JP5920236B2

JP5920236B2 - Color sorter and color sort method

Info

Publication number: JP5920236B2
Application number: JP2013020036A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 慶二雜賀
Original assignee: 東洋ライス株式会社
Priority date: 2013-02-05
Filing date: 2013-02-05
Publication date: 2016-05-18
Anticipated expiration: 2033-02-05
Also published as: JP2014151224A

Description

本発明は、粒状の被選別物中における基準外の被選別物を選別するための色彩選別機及び色彩選別方法に関わり、更に詳しくは、実運転における選別時に良品として選別されたものの中に不良品が混入する選別漏れ現象等の不具合を解消することができる色彩選別機及び色彩選別方法に関する。 The present invention relates to a color sorter and a color sorting method for sorting a non-standard sorting object in a granular sorting object, and more specifically, it is not included in those sorted as non-defective products during sorting in actual operation. The present invention relates to a color sorting machine and a color sorting method capable of solving problems such as a sorting omission phenomenon in which non-defective products are mixed.

穀物等、粒状の被選別物中における基準外の被選別物を選別するための色彩選別機は、傾斜させて設置したシュート内に被選別物を流下させて被選別物の色彩等を判別手段によって判定し、基準外の被選別物を圧縮空気の噴射によって吹き飛ばすことにより選別する構成を採用しており、このようなシュート状の選別手段を複数の工程に設けている（例えば、特許文献１〜３参照。）。
このように選別手段を複数の工程に設けている理由は、（ア）シュート内の溝を流下する被選別物の速度は非常に速いため、圧縮空気の噴射によって吹き飛ばされるのは基準外のものだけでなく、基準内の良品も一緒に吹き飛ばされること、及び（イ）被選別物は良品と不良品の２種類が明確になっているのではなく、良品と不良品との中間的なもの（以下、中間品と言う）もあることから、１回の選別のみでは、所期の選別ができないためである。 A color sorter for sorting non-standard sorts in granular sorts such as grains, etc. is a means for discriminating the color etc. of sorts by letting the sort down into a chute installed at an inclination. And adopts a configuration in which a non-standard selection object is selected by blowing it off by compressed air injection, and such a chute-like selection means is provided in a plurality of steps (for example, Patent Document 1). -3)).
The reason why the sorting means is provided in a plurality of steps is as follows: (a) The speed of the sorting object flowing down the groove in the chute is so high that it is blown off by the jet of compressed air. Not only that, but also non-defective products within the standards are blown together, and (b) The two types of non-defective products and defective products are not clarified, but intermediate products between non-defective products and defective products. (Hereinafter, referred to as an intermediate product), it is because the intended sorting cannot be performed by only one sorting.

例えば特許文献１及び２の色彩選別機は、１次選別手段（主選別装置）と２次選別手段（再選別装置）の２工程の選別手段を設け、１次選別手段にて不良品と判定された被選別物を２次選別手段にて再選別を行い、良品と判定された被選別物を再び１次選別手段に戻すことによって、被選別物中における基準外の被選別物の選別率を向上させている。
また、特許文献３の色彩選別機は、多工程の選別手段を設けて被選別物を良品、不良品、中間品の３種類に選別し、中間品については再度、元の選別手段に搬送して選別をし直すことによって選別率の向上を図ったものである。 For example, the color sorters disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are provided with a two-stage sorting means including a primary sorting means (main sorting device) and a secondary sorting means (re-sorting device), and the primary sorting means determines that the product is defective. The re-sorting of the objects to be sorted is performed by the secondary sorting means, and the sorting objects determined to be non-defective are returned to the primary sorting means, whereby the sorting rate of the non-standard sorting objects in the objects to be sorted Has improved.
In addition, the color sorter disclosed in Patent Document 3 is provided with a multi-step sorting means to sort the items to be sorted into three types, non-defective products, defective products, and intermediate products, and the intermediate products are conveyed again to the original sorting device. The sorting rate is improved by re-sorting.

特開昭５９−６９７３号公報JP 59-6973 A 特開２０００−１０７７０３号公報JP 2000-107703 A 特開２０１２−１４３６７０号公報JP 2012-143670 A

（１）選別漏れ現象
以上のような従来の色彩選別機において、消費者やユーザーからの異物等の混入に関する苦情が跡を絶たないという問題点がある。しかしそれが色彩選別機にて、いわゆる選別漏れ現象が生じているのかどうかも明確ではなかった。
すなわち、ユーザーからの苦情に基づき選別漏れの事実の有無を確かめるため、テスト的に選別する場合（各種の不良品を通常の原料に近い混入率にて混入して試作した被選別物を選別するような場合）においては、ほぼ完全に選別ができるからである。にもかかわらず、実際の製品を購入している消費者やユーザーからは商品（良品）の中に不良品が混入しているとの苦情は跡を絶たない状態であり、何故そのようになるのか、業界内で長らく不明であるとされてきた。従って実際の選別時に選別漏れを起こす事実があるのか否か、またあるとすればどのように解決するかという問題点があった。 (1) Omission of sorting phenomenon In the conventional color sorter as described above, there is a problem in that there are no traces of complaints regarding the mixing of foreign substances from consumers and users. However, it was not clear whether the so-called sorting omission phenomenon occurred in the color sorter.
In other words, in order to confirm the existence of omission of sorting based on user complaints, when sorting on a trial basis (sorting various kinds of defective products at a mixing rate close to that of ordinary raw materials In such a case, it is possible to sort almost completely. Despite this, complaints from consumers and users who have purchased the actual product that the defective product is mixed in the product (good product) remain unclear, and that is why. It has been long unknown in the industry. Therefore, there is a problem of whether there is a fact that omission occurs during actual sorting, and how to solve it, if any.

（２）ループ現象
また、複数の工程が設けられた選別手段間等で基準外の被選別物が移動を繰り返す、いわゆる「ループ現象」により、極めて長時間に亘り選別作業が終了しないという問題点がある。
（３）プラントの設備効率低下
さらに、上記「ループ現象」に起因して、選別及びロット切替作業の長時間化等のタイムロス、並びに、機内に残留する被選別物をロット切替時に不良品側へ排出せざるを得ないため良品が捨てられてしまうという良品ロスにより、プラントの設備効率が低下するという問題点がある。 (2) Loop phenomenon Also, there is a problem that the sorting operation does not end for a very long time due to the so-called “loop phenomenon” in which the non-standard selection object repeatedly moves between sorting means provided with a plurality of processes. There is.
(3) Reduction in plant equipment efficiency Furthermore, due to the “loop phenomenon”, time loss such as prolonged sorting and lot switching work, and to-be-sorted items remaining in the machine to defective products at the time of lot switching There is a problem that the equipment efficiency of the plant is reduced due to a non-defective product loss in which a non-defective product is discarded because it must be discharged.

そこで、本発明が前述の状況に鑑み、解決しようとするところは、先ず実際の選別時に選別漏れを起こすことの解明と、選別率を大幅に向上して選別漏れ現象を抑制できるとともに、「ループ現象」を解消してプラントの設備効率を向上できる色彩選別機及び色彩選別方法を提供する点にある。 Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned situation, the present invention intends to solve the problem that first of all, elucidation of the occurrence of sorting omission at the time of actual sorting, and can greatly improve the sorting rate and suppress the sorting omission phenomenon. The object is to provide a color sorter and a color sorter that can eliminate the phenomenon and improve the plant efficiency.

本願の発明者は、顧客満足度を向上するために、消費者からの苦情に結びつく選別漏れ現象の発生メカニズムの解明について鋭意検討を行った。
先ず、色彩選別機に使用される、圧縮空気の噴射を行う空気噴射装置（特許文献１では「エアガン」、特許文献２では「選別装置」、特許文献３では「エジェクター」。）について検討すると、その構成は、コンプレッサから供給された圧縮空気を電磁弁により噴射口から噴射させるものである。
従って、このような空気噴射装置は、大量の良品の中に僅かの不良品が混入しているような場合の選別除去には適するが、良品の中に大量の不良品が混入しているような場合では、圧縮空気の噴出頻度が追い付かなくなる。 In order to improve customer satisfaction, the inventor of the present application has intensively studied about the elucidation of the generation mechanism of the screening omission phenomenon that leads to complaints from consumers.
First, an air injection device for jetting compressed air ("Air Gun" in Patent Document 1, "Selector" in Patent Document 2, and "Ejector" in Patent Document 3) used in a color sorter is considered. In the configuration, compressed air supplied from a compressor is injected from an injection port by a solenoid valve.
Therefore, such an air injection device is suitable for sorting and removing when a few defective products are mixed in a large number of non-defective products, but it seems that a large number of defective products are mixed in non-defective products. In such a case, the compressed air ejection frequency cannot catch up.

次に、従来の色彩選別機について検討すると、特許文献１及び２の色彩選別機においては１次選別手段と２次選別手段との間において、特許文献３の色彩選別機においては１次選別手段と２次選別手段との間に加えて、１次選別手段において「ループ現象」が発生する。注目すべきは、ロットの大きさに比例して良品か不良品かの判別を先送りされた中間的不良品の量が多くなり、そのことが選別手段を通過する被選別物中の不良品の混入率を高める結果となることである。 Next, the conventional color sorter will be examined. In the color sorters disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the primary sorter is disposed between the primary sorter and the secondary sorter. In the color sorter disclosed in Patent Document 3, the primary sorter. In addition to the secondary sorting means, a “loop phenomenon” occurs in the primary sorting means. It should be noted that the amount of intermediate defective products that have been postponed to determine whether the product is good or defective is increased in proportion to the size of the lot. The result is that the mixing rate is increased.

従って、実際にプラントで行っている長時間連続作業時には、「ループ現象」により被選別物中の不良品の混入率が増加しおり、上述の空気噴射装置の特性から、圧縮空気の噴出頻度が追い付かなくなって選別漏れ現象が生じていたのである。
これに対して、実験的に行う選別の際には、選別された良品中における不良品混入の有無を、良品又は不良品を手選別して数えることによって調べなければならないことから、極めて少量のロットで選別を行っており、このような極めて少量のロットでは選別作業が短時間で終了するため、「ループ現象」による不良品の混入率の増加はなく、選別漏れ現象が再現しなかったのである。 Therefore, during long-term continuous work that is actually performed at the plant, the “loop phenomenon” increases the contamination rate of defective products in the material to be sorted, and the compressed air ejection frequency catches up due to the characteristics of the air injection device described above. There was a sort omission phenomenon.
On the other hand, in the sorting performed experimentally, since the presence or absence of defective products in the selected good products must be checked by manually selecting and counting good products or defective products, a very small amount is required. Sorting is done in lots, and sorting work is completed in such a small amount of lots in a short time, so there is no increase in the mixing rate of defective products due to `` loop phenomenon '' and the sorting omission phenomenon has not been reproduced. is there.

