JP4433239B2

JP4433239B2 - Alignment device and dispensing device

Info

Publication number: JP4433239B2
Application number: JP2000029194A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 清有方; 孝一郎橋本; 克行平福; 伸太郎藤原
Original assignee: Okura Yusoki KK
Current assignee: Okura Yusoki KK
Priority date: 2000-02-07
Filing date: 2000-02-07
Publication date: 2010-03-17
Anticipated expiration: 2020-02-07
Also published as: JP2001220013A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、物品を複数列に整列させる整列装置、および複数列に整列された物品を列単位に払い出す払出装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、例えば、ペットボトル、ビン、および缶などの容器を輸送する場合には、１列状態で供給される複数個の物品を複数列に集合させた整列状態とするとともに、この整列状態の物品をパレット上に複数段に積載しており、また、パレットで輸送された物品を荷降しする場合には、パレット上から複数列に整列状態の物品を１段ずつ降ろすとともに、降ろされた整列状態の物品を１列状態で払い出している。
【０００３】
そして、１列状態で搬送される物品を複数列に整列させる整列装置は、一端側を支点として他端側が揺動するガイド体を有し、このガイド体の一端側から１列状態の物品を受け入れて他端側から払い出すようにするとともに、ガイド体の他端側の揺動位置すなわちガイド体の他端側からの物品の払出位置を変更することにより、物品を複数列に振り分けている。
【０００４】
また、複数列に整列された物品を１列状態で払い出す払出装置は、整列装置と同様の構造で物品の流れを逆にしたものであり、ガイド体の他端側を複数列の物品の各受入位置に順次移動させ、複数列の物品を順次１列ずつガイド体の他端側から受け入れて一端側から１列状態で払い出している。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、従来の整列装置では、ガイド体を揺動させて物品を複数列に振り分けるので、ガイド体の揺動によって振り分け可能とする列数は４列程度が限界であって、整列させる物品の列数が多い場合には対応できないとともに、物品を複数列に整列させる能力が低い問題がある。
【０００６】
また、払出装置では、ガイド体を揺動させて物品を複数列に振り分けるので、ガイド体の揺動によってガイド体に受け入れ可能とする列数は４列程度が限界であって、受け入れる物品の列数が多い場合には対応できないとともに、複数列の物品を１列状態で払い出す能力が低い問題がある。
【０００７】
本発明は、このような点に鑑みなされたもので、物品を整列させる列数が多い場合でも対応できるとともに物品を複数列に整列させる能力を向上できる整列装置、物品を受け入れる列数が多い場合でも対応できるとともに複数列の物品を列単位に払い出す能力を向上できる払出装置を提供することを目的とする。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１記載の整列装置は、物品を少なくとも１列状態で搬送する第１の搬送手段と、この第１の搬送手段より列数が多くそれぞれ物品を搬送する複数列の搬送レーンを有する第２の搬送手段と、物品を搬送する複数列の整列レーン、およびこれら各整列レーンの一端部を前記第１の搬送手段から物品を受け入れる位置に順次移動させるとともに各整列レーンの他端部を前記第２の搬送手段の各搬送レーンに物品を送り出す位置に移動させる移動部を有する整列手段と、この整列手段の各整列レーン内の物品および第２の搬送手段の各搬送レーン内の物品を載せて搬送する無端搬送体とを具備しているものである。
【０００９】
そして、整列手段の各整列レーンの一端部を第１の搬送手段から物品を受け入れる位置に順次移動させて各整列レーン内に物品を順次受け入れ、各整列レーンの他端部を第２の搬送手段の各搬送レーンに物品を送り出す位置に移動させて各整列レーン内の物品を各搬送レーンに送り出す。しかも、１つの無端搬送体により、整列手段の各整列レーン内の物品と、第２の搬送手段の各搬送レーン内の物品との両方をそれぞれ搬送する。
【００１０】
請求項２記載の整列装置は、請求項１記載の整列装置において、第１の搬送手段の端部で物品を係止するとともに第１の搬送手段から整列手段の整列レーンに物品を送り出す際に係止解除する入口側ストッパ手段と、整列手段の各整列レーンの他端部で物品を係止するとともに整列レーンから第２の搬送手段の搬送レーンに物品を送り出す際に係止解除する出口側ストッパ手段とを具備しているものである。
【００１１】
そして、入口側ストッパ手段により、第１の搬送手段の端部で物品を係止して、各整列レーン内に受け入れられる物品の個数を規定したり、整列手段の各整列レーンへの物品の送り出しが許容されるまで物品を保持して各整列レーンの移動を許容し、さらに、出口側ストッパ手段により、整列手段の各整列レーンの他端部で物品を係止して、第２の搬送手段の各搬送レーンへの物品の送り出しが許容されるまで物品を保持する。
【００１２】
請求項３記載の払出装置は、物品を少なくとも１列状態で搬送する第１の搬送手段と、この第１の搬送手段より列数が多くそれぞれ物品を搬送する複数列の搬送レーンを有する第２の搬送手段と、物品を搬送する複数列の整列レーン、およびこれら各整列レーンの一端部を前記第２の搬送手段の各搬送レーンから物品を受け入れる位置に移動させるとともに各整列レーンの他端部を前記第１の搬送手段に物品を送り出す位置に順次移動させる移動部を有する払出手段と、前記第２の搬送手段の各搬送レーン内の物品および前記払出手段の各整列レーン内の物品を載せて搬送する無端搬送体とを具備しているものである。
【００１３】
そして、払出手段の各整列レーンの一端部を第２の搬送手段の各搬送レーンから物品を受け入れる位置に移動させて各整列レーン内に物品を順次受け入れ、各整列レーンの他端部を第１の搬送手段に物品を送り出す位置に順次移動させて各整列レーン内の物品を第１の搬送手段に送り出す。しかも、１つの無端搬送体により、第２の搬送手段の各搬送レーン内の物品と、払出手段の各整列レーン内の物品との両方をそれぞれ搬送する。
【００１４】
請求項４記載の払出装置は、請求項３記載の払出装置において、第２の搬送手段の各搬送レーンの端部で物品を係止するとともに搬送レーンから払出手段の整列レーンに物品を送る際に係止解除する入口側ストッパ手段と、払出手段の各整列レーンの他端部で物品を係止するとともに整列レーンから第１の搬送手段に物品を送り出す際に係止解除する出口側ストッパ手段とを具備しているものである。
【００１５】
そして、入口側ストッパ手段により、第２の搬送手段の各搬送レーンの端部で物品を係止して、払出手段の各整列レーンへの物品の送り出しが許容されるまで物品を保持し、さらに、出口側ストッパ手段により、払出手段の各整列レーンの他端部で物品を係止して、第１の搬送手段への物品の払い出しが許容されるまで物品を保持する。
【００１６】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の一実施の形態を図面を参照して説明する。
【００１７】
図１２において、整列装置で取り扱う物品として、例えば飲料用のペットボトルなどの容器11を示し、この容器11は、周面形状が略円形の容器本体12、この容器本体12の上部に設けられた口部13、および口部13の周囲から突設されたネックリング14を有している。
【００１８】
図４および図５において、整列装置21は、複数の容器11を１列状態で搬送方向Ａに沿って搬送する第１の搬送手段22、第１の搬送手段22より列数が多く容器11を複数列状態で搬送方向Ａに沿って搬送する第２の搬送手段23、第１の搬送手段22から受け入れる１列状態の容器11を複数列に整列させて第２の搬送手段23に送り出す整列手段24、および第２の搬送手段23から複数列の容器11を受け入れて搬送方向Ａに沿って搬送する第３の搬送手段25を有している。
【００１９】
第１の搬送手段22は、容器11を載せて搬送方向Ａに搬送する搬送ベルト31を有し、図６および図７に示すように、この搬送ベルト31の上方に、容器11の口部13が係合されてその口部13の両側からネックリング14の下側に係合して容器11を支持するとともに搬送方向Ａに沿ってガイドするネックガイド32、および容器本体12の両側を搬送方向Ａに沿ってガイドする両側の側面ガイド33がそれぞれ配設されている。
【００２０】
搬送ベルト31は、図５に示すように、コンベヤフレーム34に対して回動可能に張設され、図示しないモータで回転駆動される。
【００２１】
図６および図７に示すように、第１の搬送手段22の整列手段24に臨む端部には、容器11の整列手段24への送り出しを規制する入口側ストッパ手段36が配設されている。この入口側ストッパ手段36は、両側の側面ガイド33の側方にそれぞれ配設されるベース37を有し、各ベース37の搬送方向Ａの上流側には揺動板38が支軸39により揺動可能に軸支され、各揺動板38の搬送方向Ａの下流側の端部には容器11の搬送領域内に進退可能とする略三角形状のストッパ部40が側面ガイド33と干渉しない位置に取り付けられている。各ベース37の搬送方向Ａの下流側にはシリンダ41が取り付けられ、各シリンダ41のロッド42が各揺動板38の搬送方向Ａの下流側の端部に連結されている。各シリンダ41の駆動により、ストッパ部40が搬送領域内に進入して容器11を停止させる停止位置と、搬送領域外に退避して容器11の搬送を許容する退避位置とに移動される。
【００２２】
また、第２の搬送手段23は、図５に示すように、容器11を載せて搬送方向Ａに搬送する無端搬送体としての搬送ベルト45を有し、この搬送ベルト45の上方に、容器11をそれぞれ１列状態で搬送方向Ａに沿って搬送する複数列、本実施の形態では９列の搬送レーン46が搬送方向Ａに対して交差する方向に並列に配設されている。これら各搬送レーン46は、第１の搬送手段22のネックガイド32および側面ガイド33と同様に、図示しないネックガイドおよび側面ガイドを備えている。
【００２３】
搬送ベルト45は、第１の搬送手段22のコンベヤフレーム34に連続されるコンベヤフレーム47に対して整列手段24の領域から搬送レーン46の領域にかけて回動可能に張設され、図示しないモータで回転駆動される。
【００２４】
また、整列手段24は、図１ないし図３に示すように、第２の搬送手段23のコンベヤフレーム47の両側に跨った状態でそのコンベヤフレーム47の上方に設置される枠状のフレーム51を有し、このフレーム51の上部には、搬送方向Ａと交差する方向すなわち搬送レーン46の並設方向に対応したレーン並列方向Ｂに移動可能に支持される移動体52が配設されている。
【００２５】
移動体52は、搬送方向Ａに長尺な長方形枠状に形成されており、搬送方向Ａに対応した両端に複数のスライド部材53が取り付けられ、これら両端のスライド部材53がフレーム51の搬送方向Ａに対応した両端上面にレーン並列方向Ｂに沿って取り付けられたガイドレール54にスライド自在に係合されている。
【００２６】
フレーム51の上方には、移動体52をレーン並列方向Ｂに移動させる移動部55が配設されている。この移動部55は、レーン並列方向Ｂに沿って配置されるねじ軸56を有し、このねじ軸56の両端がフレーム51の上面に立設された軸受部材57によって回動自在に軸受され、ねじ軸56に螺合貫通する螺合部材58が移動体52の内側に架設された連結板59に取り付けられている。ねじ軸56の一端にはモータ60が連結され、このモータ60の駆動により、移動体52がレーン並列方向Ｂに移動される。
【００２７】
移動体52の下部には、搬送方向Ａに長尺な長方形枠状の支持体61が取り付けられ、この支持体61の下面に容器11をそれぞれ１列状態で搬送方向Ａに沿って搬送する複数列、本実施の形態では５列の整列レーン62が搬送方向Ａに対して交差する方向すなわちレーン並列方向Ｂに並列に配設されている。これら整列レーン62は、ネックガイド63および両側の側面ガイド64を有している。
【００２８】
各ネックガイド63は、容器11の口部13が係合されてその口部13の両側からネックリング14の下側に係合して容器11を支持するとともに搬送方向Ａに沿ってガイドするものであり、支持体61に対して複数の高さ調整機構65を介してレーン並設方向Ｂに沿って支持された取付部材66に一体に取り付けられている。
【００２９】
両側の側面ガイド64は、図２、図８および図９に示すように、各整列レーン62の両側位置に対応して支持体61から下方に垂下された支持板67a，67bに取り付けられている。各整列レーン62の一側の各支持板67a、および各整列レーン62の他側の各支持板67bはそれぞれ一体に移動され、容器11の幅に対応して各整列レーン62の間隔を一体的に調整できるように構成されている。
【００３０】
図２、図３、図１０および図１１に示すように、整列手段24の各整列レーン62の搬送方向Ａの第２の搬送手段23に臨む端部には、容器11の第２の搬送手段23の搬送レーン46への送り出しを規制する出口側ストッパ手段71が配設されている。この出口側ストッパ手段71は、支持体61の第２の搬送手段23に臨む端面から突設されたベース72を有し、このベース72に各整列レーン62の両側にそれぞれ位置するストッパ軸73が軸受74によって回動可能に軸受されている。支持体61のベース72の下方には、各ストッパ軸73の中間部を回動可能に支持する支持部75が突設されている。
【００３１】
各整列レーン62の上方には、ベース72の上下位置に交互に位置されるシリンダ76がそれぞれ配設されている。各シリンダ76は、シリンダ本体77を有し、このシリンダ本体77が支持体61に連結され、シリンダ本体77から進退されるロッド78の先端に作動部材79が連結され、この作動部材79の両端に第１のリンク80の一端が回動自在に連結され、これら各第１のリンク80の他端に第２のリンク81の一端が回動自在に連結され、これら各第２のリンク81の他端がストッパ軸73に固着されている。各ストッパ軸73には複数の高さ位置にストッパ部82が固着されている。
【００３２】
そして、各整列レーン62のシリンダ76の作動により、ロッド78が伸長した状態（図１０に実線で示す位置）で、両側のストッパ部82が整列レーン62の搬送領域外に退避して容器11の搬送を許容する退避位置に移動され、また、ロッド78が伸長した状態（図１０に２点鎖線で示す位置）で、ストッパ部82が整列レーン62の搬送領域内に進入して容器11を停止させる停止位置に移動される。
【００３３】
