JPH1043695A - Liquid sorter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely detect foreign matters from a fluid of grated vegetable or fruit to discharge the foreign matters by dividing a passage of a fluid into a plurality of narrow passages to provide a detecting part for detecting optical foreign matters in each of the narrow passages and providing a removing part downstream of the narrow passages. SOLUTION: This liquid sorter 1 in a treatment device for a fluid of grated apple or the like has a raw material tank 2, a pump 3, a constant pressure tank 4, and a flat plate part 5, and a detecting part 6 and a removing part 7 are provided in the part 5. The flat plate part 5 has an expanded portion having a large width and small thickness in a passage leading from a passage 10 to an introducing and receiving part 11 and the interior of the expanded portion is divided into straight passages 16 by a large number of partition walls 15. The detecting part 6 includes a light source and a sensor and the optical axis between the part 6 and the sensor is disposed so as to pass through the passages 16 If there is a foreign matter and the quantity of light decreases, a control device 14 judges that there is a foreign matter to actuate a solenoid 24 of the removing part 7 so that a valve hole 26 is opened to discharge a unit block containing foreign matters.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting and removing foreign substances such as peel pieces and seeds from a fluid such as grated apple.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Vegetable and fruit pastes, purees, nectars and juices with pulp are processed into grated vegetables and fruits to produce products. In the manufacturing process, foreign substances are visually detected and removed from the grated fluid. Foreign matter is small pieces of seeds and peels, seeds, small pieces of cores and the like that could not be removed in the previous step.

However, it is difficult to reliably and efficiently remove foreign matter from a large amount of such fluids. Hard to find and hard to catch. Therefore, much labor and cost are required. Furthermore, since the detection and removal of foreign matter is performed in a flow path open to the indoor environment, the fluid may come into contact with air and oxidize during the work of removing the foreign matter, thereby deteriorating the quality.

[0004] Devices that have relatively high fluidity and detect foreign substances in a transparent liquid are often used in the final inspection of chemicals and foods, related to washing water of integrated circuits. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 53-6875 discloses that a transparent container filled with liquid is rotated, a shadow of a floating foreign substance is guided to a detection unit by an optical fiber, and the foreign substance is detected by scanning the other end of the fiber. doing. Also, JP-A-8-21
No. 806 discloses that a magnetic force guiding member is disposed so as to be gradually upward along a transfer path, a transparent container filled with liquid is transferred on this path, and a metal piece or the like inside the container is lifted by magnetic force. Provides a device to detect.

However, in any of these methods, when foreign matter is found, the container containing the foreign matter is discarded or reprocessed, and the foreign matter is removed from the liquid or fluid before filling the container. Not a technology. In this regard,
No. 15151 discloses that a liquid is allowed to pass at a uniform speed between two transparent flat plates, an image is obtained by a sensor system having an optical axis penetrating this flow path, and the image is processed to obtain a foreign substance. Has been detected.

[0006] However, it is not clear how to remove foreign substances when they are found. When removing liquid or foreign matter mixed in the fluid from the channel, a certain amount of the fluid is lost together with the foreign matter. However, in a fluid that is almost completed as a product, this loss is suppressed to a minimum. Want to.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention reliably detects foreign substances from a fluid of grated vegetables and fruits, which are used as a raw material for pastes, purees, nectars or juices with pulp of vegetables and fruits, and detects the foreign substances. Provide a liquid sorter that can discharge only a small amount of fluid containing as much as possible from the regular flow path, and prevent the fluid from being oxidized by touching the air in the removal section and reducing the quality The task is to provide a liquid sorter.

[0008]

A flow path of a fluid is divided into a plurality of narrow paths, a detecting section for detecting an optical foreign substance is provided in each narrow path, and a removing section is provided downstream of the detecting section. The fluid is a grated vegetable or fruit that is used as a raw material such as a vegetable or fruit paste, puree, nectar or pulp juice. Such a fluid is an aggregate of small grated pieces of vegetables and fruits and water or fruit juice, but has a constant light transmittance and, when the content is uniform, has a substantially constant light transmittance. However, if foreign matter such as peel pieces, scabs, or seeds are mixed in here, the properties differ from those of the other main parts, so the fluid containing such foreign matter (optical foreign matter) as a whole Are different in light transmittance. Further, such a fluid has a uniform and stable light reflectivity and color when the content is uniform, but the foreign matter mixed therein generally has a different light reflectivity and color from other main parts. .

