JP2016101555A - Fruit vegetable transportation selecting method, fruit vegetable transportation selecting apparatus, and fruit vegetable placing tray - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fruit vegetable transportation selecting method, a fruit vegetable transportation selecting apparatus and a fruit vegetable selecting tray, in which an empty tray unable to carry a fruit vegetable is reduced so that a fruit vegetable transportation efficiency or a selecting efficiency may be improved without increasing a labor cost, but not to have the increment of a labor cost.SOLUTION: A transporter for transporting a tray comprises at least a put-on part, a confluent part and a single-row transfer part. The put-on part is arranged in parallel with two or more lows of conveyors in a working area in front of a worker for placing vegetables on a tray and of a range for said operator to carry the vegetables. In a placing part, fruit vegetables are placed one by one on the individual trays to be transferred in two or more rows on the individual trays, and the trays being transferred on the conveyors of two or more rows are made confluent into one row and sent to a single row transportation part. In this single row transportation part, the fruit vegetables on the tray being transported are measured by a measurement part so that their identical grades are discriminated, and the discriminated fruit vegetables are sent out, while being carried on the trays, to a pool conveyor sideway of the transfer part so that they are classified.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention measures the shape, size, sugar content, weight, etc. of fruit vegetables with measuring instruments such as an image sensor, an optical sensor, a sugar meter, a weight meter, etc. The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for transporting and sorting fruit vegetables that can discriminate the classes and classify the identified fruit and vegetables according to equal classes, and a fruit and vegetables transport and sorting device, and a fruit and vegetables mounting tool (hereinafter referred to as a “tray”). In particular, it is suitable for transporting and sorting fruit and vegetables that have a direction like a strawberry and are easily damaged.

  The present applicant, as a device for sorting while transporting strawberries, transports strawberries placed on a thick disc-shaped tray, measures the shape, size, etc. of strawberries during transport, and based on the measurement results, An apparatus (Patent Document 1) for discriminating equal classes has been proposed. As an apparatus that can be used to select easily damaged fruit vegetables such as strawberries, an apparatus using a tray called a free tray or a bread (Patent Document 2) has been proposed in addition to the above-described apparatus.

JP 2007-204235 A JP 2005-255297 A

  In the apparatuses of Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is necessary to place strawberries one by one on a tray that is moving the fruit vegetable carrier. Although this operation is performed manually by an operator, if the tray transport speed is high, strawberries cannot be placed on all trays, and empty trays (hereinafter referred to as “empty trays”) may be transported. there were. On the other hand, if the tray transport speed is slowed down, empty trays can be reduced, but the transport quantity per unit time is reduced, resulting in a problem that the fruit vegetable transport efficiency and the fruit selection efficiency deteriorate.

  In order to solve the above problem, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 3 to 5 of the cited document 2, two fruit vegetable carriers are placed in front of the worker (an area where one worker can place fruit vegetables: a work area). It is conceivable to increase the fruit transport efficiency and the fruit selection efficiency by merging the fruit and vegetables transported by the fruit and vegetable transport bodies in both rows in the transport direction ahead. Labor costs increase because it is necessary to place a worker who places the fruit and vegetables on each fruit carrier.

  Also, scratches, colors, deformations, etc. of parts that cannot be measured (or are difficult to measure) by various measuring instruments such as an image sensor, an optical sensor, and a weight sensor, such as the bottom part of fruit vegetables, are measured prior to measurement by the measuring instrument. In some cases, an operator may make a visual judgment before placing fruit vegetables on the tray. As a result of visual judgment, the tray on which fruit vegetables are placed is shifted (moved) to a row different from the original transport row, the sensor detects which row the tray is in, and the result of visual discrimination is measured by the measuring instrument. Combined with the measurement result in, the class of fruit vegetables was determined. For example, when scratches are found in fruit vegetables, the tray is moved to one side in the width direction of the fruit vegetable carrier (for example, the worker side), and when a dent is found, the tray is moved to the other side in the width direction of the fruit vegetable carrier (for example, the worker ), When there is no problem such as scratches or dents, the tray is transported without being moved in any direction. In this way, the applicant of the present application refers to tracking so that the result of visual judgment can be confirmed and discriminated.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is that the number of workers is the same as that of conventional workers, and the tray transport speed is too high so that fruit vegetables cannot be loaded and many empty trays do not appear. By improving the quantity of fruit vegetables transported per unit time, it is possible to improve the efficiency of fruit and vegetables transportation and the efficiency of fruit selection, and the fruit and vegetables transportation and sorting method that does not cause problems such as increased labor costs. To provide an apparatus. Another object of the present invention is to provide a tray that can be tracked without moving the tray.

[Fruits and vegetables sorting method]
The fruit vegetable transport and selection method of the present invention measures at least one of the measurement items such as shape, size, sugar content, color, and weight while transporting the fruit vegetables on a tray, and based on the measurement results, etc. In the fruit and vegetable transport sorting method for discriminating the class and sorting the fruits and vegetables being transported by equal class while being placed on the tray, the transport body that transports the tray includes at least a loading part, a merging part, and a single-line transport part, The loading part is located in front of the worker who places the fruit and vegetables on the tray, and two or more rows of conveyors are arranged in parallel in the work area in which the worker can place the fruit and vegetables. Each fruit tray is loaded one by one, and the trays being transported by the two or more conveyors are merged at the merge section, aligned in a row, sent to the single-row transport section, and transported by the single-row transport section On the inside tray A vegetable transporting and sorting method in which vegetables are measured by a measuring unit to determine an equal class of fruit vegetables, and the determined fruit vegetables are placed on a tray and sent to a side receiving body (hereinafter referred to as a “pool conveyor”) for sorting. It is. In the present invention, a series of operations including measurement during conveyance, equal class discrimination based on the measurement result, and sorting based on the determination result is referred to as selection.

  In the fruit vegetable transport and selection method, the tray is provided with a tracking switch, and after the operator visually identifies the fruit vegetables, before or after placing them on the trays conveyed by the conveyor of two or more rows, the visual distinction is made. If necessary, the tracking switch is operated, and the equal class of fruit vegetables is comprehensively determined based on the visual determination result by the tracking switch operation and the determination result by the measurement in the measurement unit, and the comprehensive determination result is obtained. Based on this, the tray can be sent to the pool conveyor for sorting.

