JP2001206535A - Container alignment carrier deice, container stacking and unstacking device and container alignment carrying method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a container alignment carrying device capable of corresponding to both of stacking and unstacking of containers, a container stacking and unstacking device furnished with the alignment carrying device and a container alignment carrying method. SOLUTION: Bottles B are sequentially supplied to the inside of each of passages S1 everytime when a quantitative part 31 moves in the direction orthogonal with each of the passages S1, and each of the bottles B is hung and supported by a flange formed on a head part. A group of the bottles B hung and supported by the quantity fixing part 31 is discharged from the quantity fixing part 31 in a row unit by an extruding mechanism or container discharge mechanism 34. That is, the bottles B are supplied to the quantity fixing part 31 in a hung-sown state, and they are discharged from the quantity fixing part 31 in the hung-down state. Consequently, it is possible to correspond to both of stacking and unstacking of the bottles B.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a container aligning / transporting apparatus for aligning and transporting containers such as plastic bottles, an apparatus for unstacking containers equipped with the aligning / transporting apparatus, and a container aligning / transporting method. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been an increasing number of implant-type plants in which a manufacturing plant for manufacturing containers such as plastic bottles is added to a filling plant for filling the contents of containers manufactured by the manufacturing plant. . As shown in FIG. 19, a plastic bottle (hereinafter, referred to as a “bottle”) B manufactured in a manufacturing plant 201 is directly supplied to a filling plant 203 by a conveyor 202 during normal transport. In the case where the filling plant 203 side breaks down due to some cause, the bottle B manufactured in the manufacturing plant 201 branches off from the conveyor 202 and is supplied to the palletizer 204. Then, the bottles B are stacked on the pallet in a plurality of stages, and
Will be stored temporarily. On the other hand, in a case where the manufacturing plant 201 has failed due to some cause and stopped, the bottle B group stored in the storage 205 is supplied to the depalletizer 206. Then, the bottles B are disassembled step by step, and are further arranged in an upright state in one row, so that the conveyor 20
2 and supplied to the filling plant 203. Therefore, even when one of the two plants 201 and 203 stops, production is continued.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional plant of the implant type, two types of apparatuses, a palletizer 204 and a depalletizer 206, are provided for performing the work of stacking and unstacking the bottles B. This is because the conventional palletizer 204 and the depalletizer 20
6, bottle B cannot be reversibly conveyed, and stacking and unstacking alone (one unit) cannot be stably performed. Therefore, there is a problem that it is necessary to secure the installation space for two units in the factory and the equipment cost is increased. In addition, there is a problem that switching between the palletizer 204 and the depalletizer 206 requires time, and that the operation rates of the two plants 201 and 203 are reduced.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a container aligning / transporting apparatus and an aligning / transporting apparatus capable of coping with both stacking and unstacking of containers. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for arranging and transporting containers provided with the same.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of suspension passages capable of suspending and supporting a container having a portion to be gripped on a neck portion in a row unit at the portion to be gripped are provided. In addition to the above, by the forward / reverse drive of the driving means, a fixed amount part which can reciprocate in a direction orthogonal to the row direction of the suspended and supported containers and a container transport device for transporting the containers in a row are supplied. A container supply device that transports the containers in a row in the direction of the fixed amount section and sequentially supplies the containers each time the hanging passage of the identified amount section moves and faces each other, and a container group is suspended in a predetermined number of hanging passages. When supported downward, an extruding mechanism that pushes these container groups to the outside collectively along the row direction, and a suspension passage that suspends and supports the container groups with respect to the transport / discharge device connected to the fixed amount section. Each time they face each other, they push the row-wise containers of the hanging passages that face each other to the transport / discharge device. And a container discharge mechanism, wherein the quantification section, as its gist in that the container group to be supplied corresponding to each suspension passage from the anti-extrusion direction of the extrusion mechanism as acceptable for hanging state.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a predetermined number of rows of container groups are arranged in rows in the container pushing direction side of the pushing mechanism in the fixed amount section. An alignment unit for suspending and supporting the container, and expanding and reducing the interval between the container rows at a predetermined interval; and an arranging unit provided to be engageable with the container group suspended and supported by the aligning unit. When supplying the container group to the container, the pushing mechanism stops the progress of the container group pushed out from the fixed quantity section into the alignment section, and discharges the container group from the alignment section to the fixed quantity section. The gist of the present invention is to provide an aligning and extruding mechanism for extruding a group of containers suspended and supported toward the fixed amount section.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the aligning unit includes a plurality of suspension units capable of suspending and supporting a predetermined number of rows of containers in a row unit at the gripped part. A lower member is provided, and an inter-row adjusting mechanism that adjusts the distance between the hanging members in a predetermined range so as to be able to move freely and narrowly, and a container group that is set on the downstream side of the aligning section and can be stacked on a pallet. The stacking and separating unit is provided, and the inter-row adjusting mechanism is configured such that when transferring the container group from the fixed amount unit to the alignment unit, the container group suspended and supported by the fixed amount unit is attached to each hanging member. When the container group is expanded between the hanging members so as to be able to move smoothly, and when the container group is transferred from the alignment unit to the pallet stacking unit and when the container group is transferred from the pallet to the alignment unit, the handling container is used. Space between each suspension member to accommodate the Rukoto is referred to as the gist thereof.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, when the container group suspended and supported by the aligning portion is transferred to the outside, the container group is collectively restrained from the outer periphery. When the container group is detached from the alignment section and transferred to the stacking / separating section, and a predetermined number of container groups stacked on a pallet are supplied to the alignment section, the uppermost container The gist of the present invention is to provide a constrained conveyance device that collectively constrains the group from the outer periphery, transports the group to the alignment unit, and suspends and supports the container group at the alignment unit.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the container is connected to the container conveying device so as to branch, and the container conveyed by the container conveying device is supplied to the container supplying device. A transport supply device that passes through to the apparatus, and is connected so as to merge with the container transport device, and is disposed so that the container pushed out by the container discharge mechanism can be transferred, and the container A container discharging device that discharges the container to the container conveying device, and a container switching device that is provided at a branch portion between the container conveying device and the conveying and supplying device, and switches a container conveying path between the container conveying device and the conveying and supplying device. A branching device, and a container switching / joining device that is provided at a junction of the transport / discharge device and the container transport device and that switches a container transport path between the transport / discharge device and the container transport device. It is referred to as the gist thereof.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the container group is grouped in a predetermined row to form one stage, and the pallet is lowered every time the container group for one stage is stacked on the pallet. Of containers having a function of stacking the containers in a predetermined number of stages, and a function of raising the pallet and breaking down the container groups each time the group of containers stacked in the predetermined number of stages is disassembled one by one. The gist of the present invention is a dual-purpose device including the container aligning and conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the containers are stacked on the pallet in an aligned state on the way to the container transporting apparatus for transporting the containers manufactured in the manufacturing plant to the filling plant in a row. Providing a stacking / separating dual-purpose device for arranging container groups stacked on top of each other in a row, and stopping the downstream side of the dual-purpose device of the container transporting device, or the number of containers processed in the manufacturing plant is a container in the filling plant. If the number of processes is larger than the number of processes, by switching the transport path of the container by a container switching and branching device provided on the container transport device, the container is supplied to the dual-purpose device, and the container is functioned as a stacking device. Stack on pallets,
When the production plant is stopped, or the number of containers processed in the production plant is smaller than the number of containers processed in the filling plant, such as when the supply of containers is required on the filling plant side, the function as a step-down device Unloading the container group on the pallet and aligning it in a row, switching the transport path of the container by the container switching and joining device, discharging the container to the container transport device and supplying it to the filling plant. I do. (Operation) According to the first aspect of the invention, the metering section can receive the container group in a suspended state from any of the pushing direction and the non-extrusion direction of the pushing mechanism. The containers conveyed by the container conveyance device are sequentially supplied into the respective suspension passages of the metering unit by the container supply device. The container group suspended and supported by the metering unit is pushed out to the outside along the row direction by the pushing mechanism, or is pushed out to the transporting / discharging device by the container discharging mechanism. That is, the container is supplied to the fixed amount section in a suspended state and discharged from the fixed amount section in a suspended state, and corresponds to both stacking and unstacking of containers.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first aspect, when the container group is supplied from the fixed quantity section to the alignment section, the container is aligned from the fixed quantity section by the pushing mechanism. The advancing of the container group pushed into the section is stopped and aligned by the aligning and pushing mechanism. Further, when discharging the container group from the aligning section to the quantitative section, the container group suspended and supported by the aligning section is extruded toward the quantitative section by the aligning and pushing mechanism. That is, the alignment of the container group in the alignment unit and the pushing of the container group from the alignment unit to the fixed amount unit are performed by a single mechanism.

According to the third aspect of the invention, in addition to the operation of the second aspect, when the container group is transferred from the fixed quantity section to the alignment section, it is suspended and supported by the fixed quantity section. The space between the suspension members is expanded so that the container group can smoothly transfer to the suspension members. Further, when transferring the container group from the alignment section to the pallet stacking section and when transferring the group of containers from the pallet to the alignment section, the interval between the hanging members is reduced so as to correspond to the package of the handling container. That is, the row spacing of the containers suspended and supported by each suspension member is adjusted.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the third aspect of the invention, when the container group suspended and supported by the alignment section is transferred to the outside, the container group has an outer periphery. It is separated from the alignment unit while being restrained as a whole, and is transferred to the stacking / separating unit. Further, when a predetermined number of container groups stacked on a pallet are supplied to the aligning unit, the uppermost container group is transferred to the aligning unit while being collectively restrained from the outer periphery, and the container groups are aligned. It is suspended and supported at the part. That is, by carrying a group of containers for one stage of the pallet in a lump, the processing capability of container transportation is improved.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first aspect, the containers transported by the container transport device are switched by switching the transport route of the containers by the container switching / branching device. It reaches the container supply device via the transport supply device. Then, the container is supplied to the metering unit.
Further, by switching the transport path of the container by the container switching / merging device, the container pushed out from the quantitative unit by the container discharge mechanism is transferred to the transport / discharge device and discharged to the container transport device. That is, the delivery of the container is performed between the container transport device and the fixed amount section.

[0016] In the invention according to claim 6, each time one group of containers arranged in the container aligning and conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is stacked on the pallet, the same pallet is used. Is lowered. By repeating this operation a predetermined number of times, a predetermined number of container groups are stacked on the pallet. In addition, a container group stacked in a predetermined number of stages is a container according to claim 1.
The pallet is raised each time the container is disassembled one by one in the container aligning and transporting device according to the fifth aspect. By repeating this operation a predetermined number of times, the container groups stacked in a predetermined number of levels are separated. The container aligning / conveying device employs a suspension system in which containers are aligned and conveyed in a suspended state, and the container is prevented from falling. For this reason, the containers can be transported at high speed and in a stable manner, and the container aligning and transporting capability of the container aligning and transporting device is improved.

In the invention according to claim 7, in the case where the downstream side of the dual-purpose device of the container transport device is stopped or the number of containers processed in the manufacturing plant is larger than the number of containers processed in the filling plant, The container transfer path is switched by a container switching / branching device provided on the container transfer device, and the container is supplied to the stacking / unstacking device. Then, the containers are stacked on the pallet by the function as the stacking device. On the other hand, when the production plant is stopped, or when the number of containers to be processed in the production plant is smaller than the number of containers to be processed in the filling plant, such as when the supply of containers is required on the filling plant side, a step-down device is used. The function unloads the containers on the pallet and aligns them in rows. Then, the container transfer path is switched by the container switching and joining device, and the container is discharged to the container transfer device and supplied to the filling plant. That is, even if one of the two plants stops, it is not necessary to stop the remaining plants. Also, it is possible to cope with a case where there is a difference in container processing capacity between the two plants.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment in which the present invention is embodied as a container stacking / separating apparatus for stacking and separating plastic bottles as containers on a pallet will be described with reference to FIGS. I do. (Overall Configuration) As shown in FIG. 1, a stacking / separating / combining apparatus 11 is, for example, a cylindrical plastic bottle (hereinafter, referred to as a plastic bottle) manufactured in a manufacturing plant (not shown) on the side opposite to the X direction.
It is called a "bottle." ) Transport conveyor 1 as a container transport device for transporting B to a filling plant (not shown) on the X direction side
2 are connected so as to branch off. The stacking / unstacking / combining device 11 stacks the bottles B branched and supplied in a row from the conveyor 12 by a predetermined number of stages on the pallet P, or groups the stacked bottles B one by one. This is a device for disassembling, furthermore, arranging it in a single line upright and supplying it to the conveyor 12.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a stacking / separating device 11 includes a transport device 13, an alignment guide device 14, a pattern forming device 15 as an alignment portion, and a constrained transport device 16.
And a pallet lifting device 17 and the like.

The transport device 13 is a device for transporting the bottles B in one row. The alignment guide device 14 is a device for suspending and supporting the conveyed bottles B in row units.
The pattern forming device 15 is a device for adjusting the interval between the rows of bottles B in the suspended state. The constrained conveyance device 16 is a device for transferring the bottle B group suspended and supported by the pattern forming device 15 and the bottle B group stacked on the pallet P in the pallet elevating device 17 in a collectively constrained state. It is. The pallet elevating device 17 is an apparatus for elevating and lowering the pallet P in which the bottles B can be stacked.
Note that a container aligning and transporting apparatus that aligns and transports the bottles B in a predetermined arrangement pattern from the transporting device 13, the alignment guide device 14, the pattern forming device 15, and the constraint transporting device 16 is configured. (Conveying Apparatus) As shown in FIG. 1, the conveying apparatus 13 includes a first conveying mechanism 21 for conveying bottles B in a row in the Y direction and a second conveying mechanism for conveying bottles B in a row in the opposite Y direction. 2
2 is provided. For example, each of the transport mechanisms 21 and 22 has an arc portion having a predetermined radius of curvature and straight portions at both ends thereof, and one of the straight portions is away from each other, and the other straight portion is They are arranged at predetermined intervals so as to be substantially parallel to each other. One linear portion of each of the two transport mechanisms 21 and 22 is connected to a container switching branching device 23a and a container switching merging device 23b provided on the transport conveyor 12 at predetermined intervals.

The container switching branching device 23a and the container switching merging device 23b are provided with switching members 24a and 24b, respectively, capable of reciprocating in the width direction of the conveyor 12. By the switching movement of the two switching members 24a, 24b,
The transport route of the bottle B is between the transport conveyor 12 and the first transport mechanism 21, and between the transport conveyor 12 and the second transport mechanism 22.
It switches between and.

The conveyor 12 is an air conditioner 25
It consists of. The first transport mechanism 21 includes an air conditioner 25a as a transport supply device and a vacuum conveyor 26 as a container supply device. The second transport mechanism 22 includes an air conditioner 25b as a transport / discharge device. The air conditioner bear 25, 25a, 2
5b has a known configuration in which the bottle B is conveyed in a suspended state by the propulsive force of the air jet while supporting and guiding the neck of the bottle B.

As shown in FIG. 3, the vacuum conveyor 2
6 is to exhaust the air in the suction box 27 to the outside by a suction device (not shown) to make the inside of the suction box 27 a negative pressure,
The bottle B on the suction box 27 is transported in a suction state on the bottom surface and in an upright state in one row. The bottle B branched from the transport conveyor 12 and transported by the air-conditioner conveyor 25a of the first transport mechanism 21 smoothly moves onto the upper surface of the suction box 27 in an upright state in one row.
The paper is stably conveyed in the Y direction while the neck is guided by a neck guide 29 which is supported above the camera via a support member 28. FIG. 3 shows a boundary between the transport device 13 and the alignment guide device 14 by a line ZZ.

(Stopper Means) As shown in FIG. 3, an open / close stopper 30 is provided at the end of the vacuum conveyor 26 in the Y-direction at a predetermined timing by operation of a pneumatic cylinder (not shown) or the like. I have. The opening / closing stopper 30 is configured such that a control unit (not shown) includes an optical sensor (not shown).
When one row of bottles B is counted based on the detection signal from the above, the bottle is closed by the operation of the pneumatic cylinder, and the advance of the bottle B on the vacuum conveyor 26 is prevented. At this time, the operation of the air conditioner conveyor 25a and the vacuum conveyor 26 is continued, and the bottles B on the vacuum conveyor 26 are waiting in a suction state on the bottom surface. Accordingly, it is possible to surely separate one row of bottles B regardless of an error in the diameter of the bottles B. (Alignment Guide Device) As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 18, the alignment guide device 14 includes a fixed amount section 31, a deceleration stopper mechanism 32, an extruding mechanism 33, and a container discharging mechanism 34.

(Quantitative Section) As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the quantitative section 31 is provided on the upper surface of a pair of beam members 41 fixed so as to extend in the X direction with respect to the first machine frame W1. On the other hand, there is provided a movable frame body 44 provided so as to be able to reciprocate in the X direction and the anti-X direction via the rail 42 and the slider 43. As shown in FIG. 4, the moving frame body 44 is operatively connected to a driving motor 45 as driving means fixed to the first machine frame W1 via a plurality of pulleys and a timing belt. A plurality of connecting members 46 are fixed on the moving frame 44, and a plurality of supporting members 47 are provided on each connecting member 46.
Are erected at regular intervals along the X direction.

As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of plate-shaped neck hangers 48 are fixed to the upper end of each support member 47 so as to be orthogonal to each support member 47.
Each neck hanger 48 extends along the Y direction in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, a passage S1 as a suspension passage is formed between the neck hangers 48 adjacent to each other, and the bottle B conveyed from the first conveyance mechanism 21 is provided in the passage S1. It is possible to enter smoothly. The bottle B in each passage S <b> 1 is suspended and supported by the lower surface of the flange F as the gripped portion is locked between the upper surfaces of the engagement ends of the neck hangers 48. In FIG. 5, only the half of the support member 47 and the neck hanger 48 on the X direction side are shown, and a part of the half on the opposite X direction side is shown by a two-dot chain line.

As shown in FIG. 7, each neck hanger 48
Is set to a length that allows one row of bottles B to enter into the passage S1, and the passages S1 are provided in a number that is at least one row larger than the number of bottle rows for one stage of the pallet. ing. Usually, the number of bottle rows for one pallet is between 10 and 20 rows, and in this embodiment, it is 20 rows. That is, in the present embodiment, the passages S1 are provided for only 21 rows. In addition, the number of bottles B for one row is set to 20. Hereinafter, each passage S
1 is the first column in the order from the X direction side (the upper side in FIG. 7),
Column,..., The 21st column. In FIG. 7,
For convenience of description, a part of the neck hanger 48 and the passage S1 is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 7, the fixed amount section 31 is driven by the forward / reverse rotation of the drive motor 45 to receive the standby position α.
1. Move between the extrusion standby position α2, the discharge start position α3, and the discharge completion position α4. In the reception standby position α1, the first row of passages S1 is on the Y direction side of the first transport mechanism 21, and the bottles B transported by the first transport mechanism 21 are smoothly placed in the first row of passages S1. This is the position where you can enter. In the extrusion standby position α2, the passages S1 in the first to twentieth rows are located between the deceleration stopper mechanism 32 and the container discharge mechanism 34, and the bottles B suspended and supported by the respective neck hangers 48 are connected to the extrusion mechanism 33 described later. This is the position where it can be pushed out.

At the discharge start position α3, the first row of passages S1 is on the Y direction side of the second transport mechanism 22, and the bottles B in the first row of passages S1 smoothly enter the second transport mechanism 22. It is a position where it becomes possible. The discharge completion position α4 is such that the first row of passages S1 greatly exceeds the container discharge mechanism 34 in the X direction, and the twentieth row of passages S1 is on the Y direction side of the second transport mechanism 22; This is a position where the bottle B inside can smoothly enter the second transport mechanism 22. The receiving standby position α1, the extrusion standby position α2, the discharge start position α3, and the discharge completion position α4 indicate the central axes of the passages S1 in the first row.

(Deceleration Stopper Mechanism) As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the deceleration stopper mechanism 32 is located at the receiving standby position α.
The first transport mechanism 21 is disposed above the first row of passages S1 in the fixed amount section 31 located at the position 1 in the Y direction. The deceleration stopper mechanism 32 is connected to the first machine frame W1.
A drive pulley 52 and a driven pulley 53 rotatably supported at both inner ends of a cover 51 supported by
A timing belt 54 is mounted between the pulleys 52 and 53. The drive pulley 52 is operatively connected to a servomotor 55 fixed to the outer surface of the cover 51,
A stopper piece 56 is connected to the lower portion of the timing belt 54 so as to protrude outward. The stopper piece 56 is formed to have a width capable of passing through each of the passages S1 and a length capable of contacting the body of the bottle B suspended and supported by the neck hanger 48.

Accordingly, the stopper piece 56 moves between the standby position β1, the stop position β2, and the retreat position β3 shown in FIG. 3 by driving the servo motor 55. The standby position β1 is a position where the stopper piece 56 is in the passage S1, is engageable with the bottle B, and is held at a position about one third of the entire length of the passage S1 from the front end to the rear end. The stop position β2 is the frontmost bottle B in the bottle B group for one row of the pallet in which the stopper piece 56 is carried into the passage S1.
This is the position where it engages. The retracted position β3 is the stopper piece 56
Is a position outside the metering section 31 and does not interfere with the bottle B group suspended and supported by the neck hanger 48.

(First Extrusion Mechanism) As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the extrusion mechanism 33 includes a pair of cases 61a, 61b fixed so as to protrude downward with respect to the upper beam Wb.
It has. A pair of pulleys 62a, 62 rotatably supported at both inner ends of both cases 61a, 61b, respectively.
A timing belt 63 is hung between b. A plurality of extruding members 65 are provided on the descending portion of the timing belt 63 via support members 64 extending in the X direction and the anti-X direction.
Are fixed so as to project downward from the lower openings of both cases 61a and 61b at predetermined intervals. Each extrusion member 65 is provided only in total of twenty.

Each of the pushing members 65 is formed in such a width that it can pass through each of the passages S1, and is arranged so that the interval between the pushing members 65 is the same as the interval between the passages S1. The member 65 can pass through the passage S1 without any trouble. When the fixed amount section 31 is at the extrusion standby position α2 shown in FIG.
It is positioned so as to correspond to the passage S1 in the 0th row, that is, the passage S1 in which the bottle B for one stage is suspended and supported. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the first transport mechanism 2
The passage S1 into which the bottle B is loaded from 1 and the pushing member 65 are separated in the X direction. For this reason, the bottle B carried in from the first transport mechanism 21 does not interfere with the pushing member 65.

The pulley 6 in the two cases 61a, 61b
2a, 62a are operatively connected to a pair of drive motors 66a, 66b fixed to the upper surface of the upper beam Wb via a plurality of pulleys, a timing belt, and a reduction gear box, respectively. Therefore, both drive motors 66a, 66b
4. Each of the pushing members 65 is moved to the standby position γ1 shown by a solid line in FIG. 4 and the post-operation position γ shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG.
Move between 2. With the movement of each pushing member 65 from the standby position γ1 to the post-operation position γ2, the bottles B of one stage of the pallet suspended and supported between the neck hangers 48 are simultaneously arranged in row units on the Y direction side in FIG. Extruded.

(Second Extrusion Mechanism) As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the container discharge mechanism 34 is actuated by a motor 74 fixed on an upper part of a mechanism cover 73 via a plurality of pulleys 71 and a timing belt 72. The connecting member 75 is provided. The contact member 75 is formed to have a width capable of passing through each of the passages S1 and a length capable of contacting the body of the bottle B suspended and supported by the neck hanger 48. The contact member 75 rotates one revolution together with the timing belt 72 in a state where the posture is maintained by the driving of the motor 74, and the discharge standby position δ1 shown by a solid line in FIG. 8 and the discharge completion position δ2 shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Can take position. As each contact member 75 moves from the discharge standby position δ1 to the discharge completion position δ2, the one-stage bottles B of the pallet suspended and supported between the neck hangers 48 are arranged in rows by the counter Y in FIG.
, And smoothly move on to the second transport mechanism 22. Since the contact member 75 is on the X direction side of the pushing mechanism 33, each pushing member 65 does not interfere with the bottle B extruded by the contact member 75. (Pattern Forming Apparatus) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pattern forming apparatus 15 includes a suspension mechanism 80, an inter-row adjusting mechanism 81, an alignment pushing mechanism 82, and an elevating guide mechanism 83.

(Suspension Mechanism) As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the suspension mechanism 80 is a square provided so as to be able to move up and down with respect to a guide rail 91 suspended from an upper cross member of the second machine casing W2. A frame-shaped base frame 92 is provided. On a top surface of the base frame 92, a plurality of suspension rods 95 extending in the Y direction are provided along a pair of rails 93 and sliders 94 provided to extend in the X direction. It is provided movably. The same number of suspension rods 95 as the number of rows of bottles B for one pallet are provided. Each hanging rod 9
A suspending member 97 is fixed between both ends of the bracket 5 via brackets 96 so as to be located below the base frame 92. The length of each suspension member 97 is
It is set longer than the bottle row length for each row.

As shown in FIG. 11, the suspension member 97 is formed in the shape of a quadrangular cylinder having an open lower part.
A passage S2 that allows the neck of the bottle B to pass therethrough is formed between 7a and 97b along the longitudinal direction. Both bottom wall pieces 9
7a and 97b are separated to such an extent that the lower surface of the flange F of the bottle B located in the passage S2 can be locked. The base frame 92 is operatively connected to a lifting motor 100 fixed to the upper surface of the second machine frame W2 via a plurality of chains 98 and sprocket wheels 99. Therefore, the base frame 92 moves between the raised position ε1 and the lowered position ε2 shown in FIG. Note that, in FIG. 11, the ascending position ε1 and the descending position ε2 indicate positions on the upper surface of the suspension member 97.

The ascending position ε1 is set so that the upper surfaces of the bottom wall pieces 97a and 97b of the respective hanging members 97 and the upper surfaces of the neck hangers 48 of the metering section 31 are substantially at the same height. This is a position where the lower-supported bottle B does not interfere with a traveling frame 151 of the constrained conveyance device 16 described later. The descending position ε2 is a position where the body of the bottle B for one stage of the pallet suspended and supported by each suspending member 97 can be pressed from all directions by the constraint transport device 16 described later.

Note that L1 to L10 and R1 to R1 shown in FIG.
R10 indicates the center line of the hanging rod 95 and the hanging member 97 when the space between the rows of bottles B is enlarged by the below-described line adjusting mechanism 81, and coincides with the center lines of the passages S1.

(Aligning and Extruding Mechanism) As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the aligning and extruding mechanism 82 includes a pair of pulleys 111a and 111b disposed above the inter-row adjusting mechanism 81 and a winding between the pair of pulleys 111a and 111b. It has a turned timing belt 112. A plate-like first connecting member 113 formed to extend in the X direction is detachably connected to the lower portion of the timing belt 112. A second connecting member 115 operatively connected to a driving mechanism (not shown) is detachably connected to the opposite side of the inter-row adjusting mechanism 81 in the Y direction. As shown in FIG. 13, both connecting members 113, 1
15, the first regulating member 116 and the second regulating member 1
17 are provided at intervals of a predetermined interval. The projecting length of the first regulating member 116 is set longer than the second regulating member 117 by the radius of the bottle B. Also, the first regulating member 116 and the second regulating member 117 of one connecting member 113 and the second regulating member 1 of the other connecting member 115
17 and the first regulating member 116 are opposed to each other so as to be staggered.

As shown in FIG.
a, 111b are operatively connected to a drive motor (not shown) fixed to the second machine frame W2, and the first connection member 113 is moved to the retreat position # 1, shown in FIG. It moves between the alignment position # 2 and the extrusion position # 3. The retracted position # 1 is set by the first restricting member 116 and the second restricting member 117 of the first connecting member 113 to each of the suspension members 9.
7 is a position that does not interfere with the bottle B suspended and supported. The alignment position # 2 is such that the leading ends of the first regulating member 116 and the second regulating member 117 of the first connecting member 113 are
7 is a position in contact with the body of the bottle B suspended and supported. The pushing position # 3 is a position where the distal ends of the first regulating member 116 and the second regulating member 117 of the first connecting member 113 come into contact with the body of the bottle B suspended and supported by the metering section 31.

By the operation of the drive mechanism, the second connecting member 115 moves between the retracted position η1 and the alignment standby position η2 shown in FIG. The retracted position η1 is determined by the second connecting member 115 and both regulating members 116 of the connecting member 115,
Reference numeral 117 denotes a position that does not interfere with the bottle B suspended and supported by each suspension member 97. The alignment standby position η2 is such that both the regulating members 116 and 117 of the second connecting member 115 are
At a predetermined distance from the body of the bottle B located on the side farthest from the Y direction among the bottles B suspended and supported. Therefore, the first connecting member 113 is positioned at the alignment position # 2.
When the second connecting member 115 is moved from the retracted position # 1 to the aligned position # 2 in the state of the above, the bottle B row suspended and supported by the respective suspending members 97 becomes the two regulating members 116 of the both coupling members 113 and 115. , 117 from the Y direction side and the opposite Y direction side, and are arranged in a staggered manner.

(Row Adjustment Mechanism) As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the row adjustment mechanism 81 is a pair of beam members 121 that are cantilevered on the inner surface of the central portion of the base frame 92 so as to be horizontal. It has. Rail 1 on the upper surface of both beams 121
A connecting cross member 124 extending in the X direction is slidably provided via the slider 22 and the slider 123. Wing plate 12 fixed to both lower surfaces of both connecting cross members 124
A pair of drive shafts 126 operatively connected to a servomotor (not shown) are supported on the upper surface of the pair 5 in a mutually parallel and rotatable manner. A plurality of pulleys 127 having different diameters fixed to both ends of each drive shaft 126, respectively, and a free pulley 128 provided on the upper surface of the wing plate 125 on the opposite side so as to correspond to each pulley 127, respectively. Are mounted with a timing belt 129, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 9, each timing belt 1
The ascending portion 129a of 29, that is, the portion that moves in the X direction when the drive shaft 126 rotates forward is connected to the upper surface of one suspension rod 95 indicated by the center lines R1 to R10. Further, the descending portion 129b of each timing belt 129, that is, the portion that moves in the anti-X direction when the drive shaft 126 rotates forward is connected to the lower surface of one hanging rod 95 indicated by the center lines L1 to L10. Therefore, each suspension member 97 moves between the pitch wide position κ1 and the pitch narrow position κ2 shown in FIG. 7 by the forward / reverse rotation drive of the servo motor.

As shown in FIG. 7, the pitch wide position κ1
Are the center line O of each passage S1 and the center lines R1 to R10,
L1 to L10 coincide with each other, and a position where the bottle B suspended and supported by each suspension member 97 is separated from the bottle B suspended and supported by each other adjacent suspension member 97. In the narrow pitch width position κ2, the centers between the rows of the bottles B for one stage coincide with the center lines R1 to R10 and L1 to L10, and the bottles B suspended and supported by the suspension members 97 are adjacent to each other. This position is in contact with the bottle B suspended and supported by another suspended member 97. In FIG. 7, for convenience of explanation, the suspension members 97 indicated by the center lines L1 to L10 are in the narrow pitch width position κ2, and the suspension members 97 indicated by the center lines R1 to R10 are in the wide pitch position κ1.
Is shown.

(Elevating Guide Mechanism) As shown in FIG.
The elevating guide mechanism 83 includes a guide base frame 131 provided so as to be able to move up and down with respect to the machine frame Wd. On the guide base frame 131, the same number of guide members 132 as the number of bottle rows for one pallet extend along the Y direction,
They are spaced apart from each other in the X direction. Each guide member 132 is composed of a pair of side plates 132a having the same length as the length of each of the hanging members 97 in the Y direction, and a bottom plate 132b connecting the both side plates 132a at a lower portion. Further, each guide member 132 is arranged so as to correspond to each suspension member 97 at the pitch wide position κ1 (see FIG. 7).

The guide base frame 131 is operatively connected to a guide member lifting / lowering device 133 composed of a working cylinder or the like disposed below the guide base frame 131.
By the operation of 33, the guide base frame 131 moves between the guide raising position μ1 and the guide lowering position μ2 shown in FIG. The guide ascending position μ1 is a position where the lower part of the bottle B suspended and supported by the suspending member 97 at the ascending position ε1 can be inserted between the side plates 132a. The guide lowering position μ2 is a position where each guide member 132 does not interfere with a traveling frame 151 described later. (Restricted Transporting Device) As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the restricted transporting device 16 includes a moving mechanism 141 and an aligning mechanism 142. The aligning mechanism 142 is provided in the moving mechanism 141. In FIG. 14, the alignment mechanism 142 is omitted for convenience of explanation.

(Movement Mechanism) As shown in FIG. 14, the movement mechanism 141 has a traveling frame 151 having a rectangular frame shape, and the traveling frame 151 is located above the second and third machine frames W2, W3. It is provided so as to be able to reciprocate in the Y direction and the counter Y direction along a running rail 152 and a rail guide 153 erected therebetween. The traveling frame 151 is operatively connected to a drive motor 156 (see FIG. 15) fixed to an upper portion of the second machine frame W2 via a plurality of pulleys 154 and a timing belt 155. Due to the rotation, the first constraint position ν1 shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG.
The second restraining position ν as a stacking / separating part shown by a solid line in FIG.
Move between 2.

The first constraint position ν1 is the pitch narrow position κ.
2 is a position where the one-stage bottle B suspended and supported by the suspension member 97 can enter the traveling frame 151 from above. The second restraint position ν2 is a position where the traveling frame 151 is above the pallet P or the uppermost bottle B group in the pallet lifting device 17 described later. Note that the first constraint position ν1
And the second restraint position ν2 indicates the position of the side surface of the traveling frame 151 on the side opposite to the Y direction in FIG.

(Alignment Mechanism) As shown in FIG. 15, the alignment mechanism 142 has four movable frames 161 arranged in a lattice so as not to interfere with each other. Each movable frame 161 is driven by an air cylinder 162 fixedly mounted on the traveling frame body 151 to the bottle B for one stage suspended and supported by each suspension member 97 at the pitch narrow position κ2. It is provided so as to be movable in directions approaching and separating from four sides.

Each movable frame 161 is provided with a long pressing member 164 which can be moved in a direction approaching and separating from one side of the bottle B in four directions by the operation of the air cylinder 163. . A plurality of regulating recesses 164a are formed at predetermined intervals on the bottle-side side surface of each pressing member 164 over the entire length thereof. Each regulating recess 164
“a” corresponds to the size of the bottles B to be aligned, and has a size and a shape that allow the bottle rows to be staggered with each other when the pressing members 164 are activated.

Therefore, when each of the pressing members 164 is pressed and moved toward the one-stage bottle group B by the operation of the air cylinder 163, the regulating recess 1 of each of the pressing members 164 is moved.
64a and the restriction recess 164a, the bottle B
Are staggered. In the case of a bottle B having a square shape such as a square cross section, it is not necessary to perform staggered alignment. Therefore, the bottles B are aligned only by operating the movable frames 161 without operating the pressing members 164. (Pallet Elevating Device) As shown in FIG. 16, the pallet elevating device 17 places an empty pallet P or a pallet P stacked in a predetermined number of stages, and activates a third machine by operating an elevating mechanism (not shown). An elevating table 171 that can move up and down with respect to the frame W3 is provided. The pallet elevating device 17 lowers the elevating table 171 each time one group of bottles B is stacked on the empty pallet P or the uppermost group of bottles B.
Each time the pallet lifting device 17 discharges the uppermost group of bottles B stacked on the pallet P, the lifting table 171 is moved.
And a known configuration that always keeps the topmost bottle B group at a fixed height. (Operation of the Embodiment) Next, the operation of the stacking and separating device 11 configured as described above will be described. At the time of normal production, the processing capacity of the manufacturing plant and the filling plant is balanced, and the bottle B manufactured in the manufacturing plant is directly conveyed to the filling plant by the conveyer 12, so that the stacking and unstacking device is used. 11 will not be activated. When the filling plant is stopped for some reason, when the manufacturing plant is stopped, or when the processing capacity between the two plants is not balanced, the stacking and sharing device 11 is operated. In the following, the stacking / separating device 11 in each of the above cases is described.
The operation of will be described.

(When the filling plant is stopped) First, the operation of the stacking / unstacking / combining device 11 when the manufacturing plant is stopped for some reason will be described.

(1-1) In this case, the bottle B manufactured in the manufacturing plant is supplied into the first transport mechanism 21 by the movement switching of the switching member 24a of the container switching and branching device 23a. At this time, the metering unit 31 is at the receiving standby position α1 shown in FIG. 7, and the opening / closing stopper 30 is open. Therefore, the bottle B transported by the first transport mechanism 21 enters the opposing first-row passage S <b> 1 of the quantitative unit 31.

(1-2) When the same number of bottles B as the preset count value enter the passage S1, the standby position β
1 is moved toward the stop position β2 at a constant speed slightly lower than the speed at which the bottle B is conveyed. When the bottle B catches up and comes into contact with the stopper piece 56, the stopper piece 56 starts to decelerate at a predetermined acceleration and stops at the stop position β2. At this time, one row of bottles B are carried in the first row of passages S1, and each bottle B is suspended and supported by the neck hanger 48. The opening / closing stopper 30 is closed again when one row of bottles B is carried into each passage S1. Therefore, one row of bottles B is reliably cut out.

(1-3) Thereafter, the quantification unit 31 sets
Each time one row of bottles B is carried into one passage S1, it is moved in the X direction in FIG. Then, the opening and closing stopper 30 is opened and the operation (1-2) is performed, and the bottle B is supplied into the opposed passage S1. That is, one row of bottles B are carried in a suspended state into each passage S1 of the metering unit 31 in order from the first row.

The operations (1-2) and (1-3) are as follows.
The process is repeated until the bottles B for one stage, that is, all of the passages S1 in the first to twentieth rows are loaded into the metering unit 31. The bottle B is not carried into the passage S1 in the 21st row.

(1-4) When the bottle B is carried into all of the passages S1 in the first to twentieth rows, the quantification unit 31
Is located at the extrusion standby position α2 shown in FIG. Also,
At this time, the deceleration stopper mechanism 32 corresponds to the passage S1 in the 21st row. Therefore, the deceleration stopper mechanism 3
The second stopper piece 56 does not interfere with the bottles B in the passages S1 in the first to twentieth rows.

(1-5) Next, the two drive motors 66
By the drive of a and 66b, each extruding member 65 is moved from the standby position γ1 in FIG. 4 to the post-operation position γ2, and accordingly, the one-stage bottle B group suspended and supported by the quantitative unit 31 is Each row is simultaneously pushed out to the Y direction side in FIG. When the discharge of the bottle B in the metering section 31 is completed, the pushing members 65 are returned from the post-operation position γ2 shown in FIG. 4 to the standby position γ1 by the reverse rotation of the drive motors 66a and 66b. Further, the fixed amount section 31 is returned from the extrusion standby position α2 shown in FIG. 7 to the receiving standby position α1. At this time, the base frame 92 of the suspension mechanism 80 is
1 is at the ascending position ε1.

(1-6) The one-stage bottle group B extruded by each of the extrusion members 65 smoothly moves in the row S2 of the suspension member 97 of the suspension mechanism 80 in row units.
It is suspended and supported by the bottom wall pieces 97a and 97b. At this time, the first connecting member 113 of the aligning and extruding mechanism 82 is
The bottle B group which is located at the alignment position # 2 shown in FIG. 2 and has been carried in the respective passages S2 in a row unit has a body portion of each bottle B located closest to the Y direction, and the body of each bottle B is the first regulating member 116.
12 by contacting the second regulating member 117.
Is restricted in the Y direction. The guide base frame 131 of the elevating guide mechanism 83 is located at the guide raising position μ1 shown in FIG. 11, and the lower part of the bottle B being carried in is guided by the pair of side plates 132a, 132a. For this reason, wobble at the lower part of the bottle B during loading is prevented.

(1-7) Next, in a state where the bottle B group for one stage is suspended and supported by the suspension members 97,
The operation of the drive mechanism (not shown) causes the aligning and pushing mechanism 8 to move.
The second connecting member 115 is moved from the retracted position η1 to the alignment standby position η2. Then, the bottle group in the suspended state is moved by the two regulating members 116 and 117 of the first connecting member 113 and the two regulating members 116 and 117 of the second connecting member 115, respectively, in a row unit in the Y direction in FIG. Y
It is sandwiched from the direction side. As a result, each row of bottles B is moved in the Y direction and the opposite Y direction by the radius of the bottle B, and
They are arranged in a staggered manner in the Y direction and the anti-Y direction.

When the rectangular cylindrical bottles B are transported in a line, it is not necessary to stagger the bottles B that are suspended and supported by the suspension members 97. Therefore, instead of the first and second connecting members 113 and 115 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, another first and second connecting member 118 shown in FIG.
a, 118b are attached in advance. A plurality of regulating members 119 having the same protruding length are separated from each other in the first and second connecting members 118a and 118b in the X direction. Accordingly, the rectangular cylindrical bottle group B suspended and supported by each suspension member 97 is aligned in a state where the rows are aligned by being sandwiched between the regulation members 119 from the Y direction side and the opposite Y direction side. You.

(1-8) After the zigzag alignment is completed, the first connecting member 113 is moved from the alignment position # 2 shown in FIG. 12 to the retracted position # 1, and the second connecting member 115 is
2 is moved from the alignment waiting position η2 to the retreat position η1. Therefore, each component of the aligning and pushing mechanism 82 does not interfere with the bottle B group suspended and supported by each suspension member 97. Further, the guide base frame 131 of the elevating guide mechanism 83 is moved from the guide raising position μ1 shown in FIG. 11 to the guide lowering position μ2.

(1-9) Next, the suspension members 97 are moved from the wide pitch position κ1 to the narrow pitch position κ2 shown in FIG. 7 by the operation of the servo motor of the inter-row adjusting mechanism 81. Then, the intervals between the hanging members 97 in the X direction and the anti-X direction are reduced, and the bottles B suspended and supported by the hanging members 97 adjacent to each other come into contact with each other. That is, the bottles B are densely arranged so that they can be placed on the pallet P. At this time, the traveling frame 151 is at the first constraint position ν1 shown in FIG.

(1-10) Next, the base frame 92 is moved by the driving of the lifting motor 100 of the suspension mechanism 80 as shown in FIG.
Is moved from the ascending position ε1 to the descending position ε2.
At this time, the one-stage bottle B group suspended and supported by each suspension member 97 is inside the 151, that is, each movable frame 1
It is located in the space surrounded by 61.

(1-11) Next, each movable frame 1 is actuated by the operation of each air cylinder 162 of the restrained transfer device 16.
61 is moved in a direction approaching from all sides with respect to the bottle B group for one stage in the suspended state, and stopped at a position separated by a predetermined distance from the outer periphery of the bottle B group. In this state, the air cylinder 163 is operated, and each pressing member 164 is operated.
Presses the one-stage bottle B group in the suspended state from all sides.
For this reason, the bottles B are collectively restrained in a state where they are aligned and held in a staggered manner.

In the case of a rectangular cylindrical bottle B, it is not necessary to arrange the groups of bottles B suspended and supported by the suspension members 97 in a staggered manner. Only the cylinder 162 is operated. That is, the bottle B group is pressed from all directions by each movable frame 161,
Aligned with the matrix aligned.

(1-12) Next, the driving motor 156 is driven in a state where the bottles B for one stage are staggered and held by the movable frames 161 in a staggered manner, and the traveling frame 1
51 moves from the first constraint position ν1 shown in FIGS. 14 and 16 to the second constraint position ν2. As a result, the bottle B group for one stage is transported together with the traveling frame 151 to the Y direction side shown in FIG. At this time, the pallet lifting device 17
An empty pallet P supplied from an external empty pallet supply device (not shown) is supplied to
The elevating platform 171 has been raised to a height at which one group of bottles B can be placed on the empty pallet P.

(1-13) Next, with the traveling frame 151 in the second restraint position ν2 shown in FIG. 16, the cylinder rod of each air cylinder 163 is contracted, and the restraint of the bottle B group is released. . As a result, the one-stage bottle group B is stacked on the pallet P or the uppermost bottle group B via the separator (not shown) supplied from the separator supply device (not shown).

(1-14) Each time one group of bottles B is stacked on the pallet P, the elevator 171 is lowered by the height of the one group of bottles B. After that, pallet P
The above operations (1-1) to (1-14) are repeated until a predetermined number of bottles B are stacked.

(1-15) When a predetermined number of bottles B are stacked on the pallet P, a top board supply device (not shown) supplies a top board (not shown) to the uppermost bottle B group. Is supplied and placed. Then, in this state, the pallet P on which the predetermined number of bottles B are stacked is carried into the storage by a pallet conveyor (not shown) and stored. Thus, even if the filling plant is stopped,
The production of the bottle B is continued in the production plant. Therefore, a reduction in the operation rates of the manufacturing plant and the filling plant is prevented.

Next, the operation when the manufacturing plant is stopped for some reason will be described. In this case, the stacking and separating device 11 basically performs the reverse operation of the above (1-1) to (1-15).

(2-1) First, a predetermined number of bottles B stored in the storage are supplied to the lifting platform 171 of the pallet lifting device 17 by the pallet conveyor. Then, the elevating platform 171 is raised so that the uppermost bottle B group is located in the traveling frame 151 at the second restraint position ν2 shown in FIG.

(2-2) Next, the uppermost bottle B group is restrained and gripped from all sides by the pressing members 164. In this state, the traveling frame 151 is moved from the second restraining position ν2 shown in FIG. It is moved to the first constraint position ν1. Then 1
The group of bottles B for the stages is located at the guide lowering position μ2 shown in FIG.
While the lower part is guided by the guide member 132 in
Each of the suspension members 97 at the descending position ε2 is suspended and supported.

(2-3) Next, the restraint of the bottle B group by each pressing member 164 is released, and each suspending member 97 is
1 is moved from the lowering position ε2 shown in FIG. The guide base frame 131 is moved from the guide lowering position μ2 shown in FIG. 11 to the guide raising position μ1.

(2-4) Next, with the second connecting member 115 of the aligning and pushing mechanism 82 at the retracted position η1 shown in FIG. 12, the first connecting member 113 is moved from the retracted position # 1 to the pushing position # 3. You. As a result, the bottle B group suspended and supported by each suspending member 97 is arranged in units of rows and the extrusion standby position α2
Are pushed out in a zigzag manner into each passage S1 of the fixed amount section 31 and are suspended and supported by each neck hanger 48.

(2-5) Next, the drive of the drive motor 45 moves the quantitative unit 31 from the extrusion standby position α2 shown in FIG. 7 to the discharge start position α3. At this time, the path S1 in the first row is located on the Y direction side of the second transport mechanism 22. In this state, the drive of the motor 74 moves the contact member 75 from the discharge standby position δ1 shown in FIG. 8 to the discharge completion position δ2. As a result, a group of bottles B for one row in the first row of passages S <b> 1 smoothly moves into the second transport mechanism 22. At this time, the container switching merging device 23b on the filling plant side has been switched to the second transfer mechanism 22 side, and the bottles B discharged into the second transfer mechanism 22 are suspended in a single row to the filling plant. Conveyed.

(2-6) Thereafter, the quantification unit 31 sets
Each time the bottle B in one of the passages S1 is discharged, the bottle B is moved in the X direction in FIG. 7, and the passages S1 in the second, third,... 2 transport mechanism 2
2, the bottle B in the opposed passage S1
Are sequentially discharged by the container discharge mechanism 34. When the bottle B in the passage S1 in the twentieth row is discharged, the metering unit 31 is moved from the discharge completion position α4 shown in FIG. 7 to the extrusion standby position α2.

Thereafter, the operations (2-1) to (2-6) are repeated until a predetermined number of bottle groups on the pallet P are disassembled. As described above, even when the manufacturing plant is stopped, the filling operation is continued in the filling plant. Therefore, a reduction in the operation rates of the manufacturing plant and the filling plant is prevented.

(When there is a difference in processing capacity between the two plants) Next, a case where the processing capacity between the manufacturing plant and the filling plant is not balanced will be described. As such a case, for example, when the number of bottles B manufactured in the manufacturing plant is larger than the number of bottles B processed in the filling plant, or when the number of bottles B manufactured in the manufacturing plant is There may be a case where the number of bottles B is smaller than the number of bottles B processed in the plant.

When the number of bottles B manufactured in the manufacturing plant is larger than the number of bottles B processed in the filling plant, the operations of (1-1) to (1-15) are used to calculate the overflow amount. Bottles B are stacked on a pallet P and stored in a storage. If the number of bottles B manufactured in the manufacturing plant is smaller than the number of bottles B processed in the filling plant, the above (2-
By the operations of 1) to (2-6), the group of bottles B stacked in a predetermined number of stages stored in the storage is separated and supplied to the filling plant. In this way, a balance between the processing capacity of both the manufacturing and filling plants is ensured.

In the case where it becomes necessary to discharge the bottle B from the identified quantity unit 31 to the filling plant side during the supply of the bottle B from the manufacturing plant to the quantification unit 31, the above (2-5) By the same operation as in (2) and (2-6), the suspended and supported bottles B are extruded into the second transport mechanism 22 in order from the first row. When the bottle B needs to be discharged to the filling plant side during the supply of the bottle B to each of the hanging members 97, the same operation as in the above (2-3) to (2-6) is performed. Then, the bottle B is pushed out into the second transport mechanism 22. In the case where it becomes necessary to discharge the bottle B to the filling plant side during the stacking of the group of bottles B on the pallet P in the pallet lifting device 17, the above-mentioned (2-2) is used.
By the same operation as in (2-6), the bottle B is pushed out into the second transport mechanism 22.

As described above, the stacking and separating device 1
1 is a first mode in which the bottles B are aligned and transported in the Y direction and stacked on the pallet P, and a second mode in which the stacked bottles B are separated and the bottles B are aligned and transported in the opposite Y direction.
Mode can be selectively switched.
(Effects of Embodiment) Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) The stacking operation and unstacking operation of the bottle B can be executed by the single stacking and unifying device 11. For this reason, unlike the conventional case where two devices, that is, a stacking device and a destacking device, are arranged in the same factory, only the installation space for one stacking and decoupling device 11 needs to be secured. . Therefore, space saving in a factory can be achieved, and equipment costs can be reduced.

(2) The bottle B is conveyed to the Y direction side in a suspended state by the operation of the first conveying mechanism 21 and the extruding mechanism 33 at the time of stacking. By the operation, the bottle B is conveyed in the suspended state in the direction opposite to the Y direction. That is, bottle B
Is transported in a suspended state by a flange F formed on the neck. Therefore, the bottle B can be stably conveyed without the possibility of the inverted bottle being conveyed.

(3) The aligning and extruding mechanism 82 is configured so as to perform the opposite operations when stacking and unstacking. That is, at the time of stacking, the cylindrical bottles B for one stage of the pallet suspended and supported by the suspension members 97 are arranged in a staggered manner in the row direction. Alternatively, a group of square cylindrical bottles B for one stage of a pallet are arranged in a matrix. On the other hand, at the time of unloading, the bottles B of one pallet suspended and supported by the suspension members 97 are simultaneously pushed out to the quantitative unit 31 side. That is, the stop of the transport of the bottle B in the Y direction and the transport in the opposite Y direction are performed by the single aligning and pushing mechanism 82. For this reason, it is not necessary to separately provide devices for performing the above two operations, and the configuration of the stacking / separating device 11 can be simplified.

(4) Position each suspension member 97 at the pitch wide position κ
1 and the pitch width narrow position κ2. For this reason, each hanging member 97 can receive the bottle B group pushed out from the fixed amount part 31 having a different arrangement pattern and the bottle B group for one pallet supplied from the storage, respectively. That is, each suspension member 97
The row spacing of the bottles B suspended and supported by is adjusted, and the bottles B are aligned in a predetermined arrangement pattern. Therefore, reception and delivery of the bottle B group can be performed in accordance with the arrangement pattern of the bottles B at the time of stacking and unstacking.

(5) The constrained conveying device 16 is configured so that the bottle B group suspended and supported by each suspending member 97 is collectively grasped from all directions and conveyed to the pallet elevating device 17 side during stacking. did. Further, at the time of separating, the uppermost bottle B group among the bottles B stacked in a predetermined number supplied from the storage is collectively gripped from all sides and transported to each hanging member 97 side. The constrained conveyance device 16 was configured. Therefore, unlike the case where the bottles B are conveyed, for example, one row at a time, the bottles B can be conveyed at a high speed. That is, the processing capacity of bottle B conveyance is improved.

(6) The transport device 13, the alignment guide device 14, and the container aligning and transporting device for aligning and transporting the bottle B
The pattern forming device 15 and the constrained conveying device 16 are configured so that the bottle B can be conveyed in any of the Y direction and the anti-Y direction. Therefore, the bottle B can be transported in two different directions, that is, reversibly. Also,
It is possible to cope with both the stacking and unstacking of the bottle B.

(7) By switching the transport route of bottle B by the container switching / branching device 23a, the bottle B transported by the transport conveyor 12 reaches the vacuum conveyor 26 via the air conditioner conveyor 25a and reaches the quantitative unit 31. Supplied. Further, by switching the transport path of the bottle B by the container switching / merging device 23b, the bottle B pushed out from the quantitative unit 31 by the container discharge mechanism 34 is transferred to the air-conditioner conveyor 25b and discharged to the transport conveyor 12. . For this reason, the delivery of the bottle B can be performed between the transport conveyor 12 and the metering unit 31.

(8) In the container aligning and transporting apparatus, that is, the aligning guide device 14 and the pattern forming apparatus 15, etc., a suspension system in which the bottles B are aligned and transported in a suspended state is employed.
For this reason, even if the transport speed of the bottle B is increased, the bottle B does not fall down and can be transported stably. Further, reversible transport of the bottle B is also possible. Therefore, the ability of the container aligning and transporting apparatus to align and transport the bottles B is improved. As described above, the container aligning and conveying device (the aligning guide device 14 and the pattern forming device 15
) Is used for the stacking / separating device 11, so that the stacking / separating processing capability of the dual-purpose device 11 is also improved.

(9) If the number of bottles B processed in the manufacturing plant is greater than the number of bottles B processed in the filling plant, the bottle B was stacked on the pallet P and stored in the storage. Further, when the production plant is stopped or when the number of bottles B to be processed in the production plant is smaller than the number of bottles B to be processed in the filling plant, for example, the bottle B
If you need to supply the bottle B
The group was separated and fed to a filling plant.
Therefore, even if one of the plants is stopped during the operation of the manufacturing plant and the filling plant, the processing of the bottle B can be continuously performed in the other plant without stopping the other plant. Then, when the stopped plant recovers, the processing of the bottle B is performed again between the manufacturing plant and the filling plant. Further, it is possible to cope with a case where there is a difference in the processing capacity of the bottle B between the two plants.

(10) Each time the metering unit 31 moves in a direction orthogonal to each passage S1, a bottle B is placed in each passage S1.
Were sequentially supplied, and each bottle B was suspended and supported by a flange F formed on the neck. The bottle B group suspended and supported by the metering unit 31 was discharged from the metering unit 31 in rows by the extrusion mechanism 33 or the container discharging mechanism 34. That is, the bottle B is supplied to the fixed amount section 31 in a suspended state and discharged from the fixed amount section 31 in a suspended state. Therefore, it is possible to cope with both the stacking and unstacking of the bottles B.

(11) When it becomes necessary to discharge the bottle B to the filling plant side during the stacking of the group of bottles B on the pallet P in the pallet lifting device 17, the bottle B is transferred to the second transport mechanism 22. Through the filling plant. That is, it is possible to quickly switch from the stacking operation to the unstacking operation. For this reason, even if the supply of the bottle B from the manufacturing plant to the filling plant is stopped, the bottle B that is being stacked is quickly supplied to the filling plant. Therefore, a decrease in the operation rate of the filling plant is prevented.

The above embodiment may be modified as follows. -As shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG.
The transport mechanism 21 is close to (adjacent to) the second transport mechanism 22
May be provided. For example, in a state where the fixed quantity unit 31 is at the receiving standby position α1 shown in FIG.
Is configured such that the bottle B is supplied into the first row of passages S1 from. By doing so, the passage S1 in the first row and the second passage S1
The separation distance in the X direction from the transport mechanism 22 is reduced,
In the stacking / separating device 11, switching between the stacking operation and the separating operation is quickened. That is, the first transport mechanism 2
For example, when the bottle B needs to be discharged immediately after the bottle B is supplied into the passage S1 in the first to first rows, the quantification unit 31
Is moved from the reception standby position α1 to the discharge start position α3, the moving distance of the fixed amount unit 31 is shortened, so that the bottle B can be discharged quickly.

In this embodiment, a single aligning and pushing mechanism 82 stops and aligns the group of bottles B pushed out from the metering unit 31 during stacking, and the hanging members 97 during unstacking. The group of bottles B supported by suspension is extruded all at once to the quantitative unit 31. However, the following may be adopted. That is, the stop alignment function and the extrusion function of the alignment and extrusion mechanism 82 may be performed by separate mechanisms. For example, a stopper mechanism that stops and aligns the group of bottles B pushed out from the metering unit 31 and a pusher mechanism that simultaneously pushes the group of bottles B suspended and supported by each hanging member 97 to the metering unit 31 side. Provide. Even in this case, the transport of the bottle B in the Y direction can be stopped and the transport in the opposite Y direction can be performed.

The first transport mechanism 21 and the second transport mechanism 22
May be provided in a plurality of rows, for example, two rows and three rows. By doing so, the transport amount of the bottle B increases.

[0098]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the containers are supplied to the metering section in a suspended state and discharged from the metering section in the suspended state, so that the containers can be stacked and unstacked. Both can be accommodated.

According to the invention described in claim 2, according to claim 1
In addition to the effects of the invention described in the above, the arrangement of the container group in the alignment unit and the pushing of the container group from the alignment unit to the fixed amount unit are performed by a single mechanism, so that the configuration can be simplified. .

According to the invention set forth in claim 3, according to claim 2
In addition to the effects of the invention described in (1), the row spacing of the containers suspended and supported by each suspension member can be adjusted, and the containers can be aligned in a predetermined arrangement pattern.

According to the invention described in claim 4, according to claim 3,
In addition to the effects of the invention described in (1), the containers can be transported at high speed by transporting the containers of one pallet at a time.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to transfer the container between the container transport device and the metering unit. According to the invention as set forth in claim 6, by using a container aligning and transporting device having a high container aligning and transporting capability,
It is possible to improve the processing capacity for stacking and unstacking of the container stacking and unstacking apparatus.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, even if one of the manufacturing plant and the filling plant is stopped, it is not necessary to stop the remaining plants. Also, it is possible to cope with a case where there is a difference in container processing capacity between the two plants.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a stacking / unstacking device.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the stacking / unstacking device.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a deceleration stopper mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a first pushing mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a first pushing mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a main part of a first extrusion mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an alignment guide device and a pattern forming device.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a second pushing mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the suspension mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of an inter-row adjusting mechanism.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a suspension mechanism, an inter-row adjustment mechanism, and an elevating guide mechanism.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the aligning and pushing mechanism.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the aligning and pushing mechanism.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a moving mechanism.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a moving mechanism and an alignment mechanism.

FIG. 16 is a front view of a constraining conveyance device and a pallet elevating device.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of another aligning and pushing mechanism.

FIG. 18 is a rear view of the stacking / unstacking device.

FIG. 19 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional implant-type factory.

[Explanation of symbols]

11: Stacking / unstacking device, 12: Transport conveyor (container transport device), 15: Pattern forming device (alignment unit), 16: Restrained transport device, 23a: Container switching branching device, 23b: Container switching merging device, 25a ... Air-conditioner conveyor (transport and supply device), 25b ... Air-conditioner conveyor (transport and discharge device), 26 ... Vacuum conveyor (container supply device), 3
Reference Signs List 1 fixed amount section, 33 extrusion mechanism, 34 container discharge mechanism, 4
5: drive motor (drive means), 81: inter-row adjusting mechanism, 8
2. Arrangement and extrusion mechanism, 97: Suspended member, B: Plastic bottle (container), F: Flange (part to be grasped), P: Pallet, S1: Passage (suspended passage), Y: Bottle transport direction, v2 ... Second restraint position (stacking / unstacking part).

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Kobayashi 520 Nakasone-cho, Ogaki-shi, Gifu F-term (reference) 3F017 AA03 AA08 BA13 BA16 BA17 3F029 BA02 CA52 DA04 3F081 AA05 AA07 AA19 BA02 BA04 BC04 BD02 BD05 BD08 BD09 BD11 BD15 BD16 CC15 CC17 CE02 CE10 CE13 DA02 DA05 DA08 DB01

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of suspension passages (S1) capable of suspending and supporting a container (B) having a gripped portion (F) on a neck in a row unit at the gripped portion (F). And the container (B) suspended and supported by the forward / reverse driving of the driving means (45).
And a container (B) supplied from a container transport device (12) for transporting the containers in a row in the direction perpendicular to the column direction. ), And a container supply device (2) for sequentially supplying the container (B) each time the suspension passage (S1) of the identification amount section (31) moves and faces each other.
6) and when the container (B) group is suspended and supported by the predetermined number of suspension passages (S1), the extruding mechanism (33) that pushes out the container (B) group to the outside along the row direction at once. ), And a transport / eject device (25) connected to the quantitative unit (31).
Each time the hanging passage (S1) that supports the container (B) group is opposed to the container (B), the container (B) group of the row of the hanging passage (S1) facing the container (B) group is transferred to the transport discharge device ( 25b), and a container discharge mechanism (34) for extruding the container. The metering section (31) corresponds to each of the suspension passages (S1) from a direction opposite to the extrusion direction (anti-Y, Y) of the extrusion mechanism (33). A container aligning and conveying device capable of receiving a group of containers (B) supplied in a suspended state. 2. A container (B) group of a predetermined number of rows is suspended and supported in row units by a gripped part (F) on the container pushing direction side of the pushing mechanism (33) in the fixed amount section (31). And an aligning portion (15) for expanding / contracting the interval between the rows of containers (B) at a predetermined interval, and provided so as to be engageable with a group of containers (B) suspended and supported by the aligning portion (15). When the container (B) group is supplied from the fixed quantity section (31) to the alignment section (15), the container (B) is pushed out of the fixed quantity section (31) into the alignment section (15) by the pushing mechanism (33). When the container (B) group is stopped from moving and the container (B) group is discharged from the alignment section (15) to the quantification section (31), the container suspended and supported by the alignment section (15) ( The container alignment according to claim 1, further comprising: an alignment extrusion mechanism (82) for extruding the group (B) toward the fixed amount section (31). Feeding apparatus. 3. The alignment section (15) includes a plurality of suspension members (97) capable of suspending and supporting a predetermined number of rows of containers (B) in rows by a gripped portion (F). An inter-row adjusting mechanism (81) for moving and adjusting the distance between the suspension members (97) in a predetermined range in a wide and narrow manner; and a pallet (P) set downstream of the alignment section (15). A stacking / separating unit (ν2) that allows stacking of the container (B) group; an inter-row adjusting mechanism (81) that aligns the container (B) group from the quantification unit (31); Department (1
When the container (B) group suspended and supported by the fixed amount section (31) is transferred to each suspension member (97), the space between the suspension members (97) can be smoothly transferred to each suspension member (97). Expand,
Further, when transferring the containers (B) from the aligning section (15) to the stacking / unstacking section (ν2) and transferring the containers (B) from the pallet (P) to the aligning section (15), the load of the handling container is 3. The container aligning / conveying device according to claim 2, wherein the distance between the hanging members (97) is reduced to correspond to the figure. 4. When transferring a group of containers (B) suspended and supported by the alignment section (15) to the outside, the containers (B)
The group is collectively restrained from the outer periphery, and the container (B) group is separated from the alignment section (15), transferred to the stacking / separating section (ν2), and stacked on the pallet (P). When supplying the predetermined number of containers (B) group to the alignment unit (15), the uppermost container (B) group is collectively restrained from the outer periphery and transferred to the alignment unit (15). (B) A constrained conveyance device (1) that suspends and supports the group at the alignment section (15).
The container aligning and conveying device according to claim 3, further comprising (6). 5. A container (B) which is connected to the container transport device (12) so as to be branched and which is transported by the container transport device (12) to reach the container supply device (26). And the container (B) pushed out by the container discharge mechanism (34) is connected to the container supply device (25a), which is connected to the container supply device (12). Arranged so that
A container (B) provided at a branch portion of the container discharge device (25b) for discharging the container (B) to the container transfer device (12) and the container supply device (12) and the transfer supply device (25a); A container switching / branching device (23a) for switching the transfer path between the container transfer device (12) and the transfer supply device (25a); and a merge of the transfer discharge device (25b) and the container transfer device (12). The container switching and merging device (23b) provided in the section and configured to switch a transport path of the container (B) between the transport and discharge device (25b) and the container transport device (12). Container alignment transfer device. 6. The container (B) group is grouped in a predetermined row to form one stage, and each time the container (B) group for one stage is stacked on the pallet (P), the same pallet (P) is placed on the pallet (P). The function of lowering the container (B) group into a predetermined number of stages and the function of raising the pallet (P) each time the container (B) group stacked in the predetermined number of stages is disassembled one by one. An apparatus for stacking and unstacking containers, the apparatus having a function of stacking and unstacking groups, wherein the apparatus for stacking and unstacking containers is provided with the container aligning and conveying device according to claim 1. 7. A container (B) manufactured in a manufacturing plant.
Transport device (12) for transporting the products in a row to the filling plant
In the process, the containers (B) are stacked on the pallet (P) in an aligned state, and the containers (B) group stacked on the pallet (P) are arranged in a row. (11) is provided, and the downstream side of the dual-purpose device (11) of the container transport device (12) is stopped, or the number of processed containers (B) in the manufacturing plant is larger than the number of processed containers (B) in the filling plant. In many cases, the container (B) is supplied to the dual-purpose device (11) by switching the transport path of the container (B) by the container switching / branching device (23a) provided on the container transport device (12). The container (B) is stacked on the pallet (P) by the function of the stacking device, and the production plant is stopped or the number of containers (B) processed in the production plant is reduced by the container (B) in the filling plant.
When it is necessary to supply the containers (B) on the filling plant side, for example, when the number of the containers (B) is less than the number of processes to be performed, the container (B) group on the pallet (P) is unloaded by the function as the step-down device A container aligning / transporting method in which the containers (B) are discharged to the container transporting device (12) and supplied to a filling plant by arranging the containers (B) in a row and switching the transporting route of the containers by a container switching / merging device.