また、第３の搬送手段25は、図５に示すように、容器11を載せて搬送方向Ａに搬送する搬送ベルト91を有し、この搬送ベルト91の上方に、第２の搬送手段23の各搬送レーン46から容器11を受け入れてそれぞれ１列状態で搬送方向Ａに沿って搬送する複数列、本実施の形態では９列の搬送レーン92が搬送方向Ａに対して交差する方向に並列に配設されている。これら各搬送レーン92は、第１の搬送手段22のネックガイド32および側面ガイド33と同様に、図示しないネックガイドおよび側面ガイドを備えている。搬送ベルト91は、コンベヤフレーム93に対して回動可能に張設され、図示しないモータで回転駆動される。
【００３４】
また、整列手段24に臨む第１の搬送手段22の端部が、第１の搬送手段22から整列手段24の各整列レーン62に容器11を受け入れる受入位置とされている。整列手段24に臨む第２の搬送手段22の各搬送レーン46の端部が、整列手段24の各整列レーン62から第２の搬送手段22の各搬送レーン46に容器11を送り出す送出位置とされている。第２の搬送手段23の各搬送レーン46と整列手段24の各整列レーン62とはレーン並列方向に同一ピッチに配設され、整列手段24の整列レーン62のいずれかの一端が受入位置に位置する場合に各整列レーン24の他端が各送出位置に位置される。
【００３５】
次に、１列状態で搬送されてくる容器11を複数列に整列させて搬送する整列動作について説明する。
【００３６】
整列手段24に容器11を受け入れる初期時には、例えば、移動体52がレーン並列方向Ｂの一方に移動していて、他方の端に位置する１つの整列レーン62が受入位置に位置している。
【００３７】
そして、各搬送手段22，23，25の搬送ベルト31，45，91が回動し、容器11を、第１の搬送手段22によって１列状態で搬送し、第１の搬送手段22から整列手段24の受入位置に位置する１つの整列レーン62内に送り込み、整列レーン62内の下流に搬送する。整列レーン62の出口側ストッパ手段71の各ストッパ部82は搬送領域内に進入する停止位置に位置しており、整列レーン62内を搬送される先頭の容器11をストッパ部82で停止させるとともに、停止された容器11に続く容器11を順に停止させる。
【００３８】
第１の搬送手段22から１つの整列レーン62に収容する所定数の容器11を送り出したら、入口側ストッパ手段36が作動し、ストッパ部40が搬送領域内に進入して後続の容器11を停止させ、第１の搬送手段22からの容器11の送り出しを停止させる。
【００３９】
整列手段24の移動部55により、整列レーン62の列ピッチ分に相当する距離だけ移動体52をレーン並列方向Ｂの他方へ移動させ、所定数の容器11を収容した整列レーン62に隣接する空の整列レーン62を第１の搬送手段22から容器11を受け入れる受入位置に移動させる。
【００４０】
入口側ストッパ手段36による容器11の停止を解除し、第１の搬送手段22から受入位置に位置する整列レーン62に容器11を送り込む。
【００４１】
このようにして、第１の搬送手段22から１つの整列レーン62に収容する所定数の容器11を送り出す毎に、すなわち各整列レーン62に所定数の容器11を収容する毎に、整列レーン62の列ピッチ分に相当する距離だけ移動体52をレーン並列方向Ｂの他方へ移動させ、各整列レーン62に容器を所定数ずつ順次収容させる。
【００４２】
移動体52がレーン並列方向Ｂの最も他方へ移動して、一方の端の整列レーン62に所定数の容器11を収容し、入口側ストッパ手段36により第１の搬送手段22からの容器11の送り出しを停止させた後、各整列レーン62の出口側ストッパ手段71による容器11の停止を一斉に解除し、各整列レーン62内に収容していた所定数の容器11を第２の搬送手段23の各搬送レーン46に一括して送り出す。
【００４３】
また、各整列レーン62から容器11を送り出したら、各整列レーン62の出口側ストッパ手段71を停止状態に戻し、入口側ストッパ手段36による容器11の停止を解除し、第１の搬送手段22から受入位置に位置する一方の端の整列レーン62に容器11を送り込む。
【００４４】
第１の搬送手段22から１つの整列レーン62に収容する所定数の容器11を送り出す毎に、すなわち各整列レーン62に所定数の容器11を収容する毎に、整列レーン62の列ピッチ分に相当する距離だけ移動体52をレーン並列方向Ｂの一方へ移動させ、各整列レーン62に容器を所定数ずつ順次収容させる。
【００４５】
移動体52がレーン並列方向Ｂの最も一方へ移動したら、受入位置に位置する他方の端の整列レーン62を除く、他の各整列レーン62の出口側ストッパ手段71による容器11の停止を一斉に解除し、各整列レーン62内に収容していた所定数の容器11を第２の搬送手段23の各搬送レーン46に一括して送り出す。
【００４６】
これにより、第２の搬送手段23の全ての搬送レーン46に対して容器11を所定数ずつ送り込むことになる。
【００４７】
このように、整列手段24の各整列レーン62の一端部を第１の搬送手段22から容器11を受け入れる位置に順次移動させて各整列レーン62内に容器11を順次受け入れ、各整列レーン62の他端部を第２の搬送手段23の各搬送レーン46に容器11を送り出す位置に移動させて各整列レーン62内の容器11を各搬送レーン46に送り出すことにより、第２の搬送手段23の搬送レーン46の列数が多い場合でも対応できるとともに、容器11を複数列に整列させる能力を向上できる。
【００４８】
また、入口側ストッパ手段36により、第１の搬送手段22の端部で容器11を係止して、各整列レーン62内に受け入れられる容器11の個数を規定したり、整列手段24の各整列レーン62への容器11の送り出しが許容されるまで容器11を保持して各整列レーン62の移動を許容でき、さらに、出口側ストッパ手段71により、整列手段24の各整列レーン62の他端部で容器11を係止して、第２の搬送手段23の各搬送レーン46への容器11の送り出しが許容されるまで容器11を保持できるので、容器11を確実に処理できる。
【００４９】
また、第２の搬送手段23の１つの搬送ベルト45により、整列手段24の各整列レーン62内の容器11と、第２の搬送手段23の各搬送レーン46内の容器11との両方をそれぞれ搬送できるので、構成を簡単にできる。
【００５０】
なお、整列装置21における容器11の流れを逆にすることで、複数列に整列された容器11を１列状態で払い出す払出装置を構成することができる。
【００５１】
この場合、容器11を搬送する第１の搬送手段22と、容器11をそれぞれ１列状態で搬送する複数列の搬送レーン46を有する第２の搬送手段23と、容器11をそれぞれ１列状態で搬送する複数列の整列レーン62、およびこれら各整列レーン62の一端部を第２の搬送手段23の各搬送レーン46から容器11を受け入れる位置に移動させるとともに各整列レーン62の他端部を第１の搬送手段22に容器11を送り出す位置に順次移動させる移動部55を有する払出手段（整列手段24と同様の構造）とを備える。そして、整列手段24の各整列レーン62の一端部を第２の搬送手段23の各搬送レーン46から容器11を受け入れる位置に移動させて各整列レーン62内に容器11を順次受け入れ、各整列レーン62の他端部を第１の搬送手段22に容器11を送り出す位置に順次移動させて各整列レーン62内の容器11を第１の搬送手段22に送り出すことにより、第２の搬送手段23の搬送レーン46の列数が多い場合でも対応できるとともに、複数列の容器11を列単位に払い出す能力を向上できる。
【００５２】
また、第２の搬送手段23の各搬送レーン46の端部で容器11を係止するとともに搬送レーン46から整列手段24の整列レーン62に容器11を送る際に係止解除する入口側ストッパ手段（例えば出口側ストッパ手段71と同様の構造）と、整列手段24の各整列レーン62の他端部で容器11を係止するとともに整列レーン62から第１の搬送手段22に容器11を送り出す際に係止解除する出口側ストッパ手段（例えば出口側ストッパ手段71と同様の構造）とを備える。そして、入口側ストッパ手段により、第２の搬送手段23の各搬送レーン46の端部で容器11を係止して、整列手段24の各整列レーン62への容器11の送り出しが許容されるまで容器11を保持でき、さらに、出口側ストッパ手段により、整列手段24の各整列レーン62の他端部で容器11を係止して、第１の搬送手段22への容器11の払い出しが許容されるまで容器11を保持でき、容器11を確実に処理できる。
【００５３】
また、第２の搬送手段23の各搬送レーン46内の容器11および整列手段24の各整列レーン62内の容器11を載せて搬送する無端搬送体としての搬送ベルト45を備える。そして、第２の搬送手段23の１つの搬送ベルト45により、第２の搬送手段23の各搬送レーン46内の容器11と、整列手段24の各整列レーン62内の容器11との両方をそれぞれ搬送できるので、構成を簡単にできる。
【００５４】
なお、整列手段24の整列レーン62の列数は、第２の搬送手段23の搬送レーン46の列数より少ないことにより、整列レーン62を支持した移動体52の移動に必要とする幅を小さくでき、小形化できる。
【００５５】
また、整列手段24の整列レーン62の列数は、第２の搬送手段23の搬送レーン46の列数の半数以上（整列レーン62の列数と搬送レーン46の列数とが同一の場合や、整列レーン62の列数を搬送レーン46の列数より多い場合を含む）とすることにより、整列装置21の場合には、移動体52の移動として、容器11を各整列レーン62内に受け入れるためだけの移動で済み、各整列レーン62から容器11を払い出すために移動させる必要がなく、一方、払出装置の場合には、各整列レーン62から容器11を払い出すために移動だけで済み、容器11を各整列レーン62内に受け入れるために移動させる必要がなく、いずれの場合にも、移動体52の無駄な移動がなく、効率を向上できる。
【００５６】
また、第１の搬送手段22で物品を搬送する列数は、１列に限らず、第２の搬送手段23の搬送レーン46の列数より少なければ、２列や３列などの複数列でもよく、このような場合でも整列手段24により対応できる。
【００５７】
なお、ペットボトルなどの容器11の容器本体12の周面形状は、略円形の他、略四角形状や六角形状などがある。
【００５８】
また、上述した実施の形態では、物品としてペットボトルなどの容器を示したが、ペットボトルに限られるものではなく、ピンや缶などの容器、あるいは容器以外のものでもよく、それら物品の形状などに応じて各構成を対応させることにより、同様の作用効果を得ることができる。
【００５９】
【発明の効果】
請求項１記載の整列装置によれば、整列手段の各整列レーンの一端部を第１の搬送手段から物品を受け入れる位置に順次移動させて各整列レーン内に物品を順次受け入れ、各整列レーンの他端部を第２の搬送手段の各搬送レーンに物品を送り出す位置に移動させて各整列レーン内の物品を各搬送レーンに送り出すことにより、第２の搬送手段の搬送レーンの列数が多い場合でも対応できるとともに、物品を複数列に整列させる能力を向上でき、しかも、１つの無端搬送体により、整列手段の各整列レーン内の物品と、第２の搬送手段の各搬送レーン内の物品との両方をそれぞれ搬送できるので、構成を簡単にできる。
【００６０】
請求項２記載の整列装置によれば、請求項１記載の整列装置の効果に加えて、入口側ストッパ手段により、第１の搬送手段の端部で物品を係止して、各整列レーン内に受け入れられる物品の個数を規定したり、整列手段の各整列レーンへの物品の送り出しが許容されるまで物品を保持して各整列レーンの移動を許容でき、さらに、出口側ストッパ手段により、整列手段の各整列レーンの他端部で物品を係止して、第２の搬送手段の各搬送レーンへの物品の送り出しが許容されるまで物品を保持できるので、物品を確実に処理できる。
【００６１】
請求項３記載の払出装置によれば、払出手段の各整列レーンの一端部を第２の搬送手段の各搬送レーンから物品を受け入れる位置に移動させて各整列レーン内に物品を順次受け入れ、各整列レーンの他端部を第１の搬送手段に物品を送り出す位置に順次移動させて各整列レーン内の物品を第１の搬送手段に送り出すことにより、第２の搬送手段の搬送レーンの列数が多い場合でも対応できるとともに、複数列の物品を列単位に払い出す能力を向上でき、しかも、１つの無端搬送体により、第２の搬送手段の各搬送レーン内の物品と、払出手段の各整列レーン内の物品との両方をそれぞれ搬送できるので、構成を簡単にできる。
【００６２】
請求項４記載の払出装置によれば、請求項３記載の払出装置の効果に加えて、入口側ストッパ手段により、第２の搬送手段の各搬送レーンの端部で物品を係止して、払出手段の各整列レーンへの物品の送り出しが許容されるまで物品を保持でき、さらに、出口側ストッパ手段により、払出手段の各整列レーンの他端部で物品を係止して、第１の搬送手段への物品の払い出しが許容されるまで物品を保持でき、物品を確実に処理できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施の形態を示す整列装置の平面図である。
【図２】同上整列装置の一部を切り欠いた側面図である。
【図３】同上整列装置の搬送方向の下流側から見る側面図である。
【図４】同上整列装置の平面図である。
【図５】同上整列装置の側面図である。
【図６】同上整列装置の入口側ストッパ手段で平面図である。
【図７】同上整列装置の入口側ストッパ手段の端面図である。
【図８】同上整列装置の一部の平面図である。
【図９】同上整列装置の搬送方向の下流側から見る一部の端面図である。
【図１０】同上整列装置の出口側ストッパ手段の平面図である。
【図１１】同上整列装置の出口側ストッパ手段の端面図である。
【図１２】同上整列装置で取り扱う物品の側面図である。
【符号の説明】
11 物品としての容器
21 整列装置
22 第１の搬送手段
23 第２の搬送手段
24 整列手段
36 入口側ストッパ手段
45 無端搬送体としての搬送ベルト
46 搬送レーン
55 移動部
62 整列レーン
71 出口側ストッパ手段[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to an alignment device that aligns articles in a plurality of rows, and a dispensing device that pays out articles aligned in a plurality of rows in units of rows.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  Conventionally, for example, when containers such as PET bottles, bottles, and cans are transported, a plurality of articles supplied in a single row state are aligned in a plurality of rows, and the aligned articles are provided. When unloading items transported on a pallet in multiple stages, the aligned articles are unloaded one by one in multiple rows from the pallet, and the lowered alignment is performed. Items in a state are paid out in a single row.
[0003]
  The alignment device for aligning articles conveyed in a single row state into a plurality of rows has a guide body that swings on the other end side with the one end side as a fulcrum, and the articles in one row state from one end side of the guide body. While accepting and delivering from the other end side, the article is distributed into a plurality of rows by changing the swing position of the other end side of the guide body, that is, the delivery position of the article from the other end side of the guide body. .
[0004]
  In addition, the dispensing device that dispenses articles arranged in a plurality of rows in a single row state has a structure similar to that of the alignment device and the flow of the articles is reversed. By sequentially moving to each receiving position, articles in a plurality of rows are sequentially received from the other end side of the guide body one row at a time, and are delivered in one row from one end side.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  However, in the conventional aligning device, the guide body is swung to distribute the articles into a plurality of rows, so the number of rows that can be sorted by the swinging of the guide body is limited to about 4 rows, and the row of the articles to be aligned When the number is large, there is a problem that it is not possible to cope with it and the ability to align articles in a plurality of rows is low.
[0006]
  In the dispensing device, the guide body is swung to distribute the articles into a plurality of rows. Therefore, the number of rows that can be received by the guide body by the swing of the guide body is limited to about four rows. When there are a large number, there is a problem that it is not possible to cope with it, and there is a low ability to pay out a plurality of rows of articles in a single row.
[0007]
  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and can deal with a case where the number of columns in which articles are aligned is large, and can also improve the ability to align articles in a plurality of columns, and has a large number of columns for receiving articles. However, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing device that can cope with this and can improve the ability to dispense a plurality of columns of articles in units of columns.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The alignment apparatus according to claim 1 includes a first transport unit that transports articles in at least one row state, and a second transport lane that has a plurality of rows and that transports articles each having a larger number of columns than the first transport unit. A plurality of rows of alignment lanes for conveying articles, and one end of each of the alignment lanes is sequentially moved to a position for receiving articles from the first conveyance means, and the other end of each alignment lane is moved to the first position. An alignment unit having a moving unit that moves the article to a position for sending the article to each conveyance lane of the second conveyance unit;An endless transport body for transporting the articles in the alignment lanes of the alignment means and the articles in the transport lanes of the second transport means;It is equipped with.
[0009]
  Then, one end of each alignment lane of the alignment means is sequentially moved to a position for receiving articles from the first transport means to sequentially receive the articles in each alignment lane, and the other end of each alignment lane is the second transport means. The articles in the alignment lanes are sent out to the transport lanes by moving the articles to positions where the articles are sent out to the transport lanes.Moreover, both the articles in each of the alignment lanes of the alignment means and the articles in each of the conveyance lanes of the second conveyance means are respectively conveyed by one endless conveyance body.
[0010]
  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the alignment apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the article is locked at the end of the first conveying means and the article is sent from the first conveying means to the alignment lane of the aligning means. An inlet side stopper means for releasing the lock, and an outlet side for locking the article at the other end of each alignment lane of the alignment means and releasing the lock when sending the article from the alignment lane to the transfer lane of the second transfer means And stopper means.
[0011]
  Then, the articles are locked at the end of the first conveying means by the entrance-side stopper means to define the number of articles received in each alignment lane, or the articles are sent to the alignment lanes of the alignment means. The articles are held until they are allowed to move, and the movement of each alignment lane is allowed, and further, the articles are locked at the other end of each alignment lane of the alignment means by the outlet side stopper means, and the second conveying means The articles are held until the articles are allowed to be delivered to the respective transport lanes.
[0012]
  ContractClaim3The payout device described is a first transport unit that transports articles in at least one row state, and a second transport unit that has a plurality of transport lanes that transport articles with a larger number of columns than the first transport unit. A plurality of alignment lanes for conveying articles, and one end of each of the alignment lanes is moved to a position for receiving articles from each conveyance lane of the second conveying means, and the other end of each alignment lane is moved to the first Dispensing means having a moving part for sequentially moving the article to a position for sending the article to one conveying meansAn endless transport body that transports the articles in the transport lanes of the second transport means and the articles in the alignment lanes of the payout means;It is equipped with.
[0013]
  AndWithdrawalOne end of each alignment lane of the means is moved to a position for receiving articles from each conveyance lane of the second conveyance means to sequentially receive articles in each alignment lane, and the other end of each alignment lane is the first conveyance means The articles in the alignment lanes are sequentially sent to the first conveying means by sequentially moving to the position where the articles are sent out.In addition, both the articles in each conveyance lane of the second conveyance means and the articles in each alignment lane of the payout means are respectively conveyed by one endless conveyance body.
[0014]
  Claim4The payout device described in claim3In the dispensing device described above, the article is locked at the end of each conveyance lane of the second conveyance means and from the conveyance lane.WithdrawalInlet-side stopper means for unlocking when the article is sent to the alignment lane of the means;WithdrawalAnd an outlet side stopper means for locking the article at the other end of each alignment lane of the means and releasing the lock when the article is sent from the alignment lane to the first conveying means.
[0015]
  And by the entrance side stopper means, the article is locked at the end of each conveyance lane of the second conveyance means,WithdrawalThe article is held until delivery of the article to each alignment lane of the means is allowed, and further, by the outlet side stopper means,WithdrawalThe article is locked at the other end of each alignment lane of the means and held until the article is allowed to be dispensed to the first conveying means..
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
  In FIG. 12, a container 11 such as a plastic bottle for beverages is shown as an article handled by the aligning device, and the container 11 is provided on a container body 12 having a substantially circular peripheral surface, and provided on an upper part of the container body 12. It has a mouth part 13 and a neck ring 14 protruding from the periphery of the mouth part 13.
[0018]
  4 and 5, the aligning device 21 includes a first transporting unit 22 that transports a plurality of containers 11 in a single row along the transporting direction A, and has a larger number of columns than the first transporting unit 22. Aligning means for aligning a plurality of rows of containers 11 to be received from the second conveying means 23 and the first conveying means 22 in a plurality of rows in the conveying direction A and sending them to the second conveying means 23 24, and third transport means 25 for receiving a plurality of rows of containers 11 from the second transport means 23 and transporting them along the transport direction A.
[0019]
  The first transport means 22 has a transport belt 31 that carries the container 11 and transports it in the transport direction A. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the mouth 13 of the container 11 is placed above the transport belt 31. Is engaged from both sides of the mouth 13 to the lower side of the neck ring 14 to support the container 11 and guide it along the conveying direction A, and both sides of the container body 12 in the conveying direction. Side guides 33 on both sides for guiding along A are provided.
[0020]
  As shown in FIG. 5, the conveyor belt 31 is rotatably stretched with respect to the conveyor frame 34, and is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown).
[0021]
  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, an inlet side stopper means 36 for restricting the delivery of the container 11 to the alignment means 24 is disposed at the end of the first transport means 22 facing the alignment means 24. . The inlet side stopper means 36 has bases 37 disposed on both sides of the side guides 33 on both sides, and a swing plate 38 is swung by a support shaft 39 on the upstream side in the transport direction A of each base 37. A position in which the substantially triangular stopper portion 40 that is pivotally supported and can move forward and backward in the transport region of the container 11 does not interfere with the side guide 33 at the downstream end of the swing plate 38 in the transport direction A. Is attached. A cylinder 41 is attached to the downstream side of each base 37 in the transport direction A, and a rod 42 of each cylinder 41 is connected to an end portion of each swing plate 38 on the downstream side in the transport direction A. By driving each cylinder 41, the stopper portion 40 is moved to a stop position where the stopper unit 40 enters the transport area and stops the container 11, and a retreat position where the stopper 11 is retracted outside the transport area and allows the container 11 to be transported.
