Method for sorting apple pieces

Description

2 a. feeding the apple pieces to the physical spreading device, where the physical spreading device comprises a transport roller, and where the apple pieces are spread on the transport rollers, b. passing the spread apple pieces to the optical sorting device, where the optical sorting device comprises at least one RGB5 color camera suitable for determining red-green, green-blue and red-blue two-dimensional color spectra of the apple pieces, and where at least one red-blue two-dimensional color spectrum is determined, and where an apple piece is ejected if the red intensity (RRB) is lower than 145 and the blue intensity (BRB) is lower than 9010 in the red-blue two-dimensional color spectrum. In a special design, the optical sorting device also comprises a black-and-white camera suitable for determining a one-dimensional black-and-white spectrum of the apple pieces, preferably the optical sorting device comprises two 15 black-and-white cameras suitable for determining a one-dimensional black-and-white spectrum of the apple pieces.The use of two cameras ensures that a total of 5 of the 6 sides of a piece's black-white spectrum can be determined. In this process, an apple piece is preferentially rejected if the black-white intensity (Z) is lower than 170, preferably lower than 175. 20 For the evaluation of apple products, the inventors determined that, in particular, the red-green and blue-red two-dimensional color spectrums offer significant distinction between good and inferior apple pieces. 25 The experiments performed resulted in a unique set of conditions that apple pieces must meet in order not to be rejected. This approach offers improved precision in identifying irregularities and conforming products, specifically tailored to apple pieces. 30 DETAILED DESCRIPTION The invention concerns a method for sorting apple pieces. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in the description35 of the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as they are generally understood by the expert in the technical field of the invention.BE2024 / 5890 3 For a better assessment of the description of the invention, the following terms are explicitly explained. “A”, “the” and “the” in this document refer to both the singular and the plural unless the context clearly implies otherwise. For example, “a segment”5 means one or more than a segment. The terms “comprising”, “comprising”, “consisting of”, “consisting of”, “provided with”, “contain”, “containing”, “encompassing”, “containing”, “containing” are synonyms and are inclusive or open terms that indicate the presence of what follows10, and that do not exclude or prevent the presence of other components, features, elements, members, steps, known from or described in the standard technique. The citation of numerical intervals by the endpoints encompasses all integers, fractions and / or real numbers between the endpoints, including these endpoints. In a first aspect, the invention concerns a method for sorting apple pieces. In this process, apple pieces are fed to a sorting device and “bad” apple pieces are expelled.The term “ejected” refers to the removal of an apple piece from the multitude of apple pieces, whereby the apple pieces that are not ejected are retained. The sorting device comprises a physical spreading device and an optical sorting device, where the optical sorting device is positioned downstream of the physical spreading device. In one implementation form, the method comprises the following sequential steps: a. feeding the apple pieces to the physical, and b. transferring the dispersed apple pieces to the optical sorting device. In a preferred form, the method comprises the following sequential steps: a. feeding the apple pieces to the physical spreading device, where the physical spreading device comprises transport rollers, and where the apple pieces are dispersed on the transport rollers, b.the feeding of the scattered apple pieces into the optical sorting device, whereby the optical sorting device comprises at least one RGB BE2024 / 5890 4 color camera suitable for determining red-green, green-blue and red-blue two-dimensional color spectra of the apple pieces. In a further preferred form, a red-green, green-blue, and / or red-blue two-dimensional color spectra of the apple pieces is determined. In another or further preferred form, at least two two-dimensional color spectra are determined chosen from: red-green, green-blue, and red-blue two-dimensional color spectra. In another or further preferred form, both a red-green and a red-blue two-dimensional color spectrum of the apple pieces are determined. For the evaluation of apple pieces, the inventors have determined that, in particular, the red-green and blue-red two-dimensional color spectrum offer a significant distinction between good and less good apple pieces.The term “red-blue color spectrum” refers to a two-dimensional graphic representation in which the intensity of the red (RRB) and blue (BRB) components of the light are plotted against each other. In this spectrum, each position reflects a unique ratio of red and blue intensity, varying from pure red (at maximum red intensity and minimum blue intensity) to pure blue (at maximum blue intensity and minimum red intensity), with intermediate shades depending on the relative strengths of both colors. The term “red-green color spectrum” refers to a two-dimensional graphic representation in which the intensity of the red (RRG) and green (GRG) components of the light are plotted against each other. In this spectrum, each position reflects a unique ratio of red and blue intensity, varying from pure red (at maximum red intensity and minimum blue intensity) to pure green (at maximum green intensity and minimum red intensity), with intermediate shades depending on the relative strengths of both colors.In one execution form, at least a red-blue two-dimensional color spectrum of the apple slices is determined, whereby an apple slice is subsequently preferably eliminated if the red intensity (RRB) is lower than 140, preferably lower than 145, in the red-blue two-dimensional color spectrum. In another or further execution form, an apple slice is retained if the red intensity (RRB) lies between 140 and 250, preferably between 145 and 250, in the red-blue two-dimensional color spectrum. BE2024 / 5890 5 In another or further execution form, an apple slice is eliminated if the blue intensity (BRB) is lower than 85, preferably lower than 90, in the red-blue two-dimensional color spectrum. In another or further form, an apple piece is retained if the blue intensity (BRB) is between 85 and 250, preferably between 90 and 250, in the red-blue two-dimensional color spectrum.In a preferred form, a red-blue color spectrum is determined, and an apple slice is ejected if the red intensity (RRB) is lower than 145 and the blue intensity (BRB) is lower than 90 in the red-blue two-dimensional color spectrum. In another or further execution form, at least a red-green two-dimensional color spectrum of the apple slices is determined, whereby an apple slice is subsequently preferably ejected if the red intensity (RRG) is lower than 150, preferably lower than 155. In another or further form of execution, an apple piece is retained if the red intensity (RRG) lies between 150 and 250, preferably between 155 and 250, in the red-green two-dimensional color spectrum.20 In another or further form of execution, an apple piece is ejected if the green intensity (GRG) is lower than 145, preferably lower than 150, in the red-green two-dimensional color spectrum.25 In another or further execution form, an apple piece is retained if the green intensity (GRG) lies between 145 and 250, preferably between 150 and 250, in the red-green two-dimensional color spectrum. In a preferred form, a red-green two-dimensional color spectrum30 is determined, and an apple piece is ejected if the red intensity (RRG) is lower than 155 and the green intensity (GRG) is lower than 150 in the red-green two-dimensional color spectrum. In another or further preferred form, a red-blue and red-green35 two-dimensional color spectrum is determined, whereby an apple piece is emitted if the red intensity (RRB) is lower than 145 or the blue intensity (BRB) is lower than 90 in the red-blue two-dimensional color spectrum or if the red intensity (RRG) BE2024 / 5890 6 is lower than 155 or the green intensity (GRG) is lower than 150 in the red-green two-dimensional color spectrum.In another or further form, an apple piece is excluded if: BRB>2.0804*RRB-195.78;5 BRB<0.6381*RRB-28.44;and BRB<-0.5305*RRB+182.41. In another or further form, an apple piece is excluded if: •GRG>1.3723*RRG-28.593;10 •GRG<0.7245*RRG+17.789;and •GRG<-0.7677*RRG+292.27. In another or further form of execution, a red-blue and red-green two-dimensional color spectrum is determined, whereby an apple slice is ejected15 if: BRB>2.0804*RRB-195.78; BRB<0.6381*RRB-28.44; and BRB<-0.5305*RRB+182.41. Or if:20 •GRG>1.3723*RRG-28.593; •GRG<0.7245*RRG+17.789; and •GRG<-0.7677*RRG+292.27. The advantage of this approach is that it enables automated, accurate, and objective quality control by assessing apple pieces based on their color characteristics in two spectral dimensions. This minimizes human error, increases processing efficiency, and makes it possible to detect specific defects or deviations that might otherwise remain unnoticed.By making use of both the red-blue and the red-green two-dimensional color spectrum, a wider range of color nuances is analyzed, which ensures a more reliable and consistent separation of unwanted apple pieces. In one configuration, the optical sorting device also includes a black-and-white camera suitable for determining a one-dimensional black-and-white spectrum of the apple pieces; preferably, the optical sorting device includes two black-and-white cameras suitable for determining a one-dimensional black-and-white spectrum BE2024 / 5890 7 of the apple pieces. The use of two cameras ensures that the black-and-white spectrum of a total of 5 of the 6 sides of a piece can be determined. A “one-dimensional black-white spectrum” can be defined as a linear scale that represents the intensity(Z) of light in one dimension, varying from completely black (minimum light intensity) to completely white (maximum light intensity), without the intervention of color.In a further execution form, an apple piece is ejected if the black-white intensity (Z) is lower than 170, preferably lower than 175.10 In a specific preference form, a red-blue two-dimensional color spectrum, a red-green two-dimensional color spectrum, and a one-dimensional black-white spectrum of the apple pieces are determined in the optical sorting device, whereby an apple piece is ejected if15 •in the red-blue two-dimensional color spectrum, the red intensity (RRB) is lower than 145 or the blue intensity (BRB) is lower than 90; or if •in the red-green two-dimensional color spectrum, the red intensity (RRG) is lower than 155 or the green intensity (GRG) is lower than 150; or if •the black-white intensity (Z) is lower than 175.20 In another or further specific preference form, a red-blue two-dimensional color spectrum, a red-green two-dimensional color spectrum, and a one-dimensional black-white spectrum of the apple pieces are determined in the optical sorting device, whereby an apple piece is ejected if 25 BRB>2.0804*RRB-195.78; BRB<0.6381*RRB-28.44; and BRB<-0.5305*RRB+182.41; or •GRG>1.3723*RRG-28.593; 30 •GRG<0.7245*RRG+17.789; and •GRG<-0.7677*RRG+292.2; or if the black-white intensity(Z) is lower than 175. In one configuration, the physical spreading device comprises conveyor rollers on which the apple pieces are fed. The apple pieces are subsequently transported on the conveyor rollers towards the optical sorting device. The BE2024 / 5890 8 conveyor rollers provide an initial physical spreading, which is particularly important to spread the apple pieces evenly across the width of the conveyor rollers. In one configuration, the conveyor rollers continue through the optical sorting device.In another design form, the apple pieces are transferred onto a conveyor belt that runs through the optical sorting device. The physical dispersion of the apple pieces is a particularly advantageous step for good detection in the optical sorting device. In one design, the conveyor rollers are a series of parallel cylindrical rollers,10 where the rollers are configured in such a way that they are specifically tuned to the physical spreading of apple pieces, and the sorting out of trimming waste and seeds. The conveyor rollers comprise in a first section a number of cylindrical rollers, which are arranged for the initial transport and even distribution of apple pieces across the width of the belt.15 In a further design, the rollers are ribbed rollers, where each roller has ribs that are applied along the length. The ribs are designed with a predetermined depth and distance to increase the friction with the apple pieces. This allows apple pieces that are smaller or have an irregular shape to fall more easily through20 the openings between the rollers.The ridges can also serve a function in preventing the pieces from jamming, as they support movement separation through the specific shape of the surface. This design contributes to a first separation step, whereby smaller or unwanted pieces are discharged through the intermediate spaces, making the remaining apple pieces suitable for further processing. In another or further design, the rollers are provided with specific protrusions or cams, whereby the protrusions are positioned and configured in such a way that they serve to further manipulate and separate the 30 apple pieces. These protrusions can take various forms, such as cylindrical or conical cams, which are designed to catch and move specific apple pieces. The protrusions can be adjusted to grip apple pieces of a certain size, mass, or shape, while other pieces are carried away by gravity or the movement of the rollers.35 This creates an extra separation step that allows for further refinement in the sorting, whereby, for example, larger or higher-quality pieces are guided to a specific output. The configuration of the protrusions contributes to the BE2024 / 5890 9 effective guiding of the apple pieces to their respective positions on the conveyor rollers, which further optimizes the efficiency of the sorting system. In a specific design form, the rollers can be equipped with a driven mechanism to individually regulate the rotation speed of the rollers. This makes it possible to adapt the speed of the rollers to the characteristics of the apple pieces being processed, such as size, shape, or moisture content. This configuration allows the apple pieces to be moved in a controlled manner, preventing unwanted stacking or irregular distribution. The various sections of the conveyor rollers can furthermore be equipped with collection bins under the rollers, in which ejected apple pieces are collected for further processing, reuse, or disposal.In one execution form, the apple pieces are peeled apple pieces. In one execution form, the apple pieces have a shape chosen from: wedges, cubes, rings, and half apples. In a preferred execution, the method makes it possible to sort apples into various shapes, such as wedges and cubes, allowing different end products to be manufactured, suitable for different consumer needs. In this preferred execution, the method comprises several steps that can be flexibly adapted to the desired end shape of the apple. Through the use of an automated system that can adjust the cutting options without manual intervention, the method offers a high degree of flexibility and efficiency. 25 In one form, the apple pieces are peeled apple pieces. In another or further form, the apple pieces have a volume of maximum 10 cm³, or even maximum 8 cm³, or even maximum 6 cm³, or even maximum 5 cm³.Preferably, the sorting process is carried out at a temperature between 130 and 10°C, which helps to preserve the freshness and texture of the apples. This temperature can vary, with the preferred temperature lying between 1°C and 8°C, more preferably between 2°C and 8°C, and even more preferably between 4°C and 6°C. This temperature control contributes to maintaining the quality of the final product. 35 In an execution form, the ambient temperature during the process is lying between 4 and 10°C, preferably between 4 and 9°C, more preferably between 4 and 8°C, even more preferably between 4 and 7°C, and most preferably between 5 and 7°C. BE2024 / 5890 10 In one form, the apples are selected from: Granny Smith, Gala, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Honey Crisp, Braeburn, Jonagold, Red Delicious, Pink Lady (Cripps Pink), Cox's Orange Pippin, McIntosh, Empire, Jazz, Cortland, Elstar, Boskoop (Schone van Boskoop), Braeburn, Jonathan, Sweet Tango, Mutsu (Crispin), Opal, Idared, Kanzi, and Greenstar. Preferably, the apples are Jonagold or Greenstar. In one form, between 4,000 and 400,000 apple pieces per minute are sorted.In one implementation form, optical sorting is followed by manual sorting. This has been found by the inventors to be even more efficient in order to reduce or even avoid the ejection of false positives (which are the good pieces). In what follows, the invention is described by means of non-limiting examples that illustrate the invention and that are not intended or to be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention. EXAMPLES Example 1.20 For the evaluation of apple products, the inventors used an optical sorter, in which different two-dimensional color spectra were tested to achieve effective sorting. During the experiments, it was determined that the red-green and blue-red two-dimensional color spectra in particular offered a significant distinction between good and less good pieces of apple.25 In the next step, the spectra were analyzed to determine which characteristics had to be classified as conforming or deviating.The following procedure was followed: For each type of defect, a number of samples were fed through the optical sorter30 to determine their location on the color spectrum. These samples were subsequently determined to be defective. For each color spectrum, a zone of intensity values ​​was established in which the defects occur. This procedure was repeated for the different types of defects, such as 35 stems, seeds, crowns, and peel residues. The zones of intensity values ​​for compliant apple pieces were also determined in the same way. BE2024 / 5890 11 With this experimentation, the inventors established an optical sorting method specifically for apple pieces and the defects that are undesirable to the consumer and therefore must be sorted out. This resulted in a unique set of conditions that apple pieces must meet. The unique graphs shown below5 are shown.