以上のような検討及び知見により、本願の発明者は、選別漏れ現象が「ループ現象」に起因することを突き止めたことから、本発明を完成するに至った。
すなわち、本発明に係る色彩選別機は、前記課題解決のために、粒状の被選別物中の基準外の被選別物を選別するための、所定の閾値によって、空気噴射装置により空気を噴射して前記被選別物を閾値内と閾値外の２種類の選別品に選別する、前記被選別物を流下させる複数の溝を設けたシュートを有する選別手段を備えた色彩選別機であって、
前記選別手段を４工程以上備え、
１次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を２次選別手段へ搬送するとともに、１次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を３次選別手段へ搬送し、
２次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を回収するとともに、２次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を３次選別手段へ搬送し、
３次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を４次選別手段へ搬送するとともに、３次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を回収し、
３次選別手段よりも後工程の選別手段において、その選別手段が最終工程の選別手段でない場合は、選別された閾値内の選別品を後工程の選別手段へ搬送するとともに、選別された閾値外の選別品を回収し、
３次選別手段よりも後工程の選別手段において、その選別手段が最終工程の選別手段である場合は、閾値内の選別品と閾値外の選別品を分離してそれぞれを別個に回収することを特徴とする（請求項１）。
また、本発明に係る色彩選別機は、前記課題解決のために、粒状の被選別物中の基準外の被選別物を選別するための、所定の閾値によって、空気噴射装置により空気を噴射して前記被選別物を閾値内と閾値外の２種類の選別品に選別する、前記被選別物を流下させる複数の溝を設けたシュートを有する選別手段を備えた色彩選別機であって、
前記選別手段を４工程以上備え、
１次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を３次選別手段へ搬送するとともに、１次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を２次選別手段へ搬送し、
２次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を３次選別手段へ搬送するとともに、２次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を回収し、
３次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を回収するとともに、３次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を４次選別手段へ搬送し、
３次選別手段よりも後工程の選別手段において、その選別手段が最終工程の選別手段でない場合は、選別された閾値内の選別品を回収するとともに、選別された閾値外の選別品を後工程の選別手段へ搬送し、
３次選別手段よりも後工程の選別手段において、その選別手段が最終工程の選別手段である場合は、閾値内の選別品と閾値外の選別品を分離してそれぞれを別個に回収することを特徴とする（請求項２）。
さらに、本発明に係る色彩選別機は、前記課題解決のために、粒状の被選別物中の基準外の被選別物を選別するための、所定の閾値によって、空気噴射装置により空気を噴射して前記被選別物を閾値内と閾値外の２種類の選別品に選別する、前記被選別物を流下させる複数の溝を設けたシュートを有する複数工程の選別手段を備えた複数台の色彩選別機を直列に連結して構成される、４工程以上の選別手段を備えた色彩選別機であって、
１次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を２次選別手段へ搬送するとともに、１次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を３次選別手段へ搬送し、
２次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を回収するとともに、２次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を３次選別手段へ搬送し、
３次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を４次選別手段へ搬送するとともに、３次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を回収し、
３次選別手段よりも後工程の選別手段において、その選別手段が最終工程の選別手段でない場合は、選別された閾値内の選別品を後工程の選別手段へ搬送するとともに、選別された閾値外の選別品を回収し、
３次選別手段よりも後工程の選別手段において、その選別手段が最終工程の選別手段である場合は、閾値内の選別品と閾値外の選別品を分離してそれぞれを別個に回収することを特徴とする（請求項３）。
さらにまた、本発明に係る色彩選別機は、前記課題解決のために、粒状の被選別物中の基準外の被選別物を選別するための、所定の閾値によって、空気噴射装置により空気を噴射して前記被選別物を閾値内と閾値外の２種類の選別品に選別する、前記被選別物を流下させる複数の溝を設けたシュートを有する複数工程の選別手段を備えた複数台の色彩選別機を直列に連結して構成される、４工程以上の選別手段を備えた色彩選別機であって、
１次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を３次選別手段へ搬送するとともに、１次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を２次選別手段へ搬送し、
２次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を３次選別手段へ搬送するとともに、２次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を回収し、
３次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を回収するとともに、３次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を４次選別手段へ搬送し、
３次選別手段よりも後工程の選別手段において、その選別手段が最終工程の選別手段でない場合は、選別された閾値内の選別品を回収するとともに、選別された閾値外の選別品を後工程の選別手段へ搬送し、
３次選別手段よりも後工程の選別手段において、その選別手段が最終工程の選別手段である場合は、閾値内の選別品と閾値外の選別品を分離してそれぞれを別個に回収することを特徴とする（請求項４）。
Based on the above examination and knowledge, the inventors of the present application have found that the sorting omission phenomenon is caused by the “loop phenomenon”, and thus completed the present invention.
That is, the color sorter according to the present invention injects air by the air jetting device at a predetermined threshold value for sorting out a non-reference sorting object in the granular sorting object in order to solve the problem. A sorting machine having sorting means having a chute provided with a plurality of grooves for flowing down the sorting object, sorting the sorting object into two kinds of sorting items within and outside the threshold value,
Comprising at least four steps of the screening means;
Transporting the sorted product within the threshold selected by the primary sorting unit to the secondary sorting unit, and transporting the sorted product outside the threshold sorted by the primary sorting unit to the tertiary sorting unit;
Collecting the sorted product within the threshold value selected by the secondary sorting means and transporting the sorted product outside the threshold value sorted by the secondary sorting means to the tertiary sorting means,
Transporting the sorted product within the threshold selected by the tertiary sorting means to the fourth sorting means, and collecting the sorted product outside the threshold sorted by the tertiary sorting means,
If the sorting means is not the final sorting means in the sorting process in the post process rather than the tertiary sorting means, the sorted product within the selected threshold value is transported to the sorting process in the post process, and the selected threshold value is exceeded. Of the selected items,
If the sorting means is a final-stage sorting means in the subsequent-stage sorting means rather than the tertiary sorting means, the sorted product within the threshold and the sorted product outside the threshold are separated and collected separately. It is characterized (claim 1).
In addition, the color sorter according to the present invention, in order to solve the above-described problem, injects air by an air jetting device at a predetermined threshold value for sorting a non-reference sorting object in the granular sorting object. A sorting machine having sorting means having a chute provided with a plurality of grooves for flowing down the sorting object, sorting the sorting object into two kinds of sorting items within and outside the threshold value,
Comprising at least four steps of the screening means;
Transporting the sorted product within the threshold selected by the primary sorting unit to the tertiary sorting unit, and transporting the sorted product outside the threshold sorted by the primary sorting unit to the secondary sorting unit;
Transporting the sorted product within the threshold selected by the secondary sorting unit to the tertiary sorting unit, and collecting the sorted product outside the threshold sorted by the secondary sorting unit,
Collecting the sorted product within the threshold value selected by the tertiary sorting means and transporting the sorted product outside the threshold value sorted by the tertiary sorting means to the fourth sorting means,
When the sorting means is not the final sorting means in the sorting means in the post process rather than the tertiary sorting means, the sorted products within the selected threshold are collected and the sorted products outside the selected threshold are post-processed. To the sorting means,
If the sorting means is a final-stage sorting means in the subsequent-stage sorting means rather than the tertiary sorting means, the sorted product within the threshold and the sorted product outside the threshold are separated and collected separately. It is characterized (claim 2).
Furthermore, the color sorter according to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, injects air with an air injection device according to a predetermined threshold value for selecting a non-reference sorting object in the granular sorting object. A plurality of color sorters equipped with a plurality of steps of sorting means having a chute provided with a plurality of grooves for flowing down the sorting object, sorting the sorting object into two kinds of sorting items within and outside the threshold value It is a color sorter equipped with a sorting means of four or more steps, constituted by connecting machines in series,
Transporting the sorted product within the threshold selected by the primary sorting unit to the secondary sorting unit, and transporting the sorted product outside the threshold sorted by the primary sorting unit to the tertiary sorting unit;
Collecting the sorted product within the threshold value selected by the secondary sorting means and transporting the sorted product outside the threshold value sorted by the secondary sorting means to the tertiary sorting means,
Transporting the sorted product within the threshold selected by the tertiary sorting means to the fourth sorting means, and collecting the sorted product outside the threshold sorted by the tertiary sorting means,
If the sorting means is not the final sorting means in the sorting process in the post process rather than the tertiary sorting means, the sorted product within the selected threshold value is transported to the sorting process in the post process, and the selected threshold value is exceeded. Of the selected items,
If the sorting means is a final-stage sorting means in the subsequent-stage sorting means rather than the tertiary sorting means, the sorted product within the threshold and the sorted product outside the threshold are separated and collected separately. It is characterized (Claim 3).
Furthermore, the color sorter according to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, injects air by an air jetting device according to a predetermined threshold value for sorting non-reference sorting objects in the granular sorting objects. A plurality of colors including a plurality of steps of sorting means having a chute provided with a plurality of grooves for flowing down the to-be-sorted material, for sorting the to-be-sorted material into two kinds of sorted products within and outside the threshold value It is a color sorter equipped with sorting means of four or more steps, constituted by connecting sorters in series,
Transporting the sorted product within the threshold selected by the primary sorting unit to the tertiary sorting unit, and transporting the sorted product outside the threshold sorted by the primary sorting unit to the secondary sorting unit;
Transporting the sorted product within the threshold selected by the secondary sorting unit to the tertiary sorting unit, and collecting the sorted product outside the threshold sorted by the secondary sorting unit,
Collecting the sorted product within the threshold value selected by the tertiary sorting means and transporting the sorted product outside the threshold value sorted by the tertiary sorting means to the fourth sorting means,
When the sorting means is not the final sorting means in the sorting means in the post process rather than the tertiary sorting means, the sorted products within the selected threshold are collected and the sorted products outside the selected threshold are post-processed. To the sorting means,
If the sorting means is a final-stage sorting means in the subsequent-stage sorting means rather than the tertiary sorting means, the sorted product within the threshold and the sorted product outside the threshold are separated and collected separately. It is characterized (claim 4).

これらのような色彩選別機の構成によれば、選別手段を４工程以上備え、後工程の選別手段から前工程の選別手段へ選別品の搬送が行われないので、従来の色彩選別機のように１次選別手段にて不良品と判定された被選別物を２次選別手段にて再選別を行い、良品と判定された被選別物を再び１次選別手段に戻すような選別品の返送を行わないため、選別手段間で基準外の被選別物が移動を繰り返す「ループ現象」が発生しない。
従って、従来の色彩選別機のように、ロットの大きさに比例して良品か不良品かの判別を先送りされた中間的不良品の量が多くなり、選別手段を通過する被選別物中の不良品の混入率が高くなることがない。
よって、「ループ現象」により被選別物中の不良品の混入率が増加し、空気噴射装置の特性から、圧縮空気の噴出頻度が追い付かなくなって生じる選別漏れ現象を無くすことができるとともに、選別率を大幅に向上することができる。
その上、「ループ現象」に起因する、選別及びロット切替作業の長時間化等のタイムロスが無くなるとともに、極めて長時間に亘り選別作業が終了しないことから、機内に残留する被選別物をロット切替時に不良品側へ排出せざるを得ないため良品が捨てられてしまう良品ロスが無くなるため、プラントの設備効率が向上する。
その上さらに、ループ現象による空気噴射装置の噴気回数が減ることにより省エネにもなる。
その上、４工程以上の選別手段を用いて、選別されて少量となった被選別物を後工程の選別手段に搬送して精密選別をする構成であるので、より精度の高い選別を行うことができることから、良品中に混入してしまう不良品等の混入率をさらに低下させることができるため、選別率がさらに向上する。
According to the configuration of these such color sorter, comprising a sorting unit 4 or more steps, since the transport of sorted products from sorting means in a subsequent step to the sorting unit of the previous step is not performed, as in the conventional color sorters Returning the sorted items that have been judged as defective by the primary sorting means to the second sorting means, and returning the sorted items judged to be non-defective to the primary sorting means again Therefore, the “loop phenomenon” in which the non-standard selection object repeatedly moves between the selection means does not occur.
Therefore, as in the conventional color sorter, the amount of intermediate defective products that have been postponed to determine whether the product is good or defective in proportion to the size of the lot increases, The contamination rate of defective products does not increase.
Therefore, the “loop phenomenon” increases the mixing rate of defective products in the material to be sorted, and the characteristics of the air injection device can eliminate the screening omission phenomenon that occurs when the frequency of compressed air ejection cannot catch up. Can be greatly improved.
In addition, there is no time loss such as a long time for sorting and lot switching work due to the “loop phenomenon”, and the sorting work does not end for an extremely long time, so lots to be sorted remain in the machine. Since there is no loss of non-defective products that can be thrown out to the defective product side at times, the non-defective products are discarded.
Furthermore, energy is also saved by reducing the number of blows of the air injection device due to the loop phenomenon.
In addition, it uses a sorting means of four or more processes, and the sorting object which has been sorted is transported to the sorting means in the subsequent process for precise sorting, so that more accurate sorting is performed. Since it is possible to further reduce the mixing rate of defective products and the like mixed in non-defective products, the selection rate is further improved.

