JP7437230B2 - Nori bundle sorting machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a nori bundle aligning machine. That is, the present invention relates to a nori bundle aligning machine that is installed between a nori bundle counting and accumulating machine and a folding machine in a nori production line.

《Technical background》
On the production line for dried seaweed (hereinafter simply referred to as seaweed), after each process of picking fresh seaweed, washing it with water, slicing it, dehydrating it, and drying it, it goes through the processes of inspection, sorting, counting, arranging, folding, and binding. is being produced.
That is, the flat seaweed that has been inspected and sorted after drying is counted and accumulated as bundles of seaweed, such as 10 sheets per bundle, arranged, bent, tied, and shipped.
FIG. 9 is a process block diagram of such a seaweed production line. As shown in the figure, the sorting machine 1 for the seaweed production line has conventionally been divided into two types: (1) a direct feed type as shown in the figure, and (2) a side feed type as shown in the figure.

《Direct type》
The direct output type sorting machine 1 shown in FIG. 9(1) is as follows.
In the production line, the front/back reversing machine 6, inspection sorting machine 7, counting accumulating machine 8, aligning machine 1, bending machine 9, etc. are laid out in a straight line, and the counting accumulating machine 8 and aligning machine 1 are arranged vertically. is laid out.
Then, the elevating plate of the sorting machine 1 loads the seaweed bundles A that have fallen from the counting and accumulating machine 8, and descends while rotating 90 degrees to change the orientation. It was carried out directly to the folding machine 9 on a conveyor.

《Side type》
The horizontal feed type alignment machine 1 shown in FIG. 9 (2) is as follows.
In the production line, the front/back reversing machine 6, inspection sorting machine 7, counting accumulating machine 8, aligning machine 1, etc. are laid out in a straight line, and the counting accumulating machine 8 and aligning machine 1 are laid out vertically and folded. The bending machine 9 is laid out on the side of the alignment machine 1.
In the conventional side-out type sorting machine 1, the seaweed bundles A are dropped and stacked on the conveyor from the counting and accumulating machine 8, and the seaweed bundles A arranged on the alignment board on the conveyor are It was carried out sideways to the folding machine 9 on a conveyor at 90 degrees to the side with respect to the conveyance direction.

Direct-out type alignment machine 1 is shown in, for example, the following Patent Documents 1 and 2.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 63-27373 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-230675

By the way, the following problem has been pointed out as a problem with such a conventional sorting machine 1.
《Direct output type: Displacement disturbance》
Regarding the straight-out type sorting machine 1, disturbances in displacement such as scattering of the seaweed bundles A have been a problem.
In the direct feed type, a lifting plate 2' that moves up and down receives, stacks, and lowers the seaweed bundles A dropped from the counting and accumulating machine 8 at the upper position B (see also FIGS. 1 to 3 regarding the present invention). reference). (In addition, in this conventional straight-out type sorting machine 1, the lifting plate 2' is made of a solid flat plate without holes etc., unlike the lifting plate 2 of the present invention described later.)
In the conventional straight-out type sorting machine 1 using such an elevating plate 2', the seaweed bundle A falling onto the elevating plate 2' at the upper position B is affected by the wind pressure caused by the rise of the immediately preceding elevating plate 2'. Displacement disturbances were likely to occur due to air resistance between the lift plate and the lift plate 2'.
That is, in seaweed production lines, there is a strong need for high-speed, large-volume processing, and the lifting speed of the lifting plate 2' is also increasing, and the lifting plate 2' rises to the upper position B accompanied by wind pressure.
As a result, the seaweed bundles A falling onto such a lifting plate 2' are simply counted and not yet bundled, so they are susceptible to displacement and disorder due to wind pressure from below. For example, it was easy to shift and scatter.
Furthermore, the air layer formed between the falling seaweed bundle A and the lifting plate 2' creates a large resistance, and the seaweed bundle A falling to the lifting plate 2' is also displaced from this surface due to air resistance. It was easy to get confused.

《Side type: Displacement disturbance》
Regarding the horizontal type sorting machine 1 as well, the disturbance in displacement of the seaweed bundles A has been a problem.
In the horizontal delivery type, the seaweed bundles A from the count accumulator 8 are directly dropped and stacked on the conveyor 3 (see also FIGS. 5 to 7 regarding the present invention). (This conventional sorting machine 1 is different from the above-mentioned conventional straight-out type sorting machine 1 and the later-described sorting machine 5 of the present invention, and is not equipped with an elevating plate 2.)
In such a conventional horizontal discharge type sorting machine 1, disturbances in displacement of the seaweed bundles A falling onto the conveyor 3 were likely to occur.
That is, first, the vertical distance between the upper counting accumulator 8 and the lower conveyor 3 was long, and the seaweed bundles A falling over a long distance were likely to be displaced on the way. For example, it was easy to shift and scatter.
Furthermore, the air layer formed between the seaweed bundle A falling over a long distance and the falling surface of the conveyor 3 acted as resistance, and the seaweed bundle A was easily displaced and disturbed by the air resistance.
A receiving plate (not shown) is fixed directly below the left and right V-belts 14 of the conveyor 3, and the nori bundle A that has fallen between the left and right V-belts 14 is caught in the center etc. It prevents it from sagging or coming off, and supports the overall reception. Such a receiving plate, together with the V-belt 14, becomes a falling surface for the conveyor 3, and is a cause of the formation of air resistance due to the above-mentioned air layer.

《Horizontal type: Poor alignment》
Regarding the side-out type sorting machine 1, there was a further problem of poor alignment of the seaweed bundles A.
In the conventional horizontal delivery type, the seaweed bundles A dropped onto the conveyor 3 are arranged from all sides by the arrangement plate 4 (see also figure (1) in FIG. 6).
As mentioned above, since the falling distance of the seaweed bundle A was long, a large error was likely to occur in the falling position. It was easy for the center of the seaweed bundle A to deviate greatly from the alignment center, an error that easily occurred. In addition, since the sheets were aligned on the conveyor 3, the back side or sole leg of the bottom sheet of the seaweed bundle A was likely to get caught on both upper edges of the V-belt 14 of the conveyor 3.
Therefore, problems often occur in the alignment operation of the alignment plate 4 to bring the seaweed bundles A, which have large errors in the falling position and are easily caught, to the alignment center. It is not easy to align as expected, and it tends to become difficult, and alignment defects are likely to occur. In particular, the more flexible the seaweed, the more difficult it was.

《Direct output type: Poor alignment》
On the other hand, with respect to the direct feed type alignment machine 1, the frequency of occurrence of such misalignment was relatively low.
That is, in the direct type, the seaweed bundles A dropped from the count accumulator 8 are received by the lifting plate 2', loaded, lowered, and then transferred to the conveyor 3. Therefore, since the falling distance is short, there are few errors in the falling position, and because the errors are small, the alignment operation of the alignment plate 4 is smoother than that of the conventional horizontal type.
In this way, in the direct feed type, when the alignment operation is performed for the seaweed bundles A on the conveyor 3, the seaweed bundles A are placed on both upper edges and edges of the V-belt 14 of the conveyor 3, similar to the side feed type described above. Although it is easy to get caught, because there is little error in the falling position, the occurrence of misalignment was not as frequent as with the horizontal type.

《About the present invention》
In view of these circumstances, the laver bundle sorting machine of the present invention has been developed to solve the problems of the prior art described above.
An object of the present invention is, firstly, to propose a laver bundle aligning machine in which displacement disturbances such as scattering of the seaweed bundles are avoided, and secondly, misalignment of the seaweed bundles is also suppressed.

《About each claim》
The technical means of the present invention for solving such problems are as follows, as described in the claims.
Regarding claim 1, it is as follows.
The laver bundle aligning machine according to claim 1 is disposed in a seaweed production line between a counting accumulator and a folding machine attached to an inspection and sorting machine. It also has an elevating plate, an alignment plate, and a conveyor.
The elevating plate is movable up and down between an upper position below the counting accumulator and a lower position below the left-right distance of the conveyor.
The elevating plate receives and loads the seaweed bundles dropped from the counting and accumulating machine at the upper position, and transfers the seaweed bundles to the conveyor while descending to the lower position.
The arranging plate is capable of arranging the seaweed bundles loaded on the elevating plate or the conveyor by standing up and pushing them from all sides. The conveyor can transport the aligned seaweed bundles to the folding machine.
The elevator plate is characterized in that upper and lower through holes are formed throughout the lift plate.

Regarding claim 2, it is as follows.
In the laver bundle arranging machine according to claim 2, in claim 1, the vertical through holes of the elevating plate of the arranging machine are configured to vent air downward when the laver bundle falls onto the elevating plate in the upper position. Provides air release function.
As a result, disturbances in displacement of the seaweed bundle due to wind pressure accompanying the lifting of the lifting plate and air resistance between the lifting plate and the lifting plate are avoided.

Regarding claim 3, it is as follows.
In the laver bundle aligning machine according to claim 3, in claim 2, the inspection sorting machine, the counting accumulating machine, the aligning machine, and the bending machine are laid out in a straight line, and the counting accumulating machine and the folding machine are arranged in a straight line. The alignment machines are laid out one above the other.
The elevating plate of the sorting machine can be lowered while rotating about 90 degrees to change the direction of the loaded seaweed bundles, and can be raised while rotating in the opposite direction about 90 degrees.
The seaweed bundles arranged on the arrangement plate are transported directly to the folding machine on the conveyor with their longitudinal direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction.

Regarding claim 4, it is as follows.
In the laver bundle aligning machine according to claim 4, in claim 2, the inspection sorting machine, the counting accumulating machine, and the aligning machine are laid out in a straight line, and the counting accumulating machine and the aligning machine are arranged vertically. The bending machine is laid out on the side of the alignment machine.
The elevating plate of the sorting machine can be moved up and down in a straight line, and the laver bundles loaded thereon descend as they are without changing their direction.
Thereby, the seaweed bundles arranged on the alignment plate are oriented at about 90 degrees to the side with respect to the previous transport direction, with their longitudinal direction perpendicular to the transport direction, and sent to the folding machine on the conveyor. It is characterized by being carried out sideways.

Regarding claim 5, it is as follows.
The laver bundle arranging machine according to claim 5 is characterized in that according to claim 3 or 4, the arranging plate of the arranging machine aligns the seaweed bundles loaded and lowered by the elevating plate. .
Regarding claim 6, it is as follows.
The laver bundle arranging machine according to claim 6 is characterized in that according to claim 3 or 4, the arranging plate of the arranging machine performs an operation of arranging the seaweed bundles loaded on the conveyor.

《About effects》
Since the present invention consists of such means, it is as follows.
(1) In this sorting machine, first, the elevating plate receives the seaweed bundles dropped from the counting and accumulating machine at an upper position.
(2) Then, the elevating plate loads the seaweed bundles and descends to the lower position. The direct type lowers while rotating about 90 degrees, while the side type lowers in a straight line. Then, while the conveyor is stopped, the seaweed bundles are transferred from the elevator plate on the way down.
(3) During this time, the sorting machine operates to sort the seaweed bundles on the elevator board or on the conveyor during the descent.
(4) Then, the conveyor carries out the aligned seaweed bundles directly to the folding machine, or carries them out sideways.
(5) The elevating plate then rises to the upper position.
(6) Now, the alignment machine of the present invention employs upper and lower through holes for the elevating plate. As a result, the air release function prevents disturbances in the displacement of the seaweed bundles due to wind pressure and air resistance.
(7) Furthermore, in the case of the side-dispensing type sorting machine, the falling distance of the seaweed bundles is shortened by employing an elevating plate, so that disturbances in displacement can be avoided from this aspect as well.
(8) In addition, if the arranging plate operates to align the seaweed bundles that are loaded and lowered by the lifting plate while they are being lowered, there is no risk of the seaweed bundles coming into contact with the conveyor or getting caught during arranging, and there is no risk of misalignment occurring. suppressed.
(9) Particularly, for horizontal type sorting machines, the adoption of an elevating plate has made it possible to align while descending, suppressing the occurrence of misalignment.
Furthermore, with the side-out type sorting machine, the fall distance of the seaweed bundles is shortened by adopting an elevating plate, which reduces the falling position error and makes it easier to bring the seaweed bundles to the center of alignment. The occurrence of misalignment is suppressed.
(10) Therefore, the laver bundle aligning machine according to the present invention exhibits the following effects.

《First effect》
First, displacement disturbances such as scattering of seaweed bundles are avoided.
The nori bundle aligning machine of the present invention employs upper and lower through holes for the elevating plate, thereby avoiding disturbances in displacement of the nori bundles. This prevents the seaweed bundles falling onto the lifting board from shifting and scattering.
Therefore, according to the arranging machine of the present invention, the seaweed bundles are arranged as expected, the arranging ability, the arrangement reliability, and the arrangement stability are improved, and it becomes possible to fully meet the needs for high-speed mass processing of the nori production line.
Furthermore, compared to the above-mentioned conventional horizontal type sorting machine of the present invention, the falling distance for the seaweed bundles is shortened to the lifting plate, so displacement disturbances can be prevented from this plane as well. Avoided.

Second, misalignment of seaweed bundles is also suppressed.
In the seaweed bundle sorting machine of the present invention, when the seaweed bundles lowered by the lifting plate are arranged in the middle of the descent, misalignment can be suppressed. That is, there is no fear of contact with the conveyor or getting caught, and the seaweed bundles can be reliably gathered toward the alignment center, achieving good alignment.
In particular, for horizontal type alignment machines, this type of alignment has become possible by adopting a lifting plate. Furthermore, with respect to the horizontal type, the falling distance of the seaweed bundles is shortened compared to the conventional example, and the error in the falling position of the seaweed bundles is reduced, so that good alignment is achieved from this aspect as well.
As a result, according to the sorting machine of the present invention, the seaweed bundles are lined up as expected, and the sorting ability, alignment certainty, and alignment stability are improved, and it becomes possible to fully meet the needs for high-speed mass processing of the seaweed production line. .
As described above, the effects of the present invention are remarkable and significant, such as solving all the problems that existed in this type of prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view of a first example of a straight-out type in order to explain a mode for carrying out the invention with respect to a seaweed bundle sorting machine according to the present invention, and in a first step of sorting. To explain the mode for carrying out the invention, a direct-extrusion type is shown. Figure (1) is a front view of the second and third alignment steps, and Figure (2) is a front view of the fourth alignment step. FIG. 7 is a front view of a direct-out type and a fifth alignment step for explaining the mode for carrying out the invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an elevating plate and the like, showing a direct-extrusion type, for explaining a mode for carrying out the invention. FIG. 7 is a front view of a second example of the horizontal delivery type of the laver bundle sorting machine according to the present invention, in a first step of sorting, in order to explain the mode for carrying out the invention. In order to explain the mode for carrying out the invention, a side-extrusion type is shown. Figure (1) is a front view of the second and third alignment steps, and Figure (2) is a front view of the fourth alignment step. FIG. 7 is a front view of a side-extrusion type in a fifth alignment step for explaining the embodiment of the invention. It is a perspective view of the elevating plate, etc., showing a side-extrusion type, for explaining a form for carrying out the invention. FIG. 2 is a process block diagram for explaining an embodiment of the invention. The figure (1) shows the direct type, and the figure (2) shows the horizontal type.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.
《Nori production line》
In the seaweed production line, the seaweed is first processed through pre-processes such as harvesting, washing, papermaking, dehydration, and drying, and then through post-processes such as inspection, sorting, counting, arranging, folding, and bundling. is produced.
That is, as shown in Figures (1) and (2) of Fig. 9, the seaweed a that is taken out one by one from the dryer 11 is inspected and sorted by the → inspection and sorting machine 7, and then → counted. A stacker 8 counts and stacks a predetermined number of seaweed bundles A, such as 10 sheets.
→Then, they are aligned by an alignment machine 5 (alignment machine 1 in the conventional example). → Then, the folding machine 9 folds the bundles into two, and then the → binding machine 10 binds every 10 bundles with tape to make a bundle of 100 sheets. →This kind of seaweed bundle A is shipped in boxes.

《Aligning machine 5 for seaweed bundle A》
Hereinafter, the aligning machine 5 for seaweed bundles A of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.
This sorting machine 5 is arranged between the counting machine 8 attached to the inspection sorting machine 7 and the folding machine 9 in the seaweed production line mentioned above. It also has an elevating plate 2, an alignment plate 4, and a conveyor 3. Note that the count accumulator 8 may be attached directly to the inspection and sorting machine 7, but may also be attached via a conveyor.
Then, the seaweed bundles A dropped from the count accumulator 8 are received by the elevating plate 2 with upper and lower through holes H, loaded, lowered, and transferred to the conveyor 3. During that time, the sheets are aligned on the alignment plate 4 and then transported to the folding machine 9.
From the viewpoint of installation space on the production line, such an alignment machine 5 is classified into a direct type and a side type.

《Direct type》
First, the direct feed type alignment machine 5 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 will be explained.
As shown in FIG. 9 (1), in the production line, the front/back reversing machine 6, inspection sorting machine 7, count accumulating machine 8, aligning machine 5, and folding machine 9 are laid out in a straight line. In addition, the counting accumulator 8 and the aligning machine 5 are laid out one above the other.
The elevating plate 2 of the sorting machine 5 is capable of descending while rotating about 90 degrees to change the direction of the laver bundles A dropped and loaded from the counting and accumulating machine 8 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). It is possible to ascend while rotating in the opposite direction by a degree (see Fig. 3).
During this time, the seaweed bundles A arranged on the arrangement board 4 of the arrangement machine 5 (see diagram (1) in FIG. At this point, the seaweed a is directly transported to the folding machine 9 along the direction in which the seaweed a has been transported so far. (See Figure 2 (2) and Figure 3).

The present invention is characterized in that the straight-out type aligning machine 5 employs an elevating plate 2 in which upper and lower through holes H are formed throughout (see FIG. 4).
By the way, the objects of the alignment operation by the alignment plate 4 of the alignment machine 5 are as follows. The alignment plate 4 can also align the seaweed bundles A that are being loaded onto the lifting board 2 and are being lowered; however, in the illustrated example, the seaweed bundles A loaded on the conveyor 3 are It is designed to work in alignment.
In view of the fact that the seaweed bundle A is lowered while rotating as described above, the latter is adopted in the illustrated example.

《Side type》
Next, the horizontal feed type alignment machine 5 shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 will be explained.
As shown in figure (2) of FIG. 9, in the production line, the front/back reversing machine 6, the inspection sorting machine 7, the counting accumulating machine 8, and the aligning machine 5 are laid out in a straight line, and The accumulating machine 8 and the aligning machine 5 are laid out one above the other, and the folding machine 9 is laid out on the side of the aligning machine 5.
The elevating plate 2 of the sorting machine 5 can move up and down in a straight line, and the stacked seaweed bundles A dropped from the counting and accumulating machine 8 descend as they are without changing the direction (see Figures 5 and 6). .
Therefore, the seaweed bundles A arranged on the arrangement plate 4 of the arrangement machine 5 (see diagram (1) in FIG. 6) are oriented at about 90 degrees (for example, 90 degrees) to the side with respect to the conveyance direction of the seaweed a until then. With the longitudinal direction of the seaweed bundle A perpendicular to the conveyance direction, the seaweed bundle A is conveyed sideways to the folding machine 9 by the conveyor 3 (see (2) in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7). reference).

As described above, the present invention is characterized in that the side-extrusion type aligning machine 5 employs an elevating plate 2, and that the elevating plate 2 is formed with upper and lower through holes H throughout. , characterized (see Figure 8).
By the way, the objects of the alignment operation by the alignment plate 4 of the alignment machine 5 are as follows. In the illustrated example, the alignment plate 4 aligns the seaweed bundles A that are being loaded onto and lowered from the elevating plate 2. is also possible.
In order to avoid contact between the seaweed bundle A and the V-belt 14 of the conveyor 3, the former is adopted in the illustrated example.

《Elevating plate 2》
Next, the elevating plate 2 of the alignment machine 5 will be explained.
The elevating plate 2 is placed at an upper position B below the counting accumulator 8 (see FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 7, etc.) and a lower position C below the left-right distance of the conveyor 3 (see FIGS. 2 and 6). ) and can be moved up and down.
Then, at the upper position B, the seaweed bundles A dropped from the counting and accumulating machine 8 are received and loaded, and at the final stage on the way down to the lower position C, the loaded seaweed bundles A are transferred to the conveyor 3. Let them transfer.
At this time, as mentioned above, in the case of the straight-out type sorting machine 5, it descends while rotating about 90 degrees (for example, 90 degrees) in order to change the direction of the loaded seaweed bundles A. In the case of the horizontal discharge type sorting machine 5, the loaded seaweed bundles A descend in a straight line without changing the direction.
Then, the elevating plate 2 temporarily stops at the lower position C, waits until the conveyor 3 completes carrying out the seaweed bundle A from directly above, and then rises from the lower position C to the upper position B.
Note that the lifting speed and time of the elevating plate 2 are set to be faster and shorter than the descending speed and time. Since the seaweed bundle A is not loaded, the process is set to be faster and shorter in consideration of the needs for high-speed mass processing of the production line.
Then, the lifting plate 2 rises from the lower position C to the upper position B while rotating in the opposite direction by about 90 degrees (for example, 90 degrees) in the case of the direct type, and rises linearly in the case of the horizontal type. .

The elevating plate 2 has a flat plate shape, and has upper and lower through holes H formed throughout (see FIGS. 4 and 8).
Although the upper and lower through-holes H are in the form of many round holes in the illustrated example, their shapes are not limited to this, and various shapes are possible.
For example, various other hole shapes, smaller hole shapes, straight slit shapes, curved slit shapes, etc. are also possible. Furthermore, it is also possible to form, for example, a mesh shape. In other words, it is also possible to form the upper and lower through holes H with a larger area and weight than the plate constituent material.
The vertical through-holes H of the lifting plate 2 function as an air release function to release air downward when the seaweed bundle A falls onto the lifting plate 2 at the upper position B (see Figures 1 and 5). . As a result, disturbances in displacement of the seaweed bundles A falling onto the lifting plate 2 due to wind pressure accompanying the rise of the lifting plate 2 and air resistance between the lifting plate 2 and the lifting plate 2 can be avoided.
That is, the elevating plate 2 rises at a high speed immediately before rising and rises to the upper position B with wind pressure, but such wind pressure is significantly reduced by the air release function of the upper and lower through holes H. Furthermore, the air resistance due to the air layer formed between the falling seaweed bundle A and the lifting plate 2 is also significantly reduced due to the air release function of the upper and lower through holes H.

The drive mechanism 12 for the elevating plate 2 is as follows (see FIGS. 4, 8, and 1 to 3). The drive mechanism 12 has a drive shaft 20 fixed under the elevating plate 2, which can be moved up and down by a motor 13 via a transmission mechanism, and can also be rotated by the urging force of an attached spring (not shown). It has become.
A pair of rollers 21 installed horizontally on the drive shaft 20 are guided by a pair of curved left and right guide surfaces 23 formed on the outer cylinder 22 in the case of a direct type (see FIG. 4). This allows the drive shaft 20 to move up and down while rotating.
In the case of the horizontal type (see FIG. 8), a pair of horizontally installed rollers 21 are driven by being guided by a pair of left and right guide grooves 25 formed in the outer bracket 24 and formed in a vertical line. The shaft 20 moves up and down linearly.
Such a drive mechanism 12 allows the elevating plate 2 on the drive shaft 20 to move up and down in a predetermined rotational manner or in a linear manner.
The elevating plate 2 is as described above.

《Conveyor 3》
Next, the conveyor 3 of the alignment machine 5 will be explained.
The conveyor 3 transfers the seaweed bundles A from the lifting plate 2 that descends to the lower position C directly below the left-right interval, and then carries out the aligned seaweed bundles A to the folding machine 9. It is possible (see FIGS. 2, 3, 6, 7, etc.).
A V-belt 14 is typically used in the conveyor 3, and a drive mechanism 15 includes a motor 16 and rollers 17. In the illustrated conveyor 3, two left and right V belts 14 are arranged with a gap between them, and between the left and right V belts 14, there is an elevating plate that is lowered and raised between an upper position B and a lower position C. A passing interval of 2 is formed.
Thus, the elevating plate 2 is configured to transfer the seaweed bundle A received at the upper position B to the conveyor 3 at a passing interval during the descent (at the final stage of descent immediately before the lower position C). The passing interval between the left and right V belts 14 of the conveyor 3 is set to be wider than the width of the elevating plate 2 and narrower than the width of the seaweed bundle A.

《Alignment board 4》
Next, the alignment plate 4 of the alignment machine 5 will be explained.
The arranging plate 4 is capable of arranging the seaweed bundles A loaded on the elevating plate 2 and the conveyor 3 by standing up, pushing and arranging them from all sides.
That is, the alignment plate 4 is arranged inside and outside the V-belt 14 of the conveyor 3, and is positioned on the front, back, left and right sides of the seaweed bundles A to be sorted, and is located at the upright position D ((1) in FIG. 2, (1) in FIG. 6). It is possible to close, open and raise the retracted position E (FIG. 1, FIG. 2 (2), FIG. 3) (FIG. 5, FIG. 6 (2), FIG. 7).
Then, at the standing position D, the seaweed bundle A loaded on the stopped conveyor 3 in the illustrated example of the direct feed type, and the seaweed bundle A loaded on the elevator plate 2 in the middle of descent in the illustrated example of the side feed type. By intermittently hitting and pushing the four sides of the bundle A, the seaweed bundles A are aligned. In the figure, 18 is a drive mechanism for the alignment plate 4, and 19 is a device frame.

《Effect, etc.》
The laver bundle A sorting machine 5 of the present invention is configured as described above. Therefore, it becomes as follows.
(1) First alignment step (see Figures 1 and 5):
The elevating plate 2 receives, for example, 10 sheets of seaweed bundle A (10 sheets per bundle) from the counting and accumulating machine 8 and loads them thereon at the upper position B. When a predetermined number of sheets of seaweed, such as 10 sheets, have been accumulated, the counting and accumulating device 8 rotates the left and right blades to drop the seaweed bundle A, for example.

(2) Second alignment step (see Figure 2 (1) and Figure 6 (1)):
The lifting plate 2 loaded with the seaweed bundle A then descends toward the lower position C. In the illustrated example of the direct delivery type, the loaded seaweed bundle A descends while rotating 90 degrees to change the direction, and in the illustrated example of the side delivery type, the loaded seaweed bundle A descends in a straight line without changing the direction. .
Then, the stopped conveyor 3 transfers the seaweed bundle A from the elevating plate 2, which descends to the lower position C directly below the left-right interval of the V-belt 14, on the way down.

(3) Third alignment step (see Figure 2 (1) and Figure 6 (1)):
During this time, the alignment plate 4, which has been raised from the evacuation position E to the standing position D, pushes the seaweed bundles A on the elevator board 2 that is in the process of descending and the seaweed bundles A loaded on the conveyor 3 from all sides to align them. After that, it descends to the original evacuation position E.
In the illustrated example of the direct feed type, such alignment operation is performed for the seaweed bundles A transferred from the elevator plate 2 to the conveyor 3 and loaded thereon. On the other hand, in the illustrated example of the horizontal delivery type, this is carried out for the laver bundles A that are being loaded and descending on the lifting plate 2 (before being transferred to the conveyor 3).

(4) Fourth alignment step (see figure (2) in Figure 2 and figure (2) in Figure 6):
Then, the conveyor 3 starts carrying out the aligned seaweed bundles A out of the aligning machine 5 and toward the folding machine 9.
In the direct type, the seaweed bundle A is directly transported to the folding machine 9 along the conveyance direction of the seaweed a so far (see diagram (1) in FIG. 9). On the other hand, in the side-loading type, the seaweed a is side-loaded to the folding machine 9 at 90 degrees to the side with respect to the previous transport direction of the seaweed a (see diagram (2) in FIG. 9).
The elevating plate 2 waits until the conveyor 3 completes conveying the seaweed bundle A from directly above. It remains stationary at a lower position C below the conveyor 3 and the seaweed bundle A, and waits for the conveyor 3 to carry out the seaweed bundle A from directly above.

(5) Fifth alignment step (see Figures 3 and 7):
Thereafter, the elevating plate 2 rises from the lower position C to the upper position B, and at the upper position B, the next seaweed bundle A is dropped. In addition, the elevating plate 2 rises while rotating 90 degrees in the opposite direction in the direct type, and rises linearly in the horizontal type.

(6) Now, the alignment machine 5 of the present invention is as follows by following the first to fifth alignment steps.
First, the elevating plate 2 of the alignment machine 5 of the present invention is provided with upper and lower through holes H, and exhibits an air release function. Thus, in the first alignment step, the seaweed bundles A falling onto the lifting plate 2 are prevented from being displaced or disordered due to wind pressure or air resistance.
That is, the wind pressure caused by the rise in the immediately preceding fifth alignment step is significantly reduced in the upper and lower through holes H. Furthermore, the air resistance due to the air layer formed between the seaweed bundle A and the lifting plate 2 is also significantly reduced by the upper and lower through holes H. This prevents the seaweed bundle A from shifting and scattering.

(7) The avoidance of disturbance in the displacement of the seaweed bundles A by the upper and lower through-holes H of the present invention can be achieved in the same way for the direct-out type sorting machine 5 and the side-out type sorting machine 5.
Furthermore, with respect to the side-out type aligning machine 5, displacement disturbances are also avoided in the following respects. That is, the seaweed bundle A is dropped on the upper elevating plate 2, is loaded, and lowered to the lower conveyor 3, and the falling distance from the counting accumulator 8 is equal to the elevating plate 2 at the upper position B of the first alignment step. will be shortened by.
Therefore, displacement disturbances can be avoided even at points where the falling distance is short and at points where air resistance due to the air layer formed between them is small.
On the other hand, in the conventional horizontal feed type sorting machine 1 described above, the falling distance from the counting accumulator 8 was long to the falling surface of the lower conveyor 3. Therefore, disturbances in the displacement of the seaweed bundle A were likely to occur due to the long falling distance and the amount of air resistance formed by the air layer during the long falling distance.

(8) Next, when aligning the seaweed bundles A loaded and lowered on the lifting plate 2, misalignment of the sorting machine 5 is suppressed.
On the other hand, when the seaweed bundles A loaded on the conveyor 3 are aligned, poor alignment is likely to occur. That is, the back side/sole of the bottom sheet of seaweed a of the seaweed bundle A loaded on the conveyor 3 comes into contact with and gets caught on both upper edges/edge portions of the V-belt 14 of the conveyor 3 during alignment. This easily receives resistance, which tends to cause trouble in the alignment operation by the alignment plate 4.
When the arranging plate 4 operates to align the seaweed bundles A that are loaded on the elevating plate 2 and are being lowered, there is no fear of such contact with the conveyor 3, and the seaweed bundles A are reliably gathered towards the center of alignment. As a result, misalignment can be suppressed and good alignment can be achieved.

(9) In particular, in the side-loading type alignment machine 5, by employing the elevating plate 2, it is possible to perform an alignment operation during descent, which suppresses the occurrence of such alignment errors.
On the other hand, in the above-mentioned conventional horizontal discharge type sorting machine 1, it is essential to sort the seaweed bundles A dropped and loaded onto the conveyor 3.
Furthermore, since the falling distance of the seaweed bundles A is short, from the counting accumulator 8 to the lifting plate 2, it is difficult for errors to occur in the falling position of the seaweed bundles A, and it is easier to direct the seaweed bundles A toward the alignment center. Also from a surface perspective, misalignment is suppressed and good alignment is achieved.
In the above-mentioned conventional side-feed type sorting machine 1, the falling distance of the seaweed bundle A was long to the conveyor 3, so an error in which the center of the seaweed bundle A deviated from the alignment center was likely to occur.
The effects etc. are as above.

A Seaweed bundle a (Flat) seaweed B Upper position C Lower position D Upright position E Retracted position H Upper and lower through holes 1 Aligning machine (conventional example)
2 Elevating plate (present invention)
2' Elevating plate (conventional example)
3 Conveyor 4 Aligning plate 5 Aligning machine (present invention)
6 Reversing machine 7 Inspection sorting machine 8 Count accumulating machine 9 Folding machine 10 Binding machine 11 Dryer 12 Drive mechanism 13 Motor 14 V-belt 15 Drive mechanism 16 Motor 17 Roller 18 Drive mechanism 19 Frame 20 Drive shaft 21 Roller 22 Outer cylinder 23 Guide surface 24 Outer bracket 25 Guide groove

Claims (6)

In a seaweed production line, this is an alignment machine that is installed between a count accumulator and a folding machine attached to an inspection and sorting machine, and has an elevating plate, an alignment plate, and a conveyor.
The elevating plate is movable up and down between an upper position below the counting accumulator and a lower position below the left-right distance of the conveyor,
The elevating plate receives and loads the seaweed bundles dropped from the counting and accumulating machine at the upper position, and transfers the seaweed bundles to the conveyor while descending to the lower position,
The arranging plate is capable of arranging the seaweed bundles loaded on the elevating plate or the conveyor by standing up from all sides and pushing them,
The conveyor is capable of transporting the aligned seaweed bundles to the folding machine,
A laver bundle arranging machine characterized in that the elevating plate has upper and lower through holes formed throughout. In claim 1, the vertical through-holes of the elevating plate of the sorting machine exhibit an air release function to release air downward when the seaweed bundle falls onto the elevating plate at the upper position,
A machine for arranging seaweed bundles, characterized in that disturbances in displacement of the seaweed bundles caused by wind pressure accompanying the lifting of the lifting plate and air resistance between the lifting plate and the lifting plate are thereby avoided. In claim 2, the inspection sorting machine, the counting accumulating machine, the aligning machine, and the bending machine are laid out in a straight line, and the counting accumulating machine and the aligning machine are laid out vertically,
The elevating plate of the sorting machine is capable of lowering while rotating about 90 degrees to change the direction of the loaded seaweed bundles, and is also capable of rising while rotating reversely about 90 degrees,
The seaweed bundles arranged on the alignment plate are transported directly to the folding machine on the conveyor with their longitudinal direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. alignment machine. In claim 2, the inspection sorting machine, the count accumulating machine, and the aligning machine are laid out in a straight line, the counting accumulating machine and the aligning machine are laid out vertically, and the folding machine It is laid out on the side of the alignment machine,
The elevating plate of the sorting machine is capable of moving up and down in a straight line, and the loaded seaweed bundles descend as they are without changing the direction.
Thereby, the seaweed bundles arranged on the alignment plate are oriented at about 90 degrees to the side with respect to the previous transport direction, with their longitudinal direction perpendicular to the transport direction, and sent to the folding machine on the conveyor. This is a nori bundle arranging machine that is characterized by being able to be carried out horizontally. 5. The laver bundle sorting machine according to claim 3, wherein the sorting plate of the sorting machine aligns the laver bundles loaded and lowered by the elevating plate. 5. The laver bundle sorting machine according to claim 3, wherein the sorting plate of the sorting machine aligns the seaweed bundles loaded on the conveyor.

Images