JPH07101402A - Filling method and device of fluid substance - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a filling method of a fluid substance of a continuous phase that allows a part of an examination light to transmit it although it is opaque, and is dotted with solids having a higher permeability than the continuous phase, by which the amount of the solids in a container can be measured on-line when the fluid substance is filled in the container. CONSTITUTION:A fluid substance filling method is a way of filling a container 18 with a fluid substance of a continuous phase that allows a part of an examination light to transmit it although it is opaque and is dotted with solids having a higher transmittance than the continuous phase. The examination light is emitted in the direction across a fluid substance flow path connected to the container 18, and the transmitting amount of the examination light that transmits the fluid substance flow path is detected. The detected value of the transmitting light amount is compared with a set threshold value to produce solid detecting pulses, and judgment information relating to the amount of the solids in the container 18 is obtained from the solid detecting pulses.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a container for a fluid material in which a continuous phase which is opaque but allows a part of inspection light to pass through is interspersed with a solid material having a light transmittance higher than that of the continuous phase. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for filling a fluid substance to be used for filling a liquid. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be applied to fluid substances of the above-mentioned types, but in particular, a continuous phase formed by a concentrated emulsion or a concentrated suspension is interspersed with a solid substance having a light transmittance higher than that of the continuous phase. In the method and apparatus for filling foods described above, it can be effectively applied when filling foods while measuring the amount of solids in the container filled with foods.

In the present specification, the "amount of solid matter" includes not only the weight of solid matter but also the whole quantity concept regarding the solid matter to be filled, such as the number or size. In addition, a “container” is a fluid substance in which an opaque continuous phase (for example, a thick emulsion or a thick suspension) through which a part of inspection light is transmitted is interspersed with solid matter having a higher light transmittance than the continuous phase. It is a packaging material such as a container or a bag of various materials and forms to be filled with (for example, fluid food). In addition, "inspection light" partially penetrates the opaque continuous phase,
Light having a higher transmittance for the solid matter in the continuous phase than that for the continuous phase, for example, near-infrared light when the continuous phase is a concentrated emulsion, a concentrated suspension, or the like. Also, "light in the near infrared region" is
The electromagnetic wave has a wavelength range of 0.7 to 3 μm (preferably 0.8 to 2 μm). Further, "solid matter detection pulse" is a pulsed electric signal output when a solid matter is detected, "determination information" is the duration, interval, position of the solid matter detection pulse, Presence or absence, such as various information directly related to the solid detection pulse and indirect information obtained by applying a preset relational expression to these various information, the fluid substance in the container (for example, It means information related to the amount of solids of a fluid food), that is, information useful for determining the quality of the amount of solids in the container, information determining the quality, or the like.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in the food industry, the taste of consumers has tended to become higher-grade, and as foods with a higher quality, for example, yogurt with fruit, jelly with fruit, soup with ingredients, etc. Foods containing ingredients are preferred. Hereinafter, the description will be given by taking a yogurt containing fruits as an example. Yogurt with fruit is a food in which a predetermined amount of yogurt and fruit pulp such as peach, tangerine, strawberry, grape, etc., fruit jam or fruit preserve (hereinafter collectively referred to as fruit) are filled in the same container. The fruit that is a solid substance is discontinuously scattered in the yogurt that is a continuous phase. The following methods (B1) and (B2) are generally known as a method for filling a food product (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a mixed food product) in which solids are scattered in such a continuous phase.

(B1) A method of separately filling a liquid and a solid substance to prepare a mixed food in the filling container (for example, JP-A-62-208304). (B2) A method in which a liquid and a solid are mixed beforehand to form a mixed food, and the mixed food is filled. As the method (B2), the following (A), (A) and (C) are known for uniformly filling a solid material in a container. (A) A solid material is once deposited and then filled in the bottom of a tank for mixed foods (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-138901). (A) The transfer distance when transferring the mixed food to the filling device is shortened (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-285666). (C) The mixed food before filling is sufficiently stirred in advance to homogenize it (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-201801).

On the other hand, the following techniques (d) to (v) are known as techniques for detecting solids using optical means, particularly techniques for the purpose of foreign matter inspection. (D) The filled container is irradiated with light, the inside of the container is photographed by a TV camera, and image processing is performed (JP-A-1-96540).
Issue). (E) The inspection object is irradiated with light, and the light transmitted through the inspection object is continuously received by the camera on the same optical axis,
The foreign matter is detected by utilizing the fact that the amount of received light decreases when the foreign matter passes (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-173456). (F) By making the flow path of the fluid to be inspected flat, the amount of transmitted light is increased, and the light transmitted through this flat flow path is captured by a one-dimensional image sensor camera (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 4-
No. 54441). (G) Not scattered light but scattered light and reflected light are measured (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-195333, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-30534).
3 gazette).

[0006]

In the method of filling mixed foods, the method (B1) is such that the liquid and the solid are separately weighed and filled in the same container. Means are required for both liquids and solids, complicating the structure and control of the filling device. Therefore, the facility cost and running cost are high, and there is a drawback that a great deal of labor is required also in maintenance management. Therefore, although the method (B2) is generally adopted in practice, the method (B2) has the following problems.

Since the object to be filled is a mixed food, it is possible to quantitatively fill the filled individual containers as a total amount. However, in the worst case, the amount of solid matter in the container tends to fluctuate. Generates a container that does not contain any solids. In the filling of the mixed food, it is not preferable that a container with a small amount of solid matter, or a container containing no solid matter (hereinafter referred to as defective product) occurs,
For this reason, the above-mentioned techniques (a) to (c) aim to alleviate the above problems in the stage before filling and to fill the solid matter as evenly as possible.

However, the above-mentioned techniques (a) to (c) are only indirect techniques for preventing or mitigating the above-mentioned problems, and even if these techniques are applied, defective products should be discriminated. Moreover, it is not guaranteed that the amount of solids in the container varies within a predetermined range. Therefore, from the viewpoint of quality control, it was necessary to count the amount of solids in all containers and check for defective products. Therefore, conventionally, the optical means exemplified in the above (d) to (ki) is diverted to the filling of the mixed food, and the amount of solids is grasped or the defective product is discriminated by these techniques. Has been considered.

However, the technique (d) is based on the premise that both the container and the continuous phase are transparent,
This technique cannot be applied when the continuous phase of the mixed food is difficult to transmit light. For example, in the aforementioned yogurt with fruits, the continuous phase is a yogurt of a concentrated emulsion or a concentrated suspension, the color of which is white or milky white, which scatters light emitted from the outside and hardly transmits it. However, the above technique (d) cannot be applied to such mixed foods. The technique (e) can be applied even if the object to be inspected is not transparent as long as it is at least translucent, but it is exclusively intended for sheet-shaped materials that easily transmit light, and is used for the flow path of mixed foods. It is impossible to apply.

The technique of (f) is intended for mixed foods, especially foods that are difficult for light to pass through. However, since the flow passages are flat in order to increase the amount of light transmission, a wide flow passage is formed. , Cover using a one-dimensional image sensor camera. However, especially in mixed foods handled in the food field, solids have a relatively large diameter, and flattening the flow path is not preferable because of the risk of flow path blockage, and in the food industry, a small volume is required. Since the container is the target, the piping of the filling device is often a device having a relatively small diameter and a small flow rate, and it is not preferable to require an installation space for equipment such as a one-dimensional image sensor camera. Furthermore, the technology of (f) is
Originally intended for foreign matter inspection, it simply detects the presence of solid matter (foreign matter) and cannot determine the amount of solid matter.

In the above techniques (e) and (f), the solid phase has a light transmittance lower than that of the continuous phase having a relatively high light transmittance. It is based on the common technical idea of detecting by utilizing the blocking of light. The technology of (g) is intended for powders, cigarette filters, and other solids that emit scattered light or reflected light, and cannot be applied to the flow path of a mixed food product. In the case of yogurt, since the continuous phase consisting of a concentrated emulsion or a concentrated suspension (hereinafter, these may be collectively referred to as a dispersion system) almost scatters the light irradiated from the outside,
It is not possible to detect solid substances buried inside the continuous phase with high accuracy.

