Ultraviolet irradiation system

Abstract

To provide an ultraviolet irradiation system capable of evenly carrying out suitable processing on various transported objects, such as a rear side of each of the transported objects in addition to a front side thereof.SOLUTION: According to an embodiment, an ultraviolet irradiation system includes: a transport surface where a transported object is transported in a transport direction while being subjected to force in a direction different from the transport direction; a region configured with at least one of a plurality of convex parts and a plurality of concave parts disposed on the transport surface; and an ultraviolet irradiation part that irradiates ultraviolet light to the transported object.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE An embodiment of the present invention relates to an ultraviolet illumination system. [Background technology]

[0002] When food or the like is exposed to ultraviolet light or the like emitted from an ultraviolet light source, the surface exposed to the light can be subjected to a process such as sterilization. However, for food being transported in a factory or the like, while light is irradiated onto the front side, which is the side facing the ultraviolet light source, there is an issue that it is difficult to expose the back side, which is the back side facing the transport path, to ultraviolet light or the like. Therefore, there has been a need for a configuration that allows ultraviolet light or the like to be exposed to the back side as well. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-79340 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide an ultraviolet irradiation system that can perform appropriate treatment evenly on all sides of various transported objects, including the back side as well as the front side, and an attachment member for a transport section that turns the transported object upside down while transporting it in a predetermined transport direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to an embodiment, the ultraviolet irradiation system has a conveying surface that conveys the transported object in a conveying direction while a force is applied in a direction different from the conveying direction, an area composed of at least one of a plurality of convex portions and a plurality of concave portions provided on the conveying surface, and an ultraviolet irradiation unit that irradiates the transported object with ultraviolet rays. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic top view of a processing system according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the processing apparatus (ultraviolet irradiation system) of the processing system according to the first embodiment, taken along line AA in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a state of the transported object in the cross section shown in FIG. 2 following FIG. 2; [Figure 4] 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a state of the transported article in the cross section shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, following FIG. 3; FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a processing apparatus (ultraviolet irradiation system) of a processing system according to a second embodiment, taken along line AA in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a processing apparatus (ultraviolet irradiation system) of a processing system according to a third embodiment, taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 7] 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a processing apparatus (ultraviolet irradiation system) of a processing system according to a fourth embodiment, taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 8] 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a processing apparatus (ultraviolet irradiation system) of a processing system according to a fifth embodiment, taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 9] 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a processing apparatus (ultraviolet irradiation system) of a processing system according to a sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] The processing device (14) according to the embodiment includes a conveying surface (22a) that conveys the transported object (P) in a conveying direction while a force is applied in a direction different from the conveying direction; an area (24) that is constituted by at least one of a plurality of convex portions (32, 34, 36) and a plurality of concave portions (62, 64, 66) provided on the conveying surface (22a); and a processing unit that exerts various functions on the transported object (P) to process the transported object (P). Therefore, at least one of the multiple convex portions (32, 34, 36) and the multiple concave portions (62, 64, 66) of the region (24) can appropriately turn over the transported object (P) while displacing the transported object (P) on the transport surface (22a). The processing device (14) according to the embodiment can thus transport the transported object (P) while turning it over, and can perform various types of processing evenly on the transported object (P) in the processing portion. Therefore, a processing device (14) is provided that can evenly and appropriately process the transported object (P), such as on the back side in addition to the front side of various transported objects (P).

[0008] The ultraviolet irradiation system (14a) of the embodiment has: a conveying surface (22a) that conveys the transported object (P) in a conveying direction while a force is applied in a direction different from the conveying direction; an area (24) constituted by at least one of a plurality of convex portions (32, 34, 36) and a plurality of concave portions (62, 64, 66) provided on the conveying surface (22a); and an ultraviolet irradiation section (26) that irradiates the transported object (P) with ultraviolet rays. Therefore, at least one of the plurality of convex portions (32, 34, 36) and the plurality of concave portions (62, 64, 66) of the region (24) can appropriately turn over the transported object (P) while displacing the transported object (P) on the transport surface (22a). The ultraviolet irradiation system (14a) according to the embodiment can thus transport the transported object (P) while turning it over, and can irradiate the transported object (P) evenly with ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation section (26). Thus, an ultraviolet irradiation system (14a) is provided that can appropriately treat the transported object (P) evenly, on the back side as well as the front side of various transported objects (P).

[0009] It is preferable that the intervals between at least one of the projections (32, 34, 36) and the recesses (62, 64, 66) of the region (24) become wider in the conveying direction. In this way, by making the distance between at least one of the upstream convex portions and concave portions and at least one of the downstream convex portions and concave portions larger toward the downstream side, it is difficult to impede the momentum of the movement of the transported object (P) transported from the upstream side to the downstream side, and the transported object (P) can be transported along the transport direction while being appropriately turned over by at least one of the downstream convex portions and concave portions. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the transported object (P) from being unintentionally stuck at that position.

[0010] It is preferable that at least one of the projections (32, 34, 36) and the recesses (62, 64, 66) of the region (24) be spaced apart at irregular intervals in the conveying direction. Therefore, the transported object (P) is less likely to be displaced uniformly in the region (24), and is more likely to be displaced randomly. The ultraviolet irradiation system (14a) according to the embodiment can displace the transported object (P) appropriately. Therefore, the ultraviolet irradiation system (14a) according to the embodiment can transport the transported object (P) along the transport surface (22a) while easily turning the object (P) over.

[0011] It is preferable that the height of the protrusions (32, 34, 36) relative to the transport surface (22a) decreases in the transport direction. Therefore, the ultraviolet irradiation system (14a) according to this embodiment can easily move the transported object (P) downstream along the transport direction.

[0012] At least one of the protrusions (32, 34, 36) and the recesses (62, 64, 66) of the region (24) is preferably formed in a polygonal shape when viewed from the side relative to the conveying direction.

[0013] By forming the region (24) in such a shape, the article (P) can be easily turned over while being displaced when the article (P) is transported from the upstream side to the downstream side.

[0014] At least one of the convex portions (32, 34, 36) and the concave portions (62, 64, 66) of the region (24) is preferably formed to have a curved surface when viewed from the side relative to the conveying direction. By forming the region (24) in such a shape, the article (P) can be easily turned over while being displaced when the article (P) is transported from the upstream side to the downstream side.

[0015] At least one of the convex portions (32, 34, 36) and the concave portions (62, 64, 66) of the region (24) preferably has a reflective surface (32a, 34a, 36a) that reflects the ultraviolet light onto the lower surface of the transported object. Therefore, the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 26 can be applied not only directly to the transported object P but also via the reflective surfaces 32a, 34a, 36a. Therefore, the ultraviolet irradiation system 14a according to the embodiment can apply ultraviolet rays to a wider area of ​​the transported object P in a shorter time.

[0016] The transport surface (22a) is preferably made of a material that reflects ultraviolet light. Therefore, depending on the incidence angle of the ultraviolet light, the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit (26) can be applied not only directly to the transported object (P) but also via the transport surface (22a) serving as a reflective surface. Therefore, the ultraviolet light irradiation system (14a) according to the embodiment can apply ultraviolet light to a wider area of ​​the transported object (P) in a shorter time.

[0017] In the embodiment, the method of attachment to the conveying section (22) is to attach an area (24) constituted by at least one of a plurality of convex portions (32, 34, 36) and a plurality of concave portions (62, 64, 66) to the conveying section (22), which conveys the object in the conveying direction while being subjected to a force in a direction different from the conveying direction, so that the spacing between the area is wide along the conveying direction. For example, the region (24) can be attached to an existing conveying section (22). According to the conveying section (22) manufactured in this manner, the conveying section (22) can appropriately turn over the conveyed object (P) when the conveying object (P) is displaced by at least one of the multiple convex portions (32, 34, 36) and the multiple concave portions (62, 64, 66) of the region (24). Therefore, according to the embodiment, it is possible to provide a method of attaching the region (24) for turning over the conveyed object (P) when the conveying object (P) is displaced to the conveying section (22) so that various processes can be performed evenly on the conveying object (P).

[0018] The attachment member for the conveying section (22) in the embodiment has a region (24) composed of at least one of a plurality of convex portions (32, 34, 36) and a plurality of concave portions (62, 64, 66), which is configured to be attachable and detachable to the conveying section (22), which conveys the transported object (P) while a force is applied in a direction different from the conveying direction. When the conveying section (22) is operated, the conveying section (22) alone conveys the object (P) in a predetermined conveying direction while displacing it, whereas when the conveying section (22) is operated with an attachment member having an area (24) attached thereto, the object (P) can be conveyed in the predetermined conveying direction while being displaced and turned over. Such a function can be realized by simply attaching it to the conveying section (22). For this reason, for example, a processing section that performs various functions and processes the object (P) can be used in the conveying section (22) to perform various types of processing on the object (P) evenly. Therefore, it is possible to provide an attachment member for the conveying section (22) that conveys the object (P) in a predetermined conveying direction while being turned over so that appropriate processing can be performed on the back side as well as the front side of the object (P).

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] In each figure, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is set. For example, the X and Y directions are horizontal, the X direction is the conveying direction of the conveyed object P, the Y direction is the width direction of the conveying section 22, and the Z direction is the vertical direction. The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are mutually orthogonal.

[0021] (First embodiment) 1 shows a schematic top view of a transported object processing system 10. The transported object processing system 10 according to this embodiment has a first transport section (upstream transport section) 12, a processing device (main device) 14, and a second transport section (downstream transport section) 16.

[0022] The transported item processing system 10 of this embodiment transfers the transported item (article) P transported by the first transport section 12 to a processing device 14 for appropriate processing of the transported item P, and further transfers the transported item P from the processing device 14 to a second transport section 16 for transporting it to the desired location.

[0023] The treatment of the transported object P by the treatment device 14 is, for example, a sterilization treatment. Therefore, the transported object treatment system 10 according to this embodiment is used to sterilize the transported object P transported by the first transport section 12 by the treatment device 14 and transfer it to the second transport section 16. Note that the treatment may be performed by the first transport section 12 or the second transport section 16.

[0024] The first conveying section 12 and the second conveying section 16 may be various conveyors such as a belt conveyor, a mesh conveyor, a drive roller conveyor, a gravity conveyor, etc. When the object to be sterilized is food or the like, it is preferable that the first conveying section 12 and the second conveying section 16 are mesh conveyors.

[0025] In this embodiment, the processing device 14 will be described as an ultraviolet irradiation system (ultraviolet irradiation device) 14a, which uses ultraviolet light to sterilize the transported goods P, but various processing devices can be used, such as sterilization of the transported goods P using infrared light, sterilization of the transported goods P using an ozone generator, and treatment of odorous components of the transported goods P using a photocatalyst that acts by irradiation with ultraviolet light, infrared light, or the like. That is, the processing device 14 can be a processing device that performs appropriate processing on the transported goods P. Also, sterilization may be interpreted as being interchangeable with disinfection, sterilization, sterilization, or the like.

[0026] The transported goods P may be, in addition to food, medicines, medical equipment, industrial goods, and other goods that require treatment using light or air, such as sterilization. The transported goods P is illustrated as being substantially oval-shaped, but any suitable shape, such as a rectangular parallelepiped, cube, sphere, or other polyhedron, may be accepted. The transported goods P may also be rod-shaped.

[0027] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the goods P are food products. The food products are, for example, agricultural products, meat ingredients, fresh fish ingredients, processed foods, etc. The food products may include packaging containers in which the food products are packaged.

[0028] 2 to 4 show a cross section taken along line AA in the ultraviolet irradiation system 14a of FIG. 1, and a conveying state of an article P conveyed using the ultraviolet irradiation system 14a.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the ultraviolet irradiation system 14a includes a conveying section 22 having a conveying surface 22a, at least one of a convex region and a concave region 24, and an ultraviolet irradiation section (processing section) 26 that irradiates an object P with ultraviolet rays.

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a part of the conveying surface 22a of the conveying unit 22. In this embodiment, the conveying unit 22 may be a so-called vibrating feeder or vibrating conveyor. The conveying surface 22a is vibrated so that the displacement of the conveying surface 22a in the conveying direction (X direction) is small and the displacement in the conveying direction is limited, but the conveying surface 22a acts to move the conveyed object P in the conveying direction and upward, and the conveyed object P can be conveyed in a predetermined conveying direction. In other words, the conveying surface 22a of the conveying unit 22 conveys the conveyed object P in the conveying direction while displacing it by applying a force in a direction different from the conveying direction. The conveyed object P moves in the predetermined conveying direction while rolling and turning over due to the convex parts 32, 34, and 36 described later.

[0031] The conveying surface 22a may be made of a hard material such as a metal material, or a relatively soft material such as a resin material or a rubber material. In this embodiment, the conveying surface 22a is formed as a surface that reflects a part of light such as ultraviolet light. The conveying surface 22a is formed of, for example, an aluminum material, an aluminum alloy material, a resin material that is easy to reflect light such as white light, or other paint that is easy to reflect a part of light such as ultraviolet light. When fragile materials such as chicken eggs are conveyed, the conveying surface 22a may be formed of a rubber material, a resin material, or the like having appropriate cushioning properties.

[0032] The conveying surface 22a is provided with a set 30 of a plurality of convex portions 32, 34, 36 shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 as the region 24. Each set 30 is aligned in the conveying direction. In the present embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the sets 30 are also aligned in the width direction of the conveying surface 22a perpendicular to the conveying direction, but it is also preferable that the sets 30 are integrated and extend in the width direction of the conveying surface 22a.

[0033] As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the protrusions 32, 34, and 36 are arranged in the conveying direction. As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the protrusions 32, 34, and 36 are each formed in a polygonal shape and formed in a state of protruding above the conveying surface 22a. Although Figs. 2 to 4 show the cross sections of the protrusions 32, 34, and 36, the protrusions 32, 34, and 36 are also formed in a polygonal shape when viewed from the side with respect to the conveying direction. The corners (vertices of the polygon) of the protrusions 32, 34, and 36 may be chamfered (for example, C-chamfered or R-chamfered). In this embodiment, the cross sections of the protrusions 32, 34, and 36 are formed, for example, as a triangle. The protrusions 32, 34, and 36 are also formed in a triangular shape when viewed from the side with respect to the conveying direction. At least the downstream side of the convex portions 32, 34, 36 located downstream in the conveying direction is formed as a reflecting surface 32a, 34a, 36a that reflects light. These reflecting surfaces 32a, 34a, 36a are formed as a flat or curved surface that reflects ultraviolet light, for example. It is preferable that the reflecting surfaces 32a, 34a, 36a are formed so as to appropriately diffuse light such as ultraviolet light, rather than concentrating it. For example, the reflecting surfaces 32a, 34a, 36a may be mirror surfaces, or may be processed (e.g., embossed) to diffuse the light incident on the surface. For example, if light is incident on the conveying surface 22a from directly above, it is preferable that the reflecting surfaces 32a, 34a, 36a are formed so as to reflect such light to the lower surface of the conveyed object P. In this case, it is preferable that the angle between the conveying surface 22a and the reflecting surfaces 32a, 34a, 36a is, for example, about 30° to 60°. The angles formed by the transport surface 22a and the reflecting surfaces 32a, 34a, and 36a are adjusted according to the incident direction of the light from the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit .

[0034] The reflective surfaces 32a, 34a, 36a are preferably formed from a material that easily reflects ultraviolet light, or are preferably coated with a paint that easily reflects ultraviolet light.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, it is preferable that the heights H1, H2, and H3 of the convex portions 32, 34, and 36 with respect to the conveyance surface 22a are equal or gradually decrease from the upstream side to the downstream side (H1≧H2≧H3). It is still more preferable that the heights H1, H2, and H3 gradually decrease from the upstream side to the downstream side (H1>H2>H3). Further, it is preferable that the intervals (lengths) L1 and L2 between the convex portions 32, 34, and 36 along the conveyance direction gradually increase from the upstream side to the downstream side (L1<L2). Therefore, it is preferable that the intervals L1 and L2 between the convex portions 32, 34, and 36 along the conveyance direction are non-uniform.

[0036] In order to place the conveyed object P on the conveyance surface 22a provided with the set 30 of such convex portions 32, 34, and 36, the end portion of the first conveyance unit 12 is set to be the same as or slightly higher than the height of the convex portion 32. For this reason, the first conveyance unit 12 can easily reach the conveyed object P on the conveyance surface 22a.

[0037] In the example shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, an example is shown in which a plurality of sets 30 of the convex portions 32, 34, and 36 are provided from the upstream side to the downstream side. Note that the average height of the set 30 on the upstream side of the conveyance surface 22a and the average height of the set 30 on the downstream side are preferably the same or the height of the set 30 on the upstream side is higher.

[0038] In FIGS. 2 to 4, three convex portions 32, 34, and 36 are illustrated. However, as shown in FIG. 1, one set 30 along the conveyance direction can be appropriately set to be two, four, or more. One set 30 and another set 30 adjacent in the conveyance direction are defined by, for example, the interval (width L) between adjacent convex portions. When the adjacent convex portions gradually spread toward the downstream side along the conveyance direction, they are considered to be the same set, and when the convex portions become narrower toward the downstream side, they can be set to be different sets.

[0039] In addition, the region 24, in this embodiment, the set 30 of the convex parts 32, 34, 36 is used as an attachment member attached to the conveying surface 22a of the conveying unit 22 by adhesion, screw fixing, integral molding, or the like. In other words, the attachment member to the conveying unit 22 includes the region 24 composed of a plurality of convex parts 32, 34, 36, which is configured to be detachable from the conveying unit 22 that conveys the conveyed object P while a force in a direction different from the conveying direction of the conveying unit 22 is applied. The convex parts 32, 34, 36 of each set 30 are attached so that the intervals are wide along the conveying direction. For example, if the convex parts 32, 34, 36 are fixed by screws, the positions of the convex parts 32, 34, 36 relative to the conveying surface 22a can be adjusted according to the size, shape, weight, etc. of the conveyed object P. In addition, the region 24 may be configured integrally with the conveying surface 22a of the conveying unit 22. In this case, too, the attachment member to the conveying section 22 is formed as at least a part of the conveying surface 22a which has a plurality of protrusions 32, 34, 36, and has an area 24 which is composed of a plurality of protrusions 32, 34, 36 and is configured to be attachable and detachable to the conveying section 22 which conveys the conveyed object P while a force is applied in a direction different from the conveying direction of the conveying section 22.

[0040] The ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 26 is provided at a position facing the transport surface 22a. As an example, the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 26 is disposed directly above the transport surface 22a. The ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 26 may irradiate light obliquely with respect to the transport direction of the transport surface 22a. Obliquely may be, for example, forward or backward with respect to the transport direction, and various directions are allowed, such as a direction from the bottom to the top of the paper in FIG. 1 or a direction from the top to the bottom of the paper.

[0041] The ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 26 has a plurality of light emitting elements (light sources) arranged in a row. The light emitting elements may be changed depending on the size, type, and shape of the transported article P. Note that a non-solid light emitting light source, such as a lamp, may be used as the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 26.

[0042] The light-emitting element is capable of emitting ultraviolet light having a peak wavelength of 200 nm or more and 300 nm or less. For example, the light-emitting element is a light-emitting diode or a laser diode capable of emitting ultraviolet light having a peak wavelength of 200 nm or more and 300 nm or less. The multiple light-emitting elements may be chip-shaped light-emitting elements, surface-mounted light-emitting elements, or light-emitting elements having leads such as a bullet-shaped light-emitting element.

[0043] The illumination light (ultraviolet light) from the ultraviolet irradiating unit 26 irradiates at least the entire width of the transport surface 22a. The illumination light (ultraviolet light) from the ultraviolet irradiating unit 26 also irradiates an area of ​​an appropriate length along the transport direction of the transport surface 22a. In this embodiment, it is preferable that the ultraviolet irradiating unit 26 illuminates the entire surface of the transport surface 22a with ultraviolet light.

[0044] Next, the operation of the transported object processing system 10 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0045] The transported object processing system 10 drives the first transport section 12, the transport section 22 of the ultraviolet irradiation system 14a, and further the second transport section 16. Then, a plurality of light emitting elements of the ultraviolet irradiation section 26 of the ultraviolet irradiation system 14a are caused to emit light. In this state, the transported object P is supplied to the first transport section 12. Note that an ultraviolet irradiation section 26 may also be provided on the side opposite to the first transport section 12, and the transported object P located on the first transport section 12 may also be processed.

[0046] Each of the transported objects P is transported from the first transport unit 12 to the transport surface 22a of the transport unit 22 of the ultraviolet irradiation system 14a. The transport unit 22 is formed as a vibrating conveyor, and therefore transports the transported object P in the transport direction while displacing the transported object P by applying vibration (a force in a direction different from the transport direction).

[0047] The transported object P is placed on the protrusions 32, 34, 36 by being transported in the transport direction. The protrusions 32, 34, 36 are formed in a polygonal shape when viewed from the side with respect to the transport direction. By being formed in such a shape, the region 24 can easily turn over the transported object P when the transported object P is appropriately displaced from the upstream side to the downstream side by the protrusions 32, 34, 36. Although the turning over of the transported object P during such a displacement is illustrated as being substantially elliptical, it can be performed when the transported object P has an appropriate shape such as a rectangular parallelepiped, cube, sphere, polyhedron, rod, etc., of an appropriate size and weight.

[0048] At this time, the transported object P rolls while in contact with the transport surface 22a or the convex parts 32, 34, 36, or rotates away from the transport surface 22a and the convex parts 32, 34, 36, so that the previous upper surface and the previous lower surface are turned upside down. Alternatively, the transported object P is turned upside down by the force of contact with the upstream surface of the convex parts 32, 34, 36.

[0049] The ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 26 hit the upper surface side of the transported object P. In addition, for example, due to the reflecting surfaces 32a, 34a, 36a of the convex portions 32, 34, 36, the ultraviolet rays hit not only the upper surface side of the transported object P but also a part of the lower surface side. Therefore, the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 26 can hit the transported object P not only directly but also via the reflecting surfaces 32a, 34a, 36a. Therefore, the ultraviolet irradiation system 14a according to this embodiment can hit the transported object P with ultraviolet rays over a wider area in a shorter time. In other words, the ultraviolet irradiation system 14a can hit the transported object P with ultraviolet rays efficiently.

[0050] In addition, the transport surface 22a reflects the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 26. Therefore, depending on the incident angle of the ultraviolet light, the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation unit 26 can be applied not only directly to the transported object P, but also via the transport surface 22a as a reflective surface. Therefore, the ultraviolet light can be applied not only to the upper surface side of the transported object P, but also to a part of the lower surface side. Therefore, the ultraviolet light irradiation system 14a according to the embodiment can apply ultraviolet light to a wider area of ​​the transported object P in a shorter time.

[0051] As described above, the conveying section 22 can appropriately turn over the conveyed object P when the conveyed object P is displaced by the convex parts 32, 34, 36 of the region 24 during conveyance. Therefore, ultraviolet rays are applied to the new upper surface that was the previous lower surface. Also, ultraviolet rays are applied to a part of the new lower surface that was the previous upper surface by the reflecting surfaces 32a, 34a, 36a of the convex parts 32, 34, 36. In this manner, ultraviolet rays are applied to various surfaces of the conveyed object P as the conveyed object P is conveyed in the conveying direction by the ultraviolet irradiation system 14a. Therefore, the conveyed object P is sterilized evenly by ultraviolet rays as it moves from the upstream side to the downstream side of the ultraviolet irradiation system 14a. Then, the conveyed object P is transferred to the second conveying section 16.

[0052] In addition, compared to the height H1 of the convex portion 32 relative to the conveying surface 22a, the height H2 of the convex portion 34 relative to the conveying surface 22a is smaller, and the height H3 of the convex portion 36 relative to the convex portion 34 relative to the conveying surface 22a is even smaller. The convex portions 32, 34, and 36 are formed so that their height relative to the conveying surface 22a decreases toward the conveying direction. Therefore, the ultraviolet irradiation system 14a according to the embodiment can easily move the transported object P downstream along the conveying direction. Due to the height H1>H2>H3, the transported object P is transported downstream by the convex portions 32, 34, and 36 aligned along the conveying direction in addition to the vibration of the conveying section 22 itself.

[0053] The interval L2 between the convex parts 34, 36 is wider than the interval L1 between the convex parts 32, 34. In this way, the interval between the upstream convex part and the downstream convex part is made larger toward the downstream side. Therefore, the momentum of the movement of the transported object P transported from the upstream side to the downstream side is less likely to be hindered by the convex parts 32, 34, 36, and the transported object P can be transported along the transport direction while being appropriately turned over by the downstream convex parts 34, 36. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the transported object P from being unintentionally retained at that position. Therefore, the transported object P can be received between the convex parts 34, 36 without hindering the movement of the transported object P in the transport direction that has passed between the convex parts 32, 34.

[0054] The intervals between the protrusions 32, 34, and 36 in the conveying direction are not uniform. Therefore, the conveyed object P is unlikely to be displaced uniformly in the region 24, and is more likely to be displaced randomly. The ultraviolet irradiation system 14a can appropriately displace the conveyed object P. Therefore, the ultraviolet irradiation system 14a according to the embodiment can easily turn the conveyed object P over and convey it along the conveying surface 22a.

[0055] In this manner, the transported object processing system 10 transfers the transported object P to the second transport section 16 via the first transport section 12 and the ultraviolet irradiation system 14a. At this time, the transported object P is transported while being displaced from front to back by the ultraviolet irradiation system 14a, and is irradiated with ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet irradiation section 26, so that the transported object P transported to the second transport section 16 is appropriately sterilized. Note that an ultraviolet irradiation section 26 may also be provided on the side opposite to the second transport section 16, and processing may also be performed on the transported object P located on the second transport section 16.

[0056] When the transported object P is treated in this manner, the transported object P is inverted by the convex portions 32, 34, and 36, which prevents unevenness in the treatment (sterilization treatment) by irradiation with ultraviolet light. In addition, by using the reflecting surfaces 32a, 34a, and 36a, ultraviolet light can be efficiently applied to positions that are not directly hit by ultraviolet light to perform sterilization treatment. This allows the length of the transport surface 22a in the transport direction to be shortened, and the ultraviolet light irradiation system 14a can perform the desired treatment, such as sterilization treatment, on the transported object P at a higher speed.

[0057] According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an ultraviolet irradiation system 14a capable of uniformly and appropriately treating various kinds of transported objects P, such as the back side as well as the front side of the transported object P, and an attachment method to the transporting unit 22, which attaches to the transporting unit 22 an area 24 for turning the transported object P when the transported object P is displaced so that various kinds of treatments can be uniformly performed on the transported object P. Also, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an attachment member to the transporting unit 22 that transports the transported object P in a predetermined transport direction while turning it over.

[0058] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the set 30 of the convex parts 32, 34, 36 of the region 24 is provided on the conveying surface 22a. For example, the set 30 of the convex parts 32, 34, 36 integrated with, for example, a planar sheet (plate) fixed to the conveying surface 22a may be the region 24. In this case, the sheet (not shown) of the region 24 can be attached to the conveying surface 22a, so that the processing device 14 (ultraviolet ray irradiation system 14a) can be used as described above. In addition, by removing the sheet of the region 24 from the conveying surface 22a, the region 24 can be easily washed, and it is easy to maintain a good sanitary condition when the transported object P is transported. For example, since it is only necessary to attach the region 24 to the conveying unit 22 such as a vibration conveyor, it can be easily created and used.

[0059] As described above, instead of the ultraviolet ray irradiating unit 26, a processing unit such as an infrared ray irradiating unit or an ozone generator may be used. For example, the processing unit may use a light emitting element capable of irradiating light (near infrared rays) in the near infrared region (for example, a wavelength band of 700 nm or more and 960 nm or less) together with the light emitting element capable of irradiating ultraviolet rays, or instead of the light emitting element capable of irradiating ultraviolet rays. In this case, the ultraviolet rays can be used to sterilize or inactivate bacteria or viruses attached to the front side of the transported goods P. Also, for example, when the transported goods P is agricultural products, irradiating the front side of the agricultural products with near infrared rays can suppress the evaporation of liquid components from the front side of the agricultural products. Therefore, the freshness of the agricultural products can be maintained.

[0060] Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a processing device 14 capable of performing appropriate processing on all of the transported objects P, such as the back side as well as the front side of the various transported objects P, and a method of attaching a region 24 for turning the transported object P when the transported object P is displaced to the transporting portion 22 so that various processing can be performed on the transported object P evenly. Also, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an attachment member for the transporting portion 22 that transports the transported object P in a predetermined transport direction while turning it over. Note that the functions that the processing device performs on the transported object P are not limited to those described above, and appropriate functions are allowed to be performed. This is also true for the second to sixth embodiments described later.

[0061] Second embodiment A transported object processing system 10 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. This embodiment is a modified example of the first embodiment, and the same members as those described in the first embodiment or members having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0062] The processing apparatus 14 according to this embodiment uses the ultraviolet irradiation system 14a as described in the first embodiment.

[0063] The transport section 22 of the ultraviolet irradiation system 14a according to this embodiment is formed as a so-called inclined conveyor (slope conveyor) that descends from the upstream side toward the downstream side. Therefore, the transport surface 22a is inclined, for example, in one direction with respect to the XY plane. In this embodiment, for example, the transport surface 22a intersects with a certain XY plane. The intersection portion between the XY plane and the transport surface 22a has the same length as the width of the transport surface 22a and extends in the Y direction. The inclination angle of the transport surface 22a is appropriately set depending on the relationship with the transported object P.

[0064] By inclining the conveying surface 22a with respect to the XY plane, vibration may or may not be applied. In this embodiment, gravity acts vertically downward on the conveyed object P, i.e., a force in a direction different from the conveying direction is applied, so that the conveying unit 22 can convey the conveyed object P in the conveying direction while displacing it. Here, the conveying unit 22 can convey the conveyed object P in the conveying direction by, for example, displacing the conveyed object P while rolling it using the set 30 of protrusions 32, 34, 36.

[0065] Of course, for example, if the convex portions 32, 34, 36 function as stoppers for the transported object P and the transported object P has difficulty rolling due to gravity alone, it is preferable to use the transport unit 22 as a vibrating conveyor.

[0066] In addition, it is preferable that the ultraviolet ray irradiation section 26 is inclined in accordance with the inclination of the conveying surface 22a. Therefore, the distance between the multiple light emitting elements of the ultraviolet ray irradiation section 26 and the conveyed object P can be maintained substantially constant from the upstream side to the downstream side of the conveying surface 22a, and the conveyed object P can be effectively sterilized while, for example, rolling the conveyed object P.

[0067] In addition, if the set 30 of the convex portions 32, 34, 36 were not present on the conveying surface 22a, there is a possibility that the conveyed object P would simply slip and reach the downstream side from the upstream side with the ultraviolet ray irradiation surface remaining almost unchanged. As described in this embodiment, by providing the area 24 of the set 30 of the convex portions 32, 34, 36 on the conveying surface 22a, the conveyed object P can be made to reach the downstream side from the upstream side while being appropriately turned over.

[0068] According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an ultraviolet irradiation system 14a capable of uniformly and appropriately treating various kinds of transported objects P, such as the back side as well as the front side of the transported object P, and an attachment method to the transporting unit 22, which attaches to the transporting unit 22 an area 24 for turning the transported object P when the transported object P is displaced so that various kinds of treatments can be uniformly performed on the transported object P. Also, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an attachment member to the transporting unit 22 that transports the transported object P in a predetermined transport direction while turning it over.

[0069] Third embodiment A transported object processing system 10 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. This embodiment is a modified example of the first and second embodiments, and the same members or members having the same functions as those described in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0070] The processing apparatus 14 according to this embodiment uses the ultraviolet irradiation system 14a as described in the first and second embodiments.

[0071] The transport unit 22 of the ultraviolet irradiation system 14a according to this embodiment is formed in the same manner as the transport unit 22 described in the first embodiment.

[0072] In this embodiment, the conveying surface 22a has a plurality of ultraviolet ray irradiation units 26a, 26b that irradiate ultraviolet rays obliquely from the front side. The number of ultraviolet ray irradiation units is not limited to two ultraviolet ray irradiation units 26a, 26b, and may be three or more. It is preferable that the ultraviolet ray irradiation units 26a, 26b are arranged in the X direction.

[0073] The ultraviolet irradiation unit 26 irradiates from the downstream side to the upstream side in the conveying direction with respect to the inclination of the reflecting surfaces 32a, 34a, 36a of the convex portions 32, 34, 36. Therefore, the ultraviolet irradiation system 14a according to the present embodiment can apply ultraviolet light directly from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 26 to the upper surface side of the transported object P, and can also apply the ultraviolet light reflected by the reflecting surfaces 32a, 34a, 36a to the side and lower surface sides of the transported object P. At this time, the ultraviolet irradiation system 14a according to the present embodiment can increase the amount of irradiation to the lower portion of the transported object P.

[0074] According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an ultraviolet irradiation system 14a capable of uniformly and appropriately treating various kinds of transported objects P, such as the back side as well as the front side of the transported object P, and an attachment method to the transporting unit 22, which attaches to the transporting unit 22 an area 24 for turning the transported object P when the transported object P is displaced so that various kinds of treatments can be uniformly performed on the transported object P. Also, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an attachment member to the transporting unit 22 that transports the transported object P in a predetermined transport direction while turning it over.

[0075] (Fourth embodiment) A transported object processing system 10 according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. This embodiment is a modified example of the first to third embodiments, and the same members or members having the same functions as those described in the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0076] The processing apparatus 14 according to this embodiment uses the ultraviolet irradiation system 14a as described in the first to third embodiments.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 7, the region 24 according to this embodiment has convex portions 42, 44, and 46 instead of the convex portions 32, 34, and 36. The cross sections of the convex portions 42, 44, and 46 are formed as trapezoids, for example. The convex portions 42, 44, and 46 are also formed as trapezoids when viewed from the side with respect to the conveying direction. At least the downstream sides of the convex portions 42, 44, and 46 are formed as reflective surfaces 42a, 44a, and 46a that reflect light. The reflective surfaces 42a, 44a, and 46a are formed in the same manner as the reflective surfaces 32a, 34a, and 36a described in the first embodiment and function in the same manner, so that the description here is omitted.

[0078] According to this embodiment, surfaces 42b, 44b, 46b opposite to the reflecting surfaces 42a, 44a, 46a of the protrusions 42, 44, 46 are formed so that the angle with respect to the X-axis of the conveying surface 22a is smaller than 90°. Therefore, even if the article P comes into contact with the surfaces 42b, 44b, 46b, the article P is easily able to climb over the upper surfaces 42c, 44c, 46c of the protrusions 42, 44, 46.

[0079] According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an ultraviolet irradiation system 14a capable of uniformly and appropriately treating various kinds of transported objects P, such as the back side as well as the front side of the transported object P, and an attachment method to the transporting unit 22, which attaches to the transporting unit 22 an area 24 for turning the transported object P when the transported object P is displaced so that various kinds of treatments can be uniformly performed on the transported object P. Also, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an attachment member to the transporting unit 22 that transports the transported object P in a predetermined transport direction while turning it over.

[0080] In the present embodiment, the cross sections of the protrusions 42, 44, and 46 are described as being trapezoidal. For example, the upper surfaces 42c, 44c, and 46c may be preferably formed not parallel to the XY plane but inclined relative to the XY plane. The upper surfaces 42c, 44c, and 46c may also be formed as curved surfaces.

[0081] Fifth embodiment A transported object processing system 10 according to a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. This embodiment is a modified example of the first to fourth embodiments, and the same members or members having the same functions as those described in the first to fourth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 8, the region 24 according to this embodiment has convex portions 52, 54, and 56 instead of the convex portions 32, 34, and 36. The convex portions 52, 54, and 56 are formed in a curved shape when viewed from the side with respect to the conveying direction. The cross sections of the convex portions 52, 54, and 56 are formed, for example, as parts of a circle. At least the downstream sides of the convex portions 52, 54, and 56 are formed as reflective surfaces 52a, 54a, and 56a that reflect light. The reflective surfaces 52a, 54a, and 56a are formed in the same manner as the reflective surfaces 32a, 34a, and 36a described in the first embodiment or the reflective surfaces 42a, 44a, and 46a described in the fourth embodiment, and function in the same manner, so that the description here is omitted.

[0083] In addition, the surfaces 52b, 54b, 56b of the convex portions 52, 54, 56 opposite to the reflecting surfaces 52a, 54a, 56a according to this embodiment are formed so as to have an angle of less than 90° with respect to the X-axis of the conveying surface 22a. Therefore, even if the article P comes into contact with the surfaces 52b, 54b, 56b, the article P is easily able to climb over the upper surfaces 52c, 54c, 56c of the convex portions 52, 54, 56.

[0084] According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an ultraviolet irradiation system 14a capable of uniformly and appropriately treating various kinds of transported objects P, such as the back side as well as the front side of the transported object P, and an attachment method to the transporting unit 22, which attaches to the transporting unit 22 an area 24 for turning the transported object P when the transported object P is displaced so that various kinds of treatments can be uniformly performed on the transported object P. Also, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an attachment member to the transporting unit 22 that transports the transported object P in a predetermined transport direction while turning it over.

[0085] Sixth embodiment A transported object processing system 10 according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. This embodiment is a modified example of the first to fifth embodiments, and the same members or members having the same functions as those described in the first to fifth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0086] 9, the region 24 according to this embodiment has recesses 62, 64, 66 instead of the protrusions 32, 34, 36. Unlike the protrusions 32, 34, 36, the recesses 62, 64, 66 have reflective surfaces 62a, 64a, 66a on the upstream side, and also have reflective surfaces 62b, 64b, 66b on the downstream side.

[0087] In addition, in Figure 9, the depths of recesses 62, 64, and 66 are as follows: depth D1 of recess 62 > depth D2 of recess 64 > depth D3 of recess 66. However, recesses 62, 64, and 66 may be the same depth, or the depths may be reversed: depth D1 of recess 62 < depth D2 of recess 64 < depth D3 of recess 66.

[0088] Although not shown, for example, the set 30 of the convex portions 32, 34, 36 shown in Figures 2 to 4 and the set 30 of the concave portions 62, 64, 66 shown in Figure 9 may be provided on one conveying surface 22a. Therefore, at least one region 24 of the convex portions 32, 34, 36 and the concave portions 62, 64, 66 is provided on the conveying surface 22a.

[0089] According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an ultraviolet irradiation system 14a capable of uniformly and appropriately treating various kinds of transported objects P, such as the back side as well as the front side of the transported object P, and an attachment method to the transporting unit 22, which attaches to the transporting unit 22 an area 24 for turning the transported object P when the transported object P is displaced so that various kinds of treatments can be uniformly performed on the transported object P. Also, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an attachment member to the transporting unit 22 that transports the transported object P in a predetermined transport direction while turning it over.

[0090] In this embodiment, the cross sections of the recesses 62, 64, 66 are illustrated as being substantially V-shaped in FIG. 9, but U-shape and various other shapes are acceptable.

[0091] Although not shown, the set 30 of the convex portions 32, 34, 36 described in the first to third embodiments, the set 30 of the convex portions 42, 44, 46 described in the fourth embodiment, and the set 30 of the convex portions 52, 54, 56 described in the fifth embodiment may be provided in one region 24. Of course, the set 30 of the concave portions 62, 64, 66 described in the sixth embodiment may also be provided in the region 24.

[0092] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, it is possible to provide an ultraviolet irradiation system 14a capable of uniformly and appropriately treating various kinds of objects P, such as the backside as well as the front side of the objects P, and an attachment method for the conveying unit 22, which attaches an area 24 for turning the object P over when the object P is displaced to the conveying unit 22 so that various treatments can be uniformly performed on the object P. Also, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an attachment member for the conveying unit 22 that conveys the object P in a predetermined conveying direction while turning it over.

[0093] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 10...processing system, 12...first conveying section, 14...main processing system, 14a...ultraviolet irradiation system, 16...second conveying section, 22...convex section, 22a...convex surface, 24...area, 26...ultraviolet irradiation section, 30...set, 32, 34, 36...convex section, 32a, 34a, 36a...reflective surface, H1, H2, H3...height, L1, L2...spacing.

Claims

1. a conveying surface that conveys the object in the conveying direction while a force in a direction different from the conveying direction is applied to the conveying surface; a region formed on the conveying surface and including at least one of a plurality of convex portions and a plurality of concave portions; an ultraviolet ray irradiation unit that irradiates the transported object with ultraviolet rays; An ultraviolet irradiation system comprising:

2. The ultraviolet irradiation system according to claim 1 , wherein an interval between at least one of the convex portions and the concave portions in the region increases toward the transport direction.

3. The ultraviolet irradiation system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the convex portions and the concave portions in the region are spaced apart from one another at intervals along the transport direction.

4. The ultraviolet irradiation system according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusions are formed so that their height relative to the transport surface decreases toward the transport direction.

5. 3 . The ultraviolet irradiation system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the convex portion and the concave portion in the region is formed in a polygonal shape when viewed from a side with respect to the transport direction.

6. The ultraviolet irradiation system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the convex portion and the concave portion of the region is formed to have a curved surface when viewed from a side with respect to the transport direction.

7. At least one of the convex portion and the concave portion in the region has a reflective surface that reflects the ultraviolet light to a lower surface of the transported object. The ultraviolet irradiation system according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The ultraviolet irradiation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transport surface is formed of a material that reflects the ultraviolet light.

9. An attachment member for a conveying section, which is configured to be detachable from a conveying section that conveys an object while applying a force in a direction different from the conveying direction, and which has an area consisting of at least one of a plurality of convex portions and a plurality of concave portions.

Images