Evaluation method and device for gel state or sol-gel state change of object

1. A method for evaluating a material body by a scattered light observation system which observes a gel state or a gel-formable sol state material body illuminated with a coherent light through a two dimensional image recognizing means, comprising measuring a gel state or a change in sol-gel state of said material body using a light section formed on an image forming surface or conditions of a speckle pattern.

2. The method for evaluating a material body according to claim 1 , wherein the material body is a gel shape food article or a gel-formable sol shape food article, and its quality and change in quality are evaluated.

3. The method for evaluating a material body according to claim 1 , wherein a member having at least a part through which irradiated light can permeate is intervened between the material body and the two-dimensional image recognizing means.

4. The method for evaluating a material body according to claim 1 , wherein wavelength of irradiation light is within the range of from visible light to near infrared.

5. The method for evaluating a material body according to claim 2 , wherein a released state of water existing in a sealed and packaged product of the material body is detected.

6. The method for evaluating a material body according to claim 1 , wherein the material body is put in a dynamic state.

7. A measuring system, comprising:

a coherent light source for emiffing a coherent light onto a material; and

an image recognizing device structured and arranged to measure a gel state or change in sol-gel state of the material by receiving a speckle pattern of the coherent light from the material.

8. The measuring system of claim 7 , wherein the coherent light source comprises one of: a laser, a mercury arc lamp, a white light source, an incandescent light, a sodium lamp, an infrared light source, and an ultraviolet light.

9. The measuring system of claim 7 , wherein the coherent light is in the shape of a line or an assembly of points.

10. The measuring system of claim 7 , wherein the image recognizing device comprises one of: a CCD camera, a MOS camera, a TV camera, a video camera, an image tube, an image intensifier, and a digital camera.

11. The measuring system of claim 7 , further comprising a predetermined relational expression of speckle values and gel state or change in sol-gel state values.

12. The measuring system of claim 7 , further comprising:

a container that holds the material; and

an inspection hole disposed in the container,

wherein the coherent light is emitted into the inspection hole.

13. The measuring system of claim 12 , further comprising a vibrator that shakes the material in the container.

14. The measuring system of claim 12 , wherein the container comprises a pipe.

15. The measuring system of claim 7 , further comprising:

a first optical fiber connected to the coherent light source; and

a second optical fiber connected to the image recognizing device.

16. The measuring system of claim 7 , further comprising a moving device that moves the material past the coherent light source and the image recognizing device.

17. The measuring system of claim 7 , further comprising:

a first lens disposed between the coherent light source and the material; and

a second lens disposed between the image recognizing device and the material.

18. The measuring system of claim 7 , wherein the material comprises one of: agar gel, gelatin gel, tofu, konnyaku jelly, collagen gel, silicone gel, silica gel, resin, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, lacquer, paint, milk, soybean milk, bean curd, custard, pudding, and raw egg liquid.