JP2020043802A - Root cutting device and preparation apparatus of head vegetable - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a root cutting device of head vegetables capable of cutting roots of the head vegetables such as onions, while minimizing a generation rate of uncut portions, and preparation apparatus.SOLUTION: The device for cutting roots of head vegetables each having a head formation part, outer leaves, and roots, includes: a conveyance section for conveying the head vegetables, while clamping the outer leaves; a root cutting blade disposed on the lower side of the conveyance section and rotating about a central shaft facing in the vertical direction; and a root feeding section disposed on the upstream side of the conveyance direction with respect to the root cutting blade, clamping the roots of the head vegetables currently conveyed by the conveyance section, and moving them toward the root cutting blade side at a speed higher than the conveyance speed of the conveyance section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 50

Description

  The present invention relates to a root cutting device and a preparation device for head vegetables such as onions.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, an onion root cutting device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known.
The device disclosed in Patent Literature 1 includes a transport device that transports onions, and a root cutting device that cuts the roots of the onions transported by the transport device. The root cutting device has a disk-shaped blade that rotates around a vertical axis, and cuts the root by passing the root portion of the onion over the disk-shaped blade.

JP 2013-81383 A

However, in the above-described root cutting device, although the root portion of the onion is curved, the root portion moves horizontally with respect to the blade, so that uncut portions are generated on the front side and the rear side in the moving direction. easy.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and provides an apparatus and a device for preparing roots of head vegetables, which can cut the roots of head vegetables such as onions while minimizing the amount of uncut portions. It is.

  The head cutting device for head vegetables according to one embodiment of the present invention is a device for cutting the head of head vegetables having a head part, an outer leaf, and a root, and a transport unit that sandwiches and transports the outer leaf, A root cutting blade that is disposed below the transport unit and rotates around a central axis that faces in the up-down direction, and a head vegetable that is disposed upstream of the root cutting blade in the transport direction and is transported by the transport unit. A root feeder for holding the root and moving the root toward the root cutting blade at a speed higher than the transport speed of the transport unit.

  Preferably, the root feeding unit includes a first feed roller that rotates around a central axis that faces in a vertical direction, and a central axis that is arranged side by side with the first feed roller in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction and faces in a vertical direction. A second feed roller that rotates around, and a rotation drive mechanism that rotates the first feed roller and the second feed roller such that the side that clamps the root moves toward the root cutting blade side. Have.

Preferably, the root cutting device includes a root retracting unit that is disposed below the transporting unit and pulls downward the roots of the head vegetables conveyed by the transporting unit, and the root retracting unit includes the root retracting unit. The feed unit is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction.
Preferably, the root cutting device includes a root aligning unit that is arranged below the transporting unit and aligns the roots of the head vegetables being transported by the transporting unit, and the root aligning unit is disposed on the root retracting unit. And is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction.

  Preferably, the root aligning unit includes a first rotating body that rotates around an axis extending in the transport direction, and a second rotating body that is arranged in parallel with the first rotary body and rotates around an axis that extends in the transport direction. A rotation drive mechanism for rotating the first rotator and the second rotator inward each other, a first elastic plate protruding radially outward from an outer peripheral surface of the first rotator, A second elastic plate projecting radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the two-rotational body.

Preferably, the root cutting device includes a cover that covers above the root cutting blade, and the cover has a notch cut out from the root drawing-in side toward the root cutting blade.
A head vegetable preparation device according to one aspect of the present invention includes the root cutting device and an outer leaf cutting device that cuts an outer leaf of the head vegetable from which the root has been cut.

  According to the root cutting device, the root feeding speed of the root feeding unit is higher than the feeding speed of the outer leaves by the feeding unit, so that the head vegetables are like a pendulum with the pinched portion of the outer leaves as a fulcrum. Rocks forward. By this swinging, the head of the head vegetable moves along a circular locus toward the root cutting blade and is cut. Thereby, since the root cutting blade moves in a curved shape and cuts the root with respect to the head vegetable having a curved base portion, it is possible to cut the root with a minimal amount of uncut root.

  According to the above-mentioned preparation device, cutting can be performed with the amount of the uncut portion reduced as much as possible by the root cutting device, and the outer leaf 2 of the head vegetable can be cut by the outer leaf cutting device.

It is a top view which shows one Embodiment of the preparation apparatus of vegetables (head vegetable). It is a side view which shows one Embodiment of the preparation apparatus of vegetables (head vegetable). FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a supply device, a first transport unit, and a second transport unit. It is the figure which looked at the 1st conveyance part from the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction (from the front). It is the figure which looked at the upstream of the 1st conveyance part and the 2nd conveyance part from the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction (from the back). FIG. 4 is a view of a first transport unit as viewed from an upstream side in a transport direction. FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating an upstream side of a first transport unit and a second transport unit. It is the figure which looked at the downstream of the 1st conveyance part and the 2nd conveyance part from the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction (from back). It is the figure which looked at the downstream of the 1st conveyance part, and the upstream of the 2nd conveyance part from the projection direction of the projection part. It is the figure which looked at the lower stream side of the 1st conveyance part, and the upper stream side of the 2nd conveyance part from the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction (from back). It is a perspective view showing a 2nd conveyance part. It is the figure which looked at the 2nd conveyance part from the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction (from the back). It is the figure which looked at the 2nd conveyance part from the conveyance direction of the 1st conveyance part (from the left). It is a figure showing movement of vegetables (heading vegetables) which move from a 1st conveyance part to a 2nd conveyance part. It is the figure which looked at the 3rd transportation part from the direction perpendicular to the transportation direction of the 3rd transportation part concerned (from the left). It is a top view of a 3rd conveyance part. It is the figure which looked at the 3rd transportation part from the downstream of the transportation direction of the 3rd transportation part concerned. It is the figure which looked at the 3rd transportation part from the upper stream side of the transportation direction of the 3rd transportation part concerned. It is the figure which looked at the 1st roller and the 2nd roller which carried vegetables (heading vegetable) in the downward posture from the direction of the central axis. It is a top view which shows the movement of vegetables (headed vegetables) in a 3rd conveyance part. It is a perspective view showing composition of a guidance member in a 3rd conveyance part, etc. It is a figure which shows the movement of the vegetables (headed vegetables) in a 3rd conveyance part seen from the direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction (from left). It is the figure which looked at the 4th conveyance part from the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction (from the left). It is a perspective view of a 4th conveyance part. It is the figure which looked at the 4th conveyance part from the upstream of the conveyance direction. It is a top view of a 4th conveyance part. It is a figure showing composition of the 2nd pinching belt. It is a perspective view which shows the movement of vegetables (headed vegetables) in a 4th conveyance part. It is a figure which shows the movement of the vegetables (headed vegetables) in a 4th conveyance part seen from the direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction (from left). It is a figure which shows the latter half of the movement of vegetables (headed vegetables) in a 4th conveyance part seen from the downstream of a 4th conveyance part. It is the figure which looked at the lower stream side of the 4th conveyance part, and the upper stream side of the 5th conveyance part from the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction (from the left). FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a downstream side of a fourth transport unit and an upstream side of a fifth transport unit. It is a top view showing the lower stream side of the 4th conveyance part, and the upper stream side of the 5th conveyance part. It is a top view of a support member. It is a perspective view of a support member. It is a perspective view which shows a support member by omitting the other support body. FIG. 13 is a view of a support member as viewed from an upstream side in a transport direction of a fifth transport unit. It is a figure which shows the flow of vegetables (headed vegetables) from the downstream of a 4th conveyance part to the upstream of a 5th conveyance part. FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a downstream side of a fourth transport unit and a fifth transport unit. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a downstream side of a fourth transport section and a fifth transport section. It is a top view which shows a lower belt and a lower pulley. It is a perspective view of the 1st cutting device (root cutting device) and the 2nd cutting device (outer leaf cutting device). It is a perspective view showing a 3rd motor and a power transmission mechanism. It is the figure which looked at the 1st cutting device and the 2nd cutting device from the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction (from the left). It is a perspective view of a 1st cutting device. It is the figure which looked at the 1st cutting device from the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction (from the left). It is a perspective view which expands and shows a 1st cutting device. It is a top view of a 1st cutting device. It is a figure showing operation of a root alignment part. It is a figure which shows the movement of the vegetables (headed vegetables) in a 1st cutting apparatus seen from the direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction (from left). It is a figure which shows the effect | action of a root retracting part. It is a top view of a 1st cutting device and a 2nd cutting device. It is a perspective view of the back of a 1st cutting device, and a 2nd cutting device. It is a figure which shows the drive mechanism etc. of an outer-leaf cutting part. It is a figure showing an onion as an example of vegetables (head vegetables).

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing one embodiment of the vegetable preparation device 1, and FIG. 2 is a side view showing one embodiment of the vegetable preparation device 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the vegetable preparation device 1. 1 to 3 show a part of the configuration of the preparation apparatus 1. FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 show the entire configuration of the preparation apparatus 1.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the direction of arrow X1 in FIGS. 1 to 3 is referred to as front, and the direction of arrow X2 in FIGS. 1 to 3 is referred to as rear. The arrow X direction in FIGS. 1 and 2 is the front-rear direction, the arrow Y direction in FIGS. 1 and 3 is the device width direction, the arrow Y1 direction is the left direction, and the arrow Y2 direction is the right direction.
The vegetables prepared by the preparation device 1 according to the present invention are mainly head vegetables. The head vegetables are, for example, bulb bulbs whose roots swell underground or on the ground to become spherical. Specifically, for example, onions, rakkyo, garlic, lily root and the like. Hereinafter, a description will be given assuming that the vegetable VG to be processed according to the present invention is a head vegetable VG.

  As shown in FIG. 55, a head vegetable (bulb) VG includes a head part (bulb) VG1, an outer leaf VG2 extending upward from an upper part of the head part VG1, and a root VG3 extending downward from a lower part of the head part VG1. ,have. FIG. 55 shows onions as a representative example of the head vegetables VG. The head vegetables VG to be treated in the present invention are preferably those that have been harvested or pretreated in a state where the length of the outer leaves VG2 is longer than the length of the roots VG3.

First, the overall configuration of the preparation device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the preparation device 1 includes a supply device 2, a transport device 3, a first cutting device 44, and a second cutting device 5.
The supply device 2 is a device that receives the head vegetable VG before preparation and supplies it to the transport device 3. The transport device 3 is a device that transports the head vegetables VG. The first cutting device 4 is a root cutting device that cuts the root VG3 of the head vegetable VG. The second cutting device 5 is an outer leaf cutting device that cuts the outer leaf VG2 of the head vegetable VG.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the transport device 3, the first cutting device 4, and the second cutting device 5 are supported by a frame 6. The frame 6 is configured by combining a plurality of linear frame members (for example, steel members). The frame 6 has a first frame 6A, a second frame 6B, a third frame 6C, a fourth frame 6D, a fifth frame 6E, and a sixth frame 6F. The first frame 6 </ b> A is arranged on the most upstream side in the transport direction of the head vegetables by the transport device 3. The second frame 6B is arranged downstream of the first frame 6A. The third frame 6C is arranged downstream of the second frame 6B. The fourth frame 6D is arranged downstream of the third frame 6C. The fifth frame 6E is arranged downstream of the fourth frame 6D. The sixth frame 6F is arranged downstream of the fifth frame 6E. Below the frames 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F, a plurality of casters 6G each having wheels are attached.

Hereinafter, the configurations of the supply device 2, the transport device 3, the first cutting device 4, and the second cutting device 5 will be sequentially described.
First, the configuration of the supply device 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
The supply device 2 is supported by the first frame 6A. The supply device 2 has a hopper 7 and a supply conveyor 8. The hopper 7 is formed in a box shape having an open upper surface and a rear surface, and receives head vegetables before preparation. The bottom surface 7a of the hopper 7 is a downward inclined surface from the front to the rear. The supply conveyor 8 is composed of a belt conveyor 8a. The supply conveyer 8 can convey the head vegetables from the front to the rear (toward the arrow X2 direction). The front end of the supply conveyor 8 is located behind and below the hopper 7.

The head vegetables received by the hopper 7 roll or slide on the downwardly inclined bottom surface 7a, move rearward, and fall from the rear of the hopper 7. The dropped head vegetables are conveyed from the front to the back on the supply conveyor 8 and supplied to the conveyance device 3.
However, the preparation device 1 may not include the supply device 2. When the preparation device 1 does not include the supply device 2, the head vegetables are manually supplied to the upstream side of the transport device 3.

Next, the configuration of the transport device 3 will be described.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the transport device 3 includes a first transport unit 3A, a second transport unit 3B, a third transport unit 3C, a fourth transport unit 3D, a fifth transport unit 3E, and a sixth transport unit 3F. have.
In the drawing, the direction of conveyance by the first conveyance unit 3A is indicated by an arrow A1, the direction of conveyance by the second conveyance unit 3B is indicated by an arrow A2, the direction of conveyance by the third conveyance unit 3C is indicated by an arrow A3, and the direction of conveyance by the fourth conveyance unit 3D is indicated by an arrow A4. The direction of conveyance by the fifth conveyance unit 3E is indicated by an arrow A5, and the direction of conveyance by the sixth conveyance unit 3F is indicated by an arrow A6.

First, the first transport unit 3A will be described with reference to FIGS.
The first transport unit 3A is supported on the upper part of the second frame 6B.
The first transport unit 3A includes a first belt 9F, a second belt 9R, a first side plate 10F, a second side plate 10R, a start end plate 11, and a gate device 12.
The first belt 9F is arranged on one side (front side) in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction A1 of the first transport section 3A (hereinafter, referred to as a “first orthogonal direction”). The second belt 9R is disposed on the other side (rear side) in the first orthogonal direction. In the case of the present embodiment, the first transport direction A1 is the device width direction, and the first orthogonal direction is the front-rear direction.

The first belt 9F and the second belt 9R are elastic belts such as rubber belts, and are formed in an endless shape (loop shape). The first belt 9F and the second belt 9R may be round belts or V belts.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R are arranged in parallel at an interval. The distance between the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R is set smaller than the outer diameter of the head portion VG1 of the head vegetables VG. Thereby, the first transport unit 3A can support and transport the head portion VG1 above the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R.

  The first belt 9F is wound around a plurality of first pulleys 13F. The second belt 9R is wound around the plurality of second pulleys 13R. The plurality of first pulleys 13F include a pulley 13F1 located on the most downstream side of the first transport unit 3A, a pulley 13F2 located on the most upstream side of the first transport unit 3A, and a pulley located between the pulleys 13F1 and 13F2. 13F3. The plurality of second pulleys 13R include a pulley 13R1 at the most downstream side of the first transport section 3A, a pulley 13R2 at an upstream side of the first transport section 3A, and a pulley located between the pulleys 13R1 and 13R2. 13R3.

  The first pulley 13F and the second pulley 13R rotate by power transmitted from an interlocking mechanism 30 described later. The first belt 9F and the second belt 9R rotate in vertical planes parallel to each other as the first pulley 13F and the second pulley 13R rotate. When the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R rotate, the upper part of the first belt 9F and the upper part of the second belt 9R move from left to right (in the direction of arrow A1). The first belt 9F and the second belt 9R move (rotate) at the same speed.

  The first side plate 10F and the second side plate 10R are attached to an upper part of the second frame 6B. The first side plate 10F is provided on one side (front side) in the first orthogonal direction. Specifically, the first side plate 10F is provided in front (outside) of the first belt 9F, and extends in parallel with the first belt 9F. The second side plate 10R is provided on the other side (rear side) in the first orthogonal direction. Specifically, the second side plate 10R is provided behind (outside) the second belt 9R, and extends in parallel with the second belt 9R.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the first side plate 10F has a vertical portion (first vertical portion) 10Fa and an inclined portion (first inclined portion) 10Fb. The second side plate 10R has a vertical portion (second vertical portion) 10Ra and an inclined portion (second inclined portion) 10Rb. The first vertical portion 10Fa and the second vertical portion 10Ra are disposed in parallel to each other with the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R interposed therebetween. The first inclined portion 10Fb extends upward and forward (diagonally forward and upward) from the first vertical portion 10Fa. The second inclined portion 10Rb extends upward and rearward (obliquely rearward and upward) from the second vertical portion 10Ra. The upper end of the first inclined portion 10Fb and the upper end of the second inclined portion 10Rb are located above the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R. The first inclined portion 10Fb and the second inclined portion 10Rb are inclined so as to gradually approach each other as going downward from a position above the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R. The upper end of the second inclined portion 10Rb is located above the upper end of the first inclined portion 10Fb. That is, the height of the second side plate 10R is higher than the height of the first side plate 10F.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, bearings 65 that rotatably support the central axes of the first pulley 13F and the second pulley 13R are attached to the first vertical portion 10Fa and the second vertical portion 10Ra.
The central axes of the first pulley 13F and the second pulley 13R are rotatably supported by bearings 65.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, a plurality of columnar pins 14 are rotatably supported by the first vertical portion 10Fa and the second vertical portion 10Ra. The pin 14 is arranged in parallel with the central axis of the first pulley 13F and the central axis of the second pulley 13R. The pin 14 is disposed between pulleys adjacent to each other in the transport direction A1 of the first transport unit 3A. In the case of the present embodiment, two pins 14 are arranged between the pulleys 13F1 and 13R1 and the pulleys 13F3 and 13R3, and between the pulleys 13F3 and 13R3 and the pulleys 13F2 and 13R2, respectively.

  The pins 14 support the upper lower surface of the first belt 9F and the upper lower surface of the second belt 9R from below. The pin 14 rotates (rotates) around the central axis with movement of the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R. As a result, the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R can move smoothly with the head vegetable VG placed thereon without being greatly slackened by the weight of the head vegetable VG even when the head vegetable VG is placed thereon. it can.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal end of the supply conveyor 8 of the supply device 2 is disposed close to the upstream side of the first transport unit 3A in the transport direction A1. The transport direction of the supply conveyor 8 is a direction perpendicular to the transport direction A1 of the first transport unit 3A. The end of the transport surface of the supply conveyor 8 is located on the first side plate 10F side of the first transport unit 3A, and is located above the first side plate 10F. Thereby, the head vegetables transported by the supply conveyor 8 are supplied from above the first side plate 10F of the first transport unit 3A to the upstream side of the first transport unit 3A.

  The head vegetables supplied to the first transport unit 3A from above the first side plate 10F roll down toward the second side plate 10R, but the upper end of the second inclined portion 10Rb is higher than the upper end of the first inclined portion 10Fb. Is also located at the upper side, and thus the head vegetables are prevented from falling over the second side plate 10R. In addition, the head vegetables transported by the first transport unit 3A are collected on the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R by the inclination of the first inclined part 10Fb and the inclination of the second inclined part 10Rb, so that the first vegetables are surely collected. The sheet is conveyed while being placed on the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 7, the starting end plate 11 is provided at the starting end (the end on the upstream side) in the conveying direction A1 of the first conveying unit 3A. The start end plate 11 connects the first side plate 10F and the second side plate 10R at the start end of the first transport unit 3A. This prevents the head vegetables supplied to the upstream side of the first transport unit 3A from falling from the start end of the first transport unit 3A.
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the gate device 12 is provided in the middle of the first transport unit 3A in the transport direction A1. The gate device 12 is disposed downstream of the supply conveyor 8 in the transport direction A1 of the first transport unit 3A. The gate device 12 allows or blocks the movement of the head vegetables VG carried by the first carrying unit 3A to the downstream side in the carrying direction A1. The gate device 12 has a shaft support plate 12a, a rotating shaft 12b, a gate plate 12c, and a sensor 12d.

  The shaft support plate 12a extends upward from the first side plate 10F and the second side plate 10R, respectively. The shaft support plate 12a rotatably supports the rotation shaft 12b. The rotation shaft 12b extends in the first orthogonal direction (front-back direction) above the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R. The rotating shaft 12b rotates around the axis by driving a motor (not shown). The gate plate 12c is attached to the rotation shaft 12b, and extends downward (toward the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R) from the rotation shaft 12b. As shown by an arrow D1 in FIG. 5, the gate plate 12c rotates upward or downward about the rotation axis 12b with the rotation of the rotation axis 12b. In a state where the gate plate 12c extends downward from the rotating shaft 12b (closed state), the movement of the head vegetables VG to the downstream side is prevented by the gate plate 12c. When the gate plate 12c rotates upward, a state where the downward movement of the head vegetable VG is allowed (open state) is achieved. An extension 12c1 extending toward one side (front) in the first orthogonal direction is provided on an upper portion of the gate plate 12c.

  The sensor 12d is attached to the shaft support plate 12a. The sensor 12d detects the amount of head vegetables VG downstream of the gate plate 12c (whether or not head vegetables are accumulated). In the case of the present embodiment, the sensor 12d includes a limit switch. The terminal of the limit switch comes into contact with or separates from the extending portion 12c1, whereby the limit switch is switched on and off. The limit switch is electrically connected to the motor, and the motor is driven or stopped by the on / off switching of the limit switch.

  When head vegetables VG are accumulated (stopped) on the downstream side of the gate plate 12c of the first transport unit 3A, the gate plate 12c is in a state of being pushed downstream by the head vegetables. Therefore, the terminal of the limit switch comes into contact with the extended portion 12c1. In this state, the motor is not driven, and the gate plate 12c remains closed. Therefore, the head vegetables VG are not conveyed to the downstream side of the first transport unit 3A, and the head vegetables VG are prevented from being excessively supplied to the second transport unit 3B.

  When head vegetables are not accumulated (stopped) on the downstream side of the gate plate 12c, the gate plate 12c is in a state of not being pushed toward the downstream side by the head vegetables. In this state, when the head vegetables transported from the upstream side come into contact with the gate plate 12c, the gate plate 12c is pushed forward (downstream side), and the terminal of the limit switch is separated from the extension 12c1. It will be in the state of having done. In this state, the motor is driven to open the gate plate 12c. Therefore, the head vegetables VG are transported downstream of the first transport unit 3A.

The configuration of the gate device 12 is not limited to the configuration described above. For example, the configuration may be such that the gate plate 12c is slid upward or downward with respect to the shaft support plate 12a to be in an open state or a closed state. Further, the sensor 12d is not limited to a limit switch, and may be another sensor (for example, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, or the like).
As described above, the head vegetables VG that have been transported by the supply conveyor 8 of the supply device 2 are supplied to the upstream side in the transport direction A1 of the first transport unit 3A and are located above the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R. It is transported downstream with the head portion VG1 on it. The head vegetable VG that has reached the downstream end (end) in the transport direction A1 of the first transport unit 3A subsequently moves to the second transport unit 3B.

Next, the second transport unit 3B will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and the like, the second transport section 3B is supported on the upper part of the second frame 6B. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and the like, the second transport section 3B is disposed downstream of the first transport section 3A in the transport direction A1. The transport surface of the second transport unit 3B (the surface on which the head vegetables VG are supported) moves obliquely upward from the downstream side to the upstream side in the transport direction A2. Thus, the second transport unit 3B transports the head vegetables VG transported by the first transport unit 3A upward (specifically, diagonally upward).

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 14, the second transporting unit 3 </ b> B has a moving body 15, a projecting part 16, and a driving mechanism 17.
The moving body 15 has an endless rope 18 and a moving plate 19 attached to the rope 18. The cord 18 is a chain in the present embodiment. The cord 18 includes a first cord 18F and a second cord 18R. The first cord 18F and the second cord 18R are arranged parallel to each other with an interval. The first cord 18F is arranged on one side (front side) in a direction (hereinafter, referred to as a “second orthogonal direction”) orthogonal to the transport direction A2 of the second transport unit 3B. The second cord 18R is disposed on the other side (rear side) in the second orthogonal direction. In the case of the present embodiment, the second transport direction A2 is the device width direction and is a direction that is inclined upward from left to right, and the second orthogonal direction is the front-back direction.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 13, the first rope 18F and the second rope 18R are wound around a driving sprocket 20 and a driven sprocket 21. The first rope 18F and the second rope 18R rotate in vertical planes parallel to each other as the drive sprocket 20 rotates.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the driven sprocket 21 is disposed below the first transport unit 3A. More specifically, the driven sprocket 21 is disposed below pulleys 13F1 and 13R1 at the most downstream side of the first transport unit 3A (hereinafter, referred to as “downstream pulleys”). The drive sprocket 20 is located above the driven sprocket 21 and above the first transport unit 3A. Further, the driving sprocket 20 is disposed at a position farther from the first transport unit 3A than the driven sprocket 21. The upper portions (upper portions of the loops) of the first cable body 18F and the second cable body 18R move obliquely upward by rotation as indicated by an arrow A2.

  As shown in FIGS. 9, 13, and the like, the moving plate 19 connects the first cord 18F and the second cord 18R. The plurality of moving plates 19 are provided side by side along the length direction of the first rope body 18F and the second rope body 18R (the transport direction A2 of the second transport unit 3B). The plurality of moving plates 19 are arranged at intervals along the transport direction of the second transport unit 3B. The pitch (interval) of the arrangement of the plurality of moving plates 19 is preferably set to be equal, but may be partially different. The pitch at which the moving plates 19 are arranged is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the head portion VG1 of the head vegetables VG.

  The moving plate 19 moves obliquely upward with the rotation of the first rope 18F and the second rope 18R on the transport surface side of the second transport unit 3B. Here, since the driven sprocket 21 is disposed below the first transport unit 3A and the driving sprocket 20 is disposed above the first transport unit 3A, the moving plate 19 is provided with the first rope 18F and the second rope 18F. It moves from a lower position (a position lower than the first transporter 3A) of the first transporter 3A to an upper position (a position higher than the first transporter 3A) together with the cord 18R. In other words, the moving body 15 (the rope 18 and the moving plate 19) moves from the lower position to the upper position of the first transport unit 3A. Hereinafter, a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the moving body 15 (the conveying direction A2 of the second conveying unit 3B) is also referred to as “the width direction of the moving body 15”.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 and the like, a side plate (third side plate) 22F and a side plate (fourth side plate) 22R are provided outside the moving body 15. The third side plate 22F is arranged on one side (front side) of the moving body 15 in the width direction. The fourth side plate 22R is disposed on the other side (rear side) of the moving body 15 in the width direction. The third side plate 22F and the fourth side plate 22R are arranged to face each other with the first cable body 18F and the second cable body 18R interposed therebetween.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, a cover member 23 is provided in the second transport unit 3B. The cover member 23 is disposed between the first cord 18F and the second cord 18R and below the moving plate 19. The cover member 23 has a strip shape, and extends along the length direction of the first cable body 18F and the second cable body 18R (the transport direction A2 of the second transport unit 3B) below the movable plate 19. I have. The cover member 23 is fixed to the third side plate 22F and the fourth side plate 22R. The cover member 23 fills a space between the movable plates 19 arranged at intervals along the transport direction A2 of the second transport unit 3B. This prevents head vegetables from falling from between the movable plates 19.

  The protrusion 16 protrudes from the moving body 15 toward the first transport unit 3A. Specifically, the protruding portion 16 protrudes from the moving body 15 toward the first transporting portion 3A in a direction perpendicular to the transporting direction A2 on the transporting surface side of the second transporting portion 3B. Specifically, the protrusion 16 protrudes from the surface of the moving plate 19 at right angles to the surface. The protrusion 16 has a columnar or cylindrical shape. The protruding portion 16 is made of, for example, an elastic pipe or tube. However, the shape of the protrusion 16 may be another shape such as a curved plate shape or a flat plate shape.

  The protrusion 16 is provided on each of the plurality of moving bodies 15. Accordingly, the protruding portions 16 are provided intermittently at intervals along the moving direction of the moving body 15 (the transport direction A2 of the second transport portion 3B). The distance (interval) DL1 (see FIG. 9) between the protruding portions 16 adjacent to each other in the transport direction A2 is set to be at least equal to or larger than the diameter of the head portion VG1 of the head vegetables VG. The specific distance is set according to the type and size of the transported head vegetable VG.

One moving body 15 is provided with three protrusions 16. The three protrusions 16 provided on one moving body 15 are collectively referred to as “one set of protrusions 16”. One set of protrusions 16 includes a first protrusion 161, a second protrusion 162, and a third protrusion 163.
As shown in FIG. 9 and the like, the first protrusion 161 is provided at the center of the moving body 15 in the width direction. The second protrusion 162 is provided on one side (front side) in the width direction of the moving body 15. The third protrusion 163 is provided on the other side (rear side) of the moving body 15 in the width direction. The second protrusion 162 and the third protrusion 163 are provided at the same height position. The first protrusion 161 is provided at a position lower than the second protrusion 162 and the third protrusion 163. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the first protrusion 161, the second protrusion 162, and the third protrusion 163 are arranged in a V-shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular (perpendicular) to the surface of the movable plate 19. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the first protrusion 161 is located between the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R in the width direction of the moving body 15. The second protrusion 162 is located outside the first belt 9F (the side opposite to the second belt 9R side) in the width direction of the moving body 15. The third protrusion 163 is located outside the second belt 9R (the side opposite to the first belt 9F side) in the width direction of the moving body 15. In other words, the first belt 9F is located between the first protrusion 161 and the second protrusion 162 in the width direction of the moving body 15. The second belt 9R is located between the first protrusion 161 and the third protrusion 163 in the width direction of the moving body 15.

  The first protruding portion 161, the second protruding portion 162, and the third protruding portion 163 move diagonally upward due to the movement of the moving body 15 accompanying the rotation of the first rope 18F and the second rope 18R. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the first protrusion 161 passes between the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R as the moving body 15 moves. The second protruding portion 162 passes outside (the front side) of the first belt 9F as the moving body 15 moves. The third protrusion 163 passes outside (rear side) of the second belt 9 </ b> R with the movement of the moving body 15.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the head vegetables VG conveyed on the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R of the first conveyance unit 3A have a head part VG1 of the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R. It is located between. Therefore, as the first projecting portion 161 passes between the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R with the movement of the moving body 15, the head portion VG1 is pushed up from below by the first projecting portion 161 and It is supported from below by the one protrusion 161. Also, the second protrusion 162 passes outside the first belt 9F, and the third protrusion 163 passes outside the second belt 9R, so that the ball-shaped portion VG1 becomes the second protrusion 162 and the third protrusion. 163 also supports it from below.

  As a result, the head portion VG1 of the head vegetable VG is supported and lifted from below by the first projecting portion 161, the second projecting portion 162, and the third projecting portion 163 (see FIG. 10). At this time, since the first protruding portion 161, the second protruding portion 162, and the third protruding portion 163 are arranged in a V-shape, the head portion VG1 can be supported at three points and reliably lifted. In the head vegetable VG lifted by the first protrusion 161, the second protrusion 162, and the third protrusion 163, the head VG 1 is supported by the first protrusion 161, the second protrusion 162, and the third protrusion 163. It is conveyed diagonally upward in the state of being turned. This completes the transition of the head VG1 from the first transport unit 3A to the second transport unit 3B.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 14, the drive mechanism 17 of the second transport unit 3B includes a first motor 24 and a power transmission mechanism 25. The first motor 24 is disposed below the drive sprocket 20 and between the third side plate 22F and the fourth side plate 22R. The power transmission mechanism 25 transmits the rotational driving force of the first motor 24 to the driving sprocket 20. The power transmission mechanism 25 includes a first sprocket 26, a second sprocket 27, a third sprocket 28, and a chain 29. The first sprocket 26 is attached to an output shaft of the first motor 24. The second sprocket 27 is attached to a rotation shaft of the driving sprocket 20. The third sprocket 28 is a sprocket for adjusting the tension of the chain 29, and is attached to a rotary shaft provided at a position different from the first motor 24 and the driving sprocket 20. The chain 29 is wound around the first sprocket 26, the second sprocket 27, and the third sprocket 28. Thus, the driving sprocket 20 is rotated by the driving of the first motor 24. With the rotation of the driving sprocket 20, the first rope 18F, the second rope 18R, and the driven sprocket 21 rotate, and the moving body 15 moves together with the first projection 161, the second projection 162, and the third projection 163. Moving.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, an interlocking mechanism 30 is provided below the second transport unit 3B. The interlocking mechanism 30 is provided across the downstream side of the first transport unit 3A in the transport direction A1 and the upstream side of the second transport unit 3B in the transport direction A2. The interlocking mechanism 30 is a mechanism for interlocking the movement of the first transport unit 3A and the movement of the second transport unit 3B.
The interlocking mechanism 30 includes a fourth sprocket 31, a fifth sprocket 32, a sixth sprocket 33, and a chain. The fourth sprocket 31 is attached to a rotation shaft of the driven sprocket 21. The fifth sprocket 32 is attached to the rotation shaft of the pulleys 13F1 and 13R1 on the downstream side of the first transport unit 3A. The sixth sprocket 33 is a sprocket for adjusting the tension of the chain 34, and is attached to a rotating shaft provided at a position different from the driven sprocket 21 and the downstream pulleys 13F1 and 13R1. The chain 34 is wound around the fourth sprocket 31, the fifth sprocket 32, and the sixth sprocket 33. When the driven sprocket 21 rotates together with the first rope 18F and the second rope 18R with the rotation of the drive sprocket 20 of the second transport unit 3B, the fourth sprocket 31, the fifth sprocket 32, and the sixth The sprocket 33 rotates together with the chain 34. Thereby, since the downstream pulleys 13F1 and 13R1 of the first transport unit 3A rotate, the first pulley 13F and the second pulley 13R rotate together with the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R.

As described above, the first transport section 3A and the second transport section 3B operate in conjunction with each other by the interlocking mechanism 30. Thereby, the transition of the head vegetables VG from the first transport unit 3A to the second transport unit 3B is performed smoothly.
Note that the configuration of the second transport unit 3B is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the case of the above embodiment, the number of the first protrusion 161, the second protrusion 162, and the third protrusion 163 is one each, but any or all of the protrusions may be two or more. For example, two or more first protrusions 161 can be provided between the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R. In addition, in the case of the above-described embodiment, the first protrusion 161, the second protrusion 162, and the third protrusion 163 are respectively formed of different members, but may be integrally formed of one member. In this case, for example, by forming two notches in a single plate at an interval in the width direction of the moving body 15, the first protruding portion 161, the second protruding portion 162, and the third protruding portion are formed. 163 can be configured.

Next, the third transport unit 3C will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 2, 15 to 17, the third transport unit 3C is supported on the upper part of the third frame 6C. The third transport section 3C has two rollers 35L and 35R arranged in parallel. One of the two rollers 35L and 35R (hereinafter, referred to as a "first roller 35L") is disposed on the left side, and the other roller (hereinafter, referred to as a "second roller 35R") is disposed on the right side. . The first roller 35L and the second roller 35R extend in the front-rear direction, respectively. The first roller 35L and the second roller 35R are cylindrical members having the same diameter and the same length, and are supported on the third frame 6C so as to be rotatable around the longitudinal axis. The third transport unit 3C transports the head vegetables VG in the direction of the rotation axis of the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R (from front to back).

  The first roller 35L and the second roller 35R are rotated by driving a second motor 36 (see FIG. 15) supported at the front of the third frame 6C. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 21, a first gear 37 is attached to a front portion of a rotation shaft (center axis) 35La of the first roller 35L. A second gear 38 is attached to a front portion of a rotation shaft (center axis) 35Ra of the second roller 35R. The first gear 37 and the second gear 38 mesh with each other. The first gear 37 meshes with a third gear 39 disposed below the first gear 37. The second gear 38 meshes with a fourth gear 40 disposed below the second gear 38. The fourth gear 40 meshes with a fifth gear 41 attached to the output shaft of the second motor 36. The rotational driving force of the second motor 36 is transmitted to the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R via a gear mechanism including the first gear 37 to the fifth gear 41.

  As shown in FIGS. 18 and 21, the front end of the rotation shaft 35La of the first roller 35L and the front end of the rotation shaft 35Ra of the second roller 35R are rotatably supported by the front plate 42. The front plate 42 is fixed to the front end of the third frame 6C. As shown in FIG. 18, the front plate 42 has a first insertion hole 42a into which the front end of the rotation shaft 35La of the first roller 35L is inserted, and the front end of the rotation shaft 35Ra of the second roller 35R. The second insertion hole 42b is formed. The first insertion hole 42a and the second insertion hole 42b are long holes extending in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction A3 of the third transport unit 3C (hereinafter, referred to as a "third orthogonal direction").

  As shown in FIG. 17, the rear end of the rotation shaft 35La of the first roller 35L is rotatably supported by the first rear plate 43L. The first rear plate 43L is attached to a first fixed plate 44L fixed to a left portion of a rear end of the third frame 6C by a first fixture 45L. The first fixture 45L is inserted into through holes formed in the first rear plate 43L and the first fixing plate 44L. The first through hole 44a, which is a through hole formed in the first fixing plate 44L, is a long hole extending in the third orthogonal direction.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the rear end of the rotation shaft 35Ra of the second roller 35R is rotatably supported by the second rear plate 43R. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 21, the second rear plate 44R is attached to the second fixing plate 44R fixed to the right portion of the rear end of the third frame 6C by the second fixture 45R. I have. The second fixture 45R is inserted into through holes formed in the second rear plate 43R and the second fixing plate 44R. The second through-hole 44b, which is a through-hole formed in the second fixing plate 44R, is an elongated hole extending in the third orthogonal direction.

Since the first insertion hole 42a, the second insertion hole 42b, the first through hole 44a, and the second through hole 44b are elongated holes extending in the third orthogonal direction, the rotation shaft 35La of the first roller 35L and the second roller The distance between the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R can be adjusted by moving the rotation shaft 35Ra of the 35R along the elongated hole.
As shown in FIG. 19, the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R rotate inward (the opposite sides are downward) around the central axis with the driving of the second motor 36. The mechanism for transmitting the driving force of the second motor 36 to the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R is not limited to the gear mechanism described above, and may be, for example, a mechanism using a chain and a sprocket.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 22, the first roller (one roller) 35L has a first spiral portion 46 spirally provided along the surface of the first roller 35L. The first spiral part 46 has a first brush part 47 and a first elastic tube 48. The first brush portion 47 projects in a brush shape from the surface of the first roller 35L. The first brush portion 47 has a plurality of hair bundles in which a number of hairs are bundled. The first brush portion 47 is configured by arranging the plurality of hair bundles in a spiral. The plurality of bristle bundles constituting the first brush portion 47 are respectively planted in a number of holes formed in a spiral shape on the surface of the first roller 35L.

  The first elastic tube 48 is made of, for example, a rubber tube. The first elastic tube 48 is spirally wound around the surface of the first roller 35L. The first brush portion 47 and the first elastic tube 48 are arranged so as to be shifted (not overlapped) in the direction of the central axis of the first roller 35L. The first brush portions 47 and the first elastic tubes 48 appear alternately along the direction of the central axis of the first roller 35L. In other words, the first brush portions 47 are arranged between the first elastic tubes 48 that appear at intervals in the direction of the central axis of the first roller 35L.

As shown in FIG. 22, in the length direction of the first roller 35L (transport direction A3), the width W1 of the area where the first brush portion 47 is provided is larger than the width W2 of the first elastic tube 48. The height of the first elastic tube 48 (the height from the surface of the first roller 35L) is the same as or higher than the height of the first brush portion 47.
As shown in FIG. 16, the second roller (the other roller) 35R has a second spiral portion 49 provided spirally along the surface of the second roller 35R. The second spiral part 49 has a second brush part 50 and a second elastic tube 51. The second brush portion 50 projects in a brush shape from the surface of the second roller 35R. The second brush unit 50 has a plurality of hair bundles in which many hairs are bundled. The second brush unit 50 is configured by arranging the plurality of hair bundles in a spiral shape. The plurality of bristle bundles constituting the second brush unit 50 are respectively planted in a large number of holes formed in a spiral shape on the surface of the second roller 35R.

  The second elastic tube 51 is made of, for example, a rubber tube. The second elastic tube 51 is spirally wound around the surface of the second roller 35R. The second brush portion 50 and the second elastic tube 51 are arranged so as to be shifted (not overlapped) in the direction of the central axis of the second roller 35R. The second brush portions 50 and the second elastic tubes 51 appear alternately along the direction of the central axis of the second roller 35R. In other words, the second brush unit 50 is disposed between the second elastic tubes 51 that appear at intervals in the direction of the central axis of the second roller 35R.

As shown in FIG. 16, in the length direction of the second roller 35 </ b> R (the transport direction A <b> 3), the width W <b> 3 of the area where the second brush portion 50 is provided is larger than the width W <b> 4 of the second elastic tube 51. The height of the second elastic tube 51 (the height from the surface of the second roller 35R) is the same as or higher than the height of the second brush portion 50.
The width W1 of the region where the first brush portion 47 is provided is equal to the width W3 of the region where the second brush portion 50 is provided. The width W2 of the first elastic tube 48 is equal to the width W4 of the second elastic tube 51. The directions of the spirals of the first spiral part 46 and the second spiral part 49 are opposite to each other. The first elastic tube 48 and the second elastic tube 51 are displaced from each other in the transport direction A3 (front-back direction) of the third transport unit 3C.

  As shown in FIG. 15 to FIG. 17, FIG. 20, and FIG. 22, a guide member 52 is disposed above the third transport unit 3C. The guide member 52 extends in the transport direction A3 (front-back direction) of the third transport unit 3C. The guide member 52 has a first guide 521 and a second guide 522. In the case of the present embodiment, the first guide portion 521 and the second guide portion 522 are formed by bending a single plate. The first guide portion 521 and the second guide portion 522 are erected vertically (vertically).

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 20, the first guide portion 521 extends from one roller (first roller 35L) side as it extends from upstream to downstream in the transport direction A3 (front-rear direction) of the third transport portion 3C. It has shifted to the other roller (second roller 35R) side. The downstream end (rear end) of the first guide portion 521 is located above the second roller 35R. The upstream end (front end) of the first guide portion 521 is located above or to the right of the center position in the width direction of the second roller 35R (in the direction extending to the side opposite to the first roller 35L side). It is located above. The upstream end (front end) of the first guide portion 521 may be located between the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R.

  As shown in FIGS. 15, 16, 20, and 22, the second guide portion 522 is provided on the upstream side (front side) of the third transfer portion 3 </ b> C in the transfer direction A3 with respect to the first guide portion 521. . The second guide section 522 is provided on one roller (first roller 35L) side of the first guide section 521. The second guide section 522 extends from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction A3 of the third transport section 3C above the second roller 35R. The second guide 522 extends parallel to the center axis 35La of the first roller 35L and the center axis 35Ra of the second roller 35R, and is continuous with the upstream end of the first guide 521.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the length L1 of the first guide portion 521 and the length L2 of the second guide portion 522 above the second roller 35R in the transport direction A3 (front-back direction) of the third transport portion 3C. The relationship is set to L1 ≧ L2. Further, in the transport direction A3 of the third transport section 3C, the length L3 of the guide member 52 above the second roller 35R is shorter than the length L4 of the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R, and the length L4 (L4> L3 ≧ L4 / 2). In addition, the height of the first guide portion 521 and the second guide portion 522 is set to be larger than the diameter of the head portion VG1 of the head vegetables VG.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 21, the guide member 52 is attached to an attachment member 53. The attachment member 53 has a first attachment portion 531 and a second attachment portion 532. The first attachment portion 531 is attached to the third frame 6C outside (to the right of) the second roller 35R. The second attachment portion 532 is attached to the surface of the guide member 52 on the second roller 35R side. Thus, the guide member 52 is attached to the third frame 6C via the attachment member 53.

  The first mounting portion 531 has an elongated hole 531a extending in the transport direction A3 of the third transport portion 3C. The first attachment portion 531 is attached to the third frame 6C by inserting the bolt B1 into the elongated hole 531a and screwing it into a screw hole formed in the third frame 6C. Therefore, by changing the position of the bolt B1 with respect to the elongated hole 531a, the first mounting portion 531 can be moved in the transport direction A3 of the third transport portion 3C. Thereby, the guide member 52 can be moved in the transport direction A3 of the third transport unit 3C, and the position in the transport direction A3 can be adjusted.

The second mounting portion 532 has an elongated hole 532a extending in the third orthogonal direction. In the case of the present embodiment, the third transport direction A3 is the front-back direction, and the third orthogonal direction is the device width direction.
The second attachment portion 532 is attached to the first attachment portion 531 by inserting the bolt B2 into the elongated hole 532a and screwing into the screw hole formed in the first attachment portion 531. Therefore, by changing the position of the bolt B2 with respect to the elongated hole 532a, the second mounting portion 532 can be moved in the third orthogonal direction. Thereby, the guide member 52 can be moved in the third orthogonal direction to adjust the position in the third orthogonal direction.

  The second attachment portion 532 is attached to the second guide portion 522 of the guide member 52. The second guide portion 522 has an elongated hole 522a extending vertically. The second attachment portion 532 is attached to the first attachment portion 531 by inserting the bolt B3 into the elongated hole 522a and screwing into the screw hole formed in the first attachment portion 531. Therefore, the guide member 52 can be moved upward or downward with respect to the first mounting portion 531 by changing the position of the bolt B3 with respect to the elongated hole 522a. Thereby, the vertical position (height) of the guide member 52 can be adjusted.