[0022]
  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the second transport means 23 has a transport belt 45 as an endless transport body that transports the container 11 in the transport direction A, and the container 11 is disposed above the transport belt 45. In this embodiment, nine rows of transport lanes 46 are arranged in parallel in a direction intersecting the transport direction A. Each of these transport lanes 46 includes a neck guide and side guides (not shown) as well as the neck guide 32 and the side guide 33 of the first transport means 22.
[0023]
  The conveyor belt 45 is stretched around the conveyor frame 47 continuous with the conveyor frame 34 of the first conveyor means 22 so as to be rotatable from the area of the aligning means 24 to the area of the conveyor lane 46, and is rotated by a motor (not shown). Driven.
[0024]
  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the aligning means 24 has a frame-like frame 51 installed above the conveyor frame 47 in a state straddling both sides of the conveyor frame 47 of the second transport means 23. In the upper part of the frame 51, there is disposed a moving body 52 that is supported so as to be movable in a lane parallel direction B corresponding to the direction intersecting the transport direction A, that is, the parallel direction of the transport lanes 46.
[0025]
  The moving body 52 is formed in a rectangular frame shape that is long in the transport direction A, and a plurality of slide members 53 are attached to both ends corresponding to the transport direction A, and the slide members 53 at both ends correspond to the transport direction of the frame 51. The guide rails 54 are slidably engaged with the upper surfaces of both ends corresponding to A along the lane parallel direction B.
[0026]
  Above the frame 51, a moving unit 55 that moves the moving body 52 in the lane parallel direction B is disposed. The moving portion 55 has a screw shaft 56 disposed along the lane parallel direction B, and both ends of the screw shaft 56 are rotatably supported by bearing members 57 erected on the upper surface of the frame 51. A screwing member 58 that is screwed through the screw shaft 56 is attached to a connecting plate 59 installed inside the moving body 52. A motor 60 is connected to one end of the screw shaft 56, and the moving body 52 is moved in the lane parallel direction B by driving the motor 60.
[0027]
  A rectangular frame-like support body 61 that is long in the transport direction A is attached to the lower part of the moving body 52, and a plurality of containers 11 that transport the containers 11 along the transport direction A in a single row on the lower surface of the support body 61. In this embodiment, five rows of aligned lanes 62 are arranged in parallel in the direction intersecting the transport direction A, that is, in the lane parallel direction B. These alignment lanes 62 have a neck guide 63 and side guides 64 on both sides.
[0028]
  Each neck guide 63 is engaged with the mouth portion 13 of the container 11 and engages the lower side of the neck ring 14 from both sides of the mouth portion 13 to support the container 11 and guide it along the transport direction A. It is integrally attached to an attachment member 66 supported along the lane juxtaposition direction B with respect to the support 61 via a plurality of height adjustment mechanisms 65.
[0029]
  As shown in FIGS. 2, 8, and 9, the side guides 64 on both sides are attached to support plates 67a and 67b suspended downward from the support body 61 corresponding to the positions on both sides of each alignment lane 62. . Each support plate 67a on one side of each alignment lane 62 and each support plate 67b on the other side of each alignment lane 62 are moved together, and the intervals between the alignment lanes 62 are integrated according to the width of the container 11. It is configured to be adjustable.
[0030]
  As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 10, and 11, the second conveying means of the container 11 is disposed at the end of the aligning means 24 facing the second conveying means 23 in the conveying direction A of each alignment lane 62. Outlet-side stopper means 71 for restricting the delivery of 23 to the transport lane 46 is provided. The outlet side stopper means 71 has a base 72 projecting from an end face of the support 61 facing the second conveying means 23, and stopper shafts 73 positioned on both sides of the alignment lanes 62 are provided on the base 72, respectively. A bearing 74 is rotatably supported. Below the base 72 of the support 61, a support portion 75 is rotatably provided that rotatably supports the intermediate portion of each stopper shaft 73.
[0031]
  Above each alignment lane 62, cylinders 76 that are alternately positioned at the upper and lower positions of the base 72 are disposed. Each cylinder 76 has a cylinder main body 77, the cylinder main body 77 is connected to the support body 61, an operating member 79 is connected to the tip of a rod 78 advanced and retracted from the cylinder main body 77, and both ends of the operating member 79 are connected. One end of the first link 80 is rotatably connected, and one end of the second link 81 is rotatably connected to the other end of each of the first links 80. The end is fixed to the stopper shaft 73. A stopper portion 82 is fixed to each stopper shaft 73 at a plurality of height positions.
[0032]
  Then, by the operation of the cylinders 76 of the alignment lanes 62, the stopper portions 82 on both sides are retracted out of the conveying area of the alignment lanes 62 with the rods 78 extended (positions indicated by solid lines in FIG. 10). In the state where the rod 78 is extended (position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 10), the stopper portion 82 enters the conveyance area of the alignment lane 62 and stops the container 11 when the rod 78 is extended (position indicated by a two-dot chain line). Moved to the stop position.
[0033]
  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the third conveying means 25 has a conveying belt 91 that carries the container 11 and conveys it in the conveying direction A, and above the conveying belt 91, the second conveying means 23 A plurality of rows that receive the containers 11 from the respective transport lanes 46 and transport them along the transport direction A in a single row state, in this embodiment, nine rows of transport lanes 92 are arranged in parallel in a direction intersecting the transport direction A. It is arranged. Each of these transport lanes 92 includes a neck guide and side guides (not shown) as well as the neck guide 32 and the side guide 33 of the first transport means 22. The conveyor belt 91 is rotatably stretched with respect to the conveyor frame 93 and is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown).
[0034]
  Further, the end portion of the first conveying means 22 facing the aligning means 24 is set as a receiving position for receiving the containers 11 from the first conveying means 22 to the alignment lanes 62 of the aligning means 24. The end of each transport lane 46 of the second transport means 22 facing the aligning means 24 is set as a delivery position for sending the container 11 from each align lane 62 of the align means 24 to each transport lane 46 of the second transport means 22. ing. Each conveyance lane 46 of the second conveyance means 23 and each alignment lane 62 of the alignment means 24 are arranged at the same pitch in the lane parallel direction, and one end of any of the alignment lanes 62 of the alignment means 24 is located at the receiving position. When doing so, the other end of each alignment lane 24 is positioned at each delivery position.
[0035]
  Next, an alignment operation for aligning and transporting the containers 11 transported in a single row state in a plurality of rows will be described.
[0036]
  At the initial stage of receiving the containers 11 in the aligning means 24, for example, the moving body 52 is moved to one side in the lane parallel direction B, and one alignment lane 62 located at the other end is located at the receiving position.
