JPH07222958A - Method and apparatus for automatically discriminating bottles and bottle sorter using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To certainly discriminate the outer diameter sizes or surface states of bottles at the predetermined height thereof. CONSTITUTION:When bottles B1, B2 traverse a discrimination area formed by light projectors 11, 12 and photodetectors 21, 22, the quantities of lights detected without being blocked by the bottles B1, B2 are measured and the min. values thereof are compared to discriminate the outer diameter sizes of the bottles B1, B2 and the change degrees of the quantities of lights received after transmitted through or reflected from the bottles B1, B2 are compared to discriminate the surface states of the bottles B1, B2. Since the incident positions of light to the photodetectors 11, 12 are not related at all, even if the bottles B1, B2 are shaken during transfer, the outer diameter sizes or surface states of the bottles B1, B2 can be certainly discriminated and, since it is unnecessary to discriminate the bottles as a whole, the light projectors and the photodetectors can be miniaturized and can be produced at low coast.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention utilizes a method for automatically identifying bottles capable of reliably and efficiently identifying various bottles, an extremely inexpensive identification device using the method, and the identification device. The present invention relates to a bottle sorting device that sorts various bottles.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, a recycling movement is being actively carried out in various places for the purpose of resource saving, energy saving, reduction of the amount of waste disposal, and the like. In order to make this recycling more effective, for example, so-called bottles, cans, waste paper, etc., as stated in the slogan of Numazu City, “Mixed garbage, separated resources” It is extremely important to separate the resource waste.

The importance of this separation is not limited to the separation of burnable waste and non-burnable waste, or the separation of bottles and cans, and the same applies to the fine separation of bottles or cans. I can say. However, in the conventional separation of bottles, in particular, it was difficult to mechanically identify the bottles. Therefore, in most cases, it was necessary to rely on human labor or to introduce a very expensive identification device.

Conventionally, as a device for discriminating the shapes of bottles and the like, there is a device using a CCD (charge coupled device), which is a CCD camera for imaging the entire bottle to be discriminated.
Bottles are identified by comparing them with patterns that are recognized in advance. In this identification method, the bottle image position is corrected in order to match the captured bottle image with the recognition pattern. It was necessary to make full use of advanced image processing technology, such as, and the device became inevitably expensive.

[0005]

[Technical problem to be solved] The present invention distinguishes bottles from each other.
It was made in view of the above-mentioned difficulties in sorting, and the outer diameter size and surface condition of bottles at a reference level set at a predetermined height for various bottles can be reliably and A bottle identification method that enables efficient identification, an identification device that can be manufactured at a reasonable cost by using this identification method, and a method for continuously sorting various bottles by incorporating this identification device The object is to provide a bottle sorting device capable of

[0006]

Therefore, according to the present invention, a plurality of types of bottles B ₁ · having an outer diameter size of D ₁ , D _2, ... Dn at a reference level set to a predetermined height H from the bottom surface are provided.
In an identification device for continuously and automatically identifying B ₂ ... Bn,
A conveyor for vertically moving the bottles B ₁ , B _2, ... Bn standing vertically on the bottom surface; a projector for irradiating light in the direction of this conveyor; and a reference level position arranged on a plane parallel to the bottom surface of the bottle. And the width of the light receiving surface is the maximum outer diameter size D
a light receiver that is substantially the same as n or has a maximum outer diameter size Dn or more and forms a sheet-shaped identification area between the light projector and the light projector; bottles B ₁ and B ₂ moved by the conveyor
... When Bn crosses the identification area, bottles B ₁ and B ₂
... a calculator for continuously measuring the amount of light received by the light receiver without being blocked by Bn and calculating the minimum value of the received light amount measurement value; and the minimum value calculated by this calculator for the setting device. By comparing with the previously entered Shiki value,
The above problem is solved by adopting a comparator for identifying the outer diameter size of the bottles B ₁ , B _2, ... Bn at the reference level position and outputting an identification signal corresponding to each bottle.

Further, according to the present invention, bottles B ₁ having different surface states at a reference level set to a predetermined height h from the bottom surface are provided.
In · B ₂ ... automatically continuously identify identifying device Bn, a conveyor for moving the tandemly make a respective bottles B ₁ · B ₂ ... Bn in the bottom; projector 13 for emitting light in the direction of the conveyor A light receiver which is disposed at the reference level position from the bottom of the bottle and forms an identification area between the light projector and the light projector; bottles B ₁ , B _2, ... B moved by the conveyor
When n crosses the identification area, the amount of light that passes through each bottle or is reflected by the surface of each bottle and is received by the light receiver is continuously measured, and the measured value of the amount of received light is stored in the light quantity setting device. An arithmetic unit 32 for counting, for each bottle, the number of times of changing from a state larger than the light quantity threshold value input in advance to a state of being smaller and the number of times changing from a state smaller than the light quantity balance value to a larger state.
And; by comparing the number of times of change in the light quantity counted by this calculator with the number-of-times threshold value previously input to the number setting device, the surface state of the bottles B ₁ , B _2, ... Bn at the reference level position is identified, The above problem was solved by employing a comparator that outputs an identification signal corresponding to each bottle.

Further, according to the present invention, the outer diameter size at the outer diameter reference level set to a predetermined height H from the bottom surface is D.
₁ · D ₂ ... a Dn, bottles B which the surface state of definitive predetermined set height h surface state reference level from the bottom surface different
In bottles sorting apparatus for continuously and automatically identify fractionating ₁ · B ₂ ... Bn, locked the bottles to the spiral groove by performing a rotary motion having a spiral groove on the peripheral surface B ₁ · B ₂ ... A recumbent worm that vertically moves Bn while standing on the bottom surface; a rotary encoder that measures the rotational position of the recumbent worm and outputs a rotation signal; at least one projector that emits light in the recumbent worm direction; They are arranged at the outer diameter reference level position in parallel with the bottom surface of the bottle, and so that the distance L between the right ends of the respective light receiving surfaces is substantially equal to or smaller than the minimum outer diameter size D ₁ , and is provided between the light emitter and the projector. pair of photodetectors and forming a sheet identification area; when the recumbent been moved by the worm bottles B ₁ · B ₂ ... Bn traverses said identification region, by the bottles B ₁ · B ₂ ... Bn To the receiver without interruption An arithmetic unit that continuously measures the amount of light emitted and adds the measured values of the received light amounts to calculate the minimum value of the measured addition value for each bottle; the required timing based on the rotation signal from the rotary encoder. By comparing the minimum value calculated by the above-mentioned calculator with a shiki value previously input to the setter B
A comparator for identifying the outer diameter size of the outer diameter reference level position of ₁ · B ₂ ... Bn and outputting an identification signal according to each bottle; a projector for irradiating light in the recumbent worm direction; A light receiver disposed at the surface state reference level position to form an identification area with the projector; and when the bottles B ₁ , B ₂ ... Bn are moved by the recumbent worm and cross the identification area. , The amount of light transmitted through each bottle or reflected on the surface of each bottle and received by the light receiver is continuously measured, and the received light amount measurement value is larger than the light amount value that is previously input to the light amount setting device. An arithmetic unit for counting, for each bottle, the number of times the state changes to a smaller state and the number of times the state changes from a state smaller than the light intensity value to a large state; and with the required timing based on the rotation signal from the rotary encoder Calculator The surface state of the bottles B ₁ , B ₂ ... Bn at the surface level reference level position is identified by comparing the number of times of change in the light amount counted by the number of times input to the number setting device in advance to each bottle. A comparator for outputting a corresponding identification signal; receiving identification signals respectively output from the comparators, and moving the guide back and forth to bottles B ₁ · B
_The above problem is solved by adopting a flow path selector for selecting the transport path of ₂ ... Bn.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. 1 is an overall perspective view for explaining the configuration of the bottle identifying device of the first embodiment according to the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are partial plan views showing a state in which each bottle crosses the identifying area of the device. FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a light reception amount change diagram showing the light reception amount received by the light receiver of the same device, FIG. 5 is an overall perspective view for explaining the configuration of the bottle identifying device of the second embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. FIG. 7 is a partial plan view showing a state in which each bottle crosses the identification area of the device, FIG. 8 is a light reception amount change diagram showing a light reception amount received by a light receiver of the device, and FIG. Overall perspective view for explaining the configuration of the bottle identifying device of the third embodiment, FIG. 10 and FIG.
FIG. 12 is a light reception amount change diagram showing the amount of light received by the light receiver of the same device, FIG. 12 is an overall perspective view illustrating the configuration of the bottle sorting device of the fourth embodiment according to the present invention, and FIG. 13 is the light reception of the device. It is a partial top view explaining arrangement of a container.

[First Embodiment: Bottle Identification Device (Shape Identification)] The identification device of this embodiment identifies the shape of a bottle by identifying the outer diameter size at a predetermined height from the bottom surface of the bottle. It is a thing. In FIG. 1, what is indicated by the symbols B ₁ and B ₂ is a bottle container whose outer diameter size is D ₁ · D ₂ (D ₁ <D ₂ ) at the reference level position set to the height H from the bottom surface. The bottles B ₁ and B ₂ are transferred in tandem along the bottom surface of the bottle while only the conveyor belt is being erected by the illustrated conveyor 6. In FIG. 1, what is indicated by reference sign A ₂₀ is an identification area for identifying the outer diameter size of the bottles B ₁ and B ₂ , and this identification area A ₂₀ is irradiated with the projector 10 that emits laser light. Receiver that receives laser light
Formed between 20 and. In this embodiment, the projector
Both 10 and the light receiver 20 are arranged parallel to the bottom surface of the bottle at the reference level position set at a height H from the bottom surface of the bottles B ₁ and B ₂ , that is, the transfer surface of the conveyor 6. A
₂₀ is formed like a sheet in this reference level plane.

The bottles B ₁ and B ₂ sequentially cross the identification area A _20, and the outer diameter size of each bottle at the reference level position is identified. That is, in this apparatus, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the entire bottles B ₁ and B ₂ are present in the identification area A ₂₀ , the light receiver is directly blocked without being blocked by the bottles. The amount of laser light incident on the 20 is measured, and the measured value is compared with the previously input shiki value to perform identification.

As shown in FIG. 4, the amount of laser light directly incident on the light receiver 20 without being blocked by the bottles changes with time depending on the positions of the bottles B ₁ and B ₂ with respect to the identification area A ₂₀ . For example, when the bottle B ₁ enters the identification area A ₂₀ (reference numeral T _{1 in} FIG. 4), the amount of light received by the light receiver 20 decreases as the bottle moves, and conversely, the bottle from the identification area A ₂₀ drops. When the class B ₁ exits (reference numeral T _{3 in} FIG. 4), it increases as the bottle moves.

Therefore, in this apparatus, the arithmetic unit 30 (see FIG. 1) is used to determine the minimum value of the received light amount measurement value that fluctuates as the bottles B ₁ and B ₂ move, and the measurement is performed for each bottle. The comparator 50 (see FIG. 1) compares the minimum value with the shiki value previously input to the setting device 40 (see FIG. 1) to identify the outer diameter size of the bottle. Comparator that identifies the outer diameter size
Reference numeral 50 is a well-known flow path selector S for changing the transport flow path by an expansion / contraction motion of an air cylinder for an identification signal corresponding to each bottle.
(See FIG. 1).

While the bottle B ₁ crosses the identification area A ₂₀ , the arithmetic unit 30 always calculates (bottom-holds) the minimum value of the received light amount measurement value, and the bottle B ₁ passes the identification area A ₂₀ . The comparator 50 discriminates the outer diameter size at a required time (for example, T _{4 in} FIG. ₄ ) after the light amount is maximized after the light beam is traversed. The minimum value of the amount of received light that has been compared with the threshold value is reset, but the computing unit 30 immediately starts the bottom hold of the measured value to identify the shape of the next bottle to be traversed.

As described above, while traversing the bottles B ₁ and B ₂ ,
By adopting the method of comparing the minimum value of the received light amount continuously measured with the shiki value, the certainty of the bottle shape identification is remarkably improved. In other words, Binrui B ₁ · in the identification area A ₂₀
When the entire B ₂ is present (reference numeral T _{2 in} FIG. 4), the amount of received light is minimized, but at this time, the fluctuation of the amount of received light is almost eliminated. For example, no matter how much the bottles B ₁ and B ₂ vibrate due to the transfer movement of the conveyor 6, as long as the entire bottles B ₁ and B ₂ exist in the identification area A ₂₀ , the received light amount measurement value is substantially constant. Therefore, the outer diameter size of the bottles B ₁ and B ₂ can be reliably represented. Therefore, it is possible to perform reliable automatic identification without performing any complicated image processing or the like in order to correct the displacement of the image position due to vibration unlike the conventional device.

In this embodiment, the width of the light receiving surface of the light receiver 20, that is, the width of the identification area A ₂₀ is set to the outer diameter size D of the bottle B _2.
Although it is set to be larger than ₂ (the maximum outer diameter size of the bottles to be identified), the width of the identification area A ₂₀ may be set to be substantially the same as the maximum outer diameter size D _2, and depending on the situation. Can be changed. If the width of the identification area A ₂₀ is made larger than the maximum outer diameter size D ₂ , it is possible to sufficiently cope with bottle vibrations as described above, but on the other hand, the projector 10 and the receiver.
20 must be increased by that amount, which increases the manufacturing cost of the device.

Therefore, the width of the identification area A ₂₀ should be as small as the situation permits. For example, like this example,
Bottles B ₁ (Outer Diameter Size D ₁ ) and Bottles B ₂ (Outer Diameter Size D)
_When only two types of bottles ( ₂ ) and ₂ ) are to be identified, in extreme terms, it is only necessary to identify the bottles B ₁ , so the width of the identification area A ₂₀ is larger than the maximum outer diameter size D _2. The two can be distinguished even if they are made slightly smaller. By reducing the light receiving surface width of the light receiver 20 in this way, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost thereof,
Further, the ratio of the difference in the minimum light receiving amount of each bottle to the maximum light receiving amount of the light receiver 20 (see FIG. 4) can be increased, and comparison with the shiki value becomes easy.

Further, in the present embodiment, the identification area A ₂₀ is formed only at one reference level position set to the height H from the bottom surface of the bottle, but the identification area to be formed is not limited to one. Alternatively, if a plurality of identification regions are formed and arranged at positions other than the height H, it becomes possible to identify bottles that cannot be identified only by comparing the outer diameter sizes of the reference level.

[Second Embodiment: Bottle Identification Device (Shape Identification)] The identification device of the second embodiment also identifies the shape of a bottle by identifying the outer diameter size at a predetermined height from the bottom of the bottle. Is to do. The device of this embodiment is characterized in that two identical identification regions for identifying the outer diameter size of bottles are formed as a pair, and other configurations are almost the same as those of the first embodiment. The bottles identified by this device also have an outer diameter size of D at the reference level set to height H from the bottom.
Bottles B ₁ and B ₂ with ₁ · D ₂ (D ₁ <D ₂ ) are used.

As shown in FIG. 5, one identification area A ₂₁ in the present embodiment is formed by a projector 11 for irradiating a laser beam and a photoreceiver 21 for receiving the laser beam from the projector 11, and the other one. The identification area A ₂₂ is formed by a projector 12 that emits a laser beam and a photoreceiver 22 that receives the laser beam from the projector 12. Emitter 11 and 12 and light receiver
Since 21 and 22 are arranged in parallel to the bottle bottom at the reference level position, the identification areas A ₂₁ and A ₂₂ should also be formed in parallel to the bottle bottom at the reference level position. become.

