JP7467271B2 - Vegetable Preparation Equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for preparing head vegetables, such as onions.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vegetable preparation device is disclosed in Patent Document 1.
The device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a conveying device for conveying onions, and a root cutting device for cutting the roots of onions conveyed by the conveying device. The root cutting device has a disk-shaped blade that rotates around an axis extending in the vertical direction, and cuts the roots of onions by passing the root portions of the onions over the disk-shaped blade.

JP 2013-81383 A

However, with the above-mentioned root cutting device, the cut roots may become entangled with surrounding parts and accumulate instead of being discharged, which may cause malfunctions such as the accumulated roots interfering with the operation of the device and causing it to stop.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, the present invention provides a vegetable preparation device capable of cutting the roots of vegetables and smoothly discharging the cut vegetable roots.

A vegetable preparation apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a conveying unit that conveys head vegetables having head portions, outer leaves, and roots , a root cutting unit that cuts the roots of the vegetables conveyed by the conveying unit, a root transport unit that transports the roots cut by the root cutting unit, an outer leaf cutting device including an outer leaf cutting unit that cuts the outer leaves of the head vegetables whose roots have been cut, and a discharge chute along which the outer leaves cut by the outer leaf cutting device slide off, wherein the conveying unit clamps the outer leaves of the head vegetables and conveys the head vegetables in a first direction in a horizontal plane toward the outer leaf cutting device, and the root transport unit transports the roots cut by the root cutting unit in a second direction that is different from the conveying direction by the conveying unit and is inclined relative to the first direction in the horizontal plane, and the second direction is a direction that is inclined relative to the extension direction of the discharge chute in a plan view and is a direction that approaches the discharge chute as it moves downstream of the conveying direction of the root transport unit .
Preferably, the discharge direction of the discharge chute approaches the root transport section as it moves downstream in the discharge direction in a plan view.
Preferably, the root transport section is spaced further away from the transport section and closer to the discharge chute in a plan view as it moves downstream in the second direction.
Preferably, the root transporting section clamps and transports the roots cut by the root cutting section.

Preferably, the conveying unit clamps and conveys the leaves of the vegetables, the root cutting unit cuts the roots of the vegetables whose leaves are clamped by the conveying unit below the conveying unit, and the root transport unit clamps and transports the roots cut by the root cutting unit below the root cutting unit.

Preferably, the root transport section has an endless first belt and an endless second belt which clamps the root between the first belt and the root transport section, and the first belt and the second belt are arranged such that the width direction of the belt faces the vertical direction.
Preferably, the root cutting section has a root cutting blade that is arranged below the conveying section and rotates around a central axis facing in the vertical direction, and the upstream portion of the root transport section in the transport direction clamps the root below the root cutting blade.

Preferably, the inner surface of the first belt and the inner surface of the second belt are arranged in contact or close proximity to each other and parallel to each other to form a clamping surface for clamping the roots, and the clamping surface is located at a position where the upstream end of the root conveying section in the conveying direction overlaps with the outer periphery of the root cutting blade in the conveying direction of the conveying section, or upstream of that position in the conveying direction.
Preferably , a downstream end of the root transport section in the transport direction is arranged closer to the outer leaf cutting device than the upstream end of the transport section in the transport direction.

Preferably, the root cutting unit and the root transporting unit are driven by the same driving source.
Preferably, the root cutting unit, the root transporting unit and the outer leaf cutting unit are driven by the same driving source.
Preferably, the plant is provided with a root alignment unit which aligns the roots before they are cut by the root cutting unit, and the root cutting unit, the root transport unit, the outer leaf cutting unit and the root alignment unit are driven by the same drive source.

According to the vegetable preparation device described above, the roots of the vegetables transported by the transport unit are cut by the root cutting unit, and the roots cut by the root cutting unit are transported by the root transport unit, so that the cut vegetable roots can be smoothly discharged.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing one embodiment of a vegetable (head vegetable) preparation device. FIG. 2 is a rear view of one embodiment of a vegetable (head vegetable) preparation device. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a vegetable (head vegetable) preparation device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first conveying device and a second conveying device. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the first conveying device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the periphery of a storage unit of the first conveying device; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a rocking mechanism of a storage unit of the first transport device; 13 is a side view showing a rocking mechanism of the storage unit of the first transport device. FIG. 13 is a view of the downstream side (terminal end side) of the first conveying section in the conveying direction as viewed from the rear. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a drive mechanism and the like of the first conveying section. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of a terminal end of the first conveying section; FIG. 13 is a side view showing the operation of the posture changing mechanism of the first conveying device (the state in which the protrusion transitions from an upright state to a laid-down state). FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a discharge section and the like of the first conveying device as viewed from the upper left. 13 is a side view showing the operation of the expansion mechanism of the first transport section. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a discharge section and the like of the first conveying device as viewed from the right front. FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view of a discharge section and the like of the first conveying device. FIG. 2 is a side view of a discharge unit of a first conveying device and a second conveying device. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a discharge section of a first conveying device and a second conveying device. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing another embodiment of the discharge section of the first conveying device. FIG. 4 is a rear view of the second conveying device. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second conveying device. 13 is a diagram showing a first roller and a second roller of the second conveying device as viewed from the direction of the central axis. FIG. 4 is a side view of the first roller and the second roller as viewed from the upstream side in the conveying direction. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a state in which head vegetables discharged from the discharge section of the first conveying device are conveyed by the second conveying section. FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the third conveying section. FIG. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating a configuration of a second clamping belt. 11 is a perspective view showing the movement of vegetables (head vegetables) in the third conveying section. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the movement of vegetables (head vegetables) in the fourth conveying section as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction (rear). FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the downstream side of the third conveying section and the upstream side of the fourth conveying section as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction (rearward); FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the downstream side of a third conveying section and the upstream side of a fourth conveying section; FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the downstream side of the third conveying section and the upstream side of the fourth conveying section. FIG. FIG. 13 is a view of the support member as viewed from the upstream side in the conveying direction of the fourth conveying section. FIG. A diagram showing the flow of vegetables (head vegetables) from the downstream side of the third conveying section to the upstream side of the fourth conveying section. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a lower belt and a lower pulley. 1 is a perspective view showing a first cutting device (root cutting device), a root transport section, a second cutting device (outer leaf cutting device), etc. 13 is a perspective view showing the fourth conveying section, the first cutting device, the root transport section, the second cutting device, the inclined surface, the discharge chute, etc. 13 is a plan view showing the fourth conveying section, the first cutting device, the root transport section, the second cutting device, the inclined surface, the discharge chute, etc. This is a view of the first cutting device, root transport section, second cutting device, inclined surface, discharge chute, etc., as seen from a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction (rear). 1 is a diagram showing the movement of vegetables (head vegetables) in the first cutting device as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction (rear). FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first cutting device, the root transport section, etc., viewed from the front downstream in the transport direction. 4 is a perspective view of the first cutting device and the like as viewed from the rear on the downstream side in the conveying direction. FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the first cutting device, the root transport unit, etc. 13 is a view of the root alignment portion as viewed from the downstream side in the conveying direction. 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the root aligning unit. 1 is a perspective view of the first cutting device, the root transport section, the second cutting device, etc., viewed from the front downstream in the conveying direction. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the action of the root pulling part. 1 is a plan view of the first cutting device, the root transport section, the second cutting device, etc. 1 is a perspective view of the first cutting device, the root transport section, the second cutting device, the inclined surface, the discharge chute, etc., viewed from the front downstream in the conveying direction. FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an onion as an example of a vegetable (head vegetable).

Hereinafter, an embodiment 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.
For ease of explanation, the direction of the arrow X1 in Fig. 1 will be referred to as the forward direction, the direction of the arrow X2 as the rear direction, and the direction of the arrow X as the forward/rearward direction. The direction of the arrow Y1 in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 will be referred to as the left direction, the direction of the arrow Y2 as the right direction, and the direction of the arrow Y as the device width direction. In addition, in this specification, one side in the device width direction will be described as the left side, and the other side in the device width direction will be 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.

The vegetable VG prepared by the preparation device 1 of the present invention is mainly head vegetables. Head vegetables are, for example, bulb vegetables whose leaves swell at the base underground or at ground level to form a sphere. Specific examples include onions, scallions, garlic, and lily roots. In the following, the vegetable VG to be treated by the present invention will be described as head vegetable VG, but the vegetables to be treated are not limited to head vegetables.

As shown in Figure 51, head vegetables (bulb vegetables) VG have a head part (bulb) VG1, outer leaves VG2 extending upward from the upper part of the head part VG1, and roots VG3 extending downward from the lower part of the head part VG1. Figure 51 shows onions as a representative example of head vegetables VG. The head vegetables VG to be processed in the present invention are preferably harvested or pre-processed when the length of the outer leaves VG2 is longer than the length of the roots VG3.

First, the overall configuration of a preparation device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
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.
The conveying device 2 is a device for receiving and conveying the head vegetables VG before preparation. The first cutting device 4 is a device for cutting the roots VG3 of the head vegetables VG. The second cutting device 5 is a device for cutting the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetables VG.

The conveying device 2 includes a first conveying device 2A, a second conveying device 2B, a third conveying device 2C, a fourth conveying device 2D, and a fifth conveying device 2E. The first conveying device 2A is supported on the installation surface (floor surface) by a first frame 6A. The second conveying device 2B, the third conveying device 2C, the fourth conveying device 2D, and the fifth conveying device 2E are supported on the installation surface by a second frame 6B. The first frame 6A and the second frame 6B are configured by combining multiple linear frame materials (e.g., steel materials, etc.) in a three-dimensional manner. 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. This makes it possible to adjust the positional relationship between the first conveying device 2A and the second conveying device 2B. However, the first frame 6A and the second frame 6B may be connected.

In the drawings, the conveying direction by the first conveying device 2A is indicated by arrow A1, the conveying direction by the second conveying device 2B is indicated by arrow A2, the conveying direction by the third conveying device 2C is indicated by arrow A3, the conveying direction by the fourth conveying device 2D is indicated by arrow A4, and the conveying direction by the fifth conveying device 2E is indicated by arrow A5.
1 and 2, in this embodiment, the conveying direction A1 of the first conveying device 2A is perpendicular to the conveying directions A2 to A5 of the other conveying devices 2B to 2E. However, in another embodiment, the conveying direction A1 of the first conveying device 2A may be the same as the conveying directions A2 to A5 of the other conveying devices 2B to 2E. In this case, the first conveying device 2A is disposed upstream of the second conveying device 2B in the conveying direction A2.

First, the first transport device 2A will be described.
As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the first conveying device 2A has a side wall 7, a rear wall 8, a front wall 9, a placement section 10, a storage section 11, and a conveying section 3A (hereinafter referred to as "first conveying section 3A").
The side wall 7 includes one side wall 7L and the other side wall 7R. The one side wall 7L is disposed on one side (left side) of the width direction (same as the device width direction Y) of the first conveying section 3A. The other side wall 7R is disposed on the other side (right side) of the width direction of the first conveying section 3A. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the one side wall 7L includes a main body wall 7La and an extension wall 7Lb. The other side wall 7R includes a main body wall 7Ra and an extension wall 7Rb. The main body wall 7La and the main body wall 7Ra are disposed parallel to each other and extend from the rear lower to the front upper. The extension wall 7Lb extends forward from the front end of the main body wall 7La. The extension wall 7Rb extends forward from the front end of the main body wall 7Ra. The distance between the extension wall 7Lb and the extension wall 7Rb gradually narrows (comes closer) as they move forward (as they move away from the main body walls 7La and 7Ra).

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

The placement section 10 is a portion on which the container 13 containing the head vegetables before preparation is placed. As shown in FIG. 6, the placement section 10 is provided between one side wall 7L and the other side wall 7R, in front of the rear wall 8. As shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 8, the placement section 10 has a placement surface 10a and a transition surface 10b. The placement surface 10a is a horizontal surface on which the container 13 is placed. The transition surface 10b extends in the width direction of the device in front of the placement 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 as it moves forward from the front end of the placement surface 10a. The second transition surface 10b2 is an inclined surface that transitions downward as it moves forward from the front end of the first transition surface 10b1.

The storage section 11 is a section that receives and stores the head vegetables before preparation. The storage section 11 is provided at the front lower side of the placement section 10. The storage section 11 receives and stores the head vegetables stored in the container 13. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the storage section 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 the front side. As a result, the storage section 11 has a first support surface 111a, a second support surface 112a, and a third support surface 113a on the front side (the side visible in a plan view) that support the head vegetables.
The first support surface 111a is a surface that supports the head vegetables from below, and is an inclined surface that transitions downward as it moves forward. The second support surface 112a is disposed on one side (left side) of the width direction (same as the device width direction Y) of the first conveying section 3A. The third support surface 113a is disposed on the other side (right side) of the width direction of the first conveying section 3A. The second support surface 112a and the third support surface 113a are surfaces for collecting the head vegetables on the first support surface 111a, and are formed as inclined surfaces that can roll or slide the head vegetables toward the first support surface 111a. The second support surface 112a is an inclined surface that transitions downward as it moves toward the other side (right side) of the width direction of the first conveying section 3A. The third support surface 113a is an inclined surface that transitions downward as it moves toward the other side (left side) of the width direction of the first conveying section 3A.

The shape of the first support surface 111a is a trapezoid whose width (length in the device width direction Y) gradually narrows as it moves downward and forward. In other words, the shape of the first support surface 111a is a trapezoid whose bottom side is smaller in width than its top side. The shape of the second support surface 112a is a triangle whose width (length in the front-to-back direction X) gradually narrows as it moves downward and to the right. The shape of the third support surface 113a is a triangle whose width (length in the front-to-back direction X) gradually narrows as it moves downward and to the 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 at the boundary between the first support surface 111a and the third support surface 113a.
7 and 8, a reinforcing member 14 is fixed from the rear surface of the first support plate 111 to the rear surface of the second support plate 112. The reinforcing member 14 is bent at the boundary between the rear surface of the first support plate 111 and the rear surface of the second support plate 112. Although not shown, a similar reinforcing member is fixed from the rear surface of the first support plate 111 to the rear surface of the third support plate 113. The accommodation section 11 is reinforced from the rear surface 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 formed with a gap in the width direction of the first conveying section 3A. The opening 111b is formed by cutting out 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 protrusion 21 passes as the moving body 15, which will be described later, moves. A downwardly extending hanging plate 111c is disposed between the two openings 111b. When the protrusion 21 passes through the opening 111b, the moving body 15 passes below the first support surface 111a (below the hanging plate 111c).

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first transfer device 2A has a swing mechanism 12.
The rocking mechanism 12 is a mechanism for rocking the first support surface 111a upward or downward. By driving the rocking mechanism 12, the first support surface 111a, the second support surface 112a, and the third support surface 113a rock upward or downward together. The rocking mechanism 12 is disposed below and behind the first support plate 111.

The swing 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 the present embodiment, the rotating body 12c is composed of a bearing. The rotating body 12c has a circumferential surface that abuts against the eccentric cam 12b. The shaft body 12d is a shaft body that is the swing center of the first support plate 111. The shaft body 12d is arranged parallel to the rotating shaft 12a. The shaft body 12d is inserted into a pair of protruding bodies 12h that protrude from the back side of the first support plate 111. Both ends of the shaft body 12d are fixed to the side walls 7 (7L, 7R).

The holding body 12e is disposed on the opposite side (back side) of the first support surface 111a of the first support plate 111. The holding body 12e has a holding shaft 12f and a pair of holding pieces 12g. The holding shaft 12f is disposed parallel to the rotating shaft 12a. The holding shaft 12f rotatably holds the rotating body 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 (relative to the inner ring) relative to the holding shaft 12f and abuts against the eccentric cam 12b. On the back side of the first support plate 111, an abutment plate 12n that abuts against the back side of the first support plate 111 is disposed. The first support plate 111 and the abutment plate 12n may be fixed (connected) or may be abutted without being fixed. The abutment plate 12n and the first support plate 111 operate integrally. A pair of holding pieces 12g protrude from the rear side of the abutment plate 12n. Both ends of the holding shaft 12f are held by the holding pieces 12g.

One end and the other end of the rotating shaft 12a are rotatably supported by a standing member 6A1 that is 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 to a sprocket 12k that is rotatably supported on the first frame 6A via a chain 12j. The sprocket 12k is connected to a second sprocket 19c of the drive mechanism 19, which will be described later, by a connecting shaft 24. A sprocket 12m for adjusting the tension is engaged with the outer periphery of the chain 12j.

When the second sprocket 19c is rotated by the drive mechanism 19 described below, the sprocket 12k rotates together with the connecting shaft 24. The rotation of the sprocket 12k is transmitted to the sprocket 12i via the chain 12j, causing the rotating shaft 12a to rotate together with the sprocket 12i, and the eccentric cam 12b to rotate.
As described above, the eccentric cam 12b is attached eccentrically to the rotating body 12c. Therefore, as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 8, when the eccentric cam 12b rotates with the rotation of the rotating shaft 12a, the position (height) of the outer circumferential surface of the eccentric cam 12b changes. Accordingly, the position (height) of the rotating body 12c having a circumferential surface that abuts against the eccentric cam 12b changes. As a result, the abutment plate 12n and the first support plate 111 swing upward or downward with the shaft body 12d as the center (fulcrum) together with the holding body 12e that holds the rotating body 12c. Furthermore, the second support plate 112 and the third support plate 113 formed integrally 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.

In this way, by rocking the first support surface 111a upward and downward by the rocking mechanism 12, it is possible to loosen a large number of head vegetables stored in the storage section 11 and placed on the first support surface 111a. In addition, by rocking the second support surface 112a and the third support surface 113a upward and downward by the rocking mechanism 12, it is possible to move the head vegetables placed on the second support surface 112a and the third support surface 113a along the incline onto the first support surface 111a. This makes it possible for the first conveying section 3A to smoothly convey the head vegetables in appropriate amounts (one at a time in this embodiment).

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

As shown in FIG. 10, the moving body 15 is composed of an endless rope. In this embodiment, the rope is a chain. The moving body 15 includes two ropes (a first rope 15L and a second rope 15R). The first rope 15L and the second rope 15R are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart in the width direction of the device. The ropes constituting the moving body 15 move along a loop-shaped (elliptical) path when viewed from the side.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first plate 16 is disposed on one side (left side) of the movable body 15 in the device width direction and extends in the conveying direction A1. The second plate 17 is disposed on the other side (right side) of the movable body 15 in the device width direction and extends in the conveying direction A1. The lower parts of the first plate 16 and the second support plate 112 extend below (submerged under) the first support plate 111, the second support plate 112, and the third support plate 113 that constitute the storage section 11.

In other words, the first plate 16 is disposed on one side (left side) of the width 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 disposed on one side (left side) of the width of the first conveying section 3A and extends in the conveying direction A1 from below to above the third support surface 113a. Note that the first plate 16 and the second plate 17 are not shown in Figures 9 and 11.

When the first support plate 111, the second support plate 112, and the third support plate 113 are swung upward or downward by the drive of the swing mechanism 12, they move away from or come into contact with the first plate 16 and the second plate 17. Specifically, when the first support plate 111, the second support plate 112, and the third support plate 113 are swung upward, they move away from the first plate 16 and the second plate 17, and when they are swung downward, they come into contact with the first plate 16 and the second plate 17. At this time, the lower end of the first support plate 111 comes into contact with the surfaces of the first plate 16 and the second plate 17. The lower end of the second support plate 112 comes into contact with the surface of the first plate 16. The lower end of the third support plate 113 comes into contact with the surface of the second plate 17.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, a first sheet 18L is attached to the first plate 16, and a second sheet 18R is attached to the second plate 17. The first sheet 18L is placed across the surface of the first plate 16 and the surface (second support surface 112a) of the second support plate 112. The second sheet 18R is placed across the surface of the second plate 17 and the surface (third support surface 113a) of the third support plate 113. The first sheet 18L and the second sheet 18R are flexible (soft) sheets such as rubber sheets. When the first support plate 111, the second support plate 112, and the third support plate 113 swing upward, the first sheet 18L and the second sheet 18R deform in accordance with the swing, thereby filling the gaps that occur between the first support plate 111, the second support plate 112, and the third support plate 113 and the first plate 16 and the second plate 17. This prevents the head vegetables from getting caught in the gap or from falling out of the gap. Note that the first sheet 18L and the second sheet 18R are omitted in FIG. 6.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 11, the first transport section 3 A has a drive mechanism 19 , an attachment body 20 , a protrusion 21 , and a support member 22 .
The driving mechanism 19 is a mechanism for moving the movable body 15. The driving 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 rope constituting the moving body 15 is wound around the first sprocket 19b and the second sprocket 19c. The first sprocket 19b is located above and in front of 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 device width direction Y. A first rope 15L is wound around one end of the first sprocket 19b and one end of the second sprocket 19c. A second rope 15R is wound around the other end of the first sprocket 19b and the other end 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 disposed between the first sprocket 19b and the second sprocket 19c, and applies tension upward to the rope that constitutes the moving body 15. The sixth sprocket 19i applies tension to the chain 19h.

When the motor 19a is driven by the drive mechanism 19, the third sprocket 19d rotates, and the rotation of the third sprocket 19d is transmitted to the fourth sprocket 19e via the chain 19h, causing the fourth sprocket 19e to rotate. The rotation of the fourth sprocket 19e is transmitted to the first sprocket 19b via the first shaft 19g, causing the first sprocket 19b to rotate. The rotation of the first sprocket 19b is transmitted to the second sprocket 19c via the rope that constitutes the moving body 15. This causes the first sprocket 19b, the second sprocket 19c, and the moving body 15 to move (rotate) along a loop-shaped (elliptical) path in a side view.

As shown by arrow R1 in FIG. 10, as the moving body 15 moves (rotates), the upper part of the moving body 15 (the upper part of the loop) moves in a direction that transitions forward (diagonally upward) as it moves upward. The movement direction A1 of the upper part of the moving body 15 (the upper part of the loop) becomes the conveying direction A1 of the conveying section 3A of the first conveying device 2A. In other words, the moving body 15 moves along the conveying direction A1 of the first conveying section 3A.

As shown in Figures 9 to 11, the attachment body 20 is attached to the moving body 15 and moves together with the moving body 15. The attachment body 20 connects the first rope 15L and the second rope 15R. A plurality of attachment bodies 20 are arranged in a line along the length direction of the first rope 15L and the second rope 15R (the conveying direction A1 of the first conveying section 3A). The plurality of attachment bodies 20 are arranged at a predetermined interval in the conveying direction A1. The arrangement pitch (spacing) of the plurality of attachment bodies 20 is preferably set to be equal, but some may be different. The arrangement pitch of the attachment bodies 20 is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the head portion VG1 of the head vegetable VG.

As shown in FIG. 11 etc., the mounting body 20 has a substrate 20a and a mounting portion 20b. The base end of the protruding portion 21 is fixed to the surface of the substrate 20a. As a result, the protruding portion 21 is protruding from the mounting body 20. The back surface of the substrate 20a faces and abuts against the surface (defined surface 22d) of the support member 22 described later. The mounting portion 20b includes a first mounting portion 20b1 and a second mounting portion 20b2. The first mounting portion 20b1 extends from the left end of the substrate 20a, bending at a right angle. The second mounting portion 20b2 extends from the right end of the substrate 20a, bending at a right angle. The first mounting portion 20b1 and the second mounting portion 20b2 are arranged in parallel. The first mounting portion 20b1 is attached to one of the two cord bodies (first cord body 15L). The second mounting portion 20b2 is attached to the other of the two cord bodies (second cord body 15R).

As described above, the protrusion 21 protrudes from the attachment body 20 and is attached to the moving body 15 via the attachment body 20. As a result, the protrusion 21 moves together with the attachment body 20 and the moving body 15. The protrusion 21 protrudes in a direction away from the moving body 15, thereby being capable of supporting the heading vegetable (specifically, the heading portion VG1 of the heading vegetable VG).
The protrusion 21 is composed of a columnar or cylindrical rod. However, the shape of the protrusion 21 is not limited to this. The protrusion 21 includes two protrusions arranged at a distance in the width direction of the device. The two protrusions are composed of one protrusion 21L arranged on one side in the width direction of the device (the first cord 15L side) and the other protrusion 21R arranged on the other side in the width direction of the device (the second cord 15R side). The distance between the one protrusion 21L and the other protrusion 21R is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the head portion VG1 of the head vegetable VG.

As shown in Figures 9 and 11, the support member 22 is disposed between the first cord body 15L and the second cord body 15R. The support member 22 is also disposed between the first mounting portion 20b1 and the second mounting portion 20b2 of the mounting body 20. The support member 22 extends along the conveying direction A1 of the first conveying section 3A, and extends from the start end to the end end of the conveying direction A1 of the first conveying section 3A. The start end of the conveying direction A1 is the portion where the conveying of the head vegetables begins in the first conveying section 3A, and the end end of the conveying direction A1 is the portion where the conveying of the head vegetables ends in the first conveying section 3A (where the head vegetables are discharged from the first conveying section 3A).

Specifically, the starting end is located in the upper part (above the loop) of the loop-shaped movement path of the moving body 15 in a side view, near the change point where the movement path changes from an arc-shaped path (the part wound around the second sprocket 19c) to a straight path. The ending end is located in the upper part (above the loop) of the movement path of the moving body 15, near the change point where the straight path changes to an arc-shaped path (the part wound around the first sprocket 19b).

As shown in Figures 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 disposed on the rear surface side of the base plate 20a of the mounting body 20. 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. The one side plate 22b and the other side plate 22c extend parallel to each other.

The support member 22 has a regulation surface 22d that regulates the posture of the protrusion 21. The regulation surface 22d is formed from the surface of the upper plate 22a of the support member 22, and is disposed between the first rope 15L and the second rope 15R. The regulation 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 protrusion 21 is in an upright state. In other words, the regulation surface 22d abuts against the back surface of the substrate 20a of the mounting body 20, thereby regulating the protrusion 21 to a posture in an upright state. In the upright state, the protrusion 21 protrudes from the mounting body 20 and extends in a direction away from the regulation surface 22d.

As shown in Figures 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 disposed on the upstream side (starting end side) of the conveying direction A1 of the first conveying section 3A. More specifically, the first defining surface 22d1 is disposed in a range from the starting end to the middle of the conveying direction A1 of the first conveying section 3A. The second defining surface 22d2 is disposed on the downstream side (terminal end side) of the conveying direction A1 of the first conveying section 3A. More specifically, the second defining surface 22d2 is disposed in a range from the middle to the terminal of the conveying direction A1 of the first conveying section 3A. Therefore, the boundary portion 22e between the first defining surface 22d1 and the second defining surface 22d2 is located in the middle of the conveying direction A1 of the first conveying section 3A.

The second defined surface 22d2 is inclined with respect to the first defined surface 22d1. The inclination angle of the second defined surface 22d2 with respect to the first defined surface 22d1 is an obtuse angle. The inclination angle of the second defined surface 22d2 with respect to the first defined surface 22d1 is set, for example, in the range of 140° to 160° (preferably, about 150°). The first defined surface 22d1 and the second defined surface 22d2 are inclined with respect to the horizontal plane so as to transition upward toward the front. The inclination angle of the first defined surface 22d1 with respect to the horizontal plane is larger than the inclination angle of the second defined surface 22d2 with respect to the horizontal plane. For example, the inclination angle of the first defined surface 22d1 with respect to the horizontal plane is 40° to 50°, and the inclination angle of the second defined surface 22d2 with respect to the horizontal plane is 15° to 20°.

As shown in Figures 5 and 11 to 15, the support member 22 has an extension plate 22g that extends downward and forward from the front end of the upper plate 22a. The upper surface (extended surface) of the extension plate 22g bends from the front end of the second defining surface 22d2 and extends downward and forward. As shown in Figure 12, the protrusion 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 this protrusion 21 will be explained again later.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first plate 16 and the second plate 17 extend in the conveying direction A1 along the defined surface 22d. The first plate 16 and the second plate 17 are bent in the middle of the conveying direction A1 in the same manner as the defined surface 22d. 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 a position corresponding to the boundary portion 22e between the first defined surface 22d1 and the second defined surface 22d2 in the conveying direction A1.

Hereinafter, the area in front of the bent portion 16c of the first plate 16 will be referred to as the "first plate front portion 16a," and the area behind the bent portion 16c will be referred to as the "first plate rear portion 16b." Additionally, the area in front of the bent portion 17c of the second plate 17 will be referred to as the "second plate front portion 17a," and the area behind the bent portion 17c will be referred to as the "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 Figures 4, 5, and 13, the first plate 16 has a first front extension 16d that bends from the front end of the first plate front portion 16a and extends downward and forward. The second plate 17 has a second front extension 17d that bends from the front end of the second plate front portion 17a and extends downward and forward. An extension plate 22g is disposed between the first front extension 16d and the second front extension 17d. The first front extension 16d and the second front extension 17d extend along the extension plate 22g.

