JPH0692321A - Boxing apparatus for long vegetable and fruit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatize encasement of long vegetables and fruits while simplifying packaging processes and reducing packaging costs. CONSTITUTION:A number of cucumbers K, assorted in grades, are placed one after another to each of dent-like placement parts 6a of a packaging conveyor. Then, a tape-sticking machine 7 is driven and two adhesive tapes T are stuck to the middle parts on the surface and the undersurface of the cucumbers K placed on the dent-like placement parts 6a of the packaging conveyor 6. When a part of blind feeding of the packaging conveyor 6 passes, the adhesive tapes T stuck to the cucumbers in preceding and succeeding positions are cut at their middle, and the cucumbers K in the number of nine are transferred, being bound with the tape, successively to a delivery conveyor. Since the nine cucumbers are encased, being packed in a simple package, successively into a corrugated board box by operation of a boxing machine, encasement of the cucumbers can be made mechanically, resulting in simplification of packaging processes and reduction of packaging costs.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a boxing machine for long fruits and vegetables used for mechanically boxing long fruits and vegetables such as cucumber, carrots, potatoes, and eggplants.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method for packing cucumbers as in the above-mentioned example, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, a large number of each cucumber K ... brought from the producer side is sorted and classified according to the equal rank. , A large number of each cucumber K sorted by equal rank
There is a method in which a plurality of workers hold one by one by hand, and sequentially box the plastic bags Ba laid inside the cardboard box B in sequence.

[0003]

However, when cucumber K as described above is boxed according to equal ranks, it is very difficult to mechanically box the cucumber K having a unique shape. There is a problem in that the cucumber K boxing work takes time and labor, because the operator must pack the cucumbers one by one so that the value is not lost.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a predetermined number of each cucumber K ... are aligned and housed in a packaging container P formed of expanded polystyrene or the like, and the entire upper surface of the packaging container P is made of a transparent or translucent resin film Pa. By wrapping with, it is possible to reliably prevent the protrusions on the surface of the cucumber K from peeling off and the surface of the cucumber K from being scratched or scratched during transportation.
Not only expensive packaging equipment such as a container feeding machine and a shrink wrapping machine for feeding and supplying a large number of each packaging container P ...
Since a predetermined number of each cucumber K ... Are completely packaged in the packaging container P and packed in a box, the unit price required for packaging the cucumber K is high and the packaging cost is increased.

In view of the above problems, the present invention mechanically carries out the boxing work of long fruits and vegetables by taping a predetermined number of long fruits and vegetables selected by equal rank with an adhesive tape, and simplifies the packaging process. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a boxing device for long fruits and vegetables which can reduce the packaging cost.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, one long fruit or vegetable is arranged laterally on the carrying surface of the carrying conveyor in the carrying direction. To form a large number of each concave mounting portion, at the taping position set on the conveyer conveyor, relative to a predetermined number of each long fruits and vegetables placed in each concave mounting portion of the conveyer conveyor. Provide a tape sticking means for sticking the adhesive tape in the facing direction, and hold the adhesive tape stuck to a predetermined number of long fruits and vegetables in the latter stage of the taping position set on the conveyor for conveyance. The present invention is characterized in that it is a long fruit and vegetables box packing device provided with a box packing means for packing the inside of the box.

[0007]

[Operation] A large number of long fruits and vegetables conveyed by the distribution conveyer are sorted according to the equal rank, and long fruits and vegetables of the same equal rank distributed and supplied from the same distribution conveyer are each recessed on the conveyance conveyer. The tapes are sequentially transferred to the mounting portion one by one, and the tape adhering means is driven to adhere to a predetermined number of the long fruits and vegetables mounted on the concave mounting portions on the conveyer conveyor. Stick with tape. Next, the boxing means is driven to hold a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape adhered to a predetermined number of long fruits and vegetables, and the boxes are sequentially boxed.

[0008]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a predetermined number of long fruits and vegetables selected by equal rank are packed in a box while being taped with adhesive tape, so that a large number of cucumbers are worked one by one as in the conventional example. It saves the labor and work of packing by hand, and the packing work of long fruits and vegetables can be done mechanically, and the time required for the packing work is drastically shortened to save labor and improve the efficiency of the packing work. be able to.
Moreover, since a predetermined number of each long fruits and vegetables are packaged in a state of being simply packaged with an adhesive tape, packaging is performed rather than packing a predetermined number of each cucumber in a packaging container as in the conventional example. The unit price required is reduced, and the packaging process can be simplified and the packaging cost can be reduced.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The drawing shows a cucumber cartoning device used for boxing cucumbers as an example of long fruits and vegetables. In FIG. 1, this cucumber cartoning device 1 has a large number of cucumbers K ... brought in from the producer sideways. Conveyor 2 for aligning and conveying in a posture, four conveyors 3 for distributing and supplying a large number of each cucumber K ... transferred from the conveyor 2 for receiving, and each conveyor for distributing Equal class determination device 4 for determining the equal class of cucumber K conveyed by 3 ...
, And an aligning conveyor 5 for aligning and transporting the cucumbers K ... distributed and supplied in equal ranks from the distributing conveyors 3 ..., and a large number of each cucumber K transferred from the aligning conveyor 5. A packaging conveyor 6 for laterally arranging and transporting nine of them each in a horizontal posture, a tape sticking machine 7 for taping each of the cucumber K ... for nine varieties transported by the packaging conveyor 6, and nine bundled into one. A boxing machine 8 for packing each cucumber K ... in a cardboard box B.

In the above-mentioned load receiving conveyor 2, three belt conveyors 2a, 2b and 2c are arranged close to each other at a predetermined interval in the conveying direction, and the belt conveyors 2a, 2b and 2c are provided.
The transport speed of is set in the order of low speed, medium speed, and high speed. That is, each container C brought in from the producer side is overturned, and a large number of each cucumber K placed in each container C.
... are sequentially transferred onto the respective belt conveyors 2a, 2b, 2c, and the respective belt conveyors 2a, 2b, 2c are rotated by the driving force of a motor with a speed reducer (not shown), so that a large number of the respective cucumbers K ... While being appropriately spaced apart in the front-rear direction with respect to the transport direction, they are aligned and transported to a position corresponding to four distribution conveyors 3 to be described later via each supply conveyor 9.

.. and rotating brushes 10 arranged between the receiving conveyor 2 and the distributing conveyors 3 in synchronism with the conveying speed of the distributing conveyors 3 ... ... is rotated and a large number of the respective cucumbers K transferred from the conveyor 2 for receiving the cargo are distributed to the conveyors 3 for distribution.
The buckets 3a of ... Are spaced and arranged by the supply conveyors 9 ...
The stable position and the falling speed of each cucumber K ... transferred to each bucket 3a of each distribution conveyor 3 are stabilized by each rotating brush 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the above-mentioned distribution conveyor 3 has two circulating chains 3b, 3 which are stretched from side to side.
The front end portions of the side L-shaped bucket 3a are rotatably pivoted back and forth between b, and a large number of buckets 3a ... Are equidistantly spaced in the longitudinal direction of the orbiting chains 3b and 3b. It is installed separately. Further, the support rods 3c, which project from the rear right end of the buckets 3a, are engaged with the traveling rails 11 provided on the lower part of the same side to horizontally guide the orbiting posture. That is, the orbiting chains 3b, 3b are orbited in the conveying direction by the driving force of a motor with a speed reducer (not shown), and the multiple buckets 3a ... A large number of each cucumber K ...
One by one is transferred to a.

The equal class determination device 4 sets the image pickup position on the starting end side conveying path of each of the above-mentioned distribution conveyors 3 ... And the image pickup camera 4a facing the upper surface side of the bucket 3a above the same position. , And the image pickup cameras 4a ... Are connected to the apparatus main body 4b and the monitor 4c. Further, address sensors S ₁ for detecting the address of the bucket 3a on which the cucumber K is placed are arranged below the same position in correspondence with the size reading of the imaging camera 4a. That is, each cucumber K placed on each bucket 3a of the distribution conveyor 3 is imaged by the imaging camera 4a, and the image data captured by the imaging camera 4a and the equal rank data stored in the apparatus body 4b. By comparing with each bucket 3a of the distributing conveyor 3 to determine which equal class data the cucumber K placed on the bucket 3a corresponds, and based on the equal class determination, each bucket of the distributing conveyor 3 Each cucumber K placed on 3a ...
... is sorted according to equal rank.

Further, on the end side conveying path of each distributing conveyor 3, ..., each distributing section A for distributing and supplying the cucumber K for each equal rank of L, M, S is set, respectively, and the same distribution is performed. Conveyor 3 for each distribution corresponding to part A ... One cucumber K on top
A counter S for counting the number of passing buckets 3a ... Immediately before the dropping position set on the distribution conveyors 3 ... ₂ are installed respectively.

Further, the traveling rail 1 corresponding to each falling position
The solenoid 1 is installed on the T-shaped guide rod 12 between the rail end portions 11a and 11a, respectively, and is disposed at the same position side portion.
3 is connected to the guide rod 12, and the above-mentioned equal class determination device 4
The solenoids 13 are respectively actuated based on the determination of the above, and the support rods 3 protruding from the buckets 3a of the distribution conveyor 3 are provided.
The forward position for horizontally guiding c ... and the buckets 3a ...
The guide bar 12 is moved back and forth to a retracted position where the support bars 3c ...

At a lower position of each of the distribution conveyors 3 ... Corresponding to the above-mentioned distribution section A, one aligning conveyor 5 is arranged orthogonally to the conveying direction of the distribution conveyors 3 ... A plurality of ridge guides 5a are formed on the conveying surface of the arranging conveyor 5 at intervals such that one cucumber K is vertically aligned and placed. In addition, the two feeding rollers 14 and 1 are orthogonal to the transport-side end portion of the aligning conveyor 5.
5 is axially supported respectively, and a packaging conveyor 6 to be described later is arranged orthogonally to the transport-side end portion of the alignment conveyor 5 via the loading rollers 14 and 15. That is, a plurality of cucumbers K, which are dropped and supplied from the distribution conveyors 3, are sequentially transferred one by one between the ridge guides 5a of the alignment conveyor 5, and are supplied from the alignment conveyor 5. The plurality of cucumbers K ... are accelerated by the two charging rollers 14 and 15 and the concave mounting portions 6a of the packaging conveyor 6 to be described later are accelerated.
One by one is transferred to.

As shown in FIG. 3, the above-mentioned packaging conveyor 6 has sprockets 16 and 1 rotatably supported at the starting end on the conveying side.
6 and each sprocket 17, 1 axially supported at the end of the transport side
7 and two alignment belts 6 formed in a long size
b and 6b are stretched in parallel at a predetermined interval, and the sprocket 18 pivotally supported at the start end of the transfer side and the sprocket 18 between the facing ends of the alignment belts 6b and 6b are provided at the center of the transfer side. A single alignment belt 6c formed in a short size is stretched between the sprocket 19 and the shaft. and,
On the transport surface of the packaging conveyor 6, a large number of concave mounting portions 6a are continuously formed at intervals such that one cucumber K is aligned and placed sideways, and at the same time, nine cucumbers K are provided. One or two empty feed parts 6 are provided at intervals where the ... Is placed.
d ... is formed at a plurality of locations.

That is, a motor with a reducer (not shown)
The alignment belts 6b and 6b and the alignment belt 6c are synchronously rotated in the conveying direction by the driving force of the packaging conveyor 6 to a position corresponding to each of the ridge guides 5a of the alignment conveyor 5.
Are sequentially moved, and the plurality of cucumbers K supplied from the aligning conveyor 5 are accelerated by the feeding rollers 14 and 15 and the concave placing of the packaging conveyor 6 is performed. One by one is sequentially transferred to the sections 6a, and each of the nine cucumbers K ... which are conveyed by the packaging conveyor 6 is taped by a tape sticking machine 7 described later, and the conveyance-side end of the packaging conveyor 6 is carried out. The sheets are sequentially transferred and mounted on the shipping conveyor 26 arranged orthogonally to the parts.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the above-described tape sticking machine 7 has a concave mounting of the packaging conveyor 6 in front of the taping position set on the end side conveyance path of the packaging conveyor 6 described above. The long-sized adhesive tape T coated with an adhesive is wound in a roll shape at the upper and lower positions facing the central peripheral surface of the cucumber K placed on the placing portion 6a, and the bearings are respectively wound. In order to properly tension the adhesive tape T at the upper and lower positions facing the peripheral surface of the central portion, each tension roller 20,
20 is pivotally supported.

Further, the tape pressing plates 21 and 22 are located above and below the taping position, and vertically above and below the central surface of the cucumber K placed on the concave placing portion 6a of the packaging conveyor 6. And the piston rod of the lifting cylinder 23 arranged above the same position is connected and fixed to the upper bracket 21a on the tape pressing plate 21 side, and the piston rod of the lifting cylinder 24 arranged below the same position is taped. By connecting and fixing to the lower bracket 22a on the side of the pressing plate 22, the two cylinders 23 and 24 for lifting and lowering synchronously press the two adhesive tapes T and T attached to the peripheral surface of the central portion of the cucumber K. The tape pressing plates 21 and 22 are moved up and down in the direction of the movement.

In the tape pressing plate 21, the pressing plates 21b, 21b are vertically movably attached to the front and rear portions of the upper bracket 21a constituting the plate so as to face the adhesive tape T, and the central surface of the cucumber K is covered. The pressing plates 21b, 21b in the direction of pressing the adhesive tape T attached to the springs 21c,
A cutter 21d is vertically provided at the central portion of the lower bracket side of the upper bracket 21a so as to face the adhesive tape T affixed to the peripheral surface of the central portion of the cucumber K.

On the other hand, the tape pressing plate 22 is such that the pressing plates 22b and 22b are fixed to the front and rear portions of the lower bracket 22a constituting the same, facing the adhesive tape T.

Further, the pressing rollers 25, 25 are located at the rear of the taping position and at the upper and lower positions facing the central peripheral surface of the cucumber K placed on the concave placing portion 6a of the packaging conveyor 6.
While supporting each of them, the pressing rollers 25, 25 are urged in the direction of pressing the two adhesive tapes T, T adhered to the peripheral surface of the central portion of the cucumber K.

That is, when each of the idle feeding sections 6d of the packaging conveyor 6 passes through, the upper and lower lifting cylinders 23,
24 is operated synchronously, and the intermediate portions of the adhesive tapes T, T adhered to the preceding and succeeding cucumber K ... are pressed by the upper and lower tape pressing plates 21 and 22 to be adhesively fixed. At the same time, the upper cutter 21d is vertically lowered to cut the middle portion of each adhesive tape T, T adhered to the preceding and succeeding cucumbers K, and the preceding cucumber K ... and the succeeding side. Each cucumber K
, And the pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes T, T attached to the cucumber K are pressed and fixed by the upper and lower pressure rollers 25, 25 axially supported immediately after the same position to fix the adhesive tapes T, T to the shipping conveyor 26. Transfer each cucumber K ... for each one in the taped state.

The boxing machine 8 described above has guide rails 8a, 8 between the above-mentioned alignment position set on the above-mentioned shipping conveyor 26 and the above-mentioned boxing position set on the side of the same position.
a is installed in parallel, the suction unit 8b is horizontally movable between the guide rails 8a, 8a, and the piston rod of the moving cylinder 8c disposed above the suction position is connected and fixed to the suction unit 8b. Then, by operating the moving cylinder 8c, the suction unit 8b is horizontally moved above the suction position and above the packing position. In addition, the lifting cylinder 8d arranged in the central portion on the upper surface side of the suction unit 8b.
The piston rod of is connected and fixed to the lifting frame 8e,
By the operation of the lifting cylinder 8d, the lifting frame 8e is vertically lifted between the suction position and the boxing position.

On the elevating frame 8e, a diameter slightly smaller than the width of the adhesive tape T is formed at a position facing the upper surface side of the adhesive tape T attached to each of the nine cucumbers K ... Each adsorber 8f is vertically provided. That is, each adsorbent 8 is attached to the adhesive tape T attached to each of the nine cucumbers K ...
Each of the cucumbers K for 9 pieces by the negative pressure of the suction blower (not shown) connected to each of the adsorbents 8f ...
Adsorbs and holds all of ... Further, when the nine cucumbers K ... adsorbed and held by the adsorbents 8f ... Are stored in the corrugated cardboard box B, the negative pressure by the suction blower (not shown) is shut off or stopped, and each cucumber K ... Release the suction hold.

The illustrated embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation when the cucumber K packaging device 1 packs the cucumber K in equal ranks will be described. First, as shown in FIG.
Each container C brought in from the producer side is overturned one after another, and a large number of each cucumber K ...
Are sequentially transferred from the receiving conveyor 2 to the supply conveyors 9 ... And the cucumbers K placed on the supply conveyors 9 ... are transferred to the buckets 3a of the distribution conveyors 3 ...
... are transferred one by one.

Next, the cucumber K on the bucket 3a detected by the address sensor S ₁ is imaged by the imaging camera 4a while passing through the imaging position set on the distribution conveyor 3,
Image data captured by the imaging camera 4a and the apparatus body 4
Comparing with the equal rank data stored in b, bucket 3
It is determined which equal rank data the cucumber K placed on a corresponds to, and based on the equal rank determination, each cucumber K placed on each bucket 3a of the distribution conveyor 3 is ranked equal. Sort separately.

For example, when the bucket 3a having an address of "M" size moves to the distribution unit A, as shown in FIG.
The solenoids 13 disposed in the distribution unit A are each actuated so that the cucumbers K of the same class conveyed by the distribution conveyors 3 are aligned with the ridge guides 5a of the alignment conveyor 5.
A plurality of cucumbers K ... which are sequentially transferred one by one and are conveyed by the same alignment conveyor 5 are used as two charging rollers 1.
4, 15 and each concave mounting portion 6 of the packaging conveyor 6 is accelerated.
Transfer to a ... one by one. If excess or deficiency occurs, the operator will remove or replenish the cucumber K by hand.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, at the taping position on the packaging conveyor 6, the tape sticking machine 7 is driven to place the tape between the two aligning belts 6b and 6b. The two adhesive tapes T, T are attached in succession to the upper and lower surfaces of the central portion of each cucumber K ... Each empty feed section 6d of the packaging conveyor 6
As shown in FIG. 5, when the ... Passes, the lifting cylinders 23 and 24 are actuated in synchronization, and the intermediate portions of the adhesive tapes T and T attached to the preceding and succeeding cucumbers K ... Is pressed by the tape pressing plates 21 and 22, and the upper and lower two adhesive tapes T and T are adhesively fixed to each other.

At the same time, the cutter 21 is provided with an intermediate portion between the adhesive tapes T and T attached to the cucumbers K on the leading side and the trailing side.
Cut d, and each cucumber K on the leading side and each cucumber K on the following side
, And the end portions of the adhesive tapes T, T adhered to the preceding cucumber K ... are adhered and fixed, and the adhesive tapes T, adhered to the succeeding cucumber K ... Adhesively fix the starting end of T. Moreover, the two adhesive tapes T, T adhered to the preceding cucumbers K ... are pressed by the pressing rollers 25, 25 to firmly adhere and fix them, and the nine cucumbers K ... for taping are taped. In this state, the cucumbers K are sequentially transferred to the shipping conveyor 26, and the nine cucumbers K ... are sequentially transported to the aligned position on the shipping conveyor 26.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, at the alignment position on the shipping conveyor 26, the boxing machine 8 is driven to drive each of the adsorbents 8f ... Adhesive tape T adhered to each cucumber K ... is adsorbed and held by adhering it, and the adsorbing unit 8b is moved from the alignment position to the boxing position while adsorbing and holding 18 pieces of each cucumber K. 18 pieces of each cucumber K ... are collectively stored in the cardboard box B supplied to the position, and 18 pieces of each cucumber K ... are stored and adsorbed in the vinyl bag Ba laid inside the cardboard box B. By canceling, the packing work for one stage is completed.

Similarly, the suction unit 8b is moved to the alignment position and the boxing position, and the 18 cucumbers K ... are boxed in the corrugated box B one by one. After a predetermined number of each cucumber K ... is packed in one corrugated board box B, the corrugated board box B is sealed by an automatic sealing machine (not shown) and shipped.

As described above, the nine cucumbers K ... selected according to the equal rank are packed in a box while being taped with the two adhesive tapes T, T, so that a large number of cucumbers like the conventional example are used. The labor and work of packing each cucumber K ... one by one by the operator's hands can be saved, and the cucumber K with a unique shape can be mechanically boxed, and the time required for boxing can be greatly reduced. As a result, it is possible to save labor in the box packing work and improve efficiency. Besides, each cucumber K for 9
... is packed in a box with the adhesive tape T simply packaged, so that each cucumber K for 9 pieces is packed in a packaging container P as in the conventional example.
Therefore, the unit price required for packaging is lower than that in the case where the product is completely packaged, and the packaging process can be simplified and the packaging cost can be reduced.

In the correspondence between the constitution of the present invention and the above-mentioned embodiment, the boxing device of the present invention corresponds to the cucumber box packing device 1 of the embodiment, and hereinafter, similarly, long fruits and vegetables are cucumber K.
The box body corresponds to the corrugated cardboard box B, the transporting conveyor corresponds to the packaging conveyor 6, the tape sticking means corresponds to the tape sticking machine 7, and the box packing means corresponds to the box packing machine 8. However, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment.

In the above embodiment, two adhesive tapes T, T are attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the central portion of each cucumber K, which is conveyed to the taping position on the packaging conveyor 6, but, for example, the taping position The adhesive tape T may be adhered to only one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the central portion of each cucumber K ...

Further, one end of the adhesive tape T adhered to each of the nine cucumbers K ... may be held by a holding means (not shown) such as a holding arm and packed in a box.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a cucumber box packing device showing a cucumber distribution operation and a box packing operation.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged plan view of a distribution conveyor showing a cucumber distribution operation.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a packaging conveyor showing a cucumber transfer operation and a taping operation.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of a cutting portion of the tape sticking machine showing a state before cutting the tape.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of a cutting portion of the tape sticking machine showing a state after cutting the tape.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional side view of a cardboard box showing a cucumber box-packed state.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional side view of a cardboard box showing a conventional boxed state.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a packaging container showing a conventional packaging state.

[Explanation of symbols]

 B ... Corrugated cardboard box K ... Cucumber T ... Adhesive tape 1 ... Cucumber box packing device 3 ... Distribution conveyor 4 ... Class determination device 5 ... Alignment conveyor 6 ... Packaging conveyor 6a ... Recessed placement part 7 ... Tape sticker 8 … Boxing machine

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A large number of long fruits and vegetables conveyed by a distribution conveyor are sorted according to an equal class, and long fruits and vegetables of the same class distributed and supplied from the distribution conveyor are placed on a conveyance conveyor. A long fruit and vegetable packing device that sequentially transfers and packs a predetermined number of each of the long fruits and vegetables into a box in order, and transports the transport conveyor on the transport surface of the transport conveyor. A plurality of concave mounting portions are formed at intervals so that one long fruits and vegetables is aligned and mounted in a horizontal orientation with respect to the direction, and the plurality of concave mounting portions are formed at the taping position set on the transport conveyor. Provide a tape sticking means for sticking an adhesive tape in a direction opposite to a predetermined number of long fruits and vegetables placed on each concave placement portion, and set a taping position on the conveyor for conveyance. After the prescribed book Packing device elongated fruits or vegetables having a packing means for packing inside the box holds the adhesive tape adhered to the respective elongated fruits or vegetables.