Estimating device and estimating method

Abstract

An estimating device 1 estimates a material constituting a resin cap 2. The cap 2 has a side surface portion with a hollow cylindrical shape, and a top surface portion with a disk shape constituting a bottom face of the cylinder. The estimating device comprises a movement portion 12, an incidence portion 11, a detecting portion 13, and an estimating portion 15. The movement portion moves the cap to a predetermined detection position in one predetermined state among a top surface downward state in which the top surface portion constitutes the vertically downward end surface of the cap, and a top surface upward state in which the top surface part constitutes the vertically upward end surface of the cap. The incidence portion generates electromagnetic waves having a frequency of 10 [GHz] to 10 [THz], and causes the generated electromagnetic waves to be incident on the cap from vertically above the cap at the detection position. The detecting portion detects the electromagnetic waves emitted from the cap vertically below the cap. The estimating portion estimates the material on the basis of the intensity of the detected electromagnetic waves.

Description

Estimation device and estimation method

[0001] The present invention relates to an estimation device and an estimation method.

[0002] Solid waste (e.g., waste plastics) is sorted based on the materials that make up the solid waste, and each material is reused. Therefore, for example, when solid waste is reused by generating materials from the solid waste, if the solid waste is sorted with high accuracy, the purity of the generated materials can be increased.

[0003] For this reason, estimation devices that estimate the materials that make up solid waste are known. For example, the estimation device described in Patent Document 1 includes an incidence unit that generates electromagnetic waves having a frequency of 10 GHz to 10 THz and directs the generated electromagnetic waves toward solid waste. The estimation device further includes a detection unit that detects electromagnetic waves emitted from the solid waste as a result of the electromagnetic waves being directed toward the solid waste. In addition, the estimation device includes an estimation unit that estimates the materials that make up the solid waste based on the intensity of the detected electromagnetic waves.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-120625

[0005] A plastic cap that is removably attached to a container for solid waste to open and close the mouth of the container has a hollow cylindrical side portion and a disk-shaped top portion that forms the bottom surface of the cylinder formed by the side portion.

[0006] When placed on a flat surface, the cap is stable in both a top-down state in which the top surface forms the end face of the cap vertically below, and a top-up state in which the top surface forms the end face of the cap vertically above.

[0007] However, after extensive research, the inventors of the present application discovered that when electromagnetic waves are incident from vertically above the cap, the strength of the detected electromagnetic waves may vary considerably depending on whether the cap is in the top-down or top-up state. However, the above-described estimation device cannot control the state of the cap. As a result, the accuracy of the estimation device in estimating the material constituting the cap may be excessively low.

[0008] One of the objects of the present invention is to estimate the material that constitutes the cap with high accuracy.

[0009] In one aspect, the estimation device estimates the material constituting a resin cap that has a hollow cylindrical side portion and a disk-shaped top portion that forms the bottom surface of the cylinder formed by the side portion, and that is removably attached to the container to open and close the mouth of the container.

[0010] The estimation device includes a moving unit, an incident unit, a detecting unit, and an estimating unit. The moving unit moves the cap to a predetermined detection position in one of a top-surface-down state in which the top surface portion forms a vertically downward end face of the cap, and a top-surface-up state in which the top surface portion forms a vertically upward end face of the cap.

[0011] The incident unit generates electromagnetic waves having a frequency of 10 GHz to 10 THz and makes the generated electromagnetic waves incident on the cap from vertically above the cap at a detection position. The detection unit detects the electromagnetic waves emitted from the cap vertically below the cap as a result of the electromagnetic waves incident on the cap. The estimation unit estimates the material constituting the cap based on the intensity of the detected electromagnetic waves.

[0012] In another aspect, the estimation method estimates the material constituting a resin cap that has a hollow cylindrical side portion and a disk-shaped top portion that forms the bottom surface of the cylinder formed by the side portion, and that is removably attached to the container to open and close the mouth of the container.

[0013] The estimation method includes: moving the cap to a predetermined detection position in one of a top surface downward state in which the top surface portion forms an end surface vertically below the cap, and a top surface upward state in which the top surface portion forms an end surface vertically above the cap; generating electromagnetic waves having a frequency of 10 GHz to 10 THz; making the generated electromagnetic waves incident on the cap from vertically above the cap at the detection position; detecting the electromagnetic waves emitted from the cap as a result of the electromagnetic waves incident on the cap, vertically below the cap; and estimating the material that constitutes the cap based on the intensity of the detected electromagnetic waves.

[0014] The material that constitutes the cap can be estimated with high accuracy.

[0015] 1 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating the configuration of the estimation device of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an incident unit, a moving unit, and a detecting unit of the estimation device of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the moving unit of the estimation device of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the moving unit of the estimation device of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the moving unit of the estimation device of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the moving unit of the estimation device of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the moving unit of the estimation device of the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating an example of measurement of transmittance when the cap is in a top surface up state or a top surface down state. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the moving unit of the estimation device of a first modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a side view of the moving unit of the estimation device of the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a side view of the moving unit of the estimation device of the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the moving unit of the estimation device of a third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a side view of the moving unit of the estimation device of the third embodiment. FIG. 14 is a plan view of the moving unit of the estimation device of the third embodiment.

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of an estimation device and an estimation method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0017] First Embodiment (Overview) The estimation device of the first embodiment estimates the material constituting a resin cap. The cap has a hollow cylindrical side surface and a disk-shaped top surface constituting the bottom surface of the cylinder formed by the side surface, and is removably attached to a container so as to open and close the mouth of the container.

[0018] The estimation device includes a moving unit, an incident unit, a detecting unit, and an estimating unit. The moving unit moves the cap to a predetermined detection position in one of a top-surface-down state in which the top surface portion forms a vertically downward end face of the cap, and a top-surface-up state in which the top surface portion forms a vertically upward end face of the cap.

