JPH07251802A - Long box packing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To provide a long object boxing device capable of reducing the carrying step and the carrying time required for the boxing work to save labor and improve the efficiency of the boxing work. [Structure] Each sorting tray is conveyed to each sorting unit for each equal rank set on a sorting conveyor, and each cucumber that is sorted for each equal grade is sequentially placed on each sorting tray. The barcode of each sorting tray supplied to each sorting unit is read by a barcode reader, the equal rank data of each sorting unit and the barcode data of each sorting tray are stored in association with each other, and the barcodes are carried out from each sorting unit. Each of the aligned trays is temporarily stocked in the tray storage section. At the time of packing, the bar code of each alignment tray carried out from the tray storage section is read by the bar code reader, and based on the reading of the bar code reader, each alignment tray is sorted into each box section by equal rank, Since the cucumbers placed on the respective alignment trays are collectively held by the cucumber cartoning machine and sequentially packed in the cardboard box, a large number of cucumbers can be packed in equal ranks.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a long object box packing device used for packing long objects such as cucumber, carrot, potato, and eggplant into equal classes.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a box packing device for packing cucumbers into equal classes as in the above example, for example, a large number of each cucumber placed on each bucket of a sorting conveyor is judged by a class judgment device. Based on the above, the cucumbers are sorted according to their ranks, each cucumber dropped and supplied from each bucket is once placed on the belt conveyor, and each alignment tray is moved to the end of the feed side of the belt conveyor. Add cucumbers one by one. Move each alignment tray on which an appropriate number of cucumbers are placed to the boxing position, and drive the cucumber cartoning machine installed at the same position to remove the appropriate number of each cucumbers placed on each alignment tray. There is a cartoning device (Japanese Patent Application No. 4-263107) for cartoning a carton in a cardboard box one by one.

[0003]

However, when a large number of cucumbers are packed in equal classes as described above, each cucumber that is sorted according to the class is once placed on each alignment tray and conveyed to the boxing position. However, since the outer shape of each alignment tray is the same, it is difficult to identify the equal rank of the cucumbers placed on each alignment tray during the boxing work, and cucumbers of different equal ranks may be different. It may be packed in a box, so one cucumber cartoning machine cannot box each cucumber of multiple ranks at the same time.

For this reason, in order to convey a large number of aligning trays in a circular manner to each sorting position for each equal grade set on the sorting conveyor, corresponding to the equal grade of cucumber determined by the equal grade determination device. The problem that a wide space is required to install the entire conveyor, and a cucumber cartoning machine for boxing each cucumber placed on each alignment tray must be installed together. Have a point.

In view of the above problems, the present invention reads the identification codes set on a large number of aligning stands by a reading means, and based on the reading, the large number of aligning stands on a box packing means corresponding to the equal rank of each sorting section. By allocating each of them to each other, the work of allocating a large number of each arranging table can be performed accurately, and a large number of each long object can be boxed in equal ranks, and the installation space of the entire device can be reduced. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a box packing device.

[0006]

The invention according to claim 1 is
The boxing section is provided with a sorting means for sorting a large number of respective alignment stands with respect to a boxing means for packaging long objects in equal ranks, and an identification for identifying each of the alignment stands on each of the alignment stands. A code is provided so as to be machine-readable, and the sorting section is provided with a first reading means for reading an identification code of an alignment table on which long objects are placed according to equal ranks. Second reading means for reading the identification code of each supplied alignment table is provided, and storage means is provided for storing the identification code read by the first reading means in association with the equal rank of the long object. The identification code read by the second reading means and the identification code stored in the storage means are compared to determine the equal rank of the incoming aligning table, and the aligning table is distributed to the packing means corresponding to the equal class. Distribution control Characterized in that it is a long object packing apparatus provided with control means that.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in each of the above-mentioned alignment tables,
A machine-readable identification code is provided for identifying each sorting table corresponding to the equal rank of each sorting section, and the boxing section reads the identification code of each sorting table supplied from each sorting section. And a control means for allocating the allocating means so as to allocate each of the above-mentioned alignment tables to the box packing means corresponding to the equal rank of each sorting section based on the identification code read by the upper front reading means. It is a long box packing device.

The invention according to claim 3 is, in addition to the structure of the invention according to claim 1 or claim 2, a large number of sheets discharged from each of the sorting sections between the sorting section and the boxing section. It is a long object box packing device provided with a storage part for temporarily stocking each of the alignment tables.

[0009]

In the long object box packing device according to the first aspect of the present invention, a large number of long objects conveyed by the sorting conveyor are sorted into equal ranks based on the determination by the equal grade determination means, and the long conveyors are sorted on the sorting conveyor. A large number of aligning stands conveyed by a feed conveyor are supplied to the set sorting sections according to the equal ranks, and the long objects sorted according to the equal ranks are sequentially placed on the respective aligning stands. Further, the identification code of each alignment table supplied to each sorting unit is read by the first reading unit, and the identification code read by the first reading unit is stored in the storage unit in association with the equal class of the long object. The identification code of each alignment table supplied to the boxing unit is read by the second reading unit, the identification code read by the second reading unit is compared with the identification code stored in the storage unit, and the arrival of the alignment table, etc. The class is determined by the control means, the distribution means is controlled by the control means, and the alignment table is distributed to the boxing means corresponding to the equal class. Since each long object placed on each alignment table is held by the boxing means and packed inside the box, it is possible to box an appropriate number of each long object placed on each alignment table by equal rank. it can.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the long object box packing device reads the identification code of each alignment table supplied to the box packing section by the reading means, and controls the sorting means by the control means based on the identification code read by the reading means. The sorting work is controlled and sorted into the packing means corresponding to the equal rank of each sorting unit. Therefore, the sorting work of each sorting stand can be performed easily and easily.

In addition to the function of the above-mentioned claim 1 or claim 2, the long object boxing device according to claim 3 temporarily stocks each alignment table discharged from each sorting part in a storage part, Since each alignment table discharged from the storage section is supplied to the box packing section, the supply amount of each alignment table supplied to the box packing section can be controlled.

[0012]

According to the present invention, the identification codes set on a large number of aligning stands are read by the respective reading means, and based on the reading, the respective aligning stands serve as the box packing means corresponding to the equal rank of each sorting section. Since it is distributed, it is possible to accurately perform the work for distributing a large number of each arranging table by equal rank, and at the same time, it is possible to box an appropriate number of each long object placed on each arranging table by equal rank, It is possible to save labor and improve efficiency in box packing work.

In addition, since a large number of the aligning stands are sorted by the identification code, even if the aligning stands discharged from the sorting sections are gathered into one, long articles of different equal ranks are not packed in a box. Since there is no need to install multiple boxing processes as in the conventional example, one transport line can be used in common,
It is possible to simplify the configuration of the entire device and reduce the installation space.

Further, an identification code (eg, code, magnetism, signal, etc.) corresponding to the equal rank of each sorting section is attached to each alignment table, and the identification code of each alignment table is read by a bar code reader or C.
A mechanical reading means such as a CD array or a non-contact type reader for transmitting and receiving data is read, and based on the reading by the mechanical reading means, each aligning table is distributed and supplied to the box packing means of equal rank. Work can be done easily and easily.

Further, since the respective aligning stands discharged from the respective sorting sections are temporarily stocked in the storage section, the respective aligning stands supplied from the respective sorting sections according to the supply amount of the long objects sorted according to the equal rank. The number of stocks can be variably adjusted, and the space can be effectively used.

[0016]

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, as an example of a long product, a cucumber box packing device used for packing a large number of cucumbers in equal ranks. In FIG. 1, the cucumber box packing device 1 includes two conveyors 2 for each sorting. , 2, each of the cucumbers K, ..., Which are conveyed by the classifying device 3, are sorted into equal classes based on the judgment by the classifying device 3, and the plurality of trays T ... Ca, Cb, C
c, Cd, the tray storage section D, and the packing sections Ea, E
b, Ec, Ed, and each sorting conveyor 2,
Each of the alignment trays T carrying the cucumbers K ... which are sorted from 2 according to the equal rank under the sorting sections Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd
Are sequentially transferred to the sorting units Ca, Cb, Cc, and Cd, and the respective alignment trays T are temporarily stocked on the storage conveyor 5 of the tray storage unit D. Each of the trays T for alignment carried out from the conveyor 5 for storage is packed in each box E.
a, Eb, Ec, Ed are sorted by equal rank and are arranged in the respective cartoning parts Ea, Eb, Ec, Ed, cucumber aligning machine 6, cucumber cartoning machine 7, carton lifter 8, carton opener 9 is driven to pack the front and rear rows of the cucumber K ... in the corrugated cardboard box B in the two aligning trays T, T.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the sorting conveyor 2 described above is configured such that the front end portions of both sides of the bucket 2b can be rotated back and forth between the respective circulation chains 2a, 2a stretched left and right. A plurality of buckets 2b ... Are erected at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the orbiting chains 2a, 2a, and the buckets 2b. Each of the supported support rollers 2c is engaged with a traveling rail 2d provided on the same side to guide the orbit in a horizontal posture. That is, the orbiting chains 2a, 2a are synchronously rotated by the driving force of a motor with a speed reducer (not shown), and a large number of buckets 2b ... Each cucumber K ... of each bucket 2b ...
Place one on each.

Further, for example, each sorting section C on the sorting conveyor 2 set for each equal rank such as LL, L, M, S, etc.
a, Cb, Cc, Cd, each sorting section Ca, C
b, Cc, Cd, one side running rail 2d is separated by an interval that allows the support roller 2c to fall, and a connecting rail 2f that connects the respective end portions 2e, 2e of the running rail 2d, By connecting with the opening / closing solenoid 2g arranged on the side of the same position, the opening / closing solenoid 2g is operated based on a command signal output from the equal class determination device 3 described later,
The connecting rail 2f is moved back and forth to a forward position where the ends 2e and 2e of the traveling rail 2d are connected and a retracted position where the ends 2e and 2e are opened.

The equal class judging device 3 described above has a bucket 2b above the image pickup position set on the sorting conveyor 2 described above.
Of the image pickup camera 3a which is vertically provided so as to face the upper surface side of the bucket, and an address reader 3b which is provided at the lower portion of the same position so as to face the lower surface side of the bucket 2b.
The open / close solenoids 2g ... Which are arranged at b, Cc, and Cd are connected. Addresses are sequentially set in advance in each bucket 2b, and, for example, the address of each bucket 2b, which is displayed in advance by a bar code or the like, is read by a bar code reader 3d and placed on each bucket 2b. The appearance shape of the cucumber K is read by the image pickup camera 3a, and the equal class determination device 3
Judges the equal class of cucumber K based on the image data read by the imaging camera 3a, and stores the judgment data and the address data in association with each other.

That is, the cucumber K placed on each bucket 2b of the sorting conveyor 2 has any equal rank (for example,
It is determined whether it corresponds to the grade of excellent, excellent, good, etc. and 2L, L, M, S, etc.), and based on the determination, each cucumber K placed on each bucket 2b of the sorting conveyor 2 ... ... is sorted according to equal rank. For example, each sorting unit Ca, Cb, Cc, C set for each equal rank such as 2L, L, M, S, etc.
The time lag is counted until the bucket 2b moves to the drop position of d, and when the bucket 2b moves to each sorting unit Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd corresponding to the determination of the equal class determination device 3, the bucket 2b is arranged in the same unit. Each of the sorting sections Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd corresponding to the determination is operated by operating the opened / closed solenoid 2g.
The bucket 2b is overturned to the downward posture.

In the above-described circulating conveyor 4, the first conveyors 4a ... Are arranged directly below the respective sorting sections Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd of the sorting conveyor 2 in parallel with the feeding direction, and the respective first conveyors 4a. The second conveyors 4b are connected orthogonally to the feed-side end portions of the first conveyors 4a, and the second conveyors 4b ...
The first conveyors 5a of the storage conveyors 5 to be described later are connected in parallel orthogonally to the feed-side end portion of the storage conveyor 5, and the feed-side end portion of the third conveyor 5c of the storage conveyor 5 is orthogonal to the third end. The conveyor 4c is connected, and the four fourth conveyors 4d ... Are connected orthogonally to one end of the third conveyor 4c.

Further, the fifth conveyor 4e is disposed on the lower side of the fifth conveyor 4e so as to be orthogonal to the feed end portion of each of the fourth conveyors 4d.
The sixth conveyor 4 is orthogonal to the end of the conveyor 4e on the sending side.
f is connected, the 7th conveyor 4g is connected orthogonally to the feed-side end portion of the 6th conveyor 4f, and the 7th conveyor 4g is arranged parallel to the feed direction on one lower side of the sorting conveyor 2 described above. In addition, each of the eighth conveyors 4h is connected to the one end of the seventh conveyor 4g at right angles, and each of the first conveyors 4a is connected to the one end of each of the eighth conveyors 4h. Connected. In other words, by the driving force of the motor with a reducer (not shown), each of the conveyors 4a, 4b, 4c, 4
d, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h are rotationally driven in the circumferential direction, and a large number of respective alignment trays T ... Mounted on the respective conveyors 4a to 4h are arranged in respective sorting sections Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd.
, The tray storage section D, and the boxing sections Ea, Eb, Ec,
Circulates to Ed.

Each of the above-mentioned packaging parts Ea, Eb, Ec, Ed
At the connecting portion between the third conveyor 4c and each of the fourth conveyors 4d, which are arranged in the above, each bar code reader faces one side of the aligning tray T that is transported to each of the boxing parts Ea, Eb, Ec, Ed. 58 and each pusher mechanism 59 are arranged, and the bar code Td of each alignment tray T carried by the third conveyor 4c is read by each bar code reader 58.
The pusher mechanisms 59 are driven based on the read data output from the bar code readers 58, and the alignment trays T ... With respect to the fourth conveyors 4d ... Of the box packing units Ea, Eb, Ec, Ed. Are sorted by rank.

Further, each sorting section Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd
At the connecting portion between the seventh conveyor 4g and each eighth conveyor 4h, which are arranged in the above, each bar code reader faces one side of the alignment tray T conveyed to each sorting section Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd. .. and pusher mechanisms 61 .. are provided, and the respective alignment trays T ..
Of the bar code Td of each of the bar code readers 60 ... And the read data output from the bar code readers 60 ... Corresponds the equal rank data of the sorting sections Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd to the RAM 64 described later. Remember.

Further, the photoelectric sensors Sb, Sc are arranged so as to face one side surface of the alignment tray T placed at the start end of the first conveyors 4a, 4a on the feed side, and the photoelectric sensors Sb, Sb,
Based on the detection signal output from Sc, the pusher mechanism 6
1 is driven, the tray T for alignment conveyed by the 7th conveyor 4g is transferred to the 8th conveyor 4h, and is distributed to each 1st conveyor 4a, 4a.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the above-described first conveyor 4a has sprockets 1 axially supported at the start end of the feed side.
0, 10 and each sprocket 1 axially supported at the feed end
Stretch each feed chain 12, 12 between 1, 11,
A large number of tray feed plates 12a ... Are fixed on the feed chains 12, 12 at predetermined intervals in the feed direction, and the feed motor 13 with a reduction gear is arranged at the lower end of the trailing end.
Driving force causes the feed chains 12, 12 to circulate in the feed direction via the sprockets 14, 15 and the drive chain 16, and is placed between the tray feed plates 12a on the feed chains 12, 12. The aligned tray T is conveyed in the feed direction.

A shooter 40 is provided between the loading position set on the first conveyor 4a and the sorting position set on the sorting conveyor 2, and the cucumber K dropped and supplied from the sorting conveyor 2 is supplied. The cucumbers K are dropped one by one into the respective concave mounting portions Tb ... of the alignment tray T which is conveyed to the loading position on the first conveyor 4a by being guided by the shooter 40.

At the side of the loading position set on the first conveyor 4a, a reflection type photoelectric sensor Sa is arranged facing the concave mounting portion Tb of the aligning tray T moved to the same position. The feed motor 13 and the photoelectric sensor Sa are connected to a control unit 57 arranged at the lower part of the same position. That is, the cucumber K placed on the concave placement portion Tb of the alignment tray T is detected by the photoelectric sensor Sa, and the feed motor 13 is intermittently operated by the control unit 57 based on the detection signal output from the photoelectric sensor Sa. When driven, each concave mounting portion Tb of the alignment tray T is moved to the loading position set on the first conveyor 4a.
Intermittently.

As shown in FIG. 7, the above-mentioned fourth conveyor 4d has such a size that two aligning trays T, T can be placed at the suction position set on the fourth conveyor 4d. The formed tray elevating table 41 is arranged, and the tray elevating table 4 is provided.
1. A large number of feed rollers 42 are axially supported on the support frames 41a installed between the front and rear end portions of 1, and the piston rods of the elevating cylinders 43, 43 arranged at the front and rear portions of the same position are moved up and down in the tray. It is fixed to the front and rear ends of the base 41, and by the operation of the lifting cylinders 43, 43, an ascending position that is horizontal to the transport surface of the fourth conveyor 4d that is installed on the upper stage side and a fifth position that is installed on the lower stage side. The tray elevating table 41 is stopped to move up and down to a descending position which is recessed below the conveying surface of the conveyor 4e.

The storage conveyor 5 has four first conveyors 5a ... Connected orthogonally to the feed-side end portions of the second conveyors 4a.
The second conveyor 5b is connected orthogonally to the sending end of the
The third conveyor 5c is connected orthogonally to the feed-side end portion of the second conveyor 5b, and the above-described third conveyor 4c is connected orthogonally to the feed-side end portion of the third conveyor 5c. That is, each conveyor 5a, 5b, 5c is rotationally driven in the delivery direction by the driving force of a motor with a reducer (not shown),
The respective alignment trays T, which are conveyed by the respective second conveyors 4b, are sequentially transferred to the respective first conveyors 5a, and the first trays for the first row are temporarily stocked on the respective first conveyors 5a. T ... is transferred to the second conveyor 5b, and the respective alignment trays T ... which are conveyed by the respective second conveyors 5c are sequentially transferred to the above-mentioned third conveyor 4c.

As shown in FIG. 10, the above-mentioned aligning tray T has a concave mounting for mounting one cucumber K in the lateral direction on the upper surface side of the tray body Ta formed in a horizontally long shape. The placing portion Tb is formed, and the concave placing portions Tb ... for placing the nine cucumbers K ... in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the upper surface side of the tray body Ta are formed in parallel. Aligning plates T facing the front and rear ends of each cucumber K on both longitudinal edges of each
c and Tc are formed, and an identification code for identifying each of them is set on each of the alignment trays T ... As an example of the identification code, a bar code Td is printed or attached to the four side surfaces of the tray body Ta. is doing.

In the cucumber aligning machine 6 described above, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the stopper 17 is provided at the aligning position set on the fourth conveyor 4d so that it can be retracted and retracted at the lower part of the same position. The piston rod of the cylinder 18 for the stopper 17
Fixed to the lower end portion of the same, and by the operation of the cylinder 18 for retracting and retracting, the protruding position that comes into contact with the aligning tray T conveyed to the aligning position on the fourth conveyor 4d and the contact with the aligning tray T come into contact with each other. The stopper 17 is moved up and down to the retracted position to be avoided.

A receiving plate 19 is disposed on one side of the aligning position on the fourth conveyor 4d so as to face one end of the aligning tray T, and the other side of the aligning tray T is positioned on the other side of the aligning position. The fixing plate 20 is arranged so as to face the end portion, and the piston rod of the fixing cylinder 21 arranged at the same position side portion is fixed to the fixing plate 20.
It is fixed to. Further, the piston rods of the aligning cylinders 22, 22 arranged above the aligning positions on the fourth conveyor 4d are fixed to the support plates 23, 23, respectively.
The piston rods of the pressing cylinders 24 and 24 vertically fixed to the pressing plates 3 and 23 are fixed to the central portions of the upper surfaces of the pressing plates 24a and 24a, and the lower surfaces of the pressing plates 24a and 24a are made of, for example, synthetic rubber. Alternatively, the pressing pads 24b made of an elastic material such as synthetic resin are attached.

That is, the retracting cylinder 18 is moved up to temporarily stop the two aligning trays T, T at the aligning position on the fourth conveyor 4d, and the fixing cylinder 21 is activated to move the rear row side. Alignment tray T receiving plate 19 and fixing plate 2
After sandwiching and fixing with 0, the cylinders 22 and 24 are operated, and the cucumbers K ... Mounted on the trays T for alignment are pressed by the pressing pads 24b and 24b to align the front row. The cucumbers K placed on the tray T are brought into contact with the alignment plate Tc at the front end of the longitudinal side and aligned in a horizontal line, and the alignment tray T on the rear row side is arranged.
The cucumbers K ... Placed on the plate are brought into contact with the alignment plate Tc at the rear end of the longitudinal side and aligned in a horizontal line.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the cucumber cartoning machine 7 described above has a suction position above the fourth conveyor 4d and a cartoning position above the fourth conveyor 4d. The guide rails 25, 25 are installed between the guide rails 25, 25, and the moving frame 26 mounted between the guide rails 25, 25 is fixed to the piston rod of the moving cylinder 27 disposed at the same position and the same movement is performed. The operation of the working cylinder 27 horizontally moves the entire moving frame 26 above the suction position and above the packing position. In addition, an elevating frame 28 vertically provided under the moving frame 26,
By fixing the piston rod of the lifting cylinder 29 standing upright on the upper part of the frame, and by operating the lifting cylinder 29,
The entire lifting frame 28 is vertically moved up and down between the suction position and the boxing position.

The elevating frame 28 described above has the movable bases 3 at the front and rear ends on the guide rails 30, 30 installed on both sides of the elevating frame 28.
1 and 31 are attached so as to be slidable back and forth, and movable tables 31 and 3 of the same
Nine movable plates 33 are mounted on the guide rails 32, 32 installed between the two so as to be slidable left and right.
At the lower end of each of the support pipes 34 hung vertically, the suction pads 3 made of, for example, an elastic material such as synthetic rubber or synthetic resin.
5 are attached respectively.

In addition, the piston rods of the advancing / retreating cylinders 36, 36 attached to both sides of the frame are connected to the movable bases 3 on the rear end side.
1, 31 connected to each other by the operation of the respective forward / backward moving cylinders 36, 36, with reference to the movable bases 31, 31 on the front end side,
Separated positions where the front and rear rows of the cucumbers K, which are placed on the two respective alignment trays T, T are suction-held by the suction pads 35, and front and rear rows, which are suction-held by the suction pads 35. The movable stands 31 and 31 are moved back and forth to the gathering position where the cucumbers K ... are gathered in the boxed state.

The lower ends of the movable plates 33 are connected to each other by adjusting bolts 37 and adjusting nuts 38, and the left and right corresponding to the cucumbers K placed on the tray for alignment T. The expansion / contraction cylinders 3 are fixed to the movable plates 31 and 33 by fixing the piston rods of the expansion / contraction cylinders 39 and 39 attached to the movable bases 31 and 31 to the left and right movable plates 33 and 33, respectively.
By the operation of 9, 39, with the movable plate 33 at the intermediate position as a reference, each cucumber K ... Mounted on the tray for alignment T is sucked and held by each suction pad 35. The movable plates 33 are moved to the left and right to the gathering position where the cucumbers K attracted and held by.

That is, when the two aligning trays T, T are stopped at the suction position on the fourth conveyor 4d, the suction pads are attached to the cucumbers K placed on the aligning trays T, T, respectively. 32 ... are brought into close contact with each other, and 18 cucumbers K ... for 18 are adsorbed and held by a negative pressure of a suction blower (not shown) connected to each suction pad 32. On the other hand, when the 18 cucumbers K ... adsorbed and held by the respective suction pads 32 ... 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 box elevator 8 described above, as shown in FIG.
The nut portion 46 is fixed to the center of the lower part of the lifting table 45 arranged at the lower part of the boxing position, and the screw shaft 4 vertically bearing at the lower part of the same position.
The nut portion 46 is screwed onto the screw shaft 7, and the driving force of the lifting motor 48 with a reduction gear arranged on one side of the lower portion causes the screw shaft 4 to pass through the sprockets 49 and 50 and the drive chain 51.
7 is rotated in the forward and reverse directions, and the lift table 45 is placed at a descending position which is horizontal with a carry-in conveyor 55 and a carry-out conveyor 56, which will be described later, and an ascending position for supplying the cardboard box B assembled in the top open form to the boxing position. Move vertically up and down.

In the box opening machine 9 described above, the open plates 52 are pivotally supported in the vertical and horizontal directions at the front and rear and left and right of the box packing position, and each umbrella-shaped gear is fixed to the shaft end of each open plate 52. 53 are meshed with each other, and the piston rod of the opening / closing cylinder 54 arranged on the side of the same position is connected to the shaft end of the open plate 52, and is supplied to the boxing position by the operation of the opening / closing cylinder 54. The open plates 52 are opened and closed in conjunction with the closed position facing the flaps Ba of the corrugated cardboard box B and the open position for opening the flaps Ba of the corrugated cardboard box B.

Further, on the carry-in side below the boxing position, a carry-in conveyor 55 for carrying the cardboard box B supplied from the previous process (for example, box making process, bag laying process) to the boxing position below, is provided. On the unloading side at the lower part of the same position, a unloading conveyor 56 is provided for transporting the boxed corrugated cardboard box B to a subsequent process (for example, a bag packaging process or a box packaging process). In addition, in the above-mentioned cardboard box B, for example, a wrapping bag P made of synthetic resin or paper is laid so as to open upward, and the loading port Pa of the wrapping bag P is folded back in two to form the cardboard box B. Each flap Ba is covered.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram for controlling the tray distributing operation of the circulating conveyor 4, in which the CPU 62 has photoelectric sensors S provided in the sorting sections Ca, Cb, Cc and Cd.
b, Sc, each bar code reader 60, each pusher mechanism 61, each bar code reader 58 arranged in each box part Ea, Eb, Ec, Ed, and each pusher mechanism 5.
9 ... are controlled according to a program stored in the ROM 63.

The RAM 64 stores the sorting sections Ca, Cb, C.
C and Cd equal class data and each bar code reader 60 ...
It is stored in association with the identification code input from.

The CPU 62 controls the packing parts Ea, Eb, E
The identification codes read by the bar code readers 58 of c and Ed are compared with the identification codes of the respective alignment trays T stored in the RAM 64, and the respective alignment trays T carried out from the tray storage section D are compared. .. corresponds to which equivalence class. At the same time, based on the judgment, the pusher mechanisms 59 ... Corresponding to the judgment are driven to move the respective alignment trays T, which are conveyed by the third conveyor 4c, into the respective box packing portions Ea,
Eb, Ec, Ed fourth conveyors 4d ... Are sorted by equal rank.

Further, each sorting section Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd
On the basis of the detection signals output from the photoelectric sensors Sb and Sc, the presence / absence of the alignment tray T placed on the first conveyors 4a and 4a is determined, and the first conveyors are determined. 4a, when the stock of the alignment tray T placed on the 4a is determined to be "absent", the pusher mechanism 61 is driven and the alignment tray T conveyed by the seventh conveyor 4g.
Are transferred to the 8th conveyor 4h to transfer the respective first conveyors 4a, 4a
Allocate to a. When it is determined that the stock of the alignment tray T is “present”, the pusher mechanism 61 is not driven, and the sorting trays Cb, Cc, Cd are transferred to the eighth conveyor 4h of the respective sorting units Cb, Cc, Cd. Allocate to one conveyor 4a, 4a.

Assuming that the illustrated embodiment is configured as described above, the sorting operation and the packing operation of the cucumber K by the cucumber packing apparatus 1 will be described below. First, as shown in FIG.
Conveyor 2 for sorting a large number of each cucumber K ...
Of the cucumber K placed on each bucket 2b of the sorting conveyor 2 is sorted by the equal grade determination device 3 into equal grades. That is,
Corresponding to the address reading of the bucket 2b by the address reader 3d, the cucumber K placed on the bucket 2b is imaged by the imaging camera 3a, and the equal rank determination device is based on the image data read by the imaging camera 3a. 3 judges the equal class of cucumber K and stores the judgment data and the address data in association with each other. The equal grade determination device 3 determines which equal grade (for example, grade such as excellent, excellent, good and grade 2L, L, M, S, etc.) that the cucumber K placed on the bucket 2b corresponds to. Then
In addition, the sorting sections Ca, Cb, C corresponding to the determination
The time lag until the bucket 2b moves to c and Cd is counted.

For example, when the bucket 2b having the "M" size judgment data is moved to the M size sorting section Ca, the opening / closing solenoid 2g is operated as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. Then, the bucket 2b is sequentially turned sideways downward, and the cucumber K dropped and supplied from the bucket 2b is dropped and guided by the shooter 40, so that the first conveyor 4a
The cucumber K is put into the concave mounting portion Tb of the alignment tray T placed on the top. At the same time, the concave mounting portion T of the alignment tray T
The cucumber K placed on b is detected by the photoelectric sensor Sa, the control unit 57 intermittently drives the first conveyor 4a based on the detection signal output from the photoelectric sensor Sa, and is supplied from each bucket 2b. One cucumber K is put into each of the concave mounting portions Tb ... Of the tray for alignment T. At the same time, each alignment tray T on which nine cucumbers K ... are placed.
Are sequentially transferred from the first conveyor 4a to the second conveyor 4b, and the respective alignment trays conveyed by the second conveyor 4d are arranged in the tray storage section D. The first conveyors 5a of the storage conveyor 5 ... Reprinted above.

On the other hand, the empty aligning trays T, which are placed on the orbiting conveyor 4, are replaced by sorting sections Ca, Cb, Cc ,.
Cd is transferred to the 8th conveyor 4h and each 1st conveyor 4h
a and 4a, and each first conveyor 4a, 4a
The aligning tray T placed on the photoelectric sensor Sb, Sc
The pusher mechanism 61 is driven based on the detection signals output from the photoelectric sensors Sb and Sc, and the sorting trays T conveyed by the seventh conveyor 4g are sorted by the sorting units C.
a, Cb, Cc, Cd are transferred to the eighth conveyor 4h and distributed to the first conveyors 4a, 4a.

That is, the first conveyor 4a of the sorting section Ca
When it is determined that the stock of the alignment tray T placed on the top is “none”, the pusher mechanism 61 is driven to move the alignment tray T conveyed by the seventh conveyor 4g to the eighth conveyor of the sorting unit Ca. 4h to transfer each first conveyor 4
a, 4a. When it is determined that the stock of the alignment tray T is “present”, the pusher mechanism 61 is not driven,
The sorting sections Cb, Cc, Cd arranged on the rear side are transferred to the eighth conveyor 4h and distributed to the first conveyors 4a, 4a.

At the same time, each sorting section Ca, Cb, Cc, C
The bar code reader 60 reads the bar code Td of the tray for alignment T that is distributed to the first conveyors 4a, 4a of d, and outputs the read identification code to the CPU 62.
The CPU 62 stores the identification code output from the barcode reader 60 and the equal class data of the sorting units Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd in the RAM 64 in association with each other.

Next, when the respective alignment trays T on which the nine cucumbers K are placed are transported by the respective second conveyors 4b, a waiting state is performed during the transportation of the respective second conveyors 4b. Correct the mounting posture and the number of mounted cucumbers K by the operator's hand. Each alignment tray T conveyed by each second conveyor 4b ...
Are sequentially transferred to the respective first conveyors 5a of the storage conveyors 5 arranged in the tray storage section D, and the respective first conveyors 5 are transferred.
a .... A plurality of trays T for alignment are temporarily stocked on top. The first-row alignment trays T, which are temporarily stocked on the first conveyors 5a, are transferred to the second conveyor 5b, and the alignment trays T are conveyed by the second conveyors 5c.
Are sequentially transferred to the third conveyor 5c, and the third conveyor 5c
The respective alignment trays T transported by c are sequentially transferred onto the third conveyor 4c of the circulating conveyor 4.

Next, the bar code Td of each aligning tray T, which is conveyed by the third conveyor 4c, is read by each bar code reader 58, and the read identification code is read by the CPU.
To 62. The CPU 62 uses each bar code reader 5
Based on the identification code output from 8 ..., Which of the equal ranks each alignment tray T ... corresponds to is determined. For example, when it is determined that the aligning tray T is of the equal rank “M”, the pusher mechanism 59 is driven to drive the third conveyor 4
The aligning tray T transported by c is sorted to the fourth conveyor 4d of the box packing unit Ea. Next, when it is determined that the aligning tray T is of the “L” rank, the pusher mechanism 59 is not driven, and the boxing parts Eb, E arranged on the rear side are arranged.
c, Ed are assigned to the fourth conveyors 4c. At the same time as sorting the trays T for alignment, the CPU 62 causes the RA
The read data and the equal rank data stored in M64 are deleted.

Next, after stopping the transportation of the two aligning trays T, T to the aligning position on the fourth conveyor 4d, the cucumber aligning machine 6 is driven as shown in FIGS. The front end of each cucumber K ... Mounted on the side alignment tray T and the rear end of each cucumber K ... Mounted on the rear row side alignment tray T are aligned in a horizontal line. At the same time, an empty cardboard box B placed on the carry-in conveyer 55 is conveyed and supplied to the lower part of the boxing position, and the box elevator 8 is driven to place the cardboard box B assembled in the open top state on the lift table 45. Place it and supply it to the boxing position.

Next, the two aligning trays T and T are arranged on the tray elevating table 41 arranged at the suction position on the fourth conveyor 4d.
After placing T, as shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the cucumber cartoning machine 7 is driven to adsorb each cucumber K ... Mounted on each of the two aligning trays T, T. 18 cucumbers K adsorbed and held by the pads 35 and adsorbed and held by the respective adsorption pads 35 are gathered in a boxed state and boxed in each corrugated cardboard box B. The box opening machine 9 is driven immediately before packing, and each flap Ba of the corrugated cardboard box B placed on the lift 45 is ...
Also, the input port Pa of the packaging bag P is opened in four directions by the four open plates 52, and the cucumbers K ... which are suction-held by the suction pads 35 are collectively stored in the corrugated cardboard box B to release the suction. By doing so, the boxing work for each cucumber K for one step is completed. At the same time, the tray elevating table 41 is vertically lowered, and the empty aligning trays T ... Are sequentially transferred from the fifth conveyor 4e to the sixth conveyor 4f and are circulated. After that, the tray elevating table 41 is raised and returned to the next aligning trays T, T.
To place.

Similarly, the following two trays T, T for alignment are arranged in the same manner.
Each cucumber K ... placed on the table is sucked and held by each suction pad 35, and sequentially packed in a corrugated box B, and after packing a predetermined number of cucumber K, the elevating table 45 is vertically lowered to complete the boxing. The corrugated cardboard box B is placed on the carry-out conveyor 56 and is conveyed and supplied to the next step (for example, bag packaging step, box packaging step),
Continue to put cucumber K in a box.

As described above, each sorting section Ca, Cb, C
The identification codes of the trays T for alignment read by the bar code readers 60 of c and Cd, and the packing parts Ea, Eb, and E.
The CPU 62 compares the identification codes of the alignment trays T read by the bar code readers 58 of c and Ed with the CPU 62, and the alignment trays T carried out from the tray storage section D correspond to any equal rank. To determine. Based on the determination, each of the trays for alignment T ... Is placed in each of the boxing parts Ea, Eb, Ec, Ed.
Since each of the sorting trays T ... is sorted into equal ranks, the work for sorting each of the sorting trays T ... can be accurately performed, and an appropriate number of each cucumber K ... Boxes can be packed according to rank, which makes it possible to save labor and improve efficiency in boxing work.

Moreover, since a large number of sorting trays T ... Are sorted by the barcodes Td of the identification code, the sorting trays T ... discharged from the sorting units Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd are sorted. Even if they are gathered together, different kinds of cucumber K are not packed in a box, there is no need to install multiple boxing processes as in the conventional example, and one transfer line can be used as a whole, so the overall configuration of the device is simple. The installation space can be reduced.

Further, each sorting section Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd
Each of the aligning trays T discharged from the tray is temporarily stocked in the tray storage section D, so that the cucumber K is sorted according to equal rank.
According to the supply amount of each sorting section Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd
It is possible to variably adjust the number of stocks of the respective alignment trays T ...

In the correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-described embodiment, the long product boxing device of the present invention corresponds to the cucumber box packing device 1 of the embodiment. Similarly, the long product is cucumber K. The box corresponds to the corrugated cardboard box B, the alignment table corresponds to the alignment tray T, the identification code corresponds to the bar code Td, and the sorting sections correspond to the sorting sections Ca and C.
b, Cc, Cd, the storage section corresponds to the tray storage section D, and each boxing section has each boxing section Ea, Eb, Ec,
Corresponding to Ed, the equal class determination means corresponds to the equal class determination device 3, the box packing means corresponds to the cucumber box packing machine 7,
The reading means corresponds to the bar code reader 60, the second reading means corresponds to the bar code reader 58, the sorting means corresponds to the pusher mechanisms 59 and 61, the storage means corresponds to the RAM 64, and the control is performed. The means corresponds to the ROM 62, but the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, each bar code Td ... Set in each aligning tray T.
8, 60, and the sorting trays T ... Are sorted based on the reading by the bar code readers 58, 60. For example, the identification code set in each sorting tray T ... When attached by magnetism or a signal, it may be read by a mechanical reading means such as a read head for reading these, a CCD array, a non-contact type reader for transmitting and receiving data.

Further, each sorting section Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd
Set an identification code corresponding to the equal rank of, and display this identification code with, for example, four types of bar codes corresponding to the equal rank, and color display in colors such as red, blue, yellow, and green. ,
Each sorting section Ca, C can be displayed by displaying the addresses such as No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, etc., and by displaying four types of protrusions corresponding to each rank.
The identification data protrusions of the respective alignment trays T supplied from b, Cc, Cd are read by the machine reading means, and based on the reading by the machine reading means, the respective alignment trays T, ... , Ec, Ed, the sorting work of each of the trays T for alignment can be performed more easily and easily than the sorting method of the first embodiment.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of a long object boxing device.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a sorting operation of a sorting conveyor.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a sorting operation of a sorting conveyor.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a sorting operation of the sorting conveyor.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the aligning operation of the cucumber aligning machine.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the aligning operation of the cucumber aligning machine.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a cartoning operation of the cucumber cartoning machine.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing an adsorbed state of cucumber.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing an adsorbed state of cucumber.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an alignment tray.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram for controlling the tray distribution operation of the circulating conveyor.

[Explanation of symbols]

 B ... Corrugated box K ... Cucumber T ... Alignment tray Tb ... Recessed placement part Td ... Bar code Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd ... Sorting part D ... Tray storage part Ea, Eb, Ec, Ed ... Box packing part 1 ... Cucumber Boxing device 2 ... Sorting conveyor 2b ... Bucket 3 ... Equal class determination device 4 ... Orbiting conveyor 5 ... Storage conveyor 6 ... Cucumber aligning machine 7 ... Cucumber boxing machine 8 ... Box lifting machine 9 ... Box opening machine 35 ... Adsorption pad 58 , 60 ... Bar code reader 59, 61 ... Pusher mechanism 62 ... CPU 64 ... RAM

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A large number of long objects conveyed by a sorting conveyor are sorted into equal grades based on the determination by the equal grade determination means, and each sorting unit according to the equal grades set on the sorting conveyor. A plurality of aligning stands, and the long objects to be sorted according to the equal rank are sequentially placed on the aligning stands, and the aligning stands are sequentially supplied to the boxing section by the transporting means, and the respective aligning stands are arranged. A long object boxing device for holding an appropriate number of each long object placed on a table by a boxing means and boxing it inside a box body, wherein the above-mentioned boxing section is for boxing long items by equal rank. A sorting means is provided for sorting a large number of the aligning stands with respect to the means, a machine-readable identification code for identifying each of the aligning stands is provided on each of the aligning stands, and the sorting section has an equal rank. Identification code of the alignment table on which a long object is placed separately A first reading unit for reading is provided, and a second reading unit for reading the identification code of each alignment table supplied from each of the sorting units is provided in the boxing unit, and the identification code read by the first reading unit. Is provided in association with the equal class of the long objects, and the identification code read by the second reading means is compared with the identification code stored in the storage means to arrive at the alignment table. A long object boxing device provided with a control means for determining the equal rank and for allocating and controlling the arranging table to the boxing means corresponding to the equal rank. 2. A large number of long objects conveyed by a sorting conveyor are sorted into equal grades based on the determination by the equal grade determination means, and the respective sorting units according to the equal grades set on the sorting conveyor. A plurality of aligning stands, and the long objects to be sorted according to the equal rank are sequentially placed on the aligning stands, and the aligning stands are sequentially supplied to the boxing section by the transporting means, and the respective aligning stands are arranged. A long object boxing device for holding an appropriate number of each long object placed on a table by a boxing means and packing it in a box body, wherein each alignment table is provided in each of the above-mentioned alignment tables. A machine-readable identification code for identification corresponding to the equal rank is provided, and a reading means for reading the identification code of each alignment table supplied from each of the above-mentioned sorting sections is provided in the box packing section to read the upper front. Based on the identification code read by the Each alignment guide a long object packing apparatus provided with control means for distributing control the sorter to sort the equal rank in packing means corresponding to each sorting unit. 3. The storage unit according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a storage unit provided between each of the sorting units and the boxing unit for temporarily stocking a large number of each of the aligning trays discharged from each of the sorting units.
Long item boxing device described.