The plurality of narrow paths are expanded, for example, in the middle of the flow path of the fluid into a flat plate part having a large width and a small thickness, and the inside of the flat plate part is divided by parallel partitions along the flow path. Can be configured. The fluid is divided into a number of rivulets at this point, resulting in a thin and uniform rectification. The detecting unit is provided in each narrow path and has an ability to detect an optical foreign substance in a fluid. In many cases, the detecting unit includes a light source, a photodiode, and a determination circuit (in a control device). It is of a photoelectric type having an optical axis arranged such that the optical axis traverses a narrow path or an optical axis set with the surface of a fluid as a reflecting surface. The light source is a halogen lamp, a fluorescent lamp, or a light source guided by an optical fiber from a separately arranged light source. In addition,
When a foreign object is determined using colors, a filter for setting a target color is arranged between the light source and the photodiode.

The removal unit is a switching valve for switching between a normal flow passage and a discharge flow passage, and operates based on a foreign object detection signal from the detection unit. Each narrow path or a plurality of narrow paths are arranged at the exit position. Normally, since the detection unit is slightly away from the detection position, the operation is set so as to delay the time required for the fluid to move the distance to the removal unit after the detection unit detects the foreign matter. . Various types of removal methods such as a switching valve type, a blow-off type, and a suction type can be considered.

With this configuration of the liquid sorter, the fluid introduced from the entrance of the flow path is inspected for foreign substances while passing through the narrow path and guided to the exit. Thereafter, the removing unit is operated, and the foreign matter together with a part of the fluid can be removed from the regular flow path and discharged.

[0012] In this case, the fluid moves in the flat plate portion in a thin and uniform rectification, and the foreign matter moves in a limited area of the narrow path. Therefore, the detection accuracy is improved. Further, even if the foreign matter is buried in the surrounding main part, light is sufficiently transmitted because the thickness (depth) of the narrow path is small, or the foreign matter appears on the surface, so that the foreign matter can be reliably detected. As a result, the foreign matter can be reliably removed by the removing unit. The removal unit may be constituted by a switching valve provided at the bottom of each narrow path and its driving device.

With this configuration, only a part of the fluid (portion containing the foreign matter) in the narrow path where the foreign matter is detected is eliminated, and the loss of the fluid is greatly reduced. The sensor of the photoelectric detection unit may be a CCD sensor in which a plurality of photodiodes are arranged in the moving direction of the fluid. Then, taking advantage of the characteristics of this type of sensor, the amount of time required for the fluid to pass through the detection area of the CCD sensor is used as a unit, and light amount detection is performed a plurality of times per unit time.
The integrated value of the values detected by the unit CCD for the number of times is compared with a preset threshold value, and is used as a basis for determining foreign matter detection.

With this configuration, the difference in the amount of light between the case where a foreign substance is present and the case where no foreign matter is present can be enlarged as a detection value, and the detection accuracy is improved. Further, at least the removing portion may be arranged in an atmosphere of an inert gas such as nitrogen. Accordingly, the fluid flowing through the closed flow path such as a pipe does not come into contact with air at the removing section, and thus the oxidation of the fluid can be prevented.

Incidentally, the sensor is not limited to one that responds to light, but may be one that responds to infrared rays, X-rays, or the like. The fluid is not limited to grated vegetables and fruits, or is not limited to such foods, and can be used as a liquid sorter for general fluids having similar properties.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 schematically shows a part of a liquid sorter 1 in an apparatus for processing an apple-pure puree (fluid). Liquid sorter 1
Has a raw material tank 2, a pump 3, a constant pressure tank 4, and a flat plate portion 5 of a flow path, and the flat plate portion 5 includes a detecting unit 6 and a removing unit 7. Puree is first stored in the raw material tank 2, from which the flow path 8 is sent to the constant pressure tank 4 by the pump 3. A liquid level sensor 9 is attached to the constant pressure tank 4. From the constant pressure tank 4, the flat plate 5
, And connected from the outlet of the flat plate portion 5 to the introduction receiving portion 11 for the next process.

A flow meter 12 is attached to the flow path 10, and a flow controller 13 is attached to the entrance of the flat plate 5. The pump 3, the liquid level sensor 9, the flow meter 4 and the flow regulator 13 are connected to a control device 14. The flat plate portion 5 can be understood as an enlarged portion having a large width and a small thickness formed in the middle of the flow passage from the flow passage 10 to the introduction receiving portion 11, and has a large number of internal portions along the flow direction of the puree. Are divided into straight narrow paths 16. In this embodiment, the flat plate portion 5 is made of stainless steel, the diameter of the flow path (tube) at the inlet is 50 mm, the width of the flat plate portion 5 is 500 mm, and the length is 50 mm.
The thickness is set to 0 mm, the thickness is set to 5 mm, and the interval between the partition walls 15 is set to 5 mm. Therefore, one narrow path 16 has a width and a height of 5 mm and a length of 500 mm. Further, the flat plate portion 5 is higher on the outlet side than the inlet portion, so that the fluid overflows from the outlet.

The detecting unit 6 (FIG. 2) includes the light source 17 and the sensor 1
8 and the optical axis between them is arranged to penetrate the narrow path 16 up and down. A window 19 having a length of 5 mm in the direction of the flow path is provided at a portion where the optical axis of the bottom and the top of the narrow path 16 penetrates.
20 are formed. Reference numeral 21 denotes a halogen lamp, reference numeral 22 denotes a line sensor, and there is one halogen lamp 21 as a whole.
Are arranged one by one. The line sensor 22 has 100 photodiodes arranged in the direction of the flow path.

The removing section 7 (FIG. 2) is composed of a switching valve 23 for switching the normal flow path A to the discharge flow path B and a solenoid 24 for driving the same. ). The switching valve 23 includes a valve plate 25 whose tip (outlet side) is rotatably mounted on the bottom surface of the narrow path 16, and an armature of a solenoid 24 is slidably mounted on the lower surface side of the valve plate 25. The valve plate 25 opens and closes a valve hole 26 provided on the bottom surface of the narrow path 16. Code 27
Is a discharge guide plate which is common to each narrow path 16.

The center position P1 of the valve hole 26 in the flow direction (FIG. 3)
Is 1.5 times the distance L1 from the center position P2 of the detection unit 6. The distance L1 is determined by the controller 14 from the detector 6 to 20.
This corresponds to a time t1 (set value) from reading out the first signal of the operation of reading out the detected value twice, reading out the twentieth signal, and issuing one judgment (presence or absence of foreign matter). The amount of fluid corresponding to the distance L1 in the narrow path 16 is a unit block.
Let's call it Br. The valve plate 25 always closes the valve hole 26 on the bottom surface of the narrow path 16 by the return spring of the solenoid 24 when the solenoid 24 is not biased, and opens the valve hole 26 when the solenoid 24 is biased. The detection signal of the sensor 18 is transmitted to the control device 14, and the removal device 7 is under the control of the control device 14.

The control device 14 is actually configured as a part of a control device for controlling the entire device including the liquid sorter 1, and the processing will be described together with the operation of the liquid sorter 1. It is assumed that necessary programs are stored in the control device, and that necessary parameters and data have been input. The puree sent from the raw material tank 2 to the constant pressure tank 4 is processed by the controller 14 to process the liquid level position detected by the liquid level sensor 9 and the flow rate signal detected by the flow meter 12 so that the liquid level is always at the set position. Monitored and controlled. Thereby, puree is always supplied to the inlet of the flat plate member 5 at a constant pressure, and the fluid is stably supplied to the flat plate portion 5 at a flow rate determined by the flow controller 13.

Inside the flat plate portion 5, the fluid spreads thinly and uniformly, and flows into each narrow passage 16 to form a small flow. The detecting section 6 emits the small stream from below, and the transmitted light is received by the sensor 18 and is photoelectrically converted by 100 photodiodes. The charge amount converted according to the light amount is read out at every predetermined cycle of the control device 14,
M. The reading for each cycle is performed 20 times until the unit block passes through the valve hole 26. Then, the values of each time are integrated, and the integrated value is compared with a preset threshold value, and when the threshold value is not reached, it is determined that there is a foreign substance.

This method utilizes the fact that the amount of light of the entire unit block is reduced when a foreign substance is present, and is integrated by adding the reduced amount to the case where no foreign substance is included. . The threshold varies depending on the type of the fluid and the type of the foreign matter to be detected, and needs to be determined by a test operation or an experiment.
When it is determined that there is a foreign substance, the control device 14 drives the solenoid 24 to open the valve hole 26 (about 0.2 seconds, depending on the viscosity of the fluid), and discharges the unit block containing the foreign substance. I do. At this time, the amount of the fluid that is lost by opening and closing the valve hole 26 is small because it is only for the unit block and for each narrow path 16.

That is, the control device 14 is a timing for issuing a judgment when the front end of the unit block reaches the front end position P3 of the valve hole 26 (FIG. 3). After a delay of time t2 (= t1 / 2) required to move the distance (L1 / 2), the solenoid 24
To open the valve hole 26. Then, the valve hole 26 is set at the time t.
Keep open for 2 and then close. Therefore, once the valve hole 26 is opened and closed, foreign matter can be discharged only by losing the fluid for the unit block. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 28 denotes a cover, from the exit of the flat plate portion 5 to the introduction receiving portion 1.
No. 1 is covered, and the inside is filled with nitrogen gas to form an inert atmosphere. Thus, it is possible to prevent the puree from being oxidized by contact with the air in the liquid sorter portion and the quality from being deteriorated.

FIG. 4 schematically shows a main part of the second embodiment. The flat plate portion 5 is made of a transparent acrylic resin or a glass plate so that a fluid moving inside can be seen. In the section 6, a CCD camera 29 is disposed above the flat plate section 5, and a fluorescent lamp 17 as a light source is disposed on the lower surface side.
Further, in the removing unit 7, a portion corresponding to the introduction receiving unit 11 is turned up and down by the air actuator 31 about the shaft 30. The CCD camera 29 and the air actuator 31 are connected to the control device 14, and detect an extraneous matter from the image obtained by the CCD camera by an image processing technique, and drive the introduction receiving unit 11. Other configurations are not particularly different from those of the first embodiment.

In the flat plate portion 5, the fluid moves flat and rectified by the narrow path 16. In the detection unit 6,
A fluorescent lamp 17 as a light source irradiates the fluid from below, and a CCD camera 29 monitors the entire surface of the flat plate portion 5. When determining the foreign matter, the control device 14 rotates the introduction receiving unit 11 upward for a predetermined time, and refuses to accept the fluid in the meantime into the regular flow path A. For this reason, the fluid is guided to the discharge path B, and the foreign matter is also discharged together. The predetermined time is a time required for removing all the fluid existing in the flat plate portion 5 from the flat plate portion 5 when a foreign substance is found, and is determined by the flow velocity.

Also in this configuration, the fluid is thin and uniform rectified in the flat plate portion 5, so that foreign substances in the fluid can be easily found. Further, the removal of the fluid when a foreign substance is found becomes almost the volume of the flat plate portion 5, but is not an extremely large amount. The fluorescent lamp 17 is excellent as a light source for uniformly irradiating the surface as described above.

FIG. 5 shows a main part of the third embodiment, which is characterized by the configuration of the removing unit 7. The flat plate portion 5 has a large number of narrow paths 16.
And a light source 17 and a sensor 18 in each of the narrow paths 16.
Is made to correspond. The flat plate portion 5 is formed in a nozzle shape on the outlet side, and is arranged with the outlet side facing upward. Accordingly, the fluid fed at a constant pressure overflows as a thin film in an arc shape from the outlet toward the introduction receiving portion 11 at a fixed position as shown in the figure. Then, a water jet nozzle 32 is arranged above the overflow portion so as to correspond to each of the narrow paths 16 of the flat plate portion 5.

The water jet nozzle 32 is connected via a solenoid valve 33 to a pressure water supply unit having a pump 34 and an accumulator 35. The sensor 18 and the solenoid valve 33 are connected to the control unit 14. It is. If there is foreign matter in the fluid passing through the narrow path 16 of the flat plate portion 5, the sensor 18 detects the foreign matter, and if the control unit 14 determines this as foreign matter, it is necessary for the fluid to move to the position of the nozzle 31. After a delay time, the solenoid valve 33 is opened and the nozzle 3
The foreign matter is knocked down to the discharge path B together with some fluid around it by the instantaneous water jet from Step 2.

In this configuration, the operation timing of the solenoid valve 33 requires high precision, and since water from the nozzle 32 mixes into the fluid, the water to be used must be clean. The foreign matter in the fluid is monitored in units of the narrow path 16 in 5 and the found foreign matter is discharged together with the fluid in a very limited range by the water jet, so that the loss of the fluid is extremely small.

FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment, which has a structure in which foreign matter is knocked down by a water jet, similarly to the third embodiment. Is set. If foreign matter is likely to appear on the surface of the fluid moving on the narrow path, or if the fluid is extremely opaque, the reflected light is received in this way,
Foreign matter can also be detected. For the purpose of detecting foreign matter appearing on the surface of the fluid, detection sections may be provided on two opposing surfaces of the flow path, such as the upper and lower surfaces of the flow path, to more reliably detect foreign matter.

Reference numeral 36 denotes a filter, which is used for detecting foreign matter by color selection. This is advantageous when the color of the foreign matter is different from the other main parts. A specific color can be set by a filter to highlight the light amount difference between the foreign matter and the main part, thereby improving the detection accuracy.