本発明に係る色彩選別方法は、前記課題解決のために、粒状の被選別物中の基準外の被選別物を選別するための、所定の閾値によって、空気噴射装置により空気を噴射して前記被選別物を閾値内と閾値外の２種類の選別品に選別する、前記被選別物を流下させる複数の溝を設けたシュートを有する選別手段を用いた色彩選別方法であって、
前記選別手段を４工程以上備え、
１次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を２次選別手段へ搬送するとともに、１次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を３次選別手段へ搬送し、
２次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を回収するとともに、２次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を３次選別手段へ搬送し、
３次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を４次選別手段へ搬送するとともに、３次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を回収し、
３次選別手段よりも後工程の選別手段において、その選別手段が最終工程の選別手段でない場合は、選別された閾値内の選別品を後工程の選別手段へ搬送するとともに、選別された閾値外の選別品を回収し、
３次選別手段よりも後工程の選別手段において、その選別手段が最終工程の選別手段である場合は、閾値内の選別品と閾値外の選別品を分離してそれぞれを別個に回収することを特徴とする（請求項５）。
また、本発明に係る色彩選別方法は、前記課題解決のために、粒状の被選別物中の基準外の被選別物を選別するための、所定の閾値によって、空気噴射装置により空気を噴射して前記被選別物を閾値内と閾値外の２種類の選別品に選別する、前記被選別物を流下させる複数の溝を設けたシュートを有する選別手段を用いた色彩選別方法であって、
前記選別手段を４工程以上備え、
１次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を３次選別手段へ搬送するとともに、１次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を２次選別手段へ搬送し、
２次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を３次選別手段へ搬送するとともに、２次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を回収し、
３次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を回収するとともに、３次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を４次選別手段へ搬送し、
３次選別手段よりも後工程の選別手段において、その選別手段が最終工程の選別手段でない場合は、選別された閾値内の選別品を回収するとともに、選別された閾値外の選別品を後工程の選別手段へ搬送し、
３次選別手段よりも後工程の選別手段において、その選別手段が最終工程の選別手段である場合は、閾値内の選別品と閾値外の選別品を分離してそれぞれを別個に回収することを特徴とする（請求項６）。
In order to solve the above problem, the color selection method according to the present invention is configured to inject air by an air injection device according to a predetermined threshold value for selecting a non-standard selection object in a granular selection object. A color sorting method using a sorting means having a chute provided with a plurality of grooves for flowing down the sorting object, sorting the sorting object into two types of sorting items within and outside the threshold value,
Comprising at least four steps of the screening means;
Transporting the sorted product within the threshold selected by the primary sorting unit to the secondary sorting unit, and transporting the sorted product outside the threshold sorted by the primary sorting unit to the tertiary sorting unit;
Collecting the sorted product within the threshold value selected by the secondary sorting means and transporting the sorted product outside the threshold value sorted by the secondary sorting means to the tertiary sorting means,
Transporting the sorted product within the threshold selected by the tertiary sorting means to the fourth sorting means, and collecting the sorted product outside the threshold sorted by the tertiary sorting means,
If the sorting means is not the final sorting means in the sorting process in the post process rather than the tertiary sorting means, the sorted product within the selected threshold value is transported to the sorting process in the post process, and the selected threshold value is exceeded. Of the selected items,
In selecting means in a later step than tertiary sorting means, that the sorting means if a selection means in the final step, to separately recover each separate sorting products and threshold out of the sorting articles within a threshold It is characterized (claim 5 ).
In addition, in the color sorting method according to the present invention, in order to solve the above-described problem, air is jetted by an air jetting device at a predetermined threshold value for sorting a non-reference sorting object in a granular sorting object. The color selection method using a selection means having a chute provided with a plurality of grooves for flowing down the object to be sorted, wherein the object to be sorted is sorted into two types of sorted items within and outside the threshold value,
Comprising at least four steps of the screening means;
Transporting the sorted product within the threshold selected by the primary sorting unit to the tertiary sorting unit, and transporting the sorted product outside the threshold sorted by the primary sorting unit to the secondary sorting unit;
Transporting the sorted product within the threshold selected by the secondary sorting unit to the tertiary sorting unit, and collecting the sorted product outside the threshold sorted by the secondary sorting unit,
Collecting the sorted product within the threshold value selected by the tertiary sorting means and transporting the sorted product outside the threshold value sorted by the tertiary sorting means to the fourth sorting means,
When the sorting means is not the final sorting means in the sorting means in the post process rather than the tertiary sorting means, the sorted products within the selected threshold are collected and the sorted products outside the selected threshold are post-processed. To the sorting means,
In selecting means in a later step than tertiary sorting means, that the sorting means if a selection means in the final step, to separately recover each separate sorting products and threshold out of the sorting articles within a threshold It is characterized (claim 6).

これらのような色彩選別方法によれば、選別手段を４工程以上備え、後工程の選別手段から前工程の選別手段へ選別品の搬送が行われないので、従来の色彩選別方法のように１次選別手段にて不良品と判定された被選別物を２次選別手段にて再選別を行い、良品と判定された被選別物を再び１次選別手段に戻すような選別品の返送を行わないため、選別手段間で基準外の被選別物が移動を繰り返す「ループ現象」が発生しない。
従って、従来の色彩選別方法のように、ロットの大きさに比例して良品か不良品かの判別を先送りされた中間的不良品の量が多くなり、選別手段を通過する被選別物中の不良品の混入率が高くなることがない。
よって、「ループ現象」により被選別物中の不良品の混入率が増加し、空気噴射装置の特性から、圧縮空気の噴出頻度が追い付かなくなって生じる選別漏れ現象を無くすことができるとともに、選別率を大幅に向上することができる。
その上、「ループ現象」に起因する、選別及びロット切替作業の長時間化等のタイムロスが無くなるとともに、極めて長時間に亘り選別作業が終了しないことから、機内に残留する被選別物をロット切替時に不良品側へ排出せざるを得ないため良品が捨てられてしまう良品ロスが無くなるため、プラントの設備効率が向上する。
その上さらに、ループ現象による空気噴射装置の噴気回数が減ることにより省エネにもなる。
その上、４工程以上の選別手段を用いて、選別されて少量となった被選別物を後工程の選別手段に搬送して精密選別をする構成であるので、より精度の高い選別を行うことができることから、良品中に混入してしまう不良品等の混入率をさらに低下させることができるため、選別率がさらに向上する。
According to these color sorting methods, the sorting means is provided with four or more steps, and the sorted product is not transferred from the sorting step in the subsequent process to the sorting means in the previous step. The sorting object determined to be defective by the secondary sorting means is re-sorted by the secondary sorting means, and the sorting article is returned so that the sorting object judged as non-defective is returned to the primary sorting means again. Therefore, there is no “loop phenomenon” in which non-standard objects to be sorted repeatedly move between the sorting means.
Therefore, as in the conventional color sorting method, the amount of intermediate defective products that have been postponed to determine whether the product is good or defective is increased in proportion to the size of the lot. The contamination rate of defective products does not increase.
Therefore, the “loop phenomenon” increases the mixing rate of defective products in the material to be sorted, and the characteristics of the air injection device can eliminate the screening omission phenomenon that occurs when the frequency of compressed air ejection cannot catch up. Can be greatly improved.
In addition, there is no time loss such as a long time for sorting and lot switching work due to the “loop phenomenon”, and the sorting work does not end for an extremely long time, so lots to be sorted remain in the machine. Since there is no loss of non-defective products that can be thrown out to the defective product side at times, the non-defective products are discarded.
Furthermore, energy is also saved by reducing the number of blows of the air injection device due to the loop phenomenon.
In addition, it uses a sorting means of four or more processes, and the sorting object which has been sorted is transported to the sorting means in the subsequent process for precise sorting, so that more accurate sorting is performed. Since it is possible to further reduce the mixing rate of defective products and the like mixed in non-defective products, the selection rate is further improved.

以上のように、本発明に係る色彩選別機及び色彩選別方法によれば、選別手段を４工程以上備え、後工程の選別手段から前工程の選別手段へ選別品の搬送が行われないので、選別手段間で基準外の被選別物が移動を繰り返す「ループ現象」が発生しないため、「ループ現象」により被選別物中の不良品の混入率が増加し、圧縮空気の噴出頻度が追い付かなくなって生じる選別漏れ現象を無くすことができるとともに、選別率を大幅に向上することができること、「ループ現象」に起因するタイムロスが無くなるとともに、極めて長時間に亘り選別作業が終了しないため良品が捨てられてしまう良品ロスが無くなるため、プラントの設備効率が向上すること、等の顕著な効果を奏する。 As described above, according to the color sorting machine and the color sorting method according to the present invention, since the sorting means is provided with four or more steps, the sorted product is not transported from the sorting means in the subsequent process to the sorting means in the previous process. Since the “loop phenomenon” that repeats the movement of non-standard objects to be sorted between the sorting means does not occur, the “loop phenomenon” increases the contamination rate of defective products in the objects to be sorted and the frequency of compressed air ejection cannot catch up. In addition to eliminating the sorting omission phenomenon that occurs, the sorting rate can be greatly improved, the time loss due to the “loop phenomenon” is eliminated, and the sorting operation is not completed for an extremely long time, and the non-defective product is discarded. This eliminates the loss of non-defective products, resulting in significant effects such as improved plant equipment efficiency.

本発明の色彩選別機の構成を示す側面から見た模式図である。It is the schematic diagram seen from the side which shows the structure of the color sorter | selector of this invention. 実施の形態１に係る色彩選別機の選別手順（色彩選別方法）を示す説明図である。It is explanatory drawing which shows the selection procedure (color selection method) of the color sorter | selector which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. 実施の形態２に係る色彩選別機の選別手順（色彩選別方法）を示す説明図である。It is explanatory drawing which shows the selection procedure (color selection method) of the color sorter | selector which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. 実施の形態３に係る色彩選別機の選別手順（色彩選別方法）を示す説明図である。It is explanatory drawing which shows the selection procedure (color selection method) of the color sorter | selector which concerns on Embodiment 3. FIG. 実施の形態４に係る色彩選別機の選別手順（色彩選別方法）を示す説明図である。It is explanatory drawing which shows the selection procedure (color selection method) of the color sorter | selector which concerns on Embodiment 4. 実施例の色彩選別機による選別結果を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the sorting result by the color sorter of an Example. 比較例の色彩選別機による選別結果を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the selection result by the color sorter | selector of a comparative example. 実施例及び比較例の色彩選別機の１次選別手段を通過する被選別物中の不良品の量の推移を示す図である。It is a figure which shows transition of the quantity of inferior goods in the to-be-sorted material which passes the primary selection means of the color sorter | selector of an Example and a comparative example. 実施例及び比較例の色彩選別機の１次選別手段を通過する被選別物中の不良品混入率の推移を示す図である。It is a figure which shows transition of the inferior goods mixing rate in the to-be-sorted material which passes the primary selection means of the color sorter | selector of an Example and a comparative example.

本明細書における「基準外の被選別物」とは、穀物を例に取れば穀物中（被選別物中）に混在する石粒やガラス片等の異物だけではなく、穀物であっても粒の一部又は全部が異色のもの（異色種）等の製品とならないもの（「不良品」）も含むものである。
また「色彩選別機」とは、色彩の差によって選別する機能及び光量の差によってガラス片等を選別する機能の一方又は両方の機能を備えた装置を含むものである。 In this specification, “subject to be sorted out” refers to not only foreign particles such as stone grains and glass pieces mixed in grains (in sorted matter), but also grains, for example, grains. This includes products that do not become products ("defective products"), such as those that are partly or entirely different in color (different colors).
The “color sorter” includes a device having one or both of a function of sorting by a color difference and a function of sorting a glass piece by a light amount difference.

