JP7125210B2 - Root cutting device and preparation device for head vegetables - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for cutting and preparing roots of headed vegetables such as onions.

Conventionally, an onion root cutting device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known.
The apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a conveying device that conveys onions and a root cutting device that cuts the roots of the onions conveyed by the conveying device. The root cutting device has a disc-shaped blade that rotates around a vertical axis, and cuts the root by passing the root portion of the onion over the disc-shaped blade.

JP 2013-81383 A

However, in the above-described root cutting device, although the root portion of the onion has a curved surface, the root portion moves horizontally with respect to the blade, so that uncut portions occur on the front side and the rear side in the moving direction. easy.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a root cutting apparatus and a preparation apparatus for headed vegetables, which can cut the roots of headed vegetables such as onions while minimizing the amount of uncut leaves. is.

A head vegetable root cutting apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for cutting the roots of a head vegetable having a head part, outer leaves, and roots, the apparatus comprising: a conveying part for holding and conveying the outer leaves; A root cutting blade that is arranged below the conveying part and rotates around a central axis that faces in the vertical direction; a root feeding unit that clamps the root and moves it toward the root cutting blade at a speed faster than the conveying speed of the conveying unit; and a head that is arranged below the conveying unit and conveyed by the conveying unit. a root aligning part for aligning the roots of vegetables, the root aligning part comprising a first elastic plate and a second elastic plate, the first elastic plate and the second elastic plate being arranged against the head part Then, they move downward along the surface of the knot portion while bending and curving, and move downward while contacting and pressing the roots from opposite sides .

Preferably, the root feeding section includes a first feed roller rotating around a central axis facing in the vertical direction, and a central axis facing in the vertical direction arranged side by side with the first feeding roller in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. a second feed roller that rotates around; and a rotary drive mechanism that rotates the first feed roller and the second feed roller so that the root pinching side moves toward the root cutting blade. have.

Preferably, the root cutting device includes a root pulling-in section arranged below the conveying section and pulling downward the roots of the headed vegetable being conveyed by the conveying section, wherein the root-pulling-in section It is provided on the upstream side in the conveying direction with respect to the feeding section.
Preferably , the root aligning portion is provided on the upstream side in the conveying direction with respect to the root pulling portion.

Preferably, the aligning portion includes a first rotating body that rotates about an axis extending in the conveying direction, and a second rotating body that is arranged in parallel with the first rotating body and rotates about an axis extending in the conveying direction. a rotation drive mechanism for rotating the first rotating body and the second rotating body mutually inward; the first elastic plate protruding radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the first rotating body; The second elastic plate projecting radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the second rotating body.

Preferably, the root cutting device includes a cover that covers the upper side of the root cutting blade, and the cover has a notch that extends from the root pulling portion side toward the root cutting blade side.
An apparatus for preparing headed vegetables according to an aspect of the present invention includes the root cutting device and an outer leaf cutting device for cutting outer leaves of the headed vegetables from which the roots have been cut.

According to the above-mentioned root cutting device, the root feeding speed by the root feeding unit is faster than the outer leaf conveying speed by the conveying unit, so that the head vegetable can be moved like a pendulum with the portion where the outer leaves are pinched as a fulcrum. to swing forward. Due to this rocking motion, the roots of the headed vegetable are moved in an arc-shaped locus toward the root-cutting blade and cut. As a result, the root cutting blade moves in a curved line and cuts the roots of headed vegetables having a curved root portion, so that the amount of uncut roots generated can be reduced as much as possible.

According to the above-described preparation apparatus, the root cutting device can cut the vegetables while minimizing the amount of uncut leaves, and the outer leaf cutting device can cut the outer leaves 2 of the headed vegetable.

1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a vegetable (heading vegetable) preparation apparatus. FIG. 1 is a side view showing an embodiment of a vegetable (headed vegetable) preparation apparatus; FIG. It is a perspective view which shows a supply apparatus, a 1st conveyance part, and a 2nd conveyance part. It is the figure which looked at the 1st conveyance part from the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction (from the front). It is the figure which looked at the upstream of the 1st conveyance part and the 2nd conveyance part from the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction (from back). It is the figure which looked at the 1st conveyance part from the upstream of the conveyance direction. It is a top view which shows the upstream of a 1st conveyance part and a 2nd conveyance part. It is the figure which looked at the downstream of the 1st conveyance part and the 2nd conveyance part from the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction (from back). It is the figure which looked at the downstream of the 1st conveyance part, and the upstream of the 2nd conveyance part from the projection direction of a projection part. It is the figure which looked at the downstream of the 1st conveyance part and the upstream of the 2nd conveyance part from the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction (from back). It is a perspective view which shows a 2nd conveyance part. It is the figure which looked at the 2nd conveyance part from the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction (from back). It is the figure which looked at the 2nd conveyance part from the conveyance direction of the 1st conveyance part (from the left). It is the figure which showed the movement of the vegetables (headed vegetables) which move to a 2nd conveyance part from a 1st conveyance part. It is the figure which looked at the 3rd conveyance part from the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the said 3rd conveyance part (from the left side). It is a top view of a 3rd conveyance part. It is the figure which looked at the 3rd conveyance part from the downstream of the conveyance direction of the said 3rd conveyance part. It is the figure which looked at the 3rd conveyance part from the upstream of the conveyance direction of the said 3rd conveyance part. It is the figure which looked at the 1st roller and the 2nd roller which mounted vegetables (heading vegetables) in the downward attitude|position from the direction of a central axis. It is a top view which shows the movement of the vegetables (headed vegetables) in a 3rd conveyance part. It is a perspective view which shows the structure etc. of the guide member in a 3rd conveyance part. It is a figure which shows the movement of the vegetables (headed vegetables) in a 3rd conveyance part seen from the direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction (from left side). It is the figure which looked at the 4th conveyance part from the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction (from the left). It is a perspective view of a 4th conveyance part. It is the figure which looked at the 4th conveyance part from the upstream of the conveyance direction. It is a top view of a 4th conveyance part. It is a figure which shows the structure of a 2nd clamping belt. It is a perspective view which shows the movement of the vegetables (headed vegetables) in a 4th conveyance part. It is a figure which shows the movement of the vegetables (headed vegetables) in a 4th conveyance part seen from the direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction (from left side). It is a figure which shows the second half of movement of the vegetables (headed vegetables) in a 4th conveyance part seen from the downstream of a 4th conveyance part. It is the figure which looked at the downstream of the 4th transportation part and the upstream of the 5th transportation part from the direction which intersects perpendicularly with the transportation direction (from the left). It is a perspective view which shows the downstream of a 4th conveyance part, and the upstream of a 5th conveyance part. It is a top view which shows the downstream of a 4th conveyance part, and the upstream of a 5th conveyance part. It is a top view of a support member. It is a perspective view of a support member. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the support member with the other support body omitted; It is the figure which looked at the support member from the upstream of the conveyance direction of the 5th conveyance part. It is a figure which shows the flow of vegetables (head vegetables) from the downstream of a 4th conveyance part to the upstream of a 5th conveyance part. It is a perspective view which shows the downstream of a 4th conveyance part, and a 5th conveyance part. It is a top view which shows the downstream of a 4th conveyance part, and a 5th conveyance part. It is a top view which shows a lower stage belt and a lower stage pulley. 1 is a perspective view of a first cutting device (root cutting device) and a second cutting device (outer leaf cutting device); FIG. It is a perspective view which shows a 3rd motor and a power transmission mechanism. It is the figure which looked at the 1st cutting device and the 2nd cutting device from the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction (from the left). It is a perspective view of a 1st cutting device. It is the figure which looked at the 1st cutting device from the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction (from the left side). It is a perspective view which expands and shows a 1st cutting device. It is a top view of a 1st cutting device. It is a figure which shows operation|movement of a root aligning part. It is a figure which shows the movement of the vegetables (headed vegetables) in a 1st cutting device seen from the direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction (from left side). It is a figure which shows the effect|action of a root pull-in part. It is a top view of a 1st cutting device and a 2nd cutting device. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the rear of the first cutting device and the second cutting device; It is a figure which shows the drive mechanism etc. of an outer leaf cutting part. It is a figure which shows an onion as an example of vegetables (head vegetables).

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing one embodiment of the vegetable preparation device 1, and FIG. 2 is a side view showing one embodiment of the vegetable preparation device 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the vegetable preparation device 1. As shown in FIG. 1 to 3 show the configuration of a part of the preparation device 1, and the overall configuration of the preparation device 1 is shown by combining FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the direction of arrow X1 in FIGS. 1 to 3 is referred to as forward, and the direction of arrow X2 in FIGS. 1 to 3 is referred to as rearward. 1 and 2 is referred to as the front-rear direction, the arrow Y direction in FIGS. 1 and 3 is referred to as the device width direction, the arrow Y1 direction is referred to as left, and the arrow Y2 direction is referred to as right.
Vegetables prepared by the preparation apparatus 1 according to the present invention are mainly head vegetables. Heading vegetables are, for example, bulbous vegetables whose leaf roots swell underground or near the ground. Specific examples include onions, shallots, garlic, and lily bulbs. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the vegetable VG to be processed in the present invention is the head vegetable VG.

As shown in FIG. 55, a headed vegetable (bulb vegetable) VG has a headed portion (bulb) VG1, an outer leaf VG2 extending upward from the upper portion of the headed portion VG1, and a root VG3 extending downwardly from the lower portion of the headed portion VG1. ,have. Note that FIG. 55 shows an onion as a representative example of head vegetables VG. The headed vegetable VG to be treated in the present invention is preferably harvested or pretreated in a state where the length of the outer leaf VG2 is longer than the length of the root VG3.

First, based on FIGS. 1 to 3, the overall configuration of the preparation device 1 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the preparation device 1 includes a feeding device 2, a conveying device 3, a first cutting device 44, and a second cutting device 5. As shown in FIGS.
The supply device 2 is a device that receives headed vegetables VG before preparation and supplies them to the transport device 3 . The conveying device 3 is a device for conveying the headed vegetables VG. The first cutting device 4 is a root cutting device that cuts roots VG3 of headed vegetables VG. The second cutting device 5 is an outer leaf cutting device that cuts the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetable VG.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the conveying device 3, the first cutting device 4, and the second cutting device 5 are supported by a frame 6. As shown in FIGS. The frame 6 is configured by combining a plurality of linear frame materials (for example, steel materials, etc.). The frame 6 has a first frame 6A, a second frame 6B, a third frame 6C, a fourth frame 6D, a fifth frame 6E and a sixth frame 6F. The first frame 6</b>A is arranged on the most upstream side in the direction in which the headed vegetables are conveyed by the conveying device 3 . The second frame 6B is arranged downstream of the first frame 6A. The third frame 6C is arranged downstream of the second frame 6B. The fourth frame 6D is arranged downstream of the third frame 6C. The fifth frame 6E is arranged downstream of the fourth frame 6D. The sixth frame 6F is arranged downstream of the fifth frame 6E. A plurality of casters 6G each having wheels are attached to the lower portions of the frames 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, and 6F.

Hereinafter, configurations of the supply device 2, the conveying device 3, the first cutting device 4, and the second cutting device 5 will be described in order.
First, the configuration of the supply device 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
The supply device 2 is supported by the first frame 6A. The supply device 2 has a hopper 7 and a supply conveyor 8 . The hopper 7 is formed in a box shape with an open upper surface and a rear surface, and receives headed vegetables before preparation. A bottom surface 7a of the hopper 7 is inclined downward from the front to the rear. The supply conveyor 8 is composed of a belt conveyor 8a. The supply conveyor 8 can convey headed vegetables from the front to the rear (in the direction of the arrow X2). A front end portion of the supply conveyor 8 is arranged behind and below the hopper 7 .

The headed vegetables received in the hopper 7 move backward by rolling or sliding on the downwardly inclined bottom surface 7 a and drop from the rear part of the hopper 7 . The fallen headed vegetables are placed on the supply conveyor 8 and conveyed from the front to the rear, and supplied to the conveying device 3. - 特許庁
However, the preparation device 1 may not include the supply device 2 . If the preparation device 1 does not have a feeding device 2 , the headed vegetables are manually fed upstream of the conveying device 3 .

Next, the configuration of the transport device 3 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the conveying device 3 includes a first conveying section 3A, a second conveying section 3B, a third conveying section 3C, a fourth conveying section 3D, a fifth conveying section 3E, and a sixth conveying section 3F. have.
In the drawings, the direction of transport by the first transport unit 3A is indicated by arrow A1, the direction of transport by the second transport unit 3B is indicated by arrow A2, the direction of transport by the third transport unit 3C is indicated by arrow A3, and the direction of transfer by the fourth transfer unit 3D is indicated by arrow A4. , the direction of transport by the fifth transport portion 3E is indicated by arrow A5, and the direction of transport by the sixth transport portion 3F is indicated by arrow A6.

First, the first conveying section 3A will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 and the like.
The first transport section 3A is supported above the second frame 6B.
The first conveying section 3A has a first belt 9F, a second belt 9R, a first side plate 10F, a second side plate 10R, a start plate 11, and a gate device 12.
The first belt 9F is arranged on one side (front side) in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction A1 of the first transport section 3A (hereinafter referred to as "first orthogonal direction"). The second belt 9R is arranged on the other side (rear side) in the first orthogonal direction. In this embodiment, the first transport direction A1 is the width direction of the apparatus, and the first orthogonal direction is the front-rear direction.

The first belt 9F and the second belt 9R are elastic belts such as rubber belts, and are formed in an endless shape (loop shape). The first belt 9F and the second belt 9R may be round belts or V-belts.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R are arranged parallel to each other with a space therebetween. The interval between the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R is set smaller than the outer diameter of the headed portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG. Thereby, the first conveying section 3A can convey the ball portion VG1 while supporting it on the upper portions of the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R.

The first belt 9F is wound around a plurality of first pulleys 13F. The second belt 9R is wound around a plurality of second pulleys 13R. The plurality of first pulleys 13F includes a pulley 13F1 on the most downstream side of the first conveying section 3A, a pulley 13F2 on the most upstream side of the first conveying section 3A, and a pulley positioned between the pulleys 13F1 and 13F2. 13F3 and . The plurality of second pulleys 13R includes a pulley 13R1 on the most downstream side of the first conveying section 3A, a pulley 13R2 on the most upstream side of the first conveying section 3A, and a pulley positioned between the pulleys 13R1 and 13R2. 13R3 and

The first pulley 13F and the second pulley 13R are rotated by power transmitted from an interlocking mechanism 30, which will be described later. The first belt 9F and the second belt 9R rotate in vertical planes parallel to each other as the first pulley 13F and the second pulley 13R rotate. When the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R rotate, the upper portion of the first belt 9F and the upper portion of the second belt 9R respectively move from left to right (in the direction of arrow A1). The first belt 9F and the second belt 9R move (rotate) at the same speed.

The first side plate 10F and the second side plate 10R are attached to the top of the second frame 6B. The first side plate 10F is provided on one side (front side) in the first orthogonal direction. Specifically, the first side plate 10F is provided in front (outside) of the first belt 9F and extends parallel to the first belt 9F. The second side plate 10R is provided on the other side (rear side) in the first orthogonal direction. Specifically, the second side plate 10R is provided behind (outside) the second belt 9R and extends parallel to the second belt 9R.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first side plate 10F has a vertical portion (first vertical portion) 10Fa and an inclined portion (first inclined portion) 10Fb. The second side plate 10R has a vertical portion (second vertical portion) 10Ra and an inclined portion (second inclined portion) 10Rb. The first vertical portion 10Fa and the second vertical portion 10Ra are arranged parallel to each other while facing each other with the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R interposed therebetween. The first inclined portion 10Fb extends upward and forward (diagonally forward and upward) from the first vertical portion 10Fa. The second inclined portion 10Rb extends upward and rearward (diagonally rearward and upward) from the second vertical portion 10Ra. The upper end of the first inclined portion 10Fb and the upper end of the second inclined portion 10Rb are located above the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R. The first inclined portion 10Fb and the second inclined portion 10Rb are inclined so as to gradually approach each other as they go downward from a position above the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R. The upper end of the second inclined portion 10Rb is located above the upper end of the first inclined portion 10Fb. That is, the height of the second side plate 10R is higher than the height of the first side plate 10F.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first vertical portion 10Fa and the second vertical portion 10Ra are provided with bearings 65 that rotatably support the central shafts of the first pulley 13F and the second pulley 13R.
The central shafts of the first pulley 13F and the second pulley 13R are rotatably supported by bearings 65 .

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, a plurality of cylindrical pins 14 are rotatably supported by the first vertical portion 10Fa and the second vertical portion 10Ra. The pin 14 is arranged parallel to the central axis of the first pulley 13F and the central axis of the second pulley 13R. The pin 14 is arranged between adjacent pulleys in the transport direction A1 of the first transport section 3A. In this embodiment, two pins 14 are arranged between the pulleys 13F1, 13R1 and 13F3, 13R3 and between the pulleys 13F3, 13R3 and 13F2, 13R2.

The pin 14 supports the lower surface of the upper portion of the first belt 9F and the lower surface of the upper portion of the second belt 9R from below. The pin 14 rotates (rotates) around the central axis as the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R move. As a result, the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R do not become loose due to the weight of the headed vegetables VG even when the headed vegetables VG are placed thereon, and can move smoothly with the headed vegetables VG placed thereon. can.

As shown in FIG. 3, the end portion of the supply conveyor 8 of the supply device 2 is arranged close to the upstream side of the first transport section 3A in the transport direction A1. The conveying direction of the supply conveyor 8 is perpendicular to the conveying direction A1 of the first conveying section 3A. The terminal end of the conveying surface of the supply conveyor 8 is arranged on the first side plate 10F side of the first conveying section 3A and positioned above the first side plate 10F. As a result, the headed vegetables conveyed by the supply conveyor 8 are supplied from above the first side plate 10F of the first conveying section 3A to the upstream side of the first conveying section 3A.

The headed vegetables supplied to the first conveying unit 3A from above the first side plate 10F roll down toward the second side plate 10R side, but the upper end of the second inclined portion 10Rb is lower than the upper end of the first inclined portion 10Fb. is positioned upward, the headed vegetables are prevented from falling over the second side plate 10R. In addition, the headed vegetables conveyed by the first conveying portion 3A are collected on the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R by the inclination of the first inclined portion 10Fb and the inclination of the second inclined portion 10Rb. It is carried on the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 7, the start plate 11 is provided at the start end (upstream end) of the first transport section 3A in the transport direction A1. The start plate 11 connects the first side plate 10F and the second side plate 10R at the start end of the first conveying section 3A. This prevents the headed vegetables supplied to the upstream side of the first conveying portion 3A from dropping from the starting end portion of the first conveying portion 3A.
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the gate device 12 is provided in the middle of the first transport section 3A in the transport direction A1. The gate device 12 is arranged downstream of the supply conveyor 8 in the transport direction A1 of the first transport section 3A. The gate device 12 permits or blocks movement of the headed vegetables VG conveyed by the first conveying section 3A to the downstream side in the conveying direction A1. The gate device 12 has a shaft support plate 12a, a rotating shaft 12b, a gate plate 12c, and a sensor 12d.

The shaft support plate 12a extends upward from each of the first side plate 10F and the second side plate 10R. The shaft support plate 12a rotatably supports the rotating shaft 12b. The rotating shaft 12b extends in the first orthogonal direction (front-rear direction) above the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R. The rotary shaft 12b is rotated around its axis by driving a motor (not shown). The gate plate 12c is attached to the rotating shaft 12b and extends downward (toward the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R) from the rotating shaft 12b. As indicated by an arrow D1 in FIG. 5, the gate plate 12c rotates upward or downward around the rotation shaft 12b as the rotation shaft 12b rotates. When the gate plate 12c extends downward from the rotating shaft 12b (closed state), the headed vegetables VG are prevented from moving downstream. When the gate plate 12c rotates upward, the headed vegetables VG are allowed to move downstream (open state). The upper part of the gate plate 12c is provided with an extension part 12c1 extending toward one side (forward) in the first orthogonal direction.

The sensor 12d is attached to the shaft support plate 12a. The sensor 12d detects the amount of headed vegetables VG (whether or not headed vegetables are accumulated) on the downstream side of the gate plate 12c. In this embodiment, the sensor 12d is composed of a limit switch. The terminal of the limit switch contacts or separates from the extended portion 12c1, thereby switching the limit switch on and off. The limit switch is electrically connected to the motor, and the motor is driven or stopped by turning the limit switch on and off.

When the headed vegetables VG are accumulated (stopped) on the downstream side of the gate plate 12c of the first conveying section 3A, the gate plate 12c is in a state of being pushed downstream by the headed vegetables. Therefore, the terminal of the limit switch comes into contact with the extended portion 12c1. In this state, the motor is not driven and the gate plate 12c is kept closed. Therefore, the headed vegetables VG are not transported to the downstream side of the first transporter 3A, and excessive supply of the headed vegetables VG to the second transporter 3B is prevented.

When the headed vegetables are not accumulated (not stopped) on the downstream side of the gate plate 12c, the gate plate 12c is not pushed downstream by the headed vegetables. In this state, when the headed vegetables conveyed from the upstream side come into contact with the gate plate 12c, the gate plate 12c is pushed forward (downstream side), and the terminal of the limit switch is separated from the extended portion 12c1. state. In this state, the motor is driven to open the gate plate 12c. Therefore, headed vegetables VG are transported to the downstream side of the first transport section 3A.

In addition, the configuration of the gate device 12 is not limited to the configuration described above. For example, the gate plate 12c may be slid upward or downward with respect to the shaft support plate 12a to open or close. Moreover, the sensor 12d is not limited to a limit switch, and may be another sensor (for example, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, or the like).
As described above, the headed vegetables VG conveyed by the supply conveyor 8 of the supply device 2 are supplied to the upstream side of the first conveying section 3A in the conveying direction A1, and are fed to the upper portions of the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R. It is conveyed to the downstream side with the head portion VG1 placed thereon. The headed vegetables VG that have reached the downstream end (terminus) of the first conveying section 3A in the conveying direction A1 are then transferred to the second conveying section 3B.

Next, the second transport section 3B will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, etc., the second transport section 3B is supported above the second frame 6B. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, etc., the second transport section 3B is arranged downstream of the first transport section 3A in the transport direction A1. The conveying surface of the second conveying unit 3B (the surface on which the headed vegetables VG are supported) moves obliquely upward from the downstream side toward the upstream side in the conveying direction A2. Thereby, the second conveying unit 3B conveys the headed vegetables VG conveyed by the first conveying unit 3A upward (specifically, obliquely upward).

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 14, the second conveying section 3B has a moving body 15, a projecting section 16, and a drive mechanism 17. As shown in FIGS.
The mobile body 15 has an endless cable body 18 and a mobile plate 19 attached to the cable body 18 . The cord 18 is a chain in this embodiment. The cord body 18 includes a first cord body 18F and a second cord body 18R. The first cord body 18F and the second cord body 18R are arranged parallel to each other with an interval. The first cable 18F is arranged on one side (front side) in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction A2 of the second transport section 3B (hereinafter referred to as "second orthogonal direction"). The second cord body 18R is arranged on the other side (rear side) in the second orthogonal direction. In the case of this embodiment, the second transport direction A2 is the width direction of the apparatus and is a direction that inclines upward from left to right, and the second orthogonal direction is the front-rear direction.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 13, the first cable 18F and the second cable 18R are wound around the driving sprocket 20 and the driven sprocket 21. As shown in FIGS. As the drive sprocket 20 rotates, the first rope 18F and the second rope 18R rotate in vertical planes parallel to each other.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the driven sprocket 21 is arranged below the first transport section 3A. Specifically, the driven sprocket 21 is arranged below pulleys 13F1 and 13R1 located on the most downstream side of the first conveying section 3A (hereinafter referred to as "downstream pulleys"). The driving sprocket 20 is arranged above the driven sprocket 21 and above the first conveying section 3A. Further, the drive sprocket 20 is arranged at a position farther from the first transport section 3A than the driven sprocket 21 is. The upper parts of the first cord body 18F and the second cord body 18R (the upper parts of the loops) move obliquely upward by rotation as indicated by arrow A2.

As shown in FIGS. 9, 13, etc., the moving plate 19 connects the first cord body 18F and the second cord body 18R. A plurality of moving plates 19 are provided side by side along the length direction of the first cable 18F and the second cable 18R (conveying direction A2 of the second conveying section 3B). The plurality of moving plates 19 are arranged at intervals along the transport direction of the second transport section 3B. The pitches (intervals) of the arrangement of the plurality of moving plates 19 are preferably set to be equal, but may be partially different. The pitch at which the moving plates 19 are arranged is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the headed portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG.

The moving plate 19 moves obliquely upward along with the rotation of the first cable 18F and the second cable 18R on the transport surface side of the second transport unit 3B. Here, since the driven sprocket 21 is arranged below the first conveying section 3A and the driving sprocket 20 is arranged above the first conveying section 3A, the moving plate 19 is positioned between the first cable body 18F and the second cable body 18F. Together with the cord 18R, it moves from the lower position (position lower than the first transfer section 3A) to the upper position (position higher than the first transfer section 3A). In other words, the moving body 15 (the cable 18 and the moving plate 19) moves from the lower position to the upper position of the first transport section 3A. Hereinafter, the direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the moving body 15 (conveying direction A2 of the second conveying unit 3B) is also referred to as "the width direction of the moving body 15".

As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 and the like, the moving body 15 is provided with a side plate (third side plate) 22F and a side plate (fourth side plate) 22R. The third side plate 22</b>F is arranged on one side (front side) of the moving body 15 in the width direction. The fourth side plate 22R is arranged on the other side (rear side) of the moving body 15 in the width direction. The third side plate 22F and the fourth side plate 22R are arranged to face each other with the first cord body 18F and the second cord body 18R interposed therebetween.

As shown in FIGS. 11, 13, etc., a cover member 23 is provided on the second conveying section 3B. The cover member 23 is arranged between the first cord body 18F and the second cord body 18R and below the moving plate 19 . The cover member 23 has a strip-like shape, and extends below the moving plate 19 along the length direction of the first cord 18F and the second cord 18R (the conveying direction A2 of the second conveying section 3B). there is The cover member 23 is fixed to the third side plate 22F and the fourth side plate 22R. The cover member 23 fills the space between the moving plates 19 that are spaced apart along the transport direction A2 of the second transport section 3B. This prevents the headed vegetables from falling from between the moving plates 19 and 19.例文帳に追加

The protruding portion 16 protrudes from the moving body 15 toward the first transport portion 3A. Specifically, the projecting portion 16 protrudes from the moving body 15 toward the first transporting portion 3A in a direction perpendicular to the transporting direction A2 on the transport surface side of the second transporting portion 3B. Specifically, the protrusion 16 protrudes from the surface of the moving plate 19 at right angles to the surface. The protrusion 16 is columnar or cylindrical. The projecting portion 16 is composed of, for example, an elastic pipe or tube. However, the shape of the projecting portion 16 may be another shape such as a curved plate shape or a flat plate shape.

The projecting portion 16 is provided on each of the plurality of moving bodies 15 . Thereby, the projecting portions 16 are intermittently provided at intervals along the moving direction of the moving body 15 (the transporting direction A2 of the second transporting portion 3B). A distance (interval) DL1 (see FIG. 9) between the protruding portions 16 adjacent to each other in the conveying direction A2 is set to be at least equal to or larger than the diameter of the head portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG. A specific distance is set according to the type and size of the headed vegetables VG to be conveyed.

One moving body 15 is provided with three protrusions 16 . The three protrusions 16 provided on one moving body 15 are collectively referred to as "a set of protrusions 16". A set of protrusions 16 includes a first protrusion 161 , a second protrusion 162 and a third protrusion 163 .
As shown in FIG. 9 and the like, the first projecting portion 161 is provided at the center of the moving body 15 in the width direction. The second projecting portion 162 is provided on one side (front side) in the width direction of the moving body 15 . The third projecting portion 163 is provided on the other side (rear side) of the moving body 15 in the width direction. The second projecting portion 162 and the third projecting portion 163 are provided at the same height position. The first projecting portion 161 is provided below the second projecting portion 162 and the third projecting portion 163 . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the first projecting portion 161, the second projecting portion 162, and the third projecting portion 163 are arranged in a V shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the moving plate 19. ing.

As shown in FIG. 9, the first projecting portion 161 is positioned between the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R in the width direction of the moving body 15. As shown in FIG. The second projecting portion 162 is positioned outside the first belt 9F (on the side opposite to the second belt 9R side) in the width direction of the moving body 15 . The third protruding portion 163 is positioned outside the second belt 9R (on the side opposite to the first belt 9F) in the width direction of the moving body 15 . In other words, the first belt 9</b>F is positioned between the first projecting portion 161 and the second projecting portion 162 in the width direction of the moving body 15 . The second belt 9</b>R is positioned between the first projecting portion 161 and the third projecting portion 163 in the width direction of the moving body 15 .

The first protruding portion 161, the second protruding portion 162, and the third protruding portion 163 move obliquely upward as the moving body 15 moves along with the rotation of the first and second cords 18F and 18R. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the first projecting portion 161 passes between the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R as the moving body 15 moves. The second projecting portion 162 passes outside (front side) of the first belt 9F as the moving body 15 moves. The third projecting portion 163 passes outside (rear side) of the second belt 9R as the moving body 15 moves.

As shown in FIG. 7, the headed vegetables VG carried on top of the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R of the first conveying section 3A are transported so that the headed vegetables VG1 are placed on the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R. is located between Therefore, when the first projecting portion 161 passes between the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R as the moving body 15 moves, the head portion VG1 is pushed up from below by the first projecting portion 161, 1 projecting portion 161 supports from below. Further, the second projecting portion 162 passes outside the first belt 9F, and the third projecting portion 163 passes outside the second belt 9R, so that the balled portion VG1 is formed by the second projecting portion 162 and the third projecting portion. 163 is also supported from below.

As a result, the headed portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG is lifted while being supported from below by the first projecting portion 161, the second projecting portion 162, and the third projecting portion 163 (see FIG. 10). At this time, since the first projecting portion 161, the second projecting portion 162, and the third projecting portion 163 are arranged in a V shape, the head portion VG1 can be supported at three points and lifted reliably. The headed vegetable VG lifted by the first protrusion 161, the second protrusion 162, and the third protrusion 163 is supported by the first protrusion 161, the second protrusion 162, and the third protrusion 163. It is transported obliquely upward in the state of being folded. As a result, the transfer of the balled portion VG1 from the first conveying portion 3A to the second conveying portion 3B is completed.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 14, the drive mechanism 17 of the second conveying section 3B is composed of a first motor 24 and a power transmission mechanism 25. As shown in FIGS. The first motor 24 is arranged below the drive sprocket 20 and between the third side plate 22F and the fourth side plate 22R. The power transmission mechanism 25 transmits the rotational driving force of the first motor 24 to the drive sprocket 20 . The power transmission mechanism 25 is composed of a first sprocket 26 , a second sprocket 27 , a third sprocket 28 and a chain 29 . The first sprocket 26 is attached to the output shaft of the first motor 24 . A second sprocket 27 is attached to the rotation shaft of the drive sprocket 20 . The third sprocket 28 is a sprocket for adjusting the tension of the chain 29 and is attached to a rotating shaft provided at a different position from the first motor 24 and drive sprocket 20 . A chain 29 is wound around the first sprocket 26 , the second sprocket 27 and the third sprocket 28 . As a result, the driving sprocket 20 is rotated by driving the first motor 24 . As the drive sprocket 20 rotates, the first cable 18F, the second cable 18R, and the driven sprocket 21 rotate, and the moving body 15 moves along with the first projecting portion 161, the second projecting portion 162, and the third projecting portion 163. Moving.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, an interlocking mechanism 30 is provided below the second conveying section 3B. The interlocking mechanism 30 is provided across the downstream side of the first conveying section 3A in the conveying direction A1 and the upstream side of the second conveying section 3B in the conveying direction A2. The interlocking mechanism 30 is a mechanism that interlocks the movement of the first conveying section 3A and the movement of the second conveying section 3B.
The interlocking mechanism 30 is composed of a fourth sprocket 31 , a fifth sprocket 32 , a sixth sprocket 33 and a chain 34 . The fourth sprocket 31 is attached to the rotating shaft of the driven sprocket 21 . The fifth sprocket 32 is attached to the rotation shafts of the downstream pulleys 13F1 and 13R1 of the first transport section 3A. The sixth sprocket 33 is a sprocket for adjusting the tension of the chain 34, and is attached to a rotating shaft provided at a different position from the driven sprocket 21 and the downstream pulleys 13F1 and 13R1. A chain 34 is wound around the fourth sprocket 31 , the fifth sprocket 32 and the sixth sprocket 33 . When the driven sprocket 21 rotates together with the first cable 18F and the second cable 18R with the rotation of the drive sprocket 20 of the second conveying unit 3B, the fourth sprocket 31, the fifth sprocket 32 and the sixth sprocket 32 of the interlocking mechanism 30 rotate. The sprocket 33 rotates together with the chain 34 . As a result, the downstream pulleys 13F1 and 13R1 of the first conveying section 3A rotate, so that the first pulley 13F and the second pulley 13R rotate together with the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R.

As described above, the interlocking mechanism 30 interlocks the first conveying section 3A and the second conveying section 3B to operate. As a result, the headed vegetables VG are smoothly transferred from the first conveying section 3A to the second conveying section 3B.
In addition, the configuration of the second transport section 3B is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the case of the above-described embodiment, there are one each of the first protrusion 161, the second protrusion 162, and the third protrusion 163, but any or all of the protrusions may be two or more. For example, two or more first protrusions 161 can be provided between the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R. In addition, in the case of the above embodiment, the first projecting portion 161, the second projecting portion 162, and the third projecting portion 163 are configured from separate members, but they may be configured integrally from one member. In this case, for example, by forming two cutouts in one plate at intervals in the width direction of the moving body 15, the first projecting portion 161, the second projecting portion 162, and the third projecting portion 163 can be configured.

Next, the 3rd conveyance part 3C is demonstrated.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 15 to 17, the third conveying section 3C is supported above the third frame 6C. The third conveying section 3C has two rollers 35L and 35R arranged in parallel. Of the two rollers 35L and 35R, one roller (hereinafter referred to as "first roller 35L") is located on the left side, and the other roller (hereinafter referred to as "second roller 35R") is located on the right side. . The first roller 35L and the second roller 35R are each extended in the front-rear direction. The first roller 35L and the second roller 35R are cylindrical members having the same diameter and length, and are rotatably supported on the third frame 6C about an axis in the front-rear direction. The third transport unit 3C transports the headed vegetables VG in the direction of the rotation shafts of the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R (from front to back).

The first roller 35L and the second roller 35R are rotated by driving a second motor 36 (see FIG. 15) supported on the front portion of the third frame 6C. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 21, a first gear 37 is attached to the front portion of the rotation shaft (central shaft) 35La of the first roller 35L. A second gear 38 is attached to the front portion of the rotation shaft (central shaft) 35Ra of the second roller 35R. The first gear 37 and the second gear 38 are in mesh. The first gear 37 meshes with a third gear 39 arranged below the first gear 37 . The second gear 38 meshes with a fourth gear 40 arranged below the second gear 38 . A fourth gear 40 meshes with a fifth gear 41 attached to the output shaft of the second motor 36 . The rotational driving force of the second motor 36 is transmitted to the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R via a gear mechanism consisting of the first gear 37 to the fifth gear 41. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 21, the front end portion of the rotation shaft 35La of the first roller 35L and the front end portion of the rotation shaft 35Ra of the second roller 35R are rotatably supported by the front plate 42. As shown in FIGS. The front plate 42 is fixed to the front end of the third frame 6C. As shown in FIG. 18, the front plate 42 has a first insertion hole 42a through which the front end of the rotating shaft 35La of the first roller 35L is inserted, and the front end of the rotating shaft 35Ra of the second roller 35R. A second insertion hole 42b is formed. The first insertion hole 42a and the second insertion hole 42b are long holes extending in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction A3 of the third transport section 3C (hereinafter referred to as "third orthogonal direction").

As shown in FIG. 17, the rear end portion of the rotating shaft 35La of the first roller 35L is rotatably supported by the first rear plate 43L. The first rear plate 43L is attached by a first fixture 45L to a first fixing plate 44L fixed to the left portion of the rear end portion of the third frame 6C. The first fixture 45L is inserted through through holes formed in the first rear plate 43L and the first fixing plate 44L. A first through hole 44a, which is a through hole formed in the first fixing plate 44L, is an elongated hole extending in the third orthogonal direction.

As shown in FIG. 17, the rear end portion of the rotating shaft 35Ra of the second roller 35R is rotatably supported by the second rear plate 43R. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 21, the second rear plate 44R is attached by a second fixture 45R to a second fixing plate 44R fixed to the right portion of the rear end of the third frame 6C. there is The second fixture 45R is inserted through through holes formed in the second rear plate 43R and the second fixing plate 44R. A second through hole 44b, which is a through hole formed in the second fixing plate 44R, is an elongated hole extending in the third orthogonal direction.

Since the first through hole 42a, the second through hole 42b, the first through hole 44a, and the second through hole 44b are long holes extending in the third orthogonal direction, the rotating shaft 35La of the first roller 35L and the second roller The distance between the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R can be adjusted by moving the rotary shaft 35Ra of the roller 35R along the elongated hole.
As shown in FIG. 19, the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R are rotated inwardly (opposite sides are downward) around the central axis as the second motor 36 is driven. The mechanism for transmitting the driving force of the second motor 36 to the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R is not limited to the gear mechanism described above, and may be a mechanism using a chain and a sprocket, for example.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 22, the first roller (one roller) 35L has a first spiral portion 46 spirally provided along the surface of the first roller 35L. The first spiral portion 46 has a first brush portion 47 and a first elastic tube 48 . The first brush portion 47 protrudes like a brush from the surface of the first roller 35L. The first brush portion 47 has a plurality of tufts of hair bundled together. The first brush portion 47 is configured by arranging the plurality of tufts in a spiral. A plurality of tufts of bristles forming the first brush portion 47 are planted in a large number of holes formed in a spiral manner on the surface of the first roller 35L.

The first elastic tube 48 is made of, for example, a rubber tube. The first elastic tube 48 is spirally wound around the surface of the first roller 35L. The first brush portion 47 and the first elastic tube 48 are arranged to be displaced (without overlapping) in the direction of the central axis of the first roller 35L. The first brush portions 47 and the first elastic tubes 48 appear alternately along the direction of the central axis of the first roller 35L. In other words, the first brush portion 47 is arranged between the first elastic tubes 48 appearing at intervals in the direction of the central axis of the first roller 35L.

As shown in FIG. 22, the width W1 of the region where the first brush portion 47 is provided is greater than the width W2 of the first elastic tube 48 in the length direction (conveyance direction A3) of the first roller 35L. The height of the first elastic tube 48 (height from the surface of the first roller 35L) is the same as or higher than the height of the first brush portion 47 .
As shown in FIG. 16, the second roller (the other roller) 35R has a second spiral portion 49 spirally provided along the surface of the second roller 35R. The second spiral portion 49 has a second brush portion 50 and a second elastic tube 51 . The second brush portion 50 protrudes like a brush from the surface of the second roller 35R. The second brush part 50 has a plurality of tufts of hair bundled together. The second brush portion 50 is configured by arranging a plurality of tufts of bristles in a spiral shape. A plurality of tufts of bristles forming the second brush portion 50 are planted in a large number of holes formed in a spiral manner on the surface of the second roller 35R.

The second elastic tube 51 is made of, for example, a rubber tube. The second elastic tube 51 is spirally wound around the surface of the second roller 35R. The second brush portion 50 and the second elastic tube 51 are arranged to be displaced (without overlapping) in the direction of the central axis of the second roller 35R. The second brush portion 50 and the second elastic tube 51 appear alternately along the direction of the central axis of the second roller 35R. In other words, the second brush portion 50 is arranged between the second elastic tubes 51 appearing at intervals in the direction of the central axis of the second roller 35R.

As shown in FIG. 16, the width W3 of the region where the second brush portion 50 is provided is greater than the width W4 of the second elastic tube 51 in the length direction (conveyance direction A3) of the second roller 35R. The height of the second elastic tube 51 (the height from the surface of the second roller 35</b>R) is the same as or higher than the height of the second brush portion 50 .
The width W1 of the area where the first brush portion 47 is provided and the width W3 of the area where the second brush portion 50 is provided are equal. The width W2 of the first elastic tube 48 and the width W4 of the second elastic tube 51 are equal. The spiral directions of the first spiral portion 46 and the second spiral portion 49 are opposite to each other. The first elastic tube 48 and the second elastic tube 51 are arranged to be displaced in the transport direction A3 (front-rear direction) of the third transport section 3C.

As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, 20 and 22, a guide member 52 is arranged above the third conveying section 3C. The guide member 52 extends in the transport direction A3 (front-rear direction) of the third transport section 3C. The guide member 52 has a first guide portion 521 and a second guide portion 522 . In this embodiment, the first guide portion 521 and the second guide portion 522 are formed by bending one plate. The first guide portion 521 and the second guide portion 522 are erected vertically (vertically).

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 20, the first guide portion 521 extends from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction A3 (front-rear direction) of the third conveying portion 3C from one roller (first roller 35L) side. It moves to the other roller (second roller 35R) side. A downstream end (rear end) of the first guide portion 521 is located above the second roller 35R. The upstream end (front end) of the first guide portion 521 is located above the center position in the width direction of the second roller 35R or to the right of the center position (direction extending opposite to the first roller 35L side). located above. The upstream end (front end) of the first guide portion 521 may be positioned between the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R.

As shown in FIGS. 15, 16, 20, and 22, the second guide portion 522 is provided on the upstream side (front side) in the transport direction A3 of the third transport portion 3C relative to the first guide portion 521. . The second guide portion 522 is provided closer to one roller (the first roller 35L) than the first guide portion 521 is. The second guide portion 522 extends from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the transport direction A3 of the third transport portion 3C above the second roller 35R. The second guide portion 522 extends parallel to the central axis 35La of the first roller 35L and the central axis 35Ra of the second roller 35R and is continuous with the upstream end portion of the first guide portion 521 .

As shown in FIG. 20, in the conveying direction A3 (front-rear direction) of the third conveying portion 3C, the distance between the length L1 of the first guide portion 521 above the second roller 35R and the length L2 of the second guide portion 522 is The relationship is set to L1≧L2. In addition, in the transport direction A3 of the third transport unit 3C, the length L3 of the guide member 52 above the second roller 35R is shorter than the length L4 of the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R, and the length L4 is set to more than half (L4>L3≧L4/2). Further, the height of the first guide portion 521 and the second guide portion 522 is set to be larger than the diameter of the head portion VG1 of the head portion VG of the head portion vegetable VG.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 21, the guide member 52 is attached to the attachment member 53. As shown in FIG. The mounting member 53 has a first mounting portion 531 and a second mounting portion 532 . The first attachment portion 531 is attached to the third frame 6C outside (to the right of) the second roller 35R. The second attachment portion 532 is attached to the surface of the guide member 52 on the second roller 35R side. Thereby, the guide member 52 is attached to the third frame 6C via the attachment member 53 .

The first attachment portion 531 is formed with a long hole 531a extending in the transport direction A3 of the third transport portion 3C. The first attachment portion 531 is attached to the third frame 6C by inserting the bolt B1 through the elongated hole 531a and screwing it into a screw hole formed in the third frame 6C. Therefore, by changing the position of the bolt B1 with respect to the long hole 531a, the first attachment portion 531 can be moved in the transport direction A3 of the third transport portion 3C. As a result, the guide member 52 can be moved in the transport direction A3 of the third transport section 3C to adjust the position in the transport direction A3.

The second mounting portion 532 is formed with an elongated hole 532a extending in the third orthogonal direction. In the case of this embodiment, the third transport direction A3 is the front-rear direction, and the third orthogonal direction is the device width direction.
The second attachment portion 532 is attached to the first attachment portion 531 by inserting the bolt B2 through the elongated hole 532 a and screwing it into a screw hole formed in the first attachment portion 531 . Therefore, by changing the position of the bolt B2 with respect to the elongated hole 532a, the second mounting portion 532 can be moved in the third orthogonal direction. As a result, the guide member 52 can be moved in the third orthogonal direction to adjust its position in the third orthogonal direction.

The second attachment portion 532 is attached to the second guide portion 522 of the guide member 52 . The second guide portion 522 is formed with an elongated hole 522a extending in the vertical direction. The second attachment portion 532 is attached to the first attachment portion 531 by inserting the bolt B3 through the elongated hole 522 a and screwing it into a screw hole formed in the first attachment portion 531 . Therefore, the guide member 52 can be moved upward or downward with respect to the first attachment portion 531 by changing the position of the bolt B3 with respect to the elongated hole 522a. Thereby, the vertical position (height) of the guide member 52 can be adjusted.

The guide member 52 preferably has the first guide portion 521 and the second guide portion 522 , but may have only the first guide portion 521 . In this case, as shown by a phantom line in FIG. 20, the upstream end (front end) of the first guide portion 521 is arranged at the most upstream position of the third conveying portion 3C, and the third It is preferable to increase the length in the transport direction A3.
As shown in FIGS. 16, 17, and 21, a second guide member 54 is provided on the downstream side (rear) of the guide member 52. As shown in FIGS. The second guide member 54 is arranged above the third conveying section 3C. The second guide member 54 extends in the transport direction A3 (front-rear direction) of the third transport section 3C. The second guide member 54 has a fixed member 55 and a movable member 56 . The fixed member 55 has a horizontal portion 551 and an inclined portion 552 . The horizontal portion 551 and the inclined portion 552 are formed by bending one plate. The horizontal portion 551 is attached to the third frame 6C. The inclined portion 552 is inclined with respect to the horizontal portion 551 . A lower end portion of the inclined portion 552 is positioned above the second roller 35R. Specifically, the lower end portion of the inclined portion 552 is positioned above the center position in the width direction of the second roller 35R or to the right and above the center position. The inclined portion 552 is inclined so as to move rightward (in a direction away from the first roller 35L) as it goes upward.

The moving member 56 is movably attached to the fixed member 55 . The moving member 56 has a flat plate shape and is attached to the inclined portion 552 of the fixed member 55 . Thereby, the moving member 56 is inclined at the same angle as the inclined portion 552 . The moving member 56 is arranged upstream of the fixed member 55 in the conveying direction A3 of the third conveying section 3C. In other words, the moving member 56 is arranged closer to the guide member 52 than the fixed member 55 is.

A horizontal portion 551 of the fixing member 55 is formed with an elongated hole 551a extending in the third orthogonal direction. The horizontal portion 551 is attached to the third frame 6C by inserting the bolt B4 through the elongated hole 551a and screwing it into a screw hole formed in the third frame 6C. Therefore, by changing the position of the bolt B4 with respect to the long hole 551a, the fixing member 55 can be moved in the third orthogonal direction. Thereby, the second guide member 54 can be moved in the third orthogonal direction to adjust its position in the third orthogonal direction.

The moving member 56 is formed with an elongated hole 56a extending in the conveying direction of the third conveying portion 3C. The moving member 56 is attached to the fixing member 55 by inserting the bolt B5 through the long hole 56a and the through hole formed in the fixing member 55 and screwing a nut onto the bolt B5. Therefore, by changing the position of the bolt B5 with respect to the long hole 56a, the moving member 56 can be moved in the conveying direction A3 of the third conveying section 3C. Thereby, the moving member 56 can be moved in the conveying direction A3 of the third conveying section 3C to adjust the position in the conveying direction. The moving member 56 can be brought into contact with or close to the guide member 52 by moving it upstream in the transport direction.

As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17 and 20, a third guide member 57 is provided on the upstream side (rear) of the guide member 52. As shown in FIG. The third guide member 57 is arranged above the third transport section 3C. The third guide member 57 has a mounting plate 571 and an inclined portion 572 . The mounting plate 571 and the inclined portion 572 are formed by bending one plate. The attachment portion 571 is attached to the third frame 6C in front of the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R. The inclined portion 572 is inclined with respect to the mounting portion 571 . The inclined portion 572 extends to the right (toward the second roller 35R) from the mounting portion 571 toward the downstream side (rear) in the conveying direction A3 in plan view. The extended end of the inclined portion 572 is in contact with or close to the surface (left surface) of the guide member 52 on the first roller 35L side.

As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17 and 21, the third conveying section 3C has side plates 58. As shown in FIGS. The side plate 58 is attached to the top of the third frame 6C on the side of the first roller 35L. The side plate 58 is arranged parallel to the first roller 35L and extends in the conveying direction A3 of the third conveying section 3C. The side plate 58 has a horizontal portion 581 and an inclined portion 582 . The horizontal portion 581 and the inclined portion 582 are formed by bending one plate. The horizontal portion 581 is attached to the third frame 6C. The inclined portion 582 is inclined with respect to the horizontal portion 581 . A lower end portion of the inclined portion 582 is positioned above the first roller 35L. Specifically, the lower end portion of the inclined portion 582 is positioned to the left and above the center position in the width direction of the first roller 35L. The inclined portion 582 is inclined so as to move leftward (in a direction away from the second roller 35R) as it goes upward.

As shown in FIG. 16, the horizontal portion 581 is formed with an elongated hole 581a extending in the third orthogonal direction. The horizontal portion 581 is attached to the third frame 6C by inserting the bolt B6 through the elongated hole 581a and screwing it into a screw hole formed in the third frame 6C. Therefore, by changing the position of the bolt B6 with respect to the long hole 581a, the side plate 58 can be moved in the third orthogonal direction. As a result, the side plate 58 can be moved in the third orthogonal direction to adjust its position in the third orthogonal direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, the downstream end of the second conveying section 3B in the conveying direction A2 is arranged on the upstream side of the third conveying section 3C in the conveying direction A3. The downstream end of the second conveying portion 3B in the conveying direction A2 is arranged on the first roller 35L side of the third conveying portion 3C. The conveying direction A2 of the second conveying portion 3B is perpendicular to the conveying direction A3 of the third conveying portion 3C in plan view. As shown in FIG. 14, the downstream end of the second conveying section 3B in the conveying direction A2 is arranged above the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R of the third conveying section 3C.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 20, the headed vegetables VG conveyed from the second conveying section 3B are supplied above the first roller 35L from the left side of the first roller 35L (opposite side to the second roller 35R). be done. That is, the second transport section 3B functions as a supply section that supplies the headed vegetables VG above the first roller (one roller) 35L.
As shown in FIG. 16, the conveying device 3 includes a connecting member 60 extending from the second conveying portion (supplying portion) 3B toward the guide member 52. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 11 to 14, the connecting member 60 is attached to the downstream end of the second conveying section 3B in the conveying direction A2. The connecting member 60 has a connecting portion 61 , an inclined plate 62 and side walls 63 . The connecting portion 61 is connected to the third side plate 22F and the fourth side plate 22R of the second conveying portion 3B by bolts or the like. As shown in FIG. 14, the inclined plate 62 is inclined downward from the downstream end of the second transport section (supply section) 3B toward the third transport section 3C. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 20, the inclined plate 62 extends from the second transport section (supply section) 3B side toward the guide member 52 side, and the guide member 62 extends from the second transport section (supply section) 3B side toward the guide member 52 side. It is inclined downward toward the 52 side. The side walls 63 rise from one side (front side) and the other side (rear side) of the inclined plate 62 in the width direction.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 16, the inclined plate 62 has a plurality of cutouts formed from the second connecting portion 3B side toward the third conveying portion 3C side (from the left side to the right side). 62a is formed. The number of notches 62 a corresponds to the number of projections 16 provided on one moving plate 15 . In the case of this embodiment, since the number of protrusions 16 provided on one moving plate 15 is three, the number of notches 62a is also three. The three notches 62a are formed at intervals in the width direction of the inclined plate 62 (the same direction as the width direction of the moving body 15). The three protrusions (the first protrusion 161, the second protrusion 162, and the third protrusion 163) move together with the moving body 15 and move from the conveying surface side (front side) to the side opposite to the conveying surface (back side). At times, it passes through each of the three notches 62a.

By providing such a notch 62a, interference between the protruding portion 16 and the connecting member 60 is avoided, so that the second conveying portion 2B can be arranged close to the third conveying portion 3C.
The width direction of the inclined plate 62 (the direction orthogonal to the inclined direction) coincides with the transport direction A3 of the third transport section 3C. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 20, the inclined plate 62 overlaps the guide member 52 in the conveying direction A3 of the third conveying section 3C. Specifically, the inclined plate 62 overlaps the second guide portion 522 of the guide member 52 in the transport direction A3 of the third transport portion 3C. The inclined plate 62 also overlaps the inclined portion 572 of the third guide portion 57 in the conveying direction A3 of the third conveying portion 3C. The inclined plate 62 also overlaps the first guide portion 521 of the guide member 52 in the transport direction A3 of the third transport portion 3C. In addition, in the conveying direction A3 of the third conveying portion 3C, the other widthwise end portion (rear end portion) of the inclined plate 62 is positioned closer to the rear end portion of the second guide portion 522 (the front end portion of the first guide portion 521). is also located at the rear (downstream side).

As shown in FIG. 14, the headed vegetables VG supported by the projecting portion 16 of the second conveying portion 3B and conveyed move from the downstream end of the second conveying portion 3B in the conveying direction A2 to the inclined plate 62, By sliding down (or rolling down) along the slope of the inclined plate 62, it is supplied to the third conveying section 3C. As shown in FIG. 20, the headed vegetables VG supplied to the third conveying portion 3C move toward the first roller 35L side surface (left surface) of the second guide portion 522 of the guide member 52 . In other words, the second transport section (supply section) 3B supplies the headed vegetables VG toward the surface of the second guide section 522 on the first roller 35L side.

As shown in FIG. 20, the headed vegetables VG supplied from the second conveying portion 3B to the third conveying portion 3C via the inclined plate 62 are prevented from moving toward the second roller 35R by the second guide portion 522. Therefore, it is placed on the first roller 35L. The headed vegetable VG placed on the first roller 35L rotates without being stabilized due to the rotation of the first roller 35L. As a result, the headed vegetables VG are conveyed downstream in the conveying direction A3 along the second guide portion 522 while repeating rotation on the first roller 35L. As the headed vegetables VG are conveyed downstream, they move toward the second roller 35R along the inclination of the first guide portion 521 in plan view. In the process of being transported along the second guide portion 522 and the first guide portion 521, the headed vegetables VG repeat the rotation, which causes the outer leaves VG2 to face downward. The outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG are drawn between the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R when the outer leaves VG2 are directed downward.

FIG. 19 shows a state in which the outer leaf VG2 is drawn between the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R. As shown in FIG. 19, the headed vegetable VG whose outer leaves VG2 are drawn between the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R assumes a downward posture in which the outer leaves VG2 face downward.
As shown in FIG. 20, the headed vegetables VG whose outer leaves VG2 are drawn between the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R are transferred to the third conveying section by the rotation of the first spiral section 46 and the second spiral section 49. As shown in FIG. 3C is conveyed downstream in the conveying direction A3. In other words, the third conveying unit 3C sandwiches the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG between the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R, and transports the headed vegetable VG in the axial direction (front-rear direction) of the rollers 35L and 35R. to convey.

In this way, the headed vegetables VG supplied from the second conveying section 3B to the third conveying section 3C assume a downward posture in which the outer leaves VG2 face downward while being conveyed by the third conveying section 3C. Then, the headed vegetables VG in the downward posture are further transported to the downstream side in the transport direction A3 of the third transport section 3C, and are transferred from the third transport section 3C to the fourth transport section 3D in the state of the downward posture. .
Next, the fourth transport section 3D will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 23, and 24, the fourth transport section 3D is supported above the fourth frame 6D. The fourth transport section 3D is arranged downstream of the third transport section 3C in the transport direction A3. The fourth transport unit 3D transports the headed vegetables VG transported by the third transport unit 3C further downstream (backward).
As shown in FIG. 26 and the like, the fourth conveying section 3D includes a pinching belt 70 that pinches and conveys the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG. The pinching belt 70 includes a first pinching belt 71 and a second pinching belt 72 . The first pinching belt 71 and the second pinching belt 72 are made of an elastic material such as rubber.

As shown in FIGS. 23 to 26 and the like, the first nipping belt 71 is arranged close to the downstream end of the third conveying section 3C, and is positioned below the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R. located in The second nipping belt 72 is arranged downstream of the first nipping belt 71 and positioned below the first nipping belt 71 . The rear portion of the first clamping belt 71 and the front portion of the second clamping belt 72 overlap in the transport direction A4 (front-rear direction) of the fourth transport portion 3D.

The first pinching belt 71 includes one side belt 71L and the other side belt 71R. The one-side belt 71L is arranged on one side (left side) in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying section 3D (hereinafter referred to as "fourth orthogonal direction"). The other side belt 71R is arranged on the other side (right side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. The fourth transport direction A4 is the front-rear direction, and the fourth orthogonal direction is the device width direction. The one-side belt 71L and the other-side belt 71R are endless, and are wound around a plurality of pulleys.

The one-side belt 71L is wound around a third pulley 73, a fourth pulley 74, and a fifth pulley 75. As shown in FIG. The third pulley 73 and the fourth pulley 74 are arranged side by side in the fourth orthogonal direction. The fourth pulley 74 and the fifth pulley 75 are arranged side by side in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport section 3D. The fourth pulley 74 rotates with the rotation of a ninth pulley 79 (described later) attached to the same rotating shaft 79a as the fourth pulley 74 . As the fourth pulley 74 rotates, the third pulley 73, the fifth pulley 75, and the one-side belt 71L rotate.

The other side belt 71</b>R is wound around a sixth pulley 76 , a seventh pulley 77 and an eighth pulley 78 . The sixth pulley 76 and the seventh pulley 77 are arranged side by side in the fourth orthogonal direction. The seventh pulley 77 and the eighth pulley 78 are arranged side by side in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport section 3D. The seventh pulley 77 rotates with the rotation of a twelfth pulley 82 (described later) attached to the same rotating shaft 82a as the seventh pulley 77. As the seventh pulley 77 rotates, the sixth pulley 76, the eighth pulley 78, and the other side belt 71R rotate.

As shown in FIG. 26 and the like, the fourth pulley 74 and the seventh pulley 77, and the fifth pulley 75 and the eighth pulley 78 are close to each other. As a result, the one-side belt 71L and the other-side belt 71R are in contact with each other. The one-side belt 71L and the other-side belt 71R move from the front toward the rear (toward the fourth conveying direction A4, which is the direction away from the third conveying section 3C) on the sides that contact each other.

As shown in FIGS. 26 and 28, the first pinching belt 71 pinches the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG between the one-side belt 71L and the other-side belt 71R, and moves while pinching the outer leaves VG2. By doing so, the head vegetables VG are conveyed from the downstream side (forward) to the upstream side (backward) (in the conveying direction A4). When the headed vegetables VG are conveyed by the first clamping belt 71, the posture when transferred from the third conveying section 3C is maintained. That is, the posture of the headed vegetables VG conveyed by the first pinching belt 71 is a downward posture in which the outer leaves VG2 are downward.

The second pinching belt 72 conveys the headed vegetables VG conveyed by the first pinching belt 71 further downstream. The second pinching belt 72 is composed of one belt. As shown in FIG. 27, the second clamping belt 72 is an endless belt in which one belt is twisted by 720° (twice) and both ends 72a and 72b of the twisted belt are joined to each other. . The second clamping belt 72 is stretched over a plurality of pulleys in a figure 8 shape in plan view.

As shown in FIGS. 26 and 28, the plurality of pulleys include a ninth pulley 79, a tenth pulley 80, an eleventh pulley 81, a twelfth pulley 82, a thirteenth pulley 83 and a fourteenth pulley .
The ninth pulley 79, tenth pulley 80, and eleventh pulley 81 are arranged on one side (left side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. The ninth pulley 79 is arranged below the fourth pulley 74 and attached to the same rotating shaft 79 a as the fourth pulley 74 . As a result, the fourth pulley 74 and the ninth pulley 79 rotate in the same direction around the rotation shaft 79a. The tenth pulley 80 is arranged behind the ninth pulley 79 . The ninth pulley 79 and the tenth pulley 80 are arranged side by side in the transport direction of the fourth transport section 3D. The eleventh pulley 81 is arranged between the ninth pulley 79 and the tenth pulley 80 and to the left of the ninth and tenth pulleys 79 and 80 in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport section 3D. there is

The 12th pulley 82, the 13th pulley 83, and the 14th pulley 84 are arranged on the other side (right side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. The twelfth pulley 82 is arranged below the seventh pulley 77 and attached to the same rotating shaft 82 a as the seventh pulley 77 . As a result, the seventh pulley 77 and the twelfth pulley 82 rotate in the same direction around the rotation shaft 82a. The thirteenth pulley 83 is arranged behind the twelfth pulley 82 . The twelfth pulley 82 and the thirteenth pulley 83 are arranged side by side in the transport direction of the fourth transport section 3D. The 14th pulley 84 is arranged between the 12th pulley 82 and the 13th pulley 83 and to the left of the 12th pulley 82 and the 13th pulley 83 in the transport direction of the fourth transport section 3D. .

The fourth transport section 3D includes a moving device 85 that moves the second clamping belt 72 from the upstream side to the downstream side (from the front to the rear). The moving device 85 includes a plurality of pulleys (a ninth pulley 79, a tenth pulley 80, an eleventh pulley 81, a twelfth pulley 82, a thirteenth pulley 83, and a fourteenth pulley 84) around which the second clamping belt 72 is stretched. , and a rotating device 86 (see FIG. 43) for rotating the plurality of pulleys.

As shown in FIG. 43, the rotating device 86 has a third motor 95 . As will be described later, the rotation driving force of the third motor 95 rotates the tenth pulley 80 and the thirteenth pulley 83 . As the tenth pulley 80 rotates, the ninth pulley 79 and the eleventh pulley 81 rotate. Further, as the 13th pulley 83 rotates, the 12th pulley 82 and the 14th pulley 84 rotate. The rotation of the plurality of pulleys (the ninth pulley 79, the tenth pulley 80, the eleventh pulley 81, the twelfth pulley 82, the thirteenth pulley 83, and the fourteenth pulley 84) rotates (moves) the second clamping belt 72. .

As shown in FIGS. 26 and 28, the ninth pulley 79 and the twelfth pulley 82, and the tenth pulley 80 and the thirteenth pulley 83 are close to each other. As a result, the second clamping belt 72 is sandwiched between the tenth pulley 80 and the thirteenth pulley 83 from the position sandwiched between the ninth pulley 79 and the twelfth pulley 82 in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport section 3D. In the section Z1 to the position, they abut each other. Hereinafter, the section Z1 will be referred to as a "contact section Z1". The second nipping belt 72 moves from the front to the rear (toward the direction away from the third conveying section 3C) in the contact section Z1.

The second nipping belt 72 is a belt with a convex cross section, a flat front surface, and a rear surface formed with protrusions. The second pinching belt 72 pinches the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetable VG on the flat surface side. Projections formed on the back surface of the second clamping belt 72 are attached to a plurality of pulleys (the ninth pulley 79, the tenth pulley 80, the eleventh pulley 81, the twelfth pulley 82, the thirteenth pulley 83, and the fourteenth pulley 84). They are fitted in grooves formed respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 23, 24, etc., a cover plate 87 is provided above the fourth transport section 3D. The cover plate 87 is attached to the top of the fourth frame 6D. A plurality of bearings are attached to the lower surface of the cover plate 87 . The plurality of bearings include upper portions of the rotation shafts 79a of the fourth pulley 74 and the ninth pulley 79, upper portions of the rotation shafts 82a of the seventh pulley 77 and the twelfth pulley 82, and upper portions of the rotation shaft 80a of the tenth pulley 80. , the upper portion of the rotating shaft 81a of the 11th pulley 81, the upper portion of the rotating shaft 83a of the 13th pulley 83, and the upper portion of the rotating shaft 84a of the 14th pulley 84 are supported. A substrate 90 is provided above the fourth transport section 3D and below the cover plate 87. As shown in FIG. Lower portions of the rotating shafts 79a, 80a, 81a, 82a, 83a, and 84a are supported by a plurality of bearings attached to the lower surface of the substrate 90, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 26, 28, and 29, the second pinching belt 72 has a downward pinching portion 72a, an upward pinching portion 72b, and an inverted pinching portion 72c. The downward clamping portion 72a, the reversing clamping portion 72c, and the upward clamping portion 72b are provided in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport portion 3D. As shown in FIG. 26, the downward clamping portion 72a, the upward clamping portion 72b, and the reversing clamping portion 72c are provided in the contact section Z1. Specifically, the downward holding portion 72a is provided upstream of the contact section Z1. The upward holding portion 72b is provided at the downstream portion of the contact section Z1. The reversing clamping portion 72c is provided in the midstream portion of the contact section Z1. In the reversing nipping portion 72c, the second nipping belt 72 is twisted around an axis extending in the conveying direction A4, and the vertical direction of the second nipping belt 72 is reversed in the process from the upstream side to the downstream side.

The downward holding portion 72a holds the outer leaf VG2 downward. The upward holding portion 72b holds the outer leaf VG2 upward. As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the reversing clamping portion 72c reverses the headed vegetables VG from a position in which the outer leaves VG2 face downward to a position in which the outer leaves VG2 face upward on the downstream side of the downward grasping portion 72a and the upstream side of the upward grasping portion 72b. Let
As shown in FIGS. 24 and 26, the fourth conveying section 3D has a pressing roller 88 that presses the second nipping belt 72. As shown in FIGS. The pressing roller 88 is attached to the top of the fourth frame 6D by a mounting plate 66. As shown in FIG. The pressing roller 88 is rotatable around a fourth orthogonal axis. The outer peripheral surface of the pressing roller 88 is in contact with the second nipping belt 72 at the reversing nipping portion 72c. The pressing roller 88 presses the second nipping belt 72 from above or below (upper in the illustrated example) at the reversing nipping portion 72c. The pressing roller 88 rotates (rotates) as the second pinching belt 72 moves. As a result, the twisted state (orientation) of the second pinching belt 72 at the reversing pinching portion 72c is appropriately maintained by the pressing force from the pressing roller 88 .

In the illustrated example, the second nipping belt 72 is rapidly twisted from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of the fourth transport section 3D, but it may be twisted more gently than in the illustrated example. That is, the length of the reversing clamping portion 72c (the length of the transport direction of the fourth transport portion 3D) in the contact section Z1 may be longer than the downward clamping portion 72a and the upward clamping portion 72b. Further, the direction of the rotation axis of the pressing roller 88 is preferably the fourth orthogonal direction, but may be inclined with respect to the orthogonal direction according to the twisted state of the second pinching belt 72 .

As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the headed vegetables VG conveyed by the first clamping belt 71 move to the contact zone Z1 of the second clamping belt 72 with the outer leaves VG2 facing downward, In the section Z1, the outer leaf VG2 is conveyed in a sandwiched state. Outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG that have moved to the contact section Z1 of the second clamping belt 72 are first clamped by the downward clamping portion 72a on the upstream side of the contact section Z1. The headed vegetables VG are conveyed in the downward gripping portion 72a with the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG facing downward. Subsequently, the headed vegetables VG move from the downward pinching portion 72a to the reverse pinching portion 72c as the second pinching belt 72 moves (rotates). The headed vegetables VG are reversed from a posture in which the outer leaves VG2 face downward to a posture in which the outer leaves VG2 face upward in the reversing clamping portion 72c. Subsequently, the headed vegetables VG are transferred from the reversing clamping portion 72c to the upward clamping portion 72b as the second clamping belt 72 moves (rotates). The headed vegetables VG are conveyed in the upward clamping portion 72b with the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG facing upward. In this way, the headed vegetable VG moves while being clamped by the second clamping belt 72, and along with the movement, the outer leaf VG2 is reversed from the downward posture to the upward posture.

As shown in FIGS. 23, 24, 26, 28, etc., the fourth transport section 3D includes a support plate 89. As shown in FIG. The support plate 89 supports from below the headed portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG that is turned over as the second pinching belt 72 moves. The support plate 89 is arranged below the second clamping belt 72 . As shown in FIG. 26, the support plate 89 is positioned at a position where the outer leaf VG2 is pinched (a position where the outer leaf VG2 is is placed at a position deviated from the part where the In other words, the support plate 89 is arranged at a position shifted to the left or right from the center of the fourth transport section 3D in the device width direction. The direction of deviation of the support plate 89 is set in the direction in which the headed vegetables VG are twisted in the reversing clamping portion 72c. In the present embodiment, the head vegetable VG is twisted leftward at the reversing pinching portion 72c, so the support plate 89 is arranged at a position shifted leftward from the pinching position of the outer leaf VG2. When the headed vegetable VG is twisted to the right in the reversing clamping portion 72c, the support plate 89 is arranged at a position shifted rightward from the clamping position of the outer leaf VG2.

In the case of the present embodiment, the support plate 89 does not overlap the holding position of the outer leaf VG2 in the direction (fourth orthogonal direction) perpendicular to the direction of movement of the second holding belt 72. You may have For example, the support plate 89 may extend both leftward and rightward from the holding position of the outer leaf VG2 (the center of the fourth conveying section 3D in the device width direction).
The support plate 89 has an upright portion 891 , a horizontal portion 892 and a transition portion 893 . The standing portion 891, the horizontal portion 892 and the transition portion 893 are formed by bending one plate. As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 , the standing portion 891 is fixed by bolts or the like to the substrate 90 provided below the second clamping belt 72 and stands upward from the substrate 90 . The standing portion 891 includes a front standing portion 891a and a rear standing portion 891b. The front standing portion 891 a is arranged below the seventh pulley 77 and the twelfth pulley 82 . The rear upright portion 891b is arranged between the twelfth pulley 82 and the fourteenth pulley 84 . The height of the front standing portion 891a is higher than the height of the rear standing portion 891b. The horizontal portion 892 extends horizontally rearward from the upper end portion of the front standing portion 891a. The transition portion 893 extends from the rear end of the horizontal portion 892 to the upper end of the rear upright portion 891b. The transition portion 893 transitions downward from the front (upstream side) toward the rear (downstream side). In other words, transition section 893 slopes downward from the rear end of horizontal section 892 .

As shown in FIG. 26, the support plate 89 is provided in a region overlapping the downward clamping portion 72a and the reversing clamping portion 72c in the moving direction of the second clamping belt 72 (conveyance direction A4 of the fourth transport portion 3D). It is The support plate 89 is provided in a region overlapping at least a portion of the downward nipping portion 72a and a portion of the reversing nipping portion 72c in the direction of movement of the second nipping belt 72 (transportation direction A4 of the fourth transport portion 3D). It is sufficient if it is provided, but it may be provided in a region that overlaps all of the downward holding portion 72a and all of the reversing holding portion 72c.

As shown in FIGS. 28 to 30, the support plate 89 supports from below the headed portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG that is turned over as the second pinching belt 72 moves. The headed vegetable VG assumes a horizontal or oblique orientation in which the headed portion VG1 protrudes to the left of the second pinching belt 72 in the process in which the outer leaves VG2 are turned from the downward orientation to the upward orientation in the reversing pinching portion 72c. . The support plate 89 abuts from below on the headed portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG in the sideways or oblique orientation, and can receive the weight of the headed portion VG1. Therefore, when the headed vegetable VG takes a sideways or oblique posture, the weight of the headed portion VG1 prevents the outer leaves VG2 from being bent or broken.

As described above, the headed vegetables VG are reversed from the position in which the outer leaves VG2 face downward to the position in which the outer leaves VG2 face upward during the process of being conveyed by the fourth conveying section 3D. Then, the headed vegetables VG with the outer leaves VG2 facing upward are released from the pinching of the outer leaves VG2 at the downstream end in the conveying direction A4 (the downstream end of the upward pinching portion 72b) and transferred to the fifth conveying portion 3E. .
As shown in FIGS. 2, 39, etc., the fifth conveying section 3E is supported by the fifth frame 6E. The fifth transport section 3E is arranged below the fourth transport section 3D. Hereinafter, the fourth transport section 3D may be referred to as the "upper transport section 3D" and the fifth transport section 3E may be referred to as the "lower transport section 3E".

The fifth conveying section (lower conveying section) 3E pinches the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG that have been released from the pinching by the fourth conveying section (upper conveying section) 3D, and conveys them further downstream (backward). .
As shown in FIGS. 31 and 41, the fifth transport section 3E includes an overlapping section 91 that overlaps the fourth transport section 3D and an overlapping section 91 that overlaps the fourth transport section 3D in the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport section 3E. and a non-overlapping portion 92 that does not wrap. The non-overlapping portion 92 is arranged downstream (rearward) of the overlapping portion 91 in the transport direction A5. The conveying direction A5 of the fifth conveying portion 3E is the same as the conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying portion 3D, which is the front-rear direction, and specifically, is the direction from the front to the rear.

As shown in FIG. 41, the fifth conveying unit 3E includes an endless belt 93 (hereinafter referred to as "lower belt 93") and a plurality of pulleys 100 (hereinafter referred to as "lower pulley 100") around which the lower belt 93 is stretched. ) and
The lower belt 93 includes a lower belt 93L and a lower belt 93R. Both the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R are elastic belts such as rubber belts. The lower belt 93L is arranged on one side (left side) of the fifth conveying section 3E in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction A5 (hereinafter referred to as "fifth orthogonal direction"). The lower belt 93R is arranged on the other side (right side) in the fifth orthogonal direction. In the case of this embodiment, the fifth conveying direction A5 is the front-rear direction, and the fifth orthogonal direction is the device width direction.

The lower belt 93 rotates in the horizontal plane as the lower pulley 100 rotates. The other side (left side) of the lower belt 93L and one side (right side) of the lower belt 93R are in contact with each other. In other words, the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R are in contact with each other on the device inner side (the center side in the device width direction). The lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R move from the front to the rear on the side (inner side) where they contact each other.

The plurality of lower pulleys 100 includes a first lower pulley 101, a second lower pulley 102, a third lower pulley 103, a fourth lower pulley 104, a fifth lower pulley 105, a sixth lower pulley 106, a seventh lower pulley 107, a 8 lower pulleys 108 are included. The first lower pulley 101 to the eighth lower pulley 108 are arranged on one side (left side) and the other side (right side) in the fifth orthogonal direction, respectively. Hereinafter, the lower pulley arranged on one side (left side) in the fifth orthogonal direction will be referred to as "first lower pulley 101L" and the like, and the lower pulley arranged on the other side (right side) in the fifth orthogonal direction will be referred to as "first pulley 101L". Lower stage pulley 101R” and the like.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 39, a first plate 94L is attached to the upper left portion of the fifth frame 6E, and a second plate 94R is attached to the upper right portion of the fifth frame 6E. The central shafts of the first lower pulley 101L to the eighth lower pulley 108L are rotatably supported by the first plate 94L. The central shafts of the first lower pulley 101R to the eighth lower pulley 108R are rotatably supported by the second plate 94R. A gap G1 is formed between the first plate 94L and the second plate 94R. The gap G1 extends in the transport direction A5 (front-rear direction) of the fifth transport section 3E. The gap G1 is formed to have a width through which the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetable VG can pass.

The lower belt 93L is wound around the first lower pulley 101L to the eighth lower pulley 108L. The eighth lower pulley 108L is for adjusting the tension of the lower belt 93L and is movable in the fifth orthogonal direction. The lower belt 93R is wound around the first lower pulley 101R to the eighth lower pulley 108L. The eighth lower pulley 108R is for adjusting the tension of the lower belt 93R and is movable in the fifth orthogonal direction.

The seventh lower pulleys 107L and 107R are rotated by rotational driving force transmitted from the third motor 95 via the power transmission mechanism 110. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 43 , the power transmission mechanism 110 has a seventh sprocket 111 , an eighth sprocket 112 , a ninth sprocket 113 , a tenth sprocket 114 and a chain 115 . A seventh sprocket 111 is attached to the output shaft of the third motor 95 . The eighth sprocket 112 is attached to the same rotating shaft 107La as the seventh lower pulley 107L, and is arranged below the seventh lower pulley 107L. The ninth sprocket 113 is attached to the same rotating shaft 107Ra as the seventh lower pulley 107R, and is arranged below the seventh lower pulley 107R. The tenth sprocket 114 is attached to a rotating shaft 114a arranged parallel to the rotating shafts 107La and 107Ra. A tenth sprocket 114 is a sprocket for tension adjustment of the chain 115 . Chain 115 is wound around seventh sprocket 111 , eighth sprocket 112 , ninth sprocket 113 , and tenth sprocket 114 . When the third motor 95 is driven, the seventh sprocket 111, eighth sprocket 112, ninth sprocket 113, tenth sprocket 114 and chain 115 rotate. As the eighth sprocket 112 rotates, the seventh lower pulley 107L rotates. As the ninth sprocket 113 rotates, the seventh lower pulley 107R rotates.

As the seventh lower pulley 107L rotates, the first lower pulley 101L to the sixth lower pulley 106L, the eighth lower pulley 108L, and the lower belt 93L rotate. As the seventh lower pulley 107R rotates, the first lower pulley 101R to the sixth lower pulley 106R, the eighth lower pulley 108R, and the lower belt 93R rotate. Thus, the rotational driving force of the third motor 95 rotates the first lower pulley 101L to the eighth lower pulley 108L, the first lower pulley 101R to the eighth lower pulley 108R, the lower belt 93L, and the lower belt 93R.

As shown in FIG. 41, the lower belt 93L contacts the outer leaf VG2 from one side (left side) in the fifth orthogonal direction. The lower belt 93R contacts the outer leaf VG2 from the other side (right side) in the fifth conveyance orthogonal direction. As a result, the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG are sandwiched between the lower belts 93L and 93R. Hereinafter, the lower belt 93L may be referred to as "first holding member 93L" and the lower belt 93R may be referred to as "second holding member 93R".

Among the plurality of pulleys around which the lower belt 93L is wound, the third lower pulley 103L, the fourth lower pulley 104L, the fifth lower pulley 105L, and the sixth lower pulley 106L support the lower belt (first holding member) 93L. It is a pressing member (hereinafter referred to as "first pressing member 116L") that presses toward the outer leaf VG2 side (lower belt 93R side). The first pressing member 116L rotates (rotates) together with the lower belt 93L.

Among the plurality of pulleys around which the lower belt 93R is wound, the third lower pulley 103R, the fourth lower pulley 104R, the fifth lower pulley 105R, and the sixth lower pulley 106R support the lower belt (first holding member) 93R. It is a pressing member (hereinafter referred to as “second pressing member 116R”) that presses toward the outer leaf VG2 side (lower belt 93L side). The second pressing member 116R rotates (rotates) together with the lower belt 93R.

As shown in FIG. 41, the first pressing members 116L and the second pressing members 116R are alternately arranged along the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport section 3E. Specifically, the third lower pulley 103R, the third lower pulley 103L, the fourth lower pulley 104R, the fourth lower pulley 104L, the fifth lower pulley 105R, the fifth lower pulley 105R, the fifth lower pulley 105R, the fifth lower pulley 105R and the fifth lower pulley 105R The lower pulley 105L, the sixth lower pulley 106R, and the sixth lower pulley 106L are arranged in this order.

By alternately arranging the first pressing member 116L and the second pressing member 116R along the conveying direction A5 of the fifth conveying portion 3E, the lower belt (first clamping body) 93L and the lower belt (second clamping body) 93R bends in a wavy shape and elastically deforms. Therefore, the outer leaf VG2 can be reliably sandwiched between the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R.
As shown in FIGS. 31 and 41 , among the plurality of lower pulleys 100 , first lower pulleys 101 L and 101 R located on the most upstream side are arranged in the overlapping portion 91 . In other words, the plurality of lower pulleys 100 includes first lower pulleys 101L and 101R arranged in the overlapping portion 91. As shown in FIG.

As described above, the second nipping belt 72 provided in the fourth transport section 3D includes a plurality of pulleys (the ninth pulley 79, the tenth pulley 80, the eleventh pulley 81, the twelfth pulley 82, the thirteenth pulley 83, the It is stretched over the 14th pulley 84). Hereinafter, the second clamping belt 72 may be referred to as the "upper belt 72", and the plurality of pulleys around which the second clamping belt (upper belt) 72 is stretched may be referred to as the "upper pulley". Among the plurality of upper pulleys, the upper pulleys (tenth pulley 80, thirteenth pulley 83) arranged on the most downstream side are referred to as "first upper pulleys 80, 83".

As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the first upper pulley 80 is arranged above the first lower pulley 101L. The first upper pulley 83 is arranged above the first lower pulley 101R. The first upper pulley 80 is supported by the same rotating shaft 80a as the first lower pulley 101L. The first upper pulley 83 is supported by the same rotating shaft 83a as the first lower pulley 101R. The rotating shaft 80a and the rotating shaft 83a are arranged parallel to each other and extend vertically. A first upper pulley 80 is attached to the upper portion of the rotating shaft 80a, and a first lower pulley 101L is attached to the lower portion of the rotating shaft 80a. A first upper pulley 83 is attached to the upper portion of the rotating shaft 83a, and a first lower pulley 101R is attached to the lower portion of the rotating shaft 83a. As a result, the first upper pulley (tenth pulley) 80 and the first lower pulley 101L integrally rotate at the same angular velocity as the rotating shaft 80a rotates. Further, the first upper pulley (thirteenth pulley) 83 and the first lower pulley 101R rotate integrally at the same speed (angular speed) as the rotating shaft 83a rotates.

As described above, the rotational driving force of the third motor 95 (see FIG. 25) rotates the first lower pulleys 101L and 101R, and the rotation of the first lower pulleys 101L and 101R causes the first upper pulley (tenth pulley) to rotate. 80, the thirteenth pulley 83) also rotates.
As shown in FIGS. 31, 32, 38, etc., the conveying device 3 includes a support member 117 for supporting the bottom of the headed portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG conveyed by the fifth conveying portion (lower conveying portion) 3E. I have. The support member 117 is arranged below the fifth transport section 3E. As shown in FIG. 31, the support member 117 is provided from below the overlapping portion 91 to below the non-overlapping portion 92 in the transport direction A5 (front-rear direction) of the fifth transport portion 3E.

As shown in FIGS. 34-37, the support member 117 includes a first support member 117L and a second support member 117R. The first support member 117L is arranged on one side (left side) in the fifth orthogonal direction. The second support member 117R is arranged on the other side (right side) in the fifth orthogonal direction. Between the first support member 117L and the second support member 117R, an insertion portion 118 into which the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG can be inserted is formed. The insertion portion 118 extends along the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport portion 3E. 36, part of the second support member 117R (the other support member 130R) is omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 34-37, the first support member 117L has a first support belt 119L. The first support belt 119L is endless and has a first support surface 120L movable in the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport section 3E. The second support member 117R has a second support belt 119R. The second support belt 119R is endless and has a second support surface 120R movable in the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport section 3E. The first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R are arranged parallel to each other with a space therebetween. An insertion portion 118 is formed between the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R.

The first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R are made of an elastic material such as rubber. The first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R are made of an elastic body such as rubber or sponge. In this embodiment, the first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R are parts (surfaces) of the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R. However, the first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R may be configured by joining separate members to the surfaces of the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R. For example, the first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R can be configured by attaching a sponge to the surface of a rubber belt.

As shown in FIG. 36, the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R are each stretched over a plurality of pulleys. Specifically, the first support belt 119L is stretched over the fifteenth pulley 121, the sixteenth pulley 122, and the seventeenth pulley 123. As shown in FIG. The second support belt 119R is stretched over the 18th pulley 124, the 19th pulley 125, and the 20th pulley 126. As shown in FIG. The fifteenth pulley 121 and the eighteenth pulley 124 are attached to the first rotating shaft 127 . The 16th pulley 122 and the 19th pulley 125 are attached to a second rotating shaft 128 . The seventeenth pulley 123 and the twentieth pulley 126 are attached to the third rotating shaft 129 . The 17th pulley 123 and the 20th pulley 126 are pulleys for tension adjustment of the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R, and are vertically movable.

As shown in FIGS. 34, 35, and 37, the first support member 117L has one support 130L. The second support member 117R has the other support 130R. One support 130L is arranged on one side (left side) in the fifth orthogonal direction. The other support 130R is arranged on the other side (right side) in the fifth orthogonal direction. The first rotating shaft 127, the second rotating shaft 128, and the third rotating shaft 129 are rotatably supported by the one support 130 and the other support 130R.

On the other hand, the support 130L has a vertical plate portion 131L and an inclined plate portion 132L. The other support 130R has a vertical plate portion 131R and an inclined plate portion 132R.
The vertical plate portion 131L and the vertical plate portion 131R are arranged facing each other in parallel with the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R interposed therebetween. The first rotating shaft 127, the second rotating shaft 128, and the third rotating shaft 129 span the vertical plate portion 131L and the vertical plate portion 131R.

As shown in FIG. 37 and the like, the inclined plate portion 132L extends upward and leftward from the upper end of the vertical plate portion 131L. The inclined plate portion 132R extends upward and rightward from the upper end of the vertical plate portion 131R. The upper surface of the inclined plate portion 132L is a one support surface 132La capable of supporting the head portion VG1 from one side (left side) of the first support belt 119L. The upper surface of the inclined plate portion 132R is the other support surface 132Ra capable of supporting the head portion VG1 from one side (right side) of the first support belt 119R. The one support surface 132La and the other support surface 132Ra are inclined surfaces that move upward with distance from the insertion portion 118 in the fifth orthogonal direction. Specifically, the one support surface 132La is an inclined surface that shifts leftward as it goes upward. The other support surface 132Ra is an inclined surface that shifts to the right as it goes upward.

As shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, the inclined plate portion 132L is formed with a notch portion 132Lb. A notch portion 132Rb is formed in the inclined plate portion 132R. As shown in FIGS. 32 and 35, the rotary shaft 80a is inserted through the notch 132Lb. The rotary shaft 83a is inserted through the notch 132Rb.
As shown in FIGS. 32 and 38, the vertical plate portion 131L and the vertical plate portion 131R are attached to the fifth frame 6E with bolts B7. A long hole 67 extending in the vertical direction is formed in the fifth frame 6E. The vertical plate portion 131L and the vertical plate portion 131R are attached to the fifth frame 6E by a bolt B7 inserted through the elongated hole 67 and a nut screwed onto the bolt B7. By moving the bolt B7 along the long hole 67, the vertical plate portion 131L and the vertical plate portion 131R can be moved upward or downward with respect to the fifth frame 6E. Thereby, the height position of the support member 117 can be changed.

As shown in FIG. 38, a first bevel gear 133 is attached to one end side of the first rotating shaft 127 (vertical plate portion 131L side). The first bevel gear 133 meshes with the second bevel gear 134 . The second bevel gear 134 is attached to the lower end of the rotary shaft 80a that rotates the first upper pulley 80 and the first lower pulley 101L.
As shown in FIGS. 35 and 36, an eleventh sprocket 135 is attached to the other end of the second rotating shaft 128 (vertical plate portion 131R side). A twelfth sprocket 136 and a thirteenth sprocket 137 are rotatably supported on the vertical plate portion 131R. A chain 138 is stretched over the eleventh sprocket 135 , the twelfth sprocket 136 and the thirteenth sprocket 137 . The thirteenth sprocket 137 is a sprocket for adjusting the tension of the chain 138 and is vertically movable.

Rotational power of the rotating shaft 80a is transmitted from the second bevel gear 134 to the first bevel gear 133, and the first bevel gear 133 rotates. As the first bevel gear 133 rotates, the first rotating shaft 127, the fifteenth pulley 121, and the eighteenth pulley 124 rotate. As the first rotating shaft 127 rotates, the eleventh sprocket 135, the twelfth sprocket 136, the thirteenth sprocket 137, and the chain 138 rotate. As the eleventh sprocket 135 rotates, the sixteenth pulley 122 and the nineteenth pulley 125 rotate. This rotates the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R. Rotation of the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R causes the first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R to move from the front to the rear (arrow A5 direction).

As shown in FIGS. 34 to 36, a plurality of (four) pins 139 are provided between the vertical plate portion 131L and the vertical plate portion 131R. A plurality of pins 139 extend in the fifth orthogonal direction. As shown in FIG. 36, the plurality of pins 139 are connected to the most upstream pulley (fifteenth pulley 121, eighteenth pulley 124) and the most downstream pulley (the 16 pulley 122 and 19 pulley 125). A plurality of pins 139 are arranged parallel to each other at intervals. The pin 139 is rotatable around its central axis. The pins 139 are in contact with the lower surfaces of the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R, and support the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R from below. The pin 139 rotates (rotates) with the rotation of the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R.

As shown in FIGS. 33 and 38, the headed vegetables VG conveyed by the fourth conveying section (upper conveying section) 3D reach the downstream end (first upper pulleys 80, 83) of the fourth conveying section 3D in the conveying direction A4. position), the holding of the outer leaf VG2 by the second holding belt 72 is released. Therefore, although the headed vegetables VG descend by their own weight, they are supported by the overlapped portion 91 (see FIGS. 31 and 41) of the fifth conveying portion 3E overlapping the fourth conveying portion 3D. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, the headed vegetables VG have the outer leaves VG2 sandwiched between the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R, and the headed portion VG1 of the fifth conveying portion 3E. It is supported by a support member 117 arranged below.

The head portion VG1 supported by the support member 117 is supported from below by the first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R, and is formed between the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R. Root VG3 is inserted in portion 118 . Therefore, the posture (upward posture) of the headed vegetable VG is stabilized. In addition, when the head portion VG1 is large, the head portion VG1 is supported by the first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R from the obliquely lower left and the obliquely lower right. ) stabilizes.

The head portion VG1 supported by the support member 117 has a stable posture (upward posture). becomes approximately constant. Outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG are sandwiched between the lower belts 93L and 93R, and headed portions VG1 are supported by the first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R. As the belt 93R moves (rotates), it is conveyed downstream (backward) in the conveying direction A5.

As shown in FIGS. 39, 40, and 44, the first cutting device 4 and the second cutting device 5 are arranged on the downstream side (rear) of the support member 117 in the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport section 3E. ing. The first cutting device 4 and the second cutting device 5 are arranged side by side from the front to the rear. Specifically, the first cutting device 4 is arranged relatively forward, and the second cutting device 5 is arranged relatively rearward. The 1st cutting device 4 and the 2nd cutting device 5 are arrange|positioned under the 5th conveyance part 3E.

As shown in FIGS. 40, 42, and 50, the first cutting device (root cutting device) 4 is arranged below the lower belts 93L and 93R. 42, illustration of the lower pulley 100 is omitted. The first cutting device 4 cuts the roots VG3 of the headed vegetables VG suspended with the outer leaves VG2 sandwiched by the lower belts 93L and 93R.
As shown in FIGS. 45 to 48, the first cutting device 4 has a root aligning section 140, a root pulling section 170, and a root cutting section 180. As shown in FIGS. The root aligning section 140, the root pulling section 170, and the root cutting section 180 are arranged below the fifth conveying section 3E.

First, the root aligning portion 140 will be described.
The root aligning portion 140 is arranged downstream of the support member 117 and upstream of the root pulling portion 170 in the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport portion 3E. The root aligning unit 140 aligns the roots VG3 of the headed vegetables VG conveyed by the fifth conveying unit 3E.
The aligning portion 140 includes a first rotating body 141L, a second rotating body 141R, a first elastic plate 142L, a second elastic plate 142R, and a rotation drive mechanism 143.

The first rotating body 141L is arranged on one side (left side) in the fifth orthogonal direction. The second rotating body 141R is arranged on the other side (right side) in the fifth orthogonal direction. The first rotating body 141L and the second rotating body 141R are cylindrical with the same diameter and length. The first rotating body 141L is fitted onto the first shaft 141La. The second rotating body 141R is fitted onto the second shaft 141Ra. The first rotating body 141L and the first shaft 141La, and the second rotating body 141R and the second shaft 141Ra may be integrated. The first shaft 141La and the first rotating body 141L, and the second shaft 141Ra and the second rotating body 141R are arranged parallel to each other with a space therebetween, and extend in the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport section 3E. ing.

The first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic body 142R are made of an elastic material such as rubber or sponge, and are made of thin plates (elastic plates) capable of bending deformation. In the case of this embodiment, the number of the first elastic plate 142L and the number of the second elastic bodies 142R are respectively one, but each may be two or more.
As shown in FIG. 49, the first elastic plate 142L protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the first rotating body 141L (direction away from the rotating shaft (first shaft 141La) of the first rotating body 141L). ing. The second elastic plate 142R protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the second rotating body 141R (direction away from the rotating shaft (second shaft 141Ra) of the second rotating body 141R). The first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R extend in opposite directions. Specifically, when the first rotating body 141L and the second rotating body 141R are not rotating, the first elastic plate 142L extends leftward and the second elastic plate 142R extends rightward.

As shown in FIG. 48, the protrusion amount L5 of the first elastic plate 142L from the outer peripheral surface of the first rotating body 141L and the protrusion amount L6 of the second elastic plate 142R from the outer peripheral surface of the second rotating body 141R are equal. . The protrusion amount L5 is larger than the outer diameter of the first rotating body 141L. The protrusion amount L6 is larger than the outer diameter of the second rotating body 141R.
As shown in FIG. 48, the first elastic plate 142L has a rectangular shape, and one side is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the first rotating body 141L via a fixing member 144. As shown in FIG. The second elastic plate 142R has a rectangular shape and one side is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the second rotating body 141R via a fixing member 144 .

A plurality of slits 142La cut toward the one side are provided on the other side facing the one side of the first elastic plate 142L. The plurality of slits 142La are provided side by side in the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport section 3E at intervals. A plurality of slits 142Ra cut toward the one side are provided on the other side facing the one side of the second elastic plate 142R. The plurality of slits 142Ra are provided side by side in the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport section 3E at intervals. The slits 142La and the slits 142Ra are provided alternately in the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport section 3E. These slits 142La and 142Ra allow the first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R to be curved along the outer surface of the ball portion VG1.

As shown in FIG. 49, the first elastic plate 142L rotates around the axis of the first shaft 141La as the first rotor 141L rotates. The second elastic plate 142R rotates around the axis of the second shaft 141Ra as the second rotating body 141R rotates.
As shown in FIGS. 45, 46, and 50, the rotary drive mechanism 143 (hereinafter referred to as "first rotary drive mechanism 143") includes a fourth motor 145, a first transmission mechanism 146, a second transmission mechanism 147, a It has a third transmission mechanism 148 , a fourth transmission mechanism 149 and a fifth transmission mechanism 150 .

The first transmission mechanism 146 comprises a fourteenth sprocket 151 attached to the output shaft of the fourth motor 145, fifteenth sprockets 152 and sixteenth sprockets 153 attached to separate rotating shafts, and a first chain 154. It is configured. The first chain 154 is wound around the 14th sprocket 151 , the 15th sprocket 152 and the 16th sprocket 153 .

The second transmission mechanism 147 is composed of a seventeenth sprocket 155 , an eighteenth sprocket 156 , a nineteenth sprocket 157 and a second chain 158 . The seventeenth sprocket 155 is attached to the same rotating shaft 153 a as the sixteenth sprocket 153 . The eighteenth sprocket 156 and the nineteenth sprocket 157 are attached to separate rotating shafts. The second chain 158 is wound around the seventeenth sprocket 155 , the eighteenth sprocket 156 and the nineteenth sprocket 157 .

The third transmission mechanism 148 is composed of a third bevel gear 159 and a fourth bevel gear 160 . The third bevel gear 159 is attached to the same rotating shaft 157 a as the nineteenth sprocket 157 . The fourth bevel gear 160 meshes with the third bevel gear 159 .
The fourth transmission mechanism 149 is composed of a 20th sprocket 161 , a 21st sprocket 162 , a 22nd sprocket 163 and a third chain 164 . The twentieth sprocket 161 is attached to the same rotating shaft 160 a as the fourth bevel gear 160 . The 21st sprocket 162 and the 22nd sprocket 163 are attached to separate rotating shafts. The third chain 164 is wound around the 20th sprocket 161 , the 21st sprocket 162 and the 22nd sprocket 163 .

The fifth transmission mechanism 150 is composed of a sixth gear 165 and a seventh gear 166 . The seventh gear 166 meshes with the sixth gear 165 . The sixth gear 165 is arranged on the same axis as the 22nd sprocket 163 and attached to the front portion of the first shaft 141La. The seventh gear 166 is attached to the front portion of the second shaft 141Ra.
The operation (action) of the first rotation drive mechanism 143 will be described below.

When the fourth motor 145 is driven, the fourteenth sprocket 151, the fifteenth sprocket 152, the sixteenth sprocket 153, and the first chain 154 rotate. When the 16th sprocket 153 rotates, the rotation shaft 153a and the 17th sprocket 155 rotate, and the 18th sprocket 156, the 19th sprocket 157, and the second chain 158 rotate. When the nineteenth sprocket 157 rotates, the rotating shaft 157a and the third bevel gear 159 rotate, and the fourth bevel gear 160 and the rotating shaft 160a rotate. When the rotating shaft 160a rotates, the 20th sprocket 161 rotates, and the 3rd chain 164, the 21st sprocket 162, and the 22nd sprocket 163 rotate. When the 22nd sprocket 163 rotates, the 6th gear 165 rotates, and the 1st shaft 141La rotates. When the sixth gear 165 rotates, the seventh gear 166 rotates and the second shaft 141Ra rotates. As a result, the first shaft 141La and the second shaft 141Ra rotate inward (the opposing sides face downward) about the central axis. As a result, the first rotating body 141L and the second rotating body 141R also rotate inward relative to each other around the central axis.

As shown in FIG. 49, when the first rotating body 141L and the second rotating body 141R rotate inward about the central axis, the first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R also rotate inward about the central axis. rotate to The first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R mutually rotate inward to move downward while contacting the surface of the headed vegetable VG.

Specifically, the first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R rotate inward to contact the headed portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG from opposite sides (see phantom lines 142L1 and 142R1). Subsequently, the first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R move downward along the curved surface of the head portion VG1 while flexing and curving. (see virtual lines 142L2 and 142R2). As a result, the spread of the roots VG3 of the head vegetables VG can be suppressed and evened out. At this time, the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG are firmly sandwiched between the wavy curved lower belts 93L and 93R. Therefore, it is possible to align the roots VG3 while preventing the headed vegetables VG from falling.

Next, the root pulling part 170 will be described.
The root pulling-in unit 170 pulls downward the roots VG3 of the headed vegetables VG conveyed by the fifth conveying unit 3E.
As shown in FIGS. 45 to 51 and the like, the root pulling section 170 has a first pulling roller 171L, a second pulling roller 171R, and a rotation drive mechanism 172. As shown in FIGS. The first drawing roller 171L is arranged on one side (left side) in the fifth orthogonal direction. The second drawing roller 171R is arranged on the other side (right side) in the fifth orthogonal direction. The first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171R are cylindrical with the same diameter and length.

The first drawing roller 171L is fitted onto the first shaft 141La. The second pull-in roller 171R is fitted onto the second shaft 141Ra. The first pull-in roller 171L rotates around an axis (around the first shaft 141La) extending in the transport direction (front-rear direction) of the fifth transport section 3E. The second pull-in roller 171R rotates around an axis (around the second shaft 141Ra) extending in the transport direction (front-rear direction) of the fifth transport section 3E. The outer peripheral surface of the first pull-in roller 171L and the outer peripheral surface of the second pull-in roller 171R are in contact or close to each other. The first pull-in roller 171L and the first shaft 141La, and the second pull-in roller 171R and the second shaft 141Ra may be integrated.

The rotary drive mechanism 172 (hereinafter referred to as "second rotary drive mechanism 172") is the same as the first rotary drive mechanism 143 described above. That is, the first rotation drive mechanism 143 and the second rotation drive mechanism 172 are configured by a common mechanism.
The operation (action) of the second rotation drive mechanism 172 will be described below.
When the fourth motor 145 is driven, the fourteenth sprocket 151, the fifteenth sprocket 152, the sixteenth sprocket 153, and the first chain 154 rotate. When the 16th sprocket 153 rotates, the rotation shaft 153a and the 17th sprocket 155 rotate, and the 18th sprocket 156, the 19th sprocket 157, and the second chain 158 rotate. When the nineteenth sprocket 157 rotates, the rotating shaft 157a and the third bevel gear 159 rotate, and the fourth bevel gear 160 and the rotating shaft 160a rotate. When the rotating shaft 160a rotates, the 20th sprocket 161 rotates, and the 3rd chain 164, the 21st sprocket 162, and the 22nd sprocket 163 rotate. When the 22nd sprocket 163 rotates, the 6th gear 165 rotates, and the 1st shaft 141La rotates. When the sixth gear 165 rotates, the seventh gear 166 rotates and the second shaft 141Ra rotates. Therefore, the first shaft member 141La and the second shaft member 141Ra rotate inward (the opposing sides face downward) about the central axis. As a result, the first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171R rotate inward (opposing sides face down) around the central axis.

As shown in FIG. 51, the first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171R rotate inward relative to each other around the center axis, so that the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG is pulled into the first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171L. It is drawn between 171R. At this time, as shown in FIG. 41, the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetable VG are firmly sandwiched between the wavy curved lower belts 93L and 93R, so that the root VG3 of the head vegetable VG is positioned downward. It will be in a state of being extended linearly. As a result, even if the root VG3 of the head vegetable VG spreads downward, the root VG3 can be extended straight.

The head vegetable VG with the roots VG3 extended by the root pulling-in portion 170 is conveyed further downstream (rearward) in a suspended state with the outer leaves VG2 sandwiched by the lower belts 93L and 93R. It is sent to the root cutting section 180 .
As shown in FIGS. 45 to 48, 50 and 52, the root cutting section 180 has a root cutting blade 181 and a root feeding section 182. As shown in FIGS.

The root cutting blade 181 cuts the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG conveyed by the fifth conveying section 3E. The root cutting blade 181 is a disc-shaped cutting blade having a large number of cutting blades formed on its outer circumference, and rotates around a central axis directed in the vertical direction. The direction of the central axis of the root cutting blade 181 is orthogonal to the moving direction of the lower belts 93L and 93R. In other words, the root cutting blade 181 is arranged in a horizontal plane.

The root feeding unit 182 pinches the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG conveyed by the fifth conveying unit 3E and moves it toward the root cutting blade 181 side. The root feed section 182 has a first feed roller 183L, a second feed roller 183R, and a rotation drive mechanism 184. As shown in FIG.
The root cutting blade 181, the first feed roller 183L, and the second feed roller 183R are rotatably supported on a support plate 185 attached to the fifth frame 6E. The outer diameter of the root cutting blade 181 is larger than the outer diameters of the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R.

As shown in FIG. 48 and the like, the first feed roller 183L is arranged below the root cutting blade 181 and in front of the first pull-in roller 171L. The second feed roller 183R is arranged in front of the second pull-in roller 171R. The center shaft 183La of the first feed roller 183L and the center shaft 183Ra of the second feed roller 183R are oriented vertically, and these center shafts 183La and 183Ra are behind the center shaft 181a of the root cutting blade 181 (the root pulling portion). 170 side). The outer peripheral surfaces of the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R are in contact with or close to each other on the inner sides (the sides facing each other), and rotate in opposite directions (the sides facing each other forward). As shown in FIGS. 45 and 48, the position where the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R abut or come close to each other substantially coincides with the outer circumference of the root cutting blade 181 in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 48, the position where the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R contact or approach each other is on the extension line of the center line CL1 between the first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171R. positioned.
The rotary drive mechanism 184 (hereinafter referred to as “third rotary drive mechanism 184 ”) is composed of a fourth motor 145 and a sixth transmission mechanism 186 .

As shown in FIGS. 44 to 46, 54, etc., the fourth motor 145 is supported under the support plate 185. As shown in FIG. The sixth transmission mechanism 186 transmits the rotational driving force of the fourth motor 145 to the root cutting blade 181, the first feed roller 183L, and the second feed roller 183R. The sixth transmission mechanism 186 comprises a 23rd sprocket 187 , a 24th sprocket 188 , a 25th sprocket 189 , a 26th sprocket 190 , a 27th sprocket 191 and a chain 192 . The twenty-third sprocket 187 is attached to the output shaft of the fourth motor 145 . A twenty-fourth sprocket 188 is attached to the central shaft 181 a of the root cutting blade 181 . The 25th sprocket 189 is attached to the central shaft 183La of the first feed roller 183L. The 26th sprocket 190 is attached to the central shaft 183Ra of the second feed roller 183R. The twenty-seventh sprocket 191 is provided for tension adjustment of the chain 192 . A chain 192 is wound around the 23rd sprocket 187 to the 27th sprocket 191 .

Since the 23rd sprocket 187 rotates when the 4th motor 145 drives, the 24th sprocket 188, the 25th sprocket 189, the 26th sprocket 190, and the chain 192 rotate. As the 24th sprocket 188 rotates, the root cutting blade 181 rotates around the central axis 181a. As the 25th sprocket 189 rotates, the first feed roller 183L rotates around the central axis 183La. As the 26th sprocket 190 rotates, the second feed roller 183R rotates around the central axis 183Ra. The first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R rotate at the same rotational speed in opposite directions. The rotation direction of the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R is the direction from the front to the rear (the same direction as the conveying direction A5 of the fifth conveying section 3E) on the side (inner side) that contacts or approaches each other. .

The headed vegetable VG moves to the root feeding section 182 with the root VG3 stretched by the root pulling section 170, whereby the root VG3 is drawn between the first feeding roller 183L and the second feeding roller 183R. pinched. The root VG3 sandwiched between the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R is moved backward (toward the root cutting blade 181) by the rotation of the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R, and cuts the root. Cutting is performed by the rotation of the blade 181 .

Here, the moving speed of the root VG3 accompanying the rotation of the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R is faster than the transport speed of the fifth transport section 3E. That is, the rotation speed (peripheral speed) of the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R is faster than the moving speed of the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R. As a result, the headed vegetables VG are faster than the outer leaves VG2 moving while being clamped by the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R. Speed increases.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 50, the head vegetable VG swings forward like a pendulum with the part where the outer leaf VG2 is held as a fulcrum. Due to this rocking, the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG draws a downwardly convex arcuate locus C1 and moves forward. Therefore, the root VG3 is cut by moving toward the root cutting blade 181 while drawing an arc-shaped locus C1. Since the root portion of the headed vegetable VG has a curved surface, the root VG3 moves toward the root cutting blade 181 in an arc-shaped trajectory, thereby cutting the root VG3 while minimizing the amount of uncut portions. be able to.

As shown in FIGS. 47, 48, 52, 53, etc., the root cutting section 180 includes a cover 193 that covers the root cutting blade 181. As shown in FIG. The cover 193 has the function of preventing the operator from contacting the root cutting blade 181 .
The cover 193 has an upper plate 193a that covers the top of the root cutting blade 181 and side plates 193b that cover the sides of the root cutting blade 181 . The side plate 193b is attached to the upper part of the support plate 185 via the receiving member 194. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 42 and 47, the receiving member 194 has side walls 194a, a first top plate 194b, and a second top plate 194c. The side wall 194 a is erected on the upper surface of the support plate 185 . The first upper plate 194b is attached to the upper end of the side wall 194a and is arranged below the upper plate 193a and above the support plate 185. As shown in FIG. The second top plate 194c extends from the rear end of the first top plate 194b and is inclined downward from the rear end toward the rear.

As shown in FIGS. 47, 48, 53, etc., the cover 193 has a notch portion 193c cut from the root pulling portion 170 side (front side) toward the root cutting portion 180 side (rear side). there is The notch 193c is formed in the upper plate 193a. As shown in FIG. 48, the notch 193c is provided on an extension of the central position between the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R. In addition, the notch portion 193c is provided on an extension line of the center line CL1 between the first drawing roller 171L and the second drawing roller 171R.

The notch 193c is provided from the downstream side to the upstream side of the center of the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R in the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport section 3E. That is, one end of the notch 193c is located downstream of the center of the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R in the transport direction A5. The other end of the notch 193c is positioned upstream from the center of the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R in the transport direction A5.

By providing such a notch 193c, when the root VG3 draws an arc-shaped trajectory C1 (see FIG. 50) and moves toward the root cutting blade 181, the head portion VG1 hits the cover 193 and moves. can be avoided from being obstructed.
The headed vegetables VG whose roots VG3 have been cut by the root cutting blade 181 are transported further rearward (downstream in the transport direction A5) in a suspended state with the outer leaves VG2 sandwiched between the lower belts 93L and 93R. , to a second cutting device (outer leaf cutting device) 5 .

As shown in FIGS. 42 and 44, the second cutting device 5 is arranged below the lower belts 93L and 93R. The second cutting device 5 cuts the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG suspended by the lower belts 93L and 93R and conveyed. As shown in FIGS. 52 and 53 , the second cutting device 5 has an outer leaf guide section 200 and an outer leaf cutting section 210 .

As shown in FIGS. 43, 52, and 53, the outer leaf guide section 200 has a first guide member 201, a second guide member 202, and a contact member 203. As shown in FIGS.
The first guide member 201 and the second guide member 202 are arranged side by side in the fifth orthogonal direction. Specifically, the first guide member 201 is arranged on one side (left side) in the fifth orthogonal direction. The second guide member 202 is arranged on the other side (right side) in the fifth orthogonal direction.

The first guide member 201 has a first intermediate portion 201a, a first front portion 201b and a first rear portion 201c. The first intermediate portion 201a extends in the front-rear direction and is inclined downward toward the front. The first front portion 201b is bent from the front end of the first intermediate portion 201a and extends leftward. The first rear portion 201c bends from the rear end of the first intermediate portion 201a and extends leftward. The ends of the first front portion 201b and the first rear portion 201c are attached to the first vertical plate 204 (see FIG. 54) fixed to the fifth frame 6E.

The second guide member 202 has a second intermediate portion 202a, a second front portion 202b and a second rear portion 202c. The second intermediate portion 202a extends in the front-rear direction and is inclined downward from the front to the rear (toward the downstream side in the transport direction A5). The second front portion 202b is bent from the front end of the second intermediate portion 202a and extends rightward. The second rear portion 202c bends from the rear end of the second intermediate portion 202a and extends rightward. The ends of the second front portion 202b and the second rear portion 202c are attached to a second vertical plate 205 fixed to the fifth frame 6E.

The first intermediate portion 201a and the second intermediate portion 202a are arranged in parallel with a gap in the device width direction. The inclination angle of the first intermediate portion 201a can be adjusted by changing the attachment positions of the first front portion 201b and the first rear portion 201c with respect to the first vertical plate 204. FIG. The inclination angle of the second intermediate portion 202a can be adjusted by changing the attachment positions of the second front portion 202b and the second rear portion 202c with respect to the second vertical plate 205. FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 52 and 53, the contact member 203 has a first portion 203a, a second portion 203b and a third portion 203c. The first portion 203a and the second portion 203b are continuously formed in a U shape when viewed from the side. The first portion 203a is composed of two straight portions 203a1 and 203a2 and a curved portion 203a3 connecting the two straight portions 203a1 and 203a2. The second portion 203b is composed of two straight portions 203b1 and 203b2. The linear portion 203a1 and the linear portion 203a2, and the linear portion 203b1 and the linear portion 203b2 are arranged with an interval therebetween in the vertical direction.

The first portion 203a is inclined with respect to the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport portion 3E in plan view. More specifically, the first portion 203a extends from the upstream side (front side) to the downstream side (rear side) in the conveying direction A5 of the fifth conveying section 3E, and extends to one side ( left side) to the other side (right side).
The second portion 203b bends from the rear end portion of the first portion 203a and extends rearward (in the direction toward the downstream side in the conveying direction of the fifth conveying portion 3E). The second portion 203b is arranged at a position between the first intermediate portion 201a and the second intermediate portion 202a in the fifth orthogonal direction (device width direction).

The third portion 203c bends and extends downward from the rear end portion of the second portion 203b. A lower end portion of the third portion 203c is attached to a mounting plate 206 fixed to the upper portion of the fifth frame 6E. By attaching the third portion 203c to the mounting plate 206, the position of the contact member 203 is fixed.
As shown in FIGS. 52 to 54 and the like, the outer leaf cutting section 210 has an outer leaf cutting blade 211 and a drive mechanism 212 that rotates the outer leaf cutting blade 211 . The outer leaf cutting blade 211 is a disc-shaped cutting blade having a large number of cutting blades formed along the outer periphery, and rotates around a central axis 211a directed in the vertical direction.

The outer leaf cutting blade 211 is arranged in front of the first guide member 201 and the second guide member 202 . One side portion (right portion) of the outer leaf cutting blade 211 is inserted between the straight portion 203b1 and the straight portion 203b2 of the second portion 203b of the contact member 203 .
As shown in FIG. 54, the drive mechanism 212 has a fourth motor 145, a 28th sprocket 213, a 29th sprocket 214, a 30th sprocket 215 and a chain 216. The 28th sprocket 213 is attached to the central shaft 181 a of the root cutting blade 181 . The 29th sprocket 214 is connected to the central axis of the outer leaf cutting blade 211 . The thirtieth sprocket 215 is connected to the rotating shaft 215a. The rotary shaft 215a is rotatably supported by the support plate 185. As shown in FIG. The chain 216 is stretched over the 28th sprocket 213 , the 29th sprocket 214 and the 30th sprocket 215 .

As described above, driving the fourth motor 145 rotates the central shaft 181 a of the root cutting blade 181 . When the central axis 181a of the root cutting blade 181 rotates, the 28th sprocket 213, the 29th sprocket 214, the 30th sprocket 215 and the chain 216 rotate. As a result, the outer leaf cutting blade 211 rotates. That is, the root cutting blade 181 and the outer leaf cutting blade 211 can be rotated by driving the fourth motor 145 .

The action (operation) of the second cutting device 5 will be described below.
The head vegetables VG conveyed with the outer leaves VG2 sandwiched by the lower belts 93L and 93R are introduced from the rear between the first intermediate portion 201a and the second intermediate portion 202a, and then the first intermediate portion 202a. It moves rearward (fifth conveying direction A5) while being sandwiched between the intermediate portion 201a and the second intermediate portion 202a. Here, the first intermediate portion 201a and the second intermediate portion 202a are inclined downward toward the front. Therefore, the position where the outer leaf VG2 is sandwiched between the first intermediate portion 201a and the second intermediate portion 202a gradually shifts downward as the head vegetable VG moves.

The outer leaf VG2 of the head vegetable VG that has moved backward while being sandwiched between the first intermediate portion 201a and the second intermediate portion 202a has a base end portion (a portion close to the head portion VG1) of the contact member 203 that is positioned near the head portion VG1. It abuts on the portion 203a and moves diagonally rightward and rearward along the first portion 203a.
After moving along the first portion 203a, the vicinity of the base end portion of the outer leaf VG2 continues to move rearward along the second portion 203b. As a result, the vicinity of the base end of the outer leaf VG2 is cut by the outer leaf cutting blade 211 . The headed vegetables VG whose outer leaves VG2 have been cut near the base ends are dropped because they are not pinched by the fifth conveying section 3E.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sixth transport section 3F is arranged downstream of the fifth transport section 3E in the transport direction A5. The sixth transport section 3F is supported by the sixth frame 6F. The conveying direction A6 of the sixth conveying portion 3F is the same as the conveying direction A5 of the fifth conveying portion 3E, which is the front-rear direction, specifically, the direction from the front to the rear.
The sixth transport section 3F is a belt conveyor, and the upstream side of the belt is arranged below the outer leaf cutting blade 211 . As a result, the headed vegetables VG whose outer leaves VG2 are cut by the outer leaf cutting blade 211 and dropped are placed on the upstream side of the belt of the sixth conveying section 3F, and are conveyed downstream by the movement of the belt and collected. be. The collected head vegetable VG becomes a head vegetable VG in which the outer leaves VG2 and the root VG3 are cut at appropriate positions.
<effect>
According to the conveying device 3, the root cutting device 4, and the preparation device 1 of the above embodiment, the following effects are obtained.

The conveying device 3 is a conveying device for conveying the vegetables VG, and has a first belt 9F and a second belt 9R arranged side by side with a space therebetween. A first conveying section 3A that supports and conveys VG, and a first conveying section 3A that is arranged downstream in the conveying direction A1 of the first conveying section 3A and conveys upward the vegetable VG conveyed by the first conveying section 3A. The second transport unit 3B includes a moving body 15 that moves from a position below the first transporting part 3A toward a position above the first transporting part 3A, and a moving body 15 that moves from the moving body 15 toward the first transporting part 3A. and a protrusion 16 that protrudes from the front, and the protrusion 16 includes a first protrusion 161 that passes between the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R as the moving body 15 moves.

According to this configuration, the vegetables VG that have been conveyed while being supported by the upper portions of the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R of the first conveying section 3A are transferred from the moving body 15 of the second conveying section 3B to the first conveying section 3A. It can be lifted and conveyed upward by the protruding part 16 protruding toward. Further, since the first projecting portion 161 is configured to pass between the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R, the second conveying portion 3B can approach the first conveying portion 3A without interfering with it. can be placed. Therefore, the vegetables VG conveyed by the first conveying section 3A can be reliably and smoothly transferred one by one to the second conveying section 3B and conveyed.

In addition, the projecting portions 16 are intermittently provided at intervals along the moving direction of the moving body 15 .
According to this configuration, a plurality of vegetables VG conveyed by the first conveying section 3A can be intermittently transferred to the second conveying section 3B by the protruding section 16 and conveyed. Therefore, many vegetables VG can be efficiently conveyed one by one.

The projecting portion 16 includes a second projecting portion 162 provided on one side in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the moving body 15 and a third projecting portion 163 provided on the other side in the orthogonal direction. The second protrusion 162 passes through one side of the first belt 9F as the moving body 15 moves, and the third protrusion 163 passes through the other side of the second belt 9R as the moving body 15 moves. pass through.
According to this configuration, the vegetables VG conveyed by the first conveying section 3A can be lifted by the first protruding section 161, the second protruding section 162, and the third protruding section 163 and transferred to the second conveying section 3B. can. Therefore, it is possible to reliably transfer the vegetables VG from the first conveying section 3A to the second conveying section 3B.

In addition, the second projecting portion 162 and the third projecting portion 163 are provided at the same height position, and the first projecting portion 161 is provided at a lower position than the second projecting portion 162 and the third projecting portion 163. .
According to this configuration, since the first projecting portion 161, the second projecting portion 162, and the third projecting portion 163 are arranged in a substantially V-shape, the vegetables VG can be reliably lifted without being dropped and transferred to the second conveying portion 3B. can be moved to

In addition, the first conveying section 3A includes a first side plate 10F arranged outside the first belt 9F, a second side plate 10R arranged outside the second belt 9R in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction A1, , and the first side plate 10F and the second side plate 10R have inclined portions 10Fb and 10Rb that gradually approach each other as they go downward from a position above the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R. there is

According to this configuration, the vegetables VG conveyed by the first conveying section 3A can be collected toward the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R by the inclination of the inclined sections 10Fb and 10Rb, so that the vegetables VG are conveyed to the first belt. It is smoothly conveyed without falling off from the conveying section 3A.
The second conveying unit 3B includes a third side plate 22F arranged on one side in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the moving body 15, and a third side plate 22F arranged on the other side in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the moving body 15. 4 side plates 22R.

According to this configuration, the third side plate 22F and the fourth side plate 22R prevent the vegetables VG conveyed by the moving body 15 of the second conveying section 3B from falling off. Therefore, the vegetables VG can be smoothly and reliably conveyed by the second conveying section 3B.
The preparation device 1 also includes the conveying device 3 and a first cutting device 4 that cuts the roots VG3 of the vegetables VG conveyed by the conveying device 3 .

According to this configuration, the first cutting device 4 can cut the roots VG3 of the vegetables VG conveyed one by one by the conveying device 3, so that the cutting processing of the roots VG3 of the vegetables VG can be reliably and accurately performed. It can be carried out.
The preparation device 1 also includes a second cutting device 5 that cuts the outer leaves VG2 of the vegetables VG conveyed by the conveying device 3 .

According to this configuration, the outer leaves VG2 of the vegetables VG conveyed one by one by the conveying device 3 can be cut by the second cutting device 5, so that the cutting processing of the outer leaves VG2 of the vegetables VG can be reliably performed. can be done accurately.
The conveying device 3 is a conveying device for conveying the headed vegetable VG having the head portion VG1, the outer leaf VG2 and the root VG3, and is composed of two rollers 35L and 35R arranged in parallel and rotating inwardly of each other. and a conveying section (third conveying section) 3C for conveying the headed vegetables in the direction of the rotating shafts 35La and 35Ra of the rollers 35L and 35R while holding the outer leaves VG2 between the two rollers 35L and 35R; and a guide member 52 disposed above the portion 3C and extending in the transport direction A3 of the transport portion 3C. It has a first guide portion 521 that moves from the roller 36R side to the other roller 36R side.

According to this configuration, the headed vegetable VG rotates in the process of being guided from one roller (first roller) 35L side to the other roller (second roller) 35R side by the first guide portion 521 of the guide member 52. By repeating the above, the outer leaf VG2 is drawn downward in a short time between the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R, and the outer leaf VG2 is stabilized in the downward attitude. As a result, the posture of the headed vegetables VG can be stabilized in a short conveying distance.

Further, the guide member 52 has a second guide portion 522 provided on the upstream side of the first guide portion 521, and the second guide portion 522 extends parallel to the rotation shafts 35La and 35Ra to extend in the first direction. It is continuous with the upstream end of the guide portion 521 .
According to this configuration, when the headed vegetables VG are supplied to the upstream side of the first guide part 521, the second guide part 522 prevents the headed vegetables VG from moving toward the other roller (second roller) 35R side. Therefore, the headed vegetable VG can be conveyed to the second guide portion 522 while being placed on one roller (first roller) 35L. Therefore, the head vegetables VG are conveyed downstream along the second guide portion 522 while repeating rotation on the first roller 35L, and the outer leaves VG2 are more likely to face downward, and the first roller 35L. and the second roller 35R.

In addition, a supply unit (second transport unit) 3B that supplies headed vegetables VG is provided above one roller 35L of the transport unit 3C, and the supply unit 3B is provided on the surface of the second guide unit 522 on the one roller 35L side. To supply head vegetables VG.
According to this configuration, the headed vegetables VG supplied by the supply section 3B hit the surface of the second guide section 522 on the one roller 35L side, and the movement of the headed vegetables VG to the other roller (second roller) 35R side is prevented. be blocked. Therefore, the headed vegetable VG can be reliably placed on the first roller 35L and rotated.

Further, a communication member 60 extending from the supply section 3B toward the guide member 52 is provided, and the communication member 60 has an inclined plate 62 that slopes downward from the supply section 3B side toward the guide member 52 side.
According to this configuration, the headed vegetables VG supplied from the supply unit 3B can be made to slide or roll on the inclined plate 62 of the connecting member 60 toward the guide member 52 side. Therefore, the headed vegetables VG can be reliably transported along the guide member 52 .

Further, a first spiral portion 46 spirally provided along the surface of one roller 35L and a second spiral portion 49 spirally provided along the surface of the other roller 35R. The first spiral portion 46 has a first brush portion 47 that protrudes like a brush from the surface of one roller 35L, and the second spiral portion 49 has a second brush portion that protrudes like a brush from the surface of the other roller 35R. has 50.

According to this configuration, the headed vegetables VG can be smoothly conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side along the spirals of the first spiral portion 46 and the second spiral portion 49 . In addition, by hooking the first brush portion 47 and the second brush portion 50 on the outer leaf VG2, the outer leaf VG2 can be reliably drawn between the one roller 35L and the other roller 35R.
The first spiral portion 46 has a first elastic tube 48 spirally wound on the surface of one roller 35L, and the second spiral portion 49 is spirally wound on the surface of the other roller 35R. It has a second elastic tube 51 .

According to this configuration, the helically wound first elastic tube 48 and the second elastic tube 51 rotate to convey the headed vegetables VG along the first elastic tube 48 and the second elastic tube 51. It can be moved in direction A3. Therefore, a high conveying force is obtained, and even if the outer leaves VG2 are not sufficiently drawn between the one roller 35L and the other roller 35R, the headed vegetables VG can be reliably conveyed.

The preparation device 1 also includes the conveying device 3 and a first cutting device 4 for cutting the roots VG3 of the headed vegetables VG conveyed by the conveying device 3 .
According to this configuration, the conveying device 3 capable of stabilizing the posture of the headed vegetable VG in a short conveying distance is provided, and the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG conveyed by the conveying device 3 can be cut. A preparation device 1 can be realized. Therefore, the preparation device 1 capable of cutting the root VG3 of the head vegetable VG can be downsized.

The preparation device 1 also includes a second cutting device 5 that cuts the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG conveyed by the conveying device 3 .
According to this configuration, the conveying device 3 capable of stabilizing the posture of the headed vegetable VG in a short conveying distance is provided, and the outer leaf VG2 and the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG conveyed by the conveying device 3 are cut. It is possible to realize the preparation device 1 that can Therefore, the preparation apparatus 1 capable of cutting the outer leaves VG2 and the root VG3 of the head vegetable VG can be downsized.

In addition, the conveying device 3 is a conveying device 3 that conveys the headed vegetables VG having the head portion VG1, the outer leaves VG2, and the roots VG3, and is a pinching belt (second pinching belt) that pinches the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG. ) 72, and a moving device 85 for moving the nipping belt 72 from the upstream side toward the downstream side. and an inverting pinching portion 72c that inverts the headed vegetables VG from the posture in which the outer leaves VG2 face downward to the posture in which the outer leaves VG2 face upward on the downstream side of the downward pinching portion 72a and the upstream side of the upward pinching portion 72b. have.

According to this configuration, the headed vegetables VG can be transported while being clamped by the nipping belt 72, so that the headed vegetables VG can be reversed from an attitude in which the outer leaves VG2 face downward to an attitude in which the outer leaves VG2 face upward. Therefore, it is possible to realize a conveying apparatus for headed vegetables VG that can be conveyed by reversing the posture of the headed vegetables VG with a simple configuration.
The moving device 85 includes a plurality of pulleys (the ninth pulley 79, the tenth pulley 80, the eleventh pulley 81, the twelfth pulley 82, the thirteenth pulley 83, and the fourteenth pulley 84) and a rotating device 86 for rotating the pulleys. , and the nipping belt (second nipping belt) 72 is an endless belt in which both ends of a belt twisted by 720° are joined to each other. It is strung on a pulley.

According to this configuration, since the nipping belt 72 can be configured from one endless belt, the number of parts can be reduced, and the configuration of the moving device 85 can be simplified. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the moving device 85 having the function of vertically inverting the headed vegetables VG.
In addition, a support plate 89 is provided for supporting from below the headed portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG that is reversed as the nipping belt (second nipping belt) 72 moves. It has a transition portion 893 that transitions downward as it goes toward the .

According to this configuration, the transition portion 893 of the support plate 89 can support from below the headed portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG that is reversed as the nipping belt 72 is moved. Therefore, when the head vegetable VG is turned over, the weight of the head part VG1 prevents the outer leaves VG2 from being bent or broken.
In addition, the support plate 89 is provided in an area overlapping the downward nipping portion 72a and the reverse nipping portion 72c in the direction of movement of the nipping belt (second nipping belt) 72 (conveyance direction A4).

According to this configuration, the headed portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG that is reversed with the movement of the nipping belt 72 can be supported from below by the support plate 89 in the downward nipping portion 72a and the reversing nipping portion 72c. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the outer leaves VG2 from bending or breaking due to the weight of the head portion VG1 when the head vegetable VG is turned over.
In addition, the support plate 89 is arranged at a position shifted from the pinching position of the outer leaf VG2 in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the pinching belt (second pinching belt) 72 .

According to this configuration, in the process in which the headed vegetables VG are reversed from the attitude in which the outer leaves VG2 face downward to the attitude in which the outer leaves VG2 face upward in the reversing clamping part 72c, the headed vegetables VG are turned leftward or rightward from the clamping position of the outer leaves VG2. The head portion VG1 can be reliably supported by the support plate 89 when it assumes a posture (sideways or oblique posture) that protrudes outward.
The holding belt (second holding belt) 72 is made of an elastic material.

According to this configuration, the holding belt 72 can reliably hold the outer leaf VG2 without damaging it.
Further, a presser roller 88 is provided that contacts the nipping belt (second nipping belt) 72 at the reversing nipping portion 72c and rotates as the nipping belt 72 moves.
According to this configuration, the twisted state (orientation) of the second nipping belt 72 in the reversing nipping portion 72 c is appropriately maintained by the pressing force from the pressing roller 88 . Therefore, the posture of the headed vegetables VG can be reliably reversed at the reversing clamping portion 72c.

The preparation device 1 also includes the conveying device 3 and a first cutting device 4 for cutting the roots VG3 of the headed vegetables VG conveyed by the conveying device 3 .
According to this configuration, the head vegetable VG is provided with the transport device 3 capable of transporting the head vegetable VG with its posture inverted upside down, and the root VG3 of the head head vegetable VG transported by the transport device 3 can be cut. The device 1 can be implemented.

The preparation device 1 also includes a second cutting device 5 that cuts the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG conveyed by the conveying device 3 .
According to this configuration, the conveying device 3 capable of inverting the posture of the headed vegetable VG and conveying it is provided, and the outer leaf VG2 and the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG conveyed by the conveying device 3 are cut. It is possible to realize the preparation device 1 that can

Further, the conveying device 3 is a conveying device 3 that conveys the headed vegetables VG having the head portion VG1, the outer leaves VG2, and the roots VG3, and is an upper conveying device that conveys the headed vegetables VG from the upstream side to the downstream side while holding the outer leaves VG2. (fourth conveying unit) 3D, and a lower conveying unit disposed below the upper conveying unit 3D for nipping the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG released from nipping by the upper conveying unit 3D and conveying them further downstream. (Fifth conveying section) 3E, and a support member 117 arranged below the lower conveying section 3E and supporting the bottom of the head portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG conveyed by the lower conveying section 3E.

According to this configuration, the support member 117 can support the bottom of the headed vegetables VG transferred from the upper conveying section 3D to the lower conveying section 3E. Therefore, even if the height of the bottom portion of the headed vegetables VG is not constant in the upper conveying portion 3D, the height of the bottom portion of the headed vegetables VG becomes substantially constant when the headed vegetables VG are transferred from the upper conveying portion 3D to the lower conveying portion 3E. It is possible to align the heights of the roots VG3 of the headed vegetables VG having different heights and convey them.

In addition, the lower conveying section 3E includes an overlapping section 91 that overlaps the upper conveying section 3D in the conveying direction A5, and an overlapping section 91 that is arranged downstream of the overlapping section 91 in the conveying direction A5 and overlaps the upper conveying section 3D in the conveying direction A5. The support member 117 is provided from below the overlapping portion 91 to below the non-overlapping portion 92 .
According to this configuration, the support member 117 can support the bottom of the head portion VG1 in a range from below the overlapping portion 91 to below the non-overlapping portion 92 . Therefore, the headed vegetables VG can be reliably and smoothly transferred from the upper conveying section 3D to the lower conveying section 3E.

The upper conveying section 3D includes an endless upper belt (second clamping belt) 72 and a plurality of upper pulleys (a ninth pulley 79, a tenth pulley 80, an eleventh pulley 81, a 12th pulley 82, a 13th pulley 83, and a 14th pulley 84); , the plurality of lower pulleys include first lower pulleys 101L and 101R arranged in the overlapping portion 91, and the plurality of upper pulleys are arranged above the first lower pulley and identical to the first lower pulley. It includes first upper pulleys 80, 83 supported on rotating shafts 80a, 83a.

According to this configuration, since the first upper pulley and the first lower pulley are supported by the same rotating shafts 80a and 83a, the upper belt 72 and the lower belt 93 are overlapped to easily form the overlapping portion 91. can do. Further, the upper belt 72 and the lower belt 93 can be reliably interlocked and driven.
The support member 117 includes a first support member 117L arranged on one side in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction A5 and a second support member 117R arranged on the other side in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction A5. An insertion portion 118 into which the root VG3 can be inserted is formed between the first support member 117L (first support belt 119L) and the second support member 117R (second support belt 119R).
According to this configuration, the head portion VG1 of the head vegetable VG is supported by the support member 117, and the root VG3 is inserted into the insertion portion 118 formed between the first support member 117L and the second support member 117R. Therefore, it is transported in a stable upward posture.

The first support member 117L has an endless first support belt 119L having a first support surface 120L movable in the transport direction A5, and the second support member 117R has a first support belt movable in the transport direction A5. It has an endless second support belt 119R having two support surfaces 120R.
According to this configuration, the headed vegetable VG moves with the rotation of the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119L while the headed portion VG1 is supported by the first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R. can do. Therefore, it is possible to move and support the bottom of the headed vegetables VG conveyed with the outer leaves VG2 sandwiched by the lower conveying part 3E, so that the headed vegetables VG can be conveyed in a stable posture.

Also, the first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R are made of an elastic body.
According to this configuration, when the headed vegetables VG move from the upper conveying section 3D to the lower conveying section 3E, the bottom of the headed portion VG1 is elastically supported by the first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R. , the bottom of the head portion VG1 is prevented from being damaged.
In addition, the first support member 117L has a one support surface 132La capable of supporting the head portion VG1 from one side of the first support belt 119L, and the second support member 117R has a head portion from the other side of the second support belt 119L. It has the other support surface 132Ra capable of supporting the portion VG1, and the one support surface 132La and the other support surface 132Ra are inclined surfaces that move upward with distance from the insertion portion 118 in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction A5.

According to this configuration, the heading portion VG1 is supported by the first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R from diagonally downward left and diagonally downward right, thereby stabilizing the posture (upward posture) of the headed vegetable VG.
The preparation device 1 also includes the conveying device 3 and a first cutting device 4 for cutting the roots VG3 of the headed vegetables VG conveyed by the conveying device 3 .

According to this configuration, the first cutting device 4 can cut the roots VG3 of the headed vegetables VG that have been transported by the transporting device 3 with the heights of the roots aligned. Therefore, the cut positions of the root VG3 of the head vegetable VG can be aligned.
The preparation device 1 also includes a second cutting device 5 that cuts the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG conveyed by the conveying device 3 .

According to this configuration, the second cutting device 5 can cut the outer leaves VG<b>2 of the headed vegetables VG conveyed by the conveying device 3 with the heights of the roots aligned. Therefore, the outer leaf VG2 of the head vegetable VG can be reliably cut.
The preparation apparatus 1 is a preparation apparatus for preparing vegetables VG having outer leaves VG2 and roots VG3. and a root pulling part 170 that pulls downward the roots VG3 of the vegetables VG that are being transported by the transporting part 5E.

According to this configuration, the root VG3 at the bottom of the vegetable VG can be drawn downward by the root drawing-in section 170 while the outer leaf VG2 at the top of the vegetable VG is sandwiched by the conveying section 3E. As a result, the vegetable VG can be processed (prepared) while being stabilized in a posture in which the root VG3 faces downward.
Further, the conveying portion (fifth conveying portion) 3E includes a first holding member 93L that contacts the outer leaf VG2 from one side in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction A5, and an outer leaf VG2 from the other side in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction A5. A second clamping body 93R that abuts against VG2, a plurality of first pressing members 116L that press the first clamping body 93L toward the outer leaf VG2 side, and a second clamping body 93R that presses the second clamping body 93R toward the outer leaf VG2 side. It has a plurality of second pressing members 116R, and the first pressing members 116L and the second pressing members 116R are alternately arranged along the transport direction A5.

According to this configuration, by alternately arranging the first pressing member 116L and the second pressing member 116R along the conveying direction A5 of the fifth conveying section 3E, the first holding member 93L and the second holding member 93R bends and deforms into a wavy shape. Therefore, the outer leaf VG2 is reliably held between the first holding member 93L and the second holding member 93R, and the root pulling-in portion 170 can pull in the root VG3 satisfactorily.

Also, the first clamping body 93L and the second clamping body 93R are composed of endless elastic belts.
According to this configuration, the pressing force of the first pressing member 116L and the second pressing member 116R elastically deforms the first clamping body 93L and the second clamping body 93R to clamp the outer leaf VG2. Therefore, the outer leaf VG2 can be securely held between the first holding member 93L and the second holding member 93R.

The first pressing member 116L is the pulleys 103L, 104L, 105L, and 106L around which the elastic belt constituting the first holding member 93L is stretched and rotated together with the elastic belt. These are pulleys 103R, 104R, 105R, and 106R around which an elastic belt constituting the holding member 93R is stretched and which rotates together with the elastic belt.
According to this configuration, the pulleys for rotating the elastic belts constituting the first clamping body 93L and the second clamping body 93R can be used as the first pressing member 116L and the second pressing member 116R. The clamping body 93L and the second clamping body 93R can be reliably and efficiently pressed. Moreover, there is no need to separately prepare a member for pressing the first clamping body 93L and the second clamping body 93R, and the number of parts can be reduced.

In addition, the root pulling part 170 includes a first pulling roller 171L that rotates around an axis extending in the transport direction A5, and a second pulling roller 171L that is arranged in parallel with the first pulling roller 171L and rotates around an axis extending in the transport direction A5. It has a roller 171R and a rotation drive mechanism 172 that rotates the first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171R inward relative to each other.

According to this configuration, the root VG3 can be pulled between the first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171R by mutually rotating the first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171R inward. . In addition, since the first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171R rotate around the axis extending in the transport direction A5, the root VG3 is pulled in between the first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171R. , vegetables VG can be conveyed.

Moreover, a root aligning unit 140 for aligning the roots VG3 of the vegetables VG being transported by the transport unit (fifth transport unit) 3E is provided. is provided.
According to this configuration, the roots VG3 of the vegetables VG are lined up by the root aligning unit 140, and then conveyed to the root pulling-in unit 170 to pull in the roots VG3. Therefore, the root VG3 can be reliably pulled in by the root pulling-in portion 170 .

The preparation device 1 also includes the conveying device 3 and a first cutting device 4 that cuts the roots VG3 of the vegetables VG conveyed by the conveying device 3 .
According to this configuration, the first cutting device 4 can cut the roots VG3 of the vegetables VG conveyed by the conveying device 3 with the roots VG3 facing downward. Therefore, the cutting process of the root VG3 of the vegetable VG can be performed satisfactorily.

The preparation device 1 also includes a second cutting device 5 that cuts the outer leaves VG2 of the vegetables VG conveyed by the conveying device 3 .
According to this configuration, the second cutting device 5 can cut the outer leaves VG2 of the vegetables VG conveyed by the conveying device 3 with the roots VG3 facing downward. Therefore, the outer leaf VG2 of the vegetable VG can be reliably cut.

The root cutting device (first cutting device) 4 is a device for cutting the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG having the head part VG1, the outer leaf VG2, and the root VG3, and is a conveying part that clamps and conveys the outer leaf VG2. (Fifth conveying unit) 3E, a root cutting blade 181 arranged below the conveying unit 3E and rotating around a central axis facing the vertical direction, and arranged upstream in the conveying direction A5 from the root cutting blade 181, and a root feeding part 182 that clamps the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG transported by the transport part 5E and moves it toward the root cutting blade 181 at a speed higher than the transport speed of the transport part 3E. .

According to this configuration, the speed of feeding the roots VG3 by the root feeding section 182 is faster than the speed of conveying the outer leaves VG2 by the conveying section 3E, so that the headed vegetables VG can be fed at the pinched portion of the outer leaves VG2. It swings forward like a pendulum. Due to this swinging, the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG is moved toward the root cutting blade 181 while drawing an arc-shaped trajectory C1 that is convex downward, and is cut.
As a result, the root cutting blade 181 moves in a curved line and cuts the roots VG3 of the headed vegetables VG having a curved root portion, so that the roots VG3 are cut while minimizing the amount of uncut roots. be able to.

In addition, the root feeding portion 182 includes a first feed roller 183L that rotates around a central axis that faces the vertical direction, and a central shaft that faces the vertical direction and is arranged side by side with the first feed roller 183L in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction A5. A rotation drive mechanism 184 that rotates the second feed roller 183R that rotates around, the first feed roller 183L, and the second feed roller 183R so that the side holding the root VG3 moves toward the root cutting blade 181 side. ,have.

According to this configuration, the rotation of the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R by the rotation drive mechanism 184 causes the root VG3 to be sandwiched between the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R. can be moved toward the root cutting blade 181 side. Therefore, the root VG3 can be reliably held and moved toward the root cutting blade 181 side.

In addition, a root pulling-in section 170 arranged below the conveying section 5E and pulling downward the roots VG3 of the headed vegetables VG conveyed by the conveying section 5E is provided. are provided on the upstream side in the conveying direction A5.
According to this configuration, after the root VG3 is pulled into the root pulling section 170, the root feeding section 182 can move the root VG3 toward the root cutting blade 181 side. Therefore, since the root VG3 is extended downward by the root pulling section 170 and moved in the conveying direction A5 to be sent to the root feeding section 182, the root feeding section 182 reliably feeds the root VG3. be able to.

Further, a root aligning unit 140 arranged below the transport unit 5E and aligning the roots VG3 of the headed vegetables VG transported by the transport unit 5E is provided. is provided upstream of the
According to this configuration, the head vegetables VG are conveyed to the root pulling-in section 170 in a state where the roots VG3 are aligned by the root-plucking section 140, so that the root pulling-in section 170 can reliably pull in the roots VG3. .

Further, the root aligning portion 140 includes a first rotating body 141L that rotates about an axis extending in the conveying direction A5, and a second rotating body that is arranged in parallel with the first rotating body 141L and rotates about an axis extending in the conveying direction A5. A rotation drive mechanism 143 for rotating the body 141R, the first rotating body 141L and the second rotating body 141R inward, and a first elastic plate projecting radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the first rotating body 141L. 142L, and a second elastic plate 142R projecting radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the second rotor 141R.

According to this configuration, the first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R rotate inward relative to each other, so that they move downward along the curved surface of the head portion VG1 while bending and bending, and move downward toward the root VG3. move downward while contacting each other so as to press them from opposite sides. As a result, the spread of the roots VG3 of the head vegetables VG can be suppressed and evened out.
A cover 193 is provided to cover the upper side of the root cutting blade 181, and the cover 193 has a notch portion 193c cut from the root pulling portion 170 side toward the root cutting blade 181 side.

According to this configuration, the cover 193 can prevent the operator from coming into contact with the root cutting blade 181, and the notch 193c allows the root VG3 to draw an arc-shaped trajectory C1. When moving toward the root cutting blade 181, it is possible to prevent the head portion VG1 from hitting the cover 193 and hindering the movement.
The preparation apparatus 1 also includes the root cutting device 4 and an outer leaf cutting device 5 for cutting the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG from which the roots VG3 have been cut.

According to this configuration, the root cutting device 4 can cut the roots VG3 of the headed vegetable VG while minimizing the amount of uncut roots generated, and the outer leaf cutting device 5 cuts the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetable VG. can do.
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, it should be considered that the embodiment disclosed this time is illustrative in all respects and is not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of the claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

1 preparation device 3 transport device 3E transport unit (fifth transport unit)
4 root cutting device (first cutting device)
5 Outer leaf cutting device (second cutting device)
140 root aligning portion 141L first rotating body 141R second rotating body 142L first elastic plate 142R second elastic plate 143 rotation driving mechanism 170 root pulling portion 181 root cutting blade 182 root feeding portion 183L first feed roller 183R second feed roller 184 Rotation drive mechanism 193 Cover 193c Notch VG Head vegetable VG1 Head VG2 Outer leaf VG3 Root

Claims (7)

An apparatus for cutting the roots of a head vegetable having a head portion, outer leaves and roots, comprising:
a conveying unit that holds and conveys the outer leaf;
a root cutting blade that is arranged below the conveying unit and rotates around a central axis that faces in the vertical direction;
The roots of the headed vegetable, which are arranged upstream in the conveying direction from the root cutting blade and conveyed by the conveying unit, are sandwiched and conveyed toward the root cutting blade at a speed higher than the conveying speed of the conveying unit. A root feed unit that is moved by
a root aligning unit arranged below the transport unit and aligning the roots of headed vegetables transported by the transport unit;
with
The regulating portion includes a first elastic plate and a second elastic plate,
After the first elastic plate and the second elastic plate come into contact with each other while sandwiching the head portion from opposite sides, the first elastic plate and the second elastic plate move downward along the surface of the head portion while flexing and curving to move the root. To provide a root cutting device for head vegetables that moves downward while holding and pressing each other from opposite sides . The root feeding section is
a first feed roller that rotates around a central axis facing in the vertical direction;
a second feed roller arranged side by side with the first feed roller in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction and rotating around a central axis facing the vertical direction;
a rotational drive mechanism that rotates the first feed roller and the second feed roller so that the root pinching side moves toward the root cutting blade;
2. The head vegetable root cutting device according to claim 1, comprising: a root-pulling-in part arranged below the conveying part for pulling downward the roots of the headed vegetables conveyed by the conveying part;
3. The apparatus for cutting headed vegetables according to claim 1, wherein the root pulling section is provided upstream in the conveying direction with respect to the root feeding section. 4. The apparatus for cutting headed vegetables according to claim 3, wherein the root aligning section is provided on the upstream side in the conveying direction with respect to the root pulling section. The rooting portion is
a first rotating body that rotates around an axis extending in the conveying direction;
a second rotating body arranged in parallel with the first rotating body and rotating around an axis extending in the conveying direction;
a rotation drive mechanism that rotates the first rotating body and the second rotating body inward with respect to each other;
the first elastic plate projecting radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the first rotating body;
the second elastic plate projecting radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the second rotating body;
The head vegetable root cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising: A cover covering the upper part of the root cutting blade is provided,
5. The apparatus for cutting headed vegetables according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein the cover has a cutout portion cut from the side of the root pulling portion toward the side of the root cutting blade. a root cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6;
An apparatus for preparing headed vegetables, comprising an outer leaf cutting device for cutting outer leaves of the headed vegetables from which the roots have been cut.

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