[0037]
  Then, the conveyor belts 31, 45, 91 of the conveyor means 22, 23, 25 are rotated, and the containers 11 are conveyed in a row by the first conveyor means 22, and are aligned from the first conveyor means 22. The sheet is fed into one alignment lane 62 located at 24 receiving positions and conveyed downstream in the alignment lane 62. Each stopper portion 82 of the outlet side stopper means 71 of the alignment lane 62 is located at a stop position to enter the transfer region, and the top container 11 transferred in the alignment lane 62 is stopped by the stopper portion 82, The containers 11 following the stopped container 11 are sequentially stopped.
[0038]
  When a predetermined number of containers 11 to be accommodated in one alignment lane 62 are sent out from the first conveying means 22, the inlet side stopper means 36 is operated, and the stopper portion 40 enters the conveying area and stops the subsequent containers 11. The delivery of the container 11 from the first conveying means 22 is stopped.
[0039]
  The moving unit 55 of the aligning means 24 moves the moving body 52 to the other side in the lane parallel direction B by a distance corresponding to the row pitch of the aligning lanes 62, and the empty space adjacent to the aligning lanes 62 containing the predetermined number of containers 11 is moved. The alignment lane 62 is moved from the first conveying means 22 to the receiving position for receiving the container 11.
[0040]
  The stop of the container 11 by the inlet side stopper means 36 is released, and the container 11 is sent from the first transport means 22 to the alignment lane 62 located at the receiving position.
[0041]
  In this way, every time a predetermined number of containers 11 accommodated in one alignment lane 62 are sent out from the first transport means 22, that is, every time a predetermined number of containers 11 are accommodated in each alignment lane 62, the alignment lane 62 The movable body 52 is moved to the other side in the lane parallel direction B by a distance corresponding to the row pitch of the above, and a predetermined number of containers are sequentially accommodated in each alignment lane 62.
[0042]
  The moving body 52 moves to the othermost side in the lane parallel direction B, accommodates a predetermined number of containers 11 in the alignment lane 62 at one end, and the container 11 from the first transport means 22 is received by the inlet side stopper means 36. After the delivery is stopped, the stopping of the containers 11 by the outlet side stopper means 71 of each alignment lane 62 is released all at once, and a predetermined number of containers 11 accommodated in each alignment lane 62 are transferred to the second transport means 23. To each of the transport lanes 46.
[0043]
  When the containers 11 are sent out from the alignment lanes 62, the outlet side stopper means 71 of each alignment lane 62 is returned to the stopped state, the stop of the containers 11 by the inlet side stopper means 36 is released, and the first conveying means 22 The container 11 is fed into the alignment lane 62 at one end located at the receiving position.
[0044]
  Each time a predetermined number of containers 11 accommodated in one alignment lane 62 are sent out from the first transport means 22, that is, every time a predetermined number of containers 11 are accommodated in each alignment lane 62, the line pitch of the alignment lanes 62 is increased. The movable body 52 is moved to one side in the lane parallel direction B by a corresponding distance, and a predetermined number of containers are sequentially accommodated in each alignment lane 62.
[0045]
  When the moving body 52 moves to the most side in the lane parallel direction B, the containers 11 are stopped simultaneously by the outlet side stopper means 71 of the other alignment lanes 62 except for the alignment lane 62 at the other end located at the receiving position. The predetermined number of containers 11 accommodated in the alignment lanes 62 are collectively sent to the transport lanes 46 of the second transport means 23.
[0046]
  As a result, a predetermined number of containers 11 are fed into all the transport lanes 46 of the second transport means 23.
[0047]
  In this manner, one end of each alignment lane 62 of the alignment means 24 is sequentially moved from the first transport means 22 to a position for receiving the containers 11 so that the containers 11 are sequentially received in the alignment lanes 62. The other end portion is moved to a position where the containers 11 are sent out to the respective transport lanes 46 of the second transport means 23 and the containers 11 in the respective alignment lanes 62 are sent out to the respective transport lanes 46, whereby the second transport means 23 This can cope with a case where the number of rows of the transport lanes 46 is large, and can improve the ability to align the containers 11 in a plurality of rows.
[0048]
  Further, the container 11 is locked at the end of the first conveying means 22 by the inlet side stopper means 36 to define the number of containers 11 received in each alignment lane 62, or to align each alignment means 24. The containers 11 are held until the containers 11 are allowed to be delivered to the lanes 62 to allow the movement of the alignment lanes 62. Further, the outlet side stopper means 71 allows the other end portions of the alignment lanes 62 of the alignment means 24 to be moved. Thus, the container 11 can be held until the container 11 is held until the container 11 is allowed to be delivered to the respective transport lanes 46 of the second transport means 23, so that the container 11 can be reliably processed.
[0049]
  In addition, both the containers 11 in the alignment lanes 62 of the alignment means 24 and the containers 11 in the transfer lanes 46 of the second transfer means 23 are respectively transferred by one transfer belt 45 of the second transfer means 23. Since it can be transported, the configuration can be simplified.
[0050]
  Note that, by reversing the flow of the containers 11 in the aligning device 21, it is possible to configure a dispensing device that pays out the containers 11 arranged in a plurality of rows in a single row state.
[0051]
  In this case, the first transport means 22 for transporting the containers 11, the second transport means 23 having a plurality of transport lanes 46 for transporting the containers 11 in a single row state, and the containers 11 in a single row state, respectively. The plurality of rows of alignment lanes 62 to be transferred and one end of each of the alignment lanes 62 are moved to the positions for receiving the containers 11 from the transfer lanes 46 of the second transfer means 23, and the other end of each of the alignment lanes 62 is moved to the first position. Dispensing means (similar structure to the aligning means 24) having a moving part 55 that sequentially moves the container 11 to a position where the container 11 is sent out to one transport means 22. Then, one end of each alignment lane 62 of the aligning means 24 is moved to a position for receiving the containers 11 from each transfer lane 46 of the second transfer means 23, and the containers 11 are sequentially received in the respective align lanes 62. The other end of 62 is sequentially moved to a position where the containers 11 are sent out to the first conveying means 22 and the containers 11 in the respective alignment lanes 62 are sent out to the first conveying means 22, so that the second conveying means 23 It is possible to cope with a case where the number of rows in the transport lane 46 is large, and it is possible to improve the ability to dispense a plurality of rows of containers 11 in units of rows.
[0052]
  Further, the inlet side stopper means for locking the container 11 at the end of each transfer lane 46 of the second transfer means 23 and releasing the lock when the container 11 is sent from the transfer lane 46 to the alignment lane 62 of the alignment means 24. (For example, when the container 11 is locked at the other end of each alignment lane 62 of the alignment means 24 and the container 11 is sent from the alignment lane 62 to the first transport means 22) And an outlet side stopper means (for example, a structure similar to the outlet side stopper means 71) for releasing the lock. The container 11 is locked at the end of each conveyance lane 46 of the second conveyance means 23 by the inlet side stopper means until the delivery of the container 11 to each alignment lane 62 of the alignment means 24 is permitted. The container 11 can be held, and the container 11 is locked at the other end of each alignment lane 62 of the alignment means 24 by the outlet-side stopper means, so that the discharge of the container 11 to the first transport means 22 is allowed. The container 11 can be held until the container 11 is processed.
