JPH0238494B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a separating device used to separate stacked thin plate trays one by one.

[Prior art] When transporting fragile goods, a secondary
Thin plastic molded product T as shown in the figure
(This may be referred to as a tray in this specification)
is sometimes used. This type of molded product is usually formed by vacuum forming or pressure forming using a thermoplastic sheet such as a vinyl chloride sheet or a polyethylene sheet, and has a recess W into which the product is inserted and ribs that provide rigidity to the tray. , flange, etc. are formed all at once. During the manufacturing process, large-sized molded products are piled up while still being heated, and then stored or cut into a certain size, so they are stacked in groups of 10 or so. being handled.

However, this type of molded product is easily deformed because it is thin, and the stacked molded products overlap irregularly, and the recesses W into which the product is inserted fit into each other. It is difficult to insert the device between the trays to separate the molded products one by one, and when the trays are pulled up using suction pads, two or three trays are pulled up at the same time while they are stuck together. There was a drawback. For this reason, the only way to separate such molded products one by one is by hand, which impairs work efficiency.Therefore, it has been desired to develop a device that can automatically handle this task.

[Object of the Invention] The object of the present invention is to improve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art and to provide a device that can rationally separate stacked molded products. .

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is an apparatus for separating thin plate-like trays having a large number of concave portions, which are closely stacked one on top of the other, one by one. A presser foot is integrally provided at the bottom of the base and projects downward on the vertical axis of the base, which is held movably up and down by the presser foot. A pair of left and right support arms that can rotate in the direction are attached, and suction pads are attached to the tips of both support arms via attachment brackets that are movable in the longitudinal direction of each support arm. It has a sliding part movable in the longitudinal direction, and a spring is compressed between the sliding part and a pair of stoppers provided on each support arm on both sides of the sliding part, and The present invention provides a device for separating stacked trays by connecting approximately the midpoint of each support arm and the base with a cylinder for regulating the opening of the support arm.

With this configuration, when the trays T, which are stacked and have tapered product insertion portions W that fit together and are difficult to separate easily, are pulled up by suctioning the peripheral edges of the trays with a vacuum pad, the trays are pulled up. It becomes possible to easily pull out just one card. A more desirable separation method is to stack the trays T upside down as shown in FIG. 1, and while holding down the center of the tray, pull up the tray by adsorbing the peripheral edge with a pad. In this case, the friction at the product insertion portion of the tray is minimized, and separation becomes easier than when the trays are stacked upright.

Furthermore, when the tray is pulled up by the suction pad, the tray curves around the presser foot 7 as a fulcrum, and the suction pad 10 rotates around the rotating shaft 6 as a fulcrum. The suction pads are mounted so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the support arms 8, 9 via the mounting brackets 13, so that when the trays are pulled apart, the trays curve smoothly and are pulled apart uniformly. Therefore, friction caused by forced contact between trays can be kept to a minimum.

[Example] Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described based on an example shown in the drawings. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a machine frame of the present apparatus, 2 a guide groove formed vertically in the front of the machine frame 1, and 3 a base mounted to the guide groove 2 so as to be movable up and down. This base 3, as shown in FIG.
It is guided by a pair of left and right guide columns 4, 4 vertically installed on both sides of the guide groove 2, and is held by a cylinder 5 fixed above the machine frame 1 so as to be movable in the vertical direction.

On the vertical axis of the base, a positioning presser foot 7 is integrally provided at the bottom of the base and projects downward, and a bearing 6' is installed horizontally above the presser foot 7.
A rotating shaft 6 supported by the rotating shaft 6 is provided. Support arms 8 and 9 are attached to both sides of the rotation shaft 6 so as to be able to rotate in the vertical direction, and suction pads 10 and 9 are attached near the tips of the co-support arms 8 and 9 as described below. 1
Attach 0. Note that a cylinder 11 for regulating the opening of the support arms 8 and 9 is installed between the substantially midpoint of the support arms 8 and 9 and the base 3. The base 3 of this cylinder 11
It is pivoted on. Guide columns 4 are attached to slide bearings 12, 12 extending on both sides of the base 3.
is loosely inserted therein and is configured to be movable up and down by a piston rod 5' of a cylinder 5 attached to the upper part of the base 3. The support arms 8, 9 perform vertical movement about the rotation shaft 6 as the rod 11' in the cylinder 11 expands or contracts.

Adsorption pads 1 are provided near the tips of the support arms 8 and 9.
0 and 10 mounting brackets 13 and 13 are attached. These mounting brackets 13, 13 are provided with a pair of stoppers 14, 14 at the distal end of each of the support arms 8, 9, spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of each support arm, and then supported between the stoppers 14, 14. A sliding portion 15 that is loosely inserted into the arm 8 or 9 is attached. This sliding part 15 is attached so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the support arm, and the sliding part 15 and the stopper 14,
A pair of springs 16, 16 are installed between the springs 14 and 14,
The sliding portion 15 is elastically held at a position where the spring forces of the springs 16, 16 are balanced. Note that the reference numeral 17 is the shaft of the suction pad 10, which is attached to the mounting bracket 1.
It is loosely inserted perpendicularly to the end of 3. Reference numeral 18 denotes a spring fitted into the shaft portion, and the suction pad 10 is suspended from the mounting bracket 13 by this spring. Reference numeral 19 is a flexible air pipe connected to a pressure reducing device (not shown), which allows negative pressure to be applied to the suction pad.

Next, the operation of the device of the present invention will be explained. First, as shown in Fig. 3 or 4, a plurality of stacked trays T are placed on the stocker S in an upright state or in an upside-down state, and then placed under the device as shown in Fig. 1. Set to .

Next, the cylinder 11 for regulating the opening of the support arms 8 and 9 is operated, and the rod 11' is extended, and both the support arms 8 and 9 are opened.
9 in a horizontal position. And suction pad 1
With trays 0 and 10 standing almost vertically, move them so that they are located above the periphery of the stacked trays T as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the piston rod 5' of the lifting cylinder 5 is driven to move the base 3, and the suction pads 10, 10 are pressed against the peripheral edge of the tray T, and at the same time, the presser foot 7 is pressed against the center of the tray. In this state, negative pressure is applied to the suction pad 10 to suction the tray T.

Next, while holding down the center of the tray with the presser foot 7, the cylinder 11 is driven to release the rods 11, 11'.
When the support arms 8 and 9 are reduced and pulled up, the support arms 8 and 9 rotate upward about the rotation shaft 6 as shown in FIG.
Therefore, the suction pads 10, 10 are lifted upward while sucking the tray T, and the tray gradually rises from its periphery, causing the tray T to curve as shown in the figure. During this process, a force acts on the suction pads 10, 10 to try to slide them toward the outside of the support arms 8, 9, and the elasticity of the springs 16, 16 allows them to be adjusted to arbitrary positions while maintaining balance. In this state, the tray T attracted to the suction pad 10 gradually separates from the periphery of the stacked lower trays T, and the fitting parts 4 product insertion parts W) of the upper and lower trays separate one by one. (see Figure 4), so no excessive force is applied. When they are approximately separated, the lifting cylinder 5 is operated to raise the base 3, thereby raising the presser foot 7 and the suction pad 10 at the same time. Therefore, the tray T rises and becomes ready for transport. In this state, for example, move the entire machine frame 1 laterally, or insert an appropriate conveyance device under the tray T,
Turn off the suction force of the suction pad and place the tray in the transport position.

According to the device of the present invention configured as described above,
When separating trays one by one, which are stacked closely together and easily deformed and have grooves or uneven parts that fit into each other, hold the center point of the stacked trays with a presser foot, and then remove the topmost tray. When the pair of left and right support arms are rotated upward while the peripheral edge of the uppermost tray is suctioned and held by the suction pad, the peripheral edge of the uppermost tray, which is suctioned and held by the pad, is gradually lifted up from above the stack of lower trays. As a result, the fitting of the concave and convex portions in almost the entire area from the periphery to the center of the tray comes off from the periphery, and the third to fourth portions
As shown in the figure, the tray curves upwards smoothly and effortlessly. Therefore, it is possible to automatically and reliably separate the uppermost tray one by one from the stack of trays, which are stacked and difficult to separate, without any manual intervention.

Further, according to the device of the present invention, when the peripheral edge of the tray is held by the suction pad and lifted upward by the support arm, even if the tensile resistance (load in the direction of the tray falling off) applied to the suction part increases, The sliding part of the mounting bracket shifts in the length direction of the arm in response to the tensile resistance, which causes the holding position of the suction pad to change relative to the degree of curvature of the tray. It has the effect of preventing load from being applied and preventing the tray from falling off the pad.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of the apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tray to which the present invention is applied, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are explanatory views showing how stacked trays are separated. 1... Machine frame, 2... Guide groove, 3... Base, 4... Guide column, 5... Cylinder, 5'... Piston rod,
6... Rotating shaft, 6'... Bearing, 7... Presser foot, 8, 9...
Support arm, 10... Suction pad, 11... Cylinder, 1
1'...Cylinder rod, 12...Slide bearing, 13...Mounting bracket, 14...Stopper, 1
5...Sliding part, 16...Spring, 17...Pad shaft part,
18...Spring, 19...Air pipe, T...Tray, W
...Product insertion section.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A device for separating thin plate-shaped trays T having a large number of concave portions one by one which are closely stacked one on top of the other, which comprises a base 3 held movably up and down by lifting mechanisms 5 and 5'. A presser foot 7 is integrally provided at the lower part of the base on the lifting axis and projects downward, and a rotating shaft 6 is provided horizontally above the presser foot, and the presser foot can be rotated in a vertical direction on this rotating shaft 6. Attach a pair of left and right support arms 8, 9, and attach suction pads 10, 10 to the ends of both support arms 8, 9 via attachment brackets 13, 13 that are movable in the longitudinal direction of each support arm. The brackets 13, 13 have a sliding part 15 movable in the longitudinal direction of each support arm, and a pair of stoppers 14, 14 provided on each support arm on both sides of the sliding part. A spring 16 is compressed between each support arm, and a cylinder 11 for regulating the opening of the support arm is used to connect approximately the midpoint of each support arm to the base 3, thereby separating the stacked trays. Device. 2. The device for separating stacked trays according to claim 1, wherein the suction pad 10 has its shaft portion 17 loosely inserted into the mounting bracket 13 and is held in a suspended state by a spring 18.