JP2012218877A - Sorting facility - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sorting facility with high design flexibility and free from disfiguring design of a container.SOLUTION: The sorting facility 10 includes a dropping conveyer 16 which conveys an article 12 and drops the article 12 into the container 14, a container conveying device 18 for conveying the empty container 14 to a position for dropping the article 12, a sorting device 20 which reads sorting destination information and sorts the containers 14 according to the sorting destination information, a first information providing device 52 which provides identification information to the container 14 after dropping the article 12 with ink which can dissipate, a reading device 54 which reads the identification information, and a second information providing device 56 which provides information of the article 12 in the container 14 and sorting destination information of the container 14 according to the identification information read by the reading device 54.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sorting facility for storing an article in a container and transporting the container in which the article is stored.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a sorting facility has been developed and disclosed that sorts fruits and vegetables according to grades, drops them (contains) in containers such as boxes, and transports the containers. A weighing machine is provided at the dropping position of the article, and the article is dropped so as to have a predetermined weight. After dropping, identification information for each weighing machine is attached to the container, and the container is transported. The container transport path merges, and the identification information attached to the container is read. The contents of the articles dropped for each weighing machine are managed by a computer, and the contents in the container can be understood by reading the identification information. In accordance with the contents in the container, information on articles in the container and sorting destination information are attached to the container. The sorting destination information is read, and sorting is performed based on the sorting destination information.

  However, the identification information is necessary for the sorting equipment, but is not necessary after shipment. Since the identification information impairs the design of the container, the place where the identification information is attached may be limited. In designing the sorting equipment, there may be restrictions on the printing apparatus and the reading apparatus for the identification information. In some cases, the container is stopped and fixed at the time of printing or reading the identification information, and the container transport efficiency is lowered.

  In the case of Patent Document 1, a needle hole is used as identification information. By reading the position of the needle hole, the container can be identified, and the desired path can be conveyed. However, it is difficult to make a needle hole compared to printing. When the position of the container is shifted, the needle pierces into the container, so that the accuracy of the device for fixing the container is required. Since the position of the needle hole is also limited by the design of the container, the design of the sorting equipment is restricted as in the case of the above printing.

Japanese Patent No. 2925524

  An object of the present invention is to provide a sorting facility that has a high degree of freedom in designing a sorting facility and does not impair the design of the container.

  The sorting facility of the present invention is a sorting facility for storing articles in a container and transporting the container. The sorting equipment transports the article, drops the article into the container at the downstream end (drop conveyor), supplies an empty container to the drop position of the article (container transport device), and drops the article. A first information providing device that attaches identification information to a subsequent container by erasable ink, a reading device that reads the identification information, and an article in the container according to the identification information read by the reading device And a second information assigning device for attaching the container sorting destination information, and a sorting device for reading the sorting destination information and sorting the containers according to the sorting destination information.

  After dropping the article into the container, the first information providing device assigns identification information to the container with ink that can disappear. The identification information is read, and sorting destination information is given to the container. The sorting destination information is read, and the containers are sorted according to the sorting destination information.

  The ink is an ink that disappears by heat, friction, or light of a predetermined wavelength, and includes an erasing device that erases the identification information after reading the sorting destination information, and the erasing device sprays hot air against the identification information; A unit that frictionally contacts the identification information or a unit that irradiates light of a predetermined wavelength to the identification information is provided.

  There are a plurality of transport paths for dropping the articles, and at least one of the internal quality of the articles to be transported, the appearance of the articles, or the weight of the articles differs for each of the transport paths for dropping the articles, A weighing machine for weighing the total weight of the articles is provided at the dropping position of the articles for each conveyance path, and the identification information includes information for distinguishing the weighing machines or information for distinguishing the containers.

  The content of the identification information is displayed by at least one of a bar code, a two-dimensional code, a difference in the printed position of the ink in the container, a difference in the shape of the printed ink, and a difference in the color of the ink.

  In the present invention, since the identification information is described by erasable ink, the identification information is not described in the container at the time of shipment. The identification information may be written at any position of the container, and the design of the container is not impaired by the identification information. There is no restriction on the design and arrangement of the first information providing device and the reading device for attaching the identification information, and the degree of freedom in designing the sorting equipment is increased.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the sorting equipment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of a dropping conveyor. It is a figure which shows the structure of a container conveying apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structure of the 1st information provision apparatus which uses a roller type stamp. It is a figure which shows the example which changes the content of identification information with the position of a container. It is a figure which shows the example which changes the content of identification information with the shape of the printed ink. It is a figure which shows the structure of the erasing apparatus using a hot air.

