JP3203329B1 - Agricultural rank printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to reduce the number of printing apparatuses for printing ranks of agricultural products and to realize a flexible sorting and boxing system. A bar code recognition printing device 90 is provided on a roller conveyor 42 and prints a box number on an empty box KH. A bar code print labeler 91 and fifteen each corresponding to fifteen input conveyors 72a to 72o. Bar code readers 92a-9 installed upstream of the roller conveyors 75a-75o and reading box numbers printed on empty boxes KH.
And 2o, the reversing machine 93 to the box H 90 ° inversion, the bar code reader 94 for reading the box data B _i indicating the printed box number installed box H in the roller conveyor 63, is placed on the roller conveyor 64 inkjet It comprises a printer 95 of a formula or the like, and a bar code reader 92a to 92o and a print data management device 96 connected to the bar code reader 94 and the printer 95 to manage print data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an agricultural product rank printing apparatus for printing codes on agricultural products such as fruits and vegetables, and printing the rank of the agricultural products. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, there has been proposed an invention disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 8-231038 in which a box sorting apparatus is integrated downstream of a system for printing a class on a cardboard using a bar code. In this printing system, as shown in FIG. 23, a barcode printing machine 291 and a box-making machine 241 are provided at the starting end of the box conveyor 242 on the feed side.
A bar code printing machine 291 is disposed so as to face a bar code attaching surface formed on one side surface, and, for example, a corrugated cardboard box or box folded into a sheet at a printing position set on a box transport conveyor 242. When the cardboard box B manufactured in the form is conveyed, the barcode printing machine 291 is driven to sequentially print each barcode for identifying each barcode attaching surface of each cardboard box B. I do. Further, a plurality of box carrying conveyors 243 and box packing machines 261 are arranged downstream of the barcode printing machine 291 in correspondence with the same rank.
Further, a plurality of marking machines 295 and bar code readers 292 are provided downstream of the box packing machine 261 in correspondence with the same class. On the other hand, the lane 221 for flowing fruits and the like and discharging the fruits
And a sorting machine provided with an image processing device 229.
Sorted into 1 and packed in boxes.

[0003]

However, the above-described marking machine 295 and bar code reader 292 are fixedly arranged corresponding to the same class, and a plurality of marking machines 295 and bar code readers 292 are individually arranged corresponding to each of the box packing machines 261. The number of these devices is enormous, and there is a demand for cost reduction. In addition, since the box packing machine is a system for fixedly packing agricultural products in correspondence with each rank, it is difficult to realize a flexible and free sorting box packing system regardless of the rank.

[0004] In view of the above points, an object of the present invention is to reduce the number of printing apparatuses for printing ranks and to realize a flexible sorting box packing system.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an invention according to claim 1 is a rank evaluation device for evaluating agricultural products by predetermined ranks, and a discharge actuator for discharging the agricultural products to a plurality of discharge destinations by rank. Sorting means comprising: a box code assigning means for assigning a code indicating box data to an empty box to supply the empty box; and the agricultural product provided at each of the discharge destinations and discharged from the sorting means. A plurality of boxes each having a box change actuator that packs empty boxes supplied from the box code assigning means for each rank and performs an operation of replacing the empty box with the packed box of the agricultural product in accordance with the sorting state of the sorting means. Automatic box packing means, and the code of an empty box provided before the automatic box packing means, which is provided near the box change actuator of each of the plurality of automatic box packing means. First box code reading means to be created, storage means for storing the first box data, and rank data of the agricultural product received from the sorting means corresponding to the box data as a set, and the plurality of automatic boxes The code is read from a box that is provided downstream of the packing means and is discharged from the automatic packing means and packed with the agricultural product.
A second box code reading means for creating the box data of the second box data; a data search means for searching the storage means for the rank data corresponding to the second box data; and a second box code reading means provided downstream of the second box code reading means. And a variable rank printing means for variably printing, for each box, a rank indicating the rank data retrieved by the data retrieval means.
As a result, it is possible to reduce the number of printing devices that print the rank, and to construct a flexible sorting and boxing system, which is the above problem. The present invention can be applied not only to a conventional agricultural product sorting system in which discharge boxes are fixedly arranged according to ranks, but also to a system provided with an agricultural product sorting system in which discharge boxes are freely arranged according to ranks.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A tangerine selection box packing facility 1 as a preferred embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 9
As shown in FIG. 7, sorting of tangerine K as an agricultural product (see FIG. 7) and automatic packaging are performed. The tangerine fruit boxing equipment 1 comprises a receiving equipment 10, a sorting equipment 20, and a box making equipment 4.
0, a control device 50, a box packing facility 60, and a barcode recognition printing device 90. Here, the target variety is citrus such as Unshu mandarin orange and iyokan. The details will be described below.

(Configuration of Receiving Facility 10)
Tangerine K is supplied from the container C to the sorting equipment 20, and the empty container C is collected. That is, the load receiving facility 10 includes a roller conveyor 11 for transporting the load receiving container C, an inclined conveyor 12 connected to the roller conveyor 11, and a roller conveyor 1 connected to the inclined conveyor 12.
3, an automatic damper 14 connected to the roller conveyor 13 and automatically discharging tangerine K by two containers, a roller conveyor 15 connected to the automatic damper 14, a curve conveyor 16 connected to the roller conveyor 15, and a curve conveyor. The wheeler conveyor 17 includes a wheeler conveyor 17 and a free roller 18 connected to the wheeler conveyor 17.

(Configuration of Sorting Facility 20)
A long sorter 24 provided with a predetermined number (three in this case) of lanes 21 to 23, a grade hand sorter 25 for removing extraordinary products in an upstream region of the sorter 24, a belt conveyor 26 for transporting D-class products , A receiving box 27 for receiving D-class products, a dust removing and polishing machine 28 for removing and polishing tangerine K, and a tangerine K for each lane 21
Aligner 28a, sorting machine 2
4 is provided with an image processing device 29 provided with a color camera unit provided at a predetermined position in the upper part of the apparatus 4, and a sugar / acidity meter 30.

The sorting machine 24 includes three endless conveying members (carriers) 31 to 33 traveling in each of the lanes 21 to 23. The image processing device 29 photographs the tangerine K in order to determine the rank, and then the tangerine K. The load cell 34 and tangerine K installed for each lane that individually weighs the weight are arranged and randomly assigned to each of the lanes 21 to 23. I have. Although the number of lanes is three, the number can be set as appropriate. FIG.
As shown in FIG.
b and a plurality of connecting members 35d provided with guide wheels 35c, and a plurality of support hands 35 corresponding to the wheels 35b, whereby tangerine K is transported one by one, and tangerine K is transferred to each lane. It is set to be conveyed at 7 speeds per second in 21 to 23. The support hand 35 has a rotatable structure as shown by an arrow in the figure, and is capable of supporting and discharging the tangerine K. The wheels 35b run on rails provided in each of the lanes 21 to 23. Tangerine K with image processing device 29
Is rotated once to capture information about the entire periphery. The sorter 24 has three lanes as described above, and has a fruit discharge area 36. As shown in FIG.
23 are provided with 16 outlets 37a-37p, that is, 48 (16 × 3) in total. Of those 48 fruit outlets 37a-37p, 36 (12 × 3) are 1
Fruit discharge ports 37a to 3 in which three grades of mandarin orange K, which are provided and corresponding to two kinds of ranks, are fixed.
7 (from No. 1 to No. 12 in FIG. 5), and nine (3 × 3) of the remaining on the downstream side are the driving state of the fruit discharge solenoid of the fruit discharging device 38 (see FIG. 2) and the automatic packing. Devices 61a to 6
The discharge outlets 37m to 37o (from No. 13 to No. 15 in FIG. 5), which discharge freely regardless of the class, corresponding to the standby state of 1o, and the remaining three are sorting criteria. Drainage (compulsory discharge) 3 that discharges outside (extraordinary) tangerine K
7p (+1 in FIG. 5). One image processing device 29 is provided for each lane, captures 10 images for each tangerine K, and measures each color, scratch, shape (diameter, etc.) by image processing technology, and generates measurement data. I do. The control device 50 discriminates the grade based on a preset standard by adding the weight data of each tangerine K measured by the load cell 34 and the measurement data of the sugar / acidity meter 30 to the measured data. The control device 50 also processes the measurement time data in the sugar / acidity meter 30 and the load cell 34. further,
The image processing device 29 transmits various data such as data indicating which lane 21 to 23 the tangerine K has undergone the image processing and passing time data to the control device 50 described later. The controller 50 determines the discharge position of tangerine K with reference to the data, and discharges the tangerine K to any of the corresponding fruit outlets 37a to 37p.

[0010] Accurate weighing can be realized by adopting the load cell 34 and feeding each one just before the fixed amount. Load cell 3
Since the individual weight of tangerine K is also measured in step 4, various sorting programs can be set. Each lane 21-23
Is equipped with a high-performance sugar / acidity meter 30. The sugar content and the acidity are quickly measured by nondestructive inspection, and the grade is determined based on both the measured data and the image data. With the sugar / acidity meter 30, accurate data can be fed back to the producer, and the reliability is remarkably improved as compared with the conventional sample sampling and destruction measurement.

The sorter 24 receives various data from the image processor 29, the sugar / acidity meter 30, and the load cell 34,
The tangerine K put on the support hand 35 has the above-mentioned color,
According to comprehensive judgments of scratches, sugar / acidity, shape, weight, etc., it is sorted by being discharged to the destinations set at 15 in the 12th class, respectively. The grades are high, medium and low.
There are 3 ranks of rank, excellent, excellent and good, 9 ranks in total, and the ranks are 3 ranks of 3S, 2S, S, M, L, 2L, 3L, and the maximum number of ranks that can be set is 9 × 7 in total Although there are 63 ranks, the ranks set for automatic packaging are 12 ranks among them, and in other cases, they are discharged as extraordinary products. That is, tangerine K is automatically drained by rotating the support hand 35 by the fruit discharging device 38 having 48 solenoids at the fruit outlets 37a to 37p corresponding to the respective classes. . Tangerine K discharged from the above-mentioned fruit outlets 37a to 37p is 1
It is sent out to six discharge passages 80a to 80p (see FIGS. 2 and 6). Each of the discharge passages 80a to 80p is provided with three for the corresponding fruit discharge ports 37a to 37p, and is disposed orthogonal to the transport direction of the endless transport members 31 to 33. One of the major features of this sorting system is that tangerine K does not roll in every process.
By preventing damage and deterioration due to falling, tangerine K is hardly damaged, and there is a great difference in shelf life after shipment.
Further, the shock absorbing brushes 39a to 39c are provided at a plurality of positions for each lane, and are arranged so as to wrap the tangerine K and protect them from a shock, and the shock absorbing brush 39d (see FIG. 3) discharges the fruit. In this case, the impact caused by the fall at the time is reduced.

(Box Making Equipment 40) As shown in FIG. 1, the box making equipment 40 includes a hot melt type semi-automatic box making machine 41, a roller conveyor 42, and a roller conveyor 43, and the production and supply of the empty box KH is also automated. The sensor (not shown) detects the presence or absence of the empty box KH and is automatically supplied to a box packing facility 60 described later.

(Configuration of control system such as control device 50)
Next, an electronic sorter 24, a control device 50, and the like that control sorting and automatic boxing will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 11, the sorting machine 24 includes a microcomputer that controls sorting, and includes a CPU 24a, a RAM,
24b, ROM 24c, counter 24d, timer 24
e, a storage device 24f composed of a hard disk or the like,
The input / output interface 24g is mutually connected by a bus 24h. The image processing device 29, the sugar / acidity meter 30, the load cell 3
4. The display device 24i, the drainage device 38, and the like are connected so that various input signals and output signals are input and output. That is, the sorting machine 24 refers to the input signals from the image processing device 29, the sugar / acidity meter 30, and the load cell 34, and determines the above-described equal-grade discrimination data, time data, lane data,
Weight data M _{1 to} M ₃ measured by each of the three load cells 34,
Weight addition data N _{1 to} N ₁₂ corresponding to twelve classes
And the like and store the various data in the control device 5.
0, the sorting signal is transmitted to the fruit outlets 37a to 37p corresponding to the same class, and control for discharging the tangerine K is performed. The load cell 34 measures the weight of each tangerine K,
The weight detection signal is detected and input to the sorter 24.

Next, the control device 50 includes a CPU 51 and a RAM.
52, a ROM 53, a counter 54, a timer 55, a storage device 56 composed of a hard disk and the like, and an input / output interface 57 interconnected by a bus 57a. A display device 58,
Sorting machine 24, input device 59, automatic box packing device 61a to 61
o (including a box replacement air cylinder 76), a print data management device 96, an air cylinder 73 and the like as necessary, and various input signals and output signals are input and output. The CPU 51 of the control device 50 performs a predetermined operation or the like in response to an initial setting or an input signal, and supplies a command signal to each of the above-described units. The RAM 52 reads and writes these data temporarily. ROM
In 53, a program such as packing is stored for reading only. In addition, the control device 50 generates a command to be output to each unit, and outputs a command to generate a packaging switching signal due to the detection of the load cell 34, and outputs the packaging switching signal to the automatic packaging device 61a. Control to determine the timing of transmission to 〜61o is executed. The automatic damper 14 is separately controlled by a damper control panel. The motor is separately controlled by a power board.

The display device 58 is composed of a liquid crystal display panel or the like, and is arranged adjacent to the control device 50. The display device 58 is for displaying various messages, symbols, and the like relating to class sorting, packing, and the like. Instead of the liquid crystal display panel, another type of display device such as an LED and a CRT may be used.