After all, when the mixed food is filled, especially when the continuous phase of the mixed food is a dispersion system, the above (d) to
It is not possible to apply an optical means such as (G), and conventionally, in such a case, the container is periodically extracted and the solid content inside is manually counted, and the amount of the solid content in the container,
In addition, it is only possible to estimate the quality of the filled state, which not only requires complicated labor, but also lacks certainty and has a significant disadvantage in terms of quality control.

In each of the above-mentioned prior arts, that is, a flow material flow path is arranged between the light projecting means for emitting the inspection light and the light receiving means for receiving the inspection light emitted from the light emitting means. The technology to detect solids in the flowable substance by the amount of transmitted light detected is carried out only for transparent or semi-transparent continuous phase, and for continuous substances that are opaque by scattering inspection light. However, it was not implemented. The reason for this is clear that the technique for detecting solid matter by the amount of transmitted light can be applied when the continuous phase is transparent or translucent, but it cannot be applied when the continuous phase scatters light and is opaque. It is thought that there was an idea.

The inventors of the present invention have conducted intensive studies in order to improve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and have found the following. (1) If some of the inspection light passes through the continuous phase even if it is opaque because the continuous phase scatters the incident light (inspection light),
If the solid matter scattered in the continuous phase has a higher light transmittance than the continuous phase, such as fruits and jelly spheres, the amount of light that is transmitted when the solid matter passes through the optical axis increases and this (2) In order to put the above idea into practical use, if the light to be used is light of a specific wavelength, the accuracy of detecting solids can be further improved, and ( 3)
It is possible to detect the amount of solid matter in a container by converting the fluctuation of the light quantity when the solid matter crosses the inspection light into a pulse, and measuring the duration or pulse width of this pulse, in particular, the pulse. ,

The present invention has been completed based on the above findings, and the idea of the present invention is completely different from the above-mentioned (e) and (f) which utilize the fact that a solid material shields light to reduce the amount of transmitted light. It is based on the opposite technical idea. The present invention is a opaque continuous phase through which a part of the inspection light can be transmitted, and a solid substance having a light transmittance higher than that of the continuous phase is a fluid substance interspersed with substances other than foods. It can also be applied to. The present invention has the problems described below. (O01) When filling a container with a fluid substance in which a solid phase having a higher light transmittance than the continuous phase is dispersed in the continuous phase that is opaque but allows a part of the inspection light to pass through, To provide a filling method capable of measuring the amount of solid matter in a container online. (O02) When a container is filled with a fluid substance in which a solid substance having a higher light transmittance than the continuous phase is scattered in a continuous phase that is opaque but allows a part of the inspection light to pass, To provide a filling method capable of easily determining pass / fail. (O03) To provide a filling device for carrying out the filling method.

[0016]

The present invention devised to solve the above problems will now be described. The elements of the present invention are to facilitate correspondence with the elements of the embodiments described later. Note that the reference numerals of the elements of the embodiments are enclosed in parentheses. The reason why the present invention is described in association with the reference numerals of the embodiments described later is to facilitate the understanding of the present invention and not to limit the scope of the present invention to the embodiments.

(First Invention) In order to solve the above problems,
The method for filling a fluid substance according to the first invention of the present application is a method in which a solid phase having a light transmittance higher than that of the continuous phase is scattered in a continuous phase that is opaque but can partially transmit inspection light. In a method of filling a fluid substance for filling a substance in a container (18), an inspection light is projected in a direction crossing a flow passage of the fluid substance connected to the container (18) and transmitted across the flow passage of the fluid substance. The transmitted light amount of the inspection light is detected, the detected value of the transmitted light amount is compared with a set threshold value to form a solid matter detection pulse, and from this solid matter detection pulse, the solid matter in the container (18) is detected. It is characterized in that the determination information related to the quantity is acquired.

(Supplementary explanation of the first invention) In the first invention, the meaning of "obtaining the determination information" means "outputting the determination information to a printer or the like" and "displaying the determination information on a display device.""Displaying", or "storing in a state where it can be output to a printer or a display device" is meant. In the first invention, the container (1
8) means (T) for projecting the inspection light to the flow path of the fluid substance connected to the flow path, and detecting the transmitted light amount of the inspection light transmitted across the flow path of the fluid substance. Means (J) are used. The position of the flow path of the fluid substance that the inspection light traverses (hereinafter may be referred to as a detection point) is preferably closer to the container (18) filled with the fluid substance. The reason is that solids are detected at the detection location and then filled, so if the detection location and the location to be filled are far apart, it will take some time from detection to filling, and at the detection location This is because the detected solid matter may not match the actually filled solid matter. In such a case, for example, when acquiring the determination information, the detected solid matter and the filled solid matter may be matched by an operation on signal processing, but even in that case, From the viewpoint of accuracy, it is preferable that the detection location and the container (18) are closer to each other.

The inspection light projected by the means (T) for projecting the inspection light is transmitted through the flow path of the fluid substance and is received by the means (J) for receiving the transmitted inspection light. It Therefore, it is desirable to receive the inspection light projected by the light projecting means (T) as much as possible by the light receiving means (J), and for this reason, the light projected by the light projecting means (T). Is preferably parallel rays as much as possible. The light projecting means (T) and the light receiving means (J) are not limited to one pair, and a plurality of pairs can be used.

As the inspection light used in the present invention, the most suitable inspection light can be adopted depending on the kind of the fluid substance. As a fluid substance, for example, in the case of a fluid food product in which a solid phase having a higher light transmittance than the continuous phase is scattered in a continuous phase consisting of a concentrated emulsion or a concentrated suspension, light in the near infrared region is used. Is preferably adopted.
Light in the near-infrared region is an electromagnetic wave having a wavelength of 0.7 to 3 μm,
In particular, the range of 0.8 to 2 μm is desirable. In a fluid food having a continuous phase consisting of the concentrated emulsion or concentrated suspension, the reason for using light in the near infrared region is that when using visible light, the amount of transmitted light is affected by the color of the continuous phase or solids. Therefore, when the color of the continuous phase or the solid substance changes, when the solid substances of several kinds are mixed, the transmitted light amount changes each time,
Detection stability is reduced. Further, when infrared rays are used as the transmitted light, the amount of transmitted light is affected by the temperature of the fluid substance, so that the stability of detection similarly decreases. Therefore, in the case of the fluid food, it is not preferable to use electromagnetic waves having a wavelength of more than 3 μm and a wavelength of less than 0.7 μm, and light in the near infrared region having a wavelength of 0.7 to 3 μm is used.

A commercially available light source (31a, 31a ') can be used as a light source of the light projecting means (T) which emits light in the near infrared region, and a light receiving amount detecting section (light receiving light) of the light receiving means (J) can be used. For the sensor (31b, 31b '), a commercially available photoelectric tube or photoelectric circuit can be used. Further, as the detected value of the transmitted light amount, the value of the transmitted light amount detected by the light receiving means (J) itself can be adopted, but the detected transmitted light amount is projected by the light projecting means (T). It is also possible to adopt a value obtained by dividing the amount of light emitted, that is, a value of light transmittance. Further, the amount of transmitted light can be detected by converting it into an analog signal such as current or voltage or a digital signal.

In the present invention, the "detection value of transmitted light amount is compared with a set threshold value to form a solid detection pulse".
The operation is performed by signal processing as shown in FIG. 4, for example. FIG. 4A shows the relationship between the detected value of the transmitted light amount (vertical axis) and time (horizontal axis), and the broken line in the figure shows the set threshold value. FIG. 4B shows a solid matter detection pulse formed by comparing the detected value of the transmitted light amount with a set threshold value. Further, FIG. 4C is a pulse obtained by differentiating the solid matter detection pulse shown in FIG. 4B, and FIG. 4D removes the minus (-) pulse from the pulse of FIG. 4C and shapes the pulse waveform. It is a pulse. The count value of the number of pulses in FIG. 4D and FIG. 4B corresponds to the number of solids that have passed. The pulse width of the solid matter detection pulse in FIG. 4B is shown in FIG.
In A, 4B, and 4C, the lengths are bc, de, and fg. The integrated value of the pulse width of the solid matter detection pulse in FIG. 4B, that is, the sum of (length of bc) + (length of de) + (length of fg) corresponds to the amount of solid matter that has passed through the detection point. There is.

