JP4296294B2 - Egg sorting device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an egg sorting and packaging apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, the egg sorting and packaging process includes a conveyor, a weighing device, a transfer device, a distribution conveyor, and a sorting and distribution device. That is, the eggs supplied by the conveyor are weighed individually by the weighing device, and then transferred to the sorting / distributing device by the distribution conveyor via the transfer device. The sorting and packaging apparatus is provided for each weight category of the chicken eggs, and the eggs transported by the single-line distribution conveyor are discharged to the distribution / release location in charge of the weight category to which they belong.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, conventionally, when there are a plurality of types of eggs to be supplied to one conveyor (for example, so-called white eggs and red eggs, normal eggs and yolk eggs, etc.), there are certain types in the same sorting and distributing apparatus. It was practically impossible to transport, weigh, and sort other types of eggs until after the transfer weighing and sorting / dispensing process was completed. That is, for example, FIG. 2 is a plan view of a conventional sorting and packaging apparatus. Conveyor 2 are transported by 12 rows of eggs, sorting classified according to the weight L (large), and two S (small), the charge discharge location of each distributor and X 3, X 4 . Now, it is assumed that different types of eggs, so-called white balls and so-called red balls, exist as eggs to be supplied to the conveyor 2.
[0004]
In this case, when each conveying the Shiratama the red ball to the right six columns toward the conveying direction of the conveyor 2 in a single addition to the left six rows, Shiratama L egg and the red-out L egg release location X 3 size L charge Are released, and white and red balls are mixed. In addition, Shiratama S eggs and red ball S eggs also to the location of release X 4 of the S size charge is released, glutinous rice and red ball S eggs are mixed. In this way, when 10 eggs mixed with red and white balls with different commercial values are filled in the same pack, the price of 10 packs is generated depending on the combination, and the price of each of the L10 pack and S10 packs is different. The result is that the unity cannot be maintained. Therefore, even when different types of eggs are to be sorted and distributed, they cannot be processed simultaneously by a single conveyor, and after the transfer, weighing and sorting of a certain type of eggs, It was necessary to carry, weigh and sort and distribute.
[0005]
However, as described above, a distribution conveyor is not provided in one transfer conveyor that transfers eggs in 12 rows, but two transfer conveyors in 6 rows are prepared and each distribution conveyor is provided in each transfer conveyor. If each distribution conveyor is provided with two types of large and small discharge locations, the transport and sorting distribution of red balls will be carried out by one transport conveyor and the distribution conveyor arranged there, and other transport conveyors and It is possible to simultaneously perform sorting and distribution of different types of eggs, such as carrying and sorting and distributing white balls on a distributed conveyor.
[0006]
However, if two conveyors in six rows are arranged as described above, and further, a distribution conveyor is arranged on each conveyor, and two types of discharge locations of large and small sizes are provided for each distribution conveyor, The installation area will inevitably increase. In addition, with respect to each of the six rows of conveyors, the occurrence of a reduction in the operation rate that occurs with respect to the 12 rows of conveyors, which will be described later, is unavoidable, and the problem of how to solve the problem remains.
[0007]
Therefore, next, to examine the problem of lowering the operating rate, especially in the in-line method, it is necessary to transport, weigh, and sort and distribute other types of eggs only after the transportation, weighing, and sorting and distribution of one kind of eggs. Inability to do so sometimes means a reduction in the overall availability of the device. That is, for example, all 12 rows of eggs in the conveyor that conveys eggs in 12 rows were in charge of white eggs that were conveyed in-line from the poultry house, but then transferred in-line from the poultry house. Suppose the number of white balls has decreased. In addition to the white balls, there are red balls carried in containers as different kinds of eggs to be sorted and distributed.
[0008]
If the number of white eggs transferred by the in-line method decreases to a level lower than the transfer capacity of the transfer conveyor, the transfer conveyor will increase, so if the red balls cannot be sorted and distributed until the white balls are sorted and distributed, the entire system The utilization rate of will decrease. Therefore, the present invention specifically concentrates the conveyance of white balls conveyed from the poultry house on the left conveyance row in the conveyance direction of the conveyance conveyor, and supplies the different types of red balls carried in the container to the remaining conveyance columns. Thus, while increasing the operating rate of the entire apparatus, it is possible to avoid the red and white balls being mixed and discharged at the same discharge location.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The egg sorting apparatus according to the first invention is transported in N rows (N is an integer of 2 or more) , weighed and then distributed to distribution outlets corresponding to grades of equal classes separately determined by a distribution conveyor. In the egg sorting apparatus, the transport area composed of the N transport lines is divided into a transport area composed of the right transport line and a transport area composed of the left transport line in the transport direction, etc. A distribution outlet corresponding to a grade by grade is provided for each of the transport areas .
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the egg sorting apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein at least one of the distribution outlets provided for each of the transport areas corresponding to the grades of equal classes is provided between the transport areas. It is characterized by sharing .
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred examples shown in the drawings.
[0013]
Reference numeral 1 denotes an egg collection conveyor including a belt conveyor, which randomly supplies the eggs collected from the poultry house downstream. A guide 4 is provided in the center of the egg collection conveyor 1 in parallel to the traveling direction. The guide 4 provided in parallel to the conveying direction of the egg collection conveyor 1 divides the egg collection conveyor 1 into two parts, but is configured to be rotatable on the egg collection conveyor about 5 as an axis. When the guide 4 is positioned as shown in FIG. 1, all the eggs on the egg collection conveyor 1 can be concentrated on the left side in the transport direction.
[0014]
Reference numeral 2 denotes a transport conveyor that transports twelve eggs in an orderly manner with the axis of the eggs lying sideways, and is composed of a roller conveyor having a storage seat. Further, in order to smoothly move the eggs to the transport conveyor 2 including the egg collection conveyor 1, a partition plate 3 is provided in the transition portion so as to form a transition path corresponding to each egg row of the transport conveyor 2. ing.
[0015]
At the discharge end of the conveyor 2, a measuring device 6 is arranged in each row, and weighs the eggs in each row.
[0016]
Reference numeral 12 denotes a transfer device that transfers the measured eggs to the distribution conveyor.
[0017]
Reference numeral 11 denotes a single-line distribution conveyor that transports while holding the weighed chicken eggs, and discharges the eggs at a discharge location in accordance with the weight classification.
[0018]
In the transport conveyor, six rows on the right side in the transport direction of the transport conveyor are A, and six rows on the left side in the transport direction are B. X is a release position of the eggs in the right side A row in the transport direction of the transport conveyor, and consists of X1 in charge of large eggs and X2 in charge of small eggs according to the weight category. Similarly, Y is the release location of the eggs in the B6 row on the left side in the transport direction of the transport conveyor, and consists of Y1 responsible for large eggs and Y2 responsible for small eggs according to the weight category.
[0019]
Further details will be described with reference to FIG.
Eggs that are irregularly supplied from the poultry house by the egg collection conveyor 1 are transferred to the transfer conveyor 2 through a transition path formed by the partition plate 3. The conveyor 2 formed of a roller conveyor has a storage seat that can transport twelve eggs in an orderly manner. The eggs transferred from the egg collection conveyor 1 are accommodated in the storage seat of the transport conveyor 2 and are transported downstream.
[0020]
When the number of eggs supplied by the egg collection conveyor 1 is reduced to about half of the conveyance capacity of the conveyance conveyor 2, the guide 4 is rotated about the shaft 5 and the tip is moved to A. As a result, the chicken eggs being transferred on the right side in the transport direction of the egg collection conveyor 1 are then concentrated along the guide 4 on the egg collection conveyor on the left side.
[0021]
In this case, the egg is not conveyed from the upstream to the A6 row on the right side in the conveying direction of the conveying conveyor, so that it becomes a so-called empty state. Are supplied to the right side A6 row of the conveyor.
[0022]
As a result, the B6 row on the left side of the conveyor conveys the white balls transferred from the upstream egg collection conveyor 1, while the A6 row on the right side of the conveyor conveys red balls newly supplied at the stage of the conveyor. become.
[0023]
At the discharge end of the transport conveyor 2, a measuring device 6 is arranged in each row, and weighs the eggs in each row of eggs that have been transported by the transport conveyor. That is, the measuring device NO. Corresponding to the conveying row 1 from the right in the conveying direction of the conveying conveyor. 1 and a measuring instrument 2 corresponding to the transport row 2, and so on. 1 to measuring instrument NO. Up to 6, weigh the red balls in each corresponding transport row and measure the weighing instrument NO. 7 to measuring instrument NO. Up to twelve, weigh the white balls in each corresponding transport row.
[0024]
The weight signal of the eggs in each transport row weighed by each weighing device is transmitted to a comparator (not shown). The comparator determines the egg size set in advance according to the egg weight with a boundary egg weight setting device (not shown). For example, the egg size is set to two types, large and small, and the boundary egg weight is set to 65 g by the boundary egg weight setting device, 65 g or more is set to large egg size, and less than 65 g is set to small egg size. Therefore, the meter NO. Eggs weighed 67 g at 1 are determined to be large egg size, and eggs weighed 60 g are similarly determined to be small egg size.
[0025]
FIG. 4 is a table showing the release location of the egg size by measuring instrument number. First, the chicken eggs (red balls) on the right side A6 row in the conveyance direction of the conveyance conveyor are the weighing instrument NO. 1 to NO. It is weighed by up to 6 measuring instruments. The release locations of red eggs measured by each measuring instrument are X1 and X2. X 1 and X2 are distinguished as follows according to the egg size. That is, X1 is a release location that releases red balls determined to have a large egg size, and X2 is a release location that releases red balls determined to have a small egg size.
[0026]
Next, the white eggs in the B6 row on the left side in the carrying direction of the carrying conveyor are the weighing instrument No. corresponding to each carrying row. No. 7 to NO. 12 is measured. The release locations of the white eggs weighed by each measuring instrument are Y1 and Y2, but Y1 and Y2 are distinguished as follows according to the egg size. That is, Y1 is a release location for releasing a white egg determined to have a large egg size, and Y2 is a release location for releasing a white egg determined to have a small egg size.
[0027]
Thus, the release locations of white eggs with large egg size are all Y1, and the release locations of white eggs with small egg size are all Y2. Further, the release locations of red eggs having a large egg size are all X1, and the release locations of red eggs having a small egg size are all X2.
[0028]
Therefore, even if different types of eggs are transported and sorted at the same time, such as red balls on the right side A6 row and white balls on the left side B6 row in the conveying direction of the conveyor, red balls and white balls are mixed in the same discharge location. Will not be released.
[0029]
In the above embodiment, the chicken egg size is two types, large and small. However, the egg size may be four types of maximum, large, small, and minimum.
[0030]
FIG. 5 is a table showing the release location of the egg size according to the measuring instrument number when the egg size is set to 4 types (the measuring instruments NO. 1 to NO. 6 weigh the red egg eggs, (Weighing egg white eggs from measuring instruments No. 7 to NO. 12). Rather than providing a release location for each of the red and white balls according to the set egg size, as in this embodiment, for the release locations of the maximal and minimal eggs that are released less frequently, the release location common to the red and white balls May be provided. That is, Z1 is a release location common to red and white eggs whose egg size is determined to be maximum, and Z2 is a discharge location common to red and white eggs whose egg size is determined to be minimal.
[0031]
Next, the egg transfer device will be described. Since this point is the same as that of Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-43211, only a simple description will be given (FIG. 3).
[0032]
The impeller 21 provided at the discharge end of the conveyor conveys eggs individually and transported in twelve rows on the conveyor conveyor in the 12 rows with the axis of the egg lying horizontally. After weighing, squeeze out.
[0033]
The egg transfer device includes an axis converter 22 that converts the axis of the egg from a horizontal state to a vertical state, and an acceleration feeder 23 that accelerates the egg while the axis is vertical.
[0034]
Below the accelerating feeder 23, there is disposed a distribution conveyor 11 for accelerating the eggs whose axes are vertical and receiving the eggs released in synchronization. The acceleration thrower 23 that has received the eggs in the vertical state from the axis converter 22 is accelerated at the same speed as the transfer speed of the distribution conveyor 11 provided below, and drops the eggs on the cups of the distribution conveyor 11.
[0035]
Next, a control apparatus (not shown) calculates the position of the egg transferred by the distribution conveyor 11 based on the pulse signal from an encoder (not shown). Then, when the eggs are transferred up to a predetermined discharge location by the distribution conveyor 11, the eggs are opened by the open shutter 14 and discharged to the predetermined discharge location.
[0036]
As described above, the egg release location is determined to be a large egg size among the eggs that have been transported in the transport rows 1 to 6 of the transport conveyor (the eggs weighed using the measuring devices NO.1 to NO.6). Is determined to be X1, and those determined to have a small egg size are defined as X2. Also, among the eggs (egg eggs weighed with the measuring devices No. 7 to NO. 12) that have been transported in the transport rows 7 to 12 of the transport conveyor, those determined to have a large egg size are Y1, and the egg size is small. The determined one is defined as Y2. Therefore, even if different types of eggs are transported and sorted at the same time, such as red balls in transport rows 1 to 6 and white balls in transport rows 7 to 12, red balls and white balls are mixed in the same discharge location. Therefore, different types of eggs can be sorted and distributed at the same time.
[0037]
The distribution conveyor in the above embodiment is a single row, but it goes without saying that a plurality of distribution conveyors may be translated. Thereby, transfer of the egg from a conveyance conveyor to a distribution conveyor can be performed with margin, As a result, the impact to an egg can be reduced. In this case, the transfer of eggs from the transfer conveyor to the multiple-row distribution conveyor is well known in Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-9488, and will be omitted.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, different types of eggs are transported and sorted at the same time, such as red balls in the transport rows 1 to 6 and white balls in the transport rows 7 to 12 of the transport conveyor. In addition, since red and white balls are not released in the same release location, different types of eggs can be sorted and distributed at the same time.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an egg sorting apparatus as an example of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a conventional sorting apparatus. FIG. 3 is a side view of a transfer apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a chart showing the release locations of egg size by measuring instrument number in the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is a chart showing the release locations of egg size by measuring instrument number in another embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Egg collection conveyor 2 Conveyance conveyor 3 Partition plate 4 Guide 5 Shaft 6 Weighing instrument 7 Container ER Red ball EW White ball 11 Distribution conveyor 12 Transfer device 13 Collection conveyor 14 Open shutter
21 Impeller 22 Axis converter 23 Accelerometer

Claims (2)

N egg (N is an integer of 2 or more) is transported, weighed and then distributed to a distribution outlet corresponding to a grade of equal class separately determined by a distribution conveyor . Dividing the conveyance area consisting of the conveyance lines into a conveyance area consisting of the right conveyance line and a conveyance area consisting of the left conveyance line in the conveyance direction, and distributing each of the distribution outlets corresponding to grades of equal class. An egg sorting apparatus characterized by being provided for each region . 2. The egg sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the distribution outlets provided for each of the transport areas corresponding to grades of equal classes is shared by the transport areas .

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