Worm detection process
OwnerMalcolm R. Wommackinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process for enhancing the detection of larvae or worms in shelled pecans for separation and removal therefrom. In carrying out the process, the shelled pecans are soaked in a solution comprising a water soluble, edible, non-fluorescent material dissolved in water to coat the pecans with the material. The pecans are removed from the solution, dried, and illuminated with ultraviolet light. The material does not adhere to the worms whereby it does not affect their fluorescence but prevents the pecans from fluorescing whereby the worms may be readily detected and separated. The color of the material used is such that it does not significantly affect the appearance of the pecans when coated therewith.
Claims16
A method of processing a mixture of shelled nuts and worms or larvae in order to detect said worms or larvae in said mixture for separation therefrom, said mixture containing broken pieces of said nuts, said method comprising the steps of:
- coating said mixture with a solution containing a water soluble, edible, non-fluorescent material,
- said material being of the type that will adhere to said nuts but will not adhere to the worms or larvae to any significant extent and hence will not affect the fluorescense of said worms or larvae when ultraviolet light is applied thereto,
- drying said mixture,
- applying ultra-violet light to said mixture thereby causing said worms or larvae to fluoresce whereby said worms or larvae may be readily detected, and
- separating the detected worms or larvae from said nuts.
A method of processing a mixture of shelled pecans and worms or larvae in order to detect said worms or larvae in said mixture for separation therefrom, said mixture containing broken pieces of said pecans, said method comprising the steps of:
- applying to said mixture, a solution containing a water soluble, edible, non-fluorescent material,
- said material being of the type that will adhere to said pecans but will not adhere to the worms or larvae to any significant extent and hence will not affect the fluorescense of said worms or larvae when ultra-violet light is applied thereto,
- drying said mixture,
- applying ultra-violet light to said mixture thereby causing said worms or larvae to fluoresce whereby said worms or larvae may readily detected, and
- separating the detected worms or larvae from said pecans.
A method of processing a mixture of shelled pecans and worms or larvae in order to detect said worms or larvae in said mixture for separation therefrom, said mixture containing broken pieces of said pecans, said method comprising the steps of:
- soaking said mixture in a solution containing a water soluble, edible, non-fluorescent material,
- said material being of the type that will adhere to said pecans but will not adhere to the worms or larvae, to any significant extent, and hence will not affect the fluorescense of said worms or larvae when ultra-violet light is applied thereto,
- removing said mixture from said solution,
- drying said mixture,
- applying ultra-violet light to said mixture thereby causing said worms or larvae to fluoresce whereby said worms or larvae may be readily detected, and
- separating the detected worms or larvae from said pecans.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.