JPH11321815A - Farm product sorting and packaging apparatus, and its operating method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make sorted packaging of farm products executable effectively and efficiently with a simple apparatus with shifting between a manual packing and a mechanical packing made easy by a method wherein delivery of receiving trays is made shiftable in connection either to a mechanical-pack packaging stage or a manual-pack packaging stage. SOLUTION: A first connection shifting device 71 for controlling shifting of delivery timing is provided at the middle of a conveyance route of a storing/ accumulating conveyer 202 for storing free trays 4 delivered with a delivery device 20 from a sorting conveyer 1. Then, a second connection shifting device 72 for controlling shifting of destination of delivery is provided at the middle of an one-lined relay conveyer 8 connected for receiving the free trays 4 delivered out of the downstream-side end of each of four-lined storing/ accumulating conveyers 202 through the first connection shifting device 71 so that a group of free trays 4 are delivered to a mechanical-pack packaging stage 31 or a group of free trays 4 are delivered to a manual-pack packaging stage 32.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to agricultural products generally called fruits such as apples, persimmons and pears, or agricultural products generally called vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplants and cucumbers in a fruit sorting place. More specifically, the present invention relates to a sorting and packaging device for agricultural products which are sorted, boxed, packaged and shipped, and more specifically, a sorting line (route) for sorting by sorting while transporting these agricultural products on a tray called a so-called free tray. The present invention also relates to an agricultural product sorting and packaging apparatus and a method of operating an agricultural product sorting and packaging apparatus which discharges agricultural products together with free trays and performs box packing processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The present applicant has already made some proposals on a sorting and packaging apparatus for agricultural products using a free tray type saucer (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-301304, Japanese Patent Application No. 9-301304).
-86834, etc.).

[0003] The method using the free tray type saucer is as follows.
Compared to the conventional method of transporting agricultural products placed on conveyors and inseparable traveling buckets (pans) from the supply process to the measurement process of the sorting classification determination element (hereinafter referred to as "bucket type" for convenience) Even in the sorting route, which is later in the process, agricultural products can be transported without having to be transferred while the agricultural products are discharged from the free trays and placed on the tray consistently until the packaging process, reducing external loads such as impacts on agricultural products. Therefore, there is a feature that an excellent advantage that the possibility of damaging agricultural products can be greatly reduced is obtained.

[0004] In addition to this, sorting and packaging of agricultural products using the trays of the free tray type is performed by a packaging device even if the sorting of the agricultural products to be sorted is multi-sectioned and the distribution ratio is largely different. Since it is possible to adopt a device for averaging the operation efficiency as much as possible, it is also excellent in that the investment cost for the productivity of the entire facility can be reduced. For example, for a sorting category with a large number of agricultural products discharged (dish) due to a large distribution ratio, one or more sorting lines are connected to an automatic packaging device for automatic packaging according to the ratio, and the distribution ratio The number of sorting lines can be set according to the amount of processing according to the size of the sorting line. On the other hand, for sorting lines with an extremely small number of discharges (accumulation) in the sorting section, without connecting to an automatic boxing device, This is because it can be configured to be connected to a line that is manually packed by an operator. In this way, it is possible to configure an apparatus and equipment having an appropriate balance between the work efficiency of the packaging process and the investment cost for the productivity of the equipment.

FIG. 6 shows a six-section machine box sorting line 4 in which an automatic box packing device 401 is connected to the sorting conveyor 1.
0 and an example of a sorting and packaging apparatus of a type in which a five-line manual sorting line 41 for manual packing is provided.

[0006] The conveyor for transporting the free tray may be variously referred to as a transport conveyor, a sorting conveyor, or a sorting conveyor. In this specification, the conveyor at the stage before branching to the sorting line is hereinafter referred to as "conveyor." Sorting conveyor ".

[0007]

However, recently, from various viewpoints such as the market and consumer preferences, the packaging form may be different for each item or variety of agricultural products, or may be different for the same item,
Even in the case of varieties of agricultural products, there are many cases where desirable packaging forms differ depending on the grade (grade) and rank (size), and only automatic packaging and manual packaging are sorted according to the distribution ratio according to the sorting category described above. Then, it is not always easy to properly balance the efficiency of the packaging operation and the cost of capital investment for productivity. Items and varieties generally refer to the difference between the genus of agricultural products such as peaches, pears, tomatoes, and apples, and the latter refers to, for example, the richness of the same pear. , Kosui, Niitaka, etc., but do not limit the scope of the invention.

To enumerate the above problems, for example, relatively expensive melons are protected by attaching a fruit cap made of a synthetic resin foam net to each fruit. There is a case where the fruits are packed in a box, or a case in which each fruit is wrapped in Japanese paper and then packed in a box.In these cases, since one fruit is relatively expensive, Due to the situation, packs are often packed in a small number of units (1, 2, 3). Then, in these cases, all the sorting must be performed by hand packaging (hereinafter referred to as "hand-packing") regardless of the distribution ratio of each sorting category when sorting by equal / class.

[0009] Also, even for the same item, the desired packaging form may differ depending on the type of varieties. For example, pears are packed with automatic machines for Hosui and Kosui, while Niita is wrapped in Japanese paper. Usually, a packaging form in which a fruit cap is attached is performed, and in this case, it is difficult to perform “Shintaka” packaging by an automatic machine.

[0010] Furthermore, even for the same item and variety, the desired packaging form may differ depending on the grade and grade of the agricultural product. For example, for tomatoes, etc., 2S,
A small size of 3S may be sold in packs of two or three pieces at a time, and the sorting and packing process at the fruit sorting facility will pack two or three pieces of the same pack in boxes. Is required. For peaches, high-grade peaches are hand-packaged with a fruit cap attached, while others are often packaged in an automatic machine without the fruit cap. Furthermore, in the case of melons, those with a T-shaped letter (this letter is commonly referred to as "antenna" in the art) are packed by hand with fruit caps attached. Many.

[0011] As described above, in a single fruit sorting place, the tendency to pack agricultural products in various packaging forms due to various factors has recently been increasing. With the agricultural product sorting and packaging apparatus shown in FIG. 6 in which sorting lines for packaging work are previously arranged in parallel along the transport direction of the sorting conveyor, the discharge of free trays is sorted only by the magnitude of the distribution ratio by sorting category. It is difficult to increase the efficiency of the packaging process in response to such a situation and to reduce the capital investment cost for productivity. For example, in order to deal with the case where hand-packed packaging is required for reasons other than the reason that the distribution ratio is small, it is necessary to add a sorting line for hand-packed packaging, and with this, Because the pool conveyor and the associated equipment that make up the sorting line will increase,
This may lead to problems such as inefficient packaging processing and increased capital investment for productivity, such as an increase in equipment installation volume, an increase in the scale of the installation equipment, and a decrease in the operating efficiency of the entire equipment. is there.

In view of the various problems described above, the present invention makes it possible to easily select between manual stuffing and automatic machine stuffing, and to reduce the load on the equipment and auxiliary equipment required to realize this. It is an object of the present invention to provide an agricultural product sorting and packaging apparatus and a method of operating the agricultural product sorting and packaging apparatus, which enable effective and efficient operation of agricultural product sorting and packaging with a simple device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a versatile agricultural product sorting and packaging apparatus and an operating method of the agricultural product sorting and packaging apparatus, which allow various selections between manual stuffing and automatic mechanical stuffing. .

Further, another object of the present invention is to realize an effective use of the apparatus installation area, space saving, and a layout and sorting apparatus for agricultural products and an agricultural product sorting and packaging apparatus with increased flexibility in layout. To provide operational methods.

[0015]

The agricultural product sorting and packaging apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above object continuously transports a large number of free trays that are not connected to a conveyor from the agricultural product placing position to the sorting discharge position. Sorting conveyor, a plurality of branch transport lines sequentially branched and connected along the transport direction to the sorting conveyor at the sorting discharge position, and a predetermined sorting section arranged on the sorting conveyor for each of the branch transport lines. A tray discharging means for discharging a tray on which agricultural products are placed to a branch transport line to which the sorting section is assigned, and a downstream end of the branch transport line is connected to pack agricultural products on a tray sent from the branch transport line. An agricultural product sorting and packaging device provided with a packaging stage, wherein at least one of the plurality of branch transport lines provided is an automatic packaging device. And machine-filling packaging stage by, characterized in that it is connected so as to be switched and Tezume packaging stage packaged in Tezume, the feeding of the pan with respect.

The above-mentioned free tray is a tray for supporting agricultural products which can be freely transferred without being constrained by conveyor means such as a conveyor, and is usually used for placing agricultural products on a flat circular rigid plastic table. Although the one provided with the seat is used, the shape, structure, and the like are not particularly limited as long as it can be used for the purpose of the present invention.

In the above, the branch transport line can be configured to include a storage and accumulation conveyor. A free tray is connected to this branch transport line so that the free tray is discharged with the agricultural product placed thereon by a discharge device arranged along a single sorting conveyor. A plurality of branch transport lines are provided for a single sorting conveyor that transports various sorting sections in a mixed state, and at least one of the lines, generally the downstream end side of all the branch transport lines, is provided. , And is switchably connected to each packaging stage for packaging by machine or manual. Here, the machine-packed packaging stage by the automatic packaging device is, for example, a robot-type automatic packaging device that three-dimensionally drives an arm that suspends suction cups in a row by a link mechanism via a joint device. An example is a packaging stage. The manual packing stage by an operator refers to a work stage in which an operator is arranged for packing.

The transfer direction of the branch transfer line is generally connected in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the sorting conveyor, but it is not necessary that the branch line be perpendicular.

According to the present invention, for example, when all the agricultural products to be sorted and sorted are suitable for machine stuffing, each branch transport line is sent out to a machine stuffing and packing stage provided with an automatic wrapping device, and all the hand stuffing is performed. If the packing method is suitable, the tray is sent out to the hand-packing stage, and if the packing method is suitable for machine-packing or manual-packing, depending on the sorting category, each branch to the appropriate-type packing stage. The transport line can be linked. Except for the mechanical and manual packing stages, the equipment from the sorting conveyor to the branch transport line can be shared. Compared to a dedicated device, it is possible to provide an extremely versatile sorting and packaging device, and to use such a device with a reduced number of parts.置容 product can also be provided at a low cost and savings.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned invention, the branch transport line is provided with a storage portion for temporarily waiting the trays until the number of units of the package is accumulated.

The above-mentioned storage section is provided in order to wait for agricultural products (that is, trays) corresponding to the number of boxed packaging units to be sent out to the packaging stage until they are put together into a unit. In this case, the operation control of the box packing device can be facilitated.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the storage section for temporarily waiting the trays according to the above invention is configured by arranging a plurality of storage conveyors for storing and accumulating the trays discharged from the sorting conveyor in a single row. And a delivery switching means for selecting one of the storage conveyors and sending the collected trays to the packaging stage.

In the above description, a plurality of storage / accumulation conveyors means that one branch transport line associated with the packaging stage is constituted by a plurality of storage / accumulation conveyors. In this case, since one branch transport line for discharging trays from the sorting conveyor is composed of a plurality of storage / accumulation conveyors, it is possible to discharge agricultural products of the same sorting category to each of these storage / accumulation conveyors. Alternatively, agricultural products of different sorting categories can be discharged. It is extremely effective to provide a plurality of storage / accumulation conveyors in one branch conveyance line in consideration of the fact that the distribution of agricultural products by sorting category is not usually averaged. In other words, in order to maximize the processing capacity of the packaging stages (machine-packed, manual-packed) linked to one branch transport line as efficiently as possible, one packing stage is assigned to one sorting section. It is not appropriate because it is a shared process that has nothing to do with the size of the agricultural product distribution. On the other hand, if the packaging of agricultural products of different sorting categories can be performed in one packing stage, the distribution of agricultural products in each sorting category can be commensurate with the size of the agricultural products. It is possible to perform sharing processing related to the size of the agricultural product distribution, in which one and 0.3 packaging machines are shared, and the processing of the B-class agricultural products is shared to 0.7 packaging machines. Because it becomes.

Further, the characteristic feature of the third aspect of the present invention is that a plurality of storage and storage devices constituting one branch transport line are provided.
In the case where agricultural products of multiple sorting categories are discharged to the accumulation conveyor (it is needless to say that agricultural products of the same sorting category are accumulated on individual storage / accumulating conveyors), agricultural products in one sorting category are suitable for machine packing. However, when agricultural products of other sorting categories are suitable for manual packing, the tray can be sent out by switching to a packaging stage (packing position) of a packaging method suitable for each.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in each of the above inventions,
The return conveyor for returning empty trays discharged from each packaging stage to the starting end of the sorting conveyor is returned to the sorting conveyor along the storage / stacking conveyor.

The return conveyor having the above construction is provided so as to run backward in the direction opposite to the branch transport line along the arrangement of the storage / accumulation conveyor, so that the machine of the branch transport line constituted by the storage / accumulation conveyor and the like is provided. The equipment can be formed without significantly increasing the width of the sorting conveyor in the transport direction without greatly increasing the width, and the layout can be designed without waste. In particular, if empty empty trays are sent out in a row, empty tray discharge conveyors will not have to worry about tray bridge formation compared to multiple empty trays, simplifying control for collecting empty free trays. it can.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in each of the above-mentioned inventions, the machine-packed packaging stage and the hand-packed packaging stage are sequentially arranged on a line substantially perpendicular to the sorting conveyor.

According to the present invention, for example, two packaging stages can be sequentially arranged in the forward direction of a plurality of storage / accumulation conveyors constituting one branch conveyance line, and a plurality of storage / accumulation conveyor machines can be arranged. Since the width and the machine width of the box packing device and the like can be made substantially the same size, a layout can be designed in which space is not wasted without extending the trajectory in the sorting conveyor conveying direction.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the machine-packed packaging stage is arranged at a position close to the sorting conveyor, and the hand-packed packaging stage is arranged at a position far from the sorting conveyor, and The stage is connected to the storage section by a delivery conveyor that bypasses the side portion.

According to the present invention, since the working position where the worker enters and exits can be a position where there is no automatic packaging device or the like in the surrounding area, a space for preparing accessories such as a fruit cap which is usually required at the time of manual stuffing work. There is an advantage that it is easy to secure a target margin.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the invention, the machine-packed packaging stage is arranged at a position far from the sorting conveyor, and the hand-packed packaging stage is arranged above a position close to the sorting conveyor. It is characterized in that it is connected to the storage unit by a delivery conveyor that is inclined upward while orbiting around the packing and packaging stage.

According to the present invention, the automatic packing apparatus and the like overlap in plan view, but can be separated upward and spatially to provide a hand-filling operation position. It is effective in a fruit selection place where there is not much room.

[0033] The invention of an operation method of an agricultural product sorting and packaging apparatus according to claim 8 is characterized in that the above-mentioned sorting and packaging apparatus is used only for machine-packed packaging or only for hand-packed packaging, depending on the agricultural product to be sorted and sorted. And

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sorting and packaging apparatus in which the control of sending out trays from the branch conveyance line to the packaging stage is extremely simplified and can be used for both mechanical packing and manual packing.

In a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for operating the agricultural product sorting and packaging apparatus, wherein the sorting and packaging apparatus is switched between machine-packed packaging and hand-packed packaging in one of the agricultural products to be sorted and sorted.

According to the present invention, it is possible to control the delivery of the tray from the branch transport line to the packaging stage in a form suitable for each type of agricultural product and for each sorting category.
An extremely versatile agricultural product sorting and packaging apparatus can be provided.

[0037]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on an embodiment shown in the drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a part of a sorting place (measurement for sorting of agricultural products to box packing) equipped with a sorting and packaging apparatus for agricultural products according to the present invention. Yes, the equipment including this sorting and packaging equipment is roughly divided into the sorting and sorting of agricultural products supply / equivalent grade sorting section and the storage / accumulation conveyor as the branch transport line of each sorting section for the agricultural products determined to be equal grade sorting. And a packing stage that packs a group of agricultural products (in this example, one unit of packing) sent from the storage / stacking conveyor of each sorting section sorted and sorted to the packing standby position of the packing stage. It is composed of

The above-mentioned agricultural product supply / equivalent class sorting section transports the empty free tray returned by the return conveyor 51 on the transport conveyor 52 while the operator 50 places the empty free tray on the agricultural product supply conveyor 57. Work to put the agricultural products supplied to the factory one by one. In this work, for example, grades (excellent, excellent, good, A, B, C
Is visually determined, and the position of the free tray 4 is moved to a predetermined position on the center, right side, and left side in the horizontal direction of the conveyor 52 to indicate the class by tracking, and a tracking detection device (photoelectric sensor or the like: FIG. (Not shown), the free tray 4 is narrowed in a line and passed through the imaging device 54. The imaging device 54 is for imaging the appearance of the agricultural product using a color camera, a sensor camera, or the like, and determining the sorting category from the measurement result of the grade and the class of each agricultural product by an appropriate calculation method. Reference numeral 55 denotes a bar code reader that reads different identification marks, for example, bar codes, displayed on the free tray 4 one by one.

The information for specifying the grade, rank, and free tray 4 of these agricultural products is sent to a computer (not shown), and the classification of the agricultural products on the specific free tray 4 to which classification of the same rank belongs. This sorting classification information is recorded as the discharge device 201 shown in FIG. 1 as information for discharging the free tray 4 from the sorting conveyor 1 that conveys the free trays 4 in one row to the storage / collection conveyor 202 of the sorting and sorting section. Sent to

As described above, the free tray 4 on which the agricultural products for which the sorting of the equal classes has been determined is loaded, the agricultural products of the various sorting categories are randomly mixed by the sorting conveyor 1 and sent to the sorting section.

Next, the sorting / sorting section 2 of the sorting / packaging apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

The free tray 4 on which the agricultural products whose sorting has been determined by the agricultural product supply / equivalent class sorting section is placed on a storage / accumulation conveyor 202 which is branched and connected substantially orthogonally in the horizontal direction as a branch transport line 20. The free tray 4 on which the agricultural products of the corresponding sorting category are placed is discharged.

In the equipment of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1, one branch transport line 20 is constituted by four storage / accumulation conveyors 202, and the downstream end is provided on a packaging stage 3 consisting of two parts, mechanical and manual. A group of storage / accumulation conveyors 202 (six lines on the lower side in FIG. 1) that cooperate with each other, and a group of storage / accumulation conveyors 21 (two lines on the upper side in FIG. 1) arranged on the upper side of FIG. Above it is a set of discharge lines 22 for extra goods not packed in boxes.
Is provided. It should be noted that the line 21 dedicated to manual filling and the discharge line 22 for extra-goods that are not packed in a box are not essential and can be omitted.

Next, a description will be given with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 showing one line of a storage / accumulation conveyor group associated with a packaging stage 3 composed of two working units of mechanical stuffing and manual stuffing.

As shown in FIG. 3, a branch transport line 20 for forming a branch box, which constitutes the sorting section 2 of the present embodiment, has a discharging device 20 for discharging the free tray 4 from the sorting conveyor 1.
1. A storage / stacking conveyor 202 for storing the discharged free trays 4, and switchable linkage switching devices 71 and 72 for sending the free trays 4 from the storage / stacking conveyor 202 to the packaging stage 3. In addition, the above-mentioned discharge device 2
01 can be configured using a sorting and discharging device disclosed in, for example, JP-A-6-278848,
Each of the sorting conveyors 1 and 1 is provided independently. Further, in this example, two lanes (two lines) of the storage / accumulation conveyor 202 (2021, 2022 in FIG. 3) by one discharge device 201.
It is configured to have a function of sorting the free trays 4 into the trays.

With the above arrangement, for example, an agricultural product whose classification is determined to be of the same class (for example, the size of the class is L and the class is A) is stored in the storage unit set in the classification (AL).
When passing through the position of the discharge device 201 having the accumulation conveyor 202, the electromagnetic attraction section of the turntable is excited by a command from a control means (not shown) such as a computer and is attracted to the turntable, thereby rotating the turntable. , The paper is turned laterally from the sorting conveyor 1 and discharged.
The free tray 4 discharged from the sorting conveyor 1 is released from the rotary table, and the free tray 4 discharged from the sorting conveyor 1 is de-energized by one of the two provided excitation releasing means. It will be sent to either.

It is to be noted that agricultural products of a specific sorting category are selected by a predetermined discharge device 201 and the corresponding storage / accumulation conveyor 2 is selected.
In the present example, the operation of discharging to 02 is performed as follows.
That is, when a bar code reader 5 (see FIG. 1) disposed upstream of the sorting conveyor 1 reads a unique sign (bar code) on the free tray, the agricultural product recorded in a one-to-one relationship with the sign is recorded. From the arrangement position of the barcode reader 5, the storage / storage in which the acceptance of the agricultural products of the corresponding sorting category is set.
The transfer distance (or time) to the discharge device 201 corresponding to the accumulation conveyor 202 is determined based on the number of pulses output from the encoder device or the like in accordance with the moving amount of the sorting conveyor, and the corresponding free tray 4 When passing through the device, the corresponding discharging device 201 is operated. For example, the discharging device 201 illustrated on the right side of FIG.
The free tray 4 on which the agricultural products P of the sort A (A-L) of the size L and the grade A are placed is stored in the two storage / accumulation conveyors 20.
2 shows a state during discharge. On the other hand, the discharge device 201 on the left side of FIG.
2. Agricultural products P of size M and sorting category (AM) of size A
Can be set to be discharged, or it can be set to accept another sorting category (including the case of AL). In this way, one sorting transport line is used to sort and sort agricultural products in different sorting categories. However, it is needless to say that one branch transport line may be used for the same sorting section, and that the four storage / accumulating conveyors 202 constituting one sorting transport line are used for different sorting sections. The selection can be determined as necessary according to the sorting of the agricultural products to be processed.

Each of the storage / accumulation conveyors 202 can be constituted by a belt conveyor, a roller conveyor, or the like. In this example, the discharged free trays 4 are vertically and linearly arranged on the storage / accumulation conveyor 202, respectively. The paper is conveyed to the downstream side (transfer terminal side).

Next, a characteristic feature of the present embodiment is that one branch transport line 20 is linked to two packing stages of mechanical packing and manual packing, and that these two packing stages are connected. A mechanism for switching and sending out the free trays 4 accumulated on the four-stage storage / accumulation conveyor 202 to the stage will be described.

Each branch transfer line 20 of this embodiment is provided with each storage /
Two lanes 2021 and 2022 of the accumulation conveyor 202
Is composed of a total of four lanes composed of two discharge devices 201 associated with each other, and thus one branch transport line 2
No. 0 is characterized in that the four storage / accumulating conveyors 202 are linked to the packaging stage 3 in which the mechanically packed packaging stage 31 and the manually packed packaging stage 32 are combined.

In other words, the four storage / accumulation conveyors 202 are prepared to accumulate agricultural products of the same sorting category or different sorting categories. First, it is necessary to determine which conveyor out of the storage / accumulation conveyor 202 from which the group of free trays 4 is to be sent out. It is necessary to decide whether to send out or to the hand-packing stage. This is because a suitable packing operation may be different depending on whether or not it is necessary to attach a fruit cap, for example, depending on the sorting category. Since the former control for determining the delivery conveyor is determined by the accumulation state of the free tray 4, this control is hereinafter referred to as "delivery time switching control". Is the selection of the boxing operation method, and this is hereinafter referred to as “delivery destination switching control”.

In order to satisfy the above, in the present embodiment, the position of the storage / accumulation conveyor 202 which constitutes one branch conveyance line is in the middle of the conveyance for the "delivery timing switching control". One linkage switching device 71 is provided. The device 71 of the present embodiment can be configured by combining a stopper mechanism, for example, a stopper plate and a cylinder device, that protrudes and retracts on the conveying surface of the conveyor 202 to stop the free tray 4. Then, the storage / accumulation conveyor 20 of each of the four rows is passed through the first linkage switching device 71.
In the middle of one relay conveyor 8 linked to receive the free tray 4 sent from the downstream end of the second tray 2, the group of free trays 4 is sent out to the machine-packing and packaging stage 31, or A second linkage switching device 72 for “delivery destination switching control” for switching between sending out the group of free trays 4 is provided.

The above-described stopper mechanism (first linkage switching device 71) constituting the "delivery time switching control" normally acts to stop the transport of the free tray 4, and is, for example, integrated by a sensor (not shown). When it is detected that the number of free trays has accumulated in a predetermined number of packaging units (for example, the number of pieces to be packed in one box in a box packing operation to be described later), a command from a control unit (not shown) is given in accordance with the progress of the subsequent box packing operation. Is switched to the immersion state allowing the transport based on the predetermined number, and the predetermined number of free trays 4 are sent out to the box standby position,
After the predetermined number of sheets have been sent out, the stopper mechanism is returned to a state in which it is projected above the transport surface so as to stop sending out the subsequent free tray 4 again.

The downstream end of each of the four storage / accumulation conveyors 202 is connected to the first track 81 of the relay conveyor 8 in which the first to third tracks are arranged in a plane U-shape in this example. . The first track 81 of the relay conveyor 8 is
The free tray 4 extending in the width direction orthogonal to the four-row storage / stacking conveyor 202 and fed from each row.
The third track 83 that forms the boxing position of each packaging stage (specifically, the machine-packed packaging stage 31 or the hand-packed packaging stage 32) and is parallel to the first track 81
(831 or 832), a group of free trays 4 is fed through a second track 82 forming a vertical U-shaped portion. A distribution lever device is provided on the second track 82 of the relay conveyor 8 as the above-described second linkage switching device 72, and a group of free trays 4 is mechanically packed and packed based on a command from control means (not shown). Sent to stage 31 or hand-packed packaging stage 3
2 is switched and controlled. The state shown in FIG. 3 is sent out from the four-row storage / accumulation conveyor 202 (A-
L) shows a state in which a group of free trays 4 on which the agricultural products are placed are sent to the hand-packing stage 32.

The distributing lever device constituting the second linkage switching device 72 is disposed outside one of the second tracks 82 (821, 822) of the pair of relay conveyors 8 which are adjacently arranged in parallel. Lever 722 about pivot shaft 721
Is provided so as to be swingably switched between a swinging position shown by a solid line in FIG. 3 and a retracted position out of the track shown by a two-dot chain line by a cylinder device or the like (not shown). At one time, the free tray 4 is moved straight on the second track 821 and is sent to the machine-packing and packaging stage. When the free tray 4 is at the swinging position, the free tray 4 is moved to the second track 822 on the side of the hand-packing and packaging stage 32, and This is sent to the manual packing stage 32.

Next, the box packaging stage 3 composed of the machine-packed packaging stage 31 and the hand-packed packaging stage 32 will be described.

First, the machine-packed packaging stage 31 of the boxed packaging stage 3 of this embodiment will be described.
By the operation of the first linkage switching device 71 described above, the product is sent out from the predetermined storage / accumulation conveyor 202 and the second linkage switching device 72 is set to the retreat position (two-dot chain line in the figure), whereby the packing position 831 for agricultural products is obtained. Tray 4 conveyed to
Is composed of a box packing device 311 for performing a box packing operation and peripheral devices related thereto. The box packing device 311 according to the present embodiment is configured to arrange a predetermined number of free trays 4 sent from one of the lanes of a plurality of (four in this example) storage / accumulation conveyors 202 in a line and wait for them. The storage / accumulation conveyor 20 that is close to the position 831
2 is provided at a position on the extension line downstream of the conveyance direction.

The free tray 4 sent to the packaging position 831 as described above is stopped by the stopper mechanism 312 provided at the end of the packaging position 831 to be in a packaging standby state. The stopper mechanism 312 can be configured in the same manner as the first linkage switching device 71, and is switched to a state in which the transport is permitted at the time of completion of the picking of the agricultural product (or at the time when the transport has no trouble after the picking). After the empty free tray 4 is sent out to the return conveyor 51 and a predetermined number is sent out, the subsequent free tray 4 is returned to a state where it is stopped again. The end of the return conveyor 51 is connected to the transport conveyor 52 shown in FIG.

In the packaging stage 31 of this embodiment, the relay conveyor 8 forms a U-shaped conveyance path as described above, so that the tray pack supply device 14 (described later) is placed in the U-shaped inner space. Is arranged.

In the machine-packing / packaging stage 31 of the present embodiment, a box-bottoming operation is performed by a work robot as an automatic box-packing device 311. The automatic packaging device 311 is configured as a work robot having a vertical multi-joint type arm mechanism (hereinafter referred to as “work robot 311”), and is arranged in a line on the conveyor at the packing position 831 and is on standby. The operation is such that the agricultural products P are lifted from a predetermined number of free trays 4 and packed one by one in the packing box 6 into which the tray pack is inserted. In addition, when the agricultural products P of the size L are packed in a box, the number is 5 × 4 rows (total 20), and when the agricultural products P of the size M are packed in a box, the number is 6 × 4 rows (total 24). As described above, since the number of packs is usually changed depending on the class (size) of the agricultural products, the number of lifts by the suction cups as lifting means can be changed and adjusted so as to cope with the difference in the number of packs. It is good to provide in.

In the agricultural product supply / grade class sorting section, while the agricultural products are placed on the free tray 4 and transported by the transport conveyor 52, the above-described grade sorting by tracking, the grade sorting by the imaging device 54, and the detection of the identification mark are performed. The free tray 4 is transferred to the sorting conveyor 1 (supply / equivalent rank measurement) → (sorting conveyor 1).

The free tray 4 on which the agricultural products P whose sorting classification has been determined based on the result of the equal-grade measurement is placed on the storage / accumulation designated by the discharging device 201 in the predetermined sorting classification while being transported by the sorting conveyor 1. It is sent to the conveyor 202 and accumulated. Note that any of the stopper mechanisms serving as the first linkage switching device 71 disposed in the middle of each of the storage / accumulation conveyors 202 is in a state of stopping the free tray 4.

In this way, each storage / accumulating conveyor 20
The number of the free trays 4 accumulated in the box 2 is counted by a sensor (not shown), and the state in which the box packing device (work robot) 311 receives the box (box) when one box for packing in the packing box 6 is accumulated. In a state where the filling operation can be performed), the first linkage switching device 71 is retracted, and
The second link switching device 72 is set to the retreat position, and the free tray 4 for one box is sent to the packing position 831 via the relay conveyor 8. At this time, among the four storage / accumulation conveyors 202 belonging to one branch / box line, the storage / accumulation conveyor 202 from which the delivery is to be performed is provided, for example, for each storage / accumulation conveyor 202. Based on information detected from a sensor camera (not shown) or the like, control may be performed so that the box packing process can be performed efficiently by computer analysis such as a free tray accumulation state and a difference in accumulation speed.

As described above, the free tray 4 corresponding to one box of the agricultural product P is sent in, and at the boxing position 831 where the boxing operation is sequentially performed in a row, the boxing is performed by the articulated work robot 311. Work is performed.

That is, for the empty packaging box 6 sent to the box standby position 313 by the packaging box supply / discharge device 12, first, the working robot 311 loads the 18 balls loaded on the tray pack supply device 14 ( 2) so that the tray pack 1401 for
The arm mechanism 3111 is operated by the driving means (not shown) at the position and posture indicated by the solid line. At this time, the rotator 1405 of the tray pack supply device 14 operates to keep the tray pack 1401 for the 18 balls (pieces) in a state close to the box standby position 313 (the state in FIG. 3).
Then, the picked up tray pack 1401 moves the arm mechanism of the work robot 311 to the position / posture indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2 and fits it into the packaging box 6 at the box standby position 313.

As described above, the tray pack (in the above-described state, the tray pack 1 for the size M is placed in the box standby position 313).
The packaging box 6 in which 401) is inserted waits, and the packaging position 83
In the state where the free tray 4 containing the agricultural products P is stopped at 1, the packing operation of the agricultural products by the work robot 311 for transferring the agricultural products P from the free tray 4 to the box is started.

That is, first, five cup hanging members 3113
Is moved to the position and posture shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2, and the suction cup 3112 picks up and picks up five agricultural products P in a row. The free tray 4 is prevented from floating together with the tray by the tray lifting prevention knob 8311 fixedly provided so as to engage with the upper surface of the free tray 4.

Next, the work robot 311 for sucking and suspending the picked-up agricultural products P moves the cup suspension to the box standby position 313 by controlling the attitude of the arm mechanism 3111. By the operation of the pantograph mechanism, the adjacent distance between the row of cup hanging bodies 3113 is changed to a state suitable for packing. The empty free tray 4 in which the agricultural product P has been picked up is sent out to the return conveyor 51 with the stopper mechanism 312 retracted, and the free tray 4 on which the subsequent agricultural product P is placed is transferred to the boxing position 831.
It is stopped by the stopper mechanism 312 that has returned, and waits for the next row of boxes. Then, the work robot 311 that has returned to the state in which the adjacent distance between the cup hanging bodies 3113 is widened performs the packing operation of the agricultural products P in the second row (four in this row). When the empty tray 4 is sent out to the return conveyor 51, it is preferable that the conveyor be operated at a high speed and discharged immediately.

The above operation is repeatedly performed for four rows in this example, thereby completing the packing operation for one box.
The completed box 6 is transported from the discharge conveyor 121 to a predetermined product accumulation place via the product transport conveyor 122.

The example of the boxing operation in the machine-packing stage 31 described above is for the case where the arrangement pattern for packing is 18 balls (pieces), but the arrangement pattern for boxing is limited to these. Not one but one work robot 3
In the case where a plurality of types of boxed arrangement patterns are assigned to 11, a plurality of types of tray packs may be prepared for stacking in the tray pack supply device 14.

Next, the hand-packing stage 32 of this embodiment will be described. As described above, the second track 82 of the relay conveyor 8 is connected to the second track 821 linked to the machine-packing stage 31 and the hand-packing stage 32. Second to work with
The track 822 is adjacent to and parallel to the track 822, and the second track 822 to the hand-packing stage 32 extends in the vicinity of the work robot 311 and its peripheral devices as shown in FIG. On the (rear side) side, it is connected to a third track 832 parallel to the first track 831.

The third track 832 has the same structure as that of the machine-packing and packaging stage 31, and is provided with the same stopper mechanism 321 as the stopper mechanism 312 to stop the fed free tray 4 and perform work. Is manually packed by the person 323. 322 is a work table for this worker, and 324 is a packaging box 6 for this manual packing operation.
It is a box stand on which

The free tray 4 that has been manually packed is stored in the second track 822 of the work robot 311 and its peripheral devices.
Return conveyor 511 that extends on the opposite side of the opposite side
And is joined to the return conveyor 51 described above.

According to the sorting and packaging apparatus of this example, one branch is used in the case where the form of the packaging work is different between the mechanical packing and the manual packing due to differences in the types (items, varieties) and grades of the agricultural products. By switching the delivery destination on the transport line, it is possible to adopt a more suitable packaging work form. In addition, the equipment and mechanism for sorting and storing, excluding the packaging stage, can be shared, and the entire system can be used. An excellent advantage that an increase in equipment can be suppressed can be obtained.

According to the configuration of this example, the sorting conveyor 1
Since the machine-packed packaging stage 31 and then the hand-packed packaging stage 32 are arranged in the extension direction of a plurality of branch transport lines branched laterally from, almost no increase in the width of one branch transport line, Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the length of the sorting conveyor, and to obtain an advantage that the installation area can be reduced as a sorting facility.

In the case of machine-packing and manual-packing operations, all the agricultural products of one item are packed by machine, or are all packed by hand, or some of the branch transport lines are manually packed and other branch transport lines are machine-packed. In the case of packing, or in one branch conveyance line, manual packing may be performed for some of the four lines, and machine packing may be performed for the other lines. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, agricultural products of the (AL) sorting category, which are stored and accumulated in the right two rows having a high grade and a large shape, are packed by hand, and agricultural products of the two (AM) sorting categories on the left side. Can be packed in a machine.

Embodiment 2 The present embodiment shown in FIGS.
Is different from the first embodiment in that it is arranged above the branch transport line 20. Therefore, the difference in the transport path of the free tray 4 and the manual loading operation which accompany the layout difference of the manual packaging stage 33. Although the user and the workbench are different from those of the first embodiment, the other components are completely the same as those of the first embodiment. .

One of the features of this example is that the transport path of the third track 832 provided on the hand-packing stage 32 of the relay conveyor 8 of the first embodiment is different from the second track of the work robot 311 and its peripheral devices. A fourth track 8 as a reverse-running upward-sloping transport path that extends upward and inclines so that the free tray 4 runs backward along the near side opposite to the side 822.
4 and a storage / accumulation conveyor 20 at a position closer to the sorting conveyor 1 than the tray pack supply device 14.
Fifth track 8 providing a packaging position extending in the width direction of the second 2
5 is connected. Reference numeral 331 denotes a stopper mechanism provided on the fifth track 85, which has the same structure as the stopper mechanism 314 of the first embodiment for stopping the conveyed free tray 4 for packing.

Reference numeral 512 denotes a return conveyor for returning the free tray, which has been packed in the fifth track 85 and emptied by manual filling, to the return conveyor 51, and reference numeral 332 denotes a work table on which a worker 333 who performs manual filling is mounted. Although not shown, the worker 333 extends through a passage which is appropriately extended at the same level and is linked to a stair or the like.
Can come and go. Reference numeral 334 denotes a box table on which the packaging box 6 for manual packing is placed, and 335 denotes a conveyor for supplying empty boxes.

According to the sorting and packaging apparatus of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, the transport path for transporting the free tray 4 to the hand-packed packaging stage 33 is slightly longer than that of the first embodiment, but is higher than the storage / accumulation conveyor 202. Since the hand-packed packaging stage can be arranged in the first embodiment, the area required in a plane is smaller than that in the first embodiment.
In addition to the advantages described above, it can be used very effectively for a sorting plant where the installation area of the equipment is restricted.

[0082]

As described above, according to the present invention, the operation of manual stuffing or automatic stuffing can be easily selected, and most of the equipment, devices and auxiliary equipment necessary for realizing this operation can be selected. Most of the work can be shared except for the parts directly related to each work.
With the simple and easy operation, it is possible to obtain the effect that the most suitable work mode for packaging each agricultural product can be selected.

Further, according to the sorting and packaging apparatus of the present invention, a manual packing operation and an automatic mechanical packing operation can be selected in various ways, and a sorting and packaging apparatus in which different packaging operations are required for various items, types, or sorting divisions is required. It is extremely effective for use as well, and through the above, there is obtained an advantage that the apparatus can be mass-produced as a highly versatile apparatus that realizes effective use of the installation area of the apparatus, saves space, and increases the degree of freedom in layout.

In addition to the above effects, the invention of each claim has the following effects.

According to the invention of claim 2, since the free trays on which the agricultural products of the same sorting category discharged from the sorting conveyor are put together are collected and accumulated, and then sent out to the packaging stage, the automatic tray is particularly automatic. The operation control of the box packing device at the time of machine packing becomes easy, and the machine packing box packing device can be operated efficiently.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the agricultural products in the respective sorting sections discharged and stored / collected from the plurality of storage / accumulation conveyors linked to the common packaging stage can be stored in the storage / accumulation in a timely manner. As a result, the operation of automatic mechanical packing or manual packing at the packaging stage can be efficiently operated and operated with as little waste as possible.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, both of the machine-packed and manual-packed packaging stages provided on the common packaging stage and the return of the empty free tray from the manual packaging stage are returned along the storage / accumulation conveyor by the return conveyor. Since the reversing is performed, the dimension of the sorting conveyor in the transport direction does not need to be substantially expanded, and the layout can be designed without waste.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the machine-packing and manual-packing stages related to one branch transport line are sequentially arranged on the extension line of the storage / stacking conveyor in the extending direction. As in the invention of the fourth aspect, there is an effect that it is not necessary to substantially expand the dimension of the sorting conveyor in the transport direction, and the layout can be designed without waste.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to appropriately configure the arrangement layout of each of the packaging stages for the mechanical packing and the manual packing according to the fifth aspect of the present invention. In addition, since the hand-packed packaging stage is provided outside the machine-packed packaging stage (far side from the sorting conveyor), additional equipment such as fruit caps is required for manual packing, but in this case, the peripheral space is particularly limited. There is an advantage that the equipment can be easily prepared because there is no such equipment.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the hand-packed packaging stage is three-dimensionally arranged above the storage / accumulation conveyor so that the area on the plane can be effectively used and the installation area for the equipment is restricted. It is extremely effective for business use.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, a machine-packed or hand-packed packaging stage can be used by simply switching the conveying path. Compared to the case where the branch transfer line is provided on the transfer line, most of the configuration of the branch transfer line can be used in common.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to select a packaging operation form suitable for agricultural products in a plurality of sorting sections discharged to one branch transport line according to each sorting section,
More specifically, the agricultural products of each sorting category discharged and stored and accumulated on a plurality of storage / accumulation conveyors are sent to a machine / packing stage when suitable for machine stuffing, and manually stuffed when suitable for manual stuffing. Since it is possible to timely select the feeding to the packaging stage, it is possible to provide an extremely versatile apparatus capable of separating the packaging form for each item, product type or sorting category.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an overall outline of an agricultural product sorting and packaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing one of the branch conveyance lines of a sorting section of the sorting and packaging apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front view showing one of the branch transport lines of a sorting section according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the general outline of a conventional agricultural product sorting and packaging apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... sorting conveyor, 2 ... sorting section, 4 ...
Free tray, 5 ... bar code reader, 6 ...
Packaging box (cardboard box), 14 ... Tray pack supply device, 20, 21, 22, ... Branch transfer line, 50 ...
-Workers, 51, 511, 512: return conveyor, 52: transport conveyor, 54: imaging device, 5
5 ... Bar code reader, 57 ... Agricultural product supply conveyor, 71 ... First linkage switching device, 72 ... Second linkage switching device, 3 ... Packing stage 31 ... Machine packing Packaging stage 311 ・ ・ ・ Work robot 3111 ・ ・ ・ Arm mechanism 3112 ・ ・ ・ Suction cup 3113 ・ ・ ・ Cup suspension 312 ・ ・ ・ Stopper mechanism 313 ・ ・ ・ Box standby position 314 ・ ・ ・ Packing worker 315 ・..Work table 32 ・ ・ ・ Hand-packed packaging stage 321 ・ ・ ・ Stopper mechanism 322 ・ ・ ・ Work table 323 ・ ・ ・ Boxing worker 33 ・ ・ ・ Hand-packed packaging stage 331 ・ ・ ・ Stopper mechanism 332 ・ ・ ・ Work table 333: Box packing operator 334: Box stand 335: Conveyor for empty box supply 12: Supply / discharge device for cardboard boxes, 121: Discharge conveyor 122 ...・ Product conveyor. 201: discharging device 202 (2021, 2022): storage / accumulating conveyor 8: relay conveyor 81: first track 82 (821, 822): second track 83 (831, 832)・ ・ ・ Third track 8311 ・ ・ ・ Tray lifting prevention knob 84 ・ ・ ・ Fourth track 85 ・ ・ ・ Fifth track

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A sorting conveyor for continuously transporting a large number of free trays not connected to a conveyor from a loading position of agricultural products toward a sorting discharge position, and a sorting conveyor at the sorting discharge position along a transport direction of the sorting conveyor. A plurality of branch transport lines sequentially branched and connected, and a tray placed on a sorting conveyor for each of the branch transport lines and loaded with agricultural products of a predetermined sorting section is discharged to the branch transport line to which the sorting section is assigned. An agricultural product sorting and packaging device comprising a tray discharge means and a packaging stage connected to a downstream end of the branch transport line and for packaging agricultural products on a tray sent from the branch transport line, a plurality of which are provided. At least one of the branch transport lines is a machine-packed packaging stage with an automatic packaging device, and a hand-packed packaging stage for packing by hand. Agricultural sorting packaging apparatus characterized by being connected to allow switching the feeding of the pan with respect. 2. The branch transport line according to claim 1,
A sorting and packaging apparatus for agricultural products, comprising a storage section for temporarily holding a tray until the number of units of box packaging is accumulated. 3. The storage section according to claim 2, wherein the storage section for temporarily holding the trays is configured by arranging a plurality of storage conveyors for storing and accumulating the trays discharged from the sorting conveyor in a single row. A sorting and packaging apparatus for agricultural products, comprising sending switching means for selecting one of the storage conveyors and sending a stack of trays to a packaging stage. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein
A return conveyor for returning empty trays discharged from each packaging stage to the starting end of the sorting conveyor, and returning the sorting tray to the sorting conveyor via a track substantially perpendicular to the sorting conveyor along the storage conveyor. Sorting and packaging equipment for agricultural products. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein
A sorting and packaging apparatus for agricultural products, wherein the machine-packed packaging stage and the hand-packed packaging stage are sequentially arranged on a line substantially perpendicular to the sorting conveyor. 6. The packaging machine according to claim 5, wherein the machine-packed packaging stage is arranged at a position close to the sorting conveyor, and the hand-packed packaging stage is arranged at a position far from the sorting conveyor and bypasses a side portion of the machine-packed packaging stage. A sorting and packaging apparatus for agricultural products, wherein the agricultural product is connected to a storage unit by a delivery conveyor. 7. The machine-packed packaging stage according to claim 5, wherein a machine-packed packaging stage is arranged at a position remote from the sorting conveyor, and the hand-packed packaging stage is arranged above a position close to the sorting conveyor and goes around the machine-packed packaging stage. A sorting and packaging apparatus for agricultural products, characterized in that the agricultural product is connected to a storage section by a delivery conveyor inclined upward. 8. A sorting and packaging apparatus for agricultural products according to claim 1, wherein the sorting and packaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is used only for machine-packed packaging or only for hand-packed packaging, depending on the agricultural product to be sorted and sorted. Operation method. 9. A method for operating an agricultural product sorting and packaging apparatus, wherein the sorting and packaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 switches between machine-packed packaging and hand-packed packaging as needed for a single agricultural sorting target agricultural product.