Bean sorting machine

Abstract

To provide a bean sorting machine comprising an alignment section and a sorting section so that sorting target objects are aligned and transported appropriately in the alignment section.SOLUTION: The bean sorting machine comprises: a pre-sorting section 8 that sorts and transports supplied sorting target objects A; an alignment section 9 that aligns, while transporting, the sorting target objects A supplied from the pre-sorting section 8 so that a longitudinal direction of the sorting target objects A is aligned along a transport direction; and a sorting section that sorts the sorting target objects A supplied from the alignment section 9 into non-defective products and defective products. The pre-sorting section 8 sorts the supplied sorting target objects A into separated products B1 that are separated into a single pod part or a single pod part and a stalk corresponding to the single pod part, and non-separated products B2 other than the separated products B1, and supplies the separated products B1 to the alignment section 9 as the sorting target objects A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bean sorting machine for sorting beans such as green soybeans, peas, and kidney beans. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a bean sorting machine is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In Patent Document 1, the objects to be sorted are supplied to an alignment section, where they are aligned and conveyed so that their longitudinal directions are aligned with the conveying direction. The aligned objects are then supplied to a sorting section, where they are sorted into non-defective and defective products. In the aligning section, the objects to be sorted are aligned so that their longitudinal direction is aligned with the conveying direction, thereby improving sorting accuracy in the sorting section. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-94764 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The items sorted by the bean sorting machine are divided into separated items and non-separated items, as explained below. Separated products include those consisting of a single pod part, those consisting of a single pod part and a stalk connected to this pod part, etc. Non-separated products are those other than separated products, and include those consisting of multiple pod parts connected via a stalk, and those consisting of a pod part stalk connected to another stalk, etc. (See Figures 8 and 9 of Patent Document 1).

[0005] In the alignment section, separated products tend to be conveyed while being aligned so that their longitudinal direction is aligned with the conveying direction, whereas non-separated products may become stuck in the alignment section. If non-separated products become stuck in the alignment section, they may affect the alignment and conveyance of the sorted products in the alignment section, so there is room for improvement.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a bean sorting machine equipped with an aligning section and a sorting section, which is configured so that the sorted items are properly aligned and transported in the aligning section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The bean sorting machine of the present invention is equipped with a pre-sorting section that transports the supplied items to be sorted while sorting them, an alignment section that aligns the items to be sorted supplied from the pre-sorting section while transporting them so that their longitudinal directions are aligned with the transport direction, and a sorting section that sorts the items to be sorted supplied from the alignment section into good and defective items, and the pre-sorting section sorts the supplied items to be sorted into separated items that are separated into single pod parts or single pod parts and stalks corresponding to the single pod parts, and non-separated items other than the separated items, and supplies the separated items to the alignment section as items to be sorted.

[0008] According to the present invention, before the objects to be sorted are supplied to the aligning section, they are sorted into separated items and non-separated items. The separated items are then supplied from the pre-sorting section to the aligning section, and the non-separated items are unlikely to be supplied to the aligning section. By reducing the number of non-separated items supplied to the alignment section in this way, the possibility of non-separated items affecting the alignment and transportation of sorted items in the alignment section is reduced, thereby improving the sorting performance of the bean sorting machine and the recovery efficiency of good separated items.

[0009] In the present invention, it is preferable that the pre-sorting section has a passing and falling section that drops the separated items downward from the supplied objects to be sorted, a passing and falling section that is provided below the passing and falling section and guides the separated items that have fallen from the passing and falling section to the alignment section, and a holding section that holds the non-separated items from the supplied objects to be sorted without allowing them to fall into the passing and falling section.

[0010] In the sorted items, the non-separated items are often larger than the separated items. According to the present invention, the pre-sorting section has a passing and dropping section, a passing and guiding section, and a holding section. When the objects to be sorted are supplied to the pre-sorting section, the separated objects drop from the passing and dropping section of the pre-sorting section into the passing and guiding section and are supplied to the alignment section. The non-separated objects do not drop from the passing and dropping section of the pre-sorting section and remain in the holding section of the pre-sorting section. This allows for the structure of the pre-sorting section to be simplified while ensuring sorting performance for separated and non-separated items by focusing on the size relationship between separated and non-separated items in the sorted material and making effective use of this.

[0011] In the present invention, it is preferable that the pre-sorting section has an elongated member arranged along the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section, and that multiple elongated members are arranged at intervals in a horizontal direction along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section, the gap between adjacent elongated members is the passing and dropping section, and the elongated members are the holding section.

[0012] According to the present invention, when the objects to be sorted are supplied to the pre-sorting section, the separated objects fall through the gaps between the adjacent elongated members into the passage guide section of the pre-sorting section, while the non-separated objects remain on the elongated members without falling through the gaps between the adjacent elongated members. This allows the passing / dropping section and holding section of the pre-sorting section to be formed by a plurality of elongated members, which is advantageous in terms of simplifying the structure of the pre-sorting section.

[0013] In the present invention, the pre-sorting section preferably has a support member to which the terminal end of the elongated member is attached, supporting the elongated member in a cantilevered manner toward the upstream side of the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section, and supporting the elongated member in an inclined position so that the terminal end of the elongated member is lower than the starting end of the elongated member, and a recovery section provided at the terminal end of the elongated member, and is equipped with a vibration device that imparts vibration to the support member.

[0014] According to the present invention, the elongated member is attached to a support member and extends cantilevered toward the upstream side of the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section, and is in an inclined position so that the terminal end of the elongated member is lower than the starting end of the elongated member. When the vibration device applies vibration to the support member, the elongated member also vibrates. Because the elongated member extends in a cantilevered manner from the support member toward the upstream side in the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section, the amplitude of vibration at the starting end of the elongated member is greater than the amplitude of vibration at the terminal end of the elongated member.

[0015] By supplying the objects to be sorted to the starting ends of the elongated members with large amplitudes, the separated objects are encouraged to fall through the gaps between adjacent elongated members into the passage guide section. The inclination and vibration of the elongated members transport the non-separable items while riding on the elongated members toward the end of the elongated members, from which they are collected in the collection section. The amplitude of the elongated members decreases as the elongated members approach the end of the elongated members, so the non-separable items are not subjected to unnecessary vibration, and the situation in which the non-separable items fall into the passage guide section through the gaps between adjacent elongated members is reduced.

[0016] This promotes the falling of separated products from the gaps between adjacent elongated members into the passage guide section, reducing the falling of non-separated products into the passage guide section while allowing the non-separated products to be transported smoothly to the recovery section, which is advantageous in terms of improving the sorting performance of the bean sorting machine and improving the recovery efficiency of good separated products.

[0017] In the present invention, it is preferable that the pre-sorting section is provided between the terminal end of the elongated member and the recovery section, and has a downstream passing section that drops the separated products that have been transported to the terminal end of the elongated member by riding on the elongated member without falling from the passing and dropping section into the alignment section.

[0018] When the objects to be sorted are supplied to the elongated members, some of the separated items may not fall through the gaps between adjacent elongated members into the passage guide section, but may instead ride on the elongated members and be transported to the end of the elongated members. According to the present invention, separated products transported on the elongated member to the terminal end of the elongated member are more likely to fall from the downstream passing section to the alignment section before being collected in the collection section, so fewer separated products are collected in the collection section, which is advantageous in terms of improving the sorting performance of the bean sorting machine and improving the collection efficiency of good separated products.

[0019] In the present invention, it is preferable that a vertical wall portion is provided at a position above and spaced from the terminal end of the passing guide portion, along a horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section, and that the separated products that fall into the passing guide portion are supplied to the alignment section through the gap between the terminal end of the passing guide portion and the lower end of the vertical wall portion.

[0020] When the separated products drop into the passage guide section of the pre-sorting section and are supplied from the passage guide section of the pre-sorting section to the aligning section, it is preferable that the separated products be supplied to the aligning section in a sideways state. According to the present invention, the separated products that have fallen into the passage guide section of the front sorting section are supplied to the alignment section by passing between the terminal end of the passage guide section of the front sorting section and the lower end of the vertical wall section. When the separated products are supplied to the alignment section, the upright separated products are likely to fall sideways due to contact with the vertical wall section, and the fallen separated products are likely to be supplied to the alignment section by passing between the terminal end of the passage guide section of the front sorting section and the lower end of the vertical wall section. This makes it easier for the separated products to be supplied to the alignment section in a sideways state, making it easier for the separated products to be aligned in the alignment section, which is advantageous in terms of improving the sorting performance of the bean sorting machine and improving the recovery efficiency of good separated products.

[0021] In the present invention, it is preferable that the passage guide section is provided with an inclined portion along a horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section, the inclined portion becoming lower as it approaches the end of the passage guide section in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section.

[0022] In addition to the separated products falling into the passage guide section of the pre-sorting section, small separated products that are defective and impurities such as small clods of soil may also fall into the passage guide section. According to the present invention, when defective separated products or impurities fall into the passage guide section of the pre-sorting section, the defective separated products or impurities tend to move along the inclined section to the end of the inclined section before being supplied to the alignment section, making it difficult for them to be supplied to the alignment section. This makes it difficult for defective separated products and impurities to be supplied to the alignment section, which is advantageous in terms of improving the sorting performance of the bean sorting machine and improving the recovery efficiency of good separated products.

[0023] In the present invention, it is preferable that the outer end of the inclined portion in the horizontal direction along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section is located outward from the outer end of the passing-through drop section in the horizontal direction along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section.

[0024] According to the present invention, the passing and dropping section of the pre-sorting section is not located directly above the end of the inclined section, so that, as mentioned above, if the separated defective products or impurities that have fallen into the passing guide section of the pre-sorting section move to the end of the inclined section, the worker can easily remove the separated defective products and impurities that have gathered at the end of the inclined section, thereby improving workability.

[0025] In the present invention, it is preferable that a vertical wall portion is provided at a position above and spaced from the terminal end of the passing guide portion, along a horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section, and the separated products that fall into the passing guide portion are supplied to the alignment section through the gap between the terminal end of the passing guide portion and the lower end of the vertical wall portion, and the inclined portion is provided upstream of the vertical wall portion in the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section at a distance.

[0026] When the separated products drop into the passage guide section of the pre-sorting section and are supplied from the passage guide section of the pre-sorting section to the aligning section, it is preferable that the separated products be supplied to the aligning section in a sideways state. According to the present invention, the separated products that have fallen into the passage guide section of the front sorting section are supplied to the alignment section by passing between the terminal end of the passage guide section of the front sorting section and the lower end of the vertical wall section. When the separated products are supplied to the alignment section, the upright separated products are likely to fall sideways due to contact with the vertical wall section, and the fallen separated products are likely to be supplied to the alignment section by passing between the terminal end of the passage guide section of the front sorting section and the lower end of the vertical wall section. This makes it easier for the separated products to be supplied to the alignment section in a sideways state, making it easier for the separated products to be aligned in the alignment section, which is advantageous in terms of improving the sorting performance of the bean sorting machine and improving the recovery efficiency of good separated products.

[0027] According to the present invention, the inclined portion is provided at a distance from the vertical wall portion upstream of the conveying direction of the front sorting section, and the inclined portion has little effect on the function of the vertical wall portion of causing the upright separated products to lie sideways. Therefore, the function of the vertical wall portion of causing the upright separated products to lie sideways is properly maintained, which is advantageous in terms of improving the sorting performance of the bean sorting machine and improving the recovery efficiency of good separated products.

[0028] In the present invention, it is preferable that the alignment section has a first part to which the separated products are supplied from the pre-sorting section, and in which a plurality of ridges along the conveying direction of the alignment section are arranged horizontally along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the alignment section, and a second part to which the separated products are supplied from the first part, and in which first ridges along the conveying direction of the alignment section and second ridges higher than the first ridges and along the conveying direction of the alignment section are arranged alternately at intervals in the horizontal direction along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the alignment section, and which supplies the separated products to the sorting section.

[0029] According to the present invention, the separated products supplied from the pre-sorting section are transported in the alignment section (first part) while passing between adjacent ridges, so that the longitudinal direction of the separated products is aligned in a position along the conveying direction. When the aligned separated products are supplied from the alignment section (first part) to the sorting section, even if the position of the separated products is tilted relative to the conveying direction, the separated products are easily restored to their original position by being placed on the high second peak of the alignment section (second part). This reduces the chance of separated products that are inclined relative to the conveying direction being supplied from the alignment section to the sorting section, which is advantageous in terms of improving the sorting performance of the bean sorting machine and improving the recovery efficiency of good separated products.

[0030] In the present invention, it is preferable that the alignment section has a third section that is provided between the first section and the second section and that causes the defective separated products and impurities to fall downward among the separated products supplied from the first section to the second section.

[0031] In addition to the separated products falling into the passage guide section of the pre-sorting section, small separated products that are defective and impurities such as small clods of soil may also fall into the passage guide section. According to the present invention, even if defective separated products and impurities are supplied to the alignment section, when they are supplied from the first part of the alignment section to the second part, they tend to fall from the third part of the alignment section, so that defective separated products and impurities are less likely to be supplied from the alignment section to the sorting section, which is advantageous in terms of improving the sorting performance of the bean sorting machine and improving the recovery efficiency of good separated products.

[0032] According to the present invention, since the third part is provided between the first part and the second part in the alignment section, when the separated products are returned to their original position (a position in which the longitudinal direction of the separated products is along the conveying direction) and are supplied from the second part of the alignment section to the sorting section, the third part of the alignment section does not affect the separated products, which is advantageous in terms of improving the sorting performance of the bean sorting machine and improving the recovery efficiency of good separated products. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal left side view of the vicinity of the supply device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a left side view in vertical section of the vicinity of the recovery / discharge section. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional rear view of the vicinity of the recovery and discharge section. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal left side view of the vicinity of the pre-sorting section, the alignment section, and the sorting section. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the pre-sorting unit, the aligning unit, and the sorting unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal left side view of the vicinity of the pre-sorting section and the aligning section. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the vicinity of the pre-sorting unit and the aligning unit. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the vicinity of the alignment unit and the sorting unit. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional rear view of a first support section and a second support section in the sorting section. [Figure 14] 10 is a plan view of the first support section and the second support section when the gap width in the sorting section is large. FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is a plan view of the first support section and the second support section when the gap width in the sorting section is small. FIG. [Figure 16] This is a rear view of the area where the collection box is installed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] Figures 1 to 16 show a bean sorting machine, and in Figures 1 to 16, F indicates the front direction, B indicates the rear direction, U indicates the up direction, D indicates the down direction, R indicates the right direction, and L indicates the left direction.

[0035] (Overall configuration of the bean sorting machine) As shown in FIG. 1, the pulse sorting machine includes a supplying device 1, a blower 5, a collecting and discharging section 6, a belt conveyor 7, a pre-sorting section 8, an aligning section 9, and a sorting section 10. The outline of the sorting process in the bean sorting machine is as follows.

[0036] (Outline of the sorting process in a bean sorting machine) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the supply device 1 includes a feed guide unit 2, a belt conveyor 3, and a belt conveyor 4. An operator supplies harvested crops, that is, objects to be sorted A, to the input guide section 2. The objects to be sorted A are supplied from the input guide section 2 to the belt conveyor 3, and are then transported rearward by the belt conveyor 3 and supplied to the belt conveyor 4.

[0037] The objects A supplied to the belt conveyor 4 are transported obliquely upward and rearward by the belt conveyor 4, and drop from the end of the belt conveyor 4 to the start of the belt conveyor 7. When the sorted material A falls from the end of the belt conveyor 4 to the beginning of the belt conveyor 7, the sorting air from the blower 5 separates impurities C1 (see Figure 3) such as twigs and leaf debris from the sorted material A and collects them in the collection and discharge section 6.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, the objects A dropped onto the belt conveyor 7 are transported obliquely upward and rearward by the belt conveyor 7 and supplied to a pre-sorting section 8 from the terminal end of the belt conveyor 7.

[0039] In the pre-sorting section 8, the objects to be sorted A are sorted into separated items B1 and non-separated items B2, and the separated items B1 are supplied from the pre-sorting section 8 to the aligning section 9 (see FIGS. 9 and 10). Separated product B1 includes a single pod part, a single pod part and a stalk connected to this pod part, etc. Non-separated product B2 is anything other than separated product B1, and includes multiple pod parts connected via a stalk, or a pod part stalk connected to another stalk, etc.

[0040] The sorted item A (separated item B1) supplied to the alignment section 9 is transported while being aligned so that the longitudinal direction of the sorted item A (separated item B1) is aligned along the transport direction in the alignment section 9, and is then supplied from the alignment section 9 to the sorting section 10.

[0041] The objects to be sorted A (separated items B1) supplied to the sorting section 10 are sorted into non-defective items A1 and defective items A2 in the sorting section 10, and the non-defective items A1 are collected (see FIGS. 11 and 12). In this case, the belt conveyor 4 corresponds to the first conveying device, and the belt conveyor 7 corresponds to the second conveying device.

[0042] (Configuration between the end of belt conveyor 4 and the start of belt conveyor 7) 1 and 2, the air blower 5 is configured as a blower type in which a flat blade member 5a is driven to rotate around an axis P1 along the left-right direction, and is provided below the belt conveyor 4. A recovery and discharge unit 6 is provided above the belt conveyor 7.

[0043] The belt conveyor 7 is set in a tilted position with its end higher than its beginning, and the beginning of the belt conveyor 7 is located below the end of the belt conveyor 4.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, three flat plate-shaped first guide members 11, 12, and 13 are provided at intervals from one another across the range from the terminal end of the belt conveyor 4 to the starting end of the belt conveyor 7.

[0045] A flat second guide member 14 is attached to the recovery / discharge section 6 and extends downward, and is provided downstream (toward the end) of the belt conveyor 7 relative to the first guide members 11, 12, and 13 in the conveying direction.

[0046] A flat upper guide member 15 is provided above the terminal end of the belt conveyor 4 and extends toward the recovery and discharge section 6. A flat upper guide member 16 is attached to the recovery and discharge section 6 and extends obliquely downward toward the first guide member 11. An opening 23 is provided between the upper guide member 15 and the upper guide member 16.

[0047] Duct 17 extends obliquely upward from blower 5 (below belt conveyor 4) along the conveying direction of belt conveyor 4. Opening 18 is formed between first guide member 11 and first guide member 12, and duct 17 is connected to opening 18.

[0048] As shown in Figures 3 and 6, multiple short, flat receiving portions 19 are attached to the lower end of the first guide member 13 at intervals in the left-right direction and extend downward toward the starting end of the belt conveyor 7.

[0049] (Configuration of recovery / discharge unit 6) As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the recovery / discharge section 6 has a main body section 20, an inlet opening 21 and a discharge opening 22.

[0050] The main body 20 is formed from a plate material into a cylindrical shape with an octagonal cross section, and is provided above the belt conveyor 7 along the left-right direction (lateral direction) perpendicular to the conveying direction (front-rear direction) of the belt conveyors 4 and 7. The main body 20 has a ceiling 20a, a rear wall 20b, a bottom 20c, a side wall 20d, and guide portions 20e and 20f.

[0051] The front portion of the main body 20 is open and has an inlet opening 21. In a side view, the inlet opening 21 is provided in a portion of the main body 20 facing the terminal end of the belt conveyor 4, at a position corresponding to an extension of the duct 17. The right portion of the main body 20 is closed by a side wall 20d. The left portion of the main body 20 is open and has a discharge opening 22.

[0052] In rear view (front view), the ceiling 20a of the main body 20 is formed on a substantially horizontal plane, and the guide portion 20e extends diagonally downward and left from the left end of the ceiling 20a. The bottom 20c of the main body 20 is formed in an inclined position that becomes lower the closer it is to the discharge opening 22, and the guide portion 20f extends diagonally downward and left from the left end of the bottom 20c. In plan view, the rear wall 20b of the main body 20 is formed in an inclined position that becomes more rearward the closer it is to the discharge opening 22.

[0053] The rear wall 20b and bottom 20c of the main body 20 make the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the left-right direction (horizontal direction) at the discharge opening 22 in the main body 20 larger than the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the left-right direction (horizontal direction) at the lateral wall 20d (the end opposite the discharge opening 22) in the main body 20.

[0054] (Sorting state between the end of belt conveyor 4 and the start of belt conveyor 7) As shown in Figure 3, the object to be sorted A is transported diagonally upward and backward by the belt conveyor 4, falls from the end of the belt conveyor 4, passes between the first guide members 11, 12, 13 and the second guide member 14, and falls onto the start end of the belt conveyor 7 below.

[0055] Even if the object A attempts to move downward along the belt conveyor 4 before it falls onto the starting end of the belt conveyor 7, it is blocked by the first guide members 11, 12, and 13. Even if the object A attempts to move towards the downstream side of the conveyance of the belt conveyor 7 (towards the terminal end), it is blocked by the second guide member 14.

[0056] Sorting air D1 from blower 5 passes through duct 17 from a position below belt conveyor 4 along the conveying direction of belt conveyor 4, and is supplied from opening 18 to between the terminal end of belt conveyor 4 and belt conveyor 7. Impurities C1 such as twigs and leaf debris are separated from the objects to be sorted A by sorting air D1 and sent diagonally upward and rearward, and the impurities C1 and sorting air D1 enter the inside of main body 20 from inlet opening 21 of recovery and discharge section 6.

[0057] When a light non-defective product A1 (see Figures 11 and 12) contained in the sorted material A is separated together with impurities C1 by the sorting wind D1 and sent toward the recovery and discharge section 6, the light non-defective product A1 falls a little before reaching the entrance opening 21 of the recovery and discharge section 6, hits the second guide member 14, and falls to the starting end of the belt conveyor 7.

[0058] When the impurities C1 are blown upward by the sorting wind D1, the impurities C1 are prevented from flying upward by the upper guide members 15, 16, and are guided by the upper guide members 15, 16 to the entrance opening 21 of the recovery and discharge section 6. Of the impurities C1, fine dust and the like that float in the air escape upward through the opening 23 between the upper guide members 15, 16.

[0059] (Discharge state of impurities C1 in recovery and discharge section 6) As described above, when the impurities C1 and sorting air D1 enter the interior of the main body 20 from the inlet opening 21 of the recovery and discharge section 6, as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, the impurities C1 and sorting air D1 flow from the ceiling 20a of the recovery and discharge section 6 (main body 20) to the rear wall 20b, the bottom 20c, and back to the ceiling 20a, and rotate clockwise in Figure 3 along the inner surface of the main body 20 of the recovery and discharge section 6. The following impurities C1 and sorting air D1 enter the interior of the main body 20 from the inlet opening 21 of the recovery and discharge section 6 one after another, and rotate circumferentially along the inner surface of the main body 20 of the recovery and discharge section 6.

[0060] As described above, in the recovery and discharge section 6, the area of ​​the cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction (horizontal direction) at the discharge opening 22 in the main body 20 is larger than the area of ​​the cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction (horizontal direction) at the lateral wall 20d (the end opposite the discharge opening 22) in the main body 20.

[0061] As a result, the air pressure near the discharge opening 22 inside the main body 20 of the recovery and discharge unit 6 tends to be lower than the air pressure near the side wall 20d. This difference in air pressure makes it easier for air to flow from near the side wall 20d to the discharge opening 22 inside the recovery and discharge unit 6 (main body 20).

[0062] Inside the main body 20 of the recovery and discharge section 6, the impurities C1 and sorting wind D1 rotate circumferentially along the inner surface of the main body 20 of the recovery and discharge section 6, move toward the discharge opening 22 due to the air flow from near the side wall section 20d to the discharge opening 22, and are discharged outward to the left from the discharge opening 22.

[0063] (Transportation state of sorted item A on belt conveyor 7) 1, 2, and 3, the belt conveyor 7 is set in an inclined position with the rear rising upward so that the end of the belt conveyor 7 is higher than the start of the belt conveyor 7. The objects A to be sorted drop onto the start of the belt conveyor 7, and are transported diagonally upward and rearward toward the end of the belt conveyor 7, and are supplied from the end of the belt conveyor 7 to the pre-sorting section 8.

[0064] Small defective items A2 and impurities C1 such as small lumps of soil contained in the objects to be sorted A are not transported diagonally upward due to the inclination of the belt conveyor 7, but instead fall toward the starting end of the belt conveyor 7 against the movement of the belt conveyor 7. The defective items A2 and impurities C1 pass between the receiving sections 19 (see FIG. 6) and fall downward from the starting end of the belt conveyor 7.

[0065] When the objects to be sorted A fall onto the starting end of the belt conveyor 7, non-defective items A1 (see Figures 11 and 12) may fall downward from the starting end of the belt conveyor 7 together with defective items A2 and impurities C1.

[0066] Even if the non-defective products A1 attempt to fall downward from the starting end of the belt conveyor 7, the non-defective products A1 are larger than the defective products A2 and the impurities C1, and are therefore likely to be received by the receiving section 19. The non-defective products A1 received by the receiving section 19 are likely to return to the state in which they are transported by the belt conveyor 7 due to vibrations or the like, and are likely to be supplied from the terminal end of the belt conveyor 7 to the pre-sorting section 8.

[0067] (Support and vibration structure of pre-sorting section 8, alignment section 9 and sorting section 10) 1 and 7, wheels 24a are attached to a movable support base 24. A support base 26 is attached to the support base 24 via a spring 25.

[0068] The support base 26 has frames 27, 29, 30 and side plates 28. Right and left frames 27 extending in the front-to-rear direction are attached to the support base 24 via springs 25, and the right and left side plates 28 are connected to the frames 27 and extend upward. A frame 29 extending in the left-to-right direction is connected to the right and left side plates 28, and a frame 30 extending in the front-to-rear direction is connected to the front frame 29.

[0069] The right and left support arms 31 are attached to the side plates 28 of the support base 26 so as to be swingable back and forth about an axis P2 extending in the left-right direction. The right and left support arms 32 are attached to the side plates 28 of the support base 26 so as to be swingable back and forth about an axis P3 extending in the left-right direction.

[0070] A support base 33 is provided. The support base 33 has right and left side plates 34, frames 35, 36, and 37 connected across the right and left side plates 34, and right and left mounting portions 38 and 39 connected to the side plates 34.

[0071] Mounting portions 38 and 39 of support base 33 are swingably attached to the upper portions of support arms 31 and 32, and support base 33 is attached to support base 26 via support arms 31 and 32. Pre-sorting unit 8 is attached to the front portion of support base 33. In support base 33, alignment unit 9 is attached to a portion rearward of pre-sorting unit 8, and sorting unit 10 is attached to a portion rearward of alignment unit 9.

[0072] A vibration device 40 is attached to the frames 29, 30 of the support base 26. The vibration device 40 has an electric motor 41 and an eccentric shaft 42 that is rotationally driven by the electric motor 41. A linking rod 43 is connected between the frame 35 of the support base 33 and the eccentric shaft 42.

[0073] In the vibration device 40, an eccentric shaft 42 is rotationally driven by an electric motor 41, and a linking rod 43 is reciprocated back and forth by the eccentric shaft 42. As a result, the support arms 31 and 32 are driven to swing back and forth via the support base 33, and the support base 33 (pre-sorting section 8, alignment section 9, and sorting section 10) is driven to vibrate back and forth.

[0074] (Configuration of pre-sorting section 8)-1 As shown in Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10, the pre-sorting section 8 has right and left side plates 44, a support member 45, an elongated member 46, a passage guide section 48, a vertical wall section 49, an inclined section 51, and a recovery section 52.

[0075] The right and left side plates 44 are connected to the front portions of the side plates 34 of the support base 33 and extend upward, and a support member 45 extending in the left-right direction is connected across the right and left side plates 44. A thin rod is bent into an elongated channel shape in a plan view to form the elongated members 46, and multiple elongated members 46 are attached to the support member 45 along the front-rear direction (the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section 8).

[0076] The elongated members 46 are attached to the support member 45 at equal intervals (gaps 47) along the left-right direction (horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section 8), and extend cantilevered from the support member 45 diagonally forward and upward (upstream of the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section 8).

[0077] A flat passage guide portion 48 is connected across the right and left side plates 44 and is provided below the elongated member 46. A vertical wall portion 49 made of a thin rubber plate is attached to the support member 45 along the left-right direction (the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section 8), and the vertical wall portion 49 is located above the terminal end portion 48a of the passage guide portion 48. The vertical wall portion 49 extends downward from the support member 45, and a horizontally elongated gap 50 is formed between the terminal end portion 48a of the passage guide portion 48 and the lower end portion 49a of the vertical wall portion 49.

[0078] An inclined portion 51 formed by bending a metal flat plate into a triangle is provided in the passage guide section 48. In the inclined portion 51, a top portion 51a is provided in the left-right center of the passage guide section 48, and right and left inclined surfaces 51b extend from the top portion 51a to the right and left (in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section 8) so as to gradually become lower.

[0079] The right end 51c of the inclined portion 51 is located outward and to the right of the rightmost elongated member 46 in a plan view, and the left end 51c of the inclined portion 51 is located outward and to the left of the leftmost elongated member 46 in a plan view. In the passage guide portion 48, no elongated member 46 is present above the region 48b between the right (left) end 51c of the inclined portion 51 and the right (left) side plate 44.

[0080] The terminal end 51d of the inclined portion 51 is spaced apart forward (upstream of the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section 8) from the terminal end 48a of the passage guide section 48 and the lower end 49a of the vertical wall section 49, and a planar region 48c is formed between the terminal end 48a of the passage guide section 48 and the terminal end 51d of the inclined portion 51.

[0081] (Configuration of pre-sorting section 8)-2 7, 8, 9, and 10, a collection section 52 formed by bending a flat plate into an angle is connected across the right and left side plates 44 and is provided behind the support member 45 (downstream of the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section 8). A plurality of narrow protrusions 52a are provided at the front of the collection section 52 facing upward, spaced apart by the same width from one another in the left-right direction (the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section 8).

[0082] The recovery section 52 is provided at a distance rearward (downstream of the transport direction of the pre-sorting section 8) from the support member 45 and the vertical wall section 49, and a horizontally long gap 53 is formed between the recovery section 52 and the support member 45 and the vertical wall section 49. The recovery section 52 and the gap 53 are located above the front of the alignment section 9, which will be described later. In this case, the elongated members 46 correspond to the holding portions. The gaps 47 between adjacent elongated members 46 correspond to the passing and dropping portions. The gaps 53 correspond to the downstream passing portions.

[0083] As described above, the support table 33 (the pre-sorting unit 8, the aligning unit 9, and the sorting unit 10) is driven to vibrate back and forth by the vibration device 40. The elongated member 46 extends diagonally forward and upward in a cantilevered manner from the support member 45, causing the elongated member 46 to vibrate up and down. The amplitude of the vibration at the starting end of the elongated member 46 is greater than the amplitude of the vibration at the terminal end (support member 45) of the elongated member 46. The vertical wall portion 49 is made of a thin rubber plate, causing the lower end 49a of the vertical wall portion 49 to vibrate back and forth.

[0084] (Sorting status in pre-sorting section 8) As described above, the objects A conveyed by the belt conveyor 7 are supplied from the terminal end of the belt conveyor 7 to the starting end of the elongated member 46.

[0085] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the object to be sorted A includes separated products B1, non-separated products B2, and unrecovered impurities C1. The separated products B1 include non-defective products A1 and small, immature defective products A2. The non-separated products B2 are larger than the separated products B1. In the pre-sorting section 8, the object to be sorted A is sorted as described below.

[0086] When the object to be sorted A is supplied to the starting end of the elongated member 46, the object to be sorted A is transported backward along the elongated member 46 (downstream of the transport direction of the pre-sorting section 8), while the separated product B1 and impurities C1 pass through the gap 47 between the elongated members 46 and fall into the passage guide section 48 (inclined section 51).

[0087] Of the separated products B1 and impurities C1 that have fallen into the passage guide section 48 (inclined section 51), the defective products A2 and impurities C1 tend to flow to the right and left along the inclined section 51 and tend to collect in the area 48b of the passage guide section 48. The worker simply removes the defective products A2 and impurities C1 that have collected in the area 48b of the passage guide section 48 from above.

[0088] Of the separated product B1 and impurities C1 that fall into the passage guide section 48 (inclined section 51), the separated product B1 flows backward along the inclined section 51 to reach the region 48c of the passage guide section 48, and is supplied to the alignment section 9 from the region 48c of the passage guide section 48 through the gap 50.

[0089] In this case, the separated product B1 that has fallen sideways in the region 48c of the passage guide section 48 passes through the gap 50 and is supplied to the alignment section 9. The upright separated product B1 is likely to fall sideways when it comes into contact with the vertical wall section 49, and is then supplied to the alignment section 9 through the gap 50.

[0090] Of the objects A to be sorted supplied to the starting ends of the elongated members 46, non-separated items B2 cannot fall through the gaps 47 between the elongated members 46 and are transported on the elongated members 46 to the terminal end of the elongated members 46. The non-separated items B2 are held and retained near the terminal end of the elongated members 46 and the support members 45, and the non-separated items B2 that pass over the support members 45 enter the recovery section 52.

[0091] The worker simply removes the non-separable item B2 from the end of the elongated member 46, the support member 45, and the recovery section 52, separates the pod portions of the non-separable item B2 from each other to form a separated item B1, and supplies this separated item B1 to the starting end of the elongated member 46.

[0092] Of the objects A to be sorted supplied to the starting ends of the elongated members 46, some separated items B1 may not fall through the gaps 47 between the elongated members 46, but may ride on the elongated members 46 and be transported to the end ends of the elongated members 46. Such separated items B1 tend to go over the support members 45, and after going over the support members 45, tend to pass through the gaps 53 and fall into the alignment section 9.

[0093] (Configuration of alignment unit 9) As shown in Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10, the alignment section 9 has a first portion 61, a second portion 62, and a third portion which is a horizontally elongated gap 63 provided between the first portion 61 and the second portion 62.

[0094] In the first portion 61, a mountain portion 54 having a triangular cross section is connected to the frame 36 of the support table 33 along the front-rear direction (the conveying direction of the alignment unit 9). A plurality of mountain portions 54 are arranged side by side along the left-right direction (the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the alignment unit 9), and the starting end of each mountain portion 54 is set in an inclined position higher than the terminal end of each mountain portion 54.

[0095] The front portions of the apexes 54a of the peaks 54 are located directly below the protrusions 52a of the recovery sections 52 of the pre-sorting section 8, and overlap the protrusions 52a of the recovery sections 52 of the pre-sorting section 8 in plan view. In the front half of the peaks 54, the valleys 54b between adjacent peaks 54 are blocked. In the rear half of the peaks 54, vertically long gaps 54c are formed between adjacent peaks 54.

[0096] In the second part 62, a flat support member 55 is connected across the right and left side plates 34 of the support base 33, and the starting end of the support member 55 is set in an inclined position higher than the terminal end of the support member 55.

[0097] A flat plate-shaped first peak 56 and a flat plate-shaped second peak 57 are connected to the support member 55 along the front-rear direction (the conveying direction of the alignment unit 9). The multiple first peaks 56 and multiple second peaks 57 are arranged alternately at intervals along the left-right direction (the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the alignment unit 9).

[0098] In plan view, the first peaks 56 are located on an imaginary line (not shown) extending rearward from the valleys 54b and gaps 54c of the peaks 54 of the first portion 61. The second peaks 57 are located on an imaginary line (not shown) extending rearward from the peaks 54a of the peaks 54 of the first portion 61.

[0099] The second peaks 57 are higher than the first peaks 56. In a side view, the first peaks 56 are approximately the same height as an imaginary line (not shown) extending rearward from the valleys 54b and gaps 54c of the peaks 54 of the first portion 61. In a side view, the second peaks 57 are higher than an imaginary line (not shown) extending rearward from the valleys 54b and gaps 54c of the peaks 54 of the first portion 61. A horizontally elongated gap 63 is formed between the end of the peak 54 of the first portion 61 and the support member 55 of the second portion 62 across the right and left side plates 34 of the support base 33 .

[0100] (Alignment state in alignment unit 9) As described above, the support table 33 (pre-sorting section 8, alignment section 9, and sorting section 10) is driven to vibrate back and forth by the vibration device 40. The objects A to be sorted that have been transported while being sorted in the pre-sorting section 8 are supplied to the alignment section 9 from the terminal end of the pre-sorting section 8.

[0101] 9 and 10, the objects to be sorted A include separated products B1 (good products A1 and defective products A2) and unrecovered impurities C1. In the sorting unit 9, the objects to be sorted A are sorted as described below.

[0102] The objects to be sorted A (good products A1, defective products A2, and impurities C1) are supplied from the end of the pre-sorting section 8 to the first part 61 of the alignment section 9. The separated products B1 are oriented in all directions, including front, back, left, and right, even when lying on their side.

[0103] As the alignment unit 9 is driven to vibrate back and forth, the separated products B1 enter the valleys 54b of the peaks 54 of the first portion 61 while being transported toward the second portion 62. As the separated products B1 enter the valleys 54b of the peaks 54 of the first portion 61, the separated products B1 are aligned in a position such that the longitudinal direction of the separated products B1 is along the front-to-rear direction (the transport direction of the alignment unit 9), and the separated products B1 line up in a row at the valleys 54b of the peaks 54 of the first portion 61.

[0104] The separated product B1, whose longitudinal direction is aligned with the front-to-back direction (the conveying direction of the alignment section 9), is supplied from the valley portion 54b (gap 54c) of the first part 61 to the first peak portion 56 of the second part 62, and moves slightly to the right or left from the first peak portion 56 to enter between the adjacent first peak portion 56 and second peak portion 57.

[0105] When two separated items B1 are simultaneously supplied to the first peak 56 of the second part 62 from one valley 54b (gap 54c) of the first part 61, one of the two separated items B1 moves to the right and the other moves to the left, making it easier for one separated item B1 to enter between one of the first peaks 56 and the second peaks 57.

[0106] When the separated product B1 is supplied from the valley 54b (gap 54c) of the first portion 61 to the first peak 56 of the second portion 62, the separated product B1 tilts so that its longitudinal direction is aligned with the left-right direction. In this case, when the separated product B1 rests on the high second peak 57 of the second portion 62, the separated product B1 is returned to a position where its longitudinal direction is aligned with the front-rear direction (the conveying direction of the alignment unit 9), and the separated product B1 enters between the adjacent first peak 56 and second peak 57.

[0107] When the separated product B1 is supplied from the first portion 61 to the second portion 62, the impurities C1 tend to fall from the gap 54c of the peak portion 54 of the first portion 61, and the defective product A2 and the impurities C1 tend to fall from the gap 63.

[0108] As described above, in the alignment section 9, the separated product B1 is positioned so that its longitudinal direction is along the front-to-back direction (the conveying direction of the alignment section 9), and enters between the adjacent first and second mountain sections 56 and 57, and is supplied to the sorting section 10 from between the adjacent first and second mountain sections 56 and 57.

[0109] (Configuration of sorting unit 10)-1 As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the sorting unit 10 has a first support portion 71, a second support portion 72, a support frame 58, guide members 60 and 64, and a sheet member 68.

[0110] Front and rear elongated holes 34a extending in the front-to-rear direction are formed in the right and left side plates 34 of the support base 33. Front and rear support frames 58 extending in the left-to-right direction are attached to the elongated holes 34a of the side plates 34, spanning the right and left side plates 34. The position of the support frames 58 can be changed in the front-to-rear direction along the elongated holes 34a of the side plates 34, and they are fixed to the side plates 34 with nuts (not shown).

[0111] A plurality of first support portions 71 are connected across the front and rear support frames 58 along the front-rear direction (the conveying direction of the sorting unit 10). The plurality of first support portions 71 are arranged at intervals along the left-right direction (the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sorting unit 10), and are set in an inclined position such that the starting ends of the first support portions 71 are higher than the terminal ends of the first support portions 71.

[0112] A plurality of second support portions 72 are provided between the first support portions 71 along the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) of the first support portions 71. The plurality of second support portions 72 are connected to the front and rear frames 37 of the support base 33 via support columns 59, and are set in an inclined position such that the starting ends of the second support portions 72 are higher than the terminal ends of the second support portions 72.

[0113] (Configuration of sorting unit 10)-2 As shown in Figures 7, 8, 11, and 12, the first support portion 71 and the second support portion 72 are arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the first support portion 71 and the longitudinal direction of the second support portion 72 are aligned with each other, and are arranged alternately with each other in a horizontal direction (left-right direction) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first support portion 71 (second support portion 72).

[0114] The first support portion 71 is configured to be longer than the second support portion 72. The starting end of the first support portion 71 and the starting end of the second support portion 72 are provided at the same position in the front-to-rear direction and are inserted below the second portion 62 of the alignment portion 9. The terminal end of the first support portion 71 is provided rearward of the terminal end of the second support portion 72.

[0115] The second support portion 72 is connected to the side plate 34 via the frame 37 and the support column 59, and is fixed in position relative to the support base 33. When the position of the support frame 58 is changed in the front-to-rear direction along the long hole 34a of the side plate 34, the position of the first support portion 71 (second support portion 72) is changed integrally with the support frame 58 relative to the support base 33 in the longitudinal direction of the first support portion 71 (second support portion 72).

[0116] Flat guide members 60, 64 are connected across the right and left side plates 34 of the support base 33. A gap 65 is formed between the upper end of the guide member 60 and the terminal end of the second support part 72, extending along the left-right direction across the right and left side plates 34 of the support base 33.

[0117] 11 and 16, a flat guide plate 66 is connected to the support base 24 across the right and left rear portions of the support base 24. A frame 67 with a triangular cross section is connected to the left-right central portion of the support base 24 along the front-rear direction, and the end of the frame 67 protrudes rearward from the left-right central portion of the guide plate 66. In the sorting unit 10, a flexible sheet member 68 is attached to the guide member 64, extends obliquely downward and rearward, and is placed on the guide plate 66.

[0118] 1 and 7, an arch-shaped frame 69 is connected across the right rear and left rear portions of the support base 24. A stop switch 70 capable of stopping the entire bean sorting machine is provided on the frame 69.

[0119] In this case, the elongated holes 34a of the side plates 34 of the support base 33 and the support frame 58 correspond to the position changing portion. The gap 65 corresponds to the defective product dropping portion. The guide members 60, 64 and the sheet member 68 correspond to the guide members.

[0120] (Configuration of the first support portion 71 and the second support portion 72) As shown in FIGS. 11, 12, and 13, the first support portion 71 has a mountain-like shape with a cross section that is an equilateral triangle, and has a peak portion 71a, two inclined portions 71b, a mounting portion 71c, and a cutout portion 73.

[0121] The top portion 71a of the first support portion 71 is formed along the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) of the first support portion 71. The inclined portions 71b of the first support portion 71 are formed from the top portion 71a of the first support portion 71 obliquely downward in one and the other lateral directions (left-right directions) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first support portion 71.

[0122] The mounting portions 71c of the first support portion 71 are provided at the starting and ending ends of the first support portion 71, and are formed by bending the inclined portions 71b of the first support portion 71. The mounting portions 71c of the first support portion 71 are connected to the support frame 58 as described above.

[0123] Near the terminal end of the first support portion 71, a cutout portion 73 is formed extending from the lower end of the inclined portion 71b of the first support portion 71 toward the top portion 71a of the first support portion 71. The cutout portion 73 extends further toward the top portion 71a of the first support portion 71 the closer it is to the terminal end of the first support portion 71.

[0124] In the portion of the cutout 73 closer to the starting end of the first support portion 71, the width W2 across both cutouts 73 is the same as the width W1 across the lower ends of both inclined portions 71b of the first support portion 71. The closer to the rear of the cutout 73 (the terminal end of the first support portion 71), the greater the cutout 73 extends toward the top portion 71a of the first support portion 71, and therefore the width W2 becomes smaller. In this case, the cutout 73 corresponds to the width-changing portion.

[0125] Similar to the first support part 71, the second support part 72 has a cross section formed in the shape of an equilateral triangle and includes a peak part 72a, two inclined parts 72b, and a mounting part 71c. The mounting part 72c of the second support part 72 is connected to the frame 37 via the support post 59 as described above.

[0126] The width W1 across the lower ends of both inclined portions 72b of the second support portion 72 is the same as the width W1 across the lower ends of both inclined portions 71b of the first support portion 71. As described above, the second support portion 72 is configured to be shorter than the first support portion 71, and no missing portion 73 is provided.

[0127] (Arrangement of the first support portion 71 and the second support portion 72)-1 As described above, the first support portions 71 and the second support portions 72 are provided alternately in the lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first support portions 71 (second support portions 72).

[0128] 11, 12, and 13, the top 71a of the first support portion 71 and the top 72a of the second support portion 72 are located at the same height. The lower end of the inclined portion 71b of the first support portion 71 and the lower end of the inclined portion 72b of the second support portion 72 are located at the same height.

[0129] The apex 71a of the first support portion 71 is located on an imaginary line (not shown) extending rearward from the second peak 57 of the alignment portion 9 (second portion 62) in a plan view. The apex 72a of the second support portion 72 is located on an imaginary line (not shown) extending rearward from the first peak 56 of the alignment portion 9 (second portion 62) in a plan view.

[0130] In a plan view, the space between the inclined portion 71b of the first support portion 71 and the inclined portion 72b of the second support portion 72 is located on an imaginary line (not shown) extending rearward from between the first peak portion 56 and the second peak portion 57 of the alignment portion 9 (second part 62).

[0131] An upstream gap 74 is formed along the longitudinal direction of the first support portion 71 and the longitudinal direction of the second support portion 72 between the portion excluding the missing portion 73 at the lower end of the inclined portion 71b of the first support portion 71 and the lower end of the inclined portion 72b of the second support portion 72.

[0132] As described above, even if the position of the first support portion 71 (second support portion 72) is changed along the longitudinal direction of the first support portion 71 integrally with the support frame 58, the apex portion 71a of the first support portion 71 and the apex portion 72a of the second support portion 72 are positioned at the same height. The lower end of the inclined portion 71b of the first support portion 71 and the lower end of the inclined portion 72b of the second support portion 72 are positioned at the same height. The width W3 of the upstream gap 74 is maintained at the same value.

[0133] (Arrangement of the first support portion 71 and the second support portion 72)-2 12, 13, 14, and 15, the cutout 73 of the first support portion 71 is located at the end of the second support portion 72, and a gap 75 is formed between the cutout 73 of the first support portion 71 and the end of the second support portion 72. The gap 75 is located downstream of the sorting section 10 in the conveying direction relative to the upstream gap 74.

[0134] The gap 75 has a length L1 in the longitudinal direction of the first support portion 71 (second support portion 72) and is tapered into a wedge shape in a plan view. The width W4 of the gap 75 is larger than the width W3 of the upstream gap 74.

[0135] Since the second support portion 72 does not exist downstream of the guide member 60 in the conveying direction of the sorting section 10, a downstream gap 76 is formed between the terminal ends of adjacent first support portions 71. The width W5 of the downstream gap 76 is larger than the width W4 of the gap 75 and the width W3 of the upstream gap 74. It is located in.

[0136] (Adjustment of gap 75) 13 and 14 shows a state in which the first support section 71 is operated to the upstream side (front) of the sorting section 10 in the conveying direction. In this state, the rear portion of the cutout 73 of the first support portion 71 (the portion on the terminal end side of the first support portion 71) is located in the gap 75. At the rear portion of the cutout 73 of the first support portion 71 (the portion on the terminal end side of the first support portion 71), the width W2 across both cutouts 73 is small.

[0137] This increases the width W4 of the gap 75 and the length L1 of the gap 75. The rear part of the cutout portion 73 of the first support portion 71 (the part on the terminal end side of the first support portion 71) is positioned higher than the lower end of the inclined portion 72b of the second support portion 72.

[0138] The state shown in FIG. 15 is a state in which the first support section 71 is operated to the downstream side (rear side) of the sorting section 10 in the conveyance direction. In this state, the front portion (the portion on the starting end side of the first support portion 71) of the cutout portion 73 of the first support portion 71 is located in the gap 75. In the front portion (the portion on the starting end side of the first support portion 71) of the cutout portion 73 of the first support portion 71, the width W2 across both cutout portions 73 is large.

[0139] This reduces the width W4 of the gap 75 and the length L1 of the gap 75. The rear part of the cutout portion 73 of the first support portion 71 (the part on the starting end side of the first support portion 71) is at a height close to the lower end of the inclined portion 72b of the second support portion 72.

[0140] As described above, by changing the position of the first support portion 71 along the longitudinal direction of the first support portion 71 (second support portion 72), the width W4 of the gap 75 is changed to be large or small, and the length L1 of the gap 75 is changed to be long or short.

[0141] (Sorting state in sorting unit 10) 16, the worker places two collection boxes 77 side by side in the left-right direction below the guide plate 66. In this case, the worker places the collection boxes 77 so that the handles 77a provided on the outer periphery of the upper part of the collection boxes 77 are positioned below the frame 67 of the support base 24.

[0142] As described above, the support table 33 (the pre-sorting unit 8, the aligning unit 9, and the sorting unit 10) is driven to vibrate back and forth by the vibration device 40. As described above, the longitudinal direction of the separated product B1 is aligned along the front-to-back direction (the conveying direction of the alignment section 9), and the sorted item A that has entered between the adjacent first and second mountain sections 56 and 57 of the alignment section 9 is supplied from the alignment section 9 to between the inclined portion 71b of the first support section 71 and the inclined portion 72b of the second support section 72 of the sorting section 10, as shown in Figures 11 and 12.

[0143] The objects to be sorted A include separated products B1 (good products A1 and defective products A2) and unrecovered impurities C1. In the sorting section 10, the objects to be sorted A are sorted as described below.

[0144] The object to be sorted A is transported between the inclined portion 71b of the first support portion 71 and the inclined portion 72b of the second support portion 72 toward the terminal end of the first support portion 71 (second support portion 72), and impurities C1 fall from the upstream gap 74 during this time.

[0145] When the objects to be sorted A reach the gap 75, the non-defective items A1 pass through the gap 75 without falling, while the defective items A2 and impurities C1 fall from the gap 75. The defective items A2 and impurities C1 that pass through the gap 75 without falling are likely to fall from the gap 75.

[0146] In this case, the worker can change the position of the first support part 71 (second support part 72) along the longitudinal direction of the first support part 71, and can set the width W4 of the gap 75 to an appropriate value according to the defective product A2, as shown in Figures 13, 14, and 15, and can set the length L1 of the gap 75 to an appropriate value.

[0147] As shown in Figures 11, 12, and 16, when a non-defective product A1 that has passed through the gap 75 without falling reaches the downstream gap 76, the non-defective product A1 falls from the downstream gap 76, is guided from the guide members 60, 64 and the sheet member 68 to the guide plate 66, and is collected in the collection box 77.

[0148] In this case, the area below the gaps 65, 75 and the area below the downstream gap 76 are separated by the guide members 60, 64 and the sheet member 68, so that the defective products A2 and impurities C1 that have fallen through the gaps 65, 75 will not get into the non-defective products A1. The non-defective products A1 that are about to fall onto the handle 77a of the recovery box 77 are guided to the right or left recovery box 77 by the frame 67 of the support stand 24, so that the non-defective products A1 do not get stuck on the handle 77a of the recovery box 77.

[0149] (First Alternative Embodiment of the Invention) Instead of the elongated member 46, a flat plate member (not shown) with a large number of dispersed elongated openings or a mesh member (not shown) with a large number of elongated openings may be provided. According to this configuration, the opening of the flat plate member (mesh member) corresponds to the passing-through portion, and the portion of the flat plate member (mesh member) other than the opening corresponds to the holding portion.

[0150] (Second Alternative Embodiment of the Invention) A vertical wall portion 49 in the form of a flat metal plate may be provided. According to this configuration, the attachment position of the support member 45 on the vertical wall portion 49 may be configured to be vertically changeable, and the vertical width of the gap 50 may be configured to be changeable. The vertical wall portion 49 may be configured to be detachable from the support member 45.

[0151] (Third Alternative Embodiment of the Invention) The inclined portion 51 may not have a symmetrical shape, but may be configured so that the top 51a of the inclined portion 51 is located at the right end (left end) of the passage guide portion 48, and the inclined surface 51b of the inclined portion 51 extends from the top 51a toward the left end (right end) of the passage guide portion 48.

[0152] (Fourth Alternative Embodiment of the Invention) If the defective products A2 and impurities C1 that have fallen into the passage guide section 48 (inclined section 51) gather in area 48b of the passage guide section 48, a wall section (not shown) may be provided at the terminal end 48a of the passage guide section 48 to stop the defective products A2 and impurities C1 so that the defective products A2 and impurities C1 do not fall from area 48b of the passage guide section 48 into the alignment section 9.

[0153] (Fifth Alternative Embodiment of the Invention) Instead of the sorting unit 10 shown in FIGS. 11 to 15, an optical-type sorting unit 10 that irradiates the objects A with inspection light to sort out non-defective products A1 and defective products A2 may be provided.

[0154] (Correspondence to claims)-1 A pre-sorting section 8 is provided for sorting and transporting the supplied objects A to be sorted. An aligning section 9 is provided which aligns the objects A supplied from the pre-sorting section 8 while transporting the objects A so that the longitudinal direction of the objects A is aligned with the transport direction. A sorting section 10 is provided for sorting the objects A supplied from the alignment section 9 into non-defective products A1 and defective products A2. The pre-sorting section 8 sorts the supplied material A to be sorted into separated products B1, which are separated into a single pod part or a single pod part and a fruit stalk corresponding to the single pod part, and non-separated products B2 other than the separated products B1, and supplies the separated products B1 to the alignment section 9 as the material A to be sorted.

[0155] (Correspondence to claims)-2 The pre-sorting section 8 has a passing and falling section (gap 47) that allows separated items B1 from the supplied sorted items A to fall downward, a passing and guiding section 48 that is provided below the passing and guiding section 48 that guides the separated items B1 that have fallen from the passing and guiding section 47 to the alignment section 9, and a holding section (elongated member 46) that holds non-separated items B2 from the supplied sorted items A without allowing them to fall into the passing and guiding section 48.

[0156] The pre-sorting section 8 has elongated members 46 arranged along the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section 8, and multiple elongated members 46 are arranged at intervals in a horizontal direction along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section 8, and the gaps 47 between adjacent elongated members 46 are passing and dropping sections, and the elongated members 46 are holding sections.

[0157] The pre-sorting section 8 has a support member 45 to which the terminal ends of the elongated members 46 are attached, supporting the elongated members 46 in a cantilevered manner toward the upstream side of the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section 8 and supporting the elongated members 46 in an inclined position so that the terminal ends of the elongated members 46 are lower than the starting ends of the elongated members 46, and a recovery section 52 provided at the terminal ends of the elongated members 46. A vibration device 40 is provided to impart vibrations to the support member 45.

[0158] The pre-sorting section 8 is provided between the terminal end of the elongated member 46 and the recovery section 52, and has a downstream passing section (gap 53) that allows separated product B1 that has been transported to the terminal end of the elongated member 46 without falling from the passing and falling section (gap 47) to fall into the alignment section 9.

[0159] (Correspondence to claims) - 3 A vertical wall portion 49 is provided at a position above and spaced from the terminal end 48a of the passage guide portion 48, extending in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the pre-sorting portion 8. The separated product B1 that has fallen into the passage guide section 48 passes between the terminal end 48a of the passage guide section 48 and the lower end 49a of the vertical wall section 49 and is supplied to the alignment section 9.

[0160] The passage guide section 48 is provided with an inclined section 51 along the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section 8, and the inclined section 51 becomes lower as it approaches the end of the passage guide section 48 in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section 8.

[0161] The outer end 51c of the inclined portion 51 in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section 8 is positioned further outward than the outer end of the passing drop section (gap 47) in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section 8. The inclined portion 51 is provided at a distance from the vertical wall portion 49 on the upstream side of the pre-sorting section 8 in the conveying direction.

[0162] (Correspondence to claims)-4 The alignment section 9 receives the separated product B1 from the previous sorting section 8, and has a first portion 61 in which multiple ridges 54 aligned along the conveying direction of the alignment section 9 are arranged horizontally in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the alignment section 9.

[0163] The alignment section 9 has a second section 62, to which the separated product B1 is supplied from the first section 61, and which has a first hill section 56 aligned along the conveying direction of the alignment section 9 and a second hill section 57 higher than the first hill section 56 and aligned along the conveying direction of the alignment section 9, which are arranged alternately at intervals in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the alignment section 9, and which supplies the separated product B1 to the sorting section 10.

[0164] The alignment section 9 is provided between the first section 61 and the second section 62, and has a third section (gap 63) that allows the separated products B1 of the defective products A2 and impurities C1 to fall downward among the separated products B1 supplied from the first section 61 to the second section 62. [Industrial Applicability]

[0165] The present invention can be applied to a bean sorting machine for sorting beans such as edamame, peas, and kidney beans. [Explanation of symbols]

[0166] 8 Pre-sorting section 9 Alignment section 10 Sorting Department 40 Vibration device 45 Support member 46 Elongated member (holding portion) 47 Gap (passage drop section) 48 Passage guidance section 48a Termination 49 Vertical wall section 49a Lower end 51 Slope 51c end 52 Recovery Department 53 Gap (downstream passage) 54 Yamabe 56 First Mountain Section 57 Second Mountain 61 Part 1 62 Part 2 63 Gap (Part 3) A. Items to be sorted A1 Good condition A2 Defective item B1 Separated product B2 Non-separable product

Claims

1. a pre-sorting unit that sorts and transports the supplied objects; an alignment unit that aligns the objects to be sorted so that their longitudinal directions are aligned with the conveyance direction while conveying the objects to be sorted supplied from the previous sorting unit; a sorting unit that sorts the objects supplied from the alignment unit into non-defective products and defective products, The pre-sorting section sorts the supplied material into separated products, which are separated into a single pod part or a single pod part and a fruit stalk corresponding to the single pod part, and non-separated products other than the separated products, and supplies the separated products to the alignment section as material to be sorted.

2. The pre-sorting unit includes: a passing and dropping section that drops the separated items downward from the supplied objects to be sorted; a passage guide section provided below the passage and drop section and configured to guide the separated products that have dropped from the passage and drop section to the alignment section; 2. The bean sorting machine according to claim 1, further comprising a holding section for holding the non-separated items among the supplied sorted items so as not to drop them into the passage guide section.

3. the pre-sorting section has elongated members provided along the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section, and a plurality of the elongated members are provided at intervals in a horizontal direction along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section, 3. The pulse sorter according to claim 2, wherein the gap between adjacent elongated members is the passing / falling portion, and the elongated members are the holding portions.

4. the pre-sorting section includes a support member to which the terminal ends of the elongated members are attached, the support member supporting the elongated members in a cantilevered manner toward the upstream side of the pre-sorting section in the conveying direction, and supporting the elongated members in an inclined position such that the terminal ends of the elongated members are lower than the starting ends of the elongated members; and a recovery section provided at the terminal ends of the elongated members, 4. The bean sorter according to claim 3, further comprising a vibrating device for applying vibration to said support member.

5. The pre-sorting unit includes: A bean sorting machine as described in claim 4, which has a downstream passing section provided between the terminal end of the elongated member and the recovery section, which drops the separated products that are transported to the terminal end of the elongated member by riding on the elongated member without falling from the passing and dropping section into the alignment section.

6. a vertical wall portion provided along a horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section at a position above and spaced from the terminal end of the passage guide portion; 3. The bean sorting machine according to claim 2, wherein the separated products that have fallen into the passage guide section are supplied to the aligning section through a gap between a terminal end of the passage guide section and a lower end of the vertical wall section.

7. A bean sorting machine as described in claim 2, wherein the passing guide section is provided along a horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section, and is provided with an inclined portion that becomes lower as it approaches the end of the passing guide section in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section.

8. A bean sorting machine as described in claim 7, wherein the outer end of the inclined section in the horizontal direction along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section is located outward from the outer end of the passing-and-falling section in the horizontal direction along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section.

9. a vertical wall portion provided along a horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the pre-sorting section at a position above and spaced from the terminal end of the passage guide portion; the separated products that have dropped into the passage guide section are supplied to the alignment section through a gap between a terminal end of the passage guide section and a lower end of the vertical wall section, The pulse sorter according to claim 7, wherein the inclined portion is provided at a distance from the vertical wall portion on the upstream side of the pre-sorting section in the conveying direction.

10. The alignment unit includes: a first section to which the separated products are supplied from the pre-sorting section, and in which a plurality of ridges along the conveying direction of the alignment section are arranged in a horizontal direction along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the alignment section; The bean sorting machine described in claim 1 has a second part to which the separated products are supplied from the first part, and which has a first peak portion along the conveying direction of the alignment section and a second peak portion higher than the first peak portion and along the conveying direction of the alignment section, which are arranged alternately at intervals in a horizontal direction along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the alignment section, and which supplies the separated products to the sorting section.

11. The alignment unit includes: A bean sorting machine as described in claim 10, which has a third section provided between the first section and the second section, which drops the defective separated products and impurities downward from the separated products supplied from the first section to the second section.

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