Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating a visual representation of items comprising selecting a pair of items m and n comprising parameters representing a property, selecting a pair of parameters p and q, being amp the parameter p of item m, bmq the parameter q of item m, anp the parameter p of item n, and bnq the parameter q of item n, calculating a pair of weights wp and wq based on amp, bmq, anp and bnq, and based on amp, bmq, anp and bnq, storing, the pair of weights, determining a first vertex item comprising the greatest value for the parameter p, a second vertex item comprising the greatest value for the parameter q, and a third vertex comprising the greatest value for a parameter r, generating a plurality of points based on stored and determined values, and displaying a geometric shape comprising the plurality of points.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating a visual representation of items comprising selecting a pair of items m and n comprising parameters representing a property, selecting a pair of parameters p and q, being amp the parameter p of item m, bmq the parameter q of item m, anp the parameter p of item n, and bnq the parameter q of item n, calculating a pair of weights wp and wq based on amp, bmq, anp and bnq, and based on amp, bmq, anp and bnq, storing, the pair of weights, determining a first vertex item comprising the greatest value for the parameter p, a second vertex item comprising the greatest value for the parameter q, and a third vertex comprising the greatest value for a parameter r, generating a plurality of points based on stored and determined values, and displaying a geometric shape comprising the plurality of points

Abstract: A non-destructive method for determining resistance to cracking of an intact egg, whereby said determining comprises at least one of the following steps a) and b): a) determining a tensile stress developed in an eggshell of said intact egg, for example a tensile stress at a predetermined load; b) determining an elasticity of said eggshell; wherein preferably the results of step a) and/or step b) are used in evaluating said resistance to cracking.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for examining eggs, in particular for determining eggshell characteristics of eggs, the method comprising, positioning the eggs to be examined, with a deformer, deforming a part of such an egg at least once, at least determining deformation contact time, and determining the shell stiffness and/or the eggshell strength of such an egg. Such a manner of detection can be suitably applied to sorting machines for eggs. With this methodology, in a short time, for a very large number of products, such as eggs in the present case, a quality parameter such as the strength and/or stiffness can be determined. With such determinations, in an advantageous manner, high requirements set in many fields of technology and industry can be met.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for characterizing eggshells of eggs, the eggs being supported, comprising: —deforming the eggshell, —scanning the eggshell with a laser beam of a Self Mixing Laser Vibrometer (SMLV) with scanning signals, whereby a reflection light signal of reflection light is obtained, —processing scanning signal and the reflection signal with the SMLV, whereby a mixed signal with crack information is obtained, —during scanning moving the eggs relative to the SMLV, —comparing the signals with preset criteria and characteristics of such eggs, whereby comparative data are obtained, and —characterizing the eggshells on the basis of the comparative data.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for examining eggs, in particular for determining eggshell characteristics of eggs, the method comprising, positioning the eggs to be examined, with a deformer, deforming a part of such an egg at least once, at least determining deformation contact time, and determining the shell stiffness and/or the eggshell strength of such an egg. Such a manner of detection can be suitably applied to sorting machines for eggs. With this methodology, in a short time, for a very large number of products, such as eggs in the present case, a quality parameter such as the strength and/or stiffness can be determined. With such determinations, in an advantageous manner, high requirements set in many fields of technology and industry can be met.

Abstract: A non-destructive method for determining resistance to cracking of an intact egg, whereby said determining comprises at least one of the following steps a) and b): a) determining a tensile stress developed in an eggshell of said intact egg, for example a tensile stress at a predetermined load; b) determining an elasticity of said eggshell; wherein preferably the results of step a) and/or step b) are used in evaluating said resistance to cracking.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for characterizing eggshells of eggs, the eggs being supported, comprising:—deforming the eggshell,—scanning the eggshell with a laser beam of a Self Mixing Laser Vibrometer (SMLV) with scanning signals, whereby a reflection light signal of reflection light is obtained,—processing scanning signal and the reflection signal with the SMLV, whereby a mixed signal with crack information is obtained,—during scanning moving the eggs relative to the SMLV,—comparing the signals with preset criteria and characteristics of such eggs, whereby comparative data are obtained, and—characterizing the eggshells on the basis of the comparative data.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for examining eggs, in particular for determining eggshell characteristics of eggs, the method comprising,—positioning the eggs to be examined,—with a deformer, deforming a part of such an egg at least once,—at least determining deformation contact time, and—determining the shell stiffness and/or the eggshell strength of such an egg. Such a manner of detection can be suitably applied to sorting machines for eggs. With this methodology, in a short time, for a very large number of products, such as eggs in the present case, a quality parameter such as the strength and/or stiffness can be determined. With such determinations, in an advantageous manner, high requirements set in many fields of technology and industry can be met.

Abstract: In a first object the present invention provides a method for the inspection of the quality of the sealing of a packages and more specifically the method of the present invention allows the on-line inspection of the air-tightness of a package. Said method comprising the following steps of (i) acquiring the noise signal generated by the sealing equipment during the sealing of the package, (ii) analyzing the signal in order to determine the values of at least one physical parameter characterizing the noise signal and (iii) deciding on the quality of the sealing by comparing the determined value to a reference value for said physical parameter.

Abstract: A method of determining the content of a desired component in a stream of material including two or more types of component, includes causing or permitting a stream of a plurality of particles of material to impact a sensor member located in a path of the material thereby inducing vibration of the sensor member, analyzing vibrations of the sensor member and from the analysis determining whether individual impacts caused by the stream are one of any two or more types selected from three possible impact types, and performing an operation based on the result of the analysis.

Abstract: A method of determining the content of a desired component in a stream of material including two or more types of component, comprises the steps of: causing or permitting a said stream, comprising plural particles of material, to impact a sensor member located in a path of the material thereby inducing vibration of the sensor member; analysing vibrations of the sensor member and from the analysis determining whether individual impacts caused by the stream are one of any two or more types selected from three possible impact types; and performing an operation based on the result of the analysis. The invention is of particular use in determining the content of material streams in combine harvesters.

Abstract: A spraying device that sprays of a mixture of fluids is monitored to determine whether it is functioning properly. The spraying device has inlets for at least two fluids, such as water and air, and a mixing chamber in which the fluids are mixed. A mixture pressure sensor is mounted on the spraying device to detect the pressure of the mixture. The input pressures of the fluids entering the spraying device are also measured. A formula having left- and right-hand sides is provided for describing a relationship between the actual mixture pressure and the actual pressures of the first and second fluids. Based on the relationship provided by the formula, a comparison process is used to determine whether the spraying device is functioning properly.

Abstract: In a first object the present invention provides a method for the inspection of the quality of the sealing of a packages and more specifically the method of the present invention allows the on-line inspection of the air-tightness of a package. Said method comprising the following steps of (i) acquiring the noise signal generated by the sealing equipment during the sealing of the package, (ii) analyzing the signal in order to determine the values of at least one physical parameter characterizing the noise signal and (iii) deciding on the quality of the sealing by comparing the determined value to a reference value for said physical parameter.

Abstract: A spraying device that sprays of a mixture of fluids is monitored to determine whether it is functioning properly. The spraying device has inlets for at least two fluids, such as water and air, and a mixing chamber in which the fluids are mixed. A mixture pressure sensor is mounted on the spraying device to detect the pressure of the mixture. The input pressures of the fluids entering the spraying device are also measured. The measured input pressures of the fluids are used to calculate a predicted mixture pressure based on an empirical formula, which has parameters that can be derived when the spraying device is installed in its operating position. The calculated pressure value and the measured actual mixture pressure are then used in a comparison process to determine whether or not the spraying device is functioning properly.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for determining vibration characteristics of vibrated, supported, generally round, substantially ellipsoid articles, such as eggs, comprising: an elastic hammer with handle and head, for tapping and thereby acoustically vibrating such article, a handle drive element for reciprocating the hammer generally in a plane around an axis in the handle, a microphone arranged immediately adjacent to and directed to the article, for picking up acoustic vibrations generated by the article, and a signal processing means for processing the signals picked up by the microphone for determining vibration characteristics of the article, characterized in that the handle adjacent the axis consists of an arm portion to be driven which is connected, through a hinge element, with a handle end having at the extremity thereof a mount having therein a ball as a head, while at least the hinge element and the handle end form a hammer rod in one piece.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for determining vibration characteristics of vibrated, supported, generally round, substantially ellipsoid articles, such as eggs, comprising: