Method and apparatus to determine colour of egg yolk

The present concept is a method of preparing an egg to determine the color of the egg using an egg yolk cover. The egg yolk cover is dome-shaped with a base edge and inspection area. The egg yolk cover eliminates ambient light from impinging on the egg yolk and is used in combination with a light sensor to determine the color of egg yolks. The light sensor includes a single flat printed circuit board with a top and bottom side which includes at least one LED light and one color sensor, at least one light pipe receiving light from the LED and transmitting it onto a substrate at an angle theta and a tube frame including an optical tube for receiving light reflections from the substrate. The light pipes and the tube frame are compression fit between the printed circuit board and a lower housing. To determine the color of the egg yolk, the egg is first cracked onto a flat surface. The egg yolk cover is then placed over the egg yolk and the color sensor is placed onto the inspection area to measure the color.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present concept relates to a device for measuring and analysing colours and more particularly it relates to a small handheld inexpensive colour measuring device which can interface via Bluetooth with smartphones and convert the colour readings into any number of current colour models, or spaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a need to quickly and accurately be able to measure colours on a variety of different surfaces and convert the colour measurement into a number of standard colour spaces.

There are a number of prior art devices which have attempted to measure colour each with shortcomings normally related to accuracy reproducibility, portability, cost of manufacture and inability to convert readings into a number of standard colour spaces used by different industries.

Studies have shown that there exist a cultural preference in the colour of the food people consume, therefor in the egg industry the colour of the yolk is closely controlled and a vital step in the control process is accurately measuring the yolk colour. There is a need for a quick, accurate and cost effective way of measuring the colour of the egg yolk.

A number of prior art devices exist in the industry that can be utilized to measure the colour of the yolk. Two such methods are the DSM Egg yolk colour fan and the egg quality measurement device. Though both methods can provide the measurements but they are not without their limitations and shortcomings. The egg yolk colour fan is fast and inexpensive, given it is a qualitative method of comparing coloured swatches to the yolk via the naked eye, it's accuracy and precision is a function of the end user. The second method mentioned is the egg quality measuring device, which utilizes a colour sensor and a light source. The light illuminates the yolk at prescribed angle and the reflected light is diffused into the sensor. This method is more accurate and precise since it is quantitative, but the size, complexity and cost of the apparatus make it less appealing to the end users.

SUMMARY

The present concept is an egg yolk cover for housing the liquid portion of an egg between the cover and a flat surface for the purpose of measuring egg yolk color. The egg yolk cover comprises:a) an opaque cover adapted to cover the liquid portion of an egg, the cover includes a base edge which contacts with the flat surface and adapted to create a substantially light tight seal with the flat surface;b) wherein the cover includes a transparent inspection area adapted for viewing the egg yolk.

Preferably wherein the cover is dome shaped and includes a flattened crown portion which is substantially parallel to the flat surface.

Preferably wherein the inspection area is an aperture in the flattened crown portion.

Preferably wherein the aperture includes a transparent window within the aperture which impinges onto the egg yolk.

Preferably wherein the cover defines a yolk depth wherein the flattened crown portion is dimensioned to be at a preselected height above the flat surface and selected to fall in the range from 6 to 12 mm inclusively.

Preferably wherein the cover defines a preselected volume between the cover and flat surface which is sufficient to house the egg yolk.

Preferably wherein the preselected volume is selected to fall in the range from 20 ml to 40 ml inclusively.

The present concept is also a method of determining the color of an egg yolk. The method comprises the following steps:a) cracking an egg onto a flat surface such that a liquid portion rests on the flat surface;b) placing a cover over the egg yolk the cover includes;i. an opaque cover adapted to cover the liquid portion of an egg, the cover includes with a base edge which contacts with the flat surface and adapted to create a substantially light tight seal with the flat surface;ii. wherein the cover includes a transparent inspection area adapted for viewing the egg yolk;c) deploying a color sensor onto the inspection area to measure the yolk color.

Preferably wherein the cover is dome shaped and includes a flattened crown portion which is substantially parallel to the flat surface.

Preferably wherein the inspection area is an aperture in the flattened crown portion.

Preferably wherein the aperture includes a transparent window within the aperture which impinges onto the egg yolk.

Preferably wherein the cover defines a yolk depth wherein the flattened crown portion is dimensioned to be at a preselected height above the flat surface and selected to fall in the range from 6 to 12 mm inclusively.

Preferably wherein the cover defines a preselected volume between the cover and flat surface which is sufficient to house the egg yolk.

Preferably wherein the preselected volume is selected to fall in the range from 20 ml to 40 ml inclusively.

Preferably wherein the light sensor is a portable colour sensor for measuring colour of a substrate comprising:a) a single flat printed circuit board with a top & bottom side which includes at least one LED light and one colour sensor;b) at least one light pipe receiving light from the LED and transmitting it onto a substrate at an angle theta;c) a tube frame including an optical tube for receiving light reflections from the substrate; andd) wherein the light pipes and the tube frame, are compression fit between the printed circuit board and a lower housing.

Preferably wherein the LED light is directed perpendicularly away from the printed circuit board and wherein the light pipe is an arcuate member bending the light to achieve the angle theta.

