Patents Assigned to California Strawberry Commission
  • Patent number: 11737484
    Abstract: A system and methods are provided for removal of undesired portions of a fruit or vegetable, such as removal of calyxes from strawberries before they are flash frozen. An automated process for high-throughput fruit or vegetable calyx removal includes a loading system, an identification system, and a removal system. The loading system is configured to transport the fruit or vegetable through the automated process. The loading system may also orient the fruits or vegetables along an axis of the fruit and or align the fruit or vegetables in a desired pattern, orientation, and/or arrangement. The identification system is configured to locate the calyx and determines calyx position data and an optimal cutting path for individual fruit. The removal system uses data received from the identification system to separate the calyx from the fruit or vegetable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignees: California Strawberry Commission, University of Maryland
    Inventors: Yang Tao, John Lin, Xin Chen
  • Publication number: 20210076728
    Abstract: A system and methods are provided for removal of undesired portions of a fruit or vegetable, such as removal of calyxes from strawberries before they are flash frozen. An automated process for high-throughput fruit or vegetable calyx removal includes a loading system, an identification system, and a removal system. The loading system is configured to transport the fruit or vegetable through the automated process. The loading system may also orient the fruits or vegetables along an axis of the fruit and or align the fruit or vegetables in a desired pattern, orientation, and/or arrangement. The identification system is configured to locate the calyx and determines calyx position data and an optimal cutting path for individual fruit. The removal system uses data received from the identification system to separate the calyx from the fruit or vegetable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicants: California Strawberry Commission, University of Maryland
    Inventors: Yang Tao, John Lin, Xin Chen
  • Patent number: 10925307
    Abstract: A system and methods are provided for removal of undesired portions of a fruit or vegetable, such as removal of calyxes from strawberries before they are flash frozen. An automated process for high-throughput fruit or vegetable calyx removal includes a loading system, an identification system, and a removal system. The loading system is configured to transport the fruit or vegetable through the automated process. The loading system may also orient the fruits or vegetables along an axis of the fruit and or align the fruit or vegetables in a desired pattern, orientation, and/or arrangement. The identification system is configured to locate the calyx and determines calyx position data and an optimal cutting path for individual fruit. The removal system uses data received from the identification system to separate the calyx from the fruit or vegetable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignees: California Strawberry Commission, University of Maryland
    Inventors: Yang Tao, John Lin, Xin Chen, Gary E. Seibel
  • Publication number: 20190230972
    Abstract: A system and methods are provided for removal of undesired portions of a fruit or vegetable, such as removal of calyxes from strawberries before they are flash frozen. An automated process for high-throughput fruit or vegetable calyx removal includes a loading system, an identification system, and a removal system. The loading system is configured to transport the fruit or vegetable through the automated process. The loading system may also orient the fruits or vegetables along an axis of the fruit and or align the fruit or vegetables in a desired pattern, orientation, and/or arrangement. The identification system is configured to locate the calyx and determines calyx position data and an optimal cutting path for individual fruit. The removal system uses data received from the identification system to separate the calyx from the fruit or vegetable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: California Strawberry Commission
    Inventors: Yang Tao, John Lin, Xin Chen, Gary E. Seibel
  • Patent number: 10285429
    Abstract: A system and methods are provided for removal of undesired portions of a fruit or vegetable, such as removal of calyxes from strawberries before they are flash frozen. An automated process for high-throughput fruit or vegetable calyx removal includes a loading system, an identification system, and a removal system. The loading system is configured to transport the fruit or vegetable through the automated process. The loading system may also orient the fruits or vegetables along an axis of the fruit and or align the fruit or vegetables in a desired pattern, orientation, and/or arrangement. The identification system is configured to locate the calyx and determines calyx position data and an optimal cutting path for individual fruit. The removal system uses data received from the identification system to separate the calyx from the fruit or vegetable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: California Strawberry Commission
    Inventors: Yang Tao, John Lin, Xin Chen, Gary E. Seibel
  • Patent number: 9364020
    Abstract: A process for automated high-throughput fruit or vegetable calyx removal includes a material handling system, a vision system, and a cutting system. The material handling system is capable of transporting the fruit or vegetable through the automated process. The material handling system may also orient the fruits or vegetables along an axis of the fruit and or align the fruit or vegetables in a desired pattern, orientation, and/or configuration. The vision system identifies the calyx and determines calyx position data and optimal cutting angle for individual fruit. The cutting system uses data received from the vision system to automatically remove the calyx from the fruit or vegetables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignees: California Strawberry Commission, University of Maryland
    Inventors: Yang Tao, John Lin, Xin Chen, Gary E. Seibel