JP3583345B2

JP3583345B2 - Boxing method and boxing equipment for agricultural products

Info

Publication number: JP3583345B2
Application number: JP2000112460A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 晴利横谷; 孝雄兵頭; 英雄竹田
Original assignee: 株式会社柳原製作所
Priority date: 2000-04-13
Filing date: 2000-04-13
Publication date: 2004-11-04
Anticipated expiration: 2020-04-13
Also published as: JP2001294201A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、農産物（例えばリンゴ、梨、トマト、桃、スイカ、メロン等）を搬送ラインから保持し、トレイパックの収納凹部内に収納する農産物の箱詰め方法と箱詰め装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来の農産物の箱詰め方法と箱詰め装置について図６〜図８を基に説明する。
まず、農産物の箱詰め装置１０について説明する。
この箱詰め装置１０は、搬送ライン１２上を受け皿１４に載った状態で一列に並んで搬送されてくる農産物１６を保持し、トレイパック１８まで搬送し、トレイパック１８に形成された収納凹部２０内に農産物１６を収納する機能を有するものである。
保持手段２２は、一つの農産物１６を吊り下げた状態で着脱自在に保持する機能を有する。主たる構成は、第１シリンダ（一例としてエアシリンダ）２４と、その進退動する第１ロッド２４ａの先端に取り付けられた農産物吸着用の吸着カップ２６で構成されている。第１シリンダ２４が作動することで、吸着カップ２６は第１ロッド２４ａと共に上下方向に移動する。
【０００３】
支持手段２８は、複数（本例では一例として５個）の保持手段２２を直線的に一列に整列した状態で支持する。詳細には、保持手段２２を、吸着カップ２６が下方に位置する状態でその上部を基部として支持する構成である。
また、各保持手段２２は、その整列方向（支持手段２８の長手方向）に沿ってスライド可能に支持手段２８に取り付けられており、保持した農産物１６同士の間隔（ピッチ）を自在に変更できる構成となっている。この構成は、例えば支持手段２８をガイドレール形状に形成し、支持手段２８に保持手段２２の基部２２ａを摺動自在に連結することで可能となる。また、各保持手段２２同士はパンタグラフ機構（不図示）で互いに連結されているため、隣接する保持手段２２同士のピッチは常に同じになる状態で支持手段２８上をスライドする。このパンタグラフ機構は支持手段２８に取り付けられた伸縮機構（不図示）によって伸縮される。
この各保持手段２２とそれをスライド自在に支持する支持手段２８とで搬送手段を構成している。
【０００４】
支持手段２８は、搬送ライン１２とトレイパック１８の上方領域に掛け渡されたガイドレール３２上をスライドする移動体３４に取り付けられている。このガイドレール３２と移動体３４とが、支持手段２８に対する移動手段３０を構成する。
移動体３４は、一例として支持手段２８の上部が取り付けられた移動体本体（不図示）と、移動体本体に取り付けられ、移動体本体をガイドレール３２上で移動可能とするための搬送ローラ（不図示）と、移動体本体に取り付けられ、ガイドレール３２を挟持する挟持ローラ（不図示）と、挟持ローラを回転駆動するモータ（不図示）と、移動体３４の現在位置を検出する位置検出手段（不図示）とから構成される。
制御手段３６は、コンピュータ等で構成され、箱詰め装置１０の各構成要素を統括制御する。
【０００５】
次に、箱詰め装置１０の動作と合わせて箱詰め方法について説明する。
最初に、農産物１６を箱詰めするトレイパック１８に形成された収納凹部２０が、図８に示すようにマトリックス状（一例として各列ａ、ｂ、ｃに収納凹部２０が５個配置された５×３のマトリックス）に配置されている場合について説明する。
この場合には、制御手段３６は、まず移動体３４を移動して、支持手段２８に支持された各保持手段２２を搬送ライン１２上に位置させる。
そして、支持手段２８上で各保持手段２２を移動させ、保持手段２２のピッチを、搬送ライン１２に取り付けられた受け皿１４の取り付けピッチに合わせる。
【０００６】
次に、制御手段３６は各保持手段２２の第１シリンダ２４を作動させて第１ロッド２４ａを下方に進めて（下方に延ばして）それぞれの吸着カップ２６を、受け皿１４上に載置された農産物１６に接触させる。そして吸着カップ２６内を負圧にして農産物１６を全保持手段２２で吸着する。これにより、５個の農産物１６が保持手段２２によって保持された状態となる。
続いて、第１シリンダ２４を作動させて第１ロッド２４ａを上方に移動させて（縮めて）、農産物１６を受け皿１４上から持ち上げる。
そして移動体３４を移動させて、保持手段２２で保持した農産物１６を、収納したい収納凹部２０上に位置させる。
【０００７】
次に、制御手段３６はパンタグラフ機構を作動させて各保持手段２２をスライドさせ、各農産物１６のピッチを、収納凹部２０のピッチに合わせる。
そして制御手段３６は、第１シリンダ２４を作動させて第１ロッド２４ａを下方へ延ばし、吸着カップ２６で吸着・保持された農産物１６を、対応する収納凹部２０内に一括して入れる。この動作が完了したら、制御手段３６は吸着カップ２６による農産物１６の吸着を解除し、第１ロッド２４ａを上方へ移動させる。これによって、農産物１６の箱詰め、具体的にはトレイパック１８の一列分の収納凹部２０への農産物１６の収納が完了する。その後、次の農産物１６の保持のために、移動体３４を移動させて支持手段２８を搬送ライン１２上に移動させる。
制御手段３６は、以上の動作を収納凹部２０の列の数だけ繰り返して行い、トレイパック１８の全ての収納凹部２０に農産物１６を収納して、箱詰め動作を完了する。
このように、トレイパック１８に形成された収納凹部２０がマトリックス状に形成されている場合には非常に効率よく農産物１６の収納が行える。
【０００８】
次に、図９に示すように、トレイパック１８に形成された収納凹部２０が千鳥状に配置されている場合の箱詰め方法について説明する。なお、搬送ライン１２で農産物１６を全保持手段２２に一括して吸着・保持し、トレイパック１８上まで搬送してくるまでの手順は上述した場合と同様であり、相違する点についてのみ説明する。
千鳥状に収納凹部２０が形成されている場合には、保持手段２２で保持した５個の農産物１６を一括してトレイパック１８に形成された収納凹部２０内に収納することができない。なぜなら、５個の農産物１６は同一直線上に一列に並んでいるからである。
このため、まず保持手段２２で保持した５個の農産物１６内の２個の農産物１６を、最初のａ列の２個の収納凹部２０内に収納し、その後支持手段２８をｂ列に移動させ、残りの３個の農産物１６をｂ列の３個の収納凹部２０内に収納する。斜線の部分が農産物１６が収納された収納凹部２０である。以下同様。
そして、以上の動作を、あと２回繰り返して、ｃ列とｄ列、ｅ列とｆ列の各収納凹部２０に農産物１６を収納することで、トレイパック１８の全収納凹部２０内に農産物１６を収納できる。
【０００９】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、上述した従来の箱詰め方法や装置では、千鳥状に収納凹部２０が形成されたトレイパック１８に農産物１６を収納する場合に、例えば千鳥状に配置された２列分の５個の収納凹部２０に一括して全部の農産物１６を収納できず、３個、２個に分けて収納する必要があるため、農産物の収納に手間がかかるという課題がある。
【００１０】
したがって、本発明は上記課題を解決すべくなされ、その目的とするところは、千鳥状に配置されたトレイパックの２列分の収納凹部にも一括して農産物を収納できる農産物の箱詰め方法と箱詰め装置を提供することにある。
【００１１】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は上記目的を達成するため次の構成を備える。
すなわち、本発明に係る請求項１記載の農産物の箱詰め方法は、一つの農産物を吊り下げた状態で着脱自在に保持する保持手段を複数一列に整列して構成される搬送手段を用いて、農産物をトレイパックに形成された収納凹部内に収納する農産物の箱詰め方法において、一列に整列した状態の前記保持手段で農産物を保持した後、前記搬送手段を前記トレイパック上に移動させる間に、保持手段を一つ置きに保持手段の整列方向と平行な軸線を中心として同方向へ所定角度だけ回動させて保持した農産物を残りの農産物の斜め側方に移動させて千鳥状に配置し、この状態で保持手段で保持された全農産物を一括してトレイパックの前記収納凹部内に収納することを特徴とする。
これによれば、千鳥状に配置された隣接する２列の収納凹部内に一括して農産物を収納することができ、効率の良い箱詰めが可能となる。
【００１２】
また、本発明に係る請求項２記載の農産物の箱詰め方法は、一つの農産物を吊り下げた状態で着脱自在に保持する保持手段を複数一列に整列して構成される搬送手段を用いて、農産物をトレイパックに形成された収納凹部内に収納する農産物の箱詰め方法において、一列に整列した状態の前記保持手段で農産物を保持した後、前記搬送手段を前記トレイパック上に移動させる間に、整列方向に沿った奇数番目の保持手段を該整列方向と平行な軸線を中心として同方向へ所定角度だけ回動させると共に偶数番目の保持手段を前記軸線を中心として逆の方向に所定角度だけ回転させて保持した農産物を千鳥状に配置し、この状態で保持手段で保持された全農産物を一括してトレイパックの前記収納凹部内に収納することを特徴とする。
これによれば、千鳥状に配置された隣接する２列の収納凹部内に一括して農産物を収納することができ、効率の良い箱詰めが可能となる。また、保持手段は当初の一列の状態から両側に互い違いに回動して農産物を千鳥状に配置するため、個々の農産物の傾きを少なくでき、傾きの少ない状態で農産物をトレイパックに収納できる。
【００１３】
また、前記農産物を千鳥状に配置した後、前記トレイパックの収納凹部内に収納する前に、保持手段間のピッチを収納凹部のピッチに合わせて変更することで、種々のトレイパックに対応することが可能となる。
【００１４】
また、本発明に係る請求項４記載の農産物の箱詰め装置は、一つの農産物を吊り下げた状態で着脱自在に保持可能な保持手段と、該保持手段を複数一列に整列した状態で支持する支持手段と、該支持手段を移動させる移動手段と、前記保持手段による前記農産物の着脱の制御および前記移動手段による支持手段の移動の制御を行う制御手段とを具備し、農産物を搬送ラインから保持してトレイパック上に搬送し、該トレイパックに形成された収納凹部内に収納する農産物の箱詰め装置において、前記保持手段は一つ置きに保持手段の整列方向と平行な軸線を中心に回動可能に前記支持手段に支持され、前記各保持手段には、保持手段を回動させる回動手段がそれぞれ設けられ、前記制御手段は、前記回動手段を制御して一列に前記保持手段を整列させ、この状態で前記搬送ライン上の前記農産物を保持すると共に、前記移動手段を制御して前記搬送手段を前記トレイパック上に移動させる間に、回動手段を制御して保持手段を一つ置きに同方向へ所定角度だけ回動させて保持した農産物を残りの農産物の斜め側方に移動させて千鳥状に配置し、この状態で全農産物を一括してトレイパックの前記収納凹部内に収納することを特徴とする。
【００１５】
また、本発明に係る請求項５記載の農産物の箱詰め装置は、一つの農産物を吊り下げた状態で着脱自在に保持可能な保持手段と、該保持手段を複数一列に整列した状態で支持する支持手段と、該支持手段を移動させる移動手段と、前記保持手段による前記農産物の着脱の制御および前記移動手段による支持手段の移動の制御を行う制御手段とを具備し、農産物を搬送ラインから保持してトレイパック上に搬送し、該トレイパックに形成された収納凹部内に収納する農産物の箱詰め装置において、前記保持手段は保持手段の整列方向と平行な軸線を中心に回動可能に前記支持手段に支持され、前記各保持手段には、保持手段を回動させる回動手段がそれぞれ設けられ、前記制御手段は、前記回動手段を制御して一列に前記保持手段を整列させ、この状態で前記搬送ライン上の前記農産物を保持すると共に、前記移動手段を制御して前記搬送手段を前記トレイパック上に移動させる間に、回動手段を制御して整列方向に沿った奇数番目の保持手段を前記軸線を中心として同方向へ所定角度だけ回動させると共に偶数番目の保持手段を軸線を中心として逆の方向に所定角度だけ回転させて保持した農産物を千鳥状に配置し、この状態で全農産物を一括してトレイパックの前記収納凹部内に収納することを特徴とする。
【００１６】
また、前記保持手段は前記支持手段に、相互のピッチを変更可能に支持され、前記支持手段には、前記保持手段のピッチを変更するピッチ変更手段が設けられ、前記制御手段は、前記農産物を千鳥状に配置した後、前記トレイパックの前記収納凹部内に収納する前に、前記ピッチ変更手段を制御して保持手段間のピッチを収納凹部のピッチに合わせて変更することを特徴とする。
【００１７】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明に係る農産物の箱詰め方法と農産物の箱詰め装置の好適な実施の形態について添付図面を基に説明する。
（農産物の箱詰め装置の構成）
まず、農産物の箱詰め装置４０の構成について図１〜図３を用いて説明する。なお、従来例と同じ構成については同じ符合を付し、詳細な説明は省略する。
保持手段２２は、支持手段２８に連結される基部２２ａと、基部２２ａに取り付けられる第１シリンダ（一例としてエアシリンダ）２４と、その進退動（上下動）する第１ロッド２４ａの先端に取り付けられた農産物吸着用の吸着カップ２６で構成され、一つの農産物１６を吊り下げた状態で着脱自在に保持し、上下方向に移動させる機能を有する。
【００１８】
支持手段２８は、複数（本例では一例として５個）の保持手段２２を直線的に一列に整列した状態で支持する。詳細には、保持手段２２を、吸着カップ２６が下方に位置する状態で支持する構成である。
各保持手段２２は、その整列方向（支持手段２８の長手方向）に沿ってスライド可能に支持手段２８に取り付けられており、保持した農産物１６同士の間隔（ピッチ）を自在に変更できる構成となっている。例えば支持手段２８をガイドレール形状に形成し、支持手段２８に保持手段２２の基部を摺動自在に連結し、各保持手段２２同士をパンタグラフ機構（不図示）で連結し、パンタグラフ機構を伸縮機構（不図示）で伸縮する構成が考えられる。
各保持手段２２と支持手段２８とで搬送手段を構成する。
【００１９】
支持手段２８は、搬送ライン１２とトレイパック１８の上方領域間に掛け渡されたガイドレール３２上をスライドする移動体３４に取り付けられている。このガイドレール３２と移動体３４とが、支持手段２８に対する移動手段３０を構成する。
制御手段３６は、コンピュータ等で構成され、箱詰め装置４０の各構成要素を統括制御する。
【００２０】
以上の構成は従来例と同じ構成であり、次に述べる構成が本発明の特徴点となる。
まず、保持手段２２は、その整列方向に沿って一つ置きに、保持手段２２の整列方向と平行な軸線Ｗを中心に回動可能に支持手段２８に支持された構成となっている。そして、保持手段２２の回動方向は、回動前の元の位置を基準として同方向、つまり左右いずれか一方の方向である。また回動する角度は同じ所定角度である。これにより、回動した保持手段２２に保持された農産物１６は、回動しない保持手段２２に保持された農産物１６の斜め側方に移動し（左右いずれか一方の側方に移動し）、その位置で新たに整列方向に沿って一列に並ぶ。この結果、元の位置に止まっている農産物１６と合わせて全体として農産物１６が千鳥状に配列されることになる。
【００２１】
なお、新たな位置に並ぶ農産物１６は保持手段２２が垂下した位置から回動して斜めになるため、農産物１６自体も傾き、かつ元の位置にある農産物に対して若干上昇するが、通常千鳥状に配置される農産物１６の２つの列間の距離は約２〜４センチメートル程度であるから、軸線Ｗから農産物１６までの距離をある程度長くすることによって、その傾きやその上昇の程度は全農産物１６を一括してトレイパック１８の収納凹部２０に収納するのに問題のないレベルにできる。
また、回動可能に支持された各保持手段２２には、保持手段２２を回動させる回動手段４２がそれぞれ設けられている。本実施の形態では回動手段４２は一例としてエアシリンダで構成されているが、電動モータでも構成することができる。
【００２２】
また、この保持手段２２を回動させた際に生ずる農産物１６の傾きや上昇に関する問題は以下の構成とすることで緩和される。
図３に示すように、全ての保持手段２２が回動可能に支持手段２８に支持された構成とし、かつ全ての保持手段２２に回動手段４２を設ける。
そして、制御手段３６が回動手段４２を制御して保持手段２２を回動させ、保持された農産物１６を千鳥状に配置する際には、整列方向に沿った奇数番目の保持手段２２を軸線Ｗを中心として同方向へ所定角度だけ回動させると共に偶数番目の保持手段２２を軸線Ｗを中心として逆の方向に所定角度だけ回転させる。
このようにすれば、千鳥状に配置された２列の農産物１６の各列間の間隔が同じであるとすると、回動前の元の位置Ｘを基準とした側方への移動量は保持手段２２が一つ置きに回動する場合に比べて半分で良く、各農産物１６の傾きや上昇も少なくできる。
【００２３】
次に、農産物の箱詰め装置４０の動作と共に箱詰め方向について図４を用いて説明する。
農産物を箱詰めするトレイパック１８に形成された収納凹部２０が、図８に示すようにマトリックス状（一例として各列ａ、ｂ、ｃに収納凹部２０が５個配置された５×３のマトリックス）に配置されている場合については従来の箱詰め装置１０の動作や従来の箱詰め方法と同じである。つまり、保持手段２２は回動されず、垂下した位置で一列になった状態で農産物１６を保持し、搬送し、トレイパック１８の各列の収納凹部２０に順次収納する。
【００２４】
続いて、図４に示すように、トレイパック１８に形成された収納凹部２０が千鳥状に配置されている場合の箱詰め方法について説明する。なお、搬送ライン１２で農産物１６を全保持手段２２に一括して吸着・保持するまでは従来例と同様である。
その概要は、制御手段３６は、移動体３４を移動して、支持手段２８に一列に垂下状態で支持された各保持手段２２を搬送ライン１２上に位置させ、支持手段２８上で各保持手段２２を移動させて保持手段２２のピッチを、受け皿１４の取り付けピッチ、つまり農産物１６のピッチに合わせる。
次に、制御手段３６は各保持手段２２の第１シリンダ２４を作動させて第１ロッド２４ａを下方に進め（下方に延ばし）、それぞれの吸着カップ２６で農産物１６を吸着する。これにより、全保持手段２２によって５個の農産物１６が保持された状態となる。
そして第１シリンダ２４を作動させて第１ロッド２４ａを上方に移動させて（縮めて）、農産物１６を受け皿１４上から持ち上げる。
【００２５】
次に、制御手段３６は、保持手段２２で農産物１６を保持した後、支持手段２８をトレイパック１８上に移動させる間に、若しくはトレイパック１８上に移動させた後に、該当する保持手段２２を回動させ、全ての保持手段２２に保持された農産物１６の配置を千鳥状にする。
具体的には、保持手段２２を一つ置きに保持手段２２の整列方向と平行な軸線Ｗを中心として同方向へ所定角度だけ回動させ、回動した保持手段２２に保持された農産物１６を、垂下位置にある保持手段２２に保持された残りの農産物１６の斜め側方に移動させて一列に並べ、全体として千鳥状に配置する。
あるいは、整列方向に沿った奇数番目の保持手段２２を整列方向と平行な軸線Ｗを中心として同方向へ所定角度だけ回動させて一列に並べると共に、偶数番目の保持手段２２を軸線Ｗを中心として逆の方向に所定角度だけ回転させて一列に並べ、保持した農産物１６を全体として千鳥状に配置する。
この千鳥状に配置された農産物１６の位置は、後述のように回動した保持手段２２の第１シリンダ２４を作動させて第１ロッド２４ａを予め決められた長さだけ延ばした状態で、保持された農産物１６が、対応するトレイパック１８の収納凹部２０の位置に一致するように予め計算で求め、若しくは経験的に求めて設定される。
【００２６】
そして、必要に応じて、制御手段３６はパンタグラフ機構を作動させて各保持手段２２を整列方向にスライドさせ、各農産物１６のピッチを、収納凹部２０のピッチに合わせる。
そして制御手段３６は、第１シリンダ２４を作動させて第１ロッド２４ａを下方へ延ばし、吸着カップ２６で吸着・保持された農産物１６を、対応する収納凹部２０（ａ列とｂ列の収納凹部）内に一括して入れる。
この動作が完了したら、制御手段３６は吸着カップ２６による農産物１６の吸着を解除し、第１ロッド２４ａを上方へ移動させる。これによって、農産物１６の箱詰め、具体的にはトレイパック１８の二列分の収納凹部２０への農産物の収納が一回で完了する。
【００２７】
その後、次の農産物１６の保持のために、移動体３４を移動させて支持手段２８を搬送ライン１２上に移動させる。
制御手段３６は、以上の動作を繰り返して行い、次はｃ列とｄ列の収納凹部２０内に、その次はｅ列とｆ列の収納凹部２０内というように順番に農産物１６を収納する。これにより、一つのトレイパック１８の全収納凹部２０に農産物１６を収納して、箱詰め動作を完了する。
