddles into a number of classes, e.g., a first class of potatoes having a square size below 35 mm, a next class of potatoes having a square size ranging from 35 to 45 mm, etc. Although acceptable accuracy is obtainable with such a sorting method, yet the number of potatoes that will find their way to a wrong class cannot be disregarded. These are for the major part potatoes having a square size near the boundary value of a class. When, e.g., potatoes are sorted into three size classes of, e.g., 20-30 mm, 30-50 mm and 50-70 mm, there is a great chance that a relatively large number of the produce that wrongly found its way to the class of 50-70 mm will have a square size ranging from 46 to 50 mm. Similarly, a relatively large number of produce having a square size ranging from 26 to 30 mm will generally be present in the class of 30-50 mm.
- Since in potato trade and processing industry a more and more accurate sorting into a relatively large number of classes each comprising a relatively small size range is required, there is a need for an improved sorting method. The object of this invention is to meet the above need. For this purpose a process of the above type is characterized according to the invention in that in the transitional range between at least two successive main classes at least one intermediate class is defined; that a first sorting operation is carried out, in which produce is sorted according to sizes falling within the remaining range of the at least two main classes and the at least one intermediate class; that the produce selected as falling within the remaining range of the main classes are passed to collections of produce belonging to those main classes; that the produce falling within the at least one intermediate class is subjected to a second sorting operation, the produce falling into an intermediate class being separated into a first group belonging to the one main class pertaining to the relevant intermediate class and a second group belonging to the other main class pertaining to the relevant intermediate class; and that the two groups are added to the collections belonging to the main classes.
- In the following the invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying Figure, which schematically illustrates the principle of the process according to the invention.
- The Figure schematically shows, by way of example, three size classes, according to which bulbous and tuberous produce such as potatoes, but also, e.g., onions wit the stems cut off, apples etc. can be sorted. In this example the size classes I, II and III correspond to, e.g., sizes determined according to the square size principle of respectively 20 through 29 mm, 30 through 49 mm and 50 through 69 mm. As stated before, the sizes of the major part of the produce classified during the sorting process into a wrong class are just below the sizes belonging to the next class of larger produce.
- According to the invention intermediate classes are introduced for produce having sizes that are near the boundary with the next class. The intermediate class may be completely within one of the original classes, but may also overlap the boundary between two original classes.
- Thus, in the example shown, two intermediate classes IV and V are defined for produce having sizes of from, e.g., 26 and 24 mm and 46 and 54 mm, respectively. By now sorting not only according to the original main classes, but also according to the intermediate classes, the major part of the produce wrongly sorted at the original sorting machine will find its way to one of the intermediate classes. The other produce is directly classified into the right collections, as schematically indicated by
arrows blocks - For the second sorting operation the so-called channel sorting method could be used as described in applicants' simultaneously filed Dutch patent application, according to which method produce like potatoes can be sorted based on the square size by measuring the height of the potato located in a V-shaped channel.
- In the second sorting operation the produce present in the intermediate class is accurately sorted into two groups, the separation between the two groups being formed by the boundary between the orginal classes. Thus the sorting operation indicated at 4 separates the produce into produce below 30 mm and produce above 29 mm, respectively. The first group is passed to the collection 20/29 and the second to the collection 30/49, as schematically indicated by
arrows arrows - It has been found that when using a two-stage sorting method as described above a sorting accuracy of 97 to 98% is obtainable.
Claims (2)
- A process for sorting bulbous and tuberous produce according to successive size classes, in particular suitable for sorting potatoes, characterized in that in the transitional range between at least two successive main classes at least one intermediate class is defined; that a first sorting operation is carried out, in which produce is sorted according to sizes falling within the remaining range of the at least two main classes and the at least one intermediate class; that the produce selected as falling within the remaining range of the main classes are passed to collections of produce belonging to those main classes; that the produce falling within the at least one intermediate class is subjected to a second sorting operation, the produce falling into an intermediate class being separated into a first group belonging to the one main class pertaining to the relevant intermediate class and a second group belonging to the other main class pertaining to the relevant intermediate class; and that the two groups are added to the collections belonging to the main classes.
- A process as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the second sorting operation is carried out releatively more accurately than the first sorting operation.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NL9002852A NL9002852A (en) | 1990-12-21 | 1990-12-21 | METHOD FOR SIZING BULB AND TUBER FRUIT, PARTICULARLY SUITABLE FOR POTATOES. |
NL9002852 | 1990-12-21 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0492738A1 true EP0492738A1 (en) | 1992-07-01 |
EP0492738B1 EP0492738B1 (en) | 1995-08-30 |
Family
ID=19858199
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP91203389A Expired - Lifetime EP0492738B1 (en) | 1990-12-21 | 1991-12-20 | A process for sorting bulbous and tuberous produce according to size, in particular suitable for potatoes |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0492738B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE127044T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69112590T2 (en) |
DK (1) | DK0492738T3 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2079557T3 (en) |
GR (1) | GR3017273T3 (en) |
NL (1) | NL9002852A (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
NL2020014B1 (en) * | 2017-12-04 | 2019-06-11 | Lamb Weston/Meijer V O F | Potato length measurement |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR941031A (en) * | 1949-01-04 | |||
US3438491A (en) * | 1966-12-05 | 1969-04-15 | Reserve Mining Co | Conveying and classifying apparatus |
US4225422A (en) * | 1979-09-17 | 1980-09-30 | Petro-Canada Exploration Inc. | Beneficiation of heavy minerals from bituminous sands residues by dry screening |
US4763794A (en) * | 1986-07-30 | 1988-08-16 | Billington Welding And Mfg. | Produce sorting apparatus |
-
1990
- 1990-12-21 NL NL9002852A patent/NL9002852A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
1991
- 1991-12-20 EP EP91203389A patent/EP0492738B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-12-20 DE DE69112590T patent/DE69112590T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-12-20 ES ES91203389T patent/ES2079557T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-12-20 DK DK91203389.1T patent/DK0492738T3/en active
- 1991-12-20 AT AT91203389T patent/ATE127044T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1995
- 1995-08-31 GR GR950402387T patent/GR3017273T3/en unknown
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR941031A (en) * | 1949-01-04 | |||
US3438491A (en) * | 1966-12-05 | 1969-04-15 | Reserve Mining Co | Conveying and classifying apparatus |
US4225422A (en) * | 1979-09-17 | 1980-09-30 | Petro-Canada Exploration Inc. | Beneficiation of heavy minerals from bituminous sands residues by dry screening |
US4763794A (en) * | 1986-07-30 | 1988-08-16 | Billington Welding And Mfg. | Produce sorting apparatus |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
NL2020014B1 (en) * | 2017-12-04 | 2019-06-11 | Lamb Weston/Meijer V O F | Potato length measurement |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DK0492738T3 (en) | 1996-01-15 |
ES2079557T3 (en) | 1996-01-16 |
DE69112590D1 (en) | 1995-10-05 |
GR3017273T3 (en) | 1995-11-30 |
ATE127044T1 (en) | 1995-09-15 |
EP0492738B1 (en) | 1995-08-30 |
DE69112590T2 (en) | 1996-02-08 |
NL9002852A (en) | 1992-07-16 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
CN105750209B (en) | Automatically seed all-in-one is cut in choosing to betel nut | |
CN104624505A (en) | Waste plastic separating method and system based on image recognition | |
CN104941922B (en) | Potato grading control device based on machine vision technology | |
US5197607A (en) | Method and apparatus for grading objects in accordance to size | |
US4831922A (en) | Automated system for processing whole potatoes | |
CN204746897U (en) | Hierarchical controlling means of potato based on machine vision technique | |
US2728443A (en) | Shuffle feed mechanism for single filing articles | |
CN110394307A (en) | A kind of tobacco leaf detects sorting system automatically | |
KR970061501A (en) | Plate processing integrated device | |
EP0492738A1 (en) | A process for sorting bulbous and tuberous produce according to size, in particular suitable for potatoes | |
US5092470A (en) | Method and apparatus for grading objects in accordance to size | |
CN108355983A (en) | Agricultural sorter | |
EP0396290A3 (en) | Method and apparatus for sorting discrete materials and manufactured products | |
WO2016118597A1 (en) | Method and system for producing gluten-free oats | |
CN215695972U (en) | Multilayer walnut sorter and sorting system | |
CN208358066U (en) | A kind of blanking sorter | |
CA2237769A1 (en) | Automated sorting apparatus and system | |
EP1583618B1 (en) | Method and arrangement for the sorting of refuse sacks | |
EP1408404A3 (en) | Data sorting apparatus with query mechanism and method of operation | |
AU3017484A (en) | Method and apparatus for rejecting too short and/or too low products, particularly fish fingers | |
EP0068649A1 (en) | Article grading apparatus | |
WO2000056472A1 (en) | Device for aerodynamically separating particles | |
CN213001266U (en) | Wood veneer grading system | |
RU2058069C1 (en) | Root sorting method and apparatus | |
SU1530255A1 (en) | Method of preparation of ore for dressing by automatic sorting method |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IT LI LU NL SE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19921221 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19931116 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IT LI LU NL SE |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 127044 Country of ref document: AT Date of ref document: 19950915 Kind code of ref document: T |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 69112590 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 19951005 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GR Ref legal event code: FG4A Free format text: 3017273 |
|
ET | Fr: translation filed | ||
ITF | It: translation for a ep patent filed |
Owner name: STUDIO CONS. BREVETTUALE S.R.L. |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DK Ref legal event code: T3 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: FG2A Ref document number: 2079557 Country of ref document: ES Kind code of ref document: T3 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed | ||
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 19971120 Year of fee payment: 7 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GR Payment date: 19971128 Year of fee payment: 7 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LU Payment date: 19971209 Year of fee payment: 7 Ref country code: GB Payment date: 19971209 Year of fee payment: 7 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Payment date: 19971217 Year of fee payment: 7 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DK Payment date: 19971222 Year of fee payment: 7 Ref country code: DE Payment date: 19971222 Year of fee payment: 7 Ref country code: AT Payment date: 19971222 Year of fee payment: 7 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: ES Payment date: 19971231 Year of fee payment: 7 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BE Payment date: 19980115 Year of fee payment: 7 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CH Payment date: 19980305 Year of fee payment: 7 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 19981220 Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 19981220 Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 19981220 Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 19981220 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 19981221 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 19981231 Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 19981231 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 19981231 Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 19981231 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Payment date: 19981231 Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
BERE | Be: lapsed |
Owner name: ZIJLSTRA & BOLHUIS B.V. Effective date: 19981231 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 19981220 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 19990831 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: ST |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 19991001 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 19991221 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20000701 |
|
NLV4 | Nl: lapsed or anulled due to non-payment of the annual fee |
Effective date: 20000701 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DK Ref legal event code: EBP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: FD2A Effective date: 20000114 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20051220 |