JP4597445B2 - Retort pack packing machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a retort pack accumulation box packing machine that forms an accumulation pack group in which a predetermined number of retort packs are accumulated, and then packs the accumulation pack group.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, JP-A-61-222020, JP-A-9-301305, JP-A-5-787222, and JP-A-4-239405 disclose pack boxing machines for packed products. .
However, since all of the devices in the above publication are fragile snacks such as potato chips, the original purpose is not to pack the packs or to pack the packed packs. It is to provide an accumulation method and a boxing method that do not crush the contents.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For this reason, a retort pack whose contents are a fluid is required to be accumulated and boxed at a high speed, but none of the devices disclosed in the above publication can be used for such a retort pack.
Further, if the retort pack is packed in a state where the outer peripheral edge of the pack is bent, the pack itself may be torn from the bent portion because the contents are heavier than the snack. In order to avoid such a situation, the retort pack is required to be packed in a stacked state. However, a stacking box filling machine that satisfies this requirement has not been developed yet, and at present, the retort pack is packed. And boxing are done manually, but it is the actual situation.
[0004]
The present invention has been made on the basis of the above-mentioned circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to satisfy the conditions of accumulation and boxing required for the retort pack, while at the same time retort pack capable of speeding up the accumulation and boxing. It is to provide an integrated boxing machine.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the retort pack packing box packing machine of the present invention (Claim 1) is roughly divided into a supply line for sequentially supplying retort packs in a flat state, and a retort pack received from the supply line. A stacking device that forms a predetermined number of these retort packs in a stacked stack group, and a boxing device that receives the stack pack from the stacking device and packs the received pack pack.
[0006]
The stacking device of the stacking box packing machine according to claim 1 receives the retort pack from the supply line, and transfers the received retort pack at a constant speed, and extends below the constant speed conveyor. Receive the retort pack sent from the end The retort pack received is transferred in the same direction as the retort pack delivery direction from the constant speed conveyor. The stacking conveyor and the stacking conveyor are intermittently driven at a low speed, and the retort packs from the constant speed conveyor on the stacking conveyor form a diagonally stacked pack group that overlaps with each other in a state of being shifted back and forth in the sending direction. The conveyor control means for continuously driving the stacking conveyor at a speed higher than the intermittent driving at a low speed and the stacking bucket at the receiving position connected to the end of the stacking conveyor until at least the oblique stack pack is discharged from the stacking conveyor. When positioned, the individual retort packs of the diagonally stacked pack group sequentially discharged from the stacking conveyor into the stacking bucket are received as the stacking pack group, and then the stacking bucket is transferred toward the boxing device. Including bucket conveyor In this case, the conveyor control means relates to the stacking pitch defined between the rear end edges of adjacent retort packs in the oblique stacking pack group so as to reduce the subsequent stacking pitch compared to the initial stacking pitch. Are controlled so as to form a group of diagonally stacked packs in which the retort packs that are sequentially stacked are more upright. .
[0007]
According to the above-described stacking box packing machine, the retort pack supplied from the supply line is transferred on the constant speed conveyor at a constant speed, and then sent from the constant speed conveyor onto the stacking conveyor. At this time, the stacking conveyor is intermittently driven at a low speed, thereby forming a group of diagonally stacked packs on the stacking conveyor. In this obliquely stacked pack group, the individual retort packs are partially overlapped with each other, and therefore are shorter than the total length of all the retort packs in the obliquely stacked pack group as viewed in the transfer direction on the stacking conveyor. Thereafter, when the stacking conveyor is continuously driven in the high speed mode, the oblique stack packs are transferred at a high speed toward the stacking bucket at the receiving position in a lump state, and all the retort packs of the oblique stack packs are collected. Are continuously discharged from the end of the stacking conveyor into the stacking bucket, thereby forming a stack of stacked packs in which retort packs are stacked in the stacking bucket.
[0008]
After that, the accumulation pack group is transferred together with the accumulation bucket toward the boxing device, and is boxed in a state where the flat packing state is maintained by the boxing device.
The conveyor control means described above is configured so that, with respect to the stacking pitch defined between the rear end edges of adjacent retort packs in the oblique stacking pack group, the stacking conveyor is intermittent in order to reduce the subsequent stacking pitch compared to the initial stacking pitch. Control the drive , In this case, since the length of the diagonally stacked pack group on the stacking conveyor becomes shorter, the length required for the stacking conveyor can also be shortened, and the discharge of the diagonally stacked pack group from the stacking conveyor into the stacking bucket is short. Complete with.
[0009]
Further, in the case of claim 1 The subsequent overlap pitch is shortened compared to the initial overlap pitch. Because In the diagonally stacked pack group, the retort pack following the first retort pack has a posture such that it stands more upright. Therefore, the retort pack that has already overlapped diagonally on the stacking conveyor functions as a wall when the next retort pack is delivered, and the next retort pack is caused by the inertial movement of its contents. There is no overlap overtaking.
[0010]
Furthermore, the conveyor control means continuously drives the stacking conveyor at the timing when the next retort pack sent from the constant speed conveyor overlaps with the last retort pack of the oblique stack pack group to form a new oblique stack pack group. Can be started (claims) 2 ). In this case, the time required for forming the diagonally stacked pack group and the time required for discharging the diagonally stacked pack group into the stacking bucket, that is, the time required for forming the stacked pack group are further reduced.
[0011]
In order to accurately determine the above start timing for continuously driving the stacking conveyor, the conveyor control means may include a pack detection sensor that detects the passage of the retort pack on the constant speed conveyor and outputs a detection signal thereof ( Claim 3 ).
Meanwhile, collection Loading The stopper is disposed in front of the stacking conveyor and sandwiches the region immediately above the stacking bucket at the receiving position with the stacking conveyor, the lower limit position below the stacking bucket at the receiving position, and the upper part of the stacking bucket And an elevator control means for controlling the vertical movement of the elevator base, and the elevator control means includes individual retort packs of the oblique stack pack group. Is continuously discharged from the stacking conveyor into the stacking bucket, the elevator table is lowered so as to maintain the fall distance of the individual retort packs from the stacking conveyor into the stacking bucket by the thickness of at least one retort pack. Control (claims) 4 ).
[0012]
Collection of the above Loading According to the installation, the individual retorts of the obliquely packed pack group from the accumulation conveyor into the accumulation bucket Pa As the packs are sequentially ejected, the elevator stand also descends, and the pack only falls at least as much as its thickness, preventing tilting of the retort pack during the fall process, and individual retort packs on the elevator stand. Accumulated in a stacked state, and the impact received by the retort pack when dropped is also reduced.
[0013]
Specifically, the elevator control means preferably lowers the elevator base continuously in accordance with a trapezoidal shift pattern. 5 ). In this way, the elevator platform descends quickly, and the discharge time of the oblique stack pack group can be shortened.
Further, the stacking bucket can receive two obliquely stacked pack groups (claims). 6 In this case, an integrated pack group consisting of a large number of retort packs can be formed accurately.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 schematically shows a retort pack accumulation boxer.
The integrated boxing machine includes a supply line 2 for a retort pack (hereinafter simply referred to as a pack) P, which extends from the filling and packaging system of the pack P and continuously conveys the individual packs P in a sideways orientation. .
[0015]
An accumulation device 6 is connected to the end of the supply line 2 via an exclusion conveyor 4. That is, the stacking device 6 includes a belt conveyor connected to the exclusion conveyor 4, that is, a constant speed conveyor 8. The constant speed conveyor 8 sequentially receives the packs P from the supply line 2 via the exclusion conveyor 4, and these packs P are induced. It is transferred at a constant speed by driving the motor. Here, the transfer speed of the packs P on the constant speed conveyor 8 is faster than the transport speed of the packs P on the supply line 2 and the exclusion conveyor 4, and thus, between the packs P on the constant speed conveyor 8. The transfer interval is increased.
[0016]
When a defective pack P is detected on the supply line 2, the defective pack P is excluded from the exclusion conveyor 4.
An accumulation conveyor 10, which is also a belt conveyor, is disposed below the constant speed conveyor 8, and the accumulation conveyor 10 extends to the bucket conveyor 12 in the same direction as the constant speed conveyor 8. The stacking conveyor 10 travels under the drive of a servo motor, and is formed into a diagonally stacked pack group Q in which five packs P sent out from the end of the constant speed conveyor 8 are gathered together by intermittent driving. The obliquely stacked pack group Q is transported toward the bucket conveyor 12 as a lump by continuous driving.
[0017]
On the other hand, the bucket conveyor 12 extends from the stacking conveyor 10 in the same direction, and includes a plurality of stacking buckets although not shown in FIG. The bucket conveyor 12 is intermittently driven by a servo motor, and in accordance with this intermittent driving, one stacking bucket is sequentially positioned at the receiving position A near the end of the stacking conveyor 10. Accordingly, when the stacking pack group Q is discharged from the end of the stacking conveyor 10 in a state where the stacking bucket is positioned at the receiving position A, each pack P of the stacking stack group Q is received by the stacking bucket. And accumulated pack group R is formed in the accumulation bucket. Here, the stacking bucket continuously receives two obliquely stacked pack groups Q from the stacking conveyor 10, whereby a stacking pack group S composed of 10 packs P is formed in the stacking bucket.
[0018]
Thereafter, the bucket conveyor 12 is intermittently driven, the stack pack group S is moved from the receiving position A toward the pushing position B together with the stacking bucket, and the next empty stacking bucket is positioned at the receiving position A.
The formation of the obliquely packed pack group Q and the stacked pack group S on the stacking conveyor 10 will be described later.
[0019]
On the other hand, a boxing device 14 is disposed in the vicinity of the bucket conveyor 12, and the boxing device 14 includes a carton conveyor 16. As is clear from FIG. 1, the carton conveyor 16 extends in parallel with the bucket conveyor 12 and can receive the supply of the carton blank C at one end on the stacking conveyor 10 side. When supplying the blank C, the blank C is formed into a horizontally placed carton D on the carton conveyor 16, and the carton D opens toward the bucket conveyor 12 and the bottom thereof is closed. That is, the blank C is a preformed blank in which the bottom flaps to be the bottom mesh with each other when forming into the carton D. When the carton D is in the open state, the insert extends from the opening edge toward the bucket conveyor 12. With lid of formula and both side flaps.
