JP3271664B2 - Foreign matter detection device in food - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates also relates to equipment for detecting foreign matter mixed in the food, particularly, the invention relates to equipment for detecting a foreign substance after forming the food in a plate shape.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, devices for detecting foreign substances such as metals mixed in the production process of foods and the like have been developed. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
There is an invention described in Japanese Patent No. 33352. According to the present invention, an optical sensor is provided in the middle of the filling and packaging line so as to detect foreign matter other than metal mixed in food or the like, and the foreign matter is detected by this optical sensor. Is detected by a CCD image camera, and the type and size of the foreign matter are detected by processing the signal.

[0003] Another conventional technique is disclosed in
There is an invention described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 15151. In this invention, in order to detect a foreign substance mixed in a liquid, the liquid is passed between transparent flat plates, and a visible light or the like is irradiated from a direction substantially perpendicular to the flat plate to transmit transmitted light. Is detected by a camera and subjected to image processing to detect and remove a foreign substance such as a metal piece.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, foreign substances flowing together with powder and fluid can be detected, but foreign substances mixed in kneaded products such as sake lees and noodle dough are detected. It is not possible.

[0005] This means that, as foreign substances mixed into this type of food, for example, wood chips, stones, grass seeds, rice, rice hulls, etc. may be mixed. If they do, it will be difficult to detect all of them.

[0006] Therefore, an apparatus and a method capable of detecting various foreign substances mixed in foods such as sake lees and noodle dough have been desired.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to a kneading method in which a plate having a certain thickness is formed.
Feeding means for feeding a food consisting of a product at a constant speed in the vertical direction in the space of the foreign matter detection unit, and irradiating light from one side intersecting the feeding direction to the plate-like food of the foreign matter detection unit sent by the sending means. and detection means for detecting a foreign matter in food provided by the image processing transmitted light obtained from the other, the foreign matter detection
Providing the feeding means before and after the means, and synchronizing the feeding means
Roller driven by the device at the same speed as a plate-shaped food
A roller device that feeds the food at a constant speed in contact with the front and back
By making the feed speed of the plate-shaped food constant by forming
Constant along the food flow direction on the discharge side of the roller device
A scraper having a length is provided, and
The steps are illuminated from both sides of the plate-shaped food, and from the other side.
Image processing of the acquired transmitted light enables
It is configured to detect an object . The foreign matter detecting means includes, for example, a light source, a CCD camera, and an image processor. In addition, as a method of determining whether or not a foreign substance is mixed, an image of a target object obtained by a CCD camera is analyzed, and the presence of the foreign substance can be determined from the difference in luminance.

[0008] This makes it possible to detect the presence or absence of various foreign substances by acquiring transmitted light and detecting the presence of various foreign substances while feeding the food formed in a plate shape having a constant thickness in the vertical direction in the space. In addition, foreign substances can be detected even in the case of viscous foods such as sake lees because foreign substances are detected in the space.

Moreover, a stable feed without being influenced by the properties such as viscosity of the food to be formed to Runode, plate feeding speed of the plate-like food by feeding means provided before and after the certain foreign substance detecting means And stable foreign object detection can be performed. For example, even if it is a kneaded product, stable foreign substance detection can be performed.

Further , the feeding means is constituted by a roller device rotating at a constant speed in contact with the front and back of the plate-shaped food, and a scraper having a fixed length along the flow direction of the food is provided on the discharge side of the roller device. Is provided , so that even a viscous food can be sent stably.

Further, the detecting means is configured to detect foreign matter in the food by irradiating the light from both sides of the plate-like food and processing the transmitted light obtained from the other by image processing.
Therefore , the detection accuracy can be further improved.

In addition, a plurality of detecting means are arranged side by side, and a range for acquiring the transmitted light of the detecting means is arranged so that the respective measurement areas overlap each other. By doing so, it is possible to continuously detect foreign substances even in the case of foods formed in a large area plate shape.

In this way, if the plate-like food for detecting foreign matter is made to be approximately 4 to 1 mm thick and then fed by the feeding means, even if the food is easily broken, the plate-like food having a constant thickness is stable. Transport can be performed, and stable light can be transmitted by a predetermined light source, and the accuracy of foreign matter detection can be improved.

Further, when a foreign substance is detected by the detecting means, a foreign substance removing machine for removing the food portion containing the foreign substance in conjunction with the detection signal is provided, whereby the foreign substance detection and the foreign substance removal can be performed quickly. it can.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view of a foreign object detecting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the following embodiments, sake lees will be described as an example of food for detecting foreign matter.

In this embodiment, sake cake formed into a plate having a certain thickness by a molding machine or the like (not shown) is conveyed in a substantially horizontal state by a conveyor 1 as a conveying means from the upper left of the figure. Is bent downward along the guide member 2 formed with a predetermined curvature. The sake lees S bent by the guide member 2 is attached to the foreign matter detecting portion P.
Is fed between the roller units U, which are feed means provided at the upper part of the roller.

