JP4122385B2 - Automatic alignment device for tapered products - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an automatic alignment device suitable for use as a part of an automatic boxing device for products (for example, cup noodles) having a tapered outer shape.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Since the tapered product as described above has a large-diameter end and a small-diameter end, when packaging a plurality of tapered products in a space-saving manner, when the packaging state is viewed from above, the vertical direction It is preferable to arrange every other tapered product upside down so that the large-diameter end and the small-diameter end appear alternately in the lateral direction.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Accordingly, the present invention can be arranged a number of tapered products alternately automatically efficiently upside down, it is intended to provide automated integer RetsuSo location of the tapered item.
[0004]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an automatic alignment apparatus for tapered products according to the present invention as set forth in claim 1, transporting means for transporting the tapered products along a transport path of even rows defined by guides, Inverting means disposed in a half of the even-numbered conveyance paths, comprising an abutting portion that abuts the front upper portion of the tapered product in the conveying direction, with the large-diameter end facing upward In cooperation with the transporting action of the tapered product by the transporting means, the tapered product is inverted on the transporting means with the small-diameter end portion facing upward, and the inverted means is inverted by the inverting means. Air is applied to the taper-shaped product or abutted against the taper-shaped product so that the tapered product and the taper-shaped product in the standing state are alternately arranged in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction when viewed from above. , the transport Mixing means for changing the position of the tapered product between each other, wherein the inverted means is disposed every other tapered product in the inverted state of the conveying path in which the inverted means is disposed. Next to the adjacent conveyance path where the inverted means is disposed every other tapered product in the standing state of the conveyance path where the inverted means is not disposed. Mixing means that is automatically controlled so as to be moved to the road.
[0007]
Here, the number of taper-shaped product conveyance rows is set to an even number, so that the same number of upright tapered products and inverted tapered products are conveyed to the mixing means unit, so that they are continuously supplied. This is because it is possible to line up alternately.
[0008]
As the mixing means, in addition to a type that changes the position without directly contacting the tapered product, such as an air nozzle described later in the section of the embodiment, a type that abuts the tapered product and changes its position. Can also be adopted.
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic alignment apparatus for tapered products according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the distribution means distributes the tapered products supplied in one example by blowing air to the respective conveying paths. Is provided.
[0010]
A taper-shaped product automatic alignment apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the taper-shaped product automatic alignment apparatus according to the second aspect , wherein the distribution unit includes a first distribution unit that distributes the tapered product into a plurality of rows, and a second distribution means for distributing the further plurality of rows of tapered product of at least a predetermined any one row of the distributed tapered product columns said first dispensing means, in those configured. If the distribution operation is performed in a plurality of stages as described above, it is preferable that the distribution can be more reliably performed with a simple configuration as compared with the case where the distribution is performed to a large number of even-numbered columns at a time.
[0012]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic alignment apparatus for tapered products according to the first, second or third aspect , wherein the conveying means below the inverted means is made independent to provide a belt having a large friction coefficient. It is a conveyor. In this way, the tapered product can be inverted more reliably.
[0013]
A taper-shaped product automatic alignment apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the taper-shaped product automatic alignment apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the taper-shaped product is in contact with the tapered product on each of the transport paths and is tapered on the transport means. The product is provided with a stopper for stopping the movement of the product and releasing the tapered product after the tapered product is collected in a predetermined number.
[0014]
Automatic alignment apparatus tapered product according to the present invention as set forth in claim 6, in what according to claim 5, given the each conveying path in the conveying direction upstream side of the tapered items than the stopper Detecting means for detecting that an allowable limit amount of the tapered product has accumulated, and based on a signal from the detecting means, a tapered product removing means for forcibly removing the subsequent tapered product from the conveying means; Is provided.
[0015]
A taper-shaped product automatic alignment apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the taper-shaped product automatic alignment apparatus according to the sixth aspect , wherein the tapered product released from the conveying means by the tapered product release means is distributed in the distribution manner. those having a conveying means for returning for than means back to the upstream side in the conveying direction of the tapered item.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an automatic boxing device for tapered products, which includes an automatic alignment device for tapered products according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view thereof.
