JP4197090B2

JP4197090B2 - Flower treatment equipment

Info

Publication number: JP4197090B2
Application number: JP2000380479A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 久典宮田; 行満小西; 篤芥川
Original assignee: エスアイ精工株式会社
Priority date: 2000-12-14
Filing date: 2000-12-14
Publication date: 2008-12-17
Anticipated expiration: 2020-12-14
Also published as: JP2002176853A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、例えばキク、バラ、ユリ等の花卉を一つに束ねて出荷処理する作業に用いられる花卉処理装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、上述の装置としては、例えば複数本の花卉を一つに結束するとき、各花卉の茎部を所定寸法に切揃えた後、複数本の花卉を一つに束ねたまま、各花卉の茎部を市販の結束機により結束する装置（特開平１１−３１３５４６号公報）がある。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、上述した花卉の茎部に下葉が突出していると、各花卉の茎部を束ねたとき、下葉の分だけ茎部が嵩張るため、茎部を互いに接触した状態に結束することが困難であり、運搬及び持運びに不便である。
【０００４】
一方、下葉を除去せずに結束した場合、下葉が剥ぎ取られたり、枯れ落ちたりしたとき、茎部の結束間隔が狭くなり、紐による結束力に緩みが生じやすく、運搬中に花卉が抜け落ちることがあるため、結束前に於て、茎部の下葉を取除いておかなければならず、出荷作業に手間及び時間が掛かる。
【０００５】
また、茎部の下葉を下方から機械的に分離すると、分離した下葉が機械に付着したり、残着する等して作業が妨げ、故障の原因となるため、定期的に残留下葉を除去しなければならず、作業能率が悪いという問題点を有している。
【０００６】
この発明は上記問題に鑑み、花卉の茎部周面に突出する不要部を、花卉支持部上方に設けた不要部分離手段により分離することにより、不要部を分離する作業が能率的に行えると共に、不要部の除去や回収、メンテナンス等の作業が簡単且つ容易に行える花卉処理装置の提供を目的とする。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１記載の発明は、花卉を支持する載置姿勢と該花卉を下方に放出する放出姿勢とに回動可能に設けられた花卉支持部と、複数の上記花卉支持部を搬送する送りコンベアと、上記送りコンベアにより搬送される上記花卉支持部の上方に設けられ、該花卉の茎部周面に突出する不要部を分離する不要部分離手段と、上記花卉支持部と不要部分離手段とを、上記茎部の不要部が分離される方向に対して相対移動する移動手段と、上記不要部分離手段が設けられる位置よりも下流にある送りコンベアの下方に設けられる集積箱と、上記集積箱の前後両側部に回動可能に枢着され、上記送りコンベアから花卉を受け取る振分け棒とを備え、上記集積箱の前後両側部に枢着した対角位置の上記振分け棒を互い違いに回動させることにより、複数本の花卉を交差した状態で集積箱に収容する花卉処理装置であることを特徴とする。
【０００８】
請求項２記載の発明は、上記請求項１記載の構成と併せて、上記不要部分離手段を、上記送りコンベアにより搬送される特定又は複数の花卉支持部と対向して設けた花卉処理装置であることを特徴とする。
【０００９】
請求項３記載の発明は、上記請求項１又は２記載の構成と併せて、上記複数の花卉支持部を並列に配列すると共に、上記不要部分離手段を、上記各花卉支持部と対向して複数設けた花卉処理装置であることを特徴とする。
【００１０】
請求項４記載の発明は、上記請求項２又は３記載の構成と併せて、上記各花卉支持部及び各不要部分離手段を、上記茎部の不要部が分離される方向に対して一体的に移動可能に設けた花卉処理装置であることを特徴とする。
【００１１】
【作用及び効果】
この発明によれば、花卉の茎部周面に突出する不要部を、花卉支持部上方に設けた不要部分離手段により分離して下方に落下させるので、分離した不要部により作業が妨げられず、不要部の除去や回収、メンテナンス等の作業が簡単且つ容易に行え、不要部分離作業の能率アップを図ることができる。しかも、花卉の茎部から不要部を分離することで、複数本の花卉を互いに近接した状態に結束することができ、茎部側が嵩張らず、取扱いが容易に行えると共に、運搬中に結束が緩んだり、花卉が抜け落ちるのを防止することができる。
【００１２】
【実施例】
この発明の一実施例を以下図面に基づいて詳述する。
図面は花卉を所定長さに切揃えて一つに結束して出荷処理する作業に用いられる花卉処理装置を示し、図１、図２に於いて、この花卉処理装置１は、入荷工程と出荷工程との間に配設され、前後工程間に配設した送りコンベア２は、例えば輪菊等の花卉Ａを、搬送路上に設定した茎切除部ａと、下葉分離部ｂと、計測部ｃと、仕分け部ｄ，ｅ，ｆ，ｇとに搬送する。
【００１３】
上述の送りコンベア２は、図３にも示すように、支軸５を、搬送路両側部に張架した周回チェーン３の間に架設すると共に、周回チェーン３全長に対して所定間隔に隔てて架設している。且つ、支軸５中央に固定した支持部６と、載置台８下面に固定した支持部７とを上下動可能（フリー状態）に連結（フロート式）して、載置台８（例えばバケットやカップ、トレイ等）を送り方向に対して所定間隔に隔てて架設し、支持ローラ９…を、支持部７の下端側前後部に対してフリー回転可能に枢着している。
【００１４】
且つ、ローラ１１を、支軸５端部に固定したアーム１０の遊端側に枢着すると共に、搬送路側部に架設した上段側のレール４８に係合（図１１参照）して、載置台８を、花卉Ａが略水平に載置される載置姿勢に走行ガイドする。下段側のレール４９に係合して、花卉Ａが略斜め下方（又は略垂直）に向けて放出される放出姿勢に走行ガイドする。
【００１５】
且つ、周回チェーン３を、終端側下部に配設した減速機付きモータ１２の駆動力により、スプロケット１３，１４及び駆動チェーン１５を介して送り方向に回転させ、載置台８を一定速度で送り方向に周回移動する。また、揃え板１６を、載置台８に載置される花卉Ａの花部Ａａと対向して送りコンベア２の始端側左側部に配設している。
【００１６】
上述の載置台８は、側面から見て略Ｖ字状（又は円弧状や凹状等）に形成され、中央部載置面から前後部載置面に向けて徐々に高くなる角度に傾斜している。また、載置面に、例えばウレタンゴム、スポンジゴム等の柔軟性を有する部材を敷設してもよい。加えて、載置台８の大きさや形状、間隔、送り速度を変更してもよい。
【００１７】
前述の下葉分離部ｂに配設した下葉分離装置１９は、花卉Ａの茎部Ａｂを挾持する一対のチャック２１と、茎部Ａｂの下葉Ａｃを分離する一対の下葉分離体２９とで構成され、一対のチャック２１は、図４、図５にも示すように、載置台８の右側部に突出される花卉Ａの茎部Ａｂと対向して、送りコンベア２の右側下部に張架した周回チェーン２０全長に対して載置台８と略対応する前後間隔に隔てて取付けられ、上述の送りコンベア２の送り速度と略同期して送り方向に連動（又は独立）して周回移動される。
【００１８】
且つ、一対のチャック２１を、花卉Ａの茎部Ａｂを挾持する閉角度と、その挾持が解除される開角度とに連動して開閉可能に設けると共に、コイルスプリング２２（又は渦巻きバネやゴム等）により常時開方向に付勢している。一方のチャック２１側に枢着したローラ２３を、搬送路下部に架設したレール２４に乗り上げさせて閉回動し、レール２４から脱落させて開回動する。なお、チャック２１及び下葉分離体２９の挾持面には、例えば軟質樹脂やゴム等の柔軟性を有する部材を装着している。
【００１９】
一方、一対の下葉分離体２９は、図６、図７、図８、図９にも示すように、前後２台の載置台８に載置された花卉Ａの茎部Ａｂと対向して、支持枠２６下部に架設した分離ユニット２７の両端部に２組取付けられ、支持枠２６は、送り方向に向けて始端側が先行し、終端側が遅延する角度に傾けて送りコンベア２の右側上部に架設している。また、一対の下葉分離体２９を２組以上取付けてもよい。
【００２０】
且つ、分離ユニット２７を、支持枠２６の下面側に対して往復移動可能に取付け、チェーン２８を、支持枠２６の始端側上部と終端側上部との間に張架し、チェーン２８端部に取付けたカムローラ２８ａを、分離ユニット２７上面に形成した横長のガイド孔２７ａに係合して、モータ１２の駆動力により、図１０に示す周回チェーン３，２０と、連動チェーン２５ａ、２５ｂと、ギャ２５ｃ，２５ｄと、スプロケット２５ｅ，２５ｆとを介してチェーン２８を一方向に回転する。
【００２１】
同時に、カムローラ２８ａをガイド孔２７ａに沿って往復移動させながら周回移動して、左右２組の下葉分離体２９を、載置台８側部に突出される花卉Ａの茎部Ａｂを挾持する後退位置と、不要な下葉Ａｃが分離される前進位置とに、上述の載置台８の周回速度と略同期して送り方向に連動して往復移動（又は独立して往復移動）すると共に、往復移動に要する時間を利用して、次の前後２台の載置台８を搬送する。また、分離ユニット２７を、例えばソレノイドやエアーシリンダ等の駆動手段で往復移動してもよい。
【００２２】
且つ、スライダー３０を、分離ユニット２７の下側枠部２７ｂに敷設したレール３１に対して左右移動可能に係合し、スライダー３０，３０の間を連結杆３２で連結し、一方の下葉分離体２９とスライダー３０とをアーム３３で連結し、下葉分離体２９の基端部に直結したギャ３４を互いに歯合し、一方のスライダー３０上面に枢着したローラ４０を、支持枠２６側部に架設したレール４１の周縁部に係合している。
【００２３】
すなわち、分離ユニット２７を支持枠２６の始端側に移動したとき、図７の実線に示すように、ローラ４０がレール４１の外側縁部に係合し、スライダー３０がレール３１の図中左端に移動して、一対の下葉分離体２９を、花卉Ａの茎部Ａｂが挾持される閉角度に回動する。一方、分離ユニット２７を終端側に移動したとき、ローラ４０がレール２１の内側縁部に係合し、スライダー３０がレール３１の図中右端に移動して、一対の下葉分離体２９を、茎部Ａｂの挾持が解除される開角度に回動する。且つ、一方の下葉分離体２９又はスライダー３０を、例えばコイルスプリングやゴム等の付勢手段により一対の下葉分離体２９が閉角される方向に付勢している。
【００２４】
一対の下葉分離体２９を構成する支持体２９ａの下端部に、例えば側面から見て中央部受け面を基準として、上下受け面を前方に突出する形状に形成した略Ｖ字状（又は円弧状や凹状等）の挾持体２９ｂを取付け、一方（又は両方）の支持体２９ａに取付けた挾持体２９ｂを、例えばコイルスプリング２９ｃ（又はゴム等）により花卉Ａの茎部Ａｂに対して押圧される方向に付勢している。
【００２５】
且つ、一対の挾持体２９ｂは、例えば平面から見て一方を凹状に、他方を凸状に形成する等して、互い違いに噛み合う形状に形成している。なお、挾持体２９ｂを、例えば軟質樹脂やゴム等の柔軟性を有する部材で形成したり、その挾持面のみを被覆又は形成してもよい。
【００２６】
前述の茎切除部ａに配設した茎部切除装置３５は、略円板状の回転刃３６を、花卉Ａの茎部Ａｂと対向して搬送路右側部に配設し、回転刃３６を、右側上部に配設した減速機能付きモータ３７により回転して、載置台８側部に突出された花卉Ａの茎部Ａｂを所定長さに切断する。カバー３８は、回転刃３６の上部周面を囲繞している。
【００２７】
上述の茎部Ａｂの切断箇所を判定する手段として、例えば撮像カメラにより撮像した画像情報に基づいて、茎部Ａｂの切断箇所（茎部と根部との境界部分）を判定する。その判定に基づいて、回転刃３６を、例えばサーボモータやソレノイド等の駆動手段により左右や前後に移動して切断寸法を可変設定したり、垂直方向や水平方向に偏心して切断角度を可変してもよい。
【００２８】
上述の回転刃３６に代わる他の切断手段として、例えば固定刃や鋸刃、チェーン式やワイヤ式のカッター、バンドソー等を用いてもよい。また、例えばコンプレッサーや送風ブロワ等のエアー供給装置に接続した噴射ノズルから噴射されるエアーで分離された下葉Ａｃを除去してもよい。
【００２９】
前述の計測部ｃ下部に配設した計測装置４２は、例えばロードセルや重量センサー等で構成され、装置上部に取付けた計測台４３上を載置台８が走行するとき、花卉Ａが載置された載置台８の総重量を搬送しながら計測して、その計測結果を判定装置４５に出力する。また、計測台４３の走行面を、例えばフッ素樹脂（商品名＝テフロン）等の接触抵抗の小さい部材で被覆してもよい。
【００３０】
上述の判定装置４５（例えばパーソナルコンピュータ）は、計測装置４２から出力される総重量データに基づいて、載置台８の重量を減算して花卉Ａのみの重量を算出すると共に、その花卉Ａの重量データと、予め格納した基準重量データとを比較して等級（例えば重量）を判定し、仕分け部ｄ，ｅ，ｆ，ｇに載置台８が移動するまでの番地又はタイムラグを計数する。
【００３１】
判定と対応する仕分け部ｄ〜ｇに花卉Ａが搬送されたとき、搬送路側部に配設した放出装置４６（例えばロータリ式ソレノイド、モータ、エアーシリンダ等）を駆動し、図１１に示すように、レール４９の切欠き部に枢着した放出部材４７を図中実線の開放位置に回動して、載置台８のローラ１１をレール４９に係合し、放出姿勢に回動する。判定と異なる場合、放出装置４６を待機させ、ローラ１１をレール４８に係合したまま走行移動させて、載置姿勢を維持する。レール４８の切欠き側始端部に枢着したガイド４８ａは、ローラ１１を斜め下方に向けて走行ガイドする角度と、レール４９に係合したローラ１１の走行を許容する角度とに上下動する。なお、放出姿勢に回動した載置台８は、終端側から始端側に回帰移動する途中に於て元の載置姿勢に回動復帰又は復帰ガイドされる。
【００３２】
前述の仕分け部ｄ，ｅ下部に配設した集積部５０は、送りコンベア２から放出される花卉Ａを、搬送路下部に配設したコンベア５１上に等級別（例えば秀やＬ）にストックする。コンベア５１は、複数本の花卉Ａを後述する結束機５７に対して一括供給する。そのコンベア５１の終端部と対向する位置に配設したコンベア５２（又は載置テーブル）は、結束機５７により一つに結束された花卉Ａを載置搬送する。且つ、コンベア５１の上方両側部に枢着した支持棒５３…を、例えばエアーシリンダやソレノイド、モータ、カム等の回動手段により、複数本の花卉Ａを略水平に受け止める閉角度と、略垂直に放出する開角度とに回動する。
【００３３】
上述のコンベア５１，５２間に配設した結束機５７は、コンベア５２と対向する位置に往復移動され、一つに束ねられた茎部Ａｂ…周面にゴム紐Ｂを巻回する。花卉Ａの茎部Ａｂと対向して配設した揃え板５８は、花卉Ａ…の茎部Ａｂ…に対して当接され、茎部Ａｂ…を略真っ直ぐに揃える。また、結束機５７を、仕分け部ｄ，ｅのコンベアと対向して夫々配設してもよく、ゴム紐Ｂに代わる結束体として、例えば樹脂ベルトや紐、ワイヤ等を用いてもよい。
【００３４】
且つ、正面から見て略弧状に湾曲した一対のチャック５９を、コンベア５２の終端側下部に対して略直交する方向に回動可能に枢着し、コンベア５２の終端側に花卉Ａの茎部Ａｂが所定長さ突出されたとき、花卉Ａ…の茎部Ａｂ…を一つに集束した状態に挾持する。
【００３５】
前述の仕分け部ｆ，ｇ下部に配設した集積部６２は、送りコンベア２から放出される花卉Ａを、複数本の花卉Ａが交差（例えば井桁）した状態に収容される大きさに形成した集積箱６３に対して等級別（例えばＭやＳ）にストックする。
【００３６】
且つ、花卉Ａの投入本数を、例えば光電センサーやリミットスイッチ等の検知手段による検知に基づいて計数し、所定本数の花卉Ａが放出されたとき、集積箱６３の前後両側部に枢着した対角位置の振分け棒６４…を、上述のような回動手段により互い違いに回動し、斜め下方に向けて傾斜した角度に回動停止して、花部Ａａと茎部Ａｂとを互い違いとなるように振分けガイドし、花卉Ａを、平面から見て交差する状態に集積収容する。
【００３７】
図示実施例は上記の如く構成するものにして、以下、花卉処理装置１による花卉Ａの下葉除去動作を説明する。
【００３８】
先ず、図１、図２に示すように、多数本の花卉Ａを、手作業により１本ずつ送りコンベア２の載置台８…に載置するとき、花卉Ａの花部Ａａを揃え板１６に押し当てて、花部Ａａ側を基準として送り方向と略直交する状態（横向き姿勢）に載置し、茎部Ａｂ側を載置台８の右側部に突出する。また、作業者に代わる他の供給方法として、例えばコンベアで搬送したり、吸着子又はアームで保持する等して機械的に供給してもよい。
【００３９】
次に、図４、図５に示すように、下葉分離装置１９を駆動して、花卉Ａを送り方向に搬送しながら、載置台８に載置された花卉Ａの茎部Ａｂを一対のチャック２１により順に挾持する。花卉Ａが基準寸法よりも長い場合、花卉Ａの茎部Ａｂを、茎部切断装置３５の回転刃３６で切断して所定長さに切揃える。
【００４０】
次に、図６、図７に示すように、下葉分離装置１９を駆動して、前後２台の載置台８に載置された花卉Ａの茎部Ａｂ（チャック２１近傍の周面）を、分離ユニット２７に取付けた左右２組の下葉分離体２９，２９で挾持した後、左右２組の下葉分離体２９，２９を、送りコンベア２の送り速度と略同期して送り方向に移動させながら分離方向（斜め方向）に対して一体的に水平移動させ、図９に示すように、茎部Ａｂの不要な下葉Ａｃ（又は枝部）を強制的に分離する。
【００４１】
次に、チャック２１及び下葉分離体２９による保持を解除すると同時に、なお、切除した茎部Ａｂ及び分離した下葉Ａｃを、搬送路下部に配設した回収箱（図示省略）に投入して、定期的に回収する。また、エアーを花卉Ａの茎部Ａｂに吹付けて、分離した下葉Ａｃを除去してもよい。
【００４２】
次に、花卉Ａが載置された載置台８の総重量を、計測装置４２により搬送しながら計測して、その計測結果を判定装置４５に出力する。判定装置４５は、計測時の総重量から載置台８の重量を減算し、花卉Ａのみの重量を算出して等級を判定する。判定と対応する仕分け部ｄ〜ｇに花卉Ａが搬送されたとき、放出装置４６を駆動して、載置台８を放出姿勢に回動させ、花卉Ａを放出する。
【００４３】
例えば４５ｇ以上の秀品、略３５ｇ〜略４５ｇのＬ品等の等級を有する花卉Ａは、集積部５０のコンベア５１上に一旦ストックされ、複数本の花卉Ａをコンベア５１により結束機５７に供給して、花卉Ａの茎部Ａｂを束ねたままゴム紐Ｂにより結束した後、コンベア５２に移載して、次工程（例えば箱詰め工程や袋詰め工程）に供給する。
【００４４】
一方、略２５ｇ〜略３５ｇのＭ品、２５ｇ以下のＳ品等の等級を有する花卉Ａは、仕分け部ｆ，ｇ下部に配設した集積部６２の集積箱６３に対して交差する状態に集積され、複数数の花卉Ａを一つに束ねて次工程に供給する。
【００４５】
以上のように、花卉Ａの茎部Ａｂ周面に突出する下葉Ａｃ（又は枯葉や枝）を、送りコンベア２の右側上部であって、載置台８側部に突出される花卉Ａの茎部Ａｂ上方に設けた下葉分離装置１９の下葉分離体２９，２９により挾持して、茎部Ａｂ周面に突出する下葉Ａｃを分離して下方に落下させるので、分離した下葉Ａｃにより作業が妨げられず、下葉Ａｃの除去や回収、メンテナンス等の作業が簡単且つ容易に行え、下葉分離作業の能率アップを図ることができる。しかも、花卉Ａの茎部Ａｂから下葉Ａｃを分離することで、花卉Ａ…の茎部Ａｂ…を互いに近接した状態に結束することができ、茎部Ａｂ側が嵩張らず、取扱いが容易に行えると共に、運搬中に結束が緩んだり、花卉Ａが抜け落ちるのを防止することができる。
【００４６】
さらに、前後２台の載置台８に載置された花卉Ａの茎部Ａｂを、分離ユニットに取付けた左右２組の下葉分離体２９，２９で挾持し、前後２本の花卉Ａの茎部Ａｂ周面に突出する下葉Ａｃを同時に分離すると共に、分離ユニットを、送りコンベア２の送り速度に略同期して分離方向に往復移動させて下葉Ａｃを分離するので、多数本の花卉Ａを搬送しながら、不要な下葉Ａｃを連続して分離除去することができ、分離速度及び処理能力の向上を図ることができる。
【００４７】
この発明の構成と、上述の実施例との対応において、
この発明の花卉の不要部は、実施例の下葉Ａｃに対応し、
以下同様に、
花卉搬送手段は、送りコンベア２に対応し、
花卉支持部は、載置部８に対応し、
切断手段は、茎部切断装置３５及び回転刃３６に対応し、
不要部分離手段は、チャック２１と下葉分離体２９に対応し、
移動手段は、連動チェーン２５ａ，２５ｂと、ギャ２５ｃ，２５ｄと、スプロケット２５ｅ，２５ｆと、支持枠２６と、分離ユニット２７と、ガイド孔２７ａと、チェーン２８と、カムローラ２８ａとに対応するも、
この発明は、上述の実施例の構成のみに限定されるものではない。
【００４８】
上述した花卉Ａの下葉Ａｃを分離する他の方法として、例えば一対の下葉分離体２９を分離方向に移動せず、送り方向のみに移動させながら、載置台８と一対のチャック２１とを分離方向に水平移動させて、茎部Ａｂの下葉Ａｃを分離してもよい。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】花卉処理装置による花卉の処理動作を示す平面図。
【図２】花卉の仕分け動作を示す側面図。
【図３】載置台の取付け状態を示す側面図。
【図４】花卉の茎部挾持動作を示す側面図。
【図５】チャックによる茎部挾持状態を示す側面図。
【図６】下葉分離装置による下葉分離動作を示す平面図。
【図７】下葉分離体による茎部挾持状態を示す背面図。
【図８】下葉分離体による茎部挾持状態を示す平面図。
【図９】下葉分離体による下葉分離動作を示す側面図。
【図１０】下葉分離装置の駆動系統を示す側面図。
【図１１】放出装置による放出動作を示す側面図。
【符号の説明】
Ａ…花卉
Ａｂ…茎部
Ａｃ…下葉
１…花卉処理装置
２…送りコンベア
８…載置台
１９…下葉分離装置
２１…チャック
２７…分離ユニット
２９…下葉分離体
２９ｂ…挾持体
３５…茎部切除装置
３６…回転刃
４２…計測装置
４５…判定装置
４６…放出装置
５０，６２…集積部
５７…結束機[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a floret processing apparatus used for an operation of bundling florets such as chrysanthemum, roses and lilies together.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as the above-described device, for example, when binding a plurality of florets together, after cutting the stems of each floret to a predetermined size, There is an apparatus (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-313546) for bundling stems with a commercial bundling machine.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, if the lower leaves protrude from the stems of the above-mentioned florets, when the stems of each floret are bundled, the stems are bulky by the amount of the lower leaves, so that the stems can be bound in a state of contacting each other. It is difficult and inconvenient to carry and carry.
[0004]
On the other hand, when bundling without removing the lower leaves, when the lower leaves are peeled off or withered, the bundling interval between the stems becomes narrow, and the bundling force due to the string tends to be loosened. In some cases, the lower leaves of the stems must be removed before tying up, and it takes time and labor for shipping.
[0005]
Also, if the lower leaf of the stem is mechanically separated from below, the separated lower leaf adheres to the machine or sticks to the machine, preventing work and causing failure. Must be removed, and there is a problem that work efficiency is poor.
[0006]
In view of the above problems, the present invention efficiently separates unnecessary portions by separating unnecessary portions protruding from the peripheral surface of the floret stem by unnecessary portion separating means provided above the floret support portion. An object of the present invention is to provide a flower treatment apparatus that can easily and easily perform operations such as removal, collection, and maintenance of unnecessary portions.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a floret support portion rotatably provided in a placement posture for supporting the floret and a discharge posture for discharging the floret downward, and a feed conveyor for conveying the plurality of floret support portions. And an unnecessary part separating means that is provided above the floret support part conveyed by the feed conveyor and separates an unnecessary part protruding on the peripheral surface of the stem part of the floret, and the floret support part and the unnecessary part separation means Moving means that moves relative to the direction in which the unnecessary portion of the stem portion is separated, a stacking box provided below the feed conveyor downstream from the position where the unnecessary portion separating means is provided, and the stacking It is pivotally attached to both the front and rear sides of the box, and has a sorting bar that receives the florets from the feed conveyor, and the sorting bars at diagonal positions pivoted to the front and rear sides of the stacking box are alternately rotated. By letting more than one And wherein the on and intersecting the卉 a flower processing apparatus to be accommodated in the collection box.
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the invention, together with the above configuration according to claim 1, the upper Symbol unnecessary portion separating means, specific or flower supporting portion opposed to flowers processing apparatus provided conveyed by the feed conveyor It is characterized by being.
[0009]
The invention according to claim 3 is combined with the configuration according to claim 1 or 2, and the plurality of flower bud support portions are arranged in parallel, and the unnecessary part separating means is opposed to each flower bud support portion. A plurality of flower bud processing apparatuses are provided.
[0010]
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in combination with the configuration of the second or third aspect, the floret support portions and the unnecessary portion separating means are integrated with respect to the direction in which the unnecessary portions of the stem portion are separated. The apparatus is characterized in that it is a floret processing apparatus provided in a movable manner.
[0011]
[Action and effect]
According to the present invention, the unnecessary portion protruding on the peripheral surface of the stem portion of the floret is separated by the unnecessary portion separating means provided above the floret support portion and dropped downward, so that the operation is not hindered by the separated unnecessary portion. Thus, operations such as removal, recovery, and maintenance of unnecessary portions can be performed easily and easily, and the efficiency of unnecessary portion separation operations can be improved. Moreover, by separating the unnecessary part from the stem part of the flower buds, it is possible to bind a plurality of flower buds close to each other, the stem part side is not bulky, can be handled easily, and the bundle is loosened during transportation. It is possible to prevent the florets from falling off.
[0012]
【Example】
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
The drawings show a floret processing apparatus used for the work of trimming the florets to a predetermined length and bundling them together, and in FIG. 1 and FIG. The feeding conveyor 2 disposed between the processes and between the preceding and following processes includes, for example, a floret A such as a ring chrysanthemum, a stem excision part a, a lower leaf separation part b, and a measurement part. c and the sorting sections d, e, f, and g.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 3, the above-described feed conveyor 2 is constructed such that the support shaft 5 is installed between the circulation chains 3 stretched on both sides of the conveyance path, and is spaced at a predetermined interval with respect to the entire circumference of the circulation chain 3. It is erected. In addition, the support portion 6 fixed to the center of the support shaft 5 and the support portion 7 fixed to the lower surface of the mounting table 8 are connected in a vertically movable (free state) state (float type), so that the mounting table 8 (for example, a bucket or cup) , Trays, etc.) are installed at a predetermined interval with respect to the feed direction, and the support rollers 9 are pivotally attached to the front and rear portions on the lower end side of the support portion 7 so as to be freely rotatable.
[0014]
In addition, the roller 11 is pivotally attached to the free end side of the arm 10 fixed to the end portion of the support shaft 5 and is engaged with an upper rail 48 (see FIG. 11) installed on the conveyance path side portion. 8 is guided to travel to a placement posture in which the groom A is placed substantially horizontally. Engage with the rail 49 on the lower side, and travel guide to the release posture in which the floret A is released substantially obliquely downward (or substantially vertically).
[0015]
The rotating chain 3 is rotated in the feed direction through the sprockets 13 and 14 and the drive chain 15 by the driving force of the motor 12 with a speed reducer disposed at the lower end side, and the mounting table 8 is fed at a constant speed. Move around. Further, the aligning plate 16 is disposed on the left side of the starting end side of the feed conveyor 2 so as to face the flower part Aa of the flower bud A placed on the placing table 8.
[0016]
The mounting table 8 is formed in a substantially V shape (or an arc shape, a concave shape, or the like) when viewed from the side, and is inclined at an angle that gradually increases from the central mounting surface to the front / rear mounting surface. Yes. Further, a flexible member such as urethane rubber or sponge rubber may be laid on the mounting surface. In addition, the size, shape, interval, and feed rate of the mounting table 8 may be changed.
[0017]
The lower leaf separation device 19 disposed in the lower leaf separation portion b described above includes a pair of chucks 21 that hold the stem Ab of the flower bud A and a pair of lower leaf separators 29 that separate the lower leaf Ac of the stem Ab. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pair of chucks 21 is opposed to the stem Ab of the flower bud A protruding from the right side of the mounting table 8 and is provided at the lower right side of the feed conveyor 2. It is attached to the entire length of the stretched circulation chain 20 with a front-rear interval substantially corresponding to the mounting table 8, and moves in a synchronized manner (or independently) in the feed direction in synchronization with the feed speed of the feed conveyor 2 described above. Is done.
[0018]
In addition, the pair of chucks 21 are provided so as to be openable and closable in association with a closing angle for holding the stem Ab of the flower bud A and an opening angle for releasing the holding, and a coil spring 22 (or a spiral spring, rubber, or the like) ) Is always energized in the opening direction. The roller 23 pivotally attached to one of the chucks 21 rides on a rail 24 installed in the lower part of the conveyance path and is turned and closed, and is dropped from the rail 24 and opened and turned. A flexible member such as a soft resin or rubber is mounted on the holding surfaces of the chuck 21 and the lower leaf separator 29.
[0019]
On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 8, and 9, the pair of lower leaf separators 29 faces the stem Ab of the flower bud A placed on the two placing tables 8. Two sets are attached to both ends of the separation unit 27 installed at the lower part of the support frame 26, and the support frame 26 is inclined at an angle that the leading end precedes and the terminating end delays in the feed direction and is placed on the upper right side of the feed conveyor 2. It is erected. Two or more pairs of lower leaf separators 29 may be attached.
[0020]
In addition, the separation unit 27 is attached to the lower surface side of the support frame 26 so as to be reciprocally movable, and the chain 28 is stretched between the upper end side of the support frame 26 and the upper end side of the support frame 26, and is attached to the end of the chain 28. The attached cam roller 28a is engaged with a horizontally long guide hole 27a formed on the upper surface of the separation unit 27, and by the driving force of the motor 12, the rotating chains 3 and 20, the interlocking chains 25a and 25b shown in FIG. The chain 28 is rotated in one direction via 25c, 25d and the sprockets 25e, 25f.
[0021]
At the same time, the cam roller 28a is reciprocally moved along the guide hole 27a so as to reciprocate, and the two left and right sets of lower leaf separators 29 are retracted to hold the stem Ab of the flower bud A protruding from the side of the mounting table 8. In addition to reciprocating (or independently reciprocating) in conjunction with the feed direction in synchronism with the circumferential speed of the mounting table 8, the position and the forward position where the unnecessary lower leaf Ac is separated are reciprocated. The next two front and rear mounting tables 8 are transported using the time required for the movement. Further, the separation unit 27 may be reciprocated by driving means such as a solenoid or an air cylinder.
[0022]
In addition, the slider 30 is engaged with a rail 31 laid on the lower frame portion 27b of the separation unit 27 so as to be movable left and right, and the sliders 30 and 30 are connected by a connecting rod 32 to separate one lower leaf. The body 29 and the slider 30 are connected by the arm 33, the gear 34 directly connected to the base end portion of the lower leaf separating body 29 is engaged with each other, and the roller 40 pivotally attached to the upper surface of one slider 30 is connected to the support frame 26 side. The rail 41 is engaged with the peripheral edge of the rail 41.
[0023]
That is, when the separation unit 27 is moved to the start end side of the support frame 26, the roller 40 is engaged with the outer edge of the rail 41 and the slider 30 is at the left end of the rail 31 in the drawing as shown by the solid line in FIG. It moves and rotates a pair of lower leaf separation body 29 to the closed angle where the stem Ab of the flower bud A is held. On the other hand, when the separation unit 27 is moved to the end side, the roller 40 is engaged with the inner edge of the rail 21, the slider 30 is moved to the right end in the drawing of the rail 31, and the pair of lower leaf separators 29 are It rotates to an opening angle at which the holding of the stem Ab is released. And, one of the lower lobe separator 29 or sliders 30, for example, a pair of lower lobe separator 29 by the biasing means of the coil spring or rubber is biased in a direction to be close angle.
[0024]
A substantially V-shape (or a circle) formed at the lower end of the support 29a constituting the pair of lower leaf separators 29, for example, with the upper and lower receiving surfaces protruding forward with reference to the center receiving surface as viewed from the side. Arc-shaped or concave-shaped holding body 29b is attached, and holding body 29b attached to one (or both) support body 29a is pressed against stem Ab of flower bud A by, for example, coil spring 29c (or rubber or the like). It is energizing in the direction.
[0025]
In addition, the pair of holding bodies 29b are formed in a shape that alternately meshes, for example, by forming one in a concave shape and the other in a convex shape as viewed from above. The holding body 29b may be formed of a flexible member such as a soft resin or rubber, or only the holding surface may be covered or formed.
[0026]
The stalk resection device 35 disposed in the stalk resection part a described above has a substantially disc-shaped rotary blade 36 disposed on the right side of the conveyance path so as to face the stalk part Ab of the floret A, and the rotary blade 36 is provided. The stem Ab of the flower bud A protruding from the side of the mounting table 8 is cut to a predetermined length by being rotated by the motor 37 with a speed reducing function disposed on the upper right side. The cover 38 surrounds the upper peripheral surface of the rotary blade 36.
[0027]
As a means for determining the cut portion of the stem Ab, the cut portion (the boundary portion between the stem and the root) of the stem Ab is determined based on, for example, image information captured by an imaging camera. Based on the determination, the rotary blade 36 is moved left and right or front and rear by a driving means such as a servo motor or solenoid to variably set the cutting dimension, or eccentric in the vertical direction or horizontal direction to change the cutting angle. Also good.
[0028]
For example, a fixed blade, a saw blade, a chain-type or wire-type cutter, a band saw, or the like may be used as another cutting means in place of the rotary blade 36 described above. Further, for example, the lower lobe Ac separated by air ejected from the ejection nozzle connected to the air over the supply device such as a compressor or blower blower may be removed.
[0029]
The measuring device 42 disposed at the lower part of the measuring unit c is composed of, for example, a load cell, a weight sensor, and the like. When the placing table 8 travels on the measuring table 43 attached to the upper part of the device, the groom A is placed. The total weight of the mounting table 8 is measured while being conveyed, and the measurement result is output to the determination device 45. Moreover, you may coat | cover the running surface of the measurement stand 43 with members with small contact resistance, such as a fluororesin (brand name = Teflon), for example.
[0030]
The above-described determination device 45 (for example, a personal computer) calculates the weight of only the floret A by subtracting the weight of the mounting table 8 based on the total weight data output from the measuring device 42, and the weight of the floret A The data is compared with reference weight data stored in advance to determine the grade (for example, weight), and the address or time lag until the mounting table 8 moves to the sorting units d, e, f, and g is counted.
[0031]
When the flower bud A is conveyed to the sorting sections d to g corresponding to the determination, the discharge device 46 (for example, a rotary solenoid, a motor, an air cylinder, etc.) disposed on the conveyance path side is driven, as shown in FIG. The discharge member 47 pivotally attached to the notch portion of the rail 49 is rotated to the open position indicated by the solid line in the drawing, the roller 11 of the mounting table 8 is engaged with the rail 49, and is rotated to the discharge posture. When it is different from the determination, the discharge device 46 is put on standby, and the roller 11 is moved while being engaged with the rail 48 to maintain the mounting posture. The guide 48a pivotally attached to the notch side start end portion of the rail 48 moves up and down to an angle that guides the roller 11 to travel obliquely downward and an angle that allows the roller 11 engaged with the rail 49 to travel. The mounting table 8 that has been rotated to the discharging posture is returned to the original mounting posture or guided to return to the original mounting posture in the middle of the return movement from the terminal end side to the starting end side.
[0032]
The stacking unit 50 disposed below the sorting units d and e stocks the florets A discharged from the feed conveyor 2 in grades (for example, Hide and L) on the conveyor 51 disposed below the transport path. . The conveyor 51 collectively supplies a plurality of flower buds A to a binding machine 57 described later. A conveyor 52 (or mounting table) disposed at a position facing the terminal end of the conveyor 51 mounts and conveys the florets A bound together by the binding machine 57. In addition, the support rods 53 pivotally attached to both upper side portions of the conveyor 51, for example, by a rotating means such as an air cylinder, a solenoid, a motor, a cam, and the like, have a closed angle for receiving the plurality of florets A substantially horizontally and substantially vertical. It rotates to the open angle that is released into the.
[0033]
The binding machine 57 disposed between the above-described conveyors 51 and 52 is reciprocated to a position facing the conveyor 52 and winds the rubber cord B around the stem portion Ab. The aligning plate 58 disposed to face the stem part Ab of the flower bud A is brought into contact with the stem parts Ab ... of the flower buds A ... and aligns the stem parts Ab ... almost straightly. In addition, the binding machine 57 may be disposed to face the conveyors of the sorting units d and e, and as a binding body replacing the rubber cord B, for example, a resin belt, a string, a wire, or the like may be used.
[0034]
In addition, a pair of chucks 59 that are curved in a substantially arc shape when viewed from the front are pivotally mounted in a direction substantially orthogonal to the lower end portion of the conveyor 52, and the stem portion of the flower bud A is attached to the end side of the conveyor 52. When Ab is protruded by a predetermined length, the stems Ab of the flower buds A are held in a converged state.
[0035]
The stacking unit 62 disposed below the sorting units f and g described above has a size in which the floret A discharged from the feed conveyor 2 is accommodated in a state where a plurality of florets A intersect (for example, a crossbeam). The stocking box 63 is stocked by grade (for example, M or S).
[0036]
In addition, the number of florets A input is counted based on detection by a detection means such as a photoelectric sensor or a limit switch, for example, and when a predetermined number of florets A is released, the pair of florets A pivotally attached to both front and rear sides of the stacking box 63. The distribution rods 64 at the angular positions are alternately rotated by the rotation means as described above, and stopped at an angle inclined obliquely downward, so that the flower part Aa and the stem part Ab are alternated. In this way, the floret A is accumulated and accommodated in a crossing state as seen from the plane.
[0037]
The illustrated embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation of removing the lower leaves of the floret A by the floret processing apparatus 1 will be described below.
[0038]
First, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, when a large number of flower buds A are manually placed one by one on the placing table 8 of the feed conveyor 2, the flower part Aa of the flower bud A is placed on the aligning plate 16. It is pressed and placed in a state (lateral orientation) substantially orthogonal to the feeding direction with the flower part Aa side as a reference, and the stem part Ab side protrudes to the right side part of the placing table 8. Further, as another supply method in place of the worker, for example, it may be mechanically supplied by conveying it with a conveyor or holding it with an adsorber or an arm.
[0039]
Next, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lower leaf separation device 19 is driven to convey the floret A in the feed direction, while the stem Ab of the floret A placed on the placing table 8 is moved to a pair. The chuck 21 is held in order. When the floret A is longer than the reference dimension, the stem part Ab of the floret A is cut by the rotary blade 36 of the stem part cutting device 35 and trimmed to a predetermined length.
[0040]
Next, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lower leaf separation device 19 is driven so that the stem Ab (the peripheral surface in the vicinity of the chuck 21) of the flower bud A placed on the two placing tables 8 on the front and rear sides. The left and right sets of lower leaf separators 29 and 29 attached to the separation unit 27 are held between the left and right sets of lower leaf separators 29 and 29 in the feed direction substantially in synchronization with the feed speed of the feed conveyor 2. While moving, it is horizontally moved integrally with respect to the separation direction (oblique direction), and the unnecessary lower leaves Ac (or branches) of the stem Ab are forcibly separated as shown in FIG.
[0041]
Next, at the same time that the holding by the chuck 21 and the lower leaf separator 29 is released, the excised stem Ab and the separated lower leaf Ac are put into a collection box (not shown) disposed in the lower part of the conveyance path. Collect regularly. Further, the separated lower leaf Ac may be removed by blowing air to the stem Ab of the flower bud A.
[0042]
Next, the total weight of the mounting table 8 on which the groom A is mounted is measured while being conveyed by the measuring device 42, and the measurement result is output to the determination device 45. The determination device 45 subtracts the weight of the mounting table 8 from the total weight at the time of measurement, calculates the weight of only the groom A and determines the grade. When the floret A is conveyed to the sorting sections d to g corresponding to the determination, the discharge device 46 is driven to rotate the mounting table 8 to the discharge posture, and the floret A is discharged.
[0043]
For example, florets A having grades such as 45 g or more excellent products and approximately 35 g to 45 g L products are once stocked on the conveyor 51 of the stacking unit 50, and a plurality of florets A are supplied to the binding machine 57 by the conveyor 51. Then, the stem Ab of the flower bud A is bundled with the rubber string B while being bundled, and then transferred to the conveyor 52 and supplied to the next process (for example, a boxing process or a bagging process).
[0044]
On the other hand, the florets A having grades of about 25 g to about 35 g of M products and S products of 25 g or less are accumulated in a state intersecting with the accumulation box 63 of the accumulation unit 62 disposed below the sorting units f and g. Then, a plurality of flower buds A are bundled and supplied to the next process.
[0045]
As described above, the lower leaf Ac (or dead leaves and branches) protruding from the peripheral surface of the stem Ab of the flower bud A is the upper right side of the feed conveyor 2 and the stem of the flower bud A protruding from the mounting table 8 side. Since the lower leaf Ac protruding from the peripheral surface of the stem Ab is separated and dropped downward by being held by the lower leaf separators 29 and 29 of the lower leaf separator 19 provided above the portion Ab, the separated lower leaf Ac is separated. Thus, the operation is not hindered, and operations such as removal, recovery, and maintenance of the lower leaf Ac can be performed easily and easily, and the efficiency of the lower leaf separation operation can be improved. Moreover, by separating the lower leaf Ac from the stem Ab of the flower bud A, the stem Ab of the flower bud A can be bound in a state of being close to each other, and the stem Ab side is not bulky and can be handled easily. At the same time, it is possible to prevent the binding from loosening during transportation and the floret A from falling off.
[0046]
Further, the stem part Ab of the flower bud A mounted on the two mounting tables 8 is held by the left and right sets of lower leaf separation bodies 29 and 29 attached to the separation unit, and the stems of the two flower buds A front and rear are mounted. Since the lower leaf Ac protruding on the peripheral surface of the part Ab is separated at the same time, and the separation unit is reciprocated in the separation direction substantially in synchronism with the feed speed of the feed conveyor 2, the lower leaf Ac is separated. While conveying A, unnecessary lower leaves Ac can be continuously separated and removed, and the separation speed and processing capacity can be improved.
[0047]
In the correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-described embodiment,
The unnecessary part of the flower bud of this invention corresponds to the lower leaf Ac of the example,
Similarly,
The groom transport means corresponds to the feed conveyor 2,
The groom support part corresponds to the placement part 8,
The cutting means corresponds to the stem cutting device 35 and the rotary blade 36,
The unnecessary part separating means corresponds to the chuck 21 and the lower leaf separator 29,
The moving means corresponds to the interlocking chains 25a and 25b, the gears 25c and 25d, the sprockets 25e and 25f, the support frame 26, the separation unit 27, the guide hole 27a, the chain 28, and the cam roller 28a.
The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment.
[0048]
As another method of separating the lower leaf Ac of the flower bud A described above, for example, the mounting table 8 and the pair of chucks 21 are moved while moving only in the feeding direction without moving the pair of lower leaf separating bodies 29 in the separating direction. The lower leaf Ac of the stem Ab may be separated by moving horizontally in the separation direction.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a processing operation of a flower bud by a flower processing apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing an operation for sorting flower buds.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing a mounting state of the mounting table.
FIG. 4 is a side view showing the operation of holding a stem portion of a flower bud.
FIG. 5 is a side view showing a state in which a stalk is held by a chuck.
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a lower leaf separation operation by the lower leaf separation device.
FIG. 7 is a rear view showing a state in which a stem is held by a lower leaf separated body.
FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a state in which a stem portion is held by a lower leaf separated body.
FIG. 9 is a side view showing a lower leaf separation operation by the lower leaf separator.
FIG. 10 is a side view showing a drive system of the lower leaf separation device.
FIG. 11 is a side view showing a discharging operation by the discharging device.
[Explanation of symbols]
A ... Flower bud Ab ... Stem part Ac ... Lower leaf 1 ... Flower bud processing device 2 ... Feed conveyor 8 ... Mounting table 19 ... Lower leaf separation device 21 ... Chuck 27 ... Separation unit 29 ... Lower leaf separation body 29b ... Gripping body 35 ... Stem Part excision device 36 ... Rotary blade 42 ... Measuring device 45 ... Determination device 46 ... Discharging device 50, 62 ... Accumulation unit 57 ... Binder

Claims

A floret support portion rotatably provided in a mounting posture for supporting the floret and a discharge posture for releasing the floret downward;
A feed conveyor for conveying the plurality of flower bud support portions;
An unnecessary part separating means that is provided above the floret support part conveyed by the feed conveyor and separates an unnecessary part protruding from the peripheral surface of the stem part of the floret ;
Moving means for moving the flower bud support portion and the unnecessary portion separating means relative to the direction in which the unnecessary portion of the stem portion is separated ;
A stacking box provided below the feed conveyor downstream from the position where the unnecessary part separating means is provided;
It is pivotally attached to both front and rear sides of the stacking box, and includes a sorting rod that receives the florets from the feed conveyor,
A flower treatment apparatus for accommodating a plurality of flower buds in an accumulation box in a crossed state by alternately rotating the distributing rods at diagonal positions pivotally attached to both front and rear sides of the accumulation box .

The upper SL unnecessary portion separating means, specific or flower supporting portion opposed to flowers processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein provided is conveyed by the feed conveyor.

While arranging the plurality of flower bud support portions in parallel,
The flower bud processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of the unnecessary part separating means are provided to face each of the flower support parts.

4. The floret treatment apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each of the floret supporting parts and the unnecessary part separating means are provided so as to be integrally movable in a direction in which the unnecessary part of the stem part is separated.