JP7730799B2 - Item transport device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an item transport device.

A conventional article transport device that transports containers to a weighing device is the container weighing system described in Patent Document 1.

This container weighing system includes a rotating disk with a recess on its radial outer periphery for drawing the container into it. The container is drawn into the recess and the rotating disk rotates, transporting the container to the weighing station.

The weighing station is equipped with a weighing cell for weighing (weighing) the container. When the container is transported to the weighing station by the rotating disc, it is brought to rest on the weighing cell, and then the container is physically separated from the recess to obtain an accurate weighing value. For this reason, the recess is formed larger than the dimensions of the container.

In conventional container weighing systems, when a container is transported to a weighing station at a low speed using a rotating disk, the friction between the weighing cell and the container can stop the container at the weighing position when the container is weighed.

However, when a container is transported to the weighing station at high speed and stopped at the weighing position, the gap between the container and the recess causes the container to shake violently within the recess, making it impossible to determine the container's resting position. In some cases, the container may be weighed while in contact with the recess, which could result in the container not being weighed accurately.

This makes it difficult to transport containers at high speed, which may result in longer weighing times for the containers.

The weighing system described in Patent Document 2 is known as a system that can prevent such situations from occurring.

This weighing system comprises a weighing table and a clamping device attached to the weighing table for clamping containers. The weighing table and clamping device are placed on the load receiving portion of a weighing cell that weighs the containers, and a conveying track for transporting the containers runs above the weighing table.

This weighing system can weigh containers transported along a conveying track onto a weighing table using a weighing cell while the containers are held by a clamping device.

Patent No. 6128466 Patent No. 4805360

However, in the weighing system described in Patent Document 2, the clamping device that holds the container is installed on the weighing cell that weighs the container, which means that there is a risk that the position of the container cannot be accurately controlled immediately after it comes to a standstill, and in some cases the container may be held in contact with the conveying track (i.e., the conveying device), which could result in the container not being weighed accurately.

The present invention aims to provide an item transport device that can transport items at high speed, accurately inspect the items, and shorten the inspection time for the items.

The article transport device of the present invention includes a plurality of storage sections at an article input position that store articles that are sequentially input from an article input section, and a transport member that transports the articles stored in the storage sections to an article inspection position, the storage sections including a plurality of contact support sections provided at the end of the transport member that can contact one side of the article, and a plurality of auxiliary support sections provided at the end of the transport member that can move between a proximity position where it is close to the other side of the article and a remote position where it is away from the other side of the article, and a drive section that drives the transport member in the article transport direction, and the storage sections that store the articles are arranged to move from at least a downstream side of the article input position to a remote position where it is away from the other side of the article. The system has a guide section that supports the auxiliary support section so that the auxiliary support section is positioned at the proximity position when the auxiliary support section moves to the inspection position, and an actuator that moves the auxiliary support section from the proximity position to the separation position. When the item moves from the item insertion position to the item inspection position, the contact support section is brought into contact with the item to maintain the orientation of the item while transporting it. When the item is positioned at the item inspection position, the actuator moves the auxiliary support section from the proximity position to the separation position, and the drive section drives the transport member so that the contact support section moves away from one side of the item.

With this configuration, when an item moves from the item insertion position to the item inspection position, the contact support section comes into contact with the item, maintaining the item's posture while transporting it, allowing the item to be transported at high speed from the item insertion position to the item inspection position.

In addition, when the item is transported to the item inspection position, the drive unit stops the transport member, and the actuator moves the auxiliary support unit from the close position to the distant position, thereby allowing the auxiliary support unit to be spaced farther away from the other side of the item than at the close position.

Then, the drive unit moves the conveying member so that the contact support unit is separated from one side of the item, preventing the item from interfering with the contact support unit and auxiliary support unit at the item inspection position.

As a result, items inserted from the item insertion section can be transported at high speed to the item inspection position, allowing the items to be accurately positioned at the item inspection position, and the items can be accurately inspected at the item inspection position, thereby shortening the item inspection time.

In addition, when an item is transported at high speed from the item insertion position to the item inspection position, the auxiliary support part is positioned in a close proximity position, creating a small gap between the other side of the item and the auxiliary support part. This prevents the item from being completely held by the contact support part and the auxiliary support part.

For example, when an item slides along the conveying surface while being transported from the item insertion position to the item inspection position, the item is prevented from colliding strongly with the conveying surface, preventing the item from being subjected to strong impacts while being transported and protecting the item.

In addition, in the item transport device of the present invention, the auxiliary support unit is attached to the transport member via a support shaft and has an arm member that can move integrally with the transport member, the arm member having a first arm portion at one end of the support shaft that can swing freely between the close position and the distant position around the support shaft as a fulcrum, and a second arm portion at the other end of the support shaft that is operated by the actuator to swing the first arm portion between the close position and the distant position, and when the item is positioned at the item inspection position, the actuator operates the second arm portion to move the first arm portion from the close position to the distant position.

This configuration allows the first arm portion to be spaced farther away from the other side of the item when the item is positioned at the item inspection position than in the close position.

Then, the drive unit moves the conveying member so that the contact support unit moves away from one side of the article, thereby separating the contact support unit from that side of the article. This prevents the article from interfering with the contact support unit and the first arm unit at the article inspection position. As a result, the article can be accurately inspected at the article inspection position.

In addition, in the item transport device of the present invention, the auxiliary support section has an arm member that is movable integrally with the transport member, and the arm member has a shaft section rotatably supported on the transport member, a first arm section provided at one end of the shaft section that can swing between the close position and the distant position as the shaft section rotates, and a second arm section provided at the other end of the shaft section that is operated by the actuator to swing and rotate the shaft section; and when the item is positioned at the item inspection position, the actuator operates the second arm section to move the first arm section from the close position to the distant position.

This configuration allows the first arm portion to be spaced farther away from the other side of the item when the item is positioned at the item inspection position than in the close position.

Then, the drive unit moves the conveying member so that the contact support unit moves away from one side of the article, thereby separating the contact support unit from that side of the article. This prevents the article from interfering with the contact support unit and the first arm unit at the article inspection position. As a result, the article can be accurately inspected at the article inspection position.

In addition, in the item transport device of the present invention, the guide section extends from at least downstream of the item input position toward the item inspection position in the movement direction of the transport member, and comprises a guide plate with which the second arm section comes into contact, and is configured to maintain the first arm section in the proximity position by the second arm section coming into contact with the guide plate until the item is transported to the item inspection position by movement of the transport member.

This configuration allows the transport member to rotate at high speed while creating a small gap between the first arm and the item, transporting the item to the item inspection position at high speed. This allows the item to be accurately positioned at the item inspection position, shortening the inspection time for the item.

It also more effectively prevents items from colliding strongly with the conveying surface, more effectively preventing strong impacts from being applied to items while they are being conveyed, and more effectively protecting the items.

The item transport device of the present invention also has a biasing member that biases the arm member so that the first arm portion is located at the separated position, and the actuator has a pressing portion that is movable between a first position where the second arm portion is pressed against the biasing force of the biasing member to maintain the first arm portion at the close position when the item is located at the item inspection position, and a second position where the pressure on the arm member is released, and when the pressing portion moves to the second position, the arm member is biased by the biasing member, causing the first arm portion to swing from the close position to the separated position.

With this configuration, when an item is positioned at the item inspection position, the pressing portion of the actuator presses the second arm portion against the biasing force of the biasing member, maintaining the first arm portion in the close position.

As a result, even if a small gap is formed between the other side of the item and the first arm portion when the item is being transported, the inertia of the item can cause the other side of the item to come into contact with the first arm portion when the item is positioned at the item inspection position and the transport member is stopped.

This prevents the item from being positioned too far downstream from the item inspection position, allowing the item to be accurately positioned at the item inspection position.

In addition, when the pressing portion of the actuator releases the pressure on the second arm portion, the arm member is biased by the biasing member, causing the first arm portion to swing from the close position to the distant position. This allows the auxiliary support portion to be separated from the other side of the article.

In this way, the arm member can be swung between the close position and the separated position using a simple configuration, simplifying the configuration of the item transport device and preventing an increase in the manufacturing costs of the item transport device.

Furthermore, according to the item transport device of the present invention, the second arm portion has a rotating body that rotates in contact with the guide plate.

This allows the second arm portion to come into contact with the guide plate via the rotating body, and the arm member can be moved along the guide plate in the direction of movement of the transport member by rotating the rotating body. This prevents wear on the second arm portion, improves the durability of the arm member, and improves the reliability of the item transport device.

The present invention provides an item transport device that can transport items at high speed while accurately inspecting them, thereby reducing the time required to inspect items.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an article weighing apparatus equipped with an article transport apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a storage section of an article transport apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which an article is held by a contact support section and an arm member and transported to an article inspection position. FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the storage section of the article transport apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, showing the arm member separated from the article at the article inspection position. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a storage unit of an article transport apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the storage section of the article transport apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, showing the state in which the contact support section and the arm member are separated from the article at the article inspection position. FIG. 6 is a plan view of an article weighing apparatus equipped with an article transport apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view of a storage section of an article transport device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, showing an article being held by a contact support section and an arm member. FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view of a storage section of an article transport apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the contact support section and arm member are separated from the article at the article inspection position. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of a storage unit of an article transport apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the procedure for transporting an article to an article inspection position by an article transport apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 6. 11(a) and 11(b) are views showing the procedure for releasing an article at an article inspection position by an article transport apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 6.

(First embodiment)
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A configuration of an article transport apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG.

In Figure 1, the container conveying device 2 is provided in the container weighing device 1 and aligns the items to be weighed and continuously conveys them to the container weighing unit 3.

Items to be weighed include items and molded products of a predetermined shape manufactured using existing manufacturing equipment. Examples of such items include containers such as aerosol cans and bottles that hold contents.

As shown in FIG. 1, the container weighing device 1 includes a container conveying device 2 as an article conveying device that conveys containers 20 along a circular conveying course, a container weighing unit 3 that weighs the containers 20 at a container inspection position P2 along the conveying course, a container input unit 11 that inputs containers into the container conveying device 2 at a container input position P1, and a container output unit 12 that outputs containers from the container conveying device 2 at a container output position P3.

In this embodiment, the container insertion position P1 constitutes the item insertion position, the container inspection position P2 constitutes the item inspection position, and the container insertion section 11 constitutes the item insertion section.

The container conveying device 2 is equipped with a star wheel 4, which is rotatable in the conveying direction of the container 20. In this embodiment, the star wheel 4 constitutes a conveying member. The conveying direction of the container 20 and the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 4 are the same, i.e., clockwise.

Concave portions 4a are formed on the radial outer periphery (end) of the star wheel 4, and the concave portions 4a are arranged at equal intervals in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 4. Contact support portions 4A are provided on the outer periphery of the star wheel 4, and the contact support portions 4A are arranged at equal intervals in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 4.

The recesses 4a are formed between the contact support portions 4A in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 4. In other words, the outer periphery of the star wheel 4 is formed with a continuous uneven shape in the rotation direction R1. Note that the recesses 4a and the contact support portions 4A do not have to be arranged at equal intervals in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 4.

As shown in Figure 4, the contact support portion 4A has an upper wall 4B and a side wall 4C. The upper wall 4B extends in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 4, and the side wall 4C extends downward from one end of the upper wall 4B (the downstream end of the star wheel 4 in the rotation direction R1) in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 4. The contact support portion 4A is formed in an L-shape when viewed from the radial direction of the star wheel 4.

When the star wheel 4 rotates in the transport direction (rotation direction R1) of the container 20, one side surface 20a (see Figure 1) of the container 20 in the transport direction comes into contact with the contact surface 4b of the contact support portion 4A, which is made up of the side surface of the top wall 4B and the side surface of the side wall 4C.

As shown in FIG. 1, the star wheel 4 is installed on the main body 1A of the container weighing device 1. The main body 1A of the container weighing device 1 is provided with a drive motor 6 consisting of a stepping motor.

A fixed member 7 is provided on the top of the star wheel 4 and is fixed to the drive shaft 6A of the drive motor 6. The fixed member 7 is fixed to the upper surface of the star wheel 4. When the drive motor 6 is driven to rotate, the star wheel 4 rotates integrally with the fixed member 7. In this embodiment, the drive motor 6 constitutes the drive unit.

Two containers 20 are accommodated in each recess 4a. The radial length of the contact support portion 4A is formed to be at least twice the diameter of the containers 20.

Arm members 5 are attached to the star wheel 4, and the arm members 5 are arranged at equal intervals in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 4 so as to pair with the contact support portions 4A. Note that the arm members 5 do not have to be arranged at equal intervals in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 4.

As shown in Figures 2 to 4, a support shaft 5A is provided radially inward of the star wheel 4 from the contact support portion 4A. The support shaft 5A extends downward from the star wheel 4, and the arm member 5 is attached to the support shaft 5A so that it can swing freely. This allows the arm member 5 to move integrally with the star wheel 4.

The arm member 5 comprises a first arm portion 5B and a second arm portion 5C. The first arm portion 5B is located radially outward (at one end) of the star wheel 4 relative to the support shaft 5A, and is rotatable below the upper wall 4B of the contact support portion 4A, with the support shaft 5A as a fulcrum, between a close position close to the other side surface 20b in the conveying direction of the container 20 and a distant position away from the other side surface 20b in a direction away from the close position.

The second arm portion 5C is located radially inward (at the other end) of the star wheel 4 relative to the support shaft 5A, and is operated by an actuator 9 (described below) to swing the first arm portion 5B between a close position and a distant position.

When the arm member 5 is in the close position, the first arm portion 5B is close to the other side surface 20b of the container 20, forming a small gap between the container 20 and the first arm portion 5B.

In this embodiment, the contact support portion 4A constitutes the storage portion and the contact support portion, and the arm member 5 constitutes the storage portion and the auxiliary support portion.

A torsion spring 8 is provided on the arm member 5. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a spring bearing portion 5a is provided on the second arm portion 5C, and one end of the torsion spring 8 abuts against the spring bearing portion 5a from the radially outer side of the star wheel 4.

The other end of the torsion spring 8 is fitted to the star wheel 4, and the torsion spring 8 biases the arm member 5 so that the first arm portion 5B is positioned in the separated position. In this embodiment, the torsion spring 8 constitutes a biasing member.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a guide plate 10 is installed on the main body 1A of the container weighing device 1. The guide plate 10 is installed at the same height as the arm member 5 in the height direction (up and down direction) of the container weighing device 1, and extends while curving in the circumferential direction of the star wheel 4 from downstream of the container insertion position P1 toward the container inspection position P2.

A roller 5D is rotatably mounted on the second arm portion 5C of the arm member 5, and the roller 5D rotates in contact with the guide plate 10. In this embodiment, the roller 5D constitutes a rotating body.

As shown in FIG. 2, the guide plate 10 has a contact surface 10a with which the roller 5D comes into contact. The guide plate 10 is installed on the main body 1A of the container weighing device 1 so that the contact surface 10a is positioned on the first arm portion 5B side relative to the radial inner end 5b of the roller 5D when the roller 5D is not in contact with the contact surface 10a.

As the star wheel 4 rotates, the arm member 5 moves integrally with the star wheel 4 in the direction of conveyance of the container 20. When the arm member 5 is positioned at the downstream end of the guide plate 10, the roller 5D contacts the guide plate 10, and the arm member 5 moves toward the container inspection position P2 while the roller 5D rotates on the contact surface 10a of the guide plate 10.

Here, upstream and downstream refer to upstream and downstream relative to the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 4. For example, the container insertion position P1 is located upstream of the container inspection position P2, and the container inspection position P2 is located downstream of the container insertion position P1.

When the roller 5D comes into contact with the guide plate 10, the second arm 5C swings around the support shaft 5A, causing the first arm 5B to swing to a close position around the support shaft 5A against the biasing force of the torsion spring 8.

This causes the first arm portion 5B to approach the other side surface 20b of the container 20, forming a small gap between the container 20 and the first arm portion 5B.

The guide plate 10 of this embodiment is formed long enough to contact the four rollers 5D so as to swing the four first arm portions 5B to the close position. The guide plate 10 of this embodiment constitutes a guide portion.

When the container 20 is being transported, the distance between the contact surface 4b of the contact support portion 4A and the first arm portion 5B in the rotational direction of the star wheel 4 is set to, for example, a distance slightly larger than the maximum dimensional tolerance of the diameter of the container 20.

In other words, when the container 20 is being transported, the container 20 is housed between the contact support portion 4A and the first arm portion 5B so that the contact surface 4b of the contact support portion 4A contacts one side surface 20a of the container 20 and a small gap is formed between the first arm portion 5B and the other side surface 20b of the container 20.

The gap between the first arm portion 5B and the other side surface 20b of the container 20 is formed to prevent the container 20 from moving too far downstream from the container inspection position P2 when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2, and to prevent the container 20 from tilting and leaning against the first arm portion 5B when being transported.

As a result, during transport, the container 20 held between the contact support portion 4A and the first arm portion 5B is maintained in a position where the central axis of the container 20 is parallel to the vertical axis.

An actuator 9 is installed on the main body 1A of the container weighing device 1. The actuator 9 has a cylinder portion 9A, a shaft portion 9B that can be freely extended and retracted relative to the cylinder portion 9A, and a guide piece 9C that is attached to the tip of the shaft portion 9B and can be freely moved toward and away from the cylinder portion 9A as the shaft portion 9B extends and retracts relative to the cylinder portion 9A.

The actuator 9 moves the guide piece 9C between a first position and a second position.

When guide piece 9C is in the first position, second arm portion 5C is pressed against the biasing force of torsion spring 8, and first arm portion 5B is maintained in the adjacent position. At this time, as shown in Figure 2, contact surface 9a of guide piece 9C and contact surface 10a of guide plate 10 are continuous in the conveying direction of container 20, and roller 5D moves smoothly from guide plate 10 to guide piece 9C.

When the guide piece 9C moves from the first position to the second position, it moves away from the guide plate 10 and away from the contact support portion 4A, the pressure on the second arm portion 5C by the guide piece 9C is released, and the arm member 5 is biased by the torsion spring 8, causing the first arm portion 5B to swing from the close position to the distant position.

The arm member 5 has a first arm portion 5B that extends radially from the star wheel 4, and a second arm portion 5C that bends from the first arm portion 5B in the rotational direction R1 of the star wheel 4. As a result, when the roller 5D contacts the guide piece 9C, the guide piece 9C is positioned at a position offset from the container inspection position P2 in the rotational direction of the star wheel 4.

The actuator 9 maintains the guide piece 9C in the first position until the star wheel 4 rotates and transports the container 20 to the container inspection position P2, and then moves the guide piece 9C from the first position to the second position when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2. In this embodiment, the guide piece 9C of the actuator 9 constitutes the pressing portion.

As shown in FIG. 1, the container input unit 11 is provided at the container input position P1. The container input unit 11 inputs the container 20 into the container conveying device 2 and includes a container conveying unit 13, such as a linear feeder or conveyor.

A pair of guide rails 11A and 11B are provided at the top of the container conveying section 13, with the gap between guide rails 11A and 11B being slightly larger than the diameter of the container 20. Guide rails 11A and 11B are supported on the main body 1A by support section 11C.

The containers 20 transported by the container transport unit 13 are sandwiched between guide rails 11A and 11B and transported in a single file to the container transport device 2.

The rotational speed of the star wheel 4 is controlled by the drive motor 6, and the star wheel 4 is stopped at the timing when the container 20 is inserted into the recess 4a at the container insertion position P1. At this timing, two containers 20 are inserted into the recess 4a from the container insertion section 11, and the containers 20 are positioned between the contact support section 4A and the first arm section 5B.

When two containers 20 are stored in the recess 4a, the container 20 following the container 20 stored in the recess 4a will come into contact with the container 20 stored in the recess 4a and will not be stored between the contact support portion 4A and the first arm portion 5B. As a result, the following container 20 will wait at the container loading portion 11.

For this reason, the frictional force of the container conveying unit 13 is set to a value that allows the container 20 to be conveyed and allows the container 20 to slide relative to the container 20 while it is waiting in the container loading unit 11.

The container unloading section 12 is provided at the container unloading position P3. The container unloading section 12 unloads containers 20 from the container transport device 2 and has a container transport section 13 that is continuous with the container loading section 11.

That is, the container conveying section 13 extends from the container input section 11, passing below the star wheel 4, to the container output section 12.

When the star wheel 4 is stopped at the container discharge position P3, the container 20 is discharged from the recess 4a by the container discharge unit 12, and the container 20 discharged to the container discharge unit 12 is transported to the next process by the container conveying unit 13. Guide rails 12B and 12C may be installed in the container discharge unit 12.

The container weighing units 3 are installed in pairs at the container inspection position P2, aligned radially around the star wheel 4. The container inspection position P2 is located between the container loading position P1 and the container unloading position P3 in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 4.

In other words, the container weighing unit 3 is installed between the container input unit 11 and the container conveying device 2 in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 4, and the container input unit 11, container weighing unit 3, and container conveying unit 12 are installed at 90° intervals from each other in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 4.

The container weighing unit 3 is installed in a recess (not shown) recessed downward from the conveying surface 1a of the main body 1A. The container 20 slides along the conveying surface 1a of the main body 1A and is conveyed from the container insertion position P1, through the container inspection position P2, to the container removal position P3.

In other words, the container 20 housed between the contact support portion 4A and the first arm portion 5B comes into contact with and is pushed by the contact support portion 4A as the star wheel 4 rotates, creating a small gap between the container 20 and the first arm portion 5B.

As a result, the container 20 is not completely grasped by the contact support portion 4A and the first arm portion 5B, but slides along the conveying surface 1a of the main body 1A, and is conveyed from the container insertion position P1, through the container inspection position P2, and to the container removal position P3.

A container 20 is placed on the container weighing unit 3, which weighs the container 20 in a state of complete non-contact with the contact support unit 4A and the first arm unit 5B at the container inspection position P2.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the main body 1A is provided with a guide wall 1B. The guide wall 1B extends from the container insertion position P1, through the container inspection position P2, to the container removal position P3, and faces the star wheel 4, having a curved surface that follows the outer circumferential shape of the star wheel 4.

The guide wall 1B protrudes upward from the conveying surface 1a of the main body 1A and is formed to a height approximately equal to the height of the container 20.

As a result, when a container 20 stored in the recess 4a is transported from the container loading position P1 to the container unloading position P3, even if a container 20 that is not held by the contact support portion 4A and the first arm portion 5B attempts to fall out of the recess 4a due to centrifugal force, the container 20 can be prevented from coming into contact with the guide wall 1B and falling out of the recess 4a.

Furthermore, the timing at which the container 20 is weighed by the container weighing unit 3 at the container inspection position P2, the timing at which the container 20 is loaded (stored) into the recess 4a from the container loading unit 11 at the container loading position P1, and the timing at which the container 20 is unloaded from the recess 4a to the container unloading unit 12 at the container unloading position P3 are all the same, and when the star wheel 4 is stopped, the weighing of the container 20, the loading of the container 20, and the unloading of the container 20 are carried out simultaneously.

Next, the operation of the container transport device 2 of this embodiment will be described.
When a container 20 is inserted into the recess 4a at the container insertion position P1, the drive motor 6 is stopped at the timing when the container 20 is inserted between the contact support portion 4A and the first arm portion 5B, thereby stopping the star wheel 4. At this time, since the first arm portion 5B is positioned at the separated position, the container 20 can be smoothly inserted between the contact support portion 4A and the first arm portion 5B.

Two containers 20 placed in the recess 4a at the container loading position P1 are transported toward the container inspection position P2 with one side 20a in contact with the contact surface 4b of the contact support portion 4A as the star wheel 4 rotates.

When the roller 5D on the second arm 5C comes into contact with the contact surface 10a of the guide plate 10, the second arm 5C swings around the support shaft 5A, causing the first arm 5B to swing to a close position around the support shaft 5A against the biasing force of the torsion spring 8 (see Figures 1 and 2).

In other words, one side surface 20a of the container 20 comes into contact with the contact surface 4b of the contact support portion 4A of the star wheel 4, and the container 20 is pushed by the contact support portion 4A, thereby being transported to the container inspection position P2. At this time, a small gap is formed between the other side surface 20b of the container 20 and the first arm portion 5B, and the container 20 is transported from the container insertion position P1 to the container inspection position P2 while sliding on the transport surface 1a of the main body 1A.

A small gap is formed between the other side surface 20b of the container 20 and the first arm portion 5B, but as the container 20 is transported, the other side surface 20b of the container 20 may come into contact with the first arm portion 5B. If the container 20 attempts to swing excessively, the container 20 will come into contact with the first arm portion 5B, preventing the container 20 from being transported in an inclined position.

In addition, a small gap is formed between the other side surface 20b of the container 20 and the first arm portion 5B, so the container 20 is not completely held by the contact support portion 4A and the first arm portion 5B.

This allows the bottom surface of the container 20 to slide on the conveying surface 1a of the main body 1A, preventing the bottom surface of the container 20 from colliding strongly with the conveying surface 1a and subjecting the container 20 to strong impacts during transport.

When the container 20 is transported to the container inspection position P2, the drive motor 6 is stopped, stopping the star wheel 4.

When the container 20 is being transported, a small gap is formed between the other side 20b of the container 20 and the first arm 5B. Therefore, when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2 and the star wheel 4 is stopped, the inertia of the container 20 causes the other side 20b of the container 20 to come into contact with the first arm 5B.

This prevents the container 20 from being positioned too far downstream from the container inspection position P2, allowing the container 20 to be accurately positioned at the container inspection position P2.

When the container 20 is transported to the container inspection position P2 and the roller 5D contacts the guide piece 9C, the cylinder 9A moves the guide piece 9C toward the cylinder 9A, moving the guide piece 9C from the first position to the second position, as shown in Figure 3.

When the guide piece 9C moves from the first position to the second position, the guide piece 9C moves radially inward of the star wheel 4 relative to the contact support portion 4A and separates from the guide plate 10, releasing the pressure on the second arm portion 5C by the guide piece 9C.

At this time, the arm member 5 is biased by the torsion spring 8, causing the first arm portion 5B to swing to a distant position, which is farther away from the other side surface 20b of the container 20 than the close position.

Next, the drive motor 6 rotates the star wheel 4 in a rotational direction R2 opposite to the conveying direction of the container 20. In other words, the star wheel 4 is rotated slightly in the rotational direction R2 so that the star wheel 4 moves away from the first arm portion 5B in the circumferential direction, moving the contact support portion 4A away from one side surface 20a of the container 20 (see Figure 5).

As a result, the contact support portion 4A and the first arm portion 5B are completely separated from the container 20, and the weight of the star wheel 4 and arm member 5 is not applied to the container 20. In this state, the container 20 is weighed by the container weighing unit 3.

In addition, when the container 20 is transported to the container inspection position P2 and the star wheel 4 is stopped, the container 20 is loaded from the container loading section 11 into the recess 4a at the container loading position P1, and the container 20 is unloaded from the recess 4a to the container unloading section 12 at the container unloading position P3.

In this way, the container weighing device 1 of this embodiment transports two containers 20 inserted into the recess 4a at the container insertion position P1 in succession to the container inspection position P2, and weighs the containers 20 using the container weighing unit 3.

Next, the effects of the container transport device 2 of this embodiment will be described.
The container conveying device 2 of this embodiment includes a plurality of contact support parts 4A and arm members 5 that accommodate containers 20 that are sequentially inserted from the container insertion section 11 at the container insertion position P1, and is equipped with a star wheel 4 that continuously transports the containers 20 accommodated in the contact support parts 4A and arm members 5 to the container inspection position P2.

The contact support portion 4A is provided on the outer periphery of the star wheel 4 and is capable of contacting one side surface 20a of the container 20, and the arm member 5 is provided on the outer periphery of the star wheel 4 so as to be able to move between a close position close to the other side surface 20b of the container 20 and a distant position away from the other side surface of the container 20.

The container conveying device 2 also has a drive motor 6 that drives the star wheel 4 in the direction of conveying the container 20, a guide plate 10 that supports the arm member 5 so that it is positioned in a close position when the contact support section 4A containing the container 20 and the arm member 5 move from the container insertion position P1 to the container inspection position P2, and an actuator 9 that moves the arm member 5 from the close position to the separated position.

In addition, according to the container conveying device 2, when the container 20 moves from the container loading position P1 to the container inspection position P2, the contact support part 4A is brought into contact with the container 20, thereby maintaining the orientation of the container 20 while conveying it. When the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2, the actuator 9 moves the arm member 5 from the close position to the distant position, and the drive motor 6 drives the star wheel 4 so that the contact support part 4A moves away from one side surface 20a of the container 20.

In this way, when the container 20 moves from the container loading position P1 to the container inspection position P2, the contact support portion 4A comes into contact with the container 20, thereby maintaining the orientation of the container 20 while transporting it, allowing the container 20 to be transported at high speed from the container loading position P1 to the container inspection position P2.

Furthermore, when the container 20 is transported to the container inspection position P2, the drive motor 6 stops the star wheel 4, and the actuator 9 moves the arm member 5 from the close position to the distant position, thereby moving the arm member 5 farther away from the other side surface 20b of the container 20 than the close position.

Then, the drive motor 6 moves the star wheel 4 so that the contact support part 4A moves away from one side surface 20a of the container 20, thereby preventing the container 20 from interfering with the contact support part 4A and arm member 5 at the container inspection position P2.

As a result, the container 20 inserted from the container insertion section 11 can be transported at high speed to the container inspection position P2, allowing the container 20 to be accurately positioned at the container inspection position P2, and the container 20 can be accurately weighed at the container inspection position P2, thereby shortening the weighing time for the container 20.

In addition, after the drive motor 6 moves the star wheel 4 so that the contact support portion 4A moves away from one side surface 20a of the container 20, the actuator 9 may move the arm member 5 from the close position to the distant position.

In addition, when the container 20 is transported at high speed from the container insertion position P1 to the container inspection position P2, the arm member 5 is positioned in a close proximity position, creating a small gap between the other side surface 20b of the container 20 and the arm member 5. As a result, the container 20 is not completely held by the contact support portion 4A and the arm member 5.

This prevents the container 20 from colliding strongly with the conveying surface 1a when it is conveyed from the container insertion position P1 to the container inspection position P2 while sliding along the conveying surface 1a, thereby preventing the container 20 from being subjected to strong impacts during its conveyance and protecting the container 20.

Furthermore, according to the container transport device 2 of this embodiment, the arm member 5 is attached to the star wheel 4 via the support shaft 5A and can move integrally with the star wheel 4.

The arm member 5 has a first arm portion 5B that is provided at one end of the support shaft 5A and can swing freely between a close position and a distant position around the support shaft 5A as a fulcrum, and a second arm portion 5C that is provided at the other end of the support shaft 5A and is operated by an actuator 9 to swing the first arm portion 5B between the close position and the distant position. When the container 20 is located at the container inspection position P2, the actuator 9 operates the second arm portion 5C to move the first arm portion 5B from the close position to the distant position.

In this way, when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2, the arm member 5 can be moved farther away from the other side surface 20b of the container 20 than at the close position.

Then, the drive motor 6 moves the star wheel 4 so that the contact support portion 4A moves away from one side surface 20a of the container 20, thereby separating the contact support portion 4A from one side surface 20a of the container 20. This prevents the container 20 from interfering with the contact support portion 4A and the first arm portion 5B at the container inspection position P2. As a result, the container 20 can be accurately weighed at the container inspection position P2.

Furthermore, according to the container conveying device 2 of this embodiment, the guide plate 10 extends from downstream of the container insertion position P1 toward the container inspection position P2 in the rotation direction of the star wheel 4, and is contactable by the second arm portion 5C. The second arm portion 5C contacts the guide plate 10, thereby maintaining the first arm portion 5B in a close position, until the container 20 is conveyed to the container inspection position P2 by the rotation of the star wheel 4.

This configuration allows the star wheel 4 to rotate at high speed while creating a small gap between the first arm portion 5B and the container 20, transporting the container 20 to the container inspection position P2 at high speed. This allows the container 20 to be accurately positioned at the container inspection position P2, shortening the time required to weigh the container 20.

In addition, the container 20 can be more effectively prevented from colliding strongly with the conveying surface 1a, and the container 20 can be more effectively protected from strong impacts while being conveyed. The guide plate 10 may also extend from the container insertion position P1 toward the container inspection position P2.

In addition, the container conveying device 2 of this embodiment has a torsion spring 8 that biases the arm member 5 so that the first arm portion 5B is positioned at the distant position, and the actuator 9 has a guide piece 9C that can move between a first position where the first arm portion 5B is maintained at the close position by pressing the second arm portion 5C against the biasing force of the torsion spring 8 when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2, and a second position where the pressure on the arm member 5 is released; when the guide piece 9C moves to the second position, the arm member 5 is biased by the torsion spring 8, causing the first arm portion 5B to swing from the close position to the distant position.

With this configuration, when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2, the guide piece 9C of the actuator 9 presses the second arm portion 5C against the biasing force of the torsion spring 8, maintaining the first arm portion 5B in the close position.

As a result, even if a small gap is formed between the other side 20b of the container 20 and the first arm portion 5B when the container 20 is transported, when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2 and the star wheel 4 is stopped, the inertia of the container 20 can bring the other side 20b of the container 20 into contact with the first arm portion 5B.

This prevents the container 20 from being positioned too far downstream from the container inspection position P2, allowing the container 20 to be accurately positioned at the container inspection position P2.

Furthermore, when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2, if the guide piece 9C releases the pressure on the second arm portion 5C, the arm member 5 is biased by the torsion spring 8, causing the first arm portion 5B to swing from the close position to the distant position. This allows the first arm portion 5B to be separated from the other side surface 20b of the container 20.

In this way, the arm member 5 can be swung between the close position and the separated position using a simple configuration, simplifying the configuration of the container conveying device 2 and preventing an increase in the manufacturing cost of the container conveying device 2.

Furthermore, according to the container conveying device 2 of this embodiment, the second arm portion 5C has a roller 5D that rotates in contact with the guide plate 10.

This allows the second arm portion 5C to come into contact with the guide plate 10 via the roller 5D, and the arm member 5 to move along the guide plate 10 in the rotational direction R1 of the star wheel 4 as the roller 5D rotates. This prevents wear on the second arm portion 5C, improving the durability of the arm member 5 and the reliability of the container transport device 2.

Furthermore, according to the container conveying device 2 of this embodiment, the contact support portion 4A has an upper wall 4B and a side wall 4C, and one side surface 20a of the container 20 is in contact with the entire contact surface 4b of the contact support portion 4A, which is made up of the side surface of the upper wall 4B and the side surface of the side wall 4C. Therefore, the container 20 can be stably conveyed by the contact support portion 4A.

In this embodiment, the container transport device 2 has an arm member 5 attached to a rotatable star wheel 4, but this is not limited to this.

For example, the conveying member may be configured as a conveying member that is movable in a linear direction, and an arm member (auxiliary support part) may be provided at the end of this conveying member that is movable in the linear direction integrally with the conveying member and that is movable relative to the conveying member in the linear direction.

Second Embodiment
Next, the configuration of an article transport device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 11. Note that the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the star wheel 21 and the arm member 22, and the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same numbers and will not be described again.

In Figure 6, the container conveying device 2 of the container weighing device 1 is equipped with a star wheel 21, which is rotatable in the conveying direction of the container 20. In this embodiment, the star wheel 21 constitutes a conveying member.

Concave portions 21a are formed on the radial outer periphery (end) of the star wheel 21, and the concave portions 21a are arranged at equal intervals in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 21. Contact support portions 21A are provided on the outer periphery of the star wheel 21, and the contact support portions 21A are arranged at equal intervals in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 21. Note that the concave portions 21a and the contact support portions 21A do not have to be arranged at equal intervals in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 21.

The recesses 21a are formed between the contact support portions 21A in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 21. In other words, the outer periphery of the star wheel 21 is formed with a continuous uneven shape in the rotation direction R1.

As shown in FIG. 9, a notch 21b is formed in the contact support portion 21A, and the notch 21b is recessed in the radial direction of the contact support portion 21A in the lower portion of the contact support portion 21A.

As shown in Figure 6, when the star wheel 21 rotates in the transport direction of the container 20, one side surface 20a of the container 20 in the transport direction comes into contact with the contact surface 21c of the contact support portion 21A.

The star wheel 21 is installed on the main body 1A of the container weighing device 1. The main body 1A of the container weighing device 1 is provided with a drive motor 6 consisting of a stepping motor.

When the drive motor 6 is driven to rotate, the star wheel 21 rotates integrally with the fixed member 7.

Two containers 20 are accommodated in each recess 21a. The radial length of the contact support portion 21A is formed to be at least twice the diameter of the container 20.

Arm members 22 are attached to the star wheel 21, and the arm members 22 are arranged at equal intervals in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 21 so as to pair with the contact support portions 21A. Note that the arm members 22 do not have to be arranged at equal intervals in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 21.

As shown in Figures 7 and 9, the arm member 22 comprises a shaft portion 22A, a first arm portion 22B, and a second arm portion 22C.

An annular support portion 21B is formed radially inward of the star wheel 21 relative to the contact support portion 21A. The annular support portion 21B protrudes upward from the top surface of the star wheel 21 and is formed in an annular shape in the circumferential direction of the star wheel 21.

The shaft portion 22A of the arm member 22 is inserted radially into the annular support portion 21B and is rotatably supported by the annular support portion 21B. This allows the arm member 22 to move integrally with the star wheel 21.

As shown in Figure 9, the first arm portion 22B has an L-shaped vertical arm portion 22D attached to one end of the shaft portion 22A, and a horizontal arm portion 22E extending radially from the lower end of the vertical arm portion 22D.

A through-hole 21d is formed in the star wheel 21, penetrating it in the vertical direction. The vertically elongated arm portion 22D extends from one end of the shaft portion 22A in the circumferential direction of the star wheel 21, then extends downward, passing through the through-hole 21d, and extends below the ceiling surface 21m of the cutout 21b.

The circumferential width of the star wheel 21 at the through-hole 21d is larger than the circumferential width of the portion of the vertically elongated arm portion 22D that is inserted into the through-hole 21d.

As a result, when the shaft portion 22A rotates, the vertically elongated arm portion 22D swings within the width of the through-hole 21d, allowing the horizontally elongated arm portion 22E to move between a position where it enters the notch 21b and a position where it moves away from the notch 21b (see Figures 10 and 11).

When the horizontal arm portion 22E moves away from the notch 21b, the horizontal arm portion 22E moves closer to the other side surface 20b of the container 20. On the other hand, when the horizontal arm portion 22E moves into the notch 21b, the horizontal arm portion 22E moves away from the other side surface 20b of the container 20.

In other words, in this embodiment, the horizontally elongated arm portion 22E of the first arm portion 22B is provided so as to be able to swing between a close position in close proximity to the other side surface 20b of the container 20 and a distant position that is farther away from the other side surface 20b of the container 20 than the close position.

The second arm portion 22C is attached to the other end of the shaft portion 22A and is operated by an actuator 25 (described below) to swing the horizontal arm portion 22E between a close position and a distant position.

In this embodiment, the contact support portion 21A constitutes the storage portion and the contact support portion, and the arm member 22 constitutes the storage portion and the auxiliary support portion.

As shown in Figures 7 and 9, a torsion spring 23 is provided on the arm member 22, and the torsion spring 23 is spirally wound around the shaft portion 22A. A spring bearing portion 22c is provided on the second arm portion 22C, and one end of the torsion spring 8 abuts against the spring bearing portion 22c from below.

The other end of the torsion spring 23 is fitted into the annular support portion 21B of the star wheel 21, and the torsion spring 23 biases the arm member 22 so that the horizontally elongated arm portion 22E is positioned in the separated position. In this embodiment, the torsion spring 23 constitutes a biasing member.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, a guide plate 24 is installed on the main body 1A of the container weighing device 1. The guide plate 24 is installed above the arm member 22 in the height direction (vertical direction) of the container weighing device 1, and extends while curving in the circumferential direction of the star wheel 21 from downstream of the container insertion position P1 toward the container inspection position P2.

A roller 22F is rotatably mounted on the second arm portion 22C of the arm member 22, and the roller 22F rotates in contact with the guide plate 24. In this embodiment, the roller 22F constitutes a rotating body.

As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the lower surface of the guide plate 24 is provided with a contact surface 24a with which the roller 22F comes into contact, and the contact surface 24a of the guide plate 24 is positioned below the upper end 22m of the roller 22F (see Figure 11) when the roller 22F is not in contact with the contact surface 24a.

The upstream end of the guide plate 24 in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 21 is curved upward toward the downstream side of the guide plate 24.

As the star wheel 21 rotates, the arm member 22 moves integrally with the star wheel 21 in the conveying direction of the container 20. When the roller 22F of the arm member 22 comes into contact with the contact surface 24a of the guide plate 24, the second arm portion 22C swings around the shaft portion 22A as a fulcrum, causing the roller 22F to move downward.

At this time, the arm member 22 swings to the close position with the shaft portion 22A as a fulcrum against the biasing force of the torsion spring 23, and the arm member 22 is maintained in the close position while the roller 22F is in contact with the guide plate 24.

This brings the horizontal arm portion 22E close to the other side surface 20b of the container 20, creating a small gap between the container 20 and the horizontal arm portion 22E.

In this embodiment, the guide plate 24 is formed long enough to contact the four rollers 22F so as to swing the four arm members 22 to the close position. The guide plate 24 in this embodiment constitutes a guide portion.

When the container 20 is being transported, the distance between the contact surface 21c of the contact support portion 21A and the horizontal arm portion 22E in the rotational direction of the star wheel 21 is set to, for example, a distance slightly larger than the maximum dimensional tolerance of the diameter of the container 20.

In other words, when the container 20 is being transported, the container 20 is housed between the contact support portion 21A and the horizontal arm portion 22E so that the contact surface 21c of the contact support portion 21A contacts one side surface 20a of the container 20 and a small gap is formed between the horizontal arm portion 22E and the other side surface 20b of the container 20.

The gap between the first arm portion 5B and the other side surface 20b of the container 20 is formed to prevent the container 20 from moving too far downstream from the container inspection position P2 when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2, and to prevent the container 20 from tilting and leaning against the horizontal arm portion 22E when being transported.

As a result, during transport, the container 20 held between the contact support portion 21A and the horizontal arm portion 22E is maintained in a position where the central axis of the container 20 is parallel to the vertical axis.

An actuator 25 is installed in the main body 1A of the container weighing device 1, and the actuator 25 is installed above the star wheel 21.

As shown in Figure 10, the actuator 25 has a cylinder portion 25A, a shaft portion 25B that can be freely extended and retracted relative to the cylinder portion 25A, and a guide piece 25C that is attached to the tip of the shaft portion 25B and can move toward and away from the cylinder portion 25A as the shaft portion 25B extends and retracts relative to the cylinder portion 25A. In other words, the guide piece 25C can move vertically above the star wheel 21.

The actuator 25 moves the guide piece 25C between a first position and a second position.

When guide piece 25C is in the first position, second arm portion 22C is pressed against the biasing force of torsion spring 23, and horizontal arm portion 22E is maintained in the proximal position. In this state, as shown in Figure 10, contact surface 25a of guide piece 25C and contact surface 24a of guide plate 24 are continuous in the conveying direction of container 20, and roller 22F moves smoothly from guide plate 24 to guide piece 25C.

When the guide piece 25C moves from the first position to the second position, the guide piece 25C moves away from the guide plate 24 and away from the contact support portion 21A (see Figure 11), and the pressure exerted by the guide piece 25C on the second arm portion 22C is released. At this time, the arm member 22 is biased by the torsion spring 23, causing the horizontally elongated arm portion 22E to swing from the close position to the distant position.

As shown in Figure 7, the shaft 22A and the roller 22F are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the star wheel 21, and the roller 22F is located downstream of the shaft 22A in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 21. As a result, when the guide piece 25C contacts the roller 22F, the guide piece 25C is located at a position offset from the container inspection position P2 in the rotation direction R1 of the star wheel 21.

The actuator 25 maintains the guide piece 25C in the first position until the star wheel 21 rotates and transports the container 20 to the container inspection position P2, and then moves the guide piece 25C from the first position to the second position when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2. In this embodiment, the guide piece 25C constitutes the pressing portion.

In this embodiment, the container conveying device 2 maintains the horizontal arm portion 22E in a close position while the roller 22F is in contact with the guide plate 24, and moves the contact support portion 21A and the horizontal arm portion 22E away from the container 20 when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2.

Furthermore, the timing at which the container 20 is weighed by the container weighing unit 3 at the container inspection position P2, the timing at which the container 20 is loaded (stored) from the container loading unit 11 into the recess 21a at the container loading position P1, and the timing at which the container 20 is unloaded from the recess 21a to the container unloading unit 12 at the container unloading position P3 are all the same, and the weighing, loading, and unloading of the container 20 are carried out simultaneously when the star wheel 21 is stopped.

As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the container weighing unit 3 is installed in a recess 1b recessed downward from the conveying surface 1a of the main body 1A. The container 20 slides along the conveying surface 1a of the main body 1A and is conveyed from the container insertion position P1, through the container inspection position P2, to the container removal position P3.

In other words, the container 20 housed between the contact support portion 21A and the first arm portion 22B comes into contact with and is pushed by the contact support portion 21A as the star wheel 21 rotates, creating a small gap between the container 20 and the first arm portion 22B.

As a result, the container 20 is not completely grasped by the contact support portion 21A and the first arm portion 22B, and is transported from the container loading position P1, through the container inspection position P2, and to the container removal position P3 while sliding along the transport surface 1a of the main body 1A.

A container 20 is placed on the container weighing unit 3, and the container weighing unit 3 weighs the container 20 in a state of complete non-contact with the contact support unit 21A and the first arm unit 22B at the container inspection position P2.

Next, the operation of the container transport device 2 of this embodiment will be described.
When the container 20 is inserted into the recess 21a at the container insertion position P1, the drive motor 6 is stopped at the timing when the container 20 is inserted between the contact support portion 21A and the first arm portion 22B, thereby stopping the star wheel 21. At this time, since the first arm portion 22B is positioned at the separated position, the container 20 can be smoothly inserted between the contact support portion 21A and the first arm portion 22B.

Two containers 20 placed in the recess 21a at the container loading position P1 are transported toward the container inspection position P2 with one side 20a in contact with the contact surface 21c of the contact support portion 21A as the star wheel 21 rotates.

When the roller 22F provided on the second arm portion 22C comes into contact with the contact surface 24a of the guide plate 24, the second arm portion 22C swings around the shaft portion 22A as a fulcrum, causing the horizontal arm portion 22E to swing to a close position around the shaft portion 22A as a fulcrum against the biasing force of the torsion spring 23 (see Figures 7 and 10(a)).

In other words, one side surface 20a of the container 20 comes into contact with the contact surface 21c of the contact support portion 21A of the star wheel 21, and the container 20 is pushed by the contact support portion 21A, thereby transporting it to the container inspection position P2.

At this time, a small gap is formed between the other side surface 20b of the container 20 and the first arm portion 22B, and the container 20 is transported from the container insertion position P1 to the container inspection position P2 while sliding on the transport surface 1a of the main body 1A.

A small gap is formed between the other side surface 20b of the container 20 and the first arm portion 22B, but as the container 20 is transported, the other side surface 20b of the container 20 may come into contact with the first arm portion 22B. If the container 20 attempts to swing excessively, the container 20 will come into contact with the first arm portion 22B, preventing the container 20 from being transported in an inclined position.

In addition, a small gap is formed between the other side surface 20b of the container 20 and the first arm portion 22B, so the container 20 is not completely held by the contact support portion 21A and the first arm portion 22B.

This allows the bottom surface of the container 20 to slide on the conveying surface 1a of the main body 1A, preventing the bottom surface of the container 20 from colliding strongly with the conveying surface 1a and subjecting the container 20 to strong impacts during transport.

When the container 20 is transported to the container inspection position P2, the drive motor 6 is stopped, causing the star wheel 21 to stop.

When the container 20 is being transported, a small gap is formed between the other side 20b of the container 20 and the first arm portion 22B. Therefore, when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2 and the star wheel 21 is stopped, the inertia of the container 20 causes the other side 20b of the container 20 to come into contact with the horizontal arm portion 22E.

This prevents the container 20 from being positioned too far downstream from the container inspection position P2, allowing the container 20 to be accurately positioned at the container inspection position P2.

When the container 20 is transported to the container inspection position P2 and the roller 22F contacts the guide piece 25C (see Figure 10(b)), the cylinder portion 25A moves the guide piece 25C toward the cylinder portion 25A, moving the guide piece 25C from the first position to the second position, as shown in Figure 11(a).

When the guide piece 25C moves from the first position to the second position, the guide piece 25C moves upward and away from the contact support portion 21A, and the pressure exerted by the guide piece 25C on the second arm portion 22C is released.

At this time, the arm member 22 is biased by the torsion spring 23, causing the horizontal arm portion 22E to swing from the close position to the distant position.

Next, the drive motor 6 rotates the star wheel 21 in a rotation direction R2 opposite to the conveying direction of the container 20. In other words, the star wheel 21 is rotated in the circumferential direction so as to move away from the horizontal arm portion 22E, thereby moving the contact support portion 21A away from one side surface 20a of the container 20 (see Figures 8 and 11(b)).

This releases the container 20 from the contact support portion 21A and the horizontal arm portion 22E, and the weight of the star wheel 21 and arm member 22 is no longer applied to the container 20. In this state, the container 20 is weighed by the container weighing unit 3.

In addition, when the container 20 is transported to the container inspection position P2 and the star wheel 21 is stopped, the container 20 is loaded from the container loading section 11 into the recess 21a at the container loading position P1, and the container 20 is unloaded from the recess 21a to the container unloading section 12 at the container unloading position P3.

In this way, the container weighing device 1 of this embodiment transports two containers 20 inserted into the recess 21a at the container insertion position P1 in succession to the container inspection position P2, and weighs the containers 20 using the container weighing unit 3.

Next, the effects of the container transport device 2 of this embodiment will be described.
The container conveying device 2 of this embodiment includes a plurality of contact support parts 21A and arm members 22 that accommodate containers 20 that are sequentially inserted from the container insertion section 11 at the container insertion position P1, and is equipped with a star wheel 21 that continuously transports the containers 20 accommodated in the contact support parts 21A and arm members 22 to the container inspection position P2.

The contact support portion 21A is provided on the outer periphery of the star wheel 21 and is capable of contacting one side surface 20a of the container 20, and the arm member 22 is provided on the outer periphery of the star wheel 21 so as to be able to move between a close position close to the other side surface 20b of the container 20 and a distant position away from the other side surface of the container 20.

The container conveying device 2 also has a drive motor 6 that drives the star wheel 21 in the direction of conveying the container 20, a guide plate 24 that supports the arm member 22 so that it is positioned in a close position when the contact support part 21A that houses the container 20 and the arm member 22 move from the container insertion position P1 to the container inspection position P2, and an actuator 25 that moves the arm member 22 from the close position to the separated position.

In addition, according to the container conveying device 2, when the container 20 moves from the container loading position P1 to the container inspection position P2, the contact support portion 21A is brought into contact with the container 20, thereby maintaining the orientation of the container 20 while conveying it. When the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2, the actuator 25 moves the arm member 22 from the close position to the distant position, and the drive motor 6 drives the star wheel 21 so that the contact support portion 21A moves away from one side surface 20a of the container 20.

In this way, when the container 20 moves from the container loading position P1 to the container inspection position P2, the contact support portion 21A is brought into contact with the container 20, thereby maintaining the orientation of the container 20 while transporting it, allowing the container 20 to be transported at high speed from the container loading position P1 to the container inspection position P2.

In addition, when the container 20 is transported to the container inspection position P2, the drive motor 6 stops the star wheel 21, and the actuator 25 moves the arm member 22 from the close position to the distant position, thereby moving the arm member 22 farther away from the other side surface 20b of the container 20 than the close position.

Then, the drive motor 6 moves the star wheel 21 so that the contact support portion 21A moves away from one side surface 20a of the container 20, thereby preventing the container 20 from interfering with the contact support portion 21A and the arm member 22 at the container inspection position P2.

As a result, the container 20 inserted from the container insertion section 11 can be transported at high speed to the container inspection position P2, allowing the container 20 to be accurately positioned at the container inspection position P2, and the container 20 can be accurately weighed at the container inspection position P2, thereby shortening the weighing time for the container 20.

In addition, after the drive motor 6 moves the star wheel 21 so that the contact support portion 21A moves away from one side surface 20a of the container 20, the actuator 25 may move the arm member 22 from the close position to the separated position.

In addition, when the container 20 is transported at high speed from the container insertion position P1 to the container inspection position P2, the arm member 22 is positioned in a close position, so a small gap is formed between the other side surface 20b of the container 20 and the arm member 22. As a result, the container 20 is not completely held by the contact support portion 21A and the arm member 22.

This prevents the container 20 from colliding strongly with the conveying surface 1a when it is conveyed from the container insertion position P1 to the container inspection position P2 while sliding along the conveying surface 1a, thereby preventing the container 20 from being subjected to strong impacts during its conveyance and protecting the container 20.

Furthermore, according to the container conveying device 2 of this embodiment, the arm member 22 is provided so as to be movable integrally with the star wheel 21, and comprises a shaft portion 22A rotatably supported on the star wheel 21, a first arm portion 22B provided at one end of the shaft portion 22A and having a horizontally elongated arm portion 22E that can swing between a close position and a distant position as the shaft portion 22A rotates, and a second arm portion 22C provided at the other end of the shaft portion 22A and operated by an actuator 25 to swing and rotate the shaft portion 22A. When the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2, the drive motor 6 operates the second arm portion 22C to move the horizontally elongated arm portion 22E from the close position to the distant position.

This allows the second arm portion 22C to be spaced farther away from the other side surface 20b of the container 20 than at the close position when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2.

Then, the drive motor 6 moves the star wheel 21 so that the contact support portion 21A moves away from one side surface 20a of the container 20, thereby separating the contact support portion 21A from one side surface 20a of the container 20.

This prevents the container 20 from interfering with the contact support portion 21A and the first arm portion 22B at the container inspection position P2. As a result, the container 20 can be accurately weighed at the container inspection position P2.

Furthermore, according to the container conveying device 2 of this embodiment, the guide plate 24 extends from downstream of the container insertion position P1 toward the container inspection position P2 in the rotation direction of the star wheel 21, and is contactable by the second arm portion 22C. The second arm portion 22C contacts the guide plate 24, thereby maintaining the horizontally elongated arm portion 22E in a close position, until the container 20 is conveyed to the container inspection position P2 by the rotation of the star wheel 21.

This allows the star wheel 21 to rotate at high speed while creating a small gap between the horizontal arm portion 22E and the container 20, allowing the container 20 to be transported at high speed to the container inspection position P2. This allows the container 20 to be accurately positioned at the container inspection position P2, shortening the time required to weigh the container 20.

In addition, the container 20 can be more effectively prevented from colliding strongly with the conveying surface 1a, and the container 20 can be more effectively protected from strong impacts while being conveyed. The guide plate 24 may also extend from the container insertion position P1 toward the container inspection position P2.

In addition, the container conveying device 2 of this embodiment has a torsion spring 23 that biases the arm member 22 so that the horizontal arm portion 22E is positioned at the distant position. The actuator 25 has a guide piece 25C that can move between a first position where the horizontal arm portion 22E is maintained at the close position by pressing the second arm portion 22C against the biasing force of the torsion spring 23 when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2, and a second position where the pressure on the arm member 22 is released. When the guide piece 25C moves to the second position, the arm member 22 is biased by the torsion spring 23, causing the horizontal arm portion 22E to swing from the close position to the distant position.

With this configuration, when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2, the guide piece 25C of the actuator 25 presses the second arm portion 22C against the biasing force of the torsion spring 23, maintaining the horizontally elongated arm portion 22E in the close position.

As a result, even if a small gap is formed between the other side surface 20b of the container 20 and the horizontal arm portion 22E when the container 20 is transported, when the container 20 is positioned at the container inspection position P2 and the star wheel 21 is stopped, the inertia of the container 20 can cause the other side surface 20b of the container 20 to come into contact with the horizontal arm portion 22E.

This prevents the container 20 from being positioned too far downstream from the container inspection position P2, allowing the container 20 to be accurately positioned at the container inspection position P2.

Furthermore, when the guide piece 25C releases the pressure on the second arm portion 22C, the arm member 22 is biased by the torsion spring 23, causing the horizontal arm portion 22E to swing from the close position to the distant position. This allows the horizontal arm portion 22E to be separated from the other side surface 20b of the container 20.

In this way, the arm member 22 can be swung between the close position and the separated position using a simple configuration, simplifying the configuration of the container conveying device 2 and preventing an increase in the manufacturing cost of the container conveying device 2.

Furthermore, according to the container conveying device 2 of this embodiment, the second arm portion 22C has a roller 22F that rotates in contact with the guide plate 24.

This allows the second arm portion 22C to come into contact with the guide plate 24 via the roller 22F, and the rotation of the roller 22F allows the arm member 22 to move along the guide plate 24 in the rotational direction of the star wheel 21. This prevents wear on the second arm portion 22C, improving the durability of the arm member 22 and the reliability of the container transport device 2.

Furthermore, according to the container conveying device 2 of this embodiment, one side surface 20a of the container 20 is in contact with the contact surface 21c of the contact support portion 21A, so the container 20 can be stably conveyed by the contact support portion 21A.

In this embodiment, the container transport device 2 has an arm member 22 attached to a rotatable star wheel 21, but this is not limited to this.

For example, the conveying member may be configured as a conveying member that is movable in a linear direction, and an arm member (auxiliary support part) may be provided at the end of this conveying member that is movable in the linear direction integrally with the conveying member and that is movable relative to the conveying member in the linear direction.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. All such modifications and equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

2. Container transport device (item transport device)
4, 21 Star wheel (transport member)
4A, 21A Contact support part (accommodation part)
5, 22 Arm member (storage portion, auxiliary support portion)
5A: Support shaft 5B, 22B: First arm portion 5C, 22C: Second arm portion 5D, 22F: Roller (rotating body)
6 Drive motor (drive unit)
8, 23 Torsion spring (biasing member)
9, 25 Actuator 9C, 25C Guide piece (pressing portion)
10, 24 Guide plate (guide part)
11 Container loading section (goods loading section)
20 Container (article)
20a One side (one side of the article)
20b Other side (other side of the article)
22A Shaft P1 Container loading position (article loading position)
P2 Container inspection position (item inspection position)

Claims (6)

The apparatus includes a plurality of storage sections (4A, 5, 21A, 22) for storing articles (20) sequentially input from an article input section (11) at an article input position (P1), and includes a transport member (4, 21) for transporting the articles stored in the storage sections to an article inspection position (P2),
The storage section is
a plurality of contact support portions (4A, 21A) provided at an end of the conveying member and capable of contacting one side surface (20a) of the article;
an article transport device (2) including a plurality of auxiliary support portions (5, 22) provided at the end of the transport member so as to move between a proximity position close to the other side surface (20b) of the article and a remote position away from the other side surface of the article,
a drive unit (6) that drives the conveying member in the conveying direction of the article;
a guide section (10, 24) that supports the auxiliary support section so that the auxiliary support section is positioned at the proximity position when the storage section that stores the article moves from at least a downstream side of the article input position to the article inspection position;
an actuator (9, 25) that moves the auxiliary support portion from the close position to the distant position,
When the article moves from the article insertion position to the article inspection position, the contact support portion is brought into contact with the article, thereby maintaining the posture of the article while transporting it;
An item conveying device in which, when the item is positioned at the item inspection position, the actuator moves the auxiliary support portion from the close position to the separated position, and the drive portion drives the conveying member so that the contact support portion separates from one side of the item. The auxiliary support portion is
an arm member (5) attached to the conveying member via a support shaft (5A) and movable integrally with the conveying member;
The arm member
a first arm portion (5B) provided on one end side of the support shaft and swingable between the close position and the separated position with the support shaft as a fulcrum;
a second arm portion (5C) provided on the other end side of the support shaft and operated by the actuator to swing the first arm portion between the close position and the separated position;
2. The article transport device according to claim 1, wherein when the article is positioned at the article inspection position, the actuator operates the second arm portion to move the first arm portion from the close position to the distant position. The auxiliary support portion is
an arm member (22) that is movable integrally with the conveying member;
The arm member
a shaft portion (22A) rotatably supported by the conveying member;
a first arm portion (22B) provided at one end of the shaft portion and swingable between the close position and the separated position by rotation of the shaft portion;
a second arm portion (22C) provided at the other end of the shaft portion and operated by the actuator to swing and rotate the shaft portion;
2. The article transport device according to claim 1, wherein when the article is positioned at the article inspection position, the actuator operates the second arm portion to move the first arm portion from the close position to the distant position. The guide portion is
a guide plate (10, 24) that extends from at least a downstream side of the article input position toward the article inspection position in the movement direction of the conveying member and that comes into contact with the second arm portion;
An item transport device as described in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the second arm portion contacts the guide plate to maintain the first arm portion in the proximity position until the item is transported to the item inspection position by movement of the transport member. a biasing member (8, 23) that biases the arm member so that the first arm portion is positioned at the separated position;
The actuator is
a pressing portion (9C, 25C) that is movable between a first position where the second arm portion is pressed against the biasing force of the biasing member to maintain the first arm portion at the close position when the article is positioned at the article inspection position, and a second position where the pressing of the arm member is released;
5. The article transport device according to claim 4, wherein when the pressing portion moves to the second position, the arm member is urged by the urging member, causing the first arm portion to swing from the close position to the distant position. The item transport device described in claim 4, wherein the second arm portion has a rotating body (5D, 22F) that rotates in contact with the guide plate.