JP2016152786A - Harvest device and harvest method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a harvest device and a harvest method capable of easily and efficiently cutting and harvesting leaf vegetables raised in a tray without using air blow as a cutting auxiliary mechanism.SOLUTION: The harvest device includes a mechanism (i) described below, or includes favorably all of mechanisms (i)-(iii): (i) establishing an off angle of a cutting blade with respect to a moving direction in a predetermined range when moving the blade mechanically; (ii) holding foliage of leaf vegetables in a tray and thereafter moving the cutting blade mechanically in a planting direction to cut the vegetables; (iii) erecting the leaf vegetables fallen on an outer side of the tray and thereafter moving the cutting blade mechanically in the planting direction to cut the leaf vegetables.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for harvesting vegetables grown in trays in a plant factory.

  With the spread of plant factories, efficient harvesting of vegetables cultivated in trays is required. Currently, there are many cases where harvesting is performed manually using a sickle or the like, but there is a demand for mechanization for cost reduction. Moreover, by reducing the manual work directly touching the vegetables, the harvested vegetables are not contaminated, and the merit of the plant factory that is a clean closed space isolated from the outside air can be fully enjoyed. As a harvesting device used in a plant factory, for example, a device using a recirculation (air blow) is known (Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-050233 A

  In the harvesting device using the air blow as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a fear that the microorganisms and the like existing in the tray are scattered by the wind, and there is a concern about contamination of leafy vegetables. In addition, the harvesting device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is to cut and cut the leafy vegetable stems and leaves against a cutting blade whose position is fixed by feeding out the tray and air blowing, In addition to the large load on the blade, it was difficult to cut vegetables at high speed and accurately. In addition, when leafy vegetables are cut by pressing them against the cutting blade by air blow, there is a problem that a beautiful cut end cannot be obtained and the vegetables are damaged. Thus, there has been a demand for means capable of easily and efficiently cutting and harvesting leafy vegetables grown in a tray without using an air blow as a cutting assist mechanism.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a harvesting apparatus capable of easily and efficiently cutting leafy vegetables grown in a tray without using an air blow as a cutting assist mechanism, and additionally capable of harvesting vegetables in a sanitary state, and It is an object to provide a harvesting method.

As a result of diligent research conducted by the inventor, in order to solve the above problems, at least one of the mechanisms (i) to (iii) shown below (preferably (i) and ( ii), (i) and (iii), or (ii) and (iii), more preferably (i) to (iii)). I found out.
(I) When the cutting blade is moved mechanically, the off-angle of the cutting blade with respect to the moving direction is within a predetermined range. (Ii) After the fallen leafy vegetables are raised outside the tray, the cutting blade is planted. Cutting the leafy vegetables mechanically moved in the planting direction (iii) After holding the leaf stems of the leafy vegetables in the tray, the cutting blade is mechanically moved in the planting direction to cut the vegetables I do

That is, the said subject can be solved by the following means (1)-(12).
(1) An apparatus that cuts a plurality of leafy vegetables grown in a tray and harvests stems and leaves, and cuts the leafy vegetables in the tray placed in the placement part and the placement part in which the tray is placed. And a tray of leafy vegetables by mechanically moving the cutting blade in the planting direction while the blade portion of the cutting blade has an off angle of 20 ° to 70 ° with respect to the moving direction. A harvesting device further comprising a mechanism for cutting a position above the position.
(2) The harvesting device according to (1), wherein the shape of the blade portion of the cutting blade is V-shaped.
(3) The harvesting device according to (1) or (2), having a plurality of cutting blades.
(4) an enclosure portion arranged to surround the periphery of the tray, and a mechanism for raising the leafy vegetables that have fallen outside the tray by the enclosure portion by moving the tray relatively lower than the enclosure portion. The harvesting device according to any one of (1) to (3), which further cuts the standing leafy vegetable.
(5) It further comprises holding means for holding the stems and leaves of the leafy vegetables in the tray arranged in the placement unit, and the cutting means is moved in the planting direction with the holding means holding the stems and leaves. The harvesting device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the root side of the holding unit is cut.
(6) The harvesting device according to (5), further comprising a mechanism for releasing the holding of the foliage by the holding means and dropping the foliage into the harvesting container after cutting the leafy vegetables.
(7) The harvesting device according to (5) or (6), further comprising a mechanism that enables collection of the tray while holding the stems and leaves by the holding means after cutting the leafy vegetables.
(8) A method of cutting a plurality of leafy vegetables grown in a tray and harvesting the stems and leaves, wherein the cutting blade is mechanically moved in the planting direction and positioned above the tray of leafy vegetables And a cutting method of moving the cutting blade so that the blade portion of the cutting blade has an off angle of 20 ° to 70 ° with respect to the moving direction.
(9) Before cutting the leafy vegetables, the tray is arranged inside the enclosure portion that is arranged so as to surround the periphery of the tray, and the tray is moved downward relative to the enclosure portion. The harvesting method according to (8), further comprising a step of raising the leafy vegetables that have fallen to the outside by an enclosure.
(10) The method further comprises a step of mechanically holding the foliage of the leafy vegetables in the tray, and the cutting blade is moved in the planting direction while the foliage is being held, so that the root side is closer to the leafy vegetable holding part. The harvesting method according to (8) or (9), wherein the position is cut.
(11) The harvesting method according to (10), further comprising a step of releasing the holding of the stem and leaves and dropping the stem and leaves into a harvesting container after cutting the leafy vegetable.
(12) The harvesting method according to (10) or (11), further comprising a step of collecting the tray while holding the foliage after cutting the leafy vegetables.