The method of identifying the outer diameter size performed by this apparatus is almost the same as that of the first embodiment. Bottles B ₁ and B ₂ are identification area A
Light receiver 21 without being blocked by bottles when crossing ₂₁・ A ₂₂
・ Measure the amount of laser light that is directly incident on 22 (see FIGS. 6 and 7), find the minimum value of the measured values, and compare with the shiki value. However, in the case of this device, the identification area is set to 2
Since it is divided into two, the arithmetic unit 31 first adds the received light amount measurement value of the light receiver 21 and the received light amount measurement value of the light receiver 22, and then calculates the minimum value of this measured addition value. In this way, the comparator 50 compares the minimum value obtained by the calculator 31 with the shiki value previously input to the setting device 40 for each bottle to identify the outer diameter size of the bottle. Comparator that identifies the outer diameter size
The reference numeral 50 outputs an identification signal corresponding to each bottle to a well-known flow path selector S that changes the transfer flow path by the extension / retraction movement of the air cylinder.

FIG. 8 shows the measured addition value that fluctuates as the bottles B ₁ and B ₂ move. As is clear from a comparison between FIG. 8 and FIG. 4 described above, the maximum light receiving amount of the light receivers 21 and 22 can be suppressed by dividing the identification region into two as in the present embodiment. Therefore, the ratio of the difference of the minimum light receiving amount of each bottle to the maximum light receiving amount can be increased more than that in the first embodiment, and the comparison with the shiki value becomes easy accordingly. Further, since the identification area is divided into two, the light receivers 21 and 22 can be made small, and the manufacturing cost can be further reduced.

However, the widths of the light receiving surfaces of the light receivers 21 and 22 cannot be made as small as possible and are determined according to the bottles to be identified. That is, the right end (outer end) of the light receiving surface of the light receiver 21.
The distance L between the right end (inner end) of the light receiving surface of the light receiver 22 (see FIG. 6; the distance between the left ends may be acceptable) must be less than or equal to the minimum outer diameter size of the bottle to be identified. In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the distance L between the right ends of the light receivers 21 and 22 arranged in pairs is set to be the same as the minimum outer diameter size D ₁ . Since the has arranged light receiver 21 and 22, the bottles B ₁ of the outer diameter size D _1, as shown in FIG. 7, the identification area A
The left edge (inner edge) of _{21 and} the left edge (outer edge) of the identification area A ₂₂ are simultaneously contacted (reference numeral T _{5 in} FIG. 8). If the distance L between the right ends of the light receivers 21 and 22 is greater than or equal to the minimum outer diameter size D ₁ , the instant T _{5 at} which the light receiving devices 21 and 22 are in contact with the identification areas A ₂₁ and A ₂₂ at the same time does not exist, and the minimum value of the above-mentioned measured addition values is from being no longer representative of the outer diameter size D ₁ of the bottles B _1.

In this embodiment, the distance M between the right end (outer end) of the light receiving surface of the light receiver 21 and the left end (outer end) of the light receiving surface of the light receiver 22.
That is, the outer distance between the ends of the light-receiving surfaces of the _two is substantially the same as the maximum outer diameter size D ₂ , but the invention is not limited to this, and the outer distance M is greater than the maximum outer diameter size D _2. If it is good. It can be determined in consideration of the bottle vibration, the manufacturing cost, the interval L, and the like described above.
Further, as described in the first embodiment, it is of course possible to provide a plurality of pairs of identification regions in order to identify the surface states of other portions of the bottles at the same time.

[Third Embodiment: Bottle Identification Device (Surface Condition Identification)] The identification device of the third embodiment identifies the surface condition of bottles at a predetermined height from the bottom surface of the bottles. Figure 9
What is indicated by the medium code B ₃ is a bottle container having the print pattern P at the reference level position set at the height h from the bottom surface, and what is indicated by the code B ₄ is the print pattern at this reference level position. It is a bottle container that does not exist. The bottles B ₃ and B ₄ are transferred along the bottom surface of the bottles while only the conveyor belt is being erected by the illustrated conveyor 6. What is indicated by reference numeral A ₂₃ in the drawing is an identification area for identifying the surface state of the bottles B ₃ and B ₄ , and this identification area A ₂₃ is a projector 13 that emits a linear light (diameter of about 5 mm) and this projector. It is formed by a light receiver 23 that receives the light emitted from 13.
In this embodiment, since the projector 13 and the receiver 23 are both arranged at the reference level position, the identification area A ₂₃ is formed at a position of height h from the transfer surface of the conveyor 6 in parallel with the transport surface. Will be.

This device continuously measures the amount of light that passes through each bottle and enters the photodetector 23 when each bottle crosses the identification area A ₂₃ . The degree of change is compared with the threshold value to identify the bottle surface condition. More specifically, first, the arithmetic unit 32 counts the number of times the received light amount measurement value, which fluctuates with the movement of bottles, crosses the light amount shiki value previously input to the light amount setting unit 41. That is, arithmetic unit
As shown in FIG. 10, the number of times 32 changes from a state where the received light amount measured value is larger than the light amount shiki value to a state where it is smaller than the light amount shiki value, and conversely, the received light amount measured value is smaller than the light shiki value. And the number of times the state changes to a state in which the light amount is greater than the shiki value (a total of 10 times in FIG. 10).

Then, the comparator indicated by reference numeral 51 in FIG.
The surface state of the bottles B ₃ and B _{4 at} the reference level position is identified by comparing the value with the frequency value previously input in. The comparator 51 that has identified the bottle surface state outputs an identification signal corresponding to each bottle to a well-known flow path selector S that changes the transfer flow path by the extension / retraction movement of the air cylinder.
FIG. 11 shows the received light amount measurement value for the bottle B ₄ having no printed pattern at the reference level position. Bottles B
_In case of _4, the measured value of received light may vary slightly,
The light quantity does not change beyond the threshold value, and the light quantity change count becomes zero.

In the present embodiment, the bottles B having the print pattern at the reference level position set to the height h from the bottom surface.
₃ and bottle B with no printed pattern at this reference level position
₄ is described as an example of identification, but since the present device is configured to identify the bottle surface state by comparing the degree of change in the received light amount measurement value as described above, the light intensity value Also, different print patterns can be discriminated from each other by optimally setting the number of times and the number of times to check according to the bottle to be discriminated.

Further, in the present embodiment, the surface state is identified by using the transmitted light transmitted through each bottle.
May be arranged on the side of the projector 13 and the reflected light reflected on the bottle surface may be received by the light receiver for identification. This makes it possible to reliably identify opaque bottles and bottles having irregularities (for example, embossed pattern) on the bottle surface. In this case, the light for irradiating the bottle surface is preferably laser light.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the identification area A ₂₃
Is formed in a linear shape (diameter 5 mm), the identification area A ₂₃ may be formed in a strip shape (for example, 20 mm in width) parallel to the bottom surface of the bottle. As a result, the fluctuations in the received light amount measurement value, which is an identification material, are smoothed, but the bottles are prevented from rotating due to vibrations during transfer and the printed pattern is laid sideways, which makes surface identification difficult.

[Fourth Embodiment: Bottle Sorting Device (Beer Bottle Sorting)] The fourth embodiment is a bottle including the shape identifying device described in the second embodiment and the surface identifying device described in the third embodiment. It is a classification device, and is a classification device dedicated to beer bottles that identifies and classifies the outer diameter size and surface state of various beer bottles at a predetermined height.

In FIG. 12, reference numerals B _{5 to} B ₁₀ indicate beer bottles, and the beer bottles B _{5 to} B ₁₀ are conveyed along the bottom surface while only the conveyor belt is standing by the conveyor 6 shown in the figure. It In addition, in FIG. 12, each beer bottle B
_{5 to} B ₁₀ are simply shown, and the shape difference of each beer bottle is not expressed.

Beer bottles are generally standardized, such as the height and the outer diameter size of the body, but the partial shape differs slightly depending on the beer manufacturer. In this embodiment, the beer bottles of Company K and the beer bottles of other companies are separated. In the case of a large bottle, the outer diameter size at a height of 190 mm from the bottom (beer bottle shoulder portion) is 58.5 mm for Company K and 47.5 mm for all other companies, and this device identifies the outer diameter size at this portion. Make a separation. In the case of a medium bottle, since there is almost no difference in shape, the print pattern peculiar to Company K at a height of 170 mm from the bottom surface (shoulder portion of the beer bottle) is identified and separated.

In FIG. 12, what is indicated by reference numeral 8 is a recumbent worm having a semicircular spiral groove 81 on its peripheral surface and arranged in a recumbent shape. This recumbent worm 8 is driven by a motor (not shown). The beer bottles on the conveyor 6 are moved at regular intervals by performing a rotary motion. Further, a rotary encoder 7 is attached to the recumbent worm 8, and the rotation position of the recumbent worm 8 is output to the comparators 50 and 51 described later as a rotation signal obtained by dividing the rotational position by 1 degree (/ 360 degrees). By grasping the rotation angle of the recumbent worm 8, the current positions of the beer bottles B _{7 to} B ₁₀ that move at regular intervals can be recognized.
You can calculate the moment you leave.

The shape identification of the beer bottle (large bottle) performed by this apparatus is the same as the shape identification described in the second embodiment. That is, each of the beer bottles B _{5 to} B ₁₀ has a projector 11 and a receiver 21.
The amount of light received by the light receivers 21 and 22 without being blocked by the beer bottle when traversing the identification areas A ₂₁ and A ₂₂ formed by 22 and
The calculator 31 continuously measures and calculates the minimum value,
The comparator 50 compares the minimum value with the shiki value previously input to the setting device 40 to identify whether or not the bottle is the K company beer bottle described above. Shape-identified comparator
50 outputs the result as an identification signal to the flow path selector 9 including the air cylinder and receives the identification signal.
Selects the beer bottle transfer channel by moving the guide 91 back and forth as appropriate.

The shape determination timing of the comparator 50 is determined based on the rotation signal from the rotary encoder 7. In this embodiment, the shape determination is performed when each beer bottle has crossed the identification area A ₂₂ . The output timing of the identification signal from the comparator 50 is also determined based on the rotation signal from the rotary encoder 7. This is because the timing at which the beer bottle whose shape has been identified passes through the recumbent worm 8 and reaches the guide 91 can be calculated from the rotation amount of the recumbent worm 8.

FIG. 13 shows the projectors 11 and 12 in the apparatus of this embodiment.
And the arrangement of the light receivers 21 and 22 is shown. This device is exclusively for K company bottles (outer diameter size 58.5 mm) and other company bottles (outer diameter size 47.5 m).
m) is designed assuming that the two outer diameter sizes are to be distinguished. As described above, in order to reduce the manufacturing cost, the light receivers 21 and 22 with a light receiving surface width of 10 mm are Right edge (outer edge) of the light receiving surface of and the right edge (inner edge) of the light receiving surface of the receiver 22
It is arranged so that the space between and is 48 mm. That is, the distance between the right ends of the light receiving surfaces of the light receivers 21 and 22 is made slightly larger than the outer diameter size (47.5 mm) of the bottle of another company, and the right end (outer end) of the light receiving surface of the light receiver 21 and the light receiver. The distance from the left end (outer end) of the light receiving surface of 22 (outer spacing between both light receiving surfaces) is made slightly smaller than the outer diameter size (58.5 mm) of the K company bottle. However, the apparatus of the present embodiment only needs to discriminate between the two outer diameter sizes of the K Company bottle and the bottles of other companies, so even if the widths of the projectors 11 and 12 and the light receivers 21 and 22 are reduced by this amount, it is certain. There is no hindrance to the identification. It should be noted that both the projectors 11 and 12 and the receivers 21 and 22 have a height of 1 from the transfer surface of the conveyor 6.
It is located at 90mm.

The identification of the print pattern of the beer bottle (medium bottle) performed by this apparatus is almost the same as the surface identification described in the third embodiment. That is, the amount of reflected light that the laser light emitted from the projector 14 is reflected by each of the beer bottles B _{5 to} B ₁₀ and received by the light receiver 24 is continuously measured by the calculator 32, and this measured value is the light amount setting. The number of times the light quantity threshold value entered in advance into the container 41 is changed to a smaller value and the number of times the light quantity threshold value is changed from a smaller value to a larger value are counted for each bottle, and the comparator 51 By comparing the number of times of changing the light quantity with the number of times the number of times is input to the number setting device 42 in advance, the presence or absence of the print pattern, that is, whether or not the beer bottle of the above-mentioned K company is identified.

The comparator 51 that has performed the surface identification outputs the result as an identification signal to the flow path selector 9. The surface condition determination timing of the comparator 51 and the output timing of the identification signal are also determined based on the rotation signal from the rotary encoder 7 as in the comparator 50 described above.

Although the bottle sorting apparatus has been described with reference to the fourth embodiment, the bottle sorting apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in this embodiment,
24 receives the light reflected on the bottle surface and identifies the surface state, but this light receiver 24 is arranged on the opposite side of the projector 14 with the bottle sandwiched, and the transmitted light that passes through each bottle May be received.

[0041]

As described above with reference to the embodiments, in the bottle shape identifying method and apparatus according to the present invention, the bottle-like light is irradiated to the bottles without being blocked by the bottles. Since the shape is identified based on the amount of light that directly enters the light receiver from both sides of the class, the position of the light entering the light receiver does not matter at all, and image processing is performed even if the bottle vibrates during transfer. It is possible to reliably identify the outer diameter size of bottles without doing anything.

Also, the size of the light receiver and the size of the light receiver are set so that the amount of received light is at a minimum level during the time when the irradiated light is directly incident on the light receiver from both sides of the bottle, that is, the time when the light is not affected by bottle vibration. Since the interval is determined, the amount of received light is continuously measured, and the outer diameter size can be identified by the minimum value obtained by bottom-holding the measured value, and the setting of the identification timing is very flexible.

Further, in the bottle surface state identification method and apparatus according to the present invention, when the bottle crosses the identification region, the transmitted light or the reflected light from the bottle is continuously received by the light receiver. It receives light and compares the degree of change in the amount of received light with the shiki value to identify the surface condition of bottles, so it is possible to reliably identify the surface condition without being affected by bottle vibration during transportation. It can be performed.

Further, in the bottle sorting apparatus according to the present invention, the rotary position of the recumbent worm that moves each bottle at a required interval is grasped by the rotary encoder, and based on the rotation signal output from this rotary encoder. hand,
Since the shape and surface condition of the bottles are identified, it is not necessary to control the driving means such as the motor that drives this recumbent worm, and the rotation speed of the recumbent worm, that is, the The sorting speed can be changed. Moreover, as described above, the present sorting apparatus can identify various bottles with a very simple operation, so that the manufacturing cost thereof can be suppressed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view illustrating a configuration of a bottle identifying device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view showing a state where each bottle crosses an identification area of the device.

FIG. 3 is a partial plan view showing a state in which each bottle crosses an identification area of the device.

FIG. 4 is a light reception amount change diagram showing a light reception amount received by a light receiver of the same apparatus.

FIG. 5 is an overall perspective view illustrating a configuration of a bottle identifying device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view showing a state where each bottle crosses an identification area of the apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a partial plan view showing a state where each bottle crosses an identification area of the device.

FIG. 8 is a light reception amount change chart showing a light reception amount received by a light receiver of the same apparatus.

FIG. 9 is an overall perspective view illustrating a configuration of a bottle identifying device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a light reception amount change diagram showing a light reception amount received by a light receiver of the same device.

FIG. 11 is a light reception amount change diagram showing a light reception amount received by a light receiver of the same device.

FIG. 12 is an overall perspective view illustrating a configuration of a bottle sorting device according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a partial plan view illustrating the arrangement of light receivers of the same device.

[Explanation of symbols]

B ₁ · B ₂ … Bn Bottles D ₁・ D ₂ … Dn Outer diameter size at a specified height H from the bottom of each bottle 10 ・ 11 ・ 12 ・ 13 ・ 14 Emitter 20 ・ 21 ・ 22 ・ 23 ・ 24 Light receiving Unit A ₂₀ / A ₂₁ / A ₂₂ / A ₂₃ / A ₂₄ Identification area 30/31/32 Arithmetic unit 40 Setting unit 41 Light intensity setting unit 42 Number of times setting unit 50/51 Comparator 6 Conveyor 7 Rotary encoder 8 Lying worm 81 Spiral Groove 9 Flow path selector 91 Guide

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of types of bottles B ₁ , B _2, ... Bn having an outer diameter size of D ₁ , D _2, ... Dn at a reference level set to a predetermined height H from the bottom are set up at the bottom of the bottle. The projector 10 for irradiating light while moving in parallel as it is, and the reference level position of the various bottles moving in parallel are arranged on a plane parallel to the bottom surface of the bottle and the width of the light-receiving surface is outside the maximum range. The sheet-shaped identification area A ₂₀ is formed by a light receiver 20 having a diameter substantially equal to or larger than the maximum outer diameter Dn, and the bottles B ₁ and B ₂ are formed.
... Bn is made to traverse this identification area A ₂₀ , and when these bottles B ₁ · B ₂ ··· Bn cross, the receiver 20 is not blocked by the bottles B ₁ · B ₂ ··· Bn. The amount of received light is continuously measured, the minimum value of the received light amount measurement value is measured for each bottle, and the minimum value thus measured is compared with the shiki value previously input to the setting device 40. bottles B ₁ · B ₂ ... B
An automatic identification method for bottles, wherein the outer diameter size of the reference level position of n can be identified automatically. 2. A plurality of types of bottles B ₁ , B _2, ... Bn having an outer diameter size of D ₁ , D _2, ... Dn at a reference level set to a predetermined height H from the bottom are set up at the bottom of the bottle. At the same time, the at least one projector 11 and 12 for irradiating light and the reference level position of the various bottles moving in parallel are parallel to the bottom surface of the bottle and each light receiving surface. The sheet-shaped identification area A _{21 is} formed by the two light receivers 21 and 22 of the same shape, which are arranged so that the distance L between the right ends of the two becomes substantially the minimum outer diameter size D ₁ or less.
· The A ₂₂ is formed, and the bottles B ₁ · B ₂ ... Bn allowed across these identified regions A _{21-A 22,} when the respective bottles B ₁ · B ₂ ... Bn traverses, each bottle The light receivers 21 and 22 are not blocked by the types B ₁ and B ₂ ... Bn.
The amount of light received by each is continuously measured, the measured value of the amount of received light is added, the minimum value of the measured addition value is measured for each bottle, and the minimum value thus measured is input to the setting device 40 in advance. Bottles B ₁ · B ₂ … B
An automatic identification method for bottles, wherein the outer diameter size of the reference level position of n can be identified automatically. 3. Bottles B ₁ · B having different surface states at a reference level set to a predetermined height h from the bottom surface.
₂ ... While for moving Bn to remain tandemly standing in the bottle bottom, and these bottles B ₁ · B ₂ ... Bn, the projector 13 for emitting light, the coming cascade displacement reference of the bottles The identification area A ₂₃ formed by the light receiver 23 arranged at the level position is made to cross, and when these bottles B ₁ , B _2, ... Bn cross, the bottles B ₁ , B _2, ... Bn are transmitted or The amount of light reflected by each bottle and received by the photodetector 23 is continuously measured, and the measured value of the amount of received light changes from a state in which it is larger than a light amount shiki value previously input to the light amount setter 41 to a state in which it is smaller. The number of times to change and the number of times the light quantity changes from a state smaller than the light quantity to a larger state is counted for each bottle, and the number of times the light quantity changes for each of these bottles is the number of times before input to the number setting device 42. By comparing, bottles B
_A method for automatically identifying bottles, characterized in that the surface condition of the reference level position of ₁ · B ₂ ... Bn can be identified automatically. 4. A plurality of types of bottles B ₁ , B _2, ... Bn having an outer diameter size of D ₁ , D _2, ... Dn at a reference level set to a predetermined height H from the bottom surface are continuously and automatically identified. A conveyor 6 for moving the bottles B ₁ , B _2, ... Bn in a vertical manner while keeping the bottles B ₁ , B _2, ... Bn standing upright; a projector 10 for irradiating light in the direction of the conveyor 6; the reference level It is arranged on a plane parallel to the bottom surface of the bottle, and the width of the light receiving surface is substantially the same as the maximum outer diameter size Dn or more than the maximum outer diameter size Dn and the sheet-like identification is made between the projector 10 and the projector. A light receiver 20 forming an area A _20, and bottles B ₁ , B _2, ... Bn moved by the conveyor 6 are blocked by the bottles B ₁ , B _2, ... Bn when crossing the identification area A _20. Without continuously measuring the amount of light received by the photodetector 20, this received light amount is measured. An arithmetic unit 30 for calculating the minimum value of the values; and comparing the minimum value calculated by the arithmetic unit 30 with a shiki value previously input to the setting unit 40, bottles B ₁ , B _2, ...
