JP2021003089A - Carrier device for head-formed vegetable and preparation device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a carrier device for a head-formed vegetable, which can stabilize an attitude of the head-formed vegetable such as an onion at a short conveyance distance, and a preparation device.SOLUTION: A carrier device for a head-formed vegetable conveys the head-formed vegetable having a head region and outer leaves. The carrier device comprises a conveyance part which has two rollers having rotating shafts arranged in parallel with each other and mutually rotated inward, and which conveys the head-formed vegetable in the direction of the rotating shaft of the roller in the state of sandwiching the outer leaves between the two rollers. The two rollers are arranged with a height difference that makes the height of an upper surface of one roller lower than the height of an upper surface of the other roller.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 23

Description

The present invention relates to a transport device and a preparation device for headed vegetables such as onions.

Conventionally, an onion processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known.
The device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a transport device for transporting onions and a root cutting device for cutting the roots of the onions transported by this transport device. The transport device is composed of a transfer roll body in which two rolls are a set, and by pulling the root of the onion between the two rolls, the onion can be transported in an upward posture.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-81383

However, in the above-mentioned transport device, it is necessary to transport the onion over a long distance in order to surely pull the root of the onion between the two rolls. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the length of the transport device in order to reliably stabilize the posture of the onion, and there is a problem that the device becomes large.
In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a headed vegetable transporting device and a preparing device capable of stabilizing the posture of headed vegetables such as onions in a short transport distance.

The vegetable transporting device according to one aspect of the present invention is a transporting device for transporting headed vegetables having a heading portion and an outer leaf, and has rotating axes arranged in parallel with each other and rotates inward with each other. It has two rollers, and has a transport unit that sandwiches the outer leaf between the two rollers and transports the headed vegetables in the direction of the rotation axis of the rollers, and the two rollers are on one roller. They are arranged with a height difference such that the height of the surface is lower than the height of the upper surface of the other roller.

Further, the one roller and the other roller are inclined so as to be gradually lowered from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of the transport portion.
Further, the guide member is provided above the transport portion and extends in the transport direction, and the guide member has an inclined surface that shifts from the one roller side to the other roller side as it extends upward. Have.

Further, the lower end of the inclined surface is between the rotation axis of the one roller and the rotation axis of the other roller, and the height of the upper surface of the one roller and the upper surface of the other roller. It extends to a position lower than the height of.
Further, the outer diameter of the one roller is smaller than the outer diameter of the other roller.
Further, the rotation axis of the one roller is arranged below the rotation axis of the other roller.

Further, the transport unit is provided with a supply unit for supplying the headed vegetables, and the supply unit supplies the headed vegetables above the one roller.
The headed vegetable preparation device according to one aspect of the present invention includes the transport device and a first cutting device for cutting the roots of the headed vegetables transported by the transport device.
In addition, the preparation device includes a second cutting device that cuts the outer leaves of the headed vegetables transported by the transport device.

According to the above-mentioned transport device, the headed vegetables placed on the roller surface are not formed because the height of the upper surface of one roller is arranged with a step lower than the height of the upper surface of the other roller. It becomes a stable posture and it becomes easy to rotate. Therefore, by repeating the rotation of the headed vegetable, the outer leaf faces downward in a short time and is drawn between one roller and the other roller, and the outer leaf stabilizes in a downward posture. As a result, the posture of the headed vegetables can be stabilized in a short transport distance.

According to the above-mentioned preparation device, it is possible to realize a preparation device provided with a transfer device capable of stabilizing the posture of the headed vegetables in a short transfer distance. Therefore, the preparation device can be miniaturized.

It is a top view which shows one Embodiment of the vegetable (headed vegetable) preparation apparatus. It is the figure which looked at one Embodiment of the vegetable (headed vegetable) preparation apparatus from the rear. It is a perspective view which shows one Embodiment of the vegetable (headed vegetable) preparation apparatus. It is a perspective view of the 1st transport device and the 2nd transport device. It is a top view of the 1st transport device. It is a perspective view around the accommodating part of the 1st transport device. It is a perspective view which shows the swing mechanism of the accommodating part of the 1st transport device. It is a side view which shows the rocking mechanism of the accommodating part of the 1st transport device. It is the figure which looked at the downstream side (end side) of the 1st transport part in the transport direction from the rear. It is a side view which shows the drive mechanism of the 1st transport part and the like. It is a perspective view which shows the vicinity of the end part of the 1st transport part. It is a side view which showed the operation of the posture change mechanism of the 1st transfer device (a state which a protruding part shifts from an upright state to a fallen state). It is a perspective view which shows the discharge part of the 1st transport device, etc. from the upper left side. It is a side view which shows the operation of the expansion mechanism of the 1st transport part. It is a perspective view which shows the discharge part and the like of the 1st transport device as seen from the right front. It is a side view of the discharge part of the 1st transport device. It is a side view of the discharge part and the like of the 1st transport device and the 2nd transport device. It is a top view of the discharge part of the 1st transport device and the 2nd transport device. It is a top view which shows the other embodiment of the discharge part of the 1st transfer apparatus. It is the figure which looked at the 2nd transfer apparatus from the rear. It is a perspective view of the 2nd transport device. It is a figure which looked at the 1st roller and 2nd roller of the 2nd transfer apparatus from the direction of a central axis. It is a side view which saw the 1st roller and 2nd roller from the upstream side in the transport direction. It is a top view which shows the state that the headed vegetable discharged from the discharge part of the 1st transport device is carried by the 2nd transport part. It is a top view of the 3rd transport part. It is a perspective view of the 3rd transport part. It is a figure which shows the structure of the 2nd holding belt. It is a perspective view which shows the movement of the vegetable (headed vegetable) in the 3rd transport part. It is the figure which looked at the movement of the vegetable (headed vegetable) in the 4th transport part from the direction (rear) orthogonal to the transport direction. It is a figure which looked at the downstream side of the 3rd transport part and the upstream side of the 4th transport part from the direction (rear) orthogonal to the transport direction. It is a perspective view which shows the downstream side of the 3rd transport part and the upstream side of a 4th transport part. It is a top view which shows the downstream side of the 3rd transport part and the upstream side of a 4th transport part. It is a top view of the support member. It is a figure which looked at the support member from the upstream side of the 4th transport part in the transport direction. It is a figure which shows the flow of the vegetable (headed vegetable) from the downstream side of the 3rd transport part to the upstream side of the 4th transport part. It is a top view which shows the lower belt and the 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 figure which saw the 1st cutting apparatus and 2nd cutting apparatus from the direction (rear) orthogonal to the transport direction. It is a perspective view of the 1st cutting apparatus. It is a top view of the 1st cutting apparatus. It is a figure which shows the operation of the root alignment part. It is a figure which looked at the movement of the vegetable (headed vegetable) in the 1st cutting apparatus from the direction (rear) orthogonal to the transport direction. It is a figure which shows the action of the root pulling part. It is a top view of the 1st cutting apparatus and the 2nd cutting apparatus. It is a perspective view of the rear part of the 1st cutting device and the 2nd cutting device. It is a figure which shows an onion as an example of a vegetable (headed vegetable).

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 to 3 are views showing the overall configuration of the vegetable preparation device 1.
Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the direction of arrow X1 in FIG. 1 is referred to as forward, the direction of arrow X2 is referred to as backward, and the direction of arrow X is referred to as front-back direction. The direction of arrow Y1 in FIGS. 1 and 2 is referred to as left, the direction of arrow Y2 is referred to as right, and the direction of arrow Y is referred to as device width direction. Further, in the present specification, one side in the device width direction is described as the left side and the other side in the device width direction is described as the right side, but one side in the device width direction may be the right side and the other side in the device width direction may be the left side.

The vegetables prepared by the preparation device 1 according to the present invention are mainly headed vegetables. Heading vegetables are, for example, bulbous vegetables in which the roots of leaves swell underground or near the ground and become spherical. Specifically, for example, onions, scallions, garlic, lily roots and the like. Hereinafter, the vegetable VG to be treated in the present invention will be described as a headed vegetable VG, but the vegetable to be treated is not limited to the headed vegetable.

As shown in FIG. 46, the heading vegetable (bulb) VG includes a heading part (bulb) VG1, an outer leaf VG2 extending upward from the upper part of the heading part VG1, and a root VG3 extending downward from the lower part of the heading part VG1. ,have. FIG. 46 shows an onion as a typical example of the headed vegetable VG. The headed vegetable VG to be treated in the present invention is preferably harvested or pretreated in a state where the length of the outer leaf VG2 is longer than the length of the root VG3.

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

The transfer device 2 includes a first transfer device 2A, a second transfer device 2B, a third transfer device 2C, a fourth transfer device 2D, and a fifth transfer device 2E. The first transport device 2A is supported on the installation surface (floor surface) by the first frame 6A. The second transfer device 2B, the third transfer device 2C, the fourth transfer device 2D, and the fifth transfer device 2E are supported on the installation surface by the second frame 6B. The first frame 6A and the second frame 6B are configured by three-dimensionally combining a plurality of linear frame materials (for example, steel materials). The first frame 6A and the second frame 6B are not connected, and the positional relationship (relative position) between the first frame 6A and the second frame 6B can be adjusted. Thereby, the positional relationship between the first transfer device 2A and the second transfer device 2B can be adjusted. However, the first frame 6A and the second frame 6B may be connected.

In the drawings, the transfer direction by the first transfer device 2A is arrow A1, the transfer direction by the second transfer device 2B is arrow A2, the transfer direction by the third transfer device 2C is arrow A3, and the transfer direction by the fourth transfer device 2D is arrow A4. , The transport direction by the fifth transport device 2E is indicated by an arrow A5.
First, the first transfer device 2A will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the first transport device 2A includes a side wall 7, a rear wall 8, a front wall 9, a mounting portion 10, a housing portion 11, and a transport unit 3A (hereinafter, “first transport unit 3A””. ).

The side wall 7 includes one side wall 7L and the other side wall 7R. On the other hand, the side wall 7L is arranged on one side (left side) of the first transport portion 3A in the width direction (same as the device width direction Y). The other side wall 7R is arranged on the other side (right side) of the first transport portion 3A in the width direction. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the side wall 7L includes a main body wall 7La and an extension wall 7Lb. On the other hand, the side wall 7R includes a main body wall 7Ra and an extension wall 7Rb. The main body wall 7La and the main body wall 7Ra are arranged in parallel with each other, and extend from the lower rear to the upper front. The extension wall 7Lb extends forward from the front end portion of the main body wall 7La. The extension wall 7Rb extends forward from the front end of the main body wall 7Ra. The distance between the extension wall 7Lb and the extension wall 7Rb gradually becomes narrower (closer) toward the front (as the distance from the main body walls 7La and 7Ra increases).

The rear wall 8 is arranged at the rear end of the first transport device 2A. The rear wall 8 is provided over a rear end portion of one side wall 7L (main body wall 7La) and a rear end portion of the other side wall 7R (main body wall 7Ra). The front wall 9 is arranged at the front end portion of the first transport device 2A. The front wall 9 is provided over the front end portion of the one side wall 7L (extension wall 7Lb) and the front end portion of the other side wall 7R (extension wall 7Rb).

The placing portion 10 is a portion on which the container 13 containing the headed vegetables before preparation is placed. As shown in FIG. 6, the mounting portion 10 is provided between the one side wall 7L and the other side wall 7R and in front of the rear wall 8. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the mounting portion 10 has a mounting surface 10a and a transition surface 10b. The mounting surface 10a is a horizontal plane on which the container 13 is mounted. The transition surface 10b extends in the device width direction at the front portion of the mounting surface 10a. The transition surface 10b includes a first transition surface 10b1 and a second transition surface 10b2. The first transition surface 10b1 is an inclined surface that shifts upward from the front end portion of the mounting surface 10a toward the front. The second transition surface 10b2 is an inclined surface that shifts downward from the front end portion of the first transition surface 10b1 toward the front.

The accommodating portion 11 is a portion for receiving and accommodating headed vegetables before preparation. The accommodating portion 11 is provided below the front of the mounting portion 10. The storage unit 11 receives and stores the headed vegetables stored in the container 13. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the accommodating portion 11 has a first support plate 111, a second support plate 112, and a third support plate 113. The first support plate 111, the second support plate 112, and the third support plate 113 are integrally formed.

The first support plate 111 has a first support surface 111a on the front side. The second support plate 112 has a second support surface 112a on the front side. The third support plate 113 has a third support surface 113a on the front side. As a result, the accommodating portion 11 has a first support surface 111a, a second support surface 112a, and a third support surface 113a that support the headed vegetables on the front side (the side that can be seen in a plan view).
The first support surface 111a is a surface that supports the headed vegetables from below, and is an inclined surface that shifts downward as it goes forward. The second support surface 112a is arranged on one side (left side) of the first transport portion 3A in the width direction (same as the device width direction Y). The third support surface 113a is arranged on the other side (right side) of the first transport portion 3A in the width direction. The second support surface 112a and the third support surface 113a are surfaces for collecting headed vegetables on the first support surface 111a, and are inclined so that the headed vegetables can be rolled or slid toward the first support surface 111a. It is formed on the surface. The second support surface 112a is an inclined surface that shifts downward toward the other side (right side) in the width direction of the first transport portion 3A. The third support surface 113a is an inclined surface that shifts downward toward the other side (left side) in the width direction of the first transport portion 3A.

The shape of the first support surface 111a is a trapezoidal shape in which the width (the length in the device width direction Y) gradually narrows toward the lower front side. In other words, the shape of the first support surface 111a is a trapezoidal shape in which the width of the lower side is smaller than the width of the upper side. The shape of the second support surface 112a is a triangular shape in which the width (length in the front-rear direction X) gradually narrows toward the lower right. The shape of the third support surface 113a is a triangular shape in which the width (length in the front-rear direction X) gradually narrows toward the lower left.

The accommodating portion 11 is bent in a V shape at the boundary between the first support surface 111a and the second support surface 112a and at the boundary between the first support surface 111a and the third support surface 113a.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the reinforcing member 14 is fixed from the back surface of the first support plate 111 to the back surface of the second support plate 112. The reinforcing member 14 is bent at the boundary between the back surface of the first support plate 111 and the back surface of the second support plate 112. Further, although not shown, a similar reinforcing member is fixed from the back surface of the first support plate 111 to the back surface of the third support plate 113. The accommodating portion 11 is reinforced from the back surface side by these reinforcing members.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first support surface 111a has an opening 111b. The opening 111b is composed of two openings formed at intervals in the width direction of the first transport portion 3A. The opening 111b is formed by notching the lower side of the first support surface 111a toward the upper side in a rectangular shape. The opening 111b is a portion through which the protruding portion 21 passes as the moving body 15 described later moves. A hanging plate 111c extending downward is arranged between the two openings 111b. When the projecting portion 21 passes through the opening 111b, the moving body 15 passes below the first support surface 111a (below the hanging plate 111c).

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first transfer device 2A has a swing mechanism 12.
The swing mechanism 12 is a mechanism that swings the first support surface 111a upward or downward. By driving the swing mechanism 12, the first support surface 111a, the second support surface 112a, and the third support surface 113a integrally swing upward or downward. The swing mechanism 12 is arranged below the rear of the first support plate 111.

The swing mechanism 12 has a rotating shaft 12a, an eccentric cam 12b, a rotating body 12c, a shaft body 12d, and a holding body 12e. The rotation shaft 12a is a shaft that rotates about an axis parallel to the width direction of the first transport portion 3A. The eccentric cam 12b is eccentrically attached to the rotating shaft 12a and rotates together with the rotating shaft 12a. In the case of this embodiment, the rotating body 12c is composed of bearings. The rotating body 12c has a circumferential surface that comes into contact with the eccentric cam 12b. The shaft body 12d is a shaft body that serves as a swing center of the first support plate 111. The shaft body 12d is arranged in parallel with the rotation shaft 12a. The shaft body 12d is inserted through a pair of projecting bodies 12h projecting from the back surface side of the first support plate 111. Both ends of the shaft body 12d are fixed to the side walls 7 (7L, 7R).

The holding body 12e is arranged on the opposite side (back surface side) of the first support plate 111 from the first support surface 111a. The holding body 12e has a holding shaft 12f and a pair of holding pieces 12g. The holding shaft 12f is arranged in parallel with the rotating shaft 12a. The holding shaft 12f rotatably holds the rotating body 12c. When the rotating body 12c is a bearing, the inner ring of the bearing is fixed to the holding shaft 12f, and the outer ring of the bearing is rotatable with respect to the holding shaft 12f (relative to the inner ring) and comes into contact with the eccentric cam 12b. On the back surface side of the first support plate 111, a contact plate 12n that comes into contact with the back surface of the first support plate 111 is arranged. The first support plate 111 and the contact plate 12n may be fixed (connected) or may be in contact with each other without being fixed. The contact plate 12n and the first support plate 111 operate integrally. The pair of holding pieces 12g are projected on the back surface side of the contact plate 12n. Both ends of the holding shaft 12f are held by the holding piece 12g.

One end side and the other end side of the rotating shaft 12a are rotatably supported by the erection member 6A1 erected on the first frame 6A. A sprocket 12i is attached to one end (right end) of the rotating shaft 12a. The sprocket 12i is connected to the sprocket 12k rotatably supported by the first frame 6A via a chain 12j. The sprocket 12k is connected to the second sprocket 19c of the drive mechanism 19 described later by the connecting shaft 24. A sprocket 12m for adjusting tension is engaged on the outer peripheral side of the chain 12j.

When the second sprocket 19c is rotated by the drive of the drive mechanism 19 described later, the sprocket 12k rotates together with the connecting shaft 24. The rotation of the sprocket 12k is transmitted to the sprocket 12i via the chain 12j, the rotation shaft 12a rotates together with the sprocket 12i, and the eccentric cam 12b rotates.
As described above, the eccentric cam 12b is eccentrically attached to the rotating body 12c. Therefore, as shown in the virtual line of FIG. 8, when the eccentric cam 12b rotates with the rotation of the rotation shaft 12a, the position (height) of the outer peripheral surface of the eccentric cam 12b changes. Along with this, the position (height) of the rotating body 12c having a circumferential surface in contact with the eccentric cam 12b changes. As a result, the contact plate 12n and the first support plate 111 swing upward or downward with the shaft body 12d as the center (fulcrum) together with the holding body 12e that holds the rotating body 12c. Further, the second support plate 112 and the third support plate 113 integrally formed with the first support plate 111 swing upward or downward. As a result, the first support surface 111a, the second support surface 112a, and the third support surface 113a swing upward or downward.

By swinging the first support surface 111a upward and downward by the swing mechanism 12 in this way, it is possible to loosen a large number of headed vegetables housed in the accommodating portion 11 and placed on the first support surface 111a. .. Further, by swinging the second support surface 112a and the third support surface 113a upward and downward by the swing mechanism 12, the headed vegetables placed on the second support surface 112a and the third support surface 113a are swung along the inclination. It can be moved onto the first support surface 111a. As a result, the headed vegetables can be smoothly transported in appropriate amounts (one by one in the case of the present embodiment) by the first transport unit 3A.

The first transport unit 3A transports the headed vegetables stored in the storage unit 11 one by one toward the upper side (from the lower side to the upper side) away from the first support surface 111a. The headed vegetables are transported by the first transport unit 3A so as to move forward as they go upward.
As shown in FIGS. 5, 9 to 11 and the like, the first transport unit 3A has a moving body 15, a first plate 16 and a second plate 17.

As shown in FIG. 10, the moving body 15 is composed of an endless cord. The cord is a chain in the case of this embodiment. The moving body 15 includes two cords (first cord 15L and second cord 15R). The first cord body 15L and the second cord body 15R are arranged in parallel with each other and at intervals in the device width direction. The cords constituting the moving body 15 move along a side-view loop-shaped (oval-shaped) path.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first plate 16 is arranged on one side (left side) of the moving body 15 in the device width direction and extends in the transport direction A1. The second plate 17 is arranged on the other side (right side) of the moving body 15 in the device width direction and extends in the transport direction A1. The lower portions of the first plate 16 and the second support plate 112 extend below the first support plate 111, the second support plate 112, and the third support plate 113 that constitute the accommodating portion 11. ..

In other words, the first plate 16 is arranged on one side (left side) in the width direction of the first transport portion 3A, and extends in the transport direction A1 from below to above the second support surface 112a. .. The second plate 17 is arranged on one side (left side) in the width direction of the first transport portion 3A, and extends in the transport direction A1 from below to above the third support surface 113a. In addition, in FIGS. 9 and 11, the illustration of the first plate 16 and the second plate 17 is omitted.

When the first support plate 111, the second support plate 112, and the third support plate 113 swing upward or downward by the drive of the swing mechanism 12, they separate from each other or hit the first plate 16 and the second plate 17. Get in touch. Specifically, when the first support plate 111, the second support plate 112, and the third support plate 113 swing upward, they separate from the first plate 16 and the second plate 17, and swing downward. At that time, it comes into contact with the first plate 16 and the second plate 17. At this time, the lower end portion of the first support plate 111 comes into contact with the surfaces of the first plate 16 and the second plate 17. The lower end of the second support plate 112 comes into contact with the surface of the first plate 16. The lower end of the third support plate 113 comes into contact with the surface of the second plate 17.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first sheet 18L is attached to the first plate 16, and the second sheet 18R is attached to the second plate 17. The first sheet 18L is placed so as to straddle the surface of the first plate 16 and the surface of the second support plate 112 (second support surface 112a). The second sheet 18R is placed so as to straddle the surface of the second plate 17 and the surface of the third support plate 113 (third support surface 113a). The first sheet 18L and the second sheet 18R are sheets having flexibility (flexibility) such as a rubber plate. When the first support plate 111, the second support plate 112, and the third support plate 113 swing upward, the first sheet 18L and the second seat 18R are deformed following the swing, so that the first sheet 18L and the second seat 18R are first. The gaps generated between the support plate 111, the second support plate 112, the third support plate 113, and the first plate 16 and the second plate 17 are filled. As a result, it is possible to prevent the headed vegetables from being caught in the gap and the headed vegetables from falling from the gap. In FIG. 6, the first sheet 18L and the second sheet 18R are omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 11, the first transport portion 3A includes a drive mechanism 19, an attachment body 20, a protrusion 21, and a support member 22.
The drive mechanism 19 is a mechanism for moving the moving body 15. The drive mechanism 19 includes a motor 19a, a first sprocket 19b, a second sprocket 19c, a third sprocket 19d, a fourth sprocket 19e, a fifth sprocket 19f, and a sixth sprocket 19i.

A cord body constituting the moving body 15 is wound around the first sprocket 19b and the second sprocket 19c. The first sprocket 19b is arranged in front of and above the second sprocket 19c. The first sprocket 19b and the second sprocket 19c are each composed of a pair of sprockets arranged at intervals in the device width direction Y. The first cord 15L is wound around one of the first sprocket 19b and one of the second sprocket 19c. The second cord 15R is wound around the other of the first sprocket 19b and the other of the second sprocket 19c.

The third sprocket 19d is attached to the rotating shaft of the motor 19a. The fourth sprocket 19e is attached to the same first shaft 19g as the first sprocket 19b. A chain 19h is wound around the third sprocket 19d and the fourth sprocket 19e.
The fifth sprocket 19f is arranged between the first sprocket 19b and the second sprocket 19c, and applies tension upward to the cords constituting the moving body 15. The sixth sprocket 19i applies tension to the chain 19h.

According to the drive mechanism 19, when the motor 19a is driven, the third sprocket 19d rotates, the rotation of the third sprocket 19d is transmitted to the fourth sprocket 19e via the chain 19h, and the fourth sprocket 19e rotates. The rotation of the fourth sprocket 19e is transmitted to the first sprocket 19b via the first shaft 19g, and the first sprocket 19b rotates. The rotation of the first sprocket 19b is transmitted to the second sprocket 19c via the cords constituting the moving body 15. As a result, the first sprocket 19b, the second sprocket 19c, and the moving body 15 move (rotate) along the side view loop-shaped (oval-shaped) path.

As shown by the arrow R1 in FIG. 10, as the moving body 15 moves (rotates), the upper part (upper part of the loop) of the moving body 15 moves forward as it goes upward (diagonally upward). Moving. The moving direction A1 of the upper portion (upper part of the loop) of the moving body 15 is the transport direction A1 by the transport unit 3A of the first transport device 2A. That is, the moving body 15 moves along the transport direction A1 of the first transport unit 3A.

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the attachment body 20 is attached to the moving body 15 and moves together with the moving body 15. The attachment body 20 connects the first cord body 15L and the second cord body 15R. A plurality of attachment bodies 20 are provided side by side along the length direction of the first cord body 15L and the second cord body 15R (the transport direction A1 of the first transport portion 3A). The plurality of mounting bodies 20 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the transport direction A1. The pitches (intervals) of the arrangement of the plurality of mounting bodies 20 are preferably set to be equal, but some of them may be different. The pitch of the arrangement of the attachment body 20 is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the heading portion VG1 of the heading vegetable VG.

As shown in FIG. 11 and the like, the mounting body 20 has a substrate 20a and a mounting portion 20b. The base end portion of the protruding portion 21 is fixed to the surface of the substrate 20a. As a result, the protruding portion 21 is projected from the mounting body 20. The back surface of the substrate 20a faces the front surface (defined surface 22d) of the support member 22 described later and comes into contact with the substrate 20a. The mounting portion 20b includes a first mounting portion 20b1 and a second mounting portion 20b2. The first mounting portion 20b1 bends at a right angle and extends from the left end portion of the substrate 20a. The second mounting portion 20b2 is bent at a right angle and extends from the right end portion of the substrate 20a. The first mounting portion 20b1 and the second mounting portion 20b2 are arranged in parallel. The first attachment portion 20b1 is attached to one of the two cords (first cord 15L). The second attachment portion 20b2 is attached to the other of the two cords (second cord 15R).

As described above, the projecting portion 21 projects from the mounting body 20 and is mounted on the moving body 15 via the mounting body 20. As a result, the protruding portion 21 moves together with the mounting body 20 and the moving body 15. The projecting portion 21 can support the heading vegetable (specifically, the heading portion VG1 of the heading vegetable VG) by projecting in the direction away from the moving body 15.
The protruding portion 21 is composed of a cylindrical or cylindrical rod body. However, the shape of the protruding portion 21 is not limited to this. The protrusion 21 includes two protrusions arranged at intervals in the width direction of the device. The two protrusions are one protruding portion 21L arranged on one side (first cord 15L side) in the device width direction and the other protruding portion arranged on the other side (second cord 15R side) in the device width direction. It is composed of a part 21R. The distance between the protruding portion 21L on the one hand and the protruding portion 21R on the other side is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the heading portion VG1 of the heading vegetable VG.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the support member 22 is arranged between the first cord body 15L and the second cord body 15R. Further, the support member 22 is arranged between the first mounting portion 20b1 and the second mounting portion 20b2 of the mounting body 20. The support member 22 extends along the transport direction A1 of the first transport portion 3A, and extends from the start end portion to the end portion of the first transport portion 3A in the transport direction A1. The start end portion in the transport direction A1 is the portion where the headed vegetables are started to be transported in the first transport portion 3A, and the end portion in the transport direction A1 is the portion where the headed vegetables are transported in the first transport portion 3A (first). This is the part where the headed vegetables are discharged from the transport part 3A).

Specifically, the starting end portion is linear from the arc-shaped path (the portion wound around the second sprocket 19c) at the upper part (upper side of the loop) of the side view loop-shaped moving path of the moving body 15. It is near the point of change that changes to the path. The end portion is in the upper part of the movement path of the moving body 15 (upper side of the loop) near the change point where the linear path changes to the arc-shaped path (the portion wound around the first sprocket 19b).

As shown in FIGS. 9, 11 and 12, the support member 22 has an upper plate 22a, one side plate 22b, and the other side plate 22c. The upper plate 22a is arranged on the back surface side of the substrate 20a of the mounting body 20. The one side plate 22b is bent downward from one side (left side) of the upper plate 22a in the device width direction. The other side plate 22c is bent downward from the other side (right side) of the upper plate 22a in the device width direction. The one side plate 22b and the other side plate 22c extend in parallel with each other.

The support member 22 has a defined surface 22d that defines the posture of the protruding portion 21. The defined surface 22d is composed of the surface of the upper plate 22a of the support member 22, and is arranged between the first cord body 15L and the second cord body 15R. The defined surface 22d supports the mounting body 20 so that the protruding portion 21 is in an upright state by contacting the back surface of the substrate 20a of the mounting body 20. In other words, the defined surface 22d defines the protruding portion 21 in an upright posture by contacting the back surface of the substrate 20a of the mounting body 20. The projecting portion 21 projects from the mounting body 20 and extends in a direction away from the defined surface 22d in the upright state.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 11, 12, and 14, the defined surface 22d includes a first specified surface 22d1 and a second specified surface 22d2. The first defined surface 22d1 is arranged on the upstream side (starting end side) of the transport direction A1 of the first transport unit 3A. Specifically, the first defined surface 22d1 is arranged in a range from the start end portion to the middle portion of the transport direction A1 of the first transport unit 3A. The second defined surface 22d2 is arranged on the downstream side (termination side) of the first transport unit 3A in the transport direction A1. Specifically, the second regulated surface 22d2 is arranged in a range from the middle portion to the end portion of the transport direction A1 of the first transport portion 3A. Therefore, the boundary portion 22e between the first defining surface 22d1 and the second defining surface 22d2 is located in the middle of the conveying direction A1 of the first conveying portion 3A.

The second regulation surface 22d2 is provided so as to be inclined with respect to the first regulation surface 22d1. The inclination angle of the second regulation surface 22d2 with respect to the first regulation surface 22d1 is an obtuse angle. The inclination angle of the second defined surface 22d2 with respect to the first defined surface 22d1 is set to, for example, a range of 140 ° to 160 ° (preferably about 150 °). The first defining surface 22d1 and the second defining surface 22d2 are inclined with respect to the horizontal plane so as to move upward as they move forward. The inclination angle of the first defining surface 22d1 with respect to the horizontal plane is larger than the inclination angle of the second defining surface 22d2 with respect to the horizontal plane. For example, the inclination angle of the first regulation surface 22d1 with respect to the horizontal plane is 40 ° to 50 °, and the inclination angle of the second regulation surface 22d2 with respect to the horizontal plane is 15 ° to 20 °.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 11 to 15, the support member 22 has an extension plate 22g extending forward and downward from the front end portion of the upper plate 22a. The upper surface (extended surface) of the extension plate 22g is bent from the front end portion of the second defined surface 22d2 and extends forward and downward. As shown in FIG. 12, the projecting portion 21 is in an inverted state when the mounting body 20 moves forward beyond the extension plate 22g (when it is no longer supported by the extension plate 22g). The movement of the protrusion 21 will be described later.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first plate 16 and the second plate 17 extend in the transport direction A1 along the defined surface 22d. The first plate 16 and the second plate 17 are bent in the middle portion of the transport direction A1 in the same manner as the defined surface 22d. The first plate 16 has a bent portion 16c, and the second plate 17 has a bent portion 17c. The bent portion 16c of the first plate 16 and the bent portion 17c of the second plate 17 are located slightly behind the positions corresponding to the boundary portion 22e between the first defined surface 22d1 and the second specified surface 22d2 in the transport direction A1. There is.

Hereinafter, the portion of the first plate 16 in front of the bent portion 16c is referred to as the “first plate front portion 16a”, and the portion behind the bent portion 16c is referred to as the “first plate rear portion 16b”. Further, a portion of the second plate 17 in front of the bent portion 17c is referred to as a “second plate front portion 17a”, and a portion behind the bent portion 17c is referred to as a “second plate rear portion 17b”. The rear portion 16b of the first plate and the rear portion 17b of the second plate extend along the inclination of the first regulation surface 22d1. The front portion 16a of the first plate and the front portion 17a of the second plate extend along the inclination of the second regulation surface 22d2.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 13, the first plate 16 has a first front extension portion 16d that bends from the front end of the first plate front portion 16a and extends forward and downward. The second plate 17 has a second front extension portion 17d that bends from the front end of the second plate front portion 17a and extends forward and downward. An extension plate 22g is arranged between the first front extension portion 16d and the second front extension portion 17d. The first front extension portion 16d and the second front extension portion 17d extend along the extension plate 22g.

As shown in FIG. 14, the upper portion (upper side of the loop) of the moving body 15 (cable body 15L, 15R) extends along the defining surface 22d, and is a boundary between the first defining surface 22d1 and the second defining surface 22d2. It is bent at a position corresponding to the portion 22e. A fifth sprocket 19f is arranged at the bent portion of the cords 15L and 15R. The moving body 15 is changed so that the angle with respect to the horizontal plane becomes smaller at the position corresponding to the boundary portion 22e. As a result, the transport direction A1 changes from the arrow A11 direction to the arrow A12 direction (so that the angle of the transport direction A1 with respect to the horizontal plane becomes smaller) at the position corresponding to the boundary portion 22e.

As shown in FIG. 14, the regulated surfaces (first regulated surface 22d1 and second regulated surface 22d2) and the plurality of mounting bodies 20 have tip portions of protruding portions 21 adjacent to each other in the transport direction A1 in the middle portion of the transport direction A1. It constitutes an expansion mechanism that expands the interval between. The expansion mechanism will be described below.
The support member 22 supports the mounting body 20 so that the protruding portion 21 is in an upright state from the start end portion to the end portion in the transport direction A1 of the first transport portion 3A. In the upright state, the projecting portion 21 stands up in the direction perpendicular to the defined surface 22d. Since the second regulation surface 22d2 is provided so as to be inclined with respect to the first regulation surface 22d1, the mounting body 20 is supported by the second regulation surface 22d2 from the state of being supported by the first regulation surface 22d1. At the time of transition to, the protruding direction of the protruding portion 21 changes. As a result, the distance L2 between the tip portions of the protruding portions 21 adjacent to each other in the transport direction A1 in the state where the mounting body 20 is supported by the second defining surface 22d2 is such that the mounting body 20 is supported by the first defining surface 22d1. It is larger than the distance L1 between the tip portions of the protruding portions 21 adjacent to each other in the transport direction A1 in the present state. In other words, in the middle portion of the transport direction A1, the distance between the tip portions of the protruding portions 21 adjacent to the transport direction A1 is widened in the transport direction A1.

As shown in FIG. 14, in the middle portion of the transport direction A1, a plurality of heads are formed between the projecting portions 21 adjacent to the transport direction A1 by increasing the distance between the tip portions of the projecting portions 21 adjacent to the transport direction A1. Even if the vegetable VG is sandwiched (clogged) and transported, a gap GP is generated between the headed vegetable VG on the upper side and the protruding portion 21. Therefore, the state in which the headed vegetable VG is sandwiched (clogging) between the adjacent protruding portions 21 is eliminated, and the upper unnecessary headed vegetable VG that is not directly supported by the protruding portion 21 is dropped from the protruding portion 21. be able to. As a result, the headed vegetable VG can be reliably and smoothly transported in appropriate amounts (for example, one by one).

Further, the mounting body 20 and the support member 22 form a posture changing mechanism in which the protruding portion 21 is in an upright state from the start end portion to the end portion in the transport direction A1 and the protruding portion 21 is in an inverted state at the end portion. There is. The posture changing mechanism will be described below.
The attachment body 20 is rotatably attached to the moving body 15. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the attachment portion 20b of the attachment body 20 is attached to the fixture 15a fixed to the moving body 15 via the pivot 15b. The mounting portion 20b is rotatable together with the protruding portion 21 with the pivot 15b as a fulcrum. As a result, the protruding portion 21 is attached to the moving body 15 so that its posture can be changed between an upright state and a prone state. As shown in FIG. 12, the protrusion 21 changes its posture from the upright state to the prone state by rotating the mounting body 20 with the pivot 15b as a fulcrum. In FIG. 12, reference numeral 21a indicates a protruding portion 21 in an upright state, reference numeral 21c indicates a protruding portion in an inverted state, and reference numeral 21b indicates a protruding portion starting the transition from the upright state to the inverted state.

The support member 22 supports the mounting body 20 so that the protruding portion 21 is in an upright state by restricting the rotation of the mounting body 20, and the protruding portion 21 is in an inverted state by releasing the support. Allows the mounting body 20 to rotate. The support member 22 supports the mounting body 20 from the start end portion to the terminal portion in the transport direction A1 of the first transport portion 3A (restricts rotation), and releases the support of the mounting body 20 at the terminal portion (times). Allow movement).

As shown in FIG. 12, the movement path of the moving body 15 is a path that gradually descends as it goes forward after passing the terminal portion of the transport direction A1. As a result, when the protruding portion 21 passes the end portion in the transport direction A1 and is released from being supported by the support member 22, the protruding portion 21 is in a forward leaning posture and moves forward and downward while increasing the forward tilting angle.
Therefore, the protruding portion 21 is in an upright state (see the protruding portion 21a in FIG. 12) in the section where the mounting body 20 is supported by the support member 22 (the section extending from the start end portion to the end portion in the transport direction A1). In the section where the mounting body 20 is not supported by the support member 22 (the section past the end portion in the transport direction A1), the mounting body 20 falls forward and downward (forward in the transport direction A1) due to the action of gravity and falls down (see the protruding portion 21c in FIG. 12). ).

The position of the tip of the protruding portion 21 is lowered when shifting from the standing state to the lying state. As a result, when the outer leaf VG2 and the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG are entangled with the protruding portion 21, the protruding portion 21 can be pulled out (released) downward from the outer leaf VG2 and the root VG3.
In this way, even when the outer leaf VG2 and the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG are entangled with the protruding portion 21 due to the protruding portion 21 falling down at the end of the transport direction A1 of the first transporting portion 3A and becoming a fallen state. , The protruding portion 21 can be smoothly separated from the outer leaf VG2. Therefore, the headed vegetable VG can be reliably discharged toward the equipment (second transport device 2B) in the next process without damaging it.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 13, 15 to 18, etc., the first transport device 2A includes a discharge unit 25 that discharges headed vegetables from the terminal portion of the first transport unit 3A in the transport direction A1. ing. The discharge unit 25 is inclined downward toward the second transport device 2B, and discharges the headed vegetables to the upstream side of the second transport unit 3B in the transport direction A2. Therefore, the discharge unit 25 is also a supply unit that supplies headed vegetables to the second transport unit 3B.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 15 to 18, the discharge portion 25 includes an inclined plate 25a, a first side plate 25b, a second side plate 25c, a passage (first passage 25d, a second passage 25e), and a first standing wall 25f. , Has a second upright wall of 25 g.
The inclined plate 25a is inclined and extends so as to move downward as the distance from the end portion of the first conveying portion 3A in the conveying direction A1 (as it goes forward). The surface (upper surface) 25i of the inclined plate 25a is an inclined surface. The inclined surface constitutes a rolling surface 25i that rolls the heading portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG along the inclination. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 15, the inclined plate 25a is attached to the front wall 9 via a downward extending portion 25h extending downward from the inclined plate 25a. The inclined surface (rolling surface) 25i of the inclined plate 25a is arranged in front of the supporting member 22 at intervals from the supporting member 22. As a result, a gap G1 is formed between the inclined surface (rolling surface) of the inclined plate 25a and the support member 22. The gap G1 is formed when the mounting body 20 moves together with the moving body 15 and crosses the end of the transport direction A1 of the first transporting portion 3A, and the support of the mounting body 20 by the support member 22 is released (the protruding portion 21 falls down). This is a gap for the mounting body 20 to pass through (allowing the protrusion 21 to fall down) when the state is reached. In other words, the mounting body 20 passes through the gap G1 when the protruding portion 21 shifts from the standing state to the lying state.

The gap G1 communicates with a passage (first passage 25d, second passage 25e). The gap G1, the first passage 25d, and the second passage 25e are connected in a substantially U shape in a plan view.
The inclined plate 25a is composed of a rear inclined plate 25a1 and a front inclined plate 25a2.
The rear inclined plate 25a1 is in front of the support member 22 (front of the extension plate 22g), and is arranged between the first front extension portion 16d and the second front extension portion 17d. The rear inclined plate 25a1 is arranged in front of the support member 22 at a distance from the support member 22. As a result, the inclined surface (rear rolling surface) 25i1 of the rear inclined plate 25a1 is arranged in front of the supporting member 22 at intervals from the supporting member 22.

The front inclined plate 25a2 is arranged in front of the rear inclined plate 25a1. The inclined surface (front rolling surface) 25i2 of the front inclined plate 25a2 is close to the inclined surface (rear rolling surface) 25i1 in front of the inclined surface (rear rolling surface) 25i1 of the rear inclined plate 25a1. Have been placed. The inclination of the rear rolling surface 25i1 and the inclination of the front rolling surface 25i2 may be the same, or the inclination of the front rolling surface 25i2 may be larger than the inclination of the rear rolling surface 25i1. The rear inclined plate 25a1 and the front inclined plate 25a2 may be connected and integrated.

The first side plate 25b extends along the inclination of the inclined plate 25a on one side (left side) of the inclined plate 25a in the width direction (device width direction). The second side plate 25c extends along the inclination of the inclined plate 25a on the other side (right side) of the inclined plate 25a in the width direction (device width direction). The first side plate 25b is composed of a rear first side plate 25b1 and a front first side plate 25b2. The second side plate 25c is composed of a rear second side plate 25c1 and a front second side plate 25c2. The rear first side plate 25b1 is attached to the first front extension portion 16d. The rear second side plate 25c1 is attached to the second front extension 17d. The front first side plate 25b2 is attached to the left portion of the front wall 9 via a lower extension portion 23L extending downward from the front first side plate 25b2. The front second side plate 25c2 is attached to the right portion of the front wall 9 via a lower extension portion 23R extending downward from the front second side plate 25c2. As a result, the front first side plate 25b2 is extended from the first plate 16, and the front second side plate 25c2 is extended from the second plate 17. The front first side plate 25b2 and the rear first side plate 25b1 may be integrated, and the front second side plate 25c2 and the rear second side plate 25c1 may be integrated.

The passages (first passage 25d, second passage 25e) are provided on the side of the inclined surface 25a (one side and the other side in the device width direction). The passages (first passage 25d, second passage 25e) pass when the protruding portion 21 shifts from the upright state to the lying state.
The first passage 25d is a space (slit) formed between the inclined plate 25a and the first side plate 25b. The first passage 25d is composed of a rear first passage 25d1 and a front first passage 25d2. The rear first passage 25d1 is formed between the rear inclined plate 25a1 and the rear first side plate 25b1. The front first passage 25d2 is formed between the front inclined plate 25a2 and the front first side plate 25b2. In the first passage 25d, when the mounting body 20 passes through the gap G1 and the protruding portion 21 is in the inverted state, the protruding portion 21L passes through.

The second passage 25e is a space (slit) formed between the inclined plate 25a and the second side plate 25c. The second passage 25e is composed of a rear second passage 25e1 and a front second passage 25e2. The rear second passage 25e1 is formed between the rear inclined plate 25a1 and the rear second side plate 25c1. The front second passage 25e2 is formed between the front inclined plate 25a2 and the front second side plate 25c2. In the second passage 25e, the other protruding portion 21R passes when the mounting body 20 passes through the gap G1 and the protruding portion 21 is in the inverted state.

The headed vegetable VG transported by the first transport portion 3A is discharged when the support of the attachment body 20 by the support member 22 is released beyond the end portion in the transport direction A1 (the protruding portion 21 is in an inverted state). It is discharged from the part 25. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 24, the headed vegetable VG moves forward and downward while rolling on the rolling surface 25i along the inclination of the inclined plate 25a away from the protruding portion 21. At this time, the outer leaf VG2 or the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG can pass (invade) the first passage 25d or the second passage 25e. Therefore, the rolling of the heading portion VG1 is not hindered by the outer leaf VG2 or the root VG3, and the heading vegetable VG is smoothly moved (rolled) and transferred to the equipment of the next process (second transport device 2B). be able to.

The first upright wall 25f stands up from the other side (left side) of the first side plate 25b in the device width direction and extends along the inclination of the inclined plate 25a. The first upright wall 25f is composed of a front first upright wall 25f2 and a rear first upright wall 25f1. The front first upright wall 25f2 stands up from the other side (left side) of the front first side plate 25b2 in the device width direction. The rear first upright wall 25f1 stands up from the other side (left side) of the rear first side plate 25b1 in the device width direction. In the case of the present embodiment, the front first upright wall 25f2 and the rear first upright wall 25f1 are formed from different members and separated from each other, but may be continuously formed by one member.

The second upright wall 25g stands up from one side (right side) of the second side plate 25c in the device width direction and extends along the inclination of the inclined plate 25a. The second upright wall 25g is composed of a front second upright wall 25g2 and a rear second upright wall 25g1. The front second upright wall 25g2 stands up from one side (right side) of the front second side plate 25c2 in the device width direction. The rear second upright wall 25g1 stands up from one side (right side) of the rear second side plate 25c1 in the device width direction. In the case of the present embodiment, the front second upright wall 25g2 and the rear second upright wall 25g1 are formed from different members and separated from each other, but may be continuously formed by one member.

Since the discharging portion 25 has the first standing wall 25f and the second standing wall 25g, the headed vegetable VG is rolling on the rolling surface 25i, and the side (left or right) of the discharging portion 25. It can be prevented from falling from.
The distance between the first upright wall 25f and the second upright wall 25g differs between the side relatively close to the end portion of the first transport portion 3A in the transport direction A1 and the side far from it. Specifically, the distance between the front first upright wall 25f2 and the front second upright wall 25g2 is wider than the distance between the rear first upright wall 25f1 and the rear second upright wall 25g1. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent the headed vegetable VG from falling while rolling on the rolling surface 25i.

The discharge portion 25 has a first extending wall 25j formed continuously with the first standing wall 25f, and a second extending wall 25k formed continuously with the second standing wall 25g. .. The first extending wall 25j is bent from the rear end portion of the rear first standing wall 25f1 and extends toward one side (left side) in the device width direction. The second extending wall 25k is bent from the rear end portion of the rear second standing wall 25g1 and extends toward the other side (right side) in the device width direction.

FIG. 19 shows another embodiment of the discharge unit 25. Hereinafter, the other embodiments will be described with respect to differences from the above-described embodiments.
In the discharge unit 25 of the other embodiment, the inclined plate 25a is composed of one member. That is, the rear inclined plate 25a1 and the front inclined plate 25a2 in the above embodiment are integrated. The first side plate 25b and the second side plate 25c are not provided. The first upright wall 25f is fixed to the first front extension portion 16d via the first fixing plate 26L. The second upright wall 25g is fixed to the second front extension portion 17d via the second fixing plate 26R. The first upright wall 25f and the second upright wall 25g are each composed of one member. That is, the front first upright wall 25f2 and the rear first upright wall 25f1 in the above embodiment are continuously formed by one member, and the front second upright wall 25g2 and the rear second upright wall 25g1 are one. It is a structure continuously formed by members.

The first upright wall 25f and the second upright wall 25g extend longer than the inclined plate 25a in a direction away from the end of the transport direction A1 of the first transport portion 3A (front and lower). As a result, the heading vegetable VG can be guided from the side by the first standing wall 25f and the second standing wall 25g until the heading vegetable VG finishes rolling on the rolling surface 25i of the inclined plate 25a. The vegetable VG can be reliably discharged toward the equipment in the next process (second transport device 2B).

The first upright wall 25f extends longer than the second upright wall 25g in a direction away from the end of the transport direction A1 of the first transport portion 3A (front and lower). The first upright wall 25f is arranged on the upstream side (starting end side) of the second conveying portion 3B in the conveying direction A2 with respect to the second upright wall 25g. Therefore, the headed vegetables discharged from the discharge unit 25 to the second transport unit 3B are prevented from moving toward the upstream side in the transport direction A2 by the first standing wall 25f, and smoothly toward the downstream side (termination side). Be transported.

The distance between the first upright wall 25f and the second upright wall 25g differs between the side relatively close to the end portion of the first transport portion 3A in the transport direction A1 and the side far from it. Specifically, the distance between the first standing wall 25f and the second standing wall 25g is wide on the side relatively close to the end portion in the transport direction A1 and narrow on the far side. More specifically, the distance between the front first upright wall 25f2 and the front second upright wall 25g2 gradually becomes narrower as the distance from the end portion in the transport direction A1 increases. As a result, the headed vegetable VG can be reliably received from the end portion of the first transport portion 3A in the transport direction A1. The rear first upright wall 25f1 and the rear second upright wall 25g1 are arranged parallel to each other, and the distance between them is constant. The distance between the rear first upright wall 25f1 and the rear second upright wall 25g1 is narrower than the distance between the front first upright wall 25f2 and the front second upright wall 25g2.

The second front extension portion 17d of the second plate 17 is formed with an expansion portion 17e that gradually expands in a direction approaching the first plate 16 from the rear to the front. Since the expansion portion 17e is formed, when the heading vegetable VG shifts from the support member 22 to the rolling surface 25i, the heading vegetable VG is formed at three points of the support member 22, the rolling surface 25i, and the expansion portion 17e. Be supported. As a result, the headed vegetable VG can be smoothly and surely transferred from the support member 22 to the rolling surface 25i. It should be noted that the first front extension portion 16d of the first plate 16 may be formed with an expansion portion that gradually expands in the direction of approaching the second plate 17 from the rear to the front.

The first passage 25d is formed between the first front extension portion 16d and the inclined plate 25a. The second passage 25e is formed between the second front extension portion 17d and the inclined plate 25a. The width of the first passage 25d and the width of the second passage 25e are different. Specifically, the width of the first passage 25d is wider than the width of the second passage 25e.
Next, the second transfer device 2B will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the second transfer device 2B is arranged on the downstream side of the first transfer device 2A in the transfer direction A1. As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 17, 18, 18 and the like, the second transfer device 2B is arranged so as to overlap the discharge portion 25 of the first transfer device 2A. The second transport device 2B has a second transport unit 3B that receives and transports the headed vegetables discharged from the discharge unit 25 of the first transport device 2A.

As shown in FIGS. 17, 18, 20 to 23, the second transport unit 3B has two rollers 30A and 30B arranged in parallel. Of the two rollers 30A and 30B, one roller (hereinafter referred to as "first roller 30A") is arranged on the rear side (first conveyor 2A side), and the other roller (hereinafter referred to as "second roller 30B") is arranged. Is arranged on the front side (the side opposite to the first transport device 2A). In the case of this embodiment, the number of rollers is two, but there may be three or more, for example, four rollers may be arranged in parallel.

The two rollers 30A and 30B are arranged between the front wall plate 31 and the rear wall plate 32. The front wall plate 31 is arranged at the front portion of the second transport device 2B, and the rear wall plate 32 is arranged at the rear portion of the second transport device 2B. The front wall plate 31 and the rear wall plate 32 are attached to the second frame 6B.
The rotation axis of the first roller 30A (hereinafter referred to as "first rotation axis 33A") and the rotation axis of the second roller 30B (hereinafter referred to as "second rotation axis 33B") are arranged in parallel with each other. .. In FIGS. 18 and 20, the central axis of the first rotating shaft 33A is indicated by the alternate long and short dash line CLA, and the central axis of the second rotating shaft 33B is indicated by the alternate long and short dash line CLB. The length of the first roller 30A (the length in the direction of the first rotating shaft 33A) and the length of the second roller 30B (the length in the direction of the second rotating shaft 33B) are equal.

As shown in FIG. 20, the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B are inclined so as to gradually decrease from the upstream side (starting end side) to the downstream side (ending end side) of the transporting direction A2 of the second transporting portion 3B. doing. The inclination of the first roller 30A (the inclination angle of the central axis CLA of the first roller 30A with respect to the horizon) is equal to the inclination of the second roller 30B (the inclination angle of the central axis CLB of the second roller 30B with respect to the horizon). The inclination of the first roller 30A and the inclination of the second roller 30B are set in the range of, for example, 5 ° to 10 ° (5 ° as an example).

As shown in FIG. 21, a drive mechanism 35 for rotating the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B is provided on one side (left side) of the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B in the rotation axis direction. The drive mechanism 35 includes a motor 35a, a drive sprocket 35b, a driven sprocket 35c, a chain 35d, a transmission shaft 35e, a first bevel gear 35f, a second bevel gear 35g, a third bevel gear 35h, and a fourth bevel gear 35i.

The drive sprocket 35b is attached to the rotating shaft of the motor 35a. A chain 35d is hung on the driving sprocket 35b and the driven sprocket 35c. A driven sprocket 35c, a first bevel gear 35f, and a second bevel gear 35g are attached to the transmission shaft 35e. A third bevel gear 35h is attached to the first rotating shaft 33A. A fourth bevel gear 35i is attached to the second rotating shaft 33B. The third bevel gear 35h meshes with the first bevel gear 35f. The fourth bevel gear 35i meshes with the second bevel gear 35g.

When the motor 35a is driven, the drive sprocket 35b rotates together with the rotation shaft of the motor 35a. The rotation of the drive sprocket 35b is transmitted to the driven sprocket 35c via the chain 35d, and the driven sprocket 35c rotates. When the driven sprocket 35c rotates, the first bevel gear 35f and the second bevel gear 35g rotate together with the transmission shaft 35e. The rotation of the first bevel gear 35f causes the third bevel gear 35h to rotate, and the first rotating shaft 33A to rotate. The rotation of the second bevel gear 35g causes the fourth bevel gear 35i to rotate, and the second rotating shaft 33B to rotate. The first bevel gear 35f and the second bevel gear 35g are mounted in opposite directions, the first bevel gear 35f meshes with the front side of the third bevel gear 35h, and the second bevel gear 35g meshes with the rear side of the fourth bevel gear 35i.

By driving the drive mechanism 35, the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B rotate inward (the opposite side faces downward). As a result, the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG can be pulled in and sandwiched between the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B (see FIG. 22). The second transport unit 3B sandwiches the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG between the two rollers (between the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B), and has a rotation axis (first rotation axis 33A, second). The headed vegetable VG is conveyed in the direction of the rotation shaft 33B) (transportation direction A2).

As shown in FIG. 23 and the like, the first roller 30A has a first roller main body 30A1, a ridge portion 30A3, and a first brush portion 30A2. The first roller body 30A1 is a cylindrical or columnar member provided with the first rotating shaft 33A.
The ridge portion 30A3 projects from the surface of the first roller body 30A1 and is spirally provided along the surface of the first roller body 30A1. The spiral direction of the ridge portion 30A3 is from the inside (second roller 30B side) to the outside (second roller) of the first roller 30A on the surface (upper surface) side of the first roller 30A toward the downstream side of the transport direction A2. The direction is to shift to the side opposite to the 30B side). The ridge portion 30A3 is made of an elastic material made of rubber, a soft synthetic resin, or the like. The ridge portion 30A3 is formed by, for example, spirally winding a string-shaped member (rubber string, rubber tube, etc.) made of an elastic material around the surface of the first roller body 30A1.

The first brush portion 30A2 projects like a brush from the surface of the first roller main body 30A1. The first brush portion 30A2 is configured by arranging hair bundles in which a large number of hairs are bundled in a spiral arrangement. The plurality of hair bundles constituting the first brush portion 30A2 are individually planted in a large number of holes formed spirally on the surface of the first roller body 30A1 and project from the surface of the first roller body 30A1. The first brush portion 30A2 and the ridge portion 30A3 appear alternately along the direction of the central axis CLA of the first roller 30A (conveyance direction A2). In other words, the first brush portion 30A2 is provided between the ridge portions 30A3 adjacent to each other at intervals in the transport direction A2.

As shown in FIG. 18, in the length direction of the first roller 30A (conveying direction A2), the width W1 of the region where the first brush portion 30A2 is provided is larger than the width W2 of the ridge portion 30A3. As shown in FIG. 21, the height of the ridge portion 30A3 (the height from the surface of the first roller main body 30A1) is higher than the height of the first brush portion 30A2.
As shown in FIG. 23, the second roller 30B has a second roller main body 30B1 and a second brush portion 30B2. The second roller body 30B1 is a cylindrical or columnar member provided with the second rotating shaft 33B. The second brush portion 30B projects like a brush from the surface of the second roller main body 30B1. The second brush portion 30B is configured by arranging hair bundles in which a large number of hairs are bundled in a spiral arrangement. The plurality of hair bundles constituting the second brush portion 30B are individually planted in a large number of holes formed spirally on the surface of the second roller body 30B1 and project from the surface of the second roller body 30B1.

The amount of protrusion LB of the second brush portion 30B from the surface of the second roller main body 30B1 is larger than the amount of protrusion LA of the first brush portion 30A2 from the surface of the first roller main body 30A1. As a result, the hair bundles constituting the second brush portion 30B are more easily deformed (bent) than the hair bundles constituting the first brush portion 30A2.
When the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B rotate inward with each other, the headed vegetable VG is conveyed in the conveying direction A2 while being placed on the first roller 30A by the spiral of the ridge portion 30A3. The transport speed by the second transport unit 3B (movement speed in the transport direction A2) is faster than the transport speed by the first transport unit 3A (movement speed in the transport direction A1). As a result, it is possible to prevent the headed vegetables transported from the first transport unit 3A from staying on the upstream side of the second transport unit 3B.

In the case of the present embodiment, the first roller 30A has the ridge portion 30A3 and the second roller 30B does not have the ridge portion, but the second roller 30B has the same ridge portion as the first roller 30A. It may have a structure. In this case, the ridge portion of the second roller 30B is provided in a spiral shape extending in the same direction as the spiral arrangement of the hair bundles of the second brush portion 30B.
In the two rollers (first roller 30A, second roller 30B), the height H1 of the upper surface of one roller (first roller 30A) is higher than the height H2 of the upper surface of the other roller (second roller 30B). It is arranged with a height difference (H2-H1) that is also low. This height difference is a height difference in which the heights of the upper surfaces of the two rollers are compared at the same position in the transport direction A2. The height of the upper surface of the roller is the height from the installation surface at the highest position of the roller at a specific position in the transport direction A2. Specifically, the height of the upper surface of the first roller 30A is the height from the installation surface of the upper end of the ridge portion 30A3 at a specific position in the transport direction A2, and the height of the upper surface of the second roller 30B is. It is the height from the installation surface of the upper end of the second brush portion 30B2 at the same specific position in the transport direction A2. The height difference (H2-H1) is formed over the entire length of the transport direction A2.

In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 22A, the height difference (H2-H1) makes the outer diameter of the first roller 30A smaller than the outer diameter of the second roller 30B, and the first It is formed by arranging the rotating shaft 33A below the second rotating shaft 33B.
However, the configuration for forming the height difference (H2-H1) is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 22B, the height difference (H2-H1) makes the outer diameter of the first roller 30A equal to the outer diameter of the second roller 30B, and the first rotation shaft 33A is rotated in the second rotation. It may be formed by arranging it below the shaft 33B. Further, as shown in FIG. 22 (c), the height difference (H2-H1) makes the outer diameter of the first roller 30A smaller than the outer diameter of the second roller 30B, and makes the first rotation shaft 33A the second rotation. It may be formed by arranging it at the same height as the shaft 33B.

As shown in FIGS. 17, 18, 21, and 23, a guide plate 37 is provided on the upper portion of the first roller 30A. The guide plate 37 extends along the length direction (conveying direction A2) of the first roller 30A. The guide plate 37 is inclined so as to gradually lower from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction A2.
The guide plate 37 has a first portion 37a and a second portion 37b. The first portion 37a and the second portion 37b are integrally formed side by side in the front-rear direction. The first portion 37a is arranged between the rear wall plate 32 and the first roller 30A in the front-rear direction. When viewed from the length direction of the first roller 30A (transportation direction A2), the first portion 37a has the same height on the front side (first roller 30A side) and the rear side (opposite side to the first roller 30A side). Is. The second portion 37b is inclined so as to gradually decrease from the front side toward the rear side (approaching the first roller 30A).

As shown in FIG. 18, a discharge portion (supply portion) 25 of the first transport device 2A is arranged on the left portion (starting end side in the transport direction A2) of the guide plate 37. The discharge unit (supply unit) 25 has an inclined plate 25a, a first side plate 25b, and a second side plate 25c extending above the guide plate 37. Of the inclined plate 25a, the first side plate 25b, and the second side plate 25c, only the first side plate 25b and the second side plate 25c may extend above the guide plate 37. In this case, the inclined plate 25a needs to extend at least to the front of the rear wall plate 32.

As shown in FIG. 24, the discharge unit (supply unit) 25 supplies the headed vegetable VG above the first roller 30A. More specifically, the discharge unit (supply unit) 25 supplies the headed vegetable VG to the first roller 30A from a direction perpendicular to the first rotation shaft 33A above the first roller 30A. The headed vegetable VG discharged from the discharge unit (supply unit) 25 passes over the guide plate 37 and is supplied above the first roller 30A.

As shown in FIGS. 17, 18, 21, and 23, a guide member 38 is arranged above the second transport unit 3B. Specifically, the guide member 38 is arranged above the second roller 30B. The guide member 38 extends in the transport direction A2 (the length direction of the second roller 30B), and is arranged so as to gradually lower from the upstream side to the downstream side of the transport direction A2. The guide member 38 extends over a range from the start end portion to the middle portion in the transport direction A2. Specifically, the guide member 38 extends from above the start end portion (left end portion) of the second roller 30B to above the middle portion in the length direction. In the transport direction A2, the length of the guide member 38 is shorter than the length of the second roller 30B and longer than half the length of the second roller 30B. The end portion (right end portion) of the guide member 38 is located to the right of the middle portion in the length direction of the second roller 30B.

The guide member 38 has a front plate portion 38a, an upper plate portion 38b, and a rear plate portion 38c. The front plate portion 38a is fixed to the second frame 6B in front of the second roller 30B and extends upward from the second frame 6B. The upper plate portion 38b extends rearward (on the first roller 30A side) from the upper end of the front plate portion 38a. The rear plate portion 38c extends rearwardly and downwardly from the rear end of the upper plate portion 38b. The surface of the rear plate portion 38c is an inclined surface 38d facing diagonally upward and backward. The inclined surface 38d shifts from the front to the rear as it extends downward. In other words, the inclined surface 38d shifts from the first roller 30A (one roller) side to the second roller 30B (the other roller) side as it extends upward. The lower end of the inclined surface 38d is between the first rotating shaft 33A of the first roller 30A and the second rotating shaft 33B of the second roller 30B, and the heights H1 and the upper surface of the upper surface of the first roller 30A. The 2 rollers 30B extend to a position lower than the height H2 of the upper surface.

As shown in FIG. 23, the headed vegetable VG discharged (supplied) above the first roller 30A from the discharge unit (supply unit) 25 hits the guide member 38 and prevents movement to the second roller 30B side (forward). Therefore, it is mainly placed on the first roller 30A. At this time, the headed vegetable VG is allowed to tilt (roll) toward the second roller 30B by hitting the inclined surface 38d of the guide member 38. Therefore, the impact when the headed vegetable VG hits the guide member 38 is alleviated, and it is possible to prevent the headed vegetable VG from bouncing or being damaged. Further, since the lower end portion of the inclined surface 38d extends to the above-mentioned low position, it is possible to prevent the headed vegetable VG from hitting the lower end portion of the inclined surface 38d and being damaged.

As shown in FIG. 24, the headed vegetable VG mainly placed on the first roller 30A moves the headed vegetable VG to the downstream side in the transport direction A2 along the guide member 38 while repeating rotation on the first roller 30A. Is transported. Here, since the height of the upper surface of the first roller 30A is arranged with a step lower than the height of the upper surface of the second roller 30B, the headed vegetable VG takes an unstable posture and rotates. It becomes easier to do.

The headed vegetable VG rotates in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction A2 by the rotation of the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B (see arrow P1), and the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B are inclined downward. By doing so, rotation around the transport direction A2 (see arrow P2) is also performed. The headed vegetable VG has many opportunities to be in a downward posture with the outer leaf VG2 facing downward by performing such rotation in a plurality of directions.

In the headed vegetable VG, the outer leaf VG2 is pulled between the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B when the outer leaf VG2 is turned downward. As shown in FIG. 22, the headed vegetable VG in which the outer leaf VG2 is pulled between the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B is in a downward posture with the outer leaf VG2 facing downward.
In this way, the headed vegetable VG is in a downward posture in which the outer leaf VG2 is downward while being transported by the second transport unit 3B. Then, the headed vegetable VG in the downward posture shifts from the second transport portion 3C to the third transport portion 3C in the downward posture.

Next, the third transport unit 3C will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the third transport unit 3C is arranged on the downstream side of the second transport unit 3B in the transport direction A2. The third transport unit 3C transports the headed vegetable VG transported by the second transport unit 3B toward the downstream side (right side).
As shown in FIG. 25, the third transport unit 3C includes a holding belt 70 that sandwiches and conveys the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG. The sandwiching belt 70 includes a first sandwiching belt 71 and a second sandwiching belt 72. The first holding belt 71 and the second holding belt 72 are made of an elastic body such as rubber.

As shown in FIG. 25, the first holding belt 71 is arranged close to the downstream end of the second transport portion 3B, and is located below the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B. There is. The second sandwiching belt 72 is arranged on the downstream side of the first sandwiching belt 71, and is located below the first sandwiching belt 71. In the transport direction A3 of the third transport unit 3C, a part of the first pinch belt 71 and a part of the second pinch belt 72 overlap each other.

The first holding belt 71 includes one side belt 71L and the other side belt 71R. The one-side belt 71L is arranged on one side in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction A3 of the third transport unit 3C (hereinafter, referred to as a "third orthogonal direction"). The other side belt 71R is arranged on the other side in the third orthogonal direction. The one-side belt 71L and the other-side belt 71R are endless and are each wound around a plurality of pulleys.

The one-side belt 71L is wound around the third pulley 73, the fourth pulley 74, and the fifth pulley 75. The third pulley 73 and the fourth pulley 74 are arranged side by side in the third orthogonal direction. The fourth pulley 74 and the fifth pulley 75 are arranged side by side in the transport direction A3 of the third transport unit 3C. The fourth pulley 74 rotates with the rotation of the ninth pulley 79 (described later) attached to the same rotation shaft 79a as the fourth pulley 74. As the fourth pulley 74 rotates, the third pulley 73, the fifth pulley 75, and the one-side belt 71L rotate.

The other side belt 71R is wound around the sixth pulley 76, the seventh pulley 77, and the eighth pulley 78. The sixth pulley 76 and the seventh pulley 77 are arranged side by side in the third orthogonal direction. The seventh pulley 77 and the eighth pulley 78 are arranged side by side in the transport direction A3 of the third transport unit 3C. The seventh pulley 77 rotates with the rotation of the twelfth pulley 82 (described later) attached to the same rotation shaft 82a as the seventh pulley 77. Along with the rotation of the 7th pulley 77, the 6th pulley 76, the 8th pulley 78, and the other side belt 71R rotate.

As shown in FIG. 25, the fourth pulley 74 and the seventh pulley 77, and the fifth pulley 75 and the eighth pulley 78 are close to each other. As a result, 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 from the left to the right (toward the third transport direction A3, which is the direction away from the second transport portion 3B) on the side in contact with each other.

As shown in FIGS. 25 and 28, the first sandwiching belt 71 sandwiches the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG between the one-sided belt 71L and the other-sided belt 71R, and moves in a state of sandwiching the outer leaf VG2. By doing so, the headed vegetable VG is transported from the downstream side to the upstream side (toward the transport direction A3). In the transport of the headed vegetable VG by the first pinching belt 71, the posture at the time of transition from the second transport unit 3B is maintained. That is, the posture of the headed vegetable VG carried by the first holding belt 71 is a downward posture in which the outer leaf VG2 faces downward.

The second sandwiching belt 72 further conveys the headed vegetable VG conveyed by the first sandwiching belt 71 to the downstream side. The second holding belt 72 is composed of one belt. As shown in FIG. 27, the second holding belt 72 is an endless belt in which one belt is twisted by 720 ° (two rotations) and both ends 72d and 72d of the twisted belt are joined to each other. .. The second holding belt 72 is hung on a plurality of pulleys in a figure eight shape in a plan view.

As shown in FIGS. 25 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 (rear side) in the third orthogonal direction. The ninth pulley 79 is arranged below the fourth pulley 74 and is attached to the same rotating shaft 79a as the fourth pulley 74. As a result, the fourth pulley 74 and the ninth pulley 79 rotate in the same direction around the rotation shaft 79a. The tenth pulley 80 is arranged on the right side of the ninth pulley 79. The ninth pulley 79 and the tenth pulley 80 are arranged side by side in the transport direction A3 of the third transport unit 3C. The eleventh pulley 81 is arranged between the ninth pulley 79 and the tenth pulley 80 and behind the ninth pulley 79 and the tenth pulley 80 in the transport direction A3 of the third transport unit 3C. ..

The 12th pulley 82, the 13th pulley 83, and the 14th pulley 84 are arranged on the other side (front side) in the third orthogonal direction. The twelfth pulley 82 is arranged below the seventh pulley 77, and is attached to the same rotating shaft 82a as the seventh pulley 77. As a result, the 7th pulley 77 and the 12th pulley 82 rotate in the same direction around the rotation shaft 82a. The thirteenth pulley 83 is arranged to the right of the twelfth pulley 82. The 12th pulley 82 and the 13th pulley 83 are arranged side by side in the transport direction A3 of the third transport unit 3C. The 14th pulley 84 is arranged between the 12th pulley 82 and the 13th pulley 83 and in front of the 12th pulley 82 and the 13th pulley 83 in the transport direction A3 of the third transport unit 3C. .. The 11th pulley 81 and the 14th pulley 84 may be omitted.

The third transport unit 3C includes a moving device 85 that moves the second holding belt 72 from the upstream side to the downstream side (from left to right). The moving device 85 includes a plurality of pulleys (9th pulley 79, 10th pulley 80, 11th pulley 81, 12th pulley 82, 13th pulley 83, 14th pulley 84) to which the second holding belt 72 is hung. , It has a rotating device (not shown) for rotating these a plurality of pulleys.

As shown in FIGS. 25 and 28, the 9th pulley 79 and the 12th pulley 82, and the 10th pulley 80 and the 13th pulley 83 are close to each other. As a result, the second holding belt 72 is sandwiched between the 10th pulley 80 and the 13th pulley 83 from the position sandwiched between the 9th pulley 79 and the 12th pulley 82 in the transport direction A3 of the 3rd transport unit 3C. In the section Z1 to the position, they are in contact with each other. Hereinafter, the section Z1 is referred to as a "contact section Z1". The second holding belt 72 moves from the left side to the right side (toward the direction away from the second transport portion 3B) in the contact section Z1.

The second sandwiching belt 72 is a belt having a convex cross section, has a flat front surface, and has a protruding portion formed on the back surface. The second sandwiching belt 72 sandwiches the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG on the flat surface side. The protrusions formed on the back surface of the second holding belt 72 are formed on a plurality of pulleys (9th pulley 79, 10th pulley 80, 11th pulley 81, 12th pulley 82, 13th pulley 83, 14th pulley 84). It fits into each formed groove.

As shown in FIGS. 25, 28, and 29, the second holding belt 72 has a downward holding portion 72a, an upward holding portion 72b, and an inverted holding portion 72c. The downward holding portion 72a, the inverted holding portion 72c, and the upward holding portion 72b are provided in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction A3 of the third transport portion 3C. As shown in FIG. 25, the downward holding portion 72a, the upward holding portion 72b, and the inverted holding portion 72c are provided in the contact section Z1. Specifically, the downward holding portion 72a is provided in the upstream portion of the contact section Z1. The upward holding portion 72b is provided in the downstream portion of the contact section Z1. The inverted holding portion 72c is provided in the middle stream portion of the contact section Z1. In the reversing holding portion 72c, the second holding belt 72 is twisted around an axis extending in the transport direction A3, and the second holding belt 72 is inverted in the vertical direction in the process from the upstream side to the downstream side.

The downward holding portion 72a sandwiches the outer leaf VG2 downward. The upward holding portion 72b holds the outer leaf VG2 upward. As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the inverted holding portion 72c reverses the headed vegetable VG from the downward posture to the upward posture of the outer leaf VG2 on the downstream side of the downward holding portion 72a and the upstream side of the upward holding portion 72b. Let me.
As shown in FIG. 25, the third transport unit 3C has a pressing roller 88 that presses the second holding belt 72. As shown in FIG. 26, the pressing roller 88 is attached to the upper part of the second frame 6B by the attachment plate 66. The pressing roller 88 can rotate about an axis in the third orthogonal direction. The outer peripheral surface of the pressing roller 88 is in contact with the second holding belt 72 at the inverted holding portion 72c. The pressing roller 88 presses the second holding belt 72 from above or below (upper in the illustrated example) in the inverted holding portion 72c. The pressing roller 88 rotates (rotates) as the second holding belt 72 moves. As a result, the twisted state (direction) of the second holding belt 72 in the reversing holding portion 72c is appropriately maintained by the pressing pressure from the pressing roller 88.

As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the headed vegetable VG carried by the first holding belt 71 shifts to the contact section Z1 of the second holding belt 72 with the outer leaf VG2 in a downward posture, and the contact is made. In the section Z1, the outer leaf VG2 is transported in a sandwiched state. In the headed vegetable VG that has moved to the contact section Z1 of the second holding belt 72, the outer leaf VG2 is first sandwiched by the downward holding portion 72a on the upstream side of the contact section Z1. In the heading vegetable VG, the outer leaf VG2 of the heading vegetable VG is transported in a downward posture at the downward holding portion 72a. Subsequently, the headed vegetable VG shifts from the downward holding portion 72a to the inverted holding portion 72c as the second holding belt 72 moves (rotates). In the headed vegetable VG, the outer leaf VG2 is inverted from the downward posture to the upward posture at the inverted holding portion 72c. Subsequently, the headed vegetable VG shifts from the inverted holding portion 72c to the upward holding portion 72b as the second holding belt 72 moves (rotates). In the headed vegetable VG, the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG is transported in an upward posture at the upward holding portion 72b. In this way, the headed vegetable VG moves in a state of being sandwiched by the second sandwiching belt 72, and the outer leaf VG2 reverses from the downward posture to the upward posture with the movement.

As shown in FIGS. 25 and 28, the third transport unit 3C includes a support plate 89. The support plate 89 supports the heading portion VG1 of the heading vegetable VG that reverses with the movement of the second holding belt 72 from below. The support plate 89 is arranged below the second holding belt 72. As shown in FIG. 25, the support plate 89 is sandwiched by the outer leaf VG2 (the outer leaf VG2 is sandwiched) in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the second sandwiching belt 72 (the transporting direction A3 of the third transporting portion 3C). It is placed at a position deviated from the part where it is. The direction of deviation of the support plate 89 is set to the direction in which the headed vegetable VG is twisted at the inverted holding portion 72c. In the case of the present embodiment, since the headed vegetable VG is twisted rearward in the inverted pinching portion 72c, the support plate 89 is arranged at a position shifted to the rear of the pinching position of the outer leaf VG2. When the headed vegetable VG is twisted forward in the inverted holding portion 72c, the support plate 89 is arranged at a position shifted forward of the holding position of the outer leaf VG2. Further, the support plate 89 may have a wide width extending from the front to the rear across the sandwiching position of the outer leaf VG2. Specifically, the support plate 89 shown in FIGS. 25 and 28 is sandwiched between the outer leaf VG2. It may be a width (length in the front-rear direction) extending beyond the position to the front.

The support plate 89 has an upright portion 891, a horizontal portion 892, and a transition portion 893. The upright portion 891, the horizontal portion 892, and the transition portion 893 are formed by bending one plate. As shown in FIG. 26, the upright portion 891 is fixed to the substrate 90 provided below the second holding belt 72 with bolts or the like, and stands up from the substrate 90 upward. The upright portion 891 includes a first upright portion 891a and a second upright portion 891b. The first standing portion 891a is arranged below the seventh pulley 77 and the twelfth pulley 82. The second standing portion 891b is arranged between the 12th pulley 82 and the 14th pulley 84. The height of the first standing portion 891a is higher than the height of the second standing portion 891b. As shown in FIG. 28, the horizontal portion 892 extends horizontally to the right from the upper end portion of the first standing portion 891a. The transition portion 893 extends from the right end portion of the horizontal portion 892 to the upper end portion of the second standing portion 891b. The transition portion 893 shifts downward from the left side (upstream side) to the right side (downstream side).

As shown in FIG. 25, the support plate 89 is provided in a region that overlaps with the downward holding portion 72a and the inverted holding portion 72c in the moving direction of the second holding belt 72 (the transport direction A3 of the third transport portion 3C). Has been done. The support plate 89 is located in a region that overlaps at least a part of the downward holding portion 72a and a part of the inverted holding portion 72c in the moving direction of the second holding belt 72 (the carrying direction A3 of the third conveying portion 3C). It may be provided in a region that overlaps with all of the downward holding portion 72a and all of the inverted holding portion 72c.

As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the support plate 89 supports the heading portion VG1 of the heading vegetable VG that reverses with the movement of the second holding belt 72 from below. The heading vegetable VG is in a lateral or diagonal posture in which the heading portion VG1 projects rearward of the second holding belt 72 in the process in which the outer leaf VG2 is reversed from the downward posture to the upward posture in the inverted holding portion 72c. The support plate 89 abuts from below with respect to the heading portion VG1 of the heading vegetable VG in a sideways or diagonally oriented posture, and can receive the weight of the heading portion VG1. Therefore, when the headed vegetable VG is in the sideways or diagonally oriented posture, the outer leaf VG2 is prevented from being bent or broken due to the weight of the heading portion VG1.

As described above, in the process of transporting the headed vegetable VG by the third transport unit 3C, the outer leaf VG2 is reversed from the downward posture to the upward posture. Then, the headed vegetable VG in which the outer leaf VG2 is in the upward posture is released from the outer leaf VG2 at the downstream end of the transport direction A3 (the downstream end of the upward holding portion 72b) and shifts to the fourth transport portion 3D. ..
As shown in FIG. 2, the fourth transport unit 3D is arranged below the third transport unit 3C. Hereinafter, the third transport unit 3C may be referred to as an “upper stage transport unit 3C”, and the fourth transport unit 3D may be referred to as a “lower stage transport unit 3D”.

The 4th transport section (lower transport section) 3D sandwiches the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG that has been released from being pinched by the 3rd transport section (upper transport section) 3C, and further transports it to the downstream side (right side). To do.
As shown in FIGS. 30 and 36, the fourth transport unit 3D overlaps with the third transport unit 3C and the overlapping portion 91 that overlaps with the third transport unit 3C in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport unit 3D. It has a non-overlapping portion 92 that does not wrap. The non-overlapping portion 92 is arranged on the downstream side (right side) of the transport direction A4 with respect to the overlapping portion 91. The transport direction A4 of the fourth transport unit 3D is a direction from the left to the right, which is the same as the transport direction A3 of the third transport unit 3C.

As shown in FIG. 36, the fourth transport unit 3D includes an endless belt 93 (hereinafter, referred to as “lower belt 93”) and a plurality of pulleys 100 (hereinafter, “lower pulley 100”) to which the lower belt 93 is hung. ") And.
The lower belt 93 includes a lower belt 93L and a lower belt 93R. The lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R are both elastic belts such as rubber belts. The lower belt 93L is arranged on one side (rear side) of the fourth transport unit 3D in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction A4 (hereinafter, referred to as “fourth orthogonal direction”). The lower belt 93R is arranged on the other side (front side) in the fourth orthogonal direction.

The lower belt 93 rotates in a horizontal plane due to the rotation of the lower pulley 100. The other side (rear side) of the lower belt 93L and one side (front side) of the lower belt 93R are in contact with each other. In other words, the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R are in contact with each other on the inner side of the device. The lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R move from the left to the right on the side (inside) where they come into contact with each other.

The plurality of lower pulleys 100 include a first lower pulley 101, a second lower pulley 102, a third lower pulley 103, a fourth lower pulley 104, a fifth lower pulley 105, a sixth lower pulley 106, a seventh lower pulley 107, and a seventh lower pulley. 8 The lower pulley 108 is included. The first lower pulley 101 to the eighth lower pulley 108 are arranged on one side (rear side) and the other side (front side) in the fourth orthogonal direction, respectively. Hereinafter, the lower pulley arranged on one side (rear side) in the fourth orthogonal direction is referred to as "first lower pulley 101L" or the like, and the lower pulley arranged on the other side (front side) in the fourth orthogonal direction is referred to as "first lower pulley 101L" or the like. 1 Lower pulley 101R ”and the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, a first plate 94L is attached to the rear upper portion of the fourth transport device 2D, and a second plate 94R is attached to the front upper portion of the fourth transport device 2D. The central shafts of the first lower pulley 101L to the eighth lower pulley 108L are rotatably supported by the first plate 94L. The central shafts of the first lower pulley 101R to the eighth lower pulley 108R are rotatably supported by the second plate 94R. A gap G2 is formed between the first plate 94L and the second plate 94R. The gap G1 extends in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport device 2D. The gap G2 is formed to have a width through which the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG can pass.

The lower belt 93L is wound around the first lower pulley 101L to the eighth lower pulley 108L. The eighth lower pulley 108L is for adjusting the tension of the lower belt 93L and is movable in the fourth orthogonal direction. The lower belt 93R is wound around the first lower pulley 101R to the eighth lower pulley 108L. The eighth lower pulley 108R is for adjusting the tension of the lower belt 93R and can move in the fourth orthogonal direction.

The seventh lower pulleys 107L and 107R are rotated by a rotational driving force transmitted from a motor (not shown) via a power transmission mechanism (not shown). As the seventh lower pulley 107L rotates, the first lower pulley 101L to the sixth lower pulley 106L, the eighth lower pulley 108L, and the lower belt 93L rotate. As the seventh lower pulley 107R rotates, the first lower pulley 101R to the sixth lower pulley 106R, the eighth lower pulley 108R, and the lower belt 93R rotate.

As shown in FIG. 36, the lower belt 93L abuts on the outer leaf VG2 from one side (rear side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. The lower belt 93R abuts on the outer leaf VG2 from the other side (front side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. As a result, the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG is sandwiched between the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R. Hereinafter, the lower belt 93L may be referred to as a "first holding body 93L", and the lower belt 93R may be referred to as a "second holding body 93R".

Of the plurality of pulleys around which the lower belt 93L is wound, the third lower pulley 103L, the fourth lower pulley 104L, the fifth lower pulley 105L, and the sixth lower pulley 106L have the lower belt (first holding body) 93L. It is a pressing member (hereinafter, referred to as "first pressing member 116L") that presses toward the outer leaf VG2 side (lower belt 93R side). The first pressing member 116L rotates (rotates) together with the lower belt 93L.

Of the plurality of pulleys around which the lower belt 93R is wound, the third lower pulley 103R, the fourth lower pulley 104R, the fifth lower pulley 105R, and the sixth lower pulley 106R have the lower belt (first holding body) 93R. It is a pressing member (hereinafter referred to as "second pressing member 116R") that presses toward the outer leaf VG2 side (lower belt 93L side). The second pressing member 116R rotates (rotates) together with the lower belt 93R.

As shown in FIG. 36, the first pressing member 116L and the second pressing member 116R are alternately arranged along the conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying device 2D. Specifically, along the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport device 2D, the third lower pulley 103R, the third lower pulley 103L, the fourth lower pulley 104R, the fourth lower pulley 104L, the fifth lower pulley 105R, and the fifth The lower pulley 105L, the sixth lower pulley 106R, and the sixth lower pulley 106L are arranged in this order.

By alternately arranging the first pressing member 116L and the second pressing member 116R along the conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying device 2D, the lower belt (first holding body) 93L and the lower belt (second holding body) are arranged. The 93R and the 93R are curved in a wavy shape and elastically deformed. Therefore, the outer leaf VG2 can be reliably sandwiched between the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R.
As shown in FIGS. 30 and 36, among the plurality of lower pulleys 100, the first lower pulleys 101L and 101R on the most upstream side are arranged in the overlapping portion 91. In other words, the plurality of lower pulleys 100 include the first lower pulleys 101L and 101R arranged in the overlapping portion 91.

As described above, the second holding belt 72 provided in the third transport portion 3C has a plurality of pulleys (9th pulley 79, 10th pulley 80, 11th pulley 81, 12th pulley 82, 13th pulley 83, It is hung on the 14th pulley 84). Hereinafter, the second holding belt 72 may be referred to as an "upper belt 72", and a plurality of pulleys on which the second holding belt (upper belt) 72 is hung may be referred to as an "upper pulley". Further, among the plurality of upper pulleys, the upper pulleys (10th pulley 80, 13th pulley 83) arranged on the most downstream side are referred to as "first upper pulleys 80, 83".

As shown in FIGS. 29 and 31, the first upper pulley 80 is arranged above the first lower pulley 101L. The first upper pulley 83 is arranged above the first lower pulley 101R. The first upper pulley 80 is supported by the same rotating shaft 80a as the first lower pulley 101L. The first upper pulley 83 is supported by the same rotating shaft 83a as the first lower pulley 101R. The rotation shaft 80a and the rotation shaft 83a are arranged in parallel with each other and extend in the vertical direction. The first upper pulley 80 is attached to the upper part of the rotating shaft 80a, and the first lower pulley 101L is attached to the lower part of the rotating shaft 80a. Further, the first upper pulley 83 is attached to the upper part of the rotating shaft 83a, and the first lower pulley 101R is attached to the lower part of the rotating shaft 83a. As a result, the first upper pulley (10th pulley) 80 and the first lower pulley 101L integrally rotate at the same angular velocity as the rotation shaft 80a rotates. Further, the first upper pulley (13th pulley) 83 and the first lower pulley 101R integrally rotate at the same speed (angular velocity) as the rotation shaft 83a rotates.

As shown in FIGS. 30, 31, 35, etc., the transport device 2 has a support member 117 that supports the bottom of the heading portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG that is transported by the fourth transport portion (lower stage transport portion) 3D. I have. The support member 117 is arranged below the fourth transport unit 3D. As shown in FIG. 30, the support member 117 is provided from below the overlapping portion 91 to below the non-overlapping portion 92 in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport portion 3D.

As shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, the support member 117 includes a first support member 117L and a second support member 117R. The first support member 117L is arranged on one side (rear side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. The second support member 117R is arranged on the other side (front side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. An insertion portion 118 into which the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG can be inserted is formed between the first support member 117L and the second support member 117R. The insertion portion 118 extends along the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport portion 3D.

As shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, the first support member 117L has a first support belt 119L. The first support belt 119L has a first support surface 120L that is endless and can be moved in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport portion 3D. The second support member 117R has a second support belt 119R. The second support belt 119R has a second support surface 120R that is endless and can be moved in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport unit 3D. The first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R are arranged at intervals parallel to each other. An insertion portion 118 is formed between the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R.

As shown in FIGS. 32 and 35, the headed vegetable VG transported by the third transport unit (upper transport unit) 3C is located at the downstream end (first upper pulley 80, 83) of the third transport unit 3C in the transport direction A3. (Position) is reached, the outer leaf VG2 is released from being pinched by the second pinching belt 72. Therefore, the headed vegetable VG descends due to its own weight, but is supported by the overlapping portion 91 (see FIGS. 30 and 36) of the fourth transport portion 3D that overlaps with the third transport portion 3C. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, in the headed vegetable VG, the outer leaf VG2 is sandwiched between the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R, and the heading portion VG1 is the fourth transport portion 3D. It is supported by a support member 117 arranged below.

The heading portion VG1 supported by the support member 117 is supported from below by the first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R, and is inserted between the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R. The root VG3 is inserted into the portion 118. Therefore, the posture (upward posture) of the headed vegetable VG is stable. Further, when the heading portion VG1 is large, the heading portion VG1 is supported by the first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R from the rear diagonally lower side and the front diagonally lower side, so that the heading vegetable VG posture (upward posture) is also obtained. ) Is stable.

The heading portion VG1 supported by the support member 117 has a stable posture (upward posture), so that the height of the base end portion (root) of the root VG3 of the heading portion VG1 can be increased regardless of the size of the heading portion VG1. It becomes almost constant. In the headed vegetable VG, the outer leaf VG2 is sandwiched between the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R, and the heading portion VG1 is supported by the first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R, and the lower belt 93L and the lower stage As the belt 93R moves (rotates), it is transported to the downstream side (right side) of the transport direction A4.

As shown in FIG. 38, in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport unit 3D, the first cutting device 4 and the second cutting device 5 are arranged on the downstream side (right side) of the support member 117. The first cutting device 4 and the second cutting device 5 are arranged side by side in the transport direction A4. The first cutting device 4 and the second cutting device 5 are arranged below the fourth transport unit 3D.
As shown in FIGS. 37 and 42, the first cutting device (root cutting device) 4 is arranged below the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R. In FIG. 37, the lower pulley 100 is not shown. The first cutting device 4 cuts the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG suspended by sandwiching the outer leaf VG2 by the lower belts 93L and 93R.

As shown in FIGS. 39 and 40, the first cutting device 4 has a root alignment portion 140, a root pulling portion 170, and a root cutting portion 180. The root alignment portion 140, the root pull-in portion 170, and the root cutting portion 180 are arranged below the fourth transport portion 3D.
First, the root alignment portion 140 will be described.
The root alignment portion 140 is arranged on the downstream side of the support member 117 and on the upstream side of the root pulling portion 170 in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport portion 3D. The root alignment unit 140 aligns the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG transported by the fourth transport unit 3D.

The root alignment portion 140 includes a first rotating body 141L, a second rotating body 141R, a first elastic plate 142L, a second elastic plate 142R, and a rotation drive mechanism 143.
The first rotating body 141L is arranged on one side (rear side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. The second rotating body 141R is arranged on the other side (front side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. The first rotating body 141L and the second rotating body 141R have a cylindrical shape having the same diameter and the same length. The first rotating body 141L is fitted on the first shaft body 141La. The second rotating body 141R is fitted on the second shaft body 141Ra. The first rotating body 141L and the first shaft body 141La, and the second rotating body 141R and the second shaft body 141Ra may be integrated with each other. The first shaft body 141La and the first rotating body 141L and the second shaft body 141Ra and the second rotating body 141R are arranged at intervals parallel to each other and extend in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport unit 3D. ing.

The first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic body 142R are made of an elastic body such as rubber or sponge, and are made of a thin plate (elastic plate) capable of bending and deforming. In the case of the present embodiment, the number of the first elastic plate 142L and the number of the second elastic body 142R is one, but each may be two or more.
As shown in FIG. 41, the first elastic plate 142L is projected from the outer peripheral surface of the first rotating body 141L in the out-of-diameter direction (direction away from the rotating shaft (first shaft body 141La) of the first rotating body 141L). ing. The second elastic plate 142R is projected from the outer peripheral surface of the second rotating body 141R in the out-of-diameter direction (direction away from the rotation axis (second axis body 141Ra) of the second rotating body 141R). The first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R extend in opposite directions. Specifically, in a state where the first rotating body 141L and the second rotating body 141R are not rotating, the first elastic plate 142L extends rearward and the second elastic plate 142R extends forward.

As shown in FIG. 40, the amount of protrusion L5 of the first elastic plate 142L from the outer peripheral surface of the first rotating body 141L is equal to the amount of protrusion L6 of the second elastic plate 142R from the outer peripheral surface of the second rotating body 141R. .. The protrusion amount L5 is larger than the outer diameter of the first rotating body 141L. The protrusion amount L6 is larger than the outer diameter of the second rotating body 141R.
As shown in FIG. 40, the first elastic plate 142L has a rectangular shape, and one side thereof is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the first rotating body 141L via a fixing member 144. The second elastic plate 142R has a rectangular shape, and one side thereof is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the second rotating body 141R via a fixing member 144.

A plurality of slits 142La cut toward one side are provided on the other side facing one side of the first elastic plate 142L. The plurality of slits 142La are provided side by side in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport unit 3D at intervals from each other. A plurality of slits 142Ra cut toward one side are provided on the other side facing one side of the second elastic plate 142R. The plurality of slits 142Ra are provided side by side in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport unit 3D at intervals from each other. The slits 142La and the slits 142Ra are alternately provided in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport unit 3D. These slits 142La and 142Ra allow the first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R to be deformed into a curved surface along the outer surface of the heading portion VG1.

As shown in FIG. 41, the first elastic plate 142L rotates about the axis of the first shaft body 141La with the rotation of the first rotating body 141L. The second elastic plate 142R rotates around the axis of the second shaft body 141Ra with the rotation of the second rotating body 141R.
As shown in FIGS. 39 and 42, the rotation drive mechanism 143 (hereinafter, referred to as "first rotation drive mechanism 143") includes a motor 145 and a first transmission mechanism 146.

The rotational driving force of the motor 145 is transmitted to the first shaft body 141La and the second shaft body 141Ra via the first transmission mechanism 146. As a result, the first shaft body 141La and the second shaft body 141Ra rotate inward (the opposite side faces downward) around the central axis. As a result, the first rotating body 141L and the second rotating body 141R also rotate inward with respect to the central axis.
As shown in FIG. 41, when the first rotating body 141L and the second rotating body 141R rotate inward about the central axis, both the first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R face inward about the central axis. Rotate to. The first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R rotate inward with each other, and move from the upper side to the lower side while contacting the surface of the headed vegetable VG.

Specifically, the first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R rotate inwardly so as to come into contact with the heading portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG from opposite sides (see virtual lines 142L1, 142R1). Subsequently, the first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R move downward along the curved surface of the surface of the heading portion VG1 while bending and bending, and downward while contacting each other so as to press the root VG3 from opposite sides. (See virtual lines 142L2, 142R2). As a result, the spread of the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG can be suppressed and aligned. At this time, the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG is firmly sandwiched between the wavy curved lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R. Therefore, the root VG3 can be aligned while preventing the headed vegetable VG from falling.

Next, the root pull-in portion 170 will be described.
The root pulling unit 170 pulls the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG transported by the fourth transporting unit 3D downward.
As shown in FIGS. 39 to 43, the root pull-in portion 170 includes a first pull-in roller 171L, a second pull-in roller 171R, and a rotation drive mechanism 172. The first pull-in roller 171L is arranged on one side (rear side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. The second pull-in roller 171R is arranged on the other side (front side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. The first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171R are formed in a cylindrical shape having the same diameter and the same length.

The first pull-in roller 171L is fitted onto the first shaft body 141La. The second pull-in roller 171R is fitted on the second shaft body 141Ra. The first pull-in roller 171L rotates around an axis (around 141La of the first shaft body) extending in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport unit 3D. The second pull-in roller 171R rotates around an axis (around 141Ra of the second shaft body) extending in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport unit 3D. The outer peripheral surface of the first pull-in roller 171L and the outer peripheral surface of the second pull-in roller 171R are in contact with each other or close to each other. The first pull-in roller 171L and the first shaft body 141La, and the second pull-in roller 171R and the second shaft body 141Ra may be integrated with each other.

The rotation drive mechanism 172 (hereinafter, referred to as “second rotation drive mechanism 172”) is the same as the first rotation drive mechanism 143 described above. That is, the first rotation drive mechanism 143 and the second rotation drive mechanism 172 are configured by a common mechanism.
The rotational driving force of the motor 145 is transmitted to the first shaft body 141La and the second shaft body 141Ra via the first transmission mechanism 146. As a result, the first shaft body 141La and the second shaft body 141Ra rotate inward (the opposite side faces downward) around the central axis. As a result, the first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171R rotate inward (the opposite side faces downward) around the central axis.

As shown in FIG. 43, the first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171R rotate inward about the central axis, so that the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG becomes the first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller. It is drawn in between 171R. At this time, as shown in FIG. 36, since the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG is firmly sandwiched between the wavy curved lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R, the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG is downward. It will be in a state of extending linearly toward. As a result, even when the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG spreads downward, the root VG3 can be extended linearly.

The headed vegetable VG whose root VG3 is extended by the root pull-in portion 170 is transported to the downstream side (right side) in a state where the outer leaf VG2 is sandwiched and suspended by the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R. It is sent to the root cutting portion 180.
As shown in FIGS. 39, 40 and 42, the root cutting portion 180 has a root cutting blade 181 and a root feeding portion 182.

The root cutting blade 181 cuts the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG transported by the fourth transport unit 3D. The root cutting blade 181 is a disk-shaped cutting blade having a large number of cutting blades formed on the outer periphery thereof, and rotates around a central axis facing in the vertical direction. The direction of the central axis of the root cutting blade 181 and the moving direction of the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R are orthogonal to each other. In other words, the root cutting blade 181 is arranged in a horizontal plane.

The root feeding unit 182 sandwiches the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG transported by the fourth transport unit 3D and moves it to the root cutting blade 181 side. The root feed unit 182 has a first feed roller 183L, a second feed roller 183R, and a rotation drive mechanism 184.
The root cutting blade 181 and the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R are rotatably supported on a support plate (not shown) attached to the second frame 6B. The outer diameter of the root cutting blade 181 is larger than the outer diameter of the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R.

As shown in FIG. 40 and the like, the first feed roller 183L is arranged below the root cutting blade 181 and to the right of the first pull-in roller 171L. The second feed roller 183R is arranged to the right of the second pull-in roller 171R. The central shaft 183La of the first feed roller 183L and the central shaft 183Ra of the second feed roller 183R are oriented in the vertical direction, and these central shafts 183La and 183Ra are to the left of the central shaft 181a of the root cutting blade 181 (root retracting). It is arranged on the unit 170 side). The outer peripheral surfaces of the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R are in contact with each other or close to each other on the inner side (opposite sides), and rotate in opposite directions (opposite sides to the left). As shown in FIGS. 39 and 40, the positions where the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R abut or approach each other substantially coincide with the outer circumference of the root cutting blade 181 in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 40, the position where the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R are in contact with or close to each other is on the extension line of the center line CL1 between the first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171R. positioned.
The rotation drive mechanism 184 (hereinafter, referred to as “third rotation drive mechanism 184”) includes a motor 145 and a second transmission mechanism 186.

The second transmission mechanism 186 transmits the rotational driving force of the fourth motor 145 to the root cutting blade 181 and the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R.
The rotational driving force of the motor 145 is transmitted to the root cutting blade 181 and the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R via the second transmission mechanism 186. As a result, the root cutting blade 181 rotates around the central axis 181a. Further, the first feed roller 183L rotates around the central shaft 183La, and the second feed roller 183R rotates around the central shaft 183Ra. The first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R rotate in opposite directions at the same rotation speed. The rotation directions of the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R are from left to right on the side (inside) in contact with or close to each other (the same direction as the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport unit 3D). Is.

In the headed vegetable VG, the root VG3 is pulled in between the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R by shifting to the root feed portion 182 in a state where the root VG3 is extended by the root pull-in portion 170. Be sandwiched. The root VG3 sandwiched between the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R moves to the right (root cutting blade 181 side) by the rotation of the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R, and the root It is cut by the rotation of the cutting blade 181.

Here, the moving speed of the root VG3 accompanying the rotation of the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R is faster than the transport speed of the fourth transport unit 3D. That is, the rotational speed (peripheral speed) of the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R is faster than the moving speeds of the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R. As a result, the headed vegetable VG moves the root VG3 with the rotation of the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R, as compared with the movement speed of the outer leaf VG2 that is sandwiched and moved by the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R. The speed becomes faster.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 42, the headed vegetable VG swings to the left like a pendulum with the sandwiched portion of the outer leaf VG2 as a fulcrum. Due to this swing, the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG moves to the left in a downwardly convex arc-shaped locus C1. Therefore, the root VG3 draws an arcuate locus C1 and moves toward the root cutting blade 181 to be cut. Since the root portion of the headed vegetable VG is curved, the root VG3 draws an arc-shaped locus and moves toward the root cutting blade 181 to cut the root VG3 while minimizing the amount of uncut portion. be able to.

The headed vegetable VG whose root VG3 has been cut by the root cutting blade 181 is further transported to the right (downstream side in the transport direction A4) in a state where the outer leaf VG2 is sandwiched and suspended by the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R. Then, it is sent to the second cutting device (outer leaf cutting device) 5.
As shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, the second cutting device 5 is arranged below the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R. The second cutting device 5 cuts the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG suspended and conveyed by the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R. As shown in FIGS. 44 and 45, the second cutting device 5 has an outer leaf guide portion 200 and an outer leaf cutting portion 210.

As shown in FIGS. 44 and 45, the outer leaf guide portion 200 has a first guide member 201, a second guide member 202, and a contact member 203.
The first guide member 201 and the second guide member 202 are arranged side by side in the fourth orthogonal direction. Specifically, the first guide member 201 is arranged on one side (rear side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. The second guide member 202 is arranged on the other side (front side) in the fourth orthogonal direction.

The first guide member 201 has a first intermediate portion 201a, a first left portion 201b, and a first right portion 201c. The first intermediate portion 201a is inclined so as to move downward toward the right. The first left portion 201b bends from the left end of the first intermediate portion 201a and extends rearward. The first right portion 201c bends from the right end of the first intermediate portion 201a and extends rearward.

The second guide member 202 has a second intermediate portion 202a, a second left portion 202b, and a second right portion 202c. The second intermediate portion 202a is inclined so as to move downward from the left side to the right side (toward the downstream side in the transport direction A4). The second left portion 202b bends from the left end of the second intermediate portion 202a and extends forward. The second right portion 202c bends from the right end of the second intermediate portion 202a and extends forward.

The first guide member 201 and the second guide member 202 are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction, and move downward from the left to the right (toward the downstream side in the transport direction A4). It may be an inclined plate as described above.
As shown in FIGS. 44 and 45, the contact member 203 has a first portion 203a, a second portion 203b, and a third portion 203c. The first portion 203a and the second portion 203b are continuously formed in a U shape in front view. The first portion 203a is composed of two straight portions 203a1, 203a2 and a curved portion 203a3 connecting the two straight portions 203a1, 203a2. The second portion 203b is composed of two straight portions 203b1 and 203b2. The straight portion 203a1 and the straight portion 203a2, and the straight portion 203b1 and the straight portion 203b2 are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction, respectively.

The first portion 203a is inclined with respect to the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport portion 3D in a plan view. Specifically, the first portion 203a is located on one side (rear) of the fourth orthogonal direction orthogonal to the transport direction A4 as it goes from the upstream side (left side) to the downstream side (right side) of the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport unit 3D. It is shifting from the side) to the other side (front side).
The second portion 203b is bent from the right end portion of the first portion 203a and extends to the right (direction toward the downstream side in the transport direction of the fourth transport portion 3D). The second portion 203b is arranged at a position between the first intermediate portion 201a and the second intermediate portion 202a in the fourth orthogonal direction.

The third portion 203c bends from the right end portion of the second portion 203b and extends downward. The lower end of the third portion 203c is attached to the attachment plate 206 fixed to the upper part of the second frame 6B. The position of the contact member 203 is fixed by attaching the third portion 203c to the attachment plate 206. However, the contact member 203 may be omitted.
As shown in FIGS. 44 and 45, the outer leaf cutting portion 210 has an outer leaf cutting blade 211 and a drive mechanism (not shown) for rotating the outer leaf cutting blade 211. The outer leaf cutting blade 211 is a disk-shaped cutting blade in which a large number of cutting blades are formed along the outer circumference, and rotates around a central axis 211a facing in the vertical direction.

The outer leaf cutting blade 211 is arranged to the right of the first guide member 201 and the second guide member 202. One side portion (front portion) of the outer leaf cutting blade 211 is inserted between the straight portion 203b1 and the straight portion 203b2 of the second portion 203b of the contact member 203.
Hereinafter, the operation (operation) of the second cutting device 5 will be described.
The headed vegetable VG carried with the outer leaf VG2 sandwiched by the lower belts 93L and 93R is the first after the outer leaf VG2 is introduced from the left between the first intermediate portion 201a and the second intermediate portion 202a. It moves to the right (fourth transport direction A4) while being sandwiched between the first intermediate portion 201a and the second intermediate portion 202a. Here, the first intermediate portion 201a and the second intermediate portion 202a are inclined so as to move downward toward the right. Therefore, the position where the first intermediate portion 201a and the second intermediate portion 202a sandwich the outer leaf VG2 gradually shifts downward as the headed vegetable VG moves.

The outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG that moved to the right while being sandwiched between the first intermediate portion 201a and the second intermediate portion 202a has a portion near the base end (a portion close to the heading portion VG1) of the contact member 203. It abuts on one site 203a and moves diagonally forward and to the right along the first site 203a.
The vicinity of the base end portion of the outer leaf VG2 moves along the first site 203a and then subsequently moves to the right along the second site 203b. As a result, the vicinity of the base end portion of the outer leaf VG2 is cut by the outer leaf cutting blade 211. The headed vegetable VG in which the vicinity of the base end portion of the outer leaf VG2 is cut is not sandwiched by the fourth transport portion 3D, and therefore falls.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fifth transport unit 3E is arranged on the downstream side of the fourth transport unit 3D in the transport direction A4. The fifth transport unit 3E is supported by the second frame 6B. The transport direction A5 of the fifth transport unit 3E is the same as the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport unit 3D.
The fifth transport unit 3E is a belt conveyor, and the upstream side of the belt is arranged below the outer leaf cutting blade 211. As a result, the headed vegetable VG from which the outer leaf VG2 has been cut by the outer leaf cutting blade 211 and has fallen is placed on the upstream side of the belt of the fifth transport unit 3E, and is transported to the downstream side by the movement of the belt and collected. Ru. The recovered headed vegetable VG is a headed vegetable VG in which the outer leaf VG2 and the root VG3 are cut at appropriate positions.
<Effect>
According to the transport device 2, the root cutting device 4, and the preparation device 1 of the above-described embodiment, the following effects are obtained.

The transport device (first transport device) 2A is a storage unit for accommodating the vegetable VG, and has a storage unit 11 having a first support surface 111a for supporting the vegetables from below, and a storage unit 11 for storing the vegetables stored in the storage unit 11. 1 It is provided with a transport unit (first transport unit) 3A for transporting upward away from the support surface 111a, and a swing mechanism 12 for swinging the first support surface 111a upward or downward.
According to this configuration, the first support surface 111a of the accommodating portion 11 for accommodating vegetables can be swung upward or downward by the rocking mechanism 12, so that a plurality of vegetable VG lumps accumulated in the accommodating portion 11 can be swung upward or downward. It can be loosened and transferred to the transport unit 3A in appropriate amounts (for example, one by one) reliably and smoothly and transported.

Further, the transport unit 3A transports the vegetable VG so as to move forward as it goes upward, and the first support surface 111a is an inclined surface that shifts downward as it goes forward.
According to this configuration, the vegetable VG placed on the first inclined surface 111a can be reliably supplied to the transport unit 3A along the inclination, and the supplied vegetables are smoothly transported upward by the transport unit 3A. can do.

Further, the accommodating portion 11 has a second support surface 112a arranged on one side in the width direction of the transport portion 3A, and a third support surface 113a arranged on the other side in the width direction of the transport portion 3A. The second support surface 112a is an inclined surface that shifts downward toward the other side, and the third support surface 113a is an inclined surface that shifts downward toward one side.
According to this configuration, the headed vegetables placed on the second support surface 112a and the third support surface 113a are moved onto the first support surface 111a along the inclination, and the first transport portion is moved from the first support surface 111a. 3A makes it possible to carry.

Further, the first support surface 111a, the second support surface 111b, and the third support surface 111c are integrally formed, and the swing mechanism 12 together with the first support surface 111a has the second support surface 111b and the third support. The surface 111c is swung upward or downward.
According to this configuration, the headed vegetables placed on the second support surface 112a and the third support surface 113a can be reliably moved onto the first support surface 111a by rocking.

Further, the transport unit 3A has a moving body 15 that moves in the transport direction of the transport unit 3A, and a projecting portion 21 that is attached to the moving body 15 and can support the vegetable VG. The first support surface 111a has a first support surface 111a. It has an opening 111b through which the protrusion 21 passes as the moving body 15 moves.
According to this configuration, when the projecting portion 21 passes through the opening 111b, the headed vegetables placed on the first support surface 111a can be lifted and conveyed.

Further, the first plate 16 is arranged on one side in the width direction of the transport portion 3A and extends in the transport direction A1 from below to above the second support surface 112a, and is arranged on the other side in the width direction of the transport portion 3A. A second plate 17 extending in the transport direction A1 from below to above the third support surface 113a, a first sheet 18L mounted across the surface of the first plate 16 and the second support surface 112a, and a first sheet. It includes a second sheet 18R mounted so as to straddle the surface of the two plates 17 and the third support surface 113a.

According to this configuration, when the first support plate 111, the second support plate 112, and the third support plate 113 swing upward, the first support plate 111, the second support plate 112, and the third support plate 113 It is possible to prevent the headed vegetables from being caught in the gap formed between the first plate 16 and the second plate 17, and the headed vegetables from falling from the gap.
Further, the swing mechanism 12 includes a rotating shaft 12a that rotates around an axis parallel to the width direction of the transport portion 3A, an eccentric cam 12b that is eccentrically attached to the rotating shaft 12a and rotates together with the rotating shaft 12a, and eccentricity. A rotating body 12c having a circumferential surface that comes into contact with the cam 12b, a shaft body 12d that is a swing center of the first support plate 111 having a first support surface 111a, and a first support surface 111a of the first support plate 111. It has a holding body 12e, which is arranged on the opposite side and holds the rotating body 12a rotatably.

According to this configuration, the first support plate 111 can be reliably and smoothly swung upward or downward by the swing mechanism 12 having a relatively simple structure.
Further, the transport device (first transport device) 2A is a transport device that transports the headed vegetable VG having the outer leaf VG2 and / or the root VG3 and the heading portion VG1 from the lower side to the upper side, in the transport direction A1. A moving body 15 that moves along the moving body 15, a protruding portion 21 that is attached to the moving body 15 so as to be able to change its posture between an upright state and a prone state and can support the headed vegetable VG in the upright state, and the start end of the transport direction A1. It is provided with a posture changing mechanism in which the protruding portion 21 is in an upright state from the portion to the terminal portion and the protruding portion 21 is in an inverted state at the terminal portion.

According to this configuration, the protruding portion 21 capable of supporting the heading portion VG1 in the upright state is in an inverted state at the terminal portion in the transport direction A1, so that the outer leaf VG2 and the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG are on the protruding portion 21. Even when entangled, the protruding portion 21 can be separated (pulled out) from the outer leaf VG2 and the root VG3. Therefore, the headed vegetable VG such as onions can be reliably discharged toward the equipment in the next process.

Further, the posture changing mechanism is such that the mounting body 20 is mounted on the moving body 15 and the protruding portion 21 is projected, and the mounting body 20 is in an upright state from the start end portion to the end portion. It also has a support member 22 that puts the protruding portion 21 in an inverted state by releasing the support at the terminal portion.
According to this configuration, the support member 22 allows the protruding portion 21 to be in an upright state from the start end portion to the end portion in the transport direction, and the protruding portion 21 to be in an inverted state at the end portion.

Further, the support member 22 extends from the start end portion to the end portion along the transport direction A1.
According to this configuration, the support member 22 extending in the transport direction A1 can reliably support the protruding portion 21 in the upright state in the range from the start end portion to the end portion in the transport direction A1.
Further, the attachment body 20 is rotatably attached to the moving body 15, and the support member 22 restricts the rotation of the attachment body 20 from the start end portion to the end end portion, thereby causing the protrusion 21 to be rotatably attached. The protruding portion 21 is placed in the inverted state by allowing the mounting body 20 to rotate at the terminal portion in the upright state.

According to this configuration, the protruding portion 21 can be switched between the standing state and the lying state by utilizing the rotation of the mounting body 20, so that the posture of the protruding portion 21 can be easily changed (switching between the standing state and the lying state). It can be done reliably and reliably.
Further, the moving body 15 includes two cord bodies 15L and 15R arranged in parallel with each other and moving along a side view loop-shaped path, and the support member 22 is arranged between the two cord bodies 15L and 15R. ing.

According to this configuration, the support member 22 can be arranged along the moving direction (transportation direction A1) of the moving body 15, and the support of the mounting body 20 attached to the moving body 15 by the support member 22 is surely supported. It can be carried out.
Further, the transport device (first transport device) 2A is arranged with a gap G1 between the support member 22 and the support member 22 in front of the support member 22, and has an inclined surface 25i that shifts downward as it goes forward. When the protruding portion 21 shifts from the upright state to the prone state, it passes through the gap G1.

According to this configuration, the headed vegetable VG carried along the support member 22 by the moving body 15 can be discharged along the inclined surface 25i. Further, since the mounting body 20 can be retracted through the gap G1, it does not interfere with the discharge of the mounting body 20.
Further, on the side of the inclined surface 25i, passages (first passage 25d, second passage 25e) through which the protrusion 21 passes when the protrusion 21 shifts from the upright state to the lying state are provided.

According to this configuration, it is possible to reliably change the posture of the protruding portion 21 from the standing state to the lying state without being hindered by other members.
Further, the mounting body 20 is a mounting body 20a having a front surface to which the base end portion of the protruding portion 21 is fixed and a back surface facing the front surface of the support member 22 and the substrate 20a to be mounted on the moving body 15. It has a part 20b and.

According to this configuration, since the substrate 20a of the mounting body 20 is supported by the front surface of the supporting member 22 from the back surface side, the mounting body 20 can be reliably supported by the supporting member 22.
Further, the transport device (first transport device) 2A is a transport device that transports the vegetable VG from the bottom to the top, and has a predetermined interval between the moving body 15 that moves along the transport direction A1 and the transport direction A1. A protruding portion 21 that is arranged apart and moves together with the moving body 15 and can support the vegetable VG by projecting in a direction away from the moving body 15 and a transporting direction A1 in the middle of the transporting direction A1. It is provided with an expansion mechanism that widens the distance between the tip portions of the protruding portions 21 adjacent to each other in the transport direction A1.

According to this configuration, even if a plurality of vegetable VGs are sandwiched between the projecting portions 21 adjacent to the transport direction A1, the tip portion of the projecting portion 21 adjacent to the transport direction A1 in the middle portion of the transport direction A1 by the expansion mechanism. By widening the distance between the vegetables in the transport direction A1, the pinched state of the vegetable VG is eliminated and the pinched unnecessary vegetable VG can be dropped from the protrusion 21. This makes it possible to reliably and smoothly transport the vegetable VG in appropriate amounts (for example, one by one).

Further, the expansion mechanism has a defining surface 22d extending along the transport direction A1 and defining the posture of the protruding portion 21, and the defining surface 22d is a first defining surface arranged on the upstream side of the transport direction A1. It includes 22d1 and a second defining surface 22d2 which is arranged on the downstream side of the transport direction A1 and is provided so as to be inclined with respect to the first defining surface 22d1.
According to this configuration, when the protrusion 21 is moved along the transport direction A1, the posture is defined by the first defined surface 22d1 and the posture is defined by the second defined surface 22d2. The posture of the protrusion 21 can be changed by shifting to.

Further, the expansion mechanism has a plurality of mounting bodies 20 mounted on the moving body 15 at predetermined intervals in the transport direction A1, and the protruding portion 21 protrudes from the mounting body 20 and extends in a direction away from the defined surface 22d. ing.
According to this configuration, by changing the direction of the projecting portion 21 projecting from the mounting body 20 adjacent to the transport direction A1, the distance between the tip portions of the projecting portions 21 adjacent to the transport direction A1 can be widened. ..

Further, the mounting body 20 has a substrate 20a having a front surface on which the base end portion of the protruding portion 21 is fixed and a back surface that abuts against the specified surface 22d, and a mounting portion 20b that mounts the substrate 20a on the moving body 15. And have.
According to this configuration, the protrusion 21 can be reliably attached to the moving body 15 via the attachment body 20.

Further, the moving body 15 includes two cord bodies 15L and 15R arranged in parallel with each other and moving along a side view loop-shaped path, and the defined surface 22d is arranged between the two cord bodies 15L and 15R. ing.
According to this configuration, the defined surface 22d can be arranged along the moving direction (transportation direction A1) of the moving body 15, and the posture of the protruding portion 21 moved by the defined surface 22d can be reliably defined. ..

Further, the inclination angle of the second regulation surface 22d2 with respect to the first regulation surface 22d1 is an obtuse angle.
According to this configuration, the protruding portion 21 moves along the transport direction A1 from the state in which the posture is defined by the first defined surface 22d1 to the state in which the posture is defined by the second defined surface 22d2. At the time of transition, the distance between the tip portions of the protruding portions 21 adjacent to each other in the transport direction A1 can be widened within an appropriate range.

Further, the transport device (first transport device) 2A includes a transport unit (first transport unit) 3A that transports the headed vegetable VG having the outer leaf VG2 and / or the root VG3 and the heading portion VG1 from the lower side to the upper side. A discharge unit 25 for discharging headed vegetable VG from the end portion of the transport direction A1 of the transport portion 3A is provided, and the discharge portion 25 gradually inclines and extends in a downward direction as the distance from the end portion increases, and along the inclination. The inclined plate 25a having a rolling surface 25i for rolling the heading portion VG1, the first side plate 25b extending along the inclination on one side in the width direction of the inclined plate 25a, and the inclined plate 25a and the first side plate 25b. It is formed between them and has a first passage 25d through which the outer leaf VG2 or the root VG3 can pass when the heading portion VG1 rolls on the rolling surface 25i.

According to this configuration, the heading portion VG1 can be rolled on the rolling surface 25i while the outer leaf G2 or the root VG3 is passed through the first passage 25d in the discharge portion 25, so that the outer leaf VG2 and the root VG3 can be rolled. It is possible to prevent the heading portion VG1 from being hindered from rolling. Therefore, the headed vegetable VG transported by the transport unit 2A can be smoothly transferred to the equipment of the next process via the discharge unit 25.

Further, the discharge portion 25 is formed between the second side plate 25c extending along the inclination on the other side in the width direction of the inclined plate 25a, and the inclined plate 25a and the second side plate 25c, and the heading portion VG1 is a rolling surface. It has a second passage 25e through which the outer leaf VG2 or the root VG3 can pass when rolling on the 25i.
According to this configuration, the heading portion VG1 can be rolled on the rolling surface 25i while the outer leaf G2 or the root VG3 is passed through the first passage 25d or the second passage 25e in the discharge portion 25. It is possible to more reliably prevent the VG2 and the root VG3 from interfering with the rolling of the heading portion VG1.

Further, the discharge portion 25 stands up from the other side of the first side plate 25b in the width direction and extends along the inclination of the first standing wall 25f, and stands up and incliness from one side of the second side plate 25c in the width direction. It has a second upright wall (25 g) extending along the line.
According to this configuration, since the discharging portion 25 has the first standing wall 25f and the second standing wall 25g, the heading vegetable VG is rolling on the rolling surface 25i, and the side of the discharging portion 25 ( It can be prevented from falling from the left or right).

Further, the distance between the first standing wall 25f and the second standing wall 25g differs between the side relatively close to the end portion and the side far from the end portion.
According to this configuration, when the distance on the side relatively far from the end portion is wider than the distance on the narrow side, it is assumed that the headed vegetable VG bends in the middle of rolling on the rolling surface 25i. Can be caught by the upright wall to prevent it from falling. On the other hand, when the distance on the side relatively close to the end portion is wider than the distance on the side far away from the end portion, the headed vegetable VG can be reliably received from the end portion in the transport direction A1 of the first transport portion 3A.

Further, the first side plate 25b and the second side plate 25c extend longer than the inclined plate 25a in the direction away from the end portion.
According to this configuration, the headed vegetable VG can be guided from the side by the first standing wall 25f and the second standing wall 25g until the heading vegetable VG finishes rolling on the rolling surface 25i of the inclined plate 25a. Therefore, the headed vegetable VG can be reliably discharged toward the equipment (second transport device 2B) in the next process.

Further, the transport unit 3A moves with a moving body 15 that moves along the transport direction A1 of the transport unit 3A and a first plate 16 that is arranged on one side of the moving body 15 in the width direction and extends in the transport direction A1. The body 15 has a second plate 17 which is arranged on the other side in the width direction and extends in the transport direction A1, the first side plate 25b extends from the first plate 16, and the second side plate 25c is the second plate. It has been extended from 17.

According to this configuration, the headed vegetable VG carried by the moving body 15 can be reliably guided between the first side plate 21c and the second side plate 25c.
Further, the transport device (second transport device) 2B is a transport device for transporting headed vegetable VG having a heading portion VG1 and an outer leaf VG2, and has rotating shafts 33A and 33B arranged in parallel with each other. A transport unit (second transport unit) that has two rollers 30A and 30B that rotate inward with each other, sandwiches the outer leaf VG2 between the two rollers, and transports the headed vegetable VG in the direction of the rotation axis of the rollers. The two rollers 30A and 30B provided with 3B have a height difference in which the height of the upper surface of one roller (first roller) 30A is lower than the height of the upper surface of the other roller (second roller) 30B. And are arranged.

According to this configuration, the headed vegetable VG placed on the surfaces of the rollers 30A and 30B is in an unstable posture and easily rotates. Therefore, by repeating the rotation of the headed vegetable VG, the outer leaf VG2 faces downward and is drawn between the one roller 30A and the other roller 30B in a short time, and the outer leaf VG stabilizes in the downward posture. As a result, the posture of the headed vegetable VG can be stabilized in a short transport distance.

Further, one roller 30A and the other roller 30B are inclined so as to be gradually lowered from the upstream side to the downstream side of the transport direction A3 of the transport portion 3B.
According to this configuration, the headed vegetable VG rotates in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction A2 by the rotation of the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B, and the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B rotate. Since it is inclined downward, it also rotates around the transport direction A2. By performing such rotation in multiple directions, the headed vegetable VG has many opportunities to be in a downward posture with the outer leaf VG2 facing downward, and the outer leaf VG2 is facing downward in a short time with one roller 30A and the other. It is pulled in between the roller 30B and the roller 30B.

Further, the transport device (second transport device) 2B includes a guide member 38 arranged above the transport unit 3B and extending in the transport direction A3, and the guide member 38 is on the one roller 30A side as it extends upward. It has an inclined surface 38d that shifts from the other roller 30B to the other roller 30B side.
According to this configuration, the headed vegetable VG is allowed to move (roll) toward the second roller 30B side by hitting the inclined surface 38d of the guide member 38. Therefore, the impact when the headed vegetable VG hits the guide member 38 is alleviated, and it is possible to prevent the headed vegetable VG from bouncing or being damaged.

The lower end of the inclined surface 38d is between the rotation shaft (first rotation shaft) 33A of one roller 30A and the rotation shaft (second rotation shaft) 33B of the other roller 30B, and one roller. It extends to a position lower than the height of the upper surface of 30B and the height of the upper surface of the other roller 30B.
According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the headed vegetable VG from hitting the lower end portion of the inclined surface 38d and being damaged.

Further, the outer diameter of one roller 30A is smaller than the outer diameter of the other roller 30B.
According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a height difference in which the height of the upper surface of one roller 30A is lower than the height of the upper surface of the other roller 30B by a simple configuration.
Further, the rotating shaft 33A of one roller 30A is arranged below the rotating shaft 33B of the other roller 30B.

According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a height difference in which the height of the upper surface of one roller 30A is lower than the height of the upper surface of the other roller 30B by a simple configuration.
Further, the transport device (second transport device) 2B includes a supply unit 25 for supplying the headed vegetable VG to the transport unit 3B, and the supply unit 25 supplies the headed vegetable VG above one of the rollers 30A.
According to this configuration, the headed vegetable VG supplied above one roller 30A by the supply unit 25 can be smoothly conveyed by the rotation of one roller 30A.

Further, the preparation device 1 includes the above-mentioned transport device 2 and a first cutting device 4 for cutting the root VG3 of the vegetable VG transported by the transport device 2.
According to this configuration, the root VG3 of the vegetable VG that has been stabilized in a posture in which the root VG3 is facing downward and has been transported by the transport device 2 can be cut by the first cutting device 4. Therefore, the cutting treatment of the root VG3 of the vegetable VG can be performed satisfactorily.

In addition, the preparation device 1 includes a second cutting device 5 for cutting the outer leaf VG2 of the vegetable VG transported by the transport device 2.
According to this configuration, the outer leaf VG2 of the vegetable VG, which has been stabilized in a posture in which the root VG3 is facing downward and has been transported by the transport device 2, can be cut by the second cutting device 5. Therefore, the outer leaf VG2 of the vegetable VG can be reliably cut.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, it should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are exemplary in all respects and are not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the scope of claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

1 Adjustment device 2B Conveyor device (2nd transfer device)
3B transport section (second transport section)
25 Supply unit 30A One roller (first roller)
30B The other roller (second roller)
33A rotation axis (first rotation axis)
33B rotation axis (second rotation axis)
38 Guide member 38d Inclined surface VG Vegetable VG1 Heading part VG2 Outer leaf

Claims (9)

A transport device for transporting headed vegetables having a heading portion and an outer leaf.
It has two rollers that have rotation axes arranged parallel to each other and rotate inward with each other, and the outer leaf is sandwiched between the two rollers to place the headed vegetable in the direction of the rotation axis of the rollers. Equipped with a transport unit to transport
The two rollers are headed vegetable conveyors arranged with a height difference such that the height of the upper surface of one roller is lower than the height of the upper surface of the other roller. The headed vegetable transporting device according to claim 1, wherein the one roller and the other roller are inclined so as to be gradually lowered from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transporting direction of the transporting portion. A guide member arranged above the transport unit and extended in the transport direction is provided.
The heading vegetable transporting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the guide member has an inclined surface that shifts from the one roller side to the other roller side as it extends upward. The lower end of the inclined surface is between the rotation axis of the one roller and the rotation axis of the other roller, and the height of the upper surface of the one roller and the height of the upper surface of the other roller. The heading vegetable transporting device according to claim 3, which extends to a lower position. The heading vegetable transporting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the outer diameter of the one roller is smaller than the outer diameter of the other roller. The heading vegetable transporting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the rotation axis of the one roller is arranged below the rotation axis of the other roller. The transport unit is provided with a supply unit for supplying the headed vegetables.
The heading vegetable transporting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the supply unit supplies the headed vegetables above one of the rollers. The transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
A first cutting device for cutting the roots of headed vegetables transported by the transport device, and
A heading vegetable preparation device equipped with. The device for preparing headed vegetables according to claim 8, further comprising a second cutting device for cutting the outer leaves of the headed vegetables transported by the transport device.

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