JP2004313009A - Apparatus for supplementing seedling box - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To handle a plurality of seedling boxes without assigning an exclusive operator for supplementing the seedling boxes. <P>SOLUTION: This apparatus 2 for supplementing the seedling boxes is equipped with a conveyor part 5 for transporting the seedling boxes BS for supplementing in which the seedling boxes are stacked toward a seedling box housing part 3 and a seedling box transferring part 6 for transferring the seedling boxes BS for supplementing from the end on the downstream side of the conveyor part 5 onto the seedling box Bt in the topmost stage which is the seedling box B in the topmost stage in the seedling box housing part 3 when the number of the seedling boxes B in the seedling box housing part 3 is a prescribed number or below. Pot-like seedling chambers 8 are arranged in each seedling box B in a lattice form in the longitudinal and transverse directions when viewed in a plane. The seedling box transferring part 6 makes the seedling boxes BS slide and move while guiding each seedling chamber bottom 8a of the seedling box Bb in the lowermost stage which is the seedling box B in the lowermost stage of the seedling boxes BS for supplementing so as to ride on an unopening part 8c other than opening parts 8b of the seedling chambers of the seedling box Bt in the topmost stage. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a seedling box replenishing apparatus for replenishing a seedling box storage section that houses empty seedling boxes in a stacked state with a supply seedling box in which empty seedling boxes are stacked.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As disclosed in Patent Literature 1, a conventional seedling box supply device 91 includes a seedling box storage unit 92 that stores empty seedling boxes in a stacked state as shown in FIG. And a seedling box extraction unit 93 for scraping and removing the bottom seedling boxes one by one from the container, thereby supplying empty seedling boxes to the seeding unit 94 one by one.
[0003]
The seedling box take-out portion 93 is provided with a pair of hooking claws 95 provided opposite to each other so as to reciprocate between a protruding position for receiving both side edges of the lowermost seedling box and a retreating position not receiving the same. A pair of receiving claws 96 provided so as to alternately reciprocate with the hooking claws 95 between a protruding position for receiving both side edges of the seedling box and a retreating position not receiving, and the hooking claws 95 are retracted. And a scraping nail 97 for scraping off the lowermost seedling box when the receiving nail 96 is at the projecting position.
[0004]
The operation of the seedling box supply device 91 will be described step by step with reference to FIG. Initially, it is assumed that a large number of seedling boxes B are stacked on the hooking claws 95 as shown in FIG.
[0005]
First, the receiving claws 96 project from the bottom so as to be hooked on the side edges of the second seedling box B, and the hooking claws 95 are retracted in accordance with the projection of the receiving claws 96 (FIG. 9B). reference). Next, the second-stage seedling box B from below is supported by the receiving claws 96, and the lowermost seedling box B is released from the hooks 95 (see FIG. 3C). At this time, the scraping nail 97 rotates downward so as to push down the side edge of the lowermost seedling box B, and scrapes the seedling box B to take out one seedling box B. Next, the receiving claw 96 retreats, and the latching claw 95 protrudes in response to the retraction of the receiving claw 96 (see FIG. 4D). Thereafter, the seedling box B supported on the receiving claw 96 is dropped onto the hanging claw 95 by the retreat of the receiving claw 96, and both side edges are supported by the hanging claw 95 (FIG. 9A). reference). By repeating the above, the seedling boxes B are taken out one by one and supplied.
[0006]
The replenishment of the seedling box B into the seedling box storage part 92 is appropriately performed manually according to the degree of reduction of the seedling boxes B in the seedling box storage part 92, and the double hooking claws shown in FIG. The replenishing seedling box BS is placed on the seedling box B in the seedling box housing part 92 at the timing when the 95 is in the most protruding state, that is, when the both side edges of the lowermost seedling box B are securely hooked. Is placed.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-58-138307
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the seedling box housing portion 92 is configured to hook and support the side edge of the seedling box B with the hooking claws 95 or the receiving claws 96, the weight that the side edge can support, that is, The number (for example, about 20) of seedling boxes B that can be accommodated in the seedling box accommodation section 92 is limited by the strength of the side edge. For this reason, when it is necessary to process a large number of seedling boxes B that greatly exceeds the number that can be accommodated in the seedling box storing section 92, the seedling boxes B are stored so that the seedling boxes B in the seedling box storing section 92 do not run out. There is a problem that it is necessary to replenish regularly, and one full-time worker is required for this work.
