JPH09318548A - Nondestructive taste properties measuring apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a nondestructive taste properties measuring apparatus in which the taste properties of a vegetable or a fruit, e.g. the glucose concentration or the ripeness, can be measured quickly and accurately without complicating the apparatus. SOLUTION: This nondestructive taste properties measuring apparatus for measuring the taste properties of a vegetable or a fruit M being carried on a tray 1 by irradiating the vegetable or a fruit with light comprises a pair of tray side optical path sections 14, 15 provided at the receiving part of the tray, a plurality of measuring sections 4 provided with a pair of measuring side path sections 41, 42 corresponding to the tray side optical path sections disposed oppositely to the bottom face side of the tray in a carrying path, and a carrying position regulating means 2 comprising a first side bar 21 and a second side bar 22 having a press means 7 disposed at each measuring section. The vegetable or fruit M is irradiated with light, at each measuring section, through a measuring side path section of the tray and a corresponding tray side optical path section. The light reflected on the vegetable or a fruit M is directed to a detector through another tray side optical path section and measuring side path section.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to melon, watermelon,
The present invention relates to a nondestructive taste characteristic measuring device capable of nondestructively and continuously measuring the taste characteristics such as sugar content and ripeness of fruits and vegetables such as pumpkin, in particular, without complicating the structure of the measuring device. The present invention relates to an improvement of a nondestructive taste characteristic measuring device capable of measuring taste characteristics at high speed and with high accuracy.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an apparatus capable of irradiating fruits and vegetables such as peaches, citrus fruits, grapes, melons and tomatoes with light and measuring the sugar content of the fruits and vegetables in a non-destructive manner by measuring light absorption of sugar emitted from the fruits and vegetables. (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-30)
No. 1147).

[0003] By the way, when this apparatus is used to nondestructively measure the sugar content of fruits and vegetables such as melon and watermelon,
Melon, watermelon, etc. are thicker and larger in size than the above grapes, citrus fruits, etc., so that irradiation light such as laser can penetrate deep into melon, watermelon, etc.
It has been difficult to obtain detection light of sufficient intensity (that is, light emitted from fruits and vegetables such as melon and watermelon). And if the irradiation light does not penetrate deep into fruits and vegetables such as melon and watermelon, the average sugar content of one fruit and vegetable cannot be obtained properly,
In addition, when the detection light is weak, the measurement accuracy decreases. In addition, in order to measure the sugar content properly and with high accuracy, a method of increasing the laser power for fruits and vegetables such as melon and watermelon can be considered, but the surface of fruits and vegetables such as melon and watermelon is burned due to the increased strength. Destructive inspection becomes difficult.

Therefore, conventionally, at least a pair of cylinders are pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the fruits and vegetables, and light is radiated to the fruits and vegetables through one of the cylinders, so that light is allowed to enter the interior of the fruits and vegetables without leaking. A method is being studied in which only the emitted light from the above is made incident on the detector via the other cylindrical body.

By the way, when actually measuring the sugar content of fruits and vegetables such as melon using these cylinders, the cylinders should be placed in pressure contact with the fruits and vegetables being conveyed in order to carry the cylinders along with the transportation of the fruits and vegetables. You also need to move your body. For this reason, it is necessary to incorporate the moving mechanism of these cylindrical bodies into the non-destructive sugar content measuring device, and there is a problem that the structure of the measuring device becomes complicated accordingly.

When measuring the sugar content of the fruits and vegetables, it is possible to omit the mechanism for moving the cylindrical body by incorporating a mechanism for temporarily stopping the transportation of the fruits and vegetables into the apparatus.

[0007] However, in such a configuration, there is a problem that the measuring speed is lowered because the mechanism cannot continuously measure the sugar content of the fruits and vegetables.

Under such a technical background, the present inventors can measure the sugar content of fruits and vegetables such as melon and watermelon as well as the ripeness thereof at high speed and with high accuracy without complicating the structure of the measuring device. We have already proposed a non-destructive eating quality measuring device.

That is, as shown in FIG. 19, this nondestructive taste characteristic measuring apparatus has a receiving portion c on which fruits and vegetables to be measured are placed, and a tray d which moves on a conveying path and conveys this tray d. A guide e for guiding along the path and a roller conveyor as a driving means for moving the tray d (other arbitrary driving means such as a belt conveyor can be applied) f
And constitute the main part of the transport system, and the receiving part c of the tray d
As shown in FIG. 20, at least a pair of tray-side optical passage portions g having one open end in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the fruit M and the other exposed from the bottom surface side of the tray d along the thickness direction thereof,
In addition, at least one pair of measurement-side optical passage portions i, each having an open end aligned with the open ends of the tray-side optical passage portions g and h, are provided in a portion of the transport path facing the bottom surface side of the tray d. , J is provided, and light is radiated to the fruits and vegetables through one of the measurement-side optical passage portions i and the tray-side optical passage portion g aligned with the measuring portion k in the measuring portion k. The emitted light is made incident on a detector (not shown) through the other tray-side light passage portion h and the measurement-side light passage portion j whose position is aligned with this. .

According to this nondestructive taste characteristic measuring apparatus, as shown in FIG. 20, the tray side optical passage portion g provided in the receiving portion c of the tray d on which the fruits and vegetables M such as melon are placed.
And the fruits and vegetables M via the measuring-side light path i of the measuring unit k disposed at a position opposite to the bottom side of the tray d in the transport path.
When the light emitted from the fruits and vegetables M is emitted to the tray-side optical passage portion h provided in the receiving portion c of the tray d, the other measuring-side optical passage portion j of the measuring portion k is irradiated. Since the light is incident on the detector (not shown) via the detector, leakage light at the time of light irradiation and at the time of light detection is prevented, the light is efficiently incident on the inside of the fruit and vegetable M, and the light emitted from the fruit and vegetable M is also efficient. It becomes possible to make it incident on the detector.

Therefore, it is possible to properly and accurately measure the eating characteristics such as sugar content and ripeness of fruits and vegetables without increasing the power of irradiation light for fruits and vegetables such as melon.

Further, tray-side light passages g and h corresponding to the above-mentioned conventional cylinder are provided in the receiving portion c of the tray d, thereby providing a cylinder moving mechanism for moving the same in accordance with the transport of fruits and vegetables. Since there is no necessity, it becomes possible to measure the taste characteristics of fruits and vegetables at high speed and with high accuracy without complicating the structure of the measuring device.

In this non-destructive taste characteristic measuring apparatus, the open end of the tray side optical passage portions g and h provided on the receiving portion c of the tray d conveyed by the roller conveyor f on the measuring portion k side, Irradiation timing control means for irradiating light is required when the positions of the measurement-side optical passage portions i and j provided in the measurement portion k and the open end on the tray d side coincide with each other. Therefore, in this apparatus, a detected member such as a light-reflective tape is provided on the side surface of the tray, and the detected member and the open end and the measurement side of the tray-side optical passage portion arranged near the measuring unit. A sensor for detecting the member to be detected of the tray when the position of the open end of the light passage portion is matched, and a power source for turning on and off a light source (not shown) as a light irradiating means based on a detection signal from this sensor. The switching means constitutes the irradiation timing control means.

Further, in the above-mentioned nondestructive taste characteristic measuring apparatus, as shown in FIGS. 19 to 20, the convex m provided at the central portion on the upper surface side of the measuring section k and the substantially central portion on the lower surface side of the tray d are provided. And a light leakage prevention means constituted by a recess n into which the convex m is slidably slidably fitted, and the light leakage prevention means is used to measure the light such as laser light passing through the measurement side optical passage portion i. The structure is such that entry into the light passage portion j is prevented.

By the way, when measuring the sugar content of fruits and vegetables with this nondestructive eating quality characteristic measuring apparatus, the sugar content is determined using light of at least three kinds of wavelengths. That is, one of the three wavelengths is the absorption wavelength by sugar 90
In the range of 0 nm to 920 nm, the other two wavelengths are 860 nm to 890 nm and 920 nm which are independent of sugar absorption.
Each wavelength is selected from light having a wavelength in the range of up to 960 nm (not including 920 nm). This is because by using the light having the wavelength selected in this manner, the influence of the wavelength-dependent background can be accurately determined from the absorption of the light having the wavelength of 900 nm to 920 nm by the light having the wavelength on both sides of the absorption wavelength of the sugar. This is because the sugar content can be accurately determined. That is, the sugar content of the fruits and vegetables can be obtained with an accuracy of 0.9 or more, that is, a correlation coefficient with the actual sugar content, that is, ± 1.0 ° Brix.

Therefore, in this non-destructive taste characteristic measuring apparatus, as shown in FIGS. 21 to 22, three measuring sections k1 to k3 are provided in the conveying path, and three kinds of light sources p are provided.
Each of the measuring units is supplied with corresponding light such as a laser from 1 to p3 via an optical fiber w.

[0017]

By the way, when the tray d on which the vegetables and fruits to be measured are placed is conveyed to the measuring sections k1 to k3, the tray d is guided by the guide e and the measuring sections k1 to k3. Although it is conveyed to k3, as shown in FIG. 20, a slight gap is provided between the tray d and the guide e in consideration of conveyance stability and the like. Therefore, despite the guiding action of the guide e, the tray d is transported while being slightly laterally swayed in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction (that is, the horizontal direction of the transport path as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 20). become.

When the tray d is conveyed to each of the measuring sections k1 to k3 while swaying, there is a problem that a measurement error is likely to occur due to the following reasons.

First, as described above, the light irradiation to the fruits and vegetables M is performed through the measuring side optical passage portion i of the measuring portion k and the tray side optical passage portion g of the tray d (see FIG. 20). 23 in more detail, as shown in FIG. 23, an optical fiber w (light source p1 to light source p1 provided in the measurement-side optical passage portion i) is provided.
The laser light is emitted in a spot shape from the end surface of (transmitting the laser light from p3 into the measurement-side light passage portion i), and this laser light is incident on the fruit M through the tray-side light passage portion g. On the other hand, the laser light incident on the fruits and vegetables M is diffused inside the fruits and vegetables M and emitted from the fruits and vegetables M. This emitted light is introduced into the tray side light passage portion h where the open end side is in contact with the fruits and vegetables M. Then, the light is incident on a detector (not shown) via the measurement-side optical passage portion j.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 23, when the tray d rolls to the right in the transport direction (indicated by the arrow) and arrives at the measuring section, the end face position of the optical fiber w is relatively light on the tray side. Left end of passage part g (denoted by α1 in FIG. 23)
And the end face position of the optical fiber w and the tray-side optical passage portion h
Since the distance β1 from the end face position of the optical fiber becomes large, the optical path length of the laser light emitted from the end face of the optical fiber w to the detector becomes relatively long, and as a result, it is introduced into the tray side optical passage portion h. The amount of light emitted from the fruits and vegetables M is reduced accordingly. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 23, when the tray d rolls to the left in the transport direction and arrives at the measuring section, the end face position of the optical fiber w is relatively at the right end of the tray side optical passage portion g (in FIG. 23). α2), and the distance β2 between the end face position of the optical fiber w and the end face position of the tray side optical passage part h becomes small, so that the optical path length becomes relatively short, and as a result, the tray side optical passage part h The amount of light emitted from the fruits and vegetables M introduced therein is correspondingly increased.

Therefore, when the taste characteristics such as the sugar content of fruits and vegetables are obtained from the detection lights obtained by the three measuring sections k1 to k3, measurement errors are likely to occur due to the roll of the tray. I had a problem.

Further, the irradiation position on the fruits and vegetables M is slightly changed due to the above-mentioned rolling, which results in the above-mentioned 3
Since light of different wavelengths passes through different regions in the fruits and vegetables and is emitted from the fruits and vegetables, there is a problem that measurement errors easily occur due to such causes. In particular, in the case of fruits and vegetables whose surface shape, pattern, etc., such as melons and pumpkins, differ greatly depending on the part to be measured, there is a problem that the measurement error increases because the reflectance greatly changes depending on the irradiation location. .

The present invention has been made by paying attention to such problems, and the problem is that non-destructive eating taste with a small measurement error that enables light to be radiated to substantially the same place of fruits and vegetables in each measuring section. It is to provide a characteristic measuring device.

[0024]

That is, the invention according to claim 1 is such that a plurality of trays on which fruits and vegetables for measurement are placed are sequentially conveyed at appropriate intervals and are provided in a conveying path. Assuming a non-destructive taste characteristic measuring device for measuring the taste characteristics of fruits and vegetables by measuring the light emitted from the fruits and vegetables while irradiating each fruit and fruits with light from the outside to the inside in the measuring section, the tray described above. At least a pair of tray-side optical passage portions for measuring the taste characteristics are provided in the receiving portion of the fruits and vegetables in the conveyance path, and at least a pair of measurements corresponding to the tray-side optical passage portions are provided in a portion facing the bottom surface side of the tray in the transport passage. A plurality of measuring units having side light passages are provided, and the reference surface of the tray is engaged with each of these measuring units by engaging a reference surface of the tray with a guide surface provided along the transport direction of the tray. A conveyance position regulating means for regulating the feeding position is arranged, and light is emitted from the fruits and vegetables while irradiating the fruits and vegetables with light through at least one measurement-side optical passage portion and the corresponding tray optical passage portion in each measuring portion. It is characterized in that the emitted light is made incident on the detector through the other tray-side light passage portion and the corresponding measurement-side light passage portion to measure the taste characteristics of fruits and vegetables.

According to the nondestructive taste characteristic measuring device according to the invention described in claim 1, the nondestructive taste characteristic measuring device is provided in the receiving portion of the tray, as in the above-described nondestructive taste characteristic measuring device shown in FIGS. The fruits and vegetables are irradiated with light through the tray-side optical passage portion and the measurement-side optical passage portion of the measuring unit, and the light emitted from the fruits and vegetables is provided on the other tray-side optical passage provided in the receiving portion of the tray. Since it is incident on the detector through the other measuring side optical passage part of the measuring part as well as the measuring part, leakage light at the time of light irradiation and light detection is prevented, and the light is efficiently incident inside the fruit and vegetables and the fruit and vegetables. It is possible to efficiently make the light emitted from the detector enter the detector.

Therefore, it is possible to measure the taste characteristics such as sugar content and ripeness of fruits and vegetables properly and with high accuracy without increasing the power of irradiation light for fruits and vegetables such as melon.

Further, since the tray side optical passage portion corresponding to the above-mentioned conventional cylinder is provided in the receiving portion of the tray, it is not necessary to provide a mechanism for moving the cylinder for moving the fruits and vegetables in accordance with them. The taste characteristics of fruits and vegetables can be measured at high speed and with high accuracy without complicating the structure of the measuring device.

Further, in the nondestructive taste characteristic measuring apparatus of the invention according to claim 1, the guide surface provided along the transport direction of the tray is engaged with the reference surface of the tray to regulate the transport position of the tray. Since the position regulating means is provided in each measuring unit, it is possible to accurately convey the tray on which the fruits and vegetables to be measured are placed to the appropriate position of each measuring unit without causing horizontal shake or the like. .

Therefore, since the fluctuation of the optical path length of each irradiation light to the detector is small, and the light having different wavelengths can be irradiated to substantially the same place of the fruits and vegetables in each measuring section, the difference in reflectance of each light can be obtained. Can be minimized and light information can be obtained from the same place in the fruits and vegetables, so that the measurement error can be greatly reduced.

Next, the invention according to claims 2 to 4 is a transfer position control for restricting the transfer position of the tray by engaging a reference surface of the tray with a guide surface provided along the transfer direction of the tray. The present invention relates to an invention in which the configuration of means is specified.

That is, the invention according to claim 2 is premised on the non-destructive taste characteristic measuring device according to the invention according to claim 1, and a pair of the measurement parts is provided at the edges on both sides of the conveying path with appropriate intervals. And a pressing means that presses a tray mounted on one sidebar and conveyed between the sidebars toward the other sidebar to engage the reference surface of the tray with the guide surface of the sidebar. In the invention according to claim 3, a pair of side bars provided at appropriate intervals at the edge portions on both sides of the transport path in each measuring section, and the above-mentioned transport position regulating means. The transfer position regulating means is constituted by a pressing means which is attached to a tray conveyed between the side bars and presses one side bar to engage the reference surface of the tray with the guide surface of the other side bar by a reaction force thereof. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the tray is conveyed by being provided at one edge portion of the conveying path in each measuring section and having the function of the guide surface and the reference surface of the tray being in contact with the tray. A conveyor belt, a side bar provided on the other edge of the conveyor path at a portion facing the conveyor belt, and a reference surface of the tray attached to the side bar and conveyed between the side bar and the conveyor belt. The conveying position regulating means is constituted by a pressing means for contacting the guide belt with the conveying belt.

In the nondestructive eating quality characteristic measuring apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, in order not to hinder the transportability of the tray on which the fruits and vegetables to be measured are placed, the above-mentioned transport position regulating means. When the guide surface of the tray and the reference surface of the tray are engaged, a material that does not generate a large frictional force on the contact surface, for example, a slippery plastic material such as polytetrafluoroethylene, acetal homopolymer, or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene It is desirable to fix a plate-shaped molded body or a band-shaped molded body having a semi-cylindrical cross-section formed on the guide surface. In this case, since the surface of the molded body engages with the reference surface of the tray, the surface of the molded body constitutes the guide surface. Further, more preferably, a means for providing a plurality of rotating rollers for reducing the frictional force associated with the contact on the contact surface is desirable. The invention according to claim 5 is based on such a technical reason.

That is, the invention according to claim 5 is premised on the nondestructive taste characteristic measuring device according to claim 2, 3 or 4, and one of the contact surfaces of the side bar and the tray is in contact with the contact surface. It is characterized in that a plurality of rotating rollers are provided to reduce the frictional force associated with.

The invention according to claims 6 to 7 is premised on the invention according to claim 5 in which a plurality of rotating rollers are applied, and the invention specifies the constitution of the pressing means of the invention according to claims 2 to 4. Regarding

That is, the invention according to claim 6 is based on the nondestructive taste characteristic measuring device according to claim 5, and the pressing means is constituted by an elastic layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating roller. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a supporting means for movably supporting the central axis of the rotating roller, and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating roller for urging the supporting means so that the side bar or It is characterized in that the pressing means is constituted by an urging means for pushing out to the contact surface side of the tray.

An elastic layer made of rubber, urethane resin or the like is exemplified as the elastic layer of the invention according to claim 6, and a spring member is used as the urging means of the invention of claim 7. Etc. are illustrated.

Next, an invention according to claim 8 relates to a nondestructive taste characteristic measuring device in which a part of the structure of the invention according to claim 4 in which the structure of the above-mentioned transporting position regulating means is specified is modified.

That is, the invention according to claim 8 is premised on the nondestructive taste characteristic measuring device according to the invention according to claim 1, and is provided at one side edge portion of the conveying path in each measuring section and has the above guide surface. A first conveyor belt which has a function and which conveys the tray by contacting the reference surface of the tray, and a second conveyor belt which is provided at the other side edge portion of the above-mentioned conveyor path and at a portion facing the first conveyor belt. And the pressing means provided on the second conveyor belt and pressing the reference surface of the tray conveyed between the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt against the guide surface of the first conveyor belt. Means are configured.