An automatic bottle identifying device, comprising: a comparator 50 for identifying the outer diameter size of the reference level position of Bn and outputting an identification signal corresponding to each bottle. 5. A plurality of types of bottles B ₁ , B _2, ... Bn having an outer diameter size of D ₁ , D _2, ..., Dn at a reference level set to a predetermined height H from the bottom surface are continuously and automatically identified. And a conveyor 6 for moving these bottles B ₁ , B _2, ... Bn vertically while standing on the bottom surface; and at least one projector 11, 12 for irradiating light in the direction of the conveyor 6. And; parallel to the reference level position with respect to the bottom surface of the bottle, and the distance L between the right ends of the respective light-receiving surfaces is substantially the minimum outer diameter size D.
A pair of light receivers which are arranged so as to be ₁ or less and form sheet-like identification areas A ₂₁ and A ₂₂ between the light projectors 11 and 12.
21 and 22; bottles B ₁ moved by the conveyor 6
When B ₂ ... Bn crosses the identification areas A ₂₁ and A ₂₂ ,
The amount of light received by the light receivers 21 and 22 without being blocked by the bottles B ₁ , B _2, ... Bn is continuously measured,
An arithmetic unit 31 for calculating the minimum value of the measured addition value for each bottle by adding the received light amount measurement values; and comparing the minimum value calculated by this arithmetic unit 31 with the shiki value previously input to the setting unit 40. Of the bottles B ₁ · B ₂ ... Bn for identifying the outer diameter size of the reference level position and outputting a discrimination signal corresponding to each bottle. Automatic identification device. 6. Bottles B ₁ · B having different surface states at a reference level set to a predetermined height h from the bottom surface.
_A conveyor 6 for continuously and automatically identifying ₂ ... Bn, and a container 6 for moving these bottles B ₁ , B _2, ... Bn vertically while keeping them standing on the bottom surface; A projector 13 for irradiating; a light receiver 23 arranged at the reference level position and forming an identification area A ₂₃ between the projector 13; and a bottle B ₁ moved by the conveyor 6.
When B ₂ ... Bn crosses the identification area A ₂₃ , the amount of light transmitted through each bottle or reflected by the surface of each bottle and received by the photodetector 23 is continuously measured, and the amount of received light is measured. An arithmetic unit for counting the number of times the value changes from a state larger than the light quantity threshold value input in advance to the light quantity setter 41 to a smaller state and the number of times the value changes from a state smaller than the light quantity darkness value to a larger state for each bottle 32; by comparing the number of times of change of the light quantity counted by the calculator 32 with a number-of-times threshold value previously input to the number setting device 42, the surface condition of the bottles B ₁ , B _2, ... An automatic bottle identifying device comprising: a comparator 51 for identifying and outputting an identification signal corresponding to each bottle. 7. An outer diameter size at an outer diameter reference level set to a predetermined height H from the bottom surface is D ₁ · D ₂ ... Dn, and a surface condition reference level set to a predetermined height h from the bottom surface. Bottles with different surface conditions B ₁ and B ₂ ...
A bottle sorter for continuously and automatically identifying and sorting Bn, which has a spiral groove 81 on its peripheral surface and is rotated to perform the spiral groove 81.
A lying worm 8 that moves the bottles B ₁ , B ₂ ... Bn locked in parallel with each other in a vertical manner while standing on the bottom; and a rotary encoder 7 that measures the rotational position of the lying worm 8 and outputs the rotation signal. At least one projector 11 and 12 for irradiating light in the recumbent worm 8 direction; parallel to the bottle bottom surface at the outer diameter reference level position, and a distance L between the right ends of the light receiving surfaces is substantially the minimum. Outer diameter size D ₁
A pair of light receivers arranged as follows to form sheet-like identification areas A ₂₁ and A ₂₂ between the light projectors 11 and 12.
21 and 22; when the bottles B ₁ · B ₂ ··· Bn are moved by the recumbent worm 8 and cross the identification area A ₂₁ · A _22, they are blocked by the bottles B ₁ · B ₂ ··· Bn. And a rotary calculator 31 for continuously measuring the amount of light received by each of the light receivers 21 and 22 and adding the received light amount measurement values to calculate the minimum value of the measured addition value for each bottle; At the required timing based on the rotation signal from the encoder 7, the minimum value calculated by the calculator 31 is compared with the shiki value previously input to the setter 40 to move the moving bottles B ₁ , B _2, ... Bn. A comparator 50 for identifying the outer diameter size at the outer diameter reference level position and outputting an identification signal according to each bottle; a light projector 14 for irradiating light in the recumbent worm 8 direction; and a surface condition reference level It is disposed at a position, the identification area a ₂₄ in the above projector 14 And the receiver 24 for forming; been moved by the lying worm 8 bottles B ₁ · B ₂ ...
When Bn crosses the identification area A ₂₄ , the amount of light transmitted through each bottle or reflected on the surface of each bottle and received by the photodetector 24 is continuously measured. A calculator 32 that counts, for each bottle, the number of times the state changes from a state greater than the light quantity threshold value to a smaller state and the number of times the state changes from a state smaller than the light quantity threshold value to a larger state, which is input in advance to the setter 41; At the required timing based on the rotation signal from the rotary encoder 7, the number of changes in the light amount counted by the calculator 32 is compared with the number-of-times threshold value previously input to the number setter 42 to determine the bottles B ₁ and B ₂
... a comparator 51 for identifying the surface state of the surface state reference level position of Bn and outputting an identification signal corresponding to each bottle; a comparator 51 for receiving the identification signals respectively output from the comparator 50 and the guide 51 91 back and forth, bottles B ₁ , B ₂ … B
and a flow path selector 9 for selecting n transport paths;