[0009]
In addition, since the replenishment of the seedling box B is performed manually, the timing for placing the seedling box B may be shifted if the worker is not accustomed to the replenishing operation or the worker is distracted. is there. In particular, as shown in FIG. 10B or FIG. 10D, a state in which the tip positions of the hooking claws 95 and the receiving claws 96 are substantially coincident in plan view (the hooking claws 95 and the receiving claws 96 project respectively). In the middle position between the retracted position and the retracted position), since the side edges of the hooks 95 and the receiving claws 96 are shallowly hooked, the hooks are located upward from the uppermost seedling box B in the seedling box housing portion 92. When the seedling box B to be replenished is dropped into the seedling box housing portion 92, the side edge may be disengaged from the hooks 95 and 96 by the impact. For this reason, there is a problem that the seedling box B in the seedling box storage unit 92 falls, and the operation is interrupted, and the efficiency is reduced.
[0010]
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a seedling box replenishing device capable of handling a large number of seedling boxes without leaving a dedicated worker for replenishing seedling boxes.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a seedling box replenishing apparatus of the present invention provides a plurality of sets of empty seedling boxes stacked in a row, toward a seedling box storage section for storing empty seedling boxes in a stacked state. A conveyor unit for sequentially transporting the seedling boxes, a seedling box storage unit state detection unit that detects that the number of seedling boxes in the seedling box storage unit is equal to or less than a predetermined number, and a conveyor unit that detects the state. A seedling box transfer unit for transferring a set of supply seedling boxes from a downstream end to a top seedling box, which is a top seedling box in the seedling box storage unit, In the seedling box, the pot-shaped seedling room is arranged in a grid pattern in the vertical and horizontal directions in plan view, and the bottom of the seedling room of the upper seedling box is opened at the time of stacking. The seedling box transfer unit is configured such that the seedling room bottom of the lowest seedling box, which is the lowest seedling box of the supply seedling box, First slide transfer means for sliding the replenishing seedling box to a predetermined position on the uppermost seedling box while guiding it so as to ride on a non-opening other than the seedling room opening of the uppermost seedling box. The replenishing seedling box so that the seedling room bottom of the lowermost seedling box at the predetermined position fits into the seedling room opening of the uppermost seedling box near the seedling room bottom. And a second slide transfer means for sliding the.
[0012]
According to this configuration, when a large number of replenishing seedling boxes are prepared at once on the conveyor unit, the replenishing seedling boxes are configured to be automatically replenished to the seedling box storage unit. In addition, the time interval at which the worker replenishes the replenishing seedling box can be greatly extended, and unlike the conventional case, a dedicated worker for supplying the seedling box can be omitted.
[0013]
Further, the first transfer means and the second transfer means of the seedling box transfer unit need only slide the positioning while positioning the supply seedling box on the uppermost seedling box. Since there is no need to lift or lower, it can be realized with a simple configuration.
[0014]
The predetermined position is such that the lowermost seedling box is relatively located with respect to the uppermost seedling box in either the vertical or horizontal arrangement direction of the seedling room in the uppermost seedling box in plan view. The distance is smaller than the arrangement interval of the chambers, and the bottom of the seedling room of the lowermost seedling box is at a position where it is on the non-opening portion of the uppermost seedling box, and the first slide transfer means is a plan view. In one disposing direction, the lower seedling box is relatively displaced from the uppermost seedling box by a distance smaller than the disposing interval of the seedling room, and the replenishing seedling box is displaced in the other disposing direction. And a transfer device for transferring the replenishing seedling box in the other disposition direction while pressing against the guide portion, wherein the second slide transfer means is provided with the one disposition. An example in which the transfer is performed so as to eliminate the deviation in the direction is illustrated.
[0015]
Although the size of the displacement is not particularly limited, it is exemplified that the displacement is approximately 略 of the arrangement interval of the seedling rooms in the one arrangement direction.
[0016]
The second slide transfer means abuts on a side edge of the replenishing seedling box as the seedling box in the seedling box housing part is lowered due to a decrease in the seedling box, so as to eliminate the displacement in the one arrangement direction. The aspect which consists of a slope which transfers the said seedling box for supply is illustrated.
[0017]
According to the second transfer means, the bottom of each seedling room of the lowermost seedling box falls into the opening of each seedling room from the non-opening portion of the uppermost seedling box and fits. Since the drop at that time is small, the impact given to the seedling box housing portion can be small. For this reason, it is not necessary to take the timing to supply the seedling boxes as in the related art, so that the configuration can be simplified.
