GB2068535A - Inspection apparatus, e.g. for a sorting machine - Google Patents
Inspection apparatus, e.g. for a sorting machine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2068535A GB2068535A GB8025346A GB8025346A GB2068535A GB 2068535 A GB2068535 A GB 2068535A GB 8025346 A GB8025346 A GB 8025346A GB 8025346 A GB8025346 A GB 8025346A GB 2068535 A GB2068535 A GB 2068535A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- tubular member
- frusto
- conical portion
- objects
- sorting machine
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 12
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 235000010627 Phaseolus vulgaris Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 244000046052 Phaseolus vulgaris Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000010582 Pisum sativum Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 240000004713 Pisum sativum Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000533293 Sesbania emerus Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001771 impaired effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052500 inorganic mineral Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011707 mineral Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000010755 mineral Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
- B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
- B07C5/00—Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches
- B07C5/34—Sorting according to other particular properties
- B07C5/342—Sorting according to other particular properties according to optical properties, e.g. colour
- B07C5/3425—Sorting according to other particular properties according to optical properties, e.g. colour of granular material, e.g. ore particles, grain
Landscapes
- Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
- Investigating Materials By The Use Of Optical Means Adapted For Particular Applications (AREA)
Abstract
Inspection apparatus comprises a transparent or translucent tubular member (10) having at least a frusto- conical portion (11); means (14) for feeding objects (13) to be sorted to the interior of the tubular member (10) so as to fall therethrough under gravity; illuminating means (20) disposed externally of the tubular member for producing an illuminated zone within the frusto-conical portion (11); viewing means (21, 22) disposed externally of the tubular member (10) and arranged to view objects passing through the illuminated zone in the frusto-conical portion so as to respond to the value of a property thereof; the tubular member (10) reflecting substantially no light from the illuminated zone onto the viewing means (21, 22). Separator means (27) controlled by the viewing means (21, 22) effect relative separation between objects (13) which have and fail to have a predetermined value of said property. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Inspection apparatus, e.g. for a sorting machine
This invention concerns an inspection apparatus, e.g. for use in a sorting machine.
Sorting machines are known in which objects to be sorted (e.g. agricultural products such as peas and beans, and mineral products such as pieces of ore) are fed to a transparent tubular member so as to fall therethrough under gravity.
The objects falling through the tubular member are illuminated from the exterior of the tubular member and are also viewed from the said exterior, whereby the illuminating means and the viewing means employed are protected by the tubular member from dust associated with the objects. In such machines, however, considerable problems have arisen from the fact that the tubular member itself has reflected light onto the viewing means so that the response of the latter did not depend solely on light reflected or transmitted-by the objects, whereby sorting efficiency was impaired. Many attempts have been made to solve the problem, but such attempts have not been very successful. Thus, for example, it is not practicable to blacken the areas which create the undesirable reflections since this would produce inadequate and uneven illumination.
According, therefore, to the present invention, there is provided inspection apparatus comprising a transparent or translucent tubular member having at least a frusto-conical portion, illuminating means disposed externally of the tubular member for producing an illuminated zone within the frusto-conical portion, and viewing means disposed externally of the tubular member and arranged to view objects passing through the illuminated zone in the frusto-conical portion so as to respond to the value of a property of said objects, the tubular member reflecting substantially no light from the illuminated zone onto the viewing means. Thus since viewing occurs through the frusto-conical portion, the latter will not reflect light from the illuminated zone onto the viewing means, and the only light which it can reflect will be from a region beyond the ends of the tubular member.Consequently, if this region is kept dark, substantially no reflected light either from the illuminated zone or from the said region will fall onto the viewing means.
The term "frusto-conical" portion is used in this specification in a broad sense as including portions whose cross-sections are not necessarily circular but may be hexagonal or may have some other many sided shape. All such portions, however, have an opening at one end which differs in size from that of the other end.
Preferably, the tubular member has a frustoconical portion adjoining a cylindrical portion, the viewing means being arranged to view through a part of the frusto-conical portion adjacent the cylindrical portion.
A background is preferably disposed externally of the tubular member, the viewing means being arranged to view the objects against the background.
Means are preferably provided for preventing a said object passing through the tubular member for creating a highlight which is viewed in line with the background. Thus the means for preventing the creation of a highlight may comprise a member interposed in the line of a ray of light whose angle of incidence with the frusto-conical portion is such that the ray is reflected by the frusto-conical portion towards the viewing means.
Means are preferably provided for directing a fluid over the internal wall of the tubular member to reduce the accumulation of dust thereon. The fluid is preferably air.
The invention also comprises a sorting machine comprising a transparent or translucent tubular member having at least a frusto-conical portion; means for feeding objects to be sorted to the interior of the tubular member so as to fall therethrough under gravity; illuminating means disposed externally of the tubular member for producing an illuminated zone within the frustoconical portion; viewing means disposed externally of the tubular member and arranged to view objects passing through the illuminated zone in the frusto-conical portion so as to respond to the value of a property thereof, the tubular member reflecting substantially no light from the illuminated zone onto the viewing means; and separator means, controlled by the viewing means, for effecting relative separation between objects which have and fail to have a predetermined value of said property
The separator means may comprise a pneumatically operated ejector for directing compressed air onto predetermined objects which have passed through the tubular member.
The invention is illustrated, merely by way of example, in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a sorting machine according to the present invention;
Figure 2 illustrates a modification of a portion of the sorting machine of Figure 1; and
Figure 3 is an underneath plan view of part of the structure shown in Figure 1.
Referring to Figure 1, a sorting machine comprises a glass or other transparent or translucent tubular member 10 having an upper frusto-conical portion 11 , whose diameter increases in a downward direction, the frustoconical portion 11 adjoining a lower cylindrical portion 12. Objects 13,1 3a to be sorted (e.g.
coffee beans) are fed to the tubular member 10 by an horizontal endless belt 14, the objects 13, 1 3a falling therefrom under gravity so as to pass through the interior of the tubular member 10. By way of illustration only, the objects 1 3 are shown as relatively light objects while the objects 1 3a are shown as relatively dark objects, the purpose of the sorting operation being to effect relative separation between the objects 13, 1 3a.
The tubular member 10 is supported by a support member 1 5 having an annular air passage
16 therein which is arranged to receive compressed air from a source, not shown. The air passage 1 6 directs the compressed air over the internal wall 17 of the tubular member 10 to reduce the accumulation of dust thereon, such dust arising from the passage of the objects 1 3, 1 3a through the tubular member 10.
Three equi-angularly spaced apart lamps 20 (only one shown) are disposed externally of the tubular member 10. The lamps 20 illuminate the
interior of a housing 1 8 having a highly diffused
reflective surface 1 9. This produces an illuminated
zone within the frusto-conical portion 11.
Associated with each of the lamps 20 and
disposed externally of the tubular member 10 are
a respective viewing lens 21, a respective
photocell 22, and a respective background 23
which is illuminated by the respective lamp 20.
Each photocell 22, viewing lens 21 and
background 23 are arranged on a viewing axis 24
which passes through the frusto-conical portion
11. Thus each viewing means constituted by a
viewing lens 21 and a photocell 22 are arranged to view the objects 13, 1 3a which pass through
the said illuminated zone against the background
23. As will be clear from Figure 1, the said viewing
means 21,22 will view through a part of the
frusto-conical portion 11 adjacent the cylindrical
portion 12.
Each photocell 22 responds to the value of a
property of the objects 13, 1 3a, e.g. to the
reflectance or light transmission thereof. Each
photocell 22 is arranged to pass signals, by way of
an amplifier 25, to a comparator 26 which
controls operation of a pneumatically operated
ejector 27.The signals from each photocell 22 are
compared with a datum in the comparator 26, and
when an object 13, 1 3a is viewed whose said
property is below (or above) a predetermined
value, a signal is sent to the ejector 27 to cause
the latter to direct compressed air onto the
respective object 13, 1 3a after the latter has
passed through the tubular member 10, so as to
remove the respective object 13, 1 3a from the
other objects 13, 1 3a. Thus in the example
illustrated in Figure 1, the relatively dark objects 1 3a are shown as being deflected away from the
relatively light objects 13. However, the
arrangement could alternatively be that the
relatively light objects 13 are deflected away from
the relatively dark objects 13a.
Mounted in the lower cylindrical portion 12 is a
ring 34 which is held to the tubular member 10 by
three equi-angularly spaced apart support rods 35,
best seen in Figure 3. The radially outer end of
each support rod 35 is held in a respective bracket
36 which is secured to the housing 18. The ring
34 supports three equi-angularly spaced apart
substantially circular black patches 37 which are
respectively located to prevent the creation of
highlights which would be viewed in line with the
backgrounds 23. That is to say if one particular
relatively light object 13' were located at the
position shown, light would be reflected from it
along a line 38 and this would, but fdr the provision of the respective patch 37, cause the production of a highlight which would be viewed in line with the respective background 23.In other words, the patch 37 is interposed in the line 38 of a ray of light whose angle of incidence with the frusto-conical portion 11 is such that the ray is reflected by the frusto-conical portion 11 towards the viewing means 21,22. By reason of the provision of the patch 37, however, light travelling along the line 38 cannot reach the frusto-conical portion 11 and therefore cannot be reflected by the latter towards the viewing means 21, 22.
Since the viewing axis 24 passes through the frusto-conical portion 11 , the latter will not reflect light from the said illuminated zone and onto the viewing means 21,22. The only light which can be reflected by the frusto-conical portion 11 is from the region below the tubular member 10.
This region, however, is kept dark and consequently substantially no reflected light either from the illuminated zone or from the said region will fall onto the viewing means 21, 22. Thus the provision of the frusto-conical portion 11 and patches 37 overcomes the problem of reflective highlights which are otherwise unavoidable due to the necessity to illuminate both the objects 13, 13a, and the backgrounds 23.
