JP5967766B2 - Egg testing equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an egg inspection apparatus that inspects various states of eggs, and more particularly to an egg inspection apparatus that inspects various states of eggs based on temperature data obtained by a temperature sensor such as a thermopile.

  Bird eggs (hereinafter simply referred to as “eggs”) are roughly classified into edible eggs for eating, seed eggs used for the production of chicks, and vaccine eggs used for the production of vaccines by the egg culture method. In facilities that produce these eggs and facilities that use these eggs, various tests are usually performed on the eggs.

  For example, in edible eggs, dirt adhering to the eggshell surface is a serious problem, and therefore, a dirty egg inspection is performed. As an apparatus for performing an egg test, for example, an egg test apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is known. This egg inspection apparatus acquires a color image of the eggshell surface of an egg by an imaging means such as a CCD camera, and the eggshell based on the luminance value or saturation value distribution state of each pixel obtained from the acquired color image It is determined whether or not dirt is attached to the surface. Although detailed explanation is omitted, according to this slaughter egg inspection apparatus, even if the egg is a white ball, a red ball, or a pink ball, various stains (eg egg yolk stain, feces stain, The presence or absence of urine stains, blood stains, etc. can be determined.

  In addition, in the case of a seed egg, an inspection of the air chamber position is performed before entering the incubator, that is, before entering the egg. As shown in FIG. 1, an egg 1 (not limited to a seed egg) is separated from the main portion by a hard eggshell 2, a soft eggshell membrane 3 wrapping the main portions such as egg yolk and egg white before hatching, and the eggshell membrane 3. Air chamber 4 formed. As shown in FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B), the air chamber 4 is often in the vicinity of the end (blunt end) 6 of the egg 1 on the bluntly curved side. For this reason, the egg 1 used as a seed egg is stored with the blunt end 6 facing upward so that gas exchange with the outside world performed through the air chamber 4 during the hatching process is not hindered. However, as shown in FIG. 1C, there is an egg having an air chamber 4 in the vicinity of the sharply curved end (sharp end) 5 or an egg that is difficult to distinguish between the sharp end 5 and the blunt end 6. Rarely exists. For this reason, if it relies only on the method of making the blunt end 6 face up, the above-mentioned gas exchange will not fully be performed and the inverted egg which became the air chamber will not hatch. For this reason, it is necessary to inspect which side of the air chamber 4 is located at the end of the egg without depending on the outer shape of the egg 1.

  In the case of a vaccine egg, it is necessary to prevent the embryo from being damaged when injecting the virus into the urine sap wrapped in the eggshell membrane 3, so that the position of the air chamber 4 is set in more detail than in the case of a seed egg. Need to be identified. That is, in the vaccine egg, it is necessary to specify whether the air chamber 4 is in an ideal position (see FIG. 1 (A)) or shifted (see FIG. 1 (B)). Hereinafter, the state illustrated in FIG. 1B is referred to as a “moving air chamber”.

  As an apparatus for inspecting an air chamber position, for example, an air chamber position inspection apparatus described in Patent Document 2 is known. As shown in FIG. 22, this air chamber position inspection device 100 includes a light source 101 that irradiates light toward the egg 1 and a photoelectric conversion unit 102 that detects the intensity of reflected light from the inside of the egg 1. Yes. When the end of the air chamber 4 is inspected, the photoelectric conversion unit 102 detects relatively strong reflected light from the eggshell membrane 3. On the other hand, when the end of the side without the air chamber 4 is inspected, weak reflected light is detected. The air chamber position inspection device 100 specifies the position of the air chamber 4 based on the difference in the intensity of the reflected light.

  As an apparatus for inspecting the air chamber position, an air chamber position inspecting apparatus described in Patent Document 3 is also conventionally known. According to this air chamber position inspection device, the position of the air chamber can be specified in detail by analyzing the egg thermal image acquired by the thermal camera.

Japanese Patent No. 4733420 JP 2011-215051 Special table 2010-522539 gazette

  However, the inspection apparatuses described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 have the following problems.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 21, the slaughter egg test is generally performed on edible eggs that have undergone an egg washing process using water or hot water and a drying process for removing moisture from the eggshell surface. In some cases, the slaughter egg inspection apparatus described in Document 1 erroneously determines edible eggs that have not been sufficiently dried (eg, eggs whose surface is partially wet) as dirty eggs. If a misjudgment occurs, an egg to be shipped as a product is traded at a low price as a nonstandard egg. In order to eliminate this waste, an inspection apparatus capable of accurately determining whether or not the eggshell surface is wet is required.

  22 is detected by the photoelectric conversion unit 102 based on structural factors such as the color of the eggshell 2 (white balls / red balls / pink balls) and the thickness of the eggshell membrane 3. Since the intensity of the reflected light to be changed fluctuates, the position of the air chamber 4 may not be identified stably and with high accuracy. In addition, the air chamber position inspection device described in Patent Document 3 is expensive, and the thermal image analysis process is very complicated. Furthermore, the air chamber position inspection device described in Patent Document 3 has a problem that it is not suitable for inspection of a large number of eggs because it takes time to analyze thermal images.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the problem is that the various states of the egg can be accurately and relatively inexpensively processed at high speed and in large quantities without being affected by the structural factors of the egg. It is in providing the egg test | inspection apparatus which can test | inspect.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an egg inspection apparatus according to the present invention includes a support unit that supports an egg and a predetermined region of the egg while moving relative to the egg supported by the support unit. A temperature measuring unit comprising at least one temperature sensor that measures temperature in a non-contact manner and outputs temperature data related to the temperature, and an egg based on the change caused by the relative movement of the temperature data output from the temperature measuring unit. And an inspection unit for inspecting the state of the above.

  The relative movement of the temperature measurement unit with respect to the egg is performed by, for example, conveying the egg supported by the support unit along a predetermined conveyance path and providing the temperature measurement unit fixedly along the conveyance path. Can be realized.

  The egg inspection apparatus according to the present invention further includes a clock unit that outputs a clock signal synchronized with the relative movement, and the inspection unit effectively uses the temperature data output from the temperature measurement unit based on the clock signal. It is preferable to divide the data into invalid data and to inspect the egg state based on the valid data.

  The egg inspection apparatus according to the present invention is configured such that an egg is subjected to an egg washing process and a drying process, and a plurality of rollers that convey the support while rotating the egg around the long axis are equally spaced along the conveyance path. The temperature measurement unit is configured with a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the egg bulb region, and the inspection unit includes (i) a relatively high temperature in the bulb region. It is determined that the egg is wet if it indicates that there is a low area, and (ii) if the temperature of the bulb zone area is uniform over the entire area, it is determined that the egg is dry If comprised, it will become an inspection device (1) which can judge whether an egg is wet.

  In the egg inspection apparatus according to the present invention, the egg is subjected to the egg washing process and the drying process, and the support unit is provided with a plurality of pick rollers that convey the egg while rotating the egg around the long axis along the conveyance path. The first temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the first ball zone region of the egg that contacts the spell roller and the second ball zone region of the egg that does not touch the spell roller The temperature data of (1) the first ball zone region is lower than the temperature of the second ball zone region. In the case, it is determined that the egg is wet. (Ii) If there is no substantial difference between the temperature of the first bulb region and the temperature of the second bulb region, it is determined that the egg is dry. However, it becomes an inspection apparatus (2) which can determine whether an egg is wet.

  The egg inspection apparatus according to the present invention further includes a heating unit provided on the upstream side of the temperature measurement unit along the conveyance path for heating the egg being conveyed, and the support unit is provided with a directionally aligned egg. A carrier that transports eggs by traveling along the transport path while being placed, and the temperature measuring unit is a band-shaped region that is parallel to the transport path among the end regions including the ends of the eggs heated by the heating unit. It is composed of at least one temperature sensor for measuring temperature, and further, the inspection section has an end portion when the temperature data indicates that (i) a relatively high temperature area exists in the band-shaped area (Ii) If the temperature of the belt-like region indicates that it is uniform over the entire region, it is determined that there is no air chamber at the end. The presence or absence of an air chamber Inspection apparatus becomes (3) that you can.

