Long onion processing machine

Abstract

Provided is a processing machine for welsh onions that can automatically perform the peeling process of welsh onions and reduce the number of people required for the shipping process of welsh onions. 【Solution means】 A processing machine 1 for welsh onions N includes a peeling device 40 that removes attachments from the welsh onions N and a control device 100. The peeling device 40 has a nozzle device 50 that blows air toward the root side of the welsh onions N and a gripping part 60 having a clamp member 61 that sandwiches the leaf part N2 of the welsh onions N. The clamp member 61 is reciprocally movable in the longitudinal direction of the welsh onions N. The control device 100 causes air to be ejected from the nozzle device 50 and moves the clamp member 61 that holds the leaf part N2 of the welsh onions N from the root side toward the leaf side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a leek processing machine.

Background Art

[0002] As a processing machine for preparing leeks for shipment, there is one that includes a conveying device for conveying leeks, a cutting device for cutting the roots and leaves of the leeks moving in the conveying direction, and a peeling device that blows air onto the leeks on the downstream side of the cutting device to remove old skins and soil (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-described conventional peeling processing device, an operator holds the leaves of the leeks conveyed to the peeling processing area, and while ejecting air from the nozzle, the operator pulls the leeks toward the front side to blow air onto the entire leeks. Therefore, in the conventional processing machine, two operators are required: an operator who places the leeks on the conveying device upstream of the cutting device in the conveying direction, and an operator who performs the peeling process of the leeks downstream of the cutting device in the conveying direction.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a leek processing machine that can automatically perform the peeling process of leeks and reduce the number of people required for the leek shipment process.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a Welsh onion processing machine, comprising a conveying device for conveying a Welsh onion to be processed in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the Welsh onion, a peeling device for blowing air onto the skin of the Welsh onion to remove adherents from the Welsh onion, and a control device for controlling the peeling device. , a thickness detection unit for detecting the thickness of the root of the Welsh onion is provided. The peeling device includes a nozzle device for blowing air toward the root side of the Welsh onion arranged in the peeling treatment area by the conveying device, and a gripping part having a clamp member for sandwiching the leaf part of the Welsh onion arranged in the peeling treatment area. The clamp member is reciprocally movable in the longitudinal direction of the Welsh onion. The control device ejects air from the nozzle device and moves the clamp member gripping the leaf part of the Welsh onion from the root side to the leaf side of the Welsh onion. , while ejecting air from the nozzle device, the number of times the clamp member holding the leaf part of the Welsh onion is moved from the root side to the leaf side of the Welsh onion is set according to the thickness of the root of the Welsh onion detected by the thickness detection unit.

[0007] In the Welsh onion processing machine of the present invention, when performing the peeling treatment of the Welsh onion, it is not necessary for an operator to grip the Welsh onion and pull it forward, so that the peeling treatment of the Welsh onion can be automatically performed. Thereby, the number of people required for the shipping process of Welsh onions can be reduced, and thus the cost related to the shipping of Welsh onions can be reduced. Further, in the Welsh onion processing machine of the present invention, compared with a configuration in which a nozzle device connected to an air hose is largely moved in the longitudinal direction of the Welsh onion, the structure of the peeling device can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0008] In the above-described Welsh onion processing machine, a rail member extending in the longitudinal direction of the Welsh onion may be provided on the gripping part, the clamp member may be connected to the rail member, and the clamp member may be configured to reciprocate in the longitudinal direction of the Welsh onion along the rail member. With this configuration, the clamp member holding the leaf part of the Welsh onion can be smoothly moved.

[0009] In the above-described leek processing machine, the nozzle device is provided with a first nozzle disposed on the downstream side in the conveyance direction with respect to the peeling processing area, and a second nozzle that is movable up and down on the upstream side in the conveyance direction with respect to the peeling processing area and is reciprocally movable in the conveyance direction. Then, when the leek is disposed in the peeling processing area, it is preferable that the control device moves the second nozzle downstream in the conveyance direction after lowering the second nozzle.

[0010] In this configuration, when moving the leek to the peeling processing area, the second nozzle is raised. After the leek is disposed in the peeling processing area, the second nozzle is lowered and the second nozzle is moved downstream in the conveyance direction, so that the first nozzle and the second nozzle can be disposed on both sides of the leek in the peeling processing area. Further, after the peeling process, by raising the second nozzle, the leek to be processed next can be moved toward the peeling processing area. Further, by disposing the first nozzle and the second nozzle on both sides of the leek, the leek is positioned in the peeling processing area, so that the leaf portion of the leek can be surely gripped by the gripping portion.

[0011] In the above-described leek processing machine, a third nozzle for blowing air toward the root side of the leek is provided above the peeling processing area, and it is preferable that the control device blows air from the third nozzle after blowing air from the first nozzle and the second nozzle.

[0012] In this configuration, the amount of air blown onto the leek increases from the middle of the peeling process. By doing so, while preventing the soft portion on the leaf side of the leek from being damaged by the blown air, a large amount of air can be blown onto the hard portion on the root side of the leek to surely peel off the old skin from the root.

[0013] In the above-described leek processing machine, the clamp member can be configured to sandwich the leaf part of the leek from above and below. In this case, a guide member is provided on the upstream side in the conveyance direction from the peeling processing region, and the upper surface of the guide member is inclined upward as it approaches the peeling processing region. And it is preferable that the leaf part of the leek moving in the conveyance direction slides on the upper surface of the guide surface.

[0014] Even if the leek is placed on the conveying device with the leaf part spreading in the lateral direction, when the leaf part enters the peeling processing region, the leaf part may tilt and the leaf part may spread in the longitudinal direction. In this state, if the clamp member sandwiches the leaf part from above and below, the leaf part may be damaged. In the above-described configuration, the leaf part of the leek slides on the upper surface of the guide member and moves to the peeling processing region in a state of spreading in the lateral direction, and the clamp member sandwiches the leaf part spreading in the lateral direction from above and below, so that damage to the leaf part can be prevented.

[0015] Here, there is a tendency that the number of old skins removed from the leek increases when the root part of the leek is thick, and the number of old skins removed from the leek decreases when the root part of the leek is thin. Therefore, the above-described leek processing machine In is provided with a thickness detection unit for detecting the thickness of the root part of the leek there is. And The control device sets the number of times of moving the clamp member that holds the leaf part of the leek from the root side to the leaf side of the leek while ejecting air from the nozzle device according to the thickness of the root part of the leek detected by the thickness detection unit there is. In this configuration, when the root part of the leek is thick, the number of times of blowing air on the leek is increased to surely remove the old skin, and when the thickness of the root part of the leek is thin, the number of times of blowing air on the leek is decreased to efficiently remove the old skin.

[0016] In the above-described leek processing machine, a thickness detection unit for detecting the thickness of the root of the leek is provided, and the control device moves the clamp member that holds the leaf part of the leek in the direction from the root side to the leaf side of the leek while ejecting air from the nozzle device. It is preferable to set the speed according to the thickness of the root of the leek detected by the thickness detection unit. In this configuration, when the root of the leek is thick, the moving speed of the clamp member is slowed down, and the amount of air blown onto the leek is increased to surely remove the old skin. Also, when the thickness of the root of the leek is thin, the moving speed of the clamp member is increased, and the amount of air blown onto the leek is decreased, so that the old skin can be efficiently removed.

[0017] In the above-described leek processing machine, when a cutting device for cutting the root and leaf parts of the leek is provided upstream of the peeling device in the conveying direction, both the cutting process and the peeling process of the leek can be automatically performed.

[0018] Furthermore, a plate-shaped marker member extending in the conveying direction may be erected upstream of the cutting device in the conveying direction, and the root of the leek may be placed on the upper edge of the marker member. In this case, by arranging the upper edge of the marker member on the extension line of the position where the cutting device cuts the root of the leek, the leek can be accurately cut at a desired position.

Effect of the Invention

[0019] In the leek processing machine of the present invention, the peeling process of the leek can be automatically performed while suppressing the manufacturing cost, so the number of people required for the shipping process of the leek can be reduced, and the cost related to the shipping of the leek can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] It is a plan view showing a leek processing machine according to a reference example of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a front view showing a conveying device, a cutting device, and a nozzle device of a leek processing machine according to a reference example of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a front view showing a peeling processing apparatus according to a reference example of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a configuration diagram showing a leek processing machine according to a reference example of the present invention. [Figure 5] In the peeling processing apparatus according to the reference example of the present invention, it is a front view showing a state where the first nozzle is lowered. [Figure 6] In the peeling processing apparatus according to the reference example of the present invention, it is a front view showing a state where the second nozzle is lowered. [Figure 7] In the peeling processing apparatus according to the reference example of the present invention, it is a front view showing a state where the second nozzle is moved to the downstream side. [Figure 8] In the peeling processing apparatus according to the reference example of the present invention, it is a front view showing a clamp member and a guide member. [Figure 9] In the peeling processing apparatus according to the reference example of the present invention, it is a front view showing a state where the clamp member sandwiches the leaf part. [Figure 10] In the peeling processing apparatus according to the reference example of the present invention, it is a side view showing a state where the clamp member is moved from the root side toward the leaf side. [Figure 11] In the peeling processing apparatus according to the reference example of the present invention, it is a side view showing a state where the clamp member is opened. [Figure 12] In the peeling processing apparatus according to the reference example of the present invention, it is a side view showing a state where the clamp member is returned. [Figure 13] It is a configuration diagram showing a leek processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Regarding the Reference example and embodiment of the present invention, it will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Reference example The processing machine 1, as shown in FIG. 1, performs a cutting process and a peeling process for arranging the leeks N for shipment. The processing machine 1 includes a base pedestal 10, a conveying device 20 for conveying the Japanese bunching onions N to be processed, a cutting device 30 for cutting the root part N1 and the leaf part N2 of the Japanese bunching onions N, a peeling device 40 for removing attachments from the Japanese bunching onions N, and a discharging device 90 for discharging the processed Japanese bunching onions N. The base pedestal 10 is a frame body having a plurality of legs. Also, Reference example As shown in FIG. 4, the processing machine 1 includes a control device 100 that controls the operations of the conveying device 20, the cutting device 30, the peeling device 40, and the discharging device 90.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the conveying device 20 moves a plurality of buckets 21 on the upper surface of the base pedestal 10 in the conveying direction X. In the following description, upstream and downstream mean upstream and downstream in the conveying direction X. The bucket 21 is a container having a V-shaped axial cross-section and an open upper part. As shown in FIG. 1, the longitudinal direction of the bucket 21 is orthogonal to the conveying direction X. One Japanese bunching onion N is configured to be placed on the integrated bucket 21. The Japanese bunching onion N placed on the bucket 21 is oriented in the lateral direction orthogonal to the conveying direction X, with the root part N1 protruding from the root side (the upper side in FIG. 1) of the bucket 21 and the leaf part N2 protruding from the leaf side (the lower side in FIG. 1) of the bucket 21.

[0023] In the conveying device 20, as shown in FIG. 2, two rotating shafts 22, 22 are respectively attached to the upstream side and the downstream side of the base pedestal 10. The rotating shaft 22 is arranged such that its axial direction is orthogonal to the conveying direction X, and both ends of the two rotating shafts 22, 22 are attached to the base pedestal 10 in a rotatable state about the axis. An endless chain 23 is looped around sprockets (not shown) attached to both rotating shafts 22, 22. By rotating the rotating shaft 22 with a conveying motor (not shown) provided on the base pedestal 10, the endless chain 23 is configured to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 2.

[0024] On the outer peripheral side of the endless chain 23, the lower surfaces of a plurality of buckets 21 are attached at predetermined intervals. When the endless chain 23 is rotated counterclockwise as shown in Fig. 2, each bucket 21 moves from the upstream side to the downstream side on the upper surface of the base stand 10, turns around the downstream rotation shaft 22, and moves from the downstream side to the upstream side at the lower part of the base stand 10. Then, each bucket 21 turns around the upstream rotation shaft 22 and moves again from the upstream side to the downstream side on the upper surface of the base stand 10.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 1, the cutting device 30 includes a root cutting part 31 for cutting the root part N1 of the leek N, a leaf cutting part 32 for cutting the leaf part N2 of the leek N, and a plate-shaped marker member 33 extending in the conveying direction X.

[0026] The root cutting part 31 is attached at a position on the downstream side of the base stand 10 that is the root side of the leek N. The root cutting part 31 includes a drive motor 31a attached to the upper surface of the base stand 10 and a disk-shaped root cutting blade 31b fixed to the tip of the rotating shaft of the drive motor 31a. When the leek N moving in the conveying direction X passes through the root cutting blade 31b, the tip of the root part N1 of the leek N is cut.

[0027] The leaf cutting part 32 is attached at a position on the downstream side of the base stand 10 that is the leaf side of the leek N. The leaf cutting part 32 includes a drive motor 32a attached to the upper surface of the base stand 10 and a disk-shaped leaf cutting blade 32b fixed to the tip of the rotating shaft of the drive motor 32a. When the leek N moving in the conveying direction X passes through the leaf cutting blade 32b, the tip of the leaf part N2 of the leek N is cut.

[0028] Note that in the base stand 10, at positions corresponding to the root cutting part 31 and the leaf cutting part 32, there are provided pressing members (not shown) having sponge-like rollers for pressing the root part N1 and the leaf part N2 of the leek N against the bottom of the bucket 21, respectively.

[0029] Upstream of the root cutting portion 31, a plate-shaped marker member 33 extending in the conveyance direction X is erected. The cutting edge of the root cutting blade 31b is disposed on the extension line of the upper edge portion of the marker member 33. That is, the upper edge portion of the marker member 33 is disposed on the extension line of the position where the root cutting portion 31 cuts the root N1 of the leek N. When placing the leek N on the bucket 21, place the root N1 of the leek N on the upper edge portion of the marker member 33. At this time, by aligning the position where the root N1 is to be cut with the upper edge portion of the marker member 33, the tip of the root N1 can be cut at a desired position. Note that the rigidity of the marker member 33 can be increased by bending the marker member 33 in the longitudinal direction of the leek N.

[0030] In the base stand 10, a peeling treatment area A is set downstream of the leaf cutting portion 32 in the conveyance direction X. A peeling device 40 is provided in the peeling treatment area A. The peeling device 40 includes a nozzle device 50 that blows air toward the root side of the leek N, a gripping portion 60 that can grip the leaf portion N2 of the leek N, and a sliding contact member 70 that can contact the epidermis of the leek N.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, the nozzle device 50 includes a first nozzle 51 disposed downstream of the peeling treatment area A, a second nozzle 52 disposed upstream of the peeling treatment area A, and a third nozzle 53 disposed directly above the peeling treatment area A. The first nozzle 51, the second nozzle 52, and the third nozzle 53 are disposed at positions corresponding to the leaf-side end portion of the bucket 21 disposed in the peeling treatment area A as shown in FIG. 1.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, the first nozzle 51 and the third nozzle 53 are attached to the lower end portion of a rod 54a of a first elevating device 54 attached to the base stand 10. The first nozzle 51 and the third nozzle 53 move up and down by expanding and contracting the rod 54a of the first elevating device 54.

[0033] In the reference position where the rod 54a of the first lifting device 54 is retracted (the state shown in FIG. 3), the first nozzle 51 and the third nozzle 53 are arranged above the bucket 21. As shown in FIG. 5, when the rod 54a of the first lifting device 54 is extended, the first nozzle 51 and the third nozzle 53 descend, the first nozzle 51 is arranged laterally on the downstream side of the peeling treatment area A, and the third nozzle 53 approaches directly above the peeling treatment area A.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, the second nozzle 52 is attached to the tip of the rod 55a of the telescopic device 55. Further, the telescopic device 55 is attached to the lower end of the rod 56a of the second lifting device 56 attached to the base frame 10. The second nozzle 52 moves up and down by extending and retracting the rod 56a of the second lifting device 56, and reciprocates in the transport direction X by extending and retracting the rod 55a of the telescopic device 55.

[0035] In the reference position where the rods 55a and 56a of the telescopic device 55 and the second lifting device 56 are retracted (the state shown in FIG. 3), the second nozzle 52 is arranged above the bucket 21 at a position separated from the upstream side of the peeling treatment area A. As shown in FIG. 6, when the rod 56a of the second lifting device 56 is extended, the second nozzle 52 descends and is arranged laterally on the upstream side of the peeling treatment area A. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, when the rod 55a of the telescopic device 55 is extended, the second nozzle 52 approaches the peeling treatment area A. Note that the movement amount of the second nozzle 52 is set so that when the rod 55a of the telescopic device 55 is extended, the leek N arranged in the peeling treatment area A is sandwiched between the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52.

[0036] Hoses (not shown) extending from a compressor (not shown) are respectively connected to the first nozzle 51, the second nozzle 52, and the third nozzle 53. The first nozzle 51, the second nozzle 52, and the third nozzle 53 are configured to jet the air supplied from the compressor toward the root side of the leek N and blow the air onto the surface of the leek N.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 12, the folding connection member 70 is a flat plate attached to the lower end of the rod 71a of the third lifting device 71 attached to the base stand 10 (see Fig. 1). The normal directions of both surfaces of the folding connection member 70 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the leek N placed on the bucket 21. Thereby, the lower edge portion of the folding connection member 70 extends in the lateral direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the leek N placed on the bucket 21. The folding connection member 70 moves up and down by extending and contracting the rod 71a of the third lifting device 71.

[0038] In the reference position (the state in Fig. 12) where the rod 71a of the third lifting device 71 is retracted, the folding connection member 70 is arranged above the bucket 21. As shown in Fig. 10, when the rod 71a of the third lifting device 71 is extended, the folding connection member 70 descends, and the lower edge portion of the folding connection member 70 is configured to contact the surface of the leek N placed on the bucket 21 from above.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 1, the gripping portion 60 is provided at a position corresponding to the peeling treatment region A. In the following description, the longitudinal direction, the root side, and the leaf side of the leek N correspond to the longitudinal direction, the root side, and the leaf side of the leek N arranged in the peeling treatment region A. The gripping portion 60 is provided at a position on the root side with respect to the peeling treatment region A. The gripping portion 60 includes a clamp member 61 that sandwiches and holds the leaf portion N2 of the leek N, and a rail member 62 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the leek N. The rail member 62 is supported by the base stand 10. As shown in Fig. 10, the rail member 62 is arranged at a position higher than the bucket 21 and extends linearly in a direction away from the peeling treatment region A along the longitudinal direction of the leek N.

[0040] The clamp member 61 is suspended from the rail member 62 and is connected to the rail member 62 so as to be reciprocally movable in the longitudinal direction of the leek N. The clamp member 61 can be reciprocally moved in the longitudinal direction of the leek N along the rail member 62 by a drive mechanism (not shown).

[0041] The clamp member 61 has a fourth lifting device 63 and a lower bracket 64 connected to the rail member 62. As shown in Fig. 9, the lower bracket 64 is a plate-like member extending in the vertical direction. The upper end is connected to the rail member 62, and the lower end is horizontally bent toward the upstream side. On the upper surface of the lower end of the lower bracket 64, a lower cushion 65 made of elastic sponge is attached.

[0042] The fourth lifting device 63 has a rod 63a that expands and contracts in the vertical direction. A plate-like upper bracket 66 arranged horizontally is attached to the lower end of the rod 63a. An upper cushion 67 made of elastic sponge is attached to the lower surface of the upper bracket 66.

[0043] In addition, by covering the surfaces of the lower cushion 65 and the upper cushion 67 with a resin film such as a food wrap film and periodically replacing the film, the lower cushion 65 and the upper cushion 67 that the leeks N contact can be kept clean.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 8, the leaf part N2 of the leek N arranged in the peeling treatment area A is placed on the upper surface of the lower cushion 65 of the lower bracket 64. When the upper bracket 66 is lowered in this state, as shown in Fig. 9, the leaf part N2 is sandwiched between the lower cushion 65 of the lower bracket 64 and the upper cushion 67 of the upper bracket 66. In this way, with the clamp member 61 gripping the leaf part N2, when the clamp member 61 is moved toward the leaf side as shown in Fig. 10, the leek N is pulled out from the bucket 21.

[0045] Reference example In the processing machine 1, as shown in Fig. 1, a guide member 80 is provided on the upstream side of the peeling treatment area A. The guide member 80 is a flat plate attached to the upper surface of the base stand 10 on the leaf side of the bucket 21. As shown in FIG. 8, the upper surface of the guide member 80 is inclined upward as it approaches the peeling treatment area A. The downstream end of the upper surface of the guide member 80 is formed at substantially the same height as the upper surface of the lower cushion 65 of the lower bracket 64 of the clamp member 61. That is, the guide member 80 is arranged to have an upward slope toward the upper surface of the lower cushion 65. The leaf portion N2 of the leek N moving in the transport direction X is configured to slide on the upper surface of the guide member 80 and rest on the upper surface of the lower cushion 65 of the lower bracket 64.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 1, the unloading device 90 is provided on the leaf side of the peeling treatment area A. The unloading device 90 is a conveyor arranged below the rail member 62 of the gripping portion 60 as shown in FIG. 12. Reference example The unloading device 90 includes a plurality of annular wires 91 orthogonal to the axial direction of the rail member 62. By rotating each wire 91, the leek N placed on each wire 91 is unloaded from below the rail member 62.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 100 controls the operations of the transport device 20, the cutting device 30, the peeling device 40, and the unloading device 90. The control device 100 is a computer equipped with a CPU, RAM, ROM, a display, etc. Various controls are realized by the CPU executing programs stored in the ROM or the like. The control device 100 grasps the position of the leek N based on information from a plurality of sensors provided in each part of the processing machine 1.

[0048] Next, Reference example the cutting process and peeling process of the leek N using the processing machine 1 will be described. First, start the transport device 20 shown in FIG. 1 and move each bucket 21 arranged on the upper surface of the base frame 10 to the downstream side. Then, sequentially place the leek N on the upstream bucket 21. When placing the leek N on the bucket 21, align the cutting position of the root portion N1 of the leek N with the upper edge of the marker member 33.

[0049] When the long green onion N reaches the root cutting part 31, the tip of the root N1 of the long green onion N is cut by the root cutting blade 31b. Further, when the long green onion N reaches the leaf cutting part 32, the tip of the leaf part N2 of the long green onion N is cut by the leaf cutting blade 32b. That is, the long green onion N is trimmed to a predetermined length at the root cutting part 31 and the leaf cutting part 32.

[0050] When the long green onion N after the cutting process moves toward the peeling process area A, as shown in FIG. 8, the leaf part N2 moving in the conveying direction X slides on the upper surface of the guide member 80 and rests on the upper surface of the lower cushion 65 of the lower bracket 64 of the clamp member 61.

[0051] When the long green onion N is disposed in the peeling process area A, the movement of the bucket 21 stops. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the first nozzle 51 and the third nozzle 53 are lowered, the first nozzle 51 is moved to the side of the downstream side of the long green onion N, and the third nozzle 53 is brought closer to above the long green onion N.

[0052] Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the second nozzle 52 is lowered and the second nozzle 52 is moved to the side of the upstream side of the long green onion N. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the second nozzle 52 is moved to the downstream side and the second nozzle 52 is brought closer to the long green onion N from the upstream side. In this way, the long green onion N disposed in the peeling process area A is sandwiched and positioned by the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52. Also, as shown in FIG. 10, the sliding contact member 70 is lowered and the lower edge portion of the sliding contact member 70 is brought into contact with the surface of the long green onion N.

[0053] After the long green onion N is positioned in the peeling process area A, as shown in FIG. 9, the upper bracket 66 is lowered and the leaf part N2 of the long green onion N is sandwiched between the lower cushion 65 of the lower bracket 64 and the upper cushion 67 of the upper bracket 66.

[0054] After the clamp member 61 sandwiches and grips the leaf part N2 of the leek N from above and below, air is ejected from the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52 shown in FIG. 7, and as shown in FIG. 10, the clamp member 61 is moved toward the leaf side to pull out the leek N from the bucket 21. Further, when the root part N1 of the leek N has moved close to the nozzle device 50, air is also ejected from the third nozzle 53 (see FIG. 7). As a result, air is blown onto the entire leek N, and the lower edge part of the sliding contact member 70 rubs against the surface of the leek N, so that attachments such as soil and old skin are removed from the surface of the leek N.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 11, when the entire leek N is pulled out of the bucket 21 and moved above the carry-out device 90, the upper bracket 66 is raised. As a result, the leaf part N2 of the leek N is separated from the clamp member 61, and as shown in FIG. 12, the leek N is placed on each wire 91 of the carry-out device 90, and the leek N is carried out from the processing machine 1.

[0056] Further, the clamp member 61 is returned to the bucket 21 side, and as shown in FIG. 3, the first nozzle 51, the second nozzle 52, the third nozzle 53, and the sliding contact member 70 (see FIG. 12) are raised and returned to the reference position. After that, each bucket 21 of the conveying device 20 shown in FIG. 2 is moved, and the leek N to be processed next is placed in the peeling processing area A, and the peeling processing is repeated.

[0057] In the processing machine 1 as described above Reference example as shown in FIG. 10, when performing the peeling process of the leek N, the leek N is moved in the longitudinal direction by the clamp member 61 of the gripping part 60, so that it is not necessary for the operator to grip the leek N and pull it forward. As a result, since the peeling process of the leek N can be automatically performed, the number of people required for the cutting process and the peeling process for shipping the leek N can be reduced, and thus the cost related to shipping the leek N can be reduced.

[0058] Also Reference example In the processing machine 1, since the nozzle device 50 to which the air hose is connected is not largely moved in the longitudinal direction of the leek N, the structure of the nozzle device 50 of the peeling device 40 can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Also, Reference example In the processing machine 1, the clamp member 61 can be smoothly reciprocated along the rail member 62 in the longitudinal direction of the leek N.

[0059] Also, Reference example In the processing machine 1, as shown in FIG. 7, after the leek N is placed in the peeling processing area A, the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52 are lowered, and the second nozzle 52 is moved to the downstream side. As a result, the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52 are arranged on both sides of the leek N in the peeling processing area A. Thereby, since the leek N is positioned in the peeling processing area A, as shown in FIG. 9, the leaf part N2 of the leek N can be surely gripped by the clamp member 61. Also, after the peeling process, as shown in FIG. 3, by raising the first nozzle 51, the second nozzle 52, and the third nozzle 53 to the reference position, the leek N to be processed next can be moved toward the peeling processing area A.

[0060] Also, Reference example In the processing machine 1, after air is ejected from the first nozzle 51 and the second nozzle 52 shown in FIG. 7, air is ejected from the third nozzle 53. As a result, the amount of air blown onto the leek N increases during the peeling process. By doing so, while preventing the soft part on the leaf side of the leek N from being damaged by the blown air, a large amount of air can be blown onto the hard part on the root side of the leek N to surely peel off the old skin from the leek N.

[0061] Also, Reference example In the processing machine 1, as shown in FIG. 8, the upper surface of the guide member 80 provided upstream of the peeling processing region A is inclined upward as it approaches the peeling processing region A. In this configuration, the leaf part N2 of the leek N moves to the peeling processing region A by sliding on the upper surface of the guide member 80 in a state of spreading in the lateral direction. As a result, the clamp member 61 can sandwich the laterally spread leaf part N2 from above and below, so that damage to the leaf part N2 can be prevented.

[0062] Also, Reference example In the processing machine 1, as shown in FIG. 1, a marker member 33 is erected upstream of the cutting device 30, and the upper edge of the marker member 33 is arranged at the reference position for cutting the root part N1 of the leek N. Thereby, when placing the leek N on the bucket 21, by aligning the cutting position of the root part N1 of the leek N with the upper edge of the marker member 33, the leek N can be accurately cut at a desired position.

[0063] As described above, regarding the Reference example of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the above Reference example and can be appropriately designed and changed without departing from the gist thereof. Reference example In the processing machine 1, as shown in FIG. 5, the first nozzle 51 and the third nozzle 53 move up and down, but if the bucket 21 moving downstream does not interfere with the first nozzle 51 and the third nozzle 53, the first nozzle 51 and the third nozzle 53 do not have to move up and down. Also, the number and arrangement of the nozzles of the nozzle device 50 are not limited and are appropriately set.

[0064] Also, the configuration in which the clamp member 61 of the gripping part 60 shown in FIG. 10 grips the leaf part N2 of the leek N and the mechanism in which the clamp member 61 moves in the longitudinal direction of the leek N are not limited.

[0065] Shown in FIG. 13 of the embodiment of the present invention In the processing machine 1A, a thickness detection unit 85 for detecting the thickness of the root of the leek is provided upstream of the peeling device 40 and the cutting device 30. And the control device 100 of the processing machine 1A is configured to set the number of times of moving the clamp member 61 that holds the leaf part of the leek from the root side to the leaf side direction while ejecting air from the nozzle device 50 according to the thickness of the root of the leek detected by the thickness detection unit 85. When returning the clamp member 61 from the leaf side to the root side of the leek (returning to the conveying device 20 side), the ejection of air from the nozzle device 50 is stopped.

[0066] When the thickness of the root of the leek is larger than the reference value and the root of the leek is thick, the number of old skin pieces to be removed from the leek increases. In this case, by repeatedly moving the clamp member 61 that holds the leaf part of the leek from the root side to the leaf side direction (for example, twice), air is repeatedly blown onto the leek to surely remove the old skin. Also, when the thickness of the root of the leek is below the reference value and the root of the leek is thin, by reducing the number of times of moving the clamp member 61 that holds the leaf part of the leek from the root side to the leaf side direction (for example, once), air is efficiently blown onto the leek to remove the old skin. In this way, the old skin can be efficiently and surely removed from the leek according to the thickness of the leek.

[0067] Furthermore, the control device 100 may be configured to set the speed of moving the clamp member 61 that holds the leaf part of the leek from the root side to the leaf side direction while ejecting air from the nozzle device 50 according to the thickness of the root of the leek detected by the thickness detection unit 85. When the root of the leek is thick, the moving speed of the clamp member 61 is slowed down and the amount of air blown onto the leek is increased to surely remove the old skin. Also, when the thickness of the root of the leek is thin, the moving speed of the clamp member 61 is increased and the amount of air blown onto the leek is decreased to efficiently remove the old skin.

[0068] In addition, as a configuration in which the thickness detection unit 85 detects the thickness of the leek, for example, an optical sensor may be installed in the conveying device 20, and the thickness of the root of the leek can be detected based on the time when the optical sensor detects the root of the leek. Also, the thickness of the leek can be detected by a laser displacement meter or image processing.

[0069] Moreover, the configuration of the cutting device 30 shown in FIG. 1 is not limited. For example, a mechanism that detects the thickness of the leek N and moves the cutting blade to a cutting position corresponding to the thickness of the leek N may be provided.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0070] 1 Processing machine 1A Processing machine (Actual Embodiment) 10 Base pedestal 20 Conveying device 21 Bucket 22 Rotating shaft 23 Endless chain 30 Cutting device 31 Root cutting part 31a Driving motor 31b Root cutting blade 32 Leaf cutting part 32a Driving motor 32b Leaf cutting blade 33 Marker member 40 Peeling device 50 Nozzle device 51 First nozzle 52 Second nozzle 53 Third nozzle 54 First lifting device 54a Rod 55 Telescopic device 55a Rod 56 Second lifting device 56a Rod 60 Gripping part 61 Clamping member 62 Rail member 63 Fourth lifting device 63a Rod 64 Lower bracket 65 Lower cushion 66 Upper bracket 67 Upper cushion 70 Folding member 71 Third lifting device 71a Rod 80 Guide member 85 Thickness detection part 90 Unloading device 91 Wire 100 Control device N Leek N1 Root part N2 Leaf part

Claims

1. A conveying device that conveys the long onion to be processed in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the long onion; A skinning device that blows air onto the skin of the green onion to remove adhesions from the green onion; A control device for controlling the skinning device, A thickness detection unit is provided to detect the thickness of the root of the green onion, The skinning device comprises: A nozzle device that blows air toward the root side of the green onion arranged to the peeling processing area by the conveying device; A gripping portion having a clamp member that clamps the leaf portion of the green onion placed in the peeling processing area, The clamp member is reciprocable in the longitudinal direction of the green onion, The control device includes: Air is ejected from the nozzle device, and the clamp member gripping the leaf portion of the green onion is moved in a direction from the root side of the green onion to the leaf side, This is a machine for processing green onions, characterized in that the number of times that the clamp member holding the leaf portion of the green onion is moved from the root side to the leaf side of the green onion while air is sprayed from the nozzle device is set according to the thickness of the root portion of the green onion detected by the thickness detection unit.

2. The long onion processing machine according to claim 1, The gripping portion includes a rail member extending in the longitudinal direction of the green onion, The clamp member is connected to the rail member and is capable of reciprocating along the rail member in the longitudinal direction of the leek, thereby providing a leek processing machine.

3. The long onion processing machine according to claim 1, The nozzle device comprises: A first nozzle disposed downstream of the skinning treatment area in a conveying direction; A second nozzle is provided which is movable up and down on the upstream side of the skinning processing area in the conveying direction and is reciprocable in the conveying direction, The control device includes: A long onion processing machine characterized in that when the long onion is placed in the skinning processing area, the second nozzle is lowered and then moved downstream in the conveying direction.

4. The long onion processing machine according to claim 3, A third nozzle is provided above the peeling processing area to blow air toward the root side of the green onion, The control device includes: A long onion processing machine characterized in that air is sprayed from the third nozzle after air is sprayed from the first nozzle and the second nozzle.

5. The long onion processing machine according to claim 1, The clamp member is configured to clamp the leaf portion of the green onion from above and below, A guide member is provided upstream of the skinning processing area in the conveying direction, The upper surface of the guide member is inclined upward toward the skinning processing area, A long onion processing machine characterized in that the leaf portion of the long onion moving in the conveying direction is configured to slide on the upper surface of the guide member.

6. The long onion processing machine according to claim 1, A thickness detection unit is provided to detect the thickness of the root of the green onion, The control device includes: A green onion processing machine characterized in that the speed at which the clamp member holding the leaf portion of the green onion is moved from the root side to the leaf side of the green onion while air is sprayed from the nozzle device is set according to the thickness of the root portion of the green onion detected by the thickness detection unit.

7. The long onion processing machine according to claim 1, A long onion processing machine characterized by having a cutting device that cuts the root and leaf parts of the long onion upstream of the peeling device in the conveying direction.

8. A machine for processing green onions as described in claim 7, a plate-shaped marker member extending in the conveying direction is provided upright on the upstream side of the cutting device in the conveying direction, A long onion processing machine characterized in that the root portion of the long onion can be placed on the upper edge portion of the marker member.

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