JP2007303939A - Tray for conveying produce, and internal quality evaluation method of produce - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tray for conveying produce capable of performing highly accurate measurement without restricting a measuring light irradiation range to produce and a light receiving visual field when measuring a local internal quality inside produce, and performing stable conveyance, and an internal quality evaluation method using the tray. <P>SOLUTION: Produce 51 is placed on an approximately flat receiving seat member 11, and the side face part of the produce stored in an opening part of an approximately flat member 21 for holding the produce arranged on its upside by a flexible member 23. When performing transmitted light measurement, light irradiation to the side face part of the produce or reception of transmitted light is performed through a space between the receiving seat member and the member for holding the produce. Otherwise, the receiving seat member and the member for holding the produce are connected together by an elastic expandable/contractible member, and when performing transmitted light measurement, the member for holding the produce is pushed down to the receiving seat member, and thereby irradiation of measuring light or reception of the transmitted light is performed relative to an exposed part on the upper side of the member for holding the produce. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention measures the internal quality of fruits and vegetables by placing the fruits and vegetables on a tray and transporting them on the transportation line, irradiating the fruits and vegetables with measurement light from the light source, and detecting the transmitted light from inside the fruits and vegetables with the light receiving unit. With regard to the fruit and vegetable transport tray used in the fruit and vegetable internal quality evaluation apparatus and the fruit and vegetables internal quality evaluation method using the tray, in particular, the divided transmitted light data corresponding to each of the plurality of divided measurement sites divided in the fruit and vegetable transport direction The present invention relates to a tray for transporting fruits and vegetables suitable for the purpose of measuring the local quality inside the fruits and vegetables and a method for evaluating the internal quality of fruits and vegetables using the tray.

  Some fruits and vegetables such as fruits and vegetables, when harvested in a fully ripe state, cause a decrease in taste, fleshing of the flesh, browning of the flesh, etc. In order to prevent this, the flesh is hard and fully ripe. Harvested in a state that is not, then ripened by leaving it at a constant temperature to make it suitable for edible use. Conversely, some fruits and vegetables are desirable to be harvested in the ripe state, and the optimum harvest time varies with individual fruits and vegetables. Conventionally, sugar content, acidity, ripeness, and the like have been measured in order to obtain an optimum harvest time standard for individual fruits and vegetables.

  On the other hand, if there are frequent internal failures such as apple vine cracks, internal cavities, core mold, pear core rot, melon water dripping fruit, etc., select by grade according to the internal failure after harvest Shipped from.

  Conventionally, various techniques for measuring the fruit quality such as sugar content, acidity and ripeness of fruits and vegetables, or the internal quality of fruits and vegetables such as internal disturbances from the outside without destroying the fruits and vegetables have been proposed. As one of the methods, a method of irradiating fruits and vegetables with light such as near-infrared light and detecting transmitted light from inside the fruits and vegetables is known.

  In this method of measuring transmitted light, the fruit and vegetables are irradiated with measurement light, the inside of the fruit and vegetables is scattered, the transmitted light is received by the light receiving part, and the internal signal is measured by analyzing the detection signal from the light receiving part. To do.

  Conventionally, in the quality inspection of fruits and vegetables such as the above-mentioned transmitted light measurement, the fruits and vegetables are placed one by one on the tray (Patent Documents 1 to 3), and this tray is transported on a transport line to a predetermined inspection section. Transported for inspection.

  For example, a tray 101 as shown in FIG. 19 is used when measuring transmitted light for evaluating the average internal quality of the whole fruit and vegetables, for example, average sugar content. The tray 101 is configured to be held so as to cover the side surface portion of the fruits and vegetables 51 by deepening the bottom so that the placed fruits and vegetables 51 are not shaken during transportation and the posture is not changed.

Therefore, at the time of transmitted light measurement, the measurement light 63 is obliquely applied from the pair of light sources 62a and 62b arranged on both sides in the width direction of the transport line 61 to the side surface portion near the top of the fruits and vegetables 51 placed on the tray 101. Irradiating. Then, the transmitted light 64 scattered and transmitted downward from the inside of the fruits and vegetables 51 is detected downward by the light receiving unit 65 from the through hole 102 provided in the bottom of the tray 101. The periphery of the through hole 102 inside the tray 101 is shielded from above by the close contact between the fruits and vegetables 51 and the seating surface of the tray 101, and the lower part of the transport line 61 is also shielded by appropriate means.
JP 2002-11414 A JP 2004-107053 A JP 2005-74340 A Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-234141

  By the way, the quality of the fruits and vegetables to be inspected is based on the average properties of the whole inside of the fruits and vegetables, for example, the average sugar content, etc., local things inside the fruits and vegetables, for example, internal disturbances such as rot inside the fruits and vegetables, There are differences in sugar content.

  Such local evaluation of internal quality cannot be judged from single average measurement data obtained by irradiating light to fruits and vegetables and receiving internal transmitted light. For example, the internal damage of fruits and vegetables is localized at the initial stage of occurrence, and the volume of the damaged area is very small. Is diluted with measurement information from the remaining normal parts, and the presence or absence of a faulty part cannot be detected with high sensitivity. In addition, fruits and vegetables may be evaluated as good quality as the difference in sugar content is small, but from a single average measurement data obtained by irradiating fruits and vegetables and receiving internal transmitted light, It is not possible to know the difference in sugar content within a fruit or vegetable.

  Against this background, as a technique for accurately evaluating the local internal quality of fruits and vegetables, the present applicant has applied for a patent for the following transmitted light division measurement method (Patent Document 4). . In this method, fruits and vegetables are placed on a tray and transported on a transport line. Measuring light is irradiated from the light source to the transported fruits and vegetables, and the transmitted light from inside the fruits and vegetables is received while changing the relative position of the fruits and vegetables with respect to the light receiving unit. To detect. The fruits and vegetables are divided into divided measurement parts that are divided so that the measurement part crosses the conveyance direction. By moving in the conveyance direction, the fruit and vegetables are divided from the divided measurement part at the front end in the conveyance direction to the rear end. Each part up to the measurement part passes through the light receiving unit while collecting unit transmitted light data at a predetermined time interval by the light receiving unit.

  The plurality of unit transmitted light data collected in this way is integrated for each divided measurement part for each of the plurality of unit transmitted light data collected at the divided measurement part, and the unit transmitted light data for each divided measurement part. Integrated division data obtained by integrating is obtained. Based on this integrated divided data (divided transmitted light data), it is possible to measure the local internal quality for each divided measurement site of fruits and vegetables with high accuracy.

  However, when a tray as shown in FIG. 19 is used for measurement by such a divided measurement method, there are the following problems. As described above, since the bottom of the tray 101 is deepened to cover most of the side surface of the fruits and vegetables 51 in order to prevent the posture change of the placed fruits and vegetables 51, the transmitted light is transmitted from the through holes 102 in the bottom. However, with such a configuration, the measurement light irradiation range for the fruits and vegetables 51 is limited by the side surface portion of the tray 101, and at the same time, the light receiving field is greatly limited by the size of the through hole 102.

  In order to improve this problem, the bottom of the tray 101 is made shallow, the light receiving part is arranged above or to the side of the transport line 61, and the measurement light is irradiated from the side or above of the fruits and vegetables 51. It is appropriate to adopt the configuration of irradiation-upward light reception, upward irradiation-side light reception, and the like. By doing so, it is possible to sufficiently widen the measurement light irradiation range and light reception field of the fruits and vegetables 51.

  On the other hand, if the bottom of the tray 101 is shallow, the placed fruits and vegetables 51 are likely to change their posture due to shaking due to impact, inertial force, etc. during transportation, and stable transportation cannot be performed.

  The present invention is capable of high-precision measurement without limiting the measurement light irradiation range and light receiving field to the fruits and vegetables when measuring the local internal quality inside the fruits and vegetables by split measurement of transmitted light, and the like. Another object of the present invention is to provide a fruit and vegetable transport tray capable of stably maintaining the posture of the fruit and vegetables and an internal quality evaluation method for the fruit and vegetables using the tray.

The tray for transporting fruits and vegetables of the present invention places the fruits and vegetables on a tray, transports them on the transport line, irradiates the fruits and vegetables with measurement light from the light source, and detects the transmitted light from the inside of the fruits and vegetables at the light receiving unit. A fruit and vegetable transport tray used in a fruit and vegetable internal quality evaluation device that measures internal quality,
The tray for transporting fruits and vegetables includes a substantially flat receiving member, and a substantially flat fruit and vegetable holding member that is spaced above the receiving member and has an opening at the center. ,
A plurality of flexible members extending inward from the periphery of the opening are provided in the opening of the fruit and vegetable holding member,
The fruits and vegetables are placed on the seat member, and the side portions of the fruits and vegetables that are accommodated in the openings of the fruits and vegetables holding member disposed above the seat member are held by the flexible member. .

In a preferred embodiment of the fruit and vegetable transport tray of the present invention, the seat member and the fruit and vegetable holding member are connected to each other by a connecting member provided therebetween,
Between the receiving member and the fruit and vegetables holding member, there is provided a space that exposes the side part of the fruit and vegetables placed on the fruit and vegetables carrying tray.

In this case, the connecting member is a rod-like member, and a plurality of the rod-like members are arranged between the receiving member and the fruit and vegetable holding member at positions around the outside of the fruits and vegetables to be placed at intervals. And
It is preferable that the space that exposes the side portion of the fruit and vegetables is formed by the space between the rod-shaped members.

The method for evaluating the internal quality of the fruits and vegetables of the present invention carries the fruits and vegetables on the above-mentioned fruits and vegetables transport tray and transports them on the transport line.
Irradiate measurement light to the side part of the fruit and vegetables exposed to the outside from the space between the receiving member and the fruit and vegetables holding member,
Transmitted light from the portion exposed above the fruits and vegetables holding member in the fruits and vegetables is received by the light receiving unit,
The transmitted light from the inside of the fruits and vegetables is detected by the light receiving unit while changing the relative position of the fruits and vegetables with respect to the light receiving unit, and thereby, the divided transmitted light data corresponding to each of the plurality of divided measurement sites divided in the direction of transporting the fruits and vegetables is obtained. It is characterized by measuring the local internal quality inside fruits and vegetables.

The method for evaluating the internal quality of the fruits and vegetables of the present invention carries the fruits and vegetables on the above-mentioned fruits and vegetables transport tray and transports them on the transport line.
Irradiate measurement light to a portion of the fruit or vegetable that is exposed above the fruit or fruit holding member or a side surface portion of the fruit or vegetable that is exposed to the outside from the space between the receiving member and the fruit and vegetable holding member. ,
The transmitted light from inside the fruits and vegetables is received by the light receiving unit through the space between the seating member and the fruits and vegetables holding member,
The transmitted light from the inside of the fruits and vegetables is detected by the light receiving unit while changing the relative position of the fruits and vegetables with respect to the light receiving unit, and thereby, the divided transmitted light data corresponding to each of the plurality of divided measurement sites divided in the direction of transporting the fruits and vegetables is obtained. It is characterized by measuring the local internal quality inside fruits and vegetables.

  In another preferred aspect of the fruit and vegetable transport tray of the present invention, the seat member and the fruit and vegetable holding member are connected to each other by a stretchable member having elasticity that is vertically stretchable between them. The position of the fruit and vegetable holding member is variable by being pushed down with respect to the seat member.

The method for evaluating the internal quality of the fruits and vegetables of the present invention carries the fruits and vegetables on the above-mentioned fruits and vegetables transport tray and transports them on the transport line.
During measurement, the fruit and vegetables holding member is pushed down with respect to the seat member,
In the fruits and vegetables, irradiate the measurement light to the portion exposed above the fruits and vegetables holding member after the depression,
In the fruit and vegetables, transmitted light from the portion exposed on the upper side of the fruit and vegetables holding member after the depression, received by the light receiving unit,
The transmitted light from the inside of the fruits and vegetables is detected by the light receiving unit while changing the relative position of the fruits and vegetables with respect to the light receiving unit, and thereby, the divided transmitted light data corresponding to each of the plurality of divided measurement sites divided in the direction of transporting the fruits and vegetables is obtained. It is characterized by measuring the local internal quality inside fruits and vegetables.

  According to the present invention described above, the fruit and vegetables carrying tray has a two-stage configuration of the substantially flat seat receiving member and the substantially flat fruit and vegetables holding member spaced apart above, and the upper fruit and vegetables. Since the side portions of the fruits and vegetables are held by a plurality of bellows-like flexible members extending inward from the periphery of the opening of the holding member, as a seating member, for evaluating the local internal quality Even when a substantially flat plate with a shallow bottom suitable for divided transmitted light measurement is used, the posture change of the placed fruits and vegetables is prevented and stable conveyance is possible.

  Then, the receiving member and the fruit and vegetable holding member are connected to each other by a connecting member, and a space opened to the outside is provided between them, so that the measuring light is irradiated to the fruit and vegetables through the space. Alternatively, the transmitted light from the fruits and vegetables can be received through this space. By doing in this way, the wide measurement light irradiation range and wide light reception visual field to fruit and vegetables are ensured, and the division | segmentation transmitted light measurement with high precision is attained.

  Alternatively, the receiving member and the fruit and vegetable holding member are connected to each other by an elastic member having elasticity that can be vertically expanded and contracted between them. The side part of fruit and vegetables can be hold | maintained by the some flexible member of the bell shape extended from the opening part periphery of the member inside. And at the time of transmitted light measurement, the wide range of the side part of fruits and vegetables can be exposed above the fruits and vegetables holding member by pushing down the fruits and vegetables holding member with respect to the receiving member. Therefore, a wide measurement light irradiation range and a wide light receiving field for fruits and vegetables can be ensured, and highly accurate divided transmitted light measurement can be performed.

  According to the tray of the present invention, when measuring the local internal quality inside the fruit and vegetables by dividing the transmitted light, high-precision measurement can be performed without limiting the measurement light irradiation range and the light receiving field to the fruit and vegetables. Further, the posture of the fruits and vegetables is sufficiently maintained, and stable conveyance is possible.

According to the internal quality evaluation method of the present invention, since the above-described tray is used, the measurement light irradiation range and the light reception to the fruits and vegetables are measured when the local internal quality inside the fruits and vegetables is measured by the divided measurement of the transmitted light. High-precision measurement is possible without restricting the field of view, and the posture of the fruits and vegetables is sufficiently maintained and stable conveyance is possible.

  In the present invention, “fruits and vegetables” include all fruits and vegetables to which the present invention can be applied. Specific examples thereof include small fruits and vegetables such as tangerines, medium-sized fruits and vegetables such as peaches, apples and pears, watermelons and melons. And large fruits and vegetables.

  The internal quality of the fruits and vegetables to be inspected using the tray of the present invention includes local cracks such as apples, internal cavities, core molds, core rots such as pears, and local fruits that frequently occur in fruits and vegetables such as melons. This includes internal disorders, site differences such as sugar content within fruits and vegetables.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[Example 1]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an outline of a tray for transporting fruits and vegetables in one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a top view of a receiving member provided on the lower side of the tray, and FIG. It is a top view of the member for holding fruits and vegetables provided. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the whole fruit and vegetables carrying tray.

  The tray 1 according to the present embodiment is used to carry fruits and vegetables on the conveyance line when inspecting the local internal quality of the fruits and vegetables by division measurement of transmitted light, which will be described later. And a ring-shaped fruit-and-fruits holding member 21 arranged above the seat member 11 and spaced apart in parallel with the shaft aligned with the seat member 11.

  The receiving member 11 and the fruit and vegetable holding member 21 are connected to each other with a plurality of rod-like members 31 provided therebetween. These seat member 11, fruit and vegetables holding member 21, and rod-shaped member 31 can be produced by, for example, resin molding.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the seat member 11 has an inverted conical tapered seat surface 12 on which fruits and vegetables are placed. In the center of the seat surface 12, dust from the fruits and vegetables to be placed is placed. A through hole 13 for discharging downward is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the fruit and vegetable holding member 21 is provided with an opening 22 at the center, and the opening 22 has a plurality of fin-like flexible members inward from the periphery of the opening 22. 23 extends. The flexible member 23 has a certain degree of rigidity and rubber elasticity, and is made of a material that can be bent by flexible elastic deformation. Each of the plurality of flexible members 23 has a base end portion fixed to the peripheral edge portion of the opening 22 of the fruit and vegetable holding member 21, and is flexible when the fruits and vegetables 51 are inserted below the opening 22. The distal end side of the member 23 follows the side surface portion of the fruits and vegetables 51 and curves downward, whereby the fruits and vegetables 51 can be held from the outer peripheral side.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the tray 1 according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration is transported on the transport line 61 in a state where the measurement target fruits and vegetables 51 are placed. A measuring unit 66 including a pair of light sources 62 a and 62 b disposed on both sides in the width direction of the conveying line 61 and a light receiving unit 65 disposed above is provided in the middle of the conveying line 61. The fruits and vegetables 51 placed on the transport line 61 and transported from the upstream side to the measurement unit 66 on the transport line 61 are subjected to transmitted light measurement.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the fruits and vegetables 51 are placed on the receiving surface 12 of the receiving member 11 of the tray 1. And the side part of the fruit and vegetables holding member 21 is hold | maintained by the flexible member 23 extended inward from the opening part 22 of the fruit and vegetables holding member 21 arrange | positioned above the receiving member 11, This Accordingly, the posture of the fruits and vegetables 51 is stably held so as not to be changed by the action of the inertial force or the like received during conveyance.

  When the fruits and vegetables 51 are placed on the tray 1, the fruits and vegetables 51 are deformed against elasticity so as to push down the distal end side of the flexible member 23 around the openings 22 from above the fruits and vegetables holding member 21 into the openings 22. Then, the fruits and vegetables 51 are put downward and placed on the seating surface 12 below.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the side portion of the fruits and vegetables 51 placed on the tray 1 in this way is exposed from the space 32 between the rod-like members 31 that connect and fix the receiving member 11 and the fruits and vegetables holding member 21 to the outside. Exposed. The measurement light 63 from the light sources 62 a and 62 b is irradiated to the side surface portion of the fruits and vegetables 51 through the space 32 between the rod-shaped members 31.

  The measurement light 63 irradiated on the side surface of the fruits and vegetables 51 is scattered inside the fruits and vegetables 51, and the transmitted light 64 emitted from the exposed portion of the fruits and vegetables 51 on the upper side of the fruits and vegetables holding member 21 is received light disposed above. Detected by the unit 65.

  Next, a method for inspecting the internal quality of the fruits and vegetables 51 in the measuring unit 66 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (c). As shown in the drawing, the measurement light 63 is always emitted from the side toward the inner side in the width direction of the transport line 61 from the pair of light sources 62 a and 62 b arranged on both sides in the width direction of the transport line 61.

  When the fruits and vegetables 51 placed on the tray 1 are transported on the transport line 61 and moved to a position where they are irradiated with the measurement light 63 emitted from the light sources 62a and 62b, the light receiving unit whose position is fixed above the fruits and vegetables 51 The light transmitted through the fruits and vegetables 51 while the fruits and vegetables 51 move in the transport direction relative to 65 is received by the upper light receiving unit 65.

  The transmitted light incident on the light receiving unit 65 is photoelectrically converted, and the electric signal is sent to an integration arithmetic device (not shown) through an amplifier, an AD converter, and the like, for example. In the light receiving unit 65, unit transmitted light data is collected at predetermined time intervals from the fruits and vegetables 51 moving in the transport direction.

  On the other hand, the fruits and vegetables 51 are divided into the measurement parts 71a (FIG. 7 (a)), 71b (FIG. 7 (b)), 71c (FIG. 7 (c)) that are partitioned so that the measurement part crosses the transport direction. .., And by movement in the transport direction, the range of the divided measurement part 71a in FIG. 7A is first detected by the light receiving unit 65, and then the divided measurement part 71b in FIG. 7 is detected by the light receiving unit 65, and then the range of the divided measurement part 71c in FIG. 7C is detected by the light receiving part 65. In this way, from the divided measurement part at the front end in the conveyance direction of the fruits and vegetables 51, Each part up to the divided measurement part at the rear end part passes through the light receiving part 65 while the unit transmission light data is collected at a predetermined time interval by the light receiving part 65.

  The plurality of unit transmitted light data collected in this way is integrated for each of the plurality of unit transmitted light data collected at the divided measurement sites 71a, 71b, 71c,. For each of the portions 71a, 71b, 71c,..., Integrated division data obtained by integrating the unit transmitted light data is obtained.

  For example, if the transport speed is 500 mm / s, the fruit and vegetable size is 100 mm, and the integration interval is 1 ms, the number of unit transmitted light data is (100/500) × 1000 = 200, and 200 unit transmitted light data are integrated and calculated. Will be sent to. The unit transmitted light data of the entire fruit and vegetables 51 sent to the integrating arithmetic unit is integrated at a predetermined interval corresponding to the divided measurement site and stored as integrated divided data. For example, if these 200 pieces of data are integrated in units of 20 data, 10 pieces of integrated divided data corresponding to 20 ms integration can be obtained. The ten pieces of integrated division data are data corresponding to the respective parts when the fruits and vegetables 51 are divided into ten divided measurement parts.

  Based on the integrated divided data (divided transmitted light data) of the fruits and vegetables 51 obtained as described above, the minute obstacles at the divided measurement sites of the fruits and vegetables 51 corresponding to the integrated divided data and the sugar content in the individual fruits and vegetables are measured. Internal quality information such as part differences can be obtained. In some cases, the integrated divided data in all the divided measurement parts can be integrated, and the integrated data obtained thereby can be used as average information inside the fruits and vegetables.

  For example, in the integrating arithmetic unit, a parameter indicating the degree of internal failure is set corresponding to the magnitude of the transmitted light signal by performing transmitted light measurement and naked eye observation on a large number of fruits and vegetables 51 samples in advance. ing. Then, by comparing the integrated divided data with the parameters prepared in advance, the internal quality inspection is performed for each divided measurement part of the fruit and vegetables 51, and the part of the disorder that is locally unevenly distributed in the fruit and vegetables 51 to be inspected is specified. can do.

  Further, when measuring the sugar content, acidity, maturity, etc. of the fruits and vegetables 51, the absorbance in the light wavelength range set according to the type of the fruits and vegetables 51 is measured and compared with the parameters input in advance to the integrating arithmetic unit. Thus, it is possible to know a site difference such as sugar content in each divided measurement site.

  In addition, in the internal failure of the fruits and vegetables 51 such as apple vine cracks, internal cavities, core mold, pear core rot, melon water dripping, etc., the failure occurrence position in the 51 fruits and vegetables individual, In this case, the fruits and vegetables 51 are placed in a fixed direction with respect to the conveyance line 61, and at the timing when the foreseeable portion passes the light receiving unit 65, a predetermined calculation formula is used. A method of assigning the optimum measurement time calculated according to the size of each fruit and vegetable 51 is suitable.

  Although the optimal division | segmentation frequency in the fruits and vegetables 51 changes with kinds, shapes, sizes, and measurement object quality (internal obstacle, sugar content, acidity etc.) of the fruits and vegetables 51, it is about 2 to 15 times, for example. When a site with a minute disorder or a difference in sugar content in the fruits and vegetables 51 is known in advance, or when it is desired to measure only the vicinity of the center of the fruits and vegetables, unit transmitted light data is collected only at the division measurement sites designated in advance. The unit transmitted light data may be integrated to obtain integrated divided data.

  The processing related to the measurement by the integrating arithmetic unit can be performed only by software (CPU processing, CPU instruction), but for example, equivalent processing may be performed only by hardware, or may be performed by both software and hardware. Good.

  In the above-described example, the unit transmitted light data is integrated, and this integrated divided data is divided transmitted light data corresponding to the divided measurement site, but in addition to this, a plurality of unit transmitted light data are collected at predetermined intervals. The unit transmitted light data may be obtained, and the unit transmitted light data may be directly used as divided transmitted light data without being integrated.

Further, the unit transmitted light data may be collected while being integrated, and the plurality of integrated unit transmitted light data may be divided transmission light data.
Further, the transmitted light transmitted through the fruits and vegetables is accumulated as charges at a predetermined time interval using the CCD camera as a light receiving unit, thereby obtaining a plurality of unit transmitted light data based on the accumulated charges, and this unit transmitted light data. The divided transmitted light data may be obtained by using.

Further, after collecting unit transmitted light data at predetermined time intervals, integrating a plurality of unit transmitted light data to obtain a plurality of integrated divided data, and further integrating at least a part of the plurality of integrated divided data Data may be obtained. For example, No. 1-No. No. 9 is divided into 9 divided measurement sites. 1-No. From the nine integrated divided data corresponding to 9, nine numerical values for the failure value and sugar content of the divided measurement site are obtained. And the obstacle part of fruit and vegetables is No. 1 and no. When it is desired to investigate the average sugar content of edible parts (parts excluding both edible parts) other than the disordered part that frequently occur in the parts corresponding to 9 (both ends of the fruits and vegetables), No. 2-No. Integration data up to 8 is newly integrated again to create integrated data. 2-No. An average sugar content of up to 8 is obtained.

  According to the tray 1 of the present embodiment described above, it has a two-stage configuration of a substantially disc-shaped receiving member 11 and a substantially annular fruit-and-fruit holding member 21 that is spaced apart above the seat member. Since the side portions of the fruits and vegetables 51 are held by the plurality of bellows-like flexible members 23 extending inward from the periphery of the opening 22 of the upper fruits and vegetables holding member 21, the posture change of the placed fruits and vegetables 51 is changed. Is prevented and stable conveyance is possible.

Then, the receiving member 11 and the fruit and vegetable holding member 21 are connected to each other by a connecting rod-shaped member 31 and a space 32 opened to the outside is provided between them. The measuring light 63 can be irradiated to the fruits and vegetables 51. In another aspect, the transmitted light from the fruits and vegetables 51 can be received through the space 32. By doing in this way, the wide measurement light irradiation range to the fruit and vegetables 51 and the wide light reception visual field are ensured, and the division | segmentation transmitted light measurement with high precision is attained.
[Example 2]
FIG. 8 is a front view showing an outline of a tray for transporting fruits and vegetables in another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a top view of a receiving member provided on the lower side of the tray, and FIG. It is a top view of the member for fruit and vegetables holding provided in. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the whole fruit and vegetables carrying tray. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the member etc. corresponding to the said Example 1, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The tray 1 according to the present embodiment is used to carry fruits and vegetables on the conveyance line when inspecting the local internal quality of the fruits and vegetables by the above-described division measurement of transmitted light. And a ring-shaped fruit-and-fruits holding member 21 arranged above the seat member 11 and spaced apart in parallel with the shaft aligned with the seat member 11.

  The seat member 11 and the fruit and vegetable holding member 21 are connected to each other with a stretchable member 41 having elasticity provided between them. In this embodiment, the elastic member 41 is constituted by a bellows member that is elastic in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the seat member 11 has an inverted conical taper-shaped seat surface 12 on which fruits and vegetables are placed. In the center of the seat surface 12, dust from the fruits and vegetables to be placed is placed. A through hole 13 for discharging downward is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the fruit and vegetable holding member 21 is provided with an opening 22 at the center, and the opening 22 has a plurality of fin-like flexible members extending from the periphery of the opening 22 to the inside. 23 extends.

  As shown in FIG. 12A, the fruit 51 to be inspected is placed on the receiving surface 12 of the receiving member 11 of the tray 1. And the side part of the fruit and vegetables holding member 21 is hold | maintained by the flexible member 23 extended inward from the opening part 22 of the fruit and vegetables holding member 21 arrange | positioned above the receiving member 11, This Accordingly, the posture of the fruits and vegetables 51 is stably held so as not to be changed by the action of the inertial force or the like received during conveyance.

When the fruits and vegetables 51 are placed on the tray 1, the fruits and vegetables 51 are deformed against elasticity so as to push down the distal end side of the flexible member 23 around the openings 22 from above the fruits and vegetables holding member 21 into the openings 22. Then, the fruits and vegetables 51 are put downward and placed on the seating surface 12 below.

  The fruits and vegetables holding member 21 is normally located near the center or upper part of the side surface of the fruits and vegetables 51 as shown in FIG. 12A, and the flexible member 23 is near or above the center of the side surface part with respect to the fruits and vegetables 51. The posture of the fruits and vegetables 51 is held by contact in the vicinity, but by pressing the fruits and vegetables holding member 21 downward, the bellows-like elastic member 41 is elastically contracted, and the flexible member 23 is attached to the fruits and vegetables 51. It can be pushed down while following the side surface. Thereby, as shown in FIG.12 (b), the wide range of the side part of the fruits and vegetables 51 is exposed to the upper side of the fruits and vegetables holding member 21, and transmitted light measurement is performed in this state.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the tray 1 according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration is transported on the transport line 61 with the measurement target fruits and vegetables 51 placed thereon. A measuring unit 66 including a pair of light sources 62 a and 62 b disposed on both sides in the width direction of the conveying line 61 and a light receiving unit 65 disposed above is provided in the middle of the conveying line 61. The fruits and vegetables 51 placed on the transport line 61 and transported from the upstream side to the measurement unit 66 on the transport line 61 are subjected to transmitted light measurement. At this time, the tray 1 on which the fruits and vegetables 51 that have reached the measuring unit 66 are placed is obtained by, for example, a guide rail (not shown) for guiding the conveyance of the tray 1 or a dedicated push-down device installed in the measuring unit 66. The holding member 21 is pushed down as shown in FIG. 13, and a wide range of the side surface portion of the fruits and vegetables 51 is exposed on the upper side of the fruits and vegetables holding member 21.

And as shown in FIG. 14, the measurement light 63 from the light sources 62a and 62b is irradiated with respect to the side part of the exposed fruit and vegetables 51. As shown in FIG.
The measurement light 63 irradiated on the side surface of the fruits and vegetables 51 is scattered inside the fruits and vegetables 51, and the transmitted light 64 emitted upward from the portion of the fruits and vegetables 51 exposed above the fruits and vegetables holding member 21 is disposed above. Detected by the light receiving unit 65.

  Then, split measurement of transmitted light is performed by the above-described method described with reference to FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (c). In other words, the fruits and vegetables 51 are unit-transmitted at predetermined time intervals by the light receiving unit 65 from the divided measurement sites at the front end in the transport direction to the divided measurement sites at the rear end, which are partitioned so as to cross the transport direction. The optical data passes through the light receiving unit 65 while being collected. The plurality of unit transmitted light data collected in this way is integrated for each divided measurement part for each of the plurality of unit transmitted light data collected at the divided measurement part, and the unit transmitted light data is obtained for each divided measurement part. Integrated integrated division data is obtained.

  Based on the integrated divided data (divided transmitted light data) of the fruits and vegetables 51 obtained in this manner, the minute obstacles in the divided measurement sites of the fruits and vegetables 51 corresponding to the integrated divided data and the sites of sugar content within the individual fruits and vegetables Internal quality information such as differences can be obtained.

  According to the tray 1 of the present embodiment described above, it has a two-stage configuration of a substantially disc-shaped receiving member 11 and a substantially annular fruit-and-fruit holding member 21 that is spaced apart above the seat member. Since the side portions of the fruits and vegetables 51 are held by the plurality of bellows-like flexible members 23 extending inward from the periphery of the opening 22 of the upper fruits and vegetables holding member 21, the posture change of the placed fruits and vegetables 51 is changed. Is prevented and stable conveyance is possible.

Then, the receiving member 11 and the fruit and vegetable holding member 21 are connected to each other by an elastic member 41 that is provided between them and has an elastic property that can be vertically expanded and contracted. The side portions of the fruits and vegetables 51 can be held by the plurality of bell-like flexible members 23 extending inwardly from the periphery of the opening 22 of the fruits and vegetables holding member 21, and the fruits and vegetables holding member 21 can be used during transmitted light measurement. Can be exposed to the upper side of the fruit and vegetables holding member 21 to expose a wide range of the side surface portion of the fruit and vegetables 51. Therefore, a wide measurement light irradiation range and a wide light receiving field for the fruits and vegetables 51 can be ensured, and highly accurate divided transmitted light measurement can be performed.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these Examples at all, and various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range which does not deviate from the summary. An example is shown below.

  FIG. 15 is a front view showing a modification of the fruit and vegetables carrying tray in the first embodiment. The tray 1 has the same basic configuration as that of the first embodiment, but is provided with a flexible member 23a inside the opening 22 of the fruit and vegetables holding member 21, and a receiving member below the flexible member 23a. 11 is also provided with a flexible member 23b.

  When the fruits and vegetables to be inspected are large fruits and vegetables 51a, the large fruits and vegetables 51a are placed on the receiving member 11 of the tray 1, and the side surfaces thereof are mounted by the upper flexible member 23a attached to the fruits and vegetables holding member 21. The posture of the large-sized fruit and vegetables 51a is maintained.

  On the other hand, when the fruits and vegetables to be inspected are small fruits and vegetables 51b, the small fruits and vegetables 51b are placed on the receiving member 11 of the tray 1 and the lower flexibility attached to the upper vicinity of the receiving member 11 is attached. The side part is hold | maintained by the member 23a, and the attitude | position of the small fruits and vegetables 51b is maintained.

  Thus, according to the tray 1 of this modification, even small fruits and vegetables that cannot be held by the upper flexible member 23a attached to the fruits and vegetables holding member 21 are placed on the tray 1 and conveyed. The transmitted light can be measured.

  FIG. 16A is a front view showing a modification of the fruit and vegetables carrying tray in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the bellows member is used as the elastic member 41 that connects the fruit and vegetable holding member 21 to the receiving member 11 so as to be able to be pushed down. However, in this modification, the elastic member 41 has spring elasticity. The spring member which has is used. Even when such a spring member is used, as in the second embodiment, when the transmitted light is measured, the fruit and vegetable holding member 21 is pushed downward as shown in FIG. Can be exposed. As described above, in the present invention, the elastic member 41 can be a member having various elasticity such as rubber elasticity, spring elasticity, and shape retention elasticity.

  FIG. 17A is a front view showing a modified example of the fruit and vegetables carrying tray in the second embodiment, and FIG. 17B is a top view of the fruit and vegetables holding member. In this modification, the annular plate-shaped fruit and vegetables holding member 21 is divided into a movable divided body 21a and a non-movable divided body 21b.

  The movable divided body 21a is connected to the lower seat member 11 by an elastic member 41 so as to be pressed down. On the other hand, the non-moving divided body 21b is connected in a form that is fixed with respect to the lower receiving member 11.

  At the time of transmitted light measurement, the movable divided body 21a can be pushed downward as shown by the solid line in FIG. 17A to expose a wide range of the side surface portion of the fruits and vegetables 51 from the upper side of the movable divided body 21a. The exposed portion is irradiated with the measurement light 63 from the light source 62 as shown in the figure, and the transmitted light is received from above the fruits and vegetables 51 or from the side of the fruits and vegetables 51 on the side opposite to the light sources 62. Alternatively, the transmitted light from the exposed portion is received from the side of the movable divided body 21a.

Depending on the case, the movable divided bodies 21a may be provided in a necessary number at positions necessary for irradiation of measurement light or reception of transmitted light from inside the fruits and vegetables.
In Examples 1 and 2, the measurement light is irradiated from both sides in the width direction of the conveyance line, that is, from both sides of the fruits and vegetables, and the transmitted light from the fruits and vegetables is received upward. As shown in FIG. 18, the measurement light 63 is irradiated from above the fruits and vegetables 51, and the transmitted light 64 directed to the sides of the fruits and vegetables 51 is received by the pair of light receiving portions 65a and 65b from both sides in the width direction of the transport line. Also good.

  Although not shown, the measuring light may be irradiated from the side on one end side in the width direction of the transport line to the fruits and vegetables, and the transmitted light may be received from the side on the other end side. Moreover, the measurement light may be irradiated to the fruits or vegetables or the transmitted light may be received by the light receiving unit from obliquely above the fruits and vegetables.

  A halogen lamp, a xenon lamp, a white LED, an incandescent lamp, or the like can be used as a light source for irradiating the fruits and vegetables with measurement light, and near infrared light and visible light are mainly used. Further, the measurement light emitted from the light source to the fruits and vegetables may be substantially parallel light, or may be spot light collected by arranging a slit plate, a lens, or the like. Further, in order to irradiate the fruits and vegetables with the measurement light in a predetermined direction, the measurement light from the light source may be guided by a mirror.

  The light receiving unit for detecting the internally transmitted light from the fruits and vegetables can be composed of a photomultiplier tube, a photodiode, a CCD camera, or the like. Further, if necessary, a spectroscope may be arranged so that the transmitted light is dispersed and then guided to the light receiving unit.

In the present invention, as a form of transporting the tray on the transport line, a so-called free tray system or the like can be mentioned, but it is not limited to this.
In the above embodiment, the case where the local internal quality is measured by the divided measurement of the transmitted light has been described. However, the use of the tray of the present invention is not limited to this, and conventionally known fruits and vegetables Can also be used to measure average internal quality.

It is the front view which showed the outline of the saucer for fruit and vegetables conveyance in Example 1. FIG. It is a top view of a receiving member. It is a top view of the member for fruit and vegetables holding. It is the perspective view which showed the outline of the saucer for fruit and vegetables conveyance in Example 1. FIG. It is a figure explaining the transmitted light measurement using the saucer for fruit and vegetables conveyance in Example 1. FIG. It is a figure explaining the transmitted light measurement using the saucer for fruit and vegetables conveyance in Example 1. FIG. It is a figure explaining the division | segmentation measurement of the transmitted light using the saucer for fruit and vegetables conveyance in Example 1. FIG. It is the front view which showed the outline of the saucer for fruit and vegetables conveyance in Example 2. FIG. It is a top view of a receiving member. It is a top view of the member for fruit and vegetables holding. It is the perspective view which showed the outline of the saucer for fruit and vegetables conveyance in Example 2. FIG. It is the figure which showed the state before and behind pushing down a fruit and vegetables holding member by shrinkage | contraction of an expansion-contraction member. It is a figure explaining the transmitted light measurement using the saucer for fruit and vegetables conveyance in Example 2. FIG. It is a figure explaining the transmitted light measurement using the saucer for fruit and vegetables conveyance in Example 2. FIG. It is the front view which showed the modification of the tray for fruit and vegetables conveyance in Example 1. FIG. It is the front view which showed the modification of the tray for fruit and vegetables conveyance in Example 2, FIG. 16 (a) shows a normal state, FIG.16 (b) shows the state which pushed down the fruit and vegetables holding member. FIG. 17A is a front view showing a modified example of the fruit and vegetables carrying tray in Example 2, and FIG. 17B is a top view of the fruit and vegetables holding member. It is the figure which showed another example of measurement light irradiation position and light reception arrangement | positioning. It is the front view which showed the outline of the conventional saucer for fruit and vegetables conveyance.

Explanation of symbols

1 tray 11 receiving member 12 receiving surface 13 through hole 21 fruits and vegetables holding member 21a movable divided body 21b non-moving divided body 22 openings 23, 23a, 23b flexible member 31 rod-shaped member 32 space 41 telescopic member 51 fruit and vegetables 51a large size Fruits and vegetables 51b Small fruits and vegetables 61 Conveyance lines 62, 62a, 62b Light source 63 Measuring light 64 Transmitted light 65, 65a, 65b Light receiving part 66 Measuring part 71 Divided measurement position

Claims (7)

The quality of fruits and vegetables is measured by measuring the internal quality of fruits and vegetables by placing the fruits and vegetables on a transport line, irradiating the fruits and vegetables with measurement light from the light source, and detecting the transmitted light from the inside of the fruits and vegetables at the light receiver. A tray for transporting fruits and vegetables used in an evaluation device,
The tray for transporting fruits and vegetables includes a substantially flat receiving member, and a substantially flat fruit and vegetable holding member that is spaced above the receiving member and has an opening at the center. ,
A plurality of flexible members extending inward from the periphery of the opening are provided in the opening of the fruit and vegetable holding member,
The fruit and vegetables are placed on the seating member, and the side part of the fruit and vegetables that fits in the opening of the fruit and vegetable holding member disposed above the seating member is held by the flexible member. Tray for transporting fruits and vegetables. The seat member and the fruit and vegetable holding member are connected to each other by a connecting member provided between them,
The space which exposes the side part of the fruit and vegetables mounted on the said fruit and vegetables conveyance tray to the outside is provided between the said receiving member and the said fruit and fruit holding member. Tray for transporting fruits and vegetables. The connecting member is a rod-shaped member, and the rod-shaped member is arranged between the receiving member and the fruit and vegetable holding member at a plurality of positions around the outside of the fruits and vegetables to be placed at intervals.
The tray for transporting fruits and vegetables according to claim 2, wherein the space between the rod-shaped members constitutes the space that exposes the side portion of the fruits and vegetables to the outside. The vegetables and fruits are placed on the fruits and vegetables transport tray according to claim 2 or 3 and conveyed on the conveying line.
Irradiate measurement light to the side part of the fruit and vegetables exposed to the outside from the space between the receiving member and the fruit and vegetables holding member,
Transmitted light from the portion exposed above the fruits and vegetables holding member in the fruits and vegetables is received by the light receiving unit,
The transmitted light from the inside of the fruits and vegetables is detected by the light receiving unit while changing the relative position of the fruits and vegetables with respect to the light receiving unit, and thereby, the divided transmitted light data corresponding to each of the plurality of divided measurement sites divided in the direction of transporting the fruits and vegetables is obtained. A method for evaluating the internal quality of fruits and vegetables, characterized by measuring local internal quality inside the fruits and vegetables. The vegetables and fruits are placed on the fruits and vegetables transport tray according to claim 2 or 3 and conveyed on the conveying line.
Irradiate measurement light to a portion of the fruit or vegetable that is exposed above the fruit or fruit holding member or a side surface portion of the fruit or vegetable that is exposed to the outside from the space between the receiving member and the fruit and vegetable holding member. ,
The transmitted light from inside the fruits and vegetables is received by the light receiving unit through the space between the seating member and the fruits and vegetables holding member,
The transmitted light from the inside of the fruits and vegetables is detected by the light receiving unit while changing the relative position of the fruits and vegetables with respect to the light receiving unit, and thereby, the divided transmitted light data corresponding to each of the plurality of divided measurement sites divided in the direction of transporting the fruits and vegetables is obtained. A method for evaluating the internal quality of fruits and vegetables, characterized by measuring local internal quality inside the fruits and vegetables. The receiving member and the fruit and vegetable holding member are connected to each other by an elastic member having elasticity that is vertically expandable and contracted between them, and the fruit and vegetable holding member is connected to the receiving member. 2. The fruit and vegetables carrying tray according to claim 1, wherein the position of the tray is variable by being pushed down. The vegetables and fruits are placed on the fruit and vegetables carrying tray according to claim 6 and conveyed on the conveying line.
During measurement, the fruit and vegetables holding member is pushed down with respect to the seat member,
In the fruits and vegetables, irradiate the measurement light to the portion exposed above the fruits and vegetables holding member after the depression,
In the fruit and vegetables, transmitted light from the portion exposed on the upper side of the fruit and vegetables holding member after the depression, received by the light receiving unit,
The transmitted light from the inside of the fruits and vegetables is detected by the light receiving unit while changing the relative position of the fruits and vegetables with respect to the light receiving unit, and thereby, the divided transmitted light data corresponding to each of the plurality of divided measurement sites divided in the direction of transporting the fruits and vegetables is obtained. A method for evaluating the internal quality of fruits and vegetables, characterized by measuring local internal quality inside the fruits and vegetables.

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