The threshold value (see the broken line in FIG. 4A) is a value set between the maximum value and the minimum value of the transmitted light amount.
The rising or falling time of the solid matter detection pulse shown in FIG. 4B corresponds to the time when the transmitted light amount detection value shown in FIG. 4A crosses the threshold value. That is, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the detected value of the transmitted light amount is smaller than the threshold value, but when the detected value increases and exceeds the threshold value, a solid detection pulse is generated, and the detected value of the transmitted light amount is If the detected value is smaller than the threshold value but is larger than the threshold value, the solid matter detection pulse disappears. In FIG. 4B, the solid matter detection pulse is shown as a plus (+) pulse signal, but it may be a minus (−) pulse signal. Means for comparing the detected value of such transmitted light amount with a preset threshold value and outputting a solid matter detection pulse is conventionally known.

In the present invention, the "determination information" is, as described above, information related to the amount of solid matter of the fluid substance in the container (18) (that is, the amount of solid matter in the container (18). Information that is useful for determining pass / fail or information for which pass / fail is determined). For example, the following information can be considered as the determination information obtained from the solid matter detection pulse. (J01) Number of solid matter detection pulses. (J02) Integrated value of pulse width of solid matter detection pulse. (J03) Amount of solid matter in the fluid substance based on a correlation equation previously obtained from an integrated value of pulse widths of solid matter detection pulses. (J04) Whether the integrated value of the pulse width of the solid matter detection pulse is within a preset reference range.

Obtained from the solids detection pulse (J0
The determination information of 1), that is, the number of pulses for detecting solid matter can be used as follows. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B or FIG. 4D, three pulses are generated in the time zone from a to h. Therefore, by counting the number of pulses in FIG. 4B or FIG. 4D, the number (information) of solid-state detection pulses shown in FIG. 4B can be obtained. From this information, that is, the number of solid matter detection pulses, it can be seen that three solid matter have passed the detection points in the time from a to h. For example, when the time from a to h corresponds to the time when a quantity of the fluid substance for one container (18) flows, the container (1
It can be judged that 3) are contained in 8). Pulse number of solid matter detection pulse of the above (J01) (determination information)
Can be effectively used when the number of solids in the fluid material is small or the size of the solids is uniform.

Obtained from the solids detection pulse (J0
The information of 2), that is, the integrated value of the pulse width of the solid detection pulse can be used as follows. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, three solid matter detection pulses are generated in the time period from a to h. The integrated value of the pulse width of the solid detection pulse shown in FIG. 4B is the total time during which the solid passes through the detection point. The larger the total time, that is, the integrated value of the number of pulses, the more solids have passed. Thus, for example, the time from a to h is the container (18)
In the case where the flow amount of one fluid substance corresponds to the flow time, the larger the integrated value of the pulse width is, the more solid substance is contained in the container (18) filled with this fluid substance. Can be judged. The method for detecting the pulse width of each solid detection pulse shown in FIG. 4B is conventionally known (reference document: Takashi Nakata et al., “Automatic Control Equipment Handbook”, IX-30 page, Ohmsha, 1962). However, for example, a method of inputting the solid matter detection pulse and the counting clock pulse to an AND circuit and counting the clock pulses output from the AND circuit can be adopted. Further, the detected pulse width can be easily integrated by an adder circuit or a computer.

Obtained from the solids detection pulse (J0
The information of 3), that is, the amount of solid matter in the fluid substance based on the correlation equation previously obtained from the integrated value of the pulse numbers of solid matter detection pulses can be used as follows. This (J03) information can be recognized as the value of the amount of solid matter that has passed through the detection point. Therefore, it is possible to more intuitively recognize the amount of the solid matter that has passed through the detection point, based on the information (J02) (the integrated value of the pulse width of the solid matter detection pulse).
The correlation formula (J03) can be determined by experiment, as exemplified in the test example described later. Further, the sensitivity for obtaining the amount of solid matter can be set by the magnitude of the threshold value. The sensitivity is determined according to various conditions such as the optical properties of the target fluid substance, the type, size and shape of the solid matter.

Obtained from the solids detection pulse (J0
The information for determination in 4), that is, the information as to whether the integrated value of the pulse width of the solid detection pulse is within the preset reference range can be used as follows. When the integrated value of the pulse width is out of the reference range, it is considered that the amount of solids in the container (18) is insufficient or excessive, and the container (1
8) is determined to be a defective product. This determination can be made immediately based on the information as to whether the integrated value of the pulse width is within the preset reference range. This determination can be automatically made by an electric device such as a computer, but can also be made manually. It is possible to set an upper limit value, a lower limit value, or both as the reference range.

Regarding the judgment information (J01) to (J04) obtained from the solid matter detection pulse, it is possible to acquire only one and use it alone, or to acquire a plurality of them and use them in combination. It is also possible to do so. As the means (20) for acquiring the “determination information” of the present invention, a commercially available personal computer, a sequencer or the like can be used.

(Second Invention) The method for filling a fluid substance according to the second invention of the present application is the same as the method for filling a fluid substance according to the first invention, wherein the fluid substance is a continuous phase comprising a thick emulsion or a thick suspension. In addition, it is a fluid food in which solid substances having a light transmittance higher than that of the continuous phase are scattered, and light in the near infrared region is adopted as the inspection light.

(Third invention) Further, in a method for filling a fluid substance according to a third invention of the present application, in the method for filling a fluid substance according to the first or second invention, the determination information is the solid matter detection pulse. It is characterized in that it is an integrated value of the pulse width.

(Fourth invention) Further, a method for filling a fluid substance according to a fourth invention of the present application is the same as the method for filling a fluid substance according to the third invention, wherein the judgment information is the integration of the pulse widths of the solid detection pulses. It is characterized in that it is the amount of solid matter in the fluid substance, which is determined based on a correlation equation previously obtained from the value.

(Fifth Invention) The method for filling a fluid substance according to the fifth invention of the present application is the same as the method for filling a fluid substance according to the third invention, wherein the determination information is the pulse width of the solid detection pulse. It is characterized in that it is information indicating whether or not the integrated value is within a preset reference range.

(Sixth Invention) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the fluid substance filling apparatus according to the sixth invention of the present application is characterized in that the continuous phase is opaque but allows a part of the inspection light to pass therethrough. A fluid material filling device for filling a fluid material in which a solid material having a light transmittance higher than that of a continuous phase is scattered into a container (18), which is provided with the following requirements (Y01) to (Y04). (Y01) Projecting means (T) for injecting the inspection light in a direction traversing the flow path of the fluid substance connected to the container (18), (Y02) Receiving the inspection light transmitted through the flow path Light receiving means (J), (Y03) for detecting the amount of transmitted light of the flowable substance, and a solid for generating a solid matter detection pulse by comparing the detection value of the amount of transmitted light by the light receiving means (J) with a set threshold value. Object detection pulse output means (31c, 3
1c '), (Y04) Means (20) for obtaining determination information related to the amount of solid matter in the container (18) from the solid matter detection pulse.

(Supplementary Explanation of the Sixth Invention) A light projecting means (T) for emitting an inspection light is provided in the flow path of the fluid substance, and the place where it is provided becomes a detection point. The light projecting surface of the light projecting means (T) is directed toward the inside of the flow path of the fluid substance, and transmits the projected light to the fluid substance. As the means (T) for projecting the inspection light, various kinds of light can be adopted according to the light transmission characteristics or light reflection characteristics of the fluid substance.
When the fluid substance is a fluid food in which a continuous phase composed of a concentrated emulsion or a concentrated suspension is interspersed with solid matter having a higher light transmittance than the continuous phase, in the near infrared region as the inspection light. A means (T) for projecting light is adopted. The light projecting means (T) includes a light source (31a, 31a ') for converting electricity into light and a light projector (26,
26 ') and divide them into optical fibers (28, 2
8 ') is particularly preferable. This is because the light sources (31a, 31a ') require a comparatively large installation space, and if they can be installed away from the flow path of the fluid substance, the degree of freedom in arranging the equipment increases. It is also possible to use a commercially available optical fiber type light source device for such a light projecting means (T).

