JP2556744B2 - Tray ejector - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a tray take-out device for taking out trays containing chicken eggs, which are stored in a container in two rows and multiple stages, one by one in each row.

(Prior Art) As a device for taking out trays stacked and stacked in a transport container in multiple stages, a hole is provided at a bottom portion of the container, and a lifting rod is inserted through the hole to move the tray up to the container. A device for taking out all or one by one in a state of being stacked outside, and inserting a gripping member in a gap formed between the side wall of a transport container and
There is a take-out device that holds and lifts the edges of the tray.
However, the shipping containers currently in general circulation in the egg industry do not have a hole for inserting a rod member for lifting the tray from the bottom, and the former conventional tray ejection device can always be adopted. There was a problem of not having. Also, since the latter tray ejector is configured to hold the edge of the tray by some kind of member, the tray lifting portion has almost the same size as the tray, and also the side wall of the transport container. Since the gap between the tray and the tray is generally narrow, there was a problem that the tray was repeatedly lifted and the contained eggs were broken. As a solution to these problems, when taking out the tray in the shipping container, the tray take-out is performed by holding the molding part inside the tray edge and performing one step operation regardless of whether the tray is held or not. A device was devised (No. 159670 in 1988).

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) Generally, trays are stacked and housed in two rows in a container for transportation. Therefore, the edges of adjacent trays are often overlapped with each other, and the above-mentioned devised tray take-out device has a problem of catching and breaking an egg when taking out the tray. Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has an object to provide a tray take-out device of the above-mentioned devised tray take-out device, in particular, a tray take-out device that operates so as to take out and transfer the trays stored in two rows from the container one by one in each row. It was done.

(Means for Solving the Problem) In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention provides n pieces on a plane.
The trays, which are molded to house the eggs arranged in order in (n + 1), are rotated 90 degrees to engage each other, and the trays are placed on the trays from inside the containers that are stacked. In the tray take-out device for picking up one by one from the top by a lifting means having a suction means for sucking the chicken eggs and a gripping means for gripping the tray containing the chicken eggs and supplying it to the next step, the lifting means Two trays are provided in order to take out the trays, each of which is stacked in two rows in the container, one by one for each row, and the gripping means is provided with respect to the rows of the egg-containing seat partition wall formed on the tray. , A latching means for latching the partition walls arranged along the opposing tray edges, wherein the latching means is provided from the tray detecting means provided in the lifting means. Providing a tray extraction device operated by the detection signal.

(Embodiment) An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 is a feed-in conveyor for carrying a carrying container 2 (hereinafter referred to as a container) in the direction of arrow A. Container 2 contains 6 eggs 3 vertically and 5
The trays 4 arranged in a row and accommodating a total of 30 trays are arranged side by side in two rows in a state of being rotated 90 degrees from each other and stacked. The egg storage seat 5 formed on the tray 4 is surrounded by four frustoconical partition walls 6 (see FIG. 4) formed on the surface of the tray 4. Further, the partition wall 6 of the tray 4 has a plurality of holes 7 hollowed in an elliptical shape around the side surface.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 8 is a conveyer conveyor provided in parallel with the feed-in conveyor 1. This conveyor 8
Are conveyed in the same direction as the conveying direction A of the feeding conveyor 1. In addition, the transport conveyor 8 is a tray 4
Is placed in the same direction as the direction of the arrow A in the carrying direction so that the six rows of the eggs 3 arranged in the tray are aligned and carried. Further, the container 2 is stopped on the feeding conveyor 1 and the tray take-out position a for taking out the tray 4 is set.
When all the trays 4 in the container 2 positioned at the take-out position a are taken out, the feeding conveyor 1 conveys one container for one minute, and a new tray 4 to be taken out is stored at the tray take-out position a. The container 2 is positioned. In addition, the feeding conveyor 1
The conveyor 8 corresponding to the tray take-out position a
A tray mounting position b is provided on the top. Therefore, the tray 4 taken out from the tray take-out position a is transferred and placed at the tray placing position b of the conveyor 8.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a tray take-out device that takes out the tray 4 from the container 2 at the tray take-out position a, and places the tray 4 on the transport conveyor 8 with the tray placed in the same direction.

The tray take-out device 9 has the following configuration. FIG. 1 shows the tray take-out device 9, which is illustrated in detail by partially omitting and cutting it. As shown in FIG. 1, a first transfer means is provided between the tray take-out position a for taking out the tray 4 from the container 2 and the tray placing position b for always placing the taken-out tray 4 in the same direction. Install rail 10 of.
Then, a second rail 11 is provided which is arranged orthogonal to the first rail 10 and reciprocates along the first rail 10 as a second transfer means. Then, as the carrier that reciprocates the first rail 10, the second rail 11, the first carrier 12 that reciprocates on the first rail 10, and the first carrier 12. Has a relation of connection and opening, and only when they are connected, the second carrier 13 that reciprocates the first rail 10 is provided together with the first carrier 12. Then, the second rail 11 is fixed to the first carrier 12 at a right angle to the first rail 10 in a horizontal plane. Further, the second carrier 13 is connected to the upper surface of the first rail 10 by connecting pieces 14,1.
4'and is inserted into the first rail 10, and on the lower surface of the first rail 10, a projecting piece 15 extending parallel to the first rail 10 and extending in the tray removal position a direction is provided. Have The connecting pieces 14, 14 'of the second carrier 13 are positioned between the first carrier 12 and one end side c of the first rail 10 located on the tray mounting position b side. Then, a second electromagnet 16 as a first retaining means for connecting and releasing the second carrier 13 is provided on the one end side c located on the tray mounting position b side of the first rail 10. It is provided toward the connecting piece 14 of the second carrier 13. In addition, the first carrier 12 also has the second carrier facing the connecting piece 14 '.
A second electromagnet 17 is provided as a second retaining means for connecting and releasing 13. Further, the tray 4 is attached to the second rail 11 at equal distances on both sides of the first rail 10.
Lifting device 18,18 'as a lifting means for adsorbing chicken egg 3 placed on and holding and holding tray 4 containing chicken egg 3 via slide units 19,19' as slide members. Provided on the second rail 11 so as to be reciprocally movable. Therefore, this slide unit 19,1
One of the 9'is reciprocally inserted into the second rail 11 and the other part is formed as a pedestal 20, 20 'for supporting the lifting device 18, 18'. The pedestal 20, 20 'is indicated by the arrow B by the operation of the air cylinders 21, 21'.
Direction, that is, the connecting shafts 22 and 22 'connected to the pusher bar that moves up and down in the vertical direction extend vertically downward from the lower part of the pedestal 20 and 20' and are rotatable with respect to the pedestal 20 and 20 '. Attach to. Further, the lifting devices 18, 18 'are fixed to the lower portions of the connecting shafts 22, 22'.

The central shafts 23, 23 'are fixed to the tip end of the protruding piece 15 of the second carrier 13 facing the tray take-out position a in parallel with the second rail 11. This central axis 23,
23 'is mounted vertically downward, and one of the central axes
23 is shorter than the other central axis 23 '. The central shafts 23, 23 'are provided with arms 24', 24 as connecting means for connecting with the connecting shafts 22 ', 22 which are separated from the central shafts 23, 23', respectively. It is rotatably attached to the central shafts 23, 23 'and fixed to the connecting shafts 22', 22.

The shape of the arms 24, 24 'will be described with reference to the arm 24.
The central axis 23 is horizontally rotated in a U-shape from the outside with respect to 22, and is fixed to the connecting shaft 22. arm
Similarly, with respect to 24 ', one end of the arm 24' is fixed to the connecting shaft 22 'by connecting the connecting shaft 22' to the connecting shaft 22 'by horizontally rotating the central axis 23' from the outside in a U shape. ing. Therefore, the arm 24 and the arm 24 'are provided in parallel vertically. This makes the slide unit
When 19, 19 'reciprocates on the second rail 11, the lifting device 18 moves on the second rail 11 away from the first rail 10 by the arm 24 about the central axis 23' and the arrow mark. Rotate in the D direction. Similarly, the lifting device 18 'is also moved about the central axis 23 by the arm 24' so as to separate from the first rail 10.
11 Move up and rotate in the direction of arrow E.

Therefore, by exciting the second electromagnet 17,
Is connected to the connecting piece 14 ', the second carrier 13
And the first carrier 12 integrally reciprocate on the first rail 10 in the arrow F direction. Therefore, the lifting devices 18, 18 'rotatably attached to the second rail 11 through the slide units 19, 19' also have the first device between the tray take-out position a and the tray mounting position b. With respect to the rail 10 and the second rail 11, the lifting devices 18 and 18 'are moved with their edges aligned in parallel. When the first electromagnet 16 is connected to the connecting piece 14 by the excitation of the first electromagnet 16, the second carrier 13 is left on the one end side c of the first rail 10. Only the second rail 11 fixed to the first carrier 12 reciprocates on the first rail 10 in the arrow F direction. Therefore, the lifting devices 18 and 18 'respectively rotate in the arrow D direction and the arrow E direction while moving between the tray removal position a and the tray mounting position b. Then, the lifting device is moved from the tray take-out position a to the tray loading position b.
Once the 18,18 'are positioned, they stop exactly 90 degrees rotated.

Next, the lifting device 18, 18 'has the following configuration. That is, the outer shape is the same as that of the tray 4, and the vacuum cases 25 and 25 'which are smaller than the tray 4 and the vacuum cases 25 and 25' include the vacuum cases 25 and 25 '.
Suckers 26, 26, ... As a suction means for sucking the chicken eggs 3 placed on the tray 4, hanging vertically downward from the lower surface of 25 '.
・ A total of 30 of 5 and 6 are arranged vertically and horizontally. Further, the partition walls 6 arranged along the side edges of the tray 4 are hooked on the vacuum cases 25, 25 'from the vicinity of both side walls of the side edges of the vacuum cases 25, 25' having the six suction cups 26 arranged side by side. An air chuck 27 as a hooking means is vertically suspended and fixed.

Therefore, this air chuck 27 is equipped with a lifting device 18,1.
Tray 4 with 6 eggs in each 8 '
Are arranged so as to grab the partition walls 6 in the outermost row. A detection device 28 as detection means for the tray 4 is provided in the middle of the side walls at the edges of the vacuum cases 25, 25 ', that is, in the middle of the two air chucks 27 provided on the side walls. Therefore, there are two detection devices 28 for each lifting device 18, 18 '. The detection device 28
Is a tray contact rod 29 that hangs vertically downward, a U-shaped support base 30 that supports the tray contact rod 29 in a suspended state,
It comprises a contact piece 31 fixed in parallel to the tip of a tray contact rod 29 protruding from the upper surface of the support base 30, and a switch 32 which is in constant contact with the contact piece 31. The function of the detection device 28 is that when the tray contact rod 29 hits the tray 4, the tray contact rod 29 is pushed up, the contact piece 31 contacting the switch 32 is separated from the switch 32, and the switch 32 is released. Is to output a detection signal.

The air chuck 27 is a vacuum case 25,2.
Via the spacer 33 provided on the upper surface of 5 ', the solenoid valve 34
Is linked to. That is, the air chuck 27 is fixed to the joint 35, and the interlocking shaft fixed to the joint 35.
36 is a solenoid valve 34 that penetrates the spacer 33 through a stopper 37.
It is fixed to. Therefore, when the solenoid valve 34 is activated, the interlocking shaft 36 fixed to the solenoid valve 34 moves to the vacuum cases 25, 2
The air chucks 27 pulled to the 5'side and fixed via the joints 35 are
Is pushed in so that the width of The claws 38 of the pushed air chuck 27 come into contact with the holes 7 when the air chuck 27 is pushed in, and then the claws 38 opposed to each other of the air chuck 27 rotate inward to grab the partition wall 6. Rotates inward to grab the septum 6. A rubber-like resin 39 is adhered and fixed to the inside of the claw portion 38 of the air chuck 27. This is the partition wall 6 of the tray 4.
It prevents the claw 38 from slipping down even if it is grasped and lifted (see FIG. 4).

The tray take-out device 9 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration operates as follows. In the lifting devices 18, 18 'shown in FIG. 2, the air chuck 27 on the right side of the drawing is omitted, and the inspection device 28 is shown. Further, the inspection device 28 on the left side of the drawing is omitted, and the air chuck 27 is illustrated.
Further, in FIGS. 5 and 6, conversely, the inspection device 28 on the right side of the drawings is omitted, and the air chuck 28 on the left side of the drawings is also omitted.

2 and 3, when the container 2 is fed from the direction of the arrow A on the feeding conveyor 1, the container 2 is positioned at the tray take-out position a set on the feeding conveyor 1 and stopped. . FIG. 2 shows each lifting device 18, 18 'being lowered to take out the last one. By operating the air cylinders 21 and 21 ', the lifting devices 18 and 18' are lowered, and the container 2
The case of contacting the inner tray 4 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 6 shows a case where the suction cups 26 of the lifting devices 18, 18 'match the arrangement of the chicken eggs 3 placed on the storage seat 5 of the tray 4. This is the case when the lifting device 18, 18 'is lowered with respect to the tray 4 stored in the container 2 as shown in FIG. In this case, the tray contact rod 29 of the detection device 28 contacts the bottom surface of the tray 4 and is pushed up against the support base 30. When the tray contact rod 29 is pushed up, the switch 32 that was in contact with the contact piece 31 is released, and this release signal is output as a detection signal of the tray 4, and upon receipt of this detection signal, the lifting devices 18, 18 ' When the air in the vacuum cases 25, 25 'is sucked by driving a suction device (not shown) to be a vacuum, the sucker 26 sucks the chicken egg 3 placed on the accommodation seat 5. Further, when the air chuck 27 receives the detection signal, the two pairs of claw portions 38 are engaged with the holes 7 of the partition wall 6 and are sandwiched as shown in FIG. That is, specifically, when the detection signal is output, the vacuum case 2
The solenoid valve 34 attached to the upper surface of the 5, 25 'is operated, and the interlocking shaft 36 connected to the solenoid valve 34 via the stopper 37
Is pulled inward with respect to the vacuum cases 25, 25 '. This interlocking shaft 36 penetrates the spacer 33, has a gap, and is connected to another stopper 37.
The air chuck 27 is fixed to the joint 35 fixed to 37. Therefore, the interlocked shaft 36 that has been pulled in pulls in the air chuck 27 at the same time. The claw portion 38 of the air chuck 27 thus pulled operates so as to push the partition wall 6 into the inside of the tray 4. That is, the tray 4 is sandwiched by the air chucks 27 from both sides. The pair of claw portions 38 that abut the partition wall 6 then move inward to sandwich the partition wall 6. Therefore, as described above, the resin 39 fixed to the claw portion 38 engages with the hole portion 7 of the partition wall 6, and this operation is performed on the opposite edges of the tray 4, so that the rows on both sides of the tray 4 are A certain partition wall 6 will be hooked and securely gripped.

However, as shown in FIG. 5, the sucker 2 of the lifting device 18, 18 '
When 6 does not match the arrangement of the eggs 3 placed on the accommodation seat 5 of the tray 4, the tray contact rod 29 of the detection device 28 does not contact the bottom surface of the tray 4 but contacts the partition wall 6. It will be. In this case as well, the detection signal is output from the detection device 28, but the suction cup 26 cannot adsorb the placed chicken egg 3. At the same time, the air chuck 27 also operates, but at that time, the claw portion 38 does not reach the partition wall 6 again, and the partition wall 6 cannot be sandwiched. Therefore, even if the lifting devices 18 and 18 'are lifted thereafter, the tray 4 still remains in the container 2. Therefore, the lifting devices 18 and 18 'do not grip the tray 4 and
It is assumed that the gripper has been gripped, and the operation is executed up to the tray mounting position b of the transport conveyor 8. However, when the operation is executed, the lifting devices 18, 18 'are rotated 90 degrees this time, and the tray 4 which has not been transferred last time is positioned to be taken out, so that the tray 4 is placed on the accommodation seat 5 of the tray 4. The sequence of chicken egg 3 and the sequence of sucker 26 will match.

FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10 illustrate the movement of the lifting devices 18, 18 ′ that reciprocate between the tray removal position a and the tray loading position b by the first rail 10. It was done. 7 and 8 show a lifting device
18 and 18 ′ do not rotate but reciprocate along the first rail 10 in parallel with the arrow F direction. In this case, the first electromagnet 16 is not excited and the second electromagnet 16
17 is excited. Therefore, the connecting piece 14 'and the second electromagnet 17
When the first carrier 12 moves on the first rail 10 in the direction from the tray loading position b to the tray removal position a by the driving of a driving device (not shown), The carrier 13 also moves along with it. Further, when the first rail 10 is moved in a state where the first carrier 12 and the second carrier 13 are connected to each other, the central shafts 23, 23 'attached to the projecting piece 15 of the second carrier 13 are lifted up. An arm 2 connecting the connecting shafts 22 ', 22 of the devices 18', 18 with each other.
4'and 24 also move in parallel in the direction of arrow F as shown in FIG. That is, when the lifting device 18, 18 ′ positioned at the tray take-out position a lifts the tray 4 together with the housed egg 3, the lifting device 18, 18 ′ does not rotate and the tray loading position b remains unchanged. After moving to the upper position and being positioned, the tray 4 is placed on the transport conveyor 8.

The first electromagnet 16 and the second electromagnet 17 are lifting devices.
Each time 18, 18 'is reciprocated between the tray take-out position b and the tray placing position a, it is alternately excited. Therefore, while the tray 4 is being placed on the conveyor 8, the first carrier is
The second carrier 13 connected to 12 is on one end side c of the first rail 10, and this time the first electromagnet 16 is excited to connect the first electromagnet 16 and the connecting piece 14. To be done. The first carrier 12 is moved to the first rail by the drive of the drive device.
Even if 10 is moved toward the tray take-out position b, the second carrier 13 does not move, and the lifting devices 18 and 18 ′ do not move while the second carrier 13 remains on the tray loading position b. Move to the tray ejection position a. At that time, the slide units 19 and 19 'supporting the lifting devices 18 and 18' slide outward on the second rail 11 so as to be separated from each other, and the lifting devices 18 and 18 'are brought to the tray removal position a. Positioned, the slide units 19, 19 'have returned to their original position.

In FIG. 9- (a) and FIG. 10- (a), the lifting devices 18, 18 ′ located on the tray mounting position b are moved together with the second rail 11 by the movement of the first carrier 12. As it moves on the one rail 10 in the direction of the tray take-out position a, the lifting device 18 has a central shaft 23 'connected by an arm 24 as a center, and the central shaft 23' and the connecting shaft 22.
With the radius of the straight line connecting the and, the arm 24 rotates in the direction of the arrow D while being pulled. Central shaft 23 'and arm 24
Are rotatably attached, but the arm 24 and the connecting shaft 22 are fixed, so that the lifting device 18 gradually changes its direction by the rotation in the direction of the arrow D. Further, since the lifting device 18 is rotatably attached to the pedestal 20 of the slide unit 19, the lifting device 18 moves outward on the second rail 11 away from the first rail 10. Then, when the lifting device 18 rotates exactly 45 degrees, that is, when the line connecting the central axis 23 'and the connecting shaft 22 is parallel to the second rail 11, it is in the farthest state. In addition, the lifting device 18 'is also similar to the arm 24'.
Rotate in the direction of arrow E while being pulled by. Then, when the lifting device 18 'rotates exactly 45 degrees, that is, the line connecting the central shaft 23 and the connecting shaft 22' becomes the second rail 11.
When parallel to, the lifting device 18 'has moved to the furthest position from the first rail 10.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9- (b) and FIG. 10- (b), the first carrier 12 continues to move together with the second rail 11 on the first rail 10 in the tray removal position a direction. When the lifting device 18, 18 ′ rotates by 45 degrees by moving the lifting device 18, 18 ′ to, the lifting device 18, 18 ′ is pulled by the arms 24 ′, 24, and the second rail 11 moves to the first rail 10. Move towards. When the lifting devices 18, 18 'are positioned on the tray ejecting position a, the tray loading position b
From the orientation of the lifting device 18,18 'that was above
In the state of being rotated by 0 degree, the trays 4 housed in the container 2 face each other in the same direction. In this way, the lifting devices 18, 18 'alternately perform the parallel movement and the 90 degree rotational movement between the tray take-out position a and the tray placing position b.

In this embodiment, the lifting device 18, 18 'is in the direction of arrow E,
And as the center point of rotation in the direction of arrow D, the central axes 23,2
The two points 3'are expanded in the direction of rotation so that the radii for each rotation intersect, and the lifting device 18 is rotated about a central axis 23 'located far from the lifting device 18 and lifted again. With respect to the device 18 ', it rotates about a central axis 23 which is remote from the lifting device 18'. As a result, the trays 4 arranged in two rows in the container 2 are taken out, the two taken-out trays 4 are rotated by 90 degrees, and the trays 4 are taken out from the taken-out position. The width between the trays 4 is substantially maintained and the trays are efficiently placed at the tray placement position b of the conveyor.

The tray take-out device 9 of the present embodiment is a device for taking out and transferring the trays 4 which are arranged in two rows side by side, and the air chuck 27 removes the partition wall 6 of the tray 4. It includes a device for performing the tray lifting operation with or without hooking and gripping.

Therefore, even if the air chuck 27 cannot grip the partition wall 6, the lifting devices 18, 18 'rotate 90 degrees next time to perform the take-out operation, so that the tray 4 is staggered in the container 2 (for example, four stages). Even if the trays are stored, they can be continuously carried out without stopping the tray take-out device.

As another embodiment of the first and second retaining means, connection and release by fitting fitting those having conformity such as concavo-convex, and connection and opening by engagement by engaging a hooking mechanism with each other. There is something to do.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, by providing the tray take-out device of the present invention, the trays stacked in two rows in the container are accommodated with the edges of the adjacent trays intersecting each other. You can lift the trays in each row at the same time, so you don't have to hook them to break eggs.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a rear view of FIG. 1 viewed from I, FIG. 3 is a side view of FIG. 1 viewed from II, and FIG. A perspective view showing an air chuck,
FIGS. 5 and 6 are side views of the lifting device, FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing the movement of the carrier, FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the movement of the lifting device, and FIGS. Fig .- (b) is an explanatory view showing the movement of the carrier, Fig. 10- (a) and Fig. 10-
(B) is an explanatory view showing the movement of the lifting device. 1 ... infeed conveyor, 2 ... container 4 ... tray, 5 ... storage seat 6 ... partition, 7 ... hole 8 ... transport conveyor 9 ... tray take-out device 10 ... first rail, 11 ...... Second rail 12 ...... First carrier, 13 ...... Second carrier 16 ...... First electromagnet, 17 ...... Second electromagnet 18,18 '...... Lifting device 19,19' …… Slide unit 26 …… Sucker, 27 …… Air chuck 28 …… Detecting device, 38 …… Claw

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A tray, which is molded to house n eggs (n + 1) in a plane in an orderly arrangement, is rotated by 90 degrees so that the trays are engaged with each other by stacking a plurality of trays. From the inside of the container, by a lifting means having a suction means for sucking the eggs placed on the tray and a holding means for holding the tray containing the eggs, one by one is taken out from the top, and the next step In the tray take-out device for supplying to the container, two units are provided in order to take out the trays, each of which is a stack of a plurality of the lifting means in the container in two rows, and the holding means is formed on the tray. Locking means for locking the partition walls arranged along the opposing tray edges with respect to the row of partition walls for storing chicken eggs, the locking means being provided in the lifting means. Tray pickup device characterized in that it operates by the detection signal from the tray detecting means is.