  The sorting equipment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The articles to be stored are fruits and vegetables such as fruits and vegetables.

  The sorting equipment 10 shown in FIG. 1 transports the articles 12 and drops the articles 12 into the containers 14, the container conveyor 18 that transports the empty containers 14 to the dropping position of the articles 12, and reads the sorting destination information A sorting device 20 for sorting containers 14 according to sorting destination information is provided.

  The dropping conveyor 16 has a large outlet 22 for dropping the article 12 to the container 14, a main dropping conveyor 24 for supplying the article 12 to the large outlet 22, and a small outlet 26 for dropping the article 12 to the container 14. And a sub-drop conveyor 28 for supplying the articles 12 to the dispensing outlet 26 (FIG. 2). A plurality of dropping conveyors 16 may be arranged. The grade of the article 12 may be different for each dropping conveyor 16. Even if the grades of the articles 12 are the same, the articles 12 of the same type may be conveyed by being divided into a plurality of dropping conveyors 16 if the quantity of the articles 12 is large. Equipment for selecting the horizontal conveyor 30 for each article 12 is provided on the upstream side of the horizontal conveyor 30, and the articles 12 are sorted into the desired horizontal conveyor 30.

  The main dropping conveyor 24 and the sub dropping conveyor 28 are provided in parallel. Moreover, the horizontal pulling conveyor 30 which conveys the articles | goods 12 to each conveyor 24 and 26 is also provided. Examples of the conveyors 24, 28, and 30 include a belt conveyor and a roller conveyor. The main dropping conveyor 24 and the sub-dropping conveyor 28 are composed of portions 24x and 28x that move in the x direction and portions 24y and 28y that move in the y direction.

  The main dropping conveyor 24 is made wider than the sub-dropping conveyor 28 to increase the amount of articles 12 that can be conveyed. The upstream ends of the main dropping conveyor 24 and the sub dropping conveyor 28 are aligned. The articles 12 are transported by the horizontal conveyor 30 to the upstream ends of the main dropping conveyor 24 and the sub-dropping conveyor 28, but many articles 12 are stochastically transferred to the main dropping conveyor 24. Further, the large outlet 22 is wider than the small outlet 26, and a plurality of articles 12 can be dropped at a time.

  The container transfer device 18 includes a first transfer unit 32 that transfers and waits for the container 14, a second transfer unit 34 that transfers the container 14 to the dropping position of the article 12, and a second transfer from the first transfer unit 32. The container supply means 36 which supplies the container 14 to the means 34 is provided (FIG. 2, FIG. 3).

  A plurality of first transfer means 32 are provided, and the types of the containers 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d are different for each first transfer means 32. Reference numerals 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d are 14 unless otherwise specified in the description. The first transfer means 32 is a belt conveyor or a roller conveyor. The first transfer means 32 are arranged in the vertical direction (z direction in the figure). The first transfer means 32 transfers the container 14 and makes the container 14 stand by beside the container supply means 36. The container 14 is a cardboard box or a container.

  A container supply means 36 is arranged adjacent to the side of the first transfer means 32. The container supply means 36 includes a vertical chute 38 that becomes a trajectory for dropping the container 14, a first pusher 40 that pushes the container 14 from the first transfer means 32 to the vertical chute 38, and a bottom 44 of the vertical chute 38. The second transfer means 34 includes a second pusher (not shown) for pushing out the container 14. The vertical chute 38 is provided with an opening 42 for allowing the container 14 to pass adjacent to the second transfer means 34.

  The first pusher 40 pushes the container 14 onto the vertical chute 38, the container 14 drops to the bottom 44 of the vertical chute 38, and the second pusher moves the container 14 to the second transfer means 34 outside the vertical chute 38. Extrude. The vertical chute 38 causes the container 14 to drop vertically without changing the direction of the container 14. Each time the container 14 is supplied to the second transfer means 34, the first transfer means 32 transfers the container 14 and makes the container 14 stand by at a position adjacent to the container supply means 36.

  If the container 14 is a cardboard box, a device for assembling the cardboard box is provided on the upstream side of the first transfer means 32.

