JPH07110264A - Sorting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a sorting device which does not select articles having a continuous pattern and color on their surfaces, but selects those having different patterns and colors on their surfaces. CONSTITUTION:A sorting device is provided with a sensor 7 which optically detects the surface colors of articles 1 fed to a detecting area, a discriminating means 8 which discriminates whether or not the colors detected by the sensor 7 are different from a present color, a displaying means 9 which displays discriminated result, and optical element 10 which makes the different colors detected in the detecting area incident on the sensor 7 after averaging the colors.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is, for example, for selecting defective products of a group of several crab meat-like rod-shaped kneaded products with the same color surface as a table, and different baking colors of bamboo rings and kamaboko. The present invention relates to an apparatus for selecting a group in which different pattern patterns / color planes are exposed, rather than a group in which continuous pattern patterns / color planes are exposed, such as in the case of selecting defective products.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, crab-like rod-shaped paste products have
14 pieces are packed side by side in a tray as one packaging group,
This was packaged with the tray and put on the market. The tray filling of the crab meat-like rod-shaped kneaded product is performed manually or by a machine, and this is sequentially conveyed to a packaging device for packaging.

By the way, in order to make the crab meat-like rod-shaped kneaded product look like a real crab meat, part of the side surface of the rod-shaped white meat of the rod-shaped kneaded product is colored red. When this crab meat-like rod-shaped kneaded product is packed in a tray, it is generally packed in a tray with the red-colored surface exposed.

Therefore, before the group of tray-packed crab meat-like rod-shaped paste products is introduced into the packaging apparatus, all the exposed surfaces of the tray-packed rod-shaped paste products are red-colored surfaces. Had to confirm.

Further, it is necessary to select defective products, such as bamboo rings and kamaboko, which are roasted in order, in which the burning color is significantly different from other products.

[0006]

However, since these confirmation work is performed visually by the worker and is a monotonous confirmation work, there are problems such as oversight of the worker and personnel expenses, and mechanization is difficult. It was strongly desired.

Therefore, the present invention is applicable to, for example, packing a crab meat-like rod-shaped kneaded product in a tray with the same color side facing up, and selecting defective products having different baked colors of bamboo rings and kamaboko. An object of the present invention is to provide a sorting device that can select well a pattern pattern / color surface that is different from a continuous pattern pattern / color surface that is not selected.

[0008]

In the sorting apparatus according to the present invention, a sensor for optically detecting the color of the article surface entering the detection area and the color detected by the sensor are different from the predetermined color. It is provided with a discriminating means for discriminating whether or not to carry out, a display means for displaying the discrimination result, and an optical element for averaging different colors in the detection region and making them enter the sensor.

Further, preferably, the optical element includes a lens for expanding the field of view of the sensor with respect to the detection region, and in particular, the lens is a concave lens. It also discloses that the optical element is frosted glass disposed in front of the sensor.

[0010]

In the present invention, the sensor for optically detecting the color of the article surface entering the detection area and the discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the color detected by the sensor is different from the predetermined color. And a display means for displaying this determination result and an optical element for averaging different colors in the detection area and making them incident on the sensor. Even when the color exists, or when a continuous pattern pattern / color surface appears, it is less likely to be recognized as different from the predetermined color.
On the other hand, if there is a distinctly different color surface in the detection area and a different pattern / color surface appears, it can be recognized that the color is different from the predetermined color.

More specifically, a sensor for optically detecting the color of the article surface entering the detection area and a determination for determining whether or not the color detected by the sensor is different from a predetermined color. A color identification sensor device provided with a means and a display means for displaying the discrimination result is already on the market.

However, since this color identification sensor device is a system in which each color component of RGB is decomposed and detected and the color difference signal is compared with the reference color difference signal, the entire area within the detection spot is a single color. There is no problem in some cases, but a detection error occurs when different colors are mixed. That is, this color identification sensor device determines whether or not the color of the received light is different from a predetermined color. The detection determination method is the color component (RG) in the received detection spot.
Since it is based on the ratio of B), if there is a pattern or the like on the detection target surface, the pattern on the target surface moves due to conveyance, and the color component in the detection spot changes, so it is determined that the color differs from the predetermined color. There were cases where it was done.

Therefore, the present invention is provided with an optical element that averages different colors in the detection region and makes them incident on the sensor as a pseudo single color. In other words, for example, a mottled pattern, a streak pattern, a hazy pattern, a burnt pattern, etc. are not clearly a single color, but the patterns / colors mixed in the detection area are averaged and blurred to be incident on the sensor as a single color. As a result, even if there are some different color planes in the detection area, or even if a continuous pattern pattern / color plane appears, it is less likely to be recognized as different from the predetermined color. On the other hand, if there is a clearly different color surface in the detection area and a different pattern / color surface appears, it can be recognized that the color is different from the predetermined color.

There are two types of optical elements for averaging different colors in the detection area and making them incident on the sensor. That is, one is to optically widen the detection visual field of the existing color identification sensor device, and more preferably to dispose the sensor at a position deviated from the image formation position of the target surface and shift the focus to make the average. Is. On the other hand, the other randomly scatters the light entering the detection spot area.
It is a method of averaging by diffracting and interfering.

More specifically, on the one hand, the optical element includes a lens for enlarging the field of view of the sensor with respect to the detection area, in particular the lens is a concave lens for blurring the object surface on the sensor. is there. And the other is
There is a frosted glass, a transmissive diffraction grating, a slit, etc., in which the optical element is arranged in front of the sensor. That is, by detecting the color of the article surface through an existing color identification sensor device through an optical element such as a concave lens or frosted glass, the different colors in the detection area can be averaged.

More specifically, the sorting apparatus according to the present invention does not differ when, for example, crab meat-like rod-shaped kneaded products are packed in trays with the same color side facing each other, or when bamboo rings and kamaboko are baked in different colors. It is possible to select products that show different color surfaces, such as when selecting good products, without misidentification. On the other hand, for example, when crab meat-like sticky products are packed in parallel in a tray, white can be seen through between the individual sticky products, and the pattern of the baked color in the detected area is slightly different. However, it is less likely that the color will be recognized as different from the predetermined color.

That is, when the crab meat-like rod-shaped kneaded product in which one side of the rod-shaped white meat is colored red is packed in parallel in a tray with the colored surface facing upward, the individual rod-shaped kneaded products are rounded. Since it is rod-shaped, some white meat can be seen between the kneaded products. Therefore, in the existing color identification sensor device,
It has been recognized that it is different from the predetermined color.

Therefore, by providing the existing color identification sensor device with an optical element for averaging different colors in the detection region and making them incident on the sensor, the image in the detection region is blurred in the sensor of the color identification sensor device. Will be incident on
Even if there are some different colors in the detection area, they will be blurred and recognized as the surrounding colors, and even if there are some different colors, they will be recognized as different from the predetermined color. Less likely to be lost.

That is, by detecting the color of the article surface through a commercially available color identification sensor device through an optical element such as a concave lens or frosted glass, for example, when crab meat-like rod-shaped paste products are packed in parallel in a tray. Even if the white is peeped between the individual stick-shaped products, it is less likely that the white will be recognized as different from the predetermined color.

The color identification sensor device used in the present invention is
A sensor that optically detects the color of the article surface entering the detection area, a determination unit that determines whether the color detected by the sensor is different from a predetermined color, and the determination result is displayed. Any device can be used as long as it has a display means.

Moreover, the articles to be inspected by the sorting apparatus of the present invention are not only the continuous pattern and color surface of the crab meat-like rod-like kneaded product described later, but also various other articles such as food, clothes, wallpaper, floors and the like. Can be selected. In addition, the pattern / color surface is not definitely a single color such as a mottled pattern, a streak pattern, or a faint pattern, but it becomes a pseudo-single color by blurring mixed colors. If

Further, the lens as an optical element may be any lens as long as it averages different colors in the detection area and makes them incident on the sensor, and is not limited to a concave lens described later, but a convex lens or a combination of a concave lens and a convex lens. But it's okay. In this case, it is advisable to dispose the sensor to be incident at a position deviated from the image forming position of the article by the lens so that the blurred image is incident. Further, the degree of averaging of the optical elements may of course be changed so that the degree of averaging is appropriately changed according to the pattern pattern / color surface that is recognized.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing the configuration of the side surface of an embodiment of the sorting apparatus of the present invention. In the figure, there are seven in the upper row,
In the lower stage, five crab meat-like rod-shaped kneaded products 1 are packed as a group in trays 2 arranged in parallel and conveyed on a conveyor 3. Two relays 4 and 5 are installed on the transport conveyor 3 to detect the transport of the tray 2 that has been transported and crossed.

A color identification sensor device 6 for identifying the color of the upper surface of the tray 2 which traverses the relays 4 and 5 is installed above the two relays 4 and 5. The sensor unit 7 is provided between the sensor unit 7 of the color identification sensor device 6 and the upper surface of the tray 2.
A concave lens 10 for enlarging the detection visual field is inserted.

The color identification sensor device 6 collects light from a light source (halogen lamp) with a lens, irradiates the object from the sensor section 7 through a fiber, and diffusely reflects light from the object to the sensor section (fiber). A unit PI-C40; manufactured by Keyence Corporation) 7 detects and collects light on a color sensor element in a processing unit (amplifier unit PI-C90; manufactured by Keyence Corporation) 8 through the same fiber, and then R
After being decomposed into three signals of (red), G (green), and B (blue), each signal is digitally converted, the CPU in the processing unit 8 performs calculation, and the reference stored in the memory in the processing unit 8 is used. It is determined by comparing with the color signal. If the result of the determination is that the reference color signal is different from the previously stored reference color signal, the buzzer 9 notifies the operator.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of the relay and color identification sensor device of the sorting device of FIG. As shown in the figure,
When the tray 2 crosses the relay 4 installed on the downstream side in the transport direction and the switch is turned on, the sensor 6 of the color identification sensor device causes the crab meat stick-shaped paste product 1 exposed on the upper surface of the tray 2. Identify the color of the surface of.

The color of the red meat of the crab meat stick-shaped kneaded product 1 is stored in advance in the color identification sensor device. If the color is not confirmed in advance by the color identification, a buzzer is used to inform the worker. I will inform you. Further, when the switch of the relay 5 installed upstream in the transport direction after the tray 2 has passed is turned off, the sensor 6 does not identify the color until the relay 4 is turned on again.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the relationship between the tray to be conveyed and the detection spots, and FIG. 3a shows the case where the colored surfaces of all the crab meat-like kneaded products 1 in the upper part of the tray are exposed. It is a schematic diagram and FIG. B is a schematic diagram which shows a case where a part of the crab meat-like rod-shaped kneaded product in the upper stage of the tray exposes white meat. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the detection spot shown in FIG. 3 when the concave lens 10 is not interposed, and FIG.
Shows FIG. 3b.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the detection spots of the sensor 6 are installed so as to identify the substantially central portion of the tray 2, and to sequentially identify the exposed surface packed inside by the transportation of the tray 2. Become. Therefore, in FIG. 3 and FIG.
As shown in the figure, when the detection spot approached the part where the white meat was exposed on a part of the crab meat stick-shaped kneaded product 1 packed in the tray 2, the white part was stored in advance. Recognizing that it was different from red meat, I alerted the workers with a buzzer.

However, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4a, even when all of the crab meat-like rod-shaped kneaded products 1 packed in the tray 2 have the colored surface exposed, the individual kneaded products A small amount of white is peeking between the ones. In this case also, there are many cases in which the worker is informed by a buzzer that he / she recognizes that it is different from the red meat stored in advance.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the resolution of the detection spot is lowered through the concave lens 10 between the sensor portion 7 and the upper surface of the tray 2. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the detection spot shown in FIG. 3 through the concave lens 10.
FIG. A shows FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b shows FIG. 3b.

As shown in FIG. 5a, when white is slightly seen between the individual kneaded products 1, the sensor 7 is arranged through the concave lens 10, so that the detection spot The area is enlarged (the area indicated by the broken line in FIG. 3), the image is further blurred, and the reddish color of the kneaded product 1 is introduced into the processing section to fill the screen. Therefore, even if a small amount of white meat is peeped between the individual kneaded products 1, it is not recognized that it is different from the one stored in advance.

On the other hand, when the detection spot approaches the portion where the white is exposed on a part of the kneaded product 1 packed in the tray 2, the detection spot is imaged as shown in FIG. 5b. Since half of the image is blurred in white, it is possible to recognize to the operator that the white part is different from the previously stored red part and inform the worker with a buzzer. It should be noted that when it is recognized that the trays are different, the tray may be linked to an ejecting unit that excludes the corresponding tray without notifying by a buzzer.

As described above, by detecting the color of the article surface through the existing color identification sensor device through the optical element such as the concave lens, for example, when the crab meat-like rod-shaped kneaded products are packed in parallel in the tray. Even if the white is peeped between the individual stick-shaped products, it is less likely that the white will be recognized as different from the predetermined color. On the other hand, when a part of the kneaded products arranged in parallel has a color different from the intended color, it can be distinguished well. Further, the target color identification sensor device can be easily obtained by installing the sensor section through the optical element such as the concave lens without any improvement to the commercially available color identification sensor device.

In this embodiment, a concave lens is installed to widen the detection area of the sensor and blur the incident image.
Not only concave lenses but also convex lenses or a combination of concave and convex lenses to widen the detection area and shift the image formation position to create a blurred image, or an incident image in which the detection area is expanded by randomly scattering it through frosted glass etc. By setting the above, it is possible to average different colors in the detection region and make them incident on the sensor.

In this embodiment, the case where the crab meat-like rod-shaped kneaded products are packed in parallel in the tray has been described. However, for example, when defective products are selected due to the difference in the baking color of bamboo rings or kamaboko, they are conveyed. It is also possible to prevent the determination that the color is different from the predetermined color due to the movement of the burning pattern and the change of the color component in the detection area.

[0037]

As described above, the present invention includes a sensor for optically detecting the color of the surface of an article entering a detection area,
Discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the color detected by the sensor is different from a predetermined color, display means for displaying the discrimination result, and averaging the different colors in the detection area for the sensor. Since there is an optical element that makes the light incident on the surface of the detection area, if there are some different color planes in the detection area, or if a group of consecutive pattern patterns / color planes is not selected, different pattern patterns / colors are not selected. It is possible to select a group of exposed surfaces.

There are two types of optical elements for averaging different colors in the detection area and making them incident on the sensor. That is, one is to optically widen the detection visual field of the existing color identification sensor device, and more preferably to dispose the sensor at a position deviated from the image formation position of the target surface and shift the focus to make the average. Is. On the other hand, the other randomly scatters the light entering the detection spot area.
It is a method of averaging by diffracting and interfering.

More specifically, on the one hand, the optical element includes a lens for enlarging the field of view of the sensor with respect to the detection area, in particular the lens is a concave lens for blurring the object surface on the sensor. is there. And the other is
There is a frosted glass, a transmissive diffraction grating, a slit, etc., in which the optical element is arranged in front of the sensor. That is, by detecting the color of the article surface through the existing color identification sensor device through an optical element such as a concave lens or frosted glass, there is an effect that the different colors in the detection area can be averaged.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a side surface of an embodiment of a sorting apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart diagram of a relay and a color identification sensor device of the sorting device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a tray to be conveyed and a detection spot, and FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram showing a case where the colored surfaces of all the crab meat-like sticky products in the upper part of the tray are exposed. FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram showing a case where a part of the crab meat-like rod-shaped kneaded product in the upper stage of the tray exposes white meat.

4 is an enlarged view of the detection spot shown in FIG. 3 when a concave lens is not used. FIG. 4A is a view of FIG.
FIG.

5 is an enlarged view of the detection spot shown in FIG. 3 through a concave lens, wherein FIG. 5A shows FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B shows FIG. 3B.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Crab meat-like rod-shaped kneaded product, 2 ... Tray, 3 ... Conveyor, 4 ... Relay, 5 ... Relay, 6 ... Color identification sensor device, 7 ... Sensor part, 8 ... Processing part, 9 ... Buzzer 9, 10 ... Concave lens (optical element),

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A sensor for optically detecting a color of an article surface entering a detection area, and a determination means for determining whether or not the color detected by the sensor is different from a predetermined color. A sorting device comprising: a display unit that displays a determination result; and an optical element that averages different colors in the detection area and makes them enter the sensor. 2. The sorting device according to claim 1, wherein the optical element includes a lens for expanding a field of view of the sensor with respect to the detection region. 3. The sorting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the lens is a concave lens. 4. The sorting device according to claim 1, wherein the optical element is a frosted glass disposed in front of the sensor.