Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
  • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
  • B07C5/00—Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches
  • B07C5/34—Sorting according to other particular properties
  • B07C5/342—Sorting according to other particular properties according to optical properties, e.g. colour
  • B07C5/3425—Sorting according to other particular properties according to optical properties, e.g. colour of granular material, e.g. ore particles, grain
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
  • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
  • B07C5/00—Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches
  • B07C5/02—Measures preceding sorting, e.g. arranging articles in a stream orientating
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
  • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
  • B07C5/00—Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches
  • B07C5/36—Sorting apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution
  • B07C5/363—Sorting apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution by means of air
  • B07C5/367—Sorting apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution by means of air using a plurality of separation means
  • B07C5/368—Sorting apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution by means of air using a plurality of separation means actuated independently

Definitions

• the disclosure relates to a pellet sorting method and device technology.
• the screening unit 500 includes several air jet nozzles 510 connected to an air compressor 520, positioned on the other side of the falling path 600 of the polyethylene pellets. Each air jet nozzle 510 is controlled by the control unit 100 to open or close, blowing defective polyethylene pellets P off the falling path 600.
• the collection component 400 comprises a normal pellet collection unit 410 and a defective pellet collection unit 420, respectively used to collect defect-free polyethylene pellets and defective polyethylene pellets.
• this invention proposes a pellet sorting method and device.
• This method and device actively induce and control a plurality of pellets to undergo rolling, rotating, tumbling, or maintaining momentarily stillness within the pellet flow channel.
• This facilitates comprehensive all directional multi-angles' images of the plurality of pellets captured by an optical camera, thereby improving the accuracy and precision of the pellet purity and defective analysis.
• the detailed invention content is described as follows.
• a pellet sorting method comprising: feeding a plurality of pellets into a pellet flow channel; the pellet flow channel is enclosed and transparent with both open ends; supplying a first airflow and a second airflow to the pellet flow channel, the first airflow jets from the first end of the pellet flow channel to the second end, causing the plurality of pellets to move from the first end to the second end of the pellet flow channel; the second airflow jets from the second end of the pellet flow channel towards the first end, inducing and controlling the plurality of pellets by the first airflow and second airflow to make them roll, rotate, tumble, or maintain momentarily stillness as they pass through the pellet flow channel; using an optical camera to comprehensively capture all directional multi-angles' images of the plurality of pellets from the pellet flow channel, and sending these captured images to an digital image data processor for identification and analysis; if the identification and analysis result determines that all the plurality of pellets meet a preset conditions, all the plurality of pellets directed to a first collection path; if the identification and
• the pellet sorting method further comprising a third airflow, which jets from the second end of the pellet towards the second collection path, in coordination with the high-speed air pneumatic ejection of the first airflow to direct all the plurality of pellets towards the second collection path.
• a pellet sorting device comprising: a pellet flow channel which is enclosed and transparent with both open ends; a feeding unit feeds a plurality of pellets from the first end of the pellet flow channel to the pellet flow channel; an air flow unit comprising a first air jet nozzle and a second air jet nozzle, which provide a first airflow and a second airflow to the pellet flow channel, respectively, the first airflow jets from the first end of the pellet flow channel towards the second end, causing the plurality of pellets to move from the first end to the second end of the pellet flow channel, the second airflow jets towards the pellet flow channel from the second end, inducing and controlling the plurality of pellets to roll, rotate, tumble, or maintain momentarily stillness as it passes through the pellet flow channel; a first collection path connected to the second end of the pellet flow channel; a second collection path connected to the second end of the pellet flow channel; a diverter switch controlling the opening of either the first or the second collection path; an optical camera for comprehensive captured all directional multi-angles' images of
• a pellet sorting device further comprising a third air jet nozzle that provides a third airflow to the pellet flow channel.
• a pellet flow channel of a pellet sorting device comprising: a airflow unit comprising a first air jet nozzle and a second air jet nozzle, the first air jet nozzle and the second air jet nozzle provide a first airflow and a second airflow to the pellet flow channel.
• the first airflow jets from the first end of the pellet flow channel towards the second end, causing the plurality of pellets to move from the first end to the second end of the pellet flow channel.
• the second airflow jets towards the pellet flow channel from the second end inducing and controlling the plurality of pellets to rolling, rotating, tumbling or maintaining momentarily stillness as it passes through the pellet flow channel.
• the airflow unit further comprising: a third air jet nozzle provides a third airflow to the pellet flow channel.
• the pellet flow channel is horizontal, vertical or inclined.
• the optical camera can capture all directional images of all plurality of pellets in the pellet flow channel. Any pellets that meet or do not meet the preset conditions can be captured by the optical camera and sorted out by the digital image data processor.
• the pellet sorting device includes a pellet flow channel 10, a feeding unit 15, an optical camera 18, a first collection path 21, a second collection path 23, a diverter switch 25, an airflow unit 30, and a control unit 40.
• the pellet flow channel 10 enclosed and transparent with both open ends.
• the first end 11 of the pellet flow channel 10 serves as an inlet, while the second end 12 serves as an outlet.
• the pellet flow channel 10 can be horizontal, vertical, or inclined. The inclination angle and direction can be set as needed, without limitation in this invention.
• the feeding unit 15 is installed at the first end 11 of the pellet flow channel 10, feeding the plurality of pellets 16 into the pellet flow channel 10 through the inlet.
• the plurality of pellet 16 includes, but is not limited to, plastic pellets.
• the feeding unit 15 can provide the plurality of pellet 16 to the pellet flow channel 10 in a continuous or intermittent manner.
• the optical camera 18 including but not limited to a matrix high-speed color optical camera.
• the optical camera 18 captures images of all the plurality of pellet 16 in the pellet flow channel 10.
• the captured all directional multi-angles' images are then sent to the digital image data processor 19 for identification and analysis.
• the first collection path 21, connected beneath the second end 12 of the pellet flow channel 10, is used to guide the plurality of pellet 16 that meets preset conditions (e.g., defect-free) to a first collection unit 22.
• the second collection path 23, connected above the second end 12 of the pellet flow channel 10, is used to guide the plurality of pellet 16 that does not meet preset conditions (e.g., defectives) to a second collection unit 24.
• the diverter switch 25 is positioned between the first collection path 21 and the second collection path 23, allowing it to open one path while closing the other.
• the diverter switch 25 can use any known route switching control technology, including but not limited to electronic control valves or diverter plates (as shown in the figure), without limitation in this invention.
• the airflow unit 30 comprising a first air jet nozzle 31, a second air jet nozzle 32, and a third air jet nozzle 33, all connected to a compressed air pneumatic source (not shown in the figures).
• the first air jet nozzle 31 and the second air jet nozzle 32 provide a first airflow 35 and a second airflow 36 to the pellet flow channel 10.
• the first airflow 35 is directed from the first end 11 of the pellet flow channel 10 towards the second end 12, causing the plurality of pellet 16 to move from the first end 11 to the second end 12.
• the second airflow 36 is directed from the second end 12 of the pellet flow channel 10 towards the first end 11, controlling the presence, angle, direction, velocity, and frequency of the first airflow 35 and the second airflow 36 to disturb the pellet 16, inducing rolling, rotating, tumbling or maintaining momentarily stillness. This facilitates a comprehensive all directional multi-angles' images of the plurality of pellets rather than only particular angle of pellet imaging in the pellet flow channel 10 by the optical camera 18.
• the third air jet nozzle 33 provides a third airflow 37 to the pellet flow channel 10 air jetting from the second end 12 towards the second collection path 23.
• the control unit 40 is connected to the first air jet nozzle 31, the second air jet nozzle 32, the third air jet nozzle 33, and the digital image data processor 19.
• the control unit 40 receives identification and analysis results from the digital image data processor 19. If the analysis result indicates that the plurality of pellet 16 meets the preset conditions (e.g., defect-free) the diverter switch 25 opens the first collection path 21, allowing the plurality of pellet 16 directed to the first collection path 21. If the result indicates if one or more of the plurality of pellet 16 does not meet the preset conditions (e.g., defectives) the diverter switch 25 opens the second collection path 23.
• the control unit 40 then controls the first air jet nozzle 31 and the third air jet nozzle 33 instantaneously air pneumatic eject the first airflow 35 and the third airflow 37 at high speed, directing the plurality of pellet 16 towards the second collection path 23.
• the feeding unit 15 supplies the plurality of pellet 16 to the pellet flow channel 10.
• the first air jet nozzle 31 releases the first airflow 35
• the second air jet nozzle 32 releases the second airflow 36
• the third air jet nozzle 33 remains closed.
• the diverter switch 25 opens the first collection path 21 and closes the second collection path 23, controlling the presence, angle, direction, velocity, and frequency of the first airflow 35 and the second airflow 36 to disturb the plurality of pellet 16, inducing movements such as rolling, rotating, tumbling or maintaining momentarily stillness.
• This allows the optical camera 18 to capture all directional multi-angles' images of the plurality of pellet 16 in the pellet flow channel 10. Any of the plurality of pellet 16, whether meeting or not meeting the preset conditions, can be captured by the optical camera 18 and identify by the digital image data processor 19.
• the velocity and frequency of the first airflow 35 and the second airflow 36 can be adjusted to regulate the time for the plurality of pellet 16 to pass through the pellet flow channel 10. For example, increasing the velocity and frequency of the second airflow 36 and allowing the plurality of pellet 16 to stay in the pellet flow channel 10 for a longer period may slightly reduce sorting throughput but can enhance the sorting accuracy. On the contrary, increasing the velocity and frequency of the first airflow 35 will shorten the image processing time of the plurality of pellet 16 through the pellet flow channel 10, accelerating sorting throughput but potentially leading to a slight decrease in sorting purity performance.
• the diverter switch 25 opens the second collection path 23.
• the control unit 40 controls the first air jet nozzle 31 and the third air jet nozzle 33 to generate an instantaneous high-speed air pneumatic ejection of the first airflow 35 and the third airflow 37. This directs the plurality of pellet 16 towards the second collection path 23, entering the second collection unit 24.
• the plurality of pellet 16 that meets the preset conditions enters the first collection unit 22 through the first collection path 21, while the plurality of pellet 16 that does not meet the preset conditions enters the second collection unit 24 through the second collection path 23.
• the plurality of pellet 16 that does not meet the preset conditions enters the second collection unit 24 through the second collection path 23.
• the diverter switch 25 is a plate-shaped component with a pivot 251 is provided at an eccentric position so that the diverter switch 25 can swing. Positioned relative to the end of the pellet flow channel 10, a counterweight 252 is attached to the diverter switch 25. The weight of the counterweight 252 causes the diverter switch 25 to close the second collection path 23 and open the first collection path 21 in its default stationary state.
• the first air jet nozzle 31 If one or more from the plurality of pellet 16 in a batch in the pellet flow channel 10 are identified as not meeting the preset conditions(e.g., defectives), the first air jet nozzle 31 generates a momentary air pneumatic release of the first airflow 35. This instantaneous air pneumatic release of the first airflow 35 not only propels the plurality of pellet 16 but also triggers the diverter switch 25 to open the second collection path 23 and close the first collection path 21. This directs the plurality of pellet 16 towards the second collection path 23, entering the second collection unit 24.
• the diverter switch 25 is controlled by the counterweight 252 and the air pneumatic release of the first airflow 35.

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Citations (3)

• 2024
  • 2024-04-19 EP EP24171193.6A patent/EP4635640A1/fr active Pending

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