CN213415263U

CN213415263U - Article moving device

Info

Publication number: CN213415263U
Application number: CN202021317228.0U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 越智一志; 浅井裕司; 牧野伸司
Original assignee: Nippon Career Industry Co Ltd
Current assignee: Nippon Career Industry Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-07-09
Filing date: 2020-07-07
Publication date: 2021-06-11
Anticipated expiration: 2030-07-07
Also published as: WO2021006147A1

Abstract

The utility model provides an article mobile device can make article remove with orderly posture to the target position. The article transfer device is characterized in that a transfer member (295) which can move freely relative to the support member is arranged on the upper side of the support member (202), transverse moving mechanisms (225, 241) which enable the support member to move transversely between a position for transferring an article onto the transfer member (295) and a position for lowering the article on the transfer member are arranged, a reverse moving mechanism (RA) which enables the transfer member to move in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the support member relative to the support member is arranged, and the article on the transfer member is lowered by enabling the transfer member to move in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the support member relative to the support member through the reverse moving mechanism in the transverse movement of the support member based on the transverse moving mechanism.

Description

Article moving device

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a make article remove device.

Background

Conventional article transfer devices include, for example, a device that moves various articles such as food, medicine, industrial materials, industrial products, civil engineering materials, and transportation goods transferred by a conveyor belt or the like to a predetermined position disposed at a transfer terminal end of the conveyor belt, a device that moves the articles to a container standing by at the transfer terminal end of the conveyor belt, and the like.

As such an article moving device, patent document 1 discloses the following technology: a conveyor belt for transferring an article is provided, and the end portion of the conveyor belt is configured to be capable of reciprocating in the transfer direction, so that the article is moved from the transfer end portion of the conveyor belt into a container such as a tray so as to drop down in sequence obliquely downward.

Further, patent document 2 discloses the following technique: an endless belt is wound from the upper surface to the lower surface of the plate member, and the belt is driven in a direction opposite to the traveling direction of the plate member with respect to the plate member, and the article on the conveyor belt is picked up.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2019-64808

Patent document 2: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2017-214108

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

Problem to be solved by utility model

However, the technique disclosed in patent document 1 is configured to move the article so as to fall down in an oblique downward direction from the end of the conveyor belt or the end of the endless belt, and therefore, there is a problem that the posture of the article is disturbed when the article falls down, and it is difficult to move the article to a target position in a regular posture.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an article moving device capable of moving an article in an orderly posture.

Means for solving the problems

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention adopts the following technical means.

Solution 1 is an article moving apparatus for moving an article, characterized in that,

a transfer member 295 which is movable relative to the support member 202 is provided on the upper side of the support member 202,

lateral movement mechanisms

225 and 241 for laterally moving the support member 202 between a position for transferring an article onto the transfer member 295 and a position for lowering the article on the transfer member 295 are provided, and an interlocking mechanism RA for moving the transfer member 295 relative to the support member 202 in a direction opposite to the movement direction of the support member 202 is provided, and the article on the transfer member 295 is lowered by moving the transfer member 295 relative to the support member 202 in a direction opposite to the movement direction of the support member 202 by the interlocking mechanism RA in the lateral movement of the support member 202 by the

lateral movement mechanisms

225 and 241.

Solution 2 the article moving apparatus according to solution 1, wherein,

the lateral movement of the support member 202 by the

lateral movement mechanisms

225 and 241 is configured such that the transfer member 295 is moved at substantially the same speed in the direction opposite to the movement direction of the support member 202 with respect to the support member 202 by the interlocking mechanism RA, and the article on the transfer member 295 is lowered to a predetermined position while the lateral movement is reduced.

Case 3 the article moving apparatus according to case 2, wherein,

the conveyance member 95 for conveying an article is provided, and the object is transferred from the conveyance member 95 to the transfer member 295, and then the support member 202 is laterally moved.

Item 4 the item moving apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the item moving apparatus is further provided with a control unit,

the support member 202 is a plate-like support member, the transfer member 295 is a belt-like transfer member, the lower surface of the transfer member 295 is supported in sliding contact with the upper surface of the support member 202, and the transfer member 295 slides in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the support member 202 with respect to the upper surface of the support member 202, whereby the article on the transfer member 295 is peeled off from the upper surface of the transfer member 295 and falls.

The means 5 is an article moving device for moving an article, characterized in that,

the plurality of support members 202 are arranged to face each other in the lateral direction, a transfer member 295 that is movable relative to each support member 202 is provided on the upper side of each support member 202,

lateral movement mechanisms

225 and 241 that laterally move each of the plurality of support members 202 between a position where an article is delivered to each transfer member 295 and a position where the article on each transfer member 295 is lowered are provided, interlocking mechanisms RA that move each transfer member 295 relative to each support member 202 in a direction opposite to the movement direction of each support member 202 are provided, and the article on each transfer member 295 is lowered by moving each transfer member 295 relative to each support member 202 in a direction opposite to the movement direction of each support member 202 by the interlocking mechanisms RA in the lateral movement of the plurality of support members 202 by the

lateral movement mechanisms

225 and 241.

Solution 6 the article moving apparatus according to solution 5, wherein,

in the lateral movement of the plurality of support members 202 by the

lateral movement mechanisms

225 and 241, the respective transfer members 295 are moved at substantially the same speed in the direction opposite to the movement direction of the respective support members 202 with respect to the respective support members 202 by the interlocking mechanism RA, and lowered to a predetermined position while reducing the lateral movement of the articles on the respective transfer members 295.

Solution 7 the article moving apparatus according to solution 6, wherein,

a conveying member 95 for conveying a plurality of rows of articles is provided, and the objects are delivered from the conveying member 95 to the transfer members 295, and then the support members 202 are laterally moved.

The article moving device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the object moving device is a device that moves the object,

The means 9 is an article moving device for moving an article, characterized in that,

a transfer member 295 which is movable relative to the support member 202 is provided on the upper side of the support member 202, a first mechanism 225 which moves the support member 202 laterally between a first position PS1 at which an article is delivered to the transfer member 295 and a second position PS2 which is offset from the first position PS1 by a predetermined distance is provided, a second mechanism 241 which moves the support member 202 laterally between the second position PS2 and a third position PS3 at which the article on the transfer member 295 is lowered is provided, an interlocking mechanism RA which moves the transfer member 295 relative to the support member 202 in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the support member 202 is provided, the movement of the transfer member 295 relative to the support member 202 by the interlocking mechanism RA is stopped while the support member 202 is moved from the first position PS1 to the second position PS2 by the first mechanism 225, and the article on the transfer member 295 is moved together with the support member 202, while the support member 202 is moved from the second position PS2 to the third position PS3 by the second mechanism 241, the transfer member 295 is moved in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the support member 202 with respect to the support member 202 by the interlocking mechanism RA, and the article on the transfer member 295 is lowered.

Solution 10 the article moving apparatus according to solution 9, wherein,

while the support member 202 is moving from the second position PS2 to the third position PS3, the transfer member 295 is moved at substantially the same speed in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the support member 202 with respect to the support member 202 by the interlocking mechanism RA, and is lowered to a predetermined position while reducing the lateral movement of the article on the transfer member 295.

Solution 11 the article moving apparatus according to solution 9, wherein,

the conveyance member 95 for conveying an article is provided, and is configured to deliver the article from the conveyance member 95 to the transfer member 295 when the support member 202 is located at the first position PS1, and thereafter, move the support member 202 to the second position PS2 and then to the third position PS 3.

Solution 12 the article moving apparatus according to solution 10, wherein,

The article moving device according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the article moving device further comprises a guide member,

the second position is set to be changeable.

Means 15 is an article moving device for moving an article, characterized in that,

a plurality of support members 202 are arranged to face each other in the lateral direction, a transfer member 295 which is movable relative to each support member 202 is provided on the upper side of each support member 202, a first mechanism 225 which moves each support member 202 laterally between a first position PS1 which reduces the interval between the portions facing each other to a first interval P1 and delivers the article to each transfer member 295 and a second position PS2 which is displaced from the first position PS1 in the direction of separating from each other by a predetermined distance and expands the interval between the portions facing each other to a second interval P2 is provided, a second mechanism 295 which expands the interval between the portions moving each support member 202 laterally from the second position PS2 to the portions facing each other to a third interval P3 and lowers the article on each transfer member 295 to the third position PS3 is provided, and a linking mechanism RA which moves each transfer member 202 in the direction opposite to the moving direction of each support member 202 is provided, while the plurality of support members 202 are moved from the first position PS1 to the second position PS2 by the first mechanism 225, the movement of each transfer member 295 with respect to the plurality of support members 202 by the interlocking mechanism RA is stopped, the articles on each transfer member 295 are moved together with each support member 202 to expand the space between the articles, while the plurality of support members 202 are moved from the second position PS2 to the third position PS3 by the second mechanism 241, each transfer member 295 is moved in the direction opposite to the movement direction of each support member 202 with respect to each support member 202 by the interlocking mechanism RA, and the articles on each transfer member 295 are lowered.

Item moving device according to claim 16 or 15, wherein,

while the plurality of support members 202 are moving from the second position PS2 to the third position PS3, the transfer members 295 are moved in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the support members 202 at substantially the same speed with respect to the support members 202 by the interlocking mechanism RA, and lowered to a predetermined position while reducing the lateral movement of the articles on the transfer members 295.

Solution 17 the article moving apparatus according to solution 15, wherein,

a conveying member 95 for conveying a plurality of rows of articles is provided, and when each support member 202 is located at the first position PS1, the articles are delivered from the conveying member 95 to each transfer member 295, and then each support member 202 is moved to the second position PS2 and then moved to the third position PS 3.

Solution 18 the article moving apparatus according to solution 16, wherein,

The article moving device according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the object moving device further includes a first moving member,

the second position is set to be changeable.

The article moving device according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the object moving device is a device that moves the object,

the support member 202 is a plate-shaped support member, the transfer member 295 is a belt-shaped transfer member, the lower surface of the transfer member 295 is supported in sliding contact with the upper surface of the support member 202, and the article on the transfer member 295 is peeled off from the upper surface of the transfer member 295 and falls down by sliding the transfer member 295 in a direction opposite to the movement direction of the support member 202 with respect to the upper surface of the support member 202.

Solution 21 the article moving apparatus according to solution 20, wherein,

at one end of the belt-type transfer member 295 held at the fixed point, the intermediate portion of the transfer member 295 is folded back at the end of the support member 202 along the upper surface of the plate-like support member 202, and then the other end of the transfer member 295 is engaged with the pulling plate 25 disposed below the support member 202 along the lower surface of the support member 202, and the pulling plate 25 is moved in the same direction as the moving direction of the support member 202 at a speed 2 times the moving speed of the support member 202.

Effect of the utility model

According to the present invention, the object can be moved to the target position in an orderly posture.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a food cutting and conveying device provided with an article transfer device according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a left side view for explaining a collection (article) of folded food items.

Fig. 3 is a right side view of the second conveyance acting part.

Fig. 4 is a top view of the article moving device in a closed state.

Fig. 5 is a front view of the article moving device in a closed state.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the article moving device at the time of interval adjustment.

Fig. 7 is a front view of the article moving device at the time of interval adjustment.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the article moving device in the open state.

Fig. 9 is a front view of the article moving device in an open state.

Fig. 10(a) -10 (b) are left side views of the article transfer device, with fig. 10(a) showing an operation state and fig. 10(b) showing a maintenance state.

Fig. 11 is an explanatory view of a transfer member of the article transfer device.

Fig. 12 is a front view for explaining an operation state of the article moving device, in which (a) shows a closed state and (b) shows an open state.

Fig. 13 is an explanatory rear view of the container supply section.

Fig. 14 is an explanatory view of a main part of the container supply unit.

Fig. 15 is an explanatory view of a main part of the container supply section.

Fig. 16 is a left side view for explaining an operation state of the periphery of the article moving device.

Fig. 17 is a left side view for explaining an operation state of the periphery of the article moving device.

Fig. 18 is a plan view for explaining the periphery of the article transfer device in the initial state before the interval adjustment.

Fig. 19 is a front view for explaining the periphery of the article moving device in the initial state before the interval adjustment.

Fig. 20 is a plan view for explaining the periphery of the article transfer device at the time of interval adjustment.

Fig. 21 is a front view for explaining the periphery of the article moving device at the time of interval adjustment.

Fig. 22 is a plan view for explaining the periphery of the article transfer device in the open intermediate state.

Fig. 23 is a front view for explaining the periphery of the article transfer device in the open intermediate state.

Fig. 24 is a plan view for explaining the periphery of the article transfer device in the open intermediate state.

Fig. 25 is a front view for explaining the periphery of the article transfer device in the open intermediate state.

Fig. 26 is a left side view for explaining an operation state of the periphery of the article moving device in the storage completed state.

Fig. 27 is a block circuit diagram of the control device.

Fig. 28 is a control flowchart of the storage unit.

In the figure:

95-reciprocating conveyor belt (conveying means), 200-article moving device, 202-receiving plate (supporting means), 225-first cylinder (part of first mechanism/lateral moving mechanism), 241-second cylinder (part of second mechanism/lateral moving mechanism), 295-transfer belt (transfer means), RA-interlocking mechanism (third mechanism/reverse moving mechanism), P1-minimum interval (first interval), P2-intermediate interval (second interval), P3-maximum interval (third interval).

Detailed Description

An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to an example of an article transfer device that is provided in a slicer that continuously cuts and conveys meat pieces and that stores an aggregate of cut meat pieces ("article" in the embodiment) in a tray.

Further, a direction along the conveyance direction of the aggregate is defined as a front-rear direction, and a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction in a plan view is defined as a left-right direction.

(Overall Structure of slicer)

As shown in fig. 1, the microtome 1 is configured by providing a supply unit 3, a cutting unit 4, a conveying unit 5, a storage unit 6, and a control unit 7 on a base 2.

The supply section 3 conveys the meat block thrown in by the operator to the cutting section 4 side, and the cutting section 4 cuts the front end portion of the meat block protruding from the front end portion of the supply section 3 by a predetermined thickness.

The conveying section 5 conveys the aggregate of the meat pieces cut by the cutting section 4 to the storage section 6 side, and the storage section 6 stores and carries out the conveyed aggregate of the meat pieces in a container.

The storage section 6 is provided with the article moving device of the present invention.

The control unit 7 controls the operating states of an electric motor, an air cylinder, and the like that drive each unit.

Then, as shown in fig. 2, the plurality of meat pieces M cut and folded by the cutting section 4 are sequentially placed on the conveyance starting end portion of the endless belt 96 in the conveyance operation so that a part thereof is overlapped one on another, and an aggregate (an "article" in the embodiment) M of the meat pieces is formed.

In addition, a predetermined interval is formed between the aggregate M of one meat piece and the aggregate M of the next meat piece.

(conveying section)

As shown in fig. 3, the conveying section 5 is configured by winding an endless belt 96 around a driven roller at the rear end, a drive roller driven by a conveying drive motor 112, an upper driven roller, and a driven roller group forming a reciprocating conveyor belt (hereinafter referred to as a "conveying member") 95, as a conveyor belt.

In the conveying unit 5, right and left extension plates 118 extend rearward from the upper portion of the front support base 116.

Further, a front-rear direction guide rail 119 is disposed on each inner side of the left and right extension plates 118.

The moving frame 124 is formed by the left and right moving plates 121, the front connecting rod 122, and the rear connecting rod 123 in the conveying direction.

Rear end portions of the right and left inclined plates 125 are pivotally supported on right and left end portions of a rear support shaft 126 extending between the right and left moving plates 121 so as to be vertically rotatable.

The rear support shaft 126 rotatably supports a bent portion driven roller 127 that is wide in the left-right direction.

Further, left and right support arms 131 are attached to the outer sides of the front end portions of the left and right inclined plates 125, and the front end portions of the left and right support arms 131 are coupled to each other by a coupling shaft 132.

Further, a front end driven roller 133, which is wide in the left-right direction, is rotatably supported by the coupling shaft 132.

Further, the boss members 134 are attached to the outer side surfaces of the left and right moving plates 121 at two front and rear positions, and the boss members 134 are slidably fitted to the left and right guide rails 119 in the front and rear directions.

Further, a gear box 136 to which power is supplied from an electric motor 135 for extension and contraction is fixed to the right side surface of the plate member 115 on the right side of the rear support base 116.

A lower end portion of a swing arm 138 is fixed to an output shaft 137 of the gear box 136.

The upper end of the swing arm 138 is connected to the projecting end of the front connecting rod 122.

With the above configuration, when the electric motor 135 for expansion and contraction is driven, the bent portion driven roller 127 and the front end portion driven roller 133 move integrally in the front-rear direction, and the conveyance end portion of the endless belt 96 is positionally changed in the front-rear direction.

A portion of the endless belt 96 from the bent portion driven roller 127 to the leading end driven roller 133 is referred to as the above-described reciprocating conveyor belt (the "conveying member" in this embodiment) 95.

(storage section)

The receiving surface 201 provided in the article transfer device 200 shown in fig. 4 to 10(b) is disposed below the forward/backward movement range of the conveyance terminal end of the reciprocating conveyor 95.

The article transfer device 200 is composed of a right transfer unit 200R and a left transfer unit 200L, and includes left and right receiving plates (supporting members in the embodiment) 202 in the substantially horizontal direction on the upper part thereof, which form a receiving surface 201.

The shape, support structure, and drive structure of the left and right receiving plates 202 are configured to be substantially bilaterally symmetrical with respect to the left and right moving

units

200R and 200L.

Therefore, the following description of the structure and the operation state applies to bilateral symmetry to both the left and right

mobile units

200R and 200L unless otherwise specified.

(holding structure of storage section)

Then, first, the lower end portions of the left and right support rods 204 are fixed to the upper portion of the base 203 by bolts 205, and the left and right fulcrum shafts 206 are inserted into left and right holes provided in the upper end portions of the left and right support rods 204 so as to be rotatable about the axial center.

A fulcrum shaft tube 207 is fitted around the outer periphery of the fulcrum shaft 206 so as to be rotatable about the axis and slidable in the axial direction.

The lower end of the upper support rod 208 disposed on the left and right sides (outer sides) is fixed to the left and right end portions (outer side end portions) of the fulcrum shaft 206 that protrude outward from the left and right outer support rods 204 by bolts 209.

The lower end of a substantially rectangular inner support plate 210 disposed on the other left and right sides (inner sides) is fixed to the other left and right side ends (inner ends) of the fulcrum shaft 206 that protrude inward from the left and right inner support bars 204 by bolts 211.

(Assembly of storage section)

As shown in fig. 4 to 10(b), a substantially rectangular outer support plate 212 is disposed at a distance in the outer direction of the upper support bar 208 disposed on the left and right sides (outer sides), and the outer support plate 212 and the inner support plate 210 are connected to each other as follows.

That is, both end portions of the first round bar-shaped connecting rod 213 are fixed to the inner surface of the middle portion in the vertical direction of the front portion of the inner support plate 210 and the inner surface of the lower portion of the front portion of the outer support plate 212 by bolts 214.

The left-right direction intermediate portion of the first link rod 213 is fixed to the left-right direction upper support rod 208 through a hole formed in the upper portion thereof.

Both ends of a round rod-shaped lower connecting rod 215 are fixed to the upper inner surfaces of the left and right outer upper support rods 208 and the front portions of the left and right inner support plates 210 by bolts 216.

Both ends of a second round rod 217 are fixed to the upper inner surface of the rear portion of the inner support plate 210 and the lower inner surface of the rear portion of the outer support plate 212 by bolts 218.

Both ends of a third round rod 219 are fixed to the upper inner surface of the rear portion of the inner support plate 210 and the upper inner surface of the rear portion of the outer support plate 212 by bolts 220.

Thus, the third link 219 is disposed directly above the second link 217.

Both ends of the round bar-shaped fourth connecting rod 221 are fixed to the upper inner surface of the rear end of the inner support plate 210 and the inner surface of the vertically intermediate portion of the rear end of the right and left outer support plates 212 by bolts 222.

Further, the base of the slide guide bar SS1 in the left-right direction is fixed to the upper left side surface of the middle portion in the front-rear direction of the inner support plate 210 of the right-side-mounted mobile unit 200R by a bolt SS 2.

On the other hand, the base of the slide guide tube SS3 having a hole in the left-right direction is fixed to the left side surface of the upper end of the middle portion in the front-rear direction of the inner support plate 210 of the left side moving unit 200L.

The tip end of the slide guide rod SS1 is freely fitted into the hole of the slide guide tube SS 3.

Thus, a position regulating section PK is formed which allows the left and right moving means 200L and 200R to move independently in the axial direction of the fulcrum shaft 206 and regulates the vertical swing of the left and right moving means 200L and 200R independently around the fulcrum shaft 206.

Further, the first link 213, the second link 217, the third link 219, the fourth link 221, and the slide guide bar SS1 are arranged in parallel with each other in the horizontal direction.

Further, the upper rear end surface of the outer support plate 212 and the upper rear end surface of the inner support plate 210 abut against each other, and the front surfaces of the left and right end portions of the left and right rear connecting plates 223 formed in the left and right directions with a narrow vertical width are fixed by bolts 224.

(space adjusting mechanism of article moving device)

As shown in fig. 4 to 10(b), a base portion of a first cylinder 225 (a part of the "first mechanism" or the "lateral movement mechanism" in the present embodiment) of a double acting type for adjusting the gap is attached to the front lower inner surface of the inner support plate 210.

Further, the base portion of the stay 226 is fixed to the intermediate portion in the left-right direction of the fulcrum shaft tube 207, and thereby the box-shaped holder 227 is fixed to the upper inner surface of the vertically erected stay 226.

The holder 227 is hollow inside and has an opening on the side opposite to the portion fixed to the stay 226.

The head of the adjusting bolt 228 formed larger than the opening is disposed in the holder 227 with a gap between the head and the inner wall of the holder 227 and with a freely changeable posture, and the male screw portion of the adjusting bolt 228 is projected inward from the opening.

The tip of the male screw is screwed and coupled to a female screw formed at the tip of the piston 229 of the first cylinder 225, and is fixed by a lock nut 230.

Then, the right and left moving means 200R and 200L move in the right and left directions by the simultaneous expansion and contraction operation of the left and right first cylinders 225.

At this time, the slide guide bar SS1 is slidably fitted into the slide guide tube SS3, and the relative posture between the right-hand-side mobile unit 200R and the left-hand-side mobile unit 200L is maintained.

As will be described later, when the moving device 200 is made to ascend and swing about the axial center of the fulcrum shaft 206, the slide guide bar SS1 is slidably fitted into the slide guide tube SS3, whereby the right-hand moving element 200R and the left-hand moving element 200L integrally ascend and swing.

(bearing plate)

As shown in fig. 4 to 10(b), the receiving plate 202 is formed of a rectangular steel plate, and is formed in a circular shape so that a front edge portion is bent vertically upward, a rear edge portion is bent in a rear-side inclined downward posture, a left-right outer edge portion is bent in a rear-side inclined downward posture, and a left-right inner edge portion is rolled downward.

Further, notches 202K are formed at both corners of the front side of the receiving plate 202 to prevent interference with the inner support plate 210 and the outer support plate 212.

Further, notches 202L for operation of the first index pin 270 described later are formed at both corners on the rear side of the receiving plate 202.

A horizontal receiving surface 201 is formed above the intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the receiving plate 202 formed in this manner.

(sliding mechanism of bearing plate)

Then, the slide members 231 disposed on the left and right outer sides and the left and right inner sides are slidably fitted to the third connecting rod 219 at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction.

The sliding member 231 has a through hole through which the third link 219 is provided, and a ball-type sliding member for reducing sliding resistance against the third link 219 is provided in the through hole, and grease acting on the sliding member is sealed.

A bent portion formed at the front end of the receiving plate 202 and extending vertically upward is brought into contact with the rear side surface of the slide member 231 and fixed thereto by a bolt 232.

(interlocking mechanism based on synchronous belt)

Further, a first timing pulley 233 is rotatably supported around a shaft center 234 in the front-rear direction at the lower portion of the outer slide member 231.

On the other hand, the lower portion of the inner slide member 231 rotatably supports the second timing pulley 235 around the axial center 236 in the front-rear direction.

The effective diameters of the first timing pulley 233 and the second timing pulley 235 are set to be equal.

Then, the timing belt 237 is wound over the first timing pulley 233 and the second timing pulley 235.

A part of the upper winding region of the timing belt 237 is fixed to the longitudinal center portion of the third link 219 via a fixing member 238.

The fixing member 238 is fastened and fixed to the third link 219 so that the upper portion thereof can be adjusted in position in the longitudinal direction, and holds a part of the timing belt 237 at the lower portion thereof.

That is, a part of the upper winding area of the timing belt 237 is held at a fixed point by the fixing member 238.

The outer slide member 231 and the inner slide member 231 are coupled to the left and right ends of the left and right support plates 239 disposed at a distance from each other on the front sides thereof by bolts 240.

Further, a shaft portion for bearing-supporting the first timing pulley 233 and the second timing pulley 235 may be formed at a distal end portion of the bolt 240.

The first timing pulley 233, the second timing pulley 235, the timing belt 237, the fixing member 238, the first slider 246, and the traction plate 250 constitute an interlocking mechanism (a "third mechanism" or a "reverse movement mechanism" according to the embodiment) RA for moving the transfer belt (a "transfer member" according to the embodiment) 295 in interlocking with the movement of the receiving plate 202.

(slide drive)

Further, a front and rear stay 242, which is attached to an upper inner surface of a middle portion in the front-rear direction of the inner support plate 210 at a base of a sliding multi-chamber type second cylinder (a part of a "second mechanism" or a "lateral movement mechanism" in the present embodiment), 241 is pivotally supported by a front-rear direction pin 243.

Then, the front end portion of the piston 244 of the second cylinder 241 is coupled to the lower end portion of the bent portion of the support plate 239 bent downward from the outer end portion by a bolt 245.

Further, the driving device including the first cylinder 225 and the second cylinder 241 described above is referred to as a "lateral movement mechanism" of a specific embodiment.

(traction plate)

Further, a first slider 246 is slidably supported by the second link 217 located directly below the third link 219, and the first slider 246 is disposed directly below the lower winding region of the timing belt 237.

Then, a part of the lower winding region of the timing belt 237 is sandwiched from above and below by the upper surface of the first slider 246 and the lower surface of the plate member 247 attached to the upper portion of the first slider 246, and the plate member 247 is fixed to the first slider 246 by a bolt 248.

Further, a second slider 249 containing a ball-type sliding member and grease is disposed on both the left and right sides of the first slider 246, and the second slider 249 is supported to be slidable and rotatable with respect to the second connecting rod 217.

A vertical surface portion of a traction plate (traction member) 250 having a vertical surface portion and a horizontal surface portion and formed in an L shape by bending is fixed to the rear surface of the left and right second slider 249 by a bolt 251.

Thus, the traction plate 250 and the two second sliders 249 arranged with the first slider 246 interposed therebetween are integrated, and the traction plate 250 is supported slidably in the left-right direction and rotatably in the up-down direction.

The front end and the rear end of the horizontal surface portion of the traction plate 250 are formed to have a width larger than the width of the middle portion in the front-rear direction, and the end of the transfer tape 295 can be stably locked.

(supporting of rear end parts of the receiving plate and the traction plate, Upper rotating mechanism of the article moving device)

As shown in fig. 4 to 10(b), the front end portion of the cylindrical frame 252, which is long in the front-rear direction, is fixed to the outer side portion in the left-right direction of the rear surface of the rear link plate 223 by a bolt 253.

Further, a front end portion of a rectangular cylindrical frame 254 that is long in the front-rear direction is fixed to a left-right direction intermediate portion of the rear surface of the rear linking plate 223 by bolts 255.

The front surfaces of the left and right ends of the connecting plate 256 are brought into contact with the rear end of the cylindrical frame 252 and the rear end of the square cylindrical frame 254, and are fixed by

bolts

257 and 258, respectively.

As shown in fig. 10(a) to 10(b), a holder 259 having an inverted L-shaped cross section is fixed to a lower end of the connecting plate 256.

Then, the upper surface of the first resin rail 260 is brought into contact with the lower surface of the upper edge portion of the holder 259, the plate 261 is brought into contact with the lower surface of the first resin rail 260, and the retaining plate 262 is superposed on the lower surface of the plate 261 and fastened and fixed by the bolt 263.

The first resin rail 260 has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape with an upper side longer than a lower side, and a front surface thereof is formed with an inclined guide surface 260S in a rear-down posture.

The rear edge portion of the rear-side inclined posture formed at the rear end portion of the receiving plate 202 can be slidably guided from above the inclined guide surface 260S.

Thereby, the rotation of the upper side of the receiving plate 202 about the axial center of the third link 219 is restricted.

The retaining plate 262 has a cross-sectional shape bent toward both sides, and a front edge portion thereof is inclined forward and downward in the above-described fixed state.

Accordingly, when the article moving device 200 is rotated upward about the fulcrum shaft 206 as described later, the rear end of the receiving plate 202 abuts on the upper surface of the front portion inclined downward, and the receiving plate 202 is prevented from being rotated downward.

One end of the support arm 264 is vertically rotatably attached to both left and right ends of the holder 259 by a bolt pin 265, and both left and right ends of the attachment plate 266 are fixed to the other ends of the left and right support arms 264 by bolts 267.

The second resin rail 268, which is long in the left-right direction and abuts against the front surface of the mounting plate 266, is sandwiched and fixed between the plate member 269 abutting against the front surface of the second resin rail 268 and the mounting plate 266.

As shown in fig. 10(a) to 10(b), a first flat surface portion 268A on which a lower surface of the rear end portion of the traction plate 250 is supported and slidably guided is formed on an upper front side of the second resin rail 268.

Further, the second resin rail 268 is provided so that the rear end upper portion thereof protrudes upward, and a second flat surface portion 268B on which the rear end lower surface of the support receiving plate 202 is placed and slidably guided is formed at the upper end portion.

Further, the left and right support arms 264 are provided with first indexing pins 270 for fixing and releasing vertical rotation thereof.

An upper end portion of the support plate 271 is fixed to a front side of a lower end portion of the holder 259, and a plurality of guide rollers 272 rotatable about an axis in the front-rear direction are attached to a rear side of the lower end portion of the support plate 271 by means of pin bolts 273.

On the other hand, as shown in fig. 10(a) to 10(b), the lower end of the support plate 274 in the vertical direction is fixed to the frame 275 integrated with the base 203 side.

The support plate 274 has left and right end portions and an upper portion bent rearward to form side wall portions 274S and an upper wall portion 274U.

Further, left and right rotating arms 276 are vertically rotatably attached to the upper portions of the side wall portions 274S by bolt pins 277.

A second index pin 278 that can fix the pivot arm 276 in an upright posture by engagement of the nose portion with the side wall portion 274S is attached to the left and right outer pivot arms 276 of the pivot arms 276.

Further, the rear surfaces of the left and right rotating arms 276 are abutted against the front surfaces of lock plates 279 bent in an inverted L shape in a side view, and fixed by bolts 280.

A restricting portion 279K bent forward is formed on an upper portion of the lock plate 279.

(Upper swing mechanism of article moving device)

As shown in fig. 4 to 10(b), a rotating plate 281 formed in a fan shape is disposed between the inner support plates 210 of the left and right moving

units

200L and 200R in a vertical posture.

The support plate 282 is fixed to the pedestal 203 by bolts 283, the left stay 284L and the right stay 284R are fixed to the front extension of the support plate 282 by bolts 285 while being set in an upright posture, and the lower portion of the rotating plate 281 is disposed between the left and right stays 284L and 284R.

The lower portion of the pivoting plate 281 is pivotally supported between the left and right stays 283L and 284R so as to be swingable back and forth via a left and right shaft 286.

The right stay 284R is formed higher than the left stay 284L, and a third index pin 287 is attached to an upper portion of the right stay 284R.

A first through hole 288 is formed in a lower portion of the rotary plate 281 on the front side of the shaft 286, and the rotary plate 281 is held in a posture inclined upward rearward in a state where the nose portion of the third index pin 287 is inserted into the first through hole 283.

Further, a second through hole 289 is formed in an upper portion of the shaft 286 of the rotary plate 281, and a nose portion of the third index pin 287 is inserted into the second through hole 289 in a state where the rotary plate 281 is swung forward.

Further, a right end of the swing support shaft 290 in the left-right direction is fixed to a lower portion of the center in the front-rear direction of the inner support plate 210 of the right side moving unit 200R by a bolt 291.

The left portion of the swing support shaft 290 is slidably inserted through a hole formed in the lower portion of the left moving unit 200L in the front-rear direction center of the inner support plate 210, and further extends leftward.

As shown in fig. 10(a) to 10(b), the rotary plate 281 is formed with an arc-shaped cam groove 292 through which the swing support shaft 290 is inserted, the distance from the shaft 286 being shorter at the lower end portion of the cam groove 292 and longer at the upper end portion thereof than at the shaft 286.

An upward extending portion 294 to which an elongated tube or the like operation tool 293 can be fitted is integrally formed on the rear portion of the rotating plate 281.

(Upper swing of article moving device)

Then, as shown in fig. 10(a), the lock plate 279 is erected together with the rotating arm 276 in a state where the nose portion of the second index pin 278 is engaged with the side wall portion 274S.

In this state, the guide roller 272 is placed on the upper surface of the upper side wall 274U, and the restricting portion 279K is positioned above the guide roller 272.

Thereby, the guide roller 272 is supported on the upper side wall 274U to be rollable in the left-right direction, and is restricted from floating by the restricting portion 279K.

Thus, the lower surface of the rear end of the receiving plate 202 of the article transfer device 200 is supported by the upper surface of the second flat surface 268B of the second resin rail 268, and is maintained in a substantially horizontal posture.

The lower surface of the rear end of the traction plate 250 is supported on the upper surface of the first flat surface 268A of the second resin rail 268, and is maintained in a posture along the lower surface of the receiving plate 202.

In this state, the article transfer device 200 performs the operation of storing the container of sliced meat.

On the other hand, when the article transfer device 200 is to be serviced as shown in fig. 10(b), the handle of the second index pin 278 is pulled to disengage the nose portion from the side wall portion 274S, and the regulating portion 279K formed on the upper portion of the lock plate member 279 is retracted rearward from the upper side of the guide roller 272.

This allows the left and

right movement units

200L and 200R to swing upward about the fulcrum shaft 206.

Further, the handle of the third index pin 287 is pulled to disengage the nose portion from the first through hole 288, and the rotating plate 281 is set to be swingable backward.

In this state, the operator fits the operation tool 293 to the upper extension 294 of the rotating plate 281, and operates the operation tool 293 forward and downward to swing the rotating plate 281 rearward.

The cam groove 292 is swung about the shaft 286 by the rearward swing of the rotary plate 281, and the swing support shaft 290 is pulled (pushed) downward by the sliding contact of the swing fulcrum shaft 290 with the inner edge portion of the cam groove 292 on the side away from the shaft 286.

Thus, the article transfer device 200 including the left and

right transfer units

200L and 200R can be swung forward and upward about the fulcrum shaft 206 with a small operation force.

At this time, the left and right moving

units

200L and 200R are integrally swung forward and upward by the position regulating section PK.

In the state where the article transfer device 200 is swung forward and upward and opened in this way, the center of gravity position of the article transfer device 200 is moved from the front side to the rear side of the fulcrum shaft 206, and then the nose portion of the third index pin 287 is inserted into the second through hole 289, whereby the article transfer device 200 is stably supported in the opened state.

As shown in fig. 10(b), in a state where the article transfer apparatus 200 is opened, the downward rotation of the traction plate 250 is restricted by the abutment with the fourth link 221.

By opening the article transfer device 200 in this way, the upper side of the tray conveying device 305 disposed in the space Q described later is opened, and maintenance of the tray conveying device 305 is facilitated.

(Loading and unloading structure of transfer belt)

As shown in fig. 4, when the above-described traction plate 250 is formed, both front and rear end portions thereof are formed to have a large width, a front and rear intermediate portion thereof is formed to have a small width over the length thereof, and a front and rear cutout portion is formed at a corner portion that is switched from the small-width portion to the large-width portion.

Then, the transfer tape 295 is attached in a state where the article transfer device 200 is opened as shown in fig. 10 (b).

In this state, the handle of the first index pin 270 is pulled to release the fixing of the left and right support arms 264, and the left and right support arms 264 are rotated downward.

As a result, the second resin rail 268 is retracted downward, and the traction plate 250 supported by the second resin rail 268 can be rotated downward.

The lower rotational position of the pulling plate 250 about the second link 217 is restricted to a state where the lower surface of the front end of the pulling plate 250 abuts against the fourth link 221.

The lower portion of the rear end portion of the receiving plate 202 supported by the second resin rail 268 is prevented from rotating (coming off) by abutting against the retaining plate 262.

In this state, as shown in fig. 11, the pulling plate 250 is inserted through the first gap 295S formed by forming one end of the transfer tape 295 in a pouch-binding shape, and both front and rear end portions of the transfer tape 295 surrounding the first gap 295S are hooked in the front and rear cutout portions formed in the pulling plate 250.

Thus, one end side of the transfer belt 295 is attached to the traction plate 250 and is pulled and moved by the traction plate 250.

On the other hand, the base of the hook member 296 is fixed to the front end and the rear portion of the cylindrical frame 252.

An opening that opens diagonally outward and upward is formed in the upper portion of the hook member 296, and a fourth index pin 297 having a nose that closes the entrance of the opening is provided.

Thus, the entrance of the opening is closed in a state where the tip of the nose of the fourth indexing pin 297 is fitted into the hole formed in the circumferential surface of the cylindrical frame 252.

When the handle of the fourth index pin 297 is pulled up to pull out the nose from the hole and further move upward to retract the nose, the entrance of the opening is opened.

A round bar 298, which is longer than the front-rear width of the transfer belt 295, is inserted into a second gap 295E formed by forming the other end of the transfer belt 295 in a pouch-bound shape.

Then, the other end side of the transfer tape 295 is pulled inward in the left-right direction along the lower surface of the receiving plate 202, and then is wound around the edge portion of the receiving plate 202 on the inner side in the left-right direction and folded back toward the upper surface side of the receiving plate 202.

Then, the other end side of the transfer belt 295 is pulled outward in the left-right direction along the upper surface of the receiving plate 202, passes through the lower side of the square cylindrical frame 254, passes through the lower side of the cylindrical frame 252, and then is folded back on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical frame 252.

Then, the front and rear end portions of the round bar 298 inserted through the other end of the transfer belt 295 are fitted into and engaged with the openings of the front and rear hook members 296.

In this state, the front and rear fourth indexing pins 297 are fitted at their nose ends into holes formed in the peripheral surface of the cylindrical frame 252, and the round bar 298 is prevented from falling out of the opening of the hook member 297.

Thus, the other end portion of the transfer belt 295 is attached to the cylindrical frame 252 and fixed to a fixed point.

As described above, the lower surface of the upper winding region of the transfer belt 295 is supported by the receiving surface 201 formed on the upper surface of the receiving plate 202 in a sliding contact manner.

Further, a groove in the front-rear direction may be formed in the circumferential surface of the cylindrical frame 252, and the round bar 298 inserted through the other end of the transfer belt 295 may be fitted into the groove, thereby preventing the falling-off by the fourth index pin 297.

The removal of the transfer tape 295 is performed in the reverse order.

(action of main part of article moving device)

Hereinafter, the first position PS1, the second position PS2, and the third position PS3 will be described with reference to positions of the inner end of the receiving surface 201 or the receiving plate 202 of the transfer belt 295 supported.

(first position)

That is, in a state where the inner end of the receiving surface 201 or the receiving plate 202 is located at the first position PS1, the receiving surface 201 or the receiving plate 202 covers the entire upper area of the tray G1 conveyed therebelow. (this state is a state where the receiving surface 201 or the receiving plate 202 overlaps with the entire region of the tray G1 in a plan view.)

In a state where the inner ends of the left and right receiving surfaces 201 or the left and right receiving plates 202 are located at the first position PS1, the meat pieces M conveyed in the 2 rows or the aggregate M of the meat pieces M (the "article" of the present invention) are supplied onto the left and right transfer belts 295 from the conveying terminal end portions of the reciprocating conveyor belt (the "conveying member" of the present embodiment) 95.

(movement from first position to second position)

Even when the inner ends of the left and right receiving surfaces 201 or receiving plates 202 are moved to the second position PS2 that is slightly shifted outward from the first position PS1, the receiving surfaces 201 or receiving plates 202 substantially cover the upper sides of the two adjacent trays G1 conveyed therebelow (this state includes a state where a slight portion of the end of the tray G1 is exposed without being covered in a plan view).

While the inner ends of the left and right receiving surfaces 201 or the left and right receiving plates 202 are moved from the first position PS1 to the second position PS2, the left and right transfer tapes 295 do not move relative to the left and right receiving plates 202.

That is, the left and right transfer tapes 295 move from the first position PS1 to the second position PS2 integrally with the left and right receiving plates 202.

This enlarges the interval in the left-right direction between the meat pieces M or the aggregate M of the meat pieces M on the left and right transfer tapes 295, and positions the meat pieces M or the aggregate M of the meat pieces M to positions where they can be placed on the two adjacent trays G1 which are on standby below.

The amount of adjustment of the interval between the right and left sides of the meat piece M or the aggregate M of the meat pieces M on the right and left transfer belts 295 is determined by the interval between the right and left sides of the two transfer paths 20 of the meat block transfer device 9 of the cutting section 4 and the transfer pitch of the plurality of trays G1 transferred by the tray transfer device 305.

That is, since the conveying pitch of the plurality of trays G1 conveyed by the tray conveying device 305 is determined by the left-right width of the tray G1 itself, there is a limit to reducing the conveying pitch.

On the other hand, the interval in the left-right direction of the meat pieces M or the aggregate M of the meat pieces M cut out and conveyed in the 2 rows by the cutting section 4 is determined by the interval in the left-right direction of the two conveying paths 20 of the block meat conveying device 9.

Further, the distance between the centers of two adjacent trays G1 (food trays of a standard generally used) conveyed at the above-described conveying pitch is longer (wider in the lateral direction) than the distance between the centers of two conveying paths 20 of the meat block conveying device 9.

Therefore, in order to place the 2 rows of meat pieces M or the aggregate M of meat pieces M on the two adjacent trays G1, it is necessary to enlarge the interval in the left-right direction between the 2 rows of meat pieces M or the aggregate M of meat pieces M conveyed with a small gap by eliminating the difference between the two center distances.

Therefore, as described above, by moving the inner ends of the left and right receiving surfaces 201 or the left and right receiving plates 202 from the first position PS1 to the second position PS2, the interval in the left-right direction between the meat pieces M or the aggregate M of the meat pieces M on the left and right transfer tapes 295 is increased, and the meat pieces M or the aggregate M of the meat pieces M can be positioned at positions where they can be placed on the two adjacent trays G1 waiting below.

The second position PS2 can be arbitrarily changed and adjusted by a control device described later.

(movement from the second position to the third position)

In a state where the inner end of the receiving surface 201 or the receiving plate 202 is moved outward largely from the second position PS2 and is located at the third position P3, the receiving surface 201 or the receiving plate 202 is retracted from above the tray G1 conveyed therebelow, and the entire area above the tray G1 is opened.

In this way, when the inner ends of the left and right receiving surfaces 201 or the left and right receiving plates 202 move from the second position PS2 to the third position PS3, the upper surfaces of the left and right transfer tapes 295 move inward with respect to the left and right receiving plates 202.

Accordingly, the meat pieces M or the aggregate M of the meat pieces M positioned on the left and right transfer belts 295 are respectively lowered and stored in the two trays G1 without changing the position in the left-right direction.

(description of operation of carrying plate and transfer Belt part)

Then, fig. 12 is a front view for explaining the operation state of each of the following moving means in a state where the moving means 200R, 200L on both left and right sides are moved in the outer direction (direction away from each other) by the contraction operation of the first cylinder 225.

That is, in the state of fig. 12 (a), the left and right first cylinders 225 are contracted, and the receiving surface 201 supporting the transfer belt 295 or the inner end portion of the receiving plate 202 is moved from the first position PS1 covering the entire upper area of the two trays G1 conveyed therebelow to the second position PS2 shifted outward by a slight distance.

Thus, the interval between the inner ends of the left and right bearing plates 202 is expanded from the minimum interval (the "first interval" of the embodiment) P1 shown in fig. 4 to the intermediate interval (the "second interval" of the embodiment) P2 shown in fig. 6.

Even in this state, the upper sides of the two trays G1 conveyed therebelow are substantially covered by the receiving surface 201 or the receiving plate 202 supporting the transfer belt 295.

Further, the left and right second cylinders 241 contract, and the left and right receiving plates 202 integrated with the distal end portions of the pistons 244 of the second cylinders 241 move toward the inside of the article moving device 200.

Then, when the second cylinder 241 extends from this state, as shown in fig. 12 (b), the receiving surface 201 supporting the transfer belt 295 or the inner end of the receiving plate 202 moves from the second position PS2 to the third position PS 3.

Thus, the interval between the inner ends of the left and right bearing plates 202 is increased from the intermediate interval (the "second interval" in the embodiment) P2 shown in fig. 6 to the maximum interval (the "third interval" in the embodiment) P3 shown in fig. 8.

Further, with this receiving plate 202, the shaft center 234 of the first timing pulley 233 and the shaft center 236 of the second timing pulley 235, which are integrated with the distal end portion of the piston 244 of the second cylinder 241, move in the outward full stroke.

Here, a part of an upper winding region of the timing belt 237 wound around the first timing pulley 233 and the second timing pulley 235 is held at a fixed position by a fixing member 238.

Therefore, when the axial center 234 of the first timing pulley 233 and the axial center 236 of the second timing pulley 235 move outward, the two timing

pulleys

233 and 235 rotate in the same direction, and the lower winding region of the timing belt 237 moves outward.

Thus, the first slider 246 attached to the lower winding area of the timing belt 237 moves outward integrally with the traction plate 250, and one end of the transfer belt 295 is pulled outward by the traction plate 250.

At this time, the transfer belt 295 is folded back from the upper surface of the receiving plate 202 at the inner end of the receiving plate 202 and is along the lower surface of the receiving plate 202, and therefore, in order to move the inner end of the receiving plate 202 outward without loosening the transfer belt 295, it is necessary to move the traction plate 250 outward twice as much as the amount of movement outward of the receiving plate 202.

That is, as shown in the state change from fig. 10 a to fig. 10 b, a temporary virtual point CP1 is set at a position on the receiving plate 202 of the transfer belt 295 ((a) of fig. 12), and a state is assumed in which the inner end of the receiving plate 202 supporting the transfer belt 295 has moved to the temporary virtual point CP1 ((b) of fig. 12).

At this time, the outer end of the pulling plate 250 needs to be moved by the second moving distance T twice the first moving distance S with respect to the first moving distance S by which the inner end of the receiving surface 201 or the receiving plate 202 of the support transfer tape 295 reaches the provisional predetermined point CP 1.

Therefore, by providing a mechanism including the timing belt 237 and the two timing

pulleys

233 and 235, the speed of movement of the pulling plate 250 to the outside is doubled with respect to the speed of movement of the receiving plate 202 to the outside (the extension speed of the piston 244 of the second cylinder 241).

Accordingly, when the receiving surface 201 or the receiving plate 202 supporting the transfer belt 295 moves from the second position PS2 to the third position PS3, the transfer belt 295 moves at the same speed in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the receiving surface 201 or the receiving plate 202 with respect to the receiving surface 201 or the receiving plate 202.

In fig. 12, (a) is a closed state in which the receiving plate 202 or the receiving surface 201 supporting the transfer belt 295 penetrates above the tray G1 and substantially covers the upper side of the tray G1, and (b) is an open state in which the receiving plate 202 (the receiving surface 201) is retracted from above the tray G1 and the upper side of the tray G1 is opened.

In the state (b), the meat pieces M or the aggregate M of the meat pieces M (the "article" of the present invention) on the transfer belt 295 are peeled off from the surface of the transfer belt 295 by the folding movement of the transfer belt 295 at the inner end portion of the receiving plate 202, and fall into the tray G1 to be stored.

That is, the meat pieces M or the aggregate M of the meat pieces M placed on the upper surface of the transfer tape 295 placed on the receiving surface 201 from the transfer terminal end of the second transfer operating section 5R are placed and stored by being lowered so as to fall into the tray G1 directly below, with the positions in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction set to the original positions.

Fig. 4 and 5 show a state in which the receiving surface 201 or the receiving plate 202 of the support transfer tape 295 is located at a first position PS1 covering the entire upper side of the tray G1, and fig. 6 and 7 show a state in which the receiving surface 201 or the receiving plate 202 is moved outward to a second position PS2 (a "second position shifted from the first position by a predetermined distance" in the embodiment) substantially covering the upper side of the tray G1.

Fig. 8 and 9 show a state in which the receiving surface 201 or the receiving plate 202 of the support transfer carrier tape 295 is moved outward to a third position (a "third position for lowering an article on the transfer member" in the embodiment) PS3 at which the upper side of the tray G1 is opened.

As described above, the receiving surface 201 or the receiving plate 202 is disposed below the forward/backward movement range of the conveyance terminal end of the second conveyance acting section 5R.

(tray carrying device)

Fig. 13 to 15 show a tray conveyance device 305 provided with a container supply unit 300.

As shown in fig. 13, the container supply unit 300 includes a rail-shaped tray storage unit 303 and a tray separation device 304.

The tray storage unit 303 is formed of a rail-like frame member that stores a plurality of stacked empty trays G1 and slides and guides the trays obliquely downward while preventing the trays from falling off.

Further, the tray peeling device 304 peels the trays G1 one by one from the lower end portion of the tray housing portion 303 and takes out them.

The tray peeling device 304 includes a rotating arm 307 having a suction pad 306 at a distal end portion thereof, and an electric motor 308 for rotating the rotating arm 307.

The suction pad 306 communicates with a distal end portion of an air suction pipe (not shown) disposed in the rotating arm 307, and is configured to generate a negative pressure when the rotating arm 307 is raised and rotated, thereby sucking the lower surface of the tray G1.

After the suction, the swing arm 307 is lowered and rotated to release the negative pressure, and the sucked tray G1 is placed on the tray conveying device 305.

The tray conveying device 305 conveys the tray G1 peeled by the tray peeling device 304 in a direction orthogonal to the conveying section 5 in a plan view, and passes through a space Q formed below the left and right receiving plates 202 of the article transfer device 200 in the storage section 6 from the right to the left.

The pallet conveying device 305 is configured by winding a looped chain 316 between a drive sprocket 315 disposed on the conveying terminal side and a driven sprocket 314 disposed on the conveying starting end side.

The endless chain 316 includes a plurality of locking plates 317 at intervals corresponding to the width of the tray G1.

Further, conveyance guide rail 318 having a cross-sectional shape of コ character, which guides conveyance while restricting the front-rear position and the up-down position of tray G1, is disposed in three stages in the conveyance direction of tray G1.

The conveyance guide rail 318 includes a cylinder 319, and the cylinder 319 raises two adjacent pallets G1 conveyed and stopped directly below the left and right receiving surfaces 201 by a predetermined distance in a state where the receiving surface 201 of the article moving device 200 is positioned at a first position (article receiving first position) PS1 covering the upper side of the container G1 (before moving to a second position PS2 (second position where the received article is lowered)).

(Collection operation)

The assembly M of 2 rows of meat pieces M formed on the endless belt 96 is conveyed to the storage section 6 with a predetermined narrow interval formed between the rows.

The interval between the rows of the aggregates M during the conveyance is referred to as "meat row interval P0".

(delivery to the aggregate on the receiving surface)

Then, as shown in fig. 16 and 17, at the start of the storage operation, first, the 2-line assembly M conveyed with the meat line interval P0 is delivered onto the left and right receiving surfaces 201 of the article transfer device 200 in a descending manner while the conveyance terminal end portion of the reciprocating conveyor 95 in the conveyance operation is retreated to the upstream side in the conveyance direction.

As a result, as shown in fig. 4, 18, and 19, even in a state where the left and right aggregates M are delivered to the left and right receiving surfaces 201, the interval between the left and right aggregates M is maintained at the meat row interval P0.

In this state, the two trays G1 need to be placed in parallel on the lower side of the left and right receiving surfaces 201, but the two trays G1 need to be arranged at a spacing so as not to overlap.

Therefore, when the center position of each aggregate M in the left-right direction of the upper surface of the transfer tape 295 transferred to the receiving surface 201 and the center position of the tray G1 in the left-right direction are shifted in the left-right direction, and the aggregate M on the upper surface of the transfer tape 295 on the receiving surface 201 is dropped in this state, the aggregate M may protrude from the tray G1. (misalignment between the aggregate M shown by a solid line and the tray G1 shown by a broken line in FIGS. 18 and 19.)

The lateral displacement between the aggregate M and the tray G1 is eliminated as follows.

(action of the first stage)

First, as shown in fig. 4, 5, 18, and 19, the left and right first cylinders 225 are extended to bring the left and right receiving surfaces 201 into closest proximity, and a two-row group G1 of meat pieces (an aggregate of meat pieces, an "article" in the embodiment) is delivered from the end of the reciprocating conveyor 95 to the left and right receiving surfaces 201 in a state where the interval between the inner end portions of the left and right receiving plates 202 (strictly, the interval between the folded portions of the left and right transfer belts 295) is a minimum interval (the "first interval" in the embodiment) P1.

In this way, the position of the left and right bearing surfaces 201 in a state where the distance between the inner ends of the left and right bearing surfaces 201 is at the minimum distance P1 is defined as the first position PS 1.

In this state, the assemblies M on the left and right receiving surfaces 201 are positioned directly above the tray G1 waiting on the lower side.

Then, as shown in fig. 6 and 20, the left and right first cylinders 225 are contracted by a set amount, the left and right moving means 200L and 200R are moved outward (in opposite directions), and the distance between the inner ends of the left and right receiving surfaces 201 is increased to an intermediate distance (i.e., a "second distance" in the embodiment) P2.

In this way, the position of the left and right receiving surfaces 201 in a state where the distance between the inner ends of the left and right receiving surfaces 201 is the intermediate distance P2 is defined as the second position PS 2.

While the distance between the inner ends of the left and right receiving surfaces 201 is increased from the minimum distance P1 to the intermediate distance P2, the left and right receiving surfaces 201 enter the upper side of the tray G1, and the upper side of the tray G1 is substantially covered by the receiving surfaces 201.

(second-stage operation)

In this state, the lifting unit 319 of the tray conveying unit 302 is lifted, and the tray G1 is lifted to the set position.

As shown in fig. 8 and 24, during or after the tray G1 is raised, the left and right second cylinders 241 are extended by a set amount to increase the distance between the inner ends of the left and right receiving surfaces 201 to the maximum distance P3.

In this way, the position of the left and right receiving surfaces 201 in the state where the interval between the inner ends of the left and right receiving surfaces 201 is the maximum interval P3 is defined as the third position PS 3.

In this state, the left and right receiving surfaces 201 are retracted from the upper side of the tray G1 to the left and right outer sides, and the upper side of the tray G1 is opened.

Fig. 22 and 23 show a state in which the distance between the inner ends of the left and right bearing surfaces 201 is the intermediate distance PM extending from the intermediate distance P2 to the maximum distance P3.

In this way, while the interval between the inner ends of the left and right receiving surfaces 201 is expanded from the intermediate interval P2 to the maximum interval P3 through the intermediate interval PM, that is, when both the left and right receiving surfaces 201 move from the second position PS2 to the third position PS3, the transfer tape 295 provided on each receiving surface 201 moves at the same speed in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the receiving surface 201 or the receiving plate 202 with respect to the receiving surface 201 or the receiving plate 202.

Thus, the aggregates M are stored without being dropped into the tray G1 along with a change in the position of the aggregates in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction.

The tray G1 containing the aggregates M is lowered to the initial position, and is carried out to the left outside through the space Q by the tray conveying device 305.

The above operations are repeated in synchronization with the interval of conveyance of the assemblies M.

Further, the lower winding region of the endless belt 96 of the reciprocating conveyor 95 is set to a height close to the upper side of the left and right receiving surfaces 201, and the delivery of the aggregates M can be improved.

(control device of slicer)

Fig. 27 shows a block diagram of a control device of the microtome. In the block diagram, the portions related to the operations of the supply section 3, the cutting section 4, and the conveying section 5 are omitted, and particularly, the portions related to the operations of the storage section 6 are shown.

Then, the start switch 401, the belt movement distance measuring sensor 417, the belt terminal end advancing/retreating position measuring sensor 418, the first left cylinder telescopic position measuring potentiometer 419, the first right cylinder telescopic position measuring potentiometer 420, the second left cylinder telescopic position measuring potentiometer 421, the second right cylinder telescopic position measuring potentiometer 422, the pallet belt movement distance sensor 423, and the peeling arm turning position measuring potentiometer 424 are connected to the controller 400 disposed in the control section 7 at the input side thereof.

On the other hand, the conveyance driving motor driver 434, the expansion/contraction motor driver 436, the left first cylinder solenoid valve 437, the right first cylinder solenoid valve 438, the left second cylinder solenoid valve 439, the left second cylinder solenoid valve 440, the tray conveyance motor driver 441, the tray moving arm motor driver 442, and the adsorption valve solenoid 443 are connected to the output side of the controller 400.

The controller 400 stores the left and right first positions PS1, the left and right second positions PS2, and the left and right third positions PS3, respectively, and can arbitrarily change the second position PS 2.

(explanation of switches and sensors connected to the input side)

The start switch 401 connected to the input side of the controller 400 is used to start the entire microtome 1 and switches to a state in which a command signal can be output from the output side of the controller 400 to a motor driver or the like. By the insertion operation of the start switch 401, the driving of the cutting unit 4, the supply unit 3, and the conveyance unit 5 is started.

The belt travel distance measuring sensor 417 measures the travel distance amount of the endless belt 96 of the conveying section 5 (the conveying distance of the aggregate M) based on the number of rotations of the conveying drive motor 112 and the like.

The belt terminal end advancing/retreating position measuring sensor 418 measures the moving position of the terminal end of the reciprocating belt 95 based on the number of rotations of the electric motor 135 for extension and contraction.

The first-cylinder telescopic-position measuring potentiometer 419 on the left measures the telescopic position of the first cylinder 225 on the left for adjusting the distance of the article transfer device 200.

The right first cylinder telescopic position measuring potentiometer 420 measures the telescopic position of the right first cylinder 225 for adjusting the gap of the article transfer device 200.

The second cylinder telescopic position measuring potentiometer 421 measures the telescopic position of the second cylinder 241 on the left side for sliding of the article transfer device 200.

The right second cylinder telescopic position measuring potentiometer 422 measures the telescopic position of the right second cylinder 241 for sliding of the article transfer device 200.

The tray conveyor movement distance sensor 423 measures the position of the tray G1 conveyed by the tray conveying device 305 based on the number of rotations of the electric motor 313 that drives the tray conveying device 305.

The peeling arm rotation position measuring potentiometer 424 measures the rotation angle of the rotating arm 307 which peels and takes out the tray G1 from the stacking portion, based on the number of rotations of the electric motor 308 and the like.

(explanation of driver connected to output side, etc.)

The conveyance drive motor driver 434 connected to the input side of the controller 400 supplies power to the conveyance drive motor 112 to drive and control the endless belt 96 of the conveyance unit 5.

The telescopic motor driver 436 supplies electric power to the telescopic electric motor 135, and controls the movement of the conveyance end portion of the conveyance acting section 5R on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the conveyance section 5 in the front-rear direction.

The left first cylinder solenoid valve 437 changes the position of the left moving unit 200L in the left-right direction by operating a valve that controls the amount of air supplied to and discharged from the left first cylinder 225.

The right first cylinder solenoid valve 438 operates a valve for controlling the amount of air supplied to and discharged from the right first cylinder 225, and changes the position of the right moving unit 200R in the left-right direction.

The left second cylinder solenoid valve 439 operates a valve for controlling the amount of air supplied to and discharged from the left second cylinder 241, and slides the receiving plate 202 (receiving surface 201) of the left moving unit 200R in the left-right direction.

The right second cylinder solenoid valve 440 operates a valve for controlling the amount of air supplied to and discharged from the right second cylinder 241, and slides the receiving plate 202 (receiving surface 201) of the right moving unit 200R in the left-right direction.

The tray conveying motor driver 441 supplies electric power to the electric motor 313 to drive and control the endless chain 316 of the tray conveying device 305.

The tray moving arm motor driver 442 supplies power to the electric motor 308, and controls the rotation to peel off the tray G1 and deliver the tray G to the rotating arm 307 on the tray conveying device 305.

The suction valve solenoid 443 operates a suction valve to be sucked to the bottom surface of the tray G1 located at the lowermost position among the plurality of trays G1 in a stacked state.

(expansion operation of conveying end section of endless Belt)

First, the start switch 401 is turned on by setting operation conditions such as the type and state of the cut meat lump (lump food) MF and changing the setting conditions of each part.

Accordingly, based on the measurement results of the sensors 418 to 424, the controller 400 outputs control signals to the

motor drivers

434, 436, 441, 442 and the solenoid valves 437 to 440, 443, thereby starting the driving of the cutting unit 4, the supply unit 3, and the conveyance unit 5 and the operation of the storage unit 6.

Thus, the aggregates M are intermittently formed on the endless belt 96 at intervals, and are conveyed in 2 rows.

Then, in a state where the 2-line conveyed aggregates M reach the conveyance end portion of the endless belt 96 (the conveyance end portion of the reciprocating conveyor 95), the electric motor 135 for stretching is operated by an output from the controller 400 to the motor driver 436 for stretching, and the conveyance end portion of the endless belt 96 is extended toward the conveyance direction downstream side.

Thus, the conveyance terminal end portion of the endless belt 96 moves in and out above the rear end portion of the tray G1 waiting below the left and right receiving surfaces 201 of the article transfer device 200.

Then, at the time when the transport distance of the endless belt 96 (the transport distance of the transport belt) measured by the transport belt movement distance measuring sensor 417 reaches the set distance (the time when the aggregate M at the rear end portion is separated from the transport terminal end portion), output from the controller 400 to the telescopic motor driver 436 is performed.

Thus, the electric motor 135 for expansion and contraction is operated in the reverse direction, and the conveyance end portion of the endless belt 96 starts to retreat at a set speed from the position above the tray G1 toward the upstream side in the conveyance direction.

The aggregate M discharged from the conveyance terminal end of the endless belt 96 that has started to retreat is delivered to the upper surface of the transfer belt 295 on the left and right receiving surfaces 201 of the article transfer device 200, and is stored in the tray G1.

When the conveyance terminal end portion of the endless belt 96 finishes the backward movement, a set time is waited for at the position where the backward movement is finished, and after the set time elapses, the conveyance terminal end portion of the endless belt 96 starts to move in and out again.

(control of storage section)

The operation control of the storage unit 6 provided with the article transfer device 200 will be described based on the control flowchart shown in fig. 28.

The state in which the left and right receiving plates (the "support members" in this embodiment) 202 are moved to the first position PS1, the state in which they are moved to the second position PS2, and the state in which they are moved to the third position PS3 are determined based on the measurement results of the left first cylinder telescopic position measuring potentiometer 419, the right first cylinder telescopic position measuring potentiometer 420, the left second cylinder telescopic position measuring potentiometer 421, and the right second cylinder telescopic position measuring potentiometer 422.

Then, first, in the initial state of the operation of the housing section 6, the left and right first cylinders (the "first mechanism" in the claims) 225 are extended to the maximum extent, and the left and right second cylinders (the "second mechanism" in the claims) 241 are shortened to the maximum extent.

Thus, the left and right receiving plates 202 are located at the first positions PS1, respectively, and the distance between the inner ends of the left and right receiving plates 202 is the minimum distance (the "first distance" in the embodiment) P1. (step 1)

Then, as described above, the conveyance terminal end portion of the reciprocating conveyor 95 (conveyance terminal end portion of the endless belt 96) retreats at a set speed toward the upstream side in the conveyance direction while delivering the aggregate M to the left and right receiving surfaces 201 of the article transfer device 200. (step 2)

In this backward movement, based on the measurement result of the sensor 418 for measuring the forward/backward movement position of the rear end portion of the belt, it is determined whether or not the rear end portion of the reciprocating belt 95 is backward moved to a preset intermediate position. (step 3)

As a result of the determination, when it is determined that the rear end portion of the reciprocating conveyor 95 has retreated to the intermediate position, the output of the shortening operation from the controller 400 to the left first cylinder solenoid valve 437 and the right first cylinder solenoid valve 438 is started.

Thus, the left and right first cylinders 225 perform the shortening operation, and start the movement of the left and right receiving plates 202 to the second position PS2, that is, the operation of expanding the interval between the inner ends of the left and right receiving plates 202 to the intermediate interval (the "second interval" in the embodiment) P2. (step 4)

When the distance between the inner ends of the left and right receiving plates 202 is thus increased to the intermediate distance P2, the state is maintained for a very small set time Tm, and the left and right receiving plates 202 stand by at this position. (step 5)

When the set time Tm elapses, the output of the extension action from the controller 400 to the left second cylinder solenoid valve 439 and the right second cylinder solenoid valve 440 is started.

Thus, the left and right second cylinders 241 perform the extension operation, and start the movement of the left and right receiving plates 202 to the third position PS3, that is, the operation of expanding the interval between the inner ends of the left and right receiving plates 202 to the maximum interval (the "third interval" in the embodiment) P3. (step 6)

Note that a configuration may be adopted in which the set time Tm described above is not provided (Tm equals 0).

Then, based on the measurement results of the left first cylinder telescopic position measuring potentiometer 419, the right first cylinder telescopic position measuring potentiometer 420, the left second cylinder telescopic position measuring potentiometer 421, and the right second cylinder telescopic position measuring potentiometer 422, it is determined whether or not the interval between the inner ends of the left and right receiving plates 202 has reached the maximum interval P3. (step 7)

As a result of this determination, when the interval between the inner ends of the left and right receiving plates 202 reaches the maximum interval P3, the state is maintained for a very small set time Tg, and the left and right receiving plates 202 wait at this position. (step 8)

Note that a structure in which the set time Tg is not provided (Tg of 0) may be employed.

As the distance between the inner ends of the left and right receiving plates 202 is increased from the intermediate distance P2 to the maximum distance P3, the aggregate M (article) delivered to the upper surfaces of the transfer tapes 295 on the left and right receiving surfaces 201 of the left and right receiving plates 202 falls into the tray G1 and is stored.

When the set time Tg described above has elapsed, the output of the shortening operation from the controller 400 to the left second cylinder solenoid valve 439 and the right second cylinder solenoid valve 440 is started.

At the same time, the controller 400 starts to output the extension operation to the left first cylinder solenoid valve 437 and the right first cylinder solenoid valve 438.

Thereby, the contraction operation of the second left and

right cylinders

421 and 241 is started, and the expansion operation of the first left and right cylinders 225 is started, and the operation of reducing the interval between the inner ends of the left and right receiving plates 202 to the minimum interval P1 (the operation of returning to the minimum interval P1) is started. (step 9)

In the reduction to the minimum interval P1, the standby time at the intermediate interval P2 is not provided.

At the same time, the electric motor 135 for expansion and contraction is operated in the forward and backward direction by the output from the controller 400 to the motor driver 436 for expansion and contraction, and the terminal end portion of the reciprocating conveyor 95 (the conveyance terminal end portion of the endless belt 96) starts to move in and out on the left and right receiving plates 202 (on the left and right receiving surfaces 201). (step 10)

Thereafter, the operations of step 1 to step 10 are automatically repeated.

(scope of application)

The present embodiment relates to an article moving device that is provided in a meat slicing machine and places sliced meat pieces or meat piece groups as articles on a tray, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a device that places all articles such as other food products and industrial products.

Claims

1. An article moving apparatus for moving an article, characterized in that,

a transfer member (295) which is movable relative to the support member (202) is provided on the upper side of the support member (202), a lateral movement mechanism (225, 241) which laterally moves the support member (202) between a position where the article is delivered onto the transfer member (295) and a position where the article on the transfer member (295) is lowered is provided, an interlocking mechanism (RA) which moves the transfer member (295) relative to the support member (202) in a direction opposite to the movement direction of the support member (202) is provided, and the article on the transfer member (295) is lowered by moving the transfer member (295) relative to the support member (202) in the lateral direction of the support member (202) by the lateral movement mechanism (225, 241) by the interlocking mechanism (RA).

2. The article moving device according to claim 1,

the transfer member (295) is moved in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the support member (202) at substantially the same speed by the interlocking mechanism (RA) during the lateral movement of the support member (202) by the lateral movement mechanisms (225, 241), and the article on the transfer member (295) is lowered to a predetermined position while the lateral movement is reduced.

3. The article moving device according to claim 2,

a conveying member (95) for conveying an article is provided, and the article is delivered from the conveying member (95) to a transfer member (295), and then the support member (202) is moved laterally.

4. The article moving device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the support member (202) is a plate-shaped support member, the transfer member (295) is a belt-shaped transfer member, the lower surface of the transfer member (295) is supported in sliding contact with the upper surface of the support member (202), and the article on the transfer member (295) is peeled off from the upper surface of the transfer member (295) and falls down by sliding the transfer member (295) in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the support member (202) with respect to the upper surface of the support member (202).

5. An article moving apparatus for moving an article, characterized in that,

the lateral movement of the plurality of support members (202) by the lateral movement mechanisms (225, 241) is configured such that the plurality of support members (202) are arranged to face each other in the lateral direction, a transfer member (295) which is movable relative to each support member (202) is provided on the upper side of each support member (202), lateral movement mechanisms (225, 241) which laterally move the plurality of support members (202) between a position where an article is delivered onto each transfer member (295) and a position where the article on each transfer member (295) is lowered are provided, and an interlocking mechanism (RA) which moves each transfer member (295) relative to each support member (202) in a direction opposite to the movement direction of each support member (202) is provided, and each transfer member (295) is moved relative to each support member (202) in a direction opposite to the movement direction of each support member (202) by the interlocking mechanism (RA) in the lateral movement of the plurality of support members (202) by the lateral movement mechanisms (225, 241), the articles on the transfer members (295) are lowered.

6. The article moving device according to claim 5,

in the lateral movement of a plurality of support members (202) by lateral movement mechanisms (225, 241), each transfer member (295) is moved in a direction opposite to the movement direction of each support member (202) at substantially the same speed by an interlocking mechanism (RA) with respect to each support member (202), and is lowered to a predetermined position while reducing the lateral movement of the article on each transfer member (295).

7. The article moving device according to claim 6,

a conveying member (95) for conveying a plurality of rows of articles is provided, and the articles are delivered from the conveying member (95) to the conveying members (295), and then the supporting members (202) are moved laterally.

8. The article moving device according to any one of claims 5 to 7,

9. An article moving apparatus for moving an article, characterized in that,

a transfer member (295) which is movable relative to a support member (202) is provided on the upper side of the support member (202), a first mechanism (225) which moves the support member (202) laterally between a first position (PS1) at which an article is transferred onto the transfer member (295) and a second position (PS2) which is offset from the first position (PS1) by a predetermined distance is provided, a second mechanism (241) which moves the support member (202) laterally between the second position (PS2) and a third position (PS3) at which the article on the transfer member (295) is lowered is provided, an interlocking mechanism (RA) which moves the transfer member (295) relative to the support member (202) in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the support member (202) is provided, and the support member (202) is configured to be moved from the first position (PS1) to the second position (PS2) by the first mechanism (225), the movement of the transfer member (295) relative to the support member (202) by the interlocking mechanism (RA) is stopped, the article on the transfer member (295) is moved together with the support member (202), and while the support member (202) is moved from the second position (PS2) to the third position (PS3) by the second mechanism (241), the transfer member (295) is moved in the direction opposite to the movement direction of the support member (202) relative to the support member (202) by the interlocking mechanism (RA), and the article on the transfer member (295) is lowered.

10. The article moving device according to claim 9,

while the support member (202) is moving from the second position (PS2) to the third position (PS3), the transfer member (295) is moved at substantially the same speed in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the support member (202) relative to the support member (202) by the interlocking mechanism (RA), and the article on the transfer member (295) is lowered to a predetermined position while the lateral movement of the article is reduced.

11. The article moving device according to claim 9,

a conveying member (95) for conveying an article is provided, and the article is delivered from the conveying member (95) to the transfer member (295) when the support member (202) is located at the first position (PS1), and then the support member (202) is moved to the second position (PS2) and then moved to the third position (PS 3).

12. The article moving device according to claim 10,

13. The article moving device according to any one of claims 9 to 12,

the second position is set to be changeable.

14. The article moving device according to any one of claims 9 to 12,

15. An article moving apparatus for moving an article, characterized in that,

a plurality of supporting components (202) are arranged oppositely in the transverse direction, a transfer component (295) which can move freely relative to each supporting component (202) is arranged at the upper side of each supporting component (202), a first mechanism (225) which enables each supporting component (202) to move transversely between a first position (PS1) which reduces the interval of the mutually opposite positions to a first interval (P1) and delivers the articles onto each transfer component (295) and a second position (PS2) which shifts a predetermined distance in the mutually separating direction from the first position (PS1) and expands the interval of the mutually opposite positions to a second interval (P2) is arranged, a second mechanism (241) which enables each supporting component (202) to move transversely from the second position (PS2) to the opposite positions to a third interval (P3) and lowers the articles on each transfer component (295) to the third position (PS3) is arranged, an interlocking mechanism (RA) for moving each transfer member (295) relative to each support member (202) in a direction opposite to the moving direction of each support member (202) is provided, the movement of each transfer member (295) relative to the plurality of support members (202) by the interlocking mechanism (RA) is stopped while the plurality of support members (202) are moved from the first position (PS1) to the second position (PS2) by the first mechanism (225), the articles on each transfer member (295) are moved together with each support member (202) to expand the interval between the articles, the transfer members (295) are moved relative to the support members (202) in a direction opposite to the moving direction of each support member (202) by the interlocking mechanism (RA) while the plurality of support members (202) are moved from the second position (PS2) to the third position (PS3) by the second mechanism (241), the articles on the transfer members (295) are lowered individually.

16. The article moving device according to claim 15,

while the plurality of support members (202) are moving from the second position (PS2) to the third position (PS3), the transfer members (295) are moved by the interlocking mechanism (RA) at substantially the same speed in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the support members (202) with respect to the support members (202), and lowered to a predetermined position while reducing the lateral movement of the articles on the transfer members (295).

17. The article moving device according to claim 15,

a conveying member (95) for conveying a plurality of rows of articles is provided, and when each supporting member (202) is located at a first position (PS1), the articles are delivered from the conveying member (95) to each transfer member (295), and then each supporting member (202) is moved to a second position (PS2) and then moved to a third position (PS 3).

18. The article moving device according to claim 16,

19. The article moving device according to any one of claims 15 to 18,

the second position is set to be changeable.

20. The article moving device according to any one of claims 15 to 18,

21. The article moving device according to claim 20,

one end of the belt-type transfer member (295) is held at a fixed point, the middle portion of the transfer member (295) is folded back at the end of the support member (202) along the upper surface of the plate-like support member (202), the other end of the transfer member (295) is engaged with a pulling plate (25) disposed below the support member (202) along the lower surface of the support member (202), and the pulling plate (25) is moved in the same direction as the movement direction of the support member (202) at a speed 2 times the movement speed of the support member (202).