Egg sorting device and automatic egg processing system

Abstract

To provide an egg arrangement apparatus enabling arrangement adapted to egg sizes, and / or arrangement corresponding to transportation speed and a dense state of eggs, with a configuration simpler than conventional ones.SOLUTION: An egg arrangement apparatus 1 comprises: first and second endless conveyors 11 and 12; a random transportation region A for transporting eggs at random; an arrangement transportation region B for transporting the eggs in an arranged state; a first side wall part 14 and a second side wall part 15 variable in shapes protruded in a V-shape from a linear state toward inner sides of the endless conveyors; partitioning parts 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 in which a pivoted transportation downstream part is rotated correspondingly to deformation of the first side wall part 14 and the second side wall part 15 from the linear state to the V-shape, allowing movement of a transportation upstream part to the inside of the transportation conveyors; and passages 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36 formed of the first side wall part 14, the second side wall part 15 and the partitioning parts 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1B

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an egg alignment device and an automatic egg processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses an automatic dispensing device for substantially round or oval objects, such as eggs, which has an angle (α) greater than 90° that allows them to be gradually pushed upward along guide members (2, 3, 4, 5, 6). The egg alignment device of Patent Document 2 discloses that it is equipped with a retention section that keeps the eggs while dispersing them across the width of the conveying section, a guide section that is adjacent to the downstream side of the retention section and guides the eggs so that they are spaced evenly across the width of the conveying section, and an alignment partition section that aligns the eggs at the same intervals as those guided by the guide section. The distributing and aligning device of Patent Document 3 includes a first conveyor, a second conveyor, and a third conveyor. The conveying capacity Q1 of the first conveyor and the conveying capacity Q3 of the third conveyor are each higher than the conveying capacity Q2 of the second conveyor. The conveying capacity Q2 of the second conveyor is set equal to the conveying and processing capacity Q4 of the processing device, and the conveying capacity Q2 of the second conveyor is configured to limit the conveying capacity of the distributing and aligning device for agricultural and livestock products. Furthermore, the second conveyor is configured such that the force with which the second conveyor body restricts the movement of the agricultural and livestock products is set higher than the force with which the first conveyor body restricts the movement of the agricultural and livestock products. Furthermore, the third conveyor is configured to cancel the condition that the conveying capacity Q2 and the conveying and processing capacity Q4 are equal based on information about the conveying density of the agricultural products on the third conveyor detected by a conveying density detection means provided on the third conveyor, and to control the driving speed of the second conveyor 2. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3853033 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-116624 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-19026 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-mentioned patent documents propose various solutions to prevent eggs from becoming crowded (eg, eggs pile up) when they are transported to the guide member (also called the alignment partition).

[0005] A first object of the present invention is to provide an egg sorting device that has a simpler configuration than the prior art and that enables sorting in accordance with egg size and / or in accordance with the conveying speed and egg density. A second object is to provide an egg sorting device and a downstream device (e.g., an automatic egg processing system) that can suppress (supply control) the excessive supply of eggs sent from the egg sorting device to the downstream device (e.g., an automatic egg processing system). [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The egg sorting device is a device that sorts and supplies eggs that are randomly supplied and transported from upstream to downstream equipment (e.g., automatic egg processing system, transport conveyor, etc.). The egg alignment device (1) is at least one endless conveyor (11, 12) for transporting eggs; A random conveying area (A) in which eggs are randomly conveyed in the at least one endless conveyor (11, 12); an aligning and conveying area (B) in which eggs are aligned and conveyed in the at least one endless conveyor (11, 12); a first side wall portion (14) and a second side wall portion (15) that are arranged as side walls along the conveying direction of the at least one endless conveyor (11, 12) and that are changeable from a straight state to a shape that protrudes in a dogleg shape toward the inside of the endless conveyor; at least two or more partitions (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) disposed between the first side wall (14) and the second side wall (15) in the aligning and conveying region (B), disposed along the conveying direction of the endless conveyors (11, 12), and configured such that, as the first side wall (14) and the second side wall (15) change from a straight line to a dogleg shape, the pivotally supported downstream conveying portion rotates and the upstream conveying portion moves toward the inside of the conveyor (so as to narrow the gap between the leading ends by a fixed distance); at least three or more passage portions (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36) formed by the first side wall portion (14), the second side wall portion (15), and at least two or more partition portions (21, 22, 23, 24, 25); Equipped with. The angle θ formed by the dogleg may be, for example, from 150 degrees to less than 180 degrees. When the number of the at least two or more partitions (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) is odd, the partition (23) located in the middle may be configured not to move.

[0007] The at least two or more partition sections (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) may be configured such that the imaginary center lines (x1, x2, x3, x4, x5) from the (axially supported) downstream conveying sections (212, 222, 232, 242, 252) to the upstream conveying sections (211, 221, 231, 241, 251) are parallel to each other, but the extensions of the imaginary center lines (x1, x2, x3, x4, x5) toward the upstream side of the endless conveyor intersect with each other (x11, x12). There may be multiple intersecting positions. There may also be some imaginary center lines that do not intersect. The interval (d1) between the positions where the adjacent downstream conveying portions (212, 222, 232, 242, 252) are rotatably supported may be the same. The distances (d21, d22, d23, d24) between the central imaginary lines (x1, x2, x3, x4, x5) at the tips of the adjacent central upstream conveying sections (211, 221, 231, 241, 251) that are parallel to each other may be the same. The distance between the first side wall portion (14) and the partition portion closest to it and the distance between the second side wall portion (15) and the partition portion closest to it may be the same as the distance (d1) or the distances (d21, d22, d23, d24), or may be smaller or larger than these distances (the longitudinal widths of each passage portion are substantially the same). When deformed into a dogleg shape, the distances (d31, d32, d33, d34) between the central imaginary lines (x1, x2, x3, x4, x5) at the tips of adjacent central upstream conveying sections (211, 221, 231, 241, 251) may be the same or may become smaller toward the center. The intervals (d21, d22, d23, d24) may be greater than the interval (d1).

[0008] The tip of the upstream conveying portion (211, 221, 231, 241, 251) of the at least two or more partition portions (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) may be located at the same (substantially the same) as or downstream of the bending position (imaginary line a1) of the L-shaped portion (first connecting portion 143, second connecting portion 153) of the first side wall portion (14) and the second side wall portion (15).

[0009] A bridge plate-like portion (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66) may be provided to cover the gap (P) between the upstream first endless conveyor (11) and the downstream second endless conveyor (12) that are installed in series, and to form part of each passage portion. Each bridge plate-like portion may be installed corresponding to each passage portion. The transition plate portions (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66) may be configured to move across the gap (P) in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. Partition portions (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) may be disposed between adjacent transition plate portions (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66).

[0010] Transfer guides (21a, 22a, 23a, 24a, 25a) for sending eggs to a downstream device may be provided downstream of the at least two or more partitions (21, 22, 23, 24, 25). The transfer guides may be extended to guide the eggs at a position higher than the height of the partitions, in accordance with the difference in height between the endless conveyor and the downstream device.

[0011] The endless conveyors (11, 12) may be provided with first detection units (41a, 41b) that detect whether or not an egg is present at a predetermined height in a direction intersecting (for example, perpendicular to) the conveying direction of the endless conveyor, at one or more positions selected from the rear of the random conveying area (A), the entrance to the aligned conveying area (B), the tip of the upstream conveying part of the at least two or more partition sections (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) or upstream of that tip, and upstream of the position of the L-shaped protruding tip of the first side wall section and the second side wall section (upstream of the first and second connecting sections).

[0012] The endless conveyors (11, 12) may be provided with second detection units (42a, 42b) that detect whether or not an egg is present at a predetermined height in a direction intersecting (e.g., perpendicular to) the conveying direction of the endless conveyor at one or more positions selected from the downstream side of the L-shaped protruding tips of the first side wall and second side wall (downstream side of the first and second connecting parts), the exit of the alignment and conveying area (B), the tips of the downstream conveying parts of the at least two or more partition parts (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) or upstream side of those tips, and the tips of the upstream conveying parts of the at least two or more partition parts (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) or upstream side of those tips.

[0013] The egg alignment device includes at least one drive unit (111, 121) for driving the at least one endless conveyor (11, 12); The apparatus may further include a control unit (50) that controls the at least one driving unit (111, 121). The control unit (50) may control the conveying speed (rotation speed) of the endless conveyors (11, 12) according to the detection results (detection of an egg at a predetermined height position) of the first detection units (41a, 41b) and / or the second detection units (42a, 42b).

[0014] The first side wall portion (14) may have a first upstream wall portion (141), a first downstream wall portion (142), and a first connecting portion (143) connecting the first upstream wall portion (141) and the first downstream wall portion (142), and may be bent in a dogleg shape at the support (142a) of the first downstream wall portion (142) and the first connecting portion (143) (based on the support (143a) of the first connecting portion (143)). The second side wall portion (15) may have a second upstream wall portion (151), a second downstream wall portion (152), and a second connecting portion (153) connecting the second upstream wall portion (151) and the second downstream wall portion (152), and may be bent in a dogleg shape at the pivot support (152a) of the second downstream wall portion (152) and the second connecting portion (153) (based on the pivot support (153a) of the second connecting portion). When the first connecting portion (143) is formed in a dogleg shape, the first connecting portion (143) may be continuous with the first upstream wall portion (141) and / or the first downstream wall portion (142) to form a side wall surface (143b) (which may have a step). When the second connecting portion (153) is formed in a dogleg shape, the second connecting portion (153) may be continuous with the second upstream wall portion (151) and / or the second downstream wall portion (152) to form a side wall surface (153b) (which may have a step). The longitudinal length of the first upstream wall portion (141) may be the same as that of the second upstream wall portion (151), and the longitudinal length of the first downstream wall portion (142) may be the same as that of the second downstream wall portion (152). The longitudinal length (L2) of the first downstream wall portion (142) may be the same as, shorter than, or longer than the longitudinal length (L1) of the first upstream wall portion (141). The longitudinal length of the second downstream wall portion (152) may be the same as, shorter than, or longer than the length of the second upstream wall portion (151). The longitudinal length (L1) of the partitions (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) may be the same as or shorter than the length (L1) of the first downstream wall (142). The longitudinal lengths of the partitions may all be the same or different. The longitudinal length of the central partition may be longer upstream than those of the two partitions.