In Figure 2 there is shown part of a modified sorting machine according to the present invention which is generally similar to that of
Figure 1 and which, for this reason, will not be described in detail, like reference numerals indicating like parts.
In the Figure 2 construction, however, a transparent or translucent tubular member 30 is employed which has an upper cylindrical portion 31, a middle frusto-conical portion 32, and a lower cylindrical portion 33. The viewing axis 24 passes through the frusto-conical portion 32.
It is also possible, if desired, for the tubular member 10 to be completely frusto-conical.
Claims (14)
1. Inspection apparatus comprising a transparent or translucent tubular member having at least a frusto-conical portion, illuminating means disposed externally of the tubular member for producing an illuminated zone within the frusto-conical portion, and viewing means disposed externally of the tubular member and arranged to view objects passing through the illuminated zone in the frusto-conical portion so as to respond to the value of a property of said objects, the tubular member reflecting substantially no light from the illuminated zone onto the viewing means.
2. Inspection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the tubular member has a frusto-conical portion adjoining a cylindrical portion, the viewing means being arranged to view through a part of the frusto-conical portion adjacent the cylindrical portion.
3. Inspection apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 comprising a background disposed externally of the tubular member, the viewing means being arranged to view the objects against the background.
4. Inspection apparatus as claimed in claim 3 comprising means for preventing a said object passing through the tubular member from creating a highlight which is viewed in line with the background.
5. Inspection apparatus as claimed in claims 2 and 4 in which the means for preventing the creation of a highlight comprises a member interposed in the line of a ray of light whose angle of incidence with the frusto-conical portion is such that the ray is reflected by the frusto-conical portion towards the viewing means.
6. Inspection apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim comprising means for directing a fluid over the internal wall of the tubular member to reduce the accumulation of dust thereon.
7. Inspection apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the fluid is air.
8. A sorting machine comprising a transparent or translucent tubular member having at least a frusto-conical portion; means for feeding objects to be sorted to the interior of the tubular member so as to fall therethrough under gravity; illuminating means disposed externally of the tubular member for producing an illuminated zone within the frusto-conical portion; viewing means disposed externally of the tubular member and arranged to view objects passing through the illuminated zone in the frusto-conical portion so as to respond to the value of a property thereof, the tubular member reflecting substantially no light from the illuminated zone onto the viewing
means; and separator means, controlled by the
viewing means, for effecting relative separation
between objects which have and fail to have a
predetermined value of said property.
9. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 8 in which the tubular member has a frusto-conical portion adjoining a cylindrical portion, the viewing means being arranged to view through a part of the frusto-conical portion adjacent the cylindrical portion.
10. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 8 or 9 comprising a background disposed externally of the tubular member, the viewing means being arranged to view the objects against the background.
11. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 10 comprising means for preventing a said object passing through the tubular member from creating a highlight which is viewed in line with the background.
12. A sorting machine as claimed in claims 9 and 11 in which the means for preventing the creation of a highlight comprises a member interposed in the line of a ray of light whose angle of incidence with the frusto-conical portion is such that the ray is reflected by the frusto-conical portion towards the viewing means.
13. A sorting machine as claimed in any of claims 8-12 comprising means for directing a fluid over the internal wall of the tubular member to reduce the accumulation of dust thereon.
14. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 13 in which the fluid is air.
1 5. A sorting machine as claimed in any of claims 8-14 in which the separator means comprises a pneumatically operated ejector for directing compressed air onto predetermined objects which have passed through the tubular member.
1 6. A sorting machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8025346A GB2068535B (en) | 1980-01-28 | 1980-08-04 | Inspection apparatus eg for a sorting machine |
| BR8100355A BR8100355A (en) | 1980-01-28 | 1981-01-23 | INSPECTION APPLIANCE FOR A SELECTING MACHINE AND SELECTING MACHINE THAT CONTAIN THE SAME |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8002773 | 1980-01-28 | ||
| GB8025346A GB2068535B (en) | 1980-01-28 | 1980-08-04 | Inspection apparatus eg for a sorting machine |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB2068535A true GB2068535A (en) | 1981-08-12 |
| GB2068535B GB2068535B (en) | 1983-09-28 |
Family
ID=26274310
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8025346A Expired GB2068535B (en) | 1980-01-28 | 1980-08-04 | Inspection apparatus eg for a sorting machine |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2068535B (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4807762A (en) * | 1982-12-21 | 1989-02-28 | Illycaffe S.P.A. | Procedure for sorting a granular material and a machine for executing the procedure |
-
1980
- 1980-08-04 GB GB8025346A patent/GB2068535B/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4807762A (en) * | 1982-12-21 | 1989-02-28 | Illycaffe S.P.A. | Procedure for sorting a granular material and a machine for executing the procedure |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2068535B (en) | 1983-09-28 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 19960804 |