Preferably wherein the light pipe abutting at one end to the LED and connecting at the other end at a light emitting port in the lower housing.

Preferably wherein the light emitting port is located within a light cavity which is an inverted dome with the bottom terminating at a contact surface.

Preferably wherein the flattened crown portion contacting with the contact surface of the lower housing of the lower housing of the colour sensor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Components of the present concept the portable colour sensor100are depicted in the attached figures and shown in various stages of assembly and completion for the benefit of the reader.

FIG. 1for example shows the single printed circuit board PCB102used in the present concept together with a gasket104mounted on a bottom side106having openings109for LEDS108and opening111for colour sensor110. Colour sensor110is a true colour sensor rather than an RGB sensor.

PCB102includes a top side112at least one integrated circuit114a battery116and a hard wired interface namely a micro USB port118for calibration and data exchange purposes.

FIG. 2shows the orientation of various additional components relative to the print circuit board102namely left and right light pipes120each also having a first flange122and a second flange124, a receiving end126and a transmitting end128. Receiving end126abuts against gasket104in order that light from LEDS108can be transmitted down through light pipe120and out through transmitting end128.

Further there is a tube frame130which includes an optical tube132having a tube end134also abutting and mounted onto gasket104for receiving light through optical tube132and transmitting the received light onto colour sensor110.

The components are not assembled in the condition shown inFIG. 2but rather only the orientation of these components relative to the print circuit board in shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 3shows the assembly of the printed circuit board102together with the light pipes120and the tube frame130all mounted into lower housing140and capped off with an upper housing142at a joint144. All of the internal components are compression fit show by arrows146wherein the PCB102is urged downwardly into lower housing140thereby pushing downwardly upon the light pipes120and tube frame130, in effect creating a sandwich effect wherein the light pipes120, tube frame130and dust cover152are held in place.

Lower housing140also includes a lens dust cover152, a receiving port150and defines a contact surface148. Lower housing140also includes light emitting ports154and a light cavity156. Light enters through light emitting ports154at an angle theta158.

FIG. 4is a schematic plan view of the bottom side106of printed circuit board102with one light pipe120shown in position wherein on the other side the LED108is clearly visible through opening109in gasket104. Also shown in position is tube frame130and dust cover lens152at the bottom of receiving port150. Additionally the first and second flanges122and124of light pipe120are also visible together with the joint144of the upper housing142.

FIG. 5is a plan view looking into the cavity of lower housing140with all of the components removed showing a set of four light pipe ribs170each having a first slot172and a second slot174that register and slideably engage with first flange122and second flange124respectively of light pipe120.

There are four additional support ribs176upon which the printed circuit board102rests and three abutments178each with a screw hole180for fastening print circuit board onto lower housing140.

The reader will see that the first flange122slideably engages with first slot172and second flange124of light pipe120slideably engages with second slot174. In this manner light pipes120are slideably urged into position into the lower housing140. Additionally dust cover lens152is placed into the bottom of tube receiver182and optical tube132is slideably received within tube receiver182thereby placing tube frame130in place into lower housing140.

Thereafter PCB108is adhered to with gasket104at contact surface111is further placed with sealing surface107on top of the light pipes and the tube frame130thereby compressing gasket104which is made of a resiliently biased material in order to create a seal around the base190of tube frame130and also a seal around the receiving end126of light pipe120thereby ensuring that light which is conducted down light pipe120is not inadvertently transmitted into optical tube132directly from LED108or indirectly from light pipes120. Contact surface111and sealing surface107preferably have pressure sensitive adhesive thereon.

FIG. 7schematically shows the orientation of lower housing140relative to the upper housing142and the print circuit board102and the light pipes120and the tube frame130.

FIG. 3shows the angular relationship theta158of the light relative to the contact surface148. This geometrical layout is often referred to as a 45/0 geometry in which illumination of the sample is accomplished at an angle of 45° and the colour sensor110receives a portion of the light reflected from the sample at an angle of approximately 0° plus or minus 8°. This geometry is used in order to minimize specular reflections and allow only few reflections to be transmitted through the optical tube132.

In order to reduce manufacturing costs, time and componentry light pipes120have been configured such that a single flat print circuit board PCB102can be utilized to mount all of the electrical and electronic componentry.

The LEDS used have a broad parallel spectrum of visible light such that all wavelengths of visible light are emitted by the LEDS108. In order to ensure consistency and reproducibility components having extremely low drift and low temperature coefficient variances are utilized throughout the device.

Readings obtained from the colour sensor are fed through on board integrated circuitry processing units which provide a predictable, stable and reproducible output.

The unit includes an integral Bluetooth transmission device for wirelessly transmitting data to a smartphone which together with a smartphone application for presenting the data in usable format.

It is also possible to communicate through a hardwired mini USB port118to a laptop or other computer. The device is calibrated through the hardwired mini USB port118prior to the shipping.

The outputs are converted into usable colour spaces including the well known RGB colour space, HSL colour space, HSV colour space, LAB colour space, XYZ colour space and is also converted into HTML, CMYK or Pantone® units. The processor software application is able to convert to any print system using a delta e calculation to determine what available paint is closest (mathematically) to the scanned sample.

