Patents by Inventor Juan Gutierrez Ibarra

Juan Gutierrez Ibarra has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Method and apparatus for detecting damage in plant products
    Patent number: 7173708
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Sunkist Growers Inc.
    Inventors: Juan Gutierrez Ibarra, James B. Sheffler, Matias C. Gonzales, Jr., Richard D. Heck, Henry A. Affeldt, Jr.