JP2015000772A - Chopped vegetable supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a chopped vegetable supply device capable of supplying a desired amount while avoiding crushing moisture-containing chopped vegetables.SOLUTION: An upper shutter 40 is provided in an opening/closing manner below a small opening part 32 of a first hopper 30, and a lower shutter 50 is provided in an opening/closing manner below the upper shutter 40. A measuring cylindrical part 60 is provided between the upper shutter 40 and the lower shutter 50, and the measuring cylindrical part 60 houses a set amount of chopped vegetables dropped from the first hopper 30 when the upper shutter 40 is in an open state and the lower shutter is in a closed state. A discharge gate 70 is provided in an opening/closing manner below the lower shutter 50. The discharge gate 70 houses a set amount of chopped vegetables dropped from the measuring cylindrical part 60 when the lower shutter 50 is in a closed state, and drops a set amount of chopped vegetables to a container 2 arranged in a lower side when the lower shutter 50 is in a closed state. Further, a first hopper-vibrating device for vibrating the first hopper 30 when the upper shutter 40 is in an open state is provided.

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for supplying chopped vegetables such as chopped onions.

  In the case where a predetermined amount of chopped vegetables such as green onions is supplied to the lunch box, it has been done by human hands. By the way, a machine for supplying chopped vegetables or the like is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-118581 (Patent Document 1). The apparatus supplies a fixed amount of chopped vegetables by pumping chopped vegetables and the like.

JP-A-11-118581

  When chopped vegetables are supplied by an apparatus such as Patent Document 1, the chopped vegetables are compressed. For example, it is required that chopped onions put as a condiment in a lunch box should not be crushed. However, when the above apparatus is used, the chopped vegetables are crushed because the chopped vegetables are pumped. In this case, the chopped onion as a condiment in the lunch box cannot be supplied to the lunch box using the device.

  Therefore, it is required to drop the chopped vegetables without pumping them. However, since chopped vegetables such as green onions contain moisture, when they are supplied by dropping using a machine, they adhere to the machine parts and cannot supply a desired amount to the container. In particular, when trying to supply a small amount of chopped vegetables, the variation in supply amount becomes large.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a situation, and it aims at providing the chopped vegetable supply apparatus which can supply a desired quantity, preventing the chopped vegetables containing a water from being crushed.

  (Claim 1) The chopped vegetable supply apparatus according to this means is formed in an inverted cylinder shape, accommodates chopped vegetables supplied from a large opening located above, and the chopped vegetables from a small opening located below. A first hopper that drops vegetables; an upper shutter that can be opened and closed below a small opening of the first hopper; a lower shutter that can be opened and closed below the upper shutter; the upper shutter and the lower A measuring cylinder portion provided between the shutters for accommodating a set amount of chopped vegetables dropped from the first hopper when the upper shutter is open and the lower shutter is closed; and below the lower shutter A discharge gate provided in an openable and closable manner when the discharge gate and the upper shutter are in a closed state and the lower shutter is in an open state. A set amount of cut vegetables, and when the lower shutter is closed and the discharge gate is open, a discharge gate that drops the set amount of cut vegetables into a container disposed below; A first hopper vibration device that vibrates the first hopper when the upper shutter is in an open state.

  In general, even when the upper shutter is in the open state, the chopped vegetables are less likely to spontaneously fall into the measuring cylinder because they adhere to the first hopper due to the moisture of the chopped vegetables. In particular, since the purpose is to store and drop the chopped vegetables so as not to be crushed, the adhesion of the individual chopped vegetables is great. However, according to this means, when the first hopper is vibrated by the first hopper vibration device, the adhesion of the chopped vegetables to the first hopper is released, and the chopped vegetables surely fall on the measuring cylinder portion. Furthermore, when falling by the vibration of the first hopper, the minced vegetables do not enter a state in which a large force is given to each other. Therefore, the chopped vegetables that are dropped are not crushed. As a result, the set amount of chopped vegetables is accommodated in the measuring tube portion in a state where it is not crushed.

Below, the suitable aspect of the chopped vegetable supply apparatus which concerns on this means is demonstrated.
(Claim 2) Preferably, a measurement cylinder part vibration device is provided for vibrating the measurement cylinder part when the lower shutter is in an open state. In general, even when the lower shutter is opened, the chopped vegetables are unlikely to fall to the discharge gate because the chopped vegetables may adhere to the measuring cylinder due to the moisture of the chopped vegetables. However, by vibrating the measuring cylinder part by the measuring cylinder part vibration device, the attachment of the chopped vegetables to the measuring cylinder part is released, and the chopped vegetables are reliably dropped to the discharge gate. Furthermore, the chopped vegetables do not enter a state in which a large force is given to each other due to the vibration of the measuring tube portion. Therefore, the chopped vegetables that are dropped are not crushed. As a result, the set amount of chopped vegetables is accommodated in the discharge gate without being crushed.

  (Claim 3) Preferably, the chopped vegetable supply device is formed in an inverted spindle shape, is provided above the first hopper, accommodates the chopped vegetable, and is a small opening in a normally open state located below. And a second hopper vibration device that vibrates the second hopper when the cut vegetables contained in the first hopper fall below a set height. And comprising.

  By providing the second hopper, the amount of chopped vegetables accommodated in the first hopper can be adjusted. If a large amount of chopped vegetables is stored in the first hopper, it is difficult to drop from the first hopper to the measuring cylinder. Therefore, rather than letting the first hopper contain all the chopped vegetables, by dividing the first hopper and the second hopper into the chopped vegetables, the amount of the chopped vegetables contained in the first hopper is made appropriate. Can be adjusted.

  And also in the 2nd hopper, since it adheres to the 2nd hopper with the moisture of chopped vegetables like the 1st hopper, the chopped vegetables cannot fall easily to the 1st hopper. Therefore, by vibrating the second hopper with the second hopper vibration device, the adhesion of the chopped vegetables with the second hopper is released, and the chopped vegetables surely fall to the first hopper.

  Further, the second hopper vibration device vibrates the second hopper when the chopped vegetables accommodated in the first hopper fall below a set height. Thereby, the height of the chopped vegetables accommodated in the first hopper can be within a certain range. Accordingly, the chopped vegetables are accommodated in the first hopper without being crushed. Furthermore, the chopped vegetables existing near the small opening of the first hopper are subjected to gravity depending on the height of the chopped vegetables. That is, the force received by the chopped vegetables existing near the small opening is within a certain range. As a result, when the upper shutter is in the open state, the amount of chopped vegetables supplied from the first hopper to the measuring tube portion becomes a substantially constant amount. That is, since the mutual pressing force of the chopped vegetables supplied to the measuring tube part can be made within a certain range, the amount of the chopped vegetables accommodated in the measuring tube part can be made within a certain range.

  (Claim 4) Preferably, the said chopped vegetable supply apparatus is provided in said 2nd hopper, and conveys the chopped vegetable in said 2nd hopper upwards in said 2nd hopper by rotating itself. Provide a screw.

  Here, in the second hopper, when the area difference between the upper large opening and the lower small opening is large, the chopped vegetables are unlikely to fall from the small opening of the second hopper. Therefore, by oscillating the second hopper by the second hopper vibration device, it becomes easy to drop the chopped vegetables from the second hopper to the first hopper. However, when many chopped vegetables are accommodated in the second hopper, it may not be able to be dropped sufficiently by vibration alone. Therefore, by providing a screw and rotating the screw so as to convey the vegetable upward, a space is easily formed in the small opening of the second hopper. Therefore, the vegetable can be reliably dropped from the second hopper to the first hopper by the cooperation of the screw and the second hopper vibration device.

  (Claim 5) Preferably, the upper shutter or the lower shutter is formed of two plate members that are opposed to each other and are slidable in the opposite direction. A recess is formed in such a way that the dent amount increases as the distance increases.

  By forming a recess in the mutually facing surfaces of each plate material, when the upper shutter or the lower shutter shifts from the open state to the closed state, the chopped vegetables remaining on the upper surface of the shutter gather at the center in the width direction. Then, the next time the shutter is opened, the cut vegetables adhering to the upper surface of the shutter are surely dropped along with the opening operation of the shutter.

  (Claim 6) Preferably, the first hopper is formed of a net. Thereby, the adhesive force by chopped vegetables becomes small, and the chopped vegetables accommodated in the 1st hopper are easy to fall. Therefore, the amount of chopped vegetables falling on the measuring cylinder can be set as the set amount.