As shown in FIG. 14, the upper part (above the loop) of the movable body 15 (cord bodies 15L, 15R) extends along the defined surface 22d and is bent at a position corresponding to the boundary 22e between the first defined surface 22d1 and the second defined surface 22d2. A fifth sprocket 19f is disposed at the bent part of the cord bodies 15L, 15R. The movable body 15 changes so that the angle with respect to the horizontal plane becomes smaller at the position corresponding to the boundary 22e. As a result, the conveying direction A1 changes from the direction of arrow A11 to the direction of arrow A12 (so that the angle of the conveying direction A1 with respect to the horizontal plane becomes smaller) at the position corresponding to the boundary 22e.

14, the defining surfaces (the first defining surface 22d1 and the second defining surface 22d2) and the multiple mounting bodies 20 configure an expansion mechanism that expands the distance between the tips of the protruding portions 21 adjacent to each other in the conveying direction A1 at a midpoint in the conveying direction A1. The expansion mechanism will be described below.
The support member 22 supports the attachment body 20 so that the protrusion 21 is in an upright state from the start end to the end end of the conveying direction A1 of the first conveying section 3A. In the upright state, the protrusion 21 is in a state of standing up in a direction perpendicular to the defining surface 22d. Since the second defining surface 22d2 is inclined with respect to the first defining surface 22d1, the protrusion direction of the protrusion 21 changes when the attachment body 20 transitions from a state supported by the first defining surface 22d1 to a state supported by the second defining surface 22d2. As a result, the distance L2 between the tips of the protrusions 21 adjacent to each other in the conveying direction A1 when the attachment body 20 is supported by the second defining surface 22d2 is larger than the distance L1 between the tips of the protrusions 21 adjacent to each other in the conveying direction A1 when the attachment body 20 is supported by the first defining surface 22d1. In other words, in the middle of the conveying direction A1, the distance between the tips of the protruding portions 21 adjacent to each other in the conveying direction A1 increases in the conveying direction A1.

As shown in FIG. 14, the distance between the tips of adjacent protrusions 21 in the conveying direction A1 increases midway through the conveying direction A1, so that even if multiple head vegetables VG are conveyed sandwiched (jammed) between adjacent protrusions 21 in the conveying direction A1, a gap GP is generated between the upper head vegetables VG and the protrusions 21. This eliminates the state in which the head vegetables VG are sandwiched (jammed) between the adjacent protrusions 21, and unnecessary head vegetables VG on the upper side that are not directly supported by the protrusions 21 can fall from the protrusions 21. This makes it possible to reliably and smoothly convey the head vegetables VG in appropriate amounts (for example, one at a time).

The mounting body 20 and the support member 22 form a position changing mechanism that keeps the protruding portion 21 in an upright state from the starting end to the terminal end in the conveying direction A1 and keeps the protruding portion 21 in a laid-down state at the terminal end. The position changing mechanism will be described below.
The mounting body 20 is attached to the movable body 15 so as to be rotatable. As shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the mounting portion 20b of the mounting body 20 is attached to a fixture 15a fixed to the movable body 15 via a pivot 15b. The mounting portion 20b is rotatable together with the protruding portion 21 around the pivot 15b as a fulcrum. As a result, the protruding portion 21 is attached to the movable body 15 so as to be able to change its position between an upright state and a lying state. As shown in Fig. 12, the protruding portion 21 changes its position from an upright state to a lying state by the mounting body 20 rotating around the pivot 15b as a fulcrum. In Fig. 12, reference numeral 21a denotes the protruding portion 21 in an upright state, reference numeral 21c denotes the protruding portion in a lying state, and reference numeral 21b denotes the protruding portion starting to transition from the upright state to the lying state.

The support member 22 supports the attachment body 20 so that the protrusion 21 is in an upright state by restricting the rotation of the attachment body 20, and allows the attachment body 20 to rotate so that the protrusion 21 is in a laid-down state by releasing the support. The support member 22 supports the attachment body 20 (restricts the rotation) from the start end to the end end of the conveying direction A1 of the first conveying section 3A, and releases support of the attachment body 20 at the end end (allows the rotation).

12, the moving path of the moving body 15 is a path that gradually descends as it moves forward after passing the terminal end of the conveying direction A1. As a result, when the protruding portion 21 passes the terminal end of the conveying direction A1 and is released from the support by the support member 22, the protruding portion 21 assumes a forward tilted posture and moves forward and downward while increasing the angle of forward tilt.
Therefore, the protrusion 21 is in an upright state (see protrusion 21a in Figure 12) in the section where the mounting body 20 is supported by the support member 22 (the section from the start end to the end end in the conveying direction A1), but in the section where the mounting body 20 is not supported by the support member 22 (the section past the end end in the conveying direction A1), the protrusion 21 falls forward and downward (forward in the conveying direction A1) due to the action of gravity and is in a laid-down state (see protrusion 21c in Figure 12).

The position of the tip of the protruding portion 21 is lowered when the protruding portion 21 transitions from an upright state to a lying state. As a result, when the outer leaves VG2 or roots VG3 of the head vegetable VG become entangled with the protruding portion 21, the protruding portion 21 can be pulled downward (escaped) from the outer leaves VG2 or roots VG3.
In this way, the protruding portion 21 falls down at the end of the first conveying section 3A in the conveying direction A1, so that even if the outer leaves VG2 or roots VG3 of the head vegetables VG become entangled in the protruding portion 21, the protruding portion 21 can be smoothly detached from the outer leaves VG2. Therefore, the head vegetables VG can be reliably discharged to the equipment for the next process (the second conveying device 2B) without being damaged.

As shown in Figures 4, 5, 13, 15 to 18, etc., the first conveying device 2A is equipped with a discharge section 25 that discharges head vegetables from the terminal end of the first conveying section 3A in the conveying direction A1. The discharge section 25 is inclined downward toward the second conveying device 2B, and discharges the head vegetables to the upstream side of the conveying direction A2 of the second conveying section 3B, which is the conveying section of the second conveying device 2B. Therefore, the discharge section 25 also serves as a supply section that supplies head vegetables to the second conveying section 3B.

As shown in Figures 13 and 15 to 18, the discharge portion 25 has an inclined plate 25a, a first side plate 25b, a second side plate 25c, passages (a first passage 25d, a second passage 25e), a first upright wall 25f, and a second upright wall 25g.
The inclined plate 25a extends with an inclination so as to move downward as it moves away from the end of the conveying direction A1 of the first conveying section 3A (as it moves forward). The surface (upper surface) 25i of the inclined plate 25a is an inclined surface. The inclined surface constitutes a rolling surface 25i that rolls the head part VG1 of the head vegetable VG along the inclination. As shown in Figures 13 and 15, the inclined plate 25a is attached to the front wall 9 via a lower extension part 25h that extends downward from the inclined plate 25a. The inclined surface (rolling surface) 25i of the inclined plate 25a is disposed in front of the support member 22 with a gap therebetween. As a result, a gap G1 is formed between the inclined surface (rolling surface) of the inclined plate 25a and the support member 22. The gap G1 is a gap through which the attachment body 20 passes (to allow the protruding portion 21 to collapse) when the attachment body 20 moves together with the movable body 15 and passes the end portion of the first transport section 3A in the transport direction A1, and the support of the attachment body 20 by the support member 22 is released (when the protruding portion 21 is in a collapsed state). In other words, the attachment body 20 passes through the gap G1 when the protruding portion 21 transitions from an upright state to a collapsed state.

The gap G1 communicates with the passages (the first passage 25d and the second passage 25e). The gap G1, the first passage 25d, and the second passage 25e are connected to each other in a substantially U-shape in a 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 disposed in front of the support member 22 (in front of the extension plate 22g) between the first front extension portion 16d and the second front extension portion 17d. The rear inclined plate 25a1 is disposed in front of the support member 22 with a gap therebetween. As a result, the inclined surface (rear rolling surface) 25i1 of the rear inclined plate 25a1 is disposed in front of the support member 22 with a gap therebetween.

The front inclined plate 25a2 is disposed in front of the rear inclined plate 25a1. The inclined surface (front rolling surface) 25i2 of the front inclined plate 25a2 is disposed in front of and close to the inclined surface (rear rolling surface) 25i1 of the rear inclined plate 25a1. 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 greater than the inclination of the rear rolling surface 25i1. 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) of the width direction (apparatus width direction) of the inclined plate 25a. The second side plate 25c extends along the inclination of the inclined plate 25a on the other side (right side) of the width direction (apparatus 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 front extension 16d. The rear second side plate 25c1 is attached to the second front extension 17d. The front first side plate 25b2 is attached to the left part of the front wall 9 via the lower extension 23L extending downward from the front first side plate 25b2. The front second side plate 25c2 is attached to the right part of the front wall 9 via a lower extension 23R extending downward from the front second side plate 25c2. As a result, 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. 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 25i. The passages (first passage 25d, second passage 25e) are passed when the protruding portion 21 transitions from the upright state to the laid 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 first passage 25d is passed by the one protruding portion 21L when the mounting body 20 passes through the gap G1 and the protruding portion 21 is in a lying 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 is in a lying state.

When the head vegetable VG conveyed by the first conveying section 3A passes the end of the conveying direction A1 and the support of the mounting body 20 by the support member 22 is released (the protruding section 21 is in a lying state), it is discharged from the discharge section 25. Specifically, as shown in Figures 16 and 24, the head vegetable VG leaves the protruding section 21 and moves forward and downward while rolling on the rolling surface 25i along the inclination of the inclined plate 25a. At this time, the outer leaves VG2 or roots VG3 of the head vegetable VG can pass (enter) the first passage 25d or the second passage 25e. Therefore, the rolling of the head part VG1 is not hindered by the outer leaves VG2 or roots VG3, and the head vegetable VG can be moved (rolled) smoothly to the equipment for the next process (the second conveying device 2B).

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

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

Because the discharge section 25 has the first upright wall 25f and the second upright wall 25g, the head vegetables VG can be prevented from falling out the side (left or right) of the discharge section 25 while rolling on the rolling surface 25i.
The distance between the first standing wall 25f and the second standing wall 25g is different between the side relatively closer to the end of the first conveying section 3A in the conveying direction A1 and the side relatively farther from it. Specifically, the distance between the front first standing wall 25f2 and the front second standing wall 25g2 is wider than the distance between the rear first standing wall 25f1 and the rear second standing wall 25g1. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent the head vegetables VG from falling while rolling on the rolling surface 25i.

The discharge section 25 has a first extension wall 25j formed continuously with the first standing wall 25f, and a second extension wall 25k formed continuously with the second standing wall 25g. The first extension wall 25j bends from the rear end of the rear first standing wall 25f1 and extends toward one side (left) in the device width direction. The second extension wall 25k bends from the rear end of the rear second standing wall 25g1 and extends toward the other side (right) in the device width direction.

19 shows another embodiment of the discharge portion 25. The other embodiment will be described below with respect to the differences from the above-described embodiment.
In the discharge section 25 of another embodiment, the inclined plate 25a is made of one member. That is, 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 front extension 16d via the first fixing plate 26L. The second standing wall 25g is fixed to the second front extension 17d via the second fixing plate 26R. The first standing wall 25f and the second standing wall 25g are each made of one member. That is, the front first standing wall 25f2 and the rear first standing wall 25f1 in the above embodiment are continuously formed by one member, and the front second standing wall 25g2 and the rear second standing wall 25g1 are continuously formed by one member.

The first standing wall 25f and the second standing wall 25g extend further away from the end of the conveying direction A1 of the first conveying section 3A (front downward) than the inclined plate 25a. This makes it possible for the first standing wall 25f and the second standing wall 25g to guide the head vegetables VG from the side until they finish rolling on the rolling surface 25i of the inclined plate 25a, and the head vegetables VG can be reliably discharged toward the equipment for the next process (the second conveying device 2B).

The first standing wall 25f extends further away from the end of the conveying direction A1 of the first conveying section 3A (downward and forward) than the second standing wall 25g. The first standing wall 25f is positioned upstream (starting end) of the conveying direction A2 of the second conveying section 3B than the second standing wall 25g. Therefore, the head vegetables discharged from the discharge section 25 to the second conveying section 3B are prevented from moving toward the upstream side of the conveying direction A2 by the first standing wall 25f, and are smoothly transported toward the downstream side (end).

The distance between the first standing wall 25f and the second standing wall 25g is different on the side relatively closer to the end of the conveying direction A1 of the first conveying section 3A and the side farther from it. Specifically, the distance between the first standing wall 25f and the second standing wall 25g is wider on the side relatively closer to the end of the conveying direction A1 and narrower on the farther side. More specifically, the distance between the front first standing wall 25f2 and the front second standing wall 25g2 gradually narrows as it moves away from the end of the conveying direction A1. This allows the head vegetables VG to be reliably received from the end of the conveying direction A1 of the first conveying section 3A. The rear first standing wall 25f1 and the rear second standing wall 25g1 are arranged parallel to each other, and the distance between them is constant. The distance between the rear first standing wall 25f1 and the rear second standing wall 25g1 is narrower than the distance between the front first standing wall 25f2 and the front second standing wall 25g2.

The second front extension 17d of the second plate 17 is formed with an extension 17e that gradually expands in the direction approaching the first plate 16 as it moves from the rear to the front. By forming the extension 17e, when the head vegetables VG move from the support member 22 to the rolling surface 25i, the head vegetables VG are supported at three points: the support member 22, the rolling surface 25i, and the extension 17e. This allows the head vegetables VG to move smoothly and reliably from the support member 22 to the rolling surface 25i. In addition, an extension may be formed in the first front extension 16d of the first plate 16 that gradually expands in the direction approaching the second plate 17 as it moves from the rear to the front.

The first passage 25d is formed between the first front extension 16d and the inclined plate 25a. The second passage 25e is formed between the second front extension 17d and the inclined plate 25a. The width of the first passage 25d is different from the width of the second passage 25e. Specifically, the width of the first passage 25d is wider than the width of the second passage 25e.
Next, the second transport device 2B will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the second conveying device 2B is disposed 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 disposed so as to overlap with the discharge section 25 of the first conveying device 2A. The second conveying device 2B has a second conveying section 3B that receives and conveys the head vegetables discharged from the discharge section 25 of the first conveying device 2A.

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

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

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) to the downstream side (terminating end side) of the conveying direction A2 of the second conveying section 3B. The inclination of the first roller 30A (the inclination angle of the central axis CLA of the first roller 30A relative 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 relative to the horizontal line). The inclination of the first roller 30A and the inclination of the second roller 30B are set, for example, in the range of 5° to 10° (5° as an example).

As shown in FIG. 21, a drive mechanism 35 for rotating the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B is provided on one side (left side) of the rotation axis direction of the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B. 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 driving 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. The driven sprocket 35c, the first bevel gear 35f, and the second bevel gear 35g are attached to the transmission shaft 35e. The third bevel gear 35h is attached to the first rotating shaft 33A. The 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 driving sprocket 35b rotates together with the rotating shaft of the motor 35a. The rotation of the driving 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, and the first rotating shaft 33A rotates. The rotation of the second bevel gear 35g rotates the fourth bevel gear 35i, and the second rotating shaft 33B rotates. The first bevel gear 35f and the second bevel gear 35g are attached in opposite directions to each other, and the first bevel gear 35f meshes with the front side of the third bevel gear 35h, and the second bevel gear 35g meshes with the rear side of the fourth bevel gear 35i.

When the drive mechanism 35 is driven, the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B rotate inward (opposing sides facing downward). This allows the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetable VG to be pulled in and clamped between the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B (see FIG. 22). The second conveying section 3B clamps the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetable VG between the two rollers (between the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B) and conveys the head vegetable VG in the direction of the rotation shafts (first rotation shaft 33A, second rotation shaft 33B) (conveying direction A2).

23 and other drawings, the first roller 30A has a first roller body 30A1, a protrusion portion 30A3, and a first brush portion 30A2. The first roller body 30A1 is a cylindrical or columnar member provided with a first rotation shaft 33A.
The protrusion 30A3 protrudes from the surface of the first roller body 30A1 and is provided in a spiral shape along the surface of the first roller body 30A1. The spiral direction of the protrusion 30A3 is a direction that moves from the inside (second roller 30B side) of the first roller 30A to the outside (opposite the second roller 30B side) as it moves toward the downstream side of the conveying direction A2 on the surface (upper surface) side of the first roller 30A. The protrusion 30A3 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or soft synthetic resin. The protrusion 30A3 is made by, for example, winding a string-shaped member (rubber string, rubber tube, etc.) made of an elastic material in a spiral shape around the surface of the first roller body 30A1.

The first brush portion 30A2 protrudes in a brush-like shape from the surface of the first roller body 30A1. The first brush portion 30A2 is formed by arranging a number of bristles in a spiral shape. The multiple bristles that make up the first brush portion 30A2 are planted in a number of holes that are arranged in a spiral shape on 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 appear alternately along the direction of the central axis CLA of the first roller 30A (the conveying direction A2). In other words, the first brush portion 30A2 is provided between adjacent ridge portions 30A3 spaced apart in the conveying direction A2.

As shown in Fig. 18, in the longitudinal direction (transport 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 protrusions 30A3. As shown in Fig. 21, the height of the protrusions 30A3 (height from the surface of the first roller body 30A1) is larger 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 part 30B2. The second roller body 30B1 is a cylindrical or columnar member equipped with a second rotating shaft 33B. The second brush part 30B2 protrudes in a brush-like shape from the surface of the second roller body 30B1. The second brush part 30B2 is configured by arranging bristle bundles of a large number of bristles in a spiral shape. The multiple bristle bundles that make up the second brush part 30B2 are respectively planted in a large number of holes formed in a spiral shape on the surface of the second roller body 30B1, and protrude from the surface of the second roller body 30B1.

The amount of protrusion LB of the second brush part 30B2 from the surface of the second roller body 30B1 is greater than the amount of protrusion LA of the first brush part 30A2 from the surface of the first roller body 30A1, making the bristle bundles constituting the second brush part 30B2 more easily deformed (bent) than the bristle bundles constituting the first brush part 30A2.
When the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B rotate inwardly with respect to each other, the head vegetables VG are conveyed in the conveying direction A2 while placed on the first roller 30A by the spiral of the protrusion 30A3. The conveying speed by the second conveying section 3B (movement speed in the conveying direction A2) is faster than the conveying speed by the first conveying section 3A (movement speed in the conveying direction A1). This makes it possible to prevent the head vegetables conveyed from the first conveying section 3A from accumulating on the upstream side of the second conveying section 3B.

In this embodiment, the first roller 30A has the ridges 30A3 and the second roller 30B does not have any ridges, but the second roller 30B may have the same ridges as the first roller 30A. In this case, the ridges of the second roller 30B are provided in a spiral shape extending in the same direction as the spiral arrangement of the bristle bundles of the second brush portion 30B2.
The two rollers (first roller 30A, second roller 30B) are arranged with a height difference (H2-H1) in which the height H1 of the upper surface of one roller (first roller 30A) is lower than the height H2 of the upper surface of the other roller (second roller 30B). This height difference is the difference in height between the heights of the upper surfaces of the two rollers compared 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 installation surface of the upper end of the protrusion portion 30A3 at a specific position in the conveying direction A2, and the height of the upper surface of the second roller 30B is the height from the installation surface of the upper end of the second brush portion 30B2 at the same specific position in the conveying direction A2. The height difference (H2-H1) is formed over the entire length in the conveying direction A2.

In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 23 and 22(a), the height difference (H2-H1) is formed by making the outer diameter of the first roller 30A smaller than the outer diameter of the second roller 30B and by positioning the first rotating shaft 33A lower than 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) may be formed by making the outer diameter of the first roller 30A and the outer diameter of the second roller 30B equal, and disposing the first rotating shaft 33A below the second rotating shaft 33B. Also, as shown in FIG. 22(c), the height difference (H2-H1) may be formed by making the outer diameter of the first roller 30A smaller than the outer diameter of the second roller 30B, and disposing the first rotating shaft 33A at the same height as the second rotating shaft 33B.

17, 18, 21, and 23, a guide plate 37 is provided on the upper part of the first roller 30A. The guide plate 37 extends along the length direction (conveying direction A2) of the first roller 30A. The guide plate 37 is inclined so as to gradually descend from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying 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 aligned in the front-rear direction and integrally formed. The first portion 37a is disposed between the rear wall plate 32 and the first roller 30A in the front-rear direction. When viewed from the length direction (conveying direction A2) of the first roller 30A, the front side (first roller 30A side) and the rear side (opposite the first roller 30A side) of the first portion 37a are at the same height. The second portion 37b is inclined so as to gradually become lower from the front side toward the rear side (approaching the first roller 30A).

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

As shown in FIG. 24, the discharge section (supply section) 25 supplies the head vegetables VG above the first roller 30A. In this embodiment, the discharge section (supply section) 25 supplies the head vegetables VG above the first roller 30A from a direction perpendicular to the first rotation shaft 33A. The head vegetables VG discharged from the discharge section (supply section) 25 are supplied above the first roller 30A through the guide plate 37.

As shown in Figures 17, 18, 21, and 23, a guide member 38 is disposed above the second conveying section 3B. Specifically, the guide member 38 is disposed above the second roller 30B. The guide member 38 extends in the conveying direction A2 (the length direction of the second roller 30B) and is disposed so as to gradually lower from the upstream side to the downstream side of the conveying direction A2. The guide member 38 extends over a range from the start end to the middle part of the conveying direction A2. Specifically, the guide member 38 extends over a range from above the start end (left end) of the second roller 30B to above the middle part in the length direction. In the conveying 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 end part (right end part) of the guide member 38 is located to the right of the middle part in the length direction 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 that faces diagonally upward and rearward. The inclined surface 38d transitions from the front to the rear 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 between the first rotation shaft 33A of the first roller 30A and the second rotation shaft 33B of the second roller 30B, and extends to a position lower than the height H1 of the upper surface of the first roller 30A and the height H2 of the upper surface of the second roller 30B.

As shown in FIG. 23, the head vegetables VG discharged (supplied) from the discharge section (supply section) 25 above the first roller 30A hit the guide member 38 and are prevented from moving toward the second roller 30B (forward), so they are mainly placed on the first roller 30A. At this time, the head vegetables VG are allowed to tilt (roll) toward the second roller 30B by hitting the inclined surface 38d of the guide member 38. This reduces the impact when the head vegetables VG hit the guide member 38, preventing the head vegetables VG from bouncing back or being damaged. In addition, the lower end of the inclined surface 38d extends to the above-mentioned low position, preventing the head vegetables VG from hitting the lower end of the inclined surface 38d and being damaged.

As shown in FIG. 24, the head vegetables VG placed mainly on the first roller 30A are transported downstream in the transport direction A2 along the guide member 38 while repeatedly rotating on the first roller 30A. Here, because the first roller 30A is positioned with a step such that 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 head vegetables VG are in an unstable position and are prone to rotating on their own axis.

The head vegetables VG rotate about their own axis (see arrow P1) in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction A2 due to the rotation of the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B, and also rotate about their own axis (see arrow P2) in the conveying direction A2 due to the downward inclination of the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B. By rotating in multiple directions like this, the head vegetables VG often assume a downward position with the outer leaves VG2 facing downward.

When the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetable 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 head vegetable VG whose outer leaves VG2 are drawn between the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B is in a downward position with the outer leaves VG2 facing downward.
In this way, the head vegetables VG assume a downward orientation with the outer leaves VG2 facing downward during transport by the second transport section 3B. The downward-facing head vegetables VG then move from the second transport section 3B to the third transport section 3C in this downward orientation. The third transport device 2C has the third transport section 3C.

Next, the third transport section 3C will be described.
1 and 2, the third conveying section 3C is disposed downstream of the second conveying section 3B in the conveying direction A2. The third conveying section 3C conveys the head vegetables VG conveyed by the second conveying section 3B further downstream (to the right).
As shown in Fig. 25, the third conveying section 3C is provided with a clamping belt 70 that clamps and conveys the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetables VG. The clamping belt 70 includes a first clamping belt 71 and a second clamping belt 72. The first clamping belt 71 and the second clamping belt 72 are made of an elastic body such as rubber.

As shown in FIG. 25, the first nipping belt 71 is disposed close to the downstream end of the second conveying section 3B and is located below the first roller 30A and the second roller 30B. The second nipping belt 72 is disposed downstream of the first nipping belt 71 and is located below the first nipping belt 71. In the conveying direction A3 of the third conveying section 3C, a portion of the first nipping belt 71 and a portion of the second nipping belt 72 overlap.

The first clamping belt 71 includes a one-side belt 71L and an other-side belt 71R. The one-side belt 71L is arranged on one side in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction A3 of the third conveying section 3C (hereinafter referred to as the "third orthogonal direction"). The other-side belt 71R is arranged on the other side of the third orthogonal direction. The one-side belt 71L and the other-side belt 71R are endless and are each wound around multiple pulleys.

The one-side belt 71L is wound around the third pulley 73, the fourth pulley 74, and the fifth pulley 75. 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 conveying direction A3 of the third conveying section 3C. The fourth pulley 74 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the ninth pulley 79 (described later) attached to the same rotating shaft 79a as the fourth pulley 74. In conjunction with the rotation of the fourth pulley 74, the third pulley 73, the fifth pulley 75, and the one-side belt 71L rotate.

The other side belt 71R is wound around the sixth pulley 76, the seventh pulley 77, and the 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 conveying direction A3 of the third conveying section 3C. The seventh pulley 77 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the twelfth pulley 82 (described later) attached to the same rotating shaft 82a as the seventh pulley 77. In conjunction with the rotation of the seventh pulley 77, 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 left to right on the contacting side (towards the third conveying direction A3, which is the direction away from the second conveying section 3B).

As shown in Figures 25 and 28, the first clamping belt 71 clamps the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetable VG between one side belt 71L and the other side belt 71R, and moves while clamping the outer leaves VG2, thereby transporting the head vegetable VG from the downstream side to the upstream side (towards the conveying direction A3). When the head vegetable VG is transported by the first clamping belt 71, the position it was in when it was transferred from the second conveying section 3B is maintained. In other words, the position of the head vegetable VG transported by the first clamping belt 71 is a downward position with the outer leaves VG2 facing downward.

The second clamping belt 72 transports the head vegetables VG transported by the first clamping belt 71 further downstream. The second clamping belt 72 is composed of a single belt. As shown in FIG. 27, the second clamping belt 72 is an endless belt in which a single belt is twisted 720° (two rotations) and both ends 72d, 72d of the twisted belt are joined to each other. The second clamping belt 72 is hung around multiple pulleys in a figure-8 shape when viewed from above.

As shown in Figures 25 and 28, the multiple pulleys include a ninth pulley 79, a tenth pulley 80, an eleventh pulley 81, a twelfth pulley 82, a thirteenth pulley 83, and a fourteenth pulley 84.
The ninth pulley 79, the tenth pulley 80, and the eleventh pulley 81 are disposed on one side (rear side) of the third orthogonal direction. The ninth pulley 79 is disposed below the fourth pulley 74 and is attached to the same rotation shaft 79a 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 disposed to the right of the ninth pulley 79. The ninth pulley 79 and the tenth pulley 80 are disposed side by side in the conveying direction A3 of the third conveying section 3C. The eleventh pulley 81 is disposed between the ninth pulley 79 and the tenth pulley 80 and rearward of the ninth pulley 79 and the tenth pulley 80 in the conveying direction A3 of the third conveying section 3C.

The twelfth pulley 82, the thirteenth pulley 83, and the fourteenth pulley 84 are disposed on the other side (front side) of the third orthogonal direction. The twelfth pulley 82 is disposed below the seventh pulley 77 and is attached to the same rotating shaft 82a as the seventh pulley 77. As a result, the seventh pulley 77 and the twelfth pulley 82 rotate in the same direction around the rotating shaft 82a. The thirteenth pulley 83 is disposed to the right of the twelfth pulley 82. The twelfth pulley 82 and the thirteenth pulley 83 are disposed side by side in the conveying direction A3 of the third conveying section 3C. The fourteenth pulley 84 is disposed between the twelfth pulley 82 and the thirteenth pulley 83 and in front of the twelfth pulley 82 and the thirteenth 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 is equipped with 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 has a number of pulleys (ninth pulley 79, tenth pulley 80, eleventh pulley 81, twelfth pulley 82, thirteenth pulley 83, fourteenth pulley 84) around which the second clamping belt 72 is stretched, and a rotating device (not shown) that rotates these pulleys.

As shown in Figures 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 abuts against each other in a section Z1 from a position sandwiched between the ninth pulley 79 and the twelfth pulley 82 to a position sandwiched between the tenth pulley 80 and the thirteenth pulley 83 in the conveying direction A3 of the third conveying unit 3C. Hereinafter, section Z1 will be referred to as the "contact section Z1." In the contact section Z1, the second clamping belt 72 moves from left to right (in a direction away from the second conveying unit 3B).

The second clamping belt 72 is a belt with a convex cross section, a flat surface, and a protrusion formed on the back surface. The second clamping belt 72 clamps the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetable VG on the flat surface side. The protrusion formed on the back surface of the second clamping belt 72 fits into grooves formed in each of the multiple pulleys (ninth pulley 79, tenth pulley 80, eleventh pulley 81, twelfth pulley 82, thirteenth pulley 83, and fourteenth pulley 84).

25, 28, and 29, the second clamping belt 72 has a downward clamping portion 72a, an upward clamping portion 72b, and an inverted clamping portion 72c. The downward clamping portion 72a, the inverted clamping portion 72c, and the upward clamping portion 72b are provided in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side of the conveying direction A3 of the third conveying section 3C. As shown in FIG. 25, the downward clamping portion 72a, the upward clamping portion 72b, and the inverted clamping portion 72c are provided in the abutment section Z1. Specifically, the downward clamping portion 72a is provided in the upstream portion of the abutment section Z1. The upward clamping portion 72b is provided in the downstream portion of the abutment section Z1. The inverted clamping portion 72c is provided in the midstream portion of the abutment section Z1. In the reversing clamping section 72c, the second clamping belt 72 is twisted around an axis extending in the conveying direction A3, and the second clamping belt 72 is reversed up and down as it moves from the upstream side to the downstream side.

The downward clamping portion 72a clamps the outer leaves VG2 facing downward. The upward clamping portion 72b clamps the outer leaves VG2 facing upward. As shown in Fig. 28 and Fig. 29, the inverting clamping portion 72c inverts the head vegetable VG, in which the outer leaves VG2 face downward, to face upward on the downstream side of the downward clamping portion 72a and the upstream side of the upward clamping portion 72b.
As shown in FIG. 25, the third conveying section 3C has a pressure roller 88 that presses the second pinching belt 72. As shown in FIG. 26, the pressure roller 88 is attached to the upper part of the second frame 6B by the mounting plate 66. The pressure roller 88 can rotate around an axis in the third orthogonal direction. The outer circumferential surface of the pressure roller 88 abuts against the second pinching belt 72 at the reversing pinching section 72c. The pressure roller 88 presses the second pinching belt 72 from above or below (from above in the illustrated example) at the reversing pinching section 72c. The pressure roller 88 rotates (rotates) with the movement of the second pinching belt 72. As a result, the twisted state (direction) of the second pinching belt 72 at the reversing pinching section 72c is appropriately maintained by the pressing force from the pressure roller 88.

As shown in Figures 28 and 29, the head vegetable VG transported by the first clamping belt 71 moves to the contact section Z1 of the second clamping belt 72 with the outer leaves VG2 facing downward, and is transported in a state in which the outer leaves VG2 are clamped in the contact section Z1. The head vegetable VG that has moved to the contact section Z1 of the second clamping belt 72 is first clamped at the outer leaves VG2 in the downward clamping section 72a located upstream of the contact section Z1. In the downward clamping section 72a, the head vegetable VG is transported with the outer leaves VG2 facing downward. Next, the head vegetable VG moves from the downward clamping section 72a to the inverted clamping section 72c as the second clamping belt 72 moves (rotates). In the inverted clamping section 72c, the head vegetable VG is inverted from the downward position to the upward position with the outer leaves VG2 facing downward. Next, the head vegetables VG move from the inverted clamping section 72c to the upward clamping section 72b as the second clamping belt 72 moves (rotates). In the upward clamping section 72b, the head vegetables VG are transported with their outer leaves VG2 facing upward. In this way, the head vegetables VG move while being clamped by the second clamping belt 72, and as they move, the outer leaves VG2 are inverted from a downward position to an upward position.

25, 28, etc., the third conveying section 3C is provided with a support plate 89. The support plate 89 supports the head portion VG1 of the head vegetable VG, which is inverted with the movement of the second clamping belt 72, from below. The support plate 89 is arranged below the second clamping belt 72. As shown in FIG. 25, the support plate 89 is arranged at a position shifted from the clamping position of the outer leaf VG2 (the portion where the outer leaf VG2 is clamped) in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the second clamping belt 72 (the conveying direction A3 of the third conveying section 3C). The direction of the shift of the support plate 89 is set in the direction in which the head vegetable VG is twisted in the inverting clamping section 72c. In the case of this embodiment, the head vegetable VG is twisted backward in the inverting clamping section 72c, so the support plate 89 is arranged at a position shifted backward of the clamping position of the outer leaf VG2. When the head vegetable VG is twisted forward in the inverted clamping section 72c, the support plate 89 is positioned in a position shifted forward of the clamping position of the outer leaves VG2. The support plate 89 may also be a wide plate extending from the front to the rear across the clamping position of the outer leaves VG2. Specifically, the support plate 89 shown in Figures 25 and 28 may have a width (length in the front-to-rear direction) that extends forward beyond the clamping position of the outer leaves VG2.

The support plate 89 has a standing 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 a single plate. As shown in FIG. 26, the standing portion 891 is fixed by a bolt or the like to a base plate 90 provided below the second clamping belt 72, and stands upward from the base plate 90. The standing portion 891 includes a first standing portion 891a and a second standing portion 891b. The first standing portion 891a is disposed below the seventh pulley 77 and the twelfth pulley 82. The second standing portion 891b is disposed 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 to the right from the upper end of the first standing portion 891a. The transition portion 893 extends from the right end of the horizontal portion 892 to the upper end of the second standing portion 891b. The transition portion 893 transitions downward as it moves from the left (upstream side) to the right (downstream side).

As shown in FIG. 25, the support plate 89 is provided in an area overlapping with the downward clamping portion 72a and the inverting clamping portion 72c in the direction of movement of the second clamping belt 72 (conveying direction A3 of the third conveying unit 3C). The support plate 89 may be provided in an area overlapping with at least a part of the downward clamping portion 72a and a part of the inverting clamping portion 72c in the direction of movement of the second clamping belt 72 (conveying direction A3 of the third conveying unit 3C), but may also be provided in an area overlapping with all of the downward clamping portion 72a and all of the inverting clamping portion 72c.

As shown in Figures 28 and 29, the support plate 89 supports from below the head portion VG1 of the head vegetable VG, which is inverted as the second clamping belt 72 moves. In the process of inverting the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetable VG from a downward position to an upward position in the inversion clamping section 72c, the head vegetable VG assumes a sideways or diagonal position in which the head portion VG1 protrudes behind the second clamping belt 72. The support plate 89 abuts from below against the head portion VG1 of the head vegetable VG in a sideways or diagonal position, and can support the weight of the head portion VG1. Therefore, when the head vegetable VG assumes a sideways or diagonal position, the outer leaves VG2 are prevented from bending or breaking due to the weight of the head portion VG1.

As described above, the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetable VG are inverted from a downward position to an upward position during the process of being transported by the third transport unit 3C. Then, when the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetable VG are in an upward position, the clamping of the outer leaves VG2 is released at the downstream end of the transport direction A3 (the downstream end of the upward clamping unit 72b) and the head vegetable VG moves to the fourth transport unit 3D. The fourth transport device 2D has a fourth transport unit 3D.

2, the fourth transport section 3D is disposed 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 clamps and conveys the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetables VG. More specifically, the fourth conveying section (lower conveying section) 3D clamps the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetables VG that have been released from clamping by the third conveying section (upper conveying section) 3C, and conveys them further downstream (to the right).

As shown in Figures 30 and 36, the fourth conveying unit 3D has an overlapping portion 91 that overlaps with the third conveying unit 3C in the conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying unit 3D, and a non-overlapping portion 92 that does not overlap with the third conveying unit 3C. The non-overlapping portion 92 is located downstream (to the right) of the overlapping portion 91 in the conveying direction A4. The conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying unit 3D is from left to right, the same as the conveying direction A3 of the third conveying unit 3C.

As shown in Figure 36, the fourth conveying section 3D has an endless belt 93 (hereinafter referred to as the "lower belt 93") and a plurality of pulleys 100 (hereinafter referred to as the "lower pulleys 100") around which the lower belt 93 is stretched.
The lower belt 93 includes a lower belt 93L and a lower belt 93R. The lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R are both elastic belts such as rubber belts. The lower belt 93L is disposed on one side (rear side) of a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying section 3D (hereinafter referred to as the "fourth orthogonal direction"). The lower belt 93R is disposed on the other side (front side) of the fourth orthogonal direction.

The lower belt 93 rotates in a horizontal plane due to the rotation of the lower pulley 100. 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 inside side of the device. The lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R move from left to right on the sides where they are in contact with each other (inner sides).

The multiple lower stage pulleys 100 include a first lower stage pulley 101, a second lower stage pulley 102, a third lower stage pulley 103, a fourth lower stage pulley 104, a fifth lower stage pulley 105, a sixth lower stage pulley 106, a seventh lower stage pulley 107, an eighth lower stage pulley 108, and a ninth lower stage pulley 109.
The first lower pulley 101 to the ninth lower pulley 109 are respectively disposed on one side (rear side) and the other side (front side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. In the drawings and the following description, the lower pulley disposed on one side (rear side) in the fourth orthogonal direction will be referred to as the "first lower pulley 101L" etc., and the lower pulley disposed on the other side (front side) in the fourth orthogonal direction will be referred to as the "first lower pulley 101R" etc.

As shown in FIG. 1, a first plate 94L is attached to the upper rear part of the fourth conveying device 2D, and a second plate 94R is attached to the upper front part of the fourth conveying device 2D. The central axes of the first lower pulley 101L to the ninth lower pulley 109L are rotatably supported by the first plate 94L. The central axes of the first lower pulley 101R to the ninth lower pulley 109R 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 G2 extends in the conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying device 2D. The gap G2 is formed to a width that allows the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetables VG to pass through.

The lower belt 93L is wound around the first lower pulley 101L to the ninth lower pulley 109L. The seventh lower pulley 107L to the ninth lower pulley 109L are used to adjust the tension of the lower belt 93L and can move in the fourth orthogonal direction. The lower belt 93R is wound around the first lower pulley 101R to the ninth lower pulley 109R. The eighth lower pulley 108R and the ninth lower pulley 109R are used to adjust the tension of the lower belt 93R and can move in the fourth orthogonal direction.

The lower pulleys (sixth lower pulley 106L, seventh lower pulley 107R) located at the most downstream side in the conveying direction A4 rotate by the rotational driving force transmitted from the first motor 95 shown in Figures 37 to 39 via the power transmission mechanism 96. As the sixth lower pulley 106L rotates, the first lower pulley 101L to the fifth lower pulley 105L, the seventh lower pulley 107L, 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, the ninth lower pulley 109R, and the lower belt 93R rotate.

As shown in FIG. 36, the lower belt 93L abuts against the outer leaves VG2 from one side (rear side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. The lower belt 93R abuts against the outer leaves VG2 from the other side (front side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. As a result, the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetable VG are clamped between the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R. Hereinafter, the lower belt 93L may be referred to as the "first clamping body 93L" and the lower belt 93R as the "second clamping body 93R."

Among the pulleys around which the lower belt 93L is wound, the second lower pulley 102L to the seventh lower pulley 107L are pressing members (hereinafter referred to as "first pressing members 116L") that press the lower belt (first clamping body) 93L toward the outer leaf VG2 side (the lower belt 93R side). The first pressing members 116L rotate (spin on their axes) together with the lower belt 93L.
Among the pulleys around which the lower belt 93R is wound, the second lower pulley 102R to the seventh lower pulley 107R are pressing members (hereinafter referred to as "second pressing members 116R") that press the lower belt (second clamping body) 93R toward the outer leaf VG2 side (lower belt 93L side). The second pressing members 116R rotate (spin on their axes) together with the lower belt 93R.

As shown in FIG. 36, the first pressing member 116L and the second pressing member 116R are alternately arranged along the conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying device 2D. Specifically, along the conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying device 2D, the seventh lower pulley 107L, the second lower pulley 102R, the second lower pulley 102L, the third lower pulley 103R, the third lower pulley 103L, the fourth lower pulley 104R, the fourth lower pulley 104L, the fifth lower pulley 105R, the fifth lower pulley 105L, the sixth lower pulley 106R, the sixth lower pulley 106L, and the seventh lower pulley 107R are arranged in this order.

The first pressing member 116L and the second pressing member 116R are alternately arranged along the conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying device 2D, so that the lower belt (first clamping body) 93L and the lower belt (second clamping body) 93R are elastically deformed by curving in a wave shape, and therefore the outer leaf VG2 can be reliably clamped between the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R.
30 and 36 , among the multiple lower pulleys 100, the first lower pulleys 101L, 101R located most upstream in the conveying direction A4 are disposed in the overlapping portion 91. In other words, the multiple lower pulleys 100 include the first lower pulleys 101L, 101R disposed in the overlapping portion 91.

As described above, the second clamping belt 72 provided in the third conveying section 3C is passed over multiple pulleys (ninth pulley 79, tenth pulley 80, eleventh pulley 81, twelfth pulley 82, thirteenth pulley 83, and fourteenth pulley 84). Hereinafter, the second clamping belt 72 may be referred to as the "upper belt 72," and the multiple pulleys around which the second clamping belt (upper belt) 72 is passed over may be referred to as the "upper pulleys." In addition, of the multiple upper pulleys, the upper pulleys (tenth pulley 80, thirteenth pulley 83) located furthest downstream are referred to as the "first upper pulleys 80, 83."

As shown in Figures 30 and 31, the first upper pulley 80 is disposed above the first lower pulley 101L. The first upper pulley 83 is disposed 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 shafts 80a and 83a are disposed parallel to each other and extend in the vertical direction. The first upper pulley 80 is attached to the upper part of the rotating shaft 80a, and the first lower pulley 101L is attached to the lower part of the rotating shaft 80a. In addition, the first upper pulley 83 is attached to the upper part of the rotating shaft 83a, and the first lower pulley 101R is attached to the lower part of the rotating shaft 83a. As a result, the first upper pulley (tenth pulley) 80 and the first lower pulley 101L rotate integrally at the same angular velocity as the rotating shaft 80a rotates. Also, the first upper pulley (thirteenth pulley) 83 and the first lower pulley 101R rotate integrally at the same speed (angular velocity) as the rotating shaft 83a rotates.

As shown in Figures 30, 31, 35, etc., the conveying device 2 is equipped with a support member 117 that supports the bottom of the head portion VG1 of the head vegetable VG conveyed by the fourth conveying section (lower conveying section) 3D. The support member 117 is disposed below the fourth conveying section 3D. As shown in Figure 30, the support member 117 is provided from below the overlapping portion 91 to below the non-overlapping portion 92 in the conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying section 3D.

As shown in Figures 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 disposed on one side (rear side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. The second support member 117R is disposed on the other side (front side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. An insertion portion 118 into which the roots VG3 of the head vegetable VG can be inserted is formed between the first support member 117L and the second support member 117R. The insertion portion 118 extends along the conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying section 3D.

As shown in Figures 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 that can move in the conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying 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 that can move in the conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying section 3D. The first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R are arranged parallel to each other with a gap between them. An insertion portion 118 is formed between the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R.

As shown in Figures 32 and 35, when the head vegetable VG transported by the third conveying section (upper conveying section) 3C reaches the downstream end of the third conveying section 3C in the conveying direction A3 (the position of the first upper pulleys 80, 83), the second clamping belt 72 releases the clamping of the outer leaves VG2. Therefore, the head vegetable VG descends by its own weight, but is supported by the overlapping portion 91 (see Figures 30 and 36) of the fourth conveying section 3D that overlaps with the third conveying section 3C. Specifically, as shown in Figures 34 and 35, the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetable VG are clamped between the lower belts 93L and 93R, and the head part VG1 is supported by the support member 117 arranged below the fourth conveying section 3D.

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 the root VG3 is inserted into the insertion portion 118 formed between the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R. This stabilizes the position (upward position) of the head vegetable VG. In addition, when the head portion VG1 is large, the position (upward position) of the head vegetable VG is also stabilized by the head portion VG1 being supported from the rear diagonally downward and the front diagonally downward by the first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R.

The head part VG1 supported by the support member 117 has a stable posture (upward posture), so that the height of the base end (root) of the root VG3 of the head part VG1 is approximately constant regardless of the size of the head part VG1. The head vegetable VG is transported downstream (to the right) in the transport direction A4 as the lower belt 93L and lower belt 93R move (rotate) with the outer leaves VG2 sandwiched between the lower belt 93L and lower belt 93R and the head part VG1 supported by the first support surface 120L and second support surface 120R.

37, in the conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying unit 3D, the first cutting device 4 and the second cutting device 5 are disposed downstream (to the right) of the support member 117. The first cutting device 4 and the second cutting device 5 are disposed side by side in the conveying direction A4. The first cutting device 4 and the second cutting device 5 are disposed below the fourth conveying unit 3D.
As shown in Figures 38, 40 and 41, the first cutting device (root cutting device) 4 is disposed below the lower belts 93L and 93R. The first cutting device 4 cuts the roots VG3 of the head vegetable VG that is suspended with the outer leaves VG2 clamped between the lower belts 93L and 93R.

42 to 44, the first cutting device 4 has a root alignment unit 140, a root pulling-in unit 170, and a root cutting unit 180. The root alignment unit 140, the root pulling-in unit 170, and the root cutting unit 180 are disposed below the fourth conveying unit 3D.
First, the root alignment portion 140 will be described.
The root aligning unit 140 is disposed downstream of the support member 117 and upstream of the root pulling-in unit 170 in the conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying unit 3D. The root aligning unit 140 aligns the roots VG3 of the head vegetables VG being conveyed by the fourth conveying unit 3D.

As shown in Figures 42 to 45, the root alignment 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 rotational drive mechanism 143 (hereinafter referred to as the "first rotational drive mechanism 143").
The first rotating body 141L is disposed on one side (rear side) of the fourth orthogonal direction. The second rotating body 141R is disposed on the other side (front side) of the fourth orthogonal direction. The first rotating body 141L and the second rotating body 141R are cylindrical and have the same diameter and length. The first rotating body 141L and the second rotating body 141R are disposed parallel to each other with a gap therebetween and extend in the conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying section 3D.

The first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R are made of an elastic body such as rubber or sponge, and are made of plates (elastic plates) that can be flexibly deformed. In this embodiment, the number of the first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R is two, but each may be one or three or more.
As shown in FIG. 45 and other figures, the first elastic plate 142L includes a first elastic plate 142L1 and a first elastic plate 142L2. The first elastic plate 142L1 and the first elastic plate 142L2 have the same size and shape. The first elastic plate 142L1 and the first elastic plate 142L2 are arranged so as to be point symmetrical with respect to the axis of the first rotating body 141L. The first elastic plate 142L1 extends in one direction (upward in FIG. 45) away from the outer circumferential surface of the first rotating body 141L. The first elastic plate 142L2 extends in the other direction (downward in FIG. 45) opposite to the one direction away from the outer circumferential surface of the first rotating body 141L. That is, the first elastic plate 142L1 and the first elastic plate 142L2 extend in opposite directions. The first elastic plate 142L1 and the first elastic plate 142L2 are arranged at positions shifted from each other in the fourth orthogonal direction B4.

The second elastic plate 142R includes a second elastic plate 142R1 and a second elastic plate 142R2. The second elastic plate 142R1 and the second elastic plate 142R2 have the same size and shape. The second elastic plate 142R1 and the second elastic plate 142R2 are arranged so as to be point symmetrical with respect to the axis of the second rotating body 141R. The second elastic plate 142R1 extends in one direction (upward in FIG. 45) away from the outer circumferential surface of the second rotating body 141R. The second elastic plate 142R2 extends in the other direction (downward in FIG. 45) opposite to the one direction away from the outer circumferential surface of the second rotating body 141R. In other words, the second elastic plate 142R1 and the second elastic plate 142R2 extend in opposite directions. The second elastic plate 142R1 and the second elastic plate 142R2 are arranged at positions shifted in the fourth orthogonal direction B4.

As shown in FIG. 45, the first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R are disposed symmetrically across the center line CL2 in the fourth orthogonal direction B4 between the first rotating body 141L and the second rotating body 141R. The distance D1 between the first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R (the distance in the fourth orthogonal direction B4) when they are extending upward is smaller than the distance D2 when they are extending downward.

45, the amount of protrusion L5 of the first elastic plate 142L from the outer circumferential surface of the first rotating body 141L is equal to the amount of protrusion L6 of the second elastic plate 142R from the outer circumferential surface of the second rotating body 141R. The amount of protrusion L5 is greater than the outer diameter of the first rotating body 141L. The amount of protrusion L6 is greater than the outer diameter of the second rotating body 141R.
42, 43, 45, etc., the first elastic plate 142L is rectangular and one side is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the first rotating body 141L. The second elastic plate 142R is rectangular and one side is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the second rotating body 141R.

As shown in Figures 42 to 44, the other side of the first elastic plate 142L opposite to one side has a plurality of slits 142La cut toward one side. The plurality of slits 142La are spaced apart and aligned in the conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying unit 3D. The other side of the second elastic plate 142R opposite to one side has a plurality of slits 142Ra cut toward one side. The plurality of slits 142Ra are spaced apart and aligned in the conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying unit 3D.

The slit 142La is cut from one side of the first elastic plate 142L to the other side, but does not reach the other side. The slit 142Ra is cut from one side of the second elastic plate 142R to the other side, but does not reach the other side. The slit 142La and the slit 142Ra face each other when the first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R extend downward, and face opposite each other when the first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R extend upward.

The slit 142La may be provided so as to reach from one surface of the first elastic plate 142L to the other surface, and the slit 142Ra may be provided so as to reach from one surface of the second elastic plate 142R to the other surface.
The slits 142La, 142Ra enable the first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R to deform into a curved shape along the outer surface of the ball portion VG1.

46, the first elastic plate 142L rotates about the axis of the first rotating body 141L in association with the rotation of the first rotating body 141L. The second elastic plate 142R rotates about the axis of the second rotating body 141R in association with the rotation of the second rotating body 141R.
46, when the first rotor 141L and the second rotor 141R rotate inwardly about their central axes, the first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R also rotate inwardly about their central axes. By rotating inwardly about each other, the first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R come into contact with the surface of the head vegetable VG while curving.

In more detail, the first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R rotate inwardly relative to each other, thereby contacting the head portion VG1 of the head vegetable VG from opposite sides. Next, the first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R bend and move downward along the curved surface of the head portion VG1, pressing the roots VG3 from opposite sides. This makes it possible to prevent the roots VG3 of the head vegetable VG from spreading and align them. At this time, the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetable VG are firmly held between the wavy curved lower belts 93L and 93R. This makes it possible to align the roots VG3 while preventing the head vegetable VG from falling.

As shown in FIGS. 42, 47 and the like, the first rotation drive mechanism 143 has a second motor (drive source) 145 and a first transmission mechanism 146 .
The rotational driving force of the second motor 145 is transmitted to the first rotor 141L and the second rotor 141R via the first transmission mechanism 146. As a result, the first rotor 141L and the second rotor 141R rotate inwardly relative to each other around their central axes (see FIG. 46).

The first transmission mechanism 146 has a first transmission part 147 and a second transmission part 148. The first transmission part 147 transmits the rotational power of the second motor 145 to the second transmission part 148. The second transmission part 148 transmits the rotational power transmitted to the first transmission part 147 to the first rotating body 141L and the second rotating body 141R.
42 and 47, the first transmission unit 147 includes a drive sprocket 149, a first driven sprocket 150, and a chain 151. As shown in Figures 42 to 44, the second transmission unit 148 includes a first driven shaft 152, a fifth bevel gear 153, a sixth bevel gear 154, a seventh bevel gear 155, and an eighth bevel gear 156.

The drive sprocket 149 is attached to the output shaft of the second motor 145. The first driven sprocket 150, the fifth bevel gear 153, and the sixth bevel gear 154 are attached to the first driven shaft 152. The seventh bevel gear 155 is attached to one end side (upstream side in the conveying direction A4) of the first rotating body 141L. The eighth bevel gear 156 is attached to one end side (upstream side in the conveying direction A4) of the second rotating body 141R. The fifth bevel gear 153 meshes with the seventh bevel gear 155. The sixth bevel gear 154 meshes with the eighth bevel gear 156.

When the output shaft of the second motor 145 rotates, the rotational driving force is transmitted from the drive sprocket 149 via the chain 151 to the first driven sprocket 150, causing the first driven shaft 152 to rotate around its axis. When the first driven shaft 152 rotates, the fifth bevel gear 153 and the sixth bevel gear 154 rotate. When the fifth bevel gear 153 and the sixth bevel gear 154 rotate, the seventh bevel gear 155 and the eighth bevel gear 156 rotate, the first rotating body 141L and the second rotating body 141R rotate, and the first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R rotate.

Next, the root pulling portion 170 will be described.
The root pulling-in section 170 pulls downward the roots VG3 of the head vegetables VG being transported by the fourth transport section 3D.
As shown in Figures 41 to 44, the root pulling section 170 has a first pull-in roller 171L, a second pull-in roller 171R, and a rotation drive mechanism 172 (hereinafter referred to as the "second rotation drive mechanism 172"). The first pull-in roller 171L is disposed on one side (rear side) of the fourth orthogonal direction B4. The second pull-in roller 171R is disposed on the other side (front side) of the fourth orthogonal direction B4. The first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171R are formed in a cylindrical shape with the same diameter and length.

As shown in FIG. 44, the first pull-in roller 171L is disposed downstream of the first rotor 141L in the conveying direction A4, and rotates together with the first rotor 141L. The second pull-in roller 171R is disposed downstream of the second rotor 141R in the conveying direction A4, and rotates together with the second rotor 141R. The first pull-in roller 171L rotates around an axis extending in the conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying section 3D. The second pull-in roller 171R rotates around an axis extending in the conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying section 3D. The outer circumferential surface of the first pull-in roller 171L and the outer circumferential surface of the second pull-in roller 171R are in contact or close to each other.

The second rotation drive mechanism 172 is the same as the above-described first rotation drive mechanism 143. In other words, 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 second motor 145 is transmitted to the first rotor 141L and the second rotor 141R via the first transmission mechanism 146. As a result, the first rotor 141L and the second rotor 141R rotate inwardly (opposing sides face downward) about the central axis. Accordingly, the first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171R rotate inwardly (opposing sides face downward) about the central axis.

As shown in FIG. 48, the first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171R rotate inwardly around the central axis, so that the roots VG3 of the head vegetable VG are pulled in between the first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171R. At this time, as shown in FIG. 36, the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetable VG are firmly clamped between the wavy curved lower belts 93L and 93R, so that the roots VG3 of the head vegetable VG extend linearly downward. This allows the roots VG3 to extend linearly even if they are spreading downward.

The head vegetable VG, whose roots VG3 have been extended by the root pulling-in section 170, is transported further downstream (to the right) and sent to the root cutting section 180, with its outer leaves VG2 clamped and suspended by the lower belts 93L and 93R.
The root cutting unit 180 cuts the roots VG3 of the head vegetables VG transported by the fourth transport unit 3D. The root cutting unit 180 cuts the roots VG3 of the vegetables VG whose outer leaves VG2 are clamped by the fourth transport unit 3D below the fourth transport unit 3D.

41 to 44, the root cutting unit 180 includes a root cutting blade 181 and a rotation drive mechanism 190 (hereinafter referred to as the "fourth rotation drive mechanism 190") that rotates the root cutting blade 181. The configuration of the fourth rotation drive mechanism 190 will be described later.
The root cutting blade 181 cuts the roots VG3 of the head vegetables VG transported by the fourth transport unit 3D. The root cutting blade 181 is a disk-shaped cutting blade with multiple cutting edges formed on the outer periphery, and rotates around a central axis 181a facing in the vertical direction. The direction of the central axis 181a of the root cutting blade 181 is perpendicular to the movement direction (transport direction A4) of the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R. In other words, the root cutting blade 181 is arranged in a horizontal plane. The root cutting blade 181 is arranged below the fourth transport unit 3D.

As shown in Figure 44, the center (center of rotation) of the root cutting blade 181 is positioned in a position shifted toward the first pull-in roller 171L from the midpoint between the first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171R in the fourth orthogonal direction B4.
40 to 42 and 44, a root transport section 230 is disposed below the root cutting blade 181. The root transport section 230 clamps the roots VG3 of the head vegetables VG being transported by the fourth transport section 3D and moves them toward the root cutting blade 181. As a result, the roots VG3 of the head vegetables VG are cut by the root cutting blade 181.

The root transfer section 230 also clamps and transfers the roots VG3 cut by the root cutting section 180 below the root cutting section 180. The root transfer section 230 clamps and transfers the roots VG3 cut by the root cutting section 180 in a direction different from the conveying direction A4 by the conveying section (fourth conveying section 3D). In other words, the conveying direction A4 of the head vegetable VG by the fourth conveying section 3D is different from the conveying direction of the roots VG3 by the root transfer section 230.

The fourth conveying unit 3D conveys the head vegetables VG in a first direction (conveying direction A4) in a horizontal plane. As shown in Figures 1, 39, and 44, the root conveying unit 230 conveys the roots VG3 in a second direction B that is inclined with respect to the first direction (conveying direction A4) in a horizontal plane. The inclination angle of the second direction B with respect to the first direction (conveying direction A4) is preferably an acute angle, and is set, for example, in the range of 20° to 45°.

As shown in Figures 44, 47, 49, 50, etc., the root transport section 230 has an endless first belt 231 and an endless second belt 232 that clamps the root VG3 between the first belt 231 and the second belt 232.
The first belt 231 is wound around a first start side pulley 233 (see FIG. 44) and a first end side pulley 234 (see FIG. 49). The second belt 232 is wound around a second start side pulley 235 (see FIG. 44) and a second end side pulley 236 (see FIG. 49). The first start side pulley 233 and the second start side pulley 235 rotate in opposite directions (inwardly of each other), and the first end side pulley 234 and the second end side pulley 236 rotate in opposite directions (inwardly of each other).

44, the first start pulley 233 is disposed downstream of the first pull-in roller 171L in the conveying direction A4. The second start pulley 235 is disposed downstream of the second pull-in roller 171R in the conveying direction A4.
As shown in FIG. 38 and FIG. 47, an upper plate 238A is disposed on the upper side of the first belt 231, and a lower plate 238B is disposed on the lower side of the first belt 231. An upper plate 239A is disposed on the upper side of the second belt 232, and a lower plate 239B is disposed on the lower side of the second belt 232. The upper plate 238A is provided with a tension adjustment unit 238C. The upper plate 239A is provided with a tension adjustment unit 239C. The tension adjustment unit 238C can adjust the tension of the first belt 231 by changing the distance between the first start end pulley 233 and the first end end pulley 234. The tension adjustment unit 239C can adjust the tension of the second belt 232 by changing the distance between the second start end pulley 235 and the second end end pulley 236.

The first belt 231 and the second belt 232 are disposed such that the width direction of the belt faces the up-down direction. As shown in Fig. 44 and Fig. 49, the inner surface of the first belt 231 (the surface on the second belt 232 side) and the inner surface of the second belt 232 (the surface on the first belt 231 side) are disposed parallel to each other in contact or close proximity to each other, and form a clamping surface 237 that clamps the root VG3.
After passing through the root pulling-in section 170, the root VG3 moves to the root transport section 230 and is clamped by the clamping surface 237. Therefore, the root VG3 is securely clamped by the clamping surface 237 of the root transport section 230 in a state in which the root VG3 is extended by the root pulling-in section 170.

The first belt 231 rotates in association with the rotation of the first start-side pulley 233 and the first end-side pulley 234. The second belt 232 rotates in association with the rotation of the second start-side pulley 235 and the second end-side pulley 236. The rotation of the first belt 231 and the second belt 232 causes the clamping surface 237 to move in a direction away from the root cutting unit 180. As a result, the root VG3 cut by the root cutting unit 180 can be clamped by the clamping surface 237 formed between the first belt 231 and the second belt 232 and transported in a direction away from the root cutting unit 180.

As shown in Figures 40 and 44, the upstream portion of the root conveying section 230 in the conveying direction (second direction B) clamps the root VG3 below the root cutting blade 181. As shown in Figure 49, the downstream end 230b of the root conveying section 230 in the conveying direction (second direction B) is positioned closer to the second cutting device (outer leaf cutting device) 5 (downstream of the conveying direction A4) than the upstream end 230a in the conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying section 3D.

As shown in FIG. 44, the upstream end 237a of the clamping surface 237 in the transport direction (second direction B) is located in a position overlapping the outer circumference of the root cutting blade 181 in the conveying direction A4, or is located upstream of that position in the conveying direction A4. As a result, the roots VG3 move toward the root cutting blade 181 while being clamped by the clamping surface 237 formed between the first belt 231 and the second belt 232, so that the roots VG3 can be reliably cut by the rotation of the root cutting blade 181.

Here, the transport speed of the roots VG3 by the root transport section 230 is faster than the transport speed of the fourth transport section 3D. As a result, the transport speed of the roots VG3 by the root transport section 230 is faster than the transport speed of the outer leaves VG2 that are sandwiched and moved by the lower belts 93L and 93R.
As a result, as shown in Figure 41, the head vegetable VG swings to the left like a pendulum with the clamped portion of the outer leaves VG2 as the fulcrum. This swing causes the roots VG3 of the head vegetable VG to move to the left along a downwardly convex arc-shaped trajectory C1. Therefore, the roots VG3 move along the arc-shaped trajectory C1 toward the root cutting blade 181 and are cut. Because the base of the head vegetable VG is curved, the roots VG3 move along an arc-shaped trajectory toward the root cutting blade 181, making it possible to cut the roots VG3 while minimizing the amount of leftover material.

However, the transport speed of the roots VG3 by the root transport section 230 may be the same as the transport speed of the fourth transport section 3D.
The roots VG3 cut by the root cutting blade 181 are clamped as they are by the clamping surface 237 and transported in the second direction B, and are discharged from the downstream end 230b of the root transport section 230.
As shown in Figures 42 and 47, the root transport part 230 includes a rotation drive mechanism 184 (hereinafter referred to as "third rotation drive mechanism 184") that rotates the first start-end side pulley 233 and the second start-end side pulley 235. The third rotation drive mechanism 184 is composed of a second motor 145 and a second transmission mechanism 220. The second transmission mechanism 220 transmits the rotation drive force of the second motor 145 to the root transport part 230 (the first start-end side pulley 233 and the second start-end side pulley 235).

The second transmission mechanism 220 has a third transmission part 221 and a fourth transmission part 222. The third transmission part 221 transmits the rotational power of the second motor 145 to the fourth transmission part 222. The fourth transmission part 222 transmits the rotational power transmitted to the third transmission part 221 to the first start end side pulley 233 and the second start end side pulley 235.
47 , the third transmission unit 221 includes a drive sprocket 149, a second driven sprocket 157, and a chain 151. As shown in FIGS. 42 and 43 , the fourth transmission unit 222 includes a second driven shaft 223, a first pulley shaft 224, a second pulley shaft 225, a ninth bevel gear 226, a tenth bevel gear 227, an eleventh bevel gear 228, and a twelfth bevel gear 229.

The drive sprocket 149 is attached to the output shaft of the second motor 145. The second driven sprocket 157, the ninth bevel gear 226, and the tenth bevel gear 227 are attached to the second driven shaft 223. The first start-side pulley 233 is attached to the first pulley shaft 224. The second start-side pulley 235 is attached to the second pulley shaft 225.

The eleventh bevel gear 228 is attached to the first pulley shaft 224. The twelfth bevel gear 229 is attached to the second pulley shaft 225. The ninth bevel gear 226 meshes with the twelfth bevel gear 229. The tenth bevel gear 227 meshes with the eleventh bevel gear 228.
When the output shaft of the second motor 145 rotates, the rotational driving force is transmitted from the drive sprocket 149 to the second driven sprocket 157 via the chain 151, and the second driven shaft 223 rotates around its axis. When the second driven shaft 223 rotates, the ninth bevel gear 226 and the tenth bevel gear 227 rotate. When the ninth bevel gear 226 and the tenth bevel gear 227 rotate, the eleventh bevel gear 228 and the twelfth bevel gear 229 rotate. When the eleventh bevel gear 228 and the twelfth bevel gear 229 rotate, the first pulley shaft 224 and the second pulley shaft 225 rotate, and the first start end pulley 233 and the second start end pulley 235 rotate. This causes the first end end pulley 234 and the second end end pulley 236 to rotate, and the first belt 231 and the second belt 232 to rotate.

Next, the configuration of the fourth rotary drive mechanism 190 that rotates the above-mentioned root cutting blade 181 will be described.
47, the fourth rotation drive mechanism 190 is composed of the second motor 145 and a third transmission mechanism 191. The third transmission mechanism 191 transmits the rotation drive force of the second motor 145 to the root cutting portion 180 (root cutting blade 181).

As shown in Figures 43 and 47, the third transmission mechanism 191 includes a part of the second transmission mechanism 220 (drive sprocket 149, second driven sprocket 157, chain 151, second driven shaft 223, first pulley shaft 224, tenth bevel gear 227, eleventh bevel gear 228), one sprocket 192, the other sprocket 193, and the second chain 194.
43 , the one sprocket 192 is attached to the first pulley shaft 224. The other sprocket 193 is attached to the central shaft 181a of the root cutting blade 181. The second chain 194 is wound around the one sprocket 192 and the other sprocket 193.

When the output shaft of the second motor 145 rotates, the rotational driving force is transmitted from the drive sprocket 149 via the chain 151 to the second driven sprocket 157, causing the second driven shaft 223 to rotate around its axis. When the second driven shaft 223 rotates, the tenth bevel gear 227 rotates. When the tenth bevel gear 227 rotates, the eleventh bevel gear 228 rotates, causing the first pulley shaft 224 to rotate. When the first pulley shaft 224 rotates, the rotational driving force is transmitted from the one sprocket 192 via the second chain 194 to the other sprocket 193, causing the central shaft 181a to rotate. This causes the root cutting blade 181 to rotate around the central shaft 181a.

The head vegetable VG, whose roots VG3 have been cut by the rotation of the root cutting blade 181, is transported further to the right (downstream in the transport direction A4) with its outer leaves VG2 clamped and suspended by the lower belts 93L and 93R, and is sent to the second cutting device (outer leaf cutting device) 5. In other words, the fourth transport section 3D clamps the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetable VG and transports it toward the second cutting device (outer leaf cutting device) 5.

As shown in Figures 38 to 40, the second cutting device 5 is disposed below the lower belts 93L and 93R. The second cutting device 5 cuts the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetable VG that is suspended and transported by the lower belts 93L and 93R. As shown in Figures 38, 40, and 50, the second cutting device 5 has an outer leaf guide section 200 and an outer leaf cutting section 210.

As shown in Figures 49, 50, etc., the outer leaf guide section 200 has a first guide member 201 and a second guide member 202. The first guide member 201 is attached to the first plate 94L (see Figure 1) via a bracket (not shown). The second guide member 202 is attached to the second plate 94R (see Figure 1) via a bracket (not shown).
The first guide member 201 and the second guide member 202 are arranged side by side in the fourth orthogonal direction B4. Specifically, the first guide member 201 is arranged on one side (rear side) in the fourth orthogonal direction B4. The second guide member 202 is arranged on the other side (front side) in the fourth orthogonal direction B4.

The first guide member 201 has a first guide portion 201a and a first introduction portion 201b. The first guide portion 201a is inclined so as to transition downward toward the right (the downstream side in the conveying direction A4). The first introduction portion 201b is bent from the left end of the first guide portion 201a (the upstream end in the conveying direction A4) and extends rearward.
The second guide member 202 has a second guide portion 202a and a second introduction portion 202b. The second guide portion 202a is inclined downward toward the left (downstream side in the conveying direction A4). The second introduction portion 202b is bent and extends forward from the left end of the second guide portion 202a.

47, 49, and 50, the outer leaf cutting section 210 includes an outer leaf cutting blade 211 and a rotation drive mechanism 240 (hereinafter referred to as a "fifth rotation drive mechanism 240") that rotates the outer leaf cutting blade 211. The outer leaf cutting blade 211 is a disk-shaped cutting blade with multiple cutting edges formed along the outer periphery, and rotates around a central axis 211a facing in the vertical direction.
47 and 49 , the fifth rotation drive mechanism 240 is composed of the second motor 145 and a fourth transmission mechanism 241. The fourth transmission mechanism 241 transmits the rotation drive force of the second motor 145 to the outer leaf cutting blade 211.

47 , the fourth transmission mechanism 241 has a fifth transmission part 242 and a sixth transmission part 243. The fifth transmission part 242 transmits the rotational power of the second motor 145 to the sixth transmission part 243. The sixth transmission part 243 transmits the rotational power transmitted to the fifth transmission part 242 to the central shaft 211a of the outer leaf cutting blade 211.
47 etc., the fifth transmission unit 242 includes a drive sprocket 149, a third driven sprocket 244, and a chain 151. The sixth transmission unit 243 includes a third driven shaft 245, a thirteenth bevel gear 246, a fourteenth bevel gear 247, an upright shaft 248, a first upper sprocket 249, a second upper sprocket 250, and a third chain 251.

The drive sprocket 149 is attached to the output shaft of the second motor 145. The third driven sprocket 244 and the thirteenth bevel gear 246 are attached to the third driven shaft 245. The fourteenth bevel gear 247 is attached to the lower part of the standing shaft 248. The thirteenth bevel gear 246 and the fourteenth bevel gear 247 are in mesh with each other. The first upper sprocket 249 is attached to the upper part of the standing shaft 248. The second upper sprocket 250 is attached to the central shaft 211a of the outer leaf cutting blade 211. The third chain 251 is stretched between the first upper sprocket 249 and the second upper sprocket 250.

When the output shaft of the second motor 145 rotates, the rotational driving force is transmitted from the drive sprocket 149 via the chain 151 to the third driven sprocket 244, causing the third driven shaft 245 to rotate around its axis. When the third driven shaft 245 rotates, the thirteenth bevel gear 246 rotates, causing the fourteenth bevel gear 247 to rotate. When the fourteenth bevel gear 247 rotates, the upright shaft 248 rotates, causing the first upper sprocket 249 to rotate. The rotational power of the first upper sprocket 249 is transmitted to the second upper sprocket 250 via the third chain 251, causing the second upper sprocket 250 to rotate. This causes the outer leaf cutting blade 211 to rotate around the central axis 211a.

The root cutting unit 180 and the root transport unit 230 are driven by the same drive source (second motor 145). The root cutting unit 180, the root transport unit 230, and the outer leaf cutting unit 210 are also driven by the same drive source (second motor 145). The root cutting unit 180, the root transport unit 230, the outer leaf cutting unit 210, and the root alignment unit 140 are also driven by the same drive source (second motor 145). As a result, the roots VG3 aligned by the root alignment unit 140 can be cut by the root cutting unit 180 using power from the same drive source (second motor 145), the cut roots VG3 can be transported by the root transport unit 230, and the outer leaves VG2 can be cut by the outer leaf cutting unit 210. Therefore, there is no need to provide separate drive sources for driving the root cutting unit 180, the root transport unit 230, the outer leaf cutting unit 210, and the root alignment unit 140, respectively. This allows for a reduction in the number of drive sources (motors, etc.) used in the preparation device 1, making it possible to make the preparation device 1 smaller and lighter.

The outer leaf cutting blade 211 is disposed above the downstream ends of the first guiding portion 201a and the second guiding portion 202a in the conveying direction A4.
The action (operation) of the second cutting device 5 will be described below.
The head vegetable VG conveyed with the outer leaves VG2 pinched by the lower belts 93L and 93R is introduced between the first guiding portion 201a and the second guiding portion 202a from the left (upstream side of the conveying direction A4) and then moves to the right (fourth conveying direction A4) while being pinched between the first guiding portion 201a and the second guiding portion 202a. Here, the first guiding portion 201a and the second guiding portion 202a are inclined so as to move downward as they move to the right. Therefore, the position where the first guiding portion 201a and the second guiding portion 202a pinch the outer leaves VG2 gradually moves downward as the head vegetable VG moves.

The outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetable VG that move to the right while being sandwiched between the first guiding portion 201a and the second guiding portion 202a are cut near the base end (the portion close to the head part VG1) by the outer leaf cutting blade 211. The head vegetable VG whose outer leaves VG2 have been cut near the base end is no longer clamped by the fourth conveying unit 3D and falls. Meanwhile, the outer leaves VG2 after cutting are clamped by the fourth conveying unit 3D and are transported further downstream.

As shown in Figures 37, 39, and 40, a discharge chute 260 is disposed downstream of the second cutting device 5 (downstream in the conveying direction A4). The discharge chute 260 is disposed below the lower belt 93 of the fourth conveying section 3D. More specifically, the discharge chute 260 is disposed below the downstream end of the lower belt 93 in the conveying direction A4. The discharge chute 260 is disposed to extend perpendicular to the conveying direction A4, and transitions downward toward the rear. After cutting, the outer leaves VG2 drop from the downstream end of the lower belt 93, slide down the discharge chute 260, and are collected.

As shown in Figures 38, 40, and 50, an inclined surface 270 is disposed below the first guide member 201, the second guide member 202, and the outer leaf cutting blade 211. The inclined surface 270 is inclined so as to become lower toward the downstream side in the conveying direction A4. The inclined surface 270 includes a first inclined surface 271 disposed below the first guide member 201 and the second guide member 202, and a second inclined surface 272 disposed below the outer leaf cutting blade 211. The inclination angle of the second inclined surface 272 is greater than the inclination angle of the first inclined surface 271.

As shown in Figure 40, the head vegetables VG that have been cut off near the base end of the outer leaves VG2 and fallen move downstream in the conveying direction A4 along the inclined surface 270 and reach the fifth conveying section 3E.
1 and 2, the fifth conveying section 3E of the fifth conveying device 2E is disposed downstream of the fourth conveying section 3D in the conveying direction A4. The fifth conveying section 3E is supported by the second frame 6B. The conveying direction A5 of the fifth conveying section 3E is the same as the conveying direction A4 of the fourth conveying section 3D.

The fifth conveying section 3E is a slope that is inclined so as to become lower from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction A5. The upstream side of the fifth conveying section 3E in the conveying direction A5 is close to the downstream side of the inclined surface 270. The head vegetables VG that have fallen after the outer leaves VG2 have been cut by the outer leaf cutting blade 211 move along the inclined surface 270 and are supplied to the upstream side of the fifth conveying section 3E, and are collected by rolling from the upstream side to the downstream side. The collected head vegetables VG are head vegetables VG in which the outer leaves VG2 and roots VG3 have been cut at appropriate positions.
＜Effects＞
The vegetable preparation device 1 of the above embodiment has the following advantages.

The vegetable preparation apparatus 1 includes a conveying unit (fourth conveying unit) 3D that conveys the vegetables VG, a root cutting unit 180 that cuts the roots VG3 of the vegetables VG conveyed by the conveying unit 3D, and a root transport unit 230 that transports the roots VG3 cut by the root cutting unit 180.
According to this configuration, the roots VG3 cut by the root cutting unit 180 can be transported by the root transport unit 230. Therefore, the cut roots VG3 can be prevented from entangling in the transport unit 3D and piling up, and the roots VG3 can be smoothly discharged to the outside. In addition, the cut roots VG3 do not remain near the root cutting unit 180 and hinder the cutting, so that the cutting accuracy can be improved. In addition, the cut roots VG3 are prevented from causing clogging during the transport of the vegetables VG, so that the cutting accuracy and transport accuracy can be improved. In addition, the number of cleaning operations to remove the cut roots VG3 can be reduced.

In addition, the root transport unit 230 clamps and transports the roots cut by the root cutting unit 180 .
According to this configuration, the roots VG3 cut by the root cutting section 180 can be reliably transported by the root transport section 230 and smoothly discharged without dropping.
In addition, the root transport section 230 transports the roots cut by the root cutting section 180 in a direction (second direction B) different from the transport direction A4 by the transport section 3D.

According to this configuration, it is possible to effectively prevent the cut roots VG3 from becoming entangled in the transport section 3D and piling up, and it is possible to smoothly discharge the roots VG3.
In addition, the conveying unit 3D clamps and transports the leaves (outer leaves) VG2 of the vegetable VG, and the root cutting unit 180 cuts the roots VG3 of the vegetable VG whose leaves VG2 are clamped by the conveying unit 3D below the conveying unit 3D, and the root transfer unit 230 clamps and transfers the roots VG3 cut by the root cutting unit 180 below the root cutting unit 180.

According to this configuration, the root transport section 230 clamps and transports the cut root VG3 below the root cutting section 180, so that the cut root VG3 can be securely clamped, transported, and discharged by the root transport section 230 without dropping to the spot.
In addition, the conveying unit 3D conveys the vegetables VG in a first direction (conveying direction A4) in a horizontal plane, and the root conveying unit 230 conveys the roots VG3 in a second direction B that is inclined relative to the first direction (conveying direction A4) in the horizontal plane.

According to this configuration, the conveying direction A4 of the vegetables VG by the conveying unit 3D and the conveying direction (second direction B) of the roots VG3 by the root conveying unit 230 are in the same horizontal plane, so that the recovery of the vegetables VG whose roots VG3 have been cut off and the recovery of the cut roots VG3 can be carried out at a similar position (height), making it easy to collect the vegetables VG and the roots VG3.
In addition, the root conveying section 230 has an endless first belt 231 and an endless second belt 232 that clamps the root VG3 between the first belt 231, and the first belt 231 and the second belt 232 are arranged with the width direction of the belt facing in the vertical direction.

According to this configuration, the root VG3 extending in the vertical direction can be securely sandwiched between the first belt 231 and the second belt 232 and transported.
In addition, the root cutting section 180 has a root cutting blade 181 that is arranged below the conveying section 3D and rotates around a central axis facing in the vertical direction, and the upstream portion of the root transport section 230 in the transport direction clamps the root VG3 below the root cutting blade 181.

According to this configuration, the root VG3 cut by the root cutting blade 181 can be clamped at the upstream part in the transport direction of the root transport section 230 and transported downstream, so that the cut root VG3 can be reliably transported and discharged by the root transport section 230 without falling.
In addition, the inner surface of the first belt 231 and the inner surface of the second belt 232 are abutted or arranged in close proximity to each other and parallel to each other to form a clamping surface 237 that clamps the root VG3, and the upstream end 237a of the clamping surface 237 in the transport direction (second direction B) of the root transport section 230 is located at a position where it overlaps with the outer periphery of the root cutting blade 181 in the transport direction A4 of the transport section (fourth transport section) 3D, or is located upstream of that position in the transport direction A4.

According to this configuration, the root VG3 clamped by the clamping surface 237 can be cut by the root cutting blade 181, so that the root VG3 can be reliably cut at the desired position.
In addition, the vegetable VG is a head vegetable VG having a head portion VG1, outer leaves VG2 and roots VG3, and is equipped with an outer leaf cutting device 5 including an outer leaf cutting section 210 that cuts the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetable VG from which the roots VG3 have been cut, and the conveying section 3D clamps the outer leaves VG2 of the head vegetable VG and conveys it toward the outer leaf cutting device 5, and the downstream end 230b in the conveying direction of the root conveying section 230 is positioned closer to the outer leaf cutting device 5 than the upstream end 230a in the conveying direction A4 of the conveying section 3D.

With this configuration, the collection of the outer leaves VG2 transported toward the outer leaf cutting device 5 and the collection of the roots VG3 transported by the root transport section 230 can be carried out in close locations, making it easy to process the collected outer leaves VG2 and roots VG3.
In addition, the root cutting unit 180 and the root transport unit 230 are driven by the same driving source (second motor 145).

According to this configuration, the roots VG3 can be cut by the root cutting unit 180 using power from the same driving source (the second motor 145), and the cut roots VG3 can be transported by the root transport unit 230. Therefore, the number of driving sources used in the preparation device 1 can be reduced, and the preparation device 1 can be made smaller and lighter.
In addition, the root cutting unit 180, the root transport unit 230 and the outer leaf cutting unit 210 are driven by the same driving source (the second motor 145).

With this configuration, the roots VG3 can be cut by the root cutting unit 180 using power from the same drive source (second motor 145), the cut roots VG3 can be transported by the root transport unit 230, and the outer leaves VG2 can be cut by the outer leaf cutting unit 210. This allows the number of drive sources used in the preparation device 1 to be reduced, making it possible to make the preparation device 1 smaller and lighter.

In addition, the preparation device 1 is equipped with a root alignment unit 140 that aligns the roots VG3 before they are cut by the root cutting unit 180, and the root cutting unit 180, the root transport unit 230, the outer leaf cutting unit 210 and the root alignment unit 140 are driven by the same driving source.
According to this configuration, the roots VG3 aligned by the root alignment unit 140 can be cut by the root cutting unit 180 using power from the same driving source (second motor 145), the cut roots VG3 can be transported by the root transport unit 230, and the outer leaves VG2 can be cut by the outer leaf cutting unit 210. Therefore, the number of driving sources used in the preparation device 1 can be reduced, and the preparation device 1 can be made smaller and lighter.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the embodiment disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

1 Vegetable preparation device 3D Conveyor unit (fourth conveyor unit)
5 Outer leaf cutting device 140 Root alignment unit 145 Driving source (second motor)
180 Root cutting section 181 Root cutting blade 210 Outer leaf cutting section 230 Root transfer section 230a Upstream end of root transfer section 231 First belt 232 Second belt 237 Clamping surface 237a Upstream end of clamping surface VG Vegetables (head vegetables)
VG2 Leaves (outer leaves)
VG3 Root

Claims (12)

A conveying unit for conveying head vegetables having heads, outer leaves, and roots ;
A root cutting unit that cuts the roots of the vegetables transported by the transport unit;
A root transport unit that transports the roots cut by the root cutting unit;
An outer leaf cutting device including an outer leaf cutting unit that cuts the outer leaves of the head vegetable whose roots have been cut;
a discharge chute through which the outer leaves cut by the outer leaf cutting device slide down;
Equipped with
The conveying unit conveys the head vegetable in a first direction in a horizontal plane toward the outer leaf cutting device by clamping the outer leaves of the head vegetable,
The root conveying unit conveys the roots cut by the root cutting unit in a second direction that is different from the conveying direction by the conveying unit and is inclined with respect to the first direction in a horizontal plane,
A vegetable preparation device in which the second direction, when viewed in a plan view, is a direction that is inclined with respect to the direction in which the discharge chute extends and a direction that approaches the discharge chute as it moves downstream in the transport direction of the root transport section . The vegetable preparation device according to claim 1 , wherein the discharge direction of the discharge chute approaches the root transport section as it moves downstream in the discharge direction in a plan view. The vegetable preparation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the root transport section, in a plan view, moves away from the conveying section and approaches the discharge chute as it moves downstream in the second direction. The vegetable preparation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the root transporting unit clamps and transports the roots cut by the root cutting unit. The conveying unit conveys the vegetable leaves by clamping them,
The root cutting unit is located below the conveying unit and cuts the roots of the vegetables whose leaves are clamped by the conveying unit,
The vegetable preparation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the root transporting unit is configured to clamp and transport the roots cut by the root cutting unit below the root cutting unit. The root transport unit includes an endless first belt and an endless second belt that holds the root between the first belt and the second belt,
The vegetable preparation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first belt and the second belt are arranged such that a width direction of the belts faces the up-down direction. The root cutting unit has a root cutting blade that is disposed below the conveying unit and rotates around a central axis facing in the vertical direction,
The vegetable preparation device according to claim 4 or 6, wherein an upstream portion of the root transporting part in the transport direction clamps the root below the root cutting blade. The inner surface of the first belt and the inner surface of the second belt are arranged in parallel to each other in contact or close proximity to each other to form a clamping surface that clamps the roots,
The vegetable preparation device of claim 7, which cites claim 6, wherein the clamping surface is located at a position where the upstream end of the root transport section in the transport direction overlaps with the outer periphery of the root cutting blade in the transport direction of the transport section, or is located upstream of that position in the transport direction. The vegetable preparation device according to claim 8 , wherein a downstream end of the root transport section in the transport direction is positioned closer to the outer leaf cutting device than the upstream end of the transport section in the transport direction. The vegetable preparation device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which the root cutting unit and the root transport unit are driven by the same driving source. The vegetable preparation device according to claim 9, wherein the root cutting unit, the root transport unit, and the outer leaf cutting unit are driven by the same driving source. A root aligning unit aligns the roots before they are cut by the root cutting unit,
The vegetable preparation device according to claim 9, wherein the root cutting unit, the root transporting unit, the outer leaf cutting unit and the root arranging unit are driven by a same driving source.

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