Bean sorting machine

Abstract

To provide a bean sorting machine configured so that defective products such as small fruits are not collected as non-defective products.SOLUTION: First support portions 71 and second support portions 72 are arranged so that their longitudinal directions are aligned with each other and are arranged alternately in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Gaps 75 are provided each formed between the first support portion 71 and the second support portion 72. Sorting target objects are positioned between the first support portion 71 and the second support portion 72 and transported along the longitudinal direction, while, regarding the gaps 75, defective products fall through the gaps 75 and non-defective products pass through the gaps 75 and are collected. A width W4 of the gap 75 can be changed by changing a position of at least one of the first support portion 71 and the second support portion 72 along the longitudinal direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

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] A harvester equipped with an example of a bean sorter is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In the bean sorting machine of Patent Document 1, multiple rod-shaped members extend along the conveying direction of the objects to be sorted and are provided with gaps between them in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the objects to be sorted. The objects to be sorted are supplied to the multiple rod-shaped members, and non-defective items among the objects to be sorted fall through the gaps between adjacent rod-shaped members and are collected. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-171235 A (see Figures 2 and 3) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The objects to be sorted may include small defective items in addition to good items of the appropriate size. In the bean sorting machine of Patent Document 1, small defective items may also fall through the gaps between adjacent rod-shaped members, so small defective items may also be collected as good items, leaving room for improvement.

[0005] The present invention aims to configure a bean sorting machine so that small defective beans are not collected as non-defective beans. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The bean sorting machine of the present invention is provided with a plurality of first support parts and a plurality of second support parts, the first support parts and the second support parts are arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the first support parts and the longitudinal direction of the second support parts are aligned with each other, and are arranged alternately with each other in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, a gap is formed between adjacent first support parts and second support parts, the objects to be sorted are positioned between adjacent first support parts and second support parts and transported along the longitudinal direction, defective items among the objects to be sorted fall through the gap and good items pass through the gap without falling and are collected, and a position change part is provided that can change the position of at least one of the first support parts and the second support parts along the longitudinal direction, and the width of the gap can be changed by changing the position of at least one of the first support parts and the second support parts along the longitudinal direction.

[0007] According to the present invention, the objects to be sorted are transported while positioned between the adjacent first and second support parts. When the objects reach the gap, small defective items among the objects tend to fall through the gap, while non-defective items pass through the gap and are collected. According to the present invention, the width of the gap can be adjusted depending on the number of small defective products, which reduces the number of situations where small defective products do not fall through the gap. As a result, the number of small defective products that are collected as non-defective products is reduced, and the efficiency of collecting non-defective products in the bean sorting machine can be improved.

[0008] According to the present invention, the width of the gap can be adjusted by changing the position of at least one of the first support portion and the second support portion along the longitudinal direction. As a result, even if the width of the gap is adjusted, the height relationship between the first support portion and the second support portion does not change, so the objects to be sorted are transported stably by the first support portion and the second support portion.

[0009] In the present invention, it is preferable that the first support portion and the second support portion have a top portion along the longitudinal direction, one inclined portion extending diagonally downward from the top portion in one of the lateral directions, and the other inclined portion extending diagonally downward from the top portion in the other lateral direction, and have a mountain-shaped cross section.

[0010] According to the present invention, the first support portion and the second support portion are formed in a mountain shape, so that the material to be sorted is less likely to escape to the outside between the adjacent first support portion and second support portion, and is supplied stably to the gap, which is advantageous in terms of improving the recovery efficiency of good products in the bean sorting machine.

[0011] In the present invention, it is preferable that the top of the first support portion and the top of the second support portion are positioned at the same height.

[0012] According to the present invention, since the tops of the first support part and the second support part are located at the same height, the sorted material located between the adjacent first support part and second support part is stably supplied to the gap, which is advantageous in terms of improving the recovery efficiency of good products in the bean sorting machine.

[0013] In the present invention, it is preferable that at least one of the first support portion and the second support portion is provided with a width-changing portion whose width in the lateral direction changes from large to small along the longitudinal direction, the width-changing portion being located in the portion where the gap is formed and becoming part of the gap, and the width of the gap being changed from large to small by changing the position of the width-changing portion in the longitudinal direction relative to the portion where the gap is formed.

[0014] According to the present invention, the width-changing portion of the first support portion (second support portion) is located in the portion where the gap is formed, and becomes part of the gap. When the position of the first support part (second support part) is changed along the longitudinal direction, the width of the gap becomes smaller when the wide portion of the width-changing part is located in the part where the gap is formed, and the width of the gap becomes larger when the narrow portion of the width-changing part is located in the part where the gap is formed.

[0015] This allows the width of the gap to be changed from large to small through a simple configuration in which a width changing section is provided in at least one of the first support section and the second support section, thereby simplifying the structure of the bean sorting machine.

[0016] In the present invention, it is preferable that the first support portion and the second support portion have a peak portion along the longitudinal direction, one inclined portion extending diagonally downward from the peak portion in one of the horizontal directions, and the other inclined portion extending diagonally downward from the peak portion in the other horizontal direction, and have a mountain-shaped cross section, and the width-changing portion is a defect portion that extends from the lower end of the inclined portion toward the peak portion and whose penetration into the peak portion changes along the longitudinal direction.

[0017] According to the present invention, the first support portion and the second support portion are formed in a mountain shape, so that the material to be sorted is less likely to escape to the outside between the adjacent first support portion and second support portion, and is supplied stably to the gap, which is advantageous in terms of improving the recovery efficiency of good products in the bean sorting machine.

[0018] According to the present invention, the width-changing portion is a cutout extending from the lower end of the inclined portion of the first support portion (second support portion) toward the apex. In the cutout, the width of the width-changing portion (cutout) is small in the portion where the cutout extends toward the apex, and is large in the portion where the cutout extends toward the apex. This provides an advantage in terms of simplifying the structure of the bean sorting machine, as it is possible to change the width of the gap by simply providing a recess in the inclined portion of the first support portion (second support portion).

[0019] According to the present invention, in the part of the defect where the penetration into the top is large (the part where the width of the width change part (defect) becomes larger), the position of the end of the gap in the horizontal direction is slightly higher, which promotes the fall of small defective products through the gap, which is advantageous in terms of improving the recovery efficiency of good products in a bean sorting machine.

[0020] In the present invention, it is preferable that an upstream gap is formed between the adjacent first support portion and second support portion on the starting end side of the first support portion and the starting end side of the second support portion relative to the gap, and that the width of the upstream gap is smaller than the width of the gap.

[0021] The objects to be sorted may contain impurities smaller than small defective products, such as fine soil or parts of fine leaves. According to the present invention, when the objects to be sorted are transported while positioned between the adjacent first and second support parts, impurities tend to fall through the upstream gap before the objects to be sorted reach the gap, so the impurities have less of an effect on small defective products when they fall through the gap. This ensures that small defective products fall through the gap stably, which is advantageous in terms of improving the recovery efficiency of non-defective products in the bean sorting machine.

[0022] In the present invention, it is preferable that the width of the upstream gap is maintained at the same value even when the position of at least one of the first support portion and the second support portion is changed along the longitudinal direction.

[0023] According to the present invention, even if the position of the first support part (second support part) is changed along the longitudinal direction, the width of the upstream gap is maintained at the same value. In other words, the first support part and the second support part only need to be formed in the same shape in the range of the upstream gap, which simplifies the manufacturing process of the first support part and the second support part.

[0024] In the present invention, it is preferable that the first support part is formed so that the terminal end of the first support part is located downstream in the longitudinal direction of the terminal end of the second support part, the gap is formed between the terminal ends of the adjacent first support part and the second support part, a downstream gap is formed between the terminal ends of the adjacent first support parts into which good products fall, the position of the second support part is fixed, and the position change part is capable of changing the position of the first support part along the longitudinal direction.

[0025] According to the present invention, when the objects to be sorted, which are positioned and transported between the adjacent first and second support parts, reach the gap, small defective items fall through the gap, while non-defective items pass through the gap without falling, reach the downstream gap at the end of the adjacent first support part, and fall through the downstream gap.

[0026] According to the present invention, the position of the second support portion is fixed, and the width of the gap is changed by changing the position of the first support portion along the longitudinal direction. As a result, even if the position of the first support part is changed along the longitudinal direction and the width of the gap is changed, the position of the gap (the end part of the second support part) does not change in the longitudinal direction, so small defective products can fall through the gap stably, which is advantageous in terms of improving the efficiency of recovering good products in the bean sorting machine.

[0027] In the present invention, it is preferable that a guide member is provided that is located between the gap and the downstream gap in a plan view, is located below the first support portion, and guides non-defective products that fall through the downstream gap.

[0028] According to the present invention, non-defective products that have fallen through the downstream gap are guided by the guide member, making it easier to collect the non-defective products. According to the present invention, the lower area of ​​the gap and the lower area of ​​the downstream gap are separated by a guide member, so that small defective products are less likely to fall through the gap and get mixed in with the good products, which is advantageous in terms of improving the recovery efficiency of good products in a bean sorting machine.

[0029] In the present invention, it is preferable that a defective product drop section is provided which is provided between the terminal end of the second support section and the guide member in a plan view, is provided below the first support section, and is provided along the lateral direction across all of the first support sections and all of the second support sections, into which defective products drop.

[0030] According to the present invention, when an object to be sorted that is positioned and transported between adjacent first and second support parts reaches a gap, if a small defective item does not fall through the gap, the small defective item that does not fall through the gap is likely to fall through the defective item drop section. This reduces the chance of small defective products being mixed in with the good products, which is advantageous in terms of improving the efficiency of recovering good products in the bean sorting machine. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional left side view of the vicinity of the supply device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional left side view 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

[0032] 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.

[0033] (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.

[0034] (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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] (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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] (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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] (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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] (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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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).

[0060] 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.

[0061] (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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] (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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] (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.

[0073] 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).

[0074] 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).

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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.

[0079] (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).

[0080] The recovery section 52 is provided at a distance rearward (downstream of the conveyance 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] (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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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).

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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.

[0089] 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.

[0090] 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.

[0091] (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.

[0092] 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.

[0093] 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.

[0094] 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.

[0095] 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).

[0096] 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.

[0097] 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 .

[0098] (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.

[0099] 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.

[0100] 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.

[0101] 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.

[0102] 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.

[0103] 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.

[0104] 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.

[0105] 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.

[0106] 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.

[0107] (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.

[0108] 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).

[0109] 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.

[0110] 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.

[0111] (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).

[0112] 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.

[0113] 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).

[0114] 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.

[0115] 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.

[0116] 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.

[0117] 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.

[0118] (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.

[0119] 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.

[0120] 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.

[0121] 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.

[0122] 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.

[0123] 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.

[0124] 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.

[0125] (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).

[0126] 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.

[0127] 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.

[0128] 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).

[0129] 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.

[0130] 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.

[0131] (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.

[0132] 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.

[0133] 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.

[0134] (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.

[0135] 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.

[0136] 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.

[0137] 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.

[0138] 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.

[0139] (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.

[0140] 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.

[0141] 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.

[0142] 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.

[0143] 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.

[0144] 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.

[0145] 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.

[0146] 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.

[0147] (First Alternative Embodiment of the Invention) Instead of one continuous cutout 73, a plurality of cutouts 73 of different sizes may be provided in the first support portion 71 so as to be aligned along the longitudinal direction. According to this configuration, the worker changes the position of the first support portion 71 so that one of the plurality of cutout portions 73 is positioned at the portion where the gap 75 is to be formed.

[0148] (Second Alternative Embodiment of the Invention) The cutout portion 73 may be eliminated, and the width-changing portion may be configured as described below. 13, assume an opening angle between the two inclined portions 71b of the first support portion 71, with the top portion 71a of the first support portion 71 as the apex. As the opening angle increases, the width W1 increases, and as the opening angle decreases, the width W1 decreases. In the first support portion 71, a width-varying portion may be formed by arranging portions with different opening angles in a line along the longitudinal direction.

[0149] 14 and 15, when a portion of first support portion 71 with a small opening angle is located in a portion where gap 75 is formed, width W4 of gap 75 becomes large. When a portion of first support portion 71 with a large opening angle is located in a portion where gap 75 is formed, width W4 of gap 75 becomes small.

[0150] (Third Alternative Embodiment of the Invention) The second support portion 72 may be provided with any of the cutout portion 73 shown in FIGS. 13, 14, and 14 and the configurations described in the (First Alternative Embodiment of the Invention) and (Second Alternative Embodiment of the Invention) above. According to this configuration, the position of the first support portion 71 is preferably fixed, and the position of the second support portion 72 is preferably changeable along the longitudinal direction.

[0151] (Fourth Alternative Embodiment of the Invention) The recess 73 shown in Figures 13, 14, and 14, or any of the configurations described in the above-mentioned (First alternative embodiment of the invention) and (Second alternative embodiment of the invention), may be provided in both the first support portion 71 and the second support portion 72.

[0152] According to the above-described configuration, the first support portion 71 and the second support portion 72 may be configured to be displaced in opposite directions along the longitudinal direction. In this case, the first support portion 71 and the second support portion 72 may be formed to have the same length.

[0153] (Correspondence to claims)-1 The device is provided with a plurality of first support portions 71 and a plurality of second support portions 72. The first support portions 71 and the second support portions 72 are arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the first support portions 71 and the longitudinal direction of the second support portions 72 are aligned with each other, and are arranged alternately with each other in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. A gap 75 is formed between the adjacent first support portion 71 and second support portion 72 .

[0154] The object A to be sorted is positioned between the adjacent first support part 71 and second support part 72 and is transported along the longitudinal direction, and among the object A to be sorted, defective item A2 falls through the gap 75, while non-defective item A1 passes through the gap 75 without falling and is collected.

[0155] Position change sections (slots 34a and support frame 58) are provided that allow the position of at least one of first support section 71 and second support section 72 to be changed along the longitudinal direction. By changing the position of at least one of first support section 71 and second support section 72 along the longitudinal direction, the width of gap 75 can be changed.

[0156] (Correspondence to claims)-2 The first support portion 71 and the second support portion 72 have a peak portion 71a, 72a along the longitudinal direction, one inclined portion 71b, 72b extending diagonally downward in one lateral direction from the peak portion 71a, 72a, and the other inclined portion 71b, 72b extending diagonally downward in the other lateral direction from the peak portion 71a, 72a, and are formed in a mountain-shaped cross section. The top portion 71a of the first support portion 71 and the top portion 72a of the second support portion 72 are located at the same height.

[0157] A width-changing portion (cutout portion 73) in which the width W2 in the lateral direction changes size along the longitudinal direction is provided in at least one of the first support portion 71 and the second support portion 72. The width-changing portion (cutout portion 73) is located in the portion where the gap 75 is formed and becomes part of the gap 75.

[0158] The width W4 of the gap 75 is changed by changing the position of the width-changing portion (cutout portion 73) in the longitudinal direction relative to the portion where the gap 75 is formed. The width-changing portion (cutout portion 73) is cutout portion 73 that extends from the lower end of the inclined portion 71b toward the apex portion 71a and changes in size as it extends into the apex portion 71a along the longitudinal direction.

[0159] (Correspondence to claims)-3 An upstream gap 74 is formed between the adjacent first support portion 71 and second support portion 72, closer to the starting end of the first support portion 71 and the starting end of the second support portion 72 than the gap 75. The width W3 of the upstream gap 74 is smaller than the width W4 of the gap 75. The width W3 of the upstream gap 74 is maintained at the same value even if the position of at least one of the first support portion 71 and the second support portion 72 is changed along the longitudinal direction.

[0160] The first support portion 71 is formed so that the terminal end of the first support portion 71 is located downstream in the longitudinal direction of the terminal end of the second support portion 72. A gap 75 is formed between the terminal ends of adjacent first support portions 71 and second support portions 72. A downstream gap 76 is formed between the terminal ends of adjacent first support portions 71, into which the non-defective products A1 fall. The position of the second support portion 72 is fixed, and the position change portion (the elongated hole 34a and the support frame 58) allows the position of the first support portion 71 to be changed along the longitudinal direction.

[0161] (Correspondence to claims)-4 A guide member (guide members 60, 64 and sheet member 68) is provided below the first support portion 71, between the gap 75 and the downstream gap 76 in a plan view, to guide the non-defective product A1 that falls from the downstream gap 76.

[0162] In plan view, the defective product drop section (gap 65) is provided between the terminal end of the second support section 72 and the guide member (guide members 60, 64 and sheet member 68), below the first support section 71, and extending horizontally across all of the first support sections 71 and all of the second support sections 72, and is provided with a defective product drop section into which the defective product A2 falls. [Industrial Applicability]

[0163] The present invention can be applied to a bean sorting machine for sorting beans such as edamame, peas, and kidney beans. [Explanation of symbols]

[0164] 34a Long hole (position change part) 58 Support frame (position change part) 60 Guide member 64 Guide member 65 Gap (defective product falling area) 68 Sheet member (guide member) 71 1st support part 71a Top 71b Slope 72 Second support part 72a Top 72b Slope 73 Missing part (width change part) 74 Upstream gap 75 Gap 76 Downstream Gap A. Items to be sorted A1 Good condition A2 Defective item W3 width W4 width

Claims

1. A plurality of first support portions; a plurality of second support portions; The first support portion and the second support portion are provided such that a longitudinal direction of the first support portion and a longitudinal direction of the second support portion are aligned with each other, and are provided alternately with each other in a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, A gap is formed between the first support portion and the second support portion adjacent to each other, The objects to be sorted are positioned between the adjacent first support portion and the second support portion and are transported along the longitudinal direction, and among the objects to be sorted, defective items fall through the gap, while non-defective items pass through the gap without falling and are collected. a position changer that can change the position of at least one of the first support portion and the second support portion along the longitudinal direction; A bean sorting machine in which the width of the gap is changed by changing the position of at least one of the first support portion and the second support portion along the longitudinal direction.

2. The bean sorting machine described in claim 1, wherein the first support portion and the second support portion have a top portion along the longitudinal direction, one inclined portion extending diagonally downward from the top portion in one of the horizontal directions, and another inclined portion extending diagonally downward from the top portion in the other horizontal direction, and have a cross section formed in a mountain shape.

3. 3. The pulse sorter according to claim 2, wherein the top of the first support portion and the top of the second support portion are located at the same height.

4. At least one of the first support portion and the second support portion is provided with a width varying portion whose width in the lateral direction varies along the longitudinal direction, the width changing portion is located in a portion where the gap is formed and becomes part of the gap, The pulse sorter according to claim 1, wherein the width of the gap is changed by changing the position of the width changing portion in the longitudinal direction relative to the portion where the gap is formed.

5. the first support portion and the second support portion each have a top portion along the longitudinal direction, one inclined portion extending diagonally downward from the top portion in one of the lateral directions, and the other inclined portion extending diagonally downward from the top portion in the other lateral direction, and each have a mountain-shaped cross section; The bean sorter according to claim 4, wherein the width-changing portion is a recess that extends from the lower end of the inclined portion toward the top portion and whose depth toward the top portion changes along the longitudinal direction.

6. an upstream gap is formed between the adjacent first support portion and the adjacent second support portion on a start end side of the first support portion and a start end side of the second support portion relative to the gap, The pulse sorter according to claim 1, wherein the width of the upstream gap is smaller than the width of the upstream gap.

7. The pulse sorter according to claim 6, wherein the width of the upstream gap is maintained at the same value even when the position of at least one of the first support portion and the second support portion is changed along the longitudinal direction.

8. the first support portion is formed so that a terminal end of the first support portion is located downstream in the longitudinal direction of the second support portion, the gap is formed between the terminal ends of the first support portion and the second support portion, a downstream gap into which non-defective products fall is formed between the terminal ends of the adjacent first support parts, The position of the second support portion is fixed, The pulse sorter according to claim 1 , wherein the position changer is capable of changing the position of the first support part along the longitudinal direction.

9. A bean sorting machine as described in claim 8, further comprising a guide member provided between the gap and the downstream gap in a plan view, below the first support portion, and for guiding non-defective products that fall through the downstream gap.

10. A bean sorting machine as described in claim 9, which is provided with a defective product drop section that is located between the terminal end of the second support section and the guide member in a planar view, located below the first support section, and located along the lateral direction across all of the first support sections and all of the second support sections, and into which defective products fall.

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