[0053]
  Further, a transport belt 45 is provided as an endless transport body for transporting the containers 11 in the transport lanes 46 of the second transport means 23 and the containers 11 in the alignment lanes 62 of the aligning means 24. Then, by one transport belt 45 of the second transport means 23, both the container 11 in each transport lane 46 of the second transport means 23 and the container 11 in each alignment lane 62 of the aligning means 24 are respectively connected. Since it can be transported, the configuration can be simplified.
[0054]
  The number of columns of the alignment lanes 62 of the alignment unit 24 is smaller than the number of columns of the transfer lanes 46 of the second transfer unit 23, thereby reducing the width required for moving the moving body 52 that supports the alignment lanes 62. Can be miniaturized.
[0055]
  Further, the number of columns of the alignment lane 62 of the alignment unit 24 is more than half of the number of columns of the transfer lane 46 of the second transfer unit 23 (when the number of columns of the alignment lane 62 and the number of columns of the transfer lane 46 are the same) In the case of the alignment device 21, the container 11 is received in each alignment lane 62 as the movement of the moving body 52 by including the case where the number of alignment lanes 62 is greater than the number of alignment lanes 46). For the dispensing device, it is not necessary to move to dispense the container 11 from each alignment lane 62. On the other hand, in the case of the dispensing device, it is only necessary to move the container 11 from each alignment lane 62. The containers 11 do not need to be moved to be received in the alignment lanes 62, and in any case, there is no useless movement of the moving body 52 and the efficiency can be improved.
[0056]
  Further, the number of columns for conveying articles by the first conveying means 22 is not limited to one, and a plurality of columns such as two or three may be used as long as the number of the conveying lanes 46 of the second conveying means 23 is smaller. Well, even in such a case, the alignment means 24 can cope with it.
[0057]
  The peripheral surface shape of the container body 12 of the container 11 such as a PET bottle includes a substantially rectangular shape, a hexagonal shape, etc. in addition to a substantially circular shape.
[0058]
  In the above-described embodiment, a container such as a plastic bottle is shown as an article. However, the present invention is not limited to a plastic bottle, and may be a container such as a pin or a can, or something other than a container. Similar effects can be obtained by making each configuration correspond to each other.
[0059]
【The invention's effect】
  According to the alignment apparatus of the first aspect, one end of each alignment lane of the alignment means is sequentially moved from the first transport means to a position for receiving the articles so that the articles are sequentially received in the alignment lanes. By moving the other end to a position where articles are sent to the respective transport lanes of the second transport means and sending articles in each alignment lane to each transport lane, the number of rows of transport lanes of the second transport means is large. Can cope with the situation and improve the ability to align articles in multiple rows.In addition, since an article in each alignment lane of the alignment means and an article in each conveyance lane of the second conveyance means can be conveyed by one endless conveyance body, the configuration can be simplified.
[0060]
  According to the alignment apparatus of the second aspect, in addition to the effect of the alignment apparatus of the first aspect, the articles are locked at the end of the first conveying means by the inlet-side stopper means, so It is possible to define the number of articles to be received, or hold the articles until the articles are allowed to be delivered to the alignment lanes of the alignment means, and allow the movement of the alignment lanes. The article can be held at the other end of each alignment lane of the means and the article can be held until the delivery of the article to each conveyance lane of the second conveyance means is allowed, so that the article can be processed reliably.
[0061]
  ContractClaim3According to the described dispensing device,WithdrawalOne end of each alignment lane of the means is moved to a position for receiving articles from each conveyance lane of the second conveyance means to sequentially receive articles in each alignment lane, and the other end of each alignment lane is the first conveyance means By sequentially moving the articles to the positions where the articles are sent out and sending the articles in each of the alignment lanes to the first conveying means, it is possible to cope with a case where the number of conveying lanes of the second conveying means is large, and a plurality of articles. Can improve the ability to payIn addition, since an article in each conveyance lane of the second conveyance means and an article in each alignment lane of the dispensing means can be conveyed by one endless conveyance body, the configuration can be simplified.
[0062]
  Claim4According to the described dispensing device, the claims3In addition to the effect of the dispensing device described, the article is locked at the end of each conveyance lane of the second conveyance means by the inlet side stopper means,WithdrawalThe article can be held until delivery of the article to each alignment lane of the means is allowed, and further, by the outlet side stopper means,WithdrawalThe article can be held at the other end of each alignment lane of the means so that the article can be held until the delivery of the article to the first conveying means is permitted, and the article can be processed reliably..
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an alignment apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view in which a part of the alignment apparatus is cut away.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the alignment apparatus as seen from the downstream side in the conveying direction.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the alignment apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a side view of the same alignment apparatus.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the inlet side stopper means of the alignment apparatus.
FIG. 7 is an end view of the inlet side stopper means of the alignment device.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of a part of the alignment apparatus.
FIG. 9 is a partial end view seen from the downstream side in the transport direction of the aligning device.
FIG. 10 is a plan view of outlet-side stopper means of the alignment apparatus.
FIG. 11 is an end view of the outlet side stopper means of the aligning device.
FIG. 12 is a side view of an article handled by the alignment apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
        11 Containers as goods
        21 Alignment device
        22 First transport means
        23 Second transport means
        24 Alignment means
        36 Entrance side stopper
        45 Conveyor belt as endless carrier
        46 Transport lane
        55 Moving part
        62 alignment lanes
        71 Outlet side stopper means

Claims

First conveying means for conveying articles in at least one row;
A second transport means having a plurality of transport lanes for transporting articles each having a greater number of rows than the first transport means;
A plurality of rows of alignment lanes for conveying articles, and one end of each of the alignment lanes are sequentially moved from the first conveyance means to a position for receiving the articles, and the other end of each alignment lane is moved to the second conveyance means. Alignment means having a moving unit that moves the article to each conveyance lane ,
An alignment apparatus comprising: an endless transfer body that carries articles in each alignment lane of the alignment means and articles in each transfer lane of the second transfer means .

An inlet-side stopper means for locking the article at the end of the first conveying means and releasing the locking when the article is sent from the first conveying means to the alignment lane of the aligning means;
And an outlet side stopper means for locking the article at the other end of each alignment lane of the alignment means and releasing the lock when the article is sent from the alignment lane to the conveyance lane of the second conveyance means. alignment device according to claim 1, wherein.

First conveying means for conveying articles in at least one row;
A second transport means having a plurality of transport lanes for transporting articles each having a greater number of rows than the first transport means;
A plurality of rows of alignment lanes for transporting articles, and one end of each of the alignment lanes are moved from each transport lane of the second transport means to a position for receiving the articles, and the other end of each alignment lane is moved to the first Dispensing means having a moving unit for sequentially moving the article to a position for sending the article to the conveying means ;
A dispensing apparatus comprising: an endless conveyance body configured to carry an article in each conveyance lane of the second conveyance means and an article in each alignment lane of the dispensing means.

An entrance-side stopper means for locking the article at the end of each conveyance lane of the second conveyance means and releasing the lock when sending the article from the conveyance lane to the alignment lane of the payout means;
And an outlet side stopper means for locking the article at the other end of each alignment lane of the payout means and releasing the lock when the article is sent from the alignment lane to the first conveying means. The dispensing device according to claim 3 .