  The said inspection apparatus (3) may be provided with the cooling part for cooling the egg in conveyance instead of a heating part. In this case, if the temperature data indicates that (i) a region having a relatively low temperature exists in the belt-like region, the inspection unit determines that an air chamber exists at the end. (Ii) If the temperature of the belt-shaped region indicates that the temperature is uniform over the entire region, the presence or absence of the air chamber can be determined by determining that there is no air chamber at the end. It becomes possible inspection device (4).

  In the inspection devices (3) and (4), the number of temperature sensors included in the temperature measurement unit can be two or more.

  In the inspection devices (3) and (4), it is preferable that the end region to be measured is a region including an end portion that is determined to have no air chamber in the previous step.

  The egg inspection apparatus according to the present invention further includes a heating unit provided on the upstream side of the temperature measurement unit along the conveyance path for heating the egg being conveyed, and the support unit is provided with a directionally aligned egg. A carrier that transports eggs by traveling along the transport path while being placed, and the temperature measuring unit is adjacent to each other parallel to the transport path among the end regions including the end of the egg heated by the heating unit It is composed of a plurality of temperature sensors that respectively measure the temperatures of the plurality of band-like regions, and the inspection unit is configured to relatively detect the temperature included in the plurality of band-like regions based on the temperature data output from each of the plurality of temperature sensors. If the position of the high area is obtained and the position of the air chamber of the egg is specified based on the obtained position, the inspection apparatus (5) can be specified with high accuracy.

  The said inspection apparatus (5) may be provided with the cooling part for cooling the egg in conveyance instead of a heating part. In this case, the inspection unit obtains the position of a relatively low temperature area included in the plurality of band-like areas based on the temperature data output from each of the plurality of temperature sensors, and based on the obtained position, If it is configured to specify the position of the air chamber, the inspection device (6) can accurately specify the position of the air chamber.

  In the inspection apparatuses (5) and (6), the end region to be measured may be a region including an end portion that is determined to have no air chamber in the previous step.

  The egg inspection apparatus according to the present invention further includes a heating unit provided on the upstream side of the temperature measurement unit along the conveyance path for heating the egg being conveyed, and the support unit is provided with a directionally aligned egg. A tray that transports eggs by running along the transport path while being placed, and the temperature measuring unit is a belt-shaped region parallel to the transport path among blunt end regions including the blunt end of the egg heated by the heating unit. It is composed of at least one temperature sensor for measuring temperature, and the inspection section is further blunt when the temperature data indicates that (i) a relatively high temperature region exists in the belt-like region. If it is determined that the air chamber is present, and (ii) it is determined that the air chamber does not exist at the blunt end when the temperature of the belt-like region is uniform over the entire region, Inspection that can determine the presence or absence of air chambers To become location (7).

  The said inspection apparatus (7) may be provided with the cooling part for cooling the egg in conveyance instead of a heating part. In this case, the inspection unit determines that the air chamber exists at the blunt end when the temperature data indicates that (i) a region having a relatively low temperature exists in the belt-like region, (Ii) An inspection that can determine the presence or absence of an air chamber if it is configured to determine that no air chamber exists at the blunt end when the temperature of the belt-like region is uniform over the entire region Device (8).

  In the inspection devices (7) and (8), the number of temperature sensors included in the temperature measurement unit can be two or more.

  The egg inspection apparatus according to the present invention further includes a heating unit provided on the upstream side of the temperature measurement unit along the conveyance path for heating the egg being conveyed, and the support unit is provided with a directionally aligned egg. A tray that transports eggs by traveling along the transport path while being placed, and the temperature measuring unit is adjacent to each other parallel to the transport path among the blunt end regions including the blunt end of the egg heated by the heating unit It is composed of a plurality of temperature sensors that respectively measure the temperatures of the plurality of band-like regions, and the inspection unit is configured to relatively detect the temperature included in the plurality of band-like regions based on the temperature data output from each of the plurality of temperature sensors. If the position of the high area is obtained and the position of the air chamber of the egg is specified based on the obtained position, the inspection device (9) can be specified with high accuracy.

  The said inspection apparatus (9) may be provided with the cooling part for cooling the egg in conveyance instead of a heating part. In this case, the inspection unit obtains the position of a relatively low temperature area included in the plurality of band-like areas based on the temperature data output from each of the plurality of temperature sensors, and based on the obtained position, If it comprises so that the position of an air chamber may be specified, it will become an inspection device (10) which can specify the position of an air chamber with sufficient accuracy.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the egg test | inspection apparatus which can test | inspect the various states of an egg at high speed and in large quantities accurately and comparatively cheaply without being influenced by the structural factor of an egg can be provided.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of an egg, (A) is an egg which has an air chamber in a blunt end, (B) is an egg which has an air chamber in the position shifted from the blunt end, (C) is an air chamber in a sharp end. There is an egg. It is a side surface schematic diagram which shows the egg inspection apparatus which concerns on 1st Example. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the temperature sensor used with the egg test | inspection apparatus which concerns on 1st Example, and the bulb | ball zone area | region where temperature is measured by the said temperature sensor. It is a side surface schematic diagram which shows another state of the egg test | inspection apparatus shown in FIG. It is a wave form diagram of the 1st clock signal and the 2nd clock signal which are generated with the egg inspection device concerning the 1st example. It is a wave form diagram which shows an example of the temperature data produced | generated with the egg inspection apparatus which concerns on 1st Example, Comprising: (A) is a wave form diagram when an egg is not wet, (B) is a case where an egg is wet It is a waveform diagram. It is a side surface schematic diagram which shows the egg inspection apparatus which concerns on 2nd Example. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the several temperature sensor used with the egg test | inspection apparatus which concerns on 2nd Example, and the several ball zone area | region where temperature is measured by the said temperature sensor. It is a wave form diagram which shows an example of the temperature data produced | generated with the egg inspection apparatus which concerns on 2nd Example, Comprising: (A) is a wave form diagram when an egg is not wet, (B) is a case where an egg is wet It is a waveform diagram. It is a plane schematic diagram which shows the egg inspection apparatus which concerns on 3rd Example. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the temperature sensor used with the egg inspection apparatus which concerns on 3rd Example, and the strip | belt-shaped area | region where temperature is measured by the said temperature sensor. It is a wave form diagram which shows an example of the temperature data produced | generated with the egg inspection apparatus which concerns on 3rd Example, Comprising: (A) is a wave form diagram at the time of test | inspecting using a heating part, (B) is a cooling part. It is a wave form diagram at the time of test | inspecting using. It is a plane schematic diagram which shows the egg inspection apparatus which concerns on 4th Example. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the several temperature sensor used with the egg test | inspection apparatus which concerns on 4th Example, and the several strip | belt-shaped area | region where temperature is measured by the said temperature sensor. (A) is a side view of an egg, (B) is a plan view of the egg of (A) seen from the blunt end side, and (C) is an inspection of the egg of (A) with the egg inspection apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. It is a wave form diagram which shows an example of the temperature data produced | generated in a case. (A) is a side view of an egg, (B) is a plan view of the egg of (A) seen from the blunt end side, and (C) is an inspection of the egg of (A) with the egg inspection apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. It is a wave form diagram which shows an example of the temperature data produced | generated in a case. (A) is a side view of an egg, (B) is a plan view of the egg of (A) seen from the blunt end side, and (C) is an inspection of the egg of (A) with the egg inspection apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. It is a wave form diagram which shows an example of the temperature data produced | generated in a case. It is a plane schematic diagram which shows the egg inspection apparatus which concerns on 5th Example. It is a perspective view of the tray with which the egg inspection apparatus which concerns on 5th Example was equipped. It is a plane schematic diagram which shows the egg inspection apparatus which concerns on 6th Example. It is a flowchart which shows the process until the shipment of egg-feeding. It is a schematic diagram which shows the conventional air chamber inspection apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an egg inspection apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment] Inspection apparatus 1 for inspecting wetting of eggs (mainly edible eggs)
FIG. 2 shows an egg inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment. The egg inspection apparatus 10A is an apparatus that inspects whether or not the eggshell surface of the egg 1 that has undergone the egg washing process and the drying process is wet, and is mainly arranged at equal intervals along the conveying path of the egg 1. The temperature measurement unit 20A that measures the temperature of the eggshell surface of the egg 1 being conveyed by the roller 11 in a non-contact manner and outputs temperature data relating to the measured temperature, and outputs from the temperature measurement unit 20A And an inspection unit 21A that determines whether or not the eggshell surface of the egg 1 is wet based on the temperature data. The plurality of rollers 11 function as a support portion that supports the egg 1.

  The central axis of the roller 11 is connected to a conveyor belt 12 (for example, a chain). The conveyor belt 12 is hung on a motor 13 that continues to rotate clockwise at a predetermined speed. When the motor 13 rotates, all the rollers 11 advance in the transport direction while rotating clockwise. Thereby, the egg 1 clamped by the two adjacent rollers 11 moves in the conveyance direction together with the rollers 11 while rotating around the major axis. In this embodiment, the egg 1 rotates 120 ° counterclockwise each time the distance of one roller is moved. Further, each time the motor 13 rotates 1/5, the egg 1 moves a distance corresponding to one roller. Therefore, in this embodiment, each time the motor 13 rotates once, the egg 1 rotates counterclockwise by 600 ° and moves a distance corresponding to five rollers.

  The temperature measurement unit 20A includes three temperature sensors 20a, 20b, and 20c arranged at the same interval as the roller 11. The temperature sensor 20a has a measurement surface directed directly below, measures the temperature of a predetermined region of the egg 1 supported and transported by the roller 11, and an analog voltage signal (temperature) proportional to the measured temperature. Data Ta) is output. Similarly, the temperature sensors 20b and 20c also output temperature data Tb and Tc proportional to the temperature of the egg 1 passing just below.

  In this embodiment, as the temperature sensors 20a, 20b, and 20c, non-contact temperature sensors using a thermopile that have a relatively short response time of 10 [ms] or less are used. According to such a non-contact temperature sensor, even when the conveyance speed (rotation speed) of the egg 1 is high, the temperature of the eggshell surface of the egg 1 that changes with the conveyance (rotation) can be accurately measured. . Moreover, this non-contact temperature sensor can change a visual field diameter arbitrarily by adjusting the distance with a measuring object.

  As the plurality of rollers 11 move in the transport direction, the temperature measuring unit 20A moves relative to the plurality of rollers 11 in the transport direction. Therefore, the temperature measuring unit 20A moves relatively in the transport direction even with respect to the egg 1 that is supported and transported by the plurality of rollers 11. In addition, the eggs 1 rotate counterclockwise when the plurality of rollers 11 rotate clockwise during conveyance. Accordingly, the temperature measuring unit 20A moves relative to the egg 1 also in the rotation direction.

  In this embodiment, a thermo camera that can obtain a thermal image of the entire egg 1 is not used as the temperature sensors 20a, 20b, and 20c. As described above, the thermo camera is expensive and the analysis process of the thermal image is very complicated. In this regard, a non-contact temperature sensor using a thermopile has the advantage of being inexpensive and easy and high-speed to process temperature data at the subsequent stage.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the temperature sensors 20a, 20b, and 20c measure the temperature of the bulb zone 7 in the eggshell surface of the egg 1 that rotates about the long axis X. However, the temperature of one round of the ball zone region 7 is not measured by one temperature sensor (for example, the temperature sensor 20a), but as shown in FIG. 3B, the ball zone region 7a is measured by the temperature sensor 20a. Is measured from the point a to the point b, the temperature sensor 20b measures the temperature of the bulb region 7b from the point b to the point c, and the temperature sensor 20c determines the temperature of the bulb region 7c. By measuring from the point c toward the point a, the temperature for one round of the ball zone 7 is measured. That is, by connecting the temperature data Ta, Tb, and Tc output from the three temperature sensors 20a, 20b, and 20c, the temperature data T for one round of the ball zone region 7 is obtained. That is, the temperature data T changes like the temperature data Ta, Tb, and Tc due to the relative movement of the temperature measuring unit 20 with respect to the egg 1 in the transport direction and the rotation direction.

  As a matter of course, if the rotation angle of the egg 1 per roller is different, the number of temperature sensors required to measure the temperature of one round of the ball zone 7 changes. For example, when the rotation angle of the egg 1 per roller is 90 °, four temperature sensors are required. On the other hand, when the rotation angle of the egg 1 per roller is 180 °, two temperature sensors are sufficient. In addition, the temperature of the ball zone region 7 exceeding one round may be measured, or the temperature of the ball zone region 7 less than one round may be measured.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the egg inspection apparatus 10 </ b> A according to the present embodiment further includes a clock unit 22, a proximity sensor 23, and a gear 14 attached to the rotation shaft of the motor 13. The gear 14 has five teeth provided at equiangular intervals. For ease of explanation, as shown in the figure, when the temperature sensors 20a, 20b, 20c are just above the roller 11, one of the five teeth is closest to the proximity sensor 23. Assume that the position has been adjusted. When the motor 13 and the gear 14 are rotated 1/10 clockwise from this state, as shown in FIG. 4, the egg 1 and the roller 11 move in the transport direction by a distance corresponding to a half roller.

  The proximity sensor 23 detects whether the teeth of the gear 14 have approached and outputs a signal corresponding to the detection result to the clock unit 22.

  Based on the signal output from the proximity sensor 23, the clock unit 22 generates the first clock signal CL1 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the first clock signal CL <b> 1 includes a pulse output when any tooth approaches the proximity sensor 23. In other words, every time the egg 1 moves the distance of one roller, one pulse is output.

  The clock unit 22 further generates a second clock signal CL2 based on a signal output from an encoder (not shown) provided in the vicinity of the motor 13. The second clock signal CL2 includes 200 pulses output while the motor 13 (gear 14) rotates 1/5.

  The inspection unit 21A can specify the position of the roller 11 (egg 1) by referring to the first clock signal CL1 and the second clock signal CL2 generated by the clock unit 22. Specifically, the inspection unit 21A can specify that the temperature sensors 20a, 20b, and 20c are directly above the roller 11 by changing the first clock signal CL1 from the L level to the H level (see FIG. 2). Further, the inspection unit 21A observes 100 pulses of the second clock signal CL2 after the first clock signal CL1 changes to the H level, so that the inspection unit 21A directly above the egg 1 sandwiched between the adjacent rollers 11 It can be specified that there are temperature sensors 20a, 20b, 20c (see FIG. 4).

  The inspection unit 21A extracts and connects only the portions related to one egg 1 to be determined whether or not it is wet from the temperature data Ta, Tb, Tc output from the three temperature sensors 20a, 20b, 20c. By combining them, the temperature data T of the egg 1 is generated.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the temperature data T. As shown in the figure, the temperature data T greatly fluctuates before and after the first clock signal CL1 becomes H level (a hatched region), but this is affected by the temperature of the roller 11. It is. If it is determined whether or not it is wet based on the data that is strongly influenced by the temperature of the roller 11, there is a risk of erroneous determination. For this reason, the inspection unit 21A uses the temperature data T as valid data derived from the egg 1 (data which is hardly affected by the temperature of the roller 11) and invalid data derived from the egg 1 (effect of the temperature of the roller 11). It is preferable to make a determination based on only valid data. This also has the advantage that the total amount of data to be processed is reduced and the processing load is reduced.

  The inspection unit 21A refers to the first clock signal CL1 and the second clock signal CL2 when dividing the temperature data T into valid data and invalid data. For example, the inspection unit 21A includes the first 20 pulses and the last 20 pulses out of 200 pulses of the second clock signal CL2 output while the motor 13 is rotated 1/5 (eg, egg 1/3). The temperature data T while the pulse is output is invalid data, and the remaining temperature data T is valid data. The “20 pulses” is merely an example, and can be changed as appropriate.

  If the valid data in the temperature data T indicates (i) that there is a relatively low temperature region in the measured ball zone region 7, the inspection unit 21A When it is determined that the eggshell surface is wet and (ii) the temperature of the measured ball zone region 7 is uniform over the entire region, it is determined that the eggshell surface of the egg 1 is dry. .

  The temperature data T in FIG. 6A indicates that the temperature of the ball zone region 7 is t1 [° C.] over the entire region. When such temperature data T is obtained, the inspection unit 21A determines that the eggshell surface of the egg 1 is dry. On the other hand, the temperature data T of FIG. 6B shows that the temperature t2 [° C.] of the spherical zone 7b measured by the temperature sensor 20b is the temperature t1 [7a, 7c] of the other zone (7a, 7c). [° C.]. When such temperature data T is obtained, the inspection unit 21A determines that the eggshell surface of the egg 1 is wet.

  That is, 21 A of test | inspection parts test | inspect the state (presence / absence of wetness) of the eggshell based on the change of the temperature data T which arises by the relative movement of the temperature measurement part 20 with respect to the egg 1. FIG.

  The reason why the temperature of the eggshell surface of the wet egg 1 is lower than the temperature of the eggshell surface of the egg 1 that is not wet is that the heat of vaporization is taken away with the evaporation of moisture. When the temperature difference between the wet and non-wet cases is small, the temperature may be measured while blowing air. By doing so, evaporation of moisture is promoted, and the temperature difference becomes remarkable.

  Thus, according to the egg test | inspection apparatus 10A which concerns on a present Example, it can test | inspect whether the eggshell surface of the said egg 1 is wet based on the change of the temperature of the ball zone area | region 7 of the egg 1. FIG.

[Second Embodiment] Inspection apparatus 2 for inspecting the wetting of eggs (mainly edible eggs)
FIG. 7 shows an egg inspection apparatus according to the second embodiment. Similar to the egg inspection apparatus 10A according to the first embodiment, the egg inspection apparatus 10B is an apparatus that inspects whether the eggshell surface of the egg 1 that has undergone the egg washing process and the drying process is wet. The egg inspection apparatus 10B is different from the egg inspection apparatus 10A in that it includes a temperature measurement unit 20B including nine temperature sensors, an inspection unit 21B, and the roller 11 has a continuous shape. However, the other points are the same as the egg inspection apparatus 10A.

  The temperature measurement unit 20B includes three temperature sensors 20a1 to 20a1 to 3, temperature sensors 20b1 to 20c1, and temperature sensors 20c1 to 20c1 to 3. The temperature sensors 20 a 1 to 20, 20 b 1 to 3, and 20 c 1 to 3 are arranged at the same interval as the roller 11. All of the temperature sensors 20a1 to 20a1-3 are oriented directly below, measure the temperature of a predetermined area of the egg 1 supported and transported by the roller 11, and analog proportional to the measured temperature. A voltage signal (temperature data Ta1-3) is output. Similarly, the temperature sensors 20b1 to 20c1 to 20c1 to 3 output temperature data Tb1 to Tc1 to Tc1 to 3 proportional to the temperature of the egg 1 that passes directly below.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the egg inspection apparatus 10 </ b> B according to the present embodiment conveys the egg 1 by a zipped roller 11. When the wet egg 1 is conveyed by the spell-shaped roller 11, there is a significant difference in the dryness between the portion that contacts the roller 11 and the portion that does not. Specifically, the ball zone regions 71 and 73 that contact the roller 11 dry slowly and remain wet, while the ball zone region 72 that does not contact the roller 11 dries relatively quickly. The egg test | inspection apparatus 10B which concerns on a present Example determines whether the eggshell surface of the egg 1 is wet using this difference.

  Among the nine temperature sensors 20a1 to 20b1 to 20c1 to 3, the temperature sensors 20a1, b1 and c1 are all provided immediately above the ball zone 71, and the temperature sensors 20a2, b2 and c2 are all spheres. The temperature sensors 20 a 3, b 3, and c 3 are all provided just above the belt zone 73. The three temperature sensors 20a1 to 20a1-3 are arranged in a line along the rotation axis of the roller 11 (the long axis X of the egg 1). Similarly, the temperature sensors 20b1 to 20c1 and 20c1 to 3 are also arranged in a line along the rotation axis of the roller 11 (the long axis X of the egg 1).

  The temperature sensors 20a1, 20b1, and 20c1 measure the temperature of the ball zone region 71 in the eggshell surface of the egg 1 that rotates about the major axis X. However, temperature data for one round of the ball zone 71 is not obtained by one temperature sensor (for example, the temperature sensor 20a1), but is output from three temperature sensors 20a1, 20b1, and 20c1 as in the first embodiment. By connecting the temperature data Ta1, Tb1, and Tc1, the temperature data T1 for one round of the ball zone 71 is obtained. The same applies to the temperature data T2 for one turn of the ball zone region 72 and the temperature data T3 for one turn of the ball zone region 73.

  As in the first embodiment, the inspection unit 21B refers to the first clock signal CL1 and the second clock signal CL2, and divides the temperature data T1, T2, T3 into valid data and invalid data, and only valid data. Based on the above, it is determined whether or not the eggshell surface of the egg 1 is wet. Specifically, the inspection unit 21B indicates that valid data among the temperature data T1, T2, and T3 is that (i) the temperature of the ball zone region 71 and the ball zone region 73 is lower than the temperature of the ball zone region 72. Is determined that the eggshell surface of the egg 1 is wet, and (ii) when there is no substantial difference between the temperature of the ball zone region 71 and the ball zone region 73 and the temperature of the ball zone region 72 Determines that the eggshell surface of egg 1 is dry.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of the temperature data T1, T2, and T3. The temperature data T1, T2, and T3 in FIG. 9A indicate that the temperatures of the ball zones 71, 72, and 73 are t1 [° C.]. When such temperature data T1, T2, and T3 are obtained, the inspection unit 21B determines that the eggshell surface of the egg 1 is dry. On the other hand, the temperature data T1, T2, and T3 in FIG. 9B indicate that the temperature t2 [° C.] of the ball zone regions 71 and 73 is lower than the temperature t1 [° C.] of the ball zone region 72. When such temperature data T1, T2, and T3 are obtained, the inspection unit 21B determines that the eggshell surface of the egg 1 is wet.

  Thus, according to the egg test | inspection apparatus 10B which concerns on a present Example, the temperature of the ball zone area | regions 71 and 73 of the egg 1 with high possibility of getting wet, and the ball zone area | region of the egg 1 with high possibility of not getting wet Based on the difference from the temperature of 72, it is possible to inspect whether or not the eggshell surface of the egg 1 is wet.

  In this embodiment, the temperatures of the three ball zones 71, 72, and 73 are measured. However, the temperature measurement of any one of the ball zones 71 and 73 can be omitted. That is, if the temperature of at least one bulb zone region that is highly likely to be wet and the temperature of at least one bulb zone region that is not likely to be wet can be measured, the eggshell surface of egg 1 is wet. Whether it is present or not.

[Third embodiment] Inspection apparatus for inspecting the direction of eggs (mainly seed eggs) FIG. 10 shows an egg inspection apparatus according to a third embodiment. The egg inspection apparatus 10C is an apparatus that inspects whether or not the orientation of the egg 1 (including 1x, 1y, and 1z) is correct. The egg inspection apparatus 10C mainly includes a plurality of carriers 15 that travel along the conveyance path of the egg 1 and The temperature measurement unit 20C that measures the temperature of the eggshell surface of the egg 1 being conveyed by the carrier 15 in a non-contact manner and outputs temperature data relating to the measured temperature, and along the conveyance path on the upstream side of the temperature measurement unit 20C And an inspection unit 21C that determines whether or not the air chamber 4 is present at the end on the measurement side based on the temperature data output from the temperature measurement unit 20C. I have. The plurality of carriers 15 function as support portions that support the egg 1.

  Although not shown in FIG. 10, the egg inspection apparatus 10 </ b> C also includes a conveyor belt 12 and a motor 13 for running the carrier 15, a gear 14 and a proximity sensor 23 for generating the first clock signal CL <b> 1. (See FIG. 2 etc.). However, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the egg 1 (for example, 1y) moves to the position of the next egg 1 (1x) while the motor 13 rotates 1/5.

  That is, the egg 1 is supported by the carrier 15 and conveyed. Further, when the carrier 15 travels, the temperature measuring unit 20 </ b> C moves relative to the carrier 15 in the transport direction. Accordingly, the temperature measuring unit 20C moves relatively in the transport direction with respect to the egg 1 supported and transported by the carrier 15.

