JP6983738B2 - Heading vegetable transport device and preparation device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a transport device and a preparation device for headed vegetables such as onions.

Conventionally, an onion processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known.
The onion processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a transporting means for transporting the onion and a root cutting means for cutting the root portion of the onion during the transporting of the transporting means. The transporting means includes an alignment roller that transports the onion in the root downstream orientation posture, and a feed roller that changes the root downstream orientation posture to the root upward orientation and transports the onion.

Japanese Patent No. 5649042

According to this onion processing device, the onion can be changed from the root downstream posture to the root upward posture during the transportation by the feed roller, but the headed vegetables cannot be transported by reversing the posture.
In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a headed vegetable transporting device and a heading vegetable transporting device capable of upside down and transporting the headed vegetables in a simple configuration.

The headed vegetable transporting device according to one aspect of the present invention is a transporting device for transporting headed vegetables having a heading portion, an outer leaf and a root, and is a pinching belt for sandwiching the outer leaf of the headed vegetable and the pinching. The holding belt includes a moving device for moving the belt from the upstream side to the downstream side, and the holding belt includes a downward holding portion for holding the outer leaf downward, an upward holding portion for holding the outer leaf upward, and an upward holding portion. On the downstream side of the downward holding portion and the upstream side of the upward holding portion, the headed vegetable has an inverted holding portion in which the outer leaves are inverted from the downward posture to the upward posture.

Preferably, the moving device has a plurality of pulleys and a rotating device for rotating the pulleys, and the holding belt is an endless belt in which both ends of a belt twisted by 720 ° are joined to each other. Therefore, it is hung on the plurality of pulleys in a figure eight shape in a plan view.
Preferably, the support plate is provided to support the heading portion of the headed vegetable that reverses with the movement of the holding belt from below, and the support plate is a transition portion that shifts downward from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction. have.

Preferably, the support plate is provided in a region that overlaps the downward holding portion and the inverted holding portion in the moving direction.
Preferably, the support plate is arranged at a position deviated from the pinching position of the outer leaf in a direction orthogonal to the direction of movement.
Preferably, the holding belt is made of an elastic body.

Preferably, the inverted pinching portion includes a holding roller that comes into contact with the pinching belt and rotates with the movement of the pinching belt.
The headed vegetable preparation device according to one aspect of the present invention includes the transport device and a first cutting device for cutting the roots of the headed vegetables transported by the transport device.
Preferably, it is provided with a second cutting device for cutting the outer leaves of the headed vegetables transported by the transport device.

According to the above-mentioned transport device, by sandwiching the outer leaves of the headed vegetables with the holding belt and transporting the headed vegetables, the headed vegetables can be transported by reversing the posture in which the outer leaves face downward to the posture in which the outer leaves face upward. Therefore, it is possible to realize a headed vegetable transporting device capable of upside down and transporting the headed vegetables with a simple configuration.
According to the above preparation device, the preparation device is provided with a transport device capable of upside down and transporting the headed vegetables, and can cut the roots and outer leaves of the headed vegetables transported by the transport device. Can be realized.

It is a top view which shows one Embodiment of the vegetable (headed vegetable) preparation apparatus. It is a side view which shows one Embodiment of the vegetable (headed vegetable) preparation apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the supply device, the 1st transport part, and the 2nd transport part. It is a figure which looked at the 1st transport part from the direction orthogonal to the transport direction (from the front). It is a figure which looked at the upstream side of the 1st transport section and the 2nd transport section from the direction orthogonal to the transport direction (from the rear). It is a figure which looked at the 1st transport part from the upstream side in the transport direction. It is a top view which shows the upstream side of the 1st transport part and the 2nd transport part. It is a figure which looked at the downstream side of the 1st transport section and the 2nd transport section from the direction orthogonal to the transport direction (from the rear). It is a figure which looked at the downstream side of the 1st transport part and the upstream side of a 2nd transport part from the protruding direction of a protruding part. It is a figure which looked at the downstream side of the 1st transport section and the upstream side of the 2nd transport section from the direction orthogonal to the transport direction (from the rear). It is a perspective view which shows the 2nd transport part. It is a figure which looked at the 2nd transport part from the direction orthogonal to the transport direction (from the rear). It is a figure which looked at the 2nd transport part from the transport direction (from the left side) of the 1st transport part. It is a figure which showed the movement of the vegetable (headed vegetable) moving from the 1st transport part to the 2nd transport part. It is a figure which looked at the 3rd transport part from the direction (from the left) orthogonal to the transport direction of the 3rd transport part. It is a top view of the 3rd transport part. It is a figure which looked at the 3rd transport part from the downstream side in the transport direction of the 3rd transport part. It is a figure which looked at the 3rd transport part from the upstream side in the transport direction of the 3rd transport part. It is a figure which looked at the 1st roller and the 2nd roller which put the vegetable (headed vegetable) in the downward posture from the direction of the central axis. It is a top view which shows the movement of the vegetable (headed vegetable) in the 3rd transport part. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the guide member in the 3rd transport part. It is a figure which shows the movement of the vegetable (headed vegetable) in the 3rd transport part as seen from the direction orthogonal to the transport direction (from the left). It is a figure which looked at the 4th transport part from the direction orthogonal to the transport direction (from the left). It is a perspective view of the 4th transport part. It is a figure which looked at the 4th transport part from the upstream side in the transport direction. It is a top view of the 4th transport part. It is a figure which shows the structure of the 2nd holding belt. It is a perspective view which shows the movement of the vegetable (headed vegetable) in the 4th transport part. It is a figure which shows the movement of the vegetable (headed vegetable) in the 4th transport part as seen from the direction orthogonal to the transport direction (from the left). It is a figure which shows the latter half of the movement of the vegetable (headed vegetable) in the 4th transport part as seen from the downstream side of the 4th transport part. It is a figure which looked at the downstream side of the 4th transport section and the upstream side of the 5th transport section from the direction orthogonal to the transport direction (from the left side). It is a perspective view which shows the downstream side of the 4th transport section and the upstream side of the 5th transport section. It is a top view which shows the downstream side of the 4th transport section and the upstream side of the 5th transport section. It is a top view of the support member. It is a perspective view of a support member. It is a perspective view which shows the support member by omitting the other support. It is a figure which looked at the support member from the upstream side of the 5th transport part in the transport direction. It is a figure which shows the flow of the vegetable (headed vegetable) from the downstream side of the 4th transport part to the upstream side of the 5th transport part. It is a perspective view which shows the downstream side of the 4th transport part and the 5th transport part. It is a top view which shows the downstream side of the 4th transport part and the 5th transport part. It is a top view which shows the lower belt and the lower pulley. It is a perspective view of the 1st cutting apparatus (root cutting apparatus) and the 2nd cutting apparatus (outer leaf cutting apparatus). It is a perspective view which shows the 3rd motor and the power transmission mechanism. It is a figure which looked at the 1st cutting apparatus and 2nd cutting apparatus from the direction orthogonal to the transport direction (from the left). It is a perspective view of the 1st cutting apparatus. It is a figure which looked at the 1st cutting apparatus from the direction (from the left) orthogonal to the transport direction. It is a perspective view which shows the 1st cutting apparatus in an enlarged manner. It is a top view of the 1st cutting apparatus. It is a figure which shows the operation of the root alignment part. It is a figure which shows the movement of the vegetable (headed vegetable) in the 1st cutting apparatus as seen from the direction orthogonal to the transport direction (from the left). It is a figure which shows the action of the root pulling part. It is a top view of the 1st cutting apparatus and the 2nd cutting apparatus. It is a perspective view of the rear part of the 1st cutting device and the 2nd cutting device. It is a figure which shows the drive mechanism of the outer leaf cutting part and the like. It is a figure which shows an onion as an example of a vegetable (headed vegetable).

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a vegetable preparation device 1, and FIG. 2 is a side view showing an embodiment of a vegetable preparation device 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the vegetable preparation device 1. It should be noted that FIGS. 1 to 3 show a partial configuration of the preparation device 1, and FIGS. 1 to 3 show the entire configuration of the preparation device 1.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the direction of arrow X1 in FIGS. 1 to 3 is referred to as forward, and the direction of arrow X2 in FIGS. 1 to 3 is referred to as backward. Further, the arrow X direction in FIGS. 1 and 2 is referred to as a front-back direction, the arrow Y direction in FIGS. 1 and 3 is referred to as a device width direction, the arrow Y1 direction is referred to as a left side, and the arrow Y2 direction is referred to as a right direction.
The vegetables prepared by the preparation device 1 according to the present invention are mainly headed vegetables. Heading vegetables are, for example, bulbous vegetables in which the roots of leaves swell underground or near the ground and become spherical. Specifically, for example, onions, scallions, garlic, lily roots and the like. Hereinafter, the vegetable VG to be treated according to the present invention will be described as a headed vegetable VG.

As shown in FIG. 55, the heading vegetable (bulb) VG includes a heading part (bulb) VG1, an outer leaf VG2 extending upward from the upper part of the heading part VG1, and a root VG3 extending downward from the lower part of the heading part VG1. ,have. In addition, FIG. 55 shows an onion as a typical example of the headed vegetable VG. The headed vegetable VG to be treated in the present invention is preferably harvested or pretreated in a state where the length of the outer leaf VG2 is longer than the length of the root VG3.

First, the overall configuration of the preparation device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the preparation device 1 includes a supply device 2, a transfer device 3, a first cutting device 44, and a second cutting device 5.
The supply device 2 is a device that receives the headed vegetable VG before preparation and supplies it to the transfer device 3. The transport device 3 is a device for transporting the headed vegetable VG. The first cutting device 4 is a root cutting device for cutting the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG. The second cutting device 5 is an outer leaf cutting device that cuts the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the transport device 3, the first cutting device 4, and the second cutting device 5 are supported by the frame 6. The frame 6 is configured by combining a plurality of linear frame materials (for example, steel materials). The frame 6 has a first frame 6A, a second frame 6B, a third frame 6C, a fourth frame 6D, a fifth frame 6E, and a sixth frame 6F. The first frame 6A is arranged on the most upstream side in the transport direction of the headed vegetables by the transport device 3. The second frame 6B is arranged on the downstream side of the first frame 6A. The third frame 6C is arranged on the downstream side of the second frame 6B. The fourth frame 6D is arranged on the downstream side of the third frame 6C. The fifth frame 6E is arranged on the downstream side of the fourth frame 6D. The sixth frame 6F is arranged on the downstream side of the fifth frame 6E. A plurality of casters 6G having wheels are attached to the lower portions of the frames 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, and 6F.

Hereinafter, the configurations of the supply device 2, the transfer device 3, the first cutting device 4, and the second cutting device 5 will be sequentially described.
First, the configuration of the supply device 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
The supply device 2 is supported by the first frame 6A. The supply device 2 has a hopper 7 and a supply conveyor 8. The hopper 7 is formed in a box shape with an open upper surface and a rear surface, and receives headed vegetables before preparation. The bottom surface 7a of the hopper 7 is an inclined surface facing downward from the front to the rear. The supply conveyor 8 is composed of a belt conveyor 8a. The supply conveyor 8 can convey headed vegetables from the front to the rear (in the direction of arrow X2). The front end of the supply conveyor 8 is located behind and below the hopper 7.

The headed vegetables received by the hopper 7 roll or slide on the downwardly inclined bottom surface 7a, move backward, and fall from the rear part of the hopper 7. The dropped headed vegetables are placed on the supply conveyor 8 and transported from the front to the rear, and are supplied to the transport device 3.
However, the preparation device 1 may not be provided with the supply device 2. When the preparation device 1 does not include the supply device 2, the headed vegetables are manually supplied to the upstream side of the transfer device 3.

Next, the configuration of the transport device 3 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the transport device 3 includes a first transport unit 3A, a second transport unit 3B, a third transport unit 3C, a fourth transport unit 3D, a fifth transport unit 3E, and a sixth transport unit 3F. have.
In the drawings, the transfer direction by the first transfer unit 3A is indicated by arrow A1, the transfer direction by the second transfer unit 3B is arrow A2, the transfer direction by the third transfer unit 3C is arrow A3, and the transfer direction by the fourth transfer unit 3D is arrow A4. , The transport direction by the 5th transport unit 3E is indicated by an arrow A5, and the transport direction by the 6th transport unit 3F is indicated by an arrow A6.

First, the first transport unit 3A will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 and the like.
The first transport unit 3A is supported on the upper part of the second frame 6B.
The first transport unit 3A has a first belt 9F, a second belt 9R, a first side plate 10F, a second side plate 10R, a start end plate 11, and a gate device 12.
The first belt 9F is arranged on one side (front side) of the first transport unit 3A in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction A1 (hereinafter referred to as "first orthogonal direction"). The second belt 9R is arranged on the other side (rear side) in the first orthogonal direction. In the case of the present embodiment, the first transport direction A1 is the device width direction, and the first orthogonal direction is the front-rear direction.

The first belt 9F and the second belt 9R are elastic belts such as rubber belts, and are formed in an endless shape (loop shape). The first belt 9F and the second belt 9R may be a round belt or a V belt.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R are arranged in parallel with a gap from each other. The distance between the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the heading portion VG1 of the heading vegetable VG. As a result, the first transport unit 3A can support and transport the heading portion VG1 on the upper portions of the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R.

The first belt 9F is wound around a plurality of first pulleys 13F. The second belt 9R is wound around a plurality of second pulleys 13R. The plurality of first pulleys 13F are pulleys 13F1 located on the most downstream side of the first transport unit 3A, pulleys 13F2 on the most upstream side of the first transport unit 3A, and pulleys located between the pulleys 13F1 and the pulleys 13F2. 13F3 and is included. The plurality of second pulleys 13R are pulleys 13R1 located on the most downstream side of the first transport unit 3A, pulleys 13R2 on the most upstream side of the first transport unit 3A, and pulleys located between the pulleys 13R1 and the pulleys 13R2. 13R3 and.

The first pulley 13F and the second pulley 13R are rotated by the power transmitted from the interlocking mechanism 30 described later. The first belt 9F and the second belt 9R rotate in vertical planes parallel to each other as the first pulley 13F and the second pulley 13R rotate. When the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R rotate, the upper part of the first belt 9F and the upper part of the second belt 9R move from left to right (in the direction of arrow A1), respectively. The first belt 9F and the second belt 9R move (rotate) at the same speed.

The first side plate 10F and the second side plate 10R are attached to the upper part of the second frame 6B. The first side plate 10F is provided on one side (front side) in the first orthogonal direction. Specifically, the first side plate 10F is provided in front (outside) of the first belt 9F and extends in parallel with the first belt 9F. The second side plate 10R is provided on the other side (rear side) in the first orthogonal direction. Specifically, the second side plate 10R is provided behind (outside) the second belt 9R and extends in parallel with the second belt 9R.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first side plate 10F has a vertical portion (first vertical portion) 10Fa and an inclined portion (first inclined portion) 10Fb. The second side plate 10R has a vertical portion (second vertical portion) 10Ra and an inclined portion (second inclined portion) 10Rb. The first vertical portion 10Fa and the second vertical portion 10Ra are arranged so as to face each other with the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R interposed therebetween and parallel to each other. The first inclined portion 10Fb extends upward and forward (obliquely forward and upward) from the first vertical portion 10F. The second inclined portion 10Rb extends upward and rearward (obliquely rearward and upward) from the second vertical portion 10Ra. The upper end portion of the first inclined portion 10Fb and the upper end portion of the second inclined portion 10Rb are located above the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R. The first inclined portion 10Fb and the second inclined portion 10Rb are inclined so as to gradually approach each other from the upper position to the lower side of the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R. The upper end portion of the second inclined portion 10Rb is located above the upper end portion of the first inclined portion 10Fb. That is, the height of the second side plate 10R is higher than the height of the first side plate 10F.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, bearings 65 that rotatably support the central axes of the first pulley 13F and the second pulley 13R are attached to the first vertical portion 10Fa and the second vertical portion 10Ra.
The central shafts of the first pulley 13F and the second pulley 13R are rotatably supported by the bearing 65.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, a plurality of columnar pins 14 are rotatably supported on the first vertical portion 10Fa and the second vertical portion 10Ra. The pins 14 are arranged in parallel with the central axis of the first pulley 13F and the central axis of the second pulley 13R. The pin 14 is arranged between the pulleys adjacent to each other in the transport direction A1 of the first transport unit 3A. In the case of the present embodiment, two pins 14 are arranged between the pulleys 13F1, 13R1 and the pulleys 13F3, 13R3, and between the pulleys 13F3, 13R3 and the pulleys 13F2, 13R2, respectively.

The pin 14 supports the lower surface of the upper portion of the first belt 9F and the lower surface of the upper portion of the second belt 9R from below. The pin 14 rotates (rotates) around the central axis as the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R move. As a result, the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R can move smoothly with the headed vegetable VG placed on the headed vegetable VG without being significantly loosened due to the weight of the headed vegetable VG even if the headed vegetable VG is placed on the top. can.

As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal portions of the supply conveyor 8 of the supply device 2 are arranged close to each other on the upstream side of the first transport unit 3A in the transport direction A1. The transport direction of the supply conveyor 8 is a direction perpendicular to the transport direction A1 of the first transport unit 3A. The end portion of the transport surface of the supply conveyor 8 is arranged on the first side plate 10F side of the first transport portion 3A, and is located above the first side plate 10F. As a result, the headed vegetables transported by the supply conveyor 8 are supplied from above the first side plate 10F of the first transport section 3A to the upstream side of the first transport section 3A.

The headed vegetables supplied from above the first side plate 10F to the first transport portion 3A roll down toward the second side plate 10R side, but the upper end portion of the second inclined portion 10Rb is from the upper end portion of the first inclined portion 10Fb. Is also located above, so that the headed vegetables can be prevented from falling over the second side plate 10R. Further, the headed vegetables transported by the first transport unit 3A are collected on the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R by the inclination of the first inclined portion 10Fb and the inclination of the second inclined portion 10Rb, so that the first belt is surely the first. It is carried on the 1st belt 9F and the 2nd belt 9R.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 7, the start end plate 11 is provided at the start end portion (upstream end portion) of the first transport portion 3A in the transport direction A1. The start end plate 11 connects the first side plate 10F and the second side plate 10R at the start end portion of the first transport portion 3A. This prevents the headed vegetables supplied to the upstream side of the first transport section 3A from falling from the start end portion of the first transport section 3A.
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the gate device 12 is provided in the middle of the transport direction A1 of the first transport unit 3A. The gate device 12 is arranged on the downstream side of the supply conveyor 8 in the transport direction A1 of the first transport unit 3A. The gate device 12 allows or blocks the movement of the headed vegetable VG transported by the first transport unit 3A to the downstream side in the transport direction A1. The gate device 12 has a shaft support plate 12a, a rotation shaft 12b, a gate plate 12c, and a sensor 12d.

