JP2017006826A - Fruit-vegetable automatic sorting method, fruit-vegetable automatic sorting apparatus, packing apparatus, fruit-vegetable sorting packing apparatus, and fruit-vegetable carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fruit-vegetable automatic sorting method suitable particularly for small-sized fruits and vegetables, a fruit-vegetable automatic sorting apparatus, a packing apparatus, a fruit-vegetable sorting packing apparatus, and a fruit-vegetable carrier.SOLUTION: Fruits and vegetables to be sorted are fed into a down-gradient transfer body 2 to make fruits and vegetables automatically move on the transfer body 2, and fruits and vegetables arriving at a predetermined point of the transfer body 2 are taken out one by one and transported by zoning one by one to automatically measure, with a measuring instrument 5, at least shapes and sizes of individual fruits and vegetables under being transported, so that ranks of the fruits and vegetables can be discriminated on the basis of the measurement data to sort out discriminated fruits and vegetables by being fed out sideways in the fruit-vegetable transportation direction by the rank. Take-over projections can be attached directly both on an endless traveller 10 and on a fruit-vegetable carrier 9 installed on the endless traveller.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention is a fruit vegetable automatic sorting method and fruit vegetable automatic sorting device for measuring fruit vegetables during their transport and classifying the identified fruit vegetables according to equal classes, and a packing device for packing the sorted fruit vegetables, The present invention relates to a fruit vegetable sorting and packing apparatus, and a fruit vegetable carrier that can be used in these apparatuses.

  As an automatic fruit vegetable sorting device for measuring fruit vegetables, discriminating the equal classes, and sorting by the identified equal classes, an automatic fruit vegetable sorting apparatus equipped with a belt conveyor type fruit vegetable carrier previously developed by the present inventors (for example, There are patent documents 1 to 3).

  In the fruit vegetable automatic sorting apparatus disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a plurality of belt conveyor type vegetable carriers are attached to an endless traveling body (for example, an endless traveling chain), and when the endless traveling chain circulates, the fruit vegetable carrier circulates and moves. It is a fruit vegetable carrier. This vegetable transporter measures the shape, size (size), etc. of the fruit vegetables loaded on the fruit vegetable carrier and the fruit vegetable supply part (fruit vegetable loading area) where the fruit vegetables are manually loaded on the fruit vegetable carrier one by one in advance. A measurement / discrimination unit (measurement discrimination area) that discriminates into equal classes, and a sorting unit that sorts fruit vegetables that have been classified into equal classes into equal classes and sends them to the pool conveyor provided on the side of the fruit vegetable transport line (Sorting area).

  In the fruit vegetable automatic sorting apparatus of Patent Document 1, the fruit vegetables loaded on the fruit carrier loading part of the fruit carrier carrier belt are moved by the forward rotation of the belt (rotation to the pool conveyor side) of the pool conveyor on the side of the fruit conveyer conveying direction. The belt of the fruit vegetable carrier is rotated backward (returned) until the fruit carrier returns to the fruit vegetable loading area by running the endless running chain, and the fruit vegetable loading parts are arranged in a row or substantially in a row. They are all aligned.

  The fruit vegetable carrier described in Patent Document 1 has an inertia in the conveyance direction because the fruit vegetables loaded on the belt are sent to the pool conveyor side on the side in the conveyance direction by the forward rotation of the belt of the fruit vegetable carrier during the conveyance of the fruit vegetables. Fruits and vegetables were hurt by rolling or falling when they were sent out. In order to solve these problems, the automatic vegetable vegetable sorting apparatus of Patent Document 2 is a belt conveyor type fruit vegetable carrier in which a support body that can support the fruit vegetables from behind is provided above the belt.

  As a solution to the problem of inertia, there is also an oblique back-type fruit carrier that rotates the belt obliquely backward in the conveying direction and sends the fruit vegetables on the fruit vegetable mounting portion obliquely backward (Patent Document 3). The vegetable carrier disclosed in Patent Document 3 has a plurality of narrow belts (about 1 to 2 cm in width) wound around one frame so as to be freely rotatable. , The rotation of the narrow belt sends out the fruit vegetables obliquely backward in the conveying direction to reduce the inertia of the fruit vegetables in the conveying direction, and the fruit vegetables are less likely to fall down and have the advantage of preventing damage to the fruit vegetables .

JP 2010-115654 A JP 2003-053275 A Japanese Patent No. 4469912

  The fruit vegetable automatic sorting device equipped with the belt conveyor type fruit vegetable carrier is particularly suitable for handling fruit vegetables that are easily damaged such as tomatoes and peaches and need to be manually placed on the fruit carrier by the operator. However, it is not very suitable for handling small fruit vegetables such as cherry tomatoes and kumquats, which are difficult for an operator to place on a vegetable carrier by hand.

  The present invention enables selection and packing of small-sized fruit vegetables such as cherry tomatoes and kumquats, and spherical (round) fruit vegetables that are easy to roll, such as peaches and large tomatoes, with an apparatus having a simple configuration with few drive mechanisms. Is to make it.

[Fruit vegetables automatic selection method]
The method for automatically sorting fruit vegetables of the present invention transports a large number of fruit vegetables irregularly, sends them to a downwardly inclined transport body, aligns the fruits and vegetables that are moving by the downward slope, and takes out the aligned fruit vegetables one by one. A method of sorting and sorting fruits and vegetables by feeding them one by one, automatically measuring each fruit vegetable being conveyed to determine the equal class, and sending the identified fruit vegetables to the side of the fruit vegetable conveyance direction by equal class. It is.

  In the fruit vegetable automatic selection method, the fruit vegetables determined in the same class can be sent out directly or via a relay body to a pool conveyor arranged on the side of the fruit vegetables conveying direction.

  In the fruit vegetable automatic sorting method, air can be blown to the fruit that has been classified in the same class during conveyance, and the fruit vegetables can be sent to the side of the conveyance direction or to the pool conveyor on the same side.

[Fruit vegetables automatic sorting device]
The fruit vegetable automatic sorting apparatus of the present invention includes a downwardly inclined transfer body and an extraction transport body that extracts and transports the fruit and vegetables that move the transfer body by the downward inclination one by one. The take-out transport body is obtained by attaching a takeover protrusion or a fruit and vegetable carrier provided with a takeover protrusion to the endless traveling body with a gap. The take-up protrusion moves along with the running of the endless running body, and can take out the fruits and vegetables on the transfer body one by one and take over.

  In the fruit vegetable automatic sorting apparatus of the present invention, a pool conveyor capable of pooling a large number of fruit vegetables sent out by equal class from the take-out conveyance body can also be arranged on the side of the fruit vegetable conveyance direction.

  An air blower can be provided on the side of the take-out conveyance body to blow air on the fruit vegetables being conveyed by the take-out conveyance body and to send the fruit vegetables to the side in the conveyance direction.

  The transfer body is formed by arranging a plurality of elongated materials at intervals, and the interval can be used as a passing space through which the takeover projection can pass from below to above.

[Packing device]
The pack packing device of the present invention is arranged in a row by a pack takeover body that takes over the fruit and vegetables delivered from the fruit and vegetable automatic sorting device, a plurality of pack alignment bodies that align the fruit vegetables in a row, and a pack alignment body in each row. A plurality of pack transport bodies for taking out and transporting the moving fruits one by one, a hopper provided at the front of the several pack transport bodies, and a pack transport body for transporting an empty pack under the hopper It is a thing. The pack transporters are moved by row so that the fruits and vegetables of each pack transporter can be transported and put into the hopper. By controlling the number of pack transporters that deliver fruit vegetables, the number or weight (hereinafter referred to as “quantity”) of the fruit vegetables sent to the hopper can be controlled.

  The transport body for packs may have a take-up projection or a vegetable carrier provided with a take-up projection in the running direction of the endless running body with an interval in the running direction.

  Each row of the pack alignment bodies is provided with a passing space in which the take-up projections of the pack transport bodies pass from below to above and pick up the fruits and vegetables in the respective pack alignment bodies individually.

[Fruit vegetables sorting and packing equipment]
The fruit vegetable sorting and packing apparatus according to the present invention includes a packing device at the end of the pool conveyor of the fruit and vegetables automatic sorting device, the fruit and vegetable automatic sorting device is the fruit and vegetables automatic sorting device, and the packing and packaging device is the packing device. The sorted fruit vegetables sent out from the pool conveyor are arranged in several rows by the packing device, each row of fruit vegetables is sent to the hopper, a pack transporter is provided under the hopper, and the pack transporter is carried under the hopper. In addition, fruit vegetables in the hopper are put into an empty pack and packed, and the filled pack can be discharged from under the hopper by the pack transfer body.

[Fruit vegetable carrier]
The vegetable carrier of the present invention is one that can take out the fruits and vegetables that are sent in a line, and can be attached to a conveyor-type endless traveling body. The take-up projections can pass through the passage space of the transfer body or pack alignment body that transports the fruit vegetables in a row, and the fruit vegetables can be taken out from the transfer body or the pack alignment body. The fruit vegetable mounting part can support the fruit vegetables taken out by the takeover protrusion.

The fruit vegetable automatic selection method of the present invention has the following effects.
(1) Since the fruit vegetables on the transfer body are taken out one by one and taken over, automatic measurement of individual fruit vegetables can be ensured.
(2) Since the transporting body is downwardly inclined and the fruit and vegetables are moved automatically with the downward inclination, the conveyor and the device for driving it are not necessary for the movement of the fruit and vegetables. Is also easy.
(3) When the fruit vegetables being conveyed by the take-out conveyance body are sent out by blowing air, the structure is simpler and less likely to break down than the conventional belt conveyor type fruit vegetable carrier, and maintenance is easy.

The fruit vegetable automatic sorting apparatus of the present invention has the following effects.
(1) Since the fruits and vegetables that have moved the transfer body are taken out one by one by the take-up protrusion and inherited, the fruits and vegetables can be reliably inherited.
(2) Since the transporting body is inclined downward so that the fruit vegetables can move automatically, the conveyor and the device for driving it are not necessary for the movement of the fruit vegetables, the structure is simple, and it is difficult to break down, and maintenance is also possible. Easy.

The packing device of the present invention has the following effects.
(1) Since the fruits and vegetables identified in the same class can be automatically packed, a packing operator is not required, and the labor can be greatly saved.
(2) Since the fruit vegetables are moved through the passages divided into a plurality of rows to accumulate a predetermined amount in the hopper, the fruit vegetables are packed from the hopper into the empty pack, and therefore, the empty pack is packed with a certain amount (including substantially constant) of the fruit vegetables. And there is no variation in quantity. It becomes easy to adjust the number or weight of fruit vegetables.

The fruit vegetable sorting and packing apparatus of the present invention has the following effects.
(1) Since the process from sorting to packing of fruit vegetables for each class classification can be fully automated, significant labor savings can be achieved.

The fruit vegetable carrier of the present invention has the following effects.
(1) Since it has a simple structure, it is hard to break down and is easy to maintain.
(2) Easy to attach to an endless traveling body.

The top view which shows the outline | summary of the fruit vegetable automatic selection apparatus and pack packing apparatus of this invention. (A) is a side view showing an example of an automatic vegetable vegetable sorting apparatus of the present invention, (b) is a detailed view of part A of (a), and is a side view when a fruit vegetable carrier is attached to an endless traveling body, (c) ) Is a detailed view of part A of (a), and is a perspective view when a fruit vegetable carrier is attached to an endless traveling body. (A) is arrangement | positioning explanatory drawing of the wire when a transfer body is comprised with three elongate materials, (b) is arrangement | positioning explanatory drawing of the wire when a transfer body is comprised with four elongate materials. (A) (b) is a perspective view which shows the example from which the fruit vegetable carrier of this invention differs. Side surface explanatory drawing when it is another example of the taking-out conveyance body of the fruit vegetable automatic selection apparatus of this invention, Comprising: A hand-over protrusion is directly attached to an endless traveling body. It is a take-out conveyance body of the fruit vegetable automatic sorting apparatus of the present invention, wherein (a) is a perspective view when the transfer body is composed of three elongated materials and there are two take-up projections, and (b) is four transfer bodies. The perspective view in the case of being comprised by the elongate material of a book, and three inheritance protrusions. The side view of the packing apparatus of this invention. (A) is a partial top view of the packing apparatus of this invention, (b) is a side view of (a). (A) is explanatory drawing at the time of rotating all the conveyance bodies for packs, and sending fruit vegetables to a hopper, (b) is an explanatory view at the time of rotating only a single pack conveyance body and sending fruit vegetables to a hopper.

(Embodiment of fruit vegetable automatic selection method)
The fruit vegetable automatic selection method of the present invention can be used for automatic selection of various fruit vegetables, but the outer shape such as cherry tomato, kumquat, pumpkin, chestnut, mandarin orange and eggplant is spherical or round (hereinafter referred to as “round”). It is suitable for automatic selection of fruit vegetables that are not easily damaged. Below, the case where a round fruit vegetable is selected automatically is demonstrated as an example below.

The fruit vegetable automatic sorting method of the present invention is a method for sorting as follows.
(1) Fruit vegetables T are irregularly supplied from the container C (FIG. 1, FIG. 2 (a)) onto the fruit vegetable carrier 1 (FIG. 1). A belt conveyor and other various conveyors are suitable for the fruit vegetable carrier 1.
(2) The fruit vegetables T are conveyed by the fruit vegetable carrier 1 and sent to the transfer body 2.
(3) The transfer body 2 moves the fruit vegetables T to the outlet side O (FIG. 1) while arranging them in a line. The transfer body 2 is a downwardly inclined passage, and is downwardly inclined at an angle at which the fruit vegetables T can roll or slide down.
(4) At the outlet side O (FIG. 1) of the transfer body 2, the fruit vegetables T are taken out one by one by the transport body 4 (FIG. 1) and taken over and transported. The take-out conveyance body 4 is suitable, for example, having a belt conveyor provided with a take-up protrusion 9a.
(5) A measuring instrument 5 in which necessary items such as the shape, size, weight, sugar content, color, deformation, and scratches of the fruit vegetables T being taken over by the take-out transport body 4 are arranged above the take-out transport body 4 ( Automatically measure in Fig. 1).
(6) Based on the measurement data, the equal class of the fruit vegetables T is discriminated by the discriminating means. As the discriminating means, discriminating means widely used in automatic selection of this kind of fruit vegetables can be used.
(7) The fruit class T that has been identified in the same class is sent out to the pool conveyor 7 (FIG. 1) arranged on the side of the take-out transport body 4 by the feed body 6 (FIG. 1) and sorted (sorted). ). An air blower, an extruder, or the like can be used for the feeder 6. A belt conveyor can be used for the pool conveyor 7. In this case, a relay body arranged directly on the pool conveyor 7 or between the take-out transport body 4 and the pool conveyor 7, for example, a belt conveyor having a different rotational speed from the pool conveyor 7, or a belt conveyor having a different rotational direction. Etc. (not shown) can be sent to the pool conveyor 7.

  The pool conveyor 7 shown in FIG. 1 is a belt conveyor type, and is arranged at a location where fruit vegetables T are sent out by class. In FIG. 1, three are arranged at one iso-class delivery point.

(Embodiment 1 of an automatic fruit vegetable sorting apparatus)
An example of the fruit vegetable automatic sorting apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The fruit vegetable automatic sorting apparatus 15 shown in FIG. 1 includes a fruit and vegetable carrier 1 that conveys the fruit and vegetable T introduced from the container C, and a transfer body 2 that moves the fruit and vegetable T fed from the fruit and vegetable carrier 1 in a line. In the outlet side O of the transport body 2, the take-out transport body 4 that takes out the fruit vegetables T from the transport body 2 one by one, and the shape, size, weight, sugar content, color, deformation, scratches, etc. of the fruit vegetables T being transported A measuring instrument 5 that measures necessary items, a feeding body 6 (FIG. 1) that takes out the identified fruit vegetables T to the side of the transport body 4, and a large number of fruit vegetables T that are sent out from the take-out transport body 4 by the feed body 6 are pooled. A pool conveyor 7 is provided.

[Fruit vegetable carrier]
A belt conveyor can be used for the fruit vegetable carrier 1 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. In this case, two guide plates 8 are arranged opposite to each other on the belt conveyor, the interval between the two guide plates 8 is narrowed toward the outlet side, and the fruit vegetables T passing between the two guide plates 8 move. As a result, they are automatically arranged in a line.

[Transport body]
As shown in FIG. 2 (c) and FIG. 3 (a), the transfer body 2 has three elongated rods or elongated pipes (hereinafter referred to as “bars”) 2a to 2c arranged at the apex position of the triangle in a downwardly inclined manner. In addition, a transfer passage R is formed inside the three bars 2a to 2c. The transfer passage R rolls down or slides down in the transfer passage R due to the downward slope, and the outlet side O (see FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the bars 2a and 2c, the bars 2b and 2c are arranged with an interval L1, and the bars 2a and 2b are arranged with an interval L2, and these three bars 2a to 2c are arranged. When the end faces of 2c are connected by a virtual straight line, the virtual straight line becomes an inverted triangle with an upward opening. The interval L1 is wide enough for the fruit vegetables T not to pass through (does not fall), and the interval L2 between the two upper bars 2a, 2b arranged on the upper side is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the fruit vegetables T so that the fruit vegetables T are equal. One of the transfer paths R is wide enough to be supported (FIGS. 2 (c), 6 (a) and 6 (b)). The three bars 2a to 2c are attached to a frame member (not shown) and the positional relationship is maintained. The interval (space) L1, L2 is a passage space S. If the bar can support the fruit vegetables T in the transfer passage R and can transfer the fruit vegetables T, the number and the inclination angle can be designed arbitrarily. FIG. 6B illustrates four cases. Also in this case, there is a passage space S (FIG. 3B) between the bars. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the passage space S is a space through which the take-up protrusion 9 a attached to the endless transport body 10 of the take-out transport body 4 passes and picks up the fruit vegetables T.

  The transfer body 2 may be other than the above structure. For example, a half pipe with an upward opening can be used. In this case, the width of the half pipe is set to a width that accommodates at least one fruit vegetable T to serve as a transfer passage. In the case of the half pipe, there is no space unlike the case where the transfer body 2 is constituted by a bar. Thus, the cutout portion can be a passing space through which the takeover protrusion 9a can pass.

  The inclination angle (downhill) of the transport body 2 is such that fruit vegetables T automatically roll down (fall down) or slip off from the entrance side Q (left side in FIG. 1) to the exit side O (right side in FIG. 1). A suitable angle is suitable for (sliding down) and moving to the exit side O. Fruit vegetables T have a shape that is difficult to roll and a shape that is easy to roll. If the descending slope of the transfer body 2 is too small, the transfer body 2 may stop in the middle of the transfer body 2 without rolling smoothly. If the descending slope is too large, the succeeding fruit vegetables (referred to as “subsequent fruit vegetables” in the present application) T may collide with or overcome the preceding fruit vegetables T, and the fruit vegetables T may be damaged. It is desirable to set the slope so as not to cause such a situation. In addition, since there are not two fruit vegetables T having the same shape and size, it is desirable to design the fruit vegetables T to have a downward slope that smoothly falls or slides according to the type, size, shape, and the like of the fruit vegetables T.

[Take-out carrier]
The take-out conveyance body 4 takes over the fruit vegetables T that have arrived at the outlet side O of the transfer body 2 and conveys them to the destination. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 (a) to 2 (c), the take-out transport body 4 may be an endless transport body 10 such as a timing belt attached with a vegetable carrier 9. By using the fruit vegetable carrier 9 having the structure shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), the fruit vegetable T is put into two pieces of the fruit vegetable carrier 9 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the pick-up protrusions 9a can be crawled up (taken out) and placed one by one on the fruit-powder mounting portion 9b of each fruit-vegetable carrier 9, so that they can be partitioned by the take-up protrusions 9a. is there.

  The endless traveling body 10 is circulated around the outer periphery of five timing pulleys (FIG. 2A) arranged at intervals, and the upward inclined portion 10a, the upper horizontal traveling portion 10b ahead thereof, This is a horizontal folding rotary type in which a downward inclined portion 10c, a return inclined portion 10d that turns back diagonally downward, and a lower horizontal running portion 10e that goes forward are rotated in a series (endless shape). A flat belt type belt conveyor may be used for the endless traveling body 10.

  A large number of the fruit vegetable carriers 9 are provided on the surface of the endless traveling body 10 at regular intervals in the traveling direction, and are moved as the endless traveling body 10 travels.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a large number of fruit vegetable carriers 9 are attached to an endless traveling body 10 in a line (including almost a line). By arranging the fruits and vegetables T in a row, the fruits and vegetables T are conveyed at regular intervals in a row, so that the individual fruits and vegetables T can be measured with high accuracy by the measuring instrument 5.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), each fruit vegetable carrier 9 includes a handing projection 9a that takes over the fruit vegetable T from the transfer body 2, and a fruit vegetable mounting portion 9b on which the fruit vegetable T taken out by the handing projection 9a is placed. . The take-up protrusion 9a is provided on the rear side of the fruit and vegetable mounting portion 9b (rearward in the traveling direction of the endless traveling body 10 when attached to the endless traveling body 10). 4 (a) and 4 (b), two takeover projections 9a are provided. The distance between the two succeeding projections 9a is set so that the fruit vegetables T do not fall. 4A is arranged in parallel toward the front in the conveyance direction, but the two projection protrusions 9a in FIG. 4B are arranged slightly inward from the front in the conveyance direction. Has been.

  The width of each takeover projection 9a is such that it can pass through the passage space S of the transfer body 2 (FIGS. 6A and 6B). As the endless running body 10 travels, the takeover projection 9a passes through the passage space S. The inside is rotated (passed) from the bottom to the top so that the fruit vegetables T on the transfer body 2 are picked up one by one and taken out, and can be taken over on the fruit vegetable mounting part 9b on the front side of the handing projection 9a. is there.

  The length of the take-up projection 9a is shorter than the height of the fruit vegetables T so that when passing through the passage space S from below to above, it does not straddle two or more fruit vegetables T on the transfer body 2, Two or more fruit vegetables T cannot be scooped up at a time.

  The vegetable carrier 9 in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) has the take-up projection 9a and the fruit vegetable mounting portion 9b integrally formed of resin, but it can be combined separately. The material may be other than resin, and may be elastic silicon, rubber or the like. The take-up protrusion 9a can be bent slightly by protruding the central part in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) slightly outward so that the picked-up fruit vegetables are stable, or can be bent somewhat by the weight of the fruit vegetables T when scooping up. It may be.

[Measuring instrument]
The measuring instrument 5 (FIG. 1) measures the shape, size, weight, color, sugar content, surface irregularities, presence / absence of scratches, etc. of the fruit vegetables T, and is an existing optical system used for fruit vegetable automatic selection. Various types of measuring instruments such as a type measuring instrument, an image processing type measuring instrument, a sugar meter, and a measuring instrument can be used individually or in combination of two or more measuring instruments. The measuring device 5 is arranged above the take-out transport body 4 so that the fruit vegetables T being transported can be measured from above, or can be placed on the side of the take-out transport body 4 so as to be measured from the side. Alternatively, it can be arranged directly below the take-out transport body 4 so that it can be measured from below. The measuring instrument 5 is arranged at a position where the fruit vegetables T can be accurately measured.

[Feeding body]
The feeding body 6 (FIG. 1) takes out the identified fruit vegetables T and feeds them to the pool conveyor 7 (FIG. 1) arranged on the side of the transport body 4 in equal classes. As an example, the feeding body 6 shown in FIG. 1 ejects high-pressure air to feed the fruit vegetables T on the take-out transport body 4 to the pool conveyor 7. As the feed body 6, an air blower, an extruder, or the like can be used. The feeding body 6 operates in accordance with a discrimination signal transmitted from the measuring instrument 5 side. When the discriminated fruit vegetable T reaches the vicinity of the pool conveyor 7 that accepts a predetermined class of fruit vegetable T, air is supplied. Controlled to spout. When the feeding body 6 is an air ejection type, in addition to the side of the vegetable carrier 9 of the take-out transport body 4, air may be ejected obliquely forward or diagonally backward in the transport direction by the take-out transport body 4 and sent forward in the ejection direction. it can. In this case, the pool conveyor 7 is arranged in the blowing direction.

[Pool conveyor]
The pool conveyor 7 (FIG. 1) pools the fruit vegetables T delivered by the feeder 6 according to equal classes, and can be a belt conveyor type using a flat belt. Several pool conveyors 7 are arranged at the side of the take-out transport body 4 and are pooled in places to be pooled by equal class. Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which three pool conveyors 7 are provided, the pool conveyor 7 may be less than three or more than four for one class. When a large number of pool conveyors 7 are provided, they can be arranged at intervals of every few or every other, and the intervals (spaces) can be used as work spaces for workers to work. .

  The upper surface of the pool conveyor 7 can be provided at the same height (level) as the upper surface of the take-out transport body 4 or can be provided at a position one level lower than the upper surface of the take-out transport body 4. The pool conveyor 7 conveys the delivered fruit vegetables T to the destination. Even if the pool conveyor 7 is continuously rotated at a low speed, the pool conveyor 7 is intermittently rotated at regular intervals, even if it is intermittently rotated at a predetermined moving length (for example, for one space of fruit vegetables) each time the fruit vegetables T are sent out. It may be. In order to prevent useless empty space on the pool conveyor 7, it is desirable to set a low rotation speed in the case of the continuous rotation type. When the rotational speed is high, the free space on the pool conveyor 7 increases, and an efficient pool cannot be formed. In the case of intermittent rotation for one space of fruit vegetables, a space is secured on the pool conveyor 7 for the fruit vegetables T to be fed later, so that the fruit vegetables T to be fed later are fed forward. It is possible to prevent rear-end collision with T, and to prevent damage to fruit vegetables T due to collision.

  The width and length of the pool conveyor 7 can be designed so that the required amount of fruit vegetables T can be pooled. The material is suitable for fruit vegetables T that are not easily damaged. If the pool conveyor 7 can pool many fruit vegetables T, the number, width, length, etc. can be designed arbitrarily. The pool conveyor 7 may be a continuous rotation type or an intermittent rotation type.

  In FIG. 1, it is sent directly from the take-out transport body 4 to the pool conveyor 7. However, if necessary, a relay body is arranged between the take-out transport body 4 and the pool conveyor 7, and once from the take-out transport body 4, It can also be sent to the relay body and sent from the relay body to the pool conveyor 7. As the relay body, for example, a belt conveyor having a rotational speed different from that of the pool conveyor 7 or a belt conveyor (not shown) having a different rotational direction, or a structure in which a large number of thin rotating rollers are arranged may be used.

(Embodiment 2 of fruit vegetable automatic sorting apparatus)
Another example of the fruit vegetable automatic sorting apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The basic structure of the fruit vegetable automatic sorting apparatus of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the difference is the structure of the take-out transport body 4, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6A and 6B. This is to provide two endless protrusions 9 a directly on the endless transport body 10 and not use the fruit vegetable carrier 9. In the following description, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, the description thereof is omitted, and only parts different from those in the first embodiment will be described.

  In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6A, the same timing belt as that of the first embodiment is used as the endless traveling body 10, and the two takeover protrusions 9 a are provided on the endless traveling body 10. Similarly, the take-up protrusions 9a are attached to the entire circumference of the endless transport body 10 at regular intervals in the traveling direction of the endless transport body 10 as a set.

(Embodiment 3 of fruit vegetable automatic sorting device)
FIG. 6B shows another example of the automatic vegetable vegetable sorting apparatus according to the present invention. The basic structure of the fruit vegetable automatic sorting device is the same as that in the first embodiment. Three inherited projections 9a are projected as a set.

  In any embodiment, the take-up projection 9a is curved with the widthwise outer side of the take-up projection 9a facing inward and the longitudinal central portion protruding outward, so that the round fruit vegetables can be easily scooped up by the take-up projection 9a. It is possible to make it difficult for the scooped round fruit vegetables to fall out of the takeover protrusion 9a. When there are three transfer protrusions 9a, the number of the bars constituting the transfer body 2 is changed to four as shown in FIG. 6B, and these bars are arranged at an interval so that the three bars between the four bars are arranged. As a passing space S through which the takeover protrusion 9a can pass through two intervals, the fruit vegetables T placed on the four bars can be scooped up (taken up). In this case, the shape, material, and the like of the takeover protrusion 9a can be the same as those of the takeover protrusion 9a of the first and second embodiments.

(Other Embodiment of Fruit Vegetable Automatic Sorting Device)
In the first to third embodiments, the case where the fruit and vegetable carrier 1, the transfer body 2, and the take-out carrier 4 are one line (one row) is taken as an example, but the fruit and vegetable carrier 1, the transfer body 2, and the take-out carrier 4 are necessary. Numbers can be arranged in parallel. In this case, the pool conveyor 7 is arranged on the side of each strip take-out transport body 4 so that the fruit vegetables T delivered from the respective strip take-out transport bodies 4 can be pooled by equal class.

  In the embodiment, the case where a timing belt is used as the endless traveling body 10 is taken as an example, but a normal flat belt may be used for the endless traveling body 10. Moreover, the endless traveling body 10 can also be constituted by two endless chains (not shown) arranged opposite to each other in parallel at an interval or other conveyor types.

(Embodiment 1 of Packing Device and Fruit Vegetable Selection Packing Device)
An example of the packing device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As an example, the pack filling device 20 (FIG. 1) shown in FIG. 1 is provided in front of the fruit and vegetables automatic sorting device 15 (FIG. 1), and the fruit and vegetable sorting and packing device 30 is packed with the fruit and vegetables automatic sorting device 15 and packed. This is a multifunction machine in which the devices 20 are combined.

[Packing device]
The pack filling device 20 in FIG. 1 is disposed at the front of the pool conveyor 7 of the fruit vegetable automatic sorting device 15, receives the fruit vegetables sent from the pool conveyor 7 and sends them to the next process, A pack alignment body 22 disposed at the tip of the takeover body 21, a pack transport body 23 disposed at the tip of the pack alignment body 22, a hopper 24 disposed at the tip of the pack transport body 23, A pack transfer body 25 is provided below the discharge port 24 b of the hopper 24.

[Fruit vegetables sorting and packing equipment]
The fruit vegetable sorting and packing apparatus 30 is a multi-function machine that combines the fruit vegetable automatic sorting apparatus 15 and the packing apparatus 20.

  Since the automatic vegetable vegetable sorting apparatus 15 of the present invention has been described in detail in the first embodiment of the automatic vegetable vegetable sorting apparatus, description thereof is omitted here.

[Transit body for packs]
1 is a belt conveyor wider than the three rows of pool conveyors 7, another conveyor, or a downwardly inclined plate material, and the fruit vegetables T fed from the pool conveyor 7 are collected. It is taken over and sent to the pack alignment body 22.

[Pack alignment]
The pack aligning body 22 of the pack filling device 20 in FIG. 1 aligns the fruit vegetables T delivered from the pack takeover body 21 in a line, and in FIG. 8 (a), six lines are provided in parallel. It can be arranged in rows. The number of rows of pack alignment elements 22 can be any number.

  For the pack alignment body 22, the transfer body 2 (FIGS. 6A and 6B) of the automatic fruit vegetable sorting apparatus 15 (FIG. 1) can be used in a downwardly inclined manner. In the embodiment of FIG. 6 (b), four bars 2a to 2d are arranged at intervals of two on the upper side and the lower side, and an interval L3 between the two lower bars 2c and 2b (FIG. 3 (b)). ) Is a size where the fruit vegetables T do not pass (does not fall), and an interval L2 between the two upper bars 2a, 2b is a width where one fruit vegetable T can be accommodated. The pack transfer body 22 shown in FIG. 6A has three bars 2a to 2c arranged in a triangle. There can be more than 5 bars. In either case, the bar is inclined downward from the start side to the end side so that the fruit vegetables T roll down or slide down. The pack alignment body 22 may have another structure as long as the fruit vegetables T roll or slide on the fruit vegetables T. For example, as to the fact that it can be constituted by a half pipe with an upward opening, the inclination angle, etc. It is the same as the transfer body 2 of Embodiment 1 of the apparatus.

[Full detection sensor]
A fullness detection sensor (not shown) is provided in the vicinity of the starting end side of the pack alignment body 22 so that it can be detected that the fruit vegetables T in the pack alignment body 22 are full. When it is detected by the full detection sensor that the fruit vegetables T in the pack alignment body 22 are full, the feeding of the fruit vegetables T by the pack takeover body 21 is stopped, and the sensor is empty in the pack alignment body 22. When it is detected that the pack has been detected, supply of the pack takeover body 21 is resumed.

[Pack carrier]
The pack transport body 23 is configured to take out the fruit vegetables T, which are sent in a line by the pack alignment body 22, one by one from the pack alignment body 22 and send them to the hopper 24. Is arranged.

  The pack transport body 23 has the same configuration as the take-out transport body 4 of the fruit vegetable automatic sorting device 15 (FIG. 1), and is connected to the endless transport body 10 (FIG. 2 (c)) such as a timing belt or a flat belt. a) The fruit vegetable carrier 9 shown in (b) may be attached, or the endless conveyance body 10 may be directly attached with the takeover protrusion 9a. In any case, on the outlet side of the pack carrier 23, the endless carrier 10 is rotated to scoop up (take out) the fruit vegetables T with the take-up protrusion 9a as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b). The protrusions 9a of the fruit vegetable carrier 9 on the fruit vegetable mounting part 9b (FIGS. 4A and 4B) or the endless transport body 10 and the fruit vegetable mounting part 9b on the front side of the takeover protrusion 9a (FIGS. 4A and 4B). It is fed one by one onto the fruit and vegetable mounting portion 9b, and can be partitioned one by one with the handed over projection 9a. The endless transport body 10 may be a chain or other endless rotating body.

  8A and 8B, one pack transport body 23 is provided at the tip of each of the six pack alignment bodies 22 (a total of six).

[Quantitative sensor]
A quantitative sensor (for example, a weighing meter: not shown) that senses the quantity of fruit vegetables T introduced into the hopper 24 from the pack carrier 23 is located near the outlet of the plurality of pack carriers 23 or the inlet 24a of the hopper 24. ) Is arranged. The six pack carriers 23 shown in FIG. 1 can be individually rotated. Normally, all six of them are rotated at the same time to feed almost the specified amount of fruit vegetables T to the hopper 24 (after the primary charging), and thereafter In order to adjust the number of feeds, a small number of fruit vegetables T can be fed by rotating only a small number of pack carriers 23 such as one or two. Specifically, at the time of primary charging, as shown in FIG. 9 (a), the pack conveyance bodies 23 of all the rows rotate and send out in the direction of the arrow, and the predetermined quantity is detected by the quantitative sensor. Then, as shown in FIG. 9 (b), only the outermost row of pack carriers 23 rotates so that a small number can be inserted. By doing so, several fruit vegetables T are sent to the hopper 24 after the primary charging, and the quantity in the hopper 24 can be made constant (including almost constant). When the predetermined quantity is detected by the quantitative sensor, the supply to the hopper 24 is stopped. The number of the pack transport bodies 23 to be rotated for the small number of feeding and the row of the pack transport bodies 23 to be rotated can be designed to be arbitrary one row or two rows.

[hopper]
The hopper 24 of FIG. 1 stores the amount of fruit vegetables T transferred from the pack carrier 23 for one pack (the amount to be packed in one pack), and the stored fruit vegetables T are transferred by the pack transfer body 25. This is for supplying the empty pack P sent to a fixed position (under the hopper discharge port). As an example, the hopper 24 shown in FIG. 7 has an opening 24a in the upper opening for feeding the fruit vegetables T sent from the pack carrier 23, and a lower discharge for discharging the fruit vegetables T stored in the hopper 24 into the empty pack P. An outlet 24b is provided.

[Pack transporter]
The pack transfer body 25 sends the empty plastic pack P under the discharge port 24b of the hopper 24 and also sends out the filled pack P filled with the fruit vegetables T dropped from the discharge port 24b of the hopper 24. It is a device. An existing belt conveyor or roller conveyor can be used for the pack transfer body 25. The empty pack P can be stored in a stocker (not shown) installed in the vicinity of the pack transfer body 25.

  The pack transport body 25 is provided with a pack fixed position sensor (not shown). When it is detected that the leading empty pack P has reached below the discharge port 24b of the hopper 24, the pack transport body (for example, a belt conveyor) 25 is provided. Is stopped, the lid 24c that can open and close the discharge port 24b of the hopper 24 is opened, and the fruit vegetables T in the hopper 24 are filled into the empty pack P from the discharge port 24b. When the pack transporter 25 completes the filling of the fruit vegetables T into the empty pack P (packed by a predetermined amount), the pack transfer body 25 intermittently rotates by one pack to feed the filled pack P from under the hopper 24 and the next empty pack P. Is pulled under the outlet 24b of the hopper 24 and stopped. In this embodiment, every time the pack transport body 25 rotates intermittently for one pack, one empty pack P is supplied onto the pack transport body 25 from the stocker.

(Operation of fruit vegetable automatic sorting device)
The fruit vegetable automatic sorting device 15 (FIG. 1) of the present invention operates as follows (1) to (7).
(1) When the fruit vegetables T are supplied from the fruit vegetable carrier 1 to the transfer body 2, the fruit vegetables T move downward by their own weight while rotating or sliding down due to the inclination of the transfer body 2.
(2) The fruit vegetables T that have reached the outlet side O of the transfer body 2 fall on the take-out conveyance body 4 disposed below the transfer body 2 (FIG. 2B).
(3) When the take-out transport body 4 rotates in the state of (2), the takeover protrusion 9a provided on the vegetable carrier 9 of the take-out transport body 4 passes through the passage space S of the transport body 2, and the transport body 2 The upper fruit vegetables T are scooped up (taken out) by the hand-over projection 9a and handed over.
(4) When the fruit vegetable T is handed over as in (3) above, the subsequent fruit vegetable T falls onto the next take-out transport body 4, and the hand over projection 9a passes through the passage space S of the transport body 2 and the fruit vegetables. Take over T. By repeating this, the fruit vegetables T are successively taken over one by one, and are conveyed forward by the rotation of the endless conveyance body 10.
(5) The fruit vegetables T conveyed to the other side are measured one by one by the measuring instrument 5 during the conveyance, and the equal class is determined.
(6) When the determined fruit vegetables T whose isoclass has been determined reach the side of the pool conveyor 7 for the isoclass, air is ejected from the feeding body 6 (FIG. 1), and the determined fruit vegetables T are identified by the air. Is sent to the pool conveyor 7.
(7) Thereafter, the fruit vegetables T are continuously measured and discriminated by repeating the above (1) to (6), sent to the pool conveyor 7 and automatically selected.

(Operation of packing device)
The packing device 20 (FIG. 1) of the present invention operates as follows (1) to (7).
(1) The fruit vegetables T sent from the pool conveyor 7 of FIG. 1 to the pack takeover body 21 are sent to a plurality of pack alignment units 22 and aligned in several rows. Moves under its own weight while rotating or sliding down.
(2) The leading fruit T that has reached the outlet side of the pack alignment unit 22 falls onto the endless transport body 10 of the pack transport body 23 disposed below the pack alignment section 22.
(3) In the state (2), the take-up projection 9a of the rotating pack transport body 23 passes through the passage space S of the pack alignment body 22, and scoops the fruit vegetables T on the pack alignment body 22. Raise and take over.
(4) The fruit vegetables T handed over by the hand over projections 9a are placed on the fruit vegetables resting portion 9b, conveyed, and put into the hopper 24. For loading into the hopper 24, the pack conveying bodies 23 in all rows are rotated and loaded. When a certain amount is input (primary input), only some of the pack carriers 23 are rotated to input several fruit vegetables (secondary input), and the fruit vegetables T in the hopper 24 are Make a predetermined quantity.
(5) When a predetermined amount of fruit vegetables T is accumulated in the hopper 24, the rotation of the pack carrier 23 is stopped, and the introduction of the fruit vegetables T to the hopper 24 is stopped.
(6) The lid 24c of the hopper 24 is opened, the discharge port 24b is opened, and the fruit pack T in the hopper 24 is filled into the empty pack P fed under the discharge port 24b. After the filling, the lid 24c of the discharge port 24b is closed, the filled pack P is sent to its destination, and the next empty pack P is sent below the discharge port 324b of the hopper 24.
(7) After that, the packing of fruit vegetables T is repeated by repeating (1) to (6).

  The fruit vegetable automatic sorting method, fruit vegetable automatic sorting apparatus, pack packing apparatus, fruit vegetable sorting and packing apparatus, and fruit vegetable carrier of the present invention can be used for automatic selection and automatic packing of fruit vegetables other than the aforementioned fruit vegetables.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fruit vegetable conveyance body 2 Transfer body 2a-2d Bar 4 Take-out conveyance body 5 Measuring instrument 6 Feed body 7 Pool conveyor 8 Guide plate 9 Fruit vegetable carrier 9a Takeover protrusion 9b Fruit vegetable mounting part 10 Endless conveyance body 10a Upward inclined part 10b Upper horizontal running part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10c Downhill inclination part 10d Return inclination part 10e Lower horizontal running part 15 Fruit and vegetable automatic selection apparatus 20 Packing apparatus 21 Pack takeover body 22 Packing alignment body 23 Packing conveyance body 24 Hopper 24a (hopper) input port 24b (hopper) ) Discharge port 24c (hopper) lid 25 Pack transfer body 30 Fruit vegetable sorting pack packing device C Container L1, L2 Interval O (Transport body) Outlet side P Pack Q (Transport body) Inlet side R Transfer passage S Passing space T Fruit vegetables

Claims (16)

