JP2006197905A - Method and apparatus for reclaiming pearl nuclei - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To sustain particle diameter of reclaimed pearl nuclei. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus is provided with a slip-down receiving base 3 having a guide face 11, a disk 5 supported as relatively rotatable to the slip-down receiving base 3 and set the peripherally rotating face 21 counter to the guide face 11, wherein the pearl nuclei inside are taken out by giving pinching forces and frictions on the outer face of pearls by countering and relatively displacing between the guide face 11 and the rotating face 21 which allows crush of pearl layers. The method is free from impairing the pearl nuclei as compared to grinding the pearl layers and the pearl nuclei can be taken out as it is, sustaining particle size of the pearl nuclei and reclaiming pearl nuclei with high value, and the effective treatment of a lot of waste pearls is carried out because the apparatus carries out a continuous treatment by rotation of the disk. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for regenerating a pearl nucleus capable of accurately regenerating a pearl nucleus from scrap pearls or the like.

  Conventionally, the pearl nucleus production apparatus shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, particularly the one shown in FIG. 6, has been used to regenerate the pearl nucleus. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the roughing machine, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the finishing machine.

  The rough rounding machine 101 in FIG. 5 includes a disk-shaped grindstone 107 that is driven to rotate in a horizontal plane by a motor, and a disk-shaped pressing plate 109 provided to face the upper surface thereof. A pressing rubber 111 is provided on the lower surface of the pressing plate 109. The pressing rubber 111 faces the grindstone 107 with a certain gap. An input port 113 is provided in the pressing plate 109. The inlet 113 penetrates the pressing rubber 111 and communicates with the grindstone 107.

  The grindstone 107 is rotated by the motor 105. A piece 115 obtained by cutting a mother shell, which is a work shell, into a dice shape, is introduced from the insertion port 113. The pieces 115 move between the grindstone 107 and the pressing rubber 111, and are sequentially cut by the rotation of the grindstone 107 while being pressed against the grindstone 107 by the pressing rubber 111, and rough cutting is performed. The rough-cut piece 118 is finished by the finishing machine 103 shown in FIG.

  The finishing machine 103 includes an iron fixed disk 117 and an iron rotating disk 119 concentrically stacked on the fixed disk 117. A plurality of concentric grooves 121 and 123 are provided concentrically on the opposing surfaces of the fixed disk 117 and the rotating disk 119.

  The pieces 118 roughly cut by the rough rounding machine 101 in FIG. 5 are arranged side by side between the circumferential grooves 121 and 123 of the finishing machine 103 in FIG. 6, and the rotating disk 119 is rotated while supplying abrasive grains. By this rotation, the rough-cut piece 118 is finished and a spherical pearl nucleus 125 can be obtained.

  The pearl nucleus 125 is placed in a cultured pearl shell. Cultured pearl oysters containing the pearl nucleus 125 are held in the sea. Thereby, a pearl layer is formed around the pearl nucleus 125, and a pearl can be obtained.

  In the process of manufacturing pearls, there are many pearls that are not formed well and that become pearls such as pearls deformed. Even if it is this waste pearl, the pearl nucleus can be used as it is as a new pearl nucleus by removing the outer pearl layer. By regenerating pearl nuclei from scrap pearls, expensive pearl nuclei can be effectively recycled and reused.

  As described above, the finishing machine 103 in FIG. 6 was used for the regeneration of the pearl nucleus.

  The scrap pearls are arranged side by side between the circumferential grooves 121 and 123 of the fixed disk 117 and the rotating disk 119, and the rotating disk 119 is rotated while supplying abrasive grains. By this rotation, the pearl layer of scrap pearls can be scraped off and the pearl nucleus can be taken out.

  However, when the nacreous layer of scrap pearls was scraped off by the finishing machine 103 of FIG. 6, the surface of the pearl nucleus was often scraped unnecessarily. As a result, the surface of the removed pearl nucleus is in a state where it has been partially repolished, leading to partial wrinkles or total deformation. If this pearl nuclei or deformed pearl nuclei are used as they are, it will be difficult to obtain high-quality pearls.

  For this reason, polishing by another finishing machine corresponding to a small particle size is performed so as to eliminate partial wrinkles and overall deformation of the pearl nucleus. The finished pearl nucleus has a problem that the particle size becomes smaller, and the value as a high-value pearl nucleus greatly decreases as the particle diameter increases.

JP-A-6-344202

  The problem to be solved is that the particle size of the regenerated pearl nuclei is reduced and the value is greatly reduced.

  In order to maintain the particle size of the regenerated pearl nucleus, the present invention supports a slide-side receiving base having a guide surface, and is supported so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the slide receiving base, and an outer peripheral rotation surface is the guide surface. A rotating body facing the surface, and by removing the nacreous layer by applying a narrow pressure and rubbing to the outer surface of the pearl by facing and relative movement between the guide surface and the rotating surface to take out the inner pearl nucleus This is the main feature.

  In order to maintain the particle size of the regenerated pearl nucleus, the pearl nucleus regenerating apparatus of the present invention is supported on a receiving side sliding cradle having a guide surface, and is supported so as to be rotatable relative to the sliding cradle. A rotating body facing the guide surface, and removing the nacre by splitting the outer surface of the pearl by applying a narrow pressure and rubbing by facing and relative movement between the guide surface and the rotating surface. In order to take out the inner pearl nucleus, a local pressure can be reliably applied to the pearl so that the pearl nucleus can be reliably taken out.

  Therefore, as compared with the case where the pearl layer is scraped off, the pearl nucleus can be taken out without being damaged. For this reason, the particle size of a pearl nucleus can be maintained and a highly valuable pearl nucleus can be reproduced | regenerated.

  The purpose of maintaining the particle size of the regenerated pearl nucleus was realized by the guide surface and the rotating surface.

[Device configuration]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram viewed from the side of a pearl nucleus reproducing apparatus according to Example 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram viewed from the front.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the reproduction apparatus 1 for pearl nuclei includes a sliding base 3 and a disk 5 that is a rotating body. A plurality of slide receiving bases 3 and disks 5 are provided in series.

  Each sliding base 3 is made of metal, hard rubber or the like, and is supported on a base frame 9 via a linear guide 7. The slide receiving base 3 is a receiving side for scrap pearls and is provided with a guide surface 11. The guide surface 11 includes a curved portion 13 and straight portions 15 and 17, and is set to be inclined up and down. Guide walls 19 are provided on both sides of the guide surface 11.

  Each disk 5 is formed of metal, hard rubber, or the like, and has a rotation surface 21 on the outer periphery. The rotating surface 21 has a flat cross section in the direction along the rotation axis. The rotating surface 21 is not limited to a flat cross section, and can be appropriately changed as long as it is suitable for applying a local narrow pressure to the pearl and breaking and peeling off the pearl layer, such as a chevron shape or a sawtooth shape.

  Each disk 5 is attached to the drive shaft 23 and supported so as to be rotatable relative to the slide receiving base 3. A part of the outer peripheral side of the disk 5 is loosely fitted between the guide walls 19 of the slide receiving base 3, and the rotating surface 21 faces the curved portion 13 of the guide surface 11.

  The left and right sides of the drive shaft 23 are rotatably supported by left and right support walls 25 via bearings. The support wall 25 is fixed on the base frame 9. An electric motor is linked to one end of the drive shaft 23 (not shown), and the electric motor is attached to the support wall 25 on the same side. A timing pulley 27 is attached to the other end of the drive shaft 23 outside the support wall 25.

  A hopper 29 is provided on the upper part of each slide receiving base 3 and disk 5. The hopper 29 receives scrap pearls and supplies them between the sliding table 3 and the disk 5. Waste pearls have failed to form nacre. However, you may supply the normal pearl in which the pearl layer was formed appropriately. The hopper 29 is fixed to the support wall 25 side by a bracket 31.

  The inclined wall 33 of each hopper 29 faces the space between the guide surface 11 straight portion 15 of the sliding base 3 and the rotating surface 21 of the disk 5. A slide wall 35 is attached to the inclined wall 33 so that its position can be adjusted. The position of the slide wall 35 can be adjusted along the inclined wall 33 by loosening the bolt 37.

  In each hopper 29, an inclined middle wall 39 is provided. The inclined middle wall 39 has an inclination that is gentler than the inclination of the inclined wall 33. A rotary transfer body 40 is disposed at the lower end of the inclined middle wall 39. The rotary transfer body 40 is supported by a shaft 41, and a timing pulley 42 is attached to the end of the shaft 41. A plurality, for example, ten concave portions 43 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotary transfer body 40 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The concave portion 43 receives scrap pearls and transports and drops them onto the inclined wall 33.

  A timing belt 45 is wound around the timing pulleys 27 and 42. A tension pulley 47 is pressed against the timing belt 45. The tension pulley 47 applies an appropriate tension to the timing belt 45. The tension pulley 47 is supported by an idler bracket 49. The idler bracket 49 is supported on the support wall 25 side via the bracket 51. The idler bracket 49 is biased by a spring, and the tension pulley 47 is pressed against the timing belt 45.

  The linear guide 7 includes a rail 53 and a slider 55. The rail 53 is fastened and fixed on the base frame 9 with bolts or the like. The slider 55 is fitted and mounted so as to embrace the upper portion of the rail 53, and is fastened and fixed to the slide receiving base 3 side with a bolt or the like. As the slider 55 slides on the rail 53, the slide receiving base 3 can approach and separate from the disk 5.

  The sliding base 3 is urged by the urging means 57 and is configured to adjust the narrow pressure of the waste pearls. The urging means 57 is provided with a coil spring 59 for each slide receiving base 3. Each coil spring 59 is housed and supported in a cylindrical case 61. Each case 61 is attached to an urging panel 63. Each urging panel 63 is fixed to the base frame 9 via a bracket 65.

  An end wall 67 is provided at one end of each case 61. A movable piece 69 is arranged in the case 61 adjacent to the end wall 67. The movable piece 69 is in contact with one end of the coil spring 59. An adjustment screw 71 is screwed into the end wall 67. The tip of the adjustment screw 71 is in contact with the movable piece 69. The other end of each coil spring 59 is in contact with the spring seat 73. Each spring seat 73 is fixed to each sliding base 3.

  Accordingly, when the adjusting screw 71 is screwed in, the movable piece 69 moves so as to press the coil spring 59. By this movement, the sliding table 3 can be moved in the direction toward the disk 5 via the coil spring 59 and the spring seat 73, and the narrow pressure on the waste pearl between the sliding table 3 and the disk 5 is adjusted. Can do. The narrow pressure is adjusted stepwise between each of the slide base 3 and the disk 5 that are connected in series, and the pearls that have not been cracked between the first slide base 3 and the disk 5 are used as the next narrow pressure. By sequentially transferring between the set sliding table 3 and the disk 5 and working, it is possible to reliably regenerate pearl nuclei from scrap pearls of all particle sizes. To return the narrow pressure adjustment, the adjustment screw 71 may be unscrewed.

  Bolts 75 are screwed into the slide receiving bases 3. The bolt 75 passes through the biasing panel 63 in a loosely fitted state, and a stopper nut 77 and a lock nut 79 are fastened outside the biasing panel 63. By adjusting the fastening position of the stopper nut 77 with respect to the bolt 75, the limit position where the slide receiving base 3 that moves by the biasing force by the biasing means 57 approaches the disk 5 is determined.

  A chute 81 is provided on the lower side of each sliding base 3. The chute 81 guides the transferred pearl nucleus and nacreous layer to a lower container or the like.

  3 and 4 are schematic views, FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory view of the reproduction apparatus 1 for pearl nuclei seen from the side, and FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory view seen from the same plane.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the upper end of the curved portion 13 of the sliding base 3 is a position where the straight line L <b> 1 having an angle θ <b> 1 intersects the straight portion 15 with respect to the horizontal straight line H passing through the center C of the disk 5. The lower end is a position where a straight line L2 having an angle θ2 intersects the straight line portion 17 with respect to the vertical line V passing through the center C. In the embodiment, θ1 = 10 ° and θ2 = 45 ° are set. The curvature of the curved portion 13 is substantially the same as that of the disk 5. In this set state, the distance between the rotating surface 21 of the disk 5 and the curved portion 13 is set to approximately 6 mm. However, these settings can be variously changed for reliable regeneration of the waste pearls.

As shown in FIG. 4, when viewed from above, a receiving port 83 whose side portion is closed by the guide wall 19 is formed between the sliding table 3 and the disk 5.
[Reproduction work]
Waste pearls are supplied from the upper part of the hopper 29, and the drive shaft 23 is rotated by driving an electric motor. As the drive shaft 23 rotates, the timing pulley 42 rotates in conjunction with the timing pulley 27 and the timing belt 45. The rotary transfer body 40 rotates via the shaft 41 by the interlocking rotation of the timing pulley 42. Due to the rotation of the rotary transfer body 40, the waste pearls on the inclined middle wall 39 in the hopper 29 are taken out one by one into the recess 43 and fall onto the inclined wall 33.

  The scrap pearls dropped onto the inclined wall 33 come into contact with the rotating surface 21 of the disk 5 from the tip of the inclined wall 33 and are continuously received by the receiving port 83 shown in FIG. The waste pearl received in the receiving port 83 drops and moves downward while being guided by the linear portion 15 of the guide surface 11, and receives a narrow pressure between the rotating surface 21, the guide surface 11, and the curved portion 13. Rubbing due to relative movement with respect to the bending portion 13 is received. At this time, even if there is a slight difference in diameter between the scrap pearls, the sliding cradle 3 can retreat against the biasing force of the coil spring 59, and a narrow pressure is reliably and smoothly applied to the scrap pearls. can do.

  Since the waste pearl is subjected to narrow pressure and rubbing between the rotating surface 21 and the curved portion 13, the pearl layer is broken and peeled off. The narrow pressure on the waste pearls becomes localized and can reliably break the nacreous layer of waste pearls.

  The pearl nucleus that has been cracked and peeled off from the pearl layer is discharged together with the pearl layer to the linear portion 17 side below the guide surface 11 and accommodated in a container or the like outside the figure via the chute 81.

  The waste pearls that are not cracked between the first rotating surface 21 and the guide surface 11 in a narrow setting with a narrow pressure are sequentially transferred between the rotating surface 21 and the guide surface 11 in the next setting, and supplied. The layer can be broken reliably.

  In this way, it is possible to take out the pearl nucleus as it is without damaging the pearl nucleus as compared with the case where the pearl layer is scraped off. For this reason, the particle size of a pearl nucleus can be maintained and a highly valuable pearl nucleus can be reproduced | regenerated.

  Moreover, since it processes continuously by rotation of the disk 5, a large amount of waste pearls can be processed efficiently.

  The plurality of connected rotating surfaces 21 and guide surfaces 11 are set so that the narrow pressure is set so as to divide scrap pearls of different diameters, but in order to split the pearl layer of scrap pearls of the same diameter. It is also possible to make fine adjustments. The combination of the rotating surface 21 and the guide surface 11 can also be configured as a single unit.

Explanatory drawing which looked at the reproduction | regeneration apparatus of the pearl nucleus from the side (Example 1). Explanatory drawing which looked at the reproduction | regeneration apparatus of a pearl nucleus from the front (Example 1). Schematic explanatory drawing which looked at the reproduction | regeneration apparatus of the pearl nucleus from the side (Example 1). Schematic explanatory drawing which looked at the reproduction | regeneration apparatus of the pearl nucleus from the plane (Example 1). Sectional drawing of a rough rounding machine (conventional example). Sectional drawing of the principal part of a finishing machine (conventional example).

Explanation of symbols

1 Reproduction device for pearl nucleus 3 Sliding guide 5 Disc (rotating body)
11 Guide surface 21 Rotating surface 57 Biasing means

Claims (4)

Applying narrow pressure and rubbing to the outer surface of the pearl supplied by the opposing and relative movement between the guide surface on the receiving side and the rotating surface of the rotating body, the pearl layer is broken and removed to take out the inner pearl nucleus. A characteristic method for regenerating pearl nuclei. A sliding cradle on the receiving side with a guide surface;
A rotating body supported so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the sliding cradle and having a rotating surface on the outer periphery facing the guide surface;
A reproduction apparatus for a pearl nucleus, comprising removing the inner pearl nucleus by splitting and removing the pearl layer by applying a narrow pressure and rubbing to the outer surface of the pearl by facing and relative movement between the guide surface and the rotating surface. . The pearl nucleus regenerating apparatus according to claim 2,
The sliding cradle is supported so as to be able to approach and separate from the rotating body,
An apparatus for reproducing a pearl nucleus, comprising biasing means for biasing the sliding cradle and adjusting the narrow pressure. A pearl nucleus regenerating apparatus according to claim 2 or 3,
A reproduction apparatus for a pearl nucleus, wherein a plurality of the slide receiving base and the rotating body are connected.

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