[0020]
The blanks C are taken out from the blank hopper 18 one by one, then transferred to one upper part of the carton conveyor 16, and sucked and pulled down toward the carton conveyor 16. At this time, the opened carton D It becomes. The blank hopper 18 is disposed above the stacking conveyor 10 and extends in a direction crossing the stacking conveyor 10.
[0021]
The carton conveyor 16 is intermittently driven by a servo motor, whereby the carton D formed from the blank C is moved toward the loading position E corresponding to the pushing position B. Here, when the carton D and the accumulation bucket are positioned at the loading position E and the pushing position B, respectively, the accumulation pack group S in the accumulation bucket faces the opening surface of the carton D.
[0022]
A pusher 20 is disposed above the pushing position B in the bucket conveyor 12. The pusher 20 is provided on a shuttle bracket 22, and the shuttle bracket 22 is attached to an endless chain 24. The endless chain 24 extends in a direction crossing both the bucket conveyor 12 and the carton conveyor 16, and the shuttle bracket 22, that is, the pusher 20 moves in the pushing position B and the loading position E as the endless chain 24 travels in the forward and reverse directions. Can be reciprocated between.
[0023]
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the pusher 20 has an arm shape, and an upper end portion of the pusher 20 is rotatably supported by the shuttle bracket 22 via a pin 26. The lower end of the pusher 20 is formed as a claw bent in a bowl shape.
The upper end of the pusher 20 is connected to the lower end of the swing lever 30 via a link 28, and the upper end of the swing lever 30 is swingably supported by the shuttle bracket 22 via a pin 32. An air cylinder 34 is connected to an intermediate portion of the swing lever 30, and the air cylinder 34 is supported by the shuttle bracket 22.
[0024]
When the pusher 20 is in a resting position indicated by a solid line above the pushing position B in FIG. 2, the air cylinder 34 is in a contracted state. When the air cylinder 34 is extended from this state, the pusher 20 is rotated counterclockwise via the swing lever 30 and the link 28 and moved to the operating position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. In this operating position, the pusher 20 is applied to the stacking pack group S so that the stacking pack group S in the stacking bucket at the push-in position B is hooked from below with the claw at the lower end.
[0025]
Thereafter, when the pusher 20 is moved toward the loading position E together with the shuttle bracket 22 as the endless chain 24 travels, the pusher 20 pushes the stack pack S from the stack bucket. The stacked pack group S thus extruded is guided by the pusher 20 on the loading guide 36 between the bucket conveyor 12 and the carton conveyor 16, and then into the carton D at the loading position E from its open end. Loaded.
[0026]
Thereafter, the pusher 20 is moved to the rest position, and returns to the upper side of the bucket conveyor 12 together with the shuttle bracket 22.
The carton D that has been loaded with the stacking pack group S as described above is then subjected to the intermittent drive of the carton conveyor 16, and then the side flap folding position F, the lid insertion position G, and the lid 2 degree pushing position shown in FIG. Sequentially positioned at H. As apparent from FIG. 1, at the side flap folding position F, both side flaps of the carton D are folded toward the stacked pack group S loaded in the carton D, and then the carton D at the lid insertion position G. Lids are integrated with the inner surface of carton D Pa Inserted into the group S. Then, when the lid is further pressed at the lid double-pressing position H, the insertion of the lid is ensured. Pa Packing of packs P is completed.
[0027]
Thereafter, the carton D is transferred from the carton conveyor 16 to another conveyor and is transferred toward the subsequent processing step.
Referring to FIG. 3, the configuration of the above-described integrated device 6 is shown more specifically.
In FIG. 3, reference numerals 38, 40, and 42 are assigned to the induction motor of the constant speed conveyor 8, the servo motor of the stacking conveyor 10, and the servo motor of the bucket conveyor 12, respectively.
[0028]
Each stacking bucket 44 of the bucket conveyor 12 is composed of two blades 46 spaced apart in the intermittent movement direction, and these blades 46 are supported by links of an endless chain 48. The endless chain 48 is intermittently run by the servo motor 42. Note that shelves that protrude into the accumulation bucket 44 are provided below the inner surface of each blade 46, and these shelves function as a bottom member that supports the accumulation pack group S described above.
[0029]
When the stacking bucket 44 is composed of two blades 46, the stacking bucket 44 is open on both sides in the width direction of the bucket conveyor 12. Therefore, the stacking pack group S is pushed out from the stacking bucket 44 as described above. This is possible with the pusher 20.
Further, the stacking device 6 includes a stacking elevator 50 below the receiving position A. The stacking elevator 50 has an elevator stand 52, and the elevator stand 52 is attached to the upper end of a rack 54 supported so as to be movable up and down. The rack 54 can be moved up and down by a pinion 59 rotated by a servo motor 56 via a chain 58.
[0030]
The elevator platform 52 has a size that allows entry into the accumulation bucket 44 from below the accumulation bucket 44. Therefore, when the rack 54 is raised, the elevator platform 52 enters the accumulation bucket 44 at the receiving position A from below. Once entered, and thereafter the rack 54 is lowered, the elevator pedestal 52 can exit the stacking bucket 44 downward.
[0031]
Further, the integrated elevator 50 includes an upper limit sensor 60 that detects the upper limit position of the rack 54, that is, the elevator stand 52, and a lower limit sensor 62 that detects the lower limit position of the elevator stand 52, and these upper limit and lower limit sensors 60, 62. Consists of proximity sensors or limit switches.
Further, a pack detection sensor 64 is disposed above the constant speed conveyor 8, and this pack detection sensor 64 is a reflective photoelectric sensor that detects the passage of the pack P. The pack detection sensor 64 is positioned with a predetermined separation distance L from the end of the constant speed conveyor 8, and this separation distance is the transfer speed of the pack P on the constant speed conveyor 8, the intermittent driving speed of the accumulation conveyor 10, and the accumulation. It is determined by the continuous driving speed of the conveyor 10.
[0032]
Furthermore, a fixed stopper wall 66 is disposed in front of the stacking conveyor 10, and this stopper wall 66 is positioned immediately above the blade 46 on the front side of the stacking bucket 44 in the receiving position A. .
The output of the controller 68 shown in FIG. 4 is electrically connected to the constant speed conveyor 8, the stacking conveyor 10, the bucket conveyor 12 and the stacking elevator 50. The upper limit sensor 60 is connected to the input side of the controller 68. In addition to the detection signals from the lower limit sensor 62 and the pack detection sensor 64, feedback signals from the servo motors 40, 42 and 56 of the stacking conveyor 10, the bucket conveyor 12 and the stacking elevator 50 can also be supplied.
[0033]
The controller 68 includes a computer that sequentially controls the operation of the accumulation conveyor 10, the bucket conveyor 12, and the accumulation elevator 50 based on the signals from the sensors 60 to 64 and the feedback signals from the servo motors. The operation control will be described below.
First, when the stacking box packing machine is activated, the constant speed conveyor 8 is driven at a constant speed, for example, 60 m / min, and the stacking conveyor 10, the bucket conveyor 12 and the stacking elevator 50 each stand by at the origin. Specifically, the accumulation conveyor 10 is driven by a predetermined belt travel distance based on the feedback signal of the servo motor 40 and then stopped. Thereby, the pack P or the diagonally stacked pack group on the stacking conveyor 10 Q Are removed from the stacking conveyor 10 into the stacking bucket 44 of the bucket conveyor 12, and thereafter the pack P in the stacking bucket 44 is removed.
[0034]
When the above-described standby of the stacking conveyor 10 is completed, the bucket conveyor 12 is intermittently driven based on the feedback signal of the servo motor 42 by the pitch interval of the stacking buckets 44, and the empty stacking bucket 44 is positioned at the receiving position A. Thus, the origin standby of the bucket conveyor 12 is completed.
Thereafter, the accumulation elevator 50 raises the elevator stand 52 from its lower limit position to the upper limit position through the accumulation bucket 44 at the receiving position A, and at this point, the return to origin of the accumulation elevator 50 is completed. Here, when the elevator stand 52 is at the upper limit position, the elevator stand 52 is positioned at the upper end of the stacking bucket 44, and the upper limit position is detected based on the detection signal from the upper limit sensor 60 described above.
[0035]
When the pack P is supplied from the supply line 2 side to the constant speed conveyor 8 after the above-described origin waiting is completed, the constant speed conveyor 8 receives the received pack P for a substantially constant time. Interval Transport continuously.
Accumulation conveyor operation control routine
Under such circumstances, the driving of the stacking conveyor 10 is controlled according to the operation control routine shown in FIG.
[0036]
First, here, the passage of the pack P is detected through the above-described origin standby operation (step S1) (step S2). Specifically, in step S2 here, the determination is made based on the detection signal from the pack detection sensor 64 described above.
When the determination result in step S2 becomes true (Yes), the standby timer in the controller 68 is activated and waits until a predetermined standby time t elapses (step S3). Thereafter, the servo motor 40 of the stacking conveyor 10 is turned on. The stacking conveyor 10 is intermittently driven at a low speed, that is, pitch fed (step S4).
[0037]
Here, the waiting time t is based on the separation distance between the end of the constant speed conveyor 8 and the pack detection sensor 64 and the transfer speed of the constant speed conveyor 8, and then the pack P is accumulated after the passage of the pack P is detected. The time required to transfer onto the conveyor 10 is set.
Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the number of pitch feeds at low speed has reached the fourth (step S5). Specifically, in step S5 here, it is determined whether or not the number of pitch feeds of the stacking conveyor 10 counted by the counter in the controller 68 has reached the fourth time.
[0038]
If the determination result in step S5 is false (No), steps S2, S3, and S4 are repeated. Therefore, the stacking conveyor 10 is pitch-fed at a low speed every time the pack P is received from the constant speed conveyor 8.
Here, the pitch feed of the stacking conveyor 10 differs in feed speed and feed time for each number of feeds. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the pack detection sensor 64 detects the passage of the pack P, and the first (# 1) pack P is loaded on the stacking conveyor 10 from the constant speed conveyor 8. When moving, the stacking conveyor 10 is pitch-feeded at a feed rate of, for example, 12 m / min for a fixed feed time. On the other hand, the second to fourth (# 2 to # 4) packs P are stacked. When the conveyor 10 is moved onto 10, the stacking conveyor 10 is pitch-fed at a feed rate of 6 m / min, for example, while the feed time is reduced stepwise.
[0039]
When the pitch feed at the low speed of the stacking conveyor 10 is repeated in this way, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the four packs P sequentially transferred onto the stacking conveyor 10 are obliquely overlapped with each other. The overlapping pack group Q0 (FIG. 9) is formed. More specifically, first, as shown in FIG. 7, the subsequent pack P is transferred to the pitch feed amount a of the stacking conveyor 10 when the first pack P is transferred onto the stacking conveyor 10. Since the feed pitch amount a at that time is gradually reduced, the pack P that sequentially overlaps the first pack P overlaps in an upright posture with respect to the previous pack P, thereby collecting the pack P. On the conveyor 10, the length required for forming the oblique stacked pack group Q0 can be shortened, which means that the length from the end of the constant speed conveyor 8 to the end of the stacking conveyor 10 can be shortened. Means.
[0040]
Further, since the packs P and subsequent two are gradually raised when forming the diagonally stacked pack group Q0, the previous pack P functions as a wall when the next pack P is stacked, and the next pack P Is sent out from the constant speed conveyor 8 at a high speed, and even if the inertial movement force of the contents is strong, it does not overtake the previous pack P, and the obliquely stacked pack Q0 can be reliably formed.
[0041]
Returning to the operation control routine of FIG. 5 again, when the determination result in step S5 becomes true, it is then determined whether or not the fifth pack P has passed (step S6), and the determination result here is true. At the same time, the servo motor 40 of the stacking conveyor 10 is continuously fed at a high speed for a predetermined time at a speed (see X in FIG. 6) faster than the pitch feeding at the low speed described above (step S7). In step S7, the aforementioned counter of the controller 68 is reset.
[0042]
Thereafter, the descending signal of the stacking elevator 50 is turned on (step S8), and it is determined whether or not the stop signal of the stacking box packing machine is on (step S9). As long as the determination result of step S9 is maintained to be false, the steps after step S2 are repeated.
The aforementioned step S7 is started when the fifth pack P is detected by the pack detection sensor 64 as shown in FIG. 9, and the fifth pack P sent from the end of the constant speed conveyor 8 is , The front end of the stack P of the diagonally packed pack group Q0 that has started to be transferred by receiving the high-speed continuous feed of the stacking conveyor 10 overlaps with the front end of the stack P as shown in FIG. A new diagonally stacked pack group Q1, that is, the previously described diagonally stacked pack group Q is formed.
[0043]
Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the high-speed continuous feed of the stacking conveyor 10 discharges the obliquely packed pack group Q from the terminal end of the stacking conveyor 10 into the stacking bucket 44 in a lump, and into the stacking bucket 44 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG.
Here, the high-speed continuous feeding of the stacking conveyor 10 is started when the passage of the fifth pack P on the constant speed conveyor 8 is detected prior to the formation of the obliquely stacked pack group Q. The time required for the stacked pack group Q to reach the stacking bucket 44 can be shortened, and the individual packs P of the oblique stacked pack group Q are continuously discharged into the stacking bucket 44. The time required for formation can be greatly reduced.
[0044]
Further, as is apparent from FIG. 10, when the diagonally stacked pack group Q is formed on the stacking conveyor 10, the leading pack P of the diagonally stacked pack group Q is in a state of protruding from the end of the stacked conveyor 10. When the length from the terminal end of the constant speed conveyor 8 to the terminal end of the stacking conveyor 10 is set, the formation of the diagonally stacked pack group Q on the stacking conveyor 10 is completed, and at the same time, the diagonally stacked packs into the stacking bucket 44 Since the discharge of the group Q is started, the time required for forming the stacking pack group R can be further shortened.
[0045]
Further, as apparent from FIGS. 11 and 12, since the transfer of the pack P on the constant speed conveyor 8 is continued even during the high speed continuous feeding of the stacking conveyor 10, the high speed continuous of the stacking conveyor 10 is continued. The feed is required to be completed before the next pack P is delivered from the constant speed conveyor 8, and the feed speed and feed time for continuous high speed feed are set to satisfy this condition. Specifically, during continuous high speed feeding, the stacking conveyor 10 continuously transports the obliquely packed pack group Q at a speed of 50 m / min, and the feed time is the transfer time interval T of the pack P on the constant speed conveyor 8. (See FIG. 6).
[0046]
Note that the longer the feed time here, the slower the continuous high-speed feed of the obliquely stacked pack group Q can be performed, so that each pack P receives when the obliquely stacked pack group Q is discharged into the accumulation bucket 44. The impact can be reduced. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the stacking conveyor 10 is temporarily stopped after completion of the high-speed continuous feed. However, without this stop, 1 of the diagonally stacked pack group Q0 to be formed next. Number Pa It is also possible to continuously perform pitch feed to the rack P (# 6).
[0047]
On the other hand, as is apparent from a comparison of FIGS. 11 and 12, when the obliquely packed pack group Q is discharged into the accumulation bucket 44, the elevator platform 52 of the accumulation elevator 50 is lowered, and the operation of the accumulation elevator 50 is performed here. The control routine is shown in FIG.