[0033]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the flow path of the fluid is divided into a plurality of narrow paths, the movement of foreign substances in the fluid is restricted by the narrow paths, and the foreign substances are restricted. Easy to discover and never miss. According to the configuration of the second aspect, the flow path of the fluid is a flat plate portion having a plurality of narrow paths, so that the fluid has a thin and uniform rectification, so that the detection unit can surely capture foreign matter. In addition, since the flow path has a flat structure, the structure and arrangement of the detection unit and the removal unit can be simply configured.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the removing portion that can reliably remove the fluid containing foreign matter can be configured with a simple structure. According to the configuration of the fourth aspect, the switching valve can be driven for each narrow path to remove the fluid containing foreign matter, so that the loss of the fluid can be reduced. According to the configuration of the fifth aspect, the foreign matter is detected by the light beam transmitted through the fluid, so that the foreign matter buried in the fluid can also be detected.

According to the configuration of the sixth aspect, it is effective for a fluid having low transparency, and the accuracy of detection can be improved with the use of narrow paths. According to the configuration of the seventh aspect, the foreign matter is detected at two opposing positions of the flow path.
On one side, there is a chance that a hidden foreign substance can be detected on the other side, and the detection accuracy of the foreign substance can be improved with the use of the narrow path. According to the configuration of the eighth aspect, by selecting a specific color, the difference in light amount between the main part of the fluid and the foreign matter can be highlighted, and the accuracy of foreign matter detection can be improved.

According to the configuration of the ninth aspect, the value detected by the detection unit is a value obtained by enlarging the difference in the amount of transmitted light between the portion containing the foreign matter in the fluid and the portion not containing the foreign matter. Detection can be performed more reliably. According to the configuration of the tenth aspect, since the fluid does not come into contact with air at the liquid sorter portion, the quality of the fluid does not deteriorate due to oxidation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a liquid sorter.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a cross section showing a main part.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation timing of a switching valve;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a main part of a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a main part of a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a main part of a fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Liquid sorter 2 Raw material tank 3 Pump 4 Constant-pressure tank 5 Flat plate part 6 Detection part 7 Removal part 8 Flow path 9 Liquid level sensor 10 Flow path 11 Introduction receiving part 12 Flow meter 13 Flow rate controller 14 Control device 15 Partition 16 Narrow path 17 Light source 18 Sensor 19 Window 20 Window 21 Halogen lamp 22 Line sensor 23 Switching valve 24 Solenoid 25 Valve plate 26 Valve hole 27 Guide plate 28 Cover 29 CCD camera 30 Axis 31 Air actuator 32 Water jet nozzle 33 Electromagnetic valve 34 Pump 35 Accumulator 36 filter

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A removing device which divides a flow path of a fluid into a plurality of narrow paths, and a detecting section for detecting an optical foreign substance is provided in each narrow path, and which is operated downstream based on a foreign substance detection signal of the detecting section. Liquid sorter characterized by having a part. 2. A flat plate part having a large width and a small thickness is formed in the middle of the flow path of the fluid, and a plurality of narrow paths are formed by dividing the inside of the flat plate part by parallel partitions along the flow path. A liquid sorter, wherein a detection section for detecting an optical foreign substance is provided in each narrow path and a removing section which is operated downstream based on a foreign substance detection signal of the detection section, respectively. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the removing unit comprises a switching valve for switching the direction of the flow path and a driving device therefor.
Or the liquid sorter according to 2. 4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the removing section is constituted by a switching valve provided at the bottom of each narrow path and a driving device therefor.
The liquid sorter described in 1. 5. The photodetector according to claim 1, wherein the detector is a photoelectric detector including a light source and a sensor having an optical axis set across the narrow path. Liquid sorter. 6. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the detecting unit is a photoelectric detecting unit including a light source and a sensor having an optical axis set with the surface of the fluid in the narrow path as a reflecting surface. The liquid sorter according to any one of the above. 7. The liquid sorter according to claim 6, wherein the detection units are arranged on two opposing surfaces of the narrow path. 8. The liquid sorter according to claim 5, wherein a filter is arranged between the light source and the sensor to detect a light amount by specifying a color. 9. The sensor is a CCD line sensor in which a plurality of photodiodes are arranged in a moving direction of the fluid, and a plurality of times per unit time, in which a time required for the fluid to pass through a detection area of the CCD line sensor is used as a unit. 9. The method according to claim 5, wherein an integrated value of the number of times detected by each unit CCD is compared with a preset threshold value and used as a basis for determining foreign matter detection. Liquid sorter according to one. 10. The liquid sorter according to claim 1, wherein at least the removing section is disposed in an inert gas atmosphere.