Fish Roe Paste Foreign Substance Removal Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing foreign substances, such as anisakis, from fish roe paste are inefficient and unreliable, particularly due to the difficulty in visual inspection under ultraviolet light and the challenge of distinguishing parasites from fish eggs using mesh-based systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that irradiate fish roe paste with visible light or ultraviolet rays across multiple imaging areas to detect fluorescing foreign substances, with image processing to determine their presence and a removal system to extract them, ensuring reliable and efficient removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If visual inspection under ultraviolet light is used to remove foreign substances, then foreign substances can be detected, but the inspection process is harmful to human health and detection precision is limited by operator variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection with an automated image processing system that captures images of fish roe paste under ultraviolet light, processes them computationally, and automatically identifies foreign substances. This eliminates direct human exposure to prolonged ultraviolet light while maintaining detection capability through automated image analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy (image) of the fish roe paste under ultraviolet illumination and processes this copy through image processing algorithms. The image serves as a surrogate for direct visual inspection, allowing foreign substances to be identified without requiring operators to directly observe the ultraviolet-illuminated sample for extended periods.
2Ease of operation
If mesh-shaped tray structure is used to remove foreign substances, then removal operation is simplified, but detection precision is insufficient because nematode worms can pass through the mesh
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical mesh filtration system with an automated optical detection and image processing system. Instead of relying on physical mesh structures that may allow small nematode worms to pass through, the system uses ultraviolet illumination combined with automated image capture and processing to detect foreign substances with higher precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from physical size-based mechanical filtration to optical property-based detection. By utilizing the fluorescent properties of foreign substances under ultraviolet light and processing the optical signals through image processing algorithms, the system achieves superior detection precision compared to mesh filtration.
3Ease of operation
If manual visual inspection is used to identify and remove foreign substances, then removal operation is simple, but productivity is low and detection precision varies by operator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection with an automated system that combines ultraviolet illumination, image capture, and computer-based image processing. This automated system dramatically increases productivity by processing fish roe paste continuously without human fatigue, while maintaining consistent detection precision through algorithmic analysis rather than variable human perception.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a self-service detection system where the image processing algorithm automatically identifies foreign substances without requiring continuous human operator intervention. The system autonomously processes images, detects anomalies, and provides results, thereby eliminating the limitations of manual inspection while maintaining operational simplicity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method and apparatus effectively and efficiently remove foreign substances from fish roe paste by imaging and processing the fish roe paste in a flow passage with adjustable height, allowing for accurate detection and removal of foreign substances, improving upon the limitations of manual inspection and mesh-based systems.
Implementation Method 1
some of the parasites such as anisakis have characteristics of fluorescing when being irradiated with visible light or an ultraviolet ray having a predetermined wavelength
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an apparatus (10) for producing fish roe paste, the apparatus (10) including: a flow passage forming section (72) configured to form a flow passage (70) for conveying the fish roe paste in a state of being thinly spread; at least two areas (56, 58) to be imaged that are formed in an upper surface (72a) and a lower surface (72b) of the flow passage forming section (72), and are each made of a material that transmits predetermined visible light or a predetermined ultraviolet ray; at least two image pickup sections (50, 60) that are provided at positions at which the at least two areas (56, 58) to be imaged are able to be imaged, and are configured to perform image pickup processing; an inspection section (40) configured to perform inspection processing; and a removal section (80) that is provided on a downstream side of a conveyance direction (100) in the flow passage forming section (72), and is configured to perform removal processing.