JP2021016815A - Foreign matter screening device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a foreign matter screening device which can remove foreign matters mixed in a food product subjected to individual quick freezing.SOLUTION: The foreign matter screening device comprises: a defrosting machine 70 for blowing air on a surface to defrost it; a color discriminator 85 for analyzing a color image and a near infrared image of a defrosted screening object in order to remove foreign matters according to differences in color and differences in shading from the sorting object; a wind force sorter 75 for transmitting the screening object into an updraft in order to remove lightweight foreign matters; a sieve sorter 80 for moving the screening object on a sieve plate in order to remove foreign matters that are smaller than the screening object; a magnetic force selector 90 for attracting and removing magnetic metal pieces from the screening object by using magnetic force of a permanent magnet; a metal detector 91 for passing the screening object between a transmission coil and a reception coil and detecting changes in voltage of the reception coil in order to remove non-magnetic metal pieces; and an X-ray foreign matter detector 95 for removing foreign matters containing glass on the basis of an image obtained by irradiating the screening object with an X-ray. The whole device is operated in a low temperature area where the screening object does not thaw.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a foreign matter sorter, and more particularly to a foreign matter sorter used to remove foreign matter contained in individually quick-frozen (IQF) foods.

Patent Document 1 is a magnetic force sorting device developed for removing metal pieces mixed in granular foods. This magnetic force sorting device includes a cylindrical permanent magnet in which a large number of plate-shaped circular magnets are laminated inside a rotating cylinder. The axis of the permanent magnet is placed so that it does not coincide with the axis of the rotating cylinder. The diameter of the rotating cylinder is larger than the cylindrical diameter of the permanent magnet, and when the rotating cylinder rotates and turns downward, the metal foreign matter adsorbed on the rotating cylinder is not affected by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet and heads toward the foreign matter receiving chute below. And fall. According to such a magnetic force sorting device, metallic foreign substances contained in agricultural products such as sesame and marine products such as hijiki can be efficiently separated.

Foreign matter is not necessarily a magnetic metal (eg iron), so a metal detector to remove metal pieces of aluminum and an X-ray foreign matter detector to remove glass and mud can be used with beans of the same shape. A color sorter is prepared to remove discolored ones, and the system is assembled and operated.

Recently, imports of individual quick-frozen (IQF: Individual Quick Frozen) foods are increasing. The individual quick-frozen food freezes the food at a temperature of −80 ° C. to −40 ° C. for a short time of about several minutes, and the food is frozen without being agglomerated. For this reason, since each item is separated, it is convenient to take out an appropriate amount and use it for cooking immediately. Further, the individual quick-frozen food has an advantage that the weight can be reduced by about 30 to 40% as compared with the case where the food is immersed in water and frozen as it is. For such individually quick-frozen foods, it is necessary to inspect for foreign substances and remove any foreign substances.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-9005

An object of the present invention is to provide a foreign matter sorting apparatus capable of removing foreign matter mixed in individually quick-frozen foods.

The foreign matter sorting device according to the present invention is a foreign matter sorting device (100) in which a dissociated food frozen by individual rapid freezing (IQF) is set as a sorting object (20), and the foreign matter sorting device (20) is circulated. A defroster (70) that defrosts the surface of the sorting object (20) by blowing wind while moving it, and a color image and a near-infrared image of the sorting target (20) after the defrosting are analyzed and sorted. A color sorter (85) that removes foreign matter based on the difference in color and shade from the object, and a wind force that removes lightweight foreign matter by allowing the sorting object (20) after defrosting to permeate into the updraft. The sorting machine (75), the sieve sorting machine (80) for removing foreign substances finer than the sorting target while moving the sorting target after defrosting on the sieve plate, and the sorting target after defrosting. On the other hand, a magnetic sorter (90) that attracts and removes magnetic metal pieces by the magnetic force of a permanent magnet and a sorting object after defrosting are passed between a transmitting coil and a receiving coil, and the voltage of the receiving coil is increased. A metal detector (91) that detects a change and removes non-magnetic metal pieces, and an object to be sorted after defrosting is irradiated with X-rays, and foreign substances including glass are removed based on the irradiated image. Equipped with an X-ray foreign matter detector (95), the defroster (70), color sorter (85), wind sorter (75), sieve sorter (80), magnetic force sorter (90), metal detector The machine (91) and the X-ray foreign matter detector (95) are characterized in that the sorting object (20) operates in a low temperature region where it is not thawed.