本発明は、粒状の被選別物中の基準外の被選別物を選別するための、所定の閾値によって前記被選別物を閾値内と閾値外の２種類の選別品に選別する、３工程以上の選別手段を備えたものであり、本明細書においては、３工程以上の選別手段として、最初に被選別物が投入される最前工程（最上流側）の選別手段を１次選別手段といい、２次選別手段、３次選別手段・・・の呼び方は、低次の選別手段がより前工程（上流側）のものを、高次の選別手段がより後工程（下流側）のものを指している。
また、本発明に係る色彩選別機及び色彩選別方法は、従来の色彩選別機及び色彩選別方法のように１次選別手段にて不良品と判定された被選別物を２次選別手段にて再選別を行い、良品と判定された被選別物を再び１次選別手段に戻すことはせず、従って選別手段間における前記選別品の搬送を、後工程の選別手段から前工程の選別手段へは行わない（前記選別品の返送は行わない）ものである。
次に本発明の実施の形態を添付図面に基づき詳細に説明するが、本発明は、添付図面に示された形態に限定されず特許請求の範囲に記載の要件を満たす実施形態の全てを含むものである。 In the present invention, three or more steps of sorting the sorting object into two kinds of sorting products within the threshold value and outside the threshold value according to a predetermined threshold for sorting the sorting object outside the standard in the granular sorting object. In this specification, as the sorting means of three or more steps, the sorting means in the foremost process (the most upstream side) in which the object to be sorted is first input is referred to as the primary sorting means. The secondary sorting means, the tertiary sorting means, etc. are called the lower order sorting means in the previous process (upstream side), and the higher order sorting means in the later process (downstream side). Pointing.
In addition, the color sorting machine and the color sorting method according to the present invention are such that, as in the conventional color sorting machine and the color sorting method, an object to be sorted determined by the primary sorting means is regenerated by the secondary sorting means. The sorting object is not returned to the primary sorting means again after the sorting is determined to be a non-defective product. Therefore, the transport of the sorted product between the sorting means is changed from the sorting means in the subsequent process to the sorting means in the previous process. It is not performed (the returned product is not returned).
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, and includes all the embodiments that satisfy the requirements described in the claims. It is a waste.

先ず、本発明に係る色彩選別機及び選別手段の基本構造並びに選別手段の基本動作について説明する。
（色彩選別機）
図１の本発明の色彩選別機の構成を示す側面から見た模式図に示すように、色彩選別機１は、選別手段２、供給筒３及びフィーダ４を主要部品としている。
（選別手段）
選別手段２は、シュート５、色判別センサ６ａ、色判別センサ６ｂ、対物用照明７、バックグラウンド用照明８、バックグラウンド９、保護材１０、清掃部材１１、空気噴射装置１２、分離ホッパ１３、良品口１４及び不良品口１５等から構成される。
また、空気噴射装置１２の正面には圧縮空気噴射口１６が設けられ、背面には圧縮空気を空気噴射装置１２に供給するための圧縮空気供給管１７が接続される。
さらに、圧縮空気噴射口１６の背面には、空気噴射装置１２内に供給された圧縮空気を圧縮空気噴射口１６から噴射させるための電磁弁１８が設けられる。
そして、空気噴射装置１２は支持部材１９によって固定されており、圧縮空気噴射口１６には振動センサ２０が設置される。 First, the basic structure of the color sorter and sorting means and the basic operation of the sorting means according to the present invention will be described.
(Color sorter)
As shown in the schematic view seen from the side showing the configuration of the color sorter of the present invention in FIG. 1, the color sorter 1 has sorting means 2, a supply cylinder 3 and a feeder 4 as main components.
(Sorting means)
The sorting means 2 includes a chute 5, a color discrimination sensor 6a, a color discrimination sensor 6b, an objective illumination 7, a background illumination 8, a background 9, a protective material 10, a cleaning member 11, an air injection device 12, a separation hopper 13, It consists of a good product mouth 14 and a defective product mouth 15.
A compressed air injection port 16 is provided on the front surface of the air injection device 12, and a compressed air supply pipe 17 for supplying compressed air to the air injection device 12 is connected to the back surface.
Further, an electromagnetic valve 18 for injecting compressed air supplied into the air injection device 12 from the compressed air injection port 16 is provided on the back surface of the compressed air injection port 16.
The air injection device 12 is fixed by a support member 19, and a vibration sensor 20 is installed at the compressed air injection port 16.

（選別手段の基本動作）
先ず、供給筒３からフィーダ４に供給された被選別物（図示せず）は、フィーダ４によって流量が調整され、整然とした送り出しによってシュート５に流下される。 (Basic operation of sorting means)
First, the flow rate of the object to be sorted (not shown) supplied from the supply cylinder 3 to the feeder 4 is adjusted by the feeder 4 and flowed down to the chute 5 by orderly feeding.

次に、シュート５内に設けられた複数の溝（図示せず）を加速しながら流下した被選別物は、対物用照明７によって光を照射され、被選別物を透過又は反射した光が色判別センサ６ａ及び色判別センサ６ｂによって読み取られる。
ここで、色判別センサ６ａ及び色判別センサ６ｂにおいては、予めバックグラウンド用照明８によってバックグラウンド９を照射した際の光の透過率、反射率、光量等を基準に、被選別物の光の透過率、反射率、光量等が所定の閾値内にある場合には、良品と判別して分離ホッパ１３内の良品口１４に流下させる。
一方、被選別物の光の透過率、反射率、光量等が所定の閾値外にある場合には、不良品と判別して空気噴射装置１２の圧縮空気噴射口１６から空気を噴射して吹き飛ばし、分離ホッパ１３内の不良品口１５に流下させる。 Next, the object to be sorted flowing down while accelerating a plurality of grooves (not shown) provided in the chute 5 is irradiated with light by the objective illumination 7, and the light transmitted or reflected by the object to be sorted is colored. It is read by the discrimination sensor 6a and the color discrimination sensor 6b.
Here, in the color discrimination sensor 6a and the color discrimination sensor 6b, the light of the object to be sorted is determined based on the light transmittance, reflectance, light quantity, etc. when the background 9 is irradiated with the background illumination 8 in advance. When the transmittance, reflectance, light quantity, etc. are within a predetermined threshold, it is determined as non-defective and is allowed to flow down to the non-defective port 14 in the separation hopper 13.
On the other hand, if the light transmittance, reflectance, light quantity, etc. of the object to be sorted is outside the predetermined threshold, it is determined as a defective product and air is injected from the compressed air injection port 16 of the air injection device 12 and blown off. Then, it flows down to the defective product port 15 in the separation hopper 13.

なお、上記においては、閾値内の被選別物を良品とし、閾値外の被選別物を不良品と判定しているがこれに限定されるものではなく、閾値内の被選別物を不良品とし、閾値外の被選別物を良品と判定しても良い。また、本発明に用いられる選別手段２は１種類の閾値を用いることが好ましいが、これに限定されるものではなく、必要に応じて２種以上の閾値を用いて、被選別物を閾値内と閾値外の２種類の選別品に選別するようにしても良い。 In the above, the items to be sorted within the threshold value are judged as non-defective products, and the items to be sorted outside the threshold value are judged as defective products, but the present invention is not limited to this. The to-be-sorted object outside the threshold may be determined as a non-defective product. Further, the sorting means 2 used in the present invention preferably uses one type of threshold value, but is not limited to this, and if necessary, two or more types of threshold values are used so that the object to be sorted falls within the threshold value. It is also possible to sort into two types of sorted items outside the threshold.

（実施の形態１）
図２の色彩選別機の選別手順（色彩選別方法）を示す説明図に示すように、実施の形態１に係る色彩選別機の選別手段２は、５工程の選別手段、すなわち、１次選別手段２ａ、２次選別手段２ｂ、３次選別手段２ｃ、４次選別手段２ｄ及び５次選別手段２ｅを備えている。
ここで、各選別手段間の搬送は、スクリューコンベアや空気搬送等公知のあらゆる搬送手段を用いることができる。 (Embodiment 1)
As shown in the explanatory view showing the sorting procedure (color sorting method) of the color sorter in FIG. 2, the sorter 2 of the color sorter according to Embodiment 1 is a five-step sorter, that is, a primary sorter. 2a, secondary sorting means 2b, tertiary sorting means 2c, quaternary sorting means 2d and quintic sorting means 2e.
Here, the conveyance between each sorting means can use any known conveyance means such as a screw conveyor or air conveyance.

図２において、先ず、被選別物は１次選別手段２ａに送られる。そして、１次選別手段２ａにおいて良品と判定された被選別物は２次選別手段２ｂに搬送され、不良品と判定された被選別物は３次選別手段２ｃに搬送される。ここで、不良品の混入率が高い被選別物の場合は、良品と判定され２次選別手段２ｂに搬送されたものの中に、選別漏れとなった不良品が混入しており、また不良品として３次選別手段２ｃに搬送されたものの中には良品が混入している状態となっている。
次に、２次選別手段２ｂに搬送された被選別物は２次選別手段２ｂによって選別され、良品と判定された被選別物は回収され、不良品と判定された被選別物は３次選別手段２ｃに搬送される。
次に、１次選別手段２ａ及び２次選別手段２ｂから３次選別手段２ｃに搬送された被選別物は、合流して３次選別手段２ｃによって選別され、良品と判定された被選別物は４次選別手段２ｄに搬送され、不良品と判定された被選別物は回収される。
次に、４次選別手段２ｄに搬送された被選別物は４次選別手段２ｄによって選別され、良品と判定された被選別物は５次選別手段２ｅに搬送され、不良品と判定された被選別物は回収される。
次に、５次選別手段２ｅに搬送された被選別物は５次選別手段２ｅによって選別され、良品及び不良品と判定された被選別物はそれぞれ別個に回収される。 In FIG. 2, first, an object to be sorted is sent to the primary sorting means 2a. Then, the object to be sorted determined as non-defective in the primary sorting means 2a is conveyed to the secondary sorting means 2b, and the object to be sorted determined to be defective is conveyed to the tertiary sorting means 2c. Here, in the case of a to-be-sorted item with a high mixing ratio of defective products, defective products that have been sorted out are mixed in those judged to be non-defective products and conveyed to the secondary sorting means 2b. As a result, non-defective products are mixed in those conveyed to the tertiary sorting means 2c.
Next, the sorting object transported to the secondary sorting means 2b is sorted by the secondary sorting means 2b, the sorting object determined to be non-defective is collected, and the sorting object determined to be defective is tertiary sorted. It is conveyed to the means 2c.
Next, the objects to be sorted conveyed from the primary sorting means 2a and the secondary sorting means 2b to the tertiary sorting means 2c are merged and sorted by the tertiary sorting means 2c. The objects to be sorted which are conveyed to the quaternary sorting means 2d and determined to be defective are collected.
Next, the object to be sorted conveyed to the quaternary sorting means 2d is sorted by the quaternary sorting means 2d, and the object to be sorted judged to be non-defective is conveyed to the quintic sorting means 2e, where the article to be judged as defective is judged. The selection is collected.
Next, the objects to be sorted conveyed to the fifth sorting means 2e are sorted by the fifth sorting means 2e, and the objects to be sorted determined as non-defective products and defective products are separately collected.

実施の形態１の色彩選別機は、選別手段を５工程備えたものの構成例を示しており、このような選別手段を４工程以上備えた構成では、１次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を２次選別手段へ搬送するとともに、１次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を３次選別手段へ搬送し、２次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を回収するとともに、２次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を３次選別手段へ搬送し、３次選別手段よりも後工程の選別手段において、その選別手段が最終工程の選別手段でない場合は、選別された閾値内の選別品を後工程の選別手段へ搬送するとともに、選別された閾値外の選別品を回収し、３次選別手段よりも後工程の選別手段において、その選別手段が最終工程の選別手段である場合は、閾値内の選別品と閾値外の選別品を分離してそれぞれを別個に回収する。 The color sorter of the first embodiment shows an example of a configuration having five steps of sorting means. In a configuration having four or more steps of such sorting means, the color sorter is within the threshold value sorted by the primary sorting means. The sorted product is transported to the secondary sorting device, and the sorted product outside the threshold value sorted by the primary sorting device is transported to the tertiary sorting device, and the sorted product within the threshold value sorted by the secondary sorting device is collected. At the same time, when the sorting product outside the threshold value sorted by the secondary sorting means is transported to the tertiary sorting means, and the sorting means is not the final sorting means in the sorting means in the subsequent process than the tertiary sorting means, The sorted product within the selected threshold is transported to the sorting means in the subsequent process, and the sorted product outside the sorted threshold is collected, and the sorting means is the final process in the sorting process in the subsequent process rather than the tertiary sorting means. Is a means of sorting If, separately recovering each separate sorting products and threshold out of the sorting articles within a threshold.

