JP7179691B2 - Vegetable conveying and preparing equipment - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a conveying and preparing apparatus for vegetables such as onions.

Conventionally, an onion processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known.
The onion processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a conveying device that conveys unprocessed onions toward processing means such as a cutting device. The conveying device includes a drawer conveyer for drawing out the onions from the carry-in container, and a first elevator for upwardly conveying the onions supplied by the drawer conveyer.

JP 2012-239406 A

However, in the above-described conveying device, when the onions are conveyed by the first elevator, a plurality of onions are caught between the protrusions (claws) adjacent to each other in the conveying direction of the first elevator, and the onions are reliably and smoothly conveyed. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a vegetable conveying apparatus and a vegetable preparation apparatus that can reliably and smoothly convey vegetables such as onions in appropriate amounts.

A conveying apparatus for vegetables according to an aspect of the present invention is a conveying apparatus for conveying vegetables upward from below, wherein a moving body that moves along a conveying direction is arranged at a predetermined interval in the conveying direction. and a projecting portion that can support the vegetables by projecting in a direction away from the moving body, and the projecting portion that is adjacent in the conveying direction at an intermediate portion in the conveying direction. an expansion mechanism that expands the distance between the tips of the projections in the conveying direction, the expanding mechanism including a defining surface that extends along the conveying direction and defines the posture of the projecting portion, and the conveying direction. and a plurality of attachment bodies attached to the moving body at predetermined intervals, wherein the attachment bodies contact the surface to which the base ends of the protrusions are fixed and the regulating surface so as to face each other. and a mounting portion for mounting the substrate to the moving body, wherein the defining surfaces are a first defining surface disposed on the upstream side in the transport direction and a a second defining surface disposed downstream and inclined with respect to the first defining surface, wherein the protruding portion protrudes from the mounting body and extends in a direction away from the defining surface. The mounting body is rotatably mounted on the moving body together with the projecting portion, and the mounting body is supported on the second defining surface from a state in which the mounting body is supported on the first defining surface. When the mounting body rotates together with the projecting portion, the projecting direction of the projecting portion changes while remaining standing with respect to the regulating surface, and the first regulating surface The back surface faces and abuts against the first defining surface when supported by the second defining surface, and the back surface faces and abuts against the second defining surface when supported by the second defining surface.

Also, the moving body includes two cords that are arranged parallel to each other and move along a loop-shaped path when viewed from the side, and the defining surface is disposed between the two cords.

Also, the inclination angle of the second defining surface with respect to the first defining surface is an obtuse angle.
A vegetable preparation device according to an aspect of the present invention includes the conveying device and a first cutting device that cuts the roots of the vegetables conveyed by the conveying device.
In addition, the preparation device includes a second cutting device that cuts the outer leaves of the vegetables conveyed by the conveying device.

According to the above conveying device, even if a plurality of vegetables are caught between the projecting portions adjacent in the conveying direction, the space between the tips of the projecting portions adjacent in the conveying direction is increased by the expansion mechanism in the middle portion of the conveying direction. By expanding in the direction, the sandwiched state of the vegetables is resolved, and unnecessary vegetables that have been sandwiched can be dropped from the projecting portion. As a result, vegetables can be reliably and smoothly conveyed in appropriate amounts.

According to the preparation apparatus, since the first cutting device can cut the vegetable roots conveyed by the conveying device in appropriate amounts, the vegetable roots can be cut reliably and accurately.

1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a vegetable (heading vegetable) preparation apparatus. FIG. 1 is a rear view of an embodiment of a vegetable (headed vegetable) preparation apparatus; FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a vegetable (headed vegetable) preparation apparatus; FIG. It is a perspective view of a 1st conveying apparatus and a 2nd conveying apparatus. It is a top view of a 1st conveying apparatus. It is a perspective view around the accommodating part of a 1st conveying apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the rocking|swiveling mechanism of the accommodating part of a 1st conveying apparatus. It is a side view which shows the rocking|swiveling mechanism of the accommodating part of a 1st conveying apparatus. It is the figure which looked at the downstream side (terminal side) of the conveyance direction of a 1st conveyance part from the back. It is a side view which shows the drive mechanism etc. of a 1st conveyance part. It is a perspective view which shows the terminal part vicinity of a 1st conveyance part. It is the side view which showed the operation|movement of the attitude|position change mechanism of a 1st conveying apparatus (a mode that a protrusion part transfers to a lying state from an upright state). It is the perspective view which looked at the discharge part of the 1st conveying apparatus, etc. from the upper left. FIG. 11 is a side view showing the operation of the expansion mechanism of the first conveying section; It is the perspective view which looked at the discharge part etc. of the 1st conveying apparatus from the right front. It is a side view, such as the discharge part of a 1st conveying apparatus. It is a side view of the discharge part etc. of a 1st conveying apparatus, and a 2nd conveying apparatus. It is a top view of the discharge part etc. of a 1st conveying apparatus, and a 2nd conveying apparatus. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing another embodiment of the discharge section of the first conveying device; It is the figure which looked at the 2nd conveying apparatus from the back. It is a perspective view of a 2nd conveying apparatus. It is the figure which looked at the 1st roller and the 2nd roller of the 2nd conveying device from the direction of the central axis. It is the side view which looked at the 1st roller and the 2nd roller from the upstream of the conveyance direction. It is a top view which shows a mode that the head vegetables discharged|emitted from the discharge part of a 1st conveying apparatus are conveyed by a 2nd conveyance part. It is a top view of a 3rd conveyance part. It is a perspective view of a 3rd 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 3rd conveyance part. It is the figure which looked at the movement of the vegetables (headed vegetables) in a 4th conveyance part from the direction (back) orthogonal to a conveyance direction. It is the figure which looked at the downstream of the 3rd conveyance part and the upstream of the 4th conveyance part from the direction (rear) orthogonal to the conveyance direction. It is a perspective view which shows the downstream of a 3rd conveyance part, and the upstream of a 4th conveyance part. It is a top view which shows the downstream of a 3rd conveyance part, and the upstream of a 4th conveyance part. It is a top view of a support member. It is the figure which looked at the support member from the upstream of the conveyance direction of the 4th conveyance part. It is a figure which shows the flow of vegetables (headed vegetables) from the downstream of a 3rd conveyance part to the upstream of a 4th 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 the figure which looked at the 1st cutting device and the 2nd cutting device from the direction (rear) orthogonal to the conveyance direction. It is a perspective view of 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 the figure which looked at the movement of the vegetables (headed vegetables) in a 1st cutting device from the direction (back) orthogonal to a conveyance direction. 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 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.
1 to 3 are diagrams showing the overall configuration of a vegetable preparation device 1. FIG.
Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the direction of arrow X1 in FIG. 1 is referred to as the front, the direction of arrow X2 is referred to as the rear, and the direction of arrow X is referred to as the front-rear direction. The arrow Y1 direction in FIGS. 1 and 2 is referred to as the left direction, the arrow Y2 direction as the right direction, and the arrow Y direction as the device width direction. In this specification, one side in the device width direction is described as the left side and the other side in the device width direction is described as the right side, but one side in the device width direction may be the right side and the other side in the device width direction may be the left side.

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, the vegetables VG to be processed in the present invention will be described as head vegetables VG, but the vegetables to be processed are not limited to head vegetables.

As shown in FIG. 46, 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. FIG. 46 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 conveying device 2, a first cutting device 4, and a second cutting device 5. As shown in FIGS.
The conveying device 2 is a device for receiving and conveying headed vegetables VG before preparation. The first cutting device 4 is a device for cutting the root VG3 of the head vegetable VG. The second cutting device 5 is a device for cutting the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetable VG.

The transport device 2 includes a first transport device 2A, a second transport device 2B, a third transport device 2C, a fourth transport device 2D, and a fifth transport device 2E. 2 A of 1st conveying apparatuses are supported on the installation surface (floor surface) by the 1st frame 6A. The second transport device 2B, the third transport device 2C, the fourth transport device 2D, and the fifth transport device 2E are supported on the installation surface by the second frame 6B. The first frame 6A and the second frame 6B are configured by three-dimensionally combining a plurality of linear frame materials (for example, steel materials, etc.). The first frame 6A and the second frame 6B are not connected, and it is possible to adjust the positional relationship (relative position) between the first frame 6A and the second frame 6B. Thereby, the positional relationship between the first transport device 2A and the second transport device 2B can be adjusted. However, the first frame 6A and the second frame 6B may be connected.

In the drawing, the direction of transport by the first transport device 2A is indicated by arrow A1, the direction of transport by the second transport device 2B is indicated by arrow A2, the direction of transfer by the third transfer device 2C is indicated by arrow A3, and the direction of transfer by the fourth transfer device 2D is indicated by arrow A4. , and the direction of transport by the fifth transport device 2E is indicated by an arrow A5.
First, the first conveying device 2A will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the first conveying device 2A includes a side wall 7, a rear wall 8, a front wall 9, a mounting section 10, a housing section 11, a conveying section 3A (hereinafter referred to as "first conveying section 3A"). ).

Sidewall 7 includes one side wall 7L and the other side wall 7R. On the other hand, the side wall 7L is arranged on one side (left side) in the width direction (the same as the device width direction Y) of the first transport section 3A. The other side wall 7R is arranged on the other side (right side) in the width direction of the first transport section 3A. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, one side wall 7L includes a body wall 7La and an extension wall 7Lb. The other side wall 7R includes a body wall 7Ra and an extension wall 7Rb. The main body wall 7La and the main body wall 7Ra are arranged parallel to each other and extend from the lower rear to the upper front. The extension wall 7Lb extends forward from the front end of the body wall 7La. The extension wall 7Rb extends forward from the front end of the body wall 7Ra. The distance between the extension wall 7Lb and the extension wall 7Rb gradually narrows (approaches) toward the front (as they move away from the main body walls 7La and 7Ra).

The rear wall 8 is arranged at the rear end of the first transfer device 2A. The rear wall 8 is provided across the rear end portion of the one side wall 7L (main body wall 7La) and the rear end portion of the other side wall 7R (main body wall 7Ra). The front wall 9 is arranged at the front end of the first transport device 2A. The front wall 9 is provided across the front end portion of one side wall 7L (extension wall 7Lb) and the front end portion of the other side wall 7R (extension wall 7Rb).

The placement part 10 is a part for placing a container 13 containing unprepared headed vegetables. As shown in FIG. 6, the mounting portion 10 is provided in front of the rear wall 8 between the one side wall 7L and the other side wall 7R. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the mounting portion 10 has a mounting surface 10a and a transition surface 10b. The mounting surface 10a is a horizontal surface on which the container 13 is mounted. The transition surface 10b extends in the width direction of the apparatus at the front portion of the mounting surface 10a. The transition surface 10b includes a first transition surface 10b1 and a second transition surface 10b2. The first transition surface 10b1 is an inclined surface that transitions upward from the front end of the mounting surface 10a toward the front. The second transition surface 10b2 is an inclined surface that transitions downward toward the front from the front end of the first transition surface 10b1.

The accommodating part 11 is a part which receives and accommodates head vegetables before preparation. The housing portion 11 is provided in the lower front portion of the mounting portion 10 . The storage unit 11 receives and stores the headed vegetables stored in the container 13 . As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the housing portion 11 has a first support plate 111 , a second support plate 112 and a third support plate 113 . The first support plate 111, the second support plate 112, and the third support plate 113 are integrally formed.

The first support plate 111 has a first support surface 111a on the front side. The second support plate 112 has a second support surface 112a on the front side. The third support plate 113 has a third support surface 113a on its front side. Thus, the container 11 has a first support surface 111a, a second support surface 112a, and a third support surface 113a that support the headed vegetables on the front side (the side visible in plan view).
The first support surface 111a is a surface that supports the headed vegetables from below, and is an inclined surface that moves downward toward the front. The second support surface 112a is arranged on one side (left side) in the width direction (the same as the device width direction Y) of the first transport section 3A. The third support surface 113a is arranged on the other widthwise side (right side) of the first transport section 3A. The second support surface 112a and the third support surface 113a are surfaces for collecting headed vegetables on the first support surface 111a, and are inclined so that the headed vegetables can be rolled or slid toward the first support surface 111a. formed on the surface. The second support surface 112a is an inclined surface that moves downward toward the other side (right side) in the width direction of the first conveying section 3A. The third support surface 113a is an inclined surface that moves downward toward the other side (left side) in the width direction of the first conveying section 3A.

The shape of the first support surface 111a is a trapezoid whose width (the length in the device width direction Y) gradually narrows toward the front and lower sides. In other words, the shape of the first support surface 111a is trapezoidal in which the width of the lower side is smaller than the width of the upper side. The shape of the second support surface 112a is a triangular shape whose width (the length in the front-rear direction X) gradually narrows toward the lower right. The shape of the third support surface 113a is a triangular shape whose width (the length in the front-rear direction X) gradually narrows toward the lower left.