The light receiving means (J) for receiving the light emitted by the light projecting means (T) is arranged in the flow path of the fluid substance so as to face the light projecting means (T) with the flow path of the fluid material interposed therebetween. To be done. The light receiving means (J) detects the amount of transmitted light after the light emitted by the light projecting means (T) has passed through the fluid material. As a mode in which the light receiving means (J) detects the transmitted light amount, it is preferable to adopt a mode in which the light amount is changed into an analog signal such as current or voltage and detected. A commercially available photoelectric circuit, photoelectric tube, or the like can be used as the light receiving means (J), but the light receiving means (J) includes a light receiving sensor (31b, 31b ') and a light receiving device (2).
7, 27 '), and the light receiver (27, 2)
7 ') only is disposed in the flow path, and the light receiving sensor (31
It is particularly desirable that b, 31b ') and the light receiver (27, 27') are connected by an optical fiber (29, 29 '). The reason for this is the same as in the case of the light projecting means (T). Since the main body requires a relatively large installation space, the main body of the light receiving sensor (31b, 31b ') is installed away from the detection location. This is because, if possible, the degree of freedom in arranging the equipment increases.

The light projecting means (T) and the light receiving means (J)
Is not limited to one pair, but a plurality of pairs may be used. In this case, there are various forms of the positional relationship in which the respective light projecting means (T) and light receiving means (J) are arranged. For example, when two pairs of the light projecting means (T) and the light receiving means (J) are arranged, the two optical axes formed by each intersect with each other in a cross shape in the flow path, or the flow path. There is a mode in which two optical axes are positioned in parallel with each other on the cross section, and it can be freely selected depending on the diameter of the flow path, the type and size of the solid matter, and the like. The solid matter detection pulse output means (31c, 31c ') converts the variation into a pulse corresponding to the solid matter, that is, a solid matter detection pulse, when the solid matter passes through the detection point and the amount of transmitted light varies. It is a means for outputting. A known electric circuit, a commercially available alarm contact, an alarm circuit, or the like can be used as the solid matter detection pulse output means (31c, 31c ').

The light projecting means (T), the light receiving means (J), and the solid matter detection pulse output means (31c, 31c ') may be constructed separately, integrally, or partially overlapped. However, in the embodiment described later, the transmitted light amount detecting section (light receiving sensor) (31b or 31b ') of the light receiving means (J) and the light source of the light projecting means (T) ( 31a or 31a ') and solid matter detection pulse output means (31c or 31c') are integrally configured as a light emitting and receiving amplifier unit (31 or 31 '). The solid matter detection pulse output means (31c, 31c ') is connected to the determination information acquisition means (20) by a pulse transmission cable (32, 32'). Judgment information acquisition means (2
0) is solid matter detection pulse output means (31c, 31c ')
From the solids detection pulse transmitted from the container (18)
It has a function of acquiring information related to the amount of solids of the fluid substance therein, that is, information for determination that is useful for determining whether the filling state of the fluid substance is good or bad, or the like. As the determination information, the above-mentioned (J01) to (J04) and the like can be considered. And this judgment information acquisition means (20)
A commercially available sequencer, personal computer or the like can be used.

(Embodiment 1 of Sixth Invention) The first embodiment of the fluid material filling device of the sixth invention of the present application is the sixth embodiment.
In the invention, the following requirement (Y05) is provided, (Y05) means for acquiring the determination information (2)
0) is composed of pulse number output means for outputting the pulse number of the solid matter detection pulse.

(Seventh Invention) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the fluid substance filling apparatus of the seventh invention of the present application is the same as the fluid substance filling apparatus of the sixth invention, but the following requirement (Y06) is satisfied. , (Y07) are provided, (Y0
6) The fluid substance is a fluid food in which a solid phase having a light transmittance higher than that of the continuous phase is scattered in a continuous phase consisting of a concentrated emulsion or a concentrated suspension,
(Y07) The light in the near infrared region is used as the inspection light.

(Eighth Invention) Further, the fluidized material filling apparatus of the eighth invention of the present application is such that the fluidized material filling apparatus of the sixth or seventh invention has the following requirement (Y08). Characteristic (Y08) The means (20) for acquiring the determination information is constituted by a pulse width integrated value output means (20a) for outputting an integrated value of the pulse width of the solid matter detection pulse.

(Supplementary Explanation of Eighth Invention) The eighth aspect of the present application.
It is possible to further provide the following elements (Y09) or (Y010) in the fluid substance filling device of the invention. (Y09) Solid amount calculating means for calculating the amount of solid in the filled fluid substance based on a correlation formula obtained in advance from the integrated value of the pulse width output by the pulse width integrated value output means (20a). (20b). (Y010) Discrimination signal output means (20c) for outputting a discrimination signal indicating whether or not the integrated value of the pulse width output by the pulse width integrated value output means (20a) is within a preset reference range. By the way, there may be a time lag from the time when the solid matter flows through the flow path traversed by the inspection light to the time when the container (18) is filled. The length of this time lag varies depending on the filling speed and the position of the detection point, but in consideration of this time lag, the solid amount calculating means (20b) or the discrimination signal outputting means (20c) processes the signals and It is also possible to match the signal state with the filling state of the fluid substance in the container (18).

The output signal of the solid amount calculating means (20b) or the discrimination signal output means (20c) is displayed on a display device, a meter, etc., is printed by a printer, or the mixing ratio of the continuous phase and the solid matter. It is used by inputting it to a control device or a personal computer that adjusts. Further, the discrimination signal output from the discrimination signal output means (20c) can be output to a warning light for warning a worker, an alarm device, or a device for automatically removing defective products for use. . Further, the solid amount calculating means (20b) or the discrimination signal outputting means (20
As c), a commercially available sequencer (S), personal computer, or the like can be used. As the determination signal, either a signal which is always on or a signal which is always off can be used.

(Embodiment 1 of Eighth Invention) Embodiment 1 of the fluid substance filling apparatus of the eighth invention of the present application is the eighth embodiment.
In the invention, the following requirement (Y09) is provided, (Y09) The pulse width integrated value output means (20)
Solid amount calculating means (20b) for calculating the amount of solids in the filled fluid substance based on the correlation formula obtained in advance from the integrated value of the pulse width output in a).

(Embodiment 2 of Eighth Invention) The embodiment 2 of the apparatus for filling a fluid substance according to the eighth invention of the present application is the eighth embodiment.
In the invention, the following requirement (Y010) is provided, (Y010) The pulse width integrated value output means (2)
Discriminating signal output means (20c) for outputting a discriminating signal indicating whether or not the integrated value of the pulse width output by 0a) is within a preset reference range.

[0046]

Next, the operation of the present invention having the above features will be described. (Operation of First Invention) In the method for filling a fluid substance according to the first invention of the present application, a solid phase having a higher light transmittance than a continuous phase which is opaque but allows a part of inspection light to pass therethrough. The fluid substance interspersed with the substances is filled in the container (18) through the flow path. Inspecting light is projected on the flow path of the fluid substance connected to the container (18) in a direction crossing the flow path. The inspection light traverses the fluid substance in the flow path, and a part thereof is transmitted, and the other portion is absorbed or reflected by the fluid substance. Since the solid matter in the fluid substance has a higher light transmittance than the continuous phase, when the solid matter is present in the fluid substance flowing through the flow path, the inspection light that has passed through the fluid substance is compared to when the solid substance is not present. The amount of transmitted light increases.