（実施の形態２）
図３の色彩選別機の選別手順（色彩選別方法）を示す説明図に示すように、実施の形態２に係る色彩選別機の選別手段２は、５工程の選別手段、すなわち、１次選別手段２ａ、２次選別手段２ｂ、３次選別手段２ｃ、４次選別手段２ｄ及び５次選別手段２ｅを備えており、実施の形態２の構成は、実施の形態１の構成における良品と不良品とが入れ替わった態様となっている。 (Embodiment 2)
As shown in the explanatory diagram showing the sorting procedure (color sorting method) of the color sorter in FIG. 3, the sorter 2 of the color sorter according to the second embodiment is a five-step sorter, that is, a primary sorter. 2a, secondary sorting means 2b, tertiary sorting means 2c, quaternary sorting means 2d, and quintic sorting means 2e. The configuration of the second embodiment is a non-defective product and a defective product in the configuration of the first embodiment. It has become a mode that has been replaced.

図３において、先ず、被選別物は１次選別手段２ａに送られる。そして、１次選別手段２ａにおいて不良品と判定された被選別物は２次選別手段２ｂに搬送され、良品と判定された被選別物は３次選別手段２ｃに搬送される。
次に、２次選別手段２ｂに搬送された被選別物は２次選別手段２ｂによって選別され、不良品と判定された被選別物は回収され、良品と判定された被選別物は３次選別手段２ｃに搬送される。
次に、１次選別手段２ａ及び２次選別手段２ｂから３次選別手段２ｃに搬送された被選別物は、合流して３次選別手段２ｃによって選別され、不良品と判定された被選別物は４次選別手段２ｄに搬送され、良品と判定された被選別物は回収される。
次に、４次選別手段２ｄに搬送された被選別物は４次選別手段２ｄによって選別され、不良品と判定された被選別物は５次選別手段２ｅに搬送され、良品と判定された被選別物は回収される。
次に、５次選別手段２ｅに搬送された被選別物は５次選別手段２ｅによって選別され、良品及び不良品と判定された被選別物はそれぞれ別個に回収される。 In FIG. 3, first, the object to be sorted is sent to the primary sorting means 2a. Then, the object to be sorted determined as defective by the primary sorting means 2a is conveyed to the secondary sorting means 2b, and the object to be sorted determined to be non-defective is conveyed to the tertiary sorting means 2c.
Next, the sorting object transported to the secondary sorting means 2b is sorted by the secondary sorting means 2b, the sorting object determined to be defective is collected, and the sorting object determined to be non-defective is tertiary sorted. It is conveyed to the means 2c.
Next, the objects to be sorted conveyed from the primary sorting means 2a and the secondary sorting means 2b to the tertiary sorting means 2c are joined together and sorted by the tertiary sorting means 2c, and the sorted objects determined as defective products. Is conveyed to the quaternary sorting means 2d, and the objects to be sorted that have been determined to be non-defective are collected.
Next, the object to be sorted conveyed to the quaternary sorting means 2d is sorted by the quaternary sorting means 2d, and the object to be sorted judged to be defective is conveyed to the quintic sorting means 2e and judged to be non-defective. The selection is collected.
Next, the objects to be sorted conveyed to the fifth sorting means 2e are sorted by the fifth sorting means 2e, and the objects to be sorted determined as non-defective products and defective products are separately collected.

実施の形態２の色彩選別機は、選別手段を５工程備えたものの構成例を示しており、このような選別手段を４工程以上備えた構成では、１次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を３次選別手段へ搬送するとともに、１次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を２次選別手段へ搬送し、２次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を３次選別手段へ搬送するとともに、２次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を回収し、３次選別手段よりも後工程の選別手段において、その選別手段が最終工程の選別手段でない場合は、選別された閾値内の選別品を回収するとともに、選別された閾値外の選別品を後工程の選別手段へ搬送し、３次選別手段よりも後工程の選別手段において、その選別手段が最終工程の選別手段である場合は、閾値内の選別品と閾値外の選別品を分離してそれぞれを別個に回収する。 The color sorter according to the second embodiment shows an example of a configuration including five steps of sorting means. In a configuration including four or more steps of such sorting means, the color sorter is within a threshold value sorted by the primary sorting means. The sorted product is transported to the tertiary sorting means, and the sorted product outside the threshold value sorted by the primary sorting device is transported to the secondary sorting means, and the sorted product within the threshold value sorted by the secondary sorting means is tertiary. In addition to transporting to the sorting means and collecting the sorted product out of the threshold value sorted by the secondary sorting means, in the sorting means in the post-process than the tertiary sorting means, if the sorting means is not the final-stage sorting means, The sorted product within the selected threshold is collected, and the sorted product outside the selected threshold is transported to the sorting unit in the subsequent process, and the sorting unit is the final process in the sorting unit in the subsequent process rather than the tertiary sorting unit. Is a means of sorting If, separately recovering each separate sorting products and threshold out of the sorting articles within a threshold.

以上のような選別手段を４工程以上備えた色彩選別機として、１台の色彩選別機のみにより４工程以上の選別手段を備える構成ではなく、複数工程の選別手段を備えた複数台の色彩選別機を直列に連結して４工程以上の選別手段を備えるようにしても良い。 As a color sorter equipped with four or more sorting means as described above, a single color sorter is not provided with a sorting means for four or more steps, but a plurality of color sorters equipped with a plurality of sorting means. The machines may be connected in series to include sorting means for four or more steps.

（実施の形態３）
図４の色彩選別機の選別手順（色彩選別方法）を示す説明図に示すように、実施の形態３に係る色彩選別機の選別手段２は、３工程の選別手段、すなわち、１次選別手段２ａ、２次選別手段２ｂ及び３次選別手段２ｃを備えている。 (Embodiment 3)
As shown in the explanatory view showing the sorting procedure (color sorting method) of the color sorter in FIG. 4, the sorter 2 of the color sorter according to Embodiment 3 is a three-step sorter, that is, a primary sorter. 2a, secondary sorting means 2b and tertiary sorting means 2c.

図４において、先ず、被選別物は１次選別手段２ａに送られる。そして、１次選別手段２ａにおいて良品と判定された被選別物は２次選別手段２ｂに搬送され、不良品と判定された被選別物は３次選別手段２ｃに搬送される。
次に、２次選別手段２ｂに搬送された被選別物は２次選別手段２ｂによって選別され、良品と判定された被選別物は回収され、不良品と判定された被選別物は３次選別手段２ｃに搬送される。
次に、３次選別手段２ｃに搬送された被選別物は３次選別手段２ｃによって選別され、良品及び不良品と判定された被選別物はそれぞれ別個に回収される。 In FIG. 4, first, the object to be sorted is sent to the primary sorting means 2a. Then, the object to be sorted determined as non-defective in the primary sorting means 2a is conveyed to the secondary sorting means 2b, and the object to be sorted determined to be defective is conveyed to the tertiary sorting means 2c.
Next, the sorting object transported to the secondary sorting means 2b is sorted by the secondary sorting means 2b, the sorting object determined to be non-defective is collected, and the sorting object determined to be defective is tertiary sorted. It is conveyed to the means 2c.
Next, the objects to be sorted conveyed to the tertiary sorting means 2c are sorted by the tertiary sorting means 2c, and the objects to be sorted determined to be non-defective products and defective products are separately collected.

（実施の形態４）
図５の色彩選別機の選別手順（色彩選別方法）を示す説明図に示すように、実施の形態４に係る色彩選別機の選別手段２は、３工程の選別手段、すなわち、１次選別手段２ａ、２次選別手段２ｂ及び３次選別手段２ｃを備えており、実施の形態４の構成は、実施の形態３の構成における良品と不良品とが入れ替わった態様となっている。 (Embodiment 4)
As shown in the explanatory view showing the sorting procedure (color sorting method) of the color sorter in FIG. 5, the sorter 2 of the color sorter according to Embodiment 4 is a three-step sorter, that is, a primary sorter. 2a, secondary sorting means 2b and tertiary sorting means 2c are provided, and the configuration of the fourth embodiment is a mode in which the non-defective product and the defective product in the configuration of the third embodiment are interchanged.

図５において、先ず、被選別物は１次選別手段２ａに送られる。そして、１次選別手段２ａにおいて不良品と判定された被選別物は２次選別手段２ｂに搬送され、良品と判定された被選別物は３次選別手段２ｃに搬送される。
次に、２次選別手段２ｂに搬送された被選別物は２次選別手段２ｂによって選別され、不良品と判定された被選別物は回収され、良品と判定された被選別物は３次選別手段２ｃに搬送される。
次に、３次選別手段２ｃに搬送された被選別物は３次選別手段２ｃによって選別され、良品及び不良品と判定された被選別物はそれぞれ別個に回収される。 In FIG. 5, first, the object to be sorted is sent to the primary sorting means 2a. Then, the object to be sorted determined as defective by the primary sorting means 2a is conveyed to the secondary sorting means 2b, and the object to be sorted determined to be non-defective is conveyed to the tertiary sorting means 2c.
Next, the sorting object transported to the secondary sorting means 2b is sorted by the secondary sorting means 2b, the sorting object determined to be defective is collected, and the sorting object determined to be non-defective is tertiary sorted. It is conveyed to the means 2c.
Next, the objects to be sorted conveyed to the tertiary sorting means 2c are sorted by the tertiary sorting means 2c, and the objects to be sorted determined to be non-defective products and defective products are separately collected.

次に、実施例及び比較例に基づいて本発明に係る色彩選別機をさらに詳細に説明する。
＜実施例＞
図２に示す５工程の選別手段を内蔵した色彩選別機を製作した。各選別手段の構成の概要及び選別物（良品又は不良品と判定されたもの）の搬送先は以下の通りである。選別物の搬送先は、実施の形態１と同じ構成にし、実際に選別試験を行ったのが図６である。 Next, the color sorter according to the present invention will be described in more detail based on examples and comparative examples.
<Example>
A color sorter incorporating a 5-step sorting means shown in FIG. 2 was manufactured. The outline of the configuration of each sorting means and the transport destination of the sorted product (determined as non-defective product or defective product) are as follows. FIG. 6 shows the result of carrying out the sorting test in the same manner as in the first embodiment for the transport destination of the sorted product.

（各選別手段の構成の概要）
（１）１次選別手段２ａ：複数の溝を設けたシュートを２系統
（２）２次選別手段２ｂ：複数の溝を設けたシュートを２系統
（３）３次選別手段２ｃ：複数の溝を設けたシュートを１系統
（４）４次選別手段２ｄ：複数の溝を設けたシュートを１系統
（５）５次選別手段２ｅ：複数の溝を設けたシュートを１系統 (Outline of the configuration of each sorting means)
(1) Primary sorting means 2a: chute having a plurality of grooves 2 systems (2) secondary sorting means 2b: chute having a plurality of grooves 2 systems (3) tertiary sorting means 2c: plurality of grooves (4) quaternary sorting means 2d: one chute provided with a plurality of grooves (5) quintic sorting means 2e: one chute provided with a plurality of grooves

（各選別手段における選別物（良品又は不良品と判定されたもの）の搬送先）
（１）１次選別手段２ａ
（Ａ）良品判定品→２次選別手段２ｂ
（Ｂ）不良品判定品→３次選別手段２ｃ
（２）２次選別手段２ｂ
（Ａ）良品判定品→回収
（Ｂ）不良品判定品→３次選別手段２ｃ
（３）３次選別手段２ｃ
（Ａ）良品判定品→４次選別手段２ｄ
（Ｂ）不良品判定品→回収
（４）４次選別手段２ｄ
（Ａ）良品判定品→５次選別手段２ｅ
（Ｂ）不良品判定品→回収
（５）５次選別手段２ｅ
（Ａ）良品判定品→回収
（Ｂ）不良品判定品→回収 (Destination of sorted items (those determined to be good or defective) in each sorting means)
(1) Primary sorting means 2a
(A) Non-defective product → secondary sorting means 2b
(B) Defective product judgment product → tertiary sorting means 2c
(2) Secondary sorting means 2b
(A) Non-defective product judgment → collection (B) Defective product judgment → Tertiary sorting means 2c
(3) Tertiary sorting means 2c
(A) Non-defective product → 4th sorting means 2d
(B) Defective product judgment product → collection (4) quaternary sorting means 2d
(A) Non-defective product → 5th sorting means 2e
(B) Defective product judgment product → collection (5) Fifth sorting means 2e
(A) Non-defective product judgment → collection (B) Defective product judgment → collection

＜比較例＞
従来型の２工程の選別手段を内蔵した色彩選別機を製作した。各選別手段の構成の概要及び選別物（良品又は不良品と判定されたもの）の搬送先は以下の通りである。選別物の搬送先は、従来の色彩選別機と同じ構成にし、上記実施例と同条件で選別試験を行ったのが図７である。 <Comparative example>
A color sorter with built-in conventional two-step sorting means was manufactured. The outline of the configuration of each sorting means and the transport destination of the sorted product (determined as non-defective product or defective product) are as follows. FIG. 7 shows a result of performing a screening test under the same conditions as in the above embodiment, with the transport destination of the sorted material having the same configuration as that of a conventional color sorter.

