JP2001163308A - Method and apparatus for orienting egg container tray - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus and a method for orienting an egg container tray wherein little impact is applied to the tray, its structure is simple and cleaning or the like can be simply performed. SOLUTION: The orienting apparatus 1 of the egg container tray includes a carry means 7 having egg storage seats 2 in five rows and six columns for carrying the egg container trays 6 wherein eggs 3 are respectively received in the seats 2 and the trays 6 are successively supplied with a side rim of the row 4 and a side rim of the column 5 alternatively advanced, and a carry preventing means 9 for preventing the trays 6 being carried by the means 7 from being carried in an X direction at one of corners 8a of the tray 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for orienting an egg storage tray.

[0002]

Eggs, especially chicken eggs, are stored in egg storage trays having five rows and six columns of storage seats, and the egg storage trays are stacked in alternating rows and columns. It is housed in a container and transported.

[0003] When hen eggs in a container are packaged for general consumption in a transparent packaging pack of, for example, 2 rows and 5 columns (total of 10 pieces) or 2 rows and 3 columns (total of 6 pieces) for shipping,
The egg storage trays stored in the container are taken out one by one, but in relation to the pack packaging machine, the egg storage trays are placed so that the row direction of each taken out egg storage tray is the same. Selective orientation is required.

[0004] Such an orientation device is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 27752.
No. 89, which is proposed in connection with a tray take-out device, the proposed orientation device exerts an extremely excellent effect in relation to tray take-out, but the tray orientation device itself is used. However, the structure becomes complicated and cannot always be satisfied.

[0005] In addition, there is a case where the tray removal and the tray orientation must be performed at separate places, and the tray removal device proposed in the above publication cannot directly cope with this demand.

[0006] Eggs are extremely fragile due to impact, and in some cases, broken eggs may be stored in egg storage trays. It is necessary to orient the egg storage tray at least, and even if the contents leak due to egg breaking,
It is preferred that the orientation can be performed with little effect and that the device can be easily cleaned.

[0007] The above-mentioned problem does not occur only when the eggs in the container are packaged in a transparent packaging pack for shipment as a commodity for general consumption, but the eggs in the container brought in from the producer are removed. At the time of egg washing and sorting, this may also occur when an egg storage tray containing chicken eggs taken out of the container is supplied to an egg washing and sorting device.

[0008] In addition, in the egg washing and sorting apparatus, there is a case where it is required to change the direction of the egg accommodating tray accommodating the chicken eggs in connection with the egg washing and sorting operations. It is necessary to orient the egg storage tray in that direction by minimizing the impact on the egg, which causes cracking, egg breaking, and the like.

[0009] Further, when stacking egg storage trays containing chicken eggs and storing them again in a container or the like in order to ship the chicken eggs for business use after the egg washing and sorting apparatus, eggs having the same row direction are mutually aligned. It is required that the storage trays are oriented so that the row and column directions are alternated, but even in this case, the egg storage tray is oriented by minimizing the impact on eggs that cause cracks, cracks, and egg breakage. Need to be done.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and has as its object the purpose of hardly giving an impact to an egg storage tray and having a simple structure for easy cleaning. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for orienting an egg storage tray and a method thereof.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for orienting an egg-containing tray, wherein the egg-containing tray has m rows and n columns (where m ≠ n), and has a row side edge and a column side. The conveyance of the egg storage tray, which is conveyed ahead of any one of the edges, to the downstream side is prevented at one corner of the egg storage tray, and the conveyance to the downstream side of the egg storage tray is prevented. And the conveyance of the egg storage tray to the downstream side at one corner of the egg storage tray causes the egg storage tray to rotate around the one corner in the conveyance plane, and the row side edge of the egg storage tray and The preceding conveyance of one of the row side edges is changed to the preceding conveyance of the other edge.

According to the orientation method of the first aspect, the conveyance of the egg storage tray to the downstream side is prevented at one corner of the egg storage tray, and the egg storage tray is centered on one corner. Rotation occurs in the transport plane, whereby the preceding transport of one of the row side edge and the column side edge of the egg storage tray is changed to the preceding transport of the other edge. Therefore, there is almost no impact on the egg storage tray, and the eggs stored in the egg storage tray are not cracked, broken or broken.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the orientation method of the egg storage tray, the egg storage tray supplied sequentially after the row side edge and the column side edge are alternated in the orientation method of the first aspect. The egg-conveying tray is changed so that the alternate preceding conveyance of the row side edge and the column side edge is changed to the preceding conveyance of the other one of the row side edge and the column side edge.

According to the tray orientation method of the second aspect,
Eggs can be oriented in the same direction in the egg storage trays without causing cracks, cracks, or egg breaks in the eggs, thus making it easier and easier to perform operations such as packaging in transparent packaging packs. It can be carried out.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the orientation method of the egg storage tray, in the orientation method of the first aspect, one of the row side edge and the column side edge is supplied one after another. The egg storage tray is transported, and the preceding transportation of one of the row side edge and the column side edge of the egg storage tray is changed to the alternate preceding transportation of the row side edge and the column side edge.

According to the tray orientation method of the third aspect,
Egg storage trays can be alternately arranged in rows and columns without causing cracks, cracks, or broken eggs in the eggs, thus making it easier and easier to re-contain eggs in containers. Can be.

In the orientation method according to the second or third aspect, preferably, as in the orientation method of the tray according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the conveyance of the egg storage tray to the downstream side at one corner is prevented. Is performed on every other egg storage tray to be transported.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the orientation method of the egg storage tray, in the orientation method of the first aspect, any one of the row side edge and the column side edge is supplied in succession. The egg carrier tray is transported, and the preceding conveyance of one of the row side edge and the column side edge of the egg storage tray is changed to the preceding conveyance of the other edge.

According to the tray orientation method of the fifth aspect,
In order to prevent the eggs from cracking, cracking or egg breaking, the egg storage trays can be changed in the row direction with respect to the transport direction while keeping the row directions in the same direction with respect to each other. The storage tray can be supplied in an optimal direction for various egg processing operations, and various egg processing operations can be performed easily and easily.

In the orientation method of the fifth aspect, preferably,
As in the tray orientation method of the sixth aspect of the present invention, the prevention of the conveyance of the egg storage tray to the downstream side at one corner is continuously performed with respect to the egg storage tray that is successively supplied and conveyed. Do.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the orientation method of the egg storage tray, in the orientation method according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, one of the row side edge and the column side edge is removed. The egg storage tray to be transported in advance is selected to prevent the egg storage tray from being transported downstream of the corner of the selected egg storage tray.

According to the orientation method of the seventh aspect, the chance of impact on the egg storage tray can be further reduced in order to prevent the selected egg storage tray from being conveyed to the downstream side of the corner, and the egg can be cracked. , Cracking or egg breaking can be more reliably eliminated.

According to the method of the present invention, as in the orientation method of the eighth aspect, even if the arrival of the transported egg storage tray at a predetermined position is detected to prevent the transport, the ninth aspect is provided. As in the orientation method, in addition to detecting the arrival of the egg storage tray at the predetermined position, the transport amount of the egg storage tray is detected, and the transport is inhibited based on the transport amount detection in addition to the arrival detection. Further, as in the orientation method according to the tenth aspect, it is possible to detect the arrival of the egg storage tray that has been transported in advance of one of the row side edge and the column side edge at a predetermined position. It may be.

According to the method of the present invention, the transport of the egg storage tray to the downstream side is prevented at the lower end of the egg storage seat provided at the corner of the egg storage tray as in the eleventh aspect. Also, as in the twelfth aspect, the protrusion may be blocked by a projection provided on the lower surface of the corner of the egg storage tray.

According to the orientation method of the eleventh or twelfth aspect, in order to prevent the egg storage tray from being conveyed to the downstream side at the lower end portion of the egg storage seat or the projection on the lower surface of the corner of the egg storage tray. In addition, the rotation of the egg storage tray can be smoothly and reliably performed, and the direction of the rotated egg storage tray can be easily matched with the directions of the front and rear egg storage trays.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the method for aligning an egg storage tray, the egg storage tray according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the egg storage tray rotates at least a predetermined amount around a corner of the egg storage tray. Block.

According to the orientation method of the present invention, the egg storage tray is caused to rotate around one corner, and after the egg storage tray is rotated by a predetermined amount, that is, approximately 90 °, the egg storage tray is rotated. The blockage of the conveyance of the egg storage tray to the downstream side at one corner of the storage tray is released. However, as in the orientation method of the thirteenth aspect, a certain amount or more around the corner of the egg storage tray is used. When the rotation of the egg storage tray is stopped, a predetermined amount of rotation of the egg storage tray can be secured, and each of the egg storage trays can be surely directed in a certain direction.

[0028] In the method of the present invention, the egg storage tray is m
It suffices to have an egg accommodation seat in row n columns (where m ≠ n), where m = 5 and n = 6 as in the method of the fourteenth aspect of the present invention. Such egg storage trays with m = 5 and n = 6 may be those known as so-called American trays or those proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 10-78375 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-255282). You may. The egg storage tray in the method of the present invention, as in the method of the fifteenth aspect, can be stacked alternately in the matrix direction while eggs are stored in the egg storage seat, and can be vertically stacked in the stacked state. The adjacent egg storage tray is configured to store eggs in a staggered shape in plan view, and furthermore, the egg storage tray is in a state where the eggs are not stored in the egg storage seat, in a state in which the rows and columns are aligned, It is preferable that the egg storage seat can be stacked with the front and back of the egg storage seat in close contact with each other.

The orienting device for an egg-containing tray according to the present invention is suitable for carrying out any one of the above-described methods, and basically has an egg of m rows and n columns (where m ≠ n). Conveying means having an accommodating seat, a conveying means for conveying an egg containing tray that precedes any one of the row side edge and the column side edge,
Transport inhibiting means for preventing transport of the egg storage tray to the downstream side at one corner of the egg storage tray; and transporting the egg storage tray to the downstream side and one of the egg storage trays. Either the row side edge or the column side edge of the egg storage tray is caused by causing the egg storage tray to rotate around the one corner in the conveyance surface by preventing the downstream transfer at the corner. The preceding conveyance of one edge is changed to the preceding conveyance of the other edge.

In the orientation device of the egg storage tray, the egg storage tray hardly receives an impact or the like, and thus, the eggs stored in the egg storage tray can be cracked, broken or broken. In addition, the structure is simple, and cleaning and the like can be easily performed.

In the tray orienting apparatus of the present invention,
Even if the transport means transports the egg storage trays that are supplied one after another with the row side edge and the column side edge preceding the alternation, any one of the row side edge and the column side edge may be used. In the former case, the orienting device performs the alternate preceding conveyance of the row side edge and the column side edge of the egg storage tray, It is designed to change to the preceding conveyance of the other one of the row side edge and the column side edge, and in the latter case, the orienting device is
The preceding conveyance of one of the row side edge and the column side edge of the egg storage tray is changed to the alternate preceding conveyance of the row side edge and the column side edge. In any case, in the orienting device of the present invention, the transport inhibiting means preferably inhibits the transport of the egg storage tray to the downstream side at one corner every other egg transport tray. To do it.

In the case where the conveying means is configured to convey the egg storage trays supplied one after the other, either the row side edge or the column side edge, the tray orientation of the present invention The apparatus may change the preceding conveyance of one of the row side edge and the column side edge of these egg storage trays to the preceding conveyance of the other edge. It is preferable that the transport of the egg storage tray to the downstream side at one corner portion is continuously performed with respect to the egg storage trays that are successively supplied and transported.

In the orientation device of the egg storage tray according to the present invention, the egg storage tray to be conveyed in advance of one of the row side edge and the column side edge is selected, and the corner of the selected egg storage tray is selected. Transport inhibiting means may be configured to prevent transport to the downstream side of the section, and an arrival detecting means for detecting arrival at a predetermined position of the egg storage tray being transported by the transport means; and The transport inhibiting means may include an engaging means that engages with the egg storage tray at the corner based on a detection signal from the detecting means.