In the present application, “a plurality of leafy vegetables grown in a tray” means that a plurality (a plurality of strains) of leafy vegetables are grown in the tray. The leafy vegetables grown in the tray may be one kind or two or more kinds, but it is preferable to use one kind of leafy vegetables.
“Planting direction” refers to a direction along the surface of leafy vegetables in the tray. For example, when leafy vegetables are grown on the surface of a flat sponge made of urethane or the like, the direction along the surface of the sponge is the planting direction. Moreover, when a plurality of leafy vegetables are planted so as to form a plurality of rows, the direction along the plurality of rows can be set as the planting direction. In the present invention, by moving the cutting blade in the planting direction, among the leafy vegetables, after cutting one leafy vegetable, the leafy vegetables adjacent to the one leafy vegetable can be sequentially cut. it can.
“Off angle” means the angle formed by the “straight line perpendicular to the moving direction of the cutting blade” and the “straight line along the straight shape of the blade portion” when the blade portion of the cutting blade is linear. When the blade part is curved, it is defined as “a straight line perpendicular to the moving direction of the cutting blade” and “tangent on the curve of the blade part at the contact point between the blade part of the cutting blade and leafy vegetables”. An angle. For example, the angle α shown in FIG. 10 is an off angle. FIG. 10A shows a cutting blade having a straight blade portion, and FIGS. 10B and 10C show a cutting blade having a curved blade portion. As shown in FIGS. 10B and 10C, when the blade portion is curved, the magnitude of the off angle α varies depending on the position of the blade portion. In addition, when a blade part is curvilinear, about the blade part which does not contact leafy vegetables, an off angle may be outside the range of 20 degrees or more and 70 degrees or less.
The “enclosure” refers to a portion that stands up by lifting up leafy vegetables that have fallen to the outside of the tray when the tray moves relatively downward. That is, it refers to a portion configured to enclose the periphery of the tray, for example, in a wall shape after the tray has moved relatively downward. May not be enclosed.
“Move the tray relatively downward relative to the enclosure” is a concept that includes not only the form of moving the tray downward relative to the enclosure, but also the form of moving the enclosure upward relative to the tray. is there.

  According to the present invention, a harvesting apparatus that can easily and efficiently cut leafy vegetables grown in a tray without using an air blow as a cutting assist mechanism, and can harvest vegetables in a sanitary state. And a harvesting method can be provided.

It is the schematic for demonstrating the harvesting apparatus and harvesting method of this invention which concern on 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic for demonstrating the harvesting apparatus and harvesting method of this invention which concern on 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic for demonstrating the modification of a cutting blade. It is the schematic for demonstrating the harvesting apparatus and harvesting method of this invention which concern on 2nd Embodiment. It is the schematic for demonstrating an example of an enclosure part. It is the schematic for demonstrating the harvesting apparatus and harvesting method of this invention which concern on 3rd Embodiment. It is the schematic for demonstrating an example of a holding means. It is the schematic for demonstrating the harvesting apparatus and harvesting method of this invention which concern on the combination of 1st Embodiment, 2nd Embodiment, and 3rd Embodiment. It is the schematic for demonstrating the harvesting apparatus and harvesting method of this invention which concern on the combination of 1st Embodiment, 2nd Embodiment, and 3rd Embodiment. It is the schematic for demonstrating the off angle of a cutting blade.

1. First embodiment 1.1. Harvesting device FIGS. 1 and 2 schematically show a mechanism provided in the harvesting device 10 of the present invention according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the harvesting apparatus 10 is an apparatus that cuts a plurality of leafy vegetables 2 grown in the tray 1 to harvest stems and leaves, and an arrangement unit 3 that arranges the tray 1, A cutting blade 5 for cutting the leafy vegetables 2 in the tray 1 arranged in the arrangement unit 3, and the blade portion of the cutting blade 5 has an off angle α of 20 ° or more and 70 ° or less with respect to the direction of movement. The cutting blade 5 is moved mechanically in the planting direction while doing so, and a mechanism for cutting the position above the tray 1 of the leafy vegetables 2 is further provided.

(Tray 1)
The tray 1 refers to a container capable of growing a plurality of leafy vegetables 2, and the form thereof is not particularly limited. In the present invention, the leafy vegetables 2 are preferably grown in the tray 1 by hydroponics. For example, a flat sponge made of urethane or the like is installed in the tray 1, and leafy vegetables are planted on the sponge at regular intervals. The size and form of the tray can be appropriately determined according to the leafy vegetables to be grown.

(Leaf vegetable 2)
The leafy vegetables 2 may be leafy vegetables that can be grown in the tray 1, and the type thereof is not particularly limited. In particular, non-headed leafy vegetables are preferable because the effects of the present invention are easily obtained. Specifically, there are rape, spinach, komatsuna, chinensai, leek, leek, mizuna, taasai, arugula, oak and the like. Among these, cruciferous vegetables such as Chingensai and Mizuna, and asteraceae vegetables such as oak and Taasai are preferred.

  In the present invention, the leafy vegetables 2 are preferably arranged and grown so as to form a plurality of rows in the tray 1. In particular, the leafy vegetables 2 form a plurality of rows, and it is preferable that the rows are arranged substantially in parallel with a certain interval (hereinafter, this “interval” may be referred to as “bathroom”). . Thereby, the holding means 4 mentioned later can be easily inserted between the leafy vegetables 2, and the foliage of the leafy vegetables 2 can be held appropriately.

(Arrangement part 3)
The placement unit 3 is a part for placing the tray 1 provided in the harvesting apparatus 10, and the form thereof is appropriately determined according to the shape of the tray 1. The placement unit 3 may be provided with a fixing piece corresponding to the shape of the bottom of the tray 1. For example, when the shape of the bottom of the tray 1 is a substantially rectangular shape, a U-shaped frame capable of enclosing the bottom of the tray 1 is provided in the placement unit 3 and the tray 1 is placed (pushed) into the frame. Thus, the tray 1 can be fixed in the surface direction (the direction along the upper surface of the arrangement portion 3). Thereby, the shift | offset | difference etc. of the tray 1 at the time of a cutting | disconnection can be prevented. Moreover, after completion of the cutting, the tray 1 can be easily removed (pulled out) from the U-shaped frame.

(Cutting blade 5)
The cutting blade 5 has a blade portion on the tip side in the moving direction, and cuts the plurality of leafy vegetables 2 sequentially by moving mechanically. In this way, when cutting the leafy vegetables 2 by moving the cutting blade 5 itself, the blade part is compared with the case of cutting the leafy vegetables by pressing the leafy vegetables against the cutting blade using air blow. It is possible to cut vegetables at high speed and accurately. Moreover, compared with the case where it cut | disconnects so that it may press on a cutting blade with an air blow, in addition to being able to obtain a beautiful cut end and being hard to damage vegetables, vegetables can be harvested in a sanitary state.

In the harvesting device 10, the cutting blade 5 is mechanically moved in the planting direction while the blade portion of the cutting blade 5 has an off angle α of 20 ° or more and 70 ° or less with respect to the moving direction. A mechanism for cutting a position above the tray 1 of the vegetables 2 is provided. Note that the planting direction is a concept including a direction along the upper surface of the tray that intersects the arrow direction in addition to the arrow direction in FIG. Here, “the position above the tray 1 of the leafy vegetables 2” refers to a portion of the stems and leaves of the leafy vegetables located above the upper surface assumed by connecting the upper edges of the tray. .
As a mechanism for mechanically moving the cutting blade 5, a known mechanism can be adopted. For example, the cutting blade 5 can be moved in the planting direction by providing a support unit that supports the root of the cutting blade 5 outside the placement unit 3 and mechanically sliding the support unit in the planting direction. . Thereby, only the foliage can be harvested while leaving the roots of the leafy vegetables 2 in the tray 1.

  When the tangent on the curve of the blade part of the cutting blade (when the blade part of the cutting blade is linear, the straight line along the straight line shape of the cutting blade) is orthogonal to the moving direction of the cutting blade (off angle) If the blade is 0 °), the cutting blade will cut so that the leafy vegetables are pushed out, so the load on the blade part is smaller than when using air blow, but the leafy vegetables may not be cut smoothly. is there. Therefore, the harvesting device 10 adjusts the shape of the blade part of the cutting blade or the moving direction of the cutting blade (how to move the cutting blade) so as to have an off angle of 20 ° to 70 °. 2 is cut. Thereby, it becomes possible to cut the leaves and leaves of the leafy vegetable 2 so that the load on the blade portion can be further reduced, and the leafy vegetable can be cut more quickly, accurately and beautifully. The lower limit of the off angle is preferably 30 ° or more, more preferably 40 ° or more, and the upper limit is preferably 60 ° or less, more preferably 50 ° or less. If the off angle is too small, as described above, the load on the blade portion becomes large. On the other hand, when the off-angle is too large, the length of the blade portion of the cutting blade increases, making it difficult to produce and maintain the cutting blade, and making the harvesting device compact.

  When the shape of the blade part of the cutting blade 5 is devised, it is preferable that the shape of the cutting blade 5 is V-shaped as shown in FIGS. In this case, a plurality of cutting blades may be combined to form a V-shaped cutting blade 5 as a whole. In particular, when the top surface of the tray 1 is substantially rectangular, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pair of cutting blades 5a and 5b are opposed to each other from the long side of the tray 1, and the pair of cutting blades 5a. The tip of 5b abuts or intersects at the center of the tray 1, and the cutting blades 5a and 5b are inclined and arranged so that the entire shape of the cutting blade 5 is V-shaped, thereby securing a desired off-angle. The leafy vegetables 2 can be cut while doing.

In the above description, the cutting blade 5 has been described as having a blade portion only on one direction side (moving direction side), but the cutting blade is not limited to such a form in the present invention. FIG. 3 schematically shows a cutting blade 15 as a modification of the cutting blade 5. As shown in FIG. 3, the cutting blade 15 is configured such that the tips of the four cutting blades abut or intersect at the center point, and the entire shape is X while ensuring a predetermined off angle α. It is shaped like a letter. It can be said that two V-shaped cutting blades 5 are combined to form an X-shape. When the tips of the cutting blades intersect at the center point, the tips may be displaced in the vertical direction. Further, at the center point, the tip of the cutting blade is not necessarily in contact with the other cutting blade, and may have a gap of, for example, 10 mm or less.
By adopting such a configuration, the blade portion is provided on both the one side (upper side of the paper surface in FIG. 3) and the other side (lower side of the paper surface in FIG. 3) of the cutting blade 15, The leafy vegetables can be cut sequentially and efficiently by reciprocating to the other. That is, after the cutting blade 15 is moved in one direction to harvest leafy vegetables from one tray, the tray is newly replaced, and then the cutting blade 15 is moved in the other direction to move the cutting blade 15 to the original position. It is preferable that leafy vegetables can be harvested from a new tray while returning to, and the processing can be completed in a short time even when there are a plurality of trays to be processed. In addition, there is an energy saving effect, and the durability of the apparatus can be improved.

  In the above description, the cutting blades 5 and 15 are described as a combination of separate cutting blades, but the cutting blade is not limited to such a form in the present invention. It is good also as a cutting blade integrally formed in V shape or X shape. However, by using a combination of a plurality of cutting blades such as the cutting blades 5 and 15, the off-angle can be freely set according to the size of the tray, the type of leafy vegetables, etc. Maintenance is also easy.

  In the above description, the cutting blades 5 and 15 have been described as being arranged so that a plurality of cutting blades intersect each other in a V shape or an X shape. However, in the present invention, the cutting blade has such a form. It is not limited to. As shown in FIG. 10, a desired off-angle can be secured by simply tilting one cutting blade having a linear or curved blade portion. However, when the cutting blade is smaller than the size of the tray (when the top surface of the tray is substantially rectangular, the length of the blade portion of the cutting blade is shorter than the short side of the tray, etc.) As shown to 6-8, it is preferable to ensure the length of a blade part by combining a some cutting blade.

  In the above description, the cutting blades 5 and 15 having a linear blade portion are described as examples. However, in the present invention, the cutting blade is not limited to such a form. As shown in FIGS. 10B and 10C, the blade portion may be curved. Alternatively, the blade portion may have an indented shape consisting of notches such as saw teeth. In addition, when the blade part is in an engraved shape, when the length between the apexes of adjacent notches is smaller than the thickness of the stem of the leafy vegetable that becomes the cutting position, it is as follows: To set the off angle. That is, it is considered that the blade portion is formed by a straight line obtained by connecting the apexes of adjacent notches, and the straight line is cut so as to have a predetermined off angle with respect to the traveling direction of the cutting blade. The blade may be inclined with respect to the moving direction.

1.2. Harvesting method The present invention also has an aspect as a harvesting method. That is, the harvesting method of the present invention according to the first embodiment is a method of cutting a plurality of leafy vegetables 2 grown in the tray 1 to harvest the foliage, and the cutting blade 5 is machined in the planting direction. And a step of cutting the position above the tray 1 of the leafy vegetable 2 by moving the blade part of the cutting vegetable 5 to 20 degrees or more and 70 degrees or less with respect to the direction of movement (angle α). This is a harvesting method in which the cutting blade is moved so as to have The details are the same as described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  As described above, according to the present invention according to the first embodiment, the leafy vegetables 2 can be cut at high speed and accurately by the cutting blade 5 having the off-angle, and the tray is used without using an air blow as a cutting assist mechanism. The leafy vegetables 2 grown inside can be easily and efficiently cut, and in addition, the vegetables can be harvested in a hygienic state.

  The above-mentioned present invention examines the mechanical operation at the time of “cutting” leafy vegetables. The present inventor also examined the mechanical operation of leafy vegetables “before cutting” or “after cutting”. As a result, after raising the fallen leafy vegetables to the outside of the tray, cut the leafy vegetables by mechanically moving the cutting blade in the planting direction, thereby reducing the harvest loss of leafy vegetables And found that leafy vegetables can be harvested more efficiently. Also, after holding the leaf stalks of leafy vegetables in the tray, the cutting blades are mechanically moved in the planting direction to cut the vegetables, thereby suppressing the sliding of the cutting blades during cutting. It was found that vegetable stems and leaves could be harvested more efficiently. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.

2. Second Embodiment 2.1. Harvesting device FIG. 4 schematically shows a mechanism provided in the harvesting device 20 according to the second embodiment as a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 4, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. As shown in FIG. 4, the harvesting device 20 is a device that cuts a plurality of leafy vegetables 2 grown in the tray 1 to harvest the stems and leaves, and includes an enclosure 11 arranged around the tray 1 and The mechanism in which the leafy vegetables 2 that have fallen to the outside of the tray 1 among the leafy vegetables 2 are caused to stand up by the surroundings 11 by moving the tray 1 relatively below the surroundings 11 and the state in which the trays 1 are raised. And a cutting blade 5 that cuts the leafy vegetables, and further includes a mechanism that mechanically moves the cutting blade 5 in the planting direction to cut a position on the root side of the surrounding part 11 of the leafy vegetables 2. Yes.

  The leafy vegetable 2 may grow as if it spreads out of the frame of the tray 1 and falls to the outside of the tray 1. If the leafy vegetable 2 is cut as it is with the cutting blade 5, it will fall down. The leafy leafy vegetables 2 cannot be cut properly, resulting in a loss of harvest. There is also a possibility that a fallen leaf may be caught in the movable part of the apparatus. Therefore, in the harvesting apparatus according to the second embodiment, before cutting with the cutting blade 5, the leafy vegetables 2 that have fallen to the outside of the tray 1 are lifted by the surrounding portion 11 and are erected.

(Enclosure 11)
The enclosure portion 11 is a portion that stands up by lifting the leafy vegetables 2 that have fallen to the outside of the tray 1 when the tray 1 moves relatively downward. As shown in FIG. It is preferable to use a portion configured to surround the periphery of the tray 1 in a wall shape after moving relatively downward. Or it is also possible to set it as the part comprised so that the circumference | surroundings of the tray 1 might be enclosed in a fence shape. In the present invention, before the tray 1 moves relatively downward, the periphery of the tray 1 may not be surrounded by the surrounding portion 11 (FIG. 4A). The form of the enclosure 11 is determined according to the form of the tray 1.

  FIG. 5 schematically shows a specific example of the enclosure 11. In FIG. 5A, the arrangement portion 3 of the tray 1 is provided on substantially the same plane as the enclosure portion 11. When the tray 1 is arranged on the arrangement unit 3 in this state, the leafy vegetables 2 that have fallen to the outside of the tray 1 are placed on the upper surface of the enclosure 11 outside the arrangement unit 3. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 5 (B), when the placement unit 3 is lowered or the enclosure part 11 is raised, the fallen leafy vegetable 2 is relatively moved upward by the enclosure part 11. Can be lifted up. In particular, a configuration in which the placement unit 3 is lowered is preferable because it is easy to adjust the positional deviation of the tray due to the vertical movement. As for the lowering of the arrangement part 3 and the raising of the enclosure part 11, a known lifting means can be applied, which may be manual or automatic.

  The harvesting device 20 cuts the position on the root side with respect to the enclosure part 11 of the leafy vegetable 2 by mechanically moving the cutting blade 5 in the planting direction in a state where the leafy vegetable 2 is raised by the enclosure part 11. And a mechanism for Thereby, it can cut | disconnect between the foliage and root of the leafy vegetable 2 which stood up. As the mechanism for mechanically moving the cutting blade 5, a known mechanism can be adopted as described above.

2.2. Harvesting method The present invention also has an aspect as a harvesting method. That is, the harvesting method of the present invention according to the second embodiment is a method of cutting a plurality of leafy vegetables 2 grown in the tray 1 to harvest the foliage and arranged so as to surround the tray 1. The tray 1 is disposed inside the enclosed portion 11 (FIG. 4A), and the leafy vegetables 2 that have fallen to the outside of the tray 1 are moved by moving the tray 1 relatively below the enclosed portion 11. From the enclosure 11 of the leafy vegetable 2 by mechanically moving the cutting blade 5 in the planting direction after the standing of the leafy vegetable 2 and the step of standing the leafy vegetable 2 (FIG. 4B) And a step of cutting the position on the root side (FIG. 4C). Details of each process overlap with the above-described contents, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

  As described above, according to the present invention according to the second embodiment, air blow is performed as a cutting assist mechanism by standing the leafy vegetable 2 by the enclosure 11 and cutting the leafy vegetable 2 by the cutting blade 5 at high speed and accurately. The leafy vegetables 2 grown in the tray can be easily and efficiently cut without using them, and the vegetables can be harvested in a sanitary state.

3. Third Embodiment 3.1. Harvesting device FIG. 6 schematically shows a mechanism provided in the harvesting device 30 of the present invention according to the third embodiment as a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the harvesting device 30 is a device that cuts a plurality of leafy vegetables 2 grown in the tray 1 to harvest the stems and leaves, and the placement unit 3 that places the tray 1, and the placement unit The holding means 4 for holding the stems and leaves of the leafy vegetables 2 in the tray 1 arranged in 3 and the cutting blade 5 for cutting the leafy vegetables 2 in a state where the holding means 4 holds the leaves and leaves are provided. Is further provided with a mechanism for mechanically moving the plant in the planting direction and cutting the position on the root side with respect to the holding means 4 of the leafy vegetables 2.

(Holding means 4)
The harvesting device 30 according to the third embodiment has one feature in that the holding device 4 is provided. The holding means 4 is means for holding the stems and leaves of the leafy vegetables 2 by being inserted between the stems and leaves of the plurality of leafy vegetables 2 in the tray 1. As long as the holding means 4 can exhibit its function, its form is not particularly limited, and the form of holding the leaves and leaves of the leafy vegetables 2 is held and the leaves and leaves of the leafy vegetables 2 are sandwiched and held. Various forms such as forms can be adopted. In particular, a form having a comb-shaped holding portion 4a as described below is preferable.