  In the egg 1, the end portion determined to have no air chamber 4 by the direction alignment performed in the previous step, that is, the sharp end 5 is directed toward the heating unit 16 and the temperature measurement unit 20 </ b> C. However, as described above, the air chamber 4 may be on the sharp end 5 side, and the direction alignment may further fail. The egg inspection apparatus 10C according to the present embodiment measures the temperature of the end portion (sharp end 5) determined that there is no air chamber 4 by the temperature measurement unit 20C, and whether or not the air chamber 4 exists at the end portion. It is determined whether or not the orientation of the egg 1 is correct. In this embodiment, the egg 1x and the egg 1z have the air chamber 4 on the blunt end 6 side, while the egg 1y has the air chamber 4 on the sharp end 5 side. That is, the egg 1y has the air chamber 4 at the end (the sharp end 5) directed toward the heating unit 16 and the temperature measuring unit 20C.

  In addition, the above-mentioned pre-process includes the direction alignment operation of the egg 1 performed based on the shape of the egg 1 before the inspection by the egg inspection apparatus 10C.

  The heating unit 16 has the heating surface directed toward the egg 1 conveyed by the carrier 15 and heats the egg 1 passing through the front of the heating surface. As the heating unit 16, for example, a halogen heater can be used, but other arbitrary heating means can be used.

  The egg 1 is heated in a short time passing through the front of the heating unit 16, and the temperature rises. However, the temperature of all parts of the egg 1 does not rise uniformly, but the temperature of the part with a large heat capacity (main parts such as egg yolk and egg white) rises relatively slowly, whereas the part with a small heat capacity The temperature of (air chamber 4) rises relatively quickly. For this reason, in the egg 1 immediately after being heated by the heating unit 16, the temperature of the portion corresponding to the air chamber 4 is relatively higher than the temperature of the other portions.

  The temperature measuring unit 20 </ b> C includes a temperature sensor 20 d disposed in the vicinity of the heating unit 16. In the temperature sensor 20d, the measurement surface is directed toward the end of the egg 1 supported by the carrier 15 and conveyed. The temperature sensor 20d measures the temperature of a predetermined region of the egg 1 immediately after being heated by the heating unit 16, and outputs an analog voltage signal (temperature data Td) proportional to the measured temperature.

  FIG. 11 is a side view of a part of the egg inspection apparatus 10C as viewed from the side where the temperature sensor 20d is provided. As shown in the figure, the egg 1 is supported by a recess formed by two adjacent carriers 15 and is conveyed in the same posture. That is, in this embodiment, the egg 1 being transported does not rotate.

  When the egg 1 passes through the front surface of the temperature sensor 20d, the temperature of the belt-like region 8 parallel to the conveyance path is measured among the end region including the sharp end 5. The width of the band of the band-like region 8 can be changed as appropriate by adjusting the distance between the egg 1 and the temperature sensor 20d.

  As in the first and second embodiments, the inspection unit 21C refers to the first clock signal CL1 and the second clock signal CL2 generated by the clock unit 22, and the temperature data Td output from the temperature sensor 20d. Is divided into valid data and invalid data, and it is determined whether or not the air chamber 4 is present at the end (the sharp end 5) where the measurement is performed based only on the valid data. Specifically, the inspection unit 21 </ b> C performs measurement when valid data of the temperature data Td indicates that (i) a region having a relatively high temperature exists in the band-shaped region 8. If it is determined that the air chamber 4 is present at the end (sharp end 5) and (ii) the temperature of the band-like region 8 is uniform over the entire region, the end (sharp end) where the measurement was performed It is determined that there is no air chamber 4 in 5).

  That is, the inspection unit 21C inspects the state of the egg 1 (presence / absence of the air chamber 4) based on the change in the temperature data Td caused by the relative movement of the temperature measurement unit 20C with respect to the egg 1 in the transport direction.

  FIG. 12A shows an example of the temperature data Td. Valid data of the temperature data Td is that the temperature of the band-like region 8 is uniform over the entire region of the egg 1x transported first and the egg 1z transported third (t3 [° C.]). It is shown that. In addition, valid data of the temperature data Td indicates that the egg 1y that has been transported secondly has a region in the belt-like region 8 that has a temperature higher than t3 [° C.]. When such temperature data Td is obtained, the inspection unit 21C determines that the direction of the egg 1x and the egg 1z is correct, but the direction of the egg 1y is not correct. When the temperature difference due to the presence or absence of the air chamber 4 is too small, the difference can be emphasized by increasing the heating temperature, increasing the heating time, or reducing the distance between the heating unit 16 and the egg 1.

  The operator receives the determination result and reverses the direction of the egg 1y. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of an inverted egg is prevented.

  The egg inspection apparatus 10C according to the present embodiment preferably further includes a background plate 18 provided in front of the temperature sensor 20d. The background plate 18 is a plate maintained at a predetermined temperature (for example, 40 [° C.]) higher than the temperature of the egg 1. The background plate 18 is made of a material having a high emissivity such as a resin such as plastic. Use of the background plate 18 facilitates separation of valid data and invalid data.

  Moreover, the egg inspection apparatus 10 </ b> C according to the present embodiment may include a plurality of temperature sensors for measuring the temperature of the band-shaped region 8.

  Moreover, 10 C of egg test | inspection apparatuses which concern on a present Example may be provided with the cooling part 17 which replaces with the heating part 16 and blows cool air on the egg 1 in conveyance. In this case, the inspection unit 21 </ b> C determines whether or not the air chamber 4 is present at the measured end (sharp end 5) depending on whether or not a region having a relatively low temperature exists in the band-shaped region 8. To do.

  FIG. 12B shows an example of temperature data Td when the cooling unit 17 is used. Valid data of the temperature data Td is that the temperature of the band-like region 8 is uniform over the entire region of the egg 1x transported first and the egg 1z transported third (t3 [° C.]). It is shown that. In addition, the valid data of the temperature data Td indicates that the egg 1y that has been transported secondly has a region having a temperature lower than t3 [° C.] in the band-like region 8. When such temperature data Td is obtained, the inspection unit 21C determines that the direction of the egg 1x and the egg 1z is correct, but the direction of the egg 1y is not correct.

  Thus, according to the egg test | inspection apparatus 10C which concerns on a present Example, based on the change of the temperature of the strip | belt-shaped area | region 8 of the egg 1 immediately after being heated or cooled, the edge part (sharp edge 5) which performed the measurement ) To determine whether or not the air chamber 4 is present, and thereby it is possible to inspect whether or not the orientation of the egg 1 is correct.

  In addition, 10 C of egg test | inspection apparatuses which concern on a present Example are comprised so that the egg 1 in which the air chamber 4 exists in the edge part (sharp end 5) where the air chamber 4 should not exist may be found. Compared with the case where it is configured so as to find the egg 1 in which the air chamber 4 does not exist at the end portion (blunt end 6) where the air chamber 4 should exist, the erroneous determination is made. This is because the adverse effects of the can be reduced. If there is no fear of erroneous determination, the inspection may be performed by heating or cooling the blunt end 6 and measuring the temperature of the end region including the blunt end 6.

[Fourth Embodiment] Inspection apparatus for inspecting air chamber position on eggs (mainly eggs) FIG. 13 shows an egg inspection apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. The egg inspection apparatus 10D is an apparatus for inspecting the position of the air chamber 4 of the egg 1 in detail. The egg inspection apparatus 10D is different from the egg inspection apparatus 10C according to the third embodiment in that it includes a temperature measurement unit 20D including three temperature sensors and an inspection unit 21D. This is the same as the egg inspection apparatus 10C.

  In the egg 1, the end portion determined to have no air chamber 4 by the direction alignment work performed in the previous process, that is, the sharp end 5 is directed toward the heating unit 16 and the temperature measurement unit 20 </ b> D. The egg test apparatus 10D according to the present embodiment fails to align the direction by measuring the temperature of the end region including the end (sharp end 5) determined to have no air chamber 4 with the temperature measuring unit 20D. The position of the air chamber 4 of the egg 1 is specified in detail. In this embodiment, the egg 1x is an egg having the air chamber 4 at the center of the sharp end 5, the egg 1y is an egg having the air chamber 4 at a position shifted from the center of the sharp end 5, and the egg 1z is the blunt end 6. It is assumed that the egg has the air chamber 4 in an ideal position.

  The temperature measurement unit 20D includes three temperature sensors 20d1 to 20d1 disposed in the vicinity of the heating unit 16. Each of the temperature sensors 20d1 to 20d1 is directed toward the sharp end 5 of the egg 1 being transported with the measurement surface supported by the carrier 15. The temperature sensors 20d1 to 20d1 measure the temperature of a predetermined region of the egg 1 immediately after being heated by the heating unit 16 in a non-contact manner, and an analog voltage signal (temperature data Td1 to Td3) proportional to the measured temperature. Is output.