Integrated elevator operation control routine
In this operation control routine, first, it is determined whether or not the descending signal of the integrated elevator 50 is ON (step S12) through the above-described home position standby (step S11), and the determination result here becomes true. At the point in time, that is, when the stacking conveyor 10 starts high-speed continuous feeding (see step S8 in FIG. 5), the servo motor 56 of the stacking elevator 50 is driven, and the one-step lowering of the elevator platform 52 follows the predetermined shift pattern. Start (step S13), at the time when the elevator table 52 is lowered by a predetermined distance, that is, a distance corresponding to the height of the stacking pack group R (see FIG. 6), the one-step lowering of the elevator platform 52 is interrupted (step S14). And it waits in the interruption position (step S15). The standby at this interruption position is continued until the descending signal of the integrated elevator 50 is turned on next (step S16).
[0048]
More specifically, the lowering of the elevator stand 52 secures at least the thickness of one pack P at the fall distance of the pack P when the individual packs P of the obliquely stacked pack group Q are sequentially discharged into the stacking bucket 44. Therefore, control is performed according to a shift pattern as shown in FIG. 14, that is, a substantially trapezoidal shift pattern including an acceleration range, a constant speed range, and a deceleration range, and the descending speed of the elevator platform 52 becomes the highest speed in the middle of one-step descending. .
[0049]
When the elevator table 52 is lowered as described above, the packs P are stacked in a flat state on the elevator table 52 in the stacking bucket 44 without being inclined, and an accurate stack pack group R is formed. It becomes possible.
Here, it discharges from the accumulation conveyor 10 into the accumulation bucket 44. The Further consideration will be given to the movement of the pack P.
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 15 (a), each pack P is overlapped with the next pack P at the rear end thereof except for the last pack P among the individual packs P of the obliquely stacked pack group Q. The rear end portion is in a state of being pressed against the stacking conveyor 10 from above. Therefore, when the pack P is discharged from the end of the stacking conveyor 10, as shown in FIG. 15 (b), the pack P jumps out of the stacking conveyor 10 with its front end portion slightly inclined downward, Thereafter, as apparent from FIG. 15C, while drawing a substantially Z trajectory that rebounds at the front stopper wall 66, on the elevator platform 52 or on the pack P already stacked on the elevator platform 52. Are accumulated in a flat stack. Since the last pack P of the diagonally stacked pack group Q is not subjected to the above-described pressing, even when the downward inclination of the stack P is large, the pop-out speed of the pack P is sufficiently high. Since it is fast and the fall distance is also short, it is accumulated in the same manner in a flat state.
[0051]
When the formation of the accumulation pack group R described above is completed, the formation of the oblique stack pack group Q1 (Q) is similarly performed on the accumulation conveyor 10 through the formation of the oblique overlap pack group Q0 as shown in FIGS. Repeated.
At this time, when the pack detection sensor 64 detects the passage of the last pack P (# 10 in FIG. 6) forming the oblique stack pack group Q, the operation control routine of FIG. The determination result is true, the high-speed continuous feed of the stacking conveyor 10 is resumed (step S7), and the descending signal of the stacking elevator 50 is turned on (step S8).
[0052]
Therefore, at this time, in the operation control routine of FIG. The At this time, the servo motor 56 of the integrated elevator 50 is driven again, and the two-step lowering of the elevator base 52 is started in accordance with the substantially trapezoidal shift pattern shown in FIG. 14 (step S17). The two-step lowering of the elevator platform 52 is interrupted (step S18).
[0053]
Thereafter, the elevator platform 52 is lowered to the lower limit position (step S19), and the feed signal of the accumulation bucket 44 is turned on (step S20). Then, the accumulation elevator 50 waits until the movement completion signal of the accumulation bucket 44 is turned on (step S21). The lower limit position of the elevator stand 52 is detected by a lower limit sensor 62.
[0054]
When the elevator platform 52 is lowered by two stages simultaneously with the high-speed continuous feeding of the stacking conveyor 10, the diagonally stacked pack group Q is discharged into the stacking bucket 44 on the stacking conveyor 10 as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. Further, the above-described accumulation pack group S is formed on the accumulation pack group R in the accumulation bucket 44, and the next obliquely stacked pack group Q0 is formed on the accumulation conveyor 10 immediately after the formation of the accumulation pack group S. The formation of is started.
[0055]
Here, since the accumulation pack group S is formed by repeating the formation of the accumulation pack group R twice in the accumulation bucket 44, the formation of the accumulation pack group S is also completed in a short time.
When the elevator stand 52 is further lowered to its lower limit position, the elevator stand 52 is completely pulled out of the accumulation bucket 44, and the accumulation pack group S is supported on the shelf of the accumulation bucket 44, that is, the bottom thereof. Thus, the intermittent feeding of the accumulation bucket 44 becomes possible.