The shaft support plate 12a extends upward from the first side plate 10F and the second side plate 10R, respectively. The shaft support plate 12a rotatably supports the rotating shaft 12b. The rotation shaft 12b extends in the first orthogonal direction (front-back direction) above the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R. The rotating shaft 12b rotates about an axis by being driven by a motor (not shown). The gate plate 12c is attached to the rotating shaft 12b and extends downward (on the side of the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R) from the rotating shaft 12b. As shown by the arrow D1 in FIG. 5, the gate plate 12c rotates upward or downward around the rotation shaft 12b as the rotation shaft 12b rotates. In the state where the gate plate 12c extends downward from the rotation shaft 12b (closed state), the movement of the headed vegetable VG to the downstream side is blocked by the gate plate 12c. When the gate plate 12c rotates upward, the headed vegetable VG is allowed to move to the downstream side (open state). An extension portion 12c1 extending toward one side (forward) in the first orthogonal direction is provided on the upper portion of the gate plate 12c.

The sensor 12d is attached to the shaft support plate 12a. The sensor 12d detects the amount of headed vegetables VG (whether or not headed vegetables are accumulated) on the downstream side of the gate plate 12c. In the case of this embodiment, the sensor 12d is composed of a limit switch. The terminal of the limit switch abuts or separates from the extending portion 12c1, whereby the limit switch is switched on and off. The limit switch is electrically connected to the motor, and the motor is driven or stopped by switching the limit switch on and off.

When the headed vegetable VG is accumulated (stopped) on the downstream side of the gate plate 12c of the first transport portion 3A, the gate plate 12c is in a state of being pushed toward the downstream side by the headed vegetable. Therefore, the terminal of the limit switch is in contact with the extending portion 12c1. In this state, the motor is not driven and the gate plate 12c is maintained in the closed state. Therefore, the headed vegetable VG is not transported to the downstream side of the first transport unit 3A, and the headed vegetable VG is prevented from being excessively supplied to the second transport unit 3B.

When the headed vegetables are not accumulated (not stopped) on the downstream side of the gate plate 12c, the gate plate 12c is in a state of not being pushed toward the downstream side by the headed vegetables. In this state, when the headed vegetables transported from the upstream side come into contact with the gate plate 12c, the gate plate 12c is pushed forward (downstream side), and the terminal of the limit switch is separated from the extending portion 12c1. It will be in the state of. In this state, the motor is driven and the gate plate 12c is opened. Therefore, the headed vegetable VG is transported to the downstream side of the first transport unit 3A.

The configuration of the gate device 12 is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the gate plate 12c may be slid upward or downward with respect to the shaft support plate 12a to be in an open state or a closed state. Further, the sensor 12d is not limited to the limit switch, and may be another sensor (for example, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, or the like).
As described above, the headed vegetable VG conveyed by the supply conveyor 8 of the supply device 2 is supplied to the upstream side of the transfer direction A1 of the first transfer unit 3A, and is supplied to the upper portions of the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R. The heading portion VG1 is carried to the downstream side with the heading portion VG1 mounted on the head. The headed vegetable VG that has reached the downstream end (terminal portion) of the first transport portion 3A in the transport direction A1 subsequently shifts to the second transport portion 3B.

Next, the second transport unit 3B will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and the like, the second transport unit 3B is supported on the upper portion of the second frame 6B. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and the like, the second transport unit 3B is arranged on the downstream side of the first transport unit 3A in the transport direction A1. The transport surface (the surface on which the headed vegetable VG is supported) of the second transport unit 3B moves diagonally upward from the downstream side to the upstream side in the transport direction A2. As a result, the second transport unit 3B transports the headed vegetable VG transported by the first transport unit 3A toward the upper side (specifically, diagonally upward).

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 14, the second transport unit 3B has a moving body 15, a projecting portion 16, and a drive mechanism 17.
The moving body 15 has an endless cord body 18 and a moving plate 19 attached to the cord body 18. The cord 18 is a chain in the case of this embodiment. The cord 18 includes a first cord 18F and a second cord 18R. The first cord body 18F and the second cord body 18R are arranged at intervals parallel to each other. The first cord 18F is arranged on one side (front side) of the second transport unit 3B in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction A2 (hereinafter referred to as “second orthogonal direction”). The second cord 18R is arranged on the other side (rear side) in the second orthogonal direction. In the case of the present embodiment, the second transport direction A2 is the device width direction and is a direction inclined upward from the left to the right, and the second orthogonal direction is the front-rear direction.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 13, the first cord body 18F and the second cord body 18R are wound around the driving sprocket 20 and the driven sprocket 21. The first cord body 18F and the second cord body 18R rotate in vertical planes parallel to each other as the drive sprocket 20 rotates.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the driven sprocket 21 is arranged below the first transport unit 3A. Specifically, the driven sprocket 21 is arranged below the pulleys (hereinafter referred to as “downstream side pulleys”) 13F1, 13R1 on the most downstream side of the first transport unit 3A. The drive sprocket 20 is located above the driven sprocket 21 and above the first transport unit 3A. Further, the drive sprocket 20 is arranged at a position farther from the first transport portion 3A than the driven sprocket 21. The upper part (upper part of the loop) of the first cord body 18F and the second cord body 18R moves diagonally upward by rotation as shown by the arrow A2.

As shown in FIGS. 9, 13 and the like, the moving plate 19 connects the first cord body 18F and the second cord body 18R. A plurality of moving plates 19 are provided side by side along the length direction of the first cord body 18F and the second cord body 18R (the transport direction A2 of the second transport portion 3B). The plurality of moving plates 19 are arranged at intervals along the transport direction of the second transport unit 3B. It is preferable that the pitches (intervals) of the arrangement of the plurality of moving plates 19 are set to be equal, but some of them may be different. The pitch of the arrangement of the moving plate 19 is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the heading portion VG1 of the heading vegetable VG.

The moving plate 19 moves diagonally upward as the first cord 18F and the second cord 18R rotate on the transport surface side of the second transport portion 3B. Here, since the driven sprocket 21 is arranged below the first transport portion 3A and the drive sprocket 20 is arranged above the first transport portion 3A, the moving plate 19 is the first cord 18F and the second. Together with the cord 18R, it moves from a lower position (a position lower than the first transport portion 3A) of the first transport portion 3A to an upper position (a position higher than the first transport portion 3A). In other words, the moving body 15 (cable body 18 and moving plate 19) moves from the lower position to the upper position of the first transport unit 3A. Hereinafter, the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the moving body 15 (the transporting direction A2 of the second transporting unit 3B) is also referred to as a “width direction of the moving body 15”.

As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 and the like, a side plate (third side plate) 22F and a side plate (fourth side plate) 22R are provided on the outside of the moving body 15. The third side plate 22F is arranged on one side (front side) of the moving body 15 in the width direction. The fourth side plate 22R is arranged on the other side (rear side) of the moving body 15 in the width direction. The third side plate 22F and the fourth side plate 22R are arranged so as to face each other with the first cord body 18F and the second cord body 18R interposed therebetween.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, the cover member 23 is provided on the second transport unit 3B. The cover member 23 is arranged between the first cord body 18F and the second cord body 18R and below the moving plate 19. The cover member 23 has a strip-like shape and extends below the moving plate 19 along the length direction of the first cord body 18F and the second cord body 18R (the transport direction A2 of the second transport portion 3B). There is. The cover member 23 is fixed to the third side plate 22F and the fourth side plate 22R. The cover member 23 fills the space between the moving plate 19 and the moving plate 19 arranged at intervals along the transport direction A2 of the second transport portion 3B. This prevents the headed vegetables from falling between the moving plate 19 and the moving plate 19.

The protruding portion 16 projects from the moving body 15 toward the first transport portion 3A. Specifically, the projecting portion 16 projects from the moving body 15 toward the first transport portion 3A in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction A2 on the transport surface side of the second transport portion 3B. Specifically, the protruding portion 16 projects from the surface of the moving plate 19 at a right angle to the surface. The protrusion 16 is cylindrical or cylindrical. The protrusion 16 is composed of, for example, an elastic pipe or tube. However, the shape of the protruding portion 16 may be another shape such as a curved plate shape or a flat plate shape.

The protrusion 16 is provided on each of the plurality of moving bodies 15. As a result, the protruding portions 16 are provided intermittently at intervals along the moving direction of the moving body 15 (the transport direction A2 of the second transport unit 3B). The distance (interval) DL1 (see FIG. 9) between the projecting portions 16 adjacent to each other in the transport direction A2 is set to at least the diameter of the heading portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG. The specific distance is set according to the type and size of the headed vegetable VG to be transported.

One moving body 15 is provided with three protrusions 16. The three protrusions 16 provided on one moving body 15 are collectively referred to as "a set of protrusions 16". One set of protrusions 16 includes a first protrusion 161, a second protrusion 162, and a third protrusion 163.
As shown in FIG. 9 and the like, the first protruding portion 161 is provided at the center of the moving body 15 in the width direction. The second protruding portion 162 is provided on one side (front side) of the moving body 15 in the width direction. The third protrusion 163 is provided on the other side (rear side) of the moving body 15 in the width direction. The second protruding portion 162 and the third protruding portion 163 are provided at the same height position. The first protruding portion 161 is provided at a position lower than the second protruding portion 162 and the third protruding portion 163. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the first protruding portion 161 and the second protruding portion 162 and the third protruding portion 163 are arranged in a V shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the moving plate 19. ing.

As shown in FIG. 9, the first protrusion 161 is located between the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R in the width direction of the moving body 15. The second protruding portion 162 is located on the outside of the first belt 9F (the side opposite to the second belt 9R side) in the width direction of the moving body 15. The third protrusion 163 is located on the outside of the second belt 9R (the side opposite to the first belt 9F side) in the width direction of the moving body 15. In other words, the first belt 9F is located between the first protrusion 161 and the second protrusion 162 in the width direction of the moving body 15. The second belt 9R is located between the first protrusion 161 and the third protrusion 163 in the width direction of the moving body 15.

The first protruding portion 161 and the second protruding portion 162 and the third protruding portion 163 move diagonally upward due to the movement of the moving body 15 accompanying the rotation of the first cord body 18F and the second cord body 18R. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the first protruding portion 161 passes between the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R as the moving body 15 moves. The second protruding portion 162 passes through the outside (front side) of the first belt 9F as the moving body 15 moves. The third protrusion 163 passes outside (rear side) of the second belt 9R as the moving body 15 moves.

As shown in FIG. 7, the heading vegetable VG that has been transported on the upper part of the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R of the first transport portion 3A has the heading portion VG1 as the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R. It is located between. Therefore, as the moving body 15 moves, the first protruding portion 161 passes between the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R, so that the heading portion VG1 is pushed up from below by the first protruding portion 161 and the second 1 It is supported from below by the protrusion 161. Further, the second protruding portion 162 passes outside the first belt 9F, and the third protruding portion 163 passes outside the second belt 9R, so that the heading portion VG1 has the second protruding portion 162 and the third protruding portion. It is also supported from below by 163.

As a result, the heading portion VG1 of the heading vegetable VG is supported and lifted from below by the first protruding portion 161 and the second protruding portion 162, and the third protruding portion 163 (see FIG. 10). At this time, since the first protruding portion 161 and the second protruding portion 162 and the third protruding portion 163 are arranged in a V shape, the heading portion VG1 can be supported at three points and reliably lifted. In the headed vegetable VG lifted by the first protruding portion 161 and the second protruding portion 162 and the third protruding portion 163, the heading portion VG1 is supported by the first protruding portion 161, the second protruding portion 162, and the third protruding portion 163. It is transported diagonally upward in the state of being. As a result, the transfer of the heading portion VG1 from the first transport portion 3A to the second transport portion 3B is completed.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 14, the drive mechanism 17 of the second transport unit 3B includes a first motor 24 and a power transmission mechanism 25. The first motor 24 is below the drive sprocket 20 and is arranged between the third side plate 22F and the fourth side plate 22R. The power transmission mechanism 25 transmits the rotational driving force of the first motor 24 to the drive sprocket 20. The power transmission mechanism 25 includes a first sprocket 26, a second sprocket 27, a third sprocket 28, and a chain 29. The first sprocket 26 is attached to the output shaft of the first motor 24. The second sprocket 27 is attached to the rotating shaft of the drive sprocket 20. The third sprocket 28 is a sprocket for adjusting the tension of the chain 29, and is attached to a rotating shaft provided at a position different from that of the first motor 24 and the drive sprocket 20. The chain 29 is wound around the first sprocket 26, the second sprocket 27, and the third sprocket 28. As a result, the drive sprocket 20 is rotated by the drive of the first motor 24. As the drive sprocket 20 rotates, the first cord 18F, the second cord 18R, and the driven sprocket 21 rotate, and the moving body 15 together with the first protrusion 161 and the second protrusion 162 and the third protrusion 163. Moving.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, an interlocking mechanism 30 is provided at the lower portion of the second transport unit 3B. The interlocking mechanism 30 is provided so as to straddle the downstream side of the first transport unit 3A in the transport direction A1 and the upstream side of the second transport unit 3B in the transport direction A2. The interlocking mechanism 30 is a mechanism for interlocking the movement of the first transport unit 3A and the movement of the second transport unit 3B.
The interlocking mechanism 30 is composed of a fourth sprocket 31, a fifth sprocket 32, a sixth sprocket 33, and a chain 34. The fourth sprocket 31 is attached to the rotating shaft of the driven sprocket 21. The fifth sprocket 32 is attached to the rotating shaft of the downstream pulleys 13F1, 13R1 of the first transport portion 3A. The sixth sprocket 33 is a sprocket for adjusting the tension of the chain 34, and is attached to a rotating shaft provided at a position different from the driven sprocket 21 and the downstream pulleys 13F1 and 13R1. The chain 34 is wound around the fourth sprocket 31, the fifth sprocket 32, and the sixth sprocket 33. When the driven sprocket 21 rotates together with the first cord 18F and the second cord 18R with the rotation of the drive sprocket 20 of the second transport portion 3B, the fourth sprocket 31, the fifth sprocket 32, and the sixth of the interlocking mechanism 30 are rotated. The sprocket 33 and the chain 34 rotate together. As a result, the downstream pulleys 13F1 and 13R1 of the first transport unit 3A rotate, so that the first pulley 13F and the second pulley 13R rotate together with the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R.

As described above, the first transfer unit 3A and the second transfer unit 3B operate in conjunction with each other by the interlocking mechanism 30. As a result, the headed vegetable VG is smoothly transferred from the first transport unit 3A to the second transport unit 3B.
The configuration of the second transport unit 3B is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the case of the above embodiment, the first protrusion 161 and the second protrusion 162 and the third protrusion 163 are each one, but any or all of the protrusions may be two or more. For example, two or more first protrusions 161 can be provided between the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R. Further, in the case of the above embodiment, the first protruding portion 161 and the second protruding portion 162 and the third protruding portion 163 are each composed of different members, but may be integrally formed of one member. In this case, for example, by forming two notches on one plate at intervals in the width direction of the moving body 15, the first protruding portion 161 and the second protruding portion 162 and the third protruding portion are formed. 163 can be configured.

Next, the third transport unit 3C will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 2, 15 to 17, the third transport unit 3C is supported on the upper part of the third frame 6C. The third transport unit 3C has two rollers 35L and 35R arranged in parallel. Of the two rollers 35L and 35R, one roller (hereinafter referred to as "first roller 35L") is arranged on the left side, and the other roller (hereinafter referred to as "second roller 35R") is arranged on the right side. .. The first roller 35L and the second roller 35R are respectively extended in the front-rear direction. The first roller 35L and the second roller 35R are cylindrical members having the same diameter and the same length, and are rotatably supported around the axis in the front-rear direction with respect to the third frame 6C. The third transport unit 3C transports the headed vegetable VG in the direction of the rotation axis of the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R (from front to rear).

The first roller 35L and the second roller 35R are rotated by driving a second motor 36 (see FIG. 15) supported by the front portion of the third frame 6C. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 21, the first gear 37 is attached to the front portion of the rotation shaft (central shaft) 35La of the first roller 35L. A second gear 38 is attached to the front portion of the rotation shaft (central shaft) 35Ra of the second roller 35R. The first gear 37 and the second gear 38 are in mesh with each other. The first gear 37 meshes with a third gear 39 arranged below the first gear 37. The second gear 38 meshes with the fourth gear 40 arranged below the second gear 38. The fourth gear 40 meshes with the fifth gear 41 attached to the output shaft of the second motor 36. The rotational driving force of the second motor 36 is transmitted to the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R via a gear mechanism including the first gear 37 to the fifth gear 41.

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 21, the front end portion of the rotating shaft 35La of the first roller 35L and the front end portion of the rotating shaft 35Ra of the second roller 35R are rotatably supported by the front plate 42. The front plate 42 is fixed to the front end portion of the third frame 6C. As shown in FIG. 18, a first insertion hole 42a through which the front end portion of the rotation shaft 35La of the first roller 35L is inserted and a front end portion of the rotation shaft 35Ra of the second roller 35R are inserted into the front plate 42. The second insertion hole 42b and the like are formed. The first insertion hole 42a and the second insertion hole 42b are elongated holes extending in a direction orthogonal to the transfer direction A3 of the third transfer unit 3C (hereinafter, referred to as “third orthogonal direction”).

As shown in FIG. 17, the rear end portion of the rotating shaft 35La of the first roller 35L is rotatably supported by the first rear plate 43L. The first rear plate 43L is attached to the first fixing plate 44L fixed to the left portion of the rear end portion of the third frame 6C by the first attachment 45L. The first fixture 45L is inserted into a through hole formed in the first rear plate 43L and the first fixing plate 44L. The first through hole 44a, which is a through hole formed in the first fixing plate 44L, is an elongated hole extending in the third orthogonal direction.

As shown in FIG. 17, the rear end portion of the rotating shaft 35Ra of the second roller 35R is rotatably supported by the second rear plate 43R. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 21, the second rear plate 44R is attached to the second fixing plate 44R fixed to the right portion of the rear end of the third frame 6C by the second attachment 45R. There is. The second fixture 45R is inserted into a through hole formed in the second rear plate 43R and the second fixing plate 44R. The second through hole 44b, which is a through hole formed in the second fixing plate 44R, is an elongated hole extending in the third orthogonal direction.

Since the first insertion hole 42a, the second insertion hole 42b, the first through hole 44a, and the second through hole 44b are elongated holes extending in the third orthogonal direction, the rotation shaft 35La and the second roller of the first roller 35L By moving the rotating shaft 35Ra of the 35R along the elongated hole, the distance between the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R can be adjusted.
As shown in FIG. 19, the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R rotate inward (the opposite side faces downward) around the central axis as the second motor 36 is driven. The mechanism for transmitting the driving force of the second motor 36 to the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R is not limited to the gear mechanism described above, and may be, for example, a mechanism using a chain and a sprocket.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 22, the first roller (one roller) 35L has a first spiral portion 46 spirally provided along the surface of the first roller 35L. The first spiral portion 46 has a first brush portion 47 and a first elastic tube 48. The first brush portion 47 projects like a brush from the surface of the first roller 35L. The first brush portion 47 has a plurality of hair bundles in which a large number of hairs are bundled. The first brush portion 47 is configured by arranging the plurality of hair bundles side by side in a spiral shape. The plurality of hair bundles constituting the first brush portion 47 are individually planted in a large number of holes formed spirally on the surface of the first roller 35L.

The first elastic tube 48 is made of, for example, a rubber tube. The first elastic tube 48 is spirally wound around the surface of the first roller 35L. The first brush portion 47 and the first elastic tube 48 are arranged so as to be offset (without overlapping) in the direction of the central axis of the first roller 35L. The first brush portion 47 and the first elastic tube 48 appear alternately along the direction of the central axis of the first roller 35L. In other words, the first brush portion 47 is arranged between the first elastic tubes 48 that appear at intervals in the direction of the central axis of the first roller 35L.

As shown in FIG. 22, in the length direction (conveying direction A3) of the first roller 35L, the width W1 of the region where the first brush portion 47 is provided is larger than the width W2 of the first elastic tube 48. The height of the first elastic tube 48 (height from the surface of the first roller 35L) is the same as the height of the first brush portion 47 or higher than the height of the first brush portion 47.
As shown in FIG. 16, the second roller (the other roller) 35R has a second spiral portion 49 spirally provided along the surface of the second roller 35R. The second spiral portion 49 has a second brush portion 50 and a second elastic tube 51. The second brush portion 50 projects like a brush from the surface of the second roller 35R. The second brush portion 50 has a plurality of hair bundles in which a large number of hairs are bundled. The second brush portion 50 is configured by arranging the plurality of hair bundles side by side in a spiral shape. The plurality of hair bundles constituting the second brush portion 50 are individually planted in a large number of holes formed spirally on the surface of the second roller 35R.

The second elastic tube 51 is made of, for example, a rubber tube. The second elastic tube 51 is spirally wound around the surface of the second roller 35R. The second brush portion 50 and the second elastic tube 51 are arranged so as to be offset (without overlapping) in the direction of the central axis of the second roller 35R. The second brush portion 50 and the second elastic tube 51 appear alternately along the direction of the central axis of the second roller 35R. In other words, the second brush portion 50 is arranged between the second elastic tubes 51 that appear at intervals in the direction of the central axis of the second roller 35R.

As shown in FIG. 16, in the length direction (conveying direction A3) of the second roller 35R, the width W3 of the region where the second brush portion 50 is provided is larger than the width W4 of the second elastic tube 51. The height of the second elastic tube 51 (height from the surface of the second roller 35R) is the same as the height of the second brush portion 50 or higher than the height of the second brush portion 50.
The width W1 of the region where the first brush portion 47 is provided and the width W3 of the region where the second brush portion 50 is provided are equal to each other. The width W2 of the first elastic tube 48 and the width W4 of the second elastic tube 51 are equal to each other. The directions of the spirals of the first spiral portion 46 and the second spiral portion 49 are opposite to each other. The first elastic tube 48 and the second elastic tube 51 are arranged so as to be offset in the transport direction A3 (front-back direction) of the third transport portion 3C.

As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, 20 and 22, a guide member 52 is arranged above the third transport unit 3C. The guide member 52 extends in the transport direction A3 (front-back direction) of the third transport unit 3C. The guide member 52 has a first guide portion 521 and a second guide portion 522. In the case of the present embodiment, the first guide portion 521 and the second guide portion 522 are formed by bending one plate. The first guide portion 521 and the second guide portion 522 are vertically (vertically) erected.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 20, the first guide unit 521 extends from one roller (first roller 35L) side as it extends from the upstream side to the downstream side of the third transport unit 3C in the transport direction A3 (front-rear direction). It has moved to the other roller (second roller 35R) side. The downstream end (rear end) of the first guide portion 521 is located above the second roller 35R. The upstream end (front end) of the first guide portion 521 is above the center position in the width direction of the second roller 35R or to the right of the center position (direction extending to the side opposite to the first roller 35L side). It is located above. The upstream end (front end) of the first guide portion 521 may be located between the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R.

As shown in FIGS. 15, 16, 20, and 22, the second guide portion 522 is provided on the upstream side (front side) of the third transport portion 3C in the transport direction A3 with respect to the first guide portion 521. .. The second guide portion 522 is provided on one roller (first roller 35L) side of the first guide portion 521. The second guide portion 522 extends from the upstream side to the downstream side of the third transport portion 3C in the transport direction A3 above the second roller 35R. The second guide portion 522 extends parallel to the central shaft 35La of the first roller 35L and the central shaft 35Ra of the second roller 35R and is continuous with the upstream end portion of the first guide portion 521.

As shown in FIG. 20, in the transport direction A3 (front-back direction) of the third transport section 3C, the length L1 of the first guide section 521 and the length L2 of the second guide section 522 above the second roller 35R The relationship is set to L1 ≧ L2. Further, in the transport direction A3 of the third transport unit 3C, the length L3 of the guide member 52 above the second roller 35R is shorter than the length L4 of the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R and the length L4. It is set to more than half of (L4> L3 ≧ L4 / 2). Further, the heights of the first guide portion 521 and the second guide portion 522 are set to be larger than the diameter of the heading portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 21, the guide member 52 is attached to the attachment member 53. The mounting member 53 has a first mounting portion 531 and a second mounting portion 532. The first mounting portion 531 is mounted on the third frame 6C on the outer side (right side) of the second roller 35R. The second mounting portion 532 is mounted on the surface of the guide member 52 on the second roller 35R side. As a result, the guide member 52 is attached to the third frame 6C via the attachment member 53.

The first mounting portion 531 is formed with an elongated hole 531a extending in the transport direction A3 of the third transport portion 3C. The first mounting portion 531 is mounted on the third frame 6C by inserting the bolt B1 into the elongated hole 531a and screwing it into the screw hole formed in the third frame 6C. Therefore, by changing the position of the bolt B1 with respect to the elongated hole 531a, the first mounting portion 531 can be moved in the transport direction A3 of the third transport portion 3C. As a result, the guide member 52 can be moved in the transport direction A3 of the third transport unit 3C, and the position in the transport direction A3 can be adjusted.

The second mounting portion 532 is formed with an elongated hole 532a extending in the third orthogonal direction. In the case of the present embodiment, the third transport direction A3 is the front-rear direction, and the third orthogonal direction is the device width direction.
The second mounting portion 532 is mounted on the first mounting portion 531 by inserting the bolt B2 into the elongated hole 532a and screwing it into the screw hole formed in the first mounting portion 531. Therefore, the second mounting portion 532 can be moved in the third orthogonal direction by changing the position of the bolt B2 with respect to the elongated hole 532a. As a result, the guide member 52 can be moved in the third orthogonal direction to adjust the position in the third orthogonal direction.

The second mounting portion 532 is mounted on the second guide portion 522 of the guide member 52. The second guide portion 522 is formed with an elongated hole 522a extending in the vertical direction. The second mounting portion 532 is mounted on the first mounting portion 531 by inserting the bolt B3 into the elongated hole 522a and screwing it into the screw hole formed in the first mounting portion 531. Therefore, by changing the position of the bolt B3 with respect to the elongated hole 522a, the guide member 52 can be moved upward or downward with respect to the first mounting portion 531. Thereby, the position (height) of the guide member 52 in the vertical direction can be adjusted.

The guide member 52 preferably has a first guide portion 521 and a second guide portion 522, but may have only the first guide portion 521. In this case, as shown by a virtual line in FIG. 20, the upstream end (front end) of the first guide portion 521 is arranged at the most upstream position of the third transport portion 3C, and the third guide portion 521 is the third. It is preferable to increase the length of the transport direction A3.
As shown in FIGS. 16, 17, and 21, a second guide member 54 is provided on the downstream side (rear side) of the guide member 52. The second guide member 54 is arranged above the third transport unit 3C. The second guide member 54 extends in the transport direction A3 (front-back direction) of the third transport unit 3C. The second guide member 54 has a fixing member 55 and a moving member 56. The fixing member 55 has a horizontal portion 551 and an inclined portion 552. The horizontal portion 551 and the inclined portion 552 are formed by bending one plate. The horizontal portion 551 is attached to the third frame 6C. The inclined portion 552 is inclined with respect to the horizontal portion 551. The lower end of the inclined portion 552 is located above the second roller 35R. Specifically, the lower end portion of the inclined portion 552 is located above the center position in the width direction of the second roller 35R or above the center position to the right. The inclined portion 552 is inclined so as to shift to the right (in a direction away from the first roller 35L) as it goes upward.

The moving member 56 is movably attached to the fixing member 55. The moving member 56 has a flat plate shape and is attached to the inclined portion 552 of the fixing member 55. As a result, the moving member 56 is tilted at the same angle as the tilted portion 552. The moving member 56 is arranged on the upstream side of the third transport unit 3C in the transport direction A3 with respect to the fixing member 55. In other words, the moving member 56 is arranged closer to the guide member 52 than the fixing member 55.

An elongated hole 551a extending in a third orthogonal direction is formed in the horizontal portion 551 of the fixing member 55. The horizontal portion 551 is attached to the third frame 6C by inserting the bolt B4 into the elongated hole 551a and screwing it into the screw hole formed in the third frame 6C. Therefore, the fixing member 55 can be moved in the third orthogonal direction by changing the position of the bolt B4 with respect to the elongated hole 551a. As a result, the second guide member 54 can be moved in the third orthogonal direction to adjust the position in the third orthogonal direction.

The moving member 56 is formed with an elongated hole 56a extending in the transport direction of the third transport portion 3C. The moving member 56 is attached to the fixing member 55 by inserting the bolt B5 into the elongated hole 56a and the through hole formed in the fixing member 55 and screwing a nut into the bolt B5. Therefore, by changing the position of the bolt B5 with respect to the elongated hole 56a, the moving member 56 can be moved in the transport direction A3 of the third transport unit 3C. As a result, the moving member 56 can be moved in the transport direction A3 of the third transport unit 3C to adjust the position in the transport direction. The moving member 56 can be brought into contact with or brought into close contact with the guide member 52 by moving it to the upstream side in the transport direction.

As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17 and 20, a third guide member 57 is provided on the upstream side (rear side) of the guide member 52. The third guide member 57 is arranged above the third transport unit 3C. The third guide member 57 has a mounting plate 571 and an inclined portion 572. The mounting plate 571 and the inclined portion 572 are formed by bending one plate. The mounting portion 571 is mounted on the third frame 6C in front of the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R. The inclined portion 572 is inclined with respect to the mounting portion 571. The inclined portion 572 is extended so as to shift to the right side (second roller 35R side) from the mounting portion 571 toward the downstream side (rear side) of the transport direction A3 in a plan view. The extended end of the inclined portion 572 is in contact with or close to the surface (left surface) of the guide member 52 on the first roller 35L side.

As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17 and 21, the third transport unit 3C has a side plate 58. The side plate 58 is attached to the upper part of the third frame 6C on the side of the first roller 35L. The side plate 58 is arranged in parallel with the first roller 35L and extends in the transport direction A3 of the third transport unit 3C. The side plate 58 has a horizontal portion 581 and an inclined portion 582. The horizontal portion 581 and the inclined portion 582 are formed by bending one plate. The horizontal portion 581 is attached to the third frame 6C. The inclined portion 582 is inclined with respect to the horizontal portion 581. The lower end of the inclined portion 582 is located above the first roller 35L. Specifically, the lower end portion of the inclined portion 582 is located to the left and above the center position in the width direction of the first roller 35L. The inclined portion 582 is inclined so as to shift to the left (in a direction away from the second roller 35R) as it goes upward.

As shown in FIG. 16, the horizontal portion 581 is formed with an elongated hole 581a extending in the third orthogonal direction. The horizontal portion 581 is attached to the third frame 6C by inserting the bolt B6 into the elongated hole 581a and screwing it into the screw hole formed in the third frame 6C. Therefore, the side plate 58 can be moved in the third orthogonal direction by changing the position of the bolt B6 with respect to the elongated hole 581a. As a result, the side plate 58 can be moved in the third orthogonal direction to adjust the position in the third orthogonal direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, a downstream end of the second transport unit 3B in the transport direction A2 is arranged on the upstream side of the third transport unit 3C in the transport direction A3. The downstream end of the second transport unit 3B in the transport direction A2 is arranged on the first roller 35L side of the third transport unit 3C. The transport direction A2 of the second transport unit 3B is perpendicular to the transport direction A3 of the third transport unit 3C in a plan view. As shown in FIG. 14, the downstream end of the second transport unit 3B in the transport direction A2 is arranged above the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R of the third transport unit 3C.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 20, the headed vegetable VG transported from the second transport unit 3B is supplied from the left side of the first roller 35L (opposite to the second roller 35R) to the upper side of the first roller 35L. Will be done. That is, the second transport unit 3B functions as a supply unit for supplying the headed vegetable VG above the first roller (one roller) 35L.
As shown in FIG. 16, the transport device 3 includes a communication member 60 extending from the second transport unit (supply unit) 3B toward the guide member 52. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 11 to 14, the connecting member 60 is attached to the downstream end of the second transport unit 3B in the transport direction A2. The connecting member 60 has a connecting portion 61, an inclined plate 62, and a side wall 63. The connecting portion 61 is connected to the third side plate 22F and the fourth side plate 22R of the second transport portion 3B by bolts or the like, respectively. As shown in FIG. 14, the inclined plate 62 is inclined downward from the downstream end of the second transport portion (supply portion) 3B toward the third transport portion 3C side. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 20, the inclined plate 62 extends from the second transport unit (supply unit) 3B side toward the guide member 52 side, and the guide member 62 extends from the second transport unit (supply unit) 3B side. It is inclined downward toward the 52 side. The side wall 63 rises from one side (front side) and the other side (rear side) in the width direction of the inclined plate 62, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 16, the inclined plate 62 has a plurality of notches cut out from the second connecting portion 3B side toward the third transport portion 3C side (from the left side to the right side). 62a is formed. The number of notches 62a corresponds to the number of protrusions 16 provided on one moving plate 15. In the case of the present embodiment, since the number of the protrusions 16 provided on one moving plate 15 is three, the number of notches 62a is also three. The three notches 62a are formed at intervals in the width direction of the inclined plate 62 (the same direction as the width direction of the moving body 15). The three protrusions (first protrusion 161, second protrusion 162, third protrusion 163) move together with the moving body 15 and move from the transport surface side (front side) to the side opposite to the transport surface (back side). Occasionally, it passes through each of the three notches 62a.

By providing such a notch 62a, interference between the projecting portion 16 and the connecting member 60 is avoided, so that the second transport portion 2B can be arranged close to the third transport portion 3C.
The width direction of the inclined plate 62 (direction orthogonal to the inclined direction) coincides with the conveying direction A3 of the third conveying portion 3C. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 20, the inclined plate 62 overlaps with the guide member 52 in the transport direction A3 of the third transport unit 3C. Specifically, in the transport direction A3 of the third transport portion 3C, the inclined plate 62 overlaps with the second guide portion 522 of the guide member 52. Further, in the transport direction A3 of the third transport portion 3C, the inclined plate 62 also overlaps with the inclined portion 572 of the third guide portion 57. Further, in the transport direction A3 of the third transport portion 3C, the inclined plate 62 also overlaps with the first guide portion 521 of the guide member 52. Further, in the transport direction A3 of the third transport portion 3C, the other end portion (rear end portion) in the width direction of the inclined plate 62 is from the rear end portion (front end portion of the first guide portion 521) of the second guide portion 522. Is also located behind (downstream).

As shown in FIG. 14, the headed vegetable VG supported and transported by the protruding portion 16 of the second transport portion 3B moves from the downstream end of the transport direction A2 of the second transport portion 3B to the inclined plate 62. By sliding down (or rolling down) along the inclination of the inclined plate 62, it is supplied to the third transport unit 3C. As shown in FIG. 20, the headed vegetable VG supplied to the third transport unit 3C moves toward the surface (left surface) of the guide member 52 on the first roller 35L side of the second guide unit 522. In other words, the second transport unit (supply unit) 3B supplies the headed vegetable VG toward the surface of the second guide unit 522 on the first roller 35L side.

As shown in FIG. 20, the headed vegetable VG supplied from the second transport unit 3B to the third transport unit 3C via the inclined plate 62 is prevented from moving to the second roller 35R side by the second guide unit 522. Therefore, it is in a state of being placed on the first roller 35L. The headed vegetable VG placed on the first roller 35L rotates on its axis without stabilizing its posture due to the rotation of the first roller 35L. As a result, the headed vegetable VG is transported to the downstream side in the transport direction A3 along the second guide portion 522 while repeating rotation on the first roller 35L. As the headed vegetable VG is transported to the downstream side, it shifts to the second roller 35R side along the inclination of the first guide portion 521 in a plan view. In the process of transporting the headed vegetable VG along the second guide portion 522 and the first guide portion 521, the outer leaf VG2 has an opportunity to be in a downward posture by repeating the rotation. In the headed vegetable VG, when the outer leaf VG2 is turned downward, the outer leaf VG2 is drawn between the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R.

FIG. 19 shows a state in which the outer leaf VG2 is pulled between the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R. As shown in FIG. 19, in the headed vegetable VG in which the outer leaf VG2 is pulled between the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R, the outer leaf VG2 is in a downward posture.
As shown in FIG. 20, the headed vegetable VG in which the outer leaf VG2 is drawn between the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R has a third transport portion due to the rotation of the first spiral portion 46 and the second spiral portion 49. It is transported to the downstream side of the transport direction A3 of 3C. In other words, the third transport unit 3C sandwiches the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG between the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R, and the headed vegetable VG in the axial direction (front-back direction) of the rollers 35L and 35R. To carry.

In this way, the headed vegetable VG supplied from the second transport unit 3B to the third transport unit 3C is in a downward posture in which the outer leaf VG2 faces downward while being transported by the third transport unit 3C. Then, the headed vegetable VG in the downward posture is further transported to the downstream side of the transport direction A3 of the third transport unit 3C, and shifts from the third transport unit 3C to the fourth transport unit 3D in the downward posture. ..
Next, the fourth transport unit 3D will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 23, and 24, the fourth transport unit 3D is supported on the upper portion of the fourth frame 6D. The fourth transport unit 3D is arranged on the downstream side of the third transport unit 3C in the transport direction A3. The fourth transport unit 3D transports the headed vegetable VG transported by the third transport unit 3C toward the downstream side (rear).
As shown in FIG. 26 and the like, the fourth transport unit 3D includes a pinching belt 70 that sandwiches and transports the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG. The sandwiching belt 70 includes a first sandwiching belt 71 and a second sandwiching belt 72. The first holding belt 71 and the second holding belt 72 are made of an elastic body such as rubber.

As shown in FIGS. 23 to 26 and the like, the first holding belt 71 is arranged close to the downstream end of the third transport portion 3C, and is below the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R. Is located in. The second pinching belt 72 is arranged on the downstream side of the first pinching belt 71, and is located below the first pinching belt 71. In the transport direction A4 (front-back direction) of the fourth transport section 3D, the rear portion of the first pinch belt 71 and the front portion of the second pinch belt 72 overlap each other.

The first holding belt 71 includes one side belt 71L and the other side belt 71R. The one-side belt 71L is arranged on one side (left side) of the fourth transport unit 3D in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction A4 (hereinafter referred to as "fourth orthogonal direction"). The other side belt 71R is arranged on the other side (right side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. The fourth transport direction A4 is the front-rear direction, and the fourth orthogonal direction is the device width direction. The one-side belt 71L and the other-side belt 71R are endless and are each wound around a plurality of pulleys.

The one-side belt 71L is wound around the third pulley 73, the fourth pulley 74, and the fifth pulley 75. The third pulley 73 and the fourth pulley 74 are arranged side by side in the fourth orthogonal direction. The fourth pulley 74 and the fifth pulley 75 are arranged side by side in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport unit 3D. The fourth pulley 74 rotates with the rotation of the ninth pulley 79 (described later) attached to the same rotation shaft 79a as the fourth pulley 74. As the fourth pulley 74 rotates, the third pulley 73, the fifth pulley 75, and the one-side belt 71L rotate.

The other side belt 71R is wound around the sixth pulley 76, the seventh pulley 77, and the eighth pulley 78. The sixth pulley 76 and the seventh pulley 77 are arranged side by side in the fourth orthogonal direction. The seventh pulley 77 and the eighth pulley 78 are arranged side by side in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport unit 3D. The seventh pulley 77 rotates with the rotation of the twelfth pulley 82 (described later) attached to the same rotation shaft 82a as the seventh pulley 77. Along with the rotation of the 7th pulley 77, the 6th pulley 76, the 8th pulley 78, and the other side belt 71R rotate.

As shown in FIG. 26 and the like, the fourth pulley 74 and the seventh pulley 77, and the fifth pulley 75 and the eighth pulley 78 are close to each other. As a result, the one-side belt 71L and the other-side belt 71R are in contact with each other. The one-side belt 71L and the other-side belt 71R move from the front to the rear (toward the fourth transport direction A4, which is the direction away from the third transport portion 3C) on the side in contact with each other.

As shown in FIGS. 26 and 28, the first pinching belt 71 moves with the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG sandwiched between the one-side belt 71L and the other-side belt 71R. By doing so, the headed vegetable VG is transported from the downstream side (front) to the upstream side (rear) (toward the transport direction A4). In the transport of the headed vegetable VG by the first pinching belt 71, the posture at the time of transition from the third transport unit 3C is maintained. That is, the posture of the headed vegetable VG carried by the first holding belt 71 is a downward posture in which the outer leaf VG2 faces downward.

The second sandwiching belt 72 further conveys the headed vegetable VG conveyed by the first sandwiching belt 71 to the downstream side. The second holding belt 72 is composed of one belt. As shown in FIG. 27, the second sandwiching belt 72 is an endless belt in which one belt is twisted by 720 ° (two rotations) and both ends 72a and 72b of the twisted belt are joined to each other. .. The second holding belt 72 is hung on a plurality of pulleys in a figure eight shape in a plan view.

As shown in FIGS. 26 and 28, the plurality of pulleys include a ninth pulley 79, a tenth pulley 80, an eleventh pulley 81, a twelfth pulley 82, a thirteenth pulley 83, and a fourteenth pulley 84.
The ninth pulley 79, the tenth pulley 80, and the eleventh pulley 81 are arranged on one side (left side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. The ninth pulley 79 is arranged below the fourth pulley 74 and is attached to the same rotating shaft 79a as the fourth pulley 74. As a result, the fourth pulley 74 and the ninth pulley 79 rotate in the same direction around the rotation shaft 79a. The tenth pulley 80 is arranged behind the ninth pulley 79. The ninth pulley 79 and the tenth pulley 80 are arranged side by side in the transport direction of the fourth transport unit 3D. The eleventh pulley 81 is arranged between the ninth pulley 79 and the tenth pulley 80 and to the left of the ninth pulley 79 and the tenth pulley 80 in the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport unit 3D. There is.

The 12th pulley 82, the 13th pulley 83, and the 14th pulley 84 are arranged on the other side (right side) in the fourth orthogonal direction. The twelfth pulley 82 is arranged below the seventh pulley 77, and is attached to the same rotating shaft 82a as the seventh pulley 77. As a result, the 7th pulley 77 and the 12th pulley 82 rotate in the same direction around the rotation shaft 82a. The thirteenth pulley 83 is arranged behind the twelfth pulley 82. The twelfth pulley 82 and the thirteenth pulley 83 are arranged side by side in the transport direction of the fourth transport unit 3D. The 14th pulley 84 is arranged between the 12th pulley 82 and the 13th pulley 83 and to the left of the 12th pulley 82 and the 13th pulley 83 in the transport direction of the 4th transport unit 3D. ..

The fourth transport unit 3D includes a moving device 85 that moves the second holding belt 72 from the upstream side to the downstream side (from the front to the rear). The moving device 85 includes a plurality of pulleys (9th pulley 79, 10th pulley 80, 11th pulley 81, 12th pulley 82, 13th pulley 83, 14th pulley 84) to which the second holding belt 72 is hung. , A rotating device 86 (see FIG. 43) for rotating these plurality of pulleys.

As shown in FIG. 43, the rotating device 86 has a third motor 95. As will be described later, the rotation driving force of the third motor 95 causes the tenth pulley 80 and the thirteenth pulley 83 to rotate. As the tenth pulley 80 rotates, the ninth pulley 79 and the eleventh pulley 81 rotate. Further, the 12th pulley 82 and the 14th pulley 84 rotate with the rotation of the 13th pulley 83. The rotation of these plurality of pulleys (9th pulley 79, 10th pulley 80, 11th pulley 81, 12th pulley 82, 13th pulley 83, 14th pulley 84) causes the second holding belt 72 to rotate (move). ..

As shown in FIGS. 26 and 28, the 9th pulley 79 and the 12th pulley 82, and the 10th pulley 80 and the 13th pulley 83 are close to each other. As a result, the second holding belt 72 is sandwiched between the 10th pulley 80 and the 13th pulley 83 from the position sandwiched between the 9th pulley 79 and the 12th pulley 82 in the transport direction A4 of the 4th transport unit 3D. In the section Z1 to the position, they are in contact with each other. Hereinafter, the section Z1 is referred to as a "contact section Z1". The second holding belt 72 moves from the front to the rear (toward a direction away from the third transport portion 3C) in the contact section Z1.

The second sandwiching belt 72 is a belt having a convex cross section, has a flat front surface, and has a protruding portion formed on the back surface. The second sandwiching belt 72 sandwiches the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG on the flat surface side. The protrusions formed on the back surface of the second holding belt 72 are formed on a plurality of pulleys (9th pulley 79, 10th pulley 80, 11th pulley 81, 12th pulley 82, 13th pulley 83, 14th pulley 84). It fits into each formed groove.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 23, 24, etc., a cover plate 87 is provided above the fourth transport unit 3D. The cover plate 87 is attached to the upper part of the fourth frame 6D. A plurality of bearings are attached to the lower surface of the cover plate 87. The plurality of bearings include the upper part of the rotating shaft 79a of the fourth pulley 74 and the ninth pulley 79, the upper part of the rotating shaft 82a of the seventh pulley 77 and the twelfth pulley 82, and the upper part of the rotating shaft 80a of the tenth pulley 80, respectively. , The upper part of the rotating shaft 81a of the 11th pulley 81, the upper part of the rotating shaft 83a of the 13th pulley 83, and the upper part of the rotating shaft 84a of the 14th pulley 84 are supported. A substrate 90 is provided above the fourth transport section 3D and below the cover plate 87. The lower portions of the rotating shafts 79a, 80a, 81a, 82a, 83a, 84a are supported by a plurality of bearings attached to the lower surface of the substrate 90, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 26, 28, and 29, the second holding belt 72 has a downward holding portion 72a, an upward holding portion 72b, and an inverted holding portion 72c. The downward holding portion 72a, the inverted holding portion 72c, and the upward holding portion 72b are provided in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side of the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport portion 3D. As shown in FIG. 26, the downward holding portion 72a, the upward holding portion 72b, and the inverted holding portion 72c are provided in the contact section Z1. Specifically, the downward holding portion 72a is provided in the upstream portion of the contact section Z1. The upward holding portion 72b is provided in the downstream portion of the contact section Z1. The inverted holding portion 72c is provided in the middle stream portion of the contact section Z1. In the inverted pinching portion 72c, the second pinching belt 72 is twisted around an axis extending in the transport direction A4, and the second pinching belt 72 is inverted in the vertical direction in the process from the upstream side to the downstream side.

The downward holding portion 72a holds the outer leaf VG2 downward. The upward holding portion 72b holds the outer leaf VG2 upward. As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the inverted holding portion 72c reverses the headed vegetable VG from the downward posture to the upward posture of the headed vegetable VG on the downstream side of the downward holding portion 72a and the upstream side of the upward holding portion 72b. Let me.
As shown in FIGS. 24 and 26, the fourth transport unit 3D has a pressing roller 88 that presses the second holding belt 72. The holding roller 88 is attached to the upper part of the fourth frame 6D by the mounting plate 66. The holding roller 88 can rotate about an axis in the fourth orthogonal direction. The outer peripheral surface of the holding roller 88 is in contact with the second holding belt 72 at the inverted holding portion 72c. The holding roller 88 holds the second holding belt 72 from above or below (upper in the illustrated example) in the inverted holding portion 72c. The pressing roller 88 rotates (rotates) with the movement of the second holding belt 72. As a result, the twisted state (direction) of the second holding belt 72 in the inverted holding portion 72c is appropriately maintained by the pushing pressure from the holding roller 88.

In the illustrated example, the second holding belt 72 is twisted sharply from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of the fourth transport portion 3D, but it may be twisted more gently than in the illustrated example. That is, the length of the inverted pinching portion 72c in the contact section Z1 (the length of the fourth transporting portion 3D in the transporting direction) may be longer than the downward holding portion 72a or the upward holding portion 72b. Further, the direction of the rotation axis of the holding roller 88 is preferably the fourth orthogonal direction, but it may be inclined with respect to the orthogonal direction according to the twisted state of the second holding belt 72.

As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the headed vegetable VG carried by the first holding belt 71 moves to the contact section Z1 of the second holding belt 72 with the outer leaf VG2 in a downward posture, and the contact is made. The outer leaf VG2 is transported in a state of being sandwiched in the section Z1. In the headed vegetable VG that has moved to the contact section Z1 of the second holding belt 72, the outer leaf VG2 is first held by the downward holding portion 72a on the upstream side of the contact section Z1. In the heading vegetable VG, the outer leaf VG2 of the heading vegetable VG is transported in a downward posture at the downward holding portion 72a. Subsequently, the headed vegetable VG shifts from the downward holding portion 72a to the inverted holding portion 72c with the movement (rotation) of the second holding belt 72. In the headed vegetable VG, the outer leaf VG2 is inverted from the downward posture to the upward posture in the inverted holding portion 72c. Subsequently, the headed vegetable VG shifts from the inverted holding portion 72c to the upward holding portion 72b with the movement (rotation) of the second holding belt 72. In the heading vegetable VG, the outer leaf VG2 of the heading vegetable VG is transported in an upward posture in the upward holding portion 72b. In this way, the headed vegetable VG moves in a state of being sandwiched by the second sandwiching belt 72, and the outer leaf VG2 reverses from a downward posture to an upward posture with the movement.

As shown in FIGS. 23, 24, 26, 28, etc., the fourth transport unit 3D includes a support plate 89. The support plate 89 supports the heading portion VG1 of the heading vegetable VG that reverses with the movement of the second holding belt 72 from below. The support plate 89 is arranged below the second holding belt 72. As shown in FIG. 26, the support plate 89 is sandwiched by the outer leaf VG2 (the outer leaf VG2 is sandwiched) in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the second sandwiching belt 72 (the transporting direction A4 of the fourth transporting portion 3D). It is placed at a position deviated from the part where it is. In other words, the support plate 89 is arranged at a position shifted to the left or right from the center of the fourth transport unit 3D in the device width direction. The direction of the deviation of the support plate 89 is set to the direction in which the headed vegetable VG is twisted in the inverted holding portion 72c. In the case of the present embodiment, since the headed vegetable VG is twisted to the left in the inverted pinching portion 72c, the support plate 89 is arranged at a position shifted to the left of the pinching position of the outer leaf VG2. When the headed vegetable VG is twisted to the right in the inverted pinching portion 72c, the support plate 89 is arranged at a position shifted to the right of the pinching position of the outer leaf VG2.

In the case of the present embodiment, the support plate 89 does not overlap with the pinching position of the outer leaf VG2 in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the second pinching belt 72 (fourth orthogonal direction), but overlaps. You may be doing it. For example, the support plate 89 may extend both to the left and to the right from the sandwiching position of the outer leaf VG2 (the center of the fourth transport portion 3D in the device width direction).
The support plate 89 has an upright portion 891, a horizontal portion 892, and a transition portion 893. The upright portion 891, the horizontal portion 892, and the transition portion 893 are formed by bending one plate. As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the upright portion 891 is fixed to the substrate 90 provided below the second holding belt 72 by bolts or the like, and stands up from the substrate 90 upward. The upright portion 891 includes a front upright portion 891a and a rear upright portion 891b. The front standing portion 891a is arranged below the seventh pulley 77 and the twelfth pulley 82. The rear standing portion 891b is arranged between the 12th pulley 82 and the 14th pulley 84. The height of the front standing portion 891a is higher than the height of the rear standing portion 891b. The horizontal portion 892 extends horizontally toward the rear from the upper end portion of the front standing portion 891a. The transition portion 893 extends from the rear end portion of the horizontal portion 892 to the upper end portion of the rear standing portion 891b. The transition portion 893 shifts downward from the front (upstream side) to the rear (downstream side). In other words, the transition portion 893 is inclined downward from the rear end portion of the horizontal portion 892.

As shown in FIG. 26, the support plate 89 is provided in a region that overlaps with the downward holding portion 72a and the inverted holding portion 72c in the moving direction of the second holding belt 72 (the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport portion 3D). Has been done. The support plate 89 is located in a region that overlaps at least a part of the downward holding portion 72a and a part of the inverted holding portion 72c in the moving direction of the second holding belt 72 (the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport portion 3D). It may be provided in a region that overlaps with all of the downward holding portion 72a and all of the inverted holding portion 72c.

As shown in FIGS. 28 to 30, the support plate 89 supports the heading portion VG1 of the heading vegetable VG that reverses with the movement of the second holding belt 72 from below. In the heading vegetable VG, the heading portion VG1 is in a lateral or diagonal posture in which the heading portion VG1 protrudes to the left of the second pinching belt 72 in the process in which the outer leaf VG2 is inverted from the downward posture to the upward posture in the inverted pinching portion 72c. .. The support plate 89 abuts from below with respect to the heading portion VG1 of the heading vegetable VG in a sideways or diagonally oriented posture, and can receive the weight of the heading portion VG1. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the outer leaf VG2 from being bent or broken due to the weight of the heading portion VG1 when the headed vegetable VG is in the sideways or diagonally oriented posture.

As described above, in the process of transporting the headed vegetable VG by the fourth transport unit 3D, the outer leaf VG2 is reversed from the downward posture to the upward posture. Then, the headed vegetable VG in which the outer leaf VG2 is in the upward posture is released from the pinching of the outer leaf VG2 at the downstream end of the transport direction A4 (the downstream end of the upward pinching portion 72b) and shifts to the fifth transport portion 3E. ..
As shown in FIGS. 2, 39 and the like, the fifth transport unit 3E is supported by the fifth frame 6E. The fifth transport unit 3E is arranged below the fourth transport unit 3D. Hereinafter, the 4th transport unit 3D may be referred to as “upper stage transport unit 3D”, and the 5th transport unit 3E may be referred to as “lower stage transport unit 3E”.

The fifth transport unit (lower transport unit) 3E sandwiches the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG whose pinching by the fourth transport unit (upper transport unit) 3D is released, and further transports it to the downstream side (rear). ..
As shown in FIGS. 31 and 41, the fifth transport unit 3E overlaps with the fourth transport unit 3D and overlaps with the fourth transport unit 3D in the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport unit 3E. It has a non-overlapping portion 92 that does not wrap. The non-overlapping portion 92 is arranged on the downstream side (rear side) of the transport direction A5 with respect to the overlapping portion 91. The transport direction A5 of the fifth transport unit 3E is the same as the transport direction A4 of the fourth transport unit 3D, and is specifically a direction from the front to the rear.

As shown in FIG. 41, the fifth transport unit 3E includes an endless belt 93 (hereinafter referred to as “lower belt 93”) and a plurality of pulleys 100 (hereinafter, “lower pulley 100”) to which the lower belt 93 is hung. ") And has.
The lower belt 93 includes a lower belt 93L and a lower belt 93R. Both the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R are elastic belts such as rubber belts. The lower belt 93L is arranged on one side (left side) of the fifth transport unit 3E in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction A5 (hereinafter referred to as “fifth orthogonal direction”). The lower belt 93R is arranged on the other side (right side) in the fifth orthogonal direction. In the case of the present embodiment, the fifth transport direction A5 is the front-rear direction, and the fifth orthogonal direction is the device width direction.

The lower belt 93 rotates in a horizontal plane due to the rotation of the lower pulley 100. The other side (left side) of the lower belt 93L and one side (right side) of the lower belt 93R are in contact with each other. In other words, the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R are in contact with each other on the inner side of the device (center side in the width direction of the device). The lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R move from the front to the rear on the side (inside) in contact with each other.

The plurality of lower pulleys 100 include a first lower pulley 101, a second lower pulley 102, a third lower pulley 103, a fourth lower pulley 104, a fifth lower pulley 105, a sixth lower pulley 106, a seventh lower pulley 107, and a seventh lower pulley. 8 The lower pulley 108 is included. The first lower pulley 101 to the eighth lower pulley 108 are arranged on one side (left side) and the other side (right side) in the fifth orthogonal direction, respectively. Hereinafter, the lower pulley arranged on one side (left side) in the fifth orthogonal direction is referred to as "first lower pulley 101L" or the like, and the lower pulley arranged on the other side (right side) in the fifth orthogonal direction is referred to as "first". It is described as "lower pulley 101R" and the like.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 39, the first plate 94L is attached to the upper left portion of the fifth frame 6E, and the second plate 94R is attached to the upper right portion of the fifth frame 6E. The central shafts of the first lower pulley 101L to the eighth lower pulley 108L are rotatably supported by the first plate 94L. The central shafts of the first lower pulley 101R to the eighth lower pulley 108R are rotatably supported by the second plate 94R. A gap G1 is formed between the first plate 94L and the second plate 94R. The gap G1 extends in the transport direction A5 (front-back direction) of the fifth transport unit 3E. The gap G1 is formed to have a width through which the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG can pass.

The lower belt 93L is wound around the first lower pulley 101L to the eighth lower pulley 108L. The eighth lower pulley 108L is for adjusting the tension of the lower belt 93L and is movable in the fifth orthogonal direction. The lower belt 93R is wound around the first lower pulley 101R to the eighth lower pulley 108L. The eighth lower pulley 108R is for adjusting the tension of the lower belt 93R and can move in the fifth orthogonal direction.

The seventh lower pulleys 107L and 107R are rotated by a rotational driving force transmitted from the third motor 95 via the power transmission mechanism 110. As shown in FIG. 43, the power transmission mechanism 110 includes a seventh sprocket 111, an eighth sprocket 112, a ninth sprocket 113, a tenth sprocket 114, and a chain 115. The seventh sprocket 111 is attached to the output shaft of the third motor 95. The eighth sprocket 112 is attached to the same rotation shaft 107La as the seventh lower pulley 107L, and is arranged below the seventh lower pulley 107L. The ninth sprocket 113 is attached to the same rotation shaft 107Ra as the seventh lower pulley 107R, and is arranged below the seventh lower pulley 107R. The tenth sprocket 114 is attached to a rotating shaft 114a arranged in parallel with the rotating shafts 107La and 107Ra. The tenth sprocket 114 is a sprocket for adjusting the tension of the chain 115. The chain 115 is wound around the 7th sprocket 111, the 8th sprocket 112, the 9th sprocket 113, and the 10th sprocket 114. When the third motor 95 is driven, the seventh sprocket 111, the eighth sprocket 112, the ninth sprocket 113, the tenth sprocket 114, and the chain 115 rotate. The seventh lower pulley 107L rotates with the rotation of the eighth sprocket 112. The seventh lower pulley 107R rotates with the rotation of the ninth sprocket 113.

Along with the rotation of the 7th lower pulley 107L, the 1st lower pulley 101L to the 6th lower pulley 106L, the 8th lower pulley 108L, and the lower belt 93L rotate. With the rotation of the 7th lower pulley 107R, the 1st lower pulley 101R to the 6th lower pulley 106R, the 8th lower pulley 108R, and the lower belt 93R rotate. In this way, the rotational driving force of the third motor 95 causes the first lower pulley 101L to the eighth lower pulley 108L, the first lower pulley 101R to the eighth lower pulley 108R, the lower belt 93L, and the lower belt 93R to rotate.

As shown in FIG. 41, the lower belt 93L abuts on the outer leaf VG2 from one side (left side) in the fifth orthogonal direction. The lower belt 93R abuts on the outer leaf VG2 from the other side (right side) in the fifth carrying orthogonal direction. As a result, the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG is sandwiched between the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R. Hereinafter, the lower belt 93L may be referred to as a "first holding body 93L", and the lower belt 93R may be referred to as a "second holding body 93R".

Of the plurality of pulleys around which the lower belt 93L is wound, the third lower pulley 103L, the fourth lower pulley 104L, the fifth lower pulley 105L, and the sixth lower pulley 106L have the lower belt (first holding body) 93L. It is a pressing member (hereinafter referred to as "first pressing member 116L") that presses toward the outer leaf VG2 side (lower belt 93R side). The first pressing member 116L rotates (rotates) together with the lower belt 93L.

Of the plurality of pulleys around which the lower belt 93R is wound, the third lower pulley 103R, the fourth lower pulley 104R, the fifth lower pulley 105R, and the sixth lower pulley 106R have the lower belt (first holding body) 93R. It is a pressing member (hereinafter referred to as "second pressing member 116R") that presses toward the outer leaf VG2 side (lower belt 93L side). The second pressing member 116R rotates (rotates) together with the lower belt 93R.

As shown in FIG. 41, the first pressing member 116L and the second pressing member 116R are alternately arranged along the conveying direction A5 of the fifth conveying section 3E. Specifically, along the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport unit 3E, the third lower pulley 103R, the third lower pulley 103L, the fourth lower pulley 104R, the fourth lower pulley 104L, the fifth lower pulley 105R, and the fifth. The lower pulley 105L, the sixth lower pulley 106R, and the sixth lower pulley 106L are arranged in this order.

By alternately arranging the first pressing member 116L and the second pressing member 116R along the conveying direction A5 of the fifth conveying portion 3E, the lower belt (first holding body) 93L and the lower belt (second holding body) are arranged. The 93R and the 93R are curved in a wavy shape and elastically deformed. Therefore, the outer leaf VG2 can be reliably sandwiched between the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R.
As shown in FIGS. 31 and 41, among the plurality of lower pulleys 100, the first lower pulleys 101L and 101R on the most upstream side are arranged in the overlapping portion 91. In other words, the plurality of lower pulleys 100 include the first lower pulleys 101L and 101R arranged in the overlapping portion 91.

As described above, the second holding belt 72 provided in the fourth transport portion 3D has a plurality of pulleys (9th pulley 79, 10th pulley 80, 11th pulley 81, 12th pulley 82, 13th pulley 83, It is hung on the 14th pulley 84). Hereinafter, the second holding belt 72 may be referred to as an “upper belt 72”, and a plurality of pulleys to which the second holding belt (upper belt) 72 is hung may be referred to as an “upper pulley”. Further, among the plurality of upper pulleys, the upper pulleys (10th pulley 80, 13th pulley 83) arranged on the most downstream side are referred to as "first upper pulleys 80, 83".

As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the first upper pulley 80 is arranged above the first lower pulley 101L. The first upper pulley 83 is arranged above the first lower pulley 101R. The first upper pulley 80 is supported by the same rotating shaft 80a as the first lower pulley 101L. The first upper pulley 83 is supported by the same rotating shaft 83a as the first lower pulley 101R. The rotary shaft 80a and the rotary shaft 83a are arranged in parallel with each other and extend in the vertical direction. The first upper pulley 80 is attached to the upper part of the rotary shaft 80a, and the first lower pulley 101L is attached to the lower part of the rotary shaft 80a. Further, the first upper pulley 83 is attached to the upper part of the rotary shaft 83a, and the first lower pulley 101R is attached to the lower part of the rotary shaft 83a. As a result, the first upper pulley (10th pulley) 80 and the first lower pulley 101L integrally rotate at the same angular velocity as the rotation shaft 80a rotates. Further, the first upper pulley (13th pulley) 83 and the first lower pulley 101R integrally rotate at the same speed (angular velocity) as the rotation shaft 83a rotates.

As described above, the first lower pulleys 101L and 101R are rotated by the rotational driving force of the third motor 95 (see FIG. 25), and the first upper pulley (10th pulley) is rotated with the rotation of the first lower pulleys 101L and 101R. 80, 13th pulley 83) also rotates.
As shown in FIGS. 31, 32, 38, etc., the transport device 3 has a support member 117 that supports the bottom of the heading portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG that is transported by the fifth transport portion (lower transport portion) 3E. I have. The support member 117 is arranged below the fifth transport unit 3E. As shown in FIG. 31, the support member 117 is provided from below the overlapping portion 91 to below the non-overlapping portion 92 in the transport direction A5 (front-back direction) of the fifth transport portion 3E.

As shown in FIGS. 34 to 37, the support member 117 includes a first support member 117L and a second support member 117R. The first support member 117L is arranged on one side (left side) in the fifth orthogonal direction. The second support member 117R is arranged on the other side (right side) in the fifth orthogonal direction. An insertion portion 118 into which the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG can be inserted is formed between the first support member 117L and the second support member 117R. The insertion portion 118 extends along the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport portion 3E. In FIG. 36, a part of the second support member 117R (the other support 130R) is omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 34 to 37, the first support member 117L has a first support belt 119L. The first support belt 119L has a first support surface 120L that is endless and can be moved in the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport unit 3E. The second support member 117R has a second support belt 119R. The second support belt 119R has a second support surface 120R that is endless and can be moved in the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport unit 3E. The first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R are arranged at intervals parallel to each other. An insertion portion 118 is formed between the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R.

The first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R are made of an elastic body such as rubber. The first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R are made of an elastic body such as rubber or sponge. In the case of the present embodiment, the first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R are a part (surface) of the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R. However, the first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R may be configured by joining another member to the surfaces of the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R. For example, a sponge can be attached to the surface of a rubber belt to form the first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R.

As shown in FIG. 36, the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R are each hung on a plurality of pulleys. Specifically, the first support belt 119L is hung on the 15th pulley 121, the 16th pulley 122, and the 17th pulley 123. The second support belt 119R is hung on the 18th pulley 124, the 19th pulley 125, and the 20th pulley 126. The 15th pulley 121 and the 18th pulley 124 are attached to the first rotating shaft 127. The 16th pulley 122 and the 19th pulley 125 are attached to the second rotating shaft 128. The 17th pulley 123 and the 20th pulley 126 are attached to the third rotating shaft 129. The 17th pulley 123 and the 20th pulley 126 are pulleys for adjusting the tension of the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R, and are movable in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIGS. 34, 35 and 37, the first support member 117L has a support 130L on the other hand. The second support member 117R has the other support body 130R. On the other hand, the support 130L is arranged on one side (left side) in the fifth orthogonal direction. The other support 130R is arranged on the other side (right side) in the fifth orthogonal direction. The first rotating shaft 127, the second rotating shaft 128, and the third rotating shaft 129 are rotatably supported by one support 130 and the other support 130R.

On the other hand, the support 130L has a vertical plate portion 131L and an inclined plate portion 132L. On the other hand, the support 130R has a vertical plate portion 131R and an inclined plate portion 132R.
The vertical plate portion 131L and the vertical plate portion 131R are arranged so as to face each other in parallel with the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R interposed therebetween. The first rotating shaft 127, the second rotating shaft 128, and the third rotating shaft 129 are erected over the vertical plate portion 131L and the vertical plate portion 131R.

As shown in FIG. 37 and the like, the inclined plate portion 132L extends upward and to the left from the upper end of the vertical plate portion 131L. The inclined plate portion 132R extends upward and to the right from the upper end of the vertical plate portion 131R. The upper surface of the inclined plate portion 132L is a one-sided support surface 132La capable of supporting the heading portion VG1 from one side (left side) of the first support belt 119L. The upper surface of the inclined plate portion 132R is the other support surface 132Ra capable of supporting the heading portion VG1 from one side (right side) of the first support belt 119R. One support surface 132La and the other support surface 132Ra are inclined surfaces that move upward as they move away from the insertion portion 118 in the fifth orthogonal direction. Specifically, the support surface 132La is an inclined surface that shifts to the left as it goes upward. On the other hand, the support surface 132Ra is an inclined surface that shifts to the right as it goes upward.

As shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, a notch 132Lb is formed in the inclined plate portion 132L. A notch 132Rb is formed in the inclined plate portion 132R. As shown in FIGS. 32 and 35, the rotation shaft 80a is inserted through the notch 132Lb. A rotation shaft 83a is inserted through the notch 132Rb.
As shown in FIGS. 32 and 38, the vertical plate portion 131L and the vertical plate portion 131R are attached to the fifth frame 6E by bolts B7. An elongated hole 67 extending in the vertical direction is formed in the fifth frame 6E. The vertical plate portion 131L and the vertical plate portion 131R are attached to the fifth frame 6E by the bolt B7 inserted through the slotted hole 67 and the nut screwed into the bolt B7. By moving the bolt B7 along the elongated hole 67, the vertical plate portion 131L and the vertical plate portion 131R can be moved upward or downward with respect to the fifth frame 6E. Thereby, the height position of the support member 117 can be changed.

As shown in FIG. 38, the first bevel gear 133 is attached to one end side (vertical plate portion 131L side) of the first rotating shaft 127. The first bevel gear 133 meshes with the second bevel gear 134. The second bevel gear 134 is attached to the lower end of the rotary shaft 80a that rotates the first upper pulley 80 and the first lower pulley 101L.
As shown in FIGS. 35 and 36, the eleventh sprocket 135 is attached to the other end side (vertical plate portion 131R side) of the second rotating shaft 128. The twelfth sprocket 136 and the thirteenth sprocket 137 are rotatably supported on the vertical plate portion 131R. A chain 138 is hung on the 11th sprocket 135, the 12th sprocket 136, and the 13th sprocket 137. The thirteenth sprocket 137 is a sprocket for adjusting the tension of the chain 138, and is movable in the vertical direction.

The rotational power of the rotating shaft 80a is transmitted from the second bevel gear 134 to the first bevel gear 133, and the first bevel gear 133 rotates. Along with the rotation of the first bevel gear 133, the first rotating shaft 127, the fifteenth pulley 121, and the eighteenth pulley 124 rotate. Along with the rotation of the first rotation shaft 127, the eleventh sprocket 135, the twelfth sprocket 136, the thirteenth sprocket 137, and the chain 138 rotate. As the 11th sprocket 135 rotates, the 16th pulley 122 and the 19th pulley 125 rotate. As a result, the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R rotate. Due to the rotation of the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R, the first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R move from the front to the rear (in the direction of arrow A5).

As shown in FIGS. 34 to 36, a plurality of (4) pins 139 are erected between the vertical plate portion 131L and the vertical plate portion 131R. The plurality of pins 139 extend in the fifth orthogonal direction. As shown in FIG. 36, the plurality of pins 139 have a pulley on the most upstream side (15th pulley 121, 18th pulley 124) and a pulley on the most downstream side (the first) in the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport unit 3E. It is arranged between the 16 pulley 122 and the 19th pulley 125). The plurality of pins 139 are arranged at intervals parallel to each other. The pin 139 is rotatable around the central axis of the pin 139. The pin 139 is in contact with the lower surfaces of the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R, and supports the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R from below. The pin 139 rotates (rotates) with the rotation of the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R.

As shown in FIGS. 33 and 38, the headed vegetable VG transported by the fourth transport unit (upper stage transport unit) 3D is located at the downstream end (first upper stage pulleys 80, 83) of the fourth transport unit 3D in the transport direction A4. (Position) is reached, the outer leaf VG2 is released from being pinched by the second pinching belt 72. Therefore, the headed vegetable VG descends due to its own weight, but is supported by the overlapping portion 91 (see FIGS. 31 and 41) of the fifth transport portion 3E that overlaps with the fourth transport portion 3D. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, in the headed vegetable VG, the outer leaf VG2 is sandwiched between the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R, and the heading portion VG1 is the fifth transport portion 3E. It is supported by a support member 117 arranged below.

The heading portion VG1 supported by the support member 117 is supported from below by the first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R, and is inserted between the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119R. The root VG3 is inserted into the portion 118. Therefore, the posture (upward posture) of the headed vegetable VG is stable. Further, when the heading portion VG1 is large, the heading portion VG1 is supported by the first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R from diagonally lower left and diagonally lower right, so that the posture of the headed vegetable VG (upward posture) is also obtained. ) Stable.

The heading portion VG1 supported by the support member 117 has a stable posture (upward posture), so that the height of the base end portion (root) of the root VG3 of the heading portion VG1 is increased regardless of the size of the heading portion VG1. It becomes almost constant. In the heading vegetable VG, the outer leaf VG2 is sandwiched between the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R, and the heading portion VG1 is supported by the first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R, and the lower belt 93L and the lower stage As the belt 93R moves (rotates), it is transported to the downstream side (rear) of the transport direction A5.

As shown in FIGS. 39, 40, and 44, in the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport unit 3E, the first cutting device 4 and the second cutting device 5 are arranged on the downstream side (rear side) of the support member 117. ing. The first cutting device 4 and the second cutting device 5 are arranged side by side from the front to the rear. Specifically, the first cutting device 4 is arranged relatively in the front, and the second cutting device 5 is arranged relatively in the rear. The first cutting device 4 and the second cutting device 5 are arranged below the fifth transport unit 3E.

As shown in FIGS. 40, 42, and 50, the first cutting device (root cutting device) 4 is arranged below the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R. In FIG. 42, the lower pulley 100 is not shown. The first cutting device 4 cuts the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG suspended by sandwiching the outer leaf VG2 by the lower belts 93L and 93R.
As shown in FIGS. 45 to 48, the first cutting device 4 has a root alignment portion 140, a root pulling portion 170, and a root cutting portion 180. The root alignment portion 140, the root pull-in portion 170, and the root cutting portion 180 are arranged below the fifth transport portion 3E.

First, the root alignment portion 140 will be described.
The root alignment portion 140 is arranged on the downstream side of the support member 117 and on the upstream side of the root pulling portion 170 in the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport portion 3E. The root alignment unit 140 aligns the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG transported by the fifth transport unit 3E.
The root alignment portion 140 includes a first rotating body 141L, a second rotating body 141R, a first elastic plate 142L, a second elastic plate 142R, and a rotation drive mechanism 143.

The first rotating body 141L is arranged on one side (left side) in the fifth orthogonal direction. The second rotating body 141R is arranged on the other side (right side) in the fifth orthogonal direction. The first rotating body 141L and the second rotating body 141R have a cylindrical shape having the same diameter and the same length. The first rotating body 141L is externally fitted to the first shaft body 141La. The second rotating body 141R is externally fitted to the second shaft body 141Ra. The first rotating body 141L and the first shaft body 141La, and the second rotating body 141R and the second shaft body 141Ra may be integrated with each other. The first shaft body 141La and the first rotating body 141L and the second shaft body 141Ra and the second rotating body 141R are arranged at intervals parallel to each other and extend in the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport unit 3E. ing.

The first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic body 142R are made of an elastic body such as rubber or sponge, and are made of a thin plate (elastic plate) capable of bending and deforming. In the case of the present embodiment, the number of the first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic body 142R is one, but each may be two or more.
As shown in FIG. 49, the first elastic plate 142L is projected from the outer peripheral surface of the first rotating body 141L in the out-of-diameter direction (direction away from the rotating shaft (first shaft body 141La) of the first rotating body 141L). ing. The second elastic plate 142R is projected from the outer peripheral surface of the second rotating body 141R in the out-of-diameter direction (direction away from the rotation axis (second axis body 141Ra) of the second rotating body 141R). The first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R extend in opposite directions to each other. Specifically, in a state where the first rotating body 141L and the second rotating body 141R are not rotating, the first elastic plate 142L extends to the left and the second elastic plate 142R extends to the right.

As shown in FIG. 48, the amount of protrusion L5 of the first elastic plate 142L from the outer peripheral surface of the first rotating body 141L is equal to the amount of protrusion L6 of the second elastic plate 142R from the outer peripheral surface of the second rotating body 141R. .. The protrusion amount L5 is larger than the outer diameter of the first rotating body 141L. The protrusion amount L6 is larger than the outer diameter of the second rotating body 141R.
As shown in FIG. 48, the first elastic plate 142L has a rectangular shape, and one side thereof is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the first rotating body 141L via the fixing member 144. The second elastic plate 142R has a rectangular shape, and one side thereof is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the second rotating body 141R via the fixing member 144.

A plurality of slits 142La cut toward one side are provided on the other side facing one side of the first elastic plate 142L. The plurality of slits 142La are provided side by side in the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport unit 3E at intervals from each other. A plurality of slits 142Ra cut toward one side are provided on the other side facing one side of the second elastic plate 142R. The plurality of slits 142Ra are provided side by side in the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport unit 3E at intervals from each other. The slits 142La and the slits 142Ra are alternately provided in the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport unit 3E. These slits 142La and 142Ra allow the first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R to be deformed into a curved surface along the outer surface of the heading portion VG1.

As shown in FIG. 49, the first elastic plate 142L rotates around the axis of the first shaft body 141La with the rotation of the first rotating body 141L. The second elastic plate 142R rotates around the axis of the second shaft body 141Ra with the rotation of the second rotating body 141R.
As shown in FIGS. 45, 46, and 50, the rotation drive mechanism 143 (hereinafter referred to as "first rotation drive mechanism 143") includes a fourth motor 145, a first transmission mechanism 146, a second transmission mechanism 147, and a first. It has three transmission mechanisms 148, a fourth transmission mechanism 149, and a fifth transmission mechanism 150.

The first transmission mechanism 146 is from the 14th sprocket 151 attached to the output shaft of the 4th motor 145, the 15th sprocket 152 and the 16th sprocket 153 attached to different rotation shafts, and the 1st chain 154. It is configured. The first chain 154 is wound around the 14th sprocket 151, the 15th sprocket 152, and the 16th sprocket 153.

The second transmission mechanism 147 includes a 17th sprocket 155, an 18th sprocket 156, a 19th sprocket 157, and a second chain 158. The 17th sprocket 155 is attached to the same rotating shaft 153a as the 16th sprocket 153. The 18th sprocket 156 and the 19th sprocket 157 are attached to different rotation shafts. The second chain 158 is wound around the 17th sprocket 155, the 18th sprocket 156, and the 19th sprocket 157.

The third transmission mechanism 148 is composed of a third bevel gear 159 and a fourth bevel gear 160. The third bevel gear 159 is attached to the same rotating shaft 157a as the 19th sprocket 157. The fourth bevel gear 160 meshes with the third bevel gear 159.
The fourth transmission mechanism 149 is composed of a 20th sprocket 161, a 21st sprocket 162, a 22nd sprocket 163, and a third chain 164. The 20th sprocket 161 is attached to the same rotating shaft 160a as the 4th bevel gear 160. The 21st sprocket 162 and the 22nd sprocket 163 are attached to different rotation shafts. The third chain 164 is wound around the 20th sprocket 161 and the 21st sprocket 162 and the 22nd sprocket 163.

The fifth transmission mechanism 150 includes a sixth gear 165 and a seventh gear 166. The seventh gear 166 meshes with the sixth gear 165. The sixth gear 165 is arranged on the same axis as the 22nd sprocket 163, and is attached to the front portion of the first shaft body 141La. The seventh gear 166 is attached to the front portion of the second shaft body 141Ra.
Hereinafter, the operation (action) of the first rotation drive mechanism 143 will be described.

When the fourth motor 145 is driven, the 14th sprocket 151, the 15th sprocket 152, the 16th sprocket 153, and the 1st chain 154 rotate. When the 16th sprocket 153 rotates, the rotation shaft 153a and the 17th sprocket 155 rotate, and the 18th sprocket 156, the 19th sprocket 157, and the second chain 158 rotate. When the 19th sprocket 157 rotates, the rotating shaft 157a and the third bevel gear 159 rotate, and the fourth bevel gear 160 and the rotating shaft 160a rotate. When the rotation shaft 160a rotates, the 20th sprocket 161 rotates, and the 3rd chain 164, the 21st sprocket 162, and the 22nd sprocket 163 rotate. When the 22nd sprocket 163 rotates, the 6th gear 165 rotates and the 1st shaft body 141La rotates. When the sixth gear 165 rotates, the seventh gear 166 rotates, and the second shaft body 141Ra rotates. As a result, the first shaft body 141La and the second shaft body 141Ra rotate inward (the opposite side faces downward) around the central axis. As a result, the first rotating body 141L and the second rotating body 141R also rotate inward with respect to each other around the central axis.

As shown in FIG. 49, when the first rotating body 141L and the second rotating body 141R rotate inward about the central axis, both the first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R face inward about the central axis. Rotate to. The first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R rotate inward with each other and move from the upper side to the lower side while contacting the surface of the headed vegetable VG.

Specifically, the first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R rotate inward with each other so as to come into contact with the heading portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG from opposite sides (see virtual lines 142L1 and 142R1). Subsequently, the first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R move downward along the curved surface of the surface of the heading portion VG1 while bending and bending, and move downward while contacting the root VG3 so as to press them from opposite sides. (See virtual lines 142L2, 142R2). As a result, the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG can be suppressed from spreading and aligned. At this time, the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG is firmly sandwiched between the wavy curved lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R. Therefore, the root VG3 can be aligned while the headed vegetable VG is prevented from falling.

Next, the root pulling-in portion 170 will be described.
The root pulling unit 170 pulls in the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG transported by the fifth transporting unit 3E downward.
As shown in FIGS. 45 to 51 and the like, the root pulling-in portion 170 has a first pull-in roller 171L, a second pull-in roller 171R, and a rotation drive mechanism 172. The first pull-in roller 171L is arranged on one side (left side) in the fifth orthogonal direction. The second pull-in roller 171R is arranged on the other side (right side) in the fifth orthogonal direction. The first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171R are formed in a cylindrical shape having the same diameter and the same length.

The first pull-in roller 171L is externally fitted to the first shaft body 141La. The second pull-in roller 171R is externally fitted to the second shaft body 141Ra. The first pull-in roller 171L rotates around an axis (around 141La of the first shaft body) extending in the transport direction (front-back direction) of the fifth transport unit 3E. The second pull-in roller 171R rotates around an axis (around 141Ra of the second shaft body) extending in the transport direction (front-back direction) of the fifth transport unit 3E. The outer peripheral surface of the first pull-in roller 171L and the outer peripheral surface of the second pull-in roller 171R are in contact with each other or in close proximity to each other. The first pull-in roller 171L and the first shaft body 141La, and the second pull-in roller 171R and the second shaft body 141Ra may be integrally formed.

The rotation drive mechanism 172 (hereinafter referred to as “second rotation drive mechanism 172”) is the same as the first rotation drive mechanism 143 described above. That is, the first rotation drive mechanism 143 and the second rotation drive mechanism 172 are configured by a common mechanism.
Hereinafter, the operation (action) of the second rotation drive mechanism 172 will be described.
When the fourth motor 145 is driven, the 14th sprocket 151, the 15th sprocket 152, the 16th sprocket 153, and the 1st chain 154 rotate. When the 16th sprocket 153 rotates, the rotation shaft 153a and the 17th sprocket 155 rotate, and the 18th sprocket 156, the 19th sprocket 157, and the second chain 158 rotate. When the 19th sprocket 157 rotates, the rotating shaft 157a and the third bevel gear 159 rotate, and the fourth bevel gear 160 and the rotating shaft 160a rotate. When the rotation shaft 160a rotates, the 20th sprocket 161 rotates, and the 3rd chain 164, the 21st sprocket 162, and the 22nd sprocket 163 rotate. When the 22nd sprocket 163 rotates, the 6th gear 165 rotates and the 1st shaft body 141La rotates. When the sixth gear 165 rotates, the seventh gear 166 rotates, and the second shaft body 141Ra rotates. Therefore, the first shaft body 141La and the second shaft body 141Ra rotate inward (the opposite side faces downward) around the central axis. As a result, the first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171R rotate inward (the opposite side faces downward) around the central axis.

As shown in FIG. 51, the first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171R rotate inward about the central axis, so that the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG becomes the first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller. It is drawn between 171R and 171R. At this time, as shown in FIG. 41, since the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG is firmly sandwiched between the wavy curved lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R, the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG is downward. It will be in a state of extending linearly toward. As a result, even when the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG spreads downward, the root VG3 can be extended linearly.

The headed vegetable VG whose root VG3 is extended by the root pulling portion 170 is further downstream (rear) in a state where the outer leaf VG2 is sandwiched and suspended by the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R. It is sent to the root cutting portion 180.
As shown in FIGS. 45 to 48, 50, and 52, the root cutting portion 180 has a root cutting blade 181 and a root feeding portion 182.

The root cutting blade 181 cuts the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG transported by the fifth transport unit 3E. The root cutting blade 181 is a disk-shaped cutting blade having a large number of cutting blades formed on the outer periphery thereof, and rotates around a central axis facing in the vertical direction. The direction of the central axis of the root cutting blade 181 and the moving direction of the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R are orthogonal to each other. In other words, the root cutting blade 181 is arranged in a horizontal plane.

The root feeding unit 182 sandwiches the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG transported by the fifth transporting unit 3E and moves it to the root cutting blade 181 side. The root feed unit 182 has a first feed roller 183L, a second feed roller 183R, and a rotation drive mechanism 184.
The root cutting blade 181 and the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R are rotatably supported on a support plate 185 attached to the fifth frame 6E. The outer diameter of the root cutting blade 181 is larger than the outer diameter of the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R.

As shown in FIG. 48 and the like, the first feed roller 183L is arranged below the root cutting blade 181 and in front of the first pull-in roller 171L. The second feed roller 183R is arranged in front of the second pull-in roller 171R. The central shaft 183La of the first feed roller 183L and the central shaft 183Ra of the second feed roller 183R are oriented in the vertical direction, and these central shafts 183La and 183Ra are behind the central shaft 181a of the root cutting blade 181 (root retracting portion). It is located on the 170 side). The first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R are in contact with each other or close to each other on the inner (opposite sides) outer peripheral surfaces, and rotate in opposite directions (opposite sides forward). As shown in FIGS. 45 and 48, the positions where the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R abut or are close to each other substantially coincide with the outer periphery of the root cutting blade 181 in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 48, the position where the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R are in contact with or close to each other is on the extension line of the center line CL1 between the first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171R. positioned.
The rotation drive mechanism 184 (hereinafter referred to as "third rotation drive mechanism 184") is composed of a fourth motor 145 and a sixth transmission mechanism 186.

As shown in FIGS. 44 to 46, 54, and the like, the fourth motor 145 is supported by the lower part of the support plate 185. The sixth transmission mechanism 186 transmits the rotational driving force of the fourth motor 145 to the root cutting blade 181 and the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R. The sixth transmission mechanism 186 is composed of a 23rd sprocket 187, a 24th sprocket 188, a 25th sprocket 189, a 26th sprocket 190, a 27th sprocket 191 and a chain 192. The 23rd sprocket 187 is attached to the output shaft of the 4th motor 145. The 24th sprocket 188 is attached to the central shaft 181a of the root cutting blade 181. The 25th sprocket 189 is attached to the central shaft 183La of the first feed roller 183L. The 26th sprocket 190 is attached to the central shaft 183Ra of the second feed roller 183R. The 27th sprocket 191 is provided for adjusting the tension of the chain 192. The chain 192 is wound around the 23rd sprocket 187 to the 27th sprocket 191.

When the fourth motor 145 is driven, the 23rd sprocket 187 rotates, so that the 24th sprocket 188, the 25th sprocket 189, the 26th sprocket 190, and the chain 192 rotate. With the rotation of the 24th sprocket 188, the root cutting blade 181 rotates around the central axis 181a. With the rotation of the 25th sprocket 189, the first feed roller 183L rotates around the central axis 183La. With the rotation of the 26th sprocket 190, the second feed roller 183R rotates around the central axis 183Ra. The first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R rotate in opposite directions at the same rotation speed. The rotation direction of the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R is a direction from the front to the rear (the same direction as the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport unit 3E) on the side (inside) in contact with or close to each other. ..

In the headed vegetable VG, the root VG3 is drawn between the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R by shifting to the root feed portion 182 in a state where the root VG3 is extended by the root pull-in portion 170. Be sandwiched. The root VG3 sandwiched between the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R moves backward (on the root cutting blade 181 side) by the rotation of the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R, and roots are cut. It is cut by the rotation of the blade 181.

Here, the moving speed of the root VG3 accompanying the rotation of the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R is faster than the transport speed of the fifth transport unit 3E. That is, the rotational speed (peripheral speed) of the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R is faster than the moving speeds of the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R. As a result, the headed vegetable VG moves the root VG3 with the rotation of the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R, as compared with the movement speed of the outer leaf VG2 that is sandwiched and moved by the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R. The speed becomes faster.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 50, the headed vegetable VG swings forward like a pendulum with the sandwiched portion of the outer leaf VG2 as a fulcrum. Due to this rocking, the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG moves forward in a downwardly convex arcuate locus C1. Therefore, the root VG3 draws an arcuate locus C1 and moves toward the root cutting blade 181 to be cut. Since the root portion of the headed vegetable VG is curved, the root VG3 draws an arc-shaped locus and moves toward the root cutting blade 181 to cut the root VG3 by minimizing the amount of uncut portion. be able to.

As shown in FIGS. 47, 48, 52, 53, etc., the root cutting portion 180 includes a cover 193 that covers the root cutting blade 181. The cover 193 has a function of preventing the operator from coming into contact with the root cutting blade 181.
The cover 193 has an upper plate 193a that covers the upper part of the root cutting blade 181 and a side plate 193b that covers the sides of the root cutting blade 181. The side plate 193b is attached to the upper part of the support plate 185 via the receiving member 194. As shown in FIGS. 42 and 47, the receiving member 194 has a side wall 194a, a first upper plate 194b, and a second upper plate 194c. The side wall 194a is erected on the upper surface of the support plate 185. The first upper plate 194b is attached to the upper end portion of the side wall 194a, and is arranged below the upper plate 193a and above the support plate 185. The second upper plate 194c extends from the rear end portion of the first upper plate 194b, and is inclined so as to move downward from the rear end portion toward the rear.

As shown in FIGS. 47, 48, 53, etc., the cover 193 has a notch 193c cut out from the root retracting portion 170 side (front side) toward the root cutting portion 180 side (rear side). There is. The notch 193c is formed in the upper plate 193a. As shown in FIG. 48, the notch 193c is provided on an extension of the center position between the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R. Further, the notch portion 193c is provided on an extension line of the center line CL1 between the first lead-in roller 171L and the second lead-in roller 171R.

The cutout portion 193c is provided from the downstream side to the upstream side of the center of the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R in the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport unit 3E. That is, one end of the notch 193c is located downstream of the center of the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R in the transport direction A5. The other end of the notch 193c is located upstream of the center of the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R in the transport direction A5.

By providing such a notch portion 193c, when the root VG3 draws an arcuate locus C1 (see FIG. 50) and moves toward the root cutting blade 181, the heading portion VG1 hits the cover 193 and moves. Can be avoided from being hindered.
The headed vegetable VG from which the root VG3 has been cut by the root cutting blade 181 is further transported to the rear (downstream side in the transport direction A5) in a state where the outer leaf VG2 is sandwiched and suspended by the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R. , Is sent to the second cutting device (outer leaf cutting device) 5.

As shown in FIGS. 42 and 44, the second cutting device 5 is arranged below the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R. The second cutting device 5 cuts the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG suspended and conveyed by the lower belt 93L and the lower belt 93R. As shown in FIGS. 52 and 53, the second cutting device 5 has an outer leaf guide portion 200 and an outer leaf cutting portion 210.

As shown in FIGS. 43, 52, and 53, the outer leaf guide portion 200 has a first guide member 201, a second guide member 202, and a contact member 203.
The first guide member 201 and the second guide member 202 are arranged side by side in the fifth orthogonal direction. Specifically, the first guide member 201 is arranged on one side (left side) in the fifth orthogonal direction. The second guide member 202 is arranged on the other side (right side) in the fifth orthogonal direction.

The first guide member 201 has a first intermediate portion 201a, a first front portion 201b, and a first rear portion 201c. The first intermediate portion 201a extends in the anteroposterior direction and is inclined so as to move downward as it goes forward. The first front portion 201b bends from the front end of the first intermediate portion 201a and extends to the left. The first posterior portion 201c bends from the posterior end of the first intermediate portion 201a and extends to the left. The ends of the first front portion 201b and the first rear portion 201c are attached to the first vertical plate 204 (see FIG. 54) fixed to the fifth frame 6E.

The second guide member 202 has a second intermediate portion 202a, a second front portion 202b, and a second rear portion 202c. The second intermediate portion 202a extends in the front-rear direction and is inclined so as to move downward from the front to the rear (toward the downstream side in the transport direction A5). The second front portion 202b bends from the front end of the second intermediate portion 202a and extends to the right. The second posterior portion 202c bends from the posterior end of the second intermediate portion 202a and extends to the right. The ends of the second front portion 202b and the second rear portion 202c are attached to the second vertical plate 205 fixed to the fifth frame 6E.

The first intermediate portion 201a and the second intermediate portion 202a are arranged in parallel with an interval in the width direction of the apparatus. The angle of inclination of the first intermediate portion 201a can be adjusted by changing the attachment positions of the first front portion 201b and the first rear portion 201c with respect to the first vertical plate 204. The angle of inclination of the second intermediate portion 202a can be adjusted by changing the attachment positions of the second front portion 202b and the second rear portion 202c with respect to the second vertical plate 205.

As shown in FIGS. 52 and 53, the contact member 203 has a first portion 203a, a second portion 203b, and a third portion 203c. The first portion 203a and the second portion 203b are continuously formed in a U shape in a side view. The first portion 203a is composed of two straight portions 203a1 and 203a2 and curved portions 203a3 connecting the two straight portions 203a1 and 203a2. The second portion 203b is composed of two linear portions 203b1 and 203b2. The straight line portion 203a1 and the straight line portion 203a2, and the straight line portion 203b1 and the straight line portion 203b2 are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction, respectively.

The first portion 203a is inclined with respect to the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport unit 3E in a plan view. Specifically, the first portion 203a is located on one side (5th orthogonal direction) orthogonal to the transport direction A5 from the upstream side (front side) to the downstream side (rear side) of the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport unit 3E. It is shifting from the left side) to the other side (right side).
The second portion 203b bends from the rear end portion of the first portion 203a and extends rearward (direction toward the downstream side in the transport direction of the fifth transport portion 3E). The second portion 203b is arranged at a position between the first intermediate portion 201a and the second intermediate portion 202a in the fifth orthogonal direction (device width direction).

The third portion 203c bends from the rear end portion of the second portion 203b and extends downward. The lower end of the third portion 203c is attached to a mounting plate 206 fixed to the upper part of the fifth frame 6E. The position of the contact member 203 is fixed by attaching the third portion 203c to the mounting plate 206.
As shown in FIGS. 52 to 54 and the like, the outer leaf cutting portion 210 has an outer leaf cutting blade 211 and a drive mechanism 212 for rotating the outer leaf cutting blade 211. The outer leaf cutting blade 211 is a disk-shaped cutting blade having a large number of cutting blades formed along the outer periphery thereof, and rotates around a central axis 211a facing in the vertical direction.

The outer leaf cutting blade 211 is arranged in front of the first guide member 201 and the second guide member 202. One side portion (right portion) of the outer leaf cutting blade 211 is inserted between the straight line portion 203b1 and the straight line portion 203b2 of the second portion 203b of the contact member 203.
As shown in FIG. 54, the drive mechanism 212 has a fourth motor 145, a 28th sprocket 213, a 29th sprocket 214, and a 30th sprocket 215 and a chain 216. The 28th sprocket 213 is attached to the central shaft 181a of the root cutting blade 181. The 29th sprocket 214 is connected to the central axis of the outer leaf cutting blade 211. The 30th sprocket 215 is connected to the rotating shaft 215a. The rotary shaft 215a is rotatably supported by the support plate 185. The chain 216 is hung on the 28th sprocket 213, the 29th sprocket 214, and the 30th sprocket 215.

As described above, the central shaft 181a of the root cutting blade 181 is rotated by the drive of the fourth motor 145. When the central shaft 181a of the root cutting blade 181 rotates, the 28th sprocket 213, the 29th sprocket 214, the 30th sprocket 215, and the chain 216 rotate. As a result, the outer leaf cutting blade 211 rotates. That is, the root cutting blade 181 and the outer leaf cutting blade 211 can be rotated by driving the fourth motor 145.

Hereinafter, the operation (operation) of the second cutting device 5 will be described.
The headed vegetable VG carried with the outer leaf VG2 sandwiched by the lower belts 93L and 93R is the first after the outer leaf VG2 is introduced from the rear between the first intermediate portion 201a and the second intermediate portion 202a. It moves backward (fifth transport direction A5) while being sandwiched between the intermediate portion 201a and the second intermediate portion 202a. Here, the first intermediate portion 201a and the second intermediate portion 202a are inclined so as to move downward toward the front. Therefore, the position where the first intermediate portion 201a and the second intermediate portion 202a sandwich the outer leaf VG2 gradually shifts downward with the movement of the headed vegetable VG.

In the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG that was sandwiched between the first intermediate portion 201a and the second intermediate portion 202a and moved backward, the vicinity of the base end portion (the portion close to the heading portion VG1) was the first of the contact member 203. It abuts on the portion 203a and moves diagonally to the right and rear along the first portion 203a.
The vicinity of the base end portion of the outer leaf VG2 moves along the first site 203a and then subsequently moves backward along the second site 203b. As a result, the vicinity of the base end portion of the outer leaf VG2 is cut by the outer leaf cutting blade 211. The headed vegetable VG in which the vicinity of the base end portion of the outer leaf VG2 is cut is not sandwiched by the fifth transport portion 3E, so that the headed vegetable VG falls.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sixth transport unit 3F is arranged on the downstream side of the fifth transport unit 3E in the transport direction A5. The sixth transport unit 3F is supported by the sixth frame 6F. The transport direction A6 of the sixth transport unit 3F is the same as the transport direction A5 of the fifth transport unit 3E, and is specifically a direction from the front to the rear.
The sixth transport unit 3F is a belt conveyor, and the upstream side of the belt is arranged below the outer leaf cutting blade 211. As a result, the headed vegetable VG from which the outer leaf VG2 has been cut by the outer leaf cutting blade 211 and has fallen is placed on the upstream side of the belt on the 6th transport unit 3F, and is transported to the downstream side by the movement of the belt and collected. Ru. The recovered headed vegetable VG is a headed vegetable VG in which the outer leaf VG2 and the root VG3 are cut at appropriate positions.
<Effect>
According to the transfer device 3, the root cutting device 4, and the preparation device 1 of the above-described embodiment, the following effects are obtained.

The transport device 3 is a transport device for transporting vegetables VG, which has a first belt 9F and a second belt 9R arranged side by side at intervals from each other, and has vegetables on the upper part of the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R. A first transport unit 3A that supports and transports the VG, and a vegetable VG that is arranged on the downstream side of the transport direction A1 of the first transport unit 3A and that has been transported by the first transport unit 3A are transported upward. The second transport unit 3B includes two transport units 3B, and the second transport unit 3B has a moving body 15 that moves from a position lower than the first transport unit 3A to an upper position, and a moving body 15 toward the first transport unit 3A side. The protrusion 16 includes a first protrusion 161 that passes between the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R as the moving body 15 moves.

According to this configuration, the vegetable VG supported and transported by the upper portions of the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R of the first transport unit 3A is transferred from the moving body 15 of the second transport unit 3B to the first transport unit 3A. It can be lifted and transported upward by the projecting portion 16 projecting toward. Further, since the first protruding portion 161 passes between the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R, the second transport portion 3B approaches the first transport portion 3A without interfering with the first transport portion 3A. Can be placed. Therefore, the vegetables VG transported by the first transport unit 3A can be reliably and smoothly transferred to the second transport unit 3B one by one and transported.

Further, the protruding portions 16 are provided intermittently at intervals along the moving direction of the moving body 15.
According to this configuration, a plurality of vegetable VGs transported by the first transport unit 3A can be intermittently transferred to the second transport unit 3B by the protruding portion 16 and transported. Therefore, a large number of vegetable VGs can be efficiently transported one by one.

Further, the protruding portion 16 includes a second protruding portion 162 provided on one side in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the moving body 15, and a third protruding portion 163 provided on the other side in the orthogonal direction. Including, the second protruding portion 162 passes through one side of the first belt 9F as the moving body 15 moves, and the third protruding portion 163 passes through the other side of the second belt 9R as the moving body 15 moves. Pass through.
According to this configuration, the vegetable VG transported by the first transport unit 3A can be lifted by the first projecting portion 161, the second projecting portion 162, and the third projecting portion 163 and transferred to the second transport unit 3B. can. Therefore, the vegetable VG can be reliably transferred from the first transport unit 3A to the second transport unit 3B.

Further, the second protruding portion 162 and the third protruding portion 163 are provided at the same height position, and the first protruding portion 161 is provided at a position lower than the second protruding portion 162 and the third protruding portion 163. ..
According to this configuration, since the first protruding portion 161 and the second protruding portion 162 and the third protruding portion 163 are arranged in a substantially V shape, the vegetable VG can be reliably lifted without dropping and the second transport portion 3B. Can be migrated to.

Further, the first transport unit 3A includes a first side plate 10F arranged outside the first belt 9F and a second side plate 10R arranged outside the second belt 9R in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction A1. The first side plate 10F and the second side plate 10R have inclined portions 10Fb and 10Rb that are inclined so as to gradually approach each other from a position above the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R toward the lower side. There is.

According to this configuration, the vegetable VG transported by the first transport unit 3A can be collected toward the first belt 9F and the second belt 9R by the inclination of the inclined portions 10Fb and 10Rb, so that the vegetable VG is the first. It is smoothly transported without falling off from the transport unit 3A.
Further, the second transport unit 3B has a third side plate 22F arranged on one side in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the moving body 15 and a second side plate 22F arranged on the other side in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the moving body 15. It has 4 side plates 22R and.

According to this configuration, the vegetable VG transported by the moving body 15 of the second transport unit 3B can be prevented from falling off by the third side plate 22F and the fourth side plate 22R. Therefore, the vegetable VG can be smoothly and surely transported by the second transport unit 3B.
Further, the preparation device 1 includes the above-mentioned transport device 3 and a first cutting device 4 for cutting the root VG 3 of the vegetable VG transported by the transport device 3.

According to this configuration, the root VG3 of the vegetable VG that has been transported one by one by the transport device 3 can be cut by the first cutting device 4, so that the cutting process of the root VG3 of the vegetable VG can be reliably and accurately performed. It can be carried out.
Further, the preparation device 1 includes a second cutting device 5 for cutting the outer leaf VG2 of the vegetable VG transported by the transport device 3.

According to this configuration, the outer leaf VG2 of the vegetable VG that has been transported one by one by the transport device 3 can be cut by the second cutting device 5, so that the cutting process of the outer leaf VG2 of the vegetable VG can be reliably performed. Can be done accurately.
Further, the transport device 3 is a transport device for transporting a headed vegetable VG having a heading portion VG1, an outer leaf VG2, and a root VG3, and two rollers 35L, 35R arranged in parallel and rotating inward with each other. 3C and a transport unit (third transport unit) 3C that sandwiches the outer leaf VG2 between the two rollers 35L and 35R and transports the headed vegetables in the direction of the rotating shafts 35La and 35Ra of the rollers 35L and 35R. A guide member 52 arranged above the portion 3C and extended in the transport direction A3 of the transport portion 3C is provided, and the guide member 52 is located on one roller 35L side as it extends from the upstream side to the downstream side of the transport direction A3. It has a first guide portion 521 that shifts from the to the other roller 36R side.

According to this configuration, the headed vegetable VG rotates in the process of being guided from one roller (first roller) 35L side to the other roller (second roller) 35R side by the first guide portion 521 of the guide member 52. By repeating the above steps, the outer leaf VG2 is drawn downward between the first roller 35L and the second roller 35R in a short time, and the outer leaf VG2 is stabilized in the downward posture. As a result, the posture of the headed vegetable VG can be stabilized in a short transport distance.

Further, the guide member 52 has a second guide portion 522 provided on the upstream side of the first guide portion 521, and the second guide portion 522 extends in parallel with the rotation shafts 35La and 35Ra and is the first. It is continuous with the upstream end of the guide portion 521.
According to this configuration, when the headed vegetable VG is supplied to the upstream side of the first guide portion 521, the headed vegetable VG is prevented from moving to the other roller (second roller) 35R side by the second guide portion 522. Therefore, the headed vegetable VG can be conveyed to the second guide portion 522 side while being placed on one roller (first roller) 35L. Therefore, the headed vegetable VG is transported to the downstream side along the second guide portion 522 while repeating rotation on the first roller 35L, and it becomes easier to obtain an opportunity for the outer leaf VG2 to face downward, and the first roller 35L. The outer leaf VG2 can be reliably pulled in between the second roller 35R and the second roller 35R.

Further, a supply unit (second transport unit) 3B for supplying headed vegetable VG is provided above one roller 35L of the transport unit 3C, and the supply unit 3B is provided on the surface of the second guide unit 522 on one roller 35L side. Supply headed vegetables VG.
According to this configuration, the headed vegetable VG supplied by the supply unit 3B hits the surface of one roller 35L side of the second guide unit 522, and the headed vegetable VG moves to the other roller (second roller) 35R side. Be blocked. Therefore, the headed vegetable VG can be reliably placed on the first roller 35L and rotated.

Further, a communication member 60 extending from the supply unit 3B toward the guide member 52 is provided, and the communication member 60 has an inclined plate 62 that inclines downward from the supply unit 3B side toward the guide member 52 side.
According to this configuration, the headed vegetable VG supplied from the supply unit 3B can be slid or rolled on the inclined plate 62 of the connecting member 60 toward the guide member 52 side. Therefore, the headed vegetable VG can be reliably transported along the guide member 52.

Further, a first spiral portion 46 spirally provided along the surface of one roller 35L and a second spiral portion 49 spirally provided along the surface of the other roller 35R are provided. The 1 spiral portion 46 has a first brush portion 47 protruding like a brush from the surface of one roller 35L, and the second spiral portion 49 has a second brush portion protruding like a brush from the surface of the other roller 35R. Has 50.

According to this configuration, the headed vegetable VG can be smoothly transported from the upstream side to the downstream side along the spirals of the first spiral portion 46 and the second spiral portion 49. Further, the first brush portion 47 and the second brush portion 50 can be hooked on the outer leaf VG2, and the outer leaf VG2 can be reliably pulled between the one roller 35L and the other roller 35R.
Further, the first spiral portion 46 has a first elastic tube 48 spirally wound around the surface of one roller 35L, and the second spiral portion 49 is spirally wound around the surface of the other roller 35R. It also has a second elastic tube 51.

According to this configuration, the headed vegetable VG is conveyed along the first elastic tube 48 and the second elastic tube 51 by rotating the first elastic tube 48 and the second elastic tube 51 that are spirally wound. It can be moved in direction A3. Therefore, a high transporting force can be obtained, and even when the outer leaf VG2 is not sufficiently drawn between one roller 35L and the other roller 35R, the headed vegetable VG can be reliably transported.

Further, the preparation device 1 includes the above-mentioned transfer device 3 and a first cutting device 4 for cutting the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG conveyed by the transfer device 3.
According to this configuration, a transport device 3 capable of stabilizing the posture of the headed vegetable VG in a short transport distance is provided, and the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG transported by the transport device 3 can be cut. The preparation device 1 can be realized. Therefore, the preparation device 1 capable of cutting the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG can be miniaturized.

Further, the preparation device 1 includes a second cutting device 5 for cutting the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG transported by the transport device 3.
According to this configuration, a transport device 3 capable of stabilizing the posture of the headed vegetable VG in a short transport distance is provided, and the outer leaf VG2 and the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG transported by the transport device 3 are cut. It is possible to realize the preparation device 1 that can be used. Therefore, the preparation device 1 capable of cutting the outer leaf VG2 and the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG can be miniaturized.

Further, the transport device 3 is a transport device 3 for transporting the headed vegetable VG having the heading portion VG1, the outer leaf VG2, and the root VG3, and is a pinching belt (second pinching belt) for sandwiching the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG. ) 72 and a moving device 85 for moving the holding belt 72 from the upstream side to the downstream side. The holding belt 72 has a downward holding portion 72a for holding the outer leaf VG2 downward and an outer leaf VG2 facing upward. The upward holding portion 72b to be sandwiched between the two, and the inverted holding portion 72c in which the outer leaf VG2 reverses the headed vegetable VG from the downward posture to the upward posture on the downstream side of the downward holding portion 72a and the upstream side of the upward holding portion 72b. Have.

According to this configuration, by sandwiching and transporting the headed vegetable VG on the sandwiching belt 72, the headed vegetable VG can be transported by reversing the outer leaf VG2 from the downward posture to the upward posture. Therefore, it is possible to realize a headed vegetable transporting device capable of flipping the posture of the headed vegetable VG upside down and transporting the headed vegetable VG with a simple configuration.
Further, the moving device 85 includes a plurality of pulleys (9th pulley 79, 10th pulley 80, 11th pulley 81, 12th pulley 82, 13th pulley 83, 14th pulley 84) and a rotating device 86 for rotating the pulleys. The holding belt (second holding belt) 72 is an endless belt in which both ends of a belt twisted by 720 ° are joined to each other, and a plurality of belts are formed in a figure eight shape in a plan view. It is hung on the pulley.

According to this configuration, since the holding belt 72 can be composed of one endless belt, the number of parts can be reduced and the configuration of the moving device 85 can be simplified. Therefore, the moving device 85 having the upside-down function of the headed vegetable VG can be miniaturized.
Further, a support plate 89 is provided to support the heading portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG that reverses with the movement of the holding belt (second holding belt) 72 from below, and the support plate 89 is from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction A4. It has a transition section 893 that shifts downward toward.

According to this configuration, the transition portion 893 of the support plate 89 can support the heading portion VG1 of the heading vegetable VG that reverses with the movement of the holding belt 72 from below. Therefore, when the headed vegetable VG is inverted, the weight of the headed portion VG1 prevents the outer leaf VG2 from bending or breaking.
Further, the support plate 89 is provided in a region overlapping the downward holding portion 72a and the inverted holding portion 72c in the moving direction (transporting direction A4) of the holding belt (second holding belt) 72.

According to this configuration, in the downward holding portion 72a and the inverted holding portion 72c, the heading portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG that reverses with the movement of the holding belt 72 can be supported from below by the support plate 89. Therefore, when the headed vegetable VG is inverted, it is possible to more reliably prevent the outer leaf VG2 from bending or breaking due to the weight of the heading portion VG1.
Further, the support plate 89 is arranged at a position deviated from the pinching position of the outer leaf VG2 in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the pinching belt (second pinching belt) 72.

According to this configuration, in the process in which the heading vegetable VG is inverted from the downward posture to the upward posture in the inverted pinching portion 72c, the heading portion VG1 is left or right from the pinching position of the outer leaf VG2. The heading portion VG1 can be reliably supported by the support plate 89 when the posture is projected (sideways or diagonally).
Further, the holding belt (second holding belt) 72 is made of an elastic body.

According to this configuration, the outer leaf VG2 can be reliably pinched by the pinching belt 72 without damaging it.
Further, the inverted holding portion 72c is provided with a holding roller 88 that abuts on the holding belt (second holding belt) 72 and rotates with the movement of the holding belt 72.
According to this configuration, the twisted state (orientation) of the second holding belt 72 in the inverted holding portion 72c is appropriately maintained by the pushing pressure from the holding roller 88. Therefore, the posture of the headed vegetable VG can be reliably reversed in the reverse holding portion 72c.

Further, the preparation device 1 includes the above-mentioned transfer device 3 and a first cutting device 4 for cutting the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG conveyed by the transfer device 3.
According to this configuration, a transport device 3 capable of reversing the posture of the headed vegetable VG and transporting the headed vegetable VG is provided, and the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG transported by the transport device 3 can be cut. The device 1 can be realized.

Further, the preparation device 1 includes a second cutting device 5 for cutting the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG transported by the transport device 3.
According to this configuration, a transport device 3 capable of reversing the posture of the headed vegetable VG and transporting the headed vegetable VG is provided, and the outer leaf VG2 and the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG transported by the transport device 3 are cut. It is possible to realize the preparation device 1 that can be used.

Further, the transport device 3 is a transport device 3 for transporting the headed vegetable VG having the heading portion VG1, the outer leaf VG2, and the root VG3, and is an upper stage transport that sandwiches the outer leaf VG2 and transports it from the upstream side to the downstream side. The lower transport section that sandwiches the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG that is arranged below the section (fourth transport section) 3D and the upper transport section 3D and has been released from being pinched by the upper transport section 3D, and further transports it to the downstream side. (Fifth transport unit) 3E and a support member 117 arranged below the lower transport unit 3E and supporting the bottom of the heading portion VG1 of the headed vegetable VG transported by the lower transport unit 3E are provided.

According to this configuration, the bottom portion of the headed vegetable VG that has been transferred from the upper transport portion 3D to the lower transport portion 3E can be supported by the support member 117. Therefore, even if the height of the bottom of the headed vegetable VG is not constant in the upper transport portion 3D, the height of the bottom of the headed vegetable VG becomes substantially constant when shifting from the upper transport portion 3D to the lower transport portion 3E, and the size is large. It is possible to align the heights of the roots VG3 of the headed vegetables VG with different heights and transport them.

Further, the lower transport unit 3E is arranged on the downstream side of the overlapped portion 91 with the overlapping portion 91 that overlaps with the upper transport portion 3D in the transport direction A5, and overlaps with the upper transport portion 3D in the transport direction A5. It has a non-overlapping portion 92 that does not wrap, and the support member 117 is provided from below the overlapping portion 91 to below the non-overlapping portion 92.
According to this configuration, the support member 117 can support the bottom portion of the heading portion VG1 in a range extending from below the overlapping portion 91 to below the non-overlapping portion 92. Therefore, the headed vegetable VG can be reliably and smoothly transferred from the upper transport unit 3D to the lower transport unit 3E.

Further, the upper transfer portion 3D includes an endless upper belt (second holding belt) 72 and a plurality of upper pulleys (9th pulley 79, 10th pulley 80, 11th pulley 81) to which the upper belt 72 is hung. The twelfth pulley 82, the thirteenth pulley 83, and the fourteenth pulley 84), and the lower transfer portion 3E includes an endless lower belt 93, a plurality of lower pulleys 100 over which the lower belt 93 is hung, and a plurality of lower pulleys 100. The plurality of lower pulleys include the first lower pulleys 101L and 101R arranged in the overlapping portion 91, and the plurality of upper pulleys are arranged above the first lower pulley and are the same as the first lower pulley. The first upper pulleys 80 and 83 supported by the rotating shafts 80a and 83a are included.

According to this configuration, since the first upper pulley and the first lower pulley are supported by the same rotating shafts 80a and 83a, the upper belt 72 and the lower belt 93 are overlapped to easily form the overlapping portion 91. can do. Further, the upper belt 72 and the lower belt 93 can be reliably interlocked and driven.
Further, the support member 117 includes a first support member 117L arranged on one side in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction A5 and a second support member 117R arranged on the other side in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction A5. An insertion portion 118 into which the root VG3 can be inserted is formed between the first support member 117L (first support belt 119L) and the second support member 117R (second support belt 119R).
According to this configuration, in the headed vegetable VG, the heading portion VG1 is supported by the support member 117, and the root VG3 is inserted into the insertion portion 118 formed between the first support member 117L and the second support member 117R. Therefore, it is transported in a stable upward posture.

Further, the first support member 117L has an endless first support belt 119L having a first support surface 120L movable in the transport direction A5, and the second support member 117R is movable in the transport direction A5. It has an endless second support belt 119R having two support surfaces 120R.
According to this configuration, the heading vegetable VG moves with the rotation of the first support belt 119L and the second support belt 119L in a state where the heading portion VG1 is supported by the first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R. can do. Therefore, it is possible to support the headed vegetable VG while moving the bottom of the headed vegetable VG to which the outer leaf VG2 is sandwiched and transported by the lower transport unit 3E, and the headed vegetable VG can be transported in a stable posture.

Further, the first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R are made of an elastic body.
According to this configuration, when the headed vegetable VG is transferred from the upper transport portion 3D to the lower transport portion 3E, the bottom portion of the heading portion VG1 is elastically supported by the first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R. , It is possible to prevent the bottom of the heading portion VG1 from being damaged.
Further, the first support member 117L has one support surface 132La capable of supporting the heading portion VG1 from one side of the first support belt 119L, and the second support member 117R heads from the other side of the second support belt 119L. The other support surface 132Ra capable of supporting the portion VG1 is provided, and the one support surface 132La and the other support surface 132Ra are inclined surfaces that move upward as they move away from the insertion portion 118 in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction A5.

According to this configuration, the heading portion VG1 is supported by the first support surface 120L and the second support surface 120R from diagonally lower left and diagonally lower right, thereby stabilizing the posture (upward posture) of the headed vegetable VG.
Further, the preparation device 1 includes the above-mentioned transfer device 3 and a first cutting device 4 for cutting the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG conveyed by the transfer device 3.

According to this configuration, the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG that has been transported with the same root height by the transport device 3 can be cut by the first cutting device 4. Therefore, the cutting positions of the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG can be aligned.
Further, the preparation device 1 includes a second cutting device 5 for cutting the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG transported by the transport device 3.

According to this configuration, the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG that has been transported with the same root height by the transport device 3 can be cut by the second cutting device 5. Therefore, the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG can be reliably cut.
Further, the preparation device 1 is a preparation device for preparing a vegetable VG having an outer leaf VG2 and a root VG3, and is a transport unit (fifth transport unit) 3E for sandwiching and transporting the outer leaf VG2 and a transport unit 5E. It is provided with a root pulling portion 170, which is arranged below and is carried by the carrying portion 5E, and which draws the root VG3 of the vegetable VG downward.

According to this configuration, the root VG3 at the lower part of the vegetable VG can be pulled downward by the root pulling part 170 in a state where the outer leaf VG2 at the upper part of the vegetable VG is sandwiched between the transport portions 3E. As a result, the vegetable VG can be stabilized and processed (prepared) in a posture with the root VG3 facing downward.
Further, the transport unit (fifth transport unit) 3E has a first holding body 93L that abuts on the outer leaf VG2 from one side in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction A5 and an outer leaf from the other side in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction A5. The second sandwiching body 93R that abuts on the VG2, the plurality of first pressing members 116L that press the first sandwiching body 93L toward the outer leaf VG2 side, and the second sandwiching body 93R are pressed toward the outer leaf VG2 side. It has a plurality of second pressing members 116R, and the first pressing member 116L and the second pressing member 116R are alternately arranged along the transport direction A5.

According to this configuration, the first pressing member 116L and the second pressing member 116R are alternately arranged along the conveying direction A5 of the fifth conveying unit 3E to form the first holding body 93L and the second holding body 93R. Curves and deforms in a wavy shape. Therefore, the outer leaf VG2 is surely sandwiched between the first sandwiching body 93L and the second sandwiching body 93R, and the root VG3 can be satisfactorily pulled in by the root pulling portion 170.

Further, the first holding body 93L and the second holding body 93R are composed of an endless elastic belt.
According to this configuration, the outer leaf VG2 can be sandwiched by elastically deforming the first sandwiching body 93L and the second sandwiching body 93R by the pressing force of the first pressing member 116L and the second pressing member 116R. Therefore, the outer leaf VG2 can be reliably sandwiched between the first sandwiching body 93L and the second sandwiching body 93R.

Further, the first pressing member 116L is a pulley 103L, 104L, 105L, 106L on which an elastic belt constituting the first holding body 93L is hung and rotates together with the elastic belt, and the second pressing member 116R is a second pressing member 116L. The pulleys 103R, 104R, 105R, 106R on which the elastic belt constituting the holding body 93R is hung and rotates together with the elastic belt.
According to this configuration, the pulleys for rotating the elastic belts constituting the first holding body 93L and the second holding body 93R can be used as the first pressing member 116L and the second pressing member 116R. The sandwiching body 93L and the second sandwiching body 93R can be pressed reliably and efficiently. Further, it is not necessary to separately prepare a member for pressing the first holding body 93L and the second holding body 93R, and the number of parts can be reduced.

Further, the root pull-in portion 170 is arranged in parallel with the first pull-in roller 171L rotating around the axis extending in the transport direction A5 and the first pull-in roller 171L, and the second pull-in portion rotating around the axis extending in the transport direction A5. It has a roller 171R, and a rotation drive mechanism 172 that rotates the first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171R inward to each other.

According to this configuration, by rotating the first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171R inward to each other, the root VG3 can be pulled in between the first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171R. .. Further, since the first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171R rotate around an axis extending in the transport direction A5, the root VG3 is pulled in between the first pull-in roller 171L and the second pull-in roller 171R. , Vegetable VG can be transported.

Further, a root alignment portion 140 for aligning the root VG3 of the vegetable VG transported by the transport unit (fifth transport unit) 3E is provided, and the root alignment portion 140 is located upstream of the root pulling portion 170 in the transport direction A5. It is provided.
According to this configuration, the vegetable VG is transported to the root pulling portion 170 after the root VG3 is aligned by the root aligning portion 140, and the root VG3 is pulled in. Therefore, the root VG3 can be reliably pulled in by the root pulling portion 170.

Further, the preparation device 1 includes the above-mentioned transport device 3 and a first cutting device 4 for cutting the root VG 3 of the vegetable VG transported by the transport device 3.
According to this configuration, the root VG3 of the vegetable VG that has been stabilized and transported by the transport device 3 in a posture with the root VG3 facing downward can be cut by the first cutting device 4. Therefore, the cutting treatment of the root VG3 of the vegetable VG can be performed satisfactorily.

Further, the preparation device 1 includes a second cutting device 5 for cutting the outer leaf VG2 of the vegetable VG transported by the transport device 3.
According to this configuration, the outer leaf VG2 of the vegetable VG that has been stabilized and transported by the transport device 3 in a posture with the root VG3 facing downward can be cut by the second cutting device 5. Therefore, the outer leaf VG2 of the vegetable VG can be reliably cut.

The root cutting device (first cutting device) 4 is a device for cutting the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG having the heading portion VG1, the outer leaf VG2, and the root VG3, and is a transporting unit that sandwiches and conveys the outer leaf VG2. (Fifth transport section) 3E, a root cutting blade 181 arranged below the transport section 3E and rotating around a central axis facing in the vertical direction, and a root cutting blade 181 arranged upstream of the root cutting blade 181 in the transport direction A5. It is provided with a root feeding unit 182 that sandwiches the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG transported by the transport unit 5E and moves it toward the root cutting blade 181 side at a speed faster than the transport speed of the transport unit 3E. ..

According to this configuration, the feeding speed of the root VG3 by the root feeding unit 182 becomes faster than the transporting speed of the outer leaf VG2 by the transporting unit 3E, so that the headed vegetable VG uses the sandwiched portion of the outer leaf VG2 as a fulcrum. Swing forward like a pendulum. By this rocking, the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG moves toward the root cutting blade 181 in a downwardly convex arcuate locus C1 and is cut.
As a result, the root cutting blade 181 moves in a curved shape to cut the root VG3 with respect to the headed vegetable VG whose root portion is curved, so that the root VG3 is cut with the amount of uncut portion as small as possible. be able to.

Further, the root feed portion 182 is arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to the first feed roller 183L, the first feed roller 183L, and the transport direction A5, which rotates around the central axis facing in the vertical direction, and the central axis facing in the vertical direction. A rotary drive mechanism 184 that rotates the second feed roller 183R, the first feed roller 183L, and the second feed roller 183R that rotate around so that the side holding the root VG3 moves toward the root cutting blade 181 side. ,have.

According to this configuration, the root VG3 is sandwiched between the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R by the rotation of the first feed roller 183L and the second feed roller 183R by the rotation drive mechanism 184. Can be moved toward the root cutting blade 181 side. Therefore, the root VG3 can be reliably sandwiched and moved toward the root cutting blade 181 side.

Further, a root pulling section 170 is provided which pulls the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG which is arranged below the transport section 5E and is transported by the transport section 5E downward, and the root pulling section 170 is provided with respect to the root feeding section 182. It is provided on the upstream side of the transport direction A5.
According to this configuration, after the root VG3 is pulled into the root pulling portion 170, the root VG3 can be moved toward the root cutting blade 181 side by the root feeding portion 182. Therefore, in a state where the root VG3 is extended downward by the root pulling portion 170, the root VG3 is moved in the transport direction A5 and sent to the root feeding portion 182, so that the root feeding portion 182 reliably feeds the root VG3. be able to.

Further, the root alignment portion 140 is provided below the transport portion 5E and aligns the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG transported by the transport portion 5E, and the root alignment portion 140 has a transport direction A5 with respect to the root pull-in portion 170. It is installed on the upstream side of.
According to this configuration, since the headed vegetable VG is transported to the root pulling portion 170 in a state where the root VG3 is aligned by the root aligning portion 140, the root VG3 can be reliably pulled by the root pulling portion 170. ..

Further, the root alignment portion 140 is arranged in parallel with the first rotating body 141L extending around the axis extending in the transport direction A5 and the first rotating body 141L, and rotating around the axis extending in the transport direction A5. The body 141R, the rotation drive mechanism 143 that rotates the first rotating body 141L and the second rotating body 141R inward, and the first elastic plate projecting outward from the outer peripheral surface of the first rotating body 141L. It includes 142L and a second elastic plate 142R projecting outward from the outer peripheral surface of the second rotating body 141R.

According to this configuration, the first elastic plate 142L and the second elastic plate 142R rotate inward with respect to each other and move downward along the curved surface of the surface of the heading portion VG1 while bending and bending, and the root VG3. Move downward while touching each other so as to press them from the opposite sides. As a result, the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG can be suppressed from spreading and aligned.
Further, a cover 193 that covers the upper part of the root cutting blade 181 is provided, and the cover 193 has a notch portion 193c that is cut out from the root retracting portion 170 side toward the root cutting blade 181 side.

According to this configuration, the cover 193 can prevent the operator from coming into contact with the root cutting blade 181 and the cutout portion 193c is provided so that the root VG3 draws an arcuate locus C1. When moving toward the root cutting blade 181 it is possible to prevent the heading portion VG1 from hitting the cover 193 and hindering the movement.
Further, the preparation device 1 includes the root cutting device 4 and an outer leaf cutting device 5 for cutting the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG from which the root VG3 has been cut.

According to this configuration, the root cutting device 4 can cut the root VG3 of the headed vegetable VG with the amount of uncut portion as small as possible, and the outer leaf cutting device 5 cuts the outer leaf VG2 of the headed vegetable VG. can do.
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, it should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are exemplary in all respects and are not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the scope of claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

1 Preparation device 3 Conveyor device 4 First cutting device 5 Second cutting device 72 Holding belt (second holding belt)
72a Downward pinch 72b Upward pinch 72c Inverted pinch 79 Pulley (9th pulley)
80 pulley (10th pulley)
81 pulley (11th pulley)
82 pulley (12th pulley)
83 pulley (13th pulley)
84 pulley (14th pulley)
85 Moving device 86 Rotating device 88 Pressing roller 89 Support plate 893 Transition part VG Heading vegetable VG1 Heading part VG2 Outer leaf VG3 Root

Claims (9)

It is a transport device that transports headed vegetables having a heading part, outer leaves, and roots.
The holding belt that holds the outer leaves of the headed vegetables and
A moving device that moves the holding belt from the upstream side to the downstream side,
Equipped with
The holding belt includes a downward holding portion that holds the outer leaf downward, an upward holding portion that holds the outer leaf upward, and the headed vegetable on the downstream side of the downward holding portion and the upstream side of the upward holding portion. A transport device having a reversing pinch, which reverses the outer leaf from a downward position to an upward position. The moving device has a plurality of pulleys and a rotating device for rotating the pulleys.
The holding belt is an endless belt in which both ends of a belt twisted by 720 ° are joined to each other, and is hung on the plurality of pulleys in a figure eight shape in a plan view. The carrier described. A support plate for supporting the heading portion of the headed vegetable that reverses with the movement of the pinching belt from below is provided.
The transport device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support plate has a transition portion that shifts downward from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction. The transport device according to claim 3, wherein the support plate is provided in a region that overlaps the downward holding portion and the inverted holding portion in the moving direction. The transport device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the support plate is arranged at a position deviated from the pinching position of the outer leaf in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction. The transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sandwiching belt is made of an elastic body. The transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a holding roller that abuts on the holding belt in the inverted holding portion and rotates with the movement of the holding belt. The transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
A first cutting device for cutting the roots of headed vegetables transported by the transport device, and
A device for preparing headed vegetables. The device for preparing headed vegetables according to claim 8, further comprising a second cutting device for cutting the outer leaves of the headed vegetables transported by the transport device.

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