JP2002154643A - Picking device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a picking device 57 capable of concurrently picking multiple columns of articles in the unit of a column, improving the picking capability of articles 1, and easily coping with the picking of many kinds of articles 1. SOLUTION: A plurality of picking means 58 are provided in parallel so that articles 1 can be picked in the unit of a column. Each picking means 58 is provided with clamp units 59, a moving means moving the clamp units 59 between an aligning position 35 where articles 1 are aligned in multiple columns and a transfer position 56 where the articles 1 delivered from the aligning position 35 are transferred, and a reciprocating means reciprocating the clamp units 59 against the articles 1. Multiple columns of articles 1 are picked in the unit of a column, the picking capability of the articles 1 can be improved, and the picking of many kinds of articles 1 can easily be coped with by setting the moving means and the reciprocating means of the picking means 58.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cutting device for cutting out articles arranged in a plurality of rows in units of rows.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when storing or transporting various containers such as plastic bottles such as PET bottles, bottle cans, and bottles, for example, a plurality of containers are arranged in a plurality of rows to form an aligned state. The aligned containers are stacked on a pallet in a plurality of stages. Then, when using the containers stacked on the pallet, after lowering the containers one by one from the pallet, the containers arranged in a plurality of rows are cut out one by one in a row unit using a cutting device, Conveyed to the post-process.

A cutting device is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H8-3451.
As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 6 (1994), a clamp unit for detachably clamping a neck portion of a container is provided, and this clamp unit is circularly moved in a vertical plane between an alignment position and a transfer position of the container by a parallel link mechanism. It reciprocates in an arc-like trajectory. Then, the containers arranged in a plurality of rows are transported to the alignment position by the first conveyor, the clamp unit is swung to the alignment position, and the necks of the containers in one row are clamped by the clamp bodies on both sides of the clamp unit, The parallel link mechanism moves the clamp unit toward the transfer position so as to draw an arc-shaped trajectory in the vertical plane, thereby moving one row of containers from the aligned position and moving the container on the second conveyor at the transfer position. After the transfer, the clamps on one row of containers by the clamp bodies on both sides of the clamp unit are released, and the second
A single row of containers transferred by the conveyor is carried out, and containers arranged in a plurality of rows are sequentially cut out one by one by the reciprocating swing of the clamp unit.

In this cutting device, the clamp unit is moved by a parallel link mechanism so as to draw an arc-shaped trajectory in a vertical plane. Therefore, the clamp unit is placed on the neck portion of the container at the aligned position. When removing the clamp unit from the neck of the container at the time of transfer or the transfer position,
In order to avoid interference with the neck of the container, it is necessary to largely release the clamp of the clamp unit on both sides.

[0005]

However, the conventional cutting device has a problem in that the containers are cut out only one row at a time, and the cutting ability of the containers is low.

In addition, since the clamp unit is swung by a parallel link mechanism so as to draw an arc-shaped trajectory in a vertical plane, the clamp unit can be placed on the neck portion of the container at the aligned position when the clamp unit is moved. When removing the clamp unit from the neck of the container at the loading position, it is necessary to largely release the clamps on both sides of the clamp unit to both sides to avoid interference with the neck of the container, and open and close the clamps on both sides Since the mechanism to be further extended to both sides and is large in both directions, even if two clamp units are arranged in parallel and used, for example, the pitch between these clamp units is aligned in a plurality of rows at the alignment position. It is structurally difficult to cut out two rows of containers at the same time, one row at a time, larger than the row pitch of the Can not only cut out, there is a cutting capacity of the container is low problem.

In the structure in which the clamp unit is cut out by swinging, the container is transferred from an oblique direction with respect to the transfer position. Therefore, there is a problem that the container is likely to fall when the clamp is released. In order to prevent the container from falling over, it is necessary to slow down the moving speed of the clamp unit during transfer, or to stop the transfer unit until the container stabilizes after transferring, and the transfer efficiency of the clamp unit is reduced. And there is a problem that the cutting ability of the container is reduced.

Further, in the structure in which the clamp unit is swung and cut out, when processing containers of different sizes and types, the parallel link mechanism itself and the relationship between the alignment position and the transfer position are considered as a whole. And there is a problem that it is not easy to cope with cutting out a variety of containers.

The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and it is possible to simultaneously cut out a plurality of rows of articles in row units, improve the cutting ability of the articles, and easily cope with the cutting of various kinds of articles. An object is to provide a cutting device.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cutting apparatus, comprising: a clamp unit for detachably clamping a plurality of aligned articles; an advancing / retracting means for advancing / retreating the clamp unit with respect to the articles; Moving means for moving the clamp unit between an alignment position where the articles are aligned via the means and a transfer position for transferring the articles cut out from the aligned position, and independently moving the articles in row units It is provided with a plurality of cutting means arranged in parallel so as to be able to cut out.

In the cutting means, the clamp unit is caused to enter the article at the aligned position by the advancing / retracting means, the article is clamped in row units by the clamp unit, and the clamp unit and the article are retracted from the aligned position by the advancing / retreating means. The clamp unit is moved to the transfer position by the moving means, the clamp unit and the article are moved into the transfer position by the reciprocating means, the clamp by the clamp unit is released, and the article is transferred to the transfer position. By using a plurality of cutting means and arranging the plurality of cutting means independently so that articles can be cut out in row units, a plurality of rows of articles can be cut out in row units at the same time, thereby cutting the articles. The output capability is improved, and it is possible to easily cope with the cutting of various types of articles by setting the moving means and the retreating means of the cutting means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the cutting apparatus according to the first aspect, when the articles are transferred at the transfer position, the plurality of cutting means are arranged in parallel at a pitch at the aligned position. The pitch is wider than the pitch at the time of cutting, and the pitch is increased to separate the rows of the articles cut by the respective cutting means.

