JP4492832B2 - Alignment device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to an alignment apparatus that aligns a prescribed number of articles in a row.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  Conventionally, for example, when containers such as plastic bottles such as plastic bottles, bottle cans, and bottles are stored or transported, a plurality of containers are aligned in a plurality of rows, and the containers are in this aligned state. Are stacked in multiple stages on a pallet.
[0003]
  And the structure described in Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2000-16577 is known for the alignment apparatus used for aligning a container, for example.
[0004]
  In such an aligning apparatus, a plurality of containers are conveyed in a single row by the conveying means, the containers conveyed by the conveying means are aligned by the aligning means in a plurality of rows, and are aligned by the aligning means by the dispensing means. Discharging the plurality of rows of containers, transferring the plurality of rows of containers discharged from the alignment means by the transfer means, transferring them onto the conveyor, and unloading the plurality of rows of containers transferred from the transfer means by the conveyor Yes.
[0005]
  The alignment means has a plurality of rows of alignment lanes arranged in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the articles by the conveyance means, and sequentially moves each of these alignment lanes from the conveyance means to a receiving position for receiving a container. A specified number of containers are received and aligned in the alignment lane.
[0006]
  Corresponding to the receiving position of the aligning means, an upstream stopper is disposed on the upstream side of the alignment lane, and a downstream stopper is disposed on the downstream side. The position corresponding to the length of one row of the prescribed number of containers that can receive and align the prescribed number of containers between the downstream stopper and the upstream stopper when the containers are received from the conveying means into the alignment lane. Stop the specified number of containers in the alignment lane by stopping the leading container received in the alignment lane with the downstream stopper, and stop the upstream stopper in the specified number of the last container and its containers. It is made to enter between the containers on the upstream side. Thereafter, the downstream stopper is retracted, and the alignment means is moved laterally to move the alignment lane containing the specified number of containers from the receiving position, and the empty alignment lane adjacent to the alignment lane is moved to the receiving position. The alignment of the articles is continued.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  However, in the conventional alignment device, the distance between the upstream stopper and the downstream stopper of the alignment lane is made equal to the length of one row of the prescribed number of containers to be aligned in the alignment lane. A predetermined number of containers are aligned with each other, and the upstream stopper is inserted between the last container of the specified number and the container upstream of the container. If the length of the line changes, the position of the upstream stopper does not match the position between the last number of containers and the container upstream of that container. It will be caught and damaged.
[0008]
  Also, the gap between the upstream stopper of the alignment lane and the alignment lane is monitored by a sensor, and when a specified number of containers enter the alignment lane, if there are containers in this gap, that is, the size of the container is the specified value. If the length of one row is longer than the prescribed length, it is necessary to prohibit the lateral movement of the aligning means and prevent the containers from being bitten.
[0009]
  Conversely, if the container size is smaller than the specified value and the length of one row is shorter than the specified length, there is a possibility that a larger number of containers will be included in the alignment lane. An abnormality is detected when the count value by the counting sensor is larger than the specified value.
[0010]
  In any case, if a defect due to variations in the container dimensions occurs, the alignment process is interrupted, so the processing capacity is reduced, and recovery work such as removing containers in the alignment lane, There is a problem that much trouble is required, such as the stop position of the downstream stopper of the alignment lane must be adjusted each time.
[0011]
  In addition, it is conceivable that the containers received in the alignment lane from the transport means are detected by a sensor and counted, and when a specified number of containers are counted, the upstream container may be stopped by an upstream stopper. When the container transport speed is high, counting errors by the sensor are likely to occur, and it is difficult to allow the upstream stopper to enter between the containers being transported at high speed and in close contact. There is a problem that the number of containers received in the alignment lane increases or decreases with respect to the specified number, or the containers are sandwiched and damaged by the upstream stopper. Further, if the transport speed of the container by the transport means is decreased, the certainty of counting by the sensor and the certainty of stopping the container by the upstream stopper are improved, but there is a problem that the processing capacity is lowered.
[0012]
  The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an alignment apparatus capable of reliably aligning a predetermined number of articles in an alignment lane without reducing the processing capacity.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The aligning apparatus according to claim 1, a transport unit that transports a plurality of articles in a row, an alignment lane that receives and aligns a predetermined number of articles from the transport unit, and a regulation that is received from the transport unit into the alignment lane. Upstream stopper means for stopping an upstream article from a number of articles;Upstream from the stop position where a specified number of articles are received and stopped between the leading article detection means for detecting the leading article received in the alignment lane and the upstream stopper means, which is movable in the alignment lane Has a catcher withUpon receipt of articles into the alignment lane,When the leading article detection means detects the leading article, the catcher is started to move from the standby position to the stop position, and the leading article coming into contact with the moving catcher is received andAs the number of items accepted in the alignment lane approaches the specified numberSaidReduces the speed of articles accepted in the alignment laneLetAboveStop catcherIn positionSaidAnd downstream stopper means for stopping articles received in the alignment lane.
[0014]
  When the articles are received in the alignment lane, the articles are received in the alignment lane at the conveyance speed by the conveying means until the articles received in the alignment lane approaches a specified number, and the processing capacity is improved. The stopper means reduces the speed of articles received in the alignment lane as the number of articles received in the alignment lane approaches the specified number, and the alignment lane is positioned at a position where the specified number of articles can be received between the upstream stopper means. Stops the accepted articles, so that the upstream stop ensures that the articles upstream from the specified number of articles are stopped, thus ensuring that the specified number of articles are aligned in the alignment lane without reducing throughput. TheFurther, the downstream stopper means has a catcher, and this catcher can move in the alignment lane, and the upstream side from the stop position where the specified number of articles are received and stopped with the upstream stopper means is set as the standby position. When the leading article detection means detects the leading article that is received in the alignment lane, the leading article detection unit starts moving from the standby position to the stop position, and receives the leading article that comes into contact with the moving catcher. The impact when the article comes into contact with the catcher is alleviated, and the article speed is reliably reduced and stopped until the catcher moves to a stop position where the specified number of articles are stopped.
[0015]
  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aligning device having a conveying means for conveying a plurality of articles in at least one row, and a plurality of alignment lanes arranged in parallel in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the articles by the conveying means. And aligning means for sequentially moving each of the alignment lanes to a receiving position for receiving articles from the conveying means to receive and align a specified number of articles in each of the aligning lanes, and a specified number of articles received in the aligning lane from the conveying means. Upstream stopper means for stopping an article on the upstream side;Upstream from the stop position where a specified number of articles are received and stopped between the leading article detection means for detecting the leading article received in the alignment lane and the upstream stopper means, which is movable in the alignment lane Has a catcher withUpon receipt of articles into the alignment lane,When the leading article detection means detects the leading article, the catcher is started to move from the standby position to the stop position, and the leading article coming into contact with the moving catcher is received andAs the number of items accepted in the alignment lane approaches the specified numberSaidReduces the speed of articles accepted in the alignment laneLetAboveStop catcherIn positionSaidDownstream stopper means for stopping articles received in the alignment lane; and a dispensing means for delivering articles from the predetermined number of alignment lanes after a predetermined number of articles are aligned in the alignment lanes of the plurality of rows of the alignment means; It is equipped with.
[0016]
  When the articles are received in the alignment lane, the articles are received in the alignment lane at the conveyance speed by the conveying means until the articles received in the alignment lane approaches a specified number, and the processing capacity is improved. The stopper means reduces the speed of the articles received in the alignment lane as the number of articles received in the alignment lane approaches the specified number, and receives the specified number of articles between the upstream stopper and the alignment lane. The upstream stopper means ensures that the upstream side of the article upstream of the specified number of articles is stopped, so that the specified number of articles are reliably aligned in the alignment lane without reducing the processing capacity. Thefurther, Downstream stopper meansHas a catcherThe catcher can move in the alignment lane, and the upstream side from the stop position where the specified number of articles are received and stopped with the upstream stopper means is set as the standby position, and the leading article detection means is received in the alignment lane. GoodsTheWhen detected, it starts moving from the standby position to the stop position.In order to catch the leading item coming in contact with this moving catcherThe impact when the leading article comes into contact with the catcher is alleviated, and the article speed is reliably lowered and stopped until the catcher moves to a stop position where the specified number of articles are stopped.
[0017]
  Claim3The alignment apparatus according to the present invention includes a conveying unit that conveys a plurality of articles in a row, an alignment lane that receives and aligns a prescribed number of articles from the conveying means, and a prescribed number of articles that are received from the conveying means into the alignment lane. An upstream stopper means for stopping an article on the upstream side, a stop position detecting means for detecting the position of an article upstream of a specified number of articles with respect to the position of the upstream stopper means, and movable in the alignment lane A catcher for stopping at a position where a predetermined number of articles are received between the upstream side stopper means and a downstream side stopper means for correcting the stop position of the catcher according to detection by the stop position detecting means; It is what you are doing.
[0018]
  Then, when receiving the articles to the alignment lane, when the prescribed number of articles are stopped between the upstream stopper means by the catcher of the downstream stopper means, the prescribed number of articles relative to the position of the upstream stopper means Since the position of the upstream article is detected by the stop position detecting means, and the stop position of the catcher is corrected according to the detection by the stop position detecting means, the length of one row of the prescribed number of articles due to the dimensional error of the article etc. It is possible to cope with the variation, and the upstream stopper reliably stops the articles upstream of the specified number of articles, and thus ensures that the specified number of articles are aligned in the alignment lane without reducing the processing capacity.
[0019]
  Claim4The described aligning apparatus includes transport means for transporting a plurality of articles in at least one row, and a plurality of rows of alignment lanes arranged side by side in a direction intersecting with the transport direction of the articles by the transport means. Alignment means for sequentially moving each alignment lane to a receiving position for receiving articles from the conveyance means to receive and align a specified number of articles in each alignment lane, and upstream of the specified number of articles received in the alignment lane from the transfer means An upstream stopper means for stopping the article, a stop position detecting means for detecting the position of the article upstream of a prescribed number of articles relative to the position of the upstream stopper means, and the upstream side movable in the alignment lane There is a catcher that stops at a position where a specified number of articles are received between the stopper means and the stop position of the catcher is detected by the stop position detecting means. And a downstream stopper unit that corrects accordingly, and a dispensing unit that dispenses the articles from the predetermined number of alignment lanes after the predetermined number of articles are aligned in the plurality of alignment lanes of the alignment unit. Is.
[0020]
  Then, when receiving the articles to the alignment lane, when the prescribed number of articles are stopped between the upstream stopper means by the catcher of the downstream stopper means, the prescribed number of articles relative to the position of the upstream stopper means Since the position of the upstream article is detected by the stop position detecting means, and the stop position of the catcher is corrected according to the detection by the stop position detecting means, the length of one row of the prescribed number of articles due to the dimensional error of the article etc. It is possible to cope with the variation, and the upstream stopper reliably stops the articles upstream of the specified number of articles, and thus ensures that the specified number of articles are aligned in the alignment lane without reducing the processing capacity.
[0021]
  Claim5The alignment device according to claim 1 to claim 1.4In any of the alignment apparatuses, the upstream stopper means has stopper bodies on both sides that open and close to each other in a direction intersecting the article conveyance direction, and the articles are placed on both sides when the stopper bodies on both sides are closed to each other. It is gripped and stopped.
[0022]
  The upstream stopper means has stopper bodies on both sides that open and close each other in a direction intersecting the article conveyance direction, and holds the article from both sides and stops when the stopper bodies on both sides are closed to each other. Therefore, compared to a case where a stopper member or the like is inserted between a specified number of articles and an upstream article to stop the article, it is possible to allow variation in the stop position of the article and to prevent damage to the article with certainty. The
[0023]
  Claim6The alignment device as claimed in claim5In the described alignment apparatus, the upstream stopper means separates the article from the conveying means when gripping both sides of the article with the stopper bodies on both sides.
[0024]
  Since the article is separated from the conveying means when gripping both sides of the article with the stopper bodies on both sides, the conveyance force applied to the grasped article is reduced, and the gripped article is prevented from shifting to the downstream side. The
[0025]
  Claim7The alignment device as claimed in claim5Or6In the alignment apparatus described above, the apparatus includes a misalignment detection unit that detects misalignment of the article held by the stopper bodies on both sides, and the upstream stopper unit detects the misalignment of the article by the misalignment detection unit. The gripping force of the article by the stopper bodies on both sides is increased.
[0026]
  Then, when the position deviation of the article held by the stopper bodies on both sides is detected by the position deviation detection means, the gripping force of the article by the stopper bodies on both sides is increased, so that an increase in the position deviation of the article is prevented. .
[0027]
  Claim8The alignment device according to claim 1 to claim 1.7In any of the alignment apparatuses, the upstream stopper means is provided so as to be movable with respect to the conveying means in a direction crossing the article conveying direction.
[0028]
  Since the upstream stopper means is provided so as to be movable in the direction intersecting the article conveying direction with respect to the conveying means, operations such as releasing the clogging of articles in the upstream stopper means are facilitated.
[0029]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an alignment apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0030]
  In the figure, an article handled by the aligning apparatus is a container 11 such as a plastic bottle including a plastic bottle for beverages. The container 11 includes a bottomed container body 12 having a mouth at the upper end, and the container body 12. A neck portion 13 projecting in a ring shape is provided around the mouth portion.
[0031]
  9 to 11, the aligning device 21 aligns a plurality of containers 11 in a plurality of rows in order to load the containers 11 on a pallet (not shown), and supplies and conveys the plurality of containers 11 in a single row state. Conveying means 22, an aligning means 23 for receiving a plurality of containers 11 conveyed by the conveying means 22 and aligning them in a plurality of rows by a prescribed number, and a dispensing means 24 for dispensing the plural rows of containers 11 aligned by the aligning means 23 , Transfer means 25 for receiving and transferring a plurality of rows of containers 11 delivered from the aligning means 23, receiving means 26 for receiving the plurality of rows of containers 11 transferred by the transfer means 25, and receiving by the receiving means 26 Further, it has a delivery means 27 for delivering a plurality of rows of containers 11, and a frame 28 in which these components are arranged.
[0032]
  The direction in which the container 11 is transported by the transport means 22 is the transport direction A, and the direction in which the aligning means 23 aligns the plurality of rows in the direction intersecting the transport direction A is the lane juxtaposition direction B, which is parallel to the lane juxtaposition direction B. The direction in which the container 11 is sent out by the sending means 27 is defined as a sending direction C.
[0033]
  The conveying means 22 conveys a plurality of containers 11 in a line along the conveying direction A. As shown in FIG. 2, the conveying means 22 conveys the container 11 while sucking the bottom of the container 11 and the containers 11. On the other hand, by combining with the air conveyor 32 that blows and conveys air in the carrying direction A, a large line pressure is given to the container 11 to obtain smooth acceleration and high carrying ability.
[0034]
  The suction conveyor 31 has a conveyor frame 33. A rotating body 34 is rotatably disposed at both ends of the conveyor frame 33 (only the downstream side in the conveying direction A is shown). The conveyance body 35 is wound around. Inside the conveyor frame 33, a suction box 37 having a support surface 36 for supporting the conveyance body 35 between the rotating bodies 34 at both ends is disposed. The transport body 35 has air permeability leading to the front and back surfaces, and is driven to rotate in the transport direction A by a motor (not shown), and a plurality of air holes (not shown) are formed in the support surface 36 of the suction box 37, The inside of the suction box 37 is sucked by a suction pump (not shown). And the suction conveyor 31 conveys toward the conveyance direction A, attracting | sucking the bottom part of the container 11 mounted on the conveyance body 35 by rotation of the conveyance body 35. FIG. On the conveyor frame 33, guide rails 38 for guiding the lower portions on both sides of the container 11 along the transport direction A are disposed.
[0035]
  The air conveyor 32 has a neck guide 39 that guides the lower side of the neck portion 13 of the container 11 from both sides, and is directed in the transport direction A with respect to the container 11 guided by the neck guide 39 by air blowing means (not shown). Then blow and transport the air.
[0036]
  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, an upstream side stopper means for stopping the feeding of the container 11 to the aligning means 23 is an end facing the aligning means 23 of the transport means 22 and above the end of the suction conveyor 31. 41 is arranged. The stopper means 41 includes a stopper unit 42 and a support mechanism 43 that supports the stopper unit 42 so as to be movable in a direction intersecting the conveying direction A with respect to the air conveyor 32 (hereinafter referred to as a stopper opening / closing direction D). Yes.
[0037]
  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, the support mechanism 43 has a support portion 45 that supports the stopper unit 42. One end of the support portion 45 protrudes above the end of the air conveyor 32, and A plurality of guide rails 46 are disposed on the upper surface of the end portion along the stopper opening / closing direction D, and a plurality of slide members 47 slidably engaged with the respective guide rails 46 are attached to the lower surface of the support portion 45. . The stopper mechanism 42 is supported by the support mechanism 43 so as to be movable between a fixed position of the conveying means 22 and a drawing position pulled out to one side of the conveying means 22. A guide rail 38a is divided on the guide rail 38 on one side of the conveying means 22 in correspondence with the position of the stopper unit 42, and this guide rail 38a is detachably attached to the suction conveyor 31 with a mounting screw 49. The stopper unit 42 is configured to be removable when being pulled out to one side.
[0038]
  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the stopper unit 42 includes a lower base 50 and an upper base 51 supported below the support portion 45. On both sides of the stopper opening / closing direction D, guide rails 52 on both sides are arranged on both sides of the stopper opening / closing direction D on the upper surface of the lower base 50, and the slides are slidably engaged along these guide rails 52. The arm bodies 54 on both sides are slidably disposed via the member 53. Each arm body 54 is led downward through an opening 55 formed in the base 50, and stopper bodies 56 on both sides arranged opposite to each other at the lower end of each arm body 54 are attached via a separation mechanism 57, respectively. ing.
[0039]
  A cam gear 58 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 59 at the center of the lower surface of the upper base 51, and both ends of each connecting rod 60 are rotatably connected to the cam gear 58 and each arm body 54. By the rotation of one or the other, the arm bodies 54 on both sides, that is, the stopper bodies 56 on both sides are opened / closed with each other. A stopper motor 61 such as a servo motor for rotating the cam gear 58 is disposed on the upper surface of the upper base 51, and a drive gear 62 attached to the drive shaft of the stopper motor 61 is engaged with the cam gear 58.
[0040]
  The mechanism that supports the opening and closing of the stopper bodies 56 on both sides and the mechanism that drives the opening and closing is configured as an opening and closing mechanism 63 that opens and closes the stopper bodies 56 on both sides, and the opening and closing mechanism 63 opens and closes the stopper bodies 56 on both sides. When they are closed together, the middle part of the container body 12 of the container 11 is gripped from both sides and stopped. Further, the opening / closing mechanism 63 linearly moves the stopper bodies 56 on both sides in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction A of the container 11 to open and close, so that the containers 11 can be quickly gripped by the stopper bodies 56 on both sides.
[0041]
  The stopper body 56 has, for example, a metal stopper plate 65, and a sheet-like contact member 66 having a high elasticity and friction coefficient, such as urethane rubber, is attached to the side of the stopper plate 65 that contacts the container 11. For example, about three containers 11 can be collectively stopped along the transport direction A.
[0042]
  When the container 11 is stopped by the stopper body 56, the separation mechanism 57 lifts the container 11 held by the stopper body 56 and separates the driving force from the conveying body 35 of the suction conveyor 31. A plurality of projecting pieces 68 projecting from the stopper plate 65 of the stopper body 56, and a plurality of projecting pieces 69 projecting from the stopper plate 65, and the projecting pieces 68 and 69 are rotatably connected by the swing shaft 70, That is, the stopper body 56 is supported with respect to the arm body 54 so as to be swingable in the vertical direction. A coil spring 71 as an urging means is stretched between the arm body 54 and the stopper body 56, and the coil spring 71 urges the contact member 66 of the stopper body 56 to swing downward. ing. The arm body 54 is provided with a restricting portion 72 that restricts the swing of the stopper body 56 by the bias of the coil spring 71 to a predetermined angle. As shown in FIG. 5 (a), when the container 11 is not stopped and the stopper bodies 56 on both sides are in the open state, the contact members 66 of the stopper bodies 56 on both sides are directed downward, so that they are substantially C-shaped. 5B, when the container 11 is stopped and the stopper bodies 56 on both sides are closed and the container 11 is gripped from both sides, the stopper body 56 comes into contact with the side surface of the container 11 as shown in FIG. When the stopper body 56 swings upward, the container 11 is lifted and the driving force from the transport body 35 of the suction conveyor 31 is cut off. .
[0043]
  Neck guides 74 on both sides for guiding the lower side of the neck portion 13 of the container 11 from both sides are disposed on the lower surface of the lower base 50.
[0044]
  On the lower surface of the lower base 50, sensor mounting plates 76 on both sides are arranged at positions corresponding to both sides of the mouth of the container 11 above the neck guides 74 on both sides. Each of these sensor mounting plates 76 is long along the transport direction A, and a plurality of stop position detecting means and a photoelectric switch 77 serving as a position shift detecting means are arranged at a predetermined pitch along the transport direction A. Each of these photoelectric switches 77 has a pair of light projecting portions and light receiving portions, and these pair of light projecting portions and light receiving portions are arranged opposite to each other on the sensor mounting plates 76 on both sides. The optical axis between the light-receiving unit and the light-receiving unit passes in the direction intersecting with the conveyance direction A, and the optical axis is shielded from light by the mouth of the container 11, but the container is in a light-transmitting state through which the optical axis passes. Detected.
[0045]
  The arm bodies 54 on both sides are provided with an air blaster 79 for blowing air to the container 11 at the end of the upstream stopper means 41 and feeding it to the alignment means 23.
[0046]
  Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the aligning means 23 is arranged in a plurality of rows arranged along the lane juxtaposition direction B, which is a direction intersecting the transport direction A, in this embodiment eight rows. Each of the alignment lanes 81 has a lane 81, and is formed on an alignment moving portion 82 that can move along the lane juxtaposition direction B. On the alignment moving part 82, a support plate 84 having a neck guide 83 at the upper end and a guide plate 85 are arranged corresponding to both side positions of the alignment lane 81 in the lane juxtaposition direction B. An alignment lane 81 is formed between the neck guides 83 and between the guide plates 85 on both sides for receiving and aligning a prescribed number of containers 11 fed from the conveying means 22. In each alignment lane 81, the neck guides 83 on both sides are suspended and supported through the neck portion 13 of the container 11, and both sides of the container body 12 are guided by the guide plates 85 on both sides. The intervals between the neck guides 83 and the guide plates 85 in each alignment lane 81 can be arbitrarily adjusted according to the type of the container 11.
[0047]
  The alignment moving part 82 is arranged so as to be movable in the lane juxtaposition direction B along a plurality of guide rails 87 arranged along the lane juxtaposition direction B on the platform 86 attached to the frame 28. Yes. The platform portion 86 is provided with an alignment driving means 88 for moving the alignment moving portion 82 in the lane arrangement direction B. The alignment driving means 88 is rotatably arranged near both ends in the lane arrangement direction B. Attached to a drive shaft of the motor 91 and a motor 91 disposed on the frame 28 below the one pulley 89, and a pulley 90 disposed rotatably in the vicinity of the lower side of the one pulley 89. The drive pulley 92 has an endless belt 93 stretched over the pulleys 89 and 90 and the drive pulley 92. Then, the belt 93 is rotated by driving the motor 91, and the aligning / moving portion 82 connected to the belt 93 is moved along the lane juxtaposition direction B.
[0048]
  In the aligning means 23, the position facing the transport means 22 is a receiving position a for receiving the container 11 from the transport means 22 in the align lane 81, and the aligning moving part 82 moves from one end to the other end in the lane juxtaposition direction B. Alternatively, the alignment lanes 81 are sequentially moved to the receiving position a by movement from the other end to the one end, and a predetermined number of containers 11 fed from the conveying means 22 are received and aligned in the alignment lanes 81.
[0049]
  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, when the containers 11 received in the alignment lane 81 are received in the alignment lane 81 in accordance with the receiving position a, the alignment lane 81 becomes closer to the specified number. Downstream stopper means 101 is disposed to reduce the speed of the containers 11 received and to stop the containers 11 received in the alignment lane 81 at a position where a prescribed number of containers 11 are received between the upstream stopper means 41 and the upstream stopper means 41. ing.
[0050]
  The downstream stopper means 101 has a catcher 102 that can move forward and backward in the alignment lane 81 and move along the alignment lane 81 from the downstream side in the transport direction A, and that contacts the container 11 received in the alignment lane 81. Have.
[0051]
  Above the alignment lane 81 at the receiving position a, a support frame 104 is constructed from the upper part of the frame 28 via the arm portions 103 at both ends in the transport direction A along the transport direction A, and on the support frame 104 in the transport direction A A guide rail 105 is disposed along the guide rail 105, and a catcher moving portion 106 is movably attached along the guide rail 105, and the catcher moving portion 106 has a substantially L-shaped cross section that goes downward through one side of the support frame 104. The catcher arm 107 is attached, and the catcher 102 is attached to the lower part of the catcher arm 107. A catcher motor 108 is disposed at one end of the guide rail 105, and the catcher moving unit 106 is moved along the guide rail 105 by driving the catcher motor 108. For transmitting the driving force of the catcher motor 108, for example, a screw shaft is arranged in parallel with the guide rail 105, the catcher moving portion 106 is engaged with the screw shaft, and the catcher moving portion 106 is moved by the rotation of the screw shaft. Configured to do.
[0052]
  The catcher 102 has a mounting portion 102a attached to the catcher arm 107 and a contact portion 102b suspended from the mounting portion 102a.
[0053]
  The catcher arm 107 is provided with a leading container detection sensor 109 as a leading article detection means for detecting immediately before the leading container 11 received in the alignment lane 81 reaches the catcher 102. The catcher 102 receives the specified number of containers 11 between the upstream side stopper means 41 and sets the upstream side from the stop position where the catcher 102 stops and the leading container detection sensor 109 is received in the alignment lane 81. When 11 is detected, the movement is started from the standby position toward the stop position and stopped at the stop position. The movement position of the catcher 102 is detected from the rotation amount of the catcher motor 108 or the like.
[0054]
  Also, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the payout means 24 are installed on the frame 28 independently on both sides in the lane juxtaposition direction B with the receiving position a as the center, and the aligning / moving portion 82 is provided on the lane. Alignment lanes at the receiving position a at each moving position in which the alignment lane 81 at one end or the other end side in the lane paralleling direction B is located at the receiving position a. The containers 11 in the other alignment lanes 81 other than 81 can be paid out to the transfer means 25 side along the transport direction (payout direction) A. On the transfer means 25 side from which the container 11 is paid out, the positions at which the container 11 is paid out from the positions where the alignment moving part 82 moves to one end side or the other end side in the lane juxtaposition direction B are the payout positions b1, b2, respectively. Has been.
[0055]
  Each payout means 24 has a payout moving part 111 that is movable in the conveying direction A above the aligning means 23. The payout moving part 111 is a guide rail 113 of a guide frame 112 attached to the frame 28. Is supported so as to be movable along the conveying direction A. The dispensing movement unit 111 supports a plurality of dispensing units 114 that enter the alignment lanes 81 and dispense the containers 11. These payout portions 114 are supported so as to be able to swing integrally between an entry position for entering the alignment lane 81 and a retreat position for retreating above the alignment lane 81 with respect to the payout moving portion 111, and driving the cylinder 115. Is swung between the approach position and the retracted position. As for the number of the payout portions 114, the containers 11 in the other alignment lanes 81 other than the alignment lane 81 in the receiving position a can be discharged in a lump at each moving position where the end alignment lane 81 is located in the receiving position a. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the number is seven, which is one less than the number of the alignment lanes 81.
[0056]
  The guide frame 112 is provided with a payout driving means 116 for moving the payout moving part 111 along the conveying direction A. The payout driving means 116 is rotatably disposed near both ends of the guide frame 112. A pulley 118 rotatably disposed near one pulley 117; a motor 119 disposed on the frame 28 below the one pulley 117; and a drive pulley attached to a drive shaft of the motor 119 120, an endless belt 121 stretched over the pulleys 117 and 118 and the driving pulley 120. Then, the belt 121 is rotated by driving the motor 119, and the payout moving unit 111 connected to the belt 121 is moved along the transport direction A.
[0057]
  Also, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the transfer means 25 has a shuttle 131 that can move to each payout position b1, b2 along the lane juxtaposition direction (shuttle movement direction) B. A predetermined number of rows of containers 11 discharged from the aligning means 23 are received in 131 at the payout positions b1 and b2, and transferred to the receiving means 26 which is a predetermined transfer location.
[0058]
  The shuttle 131 includes a shuttle main body 132 that moves along the lane juxtaposition direction B, and a container that is arranged along the lane juxtaposition direction on the lower side of the shuttle main body 132 to receive and receive the containers 11 for each row. A plurality of transfer lanes 133 that can release 11 are provided. The number of transfer lanes 133 is the same as the maximum number of rows to be paid out to the payout positions b1 and b2 by each payout means 24, and is set to 7 rows in this embodiment.
[0059]
  Above the shuttle 131, a plurality of guide frames 134 are arranged on the frame 28 along the lane juxtaposition direction B, and the shuttle main body 132 is movable on the guide frames 134 along the lane juxtaposition direction B. A supporting guide rail 135 is disposed.
[0060]
  The shuttle body 132 includes a support plate 137 having a slide portion 136 that moves along each guide rail 135, a connecting portion 138 attached to the lower surface of the supporting plate 137, and a frame portion attached to the lower portion of the connecting portion 138. 139.
[0061]
  Shuttle driving means 141 for moving the shuttle 131 along the lane juxtaposition direction B is disposed on the frame 28. The shuttle drive means 141 is rotatably arranged on one side of the lane juxtaposition direction B on the frame 28. A pulley 142 provided, a motor 143 disposed on the other side, a drive pulley 144 attached to a drive shaft of the motor 143, and a belt 145 stretched between the pulley 142 and the drive pulley 144. Yes. Then, the belt 145 is rotated by driving the motor 143, and the shuttle 131 connected to the belt 145 is moved in the lane juxtaposition direction B, and is moved to the payout positions b1 and b2.
[0062]
  Each transfer lane 133 has neck guides 146 on both sides for supporting the neck portion 13 of the container 11 from both sides, and guide plates 147 on both sides for guiding both sides of the container 11 supported by the neck guide 146. is doing. The neck guides 146 on both sides are driven to open and close to a closed position for gripping and guiding the neck portion 13 of the container 11 and an open position for releasing the gripping of the neck portion 13. The distance between the guide plates 147 on both sides is adjusted according to the width of the container body 12 of the container 11 to be handled.
[0063]
  In addition, between the aligning means 23 and the transfer means 25, the containers 11 aligned in the alignment lanes 81 of the aligning means 23 and discharged to the payout positions b1 and b2 are transferred to the shuttle 131 of the transfer means 25. A plurality of neck guide bodies 149 are arranged.
[0064]
  Further, the receiving means 26 includes an elevating table 151 disposed below one of the two payout positions b1 and b2 that is close to the payout direction C and a lift mechanism 152 that moves the lift table 151 up and down. Have. The elevating table 151 is moved up and down between a reception position where the container 11 is received from the shuttle 131 and a receiving position where the container 11 can be sent out by the sending means 27. .
[0065]
  Further, the sending means 27 carries the unillustrated pushing means for pushing the container 11 on the lifting table 151 toward the sending direction C at the lowered position of the lifting table 151, and the container 11 pushed from the lifting table 151 is carried in the sending direction C. Conveyor 155.
[0066]
  FIG. 12 shows a block diagram of a configuration relating to the alignment operation of the container 11 with respect to the alignment lane 81. The control means 161 inputs signals from the photoelectric switch 77 and the leading container detection sensor 109, and the upstream stopper means The drive of the stopper motor 61 of 41 and the catcher motor 108 of the catcher 102 of the downstream stopper means 101 is controlled.
[0067]
  Then, the control means 161 sets the length position of, for example, 5 to 6 containers 11 on the upstream side from the stop position where the catcher 102 receives the specified number of containers 11 between the upstream stopper means 41 and stops. When the leading container detection sensor 109 detects the leading container 11 received in the alignment lane 81, the movement starts from the standby position toward the stop position, and the number of containers 11 that can be received in the alignment lane 81 reaches the specified number. The function of decreasing the moving speed as approaching, that is, approaching the stop position, and stopping the container 11 received in the alignment lane 81 at a position where the specified number of containers 11 can be received between the upstream stopper means 41. Have.
[0068]
  Further, the control means 161 corrects the stop position of the catcher 102 that stops at the position where the predetermined number of containers 11 are received between the upstream stopper means 41 and the detection by the photoelectric switch 77 of the upstream stopper means 41. In addition, when the container 11 is stopped by the upstream stopper means 41, the gripping force of the container 11 by the stopper bodies 56 on both sides is increased when the positional deviation of the container 11 is detected by the photoelectric switch 77. In this way, the stopper motor 61 is controlled.
[0069]
  The other operations of the aligning device 21 are also controlled by the control means 161.
[0070]
  Next, the operation of the alignment device 21 will be described.
[0071]
  First, the general alignment operation will be described.
[0072]
  The containers 11 are conveyed in a line along the conveying direction A by the conveying means 22 and fed into the alignment lane 81 of the aligning means 23 located at the receiving position a. The container 11 fed into the alignment lane 81 is stopped at a predetermined stop position in the alignment lane 81 by the catcher 102.
[0073]
  In the alignment means 23, for example, the container 11 is received in the alignment lane 81 in a state where the alignment lane 81 at one end is located at the receiving position a. When a prescribed number of containers 11 are fed into the alignment lane 81 at the receiving position a, the feeding of the containers 11 is temporarily stopped by the stopper means 41, and the alignment lane 81 that has received the containers 11 by moving to one side of the alignment moving part 86 The adjacent alignment lane 81 is moved to the receiving position a, the stopper means 41 is opened, and the feeding of the container 11 to the alignment lane 81 moved to the receiving position a is resumed. When the aligning / moving unit 86 moves, the catcher 102 retreats out of the aligning lane 81, enters the aligning lane 81 after the movement is completed, and stops the container 11 at a predetermined stop position.
[0074]
  In this way, each time a specified number of containers 11 are fed into the alignment lane 81 at the receiving position a, the alignment lane 81 adjacent to the alignment lane 81 that has received the containers 11 is sequentially moved to the receiving position a, and each alignment lane 81 is moved. The containers 11 are sequentially aligned inside.
[0075]
  The alignment of the container 11 is completed up to the front of the alignment lane 81 located at the other end opposite to the one alignment lane 81 from which the alignment of the container 11 is started. For example, as shown in FIGS. When the end alignment lane 81 is moved to the receiving position a, a predetermined number of containers 11 aligned in the remaining alignment lanes 81 except for the other end alignment lane 81 are transferred by one discharging means 24. Payout to the payout position b1 at a time. That is, each payout unit 114 of the payout means 24 enters the upstream side of the alignment lane 81 in the transport direction A, and in that state, the payout moving unit 111 is moved downstream in the transport direction A. A predetermined number of containers 11 in 81 are collectively discharged to one payout position b1.
[0076]
  The shuttle 131 of the transfer means 25 is waiting in advance at the payout position b1, and the containers 11 discharged from the alignment lanes 81 are received in the transfer lanes 133 of the shuttle 131. A stopper (not shown) is provided at the downstream end of each transfer lane 133 in the transport direction A, and the container 11 received in the transfer lane 133 is stopped at a predetermined position.
[0077]
  When the payout by one payout means 24 is completed, each payout unit 114 is retracted above each alignment lane 81, and in this state, the payout moving unit 111 is moved to the upstream side in the transport direction A and waits for the next payout operation. To do.
[0078]
  During the dispensing operation by the dispensing means 24, the container 11 is fed in parallel to the alignment lane 81 at the other end located at the receiving position a.
[0079]
  When the dispensing operation by the dispensing means 24 is completed and the specified number of containers 11 are received in the alignment lane 81 at the other end, the alignment moving unit 86 is moved to the other, contrary to the alignment operation described above, By the movement of the aligning moving part 86 to the other side, the aligning lane 81 adjacent to the aligning lane 81 that has received the container 11 is moved to the receiving position a, and a specified number of containers 11 are fed into the aligning lane 81 at the receiving position a. Each time, the alignment lane 81 adjacent to the alignment lane 81 that received the container 11 is sequentially moved to the receiving position a, and the container 11 is sequentially aligned in each alignment lane 81.
[0080]
  The alignment of the container 11 is completed up to the front of the alignment lane 81 located at one end opposite to the other alignment lane 81 where the alignment of the container 11 is started, and the alignment lane 81 at the one end is set as the receiving position a. , The predetermined number of containers 11 aligned in the remaining alignment lanes 81 excluding the alignment lane 81 at one end are collectively discharged to the discharge position b2 by the other discharge means 24. The payout operation by the other payout means 24 is the same as the payout operation by the one payout means 24 described above.
[0081]
  The shuttle 131 of the transfer means 25 is waiting in advance at the payout position b2, and the containers 11 discharged from the alignment lanes 81 are received in the transfer lanes 133 of the shuttle 131.
[0082]
  In this way, the aligning means 23 aligns the containers 11 in the alignment lanes 81 while moving the alignment moving part 82 from one side to the other side or from the other side to the predetermined position that is aligned with respect to the payout positions b1 and b2. The number of rows of containers 11 is alternately discharged and moved to the respective payout positions b1 and b2 in advance and transferred to the waiting shuttle 131.
[0083]
  Note that the number of rows in which the containers 11 are arranged is determined by the loading pattern on the pallet. For example, in the case of a pattern of 23 pieces / row * 18 rows with a 500 mL square bottle, a pattern for one stage is generated by making an assembly of 6 rows three times, and 19 pieces / piece with a 500 mL round bottle. In the case of a pattern of column * 17 columns, a pattern for one stage is generated by an aggregate of 6 columns + 6 columns + 5 columns.
[0084]
  In addition, when the shuttle 131 of the transfer means 25 receives the container 11 in the shuttle 131 at the payout position b1, the shuttle 131 moves above the lifting table 151, that is, to the payout position b2, and transfers the container 11 and sends it out by the sending means 27. After the transfer operation is completed, the container 11 that waits at the delivery position b2 and is delivered to the delivery position b2 is received, and the transfer operation of the container 11 and the delivery operation by the delivery means 27 are executed at the delivery position b2. Then, after the transfer operation is completed, the container 11 is moved to the payout position b1 and received in the payout position b1. Accordingly, the shuttle 131 alternately moves to the respective payout positions b1 and b2, receives the containers 11 paid out to the respective payout positions b1 and b2, and executes a transfer operation at the payout position b2.
[0085]
  The transfer operation from the shuttle 131 is performed after the shuttle 131 that has received the container 11 at the dispensing position b1 moves to the dispensing position b2 or after the container 11 is received by the shuttle 131 at the dispensing position b2 and then moves to the lower delivery position. The lift table 151 that has been positioned is raised and stopped at the receiving position where the top surface of the lift table 151 contacts or is close to the bottom surface of the container 11 that is suspended and supported by each transfer lane 133 of the shuttle 131. In this state, the neck guides 146 on both sides of each transfer lane 133 are opened to release the support of the containers 11, and a predetermined number of containers 11 are transferred onto the lifting table 151. The lifting table 151 on which a predetermined number of rows of containers 11 are placed is lowered to the delivery position.
[0086]
  The feeding operation of the predetermined number of rows of containers 11 from the lifting table 151 lowered to the sending position is performed by pushing the containers 11 on the lifting table 151 in the sending direction C by pushing means (not shown). While the containers 11 are gathered and aligned one by one from the opposite row, the predetermined number of containers 11 are gathered and aligned together and transferred onto the conveyor 155.
[0087]
  A predetermined number of containers 11 on the conveyor 155 are transported downstream in the delivery direction C, and one stage of containers 11 transferred to the pallet are aligned on the downstream side in the delivery direction C.
[0088]
  Next, the alignment operation of the container 11 to the alignment lane 81 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0089]
  As shown in FIG. 1 (a), in a state where the stopper bodies 56 on both sides of the upstream stopper means 41 are closed in the previous alignment operation and the feeding of the container 11 from the transport means 22 to the alignment lane 81 is stopped, The alignment lane 81 for aligning the containers 11 is positioned at the receiving position a, the catcher 102 is advanced into the alignment lane 81, and stopped at a standby position upstream from the stop position where the specified number of containers 11 are stopped.
[0090]
  As shown in FIG. 1B, the stopper bodies 56 on both sides are opened, and the feeding of the container 11 from the conveying means 22 to the alignment lane 81 is started. When the container 11 fed into the alignment lane 81 is detected by the leading container detection sensor 109 on the catcher 102 side, the catcher 102 starts moving toward the downstream side, and the catcher 102 is further received by the alignment lane 81. As the speed approaches the specified number, that is, as the position approaches the stop position, the moving speed is reduced. Therefore, since the leading container 11 contacts the catcher 102 while the leading container 11 and the catcher 102 move together, the impact at the time of contact can be mitigated, and the catcher 102 stops the specified number of containers 11. Until moving to the stop position, the speed of the container 11 can be reliably reduced and stopped without causing rebound.
[0091]
  As shown in FIG. 1 (c), the catcher 102 stops at a stop position where a predetermined number of containers 11 are received between the catcher 102 and the upstream stopper means 41. By stopping the catcher 102, the container 11 is stopped in a state where the container 11 is connected from the conveying means 22 to the catcher 102.
[0092]
  Then, as shown in FIG. 4A, for example, the photoelectric switch 77 of the optical axes P1, P2, and P3 is shielded from light by the leading container 11 among the containers 11 upstream of the specified number of containers 11. If all the photoelectric switches 77 of the optical axes P1, P2, and P3 are shielded from light when set to an appropriate stop position, a specified number of containers 11 are aligned between the upstream stopper means 41 and the catcher 102. The stopper bodies 56 on both sides of the upstream stopper means 41 are closed, and the containers 11 upstream from the prescribed number of containers 11 are gripped from both sides and stopped.
[0093]
  Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, for example, when the length of one row of the prescribed number of containers 11 is shortened due to dimensional variations of the containers 11, the containers 11 upstream of the prescribed number of containers 11 are arranged. Among them, the position of the leading container 11 is shifted to the downstream side, only the photoelectric switch 77 of the optical axis P3 is shielded from light, and the photoelectric switches 77 of P1 and P2 are in a translucent state. In such a case, the catcher 102 is moved to the upstream side and stopped at a position where all the photoelectric switches 77 of the optical axes P1, P2, and P3 are shielded from light. As a result, a predetermined number of containers 11 are aligned between the upstream stopper means 41 and the catcher 102, and the upstream stopper means 41 is actuated.
[0094]
  Further, as shown in FIG. 4 (c), when the length of one row of the prescribed number of containers 11 is increased due to, for example, dimensional variation of the containers 11, the containers 11 upstream of the prescribed number of containers 11 are used. Among them, the position of the leading container 11 is shifted to the upstream side, only the photoelectric switch 77 of the optical axis P1 is shielded from light, and the photoelectric switches 77 of P2 and P3 are in a translucent state. In such a case, the catcher 102 is moved to the downstream side and stopped at a position where all the photoelectric switches 77 of the optical axes P1, P2, and P3 are shielded from light. As a result, a predetermined number of containers 11 are aligned between the upstream stopper means 41 and the catcher 102, and the upstream stopper means 41 is actuated.
[0095]
  In this way, when the specified number of containers 11 is stopped between the catcher 102 and the upstream stopper means 41, the position of the container 11 upstream of the specified number of containers 11 with respect to the position of the upstream stopper means 41. Is detected by the photoelectric switch 77, and the stop position of the catcher 102 is automatically corrected in accordance with the detection by the photoelectric switch 77. The upstream stopper 41 can reliably stop the containers 11 upstream from the specified number of containers 11. The corrected stop position of the catcher 102 is also applied at the next alignment.
[0096]
  Normally, the dimensional variation of the container 11 does not occur suddenly during the production of the container 11, but changes in places. Therefore, if the photoelectric switches 77 are arranged at a pitch of 10 mm, for example, 2 Since the pitch (for example, 20 mm) does not abruptly change the length of one row of the prescribed number of containers 11, if the pitch can be followed, a change of the length of one row of 50 mm finally occurs. Can follow as well.
[0097]
  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 1 (d), after closing the stopper body 56, the catcher 102 moves to the downstream side in the transport direction A, and accordingly, the specified number of containers 11 are also provided in the upstream side stopper means 41. The air blaster 79 moves to the downstream side in the transport direction A. The catcher 102 stops at a predetermined position and stops a specified number of containers 11 at a predetermined receiving position in the alignment lane 81.