  The second transfer means 34 is provided adjacent to the dropping position of the article 12. The second transfer means 34 is for transferring the container 14 waiting at the position adjacent to the drop position to the drop position. The second transfer means 34 has a plurality of gaps along the transfer direction of the container 14, and a comb-shaped pusher is disposed below the place where the container 14 is placed. The comb 14 of the comb-shaped pusher is lifted from the gap by the air cylinder, the comb-shaped pusher is driven in the transport direction, and the container 14 is pushed, thereby transporting the container 14 to the dropping position. After the transfer of the container 14, the comb-shaped pusher is lowered and returned to its original position. The container 14 may be pushed together with the container 14 in which the article 12 is dropped at the dropping position. In addition, the 2nd transfer means 34 is not limited to a comb-shaped pusher, A roller conveyor etc. may be sufficient if it is a means to transfer the container 14 to a dropping position.

  A weighing machine 46 is provided at the dropping position of the article 12. There are two weighing machines 46, a main weighing machine 48 and a sub weighing machine 50. The article 12 is dropped into the container 14 while the weight of the article 12 is weighed. The main weigher 48 and the sub-weigher 50 are disposed at the downstream end of the main dropping conveyor 24 and the sub-dropping conveyor 28 described later.

  The main dropping conveyor 24 drops the article 12 to a value that is equal to or less than the prescribed amount of the article 12 to be stored in the container 14 and close to the prescribed amount. A value close to the specified amount will be described below as a first weight value, and the specified amount as a second weight value. A main weigher 48 is provided below the large outlet 22, and when a plurality of articles 12 are dropped from the main dropping conveyor 24 and stored in the container 14, the container 14 is placed on the main weighing machine 48. The article 12 is dropped until the total weight of the article 12 reaches the first weight value. After reaching the first weight value, the main dropping conveyor 24 is stopped, the container 14 is moved, and the article 12 is put into the container 14 from the dispensing outlet 26.

  Before the container 14 is placed on the main weighing machine 48 and the article 12 is dropped, the weight of the container 14 is measured, and the main weighing machine 48 and the sub weighing machine 50 subtract the weight of the container 14 from the weight to be measured. Like that. The first weight value and the second weight value may be defined including the weight of the container 14.

  A sub-weigher 50 is provided below the dispensing port 26, and when the article 12 is dropped from the sub-drop conveyor 28 and stored in the container 14, the container 14 is placed on the sub-weigher 50. After one article 12 is dropped into the container 14 and weighed by the sub-weighing machine 50, the dropping speed of the article 12 on the sub-drop conveyor 28 is adjusted so that the next article 12 is dropped. Dropping of the article 12 can be stopped when the total weight of the article 12 reaches the second weight value, and the article 12 having only the second weight value can be stored in the container 14. In addition to adjusting the speed of the sub-drop conveyor 28, a gate may be provided. When weighing is possible with the sub-weighing machine 50, the gate is opened, the article 12 is dropped, and the gate is closed.

  When the article 12 is a fruit or vegetable, the weight of the fruit or vegetable is slightly different from each other, so that the second weight value cannot be always obtained. For this reason, the second weight value includes a certain range, and when the second weight value falls within this range, the dropping of the article 12 is finished.

  Since the main dropping conveyor 24 and the sub dropping conveyor 28 are arranged, a main weighing machine 48 and a sub weighing machine 50 are also arranged. After the article 12 is stored on the main weighing machine 48, the sub weighing machine 48 is arranged. The container 14 can be moved over 50. In order to make it easy to drop the article 12, the main weighing machine 48 and the sub weighing machine 50 may be provided with means for inclining the container 14. A device such as a roller for moving the container 14 to the outside of the sub-weighing machine 50 after the article 12 reaches the second weight value by the sub-weighing machine 50 is provided in the mounting portion of the container 14 of the sub-weighing machine 50. . The container 14 is transported from the sub weighing machine 50 toward the sorting device 20.

  The sorting destination information is attached to the container 14 until the container 14 is transported to the sorting device 20. Also, information on the article 12 in the container 14 such as the grade, size, and total weight of the article 12 in the container 14 is described in the container 14. For this purpose, the first information providing device 52 that attaches identification information to the container 14 after dropping the article 12 with erasable ink, the reading device 54 that reads the identification information, and the identification information that is read by the reading device 54 Accordingly, a second information providing device 56 for attaching the information of the article 12 in the container 14 and the sorting destination information of the container 14 is provided.

