JP2758575B2 - Egg sorting method and egg sorting device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an original egg which is pre-measured in advance, and is selected from among eggs to be sorted which are conveyed in a row. The present invention relates to an egg sorting method and apparatus for selecting a predetermined number of eggs so as to fall within a predetermined allowable total weight range including a target total weight.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a method of packing eggs in a packaging container,
Eggs are categorized into LL, L, M, S, etc. sizes according to weight classification, and there is a standard packing method of packing a set number of eggs of the same size in one packaging container. In the case of this standard packing method,
As a tendency of demand of general consumers, one packed with eggs of L or M size tends to be preferred, and the unit price per unit weight of eggs of L or M size tends to increase. Therefore, in order to equalize the unit price, the number of eggs packed in one packaging container, the allowable range of the weight of one egg, that is, the predetermined allowable unit weight range, the target total weight of the packed eggs, and the target The allowable range of the gross weight, that is, the predetermined allowable gross weight range is specified as a standard, and a packing method that is not restricted by the size of the egg is considered. There is a request to raise the price. Hereinafter, this packing method is referred to as constant weight packing.

[0003] As a method for selecting eggs that can be employed for this constant weight packing from among the sorted eggs to be conveyed in a row, a method as described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 29970/1990 has been proposed. When sorting eggs other than the last egg to be packed in one packaging container, it is necessary to select whether or not to use it as the one packed in one packaging container. Until, when the weight of the eggs to be sorted is added to the total weight of the eggs already used and the weight is within the set range, it is determined whether the weight is within the set range, and when sorting the last egg to be packed in one packaging container A method is considered in which the weight of the egg to be sorted is added to the total weight of the eggs already used and the weight is determined to be within a set allowable range including the target total weight.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, for example, if the determination is made under a strict determination condition in which the setting range for determining whether or not to adopt the sorted eggs to be conveyed in a row is narrow, a certain range is required. Although the set number that can be reliably packed into one packaging container can be adopted, the strict discrimination conditions reduce the proportion of eggs that can be adopted among the sorted eggs that are conveyed in rows. Would be. On the other hand, assuming that the above-mentioned determination conditions are loose, in the stage of selecting the last egg to be packed in one packaging container, the set eggs within the set permissible range including the target gross weight from among the sorted original eggs to be conveyed. Eggs that satisfy the condition of being able to fit into the bowl cannot be found, and the number of eggs will not reach the set number indefinitely. Eggs are allowed to pass through, and eventually the proportion of eggs that can be adopted out of the sorted original eggs conveyed in a row is reduced. The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and a first object of the present invention is to select eggs that can be selected as a constant weight stuffing as high as possible from among eggs to be selected which are conveyed in rows. A method and an egg sorting device are provided. A second object is to achieve the first object while smoothly selecting eggs for constant weight stuffing.

[0005]

The egg sorting method of the present invention comprises:
From among the sorted original eggs whose weights are measured in advance and conveyed in rows, the weight of each egg is within a predetermined allowable unit weight range and the total weight is within a predetermined allowable total weight range including the target total weight. A predetermined number of eggs are selected so as to fit in, and until the number of selected eggs reaches the set number, if within the predetermined allowable unit weight range, the eggs are selected as the predetermined number of eggs, and the selected eggs are selected. After the number exceeds the set number, it is within the predetermined allowable unit weight range, and the weight added to the integrated weight of the already selected eggs is the weight of the egg that is the target of the sorting, The first feature of the egg sorting method of the present invention is that the egg is selected as the predetermined number of eggs as long as the number of sorted eggs is within the allowable range for sorting set to be narrower as the number of eggs increases. The lower limit of the allowable range for sorting is Every time is selected, the difference between the lower limit of the predetermined allowable total weight range and the minimum integrated weight expected when the set number of eggs is selected is divided by the difference between the predetermined number and the set number. The value is set to be larger than the minimum integrated weight expected when the set number of eggs is selected, and the upper limit of the sorting allowable range is set to the predetermined value every time one egg is selected. The set number of eggs is divided by the difference between the upper limit of the allowable gross weight range and the maximum cumulative weight expected when the set number of eggs are selected by the difference between the predetermined number and the set number. Is set so as to be larger than the maximum integrated weight expected when selecting is made. A second feature of the egg sorting method of the present invention is that, in the first feature of the above-described egg sorting method, the set number is substantially half of the predetermined number.

In the egg sorting apparatus of the present invention, the weight of each egg is measured in advance, and among the eggs to be sorted which are conveyed in a row, the weight of each egg is within a predetermined allowable unit weight range and the total weight is It is to select a predetermined number of eggs so as to fall within a predetermined allowable total weight range including the target total weight, and until the number of the selected eggs reaches the set number, if within the predetermined allowable unit weight range, After being selected as the predetermined number of eggs, after the number of the selected eggs exceeds the set number, the weight of the eggs that are within the predetermined allowable unit weight range and that are to be determined for selection have already been selected. If the weight added to the integrated weight of the eggs is within the allowable range for sorting set to be narrower as the number of sorted eggs increases, discriminating means for selecting as the predetermined number of eggs, Based on the determination result of the determination means, And a transfer means for transferring the sorted eggs to be conveyed in a line to the packaging container. In a first characteristic configuration of the egg sorting apparatus of the present invention, the discriminating means comprises one piece. Every time an egg is selected, the difference between the lower limit of the predetermined allowable total weight range and the minimum integrated weight expected when the set number of eggs is selected is divided by the difference between the predetermined number and the set number. The lower limit of the permissible range for sorting is set so as to be larger than the minimum integrated weight expected when the set number of eggs are selected, and the predetermined value is selected each time one egg is selected. The set number of eggs is divided by the difference between the upper limit of the allowable gross weight range and the maximum cumulative weight expected when the set number of eggs are selected by the difference between the predetermined number and the set number. To be larger than the maximum expected weight when selecting In that it sets an upper limit value of the serial sorting tolerance. According to a second characteristic configuration of the egg sorting device of the present invention, in the first characteristic configuration of the egg sorting device, the determination unit sets the set number to approximately half of the predetermined number.

[0007]

According to the first feature of the egg sorting method of the present invention, until the number of selected eggs reaches the set number, if the number is within the predetermined allowable unit weight range, the eggs are selected and selected as the predetermined number of eggs. After the number of eggs exceeds the set number, the weight is within the predetermined allowable unit weight range, and the weight of the egg that is to be determined for selection is added to the integrated weight of the already selected eggs. However, if the selected number of eggs is within a permissible range for selection set so as to be narrower as the number of selected eggs increases, the eggs are selected as the predetermined number of eggs. That is, from the first to the set number, no special sorting conditions are set, and it is determined whether or not to adopt the fixed weight packing only based on whether or not the weight is within a predetermined allowable unit weight range determined as a standard. Therefore, the sorting efficiency of eggs that can be adopted as eggs of fixed weight can be increased. Moreover, the weight distribution of sorted eggs to be conveyed in a row is known empirically to be almost normally distributed, and the cumulative weight of eggs used for constant weight stuffing does not fluctuate very much. .

On the other hand, after the number of selected eggs exceeds the set number, the weight of the eggs to be sorted is determined by weighting the condition that the number of eggs is within a predetermined allowable unit weight range. It is determined whether or not the weight added to the integrated weight is within the allowable range for sorting set so as to be narrower as the number of sorted eggs increases, to determine whether or not to adopt the constant weight packing. In other words, by narrowing the range of the permissible range for selection rather than to a constant value, the integrated weight of the eggs selected as eggs to be used for constant weight convergence converges accurately toward the target total weight. That's how it works. Therefore, while utilizing the fact that the weight distribution of the eggs to be sorted is empirically almost normally distributed, the sorting efficiency of eggs that can be adopted as the fixed-weight-packed eggs is increased, while the eggs accurately converge to the target total weight. The conditions are set as follows.

Further, according to the first feature of the egg sorting method of the present invention, a sorting allowable range, which is a sorting condition weighted after the number of selected eggs exceeds a set number, is:
The lower limit is, each time one egg is selected, the difference between the lower limit of the predetermined allowable total weight range and the minimum cumulative weight expected when the set number of eggs is selected is the predetermined number and the set number. Is set so as to be larger than the minimum integrated weight expected when the set number of eggs are selected, and the upper limit is set to the predetermined value each time one egg is selected. The set number of eggs is divided by the difference between the upper limit of the allowable gross weight range and the maximum cumulative weight expected when the set number of eggs are selected by the difference between the predetermined number and the set number. Is set so as to be larger than the maximum integrated weight expected when selecting is made.

[0010] That is, assuming a graph in which the horizontal axis indicates the number of eggs employed as fixed-weight-packed eggs and the vertical axis indicates the integrated weight of eggs employed as constant-weight-packed eggs, When the allowable range for sorting is drawn on the graph, the lower limit of the allowable range for sorting is plotted on a straight line connecting the minimum integrated weight when the set number of eggs are selected and the lower limit of the predetermined allowable total weight range. The upper limit value of the sorting allowable range is on a straight line connecting the maximum integrated weight when the set number of eggs is selected and the upper limit value of the predetermined allowable total weight range. In other words, the allowable range for sorting is set to be narrower as the number of sorted eggs increases, but the degree of narrowing is kept constant, and the degree to which sorting conditions become strict is extremely severe. I try not to change. According to the second characteristic configuration of the egg sorting method of the present invention, approximately half of the predetermined number, which is the total number of eggs of a constant weight, is set as a set number, and up to approximately half of the predetermined number is determined as a standard. It is determined whether or not to adopt the constant weight packing only based on whether or not the weight is within the predetermined allowable unit weight range, and thereafter, the selection condition for determining whether or not the weight is within the allowable range for selection is weighted. Therefore, it is possible to balance a portion where the selection condition is gentle and a portion where the selection condition is relatively strict.

According to the first feature configuration of the egg sorting apparatus of the present invention, the discriminating means sorts eggs for constant weight filling as described in the operation of the first feature of the egg sorting method, and the sorting is performed. The transfer means transfers the eggs to the packaging container. Then, the discriminating means sorts the eggs for constant weight stuffing as described in the operation according to the first feature of the egg sorting method. According to the second feature configuration of the egg sorting apparatus of the present invention, the determining means sorts eggs for constant weight filling as described in the operation of the first feature of the egg sorting method.

[0012]

According to the first feature of the above-described egg sorting method and the first feature configuration of the egg sorting apparatus, the weight distribution of the eggs to be sorted is empirically determined by utilizing the fact that they are almost normally distributed. While increasing the sorting efficiency of eggs that can be used as stuffed eggs, the conditions are set so that they converge exactly to the target gross weight. The present invention has provided an egg sorting method and an egg sorting apparatus which can be sorted at a constant rate for packing with constant weight. Further, since the degree to which the allowable range for sorting is narrowed is kept constant and the degree to which the sorting conditions become strict does not change extremely, sorting of eggs for constant weight stuffing can be performed smoothly. .
According to the second feature of the above-described egg sorting method and the second feature configuration of the egg sorting device, it is possible to balance a gentle portion of the sorting condition and a relatively severe portion of the sorting condition,
Eggs for constant weight stuffing can be more efficiently sorted.

[0013]

An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a chicken egg sorting and packaging apparatus will be described below with reference to the drawings. The sorting and packaging apparatus shown in the plan view of FIG. 1 and the side view of FIG. 2 has a six-row egg feeding conveyor F for transporting a chicken egg E, which is an example of an egg, in the direction of arrow A.
C and egg E from egg feeding conveyor FC and arrow B
, A single-row conveyor 1 for transporting the eggs E in the direction indicated by the arrow, a container conveyor PC for transporting the packaging containers P in a direction indicated by an arrow a perpendicular to the egg transport direction of the single-row conveyor 1, and control of the operation of each conveyor. And a control device CO for performing the control.

The sorted raw eggs supplied from the egg feeding conveyor FC are weighed for each chicken egg E, then transferred to the single-row conveyor 1, and transported to the intersection with the container conveyor PC. During this time, the control unit CO determines, based on the weighed value of each egg E, whether or not it can be used for constant-weight stuffing, and designates the eggs E selected for constant-weight stuffing to perform constant-weight stuffing. When the container reaches the intersection with the container conveyor PC, the container is transferred to the packaging container P transported by the container conveyor PC. Eggs E that have not been sorted for constant-weight stuffing are transferred to packaging containers P at intersections with container conveyors PC other than the container conveyor PC that has been designated to perform constant-weight stuffing. It is stored in the packaging container P according to the packing method for each size. The packaging container P in which the storage of the eggs E is completed is taken out as a finished product from a downstream end of the packaging container P in the transport direction on the container conveyor PC.

Hereinafter, each component will be described in detail. The egg feeding conveyor FC transports the eggs E in a state where they are properly separated,
At the end on the single-row conveyor 1 side of the egg feeding conveyor FC, a weighing unit MU for separately weighing the eggs E transported by the egg feeding conveyor FC is provided for each egg feeding conveyor FC. The weighing data of the egg E weighed by the weighing unit MU is sent to the control device CO as shown in the control block diagram of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the single-row conveyor 1 has a pair of left and right chains 10 for holding the left and right ends of a cup C on which a chicken egg E is placed, and passive sprockets S1, S2, S3 around which the chains 10 are wound. , S4 and a drive motor M for rotating the chain 10 via a drive sprocket S5
1, a transfer device MT for transferring the egg E from the weighing unit MU of the egg feeding conveyor FC to the cup C, a kick device 2 for dropping the egg E from the cup C, and a cup C by the operation of the kick device 2. Catch the egg E falling from
A packaging device 3 for storing in a packaging container P being conveyed to the container conveyor PC is provided on a frame.

The drive motor M1 is controlled by a control unit CO as shown in the control block diagram of FIG.
Is detected by the encoder EC attached to the passive sprocket S4, and sent to the control unit CO. The power of the drive motor M1 is also supplied to the egg feeding conveyor FC. As shown in FIG. 4, the cups C holding the eggs E are each
A pair of left and right chains 10 that can swing around the axis in the left and right direction.
The holding portion of the egg E in the rear support member 11 and the front support member 12 is attached to the rear support member 11 and the front support member 12 and extends obliquely downward in a substantially U-shape in plan view. Chicken egg E
Is formed so as to face the center of the egg E so as to conform to the outer shape of the egg E.

A rear side plate 11a extending forward is formed at the left end of the rear support member 11, and a front side plate 12a extending rearward is formed at the left end of the front support member 12. . The rear side plate 11a and the front side plate 12a are urged by springs 15 each having an end fixed to the side where the lower side end approaches, and centered on the position of the rear pin 13. Rear side plate 11 like gear teeth
a protruding portion 11b formed at the tip of
And a projection 12b formed at the tip of the front side plate 12a like teeth of a gear centered at the position. The front support member 12 is further formed with a protruding piece 12c projecting obliquely upward. As will be described later, the protruding piece 12c is pushed by the kick device 2, and the rear support member 11 and the front support The member 12 swings.

The kick device 2 includes a single-row conveyor indicated by an arrow B at each of intersections of the rotary solenoid 2a and the kick arm 2b shown in FIGS. 4 (b), (c) and (d) with the container conveyor PC. 5 in the transport direction of one egg E
They are provided in a state of being lined up. The operation of the rotary solenoid 2a of the kick device 2 is controlled by the control device CO as shown in the control block diagram of FIG.

The kick arm 2b is formed in a substantially L-shape when viewed from the side as shown in FIGS. 4 (c) and 4 (d), and is operated in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4 (b) by the operation of the rotary solenoid 2a. Rocks. When swinging in the direction of the arrow,
The kick arm 2b is located on the movement trajectory of the protruding piece 12c of the cup C.
The kick arm 2b and the protruding piece 12c come into contact with each other. By this contact, the protruding piece 12c is pushed, and the front support member 12 is moved around the pin 13 as shown in FIG.
It swings counterclockwise in (d). Front support member 1
2 is transmitted to the rear support member 11 via protrusions 11b and 12b formed like gear teeth, respectively.
The rear support member 11 swings clockwise about the pin 13 in FIG. As a result, if the egg E is held in the cup C, the egg E falls downward.
On the other hand, if the kick arm 2b is at the position shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4C, the chicken egg E in the cup C passes without falling.

The packaging device 3 is located below the kick device 2 and mainly receives the eggs E dropped from the cup C as shown in the plan view of FIG. 5 and the side view of FIG.
A plurality of holders H, a pair of shafts 32 and 33 for swingably supporting the holder H, a pair of plates 39 and 40 for fixedly supporting the shafts 32 and 33, and a pair of plates 3
A guide arm 43 provided so as to protrude downward from the four corners 9 and 40, and a guide 44 for slidably guiding each of the four guide arms 43 through upper and lower guide holes.
And a pair of eccentric cams 34, which engage with cam followers 39a, 40a provided at the lower portions of the pair of plates 39, 40 to move the pair of plates 39, 40 up and down.
35, a camshaft 45 for fixedly connecting the pair of eccentric cams 34 and 35 to interlock, and a drive motor M2 for rotating the camshaft 45. In this embodiment, five eggs E per row are packed in two rows.
Although the case where the individually packed packaging container P is used is illustrated,
For example, there is a case where a packaging container P in which six eggs E are packed in one row is used. In such a case, the number of the rotary solenoids 2a according to the number of eggs in one row,
What is necessary is just to provide the kick arm 2b and the holder H.

Each of the holders H has a pair of left and right support arms 30 and 3 having a substantially U-shaped egg holding portion at the tip.
1, shafts 32 on its support arms 30, 31;
33, a balance weight 30 attached to an end opposite to the substantially U-shaped tip end across the position supported by 33.
a, 31a, a stopper 42 for regulating the clockwise swing of one support arm 30 in FIG. 6, and a lock device 41 for regulating the clockwise swing of the other support arm 31 in FIG. Have been.

In a state where the egg E is not held in the holder H, the pair of left and right support arms 30 and 31 respectively move the stoppers 4 by the action of the balance weights 30a and 31a.
When the egg E drops from the cup C to the holder H, the pair of left and right support arms 30 and 31 contact the stopper 42 and the lock device 41, respectively. And the drop impact of the egg E is absorbed by this change in posture.

The drive motor M2 is driven by an operation command from the control device CO, and includes a drive gear 38 attached to the rotating shaft of the drive motor M2, a passive gear 36 attached to the camshaft 45, and a drive gear 38 and a passive gear The eccentric cams 34 and 35 are integrally rotated via a drive chain 37 wound around the eccentric cam 36. Eccentric cams 34, 35
As shown in FIG. 6, each of the cam grooves 34 has a substantially circular disk-like outer shape, and has a cam groove 34 concentric with the outer peripheral edge near its outer peripheral portion.
a, 35a are formed, and the cam grooves 34a, 35a
The cam followers 39a and 40a provided at the lower portions of the plates 39 and 40 are engaged and guided.

The camshaft 45 is, as shown in FIG.
Since the eccentric cams 34 and 35 penetrate through the positions deviated from the centers of the circles, when the drive motor M2 rotates the camshaft 45, the cam followers 39a and 40a
a, 35a, so that the plates 39,
40 moves up and down. When the plates 39 and 40 which move up and down are located at the lowest point, that is, when the holder H is located at the lowest point, the eggs E held by the holder H
When the lock device 41 is released, the container is conveyed by the container conveyor PC and falls toward the packaging container P located below the holder H.

The container conveyor PC is, as shown in FIG.
The packaging container P is transported in a state where the lid is opened by the container conveyor driving unit PD installed at the lower end of the transportation of the packaging container P. The container conveyor driving unit PD is controlled by the control unit CO as shown in the control block diagram of FIG.
The packaging container P is transported and driven in synchronization with the operation. Next, a sorting method in which the control unit CO determines whether or not to sort for constant weight packing based on the weighed value of each egg E obtained from the weighing unit MU will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 7, the horizontal axis indicates the number of eggs selected as eggs for constant weight stuffing, and the vertical axis indicates the integrated weight of eggs selected as eggs for constant weight stuffing.

In this selection, from the first to the set number,
It is determined whether or not to adopt the eggs for constant weight stuffing only based on whether or not the eggs are within the predetermined allowable unit weight range, that is, within the allowable range defined by the standard as eggs for constant weight stuffing.
In the present embodiment, the predetermined number, which is the total number of eggs of one fixed weight stuffing, that is, five, which is half of ten, is set as the set number. The range of the maximum variation of the integrated weight that occurs when the eggs are sorted under these conditions is shown by the dashed line 50 in FIG.
Shown at 51. The lower limit of the predetermined allowable unit weight range is L
Assuming that W and the upper limit are UW, the dashed line 50 in FIG. 7 is 5 × UW and the dashed line 51 in FIG. 7 is 5 × LW at the stage where five eggs are selected.

For the sixth to tenth items, the lower limit of the predetermined allowable gross weight range, that is, the allowable range of the gross weight of the fixed weight stuffing is LWE, and the upper limit is LWE, with the selection condition based on the predetermined allowable unit weight range being weighted. Assuming that the value is UWE, the provisional cumulative weight obtained by adding the weight of the sorted raw eggs to be sorted to the cumulative weight of the eggs already adopted as eggs for constant weight packing connects 5 × UW and UWE. It is determined whether or not the eggs to be sorted are to be adopted as the eggs for constant weight filling depending on whether they fall within a range surrounded by the straight line 52 and a straight line 53 connecting 5 × LW and LWE. . That is, whether or not to adopt as the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth pieces is determined by the provisional integrated weight described above.
It is determined whether or not the eggs to be sorted are to be adopted as the eggs for constant weight filling depending on whether or not they are within the sorting allowable ranges indicated by the ranges of W6, W7, W8, and W9, respectively.

Here, the lower limit of each of the ranges W6, W7, W8 and W9 is such that every time one egg is selected, the lower limit of the predetermined allowable total weight range, ie, LWE and the set number of eggs are selected. Expected minimum integrated weight, ie 5 × L
The value obtained by dividing the difference from W by the difference between the predetermined number and the set number, that is, five pieces, is larger than the minimum integrated weight expected when selecting the set number of eggs, that is, 5 × LW. The upper limit of each of the ranges of W6, W7, W8 and W9 is expected when the upper limit of the predetermined allowable total weight range, that is, UWE and the set number of eggs are selected each time one egg is selected. The difference between the maximum cumulative weight, ie, 5 × UW, is divided by the difference between the predetermined number and the set number, ie, 5 pieces, and the value obtained by dividing the set number of eggs is calculated from the maximum cumulative weight expected, ie, 5 × UW. It is getting bigger.

Hereinafter, the egg E is controlled by the control device CO.
The process of selecting and packaging is described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. When the sorting and wrapping apparatus is started, the contents stored in the storage device provided in the control device CO are initialized (step # 1), and a state is entered in which an initial setting input is accepted (step # 2). The input contents of the initial setting input include designation of which container conveyor PC among the six rows of container conveyor PCs to perform the constant weight filling of the eggs E, designation of a predetermined allowable total weight range of the constant weight filling, and constant weight filling. , And a specification of what kind of packing method is to be performed in the container conveyor PC which does not perform constant weight packing. In this embodiment, the number of the eggs E to be stored in one packaging container P in the fixed weight packing is ten, but the setting can be changed as appropriate.

Thereafter, the control unit CO controls the egg feeding conveyor FC
When the weighing data of the egg E is received from the weighing unit MU (Step # 3), it is determined that the weighing data is larger than the set value and the egg E is weighed in the weighing unit MU in a state where it is properly present (Step # 4). ) Determines whether the weighing data of the egg E is within the upper and lower limits, that is, whether it is within the predetermined allowable unit weight range (the range from LW to UW) (step # 5). When the weight of the egg E is within the predetermined allowable unit weight range, if the number of eggs for counting up to the number of eggs out of the total of 10 eggs for constant weight stuffing is 4 or less, the number is fixed as it is. If the egg count is 5 or more, it is further determined whether or not the provisional integrated weight is within the allowable range for sorting (step # 7). If there is, adopt it as chicken egg E for constant weight stuffing. When the adoption for the fixed weight stuffing is determined, the egg count is increased by "+1" (step # 8).
The sorted eggs E are packed by the kicking device 2 into the packaging device 3.
(Step # 9).

The kick data determination process is performed based on the flowchart of FIG. A kick data table shown in FIG. 13 is stored in a storage device built in the control device CO for the kick data determination processing. The kick data table includes a solenoid number field for specifying the rotary solenoid 2a of the kick device 1 corresponding to the position where the chicken eggs E selected for constant weight packing are to be dropped from the single-row conveyor 1, and a chicken egg for constant weight packing. The transport amount from the position on the single-row conveyor 1 of the sorted eggs E at the time when the sorting is determined as E to the present position of the kick device 1 stored in the solenoid number column at the same level of the kick data table. Based on a basic pulse field, which is a field for converting into the number of pulses of the encoder EC and storing it, and based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, every time the encoder EC outputs a pulse, the output pulse number is counted by an interrupt process. Are provided, and the number of stages in the kick data table is the same as that of the single-row conveyor 1. The number of cups C present between the sprockets S1 and S2 is ensured.

Specifically, in the solenoid number column, a total of four digits, the first two digits of which indicate the number of the container conveyor PC and the last two digits indicate the above-mentioned egg count, are stored.
In other words, the number of the selected egg E is determined by the number of the kick device 2 of the five kick devices 2 arranged corresponding to the container conveyor PC. The kick device 2 to be used can be specified by the digit number.

In the kick data determination process, first, a stage where "-999" indicating an empty state is stored in the solenoid number column of the kick data table is searched (step # 4).
0), the number of the container conveyor PC and the order of the selected egg E are stored in the solenoid number column (step # 41), and up to the rotary solenoid 2a corresponding to the basic pulse column of the same stage, that is, After storing the pulse of the encoder EC up to the kick device 2 (step # 42), the pulse count column in the same stage is cleared.
In this cleared pulse count column, the output pulses of the encoder EC are counted from this point onward as described above.

After the kick data determination processing is completed, if the egg count has reached "10" (step # 10), the egg count is cleared (step # 11), and the kick &
A packaging process is executed (Step # 13). In the kick & wrapping process, it is determined whether or not the sorted eggs E have been transported to the position where they are to be dropped at each stage of the kick data table based on the flowchart of FIG. Execute the packaging process. First, from among the kick data table stages, the solenoid number column is not "-999" (step # 50), and the value of the basic pulse column of that stage becomes equal to or less than the value of the pulse count column. Search for the eggs E that have been selected for stuffing and that have been transported to the position where they will fall (Step #)
51).

The egg E being transported to the position where it is to be dropped
Is found, the number of the container conveyor FC and the number of eggs, that is, the egg number E selected out of 10, are read out from the numerical value in the solenoid number column (step # 52), and the number of eggs is counted. Is greater than or equal to 6 (step # 53), the number of the kick device 2 is identified by subtracting "5" to match the number of the kick device 2 (step # 54). The rotary solenoid 2a corresponding to the number of the device 1 is operated to discharge the eggs E to the packaging device 3 (step # 55). When this process is performed, data in the solenoid number column becomes unnecessary, so data indicating an empty state of "-999" is stored (step # 56).

At this time, the value obtained by subtracting 5 from the egg number, that is, the egg number count or the egg number count as needed is “5”.
In other words, if all five holders H of the packaging device 3 are holding the eggs E (step # 57), a flag for permitting the packaging container P to be charged is set (step # 58). ). If the loading permission flag is set and a predetermined time has elapsed (step # 59), the loading permission flag is turned off (step # 60), and the drive motor M2 of the packaging device 3 is operated to cause the eccentric cams 34 and 35 to operate. Is rotated once (step # 61). In the course of one rotation of the eccentric cams 34 and 35, when the holder H is at the lowest point, the lock device 41 is released and the egg E is dropped into the packaging container P. When the eccentric cams 34 and 35 are rotated once, the loading count indicating how many times the packaging device 3 has loaded the packaging container P is incremented by "+1" (step # 62).

The above series of processing is repeated for all the stages of the kick data table.
3) Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 8, the container feeding process is executed (step # 14). The container feeding process is performed based on the flowchart of FIG. In the container feeding process, the input count becomes “2”, and when the storage of the eggs E in one packaging container P is completed (step # 70), the input count is cleared (step # 71), and the next packaging is performed. The container P is transported to the leading position below the packaging device 3 (Step # 72).

On the other hand, if the input count is "1" and only one of the two rows of the storage space of the packaging container P has been stored (step # 73), the packaging container P is transported by one row of the storage space (step # 73). Step # 74). When the input count is “0”, no processing is performed. Packaging container P
Upon completion of the transfer process, the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. With the above, the processing for one piece of weighing data of the egg E received by the control unit CO from the weighing unit MU is completed.
Since the weighing units MU are provided in each of the six rows of the egg feeding conveyor FC, six weighing data are simultaneously received. Therefore, for all of the six weighing data, the processing after the confirmation of the missing egg (Step # 4) is repeated,
When this is completed (step # 15), the distribution of the weight of the eggs to be sorted is too far from the condition of the constant weight pack, that is, the predetermined allowable total weight range, based on the average value of the weights of the eggs to be sorted. Is determined (step # 1).
6) If there is too much deviation, an alarm is displayed (Step # 17), and the weighing data is sent while executing the kick & packaging process (Step # 13) and the container feeding process (Step # 14). Wait for

When the weight of the egg E is not within the predetermined allowable unit weight range (step # 5), and when the provisional integrated weight is not within the allowable range for sorting (step # 7), the fixed weight filling is performed. Instead, processing of other packing methods, such as packing by size according to the agricultural and forestry standard, is executed (step # 12). Therefore, the kick device 2 and the packaging device 3 function as transfer means TR for transferring the sorted eggs to the packaging container P, and the control device CO determines whether or not to adopt the eggs as the fixed-weight-packed chicken eggs E. Function as a determining means DC for determining the state.

[Other Embodiments] In the following, other embodiments will be listed. In the above-described embodiment, the number of set items to be selected only based on whether or not the weight is within a predetermined allowable unit weight range is five. Can be changed. In the above embodiment, the provisional cumulative weight defines the permissible range for sorting in a range surrounded by a straight line 52 connecting 5 × UW and UWE and a straight line 53 connecting 5 × LW and LWE. If the width of the permissible range for selection becomes narrower as the number of selected eggs increases, 5 × UW and UW
The line connecting E and the line connecting 5 × LW and LWE need not be straight lines. In the above embodiment, the transfer means TR is constituted by the kick device 2 and the packaging device 3, but the single row conveyor 1
A manipulator or the like for transferring the egg E transported to the packaging container P may be provided.

Incidentally, reference numerals are provided in the claims for convenience of comparison with the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the structure of the accompanying drawings by the entry.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram according to an embodiment of a chicken egg sorting and packaging apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram according to an embodiment of a chicken egg sorting and packaging apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a main part according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of egg sorting conditions according to an example of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a kick data table according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DC determination means TR transfer means P packaging container

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method according to claim 1, wherein the weight of each of the eggs to be sorted is predetermined and the weight of each egg is within a predetermined allowable unit weight range and the total weight includes a target total weight. An egg sorting method for selecting a predetermined number of eggs so as to fall within an allowable gross weight range, wherein the predetermined number of eggs is within the predetermined allowable unit weight range until the number of selected eggs reaches a set number. After the number of the selected eggs exceeds the set number, the number of the eggs that are within the predetermined allowable unit weight range and the weight of the eggs that have been selected for the selection is determined. weight plus the weight, if within the set sorting tolerance so that more narrow the number of selected eggs increases, the egg selection method begins chosen as an egg of said predetermined number, allowed for the screening For the lower end of the range, select one egg Each put out
Between the lower limit of the predetermined allowable total weight range and the set number.
What is the difference between the minimum estimated weight when selecting an egg and the
Each value divided by the difference between the predetermined number and the set number,
Minimum product expected when selecting the set number of eggs
It is set so as to be larger than the calculated weight, and the upper limit of the sorting allowable range is set every time one egg is selected.
The upper limit of the predetermined allowable total weight range and the set number
The difference between the maximum cumulative weight expected when selecting the eggs
Each value divided by the difference between the predetermined number and the set number,
Maximum product expected when selecting the set number of eggs
It is set to be larger than the calculated weight
Egg selection method to be. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the set number is substantially half of the predetermined number.
The egg sorting method according to claim 1, wherein the number is a number. 3. The respective weights are measured in advance, and are conveyed in a line.
Out of the sorted eggs to be sorted, the weight of each egg
Prescribed tolerance within the weight range and the total weight includes the target total weight
Eggs that select a certain number of eggs so that they fall within the total weight range
A sorting device , wherein the number of eggs selected reaches the set number,
If it is within the permissible unit weight range, as the predetermined number of eggs
After the number of selected eggs exceeds the set number,
It is within the specified allowable unit weight range and is subject to selection judgment
The weight of the egg that has become the total weight of the egg that has already been selected
The added weight becomes narrower as the number of sorted eggs increases.
If it is within the sorting tolerance set to be
And discriminating means out chosen as eggs predetermined number (DC), based on the discrimination result of the discriminating means (DC), said rows
The sorted eggs to be transported to the packaging container (P)
In the egg sorting apparatus provided with a transfer means (TR), the discriminating means (DC) selects a previous egg every time one egg is selected.
Select the lower limit of the specified allowable total weight range and the set number of eggs.
The difference from the minimum integrated weight expected when
The value divided by the difference between the fixed number and the set number
Minimum expected cumulative weight when a fixed number of eggs are selected
The lower limit of the allowable range for sorting is set so that
Constant and, for each out to select one egg, on the predetermined allowable gross weight range
Expected when selecting the limit value and the set number of eggs
The difference between the maximum integrated weight and the predetermined number and the set number
By selecting the number of eggs set above by the value divided by the difference
Above the expected maximum integrated weight
The upper limit of the allowable range for sorting is set.
Egg sorting equipment. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining means (DC) comprises the set number.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the number is approximately half of the predetermined number.
Egg sorting equipment.