The counter 54 functions as a box number counting counter. After the power is turned on, the initial value of the box number count value G of the counter 54 is set to "0", and signals from the automatic boxing devices 61a to 61o are output. , The tangerine K of one rank is incremented in an ascending order and repeatedly every time the tangerine K of one rank is box-packed, and the box-package number count value G is displayed on the display device 58. Further, the input device 59 can set the target weight of the box (for example, 10 kg in this case).

The timer 55 controls time, and performs arithmetic processing relating to time, such as the elapsed time from a predetermined time or the current time. The storage device 56 is an external storage device such as a hard disk for reading and writing data, storing and holding data, and the like.

The CPU 51 performs processing such as adding the measured weight data, generating a box change signal when the weight data reaches the target weight range, and outputting the box change signal to the automatic box packing devices 61a to 61o. This will be described later in detail together with a flowchart.

(Explanation of Box Packing Equipment 60) Next, the box packing equipment 60 will be described. The box packing facility 60 is provided with a plurality of (here, 15 pieces are provided corresponding to the above-described outlets 37a to 37o) automatic box packing devices 61a to 61o, and empty boxes of tangerines K belonging to the same class are provided. It is packed in KH and is characterized by eliminating the weighing machine. With the load cell 34 provided in the sorting machine 24, the individual weight of the flowing mandarin orange K is measured in advance, that is, individually weighed before the fruits and the like are packed in the empty box KH in advance, and the weight is within a predetermined weight value range. The automatic switching device 61a-6 determines whether or not the package has been entered, and outputs a packaging switching signal.
1o, the box switching air signal 76 is driven by the box switching signal to push the box H downstream, discharge it to the roller conveyor 62, and switch the boxed object to an empty box KH.

Further, the box packing and sealing equipment 60 is provided with roller conveyors 62 to 6 for discharging the box H, which has been filled with tangerine K, discharged from the automatic box packing devices 61a to 61o to the downstream side.
5 and a vibrator 6 connected to the roller conveyor 65
6, a hot melt type automatic sealing machine 67 connected to the vibrator 66, a roller conveyor 68 and a free roller 69 connected to the automatic sealing machine 67, a compressor 70 serving as an air supply source, and the like. Things.

(Explanation of Automatic Box Packing Devices 61a to 61o) The automatic box packing devices 61a to 61o may be either a flat type or a tilt type, but here, a flat type structure is adopted. In any case, the weighing machine provided in the conventional apparatus can be eliminated. Automatic box packing devices 61a to 61 which are features of the present embodiment.
1o will be described with reference to FIG. 5 to FIG. 9. The discharge passages 80a to 80o are disposed orthogonally to the transport direction of the sorter 24.
Feeding conveyors 72a to 72o comprising 15 belt conveyors connected in series, and an air cylinder 73 rotatably connecting the base ends of the feeding conveyors 72a to 72o to the distal ends of the discharge passages 80a to 80o. Supporting device 7 provided
4. Roller conveyors 75a to 75 for transporting the box H to the downstream side
5o, a box-replacement air cylinder 76 (see FIG. 7) is provided in the lower region of each of the input conveyors 72a to 72o, and each of the input conveyors 72a to 72o is provided with 15 box-replacement air cylinders 76 corresponding to each other. Input conveyors 72a to 72o
A roller conveyor 43 is arranged in a lower area of the roller conveyor 43 at right angles.

Of the above-mentioned automatic box packing devices 61a to 61o, the automatic box packing devices 61a to 61l are the fruit discharge ports 37a to 37l in which the same grade of the tangerine K to be discharged is fixed.
(Nos. 1 to 12 in FIG. 5), and the automatic box packing devices 61m to 61o correspond to fruit outlets 37m to 37o (Nos. 13 to 15 in FIG. 5). In addition, the extraordinary goods accommodation device 6
1p corresponds to the fruit outlet 37p (+1 in FIG. 5).

Automatic packing devices 61a to 61l corresponding to twelve fixed feeding conveyors 72a to 72l
Is in a standby state, transmits a standby signal to the control device 50,
In the control device 50, the sorter 24 is set so as to discharge the fruits to the automatic box packing devices 61a to 61l. On the other hand, if the automatic box packing devices 61a to 61l corresponding to the twelve input conveyors 72a to 72l fixed in the same class are in operation,
For the ones that are in operation, the in-operation signal is transmitted to the control device 50, and the automatic packaging devices 61a to 61l cannot be used. The sorter 24 is set so that tangerine K flows from a standby position among the devices 61m to 61o. That is, as shown by arrows X, Y, and Z in FIG. 6, here, three input conveyors 72 m are freely provided regardless of the class.
Sorting machine 2 to flow tangerine K from the vacant area of ~ 72o
4 is set. For example, the automatic box packing device 61a
The weight of tangerine K packed in any box of ~ 61 l is 1
If it is 0 Kg, for example, the sorting machine 24 is set to drop the tangerine K next to the last tangerine K into the empty box KH on the Y side. This is to secure time for changing the box from the last box H filled with tangerine K to the empty box KH. In short, a plurality of (three in this case) automatic packing apparatuses 61m to 61o of any rank are provided, and switching is performed from a vacant place to pack the tangerine K into the empty box KH. The number of such free automatic box packing devices 61m to 61o of the same grade is not limited to three, but may be two or four or more. Details of the processing such as updating of the class will be described later.

A lower portion of each of the charging conveyors 72a to 72o;
The bases of the roller conveyors 75a to 75o are connected by two air cylinders 73, respectively, so that they expand and contract. The supporting device 74 is provided with each of the charging conveyors 72a to 72o.
And the rear end of the discharge passages 80a to 80o are connected,
Accordingly, the support device 74 can be swung about the fulcrum. This makes it possible to adjust the height of the empty box KH by simply raising and lowering the charging conveyors 72a to 72o by hand. That is, if the box capacity of the empty box KH is different, the height of the empty box KH naturally changes. For example, FIG. 7 corresponds to a box capacity of 10 kg, FIG. 8 corresponds to 7.5 kg, and FIG. 5Kg, the size of the empty box KH is known in advance, but by changing the inclination angle of the input conveyors 72a to 72o in accordance with the amount of the empty box KH, the empty box KH is changed.
It adjusts to the height of H and reduces the damage of tangerine K. Although the above-described height adjustment is manually set, it can be set to be driven by a push button or the like. Further, a sensor for detecting the height of the box is provided, and the charging conveyors 72a to 72a to 7
The inclination of 2o can also be adjusted.

The box change air cylinder 76 expands and contracts in response to a box change signal. That is, assuming that a tangerine K having a predetermined weight, for example, 10 kg, has entered the box H, the empty box KH is detected by the sensor S and pressed. Then, the roller conveyor 75a ~
Since the box 75H is driven, the box H is pushed out by the roller conveyors 75a to 75o in a predetermined direction after the empty box KH is pressed.

(Structure of Bar Code Recognition Printing Apparatus 90) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the bar code recognition printing apparatus 90 includes a bar code print labeler 91 installed on a roller conveyor 42 for printing a box number on an empty box KH. , Empty boxes K installed upstream of the respective fifteen roller conveyors 75a to 75o corresponding to the fifteen input conveyors 72a to 72o.
Bar code reader 92 that reads the box number printed on H
a to 92o, a reversing machine 93 for reversing the box H by 90 °,
Bar code reader 94 for reading the box data B _i indicating the printed box number installed box H in the roller conveyor 63
And a printer 95 installed on the roller conveyor 64, such as an ink jet printer, and a print data management device 96 for managing print data.

Next, as shown in FIG.
The bar code readers 92a to 92o are provided one-to-one with respect to the bar code readers 92a to 92o.
92o is installed at the entrance side of the automatic box packing devices 61a to 61o, and the empty box KH is detected before the detection of the forward end of the box replacement air cylinder 76.
By moving, it is assumed that the barcode has already been read at the forward end. A predetermined time lag such as at least 0.5 seconds is set between the forward end of the box replacement air cylinder 76 and the position where the bar code is to be attached. If you want more time, shift the barcode reading position farther in front of the forward end. Box replacement air cylinder 76 is empty box K
When H is pushed to the forward end, a transmission OK signal is transmitted to the controller 50 and the sorter 24 so that the controller 50
It transmits the equal rank data J ₁ through J ₁₂ and the box data B _i Verify the forward end of Hakokawa air cylinder 76 to the print data management unit 96. That is, when the empty box KH is supplied from the roller conveyor 43 to each of the corresponding automatic box packing devices 61a to 61o, that is, the empty box KH is
Is the most suitable timing for data transmission. This is for the following reason. When reading barcodes with barcode readers 92a to 92o, class data J
When the ₁ ~J ₁₂ comes at the same time, the reading of the bar code is slower, because the time lag is likely to read the data destination of the resulting. That is, the transmitted class data J ₁
Through J ₁₂ are those indicating whether placed in the automatic box filling device 61a~61o the oranges K equal rank controller 50 either,
This is to avoid confusion of the class data J _{1 to} J ₁₂ resulting from the incorrect reception. Therefore, when the class data J _{1 to} J ₁₂ transmitted from the control device 50 are switched, for example, when the previous M was changed to the excellent M but now changed to the excellent S, an empty box is set. K
H indicating that box H has changed since H was supplied
The K signal is sent from the automatic packaging devices 61a to 61o to the control device 50.
It is sent to. In short, the barcode reader 92
After reading the barcode A～92o, transmits a combination of equal rank data J ₁ through J ₁₂ and the box data B _i from the control unit 50 to the print data management unit 96, the preferred method is the most that is stored in the set It is.

(Configuration of Print Data Management Apparatus 96)
An electronic print data management device 96 for controlling the printing of the box number and the same class will be described with reference to FIGS. The print data management device 96 includes a CPU 96
a, a RAM 96b, a ROM 96c, a counter 96d, a timer 96e, a storage device 96f (external storage device such as a hard disk), and an input / output interface 96g via a bus 96h.
Are connected to each other. The input / output interface 96g includes a control device 50, a barcode print labeler 91, barcode readers 92a to 92o,
3. Bar code reader 94, printer 95, display device 9
7i, a speaker 97j, an input / output device 97k including a keyboard and the like are connected, and various input signals and output signals are input / output. The CPU 96a performs a predetermined operation or the like upon receiving the initial setting or the input signal,
An output signal is supplied to each of the above-described units. RAM 96b
Is the above-described class data J transmitted from the controller 50.
_{1 to} J ₁₂ , time data, lane data, fruit outlet data R ₁
To R _15, etc., and temporarily read and write various data. The print program is stored in the ROM 96c in a read-only manner. Print data management unit 96 generates a command to be output to the respective units, by outputting the command bar code label LA (FIG character that corresponds to the uniform class data J ₁ through J ₁₂ oranges K packed in boxes 22 (a)
(See (b))). The barcode label LA has an equal-grade printing section RC in an upper area and a barcode printing section HC in a lower area. Class data J ₁ to which tangerine K packed in a box in the class printing unit RC belongs.
Etc. class is printed after packing corresponding to through J _12, bar code indicating the box data B _i in bar code printing portion HC of the lower region is adapted to be printed before packing (Figure 22
reference).

The bar code data printed by the bar code print labeler 91 and read by the bar code readers 92a to 92o and the bar code reader 94 are as follows. That is, the box data B _i is the serial number of the box,
The bar code label LA (FIG. 22) attached to the box
(See (a) and (b)). It is unclear how much to put per day, 10,000 boxes or 50 pieces
When pasting the 00 box, the pasted box may be used continuously as it is, but if it starts from the first day on one day and starts again on the next day, the number may be duplicated . Therefore, in the data to be handled, the Julian calendar, that is, January 1 is the first, December 31 is the 365 or the leap year 366, and three digits are added to the beginning. Then, even if there is an empty box KH for about one year, it will be effective. If 10,000 boxes have been made, the start may be from 0 or 1, or 9999 may be issued. For example, if the daily fruit selection is up to 50t, 10kg in a 5kg box
There are 5,000 boxes for 000 boxes and 10 kg boxes. Since the entire box to which the barcode is attached cannot be digested on the day, considering the yearly unit, as shown in FIG. 10B, for the first three digits, January 1 is set to 001 and December 31 is set to 365 ( The leap year is prefixed with the number of 366), and the last 4 digits are added to the daily production volume of 10,000 to generate a 7-digit barcode with 001001 as the start number and 36599999 as the last number, so it is safe for one year It is. Actually 1
This number does not appear because it is unlikely that the fruit will be selected on the first day of the month. Regarding the data amount in the program, the data to be stored are stored in the automatic packaging devices 61a to 61b.
Since it is sufficient that the storage capacity is sufficient for the processing performed during the transfer from the printer O to the printer 95, the automatic packing device 6
1a-61o is for 15 cars, so look at 8 times and 1
Prepare 20 sets.

Next, the class data J _{1 to} J ₁₂ handled by the sorting machine 24, the control device 50 and the print data management device 96.
As shown in FIG. 10 (a), four data are set for the sugar content, that is, the high sugar content is set to 1, the medium sugar content is set to 2, the low sugar content is set to 3, the spare is set to 4, and the grade is set to 4 data. That is, 1 for excellent, 2 for good, 3 for good, 4 for spare, and 8 data for class, ie, 3S is 1, 2S is 2, S is 3, M is 4, L is 5, 2L is 6, 3L is set to 7, and Reserve is set to 8. As an example of data handled by the print data management device 96, if the rank of tangerine K is 3S with a high sugar content, data of 111 is allocated and processed by numerical values, and the data is processed as a number 1 (0010001) on January 1st. Sugar content, excellent, 3S (1
11) and stored as a set. In some cases, seven digits are unnecessary, but here we look at the margin. These data are given as one general example, as these data will vary from one culmination site to another.

Next, the program and operation of the sorting machine 24 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. First, when the sorter 24 is connected to a power source and power is supplied to each circuit from a power source unit (not shown), the CPU 2
4a performs a series of initial settings such as resetting a counter and a flag. Here, the various count values and the initial values of the flags are all “0”. In the following flowcharts and descriptions thereof, “step” is simply abbreviated as “S”.

The sorting control program and the like according to the present embodiment
OM24c, and this is read out and the CP
It is executed according to the command of U24a. This CP
The U24a is connected to a hardware interrupt every time the reset start is started during the operation of the sorter 24.
The main processing shown in FIG. First, when the process is started, a motor driving process of the sorter 24, the roller conveyor and the like is performed (S1), a fruit sorting process is performed (S2), a fruit outlet updating process (S3), and other processes (subroutines are illustrated). (S4), and waits until the main routine is started next time (the subroutine is not shown) (S5). The main feature of this routine lies in the fruit selection process (S2) and the fruit outlet updating process (S3). In the present embodiment, the motor driving process (S1), other (S4), and standby (S5) among the processes in the figure are performed in the same manner as a general technique, and thus the description will be appropriately omitted.

The fruit selection process (S2) will be described with reference to FIG. It is determined whether or not data has been input from the image processing device 29, the sugar / acidity meter 30, and the load cell 34 (S
20), if YES, fruit selection determination processing of tangerine K is performed according to the set reference (S21), and the process returns. If NO in S20, the process returns to the return.

The fruit outlet updating process (S3) will be described with reference to FIG.
Will be explained. First, it is determined whether or not the fruit mouth setting is necessary
(S30). That is, by the automatic box packing devices 61a to 61o
Tangerines that are finally boxed to ensure time for box change
Tangerine K next to K is in a different fruit outlet from the last tangerine K
It is necessary to shed. If NO in S30, litter
If the answer is YES in S30, the box is packed at the end.
Ripe mandarin orange K belongs to a fixed orifice (No. 1-12)
To the free orifice (13th to 15th)
Is determined (S31). Drainage data R₁~ R
_FifteenAbout "1" for fixed fruiting mouth, free fruiting mouth
If so, a fruit outlet identification flag of "0" is stored in the RAM 52.
It is determined by this. If YES in S31,
The fixed spout corresponding to its rank is not in use
Therefore, the fruit discharge is switched to the corresponding fixed fruit discharge (S3
2), proceed to S35. On the other hand, if NO in S31,
Since the regular fruit juice is in use, the free fruit juice (No. 13 to 1)
No. 5) is detected and the standby signal for automatic packaging is detected (S3).
3) Also, the driving state of the fruit discharge solenoid of the fruit discharging device 38
Is detected (S34). Update next fruit discharge to free fruit discharge
If you try to do so, the class data J₁~ J
₁₂Is freely determined, so that a standby signal indicating a standby state and
Sorting of the fruit discharge solenoid, which indicates the driving state of the fruit discharge solenoid
Class data J₁~ J₁₂And spout day
R₁~ R _FifteenIs updated and stored in the RAM 52, and the fixed
If you try to update the next drainage to the mouth, every time you change the box,
Class data J₁~ J₁₂Is fixed.
The data is held (S35). In other words, the next
If the fruit outlet is a free fruit outlet,
And the automatic boxing device 61m belonging to the free fruit outlet
Among the items 61o, the one that is on standby is selected. Ma
If the next fruit outlet to be set is a fixed fruit outlet,
If so, select the fruit outlet belonging to that class that requires a box change.
You. Tangerine only when replacing box H, only for that time
K can not be flowed, so switching time was secured
If you do not set a box change time,
The automatic box packing machines 61a to 61l belong to
-Borrowing free litter temporarily
The purpose is to evacuate tangerine K. In this way
Predetermined fruit outlet data R of constant fruit outlet₁~ R₁₂And so on
Class data J₁~ J₁₂Are stored in the RAM 52. one
One, fruit discharge data R corresponding to free fruit discharge₁₃~ R_FifteenAnd so on
Class data J₁~ J₁₂Is stored in the RAM 52,
The class data J₁~ J₁₂About RAM 52
When updated and stored.

Next, an output solenoid sorting signal is generated and output with reference to the aforementioned output port data R _{1 to} R ₁₅ and the equivalent class data J _{1 to} J ₁₂ (S36). As a result, the fruit discharge ports 37a to 37p from which the tangerine K is discharged can be determined, and the corresponding fruit discharge device 38 can be driven so as to be distributed and discharged to the corresponding fruit discharge ports 37a to 37p. S3 above
The grade class data J _{1 to} J ₁₂ and the fruit discharge data R _{1 to} R ₁₅ updated in step 5 are transmitted to the print data management device 96 (S3).
7).

According to the above-described fruit outlet updating process, when the added weight belonging to each grade reaches about 10 kg, the sorting machine 24 flows from the next mandarin orange K to the empty fruit outlet.
The sorting signal is transmitted to the fruit discharging device 38 of FIG. When the packing is completed, a standby signal is issued from the automatic box packing devices 61a to 61o. When a certain fruit opening is empty, it means that a standby signal is issued, and the mandarin orange K is discharged therefrom. This is because unless the standby signal is transmitted from the automatic box packing devices 61a to 61o to the control device 50 and the sorting machine 24, the sorting machine 24 cannot search for an empty space. Automatic boxing device 61a-
An operation signal or a standby signal is transmitted from 61o. If the standby signal is OFF, the automatic packaging device 61
It can be determined that any of a to 61o is in operation. When the packing is completed, the automatic packing devices 61a to 61o shift to a standby state. Then, the sorting machine 24 determines and assigns the fruit outlet to the place where the standby signal is output. The judging element for determining the fruit drainage is whether or not a standby signal is transmitted from the automatic box packing devices 61a to 61o. The operator looks at the standby signal and selects the next fruit drain from there. In addition, where the mandarin orange K is discharged, that is, which of the fruit discharge solenoids is actually driven, is understood by observing the solenoid sorting signal. It may be determined that K has not been exhausted and whether both of these two conditions have been satisfied.

Further, this fruit outlet updating process is characterized in that the fixed fruit outlet and the free fruit outlet can be selectively used, and the free fruit outlet can be flexibly set according to the boxing condition and the fruit discharging condition. That is, when sorting is performed in the 12th class, normally, a multiple of 24 should be set as a fixed fruit outlet, for example, 12 fixed fruit outlets, plus 3 free fruit outlets, It is only necessary to make an appropriate number of extra fruit outlets such as four. At first, the sorter 24 discharges to the fixed fruit discharge port, and three free fruit discharge ports are available. When the last tangerine K is discharged into the box of the fixed spout and one box is clogged, the time to change the box must be secured, so the next one must be moved to the next spout. Of the three free fruit outlets,
Since there is a vacant orifice in one of them, a vacant orifice is searched for, the fruit is switched to that, and it is freely allocated to it. Then, the rank of tangerine K flowing to the free fruit discharge mouth changes at any time according to the state. Therefore, the automatic packaging device does not require a multiple for the same class, so that the number of automatic packaging devices can be reduced, the length of the fruit discharge area of the sorting machine 24 can be shortened, the space can be saved, and the situational responsiveness can be improved. It will be excellent. The number of free fruit outlets to be set depends on the number of equal ranks and the flow rate of tangerine K, and thus is set specifically according to the state.

It should be noted that the fixed fruit outlet can be set to M of the same rank, and this can be alternately output so that it does not flow to other fruit outlets. In the case where there is no such instruction, the sorter 24 itself makes the determination with reference to the solenoid drive state and the standby state.

Next, the assignment changing process of FIG. 17 and the fixed fruit outlet assignment changing process of FIG. 18 will be described. These processes are performed when it is necessary to change the allocation, for example, when tangerine K belonging to a certain class is intensively large, when the set allocation is not enough, or the like. Basically, the assignment of the class is fixed, but it is also possible to change the assignment when the processing amount increases, so that it is possible to flexibly respond and improve the operation efficiency. For example, although the number corresponding to the class L is set to two, but the class L is small and the class M is more, the setting is changed to increase the class M at that time. In addition, since there are many classes M today, it is effective to assign another class M.
It is also possible to eliminate the fixed orifice and to use a free orifice. Such processing can be easily changed by inputting with the input device 59.

The allocation changing process shown in FIG. 17 is executed by the sorting machine 24, and can change the ratio between the fixed and free fruit outlets. That is, when the process is started by a predetermined input, a change menu is displayed on the display device 58, and an input is made from the input device 59 (keyboard) to input whether or not to change the ratio of the fruit outlet (S40). If the determination is affirmative, for example, the current 12 fixed fruit outlets and three free fruit outlets can be freely changed to an appropriate number, such as six fixed fruit outlets and nine free fruit outlets. When it is completed (S41), the process returns to the return.
If a negative determination is made in S40, the process returns to the return.

The fixed fruit outlet allocation changing process shown in FIG. 18 is executed by the sorter 24, and the assignment of fixed fruit outlets to the same class can be changed. That is, when the process is started by a predetermined input, a change menu is displayed on the display device 58, and is input from the input device 59 (keyboard) to input whether or not to change the assignment of the fixed fruit outlet (S50). If the determination is affirmative, for example, the grade can be changed from L to M among the current 12 fixed fruit discharge mouths (S5).
1) Exit to return. If a negative determination is made in S50, the process returns to the return.

The automatic packaging process shown in FIG. 19 will be described. The control program and the like for the automatic packaging process are stored in the ROM 53 and are read out and executed according to a command from the CPU 51. The CPU 51 includes the control device 5
During the operation of 0, every time a reset is started by a hardware interrupt, the processing shown in FIG. 19 is started.

It is determined whether or not a signal has been input from the load cell 34 via the sorter 24 (S60). If YES, the weight data M _{1 to} M ₃ weighed by the _three load cells 34 and the passage of the tangerine K load cell 34 are passed. time T ₁ ~T _3, RAM52 lane position data L ₁ ~L ₃ like oranges K has been conveyed
Stored in (S61), the weight data M ₁ ~M ₃ oranges K 1
A process is performed for distributing and adding the data for each of the two classes and calculating the weight addition data N _{1 to} N ₁₂ corresponding to the twelve classes (S62). Next, a feeling process is performed (S63). That is, the weight data M _{1 to} M ₃ are added, and at the final stage, tangerine K having a weight closest to the setting of 10 kg is selected. For example, an excessively heavy tangerine K is allowed to pass through the fruit discharge area 36 as it is, and instead, a light tangerine K is discharged. Then, when the added weight falls within the target weight range, the box replacement air cylinders 7 of the automatic box packing devices 61a to 61o provided corresponding to the lanes 21 to 23 are provided.
6 is generated (S6).
4). Next, a box change time is determined in consideration of the time required from the measurement in the load cell 34 to the tangerine K inlet of the automatic box packing device 61a to 61o (depending on the position of each of the fruit outlets 37a to 37o). (S65). This required time can be calculated based on the transport speed and distance of the endless transport members 31 to 33. From RAM52 table, the addition weight searching Haihate port data R ₁ to R ₁₅ corresponds to the uniform class data J ₁ through J ₁₂ has reached the target weight (S66), the corresponding automatic box filling device 61a~61o Is specified. Next, it is determined whether it is time to switch the box H (S67).
If YES, a switching signal is output to the box change air cylinder 76 to drive the box change and execute the box change (S68). It is determined whether or not the box change has been completed (S69). If YES, a standby signal indicating that the box is in a standby state is set (S7).
0), the weight addition value belonging to the same class after the box change is cleared (S71), and the process returns to the return. S6
0, if NO in S67, return to the return. NO at S69
In the case of, the process of S69 is repeated.

The flow of print processing (bar code processing) executed by the print data management device 96 will be described with reference to FIGS. The print control program and the like are stored in the ROM 96c, are read out, and are executed according to a command from the CPU 96a. The CPU 96a activates the processing shown in FIG. 21 every time a reset is started by a hardware interrupt during the operation of the print data management apparatus 96.

After the box is formed by the hot melt type semi-automatic box making machine 41, as shown in FIG. 22 (a), the bar code label LA is affixed to all the empty boxes KH by the bar code print labeler 91 (S80). A bar code label LA on which a bar code is printed is attached to the bar code printing section HC. The contents of this barcode are different for each box (here, numbers are shown in ascending order). The grade printing section RC is blank. By attaching a bar code to an empty box KH, have unique box data B _i.

After the bar code is pasted, it is checked whether the bar code has been pasted correctly. If the bar code cannot be read, "no-read" is set, the sheet is discharged out of the line, and pasted again (S81). Empty box K when barcode can be read
H is supplied from the roller conveyor 42 to the roller conveyor 43. When turning on the empty boxes KH automatic box filling device 61A～61o, read the bar code with the bar code reader 92a~92o installed in the inlet of the automatic box filling device 61A～61o, correspondence storage box data B _i that (S82). This is done by the barcode readers 92a to 92o, which boxes H are assigned to which automatic boxing devices 61a to 61o (numbers 1 to 15 are assigned as shown in FIG. 5) until they are printed by the printer 95. This is a process for temporarily storing whether the data has passed or not.

Read with bar code readers 92a-92o
Box data B_iAnd the bar code readers 92a to 92o
Fruit data R corresponding to₁~ R_FifteenAnd the corresponding orifice
Rank data J of tangerine K flowing in 37a-37o₁
~ J₁₂Is sent from the control device 50,
TAB_iAnd rank data J₁~ J₁₂RAM 96 as a set
b (S83). Bar code readers 92a-9
2o and fruit outlet data R ₁~ R_FifteenIs one-to-one
So, for example,₁(Automatic boxing device 61a)
Has the first empty box KH and is going to be filled with excellent L
Set the first box and the excellent L data
In one-to-one correspondence by storing in
In the boxing device 61a, tangerine K of excellent L grade flows and 1
Information about what is about to be packed in the box
We can memorize it.

Then, the bar code is read again by the bar code reader 94 on the upstream side of the printer 95 for equal-grade printing (S84). By reading box data B _i corresponding to a box H having passed by this, in order to prepare for printing.
And one of the bar code reader 92A～92o, 2 times with a bar code reader 94, is for ensure accuracy of reading the box data B _i. For example, a preparation is made to give a print command to the printer 95, such as reading in this S84 and hitting a superior L (see FIG. 22B).

Next, with reference to the loaded boxes data B _i, corresponding to the box data B _i, read by searching the equal rank data J ₁ through J ₁₂ which is to the set (S
85). That is, the number of the box H currently corresponding to the first automatic box packing device 61a is searched and assigned to the data, and the grade data J _{1 to} J ₁₂ and the box data B _i are assigned.
Combine. This is because a plurality of boxes H are on roller conveyor 6
2 is a process for identifying which class, such as excellent M, is in the box to be processed. This enables the printer 95 to perform variable printing while changing the class every moment.

Next, defective products are checked and discharged (S8).
6). If the bar code cannot be read, such as when the bar code is peeled off in the middle, etc., it is determined that the bar code is defective, and the bar code is ejected.

The read rank data J _{1 to} J ₁₂ are sent to the printer 95, and the ranks such as “L” and “S” are excellent for the grade print section RC of the bar code label LA (see FIG. 22 (b)).
Is printed by inkjet (S87). Since only one printer 95 is required, cost reduction and simplification of the apparatus are effective, and the class of printing on the flowing box H changes as needed, but this can be flexibly dealt with. The printer 95 is an ink jet type, and print characters are 12 characters.
All types are incorporated and can be switched immediately for printing.

FIG. 10B shows an example of the above processing.
To explain, 7-digit box data B _i"001000
"1" is the fruit mouth data R₁From the barcode reader 92a
Read, and at that time, the fruit outlet data from the control device 50
R₁(No. 1) is boxed class data "111"
Is transmitted, the box data B is temporarily_i"0010
001 ”and class data“ 111 ”as a set in RAM
96b. With this, various boxes H
Comes from the roller conveyor 62
When the barcode is read by the reader 94, the box data
B_iIf it is “0010001”, the above class data
By searching for “111”, you can find the high sugar 3 in Box H
It is identified that the tangerine K of S is packed. example
For example, if 001001 is put in DM0 and DM1, 12
The 0th set is DM238 and DM239. Against this
In response, DM400 to DM599
Store as a numerical value. Barcode at the position in front of the printer 95
The bar code is read by the reader 94 and the box data B is read._iWhen
Search and match between matching DM000 to DM239
Search for the item, box data B_iIf matches, the corresponding
Read the class data stored in D400 to DM599
And prints the class corresponding to the class data to the printer 95.
To print the bar code label LA on the grade printing section RC
You. Box data B_iIf there is no match for
If the code cannot be read, discharge it out of the line.

If the contents of the box H discharged from the automatic box packing devices 61a to 61o are replaced, or the box H is broken and cannot be used anymore, the box data B is manually input / output device 97k. _i and the class data J _{1 to} J ₁₂ are set.

Next, the overall operation of the tangerine fruit boxing equipment 1 will be described in chronological order. At the time of receiving the tangerine K, producer data such as date and time, producer name, variety, and number of containers are registered in the server, a slip is issued, and producer management is performed. Container C is transported to the second floor by a container elevator and weighed on a container scale. Tangerine K sent is auto damper 14
Is automatically lifted to the sorting machine 24 by two containers, and the graded manual sorting machine 25 removes only the extra-goods. Aligner 28a
The tangerine K distributed to each of the lanes 21 to 23 is conveyed one by one by the support hand 35, and the image processing device 2
9 is sent to the sorter 24 provided with the sifter 9. In the color camera section of the image processing device 29, the tangerine K is fully rotated, information on the entire circumference of the tangerine K (10 images) is captured, and information such as color, shape, scratch, and diameter is acquired. Are weighed individually. These data are processed by the image processing device 29. The sugar / acid content is measured by the sugar / acid content meter 30, and the measurement data is transmitted to the control device 50. The control device 50 determines the rank of tangerine K based on the transmitted data. The grade is grade (excellent, excellent, good, sugar content), grade (S,
M, L, 2L). The tangerine K whose grade has been determined is automatically drained to the fruit outlets 37a to 37p corresponding to each rank, and the automatic packaging device 6
It is discharged to 1a to 61o. Tangerine K, a specialty product, has 3 fruit outlets
At 7a, tangerine K outside the sorting criteria is led to the forced discharge port 37p. Since this sorter 24 also measures individual weights,
The control device 50 can add the weight of tangerine K belonging to the same rank and can set an optimal program for packing. Thereby, the automatic packaging device 6
The weighing machine can be deleted from 1a to 61o. The tangerine K is conveyed to the input conveyors 72a to 72o via the discharge passages 80a to 80o, and is input into the empty box KH.

The empty box KH is affixed with a bar code label LA on which a bar code is printed by a bar code print labeler 91 and passes through a roller conveyor 42 to a roller conveyor 43.
, And the barcodes are read by barcode readers 92a to 92o, then extruded by a box replacement air cylinder 76, supplied to roller conveyors 75a to 75o, respectively, and classified by automatic box packing devices 61a to 61o, respectively. Each time it is boxed.

The inclination angles of the charging conveyors 72a to 72o are manually set in advance by the action of the air cylinder 73. 6. When the box capacity is 10 kg (FIG. 7), it is generally horizontal.
In the case of 5Kg (FIG. 8), an inclination angle is added and 5.0Kg
In the case of (FIG. 9), the inclination angle is the steepest. When the added value of the weight of tangerine K belonging to the same rank enters the target range,
As shown by arrows X, Y and Z in FIG.
7m-37o and the position of the charging conveyor 72m-72o)
Change and make time for packing. Then, when the packing is completed, the box H is pushed out by the box replacement air cylinder 76, conveyed by the roller conveyors 75a to 75o, and then conveyed by the roller conveyor 62, and the next empty box KH is supplied. The boxes H in which tangerines K are packed in the automatic box packing devices 61a to 61o are joined and conveyed by the roller conveyor 62, inverted by the reversing machine 93, read by the bar code by the bar code reader 94, and read by the print data management device. 9
In accordance with a command from the printer 6, an identification character indicating a class, for example, “L” is printed by the printer 95, and is sealed by the automatic sealing machine 67 via the roller conveyor 65 and the vibrator 66.

(Effects of the Embodiment) According to this embodiment having the above-described configuration, the measurement for boxing tangerine K becomes accurate. Further, since the weighing machine is eliminated from the automatic box packing devices 61a to 61o, the complexity of adjusting the weighing machine is eliminated.
The height of the input conveyors 72a to 72o can be easily adjusted,
Does not damage tangerine K. Since the number of charging conveyors 72a to 72o is one, the structure can be extremely simplified. And
Since a free fruit outlet is provided in addition to the fixed fruit outlet, the size can be reduced by reducing the number of the automatic box packing devices 61a to 61o.

The print data management device 96 enables accurate variable printing of the same class, and requires only one printer 95 for printing the same class, thereby simplifying the barcode recognition system. Furthermore, since it is possible to support a flexible sorting system corresponding to a change in class, it is possible to construct an upgraded sorting system.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and that the present invention is not deviated from the technical idea of the present invention. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that many changes and the like can be made. (1) In the present embodiment, the automatic packaging control is executed by the CPU 51 by program control, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a part or all of the control is formed by CMOS or TTL LSI logic (so-called hardware). You may. (2) In the present embodiment, tangerine K is taken as an example, but the invention is applicable to various agricultural products such as fruits, vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, peppers, and persimmons, and agricultural products are not limited to the embodiment. However, appropriate design changes are required depending on the type. (3) In this embodiment, as one of means for achieving the object, the transport and sorting of the boxes are performed by the barcode recognition printing device 90, but instead of this, a needle code system (a fine needle hole ( (A diameter of 1.0 to 1.5 mm), a system for recognizing a conveyed object by reading the pattern of the needle holes with a CCD camera), printing with a color code, a simple code using an ink stamp, etc. The design can be changed by the identification system.

[0060]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the number of printing devices for printing the rank of agricultural products,
The construction of a flexible sorting and boxing system can be realized, and the industrial value of the present invention is extremely large.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a tangerine sorting and boxing facility to which an automatic boxing device of the present embodiment is applied.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the tangerine fruit selection boxing equipment.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the tangerine fruit selection boxing equipment.

4A is a perspective view of a support hand, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a sorting machine.

FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged plan view in the vicinity of a fruit discharging device of the sorting machine.

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged plan view of a sorting machine and an automatic box packing device.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the same (in the case of a box capacity of 10 kg).

FIG. 8 is a side view (in the case of a box capacity of 7.5 kg).

FIG. 9 is a side view of the same (in the case of a box capacity of 5.0 kg).

FIG. 10 (a) is a table showing class data,
(B) is a table showing data in the barcode recognition printing apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a sorting machine of the tangerine fruit boxing equipment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a control device of the tangerine fruit selection box packing facility.

FIG. 13 is a flow sheet showing a processing flow of a barcode recognition printing device of the tangerine fruit selection box packing facility.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of “main processing” executed in the sorting machine.

FIG. 15 shows a “fruit sorting process” executed in the sorting machine.
It is a flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of “drainage port update processing” executed in the sorting machine.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of “allocation change processing” executed in the sorting machine.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of “fixed fruit outlet allocation change processing” executed in the sorting machine.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of “automatic packaging processing” executed by the control device.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a print data management device of the tangerine selection fruit boxing facility.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of “print processing” executed in the print data management device.

FIG. 22 (a) is a perspective view showing a state in which a barcode is attached by a barcode print labeler after box production,
FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing a state in which a barcode is read by a barcode reader, and an equal-grade printing state is printed on the barcode by a printer.

FIG. 23 is an overall configuration diagram of a conventional cardboard box printing system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Tangerine selection box packing equipment 10 ... Receiving equipment 20 ...
Sorting equipment 40 ... Box making equipment 50 ... Control device 60 ... Packing and sealing equipment C ... Containers 21-23 ... Lane 24 ... Sorting machine 25 ... Grade hand sorting machine 26 ... Belt conveyor 27 ... Receiving box 28 ... Dust removal polishing machine 29 ... Image processing device 30 ... Sugar / acidity meter 31-33 ... Endless conveying member 34 ... Load cell 35 ... Support hand 36 ... Drainage area 37a-37p ... Drainage port 38 ... Drainage device 39a-39d ... Shock absorbing brush 51 ... CPU 52, RAM 53, ROM 54, counter 55, timer 56, storage device 57, input / output interface 57a, buses 61a to 61o, automatic packaging device 62 to 65
... Roller conveyor 66 ... Vibrator 67 ... Automatic sealing machine 68 ... Roller conveyor 69 ... Free roller 70 ... Compressor 80a-80p ... Discharge passage 72a-72p ... Injection conveyor 73 ... Air cylinder 74 ... Support device 75a-75o ... Roller conveyor 76: box replacement air cylinder S: sensor 91: bar code print labeler 92a to 92o: bar code reader 93: reversing machine 94: bar code reader 95: printer 96: print data management device 96a: CPU 96b
... RAM 96c ... ROM 96d ... Counter 96e ... Timer 96f ... Storage device 96g ... I / O interface 96h ... Bus 97i ... Display device 97j ... Speaker 97k ... I / O device K ... Tangerine KH ... Empty box H
…box

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-60-38075 (JP, A) JP-A-59-124252 (JP, A) JP-A-8-231038 (JP, A) JP-A-53-164575 (JP) , U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65B 5 / 08,25 / 04 B65B 57 / 10,61 / 26 B07C 5/36

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A rank evaluation device for evaluating agricultural products according to a predetermined rank, a sorting means including a discharge actuator for discharging the agricultural products to a plurality of discharge destinations by rank, and a code indicating box data is assigned to an empty box. A box code providing means for supplying the empty box, and the agricultural products provided at each of the discharge destinations, and the agricultural products discharged from the sorting means are stuffed into empty boxes supplied from the box code providing means by rank, and the sorting is performed. In response to the sorting state of the means, a plurality of automatic boxing means provided with a box changing actuator for performing an operation of replacing the empty box and the packed box of the agricultural products, and each of the plurality of automatic boxing means First box code reading means, which is provided near the box change actuator and reads the code of an empty box before entering the automatic box packing means to create first box data; And storage means for storing the rank data of the agricultural product received from the sorting means corresponding to the box data as a set, provided downstream of the plurality of automatic packing means and discharged from the automatic packing means. Second box code reading means for reading the code of the box filled with the agricultural products to create second box data; and data search for searching the rank data corresponding to the second box data from the storage means. Means, provided downstream of the second box code reading means, variable rank printing means for variably printing a rank indicating the rank data searched by the data search means for each box,
An agricultural rank printing device packed with agricultural products, characterized by comprising: