Patent ID: 7737379
Filing Date: 2010-06-15
Classification: B07C

Abstract:
1. A system for sorting larvae cocoons comprising: a conveyor arranged for conveying cocoons through a target scanning area; an x-ray source arranged for directing x-rays at the target scanning area; a sensor head opposite the x-ray source in relation to the target scanning area so as to be arranged for receiving x-rays which have passed through the target scanning area and arranged for generating a density image of a cocoon in the target area comprising a two-dimensional density image representing an overall through mass of the cocoon; a processor arranged for comparing the density image to a prescribed density criteria of the processor and arranged for determining a rejected cocoon if the density criteria is not met; the processor being arranged to identify a region of density different than an outer shell of the cocoon; the prescribed density criteria comprises at least one average shape criteria, an overall size criteria including a lower size limit, and a consistency criteria comprising a required consistency of density throughout said region of density different than the outer shell; the processor being arranged to determine a healthy cocoon if said region of density different than the outer shell of the cocoon has a shape which matches said at least one average shape criteria, has a size which is greater than the lower size limit so as to match the overall size criteria, and has a consistent density which matches the consistency criteria; the processor being arranged to determine a rejected cocoon if said region of density different than the outer shell of the cocoon has a shape which does not correspond to said at least one average shape criteria, has a size which does not correspond to the overall size criteria, or has a discontinuous density; and a sorting mechanism arranged for removing the rejected cocoon from a remainder of cocoons on the conveyor.