[0018]
In these drawings, a large number of tapered products 1 are arranged in a line from a product manufacturing line (not shown) via a tapered product supply conveyor 3 on an alignment belt conveyor 2 which is a conveying means for tapered products 1. It will be forwarded. Then, a distribution process A, an inversion process B, and a mixing process C are sequentially performed on the alignment belt conveyor 2. Finally, a boxing process D is performed on a boxing conveyor 4 different from the alignment belt conveyor 2. To be implemented.
[0019]
In the illustrated example, as the tapered product supply conveyor 3, two wire conveyors 5 and 6 extending in the conveying direction of the tapered product 1 (left and right direction in FIGS. 1 and 2) are used. Each of these two wire conveyors 5 and 6 is composed of a pair of wires parallel to each other when viewed from above, so that the tapered product 1 is reliably delivered from the first wire conveyor 5 to the next wire conveyor 6. The taper-shaped product 1 is disposed so as to be partially wrapped in the transport direction.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 2, the conveyor 5 on the upstream side of the two wire conveyors 5 and 6 moves the tapered product 1 forward with its large-diameter end directed in the conveyance direction. The width between the wires is slightly narrower than the diameter of the small-diameter end of the tapered product 1.
[0021]
On the other hand, the conveyor 6 on the downstream side in the transport direction of the two wire conveyors 5 and 6 receives the tapered product 1 from the upstream wire conveyor 5 and stands up while transporting it as shown in FIG. The width of the wire is slightly narrower than the diameter of the large-diameter end of the tapered product 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the downstream wire conveyor 6 has a portion that gradually extends upward from the middle of the upstream wire conveyor 1, and the tapered product 1 is conveyed to the right in FIG. While being done, the large-diameter end is erected so that it faces upward.
[0022]
The tapered products 1 sequentially fed from the tapered product supply conveyor 3 to the alignment belt conveyor 2 are conveyed to the distribution means 7 on the alignment belt conveyor 2 while being conveyed by the alignment belt conveyor 2. It (in the illustrated example four rows) Ri偶 sequence is distributed to. This is the distribution step A. Here, from the viewpoint of making the distribution work simple and reliable, the distribution is avoided at once and is performed in a plurality of stages.
[0023]
Specifically, the distribution means 7 includes a first distribution means 8 that distributes the tapered product 1 into a plurality of rows, and at least a predetermined one of the tapered product rows distributed by the first distribution means 8. The second distribution means 9 that further distributes any one of the tapered products 1 into a plurality of rows is provided, so that the conveyance rows of the tapered products finally become an even number.
[0024]
In the illustrated example, first, the tapered products supplied in one row are distributed in three rows by the first distributing means 8, and then in the center of the tapered product rows distributed by the first distributing means 8. The tapered product 1 in a row is further distributed into two rows by the second distribution means 9. Hereinafter, the four rows of transport paths of the tapered product 1 are referred to as a first transport path R1, a second transport path R2, a third transport path R3, and a fourth transport path R4 in order from the top in FIG.
[0025]
The four rows of transport paths R1 to R4 of the tapered product 1 are defined above the alignment belt conveyor 2 by rod-shaped guides 10 supported in parallel to each other in the transport direction of the tapered product 1. . Further, an upper guide plate 11 is provided above the alignment belt conveyor 2 with a space slightly larger than the height of the tapered product 1 between the alignment belt conveyor 2 and the conveying surface of the alignment belt conveyor 2. The upper guide plate 11 prevents the tapered product 1 from falling during conveyance.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 1, the rod-shaped guide 10 that defines the transport paths R <b> 1 to R <b> 4 is provided with a cut as needed in the middle thereof. This is to make it possible to change the position of the tapered product 1 by the mixing means 12 described later and forcibly release the tapered product 1 from the alignment belt conveyor 2 by the tapered product release means 13 described later. is there.
[0027]
The first distribution means 8 includes two distribution air nozzles 8a and 8b connected to a compressed air supply source (not shown). These two distribution air nozzles 8a, 8b are respectively on the left and right outside of the passage through which the tapered product 1 passes immediately after being supplied from the tapered product supply conveyor 3 to the alignment belt conveyor 2, It is in the direction intersecting the passage and in the direction of the first transport path R1 and the fourth transport path R4. The two distribution air nozzles 8a and 8b are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined time interval in a predetermined direction at a predetermined position with respect to the tapered product 1 being transported by the alignment belt conveyor 2. And air of a predetermined pressure is blown. The tapered product 1 sprayed with air slides on the belt conveyor 2 for alignment in the air discharge direction.
[0028]
Specifically, for example, one of the two distribution air nozzles 8a and 8b is jetted to the first tapered product 1 that is fed forward, and this is injected into the first transport path R1. Move. The second and third tapered products 1 that are fed forward are allowed to pass straight without spouting air. The other 8a of the two distribution air nozzles 8a and 8b is jetted onto the fourth tapered product 1, and this is moved to the fourth transport path R4. The rest is this repetition.
[0029]
Similarly to the first distribution unit 8, the second distribution unit 9 includes two distribution air nozzles 9a and 9b connected to a compressed air supply source (not shown). These two distribution air nozzles 9a and 9b alternately distribute the tapered product 1 that has passed straight through the first distribution means 8 to the second conveyance path R2 and the third conveyance path R3. As described above, when the tapered product 1 comes to a predetermined position, air is alternately blown out in a direction crossing each other.
[0030]
As described above, the tapered products 1 fed in a row on the alignment belt conveyor 2 are regularly and continuously distributed one by one to the four transport paths R1 to R4. The distribution means 7 is controlled by a computer according to a predetermined program.
[0031]
In the half of the four transport paths R1 to R4, as the means for performing the inversion process B, there is an inversion means 14 that inverts the tapered product 1 passing thereover on the belt conveyor 2 for alignment. Is provided. Here, the inversion means 14 is disposed in each of the first transport path R1 and the fourth transport path R4 located on the outside.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 2, each inverted means 14 in the illustrated example includes an abutting portion 14 a that abuts on the front upper part in the conveying direction of the tapered product 1, and the operation of conveying the tapered product by the alignment belt conveyor 2. The tapered product 1 is inverted in cooperation. The abutting portion 14a is disposed in the first conveying path R1 so that the first conveying path R1 and the fourth conveying path R4 are brought into contact with the tapered product 1 being conveyed and inverted one after another. And is fixed so as to enter the fourth transport path R4 from above. Further, in the present embodiment, the belt having a large coefficient of friction is made independent of the alignment belt conveyor 2a below each of the inverting means 14 so that the tapered products 1 sequentially fed can be reliably inverted. A conveyor is used (see FIG. 2).
[0033]
The mixing means 12 is provided as an implementation means of the mixing step C on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the tapered product 1 with respect to the inverted means 14. The mixing means 12, in the alignment belt conveyor on 2 performs its position changes abut on by spraying air to the tapered item 1 or the tapered products were a large diameter end portion in an upward standing The tapered product 1a in a state and the tapered product 1b in an inverted state with a small-diameter end facing upward are alternately mixed in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction when viewed from above.
[0034]
Here, the mixing means 12 is constituted by four mixing air nozzles 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d that are respectively connected to a compressed air source. These mixing air nozzles 12a to 12d are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined time interval with respect to the tapered product 1 (1a, 1b) being transported by the alignment belt conveyor 2. Then, air of a predetermined pressure is blown in a predetermined direction. The tapered product 1 sprayed with air changes its position to another conveyance path while sliding on the belt conveyor 2 for alignment.
[0035]
That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the first air nozzle 12 a for mixing is configured such that every other tapered product 1 b that is sequentially fed in the first conveying path R <b> 1 in an inverted state, to the adjacent second conveying path R <b> 2. Change the position. The second air nozzle for mixing 12b changes the position of every other tapered product 1a that is sequentially fed in the standing state in the second transport path R2 to the adjacent first transport path R1. The mixing third air nozzle 12c changes the position of every other tapered product 1a that is sequentially fed in the standing state in the third conveying path R3 to the adjacent fourth conveying path R4. The fourth mixing air nozzle 12d changes the position of every other tapered product 1b that is sequentially fed in the inverted state in the fourth transport path R4 to the adjacent third transport path.
[0036]
The mixing means 12 is controlled by a computer according to a predetermined program.
[0037]
On the downstream side in the conveying direction of the tapered product 1 with respect to the mixing means 12, the tapered product 1 of each row is stopped on the alignment belt conveyor by contacting the tapered product 1a, 1b of each row. In addition, a stopper 15 is provided for releasing the tapered product group after the tapered product 1 is gathered into a predetermined number. The stopper 15 includes a downstream stopper 15b located on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the tapered product 1 and an upstream stopper 15a located on the upstream side.
