JP2000128342A - Carrier interval adjusting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a carrier interval adjusting device capable of adjusting a carrier interval by carrying out transfer of articles without deforming and breaking a position of the articles between belt conveyors carrier speed of which is different from each other. SOLUTION: Sheet type confectionery is partially moved in the carrying direction by moving both end parts to the side of a first belt conveyor 11 during the time between starting of transfer of the sheet type confectionery W and finishing the transfer from the first belt conveyor 11 to a second belt conveyor 12 so as to eliminate a speed difference made between the neighbourhood of a downstream end part of the first belt conveyor 11 and the neighbourhood of an upstream end part of the second belt conveyor 12 at the time when the sheet type confectionery W transfers from the first belt conveyor 11 to the second belt conveyor 12 and by moving them to the side of the second belt conveyor 12 during the time until starting of the transfer of the following sheet type confectionery after the former transfer is finished.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transport interval adjusting device. The present invention is particularly suitable for adjusting the transport interval of confectionery such as soft fertilizer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a belt conveyor has been known as a means for transporting a large number of articles at a constant transport interval, and it has also been known to transport a plurality of such articles using a plurality of such belt conveyors. When a large number of conveyed objects are conveyed by such a belt conveyor, a processing cycle and an operation cycle for an article (conveyed object) are different between a step of loading the belt conveyor and a step of unloading the belt conveyor. In addition, there is a demand to change the conveyance interval of the conveyed article during the conveyance by the belt conveyor so as to coincide with the processing cycle and the work cycle in the next process.
That is, there is a demand to change the transport interval of the transported product by increasing or decreasing the transport interval during the transport.

For example, when a large sheet-shaped fertilizer is cut into a suitable size, a predetermined number of the fertilizers are stacked, and confectionery is automatically produced, the fertilizers after cutting are close to each other. Therefore, in order to automatically stack them, it is necessary to increase the interval between them.

[0004] As a method of widening the transport interval, it is conceivable to increase the transport interval by transferring a transported object from a belt conveyor having a low transport speed to a belt conveyor having a high transport speed.

[0005]

However, since such confectionery is very soft and easily stretched, if the transfer interval is widened by using transfer between belt conveyors having different speed differences, the difference in the transfer speed is increased. Therefore, when the confectionery is transferred, an unreasonable force such as a pulling force acts on the confectionery, so that the confectionery may be deformed or damaged.

