Selection and supply system

Abstract

To prevent a wrong egg from being transported to a selection device.SOLUTION: A selection and supply system includes: an egg transportation unit 2 for transporting an egg E to a selection device 4; an egg processing unit 3 provided in the middle or at an end part of the egg transportation unit 2 for performing processing of the egg E; an identification code setting unit 12 for setting an identification code of the egg E transported to the egg transportation unit 2; and an identification code collation unit 13 for tracking the egg E transported by the egg transportation unit 2 to the egg processing unit 3, and collating the identification code of the tracked egg E with a predetermined collation source identification code in the egg processing unit 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sorting and supplying system for sorting and supplying eggs. [Background technology]

[0002] The sorting and supply system is installed in GP centers and other facilities, and sorts raw eggs delivered from multiple poultry farms by size and places them in egg containers such as egg cartons, or in trays for storage in an automated warehouse.

[0003] As shown in Patent Document 1, this sorting and supply system includes a raw egg supply unit that transfers raw eggs to a conveying device, a weighing unit that weighs the raw eggs conveyed by the conveying device, and a distribution unit (sorting device) that sorts the raw eggs based on the weighing results of the weighing unit. Additionally, the conveying device is provided with an inspection unit upstream of the weighing unit that inspects the raw eggs for abnormalities (cracks, dirt, blood, etc.).

[0004] In conventional sorting and supplying systems, packaged egg production pattern information and automated warehouse storage pattern information are set depending on the type of raw eggs.

[0005] However, in conventional sorting and supply systems, it is not confirmed whether the raw eggs transported by the transport device match the production pattern information, the storage pattern information, or the like.

[0006] Therefore, if there is an error in setting the production pattern information or storage pattern information, or if the wrong raw eggs are supplied to the conveying device, packaged eggs different from the production pattern information may be produced, or eggs different from the storage pattern information may be stored. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-140543 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to prevent the wrong eggs from being transported to the sorting device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In other words, the sorting and supplying system of the present invention is a sorting and supplying system that sorts and supplies eggs, and is characterized by comprising an egg conveying unit that conveys the eggs to a sorting device, an egg processing unit that is provided midway or at the end of the egg conveying unit and processes the eggs, an identification code setting unit that sets an identification code of the egg that is supplied to the egg conveying unit, and an identification code matching unit that tracks the eggs conveyed by the egg conveying unit to the egg processing unit and matches the identification code of the tracked egg with a predetermined matching source identification code in the egg processing unit.

[0010] With this sorting and supply system, the egg processing unit can find errors in eggs by comparing the tracked egg's identification code with the matching source identification code, thereby preventing the wrong eggs from being transported to the sorting device.

[0011] Specifically, the sorting and supplying system sorts and supplies the eggs to an automated warehouse, the identification code setting unit links and sets the identification code of the eggs supplied to the egg conveying unit to storage pattern information of the eggs at the automated warehouse, and it is desirable that the identification code matching unit matches the identification code of the tracked egg with the identification code linked to the storage pattern information, which is the matching source identification code. This configuration can prevent the wrong eggs from being transported to the sorting device and eggs that differ from the storage pattern information from being stored in the automated warehouse.

[0012] The egg processing unit is preferably a weighing unit that is provided at the end of the egg conveying unit and that weighs the eggs. With this configuration, the identification code of the tracked egg is checked at the part closest to the sorting device, which makes it possible to more reliably prevent the wrong eggs from being supplied to the sorting device.

[0013] It is desirable to further include a sorting device control unit that stops the sorting device when the identification code comparison unit determines that the identification code of the tracked egg does not match the comparison source identification code. With this configuration, by stopping the sorting device when the identification code of the tracked egg does not match the matching source identification code, it is possible to prevent the wrong eggs from being sorted by the sorting device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention configured in this manner, it is possible to prevent the wrong eggs from being transported to the sorting device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a sorting and supplying system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a sorting and supplying system according to a modified embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] An embodiment of the sorting and supplying system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that, for ease of understanding, all of the drawings shown below are drawn in a schematic manner with appropriate omissions or exaggerations. Identical components are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted where appropriate.