[0038]
Each of the stoppers 15a and 15b includes, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an abutting member group 16 that abuts against the tapered products 1a and 1b in each row and stops its movement, And an actuator 17 as control means for controlling movement. Each actuator 17 is controlled by a computer, and moves up and down the abutting member group 16 having a downward bar shape according to a predetermined program. In the illustrated example, the stoppers 15a and 15b have the same configuration, but at least the contact member group 16 constituting the upstream stopper 15a is lowered into a dense tapered product group. In addition, it is desirable to provide two each on the left and right sides corresponding to the respective transport paths R1 to R4 so as to enter the gaps between the respective tapered products 1 (see FIG. 1).
[0039]
The interval between the contact member group 16 of the upstream stopper 15a and the contact member group 16 of the downstream stopper 15b is determined according to the packaging size of the tapered product 1, and the tapered product 1a in the standing state. And the tapered product 1b in an inverted state are in contact with each other and are approximately equal to the length when a predetermined number of the products are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction (conveying direction of the tapered product 1). In the illustrated example, the boxed size of the tapered product 1 is twelve in total, three vertically and four horizontally, so that the upright tapered product 1a and the inverted tapered product 1b are in contact with each other. Thus, it is made to match the length when a total of three are arranged alternately.
[0040]
The operation patterns of the stoppers 15a and 15b are, for example, as follows. First, the upstream stopper 15a is retracted upward so that the contact member group 16 is disengaged from the outside of the transport paths R1 to R4, and only the downstream stopper 15b is moved to the contact member group 16 by the contact member group 16. It is lowered so as to be located at the end of each of the transport paths R1 to R4. In this state, the taper-shaped products that are successively sent through the respective transport paths R1 to R4 are dammed by the downstream stopper 15b, and the taper-shaped products are slid relatively on the alignment belt conveyor 2 that continues to move. 1a and 1b are densely arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions.
[0041]
When the tapered product 1 has accumulated to the upstream side beyond just below the upstream stopper 15a, the upstream stopper 15a is lowered, and then the downstream stopper 15b is raised. Then, a total of twelve tapered commodity groups downstream from the upstream stopper 15a are sent to the next boxing step D while being neatly packed by the conveying action of the alignment belt conveyor 2.
[0042]
Thereafter, the downstream stopper 15b is lowered and the upstream stopper 15a is raised. Thereafter, the above is repeated.
[0043]
As described above, the group of tapered products grouped by a predetermined number is successively transferred onto the boxing conveyor 4 provided so as to be connected to the terminal end of the alignment belt conveyor 2, and is shown in FIG. As described above, the boxes 21 that are moved up and down and horizontally moved are automatically packed into the boxes 21 that are sequentially fed onto the other conveyor 20 by the boxing transfer device 19 having the boxing guides 18 that can move up and down and move horizontally.
[0044]
Further, detection means 22 for detecting that a predetermined allowable limit amount of the tapered product 1 has accumulated in each of the transport paths R1 to R4 on the upstream side in the transport direction of the tapered product 1 from the upstream stopper 15a. And a tapered product detaching means 13 for forcibly detaching the succeeding tapered product 1 from the alignment belt conveyor 2 laterally based on a signal from the detection means 22. This is an emergency device. For example, when the tapered product 1 is excessively accumulated on the upstream side of the upstream stopper 15a due to an abnormal operation of the downstream stopper 15b, the alignment belt conveyor 2 is arranged. This is to avoid unnecessary accumulation of the succeeding tapered product 1 without stopping the operation.
[0045]
As the detection means 22, for example, a suitable sensor known per se such as a non-contact type is used. For example, when the sensors are provided side by side above predetermined points on the transport paths R1 to R4, and the sensors detect the presence of the tapered product 1 at the same time, the tapered product release means 13 is provided. So that a signal is sent to.