  In the method for transporting and sorting fruit vegetables, the tray has a directional fruit and vegetable receiving section (hereinafter referred to as “receiving section”), and the tray is rotated horizontally before placing the fruit and vegetables in a certain direction. It is also possible to carry fruit vegetables one by one on the tray receiving portion.

  In the fruit and vegetable transport and sorting method, the trays arranged in a line are separated to widen the transport interval between the trays, and then sent to the measurement unit. After the fruits and vegetables are measured by the measurement unit, the front and rear trays are measured ahead of the measurement unit. It is also possible to transport the sheet with or without being packed at the same or narrow interval as before the expansion of the conveyance interval.

  In the above-described method for transporting and sorting fruit vegetables, it is possible to take out the fruit vegetables after sorting and return the tray that has been emptied to the loading part or the front side by the return path.

  In the fruit vegetable conveying and sorting method, an empty tray returned on the return path can be washed, and the washed tray can be dried.

[Fruit vegetables conveying and sorting device]
The fruit vegetable conveying and sorting apparatus of the present invention measures at least one of the measurement items such as shape, size, sugar content, color, weight, etc. while conveying the fruit vegetables on a tray, and based on the measurement results, etc. In the fruit and vegetable transport sorting device that discriminates the class and sorts the fruits and vegetables being transported on the tray by equal class, a large number of trays on which the fruits and vegetables can be placed, the transport body that transports these trays, and the transport body that is transporting A measuring unit that measures fruit vegetables on the tray, a sorting part that sends out the trays on which the measured fruit vegetables are placed according to the equal class, and a pool conveyor that takes over the trays that have been sorted and sent out The transport body has a loading section in which two or more conveyors are arranged in parallel in the work area in front of the operator, a merging section that merges trays conveyed by the conveyor, And a single-line transport unit that transports the trays in a single row, and the sorting unit can send out the trays transported by the transport body to the pool conveyor on the side of the transport body with fruit vegetables on it. .

  The fruit vegetable conveying and sorting apparatus can also be provided with a standby unit that can make a large number of trays stand by before the loading unit.

  The fruit vegetable conveying and sorting apparatus may be provided with a return path for taking over the empty tray after removing the fruit vegetables on the pool conveyor from the pool conveyor and returning it to the standby section or the loading section. The return path can be installed under the transport body, and the transport body and the return path can be arranged in two upper and lower stages.

  The fruit vegetable conveying and sorting apparatus includes a receiving portion on which the tray can place fruit vegetables in a predetermined direction, and the tray fed from the standby unit or the return path is arranged in a predetermined direction before the two or more rows of conveyors of the loading portion. It is also possible to provide an aligning portion that is aligned with each other.

  In the fruit vegetable conveying and sorting apparatus, the aligning section includes a rotation drive body and a guide rail, the guide rail protrudes above the conveyor of the alignment section, and the rotation drive body horizontally rotates the tray so that the bottom of the bottom opening of the tray A groove can be fitted to the guide rail so that the tray can be aligned in a predetermined orientation.

  In the fruit transporting and sorting apparatus, the tray is provided with a tracking switch, and the tracking switch can be switched based on a result of visual discrimination of the fruit and vegetables to be placed on the tray by an operator, and a signal based on the operation is transmitted to the determination unit. Can be.

  In the fruit vegetable conveying and sorting apparatus, the tray includes a tracking switch, and the tracking switch can be switched based on the result of visual discrimination of the fruit vegetables placed on the tray by a worker, and a switch detection unit that can determine the switching state of the tracking switch It is also possible to comprehensively determine the equal class of fruit vegetables based on the visual discrimination result by the switch detection unit and the measurement discrimination result by the measurement unit.

  The fruit vegetable conveying and sorting apparatus has a separating part at the end of the merging part, and separates the conveying interval of the tray by the separating part and then sends it to the measuring part so that the fruit vegetables on the tray can be individually measured. May be.

  The fruit vegetable conveying and sorting apparatus may be provided with an interval stuffing unit so that the conveying interval of the trays separated by the separating unit is packed and then sent to the sorting unit.

  The fruit vegetable conveying and sorting apparatus may be provided with a measuring instrument capable of measuring any one or more of measurement items such as the shape, size, weight, color, sugar content and the like of the fruit vegetables in the measuring unit.

  The fruit vegetable conveying and sorting apparatus may include a cleaning unit that cleans the tray and a drying unit that dries the tray that has been cleaned by the cleaning unit in the middle of the return path or before the transporting body.

[Tray for fruit and vegetables]
The fruit and vegetable tray according to the present invention is a fruit and vegetable tray that is transported on the transport body and transports the fruit and vegetable during transport, and includes a receiving portion for placing the fruit and vegetables on the top surface of the tray body, and the bottom surface of the tray body. A bottom groove with a downward opening is provided, a tracking switch is provided on the tray body, the receiving portion has a directional shape on which fruit vegetables can be placed in a predetermined orientation, and the bottom groove is aligned when the tray body is rotated. It is formed in an elongated shape so that the receiving portion can be aligned in a certain direction by fitting with a guide rail protruding above the conveyor of the part, and the tracking switch visually discriminates the fruit vegetables placed on the tray by the operator Switching operation can be performed based on the result.

  The tray for fruit and vegetables is provided with an elongated lateral groove in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the tray main body, and the lateral groove is fitted with a correction guide in the transport body while the tray is transported, and the receiving portion is in a predetermined direction. Thus, the tray can be rotated in a straightening manner.

