Article sorting and determining device

Abstract

The invention relates to an article sorting and determining device. An article sorting determination device includes: a transport unit that transports an article; an acquisition unit that acquires first information relating to the size of the article conveyed by the conveyance unit and second information relating to the width of a passage port through which the article passes downstream of the conveyance unit; and a control unit that outputs a sorting signal for sorting the article from the transport unit when it is determined that the article is clogged at the passage opening on the basis of the first information and the second information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] One aspect of the present invention relates to an object sorting and determination device. Background Art

[0002] As a technology related to the article sorting and determination device, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-152127 describes an X-ray inspection device that detects the dose of X-rays transmitted through an article conveyed by a conveying unit, and inspects whether the article is a qualified product or a defective product based on the detection result. The X-ray inspection device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-152127 sends the inspection result to a sorting mechanism disposed downstream of the X-ray inspection device, and the sorting mechanism performs sorting of qualified products and defective products. Summary of the invention

[0003] In the above technology, if the article is large, the article may block the through-port (for example, the through-guide groove in the metering and packaging system) at the rear section of the conveying unit.

[0004] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide an article sorting and determination device that can suppress clogging of articles at a subsequent passage port.

[0005] (1) An article sorting and determination device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a conveying unit for conveying articles; an acquisition unit for acquiring first information and second information, wherein the first information is related to the size of the articles conveyed by the conveying unit and the second information is related to the width of a passage through which the articles pass downstream of the conveying unit; and a control unit for outputting a sorting signal for sorting the articles from the conveying unit when it is determined based on the first information and the second information that an article is blocked in the passage.

[0006] In the article sorting and determination device, when the article is larger than the width of the passage, the control unit determines that the article is blocking the passage, and outputs a sorting signal. Therefore, by operating the sorting device based on the sorting signal, the article larger than the width of the passage can be selected and excluded from the conveying part. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the article from blocking the passage at the rear stage.

[0007] (2) In the article sorting and determination device described in (1) above, a cutting device for cutting the articles to generate article pieces may be arranged in the conveying section, and the control section obtains third information related to the size of the article pieces when the articles are cut based on the first information, and when the second information is compared with the third information and it is determined that the article is blocked in the passage, the control section outputs a sorting signal. In this case, it is possible to accurately determine whether the article is blocked in the passage, and it is possible to reliably prevent the article from being blocked in the passage of the subsequent stage.

[0008] (3) In the article sorting and determination device described in (1) or (2) above, the control unit may output a sorting signal to a sorting device disposed upstream of the cutting device, and select the articles before cutting from the conveying section. When the articles are larger than a predetermined standard size, the article pieces generated by the cutting process also become relatively larger, so that clogging can be prevented by selecting the articles before cutting from the conveying section.

[0009] (4) In the article sorting and determination device described in any one of (1) to (3) above, the second information may be information related to the width of a passage opening of a member of a combination weighing device or a vertical packaging device disposed downstream of the conveying unit. In this case, it is possible to prevent articles from clogging the passage opening of the combination weighing device or the vertical packaging device disposed downstream of the conveying unit.

[0010] (5) In the X-ray inspection apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, the control unit may acquire the total weight of the articles conveyed by the conveying unit at each predetermined time, excluding the weight of one or more articles selected from the conveying unit, and control the setting of an article processing device disposed downstream of the conveying unit. In this case, the article processing device (e.g., a fryer) can be appropriately set.

[0011] (6) The article sorting and determination device described in any one of (1) to (5) above may also include: an X-ray irradiation unit that irradiates X-rays to the articles transported by the conveying unit; a detection unit that detects the X-rays that have passed through the articles; and an inspection unit that generates a transmission image based on the X-rays detected by the detection unit and inspects the articles through the generated transmission image, and an acquisition unit that acquires first information based on the transmission image. When the inspection result is determined to be abnormal, the control unit also outputs a sorting signal to sort the articles from the conveying unit. In this case, by sorting out in advance articles that are different from the specified specifications, articles that include foreign objects, or foreign objects themselves (such as stones, etc.) from the articles put in, it is possible to prevent blockages and foreign object mixing before they occur, and to prevent failures of subsequent devices (such as the blade of a cutting device).

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an article sorting and determination device that can suppress clogging of articles at a subsequent passage port. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the structure of an article handling system according to one embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A schematic front view of an X-ray inspection device.

[0015] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1A diagram of the interior structure of the shielding box.

[0016] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 2 A block diagram of the functional structure of the control unit.

[0017] Figure 5A It is a schematic diagram showing the peripheral structure of the X-ray detection unit when viewed in the conveying direction. Figure 5B It is a schematic diagram showing the peripheral structure of the X-ray detection unit when viewed in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0018] Fig. 6A The diagram illustrates the size of an object on an X-ray transmission image. Figure 6B The diagram is a diagram illustrating the size of an object after correction processing on an X-ray transmission image. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In the following description, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

[0020] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, the article sorting and determination device 50 of the present embodiment is provided in the X-ray inspection device 1. The X-ray inspection device 1 constitutes the article processing system 100. The article processing system 100 is a system for processing articles G, and is used, for example, in a food production line. Article G is a so-called loose product that does not have a constant size and shape (in other words, does not have a constant weight). Examples of loose products include dry goods such as nuts, dried fruits, dried ingredients, and rice crackers, and wet goods such as minced meat, meat, aquatic products, frozen foods, and agricultural products. The article G is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, potatoes are processed as the article G, and potato chips are manufactured as a commodity. The article processing system 100 includes an X-ray inspection device 1, an article processing device 20, and a measuring and packaging system 30.

[0021] The X-ray inspection device 1 conveys the article G and generates an X-ray transmission image of the article G, and inspects the article G based on the X-ray transmission image (for example, inspection of the number of items, inspection of foreign matter, inspection of missing articles, inspection of cracks and fissures, etc.). The article processing device 20 is arranged at the rear stage of the X-ray inspection device 1. The article processing device 20 conveys the article G that has passed through the X-ray inspection device 1 and processes it. For example, the article processing device 20 includes a fryer, conveys the article G and frying it.

[0022] The weighing and packaging system 30 is arranged at the rear stage of the article processing device 20. The weighing and packaging system 30 weighs and packages the articles G which are conveyed by the conveying unit 5 (see Figure 2) The article G that has been conveyed and processed by the article processing device 20. The weighing and packaging system 30 includes a combined weighing device 34 and a vertical packaging device 35.

[0023] The combination weighing device 34 is a device for calculating the combination of articles G. The combination weighing device 34 supplies a plurality of articles G of a combination of target weight values ​​to the vertical packaging device 35 via the guide groove 36. The guide groove 36 is used between the combination weighing device 34 and the vertical packaging device 35 (the conveying unit 5 (refer to Figure 2 ) constitutes a passage for the passage of the article G. For example, the guide groove 36 constitutes a passage with a circular cross section. The vertical packaging device 35 is a device that packages a plurality of articles G supplied from the combination metering device 34 while making a bag and manufactures a commodity M by using the bag. The articles G weighed and packaged by the metering packaging system 30 are packed into a carton by a boxing device (not shown) and conveyed to a downstream process.

[0024] The X-ray inspection device 1 is described in detail. The X-ray inspection device 1 includes a device body 2, a support leg 3, a shield box 4, a conveyor 5, an X-ray irradiation unit 6, an X-ray detection unit 7, a display operation unit 8, and a control unit 10. The articles G determined as defective by the X-ray inspection device 1 are sorted out of the production line by the sorting device 12 disposed downstream of the delivery conveyor 52. The articles G determined as qualified by the X-ray inspection device 1 directly pass through the sorting device 12.

[0025] The sorting device 12 is a device for removing the articles G determined to be defective from the conveying path of the conveying section 5. The sorting device 12 is not particularly limited, and for example, a drop up belt type sorting device, an arm type sorting device using an arm, a push type sorting device using a push device, a drop flap type sorting device, an air jet type sorting device, and a fin type sorting device may be used. The sorting device 12 is arranged on the upstream side of the cutting device 19.

[0026] The device body 2 accommodates the control unit 10 and the like. The support legs 3 support the device body 2. The shielding box 4 is provided on the device body 2. The shielding box 4 prevents X-rays (electromagnetic waves) from leaking to the outside. An inspection area R for performing X-ray inspection of the article G is provided inside the shielding box 4. The conveying unit 5 conveys the article G along a conveying direction A. The conveying unit 5 conveys the article G before being processed by the article processing device 20. The conveying unit 5 is composed of, for example, a plurality of belt conveyors. The conveying unit 5 is configured to pass through the center of the shielding box 4. A cutting device 19 for cutting the article G to generate an article piece is provided in the conveying unit 5.

[0027] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 3As shown, the X-ray irradiation unit 6 irradiates X-rays to the article G conveyed by the conveyor 5. The X-ray irradiation unit 6 is an electromagnetic wave irradiation unit (X-ray source) arranged in the shielding box 4. The X-ray irradiation unit 6 includes, for example, an X-ray tube that emits X-rays, and an aperture unit that causes the X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube to expand in a fan shape in a plane perpendicular to the conveying direction A.

[0028] The X-ray detection unit 7 is a sensor component that detects electromagnetic waves. The X-ray detection unit 7 is a detection unit that detects X-rays that have passed through the article G. The X-ray detection unit 7 is arranged in the shielding box 4 and is located opposite to the X-ray irradiation unit 6 in the up-down direction. The X-ray detection unit 7 can be capable of detecting X-rays in a specific energy band or can be capable of detecting X-rays in a photon counting manner. The X-ray detection unit 7 can be either a direct conversion type detection unit or an indirect conversion type detection unit. The X-ray detection unit 7, for example, includes X-ray detection elements arranged at least in the conveying direction of the conveying unit 5 and in a direction (width direction) orthogonal to the up-down direction. The X-ray detection unit 7 can be either a line sensor or a group of sensors arranged two-dimensionally.

[0029] The display operation unit 8 is provided in the device body 2. The display operation unit 8 displays various information and accepts input operations of various conditions from the outside. The display operation unit 8 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays an operation screen as a touch panel. In this case, the operator can input various conditions via the display operation unit 8.

[0030] The control unit 10 is disposed in the device body 2. The control unit 10 controls the operation of each part of the X-ray inspection device 1. The control unit 10 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a storage such as an SSD (Solid State Drive). The ROM stores a program for controlling the X-ray inspection device 1. Figure 4 As shown, the control unit 10 includes an image generating unit 10A, an inspecting unit 10B, a calculating unit 10C, a size acquiring unit 10D, a storing unit 10E, a determining unit 10F, and a signal output unit 10G. Each of these units may be configured as software or hardware in the control unit 10.

[0031] The image generation unit 10A generates an X-ray transmission image of the article G based on the detection result of the X-ray detection unit 7. The inspection unit 10B inspects the article G (inspection of whether the article G contains foreign matter, etc.) based on the X-ray transmission image. The calculation unit 10C calculates the total weight of the articles G conveyed by the conveyor 5 at each predetermined time (unit time) based on the X-ray transmission image. The weight estimation process is performed by utilizing the property that the thicker the material in the irradiation direction of the X-ray on the X-ray transmission image, the darker it appears. The calculation unit 10C does not add the weight of one or more (in this embodiment, a plurality of) articles G sorted from the conveyor 5 by the sorting device 12 to the total weight of the articles G. That is, the calculation unit 10C obtains the total weight of the articles G conveyed by the conveyor 5 at each predetermined time, excluding the weight of the one or more articles G sorted from the conveyor 5. The control unit 10 controls the setting of the article processing device 20 arranged downstream of the conveyor 5 based on the total weight excluding the weight of the one or more articles G sorted from the conveyor 5. For example, the control unit 10 changes the temperature of the subsequent article processing device 20 based on the total weight excluding the weight of one or more articles G sorted out from the conveyor unit 5 (eg, the temperature is increased as the total weight increases).

[0032] The size acquisition unit 10D acquires first information related to the size of the object G based on the X-ray transmission image. Specifically, the size acquisition unit 10D first calculates the size of the object region where the object G exists in the X-ray transmission image, that is, the size (pixel size) of the object G on the image. The size acquisition unit 10D converts the size of the object G on the image to the actual size of the object G, that is, the actual size. Figure 5A as well as Figure 5B As shown, the conversion can be realized by the following formula (1) using the similarity relationship of the triangle based on the configuration relationship of the article G, the conveyor 5, the X-ray irradiation unit 6 and the X-ray detection unit 7. The size of the article G can be obtained by setting the height of the product. Since p×L1 / L2 is constant according to the X-ray inspection device 1, it can also be calculated as a correction coefficient c.

[0033] L = P × p × L1 / L2 …… (1)

[0034] L: actual size, P: size on the image, p: pitch of the X-ray detection elements of the X-ray detection unit 7

[0035] L1: distance from the X-ray irradiation unit 6 to the object G

[0036] L2: distance from the X-ray irradiation unit 6 to the X-ray detection unit 7

[0037] Here, the X-ray detection unit 7 captures p / s obtained from the conveying speed s and the spacing p in the conveying direction A of the conveying unit 5 as a scanning period. The conveying speed s uses a set value, but there is sometimes an error relative to the actual speed. Therefore, when converting the size P on the image to the actual size L, the vertical and horizontal dimensions are different. For example, an object G that is actually a rectangle may appear as a parallelogram on the X-ray transmission image. Therefore, the size acquisition unit 10D performs correction processing (size adjustment) on the X-ray transmission image. In the correction processing, the sizes of the conveying direction A and the width direction (the direction along the conveying surface and orthogonal to the conveying direction A) in the size P on the image are corrected so that the actual size L converted by the above formula (1) is consistent with the measured value.

[0038] As long as the actual size L can be made consistent with the measured value, the X-ray transmission image correction processing can be achieved by, for example, appropriately increasing or decreasing the magnifications of the X-ray transmission images in the conveying direction A and the width direction, or by other methods. The measured value of the article G can be obtained by measuring the article G by a well-known method. For example, by performing the correction processing, Fig. 6A The dimensions of the items G1 and G2 shown are Figure 6B The size of the items G1, G2 shown is adjusted to size.

[0039] The storage unit 10E stores the through guide groove 36 of the metering and packaging system 30 (that is, the through port of the combined metering device 34 arranged downstream of the conveying unit 5, see Figure 1 ). The second information here is information about the diameter passing through the guide groove 36. When the diameter passing through the guide groove 36 is not constant, it can be, for example, an average diameter, a minimum diameter, or a maximum diameter. The second information can be input by an operator via the display operation unit 8, can be input by communication, or can be input by connecting an external storage medium. In other words, the storage unit 10E acquires the second information. The second information can be a fixed value or a variable value.

[0040] The determination unit 10F determines whether the article G is blocked in the guide groove 36 based on the first information and the second information. Specifically, when the determination unit 10F determines that the width of the article G is larger than the width of the guide groove 36 based on the first information and the second information, the control unit 10 determines that the article G is blocked in the guide groove 36.

[0041] More specifically, the determination unit 10F obtains third information related to the size of the article piece when the article G is cut based on the first information, compares the second information with the third information, and determines whether the article G is blocked in the passage guide groove 36. As an example, the determination unit 10F multiplies the first information, i.e., the size of the article G, by a parameter Kp (Kp<1) corresponding to the processing method of the article processing device 20, to obtain the third information. Then, when the size of the article G in the third information (e.g., the length in the long side direction of the processed article G) is larger than the diameter of the passage guide groove 36 in the second information, the determination unit 10F determines that the article G is blocked in the passage guide groove 36.

[0042] The parameter Kp may be input by an operator via the display operation unit 8, by communication, or by connecting an external storage medium. For example, since the article processing device 20 includes a fryer, the parameter Kp is set to a value smaller than 1, but the value is not particularly limited.

[0043] The signal output unit 10G outputs a sorting signal to the sorting device 12, and sorts the article G before the cutting process from the conveying unit 5. When the judging unit 10F determines that the article G is blocked when passing through the guide groove 36, the signal output unit 10G outputs a sorting signal to the sorting device 12 to sort the article G from the conveying unit 5. In addition, when the inspection result of the inspection unit 10B is that the article G is a defective product (when it is determined to be abnormal), the signal output unit 10G outputs a sorting signal to the sorting device 12 to sort the article G from the conveying unit 5. The sorting device 12 operates when receiving the sorting signal, and sorts the article G and a plurality of articles G around it to the outside of the conveying surface of the conveying unit 5.

[0044] As described above, the calculation unit 10C of the present embodiment does not add the weight of the plurality of articles G sorted from the conveying unit 5 by the sorting device 12 to the total weight of the articles G. The plurality of articles G sorted from the conveying unit 5 may be, for example, articles G that are determined by the determination unit 10F to be blocked in the guide groove 36, and a plurality of articles G that exist in a specified range around it. The plurality of articles G sorted from the conveying unit 5 may be, for example, articles G that are determined by the inspection unit 10B to be defective, and a plurality of articles G that exist in a specified range around it. The specified range is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a range corresponding to the shooting range of the X-ray transmission image and its front and rear range. In the above, the X-ray detection unit 7, the size acquisition unit 10D, and the storage unit 10E constitute the acquisition unit. In the above, the conveying unit 5, the X-ray detection unit 7, and the control unit 10 constitute the article sorting and determination device 50.

[0045] As described above, in the article sorting determination device 50, when the article G is larger than the width of the passage guide groove 36 of the subsequent measuring and packaging system 30, the control unit 10 determines that the article G is blocked in the passage guide groove 36, and outputs a sorting signal. Therefore, by operating the sorting device 12 based on the sorting signal, the article G larger than the width of the passage guide groove 36 can be sorted and removed from the conveying unit 5. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the clogging of the passage guide groove 36 of the subsequent stage by the article G.

[0046] In the article sorting and determination device 50, a cutting device 19 for cutting the article G and generating article pieces is arranged in the conveying unit 5. The control unit 10 obtains the third information based on the first information, compares the second information with the third information, and outputs a sorting signal when it is determined that the article G is blocked in the guide groove 36. In this case, it is possible to accurately determine whether the article G is blocked in the guide groove 36, and it is possible to reliably prevent the article G from being blocked in the guide groove 36.

[0047] In the article sorting and determination device 50, the control unit 10 outputs a sorting signal to the sorting device 12 disposed on the upstream side of the cutting device 19, and sorts the articles G before the cutting process from the conveying unit 5. In the case where the articles G are larger than the specified specification size, the article pieces generated by the cutting process also become relatively larger, so it is possible to prevent the occurrence of clogging by sorting the articles G before the cutting process from the conveying unit 5.

[0048] In the article sorting and determination device 50, the second information is information on the width of the passage guide chute 36 of the combination weighing device 34 disposed downstream of the conveying unit 5. In this case, clogging of the articles G in the passage guide chute 36 can be suppressed.

[0049] In the article sorting and determination device 50, the control unit 10 obtains the total weight of the articles G conveyed by the conveyor unit 5 at each predetermined time, excluding the weight of one or more articles G sorted from the conveyor unit 5, and controls the setting of the article processing device 20. In this case, the article processing device 20 can be appropriately set. As a result, the control of the oil temperature of the article processing device 20 at the rear stage, such as the fryer, is easy to perform, which can contribute to the stability of quality. For example, by changing the temperature of the article processing device 20 at the rear stage according to the supply amount of the article G, the product (potato chips) is cooked at the optimal temperature relative to the supply amount, so that defective products can be prevented from occurring. In addition, it is possible to prevent the clogging of products that are deformed according to the degree of frying. This is because in the case of undercooking, the product itself does not shrink more than expected, and it becomes easy to become blocked. On the contrary, when over-fried, the deformation of the product deepens and it becomes entangled with other products and becomes easy to become blocked.

[0050] The article sorting and determination device 50 also includes an X-ray irradiation unit 6, an X-ray detection unit 7, and an inspection unit 10B. The size acquisition unit 10D acquires the first information based on the transmission image. The control unit 10 also outputs a sorting signal when it is determined that the result of the inspection is abnormal. In this case, by sorting out in advance the articles G that are different from the prescribed specifications, the articles G that include foreign matter, or the foreign matter itself (such as stones, etc.) from the thrown articles G, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of blockages and the mixing of foreign matter before it occurs, and to prevent the failure of the subsequent device (for example, the knife of the cutting device 19).

[0051] As mentioned above, although embodiment was described, one aspect of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0052] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the article sorting and determination device 50 is applied to the X-ray inspection device 1, but it is not limited to this. The article sorting and determination device 50 of one embodiment of the present invention can also be applied to other devices. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the passage port is set as the passage guide groove 36, but the passage port is not particularly limited. As long as it is an opening through which the article G passes in the rear section of the conveying section 5, various other openings can also be used as the passage port. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the second information can also be information related to the width of the passage port of the component possessed by the vertical packaging device 35. In the above, the term "downstream" includes the case where the upstream / downstream are arranged in series, and the case of the downstream side in the device.

Claims

1. An article sorting and determination device, comprising: Conveying department, conveying items; an acquisition unit that acquires first information and second information, wherein the first information is related to the size of the article conveyed by the conveying unit, and the second information is related to the width of a passage through which the article passes downstream of the conveying unit; and The control unit outputs a sorting signal for sorting the article from the conveying section when determining based on the first information and the second information that the article is blocked in the passage.

2. The article sorting and determination device according to claim 1, wherein: The conveying section is provided with a cutting device, and the cutting device performs a cutting process on the article to generate article pieces. The control unit obtains third information related to the size of the article pieces when the article is cut based on the first information, When the second information is compared with the third information and it is determined that the article is blocked in the passage, the control unit outputs the sorting signal.

3. The article sorting and determination device according to claim 2, wherein: The control unit outputs the sorting signal to a sorting device disposed upstream of the cutting device, so as to sort the articles before the cutting process from the conveying portion.

4. The article sorting and determination device according to claim 1, wherein: The second information is information on the width of a member passage opening of a combination weighing device or a vertical packaging device disposed downstream of the conveying unit.

5. The article sorting and determination device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The control unit acquires the total weight of the articles conveyed by the conveying unit at every predetermined time, excluding the weight of one or more articles selected from the conveying portion, and controls the setting of an article handling device disposed downstream of the conveying unit.

6. The article sorting and determination device according to claim 1, wherein: The article sorting and determination device also has: An X-ray irradiation unit irradiates the article conveyed by the conveying unit with X-rays; a detection unit that detects the X-rays transmitted through the object; and an inspection unit that generates a transmission image based on the X-rays detected by the detection unit, and inspects the article using the generated transmission image, The acquiring unit acquires the first information based on the transmission image, The control unit also outputs a sorting signal to sort the article from the conveying unit when the inspection is performed and the result is determined to be abnormal.

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