In the nondestructive eating quality characteristic measuring apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to measure the sugar content and the ripeness of fruits and vegetables such as melon, watermelon and pumpkin. In this case, when a fruit or vegetable such as a melon is irradiated with light and the light emitted from the fruit or vegetable is measured, the sugar content and the ripeness can be selectively obtained depending on the processing method of the measurement data.

[0040]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a non-destructive eating quality characteristic measuring apparatus according to this embodiment comprises a plurality of trays 1 on which measuring fruits (melons) M are placed.
And a roller conveyor 3 as a drive means for moving the tray 1 on the transport path at a speed of 40 cm / sec.
And three box-shaped measuring units 4, 5 and 6 arranged at appropriate intervals in the transport path, and a transport position which is provided along the length direction of the transport path and regulates the transport position of the tray 1. The regulating means 2 and a fruit and vegetable presence / absence determiner (not shown) arranged near the measuring units 4, 5, and 6 for determining the presence or absence of the fruits and vegetables M on the tray 1 and the measuring units 4, 5, and 6 are also provided. A sensor (not shown) for detecting a member 10 to be detected which is arranged in the vicinity of the tray 1 to detect a position alignment time between the tray 1 and the measuring units 4, 5 and 6, and each measuring unit 4, A semiconductor laser (not shown) for irradiating the fruits and vegetables M in 5 and 6 and a detector (not shown) into which the emitted light from the fruits and vegetables M is incident in each of the measuring sections 4, 5, and 6 are the main components. Parts are made up.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, the tray 1 is made of black ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) resin, and has a columnar tray lower part 11 and an upper part protruding from the tray lower part 11. A main part of the tray upper part 12 is a substantially columnar tray having a pair of reference surfaces 100 formed by cutting out a part thereof, and the tray upper part 12 has bidirectional symmetry. Is arranged so that its center overlaps with the center of the tray lower part 11.

Further, a mortar-shaped receiving portion 13 is provided on the upper surface of the tray upper portion 12, and two tray-side light passage portions 14 and 1 are provided at positions where the receiving portion 13 has bidirectional symmetry.
5 is provided, a detected member 10 made of a light-reflecting tape is provided on each upper part of the pair of reference surfaces 100, and the above-mentioned measurement is provided on the bottom side substantially central part of the tray lower side part 11. A concave ridge 16 is provided to slidably fit a convex ridge 90 provided on the upper surfaces of the portions 4, 5, and 6. The color of the entire tray 1 is black and opaque.

On the other hand, each of the measuring sections 4, 5 and 6 is provided with the convex ridge 90 at the central portion on the upper surface side thereof, and is aligned with the open ends of the tray side optical passage sections 14 and 15 on the measuring section side. The measuring-side optical passage portions 41 and 42 each including two cylindrical bodies are provided, and an optical fiber (not shown) for transmitting the laser light from the semiconductor laser is provided at the open end of one of the measuring-side optical passage portions 41. (For the measuring section 4, an optical fiber for transmitting the laser light from the semiconductor laser is arranged at the open end of the measuring-side optical path section 41 of the measuring section 4.) An optical fiber for transmitting the laser light from the optical fiber is arranged), and a detector (not shown) is arranged at the open end of the other measuring-side optical path portion 42. The action of the protrusion 90 provided on the upper surface side of the measuring unit 4 is that the protrusion 90 causes the gap between the tray 1 and the measuring unit 4 (in this example, set to about 1 to 5 mm) as shown in FIG. The laser beam from the semiconductor laser passing through the measurement-side optical passage portion 41 is prevented from entering the measurement-side optical passage portion 42. Therefore, the measurement-side optical passage unit 4
Fruits and vegetables M to the detector (not shown) arranged on the open end side of
Since only the light emitted from the laser light is incident, it is possible to avoid the measurement error of the eating characteristics such as the sugar content due to the leakage light of the laser light from the semiconductor laser.

Further, the detection signals from the fruit / fruit presence / absence determiner and the sensor are input to the power source of the semiconductor laser, and the signal from the fruit / fruit presence / absence determiner and the detection signal from the sensor are input. In such a case, the power supply is activated and laser light is emitted from the semiconductor laser. Further, when the signal from the fruit and vegetable presence / absence determiner is not input (that is, when the fruit and fruit M is not present in the tray 1) or the detection signal from the sensor is not input, the power is turned off and the laser beam is not emitted from the semiconductor laser. Is set.

Next, the transport position regulating means 2 for regulating the transport position of the tray 1 is the first side bar provided along the length direction of the transport path as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. 21 and a tray 1 provided on the opposite side of the first side bar 21 and conveyed on the above-mentioned conveyance path, as a first side bar 2
Second side bar 2 having a pressing means 7 for pressing to the 1 side
2 constitutes the main part.

First, the first sidebar 21 is, as shown in FIG. 4, a plate-shaped first sidebar body 210 made of metal such as iron, and a plurality of rotations attached to the first sidebar body 210. A fixing member 21 for fixing the roller 211 and the first sidebar body 210 to one side edge of the conveying path.
And 2. Since the rotating roller 211 engages with the reference surface 100 of the tray 1, the rotating roller 2
A contact surface of the tray 11 with the tray 1 constitutes a guide surface 20.

On the other hand, the second side bar 22 is a pair of second side bar main bodies 221, which are opposed to each other with a predetermined gap therebetween and are made of metal such as plate-like iron, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. 222 and these second sidebar bodies 221,
The pressing means 7 provided in the gap portion of 222 and a fixing member 223 that fixes these second sidebar bodies 221 and 222 to the other side edge portion of the transport path constitute the main part thereof. The pressing means 7 has a pressing member mounting portion 71 having an opening 70 on the side of the conveyance path as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.
And the opening 70 in the pressing member mounting portion 71.
A rotary roller 76 that can be retracted from and to the rotary roller 76, a pair of support members 74 that movably support the center shaft 73 of the rotary roller 76, and the support rollers 74 that are biased to move the rotary roller 76 toward the conveyance path. It is composed of a pair of spring members 75 that push out to the outside, and a guide roller 72 that guides the retracting operation of the rotating roller 76 is interposed between the rotating roller 76 and the central shaft 73.

Then, the tray 1 conveyed between the first side bar 21 and the second side bar 22 is pressed by the pressing means 7 of the second side bar 22 so that the reference surface 1 of the tray 1 is pressed.
00 is the guide surface of the first sidebar 21 (the contact surfaces of the plurality of rotating rollers 211 attached to the first sidebar body 210 as described above that engage with the tray 1 constitute the guide surface: see FIG. ) 20, it is possible to accurately convey the tray 1 on which the fruits and vegetables M are placed to the proper positions of the respective measuring units 4, 5, and 6 without causing lateral roll or the like. In addition, the plurality of rotating rollers 211 provided on the first sidebar 21 and the second sidebar 2
By the action of the rotating roller 76 which constitutes a part of the pressing means 7 of No. 2, the frictional force due to the contact between the side bars 21 and 22 and the tray 1 is reduced, so that the tray 1 in the transport path is reduced.
It does not hinder the transportability.

The nondestructive taste characteristic measuring device also includes
A direction control mechanism is provided for aligning the direction of the tray 1 in a proper direction when the tray 1 is carried into the above-mentioned transport path in which the three measuring units 4, 5, 6 are connected in series. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the direction control mechanism 8 has the measuring units 4, 5, 6 described above.
Is provided in the introduction path immediately before the conveying path in which the measuring sections 4, 5 are arranged in the approximate center of the introduction path.
A convex-shaped introduction portion 81 continuous to the convex-shaped 90 formed in 6;
It is composed of a pair of conveyor belts 82 and 83 which are provided on both side edges of the introduction path and have different conveying speeds. In order to allow the tray 1 to easily ride on the convex ridge introducing portion 81, the height of the convex ridge introducing portion 81 on the inlet side is set lower than that of the convex ridge 90 as shown in FIG. The height is gradually increased as it enters the introduction path, and finally the height is set to be the same as that of the convex ridge 90. Further, since the tray 1 is conveyed in the introduction path by the conveyor belts 82 and 83, the rollers in the introduction section do not require a driving force, and thus are constituted by freely rotating rollers. Further, the feeding speed of the above-mentioned transport belts 82, 83 is 45 cm / sec on one side,
The other is set to 35 cm / sec.

In this direction control mechanism 8,
Since the pair of conveyor belts 82 and 83 having different feed speeds are provided on both side edges of the introduction path, the tray 1 carried into the introduction path rotates as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 8 due to the difference in the feed rate. While being transported, the rotation is stopped after the convex introduction part 81 in the introduction path and the concave part 16 of the tray 1 are fitted, and thereafter, the measuring part 4, with the orientation of the tray 1 aligned in the proper direction,
The sheets 5 and 6 are carried into the above-mentioned conveyance path.

As described above, in this non-destructive taste characteristic measuring apparatus, the power source is turned on each time the tray 1 on which the fruits and vegetables M are placed and aligned in the proper direction passes through the respective measuring sections 4, 5 and 6. Then, the measurement section 4 is irradiated with a 930 nm laser beam for 20 milliseconds, and this laser beam is emitted from the measurement side optical passage section 4
1 and the pedestal side optical passage portion 14 irradiate the fruits and vegetables M, and the light emitted from the fruits and vegetables M is moved to the movable table side optical passage portion 1
5 and the measurement-side optical passage portion 42, and is incident on a detector (not shown).
Laser beam for 20 milliseconds, 880 in measuring unit 6
The laser light of nm is irradiated for 20 milliseconds, and the emitted light from the fruits and vegetables M is made incident on each detector (not shown), and the eating characteristics such as the sugar content of the fruits and vegetables M are measured. It should be noted that these measurements are made in a dark room (see FIG. 2).
2).

Then, according to the nondestructive taste characteristic measuring apparatus according to this embodiment, the tray 1 on which the fruits and vegetables M are placed is placed.
The measuring-side optical passage portion 41 of each of the measuring portions 4, 5 and 6 arranged at the movable table side optical passage portion 14 provided in the receiving portion 13 and the portion facing the bottom surface side of the tray 1 in the conveying path. (Measurement section 5,
The measuring side optical passage portion of 6 is irradiated with the laser light to the fruits and vegetables M via the (not shown), and for the light emitted from the fruits and vegetables M, another moving table provided in the receiving portion 13 of the tray 1 is provided. Like the side light passage portion 15, the light is incident on the detector via another measurement side light passage portion 42 of the measurement portions 4, 5, 6 (the measurement side light passage portion of the measurement portions 5, 6 is not shown). Therefore, leakage light at the time of light irradiation and at the time of light detection is prevented, and the laser light can be incident on the inside of the fruit and vegetable M without leakage and only the emitted light from the fruit and vegetable M can be incident on the detector. Therefore, there is an advantage that the taste characteristics such as the sugar content of the fruits and vegetables M can be measured at high speed and with high accuracy without complicating the structure of the measuring device.

Further, in this non-destructive taste characteristic measuring apparatus, since the conveyance position regulating means 2 for regulating the conveyance position of the tray 1 is provided along the length direction of the conveyance path, as shown in FIG. It is possible to accurately convey the tray 1 on which the fruits and vegetables M to be measured are placed to the proper positions of the respective measuring units 4, 5, and 6 without causing rolling and the like. Therefore, the fluctuation of the optical path length of each irradiation light to the detector is small, and the light having different wavelengths can be respectively irradiated to the substantially same place of the fruit and vegetables M in each of the measuring units 4, 5, and 6. The difference in reflectance can be minimized,
In addition, since it is possible to obtain light information from the same place in the fruit and vegetables M, there is an advantage that a measurement error can be significantly reduced.

As a structure for reducing the frictional force caused by the contact between the side bar and the tray in this nondestructive taste characteristic measuring apparatus, the first side bar 21 provided with the rotating roller 211 shown in FIG. 4 is applied. Instead of the configuration, the first sidebar is configured by a plate-shaped bar that does not have the rotating roller 211, and the reference surface 100 on the side that engages with the first sidebar has the same function as the rotating roller 211. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a tray having a structure provided with the rotating roller is applied. However, when the rotating rollers are provided on both the reference surfaces 100 of the tray 1 shown in FIG. 2, the rotating roller on one side overlaps with the rotating roller 76 of the second side bar 22 and hinders the transportability thereof. Since it is necessary to provide a rotating roller only on one of the reference surfaces 100 due to the possibility that the reference surface is limited, and the reference surface is limited to one location, the tray is not provided with each measuring unit. The carry-in direction is restricted to one direction (that is, the tray carry-in direction does not have bidirectional symmetry). In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the transfer position restricting means 2 provided in each of the measuring units 4, 5, and 6 is provided continuously along the length direction of the transfer path. First sidebar 21
Although the main part is configured by the second sidebar 22 and the second sidebar 22, the transport position restricting means may be intermittently provided for each of the measuring parts 4, 5, and 6. However, it is necessary to make adjustment so that the guide surfaces of the respective transport position regulating means in the respective measuring sections 4, 5, 6 are the same (that is, the reference surface of the tray is engaged with the guide surfaces of the respective transport position regulating means). It is necessary to adjust so that the regions whose positions are regulated by the measuring units 4, 5, and 6 are substantially the same).

[Second Embodiment] A nondestructive taste characteristic measuring apparatus according to this embodiment has substantially the same structure as that shown in FIG. 6 on one reference surface 100 of the tray 1 shown in FIG. Is provided as a pressing means 7 and the other reference surface 100 is provided with a rotating roller having the same function as the rotating roller 211, and the contact surface which engages with the guide surface of the conveying position restricting means is regulated by the conveying position. The point that the tray 1 (see FIG. 9) functioning as the reference surface for the application is applied, and that the transfer position restricting means 2 is changed to the configuration shown in FIG. 10 due to the change of the tray 1. Except for this, it is substantially the same as the nondestructive eating quality characteristic measuring apparatus according to the first embodiment.

That is, the tray 1 is made of the same material as that of the first embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 9, one of the surfaces constituting the pair of reference surfaces in the first embodiment has a structure shown in FIG. The rotary roller 76 having substantially the same structure as that shown in FIG.
A rotary roller having the same function as the rotary roller 211 is provided at 0, and a contact surface that engages with the guide surface of the transport position restricting means functions as a reference surface for restricting the transport position. However, although the reference surface of the tray 1 is limited to one place, it has the above-mentioned two-way symmetry of the tray loading direction. The reason for this will be described later. The color of the entire tray 1 is black and opaque as in the first embodiment.

On the other hand, the transport position regulating means 2 is a plate-shaped first side bar 21 having the guide surface 20 and formed of the same material as that used in the first embodiment, and is opposed thereto. The second sidebar 22 is arranged.

In this non-destructive taste characteristic measuring device, the first side bar 21 and the second side bar 22 are
When the tray 1 shown in FIG.
The rotating roller 76 as the pressing means 7 of the tray 1 presses the second side bar 22 and its reaction force causes the reference surface 100 of the tray 1.
The outer peripheral surface of the rotating roller functioning as the guide surface of the first side bar 21 (unlike the case of the first embodiment, the first side bar 21 is not provided with a plurality of rotating rollers 211. The end surface of the sidebar body that engages with the reference surface 100 of the tray 1 constitutes the guide surface:
(See FIG. 10) 20, it is possible to accurately convey the tray 1 on which the fruits and vegetables M are placed to the proper positions of the respective measuring units 4, 5, and 6 without causing rolling and the like. . Also, each sidebar 21, 22 and tray 1
Is engaged with the rotating roller functioning as the reference surface 100 of the tray 1 via the rotating roller 76 serving as the pressing unit 7, and thus is conveyed in the same manner as the nondestructive taste characteristic measuring device according to the first embodiment. The transportability of the tray 1 in the road is not hindered.

When the tray 1 is turned upside down and is carried in between the first side bar 21 and the second side bar 22, the rotating roller 76 as the pressing means 7 for the tray 1 is used.
Contrary to the case described above, the outer peripheral surface of the rotating roller that presses the first side bar 21 and functions as the reference surface 100 of the tray 1 by the reaction force is engaged with the end surface of the second side bar 22. Become. The tray 1 is guided by the end surface of the second side bar 22 and does not sway or the like, and the proper positions of the respective measuring portions 4, 5, 6 (however, the reference surface of the tray is the first side bar 21). Although the transport position of the tray 1 is slightly different from that when the tray 1 is transported while being engaged with the guide surface 20, there is no difference in that the tray 1 is transported in the same region of each measuring unit 4, 5, 6. Also in this case, it is accurately conveyed to the proper position of each measuring unit 4, 5, 6.)
Since the tray is accurately conveyed to the detector, similar to the case where the reference surface of the tray is engaged with the guide surface 20 of the first sidebar 21 and is conveyed, there is little fluctuation in the optical path length of each irradiation light to the detector. Since it is possible to irradiate light having different wavelengths to substantially the same place of fruits and vegetables in each measuring unit, the difference in reflectance of each light can be minimized. In this way, when the front and rear of the tray 1 are reversed and the space between the first side bar 21 and the second side bar 22 is carried in, the end surface of the second side bar 22 that engages with the reference surface of the tray 1 is guided. The surface 20 is configured, and the tray 1 is provided with the bidirectional symmetry in the tray loading direction even though the reference surface of the tray 1 is limited to one location.

Here, in this embodiment, the rotary roller 76 functioning as the pressing means 7 and the rotary roller 2 are used.
Although a tray provided with a rotating roller having the same function as 11 is applied, the tray 1 may have a structure in which a rotating roller having the same function as the rotating roller 211 is not provided. When the tray is applied, the rotary roller 21 applied in the first embodiment
1 may be applied to the side bar (see FIG. 4) to reduce the frictional force, or each end face may have a semi-cylindrical cross-section made of a slippery plastic material such as polytetrafluoroethylene. The first side bar 21 and the second side bar 22 to which a band-shaped molded body or the like is fixed may be applied to reduce the frictional force.

[Third Embodiment] The nondestructive taste characteristic measuring apparatus according to this embodiment is different from the transport position regulating means 2 shown in FIG. 4 in that the transport position regulating means shown in FIG. 11 is used. It is substantially the same as the nondestructive taste characteristic measuring apparatus according to the first embodiment except that the means 9 is applied.

That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the transport position regulating means 9 includes a first transport belt 91 having a guide surface plate material 95 arranged in the central portion thereof, and a predetermined interval with respect to the first transport belt 91. The main portion of the second conveyor belt 92 and the second conveyor belt 92, which are opposed to each other, is formed, and the conveyance surface of the second conveyor belt 92 is provided at a portion of the second conveyor belt 92 corresponding to each measuring unit 4, 5, and 6. A pressing unit 93 that presses the first conveyor belt 91 side is provided. In this non-destructive taste characteristic measuring apparatus, since the trays are transported in the transport path by the first transport belt 91 and the second transport belt 92, the rollers in the transport path do not need a driving force. As in the case of the direction control mechanism described above, a freely rotating roller is applied.

In the nondestructive taste characteristic measuring device, the first conveyor belt 91 and the second conveyor belt 92 are used.
The pressing means 93 presses the tray 1 that is sandwiched and conveyed by the guide surface of the first conveying belt 91 (in this case, the first conveying belt 91 supported by the guide surface plate material 95). The contact surface that comes into contact with the reference surface 100 constitutes a guide surface (see FIG. 11), so that the tray 1 on which the fruits and vegetables are placed does not cause rolling, etc. , 6 can be accurately conveyed to the proper position, and the first conveyor belt 9
The action of 1 and the second transport belt 92 does not hinder the transportability of the tray 1 in the transport path.

The second conveyor belt 92 and the pressing means 9
Instead of the configuration of 3, the second side bar 22 (see FIG. 4), which is applied in the first embodiment and includes the rotating roller 76 as the pressing unit 7, may be used.

[Fourth Embodiment] The nondestructive taste characteristic measuring apparatus according to this embodiment is a tray 1 in which thin iron plates 300 are provided on both reference surfaces 100 of the tray 1 shown in FIG.
(See FIG. 12) and the non-destructive taste according to the first embodiment except that the transport position regulating means 2 is changed to the configuration shown in FIG. 12 in accordance with the change of the tray 1. It is almost the same as the characteristic measuring device.

That is, as shown in FIG. 12, the transport position restricting means 2 serves as the first side bar 21 having the function of the guide surface 20, as shown in FIG.
The sidebars are arranged alternately, and the plate-shaped second sidebars 22 shown in FIG. 10 are arranged on the opposite side of the first sidebars 21.

In this non-destructive taste characteristic measuring apparatus, the first side bar 21 and the second side bar 22 described above are used.
When the tray 1 is conveyed between the trays 1, the tray 1 provided with the thin iron plate 300 is attracted by the magnetic force of the magnet 302 incorporated in the first sidebar 21, and the reference surface 100 is the guide surface of the first sidebar 21. (The contact surface of the rotary roller 301 provided on the first sidebar 21 that comes into contact with the reference surface 100 of the tray 1 constitutes a guide surface: see FIG. 12) Since it is engaged with 20, fruits and vegetables are placed. It is possible to accurately convey the tray 1 to the proper position of each measuring unit without causing lateral vibration. Also, the first sidebar 2
Since the frictional force associated with the contact between the first side bar 21 and the tray 1 is reduced by the action of the plurality of rotating rollers 301 provided on the No. 1, the transportability of the tray 1 in the transport path may be hindered. Absent.

Instead of using the magnetic force, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, the suction force using a vacuum pump (not shown) is used to move the reference surface 100 of the tray 1 to the first side bar 21. The guide surface (the contact surface of the rotating roller provided on the first sidebar 21 constitutes the guide surface) may be employed, or, as shown in FIG. 14, the repulsive force of the same magnetic pole. Even if the reference surface 100 of the tray 1 is engaged with the guide surface of the first side bar 21 (the contact surface of the rotating roller provided on the first side bar 21 constitutes the guide surface) by utilizing Of course, in some cases, the second sidebar side may have a linear motor structure that combines the conveying force and the pressing force. However, the tray 1 shown in FIG. 2 can be applied to the former structure utilizing the attractive force, but the latter structure utilizing the repulsive force of the same magnetic pole is shown in FIG. Each reference surface 10 of tray 1
The second sidebar 22 on the opposite side of the first sidebar 21 having the function of the guide surface while the magnet 305 is embedded in
Similarly, it is necessary to embed the magnet 306.

[Fifth Embodiment] The nondestructive taste characteristic measuring apparatus according to this embodiment uses the tray 1 having the structure shown in FIG. The number of convex ridges provided inside is 2 (convex 901, 90
It is substantially the same as the non-destructive taste characteristic measuring apparatus according to the first embodiment except that it is changed to 2) (see FIG. 17).

That is, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 (A) to (C), the tray 1 has a columnar tray lower side portion 11 and an upper side protruding from the tray lower side portion 11 and the tray lower side. The main part is composed of a tray upper part 12 having a substantially rectangular prism shape that does not protrude outward from the circumferential edge of the side part 11, and the center of the tray upper part 12 has the above-mentioned circle so as to have four-direction symmetry. It is arranged so as to overlap the center of the columnar tray lower side portion 11.

A mortar-shaped receiving portion 13 is provided on the upper surface of the tray upper portion 12, and four tray-side optical passage portions 903, 9 are provided at positions where the receiving portion 13 has four-direction symmetry.
04, 905 and 906 are provided, the four corners of the tray upper part 12 are rounded, and the four reference surfaces 100 of the tray upper part 12 are light reflecting tapes (constituent members) constituting the detected member ( (Not shown) are attached respectively.
Further, as shown in FIG. 16 (C), a cross-shaped concave groove 907 is provided on the back surface side of the tray lower side portion 11 of the tray 1, and the concave groove 907 is provided in the transport path. The two convex ridges 901 and 902 are slidably loosely fitted. The color of the entire tray 1 is black and opaque as in the first embodiment.

Then, as shown in FIG. 18, the tray 1 conveyed between the first side bar 21 and the second side bar 22 is pushed by the pushing means 7 of the second side bar 22 so that the reference surface 100 of the tray 1 is pushed. The guide surface of the first sidebar 21 (the contact surfaces of the plurality of rotating rollers 211 provided on the first sidebar 21 that engage with the tray 1 constitute the guide surface as in the case of the first embodiment. (See FIG. 18) 20. Therefore, the tray 1 on which the fruits and vegetables M are placed can be accurately conveyed to the appropriate position of each measuring unit without causing lateral shake or the like. Also, the first sidebar 21
The frictional force associated with the contact between each sidebar 21, 22 and the tray 1 is reduced by the action of the plurality of rotating rollers 211 provided in the above and the rotating roller 76 that constitutes a part of the pressing means 7 of the second sidebar 22. Therefore, the transportability of the tray 1 in the transport path is not hindered.

[0074]

According to the nondestructive eating quality characteristic measuring device of the present invention, the tray side optical passage portion provided in the tray receiving portion and the measuring side optical passage portion of the measuring portion are provided. Light is emitted to the fruits and vegetables through the same, and the light emitted from the fruits and vegetables is detected through the other measuring-side optical passage portion of the measuring unit as well as the other tray-side optical passage portion provided in the tray receiving portion. Since it is incident on the container, light leakage during light irradiation and light detection is prevented, and the light can be efficiently incident on the inside of the fruit and vegetables, and the light emitted from the fruit and vegetables can also be efficiently incident on the detector. .

Therefore, there is an effect that the taste characteristics such as the sugar content and the ripeness of the fruits and vegetables can be measured appropriately and accurately without increasing the power of the irradiation light for the fruits and vegetables such as melon.

Further, since the tray side light passage portion corresponding to the above-mentioned conventional cylinder is provided in the receiving portion of the tray, it is not necessary to provide a mechanism for moving the cylinder to move the fruits and vegetables according to the transportation. It has the effect of measuring the taste characteristics of fruits and vegetables at high speed and with high accuracy without complicating the structure of the measuring device.

Further, each measuring section is provided with a transport position regulating means for regulating the transport position of the tray by engaging the reference surface of the tray with the guide surface provided along the transport direction of the tray. It is possible to accurately convey the tray on which the fruits and vegetables for measurement are placed to an appropriate position of each measuring unit without causing lateral shake or the like.

Therefore, the fluctuation of the optical path length of each irradiation light to the detector is small, and the light having different wavelengths can be irradiated to substantially the same place of the fruits and vegetables in each measuring section. Since the difference can be minimized and the light information from the same place in the fruit and vegetables can be obtained, the measurement error can be greatly reduced.

In particular, according to the nondestructive eating quality characteristic measuring device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the frictional force associated with the contact is generated on one of the contact surfaces of the tray and the side bar constituting the transfer position regulating means. Since a plurality of rotating rollers for reducing the above are provided, there is an effect that the transportability of the tray in each measuring unit is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a main part of a nondestructive taste characteristic measuring device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tray applied to this device.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a tray and a measurement unit at the time of measurement of this device.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a conveyance position regulation unit in this apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a second side bar which constitutes a part of the transport position restricting means.

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the structure of a pressing means incorporated in the second side bar.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the pressing means.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a direction control mechanism incorporated in this device.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a tray applied to the nondestructive taste characteristic measuring device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a conveyance position restricting unit of the nondestructive taste characteristic measuring device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a conveyance position restricting unit of the nondestructive taste characteristic measuring device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of a conveyance position restricting unit of a nondestructive taste characteristic measuring device according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view showing a modified example of the transport position restricting means.

FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view showing a modified example of the transport position restricting means.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a tray applied to the nondestructive taste characteristic measuring device according to the fifth embodiment.

16A is a plan view of this tray, FIG.
16B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 16A, FIG.
Is the bottom view of this tray.

FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view showing a main part of a nondestructive eating quality characteristic measuring device according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a tray and a measurement unit at the time of measurement of this device.

FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective view showing a main part of a nondestructive taste characteristic measuring device before improvement.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a tray and a measurement unit at the time of measurement of the above apparatus before improvement.

FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view showing a main part of a nondestructive taste characteristic measuring device before improvement.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of a nondestructive eating quality characteristic measuring device before improvement.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing that the optical path length of the emitted light to the detector fluctuates due to the horizontal roll of the tray.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Tray 2 Conveyance Position Controlling Means 4 Measuring Unit 5 Measuring Unit 6 Measuring Unit 7 Pressing Means 20 Guide Surface 21 First Sidebar 22 Second Sidebar 76 Rotating Roller 100 Reference Surface 211 Rotating Roller M Fruit and Vegetable (melon)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Kazuo Maeda 3-18-5, Chugoku-ku, Ichikawa-shi, Chiba Prefecture Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. Central Research Laboratory (72) Inventor Shuji Suzuki 3--18, Chugoku-ku, Ichikawa-shi, Chiba No. 5 Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. Central Research Laboratory

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of trays on which fruits and vegetables for measurement are placed are sequentially transported at appropriate intervals, and each vegetable and fruits are directed from the outside to the inside in a measuring section provided in a transport path. In a non-destructive taste characteristic measuring device that measures the taste characteristics of fruits and vegetables by irradiating light and measuring the light emitted from the fruits and vegetables, wherein at least one pair of trays for measuring the taste characteristics of the receiving portion of the fruits and vegetables in the tray is used. An optical passage portion is provided, and a plurality of measurement portions including at least a pair of measurement-side optical passage portions corresponding to the tray-side optical passage portion are provided in a portion facing the bottom surface side of the tray in the transport path, In each of these measuring units, a transport position restricting unit that restricts the transport position of the tray by engaging the reference surface of the tray with the guide surface provided along the transport direction of the tray is disposed, and While radiating light to the fruits and vegetables through at least one measurement-side light passage portion and the corresponding tray light passage portion in each measurement unit, the light emitted from the fruits and vegetables corresponds to the other tray-side light passage portions and this. A nondestructive taste characteristic measuring device characterized in that the taste characteristic of fruits and vegetables is measured by being incident on a detector through an optical passage on the measurement side. 2. A pair of side bars provided on both side edges of the conveying path in each measuring section with an appropriate interval, and a tray mounted on one side bar and conveyed between the side bars on the other side. 2. The non-destructive taste characteristic measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the conveying position regulating means is constituted by pressing means for pressing the tray to the reference surface of the side bar by pressing it toward the bar side. . 3. A pair of sidebars provided on both sides of the conveying path in each measuring section with appropriate spacing, and a pair of sidebars mounted on a tray conveyed between these sidebars and pressing one sidebar. The non-destructive taste characteristic measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the conveying position regulating means is constituted by a pressing means for engaging the reference surface of the tray with the guide surface of the other side bar by its reaction force. . 4. A conveyor belt which is provided at one side edge of the conveying path in each measuring section and has the function of the guide surface and which is brought into contact with the reference surface of the tray to convey the tray, and the other of the conveying paths. A side bar provided at a side edge portion and a portion facing the conveyor belt, and a reference surface of the tray mounted on the side bar and conveyed between the side bar and the conveyor belt abut on a guide surface of the conveyor belt. The non-destructive taste characteristic measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the conveying position restricting means is constituted by a pressing means for making it. 5. A plurality of rotating rollers for reducing frictional force associated with the contact are provided on one contact surface where the side bar and the tray contact each other, according to claim 2, 3 or 4. Non-destructive taste characteristic measuring device. 6. The nondestructive taste characteristic measuring device according to claim 5, wherein the pressing means is constituted by an elastic layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating roller. 7. Support means for movably supporting the central axis of the rotary roller, and biasing means for biasing the support means to push the outer peripheral surface of the rotary roller toward the contact surface side of the side bar or tray. The non-destructive taste characteristic measuring device according to claim 5, wherein the pressing means is constituted by and. 8. A first conveyor belt which is provided at one edge portion of a conveying path in each measuring section and has the function of the guide surface and which is in contact with a reference surface of a tray to convey the tray, and the conveying belt. The second conveyor belt provided on the other side edge portion of the path and at a portion facing the first conveyor belt, and the second conveyor belt provided on the second conveyor belt and conveyed between the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt. The non-destructive taste characteristic measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the conveying position regulating means is constituted by a pressing means for bringing the reference surface of the tray into contact with the guide surface of the first conveying belt.