The fruit vegetable conveyance sorting method of the present invention has the following effects according to its configuration.
(1) Since two or more rows of conveyors are arranged in parallel in the work area of the loading section, the same number of trays as the trays to be conveyed by one row of conveyors are conveyed even if the tray conveying speed by several rows of conveyors is slowed down. be able to. For this reason, it becomes easier for an operator to place fruit and vegetables on the tray conveyed by the conveyor in the work area in front of him, and it is possible to reliably place fruit and vegetables on many trays, and the conveyance speed is too fast to fully load the fruit and vegetables. Passing through the work area with an empty tray (empty tray) is almost eliminated, and the loading efficiency on the tray is improved, so the number of workers is the same as the previous number of workers without increasing the number of workers. Fruit vegetables can be placed on the same number of trays as the previous tray or more so that empty trays cannot be formed, and labor costs do not increase.
(2) When the orientations of the tray receiving portions are aligned, it becomes easy to place the fruits and vegetables in the same orientation. In the case of strawberries, for example, the vines can be easily placed on the worker side.
(3) If two or more trays are not sent to the measurement unit at a time if they are sent to the measurement unit after separating the tray conveyance interval, it is possible to reliably and accurately measure the fruits and vegetables one by one.
(4) When the conveyance interval of the tray is reduced after the measurement, the conveyance efficiency is better than when sorting with the conveyance interval kept apart.
(5) When a tray having a tracking switch is used, it is possible to make a uniform classification based on both the visual determination of the operator and the measurement determination by the measuring instrument, so that it is possible to make a fine classification. .
(6) When the trays that have been emptied after sorting are returned by the return path after sorting, continuous transport and sorting can be performed by repeatedly using the emptied tray.
(7) When a tray that has been emptied after use is washed and the washed tray is dried and then returned to the transport body for use, the sorting operation can be performed in a sanitary manner.

The fruit vegetable conveying and sorting apparatus of the present invention has the following effects depending on its configuration.
(1) Since two or more conveyors are arranged in parallel in the work area of one worker, when conveying the same number of trays as before, it can be transported at a slower speed than before, and it becomes easy to place fruit vegetables. Can reduce the empty tray. Since empty trays are reduced, fruit vegetable transport efficiency and fruit selection efficiency are improved.
(2) Since two or more rows of conveyors are arranged in parallel in the work area of one worker, the same number of trays can be conveyed as in the conventional case even if the conveyance speed is slow, The same number of workers as the conventional number of workers can be placed on the slow tray so that the empty tray does not come out, thereby improving the conveyance efficiency.
(3) In the case where the alignment unit is provided, the trays can be transported with a certain orientation, so that the fruit vegetables can be easily placed in the same direction. If it is sent out to the pool conveyor in the aligned direction (if sorted), the subsequent work, for example, boxing work becomes easy.
(4) When the separation unit is provided, the conveyance interval of the trays being conveyed can be separated and then sent to the measurement unit, so that two or more trays are not sent to the measurement unit at a time, so It can be measured reliably and accurately one by one.
(5) When the interval filling unit is provided, the conveyance interval of the separated trays can be reduced, so that the conveyance efficiency is improved as compared with the case where the separation is performed with the conveyance interval being separated.
(6) When the return path is provided, the empty tray after the fruit vegetables are taken out can be returned to the standby section or the transport body, so that the trays can be repeatedly used to continuously carry the fruit vegetables. Work efficiency is greatly improved.
(7) When a washing unit and a drying unit are provided in the middle of the return path, the tray can be washed by the washing unit and the tray can be dried by the drying unit, so that fruit and vegetables can be selected hygienically.

The tray for fruit and vegetables of this invention has the following effect according to the structure.
(1) Since a tracking switch is provided, it is only necessary to operate the switch according to visual discrimination, and there is no need to transfer the tray to another conveyor row (conveyance lane) based on visual discrimination as in the prior art. . For this reason, the transfer conveyor row can be used as the original conveyor row, and the number of conveyor rows can be increased. When the number of conveyor rows is not increased, the installation space for the transport body is reduced.
(2) Since there is a bottom groove, the tray can be rotated to align the tray receiving portion in a certain direction.
(3) Since there is a lateral groove, the orientation can be corrected to an aligned state even if the orientation is shifted during conveyance.

The top view which shows an example of the fruit vegetable conveyance sorting apparatus of this invention. An example of the waiting part in the fruit vegetable conveyance sorting apparatus of this invention is shown, Comprising: (a) is a top view, (b) is BB sectional drawing of (a), (c) is C arrow of (a). Visual view. An example of the alignment part in the fruit vegetable conveyance sorting apparatus of this invention is shown, Comprising: (a) is a top view, (b) is a partial perspective view of (a). (A) is side explanatory drawing of the alignment part in the fruit vegetable conveyance sorting apparatus of this invention, (b) is BB direction explanatory drawing of (a) in the middle of alignment in an alignment part, (c) is after alignment in an alignment part (A) CC direction explanatory drawing of (a). An example of the mounting part in the fruit vegetable conveyance sorting apparatus of this invention is shown, Comprising: (a) is a top view, (b) is a B arrow view of (a), (c) is C section expansion of (b). Figure. An example of the confluence | merging part in the fruit vegetable conveyance sorting apparatus of this invention is shown, Comprising: (a) is a top view, (b) is a BB arrow view of (a), (c) is C of (a). -C arrow line view, (d) is the DD arrow line view of (a). An example from the separation part to a measurement part in the fruit vegetable conveyance sorting apparatus of this invention is shown, Comprising: (a) is a top view, (b) is a side view of (a). The top view which shows an example of the sorting part and pool conveyor in the fruit vegetable conveyance sorting apparatus of this invention. An example of the tray for fruit and vegetables of this invention is shown, Comprising: (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a front view, (c) is a top view, (d) is a bottom view.

(Embodiment)
An example of the fruit vegetable conveyance sorting apparatus 1 of this invention is demonstrated with reference to drawings. The illustrated fruit vegetable A is a case of strawberry, and the tray 2 is a case where the upper surface is provided with a depression (receiving portion) 3 (FIG. 9) having a strawberry shape. Although FIG. 1 demonstrates as an example the case where the two fruit vegetable conveyance sorting apparatuses 1 are used side by side, the fruit vegetable conveyance sorting apparatus 1 can be used by one, or can arrange | position and use three or more.

[Fruit vegetables conveying and sorting device]
The fruit vegetable conveying and sorting apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 conveys the standby unit 4 that waits for a large number of trays 2, the alignment unit 15 that aligns the trays 2 sent from the standby unit 4, and the trays 2 that are sent from the alignment unit 15. A transport body 5, a pool conveyor 6 that takes over the tray 2 fed from the transport body 5, and a return path (return lane) 7 that returns the tray 2 on the pool conveyor 6 that has been emptied by boxing or the like to the standby unit 4. Yes.

[tray]
An example of the tray 2 shown in FIGS. 9 (a) to 9 (d) is a resin-molded disk, and is provided with a recess (receiving portion) 3 on which the fruit vegetables A can be placed on the upper surface 2a. It has been. The receiving part 3 can be made into various shapes according to the shape of the fruit vegetables to be placed, and since the tray 2 in FIGS. 9A to 9D is a tray on which the strawberry is placed, the receiving part 3 has a strawberry shape. .

  A tracking switch 8 is provided on the upper surface 2 a of the tray 2. The tracking switch 8 includes two operation portions 8a and 8b, and a central portion 8c (FIGS. 9A and 9C) between the operation portions 8a and 8b is supported on the upper surface 2a of the tray 2, and the center The seesaw type tilts to the left and right with the part 8c as a fulcrum, and when the one operating part 8a is pushed down, the other operating part 8b is pushed up. The tracking switch 8 visually discriminates scratches, colors, deformations, etc. of the fruit vegetables A placed on the tray 2 by the operator W (particularly, scratches, colors, deformations, etc. on the bottom surfaces of the fruit vegetables, which are difficult to measure with a measuring instrument) The operation is performed according to the determination result. The tracking switch 8 may be configured such that, when the operation unit 8a or 8b is pressed, a visual discrimination signal is transmitted to a determination unit (not shown), or a switch detection unit (switch detection unit) with the height of the operation unit 8a or 8b prepared separately. For example, the visual discrimination result is transmitted to the discriminating unit by discriminating with a discriminator (not shown), and the discriminating unit can process it as visual discriminating data.

  The illustrated tracking switch 8 is an example, and may have a structure other than the illustrated structure as long as the result of visual discrimination can be recognized. For example, a plurality of switches may be installed on the upper surface 2a of the tray 2, and these switches may be used as an operation unit so that any one of the switches can be operated according to the visual discrimination result. In this case, the switches can be operated individually one by one or two or more can be operated at the same time, and the visual discrimination result can be recognized according to the operation state of the switches. The tracking switch 8 is not limited to the upper surface 2 a of the tray 2, and can be provided at other locations on the tray 2, for example, on the outer peripheral surface, as long as the operator W can operate the tracking switch 8. The situation where the tracking switch 8 does not operate the operation units 8a and 8b can also be recognized as one determination result.

  In the tray 2, two lateral grooves 10 (FIGS. 9A and 9B) are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tray body 9, and a bottom groove 11 is formed on the bottom surface 2 b of the tray body 9. As shown in FIG. 9 (d), the bottom groove 11 is provided at a position deviated outward (eccentric) from the center position of the bottom surface of the tray main body 9. As shown in FIG. 9 (d), the bottom groove 11 includes a wide portion 11a and a narrow portion 11b. By making the narrow portion 11b slightly wider than the width of the guide rail 25 (substantially the same), the tray 2 can be prevented from moving meandering and the tray 2 can be prevented from shifting sideways, and the wide portion 11a can be prevented from moving sideways. By making it wider than the width of the guide rail 25, it can be smoothly bent and moved along the curve of the guide rail 25 of the merging portion 17 (FIG. 6A).

[Standby section]
The standby unit 4 (FIG. 1) is large and long enough to allow a large number of trays 2 to stand by, and can stand by at random without aligning the orientations of the receiving units 3 of many trays 2. . For the standby unit 4, for example, a motor-driven roller conveyor as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C or a roller conveyor having another configuration can be used. If possible, a belt conveyor can also be used. By rotating the roller conveyor of the standby unit 4 or rotating the belt conveyor, the trays 2 placed thereon can be sent out to the carrier 5. The standby unit 4 is preferably provided, but may be omitted depending on the size of the space for installing the fruit selection field and other conditions.

[Alignment section]
The alignment unit 15 is an area for aligning the direction of the receiving unit 3 (FIG. 9A) of the tray 2 sent from the standby unit 4 to a certain direction. By aligning the orientations of the receiving portions 3 of the large number of trays 2 in a certain direction, it becomes easy to place the fruit vegetables A on the receiving portions 3 in a certain orientation. As an example, the alignment unit 15 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B and FIGS. 4A to 4C includes an alignment unit conveyor 23, a rotating belt 24, and a guide rail 25. A roller conveyor composed of a large number of rollers R is used for the alignment unit conveyor 23.

  Four rotating belts 24 are arranged at regular intervals in the width direction of the aligning section conveyor 23, and a passage through which the tray 2 passes is provided between the opposing rotating belts 24. Is the size of contact. The rotating directions of the four rotating belts 24 are set so that the facing surfaces of the rotating belts 24 arranged to face each other are opposite to each other. The first rotating belt 24a and the second rotating belt 24b from the top of FIG. 3A will be specifically described as an example. The opposing surface of the first rotating belt 24a moves to the left in FIG. The opposing surface 24b of the second rotating belt is rotated rightward in the figure. The rotating belt 24 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the tray 2 passing through the passage, and the tray 2 can be rotated. The rotational speeds of the four rotating belts 24 can be constant or different.

  The guide rail 25 shown in FIG. 3B is connected to a lower material 27 disposed under the roller R by a thin material 26 that passes vertically between the rollers R and protrudes upward from between the rollers R. . The guide rail 25 is disposed along the longitudinal direction of the passage. It is installed at a position slightly deviated from the center position in the width direction of the passage toward one of the rotating belts 24. The protrusion length of the guide rail 25 above the roller R is such that the upper end of the guide rail 25 is the ceiling of the bottom groove 11 when the guide rail 25 is fitted into the bottom groove 11 of the tray 2 as shown in FIG. 28 so that it does not touch 28. With this protrusion length, the tray 2 that is conveyed forward in the conveyance direction by the rotation of the roller R is horizontally rotated by the rotating belt 24, while the bottom surface 2b rides on the guide rail 25, and the bottom groove 11 is formed. It is automatically fitted to the guide rail 25 so that the receiving portions 3 of the tray 2 are aligned in a certain direction (FIG. 5A).

