Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A22—BUTCHERING; MEAT TREATMENT; PROCESSING POULTRY OR FISH
  • A22C—PROCESSING MEAT, POULTRY, OR FISH
  • A22C29/00—Processing shellfish or bivalves, e.g. oysters, lobsters; Devices therefor, e.g. claw locks, claw crushers, grading devices; Processing lines
  • A22C29/005—Grading or classifying shellfish or bivalves
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A22—BUTCHERING; MEAT TREATMENT; PROCESSING POULTRY OR FISH
  • A22C—PROCESSING MEAT, POULTRY, OR FISH
  • A22C29/00—Processing shellfish or bivalves, e.g. oysters, lobsters; Devices therefor, e.g. claw locks, claw crushers, grading devices; Processing lines
  • A22C29/02—Processing shrimps, lobsters or the like ; Methods or machines for the shelling of shellfish
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
  • G01N33/02—Food
  • G01N33/12—Meat; Fish

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a method for determining the kind and distribution of tissue in living organisms, as stated in the introductory part of claim 1.
• X-rays For living material, it is known to use X-rays and ultra sound. X-rays have the disadvantage that extensive shading must be put in place. For ultra sound difficulties arise due to the interferance noise in the method. The method is also poor in differentiating between tissues having the same density.
• NIT Near Infrared Transmision
• the influence will vary with the wavelength in a way which is specific for the material that is measured.
• the part of the light which shines through the sample is registered and the result is processed in a computer.
• the measuring results are compared with stored comparative values for matter to be measured.
• the comparative values are determined by conducting measurements in a great number of samples which then are analysed chemically.
• the method is an alternative to routine chemical analysis. The method is well suited for homogeneous material but can not be used in a section where tissues of different kinds are present. Therefore, it can also not be used for living organisms.
• crabs For some animals, e.g. crabs, it is preferred to be able to evaluate the food content before slaughtering. Today this is performed as a rough estimate and with a great deal of uncertainity. It is of interest to be able to take crabs which are not approved, back to feeding.
• Fig. la discloses the principle for equipment for conducting a method according to present invention
• Fig. lb discloses the principle of alternative equipment for conducting a method according to present invention
• Fig. 2 shows an object which is to be measured using a method according to present invention
• Fig. 3 shows an example of arranging a light source for use in connection with present invention
• Fig. 4 shows an example of an arrangement of a video camera for use in connection with present invention.
• Fig. la shows an arrangement for measuring living organisms according to present invention.
• a crab 1 is situated at a transparent plate 6, and a light source 2 is placed under the plate.
• the light passing through the crab is regisered by a video camera 3.
• the images from the camera are digitized and processed using a computer 4.
• the light source 2 can be a halogen incandescent lamp which emits strong radiation in the wavelength range 400 to 2000 nm.
• a filter 5 can be situated between the object 1 and the camera 3, the filter being exchangeable thereby making it possible to choose light in different wavelength bands.
• the transparent plate 6 can be a clear glass plate or a translucent or dim glass plate. If a clear glass plate is used, light from the light source 2 is spread e.g. using the focus collimator 7 or a spreading lens.
• the dim glass plate or the collimator helps spreading or diffuse the light so that light source 2 is "hidden" to the camera. Another way in "hiding" the light source, is to use an objective having so narrow focus that the crab itself covers the lightsource.
• the plate 6 is a type of glass which does not loose much transparency in the wave ⁇ length area in question. At suitable time intervals, the plate should be washed with water, and this water should be swept away. In the vicinity of the object 1, one or more gray references 8 may be placed, such as a gray filter which is trans- illuminated.
• the transparent plate can be exchanged by a grid made from a non-refracting and non-reflecting material.
• This grid can be a conveyor, so that mechanisms for transporting the crab to and from the glass plate can be avoided. Measurements are conducted after the crab has been drugged, so that it would lies calmly on the glass plate 6. This can be done by cooling, e.g. using carbon ice.
• the light from the light source 2 is switched on, and a candle image is registered by the camera 3.
• the filter 5 can be exchanged and a new measurement performed. One or more measurements can be performed. When a plurality of measurements are done, the measurements are taken in different wavelength ranges.
• the first measurement may e.g.
• Fig. la the crab lies with its upper side up (directed to the camera).
• Fig. lb shows a variant of the measuring arrangement. As an alternative to drugging the crab, it can be put on its back during measurement.
• Fig. 3 illustrates a possible way of arranging the light source.
• the light source 2 itself is situated within a container 21.
• the light emits through an aperture 22, having a size which can be selected for the size of the object being measured, so that no aperture is visible from the camera.
• the plane 23 in which the aperture is situated is extended in area so that it covers the whole visible area of the camera.
• the plane is arranged with a light trap 24 so that a dark background is provided.
• a collimator 7 or a spreading lens can be situated in the aperture opening.
• Fig. 4 shows a possible way to arrange the camera.
• the camera 3 is situated within a container 31 which is arranged so that light which enters cannot exit. In this way undesired, reflected light on the upper side of the crab is avoided.
• the container is black inside. It has a flange 32 with a light trap 34. Also in the bottom, a light trap 33 is situated.
• the transparent glass plate will lie directly on the flange 32. The light trap 34 is then not necessary. However, if the measurement arrangement in Fig. la is used, the light trap 34 will hinder reflection or spread of light on the upper side of the crab.
• the method of measurment is that images are taken of the object 1.
• the following quality determination is conducted in the computer 4 using n mearsuring values which among other things will show sex, size, transmission in different areas and form and shape of these areas.
• the measured values are compared to previously stored comparision values in a computer. In this way, type and distribution of tissue in the object is determined.
• the stored calibrated datas is provided by expert evaluation of a sufficiently great number of samples of crabs. The evaluation is done by opening the crabs after they have first been photographed and boiled.
• Fig. 2 there is shown a drawing of a crab where interesting measuring regions are marked. The crab meat is most evident in regions 11. When the meat extends all the way out to the edges 17 of the shell, this is a sign that the crab is of good quality. In cases where this is a particularily high degree of filling, the breathing spaces 13 can also be partly filled. When the so called stomach 14 is of large size, which is not eatable, this is a sign of a low degree of filling.
• the mid region of the crab contains the so called cage 15.
• the roe of the female crab is situated around the cage and in the regions 11.
• the sex of the crab is determined in the area 16.
• the brown meat 12 also called the liver, is well visible and is measured for size and density. The lighter the brown meat is, the higher the quality. For female crabs areas 15 and 11 are measured for roe. Measurements should further be conducted in the edge area of the meat 17, and in the breathing spaces 13. If the brown meat 12 is chipped, this is a sign of the crab being poorly filled. Both the brown meat 12 and eggs in female crabs in the areas 15 org 11 have a greater absorption than the rest of the tissue.
• an analysis can be conducted to determine the "filling grade" (content of food) of a crab. Determining the sex is done on the basis of the shape of the crab shell. The final quality determination is done by comparing the distribution of light absorbing tissue with distribution in the preclassified calibrated samples.
• the crab is classified in a predetermined number of quality classes which are determined through the preclassifying calibrating samples.
• an output of the computer may give a signal which indicates the determined class. This signal can be used for controlling an automat for transporting the crab from the glass plate to a collection site for this quality.
• the method may also be used in connection with different measurements of the food content of crabs. In principle, it can be used in all materials where an invasive examination or analysis is not possible. What is specially discovered by using this method, is water against other materials, mainly organic tissue. But other kinds of substances having different absorption abilities can also be stated. It is necessary that the object has a certain transparency for visible and infrared light.

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• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Food Science & Technology (AREA)
• Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
• Zoology (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
• Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
• Biochemistry (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Immunology (AREA)
• Pathology (AREA)
• Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)

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• 1992
  • 1992-08-07 NO NO923094A patent/NO923094L/no unknown
• 1993
  • 1993-08-04 EP EP93918091A patent/EP0654143A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 1993-08-04 WO PCT/NO1993/000122 patent/WO1994003793A1/en not_active Ceased

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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