The accommodation portion 11 is bent in a V shape at the boundary between the first support surface 111a and the second support surface 112a and the boundary between the first support surface 111a and the third support surface 113a.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the reinforcing member 14 is fixed from the back surface of the first support plate 111 to the back surface of the second support plate 112 . The reinforcing member 14 is bent at the boundary between the back surface of the first support plate 111 and the back surface of the second support plate 112 . Also, although not shown, a similar reinforcing member is fixed from the back surface of the first support plate 111 to the back surface of the third support plate 113 . The housing portion 11 is reinforced from the back side by these reinforcing members.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first support surface 111a has an opening 111b. The opening 111b is composed of two openings that are spaced apart in the width direction of the first conveying section 3A. The opening 111b is formed by cutting the lower side of the first support surface 111a toward the upper side in a rectangular shape. The opening 111b is a portion through which the projecting portion 21 passes as the moving body 15, which will be described later, moves. A downwardly extending hanging plate 111c is arranged between the two openings 111b. When the protrusion 21 passes through the opening 111b, the moving body 15 passes under the first support surface 111a (under the hanging plate 111c).

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first conveying device 2A has a swinging mechanism 12. As shown in FIGS.
The swing mechanism 12 is a mechanism for swinging the first support surface 111a upward or downward. By driving the swing mechanism 12, the first support surface 111a, the second support surface 112a, and the third support surface 113a swing upward or downward integrally. The swing mechanism 12 is arranged rearwardly and downwardly of the first support plate 111 .

The rocking mechanism 12 has a rotating shaft 12a, an eccentric cam 12b, a rotating body 12c, a shaft body 12d, and a holding body 12e. The rotating shaft 12a is a shaft that rotates around an axis parallel to the width direction of the first conveying section 3A. The eccentric cam 12b is attached eccentrically to the rotating shaft 12a and rotates together with the rotating shaft 12a. In this embodiment, the rotor 12c is composed of a bearing. The rotor 12c has a circumferential surface that contacts the eccentric cam 12b. The shaft 12d is a shaft around which the first support plate 111 pivots. 12 d of shafts are arrange|positioned in parallel with the rotating shaft 12a. The shaft 12 d is inserted through a pair of projecting bodies 12 h projecting from the rear surface side of the first support plate 111 . Both ends of the shaft 12d are fixed to the side walls 7 (7L, 7R).

The holder 12e is arranged on the opposite side (back side) of the first support plate 111 from the first support surface 111a. The holder 12e has a holding shaft 12f and a pair of holding pieces 12g. The holding shaft 12f is arranged parallel to the rotating shaft 12a. The holding shaft 12f rotatably holds the rotor 12c. When the rotating body 12c is a bearing, the inner ring of the bearing is fixed to the holding shaft 12f, and the outer ring of the bearing is rotatable with respect to the holding shaft 12f (with respect to the inner ring) and contacts the eccentric cam 12b. A contact plate 12n is arranged on the rear surface side of the first support plate 111 so as to contact the rear surface of the first support plate 111 . The first support plate 111 and the contact plate 12n may be fixed (connected) or may be in contact without being fixed. The contact plate 12n and the first support plate 111 operate integrally. The pair of holding pieces 12g protrude from the back side of the contact plate 12n. Both ends of the holding shaft 12f are held by holding pieces 12g.

One end side and the other end side of the rotary shaft 12a are rotatably supported by a standing member 6A1 erected on the first frame 6A. A sprocket 12i is attached to one end (right end) of the rotating shaft 12a. The sprocket 12i is connected via a chain 12j to a sprocket 12k rotatably supported by the first frame 6A. The sprocket 12k is connected by a connecting shaft 24 to a second sprocket 19c of the driving mechanism 19, which will be described later. A sprocket 12m for adjusting tension is meshed with the outer peripheral side of the chain 12j.

When the second sprocket 19c is rotated by driving the driving mechanism 19, which will be described later, the sprocket 12k rotates together with the connecting shaft 24. As shown in FIG. Rotation of the sprocket 12k is transmitted to the sprocket 12i through the chain 12j, the rotating shaft 12a rotates together with the sprocket 12i, and the eccentric cam 12b rotates.
As described above, the eccentric cam 12b is eccentrically attached to the rotor 12c. Therefore, as shown by the phantom line in FIG. 8, when the eccentric cam 12b rotates with the rotation of the rotary shaft 12a, the position (height) of the outer peripheral surface of the eccentric cam 12b changes. Along with this, the position (height) of the rotating body 12c, which has a circumferential surface that contacts the eccentric cam 12b, changes. As a result, the contact plate 12n and the first support plate 111 swing upward or downward about the shaft 12d together with the holder 12e that holds the rotor 12c. Further, the second support plate 112 and the third support plate 113 integrally formed with the first support plate 111 swing upward or downward. As a result, the first support surface 111a, the second support surface 112a, and the third support surface 113a swing upward or downward.

By swinging the first support surface 111a upward and downward by the swing mechanism 12 in this manner, a large number of headed vegetables stored in the container 11 and placed on the first support surface 111a can be loosened. . In addition, by swinging the second support surface 112a and the third support surface 113a upward and downward by the swing mechanism 12, the headed vegetables placed on the second support surface 112a and the third support surface 113a can be tilted along the inclination. can be moved onto the first support surface 111a. As a result, it becomes possible to smoothly convey the headed vegetables by the appropriate amount (in the case of the present embodiment, one by one) by the first conveying section 3A.

The first transport unit 3A transports the headed vegetables stored in the storage unit 11 one by one upward (from the bottom to the top) away from the first support surface 111a. The headed vegetables are conveyed forward by the first conveying section 3A as they go upward.
As shown in FIGS. 5, 9 to 11, etc., the first conveying section 3A has a moving body 15, a first plate 16, and a second plate 17. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 10, the moving body 15 is composed of an endless cord. The cord body is a chain in this embodiment. The moving body 15 includes two cord bodies (first cord body 15L and second cord body 15R). The first cord body 15L and the second cord body 15R are arranged parallel to each other with an interval in the device width direction. The cord that constitutes the moving body 15 moves along a loop-shaped (elliptical) path in a side view.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first plate 16 is arranged on one side (left side) of the moving body 15 in the apparatus width direction and extends in the transport direction A1. The second plate 17 is arranged on the other side (right side) of the moving body 15 in the device width direction and extends in the transport direction A1. The lower portions of the first plate 16 and the second support plate 112 extend below the first support plate 111, the second support plate 112, and the third support plate 113 that constitute the housing portion 11. .

In other words, the first plate 16 is arranged on one side (left side) in the width direction of the first conveying section 3A and extends in the conveying direction A1 from below to above the second support surface 112a. . The second plate 17 is arranged on one side (left side) in the width direction of the first conveying section 3A and extends in the conveying direction A1 from below to above the third support surface 113a. 9 and 11, illustration of the first plate 16 and the second plate 17 is omitted.

When the first support plate 111 , the second support plate 112 , and the third support plate 113 swing upward or downward by driving the swing mechanism 12 , the first plate 16 and the second plate 17 separate from or contact each other. touch. Specifically, when the first support plate 111, the second support plate 112, and the third support plate 113 swing upward, they separate from the first plate 16 and the second plate 17 and swing downward. When it is pressed, it abuts on the first plate 16 and the second plate 17 . At this time, the lower end of the first support plate 111 contacts the surfaces of the first plate 16 and the second plate 17 . A lower end portion of the second support plate 112 contacts the surface of the first plate 16 . A lower end portion of the third support plate 113 contacts the surface of the second plate 17 .

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first plate 16 is attached with the first sheet 18L, and the second plate 17 is attached with the second sheet 18R. The first sheet 18L is placed across the surface of the first plate 16 and the surface of the second support plate 112 (second support surface 112a). The second sheet 18R is placed across the surface of the second plate 17 and the surface of the third support plate 113 (the third support surface 113a). The first sheet 18L and the second sheet 18R are flexible sheets such as rubber plates. When the first support plate 111, the second support plate 112, and the third support plate 113 swing upward, the first seat 18L and the second seat 18R are deformed to follow the swing motion. The gaps between the support plate 111, the second support plate 112, the third support plate 113 and the first plate 16 and the second plate 17 are filled. As a result, it is possible to prevent the headed vegetables from being caught in the gaps and the headed vegetables from falling through the gaps. 6, the first sheet 18L and the second sheet 18R are omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 11, the first conveying section 3A has a driving mechanism 19, a mounting body 20, a projection 21, and a support member 22. As shown in FIGS.
The drive mechanism 19 is a mechanism for moving the moving body 15 . The drive mechanism 19 has a motor 19a, a first sprocket 19b, a second sprocket 19c, a third sprocket 19d, a fourth sprocket 19e, a fifth sprocket 19f and a sixth sprocket 19i.

A cord constituting the moving body 15 is wound around the first sprocket 19b and the second sprocket 19c. The first sprocket 19b is arranged in front and above the second sprocket 19c. The first sprocket 19b and the second sprocket 19c are each composed of a pair of sprockets spaced apart in the width direction Y of the device. A first cable 15L is wound around one of the first sprockets 19b and one of the second sprockets 19c. A second rope 15R is wound around the other of the first sprocket 19b and the other of the second sprocket 19c.

The third sprocket 19d is attached to the rotating shaft of the motor 19a. The fourth sprocket 19e is attached to the same first shaft 19g as the first sprocket 19b. A chain 19h is wound around the third sprocket 19d and the fourth sprocket 19e.
The fifth sprocket 19f is arranged between the first sprocket 19b and the second sprocket 19c, and applies upward tension to the cable body that constitutes the moving body 15. As shown in FIG. The sixth sprocket 19i applies tension to the chain 19h.

According to the drive mechanism 19, when the motor 19a is driven, the third sprocket 19d rotates, the rotation of the third sprocket 19d is transmitted to the fourth sprocket 19e via the chain 19h, and the fourth sprocket 19e rotates. Rotation of the fourth sprocket 19e is transmitted to the first sprocket 19b via the first shaft 19g, and the first sprocket 19b rotates. The rotation of the first sprocket 19b is transmitted to the second sprocket 19c via the cable that constitutes the moving body 15. As shown in FIG. As a result, the first sprocket 19b, the second sprocket 19c, and the moving body 15 move (rotate) along a loop-shaped (elliptical) path in a side view.

As shown by arrow R1 in FIG. 10, by moving (rotating) the moving body 15, the upper part of the moving body 15 (the upper part of the loop) moves forward (diagonally upward) as it goes upward. Moving. The moving direction A1 of the upper portion of the moving body 15 (the upper portion of the loop) is the conveying direction A1 by the conveying section 3A of the first conveying device 2A. That is, the moving body 15 moves along the transport direction A1 of the first transport section 3A.

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the mounting body 20 is attached to the moving body 15 and moves together with the moving body 15. As shown in FIGS. The attachment body 20 connects the first cord body 15L and the second cord body 15R. A plurality of attachment bodies 20 are arranged side by side along the length direction of the first cable 15L and the second cable 15R (the transport direction A1 of the first transport section 3A). The plurality of mounting bodies 20 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the transport direction A1. The pitches (intervals) of the arrangement of the plurality of mounting bodies 20 are preferably set to be equal, but may be partially different. The pitch at which the mounting bodies 20 are arranged is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the head portion VG1 of the head vegetable VG.

As shown in FIG. 11 and the like, the mounting body 20 has a substrate 20a and a mounting portion 20b. A base end portion of the projecting portion 21 is fixed to the surface of the substrate 20a. Accordingly, the protruding portion 21 protrudes from the mounting body 20 . The back surface of the substrate 20a faces and abuts the surface (definition surface 22d) of the support member 22, which will be described later. The mounting portion 20b includes a first mounting portion 20b1 and a second mounting portion 20b2. The first attachment portion 20b1 extends from the left end portion of the substrate 20a while being bent at right angles. The second attachment portion 20b2 extends from the right end portion of the substrate 20a while being bent at right angles. The first attachment portion 20b1 and the second attachment portion 20b2 are arranged in parallel. The first attachment portion 20b1 is attached to one of the two cords (first cord 15L). The second attachment portion 20b2 is attached to the other of the two cords (second cord 15R).

As described above, the projecting portion 21 protrudes from the mounting body 20 and is attached to the moving body 15 via the mounting body 20 . As a result, the projecting portion 21 moves together with the mounting body 20 and the moving body 15 . The protruding portion 21 protrudes in a direction away from the moving body 15 so as to support the headed vegetable (specifically, the headed portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG).
The projecting portion 21 is composed of a columnar or cylindrical rod. However, the shape of the projecting portion 21 is not limited to this. The projecting portion 21 includes two projecting portions spaced apart in the device width direction. The two projections are one projection 21L arranged on one side in the device width direction (first cord body 15L side) and the other projection arranged on the other side in the device width direction (second cord body 15R side). 21R. The distance between the one protruding portion 21L and the other protruding portion 21R is set smaller than the outer diameter of the headed portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the support member 22 is arranged between the first cord 15L and the second cord 15R. The support member 22 is arranged between the first mounting portion 20b1 and the second mounting portion 20b2 of the mounting body 20. As shown in FIG. The support member 22 extends along the conveying direction A1 of the first conveying section 3A, and extends from the starting end to the terminal end of the first conveying section 3A in the conveying direction A1. The starting end in the conveying direction A1 is the portion where conveyance of the headed vegetables is started in the first conveying portion 3A, and the terminal end in the conveying direction A1 is the portion where the conveying of the headed vegetables ends in the first conveying portion 3A (first This is the portion where headed vegetables are discharged from the conveying portion 3A.

Specifically, the starting end is located at the upper portion (upper side of the loop) of the loop-shaped movement path of the moving body 15 in a side view, where the movement path extends linearly from the arc-shaped path (the portion wound around the second sprocket 19c). It is in the vicinity of a change point where the path changes. The end portion is located near the point of change from the linear path to the arcuate path (the portion wound around the first sprocket 19b) in the upper portion of the movement path of the moving body 15 (upper side of the loop).

As shown in FIGS. 9, 11, and 12, the support member 22 has an upper plate 22a, one side plate 22b, and the other side plate 22c. The upper plate 22a is arranged on the rear surface side of the substrate 20a of the mounting body 20. As shown in FIG. The one side plate 22b is bent downward from one side (left side) of the upper plate 22a in the device width direction. The other side plate 22c is bent downward from the other side (right side) of the upper plate 22a in the device width direction. One side plate 22b and the other side plate 22c extend parallel to each other.

The support member 22 has a defining surface 22d that defines the attitude of the projecting portion 21. As shown in FIG. 22 d of regulation surfaces are comprised from the surface of the upper plate 22a of the support member 22, and are arrange|positioned between the 1st cord 15L and the 2nd cord 15R. The defining surface 22d abuts against the back surface of the substrate 20a of the mounting body 20, thereby supporting the mounting body 20 so that the protruding portion 21 is in an upright state. In other words, the regulating surface 22d abuts against the rear surface of the substrate 20a of the mounting body 20, thereby regulating the protruding portion 21 in the upright posture. The protruding portion 21 protrudes from the mounting body 20 and extends in a direction away from the defining surface 22d in the upright state.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 11, 12, and 14, the defining surface 22d includes a first defining surface 22d1 and a second defining surface 22d2. The first defining surface 22d1 is arranged on the upstream side (starting end side) of the first conveying section 3A in the conveying direction A1. Specifically, the first defining surface 22d1 is arranged in a range from the starting end portion to the middle portion in the transport direction A1 of the first transport portion 3A. The second defining surface 22d2 is arranged on the downstream side (terminating end side) of the first conveying section 3A in the conveying direction A1. Specifically, the second defining surface 22d2 is arranged in a range from the middle portion to the end portion in the transport direction A1 of the first transport portion 3A. Therefore, the boundary 22e between the first regulating surface 22d1 and the second regulating surface 22d2 is located in the middle of the first conveying section 3A in the conveying direction A1.

The second defining surface 22d2 is inclined with respect to the first defining surface 22d1. The inclination angle of the second defining surface 22d2 with respect to the first defining surface 22d1 is an obtuse angle. The inclination angle of the second defining surface 22d2 with respect to the first defining surface 22d1 is set, for example, within a range of 140° to 160° (preferably approximately 150°). The first defining surface 22d1 and the second defining surface 22d2 are inclined with respect to the horizontal plane so as to shift upward toward the front. The angle of inclination of the first defining surface 22d1 with respect to the horizontal plane is greater than the angle of inclination with respect to the horizontal plane of the second defining surface 22d2. For example, the tilt angle of the first defining surface 22d1 with respect to the horizontal plane is 40° to 50°, and the tilting angle of the second defining surface 22d2 with respect to the horizontal plane is 15° to 20°.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 11 to 15, the support member 22 has an extension plate 22g extending forward and downward from the front end of the upper plate 22a. The upper surface (extension surface) of the extension plate 22g is bent from the front end portion of the second defining surface 22d2 and extends forward and downward. As shown in FIG. 12, the projecting portion 21 falls down when the mounting body 20 moves forward beyond the extension plate 22g (when it is no longer supported by the extension plate 22g). The movement of the projecting portion 21 will be explained later.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first plate 16 and the second plate 17 extend in the transport direction A1 along the defining surface 22d. The first plate 16 and the second plate 17 are bent in the same manner as the regulation surface 22d at the middle portion in the transport direction A1. The first plate 16 has a bent portion 16c and the second plate 17 has a bent portion 17c. The bent portion 16c of the first plate 16 and the bent portion 17c of the second plate 17 are located slightly behind the position corresponding to the boundary portion 22e between the first defining surface 22d1 and the second defining surface 22d2 in the transport direction A1. there is

Hereinafter, the portion forward of the bent portion 16c of the first plate 16 is referred to as "first plate front portion 16a", and the portion rearward of the bent portion 16c is referred to as "first plate rear portion 16b". Further, a portion forward of the bent portion 17c of the second plate 17 is referred to as a "second plate front portion 17a", and a portion rearward of the bent portion 17c is referred to as a "second plate rear portion 17b". The first plate rear portion 16b and the second plate rear portion 17b extend along the slope of the first defining surface 22d1. The first plate front portion 16a and the second plate front portion 17a extend along the slope of the second defining surface 22d2.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 13, the first plate 16 has a first front extension portion 16d that bends from the front end of the first plate front portion 16a and extends forward and downward. The second plate 17 has a second front extending portion 17d that bends from the front end of the second plate front portion 17a and extends forward and downward. An extension plate 22g is arranged between the first extension portion 16d and the second extension portion 17d. The first forward extension 16d and the second forward extension 17d extend along the extension plate 22g.

As shown in FIG. 14, the upper portion (the upper side of the loop) of the moving body 15 (cords 15L and 15R) extends along the defining surface 22d, and is the boundary between the first defining surface 22d1 and the second defining surface 22d2. It is bent at a position corresponding to the portion 22e. A fifth sprocket 19f is arranged at the bent portion of the cords 15L and 15R. The moving body 15 changes so that the angle with respect to the horizontal plane becomes smaller at the position corresponding to the boundary portion 22e. As a result, the transport direction A1 changes from the direction of the arrow A11 to the direction of the arrow A12 (so that the angle of the transport direction A1 with respect to the horizontal plane becomes smaller) at the position corresponding to the boundary portion 22e.

As shown in FIG. 14, the regulating surfaces (the first regulating surface 22d1 and the second regulating surface 22d2) and the plurality of mounting bodies 20 are arranged between the tips of the projecting portions 21 adjacent to each other in the conveying direction A1 in the middle of the conveying direction A1. It constitutes an expansion mechanism that expands the interval between. The extension mechanism will be described below.
The support member 22 supports the mounting body 20 so that the projecting portion 21 is in an upright state from the starting end portion to the terminal end portion of the first conveying portion 3A in the conveying direction A1. In the upright state, the projecting portion 21 is in a state of being raised in a direction perpendicular to the defining surface 22d. Since the second regulating surface 22d2 is inclined with respect to the first regulating surface 22d1, the mounting body 20 changes from being supported by the first regulating surface 22d1 to being supported by the second regulating surface 22d2. , the projecting direction of the projecting portion 21 changes. As a result, when the mounting body 20 is supported by the second defining surface 22d2, the distance L2 between the tips of the projections 21 adjacent to each other in the conveying direction A1 is It is larger than the interval L1 between the leading end portions of the projecting portions 21 adjacent to each other in the conveying direction A1 in the state where the protruding portions 21 are located. In other words, the distance between the leading ends of the protruding portions 21 adjacent in the transport direction A1 increases in the transport direction A1 at the intermediate portion in the transport direction A1.

As shown in FIG. 14 , in the middle portion of the conveying direction A1, the distance between the tips of the projecting portions 21 adjacent to each other in the conveying direction A1 is widened, so that a plurality of balls are formed between the projecting portions 21 adjacent to each other in the conveying direction A1. Even if the vegetables VG are pinched (clogged) and conveyed, a gap GP is generated between the headed vegetables VG and the projecting portion 21 on the upper side. Therefore, the state in which the headed vegetables VG are sandwiched (clogged) between the adjacent projecting parts 21 is eliminated, and the unnecessary headed vegetables VG on the upper side that are not directly supported by the projecting parts 21 are dropped from the projecting parts 21. be able to. As a result, it becomes possible to reliably and smoothly convey the head vegetables VG in appropriate amounts (for example, one by one).

In addition, the mounting body 20 and the support member 22 constitute a posture changing mechanism in which the protruding portion 21 is in an upright state from the starting end portion to the terminal end portion in the conveying direction A1, and the protruding portion 21 is in a collapsed state at the terminal end portion. there is The posture changing mechanism will be described below.
The attachment body 20 is rotatably attached to the moving body 15 . As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the attachment portion 20b of the attachment body 20 is attached to a fixture 15a fixed to the moving body 15 via a pivot 15b. The mounting portion 20b is rotatable together with the projecting portion 21 with the pivot 15b as a fulcrum. As a result, the protruding portion 21 is attached to the moving body 15 so that the posture can be changed between the standing state and the lying state. As shown in FIG. 12, the mounting body 20 rotates about the pivot 15b to change the attitude of the projecting portion 21 from the upright state to the laid down state. In FIG. 12, reference numeral 21a denotes the projecting portion 21 in the standing state, reference numeral 21c denotes the projecting portion in the lying down state, and reference numeral 21b denotes the projecting portion which has started to shift from the standing state to the lying state.

The supporting member 22 supports the mounting body 20 by restricting the rotation of the mounting body 20 so that the projecting portion 21 is in an upright state. , the mounting body 20 is allowed to rotate. The support member 22 supports (restricts rotation of) the mounting body 20 from the starting end to the terminal end of the first transporting section 3A in the conveying direction A1, and releases the support (rotating) of the mounting body 20 at the terminal end. movement).

As shown in FIG. 12, the movement path of the moving body 15 is a path that gradually descends forward after passing the terminal end in the conveying direction A1. As a result, when the support by the support member 22 is released after passing the terminal end in the conveying direction A1, the projecting portion 21 assumes a forward tilting posture and moves forward and downward while increasing the forward tilting angle.
Therefore, the projecting portion 21 is in an upright state (see the projecting portion 21a in FIG. 12) in the section where the mounting body 20 is supported by the support member 22 (the section extending from the starting end to the terminal end in the conveying direction A1). In the section where the mounting body 20 is not supported by the support member 22 (the section past the terminal end in the conveying direction A1), the action of gravity causes the mounting body 20 to fall forward and downward (forward in the conveying direction A1) and fall down (see the projecting portion 21c in FIG. 12). ).

The protruding portion 21 lowers the position of the tip portion when the standing state is shifted to the lying state. As a result, when the outer leaves VG2 and the roots VG3 of the head vegetable VG are entangled with the protrusions 21, the protrusions 21 can be pulled out (releasing) downward from the outer leaves VG2 and the roots VG3.
In this way, even if the outer leaves VG2 and the roots VG3 of the headed vegetables VG are entangled with the projecting portion 21, the projecting portion 21 falls down at the terminal end portion of the first conveying portion 3A in the conveying direction A1 and becomes a lodged state. , the projecting portion 21 can be smoothly separated from the outer leaf VG2. Therefore, it is possible to reliably discharge the headed vegetables VG toward the equipment (second conveying device 2B) of the next process without damaging them.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 13, 15 to 18, etc., the first conveying device 2A includes a discharging portion 25 for discharging headed vegetables from the terminal end of the first conveying portion 3A in the conveying direction A1. ing. The discharging section 25 is inclined downward toward the second conveying device 2B, and discharges the headed vegetables upstream in the conveying direction A2 of the second conveying section 3B. Therefore, the discharge section 25 is also a supply section that supplies headed vegetables to the second transport section 3B.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 15 to 18, the discharge portion 25 includes an inclined plate 25a, a first side plate 25b, a second side plate 25c, passages (first passage 25d, second passage 25e), and a first standing wall 25f. , and a second upright wall 25g.
The inclined plate 25a extends so as to be inclined downward (as it goes forward) away from the end portion of the first conveying portion 3A in the conveying direction A1. A surface (upper surface) 25i of the inclined plate 25a is an inclined surface. The inclined surface constitutes a rolling surface 25i on which the headed portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG rolls along the inclination. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 15, the inclined plate 25a is attached to the front wall 9 via a downward extending portion 25h extending downward from the inclined plate 25a. The inclined surface (rolling surface) 25i of the inclined plate 25a is arranged in front of the support member 22 with a space therebetween. Thus, a gap G1 is formed between the inclined surface (rolling surface) of the inclined plate 25a and the support member 22. As shown in FIG. The gap G1 is formed when the mounting body 20 moves together with the moving body 15 and crosses the terminal end of the first conveying section 3A in the conveying direction A1, and the support of the mounting body 20 by the supporting member 22 is released (the projecting portion 21 collapses). This is a gap for the mounting body 20 to pass through (allowing the protruding portion 21 to fall down) when the protruding portion 21 is brought into the above state. In other words, the mounting body 20 passes through the gap G1 when the projecting portion 21 shifts from the upright state to the collapsed state.

The gap G1 communicates with the passages (first passage 25d, second passage 25e). The gap G1, the first passage 25d, and the second passage 25e are connected in a substantially U shape in plan view.
The inclined plate 25a is composed of a rear inclined plate 25a1 and a front inclined plate 25a2.
The rear inclined plate 25a1 is arranged in front of the support member 22 (in front of the extended plate 22g) and between the first forwardly extending portion 16d and the second forwardly extending portion 17d. The rear inclined plate 25a1 is arranged in front of the support member 22 with a space therebetween. As a result, the inclined surface (rear rolling surface) 25i1 of the rear inclined plate 25a1 is arranged in front of the support member 22 with a gap therebetween.

The front inclined plate 25a2 is arranged in front of the rear inclined plate 25a1. The inclined surface (front rolling surface) 25i2 of the front inclined plate 25a2 is located in front of the inclined surface (rear rolling surface) 25i1 of the rear inclined plate 25a1 and close to the inclined surface (rear rolling surface) 25i1. are placed. The inclination of the rear rolling surface 25i1 and the inclination of the front rolling surface 25i2 may be the same, or the inclination of the front rolling surface 25i2 may be larger than the inclination of the rear rolling surface 25i1. Incidentally, the rear inclined plate 25a1 and the front inclined plate 25a2 may be connected and integrated.

The first side plate 25b extends along the inclination of the inclined plate 25a on one side (left side) in the width direction (device width direction) of the inclined plate 25a. The second side plate 25c extends along the slope of the inclined plate 25a on the other side (right side) in the width direction (device width direction) of the inclined plate 25a. The first side plate 25b is composed of a rear first side plate 25b1 and a front first side plate 25b2. The second side plate 25c is composed of a rear second side plate 25c1 and a front second side plate 25c2. The rear first side plate 25b1 is attached to the first forward extension 16d. The rear second side plate 25c1 is attached to the second forward extension 17d. The front first side plate 25b2 is attached to the left portion of the front wall 9 via a downward extending portion 23L extending downward from the front first side plate 25b2. The front second side plate 25c2 is attached to the right portion of the front wall 9 via a downward extending portion 23R extending downward from the front second side plate 25c2. Thus, the front first side plate 25b2 extends from the first plate 16, and the front second side plate 25c2 extends from the second plate 17. As shown in FIG. The front first side plate 25b2 and the rear first side plate 25b1 may be integrated, and the front second side plate 25c2 and the rear second side plate 25c1 may be integrated.

The passages (first passage 25d, second passage 25e) are provided on the sides (one side and the other side in the device width direction) of the inclined surface 25a. The passages (the first passage 25d and the second passage 25e) are passed when the protruding portion 21 shifts from the upright state to the collapsed state.
The first passage 25d is a space (slit) formed between the inclined plate 25a and the first side plate 25b. The first passage 25d is composed of a rear first passage 25d1 and a front first passage 25d2. The rear first passage 25d1 is formed between the rear inclined plate 25a1 and the rear first side plate 25b1. The front first passage 25d2 is formed between the front inclined plate 25a2 and the front first side plate 25b2. The one protrusion 21L passes through the first passage 25d when the mounting body 20 passes through the gap G1 and the protrusion 21 is in the collapsed state.

The second passage 25e is a space (slit) formed between the inclined plate 25a and the second side plate 25c. The second passage 25e is composed of a rear second passage 25e1 and a front second passage 25e2. The rear second passage 25e1 is formed between the rear inclined plate 25a1 and the rear second side plate 25c1. The front second passage 25e2 is formed between the front inclined plate 25a2 and the front second side plate 25c2. The other protrusion 21R passes through the second passage 25e when the mounting body 20 passes through the gap G1 and the protrusion 21 falls down.

The headed vegetables VG conveyed by the first conveying unit 3A are discharged when the support of the mounting body 20 by the supporting member 22 is released (the protruding portion 21 is in a collapsed state) beyond the terminal end in the conveying direction A1. It is discharged from the section 25 . Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 24, the headed vegetable VG leaves the projecting portion 21 and moves forward and downward while rolling on the rolling surface 25i along the slope of the inclined plate 25a. At this time, the outer leaf VG2 or the root VG3 of the head vegetable VG can pass through (invade) the first passage 25d or the second passage 25e. Therefore, the rolling of the head portion VG1 is not hindered by the outer leaf VG2 or the root VG3, and the head vegetable VG is smoothly moved (rolled) and transferred to the next process equipment (second conveying device 2B). be able to.

The first upright wall 25f rises from the other side (left side) of the first side plate 25b in the device width direction and extends along the slope of the inclined plate 25a. The first standing wall 25f is composed of a front first standing wall 25f2 and a rear first standing wall 25f1. The front first upright wall 25f2 rises from the other side (left side) of the front first side plate 25b2 in the device width direction. The rear first upright wall 25f1 rises from the other side (left side) of the rear first side plate 25b1 in the device width direction. In this embodiment, the front first upright wall 25f2 and the rear first upright wall 25f1 are separated from each other by being formed of different members, but they may be formed continuously by one member.

The second upright wall 25g rises from one side (right side) of the second side plate 25c in the device width direction and extends along the slope of the inclined plate 25a. The second upright wall 25g is composed of a front second upright wall 25g2 and a rear second upright wall 25g1. The front second upright wall 25g2 rises from one side (right side) of the front second side plate 25c2 in the device width direction. The rear second upright wall 25g1 rises from one side (right side) of the rear second side plate 25c1 in the device width direction. In this embodiment, the front second upright wall 25g2 and the rear second upright wall 25g1 are separated from each other by being formed of different members, but they may be formed continuously by one member.

Since the discharge part 25 has the first standing wall 25f and the second standing wall 25g, the headed vegetables VG can be pushed to the side (left or right) of the discharge part 25 while rolling on the rolling surface 25i. You can prevent it from falling out.
The distance between the first upright wall 25f and the second upright wall 25g differs between the relatively near side and the far side with respect to the end portion of the first conveying portion 3A in the conveying direction A1. Specifically, the distance between the front first upright wall 25f2 and the front second upright wall 25g2 is wider than the distance between the rear first upright wall 25f1 and the rear second upright wall 25g1. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent the headed vegetables VG from falling while rolling on the rolling surface 25i.

The discharge portion 25 has a first extending wall 25j formed continuously with the first standing wall 25f and a second extending wall 25k formed continuously with the second standing wall 25g. . The first extended wall 25j bends from the rear end portion of the rear first upright wall 25f1 and extends toward one side (leftward) in the device width direction. The second extended wall 25k is bent from the rear end portion of the rear second upright wall 25g1 and extends toward the other side (rightward) in the device width direction.

FIG. 19 shows another embodiment of the discharge section 25. As shown in FIG. Other embodiments will be described below with respect to the differences from the above-described embodiment.
In the discharge part 25 of another embodiment, the inclined plate 25a is composed of one member. That is, the configuration is such that the rear inclined plate 25a1 and the front inclined plate 25a2 in the above embodiment are integrated. The first side plate 25b and the second side plate 25c are not provided. The first standing wall 25f is fixed to the first forward extending portion 16d via the first fixing plate 26L. The second standing wall 25g is fixed to the second forward extending portion 17d via a second fixing plate 26R. Each of the first upright wall 25f and the second upright wall 25g is composed of one member. That is, the front first upright wall 25f2 and the rear first upright wall 25f1 in the above embodiment are formed continuously by one member, and the front second upright wall 25g2 and the rear second upright wall 25g1 are formed by one member. It is a configuration formed continuously by members.

The first upright wall 25f and the second upright wall 25g extend longer than the inclined plate 25a in the direction away from the terminal end of the first transport section 3A in the transport direction A1 (forward and downward). As a result, the headed vegetables VG can be guided from the side by the first upright wall 25f and the second upright wall 25g until the headed vegetables VG finish rolling on the rolling surface 25i of the inclined plate 25a. The vegetables VG can be reliably discharged toward the equipment (second conveying device 2B) of the next process.

The first upright wall 25f extends longer than the second upright wall 25g in the direction away from the terminal end of the first transport section 3A in the transport direction A1 (forward and downward). The first upright wall 25f is arranged on the upstream side (starting end side) in the transport direction A2 of the second transport section 3B from the second upright wall 25g. Therefore, the headed vegetables discharged from the discharging part 25 to the second conveying part 3B are prevented from moving toward the upstream side in the conveying direction A2 by the first standing wall 25f, and smoothly move toward the downstream side (end side). be transported.

The distance between the first upright wall 25f and the second upright wall 25g differs between the relatively near side and the far side with respect to the end portion of the first conveying portion 3A in the conveying direction A1. Specifically, the distance between the first upright wall 25f and the second upright wall 25g is wide on the side relatively close to the terminal end in the transport direction A1 and narrow on the side far from it. More specifically, the distance between the front first upright wall 25f2 and the front second upright wall 25g2 gradually narrows away from the terminal end in the transport direction A1. As a result, the headed vegetables VG can be reliably received from the end portion of the first conveying portion 3A in the conveying direction A1. The rear first upright wall 25f1 and the rear second upright wall 25g1 are arranged parallel to each other with a constant distance therebetween. The interval between the rear first upright wall 25f1 and the rear second upright wall 25g1 is narrower than the interval between the front first upright wall 25f2 and the front second upright wall 25g2.

A second forwardly extending portion 17d of the second plate 17 is formed with an extended portion 17e that gradually expands in a direction approaching the first plate 16 from rear to front. Due to the formation of the expanded portion 17e, when the headed vegetable VG moves from the support member 22 to the rolling surface 25i, the headed vegetable VG is pushed at three points: the support member 22, the rolling surface 25i, and the expanded portion 17e. Supported. As a result, the head vegetable VG can be smoothly and reliably transferred from the support member 22 to the rolling surface 25i. It should be noted that the first forward extending portion 16d of the first plate 16 may be formed with an expanded portion that gradually expands in a direction approaching the second plate 17 from the rear toward the front.

The first passage 25d is formed between the first forward extension 16d and the inclined plate 25a. The second passage 25e is formed between the second forward extension 17d and the inclined plate 25a. The width of the first passage 25d and the width of the second passage 25e are different. Specifically, the width of the first passage 25d is wider than the width of the second passage 25e.
Next, the 2nd conveying apparatus 2B is demonstrated.

As shown in FIG. 1, the second conveying device 2B is arranged downstream of the first conveying device 2A in the conveying direction A1. As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 17, 18, etc., the second conveying device 2B is arranged so as to overlap the discharging section 25 of the first conveying device 2A. The 2nd conveying apparatus 2B has the 2nd conveying part 3B which receives and conveys the head vegetables discharged|emitted from the discharge part 25 of 2 A of 1st conveying apparatuses.

As shown in FIGS. 17, 18, and 20 to 23, the second transport section 3B has two rollers 30A and 30B arranged in parallel. Of the two rollers 30A and 30B, one roller (hereinafter referred to as "first roller 30A") is arranged on the rear side (first conveying device 2A side), and the other roller (hereinafter referred to as "second roller 30B") ) is arranged on the front side (the side opposite to the first conveying device 2A). In this embodiment, there are two rollers, but there may be three or more, for example, four rollers may be arranged in parallel.

The two rollers 30A, 30B are arranged between the front wall plate 31 and the rear wall plate 32. As shown in FIG. The front wall plate 31 is arranged in the front part of the second transfer device 2B, and the rear wall plate 32 is arranged in the rear part of the second transfer device 2B. The front wall plate 31 and the rear wall plate 32 are attached to the second frame 6B.
The rotation axis of the first roller 30A (hereinafter referred to as "first rotation axis 33A") and the rotation axis of the second roller 30B (hereinafter referred to as "second rotation axis 33B") are arranged parallel to each other. . In FIGS. 18 and 20, the central axis of the first rotating shaft 33A is indicated by a dashed line CLA, and the central axis of the second rotating shaft 33B is indicated by a dashed line CLB. The length of the first roller 30A (the length in the direction of the first rotating shaft 33A) and the length of the second roller 30B (the length in the direction of the second rotating shaft 33B) are equal.

As shown in FIG. 20, the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B are inclined so as to gradually decrease from the upstream side (starting end side) toward the downstream side (terminating end side) in the conveying direction A2 of the second conveying portion 3B. is doing. The inclination of the first roller 30A (the inclination angle of the central axis CLA of the first roller 30A with respect to the horizontal line) is equal to the inclination of the second roller 30B (the inclination angle of the central axis CLB of the second roller 30B with respect to the horizontal line). The inclination of the first roller 30A and the inclination of the second roller 30B are set, for example, within a range of 5° to 10° (5° as an example).

As shown in FIG. 21, a drive mechanism 35 that rotates the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B is provided on one side (left side) of the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B in the rotation axis direction. The drive mechanism 35 has a motor 35a, a drive sprocket 35b, a driven sprocket 35c, a chain 35d, a transmission shaft 35e, a first bevel gear 35f, a second bevel gear 35g, a third bevel gear 35h, and a fourth bevel gear 35i.

The drive sprocket 35b is attached to the rotating shaft of the motor 35a. A chain 35d is stretched between the driving sprocket 35b and the driven sprocket 35c. A driven sprocket 35c, a first bevel gear 35f, and a second bevel gear 35g are attached to the transmission shaft 35e. A third bevel gear 35h is attached to the first rotating shaft 33A. A fourth bevel gear 35i is attached to the second rotating shaft 33B. The third bevel gear 35h meshes with the first bevel gear 35f. The fourth bevel gear 35i meshes with the second bevel gear 35g.

When the motor 35a is driven, the drive sprocket 35b rotates together with the rotating shaft of the motor 35a. Rotation of the drive sprocket 35b is transmitted to the driven sprocket 35c via the chain 35d, and the driven sprocket 35c rotates. When the driven sprocket 35c rotates, the first bevel gear 35f and the second bevel gear 35g rotate together with the transmission shaft 35e. The rotation of the first bevel gear 35f rotates the third bevel gear 35h, thereby rotating the first rotating shaft 33A. The rotation of the second bevel gear 35g causes the fourth bevel gear 35i to rotate, thereby rotating the second rotating shaft 33B. The first bevel gear 35f and the second bevel gear 35g are mounted in opposite directions, the first bevel gear 35f meshing with the front side of the third bevel gear 35h, and the second bevel gear 35g meshing with the rear side of the fourth bevel gear 35i.

By driving the drive mechanism 35, the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B are rotated inward (opposing sides face downward). As a result, the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG can be pulled in and sandwiched between the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B (see FIG. 22). The second conveying unit 3B sandwiches the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG between two rollers (between the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B), The headed vegetables VG are transported in the direction of the rotating shaft 33B) (transportation direction A2).

As shown in FIG. 23 and the like, the first roller 30A has a first roller body 30A1, a ridge portion 30A3, and a first brush portion 30A2. The first roller body 30A1 is a cylindrical or columnar member having a first rotating shaft 33A.
The ridge portion 30A3 protrudes from the surface of the first roller main body 30A1 and is spirally provided along the surface of the first roller main body 30A1. The spiral direction of the protrusion 30A3 is from the inner side (second roller 30B side) of the first roller 30A to the outer side (second roller 30B side). The ridge portion 30A3 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or soft synthetic resin. The ridge portion 30A3 is configured by, for example, spirally winding a string-like member (a rubber string, a rubber tube, etc.) made of an elastic material around the surface of the first roller body 30A1.

The first brush portion 30A2 protrudes like a brush from the surface of the first roller main body 30A1. The first brush portion 30A2 is configured by arranging a plurality of hair bundles arranged in a spiral. A plurality of tufts of bristles that constitute the first brush portion 30A2 are planted in a number of holes that are spirally arranged in the surface of the first roller body 30A1, and protrude from the surface of the first roller body 30A1. The first brush portion 30A2 and the ridge portion 30A3 alternately appear along the direction of the central axis CLA of the first roller 30A (conveyance direction A2). In other words, the first brush portion 30A2 is provided between the ridges 30A3 adjacent to each other with an interval in the transport direction A2.

As shown in FIG. 18, in the length direction (conveyance direction A2) of the first roller 30A, the width W1 of the region where the first brush portion 30A2 is provided is larger than the width W2 of the ridge portion 30A3. As shown in FIG. 21, the height of the ridge portion 30A3 (the height from the surface of the first roller main body 30A1) is higher than the height of the first brush portion 30A2.
As shown in FIG. 23, the second roller 30B has a second roller body 30B1 and a second brush portion 30B2. The second roller body 30B1 is a cylindrical or columnar member having a second rotating shaft 33B. The second brush portion 30B protrudes like a brush from the surface of the second roller main body 30B1. The second brush portion 30B is configured by arranging a plurality of hair bundles arranged in a spiral. A plurality of tufts of bristles forming the second brush portion 30B are planted in a large number of holes formed spirally on the surface of the second roller body 30B1, and protrude from the surface of the second roller body 30B1.

A protrusion amount LB of the second brush portion 30B from the surface of the second roller body 30B1 is larger than a protrusion amount LA of the first brush portion 30A2 from the surface of the first roller body 30A1. As a result, the tufts of bristles forming the second brush portion 30B are easier to deform (bend) than the tufts of bristles forming the first brush portion 30A2.
When the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B rotate inward, the headed vegetables VG are transported in the transport direction A2 while being placed on the first roller 30A by the spiral of the protrusion 30A3. The conveying speed (moving speed in the conveying direction A2) of the second conveying portion 3B is higher than the conveying speed (moving speed in the conveying direction A1) of the first conveying portion 3A. As a result, it is possible to prevent the headed vegetables conveyed from the first conveying section 3A from accumulating on the upstream side of the second conveying section 3B.

In the case of this embodiment, the first roller 30A has the ridge portion 30A3 and the second roller 30B does not have the ridge portion, but the second roller 30B has the same ridge portion as the first roller 30A. It is good also as a structure which has. In this case, the ridge portion of the second roller 30B is provided in a spiral shape extending in the same direction as the spiral arrangement of the tufts of the second brush portion 30B.
Two rollers (first roller 30A, second roller 30B) are such that the height H1 of the upper surface of one roller (first roller 30A) is higher than the height H2 of the upper surface of the other roller (second roller 30B). are arranged with a height difference (H2-H1) that is lower than the This height difference is a height difference obtained by comparing the heights of the upper surfaces of the two rollers at the same position in the conveying direction A2. The height of the upper surface of the roller is the height from the installation surface of the highest position of the roller at a specific position in the conveying direction A2. Specifically, the height of the upper surface of the first roller 30A is the height from the mounting surface of the upper end of the protrusion 30A3 at a specific position in the conveying direction A2, and the height of the upper surface of the second roller 30B is It is the height from the installation surface of the upper end of the second brush portion 30B2 at the same specific position in the transport direction A2. The height difference (H2-H1) is formed over the entire length in the transport direction A2.

In the case of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 22(a), the height difference (H2-H1) is determined by making the outer diameter of the first roller 30A smaller than that of the second roller 30B. It is formed by arranging the rotating shaft 33A below the second rotating shaft 33B.
However, the configuration for forming the height difference (H2-H1) is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 22(b), the height difference (H2-H1) equalizes the outer diameter of the first roller 30A and the outer diameter of the second roller 30B, and rotates the first rotating shaft 33A to the second rotation. It may be formed by arranging it below the shaft 33B. Further, as shown in FIG. 22(c), the height difference (H2-H1) is obtained by making the outer diameter of the first roller 30A smaller than the outer diameter of the second roller 30B, and rotating the first rotating shaft 33A to the second rotation. It may be formed by arranging it at the same height as the shaft 33B.

As shown in FIGS. 17, 18, 21 and 23, a guide plate 37 is provided above the first roller 30A. The guide plate 37 extends along the length direction (conveyance direction A2) of the first roller 30A. The guide plate 37 is inclined so as to gradually fall from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the transport direction A2.
The guide plate 37 has a first portion 37a and a second portion 37b. The first portion 37a and the second portion 37b are integrally formed side by side in the front-rear direction. The first portion 37a is arranged between the rear wall plate 32 and the first roller 30A in the front-rear direction. When viewed from the length direction (conveyance direction A2) of the first roller 30A, the front side (first roller 30A side) and the rear side (opposite side to the first roller 30A side) of the first portion 37a have the same height. is. The second portion 37b is inclined so as to become gradually lower from the front side to the rear side (as it approaches the first roller 30A).

As shown in FIG. 18, the discharge section (supply section) 25 of the first conveying device 2A is arranged on the left side of the guide plate 37 (the starting end side in the conveying direction A2). The discharge portion (supply portion) 25 has an inclined plate 25a, a first side plate 25b, and a second side plate 25c that extend above the guide plate 37. As shown in FIG. Of the inclined plate 25a, the first side plate 25b, and the second side plate 25c, only the first side plate 25b and the second side plate 25c may extend above the guide plate 37. FIG. In this case, the inclined plate 25a must extend at least forward of the rear wall plate 32. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 24, the discharge section (supply section) 25 supplies headed vegetables VG above the first roller 30A. More specifically, the discharge section (supply section) 25 supplies the headed vegetables VG above the first roller 30A from the direction perpendicular to the first rotating shaft 33A with respect to the first roller 30A. The headed vegetables VG discharged from the discharge part (supply part) 25 pass over the guide plate 37 and are supplied above the first roller 30A.

As shown in FIGS. 17, 18, 21 and 23, a guide member 38 is arranged above the second conveying section 3B. Specifically, the guide member 38 is arranged above the second roller 30B. The guide member 38 extends in the conveying direction A2 (longitudinal direction of the second roller 30B) and is arranged so as to gradually descend from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the conveying direction A2. The guide member 38 extends over a range from the starting end portion to the middle portion in the conveying direction A2. Specifically, the guide member 38 extends over a range from above the starting end (left end) of the second roller 30B to above the lengthwise middle portion. In the transport direction A2, the length of the guide member 38 is shorter than the length of the second roller 30B and longer than half the length of the second roller 30B. The terminal end (right end) of the guide member 38 is positioned to the right of the lengthwise middle portion of the second roller 30B.

The guide member 38 has a front plate portion 38a, an upper plate portion 38b, and a rear plate portion 38c. The front plate portion 38a is fixed to the second frame 6B in front of the second roller 30B and extends upward from the second frame 6B. The upper plate portion 38b extends rearward (toward the first roller 30A) from the upper end of the front plate portion 38a. The rear plate portion 38c extends rearward and downward from the rear end of the upper plate portion 38b. The surface of the rear plate portion 38c is an inclined surface 38d facing obliquely upward and rearward. The inclined surface 38d transitions from front to back as it extends downward. In other words, the inclined surface 38d transitions from the first roller 30A (one roller) side to the second roller 30B (the other roller) side as it extends upward. The lower end of the inclined surface 38d is positioned between the first rotating shaft 33A of the first roller 30A and the second rotating shaft 33B of the second roller 30B, and the height H1 of the upper surface of the first roller 30A and the height of the second roller 30B. It extends to a position lower than the height H2 of the upper surface of the second roller 30B.

As shown in FIG. 23, the headed vegetables VG discharged (supplied) from the discharge portion (supply portion) 25 above the first roller 30A collide with the guide member 38 and are prevented from moving toward the second roller 30B (forward). Therefore, it is placed mainly on the first roller 30A. At this time, the headed vegetables VG are allowed to tilt (roll) toward the second roller 30B by coming into contact with the inclined surface 38d of the guide member 38. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the impact when the headed vegetables VG hit the guide member 38 is alleviated, and the headed vegetables VG can be prevented from rebounding or being damaged. Further, since the lower end portion of the inclined surface 38d extends to the above-described low position, it is possible to prevent the headed vegetables VG from hitting the lower end portion of the inclined surface 38d and being damaged.

As shown in FIG. 24, the headed vegetables VG mainly placed on the first roller 30A are transported downstream in the conveying direction A2 along the guide member 38 while repeating rotation on the first roller 30A. and transported. Since the height of the upper surface of the first roller 30A is lower than the height of the upper surface of the second roller 30B, the headed vegetable VG becomes unstable and rotates. becomes easier.

The headed vegetable VG rotates (see arrow P1) in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction A2 by the rotation of the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B, and the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B are inclined downward. Rotation (see arrow P2) around the conveying direction A2 is also performed. As the head vegetable VG rotates in multiple directions, there are many opportunities for the outer leaf VG2 to be in a downward posture.

When the outer leaves VG2 of the headed vegetables VG face downward, the outer leaves VG2 are drawn between the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B. As shown in FIG. 22, the headed vegetables VG whose outer leaves VG2 are drawn between the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B assume a downward posture in which the outer leaves VG2 face downward.
In this way, the headed vegetables VG assume a downward posture in which the outer leaves VG2 face downward while being conveyed by the second conveying section 3B. Then, the headed vegetables VG in the downward posture are transferred from the second conveying section 3C to the third conveying section 3C in the state of the downward posture.

Next, the 3rd conveyance part 3C is demonstrated.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the third transport section 3C is arranged downstream of the second transport section 3B in the transport direction A2. The third conveying unit 3C conveys the headed vegetables VG conveyed by the second conveying unit 3B further downstream (to the right).
As shown in FIG. 25, the third conveying section 3C 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 FIG. 25, the first nipping belt 71 is arranged close to the downstream end of the second conveying section 3B and positioned below the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B. there is The second nipping belt 72 is arranged downstream of the first nipping belt 71 and positioned below the first nipping belt 71 . A portion of the first pinching belt 71 and a portion of the second pinching belt 72 overlap in the conveying direction A3 of the third conveying portion 3C.

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 of the third transport section 3C in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction A3 (hereinafter referred to as "third orthogonal direction"). The other side belt 71R is arranged on the other side in the third orthogonal 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 third orthogonal direction. The fourth pulley 74 and the fifth pulley 75 are arranged side by side in the transport direction A3 of the third transport section 3C. 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 third orthogonal direction. The seventh pulley 77 and the eighth pulley 78 are arranged side by side in the transport direction A3 of the third transport section 3C. 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. 25, 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 left to the right (toward the third conveying direction A3, which is the direction away from the second conveying section 3B) on the sides that contact each other.

As shown in FIGS. 25 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 to the upstream side (in the conveying direction A3). When the headed vegetables VG are conveyed by the first pinching belt 71, the posture when transferred from the second conveying section 3B 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 pinching belt 72 is an endless belt in which one belt is twisted 720° (two turns) and both ends 72d, 72d 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. 25 and 28, the plurality of pulleys includes 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 (rear side) in the third 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 to the right of the ninth pulley 79 . The ninth pulley 79 and the tenth pulley 80 are arranged side by side in the transport direction A3 of the third transport section 3C. The eleventh pulley 81 is arranged between the ninth pulley 79 and the tenth pulley 80 and behind the ninth and tenth pulleys 79 and 80 in the transport direction A3 of the third transport section 3C. .

The 12th pulley 82, the 13th pulley 83, and the 14th pulley 84 are arranged on the other side (front side) in the third 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 to the right of the twelfth pulley 82 . The twelfth pulley 82 and the thirteenth pulley 83 are arranged side by side in the transport direction A3 of the third transport section 3C. The 14th pulley 84 is arranged between the 12th pulley 82 and the 13th pulley 83 and ahead of the 12th pulley 82 and the 13th pulley 83 in the conveying direction A3 of the third conveying section 3C. . The eleventh pulley 81 and the fourteenth pulley 84 may be omitted.

The third conveying section 3C includes a moving device 85 that moves the second clamping belt 72 from the upstream side to the downstream side (from left to right). 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 (not shown) for rotating the plurality of pulleys.

As shown in FIGS. 25 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 moves from the position sandwiched between the ninth pulley 79 and the twelfth pulley 82 to the tenth pulley 80 and the thirteenth pulley 83 in the transport direction A3 of the third transport section 3C. 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 left to the right (toward the direction away from the second conveying section 3B) 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. 25, 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 A3 of the third transport portion 3C. As shown in FIG. 25, 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 A3, 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 FIG. 25, the third conveying section 3C has a pressing roller 88 that presses the second nipping belt 72. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 26, the pressing roller 88 is attached to the upper portion of the second frame 6B by a mounting plate 66. As shown in FIG. The pressing roller 88 is rotatable around a third 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 .

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 vegetable VG moves 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. 25, 28, etc., the third conveying section 3C 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. 25, the support plate 89 is positioned at a position where the outer leaf VG2 is held (a position where the outer leaf VG2 is is placed at a position deviated from the part where the 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 case of this embodiment, the head vegetable VG is twisted rearward at the reversing pinching portion 72c, so the support plate 89 is arranged at a position shifted rearward from the pinching position of the outer leaves VG2. When the headed vegetable VG is twisted forward in the reversing clamping portion 72c, the support plate 89 is arranged at a position shifted forward of the clamping position of the outer leaf VG2. Further, the support plate 89 may have a wide width extending from the front to the rear across the sandwiching position of the outer leaf VG2. Specifically, the support plate 89 shown in FIGS. The width (the length in the front-rear direction) may extend forward beyond the position.

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 FIG. 26, 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 first standing portion 891a and a second standing portion 891b. The first standing portion 891 a is arranged below the seventh pulley 77 and the twelfth pulley 82 . The second upright portion 891b is arranged between the twelfth pulley 82 and the fourteenth pulley 84 . The height of the first standing portion 891a is higher than the height of the second standing portion 891b. As shown in FIG. 28, the horizontal portion 892 extends horizontally rightward from the upper end portion of the first upright portion 891a. The transition portion 893 extends from the right end of the horizontal portion 892 to the upper end of the second upright portion 891b. The transition portion 893 transitions downward from left (upstream) to right (downstream).

As shown in FIG. 25, 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 (transportation direction A3 of the third transport portion 3C). 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 A3 of the third transport portion 3C). 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 and 29, 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 vegetables VG assume a sideways or oblique orientation in which the headed portion VG1 protrudes behind 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 third conveying section 3C. 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 A3 (the downstream end of the upward pinching portion 72b) and transferred to the fourth conveying portion 3D. .
As shown in FIG. 2, the fourth transport section 3D is arranged below the third transport section 3C. Hereinafter, the third transport section 3C may be referred to as the "upper transport section 3C" and the fourth transport section 3D may be referred to as the "lower transport section 3D".

The fourth conveying section (lower conveying section) 3D pinches the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG that has been released from pinching by the third conveying section (upper conveying section) 3C, and conveys it further downstream (to the right). do.
As shown in FIGS. 30 and 36, the fourth transport section 3D includes an overlapping portion 91 that overlaps the third transport section 3C and an overlapping portion 91 that overlaps the third transport section 3C in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport section 3D. and a non-overlapping portion 92 that does not wrap. The non-overlapping portion 92 is arranged downstream (to the right) of the overlapping portion 91 in the transport direction A4. The conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying portion 3D is a direction from left to right, like the conveying direction A3 of the third conveying portion 3C.

As shown in FIG. 36, the fourth transport unit 3D 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 (rear side) of the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying section 3D (hereinafter referred to as "fourth orthogonal direction"). The lower belt 93R is arranged on the other side (front side) in the fourth orthogonal direction.

The lower belt 93 rotates in the horizontal plane as the lower pulley 100 rotates. The other side (rear side) of the lower belt 93L and one side (front 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 lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R move from the left to the right 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 (rear side) and the other side (front side) in the fourth orthogonal direction, respectively. Hereinafter, the lower pulley arranged on one side (rear side) in the fourth orthogonal direction will be referred to as "first lower pulley 101L" and the like, and the lower pulley arranged on the other side (front side) in the fourth orthogonal direction will be referred to as "first pulley 101L". 1 lower pulley 101R” and the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, a first plate 94L is attached to the rear upper portion of the fourth transport device 2D, and a second plate 94R is attached to the front upper portion of the fourth transport device 2D. 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 G2 is formed between the first plate 94L and the second plate 94R. The gap G1 extends in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport device 2D. The gap G2 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 fourth 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 fourth orthogonal direction.

The seventh lower pulleys 107L and 107R are rotated by rotational driving force transmitted from a motor (not shown) via a power transmission mechanism (not shown). 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.

As shown in FIG. 36, the lower belt 93L contacts the outer leaf VG2 from one side (rear side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. The lower belt 93R contacts the outer leaf VG2 from the other side (front side) in the fourth 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. 36, the first pressing members 116L and the second pressing members 116R are alternately arranged along the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport device 2D. Specifically, a third lower pulley 103R, a third lower pulley 103L, a fourth lower pulley 104R, a fourth lower pulley 104L, a fifth lower pulley 105R, a fifth 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 members 116L and the second pressing members 116R along the conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying device 2D, 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. 30 and 36 , 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 pinching belt 72 provided in the third conveying section 3C 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, 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. 29 and 31, 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 shown in FIGS. 30, 31, 35, etc., the conveying device 2 includes a support member 117 that supports the bottom of the headed portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG conveyed by the fourth conveying portion (lower conveying portion) 3D. I have. The support member 117 is arranged below the fourth transport section 3D. As shown in FIG. 30, the support member 117 is provided from below the overlapping portion 91 to below the non-overlapping portion 92 in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport portion 3D.

As shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, 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 (rear side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. The second support member 117R is arranged on the other side (front side) in the fourth 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 A4 of the fourth transport portion 3D.

As shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, 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 A4 of the fourth transport section 3D. 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 A4 of the fourth transport section 3D. 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.

As shown in FIGS. 32 and 35, the headed vegetables VG conveyed by the third conveying section (upper conveying section) 3C are transported to the downstream end (first upper pulleys 80, 83) of the third conveying section 3C in the conveying direction A3. position), the holding of the outer leaf VG2 by the second holding belt 72 is released. Therefore, the headed vegetable VG descends due to its own weight, but is supported by the overlapping portion 91 (see FIGS. 30 and 36) of the fourth conveying portion 3D overlapping the third conveying portion 3C. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, the headed vegetables VG have the outer leaves VG2 sandwiched between the lower belts 93L and 93R, and the headed portion VG1 of the fourth conveying portion 3D. 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. Further, 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 rear obliquely downward direction and the front obliquely downward direction. ) 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 (to the right) in the conveying direction A4.

As shown in FIG. 38, the first cutting device 4 and the second cutting device 5 are arranged on the downstream side (right side) of the support member 117 in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport section 3D. The first cutting device 4 and the second cutting device 5 are arranged side by side in the transport direction A4. The 1st cutting device 4 and the 2nd cutting device 5 are arrange|positioned under the 4th conveyance part 3D.
As shown in FIGS. 37 and 42, the first cutting device (root cutting device) 4 is arranged below the lower belts 93L and 93R. 37, 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. 39 and 40 , the first cutting device 4 has a root aligning section 140 , a root pulling section 170 and a root cutting section 180 . The root aligning section 140, the root pulling section 170, and the root cutting section 180 are arranged below the fourth conveying section 3D.
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 A4 of the fourth transport portion 3D. The root aligning unit 140 aligns the roots VG3 of the headed vegetables VG transported by the fourth transport unit 3D.

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 (rear side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. The second rotating body 141R is arranged on the other side (front side) in the fourth 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 in parallel with each other at intervals, and extend in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport section 3D. 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. 41, 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 rearward and the second elastic plate 142R extends forward.

As shown in FIG. 40, 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. 40, the first elastic plate 142L has a rectangular shape, and one side thereof 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 A4 of the fourth transport section 3D 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 A4 of the fourth transport section 3D at intervals. The slits 142La and the slits 142Ra are provided alternately in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport section 3D. 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. 41, 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. 39 and 42 , the rotation drive mechanism 143 (hereinafter referred to as “first rotation drive mechanism 143 ”) has a motor 145 and a first transmission mechanism 146 .

The rotational driving force of the motor 145 is transmitted to the first shaft 141La and the second shaft 141Ra via the first transmission mechanism 146 . 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. 41, 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 fourth conveying unit 3D.
As shown in FIGS. 39 to 43, 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 (rear side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. The second drawing roller 171R is arranged on the other side (front side) in the fourth 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 A4 of the fourth transport section 3D. The second pull-in roller 171R rotates around an axis (around the second shaft 141Ra) extending in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport section 3D. 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 rotational driving force of the motor 145 is transmitted to the first shaft 141La and the second shaft 141Ra via the first transmission mechanism 146 . 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 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. 43, the first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171R mutually rotate inwardly around the center axis, so that the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG is pulled by 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. 36, 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 unit 170 is transported further downstream (to the right) in a suspended state with the outer leaves VG2 sandwiched by the lower belts 93L and 93R. and sent to the root cutting unit 180.
As shown in FIGS. 39, 40, and 42, 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 fourth conveying section 3D. 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 fourth conveying unit 3D 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 (not shown) attached to the second frame 6B. 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. 40 and the like, the first feed roller 183L is arranged below the root cutting blade 181 and to the right of the first pull-in roller 171L. The second feed roller 183R is arranged to the right 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 located to the left of the center shaft 181a of the root cutting blade 181 (root pulling-in). 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 to each other (to the left on the sides facing each other). As shown in FIGS. 39 and 40, 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 periphery of the root cutting blade 181 in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 40, the position where the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R contact or approach each other is on the extension of the center line CL1 between the first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171R. positioned.
The rotation drive mechanism 184 (hereinafter referred to as “third rotation drive mechanism 184 ”) is composed of a motor 145 and a second transmission mechanism 186 .

The second 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 rotational driving force of the motor 145 is transmitted to the root cutting blade 181, the first feed roller 183L, and the second feed roller 183R via the second transmission mechanism 186. As shown in FIG. As a result, the root cutting blade 181 rotates around the central axis 181a. Also, the first feed roller 183L rotates around the central axis 183La, and 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 left to the right (the same direction as the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport section 3D) on the side (inner side) that contacts or approaches each other. is.

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 rightward (toward the root cutting blade 181) by the rotation of the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R. It is cut by the rotation of the cutting 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 fourth transport section 3D. 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. 42, the head vegetable VG swings to the left 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 arc-shaped trajectory C1 and moves to the left. 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.

The head vegetable VG whose root VG3 has been cut by the root cutting blade 181 is conveyed further to the right (downstream side in the conveying direction A4) in a state in which the outer leaves VG2 are sandwiched and suspended by the lower belts 93L and 93R. and sent to the second cutting device (outer leaf cutting device) 5 .
As shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, 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. 44 and 45 , the second cutting device 5 has an outer leaf guide section 200 and an outer leaf cutting section 210 .

As shown in FIGS. 44 and 45 , the outer leaf guide section 200 has a first guide member 201 , a second guide member 202 and a contact member 203 .
The first guide member 201 and the second guide member 202 are arranged side by side in the fourth orthogonal direction. Specifically, the first guide member 201 is arranged on one side (rear side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. The second guide member 202 is arranged on the other side (front side) in the fourth orthogonal direction.

The first guide member 201 has a first intermediate portion 201a, a first left portion 201b and a first right portion 201c. The first intermediate portion 201a is inclined downward toward the right. The first left portion 201b extends rearward by bending from the left end of the first intermediate portion 201a. The first right portion 201c bends and extends rearward from the right end of the first intermediate portion 201a.

The second guide member 202 has a second intermediate portion 202a, a second left portion 202b and a second right portion 202c. The second intermediate portion 202a is inclined downward from left to right (downstream in the transport direction A4). The second left portion 202b bends and extends forward from the left end of the second intermediate portion 202a. The second right portion 202c bends from the right end of the second intermediate portion 202a and extends forward.

The first guide member 201 and the second guide member 202 are spaced apart in the front-rear direction, and move downward from left to right (downstream in the conveying direction A4). It may also be a plate that is inclined as follows.
As shown in FIGS. 44 and 45, 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 front. 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 A4 of the fourth transport section 3D in plan view. Specifically, the first portion 203a extends from the upstream side (left side) to the downstream side (right side) in the conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying portion 3D, and moves toward one side (rear side) in the fourth orthogonal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction A4. side) to the other side (front side).
The second portion 203b is bent from the right end portion of the first portion 203a and extends rightward (in the direction toward the downstream side in the conveying direction of the fourth conveying portion 3D). The second portion 203b is arranged at a position between the first intermediate portion 201a and the second intermediate portion 202a in the fourth orthogonal direction.

The third portion 203c bends and extends downward from the right end 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 second frame 6B. By attaching the third portion 203c to the mounting plate 206, the position of the contact member 203 is fixed. However, the contact member 203 may be omitted.
As shown in FIGS. 44 and 45 , the outer leaf cutting section 210 has an outer leaf cutting blade 211 and a drive mechanism (not shown) 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 to the right of the first guide member 201 and the second guide member 202 . One side portion (front 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 .
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 left between the first intermediate portion 201a and the second intermediate portion 202a, and then It moves to the right (fourth transport direction A4) while being sandwiched between the first 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 right. 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 headed vegetable VG that has moved rightward while being sandwiched between the first intermediate portion 201a and the second intermediate portion 202a has a proximal end portion (a portion close to the headed portion VG1) of the backing member 203. It abuts on the first portion 203a and moves obliquely forward and to the right 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 rightward 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 fourth conveying section 3D.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fifth transport section 3E is arranged downstream of the fourth transport section 3D in the transport direction A4. The fifth transport section 3E is supported by the second frame 6B. The transport direction A5 of the fifth transport section 3E is the same as the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport section 3D.
The fifth conveying section 3E 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, which have had their outer leaves VG2 cut by the outer leaf cutting blade 211 and have fallen, are placed on the upstream side of the belt of the fifth conveying section 3E, 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 2, the root cutting device 4, and the preparation device 1 of the above embodiment, the following effects are obtained.

The conveying device (first conveying device) 2A is a container portion for containing the vegetables VG, and includes a container portion 11 having a first support surface 111a that supports the vegetables from below, and the vegetables contained in the container portion 11. 1 A transporting portion (first transporting portion) 3A that transports the substrate upward away from the support surface 111a, and a swing mechanism 12 that swings the first support surface 111a upward or downward.
According to this configuration, since the first support surface 111a of the container 11 that contains the vegetables can be swung upward or downward by the swing mechanism 12, a plurality of clumps of vegetables VG accumulated in the container 11 can be swung. It can be unraveled and transferred to the conveying section 3A in an appropriate amount (for example, one piece at a time) reliably and smoothly.

Further, the conveying section 3A conveys the vegetables VG so as to shift forward as it goes upward, and the first support surface 111a is an inclined surface that shifts downward as it goes forward.
According to this configuration, the vegetables VG placed on the first inclined surface 111a can be reliably supplied to the conveying section 3A along the inclination, and the supplied vegetables can be smoothly conveyed upward by the conveying section 3A. can do.

In addition, the housing portion 11 has a second support surface 112a arranged on one side in the width direction of the transport portion 3A and a third support surface 113a arranged on the other side in the width direction of the transport portion 3A. , the second support surface 112a is an inclined surface that shifts downward toward the other side, and the third support surface 113a is an inclined surface that shifts downward toward the one side.
According to this configuration, the headed vegetables placed on the second support surface 112a and the third support surface 113a are moved along the inclination onto the first support surface 111a, and the first transport section moves from the first support surface 111a. It becomes possible to transport by 3A.

Further, the first support surface 111a, the second support surface 111b, and the third support surface 111c are integrally formed, and the swing mechanism 12 is configured to support the second support surface 111b and the third support surface together with the first support surface 111a. The surface 111c is swung upward or downward.
According to this configuration, the headed vegetables placed on the second support surface 112a and the third support surface 113a can be reliably moved onto the first support surface 111a by swinging.

In addition, the conveying unit 3A has a moving body 15 that moves in the conveying direction of the conveying unit 3A, and a protrusion 21 that is attached to the moving body 15 and capable of supporting the vegetables VG. It has an opening 111b through which the protrusion 21 passes as the moving body 15 moves.
According to this configuration, when the projecting portion 21 passes through the opening portion 111b, the headed vegetables placed on the first support surface 111a can be lifted and conveyed.

Further, a first plate 16 arranged on one side in the width direction of the conveying section 3A and extending in the conveying direction A1 from below to above the second support surface 112a, and a first plate 16 arranged on the other side in the width direction of the conveying section 3A. a second plate 17 extending in the conveying direction A1 from below to above the third support surface 113a; a first sheet 18L placed across the surface of the first plate 16 and the second support surface 112a; A second sheet 18R placed across the surface of the second plate 17 and the third support surface 113a.

According to this configuration, when the first support plate 111, the second support plate 112, and the third support plate 113 swing upward, the first support plate 111, the second support plate 112, and the third support plate 113 It is possible to prevent the vegetable head from being caught in the gap between the first plate 16 and the second plate 17 and the vegetable head from falling from the gap.
The rocking mechanism 12 includes a rotating shaft 12a that rotates about an axis parallel to the width direction of the conveying section 3A, an eccentric cam 12b that is attached eccentrically to the rotating shaft 12a and rotates together with the rotating shaft 12a, and an eccentric cam 12b that rotates together with the rotating shaft 12a. A rotating body 12c having a circumferential surface that abuts on the cam 12b, a shaft 12d that serves as a swinging center of a first support plate 111 that has a first support surface 111a, and a first support surface 111a of the first support plate 111. and a holder 12e disposed on the opposite side and rotatably holding the rotating body 12a.

According to this configuration, the first support plate 111 can be reliably and smoothly swung upward or downward by the swing mechanism 12 having a relatively simple structure.
In addition, the conveying device (first conveying device) 2A is a conveying device that conveys head vegetables VG having outer leaves VG2 and/or roots VG3 and head portions VG1 from below upward. a moving body 15 moving along, a protruding portion 21 attached to the moving body 15 so as to be able to change its posture between an upright state and a lying down state, and capable of supporting the headed vegetables VG in the upright state; and a posture changing mechanism for setting the projecting portion 21 to the upright state from the end portion to the terminal end portion, and setting the projecting portion 21 to the collapsed state at the terminal end portion.

According to this configuration, the protruding portion 21 capable of supporting the headed portion VG1 in an upright state is laid down at the end portion in the conveying direction A1, so that the outer leaves VG2 and roots VG3 of the headed vegetable VG are placed on the protruded portion 21. Even if they are entangled, the projecting portion 21 can be separated (pulled out) from the outer leaves VG2 and the root VG3. Therefore, headed vegetables VG such as onions can be reliably discharged toward equipment for the next process.

The posture changing mechanism includes a mounting body 20 which is attached to the moving body 15 and has a protruding portion 21, and a mounting body 20 which is arranged so that the protruding portion 21 is in an upright state from the start end to the end end. and a support member 22 that brings the projecting portion 21 into a collapsed state by releasing the support at the end portion.
According to this configuration, the support member 22 allows the projecting portion 21 to stand up from the starting end to the terminal end in the conveying direction, and the projecting portion 21 can be laid down at the terminal end.

Further, the support member 22 extends from the start end to the end along the transport direction A1.
According to this configuration, the support member 22 extending in the transport direction A1 can reliably support the projecting portion 21 in an upright state in a range from the start end to the end in the transport direction A1.
The attachment body 20 is rotatably attached to the moving body 15, and the support member 22 restricts the rotation of the attachment body 20 from the starting end to the terminal end to move the projecting portion 21. The protruding portion 21 is brought to the lying state by allowing the attachment body 20 to rotate at the end portion.

According to this configuration, the protruding portion 21 can be switched between the standing state and the lying state by utilizing the rotation of the mounting body 20, so that the posture of the protruding portion 21 can be easily changed (switching between the standing state and the lying state). can be performed smoothly and reliably.
In addition, the moving body 15 includes two cords 15L and 15R that are arranged parallel to each other and move along a loop-shaped path when viewed from the side, and the support member 22 is disposed between the two cords 15L and 15R. ing.

With this configuration, the support member 22 can be arranged along the movement direction (conveyance direction A1) of the moving body 15, and the mounting body 20 attached to the moving body 15 can be reliably supported by the support member 22. It can be carried out.
In addition, the conveying device (first conveying device) 2A is arranged in front of the support member 22 with a gap G1 from the support member 22, and has an inclined surface 25i that moves downward toward the front. The projecting portion 21 passes through the gap G1 when shifting from the upright state to the laid-down state.

According to this configuration, the headed vegetables VG conveyed along the support member 22 by the moving body 15 can be discharged along the inclined surface 25i. In addition, since the attachment body 20 can be retracted through the gap G1, the ejection of the attachment body 20 is not hindered.
Further, passages (first passage 25d, second passage 25e) through which the projection 21 passes when the projection 21 shifts from the upright state to the collapsed state are provided on the side of the inclined surface 25i.

According to this configuration, it is possible to reliably change the attitude of the projecting portion 21 from the standing state to the lying state without being hindered by other members.
Further, the mounting body 20 includes a substrate 20a having a surface to which the base end portion of the projecting portion 21 is fixed and a back surface facing and in contact with the surface of the support member 22, and an attachment for attaching the substrate 20a to the moving body 15. and a portion 20b.

According to this configuration, the substrate 20a of the attachment body 20 is supported by the front surface of the support member 22 from the back side, so that the attachment body 20 can be reliably supported by the support member 22. FIG.
In addition, the conveying device (first conveying device) 2A is a conveying device that conveys the vegetables VG from the bottom to the top. A protruding portion 21 that is spaced apart and moves together with the moving body 15 and that can support the vegetables VG by protruding in a direction away from the moving body 15, and an expansion mechanism for expanding the distance between the tips of the protruding portions 21 adjacent to each other in the conveying direction A1.

According to this configuration, even if a plurality of vegetables VG are sandwiched between the projecting portions 21 adjacent to each other in the conveying direction A1, the tip portions of the projecting portions 21 adjacent to each other in the conveying direction A1 in the middle portion of the conveying direction A1 are separated by the expansion mechanism. By widening the space between the vegetables VG in the conveying direction A<b>1 , the sandwiched state of the vegetables VG is resolved, and unnecessary vegetables VG that have been sandwiched can be dropped from the projecting portion 21 . As a result, it becomes possible to reliably and smoothly convey the vegetables VG in appropriate amounts (for example, one by one).

The expansion mechanism also has a regulating surface 22d that extends along the conveying direction A1 and defines the attitude of the projecting portion 21. The regulating surface 22d is a first regulating surface arranged upstream in the conveying direction A1. 22d1, and a second defining surface 22d2 arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction A1 and inclined with respect to the first defining surface 22d1.
According to this configuration, when the protruding portion 21 is moved along the transport direction A1, the state in which the posture is defined by the first defining surface 22d1 changes to the state in which the posture is defined by the second defining surface 22d2. , the posture of the projecting portion 21 can be changed.

The expansion mechanism also has a plurality of attachment bodies 20 attached to the moving body 15 at predetermined intervals in the conveying direction A1, and the protruding portions 21 protrude from the attachment bodies 20 and extend in a direction away from the regulating surface 22d. ing.
According to this configuration, by changing the direction of the protrusions 21 that protrude and extend from the mounting bodies 20 that are adjacent in the transport direction A1, it is possible to widen the distance between the distal end portions of the protrusions 21 that are adjacent in the transport direction A1. .

The mounting body 20 includes a substrate 20a having a front surface to which the base end portion of the projecting portion 21 is fixed and a back surface facing and abutting the defining surface 22d, and a mounting portion 20b for attaching the substrate 20a to the moving body 15. and have
With this configuration, the projecting portion 21 can be securely attached to the moving body 15 via the attachment body 20 .

In addition, the moving body 15 includes two cords 15L and 15R that are arranged parallel to each other and move along a loop-shaped path when viewed from the side, and the defining surface 22d is disposed between the two cords 15L and 15R. ing.
According to this configuration, the defining surface 22d can be arranged along the movement direction (conveyance direction A1) of the moving body 15, and the posture of the moving projecting portion 21 can be reliably defined by the defining surface 22d. .

Also, the inclination angle of the second defining surface 22d2 with respect to the first defining surface 22d1 is an obtuse angle.
According to this configuration, the projecting portion 21 moves along the transport direction A1, and the posture is regulated by the first regulating surface 22d1 to the state regulated by the second regulating surface 22d2. When the transfer is made, the distance between the tips of the projecting portions 21 adjacent to each other in the transport direction A1 can be widened within an appropriate range.

In addition, the conveying device (first conveying device) 2A includes a conveying portion (first conveying portion) 3A that conveys head vegetables VG having outer leaves VG2 and/or roots VG3 and head portions VG1 from the bottom to the top. , and a discharging portion 25 for discharging the headed vegetables VG from the end portion of the conveying portion 3A in the conveying direction A1, and the discharging portion 25 extends with an inclination in a direction that gradually descends as it moves away from the end portion, and along the inclination. A slant plate 25a having a rolling surface 25i on which the head portion VG1 rolls, a first side plate 25b extending along the slant on one side in the width direction of the slant plate 25a, and the slant plate 25a and the first side plate 25b. and a first passageway 25d formed therebetween through which the outer leaf VG2 or the root VG3 can pass as the ball VG1 rolls on the rolling surface 25i.

According to this configuration, the head portion VG1 can be rolled on the rolling surface 25i while allowing the outer leaves G2 or the roots VG3 to pass through the first passage 25d in the discharge portion 25, so that the outer leaves VG2 and the roots VG3 can be rolled. It is possible to prevent the rolling of the head portion VG1 from being hindered. Therefore, the headed vegetables VG conveyed by the conveying section 2A can be smoothly transferred to the equipment for the next process via the discharging section 25 .

Further, the discharging portion 25 is formed between a second side plate 25c extending along the inclination on the other side of the inclined plate 25a in the width direction, and between the inclined plate 25a and the second side plate 25c. and a second passageway 25e through which the outer leaf VG2 or the root VG3 can pass when rolling over 25i.
According to this configuration, the head portion VG1 can be rolled on the rolling surface 25i while the outer leaf G2 or the root VG3 is passed through the first passage 25d or the second passage 25e in the discharge portion 25. It is possible to more reliably prevent VG2 and root VG3 from interfering with the rolling of head portion VG1.

The discharge portion 25 includes a first upright wall 25f that rises from the other widthwise side of the first side plate 25b and extends along an inclination, and a first upright wall 25f that rises from one side of the second side plate 25c in the width direction and has an inclination. and a second upright wall 25g extending along.
According to this configuration, since the discharge part 25 has the first standing wall 25f and the second standing wall 25g, the headed vegetables VG can be pushed to the side of the discharging part 25 while rolling on the rolling surface 25i. (Left or right) can be prevented from falling.

Also, the distance between the first upright wall 25f and the second upright wall 25g is different between the side relatively close to the end portion and the side far from it.
According to this configuration, when the interval on the side relatively far from the end portion is wider than the interval on the narrow side, it is assumed that the course of the headed vegetable VG is bent while rolling on the rolling surface 25i. can also be received by the standing wall and prevented from falling. On the other hand, when the interval on the side relatively close to the end portion is wider than the interval on the side farther from the end portion, it is possible to reliably receive the headed vegetables VG from the end portion in the conveying direction A1 of the first conveying portion 3A.

Also, the first side plate 25b and the second side plate 25c are longer than the inclined plate 25a in the direction away from the end portion.
According to this configuration, the headed vegetable VG can be guided from the side by the first upright wall 25f and the second upright wall 25g until the headed vegetable VG finishes rolling on the rolling surface 25i of the inclined plate 25a. As a result, the headed vegetables VG can be reliably discharged toward the next process equipment (second conveying device 2B).

Further, the transport unit 3A includes a moving body 15 that moves along the transport direction A1 of the transport part 3A, a first plate 16 that is arranged on one side of the moving body 15 in the width direction and extends in the transport direction A1, a moving and a second plate 17 arranged on the other side of the body 15 in the width direction and extending in the conveying direction A1, the first side plate 25b extending from the first plate 16, and the second side plate 25c being the second plate. Extends from 17.

According to this configuration, the headed vegetables VG conveyed by the moving body 15 can be reliably guided between the first side plate 21c and the second side plate 25c.
Further, the conveying device (second conveying device) 2B is a conveying device for conveying the headed vegetables VG having the headed portion VG1 and the outer leaves VG2, and has rotating shafts 33A and 33B arranged in parallel to each other, and A conveying section (second conveying section) having two rollers 30A and 30B that rotate inwardly with respect to each other and conveying the headed vegetables VG in the direction of the rotation axis of the rollers while holding the outer leaves VG2 between the two rollers. 3B, and the two rollers 30A and 30B have a height difference in which the height of the upper surface of one roller (first roller) 30A is lower than the height of the upper surface of the other roller (second roller) 30B. are arranged as follows.

According to this configuration, the vegetable head VG placed on the surfaces of the rollers 30A and 30B becomes unstable and easily rotates. Therefore, by repeating the rotation of the headed vegetables VG, the outer leaves VG2 are pulled downward between the one roller 30A and the other roller 30B in a short period of time, and the outer leaves VG are stabilized in the downward posture. As a result, the posture of the headed vegetables VG can be stabilized in a short conveying distance.

Further, one roller 30A and the other roller 30B are inclined so as to gradually decrease from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the transport direction A3 of the transport section 3B.
According to this configuration, the headed vegetables VG are rotated in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction A2 by the rotation of the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B, and in addition, the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B are rotated. Since it is inclined downward, it also rotates around the conveying direction A2. As the head vegetables VG rotate in multiple directions, there are many opportunities for the outer leaves VG2 to face downward, and in a short period of time, the outer leaves VG2 face downward, and the rollers 30A and 30A are separated from each other. roller 30B.

Further, the conveying device (second conveying device) 2B includes a guide member 38 arranged above the conveying section 3B and extending in the conveying direction A3. It has an inclined surface 38d that transitions from the roller 30B to the other roller 30B.
According to this configuration, the headed vegetables VG are allowed to tilt (roll) toward the second roller 30B by contacting the inclined surface 38d of the guide member 38. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the impact when the headed vegetables VG hit the guide member 38 is alleviated, and the headed vegetables VG can be prevented from rebounding or being damaged.

In addition, the lower end of the inclined surface 38d is located between the rotating shaft (first rotating shaft) 33A of one roller 30A and the rotating shaft (second rotating shaft) 33B of the other roller 30B, and It extends to a position lower than the height of the upper surface of roller 30B and the height of the upper surface of the other roller 30B.
According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the headed vegetables VG from hitting the lower end portion of the inclined surface 38d and being damaged.

Also, the outer diameter of one roller 30A is smaller than the outer diameter of the other roller 30B.
According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a height difference in which the height of the upper surface of one roller 30A is lower than the height of the upper surface of the other roller 30B.
Further, the rotating shaft 33A of one roller 30A is arranged below the rotating shaft 33B of the other roller 30B.

According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a height difference in which the height of the upper surface of one roller 30A is lower than the height of the upper surface of the other roller 30B.
Further, the conveying device (second conveying device) 2B includes a supply unit 25 that supplies headed vegetables VG to the conveying unit 3B, and the supply unit 25 supplies the headed vegetables VG above one roller 30A.
According to this configuration, the headed vegetables VG supplied above the one roller 30A by the supply unit 25 can be smoothly conveyed by the rotation of the one roller 30A.

The preparation device 1 also includes the conveying device 2 and a first cutting device 4 that cuts the roots VG3 of the vegetables VG conveyed by the conveying device 2 .
According to this configuration, the first cutting device 4 can cut the root VG3 of the vegetable VG conveyed by the conveying device 2 with the root 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 2 .
According to this configuration, the second cutting device 5 can cut the outer leaves VG2 of the vegetables VG conveyed by the conveying device 2 with the roots VG3 facing downward. Therefore, the outer leaf VG2 of the vegetable VG can be reliably cut.

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 adjusting device 2A conveying device (first conveying device)
15 moving body 15L cord body (first cord body)
15R cord body (second cord body)
20 mounting body 20a substrate 20b mounting portion 21 projection 22d regulating surface 22d1 first regulating surface 22d2 second regulating surface VG vegetable VG2 outer leaf VG3 root

Claims (5)

A conveying device for conveying vegetables from below to above,
a moving body that moves along the conveying direction;
a projecting portion arranged at a predetermined interval in the conveying direction and moving together with the moving body, the projecting portion being capable of supporting the vegetables by projecting in a direction away from the moving body;
an expansion mechanism that expands, in the conveying direction, an interval between tip end portions of the projecting portions that are adjacent in the conveying direction at an intermediate portion in the conveying direction;
with
The expansion mechanism includes a regulating surface that extends along the conveying direction and defines the posture of the projecting portion, and a plurality of mounting bodies that are attached to the moving body at predetermined intervals in the conveying direction. have
The mounting body has a substrate having a front surface to which the base end of the projecting portion is fixed and a back surface facing and abutting against the regulating surface, and a mounting portion for attaching the substrate to the moving body. death,
The regulating surfaces include a first regulating surface arranged on the upstream side in the conveying direction and a second regulating surface arranged on the downstream side in the conveying direction and inclined with respect to the first regulating surface. , including
the projecting portion projects from the mounting body and extends in a direction away from the defining surface;
The attachment body is rotatably attached to the moving body together with the protrusion,
When the mounting body shifts from being supported by the first defining surface to being supported by the second defining surface, the mounting body rotates together with the projecting portion, thereby moving the projecting portion. changes in a state in which it stands up with respect to the defining surface, and in a state in which it is supported by the first defining surface, the back surface faces and contacts the first defining surface, and the second A conveying device for vegetables in which the back surface faces and abuts on the second defining surface when being supported by the defining surface . The moving body includes two cord bodies that are arranged parallel to each other and move along a loop-shaped path in a side view,
2. The apparatus for conveying headed vegetables according to claim 1 , wherein the regulating surface is arranged between the two cord bodies. 3. The vegetable conveying apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the inclination angle of said second defining surface with respect to said first defining surface is an obtuse angle. A conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ;
a first cutting device that cuts the roots of the vegetables conveyed by the conveying device;
vegetable preparation equipment. 5. The vegetable preparation apparatus according to claim 4 , further comprising a second cutting device for cutting outer leaves of the vegetables conveyed by the conveying device.

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