JPH09248523A - Fruit sorting and assorting equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently utilize assorting lines and to improve productivity by properly distributing and discharging fruits of the grades and classes in the overloaded supply state detected by first sensors to empty assorting lines and sticking labels printed with the corresponding grades and classes to a box where box packing is completed. SOLUTION: Cargo stagnation sensors 36a, 36e as the first sensors are installed in the tray discharge sections of a transporting conveyor 1 and the respective assorting lines and the numbers of the fruits of the grades and classes to be supplied to the assorting lines are counted. Cargo presence sensors 37a, 37b as second sensors are installed at the terminal parts of respective tray receiving conveyors 5. Whether the prescribed number of the fruits exist in the prescribed positions of the assorting lines or not is detected. The labels 35a, 35b are installed in the respective box packing positions and the labels printed with the corresponding to grades and classes are stuck to the boxes 50 in which the box packing is completed. As a result, the assorting lines are efficiently utilized and the productivity is improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sorting machine for automatically sorting fruits and vegetables according to their grade (quality and size).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An outline of a conventional general sorting and sorting facility will be described with reference to FIG. This automatic fruit sorting equipment
To explain along the flow of fruits, first, the fruits stored in the container are shipped in two rows of auto-damper A.
1 and A2, from which the alignment supply devices B1 and B2
To be placed on the tray one by one.

Next, the fruits are sorted by conveyors C1 and C.
2 is conveyed at a constant pitch interval, and the grade (quality, size) is discriminated one by one by the fruit selecting device D during the conveyance. The fruits identified here are the sorting conveyors C1 and C.
Multiple sorting conveyors E divided into 2 groups on the left and right
1 and E2, respectively, and sorted into equal ranks, and then, through a pre-packing processing unit F1 and F2, a packing device G1,
It is packaged and carried out by G2 or manually.

Further, FIG. 5 shows a configuration of a sorting process and a box packing process in the above-mentioned sorting system.
The fruits (n) placed on the tray 8 and discriminated in the equal rank as shown in FIG.
1, C2) and then discharged to the sorting line which is divided into, for example, No. 1 to No. 8 into 8 equal grades and is supplied onto the tray receiving conveyor 5.

Then, by a box packing device (not shown) or manually, the boxes 50 supplied by the empty box carry-in conveyor 31 and the empty box supply conveyor 32 are packed in a box 50, and a labeler 35 is affixed with a label indicating equal rank or the like. After that, it is carried out to the outside by the discharge conveyor 33 and the carry-out conveyor 34.

[0006]

However, in the conventional sorting and boxing process, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the eight sorting lines from No. 1 to No. 8 are only for fruits of a specific equal rank. Set to accept and sort,
Labelers are also set to attach labels that mark a particular class.

[0007] Therefore, the fruits are often of average grade, for example, in the overloaded state where the fruits are concentrated on the No. 3 to No. 6 sorting lines, the No. 1, 2 and No. 7, 8 sorting are performed. Even if no fruits flow through the line, the fruits are processed by the overload sorting lines No.3 to No.6, so the cargo is delayed and the productivity deteriorates. In addition, there is a problem that it is inefficient because there is an empty sorting line.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a sorting and sorting facility which can efficiently utilize the sorting line to improve productivity.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the fruit sorting and sorting equipment according to the present invention is a fruit which is placed on a tray, sorted, and continuously supplied through a conveying line. In the fruit sorting and sorting equipment, which discharges to a plurality of sorting lines for each tray by the tray route changing means, sorts them into equal ranks, and then packs them into boxes, counts the number of fruits that are installed in each sorting line and discharged to each sorting line. And a second sensor for detecting the presence / absence of fruits discharged to each sorting line, and a second sensor installed for each sorting line. The labeler to which the marked label is attached, the empty sorting line is detected based on the detection signal of the second sensor, the corresponding tray route changing means and the labeler are operated, and the first sensor is used. A control device that appropriately divides and discharges the discharged overloaded fruit of equal rank to the empty sorting line, and affixes a label with the equal rank corresponding to the box that has been packed. It is characterized by having.

[Operation] According to the above construction, the first sensor detects whether or not fruits are being supplied to the sorting line in an overloaded state, while the second sensor detects that the sorting line is in a predetermined position. It is detected whether or not a predetermined number of fruits are supplied, and as a result, when an overload supply sorting line and an empty sorting line with no fruit supply are detected, it is determined based on these detection signals. The tray route changing means of the empty sorting line and the labeler are activated, and fruits of other equal ranks in an overloaded supply state are appropriately shunted to the empty sorting line to be supplied and sorted, and then the box thus completed in box packing. Labelers with appropriate classes are printed by labelers.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the sorting and sorting equipment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Examples.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a sorting and boxing process showing an embodiment of the present sorting and sorting equipment, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the sorting mechanism, and FIG. 3 is a tray direction changing plate. FIG. For the entire equipment, refer to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fruits n placed on the tray 8 and discriminated in equal rank are continuously conveyed by the conveyor 1 while being placed on the tray conveyor mechanism 2 as a tray route changing means. After being loaded into the tray, by switching the tray direction changing plates 13a, 13b ... Of the sorting mechanism, which will be described later, the trays are discharged to the tray receiving conveyor 5 of the sorting line of the corresponding class, and are separately emptied by the boxing device G or manually. Box carry-in conveyor 31 and empty box supply conveyor 3
After being packed in the box 50 supplied by No. 2, it is carried out to the outside by the discharge conveyor 33 and the carry-out conveyor 34.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a guide groove 6 is provided along the conveyor 1 and each sorting line of the guide groove 6 (see No. 1 to No. 8 sorting line shown in FIG. 5). Branch guide groove 6 that is branched at an angle
a, 6b ... Are respectively provided, and the rotary solenoid 1 is provided at a branch point between the guide groove 6 and each branch guide groove.
Tray direction changing plates 13a, 13b
・ ・ Is installed.

As described above, the tray 8 is provided on the tray transport mechanism 2 in the moving direction of the transport mechanism 2 (the transport conveyor 1).
A tray pushing-out mechanism 3 that is slidably mounted so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the line direction) and that is also movable in the same direction as the tray 8 is installed in the transport mechanism 2. The cam follower 12 projecting downward from the tray pushing mechanism 3 is fitted in the guide groove 6 and moves in conjunction with the tray transport mechanism 2, but when the predetermined sorting line position is reached, the rotary solenoid is actuated. 14 operates to switch the tray direction changing plates 13a, 13b, ...
The cam follower 12 branches from the guide groove 6 to the guide groove 6a.
(Or 6b ...), whereby the tray pushing mechanism 3 moves to push the tray 8 onto the tray receiving conveyor 5 of the sorting line.

Further, a load collecting sensor 3 as a first sensor is provided in a tray discharge section between the conveyer 1 and each sorting line.
6a, 36b ... Are installed and count the number of fruits n of equal rank supplied to the sorting line, and the load sensors 37a, 37b as second sensors are provided at the end of each tray receiving conveyor 5. ... is installed and it is detected whether or not a predetermined number of fruits n are present at a predetermined position on the sorting line, and labelers 35a, 35b are provided at the respective boxing positions.
Is installed, and a printed label such as an equal rank or the like corresponding to the box 50 that has been boxed is attached.

The control device 39 includes load trap sensors 36a, 3a.
The tray direction changing plate 1 detects the sorting line in the overload supply state on the basis of the signal 6b, and prevents the cargo from accumulating on the tray receiving conveyor 5 by the detection signal.
3a, 13b ... Are controlled appropriately, and an empty sorting line to which a load is not supplied is detected based on the signals of the load sensors 37a, 37b ..., The detection signal and the load pool sensor 36a, The corresponding tray direction changing plates 13a, 13b ... are controlled appropriately so that the fruits n of the equal rank in the overload supply state are distributed to the empty sorting line and supplied by the detection signal of 36b. Labelers 35a, 35b, ..., which are attached so that the printed labels of the corresponding class are attached to the completed box 50.
Is appropriately controlled.

The operation of the fruit selection equipment will be described below. When the sorting work is started, the number of fruits n discharged from the transport conveyor 1 to each sorting line for each equal rank is counted by the load collecting sensors 36a, 36b, ... Whether or not there is a predetermined number of fruits n is detected by the load sensors 37a, 37b ... And these signals are sent to the control device 39 one by one.

Then, the fruits n are supplied to each sorting line on an average basis in equal ranks, and therefore each tray receiving conveyor 5
If it is detected that there is no cargo pile on the top and there is no empty sorting line anywhere, the same sorting control is continued.

However, as a result of detection by both of the above sensors,
For example, when it is detected that the No. 2 sorting line in Fig. 1 is overloaded and the No. 1 sorting line is an empty sorting line, the tray direction of the No. 2 sorting line is detected based on these detection signals. Similar to the changing plate 13a, the tray direction changing plate 13b of the No. 1 sorting line is switched, and the fruits n of the same class supplied to the No. 2 sorting line are distributed to the No. 1 sorting line and supplied. As a result, the overload supply state is eliminated, and there is no empty sorting line, so that the sorting work of the fruits n is efficiently continued.

At the same time, the detection signals of both sensors are
The labeler 35a of the No. 2 sorting line is also sent to the labeler 35b of the No. 1 sorting line, and the box 50 of the No. 1 sorting line that has been boxed by the boxing device G or manually is the same as the No. 2 sorting line. Labels with equal rank printed are attached.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment,
It goes without saying that various changes such as the structure changes of the tray transport mechanism and the tray push-out mechanism as the tray route changing means can be made.

[0023]

As described above, according to the present invention, the sorting line of the overload supply device is detected by the load accumulation sensor, and the empty sorting line is detected by the load sensor, and the corresponding sorting is performed based on the detection signal. The tray direction change plate and labeler of the line are activated, and the fruits of equal grade in the overload supply state are appropriately diverted / supplied to the vacant sorting line. Will be correctly pasted, which will eliminate the overload supply state, eliminate the empty sorting line, and have the effect that sorting work can be carried out efficiently and accurately.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan layout view of a sorting / boxing process showing an embodiment of a sorting / sorting facility according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is also a configuration diagram of a sorting mechanism.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a tray direction changing plate.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a conventional automatic fruit sorting facility.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a sorting and boxing process of the same.

FIG. 6 is a structural diagram of a tray.

[Explanation of Codes] 1 Transport Conveyor 2 Tray Transport Mechanism 3 Tray Pushing Mechanism 5 Tray Receiving Conveyor 6 Guide Grooves 6a, 6b ... Branch Guide Groove 8 Tray 12 Cam Followers 13a, 13b ... Tray Direction Change Plate 14 Rotary Solenoid 31 Empty box carry-in conveyor 32 Empty box supply conveyor 33 Discharge conveyor 34 Outgoing conveyor 35a, 35b ... Labelers 36a, 36b ... Load sensor 37a, 37b ... Load sensor 39 Control device 50 boxes

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Fruits placed on a tray, sorted, and continuously supplied through a conveying line are discharged to a plurality of sorting lines for each tray by a tray route changing means and sorted into equal ranks. In the sorting and sorting equipment for packing in the rear box, the first sensor installed for each sorting line to count the number of fruits discharged to each sorting line and the presence / absence of fruits discharged to each sorting line also A second sensor for detection, a labeler that is installed for each sorting line and attaches a label with an equal rank to a box in which fruits are packed, and an empty sorting line based on the detection signal of the second sensor. Is detected, the corresponding tray route changing means and the labeler are operated, and the fruits of the equal class in the overload supply state detected by the first sensor are appropriately diverted to the empty sorting line.
A sorting and sorting facility comprising: a control device that discharges and affixes a label with an equal rank corresponding to the completed box.