JP2023003733A - Conveying device of head vegetable - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a conveying device of head vegetables capable of preventing an occurrence of overflow when the head vegetables are accumulated in the middle of the conveyance.SOLUTION: A conveying device of head vegetables comprises a conveyance part for conveying the head vegetables, and a supply device for supplying the conveyance part with the head vegetables. The supply device includes a detector for detecting accumulation of the head vegetables in the supply device, and the detector includes a control section that when detecting the accumulation of the head vegetables, transmits to the supply device, a control signal to stop the drive of the supply device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a conveying apparatus for headed vegetables such as onions.

Conventionally, an onion processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known.
The apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of conveying means for conveying onions, a first cutting means for cutting the stems and leaves of the onions, and a second cutting means for cutting the stems and roots of the onions. ing.

JP 2009-159871 A

However, in the case of the apparatus described above, there is a problem that when the onions remain in the upstream conveying means, the onions overflow on the downstream side.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a conveying apparatus for headed vegetables that can prevent overflow when headed vegetables such as onions are stagnant during transportation.

A conveying apparatus for headed vegetables according to one aspect of the present invention includes a conveying unit that conveys headed vegetables, and a feeding device that supplies headed vegetables to the conveying unit, and the feeding device includes the feeding device A detection device is provided for detecting the stagnation of the headed vegetables, and the detection device, when detecting the stagnation of the headed vegetables, controls the control unit to send a control signal to the feeding device to stop driving the feeding device. have.

Preferably, the detection device has a detection member disposed at a position to be pushed by the headed vegetable heading from the supply device to the conveying unit, and the detection member emits a detection signal when pushed by the headed vegetable. The control unit transmits the control signal when the length of time during which the detection signal is transmitted reaches a predetermined length or longer.
Preferably, when receiving the control signal from the control unit, the feeding device reduces the feeding speed of the headed vegetables and stops after a predetermined time.

Preferably, the feeding device has an inclined surface with a downward slope toward the conveying part, and the detection member is arranged at a position to be pushed by the headed vegetables that have moved on the inclined surface.
Preferably, the feeding device has a receiving surface that extends substantially horizontally from the lower end of the inclined surface and receives the headed vegetables that have moved on the inclined surface, and the detection member is positioned before reaching the receiving surface. are positioned to be pushed by the head vegetables.

Preferably, the detection member comprises a detection bar that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the moving direction of the headed vegetable and swings when pushed by the headed vegetable.
Preferably, the detection bar is arranged at a height where the upper portion of the headed vegetable hits.
Preferably, the feeding device has a tunnel-shaped covering through which the headed vegetables pass, and the detection bar is positioned to be pushed by the headed vegetables passing through the covering.

According to the conveying apparatus for headed vegetables described above, when the detecting device detects the stagnant headed vegetables, the drive of the feeding device can be stopped, so that the headed vegetables can be prevented from overflowing in the conveying section.

1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a head vegetable preparation apparatus; FIG. 1 is a side view showing an embodiment of a head vegetable preparation apparatus; FIG. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a head vegetable preparation apparatus; It is a perspective view of a 1st conveying apparatus. It is a top view of a 1st conveying apparatus. It is a side view of a 1st conveying apparatus and a 2nd conveying part. It is a perspective view which shows the roller etc. which were provided inside the 1st conveying apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the discharge part (supply part) of a 1st conveying apparatus, and a shock-absorbing mechanism. It is a top view which shows the discharge part (supply part) of a 1st conveying apparatus, and a shock-absorbing mechanism. It is a side view which shows the roller etc. which were provided inside the 1st conveying apparatus. It is a partial sectional view showing the upper part of the 1st conveying device. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing another embodiment of the elastic sheet; It is a perspective view which shows the supply part of a 1st conveying apparatus, a shock absorbing mechanism, and the upstream of a 2nd conveying apparatus. It is a top view which shows the supply part of a 1st conveying apparatus, a shock absorbing mechanism, and the upstream of a 2nd conveying apparatus. It is the figure which looked at the 1st roller of the 2nd conveying apparatus, and the 2nd roller from the upstream of the conveyance direction. Fig. 10 is a timing chart showing detection signals transmitted by the detection device when headed vegetables are smoothly conveyed (not stagnated). FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing detection signals transmitted by the detection device when headed vegetables are stagnant. FIG. It is the figure which looked at the 1st roller and the 2nd roller of the 2nd conveying device from the downstream of the conveying direction. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an embodiment in which the direction of conveyance by the first conveying device is perpendicular to the direction of conveyance by another conveying device in plan view. It is a top view which shows the downstream of a 2nd conveyance part, and a 3rd conveyance part. It is a side view which shows the downstream of a 2nd conveyance part and the upstream of a 3rd conveyance part with a posture correction member. It is a top view which shows the downstream of a 2nd conveyance part and the upstream of a 3rd conveyance part with a posture correction member. It is a perspective view which shows the downstream of a 2nd conveyance part and the upstream of a 3rd conveyance part with a posture correction member. It is a perspective view which shows the downstream of a 2nd conveyance part, and the upstream of the 3rd conveyance part containing a conveyance assistance member. It is a top view which shows the downstream of a 2nd conveyance part, and the upstream of the 3rd conveyance part containing a conveyance assistance member. It is a perspective view which shows a starting end pulley and a conveyance auxiliary member seen from the downstream side of a conveyance direction. FIG. 10 is a side view showing a state in which the posture of headed vegetables is corrected by the posture correcting member. It is a figure which shows the structure of a 2nd clamping belt. It is a perspective view which shows the movement of the head vegetables in a 3rd conveyance part. It is a side view which shows an example of a motion of the headed vegetables in the downstream of a 3rd conveyance part, and a 4th conveyance part. It is a top view which shows a lower stage belt and a lower stage pulley. It is a perspective view which shows a 2nd transfer part etc. It is a perspective view showing a first transfer conveyor and the like. It is a side view which shows an example of a motion of the head vegetable in the downstream of a 3rd conveyance part, a 4th conveyance part, a 1st transfer conveyor, and a 2nd transfer conveyor. It is the figure which looked at the 1st transfer conveyor, a support apparatus, a partition wall, etc. from the downstream of the conveyance direction. It is a top view which shows the downstream of a 3rd conveyance part, and the upstream of a 4th conveyance part. It is the figure which looked at the 1st transfer conveyor, the 2nd transfer conveyor, and a connection member from the upstream of a conveyance part. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a first transfer conveyor, a second transfer conveyor, a discharge passage, and the like; It is a perspective view which shows a 4th conveyance part, a 1st cutting device, a root transfer part, a 2nd cutting device, an inclined surface, a discharge chute, etc. FIG. It is a top view which shows a 4th conveyance part, a 1st cutting device, a root transfer part, a 2nd cutting device, an inclined surface, a discharge chute, etc. FIG. It is a side view which shows a 1st cutting device, a root transfer part, a 2nd cutting device, an inclined surface, a discharge chute, etc. FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view showing movement of headed vegetables in the first cutting device; It is the perspective view which looked at the 1st cutting device, the root transfer part, etc. from the downstream right of the conveyance direction. It is the perspective view which looked at the 1st cutting device etc. from the downstream left of the conveyance direction. It is a top view, such as a 1st cutting device and a root transfer part. It is the figure which looked at the root equalization part from the downstream of the conveyance direction. It is a figure which shows operation|movement of a root aligning part. It is the perspective view which looked at the 1st cutting device, the root transfer part, the 2nd cutting device, etc. from the downstream left of the conveyance direction. It is a figure which shows the effect|action of a root pull-in part. It is a top view, such as a 1st cutting device, a root transfer part, a 2nd cutting device. It is the perspective view which looked at the 1st cutting device, the root transfer part, the 2nd cutting device, an inclined surface, the discharge chute, etc. from the downstream left of the conveyance direction. It is a figure which shows an onion as an example of head vegetables.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 to 3 are diagrams showing the overall configuration of a head vegetable preparation apparatus 1. FIG.
Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the arrow X1 direction in FIGS. 1 and 2 is referred to as the front, the arrow X2 direction is referred to as the rear, and the arrow X direction is referred to as the front-rear direction. The arrow Y1 direction in FIG. 1 is referred to as the left direction, the arrow Y2 direction is referred to as the right direction, and the arrow Y direction is referred to as the device width direction. In this 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 head vegetable VG prepared by the preparation apparatus 1 according to the present invention is, for example, a bulbous vegetable in which the base of the leaf swells underground or near the ground and becomes spherical. Specific examples include onions, shallots, garlic, and lily bulbs.
As shown in FIG. 51, a headed vegetable (bulb vegetable) VG has a headed portion (bulb) VG1, an outer leaf VG2 extending upward from the upper portion of the headed portion VG1, and a root VG3 extending downwardly from the lower portion of the headed portion VG1. ,have. FIG. 51 shows an onion as a typical example of head vegetables 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, based on FIGS. 1 to 3, the overall configuration of the preparation device 1 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the preparation device 1 includes a conveying device 2, a first cutting device 4, and a second cutting device 5. As shown in FIGS.
The conveying device 2 is a device for conveying headed vegetables VG before or after preparation. The first cutting device 4 is a device for cutting the root VG3 of the head vegetable VG. The second cutting device 5 is a device for cutting the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetable VG.

The transport device 2 includes a first transport device 2A, a second transport device 2B, a third transport device 2C, a fourth transport device 2D, and a fifth transport device 2E. 2 A of 1st conveying apparatuses are supported on the installation surface (floor surface) by the 1st frame 6A. The second transport device 2B, the third transport device 2C, the fourth transport device 2D, and the fifth transport 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, etc.). The first frame 6A and the second frame 6B are not connected, and it is possible to adjust the positional relationship (relative position) between the first frame 6A and the second frame 6B. Thereby, the positional relationship between the first transport device 2A and the second transport device 2B can be adjusted. However, the first frame 6A and the second frame 6B may be connected.

In the drawings, arrow A1 indicates the direction of transfer by the first transfer device 2A, arrow A2 indicates the direction of transfer by the second transfer device 2B, arrow A3 indicates the direction of transfer by the third transfer device 2C, and arrow A4 indicates the direction of transfer by the fourth transfer device 2D. , and the direction of transport by the fifth transport device 2E is indicated by an arrow A5.
As shown in FIG. 1, in the case of the present embodiment, the transport direction A1 by the first transport device 2A is the same direction (back to front) as the transport directions A2 to A5 by the other transport devices 2B to 2E in plan view. be. However, as another embodiment (see FIG. 18), the conveying direction A1 by the first conveying device 2A may be perpendicular to the conveying directions A2 to A5 by the other conveying devices 2B to 2E in plan view.

First, the first conveying device 2A will be described. 2 A of 1st conveying apparatuses are supply apparatuses which supply the head vegetable VG with respect to the conveying part (2nd conveying part) 3B mentioned later. Therefore, in the following description, 2 A of 1st conveying apparatuses may be called 3 A of supply apparatuses.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first conveying device (supplying device) 2A includes a side wall 7, a rear wall 8, a front wall 9, a mounting section 10, a housing section 11, and a conveying section 3A (hereinafter referred to as "second 1 conveying unit 3A”).

Sidewall 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) in the width direction (the same as the device width direction Y) of the first transport section 3A. The other side wall 7R is arranged on the other side (right side) in the width direction of the first transport section 3A. On the other hand, the side wall 7L includes a body wall 7La and an extension wall 7Lb. The other side wall 7R includes a body wall 7Ra and an extension wall 7Rb. The main body wall 7La and the main body wall 7Ra are arranged parallel to each other and extend from the lower rear to the upper front. The extension wall 7Lb extends forward from the front end of the body wall 7La. The extension wall 7Rb extends forward from the front end of the body wall 7Ra. The distance between the extension wall 7Lb and the extension wall 7Rb gradually narrows (approaches) toward the front (as they move away from the main body walls 7La and 7Ra).

The rear wall 8 is arranged at the rear end of the first transfer device 2A. The rear wall 8 is provided over the rear end portion of the one side wall 7L (main body wall 7La) and the rear end portion of the other side wall 7R (main body wall 7Ra). The front wall 9 is arranged at the front end of the first transport device 2A. The front wall 9 is arranged forward of the one side wall 7L (extended wall 7Lb) and the other side wall 7R (extended wall 7Rb).
The placement part 10 is a part for placing a container (not shown) containing headed vegetables before preparation. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the mounting portion 10 is provided in front of the upper portion of the rear wall 8 between the one side wall 7L and the other side wall 7R.

The accommodating part 11 is a part which receives and accommodates head vegetables before preparation. The housing portion 11 is provided in the lower front portion of the mounting portion 10 . The storage unit 11 receives and stores the headed vegetables stored in the container. As shown in FIG. 5 , the housing portion 11 has a first support plate 111 , a second support plate 112 and a third support plate 113 .
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 its front side. Thus, the container 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 visible in plan view).

The first support surface 111a is a surface that supports the headed vegetables from below, and is an inclined surface that moves downward toward the front. The second support surface 112a is arranged on one side (left side) in the width direction (the same as the device width direction Y) of the first transport section 3A. The third support surface 113a is arranged on the other widthwise side (right side) of the first transport section 3A. 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. formed on the surface. The second support surface 112a is an inclined surface that moves downward toward the other side (right side) in the width direction of the first conveying section 3A. The third support surface 113a is an inclined surface that moves downward toward one side (left side) in the width direction of the first conveying section 3A.

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

The accommodation portion 11 is bent in a V shape at the boundary between the first support surface 111a and the second support surface 112a and the boundary between the first support surface 111a and the third support surface 113a.
As shown in FIG. 5, the first support surface 111a has a notch portion 111b. The cutout portion 111b is composed of two cutout portions that are spaced apart in the width direction of the first conveying portion 3A. The notch portion 111b is formed by cutting the lower side of the first support surface 111a toward the upper side in a rectangular shape. The notch portion 111b is a portion through which the projecting portion 21 passes as the moving body 15, which will be described later, moves. A hanging plate 111c extending downward is arranged between the two notches 111b. When the projecting portion 21 passes through the notch portion 111b, the moving body 15 passes under the first support surface 111a (under the hanging plate 111c).

The first transport unit 3A transports the headed vegetables stored in the storage unit 11 one by one upward (from the bottom to the top) away from the first support surface 111a. The headed vegetables are conveyed forward by the first conveying section 3A as they go upward.
As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 and the like, the first conveying section 3A has a movable body 15, a first plate 16 and a second plate 17. As shown in FIGS.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the moving body 15 is composed of an endless cord. The cord body is a chain in this embodiment. The cord that constitutes the moving body 15 moves along a loop-shaped (elliptical) path in a side view.
As shown in FIG. 5, the first plate 16 is arranged on one side (left side) of the moving body 15 in the apparatus 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 plate 17 extend below the first support plate 111 , the second support plate 112 , and the third support plate 113 that constitute the housing portion 11 . In other words, the first plate 16 is arranged on one side (left side) in the width direction of the first conveying section 3A and extends in the conveying direction A1 from below to above the second support surface 112a. . The second plate 17 is arranged on the other widthwise side (right side) of the first conveying section 3A and extends in the conveying direction A1 from below to above the third support surface 113a.

As shown in FIG. 6 and the like, the first conveying section 3A has a drive mechanism 19, a mounting body 20, and a protruding section 21. As shown in FIG.
The drive mechanism 19 is a mechanism for moving the moving body 15 . The drive mechanism 19 has 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 rope constituting the moving body 15 is wound around the first sprocket 19b, the second sprocket 19c, and the sixth sprocket 19i.
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 sixth sprocket 19i. 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 upward tension to the cable body that constitutes the moving body 15 .

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. Rotation of the fourth sprocket 19e is transmitted to the sixth sprocket 19i through the first shaft 19g, and the sixth sprocket 19i rotates. Rotation of the sixth sprocket 19i is transmitted to the first sprocket 19b and the second sprocket 19c via the cable that constitutes the moving body 15. As shown in FIG. As a result, the first sprocket 19b, the second sprocket 19c, and the sixth sprocket 19i rotate, and the moving body 15 moves (rotates) along a loop-shaped (elliptical) path in a side view.

As shown by the arrow R1 in FIG. 6, the movement (rotation) of the moving body 15 causes the upper portion of the moving body 15 (upper portion of the loop) to move forward (diagonally forward and upward) as it goes upward. to move. The moving direction R1 of the upper portion of the moving body 15 (the upper portion of the loop) is the conveying direction A1 by the conveying section 3A of the first conveying device 2A. That is, the moving body 15 moves along the transport direction A1 of the first transport section 3A.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the mounting body 20 is attached to the moving body 15 and moves together with the moving body 15. As shown in FIGS. The attachment body 20 is attached to the outer surface (surface on the outer peripheral side of the loop) of the cable body forming the moving body 15 by an attachment member 22 (see FIG. 7). A plurality of attachment bodies 20 are provided side by side along the length direction of the cable body that constitutes the moving body 15 (the transport direction A1 of the first transport section 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 may be partially different. The pitch at which the mounting bodies 20 are arranged is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the head portion VG1 of the head vegetable VG.

As shown in FIG. 7, the mounting body 20 has a substrate 20a and a peripheral portion 20b. The substrate 20a is a rectangular plate with a flat surface. The width (the length in the width direction of the device) of the substrate 20a is formed longer than the width of the cable that constitutes the moving body 15 so as to cover the cable. The peripheral edge portion 20b extends downward or obliquely downward from the outer edge (four sides) of the substrate 20a. A base end portion of the projecting portion 21 is fixed to the surface of the substrate 20a. Accordingly, the protruding portion 21 protrudes from the mounting body 20 .

As described above, the projecting portion 21 protrudes from the mounting body 20 and is attached to the moving body 15 via the mounting body 20 . As a result, the projecting portion 21 moves together with the mounting body 20 and the moving body 15 . The protruding portion 21 protrudes in a direction away from the moving body 15 so as to support the headed vegetable (specifically, the headed portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG).
The projecting portion 21 is composed of a columnar or cylindrical rod. However, the shape of the projecting portion 21 is not limited to this. The projecting portion 21 includes two projecting portions spaced apart in the device width direction. The two projecting portions are composed of one projecting portion 21L arranged on one side (left side) in the device width direction and the other projecting portion 21R arranged on the other side (right side) in the device width direction. The distance between the one protruding portion 21L and the other protruding portion 21R is set smaller than the outer diameter of the headed portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first plate 16 and the second plate 17 are bent in the middle in the transport direction A1. The first plate 16 has a bent portion 16c and the second plate 17 has a bent portion 17c.
Hereinafter, the portion forward of the bent portion 16c of the first plate 16 is referred to as "first plate front portion 16a", and the portion rearward of the bent portion 16c is referred to as "first plate rear portion 16b". Further, a portion forward of the bent portion 17c of the second plate 17 is referred to as a "second plate front portion 17a", and a portion rearward of the bent portion 17c is referred to as a "second plate rear portion 17b".

As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 10, a first bent portion 23 and a second bent portion 24 are formed on the upper portion of the moving body 15 (above the loop). The first bent portion 23 is located upstream (lower) in the transport direction A1 than the second bent portion 24 . A fifth sprocket 19 f is arranged on the first bent portion 23 . A first sprocket 19 b is arranged on the second bent portion 24 . The bending angle of the moving body 15 at the second bending portion 24 is smaller than the bending angle of the moving body 15 at the first bending portion 23 .

As shown in FIG. 10 , the movable body 15 has different angles with respect to the horizontal plane at positions corresponding to the first bent portion 23 and the second bent portion 24 . The moving body 15 changes so that the angle with respect to the horizontal plane becomes smaller at the position corresponding to the first bent portion 23 . The moving body 15 changes such that the angle with respect to the horizontal plane increases at the position corresponding to the second bent portion 24 .

As a result, the substrate 20a of the mounting body 20 also changes its angle with respect to the horizontal plane at positions corresponding to the first bent portion 23 and the second bent portion 24. As shown in FIG. The substrate 20 a 2 located downstream of the first bent portion 23 has a smaller angle with respect to the horizontal plane than the substrate 20 a 1 located upstream of the first bent portion 23 . Both the substrate 20a1 and the substrate 20a2 are inclined so as to shift upward toward the front. Further, the substrate 20a3 located downstream of the second bent portion 24 has a larger angle with respect to the horizontal plane than the substrate 20a2 located upstream of the second bent portion 24. As shown in FIG. The substrate 20a3 is inclined downward toward the front. That is, the substrate 20a is tilted in a different direction (upward or downward) between the upstream side and the downstream side of the second bent portion 24 .

As shown in FIG. 10, the first conveying section 3A has an expansion mechanism that widens the distance between the tips of the projecting sections 21 adjacent to each other in the conveying direction A1 in the middle of the conveying direction A1. The extension mechanism will be described below.
As shown in FIG. 10, when the mounting body 20 moves from the upstream side to the downstream side of the first bent portion 23, the projecting direction of the projecting portion 21 changes. As a result, when the mounting body 20 is arranged with the first bent portion 23 interposed therebetween, the distance L2 between the tips of the projecting portions 21 adjacent to each other in the conveying direction A1 is such that the mounting body 20 reaches the first bent portion 23. It is larger than the interval L1 between the leading end portions of the projecting portions 21 adjacent in the transport direction A1 in the absence state. In other words, the distance between the leading ends of the protruding portions 21 adjacent in the transport direction A1 increases in the transport direction A1 at the intermediate portion in the transport direction A1.

As shown in FIG. 10 , in the middle portion of the conveying direction A1, the distance between the tips of the projecting portions 21 adjacent to each other in the conveying direction A1 is widened, so that a plurality of balls are formed between the projecting portions 21 adjacent to each other in the conveying direction A1. Even if the vegetables VG are caught (clogged) and conveyed, a gap GP1 is created between the headed vegetables VG and the projecting portion 21 on the upper side. Therefore, the state in which the headed vegetables VG are sandwiched (clogged) between the adjacent projecting parts 21 is eliminated, and the unnecessary headed vegetables VG on the upper side that are not directly supported by the projecting parts 21 are dropped from the projecting parts 21. be able to. As a result, it becomes possible to reliably and smoothly convey the head vegetables VG in appropriate amounts (for example, one by one).

As shown in FIG. 10 , before and after (upstream and downstream sides) of the second bent portion 24 , the direction of inclination of the substrate 20 a with respect to the horizontal plane changes from the front-upward direction (inclination that shifts upward as it goes forward) to the front-downward direction (forward direction). slope that shifts downward toward Therefore, a relatively large gap GP2 is formed between the substrate 20a2 positioned upstream of the second bent portion 24 and the substrate 20a3 positioned downstream of the second bent portion 24. As shown in FIG. Therefore, a roller 26 is arranged to prevent small headed vegetables from being caught in the gap GP2.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, the roller 26 is supported by a shaft 19j extending in the width direction of the device. A first sprocket 19b is attached to the shaft 19j. The first sprocket 19b rotates as the shaft 19j rotates. The roller 26 is rotatable around the axis of the shaft 19j. Roller 26 is rotatable relative to axis 19j rather than rotating with axis 19j. However, the roller 26 may be configured to rotate together with the shaft 19j.

The rollers 26 include a left roller 26L arranged on the left side of the moving body 15 and a right roller 26R arranged on the right side of the moving body 15. The distance from the left end of the left roller 26L to the right end of the right roller 26R is set to be equal to or less than the width of the substrate 20a. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the left roller 26L and the right roller 26R are positioned across the substrate 20a2 on the upstream side and the substrate 20a3 on the downstream side of the second bent portion 24. As shown in FIG. Thereby, the rollers 26 (the left roller 26L and the right roller 26R) partially fill the gap GP2.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the gap GP2 is partly filled with the rollers 26, so that even if the small headed vegetables VG are positioned above the gap GP1, the lower parts of the headed vegetables VG are supported by the rollers 26. Therefore, it is possible to prevent small headed vegetables from being caught in the gap GP2. In addition, since the roller 26 is rotatable relative to the shaft 19j, the roller 26 rotates freely to assist the movement of the headed vegetables VGS. can be prevented. In addition, filling a part of the gap GP2 with the peripheral edge portion 20b also has a function of preventing the headed vegetables VGS from clogging the gap GP2.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 8, 9, 13, etc., the first conveying device 2A includes a discharging section 25 for discharging headed vegetables from the end portion of the first conveying section 3A in the conveying direction A1. The discharging section 25 is inclined downward toward the second conveying device 2B, and discharges the headed vegetables to the upstream side in the conveying direction A2 of the second conveying section 3B, which is the conveying section of the second conveying device 2B. Therefore, the discharge section 25 is also a supply section that supplies headed vegetables to the second transport section 3B. Therefore, the discharge section 25 may be referred to as the supply section 25 in the following description.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the discharge section 25 has a first forward extension member 27 , a second forward extension member 28 and an inclined plate 29 . The first forward extension member 27 extends forward and downward from the front portion of the first plate 16 . The second forward extension member 28 extends forward and downward from the front portion of the second plate 17 . The first forward extension member 27 and the second forward extension member 28 are spaced apart in the device width direction. The first forward extension member 27 has a first wall portion 27a and a first upper surface portion 27b. The second forward extension member 28 has a second wall portion 28a and a second upper surface portion 28b. The first upper surface portion 27b and the second upper surface portion 28b extend obliquely so as to shift downward (toward the front) as they move away from the end portion of the first conveying portion 3A in the conveying direction A1.

The inclined plate 29 is arranged between the first forward extension member 27 and the second forward extension member 28 . A left edge of the inclined plate 29 is attached to the first wall portion 27a. A right edge of the inclined plate 29 is attached to the second wall portion 28a. The inclined plate 29 is arranged below the upper end of the first upper surface portion 27b and the upper end of the second upper surface portion 28b. The inclined plate 29 extends so as to be inclined downward (as it goes forward) as it moves away from the terminal end (upper end) of the first conveying section 3A in the conveying direction A1. The surface (upper surface) of the inclined plate 29 is an inclined surface 29a. The inclined surface 29a has a downward slope toward the second transport section 3B, which will be described later. The inclined surface 29a constitutes a surface that moves (rolls or slides) the headed portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG along the inclination.

As shown in FIG. 8, the inclined plate 29 has a first slit 291 and a second slit 292 . The first slit 291 and the second slit 292 are formed by notching the inclined plate 29 downward (forward and downward) from the upper edge. The first slit 291 and the second slit 292 are spaced apart in the device width direction. The interval between the first slit 291 and the second slit 292 is equal to the interval between the one projection 21L and the other projection 21R. As the moving body 15 moves, the protrusion 21L passes through the first slit 291 and the protrusion 21R passes through the second slit 292 . This can prevent the projecting portion 21 from contacting the inclined plate 29 . In addition, the headed vegetables can be supported halfway on the inclined plate 29 by the projecting portion 21 .

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the discharge section (supply section) 25 has a tunnel-shaped covering section 40 through which the headed vegetables pass. 8 and 9, the cover portion 40 is indicated by phantom lines. In FIG. 6, the cover part 40 is omitted.
The cover part 40 covers a part of the upper part of the inclined plate 29 . As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the cover portion 40 has a left plate portion 40a, a right plate portion 40b, and a top plate portion 40c. The left plate portion 40a is attached to the first upper surface portion 27b of the first forward extension member 27, and stands upward (forward and upward) from the first upper surface portion 27b. The right plate portion 40b is attached to the second upper surface portion 28b of the second forward extension member 28, and stands upward (forward and upward) from the second upper surface portion 28b. The top plate portion 40c connects the upper end of the left plate portion 40a and the upper end of the right plate portion 40b. The top plate portion 40 c is arranged parallel to the inclined plate 29 . Between the top plate portion 40c and the inclined plate 29, a passage 41 is formed through which headed vegetables can pass. The height of the passage 41 is set to a height at which the headed vegetables can be added with the headed portion downward. This allows the headed vegetables moving on the inclined surface 29 a to pass through the covering portion 40 .

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the discharge section (supply section) 25 has a receiving surface 43 for receiving the headed vegetables that have moved on the inclined surface 29 a of the inclined plate 29 . The receiving surface 43 is provided on the receiving member 42 . The receiving member 42 has a left rear plate 42a, a right rear plate 42b, a left side plate 42c, a right side plate 42d, an upper left plate 42e, an upper right plate 42f, and a receiving plate 42g. The left rear plate 42 a is attached to the first forward extension member 27 . The right rear plate 42 b is attached to the second forward extension member 28 . The left side plate 42c extends forward from the left rear plate 42a. The right side plate 42d extends forward from the right rear plate 42b. The left side plate 42c and the right side plate 42d are arranged in parallel with a gap in the device width direction. The upper left plate 42e connects the upper edge of the left rear plate 42a and the upper edge of the left side plate 42c. The upper right plate 42f connects the upper edge of the right rear plate 42b and the upper edge of the right side plate 42d. The receiving plate 42g connects the lower edge of the left side plate 42c and the lower edge of the right side plate 42d. The upper surface of the receiving plate 42g constitutes a receiving surface 43. As shown in FIG. The receiving surface 43 extends substantially horizontally from the lower edge of the inclined surface 29 a of the inclined plate 29 . In this embodiment, the inclined surface 29a and the receiving surface 43 are provided on different members, but they may be provided on one member.

The receiving surface 43 is provided to drop the headed vegetables that have moved on the inclined surface 29a in a direction close to directly below. In the absence of the receiving surface 43, the headed vegetables moving on the inclined surface 29a jump forward vigorously, but the presence of the receiving surface 43 weakens the momentum of the headed vegetables moving on the inclined surface 29a. Therefore, the head vegetables can be dropped in a direction close to the bottom.

As shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 11, etc., the discharge section (supply section) 25 is provided with a detection device 45 for detecting retention of headed vegetables in the discharge section (supply section) 25. As shown in FIG. Detection device 45 includes, for example, a limit switch. The detection device 45 has a detection member 46, a housing 47, and a control section (not shown).
As shown in FIG. 9, the detection member 46 is arranged at a position overlapping the inclined surface 29a of the inclined plate 29 in plan view. The detection member 46 is arranged on the upstream side (rear side) in the transport direction A1 with respect to the receiving surface 43 . In other words, the detection member 46 is arranged at a position pushed by the headed vegetables VG that have moved on the inclined surface 29 a of the inclined plate 29 . More specifically, the detecting member 46 is arranged at a position to be pushed by the headed vegetable VG before reaching the receiving surface 43 .

As shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 11, the detection member 46 is arranged downstream (forward) of the cover 40 in the transport direction A1. The height of the detection member 46 is set to be equal to or lower than the height of the front end of the cover portion 40 (end on the downstream side in the conveying direction). That is, the detection member 46 is arranged at a position pushed by the headed vegetables VG that have passed through the cover portion 40 . Specifically, the detection member 46 is arranged at a position pushed by the outer leaf VG2 of the head vegetable VG that has passed through the cover portion 40 .

The detection member 46 is composed of a detection bar 46 extending in the device width direction from the housing 47 . The detection bar 46 extends from the housing 47 in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the headed vegetables. In this embodiment, the detection bar 46 extends from left to right, but may extend from right to left. The detection bar 46 is arranged at a height where the upper part of the headed vegetable hits. The length of the detection bar 46 is set to be equal to or less than the width of the inclined surface 29a. It is preferable to set the length of the detection bar 46 to a length equal to or longer than half the width of the inclined surface 29a.

The detection bar 46 is configured to be swingable in the front-rear direction with the base end side (the housing 47 side) as a fulcrum. Specifically, the detection bar 46 swings forward (in the direction of arrow E1 in FIGS. 9 and 11) when pushed by headed vegetables, and moves backward (in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow E1) when not pushed. swings and returns to its original position.
A switch (not shown) is housed inside the housing 47 . The switch is switched between an ON state and an OFF state as the detection bar 46 swings. When the detection bar 46 is pushed by the headed vegetable and swings forward, the switch is turned on, and the detector 45 emits a detection signal (electrical signal) indicating that the headed vegetable is detected. When the detection bar 46 is not pushed by the headed vegetables and swings backward (returns to its original position), the switch is turned off and the detection device 45 does not emit a detection signal.

The housing 47 is supported by supports 48 . The support 48 has a post 48a and a fixture 48b. The post 48a is erected on the receiving member 42 (specifically, the upper left plate 42e) and extends upward. The fixture 48b is attached to the support 48a. A housing 47 is attached to the fixture 48b. The fixture 48b is attached to the pillar 48a by a wing bolt 48c, and the mounting height to the pillar 48a can be adjusted by loosening the wing bolt 48c. Thereby, the height of the detection bar 46 can be changed according to the size and type of headed vegetables.

When the headed vegetables are being conveyed smoothly, the detection bar 46 is intermittently pushed by the headed vegetables that are successively conveyed. In this case, as shown in FIG. 16A, the detection device 45 intermittently emits a detection signal. When the headed vegetables remain in the discharge section (supply section) 25, the detection bar 46 continues to be pushed by the headed vegetables. In this case, the detection device 45 continuously emits a detection signal as shown in FIG. 16B. As a result, the length of time T2 during which the detection signal is transmitted when the headed vegetables are stagnant is longer than the length of time T1 during which the detection signal is transmitted when the headed vegetables are not stagnant. .

The control unit receives the detection signal emitted from the detection device 45 . Transmission of the control signal from the detection device 45 to the control unit may be performed by wireless communication or by wired communication. When the length of time during which the detection signal is transmitted (hereinafter referred to as "transmission time length") reaches or exceeds a predetermined length, the control unit controls the first conveying device (supplying device) 2A. A control signal for stopping the drive of the transport device 2A is transmitted. The predetermined length is set longer than the transmission time length T1 when the headed vegetables are not staying. The transmission time length T1 is set in advance based on the time actually measured while driving the first conveying device (supplying device) 2A.

For example, if the transmission time length T1 is 0.3 seconds, the predetermined length is set to 0.5 seconds longer than T1. In this case, the control unit transmits a control signal to stop driving the first conveying device (supplying device) 2A when the transmission time length is 0.5 seconds or longer. The first conveying device (supplying device) 2A stops driving the motor 19a of the driving mechanism 19 upon receiving a control signal to stop driving from the control unit. As a result, the transportation of headed vegetables by the first transportation device (supply device) 2A is stopped. Therefore, stagnation of the headed vegetables in the discharge section (supply section) 25 can be eliminated, and the headed vegetables can be prevented from overflowing in the second conveying section 3B.

When the first conveying device (supplying device) 2A receives a control signal to stop driving from the control unit, it is preferable to reduce the conveying speed (feeding speed) of the headed vegetables and stop after a predetermined time. In this case, when the first conveying device (supplying device) 2A receives a control signal to stop driving from the control unit, it does not immediately stop the rotation of the motor 19a, but gradually decelerates the rotation speed of the motor 19a. to stop. The predetermined time from when the first conveying device (supplying device) 2A receives the control signal to when it stops is set to, for example, 5 to 10 seconds. In this case, the first conveying device (supplying device) 2A slows down and gently stops over 5 to 10 seconds after receiving the control signal. As a result, it is possible to prevent impact from being applied to the headed vegetables due to the sudden stop of the first conveying device (supplying device) 2A. The predetermined time from when the first conveying device (supplying device) 2A receives the control signal to when it stops can be changed in consideration of the conveying amount and conveying speed of the headed vegetables.

Retention of the headed vegetables can be caused by, for example, a phenomenon in which the headed vegetables become less slippery on the receiving surface 43 and stop when the headed vegetables are damaged and softened. In this case, by stopping the driving of the first conveying device (supplying device) 2A, it is possible to remove damaged head vegetables.
The headed vegetables VG conveyed by the first conveying unit 3A are discharged from the discharging unit (supplying unit) 25 and supplied to the conveying unit (second conveying unit 3B) of the second conveying device 2B. The headed vegetables go down the inclined surface 29a of the discharge section (supply section) 25, reach the receiving surface 43, drop from the front end of the receiving surface 43, and are supplied to the second conveying section 3B.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, 8, 9, 11, etc., the first transfer device 2A has a shock absorbing mechanism 50. As shown in FIG. The shock absorbing mechanism 50 is a mechanism for absorbing the shock received by the headed vegetables when they are dropped onto the second conveying section 3B. The shock absorbing mechanism 50 has a cushioning material 51 for absorbing shock. The cushioning material 51 is arranged at a position where the headed vegetables on the way of falling from the discharging section (supplying section) 25 toward the second conveying section 3B collide. Specifically, the cushioning material 51 is arranged at a position where the headed vegetables falling after passing through the receiving surface 43 collide.

In the case of this embodiment, the cushioning material 51 is composed of an elastic sheet. The elastic body is, for example, rubber, soft resin, or the like. In the following explanation, the cushioning material 51 is an elastic sheet 51, but the cushioning material 51 is not limited to an elastic sheet, and may be made of cloth (woven fabric), knitted fabric, sponge, or the like.
The elastic sheet 51 constitutes a collision surface against which the headed vegetables collide. As shown in FIG. 9, the elastic sheet 51 is curved in a substantially U shape in a plan view, and the open side of the substantially U shape is arranged on the discharge section (supply section) 25 side. Thereby, the cushioning material 51 is arranged over the front, left, and right sides of the receiving surface 43 . In other words, the receiving surface 43 is surrounded by the cushioning material 51 over the front, left, and right sides. As a result, the headed vegetables that jump forward from the receiving surface 43 and fall can be made to collide with the cushioning material 51 without fail. As indicated by an arrow K1 in FIG. 11, the vegetable head VG that hits the cushioning material 51 falls almost directly downward.

As shown in FIGS. 8, 11 and the like, the upper end portion of the cushioning material (elastic sheet) 51 is arranged above the receiving surface 43 . Preferably, the distance (height) from the receiving surface 43 to the upper end portion of the cushioning material (elastic sheet) 51 is set to be equal to or greater than the height of the head portion of the head vegetables supplied from the discharge portion (supply portion) 25. be. As a result, the headed portion of the headed vegetable that jumps forward from the receiving surface 43 and falls can be made to collide with the cushioning material 51 without fail.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, between the front end of the receiving surface 43 and the cushioning material (elastic sheet) 51, a space 52 is formed through which the headed vegetables can pass (fall). The vegetable head protruding from the front end of the receiving surface 43 can drop through this space 52. - 特許庁The direction of movement of the vegetable head projecting from the front end of the receiving surface 43 is changed by colliding with the cushioning material 51 . Specifically, the headed vegetables protruding forward and downward from the front end of the receiving surface 43 collide with the cushioning material 51 and drop substantially downward along the inner surface of the cushioning material 51 . In other words, the cushioning material 51 allows the headed vegetables to fall almost straight down.

The shock absorbing mechanism 50 has a deformation suppressing member 53 that suppresses deformation of the elastic sheet 51 . The deformation suppressing member 53 is a member for suppressing deformation of the elastic sheet 51 when headed vegetables collide. The deformation suppressing member 53 is made of, for example, a metal plate. The deformation suppressing member 53 is arranged outside the elastic sheet 51 .
As shown in FIG. 8, the deformation suppressing member 53 has a front portion 53a, a left portion 53b, and a right portion 53c. The front portion 53a, the left portion 53b, and the right portion 53c are formed by bending one metal plate. In the case of this embodiment, the front portion 53a, the left portion 53b, and the right portion 53c are each formed linearly in plan view, and the deformation suppressing member 53 as a whole is formed in a U-shape in plan view. ing. As a result, a gap is created between the elastic sheet 51 and the deformation suppressing member 53, and this gap allows the elastic sheet 51 to deform outward. However, like the elastic sheet 51, the deformation suppressing member 53 may be curved in a substantially U shape in a plan view. Regardless of the shape of the deformation suppressing member 53 , it is preferable that a gap is formed between the deformation suppressing member 53 and the elastic sheet 51 to allow the elastic sheet 51 to deform outward.

The front portion 53a is arranged in front of the elastic sheet 51 and contacts the elastic sheet 51 from the front side. The left portion 53b is arranged on the left side of the elastic sheet 51 and contacts the elastic sheet 51 from the left side. The right portion 53c is arranged on the right side of the elastic sheet 51 and contacts the elastic sheet 51 from the right side.
The deformation suppressing member 53 is arranged along at least a portion of the elastic sheet 51 . In the case of this embodiment, the deformation suppressing member 53 is arranged over the front, left, and right sides of the elastic sheet 51 . The vertical width of the deformation suppressing member 53 is smaller than the vertical width of the elastic sheet 51 .

The deformation suppressing member 53 is fixed to the receiving member 42 together with the elastic sheet 51 by a fastener (not shown) such as a bolt at the retaining position 54 . Specifically, the left portion 53b of the deformation suppressing member 53 is fixed to the left side plate 42c of the receiving member 42, and the right portion 53c is fixed to the right side plate 42d. Further, the front portion 53a of the deformation suppressing member 53 is fixed to the front portion of the elastic sheet 51 at the stop position 55 by a stop (not shown).

The elastic sheet 51 may have a tubular shape such as a cylindrical shape, an elliptical tubular shape, or a rectangular tubular shape. In this case, the tubular shape may extend linearly in a substantially vertical direction, or may be bent or curved in an L shape, an arc shape, or the like when viewed from the side. Further, the elastic sheet 51 may be arranged so that the collision surface is substantially horizontal. In this case, the elastic sheet 51 may have, for example, radially extending cutting lines 51a as shown in FIG. The headed vegetables that have fallen and collided with the elastic sheet 51 can pass through the elastic sheet 51 by widening the cutting line 51a. The shape of the cutting line 51a can be changed as appropriate.

Next, the 2nd conveying apparatus 2B is demonstrated.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the second conveying device 2B is arranged downstream of the first conveying device 2A in the conveying direction A1. As shown in FIGS. 6, 13, 14 and the like, the second conveying device 2B is arranged so as to overlap the discharge section (supply section) 25 of the first conveying device 2A.
The 2nd conveying apparatus 2B has the 2nd conveying part 3B which receives and conveys the head vegetables discharged|emitted (supplied) from the discharge part (supply part) 25 of 2 A of 1st conveying apparatuses. As shown in FIG. 14, in a plan view, the terminal end side (downstream side in the transport direction A1) of the discharge section (supply section) 25 overlaps the starting end side (upstream side in the transport direction A2) of the second transport section 3B. there is The space 52 overlaps the starting end side (the upstream side in the transport direction A2) of the second transport section 3B in plan view.

As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 and 17, the second transport section 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 right side (the other side in the device width direction), and the other roller (hereinafter referred to as "second roller 30B"). ) is arranged on the left side (one side in the device width direction). In this embodiment, there are two rollers, but the number may be three or more. For example, four rollers may be arranged in parallel.

The two rollers 30A, 30B are arranged between the left wall plate 31 and the right wall plate 32. As shown in FIG. The left wall plate 31 is arranged on the left side of the second transfer device 2B, and the right wall plate 32 is arranged on the right side of the second transfer device 2B. The left wall plate 31 and the right 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 parallel to each other. . 14 and 6, the central axis of the first rotating shaft 33A is indicated by a dashed line CLA, and the central axis of the second rotating shaft 33B is indicated by a dashed 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 substantially equal.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 15, etc., the outer diameter of the second roller 30B is larger than the outer diameter of the first roller 30A. As shown in FIG. 6, the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B are arranged so that the central axes CLA and CLB are oriented in the front-rear direction and the horizontal direction. Further, the central axis CLA of the first roller 30A and the central axis CLB of the second roller 30B are at the same height and overlap each other when viewed from the side. As a modified example, the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B are inclined so as to gradually decrease from the upstream side (starting end side) toward the downstream side (terminating end side) in the conveying direction A2 of the second conveying portion 3B. can be placed

As shown in FIG. 15, the second conveying device 2B includes a drive mechanism 35 that drives the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B. The drive mechanism 35 has a motor 35a, a drive sprocket 35b, a first driven sprocket 35c, a second driven sprocket 35d, a third driven sprocket 35e, a fourth driven sprocket 35f, and a chain 35g.
An endless chain 35g is stretched over the driving sprocket 35b, the first driven sprocket 35c, the second driven sprocket 35d, the third driven sprocket 35e, and the fourth driven sprocket 35f. The drive sprocket 35b is attached to the output shaft of the motor 35a. The first driven sprocket 35c is attached to the first rotating shaft 33A. The second driven sprocket 35d is attached to the second rotating shaft 33B. The third driven sprocket 35e applies tension to the chain 35g from the inner peripheral side. The fourth driven sprocket 35f applies tension to the chain 35g from the outer peripheral side.

When the motor 35a is driven, the drive sprocket 35b rotates together with the rotating shaft of the motor 35a. Rotation of drive sprocket 35b is transmitted to first driven sprocket 35c, second driven sprocket 35d, third driven sprocket 35e, and fourth driven sprocket 35f via chain 35g. As a result, the first rotating shaft 33A rotates in the direction of arrow F1, and the second rotating shaft 33B rotates in the direction of arrow F2.

By driving the drive mechanism 35, the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B are rotated inward (opposing sides face downward). As a result, the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG can be pulled in and sandwiched between the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B (see FIG. 15). The second conveying unit 3B sandwiches the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG between two rollers (between the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B), The headed vegetables VG are transported in the direction of the rotating shaft 33B) (transportation direction A2).

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the first roller 30A has a first roller body 30A1, a ridge portion 30A3, and a first brush portion 30A2. The first roller body 30A1 is a cylindrical or columnar member having a first rotating shaft 33A.
The ridge portion 30A3 protrudes from the surface of the first roller main body 30A1 and is spirally provided along the surface of the first roller main body 30A1. The spiral direction of the protrusion 30A3 is from the inner side of the first roller 30A (second roller 30B side) to the outer side (second roller 30B side). The ridge portion 30A3 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or soft synthetic resin. The ridge portion 30A3 is configured by, for example, spirally winding a string-like member (rubber string, rubber tube, etc.) made of an elastic material around the surface of the first roller main body 30A1.

The first brush portion 30A2 protrudes like a brush from the surface of the first roller main body 30A1. The first brush portion 30A2 is configured by arranging a plurality of hair bundles arranged in a spiral. A plurality of tufts of bristles that constitute the first brush portion 30A2 are planted in a number of holes that are spirally arranged in the surface of the first roller body 30A1, and protrude from the surface of the first roller body 30A1. The first brush portion 30A2 and the ridge portion 30A3 alternately appear 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 ridges 30A3 adjacent to each other with an interval in the transport direction A2.

As shown in FIG. 14, in the length direction (conveyance direction A2) of the first roller 30A, 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. 15, the height from the surface of the first roller body 30A1 is higher in the ridge portion 30A3 than in the first brush portion 30A2.
As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the second roller 30B has a second roller body 30B1 and a second brush portion 30B2. The second roller body 30B1 is a cylindrical or columnar member having a second rotating shaft 33B. The second brush portion 30B2 protrudes like a brush from the surface of the second roller main body 30B1. The second brush portion 30B2 is configured by arranging a plurality of hair bundles in a spiral manner. A plurality of tufts of bristles forming the second brush portion 30B2 are planted in a large number of holes arranged in a spiral on the surface of the second roller main body 30B1, and protrude from the surface of the second roller main body 30B1.

As shown in FIG. 15, the protrusion amount LB of the second brush portion 30B2 from the surface of the second roller body 30B1 is larger than the protrusion amount LA of the first brush portion 30A2 from the surface of the first roller body 30A1. As a result, the tufts forming the second brush portion 30B2 are easier to deform (bend) than the tufts forming the first brush portion 30A2.
When the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B rotate inward, the headed vegetable VG is transported in the transport direction A2 while being placed on the first roller 30A by the spiral of the protrusion 30A3. The conveying speed (moving speed in the conveying direction A2) of the second conveying portion 3B is faster than the conveying speed (moving speed in the conveying direction A1) of the first conveying portion 3A. As a result, it is possible to prevent the headed vegetables conveyed from the first conveying section 3A from accumulating on the upstream side of the second conveying section 3B.

In the case of this 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 is good also as a structure which has. 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 tufts of the second brush portion 30B2.
As shown in FIG. 15, two rollers (first roller 30A and second roller 30B) are such that the height H1 of the upper surface of one roller (first roller 30A) is higher than that of the other roller (second roller 30B). They are arranged with a height difference (H2-H1) that is lower than the height H2 of the upper surface. The height of the upper surface of the roller is the height from the installation surface of the highest position of the roller. 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, and the height of the upper surface of the second roller 30B is the height of the upper end of the second brush portion 30B2. is the height from the installation surface of the The height difference (H2-H1) is formed over the entire length in the transport direction A2.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the height difference (H2-H1) is obtained by arranging the first rotating shaft 33A and the second rotating shaft 33B at the same height and adjusting the outer diameter of the first roller 30A to It is formed by making it smaller than the outer diameter of the second roller 30B.
As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 and 17, a guide plate 37 is provided above the first roller 30A. The guide plate 37 extends along the length direction (conveyance direction A2) of the first roller 30A.

The guide plate 37 is inclined so as to become lower from the right side (the other side in the device width direction) toward the left side (the other side in the device width direction). The right end of the guide plate 37 is arranged on the right side of the first roller 30A. The left end of the guide plate 37 is arranged to the left of the right end of the first roller 30A and to the right of the first rotating shaft 33A.
As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 and 17, a guide member 38 is arranged above the second conveying section 3B. Specifically, the guide member 38 is arranged above the second roller 30B. The guide member 38 extends in the transport direction A2 (longitudinal direction of the second roller 30B). The guide member 38 extends over a range from the starting end portion to the middle portion in the conveying direction A2. Specifically, the guide member 38 extends over a range from above the starting end (rear end) of the second roller 30B to above the lengthwise middle portion. 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 terminal end (front end) of the guide member 38 is positioned forward of the lengthwise middle portion of the second roller 30B.

The guide member 38 has a left plate portion 38a, an upper plate portion 38b, and a right plate portion 38c. The left plate portion 38a is fixed to the second frame 6B on the left side of the second roller 30B and extends upward from the second frame 6B. The upper plate portion 38b extends rightward (toward the first roller 30A) from the upper end of the left plate portion 38a. The right plate portion 38c extends downward and to the right from the right end of the upper plate portion 38b. The surface of the right plate portion 38c is an inclined surface 38d. The inclined surface 38d shifts from left to right as it extends downward. In other words, the inclined surface 38d shifts from the first roller 30A side to the second roller 30B 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 in the width direction of the device and the height of the upper surface of the first roller 30A. It extends to a position lower than the height H1 and the height H2 of the upper surface of the second roller 30B.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 13, and 14, a shock absorbing mechanism 50 for the discharge section (supply section) 25 is arranged above the second transport section 3B. The cushioning material 51 of the shock absorbing mechanism 50 is arranged above the rollers 30A and 30B in the vicinity of the starting end of the second conveying section 3B in the conveying direction A2. As shown in FIG. 14, the space 52 formed between the front end of the receiving surface 43 and the cushioning material (elastic sheet) 51 through which the headed vegetables can pass (fall) also extends in the conveying direction A2 of the second conveying section 3B. are arranged above the rollers 30A and 30B in the vicinity of the starting ends of the rollers 30A and 30B. Further, the space 52 is arranged at a position overlapping both the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B in plan view. Furthermore, the space 52 is arranged at a position overlapping the inclined surface 38d of the guide member 38 in plan view.

As shown in FIG. 14, the discharge section (supply section) 25 is located on the starting end side of the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B and overlaps both the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B in plan view. The headed vegetables VG are dropped and supplied.
As shown in FIG. 17, the headed vegetables VG discharged (supplied) from the discharge section (supply section) 25 hit the inclined surface 38d of the guide member 38 and are prevented from moving to the second roller 30B side (leftward). Therefore, it is placed mainly on the first roller 30A.

As shown in FIG. 14, the headed vegetables VG placed mainly on the first roller 30A are conveyed downstream in the conveying direction A2 along the guide member 38 while repeatedly rotating on the first roller 30A. Since the height of the upper surface of the first roller 30A is lower than the height of the upper surface of the second roller 30B, the headed vegetable VG is in an unstable position and rotates. becomes easier.

The headed vegetables VG are rotated (see arrow P1) in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction A2 by the rotation of the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B, and are sent in the conveying direction A2 by the spiral protrusion 30A3. As a result, rotation (see arrow P2) around the conveying direction A2 is also performed. As the head vegetable VG rotates in multiple directions, there are many opportunities for the outer leaf VG2 to be in a downward posture.

The outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG are drawn between the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B when the outer leaves VG2 are directed downward. As shown in FIG. 15, the headed vegetables VG whose outer leaves VG2 are drawn between the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B assume a downward posture in which the outer leaves VG2 face downward.
In this way, the headed vegetables VG assume a downward posture in which the outer leaves VG2 face downward while being conveyed by the second conveying section 3B. Then, the headed vegetables VG in the downward attitude are transferred from the second conveying section 3B to the third conveying section 3C of the third conveying device 2C in the state of the downward attitude.

FIG. 18 shows another embodiment of the arrangement of the first conveying device 2A. In other embodiments, the transport direction A1 by the first transport device 2A is perpendicular to the transport direction A2 by the second transport device 2B in plan view.
In the case of another embodiment, the cushioning material 51 of the shock absorbing mechanism 50 is arranged above the first roller 30A near the starting end of the second conveying section 3B in the conveying direction A2. The space 52 formed between the front end of the receiving surface 43 and the cushioning material (elastic sheet) 51 through which the headed vegetables can pass (fall) is also the first It is arranged above the roller 30A. Further, the space 52 is arranged at a position overlapping the first roller 30A but not overlapping the second roller 30B in plan view. Furthermore, the space 52 is arranged at a position overlapping the guide plate 37 in plan view.

In the case of another embodiment, the discharging section (supplying section) 25 supplies the headed vegetables VG above the first roller 30A from the direction perpendicular to the first rotating shaft 33A to the first roller 30A. The headed vegetables VG discharged from the discharge part (supply part) 25 pass over the guide plate 37 and are supplied above the first roller 30A. The movement of the headed vegetable VG after that is the same as the movement described with reference to FIG.

Next, the 3rd conveyance part 3C of 2 C of 3rd conveyance apparatuses is demonstrated.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the third conveying section 3C is arranged downstream of the second conveying section 3B in the conveying direction A2. The third conveying unit 3C conveys the headed vegetables VG conveyed by the second conveying unit 3B further downstream (forward). Hereinafter, the second transport section 3B may be referred to as an upstream transport section, and the third transport section 3C may be referred to as a downstream transport section. The second conveying section 3B (upstream conveying section) conveys the headed vegetables in a standing posture in which the outer leaves face up and down. The third conveying section 3C (downstream conveying section) receives the headed vegetables in an upright position, turns them upside down on the way, and conveys them further downstream.

As shown in FIG. 19, the third conveying section 3C includes a pinching belt 70 that pinches and conveys the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG. The pinching belt 70 includes a first pinching belt 71 and a second pinching belt 72 . The first pinching belt 71 and the second pinching belt 72 are made of an elastic material such as rubber.
As shown in FIG. 19, the first nipping belt 71 is arranged close to the downstream end of the second conveying section 3B. As shown in FIG. 20, the first nipping belt 71 is positioned below the upper ends of the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B.

As shown in FIG. 19 , the second nipping belt 72 is arranged downstream of the first nipping belt 71 . A portion of the first pinching belt 71 and a portion of the second pinching belt 72 overlap in the conveying direction A3 of the third conveying portion 3C. As shown in FIG. 20 , the second nipping belt 72 is positioned below the first nipping belt 71 .
The first pinching belt 71 is composed of a pair of pinching belts 71L and 71R. The first pinching belt 71 includes one side belt 71L and the other side belt 71R. The one-side belt 71L is arranged on one side (left side) in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction A3 of the third conveying section 3C (hereinafter referred to as "third orthogonal direction"). The other side belt 71R is arranged on the other side (right side) in the third orthogonal direction. The one-side belt 71L and the other-side belt 71R are endless and are wound around a plurality of pulleys.

The other side belt 71R is stretched over a first pulley 73 and a second pulley 74 . A third pulley 75 for applying tension is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the other-side belt 71R. The first pulley 73 is arranged close to the downstream end of the first roller 30A. The second pulley 74 rotates with rotation of a seventh pulley 79 (described later) attached to the same rotating shaft 79a as the second pulley 74 . As the second pulley 74 rotates, the first pulley 73, the third pulley 75, and the other side belt 71R rotate.

The one-side belt 71L is stretched over a fourth pulley 76 and a fifth pulley 77 . A sixth pulley 78 for applying tension is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the one-side belt 71L. The fourth pulley 76 is arranged close to the downstream end of the second roller 30B. The fifth pulley 77 rotates with the rotation of a tenth pulley 82 (described later) attached to the same rotating shaft 82 a as the fifth pulley 77 . As the fifth pulley 77 rotates, the fourth pulley 76, the sixth pulley 78, and the one-side belt 71L rotate.

As shown in FIG. 19, the first pulley 73 and the fourth pulley 76, and the second pulley 74 and the fifth pulley 77 are close to each other. As a result, the one-side belt 71L and the other-side belt 71R are in contact with or close to each other. The one-side belt 71L and the other-side belt 71R move forward (toward the third conveying direction A3, which is the direction away from the second conveying section 3B) on the sides that contact or approach each other.

Hereinafter, the first pulley 73 and the fourth pulley 76 may be collectively referred to as "starting end pulleys 73 and 76". Also, the first pulley 73 may be referred to as the "right pulley 73" and the fourth pulley 76 may be referred to as the "left pulley 76". The starting end pulleys 73 and 76 are arranged near the terminal end of the second conveying section 3B (upstream conveying section). The diameter of the first pulley (right pulley) 73 is equal to the diameter of the third pulley (left pulley) 76 . The first pulley (right pulley) 73 and the third pulley (left pulley) 76 are arranged at the same height.

As shown in FIG. 25, the start pulleys (the first pulley 73 and the fourth pulley 76) each have an upper disk PL1 and a lower disk PL2. The upper disc PL1 and the lower disc PL2 have the same diameter and are arranged with a space therebetween in the vertical direction. A first pinching belt 71 is arranged between the upper disc PL1 and the lower disc PL2.
As shown in FIGS. 19, 20, and 24, the first pinching belt 71 pinches the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG between the one-side belt 71L and the other-side belt 71R, and pinches the outer leaf VG2. By moving in this state, the headed vegetables VG are conveyed from the downstream side to the upstream side (in the conveying direction A3). When the headed vegetables VG are conveyed by the first pinching belt 71, the posture when transferred from the second conveying section 3B is maintained. That is, the posture of the headed vegetables VG conveyed by the first pinching belt 71 is a downward posture in which the outer leaves VG2 are downward.

As shown in FIGS. 19 to 26, the third conveying device 2C assists delivery of headed vegetables VG from the second conveying portion 3B (upstream conveying portion) to the third conveying portion 3C (downstream conveying portion). A conveying auxiliary member 60 is provided.
As indicated by arrows AL1 and AL2 in FIGS. 24 and 25, the transport assisting member 60 rotates around a vertically extending central axis CA. As shown in FIG. 24, the auxiliary conveying member 60 rotates around the central axis CA while contacting the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetable VG from the sides (left and right). The central axis CA is the rotation center axis of the auxiliary conveyance member 60 and also the rotation center axis of the starting end pulleys (the first pulley 73 and the fourth pulley 76). This rotation assists delivery of headed vegetables VG from the second conveying section 3B to the first clamping belt 71 of the third conveying section 3C. The transportation assisting member 60 is made of an elastic material. The elastic material is, for example, rubber, soft resin, or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 24, 25, etc., the auxiliary transport member 60 has a plurality of contact portions 60a radially extending in directions away from the central axis CA. In this embodiment, the number of contact portions 60a is four, but may be three or less or five or more. The plurality of contact portions 60a are arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction around the central axis CA. The plurality of contact portions 60a are integrated by connecting the base end portions (end portions on the central axis CA side) to each other.

The conveying auxiliary member 60 includes a left auxiliary member 60L and a right auxiliary member 60R. The left auxiliary member 60L rotates around the central axis CA while contacting the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG from the left side. The right auxiliary member 60R rotates around the central axis CA while coming into contact with the outer leaf VG2 of the head vegetable VG from the right side.
The left auxiliary member 60L and the right auxiliary member 60R are in contact with or close to each other in the third orthogonal direction. As indicated by arrows AL1 and AL2, the left auxiliary member 60L and the right auxiliary member 60R face forward (in the third conveying direction A3 away from the second conveying section 3B) on the sides that contact or approach each other. ) rotate.

As shown in FIG. 24, the abutment portion 60a of the left auxiliary member 60L and the abutment portion 60a of the right auxiliary member 60R are arranged with a rotational phase difference. In other words, the contact portion 60a of the left auxiliary member 60L and the contact portion 60a of the right auxiliary member 60R are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the center line in the device width direction. As a result, the contact portion 60a of the left auxiliary member 60L and the contact portion 60a of the right auxiliary member 60R come into contact with the outer leaf VG2 at different timings as they rotate. Specifically, the contact portion 60a of the left auxiliary member 60L and the contact portion 60a of the right auxiliary member 60R alternately contact the outer leaves VG2 as they rotate.

The conveying assisting member 60 is arranged above the start end pulleys (the first pulley 73 and the fourth pulley 76). The conveying assisting member 60 is arranged to overlap the start end pulleys (first pulley 73, fourth pulley 76), and rotates together with the start end pulleys (first pulley 73, fourth pulley 76). Specifically, the left auxiliary member 60</b>L is arranged to overlap the third pulley (left pulley) 76 and rotates together with the third pulley (left pulley) 76 . The right auxiliary member 60</b>R is arranged to overlap the first pulley (right pulley) 73 and rotates together with the first pulley (right pulley) 73 .

The center axis CA of rotation of the transport assisting member 60 coincides with the center of rotation of the start end pulleys (the first pulley 73 and the fourth pulley 76). In the case of this embodiment, the diameter (outer diameter) of the auxiliary conveying member 60 is set to be equal to or less than the diameter of the start end pulleys (the first pulley 73 and the fourth pulley 76). However, the diameter of the auxiliary conveying member 60 may be larger than the diameter (outer diameter) of the start end pulleys (the first pulley 73 and the fourth pulley 76). The diameter of the auxiliary transport member 60 is the distance DM (see FIG. 24) between the outer end of one contact portion 60a and the outer end of the other contact portion 60a facing each other across the central axis CA. .

As shown in FIG. 25, the auxiliary conveying member 60 is fixed to the upper surface of the upper disk PL1 of the start end pulleys (the first pulley 73 and the fourth pulley 76) by a pressing plate 61. As shown in FIG. The pressing plate 61 is a disk having a smaller diameter than the upper disk PL1. The auxiliary transport member 60 is sandwiched and fixed between the pressing plate 61 and the upper disc PL1.
As shown in FIG. 25, the thickness (height) t1 of the auxiliary conveying member 60 is smaller than the thickness (height) t2 of the start end pulleys (the first pulley 73 and the fourth pulley 76). Moreover, the thickness t1 is greater than the thickness (height) t3 of the upper disc PL1. However, the thickness t1 may be greater than or equal to the thickness t2, or may be less than or equal to the thickness t3.

As shown in FIGS. 20 and 24, the headed vegetables VG that have reached the terminal end of the second conveying portion 3B (upstream conveying portion) reach the first pinching belt 71 (on one side) of the third conveying portion 3C (downstream conveying portion). The outer leaf VG2 is sandwiched between the side belt 71L and the other side belt 71R) and transferred to the third conveying section 3C. At this time, since the auxiliary conveying member 60 is arranged to overlap the starting end pulleys (the first pulley 73 and the fourth pulley 76), the outer leaf VG2 is conveyed not only by the first nipping belt 71 but also by the auxiliary conveying member 60 (left side). It is also clamped by the auxiliary member 60L and the right auxiliary member 60R). Therefore, delivery of the headed vegetables VG from the second transport section 3B to the third transport section 3C can be reliably performed.

That is, the thickness (height) of the member holding the outer leaf VG2 is increased at the starting end side of the third conveying section 3C due to the existence of the conveying auxiliary member 60 (the left auxiliary member 60L and the right auxiliary member 60R). Specifically, on the starting end side of the third conveying portion 3C, the thickness of the member that pinches the outer leaf VG2 is the thickness of both the first pinching belt 71 and the auxiliary conveying member 60. As shown in FIG. By arranging the auxiliary conveying member 60 in this way, it is possible to increase the thickness of the members that sandwich the outer leaves VG2 only on the starting end side of the third conveying portion 3C. Therefore, it is possible to reliably transfer the headed vegetables VG from the second conveying section 3B to the third conveying section 3C without increasing the width (height) of the first pinching belt 71 .

Further, as shown in FIG. 20, the height of the upper end of the third conveying portion 3C is lower than the height of the upper end of the second conveying portion 3B. Therefore, by arranging the auxiliary conveying member 60 above the starting end pulleys (the first pulley 73 and the fourth pulley 76), the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG that are transferred from the second conveying section 3B to the third conveying section 3C can be securely clamped.
Further, since the auxiliary conveying member 60 has a plurality of contact portions 60a, the outer leaf VG2 can be hooked between the contact portions 60a adjacent in the circumferential direction. Delivery of the headed vegetables VG to the conveying section 3C can be reliably performed. For example, when the outer leaf VG2 is curved, the outer leaf VG2 is likely to be caught between the contact portions 60a adjacent in the circumferential direction. Further, the contact portion 60a of the left auxiliary member 60L and the contact portion 60a of the right auxiliary member 60R alternately contact the outer leaf VG2 as it rotates, so that the contact portion 60a of at least one of the auxiliary members It becomes possible to reliably hook on the outer leaf VG2. This makes it possible to more reliably transfer the headed vegetables VG from the second transport section 3B to the third transport section 3C.

As shown in FIGS. 20 to 22, the third conveying device 2C has a posture correcting member 65. As shown in FIGS. The posture correcting member 65 is a member for returning the headed vegetables to a standing posture (a posture in which the outer leaves face up and down) when the headed vegetables are tilted forward.
As shown in FIG. 22, the posture correction member 65 has an upper member 66 and a support portion 67. As shown in FIG. 20, only the upper member 66 is shown, with the supporting portion 67 omitted. The upper member 66 is arranged above the transfer assisting member 60 . The upper member 66 is arranged forward (upstream side) of the central axis CA of the auxiliary conveyance member 60 .

The support portion 67 supports the upper member 66 above the auxiliary transport member 60 . The support portion 67 has a left support portion 67L and a right support portion 67R. The left support portion 67L supports the left portion of the upper member 66. As shown in FIG. The right support portion 67R supports the right portion of the upper member 66. As shown in FIG. The left support portion 67L is erected on the upper surface of the left support plate 68L. The right support portion 67R is erected on the upper surface of the right support plate 68R. The left support plate 68L and the right support plate 68R are fixed to the second frame 6B. The left support plate 68L and the right support plate 68R are arranged with a gap GP3 in the device width direction. The width of the gap GP3 is set to a width that allows part or all of the transport assisting member 60 to be exposed in plan view.

The left support portion 67L and the right support portion 67R are provided with long holes 67a elongated in the front-rear direction. Further, the left support plate 68L and the right support plate 68R are provided with through holes 68a at positions overlapping with the elongated holes 67a. The left support portion 67L is fixed to the left support plate 68L and the right support portion 67R is fixed to the right support plate 68R by passing bolts through the long holes 67a and the through holes 68a and screwing nuts. Further, by shifting the overlapping position of the long hole 67a with respect to the through hole 68a, the support portion 67 can be shifted in the front-rear direction. Thereby, the position of the posture correcting member 65 in the front-rear direction can be adjusted.

As shown in FIG. 20, the height of the lower end of the upper member 66 is higher than the height of the upper end of the second conveying section 3B. As shown in FIGS. 20 and 22, below the upper member 66 and between the left support plate 68L and the right support plate 68R, there is formed a space SP1 through which headed vegetables can pass. This space SP1 is formed between the lower end of the upper member 66 and the upper end of the second transport section 3B. The height of the space SP1 is set to a height that allows the headed portion VG1 to pass through when the headed vegetable VG moves from the second conveying portion 3B to the third conveying portion 3C in an upright position. That is, the space SP1 through which the headed vegetables VG can pass is the space SP1 through which the headed vegetables VG in the upright position can pass when moving from the second conveying section 3B to the third conveying section 3C. Since the root VG3 can pass through the space SP1 by bending even if it hits the upper member 66 or the like, the upper end of the space SP1 should be higher than the upper end of the headed portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG in the upright position.

The height of the space SP1 is set to such a height that when the headed vegetables VG in the forward tilting posture are about to move from the second transporting section 3B to the third transporting section 3C, they cannot pass in the forward tilting posture. there is In head vegetables VG such as onions, the width (horizontal width) is often larger than the height of the head portion VG1. Therefore, the height of the headed portion VG1 when the headed vegetable VG is tilted forward is often larger (higher) than the height of the headed portion VG1 when the headed vegetable VG is in the standing posture. In the present invention, the height of the space SP1 can be set to a height through which the headed portion VG can pass when the headed vegetable VG is in the upright position, but not when it is in the forward leaning position.

FIG. 20 shows the movement and posture of the headed vegetables VG moving from the second conveying section 3B to the third conveying section 3C when the headed vegetables VG are in the upright position. When the headed vegetables VG are in the upright position when transferring from the second conveying section 3B to the third conveying section 3C, the headed vegetables VG do not contact the upper member 66, so that the headed vegetables VG maintain the upright position. It shifts to the 3rd conveyance part 3C.
FIG. 26 shows the movement and posture of the headed vegetables VG moving from the second conveying section 3B to the third conveying section 3C when the headed vegetables VG are in the forward tilting posture. When the headed vegetables VG are in the forward tilting posture when transferring from the second conveying section 3B to the third conveying section 3C, the upper part of the headed vegetables VG1 hits the upper member 66, so that the headed vegetables VG change from the forward tilting posture to the standing posture. (see arrow J1), and becomes a standing posture and moves to the third transport section 3C.

As described above, since the posture correcting member 65 is provided, even if the headed vegetables are tilted forward in the second conveying section 3B, the forward tilted posture is corrected by the posture correcting member 65 and the vegetables are put into a standing posture. Then, it is transferred to the third conveying section 3C. Therefore, it is possible to reliably transfer the headed vegetables VG from the second conveying section 3B to the third conveying section 3C.
In addition, the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables can be easily pinched by the auxiliary conveying member 60 because the headed vegetables are in the upright position when transferred from the second conveying section 3B to the third conveying section 3C. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably transfer the headed vegetables VG from the second transport section 3B to the third transport section 3C.

The second pinching belt 72 conveys the headed vegetables VG conveyed by the first pinching belt 71 further downstream. The second pinching belt 72 is composed of one belt. As shown in FIG. 27, the second pinching belt 72 is an endless belt in which one belt is twisted 720° (two turns) and both ends 72d, 72d of the twisted belt are joined to each other. . The second clamping belt 72 is stretched over a plurality of pulleys in a figure 8 shape in plan view.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 28, the plurality of pulleys includes a seventh pulley 79, an eighth pulley 80, a ninth pulley 81 and a tenth pulley . In addition to these pulleys, a pulley for applying tension may be included.
The seventh pulley 79 and the eighth pulley 80 are arranged on one side (right side) in the third orthogonal direction. The seventh pulley 79 is arranged below the second pulley 74 and attached to the same rotating shaft 79a as the second pulley. As a result, the second pulley 74 and the seventh pulley 79 rotate in the same direction about the rotation shaft 79a. The eighth pulley 80 is arranged in front of the seventh pulley 79 . The seventh pulley 79 and the eighth pulley 80 are arranged side by side in the transport direction A3 of the third transport section 3C.

The ninth pulley 81 and the tenth pulley 82 are arranged on the other side (left side) in the third orthogonal direction. The ninth pulley 81 is arranged below the fifth pulley 77 and attached to the same rotating shaft 81 a as the fifth pulley 77 . As a result, the fifth pulley 77 and the ninth pulley 81 rotate in the same direction around the rotation shaft 81a. The tenth pulley 82 is arranged in front of the ninth pulley 81 . The ninth pulley 81 and the tenth pulley 82 are arranged side by side in the transport direction A3 of the third transport section 3C.

The third conveying section 3C includes a moving device 85 that moves the second clamping belt 72 from the upstream side to the downstream side (from the rear to the front). The moving device 85 includes a plurality of pulleys (a seventh pulley 79, an eighth pulley 80, a ninth pulley 81, and a tenth pulley 82) around which the second clamping belt 72 is stretched, and a motor or the like for rotating these plurality of pulleys. and a rotating device (not shown).

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 28, the seventh pulley 79 and the ninth pulley 81, and the eighth pulley 80 and the tenth pulley 82 are close to each other. As a result, the second clamping belt 72 is sandwiched between the eighth pulley 80 and the tenth pulley 82 from the position sandwiched between the seventh pulley 79 and the ninth pulley 81 in the transport direction A3 of the third transport section 3C. They are in contact or close to each other in the section Z1 to the position. Hereinafter, the section Z1 will be referred to as a "contact section Z1". The second nipping belt 72 moves from the rear toward the front (in the direction away from the second conveying section 3B) in the contact section Z1.

The second nipping belt 72 is a belt with a convex cross section, a flat front surface, and a rear surface formed with protrusions. The second pinching belt 72 pinches the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetable VG on the flat surface side. Projections formed on the back surface of the second clamping belt 72 are fitted into grooves respectively formed in a plurality of pulleys (seventh pulley 79, eighth pulley 80, ninth pulley 81, and tenth pulley 82). .

As shown in FIGS. 19, 28, and 29, the second pinching belt 72 has a downward pinching portion 72a, an upward pinching portion 72b, and an inverted pinching portion 72c. The downward clamping portion 72a, the reversing clamping portion 72c, and the upward clamping 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. 19, the downward clamping portion 72a, the upward clamping portion 72b, and the reversing clamping portion 72c are provided in the contact section Z1. Specifically, the downward holding portion 72a is provided upstream of the contact section Z1. The upward holding portion 72b is provided at the downstream portion of the contact section Z1. The reversing clamping portion 72c is provided in the midstream portion of the contact section Z1. In the reversing nipping portion 72c, the second nipping belt 72 is twisted around an axis extending in the conveying direction A3, and the vertical direction of the second nipping belt 72 is reversed in the process from the upstream side to the downstream side.

The downward holding portion 72a holds the outer leaf VG2 downward. The upward holding portion 72b holds the outer leaf VG2 upward. As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the reversing clamping portion 72c reverses the headed vegetables VG from a position in which the outer leaves VG2 face downward to a position in which the outer leaves VG2 face upward on the downstream side of the downward grasping portion 72a and the upstream side of the upward grasping portion 72b. Let
As shown in FIG. 19, the third conveying section 3C has pressing rollers 88a and 88b that press the second nipping belt 72. As shown in FIG. The pressing rollers 88a and 88b are attached to the second frame 6B via attachment shafts 66a and 66b, respectively. The pressing rollers 88a and 88b are rotatable around axes in the third orthogonal direction. The outer peripheral surface of the pressing roller 88a is in contact with the second nipping belt 72 at the reversing nipping portion 72c. The pressing roller 88 presses the second nipping belt 72 from above at the reversing nipping portion 72c. The outer peripheral surface of the pressing roller 88b contacts the second nipping belt 72 near the downstream side of the reversing nipping portion 72c. The pressing roller 88b presses the second nipping belt 72 from below near the downstream side of the reversing nipping portion 72c. The pressing rollers 88a and 88b rotate (rotate) as the second pinching belt 72 moves. As a result, the twisted state (orientation) of the second pinching belt 72 at the reversing pinching portion 72c is appropriately maintained by the pressure from the pressing rollers 88a and 88b.

As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the headed vegetables VG conveyed by the first clamping belt 71 move to the contact zone Z1 of the second clamping belt 72 with the outer leaves VG2 facing downward, In the section Z1, the outer leaf VG2 is conveyed in a sandwiched state. Outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG that have moved to the contact section Z1 of the second clamping belt 72 are first clamped by the downward clamping portion 72a on the upstream side of the contact section Z1. The headed vegetables VG are conveyed in the downward gripping portion 72a with the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG facing downward. Subsequently, the headed vegetables VG move from the downward pinching portion 72a to the reverse pinching portion 72c as the second pinching belt 72 moves (rotates). The headed vegetables VG are reversed from a posture in which the outer leaves VG2 face downward to a posture in which the outer leaves VG2 face upward in the reversing clamping portion 72c. Subsequently, the headed vegetables VG are transferred from the reversing clamping portion 72c to the upward clamping portion 72b as the second clamping belt 72 moves (rotates). The headed vegetables VG are conveyed in the upward clamping portion 72b with the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG facing upward. In this way, the headed vegetable VG moves while being clamped by the second clamping belt 72, and along with the movement, the outer leaf VG2 is reversed from the downward posture to the upward posture.

As shown in FIGS. 19, 28, and 29, the third conveying section 3C has a support plate 89. As shown in FIGS. The support plate 89 supports from below the headed portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG that is turned over as the second pinching belt 72 moves. The support plate 89 is arranged below the second clamping belt 72 . As shown in FIG. 19, the support plate 89 moves the outer leaf VG2 at the nip position ( It is arranged at a position deviated from the portion where the outer leaves VG2 are held. The direction of deviation of the support plate 89 is set in the direction in which the headed vegetables VG are twisted in the reversing clamping portion 72c. In this embodiment, the head vegetable VG is twisted to the right in the reversing clamping portion 72c, so the support plate 89 is arranged at a position shifted to the right of the clamping position of the outer leaf VG2. When the headed vegetable VG is twisted leftward in the reversing clamping portion 72c, the support plate 89 is arranged at a position shifted leftward from the clamping position of the outer leaf VG2. Further, the support plate 89 may have a wide width extending from the left to the right across the sandwiching position of the outer leaf VG2. The length in the width direction) may be the width extending leftward beyond the holding position of the outer leaf VG2.

As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the support plate 89 has an upright portion 891 and an inclined portion 892 . The standing portion 891 and the inclined portion 892 are formed by bending one plate. The support plate 89 is fixed by bolts or the like to a substrate 90 provided below the second holding belt 72 . The standing portion 891 is arranged below the second pulley 74 and the seventh pulley 79 . The inclined portion 892 is arranged between the seventh pulley 79 and the eighth pulley 80 in the front-rear direction. The inclined portion 892 transitions downward from the rear (upstream side) toward the front (downstream side).

As shown in FIG. 19, the support plate 89 is provided in a region overlapping the downward clamping portion 72a and the reversing clamping portion 72c in the moving direction of the second clamping belt 72 (transportation direction A3 of the third transport portion 3C). It is The support plate 89 is provided in a region overlapping at least a portion of the downward nipping portion 72a and a portion of the reversing nipping portion 72c in the direction of movement of the second nipping belt 72 (transportation direction A3 of the third transport portion 3C). It is sufficient if it is provided, but it may be provided in a region that overlaps all of the downward holding portion 72a and all of the reversing holding portion 72c.

As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the support plate 89 supports from below the headed portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG that is turned over as the second pinching belt 72 moves. The headed vegetables VG assume a sideways or oblique orientation in which the headed portion VG1 protrudes behind the second pinching belt 72 in the process in which the outer leaves VG2 are turned from the downward orientation to the upward orientation in the reversing pinching portion 72c. The support plate 89 abuts from below on the headed portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG in the sideways or oblique orientation, and can receive the weight of the headed portion VG1. Therefore, when the headed vegetable VG takes a sideways or oblique posture, the weight of the headed portion VG1 prevents the outer leaves VG2 from being bent or broken.

As shown in FIGS. 19, 28, and 29, the third conveying section 3C is provided with an anti-swaying member 130. As shown in FIGS. The anti-swaying member 130 prevents the headed portion VG1 from swaying when the headed vegetable VG is turned over. The anti-swaying member 130 is arranged below the second clamping belt 72 . As shown in FIG. 19, the anti-swaying member 130 is arranged at a position overlapping the second clamping belt 72 in plan view. Specifically, the anti-swaying member 130 is arranged at a position overlapping the portion of the second pinching belt 72 that pinches the outer leaf VG2 in plan view. Further, the anti-sway member 130 is arranged downstream of the support plate 89 in the transport direction A3. In the case of this embodiment, the anti-sway member 130 and the support plate 89 are shifted in position in the front-rear direction, but they may partially overlap in position in the front-rear direction.

As shown in FIG. 19, the anti-swaying member 130 is displaced from the support plate 89 in the device width direction. The direction of displacement is set to be opposite to the direction in which the headed vegetables VG are twisted in the reversing clamping portion 72c. In the case of this embodiment, the headed vegetable VG is twisted rightward at the reversing clamping portion 72 c , so the anti-swaying member 130 is arranged at a position shifted leftward with respect to the support plate 89 . When the headed vegetable VG is twisted leftward in the reversing clamping portion 72c, the anti-swaying member 130 is arranged at a position shifted rightward with respect to the support plate 89. As shown in FIG.

Anti-vibration member 130 is composed of an elastic sheet. The elastic body is, for example, rubber, soft resin, or the like. However, the anti-vibration member 130 may be made of sponge or the like. In the case of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 28 and the like, the anti-swaying member 130 is configured by bending an elastic sheet. Specifically, the anti-vibration member 130 is configured by curving a rectangular elastic sheet so that two opposing sides thereof are aligned. The anti-sway member 130 has a fixed portion 130a and a curved portion 130b. The fixed portion 130a is fixed to the upper surface of the substrate 90 with a fixing tool such as a bolt. The fixing portion 130a is a portion of the two opposite sides of the elastic sheet, and is arranged along the upper surface of the substrate 90 so as to extend in the transport direction A3. The curved portion 130b extends rightward (toward the support plate 89) from the fixed portion 130a. The curved portion 130b is curved in a substantially arc shape (substantially C shape).

As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the anti-sway member 130 is inclined downward from the front toward the rear (toward the downstream side in the conveying direction A3). Accordingly, the fixed portion 130a and the curved portion 130b are also inclined downward from the front to the rear (toward the downstream side in the transport direction A3).
As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the curved portion 130b of the anti-swaying member 130 hits the headed portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG in the process of being turned over. The curved portion 130b can suppress the movement (swaying) of the head portion VG1 by deforming when the head portion VG1 hits it. When the head vegetable VG is turned over, the head part VG1 swings in the twisting direction and the opposite direction. Therefore, in the absence of the anti-swaying member 130, there is a risk that the head portion VG1 will sway to the left and right to cause a problem such as the breakage of the outer leaf VG2. By providing the anti-swaying member 130, the head portion VG1, which swings when it is reversed, can be received by the curved portion 130b. You can prevent it from happening.

As described above, the headed vegetables VG are reversed from the position in which the outer leaves VG2 face downward to the position in which the outer leaves VG2 face upward during the process of being conveyed by the third conveying section 3C. Then, the headed vegetables VG with the outer leaves VG2 facing upward are released from the pinching of the outer leaves VG2 at the downstream end in the conveying direction A3 (the downstream end of the upward pinching portion 72b), and are fed to the fourth conveying device 2D. Move to the transport section 3D.
As shown in FIGS. 29, 31, etc., the fourth transport section 3D is arranged below the third transport section 3C. Hereinafter, the third transport section 3C may be referred to as the "upper transport section 3C" and the fourth transport section 3D may be referred to as the "lower transport section 3D".

The fourth conveying section (lower conveying section) 3D pinches and conveys the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG. More specifically, the fourth conveying section (lower conveying section) 3D pinches the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG that has been released from the pinching by the third conveying section (upper conveying section) 3C, and further downstream (forward). transport to.
As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the fourth transport section 3D has an overlapping portion 91 that overlaps the third transport section 3C and an overlapping portion 91 that overlaps the third transport section 3C in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport section 3D. and a non-overlapping portion 92 that does not wrap. The non-overlapping portion 92 is arranged downstream (forward) in the transport direction A4 from the overlapping portion 91 . The conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying section 3D is the same as the conveying direction A3 of the third conveying section 3C, from the rear to the front.

As shown in FIG. 30, the fourth transport unit 3D includes an endless belt 93 (hereinafter referred to as "lower belt 93") and a plurality of pulleys 100 (hereinafter referred to as "lower pulley 100") around which the lower belt 93 is stretched. ) and
As shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, the lower belt 93 includes a lower belt 93L and a lower belt 93R. Both the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R are elastic belts such as rubber belts. The lower belt 93L is arranged on one side (left side) of the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying section 3D (hereinafter referred to as "fourth orthogonal direction"). The lower belt 93R is arranged on the other side (right side) in the fourth orthogonal direction.

The lower belt 93 rotates in the horizontal plane as the lower pulley 100 rotates. The other side (right side) of the lower belt 93L and the one side (left 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 device inner side. The lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R move forward from the rear on the side (inner side) where they contact each other.

The plurality of lower pulleys 100 includes 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, a 8 lower pulley 108 and a ninth lower pulley 109 are included.
The first lower pulley 101 to the ninth lower pulley 109 are arranged on one side (left side) and the other side (right side) in the fourth orthogonal direction, respectively. In the drawings and the following description, the lower pulley arranged on one side (left side) in the fourth orthogonal direction is referred to as "first lower pulley 101L" and the like, and the lower pulley arranged on the other side (right side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. A pulley is referred to as "first lower pulley 101R" or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, a first plate 94L is attached to the upper left portion of the fourth transport device 2D, and a second plate 94R is attached to the upper right portion of the fourth transport device 2D. The central shafts of the first lower pulley 101L to the ninth lower pulley 109L are rotatably supported by the first plate 94L. The central shafts of the first lower pulley 101R to the ninth lower pulley 109R 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 G2 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 leaves VG2 of the head vegetable VG can pass.

The lower belt 93L is wound around the first lower pulley 101L to the ninth lower pulley 109L. The eighth lower pulley 108L and the ninth lower pulley 109L are for adjusting the tension of the lower belt 93L and are movable in the fourth orthogonal direction. The lower belt 93R is wound around the first lower pulley 101R to the ninth lower pulley 109R. The seventh lower pulley 107R to the ninth lower pulley 109R are for adjusting the tension of the lower belt 93R and are movable in the fourth orthogonal direction.

The lower pulleys (sixth lower pulley 106R, seventh lower pulley 107L) located on the most downstream side in the conveying direction A4 receive rotation transmitted from the first motor 95 shown in FIGS. It rotates by driving force. As the sixth lower pulley 106R rotates, the first lower pulley 101R to fifth lower pulley 105R, seventh lower pulley 107R, eighth lower pulley 108R, and lower belt 93R rotate. As the seventh lower pulley 107L rotates, the first lower pulley 101L to the sixth lower pulley 106L, the eighth lower pulley 108L, the ninth lower pulley 109L, and the lower belt 93L rotate.

As shown in FIG. 30, the lower belt 93L contacts the outer leaf VG2 from one side (left side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. The lower belt 93R contacts the outer leaf VG2 from the other side (right side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. As a result, the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG are sandwiched between the lower belts 93L and 93R. Hereinafter, the lower belt 93L may be referred to as "first holding member 93L" and the lower belt 93R may be referred to as "second holding member 93R".

Of the plurality of pulleys around which the lower belt 93L is wound, the second lower pulley 102L to the seventh lower pulley 107L direct the lower belt (first clamping body) 93L toward the outer leaf VG2 side (lower belt 93R side). is a pressing member (hereinafter referred to as "first pressing member 116L") that presses by pressing. 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 second lower pulley 102R to the seventh lower pulley 107R direct the lower belt (second clamping body) 93R toward the outer leaf VG2 side (lower belt 93L side). is a pressing member (hereinafter referred to as a "second pressing member 116R") that presses by pressing. The second pressing member 116R rotates (rotates) together with the lower belt 93R.

As shown in FIG. 30, the first pressing members 116L and the second pressing members 116R are alternately arranged along the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport device 2D. Specifically, a seventh lower pulley 107R, a second lower pulley 102L, a second lower pulley 102R, a third lower pulley 103L, a third lower pulley 103R, a fourth Lower pulley 104L, fourth lower pulley 104R, fifth lower pulley 105L, fifth lower pulley 105R, sixth lower pulley 106L, sixth lower pulley 106R, and seventh lower pulley 107L 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 clamping body) 93L and the lower belt (second clamping body) 93R bends in a wavy shape and elastically deforms. Therefore, the outer leaf VG2 can be reliably sandwiched between the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R.
As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, among the plurality of lower pulleys 100, the first lower pulleys 101L and 101R located on the most upstream side in the transport direction A4 are arranged in the overlapping portion 91. As shown in FIGS. In other words, the plurality of lower pulleys 100 includes first lower pulleys 101L and 101R arranged in the overlapping portion 91. As shown in FIG.

As described above, the second pinching belt 72 provided in the third conveying section 3C is stretched over a plurality of pulleys (seventh pulley 79, eighth pulley 80, ninth pulley 81, and tenth pulley 82). there is Hereinafter, the second clamping belt 72 may be referred to as the "upper belt 72", and the plurality of pulleys around which the second clamping belt (upper belt) 72 is stretched may be referred to as the "upper pulley". Further, among the plurality of upper pulleys, the upper pulleys (eighth pulley 80, tenth pulley 82) arranged on the most downstream side are referred to as "first upper pulleys 80, 82".

As shown in FIGS. 29 and 31, the first upper pulley 82 is arranged above the first lower pulley 101L. The first upper pulley 80 is arranged above the first lower pulley 101R. The first upper pulley 82 is supported by the same rotating shaft 82a as the first lower pulley 101L. The first upper pulley 80 is supported by the same rotating shaft 80a as the first lower pulley 101R. The rotating shaft 80a and the rotating shaft 82a are arranged parallel to each other and extend in the vertical direction.

A first upper pulley 80 is attached to the upper portion of the rotating shaft 80a, and a first lower pulley 101R is attached to the lower portion of the rotating shaft 80a. A first upper pulley 82 is attached to the upper portion of the rotating shaft 82a, and a first lower pulley 101L is attached to the lower portion of the rotating shaft 82a. As a result, the first upper pulley (eighth pulley) 80 and the first lower pulley 101R rotate integrally at the same angular velocity as the rotating shaft 80a rotates. Further, the first upper pulley (tenth pulley) 82 and the first lower pulley 101L integrally rotate at the same speed (angular speed) as the rotation shaft 82a rotates.

As shown in FIGS. 31 to 34, the conveying device 2 includes a supporting device 117 that supports the bottom of the headed portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG conveyed by the fourth conveying portion (lower conveying portion) 3D. The support device 117 is arranged below the fourth transport section 3D. As shown in FIG. 29, the support device 117 is arranged below the overlapping portion 91 in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport portion 3D. More specifically, the support device 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. 32 and 34, the support device 117 has a first support belt 119L and a second support belt 119R. The first support belt 119L is endless and has a first support surface 120L movable in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport section 3D. The second support belt 119R is endless and has a second support surface 120R movable in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport section 3D. The first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R are arranged parallel to each other with a space therebetween. Between the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R, an insertion portion 118 into which the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG can be inserted is formed.

As shown in FIGS. 29, 33, and 35, the headed vegetables VG conveyed by the third conveying section (upper conveying section) 3C are transported to the downstream end (first upper pulley) of the third conveying section 3C in the conveying direction A3. 80, 82), the gripping of the outer leaf VG2 by the second gripping belt 72 is released. Therefore, the headed vegetables VG descend by their own weight, but are supported by the overlapping portion 91 (see FIGS. 29, 30, and 33) of the fourth conveying portion 3D overlapping the third conveying portion 3C. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, the headed vegetables VG have the outer leaves VG2 sandwiched between the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R, and the headed portion VG1 of the fourth conveying portion 3D. It is supported by a support device 117 arranged below.

The head portion VG1 supported by the support device 117 is supported from below by the first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R, and is formed between the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R. Root VG3 is inserted in portion 118 . Therefore, the posture (upward posture) of the headed vegetable VG is stabilized.
The head portion VG1 supported by the support device 117 has a stable posture (upward posture), so that regardless of the size of the head portion VG1, the base end portion (base) of the root VG3 of the head portion VG1 has a height of becomes approximately constant. Outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG are sandwiched between the lower belts 93L and 93R, and headed portions VG1 are supported by the first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R. As the belt 93R moves (rotates), it is conveyed downstream (forward) in the conveying direction A4.

As shown in FIGS. 31 and 33, the first cutting device 4 is arranged downstream (front) of the support device 117 in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport section 3D. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 38, etc., the second cutting device 5 is arranged downstream (front) of the first cutting device 4. As shown in FIGS. The first cutting device 4 and the second cutting device 5 are arranged side by side in the transport direction A4. The 1st cutting device 4 and the 2nd cutting device 5 are arrange|positioned under the 4th conveyance part 3D.

As shown in FIGS. 31 and 38 to 41, the first cutting device (root cutting device) 4 is arranged below the lower belts 93L and 93R. The first cutting device 4 cuts the roots VG3 of the headed vegetables VG suspended with the outer leaves VG2 sandwiched by the lower belts 93L and 93R.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the preparation device 1 includes first transfer units 2C and 2D that hold outer leaves VG2 of head vegetables VG and transfer them toward a first cutting device (root cutting device) 4; and a second transfer section 300 for transferring the headed vegetables dropped from the first transfer sections 2C and 2D before reaching the first cutting device 4 in a direction different from the direction toward the first cutting device 4. .

The first transport section includes at least one of the fourth transport device 2D and the third transport device 2C. That is, the first transfer section may be both the fourth transport device 2D and the third transport device 2C, or may be either one of them.
As described above, the first transfer section (fourth transfer device) 2D has the lower belt 93, which is a pinching belt that pinches and moves the outer leaf VG2. Further, the first transfer section (third conveying device) 2C has a clamping belt 70 that clamps and moves the outer leaf VG2. The head vegetables VG transferred in the first transfer parts 2C and 2D drop due to tearing of the outer leaves VG2 during transfer, or fall out of the pinching of the lower belt (holding belt) 93 or the holding belt 70. may occur. The second transfer section 300 transfers the dropped headed vegetables in a direction different from the direction toward the first cutting device 4 .

As shown in FIGS. 31, 37, etc., the second transfer section 300 has a first transfer conveyor 301 and a second transfer conveyor 302. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the first transfer conveyor 301 and the second transfer conveyor 302 are belt conveyors. However, the first transfer conveyor 301 and the second transfer conveyor 302 may be roller conveyors or the like.
As shown in FIGS. 31 to 34, the first transfer conveyor 301 is arranged below the lower belt 93 and the nipping belt . The first transfer conveyor 301 carries the headed vegetables dropped from the lower belt 93 and/or the nipping belt 70 and transfers them in a direction different from the direction toward the first cutting device 4 (conveyance direction A4). "A direction different from the direction toward the first cutting device 4" is a different direction in plan view. In the case of this embodiment, "a direction different from the direction toward the first cutting device 4" is "a direction perpendicular to the direction toward the first cutting device 4", but "a direction toward the first cutting device 4 and an acute angle or "a direction forming an obtuse angle with the direction toward the first cutting device 4".

As shown in FIGS. 34 and 36, the first transfer conveyor 301 includes a starting end pulley 301a, a terminal end pulley 301b, and an endless belt 301c stretched between the starting end pulley 301a and the terminal end pulley 301b. ,have. The first transfer conveyor 301 has a motor 301d that rotates the start end side pulley 301a. The surface of the belt 301c constitutes the transfer surface of the first transfer conveyor 301 that transfers the headed vegetables in a direction different from the direction toward the first cutting device 4. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 29 and 31, the transfer surface of the first transfer conveyor 301 is partitioned by a partition wall 303 into a first transfer surface 301F and a second transfer surface 301S. The first transfer surface 301F and the second transfer surface 301S are arranged side by side in the width direction of the belt 301c with the partition wall 303 interposed therebetween. A first transfer surface 301F is positioned in front of the partition wall 303, and a second transfer surface 301S is positioned behind the partition wall 303. As shown in FIG. In other words, the first transfer surface 301F is arranged on the downstream side in the transfer direction of the first transfer section (fourth transfer device) 2D, and the second transfer surface 301S is arranged on the upstream side in the transfer direction of the first transfer section. there is

The partition wall 303 is composed of a support that supports the support device 117 from below. As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the support constituting the partition wall 303 has a left strut 303L, a right strut 303R, and a central member 303M. The left support 303L and the right support 303R have their lower ends fixed to the second frame 6B. The left column 303L is arranged on the left side (end side) of the first transfer conveyor 301 . The right column 303R is arranged on the right side (starting end side) of the first transfer conveyor 301. As shown in FIG. The central member 303M extends in the device width direction and connects the left support 303L and the right support 303R. A gap GP4 is formed between the lower end of the central member 303M and the transfer surface (upper surface) of the first transfer conveyor 301. As shown in FIG. A support device 117 is fixed to the upper portion of the central member 303M.

As shown in FIGS. 29, 31, and 33, an upstream slope 304 is provided behind the first transfer conveyor 301 (upstream in the transfer direction A4 of the first transfer section 2D). A downstream slope 305 is provided in front of the first transfer conveyor 301 (downstream in the transfer direction of the first transfer section 2D). The upstream slope 304 is inclined downward toward the front (first transfer conveyor 301 side). The downstream slope 305 is inclined downward toward the rear (first transfer conveyor 301 side).

The upstream slope 304 moves (rolls or slides) the headed vegetables VG that have fallen on the upstream side of the partition wall 303 (the upstream side in the transfer direction of the first transfer section 2D) toward the first transfer surface 301F. (See arrow M1 in FIGS. 29 and 33). The downstream slope 305 moves (rolls or slides) the headed vegetables VG that have fallen on the downstream side of the partition wall 303 (the downstream side in the transfer direction of the first transfer section 2D) toward the second transfer surface 301S. (See arrow M2 in FIGS. 29 and 33).

As a result, not only the headed vegetables that have fallen on the first transfer conveyor 301 but also the headed vegetables that have fallen on the upstream side or downstream side of the partition wall 303 are guided onto the first transfer conveyor 301, and the first transfer conveyor 301 can be transported.
The second transfer conveyor 302 transfers the headed vegetables transferred by the first transfer conveyor 301 in a direction parallel to the direction toward the first cutting device 4 . In this embodiment, the transfer direction of the second transfer conveyor 302 is perpendicular to the transfer direction of the first transfer conveyor 301 . As shown in FIG. 36, the second transfer conveyor 302 is positioned lower than the first transfer conveyor 301 .

As shown in FIGS. 31 to 34, 36, and 37, the second transfer section 300 has a connecting member 306 that connects the terminal end of the first transfer conveyor 301 and the starting end of the second transfer conveyor 302. ing. The connecting member 306 has an inclined surface 306 a that slopes downward from the terminal end of the first transfer conveyor 301 to the starting end of the second transfer conveyor 302 . As shown in FIG. 36, the upper end of the inclined surface 306a is arranged below the center of the terminal side pulley 301b. Thereby, the inclined surface 306a can be arranged closer to the first transfer conveyor 301 in the horizontal direction. As a result, the gap GP5 between the terminal end of the first transfer conveyor 301 and the inclined surface 306a can be made small, and the roots of headed vegetables and the like moving from the terminal end of the first transfer conveyor 301 to the inclined surface 306a can pass through the gap GP5. You can prevent being pulled.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 37, etc., the preparation device 1 includes a discharge passage 310 through which headed vegetables whose roots have been cut by the first cutting device 4 are discharged. The terminal position of the second transfer conveyor 302 is located near the terminal position of the discharge passage 310 . In other words, the end position of the second transfer conveyor 302 and the end position of the discharge passage 310 are arranged close to each other in the device width direction. The distance in the device width direction between the second transfer conveyor 302 and the discharge passage 310 is smaller than the width of the discharge passage 310 and smaller than the width of the second transfer conveyor 302 . The height of the terminal position of the second transfer conveyor 302 is set to be substantially the same as the height of the terminal position of the discharge passage 310 .

The headed vegetables transferred by the second transfer conveyor 302 are the headed vegetables that have fallen from the first transfer part 2D before reaching the first cutting device 4, and the outer leaves are torn off on the way and shortened. There are many things. Such headed vegetables can be sold as a product if there is no problem with the headed portion. Therefore, by transferring such headed vegetables by the second transfer conveyor 302 , they can be collected at the end of the second transfer conveyor 302 . The collected head vegetables may be subjected to a treatment (re-preparation) such as cutting the roots and remaining outer leaves manually (scissors or the like), or may be supplied to the first conveying device 2A again and conveyed. good.

The headed vegetables dropped onto the first transfer surface 301F and transferred and the headed vegetables dropped onto the second transfer surface 301S are configured to be transferred in different directions. good too. In this case, the second transfer conveyor 302 is composed of one conveyor that receives and transfers the headed vegetables from the first transfer surface 301F and another conveyor that receives and transfers the headed vegetables from the second transfer surface 301S. can be done. Most of the head vegetables that have fallen on the first transfer surface 301F have short outer leaves and are in poor condition, whereas the head vegetables that have fallen on the second transfer surface 301S have long outer leaves and are in good condition. many. In other words, many of the head vegetables that fell on the first transfer surface 301F fell with the outer leaves torn, whereas the head vegetables that fell on the second transfer surface 301S did not tear off the outer leaves and slid. Many have fallen. Therefore, many of the headed vegetables that have fallen onto the second transfer surface 301S are in a state in which they can be conveyed with their outer leaves pinched. Therefore, the headed vegetables that have fallen on the second transfer surface 301S are transferred to the first transfer device 2A by the other conveyors described above, and are again transferred from the first transfer device 2A to the second transfer device 2B, the third transfer device 2C, It can be configured to sequentially transport to the fourth transport device 2D.

As shown in FIGS. 42 to 44, the first cutting device 4 has a root aligning section 140, a root pulling section 170, and a root cutting section 180. As shown in FIGS. The root aligning section 140, the root pulling section 170, and the root cutting section 180 are arranged below the fourth conveying section 3D.
First, the root aligning portion 140 will be described.
The root aligning section 140 is arranged downstream of the support device 117 and upstream of the root pulling section 170 in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport section 3D. The root aligning unit 140 aligns the roots VG3 of the headed vegetables VG transported by the fourth transport unit 3D.

As shown in FIGS. 42 to 45, the aligning portion 140 includes a first rotating body 141R, a second rotating body 141L, a first elastic plate 142R, a second elastic plate 142L, and a rotation drive mechanism 143 (hereinafter referred to as , referred to as “first rotation drive mechanism 143”).
The first rotating body 141R is arranged on one side (right side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. The second rotating body 141L is arranged on the other side (left side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. The first rotating body 141R and the second rotating body 141L are cylindrical with the same diameter and length. The first rotating body 141R and the second rotating body 141L are arranged parallel to each other with a gap therebetween, and extend in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport section 3D.

The first elastic plate 142R and the second elastic plate 142L are made of an elastic material such as rubber or sponge, and are made of flexible plates (elastic plates). In the case of this embodiment, the number of the first elastic plates 142R and the number of the second elastic plates 142L are two, but may be one or three or more.
As shown in FIG. 45 and the like, the first elastic plate 142R includes a first elastic plate 142R1 and a first elastic plate 142R2. The first elastic plate 142R1 and the first elastic plate 142R2 have the same size and shape. The first elastic plate 142R1 and the first elastic plate 142R2 are arranged so as to be point-symmetrical with respect to the axis of the first rotor 141R. The first elastic plate 142R1 extends in one direction (upward in FIG. 45) away from the outer peripheral surface of the first rotor 141R. The first elastic plate 142R2 extends in the other direction (downward in FIG. 45) opposite to the one direction away from the outer peripheral surface of the first rotor 141R. That is, the first elastic plate 142R1 and the first elastic plate 142R2 extend in opposite directions. The first elastic plate 142R1 and the first elastic plate 142R2 are arranged at positions shifted in the fourth orthogonal direction B4.

The second elastic plate 142L includes a second elastic plate 142L1 and a second elastic plate 142L2. The second elastic plate 142L1 and the second elastic plate 142L2 have the same size and shape. The second elastic plate 142L1 and the second elastic plate 142L2 are arranged so as to be point-symmetrical with respect to the axis of the second rotor 141L. The second elastic plate 142L1 extends in one direction (upward in FIG. 45) away from the outer peripheral surface of the second rotor 141L. The second elastic plate 142L2 extends in the other direction (downward in FIG. 45) opposite to the one direction away from the outer peripheral surface of the second rotor 141L. That is, the second elastic plate 142L1 and the second elastic plate 142L2 extend in opposite directions. The second elastic plate 142L1 and the second elastic plate 142L2 are arranged at positions shifted in the fourth orthogonal direction B4.

As shown in FIG. 45, the first elastic plate 142R and the second elastic plate 142L are arranged symmetrically across the center line CL2 in the fourth orthogonal direction B4 between the first rotating body 141R and the second rotating body 141L. are placed. The distance (distance in the fourth orthogonal direction B4) between the first elastic plate 142R and the second elastic plate 142L is smaller than the distance D2 when extending downward.

As shown in FIG. 45, the protrusion amount L5 of the first elastic plate 142R from the outer peripheral surface of the first rotating body 141R and the protrusion amount L6 of the second elastic plate 142L from the outer peripheral surface of the second rotating body 141L are equal. . The protrusion amount L5 is larger than the outer diameter of the first rotating body 141R. The protrusion amount L6 is larger than the outer diameter of the second rotating body 141L.
As shown in FIGS. 42, 43, 45, etc., the first elastic plate 142R has a rectangular shape, and one side thereof is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the first rotor 141R. The second elastic plate 142L has a rectangular shape and one side is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the second rotating body 141L.

As shown in FIGS. 42 to 44, the other side of the first elastic plate 142R facing the one side is provided with a plurality of slits 142La that are cut toward the one side. The plurality of slits 142La are provided side by side in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport section 3D at intervals. A plurality of slits 142Ra cut toward the one side are provided on the other side facing the one side of the second elastic plate 142L. The plurality of slits 142Ra are provided side by side in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport section 3D at intervals.

The slit 142La is cut from one surface of the first elastic plate 142R toward the other surface, but does not reach the other surface. The slit 142Ra is cut from one surface of the second elastic plate 142L toward the other surface, but does not reach the other surface. The slits 142La and 142Ra face each other when the first elastic plate 142R and the second elastic plate 142L extend downward, and face each other when the first elastic plate 142R and the second elastic plate 142L extend upward. turn to the other side.

The slits 142La and 142Ra allow the first elastic plate 142R and the second elastic plate 142L to be curved along the outer surface of the ball portion VG1.
As shown in FIG. 46, the first elastic plate 142R rotates around the axis of the first rotating body 141R as the first rotating body 141R rotates. The second elastic plate 142L rotates around the axis of the second rotating body 141L as the second rotating body 141L rotates.

As shown in FIG. 46, when the first rotating body 141R and the second rotating body 141L rotate inward about the central axis, the first elastic plate 142R and the second elastic plate 142L also rotate inward about the central axis. rotate to The first elastic plate 142R and the second elastic plate 142L mutually rotate inward to contact the surface of the headed vegetable VG while curving.
Specifically, the first elastic plate 142R and the second elastic plate 142L rotate inward to contact the headed portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG from opposite sides. Subsequently, the first elastic plate 142R and the second elastic plate 142L move downward along the curved surface of the head portion VG1 while bending and bending, and press the root VG3 from opposite sides. As a result, the spread of the roots VG3 of the head vegetables VG can be suppressed and evened out. At this time, the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG are firmly sandwiched between the wavy curved lower belts 93L and 93R. Therefore, it is possible to align the roots VG3 while preventing the head vegetables VG from falling.

As shown in FIGS. 42, 47, etc., the first rotation drive mechanism 143 has a second motor (driving source) 145 and a first transmission mechanism 146 .
The rotational driving force of the second motor 145 is transmitted to the first rotating body 141R and the second rotating body 141L via the first transmission mechanism 146 . As a result, the first rotating body 141R and the second rotating body 141L rotate inward relative to each other around the central axis (see FIG. 46).

The first transmission mechanism 146 has a first transmission portion 147 and a second transmission portion 148 . The first transmission portion 147 transmits the rotational power of the second motor 145 to the second transmission portion 148 . The second transmission portion 148 transmits the rotational power transmitted to the first transmission portion 147 to the first rotating body 141R and the second rotating body 141L.
As shown in FIGS. 42 and 47, the first transmission portion 147 includes a driving sprocket 149, a first driven sprocket 150 and a chain 151. As shown in FIGS. 42 to 44, the second transmission part 148 includes a first driven shaft 152, a fifth bevel gear 153, a sixth bevel gear 154, a seventh bevel gear 155 and an eighth bevel gear 156. As shown in FIGS.

A drive sprocket 149 is attached to the output shaft of the second motor 145 . The first driven sprocket 150 , the fifth bevel gear 153 and the sixth bevel gear 154 are attached to the first driven shaft 152 . The seventh bevel gear 155 is attached to one end side (upstream side in the transport direction A4) of the first rotor 141R. The eighth bevel gear 156 is attached to one end side (upstream side in the transport direction A4) of the second rotor 141L. The fifth bevel gear 153 meshes with the seventh bevel gear 155 . The sixth bevel gear 154 meshes with the eighth bevel gear 156 .

When the output shaft of the second motor 145 rotates, the rotational driving force is transmitted from the drive sprocket 149 to the first driven sprocket 150 via the chain 151, and the first driven shaft 152 rotates around its axis. When the first driven shaft 152 rotates, the fifth bevel gear 153 and the sixth bevel gear 154 rotate. When the fifth bevel gear 153 and the sixth bevel gear 154 rotate, the seventh bevel gear 155 and the eighth bevel gear 156 rotate, the first rotating body 141R and the second rotating body 141L rotate, and the first elastic plate 142R and the second elastic plate 142R rotate. Plate 142L rotates.

Next, the root pulling part 170 will be described.
The root pulling-in unit 170 pulls downward the roots VG3 of the headed vegetables VG conveyed by the fourth conveying unit 3D.
As shown in FIGS. 41 to 44, the root pulling section 170 includes a first pulling roller 171R, a second pulling roller 171L, and a rotation drive mechanism 172 (hereinafter referred to as "second rotation drive mechanism 172"). have. The first drawing roller 171R is arranged on one side (right side) in the fourth orthogonal direction B4. The second drawing roller 171L is arranged on the other side (left side) in the fourth orthogonal direction B4. The first pull-in roller 171R and the second pull-in roller 171L are cylindrical with the same diameter and length.

As shown in FIG. 44, the first drawing roller 171R is arranged downstream of the first rotating body 141R in the transport direction A4, and rotates together with the first rotating body 141R. The second pull-in roller 171L is arranged downstream of the second rotor 141L in the transport direction A4, and rotates together with the second rotor 141L. The first pull-in roller 171R rotates around an axis extending in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport section 3D. The second pull-in roller 171L rotates around an axis extending in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport section 3D. The outer peripheral surface of the first pull-in roller 171R and the outer peripheral surface of the second pull-in roller 171L are in contact or close to each other.

The 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 second motor 145 is transmitted to the first rotating body 141R and the second rotating body 141L via the first transmission mechanism 146 . As a result, the first rotating body 141R and the second rotating body 141L rotate inward (opposing sides face downward) about the central axis. Accordingly, the first pull-in roller 171R and the second pull-in roller 171L rotate inward (opposing sides face down) around the central axis.

As shown in FIG. 48, the first pull-in roller 171R and the second pull-in roller 171L mutually rotate inwardly around the center axis, so that the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG is pulled by the first pull-in roller 171R and the second pull-in roller 171R. 171L. At this time, as shown in FIG. 30, the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetable VG are firmly sandwiched between the wavy curved lower belts 93L and 93R, so that the root VG3 of the head vegetable VG is positioned downward. It will be in a state of being extended linearly. As a result, even if the root VG3 of the head vegetable VG spreads downward, the root VG3 can be extended straight.

The headed vegetable VG whose root VG3 has been extended by the root pulling-in portion 170 is conveyed further downstream (forward) in a state in which the outer leaf VG2 is sandwiched and suspended by the lower belts 93L and 93R. It is sent to the root cutting section 180 .
The root cutting section 180 cuts the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG conveyed by the fourth conveying section 3D. The root cutting section 180 cuts the roots VG3 of the headed vegetables VG whose outer leaves VG2 are sandwiched by the fourth conveying section 3D below the fourth conveying section 3D.

As shown in FIGS. 41 to 44 and the like, the root cutting unit 180 includes a root cutting blade 181 and a rotation drive mechanism 190 (hereinafter referred to as “fourth rotation drive mechanism 190”) for rotating the root cutting blade 181. there is The configuration of this fourth rotation drive mechanism 190 will be described later.
The root cutting blade 181 cuts the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG conveyed by the fourth conveying section 3D. The root cutting blade 181 is a disk-shaped cutting blade having a large number of cutting edges formed on its outer periphery, and rotates around a central axis 181a directed in the vertical direction. The direction of the central axis 181a of the root cutting blade 181 is orthogonal to the movement direction (conveyance direction A4) of the lower belts 93L and 93R. In other words, the root cutting blade 181 is arranged in a horizontal plane. The root cutting blade 181 is arranged below the fourth transport section 3D.

As shown in FIG. 44, the center (rotational center) of the root cutting blade 181 is closer to the first pull-in roller 171R than the intermediate position between the first pull-in roller 171R and the second pull-in roller 171L in the fourth orthogonal direction B4. placed in a staggered position.
As shown in FIGS. 40 to 42 and 44, a root transfer section 230 is arranged below the root cutting blade 181. As shown in FIGS. The root transporting section 230 pinches the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG transported by the fourth transporting section 3D and moves it to the root cutting blade 181 side. As a result, the root VG3 of the head vegetable VG is cut by the root cutting blade 181 .

In addition, the root transfer section 230 sandwiches and transfers the root VG3 cut by the root cutting section 180 below the root cutting section 180 . The root transfer section 230 clamps the root VG3 cut by the root cutting section 180 and transfers it in a direction different from the conveying direction A4 by the conveying section (fourth conveying section 3D). That is, the conveying direction A4 of the headed vegetables VG by the fourth conveying section 3D and the conveying direction of the roots VG3 by the root conveying section 230 are different.

The fourth transport section 3D transports the headed vegetables VG in the first direction (transport direction A4) in the horizontal plane. As shown in FIGS. 1, 39, and 44, the root transfer section 230 transfers the root VG3 in the horizontal plane in the second direction B which is inclined with respect to the first direction (conveyance direction A4). The inclination angle of the second direction B with respect to the first direction (conveying direction A4) is preferably an acute angle, and is set in the range of 20° to 45°, for example.

As shown in FIGS. 44, 47, 49, 50, etc., the root transporting part 230 includes an endless first belt 231 and an endless second belt 231 that sandwiches the root VG3. and a belt 232 .
The first belt 231 is wound around a first start side pulley 233 (see FIG. 44) and a first end side pulley 234 (see FIG. 49). The second belt 232 is wound around a second start side pulley 235 (see FIG. 44) and a second end side pulley 236 (see FIG. 49). The first start end pulley 233 and the second start end pulley 235 rotate in mutually opposite directions (mutually inward), and the first terminal end pulley 234 and the second terminal end pulley 236 rotate in mutually opposite directions (mutually inward). rotate to

As shown in FIG. 44, the first starting end pulley 233 is arranged downstream of the first drawing roller 171R in the transport direction A4. The second starting end pulley 235 is arranged downstream of the second drawing roller 171L in the transport direction A4.
As shown in FIGS. 38 and 47, an upper plate 238A is arranged above the first belt 231, and a lower plate 238B is arranged below the first belt 231. As shown in FIGS. An upper plate 239A is arranged above the second belt 232, and a lower plate 239B is arranged below the second belt 232. As shown in FIG. A tension adjusting portion 238C is provided on the upper plate 238A. A tension adjusting portion 239C is provided on the upper plate 239A. The tension adjustment section 238C can adjust the tension of the first belt 231 by changing the distance between the first pulley 233 and the first pulley 234 on the terminal end side. The tension adjustment section 239C can adjust the tension of the second belt 232 by changing the distance between the second start side pulley 235 and the second end side pulley 236 .

The first belt 231 and the second belt 232 are arranged such that the width direction of the belts faces the vertical direction. As shown in FIGS. 44 and 49, the inner surface of the first belt 231 (the surface on the side of the second belt 232) and the inner surface of the second belt 232 (the surface on the side of the first belt 231) are in contact with or close to each other. are arranged parallel to each other, forming a clamping surface 237 that clamps the root VG3.
After passing through the root pulling section 170 , the root VG 3 moves to the root transfer section 230 and is clamped by the clamping surface 237 . Therefore, the root VG3 is reliably clamped by the clamping surface 237 of the root transfer section 230 while being stretched by the root pulling section 170 .

The first belt 231 rotates with the rotation of the first start end pulley 233 and the first end pulley 234 . The second belt 232 rotates as the second starting pulley 235 and the second trailing pulley 236 rotate. The rotation of the first belt 231 and the second belt 232 causes the clamping surface 237 to move away from the root cutting section 180 . As a result, the root VG3 cut by the root cutting section 180 can be pinched by the clamping surface 237 formed between the first belt 231 and the second belt 232 and transported in the direction away from the root cutting section 180. can.

As shown in FIGS. 40 and 44 , the upstream portion of the root transfer portion 230 in the transfer direction (second direction B) sandwiches the root VG3 below the root cutting blade 181 . As shown in FIG. 49, the downstream end portion 230b of the root transporting portion 230 in the transport direction (second direction B) is located further from the upstream end portion 230a than the upstream end portion 230a in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport portion 3D. (Outer leaf cutting device) 5 side (downstream side in the conveying direction A4).

As shown in FIG. 44, the upstream end portion 237a of the holding surface 237 in the transfer direction (second direction B) is positioned in the transfer direction A4 such that it overlaps the outer periphery of the root cutting blade 181, or is positioned further along the transfer direction A4 than the position. Located upstream. As a result, the root VG3 moves toward the root cutting blade 181 while being sandwiched by the sandwiching surface 237 formed between the first belt 231 and the second belt 232. can be cut with certainty.

Here, the transfer speed of the root VG3 by the root transfer section 230 is higher than the transfer speed of the fourth transfer section 3D. As a result, the speed of movement of the roots VG3 of the headed vegetables VG by the root transfer section 230 is faster than the speed of movement of the outer leaves VG2 that are pinched by the lower belts 93L and 93R.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 41, the head vegetable VG swings leftward like a pendulum with the part where the outer leaf VG2 is held as a fulcrum. Due to this rocking, the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG draws a downwardly convex arc-shaped trajectory C1 and moves to the left. Therefore, the root VG3 is cut by moving toward the root cutting blade 181 while drawing an arc-shaped locus C1. Since the root portion of the headed vegetable VG has a curved surface, the root VG3 moves toward the root cutting blade 181 in an arc-shaped trajectory, thereby cutting the root VG3 while minimizing the amount of uncut portions. be able to.

However, the transfer speed of the root VG3 by the root transfer section 230 may be the same as the transfer speed of the fourth transfer section 3D.
The root VG3 cut by the root cutting blade 181 is held between the holding surfaces 237 as it is, transferred in the second direction B, and discharged from the downstream end 230b of the root transfer section 230. As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 42 and 47, the root transfer section 230 includes a rotation drive mechanism 184 (hereinafter referred to as a "third rotation drive mechanism 184") that rotates the first start side pulley 233 and the second start side pulley 235. I have. The third rotation drive mechanism 184 is composed of the second motor 145 and the second transmission mechanism 220 . The second transmission mechanism 220 transmits the rotational driving force of the second motor 145 to the root transfer section 230 (the first start side pulley 233 and the second start side pulley 235).

The second transmission mechanism 220 has a third transmission portion 221 and a fourth transmission portion 222 . The third transmission portion 221 transmits the rotational power of the second motor 145 to the fourth transmission portion 222 . The fourth transmission portion 222 transmits the rotational power transmitted to the third transmission portion 221 to the first starting end side pulley 233 and the second starting end side pulley 235 .
As shown in FIG. 47, the third transmission portion 221 includes a drive sprocket 149, a second driven sprocket 157 and a chain 151. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, the fourth transmission portion 222 includes a second driven shaft 223, a first pulley shaft 224, a second pulley shaft 225, a ninth bevel gear 226, a tenth bevel gear 227, an eleventh bevel gear 228, A twelfth bevel gear 229 is included.

A drive sprocket 149 is attached to the output shaft of the second motor 145 . A second driven sprocket 157 , a ninth bevel gear 226 and a tenth bevel gear 227 are attached to the second driven shaft 223 . A first starting end pulley 233 is attached to the first pulley shaft 224 . A second starting end side pulley 235 is attached to the second pulley shaft 225 .

An eleventh bevel gear 228 is attached to the first pulley shaft 224 . A twelfth bevel gear 229 is attached to the second pulley shaft 225 . The ninth bevel gear 226 meshes with the twelfth bevel gear 229 . The tenth bevel gear 227 meshes with the eleventh bevel gear 228 .
When the output shaft of the second motor 145 rotates, the rotational driving force is transmitted from the drive sprocket 149 to the second driven sprocket 157 via the chain 151, and the second driven shaft 223 rotates around its axis. When the second driven shaft 223 rotates, the ninth bevel gear 226 and the tenth bevel gear 227 rotate. When the ninth bevel gear 226 and the tenth bevel gear 227 rotate, the eleventh bevel gear 228 and the twelfth bevel gear 229 rotate. When the eleventh bevel gear 228 and the twelfth bevel gear 229 rotate, the first pulley shaft 224 and the second pulley shaft 225 rotate, and the first start side pulley 233 and the second start side pulley 235 rotate. As a result, the first end pulley 234 and the second end pulley 236 are rotated, and the first belt 231 and the second belt 232 are rotated.

Next, the configuration of the fourth rotation drive mechanism 190 that rotates the root cutting blade 181 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 47 , the fourth rotation drive mechanism 190 is composed of the second motor 145 and the third transmission mechanism 191 . The third transmission mechanism 191 transmits the rotational driving force of the second motor 145 to the root cutting section 180 (root cutting blade 181).

As shown in FIGS. 43 and 47, the third transmission mechanism 191 is part of the second transmission mechanism 220 (drive sprocket 149, second driven sprocket 157, chain 151, second driven shaft 223, first pulley shaft 224). , tenth bevel gear 227 , eleventh bevel gear 228 ), one sprocket 192 , the other sprocket 193 , and a second chain 194 .
As shown in FIG. 43, one sprocket 192 is attached to the first pulley shaft 224 . The other sprocket 193 is attached to the central shaft 181 a of the root cutting blade 181 . A second chain 194 is wound around one sprocket 192 and the other sprocket 193 .

When the output shaft of the second motor 145 rotates, the rotational driving force is transmitted from the drive sprocket 149 to the second driven sprocket 157 via the chain 151, and the second driven shaft 223 rotates around its axis. When the second driven shaft 223 rotates, the tenth bevel gear 227 rotates. When the tenth bevel gear 227 rotates, the eleventh bevel gear 228 rotates and the first pulley shaft 224 rotates. When the first pulley shaft 224 rotates, its rotational driving force is transmitted from one sprocket 192 to the other sprocket 193 via the second chain 194, and the central shaft 181a rotates. As a result, the root cutting blade 181 rotates around the central axis 181a.

The headed vegetables VG whose roots VG3 have been cut by the rotation of the root cutting blade 181 are further forward (downstream in the conveying direction A4) in a state in which the outer leaves VG2 are sandwiched and suspended by the lower belts 93L and 93R. It is conveyed and sent to the second cutting device (outer leaf cutting device) 5 . That is, the fourth conveying section 3D pinches the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG and conveys them toward the second cutting device (outer leaf cutting device) 5 .

As shown in FIGS. 38 to 40, the second cutting device 5 is arranged below the lower belts 93L and 93R. The second cutting device 5 cuts the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG suspended by the lower belts 93L and 93R and conveyed. As shown in FIGS. 38 , 40 , 49 and 50 , the second cutting device 5 has an outer leaf guide section 200 and an outer leaf cutting section 210 .

As shown in FIGS. 49 and 50, the outer leaf guide section 200 has a first guide member 201 and a second guide member 202. As shown in FIG. The first guide member 201 is attached to the second plate 94R (see FIG. 1) via a bracket (not shown). The second guide member 202 is attached to the first plate 94L (see FIG. 1) via a bracket (not shown).
The first guide member 201 and the second guide member 202 are arranged side by side in the fourth orthogonal direction B4. Specifically, the first guide member 201 is arranged on one side (right side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. The second guide member 202 is arranged on the other side (left side) in the fourth orthogonal direction.

The first guide member 201 has a first guide portion 201a and a first introduction portion 201b. The first guide portion 201a is inclined downward toward the front (downstream side in the transport direction A4). The first introduction portion 201b extends rightward by bending from the rear end of the first guide portion 201a (the end on the upstream side in the transport direction A4).
The second guide member 202 has a second guide portion 202a and a second introduction portion 202b. The second guide portion 202a is inclined downward toward the front (downstream side in the transport direction A4). The second introduction portion 202b bends from the rear end of the second guide portion 202a and extends leftward.

As shown in FIGS. 47, 49, and 50, the outer leaf cutting section 210 includes an outer leaf cutting blade 211 and a rotation drive mechanism 240 (hereinafter referred to as "fifth rotation drive mechanism 240") for rotating the outer leaf cutting blade 211. ). The outer leaf cutting blade 211 is a disc-shaped cutting blade having a large number of cutting blades formed along the outer periphery, and rotates around a central axis 211a directed in the vertical direction.
As shown in FIGS. 47 and 49, the fifth rotation drive mechanism 240 is composed of a second motor 145 and a fourth transmission mechanism 241. As shown in FIGS. The fourth transmission mechanism 241 transmits the rotational driving force of the second motor 145 to the outer leaf cutting blade 211 .

As shown in FIG. 47 , the fourth transmission mechanism 241 has a fifth transmission portion 242 and a sixth transmission portion 243 . The fifth transmission portion 242 transmits the rotational power of the second motor 145 to the sixth transmission portion 243 . The sixth transmission portion 243 transmits the rotational power transmitted to the fifth transmission portion 242 to the central shaft 211 a of the outer leaf cutting blade 211 .
As shown in FIG. 47 and the like, the fifth transmission portion 242 includes a drive sprocket 149, a third driven sprocket 244, and a chain 151. As shown in FIG. The sixth transmission part 243 includes a third driven shaft 245 , a thirteenth bevel gear 246 , a fourteenth bevel gear 247 , an upright shaft 248 , a first upper sprocket 249 , a second upper sprocket 250 and a third chain 251 .

A drive sprocket 149 is attached to the output shaft of the second motor 145 . A third driven sprocket 244 and a thirteenth bevel gear 246 are attached to a third driven shaft 245 . The fourteenth bevel gear 247 is attached to the bottom of the erecting shaft 248 . The thirteenth bevel gear 246 and the fourteenth bevel gear 247 are in mesh with each other. The first upper sprocket 249 is attached to the top of the upright shaft 248 . The second upper sprocket 250 is attached to the central shaft 211 a of the outer leaf cutting blade 211 . The third chain 251 is stretched over the first upper sprocket 249 and the second upper sprocket 250 .

When the output shaft of the second motor 145 rotates, the rotational driving force is transmitted from the drive sprocket 149 to the third driven sprocket 244 via the chain 151, and the third driven shaft 245 rotates around its axis. When the third driven shaft 245 rotates, the thirteenth bevel gear 246 rotates and the fourteenth bevel gear 247 rotates. When the fourteenth bevel gear 247 rotates, the erecting shaft 248 rotates and the first upper sprocket 249 rotates. Rotational power of the first upper sprocket 249 is transmitted to the second upper sprocket 250 via the third chain 251, and the second upper sprocket 250 rotates. As a result, the outer leaf cutting blade 211 rotates around the central axis 211a.

The root cutting section 180, the root transferring section 230, the outer leaf cutting section 210, and the root aligning section 140 are driven by the same drive source (second motor 145). Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide drive sources for driving the root cutting section 180, the root transferring section 230, the outer leaf cutting section 210, and the root aligning section 140, respectively. Therefore, the number of driving sources (such as motors) used in the preparation device 1 can be reduced, and the size and weight of the preparation device 1 can be reduced.

The outer leaf cutting blade 211 is arranged above the ends of the first guide portion 201a and the second guide portion 202a on the downstream side in the conveying direction A4.
The action (operation) of the second cutting device 5 will be described below.
The headed vegetables VG conveyed with the outer leaves VG2 sandwiched by the lower belts 93L and 93R are positioned rearward (upstream in the conveying direction A4) between the first guide portion 201a and the second guide portion 202a. Then, it moves forward (fourth transport direction A4) while being sandwiched between the first guide portion 201a and the second guide portion 202a. Here, the first guide portion 201a and the second guide portion 202a are inclined downward toward the front. Therefore, the position where the outer leaf VG2 is sandwiched between the first guide portion 201a and the second guide portion 202a gradually shifts downward as the headed vegetable VG moves.

The outer leaf VG2 of the head vegetable VG, which has moved forward while being sandwiched between the first guide portion 201a and the second guide portion 202a, is cut by the outer leaf cutting blade 211 near the base end portion (portion near the head portion VG1). disconnected. The headed vegetables VG whose outer leaves VG2 have been cut near the base ends are dropped because they are not pinched by the fourth conveying section 3D. On the other hand, the cut outer leaf VG2 is sandwiched by the fourth conveying section 3D and conveyed further downstream.

As shown in FIGS. 37, 39, and 40, a discharge chute 260 is arranged downstream of the second cutting device 5 (downstream in the conveying direction A4). The discharge chute 260 is arranged below the lower belt 93 of the fourth transport section 3D. More specifically, the discharge chute 260 is arranged below the downstream end of the lower belt 93 in the conveying direction A4. The discharge chute 260 is arranged so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction A4, and moves downward toward the right (or left). The discharge chute 260 extends toward the side (right side) opposite to the side (left side) where the second transfer conveyor 302 is arranged in the device width direction. The cut outer leaf VG2 drops from the downstream end of the lower belt 93, slides down the discharge chute 260, and is collected.

As shown in FIGS. 38, 40, and 50, an inclined surface 270 is arranged below the first guide member 201, the second guide member 202, and the outer leaf cutting blade 211. As shown in FIGS. The inclined surface 270 is inclined so as to become lower toward the downstream side in the transport direction A4. The inclined surface 270 includes a first inclined surface 271 arranged below the first guide member 201 and the second guide member 202 and a second inclined surface 272 arranged below the outer leaf cutting blade 211 . The inclination angle of the second inclined surface 272 is greater than the inclination angle of the first inclined surface 271 .

As shown in FIG. 40, the headed portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG that has fallen due to the cutting of the vicinity of the base end portion of the outer leaf VG2 moves along the inclined surface 270 to the downstream side in the conveying direction A4, and moves to the fifth conveying portion. Reach 3E.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the fifth transport section 3E of the fifth transport device 2E is arranged downstream of the fourth transport section 3D in the transport direction A4. The fifth transport section 3E is supported by the second frame 6B. The transport direction A5 of the fifth transport section 3E is the same as the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport section 3D.

The fifth transport section 3E has a discharge passage 310 formed of a slope. The discharge passage 310 is inclined so as to become lower from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the conveying direction A5. The discharge passage 310 is a passage through which the headed vegetables whose roots have been cut by the first cutting device 4 are discharged. is a passage through which the head portion VG1 of the cut head vegetable is discharged.

The upstream side of the fifth transport section 3</b>E in the transport direction A<b>5 is close to the downstream side of the inclined surface 270 . The headed vegetables VG, which are cut off from the outer leaves VG2 by the outer leaf cutting blade 211 and have fallen, move along the inclined surface 270, are supplied to the upstream side of the fifth conveying section 3E, and are discharged from the upstream side toward the downstream side. It is recovered by rolling or sliding on the upper surface of the passage 310 . The collected head vegetable VG becomes a head vegetable VG in which the outer leaves VG2 and the root VG3 are cut at appropriate positions.
<effect>
According to the conveying apparatus and preparing apparatus for headed vegetables of the above embodiment, the following effects are obtained.

The conveying apparatus 2 for headed vegetables includes a conveying section (second conveying section) 3B for conveying the headed vegetables VG, and a supply device (first conveying section) 3A for supplying the headed vegetables VG to the conveying section 3B. , the supply device 3A is provided with a detection device 45 for detecting stagnation of the headed vegetables VG in the supply device 3A. has a control unit that transmits a control signal to stop driving the

According to this configuration, when the detecting device 45 detects the retention of the headed vegetables VG, the driving of the supply device 3A can be stopped, so that the headed vegetables VG can be prevented from overflowing in the conveying section 3B.
Further, the detection device 45 has a detection member 46 arranged at a position to be pushed by the headed vegetables VG heading from the supply device 3A to the conveying section 3B. is transmitted, and the control unit transmits the control signal when the length of time during which the detection signal is transmitted reaches or exceeds a predetermined length.

According to this configuration, when the detection member 46 continues to be pushed by the stagnant headed vegetables VG, the driving of the supply device 3A can be stopped by transmitting the control signal.
Further, when receiving a control signal from the control unit, the supply device 3A reduces the supply speed of the headed vegetables VG and stops the supply over a predetermined period of time.
According to this configuration, since the supply device 3A can be stopped gently, it is possible to prevent the headed vegetables VG from being damaged due to the impact caused by the sudden stop of the supply device 3A.

Further, the supply device 3A has an inclined surface 29a having a downward slope toward the conveying section 3B, and the detecting member 46 is arranged at a position pushed by the headed vegetables VG that have moved on the inclined surface 29a.
According to this configuration, the detection member 46 can be pushed by the headed vegetable VG that has moved on the inclined surface 29a, so that the detection member 46 can be reliably pushed to transmit the detection signal.

Further, the feeding device 3A has a receiving surface 43 extending substantially horizontally from the lower end of the inclined surface 29a and receiving the headed vegetables VG that have moved on the inclined surface 29a. It is placed in a position pushed by the previous head vegetable VG.
According to this configuration, the headed vegetables VG after the detecting member 46 is pushed can be temporarily received by the receiving surface 43 before being supplied to the conveying section 3B. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the headed vegetables VG from overflowing in the conveying section 3B.

Further, the detection member 46 is configured by a detection bar 46 extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the moving direction of the headed vegetables VG and swinging when pushed by the headed vegetables VG.
According to this configuration, the detection bar 46 oscillates, so that the impact when the head vegetable VG hits the detection bar 46 can be reduced.
Further, the detection bar 46 is arranged at a height where the upper part of the headed vegetable VG hits.

According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the headed vegetables VG from bouncing and passing above the detection bar 46 without hitting the detection bar 46 .
The feeding device 3A has a tunnel-shaped cover portion 40 through which the headed vegetables VG pass, and the detection bar 46 is arranged at a position where it is pushed by the headed vegetables VG that have passed through the cover portion 40 .
According to this configuration, when the headed vegetables VG pass through the cover part 40, the headed vegetables VG can be reliably brought into contact with the detection bar 46 by keeping the attitude and height of the headed vegetables VG substantially constant. becomes.

The apparatus 1 for preparing headed vegetables includes a root cutting device (first cutting device) 4 for cutting roots VG3 of headed vegetables VG, and a first cutting device 4 for holding and transferring outer leaves VG2 of headed vegetables VG toward root cutting device 4. 1 transporting parts 2D, 3D and a second transporting part 300 for transporting headed vegetables VG dropped from the first transporting parts 2D, 3D before reaching the root cutting device 4 in a direction different from the direction toward the root cutting device 4. and have.

According to this configuration, the headed vegetables VG dropped from the first transfer parts 2D and 3D before reaching the root cutting device 4 are transferred by the second transfer part 300 in a direction different from the direction toward the root cutting device 4. Therefore, the head vegetables VG that are out of the conveying route toward the root cutting device 4 can be transferred by the second transfer section 300 and efficiently collected.
The first transfer sections 2D and 3D have clamping belts 70 and 93 that move while clamping the outer leaf VG2. It has a conveyor 301, and the first transfer conveyor 301 carries the headed vegetables VG dropped from the clamping belts 70 and 93 and transfers them in the different directions.

According to this configuration, the headed vegetables VG that have fallen from the nipping belts 70 and 93 due to tearing of the outer leaves VG2 or the like can be transferred by the first transfer conveyor 301 and collected.
The second transfer section 300 also has a second transfer conveyor 302 that transfers the headed vegetables VG transferred by the first transfer conveyor 301 in a direction parallel to the direction toward the root cutting device 4 .

According to this configuration, the headed vegetables VG dropped from the first transfer section 2D before reaching the root cutting device 4 are transferred in a direction parallel to the headed vegetables VG whose roots VG3 are cut by the root cutting device 4. Therefore, it can be efficiently collected at a position close to the root cutting device 4. - 特許庁
Moreover, a discharge passage 310 is provided for discharging headed vegetables VG whose roots VG3 have been cut by the root cutting device 4 , and the end position of the second transfer conveyor 302 is arranged near the end position of the discharge passage 310 .

According to this configuration, the headed vegetables VG that have fallen from the first transfer section 2D before reaching the root cutting device 4 can be collected at a position close to the headed vegetables VG from which the roots VG3 have been cut.
In addition, the second transfer conveyor 302 is positioned lower than the first transfer conveyor 301, and the second transfer section 300 connects the end of the first transfer conveyor 301 and the beginning of the second transfer conveyor 302. It has a connecting member 306, and the connecting member 306 has an inclined surface 306a having a downward slope from the terminal end to the starting end.

According to this configuration, the headed vegetables VG can be reliably moved from the end of the first transfer conveyor 301 to the start of the second transfer conveyor 302 by rolling or sliding on the inclined surface 306a.
In addition, the first transfer conveyor 301 has a starting end pulley 301a, a terminal end pulley 301b, and an endless belt 301c stretched between the starting end pulley 301a and the terminal end pulley 301b, and has an inclined surface 306a. is arranged below the center of the termination side pulley 301b.

According to this configuration, the gap GP5 between the terminal end of the first transfer conveyor 301 and the inclined surface 306a can be made small, and the roots of headed vegetables and the like moving from the terminal end of the first transfer conveyor 301 to the inclined surface 306a can be removed. It is possible to prevent the object from being drawn into the gap GP5.
A partition wall 303 is provided to divide the transfer surface of the first transfer conveyor 301 into a first transfer surface 301F and a second transfer surface 301S. The second transfer surface 301S is arranged on the downstream side in the transfer direction of the first transfer parts 2D, 3D.

According to this configuration, the headed vegetables VG that have fallen on the upstream side and the headed vegetables VG that have fallen on the downstream side can be transferred separately to the first transfer surface 301F and the second transfer surface 301S. As a result, for example, the headed vegetables VG that have fallen with almost no outer leaves VG2 are transferred on the first transfer surface 301F, and the fallen headed vegetables VG with some outer leaves VG2 remaining are transferred on the second transfer surface 301S. can do.

In addition, the upstream slope 304 moves the fallen head vegetables VG on the upstream side of the partition wall 303 toward the first transfer surface 301F, and the second transfer surface moves the fallen head vegetables VG on the downstream side of the partition wall 303 to the first transfer surface 301F. and a downstream slope 305 moving toward 301S.
According to this configuration, the headed vegetables VG that have fallen on the upstream side of the partition wall 303 can be reliably moved to the first transfer surface 301</b>F by the upstream slope 304 . In addition, the headed vegetables VG that have fallen on the downstream side of the partition wall 303 can be reliably moved to the second transfer surface 301S by the downstream slope 305 .

The apparatus 1 for preparing headed vegetables includes a conveying section (second conveying section) 3B that conveys the headed vegetables VG, a supply section 25 that drops and supplies the headed vegetables VG to the conveying section 3B, and a feeding section 25 that supplies the headed vegetables VG to the conveying section 3B. and a shock absorbing mechanism 50 that absorbs the shock received by the headed vegetables VG when they fall. It has a cushioning material 51 .

According to this configuration, the impact when the headed vegetables VG fall from the supply section 25 toward the conveying section 3B can be mitigated by the cushioning material 51, and the headed vegetables VG can be prevented from being damaged by the drop.
Further, the supply unit 25 has an inclined surface 29a having a downward slope toward the conveying unit 3B, and the cushioning material 51 is arranged at a position where the headed vegetables VG falling after moving on the inclined surface 29a collide. .

According to this configuration, the headed vegetables VG can be reliably guided from the supply section 25 to the conveying section 3B by the inclined surface 29a, and the headed vegetables VG that move and fall on the inclined surface 29a can be reliably transferred to the cushioning material 51. can guess.
The cushioning material 51 is composed of an elastic sheet 51 forming a collision surface with which the headed vegetables VG collide.

According to this configuration, the deformation of the elastic sheet 51 can reduce the impact when the head vegetable VG collides with the cushioning material 51 .
Further, the elastic sheet 51 is curved in a substantially U shape in plan view, and the open side of the U shape is arranged on the supply section 25 side.
According to this configuration, the vegetable head VG taken in from the U-shaped open side of the elastic sheet 51 can be wrapped and received from three sides (left side, right side, front side). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the head vegetables VG from coming off the elastic sheet 51 and jumping out.

The preparation device 1 also has a deformation suppressing member 53 that is arranged along at least a part of the periphery of the elastic sheet 51 and suppresses deformation of the elastic sheet 51 when the headed vegetables VG collide.
According to this configuration, when the headed vegetable VG collides with the elastic sheet 51, the elastic sheet 51 is not excessively deformed, and the headed vegetable VG comes off (overrides) the elastic sheet 51 and jumps out. can be prevented.

Further, the conveying section 3B has two rollers 30A and 30B which have rotating shafts arranged in parallel with each other and which rotate inward with respect to each other. The headed vegetables VG are transported in the direction of the rotation axis by sandwiching VG2, and the cushioning material 51 is arranged above the rollers 30A and 30B in the vicinity of the starting end of the transporting part 3B in the transporting direction.
According to this configuration, the headed vegetables VG that have hit the cushioning material 51 can be dropped onto the rollers 30A and 30B in the vicinity of the starting end of the conveying section 3B in the conveying direction. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly carry out the transportation by the transportation section 3B.

In addition, the supply part 25 has a receiving surface 43 that extends substantially horizontally from the lower end of the inclined surface 29a and receives the headed vegetables VG that have moved on the inclined surface 29a. It is arranged at a position where headed vegetables VG falling from the top collide with each other.
According to this configuration, the headed vegetables VG that have moved on the inclined surface 29a are not dropped as they are, but are dropped through the receiving surface 43, whereby the headed vegetables VG can be dropped almost directly below.

Moreover, the upper end portion of the cushioning material 51 is arranged above the receiving surface 43 .
According to this configuration, the headed vegetables VG that have fallen through the receiving surface 43 can be prevented from jumping over the cushioning material 51, and the headed vegetables VG can reliably collide with the cushioning material 51. - 特許庁
Also, the cushioning material 51 is arranged over the front, left, and right sides of the receiving surface 43 .
According to this configuration, the headed vegetables VG that have fallen through the receiving surface 43 can be received so as to be wrapped from three sides, so that the headed vegetables VG can be prevented from jumping out of the cushioning material 51.例文帳に追加

The conveying apparatus 2 for headed vegetables is a conveying apparatus for headed vegetables VG having outer leaves VG2, and is an upstream conveying section (second conveying section) that conveys headed vegetables VG in an upright position in which the outer leaves VG2 face up and down. 3B, a downstream conveying unit (third conveying unit) 3C that receives the headed vegetables VG conveyed by the upstream conveying unit 3B in an upright position and conveys them further downstream, and abuts on the outer leaves VG2 from the side. and a conveyance assisting member 60 that assists delivery of headed vegetables VG from the upstream side conveying section 3B to the downstream side conveying section 3C by rotating around a center axis extending in the vertical direction.

According to this configuration, the transfer assisting member 60 assists the transfer of the headed vegetables VG from the upstream transfer section 3B to the downstream transfer section 3C, so that the transfer can be reliably performed.
Further, the auxiliary conveying member 60 has a plurality of contact portions 60a radially extending in a direction away from the central axis. Sequential contact.

According to this configuration, the outer leaves VG2 can be intermittently pushed by the plurality of contact portions 60a sequentially contacting the outer leaves VG2, so that the headed vegetables VG are transferred from the upstream conveying portion 3B to the downstream conveying portion 3C. can be moved smoothly.
The downstream conveying section 3C has a pair of pinching belts 70 that pinch the outer leaf VG2, and a pulley around which the pinching belt 70 is stretched. The conveying assist member 60 is positioned over and rotates with the starting pulleys 73,76.

According to this configuration, the outer leaf VG2 can be reliably guided to the starting ends of the pair of nipping belts 70 by rotating the auxiliary conveying member 60 together with the starting end pulleys 73 and 76 .
The start pulleys 73, 76 include a left pulley 76 and a right pulley 73. The conveying auxiliary member 60 includes a left auxiliary member 60L that rotates together with the left pulley 76 while abutting on the outer leaf VG2 from the left side, and an outer leaf VG2. a right auxiliary member 60R that rotates together with the right pulley 73 while contacting the VG2 from the right side.

According to this configuration, the auxiliary conveyance member 60 can abut on the left and right sides of the outer leaf VG2 to assist the conveyance. This can be done more reliably.
Further, the left auxiliary member 60L and the right auxiliary member 60R alternately contact the outer leaves VG2 as they rotate.

According to this configuration, the outer leaf VG2 can be smoothly moved toward the downstream conveying section 3C with good left-right balance.
Also, the diameter of the auxiliary transport member 60 is set to be equal to or less than the diameters of the pulleys 73 and 76 .
According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the auxiliary conveying member 60 from protruding from the pulleys 73 and 76 and hitting the outer leaf VG2 with excessive pressure.

Further, the transport assisting member 60 is made of an elastic material.
According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the auxiliary conveying member 60 from damaging the outer leaf VG2.
In addition, the conveying device 2 includes a posture correcting member 65 that returns the headed vegetables VG to a standing posture when the headed vegetables VG are in a forward leaning posture. It has an upper member 66 against which the top of the headed vegetable VG abuts.

According to this configuration, the posture correcting member 65 returns the headed vegetable VG from the forward leaning posture to the upright posture, so that the auxiliary conveying member 60 can be brought into contact with the outer leaves VG2 reliably.
Further, the posture correcting member 65 includes a support portion 67 that supports the upper member 66 above the conveyance auxiliary member 60. The support portion 67 includes a left support portion 67L that supports the left portion of the upper member 66, and a right support portion 67R that supports the right portion of the upper member 66 and between the left support portion 67L and the right support portion 67R. formed.

According to this configuration, by passing the headed vegetables VG through the space SP1 formed below the upper member 66 and between the left support part 67L and the right support part 67R, the direction and posture of the headed vegetables VG can be changed. can be arranged.
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, it should be considered that the embodiment disclosed this time is illustrative in all respects and is not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of the claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

2 Transporting device 3A for headed vegetables Feeding device 3B Transporting unit (second transporting unit)
29a Inclined surface 40 Cover portion 43 Receiving surface 45 Detecting device 46 Detecting member 46 Detection bar VG Vegetable head

Claims (8)

a conveying unit for conveying headed vegetables;
a supply device that supplies headed vegetables to the conveying unit;
with
The feeding device is provided with a detection device for detecting retention of headed vegetables in the feeding device,
The conveying apparatus for headed vegetables, wherein the detection device has a control unit that transmits a control signal to the feeding device to stop driving the feeding device when the stagnating of the headed vegetables is detected. The detection device has a detection member arranged at a position pushed by the headed vegetables heading from the feeding device to the conveying unit,
The detection member emits a detection signal when pressed by the headed vegetable,
2. The conveying apparatus for headed vegetables according to claim 1, wherein the control unit transmits the control signal when the length of time during which the detection signal is transmitted reaches a predetermined length or longer. 3. The conveying apparatus for headed vegetables according to claim 1, wherein, when receiving the control signal from the control unit, the feeding device reduces the speed at which the headed vegetables are fed and stops after a predetermined period of time. The supply device has an inclined surface with a downward slope toward the conveying unit,
3. The apparatus for conveying headed vegetables according to claim 2, wherein the detection member is arranged at a position to be pushed by the headed vegetables moving on the inclined surface. The feeding device has a receiving surface that extends substantially horizontally from the lower end of the inclined surface and receives the headed vegetables that have moved on the inclined surface,
5. The apparatus for conveying headed vegetables according to claim 4, wherein the detection member is arranged at a position to be pushed by the headed vegetables before reaching the receiving surface. 6. The headed vegetable according to claim 2, 4 or 5, wherein said detection member is constructed of a detection bar extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the moving direction of the headed vegetable and swinging when pushed by the headed vegetable. transport equipment. 7. The apparatus for conveying headed vegetables according to claim 6, wherein the detection bar is arranged at a height at a position where the upper part of the headed vegetables abuts. The feeding device has a tunnel-shaped cover through which the headed vegetables pass,
8. The apparatus for conveying headed vegetables according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the detection bar is arranged at a position to be pushed by the headed vegetables that have passed through the cover part.

Images