[0017] <Configuration of sorting and supplying system 100> As shown in FIG. 1, the sorting and supplying system 100 of this embodiment sorts and supplies eggs E to an in-stock gate 201 of an automated warehouse 200.

[0018] Here, the automated warehouse 200 stores trays T1 containing eggs E sorted by the sorting and supply system 100, and has an input gate 201 for inputting stacked trays TS, which are multiple trays T1 stacked one on top of the other, an output gate (not shown) for outputting the stacked trays TS, multiple storage shelves 202 for storing the stacked trays TS, and a transfer device 203 for moving the stacked trays TS from the input gate 201 to the storage shelf 202 and also for moving the stacked trays TS from the storage shelf 202 to the output gate.

[0019] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the sorting and supply system 100 includes a first conveying unit 2, which is an egg conveying unit that conveys eggs E, an egg processing unit 3 that processes the eggs E conveyed by the first conveying unit 2, a sorting device 4 that sorts the eggs E conveyed by the first conveying unit 2, and a control device 10 that controls the first conveying unit 2, the egg processing unit 3, and the sorting device 4.

[0020] The first transport section 2 is composed of a conveyor that transports the eggs E in, for example, six rows with their long axes horizontal. An egg supply section 5 is provided upstream of the first transport section 2, which removes eggs E from purchase trays T0 containing eggs E and supplies them to the first transport section 2. A purchase tray supply section 6 is connected to the egg supply section 5, which sends purchase trays T0 from a rack R containing multiple purchase trays T0 to the egg supply section 5. The purchase trays T0 sent from the purchase tray supply section 6 to the egg supply section 5 are determined according to the production plan. The purchase tray supply section 6 recognizes the rack R containing purchase trays T0 containing eggs from "red, Farm A" using identification information such as a barcode, and sends out the purchase trays T0 from the rack R, allowing production according to storage pattern information P1, which will be described later.

[0021] The egg processing unit 3 has an inspection unit 31 that inspects the eggs E for abnormalities (cracks, dirt, blood contamination, etc.), an egg washing unit 32 that washes the eggs E, and a weighing unit 33 that weighs the eggs E. The inspection unit 31 and the egg washing unit 32 are provided midway through the first conveying unit 2, and the weighing unit 33 is provided at the end of the first conveying unit 2, that is, between the first conveying unit 2 and the sorting device 4.

[0022] The sorting device 4 sorts the eggs E by weight based on the weighing results of the weighing unit 33. Specifically, the sorting device 4 has a second conveying unit 41 which is an egg conveying unit that conveys the eggs E weighed by the weighing unit 33, a sorting unit 42 that sorts the eggs E from the second conveying unit 41 based on the weighing results, and a tray conveying unit 43 that conveys trays T1 containing the eggs E sorted by the sorting unit 42. The tray conveying unit 43 is provided with a stacking device 44 that stacks a plurality of trays T1. The tray conveying unit 43 is connected to the receiving gate 201 of the automated warehouse 200.

[0023] The control device 10 functions as a sorting operation control unit 11 that controls the above-mentioned units 2 to 4 to cause the sorting and supplying system 100 to perform a sorting operation. This control device 10 is configured by a computer equipped with a CPU, memory, an input / output interface, a display, communication means or input means, etc. This control device 10 may manage and control the automated warehouse 200 together with the sorting and supplying system 100. The control device 10 may be a physically integrated computer, or may be a separate computer provided in each of the units 2 to 4.

[0024] <Egg matching function of the sorting and supply system 100> The sorting and supplying system 100 of this embodiment is configured to automatically check whether the eggs E supplied to the sorting device 4 match the storage pattern information. Specifically, the sorting and supplying system 100 tracks the eggs E being transported by the first transport unit 2 and collates the eggs E in the egg processing unit 3 (here, the weighing unit 33).

[0025] Here, the storage pattern information specifies the eggs E that should be sorted by the sorting and supplying system 100 and stored in the automated warehouse 200 based on the production plan. The storage pattern information specifies the color, production location, size, etc. of the eggs, such as "red, farm A, large size" or "white, farm B, medium size." The storage pattern information may be input into the control device 10 by an operator, or may be input into the control device 10 by a production management system 300 that is separate from the control device 10.

[0026] The control device 10 of the sorting and supply system 100 is equipped with an identification code setting unit 12 that sets the identification code of the eggs E supplied to the first conveying unit 2, and an identification code matching unit 13 that tracks the eggs conveyed by the first conveying unit 2 to the weighing unit 33 and matches the identification code of the tracked eggs E with a predetermined matching source identification code at the weighing unit 33.

[0027] The identification code setting unit 12 individually links and sets the identification codes of the eggs E supplied to the first conveying unit 2 to each of the storage pattern information of the eggs E into the automated warehouse 200.

[0028] For example, the identification code setting unit 12 associates an identification code with each piece of inventory pattern information, such as associating the identification code "01" with inventory pattern information P1 "red, farm A, size L" and the identification code "02" with inventory pattern information P2 "white, farm B, size M."

[0029] The identification code matching unit 13 matches the identification code of the egg E that has been tracked to the weighing unit 33 with the identification code linked to the storage pattern information, which is the matching source identification code. Note that the identification code matching unit 13 does not match the identification code when there are no eggs E in the weighing unit 33.

[0030] The identification code matching unit 13 tracks the eggs E from when they are supplied to the first conveying unit 2 to the weighing unit 33. Here, the identification code matching unit 13 can track the eggs E based on the amount of movement of rollers on which the eggs E are placed that constitute the first conveying unit 2. Here, the identification code matching unit 13 recognizes the switching or setting of the storage pattern information (e.g., P1) by input from the production management system 300 or input from an operator.

[0031] Specifically, the identification code matching unit 13 can track the egg E by calculating the amount of movement of the roller on which the egg E is placed from the output signal of a means for detecting the movement of the roller installed on the conveyor, such as a proximity sensor.

[0032] Then, the identification code collating unit 13 collates the identification code of the egg E that has been tracked to the weighing unit 33 with the identification code 01 linked to the storage pattern information P1, which is the collation source identification code.

[0033] If the identification code of the tracked egg E is "01", it matches the matching source identification code "01", so the identification code of the egg E to be next transported to weighing unit 33 is then matched with the matching source code. On the other hand, if the identification code of the tracked egg E is not "01", a mismatch signal (NG signal) indicating a mismatch with matching source identification code "01" is output to sorting operation control unit 11.

[0034] When the identification code matching unit 13 determines that the identification code of the tracked egg E does not match the matching source identification code, the sorting operation control unit 11 stops the sorting operation by the sorting and supply system 100. Here, stopping the sorting operation includes stopping at least the conveying operation by the first conveying unit 2, and in this embodiment, the conveying operation by the first conveying unit 2 and the conveying operation by the second conveying unit 41 of the sorting device 4 are stopped.

[0035] When receiving pattern information P1 is switched to receiving pattern information P2, a rack R for receiving trays T0 corresponding to receiving pattern information P2 is placed in receiving tray supply unit 6. Then, receiving tray supply unit 6 sends out receiving trays T0 corresponding to receiving pattern information P2 to egg supply unit 5. Then, egg supply unit 5 supplies eggs E from the receiving trays T0 corresponding to receiving pattern information P2 to first conveyor unit 2. If the identification code of the eggs E tracked to weighing unit 33 is "02", then identification code collating unit 13 matches the collation source identification code "02", and therefore continues to collate the identification code of the next egg E to be transported to weighing unit 33 with the collation source code. On the other hand, if the identification code of the tracked eggs E is not "02", then a mismatch signal (NG signal) indicating a mismatch with the collation source identification code "02" is output to sorting operation control unit 11.

[0036] Here, when switching the storage pattern information of the automated warehouse 200 (P1 → P2), the switching of the matching source data in the identification code matching unit 13 may be performed by an operator's input. If the operator forgets to switch the data at this time, the matching source identification code will remain "01", and the identification code "02" of the egg E tracked by the identification code matching unit 13 will be determined to be a mismatch, and the sorting operation control unit 11 will stop the sorting operation.

[0037] Thereafter, after the operator switches the matching source data to the correct one, the first conveying unit 2 is moved a predetermined distance to confirm whether the identification code of the next egg E matches the matching source identification code linked to the storage pattern information (confirmation operation). If the identification code of the egg E matches the matching source identification code, the sorting operation is resumed. Note that if the identification code of the egg E and the matching source identification code do not match, the above confirmation operation may be repeated.

[0038] <Effects of this embodiment> According to sorting and supplying system 100 of the present embodiment, egg processing unit 3 (weighing unit 33 in this case) compares the identification code of the tracked egg E with the matching source identification code, thereby making it possible to find errors in the eggs in egg processing unit 3 (weighing unit 33). As a result, it is possible to prevent incorrect eggs E from being transported to sorting device 4.

[0039] In particular, in this embodiment, the matching source identification code is an identification code linked to the storage pattern information, so it is possible to prevent the wrong eggs from being transported to the sorting device and eggs that differ from the storage pattern information from being stored in the automated warehouse.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the identification code of the tracked egg E is checked in the part closest to the sorting device 4 (weighing section 33), so that mistakes in the eggs E supplied to the sorting device 4 can be prevented even more reliably.

[0041] <Modified embodiment of the present invention> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0042] For example, the sorting and supplying system 100 in the above embodiment stores sorted eggs E on trays T1 and supplies them to the automated warehouse 200, but as shown in Fig. 2, the sorted eggs E may also be stored in egg containers P such as egg packs. In this case, the sorting device 4 is configured to have, in addition to the second conveying unit 41 and the sorting unit 42, a container conveying unit 45 that conveys the egg containers P that store the eggs E sorted by the sorting unit 42.

[0043] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the identification code is verified in weighing section 33, but the identification code may be verified in egg processing section 3 (inspection section 31 or egg washing section 32) other than the weighing section.

[0044] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 100···Sorting and supply system 200···Automated Warehouse E...egg 2 Egg conveying section (first conveying section) 3. Egg Processing Unit 31 Inspection Department 32...Egg washing department 33...Measuring part 4. Sorting device 11 Sorting operation control section 12 Identification code setting section 13 Identification code matching unit

Claims

1. A sorting and supplying system for sorting and supplying eggs, comprising: an egg conveying unit that conveys eggs to the sorting device; an egg processing unit provided at a midpoint or end of the egg conveying unit to process the eggs; an identification code setting unit that sets an identification code of the egg to be supplied to the egg conveying unit; a sorting and supplying system comprising an identification code matching unit that tracks the eggs transported by the egg transporting unit to the egg processing unit, and matches the identification code of the tracked egg with a predetermined matching source identification code in the egg processing unit.

2. The eggs are sorted and supplied to an automated warehouse, the identification code setting unit associates and sets the egg identification code supplied to the egg conveying unit with information on a pattern of egg storage into the automated warehouse, 2. The sorting and supplying system according to claim 1, wherein the identification code collating unit collates the identification code of the tracked egg with the identification code linked to the storage pattern information, which is the collating source identification code.

3. 3. The sorting and supplying system according to claim 1, wherein the egg processing unit is a weighing unit provided at a terminal end of the egg conveying unit and configured to weigh the eggs.

4. 3. The sorting and supplying system according to claim 1, further comprising a sorting operation control unit that stops the sorting operation of the sorting and supplying system when the identification code matching unit determines that the identification code of the tracked egg does not match the matching source identification code.

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