The pitch at which the plurality of cutting means are arranged in parallel when transferring the articles at the transfer position is wider than the pitch at which the articles are cut at the aligned position, and the articles cut by the respective cutting means. For example, articles arranged in a zigzag pattern can be cut out in a row-by-row state by widening the pitch to separate the rows.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the cutting apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the clamp unit is provided with a base which is long in the row direction of the articles, and extends along the longitudinal direction of the base. A slider which is provided along the longitudinal direction of the base and moves the slider, a clamp body which is opened and closed under the base and which detachably clamps articles in row units, and a slider for moving the slider. It has an interlocking mechanism that opens and closes the clamp bodies in conjunction with each other.

The clamp unit is provided with a slider and a clamp drive section along the longitudinal direction of the long base along the row direction of the articles, and the clamp bodies are connected to each other via an interlocking mechanism interlocked with the movement of the slider. By adopting the structure to open and close, the width of the clamp unit, that is, the width in the direction in which the plurality of cutting means are juxtaposed, is reduced, and the juxtaposed pitch of the judging means is reduced, so that it can be used for articles with a small alignment pitch Make it possible.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the cutting device according to the third aspect, the clamp driving section is provided with a screw shaft rotatably provided along the longitudinal direction of the base, and along the longitudinal direction of the base. And a servomotor for rotating the screw shaft.

Since the clamp drive unit has a screw shaft and a servomotor for rotating the screw shaft along the longitudinal direction of the base, the width of the clamp drive unit, that is, the width of the clamp unit is reduced. In addition, the opening / closing amount of the clamp body can be controlled by the servomotor, so that it is possible to easily cope with clamping of various kinds of articles.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the extracting device according to the third or fourth aspect, wherein the number of the extracting means is two, and the clamp body of each of the extracting means is biased toward the other extracting means. It is arranged in the position where it was.

Since the two cutting means are provided and the clamps of the respective cutting means are arranged at positions offset toward the other cutting means, the pitch of the clamps of the two cutting means is increased. Is small, and it is possible to cope with an article having a small arrangement pitch.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the cutting apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein a servo motor is used for driving the moving means and the moving means.

By using a servomotor for driving the moving means and the moving means, it is possible to easily cope with cutting out various kinds of articles.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the cutting apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the article is a container having a container body and a neck portion, and the clamp unit is provided with a neck portion of the container. And a portion of the container body near the neck.

When the article is a container having a container body and a neck portion, the clamp unit clamps the neck portion of the container and the portion of the container body near the neck portion, thereby preventing the container from swaying during movement. To stabilize the container and prevent the container from falling down during transfer.

[0024]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 14 shows a configuration diagram of a depalletizer to which the cutting device is applied. Articles handled by the depalletizer are as follows.
As shown in FIG. 10, for example, a container 1 such as a plastic bottle including a plastic bottle for beverages,
A container body 2 having a bottom, and an opening 3 provided on an upper portion of the container body 2 and opened and closed by a cap (not shown);
The neck portion 3 is formed with a neck portion 4 protruding in a ring shape around the mouth portion.

In the depalletizer, a plurality of containers 1 are stacked on a pallet (not shown) in a state of being assembled in a plurality of rows, and are stacked on a plurality of stages alternately through separate sheets (not shown) to form a real pallet. Upon receiving the supply, the containers are separated from the pallet one by one, cut out one by one in rows, and sent to the post-processing step in one row.

As shown in FIG. 14, the depalletizer receives the actual pallet and carries it to the shelving position 11, and removes the topmost separate sheet on the real pallet carried to the shelving position 11 to remove the sheet. Stacker
A sheet removing means 14 to be accommodated in the container 13; an unloading means 16 for unloading the uppermost container 1 on the actual pallet at the separating position 11 to an unloading position 15; unloading of all containers 1 and separate sheets Empty pallet stacker 17 for receiving and storing empty pallets after completion of loading, supply conveyor 18 for loading and transporting one stage of containers 1 unloaded at loading / unloading position 15, alignment state from supply conveyor 18 And a cut-out mechanism 19 that receives the containers 1 and cuts them out one by one in a row unit, and a single-row conveyor 20 that transfers the containers 1 cut out from the cut-out mechanism 19 to the post-processing step in a single row.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a cutting mechanism 19, which is provided with a feeding direction A of the supply conveyor 18.
Is located downstream. The supply conveyor 18 has a conveyor frame 25 and an endless body 26 such as an endless belt that is rotatably stretched along the conveyor frame 25, and the unloading position 15 is placed on the endless body 26. In FIG. 5, a plurality of containers 1 for one stage are placed, and the plurality of containers 1 for one stage are moved toward the downstream direction change position 27 in the transport direction A while maintaining the aligned state by the rotation of the endless body 26. Conveyed.

The cutout mechanism 19 has a main body frame 31 installed on a floor or the like. Inside the main body frame 31, one end is provided with a downstream side in the transport direction A of the supply conveyor 18 to enter. A transport direction B orthogonal to the transport direction A of the supply conveyor 18 from one end side of the main body frame 31 to the other end side.
An alignment conveyor 32 is provided as a transport means for transporting the container 1 placed thereon. The alignment conveyor 32 includes a conveyor frame 33 and an endless body 34 such as an endless belt that is rotatably stretched along the conveyor frame 33.
A plurality of containers 1 for one stage to be transferred from the supply conveyor 18 are placed on the endless body 34, and the plurality of containers 1 are kept aligned by the rotation of the endless body 34 in the transport direction. It is conveyed toward the alignment position 35 on the downstream side of B. The containers 1 transported in the transport direction B by the alignment conveyor 32 are arranged in a plurality of rows along the transport direction B.
When the peripheral shape is not a square such as a circle or a hexagon, the containers 1 in adjacent rows are arranged in a staggered manner with a half pitch shift in the width direction intersecting the transport direction B.

