JP4346768B2 - Automatic egg sorting device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an automatic egg sorting apparatus provided with a printing mechanism capable of printing information on the eggshell surface of a chicken egg.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The chicken egg automatic sorting device is a device for automatically sorting eggs by weight and packaging them in a predetermined container after weighing the eggs. A typical chicken egg processing step will be described below. First, the eggs brought from the poultry house are put into a predetermined transport path, and the eggs are washed and dried while being transported through the transport path. Thereafter, the direction alignment process, that is, the egg has a sharp end portion and a blunt end portion, and is aligned so that the sharp end portion or the blunt end portion is in a horizontal direction facing a specific direction. Then, egg detection processing for detecting defective eggs such as blood eggs and cracked eggs is performed while the chicken eggs are transported in, for example, six rows along the first transport path. A weighing unit is provided on the terminal side of the first conveyance path, and each egg that has been individually carried is weighed.
[0003]
The weighed eggs are transferred from the first transport path to the second transport path in order to switch the transport state from the six-row transport state to the one-row transport state. On the other hand, weighing data of eggs is processed by a computer and sorted by weight. A plurality of weight division bands are provided on the lower side of the second transport path, and each egg is transferred to one of the weight division bands based on the measurement result. Eggs selected for each weight category are stored and packaged in a predetermined container before shipment.
[0004]
By the way, chicken eggs purchased by general consumers are usually stored in a refrigerator, but since they are raw products, it is necessary to give information about the expiration date in some form. For example, there is a method of sticking a label printed with a shelf life on the surface of a container for storing eggs. However, once the eggs are taken out of the container and stored in the refrigerator, the container with the label attached may be discarded, which may cause the expiration date to be unknown.
[0005]
Therefore, a technique for directly printing on the eggshell surface of a chicken egg, not a container for storing the egg, is known. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-14490 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-172166 disclose a technique for printing on the eggshell surface of a chicken egg by an ink jet method.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When the automatic egg sorting apparatus is provided with a printing mechanism that performs printing on the eggshell surface of the egg, it is an important issue to determine in which part of the series of processing steps. In addition, when printing is performed on the eggshell surface of a chicken egg, it is also an important issue to print on which part of the chicken egg.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an automatic egg sorting apparatus in which a printing mechanism is arranged at a reasonable position in terms of cost, processing efficiency, and the like.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatic egg sorting apparatus capable of performing printing on appropriate portions of eggs.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, an automatic egg sorting apparatus according to the present invention,
A first transport mechanism for transporting eggs having a blunt end portion and a sharp end portion in a predetermined row along the first transport path;
A weighing unit provided in the first conveying path for weighing the eggs being conveyed;
A second transport mechanism for transporting the eggs weighed by the measuring section along the second transport path in a state where the blunt end portion and the sharp end portion face a predetermined direction and in a single row state. When,
A printing mechanism for printing information related to the eggs on the eggshell surface of the eggs conveyed along the second conveyance path ;
On the lower transport side of the second transport path, there are provided a plurality of weight division bands for selecting eggs based on the measurement result of the weighing unit, and the printing mechanism includes the weighing unit and the plurality of weight divisions It is provided in the 2nd conveyance path | route between the weight division belt | band | zones in the uppermost side of a belt | band | zone, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
[0009]
The eggs weighed by the weighing unit are transported in a single row by the second transport mechanism. And since it comprised so that the information relevant to the egg could be printed with respect to the egg conveyed in this 1 row state, what is necessary is just to provide the number of the print heads of a printing mechanism at least one. For example, if the egg is configured to be printed after being packaged in a container, a large number of print heads are required depending on the packaging form in the packaging container (2 × 6 rows, 4 × 5 rows, etc.). This is a factor of cost increase.
[0010]
In addition, since it is configured to print after weighing by the weighing unit, it is also possible to print weighing data and grade. Further, in the second transport path, the blunt end portion and the sharp end portion of the chicken egg are in a predetermined direction, so that information can be printed at a determined place on the surface of the eggshell.
Examples of the selection of eggs based on the measurement result include M grade, S grade, constant weight filling, and the like. Therefore, as a result of weighing, if it is an M-class size egg, the egg is moved from the second transport path to the M-class weight division zone. By providing a printing mechanism in the second transport path between the weighing unit and the most weight side weight zone, printing can be performed before each egg is sorted into each weight zone.
[0011]
As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is one configured to print information on the blunt end portion of the egg by the printing mechanism, and the blunt end portion of the egg has a large curvature (close to a plane). Easy to print.
[0012]
As another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the printing mechanism may include an ink jet head positioned above the second transport path.
There are various grades of egg size (weight). Therefore, the distance between the eggshell surface and the print head of the printing mechanism also varies. Therefore, it is necessary to be able to print more than a specified level regardless of the variation in the distance. is there. In that respect, the ink jet printer in the current state of the art can cope with a slight variation in distance, and is suitable for printing on the eggshell surface of chicken eggs.
[0013]
As still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the printing mechanism includes a laser-type head positioned above the second transport path, and prints information by baking the eggshell surface with laser light. .
[0014]
This printing mechanism is based on a laser printer and prints information by baking the eggshell surface with a laser beam.
[0017]
As still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, those having a control means for printing the information only for the eggs to be sorted in a particular weight class band of the previous SL plurality of weight class band and the like.
[0018]
According to this configuration, it is possible to control the printing mechanism so as to print only a specific egg instead of printing all the eggs being conveyed. For example, it is possible to print only on M-class size eggs. Thereby, it can respond to the various needs of the user using an egg egg automatic sorter.
[0019]
As still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, those having a control means for printing the information only for a particular egg of eggs to be sorted in front Symbol plurality of weight class band and the like.
[0020]
According to this configuration, printing is not performed on all the eggs that are conveyed, but only on specific eggs among the eggs that are selected. For example, printing is performed only on some eggs among eggs packaged in one packaging container. Thereby, it can respond to the various needs of the user using an egg egg automatic sorter.
[0021]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, another egg automatic sorting apparatus according to the present invention,
A first transport mechanism for transporting eggs having a blunt end portion and a sharp end portion in a predetermined row along the first transport path;
A weighing unit provided in the first conveying path for weighing the eggs being conveyed;
A second transport mechanism for transporting the eggs weighed by the weighing unit along the second transport path in a state where the blunt end portion and the sharp end portion face a predetermined direction;
A printing mechanism for printing information related to the eggs on the eggshell surface of the blunt end of the eggs conveyed along the second conveyance path ;
On the lower transport side of the second transport path, there are provided a plurality of weight division bands for selecting eggs based on the measurement result of the weighing unit, and the printing mechanism includes the weighing unit and the plurality of weight divisions It is provided in the 2nd conveyance path | route between the weight division belt | band | zones in the uppermost side of a belt | band | zone, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
[0022]
The eggs weighed by the weighing unit are transported in a predetermined row state by the second transport mechanism. And since it was constituted so that information related to the egg could be printed on the blunt end portion (closer to the plane than the sharp end portion) of the transported egg, good quality (information is easy to see) printing It can be carried out.
In addition, since it is configured to print after weighing by the weighing unit, it is also possible to print weighing data and grade.
Examples of the selection of eggs based on the measurement result include M grade, S grade, constant weight filling, and the like. Therefore, as a result of weighing, if it is an M-class size egg, the egg is moved from the second transport path to the M-class weight division zone. By providing a printing mechanism in the second transport path between the weighing unit and the most weight side weight zone, printing can be performed before each egg is sorted into each weight zone.
As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one having a single egg wrapping unit for storing eggs transferred from the plurality of weight division bands in a storage container can be mentioned.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of an automatic egg sorting apparatus equipped with a printing mechanism.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus includes an egg feeding and conveying unit 2 (corresponding to a first conveying mechanism) that conveys eggs 1 in six rows along the first conveying path in the direction of arrow A, and egg feeding and conveying. A single-row transport unit 3 (corresponding to a second transport mechanism) that receives the eggs 1 from the unit 2 and transports the eggs in a row along the second transport path in the direction of arrow B; An egg transporting device 4 (corresponding to a charge conveyor) for transporting the released eggs 1 to the egg packaging unit 5 and a control device 6 for controlling each part are provided. The control device 6 (corresponding to the control means) is mainly composed of hardware portions such as a CPU and a storage device, and software portions such as an operation program for the automatic egg sorting apparatus.
[0025]
The egg feeding / conveying unit 2 includes an egg detecting unit 10 for inspecting a defective egg and a weighing unit 11 provided on the most downstream side of the first conveying path. When the weight of each egg 1 is measured by the measuring unit 11, sorting / packaging based on agricultural and forestry standards (S size, M size, L size, etc.) is performed in the egg packaging unit 5. The weight data of the egg l measured by the measuring unit l1 is sent to the control device 6.
[0026]
The single-row transport unit 3 feeds and conveys the egg l by a single-row conveyor l3 that transports the egg l in one row, a drive motor 14 that drives the single-row conveyor l3, an encoder 15 that is linked to the single-row conveyor l3, and the egg l. A transfer device 16 for transferring the eggs from the weighing unit 11 of the unit 2 to the cup for storing the eggs of the single-line transport unit 3 and a kick device 17 for dropping and releasing the eggs 1 from the cup are provided. The control device 6 controls the print control unit 23 based on the output pulse from the encoder 15 and also controls which kick device 17 releases the egg l based on the measurement data from the measurement unit 11l. . Note that the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-82546 by the present applicant can be used for the transfer control of the egg 1 and the kick device 17 in the single-row transfer unit 3.
[0027]
The egg wrapping unit 5 includes a pack conveyor 5a, and this conveyor 5a is arranged orthogonal to the single-line conveyor l3. In the pack conveyor 5a, a pack l8a (corresponding to a storage container) that can store, for example, l2 (2 × 6) eggs 1 is conveyed in the direction of arrow C in FIG. Although not shown, a tray conveyor for conveying a tray (corresponding to a container) is also provided. On the tray conveyor, a tray capable of storing, for example, 30 (5 × 6) eggs 1 is similarly transported. Note that it is possible to arbitrarily set the number of conveyors 5a to be further increased and which conveyor 5a is used to transport containers of what specifications. The pack 18 is transported in a state where the egg storage part 18A and the lid part 18B are opened.
[0028]
In FIG. 1, three (for example, for M, S, and L) egg conveying devices 4 (each egg conveying device 4 corresponds to a weight division band) is provided, but of course not limited thereto. A guide rail 3 l is provided so as to cross the egg transport device 4 and the egg wrapping unit 5, and the egg sucking device 30 moves along this guide rail. The egg adsorption device 30 includes a large number of vacuum adsorption units, and adsorbs the eggs 1 from the conveyance unit 21 and conveys them to the egg packaging unit 5.
[0029]
Although three egg conveying devices 4 (weight division bands) are shown in FIG. 1, the number of eggs set is arbitrary. In the egg transport device 4, a large number of transport units 21 are circulated and transported, and one transport unit 21 can accommodate six eggs 1. When a predetermined number (10 in FIG. 1) of the transport units 21 storing the eggs 1 is accumulated, the egg sucking device 30 is operated to transfer the eggs 1 from the transport unit 21 to the pack 18.
Although not shown, a defective egg collection station for collecting only defective eggs is also provided separately.
[0030]
As a feature of the present invention, a printing mechanism 22 is provided in the middle of the conveyance path of the single-line conveyor 13, and the printing mechanism 22 is controlled by a printing control unit 23. The print mechanism 22 is provided with a print head 22a, and for example, an ink jet type is used. Since there are various sizes of the eggs 1, the distance between the print head 22 a and the eggs 1 also fluctuates, but even if there is a distance of about 100 mm due to technological progress of the ink jet type print head 22 a and the like, A good print can be formed on the eggshell surface.
[0031]
By the way, as shown in FIG. 3, the shape of the egg 1 has a blunt end portion 1a (having a large radius of curvature) and a sharp end portion 1b (having a small radius of curvature) along its long axis direction. When the egg 1 is transported in the egg feeding / conveying section 2, the egg 1 is transported in a state where its long axis is horizontal. When the egg 1 is transported in the single-row transport section 3, as shown in FIG. 1 is conveyed with its long axis vertical. At this time, the egg 1 is transported in a state where the blunt end 1a is upward and the sharp end 1b is downward.
[0032]
Therefore, information is printed on the predetermined area 1c of the blunt end 1a of the egg 1 (see FIG. 4). In FIG. 4B, character information of “expiration date” and date information of “2000.2.2” representing the expiration date are printed in two upper and lower stages. There are various other information to be printed, such as logo mark, L, M, MS grade, egg laying date, egg weight, producer name, and the like. The size of the predetermined region 1c is about 25 mm □.
[0033]
The timing of actually printing on the egg 1 by the print head 22a is controlled as follows. When the weighing data of each egg 1 is obtained by the weighing unit 11, the data is sent to the control device 6. On the other hand, information (distance information from the weighing unit 11) that the egg 1 that should have passed through the weighing unit 11 should be released at which position of each egg transport device 4 is calculated by the calculation device 6a, The distance information to the print head 22a is also calculated. The position information of the eggs 1 on the single-line conveyor 13 is monitored based on the pulse signal generated from the encoder 15. Although not described in detail, the encoder 15 includes an encoder that generates one pulse per rotation (main pulse: every six eggs 1) and an encoder that generates a large number of pulses (sub-pulses) per rotation. Yes.
[0034]
As described above, when the egg 1 to be printed reaches the print head 22a as a result of calculation by the calculation device 6a, predetermined information is printed.
Further, when printing is performed on the eggs 1, all the eggs 1 may be printed, but the print head 22a may be controlled so that only a part of the eggs 1 is printed. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a print example. FIG. 5A shows an example in which information is printed on all the eggs 1 of the pack 18 containing 10 pieces. (B) is an example in which only one of the 10 packs 18 is printed.
[0035]
In the example of FIG. 1, for example, printing is performed only on M size eggs 1 (printing according to grade), printing is performed on M and L size eggs 1, Printing can be performed only on a specific egg 1 (example in FIG. 5B). The designation of the print pattern can be variously set while viewing a monitor screen (not shown) with the keyboard 24 (see FIG. 1). In addition, it is possible not to print a defective egg or to print a sign indicating that it is a “bad egg”.
[0036]
When printing the egg 1, various arrangements can be considered as to where the egg 1 is being processed, but when it is carried out by the single row conveyor 13 as shown in the embodiment of FIG. There is a merit in terms of cost because one print head 22a may be provided for each of 13. For example, if it is provided in the middle of the egg feeding / conveying section 2, six print heads 22a are required. Further, if printing is to be performed by the egg transporting device 4 or the egg wrapping unit 5, a large number of print heads 22a are required, so that the most preferable arrangement in terms of cost is provided in the middle of the single-row transporting unit 3. It is. Of course, if priority is given to the speed of the printing process over the cost aspect, it is needless to say that printing may be performed by the egg transport device 4 or the egg packaging unit 5. .
[0037]
<Another configuration example of an automatic egg sorting device>
FIG. 6 is an apparatus having a processing capacity twice that of the automatic egg sorting apparatus shown in FIG. While having two egg feeding conveyance parts 2 which convey the egg 1 in six rows, the measurement part 11 is provided in the most downstream part of each egg feeding conveyance part 2. FIG. In addition, the single-row transport unit 3 and the single-row conveyor 13 are also provided, and a printing mechanism 22 is provided in the middle of the transport of each single-row conveyor 13.
[0038]
<Another embodiment>
(1) Although the print head 22a in the present embodiment is based on an ink jet system, a system based on a laser beam may be employed instead. When laser light is used, information is printed by baking the eggshell surface of the chicken egg 1 with laser light. In the case of using laser light, it is not necessary to use an ink such as an ink jet method. Therefore, there is a merit in terms of hygiene.
[0039]
(2) The configuration example of the automatic egg sorting apparatus is not limited to the configuration disclosed in the embodiment. For example, a configuration in which the eggs are discharged directly from a single-line conveyor to a packaging container may be adopted.
[0040]
(3) Information to be printed on the eggshell surface is not limited to character information, and arbitrary character information may be printed, or marking may be performed. For example, the marking which shows that it is a bad egg can be made on the surface of the chicken egg detected as a bad egg. Further, the content of information printed for each type of defective egg (blood egg, dirty egg, cracked egg, spoiled egg) may be different.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of an automatic egg sorting apparatus. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of a single-row conveyor. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an egg. [Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment of an automatic egg sorting apparatus. [Fig.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Egg 2 Egg feeding conveyance part 3 Single row conveyance part 22 Printing mechanism 22a Printing head 23 Printing control part

Claims (8)

A first transport mechanism for transporting eggs having a blunt end portion and a sharp end portion in a predetermined row along the first transport path;
A weighing unit provided in the first conveying path for weighing the eggs being conveyed;
A second transport mechanism for transporting the eggs weighed by the measuring section along the second transport path in a state where the blunt end portion and the sharp end portion face a predetermined direction and in a single row state. When,
A printing mechanism for printing information related to the eggs on the eggshell surface of the eggs conveyed along the second conveyance path ;
On the lower transport side of the second transport path, there are provided a plurality of weight division bands for selecting eggs based on the measurement result of the weighing unit, and the printing mechanism includes the weighing unit and the plurality of weight divisions An automatic egg sorting apparatus, characterized in that it is provided in a second transport path between a weight division band on the uppermost side of the band .   The egg automatic sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information is printed on the blunt end portion of the egg by the printing mechanism.   The automatic egg sorting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the printing mechanism includes an ink jet head positioned above the second transport path.   3. The chicken egg automatic according to claim 1, wherein the printing mechanism includes a laser-type head positioned above the second transport path, and prints information by baking the eggshell surface with a laser beam. 4. Sorting device. According to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a control means for printing the information only for the eggs to be sorted in a particular weight class band of the previous SL plurality of weight classes band Automatic egg sorting device. Eggs automatically according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a control means for printing the information only for a particular egg of eggs to be sorted in front Symbol plurality of weight classes band Sorting device. A first transport mechanism for transporting eggs having a blunt end portion and a sharp end portion in a predetermined row along the first transport path;
A weighing unit provided in the first conveying path for weighing the eggs being conveyed;
A second transport mechanism for transporting the eggs weighed by the weighing unit along the second transport path in a state where the blunt end portion and the sharp end portion face a predetermined direction;
A printing mechanism for printing information related to the eggs on the eggshell surface of the blunt end of the eggs conveyed along the second conveyance path ;
On the lower transport side of the second transport path, there are provided a plurality of weight division bands for selecting eggs based on the measurement result of the weighing unit, and the printing mechanism includes the weighing unit and the plurality of weight divisions An automatic egg sorting apparatus, characterized in that it is provided in a second transport path between a weight division band on the uppermost side of the band . The automatic egg sorting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a single egg wrapping unit for storing eggs transported from the plurality of weight division bands in a container.

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