WO2022182226A1 - Appareil et procédé pour trier, compter et marquer automatiquement des graines de palmier à huile - Google Patents

Appareil et procédé pour trier, compter et marquer automatiquement des graines de palmier à huile Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022182226A1
WO2022182226A1 PCT/MY2022/050012 MY2022050012W WO2022182226A1 WO 2022182226 A1 WO2022182226 A1 WO 2022182226A1 MY 2022050012 W MY2022050012 W MY 2022050012W WO 2022182226 A1 WO2022182226 A1 WO 2022182226A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
oil palm
seeds
palm seeds
seed
pick
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PCT/MY2022/050012
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English (en)
Inventor
Mohd Aqram BIN HANUSI
Mohaimi MOHAMED
Hua Seng KHOO
Original Assignee
Sime Darby Plantation Intellectual Property Sdn Bhd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Application filed by Sime Darby Plantation Intellectual Property Sdn Bhd filed Critical Sime Darby Plantation Intellectual Property Sdn Bhd
Publication of WO2022182226A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022182226A1/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C5/00—Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches
    • B07C5/34—Sorting according to other particular properties
    • B07C5/342—Sorting according to other particular properties according to optical properties, e.g. colour

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for automatically sorting, counting and marking oil palm seeds.
  • the productivity of an oil palm plantation depends on many factors, including the critical starting point of the quality of the germinated oil palm seeds derived from cross pollination of selected parental palms used for planting.
  • the production of high quality germinated oil palm seeds is also very dependent on good management practices at a seed production unit.
  • the oil palm seed production unit that generates germinated oil palm seeds is the first link in the palm oil supply chain, followed by the nursery to produce seedling, the plantation to produce FFB, the mill to produce crude palm oil (CPO) and palm kernel, the kernel crushers to produce palm kernel oil, the refinery to produce refined palm oil and finally the palm biodiesel plant to produce palm biodiesel.
  • Seed quality is of crucial importance to growers which would guarantee the economic success of plantations. This quality is the cumulated outcome of two complementary approaches - firstly a genetic improvement programme linked to a seed production strategy that incorporates this genetic progress and secondly, the strictness with which this technical know-how is applied to produce seeds. It is of course difficult, if not impossible for a farmer to judge the quality of a breeding programme. Neither does the farmer has access for the moment to a public or professional organization possessing reliable information on the production potential or resistance to certain diseases of seeds proposed to the market. Breeders with very different resources and capacities can be found on this market and only a lew have been able to develop long-running programmes that lead to regular genetic progress.
  • LCA Life Cycle Assessment
  • Harvested fresh fruit bunches are firstly delivered to the seed production laboratory.
  • the FFBs are then sent to the detaching machine in order to remove the fruits from the bunches.
  • the fruits extracted are placed into the depericarper in order to extract the seeds from the mesocarps and then the seeds are soaked in water to increase moisture level. After that the seeds are air-dried by fan and kept in hot room with the temperature of 40°C for 60 days. Seeds are then sent to the germination room and selection of good quality of oil palm seeds are done manually.
  • the process of counting 250 seeds for packing in each packet is done manually before being sealed for customers [Source: The Strict Quality Control of Oil Palm Seed Production Fruitful Foundation for Planters, AA Resources].
  • Oil palm seeds sorting and counting manually are labour intensive, unreliable and complex.
  • Sime Darby Plantation Seeds & Agricultural Services approximately 7,000 to 26,000 of oil palm seeds are produced per 8-hour working day per production unit in order to be able to produce 10 million seeds per year. This translates to 60 to 200 seeds per minute per worker or an average of 130 seeds per worker in order to fulfill requirements.
  • the number of oil palm seeds required will definitely increase over the years and hence, manual means of sorting, counting and marking is undeniably not a suitable way in the future.
  • Conventional means also uses inkjet printing which is firstly not sustainable, has inconsistent printing quality, inks needs to be refilled from time to time and the ink on the seeds would eventually fade away or can be removed using an ink remover.
  • the oil palm seeds are also manually recorded based on their size and conditions as observed by the workers and sorted into categories such as tiny, small, medium, big, pure white seeds and cracked seeds.
  • the supporting frame is made of 3 x 3 cm iron with a length of 130 cm x 50 cm x 50 cm, while the sorting frame is made of steel bar measuring 8 mm with a length of 120 cm and 40 cm in cylinder diameter.
  • the shape of the hopper is square with a size of 28 cm x 28 cm and a height of 30 cm with a slope of 15°..
  • ASD Costa Rica is a specialized company dedicated to the development of high productivity oil palm seed varieties and clones. ASD uses automatic seed counters that provide greater efficiency and accuracy, and the seeds are handled in rigid containers for better ease of use. All the information generated in the process is directly included and automatically stored in a database, which minimizes errors and allows high efficiency. The information generated in the processes is directly fed into a database by reading barcodes and mobile devices [Source: http://www.asd-cr.com/index.php/en/products-service/seeds/ 136-palm-seeds]. This prior art document does not disclose the apparatus and method of the present invention.
  • Hefei Meyer Optoelectronic Technology INC. provides their sorter machines, specifically a grain color sorting machine which is a new multi-purpose color sorter, which offers color selection work soybeans, corn, beans, peanuts, beans, pepper, chickpeas and so a series of agricultural products, grains and cereals [Source: https://www.meyer-corp.com/CG-Series- Sorter vl21[.
  • This prior art document does not disclose the apparatus and method of the present invention.
  • TOMRA offers a Biometric Signature Identification (BSI) designed to identify the characteristics of good products and defects, creating new sorting opportunities for nuts, dried fruit, and other food applications and Hows examining food products using light beyond the visible spectrum, into the near-infrared region.
  • BSI Biometric Signature Identification
  • TOMRA BSI technology it is possible to identify certain chemical and molecular differences and changes on the surface and within the objects being inspected. This technology has been awarded with several awards including the ‘Innovation Award’ at the 2015 INC congress [Source: https://www.tomra.com/en/sorting/food/food-technology]. This prior art document does not disclose the apparatus and method of the present invention.
  • Shijiazhuang Sanli Grain Sorting Machinery Co. Ltd. has created gravity separators which are capable of separating dry granular particles of uniform size which differ in specific gravity. They are employed throughout the seed industry to remove light undesirable seeds from a wide variety of seed crops. Proper use of a Sanli Gravity Separator will improve the overall quality of any seed lot.
  • 5XZ series gravity separator have a rectangular deck so that the product travels a longer distance resulting in cleaner separation of light and heavy particles. The product flows over the vibrating deck in which pressurized air is forced through causing the material to stratify according to its specific weight. The heavier particles travel to the higher level and the lighter particles travel to the lower level of the deck. This prior art document does not disclose the apparatus and method of the present invention.
  • the S260 is one of DATA’S integrative industrial seed counter series. Seed processing procedures can be cost-effectively upgraded by integrating this highly accurate seed counter with an existing packaging machine.
  • the S260 can either replace weight filling or volumetric dosing systems or integrated as an additional device that expands packaging capabilities with a minimal investment.
  • DATA’S S260 integrative industrial seed counter can be easily integrated with existing or new packaging machines, resulting in a new modern counting and packaging system [Source: htps: // data- technologies.com/ product/ s260-seed-counting-machine/ ]. This prior art document does not disclose the apparatus and method of the present invention.
  • Chinese Utility Model CN208695544U provides a corn seed sorter, has threaded rod whose outer wall is provided with thread sleeve, where left side of thread sleeve is fixedly equipped with supporting rod, and machine body whose right side is equipped with fixing plug.
  • the utility model relates to the technical field of corn, and claims a corn seed sorter, comprising a machine body, the machine body inner cavity top wall fixedly installed with two feeding plate, two bottom end of the feeding plate is fixedly equipped with a fixed plate, inner cavity bottom wall of the fixed plate is provided with a movable groove, inner wall movable of the movable groove connecting with a rotating frame, the inner cavity bottom wall of the rotating frame is fixedly installed with an absorbing box.
  • This prior art document does not disclose the apparatus and method of the present invention.
  • United States Utility Patent Application US20190079006A1 describes a method of sorting haploid seeds, comprising providing a population of seeds to be sorted, each seed being either a haploid seed or a diploid-hybrid seed, providing an apparatus comprising a light source and a spectrometer capable of examining each seed individually, illuminating each seed with light generated by the light source, acquiring at least one spectrum for each seed, processing the at least one spectrum of each seed using computer software with user-determined parameters and storing the data in a data matrix, calibrating a regression model based on a portion of the data matrix that excludes a selected genotype of seeds, the genotype being considered a held-out genotype, cross-validating the regression model by holding out each genotype present in the population of seeds and repeating the classification step and classifying a randomly sampled seed using the validated model.
  • This prior art document does not disclose the apparatus and method of the present invention.
  • United States Utility Patent Application US20190069472A1 describes a smart seeder comprising a transfer plate having a seed sorting groove formed at one end thereof, a portion or the entirety of one kind of seeds being inserted into the seed sorting groove, and seeds being supplied onto an upper surface of the transfer plates, a vibration generating unit configured to generate vibrations on the transfer plate, to spread the supplied seeds such that the seeds do not overlap each other, and at the same time, to move the seeds toward one end thereof, a rotating drum arranged to be adjacent to one end of the transfer plate to be rotated, and having a seed inserting groove formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof, the seeds inserted into the seed sorting groove of the transfer plate being moved and inserted into the seed inserting groove according to rotation and a guide unit configured to guide, to a cell of a tray pot, the seeds which are inserted into the seed inserting groove of the rotating drum according to the rotation of the rotating drum and freely fall.
  • the plurality of seeds includes green onion seeds, onion seeds, Chinese cabbage seeds, broccoli seeds, cabbage seeds, lettuce seeds, head lettuce seeds, chili pepper seeds, water melon seeds, oriental melon seeds, cucumber seeds, sesame seeds and coating seeds. This prior art document does not disclose the apparatus and method of the present invention.
  • PCT publication number WO2019027998A1 describes a seed sorting system for sorting seeds, the system comprising a seed transfer station configured to move seeds through the system, an imaging assembly comprising a first camera mounted above the seed transfer station and configured to acquire images of the seeds as the seeds move through the system and a second camera mounted below the seed transfer station and configured to acquire images of the seeds as the seeds move through the system and a sorting assembly configured to sort the seeds into separate bins based on the acquired images of the seeds.
  • the application also provides a method of sorting seeds, the method comprising moving seeds through the system using a seed transfer station, acquiring, using a first camera mounted above the seed transfer station, images of the seeds as the seeds move through the system via the seed transfer station, acquiring, using a second camera mounted below the seed transfer station, images of the seeds as the seeds move through the system via the seed transfer station, analyzing the images to determine a parameter of each of the seeds and sorting, using a sorting assembly, the seeds based on determined parameters of the seeds, wherein analyzing the images comprises determining, using a controller, length, width and thickness dimensions, and circularity, solidity and smoothness data of the seeds from the acquired images.
  • United States Application US20150336135A1 entitled ‘Systems and Methods for Sorting Seeds’ describes about a method for separating maize seeds based on optical differences in the starch composition, the method comprising receiving a seed group comprising a plurality of maize seeds, illuminating each seed of the seed group from an illumination source disposed behind the seed such that the seed is back-illuminated and automatically sorting each seed of the seed group based on the differences in the starch composition, wherein automatically sorting each seed of the seed group based on the differences in starch composition comprises sorting each seed of the seed group based on a level of translucency of the seed when illuminated.
  • This prior art document does not disclose the apparatus and method of the present invention.
  • United States Application US9275265B2 describes an automated seed sorter system for sorting seeds based on one or more characteristics of the seeds, the system comprising an imaging and analysis subsystem for collecting image data from at least three portions of each seed in a population of seeds, a controller system configured to analyze the collected image data to determine whether an individual seed, from which image data is collected, exhibits one or more desired characteristics and an off-loading and sorting subsystem for sorting each seed to a desired receptacle based on presence or absence of the one or more desired characteristics, the system further comprising a loading and transporting subsystem for isolating individual seeds from the population of seeds so that the imaging and analysis subsystem can collect image data from at least three portions of the isolated seed.
  • This prior art document does not disclose the apparatus and method of the present invention.
  • PCT Publication WO2018175555A1 provides a seed sorting system for sorting seeds, the system comprising a seed transfer station configured to move seeds through the system, an imaging assembly comprising a 2D camera configured to acquire 2D images of the seeds as the seeds move through the system and a 3D camera configured to acquire 3D images of the seeds as the seeds move through the system and a sorting assembly configured to sort the seeds into separate bins based on the acquired 2D and 3D images of the seeds.
  • the system further comprising a controller configured to determine length and width dimensions of the seeds from the acquired 2D images and thickness dimensions of the seeds from the acquired 3D images.
  • the controller is configured to control the sorting assembly to sort the seeds based on the determined length and width dimensions of the seeds from the acquired 2D images and the determined thickness dimensions of the seeds from the acquired 3D images.
  • the controller is configured to produce a surface profile of each of the 3D images, the controller configured to measure a pixel intensity of the surface profile to determine the thickness dimension.
  • United States Application US9156064B2 describes an apparatus for sorting seeds of a seed lot, the apparatus comprising a transport system which supports at least one seed at a time, an imaging system which captures at least one image of the at least one seed, an electronic controller which identifies a presence of an embryo region in the at least one image of the at least one seed and makes a sorting decision regarding the at least one seed based on the embryo region of the at least one image of the at least one seed, the sorting decision having at least two sorting outcomes and a sorting system which alters a path of at least one of a first seed and a second seed, wherein the electronic controller associates a first sorting outcome with the first seed and the electronic controller associates a second sorting outcome with the second seed, wherein the first sorting outcome is associated by the electronic controller with the first seed due to a detection of a visual marker in an embryo tissue of the first seed, wherein the transport system includes an endless support which continuously moves while the at least one seed is supported by the transport system.
  • United States Application US6976591B2 describes an apparatus assembly for separating grades of food-stuff seeds from a food-stuff seed mixture of premium grade food-stuff seeds and unwanted inferior grade food-stuff seeds, and comprising an endless belt conveyor subassembly having an endless belt component, and having a least-elevated end, a most- elevated end, longitudinally upward tilt from said least-elevated end to said most-elevated end, a least elevated longitudinal edge, a most-elevated longitudinal edge spaced apart from said least elevated longitudinal edge, and transversely downward tilt from said most- elevated longitudinal edge to said least-elevated longitudinal edge, a feed hopper supplying premium grade and inferior grade food-stuff seeds to said endless belt conveyor subassembly least-elevated end, a first food-stuff seed product discharge ramp positioned adjacent said endless belt conveyor subassembly most-elevated end, a second food-stuff seed
  • the velocity and kernel-shell characteristics evaluation are the significant factors used in the design of the optimal configurations of the shelling impeller and the sorting technique respectively.
  • the machine optimum shelling- sorting efficiency was found to be 90 percent, throughput capacity was 59kg/h, and whole kernel recovery was 70 percent, with ease of operation, low costs of production and maintenance. This prior art document does not disclose the apparatus and method of the present invention.
  • the present invention provides an apparatus for automatically sorting, counting and marking oil palm seeds, the apparatus including at least one scanner to scan and identify a fresh fruit bunch (FFB) identification (ID) number, a power supply to supply electrical power to the apparatus, a control panel to operate the apparatus, at least one hopper to hold the oil palm seeds, an elevator and conveyor feeder, a conveyor system, a pick and place station, a vision inspection system with at least one imaging device, at least one laser marker, a laser marking chamber to protect the at least one laser marker and at least one sensor from dust and residues, at least one counting gate, at least one opening (chute), at least one container and an alarm system, whereby the oil palm seeds are transported from the at least one hopper to the pick and place station by means of the elevator and conveyor feeder, the oil palm seeds are transported from the pick and place station throughout the apparatus till the oil palm seeds reaches the at least one opening by means of the conveyor system, images of the oil palm seeds are captured by the vision inspection unit by means of the at least one imaging device to identify, classify and sort the
  • the present invention further provides a method for automatically sorting, counting and marking oil palm seeds, the method including scanning a fresh fruit bunch (FFB) identification (ID) number with at least one scanner, holding a plurality of oil palm seeds on at least one hopper, transporting the oil palm seeds from the at least one hopper to a pick and place station by means of an elevator and conveyor feeder, capturing images of oil palm seeds by a vision inspection unit by means of the at least one imaging device to identify, classify and sort the oil palm seeds into at least one category, printing the oil palm seeds with the FFB ID number using the at least one laser marker and calculating the number of oil palm seeds by the at least one counting gate when the oil palm seeds fall through the at least one opening (chute) due to gravity force into the at least one container, whereby the oil palm seeds are transported from the pick and place station throughout the apparatus till the oil palm seeds reaches the at least one opening by means of the conveyor system.
  • FFB fresh fruit bunch
  • ID fresh fruit bunch
  • Figure 1 illustrates the front view of the apparatus of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 illustrates the side view of the apparatus of the present invention.
  • the present invention provides an apparatus for automatically sorting, counting and marking oil palm seeds, the apparatus including:
  • ⁇ at least one scanner (1) to scan and identify a fresh fruit bunch (FFB) identification (ID) number:
  • FFB fresh fruit bunch
  • ⁇ at least one hopper (4) to hold the oil palm seeds
  • a vision inspection system (8) with at least one imaging device (9);
  • ⁇ a laser marking chamber (11) to protect the at least one laser marker (10) and at least one sensor (12) from dust and residues;
  • an alarm system (16) whereby the oil palm seeds are transported from the at least one hopper (4) to the pick and place station (7) by means of the elevator and conveyor feeder (5), the oil palm seeds are transported from the pick and place station (7) throughout the apparatus till the oil palm seeds reaches the at least one opening (14) by means of the conveyor system (6), images of the oil palm seeds are captured by the vision inspection unit (8) by means of the at least one imaging device (9) to identify, classify and sort the oil palm seeds into at least one category, the oil palm seeds are printed with the FFB ID number using the at least one laser marker (10), the number of oil palm seeds are calculated by the at least one counting gate (13) when the oil palm seeds fall through the at least one opening (chute) (14) due to gravity force into the at least one container (15).
  • the present invention provides an apparatus for automatically sorting, counting and marking oil palm seeds.
  • the oil FFB is firstly scanned using a barcode scanner (1) for its unique FFB ID code which will then be printed onto the oil palm seeds coming from the particular oil palm FFB once the oil palm seeds have been sorted by the apparatus of the present invention based on its sorting mechanism.
  • the oil palm seeds are sorted, counted and marked on a bunch to bunch basis to ensure the oil palm seeds does not get mixed up with oil palm seeds from other bunches, hence, being marked with a wrong FFB ID code.
  • This unique FFB ID number can be used to trace the oil palm seeds to its’ oil palm FFB and to its’ mother palm in the plantation for traceability purposes.
  • the oil palm seeds from that particular oil palm FFB are placed into the hopper (4) by the operator and the oil palm seeds are then brought forth to the pick and place station (7).
  • the vision inspection system (8) obtains images of the oil palm seeds, determines the volume of the oil palm seeds and then sorts them into the determined categories based on preference of the user.
  • the movement of the oil palm seeds throughout the apparatus of the present invention is via a conveyor system (6), till the sorted oil palm seeds falls through the openings (14) due to gravity force into the respective containers (15) as determined by the sorting mechanism of the apparatus of the present invention.
  • Harvested oil palm fresh fruit bunches are firstly delivered to the seed production laboratory.
  • the FFBs are then sent to the detaching machine in order to remove the fruits from the bunches.
  • the fruits extracted are placed into the depericarper in order to extract the oil palm seeds from the mesocarps and then the oil palm seeds are soaked in water to increase moisture level. After that the seeds are air-dried by fan and kept in hot room with the temperature of 40°C for 60 days.
  • the oil palm seeds are then sent to the germination room and selection of good quality of oil palm seeds are done manually followed by counting and packing for customers.
  • Seed sorting and counting manually are labour intensive, unreliable and complex. For example, at Sime Darby Plantation Seeds & Agricultural Services, approximately 7,000 to 26,000 of oil palm seeds are produced per 8-hour working day per production unit in order to be able to produce 10 million oil palm seeds per year. This translates to 60 to 200 oil palm seeds per minute per worker or an average of 130 oil palm seeds per worker in order to fulfill requirements. The number of oil palm seeds required will definitely increase over the years and hence, manual means of sorting, counting and marking is undeniably not a suitable way in the future.
  • oil palm seeds are also manually sorted and recorded based on their size and conditions as observed by the workers and sorted into categories such as tiny, small, medium, big, pure white seeds and cracked seeds, which is not the most reliable, efficient, organised and effective way for this purpose as the number of oil palm seeds to be sorted will be increasing over-time.
  • the apparatus and method of the present invention solves the problem associated with manual seed sorting, counting and marking, streamlines the process to a more efficient, organized and automated means and finally to select good quality oil palm seeds for planting or packing and selling to customers.
  • Good quality oil palm seeds refer to black seeds which are either large size seeds with the volume of 7,700 mm 3 and above and/or medium size seeds with volume of between 4,001 mm 3 to 7,699 mm 3 .
  • the automated sorting and counting means increases reliability, consistency and productivity of the entire seed production process and a means to move away from the manual means from doing so.
  • ID FFB identification
  • the present invention further provides automated and permanent markings to ensure tracking reliability for the purposes as mentioned above as opposed to conventional means of using inkjet printing which is not sustainable, has inconsistent printing quality and the ink on the oil palm seeds would eventually fade away or can be removed using an ink remover. With these permanent markings, estate operations can ensure accurate planting materials are received by customers.
  • the present invention provides an apparatus for automatically sorting, counting and marking oil palm seeds, the apparatus including at least one scanner (1) to scan and identify a fresh fruit bunch (FFB) identification (ID) number, a power supply (2) to supply electrical power to the apparatus, a control panel (3) to operate the apparatus, at least one hopper (4) to hold the oil palm seeds, an elevator and conveyor feeder (5), a conveyor system (6), a pick and place station (7), a vision inspection system (8) with at least one imaging device (9), at least one laser marker (10), a laser marking chamber (11) to protect the at least one laser marker (10) and at least one sensor (12) from dust and residues, at least one counting gate (13), at least one opening (chute) (14), at least one container (15) and an alarm system (16), whereby the oil palm seeds are transported from the at least one hopper (4) to the pick and place station (7) by means of the elevator and conveyor feeder (5), the oil palm seeds are transported from the pick and place station (7) throughout the apparatus till the oil palm seeds reaches the at least one opening
  • the operator firstly scans the oil palm fresh fruit bunch (FFB) identification (ID) number of a particular bunch.
  • the oil palm seeds from that bunch are then placed into the at least one hopper (4) by the operator.
  • the scanning is to ensure the vision inspection system (8) captures the unique ID number of a particular FFB where the oil palm seeds are coming from to ensure the FFB ID number are printed on the oil palm seeds by the at least one laser marker (10) of the present invention after being identified and sorted by the vision inspection system (8) based on its’ volume.
  • the sorting, counting and marking of the oil palm seeds are done on a bunch per bunch basis for traceability purposes in order for the oil palm seeds to be traced back to its oil palm FFB.
  • the permanent marking of the FFB ID number is important for the unique identification of the oil palm seeds which can be used to: trace the correct parental palms (origin) of the oil palm seeds; track the process workflow in the seed production process; improve process monitoring; improve nursery planting (i.e. planting of good quality oil palm seeds); enables clients to check for counterfeits, and enables follow up with clients to sort any issues (if any).
  • the at least one scanner (7) preferably a barcode scanner will produce a 2D barcode which can be used by the operator of the apparatus of the present invention to scan the information with respect to each FFB which will automatically be stored and tracked in databases for reference and checking purposes.
  • the control panel (3) consist of an emergency stop button, buttons to turn on and off the apparatus and a touch screen which displays information and description for the operator to input and select commands in order to operate the apparatus, apparatus setting button (automatic or manual) and number of oil palm seeds counted.
  • Apparatus of the present invention can be set up to run automatically or manually, depending on the needs and preference of the operator.
  • At least one hopper (4) is required for the present invention in any shape such as cone, cylinder or pyramid, preferably a pyramid, most preferably an upside-down pyramid to hold the oil palm seeds.
  • the oil palm seeds are placed into the hopper (4) by the operator of the apparatus of the present invention.
  • the oil palm seeds are transported from the at least one hopper (4) to the pick and place station (7) by means of the elevator and conveyor feeder (5), preferably a linear chain conveyor feeder system due to the short distance from the at least one hopper (4) to the pick and place station (7).
  • the elevator and conveyor feeder (5) preferably a linear chain conveyor feeder system due to the short distance from the at least one hopper (4) to the pick and place station (7).
  • the elevator and linear feeder (5) of the apparatus of the present invention can be located at any angle depending on requirements or preference of user, preferably 60°to 70°, most preferably 64° to 67°. 65° is favoured and used by the inventors for this present invention as this angle as determined and tested by the inventors, provides the shortest distance to carry the oil palm seeds from the at least one hopper (4) to the pick and place station (7).
  • the movement of the oil palm seeds is via the conveyor system (6) to move the oil palm seeds from pick and place station (7) to a vision inspection system (8), to a laser marking chamber (10), to the at least one counting gate (13) and until it reaches the at least one opening (14).
  • a conveyor system (6) is used for the movement of the oil palm seeds from the pick and place station (7) until the oil palm seeds reaches the at least one opening (14), preferably a chain conveyor system and most preferably a V-block chain conveyor system to transport the oil palm seeds.
  • Any types of conveyor system (6) can be used, but as determined by the inventors based on their investigations and experience in this field of interest, it is preferred for the conveyor system (6) to be a chain conveyor system with V-blocks as it holds the oil palm seeds very well and stably in its position on the conveyor system (6). Conveyor systems without V- blocks are not suitable as the oil palm seeds are not able to sit nicely (easy to fall out / from) on the conveyor when the conveyor system (6) moves.
  • the oil palm seeds are brought to the pick and place station (7), preferably a vacuum pick and place station (7) via the elevator and linear feeder (5), whereby the oil palm seeds are picked up one by one using an actuated picker, preferably a vacuum actuated picker - to be transferred / placed at the conveyor system (6).
  • an actuated picker preferably a vacuum actuated picker - to be transferred / placed at the conveyor system (6).
  • One seed is placed on one V-block on the conveyor system (6).
  • Actuator picker is suitable to be used for the apparatus of the present invention, also the best in the market at current as it can firmly hold and grip oil palm seeds of any sizes. Other types of picker are not suitable as the oil palm seeds could easily fall out from the grip of the picker.
  • a vacuum actuator picker is preferred as vacuum condition are where the pressure of that area is at below normal atmospheric pressure which allows the picker to be fast, light, flexible and able to move smoothly when handling the picking, holding and the placing of the oil palm seeds on the V-blocks on the conveyor system (6) without any deformation to the oil palm seeds.
  • a vision inspection system (8) of the apparatus of the present invention consists of at least one imaging device (9) such as a camera to capture images of the oil palm seeds and to classify the oil palm seeds into categories as set in the apparatus based on volume of the oil palm seeds.
  • the vision inspection system (8) consists of at least 1 camera (preferably 2 or more), vision controller, lenses, lighting and lighting controller to capture and classify images of the oil palm seeds.
  • Imaging device(s) for this present invention means any and all types of instruments (mechanical, digital or electronic) which are capable of recording, storing, viewing or transmitting visual images such as still camera, motion picture camera, video camera, camcorder or any other instruments or format which are capable of recording, storing, viewing or transmitting the visual images.
  • any types of camera which are suitable for this purpose can be used for the apparatus of the present invention depending on preference and budget of the users. Based on investigation and expertise of the inventors of the present invention, it is preferable for the camera to have a charged coupled device (CCD) of at least 1/3 inch or more as larger the sensor, more light can be captured, hence producing good quality images even in low light settings. It is also preferred for the camera to have at least 0.3 megapixels or more, so images which are produced are high quality and great amount of details of the oil palm seeds can be captured. It is preferable for at least a minimum of 2 cameras to be used for the apparatus of the present invention to take front and rear images of the oil palm seeds in order to determine and calculate the volume of the oil palm seeds in order to sort the oil palm seeds into at least one category.
  • CCD charged coupled device
  • the at least one imaging device (9) would firstly identify and make distinction between black and white seeds. After that, the black seeds are further classified based on its volume into two categories which are i) medium to large seeds and ii) tiny to small seeds. The white seeds whether just white in-colour or fungus infected seeds are both classified as ‘white seeds’ as the third category.
  • the oil palm seeds are classified based on the results of the vision inspection system (8) based on the front and rear images of the oil palm seeds which are taken by the at least one imaging device (9) or by at least two cameras.
  • ⁇ front seed volume front image seed area X rear image seed thickness
  • back seed volume back image seed area X rear image seed thickness.
  • the vision inspection unit (8) sends the images captured by the at least one imaging device (9) to be processed by a programmable logic controller or an industrial digital computer. Once the images have been processed and the oil palm seeds classified according to their volume, a signal will then be transmitted out from the programmable logic controller or the industrial digital computer to sort the oil palm seeds into the at least one category based on the volume of the oil palm seeds.
  • the signal from the programmable logic controller will ensure the oil palm seeds as classified based on its volume are brought via the conveyor system (6) to be sorted at the correct opening (chute) (14). Hence, the oil palm seeds will fall through the at least one opening (chute) (14) based on the sorting mechanism as determined by the vision inspection system (8). Number of openings can be determined / decided based on preference of user. At least two openings would be required - one for black seeds and one for white seeds.
  • Three openings are used for the purposes of the present invention to categorise and sort the seeds based on 3 categories which are - a) medium to large seeds (black colour), b) tiny to small seeds (black colour) and c) white coloured seeds or fungus infected seeds.
  • Classification of the oil palm seeds based on the volume of the oil palm seeds are based on the following: -
  • At least one laser marker (10) is required as contained in a laser marking chamber (11) to mark the oil palm seeds its’ individual identification number and classification as determined by the vision inspection system (8) based on the FFB identification (ID) number as identified by a at least one scanner (7), whereby the laser marking chamber (11) is to protect the at least one laser marker (10) and also the at least one sensor (12) from dust and residues.
  • the permanent laser marking is to ensure easy and reliable tracking of the oil palm seeds to its oil palm FFB and to its parental palm.
  • any type of laser marker (10) could be used for the apparatus of the present invention, preferably class IV lasers which have an output power of 25 watts and above to ensure the markings on the oil palm seeds are clear and permanent (i.e. not easily removable or fades over time). At least one laser is required for the apparatus of the present invention, however, more than one could be used depending on throughput of the apparatus and also based on the needs and preference of the user.
  • At least one sensor (12) is required, preferably a position detection sensor as contained in the laser marking chamber (11) to detect the position of the oil palm seeds on the V-block on the conveyor system (6) for accurate marking of the oil palm seeds by the at least one laser marker (11).
  • At least one sensor (12) is required for the apparatus of the present invention, however, more than one could be used depending on throughput of the apparatus and also based on the needs and preference of the user.
  • position detection sensors can be used for the apparatus of the present invention as long the sensor is able to detect the position of the oil palm seeds on the conveyor system (6), such as photoelectric sensors, potentiometric position sensors, optical position sensors, ultrasonic position sensors, fiber-optic position sensors and others.
  • a photoelectric sensor is used for the present invention to detect the position of the oil palm seeds on the conveyor system (6), which works based on the detection of changes of the light the sensor sends out.
  • a photoelectric sensor can be used to discover the distance, absence or presence of an object using a light transmitter, often infrared, and a photoelectric receiver.
  • At least one counting gate (13) to calculate the number of oil palm seeds falling through the at least one opening (chute) (14) due to gravity force into at least one container (15) based on its classification.
  • At least one counting sensor is attached to the at least one counting gate (13) to detect and count the number of oil palm seeds falling through the at least one opening (chute) (14).
  • the at least one counting gate (13) calculates the number of oil palm seeds passing through via the at least one counting sensor.
  • the number of containers can be determined based on preference and requirements of the user.
  • the apparatus of the present invention can be adjusted, modified and configured as such to accommodate the number of containers required based on the sorting requirement of the user. Images captured by the at least one imaging device (9) will then be processed by the vision inspection system (8) via the programmable logic controller and signals received from the programmable logic controller will sort the oil palm seeds based on requirements of the user.
  • An alarm system (16) will sound an alarm when the at least one container (15) achieves the maximum quantity it can hold the oil palm seeds for the operator to remove the oil palm seeds from the at least one container (15). Once the alarm system (16) is sounded, the apparatus of the present invention immediately stops operating until the at least one container (15) has been cleared off. Oil palm seeds are removed from the containers by the operators for packing or to discard (white / fungus infected seeds).
  • the present invention also provides a method for automatically sorting, counting and marking oil palm seeds using the apparatus of the present invention, the method including scanning a fresh fruit bunch (FFB) identification (ID) number with at least one scanner (1), holding a plurality of oil palm seeds on at least one hopper (4), transporting the oil palm seeds from the at least one hopper (4) to a pick and place station (7) by means of an elevator and conveyor feeder (5), capturing images of oil palm seeds by a vision inspection unit (8) by means of the at least one imaging device (9) to identify, classify and sort the oil palm seeds into at least one category, printing the oil palm seeds with the FFB ID number using the at least one laser marker (10) and calculating the number of oil palm seeds by the at least one counting gate (13) when the oil palm seeds fall through the at least one opening (chute) (14) due to gravity force into the at least one container (15), whereby the oil palm seeds are transported from the pick and place station (7) throughout the apparatus till the oil palm seeds reaches the at least one opening (14) by means of the conveyor
  • the oil palm seeds are picked up one by one using an actuated picker at the pick and place station (7) to be placed on the conveyor system (6), whereby each oil palm seed is placed on a V-block on the conveyor system (6) at the pick and place station (7).
  • the oil palm seeds are sorted and classified into at least one category based on volume of the oil palm seeds via the vision inspection system (8) consists of the at least one imaging device (9), vision controller, lenses, lighting and lighting controller.
  • the at least one sensor (12) is to detect position of the oil palm seeds on the V-block on the conveyor system (6) for accurate marking of oil palm seeds by the at least one laser marker (10).
  • the vision inspection unit (8) sends the images captured by the at least one imaging device (9) to be processed by a programmable logic controller or an industrial digital computer. Signals will be transmitted out from the programmable logic controller or the industrial digital computer to sort the oil palm seeds into at least one category based on the volume of the oil palm seeds.
  • the alarm system (16) is sounded when the at least one container (15) achieves its maximum capacity for holding the oil palm seeds.
  • the present invention solves the problem associated with manual seed sorting, counting and marking, streamlines the process to a more efficient, organized and automated means and finally to select good quality oil palm seeds for planting or packing and selling to customers.
  • Good quality oil palm seeds refer to black seeds which are either large size seeds with the volume of 7,700 mm 3 and above and/or medium size seeds with volume of between 4,001 mm 3 to 7,699 mm 3 .
  • this present invention provides an automatic means for sorting, counting and marking oil palm seeds in the seed production process.
  • the automated sorting and counting means increases reliability, consistency and productivity of the entire seed production process and a means to move away from the manual means from doing so.
  • the present invention ensures the traceability and tracking of the oil palm seed, by the permanent marking/engraving a unique FFB identification (ID) number on each individual seed.
  • ID FFB identification
  • These unique numbers can be used to: trace the correct parental origins; track the process workflow; improve process monitoring; improve nursery planting; enables clients to check for counterfeits, and enables follow up with clients.
  • the parameters for the present invention are not obvious for a person skilled in the art and have been determined by the inventors based on numerous trials conducted, observations, discussions and combined expertise, which would not be able to be determined without much efforts and analysis. Various modifications to these embodiments as described herein are apparent to those skilled in the art from the description and the accompanying drawings.

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Abstract

La présente invention concerne un appareil pour trier, compter et marquer automatiquement des graines de palmier à huile, l'appareil comprenant au moins un lecteur par balayage (1) destiné à lire et à identifier un numéro d'identification (ID) de grappe de fruits frais (FFB), au moins une trémie (4) destinée à contenir les graines de palmier à huile, un dispositif d'alimentation à élévateur et convoyeur (5), un système de convoyeur (6), une station de prélèvement et transfert (7), un système d'inspection par vision (8), au moins un marqueur au laser (10), au moins une porte de comptage (13), au moins une ouverture (goulotte) (14) et au moins un conteneur (15), moyennant quoi les graines de palmier à huile sont transportées depuis ladite trémie (4) à la station de prélèvement et transfert (7) au moyen du dispositif d'alimentation à élévateur et convoyeur (5), des images des graines de palmier à huile sont capturées par l'unité d'inspection visuelle (8) au moyen d'au moins un dispositif d'imagerie (9) afin d'identifier, classer et trier les graines de palmier à huile dans au moins une catégorie, le numéro d'identification FFB est imprimé sur les graines de palmier à huile en utilisant ledit marqueur au laser (10), le nombre de graines de palmier à huile est calculé par ladite porte de comptage (13) lorsque les graines de palmier à huile tombent à travers ladite ouverture (goulotte) (14) sous l'effet de la force de gravité dans ledit récipient (15).
PCT/MY2022/050012 2021-02-26 2022-02-22 Appareil et procédé pour trier, compter et marquer automatiquement des graines de palmier à huile WO2022182226A1 (fr)

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MYPI2021001057A MY195287A (en) 2021-02-26 2021-02-26 Apparatus and Method for Automatically Sorting, Counting and Marking Oil Palm Seeds
MYPI2021001057 2021-02-26

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