  The dropping conveyor 16, the container transport device 18, the sorting device 20, the weighing machine 46, the first information providing device 52, the reading device 54, and the second information providing device 56 are connected by a communication line, and a computer for controlling them is provided. The computer manages information on the contents and appearance of the articles 12 dropped by the dropping conveyor 16 and information such as the total weight of the articles 12 dropped on the containers 14 in the weighing machines 48 and 50. In addition, the first information providing device 52, the reading device 54, and the second information providing device 56 communicate with each other so that the devices 52, 54, and 56 perform operations as described later.

  The first information providing device 52 is a device that attaches identification information to the container 14 with erasable ink. As identification information, it is the information which distinguishes the weighing machine 46 which dropped the articles | goods 12, or the serial number of the container 14 which distinguishes each container 14. FIG. The information for distinguishing the weighing machine 46 may be information for distinguishing the dropping conveyor 16. Identification information is given to the container 14 by a command from the computer.

  The ink is ink that is erased in response to heat, friction (including frictional heat), or light of a predetermined wavelength. As an example of the ink that can be lost by heat, an aqueous coloring liquid obtained by coloring a phthalein pH indicator with a basic substance may contain cyclodextrin and its derivatives. Examples of the phthalein pH indicator include phenolphthalein. Examples of the basic substance include sodium carbonate. Specific examples of cyclodextrins and derivatives thereof include α-, β-, and γ-cyclodextrins.

  The ink that disappears with time may also be used. The ink is not erased until the identification information is read, and then the ink is erased when the container 14 is sorted and shipped. The erasing device 66 for the container 14 may not be provided, and the equipment is simplified.

  Since the identification information is lost, the position to which the identification information is attached is not limited. Identification information can be attached regardless of the pattern or color of the container 14. For example, the contrast of the identification information is increased by using a color complementary to the color of a pattern, a picture, or a character drawn on the container 14 or the container 14 as the color of the identification information. When reading the identification information, reading errors can be prevented.

  Examples of the first information providing device 52 include an ink jet printer, a roller type stamp, and a stamp type stamp. The roller type stamp 58 includes a roller type marking surface 60 and an ink tank 62 that supplies ink to the marking surface 60 (FIG. 4). The ink tank 62 is replenished with ink or the ink tank 62 is replaced, and identification information is continuously given. In the case of a stamp, a plurality of types of stamps having different ink colors and printed contents may be provided.

  The contents of the identification information are displayed based on the barcode, the two-dimensional code, the difference in the printed position of the ink in the container 14, the difference in the shape of the printed ink, and the difference in the color of the ink. A plurality of these may be combined. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the printing position of the identification information 64 in the container 14 is changed, the length (shape) of the ink printed as the identification information 64 is changed as shown in FIG. Or use a color barcode. The difference in the shape of the ink includes various physical differences such as characters, figures, symbols, patterns, and their sizes and lengths.

  Unlike the device for making a needle hole, the first information providing device 52 does not require a complicated device. There is no need to fix the container 14 in order to open the needle hole, and the configuration is simplified. With the roller-type stamp 58, identification information can be given while the container 14 is being transported, and the transport efficiency of the container 14 is increased. Further, even in the case of a stamp type stamp, the time for stopping the container 14 is short, and the conveyance efficiency of the container 14 is high.

  A device for automatically sealing the container 14 is provided. The container 14 is sealed until the container 14 is sorted so that the articles 12 in the container 14 do not jump out of the container 14 during sorting. Further, a plurality of transport paths of the containers 14 are combined with the joining conveyor after the identification information is attached by the first information imparting device 52, and the transport paths of the containers 14 having different contents of the articles 12 in the containers 14 are one. Be transported.

  The device 54 that reads the identification information irradiates the identification information with light, receives the reflected light, and reads the identification information. Therefore, a light emitting element such as a laser diode or a light emitting diode and a light receiving element such as a photodiode or a phototransistor are provided. Note that the identification information may be read by photographing the identification information and performing image processing.

  The read identification information is sent to the computer. In the computer, information on the content of the article 12 stored in the container 14 in each weighing machine 46 is stored. Information on the contents of the article 12 includes the quality, appearance, total weight, and the like of the article 12. For citrus, it is grade, size, and total weight. Further, the computer stores information that associates with which to sort according to the contents of the article 14 stored in the container 14. In accordance with the identification information, the information on the article 12 in the container 14 and the sorting destination information on the container 14 are transmitted from the computer to the second information providing device 56. The container 14 is conveyed in order, and if the information is sent to the second information providing device 56 in order, the second information providing device 56 can attach the information to the container 14 in order.

  The second information providing device 56 provides the container 14 with the information on the article 12 in the container 14 and the sorting destination information on the container 14 received from the computer. That is, the second information providing device 56 attaches the information on the article 12 in the container 14 and the sorting destination information on the container 14 according to the read identification information. Information on the article 12 in the container 14 can be recognized by a human. For example, the grade, size, and total weight used for displaying citrus are listed. The sorting destination information indicates the transport route of the container 14 when sorting by the sorting device 20. Optically readable such as a barcode. Unlike the identification information, the information added by the second information providing device 56 is attached with ink that does not disappear.

  An erasing device 66 for erasing the identification information attached to the container 14 is provided. It is a device that blows hot air against the ink of the identification information of the container 14, makes frictional contact, or irradiates light of a predetermined wavelength. These are selected according to the type of ink. For example, there is a device that blows the heat of the heater 70 onto the ink of the identification information by the fan 68 (FIG. 7). Further, it may be a device that frictionally contacts the identification information with a cloth or the like. In any apparatus, the identification information can be easily deleted during the conveyance of the container 14, and the conveyance efficiency is not lowered.

  The sorting apparatus 20 is configured such that the conveyance path of the container 14 is branched into a plurality of parts. A normal conveyor for transporting the containers 14 along the transport path and a branch conveyor for branching the transport path are provided. A device for reading the sorting destination information of the container 14 is also provided. The containers 14 are sorted and shipped.

  As described above, the present invention is described using ink that can erase identification information. The identification information is erased before the article 12 stored in the container 14 is shipped. Therefore, the identification information may be attached to any position of the container 14 regardless of the design of the container 14. The degree of freedom of arrangement and design of the first information providing device 52 and the reading device 54 is increased. Depending on the design, it is not necessary to stop or fix the container 14, unlike the case of making a needle hole, so that the conveyance efficiency of the container 14 is increased.

  In addition, the present invention can be carried out in a mode in which various improvements, modifications, and changes are added based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the gist thereof.

10: Sorting equipment 12: Article 14: Container 16: Drop conveyor (Dropping means)
18: Container transfer device (supplying means)
20: Sorting device 22: Large outlet 24: Main dropping conveyor 26: Small outlet 28: Sub-drop conveyor 30: Horizontal conveyor 32: First transfer means 34: Second transfer means 36: Container supply means 38: Vertical Chute 40: first pusher 42: opening 44: opening 46: weighing machine 48: main weighing machine 50: sub weighing machine 52: first information giving device 54: reading device 56: second information giving device 58: roller type Stamp 60: Marking surface 62: Tank 64: Identification information 66: Erasing device 68: Fan 70: Heater

Claims (4)

A sorting facility for storing articles in a container and transporting the container,
Means for conveying the article and dropping the article into a container at a downstream end;
Means for supplying an empty container to the dropping position of the article;
A first information providing device that attaches identification information to the container after dropping the article with erasable ink;
A reader for reading the identification information;
A second information providing device for attaching information on articles in the container and sorting destination information of the container according to the identification information read by the reading device;
A sorting device that reads the sorting destination information and sorts the containers according to the sorting destination information;
Sorting equipment equipped with. The ink is ink that disappears by heat, friction or light of a predetermined wavelength,
An erasing device for erasing identification information after reading the sorting destination information;
2. The sorting equipment according to claim 1, wherein the erasing device comprises means for blowing hot air against the identification information, means for frictional contact with the identification information, or means for irradiating the identification information with light of a predetermined wavelength. There are a plurality of transport paths for dropping the article,
At least one of the internal quality of the article to be conveyed, the appearance of the article, or the weight of the article differs for each conveyance path for dropping the article,
A weighing machine that weighs the total weight of the articles at the drop position of the articles for each conveyance path;
The sorting equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the identification information includes information for distinguishing weighing machines or information for distinguishing containers. The content of the identification information is displayed by at least one of a bar code, a two-dimensional code, a difference in printed position of ink in the container, a difference in shape of printed ink, and a difference in color of ink. 1 to 3 sorting equipment.

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