このように、トレイパック１８に形成された収納凹部２０が千鳥状の配置であっても、従来と異なり２列分一括して収納でき、非常に効率の良い農産物１６の収納が行える。
【００２８】
上述した保持手段２２を支持手段２８に回動自在に支持する支持構造は一例として図５に示す構成が考えられる。
リニアガイド構造に形成された支持手段２８に、保持手段２２の基部（上部）２２ａが、支持手段２８の長手方向に沿って（保持手段２２の整列方向に沿って）移動自在に取り付けられている。
保持手段２２は、その基部２２ａが、一例として中空の直方体が約対角線に沿って斜めにカットされて側面から見た形状が約三角形に形成された固定ベース４４と、この固定ベース４４の上面に取り付けられてリニアガイド構造の支持手段２８とスライド自在に連結するスライド体４６とからなる。
【００２９】
そして、固定ベース４４の内部上方に可動板体４８が、その一方の辺が軸線Ｗを中心として回動自在に取り付けられている。
可動板体４８の下面には第１シリンダ２４の上端部が固定されている。
そして、可動板体４８の揺動する他方の辺には回動手段４２としての副シリンダ５０の一端側（図５中の上端側）が軸線Ｙを中心として回動自在に連結され、副シリンダ５０の他端側（図５中の下端側）が、固定ベース４４の下端部に軸線Ｚを中心として回動自在に連結されている。
この構造により、副シリンダ５０が伸縮することで、可動板体４８が軸線Ｗを中心として回動して他方の辺が揺動し、その結果可動板体４８に取り付けられた第１シリンダ２４が軸線Ｗを中心として回動する。
【００３０】
なお、上述した箱詰め装置４０の構成は、この構成に限定されるものではなく、本発明に係る箱詰め方法を実施できる構成であれば、いかなる構成でも良い。例えば、支持手段２８全体を移動体３４に、エアシリンダ等で構成された上下動機構を用いて連結し、この上下動機構を作動させて保持手段２２に保持した農産物１６をトレイパック１８に収納するようにすることも可能である。また、所定の保持手段２２を回動させて保持した農産物１６を千鳥状に形成した後に、各保持手段２２を移動させて農産物１６間のピッチを調節する必要がない場合には、各保持手段２２を移動させる機構は設ける必要がない。
【００３１】
【発明の効果】
本発明に係る農産物の箱詰め方法や農産物の箱詰め装置によれば、トレイパックの千鳥状に配置された隣接する２列の収納凹部内に一括して農産物を収納することができ、効率の良い箱詰めが可能となるという効果を奏する。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係る農産物の箱詰め装置の構成を説明するための説明図である。
【図２】図１の保持手段とそれを吊り下げた状態で支持する支持手段、つまり搬送手段の正面から見た説明図である。
【図３】保持手段を一列に整列した位置から、奇数番目と偶数番目に分けて互いに逆方向に回動できるようにした構成を説明するための説明図である。
【図４】本発明に係る農産物の箱詰め方法を説明するための説明図であり、（ａ）はａ列とｂ列に、また（ｂ）はさらにｃ列とｄ列に、また（ｃ）はさらにｅ列とｆ列の収納凹部に農産物が順番に収納された状態を示す。
【図５】図１の保持手段の具体的な構成の一例を示す説明図であり、（ａ）は一部切欠正面図、（ｂ）は側面図である。
【図６】従来の農産物の箱詰め装置の構成を説明するための説明図である。
【図７】図６の保持手段とそれを吊り下げた状態で支持する支持手段、つまり搬送手段の正面から見た説明図である。
【図８】マトリックス状に収納凹部が配置されたトレイパックの平面図である。
【図９】千鳥状に収納凹部が配置されたトレイパックに農産物を箱詰めする従来の箱詰め方法を説明するための説明図であり、（ａ）はａ列に、（ｂ）はさらにｂ列に、（ｃ）はさらにｃ列に、（ｄ）はさらにｄ列に、（ｅ）はさらにｅ列に、（ｆ）はさらにｆ列に農産物が順番に収納された状態を示す。
【符号の説明】
１２搬送ライン
１４受け皿
１６農産物
１８トレイパック
２０収納凹部
２２保持手段
２８支持手段
３０移動手段
３２ガイドレール
３４移動体
３６制御手段
４２回動手段[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and a device for packing agricultural products (for example, apples, pears, tomatoes, peaches, watermelons, melons, and the like) from a transport line and storing the agricultural products in a storage recess of a tray pack.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional method for packing agricultural products and a box packing device will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, the boxing device 10 for agricultural products will be described.
The box packing device 10 holds the agricultural products 16 that are conveyed in a line in a state of being placed on a receiving tray 14 on a conveying line 12, transports the agricultural products 16 to a tray pack 18, and stores the agricultural products 16 in a storage recess 20 formed in the tray pack 18. It has a function of storing agricultural products 16 in the storage area.
The holding means 22 has a function of detachably holding one agricultural product 16 in a suspended state. The main configuration includes a first cylinder (an air cylinder as an example) 24 and an agricultural product suction cup 26 attached to a tip of a first rod 24a that moves forward and backward. When the first cylinder 24 operates, the suction cup 26 moves up and down together with the first rod 24a.
[0003]
The support means 28 supports a plurality of (five in this example as an example) holding means 22 in a state of being linearly aligned in a line. In detail, the holding means 22 is configured to support the upper part thereof as a base in a state where the suction cup 26 is positioned below.
Further, each holding means 22 is slidably attached to the supporting means 28 along the alignment direction (longitudinal direction of the supporting means 28), so that the interval (pitch) between the held agricultural products 16 can be freely changed. It has become. This configuration can be achieved by, for example, forming the support means 28 in a guide rail shape and slidably connecting the base 22a of the holding means 22 to the support means 28. Since the holding units 22 are connected to each other by a pantograph mechanism (not shown), the holding units 22 slide on the support unit 28 in a state where the pitch between the adjacent holding units 22 is always the same. This pantograph mechanism is expanded and contracted by an expansion and contraction mechanism (not shown) attached to the support means 28.
Each holding means 22 and a supporting means 28 for slidably supporting the holding means 22 constitute a conveying means.
[0004]
The support means 28 is attached to a moving body 34 that slides on a guide rail 32 spanned over the transport line 12 and the area above the tray pack 18. The guide rail 32 and the moving body 34 constitute moving means 30 for the supporting means 28.
The moving body 34 includes, as an example, a moving body (not shown) to which the upper part of the support means 28 is attached, and a transport roller ( (Not shown), a holding roller (not shown) attached to the moving body main body and holding the guide rail 32, a motor (not shown) for rotating and driving the holding roller, and position detection for detecting the current position of the moving body 34. (Not shown).
The control means 36 is composed of a computer or the like, and controls each component of the box packing device 10.
[0005]
Next, a box packing method will be described together with the operation of the box packing apparatus 10.
First, the storage recesses 20 formed in the tray pack 18 for packing the agricultural products 16 into a matrix are arranged in a matrix as shown in FIG. 8 (for example, 5 × 5 in which five storage recesses 20 are arranged in each row a, b, c). 3 matrix) will be described.
In this case, the control means 36 first moves the moving body 34 to position each holding means 22 supported by the support means 28 on the transport line 12.
Then, each holding means 22 is moved on the support means 28, and the pitch of the holding means 22 is adjusted to the mounting pitch of the tray 14 mounted on the transport line 12.
[0006]
Next, the control means 36 operates the first cylinder 24 of each holding means 22 to advance the first rod 24a downward (extend downward), and the respective suction cups 26 are placed on the receiving tray 14. Bring in contact with produce 16. Then, the inside of the suction cup 26 is set to a negative pressure, and the agricultural product 16 is sucked by the entire holding means 22. Thus, the five agricultural products 16 are held by the holding unit 22.
Subsequently, the first cylinder 24 is operated to move the first rod 24 a upward (shrink), and the agricultural product 16 is lifted from the receiving tray 14.
Then, the moving body 34 is moved to position the agricultural product 16 held by the holding means 22 on the storage recess 20 where the agricultural product 16 is to be stored.
[0007]
Next, the control means 36 operates the pantograph mechanism to slide each holding means 22 to adjust the pitch of each agricultural product 16 to the pitch of the storage recess 20.
Then, the control means 36 operates the first cylinder 24 to extend the first rod 24 a downward, and collects the agricultural products 16 sucked and held by the suction cup 26 into the corresponding storage recesses 20. When this operation is completed, the control unit 36 releases the suction of the agricultural product 16 by the suction cup 26, and moves the first rod 24a upward. As a result, the packing of the agricultural products 16, specifically, the storing of the agricultural products 16 in the storage recesses 20 for one row of the tray pack 18 is completed. Thereafter, in order to hold the next agricultural product 16, the moving body 34 is moved to move the support unit 28 onto the transport line 12.
The control means 36 repeats the above operation by the number of rows of the storage recesses 20, stores the agricultural products 16 in all the storage recesses 20 of the tray pack 18, and completes the boxing operation.
As described above, when the storage concave portions 20 formed in the tray pack 18 are formed in a matrix, the agricultural products 16 can be stored very efficiently.
[0008]
Next, as shown in FIG. 9, a description will be given of a box packing method when the storage recesses 20 formed in the tray pack 18 are arranged in a staggered manner. In addition, the procedure until the agricultural products 16 are collectively adsorbed and held by the entire holding means 22 on the transport line 12 and transported to the tray pack 18 is the same as the above-described case, and only the differences will be described. .
When the storage recesses 20 are formed in a staggered manner, the five agricultural products 16 held by the holding means 22 cannot be stored together in the storage recesses 20 formed in the tray pack 18. This is because the five agricultural products 16 are arranged in a line on the same straight line.
For this reason, first, the two agricultural products 16 in the five agricultural products 16 held by the holding means 22 are stored in the two storing recesses 20 in the first row a, and then the supporting means 28 is moved to the row b. Then, the remaining three agricultural products 16 are stored in the three storing recesses 20 in row b. The hatched portion is the storage recess 20 in which the agricultural product 16 is stored. The same applies hereinafter.
Then, the above operation is repeated two more times, and the agricultural products 16 are stored in the storage recesses 20 of the rows c and d, and the rows e and f, whereby the agricultural products 16 are stored in all the storage recesses 20 of the tray pack 18. Can be stored.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional box packing method and apparatus, when the agricultural products 16 are stored in the tray pack 18 in which the storage recesses 20 are formed in a staggered manner, for example, five storage recesses for two rows arranged in a staggered manner. Since all the agricultural products 16 cannot be stored collectively in 20 and need to be stored separately in three or two, there is a problem that it takes time and effort to store the agricultural products.
[0010]
Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method and a method for packing agricultural products that can collectively store agricultural products in storage recesses for two rows of tray packs arranged in a staggered manner. It is to provide a device.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has the following configuration to achieve the above object.
That is, the method for packing agricultural products according to claim 1 of the present invention uses a transporting means configured by arranging a plurality of holding means for detachably holding one agricultural product in a suspended state in a row. Boxing of agricultural products to store in the storage recess formed in the tray pack Method In the above, after holding the agricultural products by the holding means in a state of being aligned in a row, while moving the transport means onto the tray pack, every other holding means is centered on an axis parallel to the alignment direction of the holding means. As a result, the agricultural products held by being rotated by a predetermined angle in the same direction are moved obliquely to the remaining agricultural products and arranged in a staggered manner, and in this state, all the agricultural products held by the holding means are collectively placed in a tray pack. It is characterized in that it is stored in the storage recess.
According to this, agricultural products can be collectively stored in two adjacent rows of storage recesses arranged in a staggered manner, and efficient packing can be performed.
[0012]
Further, the method for packing agricultural products according to claim 2 according to the present invention uses the transporting means configured by arranging a plurality of holding means for detachably holding one agricultural product in a suspended state in a row. Boxing of agricultural products to store in the storage recess formed in the tray pack Method In, after holding the agricultural products by the holding means in a state of being aligned in a row, while moving the transport means on the tray pack, the odd-numbered holding means along the alignment direction, the axis parallel to the alignment direction The agricultural products which are rotated by a predetermined angle in the same direction about the same axis and the even-numbered holding means are rotated and rotated by a predetermined angle in the opposite direction about the axis are arranged in a staggered manner, and in this state, the holding means is used. The present invention is characterized in that all the held agricultural products are collectively stored in the storage recess of the tray pack.
According to this, agricultural products can be collectively stored in two adjacent rows of storage recesses arranged in a staggered manner, and efficient packing can be performed. In addition, since the holding means is alternately rotated on both sides from the initial row state to arrange the agricultural products in a staggered manner, the inclination of the individual agricultural products can be reduced, and the agricultural products can be stored in the tray pack with a small inclination.
[0013]
In addition, after arranging the agricultural products in a staggered manner and before storing the agricultural products in the storage recesses of the tray packs, the pitch between the holding units is changed in accordance with the pitch of the storage recesses, thereby supporting various tray packs. It becomes possible.
[0014]
Further, the agricultural product box packing device according to claim 4 of the present invention is a holding device capable of detachably holding one agricultural product in a suspended state, and a support for supporting the holding device in a state where a plurality of the holding devices are arranged in a line. Means, a moving means for moving the support means, and a control means for controlling the attachment / detachment of the agricultural product by the holding means and controlling the movement of the support means by the moving means, and holding the agricultural product from the transport line. In the apparatus for packing agricultural products to be transported onto a tray pack and stored in a storage recess formed in the tray pack, the holding means can be rotated about an axis parallel to the alignment direction of the holding means every other one. Are supported by the supporting means, and each of the holding means is provided with a rotating means for rotating the holding means, and the control means controls the rotating means to align the holding means in a line. In this state, while holding the agricultural products on the transport line, and controlling the moving means to move the transport means onto the tray pack, controlling the rotating means to remove the holding means. The remaining agricultural products are rotated in the same direction by a predetermined angle and moved to the oblique side of the remaining agricultural products and arranged in a staggered manner, and in this state, all the agricultural products are collectively placed in the storage recess of the tray pack. It is characterized by being stored in
[0015]
Further, the agricultural product box packing apparatus according to claim 5 of the present invention is a holding device capable of detachably holding one agricultural product in a suspended state, and a support for supporting the holding device in a state where a plurality of the holding devices are arranged in a line. Means, a moving means for moving the support means, and a control means for controlling the attachment / detachment of the agricultural product by the holding means and controlling the movement of the support means by the moving means, and holding the agricultural product from the transport line. The agricultural product is conveyed onto a tray pack and stored in a storage recess formed in the tray pack, wherein the holding means is rotatable about an axis parallel to an alignment direction of the holding means. And each of the holding means is provided with a rotating means for rotating the holding means, and the control means controls the rotating means to align the holding means in a line, While holding the agricultural product on the transport line in the state of above, while controlling the moving means to move the transport means onto the tray pack, controlling the rotating means to control the odd numbered The agricultural products held by rotating the holding means by the predetermined angle in the same direction about the axis and rotating the even-numbered holding means by the predetermined angle in the opposite direction about the axis are arranged in a staggered manner. In this state, all the agricultural products are collectively stored in the storage recess of the tray pack.
[0016]
Further, the holding means is supported by the supporting means so that a mutual pitch can be changed, and the supporting means is provided with a pitch changing means for changing a pitch of the holding means, and the control means controls the agricultural product. After being arranged in a staggered manner, before being stored in the storage recess of the tray pack, the pitch changing means is controlled to change the pitch between the holding means in accordance with the pitch of the storage recess.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a method for packing agricultural products and a device for packing agricultural products according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
(Structure of boxing equipment for agricultural products)
First, the configuration of the agricultural product boxing device 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. The same components as those in the conventional example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.
The holding means 22 is attached to a base 22a connected to the support means 28, a first cylinder (an air cylinder as an example) 24 attached to the base 22a, and an end of a first rod 24a which moves forward and backward (moves up and down). It has a function of holding one agricultural product 16 detachably in a suspended state and moving the agricultural product 16 in the vertical direction.
[0018]
The support means 28 supports a plurality of (five in this example as an example) holding means 22 in a state of being linearly aligned in a line. More specifically, the holding means 22 is configured to be supported in a state where the suction cup 26 is located below.
Each holding means 22 is slidably attached to the supporting means 28 along its alignment direction (longitudinal direction of the supporting means 28), and has a configuration in which the interval (pitch) between the held agricultural products 16 can be freely changed. ing. For example, the support means 28 is formed in a guide rail shape, the base of the holding means 22 is slidably connected to the support means 28, each holding means 22 is connected to each other by a pantograph mechanism (not shown), and the pantograph mechanism is A configuration (not shown) that expands and contracts is conceivable.
Each holding means 22 and the supporting means 28 constitute a conveying means.
[0019]
The support means 28 is attached to a moving body 34 that slides on a guide rail 32 spanned between the transport line 12 and an upper area of the tray pack 18. The guide rail 32 and the moving body 34 constitute moving means 30 for the supporting means 28.
The control means 36 is composed of a computer or the like, and controls the components of the box packing device 40 as a whole.
[0020]
The above configuration is the same as the conventional example, and the configuration described below is a feature of the present invention.
First, the holding means 22 is configured to be supported by the support means 28 so as to be rotatable about an axis W parallel to the alignment direction of the holding means 22 at every other position in the alignment direction. The rotation direction of the holding means 22 is the same direction with respect to the original position before the rotation, that is, one of the left and right directions. The angle of rotation is the same predetermined angle. As a result, the agricultural product 16 held by the rotated holding means 22 moves diagonally to the side of the agricultural product 16 held by the non-rotating holding means 22 (moves to one of the left and right sides). Newly line up at the position along the alignment direction. As a result, the agricultural products 16 are arranged in a staggered shape as a whole together with the agricultural products 16 remaining at the original position.
[0021]
In addition, since the agricultural products 16 lined up at the new position are inclined from the position at which the holding means 22 hangs down, the agricultural products 16 themselves tilt and slightly rise with respect to the agricultural products at the original position. Since the distance between the two rows of the agricultural products 16 arranged in the shape is about 2 to 4 cm, by increasing the distance from the axis W to the agricultural products 16 to some extent, the inclination and the degree of the rise are all The level at which there is no problem in storing the agricultural products 16 collectively in the storage recess 20 of the tray pack 18 can be achieved.
Each of the holding means 22 rotatably supported is provided with a turning means 42 for turning the holding means 22. In the present embodiment, the turning means 42 is constituted by an air cylinder as an example, but may be constituted by an electric motor.
[0022]
In addition, the problem relating to the inclination and rising of the agricultural product 16 that occurs when the holding means 22 is rotated is reduced by adopting the following configuration.
As shown in FIG. 3, all the holding means 22 are rotatably supported by the support means 28, and all the holding means 22 are provided with the turning means 42.
When the control means 36 controls the rotation means 42 to rotate the holding means 22 and arrange the held agricultural products 16 in a staggered manner, the odd-numbered holding means 22 along the alignment direction is moved along the axis. At the same time, the even-numbered holding means 22 is rotated about the axis W by a predetermined angle in the opposite direction about the axis W.
In this way, assuming that the intervals between the two rows of the agricultural products 16 arranged in a staggered manner are the same, the amount of lateral movement based on the original position X before rotation is maintained. Compared with the case where the means 22 is rotated every other one, it is sufficient to reduce the half, and the inclination and rise of each agricultural product 16 can be reduced.
[0023]
Next, the boxing direction together with the operation of the agricultural product boxing apparatus 40 will be described with reference to FIG.
The storage recesses 20 formed in the tray pack 18 for packing agricultural products are arranged in a matrix as shown in FIG. 8 (for example, a 5 × 3 matrix in which five storage recesses 20 are arranged in each row a, b, c). Is the same as the operation of the conventional box packing apparatus 10 and the conventional box packing method. That is, the holding means 22 is not rotated, holds the agricultural products 16 in a line in a hanging position, transports the agricultural products 16, and sequentially stores the agricultural products 16 in the storage recesses 20 of each row of the tray pack 18.
[0024]
Next, a description will be given of a box packing method in a case where the storage recesses 20 formed in the tray pack 18 are arranged in a staggered manner as shown in FIG. It is the same as the conventional example until the agricultural products 16 are collectively adsorbed and held on all the holding means 22 on the transport line 12.
The outline of the control means is that the control means 36 moves the moving body 34, positions each holding means 22 supported in a row in a row on the support means 28 on the transport line 12, and places each holding means on the support means 28. 22 is moved to adjust the pitch of the holding means 22 to the mounting pitch of the tray 14, that is, the pitch of the agricultural products 16.
Next, the control means 36 operates the first cylinder 24 of each holding means 22 to advance the first rod 24a downward (extend downward), and the agricultural products 16 are sucked by the respective suction cups 26. As a result, five agricultural products 16 are held by the all holding means 22.
Then, the first cylinder 24 is operated to move the first rod 24 a upward (shrink), and the agricultural product 16 is lifted from the receiving tray 14.
[0025]
Next, after holding the agricultural product 16 by the holding unit 22, the control unit 36 moves the supporting unit 28 onto the tray pack 18 or after moving the supporting unit 28 onto the tray pack 18. By rotating, the arrangement of the agricultural products 16 held by all the holding means 22 is staggered.
Specifically, every other holding means 22 is rotated by a predetermined angle in the same direction about an axis W parallel to the alignment direction of the holding means 22 in the same direction, and the agricultural product 16 held by the rotated holding means 22 is rotated. The remaining agricultural products 16 held by the holding means 22 at the hanging position are moved diagonally to the side and arranged in a line, and are arranged in a zigzag as a whole.
Alternatively, the odd-numbered holding units 22 along the alignment direction are rotated in the same direction by a predetermined angle around the axis W parallel to the alignment direction and arranged in a line, and the even-numbered holding units 22 are centered on the axis W. Are rotated in the opposite direction by a predetermined angle and arranged in a line, and the held agricultural products 16 are arranged in a zigzag as a whole.
The positions of the agricultural products 16 arranged in a staggered manner are held in a state in which the first cylinder 24 of the rotating holding means 22 is operated to extend the first rod 24a by a predetermined length as described later. The obtained agricultural product 16 is set in advance by calculation or empirically so as to match the position of the storage recess 20 of the corresponding tray pack 18.
[0026]
Then, if necessary, the control means 36 operates the pantograph mechanism to slide each holding means 22 in the alignment direction, and adjust the pitch of each agricultural product 16 to the pitch of the storage recess 20.
Then, the control means 36 operates the first cylinder 24 to extend the first rod 24a downward, and transfers the agricultural products 16 sucked and held by the suction cup 26 to the corresponding storage recesses 20 (the storage recesses in the rows a and b). ).
When this operation is completed, the control unit 36 releases the suction of the agricultural product 16 by the suction cup 26, and moves the first rod 24a upward. Thus, the packing of the agricultural products 16 into the boxes, specifically, the storing of the agricultural products in the storage recesses 20 for the two rows of the tray pack 18 is completed at one time.
[0027]
Thereafter, in order to hold the next agricultural product 16, the moving body 34 is moved to move the support unit 28 onto the transport line 12.
The control means 36 repeats the above operation, and stores the agricultural products 16 in the storage recesses 20 in the c-th and d-rows, and then in the storage recesses 20 in the e-th and f-rows. . Thus, the agricultural products 16 are stored in all the storage recesses 20 of one tray pack 18, and the packing operation is completed.
As described above, even if the storage recesses 20 formed in the tray pack 18 are arranged in a staggered manner, unlike the conventional case, the storage recesses 20 can be collectively stored in two rows, and the storage of the agricultural products 16 can be performed very efficiently.
[0028]
As an example of the support structure for rotatably supporting the holding means 22 on the support means 28, a configuration shown in FIG. 5 can be considered.
The base (upper) 22a of the holding means 22 is movably attached to the supporting means 28 formed in the linear guide structure along the longitudinal direction of the supporting means 28 (along the alignment direction of the holding means 22). .
The holding means 22 includes a fixed base 44 having a base 22a formed by cutting a hollow rectangular parallelepiped diagonally along a diagonal line to form a triangular shape as viewed from the side, and an upper surface of the fixed base 44 as an example. The slide means 46 is attached and slidably connected to the support means 28 having a linear guide structure.
[0029]
A movable plate 48 is mounted above the inside of the fixed base 44 such that one side thereof is rotatable about an axis W.
The upper end of the first cylinder 24 is fixed to the lower surface of the movable plate 48.
One end (upper end in FIG. 5) of a sub-cylinder 50 serving as a rotating means 42 is rotatably connected to the other swinging side of the movable plate 48 about an axis Y. The other end (the lower end in FIG. 5) of 50 is connected to the lower end of the fixed base 44 so as to be rotatable about the axis Z.
With this structure, when the sub-cylinder 50 expands and contracts, the movable plate 48 rotates about the axis W and the other side swings. As a result, the first cylinder 24 attached to the movable plate 48 It rotates about the axis W.
[0030]
Note that the configuration of the above-described box packing device 40 is not limited to this configuration, and any configuration may be used as long as the box packing method according to the present invention can be performed. For example, the entire support means 28 is connected to the moving body 34 by using a vertical movement mechanism constituted by an air cylinder or the like, and the vertical movement mechanism is operated to store the agricultural products 16 held by the holding means 22 in the tray pack 18. It is also possible to do so. When it is not necessary to move the holding means 22 to adjust the pitch between the agricultural products 16 after the agricultural products 16 held by rotating the predetermined holding means 22 are formed in a staggered manner, There is no need to provide a mechanism for moving 22.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the boxing method of agricultural products and the boxing apparatus of agricultural products according to the present invention, agricultural products can be collectively stored in two adjacent rows of storage recesses arranged in a staggered manner in a tray pack, and efficient box packing is achieved. This has the effect that it becomes possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of a boxing device for agricultural products according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of the holding means of FIG. 1 and a supporting means for supporting the hanging means in a suspended state, that is, a transporting means as viewed from the front.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration in which the holding means can be divided into odd-numbered and even-numbered positions so that they can be rotated in opposite directions from a position aligned in a line.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view for explaining a method for packing agricultural products according to the present invention, wherein (a) shows rows a and b, (b) shows rows c and d, and (c) shows a row. Indicates a state where agricultural products are sequentially stored in the storage recesses in the rows e and f.
5A and 5B are explanatory views showing an example of a specific configuration of the holding unit of FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 5A is a partially cutaway front view, and FIG. 5B is a side view.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration of a conventional agricultural product box packing apparatus.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of the holding unit of FIG. 6 and a supporting unit for supporting the holding unit in a suspended state, that is, a transporting unit viewed from the front.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of a tray pack in which storage recesses are arranged in a matrix.
FIGS. 9A and 9B are explanatory diagrams for explaining a conventional boxing method of packing agricultural products in a tray pack in which storage recesses are arranged in a staggered manner, wherein FIG. 9A is in column a, and FIG. 9B is in column b. , (C) shows a state in which agricultural products are further stored in row c, (d) further in row d, (e) further in row e, and (f) further in row f.
[Explanation of symbols]
12 Transport line
14 saucer
16 Agricultural products
18 tray pack
20 storage recess
22 Holding means
28 Supporting means
30 Transportation
32 guide rail
34 Moving body
36 control means
42 rotating means

Claims

A method of boxing agricultural products in which agricultural products are stored in storage recesses formed in a tray pack by using a transporting means configured by arranging a plurality of holding means for detachably holding one agricultural product in a suspended state in a row. At
After the agricultural products are held by the holding means arranged in a line, while the transport means is moved onto the tray pack, every other holding means is placed around an axis parallel to the alignment direction of the holding means. The agricultural products held by being rotated by a predetermined angle in the direction are moved obliquely to the remaining agricultural products and arranged in a staggered manner, and in this state, all the agricultural products held by the holding means are collectively stored in the tray pack. A method for packing agricultural products, which is stored in a recess.

A method of boxing agricultural products in which agricultural products are stored in storage recesses formed in a tray pack by using a transporting means configured by arranging a plurality of holding means for detachably holding one agricultural product in a suspended state in a row. At
After holding the agricultural products by the holding means in a state of being aligned in a row, while moving the transport means onto the tray pack, the odd-numbered holding means along the alignment direction is centered on an axis parallel to the alignment direction. The agricultural products held by rotating the even-numbered holding means by a predetermined angle in the opposite direction about the axis while rotating the same by a predetermined angle in the same direction are arranged in a staggered manner, and held in this state by the holding means. And storing all the agricultural products in the storage recess of the tray pack in a lump.

The pitch between the holding means is changed according to the pitch of the storage recess before the agricultural products are arranged in a staggered manner and before being stored in the storage recess of the tray pack. How to pack agricultural products.

Holding means capable of detachably holding one agricultural product in a suspended state,
Support means for supporting the holding means in a state of being aligned in a plurality of rows,
Moving means for moving the supporting means;
Control means for controlling the attachment / detachment of the agricultural product by the holding means and controlling the movement of the support means by the moving means, holding the agricultural product from a transport line, transporting the agricultural product onto a tray pack, and forming the tray pack. In the boxing device for agricultural products stored in the storage recesses
The holding means is supported by the supporting means so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the alignment direction of the holding means every other,
Each of the holding means is provided with a rotating means for rotating the holding means,
The control means controls the rotating means to align the holding means in a line, holds the agricultural products on the transport line in this state, and controls the moving means to move the transport means to the tray. While moving on the pack, the rotating means is controlled and the holding means is alternately rotated by a predetermined angle in the same direction, and the held agricultural products are moved obliquely to the remaining agricultural products in a staggered manner. An agricultural product boxing device, wherein the agricultural products are arranged and all agricultural products are collectively stored in the storage recess of the tray pack in this state.

Holding means capable of detachably holding one agricultural product in a suspended state,
Support means for supporting the holding means in a state of being aligned in a plurality of rows,
Moving means for moving the supporting means;
Control means for controlling the attachment / detachment of the agricultural product by the holding means and controlling the movement of the support means by the moving means, holding the agricultural product from a transport line, transporting the agricultural product onto a tray pack, and forming the tray pack. In the boxing device for agricultural products stored in the storage recesses
The holding means is supported by the support means so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the alignment direction of the holding means,
Each of the holding means is provided with a rotating means for rotating the holding means,
The control means controls the rotating means to align the holding means in a line, holds the agricultural products on the transport line in this state, and controls the moving means to move the transport means to the tray. During the movement on the pack, the rotating means is controlled to rotate the odd-numbered holding means along the alignment direction by a predetermined angle in the same direction about the axis and the even-numbered holding means about the axis. An agricultural product box packing device, wherein agricultural products held by being rotated by a predetermined angle in the opposite direction are arranged in a staggered manner, and all agricultural products are collectively stored in the storage recess of the tray pack in this state.

The holding means is supported by the support means so that a mutual pitch can be changed,
The supporting means is provided with a pitch changing means for changing a pitch of the holding means,
The control means, after arranging the agricultural products in a staggered manner, before storing the agricultural products in the storage recess of the tray pack, controls the pitch changing means to adjust the pitch between the holding means to the pitch of the storage recess. 6. The device for packing agricultural products according to claim 4, wherein the device is changed.