Note that the guide member 52 preferably has the first guide portion 521 and the second guide portion 522, but may have only the first guide portion 521. In this case, as shown by an imaginary line in FIG. 20, the upstream end (front end) of the first guide section 521 is arranged at the most upstream position of the third transport section 3C, and the third guide section 521 It is preferable to increase the length in the transport direction A3.
As shown in FIGS. 16, 17, and 21, a second guide member 54 is provided downstream (rearward) of the guide member 52. The second guide member 54 is disposed above the third transport unit 3C. The second guide member 54 extends in the transport direction A3 (front-back direction) of the third transport unit 3C. The second guide member 54 has a fixed member 55 and a moving member 56. The fixing member 55 has a horizontal portion 551 and an inclined portion 552. The horizontal portion 551 and the inclined portion 552 are formed by bending a single plate. The horizontal portion 551 is attached to the third frame 6C. The inclined portion 552 is inclined with respect to the horizontal portion 551. The lower end of the inclined portion 552 is located above the second roller 35R. Specifically, the lower end portion of the inclined portion 552 is located above the center position in the width direction of the second roller 35R or above the center position to the right. The inclined portion 552 is inclined so as to move rightward (in a direction away from the first roller 35L) as going upward.

  The moving member 56 is movably attached to the fixed member 55. The moving member 56 has a flat plate shape and is attached to the inclined portion 552 of the fixed member 55. Thus, the moving member 56 is inclined at the same angle as the inclined portion 552. The moving member 56 is disposed upstream of the fixed member 55 in the transport direction A3 of the third transport unit 3C. In other words, the moving member 56 is disposed closer to the guide member 52 than the fixed member 55.

  An elongated hole 551a extending in the third orthogonal direction is formed in the horizontal portion 551 of the fixing member 55. The horizontal portion 551 is attached to the third frame 6C by inserting a bolt B4 into the elongated hole 551a and screwing it into a screw hole formed in the third frame 6C. Therefore, by changing the position of the bolt B4 with respect to the elongated hole 551a, the fixing member 55 can be moved in the third orthogonal direction. Thus, the position in the third orthogonal direction can be adjusted by moving the second guide member 54 in the third orthogonal direction.

  The moving member 56 has an elongated hole 56a extending in the transport direction of the third transport unit 3C. The moving member 56 is attached to the fixing member 55 by inserting the bolt B5 into the elongated hole 56a and the through hole formed in the fixing member 55 and screwing a nut to the bolt B5. Therefore, the moving member 56 can be moved in the transport direction A3 of the third transport section 3C by changing the position of the bolt B5 with respect to the elongated hole 56a. Thereby, the moving member 56 can be moved in the transport direction A3 of the third transport unit 3C to adjust the position in the transport direction. The moving member 56 can be brought into contact with or close to the guide member 52 by moving the moving member 56 upstream in the transport direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17 and 20, a third guide member 57 is provided upstream (rearward) of the guide member 52. The third guide member 57 is disposed above the third transport unit 3C. The third guide member 57 has a mounting plate 571 and an inclined portion 572. The mounting plate 571 and the inclined portion 572 are formed by bending a single plate. The attachment portion 571 is attached to the third frame 6C in front of the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R. The inclined portion 572 is inclined with respect to the mounting portion 571. The inclined portion 572 extends so as to move rightward (the second roller 35R side) as going from the attachment portion 571 to the downstream side (rearward) in the transport direction A3 in plan view. The extending end of the inclined portion 572 is in contact with or close to the surface (left surface) of the guide member 52 on the first roller 35L side.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17 and 21, the third transport unit 3 </ b> C has a side plate 58. The side plate 58 is attached to the upper part of the third frame 6C on the first roller 35L side. The side plate 58 is arranged in parallel with the first roller 35L, and extends in the transport direction A3 of the third transport unit 3C. The side plate 58 has a horizontal portion 581 and an inclined portion 582. The horizontal portion 581 and the inclined portion 582 are formed by bending a single plate. The horizontal portion 581 is attached to the third frame 6C. The inclined portion 582 is inclined with respect to the horizontal portion 581. The lower end of the inclined portion 582 is located above the first roller 35L. Specifically, the lower end of the inclined portion 582 is located to the left and above the center position in the width direction of the first roller 35L. The inclined portion 582 is inclined so as to move leftward (in a direction away from the second roller 35R) as going upward.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the horizontal portion 581 has an elongated hole 581a extending in the third orthogonal direction. The horizontal portion 581 is attached to the third frame 6C by inserting a bolt B6 into the elongated hole 581a and screwing it into a screw hole formed in the third frame 6C. Therefore, by changing the position of the bolt B6 with respect to the elongated hole 581a, the side plate 58 can be moved in the third orthogonal direction. Thereby, the side plate 58 can be moved in the third orthogonal direction to adjust the position in the third orthogonal direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a downstream end of the second transport unit 3B in the transport direction A2 is disposed upstream of the third transport unit 3C in the transport direction A3. The downstream end of the second transport section 3B in the transport direction A2 is disposed on the first roller 35L side of the third transport section 3C. The transport direction A2 of the second transport unit 3B is perpendicular to the transport direction A3 of the third transport unit 3C in plan view. As shown in FIG. 14, the downstream end of the second transport unit 3B in the transport direction A2 is disposed above the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R of the third transport unit 3C.

As shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 20, the head vegetable VG transported from the second transport unit 3B is supplied from the left side (opposite to the second roller 35R) of the first roller 35L to above the first roller 35L. Is done. That is, the second transport unit 3B functions as a supply unit that supplies the head vegetables VG above the first roller (one roller) 35L.
As shown in FIG. 16, the transport device 3 includes a communication member 60 extending from the second transport unit (supply unit) 3B toward the guide member 52. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 11 to 14, the communication member 60 is attached to the downstream end of the second transport unit 3B in the transport direction A2. The communication member 60 has a connection portion 61, an inclined plate 62, and a side wall 63. The connection unit 61 is connected to the third side plate 22F and the fourth side plate 22R of the second transport unit 3B by bolts or the like. As shown in FIG. 14, the inclined plate 62 is inclined downward from the downstream end of the second transport section (supply section) 3B toward the third transport section 3C. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 20, the inclined plate 62 extends from the second transport unit (supply unit) 3B toward the guide member 52, and extends from the second transport unit (supply unit) 3B side to the guide member. It is inclined downward toward the 52 side. The side walls 63 rise from one side (front side) and the other side (rear side) in the width direction of the inclined plate 62, respectively.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 16, the inclined plate 62 has a plurality of notches cut out from the second connection portion 3B side to the third transport portion 3C side (from left to right). 62a are formed. The number of the notches 62a corresponds to the number of the protruding portions 16 provided on one moving plate 15. In the case of the present embodiment, since the number of the protrusions 16 provided on one moving plate 15 is three, the number of the notches 62a is also three. The three notches 62a are formed at intervals in the width direction of the inclined plate 62 (the same direction as the width direction of the moving body 15). The three protruding portions (the first protruding portion 161, the second protruding portion 162, and the third protruding portion 163) move together with the moving body 15 and move from the transport surface side (front side) to the opposite side (rear side) to the transport surface. Sometimes, it passes through each of the three notches 62a.

By providing such a notch 62a, interference between the protruding portion 16 and the communication member 60 is avoided, so that the second transport portion 2B can be arranged closer to the third transport portion 3C.
The width direction of the inclined plate 62 (the direction orthogonal to the inclined direction) matches the transport direction A3 of the third transport unit 3C. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 20, the inclined plate 62 overlaps the guide member 52 in the transport direction A3 of the third transport section 3C. Specifically, in the transport direction A3 of the third transport section 3C, the inclined plate 62 overlaps with the second guide section 522 of the guide member 52. In the transport direction A3 of the third transport section 3C, the inclined plate 62 also overlaps the inclined section 572 of the third guide section 57. In the transport direction A3 of the third transport section 3C, the inclined plate 62 also overlaps the first guide section 521 of the guide member 52. Further, in the transport direction A3 of the third transport section 3C, the other end (rear end) in the width direction of the inclined plate 62 is located closer to the rear end of the second guide section 522 (the front end of the first guide section 521). Is also located at the rear (downstream side).

  As illustrated in FIG. 14, the head vegetables VG supported and transported by the protrusion 16 of the second transport unit 3B move from the downstream end of the second transport unit 3B in the transport direction A2 to the inclined plate 62, By sliding down (or rolling down) along the inclination of the inclined plate 62, it is supplied to the third transport section 3C. As shown in FIG. 20, the head vegetables VG supplied to the third transport unit 3C move toward the surface (left surface) of the second guide unit 522 of the guide member 52 on the first roller 35L side. In other words, the second transport unit (supply unit) 3B supplies the head vegetables VG toward the surface of the second guide unit 522 on the first roller 35L side.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the head vegetables VG supplied from the second transport section 3B to the third transport section 3C via the inclined plate 62 are prevented from moving toward the second roller 35R by the second guide section 522. As a result, it is put on the first roller 35L. The head vegetable VG placed on the first roller 35L rotates without a stable posture due to the rotation of the first roller 35L. Thus, the head vegetable VG is transported along the second guide portion 522 to the downstream side in the transport direction A3 while repeating the rotation on the first roller 35L. As the head vegetables VG are transported to the downstream side, they move toward the second roller 35R along the inclination of the first guide portion 521 in plan view. In the process in which the head vegetable VG is conveyed along the second guide portion 522 and the first guide portion 521, there is an opportunity that the outer leaves VG2 have a downward posture in which the outer leaves VG2 face downward by repeating the rotation. When the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetables VG face downward, the outer leaves VG2 are drawn between the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R.

FIG. 19 shows a state in which the outer leaf VG2 is drawn between the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R. As illustrated in FIG. 19, the head vegetable VG in which the outer leaf VG2 is drawn between the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R has a downward posture in which the outer leaf VG2 is downward.
As shown in FIG. 20, the head vegetable VG in which the outer leaf VG2 is drawn between the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R is rotated by the first spiral portion 46 and the second spiral portion 49 to form the third transport portion. The paper is transported downstream in the transport direction A3 of 3C. In other words, the third transport unit 3C sandwiches the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetables VG between the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R, and forms the head vegetables VG in the axial direction (front-back direction) of the rollers 35L and 35R. Is transported.

As described above, the head vegetables VG supplied from the second transport unit 3B to the third transport unit 3C have a downward posture in which the outer leaves VG2 are downward while being transported by the third transport unit 3C. The head vegetable VG in the downward posture is further transported to the downstream side in the transport direction A3 of the third transport unit 3C, and shifts from the third transport unit 3C to the fourth transport unit 3D in the downward attitude. .
Next, the fourth transport unit 3D will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 23, and 24, the fourth transport unit 3D is supported on the upper part of the fourth frame 6D. The fourth transport unit 3D is disposed downstream of the third transport unit 3C in the transport direction A3. The fourth transport unit 3D transports the head vegetables VG transported by the third transport unit 3C further downstream (backward).
As shown in FIG. 26 and the like, the fourth transport unit 3D includes a holding belt 70 that transports the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetables VG. The holding belt 70 includes a first holding belt 71 and a second holding belt 72. The first holding belt 71 and the second holding belt 72 are made of an elastic material such as rubber.

  As shown in FIGS. 23 to 26 and the like, the first sandwiching belt 71 is disposed close to the downstream end of the third transport unit 3C, and is lower than the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R. It is located in. The second holding belt 72 is arranged downstream of the first holding belt 71 and is located below the first holding belt 71. In the transport direction A4 (front-back direction) of the fourth transport unit 3D, the rear part of the first nipping belt 71 and the front part of the second nipping belt 72 overlap.

  The first sandwiching belt 71 includes a one-side belt 71L and a second-side belt 71R. The one-side belt 71L is arranged on one side (left side) in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport unit 3D (hereinafter, referred to as a “fourth orthogonal direction”). The other belt 71R is disposed on the other side (right side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. The fourth transport direction A4 is a front-rear direction, and the fourth orthogonal direction is a device width direction. The one-side belt 71L and the other-side belt 71R are endless, and are each wound around a plurality of pulleys.

  One side belt 71L is wound around third pulley 73, fourth pulley 74, and fifth pulley 75. The third pulley 73 and the fourth pulley 74 are arranged side by side in the fourth orthogonal direction. The fourth pulley 74 and the fifth pulley 75 are arranged side by side in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport unit 3D. The fourth pulley 74 rotates with the rotation of a ninth pulley 79 (described later) attached to the same rotation shaft 79a as the fourth pulley 74. With the rotation of the fourth pulley 74, the third pulley 73, the fifth pulley 75, and the one-side belt 71L rotate.

  The other side belt 71R is wound around a sixth pulley 76, a seventh pulley 77, and an eighth pulley 78. The sixth pulley 76 and the seventh pulley 77 are arranged side by side in the fourth orthogonal direction. The seventh pulley 77 and the eighth pulley 78 are arranged side by side in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport unit 3D. The seventh pulley 77 rotates with the rotation of a twelfth pulley 82 (described later) attached to the same rotation shaft 82a as the seventh pulley 77. With the rotation of the seventh pulley 77, the sixth pulley 76, the eighth pulley 78, and the other side belt 71R rotate.

  As shown in FIG. 26 and the like, the fourth pulley 74 and the seventh pulley 77, and the fifth pulley 75 and the eighth pulley 78 are close to each other. Thereby, the one side belt 71L and the other side belt 71R are in contact with each other. The one-side belt 71L and the other-side belt 71R move rearward (toward the fourth transport direction A4, which is a direction away from the third transport unit 3C) on the side where they abut each other.

  As shown in FIGS. 26 and 28, the first holding belt 71 holds the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetables VG between the one side belt 71L and the other side belt 71R and moves while holding the outer leaves VG2. By doing so, the head vegetables VG are transported from the downstream side (front) to the upstream side (rearward) (toward the transport direction A4). In the conveyance of the head vegetables VG by the first holding belt 71, the posture at the time of shifting from the third conveyance unit 3C is maintained. That is, the posture of the head vegetable VG conveyed by the first holding belt 71 is a downward posture in which the outer leaves VG2 are downward.

  The second sandwiching belt 72 transports the head vegetables VG transported by the first sandwiching belt 71 further downstream. The second holding belt 72 is formed of one belt. As shown in FIG. 27, the second sandwiching belt 72 is an endless belt in which one belt is twisted by 720 ° (two rotations), and both ends 72a and 72b of the twisted belt are joined to each other. . The second sandwiching belt 72 is stretched over a plurality of pulleys in a figure eight shape in plan view.

26 and 28, the plurality of pulleys include a ninth pulley 79, a tenth pulley 80, an eleventh pulley 81, a twelfth pulley 82, a thirteenth pulley 83, and a fourteenth pulley 84.
The ninth pulley 79, the tenth pulley 80, and the eleventh pulley 81 are arranged on one side (left side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. The ninth pulley 79 is disposed below the fourth pull

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