JP7518641B2 - TRANSPORTATION APPARATUS AND TRANSPORTATION METHOD - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a conveying device and a conveying method.

For example, frozen noodles are produced by boiling noodles, cooling them in cold water, and then placing the noodle blocks on a tray and freezing them in a freezer. In this regard, for example, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a freezer for freezing frozen noodles.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-121827

The objects to be transported (trays on which frozen noodles are placed) removed from such a processing chamber are transported to the next process, where, for example, a depanning process is performed to separate the noodles from the tray. Generally, when transporting the objects to the next process, they are removed from the processing chamber so that their longitudinal direction coincides with the transport direction. However, due to various factors, the objects to be transported from the processing chamber may be transported with their longitudinal direction inclined relative to the transport direction. When the longitudinal direction of the objects to be transported is inclined relative to the transport direction in this way, there is a risk that the objects cannot be transported to the next process appropriately.

The present invention was invented to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a conveying device and a conveying method that can optimally convey the object to the next process.

The transport device according to the present invention, which achieves the above object, is a transport device that transports transported objects , which are food items in trays, from a processing chamber to a next process. The transport device includes a transport conveyor that transports the transported objects transported from the processing chamber and has a width greater than the longitudinal length of the transported objects, a detection unit that detects the transported objects whose longitudinal direction intersects with the transport direction, an adjustment unit that adjusts the posture of the transported objects so that the cross angle of the longitudinal direction of the transported objects detected by the detection unit with respect to the transport direction is reduced, and a guide unit that is provided downstream of the adjustment unit and that matches the longitudinal direction of the transported objects with the transport direction by contacting the guide unit whose posture has been adjusted by the adjustment unit. The adjustment unit is an irradiation unit that irradiates air blow. The adjustment unit irradiates the air blow against the inner peripheral surface of the transported objects.

A transport method according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a method for transporting an object removed from a processing chamber to a next process. The transport method includes a transport step in which the object is transported along a transport direction on a transport conveyor having a width greater than the longitudinal length of the object, a detection step in which the object is detected as having a longitudinal direction intersecting with the transport direction while being transported on the transport conveyor, an adjustment step in which a posture of the object is adjusted so that an intersecting angle between the longitudinal direction of the object detected in the detection step and the transport direction is reduced, and a guiding step in which the longitudinal direction of the object, the posture of which is adjusted in the adjustment step, is aligned with the transport direction. In the adjustment step, an air blow is applied to an inner peripheral surface of the object.

According to the above-mentioned conveying device and conveying method, the adjustment unit (adjustment process) adjusts the posture of the conveyed object so that the crossing angle of the longitudinal direction of the conveyed object with respect to the conveying direction is reduced, and then the guide unit (guide process) aligns the longitudinal direction of the conveyed object with the conveying direction. Therefore, the conveyed object whose longitudinal direction is aligned with the conveying direction is suitably conveyed to the next process. From the above, it is possible to provide a conveying device and conveying method that can suitably convey the conveyed object to the next process.

1 is a schematic plan view illustrating a conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic front view showing a conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 10 is a schematic plan view for explaining how the posture of a transported object is adjusted in the transport device according to the embodiment. FIG.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted. The dimensional ratios in the drawings have been exaggerated for the convenience of explanation, and may differ from the actual ratios. In this embodiment, a tray on which frozen noodles are placed will be used as an example of the transported object T transported by the transport device 1.

Figure 1 is a schematic plan view showing a conveying device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic front view showing a conveying device 1 according to this embodiment. In the following description, the left-right direction in Figure 1 is referred to as the X direction (corresponding to the conveying direction), and the up-down direction in Figure 1 is referred to as the Y direction. In Figure 1, the back of the paper surface is the bottom in the vertical direction, and the front of the paper surface is the top in the vertical direction.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the conveying device 1 according to this embodiment conveys the object T conveyed downward in the Y direction from the freezer F to the left in the X direction. Since a publicly known freezer F can be used as the freezer F, a detailed description is omitted here.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the conveying device 1 according to this embodiment includes a first conveyor (corresponding to a conveyor) 10 arranged below the freezer F in the Y direction, a second conveyor 20 arranged contiguous to the first conveyor 10 on the left side of the first conveyor 10 in the X direction, a detection unit 30 that detects the conveyed object T whose longitudinal direction intersects with the conveying direction, an adjustment unit 40 that adjusts the position of the conveyed object T, and a guide unit 50 that is provided downstream of the adjustment unit 40.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first transport conveyor 10 transports the transported object T to the left in the X direction. The first transport conveyor 10 is provided to extend in the X direction. The first transport conveyor 10 is, for example, a belt conveyor, but is not limited to this. The first width W1 of the first transport conveyor 10 along the Y direction is slightly larger than the longitudinal length L1 of the transported object T.

As shown in FIG. 1, the second transport conveyor 20 transports the transported object T downstream. Downstream of the second transport conveyor 20, for example, a depanning device is provided that depans frozen noodles from a tray. The second transport conveyor 20 is, for example, a belt conveyor, but is not limited to this. The second width W2 of the second transport conveyor 20 along the Y direction is smaller than the first width W1. In addition, the second width W2 of the second transport conveyor 20 is slightly larger than the length L2 of the transported object T in the short direction.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the detection unit 30 is provided downstream of the adjustment unit 40 and above the first transport conveyor 10 in the Y direction. As shown in Fig. 2, the detection unit 30 is disposed at a location above the loading surface 11 of the first transport conveyor 10 in the Z direction. The detection unit 30 detects the transported object T whose longitudinal direction intersects (orthogonal in this embodiment) with the transport direction (X direction) (see Fig. 3).

The detection unit 30 is a reflective photoelectric sensor. That is, the detection unit 30 is arranged so that light is irradiated only to the transported object T whose longitudinal direction intersects with the transport direction (X direction). Light is transmitted from the detection unit 30 to the transported object T whose longitudinal direction intersects with the transport direction (X direction), and the transmitted light is reflected by the transported object T and returns to the detection unit 30, thereby detecting that the longitudinal direction of the transported object T intersects with the transport direction. Note that the detection unit is not particularly limited as long as it can detect the transported object T whose longitudinal direction intersects with the transport direction.

The adjustment unit 40 is provided upstream of the detection unit 30, below the first transport conveyor 10 in the Y direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the adjustment unit 40 is disposed at a position above the loading surface 11 of the first transport conveyor 10 in the Z direction and away from the loading surface 11. The adjustment unit 40 adjusts the posture of the transported object T so that the cross angle θ of the longitudinal direction of the transported object T with respect to the transport direction (X direction) detected by the detection unit 30 is reduced (see FIG. 3). In this specification, the cross angle θ refers to the angle on the side of 90 degrees or less between the longitudinal direction of the transported object T and the transport direction, as shown in FIG. 3.

In this embodiment, the adjustment unit 40 is an irradiation unit that irradiates the transported object T with an air blow. As shown in FIG. 1, the adjustment unit 40 irradiates the transported object T with an air blow from upstream to downstream in the transport direction (see the arrow in FIG. 1). More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the adjustment unit 40 irradiates the air blow leftward in the X direction and downward in the Z direction.

Here, for example, if air blow is applied from downstream to upstream, the transported object T to which the air blow is applied may move upstream and come into contact with the subsequent transported object T. In contrast, in this embodiment, air blow is applied from upstream to downstream, so there is no risk of contact with the subsequent transported object T.

It is preferable that the adjustment unit 40 irradiates the inner circumferential surface T1 of the transported object T with air blow (see FIG. 3). Here, for example, when the adjustment unit 40 irradiates the outer circumferential surface T2 of the transported object T with air blow, the irradiation time of the air blow is shorter than when the air blow is irradiated to the inner circumferential surface T1 of the transported object T, and there is a risk that the posture cannot be adjusted suitably. In addition, when the adjustment unit 40 irradiates the outer circumferential surface T2 of the transported object T with air blow, there is a risk that the air blow is unintentionally irradiated to the subsequent transported object T. In contrast, in this embodiment, the adjustment unit 40 irradiates the inner circumferential surface T1 of the transported object T with air blow, so that the time for air blowing to the transported object T can be extended and the posture of the transported object T can be adjusted suitably. Furthermore, the air blow is not unintentionally irradiated to the subsequent transported object T.

As shown in FIG. 1, the guide section 50 is provided between the first transport conveyor 10 and the second transport conveyor 20. The guide section 50 has a first guide section 51 provided on the upper side in the Y direction and a second guide section 52 provided on the lower side in the Y direction.

The first guide unit 51 rotates the posture of the transported object T, the posture of which has been adjusted by the adjustment unit 40, so that the longitudinal direction of the transported object T coincides with the transport direction. Here, the longitudinal direction of the transported object T coinciding with the transport direction does not only mean a perfect coincidence, but also includes some degree of error.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first guide section 51 has a first extension section 51A extending in the X direction, and a second extension section 51B that is continuous with the first extension section 51A and extends to the right in the X direction and upward in the Y direction. The transported object T, whose posture has been adjusted by the adjustment section 40, comes into contact with the second extension section 51B, and its posture is adjusted so that its longitudinal direction coincides with the transport direction (see FIG. 3).

The second guide section 52 guides the transported object T transported by the second transport conveyor 20 so that the object T does not fall from the lower side in the Y direction.

Next, the conveying method of the conveying device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view for explaining how the posture of the conveyed object T is adjusted in the conveying device 1 according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the transported object T frozen in the freezer F is moved downward in the Y direction to the first transport conveyor 10. When the transported object T leaves the freezer F, it is positioned so that its longitudinal direction is the X direction, and the transported object T is moved to the first transport conveyor 10 in a position in which the X direction is its longitudinal direction. Then, the transported object T, which is positioned so that its longitudinal direction is the X direction, moves leftward in the X direction on the first transport conveyor 10. Then, the transported object T is transferred to the second transport conveyor 20 without having its position adjusted by the adjustment unit 40 and the guide unit 50, and is transported to the next process.

On the other hand, due to various factors, the transported object T may be moved to the first transport conveyor 10 with its longitudinal direction intersecting the transport direction, as shown in FIG. 3. The transported object T whose longitudinal direction intersects with the transport direction moves to the left in the X direction on the first transport conveyor 10 in the same position, as shown in FIG. 3.

The transported object T, whose longitudinal direction intersects with the transport direction, is detected by the detection unit 30.

When the detection unit 30 detects a transported object T whose longitudinal direction intersects with the transport direction, a signal is sent to the adjustment unit 40.

Then, the adjustment unit 40 applies air blow from upstream to downstream to the transported object T, whose longitudinal direction intersects with the transport direction. At this time, it is preferable to apply air blow to the inner peripheral surface T1 of the transported object T.

By applying air blow to the transported object T whose longitudinal direction intersects with the transport direction, the posture of the transported object T is adjusted so that the cross angle θ of the longitudinal direction of the transported object T with respect to the transport direction is reduced, as shown in FIG. 3. In other words, the transported object T whose longitudinal direction intersects with the transport direction is rotated a predetermined angle clockwise by applying air blow from upstream to downstream in the Y direction. The angle by which the transported object T rotates clockwise by applying air blow is, for example, 45 degrees to 80 degrees.

Then, while maintaining the posture adjusted by the adjustment unit 40, the transported object T moves leftward on the first transport conveyor 10.

Then, the transported object T, whose posture has been adjusted by the adjustment unit 40, comes into contact with the second extension portion 51B of the first guide portion 51, and its posture is adjusted so that its longitudinal direction coincides with the transport direction.

Then, the transported object T, whose position has been adjusted by the guide section 50 so that its longitudinal direction coincides with the transport direction, is transported downstream on the second transport conveyor 20.

As described above, the conveying device 1 according to this embodiment is a conveying device 1 that conveys the transported object T transported from the freezer F to the next process. The conveying device 1 includes a first conveyor 10 that conveys the transported object T transported from the freezer F and has a width greater than the longitudinal length of the transported object T, a detection unit 30 that detects the transported object T whose longitudinal direction intersects with the transport direction, an adjustment unit 40 that adjusts the posture of the transported object T so that the intersection angle θ of the longitudinal direction of the transported object T detected by the detection unit 30 with respect to the transport direction is reduced, and a guide unit 50 that is provided downstream of the adjustment unit 40 and that aligns the longitudinal direction of the transported object T with the transport direction by contacting the transported object T whose posture has been adjusted by the adjustment unit 40. According to the conveying device 1 configured in this manner, the adjustment unit 40 adjusts the posture of the conveyed object T so that the intersection angle θ of the longitudinal direction of the conveyed object T with the conveying direction is reduced, and then the guide unit 50 aligns the longitudinal direction of the conveyed object T with the conveying direction. Thus, the conveyed object T, whose longitudinal direction is aligned with the conveying direction, is appropriately conveyed to the next process. From the above, the conveyed object T can be appropriately conveyed to the next process.

The adjustment unit 40 is an irradiation unit that irradiates air blow. With the conveying device 1 configured in this way, the posture of the conveyed object T can be adjusted without coming into contact with it. This makes it possible to effectively prevent, for example, frozen noodles in the tray from being damaged.

The adjustment unit 40 also irradiates the transported object T with air blowing from upstream to downstream in the transport direction. As described above, the transport device 1 configured in this manner does not come into contact with the following transported object T, and therefore the transported object T can be transported continuously.

The adjustment unit 40 also applies air blow to the inner circumferential surface T1 of the transported object T. With the transport device 1 configured in this manner, the time for which air is blown onto the transported object T can be made longer than when air blow is applied to the outer circumferential surface T2 of the transported object T, and the posture of the transported object T can be suitably adjusted. Furthermore, air blow is not unintentionally applied to the following transported object T.

The guide unit 50 is provided on the opposite side of the adjustment unit 40 in the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. With the conveying device 1 configured in this manner, the longitudinal direction of the conveyed object T, the posture of which has been adjusted by the adjustment unit 40, can be suitably aligned with the conveying direction.

As described above, the conveying method according to this embodiment is a method for conveying the conveyed object T conveyed from the freezer F to the next process. The conveying method includes a conveying step in which the conveyed object T is conveyed along the conveying direction on the first conveyor 10 having a width greater than the longitudinal length of the conveyed object T, a detection step in which the conveyed object T whose longitudinal direction intersects with the conveying direction is detected when conveyed on the first conveyor 10, an adjustment step in which the posture of the conveyed object T is adjusted so that the crossing angle θ of the longitudinal direction of the conveyed object T detected in the detection step with respect to the conveying direction is reduced, and a guide step in which the longitudinal direction of the conveyed object T whose posture has been adjusted in the adjustment step is made to coincide with the conveying direction. According to this conveying method, the posture of the conveyed object T is adjusted in the adjustment step so that the crossing angle θ of the longitudinal direction of the conveyed object T with respect to the conveying direction is reduced, and then the longitudinal direction of the conveyed object T is made to coincide with the conveying direction in the guide step. Therefore, the transported object T, whose longitudinal direction coincides with the transport direction, can be transported to the next process in an optimal manner. From the above, the transported object T can be transported to the next process in an optimal manner.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but may be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the adjustment unit 40 was an irradiation unit that irradiates air blow. However, the adjustment unit is not limited to this as long as it can adjust the posture of the transported object T so that the intersection angle θ of the longitudinal direction of the transported object T with respect to the transport direction is reduced, and may be configured to mechanically push out the transported object T using a cylinder, for example.

In the above-described embodiment, the adjustment unit 40 irradiates the transported object T with air blowing from the upstream to the downstream in the transport direction. However, the adjustment unit 40 may irradiate the transported object T with air blowing from the downstream to the upstream in the transport direction. In this case, the adjustment unit 40 is disposed at the upper part in the Y direction in FIG. 1.

In the above-described embodiment, the adjustment unit 40 irradiates the inner circumferential surface T1 of the transported object T with air. However, the adjustment unit may irradiate the outer circumferential surface T2 of the transported object T with air.

In the above-described embodiment, a tray on which frozen noodles are placed is used as an example of the transported object T. However, the transported object is not limited to this, and may be any object as long as the longitudinal length and the lateral length are different from each other.

In addition, in the above embodiment, a freezer was used as an example of a processing chamber, but the processing chamber is not limited to a freezer and may be a thawing chamber, heating chamber, etc., as long as it processes food.

1 conveying device,
10 First conveyor (conveyor),
30 detection unit,
40 Adjustment unit,
50 guide portion,
51 first guide portion,
F Freezer (processing room),
T: conveyed object;
θ Intersection angle.

Claims (4)

A conveying device that conveys food items, which are trays that have been removed from a processing chamber, to a next process,
a transport conveyor for transporting the object carried out from the processing chamber and having a width greater than a length of the object in a longitudinal direction;
a detection unit that detects the transported object whose longitudinal direction intersects with a transport direction;
an adjustment unit that adjusts a posture of the transported object so that an intersecting angle of the longitudinal direction of the transported object with respect to the transport direction detected by the detection unit decreases;
a guide section that is provided downstream of the adjustment section and that causes the longitudinal direction of the transported object to coincide with the transport direction when the transported object comes into contact with the guide section, the longitudinal direction of the transported object being adjusted by the adjustment section;
The adjustment unit is an irradiation unit that irradiates air blow,
The adjustment unit is a conveying device that irradiates the air blow against the inner circumferential surface of the conveyed object. The conveying device according to claim 1 , wherein the adjustment unit irradiates the conveyed object with the air blow from upstream to downstream in the conveying direction and downward in a vertical direction. The conveying device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the guide section is provided on the opposite side of the adjustment section in a width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. A method for transporting food items, which are trays removed from a processing facility, to a next process, comprising the steps of:
a conveying step of conveying the object along a conveying direction on a conveyor having a width larger than a length of the object in a longitudinal direction;
a detection step of detecting the transported object whose longitudinal direction intersects with the transport direction when the transported object is transported on the transport conveyor;
an adjustment step of adjusting a posture of the transported object so that an intersecting angle of the longitudinal direction of the transported object with respect to the transport direction detected in the detection step is reduced;
a guiding step of aligning the longitudinal direction of the transported object, the posture of which has been adjusted in the adjusting step, with the transport direction,
The conveying method includes irradiating an inner peripheral surface of the conveyed object with air in the adjustment step.