JP4413149B2 - Nursery box separator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a seedling box separation device for separating a seedling box (about one or two to four) from the upper part of a stacked seedling box (such as an empty seedling box or a seedling seedling box).

For example, in a rice seedling facility, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a fork (19 in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1) and a crane (E in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1) that support stacked seedling boxes.
), An elevating device (F in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1), and a greening carriage (C in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1).

According to Patent Document 1, the stacked seedling boxes are supported by a fork, and the upper nursery box of the stacked seedling boxes is a crane hook (48 in FIGS. 6 and 7 in Patent Document 1).
) To be separated. Next, the upper nursery box is moved by a crane to the lifting device,
The elevator is moved to the shelf of the greening cart (1 in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1). By repeating the above operation, the stacked seedling boxes are separated and transferred to the shelf of the greening cart. It is.
In particular, in a seedling box that has been sown, soil and the like may fall downward from the stacked seedling box, but as in Patent Document 1, when configured to separate the seedling box at the top of the stacked seedling box , So that the soil does not fall on the crane from the stacked nursery boxes,
It rarely develops into failure of cranes.

Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 4-81410 (Figs. 1, 6, 7)

When the seedling boxes are stacked, soil and garbage etc. are caught in the overlapping parts, or parts that are not stacked normally may be generated, so that the stacked seedling boxes may be tilted as a whole. Even if they are normally stacked, the seedling box may be pushed up by the growth of the seedling, and the stacked seedling boxes may be inclined overall.

When the seedling boxes stacked in this manner are tilted as a whole, the seedling boxes on the upper part of the stacked seedling boxes are stacked in a predetermined position (in the case where the stacked seedling boxes are upright without being tilted). The position of the upper nursery box of the nursery box is sometimes moved slightly in the horizontal direction, and if the upper nursery box is moved slightly in the horizontal direction from the predetermined position, the crane of Patent Document 1 It is conceivable that the upper nursery box will not be held well.
In the seedling box separation apparatus according to the present invention, even if the stacked seedling boxes are tilted as a whole and the upper seedling box of the stacked seedling boxes is slightly moved laterally from a predetermined position, the upper nursery box It is intended to be configured so that is properly held and separated.

[I]
(Constitution)
The first feature of the present invention is that the seedling box separation device is configured as follows.
A stacking unit that supports the stacked seedling boxes, an upper support unit that is positioned above the stacked seedling boxes, and an elevating mechanism that drives the stacking unit or the upper support unit up and down. It has a holding part that can hold and release the upper seedling box of the stacked seedling boxes, and a guide mechanism can be connected across the holding part and the upper support part, and the guide mechanism can be shrunk from a predetermined length. It is configured to be unextendable from a predetermined length, and allows movement of the holding portion in the lateral direction in a contracted state from the predetermined length,
And it is comprised so that a holding | maintenance part may be returned to the predetermined position of a horizontal direction in the state which reached predetermined length. By bringing the stacking part and the upper support part closer by the lifting mechanism, the holding part is in a state along the upper nursery box, the holding part holds the upper nursery box, and the upper part is held by the holding part. Then, the stacking unit and the upper support unit are separated from each other by the lifting mechanism, and the upper seedling box is separated from the stacked seedling boxes by the holding unit.

(Function)
According to the first feature of the present invention, when the stacked seedling boxes are tilted as a whole and the nursery box on the upper part of the stacked seedling boxes is slightly moved laterally from a predetermined position, the lifting mechanism When the stacking part and the upper support part are brought closer to each other, the guide mechanism is contracted from a predetermined length and the holding part is allowed to move in the lateral direction, while the holding part is in a state along the position of the upper nursery box. Hold the upper nursery box.
Next, when the stacking portion and the upper support portion are separated from each other by the lifting mechanism, the guide mechanism is extended, and when the guide mechanism reaches a predetermined length and cannot be extended, the stacking portion and the upper support portion are moved by the lifting mechanism. The upper seedling box is separated from the stacked seedling boxes by the driving force at the time of separation, and the holding unit is returned to a predetermined position in the lateral direction by the guide mechanism.

(The invention's effect)
According to the first feature of the present invention, in the seedling box separation device, the stacked seedling boxes are inclined overall, and the nursery box on the upper part of the stacked seedling boxes is slightly moved laterally from a predetermined position. In addition, the upper seedling box is appropriately held and separated by the holding unit, and the performance of the seedling box separation device can be improved.

According to the first feature of the present invention, when the upper nursery box is held and separated by the holding part, the holding part is returned to a predetermined position in the lateral direction by the guide mechanism. As a result, the performance of the seedling box separation device could be improved.

According to the first feature of the present invention, since the upper support part, the holding part and the guide mechanism are located above the stacked seedling boxes, the soil is transferred from the stacked seedling box to the upper support part, the holding part and the guide mechanism. As in Patent Document 1, the upper support portion, the holding portion, and the guide mechanism are rarely broken down.

[II]
(Constitution)
The second feature of the present invention resides in the following configuration in the seedling box separation device of the first feature of the present invention.
A holding position in which a holding member is provided in the holding portion and held in contact with the edge of the upper nursery box, and a holding release position that is away from the edge of the upper nursery box. And
The holding member is configured to be movable. The holding unit includes a drive mechanism that drives the holding member between the holding position and the holding release position.

(Function)
According to the second feature of the present invention, the “action” described in the preceding item [I] is provided in the same manner as the first feature of the present invention, and in addition to this, the following “action” is provided.
According to the second feature of the present invention, as described in the preceding item [I], the stacking portion and the upper support portion are brought close to each other by the elevating mechanism, and the guide mechanism is contracted from a predetermined length so that the lateral direction of the holding portion is reached. When the holding member is driven from the holding release position toward the holding position in a state where movement to is allowed, the raising seedling box on the upper part of the stacked raising seedling box has moved slightly from the predetermined position in the lateral direction. Then, the holding member comes into contact with the upper nursery box from the holding release position and is further driven to the holding position. By this, the holding member is driven to the holding position while being in contact with the upper nursery box, so that the holding part is forcibly moved in the lateral direction with respect to the upper nursery box by the reaction force from the holding member. Then, when the holding member reaches the holding position, the holding unit is in a state along the position of the upper seedling box, and the holding unit holds the upper seedling box by the holding member.

Thus, according to the second feature of the present invention, by using the holding member, which may be called an existing member in the holding unit, while trying to hold the upper nursery box, at the same time, the position of the upper nursery box The holding portion can be forcibly moved in the horizontal direction so that the holding portion can appropriately hold the upper nursery box.
In this case, the guide member that forcibly moves the holding portion in the lateral direction along the position of the upper nursery box as the stacking portion and the upper support portion are brought closer by the lifting mechanism Need not be provided separately (even if the other guide member described above is provided, a small-scale guide member may be used).

(The invention's effect)
According to the second feature of the present invention, the “effect of the invention” described in the preceding item [I] is provided in the same manner as the first feature of the present invention. In addition, the following “effect of the invention” is provided. ing.
According to the second feature of the present invention, by using a holding member that may be called an existing member in the holding unit, the holding unit can be forcibly moved in the lateral direction along the position of the upper nursery box. The upper nursery box can be appropriately held by the holding unit, and the performance of the nursery box separation device can be improved.

According to the second feature of the present invention, there is no need to provide a guide member for forcibly moving the holding portion laterally along the position of the upper seedling box (separate from the holding member described above) Even if a guide member is provided, a small-scale guide member is sufficient), which is advantageous in terms of simplification of the structure.

[III]
(Constitution)
The third feature of the present invention resides in the following configuration in the seedling box separation device of the first or second feature of the present invention.
A connection mechanism configured separately from the guide mechanism is connected across the holding part and the upper support part, and the connection mechanism is configured to be contractible from a predetermined length and not extendable from a predetermined length, and The holding portion is configured to be allowed to move in the lateral direction.

(Function)
According to the third feature of the present invention, the “action” described in the preceding item [I] [II] is provided in the same manner as the first or second feature of the present invention. In addition, the following “action” is provided. It has.
Depending on the state in which the seedling boxes are stacked, as described in [I] above, in addition to the fact that the upper seedling box has moved slightly from the predetermined position in the lateral direction, It may be a little inclined.

A third feature of the present invention is that a connection mechanism is provided separately from the guide mechanism, the connection mechanism is configured to be retractable from a predetermined length and not extendable from the predetermined length, and the holding portion is moved in the lateral direction. The holding portion can be inclined with respect to the upper support portion by the difference between the contraction amount of the guide mechanism and the contraction amount of the connection mechanism.
Thereby, when the seedling box on the upper part of the seedling box stacked as described above moves slightly from the predetermined position in the lateral direction and is slightly inclined, the stacking part and the upper support part are brought closer by the lifting mechanism. Due to the difference between the shrinkage amount of the guide mechanism and the shrinkage amount of the connection mechanism, the holding portion is inclined along the inclination of the upper nursery box, and the holding portion is in a state along the position of the upper nursery box. The holding unit holds the upper nursery box.

Thereafter, when the stacking portion and the upper support portion are separated by the lifting mechanism and separated from the stacked seedling box, the holding portion (upper seedling box) is suspended from the upper support portion. It will be in a lowered state. In this case, by the guide mechanism and the connection mechanism (a combination of one guide mechanism and a plurality of connection mechanisms or a combination of a plurality of guide mechanisms and a plurality of connection mechanisms is possible), Several places will be in the state suspended, and a holding | maintenance part (upper seedling box) will be stably suspended with respect to an upper support part.

As described above, the connection mechanism is configured as a structure that allows the holding portion to be inclined with respect to the upper support portion, and that the holding portion is stably suspended from the upper support portion. It can be considered that the holding portion is provided with a large number of guide mechanisms, but the structure is complicated and the production cost is increased.
According to the third feature of the present invention, the connection mechanism does not have a function of returning the holding portion such as the guide mechanism to a predetermined position in the lateral direction, and the connection mechanism is simpler in structure than the guide mechanism. Therefore, the holding portion can be stably suspended from the upper support portion by the guide mechanism and the connection mechanism.

(The invention's effect)
According to the third feature of the present invention, the “effect of the invention” described in the preceding paragraphs [I] and [II] is provided in the same manner as the first or second feature of the present invention. The effect of the invention is provided.
According to the 3rd characteristic of this invention, even if the seedling box of the upper part of the stacked seedling box moves a little from the predetermined position in the horizontal direction and is slightly inclined, it is provided with the holding mechanism by combining the guide mechanism and the connection mechanism. As a result, the upper nursery box is appropriately held and separated by the holding part, and the performance of the nursery box separation device can be improved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the upper seedling box is held and separated by the holding portion, the holding portion is stably suspended from the upper support portion by the guide mechanism and the connection mechanism. Therefore, the transfer of the upper nursery box to the next step is appropriately performed, and the performance of the seedling box separation device can be improved.
According to the third feature of the present invention, by combining the guide mechanism and the connection mechanism in the holding portion, it is possible to suppress the complexity of the structure and the increase in production cost.

[IV]
(Constitution)
The fourth feature of the present invention resides in the following configuration in the seedling box separation device of any one of the first to third features of the present invention.
A plurality of guide mechanisms are provided.

(Function)
As described in [I] above, the guide mechanism is configured to return the holding portion to a predetermined position in the lateral direction after reaching a predetermined length, and the holding portion does not move from the predetermined position in the horizontal direction. As shown in the fourth feature of the present invention, by providing a plurality of guide mechanisms and arranging them slightly apart, the upper part is suspended from the upper support part. It is possible to stop the state in which the holding portion rotates around the vertical axis with respect to the support portion.

(The invention's effect)
According to the fourth feature of the present invention, the “effect of the invention” described in the preceding paragraphs [I] to [III] is provided similarly to any one of the first to third features of the present invention. In addition, the following “effects of the invention” are provided.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the upper seedling box is held and separated by the holding portion, the holding portion is held with respect to the upper support portion in a state where the holding portion is suspended from the upper support portion. Since the state of rotating around the vertical axis is stopped, the transfer of the upper nursery box to the next step is appropriately performed, and the performance of the nursery box separation device can be improved. did it.

[V]
(Constitution)
A fifth feature of the present invention resides in the following configuration in the seedling box separation device of the third feature of the present invention.
A plurality of guide mechanisms are provided, a connection mechanism is provided, and the connection mechanism is disposed at a position deviating from a line segment connecting the positions of the plurality of guide mechanisms.

(Function)
According to the fifth feature of the present invention, the “action” described in the preceding paragraphs [I] to [III] is provided similarly to the third feature of the present invention, and in addition to this, the following “action” is provided. ing.
As described in [I] above, the guide mechanism is configured to return the holding portion to a predetermined position in the lateral direction after reaching a predetermined length, and the holding portion does not move from the predetermined position in the horizontal direction. As shown in the fifth feature of the present invention, by providing a plurality of guide mechanisms and arranging them slightly apart, the upper part is suspended from the upper support part. It is possible to stop the state in which the holding portion rotates around the vertical axis with respect to the support portion.

As in the fifth feature of the present invention, when the connection mechanism is arranged at a position deviated from the line connecting the positions of the plurality of guide mechanisms, the plurality of guide mechanisms are suspended in the state where the holding portion is suspended from the upper support portion. Even if the holding portion tries to incline around the line connecting the positions, the above-described inclination of the holding portion is stopped by the connection mechanism that cannot be extended from a predetermined length.

For example, when seedling growth varies in a seedling box that has been sown (for example, in a single seedling box, there are parts where seedlings have grown sufficiently due to sunshine conditions, etc., or parts where seedlings have not grown much. If the stacking part and the upper support part are brought close to each other by the lifting mechanism and the holding part reaches the upper seedling box of the stacked seedling box as described in [I] above, The seedling growth in the seedling box may vary (the part of the seedling that has grown sufficiently in the upper nursery box), and the holding part may be inclined around the line segment connecting the positions of the plurality of guide mechanisms. is there.

In this case, as in the fifth feature of the present invention, when the connection mechanism is disposed at a position deviating from the line segment connecting the positions of the plurality of guide mechanisms, the holding portion has reached the seedling box at the top of the stacked seedling boxes. In the state, since the connection mechanism has not yet contracted from the predetermined length, when the holding portion is inclined around the line segment connecting the positions of the plurality of guide mechanisms as described above, the connection mechanism has the predetermined length. If the state where the connection mechanism is to be extended from the predetermined length occurs, the connection mechanism cannot be extended from the predetermined length, so that the holding portion is inclined around the line segment connecting the positions of the plurality of guide mechanisms. , Prevented by the connection mechanism.

Thus, in the state where the connection mechanism prevents the holding portion from being inclined around the line segment connecting the positions of the plurality of guide mechanisms as described above, [I] [III]
As described above, when the stacking unit and the upper support unit are further moved closer by the lifting mechanism,
The connection mechanism is a state in which the guide mechanism and the connection mechanism are contracted from the predetermined length and the holding part is allowed to move in the lateral direction, and the holding part is inclined around the line segment connecting the positions of the plurality of guide mechanisms. While the function to be prevented by disappears, the holding part becomes in a state along the position of the upper nursery box and holds the upper nursery box.

(The invention's effect)
According to the fifth feature of the present invention, as in the third feature of the present invention, the “effect of the invention” described in the preceding items [I] to [III] is provided. Effect.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the upper seedling box is held and separated by the holding portion, the holding portion is held with respect to the upper support portion in a state where the holding portion is suspended from the upper support portion. Of the upper seedling box by the point that the state of rotating around the vertical axis is stopped and the state that the holding part is inclined around the line segment connecting the positions of the plurality of guide mechanisms are stopped. The transfer to the next process was appropriately performed, and the performance of the seedling box separation device could be improved.

According to the fifth feature of the present invention, when seedlings grow in a seedling box that has been sown (for example, in a single seedling box, a part where the seedlings are sufficiently grown under sunlight conditions, If there is a part that does not grow so much), the holding part prevents the state where the holding part is inclined around the line connecting the positions of the plurality of guide mechanisms, while the holding part prevents the upper seedling box Was properly held and separated, and the performance of the seedling box separation device could be improved.

[VI]
(Constitution)
The sixth feature of the present invention resides in the following configuration in the seedling box separation device of the fifth feature of the present invention.
The holding part is configured in a rectangular shape in plan view, and a guide mechanism and a connection mechanism are arranged at four corners of the holding part.

(Function)
According to the sixth feature of the present invention, as in the fifth feature of the present invention, “
In addition to this, the following “action” is provided.
As described in [III] above, in a state where the upper seedling box of the stacked seedling boxes has moved slightly from the predetermined position in the lateral direction and is slightly inclined, the holding unit holds the upper seedling box. And In this case, for example, if the upper nursery box is slightly inclined so that one end side of the upper nursery box is on the lower side and the other end side of the upper nursery box is on the upper side, The guide mechanism or connection mechanism on one end side of the container shrinks to a degree slightly shorter than the predetermined length, and the guide mechanism or connection mechanism on the other end side of the upper nursery box shrinks sufficiently shorter than the predetermined length. It will be in the state.

When the stacking portion and the upper support portion are separated from each other by the lifting mechanism in the above-described state, the guide mechanism or the connection mechanism on one side and the other end side of the upper seedling box is extended, and one of the upper seedling boxes is extended. The guide mechanism or connection mechanism on the end side reaches a predetermined length and cannot be extended. Therefore,
The driving force when the stacking part and the upper support part are separated by the lifting mechanism is mainly applied to one end side of the upper nursery box via the guide mechanism or the connection mechanism, so that the upper nursery box Is separated from the stacked seedling boxes.

Next, when the stacking part and the upper support part are further separated by the lifting mechanism, the guide mechanism or connection mechanism on the other end side of the upper nursery box reaches a predetermined length and cannot be extended. The driving force when the upper part and the upper support part are separated is mainly applied to the other end side of the upper nursery box via the guide mechanism or connection mechanism, and the other end of the upper nursery box The part side is separated from the stacked seedling boxes. In this way, the upper nursery box is separated from the stacked nursery boxes.

As described above, according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the stacking unit and the upper support unit are separated by the lifting mechanism after the holding unit holds the upper seedling box, the stacking unit and the upper support unit are separated by the lifting mechanism. Is not applied to the upper nursery box evenly, but is applied mainly to one end of the upper nursery box and then to the other of the upper nursery box. Since it will be in a state of mainly hanging on the end side, the upper nursery box is appropriately separated from the stacked nursery boxes.

(The invention's effect)
According to the sixth feature of the present invention, as in the fifth feature of the present invention, “
In addition to this, the following “effects of the invention” are provided.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the driving force when the stacked portion and the upper support portion are separated by the lifting mechanism is mainly applied to one end side of the upper nursery box, and then the upper nursery box By constructing mainly on the other end side, the upper seedling box was appropriately separated from the stacked seedling boxes, and the performance of the seedling box separation device could be improved. .

[1]
1 and 2 show the entire seedling box processing facility. The first support column 6, the second support column 7, the third support column 8, and the like in the vertical direction have a first frame 9, a second frame 10, and 3rd frame 1
4 (see FIGS. 3, 10, and 13) and the like are connected to form the whole seedling box processing facility.
The stacking portion 2 is supported by the first support column 6 so as to be movable up and down, and the seedling box separation mechanism 3 is supported by the support rail 12 connected across the first and third support columns 6 and 8 so as to be movable. . The support portion 4 is supported so as to be movable up and down in parallel with the third support column 8, and the pressing portion 16 is provided on the second support column 7. A guide rail 33 and a carriage transport mechanism 34 are provided on the floor on the side of the third support column 8, and the greening cart 5 is transported by the guide rail 33 and the carriage transport mechanism 34.

Next, the stacking unit 2 and the structure in the vicinity of the stacking unit 2 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, right and left moving members 2 b that are movably supported by the roller 2 a along the first support column 6, and a support frame that is connected across the right and left moving members 2 b. 2c, and four support arms 2d extending in a cantilevered manner from the support frame 2c to the rear, the stacked portion 2 is configured. The chain 17 is wound along the first support column 6, the chain 17 is connected to the moving member 2 b, and the lifting mechanism 30 that rotationally drives the chain 17.
Is provided in the third frame 14. Thereby, the chain 17 is moved by the lifting mechanism 30.
Is driven to move up and down in the vertical direction along the first support column 6.

In a seeding facility (not shown) separate from the seedling box processing facility, supply of soil to the empty seedling box 1
Irrigation, sowing and covering soil supply are performed, and seedling boxes 1 after sowing are stacked directly,
Germination is performed in a germination chamber (not shown). As shown in FIG. 2, the Minitrokko 32 and the Minitrokko cart 54 are prepared, and the Minitrokko 55 is provided on the floor,
The seedling boxes 1 that have been stacked and finished germination are the Minitrocco 32 and the Minitrocco trolley 54.
Two sets are carried on the.

As shown in FIG. 2, the Minitrokko 32 is configured by connecting frames in a frame shape, and is provided with a moving wheel, and a set of seedling boxes 1 that are stacked can be placed on the Minitrokko 32. . By placing the Minitrokko 32 on the support rail 54 a of the Minitrokko cart 54, two Minitrokko 32 (two stacked nursery boxes 1) can be placed side by side on the Minitrokko cart 54. By attaching stoppers 69 and 70 to the support rail 54 a of the carriage 54, the Minitrokko 32 is moved to the Minitrokko cart 5.
4 can be prevented from falling.

As shown in FIG. 2, the mini nitro cost 55 is configured by connecting frames in a frame shape, and four support rails 55 a are fixed side by side, and the support rail 54 a of the mini troco cart 54 is connected to a mini-frame. The support rail 55a of the trolley dock 55 is set to the same height. By placing the Minitrokko 32 on the two support rails 55a of the Minitrokko 55, the two Minitrokko 32 (two stacked nursery boxes 1) can be placed side by side on the Minitrokko 55. , A total of 4 Minitrocco 32 (
Four sets of nursery boxes 1) stacked can be placed on the minnitrostok 55.

As shown in FIG. 2, stoppers 71 and 72 can be attached to the end of the support rail 55 a of the minitroc costk 55 on the end of the minitrocco 54 and the end of the stack 2. The support arm 2d of the stacking section 2 is also provided with a support rail (not shown) like the Minitrokko cart 54 and the Minitrocostok 55, and a stopper 73 is attached to the end of the support rail of the stacking section 2. Can do. In this case, a presence / absence sensor (not shown) for detecting the stopper 72 is provided on the stacking part 2 side of the support rail 55a of the minnitrostok 55, and the stopper 73 is detected on the support arm 2d of the stacking part 2. A presence / absence sensor (not shown) is provided.

With the above structure, as shown in FIG. 2, the Minitrokko cart 54 carrying the two Minitrokko 32 (two stacked nursery boxes 1) is positioned on the side of the Minitrokko 55 ( The position of the support rail 54a of the Minitrokko cart 54 and the Minitrokko Kosutoku 55
In the state in which the position of the support rail 55a is adjusted), after removing the stoppers 70 and 71, by pushing the two Minitrokko 32 (two sets of nursery boxes 1 stacked),
Two Minitrokko 32 (two stacked nursery boxes 1)
Can be put on.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the four Minitrokko 32 (four sets of seedling boxes 1
) In the state of being placed on the mini-nitrocook 55, the stacking portion 2 (support arm 2)
d) is driven downward to the position of the support rail 55a of the minnitroscook 55, and the stopper 7
After removing 2,73, the four Minitrocco 32 (4 sets of seedling boxes 1) are pushed, so that 4 Minitrocco 32 (4 sets of seedling boxes 1) are stacked. 2 support arms 2d.

In this case, as described above, the four Minitrokko 32 (four sets of nursery boxes 1 stacked)
2 is supported by the support arm 2d of the stacking portion 2, and then the stoppers 72, 7 as shown in FIG.
If 3 is not attached, the presence / absence sensor will not detect the presence of the stoppers 72, 73,
The whole nursery box treatment facility remains stopped, and the nursery box treatment facility cannot be operated. Therefore, as described above, after four minitroccos 32 (four sets of seedling boxes 1) are supported by the support arm 2d of the stacking portion 2, as shown in FIG.
Since the presence / absence sensor detects the presence of the stoppers 72 and 73, the nursery box processing facility can be operated.

[2]
Next, the greening cart 5 and the cart transport mechanism 34 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 15, the greening cart 5 includes a bottom portion 5a configured in a frame shape, two support columns 5b fixed to the center of the bottom portion 5a, and two fixed to one end portion of the bottom portion 5a. Book column 5c,
Two pillars 5d fixed to the other end of the bottom part 5a, an upper frame 5e connected over the upper parts of the pillars 5b, 5c, 5d, one lateral side part of the bottom part 5a and one of the upper frames 5e A vertical frame 5f and struts 5b, 5c, 5d connected to the lateral side portion are provided with shelf portions 5g arranged at predetermined vertical intervals (intervals sufficiently larger than the vertical width of the seedling box 1). It is configured, two seedling boxes 1 can be placed on two shelves 5g of the same height, and four seedling boxes 1 can be placed on four shelves 5g of the same height It is.

As shown in FIG.1 and FIG.15, two wheels 5h of fixed orientation are attached to one end portion of the bottom portion 5a of the greening cart 5, and the other end portion of the bottom portion 5a of the greening cart 5 is Two caster wheels 5i that can freely change the direction around the vertical axis are attached. The flat-shaped latching | locking part 5j is being fixed to the other edge part (edge part by the side of the caster wheel 5i of the greening trolley 5) of the bottom part 5a of the greening trolley | bogie 5. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 14, and 15, the guide rail extends from a range facing a center support portion 4, a right and left support portion 4, and a push portion 16, which will be described later, to a range leftward in FIG. 14. 33, and a carriage transport mechanism 34 is provided between the guide rails 33 in a range away from the center support portion 4, the right and left support portions 4, and the push portion 16. A support frame 74 is connected across the center support portion 4, the right and left support portions 4, the guide rail 33 on the opposite side of the push portion 16, and the third frame 14.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a pair of horizontally long and flat support members 58 are fixed to the floor, and the drive shaft 59 to which the sprocket 59 a is fixed is freely rotatable at one end of the support member 58. The drive shaft 59 and the motor 60 are interlocked and connected via a transmission chain 61. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, a long hole 58a is provided at the other end of the support member 58, and a support plate 62 whose position can be changed along the long hole 58a of the support member 58 is provided. A rotation shaft 64 to which 64a is fixed is rotatably supported by the support plate 62, and the support member 5
8 and the support plate 62 are connected to each other, and the bolt 63 can change the position of the support plate 62 (the support shaft 64 and the guide wheel 64a) in the left-right direction in FIG. 16 and FIG. 16 and 17, the rotating shaft 65 to which the guide wheel 65a is fixed is rotatably supported by the support member 58, and the drive shaft 59 and the rotating shaft 6 are supported.
The guide rail 66 is fixed between the two.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 18, a connecting pin 67a, a collar 67b fitted on the connecting pin 67a, and a pair of link plates 67c attached to both ends of the connecting pin 67a are provided. The connecting pin 67a and the pair of links are provided. The plate 67c is connected to form a chain-like endless rotating body 67. As shown in FIGS. 14, 15, and 16, the endless rotating body 67 is wound around the sprocket 59 a of the drive shaft 59, the guide wheels 64 a and 65 a of the rotation shafts 64 and 65, and the guide rail 66, thereby configuring the carriage transport mechanism 34. Has been. Thus, the endless rotating body 67 is rotationally driven in the clockwise direction in FIG. 15 by the motor 60 and the sprocket 59a of the drive shaft 59.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, in the carriage transport mechanism 34, the rotation shaft 65 and the guide rail 66 are set at positions higher than the rotation shaft 64, and the transport start end portion (
A portion between the rotation shafts 64 and 65 is configured to be obliquely upward to the right in the drawing of FIG. 16 (upwardly oblique along the rotation direction of the endless rotating body 67). As shown in FIGS. 16 and 18, the endless rotating body 6
Each of the seven link plates 67c is provided with an engaging portion 67d protruding outward, and a gap having a predetermined interval is formed between adjacent engaging portions 67d.

As shown in FIGS. 16, 17, and 18, a rectangular bar-shaped guide member 68 is supported around the horizontal axis P <b> 5 at the other end of the support member 58 so as to swing up and down. A guide member 68 is inserted between the link plate 67c and the engaging portion 67d, and the guide member 68 is placed on the collar 67b of the endless rotating body 67 by its own weight. In this case, the guide member 68 is disposed from the front end portion (rotation shaft 64) of the conveyance start end portion of the endless rotating body 67 to the intermediate portion (between the rotation shafts 64 and 65), and the upper surface of the guide member 68 is endless. It is located above the upper end of the engaging portion 67d of the rotating body 67.

[3]
Next, the seedling box separation mechanism 3 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, a frame 11 configured in a frame shape in plan view is provided, and the first
And the support rail 12 is connected over the 3rd support | pillars 6 and 8, and the flame | frame 11 is supported along the support rail 12 so that a movement is possible. A chain 13 is wound along the support rail 12, the chain 13 is connected to the frame 11, and a driving mechanism 15 that rotationally drives the chain 13 is provided in the second frame 10. As a result, the drive mechanism 15 rotationally drives the chain 13 to drive the frame 11 along the support rail 12.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, a flat plate-like upper support portion 18 is fixed over substantially the entire lower portion of the frame 11, and four holding portions 19 (plan view) are provided below the upper support portion 18. (Refer to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3), and the longitudinal direction of the holding portion 19 (the vertical direction on the paper surface in FIG. 5) is the horizontal direction on the paper surface in FIG. Four holding portions 19 are arranged (in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the seedling box 1). In one holding part 19, two guide mechanisms 21 and two connection mechanisms 25 are arranged at four corners of the holding part 19 (the two guide mechanisms 21 and the two connection mechanisms 25 are connected to each other). It is arranged on two diagonal lines of the holding part 19 and 2
(Two connecting mechanisms 25 are arranged at positions deviating to one and the other from the line segment connecting the guide mechanisms 21). Two guide mechanisms span one holding portion 19 and the upper support portion 18. 21 and two connection mechanisms 25 are connected.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the guide mechanism 21 includes the boss portion 2 fixed to the upper support portion 18.
0, a round rod-shaped guide rod 21d inserted in the boss portion 20 so as to be freely slidable up and down, a conical portion 21a and a flange portion 21b fixed to the lower portion of the guide rod 21d, and a guide rod 21d
The nut 21c attached to the upper part of the head, the circular opening 24a in the ceiling part, and the connection part 24 fixed to the holding part 19 are provided. The conical part 21a and the flange part 21b are connected to the connection part. 24 is inserted into the opening 24a. In this case, the opening 2 of the connecting portion 24.
The inner diameter of 4a is set to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the lower end of the conical portion 21a (or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the lower end of the conical portion 21a), and the outer diameter of the flange portion 21b is the opening 24a of the connecting portion 24. It is set to be larger than the inner diameter.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the connection mechanism 25 includes a round rod-like connection rod 25a fixed to the holding portion 19, a disk-shaped receiving member 25b fixed to the upper portion of the connection rod 25a, and the connection rod 25a. The connecting rod 19 a is inserted into the opening 18 a of the upper holding part 18. The connecting rod 19 a is inserted into the opening 18 a of the upper holding part 18. A boss portion 20 is fixed to a portion of the upper holding portion 18 that faces the center of one holding portion 19, and a rod-like detection member 22 is slidably inserted into the boss portion 20. A proximity sensor 23 to be detected is fixed to the upper support 18.

As a result, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the guide mechanism 21 has a predetermined length (as shown in FIG.
The guide mechanism 21 and the connection mechanism 25 can be independently slidable (shrinkable) with respect to the upper support portion 18 from (the nut 21c) and the connection mechanism 25 (the receiving member 25b) are placed on the upper support portion 18. It is in a state. From a predetermined length (the state in which the guide mechanism 21 (nut 21c) and the connection mechanism 25 (receiving member 25b) are placed on the upper support 18 as shown in FIG. 4),
The guide mechanism 21 and the connection mechanism 25 are not slidable downward (not extendable) with respect to the upper support portion 18. As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, in a state where the guide mechanism 21 has a predetermined length, the lower end of the conical portion 21 a of the guide mechanism 21 and the opening 24 a of the connection portion 24 coincide with each other, and the holding portion 19. Is in a state in which it cannot move laterally from a predetermined position in the lateral direction.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, two guide rods 26 are fixed to the lower surface of the holding portion 19 along the longitudinal direction of the seedling box 1, and pin-shaped stoppers 26 a are fixed to both ends of the guide rod 26. Has been. An electric cylinder type drive mechanism 28 is fixed to the holding portion 19 to drive the drive mechanism 2.
An angle member-like holding member 27 is swingably supported around the vertical axis P3 at the end of the drive rod 28a, and the holding member 27 is provided with a horizontally long slot 27c.
Six stoppers 26 a are inserted into the long holes 27 c of the holding member 27. A hard sponge member 27 a and a support pin 27 b are fixed to the inner portion of the holding member 27, and one holding member 27
A separation mechanism 29 is fixed to the outer portion of the first and second separation mechanisms 29. The separation mechanism 29 is configured to repeatedly project the operation portion 29a obliquely downward at a high speed.

The four holding portions 19 configured as described above are arranged below the upper support portion 18, and the seedling box separation mechanism 3 is configured by the four holding portions 19 and the like. Thereby, by stacking part 2, seedling box separation mechanism 3, upper support part 18, guide mechanism 21, lifting mechanism 30, etc.
A seedling box separation device is configured.

[4]
Next, the support part 4 is demonstrated.
As shown in FIGS. 7, 9, and 10, the horizontal frame 35 is connected to the lower portion of the third support column 8, and the three support rails 41 extend between the third frame 14 and the horizontal frame 35. They are connected at an interval (a little larger than the width in the longitudinal direction of the seedling box 1). 3rd frame 1
4, a drive shaft 36 is rotatably supported, and an elevating mechanism 37 for rotating the drive shaft 36 is provided. Three sprockets 36a are fixed to the drive shaft 36. A driven shaft 38 is rotatably supported by the horizontal frame 35, and three sprockets 38 a are fixed to the driven shaft 38. Three chains 39 extend across the drive shaft 36 and the sprockets 36 a and 38 a of the driven shaft 38. Is wound.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 9, and 10, three flat support portions 4 are provided (the width of the central support portion 4 is approximately twice the width of the right and left support portions 4). The moving member 4a is fixed to the individual support portions 4, and the moving member 4a is provided with four rollers 4b. The moving member 4a is supported by the support rail 41 so as to sandwich the support rail 41 by the four rollers 4b.
The three support portions 4 are supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction along the support rails 41, and the moving members 4 a of the three support portions 4 are arranged so that the three support portions 4 are located at the same position. It is connected to the chain 39. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a flat partition member 4 d is fixed in the central support portion 4, and a flat plate is formed on the right and left lateral sides of the moving member 4 a of the central support portion 4. A guide member 4e is fixed.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, in the right and left support portions 4, a flat fixed guide member 4c is obliquely fixed to the right and left support portions 4, and the moving member 4a and the fixed guide member 4c are fixed. The flat plate-shaped movable guide member 56 is swingably supported around the vertical axis P4 of the support shaft 31. The movable guide member 5 is supported by a spring 57 fitted on the support shaft 31.
6 is urged inward (clockwise in FIG. 12), and the movable guide member 56 is greened as shown in FIGS. 9 and 12 by the base portion of the movable guide member 56 coming into contact with the fixed portion. Dolly 5
It is located in the retreat position which left | separated from the shelf part 5g to the right and left support part 4 side. In this case, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 12, the movable guide member 56 and the fixed guide member 4c partially overlap in plan view (the movable guide member 56 is on the upper side and the fixed guide member 4c is on the lower side). 4c is located on the right and left support part 4 side (left side in FIG. 12) from the movable guide member 56.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a vertically long index member 42 is fixed to the left support rail 41, and a convex portion 42a is formed at the position of the index member 42 corresponding to the shelf portion 5g of the greening carriage 5 as will be described later.
Is provided. A proximity sensor 40 is fixed to the moving member 4 a of the left support part 4.
When the chain 39 is rotationally driven by the lifting mechanism 37, the central support portion 4, the right and left support portions 4 are driven up and down along the support rail 41, and the index member 42 by the proximity sensor 40 is driven. Based on the detection of the convex portion 42 a, the central support portion 4 and the right and left support portions 4 can be stopped at the position of the convex portion 42 a of the index member 42.

[5]
Next, the pusher 16 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 7, 9, and 13, four vertically long push frames 49 are provided, the two push frames 49 are connected by a horizontal frame 50, and the two push frames 49 are integrated. It is composed of things. Two vertically long round bar-like push portions 16 are attached to the horizontal frame 50, and the two push portions 16 are attached to the two push frames 49.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 9, and 13, in the state where the greening carriage 5 is disposed at a predetermined position of the guide rail 33 (a predetermined position adjacent to the center support portion 4 and the right and left support portions 4), The length of the pressing portion 16 is set to a length extending over the range of the lowermost shelf portion 5g and the uppermost shelf portion 5g. The horizontal frames 43 and 44 are connected across the upper and lower portions of the second support column 7,
Four support rails 45 are connected across the horizontal frames 43 and 44. Support rail 45
Two support shafts 46 are provided at the lower part of the two, two first links 47 are supported on the two support shafts 46 so as to be swingable up and down, and four first links 47 are provided. The end of the first link 47 is supported on the upper portion of the push frame 49 so as to be slidable up and down and swingable.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 9, and 13, the second link 48 is supported on the upper portion of the support rail 45 so as to be vertically slidable and swingable, and is provided with four second links 48. 4
8 is pivotably connected around the horizontal axis P1 at the bottom of the push frame 49, and the intermediate portions of the first and second links 47 and 48 are pivotally connected around the horizontal axis P2. Yes. 4 second
A drive frame 52 is connected across the link 48 (four second frames are connected to the drive frame 52).
A reciprocating type air cylinder 53 is connected across the lateral frame 44 and the drive frame 52.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the first and second links 47 and 48 and the push frame 49 are configured in a pantograph shape, and the first and second links 47 and 48, the push frame 49, The pusher 16 is located between the central support 4 and the right support 4, and the central support 4
And the left support part 4. When the drive frame 52 is driven up and down by the air cylinder 53 and the second link 48 is driven up and down along the support rail 45, the retracted position (separated from the center support portion 4 and the right and left support portions 4 ( FIG. 7), and
The pushing portion 16 is the central supporting portion 4, the right and left supporting portions, over the pushing position (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 9) for pushing out the seedling box 1 of the central supporting portion 4 and the right and left supporting portions 4. 4 is driven to move (see FIGS. 8 and 9).

[6]
Next, the overall operation flow of the seedling box processing facility will be described.
In the state shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, four sets of seedling boxes 1 that are stacked are placed on the stacking unit 2, and an empty greening cart 5 is positioned at a predetermined position of the guide rail 33 (the support unit 4 at the center, the right And left support 4
It is the state arrange | positioned in the predetermined position adjacent to. In this state, the holding unit 19 (nursery box separation mechanism 3) is positioned above the four seedling boxes 1 stacked, and the central support unit 4 and the right and left support units 4 are in the upper receiving position. The pusher 16 is located at the retracted position. As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, with the guide mechanism 21 having a predetermined length, the lower end of the conical portion 21 a of the guide mechanism 21 and the opening portion 24 a of the connection portion 24 are matched to each other, and the holding portion 19
Is in a state in which it cannot move laterally from a predetermined position in the lateral direction.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, when the empty green cart 5 is arranged at a predetermined position of the guide rail 33 (a predetermined position adjacent to the central support portion 4 and the right and left support portions 4), FIG. As shown, for example, the operator pushes the empty greening cart 5 (the wheel 5h of the empty greening cart 5 is on the front side,
The caster wheel 5i of the empty green cart 5 is the rear side (worker side), and the wheel 5h of the empty green cart 5
Is placed on the guide rail 33. When the operator further pushes the empty greening cart 5, the locking portion 5 j of the empty greening cart 5 rides on the guide member 68, and the caster wheel 5 i of the empty greening cart 5 is slightly lifted from the guide rail 33. In this case, the locking portion 5j of the empty greening cart 5 does not enter the gap between the engaging portions 67d of the endless rotating body 67, and the bottom portion 5a of the empty greening cart 5
Also, the guide member 68 and the engaging portion 67d of the endless rotating body 67 are not contacted.

As shown in FIG. 16, when the operator further pushes the empty greening cart 5, the locking portion 5j of the empty greening cart 5 is disengaged from the rear part of the guide member 68, and the caster wheel 5i of the empty green cart 5 is moved. It falls on the guide rail 33, and the locking part 5j of the empty greening cart 5 fully enters the gap between the engaging parts 67d of the endless rotating body 67 (or the locking part 5j of the empty greening cart 5 rotates endlessly). Engagement part 67 of body 67
When the endless rotating body 67 starts to rotate in the clockwise direction in FIG. 16 as will be described later, the engaging portion 5j of the empty greening cart 5 is engaged with the engaging portion 67d of the endless rotating body 67. Fully into the gap between).
In this case, the caster wheel 5i of the empty greening cart 5 is on the front side, and the wheel 5h of the empty greening cart 5 is on the front side.
The caster wheels 5i of the empty greening cart 5 may be placed on the guide rail 33 so as to be positioned on the rear side, and the same operation as described above may be performed.

Thereafter, when the carriage transport mechanism 34 is actuated (when the endless rotating body 67 is driven to rotate clockwise in FIG. 16), the empty greening carriage 5 (locking section 5j) is engaged by the engaging portion 67d of the endless rotating body 67.
Is pushed to the right in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, and the empty green cart 5 reaches a predetermined position of the guide rail 33 (a predetermined position adjacent to the central support portion 4 and the right and left support portions 4). The carriage transport mechanism 34 (endless rotating body 67) automatically stops.

In this case, there is a possibility that the caster wheel 5i of the greening cart 5 may swing in the direction intersecting the guide rail 33 (vertical direction in FIG. 14) with the caster wheel 5i of the empty greening cart 5, but endless rotation The friction between the engaging portion 67d of the body 67 and the locking portion 5j of the empty greening cart 5 suppresses the state in which the vicinity of the caster wheel 5i of the empty greening cart 5 swings. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 12, since the movable guide members 56 of the right and left support portions 4 are located at the retracted positions and do not protrude toward the greening cart 5 side, the empty greening cart 5 is set to a predetermined position on the guide rail 33. When moving to a position (predetermined position adjacent to the center support portion 4 and the right and left support portions 4), the greening cart 5 is in contact with the movable guide member 56 of the right and left support portions 4. Absent.

[7]
Following the preceding item [6], as shown in FIG. In the four seedling boxes 1 stacked, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the upper seedling box 1 comes into contact with the guide rod 26 to push up the holding portion 19, and the guide mechanism 21 and the connection mechanism 25 is in a state of contracting from a predetermined length. In this case, the holding member 27 is driven by the drive rod 28a of the drive mechanism 28 to a holding release position that is outwardly separated from one and the other side edges of the upper nursery box 1, and the holding member 27 is driven by the guide rod. The holding member 27 is returned to a predetermined reference posture parallel to one end and the other end of the holding portion 19 by contacting the 26 stoppers 26a.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, when the holding portion 19 is pushed up by the upper seedling box 1 and the guide mechanism 21 contracts from a predetermined length, the conical portion 21 a and the flange portion 21 b of the guide mechanism 21.
Enters the inside of the connecting portion 24 away from the opening portion 24a of the connecting portion 24, and within the range of accommodation between the guide rod 21d of the guide mechanism 21 and the opening portion 24a of the connecting portion 24, the guide mechanism 21 (
The lateral movement of the holding part 19 is allowed with respect to the guide rod 21d). Connection mechanism 25
, The movement of the holding portion 19 in the lateral direction with respect to the connection mechanism 25 (connection rod 25a) is allowed within the range of interchangeability between the connection rod 25a of the connection mechanism 25 and the opening 18a of the upper support portion 18. . Thereby, the holding | maintenance part 19 moves to a horizontal direction or inclines from the predetermined position of a horizontal direction so that the upper seedling box 1 may be followed.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the four holding portions 19 are pushed up by the upper seedling box 1,
When the four detection members 22 are pushed up by the individual holding portions 19 and the upper ends of the four detection members 22 are detected by the proximity sensor 23, the stacking portion 2 stops. Next, the drive rod 28a of the drive mechanism 28 is contracted, and the holding member 27 is pressed against one and the other end of the upper nursery box 1 (the sponge member 27a of the holding member 27 is the upper nursery box 1). The support pins 27b of the holding member 27 enter the lower side of the edge of the upper nursery box 1 and the upper four nursery boxes 1 are held by the holding part 19 (holding of the holding member 27). position).

In this case, even if the upper seedling box 1 is inclined in plan view with respect to the holding unit 19, the drive mechanism 28 is driven as the holding member 27 is driven from the holding release position to the holding position side. The holding member 27 swings around the longitudinal axis P3 of the rod 28a, and the holding member 27 is pressed along one and the other end sides of the upper nursery box 1. Further, the holding member 27 is pressed against the upper nursery box 1 by a reaction force caused by the holding member 27 being pressed against one or the other end of the upper nursery box 1.
Is forcibly moved in the lateral direction, and the holding portion 19 is moved in the lateral direction from a predetermined position in the lateral direction so as to better follow the upper seedling box 1.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, when the stacking unit 2 is driven downward, the holding unit 19 is driven downward together with the upper seedling box 1, and the guide mechanism 21 and the connection mechanism 25 extend to guide When the nut 21c of the mechanism 21 reaches the upper support portion 18, and the stacking portion 2 is further driven downward,
The holding portion 19 is returned to a predetermined position in the lateral direction (see FIG. 4) by the guide action of the conical portion 21a of the guide mechanism 21 and the connection portion 24 with the opening 24a. As a result, the guide mechanism 21 and the connection mechanism 25 reach a predetermined length, and the holding unit 19 cannot move from a predetermined position in the horizontal direction in the horizontal direction.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the stacking unit 2 is further driven downward, and the holding unit 19 separates the upper seedling box 1 from the stacked seedling box 1, and the stacking unit 2 stops. In this case, the operation portion 29a of the separation mechanism 29 is repeatedly projected obliquely downward at a high speed, and the holding portion 1
9 is pushed downward by the operation part 29a of the separation mechanism 29, and the upper seedling box 1 and the stacked seedling box 1 are forcibly pushed. Separated.

As described above, when the four seedling boxes 1 are held in the holding unit 19, as shown in FIG.
The holding part 19 holding the four seedling boxes 1 is driven to move rightward in the drawing of FIG. 1 and stops above the support part 4 at the center of the receiving position and the right and left support parts 4. Next, the center support portion 4, the right and left support portions 4 are driven up, and the center support portion 4 and the right and left support portions 4 contact the four seedling boxes 1 held by the holding portion 19. The four seedling boxes 1 held by the holding unit 19 are pushed up.

As a result, when the detection members 22 are pushed up by the four holding portions 19 and the upper ends of all the detection members 22 are detected by the proximity sensor 23, the central support portion 4 and the right and left support portions 4 are stopped. . The drive rod 28a of the drive mechanism 28 shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 is extended and the holding member 27 is separated from the seedling box 1 (the sponge member 27a of the holding member 27 and the support pin 2).
7b is separated from the seedling box 1), as shown in FIG. 1, the four seedling boxes 1 held by the holding part 19 are moved to the central support part 4, the right and left support parts 4. When the holding member 27 is driven to the holding release position in this way, the holding member 27 comes into contact with the stopper 26 a of the guide rod 26, and the holding member 27 is parallel to one and the other end sides of the holding portion 19. It is returned to a predetermined reference posture (see FIGS. 4, 5, and 6).

[8]
As shown in the previous item [7], when the four seedling boxes 1 are moved to the central support part 4 and the right and left support parts 4, as shown in FIG. 1, the four seedling boxes 1 are supported. The center support portion 4 and the right and left support portions 4 are driven to descend and stop at the position of the bottom shelf portion 5g of the greening cart 5. At the same time, the holding unit 19 is driven to move to the left in FIG. 1 and stops at a position above the four sets of seedling boxes 1 stacked. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the position of the shelf 5 g of the greening cart 5 and the position of the convex portion 42 a of the indicator member 42 coincide, and the convex portion 42 a of the indicator member 42 by the proximity sensor 40. Based on this detection, the central support portion 4, the right and left support portions 4 are stopped at the position of the convex portion 42a of the index member 42, and the central support portion 4, the right and left support portions 4 are greened. The carriage 5 can be stopped at a desired position of the shelf 5g.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the pushing portion 16 is driven to move from the retracted position to the pushing position through the center supporting portion 4 and between the right and left supporting portions 4. Is in contact with the four seedling boxes 1 supported by the center support part 4 and the right and left support parts 4, and the center support part 4,
Four seedling boxes 1 supported by the right and left support portions 4 are moved to the lowest shelf portion 5g of the greening cart 5.

In this case, as shown in FIGS. 9, 11, and 12, as the push portion 16 is moved from the retracted position to the push position through the center support portion 4 and between the right and left support portions 4. The four seedling boxes 1 supported by the center support portion 4 and the right and left support portions 4 are first a guide member 4e of the center support portion 4 and a fixed guide member 4c of the right and left support portions 4. Is guided toward the bottom shelf 5g of the greening cart 5. Next, the four seedling boxes 1 supported by the center support portion 4 and the right and left support portions 4 are brought into contact with the movable guide members 56 of the right and left support portions 4, so that the The guide is directed toward the lower shelf 5g, and accordingly, the movable guide members 56 of the right and left support portions 4 are operated from the retracted position to the guide position (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 12). .

As described above, when the movable guide members 56 of the right and left support portions 4 are operated from the retracted position to the guide position, the movable guide members of the right and left support portions 4 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. 56
The green cart 5 enters the position between the bottom shelf 5g and the second shelf 5g from the bottom, and is pressed by the columns 5c and 5d of the green cart 5 and the bottom shelf 5g. In this case, even if the entire greening carriage 5 is displaced in the lateral direction (up and down direction in FIG. 9), the movable guide members 56 of the right and left support portions 4 are pressed by the columns 5c and 5d of the greening carriage 5. By this, the position of the greening carriage 5 at a predetermined position of the guide rail 33 (a predetermined position adjacent to the central support portion 4 and the right and left support portions 4) is
The correction is forcibly corrected in the horizontal direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 9).

As described above, when the movable guide members 56 of the right and left support portions 4 are operated from the retracted position to the guide position, the movable guide members 56 of the right and left support portions 4 are moved to the right and left support portions 4. And the position of the greening carriage 5 at a predetermined position of the guide rail 33 (predetermined positions adjacent to the central support portion 4 and the right and left support portions 4). However, the four nursery boxes 1 supported by the center support portion 4 and the right and left support portions 4 of the greening cart 5 are forcedly corrected in the lateral direction (vertical direction in FIG. 9). It is surely moved to the lowest shelf 5g. In this case, four seedling boxes 1 supported by the central support portion 4 and the right and left support portions 4 are greening carts 5.
1, even if the entire greening cart 5 tends to tilt to the right of the paper surface of FIG. 1, the greening cart 5 is tilted by the support frame 74 shown in FIGS. 1 and 14. It can be suppressed.

[9]
As described in the preceding item [8], when the four seedling boxes 1 supported by the central support portion 4 and the right and left support portions 4 are moved to the lowest shelf portion 5g of the greening cart 5, As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG.
The movable guide members 56 of the right and left support portions 4 are operated from the guide position to the retracted position by the spring 57, and the center support portion 4 and the right and left support portions 4 are driven up as shown in FIG. It stops at the receiving position, and at the same time, the pushing portion 16 is moved from the pushing position to the retracting position through the support portion 4.

As described above, the four seedling boxes 1 supported by the center support portion 4 and the right and left support portions 4 are moved to the bottom shelf portion 5g of the greening cart 5, and at the same time, the above item [7]. The described operations have been performed,
The four seedling boxes 1 at the top of the four stacked seedling boxes 1 are held by the holding unit 19, and the holding unit 19 holding the four seedling boxes 1 is located on the right side of the page in FIG. It is driven to move and stops above the support part 4 at the center of the receiving position and the right and left support parts 4.

Next, the operation described in the preceding item [7] is performed, and the four seedling boxes 1 held by the holding unit 19 are moved to the central support unit 4 and the right and left support units 4 to obtain four pieces. The central support portion 4 that supports the seedling box 1 and the right and left support portions 4 are driven downward and stopped at the position of the second shelf portion 5g from the bottom of the greening cart 5. Next, as described in the preceding item [8], the pushing portion 16 is moved from the retracted position to the central supporting portion 4.
Four seedling boxes 1 supported by the center support portion 4 and the right and left support portions 4 are driven from below the greening cart 5 by being driven to move to the pushing position through the right and left support portions 4. It is moved to the second shelf 5g.

Thereby, the above operation is repeated and the four seedling boxes 1 are moved in order from the lowest shelf 5g of the greening cart 5 to the upper shelf 5g. When the four seedling boxes 1 supported by the center support part 4 and the right and left support parts 4 are moved to the uppermost shelf 5g of the greening cart 5, the movable guides of the right and left support parts 4 are movable. The member 56 enters the guide position between the uppermost shelf 5g of the greening cart 5 and the upper frame 5e. After the nursery box 1 has been transferred to all the shelves 5g of the greening cart 5,
When the carriage transport mechanism 34 is actuated (when the endless rotating body 67 is rotationally driven in the clockwise direction in FIG. 15), the greening cart 5 (locking section 5j) is moved by the engaging portion 67d of the endless rotating body 67 as shown in FIGS. 15 is pushed to the right of the page, and the greening cart 5 is moved from a predetermined position of the guide rail 33 (a predetermined position adjacent to the center support portion 4 and the right and left support portions 4) to the right side of FIG. 14 and FIG. Is moved to a non-predetermined position.

[First Alternative Embodiment of the Invention]
In the above-mentioned [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention], the arrangement of the guide mechanism 21 and the connection mechanism 25 in plan view in one holding portion 19 is shown in FIGS. 19 (a), (b), and (c). You may comprise as follows.
In FIG. 19 (a), two guide mechanisms 21 are arranged close to one long side of the holding portion 19, and two connection mechanisms 25 are arranged close to the other long side of the holding portion 19. is doing. In FIG. 19B, two guide mechanisms 21 are arranged close to one short side of the holding portion 19 to hold the holding portion 1.
The two connection mechanisms 25 are arranged close to the other short side of 9.
FIG. 19 (c) shows the holding unit 1 in FIG. 5 of the above-mentioned [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention].
9, the position of the center detection member 22 is slightly changed to one side, and the guide mechanism 2 is also provided at the center of the holding portion 19.
1 is arranged.

[Second Embodiment of the Invention]
In the above-mentioned [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention] [First Alternative Embodiment], one holding member 27 is fixed to the holding portion 19 (in this case, swingable around the vertical axis P3). Or the other holding member 27 may be driven over the holding release position and the holding position. You may comprise so that the position of the stacking part 2 may be fixed and the seedling box separation mechanism 3 may be driven up and down. The present invention can also be applied to a seedling box processing facility for stacked empty seedling boxes 1.

Overall side view of nursery box treatment facility Side view of stacking area, Minitrocco trolley Front view near the stack Longitudinal front view of holding part Top view of holding part Side view of holding part Side view of the vicinity of the central support, right and left support, and push (retracted position) Side view of the vicinity of the center support part, right and left support parts, and push part (in a state where the drive is started to move from the retreat position to the push position) Plan view of the vicinity of the center support, right and left support, and push (retracted position) Front view near the center support, right and left support, and push (retracted position) Side view of the vicinity of the fixed guide member and movable guide member of the right and left support parts Plan view of the vicinity of the fixed guide member and the movable guide member of the right and left support parts Front view near the push section Plan view of the vicinity of the guide rail and the carriage transport mechanism Side view of greening cart, guide rail and cart transport mechanism Longitudinal side view of the conveyance start end of the carriage conveyance mechanism (endless rotating body) and the vicinity of the locking part of the greening carriage Plan view of the vicinity of the start end of the guide rail and the transfer start end of the carriage transfer mechanism (endless rotating body) Longitudinal front view of the transportation start end of the carriage transport mechanism (endless rotating body) and the vicinity of the guide member The top view of the holding | maintenance part in 1st another form of implementation of invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Nursery box 2 Stacking part 18 Upper support part 19 Holding part 21 Guide mechanism 25 Connection mechanism 27 Holding member 28 Drive mechanism 30 Lifting mechanism

Claims (6)

A stacking unit that supports the stacked seedling boxes, an upper support unit that is located above the stacked seedling boxes, and a lifting mechanism that drives the stacking unit or the upper support unit to move up and down.
A holding part that can hold and release the upper seedling box of the stacked seedling boxes is provided, and a guide mechanism is connected across the holding part and the upper support part,
The guide mechanism is configured to be retractable from a predetermined length and not extendable from the predetermined length, permitting movement of the holding portion in a lateral direction while being contracted from the predetermined length, and the predetermined length In a state where the holding portion is reached, the holding portion is configured to return to a predetermined position in the lateral direction,
By bringing the stacking part and the upper support part closer by the lifting mechanism, the holding part is in a state along the upper nursery box, the holding part holds the upper nursery box, and the upper raising seedling box is held by the holding part. A seedling box separation device configured to separate the upper seedling box from the stacked seedling box by the holding part by separating the stacking part and the upper support part by the lifting mechanism while holding . The holding part is provided with a holding member, is held in contact with the edge part of the upper nursery box of the stacked seedling boxes, and is separated outward from the edge part of the upper nursery box. The holding member is configured to be movable over the holding release position, and
The seedling box separation device according to claim 1, wherein the holding unit includes a drive mechanism that drives the holding member across a holding position and a holding release position. A connection mechanism configured separately from the guide mechanism is connected across the holding portion and the upper support portion, and the connection mechanism can be contracted from a predetermined length and cannot be extended from the predetermined length. And the seedling box separation device according to claim 1 or 2 constituted so that movement in a transverse direction of a holding part is permitted.
The seedling box separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a plurality of the guide mechanisms are provided. The seedling box separation apparatus according to claim 3, comprising a plurality of the guide mechanisms, the connection mechanisms being provided, and the connection mechanisms being disposed at positions deviating from line segments connecting the positions of the plurality of guide mechanisms. The seedling box separation device according to claim 5, wherein the holding part is configured in a rectangular shape in plan view, and a guide mechanism and a connection mechanism are arranged at four corners of the holding part.

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