The detected value of the transmitted light amount is compared with the set threshold value to form the solid matter detection pulse. By appropriately setting the threshold value, the solid substance detection pulse can be generated only when the solid substance is present in the fluid substance flowing through the flow channel. The number of solid matter detection pulses corresponds to the number of solid matter flowing through the flow channel, and the pulse width of the solid matter detection pulse corresponds to the size of solid matter flowing through the flow channel. Therefore, based on the pulse number and pulse width of the solid matter detection pulse, information such as the number of solid matter and the size of the solid matter in the fluid substance which flows through the flow path and is filled in the container (18) (that is, solid matter). The information related to the amount (determination information), that is, the information useful for determining the quality of the amount of solid matter in the container (18) or the information determining the quality can be acquired. By the acquired determination information,
It is possible to easily determine the quality of the filling state of the fluid substance in the container (18).

(Operation of the Second Invention) In the method for filling a fluid substance according to the second invention of the present application, a solid phase having a light transmittance higher than that of the continuous phase is formed in a continuous phase composed of a concentrated emulsion or a concentrated suspension. The existing fluid food is filled into the container (18) through the flow path. Light in the near-infrared region is projected in a direction of traversing the flow path of the food connected to the container (18). Part of the light in the near-infrared region is transmitted across the food in the flow path, and the other part is absorbed or reflected by the food. Since the solid matter in the food has a higher light transmittance than the continuous phase, when the solid matter is present in the food flowing through the flow path, as compared with when the solid matter is not present, the light in the near-infrared region transmitted through the food is The amount of transmitted light increases.

The detected value of the transmitted light amount is compared with a set threshold value to form a solid matter detection pulse. By setting the threshold appropriately, the solid matter detection pulse can be generated only when solid matter is present in the food flowing through the flow path. The number of solid matter detection pulses corresponds to the number of solid matter flowing through the flow channel, and the pulse width of the solid matter detection pulse corresponds to the size of solid matter flowing through the flow channel.
Therefore, based on the pulse number and pulse width of the solid matter detection pulse, information such as the number of solid matter and the size of solid matter in the food that has flowed through the flow path and is filled in the container (18) (that is, solid matter). Information related to the amount (determination information), that is, information useful for determining the quality of the amount of solid matter in the container (18) or information for determining the quality can be acquired. The container (1
It is possible to easily judge the quality of the filled state of the food in 8).

(Operation of Third Invention) In the method for filling a fluid substance according to the third invention of the present application, the determination information is an integrated value of pulse widths of the solid matter detection pulse. The integrated value of the pulse width corresponds to the amount of solid matter flowing in the flow path (flow path connected to the container (18)) traversed by the inspection light (or light in the near infrared region). Therefore, the amount of solids contained in the fluid substance (or food) filled in the container (18) can be estimated from the integrated value (determination information) of the pulse width.

(Operation of Fourth Invention) Further, in the method for filling a fluid substance according to the fourth invention of the present application, the judgment information is based on a correlation equation previously obtained from the integrated value of the pulse width of the solid matter detection pulse. The amount of solids in the fluid substance (or food) determined by Therefore, the amount of solids contained in the fluid substance (or food) filled in the container (18) can be quickly known from the information (determination information) related to the amount of solids. Therefore, the quality of the filling state of the fluid substance (or food) in the container (18) can be easily determined.

(Operation of Fifth Invention) In the method for filling a fluid substance according to the fifth invention of the present application, the judgment information is such that the integrated value of the pulse width of the solid matter detection pulse falls within a preset reference range. This is information indicating whether or not there is. Therefore, the quality of the filling state of the fluid substance (or food) in the container (18) is immediately determined based on the information (determination information) indicating whether the integrated value of the pulse width is within a preset reference range. be able to.

(Operation of Sixth Invention) In the fluid material filling device of the sixth invention of the present application, the light transmittance is higher than that of the continuous phase which is opaque but allows a part of the inspection light to pass therethrough. The fluid substance filling the container (18) with the fluid substance interspersed with high solids flows through the flow passage of the fluid substance connected to the container (18) and is filled in the container (18). The inspection light is incident on the flow path connected to the container (18) by the light projecting means (T) in a direction crossing the flow path. A part of the inspection light passes through the food in the flow path and the other part is absorbed or reflected by the fluid substance. Since the solid matter in the fluid substance has a higher light transmittance than the continuous phase, when the solid matter is present in the fluid substance flowing through the flow path, the inspection light that has passed through the fluid substance is compared to when the solid substance is not present. The amount of transmitted light increases.

The light receiving means (J) receives the inspection light which has passed through the fluid substance and has passed through the flow path, and detects the amount of transmitted light of the fluid substance. Solid matter detection pulse output means (31c,
31c ') compares the detection value of the transmitted light amount by the light receiving means (J) with a set threshold value and generates a solid matter detection pulse. By appropriately setting the threshold value, the solid substance detection pulse can be generated only when the solid substance is present in the fluid substance flowing through the flow channel. The number of solid matter detection pulses corresponds to the number of solid matter flowing through the flow channel, and the pulse width of the solid matter detection pulse corresponds to the size of solid matter flowing through the flow channel. Therefore, based on the pulse number and pulse width of the solid matter detection pulse, information such as the number of solid matter and the size of solid matter in the fluid substance filled in the container (18) flowing through the flow path (that is, for determination). Information) can be obtained. Judgment information acquisition means (20)
Acquires the determination information from the solid matter detection pulse. According to the obtained determination information, the container (18)
It is possible to easily determine whether the filling state of the fluid substance inside is good or bad.

(Operation of Embodiment 1 of 6th Invention) In Embodiment 1 of the fluid material filling apparatus of the 6th invention of the present application,
The means for acquiring the determination information comprises pulse number output means for outputting the pulse number of the solid matter detection pulse. The number of pulses corresponds to the number of solids flowing through the channel. Therefore, depending on the number of pulses output by the pulse number output means (acquired determination information), the container (1
The number of solids contained in the fluid substance in 8) can be easily known. Therefore, the quality of the filling state of the fluid substance in the container (18) can be easily determined.

(Operation of Seventh Invention) In the apparatus for filling a fluid substance according to the seventh invention of the present application, a solid phase having a light transmittance higher than that of the continuous phase is formed in the continuous phase composed of the concentrated emulsion or the concentrated suspension. The existing fluid food flows through the flow path of the food connected to the container (18) and the container (1
8) is filled. Light in the near-infrared region is incident on the flow path connected to the container (18) by the light projecting means (T) in a direction traversing the flow path. The light in this near infrared region
Part of it penetrates across the food product (fluid material) in the channel and another part is absorbed or reflected by the food product. Since the solid matter in the food has a higher light transmittance than the continuous phase, when the solid matter is present in the food flowing through the flow path, as compared with when the solid matter is not present, the light in the near-infrared region transmitted through the food is The amount of transmitted light increases.

The light receiving means (J) receives the light in the near-infrared region which has passed through the food and passed through the food, and detects the amount of light transmitted through the food. Solid matter detection pulse output means (31
c, 31c ') compares the detection value of the transmitted light amount by the light receiving means (J) with a set threshold value and generates a solid matter detection pulse. By setting the threshold appropriately,
Only when solid matter is present in the food flowing through the flow path,
A solids detection pulse can be generated. The number of solid matter detection pulses corresponds to the number of solid matter flowing through the flow channel, and the pulse width of the solid matter detection pulse corresponds to the size of solid matter flowing through the flow channel. Therefore, based on the pulse number and pulse width of the solid matter detection pulse, information such as the number of solid matter and the size of solid matter in the food that has flowed through the flow path and is filled in the container (18) (that is, determination information). ) Can be obtained. The determination information acquisition means (20) acquires determination information useful for determining the quality of the filling state of the food in the container (18) from the solid matter detection pulse. Based on the obtained determination information, it is possible to easily determine the quality of the filling state of the food in the container (18).

(Operation of Embodiment 1 of 7th Invention) In Embodiment 1 of the fluid material filling apparatus of the 7th invention of the present application,
The means for acquiring the determination information comprises pulse number output means for outputting the pulse number of the solid matter detection pulse. The number of pulses corresponds to the number of solids flowing through the channel. Therefore, depending on the number of pulses output by the pulse number output means (acquired determination information), the container (1
The number of solids contained in the food in 8) can be easily known. Therefore, the quality of the filled state of the food in the container (18) can be easily determined.