The magnetic force sorter (90), the metal detector (91), and the X-ray foreign matter detector (95) are provided on the downstream side of the color sorter (85).

The color sorter (85) is characterized in that it is provided on the downstream side of the wind power sorter (75) and the sieve sorter (80).

The other foreign matter sorting apparatus according to the present invention is a foreign matter sorting apparatus (100) in which a food in a dissociated state frozen by individual rapid freezing (IQF) is used as a sorting object (20), and a color image of the sorting object and near red A color sorter that analyzes the outside image and removes foreign matter based on the difference in color and shade from the sorting target, a wind sorter that allows the sorting target to pass through the updraft and removes lightweight foreign matter, sorting A sieve sorter that removes fine foreign matter while moving an object on a sieve plate, a magnetic sorter that attracts and removes magnetic metal pieces by the magnetic force of a permanent magnet, and passes between a transmitting coil and a receiving coil. A metal detector that detects a change in the voltage of the receiving coil and removes non-magnetic metal pieces, and X-ray foreign matter detection that irradiates the object to be sorted with X-rays and removes foreign matter including glass based on the irradiated image. It consists of at least one device of the machine, which is located downstream of the defroster that blows wind to defrost the surface while circulating the sorting object, and the foreign matter sorting device defrosts the sorting object. It is characterized by being operated in a low temperature region.

According to the foreign matter sorting apparatus according to the present invention, a defroster (70) is provided to defrost the surface by moving the sorting object (20) in a dissociated state frozen by individual quick freezing (IQF) and blowing wind. The frost adhering to the sorting object (20) is removed, and the color of the surface of the sorting object can be accurately determined by the color sorter (85).
Further, a defroster (70), a wind power sorter (75), a sieve sorter (80), a color sorter (85), a magnetic force sorter (90), a metal detector (91) and an X-ray foreign matter detector (95). ) Was operated in an environment of a low temperature region, so that the foreign matter can be removed while the sorting object (20) is prevented from being thawed.

Since the magnetic force sorter (90), the metal detector (91) and the X-ray foreign matter detector (95) are provided on the downstream side of the color sorter (85), the magnetic force sorter (90) and the metal detector ( The load of foreign matter removal on the 91) and the X-ray foreign matter detector (95) can be reduced. The magnetic force sorter (90), the metal detector (91), and the X-ray foreign matter detector (95) all separate foreign matter by the sorting flap. Therefore, when a foreign matter is detected, a sorting target including foreign matter in the width direction is detected. All objects are thrown into the foreign matter throwing side. This loss can be reduced. On the other hand, the color sorter (85) shoots and separates foreign matter by air injection, so that there is little loss.

Since the color sorter (85) is provided on the downstream side of the wind power sorter (75) and the sieve sorter (80), the load of removing foreign matter on the color sorter (85) can be reduced. Since the vinyl piece, fine foreign matter, or foreign matter larger than the predetermined shape is removed, the load on the color sorter (85) is small.

According to another foreign matter sorter according to the present invention, the configuration of A (defroster, color sorter, wind sorter), the configuration of B (defroster, color sorter, sieve sorter), C (defroster, color sorter) It is possible to construct a configuration of a sorter, a magnetic force sorter, a metal detector), a configuration of D (a defroster, a color sorter, a magnetic force sorter, a metal detector, an X-ray foreign matter detector), and the like. When the foreign matter to be sorted is known in advance, the time required for separating and removing the foreign matter can be shortened.

It is a block diagram of the foreign matter sorting apparatus by this invention. It is a table of foreign matter that can be removed by each device which constitutes a foreign matter sorting apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the defroster. It is explanatory drawing of the wind power sorting apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the sieve sorter. It is explanatory drawing of a color sorter. It is explanatory drawing of a magnetic force sorter and a metal detector. It is a figure which shows the signal example of a metal detector. It is explanatory drawing of the X-ray foreign matter detector. It is a figure which shows the signal example of the X-ray foreign matter detector. It is a figure which shows an example of the food which was individual quick-frozen (IQF).

Hereinafter, the foreign matter sorting apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a foreign matter sorting device 100 according to the present invention. The foreign matter sorter 100 includes a defroster 70, a wind power sorter 75, a sieve sorter 80, a color sorter 85, a magnetic force sorter 90, a metal detector 91, and an X-ray foreign matter detector 95. The wind sorter 75, the sieve sorter 80, and the color sorter 85 are positioned as pretreatment devices, the magnetic force sorter 90 and the metal detector 91 are positioned as a multifunction device that does not use a belt conveyor, and the X-ray foreign matter detector 95. Is positioned in a device arranged downstream of the magnetic force sorting device 90 and the metal detector 91. The wind power sorting device 75 and the color sorting machine 85 may be excluded from the configuration of the foreign matter sorting device 100 because it is difficult to process an object to be sorted close to powder. All of the devices constituting the foreign matter sorting device 100 are installed in a low temperature environment room as shown in FIG. A refrigerator (not shown) is provided outside the low temperature environment room to send cold air into the low temperature environment room and suck out the air in the low temperature environment room to keep the temperature between 0 ° C and -10 ° C. ). Since the foreign matter sorting apparatus 100 removes foreign matter from the individually quick-frozen (IQF) food, it is operated in a low temperature environment where the ice does not melt.

FIG. 2 is a table of foreign substances that can be removed by each device constituting the foreign matter sorting device 100. The defroster 70 removes the frost adhering to the individually quick-frozen food, that is, the object to be sorted 20. Frost is used to remove the adhered object to be sorted because it is white and the color cannot be sorted. The wind power sorting device 75 winds up and removes hair, vinyl, a piece of paper, and the like. The sieve sorter 80 removes foreign matter other than a predetermined size. That is, foreign matter such as fine dust mixed in the object to be sorted is removed. The color sorter 85 removes foreign matter having a color different from the color of the sorting object 20. Even if the shape is the same and the color is the same, if the color is determined to be different from the others by near infrared rays, it is removed. If the surface of the object to be sorted is frosted, it is difficult to determine the color. Therefore, the color sorter 85 is installed downstream of the defrosting device 70. The magnetic force sorting device 90 removes metal pieces such as iron and stainless steel by using the magnetic force of a permanent magnet. The metal detector 91 removes metal pieces such as aluminum and copper that cannot be attracted by magnetic force. The X-ray foreign matter detector 95 removes glass, mud, and the like.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the defroster 70. As shown in FIG. 3A, the defroster 70 can use a vibrating sieving machine. As shown in FIG. 3B, there is a sieve 1 inside, and the sorting object 20 is put into the tray on the upper part of the apparatus including the sieve 1. The tray on the upper part of the device including the sieve 1 can perform complicated vibration including inclination by the vibration generating part 4 installed on the lower part. Due to this vibration, the object to be sorted 20 is turned upside down on the sieve 1 and moves in the circumferential direction. As a result, the sorting object 20 circulates and moves. Cold air is blown onto the object to be sorted 20 from above. When the defroster 70 has a lid, cold air is discharged from the discharge port 2. Ice fragments and fine foreign matter 3 (3a) are also discharged from the discharge port 2. The object to be sorted 20 remains in the sieve 1. Cold air does not thaw the frost, but blows it away, and the temperature is as low as -3 ° C to -10 ° C.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the wind power sorting device 75. The wind power sorting device 75 is a cyclone that winds up a light foreign matter 3 (3b) in a spiral flow and discharges it from the upper part. The sorting target unit 20 is thrown into the wind power sorting device 75 by the feeder 5, and falls downward by its own weight. The wind power sorting device 75 is different from a normal cyclone device, and it is preferable that the lower part is widened. As a result, it is possible to prevent objects that have fallen downward at one time from being wound up by the wind.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the sieve sorter 80. In the sieve sorter 80, the sorting object 20 on the conveyor advances in the traveling direction by applying vibration to the conveyor. Since the conveyor is equipped with the punching metal 7 (7a) as the sieve 7, the fine foreign matter 3 (3a) can fall to the lower part and be separated. By cascading the conveyors back and forth and setting the size of the holes in the sieve of the rear conveyor to a sieve on which the sorting object 20 falls, it is possible to separate and remove foreign matter having a shape larger than the sorting object 20. it can.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the color sorter 85. The color sorter 85 includes four color cameras 10 and two near-infrared cameras 9. FIG. 6 is a side view showing two color cameras 10 and one near-infrared camera 9. It also includes a near-infrared illumination 11 and a color camera illumination 12. The color and material of the object to be sorted 20 are distinguished, and the defective product is blown off by the air of the ejector 15 to separate them. It is possible to distinguish between 24 colors and two colors of near infrared rays, and even if it is the same round brown, it is possible to distinguish between the brown of insects and the brown of beans. Even the same black color can distinguish between mud and beans. A plurality of ejectors 15 are arranged in the left-right direction without gaps, and the corresponding defective products are blown off and removed.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the magnetic force sorter 90 and the metal detector 91. The magnetic force sorting device 90 and the metal detector 91 are multifunction devices that do not use a belt conveyor. Since the metal detector 91 also reacts with a magnetic material, it is arranged downstream of the magnetic force sorter 90 in order to maintain good sensitivity. When the sorting object 20 passes through the roller-shaped shell 22, in the case of a magnetic metal piece (eg, an iron piece), the flight curve changes due to the influence of the magnetic force of the magnet 21, and the sorting flap 23 provided in the traveling direction. It passes through the inside of the magnet (on the left side in FIG. 7) and is separated. Since the non-defective product is not affected by the magnetic force, it passes through the outside of the sorting flap 23 (on the right side in FIG. 7) and falls. The magnet 21 is formed by alternately stacking disks serving as magnets and yokes, and the disks are stacked so that N and S face each other. The length is preferably about 50 cm. In this embodiment, the radius of the magnet 21 is made larger than the radius of the shell 22. As a result, magnetic field lines can be generated in a wide range in the upper right direction of the shell 22. The magnet 21 is mounted on the central axis 17 together with the balancer so as to face the upper right direction (in the case of FIG. 7), but does not rotate. When the central axis 17 rotates, the shell 22 rotates.

The metal detector 91 separates non-magnetic metal pieces such as aluminum pieces. The metal detector 90 is provided with a transmitting coil and a receiving coil, and when a non-magnetic metal piece passes through, the voltage of the receiving coil changes. Therefore, when the voltage change exceeds a certain value, the sorting flap 23 is operated. By tilting the coil, the object to be sorted 20 including the non-magnetic metal piece 22 is separated.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a signal example of the metal detector 91. As shown in FIG. 8, when the sorting object 20 containing the magnetic metal piece is passed through the sorting object 20 without passing through the magnetic force sorting machine 90, a large number of signals are output and the performance of detecting the non-magnetic metal piece is deteriorated. When the object to be sorted 20 is passed through the metal detector 91 after passing through the magnetic force sorter 90, a signal indicating a non-magnetic metal piece can be accurately detected.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the X-ray foreign matter detector 95. The object to be sorted 20 is sent to the belt conveyor 25 by the feeder 5. The X-ray tube 24 and the line sensor 26 determine whether the sorting object 20 on the belt conveyor is free of foreign matter. When a foreign matter is detected, the sorting flap 23 is moved to separate the foreign matter into the foreign matter receiving box. Irradiate with X-rays and measure the transmission level with the line sensor 26. The measured value is the permeability of the object to be sorted or the foreign matter, and the strength thereof is analyzed. Highly transparent parts are reflected brightly, and lowly transparent parts are reflected darkly. The X-ray foreign matter detector 95 expresses the height of the transmittance of the image by the height of the mountain, and detects the foreign matter when the inclination angle of the mountain rises at a steep angle.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a signal example of the line foreign matter detector 95. As shown in FIG. 10, when the sorting object 20 containing foreign matter is passed without passing through the magnetic force sorting machine 90 and the metal detector 91, a large number of signals are output and the performance of the X-ray foreign matter detector is deteriorated. When the object to be sorted 20 is passed through the magnetic force sorter 90 and the metal detector 91 and then thrown into the X-ray foreign matter detector, the signal of the foreign matter can be accurately detected. If a large amount of foreign matter is contained in the object to be sorted 20, a large number of mountain wave signals having a transmittance are detected, which affects the separation. Since aluminum, copper wire, and brass have high X-ray transmittance, they may slip through, and it is difficult to remove all of them with the X-ray foreign matter detector 95 alone. In order to effectively use the X-ray foreign matter detector 95, it is necessary to install a magnetic force sorter 90 and a metal detector 91 upstream of the X-ray foreign matter detector 95.

In the present invention, any one of the above color sorter 85, wind power sorter 75, sieve sorter 80, magnetic force sorter 90, metal detector 91, and X-ray foreign matter detector 95 is selected and selected. Can be arranged on the downstream side of the defrosting device 70 to serve as a foreign matter sorting device. It is preferable to select such an apparatus according to the foreign matter mixed in the IQF as the sorting object 20, and thereby the foreign matter required to be removed can be efficiently removed. Similarly, a plurality of devices may be selected from the above devices, combined, and arranged on the downstream side of the defrosting device 70 to form a foreign matter sorting device.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of individual quick-frozen (IQF) food products. It can be used for minced meat, chopped fish, cut spinach and other foods. Individual quick-frozen (IQF) foods suppress the destruction of food cells, so freshness and umami do not escape, and each one can be frozen separately, so there is the advantage that only the required amount can be used. On the other hand, the disadvantage is that frost is likely to form. In the case of food containing water, the water is deprived during freezing and it dries. When it dries, the water vapor in the air cools together, which can cause food to frost. Therefore, in the present invention, defrosting is performed by the defrosting machine 70 before the process of removing foreign substances.

The present invention is suitable as a foreign matter sorting device capable of removing foreign matter contained in foods of individual quick freezing (IQF).

1 Sieve 2 Discharge port 3 Foreign matter 3a Fine foreign matter 3b Light foreign matter 4 Vibration generator 5 Feeder 7 Sieve 7a Punching metal 8 Belt conveyor 9 Near infrared camera 10 Color camera 11 Near infrared lighting 12 Color camera lighting 13 Air blow 14 Image analysis Part 15 Ejector 16 Guide 17 Central axis 20 Sorting object 21 Magnet 22 Shell 23 Sorting flap 24 X-ray tube 25 Belt conveyor 26 Line sensor 70 Defroster 75 Wind sorter 80 Sieve sorter 85 Color sorter 90 Magnetic sorter 91 Metal Detector 95 X-ray foreign matter detector 100 Foreign matter sorter

The foreign matter sorting device according to the present invention is a foreign matter sorting device (100) in which a food in a dissociated state frozen by individual rapid freezing (IQF) is set as a sorting target (20), and the foreign matter sorting device (20) is circulated. A defroster (70) that defrosts the surface of the sorting object (20) by blowing cold air at -3 to -10 ° C while moving, and a color image and near infrared of the sorting object (20) after the defrosting. A color sorter (85) that analyzes an image and removes foreign matter based on the difference in color and shade from the object to be sorted and the object to be sorted (20) after defrosting are permeated into an updraft. A wind sorter (75) that removes lightweight foreign matter, a sieve sorter (80) that removes foreign matter finer than the sorting target while moving the sorting target after defrosting on the sieve plate, and the defrosting. A magnetic sorter (90) that attracts and removes magnetic metal pieces by the magnetic force of a permanent magnet and a sorting object after defrosting are passed between a transmitting coil and a receiving coil. Based on the metal detector (91) that detects that the voltage of the receiving coil has changed and removes the non-magnetic metal pieces, and the image to be sorted after defrosting, which is irradiated with X-rays. Equipped with an X-ray foreign matter detector (95) that removes foreign matter including glass, the defroster (70), color sorter (85), wind sorter (75), sieve sorter (80), magnetic sorter The machine (90), the metal detector (91), and the X-ray foreign matter detector (95) are installed in a low temperature environment room of 0 to -10 ° C. in a low temperature region where the sorting object (20) does not thaw. It is characterized by operating.

Another foreign matter sorting device according to the present invention is a foreign matter sorting device (100) in which a food in a divergent state frozen by individual rapid freezing (IQF) is set as a sorting target (20), and the foreign matter sorting device is the sorting target. A color sorter that analyzes the color image and near-infrared image of the magnet and removes foreign matter based on the difference in color and shade from the object to be sorted, and removes lightweight foreign matter by transmitting the object to be sorted in the updraft. Wind sorter, a sieve sorter that removes fine foreign matter while moving the sorting object on the sieve plate, a magnetic sorter that attracts and removes magnetic metal pieces by the magnetic force of a permanent magnet, a transmitting coil and a receiving coil A metal detector that passes through the space and detects that the voltage of the receiving coil has changed to remove non-magnetic metal pieces, irradiates the sorting object with X-rays, and based on the irradiated image, foreign matter containing glass is detected. X-ray foreign material detector to remove, the at least one device, the defrost apparatus that performs defrost surface sorting objects by blowing cold air -3 to-10 ° C. while circulating movement, consists, the one device Is arranged downstream of the defroster, and the foreign matter sorting device is installed in a low temperature environment room of 0 to -10 ° C. and is operated in a low temperature region where the sorting object is not thawed.

Claims (4)

A foreign matter sorting device (100) that uses food in a dissociated state frozen by individual quick freezing (IQF) as a sorting object (20).
A defroster (70) that defrosts the surface of the sorting object (20) by blowing wind while circulating the sorting object (20).
A color sorter (85) that analyzes the color image and the near-infrared image of the sorting object (20) after defrosting and removes foreign substances based on the difference in color and shading from the sorting target.
A wind power sorter (75) that removes lightweight foreign matter by allowing the sorting object (20) after defrosting to permeate into the updraft.
A sieve sorting machine (80) that removes foreign substances finer than the sorting target while moving the sorting target after defrosting on the sieve plate.
A magnetic force sorter (90) that attracts and removes magnetic metal pieces by the magnetic force of a permanent magnet with respect to the object to be sorted after defrosting.
A metal detector (91) that passes a sorting object after defrosting between a transmitting coil and a receiving coil, detects that the voltage of the receiving coil has changed, and removes non-magnetic metal pieces.
An X-ray foreign matter detector (95), which irradiates the object to be sorted after defrosting with X-rays and removes foreign matter including glass based on the irradiated image, is provided.
The defroster (70), color sorter (85), wind sorter (75), sieve sorter (80), magnetic force sorter (90), metal detector (91) and X-ray foreign matter detector (95). Is a foreign matter sorting device, characterized in that the sorting object (20) operates in a low temperature region where it is not thawed.
The first aspect of claim 1, wherein the magnetic force sorter (90), the metal detector (91), and the X-ray foreign matter detector (95) are provided on the downstream side of the color sorter (85). Foreign matter sorting device.
The foreign matter sorter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the color sorter (85) is provided on the downstream side of the wind power sorter (75) and the sieve sorter (80).
In the foreign matter sorting apparatus (100) in which the dissociated food frozen by the individual quick freezing (IQF) is set as the sorting object (20).
A color sorter that analyzes the color image and near-infrared image of the object to be sorted and removes foreign matter based on the difference in color and shade from the object to be sorted, and is lightweight by transmitting the object to be sorted in an updraft. Wind sorter that removes foreign matter, sieve sorter that removes fine foreign matter while moving the object to be sorted on the sieve plate, magnetic sorter that attracts and removes magnetic metal pieces by the magnetic force of a permanent magnet, transmission coil A metal detector that passes between the receiving coils, detects that the voltage of the receiving coil has changed, and removes non-magnetic metal pieces, irradiates the sorting object with X-rays, and irradiates the glass based on the irradiated image. It consists of at least one device of an X-ray foreign substance detector that removes foreign substances, and the one device is arranged downstream of the defroster that blows wind to defrost the surface while circulating and moving the object to be sorted. A foreign matter sorting device characterized in that the sorting device is operated in a low temperature region where the sorting object is not thawed.

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