The main body frame 31 has a supply conveyor.
A transfer means 38 for transferring a plurality of containers 1 for one stage from the direction changing position 27 on the alignment conveyor 32 is provided. The transfer unit 38 has a moving unit 39 that moves along the transport direction B between the direction changing position 27 of the supply conveyor 18 and the alignment conveyor 32 with respect to the main body frame 31. A cylinder 40 is provided, and a hand 41 that is moved up and down by driving the cylinder 40 is attached to the cylinder 40. The hand 41 has a base 42 supported by a cylinder 40. Plates 43, 44 for holding a plurality of containers 1 for one stage are arranged at four positions of the base 42, and the plates 43, 44 oppose each other. Is driven to open and close. Then, when transferring a plurality of containers 1 for one stage from the supply conveyor 18 to the alignment conveyor 32, the direction changing position 27 on the supply conveyor 18 with the hand 41 retracted upward.
A plurality of containers 1 for one stage are conveyed, and the four plates 43 and 44 enter the four sides of the plurality of containers 1 for one stage by lowering the hand 41, and the four plates 43 and 44 are closed. Holding the plurality of containers 1 for one stage,
Then, the plurality of containers 1 for one stage are transferred onto the alignment conveyor 32 together with the hand 41, and the four plates 43 and 44 are opened to raise the hand 41.

The alignment conveyor 32 includes an alignment conveyor.
Arrangement means 47 for arranging the containers 1 conveyed at 32 in a plurality of rows based on the front row in the transport direction B is provided. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the aligning means 47 is provided with a stopper 4 disposed at an end in the transport direction B on the aligning conveyor 32.
8. At the end of the conveying direction B on the alignment conveyor 32, the conveying direction B
And movable side guides 49 disposed on both sides intersecting with. The stopper 48 allows the container 1 in the front row to stop at a predetermined stop position, that is, the alignment position 35 when the stopper 48 is advanced, so that the container 1 can advance upstream and retreat downstream in the transport direction B. The side guides 49 on both sides can advance inward and outward in the alignment conveyor 32, and position the containers 1 in the row direction when advancement. A fixed side guide 50 for guiding the aligned containers 1 to the alignment position 35 is disposed upstream of each side guide 49.

As shown in FIG. 10, the alignment means 47 has a detection means 51 for detecting the alignment state of the containers 1 aligned at the alignment position 35 by the stopper 48 and the side guide 49.
The detecting means 51 detects the alignment state of the containers 1 in the front row and the second row. An optical sensor of a light projecting and receiving type having a light projector 52a and a light receiver 52b arranged on both sides of the alignment conveyor 32 is used. The mouth 3 of the container body 2 of each row of containers 1 used
The detection light 53 passes on both sides of the shoulder portion continuously reduced in diameter, and it is detected that the detection light 53 is normally aligned in the projection state,
It is detected that an alignment error has occurred while the detection light 53 is blocked. When the alignment error is detected by the detection means 51, the stopper 48 and the side guide 49 are respectively retracted, and then the transport direction B of the container 1 by the alignment conveyor 32.
Stopper 48 and side guide 49 along with the transfer operation to
Have the function to be advanced and realigned respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the main body frame 31 has a plurality of rows of containers 1 from the front row aligned at the alignment position 35 of the alignment conveyor 32.
A cutting device 57 for cutting out the containers 1 in a row and transferring the containers to a transfer position 56 adjacent to the downstream end of the alignment conveyor 32 is provided. The cutting devices 57 are independently provided for the containers 1
Are arranged side by side along the transport direction B so that
There is a cutting unit 58 as one cutting means. Each cutting unit 58 includes a clamp unit 59 for detachably clamping a row of containers 1, a moving unit 60 for moving the clamp unit 59 between the alignment position 35 and the transfer position 56,
And an advancing / retracting means 61 for advancing / retreating the clamp unit 59 with respect to the container 1, that is, elevating / lowering.

The moving means 60 of each cutting unit 58 is movable with respect to a guide table 64 arranged along the transport direction B on both sides of the main body frame 31 intersecting the transport direction B, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, a frame 65 is provided which moves in the transport direction B between the guide tables 64 on both sides. A screw shaft 66 is rotatably disposed in each guide table 64, and a servo motor 67 for rotating each screw shaft 66 is disposed at an end of each guide table 64. A timing pulley 68 is attached to the drive shaft of each servo motor 67, and a screw shaft
A timing pulley 69 is attached to 66, and a timing belt 70 for transmitting a rotational driving force to these timing pulleys 68, 69 is stretched. The one screw shaft 66 is connected to a mount 65 of one cutting unit 58 via a screw member (not shown), and the other screw shaft 66 is connected to the other cutting unit via a screw member (not shown). Each of the cutout units 58 is independently movable by being driven by each servo motor 67.

The retreating means 61 of each cutting unit 58 is
65 has a guide portion 73 attached along the vertical direction to the surfaces facing each other, and a lift portion 74 is attached to the guide portion 73 so as to be able to move up and down in the vertical direction. Unit 59 is attached. A screw shaft (not shown) is provided in the guide portion 73 along the vertical direction, and a servo motor 75 for rotating and driving the screw shaft is provided above the guide portion 73.

A flexible cover 78 accommodating a cable for supplying power to the cutting unit 58 is provided between each guide base 64 and each gantry 65, and between each gantry 65 and the elevating unit 74. Is provided with a flexible cover 79 accommodating a cable for supplying power to the clamp unit 59.

The clamp unit 59 of each cutting unit 58
Has a base 82 formed in a long plate shape along the row direction of the container 1 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and a plurality of mounting members 83 The mounting plate 84 is mounted on the elevating section 74 of the moving means 61.

A plurality of guide rails 85 and 86 are disposed on the upper surface of the base 82 along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, and each of the slide members 87 and 88 is arranged along each of the guide rails 85 and 86.
Are slidably engaged, and each of these slide members 87,
The support members 89 and 90 are attached to the support member 88.
A pair of clamp plates 91, 92 as a clamp body for detachably clamping the container 1 is supported by 9, 90.

