Calvin J Gray

US Patent:

20120218403, Aug 30, 2012

Filed:

Apr 16, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/448351

Inventors:

William Keith Beaty - Webster TX, US
Patric Carey Pike - Hopkins MI, US
Calvin G. Gray - Richmond TX, US

Assignee:

SATAKE USA, INC. - Stafford TX

International Classification:

G06K 9/62
H04N 7/18

US Classification:

348 91, 382103, 348E07085

Abstract:

A system for determining the product density value of a zone of preferable small fungible products within an acceptable size range and potentially in an acceptable color range. The system differentiates among products even if in close contact to determine acceptable product. The system may store data for later review or for dispensing of product in real time. The system includes a scale to determine a sample's weight, a camera to image the sample, an imaging table to permit viewing of the sample, a processor to determine the number of products in the sample, and a processor to determine the density of desired product.

US Patent:

54070821, Apr 18, 1995

Filed:

Jul 28, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/282205

Inventors:

Joel P. Childress - Sugarland TX
Edward G. Reyes - Houston TX
Calvin G. Gray - Houston TX

Assignee:

ESM International Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

B07C 5342

US Classification:

209582

Abstract:

In a bichromatic sorting machine, a polygon pattern of trip level boundaries is established for a master channel programmable memory that is representative of orthogonally plotting detected products in each of two reflectivity spectral bands. The rate of products passing through the master channel that is rejected as being non-acceptable by producing a reflectivity value outside of the polygon pattern compared to total products sorted is used as the basis for normalizing all channel results. When the actual rate in the master channel varies from the desired rate, the boundaries of its polygon are concentrically adjusted back to the desired rate, thereby also adjusting the similar polygon patterns for each of the other or slave channels. Multiple machines can also be normalized to the same rate in similar fashion. The master channel or the master machine can be selectable, a concept that is also applicable to monochromatic sorting machines, as well.

US Patent:

56314604, May 20, 1997

Filed:

Apr 4, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/627431

Inventors:

Calvin G. Gray - Houston TX
Jeffery S. Pawley - Sugar Land TX

Assignee:

Satake USA Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

B07C 5342
G01J 350
G01N 2127

US Classification:

250226

Abstract:

A photo-optical detector for use in a multi-chromatic sorting machine, each detector including at least two separate photodiode materials responsive to a different spectral range and a multi-peak optical filter having transmission response characteristics that are respectively defined in a frequency spectrum of the respective spectral ranges of the materials. The sorting machine using such detectors can be selectively programmed using the various resulting signals from the detectors after appropriate amplification and threshold detection to cause resulting ejection mechanism activation.

US Patent:

55085121, Apr 16, 1996

Filed:

Jan 24, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/377451

Inventors:

Calvin G. Gray - Houston TX
Jeffery S. Pawley - Sugarland TX

Assignee:

ESM International Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

B07C 5342
G01J 350
G01N 2127

US Classification:

250226

Abstract:

A photo-optical detector for use in a multichromatic sorting machine, each detector including at least two separate photodiode materials responsive to a different spectral range and a multipeak optical filter having transmission response characteristics that are respectively defined in a frequency spectrum of the respective spectral ranges of the materials. The sorting machine using such detectors can be selectively programmed using the various resulting signals from the detectors after appropriate amplification and threshold detection to cause resulting ejection mechanism activation.

US Patent:

58457844, Dec 8, 1998

Filed:

Oct 25, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/740245

Inventors:

Calvin G. Gray - Houston TX
Dale A Svatek - Needville TX

Assignee:

Satake USA Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

B07C 500
B65G 1116

US Classification:

209577

Abstract:

A multiple channel gravity-fed slide for a sorting machine is disclosed wherein the heights of the divider ribs between channels are at least high enough to define the channels and keep normally sized products flowing within the respective channels. At least some of the dividers or ribs have a tall height for supporting a product guide or keeper to provide some singulation and order to the products in the respective channels while allowing oversized and misshapen items to overlap into adjacent channels, thereby minimizing jamming of one or more channels.