WO2004031762A2 - Method and apparatus for determining the sugar content of fruit - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for determining the sugar content of fruit Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004031762A2
WO2004031762A2 PCT/ZA2003/000142 ZA0300142W WO2004031762A2 WO 2004031762 A2 WO2004031762 A2 WO 2004031762A2 ZA 0300142 W ZA0300142 W ZA 0300142W WO 2004031762 A2 WO2004031762 A2 WO 2004031762A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
beaker
fruit
sugar content
liquid
determining
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/ZA2003/000142
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2004031762A3 (en
Inventor
Johan Van Der Hoven
Original Assignee
Johan Van Der Hoven
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Johan Van Der Hoven filed Critical Johan Van Der Hoven
Priority to AU2003267329A priority Critical patent/AU2003267329A1/en
Publication of WO2004031762A2 publication Critical patent/WO2004031762A2/en
Publication of WO2004031762A3 publication Critical patent/WO2004031762A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
    • B01L3/508—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes rigid containers not provided for above
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
    • G01N33/02—Food
    • G01N33/025—Fruits or vegetables
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N9/00—Investigating density or specific gravity of materials; Analysing materials by determining density or specific gravity
    • G01N9/10—Investigating density or specific gravity of materials; Analysing materials by determining density or specific gravity by observing bodies wholly or partially immersed in fluid materials
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
    • B01L2300/0848—Specific forms of parts of containers
    • B01L2300/0854—Double walls

Definitions

  • THIS INVENTION relates to the determination of the sugar content of fruit.
  • Applicant is aware of an expensive piece of equipment that can measure the sugar content of a piece of crushed fruit.
  • This equipment is delicate and expensive and is not widely used on the land. It requires a semi-skilled operator to use it and the test procedure takes a period of time before a result is obtained.
  • the most commonly used method is that the picker simply tastes the fruit. If it tastes as he thinks it should, then the bunch is picked. The test is obviously subjective and the results vary in dependence on the palette of the picker.
  • a method of determining the sugar content of fruit which comprises placing the fruit in a liquid which has a density such that fruit having a sugar content below a predetermined value floats in the liquid and fruit having a sugar content above that level sinks in the liquid.
  • the liquid can be a solution of sugar and water.
  • apparatus for determining the sugar content of fruit which apparatus comprises a double beaker including an outer transparent beaker, an inner transparent beaker in the form of a strainer having openings in the lower end thereof, and means for suspending the inner beaker within the outer beaker.
  • the fruit may be grapes.
  • the apparatus may include a securing device.
  • the securing device may be a clip structure for enabling it to be hung on a belt.
  • Said means can include a lid which fits on the outer beaker and has a central vertical guide for receiving the inner beaker.
  • Said lid can include an upwardly facing surface and said inner beaker can include a flange with a downwardly facing surface so that said inner beaker can hang from the upwardly facing surface.
  • the lower end of the inner beaker can be constituted by a series of bars with gaps between them through which liquid can flow.
  • Figure 1 is a pictorial view of a double beaker
  • Figure 2 is a side elevation of the double beaker of Figure 1
  • Figure 3 is a section through the beaker of Figures 1 and 2.
  • the double beaker 10 illustrated in the drawings comprises inner and outer beakers 12 and 14 both of transparent synthetic plastics material.
  • the outer beaker 14 has a side wall 16 which is generally cylindrical but with a slight taper from its open mouth to its transverse base wall designated 18. Around the rim of the outer beaker 14 there is external threading 20 which extends for a short way below the open mouth.
  • a headed protrusion 22 projects outwardly from the side wall 16. The protrusion 22 enables the double beaker to be suspended from, for example, a belt by the clip being clipped into a belt clip and this belt clip then being clipped into the belt.
  • another form of securing device on the side wall 16 may be used to suspend the double beaker from a structure such as, for example, a wall or a fence, or a movable means such as, for example, a basket or a trailer.
  • the inner beaker 12 has a cylindrical side wall 24, there being a flaring rim 26 around the upper end of the wall 24.
  • the lower part of the wall 24 is constituted by a series of longitudinal bars 28 with gaps 30 between the bars.
  • the base of the inner beaker 12 is constituted by a series of horizontal bars 32 with gaps 34 between them.
  • the double beaker further includes a lid 36 which comprises a central cylindrical guide 38, an internally threaded depending flange 40 and an annular section 42 which joins the guide 38 to the flange 40.
  • the inner beaker 12 is a friction fit in the guide 38 and the outer face of the flange 40 is ribbed to facilitate gripping it when it is to be screwed onto, or removed from, the outer beaker 14.
  • the threading of the side wall and of the lid 36 can be replaced by bayonet-type locking protrusions and slots which require relative rotation of, say, 45 degrees between the lid 36 and outer beaker 14 to lock and unlock the lid 36.
  • the section 42 has three equally spaced depressions 44 in it, the depressions 44 permitting the user to insert his fingers down the side of the inner beaker 12 so that it can be gripped and lifted out of the guide 38.
  • the inner beaker 12 and guide 38 can taper from top to bottom to facilitate nesting one in the other.
  • the bars 28, 32 enable the inner beaker 12 to act as a strainer, the solution running out of the inner beaker 12 into the outer beaker 14 when the inner beaker 12 is lifted out of the outer beaker 14.
  • a solution which has a density such that a piece of fruit, which will generally be a grape, will float or sink depending on its sugar content.
  • a suitable liquid density can be obtained which will allow ripe grapes to sink and unripe grapes to float.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
  • Hematology (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Apparatuses For Bulk Treatment Of Fruits And Vegetables And Apparatuses For Preparing Feeds (AREA)

Abstract

A method of determining the sugar content of fruit comprises placing the fruit in a liquid which has a density such that fruit having a sugar content below a predetermined value floats in the liquid and fruit having a sugar content above that level sinks in the liquid. The invention further relates to apparatus for determining the sugar content of fruit comprising a double beaker including an outer transparent beaker, an inner transparent beaker in the form of a strainer having openings in the lower end thereof, and means for suspending the inner beaker within the outer beaker.

Description

METΉOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING THE SUGAR CONTENT OF FRUIT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
THIS INVENTION relates to the determination of the sugar content of fruit.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
It is important that some fruit, particularly grapes, be picked immediately their sugar content is optimum. The reason why this is so is economic. The first fruit to reach the market, particularly the overseas market, fetches far higher prices than fruit which arrives when there is an adequate supply. However, should the fruit be picked too early, that is, before the sugar level is optimum, it is rejected and never reaches the foreign market. Thus the grower needs to be able to find the fruit as it reaches optimum sugar content and pick that immediately, thereby getting it to market early. This is particularly important insofar as grapes are concerned where some bunches ripen ahead of others. The grower needs to be able to find those bunches and pick them before the whole crop ripens while still avoiding the risk of rejection because the sugar content is too low.
Applicant is aware of an expensive piece of equipment that can measure the sugar content of a piece of crushed fruit. This equipment, however, is delicate and expensive and is not widely used on the land. It requires a semi-skilled operator to use it and the test procedure takes a period of time before a result is obtained. The most commonly used method is that the picker simply tastes the fruit. If it tastes as he thinks it should, then the bunch is picked. The test is obviously subjective and the results vary in dependence on the palette of the picker.
There is thus a need for a test which gives rapid results and employs inexpensive equipment which can be used by all the pickers without significant expenditure on training time whilst still enabling the sugar content to be determined with sufficient accuracy to permit the farmer to make an informed decision on the time to pick the fruit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a method of determining the sugar content of fruit which comprises placing the fruit in a liquid which has a density such that fruit having a sugar content below a predetermined value floats in the liquid and fruit having a sugar content above that level sinks in the liquid.
The liquid can be a solution of sugar and water.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for determining the sugar content of fruit which apparatus comprises a double beaker including an outer transparent beaker, an inner transparent beaker in the form of a strainer having openings in the lower end thereof, and means for suspending the inner beaker within the outer beaker.
The fruit may be grapes.
The apparatus may include a securing device. The securing device may be a clip structure for enabling it to be hung on a belt.
Said means can include a lid which fits on the outer beaker and has a central vertical guide for receiving the inner beaker.
Said lid can include an upwardly facing surface and said inner beaker can include a flange with a downwardly facing surface so that said inner beaker can hang from the upwardly facing surface.
The lower end of the inner beaker can be constituted by a series of bars with gaps between them through which liquid can flow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:-
Figure 1 is a pictorial view of a double beaker; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the double beaker of Figure 1 ; and Figure 3 is a section through the beaker of Figures 1 and 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The double beaker 10 illustrated in the drawings comprises inner and outer beakers 12 and 14 both of transparent synthetic plastics material.
The outer beaker 14 has a side wall 16 which is generally cylindrical but with a slight taper from its open mouth to its transverse base wall designated 18. Around the rim of the outer beaker 14 there is external threading 20 which extends for a short way below the open mouth. A headed protrusion 22 (see Figure 3) projects outwardly from the side wall 16. The protrusion 22 enables the double beaker to be suspended from, for example, a belt by the clip being clipped into a belt clip and this belt clip then being clipped into the belt.
In a further embodiment of the invention another form of securing device on the side wall 16 may be used to suspend the double beaker from a structure such as, for example, a wall or a fence, or a movable means such as, for example, a basket or a trailer.
The inner beaker 12 has a cylindrical side wall 24, there being a flaring rim 26 around the upper end of the wall 24. The lower part of the wall 24 is constituted by a series of longitudinal bars 28 with gaps 30 between the bars. The base of the inner beaker 12 is constituted by a series of horizontal bars 32 with gaps 34 between them.
The double beaker further includes a lid 36 which comprises a central cylindrical guide 38, an internally threaded depending flange 40 and an annular section 42 which joins the guide 38 to the flange 40. The inner beaker 12 is a friction fit in the guide 38 and the outer face of the flange 40 is ribbed to facilitate gripping it when it is to be screwed onto, or removed from, the outer beaker 14.
The threading of the side wall and of the lid 36 can be replaced by bayonet-type locking protrusions and slots which require relative rotation of, say, 45 degrees between the lid 36 and outer beaker 14 to lock and unlock the lid 36.
The section 42 has three equally spaced depressions 44 in it, the depressions 44 permitting the user to insert his fingers down the side of the inner beaker 12 so that it can be gripped and lifted out of the guide 38.
The inner beaker 12 and guide 38 can taper from top to bottom to facilitate nesting one in the other.
The bars 28, 32 enable the inner beaker 12 to act as a strainer, the solution running out of the inner beaker 12 into the outer beaker 14 when the inner beaker 12 is lifted out of the outer beaker 14.
In use a solution is made which has a density such that a piece of fruit, which will generally be a grape, will float or sink depending on its sugar content. The greater the sugar content of a grape the greater its density. Almost all grapes, regardless of sugar content, are too dense to float in water. Once the solution's density has been increased sufficiently, unripe grapes of low sugar content float, whereas ripe grapes of higher sugar content sink. By experimentation using the expensive equipment mentioned above, or merely by trial and error, a suitable liquid density can be obtained which will allow ripe grapes to sink and unripe grapes to float.
Sugar dissolved in water provides a solution of suitable density. Experimental work has shown that different grape varieties require different density solutions to obtain a correct indication of sugar content.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A method of determining the sugar content of fruit which comprises placing the fruit in a liquid which has a density such that fruit having a sugar content below a predetermined value floats in the liquid and fruit having a sugar content above that level sinks in the liquid.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the liquid is a solution of sugar and water.
3. Apparatus for determining the sugar content of fruit, which apparatus comprises a double beaker including an outer transparent beaker, an inner transparent beaker in the form of a strainer having openings in the lower end thereof, and means for suspending the inner beaker within the outer beaker.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which the fruit is grapes.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or 4, which includes a securing device.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, in which the securing device is a clip structure for enabling it to be hung on a belt.
7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6, in which said means includes a lid which fits on the outer beaker and has a central vertical guide for receiving the inner beaker.
8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, in which said lid includes an upwardly facing surface.
9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 8, in which said inner beaker includes a flange with a downwardly facing surface so that said inner beaker can hang from the upwardly facing surface.
10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 9, in which the lower end of the inner beaker can be constituted by a series of bars with gaps between them through which liquid can flow.
PCT/ZA2003/000142 2002-10-01 2003-09-30 Method and apparatus for determining the sugar content of fruit WO2004031762A2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2003267329A AU2003267329A1 (en) 2002-10-01 2003-09-30 Method and apparatus for determining the sugar content of fruit

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA2002/7855 2002-10-01
ZA200207855 2002-10-01

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2004031762A2 true WO2004031762A2 (en) 2004-04-15
WO2004031762A3 WO2004031762A3 (en) 2004-05-13

Family

ID=32070320

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/ZA2003/000142 WO2004031762A2 (en) 2002-10-01 2003-09-30 Method and apparatus for determining the sugar content of fruit

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2003267329A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2004031762A2 (en)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2300777A (en) * 1940-10-17 1942-11-03 Fmc Corp Method of grading fruit
US4225424A (en) * 1978-11-20 1980-09-30 Blueberry Equipment, Inc. Hydrodynamic blueberry sorting
US4318803A (en) * 1980-07-14 1982-03-09 Holmgren Raymond S Fecal flotation apparatus
GB2264363A (en) * 1992-02-07 1993-08-25 Walter George Brant Determining specific gravity / solid content of root vegetables
US5962247A (en) * 1995-11-06 1999-10-05 Celsis International Plc Assay for microorganisms and device for use therein

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2300777A (en) * 1940-10-17 1942-11-03 Fmc Corp Method of grading fruit
US4225424A (en) * 1978-11-20 1980-09-30 Blueberry Equipment, Inc. Hydrodynamic blueberry sorting
US4318803A (en) * 1980-07-14 1982-03-09 Holmgren Raymond S Fecal flotation apparatus
GB2264363A (en) * 1992-02-07 1993-08-25 Walter George Brant Determining specific gravity / solid content of root vegetables
US5962247A (en) * 1995-11-06 1999-10-05 Celsis International Plc Assay for microorganisms and device for use therein

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
M. R. LANIER AND J.R. MORRIS: "Density Separation of Muscadine Grapes" ARKANSAS FARM RESEARCH, vol. 27(5), no. 4, 1977, XP002272256 *
TERESE L. WALKER ET AL: "Density Separation, Storage, Shelf Life, and Sensory Evaluation of 'Fry' Muscadine Grapes" HORTSCIENCE, vol. 36(5), 2001, pages 941-945, XP002272257 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2003267329A1 (en) 2004-04-23
WO2004031762A3 (en) 2004-05-13

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