Fruit and vegetable measurement system

Abstract

To provide a fruit and vegetable measuring system capable of easily presenting content information of measured fruits and vegetables to purchasers while reducing the cost required for shipping the fruits and vegetables.SOLUTION: A fruit and vegetable measuring system includes a transport device 11, a measurement device 12, and a print device 13. The transport device 11 transports a collection tray T containing a plurality of fruits and vegetables arranged in a predetermined arrangement relation. The measurement device 12 measures the fruits and vegetables in the collection tray T transported by the transport device 11, and obtains individual information on each fruit and vegetable in the collection tray T. The print device 13 outputs content information including the individual information in a form associated with the collection tray T (for example, in a form in which an information sheet S on which the content information is printed is attached to the collection tray T).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fruit and vegetable measuring system that can measure and present content information of fruit and vegetables. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, certain types of fruits and vegetables (for example, fruits such as strawberries) are sorted by size, packed into a specified number of pieces to a specified weight, and then shipped in a pack (box).

[0003] As a system suited to such shipping formats, Patent Document 1 discloses a fruit sorting system that measures each fruit and vegetable placed on a collection tray and presents fruit and vegetables that meet predetermined conditions to workers based on the measurement results. With this fruit sorting system, workers who pack the fruit and vegetables can increase their work efficiency by packing the fruit and vegetables presented by the system. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-159837 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the fruit sorting system in Patent Document 1 requires workers to pack the produce (i.e., sort the produce), which increases the cost of shipping the produce. For example, the equipment costs for securing the work space for packing and the labor costs for the workers who pack the produce are high.

[0006] If the produce is shipped without undergoing this type of packaging process, the shipping costs can be reduced, but in that case it becomes difficult to provide the purchaser with information about the contents of the measured fruits and vegetables.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a fruit and vegetable measuring system that can easily present content information of measured fruit and vegetables to purchasers while reducing the costs incurred until the fruit and vegetables are shipped. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the fruit and vegetable measuring system of the present invention is characterized by comprising a conveying device that conveys a collection tray containing multiple fruit and vegetables arranged in a predetermined arrangement relationship, a measuring device that measures the fruit and vegetables in the collection tray conveyed by the conveying device and obtains individual information about each fruit and vegetable in the collection tray, and an information output device that outputs content information including the individual information in a form associated with the collection tray.

[0009] According to the above configuration, even if the fruits and vegetables to be shipped are shipped in the collection tray state without being sorted, the purchaser can easily grasp the individual information of the fruits and vegetables in the collection tray by using the content information associated with the collection tray. In this case, by reducing the sorting work for the fruits and vegetables to be shipped, it is also possible to significantly reduce the cost required to ship the fruits and vegetables.

[0010] In addition, in the above-mentioned fruit and vegetable measuring system, the measuring device obtains the individual information by correlating it with the positional information of each fruit and vegetable in the collection tray, and the information output device can be configured to output the individual information in accordance with the arrangement of the corresponding fruit and vegetable in the collection tray based on the positional information.

[0011] According to the above configuration, it is possible to easily recognize how the individual information output by the information output device corresponds to the fruits and vegetables in the collection tray.

[0012] In addition, in the fruit and vegetable measuring system, the information output device can be configured to output an information sheet on which the content information is printed as a printed matter, and attach the information sheet to the corresponding collection tray.

[0013] According to the above configuration, the information output device can be provided as a printing device.

[0014] In the fruit and vegetable measuring system, the information output device may be configured to print the content information on a packaging material covering the top surface of the collection tray.

[0015] According to the above configuration, the information output device can be provided as a printing device such as an inkjet printer.

[0016] Furthermore, in the fruit and vegetable measuring system, the information output device can be configured to print the individual information for each fruit and vegetable on the packaging material at a position above each fruit and vegetable.

[0017] According to the above configuration, it becomes possible to easily recognize the correspondence between the fruits and vegetables contained in the collection tray and the individual information printed on the packaging material.

[0018] In addition, the above-mentioned fruit and vegetable measuring system can be configured to include an internet-connectable database that stores the content information, and the information output device can be configured to attach code information to the collection tray to access the database and obtain the content information.

[0019] According to the above configuration, a purchaser of a collection tray can access the database using the code information attached to the collection tray to obtain content information of the fruits and vegetables corresponding to the purchased collection tray via the Internet.

[0020] In addition, the fruit and vegetable measuring system can be configured to have a price calculation unit that calculates price information for each collection tray based on the content information of the fruit and vegetables in each collection tray, and the content information includes the price information.

[0021] According to the above configuration, since no sorting work is performed, it becomes easier to set an appropriate price for each collection tray, even if the total weight and quality of the fruits and vegetables in the collection trays vary. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] The fruit and vegetable measuring system of the present invention has the advantage of reducing shipping costs by eliminating the need for sorting fruit and vegetables before shipping, while still being able to provide purchasers with individual information about the fruit and vegetables in the collection tray. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a general configuration of a fruit and vegetable measuring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a collection tray containing fruits and vegetables and an information sheet attached thereto. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the information sheet. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the collection tray. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a fruit and vegetable measuring system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an information sheet on which code information and simple information are printed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] First Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a fruit and vegetable measuring system (hereinafter referred to as the present system) according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the present system is configured to include a conveying device 11, a measuring device 12, and a printing device (information output device) 13.

[0025] The transport device 11 is a conveyor device that transports collection trays T. Collection trays T store fruits and vegetables to be shipped through this system in a flat manner (without overlapping when viewed from above). In this system, fruits and vegetables are stored in collection trays T, arranged in a predetermined positional relationship, and examples of such fruits and vegetables include fruits such as strawberries and tomatoes. In this case, the collection trays T used preferably have an uneven bottom surface, and can hold the fruits and vegetables in a predetermined arrangement by placing them in the recesses.

[0026] The measuring device 12 is a surface measuring device that measures the fruits and vegetables in the collection tray T that is transported by the transport device 11. The measuring device 12 obtains measurement data by photographing the fruits and vegetables with a camera or irradiating them with X-rays, and the control unit 121 performs predetermined arithmetic processing on this measurement data to obtain individual information about each fruit and vegetable in the collection tray T and positional information about each fruit and vegetable within the collection tray T. The individual information and positional information about each fruit and vegetable are stored in correspondence with each other in a memory or the like that the control unit 121 has. Here, examples of the individual information about each fruit and vegetable include weight information and quality information (such as grade or class) about each fruit and vegetable. The individual information obtained by the measuring device 12 needs to include at least one type of information, but may also include multiple types of information.

[0027] The individual information and position information obtained by measuring device 12 are transmitted to printing device 13. Based on the individual information and position information transmitted from measuring device 12, printing device 13 outputs an information sheet S as a printout on which content information about the fruits and vegetables in collection tray T is printed, and attaches this information sheet S to the corresponding collection tray T. Possible forms of attaching information sheet S include placing information sheet S on top of the fruits and vegetables in collection tray T (finally, information sheet S is packed together with the fruits and vegetables in the collection tray), or making information sheet S into a label and attaching it to a predetermined location on collection tray T.

[0028] That is, in this system, collection trays T transported by transport device 11 are measured to obtain content information as they pass through measuring device 12, and an information sheet S on which the content information is printed is attached as they pass through printing device 13. The content information printed on the information sheet S includes at least individual information about each fruit or vegetable.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a collection tray T containing fruits and vegetables and an information sheet S attached thereto. As shown in FIG. 2, the fruits and vegetables are arranged in the collection tray T so as to have a predetermined positional relationship. In contrast, the information sheet S has individual information (weight information for each fruit and vegetable in the example of FIG. 2) printed according to the position (placement location) of each arranged fruit and vegetable. In this case, the printing position of each individual piece of information on the information sheet S is determined according to the correspondence between the individual information and the position information transmitted from the measuring device 12.

[0030] In this way, the information sheet S presents the individual information for each fruit or vegetable according to its placement in the collection tray T, making it easy to recognize the individual information for each fruit or vegetable. In the example of Fig. 2, only one type of individual information, weight information, is printed on the information sheet S, but other individual information such as quality information may also be printed. Of course, the information sheet S may also have multiple pieces of individual information (for example, weight information and quality information) printed for each fruit or vegetable (see Fig. 3).

[0031] Furthermore, the content information printed on the information sheet S is not limited to individual information about each fruit or vegetable, but may include other information. For example, the content information may include overall information about all the fruit or vegetable in the collection tray T. In this case, the overall information may include, for example, the following information (see FIGS. 2 and 3): The total weight of all fruits and vegetables in collection tray T (in the example in Figure 2, the total weight is 296g). - Breakdown of the size of fruits and vegetables in collection tray T (in the example of Figure 2, 3L size: 3 pieces (subtotal 63g), 2L size: 7 pieces (subtotal 198g), L size: 2 pieces (subtotal 35g)).

[0032] The collection tray T with the information sheet S attached by this system can be shipped as a product in that form. In other words, this system can provide purchasers with information about the contents of the fruits and vegetables in the collection tray T using the attached information sheet S, without the need to pack the fruits and vegetables to be shipped, which involves sorting. As a result, it is possible to reduce the equipment costs required to secure work space for packing and the labor costs of the workers who pack them, thereby reducing the costs required to ship the fruits and vegetables.

[0033] Second Embodiment Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the collection tray T. As shown in Fig. 4, the collection tray T may be one in which a plurality of inner trays Ti (four in the example of Fig. 4) are set inside a single outer tray To. In this case, fruits and vegetables are stored in each inner tray Ti, and the information sheet S is also attached in a divided state corresponding to each inner tray Ti.

[0034] In the system according to the second embodiment, it is possible to sell products divided into small portions for each inner tray Ti. Furthermore, in this system, products may be shipped on the collection tray T (the outer tray To on which the inner tray Ti is set), or the outer tray To may be removed and only the inner tray Ti may be shipped.

[0035] Third Embodiment The information sheet S is not limited to being output by the printing device 13 and attached to the collection tray T. For example, the information sheet S may be formed by printing directly on the packaging material for the fruits and vegetables.

[0036] Taking strawberries as an example of fresh produce, strawberries are usually packed in a transparent pack (corresponding to collection tray T or inner tray Ti) and then covered with a transparent film (packaging material) before being packaged.

[0037] In such a case, the system according to the third embodiment may include a packaging process in which a transparent film is placed over the produce before it reaches the printer 13, and the printer 13 may print on the transparent film using an inkjet printer or the like. When using the transparent film as a packaging material as the information sheet S, it is preferable that the individual information for each produce be printed on the transparent film above the individual produce. This makes it easy to recognize the correspondence between the produce contained in the collection tray T and the individual information printed on the transparent film.

[0038] Fourth Embodiment The printed information on the information sheet S is not limited to content information about fruits and vegetables, but may be, for example, code information (QR code (registered trademark), etc.) for accessing the content information.

[0039] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the system according to the fourth embodiment. In this system, content information obtained by measurement by the measuring device 12 is stored in a database 20 connectable to the Internet. At this time, the content information stored in the database 20 is associated with code information for accessing this content information. This code information is sent from the control unit 121 of the measuring device 12 to the printing device 13. As a result, the code information for accessing the content information stored in the database is printed on the information sheet S. A purchaser can access the database using the code information printed on the information sheet S to obtain content information of the fruits and vegetables corresponding to the collection tray T they have purchased via the Internet.

[0040] As a modification of this system, the information sheet S may be printed with part of the content information (simplified information) in addition to the code information for accessing the database. In this case, the purchaser can obtain the simplified information from the information sheet S without accessing the database, and can obtain all of the content information (detailed information) by accessing the database. Figure 6 shows an example of an information sheet S on which code information and simplified information (in this example, the breakdown and total weight) are printed.

[0041] In this case, the code information is not limited to being printed on the information sheet S, but may also be attached to the collection tray T by being printed on the collection tray T or packaging material for the fruits and vegetables.

[0042] Fifth Embodiment In the system described above, harvested fruits and vegetables are stored on collection trays T and shipped without being sorted, which means that there will be variations in the total weight and quality of the fruits and vegetables for each collection tray T. Therefore, instead of setting the same price for all collection trays T, it may be possible to set a price for each collection tray T individually.

[0043] The system according to the fifth embodiment calculates price information for each collection tray T based on content information obtained by measurement by the measuring device 12, and makes it possible to present this information on an information sheet S (or in the database 20 according to the fourth embodiment).

[0044] As a specific example, this system is assumed to have a price calculation function in the control unit (price calculation unit) 121 of the measuring device 12. The price calculation function calculates price information for each collection tray T by inputting content information of the fruits and vegetables in each collection tray T into a predetermined calculation formula. The content of the calculation formula is not particularly limited, and it is preferable that the calculation formula can be changed as desired by rewriting the program, etc. The price information calculated by this system can be presented on the information sheet S (or database 20) as part of the content information.

[0045] The price information presented on the information sheet S (or database 20) may not be the price itself, but may be coded information. In other words, when a seller purchases shipped collection trays T and sells them to consumers at retail, the seller can freely set the retail price. In this case, the seller can decode the coded price information and, based on that price information, freely set the retail price. In this case, by coding the price information presented on the information sheet S or the like (i.e., that can be recognized by consumers), the price information presented in this system can be prevented from being directly known to consumers.

[0046] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not intended to be limiting. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted solely by the above-described embodiments, but should be defined by the claims. Furthermore, all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims are included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 11. Conveyor equipment 12 Measuring equipment 121 Control unit (price calculation unit) 13 Printing device (information output device) 20 databases T Collection Tray To outer tray Ti inner tray S Information Sheet

Claims

1. a conveying device that conveys a collection tray containing a plurality of fruits and vegetables arranged in a predetermined arrangement; a measuring device that measures the fruits and vegetables in the collection tray conveyed by the conveying device and obtains individual information about each fruit and vegetable in the collection tray; an information output device that outputs content information including the individual information in a form associated with the collection tray, The fruit and vegetable measuring system is characterized in that the information output device prints the content information on a packaging material covering the top surface of the collection tray.

2. The fruit and vegetable measuring system according to claim 1, the measuring device obtains the individual information in association with position information of each fruit or vegetable in the collection tray, The fruit and vegetable measuring system is characterized in that the information output device outputs the individual information in accordance with the arrangement of the corresponding fruit and vegetable in the collection tray based on the position information.

3. The fruit and vegetable measuring system according to claim 1, The fruit and vegetable measuring system is characterized in that the information output device outputs an information sheet on which the content information is printed as a printed matter and attaches the information sheet to the corresponding collection tray.

4. The fruit and vegetable measuring system according to claim 1, The fruit and vegetable measuring system is characterized in that the information output device prints the individual information for each fruit and vegetable on the packaging material at a position above each fruit and vegetable.

5. The fruit and vegetable measuring system according to claim 1, an internet-connectable database for storing said content information; The fruit and vegetable measuring system is characterized in that the information output device attaches code information to the collection tray for accessing the database and acquiring the content information.

6. The fruit and vegetable measuring system according to claim 1, a price calculation unit that calculates price information for each of the collection trays based on the content information of the fruits and vegetables in each of the collection trays; The fruit and vegetable measuring system is characterized in that the content information includes the price information.

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