Further, the egg storage tray orienting device of the present invention comprises a conveyance amount detection means for detecting a conveyance amount of the egg storage tray by the conveyance means, and constitutes a conveyance prevention means, and detects a detection signal from the arrival detection means. In addition, the engaging means is configured to engage with the egg storage tray at the corner based on the detection signal from the transport amount detecting means, and any one of the row side edge and the column side edge is set. The arrival detecting means may be configured to detect the arrival of the egg storage tray that is transported in advance at a predetermined position.

In the orientation device of the present invention, preferably,
The engaging means has a tip portion that engages with the egg storage tray at a corner, and is rotatable within the conveyance surface of the egg storage tray, and a downstream side of the egg storage tray at one corner. When stopping the conveyance of the egg to the downstream side of the egg storage tray at one corner, the tip of the arm is positioned in the conveyance path at one corner of the egg storage tray. A rotating device for rotating the arm so that the leading end is retracted out of the conveyance path at one corner of the egg storage tray.

According to the orienting device of the present invention comprising an engaging means having such an arm and a rotating device, the stopping force in the direction substantially opposite to the conveying direction in the conveying surface is controlled by the angle of the egg storage tray. In addition to the part, the egg storage tray can be caused to rotate around one corner in the transport plane, so that the rotation about one corner of the egg storage tray is performed extremely smoothly. In addition to being able to reliably obtain a predetermined rotation, when releasing the conveyance inhibition, the egg storage is performed so that the tip of the arm is retracted out of the conveyance path at one corner of the egg storage tray. Tray-free transport can be ensured.

The orientation device of the present invention preferably further comprises, in addition to the above-described configuration, a rotation preventing means for preventing rotation of the egg storage tray by a predetermined amount or more around the corner of the egg storage tray. The means, in a preferred embodiment, comprises a blocking plate abutting the row or column edge of the rotated egg storage tray and having a surface parallel to the transport direction of the egg storage tray.

According to the orienting device of the present invention having the rotation preventing means, a predetermined amount of rotation of the egg storage tray can be secured, and each of the egg storage trays can be reliably oriented in a certain direction. According to the orienting device of the present invention, in which the rotation preventing means has a blocking plate having a surface parallel to the transport direction of the egg storage tray, the row side edge or the column side edge of the rotated egg storage tray is transported in the transport direction. , And each egg storage tray can be surely oriented in a certain direction.

In the orientation device of the present invention, preferably, the transport means includes a caterpillar conveyor belt having a flat sliding surface on which the egg storage tray is placed, and a traveling means for traveling the caterpillar conveyor belt. In the orienting device of the present invention provided with such a transporting means, the egg storage tray is placed on the flat surface of the caterpillar conveyor belt. As a result, the egg storage tray does not vibrate or tilt. Orientation of the receiving tray can be performed. In addition, as a conveyor belt, a conveyor belt having another flat sliding surface may be used instead of the caterpillar conveyor belt.

[0040]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, the present invention and its embodiments will be described with reference to preferred examples shown in the drawings. The present invention is not limited to these examples.

In FIG. 1, the orienting device 1 for an egg storage tray of the present embodiment has an egg storage seat 2 of 5 rows and 6 columns (m = 5 and n = 6).
Each of the egg storage seats 2 stores an egg, in this example, a hen egg 3, and a row-side edge 4 and a column-side edge 5 are alternated before the egg storage tray 6 which is supplied one after another. A transporting means 7 for transporting, and a transport inhibiting means for inhibiting transporting downstream of the egg storage tray 6 transported by the transporting means 7, that is, transporting in the X direction at one corner 8a or 8b of the egg storage tray 6. 9 and a certain rotation or more around one corner 8a or 8b of the egg storage tray 6, approximately 90 ° in this example.
A rotation preventing means 10 for preventing the above rotation is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 in particular, the egg storage tray 6 of this embodiment has a rectangular shape in which the row side edge 4 is long and the column side edge 5 is short in plan view (see FIG. 2). Are provided with five rows and six columns of egg storage seats 2 having lower end portions 11 projecting downward, and each of the egg storage seats 2 stores a chicken egg 3 with its long axis being vertical. As shown in FIG. 6, the egg storage trays 6 can be stacked alternately in the matrix direction in a state where the eggs 3 are stored in the egg storage seats 2, and the egg storage trays 6 vertically adjacent to each other in the stacked state. Is designed to house chicken eggs 3 in a staggered shape in plan view,
Moreover, when the eggs 3 are not stored in the egg storage seat 2, the eggs can be stacked with the front and back sides of the egg storage seats 2 in close contact with each other in a state where the rows and columns are aligned.

The transport means 7 includes a caterpillar conveyor belt 16 having a flat surface 15 on which the egg storage tray 6 is placed,
A traveling unit (not shown) for traveling the caterpillar conveyor belt 16 in the X direction is provided. The traveling means includes an electric motor, a driving drum or a driving wheel rotated by the electric motor, a driven drum or a driven wheel, and the like, and the caterpillar conveyor belt 16 includes a driving drum or a driving wheel and a driven drum or a driven wheel. Has been hung around. Caterpillar conveyor belt 16
Are driven in the X direction by the operation of the electric motor of the running means.

On the upstream side in the running direction of the caterpillar conveyor belt 16, one egg storage tray 6 stacked in multiple stages and stored in a container (not shown) is alternately arranged in rows and columns as shown in FIG. A take-out placing device (not shown) such as a take-out robot that takes out one after another and places it on the caterpillar conveyor belt 16 is provided. On the downstream side in the running direction of the caterpillar conveyor belt 16, the eggs 3 are taken out from the egg storage tray 6,
A packing device (not shown) such as a packing robot for packing into a transparent packing pack having two columns or two rows and three columns is provided.

