Legume bagging apparatus and legume bagging method

Abstract

To provide an unconventional and very practical device and method for bagging beans in pods, capable of efficiently bagging the beans in the pods.SOLUTION: The pod containing bean bagging device for bagging pod containing beans P includes a plurality of storage parts 1 which can be discharged when a predetermined amount of the pod containing beans P are stored, and a supply part 2 for supplying the pod containing beans P to the storage parts 1 which are discharged and become empty. During the supply of the legume P from the supply part 2 to the one storage part 1 which has completed the discharge of the legume P, the other storage part 1 in which the prescribed amount of the legume P is stored can be discharged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for bagging whole beans. [Background technology]

[0002] The present applicant has proposed, for example, a bagging device for beans in pods (hereinafter referred to as "prior art") disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 as a device for bagging beans in pods.

[0003] This conventional example has one storage section for storing in-pod beans, a supply section that supplies in-pod beans to this storage section, a switch section that starts the discharge of the in-pod beans stored in the storage section, and a chute section that guides the in-pod beans discharged from the storage section.The storage section is also equipped with a weighing section (load cell type weighing scale), and when the amount of in-pod beans stored reaches a set amount, supply from the supply section stops and the specified amount of in-pod beans is stored.

[0004] Therefore, when the opening of the bag held by hand is placed in the chute section and the switch section is operated, the storage section performs a discharge operation and a predetermined amount of podded beans falls from the chute section, and this predetermined amount of podded beans can be received by the bag, thereby completing the filling of one bag with a predetermined amount of podded beans. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] "Edamame Quantitative Bagging Machine MEF-100 Type," [online], Mitsuwa Corporation website, "Searched June 2, 2024," Internet <https: / / kk-mitsuwa.com / products / %e3%81%88%e3%81%a0%e3%81%be%e3%82%81%e5%ae%9a%e9%87%8f%e8%a2%8b%e8%a9%b0%e6%a9%9f%e3%80%80mef-100%e5%9e%8b / > Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the conventional example, when the storage section discharges and detects that the storage section is empty, the supply section begins to supply podded beans. However, in order to accurately adjust the amount of podded beans stored in the storage section, the supply amount per unit time is reduced in the latter half of the supply period when the podded beans are supplied from the supply section.

[0007] Therefore, if podded beans are being supplied to the storage section when the next bag is placed in the chute after the bag has been filled with podded beans, it is necessary to wait until the supply of podded beans to the storage section is complete, as there is only one storage section, and this waiting time is wasted.

[0008] As a result of continuing development of the above-mentioned podded bean bagging device, the inventors have developed a highly practical podded bean bagging device and method that are unprecedented in that they can efficiently bag beans. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The gist of the present invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] This is a bean bagging device for packing beans P in pods, which has a plurality of storage sections 1 that can be operated to discharge when a predetermined amount of beans P in pods has been stored, and a supply section 2 that supplies the beans P in pods to the storage sections 1 that have been discharged and emptied, and is configured so that while the supply section 2 is supplying beans P in pods to one storage section 1 that has completed discharging the beans P in pods, other storage sections 1 that contain a predetermined amount of beans P in pods can be operated to discharge.

[0011] Furthermore, in the in-pod bean bagging device described in claim 1, the supply section 2 includes a conveying section 4 that conveys the in-pod beans P, and is configured to reduce the conveying speed of the conveying section 4 to reduce the amount of supply per unit time during the latter half of the supply period from the start of supply to the storage section 1 that supplies the in-pod beans P until the supply is completed.

[0012] Furthermore, in the podded bean bagging device described in either claim 1 or 2, the conveying section 4 is provided with a branching section 5 that divides the conveying section 4 into a plurality of conveying lanes 4A, and the podded beans P guided by this branching section 5 are configured to be conveyed to separate storage sections 1 on each of the conveying lanes 4A, and further, the podded bean bagging device is characterized in that it is provided with a shutter section 6 that prevents and allows the podded beans P to pass through each of the conveying lanes 4A.

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a bagging device for podded beans, as described in either claim 1 or 2, which has a chute section 7 that guides the podded beans P discharged from each of the storage sections 1, and a bag arrangement space S is provided below this chute section 7, and when a bag 50 is arranged in the bag arrangement space S, the podded beans P discharged from the chute section 7 are introduced into the bag 50, and also has a switch section 3 that activates a drive section 17 that operates the storage section 1 to discharge, and this switch section 3 is composed of a frame-shaped switch operating member arranged in the front portion of the chute section 7.

[0014] Furthermore, the podded bean bagging device described in claim 3 has a chute section 7 that guides the podded beans P discharged from each of the storage sections 1, and a bag arrangement space S is provided below this chute section 7, so that when a bag 50 is arranged in the bag arrangement space S, the podded beans P discharged from the chute section 7 are introduced into the bag 50, and also has a switch section 3 that activates a drive section 17 that operates the storage section 1 to discharge the beans, and this switch section 3 is composed of a frame-shaped switch operating member arranged in the front portion of the chute section 7.

[0015] The following also relates to a method for bagging in-pod beans P using a bagging device for in-pod beans, characterized in that after a predetermined amount of in-pod beans P has been stored in a plurality of storage sections 1, one of the storage sections 1 is discharged to bag the in-pod beans P, and then, while the in-pod beans P are being supplied to the storage section 1 that has completed discharging, other storage sections 1 that contain a predetermined amount of in-pod beans are discharged to bag them, and the in-pod beans P are sequentially supplied to the storage section 1 that has completed discharging, and the other storage sections 1 that contain a predetermined amount of in-pod beans P are discharged to bag the in-pod beans P. Note This is a bagging device for beans in pods for bagging beans P in pods, and includes a plurality of storage sections 1 that can be operated to discharge when a predetermined amount of the beans in pods P has been stored, and a supply section 2 that supplies the beans in pods P to the storage sections 1 that have been discharged and become empty, and is configured so that while the supply section 2 is supplying the beans in pods P to one storage section 1 that has completed discharging the beans in pods P, other storage sections 1 in which a predetermined amount of the beans in pods P are stored can be operated to discharge.

[0016] Furthermore, in the method for packing beans in pods into bags described in claim 6, the supply section 2 includes a conveying section 4 that conveys the beans in pods P, and is configured to reduce the conveying speed of the conveying section 4 to reduce the amount of beans supplied per unit time during the latter half of the supply period from the start of supply to the storage section 1 that supplies the beans in pods until the supply is completed.

[0017] Furthermore, in the method for packing podded beans into bags described in either claim 6 or 7, the conveying section 4 is provided with a branching section 5 that divides the conveying section 4 into multiple conveying lanes 4A, and the podded beans P guided by this branching section 5 are configured to be transported to separate storage sections 1 on each of the conveying lanes 4A, and further, the method relates to a method for packing podded beans into bags, characterized in that a shutter section 6 is provided that prevents and allows the podded beans P to pass through each of the conveying lanes 4A.

[0018] Furthermore, in the method for bagging in-pod beans described in either claim 6 or 7, there is provided a chute section 7 that guides the in-pod beans P discharged from each of the storage sections 1, and a bag arrangement space S is provided below this chute section 7, and when a bag 50 is arranged in the bag arrangement space S, the in-pod beans P discharged from the chute section 7 are introduced into the bag 50, and there is also provided a switch section 3 that activates a drive section 17 that operates the storage section 1 to discharge, and this switch section 3 is composed of a frame-shaped switch operating member arranged in the front portion of the chute section 7.

[0019] Furthermore, in the method for packing podded beans into bags described in claim 9, there is provided a chute section 7 that guides the podded beans P discharged from each of the storage sections 1, and a bag arrangement space S is provided below this chute section 7, so that when a bag 50 is arranged in the bag arrangement space S, the podded beans P discharged from the chute section 7 are introduced into the bag 50, and there is also provided a switch section 3 that activates a drive section 17 that operates the storage section 1 to discharge the beans, and this switch section 3 is composed of a frame-shaped switch operating member arranged in the front portion of the chute section 7. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to efficiently and quickly bag whole beans, and it is an unprecedented and very practical whole bean bagging device and whole bean bagging method. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the main part of the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the main parts of the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the main part of the present embodiment. [Figure 6] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the main parts of the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the use state of the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the use state of the present embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the use state of the present embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the use state of the present embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the use state of the present embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the use state of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be briefly described below, illustrating the operation of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

[0023] For example, after a predetermined amount of podded beans P has been stored in a plurality of storage sections 1, one of the storage sections 1 is discharged to bag the podded beans P, and then, while the podded beans P are being supplied to the storage section 1 that has completed discharging the podded beans P, other storage sections 1 that contain a predetermined amount are discharged to bag the podded beans P, and successively, the podded beans P are supplied to the storage section 1 that has completed discharging the podded beans P, and the other storage sections 1 that contain a predetermined amount are discharged to bag the podded beans P.

[0024] In other words, after the podded beans P stored in one storage section 1 have been bagged, when the next bagging is carried out, even while podded beans P are being supplied to this first storage section 1, there is another storage section 1 containing a predetermined amount of podded beans P, so this other storage section 1 can be discharged to bag the podded beans P. Therefore, unlike the conventional example described above, bagging can be carried out without waiting for the supply of podded beans P to the storage section 1 to be completed. [Example]

[0025] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0026] This embodiment is a bagging device for bagging beans P in pods.

[0027] In this embodiment, edamame beans are used as the podded beans P, but other beans such as peas or green peas can also be used as appropriate as long as they exhibit the characteristics of this embodiment.

[0028] 1 and 2, this embodiment has an upright device main body 15 having a predetermined height and wheels 16 for movement at the bottom, a plurality of storage sections 1 which are operable to discharge when a predetermined amount of podded beans P has been stored, and a supply section 2 which supplies podded beans P to storage sections 1 which have been discharged and emptied, and the operation of these storage sections 1 and supply section 2 is electrically controlled by a control section. Note that Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device for bagging podded beans according to this embodiment as seen from the rear, and a cover body 15a is attached to the top of the device main body 15.

[0029] 1, 3, and 4, the storage section 1 is a cylindrical body with a bottom and an appropriate capacity, and two storage sections of the same structure are provided side by side on the left and right sides at the upper front position of the device main body 15. The number of storage sections 1 may be three or more.

[0030] In addition, the storage unit 1 is provided with a weighing unit 20 (load cell type weighing scale) configured to measure the weight of the podded beans P supplied from the supply unit 2, and this measurement information is sent to the control unit and reflected in the control of the storage unit 1 and the supply unit 2.

[0031] The bottom of the storage section 1 is designed to be openable and closable.

[0032] Specifically, the storage section 1 has a lower opening, and an opening / closing bottom plate 1a that opens and closes this lower opening is provided in a movable manner, and this opening / closing bottom plate 1a is connected to the rotating shaft 17a of the drive section 17 (forward and reverse rotation motor) via a link mechanism 18.

[0033] Therefore, when the drive unit 17 operates in response to an instruction from the control unit, the openable bottom plate 1a opens and closes (see FIG. 4), and when it opens, all of the podded beans P stored in the storage unit 1 fall out and are discharged.

[0034] The opening and closing operation of the openable bottom plates 1a of the two left and right storage sections 1 (the operation of discharging the podded beans P) is suitably controlled by the control section, starting from the operation of the switch section 3 described later.

[0035] Specifically, the storage section 1 is configured so that it cannot perform the discharge operation unless a predetermined amount of podded beans P has been stored (when the predetermined weight of podded beans P to be packed into one bag 50 has been stored), and when a predetermined amount of podded beans P has been stored in multiple storage sections 1, only one storage section 1 can perform the discharge operation.

[0036] To explain this point further, in this embodiment, when a predetermined amount of podded beans P is stored in each of the two left and right storage sections 1, operating the switch section 3 controls only the left storage section 1 as viewed from the front of the device main body 1 to perform the discharge operation preferentially, and when one of the storage sections 1 (the left storage section 1 or the right storage section 1) is empty or is currently being supplied with podded beans P, operating the switch section 3 prevents the empty storage section 1 or the one currently being supplied with podded beans P from performing the discharge operation, and instead performs the discharge operation on the other storage section 1 (the right storage section 1 or the left storage section 1) that stores a predetermined amount of podded beans P. Note that even if there are three or more storage sections 1, only one storage section 1 that stores a predetermined amount of podded beans P will perform the discharge operation, as described above.

[0037] The discharge operation in the storage section 1 is controlled by the control section so as to be linked with the supply and stop of the podded beans P in the supply section 2, which will be described later.

[0038] The supply section 2 is configured to supply the in-pod beans P from above each storage section 1 as shown in FIGS.

[0039] Specifically, the supply section 2 includes a conveying section 4 for conveying the podded beans P, which is provided at the top of the device main body 15, and this conveying section 4 has a conveyor structure in which a belt 4b whose horizontal upper surface forms the podded bean placing surface 4b' is wound between a pair of front and rear rotating rollers 4a (one of which is a drive roller), and a slope structure provided at the downstream end of the conveyor structure in the conveying direction.

[0040] This conveying section 4 (conveyor structure) operates based on instructions from the control section based on measurement information from the storage section 1 described above, and works in conjunction with the inclined conveying section 8 (podded bean conveying device) described below, and is configured to slow down the conveying speed of the conveying section 4 to reduce the amount of supply per unit time during the latter half of the supply period from the start of supply to the storage section 1 that supplies podded beans P to the supply section 1 until the supply is completed.

[0041] That is, in the first half of the supply to the storage section 1, the podded beans P are transported at a high speed to supply a large amount of podded beans P in a short time, and in the second half of the supply, the podded beans P are transported at a slow speed to supply a small amount of podded beans P, so that the storage section 1 can quickly and accurately store a predetermined amount of podded beans P.

[0042] The time required for the supply of podded beans P to one storage section 1 in this supply section 2 is set taking into consideration the time required to fill the bags 50 placed in the bag placement space S described below, then fill the next bag 50 placed in the bag placement space S, and then place the next bag 50 in the bag placement space S.

[0043] Furthermore, a branching section 5 is provided at a predetermined position on the top surface of the conveying section 4 (slope structure) to divide the conveying section 4 (slope structure) into multiple conveying lanes 4A on the left and right, and the podded beans P guided by this branching section 5 are transported on each conveying lane 4A to separate storage sections 1. In this embodiment, two conveying lanes 4A are provided to match the two storage sections 1, but if there are three storage sections 1, three conveying lanes 4A are also provided, and so the number of conveying lanes 4A can be set according to the number of storage sections 1.

[0044] The conveying section 4 is also provided with a shutter section 6 that blocks or allows the passage of podded beans P through each of the conveying lanes 4A. The shutter section 6 also operates in response to instructions from the control section based on the measurement information from the storage section 1 described above.

[0045] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, this shutter section 6 is located near the branch section 5 described above, and has plate-shaped shutter members 6a that are freely swingable on each of the left and right sides of the conveying section 4. Each shutter member 6a is movable by driving a drive source 19 (solenoid) so that it can be attached to the left and right sides of the conveying section 4 or protrude toward the center of the width of the conveying section 4. When protruding toward the center, the tip of the shutter member 6a is positioned near the branch section 5, thereby closing each conveying lane 4A.

[0046] Specifically, the shutter member 6a on the left side in Figure 5 opens and closes the left conveying lane 4A that transports podded beans P to the left storage section 1, and the shutter member 6a on the right side in Figure 5 opens and closes the right conveying lane 4A that transports podded beans P to the right storage section 1, and these left and right shutter members 6a are configured so that when in the closed state, they guide podded beans P transported by the conveying section 4 to the opposite conveying lane 4A.

[0047] With this configuration, when podded beans P are supplied to the left storage section 1, the left shutter member 6a is opened and the right shutter member 6a is closed (see Figure 6), while when podded beans P are supplied to the right storage section 1, the right shutter member 6a is opened and the left shutter member 6a is closed, and the operation of the conveying section 4 and shutter section 6 is controlled by the control section based on measurement information from the storage section 1 (information on whether the storage section 1 is empty or has a predetermined amount stored in it).

[0048] Further, at the upstream end of the conveying section 4 in the conveying direction, an inclined conveying section 8 (podded bean conveying device) is provided which conveys podded beans P upward from a hopper section 9 provided below the conveying section 4.

[0049] 1 and 2, the inclined conveying section 8 is a conveyor structure consisting of a pair of rotating rollers 8a (one of which is a drive roller) provided at the front and rear of a frame body 8' having a predetermined length, and a belt 8b wound between the rotating rollers 8a. The upper surface of the belt 8b forms a podded bean placing surface 8b', on which a plurality of protruding plate portions 8c, each having a length in the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, are arranged side by side at intervals in the conveying direction. The upper surface of the protruding plate portions 8c is provided as a convex curved surface when viewed from the side.

[0050] This inclined conveying section 8 is set at an angle, and the pod-filled bean placing surface 8b' is provided on an inclined surface having a gradient angle, and the base end (upstream end in the conveying direction) below the gradient of this inclined conveying section 8 is arranged within the hopper section 9, and the tip end (downstream end in the conveying direction) above the gradient of the inclined conveying section 8 is arranged in a position near the upstream end in the conveying direction of the conveying section 4.

[0051] In this embodiment, the podded beans P supplied from the supply section 2 to the storage section 1 are not piled up in a state where the podded beans P are piled up (clustered in clumps), but are in a state where there is no or little overlap (scattered), which contributes to highly accurate weight measurement (quantification of the podded beans P) in the storage section 1. By devising the inclination angle of the podded bean placing surface 8b' in the inclined conveying section 8 and the protruding height of the protruding plate section 8c, when the podded beans P are conveyed to the conveying section 4, the podded beans P on the podded bean placing surface 8b' are in a scattered state, making it possible to convey them quantitatively.

[0052] Specifically, repeated experiments have shown that the slope angle of the podded bean placing surface 8b' is preferably 40 to 70°, with approximately 55° being optimal, and that the protruding height of the protruding plate portion 8c is preferably 10 to 15 mm, with approximately 12 mm being optimal.It has been confirmed that with this configuration, when podded beans P are placed from the hopper portion 9 onto the podded bean placing surface 8b', even if the podded beans P are piled up, the podded beans P in the overlapping portion will collapse due to this slope and become scattered.

[0053] In other words, the desirable gradient angle for the podded bean placing surface 8b' is 40 to 70 degrees. At an angle of less than 40 degrees, it is easier to place podded beans P on the podded bean placing surface 8b', but the podded beans P are more likely to pile up on the podded bean placing surface 8b' and this pile (collected in a clump) is difficult to break down, resulting in uneven conveyance volume. On the other hand, at an angle of more than 70 degrees, it becomes difficult to place podded beans P on the podded bean placing surface 8b' (the veneer portion 8c cannot effectively scrape up the podded beans P), making quantitative conveyance impossible. Therefore, the gradient angle of the podded bean placing surface 8b' is desirably 40 to 70 degrees.

[0054] Furthermore, the desirable height of the protruding portion 8c is 10 to 15 mm; if the height is less than 10 mm, the podded beans P will easily climb over the protruding portion 8c, and the protruding portion 8c will not be able to sufficiently lift up the podded beans P, making quantitative transport impossible; on the other hand, if the height is more than 15 mm, the podded beans P will have difficulty climbing over the protruding portion 8c, but the protruding portion P will likely lift up more of the podded beans P than necessary, making it more likely that the podded beans P will end up piled up in the aforementioned pile; therefore, the protruding height of the protruding portion 8c is desirably 10 to 15 mm.

[0055] Therefore, in this embodiment, the inclined conveying section 8 makes it possible to convey the podded beans P in a scattered state, and highly accurate weight measurement (quantification of the podded beans P) can be achieved in the storage section 1.

[0056] Furthermore, like the conveying section 4 described above, the inclined conveying section 8 is configured to reduce the conveying speed of this inclined conveying section 8 in the latter half of the supply period from the start to the completion of supply of the in-pod beans P to the storage section 1, thereby reducing the amount supplied per unit time. Note that the high conveying speed in the first half of the supply of the in-pod beans P not only enables rapid supply, but also has the effect of scattering the in-pod beans P, contributing to keeping the in-pod beans P in a scattered state as they are conveyed.

[0057] In this embodiment, a podded bean crushing section 10 is provided at a predetermined position on the inclined conveying section 8.

[0058] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, this podded bean crushing section 10 is located at the tip end (downstream end in the conveying direction) above the slope of the inclined conveying section 8, opposite the podded bean placing surface 8b', and has a number of wires 10a protruding toward the podded bean placing surface 8b'.

[0059] More specifically, the wires 10a are brush wires made of a synthetic resin with suitable flexibility, and a number of these wires 10a are bundled together in a flat shape and placed across the width of the podded bean placement surface 8b' like a curtain. The podded bean crushing section 10 may also be made of a plate material.

[0060] The wire material 10a (or plate material) constituting the podded bean crushing section 10 is set to a length that reaches the protruding plate section 8c of the inclined conveying section 8.

[0061] Therefore, if there are podded beans P piled up on the podded bean placing surface 8b' up to this position, this podded bean breaking section 10 breaks up the podded beans P and makes them fall down, so that the podded beans P being transported can be further scattered.

[0062] The hopper section 9 is a box-shaped body provided at the lower end of the frame body 8' as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and each inner surface 9a of this hopper section 9 is configured as an inclined surface that slopes toward the podded bean placing surface 8b'.

[0063] Therefore, the podded beans P stored in the hopper section 9 are guided toward the podded bean placement surface 8b', and since the hopper section 9 is located at a lower position, there is no need to lift a heavy container containing a large amount of podded beans P to a high position, which significantly reduces the burden on the worker.

[0064] Furthermore, in addition to the operator manually filling the hopper section 9 with podded beans P, other podded bean conveying devices can also be connected, and since the hopper section 9 is located at a low position, it is easy to connect other podded bean conveying devices, and there are many benefits to locating the hopper section 9 at a lower position.

[0065] In addition, below the storage section 1, one chute section 7 is provided for guiding the in-pod beans P discharged from the storage section 1.

[0066] 1, 3, and 4, the upper opening of this chute section 7 is a cylindrical body that narrows toward the lower opening and has an opening width large enough to receive the podded beans P discharged from the two storage sections 1. A U-shaped guide plate section 7a is suspended from the edge of the lower opening of this chute section 7. The area near this guide plate section 7a forms the bag arrangement space S.

[0067] Therefore, the podded beans P discharged from each storage section 1 enters the chute section 7 from the upper opening and falls from the lower opening onto the guide plate section 7a, and the opening 50a of a hand-held bag 50 can be placed in the bag arrangement space S near the chute section 7 (guide plate section 7a) to receive the podded beans P discharged from the chute section 7. In other words, the podded beans P discharged from each storage section 1 can be discharged from the single common chute section 7 and packed into bags in the bag arrangement space S.

[0068] In this embodiment, there is a switch unit 3 that activates the drive unit 17 that discharges the storage unit 1 described above, and this switch unit 3 is composed of a frame-shaped switch operating member that is arranged in a surrounding state at the front part of the chute unit 7 (guide plate unit 7a).

[0069] Specifically, when this frame-shaped switch section 3 is pushed up, the control section issues an instruction to the drive section 17 of the storage section 1 that matches the conditions for discharging operation based on the situation at that time, and the supply section 2 also operates when it detects that the storage section 1 has become empty due to the discharging operation of the storage section 1.

[0070] Therefore, in a stable state in which the bag 50 is held with both hands so that the opening 50a is wide open, the beans P in pods can be packed well by simply operating the switch part 3 with both or either of the left and right hands (fingers).

[0071] A bagging method using the podded bean bagging device configured as described above will now be described.

[0072] When the power supply of this device is turned on, the supply unit 2 (inclined conveying unit 8, conveying unit 4, and shutter unit 6) operates under the control of the control unit.

[0073] Specifically, the podded beans P stored in the hopper section 9 are transported by the inclined conveying section 8 and the conveying section 4, and the shutter section 6 operates appropriately, supplying the beans to the left storage section 1 first.Once a predetermined amount of podded beans P has been stored in this left storage section 1, the shutter section 6 switches and supplying the beans to the right storage section 1, and the system stops when a predetermined amount of podded beans P has been stored in both the left and right storage sections 1 (see Figures 7 to 9).

[0074] To start bagging from this state, the bag 50 is placed in the bag placement space S while being held in both hands so that the opening 50a is wide open, and the switch unit 3 is pushed up, causing only the left storage unit 1 to discharge (the opening / closing bottom plate 1a opens), causing the stored podded beans P to fall, pass through the chute unit 7 and be introduced into the bag 50 (see Figure 10). After a predetermined amount of podded beans P stored in the left storage unit 1 has been bagged, the opening / closing bottom plate 1a of the left storage unit 1 closes, and when it is detected that the left storage unit 1 is empty, the supply unit 2 begins to supply podded beans 2.

[0075] Next, place the next bag 50 in the bag placement space S while holding it in both hands so that the opening 50a is wide open, and push up the switch 3. Since only the right storage section 1 contains a predetermined amount of podded beans P (the left storage section 1 is currently being supplied with podded beans P), the right storage section 1 will discharge (the opening / closing bottom plate 1a will open), and the podded beans P will fall, pass through the chute 7, and be introduced into the bag 50 (see Figures 11 and 12). After the predetermined amount of podded beans P has been packed into the right storage section 1, the opening / closing bottom plate 1a of the right storage section 1 will close, indicating that the right storage section 1 is empty, and the supply section 2 will begin supplying podded beans 2.

[0076] The above process (sequentially supplying podded beans P to the storage section 1 that has completed discharging and discharging other storage sections 1 that store a predetermined amount of beans to perform bagging) is repeated to pack the podded beans P into a plurality of bags 50.

[0077] Since this embodiment is configured as described above, the beans P in pods can be packed into bags efficiently and quickly.

[0078] In addition, in this embodiment, the supply section 2 is configured to sequentially supply podded beans P to the storage section 1 that detects that it is empty, so in this respect too, bagging can be carried out efficiently and quickly.

[0079] In addition, in this embodiment, the supply section 2 includes a conveying section 4 that conveys the podded beans P, and is configured to slow down the conveying speed of the conveying section 4 to reduce the amount of supply per unit time during the latter half of the supply period from the start to the completion of supply of the podded beans P to the storage section 1, thereby enabling the storage section 1 to quickly and accurately store a predetermined amount of podded beans P.

[0080] In addition, in this embodiment, the conveying section 4 is provided with a branching section 5 that divides the conveying section 4 into multiple conveying lanes 4A, and the podded beans P guided by this branching section 5 are transported to separate storage sections 1 on each conveying lane 4A.Furthermore, a shutter section 6 is provided to block or allow the podded beans P to pass through each conveying lane 4A, so the above-mentioned effects can be reliably achieved.

[0081] In addition, this embodiment has a chute section 7 that guides the podded beans P discharged from each storage section 1, and a bag arrangement space S is provided below this chute section 7.When a bag 50 is arranged in the bag arrangement space S, the podded beans P discharged from the chute section 7 are introduced into the bag 50.It also has a switch section 3 that activates the drive section 17 that operates the storage section 1 to discharge.This switch section 3 is composed of a frame-shaped switch operating member arranged in the front part of the chute section 7, so it is very easy to operate and can reliably achieve the above-mentioned effects in this respect as well.

[0082] The present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the specific configuration of each component can be designed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] P Beans in pods S Bag placement space 1 Storage section 2 Supply section 3 Switch section 4. Conveyor 4A Transport Lane 5 Branch 6 Shutter section 7. Shooting section 17 Drive unit

Claims

1. A bean bagging device for packing beans in pods into bags, comprising: a plurality of storage sections that can be operated to discharge beans in pods when a predetermined amount of beans in pods has been stored; and a supply section that supplies beans in pods to the storage sections that have been discharged and emptied; and the bean bagging device is configured so that, while the supply section is supplying beans in pods to one storage section that has completed discharging the beans in pods, another storage section that contains a predetermined amount of beans in pods can be operated to discharge the beans.

2. 2. The in-pod bean bagging device according to claim 1, wherein the supply section includes a conveying section that conveys the in-pod beans, and is configured to reduce the conveying speed of the conveying section to reduce the amount of in-pod beans supplied per unit time during the latter half of the supply period from the start of supply to the storage section to the completion of supply.

3. 3. The bagging device for in-pod beans according to claim 1, wherein the conveying section is provided with a branching section that divides the conveying section into a plurality of conveying lanes, and the in-pod beans guided by this branching section are transported to separate storage sections on each of the conveying lanes, and further characterized in that a shutter section is provided to block or allow the in-pod beans to pass through each of the conveying lanes.

4. 3. The bagging device for in-pod beans according to claim 1, further comprising a chute section for guiding the in-pod beans discharged from each of the storage sections, a bag arrangement space provided below the chute section, and configured so that when a bag is arranged in the bag arrangement space, the in-pod beans drawn out from the chute section are introduced into the bag, and further comprising a switch section for activating a drive section that operates the storage section to discharge the beans, the switch section being configured as a frame-shaped switch operating member arranged in the front portion of the chute section.

5. 4. The in-pod bean bagging device according to claim 3, further comprising a chute section for guiding the in-pod beans discharged from each of the storage sections, a bag placement space provided below the chute section, and configured so that when a bag is placed in the bag placement space, the in-pod beans drawn out from the chute section are introduced into the bag, and further comprising a switch section for activating a drive section that operates the storage section to discharge the beans, the switch section being configured as a frame-shaped switch operating member disposed in the front portion of the chute section.

6. A method for bagging in-pod beans using the in-pod bean bagging device described below, characterized in that after a predetermined amount of in-pod beans have been stored in a plurality of storage sections, one of the storage sections is discharged to bag the in-pod beans, and then, while the in-pod beans are being supplied to the storage section that has completed discharging, other storage sections that contain a predetermined amount of in-pod beans are discharged to bag them, and the in-pod beans are sequentially supplied to the storage section that has completed discharging, and the other storage sections that contain a predetermined amount of in-pod beans are discharged to bag them. Note A bean bagging device for packing beans in pods into bags, the device having a plurality of storage sections that can be operated to discharge when a predetermined amount of beans in pods has been stored, and a supply section that supplies the beans in pods to the storage sections that have been discharged and emptied, and configured so that while the supply section is supplying the beans in pods to one storage section that has completed discharging the beans in pods, other storage sections that have a predetermined amount of beans in pods stored therein can be operated to discharge.

7. 7. The method for packing in-pod beans into bags according to claim 6, wherein the supply section includes a conveying section for conveying the in-pod beans, and is configured to reduce the conveying speed of the conveying section to reduce the amount of supply per unit time during the latter half of the supply period from the start of supply to the storage section to the completion of supply of the in-pod beans.

8. 8. The method for packing podded beans into bags according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the conveying section is provided with a branching section that divides the conveying section into a plurality of conveying lanes, and the podded beans guided by this branching section are transported to separate storage sections on each of the conveying lanes, and further characterized in that shutter sections are provided to prevent and allow the passage of the podded beans through each of the conveying lanes.

9. 8. The method for bagging in-pod beans as claimed in claim 6 or 7, further comprising a chute section for guiding the in-pod beans discharged from each of the storage sections, a bag arrangement space provided below the chute section, and configured so that when a bag is arranged in the bag arrangement space, the in-pod beans drawn out from the chute section are introduced into the bag, and further comprising a switch section for activating a drive section that operates the storage section to discharge beans, the switch section being configured as a frame-shaped switch operating member arranged in the front portion of the chute section.

10. 10. The method for bagging in-pod beans as described in claim 9, further comprising a chute section for guiding the in-pod beans discharged from each of the storage sections, a bag arrangement space provided below the chute section, and configured so that when a bag is arranged in the bag arrangement space, the in-pod beans drawn out from the chute section are introduced into the bag, and further comprising a switch section for activating a drive section that operates the storage section to discharge beans, the switch section being configured as a frame-shaped switch operating member arranged in the front portion of the chute section.

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