[0006] Further, even if the conveyed articles themselves are not as soft as the above-mentioned confectionery or the like, when the conveyed articles 101 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape are conveyed in an aligned state as shown in FIG. If the transfer speed is shifted from the belt conveyor 102 having the slower transfer speed V11 to the belt conveyor 103 having the higher transfer speed V12 (> V11) so as to increase the transfer interval, the transfer object 101 is also subjected to excessive force such as a pulling force during transfer. A force is applied, the transport posture is easily collapsed, and it is still difficult to transfer all the transported objects 101 in the same posture without disrupting the transport posture.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above point, a transfer that can be transferred between belt conveyors having different conveyance speeds without changing the shape or displacing the posture and adjusting the conveyance interval. It is an object to provide an interval adjusting device.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to a method of connecting a downstream end of a feeding belt conveyor and an upstream end of a receiving belt conveyor when transferring a transfer object. While the belt is still rotating, the two belt conveyors are partially moved by integrally moving in the transport direction, so that the transport speeds of the two conveyor belts are almost the same near both ends. In such a case, the transfer of the transported object is performed.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a feed belt conveyor which conveys a large number of conveyed articles at a constant conveying interval, and receives the conveyed articles from the feed belt conveyor and conveys the conveyed articles at a different conveying interval from the fixed conveying interval. A transfer interval adjusting device comprising: a receiving belt conveyor for rotating the feed belt conveyor at a first set speed; and a drive unit for rotating the receive belt conveyor at a second set speed. A second driving unit, a connecting unit that connects the downstream end of the feed belt conveyor and the upstream end of the receiving belt conveyor at a fixed interval to connect them, and is movable in the transport direction; A conveyed object detection sensor for detecting transfer of the conveyed object from the sending belt conveyor to the receiving belt conveyor; It receives a signal from the transmission object detection sensor,
When the conveyed article is transferred from the infeed belt conveyor to the receiving belt conveyor, a difference in traveling speed of the conveyor belt between the vicinity of the downstream end of the infeed belt conveyor and the vicinity of the upstream end of the receiving belt conveyor is canceled. And end moving means for partially moving the vicinity of the downstream end of the feed belt conveyor and the vicinity of the upstream end of the receiving belt conveyor by moving the connecting means in the transport direction. Here, the second set speed may be faster or slower than the first set speed. The faster the speed, the wider the transport interval, and the slower the speed, the narrower the transport interval. That is, by changing the speed difference between the first and second set speeds, it is possible to adjust to a desired transport interval.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when a conveyed object is transferred from the infeed belt conveyor to the receiving belt conveyor, the end moving means moves near the downstream end of the infeed belt conveyor and upstream of the receiving belt conveyor. By moving the connecting means in the transport direction so as to cancel the difference in traveling speed of the conveyor belt occurring between the vicinity of the end and the vicinity of the downstream end of the feed belt conveyor and the vicinity of the upstream end of the receiving belt conveyor. Is partially moved. As a result, in the vicinity of the downstream end of the infeed belt conveyor and in the vicinity of the upstream end of the receiving belt conveyor, when the articles are transferred from the infeed belt conveyor to the receiving belt conveyor, as if the traveling speeds of both conveyor belts were reduced. As a result, the conveyed articles sent out from the infeed belt conveyor are smoothly received by the receiving belt conveyor without exerting an excessive force due to speed fluctuation.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the transport interval adjusting device of the first aspect, the downstream end of the feed belt conveyor and the upstream end of the receiving belt conveyor are located below the conveyor belt, respectively, and the belt is folded back. A belt receiving member constituting a point, wherein the downstream end and the upstream end are partially movable by moving the belt receiving member in the conveying direction, and the downstream end is Flexure absorbing means for absorbing the deflection of the conveyor belt caused by the partial movement of the section and the upstream end.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the belt receiving member which is located below the conveyor belt and forms a belt turning point is provided at the downstream end of the feed belt conveyor and the downstream end of the receiving belt conveyor. Therefore, by moving the belt receiving member, the vicinity of the downstream end of the feeding belt conveyor and the vicinity of the upstream end of the receiving belt conveyor change so as to partially expand or contract, and as a result of the change, both ends are changed. The state is such that the conveying speed by the conveyor belt is substantially the same. Further, the change in the deflection of the conveyor belt caused by this change is absorbed by the deflection absorbing means, and does not affect the conveyance of the conveyed object.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the transport interval adjusting apparatus of the second aspect, the belt receiving members of the sending belt conveyor and the receiving belt conveyor are connected to the connecting means, and each of the deflection absorbing means is connected to the connecting means. A first idle pulley rotatably supported by the first idle pulley, and a second idle pulley rotatably supported at a fixed position provided downstream of the first idle pulley in the belt traveling direction.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, both belt receiving members move by the movement of the connecting means, and the vicinity of the downstream end of the feed belt conveyor and the vicinity of the upstream end of the receiving belt conveyor partially move. I'm sick Also,
Since the first idle pulley moves together with the connecting means, a change in the length of the conveyor belt generated upstream and downstream of the belt receiving member is caused by the fact that the second idle pulley does not move, and thus the first idle pulley does not move. It will be absorbed upstream and downstream. That is, the upstream and downstream portions of the belt receiving member of the conveyor belt move to the upstream and downstream portions of the first idle pulley.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the transport interval adjusting apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the second set speed is higher than the first set speed, and the end moving means includes When the transported object is transferred from the infeed belt conveyor to the receiving belt conveyor, the connecting means is transferred to the infeed belt conveyor from the start of transfer of the transported material from the infeed belt conveyor to the receiving belt conveyor until the transfer is completed. After the end, until the transfer of the next conveyed object is started, the connecting means is moved to the receiving belt conveyor at a speed substantially corresponding to a speed difference between the second set speed and the first set speed. It is.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the conveyed article is transferred from the infeed belt conveyor to the receiving belt conveyor, the conveyed article is first transferred from the infeed belt conveyor to the receiving belt conveyor by the end moving means. During the period from the start of the transfer to the end of the transfer, the connecting means moves to the feed belt conveyor side at a speed substantially corresponding to the speed difference between the second set speed and the first set speed, so that the receiving belt is moved. The traveling speed of the conveyor belt near the upstream end of the conveyor becomes substantially the same as the first set speed, and in this state, the article is transferred from the infeed belt conveyor to the receiving belt conveyor.
That is, since the same state as the transfer between the belt conveyors having the same transfer speed is realized, the transfer is performed without deforming the transported object or disturbing the posture.

Then, after the transfer is completed, until the transfer of the next conveyed object is started, near the downstream end of the feed belt conveyor, the connecting means receives the second belt on the side of the receiving belt conveyor.
Move at a speed substantially equivalent to the speed difference between the set speed and the first set speed, and change as if the downstream end of the belt conveyor is extended. It is as if it is retracted with respect to the downstream end, and the transfer does not affect the next transported object. In addition, the conveyed article delivered to the receiving belt conveyor is conveyed at a second set speed, and is adjusted to a conveyance interval corresponding to the second set speed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a feed belt conveyor for transporting a large number of articles at a constant transport interval, receiving the transported articles from the feed belt conveyor, and transporting the transported articles at a transport interval different from the constant transport interval. A transfer interval adjusting device including a receiving belt conveyor for driving the feed belt conveyor, and a second driving unit for driving the receiving belt conveyor to rotate.
Drive means, connecting means for connecting the downstream end of the feed belt conveyor and the upstream end of the receiving belt conveyor at a fixed interval and connecting the movable end in the conveying direction, and the feed belt conveyor. A transfer object detection sensor that detects transfer of the transfer object to a receiving belt conveyor, and receives a signal from the transfer object detection sensor, and transfers the transfer object to the receiving belt conveyor from the sending belt conveyor. From the start of the transfer of the conveyed object to the receiving belt conveyor from the infeed belt conveyor to the end of the transfer, the connecting means is connected to the infeed belt conveyor side. Moving the connecting means below the feed belt conveyor. An end moving means for partially moving the vicinity of the end and the vicinity of the upstream end of the receiving belt conveyor, and receives a signal from the conveyed object detection sensor, and transfers the conveyed object from the sending belt conveyor to the receiving belt conveyor. At the time of transfer, the first and second driving means are controlled so that the traveling speeds of the conveyor belts of both belt conveyors from the start of transfer of the conveyed product from the sending belt conveyor to the receiving belt conveyor until the transfer is completed. After the transfer is completed, the driving speed of the conveyor belt of only the receiving belt conveyor is changed to a speed corresponding to a transfer interval on the receiving belt conveyor until the transfer of the next conveyed object is started after the transfer is completed. Speed control means for driving the receiving belt conveyor to rotate.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the conveyed article is transferred from the infeed belt conveyor to the receiving belt conveyor, the connecting means is moved in the conveying direction by the end moving means, whereby the infeed belt is moved. Partially move near the downstream end of the conveyor and near the upstream end of the receiving belt conveyor. At this time, the first and second driving means are driven and controlled by the speed control means,
From the start of transfer of the conveyed material to the receiving belt conveyor from the infeed belt conveyor until the transfer is completed, the conveyor belts of the two belt conveyors are driven to rotate so that the traveling speeds of the conveyor belts are substantially the same, and no excessive force acts on the conveyed material. Transfer will be performed. After the transfer is completed, the transfer speed of the conveyor belt of only the receiving belt conveyor is changed to a speed corresponding to a transfer interval on the receiving belt conveyor until the transfer of the next conveyed object is started, and the belt conveyor is rotationally driven, The transport interval of the transported object is changed.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a transport device provided with a transport interval adjusting device according to the present invention. Note that the conveyed object in the present embodiment is a very soft sheet-like fertilizer (hereinafter, referred to as a sheet-like confectionery).

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a conveying device, which is a first and a second conveying device for conveying a sheet of confectionery W (see FIG. 2) from the upstream side in the conveying direction.
Second, third and fourth belt conveyors 11, 12, 1
3 and 14 are arranged in order, and the sheet-like confectionery W is sequentially delivered and conveyed between them. Then, the first and second belt conveyors 11 and 12 allow the conveyance interval adjusting device 15 according to the present invention to perform the third and fourth belt conveyors.
Stacking device 16 by the belt conveyors 13 and 14 of FIG.
Are respectively constituted. The transport interval adjusting device 15
When the sheet-shaped confectionery W conveyed at a constant interval by the first belt conveyor 11 is transferred to the second belt conveyor 12, the conveyance interval of the sheet-shaped confectionery W is expanded. The stacking device 16 is configured to sequentially stack a predetermined number of pieces of confectionery on the upper side in the same positional relationship when the confectionery sheets are transferred from the third belt conveyor 13 (feeding conveyor) to the fourth belt conveyor 14 (receiving conveyor). It has become.

The first to fourth belt conveyors 11, 1
2, 13 and 14 are provided with drive pulleys 17, 18, 19 and 20, respectively, which are rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown), and are independently provided with the first to fourth conveyor belts 2 respectively.
1, 22, 23 and 24 are rotationally driven. The first belt conveyor 11 has a first set speed V1.
, And the second belt conveyor 12 is driven to rotate at the second set speed V2. Note that, in the present embodiment, the second set speed V2 is almost twice as large as the first set speed V1.

The first belt conveyor 11 has first and second end members 31 and 3 constituting upstream and downstream ends thereof.
2 between which the first conveyor belt 2
The upper surface 21a of the first sheet forms a transport surface for transporting the sheet confectionery W. Here, the upstream and downstream ends are formed by end members, not pulleys, in order to sharpen the end shape to prevent sheet-shaped confectionery from being caught, It goes without saying that a pulley can be used depending on the shape.

The drive pulley 17 and the first end member 3
1, a first idle pulley 33 is provided, and between the second end member 32 and the drive pulley 17, second to fourth idle pulleys for bending and running the first conveyor belt 21 are provided. Pulleys 34, 35, 36 are provided.

The second belt conveyor 12 also has
The first and second end members 4 having the same layout as the first belt conveyor 11 and constituting the upstream and downstream ends.
1, 42, the drive pulley 18 and the first end member 4
1, the first to third idle pulleys 43 and 44,
45, and fourth and fifth idle pulleys 46 and 47 between the second end member 42 and the drive pulley 18. The upper surface 22a of the second conveyor belt 22 includes:
Between the first and second end members 41 and 42, the first
Of the first conveyor belt 11 and the second conveyor belt 21 are arranged so as to be slightly lower in height than the upper surface 21a. A step S is formed between the belt conveyor 12 and the upstream end.

The second end member 32 constituting the downstream end of the first belt conveyor 11 and the first end member 41 constituting the upstream end of the second belt conveyor 12 are: A supporting member 5 for supporting them at the distal end, respectively.
1, 52 are connected to connecting members 53, 54. Then, the end members 32, 41 and the support members 51,
52 are located below the first and second conveyor belts 21 and 22 at the downstream end of the first belt conveyor 11 and the upstream end of the second belt conveyor 12, respectively. It functions as a constituent belt receiving member. Therefore, both belt conveyors 11, 12
Are belt receiving members (end members 32 and 41, supporting member 5).
1, 52) move in the transport direction, so that the downstream end and the upstream end are partially movable.

The two connecting members 53 and 54 are connected to each other by a connecting rod member 55 having a fixed length, and the distance between the two end members 32 and 41 is always constant.
A connection means for holding the sheet-shaped confectionery W at a constant interval enabling smooth conveyance (transfer) between the sheet-shaped confectionery W and 1 is provided. Although not specifically shown, the support members 51 and 52 are slidably engaged with guide rails and guide rods arranged vertically in the transport direction.

One end of a connecting rod member 56 is rotatably connected to the connecting member 54, and the other end of the connecting rod member 56 is rotatably connected to the outer peripheral portion of a first rotating disk 57. Have been. Therefore, when the first rotating disk 57 is driven to rotate by a driving means (not shown), the connecting members 53 and 54 and thus the supporting members 51 and 52 move along the guide rails and the guide rods. The end members 32 and 41 are moved in the transport direction. That is, the first belt conveyor 1
The downstream end of the first belt conveyor and the upstream end of the second belt conveyor 12 reciprocate in the transport direction while keeping their distance constant.

In the first belt conveyor 11, the second idle pulley 34 is rotatable on the connecting member 53, and the first, third and fourth idle pulleys 33, 35, 36 are rotatable on the frame 2. It is supported. On the other hand, in the second belt conveyor 12, the first idle pulley 43 is rotatably supported by the connecting member 54, and the second to fifth idle pulleys 44 to 47 are rotatably supported by the frame 2. Therefore, when the connecting members 53 and 54 move integrally, the end members 32 and 41 and the idle pulley 3
4 and 43 are also configured to move together. As a result, the slack or elongation of the conveyor belts 21 and 22 caused by the movement of the end members 32 and 41 is absorbed by the change in the shape of the conveyor belts 21 and 22 caused by the movement of the idle pulleys 34 and 43. Will be. Therefore, the idle pulleys 34, 43 rotatably supported by the connecting members 53, 54 and the idle pulleys 35, 44 provided downstream of the idle pulleys in the belt traveling direction and rotatably supported at fixed positions. The absorbing means is constituted.

Further, above the vicinity of the downstream end of the first belt conveyor 11, a conveyed object detection sensor 58 for detecting the passage of the sheet confectionery W is provided. When the passage of the confectionery W is detected, it is determined that the transfer of the confectionery sheet from the first belt conveyor 11 to the second belt conveyor 12 is started. At this timing, the first rotating disk 57 is rotationally driven, whereby the connecting members 53 and 54 and the connecting rod member 55 are moved in the transport direction, and the vicinity of the downstream end of the first belt conveyor 11 and the second The transfer of the sheet confectionery is performed by partially moving the portion near the upstream end of the belt conveyor 12.

A third belt conveyor 13 subsequent to the second belt conveyor belt 12 has first and second end members 61 and 62 constituting upstream and downstream ends thereof, and between them. Upper surface 23a of third conveyor belt 23
Form a transport surface that receives the sheet-like confectionery W from the second belt conveyor 12 and transports it to the fourth belt conveyor 14. First end member 61 and drive pulley 19
Between the second end member 62 and the drive pulley 19 is the first idle pulley 63.
To fourth idle pulleys 64 and 6 for bending the
5, 66 are provided respectively.

The second end member 62 is supported by a support member 67 located on the upstream side in an inclined state such that the downstream side is on the lower side. The support member 67 includes a horizontal portion 67a,
The inclined portion 67b is provided at the downstream end of the horizontal portion 67a and extends downward. The pulley support portion 67c is provided at the upstream end of the horizontal portion 67a and rotatably supports the first idle pulley 63. Then, a second end member 62 is attached and fixed to the inclined portion 67b, and the second end member 62 constitutes a turning point of the conveyor belt 23. The horizontal portion 67a of the support member 67 is attached to a movable member 68 which is slidably supported in the transport direction. Although not specifically shown, the movable member 68 is slidably engaged with guide rails and guide rods arranged vertically in the transport direction.

One end of a connecting rod member 69 is rotatably connected to the movable member 68, and the other end of the connecting rod member 69 is connected to a second position located upstream in the transport direction.
Is rotatably connected to the rotating disk 70 of the first embodiment. Therefore,
When the rotating disk 70 is rotationally driven by a driving means (not shown), the downstream end of the third belt conveyor 13 partially moves when the movable member 68 moves in the transport direction. . Since the second end member 62 and the first idle pulley 64 are supported by the common movable member 68, the slack and elongation of the conveyor belt 23 are reduced as in the case of the above-described flexure absorbing means. Is absorbed near the first idle pulley 64.

The fourth belt conveyor 14 has an end pulley 71 and an end member 7 located at the upstream and downstream ends thereof.
2, between which the upper surface 24a of the conveyor belt 24 forms a transport surface for receiving the sheet-like confectionery W from the third belt conveyor 13. Further, first and second idle pulleys 73 and 74 are provided between the first end pulley 71 and the drive pulley 20, and a third idle pulley is provided between the end member 72 and the drive pulley 20. 75 are provided respectively. An elevating plate 81 is provided below a portion of the fourth conveyor belt 24 that receives the sheet-like confectionery W from the third belt conveyor 13. By means, the sheet confectionery W is moved up and down in accordance with the number of sheets confectionery W to be stacked.

Above the downstream end of the third belt conveyor 13, a conveyed object detection sensor 59 for detecting the passage of the sheet-shaped confectionery W is provided. When the passage of the class W is detected, the third
It is determined that the operation of transferring and stacking the sheet-like confectionery W from the belt conveyor 13 to the fourth belt conveyor 14 is started, and the control means (not shown) controls the second rotating disk at a certain timing. 70 is driven to rotate,
By moving the movable member 68 forward and backward in the transport direction, the vicinity of the downstream end of the third belt conveyor 13 is partially moved, and the fourth belt conveyor 14 is moved.
The sheet-shaped confectioneries W are sequentially stacked on the portion for receiving the sheet-shaped confectionery W (the upper part of the elevating plate 81). At this time, in addition to the step of raising and lowering the lifting plate 81, the fourth belt conveyor 14 moves up and down stepwise in accordance with the number of stacked articles, and the fourth belt conveyor 14 When receiving the sheet-like confectionery, the conveyor belt 2 is moved so that the portion for receiving the sheet-like confectionery moves forward and backward in the transport direction.
4 runs.

Subsequently, the first to fourth belt conveyors 1
The transport operation using 3 to 16 will be described. (Operation for Adjusting the Conveyance Interval) First, a large confectionery sheet is cut into a required size to form a sheet confectionery W,
The first belt conveyor 11 conveys the paper at a first set speed V1 at a constant interval.

When the sheet-like confectionery W reaches near the downstream end of the first belt conveyor 11, FIG.
As shown in (a) and (b), the passage of the sheet confectionery W is detected by the conveyed object detection sensor 58 (see FIG. 1), and the first
It is determined that the transfer of the sheet-like confectionery from the belt conveyor 11 to the second belt conveyor 12 has started, and the control means (not shown) drives the first rotating disk 57 to rotate the first rotating disk 57 at a certain timing. To start. The rotation of the first rotating disk 57 causes the connecting rod member 5 to rotate.
6, connecting members 53 and 54 and connecting rod member 55
The (coupling means) partially and integrally moves the vicinity of the downstream end of the first belt conveyor 11 and the vicinity of the upstream end of the second belt conveyor 12 in the transport direction, and transfers the sheet-shaped confectionery W. Is performed smoothly without difficulty. here,
The connecting means including the connecting members 53 and 54 is provided on the first belt conveyor 11 side from the start of the transfer of the sheet confectionery W from the first belt conveyor 11 to the second belt conveyor 12 to the end of the transfer. After the transfer,
Until the transfer of the next sheet-like confectionery W starts, the confectionery W moves to the second belt conveyor 12 side.

Specifically, the connecting member 5 as the connecting means
3 and 54 and the connecting rod member 55 move toward the first belt conveyor 11, first, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the downstream end of the first belt conveyor 11 and the second The upstream end of the second belt conveyor 12 moves. At this time, the moving speed is the second set speed V2
Speed V substantially corresponding to the speed difference between the first speed V1 and the first set speed V1
2-V1 (that is, the first set speed V1 in the present embodiment)
Therefore, the first and second belt conveyors 11, 12
When viewed locally at the connection portion, the downstream end of the first belt conveyor 11 operates so as to retreat at the moving speed (first set speed V1) of the connecting members 53 and 54, and the second end. The traveling speed of the second belt conveyor 12 (the second set speed V2) is equal to the moving speed of the connecting members 53 and 54 (the first set speed V).
1), resulting in a second conveyor belt 2
2 operates as if rotating at the first set speed V1 (= V2−V1). That is, the transfer of the sheet-like confectionery W from the first belt conveyor 11 to the second belt conveyor 12 is in the same state as the transfer between the belt conveyors having the same conveyance speed.

As a result, the sheet-like confectionery W to be transferred from the first belt conveyor 11 to the second belt conveyor 12 is moved backward from the end by the retreat of the downstream end of the first belt conveyor 11. The sheet-shaped confectionery is continuously delivered at the set speed of 1 and is received by the upstream end of the second belt conveyor 12 which is rotating at the first set speed. Transfer is performed without any unnecessary force acting on W.

Then, after the transfer is completed, until the transfer of the next sheet-like confectionery is started, the vicinity of the downstream end of the first belt conveyor 11, as shown in FIGS.
Move at a speed V2-V1 substantially corresponding to the speed difference between the set speed V2 and the first set speed V1.
Is changed so that the downstream end of the bell conveyor 11 extends. Therefore, the next sheet of confectionery is in a state in which it is partially retracted with respect to the downstream end,
The transfer does not affect the next sheet confectionery W.

After the transfer, the second belt conveyor 12
Since the second conveyor belt 12 is running at a second set speed V2 higher than the first set speed V1, the portions other than the upstream end portion of the belt are running as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b). The transport interval is widened and transported, which is the transport interval necessary for performing the subsequent stacking.

As described above, the transport interval of the sheet-like confectionery W is widened when transferring from the first belt conveyor 11 to the second belt conveyor 12, and the third confectionery W is kept in that state.
Is transferred to the belt conveyor 13. At this time, since the second belt conveyor 12 and the third belt conveyor 13 are rotationally driven at the same speed V2, the transfer of the sheet-like confectionery from the second belt conveyor 12 to the third belt conveyor 13 is performed. Is performed without disruption. (Stacking operation) The sheet-shaped confectionery conveyed by the third belt conveyor 13 is sequentially moved on the receiving portion of the fourth belt conveyor 14 by the advancing and retreating operation near the downstream end. A predetermined number of sheets are stacked.

Specifically, when the sheet-shaped confectionery reaches the vicinity of the downstream end of the third belt conveyor 13, the passage of the sheet-shaped confectionery is detected by the conveyed object detection sensor 59, and
Since it is determined that the stacking of the sheet-like confectionery on the fourth belt conveyor 14 has started, the control means (not shown) rotates the second rotating disk 70 at a fixed timing to move the movable member 68 Move. First, from the start of transfer of one sheet of confectionery to the end of transfer, the third
While the downstream end of the belt conveyor 13 is retracted by a certain distance in the direction opposite to the transport direction, the fourth belt conveyor 1
The fourth conveyor belt 24 travels in the transport direction by a fixed distance. Due to the retreat of the downstream end of the third belt conveyor 13, the sheet-like confectionery is transferred onto the receiving portion of the fourth belt conveyor 14 for stacking. At this time, the conveyor belt 2 of the fourth belt conveyor 14
4 also travels in the transport direction by a fixed distance, so that the fourth belt conveyor
A force in the transport direction acts on the portion that is first placed on the top 4, and the portion is placed along the transport surface (upper surface 24 a) of the conveyor belt 24, so that the portion does not bend and round. If the sum of the moving distances of the downstream end of the third belt conveyor 13 and the fourth conveyor belt 24 is a distance substantially corresponding to the length of the sheet confectionery, useless movement is eliminated.

In this way, the fourth belt conveyor 14
After the transfer of one sheet of confectionery is completed, the downstream end of the third belt conveyor 13 and the conveyor belt 24 are transferred from the start of transfer until the start of transfer of the next sheet of confectionery. It moves in the opposite direction to the end, and returns to the initial position (the position where the downstream end of the third belt conveyor 13 faces the end of the sheet-shaped confectionery) and the thickness of the sheet-shaped confectionery. The elevating plate 81 is lowered by elevating means (not shown) by a distance corresponding to the distance, and the distance between the downstream end and the upper surface of the fourth conveyor belt 24 is increased by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the sheet-shaped confectionery. Can be

After the transfer is completed, until the transfer of the next sheet-like confectionery is started, the vicinity of the downstream end of the third belt conveyor 13 advances in the conveying direction, as if downstream of the third belt conveyor 13. Since the end portion changes so as to extend, the next sheet-like confectionery is partially retreating to the downstream end, and the transfer affects the next sheet-like confectionery. I will not give.

Then, the same operation is repeated, and the required number of sheets of confectionery are stacked. After being stacked, the fourth belt conveyor 14 stops after moving by a certain distance, and the next predetermined number of sheets are stacked. This is repeated, and the sheets stacked by a predetermined number are sequentially conveyed to the next step (not shown).

In the above embodiment, the conveying speed of the second belt conveyor 12 as the receiving belt conveyor is made faster than the conveying speed of the first belt conveyor 11 as the sending belt conveyor, and the conveying interval is widened. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the conveying speed by the receiving belt conveyor may be made slower than the conveying speed by the sending belt conveyor to narrow the conveying interval.

In the above embodiment, the first belt conveyor 11, which is a feed belt conveyor, is at a first set speed, and the second belt conveyor 12, which is a receiving belt conveyor, is at a second set speed. The conveyor is driven to rotate, causing a local speed change at the connection between them, so that the conveyed object can be conveyed without applying unnecessary force.In addition, from the infeed belt conveyor to the receiving belt conveyor From the start of transfer of the transferred object to the end of transfer, both belt conveyors are rotated at the same speed, their connected part is sent to the belt conveyor side, and after the transferred object is transferred on the receiving belt conveyor, it is necessary The speed according to the transport interval to be used (a high speed when the transport interval is widened, and a low speed when the transport interval is narrowed) ), While rotating the receiving belt conveyor, the connecting portion is moved to the receiving belt conveyor side, and is moved to the initial position where the receiving of the next conveyed object is started. It is also possible to In this case, a signal from the conveyed object detection sensor 58 is received, and when the conveyed object is transferred from the receiving belt conveyor (the first belt conveyor 11) to the receiving belt conveyor (the second belt conveyor 12), the feeding is performed. From the start of transfer of the conveyed object to the receiving belt conveyor from the belt conveyor to the end of transfer, the connecting means is placed on the sending belt conveyor side, and after the end of the transfer, on the receiving belt conveyor side until the start of transfer of the next conveyed object. By moving the coupling means, in addition to the end moving means for partially moving the vicinity of the downstream end of the feed belt conveyor and the vicinity of the upstream end of the receiving belt conveyor, from the feed belt conveyor to the receiving belt conveyor. When the conveyed object is transferred, the receiving belt is transferred from the feeding belt conveyor. From the start of transfer of the conveyed goods to the belt conveyor to the end of the transfer, the conveyor belts are driven to rotate so that the traveling speeds of the conveyor belts of the two belt conveyors substantially coincide with each other. It is necessary to provide a speed control means for changing the traveling speed of only the conveyor belt to a speed corresponding to the transport interval on the receiving belt conveyor and rotating and driving the receiving belt conveyor.

[0050]

The present invention is embodied in the form described above, and has the following effects.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when a conveyed article is transferred from the infeed belt conveyor to the receiving belt conveyor, the end moving means moves near the downstream end of the infeed belt conveyor and the upstream end of the receiving belt conveyor. By moving the connecting means in the transport direction so as to cancel the speed difference generated between the vicinity of the feed belt conveyor and the vicinity of the downstream end of the feeding belt conveyor and the vicinity of the upstream end of the receiving belt conveyor. With such a configuration, the transfer interval can be adjusted by transferring the transfer object from the feed belt conveyor to the transfer belt conveyor without exerting an excessive force on the transfer object.

Accordingly, since unnecessary force does not act on the conveyed object, the posture of the conveyed object does not change after the transfer, and the invention can be applied to a relatively soft confectionery or the like. In addition, the impact given to the confectionery or the like by the transfer can be minimized to prevent the confectionery or the like from being deformed or damaged.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the belt receiving member which is located at the downstream end of the feed belt conveyor and under the conveyor belt near the receiving belt conveyor and constitutes a belt turning point is provided. , The vicinity of the downstream end of the feed belt conveyor and the vicinity of the upstream end of the receiving belt conveyor can be easily and partially moved, and the change in the deflection of the conveyor belt caused by this movement is as follows. Since it is absorbed by the flexure absorbing means, it is possible to eliminate the influence on the conveyance of the conveyed object.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the first idle pulley is moved together with the connecting means for connecting both belt receiving members, the length of the conveyor belt generated upstream and downstream of the belt receiving member can be reduced. Since the second idle pulley does not move, the fluctuation can be absorbed upstream and downstream of the first idle pulley, and the slack of the belt can be absorbed with a simple configuration.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the conveyed article is transferred from the infeed belt conveyor to the receiving belt conveyor, the connecting means is moved by the end moving means between the second set speed and the first set speed. Since the moving is performed at a speed substantially equivalent to the speed difference (that is, a speed substantially equal to the first set speed), the first set speed is relatively partially near the upstream end of the receiving belt conveyor. In the state where the speed difference between the vicinity of the downstream end of the feeding belt conveyor and the vicinity of the upstream end of the receiving belt conveyor is canceled,
The transfer of the conveyed object can be performed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the conveyed article is transferred from the infeed belt conveyor to the receiving belt conveyor, the first and second driving means are controlled by the speed control means to receive the receiving belt from the infeed belt conveyor. From the start to the end of transfer of the conveyed object from the start to the end of transfer, the transfer can be performed without applying excessive force to the conveyed object by rotating and driving so that the conveying speed of both belt conveyors is substantially the same, After the transfer is completed, the receiving belt conveyor can be driven to rotate at a speed corresponding to the transfer interval on the receiving belt conveyor until the next transfer of the transferred object is started, thereby changing the transfer interval of the transferred object. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a transport interval adjusting device according to the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are a schematic side view and a plan view, respectively, for explaining a transfer operation.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are a schematic side view and a plan view, respectively, for explaining a transfer operation.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are a schematic side view and a plan view, respectively, for explaining a transfer operation.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are a schematic side view and a plan view, respectively, for explaining a transfer operation.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view for explaining a transfer operation in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 1st belt conveyor 12 2nd belt conveyor 15 Conveyance separation separation device 17, 18 Drive pulley 21, 22 Conveyor belt 32 2nd end member 33 1st idle pulley 41 1st end member 43 1st Idle pulley 53 connecting member 58 conveyed object detection sensor

Claims (5)

[Claims] An infeed belt conveyor for transporting a large number of articles at a constant transport interval, and a receiving belt conveyor for receiving the articles from the infeed belt conveyor and transporting the articles at a transport interval different from the constant transport interval. A first driving means for driving the feed belt conveyor to rotate at a first set speed; and a second drive means for driving the receiving belt conveyor to rotate at a second set speed. A connection means that connects the downstream end of the feed belt conveyor and the upstream end of the receiving belt conveyor at a fixed interval to connect them and move in the transport direction; and from the feed belt conveyor, A conveyed object detection sensor for detecting transfer of the conveyed object to a receiving belt conveyor; And when the conveyed article is transferred from the infeed belt conveyor to the receiving belt conveyor, the conveyor belt generated between the vicinity of the downstream end of the infeed belt conveyor and the vicinity of the upstream end of the receiving belt conveyor. By moving the coupling means in the transport direction so as to cancel the difference in traveling speed, end moving means for partially moving the vicinity of the downstream end of the feed belt conveyor and the vicinity of the upstream end of the receiving belt conveyor. A conveyance interval adjusting device, comprising: 2. The downstream end of the feed belt conveyor and the upstream end of the receiving belt conveyor, respectively,
A belt receiving member which is located below the conveyor belt and forms a belt turning point, wherein the downstream end and the upstream end are partially movable by moving the belt receiving member in the conveying direction; The transport interval adjusting device according to claim 1, further comprising a flexure absorbing unit configured to flexibly absorb the flexure of the conveyor belt caused by the partial movement of the downstream end and the upstream end. 3. The belt receiving member of the infeed belt conveyor and the receiving belt conveyor is connected to the connecting means. Each of the deflection absorbing means includes a first idle pulley rotatably supported by the connecting means; 3. The conveyance interval adjusting device according to claim 2, further comprising a second idle pulley provided at a downstream side of the first idle pulley in the belt traveling direction and rotatably supported at a fixed position. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second set speed is higher than a first set speed, and the end moving means moves the conveyed object from the feed belt conveyor to the transfer belt.
From the start of transfer of the conveyed object to the receiving belt conveyor from the infeed belt conveyor to the end of transfer, the connecting means is on the infeed belt conveyor side, and after the end of the transfer, on the receiving belt conveyor side until the start of transfer of the next conveyed object. The transport interval adjusting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connecting means is moved at a speed substantially corresponding to a speed difference between the second set speed and the first set speed. 5. A feed belt conveyor for transporting a large number of articles at a constant transport interval, and a receiving belt conveyor receiving the transport articles from the feed belt conveyor and transporting the transported articles at a transport interval different from the constant transport interval. A first drive unit for driving the feed belt conveyor to rotate, a second drive unit for driving the receiving belt conveyor to rotate, and receiving the downstream end of the feed belt conveyor. A connecting means which is connected to the upstream end portion of the belt conveyor while maintaining a constant interval and is movable in the conveying direction; and a conveyed object which is received from the infeed belt conveyor and detects the transfer of the conveyed object to the belt conveyor. A detection sensor, from the sending belt conveyor to the receiving belt conveyor, When the object to be transferred is transferred, from the start of transfer of the object to the receiving belt conveyor from the infeed belt conveyor to the end of transfer, the connecting means is connected to the infeed belt conveyor side, and after the transfer, the next transfer object is transferred. By moving the connecting means to the receiving belt conveyor side until transfer start, end moving means for partially moving the vicinity of the downstream end of the feed belt conveyor and the vicinity of the upstream end of the receiving belt conveyor, When receiving the signal from the conveyed object detection sensor and transferring the conveyed object from the infeed belt conveyor to the receiving belt conveyor, the first and second driving means are controlled to control the transfer from the infeed belt conveyor. From the start of transfer of the conveyed goods to the receiving belt conveyor to the end of transfer, the conveyor belt of both belt conveyors The transfer speed of the conveyor belt of only the receiving belt conveyor is changed to the transfer interval on the receiving belt conveyor until the transfer of the next conveyed object is started after the transfer is completed. And a speed control means for changing the speed to an appropriate speed and rotating and driving the receiving belt conveyor.