Patent US5352153A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5352153A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Imaging system for use in processing transversely cut fish body sections
Assignee: Laitram LLC
•
Filing: 1993-07-13
•
Granted: 1994-10-04
•
Expires: 2013-07-13
Abstract
Abstract An imaging system includes a method and apparatus for use in processing fish body sections that have been transversely cut. The system uses a frame with a pair of shrouds, each having an interior space that contains an illumination system for illuminating the fish section. A pair of video cameras housed respectively within the shrouds scan opposed flat sides of the fish section to produce images of the respective sides. Screens move behind the fish section in sequential fashion as each camera scans the fish section.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald H. Burch
- 👤 Mark E. Sutton
- 👤 Bernard Bretagnolle
- 👤 Somsak S. Rodboon
- 👤 Warren E. Cancienne
- 👤 Soumitra Sengupta
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 02:00
CPC Classifications
A; A22; A22B; A22B5/00; A22B5/0064; A22B5/007; A22C; A22C25/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/525; Y10T83/533
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of processing transverse fish slab sections, each having opposing and generally parallel sides and non-edible portions and edible meat portions, comprising the steps of: a) sectioning a fish body into a plurality of generally transverse fish slab sections; b) imaging both opposing sides of the fish body section with a camera to produce an image of each side of the fish slab section; and c) cutting the non-edible parts of the fish section with a cutting fluid jet that uses the image of each side of the fish slab section to define a jet cutting path.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of processing transverse fish slab sections, each having opposing and generally parallel sides and non-edible portions and edible meat portions, comprising the steps of: a) sectioning a fish body into a plurality of generally transverse fish slab sections; b) imaging both opposing sides of the fish body section with a camera to produce an image of each side of the fish slab section; and c) cutting the non-edible parts of the fish section with a cutting fluid jet that uses the image of each side of the fish slab section to define a jet cutting path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein there are a pair of video cameras positioned on opposite sides of the fish slab section during imaging.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the fish slab section is viewed in step "c" by a pair of video cameras.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein, prior to step "b" the fish slab section is steamed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein in step "c" the fish slab section is lighted with a diffuse light source to uniformly illuminate each side of the fish slab section.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of processing transverse fish slab sections, each having opposing and generally parallel sides and non-edible portions and edible meat portions, comprising the steps of: a) sectioning a fish body into a plurality of generally transverse fish slab sections; b) preliminarily cooking the fish section; c) imaging both opposing sides of the fish body section with a video camera to produce an image of each side of the fish slab section; d) cutting non-edible parts of the fish section with a cutting fluid jet that uses the image of each side of the fish slab section to define a jet cutting path.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of processing transverse fish slab sections, each having opposing and generally parallel sides and non-edible portions and edible meat portions, comprising the steps of: a) sectioning a fish body into a plurality of generally transverse fish slab sections; b) preliminarily cooking the fish section; c) imaging both opposing sides of the fish body section with a video camera to produce an image of each side of the fish slab section; d) cutting non-edible parts of the fish section with a cutting fluid jet that uses the image of each side of the fish slab section to define a jet cutting path.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 6 wherein there are a pair of video cameras positioned on opposite sides of the fish slab section during imaging.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the fish slab section is viewed in step "c" by a pair of video cameras.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the fish slab section is steamed in step "b".
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 6 wherein step "c" the fish slab section is lighted with a diffuse light source to uniformly illuminate each side of the fish slab section.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the fish slab section is illuminated in step c with a light source that illuminates the fish slab section at an angle with respect to an opposed surface of fish slab section.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
103 words
A video imaging system for use in processing transversely cut fish slab sections having an edible portion and a non-edible portion, the section including a pair of opposed flat surfaces surrounded by a curved peripheral portion, comprising: a) a frame; b) a video camera at each end of the frame; c) a target area adapted to receive the fish section; d) a holder for removably supporting a fish section to be processed in a position that enables one of the cameras to view one flat side of the fish section and the other camera to view the other side of the fish section.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
103 words
A video imaging system for use in processing transversely cut fish slab sections having an edible portion and a non-edible portion, the section including a pair of opposed flat surfaces surrounded by a curved peripheral portion, comprising: a) a frame; b) a video camera at each end of the frame; c) a target area adapted to receive the fish section; d) a holder for removably supporting a fish section to be processed in a position that enables one of the cameras to view one flat side of the fish section and the other camera to view the other side of the fish section.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the frame includes a pair of shrouds that surround the video cameras.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the holder forms a connection with the fish body section at the peripheral portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the target area is positioned generally between the cameras and equidistant to each camera so that the image generated by each camera is about the same size as the other generated image.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the frame includes shroud means aligned with the cameras along a longitudinal axis that defines the line of sight between each camera and the fish section to be processed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the frame includes a pair of shrouds that are generally opposed and that are aligned with the cameras respectively, and each shroud has a longitudinal axis that defines a line of sight between the cameras and the fish section to be processed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the shrouds each have outer wall structures and an inner space with means for illuminating each side of the fish section to be processed contained within the space.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the illuminating means includes a light source that angularly illuminates each fish section to be processed along a line that forms an acute angle with the line of sight between the video camera and the fish section.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein there is further provided background means for screening behind the fish body section during imaging.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the background means comprises a pair of background sheets that are movably affixed to the frame so that a selected one of the sheets can be placed behind the fish section surface to be viewed.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the sheets are pivotally affixed with respect to the frame.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein there is further provided a rotary shaft mounted upon the frame, and a pair of arms extending from the shaft, and the sheets are mounted on the pair of arms.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a pair of pressure-actuated cylinders mounted on the frame and a pair of extensible pushrods extending from the pressure-actuated cylinders, and wherein the sheets are mounted on the pushrods.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising positioning means for moving the holder supporting the fish section to be processed into the position in the target area that enables one of the cameras to view one flat surface and the other camera to view the other flat surface of the fish section.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the positioning means comprises a pressure-actuated cylinder and an extensible pushrod, the pushrod engaging the holder to push the fish body section supported by the holder into the target area.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
126 words
A video imaging system for use in processing transversely cut fish slab sections having an edible portion and a non-edible portion, the section including a pair of opposed flat surfaces surrounded by a curved peripheral portion, comprising: a) a frame having at least one shroud with a hollow bore having a central longitudinal axis; b) a light source contained inside the shroud; c) a video camera at each end of the frame; d) a target area adapted to receive the fish section; e) a holder for removably supporting a fish section to be processed in a position that enables one of the cameras to view one flat surface of the fish section and the other camera to view the other flat surface of the fish section.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
126 words
A video imaging system for use in processing transversely cut fish slab sections having an edible portion and a non-edible portion, the section including a pair of opposed flat surfaces surrounded by a curved peripheral portion, comprising: a) a frame having at least one shroud with a hollow bore having a central longitudinal axis; b) a light source contained inside the shroud; c) a video camera at each end of the frame; d) a target area adapted to receive the fish section; e) a holder for removably supporting a fish section to be processed in a position that enables one of the cameras to view one flat surface of the fish section and the other camera to view the other flat surface of the fish section.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the frame includes a pair of shrouds that each surround respectively a video camera.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the holder forms a connection with the fish body section at the peripheral portion.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the target area is positioned generally between the cameras and equidistant to each camera so that the image generated by each camera is about the same size as the other generated image.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the frame includes a pair of shrouds aligned with each of the cameras along a longitudinal axis that defines the line of sight between each camera and the fish section to be processed.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the frame includes a pair of shrouds that are generally opposed and that are aligned with the cameras, and each shroud has a longitudinal axis that defines a line of sight between the cameras and the fish section to be processed.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the shrouds have wall structures and an inner space with means for illuminating each side of the fish section to be processed contained within each shroud's inner space.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the illuminating means includes a light source that angularly illuminates each fish section to be processed along a line that forms an acute angle with the line of sight between the video camera and the fish section.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein there is further provided background screening means for screening behind the fish body section during imaging.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the background screening means comprises a pair of sheets that are movably affixed to the frame so that a selected one of the sheets can be placed behind the fish section surface to be viewed.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the sheets are pivotally affixed with respect to the frame.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein there is further provided a rotary shaft mounted upon the frame, and a pair of arms extending from the shaft, and the sheets are mounted on the pair of arms.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 36 further comprising control means for interchangeably moving the pair of sheets with respect to the fish body section.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 36, further comprising a pair of pressure-actuated cylinders mounted on the frame and a pair of extensible pushrods extending from the pressure-actuated cylinders, and wherein the sheets are mounted on the pushrods.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising positioning means for moving the holder supporting the fish section to be processed into the position in the target area that enables one of the cameras to view one flat surface and the other camera to view the other flat surface of the fish section.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the positioning means comprises a pressure-actuated cylinder and an extensible pushrod, the pushrod engaging the holder to push the fish body section supported by the holder into the target area.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3089775A
Cited
GB889787A
Cited
US3594191A
Cited
US3593370A
Cited
US3675273A
Cited
US3800363A
Cited
US3978748A
Cited
US4020528A
Cited
US4217679A
Cited
US4738004A
Cited
US4520702A
Cited
US4557019A
Cited
US4669229A
Cited
US4868951A
Cited
US4651476A
Cited
US4726094A
Cited
US4748724A
Cited
US4847954A
Cited
USRE33917E
Cited
US5249491A
Cited
US4875254A
Cited
US4962568A
Cited
US5061221A
Cited
US5194036A
Cited
US5133687A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-10-03 | 1998-04-04 | 1998-10-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-10-03 | 2002-04-04 | 2002-10-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-10-03 | 2006-04-04 | 2006-10-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |