JP2011025208A - Sorting and classifying apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sorting apparatus having high sorting accuracy and providing uniformly classified products, in addition to greatly reducing time, space, and labor cost relating to the sorting. <P>SOLUTION: This is a sorting apparatus which sorts those having a prescribed shape among target objects T to be sorted and which has conveying means F1-F4, inspection means I1-I4, and separating means D1-D4, installed in a plurality of stages vertically from the upstream side to the downstream side. The determination criteria of a determination means J, which is installed with the respective conveying means and which is electrically connected to the inspection means, are specified such that the threshold for sorting target objects becomes smaller stepwise from the upstream side to the downstream side of the conveying means installed in the plurality of stages vertically. The target objects supplied to one end of the conveying means in the uppermost stream side are repeatedly subjected to a shape sorting each time when the objects pass the inspection means and the separating means provided in the respective conveying means. As a result, the target objects can be classified into at least one or more classes. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sorting and classification device that can classify a supplied sorting object into at least one or more grades.

  As an example of a sorting and classification device that can classify the supplied sorting object into at least one or more grades, in the case of black tea, the tea leaves after drying are classified according to size (grade). There is a process of finishing to a final product, but at this time, a shape sorting device for black tea is required. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the tea leaves produced by the orthodox manufacturing method are required to be classified into 14 grades according to their sizes, for example.

FIGS. 9-12 is process drawing which shows an example of the grade selection in the conventional sorting apparatus 50 for tea.
Conventionally, the following method has been adopted as a method for selecting the shape of tea leaves produced by the orthodox manufacturing method and classifying them into each grade. i) First, the leaves are wilted (Withering), then twisted with a twisting machine (Rolling), and screened in ascending order from the smallest to 1st Dhool, 2nd Dhool, 3rd Dhool, 4th Dhool, Big Bulk, Classify. ii) After each fermentation and drying, OPA is combined with a high-pressure charged drum, bubble tray shifter (Bubble Tray Sifter), Michie (Michie Shifter), rotary Sifter, etc. , OP, OP1, BOP1, BOP, BOPF, PEKOE, FBOP, FBOP1, F-PEKOE, FBOPF1, FBOPF, FBOPF Special, and FBOPF Extra Special are selected and classified (Sifting).

Specifically, with reference to an example of a process diagram having the configuration shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, first, mechanical sorting known as a process for pre-processing the sorting object (tea leaf) T supplied as Big Bulk is first performed. A shifter S ′ (Middleton Sifter) comprising means is provided. The shifter S ′ is composed of bubble trays (Bubble Tray, round mesh parallel sieves) B ₁ ′ and B ₂ ′ which are vertically arranged in two stages and are swingable as a whole. In one example, the diameter φ ₁ ′ of the upper bubble tray B ₁ ′ is about 3 mm, and the diameter φ ₂ ′ of the lower bubble tray B ₂ ′ is about 5 mm.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the tea leaves T supplied as Big Bulk are subjected to the processing by the bubble tray B ₁ ′ on the upper side of the shifter S ′, and the four-stage sieve RA ₁ ′ ˜from the top to the bottom Selection and classification (UNDER 3 mm) by the first rotary shifter (rotary sieve) RA ′ composed of RA ₄ ′ (UNDER 3 mm), and processing by the lower stage B ₂ ′ of the shifter S ′ (OVER) 3 mm) and classified.

Next, the black tea leaf T supplied to the lower side B ₂ ′ of the shifter S ′ is Mixifuta M2 ′ (mesh No. 8. Note that the numbers indicate how many meshes pass through 1 inch. For example, if the mesh is 8 meshes with 8 meshes per inch, it means 64 meshes per square inch. Sorting by classification (UNDER 5 mm) and sorting by Mixithia M1 ′ consisting of a plurality of mixifuta (mesh No. 8, 6 and 3) from the top to the bottom, sorting (OVER 5 mm) Classified.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the tea leaves T supplied to the Mixifuta M2 ′ (mesh No. 8) side are selected and classified into BOP1 (Under No. 8) and PEKOE (OVER No. 8).
On the other hand, the black tea leaves T (OVER 5 mm) supplied to the mixifter M1 ′ side composed of a plurality of mixifeaters (mesh Nos. 8, 6 and 3) are OP1 (Under No. 8) and OP (Under No. 6). And it sorts and classifies sequentially with OPA (Under No. 3). The portion (OVER No. 3) finally discharged from the Mixithia M1 ′ is thrown into the Cutter.

By the way, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the first rotary shifter RA ′ is supplied with the sort (UNDER 3 mm) selected and classified from the processing by the bubble tray B ₁ ′ on the upper side of the shifter S ′. The tea leaves T supplied as 3 ^rd / 4 ^th Dhools are pre-processed in advance for removing foreign substances by an electrostatic sorting machine (3T Electrostatic) ES comprising a three-stage high-voltage charging drum. The electrostatic sorter ES removes foreign matters such as fibers such as leaf veins, yarn waste, and hair mixed in the tea leaves that have been supplied through an electrostatically charged roller by adsorption separation in the same manner as a conventionally known tea industry machine. It is a device that goes to the next process later.

The tea leaves T supplied to the first rotary shifter RA ′ are finally sorted and classified into BOP and BOPF. Further, a part of the tea leaves T supplied to the first rotary shifter RA ′ is further supplied to the mixifter M2 ′ (mesh No. 8), and BOP1 (OVER No. 12) and PEKOE (UNDER No. 12). To be sorted and classified.
In addition, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, a part of the tea leaf T (OVER No. 8) supplied to the first rotary shifter RA ′ is circulated into the superlative Big Bulk, and the process described above as Big Bulk The same process is followed by selection and classification.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 12, for the further selection and classification process of the tea leaves T classified to the smaller one as the 1st / 2nd Dhools, the selection and classification process having the following configuration is adopted.

That is, in the following selection and classification processes, upper and lower two-stage mixers M3 ′ and M4 ′ (mesh Nos. 8 and 14) and upper and lower two-stage multi-shifters M5 ′ and M6 ′ (mesh Nos. 8 and 10) and , bubble trays B _{3 'and} B _4' (the same consisting of as well as upper and lower stages in the process supplied from Big Bulk, _'the diameter phi ₃ of' = 3 mm as an upper bubble tray B _3, lower Side diameter bubble tray B ₄ ′ of each diameter φ ₄ ′ = about 5 mm), and four-stage perforated trays PT ₁ ′ to PT ₄ ′ from the top to the bottom and two-stage metal mesh (up and down) Welded Mesh) A second rotary shifter (rotating sieve) RB ′ composed of WM ₁ ′ and WM ₂ ′ is appropriately combined and selected and classified.
As can be seen from FIGS. 9 and 12, the second rotary shifter RB ′ includes at least one perforated tray and / or at least one welded mesh in the vertical direction. They are stacked while being spaced apart.

The tea leaves T supplied as 1 ^st / 2 ^nd Dhools are first subjected to treatment with Mixifuta M3 ′ (mesh No. 8), followed by selection and classification by Mixifuta M4 ′ (mesh No. 14). (Under No. 8) and the portion (OVER No. 8) to be processed by the upper and lower two-stage multi-shifters M5 ′ and M6 ′ (mesh No. 8 and 10) are selected and classified.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 12, the tea leaves T supplied to Mixifuta M4 ′ (mesh No. 14) are sorted and classified into FBOPF Special (Under No. 14) and FBOPF Extra Special (OVER No. 14). The
On the other hand, the tea leaves T supplied to the multi-shifter M5 ′ (mesh No. 8) as a result of the processing by the mixifter M3 ′ (mesh No. 8) are subjected to selection and classification by the subsequent multi-shifter M6 ′ (mesh No. 10). To be processed (UNDER No. 8), and to be processed (OVER No. 8) by the upper and lower two-stage bubble trays B ₃ ′ and B ₄ ′.

The black tea leaf T supplied to the multi-shifter M6 ′ (mesh No. 10) is supplied to the uppermost porous tray PT ₁ ′ of the second rotary shifter RB ′ (Under No. 10), and the others To be extracted and classified as FBOP (OVER No. 10).

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 12, the tea leaves T supplied to the uppermost porous tray PT ₁ ′ of the second rotary shifter RB ′ are repeatedly sorted again in the second rotary shifter RB ′, and FBOPF1 ( OVER No. 8), FBOPF (OVER No. 10, 12), Dust 1 (OVER No. 16), Dust 2 (OVER No. 24) and Dust (OVER No. 30) are sequentially selected and classified. The rest is discharged as Sand (Under No. 30). Note that fine Dust1, Dust2, Dust, and Sand are not considered here (the same applies hereinafter).

On the other hand, the tea leaves T (OVER No. 8) supplied to the upper and lower two-stage bubble trays B ₃ ′ and B ₄ ′ are processed by the bubble trays B ₃ ′ and B ₄ ′, and then FBOP1 ( OVER 5mm) and F-PEKOE (Under 3mm, 5mm).

  By the way, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the conventional sorting method, particularly the process of sorting large shape leaves such as OPA, OP, OP1, BOP1, and PEKOE with high added value from Big Bulk, is originally mechanical sorting. Therefore, the accuracy of selection is poor and it is necessary to repeat each process. As a result, the tea leaves are crushed in the process of repeating, or the tea leaves turn gray due to friction with metal. Since these grades occupy 50% or more of the whole in terms of quantity, the tea factory is a process that requires a lot of labor, and improvement of the above problems is required.

  In addition, since the machines in each process are arranged in a plane in the factory, most of the space in the factory must be used for the shape selection process. Dust generated from the shape sorter was also a problem.

  Furthermore, according to the sorting method described above, each machine requires one operator, which requires a large number of personnel, and in addition to labor costs for tea production, many of them are labor in tea plants in remote areas. There is a problem of shortage.

  In addition, in the above sorting method, each process is repeated and the process proceeds to the next process, so it takes a long time to change from raw leaves to products, and it takes time to grasp how much each grade can be shipped. There were problems in managing the tea factory efficiently.

JP 2001-299218 A JP 2000-189053 A

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a sorting apparatus that can significantly reduce the time, space, and labor cost for sorting, and that can provide a uniform classified product with high sorting accuracy.

  As a result of various studies to solve the above problems, the inventor of the present application has provided a predetermined number of objects in the sorting object, which is provided with a plurality of upper and lower stages from the upstream side to the downstream side with the conveying means, the inspection means, and the separating means. A sorting apparatus that sorts out objects having a shape, and further, the determination criteria of the determination means electrically connected to the inspection means provided in each conveyance means are determined from the upstream side of the conveyance means provided in the upper and lower stages. The threshold for sorting the sorting object toward the downstream side is defined so as to decrease stepwise, and the sorting object supplied to one end side of the transport means on the most upstream side is provided in each transport means. It is found that the above-mentioned problem can be solved by adopting a configuration in which the object to be sorted can be classified into at least one grade by repeatedly performing shape selection every time the inspection means and separation means are passed. Completed .

The sorting apparatus of the present invention that can solve the above-described problems is (1) a sorting apparatus that sorts objects having a predetermined shape in a sorting object, and the sorting object supplied to one end side to the other end side. It is provided at a position spaced apart from the lower end of the chute so that it can monitor the trajectory of the sorting object that has jumped out from the other end side of the conveying means that conveys, and the shape of the sorting object is An inspection means to be inspected, and a determination for determining whether or not the selection object has a predetermined shape based on the shape of the selection object electrically connected to the inspection means and obtained by the inspection means And a device electrically connected to the determination unit and provided at a predetermined interval from the other end side of the transport unit, and blows off the selection object determined to have a predetermined shape by the determination unit, If it blows away Separating means for dropping the selected object along a trajectory different from the fall trajectory from the conveying means, the conveying means being provided in a plurality of upper and lower stages, and dropping from the other end side of the upstream conveying means The sorting object on the trajectory is configured to fall to the one end side of the downstream conveying means, and each of the conveying means includes the inspection means and the separating means. It is.
(2) It is preferable that the inspection means and the separation means provided together with each of the conveying means are electrically connected to the determination means.

  In the above (2), (3) the determination criterion of the determination means electrically connected to the inspection means provided with each of the conveyance means is an upstream of the conveyance means provided in the upper and lower stages. From the side to the downstream side, the threshold for sorting the sorting object is defined so as to decrease stepwise, the sorting object supplied to one end side of the conveying means on the most upstream side, It is preferable that the selection object is classified into at least one or more grades by repeatedly performing shape selection every time the inspection means and separation means provided in each of the conveying means are passed. .

  In the above (2) or (3), it is preferable that (4) the determination criterion by the determination means is the length and width of the selection object among the shapes of the selection object.

  Note that (5) an upstream shape sorting device including mechanical sorting means may be provided as a pre-process for supplying the sorting object above the conveying means on the most upstream side.

  Similarly, (6) a downstream shape sorting device including a mechanical sorting unit may be provided below the transport unit located on the most downstream side as a post-process for supplying the sorting object.

Preferably, (7) the conveying means conveys the sorting object supplied to the upper surface on one end side to the other end side and causes the sorting object conveyed to the other end side to jump out in a predetermined direction. It consists of a high-speed belt conveyor device.
At this time, (8) the conveying speed of the high-speed belt conveyor device is 50 m / min. To 150 m / min. It is preferable that it is the range of these.

  (9) The conveying means may include a chute that is provided with a predetermined inclination angle with respect to a horizontal plane, and that causes a selection target object that is slid down from the upper part thereof to jump out in a predetermined direction. .

  In the above (9), (10) and further comprising a cover provided at a predetermined interval with respect to the surface of the chute and covering at least a part of the surface of the chute, At least one is formed as a plane chute having a width corresponding to the supply width of the selection object, and the cover is provided at a predetermined interval with respect to the surface of the chute, and at least a part of the chute is provided. It is good also as a thing comprised from the plate-shaped body which covers, and the said sliding object slides down along the surface of the said chute | shoots by regulating the sliding track | orbit of the said sorting object.

  In the above (9) or (10), (11) the inclination angle of the chute with respect to the horizontal plane is preferably 60 ° or more and 85 ° or less.

  According to the present invention, the time, space, and labor cost for sorting can be greatly reduced. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a sorting apparatus that can provide a uniform classified product with high sorting accuracy.

[Explanation of terms]
In the present specification, “perforated tray” refers to a plate using a porous metal flat plate prepared by appropriately perforating a flat metal plate as shown in FIG. 15A.
15A and the mesh No. in each figure. This number indicates, for example, how many meshes pass through when viewed between 1 inch. Therefore, as is clear from FIG. 15A, an 8-mesh in which 8 meshes pass through in one inch is a finer mesh than a 4-mesh in which only 4 meshes pass. In addition, if it is 4 meshes in which 8 meshes pass through 1 inch, it means that 64 meshes pass per square inch.

In this specification, “welded mesh” refers to a wire mesh screen created by literally crossing wires and welding the intersections as appropriate, as shown in FIG. 15B.
15B and the mesh No. in each figure. The numbers are the same as in the case of the perforated tray shown in FIG. 15A.

In this specification, as is understood from FIGS. 15A and 15B, in the case of a general sieve including a welded wire mesh and a perforated tray (excluding a bubble tray shifter using a bubble tray), the mesh of each sieve No. This number indicates how many meshes pass through in 1 inch. The larger the number, the finer the screen.
Even in a sieving machine for producing black tea, if we look at the mesh of each sieve set in the sieving machine, the mesh becomes finer as it goes down. In terms of mesh numbers, the numbers increase sequentially.
Depending on the size of the sieve mesh, the dried tea leaves are classified and sorted into multiple grades.

In this specification, “rotary shifter” means that at least one perforated tray and / or at least one welded mesh are separated from each other in the vertical direction. It is the one that is stacked while being laminated.
In general, the rotary shifter can perform a large amount of processing due to the centrifugal effect by the horizontal circular motion of the sieve surface (about 144 rpm in the case of the above-described conventional example) and a large square net area, and a plurality of even in a limited space. It has the feature that it can be screened into grades, and the mesh frame can be easily replaced with a single touch.
Here, in the rotary shifter, tea leaves larger than the mesh size of the sieve set in that stage are separated and extracted. On the other hand, tea leaves finer than the mesh size are sifted down to the lower side.
By the way, in a rotary shifter, it is customary that sieves with finer mesh sizes are set in order from the upper stage to the lower stage side. With such a configuration, a plurality of selection objects are arranged in descending order from the upper stage to the lower stage side. Can be sorted and classified into different grades.

  In this specification, “Michie Sifter” is a tea machine, for example, as shown on the Internet site http://www.jet.com.lk/html/products.htm. In addition, the above-mentioned meshed plate (sieve) can function as a sieving machine by repeating reciprocating sliding motion in parallel with the horizontal direction. In the case of the conventional example described above, the reciprocating frequency of the mixer is about 240 Hz (240 reciprocating vibrations per minute).

  In the present specification, “Multi Sifter” refers to a sieving machine configured by a plurality of stages of plates (sieves) having a mesh similar to a Mixifter that reciprocates a rectangular mesh parallel sieve. In the case of the conventional example described above, the reciprocating frequency of the multi-shifter is about 170 Hz (170 reciprocating vibrations per minute).

In this specification, “Bubble Tray Sifter” has a plane and a partial cross-section (FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 16A) shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B. Say a sieve using a bubble tray. Each part forming the circle shown in FIG. 16A is a part bulged into a semicircle shown in FIG. 16B. And the top part of each bulging part is opened with a predetermined aperture (for example, φ = 3 mm, 5 mm, etc.). In the bubble tray shifter, the aperture diameter is a parameter corresponding to the mesh size (fineness) of each sieve mesh.
In addition, as exemplified on the Internet site http://www.sundaramengg.com/middleton.html as a machine for tea industry, this bubble tray (or mesh tray such as perforated tray) is single or in multiple upper and lower stages. The sieving machine provided and swingable as a whole is also referred to as “Middleton Sifter” in the present specification.

Here, it should be noted that in the case of a general sieve such as a welded wire mesh or a perforated tray, the mesh No. of each sieve is required. Indicates that how many meshes pass through one inch. This means that the larger the number is, the finer the mesh of the sieve. On the other hand, in this bubble tray, the larger the aperture diameter φ, the mesh of each sieve The point is that the size (fineness) becomes coarse.
Therefore, regarding the state of selection in each sieve, “OVER **” and “UNDER **” are added to FIGS. 2 to 7 and FIGS. 9 to 12, and the description accompanying the specification is sufficiently explained. .

It is a schematic diagram which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is process drawing (1) based on 1st Example of this invention. It is process drawing (2) based on 1st Example of this invention. It is process drawing (3) based on 1st Example of this invention. It is process drawing (1) based on 2nd Example of this invention. It is process drawing (2) based on 2nd Example of this invention. It is process drawing (3) based on 2nd Example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the modification of this invention. It is process drawing which shows an example of the conventional grade selection. It is a figure (1) which shows the mode of an example of the conventional grade selection in detail. It is a figure (2) which shows the mode of an example of the conventional grade selection in detail. It is a figure (3) which shows the mode of an example of the conventional grade selection in detail. It is a figure which shows an example of the selection target object, and the selection target object after classification. It is a figure which shows the list of the kind and grade which concern on an example of a selection target object. It is a reference figure explaining the mesh size of each sieve mesh. It is a schematic diagram which shows one structure of a bubble tray.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. As an assumption, an example will be described in which the sorting object is black tea leaf and the present invention is applied to a black tea leaf sorting device.

[Configuration and operation]
As shown in FIG. 1A, the sorting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is upstream of the transport unit F (F _{1 to} F ₄ ), the inspection unit I (I _{1 to} I ₄ ), and the separation unit D (D _{1 to} D ₄ ). The determination criteria of the determination means J electrically connected to the inspection means I provided together with the respective conveying means F is provided in the vertical direction. The threshold for sorting the sorting object T is defined so as to decrease stepwise from the upstream side to the downstream side of the transport means F _{1 to} F ₄ provided in a plurality of stages, and the transport on the most upstream side. one end of the unit _{F 1} to be supplied to the (feed end) side was sorted object T (black tea leaves), inspection means provided in each conveying means _F 1 to F ₄ of _I 1 ~I ₄ and separation means _D 1 ~ by repeating shape sorting for each passing the D _4, the sorting object T small At least four classes can be classified.

The conveying means F is composed of a high-speed belt conveyor device that conveys the sorting object T supplied to the upper surface on one end side to the other end side and causes the sorting object T conveyed to the other end side to jump out in a predetermined direction. ing.
Here, in the present embodiment, as long as the separating means D does not operate, the sorting object T that has jumped out from the other end side of the upper transport means F is located on one end side of the transport means F provided in the lower stage. It is configured to land on the top surface.
The conveying speed of the high-speed belt conveyor device is 50 m / min. To 150 m / min. It is preferable that it is the range of these.

In the present embodiment, the judgment criterion of the judging means J is the length L and the width W of the tea leaf among the predetermined shapes in the sorting object T, and the detected sorting object T exceeds the threshold length L. And when it determines with having the width W, it is set as the structure which extracts this by the separation means D.
This is the basic operation principle that can sort or classify tea leaves by the sorting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

Here, as described above, the determination criterion of the determination unit J is that the threshold for selecting the selection target T from the upstream side to the downstream side of the conveying units F _{1 to} F ₄ provided in the upper and lower stages is stepwise. It is specified to be smaller. In the present embodiment, the thresholds for the tea leaves detected by the uppermost inspection means I ₁ are generally the length L ₁ = 35 mm or more and the width W ₁ = 4.6 mm or more, and the second stage inspection means in order from the upstream side. The threshold value for black tea leaf detected by I ₂ is length L ₂ = 20.2 mm or more and the width W ₂ = 3.2 mm or more, and the threshold value for black tea leaf detected by the third stage inspection means I ₃ is length L ₃ = 10.4 mm or more and width W ₃ = 2.8 mm or more, and the threshold for the tea leaf detected by the lowermost inspection means I ₄ is length L ₄ = 8.2 mm or more and width W ₄ = 1.4 mm This is defined in advance. These threshold values are stored in advance in the storage unit P2 of the microcomputer P in the determination means J.

The judging means J itself is preferably composed of a control circuit having an input part J1 and an output part J2 around the microcomputer P. The microcomputer P includes a calculation unit P1 and a storage unit P2. The outputs of the inspection units I _{1 to} I ₄ are electrically connected to the input unit J ₁ of the determination unit J. The output of the microcomputer P is electrically connected to the separating means D _{1 to} D ₄ through the output part J 2 of the judging means J. When the microcomputer P uses the threshold value stored in the storage unit P2 and determines that the shape of the selection target T input from the inspection means has a length L and a width W that exceed the predetermined threshold value, Is sent to the separating means D. The separating means D operates in response to a command from the microcomputer P.

Here, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1B, the length L and the width W of the selection target T input from the inspection unit are not only linear but also curved. If they are the same, the microcomputer P can be determined to have the same size.
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, regardless of the appearance of the selection target T, if the length L and the width W are determined to be larger than the predetermined threshold, the separation means reliably extracts them. It is possible to provide a uniform classification product with high sorting accuracy.

  Depending on the remaining constituent elements, the inspection means I may be a line CCD camera or an area CCD camera, or a photosensor arranged in a straight line in the width direction.

  As the separating means D, for example, a compressed air injection device or the like can be used. When the separation means D is a compressed air injection device, the falling trajectory of the selection target T is taken into account, and if necessary, the compressed air is injected onto the target with an appropriate delay time, and exceeds a predetermined threshold value detected and determined. A sorting object T having a length L and a width W is separated and extracted from other objects. In the present embodiment, the target is configured so as to fall along a different track from that other than the target by being injected with compressed air, and not to fall onto the lower transport means.

By the way, above the transport means F ₁ on the most upstream side shown in FIG. 1, there is further provided an upstream shape sorting device comprising known mechanical sorting means as a pre-process for supplying the sorting object T. It may be.

Similarly, a downstream shape sorting device including a known mechanical sorting unit may be provided below the transport unit F ₄ on the most downstream side, as a post-process for supplying the sorting target T.

  As described above, in addition to the sorting apparatus 1 of the present invention, the sorting target T can be classified and sorted with high accuracy and uniformity by a plurality of grades by appropriately combining known mechanical sorting means.

[Example 1A; three-stage type (introduction of three units)]
Next, an embodiment in which the present invention consisting of the above basic configuration and operation is applied to a tea shape sorting apparatus will be described.

[Constitution]
FIG. 2 is a process diagram showing a schematic configuration 101 according to Example 1A of the present invention.
As is obvious from comparing FIG. 2 with FIGS. 9 to 12 showing an example of conventional grade selection, the portions to which the present invention is applied in this embodiment are classified into OPA, OP, and OP1 in descending order. This is a three-stage process for sorting and classifying tea leaves. In the preceding stage of the process of selecting the OPA on the most upstream side of the sorting apparatus 1 of the present invention shown in FIG. 2, the process of pre-processing the sorting object (tea leaf) T supplied as Big Bulk is further performed. Upstream shape sorting device S comprising a known mechanical sorting means (corresponding to conventional shifter S ′. For the same basic structure as that of the conventional example, the same method of assigning symbols is adopted. Shall be provided). In this embodiment, the upstream side shape sorting device S, bubble trays (Bubble Tray, round network parallel sieve) B ₁ and B ₂ have become two upper and lower stages, those whole is pivotable applicable Is done. In this embodiment, each aperture φ ₁ of the upper bubble tray B ₁ is 3 mm, and each aperture φ _{2 of} the lower bubble tray B ₂ is 5 mm.

Similarly, in the subsequent stage of the process of selecting OP1 located on the most downstream side of the sorting apparatus 1 of the present invention shown in FIG. 2, the subsequent process of selecting and classifying into a class other than the above OPA, OP, and OP1 classes. Is provided with a downstream shape sorting device RA comprising a known mechanical sorting means. In this embodiment, the downstream side shape sorting device RA consists sieve _RA 1 to RA ₄ four stages from top to bottom.

  In the process part to which the sorting device 1 of the present invention is applied among the configurations according to Example 1A of the shape sorting device for tea shown in FIG. 2, the tea leaf T is formed on the belt conveyor F as shown in FIG. 1. The tea leaves T that are conveyed and discharged from the other end of the belt conveyor F in a predetermined path are subjected to shape selection through inspection means I, determination means J, and separation means D. In this embodiment, a line CCD camera is used as the inspection means I, a microcomputer P is used as the determination means J, and a compressed air injection device is used as the separation means D.

For other process parts are similar to FIG. 9-12 illustrates an example of a conventional grade sorting, first, the lower side B of the upstream side shape sorting apparatus S consisting bubble tray B ₁ and B ₂ of upper and lower stages _{The part} selected in ₂ (UNDER 5 mm) is supplied to Mixithia M2 (mesh No. 8), and is selected and classified into BOP1 (UNDER No. 8) and PEKOE (OVER No. 8).

Further, the portion (Under 3 mm) selected by the upper stage B ₁ of the upstream side shape sorting apparatus S composed of the upper and lower two-stage bubble trays is downstream of the above four stages of rotating sieves RA _{1 to} RA _4. It is supplied to the side shape sorting device RA, and sorted and classified sequentially.

In addition to the downstream shape sorting device RA, the tea leaf T supplied as 3 ^rd / 4 ^th Dhools is pre-processed in advance for removing foreign matter by an electrostatic sorting machine (3T Electrostatic) ES comprising a three-stage high-voltage charging drum. Will be supplied. As in the conventional example, in this embodiment, the electrostatic separator ES is charged with foreign matter such as fibers such as leaf veins, lint, and hair mixed with the tea leaves supplied in the same manner as the conventionally known tea industry machine. It means an apparatus that passes through a roller and is removed by adsorption separation, and then flows to the next step.

As shown in FIG. 2, the tea leaves T supplied to the downstream shape sorting device RA are finally sorted and classified into BOP (OVER No. 12) and BOPF (Under No. 12). Further, a part of the tea leaf T (OVER No. 10) supplied to the downstream shape sorting device RA is further supplied to the mixer M2 (mesh No. 8), and BOP1 (Under No. 8) and PEKOE (OVER) No. 8) is selected and classified.
In addition, a part of the tea leaf T (OVER No. 8) supplied to the downstream shape sorting device RA is circulated into the highest-class Big Bulk, followed by the same process as described above as Big Bulk, and sorted and classified. Is done.

On the other hand, for the further selection and classification process of the tea leaves T classified as smaller as 1 ^st / 2 ^nd Dhools, this embodiment adopts the same processes as in FIGS. 9 and 12 showing an example of conventional classification. is doing.

That is, in the following selection and classification steps, upper and lower two-stage mixers M3 and M4 (mesh Nos. 8 and 14), upper and lower two-stage multi-shifters M5 and M6 (mesh Nos. 8 and 10), and upstream shape The upper and lower two-stage bubble trays B ₃ and B ₄ that constitute the sorting device S, and the four-stage perforated trays PT _{1 to} PT ₄ and the upper and lower two-stage wire mesh (Welded) from top to bottom. Mesh) A rotary shifter RB (corresponding to the second rotary shifter RB according to the conventional example) composed of WM ₁ and WM ₂ is appropriately combined and sequentially sorted and classified. As with the upstream side shape sorting apparatus S, in this embodiment, the diameter φ ₃ of the upper bubble tray B ₃ is ₃ mm, and the diameter φ _{4 of} the lower bubble tray B ₄ is about 5 mm.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 9 and 12, the tea leaves T supplied as 1 ^st / 2 ^nd Dhools are first subjected to treatment with Mixifuta M3 (Mesh No. 8), followed by Mixifuta M4 (Mesh No. 14). Are sorted and classified into those for which sorting and classification are performed by (UNDER No. 8) and those for which processing is performed by the upper and lower multi-shifters M5 and M6 (mesh No. 8 and 10) (OVER No. 8). The

Black tea T (Under No. 8) supplied to Mixifuta M4 (Mesh No. 14) is sorted and classified into FBOPF Special (Under No. 14) and FBOPF Extra Special (OVER No. 14).
On the other hand, as a result of the treatment with Mixifuta M3 (mesh No. 8), the tea leaves T (OVER No. 8) supplied to the multi-shifter M5 (mesh No. 8) are selected by the subsequent multi-shifter M6 (mesh No. 10). screened fraction classification is performed with (UNDER No.8), partial two-tiered process by the bubble tray _{B 3} and _{B 4} of is performed with (OVER No.8), it is classified.

Figure 2,9 and as shown in 12, Maruchishifuta M6 (mesh No.10) supplied to the black tea leaves T (UNDER No.8), the partial supplied to the porous tray PT ₁ of the uppermost rotary shifter RB (Under No. 10) and other parts extracted as FBOP (OVER No. 10) are selected and classified.
The tea leaves T supplied to the uppermost porous tray PT ₁ of the rotary shifter RB are repeatedly sorted again in the rotary shifter RB, and FBOPF1 (OVER No. 8), FBOPF (OVER No. 10, 12), and Dust 1 (OVER No. 16), Dust 2 (OVER No. 24) and Dust (OVER No. 30) are selected and classified. The rest is discharged as Sand (Under No. 30). In this embodiment, Dust1, Dust2, Dust, and Sand are not considered. The same applies to the following examples.

On the other hand, the tea leaves T (OVER No. 8) supplied to the upper and lower two-stage bubble trays B ₃ and B ₄ are processed with the bubble trays B ₃ and B ₄ and then FBOP1 (OVER 5 mm). Sorted and classified into F-PEKOE (Under 3mm, 5mm).

[About the flow of each process]
As understood from the above configuration, in the configuration 101 according to Example 1A of the shape sorting device for tea shown in FIG. 2, in the process part to which the sorting device 1 of the present invention is applied as shown in FIG. After removing fine tea leaves and dust from the dried raw material T using a sieve by treatment with the upper and lower two-stage bubble trays B ₁ and B ₂ , the raw material T is transported by the high-speed belt conveyor F, and the CCD camera I is used. An image is taken to determine the length L and width W of the tea leaves T, and those larger than the threshold value are removed by jetting compressed air. The length L and width W thresholds are variable. The removed ones are tea leaves according to each grade such as OPA, OP, OP1, BOP1 (FBOP1), FBOP, etc. in order from the upstream side.

That is, the above-mentioned process is provided with 3 to 5 stages (Example 1A is 3 stages, Example 1B is 4 stages, and Example 1C is 5 stages) according to the embodiment, and OPA, OP, OP1, BOP1 (FBOP1), A feature of the sorting apparatus 1 is that it can discharge tea leaves of various grades such as FBOP. The remaining ones are selected in the first sieve sieve turn with those removed by (upper and lower stages of the bubble tray B ₁ and B ₂₎ (downstream shape sorting device RA) and Mikishifuta (Mikishifuta M2), respectively In addition to BOP (OVER No. 12) and BOPF (Under No. 12), they are discharged and classified as BOP1 (Under No. 8) and PEKOE (OVER No. 8).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the length L and the width W are accurately measured and sorted by image processing, accuracy is higher than mechanical sorting, and the shape of the product after sorting is more uniform. As a result, the added value of the product has improved.

  In addition, since it can be selected by a single process when selecting whether it is in a certain grade, the product is not damaged or discolored by repeated friction with metal as before.

  In addition, the time, space, and labor costs for sorting can be greatly reduced.

  In addition, according to this embodiment, since the amount of each grade of product can be grasped in a short time by one processing, not only can fresher tea after drying be shipped, but also grasp of sales, reduction of inventory, delivery date There are significant advantages in the management of the tea factory, such as shortening the order and ease of ordering.

  In addition, the selection method and the definition of each grade have been different depending on each tea factory, middleman, and importer / exporter. However, according to the present invention, the shape (for example, length L and width W) itself is accurate as described above. By selecting, it becomes possible to have a common definition among industries.

[Example 1B; 4-stage type (4 units introduced)]
Further, the configuration 102 according to Example 1B of the tea shape sorting apparatus according to Example 1B, in which the number of processing steps handled by the sorting device 1 of the present invention is increased from three to one by four from the configuration of the first embodiment, will be described.

FIG. 3 is a process diagram according to Example 1B of the present invention.
As apparent from comparing FIG. 3 with FIG. 2 showing the process chart 101 according to the embodiment 1A, the difference between the embodiment and the embodiment 1A is the processing stage in which the sorting apparatus 1 of the present invention takes charge. However, it is only a point that is increased from 1 to 3 to 4 levels. As a result, the sorting device 1 of the present invention sorts and classifies the tea leaves T of each grade of BOP1 (FBOP1) in addition to OPA, OP, and OP1 through four steps.
Other configurations and operational effects are as detailed in the description section according to Example 1A.

[Example 1C; 5-stage type (introduction of 5 units)]
Furthermore, the configuration 103 according to the embodiment 1C of the tea shape sorting apparatus according to the embodiment 1C of the tea shape sorting apparatus, in which the number of processing steps handled by the sorting apparatus 1 according to the present invention is increased from four to one by five from the configuration 102 according to the embodiment 1B. To do.

FIG. 4 is a process diagram according to Example 1C of the present invention.
As apparent from comparing FIG. 4 with FIG. 3 showing the process diagram 102 according to the embodiment 1B, the difference between the embodiment and the embodiment 1B is the processing stage that the sorting device 1 of the present invention takes charge of. However, it is only a point that is increased from 1 to 4 to 5 levels. As a result, the sorting device 1 of the present invention sorts and classifies the tea leaves T of each grade of OPA, OP, OP1, BOP1 (FBOP1), and FBOP in order through five steps.
Other configurations and operational effects are as detailed in the description section according to Example 1A.

[Example 2A; three-stage type (introduction of three units)]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. As in Example 1, this example also relates to an example in which the sorting device 1 according to the present invention is applied to a shape sorting device for tea.

FIG. 5 is a process diagram showing a schematic configuration 111 according to Example 2A of the present invention.
As is obvious from a comparison between FIG. 5 and FIGS. 2 to 4 according to the first embodiment, this embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the total number of steps is reduced.
As shown in FIG. 5, the part to which the present invention is applied in the present embodiment is a three-stage process for selecting and classifying OPA, OP, and OP1 grade tea leaves in order as in the first embodiment.

In addition to the tea leaf T supplied as Big Bulk and 1 ^st / 2 ^nd Dhools, the preceding stage of the process of sorting OPA on the most upstream side of the sorting apparatus 1 of the present invention shown in FIG. As a process of pretreating tea leaves T supplied as 3 ^rd / 4 ^th Dhools that have been subjected to foreign substance removal processing in advance by an electrostatic sorting machine ES comprising a stage type high-voltage charging drum, it comprises a known mechanical sorting means. An upstream shape sorter S ″ is provided.
Similar to the first embodiment, in this embodiment, the upstream side shape sorting device S ″ has bubble trays B ₁ ″ and B ₂ ″ in two upper and lower stages, and the whole is swingable. Applied. In this embodiment, each aperture φ ₁ ″ of the upper bubble tray B ₁ ″ is 5 mm, and each aperture φ ₂ ″ of the lower bubble tray B ₂ ″ is 7 mm.

  Next, in the process portion to which the sorting device 1 of the present invention is applied among the configurations 111 according to the embodiment 2A of the tea shape sorting device shown in FIG. 5, as in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. Then, the tea leaf T is conveyed by the belt conveyor F, and the shape of the tea leaf T discharged from the other end of the belt conveyor F in a predetermined track is selected through the inspection means I, the determination means J, and the separation means D. In this embodiment, a line CCD camera is used as the inspection means I, a microcomputer P is used as the determination means J, and a compressed air injection device is used as the separation means D.

As for the other process parts, as shown in FIG. 5, first, the part selected as UNDER 7 mm by the lower stage side B ₂ ″ of the upstream side shape selection device S ″ is transferred to the mixer M7 (mesh No. 8 or 10). The FBOP1 and the FBOP are discharged and classified (UNDER No. 8 or 10) and further used for sorting in the next stage (OVER No. 8 or 10).

Also, the amount which has been selected as UNDER 5 mm in '' the upper side B ₁ of _'upstream shape sorting apparatus S', is supplied to the rotary shifter RC consisting sieve _RC 1 to RC ₅ of 5 stages from top to bottom, in sequence Sorted and classified.

As shown in FIG. 5, black tea leaves T supplied to the uppermost sieve RC ₁ in this rotary shifter RC is repeated again screened on a rotary shifter RC, FBOP (OVER No.10), FBOPF1 (OVER No. 12), FBOPF (OVER No. 16), and BOP (OVER No. 24) and Dust (Under No. 24) are finally selected and classified.
In addition, a part of the tea leaf T (OVER No. 8) supplied to the rotary shifter RC is circulated into the highest grade Big Bulk, and is sorted and classified by following the same process as the above-mentioned process as Big Bulk. .

On the other hand, in the mixer M7 (mesh No. 8 or 10) on the downstream side of the sorting apparatus 1, OVER No. Been minute excreted as 8Or10, the upper side of the bubble tray B ₅ of 'shifter consists of to constitute the same upper and lower stages bubble trays B ₅ and B ₆ Metropolitan of S' upstream shapes sorting apparatus S ''' To be supplied. Similar to the upstream side shape sorting apparatus S ″, in this embodiment, each diameter φ ₅ = 5 mm of the upper bubble tray B ₅ and each diameter φ ₆ = 7 mm of the lower bubble tray B ₆ are set.
The tea leaf T (OVER No. 8 or 10) supplied to the upper bubble tray B ₅ is separated and classified by the lower bubble tray B ₆ , and another Mixifuta M8 (mesh No. 8 or 10). ) Is selected and classified according to the amount of processing.

The tea leaf T (OVER 5 mm) supplied to the lower bubble tray B ₆ is finally sorted and classified into BOP1 (OVER 7 mm) and PEKOE (Under 7 mm. In the case of Example 2C, F-PEKOE). The
On the other hand, the amount discharged (UNDER 5 mm) to the most downstream Mixift M8 (mesh No. 8 or 10) is finally sorted and classified into FBOP (Under No. 8 or 10) and F-PEKOE (OVER No. 8 or 10). .

[About the flow of each process]
As understood from the above configuration, in the configuration according to Example 2A of the shape sorting device for tea shown in FIG. 5, in the process part to which the sorting device 1 of the present invention is applied as shown in FIG. Fine tea leaves and dust are removed from the dried raw material T using a sieve by treatment with the upper and lower two-stage bubble trays B ₁ ″ and B ₂ ″. An image is taken by the camera I to determine the length L and width W of the tea leaves T, and those larger than the threshold value are removed by jetting compressed air. The length L and width W thresholds are variable. The removed ones are tea leaves according to each grade such as OPA, OP, OP1, BOP1, and PEKOE in order from the upstream side.

That is, the above-mentioned process is provided with 3 to 5 stages (Example 2A is 3 stages, Example 2B is 4 stages, and Example 2C is 5 stages) according to the embodiment, and in order OPA, OP, OP1, BOP1, PEKOE, etc. A feature of the sorting apparatus 1 is that each grade of tea leaves can be discharged.
The remaining one is the FBOP1, FBOP in the downstream mixer M7 (mesh No. 8 or 10) together with the part selected as UNDER 7 mm by the lower bubble tray B ₂ ″ of the upstream shape sorter S ″. Are classified into a portion to be discharged and classified (UNDER No. 8 or 10) and a portion to be further sorted in the next stage (OVER No. 8 or 10).

  In the Mixifuta M7 (mesh No. 8 or 10) on the downstream side of the sorting apparatus 1, OVER No. The subsequent sorting process relating to the portion discharged as 8 or 10) is as described above.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the sorting process can be further compressed, and the time, space, and labor cost for sorting can be further reduced.

[Example 2B; 4-stage type (4 units introduced)]
Further, the configuration 112 according to the embodiment 2B of the tea shape sorting apparatus according to the embodiment 2B of the tea shape sorting apparatus in which the number of processing steps handled by the sorting apparatus 1 according to the present invention is increased from three to one by four will be described.

FIG. 6 is a process diagram according to Example 2B of the present invention.
As apparent from comparing FIG. 6 with FIG. 5 showing the process diagram 111 according to the embodiment 2A, the difference between the embodiment and the embodiment 2A is the processing stage that the sorting apparatus 1 of the present invention takes charge of. However, it is only a point that is increased from 1 to 3 to 4 levels. As a result, the sorting device 1 of the present invention sorts and classifies the tea leaves T of each grade of BOP1 in addition to OPA, OP, OP1 in order through four steps.
Other configurations and operational effects are as detailed in the description section according to Example 2A.

[Example 2C: Case of 5-stage type (introduction of 5 units)]
Further, the configuration 113 according to the embodiment 2C of the tea shape sorting apparatus according to the embodiment 2C of the tea shape sorting apparatus in which the number of processing steps handled by the sorting apparatus 1 according to the present invention is increased from four to one by five from the configuration 112 according to the embodiment 2B will be described. To do.

FIG. 7 is a process diagram according to Example 2C of the present invention.
As apparent from comparing FIG. 7 with FIG. 6 showing the process chart 112 according to the embodiment 2B, the difference between the embodiment and the embodiment 2B is the processing stage that the sorting apparatus 1 of the present invention takes charge of. However, it is only a point that is increased from 1 to 4 to 5 levels. As a result, the sorting device 1 of the present invention sorts and classifies tea leaves T of each grade of OPA, OP, OP1, BOP1, and PEKOE in order through five steps.
Other configurations and operational effects are as detailed in the description section according to Example 2A.

[Modification]
As mentioned above, although it described in detail concerning one Embodiment of this invention based on each Example, this invention is not limited to the above at all, A various deformation | transformation implementation is possible.

For example, in the above example, the configuration using the high-speed belt conveyor device has been described for the transport unit F. However, the transport unit F may be configured using a chute.
In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, the chutes 11 to 13 are provided with predetermined inclination angles α to γ with respect to the horizontal plane, and the selection target that is slid down from the upper part thereof jumps out in a predetermined direction. It has a configuration. In the configuration of FIG. 8, the chutes 11 to 13 and the inspection means I are connected and fixed to the gantry 3 by fixing means (not shown).

Here, as shown in FIG. 8, when the chutes 11 to 13 are used for the conveying means F, i) the chutes 11 to 13 are provided at predetermined intervals with respect to the surfaces of the chutes 11 to 13. If the cover 21-23 which covers at least one part is provided, or if ii) at least one of the plurality of stages of the chutes 11-13 is formed as a plane chute having a width corresponding to the supply width of the selection object More preferred.
In the case of i) and ii), the covers 21 to 23 are provided with a predetermined interval with respect to the surfaces of the chutes 11 to 13, are made of a plate-like body that covers at least a part of the chutes 11 to 13, and are to be selected. The sorting object T is configured to slide down along the surfaces of the chutes 11 to 13 by regulating the sliding track of T. With this configuration, even if the sorting target T flowing through the chutes 11 to 13 has a high rebound coefficient, it is possible to flow the sorting target T along a predetermined sliding track. Thus, it is possible to maintain the accuracy of determination when viewed as the entire apparatus. In addition, what is provided in front of each inspection means I is an illumination means 4 provided to increase the accuracy of the inspection.

  At this time, if the inclination angle α to γ of the chute with respect to the horizontal plane is set to a relatively steep angle of about 60 ° or more and 85 ° or less, a light and thin sorting object T, a static sorting object T, and the like, Even if it is easy to stick to the surfaces of the chutes 11 to 13 and difficult to slide down smoothly, the sorting object T can be made to flow very smoothly.

  Further, the conveying speed of the high-speed belt conveyor device exemplified above as the conveying means F is not limited to the above-described speed range, and can be appropriately adjusted within a range in which the sorting process according to the present invention can be realized.

Further, the number of sets of transport means F, inspection means I, and separation means D provided in a plurality of upper and lower stages is not limited to the number listed as the embodiment, but the final classification number required for the selection target T It can be appropriately changed depending on the degree.
For the same reason, it comprises mechanical sorting means as a pre-process or a post-process for supplying the sorting object T above the transport means F on the most upstream side or below the transport means F on the most downstream side. An upstream or downstream shape sorting device may be separately provided. Or conversely, the system may be completed only by the configuration of the sorting apparatus 1 of the present invention.

  Further, in each of the above examples, the determination criterion by the determination unit is the length L and the width W of the selection target. It is not limited.

  As described in detail above, the present invention can significantly reduce the time, space, and labor cost for sorting, and is clearly novel and useful for providing a uniform classified product with high sorting accuracy. It is.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sorting device 50, 101-103, 111-113 Shape selection device for black tea C Computation part D Separation means ES Electrostatic sorter F Conveyance means J Judgment means I Inspection means P Microcomputer P1 Computation part P2 Storage part T Sorting object

Claims (11)

A sorting device that sorts objects having a predetermined shape in a sorting object,
Transport means for transporting the selection object supplied to one end side to the other end side;
An inspection means for inspecting the shape of the selection object, provided at a position spaced from the lower end of the chute so as to monitor the trajectory of the selection object that has jumped out from the other end side of the conveying means;
A determination unit that is electrically connected to the inspection unit and determines whether the selection object has a predetermined shape based on the shape of the selection object obtained by the inspection unit;
The selection object that is electrically connected to the determination unit and provided at a predetermined interval from the other end side of the transport unit and that has been determined to have a predetermined shape by the determination unit is blown off and blown off. Separating means for dropping the object to be sorted along a trajectory different from the trajectory falling from the conveying means;
Consists of
The conveying means is provided in a plurality of upper and lower stages, and the sorting object on the locus of dropping from the other end side of the upstream conveying means is configured to fall to the one end side of the downstream conveying means. A sorting apparatus comprising the inspection means and the separating means in each of the conveying means. The sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inspection unit and the separation unit provided together with each of the transport units are electrically connected to the determination unit. The determination criteria of the determination means electrically connected to the inspection means provided together with each of the transfer means is, from the upstream side to the downstream side of the transfer means provided in the upper and lower multiple stages, It is specified that the threshold for sorting objects to be sorted becomes smaller in steps,
By repeatedly performing the shape selection every time the inspection object and the separation means provided in each of the transfer means are passed through the selection object supplied to one end side of the transfer means on the most upstream side. The sorting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sorting object can be classified into at least one or more grades. The sorting apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the judgment criterion by the judging means includes a length and a width of the sorting object among shapes of the sorting object. 5. An upstream shape sorting device comprising mechanical sorting means as a pre-process for supplying the sorting object is provided above the conveying means on the most upstream side. The sorting device according to any one of the above. 6. A downstream shape sorting device comprising mechanical sorting means as a post-process for supplying the sorting object is provided below the conveying means on the most downstream side. The sorting device according to any one of the above. The conveying means comprises a high-speed belt conveyor device that conveys the sorting object supplied to the upper surface on one end side to the other end side and causes the sorting object conveyed to the other end side to jump out in a predetermined direction. The sorting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein The conveyance speed of the high-speed belt conveyor device is 50 m / min. To 150 m / min. The sorting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the sorting apparatus is in a range of The said conveyance means is provided with a predetermined inclination angle with respect to a horizontal plane, and consists of a chute that jumps out a selection target object that is slid down from its upper part in a predetermined direction. 7. The sorting apparatus according to any one of 6 above. Furthermore, provided with a predetermined interval with respect to the surface of the chute, comprising a cover that covers at least a part of the surface of the chute,
The chute is formed as a flat chute in which at least one of the plurality of stages has a width corresponding to the supply width of the sorting object,
The cover is provided with a predetermined interval with respect to the surface of the chute, and is composed of a plate-like body that covers at least a part of the chute, and controls the sliding track of the sorting object so that the sorting object is the The sorting device according to claim 9, wherein the sorting device is configured to slide down along the surface of the chute. The sorting apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein an inclination angle of the chute with respect to a horizontal plane is not less than 60 ° and not more than 85 °.