[0046]
Further, as the tapered product detaching means 13, in the illustrated example, forced detaching air nozzles 13a and 13b having the same configuration as the mixing air nozzles 12a to 12d are used. Each of the forced detachment air nozzles 13a, 13b is provided in the vicinity of the mixing means 12, and two are provided from the central portion of the alignment belt conveyor 2 outward in the width direction. The forced release air nozzles 13a and 13b blow out air having a pressure higher than that of the mixing air nozzles 12a to 12d so that the excessive tapered product 1 can be reliably released from the alignment belt conveyor 2. It is like that.
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 1, the tapered product 1 that has been exposed to air from each of the forced detachment air nozzles 13 a and 13 b passes through the cut of the rod-shaped guide 10, and on both sides of the alignment belt conveyor 2. take collection tray 24 provided respectively by the return conveyor 23 is returned to the upstream side of the dispensing means 7. For this reason, it is not necessary to immediately stop the entire line even in an emergency.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an automatic boxing device for tapered products, which includes an automatic alignment device for tapered products according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a stopper portion.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a boxing process.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tapered product 1a Tapered product of standing state 1b Tapered product of inverted state 2 Belt conveyor for alignment (conveying means)
7 Distributing means 8 First distributing means 9 Second distributing means
10 Bar-shaped guide (guide)
11 Upper guide plate (guide)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Mixing means 13 Tapered goods forced detachment means 14 Inverting means 14a Contact part 15 Stopper 22 Detection means 23 Return conveyance means R1-R4

Claims (7)

Conveying means (2) for conveying the tapered product (1) along an even number of conveying paths (R1, R2, R3, R4) defined in parallel by guides (10, 11);
Inverting means (14) disposed in half of the even-numbered conveyance paths (R1, R2, R3, R4), and standing up with the large-diameter end facing upward The taper-shaped product (1) is provided with an abutting portion (14a) that abuts the front upper portion in the transport direction, and cooperates with the transporting action of the tapered product (1) by the transport means (2). An inverted means (14) for inverting the product (1) on the conveying means (2) so that the small diameter end portion is upward,
The tapered product (1b) inverted by the inverted means (14) and the tapered product (1a) in an upright state are alternately arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions as viewed from above. The tapered product (1a, 1b) is blown between the conveying paths (R1, R2, R3, R4) by blowing air on the product (1a, 1b) or in contact with the tapered product (1a, 1b). Every other tapered product (1b) in the inverted state of the conveying path (R1, R4) in which the inverted means (14) is disposed, It is moved to the adjacent conveyance path (R2, R3) where the inversion means (14) is not disposed, and the conveyance path (R2, R3) where the inversion means (14) is not disposed is in an upright state. The taper-shaped product (1a) For mind, the so allowed to move to the conveyance path of the next the inverted section (14) is disposed (R1, R4), and mixing means which is automatically controlled (12),
A device for automatically aligning tapered products. The taper according to claim 1, comprising distribution means (7) for spraying air to the tapered product (1) supplied in one example and distributing the air to the respective conveying paths (R1, R2, R3, R4). Automatic product alignment device.   The distribution means (7) includes a first distribution means (8) for distributing the tapered product (1) into a plurality of rows, and a tapered product row distributed by the first distribution means (8). 3. The apparatus for automatically aligning tapered products according to claim 2, further comprising: a second distribution unit (9) for distributing at least one predetermined row of the tapered products (1) into a plurality of rows.   The automatic alignment device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the conveying means below the inversion means (14) is made independent to form a belt conveyor (2a) having a large friction coefficient.   The tapered product (1) on the transport means (2) is stopped on contact with the tapered product (1) of each of the transport paths (R1, R2, R3, R4), and the tapered product (1) is stopped. The automatic alignment apparatus for tapered products according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a stopper (15) for releasing the tapered products (1) after 1) is gathered to a predetermined number.   A tapered product (1) having a predetermined allowable limit amount is accumulated for each of the transport paths (R1, R2, R3, R4) on the upstream side of the stopper (15) in the transport direction of the tapered product (1). Detection means (22) for detecting this, and tapered product release means for forcibly releasing the subsequent tapered product (1) from the transport means (2) based on a signal from the detection means (22) (13), The automatic alignment apparatus of the tapered goods of Claim 5 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The tapered product (1) detached from the conveying means (2) by the tapered product removing means (13) is located upstream of the distributing means (7) in the conveying direction of the tapered product (1). The automatic alignment apparatus for tapered goods according to claim 6, comprising a return conveying means (23) for returning.

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