[0019] The incident unit generates electromagnetic waves having a frequency of 10 GHz to 10 THz and makes the generated electromagnetic waves incident on the cap from vertically above the cap at a detection position. The detection unit detects the electromagnetic waves emitted from the cap vertically below the cap as a result of the electromagnetic waves incident on the cap. The estimation unit estimates the material constituting the cap based on the intensity of the detected electromagnetic waves.

[0020] According to this, the state of the cap is controlled to a predetermined state. As a result, when the state of the cap is the predetermined state, electromagnetic waves are incident on the cap, and the electromagnetic waves emitted from the cap are detected. As a result, the material constituting the cap can be estimated with high accuracy. Next, the estimation device of the first embodiment will be described in more detail.

[0021] 1 and 2, the estimation device 1 includes an incident unit 11, a moving unit 12, a detecting unit 13, a storage unit 14, and an estimating unit 15. FIG. 1 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating the configuration of the estimation device 1. In FIG. 1, solid arrows and dotted arrows represent the propagation of electromagnetic waves and the transmission of information, respectively. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the incident unit 11, the moving unit 12, and the detecting unit 13. In FIG. 2, dashed lines, dashed-dotted lines, and dotted lines represent the path along which the electromagnetic waves propagate (in other words, the optical path), the optical axis, and hidden lines, respectively.

[0022] The estimation device 1 estimates the material constituting a cap 2. The cap 2 has a hollow cylindrical side surface 2a and a disk-shaped top surface 2b constituting the bottom surface of the cylinder formed by the side surface 2a. The cap 2 is removably attached to a container so as to open and close the mouth of the container. For example, the container is a container (e.g., a plastic bottle) made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0023] The cap 2 is made of resin. In this example, the cap 2 is made of a material whose main component is polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE). For example, the cap 2 may be waste.

[0024] The cap 2 may be made of a material whose main component is a resin other than PP and PE (for example, ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) resin, polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), etc.).

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2 , the incident unit 11 includes an electromagnetic wave generating unit 11a, a first aperture unit 11b, and a lens unit 11c. The electromagnetic wave generating unit 11a generates electromagnetic waves having a frequency of 10 GHz to 10 THz (in other words, sub-terahertz waves or terahertz waves). Note that in this specification, sub-terahertz waves or terahertz waves may be referred to as light. In this example, the frequency of the electromagnetic waves generated by the electromagnetic wave generating unit 11a is 140 GHz. Note that the frequency of the electromagnetic waves generated by the electromagnetic wave generating unit 11a may be a frequency different from 140 GHz. For example, the frequency of the electromagnetic waves generated by the electromagnetic wave generating unit 11a is preferably 64 GHz to 5 THz.

[0026] In this example, the electromagnetic wave generating unit 11a includes a GUNN diode, an IMPATT (Impact Avalanche and Transit Time) diode, or a resonant tunneling diode (RTD). Note that the electromagnetic wave generating unit 11a may also include an oscillator using a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) and a frequency multiplier (for example, a phase-locked loop) that multiplies the frequency of the electromagnetic wave generated by the oscillator by n (n is a real number greater than 1).

[0027] In this example, the electromagnetic wave generator 11a generates a continuous wave. Alternatively, the electromagnetic wave generator 11a may generate a pulsed wave. For example, the diode included in the electromagnetic wave generator 11a may operate at high speed, for example, for a period of several picoseconds to several hundred picoseconds.

[0028] The first diaphragm portion 11b is located between the electromagnetic wave generating portion 11a and the lens portion 11c and allows only a portion of the electromagnetic waves generated by the electromagnetic wave generating portion 11a to pass through. In this example, the first diaphragm portion 11b has a hollow truncated conical shape with a central axis extending along a first straight line L1 connecting the cap 2 and the position where the electromagnetic waves are emitted from the electromagnetic wave generating portion 11a. The inner diameter of the first diaphragm portion 11b increases from the electromagnetic wave generating portion 11a toward the lens portion 11c.

[0029] In this example, when the cap 2 is located at the detection position, as described below, the top surface 2b extends along a plane (in this example, a horizontal plane) perpendicular to the z-axis, and the top surface 2b forms the vertically downward end surface of the cap 2. In this example, the first line L1 extends in the z-axis direction. In this example, the first line L1 forms a line through which the optical axis of the lens portion 11c passes. In this example, the first line L1 passes approximately through the center of the top surface 2b of the cap 2 when the cap 2 is located at the detection position.

[0030] The lens unit 11c converts the electromagnetic waves generated by the electromagnetic wave generating unit 11a and passed through the first diaphragm unit 11b into parallel light parallel to the first straight line L1. In other words, the lens unit 11c has a position where the position at which the electromagnetic waves are emitted from the electromagnetic wave generating unit 11a coincides with the focal point of the lens unit 11c.

[0031] In this example, the lens portion 11c is a plano-convex lens made of polytetrafluoroethylene. Instead of a plano-convex lens, the lens portion 11c may be a biconvex lens or a concave lens. The lens portion 11c may also be made of high-resistivity silicon. For example, high-resistivity silicon is manufactured using a float zone method (in other words, a floating casting method).

[0032] In this way, the incident unit 11 converts the electromagnetic waves generated by the electromagnetic wave generating unit 11a into parallel light parallel to the first straight line L1 passing through the electromagnetic wave generating unit 11a and the cap 2 via the first diaphragm unit 11b and the lens unit 11c, and causes the converted parallel light to be incident on the cap 2. In this example, the direction along the first straight line L1 (in other words, the z-axis direction) corresponds to the incident direction.

[0033] The moving unit 12 moves the cap 2 to a predetermined detection position in one of a top surface down state and a top surface up state, which is a predetermined state. The top surface down state is a state in which the top surface portion 2b forms the vertically downward end face of the cap 2. The top surface up state is a state in which the top surface portion 2b forms the vertically upward end face of the cap 2. In this example, the moving unit 12 moves the cap 2 to the detection position in the top surface down state. Note that the moving unit 12 may also move the cap 2 to the detection position in the top surface up state.

[0034] 3 to 6, the moving section 12 includes a storage section 12a and an inclined section 12b. FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of the moving section 12. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the moving section 12. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the moving section 12 taken along the plane indicated by line VI-VI in FIG. 5.

[0035] The storage section 12a has a space SP capable of storing the cap 2, and has a first hole HL1 in the bottom surface that forms the space SP. The space SP of the storage section 12a constitutes a detection position. In this example, the space SP of the storage section 12a is cylindrical with its central axis extending in the z-axis direction and is open vertically upward. The diameter of the space SP of the storage section 12a is slightly larger than the diameter of the top surface section 2b.

[0036] The first hole HL1 has a cylindrical shape with a central axis extending in the z-axis direction and a diameter smaller than the diameter of the top surface portion 2b. In this example, the first hole HL1 penetrates the storage portion 12a in the z-axis direction. Note that the first hole HL1 may have a bottom. In this example, the first hole HL1 corresponds to a circular opening located on the bottom surface that forms the space SP of the storage portion 12a.

[0037] The inclined portion 12b has a second hole HL2 penetrating the inclined portion 12b in the y-axis direction. The second hole HL2 has a rectangular bottom surface with short sides extending in the x-axis direction and long sides extending in the z-axis direction, and a generatrix in the shape of an oblique prism whose generatrix is ​​inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. The short sides are slightly longer than the length of the side surface portion 2a of the cap 2 in the central axis direction (in other words, the height of the cap 2). The long sides are slightly longer than the diameter of the top surface portion 2b of the cap 2. The second hole HL2 may be open vertically upward.

[0038] Therefore, in this example, the plane formed by the path traced by the parallel translation of the short side of the wall surface forming the second hole HL2 located on the negative side of the z-axis along the generatrix is ​​the inclined surface IS inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. In this example, the inclination angle of the inclined surface IS with respect to the horizontal plane is 3 to 5 degrees. However, the inclination angle of the inclined surface IS with respect to the horizontal plane may be 6 degrees or more.

[0039] With this configuration, as shown in Figure 7, when the cap 2 is inserted into the second hole HL2 from the end of the inclined portion 12b in the positive direction of the y-axis with the top surface portion 2b extending along the vertical plane, the cap 2 rolls on the inclined surface IS with the top surface portion 2b extending along the vertical plane.

[0040] The cap 2 then falls from the end of the inclined surface IS in the negative y-axis direction into the space SP of the storage section 12a. At this time, the cap 2 is supported by the edge of the first hole HL1. When the top surface 2b extends along a vertical plane, the center of gravity of the cap 2 is located closer to the top surface 2b than the center of the cap 2 in the direction along the central axis of the cap 2. Therefore, the cap 2 falls toward the top surface 2b. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the cap 2 is stored in the space SP of the storage section 12a with the top surface facing downward.

[0041] In this way, the inclined portion 12b has an inclined surface IS that guides the cap 2 into the storage portion 12a as the cap 2 rolls with the top surface 2b extending along a vertical plane.

[0042] The detector 13 is located in a region vertically below the first hole HL1 of the housing 12a. The detector 13 may alternatively be located in the first hole HL1 of the housing 12a. In this example, as shown in FIG. 2, the detector 13 includes a second aperture 13a and an electromagnetic wave detector 13b.

[0043] The second narrowing portion 13a passes only a portion of the electromagnetic waves that have passed through the cap 2 between the cap 2 and the electromagnetic wave detection unit 13b. In this example, the second narrowing portion 13a has a hollow truncated conical shape with a central axis extending along the first straight line L1. The inner diameter of the second narrowing portion 13a decreases from the cap 2 toward the electromagnetic wave detection unit 13b.

[0044] In this example, the inner diameter (i.e., the maximum inner diameter of the second diaphragm portion 13a) at the vertically upper end (i.e., the upper end) of the second diaphragm portion 13a is smaller than the diameter of the first hole HL1. In this example, as shown in Fig. 2, the opening at the upper end of the second diaphragm portion 13a is narrower than the region through which the parallel light converted by the lens portion 11c passes (i.e., the parallel light passing region), and is included in the parallel light passing region.

[0045] The opening at the upper end of the second diaphragm portion 13a may be substantially the same as the collimated light passing region, or may be wider than the collimated light passing region so as to include the collimated light passing region.

[0046] The electromagnetic wave detection unit 13b detects electromagnetic waves that have passed through the cap 2 and the second diaphragm unit 13a. In this example, the electromagnetic wave detection unit 13b includes a Schottky barrier diode and detects electromagnetic waves using the Schottky barrier diode. For example, the diode included in the electromagnetic wave detection unit 13b may operate at high speed, within a range from several picoseconds to several hundred picoseconds.

[0047] In this example, the electromagnetic wave that is made incident on the cap 2 by the incident unit 11 and that has passed through the cap 2 (in other words, the transmitted wave) corresponds to the electromagnetic wave that has been emitted from the cap 2. In other words, in this example, the detection unit 13 detects the intensity of the electromagnetic wave that has passed through the cap 2 and been emitted from the cap 2.

[0048] In this way, the detection unit 13 detects the electromagnetic waves that are incident on the cap 2 by the incident unit 11 and that have passed through the cap 2 (in other words, the electromagnetic waves that are incident on the cap 2 and are emitted from the cap 2) vertically below the first hole HL1.

[0049] The storage unit 14 stores transmittance information. The transmittance information is information in which transmittance and material are associated with each other. The transmittance is the ratio of the intensity of the electromagnetic wave transmitted through the cap 2 to the intensity of the electromagnetic wave incident on the cap 2.

[0050] The estimation unit 15 estimates the material that constitutes the cap 2 based on the intensity of the electromagnetic waves detected by the detection unit 13 and the transmittance information stored in the storage unit 14 .