The contact surface148is placed against a substrate or surface159to be analysed for colour such as a painted wall, skin, and a host of other surfaces and materials.

Light emitted from is conducted down light pipes120and exits into light cavity15at an angle theta158onto a substrate159to be measured. Some of the light is reflected back up optical tube132where it is received by color sensor110and a measurement is taken and recorded.

Components of the present concept the yolk colour sensor are depicted in the attached figures and shown in various stages of assembly and illustrates the method and apparatus for the benefit of the reader.

FIG. 8shows a cross sectional view of the dome shaped cover200deployed with a colour sensor100that will house an egg yolk202over a substantially horizontal flat surface210. The base edge204makes contact with the horizontal flat surface210providing a circumferential light tight seal, thus minimizing the intrusion of the outside light.

There exists a flattened crown portion206that is substantially parallel in relation to the horizontal flat surface210. This feature ensures that the yolk top surface220is parallel in relation to the transparent window208, which is critical in producing the desired reflection and refraction angles. Transparent window208as depicted is preferably round however could also be a multitude of other shapes including but not limited to: square, triangular or a polygon. Transparent window208is preferably made of transparent plastic having known optic properties, but may also be made of other materials such as, including but not limited to, glass with known optic properties.

Situated at the centre of the flattened crown portion is the transparent inspection area212containing an aperture214with a transparent window208onto which the yolk top surface220impinges, continuously making contact with transparent window208.

Now also referring toFIG. 10, the geometry of the dome shaped cover is selected such that its cover volume218will substantially fully house the egg yolk202with some small amount of egg white232at the periphery230of the cover203. The dimensions of cover203are selected such that a predetermined consistent yolk depth216and cover volume218are maintained. Yolk depth216measures from the horizontal surface102upward to the lower face244of transparent window208.

Cover volume218of dome shaped cover200is approximately 30 ml was derived using the 95thpercentile confidence interval of a normal distribution of egg yolk volumes. The yolk depth216is approximately 9 mm, which by trial and error measurements were found to be the optimal yolk depth216to obtain consistent results. With the desired cover volume and yolk depth the diameter of the cover203results in an outer diameter of approximately 74 mm. In practice the cover volume218, yolk depth216and the circumference can vary substantially and still provide adequate results, but via extensive trials it was found the geometry and dimensions proposed provide optimal, consistent and accurate results.

Method of Preparing the Egg and Deployment of Apparatus

Referring now toFIGS. 12 to 17the method of preparing the egg and deployment of apparatus for determination of colour will be described.

FIG. 12depicts cracking an egg220and carefully separating the eggshell218from its inner contents, egg white232and egg yolk202, and gently placing the contents on a horizontal flat surface210preserving the integrity of the egg yolk202. It is vital that the egg yolk202is fully intact and does not rupture the vitelline membrane250in this process (breaking the yolk).

FIG. 13depicts a fully intact egg yolk202surrounded by the egg white232placed onto a horizontal flat surface210after a short rest period. The resting period allows gravity to settle the egg white232away from the top of the egg yolk202, where the lower face244of transparent window208impinges onto the yolk top surface220. This process allows for an unobstructed view to the yolk.

FIG. 14depicts the recommended way of deploying the dome shaped cover200vertically downwards onto the egg yolk202. This method is recommended as it affords a simultaneous overview of both the egg yolk and dome shaped cover200thus enabling the operator to gauge fit over the egg yolk202. Placing the cover using other methods such as tilting the cover over the yolk may result in rupturing the vitelline membrane250. The egg yolk202may rupture if caught between the horizontal flat surface210and base edge204.

Observing via transparent window208a full and unobstructed contact between the yolk top surface220and the transparent window208can be ensured. Opaque ropes of egg white known as the chalaza anchor the yolk in the centre. The chalaza may get positioned between the transparent window208and the egg yolk202, may lead to erroneous measurements.

FIG. 15depicts that moving the dome shape cover200side to side as shown by arrow271in the event that the chalaza does obstruct the window, one can clear the window using this method. This provides a visual quality control ensuring that the egg yolk202positioned below the transparent window208is consistently free of unwanted obstructions such as the chalaza.

FIG. 16depicts the recommended method of deploying the colour sensor100onto the cover200. The mechanism by which the two components interlock involve the coupling of flange222, best represented inFIG. 10, to the docking surface155, best represented inFIG. 3. The method recommended to accomplish the coupling is by securely holding down the cover203with one hand and deploying the colour sensor100vertically downwards onto the cover. By attaching the colour sensor vertically downwards on to the widow208of the dome shape cover200minimizes the lateral movements that the cover would experience thus minimizing the disturbance experienced by the egg yolk202. Minimizing any disturbance will reduce the possibility of egg yolk202to rupture and also retain the substantially unobstructed view obtained via methods described above.

At this point the colour measurement is taken and recorded as described for the portable colour sensor100above.

It should be apparent to persons skilled in the arts that various modifications and adaptation of this structure described above are possible without departure from the spirit of the invention the scope of which defined in the appended claim.