(Operation of Eighth Invention) In the fluid substance filling apparatus of the eighth invention of the present application, the means for acquiring the determination information outputs the integrated value of the pulse width of the solid matter detection pulse. It is constituted by a pulse width integrated value output means (20a). The integrated value of the pulse width corresponds to the amount of solid matter flowing through the flow path. Therefore, the amount of solids contained in the fluid substance (or food) in the container (18) is indirectly determined by the integrated value of the pulse width (acquired determination information) output by the pulse width integrated value output means (20a). Can be guessed at. Therefore, it is possible to easily determine the quality of the filling state of the fluid substance or food in the container (18).

(Operation of Embodiment 1 of Eighth Invention) In Embodiment 1 of the fluid material filling device of the eighth invention of the present application,
The solid amount calculating means (20b) is used for calculating the solid value in the fluid substance (or food) filled based on a correlation formula obtained in advance from the integrated value of the pulse width output by the pulse width integrated value output means (20a). Calculate the amount of solids. The amount of solids (determination information) allows the amount of solids contained in the fluid substance (or food) filled in the container (18) to be quickly known. Therefore, the quality of the filling state of the fluid substance (or food) in the container (18) can be easily determined.

(Operation of Embodiment 2 of Eighth Invention) In Embodiment 2 of the fluid substance filling apparatus of the eighth invention of the present application,
The discrimination signal output means (20c) outputs a discrimination signal indicating whether or not the integrated value of the pulse width output by the pulse width integrated value output means (20a) is within a preset reference range. Therefore, a determination signal (determination information) indicating whether or not the integrated value of this pulse width is within a preset reference range
Thus, it is possible to immediately judge whether the filling state of the fluid substance (or food) in the container (18) is good or bad. The determination signal is various countermeasures when a defective product is generated, for example, an alarm light for warning an employee, an alarm device, or a device for automatically removing a defective product (for example, a container conveyed on a conveyor). (Device for removing (18)), but the output turns on the alarm lamp, sounds the alarm,
It is also possible to remove defective products.

[0062]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is an overall schematic explanatory view of a filling apparatus for a fluid food (fluid substance) according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the main part of FIG. (1) Configuration of Embodiment 1 The filling device shown in FIG. 1 has a buffer tank 1 (volume 0.01 m3) for temporarily storing a fluid food (fluid substance). An inlet 2a of the switching valve 2 is connected to the food outlet 1a provided at the lower end of the buffer tank 1. The switching valve 2 is a rotary valve, and the inlet 2
It has a, a measuring chamber connection port 2b, and an outlet 2c. The switching valve 2 has a measuring position (a position shown in FIG. 1A) for connecting the inlet 2a and the measuring chamber connection port 2b by a switching valve actuating device (not shown, air cylinder, SMC, CMDN40-100). , The position is controlled between the metering chamber connection port 2b and the filling position (see FIG. 1B) connecting the outlet 2c.

The measuring chamber connection port 2b of the switching valve 2 is connected to the measuring chamber 3a inside the cylinder 3. Cylinder 3
The piston 4 is housed inside so that it can move back and forth.
The internal volume of the measuring chamber 3a inside the cylinder is adapted to increase or decrease as the piston 4 moves back and forth.
A cylinder device is composed of the cylinder 3 and the piston 4. The piston 4 is a piston driving device 6 (air cylinder, manufactured by SMC, CMBN30-50B-
It is designed to be driven back and forth by XC8). The maximum volume of the measuring chamber 3a can be freely set by adjusting the stroke of the piston 4. A fixed-quantity press-filling unit 7 is configured from the elements configured by the reference numerals 2 to 6.

The outlet 2c of the switching valve 2 is connected to a filling pipe 8 which forms a food flow path. The filling pipe 8 is a flexible tube 10 (material, silicone) having a sensor arrangement pipe 9 connected to the outlet 2c of the switching valve 2 and a filling port 10a formed at the end connected to the sensor arrangement pipe 9. Rubber, inner diameter 24 mm, outer diameter 33 mm). The sensor arrangement pipe 9 includes an inner pipe 9a and an outer pipe 9b.
The inner tube 9a is made of a translucent Teflon member, and the outer tube 9b is made of stainless steel. The upper end and the lower end of the inner pipe 9a of the sensor arrangement pipe 9 have a clamp connection structure, and the lower end of the outlet 2c of the switching valve 2 and the upper end of the tube 10 also have the same clamp connection structure. Therefore, the sensor arrangement pipe 9 is attached to the clamp 12
And 13 respectively for detachable connection.

A pair of closing members made of hard material (material: Delrin, diameter 31 m) movably arranged in the direction sandwiching the tube 10 on both sides of the lower end of the tube 10.
m, length 50 mm) 14 and 15 are arranged. The pair of closing members 14 and 15 are the closing member driving device 1.
6 and 17 (manufactured by CKD, CSD2-50-25) move between a closed position close to each other and an open position separated from each other. A container 18 filled with food is disposed below the tube 10. Actuating device of the switching valve 2, piston driving device 6, closing member driving device 16 and 1
7 are connected to a sequencer S (MELSEC, A2N, manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation) for controlling these operations.

This sequencer S is composed of the filling mechanism control means 1
9 and the determination information acquisition means 20. The filling mechanism control means 19 has a function of controlling the operation of the switching valve 2, the piston drive device 6, and the closing member drive devices 16 and 17, and the function thereof is the sequencer S.
It is realized by the program stored in the ROM. In addition, the determination information acquisition means 20 includes the container 1
It has a function of acquiring information relating to the amount of solids of the food filled in 8, that is, information for judgment useful for judging whether the filling state of the fluid substance is good or bad, information for judging good or bad, and the like. The determination information acquisition means 20 of the first embodiment is composed of the following respective means. That is, (a) means (that is, pulse width integrated value output means) 20 for outputting the integrated value of the pulse width from the input solid detection pulse (described later).
a, (b) Solid amount calculating means for calculating the amount of solid in the fluid substance filled based on the correlation formula obtained in advance from the integrated value of the pulse width output by the pulse width integrated value output means 20a 20b, (c) A signal for determining whether or not the integrated value of the pulse width output by the integrated pulse width value output means 20a is within a preset reference range (that is, the amount of solid matter in the container 18). It is composed of a discrimination signal output means 20c for outputting (information indicating the quality). In the determination information acquisition means 20, the solid amount calculation means 20b, the determination signal output means 20c and the like can be omitted.

Next, referring to FIG. 2, the light projecting means T, the light receiving means J, etc. of the food filling apparatus of the present invention will be described. Sensor holes 21 and 22 are bored on the same axis in the circumferential direction of the outer tube 9b of the sensor arrangement tube 9, and a projector installation plate 23 and a light receiver installation plate 24 are fixedly provided in the vicinity thereof. A light projector 26 and a light receiver 27 (both manufactured by KEYENCE CORPORATION, PS-201T) are installed on the light projector installation plate 23 and the light receiver installation plate 24, respectively.

In the projector 26 and the light receiver 27, the light emitted from the projector 26 is transmitted through the inner tube 9a and reaches the light receiver 27 which is arranged oppositely, and the optical axis X of the light is emitted from the sensor tube 9. It is arranged at a position orthogonal to the central axis Y. The light transmitter 26 and the light receiver 27 use the optical fibers 28 and 29 to transmit and receive an amplifier unit 31 (PS-X2 manufactured by KEYENCE CORPORATION).
8) is connected. The light emitting / receiving amplifier unit 31 has the functions of a light source 31a, a light receiving sensor 31b, and a solid matter detection pulse output means 31c. The light source 31a has a function of emitting light in the near-infrared region, and the light in the near-infrared region emitted from the light source 31a passes through the optical fiber 28 from the projector 26 to the inner tube 9a of the sensor arrangement tube 9. It is projected in the direction that crosses. The light source 31a, the optical fiber 28, and the light projector 26 constitute a light projecting means T. The light in the near-infrared region projected from the projector 26 of the projecting means T is transmitted through the inner tube 9a of the sensor arrangement tube 9 and the food flowing therein, and enters the light receiver 27, and the optical fiber The light passes through 29 and enters the light receiving sensor 31b of the light emitting / receiving amplifier unit 31.

The light receiving sensor 31b is composed of a photodiode or the like and has a function of outputting an electric signal according to the amount of incident light. The light receiver 27, the optical fiber 29 and the light receiving sensor 31b constitute a light receiving means J. The signal output from the light receiving sensor 31b of the light receiving means J is input to the solid matter detection pulse output means 31c of the light emitting and receiving amplifier unit 31. The solid matter detection pulse output means 31c has a function of comparing the detected value of the transmitted light amount by the light receiving means J with a set threshold value and generating a solid matter detection pulse.

Output signal (solid matter detection pulse) from the solid matter detection pulse output means 31c of the light emitting / receiving amplifier unit 31.
Are connected to the sequencer S by a pulse transmission cable 32. The output terminal of the sequencer S is connected to an external alarm device (not shown) by the defective product determination signal output cable 33.
It is connected to the.

(1) Operation of Embodiment 1 (a) Introducing Step FIG. 1A shows a step of introducing food into the weighing chamber 3a. The switching valve 2 is located at a position where the inlet 2a and the measuring chamber 3a are electrically connected to each other, and the closing members 14 and 15 close the lower end of the tube 10. Food is stored in the buffer tank 1. In this state, the piston 4 is driven in a direction to increase the volume of the measuring chamber 3a and the food is introduced into the measuring chamber 3a. As a result, food equivalent to the filling amount of one container is weighed in the weighing chamber 3a.

(B) Filling Step FIG. 1B shows the step of filling the container 18 with the food. The switching valve 2 is switched to connect the measuring chamber 3a and the outlet 2c. In this state, the piston 4 is driven in a direction to reduce the volume of the measuring chamber 3a, the food is pushed out to the outlet 2c, and at the same time, the closing members 14 and 15 on both sides of the lower end of the tube 10 are opened. As a result, the measuring chamber 3a communicates with the lower end of the tube 10, and the food is pushed out by the piston 4 and filled in the container 18. Immediately before the piston 4 stops, the closing members 14 and 15 are closed to prevent food from hanging from the lower end of the tube 10. The above is one filling step, which is repeated while exchanging the container to continuously fill the food. The filling amount is the measuring chamber 3a
Set by the maximum volume of. 1A and FIG.
The step B is entirely automated by the sequencer S.

In the filling step shown in FIG. 1B, the closing member 1
The time when 4 and 15 are opened can be regarded as one filling time, and the food passes through the sensor arrangement pipe 9 at this time. In the sensor arrangement tube 9, the light projector 26 continuously emits light in the near infrared region, and the light receiver 27 continuously receives the light. The amount of transmitted light increases from the beginning to the end of the passage of solid matter, and the light receiver 2
The amount of light received by No. 7 increases. The light emitting / receiving amplifier unit 31 compares a preset threshold value with the received light amount, and outputs a signal as a pulse from the moment when the received light amount becomes higher than the threshold value to the original state, and transmits the pulse. Cable 3
2 to the sequencer S.

The pulse is processed by the pulse width integrated value output means 20a of the sequencer S in the following procedure. The sequencer S has an internal counter and a pulse generator for generating one clock pulse every 10 ms.
Then, the internal counter is configured to count the clock pulse while the output signal of the solid matter detection pulse output means 31c is detecting the solid matter (that is, while the solid matter detection pulse is on). . The sum total of the count numbers of the clock pulse is detected for each filling, and the value obtained by multiplying the sum total of the count numbers by 10 ms is the sum total of the time during which the signal of the solid matter detection pulse is on per filling, that is, It is the integrated value of the pulse width of the solid matter detection pulse. As shown in the test example described below, the integrated value of the pulse width of the solid detection pulse is the number of filled solids,
Correlates with weight etc. The solid matter calculating means 20b of the sequencer S calculates the amount of solid matter in the fluid substance filled based on the correlation formula obtained in advance from the integrated value of the pulse width output by the pulse width integrated value output means 20a. Calculated and displayed on the attached meter S1. In addition, the sequencer S
The determination signal output means 20c determines whether or not the integrated value of the pulse width output by the pulse width integrated value output means 20a is within a preset reference range (that is, solid matter in the container 18). If the quantity is out of the reference range, a defective product discrimination signal is output, and an external alarm device (not shown) is operated through the defective product discrimination signal output cable 33.

(3) Effects peculiar to the first embodiment In the first embodiment, since the optical fiber type device is adopted as the light projecting means and the light receiving means, the apparatus is small in size.
It becomes simple and can be installed in a pipe having a relatively small diameter. Further, the sensor arrangement pipe 9 has a double cylinder structure, and the inner pipe 9a is made of an anti-transparent Teflon member,
It has the advantages of corrosion resistance and hygiene.

(Embodiment 2) (1) Structure of Embodiment 2 Next, Embodiment 2 of the food filling apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the essential parts of Embodiment 2 of the food filling apparatus of the present invention. In the description of the second embodiment, constituent elements corresponding to those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment except for the portions described below. In the second embodiment, in addition to the projector 26, the light receiver 27, the optical fibers 28 and 29, the light emitting and receiving amplifier unit 31, the transmission cable 32, which are the constituent elements of the first embodiment, a second light projector 26 'and a light receiver 27 are provided. ′, Optical fibers 28 ′ and 29 ′, a light emitting / receiving amplifier unit 31 ′, and a transmission cable 32 ′ (all of which are the same models as in the first embodiment) are used.

In this embodiment, the second projector 2
6'and the photodetector 27 'are attached to the sensor arrangement tube 9, and the optical axis Z of these is the optical axis X of the projector 26 of the first embodiment.
Also, they are arranged so as to pass through the intersection of the central axes Y of the sensor arrangement tubes 9 and to be perpendicular to a plane XY formed by the optical axis X and the central axis Y. The second light projecting device 26 'and the light receiving device 27' arranged so as to face the second light projecting device 26 'are respectively the optical fibers 2
The second light emitting / receiving amplifier unit 3 by 8'and 29 '
It is connected to 1 '. Second light emitting / receiving amplifier unit 31 '
Is connected to the sequencer S via the pulse transmission cable 32 '. At this time, the pulse transmission cable 32' is redundantly connected to the input terminal to which the pulse transmission cable 32 of the first embodiment is connected. The output terminal of the sequencer S is the defective product discrimination signal output cable 33 as in the first embodiment.
Is connected to an external alarm device (not shown).

(2) Operation of Embodiment 2 Similar to Embodiment 1, as the solid material passes across the optical axes X and Z, the light emitting / receiving amplifier units 31 and 3 are operated.
A solid matter detection pulse is output from 1 '. Both solids detection pulses are transmitted to the sequencer S by pulse transmission cables 32 and 32 '. Since both the pulse transmission cables 32 and 32 'are connected to the same terminal, the OR
It has the same function as the circuit (logical sum circuit), and the solid matter is detected when at least either one of the light emitting / receiving amplifier units outputs a pulse signal.
The subsequent processing is the same as in the first embodiment.

(3) Effects peculiar to the second embodiment In this embodiment, the two optical axes for detecting the solid matter are formed, and they are orthogonal to each other. It is possible to reduce the number, and it is possible to more accurately count the solids and determine the quality of the filled state.

(Test Example) Using the apparatus of Example 2 above, the yogurt containing strawberries was filled in a container, and the solid content was measured to test the accuracy of the filling apparatus of the present invention. (1) Preparation of sample As a mixed food sample, yogurt with fruit was prepared by the following method. Using 17 parts of skim milk powder (weight, the same below), 3 parts of upper sucrose and 80 parts of water
Then, sterilize by a conventional method, add a lactic acid bacterium starter, and
The yogurt was obtained by fermentation at ° C for 3 hours. This yogurt was mixed with a commercially available strawberry preserve (manufactured by Hasegawa Koryo Co., Ltd.) at a weight ratio of 8: 2 to prepare a strawberry-filled yogurt (sample used in the apparatus of Example 2: sample 1).