  FIG. 14 is a side view of a part of the egg inspection apparatus 10D as seen from the side where the temperature sensors 20d1 to 20d1 are provided. As shown in the figure, the egg 1 is supported by a recess formed by two adjacent carriers 15 and is conveyed in the same posture. The three temperature sensors 20d1 to 20d1 are arranged in a line in the vertical direction. When the interference between the temperature sensors 20d1 to 20d becomes a problem, the temperature sensors 20d1 to 20d1 may be arranged in an oblique direction.

  When the egg 1 passes through the front of the temperature sensors 20d1 to 20d1, the temperature of three adjacent strip-like regions 81, 82, 83 parallel to the transport path among the end regions including the sharp end 5 is measured. The More specifically, the temperature of the strip region 81 is measured by the temperature sensor 20d1, the temperature of the strip region 82 is measured by the temperature sensor 20d2, and the temperature of the strip region 83 is measured by the temperature sensor 20d3. The width of the band of the band-shaped regions 81, 82, 83 can be changed as appropriate by adjusting the distance between the egg 1 and the temperature sensors 20d1 to 20d1. In addition, the width | variety of the strip | belt-shaped area | regions 81, 82, and 83 may be the same, and may differ.

  As in the other embodiments, the inspection unit 21D refers to the first clock signal CL1 and the second clock signal CL2 generated by the clock unit 22, and uses the temperature data Td1 to Td1 output from the temperature sensors 20d1 to 20d3. It is divided into valid data and invalid data, and the position of the air chamber 4 is specified based on only valid data. Specifically, the inspection unit 21D obtains the position of the relatively high temperature area included in the band-like areas 81, 82, and 83 based on the temperature data Td1 to Td1 and determines the air chamber 4 based on the obtained position. Identify the location.

  FIG. 15C shows an example of temperature data Td1 to Td3 obtained when the egg 1x (see FIGS. 15A and 15B) in which the air chamber 4 is in the center of the sharp end 5 is measured. Effective data among the temperature data Td1 to Td1 indicates that the temperature of the central portion of the band-like regions 81, 82, and 83 is higher than the temperature (t3 [° C.]) of other regions. Further, valid data among the temperature data Td1 to Td1 is that the temperature of the central portion of the belt-like region 82 is higher than the temperature of the central portion of the other belt-like regions 81 and 83, and furthermore, the central portion of the belt-like regions 81 and 83. It is shown that the temperatures of are substantially equal. In this case, the inspection unit 21 </ b> D specifies that the air chamber 4 is in the center of the end region including the sharp end 5.

  FIG. 16C shows temperature data Td1 to Td3 obtained when the egg 1y (see FIGS. 16A and 10B) in which the air chamber 4 has moved rearward in the transport direction from the center of the sharp end 5 is measured. An example is shown. Valid data among the temperature data Td1 to Td3 indicates that the temperature of the portion of the belt-like regions 81, 82, 83 at the rear side in the transport direction is higher than the temperature of the other regions (t3 [° C.]). In this case, the inspection unit 21 </ b> D specifies that the air chamber 4 is located at the position where the sharp end 5 is shifted rearward in the transport direction.

  FIG. 17C shows an example of temperature data Td1 to Td3 obtained when the egg 1z (see FIGS. 17A and 17B) in which the air chamber 4 is in the ideal position of the blunt end 6 is measured. Show. Effective data among the temperature data Td1 to Td1 indicates that the temperature of the band-shaped regions 81, 82, and 83 is t3 [° C.] over the entire region. In this case, the inspection unit 21D specifies that there is no air chamber 4 on the sharp end 5 side, that is, that the air chamber 4 is on the blunt end 6 side.

  The egg inspection apparatus 10 </ b> D according to the present embodiment may include a cooling unit 17 that blows cold air on the egg 1 being conveyed instead of the heating unit 16. In this case, the inspection unit 21D specifies the position of the air chamber 4 based on the position of the relatively low temperature area included in the band-shaped areas 81, 82, and 83.

  Thus, according to the egg test | inspection apparatus 10D which concerns on a present Example, temperature is higher than another area | region based on the change of the temperature of the strip | belt-shaped area | region 81,82,83 of the egg 1 immediately after heating / cooling. / The position of the lowered area can be obtained, and the position of the air chamber 4 can be inspected based on the position of the area.

[Fifth Embodiment] Inspection Apparatus for Inspecting the Direction of Eggs (Mainly Vaccine Eggs) FIG. 18 shows an egg inspection apparatus according to the fifth embodiment. The egg inspection apparatus 10E is an apparatus that inspects whether or not the orientation of the egg 1 (including 1x, 1y, 1z, 1x ′, 1y ′, and 1z ′) is correct. The egg inspection apparatus 10E includes a tray 19 that travels along the transport path of the egg 1, and a temperature measuring unit 20E that measures the temperature of the egg 1 supported and transported by the tray 19 from above. The egg inspection apparatus 10C according to the third embodiment is different from the egg inspection apparatus 10C according to the third embodiment in that it is provided with an inspection unit 21E and the heating unit 16 heats the egg 1 from above. It is the same as the device 10C. The tray 19 functions as a support portion that supports the egg 1.

  Although not shown in FIG. 18, the egg inspection apparatus 10E also includes a conveyor belt 12 and a motor 13 for running the tray 19, a gear 14 and a proximity sensor 23 for generating the first clock signal CL1. (See FIG. 2 etc.). However, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the egg 1 (for example, 1x ′) moves to the position of the next egg 1 (1x) while the motor 13 rotates 1/5.

  That is, the egg 1 is supported by the tray 19 and conveyed. Further, as the tray 19 travels, the temperature measuring unit 20E moves relative to the tray 19 in the transport direction. Therefore, the temperature measuring unit 20E moves relative to the eggs 1 supported and transported by the tray 19 in the transport direction.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the tray 19 accommodates a plurality of eggs 1 and conveys them simultaneously. In this embodiment, 3 × 3 = 9 eggs 1 are simultaneously conveyed by the tray 19.

  In the egg 1, the end portion determined to have the air chamber 4 by the direction alignment performed in the previous process, that is, the blunt end 6 is directed toward the heating unit 16 and the temperature measurement unit 20 </ b> E. However, as described above, the air chamber 4 may be on the sharp end 5 side, and the direction alignment may further fail. The egg test apparatus 10E according to the present embodiment measures the temperature of the end portion (blunt end 6) determined to have the air chamber 4 by the temperature measuring unit 20E, and whether or not the air chamber 4 exists at the end portion. To determine whether the orientation of the egg 1 is correct.

  The temperature measuring unit 20E includes the same number of temperature sensors as the eggs 1 arranged in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction. In the present embodiment, since the three eggs 1 (1x, 1y, 1z) are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, the temperature measurement unit 20E includes three temperature sensors 20e, 20f, and 20g. The temperature sensors 20e, 20f, and 20g are all arranged in the vicinity of the downstream side of the heating unit 16, and the measurement surface is directed toward the blunt end 6 of the egg 1 that is supported by the tray 19 and conveyed. The temperature sensor 20e measures the temperature of the band 1 (see FIG. 11) of the egg 1x immediately after being heated by the heating unit 16, and outputs an analog voltage signal (temperature data Te) proportional to the measured temperature. Similarly, the temperature sensor 20f outputs temperature data Tf related to the temperature of the band 1 of the egg 1y, and the temperature sensor 20g outputs temperature data Tg related to the temperature of the band 1 of the egg 1z.

  The inspection unit 21E refers to the first clock signal CL1 and the second clock signal CL2 generated by the clock unit 22, extracts only the portion related to the egg 1x from the temperature data Te, and further extracts the extracted data as valid. It is divided into data and invalid data, and it is determined whether or not the air chamber 4 exists at the blunt end 6 where the measurement is performed based only on the valid data. Specifically, the inspection unit 21E performs measurement when valid data in the temperature data Te indicates (i) that a region having a relatively high temperature exists in the band-like region 8. If it is determined that the air chamber 4 is present at the blunt end 6 and (ii) the temperature of the band-like region 8 is uniform over the entire region, the air chamber 4 is present at the blunt end 6 where the measurement is performed. Judge that there is no.

  That is, the inspection unit 21E inspects the state of the egg 1x (the presence or absence of the air chamber 4) based on the change in the temperature data Te generated by the relative movement of the temperature sensor 20e in the transport direction with respect to the egg 1x.

  The inspection unit 21E performs both the inspection of the state of the egg 1y based on the change of the temperature data Tf and the inspection of the state of the egg 1z based on the change of the temperature data Tg, similarly to the egg 1x. The examination of the state of the eggs 1x, 1y, 1z is performed simultaneously. When this is finished, the inspection unit 21E performs the inspection of the state of the eggs 1x ′, 1y ′, and 1z ′ at the same time.

  The egg inspection apparatus 10E according to the present embodiment may include a cooling unit 17 that blows cold air on the egg 1 being conveyed instead of the heating unit 16. In this case, the inspection unit 21E determines whether or not the air chamber 4 is present at the blunt end 6 where the measurement has been performed, depending on whether or not a region having a relatively low temperature exists in the belt-like region 8.

  Moreover, the egg test | inspection apparatus 10E which concerns on a present Example may be provided with the several temperature sensor per egg 1. FIG.

  Thus, according to the egg test | inspection apparatus 10E which concerns on a present Example, based on the change of the temperature of the strip | belt-shaped area | region 8 of the egg 1 immediately after heating or cooling, the edge part (blunt end 6) which measured was performed. ) To determine whether or not the air chamber 4 is present, and thereby it is possible to inspect whether or not the orientation of the egg 1 is correct.

[Sixth Embodiment] Inspection Apparatus for Inspecting Air Chamber Position of Egg (Mainly Vaccine Egg) FIG. 20 shows an egg inspection apparatus according to the sixth embodiment. The egg inspection apparatus 10F is an apparatus for inspecting in detail the position of the air chamber 4 of the egg 1 (including 1x, 1y, 1z, 1x ′, 1y ′, and 1z ′). The egg inspection apparatus 10 </ b> F includes a tray 19 that travels along the conveyance path of the egg 1, and a temperature measurement unit 20 </ b> F that measures the temperature of the egg 1 that is supported and conveyed by the tray 19 from above. The egg inspection apparatus 10D according to the fourth embodiment is different from the egg inspection apparatus 10D according to the fourth embodiment in that the inspection section 21F is provided, and the heating section 16 heats the egg 1 from above. It is the same as the device 10D. The tray 19 functions as a support portion that supports the egg 1.

  Although not shown in FIG. 20, the egg inspection apparatus 10F also includes a conveyor belt 12 and a motor 13 for running the tray 19, a gear 14 and a proximity sensor 23 for generating the first clock signal CL1. (See FIG. 2 etc.). However, in the present embodiment, as in the fifth embodiment, the egg 1 (for example, 1x ′) moves to the position of the next egg 1 (1x) while the motor 13 rotates 1/5. And

  The tray 19 accommodates and conveys a plurality of eggs 1 at the same time. In the present embodiment, as in the fifth embodiment, 3 × 3 = 9 eggs 1 are simultaneously conveyed by the tray 19.

  In the egg 1, the end portion determined to have the air chamber 4 by the direction alignment work performed in the previous process, that is, the blunt end 6 is directed toward the heating unit 16 and the temperature measurement unit 20F. The egg inspection apparatus 10F according to the present embodiment measures whether or not the orientation of the egg 1 is correct by measuring the temperature of the end region including the blunt end 6 in which it is determined that there is the air chamber 4 with the temperature measurement unit 20F. In addition, the position of the air chamber 4 at the blunt end 6 is inspected in detail.

  The temperature measurement unit 20F includes the number of temperature sensors that is three times the number of eggs 1 arranged in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction. In the present embodiment, since the three eggs 1 (1x, 1y, 1z) are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, the temperature measuring unit 20F includes nine temperature sensors 20e1 to 20, 20f to 3, and 20g1 to 20. including. The temperature sensors 20 e 1 to 3, 20 f to 3, and 20 g 1 to 3 are all arranged in the vicinity of the downstream side of the heating unit 16, and the measurement surface is supported by the tray 19 toward the blunt end 6 of the egg 1. Is directed.

  The temperature sensors 20e1 to 20e1 measure the temperature of the band-like regions 81, 82 and 83 (see FIG. 14) of the egg 1x immediately after being heated by the heating unit 16 in a non-contact manner, and an analog voltage signal proportional to the measured temperature. (Temperature data Te1 to 3) are output. Similarly, the temperature sensors 20f1 to 3 measure the temperature of the band-like regions 81, 82, and 83 of the egg 1y and output temperature data Tf1 to Tf1. , 82 and 83 are measured, and temperature data Tg1 to Tg1 are output.

  The inspection unit 21F refers to the first clock signal CL1 and the second clock signal CL2 generated by the clock unit 22, extracts only the portion related to the egg 1x from the temperature data Te1 to Te3, and further extracts the extracted data. It is divided into valid data and invalid data, and the position of the air chamber 4 at the blunt end 6 where measurement is performed based only on valid data is specified. Specifically, the inspection unit 21F obtains the position of a relatively high temperature area included in the belt-like areas 81, 82, and 83 based on the temperature data Te1 to Te3, and based on the obtained position, the air of the egg 1x is obtained. The position of the chamber 4 is specified.

  That is, the inspection unit 21F inspects the state of the egg 1x (the position of the air chamber 4) based on the change in the temperature data Te1 to 3 generated by the relative movement in the transport direction of the temperature sensor 20e1 to the egg 1x. .

  The inspection unit 21F performs the inspection of the state of the egg 1y based on the change of the temperature data Tf1 to 3 and the inspection of the state of the egg 1z based on the change of the temperature data Tg1 to 3 similarly to the egg 1x. The examination of the state of the eggs 1x, 1y, 1z is performed simultaneously. When this is completed, the inspection unit 21F performs the inspection of the state of the eggs 1x ′, 1y ′, and 1z ′ at the same time.

  The egg inspection apparatus 10F according to the present embodiment may include a cooling unit 17 that blows cold air on the egg 1 being conveyed instead of the heating unit 16. In this case, the inspection unit 21F specifies the position of the air chamber 4 based on the position of the relatively low temperature area included in the band-shaped areas 81, 82, and 83.

  Thus, according to the egg test | inspection apparatus 10F which concerns on a present Example, temperature is higher than another area | region based on the change of the temperature of the strip | belt-shaped area | region 81,82,83 of the egg 1 immediately after heating / cooling. / The position of the lowered area can be obtained, and the position of the air chamber 4 can be inspected based on the position of the area.

[Modification]
As mentioned above, although the Example of the egg test | inspection apparatus based on this invention was described, the structure of this invention is not limited to the structure of each said Example, A various modified example can be considered.

  For example, in each of the above embodiments, the temperature of the egg being transported is measured by a temperature sensor fixedly provided along the transport path, but the temperature sensor moves around the egg that is fixed so as not to move. The temperature of a predetermined area of the egg may be measured. In short, it is sufficient that either one of the egg and the temperature sensor moves, so that the temperature sensor moves relative to the egg.

  In each of the above embodiments, the temperature data is divided into valid data and invalid data with reference to the first clock signal CL1 and the second clock signal CL2, or the temperature data on a plurality of eggs conveyed continuously Only data relating to a specific egg is extracted from the inside. However, when the rotation speed of the motor, that is, the egg conveyance speed or rotation speed is constant, the reference time is used instead of the first clock signal CL1 and the second clock signal CL2. You may refer to the elapsed time from. In this case, for example, temperature data with an elapsed time from the reference time of 1.0 to 1.5 seconds is used as effective temperature data of the egg that is first conveyed, or the elapsed time from the reference time is 2. The temperature data between 0 and 2.5 seconds can be used as effective temperature data of the egg conveyed second.

1, 1x, 1y, 1z, 1x ′, 1y ′, 1z ′ Egg 2 Egg shell 3 Egg shell membrane 4 Air chamber 5 Sharp end 6 Blunt end 7, 70, 71, 72 Ball zone region 8, 80, 81, 82 Strip region DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10A-F Egg inspection apparatus 11 Roller 12 Conveyor belt 13 Motor 14 Gear 15 Carrier 16 Heating part 17 Cooling part 18 Background board 19 Tray 20A-F Temperature measuring part 20a-g Temperature sensor 20a1-3, 20b1-3, 20c1-3 20d1-3 Temperature sensors 20e1-3, 20f1-3, 20g1-3 Temperature sensors 21A-F Inspection unit 22 Clock unit 23 Proximity sensor

Claims (17)

An egg inspection device for inspecting the condition of an egg,
A support for supporting the egg;
From at least one temperature sensor that measures the temperature of a predetermined region of the egg in a non-contact manner while moving relative to the egg supported by the support, and outputs temperature data related to the temperature A temperature measuring unit,
An inspection unit that inspects the state of the egg based on a change caused by the relative movement of the temperature data output from the temperature measurement unit;
An egg inspection apparatus comprising: The egg is transported along a predetermined transport path while being supported by the support portion,
The temperature measuring unit is fixedly provided along the conveyance path,
The egg test | inspection apparatus of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. A clock unit that outputs a clock signal synchronized with the relative movement;
The inspection unit divides the temperature data output from the temperature measurement unit based on the clock signal into valid data and invalid data, and inspects the egg state based on the valid data.
The egg inspection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The egg has undergone an egg washing process and a drying process,
The support portion is a plurality of rollers that convey the egg while rotating around the major axis along the conveyance path at equal intervals.
The temperature measurement unit includes the temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the egg bulb zone region,
The inspection unit determines that the egg is wet when the temperature data indicates that (i) a region having a relatively low temperature exists in the ball zone region, and (ii) the When the temperature of the bulb zone region shows that it is uniform over the entire region, it is determined that the egg is dry,
The egg test | inspection apparatus of Claim 2 or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. The egg has undergone an egg washing process and a drying process,
The support portion is a plurality of zigzag rollers that convey the egg while rotating around the major axis, arranged at equal intervals along the conveyance path,
The temperature measuring unit measures a temperature of a first ball zone region of the egg that contacts the spelling roller, and a temperature of the second bulb zone of the egg that does not touch the spelling roller. A second temperature sensor to be measured,
The inspection unit determines that the egg is wet if the temperature data indicates that (i) the temperature of the first bulb region is lower than the temperature of the second bulb region, (Ii) If there is no substantial difference between the temperature of the first bulb region and the temperature of the second bulb region, it is determined that the egg is dry.
The egg test | inspection apparatus of Claim 2 or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Provided further along the transport path upstream from the temperature measurement unit, further comprising a heating unit for heating the eggs being transported,
The support part is a carrier that conveys the eggs by traveling along the conveyance path while placing the eggs aligned in a direction.
The temperature measuring unit is composed of at least one temperature sensor that measures the temperature of a band-shaped region parallel to the transport path among the end region including the end of the egg heated by the heating unit,
The inspection unit determines that an air chamber exists at the end when the temperature data indicates that (i) a region having a relatively high temperature exists in the belt-like region, (Ii) If the temperature of the band-like region indicates that the temperature is uniform over the entire region, it is determined that no air chamber exists at the end.
The egg test | inspection apparatus of Claim 2 or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. A cooling unit is provided on the upstream side of the temperature measurement unit along the transfer path, for cooling the egg being transferred,
The support part is a carrier that conveys the eggs by traveling along the conveyance path while placing the eggs aligned in a direction.
The temperature measurement unit is composed of at least one temperature sensor that measures the temperature of a band-shaped region parallel to the transport path among the end regions including the end of the egg cooled by the cooling unit,
The inspection unit determines that an air chamber exists at the end when the temperature data indicates that (i) a region having a relatively low temperature exists in the belt-like region, (Ii) If the temperature of the band-like region indicates that the temperature is uniform over the entire region, it is determined that no air chamber exists at the end.
The egg test | inspection apparatus of Claim 2 or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The egg inspection apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the temperature measurement unit includes two or more temperature sensors.   The egg inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the end region is a region including an end portion that is determined to have no air chamber in the previous step. Provided further along the transport path upstream from the temperature measurement unit, further comprising a heating unit for heating the eggs being transported,
The support part is a carrier that conveys the eggs by traveling along the conveyance path while placing the eggs aligned in a direction.
The temperature measuring unit is configured to measure a plurality of temperature sensors that respectively measure the temperatures of a plurality of adjacent band-like regions parallel to the transport path among end regions including the end of the egg heated by the heating unit. Consists of
The inspection unit obtains a position of a relatively high temperature region included in the plurality of band-like regions based on the temperature data output from each of the plurality of temperature sensors, and based on the obtained position Locate the egg chamber,
The egg test | inspection apparatus of Claim 2 or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. A cooling unit is provided on the upstream side of the temperature measurement unit along the transfer path, for cooling the egg being transferred,
The support part is a carrier that conveys the eggs by traveling along the conveyance path while placing the eggs aligned in a direction.
The temperature measuring unit is configured to measure a plurality of temperature sensors that respectively measure the temperatures of a plurality of adjacent band-like regions parallel to the transport path among end regions including the end of the egg cooled by the cooling unit. Consists of
The inspection unit obtains a position of a relatively low temperature region included in the plurality of band-like regions based on the temperature data output from each of the plurality of temperature sensors, and based on the obtained position Locate the egg chamber,
The egg test | inspection apparatus of Claim 2 or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The egg inspection apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the end region is a region including an end portion that is determined to have no air chamber in the previous step. Provided further along the transport path upstream from the temperature measurement unit, further comprising a heating unit for heating the eggs being transported,
The support portion is a tray that conveys the eggs by traveling along the conveyance path while placing the eggs aligned in direction,
The temperature measuring unit is composed of at least one temperature sensor that measures the temperature of a band-shaped region parallel to the transport path among the blunt end regions including the blunt end of the egg heated by the heating unit,
The inspection unit determines that an air chamber exists at the blunt end when the temperature data indicates that (i) a region having a relatively high temperature exists in the band-shaped region, (Ii) When the temperature of the belt-shaped region indicates that the temperature is uniform over the entire region, it is determined that no air chamber exists at the blunt end.
The egg test | inspection apparatus of Claim 2 or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. A cooling unit is provided on the upstream side of the temperature measurement unit along the transfer path, for cooling the egg being transferred,
The support portion is a tray that conveys the eggs by traveling along the conveyance path while placing the eggs aligned in direction,
The temperature measuring unit is composed of at least one temperature sensor that measures the temperature of a band-shaped region parallel to the transport path among the blunt end regions including the blunt end of the egg cooled by the cooling unit,
The inspection unit determines that an air chamber exists at the blunt end when the temperature data indicates that (i) a region having a relatively low temperature exists in the belt-shaped region, (Ii) When the temperature of the belt-shaped region indicates that the temperature is uniform over the entire region, it is determined that no air chamber exists at the blunt end.
The egg test | inspection apparatus of Claim 2 or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The egg inspection apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the temperature measuring unit includes two or more temperature sensors. Provided further along the transport path upstream from the temperature measurement unit, further comprising a heating unit for heating the eggs being transported,
The support portion is a tray that conveys the eggs by traveling along the conveyance path while placing the eggs aligned in direction,
The temperature measurement unit is configured to measure a plurality of temperature sensors that respectively measure temperatures of a plurality of adjacent belt-like regions parallel to the conveyance path in a blunt end region including a blunt end of the egg heated by the heating unit. Consists of
The inspection unit obtains a position of a relatively high temperature region included in the plurality of band-like regions based on the temperature data output from each of the plurality of temperature sensors, and based on the obtained position Locate the egg chamber,
The egg test | inspection apparatus of Claim 2 or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. A cooling unit is provided on the upstream side of the temperature measurement unit along the transfer path, for cooling the egg being transferred,
The support portion is a tray that conveys the eggs by traveling along the conveyance path while placing the eggs aligned in direction,
The temperature measurement unit is configured to measure a plurality of temperature sensors respectively measuring temperatures of a plurality of adjacent belt-like regions parallel to the transport path among blunt end regions including the blunt end of the egg cooled by the cooling unit. Consists of
The inspection unit obtains a position of a relatively low temperature region included in the plurality of band-like regions based on the temperature data output from each of the plurality of temperature sensors, and based on the obtained position Locate the egg chamber,
The egg test | inspection apparatus of Claim 2 or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned.

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