（各選別手段の構成の概要）
（１）１次選別手段：複数の溝を設けたシュートを２系統
（２）２次選別手段：複数の溝を設けたシュートを１系統 (Outline of the configuration of each sorting means)
(1) Primary selection means: two lines of chute provided with a plurality of grooves (2) Secondary selection means: one line of chute provided with a plurality of grooves

（各選別手段における選別物（良品又は不良品と判定されたもの）の搬送先）
（１）１次選別手段
（Ａ）良品判定品→回収
（Ｂ）不良品判定品→２次選別手段
（２）２次選別手段
（Ａ）良品判定品→１次選別手段（再選別１回目）
（Ｂ）不良品判定品→回収
（３）１次選別手段（再選別１回目）
（Ａ）良品判定品→回収
（Ｂ）不良品判定品→２次選別手段（再選別１回目）
（４）２次選別手段（再選別１回目）
（Ａ）良品判定品→１次選別手段（再選別２回目）
（Ｂ）不良品判定品→回収
（５）１次選別手段（再選別２回目）
（Ａ）良品判定品→回収
（Ｂ）不良品判定品→２次選別手段（再選別２回目）
（６）２次選別手段（再選別２回目）
（Ａ）良品判定品→回収
（Ｂ）不良品判定品→回収 (Destination of sorted items (those determined to be good or defective) in each sorting means)
(1) Primary sorting means (A) Non-defective product judgment → collection (B) Defective product judgment product → Secondary sorting means (2) Secondary sorting means (A) Non-defective product judgment → primary sorting means (first re-sorting) )
(B) Defective product judgment → collection (3) Primary sorting means (first re-sorting)
(A) Non-defective product → Recovery (B) Defective product → Secondary sorting means (first re-sorting)
(4) Secondary sorting means (first re-sorting)
(A) Non-defective product → primary sorting means (second re-sorting)
(B) Defective product judgment → collection (5) Primary sorting means (second re-sorting)
(A) Non-defective product → Recovery (B) Defective product → Secondary sorting means (second re-sorting)
(6) Secondary sorting means (second re-sorting)
(A) Non-defective product judgment → collection (B) Defective product judgment → collection

＜選別評価＞
（試料）
基準外の被選別物として、いわゆる被害粒（中間品の中でもさらに中程に位置づけられる、最も選別が困難である米）を９９．４ｇ、及び米粒の１／２程度の大きさのガラス片を２００個混入することとし、これらに基準内の被選別物である正常な精白米を加えた試料１０ｋｇを作製した。
（試験方法）
上記試料１０ｋｇを、それぞれ実施例及び比較例の色彩選別機を用いて選別し、基準外の被選別物の選別率の評価を行った。 <Selection evaluation>
(sample)
As non-standard items to be sorted, 99.4 g of so-called damaged grains (middlely positioned intermediate rice, the most difficult to sort), and glass pieces about 1/2 the size of rice grains. A sample of 10 kg was prepared by adding 200 pieces of normal milled rice, which is an object to be sorted, within the standard.
(Test method)
10 kg of the sample was sorted using the color sorter of the example and the comparative example, respectively, and the sorting rate of objects to be sorted out of the standard was evaluated.

（試験結果）
（１）実施例
（ガラス片）
図６の実施例の色彩選別機による選別結果に示すように、実施例の色彩選別機は、ガラス片を全て選別できることが分かる（選別率１００％）。
（被害粒（不良品））
また、図６から、実施例の色彩選別機は、被害粒についてもほぼ選別できることが分かる（０．３ｇの選別漏れであり、選別率は、（９９．１／９９．４）×１００≒９９．７％）。
なお、この選別漏れとなった０．３ｇの被選別物は中間品の中程のものの中でも良品よりの中間品（肉眼ではほとんど見えにくい、極めて微細な黒点がある米粒）であり、良品の中に含んでいても何ら問題になるものではない。 (Test results)
(1) Example (glass piece)
As shown in the sorting result by the color sorter of the embodiment of FIG. 6, it can be seen that the color sorter of the embodiment can sort all glass pieces (sorting rate 100%).
(Damaged grain (defective product))
In addition, it can be seen from FIG. 6 that the color sorter of the example can almost sort even the damaged particles (the omission is 0.3 g, and the sorting rate is (99.1 / 99.4) × 100≈99. .7%).
In addition, the 0.3g to-be-sorted item that was not selected is an intermediate product (a rice grain with very fine black spots that is almost invisible to the naked eye), which is better than the intermediate product. It is not a problem even if it is included.

（２）比較例
（ガラス片）
図７の比較例の色彩選別機による選別結果に示すように、比較例の色彩選別機は、ガラス片を完全に選別することができないことが分かる（３個の選別漏れであり、選別率は、（１９７／２００）×１００≒９８．５％）。
（被害粒（不良品））
また、図７から、比較例の色彩選別機は、被害粒についても多くの選別漏れが生じることが分かる（２．４ｇの選別漏れであり、選別率は、（９７／９９．４）×１００≒９７．６％）。 (2) Comparative example (glass piece)
As shown in the sorting result by the color sorter of the comparative example in FIG. 7, it can be seen that the color sorter of the comparative example cannot completely sort the glass pieces (three omissions of sorting, the sorting rate is (197/200) × 100≈98.5%).
(Damaged grain (defective product))
In addition, it can be seen from FIG. 7 that the color sorter of the comparative example causes many sorting omissions even for damaged grains (2.4 g sorting omission, and the sorting rate is (97 / 99.4) × 100. ≈ 97.6%).

ここで、比較例の色彩選別機が不十分な選別となっている理由は、比較例の色彩選別機において、一部の被選別物が１次選別手段と２次選別手段との間で移動を繰り返す、いわゆる「ループ現象」が発生していることによる。
具体的には、先ず、＜比較例＞の（各選別手段における選別物（良品又は不良品と判定されたもの）の搬送先）の「（１）１次選別手段」において不良品と判定された被選別物が、「（２）２次選別手段」において良品と判定されて、再び「（３）１次選別手段（再選別１回目）」に搬送されることになる。しかしながら、「（３）１次選別手段（再選別１回目）」においても再び不良品と判定されることから、１次選別手段と２次選別手段との間で移動を繰り返すこととなる。
また、これと同じ現象が、「（３）１次選別手段（再選別１回目）」、「（４）２次選別手段（再選別１回目）」及び「（５）１次選別手段（再選別２回目）」においても発生していることから、前記「ループ現象」が発生し、その結果、被選別物中の不良品の混入率が高まり、空気噴射装置の噴出頻度では対応できなくなっているのである。
従って、「（６）２次選別手段（再選別２回目）」において最終的に良品として回収された被選別物の中にも、依然として不良品として判定されるべきである異物や異色粒等の基準外の選別物が混在することになるのである。 Here, the reason why the color sorter of the comparative example is insufficiently sorted is that, in the color sorter of the comparative example, some objects to be sorted move between the primary sorting means and the secondary sorting means. This is because a so-called “loop phenomenon” occurs.
Specifically, first, it is determined as a defective product in “(1) Primary selection unit” of (comparison example) (conveying destination of a selection item (one determined as a non-defective product or a defective item) in each selection unit). The to-be-sorted items are judged to be non-defective products in “(2) secondary sorting means” and are again conveyed to “(3) primary sorting means (first re-sorting)”. However, since “(3) primary sorting means (first time of re-sorting)” is again determined as a defective product, the movement is repeated between the primary sorting means and the secondary sorting means.
In addition, the same phenomenon occurs as "(3) primary sorting means (first re-sorting)", "(4) secondary sorting means (first re-sorting)" and "(5) primary sorting means (re-sorting). Since this occurs also in the “second selection”), the “loop phenomenon” occurs, and as a result, the mixing ratio of defective products in the object to be sorted increases, and the ejection frequency of the air injection device cannot cope with it. It is.
Therefore, among the objects to be sorted that are finally collected as non-defective products in “(6) Secondary sorting means (second time of re-sorting)”, there are foreign matters and different colored particles that should still be judged as defective products. Sorted items outside the standard will be mixed.

＜ループ現象の評価＞
（試料及び試験方法）
最も選別困難な良品と不良品の中間の更に中程の被害粒を１００gと、正常な精白米を混合した試料１０ｋｇ（不良率１％）を２０ロット用意し、それぞれ１〜１０番までの１０ロットを実施例と比較例の色彩選別機において１ロットずつ連続して選別した。
そして、１次選別手段を通過する際の被選別物（比較例においては２次選別手段による選別を終えて再び１次選別手段に搬送されてくる被選別物と新たに投入されるロットとの混合物）中における不良品の量の推移と不良品の混入率の推移を計測した。なお、処理流量については一般的な処理流量（毎時３t）にて行った。 <Evaluation of loop phenomenon>
(Sample and test method)
20 lots of 10kg sample (mixed with 1% defect rate) with 100g of the most damaged grains in the middle of the most difficult to sort and 100% of the damaged grains, and normal milled rice are prepared. Lots were successively sorted one by one in the color sorter of the example and the comparative example.
Then, an object to be sorted when passing through the primary sorting means (in the comparative example, the sort by the secondary sorting means is finished and the sorted object conveyed to the primary sorting means again and the newly introduced lot The transition of the amount of defective products in the mixture) and the transition of the mixing rate of defective products were measured. The processing flow rate was a general processing flow rate (3 tons per hour).

（試験結果）
（１）実施例
図８に示す色彩選別機の１次選別手段を通過する被選別物中の不良品の量の推移及び図９に示す１次選別手段を通過する被選別物中の不良品混入率の推移から、実施例の色彩選別機（実線）では、被選別物中の不良品の量及び不良品の混入率は常に一定（試料と同じ混入率）であることが分かる。
この理由は、実施例の色彩選別機では１次選別手段２ａで選別されたものが再び１次選別手段２ａに戻される構造ではないことから、ループ現象が発生せず、１次選別手段２ａには絶えず新しいロットが投入されるためである。
また、実施例の色彩選別機では、選別に要した時間も投入した１０ロットの全てにおいて同じ時間であった。 (Test results)
(1) Embodiment Transition of the amount of defective products in the selection object passing through the primary selection means of the color sorter shown in FIG. 8 and defective products in the selection object passing through the primary selection means shown in FIG. From the transition of the mixing rate, it can be seen that in the color sorter (solid line) of the example, the amount of defective products in the object to be sorted and the mixing rate of defective products are always constant (the same mixing rate as the sample).
This is because the color sorter of the embodiment does not have a structure in which what is sorted by the primary sorting means 2a is returned to the primary sorting means 2a again, so that no loop phenomenon occurs and the primary sorting means 2a This is because new lots are constantly introduced.
Further, in the color sorter of the example, the time required for sorting was the same for all 10 lots that were input.

（２）比較例
図８に示す色彩選別機の１次選別手段を通過する被選別物中の不良品の量の推移から、比較例の色彩選別機（破線）では、１次選別手段を通過する被選別物中の不良品の量が徐々に増加することが分かる。
この理由は、２次選別手段に選別された被選別物（不良品が混入している状態となっている）が再び１次選別手段に搬送されるため、１次選別手段に次々に投入される新たなロットと加算されて被選別物の量が徐々に増え、１次選別手段を通過する被選別物中の不良品の量が徐々に増加するためである。
また、図９に示す１次選別手段を通過する被選別物中の不良品混入率の推移から、比較例の色彩選別機（破線）では、被選別物中の不良品の混入率も徐々に増加することが分かる。
この理由は、図８の破線のように不良品の量が増加するにつれて、空気噴射装置による圧縮空気の噴出頻度が追い付かなくなり、そのことが良品中に不良品の選別漏れを招くものである。
このように従来の色彩選別機においては、大量の被選別物を選別する工場では、図９の破線のように時間の経過とともに被選別物中の不良品の混入率が高まり、やがて空気噴射装置による圧縮空気の噴出頻度が追い付かない状況となって選別漏れを招く結果となる。また、運転開始時には所定の時間で選別処理が出来ていても、図８の破線のように徐々に２次選別手段から戻る不良品の量が累積されて被選別物の量が増加し、選別時間が長時間かかることになる。 (2) Comparative Example From the transition of the amount of defective products in the material to be sorted that passes through the primary sorting means of the color sorter shown in FIG. 8, the color sorting machine (broken line) of the comparative example passes through the primary sorting means. It turns out that the quantity of the inferior goods in the to-be-sorted thing to increase gradually increases.
This is because the objects to be sorted (in a state in which defective products are mixed) sorted by the secondary sorting means are transported again to the primary sorting means, and are successively put into the primary sorting means. This is because the amount of the object to be sorted is gradually increased by adding to the new lot, and the amount of defective products in the object to be sorted passing through the primary sorting means is gradually increased.
Further, from the transition of the defective product mixing rate in the material to be sorted that passes through the primary sorting means shown in FIG. 9, in the color sorting machine (broken line) of the comparative example, the mixing rate of the defective product in the sampled material is also gradually increased. It can be seen that it increases.
The reason for this is that as the amount of defective products increases as shown by the broken line in FIG. 8, the frequency of jetting compressed air by the air injection device cannot catch up, which leads to omission of defective products in non-defective products.
As described above, in a conventional color sorter, in a factory that sorts a large amount of objects to be sorted, the mixing rate of defective products in the objects to be sorted increases with the passage of time as shown by the broken line in FIG. This results in a situation where the frequency of compressed air jets cannot keep up with the result of omission of sorting. Further, even if the sorting process can be performed at a predetermined time at the start of operation, the amount of defective products that gradually return from the secondary sorting means is accumulated as shown by the broken line in FIG. It will take a long time.

補足すると、図８及び図９のデータは被選別物の１０ｋｇが、それぞれ１次選別手段を通過する時間を１２秒に調整したものであり、実施例では１０ロットが１次選別手段を通過するのに２分であったが比較例の場合は約２.５分（それも２次選別手段から戻ったものと次のロットと混合する時間を除いて）かかったが、いずれも極めて短時間の選別処理におけるデータである。
しかしながら、このような短時間の選別処理におけるデータであるにもかかわらず、比較例の色彩選別機の場合は僅か約２.５分の運転で１次選別手段を通過する被選別物の不良品の混入率が約３倍にも増加してしまったのである。尤もこの評価試験は不良品の混入率も高く、また試験に用いた不良品は２次選別手段において全量が良品と判定されて１次選別手段に戻される悪条件によるものであることが前提であるにしても、実際に精米工場におけるロットは大きいものでは約半日程度連続して流されるため、このようなロットの大きさに比例して比較例の色彩選別機における１次選別手段を通過する不良品の混入率が極めて高くなることは自明の理であり、本発明の色彩選別機が如何に「ループ現象」を有効に防止でき、その結果選別漏れ等を防止出来るものであるかが分かる。 Supplementally, the data shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 are obtained by adjusting the time for 10 kg of the objects to be sorted to pass through the primary sorting means to 12 seconds. In the embodiment, 10 lots pass through the primary sorting means. It took 2 minutes, but in the case of the comparative example, it took about 2.5 minutes (except for the time returned from the secondary sorting means and the time for mixing with the next lot). This is data in the sorting process.
However, in spite of the data in such a short-time sorting process, in the case of the color sorter of the comparative example, a defective product that passes through the primary sorting means in only about 2.5 minutes of operation. The mixing rate has increased by about 3 times. However, this evaluation test is based on the premise that the defective product has a high mixing rate, and the defective product used in the test is due to bad conditions in which the total amount is judged as good by the secondary sorting means and returned to the primary sorting means. Even if there is a lot, since a lot in a rice mill is actually run continuously for about half a day, it passes through the primary sorting means in the color sorter of the comparative example in proportion to the size of such a lot. It is self-evident that the mixing ratio of defective products becomes extremely high, and it can be seen how the color sorter of the present invention can effectively prevent the “loop phenomenon” and, as a result, prevent omission of sorting. .

以上のような本願発明の色彩選別機及び色彩選別方法によれば、選別手段２を３工程以上備え、後工程の選別手段から前工程の選別手段へ選別品の搬送が行われないので、従来の色彩選別機及び色彩選別方法のように１次選別手段にて不良品と判定された被選別物を２次選別手段にて再選別を行い、良品と判定された被選別物を再び１次選別手段に戻すような選別品の返送を行わないため、選別手段間で基準外の被選別物が移動を繰り返す「ループ現象」が発生しない。
従って、従来の色彩選別機及び色彩選別方法のように、ロットの大きさに比例して良品か不良品かの判別を先送りされた中間的不良品の量が多くなり、選別手段を通過する被選別物中の不良品の混入率が高くなることがない。
よって、「ループ現象」により被選別物中の不良品の混入率が増加し、空気噴射装置の特性から、圧縮空気の噴出頻度が追い付かなくなって生じる選別漏れ現象を無くすことができるとともに、選別率を大幅に向上することができる。 According to the color sorting machine and the color sorting method of the present invention as described above, the sorting means 2 is provided with three or more steps, and the sorting product is not conveyed from the sorting means in the subsequent process to the sorting means in the previous process. Like the color sorter and the color sorting method, the sorting object judged as defective by the primary sorting means is re-sorted by the secondary sorting means, and the sorting object judged as non-defective is primary again. Since the sorted product is not returned to the sorting means, the “loop phenomenon” in which the non-standard sorting object repeatedly moves between the sorting means does not occur.
Therefore, as in conventional color sorters and color sorting methods, the amount of intermediate defective products that have been postponed to determine whether they are non-defective products or defective products in proportion to the size of the lot increases, and the amount of food that passes through the sorting means increases. The mixing rate of defective products in the sorted product does not increase.
Therefore, the “loop phenomenon” increases the mixing rate of defective products in the material to be sorted, and the characteristics of the air injection device can eliminate the screening omission phenomenon that occurs when the frequency of compressed air ejection cannot catch up. Can be greatly improved.

また、「ループ現象」に起因する、選別及びロット切替作業の長時間化等のタイムロスが無くなるとともに、極めて長時間に亘り選別作業が終了しないことから、機内に残留する被選別物をロット切替時に不良品側へ排出せざるを得ないため良品が捨てられてしまう良品ロスが無くなるため、プラントの設備効率が向上する。
さらに、ループ現象による空気噴射装置の噴気回数が減ることにより省エネにもなる。
さらにまた、例えば実施の形態１の図２及び実施の形態２の図３のように、選別手段を４工程以上備えた色彩選別機及び色彩選別方法によれば、４工程以上の選別手段を用いて、選別されて少量となった被選別物を後工程の選別手段に搬送して精密選別をする構成であるので、より精度の高い選別を行うことができることから、良品中に混入してしまう不良品等の混入率をさらに低下させることができるため、選別率がさらに向上する。
ここで、被選別物に不良品の混入率の高い場合への対応や選別率の向上を考慮すると、選別手段を５工程以上備えた構成がより好ましい実施態様である。 In addition, there is no time loss due to the “loop phenomenon” such as long time for sorting and lot switching work, and the sorting work does not end for an extremely long time. Since there is no loss of non-defective products that must be discharged to the defective product side and the non-defective products are discarded, the facility efficiency of the plant is improved.
Furthermore, energy saving is achieved by reducing the number of blows of the air injection device due to the loop phenomenon.
Furthermore, for example, as shown in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment and FIG. 3 of the second embodiment, according to the color sorting machine and the color sorting method having four or more sorting means, the sorting means having four or more steps is used. In addition, since it is configured to carry the precision sorting by transporting the to-be-sorted items that have been sorted to a small amount, it will be mixed in non-defective products because more accurate sorting can be performed. Since the mixing rate of defective products and the like can be further reduced, the sorting rate is further improved.
Here, considering the response to the case where the mixing rate of defective products is high in the object to be sorted and the improvement of the sorting rate, a configuration having five or more sorting means is a more preferable embodiment.

１色彩選別機
２選別手段
２ａ１次選別手段
２ｂ２次選別手段
２ｃ３次選別手段
２ｄ４次選別手段
２ｅ５次選別手段
３供給筒
４フィーダ
５シュート
６ａ色判別センサ
６ｂ色判別センサ
７対物用照明
８バックグラウンド用照明
９バックグラウンド
１０保護材
１１清掃部材
１２空気噴射装置
１３分離ホッパ
１４良品口
１５不良品口
１６圧縮空気噴射口
１７圧縮空気供給管
１８電磁弁
１９支持部材
２０振動センサ
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Color sorter 2 Sorting means 2a Primary sorting means 2b Secondary sorting means 2c Tertiary sorting means 2d Fourth sorting means 2e Fifth sorting means 3 Supply cylinder 4 Feeder 5 Chute 6a Color discrimination sensor 6b Color discrimination sensor 7 Objective Illumination 8 Background illumination 9 Background 10 Protective material 11 Cleaning member 12 Air injection device 13 Separation hopper 14 Non-defective product port 15 Defective product port 16 Compressed air injection port 17 Compressed air supply pipe 18 Electromagnetic valve 19 Support member 20 Vibration sensor

Claims

粒状の被選別物中の基準外の被選別物を選別するための、所定の閾値によって、空気噴射装置により空気を噴射して前記被選別物を閾値内と閾値外の２種類の選別品に選別する、前記被選別物を流下させる複数の溝を設けたシュートを有する選別手段を備えた色彩選別機であって、
前記選別手段を４工程以上備え、
１次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を２次選別手段へ搬送するとともに、１次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を３次選別手段へ搬送し、
２次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を回収するとともに、２次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を３次選別手段へ搬送し、
３次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を４次選別手段へ搬送するとともに、３次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を回収し、
３次選別手段よりも後工程の選別手段において、その選別手段が最終工程の選別手段でない場合は、選別された閾値内の選別品を後工程の選別手段へ搬送するとともに、選別された閾値外の選別品を回収し、
３次選別手段よりも後工程の選別手段において、その選別手段が最終工程の選別手段である場合は、閾値内の選別品と閾値外の選別品を分離してそれぞれを別個に回収することを特徴とする色彩選別機。 Air is sprayed by an air injection device according to a predetermined threshold value for selecting a non-standard sorting object in the granular sorting object, and the sorting object is divided into two types of sorting products within and outside the threshold value. A color sorter equipped with sorting means having a chute provided with a plurality of grooves for allowing the sorting object to flow down,
Comprising at least four steps of the screening means;
Transporting the sorted product within the threshold selected by the primary sorting unit to the secondary sorting unit, and transporting the sorted product outside the threshold sorted by the primary sorting unit to the tertiary sorting unit;
Collecting the sorted product within the threshold value selected by the secondary sorting means and transporting the sorted product outside the threshold value sorted by the secondary sorting means to the tertiary sorting means,
Transporting the sorted product within the threshold selected by the tertiary sorting means to the fourth sorting means, and collecting the sorted product outside the threshold sorted by the tertiary sorting means,
If the sorting means is not the final sorting means in the sorting process in the post process rather than the tertiary sorting means, the sorted product within the selected threshold value is transported to the sorting process in the post process, and the selected threshold value is exceeded. Of the selected items,
In selecting means in a later step than tertiary sorting means, that the sorting means if a selection means in the final step, to separately recover each separate sorting products and threshold out of the sorting articles within a threshold Characteristic color sorter.

粒状の被選別物中の基準外の被選別物を選別するための、所定の閾値によって、空気噴射装置により空気を噴射して前記被選別物を閾値内と閾値外の２種類の選別品に選別する、前記被選別物を流下させる複数の溝を設けたシュートを有する選別手段を備えた色彩選別機であって、
前記選別手段を４工程以上備え、
１次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を３次選別手段へ搬送するとともに、１次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を２次選別手段へ搬送し、
２次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を３次選別手段へ搬送するとともに、２次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を回収し、
３次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を回収するとともに、３次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を４次選別手段へ搬送し、
３次選別手段よりも後工程の選別手段において、その選別手段が最終工程の選別手段でない場合は、選別された閾値内の選別品を回収するとともに、選別された閾値外の選別品を後工程の選別手段へ搬送し、
３次選別手段よりも後工程の選別手段において、その選別手段が最終工程の選別手段である場合は、閾値内の選別品と閾値外の選別品を分離してそれぞれを別個に回収することを特徴とする色彩選別機。 Air is sprayed by an air injection device according to a predetermined threshold value for selecting a non-standard sorting object in the granular sorting object, and the sorting object is divided into two types of sorting products within and outside the threshold value. A color sorter equipped with sorting means having a chute provided with a plurality of grooves for allowing the sorting object to flow down,
Comprising at least four steps of the screening means;
Transporting the sorted product within the threshold selected by the primary sorting unit to the tertiary sorting unit, and transporting the sorted product outside the threshold sorted by the primary sorting unit to the secondary sorting unit;
Transporting the sorted product within the threshold selected by the secondary sorting unit to the tertiary sorting unit, and collecting the sorted product outside the threshold sorted by the secondary sorting unit,
Collecting the sorted product within the threshold value selected by the tertiary sorting means and transporting the sorted product outside the threshold value sorted by the tertiary sorting means to the fourth sorting means,
When the sorting means is not the final sorting means in the sorting means in the post process rather than the tertiary sorting means, the sorted products within the selected threshold are collected and the sorted products outside the selected threshold are post-processed. To the sorting means,
In selecting means in a later step than tertiary sorting means, that the sorting means if a selection means in the final step, to separately recover each separate sorting products and threshold out of the sorting articles within a threshold Characteristic color sorter.

粒状の被選別物中の基準外の被選別物を選別するための、所定の閾値によって、空気噴射装置により空気を噴射して前記被選別物を閾値内と閾値外の２種類の選別品に選別する、前記被選別物を流下させる複数の溝を設けたシュートを有する複数工程の選別手段を備えた複数台の色彩選別機を直列に連結して構成される、４工程以上の選別手段を備えた色彩選別機であって、
１次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を２次選別手段へ搬送するとともに、１次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を３次選別手段へ搬送し、
２次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を回収するとともに、２次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を３次選別手段へ搬送し、
３次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を４次選別手段へ搬送するとともに、３次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を回収し、
３次選別手段よりも後工程の選別手段において、その選別手段が最終工程の選別手段でない場合は、選別された閾値内の選別品を後工程の選別手段へ搬送するとともに、選別された閾値外の選別品を回収し、
３次選別手段よりも後工程の選別手段において、その選別手段が最終工程の選別手段である場合は、閾値内の選別品と閾値外の選別品を分離してそれぞれを別個に回収することを特徴とする色彩選別機。 Air is sprayed by an air injection device according to a predetermined threshold value for selecting a non-standard sorting object in the granular sorting object, and the sorting object is divided into two types of sorting products within and outside the threshold value. Sorting means for four or more steps, comprising a plurality of color sorters connected in series, each having a plurality of sorting means having a chute provided with a plurality of grooves for flowing down the material to be sorted. A color sorter equipped,
Transporting the sorted product within the threshold selected by the primary sorting unit to the secondary sorting unit, and transporting the sorted product outside the threshold sorted by the primary sorting unit to the tertiary sorting unit;
Collecting the sorted product within the threshold value selected by the secondary sorting means and transporting the sorted product outside the threshold value sorted by the secondary sorting means to the tertiary sorting means,
Transporting the sorted product within the threshold selected by the tertiary sorting means to the fourth sorting means, and collecting the sorted product outside the threshold sorted by the tertiary sorting means,
If the sorting means is not the final sorting means in the sorting process in the post process rather than the tertiary sorting means, the sorted product within the selected threshold value is transported to the sorting process in the post process, and the selected threshold value is exceeded. Of the selected items,
If the sorting means is a final-stage sorting means in the subsequent-stage sorting means rather than the tertiary sorting means, the sorted product within the threshold and the sorted product outside the threshold are separated and collected separately. Characteristic color sorter.

粒状の被選別物中の基準外の被選別物を選別するための、所定の閾値によって、空気噴射装置により空気を噴射して前記被選別物を閾値内と閾値外の２種類の選別品に選別する、前記被選別物を流下させる複数の溝を設けたシュートを有する複数工程の選別手段を備えた複数台の色彩選別機を直列に連結して構成される、４工程以上の選別手段を備えた色彩選別機であって、
１次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を３次選別手段へ搬送するとともに、１次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を２次選別手段へ搬送し、
２次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を３次選別手段へ搬送するとともに、２次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を回収し、
３次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を回収するとともに、３次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を４次選別手段へ搬送し、
３次選別手段よりも後工程の選別手段において、その選別手段が最終工程の選別手段でない場合は、選別された閾値内の選別品を回収するとともに、選別された閾値外の選別品を後工程の選別手段へ搬送し、
３次選別手段よりも後工程の選別手段において、その選別手段が最終工程の選別手段である場合は、閾値内の選別品と閾値外の選別品を分離してそれぞれを別個に回収することを特徴とする色彩選別機。 Air is sprayed by an air injection device according to a predetermined threshold value for selecting a non-standard sorting object in the granular sorting object, and the sorting object is divided into two types of sorting products within and outside the threshold value. Sorting means for four or more steps, comprising a plurality of color sorters connected in series, each having a plurality of sorting means having a chute provided with a plurality of grooves for flowing down the material to be sorted. A color sorter equipped,
Transporting the sorted product within the threshold selected by the primary sorting unit to the tertiary sorting unit, and transporting the sorted product outside the threshold sorted by the primary sorting unit to the secondary sorting unit;
Transporting the sorted product within the threshold selected by the secondary sorting unit to the tertiary sorting unit, and collecting the sorted product outside the threshold sorted by the secondary sorting unit,
Collecting the sorted product within the threshold value selected by the tertiary sorting means and transporting the sorted product outside the threshold value sorted by the tertiary sorting means to the fourth sorting means,
When the sorting means is not the final sorting means in the sorting means in the post process rather than the tertiary sorting means, the sorted products within the selected threshold are collected and the sorted products outside the selected threshold are post-processed. To the sorting means,
If the sorting means is a final-stage sorting means in the subsequent-stage sorting means rather than the tertiary sorting means, the sorted product within the threshold and the sorted product outside the threshold are separated and collected separately. Characteristic color sorter.

粒状の被選別物中の基準外の被選別物を選別するための、所定の閾値によって、空気噴射装置により空気を噴射して前記被選別物を閾値内と閾値外の２種類の選別品に選別する、前記被選別物を流下させる複数の溝を設けたシュートを有する選別手段を用いた色彩選別方法であって、
前記選別手段を４工程以上備え、
１次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を２次選別手段へ搬送するとともに、１次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を３次選別手段へ搬送し、
２次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を回収するとともに、２次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を３次選別手段へ搬送し、
３次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を４次選別手段へ搬送するとともに、３次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を回収し、
３次選別手段よりも後工程の選別手段において、その選別手段が最終工程の選別手段でない場合は、選別された閾値内の選別品を後工程の選別手段へ搬送するとともに、選別された閾値外の選別品を回収し、
３次選別手段よりも後工程の選別手段において、その選別手段が最終工程の選別手段である場合は、閾値内の選別品と閾値外の選別品を分離してそれぞれを別個に回収することを特徴とする色彩選別方法。 Air is sprayed by an air injection device according to a predetermined threshold value for selecting a non-standard sorting object in the granular sorting object, and the sorting object is divided into two types of sorting products within and outside the threshold value. A color sorting method using sorting means having a chute provided with a plurality of grooves for allowing the sorting object to flow down,
Comprising at least four steps of the screening means;
Transporting the sorted product within the threshold selected by the primary sorting unit to the secondary sorting unit, and transporting the sorted product outside the threshold sorted by the primary sorting unit to the tertiary sorting unit;
Collecting the sorted product within the threshold value selected by the secondary sorting means and transporting the sorted product outside the threshold value sorted by the secondary sorting means to the tertiary sorting means,
Transporting the sorted product within the threshold selected by the tertiary sorting means to the fourth sorting means, and collecting the sorted product outside the threshold sorted by the tertiary sorting means,
If the sorting means is not the final sorting means in the sorting process in the post process rather than the tertiary sorting means, the sorted product within the selected threshold value is transported to the sorting process in the post process, and the selected threshold value is exceeded. Of the selected items,
In selecting means in a later step than tertiary sorting means, that the sorting means if a selection means in the final step, to separately recover each separate sorting products and threshold out of the sorting articles within a threshold Characteristic color selection method.

粒状の被選別物中の基準外の被選別物を選別するための、所定の閾値によって、空気噴射装置により空気を噴射して前記被選別物を閾値内と閾値外の２種類の選別品に選別する、前記被選別物を流下させる複数の溝を設けたシュートを有する選別手段を用いた色彩選別方法であって、
前記選別手段を４工程以上備え、
１次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を３次選別手段へ搬送するとともに、１次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を２次選別手段へ搬送し、
２次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を３次選別手段へ搬送するとともに、２次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を回収し、
３次選別手段によって選別された閾値内の選別品を回収するとともに、３次選別手段によって選別された閾値外の選別品を４次選別手段へ搬送し、
３次選別手段よりも後工程の選別手段において、その選別手段が最終工程の選別手段でない場合は、選別された閾値内の選別品を回収するとともに、選別された閾値外の選別品を後工程の選別手段へ搬送し、
３次選別手段よりも後工程の選別手段において、その選別手段が最終工程の選別手段である場合は、閾値内の選別品と閾値外の選別品を分離してそれぞれを別個に回収することを特徴とする色彩選別方法。
Air is sprayed by an air injection device according to a predetermined threshold value for selecting a non-standard sorting object in the granular sorting object, and the sorting object is divided into two types of sorting products within and outside the threshold value. A color sorting method using sorting means having a chute provided with a plurality of grooves for allowing the sorting object to flow down,
Comprising at least four steps of the screening means;
Transporting the sorted product within the threshold selected by the primary sorting unit to the tertiary sorting unit, and transporting the sorted product outside the threshold sorted by the primary sorting unit to the secondary sorting unit;
Transporting the sorted product within the threshold selected by the secondary sorting unit to the tertiary sorting unit, and collecting the sorted product outside the threshold sorted by the secondary sorting unit,
Collecting the sorted product within the threshold value selected by the tertiary sorting means and transporting the sorted product outside the threshold value sorted by the tertiary sorting means to the fourth sorting means,
When the sorting means is not the final sorting means in the sorting means in the post process rather than the tertiary sorting means, the sorted products within the selected threshold are collected and the sorted products outside the selected threshold are post-processed. To the sorting means,
In selecting means in a later step than tertiary sorting means, that the sorting means if a selection means in the final step, to separately recover each separate sorting products and threshold out of the sorting articles within a threshold Characteristic color selection method.