JPH0517093B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to an automatic stake stacking device that stacks an appropriate number of stakes sent from a stake packaging machine before moving on to the next step of storing the stakes in a packaging container. .

<Prior art> Conventionally, this type of automatic stake stacking device utilizes a conveyor, pusher, etc. that is driven intermittently in circulation, and a stake packaging machine, usually a multi-row stake packaging machine, wraps products in one cycle. A plurality of stakes (for example, 6) are simultaneously placed on a conveyor that is intermittently conveyed, and after being conveyed to a predetermined position, the same number of stakes that were placed at the same time are placed on a pusher, etc., at the same time as the conveyor is stopped. was operated to store it in a packaging container.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> Therefore, in the conventional automatic stake stacking device, the number of stakes to be stored in the packaging container is
The number of stakes stored in the packaging container is changed because the number of stakes placed on a conveyor that is driven intermittently in circulation, that is, the number of stakes wrapped during one cycle of the stake packaging machine, or an integral multiple thereof. In this case, it was impossible to deal with this problem unless the stake packaging machine itself was replaced and the number of stakes wrapped in one cycle was changed.

In addition, in conventional automatic stake stacking devices, the conveyor that conveys the stakes is driven intermittently, and the pusher is operated in response to the timing when the conveyor stops to store the stakes in the packaging container. It took time to store the stakes in the packaging container, and it was not possible to store the stakes in the packaging container at high speed.

This invention solves the problems mentioned above.
To provide an automatic stake stacking device capable of easily changing the number of stakes stored in a packaging container without replacing a stake packaging machine and storing stakes in the packaging container at high speed. With the goal.

<Means for Solving the Problems> The automatic stake stacking device according to the present invention is a device that stacks a plurality of stakes sent from a stake packaging machine before moving to the next process of storing them in packaging containers. A conveyor is installed that is continuously cyclically driven so that a plurality of stakes sent from a stake packaging machine are arranged in parallel and the stakes are dropped one after another at the tip of the conveyor. It has an opening in the upper part and in the axial direction, and receives falling stakes from the upper opening, and also grips a plurality of stakes that are connected to the pressing means and the rotation means and stored therein through the pressing means. A holding cylinder is provided that rotates via a rotating means, releases the grip, and drops the stay from the axial opening to return to its original state.A packaging container for the next process is placed below the axial opening when the holding cylinder rotates. A hopper is provided for storing the stacks, and an upper opening for introducing the stakes falling from the conveyor tip is provided between the conveyor tip and the upper opening of the holding tube, and the holding tube is returned to its original position. A chute part has a lower opening that opens when the conveyor is running and closes in response to a predetermined signal, and a chute part that detects a predetermined number of stakes falling from the tip of the conveyor and closes the lower opening of the chute part and is connected to a holding cylinder. The above-mentioned problems can be solved by providing a detecting section that emits a signal for activating the pressing/rotating means.

<Actions and effects of the invention> The automatic stake accumulation device according to the invention has the following features:
A plurality of stakes sent from a stake packaging machine are conveyed in a parallel arrangement on a conveyor that is continuously driven in circulation, and are sequentially dropped from the tip of the conveyor. Then, the fallen stakes are counted by the detection section, introduced through the upper opening of the chute section, discharged from the lower opening, and stored into the holding cylinder through the upper opening. After that, when a predetermined number of stakes fall from the tip of the conveyor and are stored in the holding cylinder, a signal from the detection unit closes the lower opening in the chute to prevent the stakes from falling into the chute. As the holding cylinder is housed, the pressing/rotating means connected to the holding cylinder is activated. Then, by the operation of the pressing/rotating means, a predetermined number of stakes housed in the holding cylinder are gripped and rotated by the holding cylinder, and then released from gripping, so that the axial opening From there, it is placed into a hopper that is used to store it in a packaging container for the next process, which is located below. Then, when the holding tube that has been released from the grip returns to its original state, the lower opening of the chute section opens, and the stay that was housed in the chute section is accommodated in the holding tube, and the above-mentioned process is repeated. , a predetermined number of stakes are sequentially placed into the hopper.

Therefore, in the automatic stake stacking device according to the present invention, when the detecting section detects a predetermined number of stakes, the lower opening of the chute section is closed, a predetermined number of stakes are accommodated in the holding cylinder, and the stakes are held. A pressing/rotating means connected to the cylinder is actuated to feed a predetermined number of stakes from the holding cylinder into the hopper to be used in the next process, and the set value of the number of stakes detected by the detection unit is set. By changing this, you can easily change the number of stakes that are put into the hopper to be stored in the packaging container in the next process, so you do not have to go through the trouble of changing the number of stakes that are packed in the stake packaging machine as in the past. In both cases, the number of stakes stored in the packaging container can be easily changed.

In addition, in the chute section, when a predetermined number of stakes are detected by the detection section, the lower opening of the chute section is closed after the predetermined number of stakes are housed in the holding cylinder, and then the sticks are dropped from the conveyor tip. Once the staying stick is housed in the chute part, and the holding cylinder returns after putting the staying housed in the holding cylinder into the hopper,
In order to open the lower opening again and discharge the once-accommodated stakes into the holding cylinder, the conveyor is circulated not intermittently but continuously and the stakes may be dropped from the tip one after another, allowing the stakes to be removed at high speed. It becomes possible to store it in a packaging container.

<Example> Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

The automatic stake accumulation device 1 of the embodiment includes first to
As shown in FIG. 3, the chain conveyor 2 is equipped with partition walls 2a arranged in parallel orthogonal to the drive direction A, connected to a drive means (not shown), and continuously driven in circulation. A chute 4 connected to a stake packaging machine for packaging six stakes S in one cycle is disposed.

Six holding rods 5 connected to suction means are arranged above the chute 4 so that the six stakes S sent in one cycle are arranged in parallel on the conveyor 2. 5, when the stake S is supplied to the end of the chute 4, the stake S is sucked and moved above the conveyor 2, and then the suction is stopped and the stake S is dropped between the partition walls 2a on the conveyor 2. It works like that. In addition, a shutter 4a is provided at the bottom of the chute 4 to drop the stakes S that have not been sucked by the holding rod 5 while the holding rod 5 is suctioning, and a shutter 4a is provided below the shutter 4a for discharging the fallen stakes S. A discharge chute 6 is arranged to cause the discharge. Further, 3 is a guide rod which is separately fixed to the frame 1a of the stacking device 1 in the conveyor 2 drive direction A on the conveyor 2.

The conveyor 2 is bent so as to return in the opposite direction via the sprocket 8 at its tip 2A.
On the outer periphery of A, as shown in FIG. 3, a curved guard plate 7 is fixed to a frame (not shown). In addition, below the conveyor tip 2A,
A discharge chute 9 is located at the bottom of the returning conveyor 2.
A supply port 10 is provided between the discharge chute 9 and the guard plate 7, and the stakes S conveyed by the conveyor 2 sequentially fall downward from the supply port 10 in a parallel state. In addition, the guide plate 7
is connected to a drive means (not shown) so as to be movable along the outer periphery of the conveyor tip 2A when desired, and when an inconvenience occurs during the process of storing the stakes S in the packaging container P, which will be described later, the supply Mouth 10
The structure is such that the stakes S can be supplied onto the discharge chute 9 without blocking the discharge chute 9 and causing the stakes S to fall downward.

A detection unit 11 equipped with a photoelectric switch using a phototube, a light emitting diode, etc., or an ultrasonic switch is disposed below the supply port 10, and this detection unit 11 detects the stick S falling from the supply port 10. is detected and counted, and when a predetermined number of stakes S are detected to have fallen, the lower opening 12b of the chute section 12, which will be described later, is closed,
It is configured to issue a signal to a predetermined operating mechanism to narrow the inner diameter of the holding cylinder 16.

The drive direction A of the conveyor 2 is displayed below the detection unit 11.
A chute portion 12, which is formed from two opposing plate members 13 and 14 and has an upper opening 12a and a lower opening 12b, is connected to a frame (not shown). The upper opening 12a of this chute section 12 allows the sticks S falling sequentially in parallel from the supply port 10 to be introduced into the chute section 12, and the lower opening 12b allows an air cylinder 15 connected to the plate material 14 to be introduced into the chute section 12. The lower end of the plate 14 is brought into contact with the lower end of the plate 13 by the operation of the plate 13, so that the lower end of the plate 14 can be closed. This air cylinder 15 is operated to close the lower opening 12b by a signal generated by detecting the falling of a predetermined number of stakes S in the detection section 11, and also operates to close the lower opening 12b.
When it returns to the lower part of the chute part lower opening 12b, it operates to open the lower opening 12b. Then, in the chute section 12, while the lower opening section 12b is open, the sticks S introduced from the upper opening section 12a are discharged from the lower opening section 12, and while the lower opening section 12b is closed, the stems S are discharged from the lower opening section 12.
The stakes S sequentially introduced from the upper opening 12a are housed inside.

Below the lower opening 12b of the chute part 12,
Openings 16a and 16b are provided in the upper part and in the axial direction, with the axial direction being perpendicular to the driving direction A of the conveyor 2.
A substantially cylindrical retaining cylinder 16 is disposed.

This holding cylinder 16 is formed from a spring plate, and is formed so that the upper opening 16a is always open, and while the upper opening 16a is open,
It is configured such that the stake S discharged from the lower opening 12a of the chute portion 12 and falling is accommodated in the holding cylinder 16. In addition, air cylinders 20, 21, which will be described later, are provided in the upper opening 16a.
When the holding cylinder 16 is operated, the unevenness 16C is formed so as to mesh with each other to close the upper opening 16a and to reduce the inner diameter of the holding cylinder 16 (see FIG. 4).

Support rods 18 and 1 are provided on both sides of the holding cylinder 16, respectively.
Piston rods 20a and 21a of air cylinders 20 and 21 fixed to the cylinder 9 are in contact with each other, and a holding rod 22 is fixed to the lower part of the holding cylinder 16. These air cylinders 20, 21 are
The upper opening 16a is closed and the inner diameter of the holding cylinder 16 is narrowed to serve as a pressing means capable of gripping a predetermined number of stakes S housed in the holding cylinder 16. The device is configured to be activated by a signal. The air cylinders 20 and 21 are constructed such that one has a weaker pressing force than the other, so that the predetermined number of stakes S held therein will not be damaged.

The other ends of the support rods 18 and 19 and the holding rod 22 are both fixed to a shaft 23 arranged parallel to the driving direction A of the conveyor 2, and both ends of the shaft 23 are connected to bearings arranged on the upper surface of the holding plate 24. 25 and 26.

A pinion 27 is fixed to one end of the shaft 23, and a rack 29 is attached to the pinion 27, which is fixed to the tip of a piston rod 28a of an air cylinder 28 as a means for rotating the holding cylinder 16 arranged on the holding plate 24. are meshing. Then, by the operation of the air cylinder 28, the shaft 23 rotates together with the support rods 18, 19 and the holding rod 22 via the rack 28 and pinion 27, and the holding tube 16 is disposed with its axial opening 16b facing downward. It is configured as follows.

The other end of the holding plate 24 of the embodiment includes a holding cylinder 16B, support rods 18 and 19, air cylinders 20 and 21, a holding rod 22, a shaft 23, bearings 25 and 26, and a pinion 27, which are similar to those described above. , air cylinder 2
8, racks 29 etc. are arranged point symmetrically (1st, 4th
(see figure), the holding plate 24 is provided with a rotational drive mechanism (not shown) at its center, and is configured to rotate horizontally by 180 degrees when desired.

A beam switch is disposed at a predetermined position on each member of the holding plate 24, and the air cylinders 20, 21 on the side disposed below the chute section 12
is activated by a signal from the detection unit 11, narrows the inner diameter of the holding cylinder 16A below the chute part 12, grips a predetermined number of stakes S accommodated from the chute part 12, and then the holding plate 24 is horizontally moved by 180 degrees. direction, the air cylinder 28 on the side detached from below the chute section 12 is operated to position the holding cylinder 16A with its axial opening 16b facing downward, and further, the inner diameter of the holding cylinder 16A is returned to its original diameter. Air cylinders 20 and 21 are configured to operate to return the device to its normal state. At this time, a predetermined number of stakes are gripped in the holding cylinder 16A that has separated from the lower part of the chute part 12, and the predetermined number of stakes S are held in the lower part of the holding cylinder 16A because the grip of the holding cylinder 16A is released. They will simultaneously fall downward from the opening 16b. Then, the air cylinders 20 and 21 release the grip on the holding tube 16A, and after a predetermined period of time, the air cylinder 28 is activated again to return the holding tube 16A to its original state with the upper opening 16a of the holding tube 16A open. After returning to the horizontal direction, the holding plate 24 is rotated 180 degrees in the horizontal direction so that the upper opening 16a of the holding cylinder 16A is placed below the lower opening 12b of the chute portion 12 again. Note that initially, the holding cylinder 16A located below the chute portion 12 is connected to the holding plate 2.
When placed in a symmetrical position with the rotation of 4,
Holding cylinder 1 newly placed below the chute part 12
6B, as described above, has already opened the upper opening 16a to accommodate the stake S, and upon detecting the return of the holding cylinder 16B, the air cylinder 15 is activated and the lower opening 12b of the chute section 12 is opened. While the lower opening 12b is closed, the stake S accommodated in the chute portion 12 is dropped into the newly placed holding cylinder 16B. Further, the holding cylinder 16 has an axial opening 16b.
A movable hopper 31 that slides on the surface plate 30 is arranged below the position where the grip is released with the hopper turned downward.

This surface plate 30 is provided with a storage hopper 34 at a predetermined position, in which a packaging container P such as a packaging bag is placed below.

The movable hopper 31 has a substantially circular insertion hole 31c with an axial direction in the vertical direction and a tapered shape that narrows downward at the upper part. A predetermined number of stakes S are introduced. Furthermore, since the lower opening 31b of the introduced stake S is closed by the surface plate 30, the stake S is housed in the movable hopper 31 with its lower ends aligned.

An air cylinder 32 is disposed on the lower side of the movable hopper 31. This air cylinder 32
The piston rod 32a is connected to the air cylinder 32.
During operation, the movable hopper 31 slides within the guide hole 31d bored at the bottom of the movable hopper insertion hole 31c.
It is arranged so that it can hold a predetermined number of stakes S housed inside. Note that the operation of the air cylinder 32 is such that the holding cylinder 16 is connected to the air cylinder 28.
It is configured to operate after a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the axial opening 16b is moved downward and a predetermined number of stakes S are dropped from the axial opening 16b.

Further, on the side opposite to where the air cylinder 32 of the movable hopper 31 is disposed, the conveyor 2 is connected to a drive means (not shown) and reciprocated for a predetermined distance L in a direction orthogonal to the drive direction A of the conveyor 2 above the surface plate 30. A horizontal rod 33 is fixed thereto.

Then, when the moving hopper 31 is placed above the storage hopper 34 of the surface plate 30 as the horizontal rod 33 moves, the air cylinder 32 is activated again.
The piston rod 32a is retracted to release a predetermined number of stakes S stored in the moving hopper 31, and the stakes S are simultaneously dropped and stored into the packaging container P via the storage hopper 34. There is. Further, the movable hopper 31 is configured to drop a predetermined number of stakes P and then return to its original position after a predetermined period of time has elapsed as the horizontal rod 33 moves.

The packaging containers P are sequentially placed below the storage hopper 34 as the moving hopper 31 is placed above the storage hopper 34, and after storing a predetermined number of stakes S, the packaging containers P are placed in the upper part of the packaging container P. This is sent to the step of sealing the opening a.

Further, another movable hopper 31B is fixed to the horizontal rod 33 at a predetermined distance L from the movable hopper 31A. And this moving hopper 31B
On the side, an automatic stake stacking device (not shown) similar to the automatic stake stacking device 1 described above is arranged, and one movable hopper 31A is connected to the surface plate 30.
When placed above the storage hopper 34 of the other moving hopper 31B, a predetermined number of sticks S are accommodated in the other moving hopper 31B, and the moving hopper 31
It is constructed so that a predetermined number of stakes S are stored in packaging containers P that are sequentially sent from A and B.

Therefore, in the apparatus 1 of the embodiment, first, a plurality of stakes S sent from the stake packaging machine are supplied to the chute 4, and then the chute 4 is
The stakes S are arranged in parallel on a conveyor 2 which is continuously driven in circulation by a holding rod 5, respectively.

Thereafter, the arranged stakes S fall sequentially in parallel from the supply port 10 of the conveyor tip 2A, pass through the chute section 12 while being counted by the detection section 11, and pass through the upper opening 16.
It is housed in the holding cylinder 16 from a.

When a predetermined number of stakes S fall and are housed in the holding cylinder 16, the air cylinder 15 is actuated by a signal from the detection section 11, the lower opening 12b of the chute section 12 is closed, and the supply is then carried out. The stick S falling from the opening 10 is accommodated in the chute part 12, and the air cylinders 20 and 21 are activated by a signal from the detection part 11, and the holding cylinder 16 is pressed and contracted to narrow its inner diameter. Then, a predetermined number of stakes S housed in the holding cylinder 16 are gripped by the holding cylinder 16.

After that, the holding plate 24 rotates 180 degrees horizontally,
When the new holding tube 16B is placed below the lower opening 12b of the chute section 12, the lower opening 12b opens due to its return, and the stake S, which was once accommodated in the chute section 12, falls into the holding tube 16B. Contain. Further, the holding cylinder 16A separated from the chute part 12 directs the axial opening 16b downward by the operation of the air cylinder 28, and the air cylinders 20 and 21 are operated again, and the holding cylinder 16A
The inner diameter of the sticks S returns to its original value, and the predetermined number of stakes S that were being held are simultaneously dropped into the moving hopper 31A, and after a predetermined period of time, the air cylinder 28 is activated again to open the upper opening 16a of the holding cylinder 16A. It will return to its original horizontal state.

Then, a predetermined number of stakes S accommodated in the moving hopper 31A are gripped in the moving hopper 31A by the operation of the air cylinder 32, and the sticks S are held in the moving hopper 31A.
3 is disposed above the storage hopper 34 of the surface plate 30 together with the moving hopper 31A. Thereafter, the air cylinder 32 is operated again and the grip is released, so that the predetermined number of stakes S
is stored in the packaging container P via the storage hopper 34. Thereafter, the movable hopper 31A, which has been stored and is now empty, returns to its original position and can accommodate the stakes S sent from the next holding cylinder 16B, and a predetermined number of stakes S are stored above the storage hopper 34. A moving hopper 31B is arranged, and a new packaging container P is transferred from this moving hopper 31B.
A predetermined number of stakes S are stored in the packaging container P, and the above-described steps are repeated to sequentially store a predetermined number of stakes S in the packaging container P.

As described above, in the apparatus 1 of this embodiment, by detecting a predetermined number of stakes S by the detection unit 11, the predetermined number of stakes S can be stored in the packaging container P via the storage hopper 34. Therefore, by changing the numerical value of the stakes S detected by the detection section 11, the number of stakes S to be thrown into the storage hopper 34 can be easily changed. Incidentally, even if the value of the stake S detected by the detection unit 11 is changed, when the holding cylinder 16 is held in the holding cylinder 16, the holding cylinder 16 of the embodiment has a horizontally placed cylinder shape with unevenness 16c on the upper opening 16a. If the operating stroke of the air cylinders 20, 21 is within a predetermined range, the air cylinders 20, 2
1, the upper opening 16a is closed and the inner diameter of the holding cylinder 16 is narrowed, making it possible to easily hold a predetermined number of stakes S. Of course,
If it becomes difficult to hold a predetermined number of stakes S, the operating strokes and pressing forces of the air cylinders 20 and 21 may be changed.

Furthermore, in the device 1 of this embodiment, the detecting section 11 detects the falling of a predetermined number of stakes S, and the lower opening 12b of the chute section 12 is closed, and a predetermined number of stakes S are placed in the holding cylinder 16. The stakes S, which fall sequentially from the supply port 10 after being accommodated, are temporarily kept in the chute section 1 until the holding cylinder 16 that returns to the lower part of the chute section 12 is placed.
Since the conveyor 2 can be driven continuously without being stopped intermittently, the stakes S can be stored in the packaging container P at high speed.

Furthermore, since a predetermined number of stakes S are always accommodated in the holding cylinder 16 by the operation of the chute section 12 as described above, for example, the number of stakes S sent from a stake packaging machine is Even if the stakes S fluctuate, or one of the holding rods 5 malfunctions, and the stakes S are arranged on the conveyor 2 in a so-called "missing tooth" state, a predetermined number of stakes can be maintained without any influence. The stake S can be stored in the packaging container P.

Therefore, in the embodiment, the stakes S are arranged on the conveyor 2 by suction of the holding rod 5, but there is a risk that the stakes S overlap and fall from the tip 2A of the conveyor 2. If not, shoot 4 without using retaining rod 5.
may be directly connected to the conveyor 2, and the stakes S sent from the stick packaging machine may be arranged on the conveyor 2.

Note that the shape of this holding cylinder 16 is not limited to the substantially cylindrical shape of the embodiment, but may also be a substantially polygonal cylindrical shape with rounded corners.
21, the upper opening 16a can be closed and the inner diameter of the holding cylinder 16 can be narrowed to grip a predetermined number of stakes S.
Both edges of a may overlap or be slightly opened due to the operation of the air cylinders 20 and 21.

In addition, in the embodiment, two holding cylinders 16A and 16B are arranged on the holding plate 24, and two moving hoppers 31
Although we have shown that a predetermined number of stakes S can be efficiently stored in a packaging container P using A and B,
Of course, one holding cylinder 16 is arranged below the chute part 12, and air cylinders 20, 21, 28, etc. are connected to the holding cylinder 16 so that the holding cylinder 16 can be pressed and rotated, and the air cylinders 20, 21, 28, etc. are stored below the holding cylinder 16. A hopper 34 may also be provided.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic partial plan view showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the − region in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the − region in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a schematic side view seen from the direction of the Y arrow in FIG. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Stakes automatic accumulation device, 2... Conveyor, 2A... Tip part, 11... Detection part, 12...
Chute portion, 12a...Top opening, 12b...
Lower opening, 16... Holding cylinder, 16a... Upper opening, 16b... Axial opening, 20, 21...
(Pushing means) Air cylinder, 28... (Rotating means) Air cylinder, 31... Moving hopper, 34
...Storage hopper, S...Status, P...Packaging container.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 A device that accumulates a plurality of stakes sent from a stake packaging machine before moving on to the next process of storing them in a packaging container, and arranges the plurality of stakes sent from the stake packaging machine in parallel. A conveyor is disposed that is continuously driven in circulation so as to sequentially drop the stakes at the tip thereof, and below the tip of the conveyor, the conveyor has a horizontal cylindrical shape with an opening in the upper part and in the axial direction to allow the sticks to fall. the plurality of stakes connected to and housed in the pressing means and the rotation means are held through the pressing means and rotated through the rotation means; A holding cylinder is provided that releases the grip and causes the stay to fall from the axial opening to return to its original state,
A hopper is disposed below the axial opening when the holding cylinder is rotated, and a hopper is provided for storing the stake into the packaging container for the next process, and a hopper is provided between the conveyor tip and the holding cylinder upper opening. , a chute portion comprising an upper opening for introducing the stake falling from the tip of the conveyor, and a lower opening that opens when the holding cylinder is returning and closes in response to a predetermined signal; a detection unit that detects a predetermined number of the stakes falling from the tip of the conveyor, closes the lower opening of the chute unit, and issues a signal that activates the pressing/rotating means connected to the holding cylinder; An automatic stacking device characterized by: