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US 11,259,531 B2Granted
Apparatus for processing and grading food articles and related methods
AssigneeValka Ehf
InventorsHelgi Hjalmarsson, Einar Bjorn Jonsson, Hannes Gunnarsson, Ingolfur Harri Hermannsson, Jon Eiriksson
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Abstract
This disclosure concerns methods for processing and grading food articles including x-raying the food articles a first time and taking a 3D image of the food articles.
Claims19
A method for grading a food article, the method comprising:
- utilizing a grading device to remove at least one of a plurality of portions of a food article from the surface of a grading conveyor, while transferring the remaining portions of the food article to a receiving conveyor,
- wherein the grading device comprises a spray-removal robot comprising a valve and a nozzle, such that the valve ejects fluid through the nozzle to impact a position in the path of the grading conveyor when the portion to be removed is located at the position,
- wherein the portion to be removed is propelled through a space between the grading conveyor and the receiving conveyor when the portion to be removed is impacted by fluid ejected through the nozzle.
A grading device, comprising:
- a grading conveyor;
- at least one spray-removal robot;
- and
- a receiving conveyor,
- wherein the spray-removal robot comprises at least one valve with a nozzle, wherein the valve ejects fluid through the nozzle to impact a position in the path of the grading conveyor, at least one mounting member, at least one actuator, at least one guide member, and at least one a horizontally movable support member.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.