Egg processing apparatus, control program for egg processing apparatus, and control method for egg processing apparatus

Abstract

To improve the quality of eggs having been processed by a processing unit.SOLUTION: An egg processing apparatus includes: a conveyance unit 2 for conveying eggs E; an inspection unit 3 for inspecting eggs E conveyed by the conveyance unit 2; a processing unit 4 for processing eggs E conveyed by the conveyance unit 2, on the basis of an inspection result of the inspection unit 3; and a controlling device 5 that makes start of processing operation impossible in a state where prescribed confirmation with respect to the inspection unit 3 is not completed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an egg processing apparatus, a control program for an egg processing apparatus, and a control method for an egg processing apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] At GP centers (Grading and Packing Centers), eggs are graded and packaged in containers using a grading device as shown in Patent Document 1. Before starting operation of this grading device, it is checked whether each inspection device is operating normally, for example by checking the egg weight on a weighing scale. In addition, this checking work is recorded on a paper form. At many GP centers, it is a rule that the above checking work is performed every day to respond to audits and to guarantee the performance of inspection quality.

[0003] However, in the conventional sorting device, although the checking work of each inspection device is regulated, it is possible to operate the device without carrying out the checking work. Therefore, when the sorting device is operated without carrying out the checking work, the quality of the produced products does not meet the predetermined standards. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-24641 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to improve the quality of eggs processed by a processing unit, such as a sorting unit that sorts eggs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In other words, the egg processing device of the present invention is characterized by comprising a conveying unit that conveys eggs, an inspection unit that inspects the eggs conveyed by the conveying unit, a processing unit that processes the eggs conveyed by the conveying unit based on the inspection results of the inspection unit, and a control device that does not allow processing operations to begin until a predetermined confirmation has been completed for the inspection unit.

[0007] This egg processing device does not allow processing operations to be performed unless a specified check is completed by the inspection unit of the egg processing device, such as the egg sorting device or the developing egg inspection device, so that the egg processing device can reliably perform the check work, thereby improving the quality of the processed eggs.

[0008] In order for the control device to determine that confirmation is complete, it is desirable for the control device to have a reception unit that receives the confirmation result for the inspection unit, and an operation permission unit that permits the start of processing operation when the confirmation result of the inspection unit is accepted by the reception unit. With this configuration, the operator must input the confirmation result, and the control device must accept the input before the processing operation can begin, which can provide the operator with an incentive to check the inspection unit.

[0009] It is preferable that the control device further includes a storage unit that stores the confirmation result of the inspection unit received by the reception unit, and an output unit that outputs the confirmation result of the inspection unit stored in the storage unit. With this configuration, the inspection results of the inspection unit can be stored and output, making it possible to automatically create reports, for example. In addition, the inspection results of each egg processing device can be centrally managed by outputting the results to the cloud, a server, a printer, a USB memory, etc.

[0010] In addition, the control program for an egg processing device according to the present invention is a control program for an egg processing device that includes a conveying unit that conveys eggs, an inspection unit that inspects the eggs conveyed by the conveying unit, and a processing unit that processes the eggs conveyed by the conveying unit based on the inspection results of the inspection unit, and is characterized in that the control program has a function in which the computer is not allowed to start a processing operation unless a specified confirmation has been completed for the inspection unit.

[0011] The control program may be distributed electronically, or may be recorded on a program recording medium such as a CD, a DVD, or a flash memory.

[0012] Furthermore, the control method for an egg processing device of the present invention is a control method for an egg processing device that includes a conveying unit that conveys eggs, an inspection unit that inspects the eggs conveyed by the conveying unit, and a processing unit that processes the eggs conveyed by the conveying unit based on the inspection results of the inspection unit, and is characterized in that the processing operation cannot be started unless a predetermined confirmation has been completed for the inspection unit. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention configured in this manner, it is possible to improve the quality of eggs processed by a processing section, such as a sorting section that sorts eggs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an egg processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the control device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a check input screen (for the weighing section) according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a check input screen (for the cracked egg inspection section) of the embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a check input screen (for a dirty egg inspection section) according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a check input screen (for an abnormal egg inspection section) according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart from start-up to the end of a sorting operation of the sorting device of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an egg processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in any of the drawings shown below, for the purpose of easy understanding, some parts are omitted or exaggerated in schematic form as appropriate. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

[0016] <Basic configuration of egg processing device (sorting device) 100> As shown in FIG. 1, an egg processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment is a sorting apparatus that is installed in, for example, a GP center and sorts and packages eggs.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, this sorting device 100 includes a conveying unit 2 that transports eggs E, one or more inspection units 3 that inspect the eggs E transported by the conveying unit 2, a sorting unit 4 which is a processing unit that sorts the eggs E transported by the conveying unit 2 based on the inspection results of the one or more inspection units 3, and a control device 5 that controls the conveying unit 2, the inspection unit 3, and the sorting unit 4 etc. to perform sorting operations.

[0018] The transport section 2 has a first transport section 21 that transports the eggs E in multiple rows, and a second transport section 22 that receives the eggs E from the downstream end of the first transport section 21 and transports the eggs E in one row. In this embodiment, the first transport section 21 is configured as a conveyor that transports the eggs E in six rows with their long axes horizontal. The second transport section 22 is configured as a so-called bucket conveyor that transports the eggs E in a single row with their long axes vertical.

[0019] The inspection section 3 has a weighing section 3a, a cracked egg inspection section 3b, and a dirty egg inspection section 3c, which are provided in the first transport section 21, and an abnormal egg inspection section 3d, which is provided in the second transport section 22. Note that the type of inspection section 3 is not limited to the one described above, and various types can be used.

[0020] The weighing unit 3a is provided at the downstream end of the first conveying unit 21 and measures the weight of the eggs E conveyed by the first conveying unit 21. At the downstream end of the first conveying unit 21, the eggs are transferred to the second conveying unit 22, and weighed in the weighing unit 3a immediately before the transfer. Specifically, the weighing unit 3a is a device that measures the weight of each egg E, and the weighing data obtained as a result of the measurement is input to the control device 5 in synchronization with the eggs E being conveyed as control data used for handling the eggs E.

[0021] The cracked egg inspection unit 3b is provided in the first transport unit 21 and detects whether or not the eggs E transported by the first transport unit 21 have cracks. Specifically, the cracked egg inspection unit 3b percusses the eggs E being transported by the first transport unit 21 to inspect the presence or absence of cracks in the eggshell, and has a calculation unit (not shown) that calculates control data used for handling the eggs E (e.g., whether the eggshell has no cracks / cracks, etc.) from vibration data obtained as a result of the inspection. The calculated control data is input to the control device 5 in synchronization with the eggs E being transported. Note that the control data from the cracked egg inspection unit 3b may include other information that may be used for handling the eggs E.

[0022] The dirty egg inspection unit 3c is provided in the first conveyor unit 21 and detects whether foreign matter such as chicken droppings is attached to the eggs E conveyed by the first conveyor unit 21. Specifically, the dirty egg inspection unit 3c is a device that irradiates light onto the eggs E being conveyed by the first conveyor unit 21, captures an image of the eggshell with a camera, and inspects the presence or absence of dirt such as chicken droppings attached to the eggshell, and has a calculation unit (not shown) that calculates control data (e.g., whether the eggshell surface is unstained / stained, etc.) used for handling the eggs E from the image data obtained as a result of the inspection. The calculated control data is input to the control device 5 in synchronization with the eggs E being conveyed.

[0023] The abnormal egg inspection unit 3d is provided in the second transport unit 22 and detects abnormalities inside the eggs E transported by the second transport unit 22. Specifically, the abnormal egg inspection unit 3d is a device that irradiates the eggs E with light and inspects the inside of the eggs for abnormalities from the light that passes through the interior, and has a calculation unit (not shown) that calculates control data (e.g., no abnormality / abnormality inside the egg, etc.) used for handling the eggs E from the spectroscopic data of the eggs E obtained as a result of the inspection. The calculated control data is input to the control device 5 in synchronization with the eggs E being transported.

[0024] The sorting section 4 is provided downstream of the abnormal egg inspection section 3d in the second transport section 22, and sorts the eggs E by size and distributes them to the containers P.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 5 has a sorting mode in which it controls each of the conveying sections 21, 22, each of the inspection sections 3a to 3d, and the sorting section 4 to perform sorting operations, and a check mode in which it checks each of the inspection sections 3a to 3d before the sorting device 100 starts operating prior to the sorting operation.

[0026] The control device 5 is configured with a computer having a CPU, memory, an input / output interface, an AD converter, a display device such as a display, etc. The control device 5 executes a sorting mode and a check mode based on a control program stored in the memory. The control device 5 may be configured with a physically integrated computer, or may be configured with physically separate computers.

[0027] The control device 5 has a sorting mode control unit 50 that executes the sorting mode, controls each of the conveying units 21, 22 and each of the inspection units 3a to 3d, and controls the sorting unit 4 based on control data obtained from each of the inspection units 3a to 3d, so that the eggs E are sorted by size and distributed to the containers P.

[0028] Meanwhile, the control device 5 has a check mode control unit 51 that executes the check mode, and displays on the display a check input screen W1 shown in Figures 3 to 6. This check input screen W1 displays check items to be performed in each of the inspection units 3a to 3d and confirmation buttons indicating that the check items have been confirmed.

[0029] The check mode control unit 51 of the control device 5 has a reception unit 51a that receives the confirmation results for each inspection unit 3a to 3d entered on the check input screen W1, and an operation permission unit 51b that permits the start of sorting operation when the confirmation results for each inspection unit 3a to 3d are accepted by the reception unit 51a.

[0030] In other words, the check mode control unit 51 does not allow the start of the sorting operation and does not allow the transition to the sorting mode when the predetermined check has not been completed for each of the inspection units 3a to 3d. Note that not allowing the start of the sorting operation here includes not operating the transport unit 2, not operating each of the inspection units 3a to 3d, not operating the sorting unit 4, etc.

[0031] Here, examples of the display of the check input screen W1 and check items in each of the inspection sections 3a to 3d will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0032] The check input screen W1 can switch the display for each inspection section, for example, by using tabs displayed in the upper left. Note that Fig. 3 to Fig. 6 show examples in which "Weighing" is displayed to switch to the display for checking the weighing section, "Bibi" is displayed to switch to the display for checking the cracked egg inspection section, "Dirty Egg" is displayed to switch to the display for checking the dirty egg inspection section, and "Abnormal Egg" is displayed to switch to the display for checking the abnormal egg inspection section.

[0033] The display for checking the weighing unit is shown in Figure 3. The check items for the weighing unit are "0g check (indicated value of zero point)", "50g check (indicated value when a 50g weight is weighed)", and "100g check (indicated value when a 100g weight is weighed)". This display has a display column that displays the check results (indicated value) of the weighing units 3a in each row. After all checks have been completed for the weighing units 3a in each row, pressing the confirmation button sends the check results of the weighing units 3a to the reception unit 51a.

[0034] This display can also show the next check that the operator should perform (for example, "Place a 50 g weight on the No. 2 weighing scale"). If the indicated value is above or below a specified value, it is conceivable that the operator will take action. In this embodiment, the details of this action (for example, "Perform zero / span correction on the No. 2 weighing scale") can be entered in the "Action" field.

[0035] The display for checking the cracked egg inspection unit is shown in FIG. 4. When the "ON button" for turning on the test mode is pressed, the cracked egg inspection unit 3b enters the test mode. In this state, the cracked egg inspection unit 3b is checked. The check items of the cracked egg inspection unit 3b are judgment checks of whether or not cracks have been detected. For example, "Crack Lv3 (judgment check with a simulated egg with a small crack)", "Crack Lv5 (judgment check with a simulated egg with a medium crack)", and "Crack Lv7 (judgment check with a simulated egg with a large crack)". In addition, the check items of the cracked egg inspection unit 3b also include visual confirmation, such as microphone filter contamination, hammer wear, hammer hitting timing, and output of judgment results to the control device 5. Then, when a crack has been detected in each judgment check and when a visual confirmation has been made, pressing the confirmation button (OK button) sends the confirmation results of the cracked egg inspection unit 3b to the reception unit 51a.

[0036] The display for checking the dirty egg inspection unit is shown in FIG. 5. When the "ON button" for turning on the test mode is pressed, the dirty egg inspection unit 3c enters the test mode. In this state, the dirty egg inspection unit 3c is checked. The check items of the dirty egg inspection unit 3c are a camera check (for example, a "white balance check", a "light quantity check", a "focus check", etc.) and a judgment check of whether dirt has been detected. For example, "yellow dirt Lv5 (judgment check with a dummy egg with yellow dirt)", "black dirt Lv5 (judgment check with a dummy egg with black dirt)", and "white dirt Lv5 (judgment check with a dummy egg with white dirt)". In addition, the check items of the dirty egg inspection unit 3c also include visual confirmation, such as no foreign matter attached to the camera, no condensation on the camera, and output of the judgment result to the control device 5. Then, when dirt has been detected in each judgment check and visual confirmation has been made, pressing the confirmation button (OK button) sends the confirmation result of the dirty egg inspection unit 3c to the reception unit 51a.

[0037] The display for checking the abnormal egg inspection unit is shown in FIG. 6. When the "ON button" for turning on the test mode is pressed, the abnormal egg inspection unit 3d enters the test mode. In this state, the abnormal egg inspection unit 3d is checked. The check items of the abnormal egg inspection unit 3d are a light intensity check and a judgment check of whether an abnormal egg has been detected. For example, "disturbance (judgment check using a simulated egg simulating a disturbed egg)", "blood ball (judgment check using a simulated egg simulating a bloody egg)", "no yolk egg (judgment check using a simulated egg simulating a no yolk egg)", and "rotten egg (judgment check using a simulated egg simulating a rotten egg)". The check items of the abnormal egg inspection unit 3d also include visual confirmation, such as whether the head unit is set correctly and output of the judgment result to the control device 5. Then, when an abnormal egg has been detected in each judgment check and when visual confirmation has been made, pressing the confirmation button (OK button) sends the confirmation result of the abnormal egg inspection unit 3d to the reception unit 51a.

[0038] Then, the operation permission unit 51b permits the start of the processing operation (sorting operation) when the reception unit 51a has obtained the confirmation results of each of the inspection units 3a to 3d. Here, the operation permission unit 51b may permit the start of the sorting operation when the confirmation results of all the inspection units 3a to 3d provided in the sorting device 100 have been received, or may permit the start of the sorting operation when the confirmation results of some of the inspection units 3a to 3d have been received.

[0039] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the control device 5 may further include a storage unit 51c that stores the confirmation results of each of the inspection units 3a to 3d received by the reception unit 51a, and an output unit 51d that outputs the confirmation results of each of the inspection units 3a to 3d stored in the storage unit 51c.

[0040] The storage unit 51c stores the confirmation results of the inspection units 3a to 3d received by the reception unit 51a. In addition to the confirmation results of the inspection units 3a to 3d, the storage unit 51c also stores the date and time of confirmation input, information about the person who made the check, and the like, in association with the confirmation results.

[0041] The output unit 51d outputs the confirmation results of the inspection units 3a to 3d stored in the storage unit 51c to, for example, a cloud, a server, a printer, a USB memory, etc. Here, the output unit 51d may be configured to output when an output request from an operator or the like is received, or may be configured to automatically output at a predetermined timing regardless of an output request from an operator or the like.

[0042] <Checking the sorting equipment> As shown in Fig. 7, when the sorting device 100 is started, the control device 5 goes into a check mode and displays a check input screen W1 on the display (S1). The operator checks each of the inspection units 3a-3d according to the check items displayed on the check input screen W1 and presses the confirmation button. When the confirmation button is pressed, the confirmation result of the corresponding check item is transmitted to the reception unit 51a and accepted.

[0043] Then, when the confirmation button is pressed for all the check items displayed on the check input screen W1 (S2), the operation permission unit 51b permits the start of the processing operation (sorting operation) (S3). As a result, the control device 5 switches to a sorting mode, and controls the conveying unit 2, the inspection units 3a-3d, the sorting unit 4, etc., based on a sorting start command input by an operator or the like, to perform the sorting operation (S4). Thereafter, the control device 5 ends the sorting operation based on a sorting end command input by an operator or the like.

[0044] <Effects of this embodiment> According to the sorting device 100 of the present embodiment, the sorting operation is not possible unless the predetermined checks have been completed for each of the inspection units 3a to 3d, so that the quality of the sorted eggs can be improved.

[0045] In this embodiment, the confirmation results of each of the inspection units 3a-3d can be stored in storage unit 51c and the stored confirmation results of each of the inspection units 3a-3d can be output, so that, for example, a ledger can be automatically created. In addition, the confirmation results of each egg processing device can be centrally managed by outputting the results to the cloud, a server, a printer, a USB memory, etc.

[0046] <Modified embodiment of the present invention> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0047] For example, in the above embodiment, a sorting device has been described as an example of an egg processing device, but other egg processing devices such as a developing egg inspection device may also be used.

[0048] Furthermore, the check items for each of the inspection units 3a to 3d displayed on the check input screen W1 can be set arbitrarily. Also, the check timing is preset for each of the inspection units 3a to 3d. For example, the weighing unit 3a checks every day, while the cracked egg inspection unit 3b and dirty egg inspection unit 3c check once a week. When each of the inspection units 3a to 3d is different, the check input screen W1 displays the check items for the inspection unit that has the check timing.

[0049] Furthermore, the check items of each inspection unit 3a-3d displayed on the check input screen W1 may be configured so that they can be dynamically changed by a server such as a higher-level management device communicatively connected to the egg processing apparatus 100. In this case, the server transmits the changed check items to the control device 5 of the egg processing apparatus 100 at predetermined intervals, for example, daily, weekly, or monthly. The control device 5, which receives the changed check items, updates the display on the check input screen W1 or the check items on each inspection unit 3a-3d based on the changed check items.

[0050] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 100 Egg processing device (egg sorting device) E...egg 2. Conveyor section 3a...Measuring part 3b Cracked Egg Inspection Department 3c Dirty Egg Inspection Department 3d Abnormal Egg Inspection Department 4 Processing section (sorting section) 5. Control device 51a Reception 51b...Operation permission section 51c Storage area 51d Output section

Claims

1. A conveying unit that conveys eggs; an inspection unit that inspects the eggs transported by the transport unit; a processing unit that processes the eggs transported by the transport unit based on an inspection result of the inspection unit; and a control device that does not allow the start of a processing operation unless a predetermined confirmation has been completed by the inspection unit.

2. The control device includes: a reception unit that receives a confirmation result from the inspection unit; The egg processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an operation permission unit that permits start of a processing operation when the confirmation result of the inspection unit is accepted by the acceptance unit.

3. The control device includes: a storage unit for storing the confirmation result of the inspection unit received by the reception unit; The egg processing device according to claim 2 , further comprising an output unit that outputs a confirmation result of the inspection unit stored in the storage unit.

4. A control program for an egg processing device including a conveying unit that conveys eggs, an inspection unit that inspects the eggs conveyed by the conveying unit, and a processing unit that processes the eggs conveyed by the conveying unit based on an inspection result of the inspection unit, A control program that provides a computer with a function of disabling the start of a processing operation unless a predetermined check is completed for the inspection unit.

5. A method for controlling an egg processing device comprising: a conveying unit that conveys eggs; an inspection unit that inspects the eggs conveyed by the conveying unit; and a processing unit that processes the eggs conveyed by the conveying unit based on an inspection result of the inspection unit, A control method in which a processing operation cannot be started unless a predetermined check is completed for the inspection unit.

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