[0015] The angle θ1 of the side wall surface (141b) of the first upstream wall portion (141) relative to the conveying direction, the angle θ2 of the side wall surface (142b) of the first downstream wall portion (142) relative to the conveying direction, and the angle θ added together make 180 degrees. The angle θ1 of the side wall surface (151b) of the second upstream wall portion (151) relative to the conveying direction, the angle θ2 of the side wall surface (152b) of the second downstream wall portion (152) relative to the conveying direction, plus the angle θ, equals 180 degrees. θ1 and θ2 may be the same, or either may be larger.

[0016] (variable actuator) The egg alignment device (1) is The endless conveyor may include first and second variable actuators (71, 72) for changing the shape of the first side wall portion (14) and the second side wall portion (15) from a straight state to a V-shaped protruding shape toward the inside of the endless conveyor. The first and second variable actuators (71, 72) may be configured with a link mechanism such as a Scott-Russell mechanism. The first variable actuator (71) may include a first main support member (711) having a first end (711a) slidable a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction (conveying direction) of the first frame (140) and a second end (711b) fixed to the first downstream wall portion (142) (fixed rotatably about a vertical axis), and a first sub-support member (712) having a first end (712a) fixed to the first frame (140) and a second end (712b) fixed to an intermediate portion (approximately an intermediate portion) of the first main support member (71b). The second variable actuator (72) may include a second main support member (721) having a first end (721a) slidable a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction (conveying direction) of the second frame (150) and a second end (721b) fixed to the second downstream wall portion (152) (fixed rotatably about a vertical axis), and a second sub-support member (722) having a first end (722a) fixed to the second frame (150) and a second end (722b) fixed to a middle portion (approximately a middle portion) of the second main support member (721). The first ends (712a, 722a) of the first and second secondary support members (712, 722) are fixed, and when the first ends (711a, 712a) of the first and second main support members (711, 712) slide a predetermined distance toward the first endless conveyor, the first ends (712a, 722a) and second ends (712b, 722b) act as movement restricting members, and the second ends (711b, 721b) of the first and second main support members (711, 712) move toward the inside of the conveyor. As a result, the first side wall portion (14) and the second side wall portion (15) change from a straight state to a dogleg-shaped protrusion toward the inside of the endless conveyor.

[0017] The egg alignment device (1) is Each partition may further include a third variable actuator (80) that rotates the pivotally supported downstream conveyor portion and moves the upstream conveyor portion toward the inside of the conveyor in response to the first side wall portion (14) and the second side wall portion (15) changing from a straight shape to a dogleg shape. The third variable actuator (80) may be configured to be linked to the first and second variable actuators (71, 72), or may be a separate, independent actuator. The third variable actuator (80) Partition pitch blocks (s1, s2, s3, s4, s5) connected to the partitions (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) (upstream ends (211, 221, 231, 241, 251)), respectively; a pitch block (81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86) for the crossing plate portion connected to each of the crossing plate portions (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66); pitch adjusters (89) that pass through the through holes of the partition portion pitch blocks (s1, s2, s3, s4, s5) and the through holes of the jumper plate-shaped portion pitch blocks (82, 83, 84, 85) other than those at both ends, and are screwed into the screw holes (one of which is a right-handed thread (89a) and the other is a left-handed thread (89b)) of the jumper plate-shaped portion pitch blocks (81, 86) at both ends; It may also be provided with a connecting portion (pantograph 88) that connects the partition portion pitch blocks (s1, s2, s3, s4, s5) and the crossover plate portion pitch blocks (81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86) so that their sliding movements along the pitch adjuster (89) are at the same pitch. When the number of partition pitch blocks (i.e., the number of partitions) is odd, the central partition pitch block (s3) may be fixed so as not to slide relative to the pitch adjuster (89).

[0018] The first, second, and third variable actuators may be configured with other mechanisms, such as one or more of a linear slide guide mechanism, a rack and pinion mechanism, a ball screw, and a direct acting cylinder actuator (hydraulic, air pressure). The variable actuator is not provided, and the fixed positions of the respective members are changed to change the first side wall portion (14) and the second side wall portion (15) from a straight state to a shape that protrudes in a dogleg shape toward the inside of the endless conveyor, and / or The partition may be configured such that the downstream transfer portion, which is supported by a shaft, is rotated and the upstream transfer portion is movable toward the inside of the transfer conveyor.

[0019] The partition section may have a triangular cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The triangular cross section of the downstream conveying section may be larger than the triangular cross section of the upstream conveying section. The size of the triangular cross section from the tip of the upstream conveying section to the downstream side of the upstream conveying section may gradually increase (proportional increase, stepwise increase). The tip of the upstream transport section may be rounded and made of an elastic member or may be coated.

[0020] The egg alignment device (1) is An egg aligning device that aligns and supplies eggs randomly supplied and transported from upstream to a downstream device (e.g., an automatic egg processing system, a transport conveyor), at least one endless conveyor for transporting eggs; The endless conveyor has a plurality of egg passages formed by a plurality of partitions arranged parallel to the conveying direction of the endless conveyor, and an aligning section that passes the eggs through the egg passages and conveys them in an aligned manner. By positioning the conveying surface of the endless conveyor so that the center of gravity (G1) of the eggs conveyed by the endless conveyor is lower than the center of gravity (G2) of the eggs on the roller conveyor (90) of the downstream device, excessive supply of eggs to the downstream device is prevented. The height (H3) of the conveying position (901) of the roller conveyor (90) may be higher than the height (H1) of the conveying surface (101) of the endless conveyor. The height (H2) at which eggs are handed over from the endless conveyor to the front and rear rollers may be the same as or lower than the height (H1) of the conveying surface of the endless conveyor. (If lower, it may be smaller than the vertical distance from the bottom of the egg on the conveying surface of the endless conveyor to the center of gravity (G1) of the egg.)

[0021] The automatic egg processing system (9) An automatic egg processing system in which eggs are aligned and supplied from an egg alignment device upstream of the conveyance, It has a roller conveyor (90) for transporting eggs. By positioning the transport position (901) of the roller conveyor (90) of the automatic egg processing system so that the center of gravity (G2) of the eggs on the roller conveyor (90) of the automatic egg processing system is higher than the center of gravity (G1) of the eggs transported by the endless conveyors (11, 12) of the egg sorting device (1), excessive supply of eggs to the automatic egg processing system is prevented. The height (H3) of the conveying position of the roller conveyor (90) may be higher than the height (H1) of the conveying surface (10) of the endless conveyor. The height (H2) at which eggs are transferred from the endless conveyors (11, 12) to the front and rear rollers may be the same as or lower than the height (H1) of the conveying surface (101) of the endless conveyor.

[0022] The endless conveyors (11, 12) are The rotating body (endless belt), At least two rolls (e.g., belt pulleys) that tension the rotating body; At least one of the rolls may be a drive roll (the rest being passive rolls that rotate freely), and may include a drive unit (111, 121) (for example, a motor) that rotates the drive roll. The driving unit (for example, a positioning motor) may have a conveying speed (rotational speed) controlled according to, for example, the size of the eggs and / or the density of the eggs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1A] 1 shows an example of a plan view of the egg alignment device (first and second side wall portions and each partition portion in a parallel state). FIG. [Figure 1B] 1 shows an example of a plan view of the egg alignment device (moving states of the first and second side walls and each partition). FIG. [Figure 1C] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the parallel state of the first and second side wall portions and the partition portions. [Figure 1D] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the movement of the first and second side walls and the partitions. [Figure 1E] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of the structure of a variable actuator. [Figure 2] 1 shows an example of a side view of an egg alignment device and an automated egg processing system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] (Egg alignment device) Figure 1A shows a plan view of the egg alignment device (the first and second side wall portions and each partition portion are in a parallel state). Figure 1B shows a plan view of the egg alignment device (the first and second side wall portions and each partition portion are in a moved state). Figure 1C shows the first and second side wall portions and each partition portion in a parallel state. Figure 1D shows the first and second side wall portions and each partition portion in a moved state. Figure 1E shows an example of the structure of a variable actuator.

[0025] The six-row egg arranging device 1 comprises a first endless conveyor 11 and a second endless conveyor 12 for transporting eggs, a first side wall portion 14 and a second side wall portion 15, and first, second, third, fourth and fifth partition portions 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25. The first endless conveyor 11 forms a random conveying area A where eggs are conveyed randomly, and the second endless conveyor 12 forms an aligned conveying area B where eggs are conveyed in an aligned manner. The first side wall portion 14 and the second side wall portion 15 are arranged as side walls along the conveying direction of the first and second endless conveyors 11 and 12. They can be changed from a straight state to a shape that protrudes in a dogleg shape toward the inside of the endless conveyors. The first, second, third, fourth, and fifth partitions 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 are arranged in the alignment and conveying area B between the first side wall 14 and the second side wall 15 along the conveying direction of the second endless conveyor 12. As the first side wall 14 and the second side wall 15 change from a straight line to a dogleg shape, the partitions rotate about the respective shaft supports of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth downstream conveying portions 212, 222, 232, 242, and 252 of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth partitions 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25, respectively, and the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth upstream conveying portions 211, 221, 231, 241, and 251 of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth partitions 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25, respectively, move toward the inside of the conveyor. The third partition section 23 is movable so as to narrow the distance between the leading ends of the upstream transport sections by a fixed distance. In this embodiment, the third partition section 23, which is disposed in the middle, is configured not to move. The first side wall portion 14, the second side wall portion 15, and the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth passage portions 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 are formed by the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth partition portions 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25. The angle θ formed by the dogleg shown in FIG. 1B may be, for example, from 150 degrees to less than 180 degrees.

[0026] The dogleg deformation will now be described. The first side wall portion 14 has a first upstream wall portion 141, a first downstream wall portion 142, and a first connecting portion 143 that connects the first upstream wall portion 141 and the first downstream wall portion 142. The first side wall portion 14 has a structure that bends in a dogleg shape with a support 142a of the first downstream wall portion 142 and a support 143a of the first connecting portion 143 as the reference. The second side wall portion 15 has a second upstream wall portion 151, a second downstream wall portion 152, and a second connecting portion 153 that connects the second upstream wall portion 151 and the second downstream wall portion 152. The second side wall portion 15 has a structure that bends in a dogleg shape with a support 152a of the second downstream wall portion 152 and a support 153a of the second connecting portion 153 as the reference. When the first connecting portion 143 is formed in the dogleg shape, the first connecting portion 143 is continuous with the first upstream wall portion 141 and / or the first downstream wall portion 142 to form a side wall surface 143b. When the second connecting portion 153 is formed in the dogleg shape, the second connecting portion 153 is continuous with the second upstream wall portion 151 and / or the second downstream wall portion 152 to form a side wall surface 153b. In this embodiment, the length L2 of the first downstream wall portion 142 in the longitudinal direction is longer than the length L1 of the first upstream wall portion 141, but this is not limiting. The angle θ1 of the side wall surface 141b of the first upstream wall portion 141 relative to the conveying direction plus the angle θ2 of the side wall surface 142b of the first downstream wall portion 142 relative to the conveying direction adds up to 180 degrees. The angle θ1 of the side wall surface 151b of the second upstream wall portion 151 relative to the conveying direction, the angle θ2 of the side wall surface 152b of the second downstream wall portion 152 relative to the conveying direction, and the angle θ added together make 180 degrees.

[0027] The imaginary lines of each partition will be described with reference to FIGS. 1C and 1D. When the imaginary center lines x1, x2, x3, x4, and x5 from the downstream conveying sections 212, 222, 232, 242, and 252 to the upstream conveying sections 211, 221, 231, 241, and 251 of the partition sections 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 change from being parallel to each other to becoming V-shaped, the extensions of the imaginary center lines x1, x2, x3, x4, and x5 toward the upstream side of the endless conveyor intersect with each other at x11 and x12. The intersection x11 is where the imaginary center lines x2, x3, and x4 intersect, and the intersection x12 is where the imaginary center lines x1, x3, and x5 intersect. The distance d1 between the rotatably supported positions of adjacent downstream conveying sections 212, 222, 232, 242, 252 is the same. The distances d21, d22, d23, d24 between the imaginary center lines x1, x2, x3, x4, x5 at the tips of adjacent parallel upstream central conveying sections 211, 221, 231, 241, 251 are the same. The distance between the first side wall section 14 and the closest first partition section 21 and the distance between the second side wall section 15 and the closest fifth partition section 25 are approximately the same as the distance d1 or the distances d21, d22, d23, d24, and the longitudinal width of each passage section 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 is substantially the same as the width capable of conveying one egg in series. When deformed into a dogleg shape, the distances d31, d32, d33, d34 between the central imaginary lines x1, x2, x3, x4, x5 at the tips of adjacent central conveying upstream sections 211, 221, 231, 241, 251 are substantially the same as the distances that allow one egg to be conveyed in series.

[0028] In this embodiment, the tip of each upstream conveying portion 211, 221, 231, 241, 251 of each partition portion 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 is located downstream of the bending position of the L-shaped portion (first connecting portion 143, second connecting portion 153) of the first side wall portion 14 and the second side wall portion 15, but is not limited to this and may be extended to the same (substantially the same) position.

[0029] First, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth crossover plate-shaped portions 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, and 66 are provided to cover the gap P (see FIG. 2) between the first endless conveyor 11 on the upstream side and the second endless conveyor 12 on the downstream side, which are installed in series, and to form part of each passage portion. Each crossover plate-shaped portion is installed corresponding to each passage portion. Each crossover plate-shaped portion 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, and 66 is configured to move across the gap P in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. Each partition portion 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 is arranged between adjacent crossover plate-shaped portions 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, and 66.

[0030] 1A, 1B, and 2, transfer guides 21a, 22a, 23a, 24a, and 25a for sending eggs to subsequent equipment are provided at the downstream conveyance portions (212, 222, 232, 242, and 252) of partitions 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25. Each transfer guide corresponds to the difference in height between the endless conveyor and the subsequent equipment, and is extended so as to guide the eggs at a position higher than the height of each partition.

[0031] The first detection units 41a, 41b detect whether or not an egg is present at a predetermined height position (for example, a height position of 1.1 times or more, assuming that the height of one egg in the conveying state is 1) in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the endless conveyor at a position on the first endless conveyor 11 subsequent to the random conveying area A or slightly upstream (for example, 0.1 cm to 10 cm) of the first and second connecting units 143, 153. The second detection units 42a, 42b detect whether or not an egg is present at a predetermined height position (for example, a height position of 1.1 times or more, assuming that the height of one egg in the conveying state is 1) in the second endless conveyor 12, after the random conveying area A or slightly downstream (for example, 0.1 cm to 10 cm) of the first and second connecting units 143, 153, in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the endless conveyor. In this embodiment, the first and second detection units 41a, 41b, 42a, 42b may be composed of a reflective sensor, a photoelectric sensor, a line sensor capable of measuring height levels, an imaging unit, and means for processing the images thereof.

[0032] The egg alignment device 1 includes first and second drive units 111 and 121 that drive the first and second endless conveyors 11 and 12, and a control unit 50 that controls the drive units 111 and 121. The control unit 50 controls the conveying speed (rotation speed) of the first and second endless conveyors 11, 12 according to the detection results (detection of an egg at a predetermined height position) of the first detection units 41a, 41b and / or the second detection units 42a, 42b. The control unit 50 may be composed of a dedicated circuit, firmware, a combination of a memory that stores instruction codes and a processor, or may also be a control device that integrates and controls upstream and downstream devices that are linked to the egg alignment device 1.

[0033] (variable actuator) The egg alignment device 1 has first and second variable actuators 71 and 72 that change the first side wall 14 and the second side wall 15 from a straight state to a dogleg shape that protrudes toward the inside of the endless conveyor. In the present embodiment shown in Fig. 1B, the first variable actuator 71 includes a first main support member 711 having a first end 711a that is slidable a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction (conveyance direction) of the first frame 140 and a second end 711b that is fixed to the first downstream wall 142 (fixed so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis), and a first sub-support member 712 having a first end 712a that is fixed to the first frame 140 and a second end 712b that is fixed to a middle portion (approximately the middle portion) of the first main support member 71b. The second variable actuator 72 comprises a second main support member 721 whose first end 721a is slidable a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction (conveying direction) of the second frame 150 and whose second end 721b is fixed to the second downstream wall portion 152 (fixed rotatably about a vertical axis), and a second sub-support member 722 whose first end 722a is fixed to the second frame 150 and whose second end 722b is fixed to the middle portion (approximately the middle portion) of the second main support member 721. The first end 712a of the first auxiliary support member 712 is fixed, and when the first end 711a of the first main support member 711 slides a predetermined distance toward the first endless conveyor 11, the first end 712a and the second end 712b become movement restricting members, and the second end 711b of the first main support member 711 moves toward the inside of the conveyor. As a result, the first side wall portion 14 changes from a straight state to a dogleg-shaped protrusion toward the inside of the endless conveyor. Similarly, the first end 722a of the second auxiliary support member 722 is fixed, and when the first end 721a of the second main support member 721 slides a predetermined distance toward the first endless conveyor 11, the first end 722a and the second end 722b become movement restricting members, and the second end 721b of the second main support member 721 moves toward the inside of the conveyor. As a result, the second side wall portion 15 changes from a straight state to a dogleg-shaped protrusion toward the inside of the endless conveyor.

[0034] The egg alignment device 1 is equipped with a third variable actuator 80 that rotates the pivotally supported downstream conveying portion and moves the upstream conveying portion toward the inside of the conveyor in response to the first side wall portion 14 and the second side wall portion 15 changing from a straight shape to a dogleg shape. Figure 1E(a) shows a variable actuator that determines the state of the bridge plate-like portion and the partition portion when they are straight, and Figure 1E(b) shows a variable actuator that determines the state of the bridge plate-like portion and the partition portion when they are in a dogleg shape. The third variable actuator 80 includes partition pitch blocks s1, s2, s3, s4, and s5 connected to the upstream ends 211, 221, 231, 241, and 251 of the partitions 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25, respectively, transition plate pitch blocks 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, and 86 connected to the transition plate portions 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, and 66, respectively, and through holes in the partition pitch blocks s1, s2, s3, s4, and s5 and both ends thereof. and a pantograph 88 that connects the partition pitch blocks s1, s2, s3, s4, s5 and the transition plate pitch blocks 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86 so that their sliding movements along the pitch adjusters 89 are the same pitch. One end of the pitch adjuster 89 is threaded with a right-hand screw 89a and the other end is threaded with a left-hand screw 89b. Correspondingly, the pitch block 81 for the jumper plate-shaped portion is threaded with a right-hand screw hole, and the pitch block 86 for the jumper plate-shaped portion is threaded with a left-hand screw hole. In this embodiment, the number of partition pitch blocks (i.e., the number of partitions) is odd, and the central partition pitch block s3 is fixed so as not to slide along the pitch adjuster 89. Furthermore, partition pitch blocks s1, s2, s3, s4, and s5 are connected to partitions 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 via intermediate members s11, s21, s31, s41, and s51. Transition plate pitch blocks 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, and 86 are connected to transition plate portions 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, and 66 via intermediate members 811, 821, 831, 841, 851, and 861. The widths of the pitch blocks for the crossing plate section and the pitch blocks for the partition section that are parallel to the pitch adjuster 89 are all the same, and the mechanism of the pantograph 88 and the reverse screw structure at both ends of the pitch adjuster 89 allow each pitch block to expand and contract at the same pitch (spacing) as each other.

[0035] By rotating a manual handle (not shown) or a motor (not shown) that rotates pitch adjuster 89, crossover plate pitch block 81 slides, crossover plate pitch block 86 slides in the opposite direction, and in conjunction with these slides, pantograph 88 unfolds and the other pitch blocks also slide. The motor can be driven and controlled by control unit 50 or a separate controller.

[0036] (Another embodiment) The first and second variable actuators 71, 72 have pushers (for example, air cylinders) that push the first upstream wall portion 141 and / or the first downstream wall portion 142 inward. The first side wall portion 14 is pushed out by a pusher and is changed from a straight state to a shape that protrudes in a V-shape toward the inside of the endless conveyor. By returning the pusher to its original position, the first side wall portion 14 is returned from the V-shape to the straight state. The first and second variable actuators 71, 72 have pushers (e.g., air cylinders) that push the second upstream wall portion 151 and / or the second downstream wall portion 152 inward. The second side wall portion 15 is pushed out by the pushers and changes from a straight state to a V-shaped protruding shape toward the inside of the endless conveyor. By returning the pushers to their original positions, the second side wall portion 15 changes from the V-shaped state to a straight state.

[0037] The third variable actuator 80 includes a guide rail, a slider that is movably arranged on the guide rail and is connected to the first downstream wall portion 142, the second downstream wall portion 152, any position in the upstream conveying portion of each partition portion 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and each bridge plate-like portion 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, and stoppers that are provided at the original position and stop position of each slider. The guide rails, sliders, and stoppers are provided below the gap P between the first and second endless conveyors 11, 12. The first downstream wall 142 and second downstream wall 152, which are connected to the sliders along the guide rails, and any position on the upstream conveying side of each of the partitions 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25, and each of the bridge plate-like portions 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, and 66 move inside the endless conveyors and are stopped at predetermined positions by the stoppers. However, the third partition 23, which is located in the middle between the first side wall 14 and the second side wall 15, is fixed so as not to move.

[0038] Yet another third variable actuator 80 may have a handle portion or a motor, a screw shaft connected to the handle portion or the motor and rotating with the rotation of the handle portion or the motor, and a plurality of nuts that move in a linear manner relative to the rotation of the screw shaft. The plurality of nuts include downstream wall nuts, partition nuts, and bridge plate nuts that are connected to the first downstream wall 142, the second downstream wall 152, any position on the upstream conveying side of each of the partitions 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25, and each of the bridge plate portions 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, and 66. The screw shaft and the nut are provided below the gap between the first and second endless conveyors. The screw shaft may be provided with right-handed and left-handed screw grooves with the center position as the boundary. Two screw shafts may be provided. For example, a first screw shaft may be provided with nuts for the partitions 21 and 22 located on the first side wall 14 side and the first downstream wall 142 in the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, and a second screw shaft may be provided with nuts for the partitions 24 and 25 located on the second side wall 15 side and the second downstream wall 152 in the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. By manually rotating the handle or by rotating the motor, the screw shaft rotates, causing each nut to move linearly, and each nut stops at a predetermined stopping position (it can also be stopped by a stopper). The first side wall 14 and the second side wall 15 change from a straight state to a dogleg shape toward the inside of the endless conveyor. In addition, the partitions 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25, which are fixed to the partition nuts, rotate at the downstream conveying portions 212, 222, 232, 242, and 252, which are supported by the pivots, and the upstream conveying portions 211, 221, 231, 241, and 251 move toward the inside of the conveyor. However, the third partition 23, which is located in the middle between the first side wall 14 and the second side wall 15, is fixed.

[0039] (Interlocking of automatic egg processing system and egg sorting device) FIG. 2 shows a side view of the egg alignment device 1 and the automatic egg processing system 9. Egg aligning device 1 is an egg aligning device that aligns and supplies eggs randomly supplied and transported from upstream to downstream equipment (for example, an automatic egg processing system, a transport conveyor). The egg alignment device 1 includes first and second endless conveyors 11 and 12 for transporting eggs, The endless conveyor has a plurality of egg passages formed by a plurality of partitions arranged parallel to the conveying direction, and an alignment section (alignment and conveying area B) that passes eggs through the egg passages and conveys them in an aligned manner. By positioning the conveying surface 101 of the endless conveyor so that the center of gravity G1 of the eggs conveyed by the endless conveyor is lower than the center of gravity G2 of the eggs on the roller conveyor 90 of the downstream device, excessive supply of eggs to the downstream device is prevented. Height H3 of transfer position 901 of roller conveyor 90 is higher than height H1 of transfer surface 101 of the endless conveyor. Height H2 at which eggs are handed over from the endless conveyor to the front and rear rollers is lower than height H1 of the transfer surface of the endless conveyor. Automatic egg processing device 9 is an automatic egg processing system in which eggs are aligned and supplied and transported from egg alignment device 1 located upstream in the transport direction. The automatic egg processing system 9 has a roller conveyor 90 for transporting eggs. The roller conveyor 90 has recesses (not shown) between the front and rear rollers in which the eggs are placed. By positioning the transport position 901 of the roller conveyor 90 of the automatic egg processing system 9 so that the center of gravity G2 of the eggs on the roller conveyor 90 of the automatic egg processing system 9 is higher than the center of gravity G1 of the eggs transported by the first and second endless conveyors 11 and 12 of the egg sorting device 1, excessive supply of eggs to the automatic egg processing system 9 is prevented. The height H3 of the conveying position of the roller conveyor 90 may be higher than the height H1 of the conveying surface 10 of the second endless conveyor 12. The height position H2 at which eggs are handed over from the second endless conveyor 12 to the front and rear rollers is lower than the height H1 of the conveying surface 101 of the endless conveyor. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1 Egg alignment device 11 First endless conveyor 12 Second endless conveyor 14 First side wall part 15 Second side wall part 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 Partitions 21a, 22a, 23a, 24a, 25a Crossing guide area 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 Passage section 41a, 41b First detection unit 42a, 42b Second detection unit 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 Gangway plate 50 control section 71 First variable actuator 72 Second variable actuator 80 Third variable actuator

Claims

1. at least one endless conveyor for transporting eggs; a random transport area in which eggs are transported randomly in the at least one endless conveyor; an aligning and conveying area in which eggs are aligned and conveyed in the at least one endless conveyor; a first side wall portion and a second side wall portion that are arranged as side walls along the conveying direction of the at least one endless conveyor and that are variable from a straight state to a shape that protrudes in a dogleg shape toward the inside of the endless conveyor; at least two or more partitions disposed between the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion in the alignment conveying area, disposed along the conveying direction of the endless conveyor, and configured such that, in response to the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion changing from a straight line to a dogleg shape, the pivotally supported downstream conveying portion rotates and the upstream conveying portion can move toward the inside of the conveyor; The first side wall portion, the second side wall portion, and at least three or more passage portions formed by at least two or more partition portions, Egg alignment device.

2. 2. The egg alignment device according to claim 1, further comprising a crossover guide section extending downstream of the at least two partition sections.

3. a first detection unit that detects whether or not an egg is present at a predetermined height in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the endless conveyor at one or more positions selected from the rear of the random conveying area, the entrance to the aligned conveying area, the tip of the upstream conveying section of the at least two or more partition sections or upstream of said tip, and the upstream side of the protruding tip positions of the L-shaped first side wall section and the second side wall section; and / or a second detection unit that detects whether or not an egg is present at a predetermined height in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the endless conveyor at one or more positions on the endless conveyor selected from the following: downstream of the positions of the L-shaped protruding tips of the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion; an exit of the alignment and conveying area (B); tips of the downstream conveying parts of the at least two or more partition portions or upstream of said tips; and tips of the upstream conveying parts of the at least two or more partition portions or upstream of said tips.

3. The egg alignment device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

4. An apparatus comprising an egg alignment device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and an automatic egg processing system in which eggs are aligned from the egg alignment device and supplied and transported, a roller conveyor having a plurality of rollers for transporting eggs; The position where eggs are transferred from the endless conveyor of the egg alignment device to the roller conveyor is lower than the height of the conveying surface of the endless conveyor, and is between a roller on the upstream side of the roller conveyor in the conveying direction and an adjacent roller on the downstream side in the conveying direction, and the upper end of the roller conveyor that transports eggs downstream from the transfer position is higher than the conveying surface of the endless conveyor.

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