Each of the support members 89, 90 is provided with a slide member 87, 88.
Connecting portions 93 and 94 attached to the base plate and a clamp plate suspended from the connecting portions 93 and 94 on the sides of the base 82.
Clamp plate mounting parts 95 and 96 to which 91 and 92 are mounted
have. One of the support members 89 on the side adjacent to each of the clamp units 59 is formed in a substantially L-shaped cross section by the connecting portion 93 and the clamp plate mounting portion 95, and the side opposite to the side adjacent to each of the clamp units 59 The other support member 90 has a substantially L-shaped cross section in which the tip of the clamp plate mounting portion 96 approaches the one support member 89 side through the lower side of the base 82, and has a connecting portion 94 and a clamp plate mounting portion 96. And has a substantially U-shaped cross section. Therefore, a pair of clamp plates under the base 82
91 and 92 are disposed opposite to each other, and are disposed at positions offset from the center of the base 82 toward the other clamp unit 59 adjacent to the center of the base 82. The pitch between the centers of the clamp plates 91 and 92 of both clamp units 59 is provided. Can be matched with the alignment pitch of the containers 1 to be aligned in a plurality of rows on the alignment conveyor 32.

On the opposing surfaces of the clamp plates 91 and 92, the mouth part 3, the neck part 4 and the part of the container body 2 near the neck part 4 can be integrally clamped, for example, rubber or urethane. A contact member 97 made of an elastic material is attached. Each clamp plate 91,
92 is detachably attached to each of the support members 89 and 90 by bolts 98.

On the base 82, there is provided a slider 99 which moves in the longitudinal direction of the base 82. The slider 99 has slide plates 100 at both ends in the longitudinal direction and a connecting member 101 connected between the slide plates 100,
Guide rails 102 are provided on the base 82 along the longitudinal direction of the base 82 corresponding to the positions of the slide plates 100, and a slide member 103 slidably engaged along each of the guide rails 102 includes a slide plate. Attached to 100.

On the base 82, a clamp drive 104 for moving the slider 99 is provided along the longitudinal direction of the base 82. This clamp driving unit 104 is a servo motor 105
The servo motor 105 has a base 82 and a mounting plate 84
The servomotor 105 is supported so that the axial direction thereof is along the longitudinal direction of the base 82 by a fixing member 106 attached between the base 82 and the servomotor 105. The drive shaft of the servo motor 105 has a base 82
A screw shaft 108 rotatably disposed along the longitudinal direction of the base 82 is connected by a bearing 107 attached to the base member 82. A screw member 109 is screwed to the screw shaft 108, and the screw member 109
Are connected to the connecting member 101 of the slider 99.

Between the slider 99 and the support members 89, 90, the clamp plates 91,
An interlocking mechanism 110 is provided to open and close the 92s in conjunction with each other. In this interlocking mechanism 110, one end of a pair of levers 111, 112 is rotatably supported by a shaft 113 on a slider 99, and the other end of each of the levers 111, 112 is connected to a support member 89, 90.
Are rotatably connected to the connecting portions 93 and 94 by shafts 114 and 115.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12,
Transfer position adjacent to the end of the alignment conveyor 32 in the transport direction B
In the column 56, a plurality of rows for receiving the two rows of containers 1 cut by the cutting device 57 one by one, in this embodiment, two rows of receiving lanes 118 are provided. These receiving lanes 118 are wider than the alignment pitch of the containers 1 aligned on the alignment conveyor 32, and are arranged at a pitch in which two rows of containers 1 are separated from each other.
A placing section 119 on which a row of containers 1 cut by each of the clamp units 59 of the cutting device 57 is placed in a long shape along the row direction.
And a lane guide 12 for positioning and guiding both lower sides of the container 1 placed on the placing portion 119 on both sides of the placing portion 119.
0 and 121 are provided. The mounting portion 119 and the lane guides 120 and 121 are disposed on a plurality of support portions 122,
These support portions 122 are provided on a frame 123 whose height is adjusted.

Guide rails 124 are provided on each support portion 122 along a lane width direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the receiving lane 118, and a slide member 125 that can slide along these guide rails 124 is provided. Lane guides 120 and 121 of each receiving lane 118 are attached so as to be movable in the lane width direction, that is, openable and closable. Lane guides on both sides 12
A plurality of opening / closing interlocking mechanisms 126 are connected to 0 and 121, and the opening and closing interlocking mechanisms 126 cause the lane guides 120 and 121 on both sides to open and close with respect to the center of the receiving lane 118. Lane guides 120 on one side of each receiving lane 118,
And the other side of the lane guide 121
20a and 121a are connected to each other, and the opening and closing movements of the lane guides 120 and 121 of both the receiving lanes 118 are linked. A lane guide drive unit 12 using a servo motor as a drive source is provided between the support units 122.
The guide lane 121 is connected to a moving unit 128 that is moved in the lane width direction by the lane guide driving unit 127. Therefore, by the driving of the lane guide driving unit 127, the lane guides 120 and 121 on both sides are interlocked with the center of the receiving lane 118 via the lane guide 121 and the opening / closing interlocking mechanism 126.

Adjacent to the side of the receiving lane 118, a dispensing means 131 for dispensing the container 1 in the transport direction C along the receiving lane 118 is provided. The payout means 131 is provided in the receiving lane 11
8 and a sprocket 132 arranged rotatably with its axial direction oriented in the vertical direction corresponding to both longitudinal end positions, and a chain 1 stretched between these two end sprockets 132.
A chain guide 134 is provided between the sprockets 132 at both ends and guides the chain 133 in parallel with the receiving lane 118. The driving force from the servomotor 135 is transmitted to one sprocket 132, and the chain 133 is
In the clockwise direction of (a), the side facing the receiving lane 118 is rotated so as to move in the transport direction C. Pushing members 136 are attached to the chain 133 at two symmetrical positions.
36 is supported via a link 137 so as to always face perpendicular to the rotation direction. Each receiving lane 1 on the pusher 136
A pressing portion 138 made of a material such as rubber or urethane, which is pressed against the container 1 in the container 18, is attached. The pushing body 136 is connected to the lane guides 120, 1 of the receiving lane 118.
21 is movable along the transport direction C, and one pusher 136 is set at a position at the downstream end of the receiving lane 118 in the transport direction C as a standby position, so that the pusher 136 rotates half a turn in one payout operation. It is configured.

On the downstream side of the receiving lane 118 in the sending direction C, there are provided sending mechanisms 141 for transferring the bottom of the container 1 from the mounting portion 119 to the sending direction C. Each of these delivery mechanisms 141 includes a plurality of rollers 142 and these rollers.
The belt 143 is stretched between the belts 142, and the lower side of the portion of the belt 143 on which the container 1 is placed is supported by the guide plate 144 so that the lowering of the belt 143 is restricted. A pulley 145 is coaxially attached to one roller 142 of each delivery mechanism 141,
A transmission belt 148 is stretched between the pulley 145 and the pulley 147 attached to the drive shaft of the motor 146. The belt 143 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 1 is transported in the transport direction C.

Also, as shown in FIG.
On the downstream side of the sending direction C of 118, a transport lane 151 that receives the containers 1 paid out from each receiving lane 118 line by line and transports the containers 1 along the transport direction C is provided. Each of the transport lanes 151 includes a neck guide 152 on both sides for supporting the lower side of the neck portion 4 of the container 1 and movably supporting the container 1 in a suspended state, and a side guide for both sides for guiding both sides of the container body 2. The neck guide 152 and the side guide 153 are attached to the main body 155 of the air conditioner 154. A fan device 156 for feeding air into the internal space of the main body 155 is provided at an upper portion of the main body 155, and the air blown into the internal space of the main body 155 along both sides of the neck guide 152 is blown out in the transport direction C. No multiple nozzles are provided. The air blown from the plurality of nozzles is blown onto the container 1 in the transfer lane 151, and the container 1 is transferred in the transfer direction C.

Further, on the downstream side of the transport lane 151, there is provided a delivery means 159 for delivering the containers 1 delivered from each transport lane 151 one by one. The delivery means 159 has a row of delivery lanes 160 for receiving and transporting the containers 1 delivered from each transport lane 151 one by one, and the delivery lane 160 supports the lower side of the neck portion 4 of the container 1. The container 1 has a neck guide 161 on both sides for supporting the container 1 movably in a suspended state and a side guide 162 on both sides for guiding both sides of the container body 2. It is attached to the main body 164. A fan device 165 for feeding air into the internal space of the main body 164 is provided at an upper portion of the main body 164, and the air blown into the internal space of the main body 164 along both sides of the neck guide 161 is blown in the transport direction C. No multiple nozzles are provided. The air blown out from the plurality of nozzles is blown onto the container 1 in the delivery lane 160, and the container 1 is transported in the transport direction C, and is sent out in a row.
Sent to 20.

At the downstream end of the main body 164 in the transport direction C, a support shaft 166 whose axial direction is oriented in a vertical direction protrudes, and this support shaft 166 is mounted on a bearing portion 168 of a frame portion 167 on the main body frame 31 side.
Is rotatably supported. A slide member 170 is provided on the upper surface of the substantially middle portion of the main body 164 via a substantially L-shaped bracket 169.
The slide member 170 is attached to the frame portion 167.
It is slidably engaged with a guide rail 171 arranged in an arc shape with the bearing 168 as a fulcrum above. And
The main body 164 is connected to the transmission lane 160 by switching means (not shown).
The end of the upstream side in the conveying direction C faces the end of one of the transfer lanes 151 and receives the container 1, and the end of the other transfer lane 151 receives and receives the container 1. Is done. At the upstream end of the delivery lane 160 in the transport direction C, a stopper 172 that closes the end of the transport lane 151 where the end of the delivery lane 160 does not face to prevent the container 1 from jumping out is attached. .

Next, the operation of the entire palletizer having the cutting mechanism 19 will be described.

The actual pallet received by the carry-in conveyor 12 is transported to the separating position 11, the separate sheet is removed by the sheet removing means 14, and the separated pallet is stored in the sheet stacker 13. Conveyor for supplying a plurality of containers 1
The container 1 is lowered to the unloading position 15, and the supply conveyor 18 conveys the plurality of containers 1 for one stage to the direction changing position 27 in the conveying direction A.

In the cutting-out mechanism 19, a plurality of containers 1 for one stage which are conveyed to the direction changing position 27 of the supply conveyor 18 and stopped there.
Is moved in the transport direction B by the transfer means 38 to be transferred onto the alignment conveyor 32. The sorting conveyor 32 transports the transferred one-stage plurality of containers 1 to the downstream alignment position 35 in the transport direction B, and the uncut containers 1 remain on the downstream side of the sorting conveyor 32. In such a case, the containers 1 transferred to the container 1 are merged and aligned. At the alignment position 35 on the alignment conveyor 32, the alignment means 47
To align the containers 1 in a plurality of rows based on the containers 1 in the front row.

In the cutting mechanism 19, the cutting device 57 cuts out the containers 1 in the front row and the second row aligned at the alignment position 35 one by one and transfers them to the receiving lanes 118. The dispensing means 131 pays out the two rows of containers 1 in each receiving lane 118 to each transport lane 151, and transports them in the transport direction C by each transport lane 151. The sending lane 160 of the sending means 159
Facing one transport lane 151, receiving the container 1 from the transport lane 151 and sending it out to the single-row transport conveyor 20,
With the delivery lane 160 facing the other transport lane 151, the container 1 is received from the transport lane 151, and the single-row transport conveyor 2
Send to 0.

As described above, the aligning means on the aligning conveyor 32
The containers 1 in two rows aligned by 47 can be cut out and cut out one by one, and can be sequentially sent to the single-row conveyor 20.

Next, the alignment operation by the alignment means 47 will be described.

First, the case where the container 1 is properly aligned will be described. As shown in FIG. 8A, the stoppers 48 are advanced to the upstream side in the transport direction B, and are aligned in a plurality of rows based on the frontmost containers 1 with the side guides 49 closed.
In this aligned state, as shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b), when the detection light 53 of the detecting means 51 for detecting the aligned state of the containers 1 in the front row and the second row is in the light emitting state, it is normal. The alignment is detected, and the cutting operation by the cutting device 57 is permitted.

As shown in FIG. 8 (b), when the containers 1 in the front row and the second row are cut out by the
48 is retracted to the downstream side in the transport direction B, and after cutting out, as shown in FIG. 8C, the stopper 48 is moved forward and the container 1 is sent in the transport direction B by the alignment conveyor 32.
The containers 1 in the front row are aligned in a plurality of rows based on the reference.

A case where the alignment of the containers 1 is abnormal will be described. As shown in FIG. 9A, the stoppers 48 are advanced to the upstream side in the transport direction B, and are aligned in a plurality of rows based on the containers 1 in the front row in a state where the side guides 49 are closed.
In this alignment state, as shown in FIGS. 10C and 10D, if any one of the detection lights 53 of the detection means 51 for detecting the alignment state of the containers 1 in the front row and the second row is in a light-shielding state. ,
When it is detected that an alignment error has occurred, the extracting operation by the extracting device 57 is prohibited, and the realigning operation is executed.

In the rearrangement operation, as shown in FIG.
After the stopper 48 is retracted to the downstream side in the transport direction B, the side guide 49 is opened, and the alignment is released once. Then, as shown in FIG. 9C, the stopper 48 is advanced and the side guide 49 is closed. Further, the containers 1 are sent in the transport direction B by the alignment conveyor 32, and are aligned based on the containers 1 in the front row. Even after performing the re-alignment operation, if the detection means 51 detects an alignment abnormality, the same re-alignment operation is repeated,
Repeat several times until alignment is successful. Typically, by repeating the realignment operation several times, at least the front row and 2
In many cases, the containers 1 in the rows are normally aligned.

Next, the cutting operation by the cutting device 57 will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the clamp plates 91 and 92 of each clamp unit 59 are moved above the containers 1 in the front row and the second row at the alignment position 35 of the alignment conveyor 32. The clamp plate 91 of the clamp unit 59,
Adjust the pitch between the centers of the 92 to the alignment pitch of the container 1.

As shown in FIG. 1B, each clamp unit 59 is lowered, and the clamp plates 91 and 92 of each clamp unit 59 are advanced to both sides near the neck 4 of the containers 1 in each row.

As shown in FIG. 1C, the clamp plates 91 and 92 of each clamp unit 59 are closed, and the neck 4 of the container 1 is clamped. At this time, the mouth part 3, the neck part 4, and the part of the container body 2 near the neck part 4 of the container 1 are integrally clamped.

As shown in FIG. 1D, the stopper 48 is retracted to the downstream side in the transport direction B, each clamp unit 59 is raised, and the container 1 is moved together with these clamp units 59 by one.
Cut out the rows at once. Each clamp unit 59 is moved in the transport direction B while being raised.

As shown in FIG. 2E, the pitch between the centers of the clamp plates 91 and 92 of both clamp units 59 is adjusted to the pitch of both receiving lanes 118, and
Each row of containers 1 clamped to
Move it up.

As shown in FIG. 2 (f), each clamp unit 59 is lowered, and the lower part of each row of containers 1 is moved to each receiving lane 11
8 and is placed on the placement section 119. At this time, the lane guides 120 and 121 on both sides of each of the receiving lanes 118 are open, so that the lower part of the container 1 can reliably enter into each of the receiving lanes 118.

As shown in FIG. 2 (g), the lane guides 120 and 121 on both sides of each receiving lane 118 are closed to hold both lower portions of the container 1, and the clamp plate 9 of each clamp unit 59 is held.
Open 1,92 and release the clamp on container 1.

As shown in FIG. 2 (h), each clamp unit 59 is raised, and the discharging means 131 collectively discharges the containers 1 in the respective receiving lanes 118 to the transport lane 151 on the downstream side.

As shown in FIG. 1A, each clamp unit 59 is moved above the alignment position 35, and the next cutting operation is performed.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16,
Since the cutout units 58 of the cutout device 57 can be operated independently of each other, only one cutout unit 58 on the downstream side in the transport direction B is cut out, and the other cutout unit 58 is moved to the alignment position 35. Can be retracted and stopped. Thereby, for example, according to the type of the container 1, etc.
It is possible to cope with a case where the container 1 cannot be cut out at the same time in a row or a case where the cut-out amount of the container 1 is adjusted according to the situation in the post-processing step.

As described above, a plurality of rows of containers 1 from the front row to be aligned by the aligning means 47 are clamped one by one by the plurality of clamp units 59 of the cutting device 57, and cut out from the alignment conveyor 32. Since the rows are delivered one by one to the plurality of rows of the receiving lanes 118 and the containers 1 to be paid out from the receiving lanes 118 are sent out one by one, the container 1 has a high cutting ability and the containers 1 can be reliably cut out one by one. Since the processing is performed for each row, it is possible to easily cope with the cutting of containers 1 of various kinds.

Further, among the plurality of clamp units 59 operated independently by the cutting device 57, the clamp unit 59 operated according to the number of cut rows of the container 1 can be switched, so that various kinds of containers can be switched. 1 can be easily handled.

Further, when the detecting means 51 detects an abnormal alignment of the containers 1 in the aligning means 47, the stopper 48 and the side guides 49 are respectively retracted, and then the containers 1 are moved in the transport direction B by the aligning conveyor 32. Since the stopper 48 and the side guide 49 are respectively advanced and realigned with the transport operation, the containers 1 can be normally aligned even if the containers 1 are disturbed.

Further, in each receiving lane 118, the cutting device 5
One row of containers 1 cut out by 7 clamp units 59
Lane guides 12 arranged on both sides of the loading section 119 on which the
0 and 121, when the container 1 is transferred to the mounting portion 119, expands and contracts after the transfer and guides both sides of the container 1, so that the container 1 can be received easily and reliably. It is possible to reliably guide the dispensing of the containers 1 in one row.

Further, each clamp unit of the cutting device 57
Since 59 clamps the neck 4 of the container 1 for one row,
A plurality of containers 1 in an aligned state are clamped to a plurality of clamp units.
It can be easily clamped with 59 and cut out.

Further, a plurality of rows of transport lanes 15 for receiving and transporting the containers 1 paid out from each of the receiving lanes 118.
1, and the sending means 159 for sending out the containers 1 line by line from these transfer lanes 151, while the containers 1 are suspended and supported via the neck portion 4 of the containers 1, so that the containers 1 do not fall down and are transferred at high speed. It can process and improve payout ability.

Further, the cutting unit 58 includes a clamp unit 59, an alignment position 35 where the containers 1 are aligned in a plurality of rows, and a transfer position 56 where the containers 1 cut from the alignment position 35 are transferred. Moving means 6 to move between
0, and an advancing / retracting means 61 for advancing and retracting the clamp unit 59 with respect to the container 1. A plurality of the cutting units 58 are used. Since the plurality of containers 1 can be cut out one by one at the same time, the cutting ability of the containers 1 can be improved, and the moving means 60 and the reciprocating means 61 of the cutting unit 58 can be set. Multi-type container 1
Can easily be cut out.

Further, when the containers 1 are transferred at the transfer position 56, the pitch at which the plurality of cutting units 58 are arranged in parallel is wider than the pitch at which the containers 1 are cut at the alignment position 35, and Since the pitch of the rows of containers 1 cut out at 58 is widened so as to be separated from each other, even the containers 1 arranged in a staggered manner can be cut out in a row-by-row state.

Further, a clamp unit 59 is provided with a long base 82 along the row direction of the container 1, a slider 99 moved along the longitudinal direction of the base 82, and a slider provided along the longitudinal direction of the base 82. The clamp drive unit 104 for moving the 99, the clamp plates 91 and 92 which are opened and closed under the base 82 to clamp the container 1 detachably, and the clamp plates 91 and 92 are opened and closed with the movement of the slider 99. Since the interlocking mechanism 110 is provided, the width of the clamp unit 59, that is, the width in the direction in which the plurality of cutting units 58 are juxtaposed, can be reduced, and the juxtaposed pitch of the judging units 58 becomes smaller. It can correspond to the container 1 with a small pitch.

Further, the clamp driving section 104 is
A screw shaft 108 rotatably provided along the longitudinal direction of the
And a screw shaft 108 disposed along the longitudinal direction of the base 82.
, The width of the clamp drive unit 104, that is, the width of the clamp unit 59, can be reduced, and the opening / closing amount of the clamp plates 91, 92 can be controlled by the servo motor 105. Can be easily supported.

Further, since there are two cutout units 58 and the clamp plates 91 and 92 of each cutout unit 58 are arranged at positions offset to the other cutout unit 58 side, two cutout units 58 are provided. The pitch of the 58 clamp plates 91 and 92 can be reduced, and the container 1 having a small alignment pitch can be accommodated.

Further, since the servo motors 67 and 75 are used for driving the moving means 60 and the reciprocating means 61, a variety of containers 1
Can easily be cut out.

Further, in the case of the container 1 having the container body 2 and the neck part 4, the clamping unit 59 clamps the neck part 4 of the container 1 and the part of the container body 2 near the neck part 4, so that the container 1 The shake at the time of movement can be prevented and stabilized, and the container 1 at the time of transfer can be prevented from falling down.

In the above-described embodiment, two cut-out units 58 are juxtaposed to cut out two rows or one row of containers 1. However, three or more cut-out units 58 are juxtaposed and 3 The containers 1 in rows or more may be cut out at the same time, so that the cutting efficiency can be further improved.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, containers such as PET bottles have been described as articles, but the present invention is not limited to this. Containers such as bottles and bottles or articles other than containers may be used. Similar effects can be obtained by associating each component with the shape of the article.

The extracting device is not limited to the extracting mechanism of the depalletizer but can be applied to other extracting mechanisms, and the same operation and effect can be obtained.

[0088]

According to the cutting apparatus of the first aspect, the cutting means transfers the clamp unit, the alignment position where the articles are aligned in a plurality of rows, and the articles cut from the aligned position. A moving unit for moving the object to and from a transfer position, and an advancing / retreating unit for moving the clamp unit forward / backward with respect to the article. Can be cut out in rows, so that a plurality of rows of articles can be cut out in rows at the same time, and the cutting ability of the articles can be improved, and the setting of the moving means and the forward / backward means of the cutting means It can easily cope with cutting out various kinds of articles.

According to the cutting device of the second aspect, in addition to the effect of the cutting device of the first aspect, the pitch at which the plurality of cutting means are arranged in parallel when transferring the article at the transfer position. Is wider than the pitch at which the articles are cut out at the alignment position, and is spread at a pitch that separates the rows of the articles cut by the respective cutting means, so that, for example, the articles arranged in a staggered manner are separated in row units. Can be cut out.

According to the cutting device according to the third aspect, in addition to the effect of the cutting device according to the first or second aspect, the clamp unit is provided with a base which is long in the row direction of the articles. A slider that is moved along the longitudinal direction, a clamp drive unit that is provided along the longitudinal direction of the base and moves the slider, a clamp body that is opened and closed under the base to detachably clamp an article, and a movement of the slider , The width of the clamp unit, that is, the width in the direction in which the plurality of cutting means are juxtaposed, can be reduced, and the pitch of the judging means can be reduced. Can be reduced, and it is possible to cope with an article having a small arrangement pitch.

According to the cutting device of the fourth aspect, in addition to the effect of the cutting device of the third aspect, in addition to the effect of the clipping device,
Since it has a screw shaft rotatably provided along the longitudinal direction of the base, and a servo motor arranged along the longitudinal direction of the base and rotating the screw shaft, the width of the clamp drive unit, that is, the clamp unit The width can be reduced, and the opening / closing amount of the clamp body can be controlled by the servomotor, so that it can easily cope with clamping of various kinds of articles.

According to the cutting device according to the fifth aspect, in addition to the effect of the cutting device according to the third or fourth aspect, in addition to the two cutting means, the clamp body of each cutting means has the other cutting member. Since it is arranged at a position offset to the ejection means side, the pitch of the clamp bodies of the two cutting means can be reduced, and it is possible to cope with an article having a small arrangement pitch.

According to the cutting device according to the sixth aspect, in addition to the effect of the cutting device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, a servomotor is used for driving the advancing / retreating means and the moving means. Easy to cut out articles.

According to the cutting device according to the seventh aspect, in addition to the effect of the cutting device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, when the article is a container having a container body and a neck portion,
Since the clamp unit clamps the neck portion of the container and the portion of the container body near the neck portion, the container can be prevented from swaying during movement and stabilized, and the container can be prevented from falling down during transfer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention and explaining a cutting operation by a cutting device in the order of (a) to (d).

FIG. 2 shows a cutting operation by the cutting device following FIG.
It is explanatory drawing explaining in order of (e)-(h).

FIG. 3 shows the moving means of the cutting means of the cutting device,
(a) is a plan view, and (b) is a front view with a part omitted.

FIG. 4 shows a clamping unit of the cutting means, and (a)
Is a plan view, and (b) is a sectional view.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the same clamp unit.

FIG. 6 shows a cutting mechanism to which the above-described cutting device is applied, and (a)
Is a plan view, and (b) is a front view.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the cutting mechanism.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing an aligning means of the cutting mechanism, and explaining an aligning operation when alignment is normal in the order of (a) and (b).

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing the aligning means of the cutting mechanism, and explaining the aligning operation when the alignment is abnormal in the order of (a) and (b).

10A and 10B show detection means of the cutting mechanism, wherein FIG. 10A is a plan view when alignment is normal, FIG. 10B is a front view when alignment is normal, and FIG. FIG. 4D is a plan view, and FIG. 4D is a front view when alignment is abnormal.

FIGS. 11A and 11B show a receiving lane and a dispensing means of the cutting mechanism, wherein FIG. 11A is a plan view and FIG.

FIG. 12 is a side view in which a part of the receiving lane and the payout means is omitted.

FIGS. 13A and 13B show a transport lane and a sending means of the cutting mechanism, wherein FIG. 13A is a plan view and FIG. 13B is a front view.

FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view of a depalletizer to which the cutting mechanism is applied.

FIG. 15 shows a cutting operation for each row by the cutting device.
It is explanatory drawing explaining in order of (a)-(d).

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a row-by-row cutting operation by the cutting apparatus in the order of (e) to (h) following FIG. 15;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Container as an article 2 Container main body 4 Neck part 35 Alignment position 56 Transfer position 57 Cutting device 58 Cutting unit as a cutting means 59 Clamp unit 60 Moving means 61 Advance / retreat means 67, 75 Servo motor 82 Base 91, 92 Clamp plate as clamp body 99 Slider 104 Clamp drive 105 Servo motor 108 Screw shaft 110 Interlocking mechanism

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Seiki Takada 900 Kouchi, Noguchi-cho, Kakogawa-shi, Hyogo Prefecture F-term in Okura Transport Equipment Co., Ltd. 3F072 AA07 KA01 KA02 KD01 KD11 KD27 KD18 KE18

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A clamp unit for detachably clamping a plurality of aligned articles, forward / backward means for moving the clamp unit forward / backward relative to the articles, and an alignment position at which the articles are aligned via the forward / backward means. And a transfer means for moving the articles cut out from the aligned position to a transfer position for transferring the articles, and a plurality of cutting means arranged in parallel so that the articles can be cut out in a row unit independently of each other. A cutting device characterized by comprising: 2. A pitch at which a plurality of cutting means are arranged in parallel when transferring an article at a transfer position is wider than a pitch at which an article is cut at an aligned position, and the articles cut by each cutting means. 2. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the pitch is widened so as to separate the rows. 3. The clamp unit includes a base that is long in the row direction of the articles, a slider that moves in the longitudinal direction of the base, and a clamp that is provided in the longitudinal direction of the base and moves the slider. A drive unit, a clamp body that is opened and closed under the base and that detachably clamps articles in row units, and an interlocking mechanism that opens and closes the clamp bodies in conjunction with movement of the slider. The cutting device according to claim 1 or 2, 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the clamp driving unit has a screw shaft rotatably provided along the longitudinal direction of the base, and a servomotor disposed along the longitudinal direction of the base and rotating the screw shaft. The cutting device according to claim 3, characterized in that: 5. The cutting means according to claim 3, wherein the number of the cutting means is two, and the clamp body of each cutting means is disposed at a position offset toward the other cutting means. Cutting device. 6. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein a servomotor is used for driving the moving means and the moving means. 7. The article is a container having a container body and a neck portion, wherein the clamp unit clamps the neck portion of the container and a portion of the container body near the neck portion. 6. The cutting device according to any one of 6.