The conveyance preventing means 9 is controlled by the conveying means 7
Detecting means 21 for detecting the arrival of the egg storage tray 6 conveyed in the direction to a predetermined position, and the row side edge 4 or the column side of the egg storage tray 6 conveyed in the X direction by the conveyance means 7 Selection detection means 22 for selectively detecting the arrival of the egg storage tray 6 being transported ahead of the edge 5, in this example, the row side edge 4, to a predetermined position, and transport of the egg storage tray 6 by the transport means 7 A transport amount detecting means 23 for detecting the amount, and a row side edge of the egg storage tray 6 at the corner 8a or 8b based on detection signals from the arrival detecting means 21, the selection detecting means 22, and the transport amount detecting means 23. Engaging means 24 which engages with the egg storage tray 6 which is conveyed with the 4 or row side edge 5 preceding.

The arrival detecting means 21 comprises a photoelectric detector 26 fixed to a frame 25 on the side of the track of the caterpillar conveyor belt 16, and is provided with a photoelectric detector 26.
Are configured to sequentially and photoelectrically detect passage of a predetermined position of the egg storage tray 6 being conveyed by the caterpillar conveyor belt 16 and transmit an arrival detection signal.

The selection detecting means 22 is arranged on the photoelectric detector 26 on the side of the traveling path of the caterpillar conveyor belt 16 and fixed to the frame 25 so as to be position-adjustable in the direction Y orthogonal to the transport direction X. The contact type detector 27 includes a limit switch. The contact type detector 27 has a movable contact 28 which is biased by a spring. Utilizing the difference between the lengths, the row side edge 4 is brought into contact with the contact 28 of the egg storage tray 6 due to the passage of the egg storage tray 6 being transported ahead of the row side edge 4 at a predetermined position. The egg storage tray 6 which is being transported ahead is selectively detected and a selection detection signal is sent out. Contact 28 to storage tray 6 Touch and not a result, so as not to sent the selection detection signal.

The transport amount detecting means 23 comprises a digital encoder 29 connected to a rotating shaft of an electric motor for running the caterpillar conveyor belt 16 and the like, and the digital encoder 29 is provided with a traveling amount of the caterpillar conveyor belt 16, that is, an egg storage tray. No. 6 is detected, and a conveyance amount detection signal is transmitted.

In this embodiment, the engaging means 24 is based on two sets of engaging mechanisms 31a and 31b and detection signals from the arrival detecting means 21, the selection detecting means 22 and the transport amount detecting means 23. Or a control device 32 for controlling the operation of 31b, and which of the engagement mechanisms 31a and 31b should be operated, that is, the egg storage tray 6 being conveyed ahead of the row side edge 4 and A tray indicator 33 is provided for instructing the control device 32 which of the egg storage trays 6 among the egg storage trays 6 being transported ahead of the row side edge 5 is to be rotated.

The engaging mechanism 31a is provided at the corner 8a of the egg storage tray 6 which is conveyed in front of the row side edge 5, in this example,
It has a front end portion 41a that engages with the lower end portion 11 of the egg storage seat 2 at the corner 8a, and has a Ra within the transport surface of the egg storage tray 6.
An arm 42a that is rotatable in the direction and a rotation device 43a that rotates the arm 42a under the control of the control device 34. The engagement mechanism 31b transports the row side edge 4 in advance. In the present embodiment, the corner 8b of the egg storage tray 6
It has a tip portion 41b that engages with the lower end portion 11 of the egg storage seat 2 at the corner portion 8b.
An arm 42b rotatable in the direction and a rotating device 43b for rotating the arm 42b under the control of the control device 34 are provided.

The engagement mechanism 31b is connected to the lower end 11 of the corner 8a.
In order to engage the lower end portion 11 of the corner portion 8b passing closer than the end portion 41b with the tip end portion 41b,
1a, the tip portion 41b of the arm 42b
Is the same as the engagement mechanism 31a except that the rotation direction of the arm 42b is opposite to the rotation direction Rb of the rotation direction Ra of the arm 42a. Because of the configuration, the engagement mechanism 31a will be described in detail below, and the corresponding configuration will be denoted by the same reference numeral with the letter b added thereto, and detailed description will be made as necessary.

The plate-like arm 42a is rotatably supported in the Ra direction via a shaft 46a on the frame 25 arranged side by side on the caterpillar conveyor belt 16. Arm 42
A concave portion 45a is formed in the distal end portion 41a of the “a” so as to receive and hold the lower end portion 11 of the egg storage seat 2. The shaft 46a is supported by the frame 25 so as to be position-adjustable in the direction Y. By adjusting the position of the shaft 46a, the center of rotation of the distal end 41a of the arm 42a can be adjusted.

The rotating device 43a has one end rotatably supported by the frame 25 via a shaft 47a and the other end rotatably connected to the other end of the arm 42a via a shaft 48a. Provided with a pneumatic cylinder device 49a.

In the pneumatic cylinder device 49a, the arm 42a is rotated in the direction Ra to protrude above the caterpillar conveyor belt 16 by shortening the supply and discharge of the high-pressure air to the pneumatic cylinder device 49a. By extension, arm 42
a is rotated in the direction opposite to the Ra direction to release the protrusion of the arm 42a on the caterpillar conveyor belt 16 and return to the original rotation position.

When the rotation device 43a prevents the one corner 8a from being transported to the downstream side of the egg storage tray 6, the tip 41a of the arm 42a is moved to one corner of the egg storage tray 6. In order to release the blockage of the egg storage tray 6 to the downstream side at one corner 8a, the distal end 41a of the arm 42a is positioned at the corner 8a of the egg storage tray 6. The arm 42a is rotated so as to be retracted outside the transport path.

In the pneumatic cylinder device 49b, the arm 42b is rotated in the Rb direction to protrude above the caterpillar conveyor belt 16 by shortening the supply and discharge of high-pressure air to the cylinder device 49b. By extension, arm 42
By rotating b in the direction opposite to the Rb direction, the protrusion of the arm 42b on the caterpillar conveyor belt 16 is released, and the arm 42b is returned to the original rotating position.

The rotary devices 43a and 43b are not provided with direct-acting pneumatic cylinder devices 49a and 49b, but are instead of rotary pneumatic cylinder devices, rotary or direct-acting hydraulic cylinder devices, and the like. It may be configured to include a fluid cylinder device or an electric motor such as a rotary electric motor or a linear electric motor.

The control device 32 comprises a microcomputer or the like having a storage device or the like in which a control program is stored in advance, and causes the engagement mechanism 31a or 31b to perform an operation described later. The tray indicator 33 is composed of an instruction switch attached to a control panel or a control panel so as to be manually operable.

The rotation preventing means 10 is in contact with the row side edge 4 or the column side edge 5 of the egg storage tray 5 to be rotated, and has a blocking plate 52 having a surface 51 parallel to the transport direction X of the egg storage tray 6. Is provided. The blocking plate 52 is fixed to the frame 25 so that its position can be adjusted in a direction Y orthogonal to the transport direction X.

Hereinafter, the operation of the orienting device 1 for the egg storage tray will be described together with the control of the control device 32. In order to change the alternate leading of the row side edge 4 and the column side edge 5 of the egg storage tray 6 to one of the row side edge 4 and the column side edge 5, for example, to change to the leading of the row side edge 4. In order to rotate the egg storage tray 6 being transported ahead of the row side edge 5, the tray indicator 3
When the control device 32 is instructed by the control unit 3, the control device 32 receives the arrival detection signal of the egg storage tray 6 from the arrival detection unit 21, but does not receive the selection detection signal from the selection detection unit 22. As shown in FIG. 7, based on the conveyance amount detection signal from the conveyance amount detection unit 23, the egg accommodation tray 6 conveyed ahead of the row side edge 5 has passed a predetermined position. The subsequent transport position of the egg storage tray 6 is tracked, and when reaching the predetermined position, the pneumatic cylinder device 49a is operated.

By the operation of the pneumatic cylinder device 49a, the arm 42a is rotated in the Ra direction, and the tip end of the arm 42a is moved to the corner 41a of the conveyed egg storage tray 6 as shown in FIG. The lower end 11 is engaged. This engagement prevents the corner 8a of the egg storage tray 6 from being conveyed downstream of the lower end 11 of the corner 8a while slightly pulling the corner 8a of the egg storage tray 6 toward the recess 45a.

As described above, the transport inhibiting means 9 selects the egg storage tray 6 to be transported ahead of the column side edge 5 out of the row side edge 4 and the column side edge 5, and selects the selected egg storage tray. 6
Is prevented from being transported downstream of the corner.

Thus, the transport of the egg storage tray 6 in the X direction by the caterpillar conveyor belt 16 of the transport means 7, that is, the downstream transport, and the corner of the egg storage tray 6 by the arm 42 a of the transport prevention means 9. Lower end 11 in 8a
As shown in FIG. 9, the egg storage tray 6 is caused to rotate around the lower end 11 at the corner 8 a in the conveyance plane.

Thereafter, the control device 32 controls the egg storage tray 6 based on the carry amount detection signal from the carry amount detecting means 23.
When the transport amount in the X direction of the egg storage tray 6 corresponding to a predetermined rotation, in this example, 90 ° rotation, is obtained, the operation of the pneumatic cylinder device 49a is reversed and stopped.

By the reverse operation of the pneumatic cylinder device 49a, as shown in FIG. 10, the arm 42a is rotated in the direction opposite to the Ra direction to return to the original rotation position. The leading end 41a of the arm 42a is disengaged from the leading end 41a of the lower end 11 of the corner 8a of the egg storage tray 6 which has been changed from the leading side to the leading side of the row side edge 4 and is conveyed. The inhibition of the conveyance at the corner 8a of the tray 6 to the downstream side is released.

The rotation of the egg storage tray 6 about the lower end 11 at the corner 8a is such that when the egg storage tray 6 is rotated by approximately 90 °, the corner of the egg storage tray 6 contacts the surface 51 of the blocking plate 52. The portion 8b is stopped by the contact, so that the egg storage tray 6 is accurately changed to the front of the row side edge 4 and thereafter guided by the surface 51 of the blocking plate 52 and transported in the X direction. Become.

The control device 32 then sends the arrival detection means 21
Detection signal and selection detection means 22
When the selection detection signal is received from the egg storage tray 6 which is conveyed ahead of the row side edge 4 without operating the pneumatic cylinder device 49a, the caterpillar conveyor belt 16 downstream To the side.

The above operation is performed on the egg storage trays 6 that are successively supplied onto the caterpillar conveyor belt 16 on the upstream side, so that the caterpillar conveyor belt 1
At the downstream side of the egg storage tray 6, the row side edge 4 precedes.
Will be discharged.

The egg storage tray 6 being transported with the row side edge 4 leading so that the row side edge 4 and the column side edge 5 of the egg storage tray 6 alternate with the column side edge 5. When the control device 32 is instructed by the tray indicator 33 to rotate the control device 32, the control device 32 transmits the arrival detection signal of the egg storage tray 6 from the arrival detection unit 21 and the selection detection signal from the selection detection unit 22. Is received, the pneumatic cylinder device 49b is operated, and the arm 4 is operated in the same manner as described above.
The egg storage tray 6 being transported with the row side edge 4 leading by 2b is rotated, and an arrival detection signal of the egg storage tray 6 is received from the arrival detection means 21, while selection detection is performed from the selection detection means 22. If no signal is received,
Without operating the pneumatic cylinder device 49b, the egg storage tray 6 conveyed ahead of the row side edge 5 is passed as it is. In the case where the engagement of the corner 8b with the lower end 11 is released to release the blockage of the egg storage tray 6 from being transported to the downstream side in the corner 8a,
Once the pneumatic cylinder device 49b is extended, the arm 42
is further rotated in the Rb direction, the leading end 41b is released from above the caterpillar conveyor belt 16, and after passing through the lower end 11 of the corner 8b of the egg storage tray 6, the pneumatic cylinder device 49b is shortened, and the arm 42b Is returned to the original rotation position.

This orientation is such that the alternating precedence of the row side edge 4 and the column side edge 5 of the egg storage tray 6 is changed to the precedence of any one of the row side edge 4 and the column side edge 5. Apparatus 1
According to the method, the transport of the egg storage tray 6 to be transported to the downstream side is prevented at one corner 8a or 8b of the egg storage tray 6, and the egg storage tray 6 is centered on one corner 8a or 8b. Is generated in the transport plane, so that the alternate side of the row side edge 4 and the column side edge 5 of the egg storage tray 6 is changed to the leading side of one of the row side edge 4 and the column side edge 5. The egg storage tray 6 is hardly impacted or the like, so that the eggs 3 stored in the egg storage tray 6 are cracked, cracked or broken. There is no.

Further, according to the orienting device 1, the arm 42a or 42b prevents the selected egg storage tray 6 from being conveyed downstream of the corner 8a or 8b, so that the egg storage tray 6 has an opportunity for impact. It is possible to further reduce, and it is possible to more surely prevent the eggs 3 from cracking, cracking or breaking.

In addition, according to the orienting device 1, the rotation of the egg storage tray 6 by a predetermined amount is prevented in order to prevent the rotation of the egg storage tray 6 about the corner 8a or 8b by a certain amount or more by the blocking plate 52. As a result, each egg storage tray 6 can be reliably oriented in a certain direction.

In the above orientation device 1, m = 5 rows n
= Egg storage tray 6 having six rows of egg storage seats 2 is row side edge 4
In addition, in the supply mode of the egg storage tray 6, the orienting device 1 includes the row side edge 4 and the column side edge 5. The egg storage tray 6 is prevented from being transported downstream of the egg storage tray 6 that is transported ahead of the row side edge 5 which is one of the edges at one corner 8 a of the egg storage tray 6, and the egg storage tray 6 is stopped.
To the downstream side of the egg storage tray 6 and to prevent the downstream side conveyance at one corner 8a of the egg storage tray 6, the egg storage tray 6 is caused to rotate around the one corner 8a in the transportation plane. The preceding conveyance of the row side edge 5 which is one of the row side edge 4 and the column side edge 5 of the egg storage tray 6 is changed to the preceding conveyance of the row side edge 4 which is the other edge. The alternate preceding conveyance of the row side edge 4 and the column side edge 5 of the egg storage tray 6 is changed to the preceding conveyance of the row side edge 4 which is the other of the row side edge 4 and the column side edge 5. In addition, the egg storage tray 6 which is conveyed in advance of the column side edge 5 which is one of the row side edge 4 and the column side edge 5 is selected to prevent the conveyance to the downstream side, This is performed on the corner 8a of the selected egg storage tray 6, that is, on every other one of the transported egg storage trays 6. You have me.

The above-described orientation device 1 is adapted to orient the egg storage tray 6 as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, but instead of the egg storage tray 6, shown in FIGS. The so-called American tray, which is a so-called American tray, may be oriented.

The egg storage tray 71 shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 has the egg storage seats 2 in 5 rows and 6 columns, like the egg storage tray 6, but is different from the egg storage tray 6 having a rectangular shape. As shown in FIG. 11, it has a square shape in a plan view, and has a projection 72 on the lower surface of the corners 8a and 8b separately from the egg housing seat 2. Similarly to the egg storage tray 6, the egg storage tray 71 can be stacked with the eggs in the egg storage seat 2, with the egg directions 3 being alternately arranged in the matrix direction, and the vertically stacked egg storage in the stacked state The tray 71 accommodates the eggs 3 in a staggered shape in a plan view, and furthermore, when the eggs 3 are not accommodated in the egg accommodation seat 2, the egg orientations 2 are aligned in a line. Can be stacked by bringing the front and back sides into close contact with each other.

In order to change the leading position of the row side edge 4 and the column side edge 5 of the egg storage tray 71 to the leading position of the row side edge 4,
Egg storage tray 71 conveyed ahead of row side edge 5
Is rotated, the control device 32 of the orienting device 1 operates the pneumatic cylinder device 49b to engage the tip 41b of the arm 42b with the projection 72 of the corner 8b of the egg storage tray 71 being conveyed. On the other hand, in order to rotate the egg storage tray 71 that is being transported with the row side edge 4 ahead so as to change to the preceding column side edge 5, the control device 32
By operating the pneumatic cylinder device 49a, the arm 42a
The tip of the egg storage tray 71
With the projection 72 of the corner 8a.

In the case of the egg storage tray 71, the projection 7 of the egg storage tray 71 being transported with the row side edge 5 being advanced.
Using the fact that the position 2 is different from the position of the projection 72 of the egg storage tray 71 being transported with the row side edge 4 preceding, the egg storage being transported with the column side edge 5 ahead. The contact 28 comes into contact with the projection 72 of the tray 71, and the projection 7 of the egg storage tray 71 which is being conveyed with the row side edge 4 ahead.
2 so that the contact 28 does not come into contact with the contact type detector 2
7 is installed with its position adjusted, whereby the contact detector 27 selectively detects the egg storage tray 71 that is being transported ahead of the row side edge 5.

The above-described orientation device 1 includes the arrival detection means 21 and the selection detection means 22.
While omitting the selection detection means 22, the orientation device 1 is configured to include the arrival detection means 21 including an image recognition device including a television camera or the like.
The arrival detection and the selection detection of the egg storage tray are performed, so that the arrival of the egg storage tray to the predetermined position of the transported egg storage tray with either the row side edge 4 or the column side edge 5 preceding either one is selectively performed. It is also possible to detect, and based on this detection signal, engage the engaging means 24 with the egg storage tray at the corner 8a or 8b.

Further, in the orientation device 1, the transport amount detecting means 23
Rotating device 43a or 4 based on the transport amount detection signal from
3b, but instead of this, the conveyance amount detecting means 2
3, the arrival of the egg storage tray at a predetermined position may be predicted to operate the rotation device 43a or 43b, and furthermore, the arrival detection at the position where the rotation device 43a or 43b should be operated may be performed. Means 21 and the arrival detecting means 2
The rotation device 43a or 43b may be operated immediately upon transmission of the arrival detection signal from the device 1.

In addition, in the orientation device 1, the egg storage tray 6 or 71 to be rotated is determined by the selection signal from the selection detecting means 22, but instead, the egg storage tray 6 or 71 is taken out of the container. When the egg storage tray 6 or 71 to be rotated can be specified at this time, the egg storage tray 6 or 71 to be rotated is determined based on a signal from this point, and the selection device 22 is omitted and the orientation device 1 is omitted. May be configured.

The above-described orienting device 1 is constructed such that the egg accommodating trays 6 supplied one after another with the row side edges 4 and the column side edges 5 preceding the alternation.
Of the row side edge 4 and the column side edge 5 is changed to the other edge of the row side edge 4 and the column side edge 5, in the above example, the preceding conveyance of the row side edge 4. Has become
Instead of this, the egg storage tray 6 to be conveyed with the row side edge 4 leading may be selected and rotated to change the egg storage tray 6 to the preceding conveyance of the row side edge 5, Further, as shown in FIG. 14, one of the row side edge 4 and the column side edge 5, the row side edge 4 in FIG. 14A, and the column side edge 5 in FIG. Are transported one after the other, and one of the row side edge 4 and the column side edge 5 of the egg storage tray 6, in FIG. In 14 (b), each preceding conveyance of the row side edge 5 is
The transfer may be changed to the alternate preceding conveyance of the row side edge 4 and the column side edge 5. In this case, the orientation device 1 selects every other egg storage tray 6 to be transported to prevent the egg storage tray 6 from being transported to the downstream side, and places it in the corner 8a of the selected egg storage tray 6. This is performed for every other egg storage tray 6 to be transported.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, one of the row side edge 4 and the column side edge 5,
In FIG. 15 (a), the row-side edge 4 is transported, and in FIG. 15 (b), the row-side edge 5 is preceded. The preceding conveyance of one edge of the column side edge 5, the row side edge 4 in FIG. 15A and the column side edge 5 in FIG.
In FIG. 15 (b), the transport of the egg storage tray 6 to the downstream side at one corner 8a is prevented one by one so as to change to the preceding transport of the column side edge 5 in FIG. 15 (b) and the row side edge 4 in FIG. The orientation device 1 may be configured to continuously perform the supply and the transport of the egg storage tray 6.

[0083]

According to the present invention, there is provided an orienting apparatus and method for an egg storage tray which can be easily cleaned and the structure can be easily performed with almost no impact on the egg storage tray. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory plan view of an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an egg storage tray used in the example of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the egg storage tray shown in FIG. 2;
It is a line arrow view (right side view).

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the egg storage tray shown in FIG. 2 taken along line IV-IV.

FIG. 5 is a view (a front view) of the egg storage tray shown in FIG. 2 taken along line VV.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory perspective view of stacking the egg storage trays shown in FIG. 2 in a state where eggs are stored.

FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram of the example shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory diagram of the example shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram of the example shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram of the example shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of another egg storage tray used in the example of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the egg storage tray shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a view on the arrow II (right side view).

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the egg containing tray shown in FIG.
It is an XIII line arrow view (front view).

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of another example of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of still another example of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Orientation device of egg storage tray 2 Egg storage seat 3 Chicken egg 4 Row side edge 5 Column side edge 6 Egg storage tray 7 Transporting means 8a, 8b Corner 9 Transporting inhibiting means

Claims (33)

[Claims] 1. An egg storage tray having an egg storage seat of m rows and n columns (where m ≠ n), and conveyed with one of a row side edge and a column side edge preceding the egg storage tray. The conveyance to the downstream side is prevented at one corner of the egg storage tray,
Due to the conveyance of the egg storage tray to the downstream side and the inhibition of the conveyance to the downstream side at one corner of the egg storage tray, the egg storage tray is caused to rotate around the one corner in the conveyance plane. A method of orienting an egg storage tray, wherein the preceding conveyance of one of the row side edge and the column side edge of the egg storage tray is changed to the preceding conveyance of the other edge. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising transporting the egg storage trays supplied one after another with the row side edge and the column side edge preceding the alternation, and performing alternate advance transport of the row side edge and the column side edge of the egg storage tray. The method for orienting an egg storage tray according to claim 1, wherein the method is changed to the preceding conveyance of the other one of the edge and the row side edge. 3. An egg storage tray which is supplied one after another with one of the row side edge and the column side edge preceding the edge, and one of the row side edge and the column side edge of the egg storage tray. 2. The method for orienting an egg storage tray according to claim 1, wherein the preceding conveyance of the edge of the tray is changed to the alternate preceding conveyance of the row side edge and the column side edge. 4. The method for aligning an egg storage tray according to claim 2, wherein the conveyance of the egg storage tray to the downstream side at one corner is prevented every other egg storage tray. . 5. An egg storage tray that is supplied one after another with one of the row side edge and the column side edge preceding the other, and one of the row side edge and the column side edge of the egg storage tray. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the preceding conveyance of the edge is changed to the preceding conveyance of the other edge.
The method for orienting an egg-containing tray according to item 4. 6. The egg storage tray according to claim 5, wherein the transport of the egg storage tray to the downstream side at one corner is continuously performed with respect to the egg storage trays that are successively supplied and transported. Orientation method. 7. Selecting an egg storage tray to be conveyed prior to any one of the row side edge and the column side edge,
The method for orienting an egg storage tray according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein conveyance of the selected egg storage tray to a downstream side of a corner is prevented. 8. The method for aligning an egg storage tray according to claim 1, wherein the arrival of the transported egg storage tray at a predetermined position is detected to prevent the egg storage tray from being transported. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein in addition to the detection of the arrival of the egg storage tray at a predetermined position, the transport amount of the egg storage tray is detected, and the transport is inhibited based on the detection of the transport amount in addition to the arrival detection. Egg storage tray orientation method. 10. The egg storage tray according to claim 8, wherein the arrival of the egg storage tray conveyed ahead of one of the row side edge and the column side edge to a predetermined position is detected. Orientation method. 11. The egg according to claim 1, wherein the transport of the egg storage tray to the downstream side is prevented at a lower end of an egg storage seat provided at a corner of the egg storage tray. How to orient the storage tray. 12. The egg storage tray according to claim 1, wherein the transport of the egg storage tray to the downstream side is prevented by a projection provided on the lower surface of the corner of the egg storage tray. Orientation method. 13. The method for orienting an egg storage tray according to claim 1, wherein rotation of the egg storage tray around a corner portion by a predetermined amount or more is prevented. 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein m = 5 and n = 6. 15. The egg storage tray can be stacked alternately in the matrix direction with the eggs stored in the egg storage seat, and the egg storage trays that are vertically adjacent to each other in the stacked state are the eggs in plan view. Are stored in a staggered pattern. Furthermore, the egg storage tray is arranged such that, when the eggs are not stored in the egg storage seat, the row side edges and the column side edges are aligned with each other. The method for orienting an egg-containing tray according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the egg-containing trays can be stacked in close contact with each other. 16. A transport means for transporting an egg storage tray which has m rows and n columns (where m ≠ n) of egg storage seats and which precedes one of the row side edge and the column side edge. And transport inhibiting means for inhibiting the transportation of the egg storage tray to the downstream side at one corner of the egg storage tray, and the transportation to the downstream side of the egg storage tray and the transportation of the egg storage tray. The rotation of the egg storage tray around the one corner is caused in the transport plane by the conveyance prevention to the downstream side at the one corner, and the egg storage tray is rotated between the row side edge and the column side edge of the egg storage tray. The egg feeding tray orienting device adapted to change the preceding conveyance of one of the edges to the preceding conveyance of the other edge. 17. The transporting means transports egg storage trays supplied one after another with the row side edge and the column side edge preceding the alternation, and the orienting device operates on the row side of these egg storage trays. 17. The orienting device for an egg-containing tray according to claim 16, wherein the alternate preceding conveyance of the edge and the column side edge is changed to the preceding conveyance of the other one of the row side edge and the column side edge. 18. The conveying means is adapted to convey egg storage trays which are successively supplied, with one of the row side edge and the column side edge preceding the other. 17. The orientation of the egg storage tray according to claim 16, wherein the preceding conveyance of one of the row side edge and the column side edge of the egg storage tray is changed to the alternate preceding conveyance of the row side edge and the column side edge. apparatus. 19. The transportation preventing means according to claim 17, wherein the transportation of the egg storage tray to the downstream side at one corner portion is prevented every other egg storage tray. 19. The device for orienting an egg storage tray according to claim 18. 20. A conveying means for conveying egg storage trays supplied one after another with one of a row-side edge and a column-side edge preceding the orientation device. 17. The orienting device for an egg storage tray according to claim 16, wherein the preceding conveyance of one of the row side edge and the column side edge of the egg storage tray is changed to the preceding conveyance of the other edge. 21. The transport inhibiting means is configured to continuously inhibit the transport of the egg storage tray to the downstream side at one corner portion of the egg storage tray that is successively supplied and transported. An orienting device for an egg storage tray according to claim 20. 22. The transport inhibiting means selects an egg storage tray to be transported prior to any one of the row side edge and the column side edge, and selects a corner portion of the selected egg storage tray. 17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the transfer to the downstream side is prevented.
22. The device for orienting an egg-containing tray according to any one of claims to 21. 23. An arrival detecting means for detecting arrival of an egg storage tray being conveyed by the conveying means to a predetermined position, and the egg at a corner based on a detection signal from the arrival detecting means. 23. The device for orienting an egg storage tray according to any one of claims 16 to 22, further comprising engaging means for engaging the storage tray. 24. The conveyance prevention means includes a conveyance amount detection means for detecting a conveyance amount of the egg storage tray by the conveyance means, and the engagement means includes a conveyance amount in addition to a detection signal from the arrival detection means. 24. The orienting device for an egg storage tray according to claim 23, wherein the egg storage tray is engaged with the egg storage tray at a corner portion based on a detection signal from the detection means. 25. The arrival detecting means detects an arrival at a predetermined position of an egg storage tray conveyed with one of a row side edge and a column side edge preceding. Or the orientation device of the egg storage tray according to 24. 26. An engaging means having a tip portion which engages with an egg storage tray at a corner portion, and an arm rotatable within a transport surface of the egg storage tray, and an egg at one corner portion. To prevent the storage tray from being transported to the downstream side, the distal end of the arm is positioned on the transport path at one corner of the egg storage tray, and release of the transport inhibition to the downstream side of the egg storage tray at the one corner is released. 26. The apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising: a rotating device configured to rotate the arm such that the distal end of the arm is retracted out of the conveyance path at one corner of the egg storage tray. The orientation device for an egg-containing tray according to item 1. 27. The transportation preventing means according to claim 16, wherein the transportation of the egg storage tray to the downstream side is prevented at a lower end portion of an egg storage seat provided at a corner of the egg storage tray. An orientation device for an egg storage tray according to any one of claims 26 to 26. 28. The transport preventing means, wherein the transport of the egg storage tray to the downstream side is prevented by a projection provided on the lower surface of the corner of the egg storage tray.
An orientation device for an egg storage tray according to any one of claims 6 to 26. 29. The orienting device for an egg storage tray according to claim 16, further comprising rotation prevention means for preventing rotation of the egg storage tray around a corner portion by a predetermined amount or more. . 30. The rotation preventing means comprises a blocking plate abutting on the row side edge or the column side edge of the rotated egg storage tray and having a surface parallel to the transport direction of the egg storage tray. Item 30. The device for orienting an egg storage tray according to Item 29. 31. The transporting means according to claim 16, wherein the transporting means includes a caterpillar conveyor belt having a flat surface on which the egg storage tray is placed, and traveling means for traveling the caterpillar conveyor belt. The orientation device for an egg-containing tray according to item 1. 32. The device for orienting an egg storage tray according to claim 16, wherein m = 5 and n = 6. 33. The egg storage tray can be stacked alternately in the matrix direction with the eggs stored in the egg storage seat, and the egg storage trays that are vertically adjacent to each other in the stacked state are the eggs in a plan view. Are stored in a staggered pattern. Furthermore, the egg storage tray is arranged such that, when the eggs are not stored in the egg storage seat, the row side edges and the column side edges are aligned with each other. The orienting device for an egg-containing tray according to any one of claims 16 to 32, wherein the egg-receiving tray can be stacked by being brought into close contact with each other.