[0018]
The second slide transfer means exemplifies a mode in which the supply seedling box is configured to slide gradually.
[0019]
According to this configuration, the supply seedling box is gradually slid, so that the outer surface of the seedling room bottom of the lowermost seedling box is on the inner surface of the seedling room opening of the uppermost seedling box. Since it falls down while sliding along, it is possible to further reduce the impact given to the seedling box housing part due to friction between the outer surface and the inner surface.
[0020]
The conveyor section has a roller conveyor for transporting the seedling boxes in the length direction of the transport path by a plurality of rollers, and each roller has an example in which the axis thereof is inclined in the length direction of the transport path.
[0021]
According to this configuration, each of the rollers supports the seedling box widely in the length direction of the transport path, so that the number of the rollers can be reduced, and the conveyor can be configured at a low cost.
[0022]
Each of the rollers exemplifies a mode in which adjacent rollers are alternately inclined so that the relationship between the adjacent axes is a line-symmetric relationship with respect to a symmetric axis extending in the width direction of the conveyance path.
[0023]
According to this configuration, the influence of the inclination of the shaft can be canceled by the adjacent rollers, and the seedling box can be smoothly transported in the transport path length direction.
[0024]
The rollers are arranged such that, when a dent extending in the width direction of the conveying path on the back side of the seedling box passes over the roller, the roller always supports a portion other than the dent. An example is shown in which the inclination is set.
[0025]
According to this configuration, when the dent passes over the roller, it is possible to prevent the peripheral surface of the roller from being caught in the dent and prevent the object from being conveyed smoothly. . In particular, a transported object such as a seedling box, which has a large number of depressions on the back side and is easily caught in multiple stages, and a transported object formed of a soft (flexible) material is more effective.
[0026]
Further, for example, when the transport path is inclined so that the transported object naturally flows to the downstream side due to gravity, the inclination can be reduced, and the following effects are obtained.
(1) Since the height on the upstream side is not so high, workability when loading and unloading the transported object on the transport path is good.
(2) The flow of the transferred object becomes gentle, and the load on the machine to which the transferred object is supplied is reduced.
(3) Even a light transported object (for example, one seedling box or several stacked seedling boxes) can be smoothly transferred.
[0027]
In addition, the structure of the said conveyor part has the same effect also with respect to conveyed objects other than a seedling box.
[0028]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIGS. 1 to 6 show a first embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a seedling box replenishing device 2 for replenishing a seedling box housing part 3 of a seeding machine 1 with a replenishing seedling box BS. The seedling box replenishing device 2 includes a conveyor unit 5 for sequentially transporting a plurality of sets of replenishing seedling boxes BS stacked toward the seedling box storage unit 3 and a predetermined number of seedling boxes B in the seedling box storage unit 3. And a set of replenishing seedling boxes BS from the downstream end of the conveyor section 5 when the state is detected. And a seedling box transfer part 6 for transferring the seedlings onto the seedling box B. Hereinafter, the upstream side and the downstream side in the seedling box transport direction are simply referred to as “upstream side” and “downstream side”, respectively.
[0029]
In the seedling box B of this example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the pot-shaped seedling room 8 has a short side length direction (hereinafter, the short side is referred to as “horizontal”) and a long side length of the seedling box B. In the vertical direction (hereinafter, the long side is referred to as “vertical”), and the seedling room bottom 8a of the upper seedling box B is opened at the time of stacking. It is configured to fit into the portion 8b. The seedling rooms 8 of this example are arranged at a constant arrangement interval S in the vertical direction, and the central arrangement interval is wide in the horizontal direction, but at other constant arrangement intervals S in the other directions. Are arranged. Hereinafter, the lowermost seedling box B of the replenishing seedling box BS is referred to as “the lowermost seedling box Bb”, and the uppermost seedling box B in the seedling box storage unit 3 is referred to as “the uppermost seedling box. Bt ".
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 1, the seeding machine 1 scrapes the seedling box storage unit 3 for storing empty seedling boxes B in a stacked state, and the lowermost seedling box B from the seedling box storage unit 3 one by one. A seedling box take-out section 4, a seedling box transfer table 10 for transferring the seedling box B scraped by the seedling box take-out section 4, and a soiling section disposed on a transfer path of the seedling box transfer table 10. 11, a sowing unit 12, and a soil covering unit 13. The seedling box B is transported by the seedling box carrier 10, and the soil is put into the seeding unit 11 at the soil placement unit 11, and the seeds are seeded on the floor soil at the seeding unit 12. The seeds are sowed and covered with a soil covering part 13 on the seeds.