[Conveyor]
As shown in FIG. 1, the transport body 5 includes a tray 16 in which the workers W place the fruit vegetables A on the trays 2 whose directions are aligned, a merge section 17 that merges the trays 2 on which the fruit vegetables A are placed, and a merged tray. A single-row transport unit 18 for transporting 2 in a row is provided.

[Place]
The loading portion 16 (FIG. 1) is a partial region of the transport body 5, and the operator W manually supplies the fruit vegetables A to the receiving portion 3 of the tray 2 fed by the aligning portion 15 with the orientation of the receiving portion 3 aligned. It is an area to put one by one. As an example, the loading part 16 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5A has the loading part conveyors 30 arranged in parallel in three rows. The three rows of loading unit conveyors 30 are arranged in a range (working area) in front of the worker W and where the worker W can stretch his arms and place the fruit vegetables on the tray 2. The loading section conveyor 30 may be two rows or four or more rows.

  The loading section conveyor 30 includes three loading section traveling paths 31a to 31c (FIGS. 5A and 5B). In each of the loading portion running paths 31a to 31c, a large number of rollers R are rotatably installed between the four frames 32a to 32d. The interval between the adjacent frames 32a to 32d is set such that the tray 2 can move, and the tray 2 can move between the opposing frames (for example, the frames 32a and 32b). The number of the loading part traveling paths may be two, or four or more.

  The conveyance speed of the tray 2 by the loading section conveyor 30 can be changed by appropriately designing the rotation speed of the roller R. However, if the loading section conveyor 30 is a slower speed than the case where the loading section conveyor 30 is in a single row, for example, about 30 m per minute, the conveyance is performed. Fruit vegetables A can be placed on all or almost all of the trays 2, and there are almost no empty trays, the rate of fruit vegetables on the tray 2 per unit time is improved, and the efficiency of conveying vegetables and selecting fruits is improved.

  A guide rail 25 is also disposed on the loading section conveyor 30. The guide rail 25 is a long one that extends from the alignment portion 15 through the mounting portion 16 to the middle of the merging portion 17. This guide rail 25 is for aligning the orientation of the tray 2 in the alignment portion 15 and maintaining the orientation of the tray 2 aligned in the alignment portion 15 in the mounting portion 16. As shown in FIG. 6A, the junction portion 17 is disposed obliquely inward so that the trays 2 can be easily joined. The guide rails 25 may be arranged separately for the alignment unit 15, the mounting unit 16, and the junction unit 17.

[Joint part]
1 is a partial area of the transport body 5 and is provided at the front of the loading unit 16, and the trays 2 fed from the three loading conveyors 30 of the loading unit 16 are merged to form a single row. It is a part to make. As an example, the joining section 17 shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C includes three joining section conveyors 33 each having a plurality of rollers R arranged between four frames 32a to 32d arranged at intervals. The rollers R of the outer side roller conveyors (hereinafter referred to as “side conveyors”) 33a and 33c are arranged obliquely inward toward the central row roller conveyor (hereinafter referred to as “central conveyor”) 33b. Then, as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (c), the tray 2 fed out from the three rows of loading section conveyors 30 of the loading section 16 is automatically conveyed toward the central conveyor 33b side, and finally It joins in a line. Reference numeral 29 shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 (a) denotes two guide frames which are gradually narrowed in the transport direction and come into contact with the side surface of the tray 2 to bring the tray 2 toward the central conveyor 33b. It is made to be able to.

[Single row transport section]
1 is a partial area of the transport body 5, and transports the trays 2 that are merged and sent out at the merging unit 17 in a single row. As an example, the single row conveyance unit 18 shown in FIG. 6A is a belt conveyor. Above the belt conveyor 34, an approximately L-shaped correction rail 35 is disposed in front view (FIG. 6D). The straightening rail 35 is engaged with the lateral groove 10 (FIGS. 9A and 9B) of the tray 2 during the conveyance of the tray 2, and the tray 3 in which the direction of the receiving portion 3 is shifted at the time of merging at the merging portion 17 is obtained. The direction of 2 is aligned again, and the trays 2 arranged in a row are guided toward the front. In the example of FIG. 6A, the correction rail 35 (FIG. 6D) is provided over the entire length of the single-row transport unit 18, but the installation position, length, shape, and the like of the correction rail 35 are appropriately changed. can do. It is also possible to use a roller conveyor for the single row transport unit 18.

[Separation part]
The separating unit 19 in FIG. 1 separates the trays 2 joined together in a line at the joining unit 17 in order to accurately measure the fruits and vegetables A placed on the receiving unit 3 of the tray 2 one by one. This is an area that widens the conveyance interval. For example, a belt conveyor (hereinafter referred to as “high-speed conveyor”) having a speed higher than the conveying speed of the tray 2 sent out from the merging unit 17 is arranged at the end of the merging unit 17. In this embodiment, the speed of the high-speed conveyor is about 60 m / min. However, the speed of the high-speed conveyor can be widened so that two or more trays 2 arranged in the front and rear directions in the transport direction are not sent to the measuring unit 20 at a time. Any other speed may be used. The speed of the high speed conveyor can be appropriately changed in design in relation to the measurement unit 20 described later. For example, when the horizontal dimension of the measuring instrument of the measuring unit 20 is about 150 mm, if the speed of the high-speed conveyor is about 60 m / min, the conveyance interval between adjacent trays 2 can be maintained at about 180 to 200 mm. Two or more trays 2 are not sent to the measuring unit 20 at a time, and the fruit vegetables A on the tray 2 can be accurately measured. 1, FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, the separating portion 19 is provided in front of the measuring instrument (weighing scale) 20a, and the tray 2 is fed into the weighing scale 20a without overlapping and placed on each tray 2. The weight of a certain fruit vegetable A can be accurately measured. The separating portion 19 can be provided in front of the other measuring instruments 20b and 20c.

[Measurement section]
The measuring unit 20 in FIGS. 1, 7 (a) and 7 (b) is placed on the receiving unit 3 of the tray 2 and various properties (various measurement items) such as the shape, size, color, sugar content, and weight of the fruit vegetable A being conveyed. In this embodiment, the existing measuring instruments 20a to 20c can be used. An existing image sensor (CCD camera) can be used to measure the shape and size. The image sensor can be photographed one by one for the fruit vegetables A that are arranged above the carrier 5 and pass under the image sensor. As long as the image sensor can reliably photograph the shape and size of the fruit vegetables A, the image sensor can also be arranged on the side or lower side of the transport body 5, diagonally above, or diagonally below. Image data captured by the image sensor is output to a control unit (not shown).

  In FIG. 1, FIG. 7 (a) (b), for example, the measuring instrument 20a can be a weight scale, 20b can be the image sensor, and 20c can be a saccharimeter. For example, a general-purpose load cell (not shown) can be used for the weigh scale 20a. The weigh scale 20a measures the weight of the fruit vegetable A and outputs the measurement result to a control unit (not shown). A general-purpose sugar meter can be used as the sugar meter 20c. The sugar content meter 20c measures the sugar content of the fruit vegetable A and outputs the measurement result to a control unit (not shown). As shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 7A and 7B, the measuring unit 20 can arrange the measuring devices in three parts, but can also arrange them together.

  Measuring instruments other than the measuring instrument can be used as the measuring instruments 20a to 20c. The arrangement order of the image sensor, the sugar meter, the weight meter, and the like is in random order.

  A control unit (not shown) can determine the equal class of fruit vegetables A based on data input from various measuring instruments 20a to 20c such as a weight scale, an image sensor, and a saccharimeter. In this case, the visual discrimination data from the tracking switch 8 that is visually discriminated and operated when the operator W puts on the tray 2 is also processed to comprehensively discriminate the equal class. The visual discrimination data is detected by sending a discrimination signal from the operated tracking switch 8 to the control unit, or detecting the state after the operation of the tracking switch 8, for example, which switch is protruding or pushed down. The signal can be sent to the control unit as visual discrimination data.

[Space filling part]
1 and 7 (a) and 7 (b) is a portion that packs the transport interval of the tray 2 that has been measured by the weighing scale 20a to a narrower interval than that, and a belt conveyor is used. By using a belt conveyor (hereinafter referred to as “low speed conveyor”) having a lower conveying speed than the high speed conveyor of the separating portion 19 as this belt conveyor, the conveying interval between the trays 2 can be reduced. For example, by setting the transport speed to the transport speed before feeding to the separating unit 19 (about 30 m / min), the transport interval of the tray 2 separated by the high-speed conveyor can be returned to the original transport interval before the separation. . By reducing the interval, there is no useless space between the trays 2 and the conveyance efficiency is improved.

[Sorting department]
The sorting unit 22 in FIG. 1 is a part that sends out the fruit vegetables A that have been classified into equal classes to the pool conveyor 6 prepared for each equal class. There are various methods for feeding out the tray 2. As an example, what is shown in FIG. 1 can be pushed out by a discharge tool 36 that reciprocally rotates based on the discrimination data, as shown in detail in FIG. The ejector 36 shown in FIG. 8 can be prepared for the arrival of the tray 2 to be pushed back and then pushed out.

[Pool conveyor]
As shown in FIG. 8, the pool conveyor 6 has roller conveyors 37 (FIG. 8) arranged in parallel in two rows so that a large number of trays 2 fed from the sorting unit 22 can be placed and pooled. . The pool conveyor 6 can be a belt conveyor or other conveyor if it can take over the fruits and vegetables A discriminated in the same class together with the tray 2. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of pool conveyors 6 (specifically, the same number as the number of equal classes) are provided at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the transport body 5, and each pool conveyor 6 is provided in each pool conveyor 6. Only a specific class of fruit vegetables A is sent.

  The pool conveyor 6 rotates each time the tray 2 is sent out from the carrier 5 (FIG. 8) so that the trays 2 can be taken over one by one. Good. Although the pool conveyor 6 shown in FIG. 1 is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the transport body 5, the pool conveyor 6 can also be disposed diagonally backward or forward in the transport direction with respect to the transport body 5.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of (three in FIG. 8) rotating belts 38 are vertically opposed to each other on the entrance side of the pool conveyor 6, and an elongated guide rail 39 is disposed above the rotating belts. . The rotating belt 38 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the tray 2 fed from the carrier 5 to rotate the tray 2, and the bottom groove 11 of the bottom surface 2 b of the tray 2 is fitted to the guide rail 39, so that the receiving of the tray 2 is received. The direction of the part 3 can be made uniform. Although the guide rail 39 can be provided in the entire length direction of the rotating belt 38, a receiving space 40 is provided inside the inlet of the rotating belt 38 so that the tray 2 can be smoothly fed from the conveyor 5. It is preferable to be provided at the front of the receiving space 40. It is desirable that the receiving space 40 is wide enough to accommodate at least one tray 2 fed from the carrier 5 so that the tray 2 is reliably fed from the carrier 5. Here, the trays 2 are aligned in order to facilitate the boxing operation. The rotating belt 38 and the guide rail 39 may not be provided if not necessary.

  The number, width, length, etc. of all the pool conveyors 6 do not have to be the same, and the pool conveyor 6 that takes over the same class of fruit vegetables A with a large number of trays 2 to be fed is increased in number, lengthened, It is possible to reduce the number, shorten the length, or narrow the width of the pool conveyor 6 that takes over the fruit vegetables A of the same class with a small number of trays 2 to be fed.

  The pool conveyor 6 can also be a continuous rotating type that is always rotating, but stops when the tray 2 is not fed in, and is an intermittent rotating type that rotates by one tray (one pitch) each time it is fed. Alternatively, an intermittent rotation type in which a predetermined number of trays 2 are rotated when a predetermined number of trays 2 are fed can be employed. The rotation control of the pool conveyor 6 is performed based on a control signal from the control unit.

  The pool conveyor 6 in FIG. 1 is arranged directly on the side of the transport body 5, but if necessary, various types such as a belt conveyor, a roller conveyor, and a deceleration sheet are provided between the transport body 5 and the pool conveyor 6. A type of relay (not shown) can also be arranged. The relay tool reduces the inertia of the tray 2 sent out to the pool conveyor 6, and makes it difficult for the tray 2 to be sent out to fall over or for the fruit vegetables A on the tray 2 to fall. The relay tool can be disposed at a right angle to the carrier 5 or can be disposed obliquely forward or obliquely rearward at a desired angle. By disposing the relay tool obliquely rearward in the traveling direction of the transport body 5, the inertia is particularly easily reduced.

[Workspace]
As shown in FIG. 1, a work table T is arranged on the side of the pool conveyor 6, and there is an operator W in the work space on the side of the work table T. Fruit vegetables A can be taken out one by one from the upper tray 2 and boxed. The empty boxes B for packing are placed near the work space, and the worker W takes them one by one and places them on the work table T for packing. A carry-out lane 41 is provided at a position one level higher than the pool conveyor 6. The carry-out lane 41 feeds boxed fruits and vegetables (hereinafter referred to as “boxed fruits and vegetables”) P, and is provided between the pool conveyors 6. The carry-out lane 41 may be a belt conveyor, a roller conveyor, or other conveyance tools.

[Return lane]
In the example shown in FIG. 1, return lanes 7 are arranged on both sides of the pool conveyor 6 and at a position one step lower than the pool conveyor 6 and the transport body 5. The return lane 7 is used to return the empty tray 2 to the standby unit 4 and can use a belt conveyor, a roller conveyor, etc., which can be used alone or in combination of various shapes. Can be configured. The return lane 7 shown in FIG. 1 is arranged between the pool conveyor 6 and the standby unit 4. The same number of return lanes 7 as the pool conveyor 6 are provided. The start end portion 7a (FIG. 1) of the return lane 7 is a position one step lower than the pool conveyor 6, and protrudes outward from the end portion 6a (FIG. 1) of the pool conveyor 6. The end portion 6a of the pool conveyor 6 is inclined downward so that the tray 2 can be smoothly transferred onto the start end portion 7a of the return lane 7 without falling down. The tray 2 transferred to the return lane 7 moves on the return lane 7 and is sent back to the standby unit 4. By arranging the return lane 7 below the pool conveyor 6 and the conveyor 5, it is possible to save space compared to the case where the return lane 7 is provided at the same level (height) as the conveyor 5 and the pool conveyor 6. A detour route 42 that bypasses the outside of the pool conveyor 6 is arranged at the tip of the return end lane 7, and the tray 2 that is taken over from the pool conveyor 6 and placed on the start end 7 a of the return lane 7 is the pool conveyor. 6, the detour 42 is gradually inclined downward so that it can be sent to the return lane 7 disposed below the pool conveyor 6. A belt conveyor or a roller conveyor can be used for the bypass circuit 42.

  A cleaning unit 43 for cleaning the tray 2 and a drying unit 44 for drying the cleaned tray 2 are provided in the return lane 7. The washing | cleaning part 43 and the drying part 44 can use the existing washing machine and dryer. When the cleaning unit 43 and the drying unit 44 are installed, it is desirable to use a structure that does not collect cleaning liquid (water, hot water, detergent, etc.) in the return lane 7, such as a roller conveyor or a frame conveyor. In this case, it is desirable to use a roller or a frame that has been rust-proofed and that does not rust even when applied with a cleaning solution.

  The fruit vegetable conveying and sorting method, fruit vegetable conveying and sorting apparatus and tray of the present invention can be used for conveying and sorting various kinds of fruit vegetables.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fruit vegetable conveyance sorter 2 Tray 2a (Tray) upper surface 2b (Tray) bottom surface 3 (Tray) receiving part 4 Waiting part 5 Conveyance body 6 Pool conveyor 6a (Pool conveyor) terminal part 7 Return path (return lane)
7a (starting lane) 8 tracking switch 8a, 8b (tracking switch) operation part 8c (tracking switch) center part 9 tray body 10 (tray) lateral groove 11 (tray) bottom groove 11a (bottom groove) ) Wide part 11b Narrow part (of bottom groove) 15 Alignment part 16 Placement part 17 Merge part 18 Single row transport part 19 Pulling part 20 Measuring part 20a Measuring instrument (weigh scale)
20b Measuring instrument (image sensor)
20c Measuring instrument (sugar meter)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Spacing part 22 Sorting part 23 Alignment part conveyor 24 Rotating belt 24a 1st rotating belt 24b 2nd rotating belt 25 Guide rail 26 Fine material 27 Lower material 28 (of bottom groove) 29 Guide frame 30 Loading part conveyor 31a -31c Loading section travel path 32a-32d Frame 33 Junction section conveyors 33a, 33c Side conveyor 33b Central conveyor 34 Belt conveyor 35 Correction rail 36 Ejector 37 Roller conveyor 38 Rotating belt 39 Guide rail 40 Receiving space 41 Unloading lane 42 Detour 43 Washing section 44 Drying section A Fruit vegetables B Empty box P Boxed fruit vegetables R Roller T Worktable W Worker

Claims (19)

While transporting fruits and vegetables on a tray, measure one or more of the measurement items such as shape, size, sugar content, color, weight, etc., determine the equal class of the fruits and vegetables based on the measurement results, and transport the fruits and vegetables In the method for transporting and sorting fruits and vegetables that are sorted according to equal classes while being placed on the tray,
The transport body that transports the tray includes at least a mounting section, a merging section, and a single-row transport section.
Two or more rows of conveyors are arranged in parallel in the work area in a range where the loading part is in front of the worker who places the fruit and vegetables on the tray and the worker can place the fruit and vegetables,
Place the fruit vegetables one by one on each tray transported by two or more rows of conveyors in the loading section,
The trays being conveyed by the conveyors of two or more rows are merged at the merging portion, aligned in a row, and sent to the single row conveying portion,
In the single row transport unit, the fruit vegetables on the tray being transported are measured by the measurement unit to determine the equal class of the fruit vegetables,
Send the sorted fruits and vegetables to the pool conveyor on the side of the transporter while sorting them on the tray.
A method for conveying and sorting fruit vegetables. In the fruit vegetable conveyance sorting method according to claim 1,
The tray is equipped with a tracking switch,
After the worker visually discriminates the fruits and vegetables, before or after placing them on the tray conveyed by the conveyor of two or more rows, the tracking switch is operated as necessary based on the visual discrimination,
Based on the visual discrimination result by the operation of the tracking switch and the discrimination result by the measurement in the measurement unit, the class of fruit vegetables is comprehensively discriminated,
Based on the comprehensive discrimination result, the tray is sent to the pool conveyor for sorting.
A method for conveying and sorting fruit vegetables. In the fruit vegetable conveyance sorting method according to claim 1 or claim 2,
The tray has a directional receiving part,
Rotate the tray horizontally before placing the fruits and vegetables, align the receiving parts in a certain direction, and carry the fruits and vegetables one by one on the receiving parts of the trays.
A method for conveying and sorting fruit vegetables. In the fruit vegetables conveyance sorting method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
After separating the trays aligned in a row to widen the conveyance interval between the trays and sending them to the measurement unit, measuring those fruits and vegetables with the measurement unit, before extending the conveyance interval of the front and rear trays at the end of the measurement unit Transport with or without the same or narrow spacing,
A method for conveying and sorting fruit vegetables. In the fruit vegetables conveyance sorting method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Take out the fruit vegetables after sorting and return the empty tray to the loading part or the front by the return path,
A method for conveying and sorting fruit vegetables. In the fruit vegetable conveyance sorting method according to claim 5,
Wash the empty tray returned on the return path and dry the washed tray.
A method for conveying and sorting fruit vegetables. While transporting fruits and vegetables on a tray, measure one or more of the measurement items such as shape, size, sugar content, color, weight, etc., determine the equal class of the fruits and vegetables based on the measurement results, and transport the fruits and vegetables In fruit and vegetable transport sorting device that sorts by equal class while placed on the tray,
Based on the measurement results, a large number of trays on which fruit vegetables can be placed, a transport body that transports the trays, a measurement unit that measures the fruit vegetables on the tray being transported by the transport body, and a tray on which the measured fruit vegetables are placed A sorting section that sends out the classified classes determined by the above and a pool conveyor that takes over the trays that are sorted and sent out,
The transport body is transported by aligning the combined trays in a line, a loading section in which two or more conveyors are arranged in parallel in the work area in front of the worker, a merge section that merges the trays conveyed by the conveyors A single-line transport unit, and the sorting unit can send out the tray transported by the transport body to the pool conveyor on the side of the transport body with fruit vegetables on it.
Fruit and vegetable transport sorting apparatus characterized by this. In the fruit vegetable conveyance sorting apparatus according to claim 7,
With a standby unit that can hold a large number of trays in front of the loading unit,
Fruit and vegetable transport sorting apparatus characterized by this. In the fruit vegetable conveyance sorting apparatus according to claim 7 or claim 8,
Provided with a return path for returning the empty tray after removing the fruit vegetables on the pool conveyor from the pool conveyor to the standby section or the loading section,
Fruit and vegetable transport sorting apparatus characterized by this. In the fruit vegetable conveyance sorting apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
The tray has a receiving part on which fruit vegetables can be placed in a predetermined direction,
In front of the two or more rows of conveyors of the loading unit, provided with an alignment unit that aligns the tray fed from the standby unit or the return path in a predetermined direction,
Fruit and vegetable transport sorting apparatus characterized by this. In the fruit vegetable conveyance sorter according to claim 10,
The alignment unit has a rotary drive and a guide rail, and the guide rail protrudes above the conveyor of the alignment unit. The rotary drive rotates the tray horizontally and fits the bottom groove of the bottom opening of the tray to the guide rail. The tray can be aligned in a predetermined orientation,
Fruit and vegetable transport sorting apparatus characterized by this. In the fruit vegetable conveyance sorting apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 11,
The tray is provided with a tracking switch, and the tracking switch can be switched based on the result of visual discrimination of the fruit and vegetables to be placed on the tray, and a signal based on the operation is transmitted to the discrimination unit.
Fruit and vegetable transport sorting apparatus characterized by this. In the fruit vegetable conveyance sorting apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 11,
The tray has a tracking switch, and the tracking switch can be switched based on the result of visual discrimination of the fruits and vegetables to be placed on the tray, and has a switch detection unit that can determine the switching status of the tracking switch. Based on the visual discrimination result and the measurement discrimination result in the measurement unit, it is possible to comprehensively discriminate the equal class of fruit vegetables,
Fruit and vegetable transport sorting apparatus characterized by this. In the fruit vegetable conveyance sorting apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 13,
A separation part is provided at the end of the merging part, and the transport interval of the tray is separated at the separation part and then sent to the measurement part so that the fruit vegetables on the tray can be measured individually.
Fruit and vegetable transport sorting apparatus characterized by this. In the fruit vegetable conveyance sorting apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 14,
An interval stuffing unit was provided, and the transport interval of the tray separated by the separation unit was packed and sent to the sorting unit.
Fruit and vegetable transport sorting apparatus characterized by this. In the fruit vegetable conveyance sorting apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 15,
The measuring unit is equipped with a measuring instrument that can measure at least one of the measurement items such as shape, size, weight, color, sugar content, etc.
Fruit and vegetable transport sorting apparatus characterized by this. In the fruit vegetables conveyance sorting device according to any one of claims 7 to 16,
In the middle of the return path or in front of the carrier, a cleaning unit for cleaning the tray and a drying unit for drying the tray that has been cleaned in the cleaning unit,
Fruit and vegetable transport sorting apparatus characterized by this. In the tray for fruit and vegetables that is transported on the transport body and transports the fruit and vegetables during transportation,
It has a receiving part to place fruit and vegetables on the upper surface of the tray body,
The bottom of the tray body has a bottom groove with a downward opening,
The tray body has a tracking switch,
The receiving part has a directional shape on which fruit vegetables can be placed in a predetermined direction,
The bottom groove is formed in an elongated shape so that when the tray body is rotated, the receiving portion can be aligned in a certain direction by fitting with a guide rail protruding above the conveyor of the alignment portion.
The tracking switch can be switched based on the result of visual discrimination of fruit and vegetables to be placed on the tray by the operator.
A tray for fruit and vegetables. In the tray for fruit and vegetables of Claim 18,
The outer circumferential surface of the tray body is provided with an elongated lateral groove in the circumferential direction, and the lateral groove is fitted with a correction guide in the transport body during the transport of the tray, and the tray is rotated and corrected so that the receiving portion is in a predetermined direction. Is something that can be
A tray for fruit and vegetables.

Images