Patent Description:
Nowadays, in conjunction with increasingly evolved production processes and with a high attention of the consumers to quality, the presence of aesthetic defects, even in food products such as pasta, is highly undesirable.

It is known in the state of the art, in <CIT> solution for the selection of elements based on pasta that allows to eliminate those pieces that present aesthetic defects.

In short, in this solution, the pasta elements are advanced aligned and juxtaposed with each other, with the main dimension perpendicular to the advancement direction; when the camera detects a defect, a further processing path is opened, through which the defective element and those immediately preceding and following, are taken from the production line to be destined for rejection.

Although functional, this solution is however dedicated to pasta that in jargon is defined "long", that is, pasta such as spaghetti, linguine, vermicelli, fettuccine and the like that can be advanced in an orderly and aligned manner along a conveyor belt.

In "long" pasta the ratio between the smaller and the larger dimension is less than <NUM>.

However, this known system is not applicable to "short" pasta (e.g. pennette, fusilli etc.) because the latter would advance on a conveyor belt in a not orderly way; this implies not only a problem regarding the identification of defective elements, but above all it means that once the rejection path is activated it would eliminate a large amount of potentially non-defective elements (in particular, at least all those elements that are placed at the same section of the conveyor belt as the one with the defects would be eliminated). This known solution, therefore, is not applicable in the case of short pasta or, if applied, entails excessive waste.

Moreover, even in the case of long pasta, this known system has little flexibility: it is in fact necessary to ensure that the long pasta proceeds aligned and orderly on the conveyor belt in order to have the main dimension of each element arranged perpendicularly to the advancement direction: this constrains the design choices of the entire production line and requires to adopt measures aimed at guaranteeing this requirement.

The task of the present invention is to realize a system and a method for selecting elements based on edible pasta, preferably short pasta, which is able to improve the prior art in one or more of the aspects indicated above.

As part of this task, an aim of the invention is to make available a system and a method for selecting elements based on edible pasta that can be used in the selection of short pasta.

Another aim of the invention is to make available a system and a method for selecting elements based on edible pasta that can be used in the selection of pasta in general (long or short) without requiring the adoption of special measures in the line.

Another aim of the invention is to make available a system and a method for selecting elements based on edible pasta with high efficiency, understood as the ratio between the elements that are actually defective and those that are actually rejected.

Furthermore, the present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art in a way alternative to any existing solutions.

Not the least aim of the invention is to realize a system and a method that is highly reliable, relatively easy to realize and at competitive costs.

This task, as well as these and other aims that will better appear later, are achieved by a system for selecting elements based on edible pasta according to claim <NUM>, optionally provided with one or more of the features of the dependent claims and by means of a method according to claim <NUM>, optionally provided with one or more of the features of the claims dependent thereon.

A further object of the invention is a pasta production line comprising a system <NUM> or realizing a method for selecting elements based on edible pasta according to the invention.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will more fully emerge from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the device and of the method according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the appended drawings, in which:.

With reference to the cited figures, the system according to the invention is globally indicated with reference number <NUM>.

Before describing in detail the system <NUM>, it is more evident to report the method subject-matter of the invention.

Notably, this is a method for selecting elements based on edible (raw) pasta, preferably short pasta, comprising the steps of:.

Turning now to the selection system <NUM>, it is configured to select elements based on edible (raw) pasta, preferably short pasta.

With reference to the figures, the system <NUM> comprises a detection part <NUM> (see <FIG> in schematic detail) and a real selection part <NUM> (see <FIG> in detail).

The detection part <NUM> of the system <NUM> comprises:.

The pasta elements E in transit in the inspection space S are arranged in it in bulk (in a not orderly manner) with pasta elements E at least partially stacked/superimposed one another in an irregular manner (and without a precise order and variously oriented) and/or stacked so as to be very close and/or (mainly) in contact with each other.

The selection part <NUM> comprises a selection assembly <NUM> for diverting selectively the pasta elements toward further processing means <NUM> or toward a rejection path <NUM> of the line <NUM> on which the device <NUM> is inserted and functional.

The selection assembly <NUM> comprises a plurality of diverters <NUM>, each of which can move independently of the others between a transfer condition (see <FIG>) and a rejection condition (see <FIG>) in order to divert selectively the pasta elements E toward the further processing means or toward the rejection path.

The system <NUM> comprises then an electronic processing device which is functionally connected at least to the optical detection means <NUM> to classify each pasta element E into elements of a first type or of a second type, the elements of the first type being conforming elements assigned to the further processing and those of the second type being nonconforming elements intended for the rejection path.

The electronic processing device is furthermore functionally connected to the expulsion assembly <NUM> in order to control selectively the activation of the diverters <NUM> so as to direct the elements of the first type toward the further processing means <NUM> and those of the second type toward the rejection path <NUM>.

The operation of the system as described so far is as follows: with reference also to <FIG>, the pasta elements E advance along an advancement direction AV until they enter the inspection space S of the optical detection means <NUM>, in which they are subject to the action of the lighting means <NUM>, <NUM>.

Thanks to the latter, the pasta elements are lighted and the optical detection means <NUM> is able to detect the existence of any defects, for example:.

In particular, the electronic processing device receives, from the optical detection means <NUM>, images of the pasta E that is transiting through the inspection space and is able, on the basis of the images, to detect the defects in the individual pasta elements and to identify in which region (with reference to a direction transverse to the advancement direction AV) the defective pasta elements are to be found, associating the presence of the defect with a transverse region (with respect to the advancement direction) of the space S.

At this point the pasta leaves the inspection space S and travels further in the advancement direction AV toward the selection part <NUM>; the electronic processing device then controls each of the diverters <NUM> of the expulsion assembly <NUM> to bring them into a condition in which they divert the pasta E in which defects have been detected so as to direct it toward the rejection path (in this case upper one) and direct the pasta E in which no defects have been found toward a further processing, for the further processing on the line, for example they direct it toward a dosing and packaging station.

The fact that a region of the space S in which the defect is present has been associated with the presence of defective elements allows the electronic processing device to direct only those pasta elements that are in the associated region toward the rejection path, avoiding rejecting the entire amount of product that was in the inspection space S at the time the defect was detected, but limiting the waste to what is really necessary.

To this end, each of the diverters <NUM> is provided with a dedicated actuator (an electric motor, a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator or the like) individually controlled by the electronic processing device to perform the above-described operation.

According to the invention, the lighting means <NUM>, <NUM> comprise first lighting means <NUM> and second lighting means <NUM> each adapted to light along a different direction the pasta elements E that transit in the inspection space S.

According to the invention, the first and second lighting means <NUM> and <NUM> light the pasta E in two different directions, one of these directions substantially coinciding with the optical axis of the optical detection means <NUM>, so as to avoid shadows that could distort the reading of the latter.

As visible in the figures, each of the lighting means <NUM> and <NUM> (individually) is arranged above the inspection space S (above which the pasta elements E transit (in practice, the pasta elements E in transit are interposed between the inspection space S and each of the lighting means <NUM> and <NUM>).

Each of the lighting means <NUM> and <NUM>, in practice, directly lights the pasta elements E that transit through the inspection space S (without interposing other elements or intermediate screens).

According to the invention, the first lighting means <NUM> light the inspection space S according to an (main) axis that substantially coincides with the optical axis of the optical detection means <NUM>, to enhance any chromatic defects, while the second lighting means <NUM> light the inspection space S according to an axis that is angled with respect to the axis of the first means <NUM>, so as to enhance any shape defects.

In particular, as evident from the figures, the first lighting means <NUM> are arranged above the inspection space S, for example at a non-zero distance from it, so that the pasta elements E in transit above the inspection space S intersect the light beam (with axis coinciding with the optical axis of the optical detection means <NUM>) and, therefore, are directly hit by said light beam.

Preferably, as evident from the figures, the first lighting means <NUM> light the inspection space S according to an (main) axis that is substantially orthogonal (with a tolerance of ± <NUM>°) to the inspection space S on which the pasta elements E transit resting.

The first lighting means <NUM> are lamps emitting a directed/collimated light beam (for example LEDs), wherein the emitted light beam mainly extends on a transverse plane (full width along the advancement direction AV imposed on the pasta elements E in transit) of the inspection space S, wherein said transverse plane (containing the aforementioned axis) is substantially orthogonal to the inspection space S on which the pasta elements E transit resting.

Moreover, as evident from the figures, the second lighting means <NUM> are (also) arranged above the inspection space S, for example at a non-zero distance from it, so that the pasta elements E in transit above the inspection space S intersect the light beam (with axis angled with respect to the optical axis of the optical detection means <NUM>) and, therefore, are directly hit by said light beam.

Preferably, as evident from the figures, the second lighting means <NUM> light the inspection space S according to an (main) axis that is substantially inclined or angled with respect to the inspection space S on which the pasta elements E transit resting, for example by an angle substantially equal to <NUM>° ± <NUM>° with respect to the inspection space S on which the pasta elements E transit resting (and/or to the axis of the first lighting means <NUM>). As evident from the figures, the second lighting means <NUM> are configured so as to direct the light beam emitted in the rear direction (or in the opposite/discordant direction) with respect to the advancement direction imposed on the pasta elements E along their advancement direction AV.

In practice, the second lighting means are placed (above and) in front of the inspection space S and turned rearward to light the same lighting space S.

The second lighting means <NUM> are lamps emitting a directed/collimated light beam (for example LEDs), wherein the emitted light beam mainly extends on a transverse plane (full width along the advancement direction AV imposed on the elements E of pasta in transit) of the inspection space S, wherein said transverse plane (containing the aforementioned axis) is substantially angled (as described above) with respect to the inspection space S on which the elements E of pasta transit resting.

As visible from the figures, in practice, the first lighting means <NUM> and the second lighting means <NUM> light the same inspection space S (i.e. directly the pasta elements E in transit thereon) with different angles, as described above.

It should be understood that the system <NUM> just described is realized as a unit to be assembled in a pasta production line, namely downstream of a drying oven and before packaging.

As illustrated, the inspection space S is defined at an axial portion (of the upper surface on which the pasta elements E rest) of a conveyor belt <NUM>.

In detail, the inspection space S is defined by an axial portion (for example axially contained, but substantially at full width), of the conveyor belt <NUM> on which the pasta elements E transit (as said above in bulk and/or at least partially stacked/superimposed and/or stacked/close/in contact with each other).

The conveyor belt <NUM> is a flexible belt closed on itself in a ring and, for example, is driven into rotation by a special motor, as known to the person skilled in the art.

Preferably, the conveyor belt <NUM> (i.e. the inspection space S defined by it) is non-transparent and/or non-translucent to the light in the visible field (emitted by the lighting means <NUM>,<NUM>), i.e. it is able to shield said light and not be crossed by it.

Furthermore (in addition or alternatively), the conveyor belt <NUM> (i.e. the inspection space S defined by it) is dark in colour (for example blue or black or grey or the like), in particular it is made (or coated) with a colour that is darker than the colour (of the pasta in general and, more particularly) of the pasta elements E which it is intended to transport (so that the transported pasta elements passing through the inspection space S can be in chromatic contrast with the underlying conveyor belt <NUM>).

In this embodiment the conveyor belt <NUM> carrying pasta E is one of the conveyor belts of the line itself. In an evolved variant, the system <NUM> instead also comprises its own conveyor belt <NUM> as well as, optionally, the further path <NUM> and the rejection path <NUM> for example in the form of trays or conveyor belts or the like.

The speed imposed (by the conveyor belt <NUM>) on the pasta elements E in transit in the inspection space S is a typical advancement speed of the pasta in the (production) line <NUM> of the pasta itself.

Preferably, the speed imposed (by the conveyor belt <NUM>) on the pasta elements E in transit in the inspection space S is greater than <NUM>/s, preferably substantially equal to <NUM>/s (i.e. substantially equal to or corresponding to the advancement speed of pasta in the line <NUM>, i.e. in the further path <NUM> that leads to a pasta packaging station itself located downstream of the system <NUM> and/or in the production path that arrives from a drying oven located upstream of the system <NUM>).

Still, as evident from the figures, the conveyor belt <NUM> is (slightly) inclined (by about <NUM>°-<NUM>°, preferably <NUM>°) with respect to the horizontal, preferably so as to push the pasta elements upwards along the advancement direction AV, i.e. it has an upstream end that is lower than the downstream end thereof.

Regardless of the embodiment, in a general sense, it should be noted that the diverters <NUM> extend substantially along a direction transverse to the advancement direction that is equal to the width (in the same direction) of the conveyor belt <NUM>, so as to be able to intervene over the entire width of the latter; each diverter <NUM>, therefore, extends for part of the transverse dimension of the belt <NUM>.

Finally, the subject-matter of the invention is also the pasta production line <NUM> comprising a drying oven and a packaging station and that comprises a system <NUM> for selecting elements based on edible pasta which is arranged between said drying oven and said packaging station.

The use of the system <NUM> according to the invention is clear and evident from the above. Practically, it has been established that the invention achieves the intended task and objects by realizing a system for selecting elements based on edible pasta, preferably short pasta, which allows to minimize waste.

Claim 1:
A system (<NUM>) for selecting elements based on edible pasta, preferably short pasta, comprising a detection part (<NUM>) and a selection part (<NUM>), wherein the detection part (<NUM>) in turn comprises:
- lighting means (<NUM>, <NUM>) for lighting pasta elements (E) that transit in an inspection space (S); and
- an optical detection means (<NUM>) for acquiring images of the pasta elements (E) in the inspection space (S);
the selection part (<NUM>) comprises:
- a selection assembly (<NUM>) for diverting selectively the pasta elements (E) toward further processing means (<NUM>) or toward a rejection path (<NUM>), wherein the selection assembly (<NUM>) comprises a plurality of diverters (<NUM>), each of which can move independently of the others between a transfer condition and a rejection condition in order to divert selectively the pasta elements (E) toward the further processing means (<NUM>) or toward the rejection path (<NUM>);
wherein said lighting means (<NUM>,<NUM>) comprise first lighting means (<NUM>) and second lighting means (<NUM>), each adapted to light along a different direction the pasta elements (E) in the inspection space (S), wherein the first and second lighting means (<NUM>,<NUM>) light the pasta (E) in two different directions:
- the first lighting means (<NUM>) light the inspection space (S) along an axis that substantially coincides with the image acquisition axis of the optical detection means (<NUM>); and
- the second lighting means (<NUM>) light the inspection space (S) along an axis that is different from the axis of the first means (<NUM>);
wherein the first and second lighting means (<NUM>,<NUM>) individually are arranged above the inspection space (S) over which the pasta elements (E) transit.