[0031]
The seedling box storage unit 3 is formed in a rectangular frame shape in plan view above the upstream end of the seedling box carrier 10, and stores the seedling boxes B inserted from above in a stacked state and seedlings. It is designed to be guided on a box carrier 10. On the downstream side of the seedling box storage unit 3, above the seedling box storage unit 3, there is provided a regulating plate 15 as a regulating unit for regulating the tip position of the stacked seedling boxes B.
[0032]
The seedling box removal unit 4 is configured in the same manner as that of the conventional example, and its operation is the same as that of the conventional example described with reference to FIG.
[0033]
The conveyor section 5 includes a first roller conveyor 30 on the upstream side and a second roller conveyor 31 on the downstream side. As shown in FIG. 3, the first roller conveyor 30 has a transport path 30a that is inclined so that the replenishing seedling box BS naturally flows downstream due to gravity. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal end of the transport path 30 a of the first roller conveyor 30 is connected to the start roller side of the transport path 31 a of the second roller conveyor 31 in a shape perpendicular to the plan view. The second roller conveyor 31 is fed from the first roller conveyor 30 to the start end of the transport path 31a, in addition to the lengthwise feed roller 34 for feeding the replenishing seedling boxes BS in the length direction of the transport path 31a. A width direction feed roller 33 for feeding the replenishing seedling box BS in the width direction of the transport path 31a, and a stopper 35 for restricting excessive movement in the width direction are provided. In FIG. 2, the first roller conveyor 30 and the stopper 35 may be provided at positions that are respectively inverted with respect to the transport path 31a.
[0034]
The detecting section 7 is constituted by a limit switch arranged to detect that there are more seedling boxes B in the seedling box housing section 3 than a predetermined number. Is output, and when the number of seedling boxes B in the seedling box storage section 3 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined number, no detection signal is output. In this example, the presence of the seedling box B is detected by contacting the downstream side edge of the seedling box B.
[0035]
The seedling box transfer unit 6 guides the seedling room bottom 8a of the lowermost seedling box Bb so as to ride on the non-opening portion 8c other than the seedling room opening 8b of the uppermost seedling box Bt. The first slide transfer unit 36 that slides the supply seedling box BS to a predetermined position on Bt, and the seedling room bottoms 8a of the lowermost seedling box Bb at the predetermined position are near the seedling room bottoms 8a. The second slide transfer section 37 for slidingly moving the replenishing seedling box BS so as to fit into the respective seedling room openings 8b of the uppermost seedling box Bt, and the replenishing seedling box BS on the width direction feed roller 33 is moved in the length direction. And a transport device 38 for transporting the sheet to the feed roller 34 side. In the present example, the predetermined position is, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5, the lowermost position relative to the uppermost seedling box Bt in the arrangement direction beside the seedling room 8 in the uppermost seedling box Bt in plan view. It is assumed that the seedling box Bb is located at a position relatively shifted by about 1/2 of the arrangement interval S of the seedling room 8. Since the seedling rooms 8 are vertically arranged at a constant arrangement interval S, the predetermined positions are such that the two seedling boxes B are spaced relative to each other by an integral multiple of the vertical arrangement interval S of the seedling rooms 8. It is also possible to adopt a position deviated from.
[0036]
The first slide transfer unit 36 is arranged such that the lowermost seedling box Bb is disposed at a position substantially equal to the arrangement interval S of the seedling room 8 relative to the uppermost seedling box Bt in the arrangement direction beside the seedling room 8 in plan view. A guide portion 40 for guiding the supply seedling box BS to be fed in the vertical arrangement direction of the seedling room 8 in a state of being shifted by 1/2, and in a vertical arrangement direction of the seedling room 8 while being pressed against the guide portion 40. And a transfer device 41 for transferring the supply seedling box BS. The transfer device 41 is provided on the side opposite to the guide portion of the transport path 31a, and is supported by a pair of sprockets 42 rotatably supported at intervals in the vertical arrangement direction of the seedling room 8 and wound around the two sprockets. The chain 43 includes a chain 43 that is hung, a pair of feed members 44 attached to the chain 43 at equal intervals, and a drive motor (not shown) that drives one sprocket 42. Then, the feeding member 44 that moves together with the chain 43 pushes the rear side of the replenishing seedling box BS and the opposite side of the guide portion to transfer the replenishing seedling box BS.
[0037]
The second slide transfer unit 37 comes into contact with the side edge of the seedling box B as the seedling box B in the seedling box storage unit 3 is lowered due to the decrease, and eliminates displacement in the lateral arrangement direction of the seedling room 8. As shown in FIG. Due to the inclined surface, the supply seedling box BS is gradually slid in the direction in which the seedling room 8 is arranged next to the seedling room 8.
[0038]
The transport device 38 is provided at substantially the center in the transport path width direction at the start end of the transport path 31a of the second roller conveyor 31, and is supported by a pair of sprockets rotatably supported at intervals in the transport path length direction. 47, a chain 48 wound around both sprockets 47, a pair of feed members 49 attached at equal intervals to the chain 48, and a drive motor (not shown) for driving one sprocket 47. Have. Then, the feeding member 49 that moves together with the chain 48 pushes the rear central portion of the replenishing seedling box BS to convey the replenishing seedling box BS. The axial interval between the two sprockets is set to be longer than the length of the long side of the seedling box B, so that the replenishing seedling box BS that has been fed and the first feed roller 33 from the first roller conveyer 30 A gap is formed between the feeding unit 44 and the supply seedling box BS to allow the feeding member 44 of the first slide transfer unit 36 to be inserted.
[0039]
Next, a series of operations of the seedling box supply device 2 will be described. Here, it is assumed that the number of seedling boxes B in the seedling box storage unit 3 is equal to or more than a predetermined number. First, the seedling box removal section 4 sequentially takes out the seedling boxes B in the seedling box storage section 3 one by one. When the number of seedling boxes B in the seedling box storage section 3 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined number, the detection section 7 is activated. The seedling box detection signal is not output. Then, the supply seedling box BS is transferred toward the seedling box storage part 3 by the transfer device 41 of the first slide transfer part 36, and the supply seedling box BS on the widthwise feed roller 33 is lengthened by the transfer device 38. The sheet is conveyed toward the direction feed roller 34 (see the solid line in FIG. 5). When the replenishing seedling box BS reaches a predetermined position (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6A), the detecting unit 7 that has detected this outputs a seedling box detection signal. Then, the transfer device 41 and the transport device 38 are stopped. Then, when the seedling boxes B in the seedling box storage section 3 are sequentially taken out by the seedling box taking-out section 4, the replenishing seedling boxes BS at a predetermined position are moved by the second slide transfer section 37 along with the seedling room. 8 is gradually transferred so as to eliminate the displacement in the horizontal arrangement direction (see FIG. 6B). Finally, the seedling room bottom 8a of the lowermost seedling box Bb fits into the seedling room opening 8b of the uppermost seedling box Bt (see FIG. 6C). Thus, the supply of the seedling box B to the seedling box storage unit 3 is completed.
[0040]
According to the seedling box replenishing apparatus 2 of the present invention configured as described above, if a large number of replenishing seedling boxes BS are prepared on the conveyor section 5 at one time, the seedling boxes B in the seedling box storage section 3 are prepared. It is configured that the seedling box transfer unit 6 automatically replenishes the seedling box storage unit 3 with the replenishing seedling box BS by detecting that the number is less than or equal to a predetermined number. The time interval for replenishing the seedling box BS can be greatly extended, and unlike the conventional case, a dedicated worker for supplying the seedling box B can be omitted.
[0041]
Further, the first slide transfer section 36 and the second slide transfer section 37 need only slide the supply seedling box BS while positioning it on the uppermost seedling box Bt, and lift and lower the supply seedling box BS. Since there is no need to perform this, it can be realized with a simple configuration as in this example.
[0042]
Further, according to the second transfer means, each seedling room bottom portion 8a of the lowermost seedling box Bb falls into the respective seedling room opening portion 8b from the non-opening portion 8c of the uppermost seedling box Bt and fits. Since the drop at that time is small, the impact given to the seedling box storage unit 3 can be small. For this reason, it is not necessary to take the timing to supply the seedling box B as in the related art, so that the configuration can be simplified.
[0043]
Moreover, the replenishing seedling box BS is gradually slid, so that the outer surface of the seedling room bottom 8a of the lowermost seedling box Bb slides along the inner surface of the seedling room opening 8b of the uppermost seedling box Bt. Since it falls, the impact given to the seedling box housing part 3 by the friction between the outer surface and the inner surface can be further reduced.
[0044]
Next, FIG. 7 shows a seedling box supply device 60 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The seedling box supply device 60 of the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment mainly in the following points. Therefore, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated (the same applies to other embodiments).
[0045]
In this example, as shown in FIG. 7, the seedling boxes B for replenishment are stacked in a row so that the seedling boxes B are alternately shifted one by one in the vertical arrangement direction of the seedling room 8 as shown in FIG. For this reason, when the displacement of the seedling room 8 in the vertical disposition direction coincides with the lowermost seedling box Bb and the uppermost seedling box Bt, as in the first embodiment, both seedling boxes B are viewed in plan. They are stacked with their positions matched. In addition, in the case where the displacement of the seedling room 8 in the vertical arrangement direction does not match between the lowermost seedling box Bb and the uppermost seedling box Bt (is shifted by one row in the vertical arrangement direction of the seedling room 8). Then, the two seedling boxes B are stacked in a state where the positions of the two seedling boxes B are shifted by one line in the vertical arrangement direction of the seedling room 8 in plan view. The detecting unit 7 is configured to be able to detect the seedling box B to be detected regardless of the displacement.
[0046]
In the conveyor section 5, a first roller conveyor 61 and a second roller conveyor 62 are connected in series such that the transport path extends linearly.
[0047]
The transport device 63 includes a pair of feed rollers 64 and 65 arranged at intervals in the length direction of the transport path of the second roller conveyor 62. Sprockets 64a and 65a are provided on the rotation shafts of the rollers 64 and 65, respectively, and a chain 66 is wound around the sprockets 64a and 65a. The sprocket 65a has a smaller diameter than the sprocket 64a, and when one of the sprockets is rotationally driven, the downstream feed roller 65 rotates faster than the upstream feed roller 64. . As a result, the gap between the replenishing seedling box BS fed by the upstream feed roller 64 and the replenishing seedling box BS fed by the downstream feed roller 65 at the time of transport is opened, and the first slide transfer unit 36 Can be inserted.
[0048]
According to the seedling box supply device 60 of the present embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.
[0049]
Next, a seedling box supply device according to a third embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. The seedling box replenishing apparatus of the present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the structure of the conveyor unit 70 for transferring the seedling box B as an object to be transferred is changed as follows.
[0050]
In the first roller conveyor 71 of the conveyor unit 70 of the present embodiment, the shaft 73 of the roller 72 is inclined in the transport path length direction Dl as shown in FIG. This allows each roller 72 to support the seedling box B widely in the transport path length direction Dl, so that the number of the rollers 72 can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.
[0051]
The manner in which the axis of the roller 72 is inclined is not particularly limited, but in the present example, the manner is as follows.
(1) The rollers 72 are alternately inclined such that the relationship between the adjacent shafts 73 is line-symmetric with respect to the symmetry axis extending in the transport path width direction Dw. Thereby, the influence of the inclination of the shaft 73 of the roller 72 can be canceled by the adjacent rollers 72, and the seedling box B can be smoothly transported in the transport path length direction Dl.
(2) When the dent 75 extending in the conveying path width direction Dw on the back side of the seedling box B passes over the roller 72, the roller 72 is moved to a position other than the dent 75 (in this example, at least one of the dents 75). The inclination of the shaft 73 is set so that the seedling room bottom 8a) is always supported. Thereby, when the dent 75 passes over the roller 72, it is possible to prevent the peripheral surface of the roller 72 from getting caught in the dent 75. In particular, as the seedling box B has a large number of dents 75 on the back side, the transported object which is likely to be caught in many stages and the transported object formed of a soft (flexible) material are more effective.
[0052]
According to the present embodiment, in addition to the same effects as in the first embodiment, the above-described effects unique to the present embodiment can be obtained.
[0053]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be embodied with appropriate modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention, for example, as described below.
(1) The way of shifting the upper and lower seedling boxes B in the supply seedling box BS is appropriately changed.
(2) Changing the conveyor section 5 to one having an endless track.
[0054]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the seedling box supply apparatus which concerns on this invention, the outstanding effect that a large number of seedling boxes can be handled is produced, without leaving a dedicated worker for a seedling box supply.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a seedling box supply device for a sowing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the seedling box supply device.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged side sectional view of the seedling box supply device.
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an operation state of the seedling box supply device.
FIG. 6 is a view showing an operation state of the seedling box supply device, and is a view taken in the direction of arrow VI in FIG. 2;
FIG. 7 is a side view showing a seedling box replenishing device for a sowing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a view showing a conveyor part of a seedling box replenishing apparatus for a seeding machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) is a plan view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line bb of (a). It is.
FIG. 9 is a side view showing a seeding machine provided with a conventional seedling box supply device.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a series of operating states of the seedling box supply device.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Seeding machine 2 Seedling box replenishing device 3 Seedling box storage part 4 Seedling box taking-out part 5 Conveyor part 6 Seedling box transfer part 7 Detecting part 8 Seedling room 8a Seedling room bottom 8b Seedling room opening 8c Non-opening part 36 First slide transfer Part 37 Second slide transfer part 40 Guide part 41 Transfer device 60 Seedling box replenishing device 70 Conveyor part 71 First roller conveyor 72 Roller 73 Shaft 75 Recess BS Replenishing seedling box B Seedling box Bb Lowermost seedling box Bt Uppermost seedling box S Arrangement interval

Claims (7)

A conveyor unit for sequentially transporting a plurality of sets of replenishing seedling boxes in which empty seedling boxes are stacked, toward a seedling box storage unit that houses empty seedling boxes in a stacked state,
Seedling box storage unit state detection unit that detects that the seedling boxes in the seedling box storage unit are in a state of a predetermined number or less,
When detecting this state, a seedling box transfer unit that transfers a set of replenishing seedling boxes from the downstream end of the conveyor unit onto the uppermost seedling box that is the uppermost seedling box in the seedling box storage unit. A seedling box replenishing device with
In the seedling box, the pot-shaped seedling room is arranged in a grid pattern in the vertical and horizontal directions in plan view, and the bottom of the seedling room of the upper seedling box is placed at the opening of the seedling room of the lower seedling box during stacking. It is configured to fit
The seedling box transfer unit, the seedling room bottom of the lowermost seedling box, which is the lowest seedling box of the replenishing seedling box, riding on a non-opening other than the seedling room opening of the uppermost seedling box. A first slide transfer unit that slides the supply seedling box to a predetermined position on the uppermost seedling box while guiding so that
Slide the supply seedling box so that the bottom of each seedling room of the bottommost seedling box at the predetermined position fits into each seedling room opening of the topmost seedling box near the bottom of each seedling room. A seedling box replenishing device comprising: a second slide transfer means for moving. The predetermined position is such that the lowermost seedling box is relatively located with respect to the uppermost seedling box in either the vertical or horizontal arrangement direction of the seedling room in the uppermost seedling box in plan view. It is a position that is smaller than the arrangement interval of the rooms and the bottom of the seedling room of the lowermost seedling box rides on the non-opening of the uppermost seedling box,
The first slide transfer means may be arranged such that the lowermost seedling box is displaced relative to the uppermost seedling box by a distance smaller than the arrangement interval of the seedling rooms in the one arrangement direction in plan view. A guide unit for guiding the supply seedling box to be sent in the other arrangement direction, and a transfer device for transferring the supply seedling box in the other arrangement direction while pressing against the guide unit,
2. The seedling box replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein said second slide transfer means is configured to transfer so as to eliminate displacement in said one arrangement direction. The second slide transfer means abuts on a side edge of the replenishing seedling box as the seedling box in the seedling box housing part descends due to a decrease in the seedling box, so as to eliminate displacement in the one arrangement direction. 3. The seedling box replenishing device according to claim 2, comprising an inclined surface for transferring the replenishing seedling box. The seedling box supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second slide transfer means is configured to gradually slide the supply seedling box. 5. The conveyor according to claim 1, further comprising a roller conveyor that transports the seedling boxes in a transport path length direction by a plurality of rollers, and each of the rollers has an axis inclined in the transport path length direction. The seedling box supply device according to claim 1. The seedling box supply device according to claim 5, wherein the rollers are alternately tilted such that the relationship between the adjacent axes is a line-symmetric relationship with respect to a symmetry axis extending in the transport path width direction. The rollers are arranged such that, when a dent extending in the width direction of the conveyance path on the back side of the seedling box passes over the roller, the roller always supports a portion other than the dent. The seedling box supply device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the inclination of the seedling box is set.

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