This roller device U is composed of a pair of rollers 3 whose rotating shafts 3a are arranged substantially horizontally, and two sets of roller devices U are provided above and below the foreign substance detecting portion P. These roller devices U are provided so as to be located substantially vertically, and the sake lees S are fed in the vertical direction by the roller devices U. Further, the rollers 3 provided in these roller devices U are provided with a driving device (not shown) (for example,
Motor and the like, and are driven at the same rotational speed by a not-shown synchronization device (for example, a gear and a timing belt). By driving these rollers 3 at the same rotation speed, the sake lees S
Feed rate is constant.

Further, a scraper 4 is provided on the discharge side of these roller devices U, and is formed to have a predetermined length along the flow direction of the sake lees S. This scraper 4 is provided substantially in parallel with the sake lees S at a predetermined interval, and has a function as a scraper for preventing the sake lees S from adhering to the roller 3 due to its viscosity and trying to rotate, and It also has a function of guiding the inside of the space in the vertical direction while maintaining the shape of the sake liquor S. The roller 3 side of the scraper 4 is formed on an inward slope so that the sake lees S can be easily guided between the scrapers 4.

The sake lees S sent in the vertical direction between the roller units U are sent downward in the space, and are sent without contacting other than the rollers 3.

The foreign substance detecting section P is provided with a detector R as foreign substance detecting means for detecting a foreign substance from the plate-like sake cake fed at a constant speed by the roller device U. This detector R irradiates light from one side (left side in the figure) that intersects (substantially orthogonal) with the feeding direction of the plate-shaped sake lees S, acquires transmitted light from the other side (right side in the figure), and performs image processing. In this embodiment, a light source 5 for irradiating light, a CCD camera 6 for acquiring transmitted light, and an image processor 7 including a computer for processing an image acquired by the CCD camera 6 are provided. It is composed of The determination by the image processor 7 as to whether or not foreign matter has entered is to analyze the image of the object obtained by the CCD camera 6 and determine whether or not foreign matter is present based on the difference in luminance. This is a so-called light transmission method.

In the case of detecting foreign matter by such a light transmission method, although it depends on the transmittance of the food formed in a plate shape, the sake lees S in the present embodiment has a light source of, for example, 25,000 lux [lx]. When about 30,000 lux [lx] is used, the thickness is preferably about 4 mm to 1 mm, and preferably, the thickness is about 3 mm at 28,000 lux.
Good degree. As the sake lees S becomes thicker, the light transmittance decreases,
When the thickness is reduced, it becomes difficult to carry the sheet while maintaining a plate shape having a constant thickness. The plate-shaped thickness may be any thickness as long as it can be transported at a constant thickness and can transmit light by a light transmission method. Other foods may be formed into a plate having a preferable thickness according to the properties (viscosity, transmittance, etc.).

On the other hand, in this embodiment, when foreign matter is detected by the detector R on the discharge side of the lower roller device U, a foreign matter removing device for cutting and removing the sake lees S in the foreign matter mixing portion is provided. T is provided. This foreign matter removal machine T
A cutting unit 10 having cutting blades 8 at the top and bottom, which is pressed by a piston 9 operated by a signal from a detector R to cut the sake cake S, and a vacuum port 11 for cutting the sake cake S cut by the cutting blade 8.
And a discharge unit 12 that sucks and discharges the liquid. Reference numeral 13 denotes a contact plate of the cutting blade 8.

The sake lees S sent to the discharge side of the foreign matter removing machine T is sent to a packing machine or the like by the conveyor 14.

In this embodiment, the foreign matter remover T is provided to cut and remove the sake lees S sent vertically in the discharge side of the roller device U.
For example, sake lees S mixed with foreign matter may be removed on the conveyor 14, and the position where the foreign matter remover T is provided is not limited to this embodiment.

According to the foreign matter detecting device M ₁ of the first embodiment configured as described above, the sake lees S conveyed by the conveyor 1 is bent downward by the guide member 2 and at a constant speed by the roller device U. It is sent downward while being guided. The sake lees S to be sent is irradiated with light from a light source 5 provided in a direction intersecting with the feeding direction, and the transmitted light is acquired by the CCD camera 6 from the opposite direction of the sake lees S. 7, the presence / absence of a foreign substance is determined from the difference in luminance of the transmitted light. At this time, in this example, since the entire image in the width direction of the sake lees S (food) is simultaneously image-processed, it is determined whether or not a foreign substance exists within a predetermined length of the entire width.

In this example, a signal indicating the location where the foreign matter exists is output to the foreign matter remover T.
The sake blades S in a predetermined range (between the cutting blades) are cut by the cutting blades 8 and removed from the vacuum port 11 by the vacuum acting on the discharge unit 12. Such foreign matter detection and removal operations are continuously and automatically operated.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a second embodiment of the present invention. Note that, also in this embodiment, sake lees will be described as an example of food for detecting foreign matter. In the second embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, the transmitted light is also obtained from the opposite direction of the sake lees S to detect foreign matter. The same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, a detector R for irradiating light from the left side of the figure and obtaining transmitted light from the right side is provided on the upper side, and irradiating light from the right side of the figure on the lower side. detection device R ₂ is provided for obtaining a transmitted light from the left and. These detectors R ₁ and R ₂ detect foreign substances from both the front and back surfaces of the sake lees S. The detector R ₂ provided on the lower side has the same configuration as the detector R in the first embodiment described above.
It is configured to be acquired by the CD camera 6 and processed by the image processor 7. Further, sake lees S sent between the detector R ₂ of the upper detector R and lower, sending stably at a constant rate by providing the roller device U below the roller device U is a feeding means It is configured to be able to.

According to the foreign matter detecting device M ₂ of the second embodiment configured as described above, the sake cake S transported by the conveyor 1 and bent downward by the guide member 2 moves downward while being guided by the roller device U. Sent to The sake lees S to be sent are irradiated with light from both sides in a direction intersecting the feeding direction, and transmit the transmitted light from the opposite direction of the sake lees S to the CCD camera 6.
The acquired data is processed by the image processor 7 to determine the presence or absence of a foreign substance from the difference in luminance of transmitted light. At this time, in this example, since the transmitted light is acquired from both sides of the sake lees S (food) and the foreign substance is detected, the highly reliable foreign substance detection with further improved accuracy can be performed.

Also in this example, the signal of the portion where the foreign matter exists is output to the foreign matter remover T.
Thereby, the sake lees S in a predetermined range (between the cutting blades) are cut and removed. Such foreign matter detection and removal operations are continuously and automatically operated.

In any of the above-described embodiments, the roller device U serving as a feeding means is provided above and below the position where the detector R is provided.
Is provided to stabilize the feed speed of the sake lees S, but the number of roller units U provided is not limited.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the entire widthwise image of the sake lees S formed in the shape of a plate is obtained by one CCD camera 6. However, in the case where the width of the food formed in the shape of a plate is large. By arranging a plurality of CCD cameras 6 side by side and arranging them so that the ranges of light obtained by these CCD cameras 6 overlap, it is possible to obtain transmitted light of a plurality of measurement areas as a whole and perform image processing in the full width direction. You may do so.
This makes it possible to continuously detect foreign substances even in the case of foods formed in a plate shape with a large area. Whether or not a plurality of CCD cameras 6 are juxtaposed in this manner may be appropriately set according to the size, transmittance, and the like of the food formed in a plate shape.

Further, in these embodiments, sake lees S has been described as an example of food for detecting foreign substances, but any food formed in a plate shape may be used, and the present invention may be applied to dough of dough products or noodle products. Yes, the food is not limited to the embodiments described above.

The above-described embodiment is an embodiment, and various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0035]

The present invention is embodied in the form described above and has the following effects.

While transmitting a food product formed in a plate shape having a certain thickness in a vertical direction in a space, the transmitted light can be acquired and the presence or absence of various foreign substances can be detected. It is possible to do. Further, since foreign substances mixed in the space are detected, foreign substances can be detected even in foods having viscosity.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a foreign matter detection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a foreign matter detection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Conveyor 2 ... Guide member 3 ... Roller 3a ... Rotating shaft 4 ... Scraper 5 ... Light source 6 ... CCD camera 7 ... Image processing machine 8 ... Cutting blade 9 ... Piston 10 ... Cutting part 11 ... Vacuum port 12 ... Discharge part 13 ... those plates 14 ... conveyor P ... foreign object detector R, R ₂ ... detector S ... lees T ... foreign substance remover U ... roller device M _1, M ₂ ... foreign material detecting device

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-60-241839 (JP, A) JP-A-7-59552 (JP, A) JP-A-1-233352 (JP, A) JP-A-63-63 63986 (JP, A) Japanese Utility Model Application Hei 3-117595 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Application Showa 63-201690 (JP, U) Japanese Patent Publication No. 44-18915 (JP, B1) Registered Utility Model 3004290 (JP, U) (58) ) Surveyed field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01N 21/84-21/958 C12G 1/00-3/12

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A kneaded product formed into a plate having a certain thickness.
A feed means for feeding at a constant speed in the longitudinal direction food in space of foreign object detector that, the plate-like food foreign object detector sent in該送Ri means, from the other by irradiating light from one intersecting the feeding direction Detecting means for detecting foreign matter in the food by performing image processing on the acquired transmitted light , before and after the foreign matter detecting means;
The feeding means is provided in the
Rollers driven at the same speed contact the front and back of the plate-shaped food
And a roller device for feeding the food at a constant speed
The feed speed of the plate-shaped food is kept constant by the
Has a certain length along the food flow direction on the discharge side of the
A scraper, and the detecting means
Irradiation of light from both sides of the food
Detecting foreign substances in food by image processing of light
For detecting foreign matter in food. 2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising: arranging a plurality of detection means in parallel, arranging a range for acquiring transmitted light of the detection means such that respective measurement areas overlap, and acquiring transmitted light of the plurality of measurement areas as a whole to perform image processing. that as the foreign body detection device in food of claim 1 Symbol mounting characterized. 3. A plate-shaped food almost 4~1mm foreign matter detecting system in food according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the configured as the thickness sending at feed means from the. 4. When detecting the foreign substance by the detection means, claim 1-3, characterized in that a foreign material removing apparatus for removing food portions foreign matter in conjunction with the detection signal is mixed 2. The foreign matter detection device in food according to claim 1.