  FIG. 7 schematically shows a specific example of the holding means. In FIG. 7, the holding means is a combination of a pair of holding means 4, 4 '. The holding means 4 (4 ') has a comb-shaped holding portion 4a (4a') and a support portion 4b (4b ') that supports the holding portion 4a (4a'). As shown by an arrow in FIG. 7A, the holding means 4 (4 ′) is a leafy vegetable by inserting a comb-shaped holding part 4a (4a ′) from the outside of the tray 1 to the leafy vegetable 2. The two foliage can be held while being sandwiched (FIGS. 6B and 7B). In this case, the holding means 4 (4 ') may be manually inserted into the leafy vegetable 2 or may be automatically mechanically inserted into the leafy vegetable 2. At this time, when the leafy vegetable 2 is a vegetable having a vertically long leaf such as leek or leek, the comb-shaped holding portion 4a (4a ') is arranged at intervals between the rows of leafy vegetables 2 ). On the other hand, in the case of vegetables that grow such that leaves such as Komatsuna and spinach spread sideways, they may be inserted so as to span a plurality of intervals (split spaces) formed by each row of leafy vegetables 2, It may be inserted into the furrow. By inserting the comb-shaped holding part 4a (4a ') in this way, damage to the leafy vegetable 2 can be suppressed.

  Further, when the upper surface shape of the tray 1 is substantially rectangular, a plurality of holding portions 4a and 4a 'facing each other are inserted between the long sides of the tray 1 as shown in FIG. The whole leafy vegetable 2 can be easily and appropriately held, which is preferable. In this case, the total length of the pair of holding portions 4a and 4a ′ (the total length of the length X and the length X ′ in FIG. 7A) is set to the length of the short side of the tray 1 (FIG. 7). By setting the length Y) to (A) or more, the holding portions 4a and 4a ′ can be inserted to the center of the tray 1, and the whole of the plurality of leafy vegetables 2 can be more reliably held. Alternatively, the lengths of the holding portions 4a and 4a ′ are set to the same length as the short side of the tray 1, and the holding portions 4a and 4a ′ are inserted so as to be staggered in the long side direction of the tray 1 and held. The leafy vegetables 2 may be sandwiched between the part 4a and the holding part 4a ′. Alternatively, only one holding means 4 may be inserted. In addition, what is necessary is just to adjust suitably the space | interval (gap which the cutting blade 5 can pass) of the holding | maintenance part 4a and the tray 1 according to the kind etc. of leafy vegetables 2. Preferably they are 2 cm-5 cm, More preferably, they are 2 cm-3 cm.

  6 (B) and 7 (B), the comb-shaped holding part 4a of the holding means 4 is shown inserted into all of the plurality of intervals (between spaces) of the leafy vegetables 2, but the present invention is shown. Is not limited to this form. For example, the form in which the holding part 4a is inserted into only a part of the plurality of furrows may be used. Moreover, as above-mentioned, depending on the kind of leafy vegetable 2, you may make it the holding means 4 be inserted in parts other than the furrow.

  The harvesting device 10 has a mechanism that mechanically moves the cutting blade 5 in the planting direction and cuts the position on the root side relative to the holding means 4 of the leafy vegetables 2 (FIGS. 6C and 6D). As the mechanism for mechanically moving the cutting blade 5, a known mechanism can be adopted as described above. Here, in the harvesting apparatus 10, the leafy vegetables 2 are held by the holding means 4. Therefore, the upper side of the cutting position of the leafy vegetable 2 is fixed by the holding means 4 and the lower side is fixed by the root, and the reaction force at the time of cutting by the cutting blade 5 can be received vertically. Thereby, the sliding of the cutting blade 5 can be suppressed and the leafy vegetable 2 can be cut | disconnected more smoothly. Moreover, since the foliage is held by the holding means 4, it is possible to prevent the foliage from coming into contact with a sponge or the like that is a seedbed in the tray 1, and vegetables can be harvested in a sanitary state.

(Other mechanisms)
The harvesting device 30 according to the third embodiment may further include a mechanism that allows the tray 1 to be collected while holding the foliage by the holding means 4 after cutting the leafy vegetables 2 in addition to the above-described configuration and mechanism. It is preferable (FIG. 6E). For example, a mechanism for collecting the tray 1 from the placement unit 3 by moving the holding means 4 above or outside the tray 1 while holding the stems and leaves of the leafy vegetables 2, and holding the stems and leaves of the leafy vegetables 2 by the holding means 4 However, various mechanisms such as a mechanism for collecting the tray 1 to the outside of the placement unit 3 can be employed. That is, any of a mechanism for moving the holding means 4 and a mechanism for moving the tray 1 may be used. Alternatively, a tray collection port may be provided outside the arrangement unit 3 of the harvesting apparatus 10 so that the tray 1 can be manually removed from the collection port.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the harvesting device 30 further includes a mechanism for releasing the holding of the foliage by the holding unit 4 after the cutting of the leafy vegetable 2 and dropping the foliage into a harvesting container (not shown) (FIG. 6F). )). For example, the holding means 4 inserted between the leafy vegetables 2 is returned to a position before holding the leafy vegetables 2 (for example, the position in FIG. 7A, hereinafter referred to as “original position”). Thus, the holding of the foliage can be released, and the foliage can be dropped naturally. In this case, when returning the holding means 4 to the original position, it is preferable to provide a member that makes it possible to easily remove the foliage of the leafy vegetable 2 held by the holding means 4. For example, by pressing the stems and leaves of the leafy vegetable 2 against the fixing member that is not interlocked with the holding unit 4, the holding unit 4 is returned to the original position, so that the leafy vegetable held in the holding unit by the fixing member is stored in the holding unit 4. It can be easily removed while pressing in the direction opposite to the direction of travel. Such a fixing member can be provided, for example, around the storage port of the holding means 4 (for example, a plurality of holes shown in FIG. 9B described later). In addition, as shown in FIG. 9B described later, when the holding means 4 is projected from a plurality of holes, the wall surface around the hole may function as a fixing member. On the other hand, when the holding means 4 is protruded from the slit connected to the plurality of holes instead of the plurality of holes, a fixing member is provided around the slit to prevent the leafy vegetables from being caught in the slit. It is preferable.

3.2. Harvesting method The present invention also has an aspect as a harvesting method. That is, the harvesting method of the present invention according to the third embodiment is a method of cutting a plurality of leafy vegetables 2 grown in the tray 1 and harvesting the stems and leaves. The process of holding the foliage mechanically (FIG. 6 (B), FIG. 7 (B)) and the cutting blade 5 is moved mechanically in the planting direction while holding the foliage, and the holding part for the leafy vegetables 2 And a step of cutting a position closer to the root side (FIG. 6C). In this case, it is preferable to insert the comb-shaped holding means 4 into the leafy vegetables 2 in the tray 1 to hold the foliage. Moreover, it is preferable to further include a step of collecting the tray while holding the foliage after cutting the leafy vegetable 2 and a step of releasing the holding of the foliage and dropping the foliage after cutting the leafy vegetable 2. Details of each process overlap with the above-described contents, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

  As described above, according to the present invention according to the third embodiment, air blow is performed as a cutting assist mechanism by holding the leafy vegetables 2 by the holding means 4 and cutting the leafy vegetables 2 by the cutting blade 5 at high speed and accurately. The leafy vegetables 2 grown in the tray can be easily and efficiently cut without using them, and the vegetables can be harvested in a sanitary state.

  The harvesting apparatus / harvest method according to the present invention is more preferably a combination of the configuration / mechanism according to the second embodiment described above and the configuration / mechanism according to the third embodiment. 8 and 9 schematically show the harvesting apparatus 100 according to the combination.

As shown in FIG. 8, the harvesting device 100 according to the present invention is, as a preferred form, an arrangement part 3 for arranging the tray 1, an enclosure part 11 arranged around the tray 1 arranged in the arrangement part 3, A mechanism for raising the leafy vegetables 2 that have fallen outside the tray 1 by the enclosure 11 by moving the tray 1 relatively below the enclosure 11 and the stems and leaves of the leafy vegetables 2 that have been raised are held. The holding means 4 and a cutting blade for cutting the leafy vegetable 2 in a state where the holding means 4 holds the stem and leaves, and the holding means 4 for holding the leafy vegetable 2 by mechanically moving the cutting blade 5 in the planting direction. Further, a mechanism for cutting the position closer to the root side is further provided. Also in such a form, it is preferable that the holding means 4 has the comb-shaped holding part 4a (refer FIG. 7) inserted in the leafy vegetable 2 in the tray 1. FIG. Moreover, it is preferable to further provide a mechanism that enables the tray to be collected while holding the stems and leaves by the holding means 4 after cutting the leafy vegetables 2. Furthermore, it is preferable to further include a mechanism for releasing the holding of the foliage by the holding means 4 and dropping the foliage into a harvesting container (not shown) after cutting the leafy vegetables 2.
The details and preferred forms of these configurations / mechanisms are as described above, and since their contents are duplicated, description thereof is omitted here.

Moreover, the harvesting method which concerns on this invention arrange | positions the tray 1 inside the enclosure part 11 distribute | arranged so that the circumference | surroundings of the tray 1 may be enclosed as a preferable form (FIG. 8 (A)), and the enclosure part 11 is enclosed. The leaf vegetable 2 that has fallen to the outside of the tray 1 is caused to stand up by the surrounding portion 11 (FIG. 8B), and thereafter the leaf vegetable 2 in the tray 1 is moved relatively downward. The mechanically holding the foliage (FIG. 8C) and the cutting blade 5 is mechanically moved in the planting direction while holding the foliage, and the root side of the leafy vegetable 2 holding part. And a step of cutting the position (FIG. 8D). Even in such a form, it is preferable to insert the comb-shaped holding means 4 into the leafy vegetables in the tray 1 to hold the foliage. Moreover, after cutting the leafy vegetables 2, it is preferable to collect the tray while holding the stems and leaves (FIGS. 8E and 8F). Furthermore, after cutting the leafy vegetables 2, it is preferable to further include a step of releasing the holding of the foliage and dropping the foliage (FIG. 8G).
The details and preferred forms of these configurations / mechanisms are as described above, and since their contents are duplicated, description thereof is omitted here.

4). Specific form of preferable harvesting device A more specific example of the harvesting device 100 according to the second and third embodiments will be described. As shown in FIG. 9 (and FIG. 8), the harvesting apparatus according to the present invention is, as a preferred form, the arrangement unit 3 for arranging the tray and the periphery of the arrangement unit 3 (that is, the tray arranged in the arrangement unit 3). And the leaves that have fallen to the outside of the tray by moving the tray relatively downward relative to the enclosure 11 (see FIGS. 9A and 8A)). A mechanism (Fig. 9 (B) (and Fig. 8 (B)) for standing vegetables and vegetables by the enclosure part 11, and a comb-shaped holding part 4a protruding from a plurality of holes provided on the inner wall of the enclosure part 11 The holding means 4 (FIG. 9 (C) (and FIG. 8 (C))) for holding the leaves and leaves of the leafy vegetables, and the cutting blade 25 for cutting the leafy vegetables 2 with the holding means 4 holding the leaves and leaves. (FIG. 9 (D) (and FIG. 8 (D))), and the frame provided on the inner wall of the enclosure 11 The cutting blade 25 is protruded from the pot, and the cutting blade 25 is mechanically moved in the planting direction to further include a mechanism for cutting the position on the root side relative to the holding means 4 for the leafy vegetables 2. (FIG. 9D (and FIG. 8D)). After cutting the leafy vegetables, the trays can be recovered from the placement unit 3 while holding the stems and leaves of the leafy vegetables by the holding unit 4 (FIG. 8F). By pulling back to the outside, the retention of the foliage vegetable stems and leaves can be released, and the stems and leaves can be dropped downward (FIG. 8G).

  As described above, according to the present invention, leafy vegetables 2 grown in the tray 1 can be easily and efficiently cut without using an air blow as a cutting assist mechanism, and the vegetables can be put in a sanitary state. Harvest is possible.

  Moreover, when the cutting blade 5 is mechanically moved in the planting direction to cut the leafy vegetables 2, it is necessary to use a swinging blade such as scissors, a reciprocating blade, or a high-speed rotating blade such as a grass cutting blade. This is not only excellent for safety, but also can be easily cleaned and sterilized by removing the cutting blade after the cutting operation. Moreover, there is no generation | occurrence | production of the abrasion powder between blades, and also there is no dust generation | occurrence | production of a rotating shaft part like a rotary blade. Furthermore, leafy vegetables do not bite between the blades. Therefore, leafy vegetables that are easily painful can be harvested extremely gently, quickly and safely.

  The present invention is particularly suitably used as an apparatus and method for harvesting vegetables grown in a tray in a plant factory.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tray 2 Leafy vegetable 3 Arrangement | positioning part 4 Holding means 5, 15 Cutting blade 11 Enclosure 10, 20, 30, 100 Harvesting apparatus

Claims (12)

An apparatus for cutting a plurality of leafy vegetables grown in a tray and harvesting stems and leaves,
An arrangement part for arranging the tray;
A cutting blade for cutting the leafy vegetables in the tray arranged in the arrangement unit;
With
The cutting blade is mechanically moved in the planting direction while the blade portion of the cutting blade has an off angle of 20 ° or more and 70 ° or less with respect to the direction of movement, and more than the tray of the leafy vegetables. A mechanism for cutting the upper position;
Harvesting equipment. The harvesting device according to claim 1, wherein a shape of the blade portion of the cutting blade is V-shaped. The harvesting device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a plurality of cutting blades. An enclosure arranged to surround the periphery of the tray;
A mechanism for raising the leafy vegetables that have fallen to the outside of the tray by moving the tray relatively lower than the enclosure, by the enclosure;
Further comprising
The harvesting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the standing leafy vegetables are cut. It further comprises holding means for holding the leaves and leaves of the leafy vegetables in the tray placed in the placement section, and the leaves are moved by moving the cutting blade in the planting direction with the holding means holding the stems and leaves. The harvesting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a position closer to a root side than the holding means for vegetable products is cut. The harvesting device according to claim 5, further comprising a mechanism for releasing the holding of the foliage by the holding unit and dropping the foliage into a harvesting container after the cutting of the leafy vegetables. The harvesting device according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising a mechanism that enables the tray to be collected while the foliage is held by the holding means after the leafy vegetables are cut. A method for harvesting stems and leaves by cutting a plurality of leafy vegetables grown in a tray,
A step of mechanically moving the cutting blade in the planting direction to cut a position above the tray of leafy vegetables,
The harvesting method of moving the said cutting blade so that the blade part of the said cutting blade has an off angle of 20 degrees or more and 70 degrees or less with respect to the direction of a movement. Before cutting the leafy vegetables,
Leafy vegetables that have fallen to the outside of the tray by disposing the tray inside the enclosure part that surrounds the periphery of the tray and moving the tray relatively below the enclosure part The harvesting method according to claim 8, further comprising a step of standing up the wall by the enclosure. Further comprising the step of mechanically holding stems and leaves of the leafy vegetables in the tray,
The harvesting method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the cutting blade is moved in a planting direction in a state where the foliage is held to cut a position closer to the root side than the holding part for the leafy vegetables. The harvesting method according to claim 10, further comprising a step of releasing the holding of the foliage after the cutting of the leafy vegetables and dropping the foliage into a harvesting container. The harvesting method according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising a step of collecting the tray while holding the foliage after cutting the leafy vegetables.