JP3978291B2 - Agricultural product sorting and sorting method and sorting and sorting apparatus operation method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Technical field to which the invention belongs]
The present invention relates to a method for sorting agricultural products such as fruits such as apples, strawberries, pears, or vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, etc.Sorting sortingapparatusOperation methodIt is about.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In order to sort and sort the agricultural products, a tray that is transported without being restrained by the transport means is used. Agricultural products are placed on the tray one by one and discharged to the sorting line (route) for each sorting category. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a sorting apparatus that uses packaging such as boxing has been employed. It should be noted that an apparatus of this type and a tray used therefor are generally referred to as a free tray or a free tray type because the tray is not constrained by the conveying means (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-175610). This also applies to the following.
[0003]
Compared with the so-called bucket method, which uses a free tray type tray, the agricultural products are loaded and transported on a conveyor and an inseparable running bucket (destination) from the supply process to the measurement process of the sorting classification determination element. Furthermore, even in the sorting route at the latter stage, the agricultural products can be transported without being transferred without being transferred to the packaging process by discharging the agricultural products together with the free tray, so that external loads such as impact on the agricultural products can be reduced. It is excellent in that it can greatly reduce the risk of damage to agricultural products.
[0004]
In addition, the sorting and packaging of agricultural products using free tray trays will average the operating efficiency of the packaging equipment as much as possible even when the classification of agricultural products to be sorted is divided into multiple categories and their distribution rates vary greatly. Since it is possible to adopt a device, it is also excellent in that the investment cost can be reduced with respect to the productivity of the entire equipment. For example, according to the size of the distribution ratio, for example, for a sorting category with a large distribution ratio, the number of discharged agricultural products (dish trays) is large, and multiple sorting lines are connected to an automatic boxing device for automatic packaging. The number of sorting lines can be set to match the amount of processing. On the other hand, sorting lines with an extremely small number of discharges (stacking) in the sorting category are not connected to automatic boxing equipment, but are lined up by the operator by hand. This is because it can be configured to connect. In this way, it is possible to configure an apparatus and equipment that have an appropriate balance between the work efficiency of the packaging process and the investment cost with respect to the productivity of the equipment.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, when the above-described free tray type sorting device is adopted in each fruit selection field, it is natural that securing high productivity (processing efficiency, equipment operation rate, etc.) is desired in the fruit selection field. Therefore, it is important to design efficient equipment and facilities mainly for items and varieties of agricultural products that have the highest throughput in the fruit selection area (agricultural products with the longest harvest time or the highest amount of harvest throughout the year). It is normal.
[0006]
However, on the other hand, when the harvest of agricultural products is almost constant throughout the year, it is normal that the time is limited and the time is usually limited. Etc., and the operating rate (utilization rate) becomes low, and there is a problem that the equipment cost per processed agricultural product becomes high. Thus, for example, for other agricultural products having different harvesting times from the main target agricultural product, it is generally required to increase the operation rate (utilization rate) by using the same apparatus for sorting.
[0007]
By the way, sharing of equipment and facilities for such different agricultural products is theoretically easy, but there is a problem that it is not always simple in the situation of practical use of equipment and facilities. One of the problems arises when there are differences in the sizes of some agricultural products to be processed due to differences in items and varieties. That is, when performing free tray type sorting, the free tray has a size suitable for the size of the target agricultural product. If the free tray is too large for the agricultural product, the transport interval of the agricultural product is As a result, the conveyance efficiency is lowered and the area of a pool part such as a large number of pool lines provided as a boxing standby position is increased. On the other hand, if the free tray is too small compared to the agricultural product, the agricultural product will stick out from the outer shape of the free tray, and if the trays approach each other during transportation or in the pool, the agricultural products come in contact with each other, and the agricultural product is transported at a recent high speed. This is because there is a high possibility that the agricultural products will be damaged by the collision in the sorting operation, and the advantage of the free tray type sorting device that the sorting operation can be performed without damaging the agricultural products is lost.
[0008]
It is also possible to prepare multiple types of free trays of a size suitable for each agricultural product to be processed, but as a result of using many types of saucers, the investment cost of the saucers increases, and the saucers when not in use It is not realistic to secure a storage space for the container and troublesome replacement of the tray. Note that sharing one type of free tray larger than all the agricultural products to be processed has the problem of reduced processing capacity, except in special cases where the main agricultural product is the largest agricultural product. That's right.
[0009]
For these reasons, in general fruit selection, it is basically based on the use of free trays (sizes) suitable for the main target agricultural products with a large amount of processing. If the free tray is shared and used for the processing, but agricultural products that are sized out of the outer shape of the free tray (the tray) are manually sorted without using this sorter There are many.
[0010]
  As described above, the present inventor makes it possible to use advantages such as automatic sorting in a free tray type sorting apparatus using a free tray as a receiving tray even for agricultural products having a size that causes the outer shape of the free tray (receiving tray) to stick out. The method of the present invention and a sorting apparatus suitable for carrying out this methodOperation methodHas led to the development.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The object of the present invention is achieved by the invention described in each of the claims.
[0012]
  The invention of the sorting and sorting method of agricultural products using the free tray type tray according to claim 1 of the present application is the sorting provided from the supply unit for placing the agricultural product on the free tray type tray not connected to the conveyor toward the sorting and discharging unit. A plurality of trays that are divided in order along the transporting direction of the sorting transport path in the sorting discharge path are determined while a large number of the trays are transported in a row on the transport path, and the sorting sections are sequentially branched along the transport direction of the sorting transport path. Agricultural products corresponding to the sorting division assigned to each branch discharge path are discharged to the branch conveyance path together with the trays, and the agricultural products on the trays are packed in the packaging section downstream of each branch discharge path. In the sorting method,SaidThe saucer has a structure with no direct contact with the produce on the adjacent saucer.Agricultural products are placed on an empty tray that is continuously supplied onto a single tray receiving path that forms the upstream side of the sorting and conveying path corresponding to the supply unit, and the agricultural products that are continuously conveyed in the middle of conveyance Widen the interval between the saucers, insert an empty saucer between them, and place the saucer on which the agricultural products are placed and the empty saucer in an alternating row.Carry, One of the trays on which the agricultural products are placed and one of the empty trays are always transported to the packaging unit through the branch discharge path in a front-rear pairA method for sorting and sorting agricultural products using a free-tray tray.
[0013]
The tray used for carrying out the above method is free to transfer between a sorting conveyor such as a belt type that constitutes a sorting conveyance path and a branching and discharging conveyor such as a belt type that similarly constitutes a branch discharge path. However, the structure is not particularly limited as long as the structure is suitable for carrying agricultural products, but generally, it is a circular or rectangular rigid plastic base in plan view. In addition, it is preferable to employ a type such as a combination with a seat of an elastic body that is assembled so that the agricultural product is not damaged thereon and carries the agricultural product.
[0014]
In order to determine the classification of agricultural products on the sorting conveyance path, so-called grade factors such as weight, shape (size, etc.), so-called class factors, or color, scratches, internal quality (sugar content, maturity, etc.) This measurement can be appropriately selected as necessary, and can be determined using a means such as a computer in relation to the sorting classification set to sort and sort based on these measurement results. In the case where the tray is joined and fed from the two tray receiving paths to the one sorting and conveying path in the supply section, the sorting element can be measured in the tray feeding path.
[0015]
Any known method can be used to select the branch discharge path for discharging the tray on which the agricultural products are placed from the sorting conveyance path. For example, the sorting classification of the agricultural products received by each of the plurality of branch discharge paths is fixed in advance. The classification method of the agricultural product that is determined or the acceptable classification of the produce is changed according to the distribution difference according to the result of the above determination (the classification classification of the accepted agricultural product is updated or changed under a predetermined condition), etc. Any of these may be used.
[0016]
In addition, the specific structure of the branch connection relationship between the branch discharge path and the sorting conveyance path is not particularly limited as long as the tray on which the agricultural products are placed can be smoothly transferred.
[0017]
In addition, for the packaging part that packs and packs agricultural products on the downstream side of the branch discharge path, either hand-packing or machine-packing can be adopted. Is preferably used, and hand-packing is preferably used for preventing damage to agricultural products and for special packaging. Furthermore, the stage for performing the above-mentioned hand-packing or machine-packing process is arbitrarily set for each of the packaging parts linked in a one-to-one, one-to-multiple or multiple-to-one manner with respect to the plurality of branch discharge paths. be able to. Specifically, it is possible to provide a packaging unit dedicated to machine filling processing, or to provide a packaging unit dedicated to hand-packing processing, and further to provide a packaging unit that can select hand-packing and machine-packing processing as required. You can also. The machine filling process is not limited, but for example, a so-called robotic boxing operation device that three-dimensionally drives an arm with a suction cup suspended in a row by a link mechanism including a joint mechanism, etc. This refers to an automatic boxing device used.
[0018]
According to the apparatus and equipment including the mechanical elements as described above, the main target agricultural products can be sorted and sorted in a manner in which the agricultural products are mounted on substantially all the trays. When targeting agricultural products that are to be put out (hereinafter referred to as “large-scale agricultural products”), “Transfer in a row while there is an empty tray on which agricultural products are not placed between the trays on which agricultural products are placed (a tray containing agricultural products)” It can carry out in the mode to do. If the specific example of said main target agricultural product and large-sized agricultural product is given as an example, as the same variety, for example, the main target agricultural product is ordinary pear (about 300 to 350 g in the 20th century, etc.), while large The case where the agricultural products are Atago pear (1-2 kg), new height (about 0.5 kg), and emerging (about 0.5 kg) can be exemplified, and if they are different varieties, the case of pear and melon can be exemplified.
[0019]
In other words, when sorting and sorting agricultural products using the equipment and equipment including the mechanical elements described above, it is possible to place the agricultural products on all of the trays that are continuously conveyed, depending on the mode of supply in the agricultural product supply unit. Therefore, when implementation in such an aspect is suitable, implementation in that aspect may be performed. On the other hand, in the aspect in which the agricultural products are placed on all the saucers, the agricultural products are large (hereinafter referred to as “large-scale agricultural products”), and the above-mentioned problem that the agricultural products are damaged due to a collision in order to break out from the planar outline of the saucer is caused. In this case, sorting can be performed in such a manner that “carrying in a row while empty trays are present between the trays on which the agricultural products are placed (a tray with agricultural products)”. In addition, “loading agricultural products on virtually all trays” means an ideal state in terms of the transport efficiency of the sorted portion, and empty trays are randomly generated due to the operator forgetting to place them. Naturally, this method is not excluded. Similarly, this method is also ideal for the case where “an empty tray is present between the trays on which large agricultural products are placed (a tray with agricultural products)”. The implementation situation is when one agricultural tray and one empty tray are conveyed alternately, but there are two or more empty trays randomly due to the operator forgetting to place it, etc. It does not exclude the case where it is supposed to be. In addition, it is necessary for the saucer used in the above method to have a structure that does not have a portion that makes direct contact with the produce on the adjacent saucer, and the saucer itself has a structure portion that contacts the produce on the adjacent saucer. In this case, the intention to prevent the problem that the agricultural products are damaged by contact with others cannot be realized even if the empty trays are present between the trays containing the agricultural products.
[0020]
According to the present invention, the main target agricultural product can be sorted and sorted according to a mode in which one agricultural product is placed on a tray and conveyed, while the large agricultural product is made to exist between the receiving trays with large agricultural products. Because the empty tray serves as a buffer space to prevent the transported agricultural product from colliding, it can satisfy the advantage of not damaging the free-tray sorting agricultural product, and it is prepared for sorting classification judgment. It is possible to use a sorting and sorting apparatus and equipment that have not been used in the past because of the size of the produce and the tray, and to improve the operation efficiency.
[0021]
In addition, agricultural products that do not collide with each other even if there is no empty tray (that is, agricultural products whose outer shape is smaller than the outer shape of the tray (hereinafter referred to as “small agricultural products”)) and large agricultural products are subject to sorting and sorting. Even when changing the size of agricultural products to different ones, it is not necessary to change to a tray with a different standard, so the processing target can be switched quickly and smoothly, and the burden on capital investment is reduced. be able to.
[0023]
In the above, each of the trays with agricultural products and the empty trays is "always in front-to-back" because if there is one empty tray between the trays with large agricultural products, the state of the buffer is sufficient. Is maintained from the branch discharge path to the packaging section. The “front-rear pair” is a condition that, in a state where a large number of saucers are continuous, there is always an empty saucer between the saucers containing agricultural products.
[0024]
  AlsoFor example, even if there are two or more empty trays following the agricultural product receiving tray on the sorting transport path due to forgetting to place it, etc., and the next agricultural product receiving tray is transported, it will take the branch discharge path from the sorting transport path. When transferring, if only one agricultural product receiving tray and one empty receiving tray are transferred, the agricultural product receiving tray and empty receiving tray are placed between the branch discharge path and the packaging section.TheThey can always be arranged alternately in a row, eliminating the extra volume in the pool section and eliminating the need for extra empty trays so that the packaging work in the packaging section can be performed efficiently under certain conditions. .
[0025]
  Claim2The invention ofIn the above invention, the empty saucer entering between the saucers on which the agricultural products are placed is conveyed synchronously with the saucer on which the agricultural products in the continuous conveyance state are placed, and is conveyed with a half-pitch phase shift, Between the saucer with the agricultural products with a gapConfluenceI will do itIt is characterized by that.
[0026]
  According to this invention,For example, receiving the same configurationDish supply pathIs made up of two articles.One is always an empty saucer, and the other is always a produce-containing saucer (except for forgetting to place it), so it is very simple to ensure that there is an empty saucer between the produce-containing saucers in the supply section. Can do.
[0027]
  Claim3In each of the above inventions, the invention is characterized in that either the hand-packing process or the machine-packing process can be selected as the packaging process in the agricultural product packaging unit, or these processes can be selected.
[0028]
According to this invention, in consideration of the overall efficiency and facility cost of the fruit selection facility, it is possible to select a packaging unit dedicated to hand-packing processing, a packaging unit dedicated to machine-packing processing, and hand-packing processing and machine-packing processing. The packaged parts can be selected and adopted as appropriate, especially for large agricultural products that are often hand-packed according to the frequency and amount of processing and sorting of large agricultural products. It is easy to design the arrangement of the hand-packing packaging stage for hand-packing processing prepared in accordance with different requirements for each fruit selection site.
[0029]
Agricultural products to be sorted and sorted in each of the above inventions are, for example, large agricultural products that are removed outside the planar outline of the saucer when the main target agricultural products to be machine-packed are peach, pear, and mandarin orange, , Large pears, melons, and large citrus fruits (for example, sweet summer, Yawata, Iyokan, etc.).
[0030]
  Claim of this application5Agricultural product sorting and sorting equipmentOperation methodAccording to the present invention, a sorting conveyor that transports a large number of trays that are not connected to the conveyor in a row from a feeding start side supply unit for placing agricultural products on the tray toward a sorting discharge position on the conveying end side, and a middle of the sorting conveyor Measuring and judging means for measuring and determining the sorting classification of the agricultural products conveyed by the plurality of branch discharge conveyors that are sequentially connected in a branching manner along the conveying direction to the sorting conveyor at the sorting discharge position and that convey the trays in a row; , A discharge means for discharging the receiving tray on which the agricultural products of the sorting classification corresponding to the sorting division assigned to each branch discharge conveyor are discharged to the corresponding branch discharging conveyor, and each branch discharge to wrap the agricultural products on the discharged receiving tray And a packaging unit connected to the conveyorThe supply unit conveys the tray with a half-pitch phase shift, and a pair of first and second supply units of synchronous drive that increase the interval between the trays while transporting, the first supply unit, A merging mechanism for alternately merging the trays conveyed by the second supply means and conveying them in a row.Agricultural product sorting equipmentOperation methodIn the above, the saucer has a structure that does not have a portion that directly contacts the produce on the adjacent saucer.Use,Agricultural products are placed on an empty tray that is continuously transported on the first supply means, and the trays that are continuously transported on the second supply means are emptied and transported to the merging mechanism. In a row with a pair of saucers,The discharging means isOne of the trays on which the produce is placed and one of the empty traysFrom sorting conveyor to branch discharge conveyorBefore and afterDischargeIn addition, a tray on which the agricultural product is placed and an empty tray are always paired in the front-rear direction and conveyed to the packaging section through the branch discharge path.It is characterized by that.
[0031]
The sorting conveyor used in the above apparatus constitutes the sorting and conveying path referred to in the invention of claim 1 of the present application, and any belt type or chain can be used as long as it can be conveyed without being connected to the tray. An appropriate type, such as a -n type, can be employed. The same applies to the branch discharge conveyor constituting the branch discharge path in the invention of claim 1.
[0032]
The measurement determination means is a conventionally known means depending on the measurement element, such as an illumination optical system arranged in the middle of the sorting conveyor, an optical measurement means including a light receiving optical system, a weight measurement means using a scale, etc. The elements for determining the sorting category obtained by these various measuring means can be used to classify the produce into a plurality of preset sorting categories, and are usually used for sorting the individual produce. It is determined using a computer device that includes an MPU (microprocessor unit) to determine the partition.
[0033]
In addition, the discharging means that can transfer one tray each containing an agricultural product and an empty tray to the branch discharge conveyor from the sorting conveyor to the branch discharge conveyor is, for example, a tray detection means for the tray conveyed on the sorting conveyor. And the detection means of the receiving tray containing the agricultural products, the receiving tray loaded with the corresponding agricultural products is discharged from the sorting conveyor to the branch discharge conveyor to which the predetermined sorting category is set or assigned, and subsequently ( (Alternatively, prior to this), one empty tray can be surely discharged. In addition, when sorting and sorting, for example, main target agricultural products other than large agricultural products, it is natural that only the tray on which the agricultural products are placed is discharged to the branch discharge conveyor.
[0034]
  Claim 5According to the present invention, as explained in the method invention described above, the empty saucer that is made to exist between the large-sized produce-containing saucers forms a buffer space that prevents contact of produce. It is possible to satisfy the advantage of free tray-type sorting that does not damage the agricultural products, and there are few devices specially provided for large-scale products, and they are prepared for sorting classification in the sorting and sorting device. The existing equipment can be used as it is, and the sorting and sorting equipment and equipment can be used effectively and the operating efficiency can be improved.
  That is, according to the invention of the method for operating the sorting and sorting apparatus for agricultural products according to claim 5, the operation of causing the empty tray to exist between the large-sized produce receiving trays from which the agricultural products are removed from the receiving tray is applied to the receiving tray only on one tray supply conveyor. This can be done as a work to load agricultural products (the same work as usual). On the other hand, when transporting agricultural products that do not stick out from the saucer (for example, main target agricultural products), By performing the operation of placing the agricultural product, it is possible to reduce the burden of the operation of placing the agricultural product on the empty tray on the tray supply conveyor that is transported at a speed about 1/2 of the transport speed of the high-speed sorting conveyor.
[0035]
Further, according to the present invention, the sorting and sorting of the agricultural products other than the main target can be performed while the efficient operation of the equipment and facilities designed to improve the sorting and sorting efficiency of the main target agricultural products. In particular, “large-scale agricultural products” that were previously considered to be unsuitable for processing using the equipment and equipment because they are larger than the standard target agricultural products, Sorting and sorting can be performed quickly and smoothly using the apparatus and equipment.
[0036]
  Claim6The invention ofInvention of the above operation methodIn packaging from the branch discharge conveyorPartA pool portion for collecting and waiting the trays in a row is provided between the two.
[0037]
The reason for waiting for accumulation in this pool section in the state of “a row of trays” is to realize that there is always an empty tray between the trays containing agricultural products.
[0038]
According to this invention, in order to prevent damage to agricultural products, it is ensured that a state in which an empty tray is present between the trays containing agricultural products is ensured.
[0039]
  Claim7Each of the above inventionsOf operationIn the invention, each of the plurality of packaging parts connected to the branch discharge conveyor has at least one of a hand-packed packaging stage and a machine-packed packaging stage.
[0040]
The packaging section connected to the branch discharge conveyor is generally machine-packed for packaging the main target agricultural products with a large amount of processing. However, for agricultural products with a small processing amount compared to the main target agricultural products, it is possible not to pack them with machinery, especially for large-sized agricultural products or for agricultural products that require special handling. There are many cases. For this purpose, a dedicated stage for hand-packed packaging can be provided, but a packaging section can be provided so that it can be switched between hand-packing and machine-packing as required.
[0041]
According to the present invention, a sorting and sorting device having an efficient configuration according to the requirements of a fruit selection field, a packaging section dedicated to machine filling, a packaging section dedicated to hand-packing, or a packaging section that can be switched and used as necessary. Can be provided.
[0044]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on embodiments shown in the drawings. The feature of this example is not the main use state (hereinafter referred to as “normal use”) that sorts and sorts the main target agricultural products, but rather the exceptional production that sorts and sorts large agricultural products that produce crops from the outer shape of the saucer. However, since these are closely related, the following explanation explains the case of exceptional use and the case of normal use as well as the case of exceptional use. The operations necessary for the operation and the features of the mechanism necessary for realizing the operations will be described.
[0045]
Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a part of a fruit selection field equipped with an agricultural product sorting and sorting apparatus according to the present invention (measurement for agricultural product sorting to packaging). The sorting device is roughly divided into a supply unit for placing agricultural products on a tray (free tray), a sorting unit for measuring and judging the grade / class of the agricultural products conveyed on the sorting conveyor, A sorting unit that discharges to a storage / stacking conveyor as a branch discharge conveyor to which a predetermined sorting category is individually assigned so as to accept agricultural products whose grades are determined for each sorting category, and a storage unit that sorts and sorts each sorting category. It is composed of four packaging units for boxing a group of produce (for example, one unit of packaging) connected to and fed from the stacking conveyor. In the following description, an empty free tray is indicated by reference numeral 41, an agricultural product-containing free tray is indicated by reference numeral 42, and reference numeral 4 is used to collectively indicate these.
[0046]
The above-mentioned agricultural product supply unit is shown in detail in FIG. While transporting, the worker 50 picks up the agricultural products from the incoming conveyor 57 that randomly transports the agricultural products brought to the selection site and places the agricultural products on the empty free tray 41. In the example, the grades (three grades such as “Excellent”, “Excellent”, “Good”, “A”, “B”, “C”, etc.) are visually discriminated, and the position of the agricultural free tray 42 is moved to a predetermined position on the center, right side, and left side of the tray supply conveyor 52. Tracking indicates that one of the three grades.
[0047]
In addition, one empty free tray 41 is inserted for each square of the tray supply conveyor 52 divided by the crosspieces 521 by a pitching screw 511 having a spiral groove provided at the end portion of the return conveyor 51.
[0048]
As shown in the figure, the supply section of the present example is provided with two tray supply conveyors 52. When the main target agricultural products are sorted and sorted, the agricultural products are placed on the free tray 4 by the respective tray supply conveyors 52 of the two strips. . On the other hand, when sorting and sorting large agricultural products, the agricultural products are placed on the free tray 4 only by the tray supply conveyor 52 on one side, and the other side is supplied empty. FIG. 2 shows the case of sorting and sorting of large-scale agricultural products that supply only this one item.
[0049]
53 is a tracking detection device such as a photoelectric sensor provided to detect the tracking state of the agricultural product-containing free tray 42, and detects the grade of the agricultural product from the tracking position of the free tray 42 on which it is placed.
[0050]
In this example, the free tray 42 after detecting the tracking is aligned in a line by the taper rail 522 and passed through the imaging device 54. This imaging device 54 is for imaging the appearance of agricultural products using a color camera, a sensor camera, or the like, and classifying or classifying each agricultural product by an appropriate calculation method.
[0051]
Reference numeral 55 denotes a bar code reader that reads different identification marks displayed on the free tray 4, for example, bar codes.
[0052]
As described above, the identification information (individualized information) of a specific agricultural product-containing free tray 42 is detected by a bar code, and the classification of the agricultural product and class required for the specific free tray 42 are classified. Sorting information, for example, information detected by the tracking detection device 53 and the imaging device 54 is converted into an electric signal and sent to a computer (not shown), and the agricultural products on the specific free tray 42 are classified into any class. Is determined and recorded, or is recorded as classification information of the determination result. The recorded information is used as information for discharging the free tray 42 from the sorting conveyor 1 described later to the storage conveyor.
[0053]
The management and use of sorting information for each agricultural product is not limited to the above method. For example, information can be recorded on an IC card (integrated circuit card) mounted on each tray using a non-contact type information recording means. In addition, information reading means can be arranged in association with each discharge device to be described later so that the sorting information recorded on the IC card on the free tray 4 can be read and used.
[0054]
Next, a description will be given of a configuration in which the free tray 4 on the two tray receiving conveyors 52 is placed on the single sorting conveyor 1 that transfers at high speed and merges using the junction mechanism 56.
[0055]
On the terminal side of the tray supply conveyor 52 in the agricultural product supply section of this example, the two tray tray conveyors 52 run side by side at a predetermined interval, and both the crosspieces 521 are ½ pitch in the transport direction. It is provided to drive (convey) with a phase shift. And, with respect to the sorting conveyor 1 which is arranged in the middle of the two tray supply conveyors 52 so as to be transferred at a speed approximately twice as high, the tray transfer guide means via the transfer relay conveyors 561 and 561, respectively. The sloping rails 562 and 562 are configured such that the free tray 4 is laterally shifted and merged.
[0056]
The transfer relay conveyor 561 is for smoothly performing transfer relay when the speed difference between the tray supply conveyor 52 and the sorting conveyor 1 is large. In this example, a crosspiece 5611 is provided. The transfer speed is set to an intermediate speed between the tray supply conveyor 52 and the sorting conveyor 1. In addition, the transfer relay conveyor 561 provided corresponding to each tray supply conveyor 52 is provided with crosspieces 5611 provided in these in a 1/2 pitch phase with respect to the transport direction. The relationship is set so that the free tray 4 can be transferred to and from the 52 crosspieces 521.
[0057]
As described above, when the free tray 4 transported on each of the two tray receiving conveyors 52 is engaged with the inclined rail 562, the free tray 4 is laterally shifted along the inclination and sorted via the relay conveyor 561. Transfer to the conveyor 1. And the phase of the crosspieces 521 of the tray supply conveyors 52 on both sides is shifted by 1/2 pitch in the conveying direction, so that they are efficiently aligned at equal intervals on the sorting conveyor 1 and set to this sorting conveyor 1. Sent to the sorting department at a high speed.
[0058]
And about the main object agricultural products, the agricultural products are loaded in the free tray 4 conveyed on the tray receiving conveyor 52 of two strips.
[0059]
On the other hand, when the agricultural product is large and is removed from the outer shape of the tray, the supply of the agricultural product P and the joining of the free tray 4 are performed as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, for one of the two tray receiving conveyors 52, the agricultural product is placed on the free tray 4 in the same manner as in normal use. However, no agricultural product is placed on the empty free tray 41 fed by the other tray supply conveyor 52. As a result, the agricultural product-containing free tray 42 shown by hatching in the figure and the empty free tray 41 shown without hatching are joined and aligned alternately on the sorting conveyor 1 by the joining mechanism 56. . By adopting such a system, an operator who performs the work of placing on the tray supply conveyor 52 on one side only needs to place the produce on the free tray 4 in the same manner as in the normal use. Since an unusual work form is not required, there is an advantage that the burden is not weighted both mentally and in actual work.
[0060]
Also, by using the merging method very simply, there is an advantage that it is possible to reliably ensure a state suitable for sorting and sorting large agricultural products, in which the agricultural free trays 42 and empty free trays 41 are alternately arranged in a line. It is done.
[0061]
As described above, the free tray 42 on which large agricultural products whose grades / classes are classified by the agricultural product supply unit is transported on the sorting conveyor 1 with an empty free tray 41 always present therebetween. . In the middle of the conveyance on the sorting conveyor 1, the empty free tray 41 exists between the free trays 41 as described above. Even if they approach so that they come into contact with each other, it is ensured that the agricultural products P on the free tray are not in direct contact with each other. In addition, for example, if agricultural products exceeding twice the outer diameter of the circular free tray are placed, it is theoretically possible that there is direct contact between the agricultural products even if one empty free tray is interposed as described above. However, placing agricultural products on the free tray in such a relationship is not actually performed from the standpoint of carrying stability and the like, and even in the case of carrying out in such a mode, the agricultural products are placed between the free trays 42 containing agricultural products. The number of empty free trays 41 to be interposed may be increased.
[0062]
Next, the sorting unit 2 of the sorting apparatus of this example will be described.
[0063]
In this example, a large number of storage / stacking conveyors 202 as branch discharge conveyors 20 are branched and connected to the sorting conveyor 1 in the present embodiment at a substantially right angle in the lateral direction (see FIG. 1). Then, the free trays 42 containing the agricultural products corresponding to the sorting categories are discharged to the sorting categories assigned to the storage / stacking conveyor 202 in a fixed or changeable manner.
[0064]
In the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, one branch discharge conveyor 20 is constituted by four storage / stacking conveyors 202, and the downstream end is linked to the packaging unit 3 having two stages of machine packing and hand packing. Storage / stacking conveyor 202 group (5 lines on the lower side in FIG. 1) and storage / stacking conveyor 21 group (2 lines on the upper side in FIG. 1) arranged on the upper side of FIG. Yes. Furthermore, although a discharge line (not shown) for non-boxed goods can be provided on the upper side of the figure, the line for exclusive use of hand-packing work 21 and the discharge line for non-boxed goods are not essential and are omitted. You can also
[0065]
Next, one line of the storage / stacking conveyor group linked to the packaging unit 3 composed of two working stages of machine packing and hand packing will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0066]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the branch discharge conveyor 20 constituting the sorting unit 2 of this example includes a discharge device 201 that discharges the free tray 4 from the sorting conveyor 1, a storage / storage unit that stores the discharged free tray 4. There are provided a stacking conveyor 202 and switching-type linkage switching devices 71 and 72 for sending the free tray 4 from the storage / stacking conveyor 202 to the packaging unit 3. The discharge device 201 can be configured by using, for example, a sorting discharge device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-278848, and in this example, two for each branch discharge conveyor 20 with respect to the sorting conveyor 1. Is provided. Further, each discharge device 201 of this example is configured to have a function of distributing the free tray 4 to the storage / stacking conveyor 202 (2021, 2022 in FIG. 4) of two lanes (two strips).
[0067]
With the above configuration, during normal use, for example, agricultural products for which classification classification of grade / class is determined (for example, the size class is L and the grade is A), the storage to which the classification classification (AL) is assigned. -When passing through the position of the discharge device 201 linked to the stacking conveyor 202, the rotating electromagnetic adsorption unit on the rotary table of the discharge device is placed at a predetermined position by a command from a control means (not shown) such as a computer. The free tray 42 is attracted and attracted by the excitation unit 2011 that is fixedly arranged, and is turned and discharged from the sorting conveyor 1 in the horizontal direction according to the rotation of the rotary table. Then, the excitation of the electromagnetic adsorption unit is released by either the excitation release unit 2012 or 2013 provided at a predetermined angle position, so that the free tray 42 discharged from the sorting conveyor 1 is separated from the rotary table and stored. -It will be sent to one of the two lanes 2021, 2022 of the stacking conveyor.
[0068]
In this example, the operation of discharging the agricultural products of a specific sorting category to the corresponding storage / stacking conveyor 202 by the predetermined discharging device 201 is performed as follows. That is, by reading a unique label (barcode) on the free tray with a barcode reader 5 (see FIG. 1) arranged upstream of the sorting conveyor 1, the agricultural products recorded in a one-to-one relationship with this label. The sorting distance is detected, and the transfer distance (or time) from the arrangement position of the bar code reader 5 to the discharge device 201 linked to the storage / stacking conveyor 202 to which the receipt of the agricultural product of the corresponding sorting section is assigned. Then, an index is calculated based on the number of pulses output corresponding to the amount of movement of the sorting conveyor from an encoder device or the like, and the corresponding discharge device 201 is operated when the corresponding free tray 4 passes through the device. In this way, agricultural products having different sorting categories are sorted and discharged to the branch discharge conveyor 20 to which each sorting category is assigned.
[0069]
By the way, the above discharge operation of the free tray 4 explains the case of normal use in which the outer shape is smaller than that of the free tray 4, for example, the main target agricultural product is sorted, but the agricultural product is larger than the outer shape of the free tray 4. In this case, the discharge device 201 performs a different discharge operation.
[0070]
That is, as described above, in the case of large-scale agricultural products, the agricultural product-containing free tray 42 and the empty free tray 41 are paired on the front and rear on the sorting conveyor 1 (that is, the empty free tray 41 is always present between them). It is necessary to maintain this state up to the packaging unit 3. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, when one free tray 42 containing agricultural products is discharged, one of the empty free trays 41 that follow is continuously discharged to the same storage / stacking conveyor 202. . Note that two or more empty free trays 41 may follow due to forgetting to place agricultural products, but in this case as well, the agricultural product-containing free tray 42 and the empty free tray 41 are discharged to the branch discharge conveyor 20 in pairs. The extra empty free tray 41 may be returned to the return conveyor 51 from the downstream of the sorting conveyor 1. This is because the alignment state of the agricultural product-containing free tray 42 in the branch discharge conveyor 20 and the packaging unit 3 can be easily managed.
[0071]
For the above-described continuous discharge, for example, first detection means (for example, a photoelectric sensor) that detects the agricultural product-containing free tray 42 slightly on the front side (transport upstream side) of each discharge device 201 on the transport path of the sorting conveyor 1 Etc.) and second detection means (same as above) for detecting the empty free tray 41 are arranged, and the pair of front and rear free trays 4 are sequentially arranged with respect to the storage / stacking conveyor 202 to which a predetermined sorting section is assigned. What is necessary is just to detect and discharge these in a line. 4 shows a state in which the pair of front and rear free trays 4 (42, 41) are discharged to the storage / stacking conveyor 202 at the right end. In order to discharge the pair of front and rear free trays 4 (42, 41), a method of continuously exciting the electromagnetic adsorption portion on the rotary table for a predetermined time can be used in addition to the above method. That is, since each free tray 4 is transported on the sorting conveyor 1 at almost regular intervals, when one agricultural product free tray 42 is detected by the first detection means, an empty free tray that follows this is detected. If the electromagnetic attracting part on the rotary table is continuously excited by the exciting part 2011 for a predetermined time required for the tray 41 to reach the discharge device 201, the pair of front and rear free trays 4 (42, 41) is provided. This is because it can be discharged in series. In the case of this method, the second detection means can be omitted.
[0072]
Next, a configuration in which one branch discharge conveyor 20 is linked to two packaging work stages of machine packing and hand packing will be described.
[0073]
In each branch discharge conveyor 20 of this example, the four-line storage / stacking conveyor 202 is linked to the packaging unit 3 in which the machine-packing and packaging stage 31 and the hand-packing and packaging stage 32 are combined. Is a control of which group of free trays 4 are sent out from the conveyor when the accumulated agricultural products are sent out to the boxing stage, and whether the group of free trays 4 are sent out to the machine-packing and packaging work stage, or hand-packed It can be decided whether to send to the packaging work stage. These choices are possible because, for example, when a fruit cap needs to be fitted, it is usually sent to the hand-packed packaging work stage, otherwise it should be sent to the machine-packed packaging work stage It is.
[0074]
In order to satisfy the above, in the present example, the first linkage switching device 71 for the feed timing switching control is provided at a position in the middle of the transfer of each storage / stacking conveyor 202 constituting the branch discharge conveyor 20. And a second destination switching control for switching between sending out the group of free trays 4 to the machine-packaging operation stage 31 or sending out the group of free trays 4 to the hand-packing operation stage 32. A linkage switching device 72 is provided. The linkage switching device 71 can be configured by combining a stopper mechanism that protrudes and appears on the transport surface of the conveyor 202 to stop the free tray 4, for example, a stopper plate and a cylinder device.
[0075]
Moreover, in this example, as a structure for linking the branch discharge conveyor 20 and the packaging unit 3, the first track to the third track 81 to 83 are arranged in a plane U shape at the downstream end of the storage / stacking conveyor 202. The first track 81 is connected to the first track 81 of the relay conveyor 8 and extends in the width direction perpendicular to the four-line storage / stacking conveyor 202. In parallel with this, there is provided a third track 83 (831 or 832) that forms a boxing standby position of the machine-packaging operation stage 31 or the hand-packaging operation stage 32, and a vertical image of “U” is provided therebetween. A second track 82 (821, 822) is provided.
[0076]
The first linkage switching device 71 including the stopper mechanism for performing the delivery timing switching control normally stops the conveyance of the free tray 4 and the number of free trays accumulated by a sensor (not shown) is set to a predetermined number of packaging units ( For example, when it is detected that the number of boxes packed in one box or pack in the below-described boxing operation is accumulated, an immersion state that allows conveyance based on a command from a control means (not shown) according to the progress of the subsequent boxing operation The stopper mechanism protrudes on the conveying surface so that the predetermined number of free trays 4 are sent out to the boxing standby position, and the predetermined number of free trays 4 are sent out and then the subsequent free trays 4 are stopped again. It will be restored to the state.
[0077]
In addition, a sorting lever device is provided as a second linkage switching device 72 on the second track 82 of the relay conveyor 8, and a group of free gears sent out in accordance with a command from a control means (not shown). Whether the tray 4 is fed to the machine stuffing and packaging operation stage 31 or to the hand stuffing and packaging operation stage 32 is controlled to be switched. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the group of free trays 4 sent out from the storage / stacking conveyor 202 in the rightmost lane among the four strips of the branch discharge conveyor 20 are sent to the hand-packing and packaging work stage 32.
[0078]
The sorting lever device constituting the second linkage switching device 72 is disposed outside one side track of the second track 82 (821, 822) of the relay conveyor 8, and the lever 722 is centered on the pivot shaft 721. Is provided so as to be switched between a swing position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 4 and a retract position to the outside of the track indicated by a two-dot chain line by a cylinder device (not shown). In some cases, the free tray 4 is moved straight on the second track 821 and sent to the machine stuffing and packaging work stage 31, and when in the swinging position, the free tray 4 is transferred to the second track 822 on the hand-packed and wrapping work stage 32 side. It is provided so as to be fed into the hand-packed packaging work stage 32.
[0079]
The mode of transfer of the free tray 4 from each of the storage / stacking conveyors 202 of the branch discharge conveyor 20 to the packaging unit 3 is carried in a single line so that the free tray 4 can be conveyed in a single line. Even in the case of sorting and sorting large agricultural products, basically the same control is performed. However, in the case of sorting and sorting the latter large agricultural products, the free tray 4 sent out from the storage / stacking conveyor 202 to the packaging unit 3 is By the simple control that the number of free trays to be sent out is an even number, it is possible to ensure a state where the agricultural product-containing free tray 42 and the empty free tray 41 are always sent as a pair of front and rear. That is, in this example, in the sorting and sorting of large agricultural products, the discharge device 201 always discharges to the branch discharge conveyor 20 because it is always a pair of front and rear free trays 41 and 42.
[0080]
Next, the packaging unit 3 composed of the machine-packaging operation stage 31 and the hand-packaging operation stage 32 will be described.
[0081]
First, the mechanical packing and packaging work stage 31 in the packaging unit 3 for packing in this example will be described. This is sent out from the predetermined storage / stacking conveyor 202 by the operation of the first linkage switching device 71 described above. The free tray 4 conveyed to the agricultural product packaging standby position 831 by setting the second linkage switching device 72 to the retracted position (two-dot chain line in the figure) includes the packaging device 311 for performing the packaging operation, and Consists of related peripheral devices.
[0082]
The group of free trays 4 fed onto the boxing position 831 is stopped by the stopper mechanism 312 provided at the tip of the boxing standby position 831 and put into a boxing standby state. The stopper mechanism 312 can be configured in the same manner as the first linkage switching device 71, and is switched to a state that allows conveyance at the end of picking up agricultural products (or at the time when there is no hindrance to transport after picking up). After the empty free tray 41 is sent out to the return conveyor 51 and a predetermined number is sent out, the subsequent free tray 4 is returned to a state where it is stopped again. The end of the return conveyor 51 is connected to the tray conveyor 52 shown in FIG.
[0083]
In addition, the packaging part 31 of this example arrange | positions the tray pack supply apparatus 14 in the inner space of the U-shape because the relay conveyor 8 comprises a U-shaped conveyance path as mentioned above.
[0084]
In the machine packing and packaging work stage 31 of this example, the boxing work is performed by a work robot as the automatic boxing device 311. A known device can be used as the automatic boxing device 311. For example, a work robot having a vertical articulated arm mechanism (hereinafter referred to as "working robot 311") is placed on the conveyor at the boxing position 831. It can be used as a device that operates to lift the agricultural products P from above a predetermined number of free trays 4 that are waiting to be aligned in a row, and to sequentially pack the packaging boxes 6 into which the tray packs are inserted. In addition, since the number of boxes to be packed is usually changed due to the difference in size, it is preferable to provide it so as to cope with the difference in the number of boxes.
[0085]
As described above, for example, the above-described articulated work robot 311 performs the boxing operation on the free tray 4 in which the agricultural products P are sent out so as to correspond to one box.
[0086]
The operation of the articulated work robot 311 will be described as an example. First, the work robot 311 uses an adsorption cup 3112 to hold, for example, 18-pack tray packs 1401 loaded on the tray pack supply device 14. The arm mechanism 3111 is moved to the position / posture indicated by the solid line in FIG. At this time, the rotator 1405 of the tray pack supply device 14 keeps the tray pack 1401 for 18 balls (pieces) in a state close to the box standby position 313 (see FIG. 4) (the state in FIG. 4). It is rotated. Then, the picked-up tray pack 1401 is inserted into the packaging box 6 at the box standby position 313 by moving the arm mechanism of the work robot 311 to the position / posture indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG.
As described above, the packaging box 6 supplied from the packaging box supply device 12 and having the predetermined tray pack inserted therein waits at the box standby position 313, and the free tray 4 containing the agricultural products P is stored at the boxing position 831. In the state where is stopped, the boxing operation of the agricultural product by the work robot 311 for transferring the agricultural product P from the free tray 4 to the box is started.
[0087]
That is, here, in the case of normal use for packaging the main target agricultural products, first, the arm mechanism 3111 having a predetermined number of cup suspensions 3113 is moved to the position / posture indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. The suction cup 3112 sucks and picks up the row of agricultural products P.
[0088]
Next, the work robot 311 that sucks and suspends the picked agricultural product P moves the cup suspension to the box standby position 313 by controlling the posture of the arm mechanism 3111. In the middle of this movement, for example, the operation of the pantograph mechanism Thus, the adjacent interval between the row of cup suspensions 3113 is changed to a state suitable for boxing. On the other hand, the empty free tray 41 from which the agricultural product P is picked up is retracted by the stopper mechanism 312 and sent to the return conveyor 51, and the free tray 4 on which the subsequent agricultural product P is loaded is transferred to the boxing position 831 and returned. By the stopper mechanism 312, the free tray 42 in one row is sent to the standby position for packing in the next row. Then, a series of boxing operations for each row are performed.
[0089]
The above operations are repeated for a predetermined number of rows, whereby the boxing operation for one box is completed, and the box 6 after the completion of the operation is accumulated from the discharge conveyor 121 via the product conveying conveyor 122 to a predetermined product accumulation. It is transported to the place.
[0090]
The arrangement pattern of the boxing operation at the machine packing operation stage 31 described above is not particularly limited to these, and when a plurality of types of the arrangement patterns of the boxing handled by one work robot 311 are set, A plurality of types of tray packs may be prepared for stacking in the tray pack supply device 14.
[0091]
Next, the hand-packed packaging work stage 32 of this example will be described.
[0092]
As described above, in the second track 82 of the relay conveyor 8, the second track 821 linked to the machine-packed packaging work stage 31 and the second track 822 linked to the hand-packed packaging work stage 32 are adjacently arranged in parallel.
[0093]
As shown in FIG. 4, the second trajectory 822 to the hand-packing and packaging work stage 32 extends to the proximity side of the work robot 311 and its peripheral devices, and the first trajectory 831 on the back surface (rear face) side of the work robot 311. Is connected to a third track 832 parallel to the.
[0094]
The third track 832 is configured in the same manner as in the case of the machine stuffing and packaging work stage 31, and the stopper mechanism 321 having the same mechanism as the stopper mechanism 312 is arranged to stop the fed free tray 4 and Manual packing by the person 323 is performed. Reference numeral 322 denotes a work table for the worker, and 324 denotes a box table on which the packaging box 6 is placed for the hand-packing operation.
[0095]
The free tray 4 that has been hand-packed is returned by a return conveyor 511 extending to the side of the work robot 311 and joined to the return conveyor 51 by a guide bar 512.
[0096]
The above describes the packaging work performed on the main target agricultural products on which the agricultural products are placed on all the free trays 4 that are continuously conveyed.
[0097]
On the other hand, large agricultural products sent out from the branch discharge conveyor 20 while the agricultural product-free tray 42 and the empty free tray 41 maintain a pair of front and rear states are also transferred to the free tray 4 and stopped and discharged after the agricultural products are taken out. The operations are basically performed in the same manner. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the agricultural product-containing free tray 42 and the empty free tray 41 are sent to the packaging portion while maintaining a pair of front and rear states and stopped by the stopper mechanism 312 or 321 as described above. That is, in this example, since the free tray 4 is sent out from the branch discharge conveyor 20 so that the empty free tray 41 follows the agricultural product free tray 42, the free tray 4 stopped by the stopper mechanism (312 or 321). This order is repeated in the order of “agricultural product-containing free tray 42-empty free tray 41”.
[0098]
In addition, it is possible to select whether large agricultural products are packaged at the machine-packaging operation stage 31 or at the hand-packaging operation stage 32. In the case of hand-packaging, a free product carrying a predetermined number of large agricultural products is available. A predetermined number of trays 4 can be stopped by the stopper mechanism 321 to perform work.
[0099]
6 (a), 6 (b), and 6 (c) are diagrams for explaining a series of operations when the large-sized agricultural product P is mechanically packed in the packaging box 6 in the state of “dice's fifth eye”. Yes, the agricultural products P on the agricultural free tray 42 indicated by hatching in the figure are the boxes of the two agricultural products P on the front side in a state where the group of free trays 4 are stopped by the stopper mechanism 312 (or 321). The free tray 4 that has been packed (see FIG. 6 (a)) is then sent out (discharged) to the return conveyor 51 (or 511), and then the next one agricultural product P is boxed and sent out. (See Fig. 6 (b)) Finally, the remaining two agricultural products P are packed and sent out (see Fig. 6 (c)), and the packaging of large agricultural products P in one packaging box 6 is carried out. It is supposed to end.
[0100]
In the process of carrying out such a packaging operation, as described above, the agricultural product-containing free tray 42 on which the large agricultural product P is placed is always in the middle of one empty free tray 41 depending on the delivery mode from the branch discharge conveyor 20. Since it is conveyed in a row so that it exists, even if the free tray 4 contacts, the possibility that the adjacent large agricultural product P will contact is reliably prevented.
[0101]
In addition, in this example, the free tray 4 discharged to each storage / stacking conveyor 202 of the branch discharge conveyor 20 by the discharge device 201 is always one of the free tray 42 containing agricultural products and the next empty free tray 41. Since the pair is in a state of being paired, even when the work shown in FIG. 6 is mechanically boxed, one of the produce-free trays 42 is constant, and for example, the work performed by the work robot 311 can be simply cycled. The advantage is also obtained.
[0102]
As described above, when sorting and sorting the large-sized agricultural product P having a size to be removed from the outer shape of the free tray 4 by the apparatus of this example, the supply unit before the free tray 4 from the two tray receiving conveyors 52 joins. Then, since the tray supply conveyor 52 and the relay conveyor 561 are provided with a crossing, it is prevented that the adjacent large-sized agricultural products contact, and after the free tray 4 from the two tray tray conveyor 52 joins, Since a state in which an empty free tray 41 always exists between the free trays 42 containing agricultural products is maintained across the sorting conveyor 1 to the branch discharge conveyor 20 and further to the packaging unit 3, it is prevented that large agricultural products come into contact with each other. The sorting and sorting work without the problem of damaging agricultural products due to the contact can be carried out using the illustrated series of mechanical devices. It is obtained.
[0103]
Embodiment 2
The present example shown in FIG. 7 is different from the first embodiment in that the hand-packed packaging work stage 33 is provided in a series downstream of the third track 831 for the machine-packed packaging work stage 31.
[0104]
This will be described below. In addition, the transport path of the free tray 4 has been changed accompanying the difference in layout that the hand-packing and packaging work stage 33 is provided as described above, and the hand-packing worker, work table, and the like are embodiments. Although the basic configuration is the same as that of the first exemplary embodiment, the basic configuration is the same as that of the first exemplary embodiment.
[0105]
One of the features of this example is that the transport path of the fifth track 85 corresponding to the third track 832 provided on the hand-packing and packaging work stage 32 of the relay conveyor 8 of the first embodiment is the second track 822. The third track 831 is connected to the third track 831 in series through a fourth track 84 extending along the opposite side.
[0106]
Reference numeral 331 denotes a stopper mechanism provided on the fifth track 85, which has an action corresponding to the stopper mechanism 321 of the first embodiment for stopping the transported free tray 4 for boxing work.
[0107]
According to the sorting and sorting apparatus of the present example having the above-described configuration, in the hand-packing and packaging work stage 33, the mechanism required for selecting the machine-packing and hand-packing work can be used and shared by the stopper mechanism 312 and at the same time The advantage that the program can be simplified is obtained.
[0108]
And also in this example, the advantage of Embodiment 1 mentioned above can be acquired as it is by aligning the free trays 4 in a line on each track of the relay conveyor.
[0109]
【The invention's effect】
  As mentioned above,Invention of Claim 1According toBy simply placing agricultural products on empty trays that are continuously transported, it is possible to transport the trays on which agricultural products are placed and empty trays in an alternating row, and transport from sorting to packaging is also empty. Since the trays and the trays on which the agricultural products are placed are transported in pairs, the burden of manually placing the agricultural products can be reduced, and the feeding section is very simple. It is possible to ensure a state in which an empty tray is present in between.
  AndFor example, a packaging process for agricultural products that uses an automatic machine-packed process for sorting and packaging as the main target agricultural product, which is conventionally unsorted from the outer shape of the tray that could not be sorted by the same apparatus. Most of the equipment, equipment, and accessory equipment that can be used for this purpose can be shared except for the parts that are directly related to these operations, greatly reducing the burden when installing the equipment. Thus, it is possible to select an operation mode most suitable for packaging each agricultural product with simple and easy operation.
[0110]
In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to select various operations for hand-packing and automatic machine-packing, which is extremely effective for a sorting device that requires different packaging operations depending on various items, varieties, or sorting categories. Through the above, it is possible to obtain an advantage that the apparatus can be mass-produced as a highly versatile apparatus that realizes effective use of the installation area of the apparatus and space saving, and increases the flexibility of layout.
[0111]
Furthermore, since the empty tray that is made to exist between the large-sized agricultural product receiving trays will serve as a member that forms a buffer space that prevents the collision of the transported agricultural products, The sorting and sorting device that can satisfy the advantage of not damaging the food and that can be used as it is for the sorting classification judgment and has not been used in the past due to the size of the produce and the tray ， Effective utilization of equipment and improvement of operation efficiency can be achieved.
[0112]
Furthermore, even when switching the processing method by the size of the processing target, such as small agricultural products that do not collide with each other even if there is no empty tray, and large agricultural products that collide without empty tray, Since there is no need to replace the tray with a different standard, the processing object can be switched quickly and smoothly.
[0114]
  Also bookAccording to the invention, for example, even if there are two or more empty trays following the agricultural product receiving tray and the next agricultural product receiving tray continues on the sorting conveyance path due to forgetting to load, etc., the branch from the sorting conveyance path When transferring to the discharge path, only one agricultural product tray and one empty tray are transferred, so the agricultural product tray and empty tray can always be alternately arranged in a line between the branch discharge path and the packaging section. Since there is no extra empty tray, the packaging operation in the packaging unit can be performed efficiently under certain conditions.
[0116]
  Claim3According to the invention, in consideration of the overall efficiency and facility cost of the fruit selection facility, it is possible to select a packaging unit dedicated to hand-packing processing, a packaging unit dedicated to machine-packing processing, or hand-packing processing and machine-packing processing. The packaging section can be selected and adopted as appropriate according to the demands of the fruit selection area, and in particular, depending on the frequency and amount of processing and sorting of large agricultural products, or generally hand-packed. It is easy to design the arrangement of the hand-packing packaging stage for hand-packing processing prepared for large-sized agricultural products that are often produced according to different requirements for each fruit selection site.
[0117]
  Claims5Agricultural product sorting and sorting equipmentOf operationAccording to the invention, the above-mentionedClaims 1 to 4In the same way as described in the method invention, empty trays that are made to exist between the large-sized produce pans create a buffer space that prevents agricultural product contact, so that the produce for free-tray sorting can be It is possible to satisfy the advantage of not hurting, and it is not specially provided for large-scale agricultural products, but it is possible to use a device prepared for sorting classification in the sorting and sorting device as it is. In addition, the sorting and sorting apparatus and the equipment can be effectively used and the operation efficiency can be improved.
[0118]
Furthermore, it is possible to perform sorting and sorting of agricultural products other than the main target using the equipment and facilities while performing efficient operation of the equipment and facilities designed to improve the sorting and sorting efficiency of the main target agricultural products. In particular, "large agricultural products" that were previously thought to be unsuitable for processing using this equipment and equipment because they are larger than the standards for the main target agricultural products of the equipment and equipment can be used. Sorting and sorting can be done quickly and smoothly.
[0119]
  Claim6According to this invention, in order to prevent damage to agricultural products, it is ensured that a state in which an empty tray is present between the trays containing agricultural products is ensured.
[0120]
  Claim7According to the present invention, the sorting and sorting apparatus having an efficient configuration according to the requirements of the fruit selection field is used for the packaging section dedicated to machine filling, the packaging section dedicated to hand-packing, or the packaging section that can be switched and used as necessary.Applicable incan do.
[0121]
In other words, the agricultural products of each sorting section that are discharged and stored and collected on each of the multiple storage and accumulation conveyors linked to the common packaging section can be discharged in a timely manner according to the storage and accumulation state. In addition, it is possible to efficiently operate and operate the automatic packaging and hand-packing operations in the packaging unit so as not to waste as much as possible.
[0122]
In addition, machine-packed or hand-packed packaging can be used with simple transfer path switching, compared to when these are provided on a branch discharge conveyor dedicated to machine packing or on a branch discharge conveyor dedicated to hand packing. Since most of the configurations of the branch discharge conveyor can be shared, there are extremely large benefits such as prevention of increase in installation area and reduction in installation cost.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an overall outline of an agricultural produce sorting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view for explaining a merging mechanism of the agricultural product supply unit in FIG. 1;
3 is a front view showing one of the branch discharge conveyors of the sorting unit of the sorting device of FIG. 1. FIG.
4 is a plan view of FIG. 3. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a view showing a state in which a receiving tray containing agricultural products is waiting with an empty receiving tray in the packaging portion of the present example.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating a method for machine-packaging and packaging agricultural products that are waiting in the state of FIG. 5, and FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating the middle of the packaging procedure.
FIG. 7 is a plan view for explaining another example of the linkage relationship between the branch discharge conveyor and the packaging part of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sorting conveyor, 2 ... Sorting part, 3 ... Packaging part, 4 ... Free tray, 5 ... Bar code reader, 6 ... Packaging box (cardboard box), 20, 21 ... Branch discharge conveyor, 50 ... Worker, 51, 511, 512 ... Return conveyor, 52 ... Branch discharge conveyor, 54 ... Imaging device, 55 ... Barcode reader, 57 ..Agricultural product supply conveyor, 71... First linkage switching device, 72... Second linkage switching device,
3 ... Packing part
31 ... Machine stuffing and packaging work stage
311 ... Working robot
3111 ... Arm mechanism
3112 ... Suction cup
3113 ... Cup suspended body
312 ... Stopper mechanism
313: Box standby position
32 ... Hand-packed packaging work stage
321 ... Stopper mechanism
322 ... Workbench
323 ... Boxing worker
33 ... Hand-packed packaging work stage
331 ... Stopper mechanism
332 ... Workbench
333 ... Boxing worker
12 ... Packing box feeder
201 ... Discharging device
202 (2021, 2022) ... storage / stacking conveyor
8 ... Relay conveyor
81 ... 1st orbit
82 (821, 822) ... second orbit
83 (831, 832) ... third orbit
84 ... 4th orbit
85 ... 5th orbit

Claims (7)

A sorting section of agricultural products on the tray is judged while a large number of the trays are transported in a row on a sorting transport path provided from the supply section to the sorting discharge section where the agricultural products are placed on a free tray type tray that is not connected to the conveyor. Agricultural products corresponding to the sorting divisions assigned to the respective branch discharge paths are collected for each receiving tray in a plurality of branch transfer paths that are sequentially branched in the sorting discharge path in the sorting discharge path in the sorting discharge section. In the sorting and sorting method of agricultural products in which the agricultural products on the receiving tray are discharged and packed in the packaging section downstream of each branch discharge path,
The saucer has a structure that does not have a direct contact with the produce on the adjacent saucer, and is continuously supplied on a single saucer supply path on the upstream side of the sorting conveyance path corresponding to the supply unit. Agricultural products are placed on the empty trays, and the intervals between the trays on which the agricultural products are continuously conveyed are increased in the middle of transportation, and empty trays are inserted between them, and the trays on which the agricultural products are placed and the empty trays are alternately placed. is conveyed in the one row state sequence, and characterized in that the so that to convey through the branch exhaust passage forms a constantly back and forth pairs and one saucer one with an empty pan which rests the produce to the packaging unit A sorting and sorting method for agricultural products using a free-tray tray. In Claim 1, the empty saucer entering between the saucers on which the agricultural products are placed is conveyed synchronously with the saucer on which the agricultural products in a continuous conveyance state are placed, and is conveyed with a phase shift of a half pitch, sorting sorting method of agricultural products with a pan of the free tray type, characterized in that there was Unishi by merging between saucer rests of agricultural products having a gap. Claim 1 or 2
A method for sorting and sorting agricultural products using a free-tray tray, wherein the packaging processing of agricultural products can be selected from either hand-packing processing or machine-packing processing. The method for sorting and sorting agricultural products according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the agricultural products to be sorted and sorted are large-sized agricultural products that protrude outside the planar outline of the tray. A large number of trays not connected to the conveyor are transported in the middle of the sorting conveyor that transports the agricultural products in a row from the feeding start side supply unit on the tray toward the sorting discharge position on the trailing end side. Measuring and judging means for measuring and discriminating sorting of agricultural products, a plurality of branch discharge conveyors that are sequentially connected in a branching manner along the transport direction to the sorting conveyor at the sorting discharge position, and each branch discharge Discharging means for discharging the trays with the sorting products corresponding to the sorting categories assigned to the conveyor to the corresponding branch discharging conveyor, and connected to each branch discharging conveyor for packaging the agricultural products on the receiving tray. and a packaging unit, the supply unit carries the pan with a phase shift of a half pitch, conveyed first pair of synchronously driven to expand the distance between the pan while A paper means and the second supply means, the method of operating the first feed means and the sorting device for agricultural products having a converging mechanism for conveying in a row state are merged alternately pan carried by the second supply means,
The pan is used which made a structure that does not have a portion in direct contact with the produce on adjacent pan, put agricultural products in an empty pan being continuously transported to the first supply means above the second The tray that is continuously transported on the supply means is transported to the merging mechanism in an empty state, and the tray on which the agricultural product is placed and the empty tray are paired, and the discharging means is placed on the agricultural product. One of the trays and one of the empty trays are discharged from the sorting conveyor to the branch discharge conveyor in a front-rear pair, and further, the tray on which the agricultural product is placed and an empty tray are always paired in the front-rear direction and the branch discharge path is formed. The operation method of the sorting and sorting apparatus for agricultural products, characterized in that the product is conveyed to the packaging unit . 6. The method for operating a sorting and sorting apparatus for agricultural products according to claim 5, wherein a pool unit is provided for collecting and waiting the trays in a row between the branch discharge conveyor and the packaging unit . According to claim 5 or 6, wherein each of the packaging unit which is connected to a branch discharge conveyor, the operation method of agricultural products sorting sorting apparatus characterized by comprising at least one of Tezume packaging stage and mechanical filling and packaging stage .

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