(2) Test method (2-1) Filling with apparatus of Example 2 The filling apparatus of Example 2 was operated as described in Example 2, and 120 g of the sample 1 was continuously placed in a plastic container. Filled. (2-2) Measuring Method In filling with the food filling device of Example 2, the integrated value of the pulse width of the solid detection pulse when the strawberry passed through was measured, and the result was displayed on the display device of the sequencer S. It was
After the filling is completed, 100 containers are randomly withdrawn,
The weight of the strawberries separated from the contents with a filter having a 1 mm square hole was measured by a balance (manufactured by Mettler), and the number was counted with the naked eye.

(3) Test Results The results of this test are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the integrated value of the pulse width of the solid matter detection pulse and the weight of the filled strawberry, and the horizontal axis and the vertical axis in the figure show the integrated value of the pulse width and the weight of the strawberry, respectively. Further, FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the integrated value of the pulse width of the solid detection pulse and the number of filled strawberries, and the horizontal axis and the vertical axis in the figure show the integrated value of the pulse width and the number of strawberries, respectively. As is clear from FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the integrated value of the pulse width and the weight or the number of filled strawberries are correlated, and the correlation equations for these are as follows.

The correlation formula between the integrated value (X) of the pulse width and the weight (Y) of the filled strawberries in FIG. 5 is Y = 0.38X-0.11, and the correlation coefficient is 0.80. Met. The correlation formula between the integrated value (X) of the pulse width and the number of filled strawberries (Y) in FIG. 6 was Y = 0.15X + 0.21 and the correlation coefficient was 0.78.

Therefore, the correlation equation is obtained in advance, and
It has been clarified that the weight or the number of solids in the container can be counted by measuring the integrated value of the pulse width of the solids detection pulse. Furthermore, for example, one strawberry per container
When it is necessary to contain 0 g, the integrated value of the pulse width corresponding to 10 g of strawberry is recognized to be 20 ms from FIG. 5, so that the integrated value of the pulse width is 20 ms in actual filling.
It has been clarified that when the following container occurs, this container can be determined as a defective product, and the quality of the filled state can be determined by the filling method and the filling device of the present invention.

[0086]

The effects of the present invention described above are as follows:
It is as follows. (E01) The amount of solids in a container filled with a heterogeneous fluid containing solids in a dispersion system can be grasped online. (E02) The quality of filling the contents filled in the container can be easily determined, which is extremely effective in quality control.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic explanatory diagram of a filling device for fluid food (fluid substance) according to the present invention, FIG. 1A is an explanatory diagram of a weighing state, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram of a filling state.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged sectional view of a main part of FIG.

[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is an explanatory view of the essential parts of Embodiment 2 of the filling apparatus for fluid food (fluid substance) of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a solid detection pulse, and FIG.
Indicates the relationship between the detected value of the transmitted light amount (vertical axis) and time (horizontal axis), and the broken line in the figure indicates the set threshold value. Figure 4
B indicates a solid matter detection pulse formed by comparing the detected value of the transmitted light amount with a set threshold value. Further, FIG. 4C is a pulse obtained by differentiating the solid matter detection pulse shown in FIG. 4B, and FIG. 4D removes the minus (-) pulse from the pulse of FIG. 4C and shapes the pulse waveform. It is a pulse.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a relationship between an integrated value of pulse widths of solid matter detection pulses and the weight of strawberries.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a relationship between an integrated value of pulse widths of solid matter detection pulses and the number of strawberries.

[Explanation of symbols]

J ... Light receiving means, S ... Sequencer, T ... Light emitting means, 1 ... Buffer tank, 1a ... Food outlet, 2 ... Switching valve, 2a ... Inlet, 2b ... Measuring chamber connection port, 2c ... Outlet, 3 ... Cylinder, Three
a ... weighing chamber, 4 ... piston, 6 ... piston drive device, 7
... fixed amount press-fitting unit, 8 ... filling tube, 9 ... sensor arrangement tube, 9a ... inner tube, 9b ... outer tube, 10 ... tube, 1
0a ... Filling port, 12 ... Clamp, 13 ... Clamp, 14
... Closure member, 15 ... Closure member, 16 ... Closure member drive device, 17 ... Closure member drive device, 18 ... Container, 19 ... Filling mechanism control means, 20 ... Judgment information acquisition means, 20a ... Pulse width integrated value output means , 20b ... Solid amount calculating means, 2
0c ... discrimination signal output means, 21 ... sensor hole, 22 ... sensor hole, 23 ... projector installation plate, 24 ... photoreceiver installation plate,
26, 26 '... Projector, 27, 27' ... Receiver, 28,
28 '... optical fiber, 29, 29' ... optical fiber,
31, 31 '... Emitter / receiver amplifier unit, 31a, 31a'
... Light source, 31b, 31b '... Light receiving sensor, 31c, 31c'
... solid matter detection pulse output means, 32, 32 '... pulse transmission cable, 33 ... defective product discrimination signal output cable

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Nakanuma 1-37-19 Minami-gai, Higashiyamato-shi, Tokyo Morinaga Minami-gai Dormitory 316 (72) Norikuni Yanagihara 1-37 Minami-gai, Higashiyamato-shi, Tokyo 19 Morinaga South Street Dormitory 322

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A fluid material for filling a container with a fluid material in which a solid material having a higher light transmittance than the continuous phase is scattered in a continuous phase which is opaque but allows a part of inspection light to pass therethrough. In the filling method, the inspection light is projected in a direction crossing the flow path of the fluid substance connected to the container, and the transmitted light amount of the inspection light transmitted through the flow path of the fluid substance is detected. The solid substance detection pulse is formed by comparing the detected value with the set threshold value, and the determination information related to the amount of solid substance in the container is obtained from the solid substance detection pulse, which is characterized in that the fluid substance is characterized. Filling method. 2. The fluid substance is a fluid food product in which a continuous phase composed of a concentrated emulsion or a concentrated suspension is interspersed with a solid substance having a light transmittance higher than that of the continuous phase. 2. The method for filling a fluid substance according to claim 1, wherein light in the near infrared region is adopted. 3. The method of filling a fluid substance according to claim 1, wherein the determination information is an integrated value of pulse widths of solid matter detection pulses. 4. The fluid substance according to claim 3, wherein the determination information is an amount of the solid substance in the fluid substance, which is determined based on a correlation equation previously obtained from an integrated value of pulse widths of the solid substance detection pulse. Filling method. 5. The method for filling a fluid substance according to claim 3, wherein the determination information is information indicating whether or not the integrated value of the pulse width of the solid matter detection pulse is within a preset reference range. 6. A fluid material for filling a container with a fluid material in which a solid material having a higher light transmittance than the continuous phase is scattered in a continuous phase which is opaque but allows a part of inspection light to pass therethrough. A filling device, characterized in that it has the following requirements (Y01) to (Y04), and a filling device for a fluid substance characterized by the following: (Y01) Injecting inspection light in a direction crossing a flow passage of the fluid substance connected to the container. Light emitting means, (Y02) Light receiving means for receiving the inspection light transmitted through the flow path to detect the amount of transmitted light of the fluid substance, (Y03) Set a detection value of the amount of transmitted light by the light receiving means. Solid matter detection pulse output means for generating a solid matter detection pulse in comparison with a threshold value, (Y04) means for obtaining determination information related to the amount of solid matter in the container from the solid matter detection pulse. 7. The fluid substance filling apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the following requirements (Y06) and (Y07) are provided:
(Y06) The fluid material is a fluid food product in which a solid phase having a light transmittance higher than that of the continuous phase is scattered in a continuous phase composed of a concentrated emulsion or a concentrated suspension, (Y07) The inspection light Adopted light in the near infrared region as. 8. The filling device for a fluid substance according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that it has the following requirements (Y08):
08) The means for acquiring the determination information is constituted by pulse width integrated value output means for outputting the integrated value of the pulse width of the solid matter detection pulse.