Sheet media inspection device

Abstract

To provide a sheet media inspection device capable of inspecting sheet media with high accuracy while suppressing or preventing damage to the sheet media to be inspected.SOLUTION: A sheet media inspection device 1 includes: a belt conveyor 23 having an endless conveying belt 29 having a conveying surface 29a and conveying a laver 2 held on the conveying surface 29a in a conveying direction A by circulating movement of the conveying belt 29; and first to third rollers 51P, 51Q, 51R arranged to face the conveying surface 29. The laver 2 held on the conveying surface 29a passes between the conveying belt 29 and the first to third rollers 51P, 51Q, 51R. A clearance C thicker than the laver 2 is formed between the first to third rollers 51P, 51Q, 51R and the conveying surface 29a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet media inspection device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, seaweed inspection devices that inspect sheet-shaped seaweed (dried seaweed) have been known. The following Patent Document 1 discloses an appearance inspection device as a seaweed inspection device that inspects the appearance of seaweed. The appearance inspection device includes a belt conveyor, a pair of feed rollers, a CCD sensor, and an irradiation unit. The belt conveyor includes a transport belt and a driven roller.

[0003] The seaweed to be inspected is conveyed while being sandwiched vertically between the conveyor belt and driven roller, or vertically between a pair of feed rollers. The seaweed passing the optical detection position is imaged by a CCD sensor (CCD line sensor). This forms an image of the seaweed to be inspected, and based on this image, it is checked whether there are any chips on the edge of the seaweed and whether there is any transparency in the inside part of the seaweed. The appearance inspection device judges whether the seaweed to be inspected is defective or not based on the presence and size of these chips and transparency.

[0004] The appearance inspection device described in Patent Document 1 is primarily used by producers to inspect seaweed before it is shipped. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-2764 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The inventors of the present application are considering using a sheet media inspection device to inspect seaweed after it has been shipped from the producer. Seaweed is shipped folded in two. Therefore, the seaweed inspected by the sheet media inspection device (seaweed inspection device) may have undulations (curvatures). Since the detection is performed by an optical sensor, if the undulations are large, they cannot be detected well. It is necessary to reduce the undulations of the seaweed at least at the detection position by the sensor unit (optical sensor).

[0007] The appearance inspection device described in Patent Document 1 includes a roller. It is conceivable to reduce undulation of the seaweed at the detection position by pressing the roller against the seaweed as in this appearance inspection device. However, pressing the roller against the seaweed may damage the seaweed. Therefore, there is a demand for a seaweed inspection device that can inspect the seaweed with high accuracy while suppressing or preventing damage to the inspected seaweed.

[0008] Inspecting sheet media with high precision without damaging the sheet media is a challenge not limited to seaweed inspection devices that inspect seaweed, but is a common challenge for all sheet media inspection devices that inspect wavy (bent) sheet media.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet media inspection device that can inspect sheet media with high accuracy while suppressing or preventing damage to the inspected sheet media. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] One embodiment of the present invention provides a sheet media inspection device for inspecting sheet media, the sheet media inspection device including a belt conveyor having an endless transport belt having a transport surface, the belt conveyor transporting the sheet media held on the transport surface in a predetermined transport direction by the circular movement of the transport belt, and a roller disposed opposite the transport surface, the roller allowing the sheet media held on the transport surface to pass between the transport belt and the roller, and a predetermined gap larger than the thickness of the sheet media is formed between the roller and the transport surface.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the sheet media inspection device further includes a contact ring having a larger diameter than the roller, fixed to one or both ends of the roller, and in contact with the conveying surface, and the roller includes a driven roller that rotates in association with the circular movement of the conveying belt due to the contact of the contact ring with the conveying surface.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the contact ring is made of rubber.

[0013] In one embodiment of the invention, the gap is less than or equal to 5 times the thickness of the sheet media.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the sheet media inspection device further includes a sensor unit arranged opposite the transport surface, the sensor unit having an light-emitting section that emits light toward an illumination area set on the transport surface, and a light-receiving section that receives light emitted from the light-emitting section and reflected by the sheet media held on the transport surface.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the light emitting section and the light receiving section are arranged at an interval from each other with the illumination region therebetween in the transport direction.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the sensor unit further includes a color tone sensor unit that detects a color tone of the sheet medium held on the transport surface.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the rollers include a first roller arranged on the conveying surface upstream of the illuminated area in the conveying direction, and a second roller having a larger diameter than the first roller and arranged upstream of the first roller in the conveying direction.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the sheet media inspection device further includes a guide member that faces the conveying surface, is positioned upstream of the roller in the conveying direction, and guides the leading edge of the sheet media held on the conveying surface into the gap between the conveying surface and the roller.

[0019] In one embodiment of the invention, the sheet media inspection device further includes a gas nozzle arranged opposite the conveying surface and upstream of the roller in the conveying direction, which blows gas onto the leading edge of the sheet media held on the conveying surface and guides the leading edge into the gap between the conveying surface and the roller.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the rollers include a first roller arranged on the conveying surface upstream of the illuminated area in the conveying direction, and a third roller arranged on the conveying surface downstream of the illuminated area in the conveying direction.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the sheet medium is seaweed. Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to this invention, the sheet medium held on the conveying surface is conveyed in the conveying direction by the rotation of the conveying belt, and passes through the gap between the conveying belt and the roller. Therefore, even if the sheet medium to be inspected is wavy, the wavy sheet medium held on the conveying surface can be suppressed. This gap is larger than the thickness of the sheet medium. Therefore, the wavy sheet medium can be reduced without pressing the sheet medium. This makes it possible to provide a sheet medium inspection device that can inspect the sheet medium with high accuracy while suppressing or preventing damage to the sheet medium to be inspected. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic front view of a sheet media inspection system including a sheet media inspection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sheet media inspection device. [Diagram 3] 2 is a perspective view of a sheet media inspection unit included in the sheet media inspection device. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a plan view of a main configuration of the sheet media inspection unit. FIG. [Diagram 5] 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line VV in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a dashed line VII in FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the sheet media inspection device. FIG. [Figure 9] 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the sheet media inspection unit in a color tone inspection of seaweed, and corresponds to FIG. 5. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the next state of FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a sheet media inspection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to FIG. 9. [Figure 12]10 is a cross-sectional view of a sheet media inspection device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to FIG. 9. [Figure 13] 13 is a view of the gas discharge unit shown in FIG. 12 as viewed from the arrow XIII. [Figure 14] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a sheet media inspection device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to FIG. 9. [Figure 15] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a sheet media inspection device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to FIG. 9. [Figure 16] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a sheet media inspection device according to another embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic front view of a sheet media inspection system 100 including a sheet media inspection device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] The left-right direction of the paper surface of FIG. 1 coincides with the left-right direction X of the sheet media inspection device 1, the direction approximately perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1 coincides with the front-rear direction Y of the sheet media inspection device 1, and the up-down direction of the paper surface of FIG. 1 coincides with the up-down direction Z of the sheet media inspection device 1. The left-right direction X and the front-rear direction Y are included in the lateral direction. The left-right direction X includes the left side X1 and the right side X2. The front-rear direction Y includes the front side Y1 that coincides with the front side of the paper surface of FIG. 1, and the rear side Y2 that coincides with the rear side of the paper surface of FIG. 1. The up-down direction Z includes the upper side Z1 and the lower side Z2.

[0026] The sheet media inspection device 1 is a device that detects the color tone of sheet-like seaweed (dried seaweed) 2, which is an example of the sheet media to be inspected, and grades the seaweed 2 based on the detected color tone of the seaweed 2. The color tone of the seaweed 2 includes the hue and brightness of the seaweed 2. The sheet media inspection system 100 is placed in an inspection facility 3 such as a fisheries cooperative or a cooperative sales center. The inspection facility 3 receives seaweed 2 shipped from producers in nearby sea areas.

[0027] The producer cuts the harvested (landed) raw seaweed into small pieces, then lays the seaweed on a rectangular seaweed mat of a specified size (laying process). The laid seaweed is dehydrated and then dried (dehydration process, drying process). The producer peels the dried seaweed from the mat (peeling process), stacks the peeled seaweed 2 in groups of a specified number (e.g., 10 sheets) and folds them in half (one sheet), and then stacks them again by a specified number of sheets (e.g., 10 sheets; in Figure 1, for convenience of illustration, 3 sheets), ties them together with paper string 2C (one bundle), and ships them in the specified bundle in a storage box 2D. The seaweed 2 shipped from the producer is collected by an inspection agency 3.

[0028] At the inspection agency 3, the collected seaweed 2 is graded. The grade of the seaweed 2 is determined based on the color tone of the seaweed 2. The grading standards differ depending on the inspection agency 3. The seaweed 2 is divided into a predetermined number of grades (for example, a dozen or several tens). The graded seaweed 2 is exhibited at a bidding held by the inspection agency 3 and sold to trading companies, processing manufacturers, etc.

[0029] The sheet media inspection system 100 includes a sheet media inspection device 1 that inspects the color tone of the nori seaweed 2. In this embodiment, the sheet media inspection system 100 grades the nori seaweed 2 at an inspection facility 3. The grade of the nori seaweed 2 may be determined both by the sheet media inspection system 100 and by visual inspection by a skilled inspector.

[0030] The sheet media inspection system 100 further includes a sheet media supplying device 4 and a sheet media stacking device 5. The sheet media supplying device 4, the sheet media inspection device 1 and the sheet media stacking device 5 are arranged in a horizontal row in this order. The sheet media supplying device 4 is a supplying device for supplying the nori 2 to be inspected to the sheet media inspection device 1. The sheet media supplying device 4 is connected to the sheet media inspection device 1 from the right side X2. The sheet media supplying device 4 is in the shape of a vertically long box. The sheet media supplying device 4 supplies the pre-set nori 2 to the sheet media inspection device 1 one sheet at a time.

[0031] The seaweed 2 is brought to the inspection agency 3 in a state where it is stored in a storage box 2D. As described above, a predetermined bundle of seaweed 2 is stored in this storage box 2D. The worker takes out one of the stored bundles from the storage box 2D, removes the paper string 2C, and separates the seaweed 2 into one sheet at a time. Then, the worker takes out the seaweed 2 folded in half one sheet at a time from the sheet of seaweed 2. The taken-out seaweed 2 often has a ripple 2a. In this specification, the "ripple" refers to a bend or wrinkle caused by folding in half. The worker sets the seaweed 2 one sheet at a time in the sheet medium supply device 4 while smoothing out the ripple 2a. The seaweed 2 is a rectangular sheet with a vertical dimension of about 210 mm and a horizontal dimension of about 190 mm. The thickness W1 of the seaweed 2 (see Figures 9 and 10) is 0.2 to 0.3 mm. The nori seaweed 2 is set in the sheet media supplying device 4 in a position where its length and width correspond to the left-right direction X and the front-back direction Y, respectively. Note that the supply of the nori seaweed to the sheet media supplying device 4 may be performed automatically using a stretching machine (not shown). This stretching machine sets the nori seaweed 2 one sheet at a time in the sheet media supplying device 4 while straightening out the ripples 2a.

[0032] The sheet media stacking device 5 is connected to the sheet media inspection device 1 from the left side X1. The sheet media stacking device 5 has a vertically long box shape. The inspected seaweed 2 is conveyed one sheet at a time from the sheet media inspection device 1 to the sheet media stacking device 5. The sheet media stacking device 5 stacks the inspected seaweed 2 conveyed in the vertical direction Z.

[0033] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the sheet media inspection device 1. The configuration of the sheet media inspection device 1 will be described mainly with reference to Fig. 2. The sheet media inspection device 1 includes a main body box 7, a sheet media inspection unit 8, a display operation section 9, and a display monitor 10.

[0034] The main box 7 forms the outer shell of the sheet media inspection device 1. The main box 7 is in the shape of a vertically long box. The main box 7 has a top wall 11, a bottom wall 12, a pair of left and right side walls 13, a front wall 14, and a rear wall 15. The top wall 11 and the bottom wall 12 are in the shape of rectangular plates. A horizontally long square opening 16 (see Figure 2) is formed in the middle of each side wall 13 in the vertical direction Z. The front wall 14 is in the shape of a rectangular plate that is long in the vertical direction Z.

[0035] The main body box 7 includes one or more partitions 17. The partitions 17 are plate-shaped like the top wall 11. In the present embodiment, as an example, two partitions 17 are arranged side by side in the up-down direction Z in the internal space 18 of the main body box 7. This divides the internal space 18 into three areas 19A, 19B, and 19C (see FIG. 2) arranged side by side in the up-down direction Z. The sizes of the areas 19A, 19B, and 19C, such as their widths in the left-right direction X, their depths in the front-back direction Y, and their heights in the up-down direction Z, may be the same or different. Hereinafter, the upper area 19A (see FIG. 2) of the three areas 19A, 19B, 19C will be referred to as the "upper area 19A", the middle area 19B (see FIG. 2) of the three areas 19A, 19B, 19C will be referred to as the "middle area 19B", and the lower area 19C (see FIG. 2) of the three areas 19A, 19B, 19C will be referred to as the "lower area 19C".

[0036] The portions of the pair of side walls 13, the front wall 14, and the rear wall 15 that correspond to the upper area 19A are all opaque plates. These opaque plates may be formed using a metal plate or a synthetic resin plate. A display operation unit 9 is disposed in the portion of the front wall 14 that corresponds to the upper area 19A. The display operation unit 9 includes a display unit 9a such as a liquid crystal display, and an operation unit 9b such as keys. In the example of FIG. 2, the display operation unit 9 is configured separately into the display unit 9a and the operation unit 9b, but the display operation unit 9 may also be configured by a liquid crystal touch panel.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 2, a display monitor 10 is disposed on the front side Y1 of a portion of the front wall 14 that corresponds to the upper area 19A. The display monitor 10 includes a pair of left and right display monitors 10A and 10B. The display monitors 10A and 10B are supported by the main body box 7 via a support arm 20 (only one of which is shown in Fig. 2). The pair of display monitors 10A and 10B are disposed so as to sandwich the display operation unit 9 in the left-right direction X.

[0038] The display monitors 10A, 10B are, for example, liquid crystal displays. The display monitors 10A, 10B display, for example, information about the seaweed 2 to be inspected (such as the place of origin and the fishing season called the tide cycle). The display monitors 10A, 10B may be configured with a touch panel. In this case, the above information about the seaweed 2 may be manually input by an operator. The above information about the seaweed 2 may also be input using another input device. In this case, the information may be input using barcode reading.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, the lower half of the middle area 19B is covered by a pair of side walls 13 on the left side X1 and the right side X2. The portions of the pair of side walls 13 corresponding to the middle area 19B may be transparent or semi-transparent plates. The upper half of the middle area 19B is exposed to both the left side X1 and the right side X2 through a pair of left and right openings 16. The portions of the front wall 14 corresponding to the middle area 19B may be transparent or semi-transparent plates. These transparent or semi-transparent plates may be made of synthetic resin. The portions of the rear wall 15 corresponding to the middle area 19B are opaque plates. These opaque plates may be formed using metal plates or synthetic resin plates. The middle area 19B houses the sheet media inspection unit 8. Parts of the sheet media inspection unit 8 (both ends of a belt conveyor 23 described later) protrude from the openings 16 to the outside of the left side X1 and the right side X2 of the main box 7. The portion of the front wall 14 corresponding to the middle area 19B and the portion of the pair of side walls 13 corresponding to the middle area 19B are transparent or translucent plates, so that the middle area 19B can be seen from outside the main box 7 through these portions.

[0040] The portions of the pair of side walls 13, the front wall 14, and the rear wall 15 that correspond to the lower area 19C are all opaque plates. The opaque plates may be made of a metal plate or a synthetic resin plate.

[0041] The bottom wall 12 of the main body box 7 has four legs 21 and four support rollers 22 on the bottom side. Each leg 21 can be retracted upward. After the legs 21 are retracted, the main body box 7 is supported from below by the four support rollers 22.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sheet media inspection unit 8 included in the sheet media inspection device 1. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the main configuration of the sheet media inspection unit 8. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line VV in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, the configuration of the color tone sensor unit 24 (light-emitting unit 24a and light-receiving unit 24b) is shown by dashed lines. In FIGS. 4 and 5, the support frame 24c and the presence sensor 26 are omitted. The configuration of the sheet media inspection unit 8 will be described in detail below.

[0043] 3 and 4, the sheet media inspection unit 8 includes a belt conveyor 23, a color tone sensor unit (sensor unit) 24, a drive unit 25, a presence sensor 26, and a roller unit 27 (see FIG. 4).

[0044] 3, the belt conveyor 23 includes a conveyor frame 28, a conveyor belt 29, and a pulley. The conveyor frame 28 has a rectangular shape that is elongated in the left-right direction X in a plan view. The conveyor frame 28 is made of a material such as steel. The conveyor frame 28 may be made of a stringer frame or a truss frame.

[0045] 3, the conveyor belt 29 is endless. The conveyor belt 29 is, for example, a flat belt. The outer surface of the conveyor belt 29 is a conveying surface 29a that holds the seaweed 2 to be conveyed (inspected). The conveying surface 29a is horizontal. The width of the conveyor belt 29 is set to be at least several tens of mm larger than the lateral dimension of the seaweed 2 (for example, a lateral dimension of about 190 mm). The conveying surface 29a of the conveyor belt 29 is exposed over substantially the entire upper surface of the belt conveyor 23. That is, the upper surface of the belt conveyor 23 is constituted by the conveying surface 29a of the conveyor belt 29.

[0046] The conveyor belt 29 is a conveyor belt for conveying food, and is made of synthetic resin material such as urethane, silicon, steel, etc. The outer surface of the conveyor belt 29 constituting the conveying surface 29a may be silicon coated. The conveyor belt 29 is capable of rotating.

[0047] 3, the pulleys include a head pulley 30, a tail pulley 31, and a drive pulley 32. When the drive pulley 32 rotates, the conveyor belt 29 moves in a circular motion relative to the conveyor frame 28. The circular motion direction of the conveyor belt 29 is counterclockwise in FIG. 5. That is, on the conveyor surface 29a of the conveyor belt 29, the conveyor direction A (see FIG. 9, etc.) of the conveyor belt 29 (conveyor surface 29a) is the left side X1.

[0048] 3, the head pulley 30 also serves as the drive pulley 32. The drive pulley 32 may also serve as the tail pulley 31, or the drive pulley 32 may be formed by a pulley other than the head pulley 30 and the tail pulley 31. The pulley may further include a tension pulley, a bend pulley, a snub pulley, etc.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 3, the color tone sensor unit 24 is a color tone sensor unit that detects the color tone of the seaweed 2 held on the conveying surface 29a of the conveyor belt 29. The color tone sensor unit 24 is disposed facing the upper side Z1 of the conveying surface 29a. The color tone sensor unit 24 is a reflective optical sensor. The color tone sensor unit 24 includes a light emitting unit 24a having a light emitting portion 34 (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 5), a light receiving unit 24b having a light receiving portion 35 (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 5), and a pair of support frames 24c facing each other in the front-rear direction Y. In the example of FIG. 3, the pair of support frames 24c are substantially semicircular metal plates. The front end of the light emitting unit 24a and the front end of the light receiving unit 24b are connected to each other by the support frame 24c on the front side Y1. The rear end of the light emitting unit 24a and the rear end of the light receiving unit 24b are connected to each other by the support frame 24c on the rear side Y2.

[0050] 4, the light-emitting portion 34 and the light-receiving portion 35 are disposed at an interval in the left-right direction X. The light-emitting portion 34 and the light-receiving portion 35 are each shaped like a long strip in the front-rear direction Y.

[0051] An illumination area 36 is set on the belt conveyor 23, where light from the light emitting unit 34 is irradiated. The illumination area 36 is formed on the conveying surface 29a of the conveyor belt 29. As shown by hatching in FIG. 4, the illumination area 36 is a rectangular area that is elongated in the front-rear direction Y. The illumination area 36 is formed over the entire area of ​​the conveying surface 29a in the front-rear direction Y. The illumination area 36 is kept at a constant position relative to the belt conveyor 23, regardless of the rotational movement of the conveyor belt 29. The light receiving unit 35 is disposed downstream (left side X1) of the illumination area 36 in the conveying direction A with a gap therebetween. The light emitting unit 34 is disposed upstream (right side X2) of the illumination area 36 in the conveying direction A with a gap therebetween.

[0052] 5, the light emitting unit 34 irradiates light from the upstream side (right side X2) in the conveying direction A toward the illumination region 36 that is long in the front-rear direction Y. The light reflected by the illumination region 36 is incident on the light receiving unit 35. An optical path 37 is formed above the conveying surface 29a, extending from the light emitting unit 34 to the light receiving unit 35 via the illumination region 36. The optical path 37 is V-shaped in a cross-sectional view along the conveying direction A. The optical path 37 is long in the front-rear direction Y. The optical path 37 includes a first optical path 37a extending from the light emitting unit 34 to the illumination region 36 and a second optical path 37b extending from the illumination region 36 to the light receiving unit 35. The first optical path 37a is inclined in a direction toward the upper side Z1 as it approaches the upstream side (right side X2) in the conveying direction A in a cross-sectional view along the conveying direction A. The second optical path 37b is inclined in a direction toward the lower side Z2 as it approaches the upstream side (right side X2) in the conveying direction A in a cross-sectional view along the conveying direction A. The inclination angle α of the first optical path 37a and the second optical path 37b with respect to the conveying surface 29a (horizontal plane) is 20° or more and 80° or less. The inclination angle α may be 40° or more and 70° or less. The inclination angle α is set so that the first optical path 37a and the second optical path 37b do not interfere with the driven roller 51 (first roller 51P and third roller 51R described later).

[0053] The positions of the light-emitting unit 34 and the light-receiving unit 35 in the left-right direction X may be reversed with respect to the illumination region 36. That is, the light-receiving unit 35 may be disposed on the upstream side (right side X2) of the illumination region 36 in the transport direction A, and the light-emitting unit 34 may be disposed on the downstream side (left side X1) of the illumination region 36 in the transport direction A.

[0054] 3, the drive unit 25 includes a drive motor 38 (see FIG. 8). The drive motor 38 is an electric motor. The drive motor 38 drives the drive pulley 32 to rotate.

[0055] 3, the presence sensor 26 is a reflective optical sensor. The presence sensor 26 is a sensor for detecting whether or not the seaweed 2 is present around the area facing the color tone sensor unit 24 on the conveying surface 29a. In the example of FIG. 3, the presence sensor 26 is disposed substantially directly above the light-illuminated area 36. The presence sensor 26 checks whether or not the seaweed 2 is present around the light-illuminated area 36 on the conveying surface 29a. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the presence sensor 26 is fixed to the support frame 24c on the rear side Y2.

[0056] 3, the presence sensor 26 may be disposed upstream (right side X2) in the conveying direction A from the color tone sensor unit 24. In this case, the presence sensor 26 can detect whether or not the seaweed 2 is present in an area on the conveying surface 29a adjacent to the color tone sensor unit 24 on the upstream side (right side X2) in the conveying direction A. In this case, the presence sensor 26 is fixed to the support frame 24c on the rear side Y2.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 4, the roller unit 27 includes a first roller unit 43, a second roller unit 44, and a third roller unit 45. The second roller unit 44, the first roller unit 43, and the third roller unit 45 are arranged in this order on the downstream side (left side X1) of the conveying direction A. Each of the roller units 43 to 45 includes a driven roller (roller) 51, a pair of bearings 52, and a pair of ring members 53. In this embodiment, the bearing 52 of the first roller unit 43 and the bearing 52 of the third roller unit 45 are provided in a common bearing unit (second bearing unit 47). The bearing 52 of the second roller unit 44 is provided in the first bearing unit 46. The first bearing unit 46 and the second bearing unit 47 are fixed to both ends of the conveyor frame 28 in the front-rear direction Y2.

[0058] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a dashed line VII in Fig. 6. The configuration of the third roller unit 45 will be described below with reference to Figs. 6 and 7. The first roller unit 43 has the same configuration as the third roller unit 45. The second roller unit 44 has the same configuration as the third roller unit 45, except for the roller diameter. Therefore, detailed descriptions of the configurations of the second roller unit 44 and the third roller unit 45 will be omitted.

[0059] 6 and 7, the third roller unit 45 includes a driven roller (roller) 51, a pair of bearings 52, and a pair of ring members 53.

[0060] The driven roller 51 includes a roller body 54 and end shafts 55 on both sides. The roller body 54 and the end shafts 55 on both sides are integrally formed using a steel material. The steel material is, for example, stainless steel. In the example of FIG. 7, the outer peripheral surface 54a of the roller body 54 is not subjected to any special treatment. In order to suppress or prevent light reflection on the outer peripheral surface 54a (reflection of light from an optical path 37 described later), the outer peripheral surface 54a of the roller body 54 may be subjected to a blasting treatment or cationic electrodeposition coating.

[0061] The pair of bearings 52 rotatably support the end shafts 55 on both sides of the driven roller 51 .

[0062] 6 and 7, a ring member 53 is fitted and fixed to the outer periphery of each end shaft 55. Each ring member 53 is arranged to be sandwiched between the roller body 54 of the driven roller 51 and the corresponding bearing 52 in the front-rear direction Y. Referring to FIG. 7, the ring member 53 includes a cylindrical member 57 fitted and fixed to the end shaft 55 of the driven roller 51, and a contact ring 58 fitted and fixed to the cylindrical member 57. The contact ring 58 and the cylindrical member 57 are arranged on both ends of the driven roller 51. The cylindrical member 57 is formed using a steel material. The steel material is, for example, stainless steel. The outer diameter of the cylindrical member 57 is the same as the inner diameter of the contact ring 58. The cylindrical member 57 is fixed to the end shaft 55 by, for example, fastening a screw (not shown).

[0063] 7, the contact ring 58 is cylindrical. The contact ring 58 has an outer peripheral surface 58a formed of a smooth cylindrical surface. The outer diameter D2 of the contact ring 58 is equal to twice the distance L1 between the axial center of the end shaft 55 of the driven roller 51 supported by the bearing 52 and the conveying surface 29a of the conveying belt 29. The contact ring 58 contacts the conveying surface 29a of the conveying belt 29. The area where the contact ring 58 contacts the conveying surface 29a of the conveying belt 29 is the peripheral part of the conveying surface 29a of the conveying belt 29 in the front-rear direction Y, and is not the central part of the conveying surface 29a in the front-rear direction Y where the seaweed 2 is held. Therefore, the contact ring 58 does not contact the seaweed 2 held on the conveying surface 29a.

[0064] 7, a gap C is formed between the outer peripheral surface 54a of the driven roller 51 and the conveying surface 29a. The outer diameter D2 of the contact ring 58 is larger than the outer diameter D1 of the roller body 54 of the driven roller 51 (D2>D1). The size of the gap C is half the size obtained by subtracting the outer diameter D1 from the outer diameter D2. The gap C is larger than the thickness W1 of the seaweed 2 (e.g., about 0.2 mm). The size of the gap C is preferably two to ten times the thickness W1 of the seaweed 2. It is particularly preferable that the size of the gap C is two to five times the thickness W1 of the seaweed 2.

[0065] 7, contact rings 58 fixed to both ends of driven roller 51 come into contact with conveying surface 29a, and driven roller 51 rotates in association with the circular movement of conveyor belt 29. Since driven roller 51 rotates in association with the rotation of conveyor belt 29, there is no need to separately provide a driving member (electrical component) for rotating the roller (driven roller 51). This makes it possible to reduce the number of electric components such as electric motors.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 7, the contact ring 58 is made of rubber. Specifically, the rubber may be food-grade rubber such as urethane rubber, silicone rubber, or nitrile rubber. It is possible that the seaweed 2 held on the conveying surface 29a of the conveyor belt 29 contains foreign matter (for example, shellfish or sand). If the outer peripheral surface 58a of the contact ring 58 is made of steel like the outer peripheral surface 54a of the driven roller 51, when the foreign matter is sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface 58a of the contact ring 58 and the conveying surface 29a of the conveyor belt 29, a load may be applied to the conveyor belt 29, and thus a load may be applied to the drive motor 38 (see FIG. 8). In this embodiment, since the outer peripheral surface 58a of the contact ring 58 is made of rubber, even if a foreign matter is sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface 58a of the contact ring 58 and the conveying surface 29a of the conveyor belt 29, the outer peripheral surface 58a of the contact ring 58 deforms to absorb the foreign matter. This reduces the load on the conveyor belt 29, thereby reducing the load on the drive motor .

[0067] In addition, since the outer peripheral surface 58a of the contact ring 58 is made of rubber, it is possible to ensure a large contact area between the outer peripheral surface 58a of the contact ring 58 and the conveying surface 29a of the conveyor belt 29. Since the driven roller 51 rotates using the frictional contact force between the outer peripheral surface 58a and the conveying surface 29a, by ensuring a large contact area between the outer peripheral surface 58a and the conveying surface 29a, the driven roller 51 can be smoothly rotated.

[0068] 5, the driven rollers 51 of the first roller unit 43, the driven rollers 51 of the second roller unit 44, and the driven rollers 51 of the third roller unit 45 are respectively referred to as a first roller (guiding means) 51P, a second roller 51Q, and a third roller 51R. The first rollers 51P, the second rollers 51Q, and the third rollers 51R extend parallel to each other in the front-rear direction Y. The radius R of the first roller 51P is P and the radius R of the third roller 51R R are equal to each other (R P =R R ) Radius R of second roller 51Q Q is the radius R P and radius R R is greater than (R Q >R P , R Q >R R ). Radius R P and radius R R An example of the radius R is 8 mm. The first roller 51P and the third roller 51R have a relatively small diameter. Q An example is 15mm.

[0069] 5, the center distance L2 between the first roller 51P and the third roller 51R may be two or more and four or less times the diameter of the first roller 51P. The center distance L2 is preferably two or more and three or less times the diameter of the first roller 51P. In this manner, the center distance L2 between the first roller 51P and the third roller 51R is relatively short. The positions of the first roller 51P and the third roller 51R are determined so as not to interfere with the first optical path 37a and the second optical path 37b, which are inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0070] 5, the gap C between the outer circumferential surface 54a of the first roller 51P and the conveying surface 29a is referred to as gap C P The gap C between the outer circumferential surface 54a of the second roller 51Q and the conveying surface 29a is defined as gap C Q The gap C between the outer circumferential surface 54a of the third roller 51R and the conveying surface 29a is defined as the gap C R In this embodiment, the gap C P , Gap C Q and gap CR The size of the gap C is the same. P , Gap C Q and gap C R At least one of them may be different from the others.

[0071] In this embodiment, the radius R of the second roller 51Q Q Gap C Q The size of the dimension (R Q +C Q ) is set to be greater than the height W2 (see FIG. 9) of the maximum height portion of the seaweed 2 from the conveying surface 29a (R Q +C Q >W2).

[0072] The first roller 51P, the second roller 51Q, and the third roller 51R are all rotated in accordance with the rotation of the conveyor belt 29. The rotation directions of the first roller 51P, the second roller 51Q, and the third roller 51R on the upper surface of the belt conveyor 23 coincide with the conveying direction A. Therefore, the seaweed 2 that hits the outer peripheral surfaces 54a of the first roller 51P, the second roller 51Q, and the third roller 51R is urged in the conveying direction A. Since the first roller 51P, the second roller 51Q, and the third roller 51R rotate in the conveying direction A, the seaweed 2 can be conveyed more smoothly.

[0073] 3, the sheet media inspection unit 8 includes a rotational speed detection unit 40 for detecting the rotational speed of the conveyor belt 29. Specifically, the rotational speed detection unit 40 includes a rotating body that rotates following the rotation of the conveyor belt 29, and an encoder 40a that detects the rotation angle of the rotating body. The rotating body extends parallel to each of the rollers 51P, 51Q, and 51R, and includes a detection shaft that is disposed opposite the conveying surface 29a (lower surface) of the conveyor belt 29. A driven ring (not shown) is fitted and fixed to the outside of the detection shaft. The outer peripheral surface of the driven ring contacts the conveying surface 29a (lower surface) of the conveyor belt 29. The contact of the driven ring with the conveying surface 29a causes the detection shaft to rotate in association with the rotation of the conveyor belt 29. At this time, the rotational speed detection unit 40 detects the rotational speed of the conveyor belt 29 based on the rotation angle detected by the encoder 40a.

[0074] 8 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the sheet media inspection device 1. The sheet media inspection device 1 includes a control unit 61. The control unit 61 is configured by a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a timer, and the like.

[0075] A computer 62 is electrically connected to the control unit 61. The computer 62 performs control and data storage for color inspection, image storage, scoring, etc. The computer 62 may be equipped with a storage device such as a non-volatile memory or a hard disk drive. This storage device may store various information. The color sensor unit 24, the presence sensor 26, the encoder 40a, and the display monitors 10A and 10B are electrically connected to the computer 62. The computer 62 performs color inspection by controlling the operation of these electrical components. The computer 62 also stores images captured by the color sensor unit 24. Furthermore, the computer 62 displays images on the display monitors 10A and 10B based on the color (including color and brightness) of the seaweed 2 detected by the color sensor unit 24, and determines the grade of the seaweed 2 (scoring).

[0076] The control unit 61 is electrically connected to the display operation unit 9, the drive motor 38, and the I / F unit 63. The control unit 61 can communicate with the sheet media supply device 4 and the sheet media stacking device 5 via the I / F unit 63. The control unit 61 accepts instructions in response to an operation of the display operation unit 9 by an operator. The display operation unit 9 is electrically connected to the control unit 61. The control unit 61 starts and stops the drive motor 38 based on an instruction signal from the display operation unit 9 and a signal from the sheet media supply device 4.

[0077] When inspecting the seaweed 2, the control unit 61 receives a signal from the sheet media supply device 4 to supply the seaweed 2. At this time, the control unit 61 starts rotating the drive motor 38. This causes the drive pulley 32 to start driving, and the conveyor belt 29 starts to move in a circular motion. As a result, the conveying surface 29a of the conveyor belt 29 exposed on the upper surface of the belt conveyor 23 moves in the conveying direction A. The computer 62 also calculates the circular movement speed of the conveyor belt 29 based on the detection output of the circular speed detection unit 40 (see FIG. 3) including the encoder 40a.

[0078] Then, the sheet media supply device 4 sends a plurality of sheets of nori 2 one by one to the sheet media inspection unit 8. The plurality of sheets of nori 2 sent to the sheet media inspection unit 8 (sheet media inspection device 1) flow on the belt conveyor 23 at regular intervals in the left-right direction X, with the length of the nori 2 aligned with the left-right direction X and the width of the nori 2 aligned with the front-rear direction Y, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 3. The conveying speed of the nori 2 coincides with the speed of the circular movement of the conveyor belt 29. The computer 62 determines the timing of starting to capture the image of each sheet of nori 2 based on the timing of starting to supply each sheet of nori 2 from the sheet media supply device 4 to the sheet media inspection unit 8 and the speed of the circular movement of the conveyor belt 29 detected by the circular speed detection unit 40. The resolution of the encoder 40a used in this embodiment is, for example, 2000 P / rpm. The encoder 40a sends out a pulse signal according to the resolution of the color tone sensor unit 24. Then, when it is time to start imaging each piece of seaweed 2, the color tone of each piece of seaweed 2 traveling on the belt conveyor 23 is detected by the color tone sensor unit 24.

[0079] 9 and 10 are cross-sectional views showing the sheet medium inspection unit 8 in inspecting the color tone of the seaweed 2, and correspond to FIG.

[0080] The seaweed 2 transported by the belt conveyor 23, i.e., the seaweed 2 held on the transport surface 29a, may have undulations 2a. When the undulations 2a are formed in a convex shape on the lower side Z2 of the seaweed 2, the leading end of the seaweed 2 in the transport direction A moves away from the transport surface 29a to the upper side Z1, as shown in Fig. 9. At this time, the leading end 2b corresponds to the maximum height part of the seaweed 2 from the transport surface 29a.

[0081] As described above, the second roller 51Q (R Q >R P ) is disposed upstream of the first roller 51P in the conveying direction A. In addition, as described above, the radius R Q Gap C Q The size of the dimension (R Q +C Q) is greater than the height W2 of the maximum height portion of the seaweed 2 from the conveying surface 29a (R Q +C Q Therefore, even if the leading end 2b of the seaweed 2 is separated from the conveying surface 29a of the seaweed 2 to the upper side Z1, the leading end 2b of the seaweed 2 does not ride up onto the second roller 51Q. The leading end 2b of the seaweed 2 is located within the gap C between the outer peripheral surface 54a of the second roller 51Q and the conveying surface 29a. Q You will be guided to.

[0082] And gap C Q The tip 2b of the seaweed 2 conveyed downstream (left side X1) in the conveying direction A is kept low from the conveying surface 29a by the second roller 51Q. Therefore, the tip 2b of the seaweed 2 is then conveyed to the gap C between the outer peripheral surface 54a of the first roller 51P and the conveying surface 29a. P You will be guided to.

[0083] And gap C P The tip 2b of the seaweed 2 conveyed downstream (left side X1) in the conveying direction A is held low by the first roller 51P from the conveying surface 29a. Therefore, the tip 2b of the seaweed 2 is then conveyed to the gap C between the outer circumferential surface 54a of the third roller 51R and the conveying surface 29a. R This will bring you to the state shown in Figure 10.

[0084] The tip 2b of the seaweed 2 is in the gap C R In the state shown in FIG. 10, when the seaweed 2 is disposed downstream (left side X1) of the conveying direction A, the seaweed 2 is spaced apart from the gap C. P , Gap C Q and gap C R In other words, the gap C P , Gap C Q and gap C R In this embodiment, the seaweed 2 is sandwiched between the driven rollers 51 (the first roller 51P, the second roller 51Q, and the third roller 51R) and the conveying surface 29a. P and gap C R are formed so as to sandwich the illumination area 36 in the conveying direction A. In addition, the gap CP and gap C R The distance (center distance L2 (see FIG. 5)) is short. Therefore, the undulations 2a of the seaweed 2 in the portion where the illuminated region 36 is to be formed can be stretched. In other words, the illuminated region 36 can be formed on the seaweed 2 in a state where the undulations 2a are stretched.

[0085] The color tone of the nori seaweed 2 is examined by the color tone sensor unit 24. As the nori seaweed 2 is transported on the belt conveyor 23, the illumination area 36 scans the entire upper surface of the nori seaweed 2. Thus, the color tone of the entire upper surface of the nori seaweed 2 is detected by the color tone sensor unit 24. The detected color tone of the nori seaweed 2 is provided to a computer 62 (see FIG. 8).

[0086] The computer 62 displays the detected color tone (including color tone and brightness) of the seaweed 2 on at least one of the display monitors 10A and 10B. The computer 62 also determines a grade of the seaweed 2 based on the detected color tone of the seaweed 2 (scoring). The control unit 61 then displays the determined grade of the seaweed 2 on at least one of the display monitors 10B. The detected color tone of the seaweed 2 and the determined grade of the seaweed 2 are stored in the computer 62 in association with the product number of each piece of seaweed 2.

[0087] After the color tone inspection, the seaweed 2 is discharged one by one from the downstream end of the belt conveyor 23 in the conveying direction A, and handed over to the sheet media stacking device 5. Then, in the sheet media stacking device 5, the inspected seaweed 2 is stacked in the vertical direction Z. Then, when it is time to stop, the control unit 61 stops driving the drive motor 38 based on an instruction signal from the display operation unit 9 or a signal from the sheet media supplying device 4.

[0088] As described above, according to this embodiment, the seaweed 2 held on the conveying surface 29a is conveyed in the conveying direction A by the rotation of the conveying belt 29, and the gap C (gap C) between the conveying belt 29 and the multiple driven rollers 51 (the first roller 51P, the second roller 51Q, and the third roller 51R) is increased. P , Gap C Q and gap C R) is passed through. Therefore, even if the seaweed 2 transported on the belt conveyor 23 has swells 2a, the swells 2a of the seaweed 2 can be reduced in the illumination area 36. In other words, by extending the swells 2a in the portion of the seaweed 2 where the illumination area 36 is formed, it is possible to perform a color inspection while avoiding the influence of the swells 2a.

[0089] The gap C is larger than the thickness W1 of the seaweed 2. Therefore, the swell 2a of the seaweed 2 can be reduced in the illumination area 36 without pressing the seaweed 2. This allows the seaweed 2 to be inspected with high accuracy while suppressing or preventing damage to the inspected seaweed 2.

[0090] Further, the first roller 51P is disposed on the upstream side (right side X2) of the light-illuminated region 36 in the conveying direction A on the conveying surface 29a. The third roller 51R is disposed on the downstream side (left side X1) of the light-illuminated region 36 in the conveying direction A on the conveying surface 29a. That is, the first roller 51P and the third roller 51R are disposed on both the upstream side and the downstream side of the light-illuminated region 36 in the conveying direction A. Gap C for reducing swell 2a of the seaweed 2 P and gap C R Since the are disposed on both the upstream side and the downstream side of the illumination area 36 in the conveying direction A, the swell 2a of the seaweed 2 in the illumination area 36 can be effectively reduced.

[0091] In addition, the center distance L2 between the first roller 51P and the third roller 51R is relatively short. P and gap C R The distance between the sheets in the conveying direction A is short, so that the undulations 2a of the seaweed 2 in the illuminated area 36 can be reduced more effectively.

[0092] In addition, the first roller 51P and the third roller 51R have a relatively small diameter, which prevents the driven roller 51 from interfering with the first optical path 37a and the second optical path 37b that are inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, and reduces the swell 2a of the seaweed 2 in the illumination area 36.

[0093] Suppose that the second roller 51Q (second roller unit 44) is eliminated and the first roller 51P is made to have a diameter as large as that of the second roller 51Q. In this case, since the first roller 51P has a large diameter, it is possible to prevent the seaweed 2 having the undulations 2a from riding over the first roller 51P. However, there is a risk that the large-diameter first roller 51P will interfere with the optical path 37. In this case, there is a risk that the color tone sensor unit 24 will not be able to detect the color tone of the seaweed 2 well.

[0094] In contrast, in this embodiment, the diameter of the second roller 51Q is increased instead of that of the first roller 51P. This prevents the seaweed 2 having the undulations 2a from riding on the second roller 51Q without impeding the detection of the color of the seaweed 2 by the color sensor unit 24.

[0095] Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a sheet media inspection device 201 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 11 is a view corresponding to Fig. 9. In the second embodiment, parts corresponding to those shown in the first embodiment are given the same reference symbols as in Figs. 1 to 10, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. The sheet media inspection device 201 differs from the sheet media inspection device 1 in that the second roller 51Q (second roller unit 44) is eliminated, and a guide member 202 is provided as a guide means replacing the second roller 51Q.

[0096] The guide member 202 is a guide plate that has a constant width in the left-right direction X and extends long in the front-rear direction Y. The guide member 202 is disposed facing the conveying surface 29a on the upstream side (right side X2) of the first roller 51P in the conveying direction A. The guide member 202 is inclined so as to become lower toward the downstream side (left side X1) in the conveying direction A. The guide member 202 is formed using a metal material such as steel. A downstream edge 203 of the guide member 202 extends over the entire area in the front-rear direction Y. The height W3 of the downstream edge 203 of the guide member 202 is determined by the radius R of the first roller 51P. P Gap C P The size of the dimension (R P +C P ) is smaller than (W3 <R P +CP ).

[0097] The guide member 202 guides the leading end 2b of the seaweed 2 held on the conveying surface 29a through the gap C between the conveying surface 29a and the first roller 51P. P The height W3 of the downstream edge 203 of the guide member 202 is set to the radius R of the first roller 51P. P Gap C P The size of the dimension (R P +C P ), so (W3 <R P +C P ), the tip 2b of the seaweed 2 is a gap C P You will be guided smoothly to the location.

[0098] According to the second embodiment, the same effects as those described in the first embodiment are achieved.

[0099] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a sheet media inspection device 301 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a view corresponding to FIG. 9. FIG. 13 is a view of the gas discharge unit 302 shown in FIG. 12, seen from the arrow XIII. In the third embodiment, parts corresponding to the parts shown in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference symbols as in FIGS. 1 to 10, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. The sheet media inspection device 301 differs from the sheet media inspection device 1 in that the second roller 51Q (second roller unit 44) is eliminated, and a gas discharge unit 302 is provided as a guide means replacing the second roller 51Q.

[0100] The gas discharge unit 302 includes a gas nozzle 303 that blows gas toward the upper surface of the seaweed 2 held on the conveying surface 29a, a gas pipe 304 that guides gas from a gas supply source to the gas nozzle 303, and a gas valve 305 that opens and closes the gas pipe 304. The gas is, for example, an inert gas such as air.

[0101] The gas nozzle 303 is disposed upstream (right side X2) in the transport direction A with respect to the color tone sensor unit 24. As shown in Fig. 13, the gas nozzle 303 includes a plurality of gas nozzles 303 disposed at intervals in the front-rear direction Y. A gas discharge port 303a is formed at the lower end of each gas nozzle 303, facing the transport surface 29a from above and discharging gas toward the transport surface 29a. The discharge direction of the gas discharge port 303a is inclined with respect to the vertical direction (up-down direction Z) so as to head toward the downstream side (left side X1) in the transport direction A as it heads toward the lower side Z2.

[0102] 12, the gas nozzle 303 blows gas onto the tip 2b of the seaweed 2 held on the conveying surface 29a. As a result, the tip 2b of the seaweed 2 is pushed into the gap C between the conveying surface 29a and the first roller 51P. P By adjusting the discharge flow rate of the gas nozzle 303, the tip 2b of the seaweed 2 is guided into the gap C. P We can provide smooth guidance to our customers.

[0103] According to the third embodiment, the same effects as those described in the first embodiment are achieved.

[0104] Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a sheet media inspection device 401 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 14 is a view corresponding to Fig. 9. In the fourth embodiment, parts corresponding to those shown in the first embodiment are given the same reference symbols as in Figs. 1 to 10, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. The sheet media inspection device 401 differs from the sheet media inspection device 1 in that a gas ejection unit 402 is further provided as a guide means.

[0105] The gas discharge unit 402 includes a gas nozzle 403 that blows gas toward the upper surface of the seaweed 2 held on the conveying surface 29a, a gas pipe 404 that guides gas from a gas supply source to the gas nozzle 403, and a gas valve 405 that opens and closes the gas pipe 404. The gas is, for example, an inert gas such as air.

[0106] The gas nozzle 403 is disposed between the first roller 51P and the third roller 51R in the conveying direction A. The gas nozzle 403 includes a plurality of gas nozzles 403 disposed at intervals in the front-rear direction Y. A gas outlet 403a is formed at the lower end of each gas nozzle 403, facing the conveying surface 29a from above and discharging gas toward the conveying surface 29a. The discharge direction of the gas outlet 403a is the lower side Z2. The gas discharged from the gas outlet 403a is blown from the upper side Z1 toward the illumination area 36 formed on the seaweed 2.

[0107] According to the fourth embodiment, the same effects as those described in the first embodiment are achieved.

[0108] In addition, according to the fourth embodiment, the gas from the gas nozzle 403 is blown onto the seaweed 2 from the upper side Z1 in the illuminated area , so that the swell 2a of the seaweed 2 in the illuminated area can be more effectively reduced.

[0109] Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a sheet media inspection device 501 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 15 is a view corresponding to Fig. 9. In the fifth embodiment, parts corresponding to those shown in the first embodiment are given the same reference symbols as in Figs. 1 to 10, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. The sheet media inspection device 501 differs from the sheet media inspection device 1 in that a fourth roller (second roller) 51S is further provided.

[0110] The fourth roller 51S is a driven roller 51 included in the fourth roller unit 502. The fourth roller unit 502 is disposed upstream (right side X2) in the transport direction A relative to the second roller unit 44. The fourth roller unit 502 has the same configuration as the second roller unit 44, except for the roller diameter. Therefore, a detailed description of the configuration of the fourth roller unit 502 will be omitted.

[0111] Radius R of the fourth roller 51S S is the radius R of the second roller 51Q Q is greater than (R S >R Q ). Radius RS The gap C between the outer peripheral surface 54a of the fourth roller 51S and the conveying surface 29a is, for example, 30 mm. S Gap C S The size of the gap C R is the same as:

[0112] The tip 2b of the seaweed 2 transported on the top surface of the belt conveyor 23 is spaced apart by a gap C. S You will be guided to Gap C. S The tip 2b of the seaweed 2 conveyed downstream (left side X1) in the conveying direction A is held low by the fourth roller 51S from the conveying surface 29a. Therefore, the tip 2b of the seaweed 2 is then conveyed to the gap C between the second roller 51Q and the conveying surface 29a. Q You will be guided to.

[0113] Gap C Q The tip 2b of the seaweed 2 conveyed downstream (left side X1) in the conveying direction A is kept low from the conveying surface 29a by the second roller 51Q. Therefore, the tip 2b of the seaweed 2 is then conveyed to the gap C between the outer peripheral surface 54a of the first roller 51P and the conveying surface 29a. P You will be guided to.

[0114] According to the fifth embodiment, the same effects as those described in the first embodiment are achieved.

[0115] In addition, according to the fifth embodiment, a fourth roller 51S (fourth roller unit 502) is provided, so that even if the seaweed 2 held on the conveying surface 29a has extremely large swells 2a, the seaweed 2 can be prevented from riding onto the fourth roller 51S and the seaweed 2 can be smoothly guided to the illumination area 36.

[0116] In the fifth embodiment, the number of driven rollers 51 (the number of roller units) may be further increased to five or more.

[0117] Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a sheet media inspection device 601 according to another embodiment. Fig. 15 is a view corresponding to Fig. 9. In this other embodiment, parts corresponding to the parts shown in the fourth embodiment are shown with the same reference symbols as in Figs. 1 to 10, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. The sheet media inspection device 601 differs from the sheet media inspection device 401 according to the fourth embodiment in that the first roller 51P (first roller unit 43), the second roller 51Q (second roller unit 44), and the third roller 51R (third roller unit 45) are eliminated.

[0118] Although a number of embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention can be embodied in other forms.

[0119] For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the contact rings 58 are formed on both ends of the driven roller 51, but the contact ring 58 may be formed on only one end of the driven roller 51.

[0120] In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, the first roller 51P, the second roller 51Q, and the third roller 51R are rotated in accordance with the rotational movement of the conveyor belt 29, but at least one of the first roller 51P, the second roller 51Q, and the third roller 51R may be in a freely rotatable state (idling state) without rotating in accordance with the rotational movement of the conveyor belt 29. In this case, the roller unit including the roller in the idling state (at least one of the first roller unit 43, the second roller unit 44, and the third roller unit 45) may not include the contact ring 58.

[0121] Also, the sheet media inspection device 1, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601 may detect the color tone of the inspected seaweed 2 but not determine the grade of the inspected seaweed 2. In this case, the grade of the inspected seaweed 2 is determined by an operator or by using another device based on the color tone of the inspected seaweed 2.

[0122] Furthermore, the sheet medium inspection devices 1, 201, 301, 401, 501, and 601 may not only detect the color tone of the seaweed 2 to be inspected, but may also detect chips and holes in the seaweed 2 to be inspected.

[0123] Further, the sheet media inspection devices 1, 201, 301, 401, 501, and 601 have been described with the example in which the inspection target is the seaweed 2, but the inspection target may be a sheet media other than the seaweed 2.

[0124] Furthermore, the various features described above can be combined as appropriate.

[0125] The following characteristics can be extracted from the description of this specification and the drawings.

[0126] [Appendix 1] 1. A sheet media inspection apparatus for inspecting sheet media, comprising: a belt conveyor having an endless transport belt having a transport surface, the transport belt moving in a circulating manner to transport a sheet medium held on the transport surface in a predetermined transport direction; a sensor unit disposed opposite the transport surface, the sensor unit having a light-emitting portion that emits light toward an illumination area set on the transport surface, and a light-receiving portion that receives light emitted from the light-emitting portion and reflected by the sheet medium held on the transport surface; a roller disposed opposite to the transport surface, the roller being capable of passing the sheet medium held on the transport surface through a gap between the transport belt and the roller on the upstream side of the illumination area; A sheet media inspection device including a guide means arranged upstream of the roller in the conveying direction and guiding the leading edge of the sheet media held on the conveying surface into the gap between the conveying surface and the roller.

[0127] The problem to be solved by the invention of Appendix 1 is to realize good inspection by suppressing or preventing the sheet medium to be inspected from riding on the roller.

[0128] According to the configuration of Supplementary Note 1, the leading edge of the sheet medium held on the conveying surface is guided by the guide member into the gap between the conveying surface and the roller. This makes it possible to suppress or prevent the sheet medium to be inspected from climbing onto the roller. Therefore, good inspection can be achieved.

[0129] [Appendix 2] The sheet media inspection device of claim 1, wherein the guiding means includes a second roller facing the conveying surface, having a larger diameter than the roller, and arranged upstream of the roller in the conveying direction.

[0130] [Appendix 3] The sheet media inspection device described in Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the guiding means includes a guide member that faces the conveying surface, is arranged upstream of the roller in the conveying direction, and guides the leading edge of the sheet media held on the conveying surface into the gap between the conveying surface and the roller.

[0131] [Appendix 4] A sheet media inspection device as described in any one of appendix 1 to 3, wherein the guiding means further includes a gas nozzle arranged opposite the conveying surface and upstream of the roller in the conveying direction, and blowing gas onto the leading edge of the sheet media held on the conveying surface to guide the leading edge into the gap between the conveying surface and the roller.

[0132] [Appendix 5] A sheet media inspection device as described in any one of appendix 1 to 4, wherein the rollers include a first roller arranged on the transport surface upstream of the illuminated area in the transport direction, and a third roller arranged on the transport surface downstream of the illuminated area in the transport direction.

[0133] [Appendix 6] The sheet media inspection device of claim 2, wherein the guiding means includes a fourth roller facing the conveying surface, having a larger diameter than the second roller, and arranged upstream of the second roller in the conveying direction.

[0134] [Appendix 7] 7. A sheet media inspection device as described in any one of appendix 1 to 6, wherein the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit are arranged at a distance from each other in the conveying direction, sandwiching the illumination area therebetween.

[0135] [Appendix 8] 8. The sheet media inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit further includes a color tone sensor unit that detects a color tone of the sheet media held on the transport surface.

[0136] [Appendix 9] 9. The sheet medium inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the sheet medium is seaweed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0137] 1: Sheet media inspection device 2: Nori (sheet media) 2b: Tip 23: Belt conveyor 24: Color sensor unit (sensor unit) 29: Conveyor belt 29a: Transport surface 34: Light emitting part 35: Light receiving part 36: Illumination area 51: Driven roller (roller) 51P: 1st roller (roller) 51Q: Second roller (roller) 51R: 3rd Rolla (Rolla) 51S: 4th roller (roller, 2nd roller) 58: Contact ring 201: Sheet media inspection device 202: Guide member 301: Sheet media inspection device 303: Gas nozzle 401: Sheet media inspection device 403: Gas nozzle 501: Sheet media inspection device A: Transport direction C: Gap C P :gap C Q :gap C R :gap C S :gap W1: Thickness X1: Left side (downstream side of conveying direction A) X2: Right side (upstream side of conveying direction A)

Claims

1. 1. A sheet media inspection apparatus for inspecting sheet media, comprising: a belt conveyor having an endless transport belt having a transport surface, the transport belt moving in a circulating manner to transport a sheet medium held on the transport surface in a predetermined transport direction; a roller disposed opposite to the transport surface, the roller allowing the sheet medium held on the transport surface to pass between the transport belt and the roller; A sheet media inspection device, wherein a predetermined gap larger than a thickness of the sheet media is formed between the roller and the conveying surface.

2. a contact ring having a diameter larger than that of the roller, fixed to one end or both ends of the roller, and in contact with the conveying surface; 2 . The sheet media inspection device according to claim 1 , wherein the rollers include driven rollers that rotate in association with the circulating movement of the transport belt due to contact of the contact ring with the transport surface.

3. 3. The sheet media inspection device of claim 2, wherein the contact ring is formed of rubber.

4. 4. The sheet media inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the gap is 5 times or less the thickness of the sheet media.

5. The sheet media inspection device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor unit arranged opposite the transport surface, the sensor unit having an emitter that emits light toward an illumination area set on the transport surface, and a light receiver that receives light emitted from the emitter and reflected by the sheet media held on the transport surface.

6. The sheet media inspection device according to claim 5 , wherein the light emitting section and the light receiving section are arranged at intervals from each other with the illumination area therebetween in the transport direction.

7. 7. The sheet media inspection device according to claim 5, wherein the sensor unit further includes a color tone sensor unit that detects a color tone of the sheet media held on the transport surface.

8. 6. The sheet media inspection device of claim 5, wherein the rollers include a first roller arranged on the transport surface upstream of the illumination area in the transport direction, and a second roller having a larger diameter than the first roller and arranged upstream of the first roller in the transport direction.

9. The sheet media inspection device of claim 5, further comprising a guide member arranged opposite the conveying surface, upstream of the roller in the conveying direction, for guiding the leading edge of the sheet media held on the conveying surface into the gap between the conveying surface and the roller.

10. 6. The sheet media inspection device of claim 5, further comprising a gas nozzle arranged opposite the transport surface and upstream of the roller in the transport direction, the gas nozzle blowing gas onto the leading edge of the sheet media held on the transport surface to guide the leading edge into the gap between the transport surface and the roller.

11. A sheet media inspection device as described in any one of claims 5 and 8 to 10, wherein the rollers include a first roller arranged on the transport surface upstream of the illuminated area in the transport direction, and a third roller arranged on the transport surface downstream of the illuminated area in the transport direction.

12. The sheet medium inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 5, 6 and 8 to 10, wherein the sheet medium is seaweed.

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