[0056]
Thereafter, the intermittent feeding of the stacking buckets 44 is completed in the operation control routine of the bucket conveyor 12 described later, and when the determination result of the above-described step S21 becomes true, that is, a new empty stacking bucket 44 is moved to the receiving position A. When positioned, the servo motor 56 of the integrated elevator 50 is driven, and the elevator platform 52 is moved from the lower limit position through the empty stack bucket 44 to the upper limit position (step S22) and stopped at the upper limit position (step S23). Thereafter, the lift completion signal of the elevator stand 52 is turned on (step S24), and the oblique stacked pack group Q is discharged into the empty accumulation bucket 44, that is, accumulated. Pa The group S can be formed.
[0057]
The steps after step S12 described above are repeatedly performed until the operation stop signal of the stacking box packing machine is turned on (step S25).
Operation control routine for bucket conveyor
FIG. 21 shows an operation control routine of the bucket conveyor 12.
In this operation control routine, it is determined whether or not the feed signal of the stacking bucket 44 has been turned on (Step S32) through the above-described origin standby (Step S31). Here, in the operation control routine (see FIG. 13) of the integrated elevator 50 described above, when the formation of the integrated pack group S is completed and step S20 is executed, the determination result in step S32 becomes true. Then, the servo motor 42 of the bucket conveyor 12 is driven, intermittent feeding (see FIG. 6) of the accumulation bucket 44 is started (step S33), and when the empty accumulation bucket 44 is positioned at the receiving position A, The intermittent feed is stopped (step S34). Thereafter, the movement end signal of the stacking bucket 44 is turned on (step S35), and the steps after step S32 described above are repeatedly performed until the operation stop signal of the stacking box packing machine is turned on (step S36).
[0058]
When step S35 is performed, the determination result of step 21 is true in the operation control routine of the integrated elevator 50 described above (see FIG. 13), and the elevator platform 52 is raised from the lower limit position to the upper limit position. It will be.
From FIG. 19 and FIG. Et Even during the intermittent feeding of the accumulation bucket 44, the formation of the oblique stack pack group Q0 is proceeding on the accumulation conveyor 10, so that the intermittent feeding of the accumulation bucket 44 and the raising operation of the elevator platform 52 are obliquely overlapping. It is controlled to be completed before the formation of the pack group Q1 (Q).
[0059]
As described above, since the formation of the accumulation pack group S is completed in a short time, the cycle of intermittent feeding in the bucket conveyor 12 can be shortened, and thus the accumulation pack group S is loaded from the accumulation bucket 44 into the carton D at a high speed. As a result, the packs P can be packed at a high speed.
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in one embodiment, the accumulation pack group S is formed by discharging two obliquely stacked pack groups Q to the accumulation bucket 44, but the accumulated pack group S may be composed of one obliquely stacked pack group Q. Good. Further, the number of packs P constituting the integrated pack group S is not limited to five, and the present invention can be applied to at least three or more packs.
[0060]
In the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the packs P are sent out from the constant speed conveyor 8 onto the stacking conveyor 10 at regular time intervals. However, the delivery interval of the packs P on the stacking conveyor 10 is disturbed, and the next pack P is transferred onto the stacking conveyor 10 before the high-speed continuous feed of the stacking conveyor 10 is completed. For example, the pitch feed speed of the stacking conveyor 10 for the pack P (see # 6 in FIG. 6) is, for example, 6 m / min (see Y in FIG. 6) or 0 m / min (see Z in FIG. 6). Can be changed. By such a change in the pitch feed speed, the obliquely stacked pack group Q0 is formed, and at the same time, the leading pack P is not discharged into the stacking bucket 44.
[0061]
Further, the pitch feed time of the stacking conveyor 10 does not necessarily have to be sequentially reduced, and the second and subsequent feed times may be the same, or the third feed time may be the shortest. .
Furthermore, the high-speed continuous feed of the stacking conveyor 10 may be continued until the pack P that has been transferred onto the stacking conveyor 10 is discharged into the stacking bucket 44. In this case, each stacking pack group R is obliquely stacked. A pack group Q and one pack P are formed.
[0062]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the retort pack stacking box packing machine of the present invention (Claim 1), the packs sequentially fed from the constant speed conveyor are formed on the stacking conveyor into the oblique stack pack group by the low-speed intermittent feed. Then, since it was made to discharge to the accumulation bucket as a lump by the high-speed continuous feed of the accumulation conveyor, the accumulation pack group in a flat stack state can be formed in a short time in the accumulation bucket. Accumulation and boxing of retort packs can be performed at high speed.
[0063]
And Regarding the stacking pitch of the diagonal stacking pack group, the subsequent stacking pitch is reduced compared to the initial stacking pitch. Because The obliquely stacked pack group is accurately and reliably formed on the stacking conveyor.
If the high-speed continuous feed of the stacking conveyor is started at the stage before the transfer of the next pack (claims) 2 ), And a pack detection sensor for detecting the passage of the pack on the constant speed conveyor can be formed in a shorter time. 3 ).
[0064]
When a group of diagonally stacked packs is discharged into the stacking bucket, if the elevator stand in the stacking bucket is lowered according to a trapezoidal shift pattern, for example, while regulating the drop distance of each pack to the thickness of one pack (Claims 4,5 ), An accumulation pack group can be accurately formed in the accumulation bucket, and the impact received by each pack can be reduced.
[0065]
The accumulation bucket can receive a group of diagonally stacked packs in two parts (claims) 6 In this case, an integrated pack group composed of a large number of packs can be formed accurately.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an entire retort pack accumulation box packing machine according to an embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a view showing a pusher that pushes out a collection pack from the accumulation bucket of the accumulation apparatus of FIG. 1 toward the boxing apparatus.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of the stacking device of FIG. 1;
4 is a block circuit diagram for controlling the operation of the integrated device of FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation control routine of the stacking conveyor.
FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing low-speed intermittent feed and high-speed continuous feed of the accumulation conveyor.
[Figure 7] One on the stacking conveyor Eye It is a figure which shows the state which the pack of changed.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a third pack is transferred onto the stacking conveyor.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which a fourth pack is transferred onto the stacking conveyor.
FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which a group of diagonally stacked packs is formed on the stacking conveyor.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state in which the discharge of the oblique stack pack group from the stacking conveyor into the stacking bucket is started.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state in which an accumulation pack group is formed in the accumulation bucket.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation control routine of the integrated elevator.
FIG. 14 is a graph showing a shift pattern for determining the descending operation of the elevator platform.
FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a pack discharging process from the stacking conveyor into the stacking bucket.
16 is a diagram showing a state in which the next pack has been transferred onto the stacking conveyor from the state of FIG.
17 is a view showing a state where three packs are transferred onto the stacking conveyor from the state of FIG.
18 is a view showing a state in which the next obliquely stacked pack group is formed on the stacking conveyor from the state of FIG.
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the oblique stack pack group is discharged again to the accumulation bucket, and an accumulation pack group including two oblique stack pack groups is formed.
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a state in which one pack is transferred onto the stacking conveyor after the stacking pack group is formed.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an operation control routine of the packet conveyor.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Supply line
6 Accumulator
8 Constant speed conveyor
10 Stacking conveyor
12 Bucket conveyor
14 Boxing equipment
44 accumulation bucket
50 integrated elevator
52 Elevator stand
64 pack detection sensor
66 Stopper wall
68 controller
P pack
Q oblique stack pack group
R accumulation Pa Group
S stack pack group

Claims (6)

A supply line for sequentially supplying flat retort packs,
An accumulator that receives the retort pack from the supply line and forms the retort pack into a group of accumulated packs that are stacked in a predetermined number;
A boxing device for receiving the pack pack from the stacking device and packing the received pack pack;
The integrated device is:
A constant speed conveyor for receiving the retort pack from the supply line and transferring the received retort pack at a constant speed;
Said extending the lower constant speed conveyor, the receiving retort packs sent from the end of the constant speed conveyor is, integrated transferring the retort pack in the same direction as the delivery direction of the retort pack from the constant-speed conveyor received A conveyor,
The stacking conveyor is intermittently driven at a low speed, and the retort packs from the constant speed conveyor on the stacking conveyor form a diagonally stacked pack group that overlaps each other in a state of being shifted back and forth in the feeding direction. Conveyor control means for continuously driving the stacking conveyor at a higher speed than the low-speed intermittent driving until the oblique stack pack group is discharged from the stacking conveyor;
When the stacking bucket is positioned at a receiving position connected to the terminal end of the stacking conveyor, the retort packs of the diagonally stacked pack group sequentially discharged from the stacking conveyor are received in the stacking bucket as the stacking pack group. after, it looks including a bucket conveyor for transporting towards the integrated bucket to the packing apparatus,
The conveyor control means is configured to intermittently operate the stacking conveyor to reduce a subsequent stacking pitch with respect to a stacking pitch defined between rear end edges of adjacent retort packs in the oblique stacking pack group. An accumulation box packing machine for retort packs, characterized in that the slant stack pack group is formed in which the drive is controlled and the retort packs that are sequentially stacked are more upright . The conveyor control means is configured such that the next retort pack sent from the constant speed conveyor overlaps with the last retort pack of the oblique stack pack group to form a new oblique stack pack group at the timing of the continuous conveyor pack. 2. The retort pack accumulation box packing machine according to claim 1 , wherein driving is started. 3. The retort pack accumulation box packing machine according to claim 2 , wherein the conveyor control means includes a pack detection sensor that detects passage of the retort pack on the constant speed conveyor and outputs a detection signal thereof. The converging SekiSo location is,
A stopper wall disposed in front of the stacking conveyor and sandwiching a region immediately above the stacking bucket at the receiving position with the stacking conveyor;
An accumulation elevator having an elevator stand that can move up and down between a lower limit position below the accumulation bucket in the receiving position and an upper limit position in the upper portion of the accumulation bucket;
Elevator control means for controlling the vertical movement of the elevator stand,
The elevator control means drops the individual retort packs from the stacking conveyor into the stacking bucket when the retort packs of the oblique stack group are continuously discharged from the stacking conveyor into the stacking bucket. 2. The retort pack accumulation box packing machine according to claim 1, wherein a descent operation of the elevator base is controlled so as to maintain the distance by a thickness corresponding to at least one retort pack. 5. The retort pack accumulation box packing machine according to claim 4 , wherein the elevator control means continuously lowers the elevator base according to a substantially trapezoidal shift pattern. The retort pack accumulation box packing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the accumulation bucket is capable of receiving two obliquely packed pack groups.

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