It is a front view of the chopped vegetable supply apparatus 1 in a 1st state. It is a side view of the chopped vegetable supply apparatus 1 of FIG. It is a top view of board | plate material 41,42,51,52 which comprises the upper shutter 40 and the lower shutter 50 in the chopped vegetable supply apparatus 1. FIG. It is a top view of the measurement cylinder part 60 in the chopped vegetable supply apparatus 1. FIG. It is 4B-4B sectional drawing in FIG. 4A. It is 5A-5A sectional drawing in FIG. However, the cylinder for driving the lower shutter 50 is not shown. It is 5B-5B sectional drawing in FIG. However, the cylinder for driving the upper shutter 40 is not shown. It is a front view of the chopped vegetable supply apparatus 1 (except the upper hopper 20) in a 2nd state. It is a side view of the chopped vegetable supply apparatus 1 (except the upper hopper 20) of FIG. It is 8A-8A sectional drawing in FIG. However, the cylinder for driving the lower shutter 50 is not shown. It is 8B-8B sectional drawing in FIG. However, the cylinder for driving the upper shutter 40 is not shown. It is a functional block diagram of the chopped vegetable supply apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the 1st control processing by the control apparatus 100 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the 2nd control processing by the control apparatus 100 of FIG.

  The minced vegetable supply apparatus 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated with reference to drawings. The chopped vegetable supply device 1 is an example of a device that supplies pre-chopped leek to, for example, a lunch box 2 or the like. Here, the chopped green onions are chopped green onions in a natural state (not dried). That is, the chopped onion contains moisture and discharges moisture and mucus from the cut surface. The chopped vegetable supply device 1 can be applied to chopped vegetables having moisture, particularly chopped vegetables that discharge mucus, in addition to chopped onions.

  Here, for example, a noodle lunch box contains chopped onions as a condiment. Therefore, the chopped vegetable supply device 1 is used to put chopped onions as a condiment in the lunch box container 2. The amount of chopped onions to be put into the lunch box 2 is, for example, a very small amount of several g (for example, about 5 g). For this reason, even if a small amount of chopped onion is attached to the components of the apparatus, the amount of chopped onion supplied to the lunch box is not the set desired amount. As described above, the chopped onions are easy to adhere to the components of the apparatus because they discharge moisture and mucus. Even in such an environment, the chopped vegetable supply device 1 described below can supply a small set amount of chopped onions to the lunch box 2.

  Hereinafter, while referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 6, and 7, the overall configuration of the chopped vegetable supply apparatus 1 will be described, and some components will be described with reference to other drawings. Here, FIGS. 1, 2, 5 </ b> A, and 5 </ b> B show a first state in which a set amount of onions is moved to the discharge gate 70. On the other hand, FIGS. 6, 7, 8 </ b> A, and 8 </ b> B show a second state in which the onion of the discharge gate 70 is supplied to the lunch box 2 and the onion is supplied to the measuring tube portion 60.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6, and 7, the chopped vegetable supply apparatus 1 includes a conveyor 10, an upper hopper 20 (corresponding to a second hopper), a screw 25, a motor 26, and an upper hopper. Vibrating device 28 (corresponding to the second hopper vibrating device), lower hopper 30, lower hopper vibrating device 35, upper shutter 40, lower shutter 50, measuring tube 60, and measuring tube vibrating device 65, a discharge gate 70, a container detection sensor 80, a height detection sensor 90, and a control device 100 (shown in FIG. 9).

  The conveyor 10 sequentially conveys the lunch box 2 for putting a set amount of chopped onions in the horizontal direction. When the conveyor 10 reaches a position where the lunch container 2 is to be chopped, the conveyance of the lunch container 2 is temporarily stopped. In this state, a set amount of chopped onions is supplied into the lunch box 2 as described below. After that, the conveyor 10 is moved again, and when the next lunch box 2 comes to the position where the chopping is put, it is temporarily stopped. The conveyor 10 repeats this operation.

  The upper hopper 20 (corresponding to the “second hopper” of the present invention) is formed in an inverted spindle shape. That is, the large opening 21 of the upper hopper 20 is located above, and the small opening 22 is located below. The upper hopper 20 is located above the lunch box 2 which is located on the conveyor 10 at the supply position of the onions.

  The upper hopper 20 is provided above the lower hopper 30. And the upper hopper 20 accommodates a large amount of chopped onions. The stored onion is put through the large opening 21 and falls from the small opening 22 toward the lower hopper 30. In other words, the upper hopper 20 has a role of adjusting the amount of chopped onions accommodated in the lower hopper 30.

  Here, the small opening 22 of the upper hopper 20 is always open. However, since the area difference between the small opening 22 and the large opening 21 is large, the chopped onion does not fall from the small opening 22 in the natural state. Therefore, the upper hopper 20 is provided with a screw 25 and an upper hopper vibration device 28.

  The screw 25 is provided in the upper hopper 20 so that the central axis of the screw 25 coincides with the central axis of the upper hopper 20. That is, the screw 25 is disposed so as to extend in the vertical direction. Further, the lower end of the screw 25 is positioned near the small opening 22 of the upper hopper 20.

  A belt 27 is hung on the upper end of the screw 25 between the output shaft of the motor 26. As the motor 26 rotates, the screw 25 rotates. When the screw 25 itself rotates, the blade 25a of the screw 25 moves upward when viewed from the same phase of the screw 25. That is, as the screw 25 rotates, the onions existing near the blades 25 a of the screw 25 are conveyed upward in the upper hopper 20.

  By the above operation of the screw 25, a gap is formed in the vicinity of the small opening 22 of the upper hopper 20. As a result, the onions near the small opening 22 of the upper hopper 20 can fall downward.

  The upper hopper vibration device 28 is a device that vibrates the upper hopper 20. For example, a motor that can rotate an eccentric weight is applied to the upper hopper vibration device 28. That is, the upper hopper 20 is vibrated as the center of gravity of the eccentric weight moves due to the rotation. Here, the upper hopper vibration device 28 starts to operate in response to detection by a height detection sensor 90 described later.

  When the upper hopper vibration device 28 vibrates the upper hopper 20, adhesion of the chopped onion to the upper hopper 20 is released, and the chopped onion falls downward. Furthermore, by the cooperation of the upper hopper vibration device 28 and the screw 25 described above, the onions in the upper hopper 20 fall down more reliably.

  The lower hopper 30 (corresponding to the “first hopper” of the present invention) is formed in an inverted cylinder shape. That is, the large opening 31 of the lower hopper 30 is located above, and the small opening 32 is located below. The lower hopper 30 is sufficiently smaller than the upper hopper 20. The lower hopper 30 is positioned below the upper hopper 20, and a part of the lower end of the upper hopper 20 enters the large opening 31 of the lower hopper 30. Accordingly, the chopped onion is supplied from the large opening 31 by the upper hopper 20.

  The lower hopper 30 includes a cylindrical plate portion 33 that is located above and has a curved metal plate, and a cylindrical mesh portion 34 that is connected to the lower side of the cylindrical plate portion 33 and is formed in a cylindrical shape by a net. That is, the upper opening portion of the cylindrical plate portion 33 corresponds to the large opening portion 31 of the lower hopper 30 described above, and the lower opening portion of the cylindrical mesh portion 34 corresponds to the small opening portion 32 of the lower hopper 30 described above. .

  Since the cylindrical net part 34 is formed of a net, the adhesion force due to the chopping becomes smaller than that of the cylindrical plate part 33. Therefore, the chopped onion accommodated in the tubular net part 34 tends to fall. Furthermore, the cylindrical net part 34 of the lower hopper 30 can visually recognize the internal state from the outside. That is, the height of the chopped onion accommodated in the tubular net 34 can be visually recognized. Therefore, the chopped onions are accommodated in the tubular mesh portion 34 of the lower hopper 30, and the tubular plate portion 33 has a role for guiding the chopped onions dropped from the upper hopper 20 to the tubular mesh portion 34. Note that the entire lower hopper 30 may be formed of a net.

  The lower hopper vibration device 35 is a device that vibrates the lower hopper 30. For example, a motor or the like in which an eccentric weight is rotatable is applied to the lower hopper vibration device 35. That is, the lower hopper 30 is vibrated as the center of gravity of the eccentric weight moves due to the rotation. When the lower hopper vibration device 35 vibrates the lower hopper 30, adhesion to the lower hopper 30 due to the choppings is released, and the choppings fall downward. When falling due to the vibration of the lower hopper 30, the chopped onions do not give each other a large force. Accordingly, the chopped onion is not crushed.

  The upper shutter 40 is provided below the small opening 32 of the lower hopper 30 so that it can be opened and closed. The lower shutter 50 is provided below the upper shutter 40 so as to be openable and closable. Here, the upper shutter 40 and the lower shutter 50 are formed by two plate members 41, 42, 51, 52 that face each other and can slide in the facing direction. That is, when the two plate members 41, 42, 51, 52 overlap in the vertical direction, the shutters 40, 50 are in a closed state, and the two plate members 41, 42, 51, 52 overlap in the vertical direction. If not, the shutters 40 and 50 are open.

  Here, the plate members 41, 42, 51, and 52 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the plate members 41, 42, 51, 52 have the same shape and are formed in a long shape in the sliding direction. Recesses 41 a, 42 a, 51 a, 52 a are formed on the mutually facing surfaces of the plate members 41, 42, 51, 52 so that the dent amount increases toward the center in the width direction. Here, the recesses 41a, 42a, 51a, 52a are of the home base type. In addition, the recesses 41a, 42a, 51a, 52a may have a semicircular arc shape.

  The two plate members 41 and 42 constituting the upper shutter 40 are slidable in the X-axis direction as shown in FIGS. 1, 6, 5A and 8A. The plate members 41 and 42 are moved by cylinders 45 and 46 that are movable in the X-axis direction. The two plate members 51 and 52 constituting the lower shutter 50 are slidable in the Y-axis direction as shown in FIGS. 2, 7, 5B and 8B. The plate members 51 and 52 are moved by cylinders 55 and 56 that are movable in the Y-axis direction. The cylinders 45, 46, 55, and 56 are fixed to a base (not shown). Further, the plate members 41, 42, 51, 52 constituting the upper and lower shutters 40, 50 are slidable in directions orthogonal to each other, but may be slidable in the same direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the measuring tube portion 60 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is provided between the upper shutter 40 and the lower shutter 50. The amount of chopped onion accommodated in the entire inner region of the measuring cylinder portion 60 is a set amount (for example, several g). Depending on the set amount, the inner diameter and the axial length of the measuring cylinder portion 60 are changed. The metering cylinder 60 accommodates a set amount of onions dropped from the lower hopper 30 when the upper shutter 40 is in the open state and the lower shutter 50 is in the closed state. On the other hand, when the upper shutter 40 is in the closed state and the lower shutter 50 is in the opened state, the measuring cylinder unit 60 drops the set amount of the onions stored therein.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 5A and FIG. 8A, the relationship of the position and magnitude | size of the upper shutter 40 and the measurement cylinder part 60 is demonstrated. 5A and 8A, one plate member 41 is hatched. As shown in FIG. 8A, when the upper shutter 40 is in the open state, the edges of the recesses 41 a and 42 a of the plate members 41 and 42 are at positions along the outer peripheral surface of the measuring tube portion 60. Therefore, when the upper shutter 40 is in the open state, the inner region of the measuring tube portion 60 is completely open. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the upper shutter 40 is in the closed state, the plate members 41 and 42 are overlapped over the entire width direction, and therefore the entire inner region of the measuring tube portion 60 is closed.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 5B and FIG. 8B, the relationship of the position and magnitude | size of the lower shutter 50 and the measurement cylinder part 60 is demonstrated. In FIG. 5B and FIG. 8B, one plate material 51 is hatched. As shown in FIG. 5B, when the lower shutter 50 is in the open state, the edges of the recesses 51 a and 52 a of the plate members 51 and 52 are at positions along the outer peripheral surface of the measuring tube portion 60. Therefore, when the lower shutter 50 is in the open state, the inner region of the measuring tube portion 60 is completely open. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the lower shutter 50 is in the closed state, the plate members 51 and 52 are overlapped over the entire width direction, so that the entire inner region of the measuring tube portion 60 is closed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the measuring tube portion vibration device 65 is a device that vibrates the measuring tube portion 60. For example, a motor or the like in which an eccentric weight can be rotated is applied to the measurement cylinder unit vibration device 65. That is, as the center of gravity of the eccentric weight moves due to the rotation, the measuring cylinder portion 60 is vibrated. When the measuring cylinder portion vibration device 65 vibrates the measuring tube portion 60, the adhesion of the choppings to the measuring tube portion 60 is released, and the choppings fall downward.