It is an automatic fruit vegetable sorting method that measures moving vegetables and discriminates them by class, and sends the sorted fruit vegetables to the side of the fruit transport direction by class and sorts them.
The fruits and vegetables to be selected are supplied to a downwardly inclined transport body, and the downward slope is used to automatically move the fruit vegetables on the transport body,
The fruits and vegetables that have arrived at a predetermined location of the transfer body are taken out one by one and are divided and conveyed one by one,
Automatically measure at least the shape and size of each fruit vegetable being conveyed with a measuring instrument, and determine the equal class of the fruit vegetable based on the measurement data,
The identified fruit vegetables are sent out in the same class and sent to the side of the fruit conveyance direction.
The fruit vegetable automatic selection method characterized by this. In the fruit vegetable automatic selection method according to claim 1,
Send the identified fruit vegetables by equal class, directly to the pool conveyor arranged on the side of the fruit vegetable conveyance direction or via the relay body.
The fruit vegetable automatic selection method characterized by this. In the fruit vegetable automatic selection method according to claim 1 or claim 2,
Air is blown to the identified fruit vegetables being transported, and the fruit vegetables are sent to the side of the transport direction or to the pool conveyor.
The fruit vegetable automatic selection method characterized by this. It is an automatic fruit vegetable sorting device that discriminates the equal class of moving fruit vegetables and sends out the identified fruit vegetables to the side of the fruit vegetable conveyance direction according to equal classes,
A downwardly inclined transfer body, and a take-out transport body that takes out and transports fruits and vegetables moving by the downward slope one by one,
In the take-out transport body, the take-up protrusion is attached to two or more locations of the endless traveling body with a space therebetween, and the fruit and vegetables mounting portion is provided in the traveling direction ahead of the endless traveling body from the hand-over projection,
The handover protrusion is movable along with the traveling of the endless traveling body,
The transfer body is provided with a passage space through which the take-up protrusion that moves due to the traveling of the endless traveling body can pass at least at a predetermined position in the transfer direction;
The take-up protrusion moves as the endless traveling body travels, passes through the passage space from the bottom to the top, takes out the fruits and vegetables on the transfer body one by one, and places them on the fruit and vegetable mounting portion of the endless traveling body. Can be transported,
Fruit vegetable automatic sorting device characterized by that. It is an automatic fruit vegetable sorting device that discriminates the equal class of moving fruit vegetables and sends out the identified fruit vegetables to the side of the fruit vegetable conveyance direction according to equal classes,
A downwardly inclined transfer body, and a take-out transport body that takes out and transports fruits and vegetables moving by the downward slope one by one,
In the take-out transport body, a vegetable carrier provided with a hand-over projection and a fruit-carried portion is attached to two or more locations of the endless traveling body with a space therebetween, and the fruit-carried portion is traveled by the endless traveling body rather than the hand-over projection. It is provided in the direction ahead,
The fruit vegetable carrier is movable as the endless traveling body travels,
The transfer body is provided with a passage space through which the take-up protrusion that moves due to the traveling of the endless traveling body can pass at least at a predetermined position in the transfer direction;
The take-up protrusion moves as the endless traveling body travels, passes through the passage space from the lower side to the upper side, takes out the fruit vegetables on the transfer body one by one, and places them on the fruit vegetable mounting part of the fruit vegetable carrier. Can be transported,
Fruit vegetable automatic sorting device characterized by that. In the fruit vegetable automatic sorting device according to claim 4 or claim 5,
The pool conveyor is placed on the side of the fruit and vegetables in the take-out carrier,
The pool conveyor can pool a large number of fruits and vegetables that are sent out by class from the top of the fruits and vegetables on the take-out carrier.
Fruit vegetable automatic sorting device characterized by that. In the fruit vegetable automatic selection device according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
On the side of the take-out transport body, it was equipped with an air blower that blows air out the fruit and vegetables on the fruit and vegetables mounting part,
Fruit vegetable automatic sorting device characterized by that. In the fruit and vegetables automatic selection device according to any one of claims 4 to 7,
The transport body is composed of several elongated materials arranged at intervals, and these intervals are defined as passage spaces through which the takeover projections can pass upward from below.
Fruit vegetable automatic sorting device characterized by that. A packer that packs fruit vegetables that are sorted by class and sent out by an automatic fruit vegetable sorting device,
A pack takeover body that takes over a large number of fruit vegetables sent out from the fruit vegetable automatic sorting device, a multi-row pack alignment body that aligns the fruit vegetables conveyed by the pack takeover body in a line, and a fruit vegetable in each row of the pack alignment body A plurality of pack transport bodies for picking up one by one and transferring them one by one, a hopper provided in front of the several rows of pack transport bodies, and a pack transport body for transporting an empty pack under the discharge port of the hopper ,
The pack carrier can be moved individually for each row, and the fruit and vegetables of each pack carrier can be conveyed and put into a hopper.
Packing device characterized by that. The packing device according to claim 9,
Out of several rows of pack carriers, fruit vegetables are sent out from some rows of pack carriers to the hopper, and the quantity of fruit vegetables sent to the hopper is controlled.
Packing device characterized by that. The packing device according to claim 9 or 10,
The pack carrier has a large number of inherited protrusions provided on the endless traveling body at intervals in the traveling direction, or a large number of fruit vegetable mounting parts on which the succeeding protrusions and the fruit vegetables taken over by the succeeding protrusions are placed. The fruit vegetable carrier is attached to the endless traveling body at intervals in the traveling direction.
Packing device characterized by that. The packing device according to any one of claims 9 to 11,
Each row of pack alignment bodies includes a passage space, and the passage space is such that the take-up projection of the pack take-over body can pass from below to above.
Packing device characterized by that. In a fruit vegetable sorting and packing device equipped with a fruit vegetable automatic sorting device and a packing device,
The fruit vegetable automatic sorting device is the fruit vegetable automatic sorting device according to any one of claims 4 to 8,
The packing device is the packing device according to any one of claims 9 to 12,
The packing device is arranged at the end of the pool conveyor of the fruit vegetable automatic sorting device, and the selected fruit vegetables sent out from the pool conveyor are sent to the pack takeover body of the packing device,
Fruit vegetable automatic sorting pack filling device characterized by that. It is a fruit and vegetable carrier that can take out and put fruit vegetables that are sent in a row, one by one,
It has two or more takeover protrusions that can take out the fruits and vegetables that are sent in a line by a transfer body or an alignment body for packs, and a fruit vegetable mounting part on which the fruit vegetables taken out by the takeover protrusions are placed,
The fruit vegetable placement part is dish-shaped,
The take-up protrusion is provided rearwardly in the direction of taking out the fruit vegetables from the fruit vegetable placing part and projecting upward from the upper surface of the fruit vegetable placing part, and has a lateral width capable of passing through the passing space of the transfer body or pack alignment body.
A fruit vegetable carrier characterized by that. In the fruit vegetable carrier according to claim 14,
The surface of the fruit vegetable mounting part is equipped with a hollow for stabilizing fruit vegetables,
A fruit vegetable carrier characterized by that. In the fruit and vegetable carrier according to claim 14 or claim 15,
Both or one of the take-up projection and the fruit vegetable placement part is formed of a soft material or an elastic material,
A fruit vegetable carrier characterized by that.

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