Abstract: A method and apparatus for labeling plant products based on laser activation of a color-changing compound is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, a nozzle sprays a coating of photosensitive material containing color-changing chemical component. An optional drying station is set up to optimize homogeneity and adhesiveness of the color-changing coating. A laser equipped with beam steering optics is used to image the desired mark on the plant product by inducing a change of color in the photosensitive coating, without contacting the plant product skin and at a high speed. An optional nozzle sprays a sealant coating after printing, for extended durability of the imaged label. In addition, an optical sensor detects the incoming plant product, determines its size and sends information for selecting the proper label to be imaged. An additional optical sensor can be placed at the end of the process to verify the quality and legibility of the imaged label.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of sorting plant products based on damage to the plant products is disclosed. A beam emitter emits an illumination light toward the outer surface of a plant product. A beam detector detects substantially a single wavelength of a reflected light produced by the plant product responsive to the illumination light. A control unit determines at least one of a presence, an amount, and a severity of damage responsive to the reflected light. The control unit assigns a damage category to the plant product responsive to the determination of damage.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of operating a plant product processing arrangement that is operative to process a plurality of plant product objects. The plant processing arrangement has an input, an output and processing, detecting, conveying and sorting equipment therebetween. The method includes initially establishing at least one operational plan, the at least one operational plan defining short term operational parameters and controlling processing facility operations, including plant product detection, conveying, sorting and takeout at said output. The method further includes establishing an enhanced or “reference” plan, the reference plan defining long term value-related parameters. Then, the method involves processing plant product objects according to at least one operational plan from plant product input through plant product takeout and detecting measurable parametric characteristics of each of the plant product objects during the processing step.