JP4911841B2

JP4911841B2 - Crop peeling machine

Info

Publication number: JP4911841B2
Application number: JP2001242159A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 久典宮田; 行満小西; 勉竹国; 篤荒川
Original assignee: Shibuya Seiki Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shibuya Seiki Co Ltd
Priority date: 2001-08-09
Filing date: 2001-08-09
Publication date: 2012-04-04
Anticipated expiration: 2021-08-09
Also published as: JP2003052345A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、例えばネギやゴボウ、アスパラガス、胡瓜、茄子、人参、長芋等の農作物外面を包んでいる不必要又は食用に供し得ない表皮（下葉）を分離（剥離）する作業に用いられる農作物皮剥ぎ装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、上述例のネギの表皮を分離する装置としては、例えばノズルから吐出されるエアーを、略垂直姿勢又は略斜め姿勢に保持されたネギの茎部外面に吹付けて不要な表皮を分離する装置（特開平１０−５７０３２号公報、特開２００１−１６３号公報、特開２０００−３１２８６１号公報）がある。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、上述の装置は、ネギの葉部側を、例えばベルトやプレート、チャック等の保持手段により保持した状態で表皮を分離するので、ノズルから吐出されるエアーが吹付けられたとき、そのエアーの圧力により、ネギの茎部側が前後左右に揺れ動きやすく、茎部外面に対して吹付けられるエアーの角度や間隔が不安定である。且つ、エアーの吹付け力が変動するため、複数枚の表皮が一挙に分離されたり、薄い表皮のみが分離されることがあり、所定の枚数及び厚さの表皮を分離することが難しく、不要な表皮のみを綺麗に分離することが難しいという問題点を有している。
【０００４】
この発明は上記問題に鑑み、流体が吹付けられる農作物の特定部分を、流体吹付け手段から吐出される流体が略均等に吹付けられる状態に支持するので、農作物の表皮を略均等且つ綺麗に分離することができる農作物皮剥ぎ装置の提供を目的とする。
【０００５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
この発明は、農作物を所定高さに持上げて略水平となる姿勢に保持する農作物保持手段と、上記農作物保持手段により保持された農作物外面に対して流体を吹付け、該農作物の表皮を長さ方向に対して分離する流体吹付け手段と、上記流体が吹付けられる農作物の特定部分を、上記流体吹付け手段から吐出される流体が略均等に吹付けられる状態に支持する農作物支持手段と、上記流体吹付け手段及び農作物支持手段を、上記流体が吹付けられる方向に対して相対移動する相対移動手段とを備え、上記農作物保持手段を、上記農作物の始端側を保持すると共に、該始端側を中心として農作物全長を水平回動可能に保持する農作物保持体で構成した農作物皮剥ぎ装置であることを特徴とする。
【０００６】
上述の農作物は、例えばネギやゴボウ、アスパラガス、胡瓜、茄子、人参、長芋等で構成することができる。流体は、例えばエアーやガス等の気体、水道水や蒸留水、溶剤等の液体で構成することができる。農作物保持手段は、例えば保持台や受けパッド（農作物保持体）、受け部等で構成することができる。流体吹付け手段は、例えば吐出ノズルや吐出ホース、吐出孔を有する部材等で構成することができる。農作物支持手段は、例えば支持アームや支持チャック、支持爪等で構成することができる。相対移動手段は、例えば牽引チェーン及び可動枠を備えたモータ機構やエアーシリンダー、ソレノイド等で構成することができる。
【０００７】
つまり、農作物を、農作物保持手段により所定高さに持上げて略水平となる姿勢に保持し、農作物の特定部分を、農作物支持手段により流体吹付け手段から吐出される流体が略均等に吹付けられる状態（センタリング状態）に支持（又は矯正）する。流体吹付け手段及び農作物支持手段を相対移動手段により流体が吹付けられる方向に相対移動させながら、流体吹付け手段から吐出される流体（例えばエアー）を農作物外面に吹付けて、不要な表皮を長さ方向に分離する。
【０００８】
実施の形態として、農作物保持体を、農作物の始端側を基準として、農作物全長が始端側から終端側に向けて低くなる姿勢に変位可能に構成することができる。また、流体吹付け手段を、農作物支持手段により支持された農作物外面に対してエアーを略水平に吐出する吐出ノズルと、農作物外面に対してエアーを略斜め下向きに吐出する吐出ノズルとで構成することができる。また、農作物支持手段を、表皮が分離された農作物の外面部分と、農作物外面から分離された表皮の根元部分とに近接して設けることができる。
【０００９】
【作用及び効果】
この発明よれば、流体が吹付けられる農作物の特定部分を農作物支持手段により支持して、流体吹付け手段から吐出される流体が略均等に吹付けられる状態に案内するので、流体の吹付け角度や吹付け間隔が常時一定し、農作物外面の表皮を、所望する枚数又は厚さだけ分離することができる。且つ、エアーの吹付け力や吹付け量が安定しているため、農作物外面の表皮を略均等且つ綺麗に分離することができ、不必要又は食用に供し得ない表皮のみを分離する作業が確実且つスムースに行える。
【００１０】
しかも、流体が吹付けられる農作物の特定部分を、流体が略均等に吹付けられる状態に修正又は矯正するので、様々な曲がりや変形を有する農作物の表皮も確実に分離することができ、特異形状を有する農作物の表皮を分離する作業に最適である。さらに、農作物の曲がり具合を農作物支持手段により略真っ直ぐに矯正するとき、その曲がり具合に応じて又は追従するように、農作物保持体が水平方向に首振り回動するので、農作物に与える負荷が軽減され、農作物の表皮を分離する作業が抵抗なくスムースに行える。
【００１１】
【実施例】
この発明の一実施例を以下図面に基づいて詳述する。
図面は農作物の一例であるネギの表皮を分離する作業に用いられる農作物皮剥ぎ装置を示し、図１及び図２に於いて、この農作物皮剥ぎ装置１は、ネギＡを切り揃える工程の前段又は後段に配設され、長尺のネギＡ（例えば白ネギ）を搬送コンベア２の載置台３…に１本ずつ載置して、搬送路上に設定した供給区間ａと、分離区間ｂと、排出区間ｃとに搬送する。
【００１２】
上述の搬送コンベア２は、平面から見て略矩形に形成した載置台３（例えばバケット、トレイ等）を、搬送路両側部に張架した周回チェーン４の間に架設すると共に、周回チェーン４全長に対して所定間隔に隔てて架設している。且つ、周回チェーン４を、減速機付きモータ（図示省略）の駆動力により搬送方向に回転して、載置台３を、搬送方向に対して３台ずつ間欠的（又は連続的）に周回移動する。実施例では、載置台３を３台一組として複数組架設しているが、等間隔に隔てて多数架設してもよい。
【００１３】
且つ、載置台３は、長尺のネギＡが搬送方向に対して略直交する水平姿勢に載置される大きさで、側面から見て略Ｕ字状（又は略Ｖ字状）となる形状に形成すると共に、ネギＡの軟白部Ａｄを受け止める略Ｕ字状（又は略円弧状）の受け部３ａを、その部分と対向する載置台３の中央底面に固定し、後述する保持ユニット１１の保持台１２が上下方向に対して出没許容される開口部３ｂを、ネギＡの葉部Ａａと対向する載置台３底面に開口している。また、載置台３の大きさや形状、架設間隔を、農作物の種類や大きさに応じて変更することもできる。
【００１４】
前述の分離区間ｂ下部に配設した持上げ機１０は、図３、図４にも示すように、ネギＡの葉部Ａａを所定高さに持上げた状態に保持する保持ユニット１１を、分離区間ｂに停止される載置台３の開口部３ｂ（又はネギＡの葉部Ａａ）と対向する間隔に隔てて搬送路右側部に３組配設し、ネギＡの茎部Ａｂを所定高さに持上げた状態に支持する支持ユニット２０を、載置台３左側端部と対向して搬送路左側部に配設している。
【００１５】
上述の保持ユニット１１は、ネギＡの葉部Ａａを保持する一対の保持台１２，１３を、載置台３（又はネギＡの葉部Ａａ）と対向する間隔に隔てて３組配設している。保持台１２は、載置台３の開口部３ｂに対して出没許容される大きさ及び形状に形成し、下面側中央部に垂設した支軸１２ａを、搬送路右側下部の昇降台１２ｂに立設した軸受１２ｃに挿入して水平方向に対して首振り可能に設け、下面側両端部に張架したコイルスプリング１２ｄの復元力により正面向きとなる状態に回動付勢している。また、上下方向に対して首振り可能に軸支してもよい。
【００１６】
且つ、ネギＡの葉部Ａａを保持するのに必要な柔軟性と接触抵抗とを有し、葉部Ａａから根部Ａｃに向けて低くなる角度に傾斜した受けパッド１２ｅと、ネギＡの軟白部Ａｄを中央部載置面に保持する略Ｕ字状（又は略円弧状）の受け部１２ｆとを、保持台１２上面に固定している。
【００１７】
且つ、昇降台１２ｂ下面に連結した昇降シリンダー１２ｇは、昇降台１２ｂ上に配設した３台の保持台１２を、載置台３の開口部３ｂ上方に突出され、後述する支持アーム３６により保持される高さにネギＡの葉部Ａａを持上げる上昇位置と、載置台３の開口部３ｂ下方に降下（又は引抜かれ）され、載置台３の周回移動を許容する降下位置とに上下動する。
【００１８】
一方、保持台１３は、上面側中央部に立設した支軸１３ａを、搬送路右側上部の支持台１３ｂ下面に垂設に立設した軸受１３ｃに挿入して水平方向に対して首振り可能に設け、上面側両端部に張架したコイルスプリング１３ｄの復元力により正面向きとなる状態に回動付勢している。且つ、ネギＡの葉部Ａａを保持するのに必要な柔軟性と接触抵抗とを有する受けパッド１３ｅを、保持台１３下面に固定している。
【００１９】
前述の支持ユニット２０は、ネギＡの茎部Ａｂを支持する側面から見て略Ｙ字状の支持枠２１（図５参照）を、載置台３…の左側端部に突出されるネギＡの茎部Ａｂ下面と対向する間隔に隔てて昇降台２２上に３本立設し、昇降台２２下面に連結した昇降シリンダー２３は、支持枠２１を、上述のネギＡの茎部Ａｂが載置台３上方に持上げられ、上述の保持ユニット１１により保持された葉部Ａａよりも低位となる高さに持上げられる上昇位置と、ネギＡの搬送及び載置台３の周回移動が許容される降下位置とに上下動する。
【００２０】
且つ、受けパッド１２ｅ，１３ｅは、例えばスポンジゴムやウレタンゴム等のクッション材で形成され、後述するネギＡの表皮Ａｅを分離するとき、ネギＡの位置が変位したり、抜け落ちるのを防止する。また、クッション材を、載置台３と支持枠２１との載置面にも装着してもよい。
【００２１】
一方、後述する表皮分離機３０により分離された表皮Ａｅを投入する箱状の表皮投入部２４を、上述の支持ユニット２０よりも左側で、載置台３左側端部に突出されるネギＡの茎部Ａｂ及び根部Ａｃ下面と対向して搬送路左側下部に配設し、表皮投入部２４下面に連結した昇降シリンダー２５は、表皮投入部２４を、表皮分離機３０により分離された表皮Ａｅが投入される上昇位置と、ネギＡの搬送及び載置台３の周回移動が許容される降下位置とに上下動する。
【００２２】
前述の分離区間ｂ上部に配設した表皮分離機３０は、図５、図６、図７にも示すように、ネギＡの不要な表皮Ａｅを分離する皮剥ぎユニット３１を、搬送路右側上部に架設した可動枠３２下面に取付けると共に、分離区間ｂに停止される載置台３（又はネギＡ）と対向する間隔に隔てて３台配設している。
【００２３】
且つ、可動枠３２の上端側を、搬送路と略直交して分離区間ｂ上部に架設したガイドレール３３間に係合し、そのガイドレール３３に沿ってスプロケット３４ａ間に張架した牽引チェーン３４に連結している。牽引チェーン３４を、減速機付きモータ（図示省略）の駆動力により正逆回転させて、皮剥ぎユニット３１を、前述の持上げ機１０により持上げられたネギＡの茎部Ａｂ（ネギＡの軟白部Ａｄ側に近い部分）を保持する保持位置と、ネギＡの根部Ａｃから抜き取られる搬送路左側部の分離位置とに往復移動する。また、モータの代わりに、例えばエアーシリンダーやクランク機構等で皮剥ぎユニット３１を往復移動することもできる。
【００２４】
上述の皮剥ぎユニット３１は、ネギＡの茎部Ａｂを略水平に支持する一対の支持アーム３６と、その支持された茎部Ａｂ外面に向けてエアーＧを吐出するエアー吐出部３７とを、可動枠３２下端に架設した支持枠３８に取付けると共に、載置台３…に載置されたネギＡと略対向する間隔に隔てて３組配設している。
【００２５】
上述の支持アーム３６は、ネギＡの茎部Ａｂを、吐出ノズル３７ａ，３７ｂから吐出されるエアーＧが略均等に吹付けられる状態に矯正するのに必要な強度を有する線条体（例えばピアノ線）で、様々な径を有する大小の茎部Ａｂが略真っ直ぐに支持される形状（略横Ｖ字状）に形成している。且つ、支持アーム３６の基端部を、ネギＡ全長と略平行して支持枠３８上面に軸受した支軸３９前端部に固定し、支軸３９中間部に連結した連結杆４０を連結板４１に連結している。
【００２６】
且つ、可動枠３２に取付けた昇降シリンダー４２は、連結板４１と後述するカバー４３とに連結され、連結板４１を上下動して、連結杆４０を介して支軸３９を正逆回動させ、一対の支持アーム３６を、前述の持上げ機１０により持上げられたネギＡの茎部Ａｂを支持する閉角度と、その支持が解除される開角度とに回動する。また、略Ｕ字形状や略半円形状等の支持アーム３６、棒状や板状の支持アーム３６を用いてもよい。
【００２７】
且つ、前述の保持ユニット１１と支持ユニット２０とで支持された茎部Ａｂ両側面と上面側とをカバー４３で囲繞して、吐出ノズル３７ａ，３７ｂから吐出されるエアーＧにより分離される表皮Ａｅが周囲に拡散するのを防止する。
【００２８】
前述のエアー吐出部３７は、一対の支持アーム３６により支持されるネギＡの茎部Ａｂ両側面と対向して支持枠３８下面に取付けられ、エアー吐出部３７の吐出側に設けた下側の吐出ノズル３７ａを、茎部Ａｂ側面に対してエアーＧが略水平に吐出される角度に設定し、上側の吐出ノズル３７ｂを、茎部Ａｂ側面に対してエアーＧが斜め下向きに吐出される角度に設定して、茎部Ａｂ外面と表皮Ａｅ裏面（又は表皮Ａｅ裏面）との剥離部分に向けて吐出する。また、吐出ノズル３７ａ，３７ｂを、茎部Ａｂ上下面と対向して設けてもよい。
【００２９】
且つ、吐出ノズル３７ａ，３７ｂは、例えば送気用ブロワーやコンプレッサー等のエアー供給源（図示省略）に接続され、吐出ノズル３７ａ，３７ｂから吐出されるエアーＧの吐出圧を、上述のエアー供給源に接続した吐出圧制御手段（図示省略）により弱めたり、強くする等して、所定枚数又は所定厚さの表皮Ａｅを分離するのに適したエアー吐出圧に可変調節する。また、吐出ノズル３７ａ，３７ｂの取付け数や吐出角度を変更してもよい。
【００３０】
且つ、エアーＧの吹付けをガイドするガイド板３７ｃをエアー吐出部３７の吐出側に取付け、そのガイド板３７ｃに形成した孔部３７ｄを介して、吐出ノズル３７ａ，３７ｂから吐出されるエアーＧをネギＡの茎部Ａｂに対して吹付ける。
【００３１】
なお、実施例では、エアーＧ（大気）によりネギＡの表皮Ａｅを分離するが、例えば不活性ガスやブタンガス等の気体を用いてもよい。また、気体の代わりに、例えば水道水や水溶液、溶剤等の液体を用いることもできる。
【００３２】
図示実施例は上記の如く構成するものにして、以下、農作物皮剥ぎ装置１によりネギＡの表皮Ａｅを分離するときの動作を説明する。
先ず、図１、図２に示すように、異なる茎径を有する大小様々なネギＡを、供給区間ａに待機する作業者の手で保持して搬送コンベア２の載置台３…に１本ずつ載置し、ネギＡの葉部Ａａ側を載置台３右側に突出し、根部Ａｃ側を載置台３左側に突出し、軟白部Ａｄを受け部３ａで受止めた状態に載置する。また、ネギＡを、例えば吸着子やアーム等の機械的手段により保持して移載又は供給してもよい。
【００３３】
次に、ネギＡが載置された３台の載置台３を分離位置ｂに停止したとき、図３、図４、図５に示すように、持上げ機１０を駆動して、載置台３の開口部３ｂを介して、保持ユニット１１の保持台１２によりネギＡの葉部Ａａ側を載置台３上方に持上げ、その葉部Ａａ側を保持台１２，１３により保持すると共に、皮剥ぎユニット３１のエアー吐出部３７間に挿入された高さに保持する。
【００３４】
同時に、支持ユニット２０の支持枠２１によりネギＡの茎部Ａｂ側を載置台３上方に持上げ、保持台１２，１３により保持された葉部Ａａ側よりも低位（又は略同等）となる高さに持上げた後、表皮分離機３０を駆動して、エアー吐出部３７の吐出ノズル３７ａ，３７ｂから吐出されるエアーＧをネギＡの茎部Ａｂに吹付け、不要な表皮Ａｅを引き剥がす。且つ、吐出ノズル３７ｂから吐出されるエアーＧを、茎部Ａｂ外面に対して斜め下方に向けて吹付け、ネギＡの茎部Ａｂを、支持アーム３６，３６の交差部分に対して積極的に押付け、吐出ノズル３７ａ，３７ｂから吐出されるエアーＧが茎部Ａｂ外面に対して略均等に吹付けられる状態にセンタリングしながら分離する。
【００３５】
次に、ネギＡの表皮Ａｅを、支持アーム３６，３６の支持位置よりも根部Ａｃ側に引き剥した後、図６、図７に示すように、ネギＡの茎部Ａｂを、皮剥ぎユニット３１の支持アーム３６，３６により支持する。この後、支持枠２１を降下して、ネギＡの茎部Ａｂを自重により垂れ下げ、支持アーム３６，３６の交差部分に載置された茎部Ａｂ下面を基準としてセンタリングする。
【００３６】
続いて、皮剥ぎユニット３１を葉部Ａａ側から根部Ａｃ側に向けて、茎部Ａｂに沿って水平移動させながら、吐出ノズル３７ａ，３７ｂから吐出されるエアーＧをネギＡの茎部Ａｂ外面に対して連続して吹付け、不要な表皮Ａｅを引き剥がし分離する。
【００３７】
例えば略へ字状や略く字状等の特異形状にネギＡの茎部Ａｂが変形している場合、その茎部Ａｂの曲がり部分を支持アーム３６，３６により矯正しながら、吐出ノズル３７ａ，３７ｂから吐出されるエアーＧを茎部Ａｂ外面に対して略均等に吹付け、不要な表皮Ａｅを引き剥がし分離する。この時、茎部Ａｂの曲がり具合に応じて又は追従して、保持台１２，１３を水平方向に首振り回動させ、表皮Ａｅの分離作業をスムースに行わせる。一方、分離される表皮Ａｅを表皮投入部２４に投入して、定期的に回収又は廃棄する。
【００３８】
分離後、保持ユニット１１の保持台１２，１３による保持を解除し、保持台１２を降下させて、表皮Ａｅが分離されたネギＡを、搬送コンベア２の載置台３に再度載置して、次工程（例えば選別工程）に搬送する。以下同様に、皮剥ぎユニット３１を初期位置に復帰させて、ネギＡの皮剥ぎ作業を継続して行う。また、表皮Ａｅを分離する前又は分離した後、葉部Ａａと根部Ａｃとを所定寸法に切揃えてもよい。
【００３９】
以上のように、持上げ機１０により所定高さに持上げられたネギＡの茎部Ａｂを、表皮分離機３０の支持アーム３６，３６により支持して、吐出ノズル３７ａ，３７ｂから吐出されるエアーＧが略均等に吹付けられる状態に案内するので、エアーＧの吹付け角度や吹付け間隔が常時一定し、ネギＡ外面の表皮Ａｅを、所望する枚数又は厚さだけ分離することができる。且つ、エアーＧの吹付け力や吹付け量が安定しているため、ネギＡ外面の表皮Ａｅを略均等且つ綺麗に分離することができ、不必要又は食用に供し得ない表皮Ａｅのみを分離する作業が確実且つスムースに行える。
【００４０】
しかも、エアーＧが吹付けられる茎部Ａｂを略真っ直ぐな状態に修正又は矯正しながら、吐出ノズル３７ａ，３７ｂから吐出されるエアーＧを茎部Ａｂ外面に対して略均等に吹付けるので、様々な曲がりを有する茎部Ａｂ全長の表皮Ａｅも確実に分離することができ、特異形状を有するネギＡの表皮Ａｅを分離する作業に最適である。
【００４１】
さらに、ネギＡの曲がり具合を支持アーム３６，３６により略真っ直ぐに矯正するとき、その曲がり具合に応じて又は追従するように、保持ユニット１１を構成する保持台１２，１３が略水平方向に首振り回動し、その保持台１２，１３に取付けた受けパッド１２ｅ，１３ｅが変形するので、ネギＡに与える負荷が軽減され、ネギＡの表皮Ａｅを分離する作業が抵抗なくスムースに行える。
【００４２】
さらにまた、支持アーム３６，３６を、分離される表皮Ａｅの後を追うようにしてネギＡ外面に沿って移動させ、ネギＡ外面から分離される表皮Ａｅを終端部に向けて案内するので、表皮Ａｅの分離枚数が多かったり、表皮Ａｅの肉厚が厚くても、支持アーム３６，３６により強制的に分離又は除去することができる。
【００４３】
図８は、ネギＡの茎部Ａｂ全長を覆っている表皮Ａｅを略半分ずつ皮剥ぎ分離する分離農作物皮剥ぎ装置１の他の実施形態を示し、茎部Ａｂ全長の略半分を覆っている表皮Ａｅを、前側分離区間ｂに配設した持上げ機１０と表皮分離機３０とで分離した後、その茎部Ａｂ全長の残り略半分を覆っている表皮Ａｅを、後側分離区間ｂに配設した持上げ機１０と表皮分離機３０とで分離するので、載置台３の停止時間が短く、多数本のネギＡを連続して皮剥ぎ分離することができ、皮剥ぎ作業の能率アップが図れる。
【００４４】
この発明の構成と、上述の実施例との対応において、
この発明の農作物は、実施例のネギＡやゴボウ、アスパラガス、胡瓜、茄子、人参、長芋等に対応し、
以下同様に、
流体は、エアーＧ（大気）やガス等の気体、水道水や蒸留水、溶剤等の液体に対応し、
農作物保持手段は、持上げ機１０及び保持台１２，１３（農作物保持体）に対応し、
流体吹付け手段は、エアー吐出部３７及び吐出ノズル３７ａ，３７ｂに対応し、
農作物支持手段は、支持アーム３６に対応し、
相対移動手段は、可動枠３２及びガイドレール３３、牽引チェーン３４に対応するも、
この発明は、上述の実施例の構成のみに限定されるものではない。
【００４５】
実施例の農作物皮剥ぎ装置１は、例えばゴボウやアスパラガス、胡瓜、茄子、人参、長芋等の農作物の表皮を剥ぎ取る作業にも適用することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】農作物皮剥ぎ装置による分離動作を示す側面図。
【図２】農作物皮剥ぎ装置による分離動作を示す平面図。
【図３】持上げ機の持上げ動作と表皮分離機の分離動作を示す側面図。
【図４】持上げ機の持上げ動作を示す正面図。
【図５】表皮分離機の支持動作及び分離動作を示す正面図。
【図６】表皮分離機による分離動作を示す平面図。
【図７】皮剥ぎユニットによる表皮の分離動作を示す正面図。
【図８】農作物皮剥ぎ装置の他の例を示す側面図。
【符号の説明】
Ａ…ネギ
Ａｂ…茎部
Ａｅ…表皮
Ｇ…エアー
１…農作物皮剥ぎ装置
２…搬送コンベア
３…載置台
１０…持上げ機
１１…保持ユニット
１２，１３…保持台（農作物保持体）
２０…支持ユニット
２１…支持枠
３１…皮剥ぎユニット
３０…表皮分離機
３６…支持アーム
３７…エアー吐出部
３７ａ，３７ｂ…吐出ノズル[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is used for, for example, an operation of separating (peeling) an unnecessary or edible epidermis (lower leaf) wrapping the outer surface of a crop such as leek, burdock, asparagus, pepper, eggplant, carrot, ginger, etc. The present invention relates to a crop peeling apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as an apparatus for separating the onion epidermis in the above-described example, for example, air discharged from a nozzle is blown onto the outer surface of the stalk portion of the leek held in a substantially vertical posture or a substantially oblique posture to separate the unnecessary epidermis. There are apparatuses (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 10-57032, 2001-163, 2000-312861).
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the above-mentioned device separates the epidermis in a state where the leaf part side of the leek is held by holding means such as a belt, a plate, or a chuck, when the air discharged from the nozzle is blown, With this pressure, the stalk side of the leeks easily swings back and forth and right and left, and the angle and interval of air blown against the outer surface of the stalk are unstable. In addition, because the air blowing force fluctuates, multiple skins may be separated at once, or only thin skins may be separated, making it difficult and unnecessary to separate skins of a predetermined number and thickness The problem is that it is difficult to cleanly separate only the epidermis.
[0004]
In view of the above problems, the present invention supports the specific portion of the crop to which the fluid is sprayed in a state in which the fluid discharged from the fluid spraying means is sprayed substantially evenly, so that the skin of the crop is substantially even and clean. An object of the present invention is to provide a crop skinning device that can be separated.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, a crop holding means for lifting a crop to a predetermined height and holding it in a substantially horizontal posture, and spraying fluid on the outer surface of the crop held by the crop holding means, the length of the skin of the crop Fluid spraying means that separates the direction, and crop support means for supporting a specific portion of the crop to which the fluid is sprayed in a state in which the fluid discharged from the fluid spraying means is sprayed substantially evenly; The fluid spraying means and the crop support means are provided with relative moving means for moving relative to the direction in which the fluid is sprayed , and the crop holding means holds the start end side of the crop, and the start end side It is characterized by being a crop skinning device composed of a crop holder that holds the entire length of the crop so as to be horizontally rotatable .
[0006]
The above-mentioned crops can be composed of, for example, leek, burdock, asparagus, pepper, coconut, carrot, ginger, and the like. The fluid can be composed of, for example, a gas such as air or gas, or a liquid such as tap water, distilled water, or a solvent. The crop holding means can be constituted by, for example, a holding stand, a receiving pad (a crop holding body), a receiving portion or the like. The fluid spraying means can be composed of, for example, a discharge nozzle, a discharge hose, a member having a discharge hole, or the like. The crop support means can be composed of, for example, a support arm, a support chuck, a support claw, and the like. The relative movement means can be constituted by, for example, a motor mechanism, an air cylinder, a solenoid or the like provided with a traction chain and a movable frame.
[0007]
That is, the crop is lifted to a predetermined height by the crop holding means and held in a substantially horizontal posture, and the fluid discharged from the fluid spraying means by the crop support means is sprayed substantially evenly on a specific portion of the crop. Support (or correct) the state (centering state). While the fluid spraying means and the crop support means are relatively moved in the direction in which the fluid is sprayed by the relative moving means, the fluid (for example, air) discharged from the fluid spraying means is sprayed on the outer surface of the crop to remove unnecessary skin. Separate in the length direction.
[0008]
As an embodiment , the crop holder can be configured to be displaceable in a posture in which the total length of the crop is lowered from the start end side toward the end side with reference to the start end side of the crop. Further, the fluid spraying means includes a discharge nozzle that discharges air substantially horizontally to the outer surface of the crop supported by the crop support means, and a discharge nozzle that discharges air substantially obliquely downward to the outer surface of the crop. be able to. Further, the crop support means can be provided close to the outer surface portion of the crop from which the skin is separated and the root portion of the skin separated from the outer surface of the crop.
[0009]
[Action and effect]
According to the present invention, the specific portion of the crop to which the fluid is sprayed is supported by the crop support means, and the fluid discharged from the fluid spraying means is guided to be sprayed substantially evenly. The spraying interval is always constant, and the outer skin of the crop can be separated by a desired number or thickness. In addition, the air spraying force and the amount of spraying are stable, so the outer skin of the crop can be separated almost evenly and cleanly, and the work to separate only the skin that is not necessary or edible is reliable. And it can be done smoothly.
[0010]
Moreover, the specific part of the crop to which the fluid is sprayed is corrected or corrected to a state in which the fluid is sprayed almost evenly, so that the skin of the crop having various bends and deformations can be reliably separated, and the unique shape It is most suitable for the work of separating the skin of crops with Furthermore, when correcting the bend of the crop almost straight by the crop support means, the crop holder swings in the horizontal direction so as to follow or follow the bend, so the load on the crop is reduced. Therefore, the work of separating the crop skin can be performed smoothly and without resistance.
[0011]
【Example】
An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
The drawings show a crop skinning device used for separating an onion skin, which is an example of a crop, and in FIG. 1 and FIG. A long onion A (for example, a white onion), which is arranged in the rear stage, is placed on the placing table 3 of the conveyor 2 one by one, a supply section a set on the transport path, a separation section b, and a discharge Transport to section c.
[0012]
The above-described transport conveyor 2 is constructed by placing a mounting table 3 (for example, a bucket, a tray, etc.) formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above between the circulating chains 4 stretched on both sides of the transport path and the entire length of the circulating chain 4. Are installed at predetermined intervals. Further, the circulating chain 4 is rotated in the transport direction by the driving force of a motor with a reduction gear (not shown), and the mounting table 3 is moved intermittently (or continuously) three by three in the transport direction. . In the embodiment, a plurality of mounting tables 3 are installed as a set of three, but a plurality of mounting tables 3 may be installed at regular intervals.
[0013]
In addition, the mounting table 3 has such a size that the long green onion A is mounted in a horizontal posture that is substantially orthogonal to the transport direction, and is substantially U-shaped (or substantially V-shaped) when viewed from the side. And a substantially U-shaped (or substantially arc-shaped) receiving portion 3a for receiving the soft white portion Ad of the green onion A is fixed to the center bottom surface of the mounting table 3 facing the portion, and a holding unit 11 to be described later is fixed. An opening 3b in which the holding table 12 is allowed to appear and disappear in the vertical direction is opened on the bottom surface of the mounting table 3 facing the leaf portion Aa of the green onion A. In addition, the size and shape of the mounting table 3 and the installation interval can be changed according to the type and size of the crop.
[0014]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lifting machine 10 disposed at the lower part of the separation section b includes a holding unit 11 that holds the leaf Aa of the green onion A at a predetermined height. Three sets are arranged on the right side of the conveyance path at intervals facing the opening 3b (or leaf part Aa) of the mounting table 3 stopped by b, and the stem part Ab of the onion A is set to a predetermined height. The support unit 20 that supports the lifted state is disposed on the left side of the conveyance path so as to face the left side of the mounting table 3.
[0015]
The holding unit 11 includes three pairs of holding bases 12 and 13 that hold the leaf portion Aa of the onion A with a spacing facing the mounting table 3 (or the leaf portion Aa of the onion A). Yes. The holding table 12 is formed in a size and shape that is allowed to appear and retract with respect to the opening 3 b of the mounting table 3, and a support shaft 12 a that is suspended at the center on the lower surface side stands on the lifting table 12 b at the lower right side of the conveyance path. It is inserted into the provided bearing 12c and provided so as to be able to swing in the horizontal direction, and is urged to turn to a front-facing state by a restoring force of a coil spring 12d stretched at both ends on the lower surface side. Further, it may be pivotally supported so as to be able to swing in the vertical direction.
[0016]
And the receiving pad 12e which has the softness | flexibility and contact resistance which are required in order to hold | maintain the leaf part Aa of a leek A, and inclines in the angle which becomes low toward the root part Ac from the leaf part Aa, The soft white part of a leek A A substantially U-shaped (or substantially arc-shaped) receiving portion 12 f that holds Ad on the center mounting surface is fixed to the upper surface of the holding table 12.
[0017]
The lifting cylinder 12g connected to the lower surface of the lifting platform 12b projects the three holding platforms 12 arranged on the lifting platform 12b above the opening 3b of the mounting table 3 and is held by a support arm 36 described later. Move up and down to a raised position that lifts the leaf part Aa of the leek A to a height and a lowered position that is lowered (or pulled out) below the opening 3b of the mounting table 3 and allows the circular movement of the mounting table 3. .
[0018]
On the other hand, the holding table 13 can swing in the horizontal direction by inserting a support shaft 13a erected at the center on the upper surface side into a bearing 13c erected on the lower surface of the support pedestal 13b on the right side of the conveyance path. And is biased to turn to the front-facing state by the restoring force of the coil spring 13d stretched around both ends on the upper surface side. And the receiving pad 13e which has a softness | flexibility and contact resistance required in order to hold | maintain the leaf part Aa of leek A is being fixed to the holding stand 13 lower surface.
[0019]
The above-described support unit 20 includes a substantially Y-shaped support frame 21 (see FIG. 5) as viewed from the side surface supporting the stem Ab of the green onion A. Three elevating cylinders 23 erected on the elevating table 22 with an interval facing the lower surface of the stem Ab are connected to the lower surface of the elevating table 22, the support frame 21, and the stem Ab of the above-mentioned leeks A are mounted on the mounting table 3. Lifted upward and lifted to a height that is lower than the leaf Aa held by the holding unit 11 described above, and a lowered position where the transfer of the green onion A and the circumferential movement of the mounting table 3 are allowed. Move up and down.
[0020]
The receiving pads 12e and 13e are formed of a cushioning material such as sponge rubber or urethane rubber, for example, and prevent the position of the onion A from being displaced or falling off when the skin Ae of the onion A described later is separated. Further, the cushion material may be mounted on the mounting surfaces of the mounting table 3 and the support frame 21.
[0021]
On the other hand, a box-shaped skin feeding part 24 for feeding a skin Ae separated by a skin separator 30 to be described later is placed on the left side of the support unit 20 and the stem of the onion A protruding from the left end of the mounting table 3. The elevating cylinder 25 disposed on the lower left side of the conveyance path facing the lower surface of the part Ab and the root part Ac and connected to the lower surface of the skin input part 24 is connected to the skin input part 24 by the skin Ae separated by the skin separator 30. It moves up and down to the raised position where it is allowed to carry the green onion A and to move the mounting table 3 around.
[0022]
As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, the skin separator 30 disposed in the upper part of the separation section b includes a skin peeling unit 31 that separates an unnecessary skin Ae of the leek A, and an upper right portion of the conveyance path. Are mounted on the lower surface of the movable frame 32, and three are arranged at an interval facing the mounting table 3 (or leeks A) stopped in the separation section b.
[0023]
In addition, the upper end side of the movable frame 32 is engaged between guide rails 33 that are substantially orthogonal to the conveyance path and installed on the upper part of the separation section b, and the traction chain 34 is stretched between the sprockets 34 a along the guide rails 33. It is linked to. The traction chain 34 is rotated forward and backward by the driving force of a motor with a reduction gear (not shown), and the skinning unit 31 is lifted by the above-described lifting machine 10 and the stem Ab (the soft part of the leeks A). Reciprocating between a holding position for holding a portion close to the Ad side and a separation position on the left side of the conveyance path extracted from the root part Ac of the green onion A. Further, instead of the motor, the peeling unit 31 can be reciprocated by, for example, an air cylinder or a crank mechanism.
[0024]
The skinning unit 31 described above includes a pair of support arms 36 that support the stem Ab of the leeks A substantially horizontally, and an air discharge portion 37 that discharges air G toward the outer surface of the supported stem Ab. While being attached to a support frame 38 erected at the lower end of the movable frame 32, three sets are arranged at an interval substantially opposite to the leeks A mounted on the mounting table 3.
[0025]
The above-described support arm 36 is a striated body (for example, piano) having a strength necessary for correcting the stem Ab of the green onion A so that the air G discharged from the discharge nozzles 37a and 37b is blown almost uniformly. Line), large and small stems Ab having various diameters are formed in a shape (substantially horizontal V-shaped) that is supported substantially straight. And, the proximal end portion of the support arm 36, leek A full length and are substantially parallel and fixed to the support shaft 39 front end has a bearing on the support frame 38 upper surface, consolidated plate connecting rod 40 which is connected to the support shaft 39 intermediate portion 41 is connected.
[0026]
The elevating cylinder 42 attached to the movable frame 32 is connected to a connecting plate 41 and a cover 43 to be described later, and moves the connecting plate 41 up and down to rotate the support shaft 39 forward and backward via a connecting rod 40. The pair of support arms 36 are rotated to a closed angle for supporting the stem Ab of the leek A lifted by the lifting machine 10 and an open angle for releasing the support. Further, a support arm 36 having a substantially U shape or a substantially semicircular shape, or a rod-like or plate-like support arm 36 may be used.
[0027]
In addition, the skin Ae separated by the air G discharged from the discharge nozzles 37a and 37b, with the cover 43 surrounding both sides and the upper surface of the stem Ab supported by the holding unit 11 and the support unit 20 described above. Prevents from spreading around.
[0028]
The air discharge portion 37 is attached to the lower surface of the support frame 38 so as to face both side surfaces of the stem portion Ab of the leek A supported by the pair of support arms 36, and is provided on the lower side provided on the discharge side of the air discharge portion 37. The discharge nozzle 37a is set to an angle at which the air G is discharged substantially horizontally with respect to the side of the stem Ab, and the angle at which the air G is discharged diagonally downward with respect to the side of the stem Ab. And discharged toward the peeled portion between the outer surface of the stem Ab and the back surface of the skin Ae (or the back surface of the skin Ae). Further, the discharge nozzles 37a and 37b may be provided to face the upper and lower surfaces of the stem Ab.
[0029]
The discharge nozzles 37a and 37b are connected to an air supply source (not shown) such as an air supply blower or a compressor, for example, and the discharge pressure of the air G discharged from the discharge nozzles 37a and 37b is changed to the above-described air supply source. It is variably adjusted to an air discharge pressure suitable for separating a predetermined number of sheets or a predetermined thickness of the skin Ae by weakening or strengthening it by a discharge pressure control means (not shown) connected to. Further, the number of attached discharge nozzles 37a and 37b and the discharge angle may be changed.
[0030]
In addition, a guide plate 37c that guides the blowing of the air G is attached to the discharge side of the air discharge portion 37, and the air G discharged from the discharge nozzles 37a and 37b through the holes 37d formed in the guide plate 37c. Spray on the stalk Ab of leek A.
[0031]
In the embodiment, the skin Ae of leek A is separated by air G (atmosphere), but a gas such as an inert gas or butane gas may be used. Moreover, liquids, such as a tap water, aqueous solution, a solvent, can also be used instead of gas, for example.
[0032]
The illustrated embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation when the skin Ae of the leek A is separated by the crop peeling apparatus 1 will be described below.
First, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, various large and small leeks A having different stem diameters are held by the hand of an operator waiting in the supply section a, one on the loading table 3 of the conveyor 2. The leaves Aa side of the green onion A protrudes to the right side of the mounting table 3, the root part Ac side protrudes to the left side of the mounting table 3, and the soft white part Ad is received by the receiving part 3a. Further, the green onion A may be transferred or supplied while being held by mechanical means such as an adsorber or an arm.
[0033]
Next, when the three mounting tables 3 on which the green onions A are mounted are stopped at the separation position b, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the lifting machine 10 is driven to The leaf part Aa side of the green onion A is lifted above the mounting table 3 by the holding table 12 of the holding unit 11 through the opening 3b, the leaf part Aa side is held by the holding tables 12 and 13, and the peeling unit 31 The height is inserted between the air discharge portions 37.
[0034]
At the same time, the stem Ab side of the green onion A is lifted above the mounting table 3 by the support frame 21 of the support unit 20, and the height becomes lower (or substantially equivalent) than the leaf Aa side held by the holding tables 12 and 13. Then, the skin separator 30 is driven to blow the air G discharged from the discharge nozzles 37a and 37b of the air discharge unit 37 onto the stem Ab of the leeks A to peel off the unnecessary skin Ae. In addition, the air G discharged from the discharge nozzle 37b is blown obliquely downward with respect to the outer surface of the stem Ab, and the stem Ab of the leeks A is actively applied to the intersection of the support arms 36 and 36. The air G discharged from the pressing and discharge nozzles 37a and 37b is separated while being centered in a state where the air G is blown substantially uniformly against the outer surface of the stem Ab.
[0035]
Next, after the epidermis Ae of the leek A is peeled away from the support position of the support arms 36 and 36 toward the root Ac, the stem Ab of the leek A is peeled off as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. It is supported by 31 support arms 36, 36. Thereafter, the support frame 21 is lowered, the stem Ab of the green onion A is hung down by its own weight, and centered with reference to the lower surface of the stem Ab placed on the intersection of the support arms 36 and 36.
[0036]
Subsequently, the air G discharged from the discharge nozzles 37a and 37b is discharged from the discharge nozzles 37a and 37b while the skin peeling unit 31 is horizontally moved along the stem Ab from the leaf Aa side to the root Ac side. Are sprayed continuously to peel off unnecessary skin Ae.
[0037]
For example, when the stem Ab of the leeks A is deformed into a specific shape such as a substantially square shape or a substantially square shape, the discharge nozzles 37a, The air G discharged from 37b is sprayed almost evenly on the outer surface of the stem Ab, and the unnecessary epidermis Ae is peeled off and separated. At this time, according to or following the degree of bending of the stem Ab, the holding bases 12 and 13 are swung in the horizontal direction to smoothly perform the separation work of the epidermis Ae. On the other hand, the separated epidermis Ae is put into the epidermis throwing unit 24 and is periodically collected or discarded.
[0038]
After the separation, the holding unit 11 is released from being held by the holding bases 12 and 13, the holding base 12 is lowered, and the green onion A from which the skin Ae has been separated is placed again on the placing table 3 of the conveyor 2, It is transported to the next process (for example, sorting process). In the same manner, the skin peeling unit 31 is returned to the initial position, and the onion A skinning operation is continued. Further, before or after separating the epidermis Ae, the leaf portion Aa and the root portion Ac may be trimmed to a predetermined size.
[0039]
As described above, the stalk Ab of the leek A lifted to a predetermined height by the lifting machine 10 is supported by the support arms 36 and 36 of the skin separator 30 and discharged from the discharge nozzles 37a and 37b. Therefore, the air G spray angle and spray interval are always constant, and the skin Ae on the outer surface of the onion A can be separated by the desired number or thickness. In addition, since the spraying force and amount of air G are stable, the skin Ae on the outer surface of the onion A can be separated almost evenly and cleanly, and only the skin Ae that is not necessary or edible is separated. Can be performed reliably and smoothly.
[0040]
In addition, the air G discharged from the discharge nozzles 37a and 37b is blown substantially evenly against the outer surface of the stem Ab while correcting or correcting the stem Ab to which the air G is blown into a substantially straight state. The epidermis Ae with the full length of the stem Ab can be reliably separated, which is optimal for the work of separating the epidermis Ae of the leek A having a unique shape.
[0041]
Further, when the bending state of the leek A is corrected substantially straight by the support arms 36, 36, the holding bases 12, 13 constituting the holding unit 11 are necked in a substantially horizontal direction so as to follow or follow the bending state. Since the receiving pads 12e and 13e attached to the holding bases 12 and 13 are deformed, the load applied to the leeks A is reduced, and the work of separating the skin Ae of the leeks A can be performed smoothly without resistance.
[0042]
Furthermore, the support arms 36, 36 are moved along the outer surface of the leeks A so as to follow the separated skin Ae, and the skin Ae separated from the outer surface of the leeks A is guided toward the terminal portion. Even if the number of separated skin Ae is large or the thickness of the skin Ae is thick, it can be forcibly separated or removed by the support arms 36 and 36.
[0043]
FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the separated crop peeling apparatus 1 that peels and separates the skin Ae covering the entire length of the stem Ab of the leeks A by half and covers approximately half of the total length of the stem Ab. After the epidermis Ae is separated by the lifting machine 10 and the epidermis separator 30 arranged in the front separation section b, the epidermis Ae covering the remaining half of the entire length of the stem Ab is arranged in the rear separation section b. Since the lifter 10 and the skin separator 30 are separated, the rest time of the mounting table 3 is short, and a large number of green onions A can be peeled and separated continuously, so that the efficiency of the skinning work can be improved. .
[0044]
In the correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-described embodiment,
The crop of the present invention corresponds to the green onion A, burdock, asparagus, pepper, eggplant, carrot, ginger, etc.
Similarly,
The fluid corresponds to gas such as air G (atmosphere) and gas, liquid such as tap water, distilled water, solvent,
The crop holding means corresponds to the lifting machine 10 and the holding stands 12 and 13 (a crop holding body),
The fluid spraying means corresponds to the air discharge part 37 and the discharge nozzles 37a and 37b,
The crop support means corresponds to the support arm 36,
The relative movement means corresponds to the movable frame 32, the guide rail 33, and the traction chain 34,
The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment.
[0045]
The crop peeling apparatus 1 of an Example is applicable also to the operation | work which strips off the skin of crops, such as a burdock, asparagus, pepper, an eggplant, a carrot, a long bean, for example.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a separation operation by a crop skinning device.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a separation operation by a crop skinning device.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing the lifting operation of the lifting machine and the separation operation of the skin separator.
FIG. 4 is a front view showing a lifting operation of the lifting machine.
FIG. 5 is a front view showing a support operation and a separation operation of the skin separator.
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a separation operation by a skin separator.
FIG. 7 is a front view showing the separation operation of the epidermis by the skinning unit.
FIG. 8 is a side view showing another example of the crop peeling apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS A ... Green onion Ab ... Stem part Ae ... Epidermis G ... Air 1 ... Agricultural product skinning device 2 ... Conveyor 3 ... Mounting stand 10 ... Lifting machine 11 ... Holding unit 12, 13 ... Holding stand (crop holding body)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Support unit 21 ... Support frame 31 ... Peeling unit 30 ... Skin separator 36 ... Support arm 37 ... Air discharge part 37a, 37b ... Discharge nozzle

Claims

A crop holding means for lifting the crop to a predetermined height and holding it in a substantially horizontal posture;
Fluid spraying means for spraying fluid to the outer surface of the crop held by the crop holding means, and separating the skin of the crop in the length direction;
Crop support means for supporting a specific portion of the crop to which the fluid is sprayed in a state in which the fluid discharged from the fluid spray means is sprayed substantially evenly;
Relative movement means for moving the fluid spraying means and the crop support means relative to the direction in which the fluid is sprayed ,
The crop peeling apparatus , wherein the crop holding means is configured by a crop holding body that holds the start end side of the crop and holds the entire length of the crop so as to be horizontally rotatable around the start end side .

The crop peeling apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the crop holder is provided so as to be displaceable in a posture in which the total length of the crop is lowered from the start end side toward the end side with respect to the start end side of the crop.

A crop holding means for lifting the crop to a predetermined height and holding it in a substantially horizontal posture;
Fluid spraying means for spraying fluid to the outer surface of the crop held by the crop holding means, and separating the skin of the crop in the length direction;
Crop support means for supporting a specific portion of the crop to which the fluid is sprayed in a state in which the fluid discharged from the fluid spray means is sprayed substantially evenly;
Relative movement means for moving the fluid spraying means and the crop support means relative to the direction in which the fluid is sprayed,
The crop support means is provided in proximity to an outer surface portion of the crop from which the epidermis is separated and a root portion of the epidermis separated from the outer surface of the crop.
Agricultural crops skin stripping apparatus.