  The discharge gate 70 is provided below the lower shutter 50 so as to be openable and closable. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the discharge gate 70 has a set amount dropped from the measuring cylinder 60 when the discharge gate 70 and the upper shutter 40 are closed and the lower shutter 50 is open. Contains chopped vegetables. 6 and 7, when the lower shutter 50 is closed and the discharge gate 70 is open, the discharge gate 70 has a set amount in the lunch box 2 disposed below. Drop the chopped onion.

  The container detection sensor 80 is provided adjacent to the conveyor 10 and detects whether the lunch box 2 has reached a specified position on the conveyor 10. In other words, the position at which the container detection sensor 80 detects the lunch box 2 is a position at which chopped onions can be supplied to the lunch box 2 from the discharge gate 70.

  The height detection sensor 90 is provided outside the lower hopper 30 in the radial direction of the tubular mesh portion 34. The height detection sensor 90 is configured such that the height of the chopped onion accommodated in the tubular mesh portion 34 of the lower hopper 30 is equal to or greater than the set height Th (shown in FIGS. 1 and 6). Detect if it falls below.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the control device 100 performs cylinders 45 and 46 for the upper shutter 40, cylinders 55 and 56 for the lower shutter 50, discharge based on the detection results by the container detection sensor 80 and the height detection sensor 90. The gate 70, the motor 26 for driving the screw 25, the upper hopper vibration device 28, the lower hopper vibration device 35, and the measuring tube portion vibration device 65 are driven.

  The control device 100 executes a first control process for supplying a set amount of chopped onion from the discharge gate 70 to the lunch box 2 and a second control process for adjusting the amount of chopped onion stored in the lower hopper 30. .

  The first control process by the control device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The control device 100 determines whether or not the lunch box 2 is detected by the container detection sensor 80 (S1). In this state, the upper shutter 40, the lower shutter 50, and the discharge gate 70 are closed. And until the said detection is performed, the said determination is continued (S1: N).

  When the lunch box 2 is detected by the container detection sensor 80 (S1: Y), the control device 100 opens the discharge gate 70 (S2). Here, the discharge gate 70 has already stored a set amount of onions by a subsequent process. Therefore, the opening of the discharge gate 70 supplies a set amount of chopped onions to the lunch box 2. Subsequent to S2 or simultaneously with S2, the upper shutter 40 is opened (S3). That is, the upper shutter 40 is brought into the state shown in FIG. 8A by driving the cylinders 45 and 46 for the upper shutter 40.

  Subsequently, the lower hopper vibration device 35 is executed for a predetermined time (S4). That is, the lower hopper vibration device 35 vibrates the lower hopper 30 when the upper shutter 40 is in the open state and the lower shutter 50 is in the closed state. When the lower hopper 30 vibrates, the chopped onions accommodated in the lower hopper 30 fall downward by being released from adhesion to the lower hopper 30 without being crushed together.

  In particular, the chopped onions are present in the tubular net portion 34 of the lower hopper 30 and are not present at all in the tubular plate portion 33 or are present only slightly. Accordingly, since the adhesive force due to the chopping is small in the cylindrical net portion 34, the cylindrical net portion 34 falls downward without being crushed against each other by applying the vibration.

  Here, at S4, the upper shutter 40 is in an open state and the lower shutter 50 is in a closed state. Therefore, the chopped onion falling from the lower hopper 30 is accommodated in the measuring cylinder portion 60. When the entire inside of the measuring cylinder portion 60 is filled with chopped onions, no further chopped onions fall from the lower hopper 30. That is, the set amount of onions is accommodated in the measuring cylinder portion 60 in a state where it is not crushed.

  Subsequently, the upper shutter 40 is closed (S5). That is, the cylinders 45 and 46 for the upper shutter 40 are driven to bring the upper shutter 40 into the state shown in FIG. 5A. Subsequent to S5 or simultaneously with S5, the discharge gate 70 is closed (S6). Subsequent to S6 or simultaneously with S6, the lower shutter 50 is opened (S7). That is, the lower shutter 50 cylinders 55 and 56 are driven to bring the lower shutter 50 into the state shown in FIG. 5B.

  Subsequently, the measurement cylinder portion vibration device 65 is executed for a predetermined time (S8). That is, the measuring tube portion vibration device 65 vibrates the measuring tube portion 60 when the lower shutter 50 is in the open state and the upper shutter 40 and the discharge gate 70 are in the closed state. When the measuring cylinder part 60 vibrates, the set amount of chopped onions accommodated in the measuring cylinder part 60 is not crushed and the adhesion to the measuring cylinder part 60 is released. Fall to. Accordingly, the set amount of chopped onions is accommodated in the discharge gate 70 without being crushed. At this time, since the upper shutter 40 is in the closed state, the chopped onion accommodated in the lower hopper 30 does not fall to the measuring tube portion, and the measuring tube portion 60 is in an empty state.

  Subsequently, the lower shutter 50 is closed (S9). That is, the lower shutter 50 cylinders 55 and 56 are driven to bring the lower shutter 50 into the state shown in FIG. 8B. Subsequently, the first control process is returned. That is, the control apparatus 100 continues from S1. Again, the set amount of onions accommodated in the discharge gate 70 is supplied to the next lunch box 2 (S2).

  Next, the second control processing by the control device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The control device 100 determines whether or not the nicks in the lower hopper 30 have fallen below the set height Th of the tubular mesh portion 34 by the height detection sensor 90 (S11). By the first control process by the control device 100, the chopped onion in the lower hopper 30 is supplied to the lunch box 2. During this time, the onions are not supplied from the upper hopper 20 to the lower hopper 30 unless the following operation in the second control process is executed. Then, the onions in the lower hopper 30 are gradually reduced. Therefore, as the height of the chopped onion in the lower hopper 30 decreases, the height detection sensor 90 detects that the chopped onion has fallen below the set height Th. The determination is repeated until the height detection sensor 90 detects it.

  Then, when the height detection sensor 90 detects (S11: Y), the upper hopper vibration device 28 is executed (S12). Then, the upper hopper 20 vibrates. Simultaneously or subsequently, the motor 26 for rotating the screw 25 is driven (S13). Then, the screw 25 rotates and the blade 25a operates to convey the onions upward.

  By these cooperative operations, a space is formed between the chopped onions packed near the small opening 22 of the upper hopper 20, and the chopped onions fall from the upper hopper 20 to the lower hopper 30. This state continues until the set time elapses (S14: N). When the set time has elapsed (S14: Y), the upper hopper vibration device 28 is stopped (S15), and the motor 26 for rotating the screw 25 is stopped (S16). And it returns to S11 again and repeats a process.

  In other words, when the amount of scallion accommodated in the tubular mesh portion 34 of the lower hopper 30 is reduced, the scallion is supplied from the upper hopper 20 to the lower hopper 30. In other words, the chopped onion accommodated in the lower hopper 30 is equal to or less than the set height Th or less than the set height Th. In this way, the height of the onions accommodated in the lower hopper 30 is always within a certain range. Accordingly, the chopped onions are accommodated in the lower hopper 30 without being crushed together.

  Further, the chopped vegetables existing near the small opening 32 of the lower hopper 30 are subjected to gravity depending on the height of the chopped vegetables. That is, the force received by the cut vegetables existing near the small opening 32 is within a certain range. As a result, when the upper shutter 40 is in the open state, the amount of chopped vegetables supplied from the lower hopper 30 to the measuring cylinder portion 60 becomes a substantially constant amount. That is, since the mutual pressing force of the chopped vegetables supplied to the measuring cylinder part 60 can be set within a certain range, the amount of the chopped vegetables accommodated in the measuring cylinder part 60 can be set within a certain range.

  However, as described above, since the amount of onions accommodated in the lower hopper 30 is limited, a large amount of onions cannot be accommodated in the lower hopper 30. Therefore, by dividing the lower hopper 30 and the upper hopper 20 and storing the chopped onions, a large amount of chopped onions can be stored as a whole.

  As described above, according to the chopped vegetable supply device 1, a set amount of chopped onions can be supplied to the lunch box 2. Furthermore, since the chopped green onions are not crushed together, the texture of the green onions is not impaired.

  In addition, recesses 41 a, 42 a, 51 a, 52 a are respectively formed on the mutually opposing surfaces of the two plate members 41, 42, 51, 52 constituting the upper shutter 40 and the lower shutter 50. Thereby, when the upper shutter 40 or the lower shutter 50 shifts from the open state to the closed state, the onions remaining on the upper surfaces of the shutters 40 and 50 gather at the center in the width direction. Then, the next time the shutters 40 and 50 are opened, the onions attached to the upper surfaces of the shutters 40 and 50 are surely dropped along with the opening operation of the shutters 40 and 50.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent scallions from remaining on the upper surfaces of the shutters 40 and 50, so that the quality of the scallions supplied to the lunch box 2 can be improved. Furthermore, the vicinity of the shutters 40 and 50 can be easily cleaned. Furthermore, the quality of the onions falling from the upper shutter 40 to the measuring cylinder portion 60 can be improved.

  In the above embodiment, the onion in the upper hopper 20 is dropped onto the lower hopper 30 by executing vibration by the upper hopper vibration device 28 and rotation by the screw 25. In addition, any one of the screw 25 and the upper hopper vibration device 28 may be used as long as it can be sufficiently dropped. However, the chopped onions can be reliably dropped by the cooperation of the two.

1: chopped vegetable feeder, 2: lunch box, 10: conveyor, 20: upper hopper (second hopper), 21: large opening of upper hopper, 22: small opening of upper hopper, 25: screw, 25a: Blade: 28: vibration device for upper hopper, 30: lower hopper (first hopper), 31: large opening of the lower hopper, 32: small opening of the lower hopper, 34: tube network of the lower hopper, 35: lower Vibrating device for hopper, 40: upper shutter, 50: lower shutter, 41, 42, 51, 52: plate material, 41a, 42a, 51a, 52a: recess, 60: measuring tube portion, 65: vibrating device for measuring tube portion 70: Discharge gate, 80: Container detection sensor, 90: Height detection sensor, 100: Control device

Claims (6)

A first hopper which is formed in an inverted cylinder shape, contains chopped vegetables supplied from a large opening located above, and drops the chopped vegetables from a small opening located below;
An upper shutter provided to be openable and closable below a small opening of the first hopper;
A lower shutter provided to be openable and closable below the upper shutter;
A measuring tube portion provided between the upper shutter and the lower shutter, and storing a set amount of chopped vegetables dropped from the first hopper when the upper shutter is in an open state and the lower shutter is in a closed state; ,
A discharge gate provided to be openable and closable below the lower shutter; when the discharge gate and the upper shutter are in a closed state and the lower shutter is in an open state, Containing the cut vegetables, and when the lower shutter is in the closed state and the discharge gate is in the open state, the discharge gate for dropping a set amount of cut vegetables in the container disposed below;
A vibration device for a first hopper that vibrates the first hopper when the upper shutter is in an open state;
A chopped vegetable supply device.   The chopped vegetable supply apparatus of Claim 1 provided with the vibration apparatus for measurement cylinder parts which vibrate the said measurement cylinder part when the said lower shutter is an open state. The chopped vegetable supply device is:
A second hopper formed in an inverted cylinder shape, provided above the first hopper, containing the chopped vegetables, and dropping toward the first hopper from a small opening in a normally open state located below; ,
A vibration device for a second hopper that vibrates the second hopper when the minced vegetable housed in the first hopper falls below a set height;
The chopped vegetable supply apparatus of Claim 1 or 2 provided with this.   The said minced vegetable supply apparatus is provided in said 2nd hopper, and when it rotates, it comprises the screw which conveys the minced vegetable in said 2nd hopper upwards in said 2nd hopper. Chopped vegetable supply equipment. The upper shutter or the lower shutter is formed by two plate members that are opposed to each other and that are slidable in the facing direction,
The chopped vegetable supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a recess is formed on each of the opposing surfaces of the plate members such that the dent amount increases toward the center in the width direction.   The chopped vegetable supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first hopper is formed of a net.

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