[0098]
  As shown in FIG. 1 (e), the catcher 102 is moved to the downstream side in the transport direction A and is moved out of the alignment lane 81, and the movement of the alignment lane 81 is allowed.
[0099]
  When the container 11 is stopped by the upstream stopper means 41, the container 11 is sucked by the conveying means 22 when the both sides of the container 11 are gripped by the stopper bodies 56 on both sides, as shown in FIG. Lifting from the conveyor 35 of the conveyor 31 and disconnecting the driving force from the conveyor 35 can reduce the conveying force applied to the gripped container 11 and prevent the gripped container 11 from being shifted downstream. . In addition, since the bottom surface of the container 11 is not rubbed by the carrier 35, the bottom surface of the container 11 can be prevented from being damaged.
[0100]
  Further, the change of the photoelectric switch 77 of the optical axes P1, P2, and P3 is monitored, the container 11 held by the stopper bodies 56 on both sides is displaced downstream, and the photoelectric switch 77 of the optical axis P1 is in a translucent state. When changed, the stopper motor 61 is driven to increase the gripping force of the container 11 by the stopper bodies 56 on both sides. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the displacement of the container 11 from increasing and the jumping out between the stopper bodies 56.
[0101]
  As described above, when the containers 11 are received in the alignment lane 81, the containers 11 are received in the alignment lane 81 at the transfer speed by the transfer means 22 until the containers 11 received in the alignment lane 81 approach the specified number. The processing capacity can be improved, and the downstream stopper means 101 reduces the speed of the containers 11 received in the alignment lane 81 as the number of containers 11 received in the alignment lane 81 approaches a specified number, and the upstream stopper means 41 Since the container 11 received in the alignment lane 81 is stopped at a position where the specified number of containers 11 are received, the upstream stopper 41 can reliably stop the containers 11 upstream of the specified number of containers 11, and therefore The specified number of containers 11 can be reliably aligned in the alignment lane 81 without reducing the processing capacity.
[0102]
  Furthermore, the catcher 102 of the downstream stopper means 101 is movable in the alignment lane 81, and the upstream side from the stop position where the specified number of containers 11 are received and stopped between the upstream stopper means 41 is set as the standby position, When the leading container detection sensor 109 detects the leading container 11 received in the alignment lane 81, the leading container 11 starts moving from the standby position to the stop position and stops at the stop position. The impact at the time of contact can be mitigated, and the speed of the container 11 can be reliably reduced and stopped until the catcher 102 moves to a stop position where the specified number of containers 11 are stopped.
[0103]
  Further, when the container 11 is received in the alignment lane 81, when the specified number of containers 11 are stopped between the catcher 102 of the downstream stopper means 101 and the upstream stopper means 41, the upstream stopper means 41 The position of the container 11 upstream of the specified number of containers 11 with respect to the position is detected by the photoelectric switch 77, and the stop position of the catcher 102 is automatically corrected according to the detection by the photoelectric switch 77. It is possible to cope with variations in the length of one row of the specified number of containers 11 by the upstream stopper 41 and reliably stop the containers 11 on the upstream side of the specified number of containers 11, and thus without reducing the processing capacity. A specified number of containers 11 can be reliably aligned in the alignment lane 81.
[0104]
  Further, the upstream stopper means 41 has stopper bodies 56 on both sides that open and close each other in a direction intersecting the transport direction A of the container 11, and the containers 11 are placed on both sides when the stopper bodies 56 on both sides are closed to each other. Since the container 11 is held and stopped, compared to a case where a stopper member or the like is inserted between the predetermined number of containers 11 and the upstream container 11 to stop the container 11, the variation in the stopping position of the containers 11 can be tolerated. 11 can be reliably prevented.
[0105]
  Further, since the stopper bodies 56 on both sides are linearly moved in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction A of the container 11 to open and close, the containers 11 can be quickly gripped by the stopper bodies 56 on both sides.
[0106]
  Further, since the container 11 is separated from the transport means 22 when the both sides of the container 11 are gripped by the stopper bodies 56 on both sides, the transport force applied to the gripped container 11 is reduced, and the downstream side of the gripped container 11 Can be prevented.
[0107]
  Further, when the position shift of the container 11 held by the stopper bodies 56 on both sides is detected by the photoelectric switch 77, the gripping force of the container 11 by the stopper bodies 56 on both sides is increased, so that the position shift of the container 11 increases. Can be prevented.
[0108]
  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the upstream stopper means 41 can be moved by the support mechanism 43 between the fixed position of the conveying means 22 and the drawing position where the stopper means 42 is pulled out to one side of the conveying means 22. Therefore, operations such as releasing clogging of the container 11 in the upstream stopper means 41 can be facilitated. When the stopper unit 42 is pulled out to one side, the container 11 remaining in the stopper unit 42 can be pulled out to the one side together by loosening the mounting screw 49 and removing the guide rail 38a.
[0109]
  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 this, and a container such as a bottle or can, or an article other than a container may be used. Corresponding effects can be obtained by associating each configuration of the alignment device accordingly.
[0110]
【The invention's effect】
  According to the aligning apparatus of claim 1, when an article is received in the alignment lane, the article is received in the alignment lane at a conveyance speed by the conveying means until the article received in the alignment lane approaches a specified number. The downstream stopper means reduces the speed of articles received in the alignment lane as the number of articles received in the alignment lane approaches the specified number, and a predetermined number of gaps between the upstream stopper means and the upstream stopper means. Since the articles received in the alignment lane are stopped at the position where the articles are received, the upstream stopper can surely stop the articles upstream of the specified number of articles, and therefore, the processing capacity is not reduced in the alignment lane. A specified number of articles can be reliably aligned.Further, the downstream stopper means has a catcher, and this catcher can move in the alignment lane, and the upstream side from the stop position where the specified number of articles are received and stopped with the upstream stopper means is set as the standby position. When the leading article detection means detects the leading article that is received in the alignment lane, the leading article detection unit starts moving from the standby position to the stop position, and receives the leading article that comes into contact with the moving catcher. The impact when the article comes into contact with the catcher can be mitigated, and the speed of the article can be reliably reduced and stopped until the catcher moves to a stop position where the specified number of articles are stopped.
[0111]
  According to the aligning device of claim 2, when the articles are received in the aligning lane, the articles are received in the aligning lane at the transport speed by the transport means until the articles received in the align lane approaches a specified number. The downstream stopper means reduces the speed of articles received in the alignment lane as the number of articles received in the alignment lane approaches the specified number, and a specified number of gaps with the upstream stopper means. Since the articles received in the alignment lane are stopped at the position where the articles are received, the upstream stopper can surely stop the articles upstream of the specified number of articles, and therefore, the processing capacity is not reduced in the alignment lane. A specified number of articles can be reliably aligned.further, Downstream stopper meansHas a catcherThe catcher can move in the alignment lane, and the upstream side from the stop position where the specified number of articles are received and stopped with the upstream stopper means is set as the standby position, and the leading article detection means is received in the alignment lane. GoodsTheWhen detected, it starts moving from the standby position to the stop position.In order to catch the leading item coming in contact with this moving catcherThe impact when the leading article comes into contact with the catcher can be mitigated, and the speed of the article can be reliably reduced and stopped until the catcher moves to a stop position where the specified number of articles are stopped.
[0112]
  Claim3According to the described alignment apparatus, the position of the upstream stopper means when the specified number of articles are stopped between the upstream stopper means by the catcher of the downstream stopper means when the articles are received in the alignment lane. The position of the article upstream of the prescribed number of articles is detected by the stop position detecting means, and the stop position of the catcher is corrected according to the detection by the stop position detecting means. It can accommodate variations in length for one row, and the upstream stopper can reliably stop upstream articles from a specified number of articles, thus ensuring a specified number of articles in the alignment lane without degrading throughput. Can be aligned.
[0113]
  Claim4According to the described alignment apparatus, the position of the upstream stopper means when the specified number of articles are stopped between the upstream stopper means by the catcher of the downstream stopper means when the articles are received in the alignment lane. The position of the article upstream of the prescribed number of articles is detected by the stop position detecting means, and the stop position of the catcher is corrected according to the detection by the stop position detecting means. It can accommodate variations in length for one row, and the upstream stopper can reliably stop upstream articles from a specified number of articles, thus ensuring a specified number of articles in the alignment lane without degrading throughput. Can be aligned.
[0114]
  Claim5According to the described alignment apparatus, claims 1 to4In addition to the effects of any of the alignment apparatuses, the upstream stopper means has stopper bodies on both sides that open and close each other in a direction intersecting the article conveyance direction, and the stopper bodies on both sides are closed to each other. Since the article is gripped from both sides and stopped, compared to the case where a stopper member or the like is entered between the specified number of articles and the upstream article and stopped, variation in the stop position of the article can be allowed, Damage to the article can be reliably prevented.
[0115]
  Claim6According to the described alignment device, the claims5In addition to the effects of the alignment device described above, the article is separated from the conveying means when the both sides of the article are gripped by the stoppers on both sides, so that the conveying force applied to the grasped article is reduced, and the grasped article A shift to the downstream side can be prevented.
[0116]
  Claim7According to the described alignment device, the claims5Or6In addition to the effects of the alignment apparatus described above, when the positional deviation of the article gripped by the stopper bodies on both sides is detected by the positional deviation detection means, the gripping force of the article by the stopper bodies on both sides is increased. Can be prevented from increasing.
[0117]
  Claim8According to the described alignment apparatus, claims 1 to7In addition to the effects of any of the alignment apparatuses, the upstream stopper means is provided so as to be movable in a direction intersecting the article conveying direction with respect to the conveying means, so that the upstream stopper means can be used to release clogging of articles. Can work easily.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an alignment operation by an alignment apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention in the order of (a) to (e).
FIG. 2 is a side view of the alignment means of the alignment apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the catcher of the alignment device.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing correction of the stop position of the catcher of the alignment apparatus as shown in (a) to (c).
FIGS. 5A and 5B show upstream stopper means of the alignment apparatus, wherein FIG. 5A is a front view in an open state, and FIG. 5B is a front view in a closed state.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of a part of the upstream stopper means of the aligning device.
FIG. 7 is a side view of a part of the upstream stopper means of the aligning device.
FIGS. 8A and 8B show upstream stopper means of the aligning device, wherein FIG. 8A is a front view in a fixed position state, and FIG. 8B is a front view in a pulled-out state.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of the alignment apparatus.
FIG. 10 is a side view of the alignment apparatus.
FIG. 11 is a front view of the alignment apparatus.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a configuration related to the alignment operation of the alignment apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
        11 Containers as goods
        21 Alignment device
        22 Transport means
        23 Alignment means
        24 means of withdrawal
        41 Upstream stopper
        56 Stopper body
        77 Photoelectric switch as stop position detection means and displacement detection means
        81 alignment lanes
        101 Downstream stopper
        102 Catcher
        109 Lead container detection sensor as lead article detection means

Claims (8)

Conveying means for conveying a plurality of articles in a row;
An alignment lane for receiving and aligning a specified number of articles from the conveying means;
Upstream stopper means for stopping articles upstream from a defined number of articles received in the alignment lane from the conveying means;
Leading article detection means for detecting the leading article received in the alignment lane;
A catcher that is movable in the alignment lane and has a standby position upstream from a stop position that receives and stops a specified number of articles between the upstream stopper means and accepts the articles to the alignment lane Sometimes, when the leading article detection means detects the leading article, the catcher is started to move from the standby position to the stop position, and the leading article coming into contact with the moving catcher is received and the alignment lane to reduce the speed of the articles received in the alignment lane accordance accepted article approaches the prescribed number, and includes a downstream stopper means for stopping an article to be received in the alignment lane stop position of the catcher An alignment device characterized by comprising: Conveying means for conveying a plurality of articles in at least one row;
A plurality of rows of alignment lanes arranged side by side in the direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the articles by the conveyance means are provided, and the alignment lanes are sequentially moved from the conveyance means to the receiving position for receiving the articles to be aligned with the alignment lanes. An alignment means for receiving and aligning a prescribed number of articles;
Upstream stopper means for stopping articles upstream from a defined number of articles received in the alignment lane from the conveying means;
Leading article detection means for detecting the leading article received in the alignment lane;
A catcher that is movable in the alignment lane and has a standby position upstream from a stop position that receives and stops a specified number of articles between the upstream stopper means and accepts the articles to the alignment lane Sometimes, when the leading article detection means detects the leading article, the catcher is started to move from the standby position to the stop position, and the leading article coming into contact with the moving catcher is received and the alignment lane and a downstream stopper means the alignment lane slows down the acceptable article, stopping the articles received in the alignment lane stop position of the catcher according to accepted article approaches the prescribed number,
An aligning device comprising: a dispensing unit that dispenses articles from the predetermined number of alignment lanes after a predetermined number of articles are aligned in the alignment lanes of the plurality of columns of the alignment unit . Conveying means for conveying a plurality of articles in a row;
An alignment lane for receiving and aligning a specified number of articles from the conveying means;
Upstream stopper means for stopping articles upstream from a defined number of articles received in the alignment lane from the conveying means;
Stop position detecting means for detecting the position of an article upstream of a specified number of articles relative to the position of the upstream stopper means;
A catcher that can move in the alignment lane and stops at a position where a predetermined number of articles are received between the upstream side stopper means and corrects the stop position of the catcher according to detection by the stop position detection means. And a downstream stopper means. Conveying means for conveying a plurality of articles in at least one row;
A plurality of rows of alignment lanes arranged side by side in the direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the articles by the conveyance means are provided, and the alignment lanes are sequentially moved from the conveyance means to the receiving position for receiving the articles to be aligned with the alignment lanes. An alignment means for receiving and aligning a prescribed number of articles;
Upstream stopper means for stopping articles upstream from a defined number of articles received in the alignment lane from the conveying means;
Stop position detecting means for detecting the position of an article upstream of a specified number of articles relative to the position of the upstream stopper means;
A catcher that can move in the alignment lane and stops at a position where a predetermined number of articles are received between the upstream side stopper means and corrects the stop position of the catcher according to detection by the stop position detection means. Downstream side stopper means,
An aligning device comprising: a dispensing unit that dispenses articles from the predetermined number of alignment lanes after a predetermined number of articles are aligned in the alignment lanes of the plurality of columns of the alignment unit. The upstream stopper means has stopper bodies on both sides that open and close to each other in a direction intersecting the article conveyance direction, and holds the article from both sides and stops when the stopper bodies on both sides close to each other. aligning apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein 4. 6. The alignment apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the upstream stopper means separates the articles from the conveying means when gripping both sides of the articles with the stopper bodies on both sides. Comprising a misalignment detection means for detecting misalignment of an article held by the stopper bodies on both sides;
The alignment apparatus according to claim 5 or 6 , wherein the upstream stopper means increases the gripping force of the articles by the stopper bodies on both sides when the positional deviation detection means detects the positional deviation of the articles. The alignment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the upstream-side stopper means is provided so as to be movable in a direction intersecting the article conveyance direction with respect to the conveyance means.

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