[0051] In this example, the estimation unit 15 calculates the transmittance by dividing the intensity of the electromagnetic wave detected by the detection unit 13 by the intensity of the electromagnetic wave incident on the cap 2, and estimates the material constituting the cap 2 based on the calculated transmittance and the transmittance information stored in the storage unit 14. Note that the estimation device 1 may use transmission intensity instead of transmittance. The transmission intensity is the intensity of the electromagnetic wave that transmits through the cap 2.

[0052] (Operation) Next, the operation of the estimation device 1 of the first embodiment will be described. First, with the top surface 2b extending along the vertical plane, the cap 2 is inserted into the second hole HL2 from the end of the inclined portion 12b in the positive direction of the y-axis. As a result, the cap 2 rolls on the inclined surface IS with the top surface 2b extending along the vertical plane.

[0053] The cap 2 then falls from the end of the inclined surface IS in the negative y-axis direction into the space SP of the storage section 12a. As a result, the cap 2 falls toward the top surface 2b. The cap 2 is then stored in the space SP of the storage section 12a with the top surface facing downward.

[0054] Next, the incident unit 11 generates electromagnetic waves having a frequency of 10 GHz to 10 THz and makes the generated electromagnetic waves incident in the incident direction onto the cap 2. Next, the detection unit 13 detects the electromagnetic waves emitted from the cap 2 as a result of the electromagnetic waves being incident onto the cap 2 by the incident unit 11.

[0055] The estimation unit 15 then estimates the material that constitutes the cap 2 based on the intensity of the electromagnetic waves detected by the detection unit 13 and the transmittance information stored in the storage unit 14 .

[0056] As described above, the estimation device 1 of the first embodiment estimates the material constituting the resin cap 2. The cap 2 has a hollow cylindrical side surface 2a and a disk-shaped top surface 2b that forms the bottom surface of the cylinder formed by the side surface 2a, and is removably attached to a container so as to open and close the mouth of the container.

[0057] The estimation device 1 includes a moving unit 12, an incident unit 11, a detecting unit 13, and an estimating unit 15. The moving unit 12 moves the cap 2 to a predetermined detection position in one of a predetermined state (in this example, the top surface down state) of a top surface down state in which the top surface 2b forms an end face of the cap 2 at a vertically lower position, and a top surface up state in which the top surface 2b forms an end face of the cap 2 at a vertically upper position.

[0058] The incident unit 11 generates electromagnetic waves having a frequency of 10 GHz to 10 THz and makes the generated electromagnetic waves incident on the cap 2 from vertically above the cap 2 at a detection position. The detection unit 13 detects the electromagnetic waves emitted from the cap 2 vertically below the cap 2 as a result of the electromagnetic waves being incident on the cap 2. The estimation unit 15 estimates the material that makes up the cap 2 based on the intensity of the detected electromagnetic waves.

[0059] According to this, the state of the cap 2 is controlled to a predetermined state. As a result, when the state of the cap 2 is the predetermined state, electromagnetic waves are incident on the cap 2, and the electromagnetic waves emitted from the cap 2 are detected. As a result, the material constituting the cap 2 can be estimated with high accuracy.

[0060] Furthermore, in the estimation device 1 of the first embodiment, the moving unit 12 includes a storage unit 12a and an inclined unit 12b. The storage unit 12a has a space SP capable of storing the cap 2, and has a circular opening (in this example, a first hole HL1) on the bottom surface that forms the space SP and has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the top surface 2b. The inclined unit 12b has an inclined surface IS that guides the cap 2 into the storage unit 12a as the cap 2 rolls with the top surface 2b extending along a vertical plane.

[0061] When the top surface 2b extends along a vertical plane, the center of gravity of the cap 2 is located closer to the top surface 2b than to the center of the cap 2 in the direction along the central axis of the cap 2. Therefore, in this state, if the cap 2 is supported by the edge of a circular opening with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the top surface 2b, the cap 2 is likely to tip toward the top surface 2b. Therefore, the estimation device 1 can move the cap 2 to the detection position with the top surface facing downward. As a result, the material constituting the cap 2 can be estimated with high accuracy.

[0062] Furthermore, in the estimation device 1 of the first embodiment, the storage unit 12a has a space SP that constitutes the detection position, and the detection unit 13 detects the electromagnetic waves emitted from the cap 2 vertically below the opening (in this example, the first hole HL1).

[0063] This allows the intensity of the electromagnetic waves that pass through the opening and that are transmitted through the cap 2 to be detected. Therefore, the influence of the container 12a on the detected electromagnetic waves can be suppressed. As a result, the material that constitutes the cap 2 can be estimated with high accuracy.

[0064] 9 shows examples of transmittance measurements when the cap 2 is in the top-up position and when the cap 2 is in the top-down position, and when the material constituting the cap 2 is primarily PP and when the material is primarily PE. In this example, the transmittance was measured by placing the cap 2 in the housing portion 12a. In this example, the vertical distance between the top surface portion 2b of the cap 2 and the upper end of the second diaphragm portion 13a is 40 mm. In this example, the frequency of the electromagnetic waves generated by the electromagnetic wave generating unit 11a is 140 GHz.

[0065] 9, it can be seen that there is a relatively large difference in transmittance between the top-down state and the top-up state even when the same material is used for the cap 2. Therefore, according to the estimation device 1 of the first embodiment, the state of the cap 2 is controlled to a predetermined state, so that the material of the cap 2 can be estimated with high accuracy.

[0066] <First Modification of First Embodiment> Next, an estimation device according to a first modification of the first embodiment will be described. The estimation device according to the first modification of the first embodiment differs from the estimation device according to the first embodiment in that it processes a plurality of caps sequentially. The following description will focus on the differences. In the description of the first modification of the first embodiment, components that are assigned the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment are the same or substantially similar components.

[0067] (Configuration) As shown in Fig. 10, the estimation device 1 of the first modified example of the first embodiment includes a moving unit 12A instead of the moving unit 12 of the first embodiment. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the moving unit 12A. The moving unit 12A includes a storage unit 12a, an inclined unit 12b, a conveying unit 12c, and a guide unit 12d.

[0068] The storage section 12a has the same configuration as the storage section 12a of the first embodiment, except that the space SP of the storage section 12a is open in the positive direction of the x-axis. The inclined section 12b has the same configuration as the inclined section 12b of the first embodiment.

[0069] The conveying unit 12c conveys the cap 2 placed thereon in a predetermined conveying direction (in this example, the negative direction of the y-axis). In this example, the conveying unit 12c includes a pair of rollers and a belt wound around the pair of rollers, and rotates and moves the belt so that the belt circulates by driving the pair of rollers to rotate.

[0070] The conveying section 12c has an end face of the belt that is vertically upward (in other words, a conveying surface) that extends on the same plane as the bottom surface that forms the space SP of the storage section 12a, or on a plane that is slightly vertically downward from the bottom surface, and the conveying surface is positioned adjacent to the bottom surface that forms the space SP in the positive direction of the x-axis.

[0071] The moving section 12A is equipped with a jet device (not shown), and by moving the cap 2 located in the space SP of the storage section 12a in the positive direction of the x-axis, the jet device generates a jet of air (in other words, an air jet) that flows in the positive direction of the x-axis so as to eject the cap 2 from the space SP.

[0072] In addition, instead of a jet device, the moving section 12A may be equipped with an extrusion device having an extrusion surface that can move back and forth in the x-axis direction, and the extrusion device may eject the cap 2 from the space SP of the storage section 12a by moving the extrusion surface in the positive direction of the x-axis.

[0073] The guide section 12d guides the cap 2 discharged from the space SP of the storage section 12a to the center of the upper end surface of the belt of the conveying section 12c.

[0074] (Operation) Next, the operation of the estimation device 1 according to the first modified example of the first embodiment will be described. First, with the top surface 2b extending along a vertical plane, the first cap 2 is inserted into the second hole HL2 from the end of the inclined portion 12b in the positive direction of the y-axis. As a result, with the top surface 2b extending along a vertical plane, the first cap 2 rolls on the inclined surface IS.

[0075] The first cap 2 then falls from the end of the inclined surface IS in the negative y-axis direction into the space SP of the storage section 12a. As a result, the first cap 2 falls toward the top surface 2b. The first cap 2 is then stored in the space SP of the storage section 12a with the top surface facing downward.

[0076] Next, the incident unit 11 generates electromagnetic waves having a frequency of 10 GHz to 10 THz and makes the generated electromagnetic waves incident in an incident direction on the first cap 2. Next, the detection unit 13 detects the electromagnetic waves emitted from the first cap 2 as a result of the electromagnetic waves being incident on the first cap 2 by the incident unit 11.

[0077] The estimation unit 15 then estimates the material that constitutes the first cap 2 based on the intensity of the electromagnetic waves detected by the detection unit 13 and the transmittance information stored in the storage unit 14 .

[0078] Next, the moving unit 12A generates a jet flow using the jet device to eject the first cap 2 from the space SP of the storage unit 12a. The ejected first cap 2 is guided by the guide unit 12d and placed on the conveying surface of the belt of the moving unit 12A. Next, the first cap 2 is conveyed in the conveying direction.

[0079] Furthermore, at the time when the first cap 2 is ejected from the space SP of the storage section 12a, or at a time slightly before that time, a second cap 2 different from the first cap 2 is inserted into the second hole HL2 from the end of the inclined section 12b in the positive y-axis direction, similar to the first cap 2. Thereafter, the estimation device 1 operates in the same manner as in the case of the first cap 2, thereby estimating the material constituting the second cap 2.

[0080] As described above, the estimation device 1 of the first modified example of the first embodiment achieves the same actions and effects as the estimation device 1 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, the estimation device 1 of the first modified example of the first embodiment can estimate the material constituting each of the plurality of caps 2 by sequentially processing the plurality of caps 2.

[0081] In addition, the estimation device 1 of the first variant of the first embodiment may be provided with an insertion section that inserts the cap 2 into the second hole HL2 from the end of the inclined section 12b in the positive direction of the y-axis, with the top surface section 2b extending along a vertical plane, every time a predetermined time has elapsed or every time the ejection of the cap 2 from the space SP of the storage section 12a is detected.

[0082] The estimation device 1 of the first modified example of the first embodiment may include a sorting unit that sorts the caps 2 transported by the transport unit 12c according to the estimated material. The estimation device 1 of the first modified example of the first embodiment may also have a detection position that is different from the space SP of the storage unit 12a (for example, the transport surface of the belt of the transport unit 12c).

[0083] Second Embodiment Next, an estimation device of a second embodiment will be described. The estimation device of the second embodiment differs from the estimation device of the first embodiment in that the cap is controlled to be in the top surface up state. The following description will focus on the differences. In the description of the second embodiment, components that are assigned the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment are the same or substantially similar.

[0084] 11 and 12, the estimation device 1 of the second embodiment includes a moving unit 12B instead of the moving unit 12 of the first embodiment. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the moving unit 12B. Fig. 12 is a side view of the moving unit 12B.

[0085] The moving unit 12B includes a conveying unit 12e and a removing unit 12f. The conveying unit 12e conveys the cap 2 placed thereon in a predetermined conveying direction (in this example, the negative direction of the y-axis). In this example, the conveying unit 12e includes a pair of rollers and a pair of belts wound around the pair of rollers, and rotates and moves the pair of belts so that the pair of belts circulates by driving the pair of rollers. The pair of belts extend parallel to each other in the conveying direction. In other words, the pair of belts are spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction (in this example, the x-axis direction). In this example, the pair of belts corresponds to a pair of conveyors.

[0086] The removal unit 12f has a rod-shaped body extending in the vertical direction, and the rod-shaped body is capable of reciprocating in the vertical direction such that the upper vertical end (i.e., the tip) of the rod-shaped body moves between a standby position vertically below the upper vertical end face (i.e., the conveying surface) of the belt of the conveying unit 12e and a protruding position vertically above the standby position by a predetermined movement distance.

[0087] In this example, the movement distance is slightly longer than the length in the central axis direction of the side surface portion 2 a of the cap 2 (in other words, the height of the cap 2). Note that the movement distance may be approximately the same as the height of the cap 2, or may be slightly shorter than the height of the cap 2.

[0088] In this example, the rod-shaped body of the removal unit 12f has a tapered shape (for example, a truncated cone shape) at the end portion (i.e., the tip portion) at the vertically upper side. Note that if the rod-shaped body is sufficiently thin relative to the diameter of the top surface portion 2b of the cap 2, the tip portion of the rod-shaped body does not need to have a tapered shape.

[0089] The removal unit 12f detects the point in time when the center of the top surface 2b of the cap 2 reaches vertically above the rod-shaped body, and each time the center of the top surface 2b of the cap 2 reaches vertically above the rod-shaped body, it moves the tip of the rod-shaped body from the standby position to the push-up position, and then moves it from the push-up position to the standby position (in other words, it moves the rod-shaped body back and forth).

[0090] As a result, among the caps 2 being transported by the transport unit 12e, the caps 2 with their top surfaces facing upward are pushed slightly vertically upward by the rod-shaped body, and then return to the transport surface of the belt of the transport unit 12e.

[0091] 13, among the caps 2 being transported by the transport unit 12e, the caps 2 in the top-down state are pushed up by the rod-shaped body to a height higher than the height of the caps 2. As a result, the caps 2 pushed up to a height higher than the height of the caps 2 fall from the transport surface of the belt of the transport unit 12e.

[0092] In this way, the rod-shaped body of the removal unit 12f pushes up the center of the cap 2 from vertically below the cap 2 between a pair of conveying bodies of the conveying unit 12e so as to remove the cap 2 that is in a top surface downward state from the conveying unit 12e among the caps 2 being conveyed by the conveying unit 12e.

[0093] The removal unit 12f may reciprocate the rod-shaped body every time a predetermined operation cycle elapses, without detecting the point in time when the center of the top surface 2b of the cap 2 arrives vertically above the rod-shaped body. The removal unit 12f may also include a plurality of rod-shaped bodies each having a plurality of different positions.

[0094] In this example, the detection position is a position on the conveying surface of the belt of the conveying unit 12e, further in the conveying direction (in this example, the negative direction of the y axis) than the removing unit 12f.

[0095] (Operation) Next, a description will be given of the operation of the estimation device 1 according to the second embodiment. First, the cap 2 is supplied to the conveying surface of the belt of the conveying unit 12e. Next, the cap 2 on the conveying surface is conveyed in the conveying direction.

[0096] When the cap 2 arrives vertically above the rod-shaped body of the removal unit 12f, the tip of the rod-shaped body moves from the standby position to the push-up position, and then moves from the push-up position back to the standby position, thereby removing the cap 2 with its top surface facing down from the transport unit 12e.

[0097] Thereafter, when the cap 2 reaches the detection position, the incident unit 11 generates electromagnetic waves having a frequency of 10 GHz to 10 THz and makes the generated electromagnetic waves incident in the direction of incidence on the cap 2. Next, the detection unit 13 detects the electromagnetic waves emitted from the cap 2 as a result of the electromagnetic waves being incident on the cap 2 by the incident unit 11.

[0098] The estimation unit 15 then estimates the material that constitutes the cap 2 based on the intensity of the electromagnetic waves detected by the detection unit 13 and the transmittance information stored in the storage unit 14 .

[0099] As described above, the estimation device 1 of the second embodiment estimates the material constituting the resin cap 2. The cap 2 has a hollow cylindrical side surface 2a and a disk-shaped top surface 2b that forms the bottom surface of the cylinder formed by the side surface 2a, and is removably attached to a container so as to open and close the mouth of the container.

[0100] The estimation device 1 includes a moving unit 12, an incident unit 11, a detecting unit 13, and an estimating unit 15. The moving unit 12 moves the cap 2 to a predetermined detection position in one of a predetermined state (in this example, the top-surface-up state) of a top-surface-down state in which the top surface 2b forms an end face of the cap 2 at a vertically lower position, and a top-surface-up state in which the top surface 2b forms an end face of the cap 2 at a vertically upper position.

[0101] The incident unit 11 generates electromagnetic waves having a frequency of 10 GHz to 10 THz and makes the generated electromagnetic waves incident on the cap 2 from vertically above the cap 2 at a detection position. The detection unit 13 detects the electromagnetic waves emitted from the cap 2 vertically below the cap 2 as a result of the electromagnetic waves being incident on the cap 2. The estimation unit 15 estimates the material that makes up the cap 2 based on the intensity of the detected electromagnetic waves.

[0102] According to this, the state of the cap 2 is controlled to a predetermined state. As a result, when the state of the cap 2 is the predetermined state, electromagnetic waves are incident on the cap 2, and the electromagnetic waves emitted from the cap 2 are detected. As a result, the material constituting the cap 2 can be estimated with high accuracy.

[0103] Furthermore, in the estimation device 1 of the second embodiment, the moving unit 12B includes a transport unit 12e and a remover 12f. The transport unit 12e has a pair of transport bodies extending parallel to each other in a predetermined transport direction so as to transport the cap 2 in the transport direction. The transport unit 12e has a rod-shaped body that pushes up the center of the cap 2 from vertically below the cap 2 between the pair of transport bodies so as to remove the cap 2 in a top-down state from the transport unit 12e.

[0104] According to this, the cap 2 in the top-down state is pushed up higher by the rod-shaped body than the cap 2 in the top-up state. This allows the cap 2 in the top-down state to be removed from the conveying section 12e. Therefore, the cap 2 can be moved to the detection position in the top-up state. As a result, the material constituting the cap 2 can be estimated with high accuracy.

[0105] Furthermore, according to the estimation device 1 of the second embodiment, by processing a plurality of caps 2 sequentially, it is possible to estimate the material constituting each of the plurality of caps 2 .

[0106] The estimation device 1 of the second embodiment may include a supply unit that supplies caps 2 to the conveying surface of the belt of the conveying unit 12 e every time a predetermined time elapses. The estimation device 1 of the second embodiment may also include a distribution unit that distributes the caps 2 conveyed by the conveying unit 12 e according to the estimated material.

[0107] <Third Embodiment> Next, an estimation device of a third embodiment will be described. The estimation device of the third embodiment differs from the estimation device of the first embodiment in that the state of the cap is controlled based on the distance to the cap. The following description will focus on the differences. In the description of the third embodiment, components that are assigned the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment are the same or substantially similar.

[0108] (Configuration) As shown in Fig. 14 to Fig. 16, the estimation device 1 of the third embodiment includes a moving unit 12C instead of the moving unit 12 of the first embodiment. Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the moving unit 12C. Fig. 15 is a side view of the moving unit 12C. Fig. 16 is a plan view of the moving unit 12C.

[0109] The moving unit 12C includes a conveying unit 12g, a distance sensor 12h, and a remover 12i. The conveying unit 12g conveys the cap 2 placed thereon in a predetermined conveying direction (in this example, the negative direction of the y-axis). In this example, the conveying unit 12g includes a pair of rollers and a belt wound around the pair of rollers, and by driving the pair of rollers to rotate, the belt is rotated and moved so as to circulate.

[0110] The distance sensor 12h detects the distance from a predetermined reference position vertically above the cap 2 on the vertically upper end face (in other words, the conveying surface) of the belt of the conveying unit 12g to the cap 2. For example, the distance sensor 12h may detect the distance using laser light or ultrasonic waves.

[0111] The removal unit 12i is equipped with a jet device, and by moving the cap 2 on the conveying surface in an ejection direction (in this example, the positive direction of the x-axis) perpendicular to the conveying direction, the jet device generates a jet of air (in other words, an air jet) that flows in the ejection direction so as to eject the cap 2 from the conveying surface.

[0112] In addition, instead of a jet device, the removal section 12i may be equipped with an extrusion device having an extrusion surface that can move back and forth in the discharge direction, and the extrusion device may discharge the cap 2 from the conveying surface by moving the extrusion surface in the discharge direction.

[0113] In this example, the moving unit 12C detects the detection point when the center of the top surface 2b of the cap 2 arrives vertically below the distance sensor 12h, and also detects the downstream point when the cap 2 arrives in a position where it receives the jet generated by the jet device.

[0114] If the distance detected by the distance sensor 12h at the detection time is shorter than a predetermined threshold distance, the removal unit 12i causes the jet device to generate an air jet so as to eject the cap 2 from the conveyance surface at the detected downstream time. For example, the threshold distance may be the distance between the reference position and the conveyance surface minus half the length of the side surface 2a of the cap 2 in the central axis direction (in other words, the height of the cap 2). As a result, of the caps 2 being conveyed by the conveyance unit 12g, the caps 2 with their top surfaces facing up are removed from the conveyance unit 12g.

[0115] The removal unit 12i may eject the cap 2 from the conveyance surface when the distance detected by the distance sensor 12h at the time of detection is longer than the threshold distance. In this case, the cap 2 with its top surface facing downward among the caps 2 being conveyed by the conveyance unit 12g is removed from the conveyance unit 12g.

[0116] In this example, the detection position is a position on the conveying surface of the belt of the conveying unit 12g, further in the conveying direction (in this example, the negative direction of the y axis) than the removing unit 12i.

[0117] (Operation) Next, a description will be given of the operation of the estimation device 1 according to the third embodiment. First, the cap 2 is supplied to the conveying surface of the belt of the conveying unit 12g. Next, the cap 2 on the conveying surface is conveyed in the conveying direction.

[0118] When the center of the top surface 2b of the cap 2 comes vertically below the distance sensor 12h, the distance from the reference position to the cap 2 is detected. Next, the cap 2 comes to a position where it receives the jet generated by the jet device.

[0119] When the center of the top surface 2b of the cap 2 comes vertically below the distance sensor 12h (i.e., at the detection point), if the distance detected by the distance sensor 12h is shorter than the threshold distance, the jet device generates an air jet, which ejects the cap 2, which is in the top-up state, from the conveying surface.

[0120] On the other hand, if the distance detected by the distance sensor 12h at the time of detection is longer than the threshold distance, the jet device does not generate an air jet, so that the cap 2 is transported in the transport direction without being ejected from the transport surface.

[0121] Thereafter, when the cap 2 reaches the detection position, the incident unit 11 generates electromagnetic waves having a frequency of 10 GHz to 10 THz and makes the generated electromagnetic waves incident in the direction of incidence on the cap 2. Next, the detection unit 13 detects the electromagnetic waves emitted from the cap 2 as a result of the electromagnetic waves being incident on the cap 2 by the incident unit 11.

[0122] The estimation unit 15 then estimates the material that constitutes the cap 2 based on the intensity of the electromagnetic waves detected by the detection unit 13 and the transmittance information stored in the storage unit 14 .

[0123] As described above, the estimation device 1 of the third embodiment estimates the material constituting the resin cap 2. The cap 2 has a hollow cylindrical side surface 2a and a disk-shaped top surface 2b that forms the bottom surface of the cylinder formed by the side surface 2a, and is removably attached to a container so as to open and close the mouth of the container.

[0124] The estimation device 1 includes a moving unit 12, an incident unit 11, a detecting unit 13, and an estimating unit 15. The moving unit 12 moves the cap 2 to a predetermined detection position in one of a predetermined state (in this example, the top surface down state) of a top surface down state in which the top surface 2b forms an end face of the cap 2 at a vertically lower position, and a top surface up state in which the top surface 2b forms an end face of the cap 2 at a vertically upper position.

[0125] The incident unit 11 generates electromagnetic waves having a frequency of 10 GHz to 10 THz and makes the generated electromagnetic waves incident on the cap 2 from vertically above the cap 2 at a detection position. The detection unit 13 detects the electromagnetic waves emitted from the cap 2 vertically below the cap 2 as a result of the electromagnetic waves being incident on the cap 2. The estimation unit 15 estimates the material that makes up the cap 2 based on the intensity of the detected electromagnetic waves.

[0126] According to this, the state of the cap 2 is controlled to a predetermined state. As a result, when the state of the cap 2 is the predetermined state, electromagnetic waves are incident on the cap 2, and the electromagnetic waves emitted from the cap 2 are detected. As a result, the material constituting the cap 2 can be estimated with high accuracy.

[0127] Furthermore, in the estimation device 1 of the third embodiment, the moving unit 12C includes a transport unit 12g, a distance sensor 12h, and a removal unit 12i. The transport unit 12g transports the cap 2 in a predetermined transport direction. The distance sensor 12h detects the distance from a predetermined position vertically above the cap 2 to the cap 2. The removal unit 12i removes the cap 2 that is in the other state (in this example, the top-up state) of the top-down state and the top-up state from the transport unit 12g based on the detected distance.

[0128] The distance from a predetermined position vertically above the cap 2 to the cap 2 varies considerably depending on whether the cap 2 is in the top-down state or the top-up state. Therefore, the estimation device 1 can remove the cap 2 in the other of the top-down state and the top-up state from the conveying unit 12g. This allows the cap 2 to be moved to the detection position in a predetermined state (in this example, the top-down state) of the top-down state and the top-up state. As a result, the material constituting the cap 2 can be estimated with high accuracy.

[0129] Furthermore, according to the estimation device 1 of the third embodiment, by processing a plurality of caps 2 sequentially, it is possible to estimate the material constituting each of the plurality of caps 2 .

[0130] The estimation device 1 of the third embodiment may include a supply unit that supplies caps 2 to the conveying surface of the belt of the conveying unit 12 g every time a predetermined time elapses. The estimation device 1 of the third embodiment may also include a distribution unit that distributes the caps 2 conveyed by the conveying unit 12 g according to the estimated material.

[0131] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, various modifications that can be understood by a person skilled in the art may be made to the above-described embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0132] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Estimation device 11 Incident section 11a Electromagnetic wave generating section 11b First diaphragm section 11c Lens section 12, 12A, 12B, 12C Moving section 12a Storage section 12b Inclined section 12c, 12e, 12g Transport section 12d Guide section 12f, 12i Removal section 12h Distance sensor 13 Detection section 13a Second diaphragm section 13b Electromagnetic wave detection section 14 Memory section 15 Estimation section 2 Cap 2a Side section 2b Top surface section HL1 Hole HL2 Hole IS Inclined surface SP Space

Claims

1. An estimation device for estimating the material constituting a resin cap having a hollow cylindrical side portion and a disk-shaped top portion constituting the bottom surface of the cylinder formed by the side portion, and which is removably attached to a container to open and close the mouth of the container, comprising: a moving unit that moves the cap to a predetermined detection position in one of a top-down state in which the top portion constitutes the end surface of the cap vertically below, and a top-up state in which the top portion constitutes the end surface of the cap vertically above; an incident unit that generates electromagnetic waves having a frequency of 10 GHz to 10 THz and causes the generated electromagnetic waves to be incident on the cap from vertically above the cap at the detection position; a detection unit that detects the electromagnetic waves emitted from the cap as a result of the electromagnetic waves being incident on the cap, vertically below the cap; and an estimation unit that estimates the material based on the intensity of the detected electromagnetic waves.

2. An estimation device as described in claim 1, wherein the moving unit comprises: a storage unit having a space capable of storing the cap, and a circular opening on the bottom surface forming the space, the opening having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the top surface; and an inclined unit having an inclined surface that guides the cap into the storage unit by the cap rolling with the top surface extending along a vertical plane.

3. An estimation device according to claim 2, wherein the space of the storage unit constitutes the detection position, and the detection unit detects the electromagnetic waves emitted from the cap vertically below the opening.

4. An estimation device as described in claim 1, wherein the moving unit comprises: a conveying unit having a pair of conveying bodies extending parallel to each other in a predetermined conveying direction so as to convey the cap in the conveying direction; and a removal unit having a rod-shaped body that pushes up the center of the cap from vertically below the cap between the pair of conveying bodies so as to remove the cap in the top surface down state from the conveying unit.

5. An estimation device according to claim 1, wherein the moving unit comprises: a transport unit that transports the cap in a predetermined transport direction; a distance sensor that detects the distance from a predetermined position vertically above the cap to the cap; and a removal unit that removes the cap that is in the other of the top surface down state and the top surface up state from the transport unit based on the detected distance.

6. A method for estimating the material constituting a resin cap having a hollow cylindrical side portion and a disk-shaped top portion constituting the bottom surface of the cylinder formed by the side portion, and which is removably attached to a container to open and close the mouth of the container, comprising: moving the cap to a predetermined detection position in one of a top-down state in which the top portion constitutes the end surface vertically below the cap, and a top-up state in which the top portion constitutes the end surface vertically above the cap; generating electromagnetic waves having a frequency of 10 GHz to 10 THz; causing the generated electromagnetic waves to be incident on the cap from vertically above the cap at the detection position; detecting the electromagnetic waves emitted from the cap as a result of the electromagnetic waves entering the cap, vertically below the cap; and estimating the material based on the intensity of the detected electromagnetic waves.

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