JP3249080B2 - Automatic fruit sorting equipment and fruit receiver used for it - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fruit and vegetable automatic sorting apparatus for automatically sorting fruit and vegetables such as cucumbers and eggplants into specifications (grades) such as by size and shape, and to a receiver used therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Fruit and vegetable sorting apparatuses for sorting fruits and vegetables such as cucumbers according to standards (grades) such as size and shape have already been known. As one of them, there is a fruit and vegetable sorter (utility model registration No. 1805988) which has been developed and put into practical use by the present applicant. This is accomplished by arranging a plurality of belt conveyors A in a horizontal row as shown in FIG. 15, changing the length of the end of each belt conveyor A in a stepwise manner, and further turning the end of the end of each belt conveyor A toward the end. Table B is installed.

[0003] In this fruit and vegetable sorting apparatus, a fruit picker C places cucumber D on the front side of a belt conveyor A for each size while sorting cucumber D by grade.
Can be picked up by the worker E at the tip side of the box and packed in a box for each size. In this case, the cucumber D left behind because the box was not packed in time is sent out onto the turntable B, and as the turntable B rotates, the cucumber D sent out is prevented from overlapping on the turntable B. is there.

[0004]

The fruit and vegetable sorter shown in FIG. 15 has the advantage that the surface of the cucumbers is hardly damaged and the surface of the cucumbers is hardly chipped, and that it can be efficiently sorted and packed with a small number of hands. For example, it is troublesome that the fruit picker B at the left end of the belt conveyor A must sort and put the cucumbers D on the belt conveyor A for each size while sorting them by grade.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to sort fruits and vegetables placed on a receiver without being sorted automatically during transport, and to transport and sort even those with warts such as cucumbers that can be easily removed without damaging them. It is to provide a fruit and vegetable automatic sorting device capable of performing the above.

[0006]

In the automatic fruit and vegetable sorting apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the fruit and vegetable A can be laid on its side, and a take-out space portion 24 is formed below the loaded fruit and vegetable A. The receiver 1 to be processed, an endless receiver transporter 2 which can support a large number of receivers 1 one by one in a laterally slidable manner and can be transported at a fixed interval, and a grade of fruit vegetables A on the receiver 1 Receiver carrier 2
Classifier 3 identifiable during transportation by the receiver and receiver carrier 2
The receiver 1 is horizontally slid on the basis of the result of identification by the classifier 3 and distributed to two or more traveling paths 4 different for each class, and the traveling of the receiver 2 And a fruit take-out device 6 which is inserted into the take-out space 24 of the receiver 1 traveling on the traveling route 4 and takes out the fruit vegetables A on the receiver 1.

The automatic fruit and vegetable sorter according to the second aspect of the present invention operates continuously without regard to whether or not fruit and vegetable A is sent out from the fruit and vegetable extractor 6 beyond the fruit and vegetable extractor 6. And a continuous operation transport body 7 which carries over and transports the fruits and vegetables A each time the fruits and vegetables A are sent out from the fruit and vegetables extractor 6.
, And any one of the intermittently-operating transport bodies 8 that transports the same.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, an automatic fruit and vegetable sorting apparatus is provided with a turntable 9 at the end of the continuous operation carrier 7 for receiving the fruits and vegetables A transported by the continuous operation carrier 7. The present invention is characterized in that a pool section 10 is provided for pooling a large number of fruits and vegetables A at an equal interval.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the fruit and vegetable automatic sorting apparatus, the traveling path 4 is an oblique traveling path in which the receiver 1 conveyed by the receiver carrier 2 is conveyed obliquely while being laterally slid during the conveyance. , 4a1, 4a2,..., And rectilinear traveling paths 4b1, 4b2,... For moving the receiver 1 straight ahead of the oblique traveling paths 4a1, 4a2,. And the oblique traveling path 4a
In the vicinity of 1, 4a2,..., The traveling route 4a1, 4a
.. Are provided with a swinging drive mechanism 11 that swings the receiver 1 traveling in the direction of the oblique traveling by moving the receiver 1 traveling in the direction of the oblique traveling path 4a1, 4a2,. In the state in which the receiver 1 is swung, the fruit vegetables A on 1 are taken out obliquely from the receiver carrier 2 by the fruit vegetable extractor 6 in the same traveling direction, and the straight traveling paths 4b1, 4b2,
Are conveyed out of the receiver 1 in the transport direction of the receiver carrier 2 by the fruit extractor 6 in the forward direction.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an automatic fruit and vegetable sorting apparatus is provided with an automatic packaging device 12 for taking out fruit and vegetables A from the pool section 10 and automatically packaging the fruit and vegetable A at the tip of the pool section 10.

The fruit and vegetable receiver according to claim 6 of the present invention comprises a pedestal 20 slidably supported by the receiver carrier 2, and a rotating portion 21 mounted on the pedestal so as to swing.
The supporting part 2 that supports the fruit vegetable A lying on the side thereof on the rotating part 21
8 and a take-out space 24 into which the fruit / vegetable take-out device 6 can be inserted beneath the fruit / vegetable A placed on the support portion 28.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 to 12 show an embodiment of an automatic fruit and vegetable sorting apparatus according to the present invention, in which fruit and vegetable A is a cucumber. FIGS. 1 to 3A and 3B show three sections from the transport start end to the transport end of the automatic fruit and vegetable sorting apparatus.
FIGS. 4 to 6 are perspective views of each part of the fruit and vegetable automatic sorting apparatus, FIGS. 7 and 8 are explanatory views of the receiver 1 which is a component of the automatic fruit sorting apparatus, and FIGS. 10 is an explanatory view of a distributing mechanism and a swing drive mechanism of the receiver 1, FIG.
1, FIG. 12 shows a fruit extractor 6 for extracting fruit A from the receiver 1.
FIG. 1 is a plan view and a side view of FIG. 1, FIG. 1 shows a starting end portion of the automatic vegetable sorting apparatus, FIG. 2 shows an intermediate portion, and FIG. Among them, FIG. 4 shows a portion for extracting fruit and vegetables A to the continuous operation carrier 7, FIG. 5 shows a portion for delivering fruit and vegetables A to the intermittent operation carrier 8, and FIG.
2 shows a portion to be delivered.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a receiver for laying fruit vegetables A on its side, and reference numeral 2 denotes a receiver carrier, and a number of receivers 1 are moved in the transport direction (the direction of arrow a in the figure). Are supported along a fixed interval along each other, and each of them is supported so as to be slidable laterally (slidable in the direction of arrow bc in the figure) so as to be transportable. Reference numeral 3 denotes a grade discriminator for identifying the grade of the fruit vegetable A placed on the receiver 1 during the transport by the receiver carrier 2. Reference numeral 5 denotes a receiver distribution mechanism, which is configured to automatically slide the receiver 1 conveyed by the receiver carrier 2 laterally based on a signal indicating a result of the discrimination by the grade discriminator 3 and set the grade for each grade. Path 4 (in this case,
Oblique traveling route 4a1, 4a2, 4a3, straight traveling route 4
b1, 4b2, 4b3, 4b4). Numeral 11 denotes a swing drive mechanism for swinging and driving the receiver 1 traveling on the oblique traveling paths 4a1, 4a2 and 4a3. Numeral 6 denotes a fruit extractor, which is an oblique traveling path 4a1, 4a2, 4a3, a straight traveling path 4b1,
4b2, 4b3, and 4b4, for taking out the fruit and vegetables A from the receiver 1 traveling thereover. 2 and 3, reference numeral 7 denotes a continuous operation carrier that takes over the fruit vegetables A taken out of the receiver 1 by the fruit extractor 6 and 8 takes over the fruit vegetables A taken out of the receiver 1 by the fruit extractor 6 at equal intervals. , A turntable for receiving and pooling fruit vegetables A transported to the end by the continuous motion carrier 7, and in FIG. 3, reference numeral 10 denotes an intermittent motion carrier 8 on which fruit vegetables A are placed. The pool unit 12 is an automatic packaging machine that takes out the fruit vegetables A thereon from the intermittently-moving transport body 8 of the pool unit 10 and performs automatic packaging.

[0014]

[Description of Receiver Carrier] The receiver carrier 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is attached to a frame 30 having a total length (L) of about 1300 cm, a width (W) of about 100 cm, and a height (H) of about 70 cm. The starting end 32 (FIG. 1) and the rear end 33 of the frame 30
(See FIG. 2)
It is an endless conveyance body of 300 cm. The receiver carrier 2 is disposed on both sides in the width direction of the frame 30 in the longitudinal direction (arrow a).
), A large number of shafts 31 are mounted side by side with a space between two endless drive chains 34 (FIGS. 8 and 10) provided along the same direction. 30 rotates in the longitudinal direction (the direction of arrow a), and the starting end 32 of the frame 30 (FIG. 1)
And a U-turn at each of the rear end portions 33 (FIG. 2) to orbit the inside of the frame 30.

The two drive chains 34 for pulling the shaft 31 are connected to an arrow a in FIGS. 1 and 2 by a sprocket gear or the like (not shown) attached to the frame 30.
And supported by a drive gear (not shown) at a speed of 21 m / min in a horizontal portion. As shown in FIG. 8, each shaft 31 has its axis g
4 is coaxial with the connecting pins (pins connecting the chains), and even if the drive chain 34 is curved at the start end 32 or the end 33 of the frame 30, the distance between the shafts 31 is exactly the same as the horizontal part. It is like that.

Each of the shafts 31 is a hollow metal bar having a diameter of 1.2 cm and a length of about 100 cm. This length is such that a maximum of four receivers 1 can be arranged side by side as shown in FIG. There is. As shown in FIG. 10, a large number of these shafts 31 are provided as a set of two in the front and rear in the transport direction.
cm, and the interval of the shaft 31 between each pair is set to 10 cm. That is, the receiver 1 having a length of 9.5 cm in FIG.
The receivers 1 can be attached one at a time, that is, every 10 cm. Start end 32 of this receiver carrier 2
A space for the worker to place the fruit and vegetable A on the receiver 1 is about 500 cm from the classifier 3 to the classifier 3, and about 700 cm from the classifier 3 to the terminal end 33 is determined by the classifier 3. It is a sorting space for sorting the receivers 1 based on the identification information (identification result) of the fruit vegetable A.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE RECEPTOR A receiver 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is mounted on a shaft 20 of a receiver carrier 2 as shown in FIGS. The rotating portion 21 is a supporting portion 28 for supporting the fruit vegetable A on the upper surface thereof, and a belt conveyor type fruit and vegetable extracting device 6 (FIG. 8) is provided between the supporting portions 28.
(A)) is provided with a take-out space 24 for taking out fruit vegetables A by entering as shown in FIG.

The pedestal 20 has a length of about 7 cm in the direction of arrow a in FIGS.
Each of the front and rear two through holes 22 (FIGS. 7 and 11) having a size of about 6 cm and a thickness of about 3 cm and penetrated in the width direction is shown in FIGS. The shafts 31 of the set are pierced one by one, and are reciprocally slidable in the length direction of the shafts 31 (directions of arrows bc in FIGS. 7 and 8). In this state, directions of arrows a in FIGS. Are conveyed in the same direction by the shaft 31 that moves to the right.

As shown in FIG. 8B, a slide pin 23 projects downward from the lower surface of the pedestal 20. The slide pin 23 is adapted to be inserted into a guide rail 40 shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 9, and 10 provided below the receiver carrier 2, and the pedestal 2
Numeral 0 is guided by the guide rails 40 and is slid along the shaft 31 in its length direction, that is, in the width direction of the receiver carrier 2, and is conveyed by the receiver carrier 2.

The rotating part 21 has a length of 9.5 cm, a width of 28 cm and a height of 5 cm in the direction of the arrow a shown in FIGS. And a center block 18 having a height of 4 cm attached to the center of the base block 17 in the width direction, and side blocks 19 such as wings provided on both sides in the width direction of the base block 17. Between the central block 18 and the outer side block 19 is a take-out space 24 into which the belt conveyor type fruit and vegetable extractor 6 shown in FIG. 8 can be inserted. In this case, the width of the take-out space 24 is the fruit extract. The width of the belt 60 of the container 6 is 4 cm slightly wider than the belt 60, and the depth is 4 cm larger than the thickness of the belt 60. The upper surface of the central block 18 and the side block 19 is a support portion 28 on which the fruit A is laid on its side. On the upper surface of the central block 18, a rolling prevention projection 26 for preventing the fruit A from lying down is prevented from rolling. Four are provided. The anti-rolling projection 26 may be made of rubber or urethane, or may have rounded corners, so as not to damage the fruit vegetables A.

The corners on both sides in the width direction of the side block 19 are formed in a large arc shape as shown in FIG. 8A, and when the rotating portion 21 is swung gradually as shown in FIG. In addition, the front and rear rotating portions 21 and the corners do not collide with each other. This rotating part 21 is attached so that the base block 17 can swing around the axis d shown in FIG. 7 on the base 20. In this case, FIG.
As shown in (1), it is possible to rotate up to 20 degrees (0 ° ≦ θ ≦ 20 °). As shown in FIG. 8B, a swinging pin 25 is projected from the edge of the base block 17 of the rotating portion 21 so as not to hit the pedestal 20 therebelow. Is the guide rail 40
9 and 10, which are provided beside the. The pedestal 2
0 and a base block 17 of the rotating portion 21 are provided with a spring for forcing the direction of the rotating portion 21 to be not so strong at θ = 0 °, and the rotating portion 21 is in a state where no external force is applied. Then, it is configured to be in the same direction as the pedestal 20.

The side walls 27a of the central block 18 and the side walls 2 of the side block 19 which constitute the take-out space 24
7b is not a vertical surface, but is inclined so as to slightly spread the skirt, whereby the light of the classifier 3 illuminated vertically from above the receiver 1 toward the receiver 1 is inclined. And is appropriately returned to the equivalent classifier 3. By doing so, it is difficult for the image obtained by the classifier 3 to be shadowed by the extraction space 24, and the class can be classified with high accuracy. Since this depends on the type of the classifier 3 and the identification method, the receiver 1 is not necessarily required.
It is not necessary to tilt the wall surface of the take-out space 24.

[0023]

[Explanation of the Grade Classifier] The grade classifier 3 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is approximately 5 mm from the starting end 32 of the receiver carrier 2 as shown in FIG.
It is provided at a location of 00 cm and is entirely covered with a cover. The classifier 3 includes a light source for projecting light on the fruit Vegetable A on the receiver 1 conveyed to the receiver carrier 2, an electronic camera for photographing the fruit Vegetable A, and computer processing of the image data for the fruit Vegetable. A processing circuit is provided for determining the grade of fruit vegetable A from the degree of bending, length, thickness, etc. of A. This processing circuit is Fruit A
The grades of "AM", "AL", "2S", "B", "
C "," Other 1 ", and" Other 2 "can be classified into seven grades.The grade data of the fruit and vegetable A obtained here is an electromagnetic signal of the receiver distribution mechanism 5 as an electric signal. The data is sent to the switch 41 (FIGS. 9 and 10), and the grade discriminator 3 detects the fruit Vegetable A when it is not placed on the receiver 1.

[0024]

[Description of receiver distribution mechanism] Receiver distribution mechanism 5 shown in FIGS.
Is a traveling path 4 (diagonal traveling paths 4a1, 4a2, 4a3, and a straight traveling path 4b) for each class based on the class identification information of the class discriminator 3.
1, 4b2, 4b3, and 4b4). As shown in FIG. 9, the main guide rail 42, the six branch guide rails 43 branched therefrom, and the flow of the receiver 1 are transferred to the main guide rail 42. A rail switch 41 (FIG. 10) for switching to the branch guide rail 43, and respective branch guide rails 43a provided at the other end in the width direction of the frame 30;
And a merging guide rail 44 for merging 43b, 43c and 43d. The slide pins 23 of the receiver 1 conveyed by the receiver carrier 2 are inserted into the main guide rail 42 and the branch guide rail 43 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the junction guide rail 44 extends from the branch guide rail 43a to the oblique traveling path 4a1, and the junction guide rail 44 extends from the branch guide rail 43b to the oblique traveling path 4a.
2. From the branch guide rail 43c to the merging guide rail 44
Is the oblique traveling path 4a3, the branch guide rail 43d joins the straight guide path 4b1, the branch guide rail 43e is the straight travel path 4b2, the branch guide rail 43f is the straight travel path 4b3, and the terminal side of the main guide rail 42 is straight. The traveling route is 4b4.

The six branch guide rails 43a, 43
Among the b,... 43f, the three branch guide rails 43a, 43b, 43c on the front side are as shown in FIG.
The oblique portion and the rectilinear portion are provided alternately, and become a first oblique portion, a first rectilinear portion, a second oblique portion, a second rectilinear portion, and a third oblique portion in order from the main guide rail 42 side. I have.

The first oblique portion has an angle of 20 degrees with respect to the main guide rail 42, and has a length of about 8 in the direction of arrow a.
0 cm and the length in the direction of arrow b is about 28 cm. This first diagonal portion is the receiver 1 branched from the main guide rail 42.
Is slid approximately 28 cm in the direction of arrow b to eliminate overlap in the direction of arrows bc with the receiver 1 traveling on the main guide rail 42 and the receiver 1 traveling on the first straight portion.

The first rectilinear portion is parallel to the main guide rail 42 and has a length in the direction of arrow a of about 35 cm. The rotating unit 21 is gradually swung by the swinging drive mechanism 11, which will be described later, of the receiver 1 which is advanced in the first straight traveling portion.

The second oblique portion has an angle of 20 degrees with respect to the main guide rail 42, and has a length of about 9 in the direction of the arrow a.
0 cm and the length in the direction of arrow b is about 40 cm. The receiver 1 which is advanced in the second oblique portion is held in a state where the rotating portion 21 is swung by 20 degrees by the swing driving mechanism 11 described later. Above the second diagonal portion, a belt conveyor type fruit and vegetable extractor 6 shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 11 is erected along the second diagonal portion, and the receiver 1 advances through this portion. Then, the transport belt 60 of the fruit and vegetable extractor 6 is inserted into the take-out space 24 of the receiver 1, and the fruit A on the receiver 1 is gradually pulled up by the transport belt 60 as shown in FIG. It is taken out of the receiver 1.

The second straight portion is parallel to the main guide rail 42 and has a length in the direction of arrow a of about 35 cm. The swinging drive mechanism 11 gradually releases the swing of the rotating portion 21 of the receiver 1 that is advanced in the second rectilinear portion.

The third oblique portion has an angle of 20 degrees with respect to the main guide rail 42, and has a length of about 8
0 cm and the length in the direction of arrow b is about 28 cm. This third oblique portion is the receiving member 1 branched from the main guide rail 42.
Slides about 28 cm in the direction of arrow b to join the merger guide rail 44 with the row of receivers 1 traveling.

The branch guide rail 43d has an angle of 20 degrees with respect to the main guide rail 42, and is joined to the merge guide rail 44 in a straight line.
Proceed along the branch guide rail 43d, and
The receiver 1 joined to 4 is conveyed to the terminal portion 33 of the receiver carrier 2, where the fruit extractor 6 shown in FIG.

The branch guide rail 43e has an oblique portion having an angle of 20 degrees with respect to the main guide rail 42, and a straight portion parallel to the main guide rail 42. 200 cm, the length in the direction of the arrow b is about 56 cm, and the straight portion has a length of about 30 in the direction of the arrow a.
cm. The receiver 1 that travels in the straight section is conveyed to the terminal portion 33 of the receiver carrier 2, where the fruit extractor 6 shown in FIG.

The branch guide rail 43f has an oblique portion having an angle of 20 degrees with respect to the main guide rail 42, and a straight portion parallel to the main guide rail 42. 150 cm, the length in the direction of the arrow b is about 28 cm, and the straight portion has a length of about 30 in the direction of the arrow a.
cm. The receiver 1 that travels in the straight section is transported to the terminal end 33 of the receiver transporter 2, where the belt of the fruit extractor 6 is inserted into the take-out space 24 of the receiver 1 as shown in FIG. 60 is inserted, fruit vegetable A on receiver 1
Is taken out of the receiver 1 by the fruit extractor 6.

The receiver 1 that moves straight on the main guide rail 42 without branching to any branch guide rail 43 is the receiver carrier 2
Is transported to the end portion 33 of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the belt 60 of the fruit and vegetable extractor 6 is inserted into the take-out space 24 of the receiver 1, and the fruit and vegetable A on the receiver 1 is taken out of the receiver 1 by the fruit and vegetable extractor 6.

As shown in FIG. 10, the rail switch 41 of FIG. 9 includes a main guide rail 42 and a branch guide rail 43a.
(43b, 43c,... 43f), and the movable piece 45 is moved by an electromagnetic coil 46 by an arrow c-.
It is movable in the direction d, and proceeds while the slide pin 23 (FIG. 8B) of the receiver 1 is fitted in the main guide rail 42 and the branch guide rail 43a (43b, 43c,...).
··· sort into those that fit into 43f) and proceed. This rail switch 41 operates at a high speed and operates at 21 m / min.
The main guide rails 42 and the branch guide rails 43a reliably and smoothly each of the receivers 1 traveling at a speed of
(43b, 43c,... 43f).

The main guide rail 42, the branch guide rail 43, the merging guide rail 44, and the rail switch 4 described above.
7 and 10 is provided below the receiver carrier 2 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, and slide pins 23 of the receiver 1 transported by the receiver carrier 2 are provided. Is rail changer 4
1, the main guide rail 42 and the branch guide rail 43
a, 43b, 43c,... 43f,
The vehicle is divided into seven traveling paths 4 according to the grades. The receiver 1 transported to the end of the main guide rail 42 has the highest quality and the largest quantity, for example, A-class fruit vegetables A are transported.

[0037]

[Description of the swing drive mechanism] The swing drive mechanism 1 shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a rotating part 2 of the receiver 1 transported by the receiver transporter 2.
1 and is constituted by a swing guide rail 50 shown in FIGS. This guide rail 5
In FIG. 7, the pin 25 for swinging the receiver 1 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, the guide rails 50 are provided beside and parallel to the branch guide rails 43a, 43b and 43c. Each guide rail 50 has a slightly changed interval W in the direction of the arrow b between the branch guide rails 43a, 43b, and 43c, and as shown in FIG. 9, the first straight portion of the branch guide rails 43a, 43b, and 43c. In this case, the rotating portion 21 of the receiver 1 swings gradually, the rotating portion 21 is held in a swinging state of 20 degrees in the following second oblique portion, and the swing is gradually released in the subsequent second straight portion. It is. The swing function of the receiver 1 by the guide rail 50 will be described. For example, in the first straight traveling portion shown in FIG. 10, the distance W between the branch guide rail 43 and the guide rail 50 is gradually increased in the direction of arrow a. The sliding pin 23 provided on the pedestal 20 side advances on the branch guide rail 43, and the swing pin 25 provided on the rotating portion 21 side is narrowed.
Advancing along the guide rail 50, a rotational moment about the pin 23 (coincident with the axis d) is generated in the rotating portion 21 of the receiver 1 which advances in the direction of arrow a, and the rotating portion 21
Is to swing.

The swinging guide rail 50 includes a main guide rail 42, a branch guide rail 43, and a merging guide rail 4.
4 (which is still lower than the portion of the receiver carrier 2 passing through the shaft 31), and the swing of the receiver 1 shortened so as not to hit the guide rails 42, 43, 44. The pin 25 is inserted so that the vehicle can run. The front end of the guide rail 50 is widened so that the swing pin 25 can be easily inserted, as shown in FIGS.

[0040]

[Explanation of Fruit Extractor] The fruit extractor 6 shown in FIG. 2 is for extracting fruit A from the receiver 1 carried by the receiver carrier 2 and is shown in FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b). Two elongated belt conveyors that can be inserted into the take-out space 24 of the receiver 1 as described above. In the fruit extractor 6, the conveyor belt 60 has a width of about 3 cm, and a roller 61 at the tip (FIG. 1).
1 and 12), the thickness is about 2 cm, and the receiver 1 is inserted into the take-out space 24 having a width of 4 cm and a depth of 4 cm. It can be taken out and transported in the direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the fruit and vegetable extractor 6 is provided beside the receiver carrier 2 and is provided at the end portion 33 of the receiver carrier 2. The former is shown in FIG. The structure shown, the latter is the structure shown in FIG. FIG.
In this case, the transport belt 60 for taking out the fruit and vegetables A has an upward slope of 4 degrees, and as shown in FIGS. 2A and 4, an angle of 20 degrees with respect to the transport direction of the receiver transport body 2. Is attached. In FIG. 12, the transport belt 60 for taking out the fruit and vegetable A is horizontal, and is parallel to the transport direction of the receiver transport body 2 as shown in FIGS.

Both the fruit extractor 6 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12
An upper conveyor belt 62 having soft bristles planted thereon is provided on the conveyor belt 60 so as to face the conveyor belt 60. There is a gap of about one fruit Vegetable A between the upper conveyor belt 62 and the conveyor belt 60, and the fruit vegetables A carried on the conveyor belt 60 are gently pressed by the upper conveyor belt 62 from above. The fruits and vegetables A conveyed through the belt 60 do not fall off the belt 60 or bend on the belt 60. 63 in FIGS.
Is a roller that supports and drives the upper transport belt 62;
Reference numeral 4 denotes a stainless steel cover that covers the upper transport belt 62.

The fruit extractor 6 shown in FIG. 11 is provided on each of the oblique traveling paths 4a1, 4a2, 4a3 as shown in FIG. 2, and more precisely, the branch guide rails 43a, 43b shown in FIG. 43c is provided on each second oblique line. The fruit extractor 6 shown in FIG. 12 has a straight traveling path 4b1, 4b2, 4b3, 4b as shown in FIG.
4 and, more precisely, on the lines of the straight guide portions of the branch guide rails 43d, 43e, 43f and the main guide rail 42 shown in FIG.

[0044]

[Explanation of the continuous operation carrier] The continuous operation carrier 7 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is provided at the tip of the fruit extractor 6 and transports the fruit A extracted by the fruit extractor 6. If
Oblique traveling route 4a1, 4a2, 4a3, straight traveling route 4
It is provided at six locations b1, 4b2, 4b3. The continuous operation carrier 7 operates continuously and transports the fruit and vegetable A regardless of whether or not the fruit and vegetable extractor 6 outputs the fruit and vegetable A. In this case, the transport speed is lower than the take-out speed (approximately 20 m / s) at the fruit extractor 6, and is set to a low speed of 7 m / s. As a result, the fruit vegetables A conveyed in the continuous operation carrier 7 can convey the fruit vegetables A sent out at a high speed with an interval from the fruit extractor 6 at a reduced moving speed with the interval reduced. Has become.

The continuous operation carrier 7 has a slightly different configuration, and the end of the oblique traveling path 4a1 has three elongated belt conveyors 70 arranged in parallel, and the end of the oblique traveling path 4a2, 4a3. Each has three elongated belt conveyors 70 arranged side by side, and a flat belt conveyor 71 connected in parallel with the receiver carrier 2 ahead of each other. Each of the straight traveling paths 4b1, 4b2, and 4b3 has one belt conveyor. It consists of a flat belt conveyor 71. The width of these continuous operation transporters 7 is wider than the length of the fruit vegetables A in the longitudinal direction, so that the horizontal fruit vegetables A sent from the fruit vegetable take-out device 6 can be transported in the horizontal state as they are. . In the case where three elongated belt conveyors 70 are arranged in parallel and a flat belt conveyor 71 is connected in parallel with the receiver conveyor 2, the end portions of the three belt conveyors 70 are connected to the receiver conveyor 2. The belt conveyor 71 is aligned so as to be parallel to the start end of the parallel flat belt conveyor 71.
In the above, the fruit vegetable A which has been transported at an angle to the receiver transporter 2
Is transported on the flat belt conveyor 71 in the same direction as the fruit vegetables A on the receiver 1 in the receiver transporter 2.
Further, in this case, the thickness of the end portion of the belt conveyor 70 is reduced so that a large drop does not occur when the fruit vegetables A conveyed to the end portion of the belt conveyor 70 transfer to the start end portion of the flat belt conveyor 71. It is.

The length of each flat belt conveyor 71 in the continuous operation carrier 7 is gradually increased from the front side in the conveyance direction of the receiver body 2 to the front side in the conveyance direction. As shown in the figure, a working space is secured so that each person can stand and work (box packing, container packing, etc.) by the side of the flat belt conveyor 71 at the forward portion of each of the flat belt conveyors 71 arranged side by side. is there. In this case, at least 100 cm in the length direction of the flat belt conveyor 71
The above empty space is ensured.

[0047]

[Description of Intermittent Operation Carrier] The intermittent operation carrier 8 shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 is provided in front of the fruit extractor 6 and conveys the fruit A extracted by the fruit extractor 6. In this case, it is provided only at the end of the straight traveling path 4b4.
This intermittently moving carrier 8 has the same take-out space 8 as the receiver 1.
4 (FIG. 5) are formed by connecting ten fruit receivers A in the conveying direction of the fruit and vegetable A. The fruit and vegetable A sent out from the fruit and vegetable extractor 6 is taken over by each second receiver 80. It can be transported. In this intermittent operation carrier 8, each connecting portion connecting the second receivers 80 is rotatable, and along the curved road at the start end portion in FIG. 2 and the end portion in FIG. You can proceed. The intermittent operation transfer body 8 is attached to the inside of a frame 81 having a total length of about 800 cm, a width of about 29 cm, and a height of about 70 cm shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and a starting end 82 (FIG. 2) of the frame 81. Rear end 83
(See FIG. 2)
There is about 00cm. This intermittently moving carrier 8 is a frame 8
The vehicle travels along an endless traveling path (not shown) provided in the vehicle 1 and can go around the inside of the frame 81.

The intermittent operation carrier 8 is a frame 8 shown in FIG.
At the start end 82 of the fruit extractor 6 as shown in FIG.
Each time the vegetable A is sent out, it moves on a traveling path (not shown), rises from the bottom of the fruit extractor 6 to the upper side, and places the fruit A on the second receiver 80. It moves in the direction of the arrow a by the length of the body 80 (10 cm 2) and stops. Therefore, the intermittently-moving carrier 8 operates every time the fruit extractor 6 sends out the fruit vegetable A, and takes over the fruit vegetable A. When the fruit carrier A is placed on all of the ten second receivers 80, the intermittent operation carrier 8 is advanced to the end portion 83 of the frame 81 and is continued to the rear end of the intermittent operation carrier 8 before itself. .

The fruit A is placed on the end portion 83 of the frame 81.
The intermittently moving transport body 8 sent out to the side
3 is provided at the end portion 83 of the automatic wrapping device 12 of FIG. At this time, the fruits A on the second receiver 80 are taken out by the conveyor belt 88 and the upper conveyor belt 89.

Between the start end 82 and the end 83 of the frame 81, there is a pool section 10 in which the intermittent operation carrier 8 is pooled, and the intermittent operation conveyance in which 10 fruit vegetables A are placed at the start end 82. The body 8 is pooled by the automatic wrapping device 12 while moving relatively slowly at the take-out speed of the fruit and vegetable A until the fruit and vegetable A is taken out at the terminal end portion 83. A free-flow conveyance mechanism (not shown) is provided on the traveling path of this portion, and the intermittent operation conveyance body 8 is interrupted when the intermittent operation conveyance body 8 is jammed in front thereof. Following the rear, the preceding intermittently-moving transport body 8 moves forward when it moves forward. In other words, if the number of fruits Vegetables A sent out by the vegetable extractor 6 (variable) is larger than the number (constant) of fruits Vegetable A taken out of the intermittently-moving transporting body 8 by the automatic packaging device 12,
The intermittent operation carrier 8 gradually accumulates in the pool portion 10, and if the number of fruits and vegetables A sent out by the fruit extractor 6 is smaller than that of the automatic packaging device 12, the intermittent operation carrier 8 in the pool portion 10 gradually decreases. It has become. That is, it has a function of absorbing a temporal change between the supply amount (fluctuated) of the fruit vegetable A by the fruit vegetable dispenser 6 and the removal amount (constant) by the automatic packaging device 12.

It should be noted that each time the fruit extractor 6 sends out the fruit A, the intermittent operation carrier 8 operates at a good timing so that the fruit extractor 6 can take over the fruit A. An optical sensor (not shown) for detecting the presence or absence of fruit vegetables A passing through the fruit vegetable take-out device 6 is provided.

[0052]

[Description of Turntable] A turntable 9 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 is configured to rotate a circular plate at a constant speed at all times. The fruits and vegetables A that have been transported to and dropped from the end of the continuous operation transport body 7 can be received and pooled. The turntable 9 is provided one step lower so as to have a gap of at least one cucumber between the continuous operation carrier 7 and the fruit vegetables A that circulate on the turntable 9.
Are arranged so that they do not collide with the carrier 7 under the continuous operation carrier 7. The upper surface of the turntable 9 is covered with a cushion material, and the fruits and vegetables A dropped from the continuous operation carrier 7
Is not damaged by falling.

[0053]

[Explanation of Automatic Packaging Machine] The automatic packaging machine 11 shown in FIG. 3 is provided at the end of the intermittent operation carrier 8 in the transport direction, and is capable of constantly feeding fruit vegetables A aligned at equal intervals from the intermittent operation carrier 8. It is taken out at a constant speed, is divided one by one as shown in FIG. A perforation 102 is formed in a portion 101 of the sheet 100 that separates the fruit and vegetable A. The sheet 100 is cut from the perforation 102 and the packaged fruit and vegetable A is individually or severally cut. The books can be separated one by one.

The automatic packaging device 12 can be attached to each of the two or more fruit extractors 6, and can automatically package fruit and vegetables A of two or more grades. If the automatic wrapping device 12 can operate and pack the fruit vegetables A conveyed at irregular intervals each time the fruit vegetables A are supplied, the intermittent operation carrier 8 is used.
Can be provided directly at the tip of the fruit and vegetable extractor 6 without providing the same. In addition, in addition to the automatic packaging device 12 that sorts and packs the fruits and vegetables A into sheets 100, a product that is directly packed in a box, a product that is packed in a vinyl pack, and various other products can be attached according to a user's request.

The automatic fruit and vegetable sorting apparatus of the present invention can be configured as follows in addition to the above configuration. The shape and size of the receiver 1, the length and width of the receiver carrier 2, the shape and number of the traveling paths 4, the manner of branching, the number of fruit extractors 6, the fruit extractor 6
The selection of whether to provide the continuous operation carrier 7 or the intermittent operation carrier 8 at the end of the above, the number of the automatic wrappers 12, and the combination thereof are determined by the required sorting capacity and the workplace where the apparatus is installed. Changed according to space.

As a method of extracting the fruit and vegetable A by the fruit and vegetable extractor 6 from the receiver 1 moving the receiver carrier 2, for example, a configuration as shown in FIG. 13 may be employed. This is an example in which the fruit and vegetables A are taken out of the receiver 1 being transported without swinging the receiver 1, and the receiver transporter 2 is placed on the transport path in the transport direction of the receiver transporter 2. A fruit extractor 6 is installed in parallel with 2,
The fruit vegetable A can be taken out from the receiver 1 passing under the fruit vegetable take-out device 6. In this case, as shown in FIG. 13, the fruit extractor 6 is inclined upward in the transport direction,
In addition, a flat belt conveyor 71 is provided at an angle with respect to the receiver carrier 2 at a position in front of the fruit extractor 6, and the fruit A extracted by the fruit extractor 6 is drawn obliquely to the side of the receiver carrier 2. It is good to be.

A receiver distributing mechanism 5 for distributing the receiver 1 conveyed by the receiver carrier 2 to the traveling path 4 for each class.
Can be realized by providing the shaft 31 supporting the receiver 1 or a slide mechanism for sliding the receiver 1 in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 31 on the shaft 31 side. For example, if a screw is formed in a spiral shape around the shaft 31 and a screw that meshes with the screw of the shaft 31 is formed inside the through hole 22 of the receiver 1, and the shaft 31 rotates around its axis, The receiver 1 can be slid laterally without using a guide rail or the like. In addition, a magnet or an iron plate is provided on the bottom surface of the receiver 1, and an electromagnet for attracting the magnet or the iron plate is provided below the receiver carrier 2, and the receiver 1 is pulled and slid by the electromagnet. Can also. In addition, it is difficult to sort the receiver 1 on which the receiver carrier 2 is slidably attached, and other various mechanisms can be employed.

As shown in FIG. 5, the intermittent operation transfer body 8 has ten second receivers 80 connected thereto.
In the present invention, each of the second receivers 80 may be independent. In this case, the fruit extractor 6 shown in FIG.
The second receiver 80 that has taken over proceeds in the direction of arrow a without being temporarily stopped, and is pooled in the pool unit 10 of FIG.

[0059]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. 1. Simply placing the fruits and vegetables A one by one on the receiver 1 in front of the transport direction, the grade of the fruits and vegetables A is automatically identified, and the fruits and vegetables A are distributed to the traveling path 4 for each grade based on the identification information. Since the fruit and vegetable A in the route 4 is automatically taken out by the fruit and vegetable take-out device 6, the sorting and taking out of the fruit and vegetable A are automated, and the sorting operation is greatly improved. 2. Fruit Vegetable A is transported while resting on the receiver 1.
Does not hurt during transport. 3. The fruit and vegetable A is taken out from the receiver 1 by inserting the fruit and vegetable extractor 6 into the take-out space 24 below the fruit and vegetable A of the receiver 1 and scooping it from the receiver 1. A does not hurt. 4. Since a plurality of traveling paths 4 can be provided in one receiver carrier 2, many grades can be set and fine grades can be set.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. 1. Vegetable A sent out at irregular intervals from the vegetable extractor 6
Are arranged at regular intervals by the intermittent operation carrier 8, so that a packaging device or a box packing device can be provided at the end of the intermittent operation carrier 8 to automate the packaging and box packing operation. 2. Since the continuous operation carrier 7 can reduce the transport speed of the fruit vegetables A by reducing the transport speed from the delivery speed of the fruit extractor 6, the interval between the fruit vegetables A can be reduced or the moving speed can be reduced. It is easy to take out.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. 1. Even if the fruit vegetables A on the continuous operation carrier 7 cannot be taken out during the transportation, the fruit vegetables A can be removed from the turntable 9.
It is safe because it is pooled. 2. Since the intermittent operation carrier 8 can be pooled in the pool section 10, the fruit vegetables A in the intermittent operation carrier 8
Even if the take-out speed of the fruit is different from the supply speed of the fruit vegetables A to the intermittent operation carrier 8 by the fruit extractor 6 or the supply speed fluctuates, the fruit vegetables A are kept at a constant speed from the intermittent operation carrier 8. A can be taken out.

According to the invention of claim 4, the following effects are obtained. 1. Fruit vegetables A can be taken out of the receiver 1 transported in the receiver transport body 2 in the forward direction in the transport direction and in the oblique horizontal direction in the transport direction. This is effective for classifying and extracting many grades of fruit vegetables A from the receiver carrier 2 whose length and width are limited.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. 1. Since the sorted fruits and vegetables A are automatically packaged, it is possible to consistently mechanize from sorting to packing.
Further, the packaged fruit vegetables A do not need to be repackaged, which is convenient for the selling side, and the consumer side is also good because the fruit vegetables A packaged in the production area are sanitary.
Also, the packaged fruit and vegetable A has better merit than a case where it is packed in a box without being packaged, and has the advantage that the freshness is not easily reduced.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. 1. The fruit extractor 6 can be made to enter the take-out space 24 of the receiver 1 and take out the fruit A placed on the support 28 of the receiver 1 without damage. 2. The receiver 1 conveyed by the receiver carrier 2 can be slid left and right to move the receiver 1 along a desired traveling path, and the receiver 1 is classified according to the grade of the fruit and vegetable A. Things can be done easily. 3. If the receiver 1 is slid laterally and conveyed obliquely, and its rotating part 21 is swung in the traveling direction (oblique) of the receiver 1,
Fruit vegetables A can be taken out of the moving receiver 1 obliquely beside the receiver carrier 2.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a starting portion of an automatic fruit and vegetable sorting apparatus of the present invention,
(A) is its top view, (b) is its side view.

FIG. 2 is an intermediate part of the automatic fruit and vegetable sorter of the present invention,
(A) is its top view, (b) is its side view.

FIG. 3 is an end portion of the automatic vegetable sorting apparatus of the present invention,
(A) is its top view, (b) is its side view.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an automatic fruit and vegetable sorting apparatus of the present invention, showing a portion where fruit and vegetables are drawn out to a continuous operation carrier.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an automatic fruit and vegetable sorting apparatus according to the present invention, showing a portion for delivering fruit and vegetables to an intermittently-operating conveyance body.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an automatic fruit and vegetable sorting apparatus of the present invention, showing a portion for transferring fruit and vegetables on an intermittently-moving carrier to an automatic packaging machine.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a fruit and vegetable acceptor used in the automatic fruit and vegetable sorting apparatus of the present invention.

8 shows the fruit and vegetable receiver of FIG. 7, wherein (a) is a plan view thereof,
(B) is the front view.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing an example of a receiver sorting mechanism and a swing mechanism in the automatic fruit and vegetable sorting apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a receiver distribution mechanism and a head swing mechanism of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a side view of a fruit extractor provided on an oblique traveling path.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a fruit extractor provided on a straight traveling path.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a method of sorting receivers and extracting fruit vegetables in another embodiment of the automatic fruit and vegetable sorting apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an example of packaging of fruits and vegetables selected by the automatic vegetable sorting apparatus.

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing an example of an automatic fruit and vegetable sorting apparatus developed earlier by the present applicant.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A Fruit vegetables 1 Receptor 2 Receptor carrier 3 Grade discriminator 4 Progress path 5 Recipient distribution mechanism 6 Fruit extractor 7 Continuous operation carrier 8 Intermittent operation carrier 9 Turntable 10 Pool part 11 Swing drive mechanism 12 Automatic Packaging machine

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] The fruit vegetable (A) can be laid on its side, and the take-out space (2) can be placed under the loaded fruit vegetable (A).
The receiver (1) on which 4) is formed, and a number of receivers (1)
An endless receiver carrier (2) that can be individually slidably supported and conveyed at a constant interval, and a fruit carrier (A) grade on the receiver (1) is received by the receiver carrier (2). The classifier (3) that can be identified during the transportation of the receiver and the receiver (1) conveyed by the receiver carrier (2) are horizontally slid based on the identification result of the classifier (3). A receiver distribution mechanism (5) for distributing each of the receivers to two or more different traveling paths (4), and a take-out space for a receiver (1) traveling on the traveling path (4) by traveling of the receiver carrier (2). And a fruit extractor (6) for removing the fruit (A) from the receptacle (1) by being inserted into the receptacle (1). 2. A fruit vegetable (A) is continuously operated to take over the fruit vegetable (A) regardless of whether or not the fruit vegetable (A) is sent out from the fruit vegetable remover (6) before the fruit vegetable remover (6). One of a continuous operation carrier (7) and an intermittent operation carrier (8) which operates each time the fruit and vegetable (A) is sent out from the fruit and vegetable extractor (6) and takes over and transports the fruit and vegetable (A). The fruit and vegetable automatic sorting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. A turntable (9) for receiving fruits and vegetables (A) transported by the continuous operation carrier (7) is provided at the end of the continuous operation carrier (7), and is provided at the end of the intermittent operation carrier (8). The automatic fruit and vegetable sorting apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a pool section (10) for pooling a large number of fruits and vegetables (A) at equal intervals. The traveling path (4) is an oblique traveling path (4a1, 4a) that obliquely conveys the receiver (1) conveyed by the receiver conveyer (2) while sliding the receiver horizontally during the conveyance.
2,...) And the receiver (1) along the oblique traveling path (4a1,
4a2,...) And a straight traveling path (4b1, 4) for distributing in the width direction of the receiver carrier (2) by moving straight ahead.
b2,...), and the oblique traveling path (4a1, 4a).
, Near the same traveling route (4a1, 4a2,
...), The head (1) is swung to change the direction of the oblique traveling in the traveling direction, and the oblique traveling path (4a1, 4a2,...) Is provided. The fruit (A) on the transported receiver (1) is obliquely inclined from the receiver transporter (2) by the fruit extractor (6) in the same traveling direction in a state where the receiver (1) is swung. The fruits and vegetables (A) on the receiver (1) which are taken out in the direction and conveyed along the straight traveling path (4b1, 4b2,...) Are transferred by the receiver (6) in the forward direction of the receiver. The fruit and vegetable automatic sorting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fruit and vegetable automatic sorting apparatus is arranged to be taken out in the forward direction in the transporting direction (2). 5. A pool section (10) before a pool section (10).
The fruit and vegetable automatic sorting apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising an automatic packaging device (12) for taking out fruit and vegetables (A) from the vegetable and automatically packaging the fruit and vegetable (A). 6. A pedestal (20) slidably supported by the receiver carrier (2), and a pivoting part (21) mounted on the pedestal so as to swing freely. ) Includes a support portion (28) for supporting the fruit vegetables (A) lying on its side, and a fruit extractor (6) below the fruit vegetables (A) placed on the support portions (28).
And a take-out space part (24) into which the fruit can be inserted.