JP2003081229A - Method and apparatus for automatically discharging content in pack - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and an apparatus having a simple structure for rapidly exactly discharging a content in a pack capable of conducting a series of operations from opening the pack and opening the bag to discharge the content without deteriorating the working environment and quality of the content and further capable of being easily automatized. SOLUTION: The pack 1 housing the bag 3 having the sealed content 2 in a box 4 is placed on a horizontal supporting table 5 and the upper portions of the box 4 and the bag 3 are approximately horizontally cut. After the cut upper pieces 4a and 3a of the box 4 and the bag 3 are removed, the cut opening is turned downward by rotating the remaining portion of the pack 1 to discharge the content 2 to a hopper 80 and the like.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a package in which the contents are enclosed in a bag and accommodated in the box, and the bag and the bag are opened, and the contents therein, for example, in the form of powder or granules. And method for automatically dispensing industrial raw materials, foodstuffs, etc.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When the above raw materials are shipped from a raw material manufacturer, they are filled in a large vinyl bag or the like and then packed in a corrugated cardboard box or the like to be shipped as a package to a processing factory or the like. . In a processing plant or the like, in order to supply the raw material in the package to a processing device or an automatic device for refilling into a sachet, etc., it is possible to open the box and open the bag and temporarily discharge the contents and store them in a hopper or the like. Has been done.

Conventionally, most of the above-mentioned work of dispensing the contents is done manually, but the manual work is inefficient, and a large number of heavy bags are handled, which causes considerable labor.

Therefore, various attempts have been made to automate the opening of the box and the opening of the bag. However, in these conventional automation methods and devices, the box is first opened and the bag is taken out, and then the taken-out bag is opened. , Many take out the contents,
According to this, there is a problem that the number of working steps increases and the working time is long.

In the case of cutting a box or bag,
In particular, when using a saw-toothed blade, chips such as paper and vinyl may be generated, which may become dust and deteriorate the indoor environment, or may be mixed as foreign matter in the contents. Not good for quality and hygiene control.

Further, it is difficult to completely take out the contents from the bag or box, and especially when the contents are fine powder, a part of the contents may be a corner or a fold of the bag. Etc. often remain. When the bag is a thin vinyl sheet or the like, the shape of the bag may collapse or static electricity may be generated when the contents are discharged, and the contents may remain in the bag.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, the present invention has a simple structure and performs the work from the opening of the packaging box and the bag to the dispensing of the contents. It is possible to provide an automatic method and device for automatically dispensing the contents of a package that can be quickly and reliably performed without deteriorating the work environment and the quality of the contents and can be easily automated. Has an aim.

[0008]

According to the present invention, the above problems can be solved as follows. (1) In the automatic dispensing method of the contents of the package, the package is enclosed in a bag, and the package housed in the box is placed on a horizontal support table, and the box and the inside thereof. After cutting the box and the upper part of the bag almost horizontally and removing the cut box and the upper piece of the bag, the remaining part of the package is rotated around the horizontal axis so that the cut end faces downward and the contents are To the hopper.

(2) In the above item (1), the remaining part of the package is rotated about a horizontal axis passing through substantially the center of gravity of the package.

(3) In the above item (1) or (2), the remaining portion of the package is temporarily rotated at a downwardly inclined position while being rotated upside down by rotating the remaining portion of the package around a horizontal axis. Stop.

(4) In any one of the above items (1) to (3), after the needle is pierced from the side to the lower part of the package placed on the support stand until it enters the bag, The needle, the support and the package are rotated as a unit and turned upside down.

(5) In the above item (4), the needle is provided with an air introduction hole opening at the tip thereof, and compressed air is blown into the bag through the air introduction hole at least after the package is turned over. The contents adhered to the inner surface of the bag are blown off.

(6) In an automatic dispenser for contents of a package, a support for enclosing the contents in a bag and supporting the package housed in a box, and a package placed on the support. Cutting means for cutting the upper part of the box and the bag in the body substantially horizontally, and the upper piece of the box and bag of the cut package which are arranged above the supporting table and are transferred from above the supporting table to the side. Lid removing means, rotation means for rotating the support together with the package placed on the support around the horizontal axis, and contents disposed below the support and receiving from the package. It shall be equipped with a hopper.

(7) In the above item (6), the center of rotation of the support base by the rotating means is aligned with the horizontal axis passing through substantially the center of gravity of the package mounted on the support base.

(8) In the above item (6) or (7), needles that can move back and forth toward the package are provided on both sides of the mounting portion of the package on the support base.

(9) In the above item (8), the needle is provided with an air introduction hole opening at its tip, and the air introduction hole is connected to a compressed air source via an opening / closing valve.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an embodiment of an automatic dispensing device for contents of a package according to the present invention.

In this example, the packaging body (1) is a bag made of vinyl containing the contents (2) made of instant coffee powder.
It is enclosed in (3) and is housed in a cardboard box (4). The content (2) may be powders, granules, beans, tea leaves, etc. of other food materials or industrial raw materials, and the bag (3) is
It may be made of synthetic resin, cloth or paper, etc., box (4)
May be made of paper other than cardboard, synthetic resin, or the like.

The support base (5) is for mounting the package (1) at each station described later. In this example, the support base (5) is in front of the fixed roller conveyor (6) (right side of FIG. 1). )
In addition, a movable roller conveyor (7) and a fixed roller conveyor (8) are arranged so as to be aligned in a straight line toward the front. Roller conveyor (6)
(7) and (8) are all known ones capable of transporting the placed object in both front and rear directions by driving a motor (not shown). A belt conveyor or other conveying means may be used instead of these roller conveyors (6), (7) and (8).

Along these roller conveyors (6), (7) and (8), a box cutting station (A), a lid removing station (B) (both are on the roller conveyor (6)), a contents discharging station ( C) (in the roller conveyor (7)) and the empty box processing station (D) (in the roller conveyor (8)) are formed in sequence.

Next, for each of the stations (A) to (D), the configuration and work content of the apparatus, that is, the outline of the method of the present invention will be explained.

Box cutting station (A) The box cutting station (A) is provided with a box cutting device (9). As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, box cutting device (9)
The two horizontal rods (11) (11) facing the front-back direction and the left and right sides of the upper ends of the columns (10) (10) standing on each side of the roller conveyor (6). It is provided with a frame (13) connected to each other by two horizontal rods (12) (12).

The left and right horizontal rods (11) (11) of the pedestal (13) have front and rear moving bodies (1
4) is mounted so that it can be moved in the front-rear direction by the X-axis drive means (15), and the front-rear moving body (14) has
The left-right moving body (16) is mounted so as to be moved in the left-right direction by the Y-axis driving means (17).

X-axis driving means (15) and Y-axis driving means (17)
Includes stepping motors (15a) (17a) each of which is numerically controlled, and a timing belt or chain (not shown) that can be endlessly rotated in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction by them. . Its structure is
Since the moving table in the machine tool may be the same as a known one used to move the moving table in the directions of the X axis and the Y axis which are orthogonal to each other, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

An elevating cylinder (18) is vertically penetrated through the left-right moving body (16) so that it can be moved up and down by a jack type elevating means (19). A rotary shaft (21) to which a thin disc-shaped rotary blade (20) is detachably attached is rotatably provided at the lower end portion. A pulley fixedly fitted to the upper end of the rotary shaft (21) protruding upward from the lifting cylinder (18).
(22) and the motor (2
The pulley (24) fixed to the rotating shaft of 3) has a belt (25).
The rotary shaft (21) and the rotary blade (20) are rotated in a predetermined direction by the operation of the motor (23).

On both sides of the upper surface of the roller conveyor (6) in the box cutting station (A), there are provided a pair of left and right pushers (26) (26) which advance and retreat in synchronization with each other inwardly. Also, on the left side in front of it, an air cylinder
By the operation of (27), the pusher (28) as a stop plate that advances to the center of the upper surface of the roller conveyor (6) and comes into contact with the conveyed package (1) and stops the package (1) Is provided, and the air cylinder (30) facing the left-right direction provided in the front-rear moving means (29) is operated on the left side portion which is away from the rear side by a required distance from the center of the upper surface of the roller conveyor (6). By moving to the front and rear movement means (29),
A pusher (31) is provided so as to sandwich the package (1), which is brought into contact with the front pusher (28) and stopped by being moved forward, with the pusher (28) from the front and rear.

The left and right pushers (26) (26) are constructed by incorporating a linear encoder into the air cylinder so that the amount of advance / retreat of the air cylinder can be detected.
Is formed by incorporating a linear encoder (not shown) into the air cylinder (29a) (see Fig. 5) that also faces the front-rear direction, but the timing that allows the motor to make endless rotation in the front-rear direction Belt or chain, etc.
(Not shown) may be provided so that the movement amount of the timing belt or the like can be detected by a linear encoder, a rotary encoder, or the like.

Either one of the left and right pushers 26, 26 may be a fixed stopper. Further, the driving means of each pusher (26), (28), (31) may have any structure as long as it can detect the movement amount thereof.

At the box cutting station (A), the package (1) conveyed on the roller conveyor (6) advances to the center of the upper surface of the roller conveyor (6) by the operation of the air cylinder (27). By contacting the pushed pusher (28) and stopped, the air cylinders of the left and right pushers (26) (26) are advanced in synchronization with each other,
In the center of the roller conveyor (6), pushers on the left and right
(26) Clamped by (26) and then rear pusher (31)
However, due to the operation of the air cylinder (30), the roller conveyor
After being advanced to the center of the upper surface of (6), the means for moving back and forth
When it is moved forward by the operation of (29), it is sandwiched between the front and rear pushers (28) and (31). In addition, when the roller conveyor (6) is operated, the packing body (1) is pushed by the pusher (28).
It is preferable to be stopped at an appropriate timing after being brought into contact with and stopped.

At this time, the amount of inward movement of the left and right pushers (26) (26) is detected by the linear encoder, and the information is sent to the control means (not shown). The width and position of the package (1) in the left-right direction are detected. Further, the amount of forward movement of the front-rear moving means (29) is detected by a linear encoder or the like, and the information thereof is sent to the control means, where the depth of the packing body (1) in the front-rear direction is based on the information. And the position are detected.

Based on the width, depth and position of the package (1) thus detected, the X-axis drive means (15) and Y are arranged so that the rotary blade (20) moves as follows. The shaft driving means (17) is controlled by the control means. The rotary blade (2
The height of (0) is higher than the center of gravity (G) of the package (1), and
Preliminarily adjusted by the elevating means (19) to a position lower than the space (32) above the bag (3) that may be formed in the upper part of (4) and the folded portion of the upper end of the bag (3). Keep it.

The rotary blade (20) of the circular blade is at the retracted position shown in FIG.
At (P1), the motor (23) is actuated to start rotation in the clockwise direction in FIG. 6, and then the X-axis drive means (15) and the Y-axis drive means (17) are actuated to start the cutting edge movement. The front end is a predetermined cut depth (H
1) It is moved forward to the start position (P2) that came out only forward,
Next, it is moved to the right parallel to the rear surface of the package (1),
The back of the package (1), more specifically the back of the box (4) and the bag (3)
The rear surface is cut horizontally. At this time, the bag (3) is pressed against the inner surface of the box (4) by the partial pressure of the content (2) and is in close contact with it, so that the uncut portion does not occur and the bag can be cut reliably and beautifully. To be done. (T) indicates the movement locus of the center of the rotary blade (20), that is, the rotary shaft (21).

The center of the rotary blade (20) moves rightward over the right side surface of the package (1), and the left end of the rotary blade (20) is above the right side surface of the package (1). When it reaches the position (P3) which is shifted to the left by the same depth of cut (H1), the rotary blade (20) moves
Moved forward in parallel with the right side of (1), and the package (1)
The right side of the box, that is, the right side of the box (4) and the bag (3) is cut horizontally.

Thereafter, similarly, the center of the rotary blade (20) moves forward beyond the front surface of the packaging body (1), and the rear end of the rotary blade (20) is in front of the packaging body (1). When reaching the position (P4), which is further rearward by the same cutting depth (H1), the rotary blade (20) is moved leftward in parallel with the front surface of the packaging body (1), and the box (4 ) And the front of the bag (3) are cut horizontally and the rotary blade
The center of (20) moves to the left over the left side surface of the packaging body (1), and the right end of the rotary blade (20) has the same cutting depth as the above from the left side surface of the packaging body (1) ( Only H1) to the right (P5)
When it reaches, the rotary blade (20) is moved backward in parallel with the left side surface of the package (1), and the left side surfaces of the box (4) and the bag (3) are cut horizontally.

After the center of the rotary blade (20) reaches the position (P6) in which the center of the rotary blade (20) has moved backward beyond the rear surface of the package (1), the rotary blade (2
0) is returned to the original retracted position (P1) where the motor
The operation of (23) is stopped, and the rotation of the rotary blade (20) is stopped.

When the rotary blade (20) advances along each side surface of the package (1), the rotary blade (20) always pulls out except one side of the corner of the package (1). In other words, that is, by cutting in the direction opposite to the traveling direction,
Since it enters the surface of (1), chips are hardly generated, and moreover, the rotary blade (20) does not separate from the outer peripheral surface of the package (1), and the box (4) and bag (3) Is continuously cut horizontally, which also contributes to the prevention of chips.

Further, since the rotary blade (20) is a thin disk-shaped round blade, not only is it difficult for chips to come out like saw teeth, but also the contents (2) are prevented from scattering. be able to.

When the depth of cut (H1) into the package (1) is made smaller than the radius of the rotary blade (20), as in the above-mentioned cutting method, at the corner of the package (1), If the moving direction of the rotary blade (20) is changed to a right angle, the rotary blade (20) will move to the package (1).
There is a possibility that chips will be generated at the time of completely leaving and then entering again.

FIG. 7 shows a modification of the cutting method for avoiding such a fear. In this example, in each corner portion of the package (1) (only the corner portion on the right rear portion is shown, the same applies to other corner portions),
The rotary shaft (21) of the rotary blade (20) has a line (L) (L) drawn inwardly from each side of the packing body (1) that sandwiches the corner by a cutting depth (H2). The rotary blade (20) is moved so as to draw a movement locus (T1) of a quarter arc centering on the intersection (0).

Further, in the modified example of the cutting method shown in FIG. 8, at each corner portion of the packaging body (1) (only the corner portion at the right rear portion is shown, the same applies to other corner portions). The rotary shaft (21) of the rotary blade (20) is moved so as to draw a linear movement locus (T2) parallel to the base of the isosceles triangle whose apex angle is the corner. Moving track (T
The shortest distance from 2) to the intersection (0) of the above lines (L) and (L) is
The radius (R) of the rotary blade (20) is matched.

As in these modifications, the package (1)
By cutting, the rotary blade (20) does not separate from the side surface of the package (1), and the package (1) can be smoothly cut without generating chips.

Lid Removal Station (B) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, lid removal station (B)
Is the top piece of the box (4) and bag (3) of the cut package (1)
Lid removing means (33) for transferring (4a) and (3a) from the upper side of the roller conveyor (6) to the side is provided.

This lid removing means (33) is a first for collecting the upper pieces (3a) of the bag (3) from above the lid removing station (B).
A rail (36) is provided which passes through the sorting position (34) and reaches the second sorting position (35) where the upper pieces (4a) of the box (4) are collected. rail
The traveling body (37) is mounted on the (36) so that it can travel along the rails (36), and the traveling body (37) has a substantially horizontal plate-shaped support body (38). Elevating means (39), such as an air cylinder, for raising and lowering is installed.

Two suction cups (40) (40) capable of adsorbing the upper piece (4a) of the box (4) are provided at a pair of diagonal portions on the lower surface of the support (38).
Is provided, and a pair of front and rear needles (41) (41) are attached to the front and rear parts of the center of the lower surface of the support (38) on the box (4) sucked by the suction cups (40) (40). A bag below the top of the piece (4a)
Up to the upper piece (3a) of the (3), there are provided advancing and retracting means (42) (42) consisting of a pair of air cylinders for advancing and retracting so as to pierce obliquely downward with respect to each other.

The suction cups (40) may be provided only one at the center of the lower surface of the support (38), provided at each of the four corners of the lower surface of the support (38), or provided in any desired number. You may. The number of needles (41) and advancing / retreating means (42), arrangement, orientation, etc. are, for example, three or more, which are arranged at equal intervals on the same circumference on the lower surface of the support (38), and each needle ( It can be appropriately changed such that 41) moves forward and backward toward the outside.

The rail (36), the traveling body (37) and the like form a conveying means for moving the support body (38) through the first sorting position (34) to the second sorting position (35). The transfer means, the lifting means (39), the suction cup (40), the advancing and retracting means (42), etc.
Based on information from various sensors (not shown) provided at various places such as the roller conveyor (6) and the rail (36), and a preset program, the control means Controlled to operate.

That is, when the package (1) whose upper part is cut at the box cutting station (A) is sent to the lid removing station (B) and the operation of the roller conveyor (6) is stopped, The support body (38) waiting above the lid removing station (B) is lowered by the elevating means (39), and the suction cups (40) (40) are placed on the upper piece (4a) of the box (4). Abutting on the upper surface of the box and adsorbing it, and then the advancing / retreating means (42) is actuated, the pair of needles (41) (41) are advanced toward the inside and downward of each other, and the box (4) Stick the upper piece (4a) and the upper piece (3a) of the bag (3).

Next, when the supporting member (38) is raised by the elevating means (39), the box (4) sucked by the suction cups (40) (40).
The upper piece (4a) and the upper piece (3a) of the bag (3) stabbed and held together with the needles (41) (41) are lifted together. At this time, the contents (2) may be spilled, so that it will be described below in FIG. 1 below the roller conveyor (6), particularly below the box cutting station (A) and the lid removing station (B). Hopper similar to Hopper (80)
It is preferable to provide (not shown).

In this state, after the traveling body (37) is moved from above the lid removing station (B) to the first sorting position (34), the support body (38) is lowered by the elevating means (39). Then, the retracting operation of the advancing / retreating means (42) causes the needles (41) (4
1) is pulled out from the upper piece (4a) of the box (4) and the upper piece (3a) of the bag (3), and only the upper piece (3a) of the bag (3) falls and the first sorting position ( 3
It is deposited in 4).

After that, the support body (38) is raised by the elevating means (39) as required, and then the traveling body (37) is moved from the first sorting position (34) to the second sorting position (35). After that, the support (38) is lowered by the elevating means (39) as necessary, and then the suction operation of the suction cups (40) (40) is stopped, so that the upper piece of the box (4) ( 4a) falls and is deposited at the second sorting position (35).

After the sorting work is completed in this way, the support body (38) is raised by the elevating means (39) and the traveling body (37) is returned to the position above the lid removing station (B). Then, the next packaging body (1) becomes the lid removing station (B).
Wait until it is sent to.

Contents Discharge Station (C) As shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 10 to 15, the contents discharge station (C) includes a movable roller conveyor.
Rotating frame (43) supporting (7) and this rotating frame
Rotating means (44) for rotating the (43) around a horizontal axis orthogonal to the load carrying direction of the roller conveyor (7) is provided.

The rotating means (44) comprises a fixed box (45) installed on the floor and a pair of left and right rotating discs (47) rotatably mounted on both side plates (46) (46) of the fixed box (45). ) (47) and the center of both rotating discs (47) and (47) are connected, and the right and left direction of the rectangular tubular shape that penetrates the left rotating disc (47) and opens at its left end face is Facing the rotating cylinder (48), internal gears (49) (49) provided on the inner surface of both rotating discs (47) (47), and parallel to the rotating cylinder (48) in the fixed box (45). The drive shaft (51), which is rotatably supported by the external gears (50) and (50) that mesh with the internal gears (49) and (49) at both ends, and the fixed box (45). The motor (52) that can be rotated in the forward and reverse directions and the rotation shaft (5) of the motor (52).
3) The sprocket (54) fixed to the drive shaft (51), the sprocket (55) fixed to the middle part of the drive shaft (51), the sprocket (54) (5)
It is equipped with a chain (56) hung around 5).

The rotating frame (43) is a rotating disk (47) on the left side.
Support frame (57) that extends horizontally to the left from the bottom of
And a supporting rod (58) standing upright from its free end. The roller conveyor (7) has a shorter base (7a), and a shorter rebound (7b) pivotally attached to the rear end of the base (7a) so as to be rotatable about 90 degrees about an axis extending in the left-right direction. The base part (7a) is fixed to the upper surface of the substantially central part of the support frame (57) so as to face the front-rear direction, and the splashing part (7b) is attached to the support frame (57) by a geared motor or the like. As shown by the solid line in FIG. 12, the rotating means (59) turns the rotating means (59) from a horizontal position facing the rear and continuous with the roller conveyor (6) to an upright position which also faces upward just like the imaginary line. It can be moved.

The rotary cylinder (48) and the roller conveyor (7)
The relationship between the center line of the rotary cylinder (48) and the roller conveyor
(7) It is preferable to set it so that it passes through a position close to the center of gravity of the package (1) placed on it.

At the upper end of the supporting rod (58), a square tube (6
0) is fixed so as to be located on the extension line of the rotary cylinder (48). At the right end of the square tube (60), a vertical plate-shaped contact plate (6
1) is fixed so as to coincide with the side edge of the transport surface of the roller conveyor (7).

A rodless cylinder (63) is provided in the rectangular tube (60) so that the moving piece (62) can move in the left-right direction. Needle support rods pointing in the front-back direction are provided by support pieces (66) (67) extending forward and backward and downward through elongated holes (64) (65) provided in the front-rear surface and the lower surface of the needle. (68) is supported.

A plurality of needle support rods (68) (here, three)
The hollow pointed needles (69) of the
Also, it is attached so as to extend horizontally to the right.

A downward air ejection hole (70) (see FIGS. 10 and 15) communicating with the hollow portion is formed in the lower surface of the tip of each needle (69), and the base of the needle (69). At the end, the hollow portion is connected to the air supply hose (71). The air supply hose (71) is connected to a compressed air source (not shown) via an opening / closing valve (not shown).

By the operation of the rodless cylinder (63), the moving piece (62), the supporting pieces (66) (67), the needle supporting rod (68), the needle (69), etc. are integrally advanced to the right. , The needles (69) pass through the appropriate number of window holes (72) formed in the lower part of the contact plate (61), advance onto the roller conveyor (7), and are placed on the packing. It is designed to pierce the lower part of the body (1).

A square tube (73) is slidably inserted in the left and right direction inside the rotary cylinder (48), and the left end of the square cylinder (73) protruding leftward from the rotary cylinder (48). A vertical plate-shaped pressing plate (74) is fixedly attached to this so as to face the contact plate (61).

A bracket (75) fixed to the upper surface of a rectangular tube (73) protruding leftward from the rotary cylinder (48) and a bracket fixed to the upper surface of an intermediate portion of the rotary cylinder (48) in the fixed box (45).
(76) is fixed to each end of an air cylinder (77) that passes through the left side plate (47) and faces in the left-right direction.
By the expansion and contraction operation of 7), the square tube (73) and the pressing plate (74) are integrally moved forward and backward, and the roller conveyor (7) is moved by the pressing plate (74) and the contact plate (61). The upper package (1) can be clamped and gripped from the left and right.

On the left side of the rectangular tube (73), the moving piece (78) is slid in the left-right direction by the operation of the air cylinder (79) provided on the right side of the rectangular tube (73). Is set up.

The moving piece (78) has the same supporting pieces (66) (67), the needle supporting rod (68), the three needles (69), etc. as those of the moving piece (62) on the left side. It is provided symmetrically, and similarly a square tube (73)
Long holes (64) through which the support pieces (66) (67) pass through on the front and back surfaces of
(65), and each needle (69) is provided with an air ejection hole (70), and each needle (69) is connected to the air supply hose (71).

Rodless cylinder (63) and air cylinder (7
9) and the left and right moving pieces (62) (78) that operate in synchronization with each other.
Are moved inward relative to each other, the three right needles (69) are pierced in the lower part of the pressing plate (74) in synchronization with the three left needles (69). It pierces the lower part of the package (1) through an appropriate number of window holes (72). Below the rotating frame (43) and the roller conveyor (7), a hopper (80) (see FIGS. 1 and 12) for receiving the contents (2) is provided.

Roller conveyor (7), rotating frame (43),
In the fixed box (45), etc., a sensor that detects that the package (1) has reached a predetermined position, the splashing part (7b) is located in the horizontal position, and the standing position is located. Sensor that detects the presence or absence of the pressure plate (74), the left and right needles (69), etc.
A sensor or the like (not shown) for detecting the rotation angle of 7) is provided, and the motor (52), the rotating means (59), the rod, based on the information and a preset program, etc. The control means controls the pressureless cylinder (63), the air cylinders (77), (79), etc. to operate as follows.

That is, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 12, the base portion (7a) and the splashing portion of the roller conveyor (7) are
(7b) is almost horizontal and continuous with the roller conveyor (6) and the roller conveyor (8), and the upper part of the package (1) is removed from the lid removing station (B). When the remaining portion is fed to a predetermined position, the feeding of the roller conveyor (6) is stopped and then the rotating means (59).
Thereby, the flip-up portion (7b) of the roller conveyor (7) is rotated to the standing position as shown by the imaginary line in FIG.

Next, the base portion of the roller conveyor (7)
(7a) is reversely operated, the package (1) is moved rearward, and when it comes into contact with the upright flip-up part (7b), the reverse operation of the base part (7a) is stopped. Next, the air cylinder (77) extends and the pressing plate (74) pushes the package (1) toward the contact plate (61), and the contact plate (61) and the pressing plate (74). With, the package (1) is clamped from the left and right.

Subsequently, the rodless cylinder (63) and the air cylinder (79) are simultaneously actuated to move the left and right needles (69).
However, it is pointed to the lower part of the package (1) from the left and right through the window hole (72). At this time, the needle (69) is the box (4) of the packing body (1).
And penetrates the bag (3) and is located slightly above the bottom in the bag (3). This state is shown in FIG.

Next, the rotating disk is operated by the operation of the motor (52).
(47), rotating tube (48), square tube (60) (73), rotating frame (43),
The roller conveyor (7), the package (1), etc. are integrally rotated about the rotary cylinder (48) in the counterclockwise direction in FIG.

The rotation angle is finally 180 °, but as shown by the solid line in FIG. 14, the rear surface of the box (4) in the middle forms an angle close to the repose angle of the contents (2). For example, if the content (2) is powder of instant coffee, it stops temporarily at a position of about 135 ° from the start of rotation, and almost all the content (2) in the package (1) is Hopper (80)
After an appropriate delay time of falling down, it is preferable to rotate it to a position of 180 ° facing downward as shown by an imaginary line in FIG. By doing so, the contents will fall quietly and smoothly without scattering or bouncing in the hopper (80).

After the package (1) is directed downward, as shown in FIG. 15, compressed air is inverted and positioned upward from the air ejection hole (70) at the tip of each needle (69). It blows out toward the bottom of the bag (3) and blows off the wrinkles of the bag and the content (2) remaining in the overlapping portion and drops it into the hopper (80).

As a result, the contents in the bag (3) drop completely. After that, in a reverse operation to the above, the rotary disc (47) and the like are rotated clockwise by 180 °, the packing body (1) is returned to the original upward state, and then the rodless cylinder (6
3) and the air cylinder (79) are contracted so that the left and right needles (69)
Is retracted, the air cylinder (77) is contracted, and the pressing plate (74) is retracted to its original position.
After the flipping part (7b) of the roller conveyor (7) is returned to the horizontal position by the rotating means (59), the roller conveyor
The carrying operation (7) is started, and the package (1) is carried to the empty box processing station (D).

Empty Box Processing Station (D) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 16, empty box processing station
(D) shows the rest of the box (4) and bag (3) in the package (1).
(4b) (3b) is provided with means (81) for removing empty boxes or the like for transferring the roller conveyor (8) from the side to the side.

The empty box removing means (81) is similar to the lid removing means (33) in the lid removing station (B) from above the empty box processing station (D) to the remaining portion of the bag (3). The remaining part (4b) of the box (4) is passed through the first sorting position (82) for accumulating (3b).
A rail (84) reaching the second sorting position (83) for accumulating and a traveling body mounted so as to be able to travel along the rail (84)
(85) and are provided.

On the traveling body (85), an elevating means (86) similar to the elevating means (39), a rotating means (87) composed of a geared motor or the like which can be moved up and down by the elevating means (86),
A vertical plate-shaped support body (88) that can be rotated about a horizontal axis by the rotation means (87), and a pair of upper and lower suction cups (89) (89) supported by the support body (88). Is equipped with.

The rail (84), the traveling body (85) and the like form a transport means for moving the support body (88) through the first sorting position (82) to the second sorting position (83). The conveying means, the elevating means (86), the rotating means (87), the suction cup (89), etc. are various sensors provided at various places such as the roller conveyor (8) and the rail (84) (all not shown). ), Based on the information from
It is controlled to operate as follows.

That is, the contents dispensing station
Empty package (1) with contents (2) dispensed in (C)
When the remaining part of the box is sent to the empty box processing station (D), the front surface of the remaining part (4b) of the box (4) in the package (1) is transferred to the suction cup (89) waiting in the lowered position. When the support (88) is lifted by the elevating means (86) after contacting and adsorbing and then the operation of the roller conveyor (8) being stopped, it is adsorbed by the suction cups (89) (89). The rest of the box (4) (4b)
And the remaining part (3b) of the bag (3) accommodated therein is lifted together.

In this state, the traveling body (85) is moved from above the empty box processing station (D) to the first sorting position (82), and then the support (88) is moved by the rotating means (87). When it is rotated 180 degrees, the remaining part (4b) of the box (4) is turned upside down, and the remaining part (3b) of the bag (3) contained therein drops and the first sorting position (82) Be deposited on.

After that, the traveling body (85) is moved from the first sorting position (82) to the second sorting position (83), where the suction cup (89) is placed.
The suction operation of (89) is stopped, and the remaining portion (4b) of the box (4) falls and is deposited on the second sorting position (83).

After the sorting work is completed in this way, the traveling body (85) is returned to the position above the empty box processing station (D), and the support body (88) is lowered by the elevating means (86). Then, the next package (1) becomes the empty box processing station (D).
Wait until it is sent to.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, a plurality of support bases
As (5), using a plurality of roller conveyors (6), (7) and (8), cutting the upper part of the package (1) and removing the cut upper pieces (3a) (4a), Roller conveyors (6) are used to perform the work of discharging the contents and the work of processing empty boxes, etc.
Although the steps (7) and (8) are performed at different positions, all or some of these operations may be performed at the same position.

[0083]

According to the first and sixth aspects of the present invention, since the box opening and bag opening are performed at the same time, the structure of the device can be simplified, the equipment cost can be reduced, and the box opening and bag opening of the package can be achieved. It is possible to quickly and reliably perform the work from the delivery of the contents to the contents without deteriorating the work environment and the quality of the contents, and further, easily and automatically. Further, since the box and the upper part of the bag are cut horizontally, it is possible to prevent scattering of the contents at the time of cutting, and particularly to prevent the contents from falling when cutting vertically. Further, since the bag is not taken out from the box before the contents are paid out, it is possible to prevent the generation of static electricity and adhesion of the contents due to static electricity.

According to the second and seventh aspects of the present invention, the package can be rotated with a light force, the contents can be gently dropped into the hopper, and scattering from the hopper can be prevented. .

According to the apparatus of the third aspect, the content portion can be dropped gently, and the content can be prevented from scattering.

According to the inventions of claims 4 and 8, it is possible to prevent the bag together with the contents from dropping from the box when the package is inverted.

According to the fifth and ninth aspects of the present invention, the compressed air is ejected from the air introduction hole provided at the tip of the needle to blow away the contents adhering to and remaining inside the bag, Can be reliably dropped.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway front view of the box cutting device in the box cutting station (A).

FIG. 3 is likewise a plan view.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional plan view taken along line IV-IV of FIG.

FIG. 5 is likewise a side view of the box cutting device.

FIG. 6 is also a schematic plan view showing a method of cutting a package by a box cutting device.

FIG. 7 is also a schematic plan view showing a modified example of the method of cutting the package by the box cutting device.

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing another modified example of the method of cutting the package by the box cutting device.

FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway front view of the lid removing means in the lid removing station (B).

FIG. 10 is also a partially cutaway front view of the device in the content dispensing station (C).

FIG. 11 is a partially cutaway plan view of the same.

FIG. 12 is likewise a vertical cross-sectional side view taken along the line XII-XII in FIG. 10.

13 is a partially cutaway front view of a portion similar to FIG. 10, showing a state in which the packaging body is sandwiched by the contact plate and the pressing plate and the needle is pierced.

14 is a vertical cross-sectional side view of a portion similar to FIG. 12, showing a state in which the package is rotated by a required angle from the state shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional side view of a portion similar to FIG. 13, showing a state in which the package is rotated to a position facing directly below and compressed air is ejected from the tip of the needle from the state shown in FIG. 14; .

FIG. 16 is a side view of empty box removing means in the empty box processing station (D).

[Explanation of symbols]

(1) Package (2) Contents (3) Bag (3a) Upper piece (3b) Remainder (4) Box (4a) Upper piece (4b) Remainder (5) Support stand (6) (7) (8) Roller conveyor (7a) Base part (7b) Splashing part (9) Box cutting device (10) Support (11) (12) Horizontal rod (13) Stand (14) Front-rear moving body (15) X-axis drive means (15a) Stepping motor (16) Left and right moving body (17) Y-axis drive means (17a) Stepping motor (18) Lifting tube (19) Lifting means (20) rotary blade (21) Rotation axis (22) Pulley (23) Motor (24) Pulley (25) Belt (26) Pusher (27) Air cylinder (28) Pusher (29) Means for moving back and forth (29a) Air cylinder (30) Air cylinder (31) Pusher (32) Void (33) Lid removing means (34) First sorting position (35) Second sorting position (36) Rail (37) Running body (38) Support (39) Lifting means (40) Sucker (41) Needle (42) Means of retreat (43) Rotating frame (44) Rotation means (45) Fixed box (46) Side plate (47) rotating disk (48) Rotating cylinder (49) Internal gear (50) External gear (51) Drive shaft (52) Motor (53) Rotation axis (54) (55) Sprocket (56) Chain (57) Support frame (58) Support (59) Rotation means (60) Square tube (61) Contact plate (62) Moving piece (63) Rodless cylinder (64) (65) Long hole (66) (67) Support piece (68) Needle support rod (69) needle (70) Air ejection hole (71) Air supply hose (72) Window hole (73) Square tube (74) Press plate (75) (76) Bracket (77) Air cylinder (78) Moving piece (79) Air cylinder (80) Hopper (81) Empty box removal method (82) First sorting position (83) Second sorting position (84) Rail (85) Running body (86) Lifting means (87) Rotation means (88) Support (89) Sucker (A) Box cutting station (B) Lid removal station (C) Contents delivery station (D) Empty box processing station (H1) (H2) (H3) Depth of cut (L) line (0) intersection (P1) retracted position (P2) Start position (P3) (P4) (P5) (P6) position (R) Radius of rotary blade (T) (T1) (T2) Movement locus

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A package in which the contents are enclosed in a bag and accommodated in a box is placed on a horizontal support stand, and the upper part of the box and the bag inside the box are substantially horizontal. After cutting and removing the upper pieces of the box and bag that have been cut, by rotating the remaining part of the package around the horizontal axis, the cut edge is directed downward and the contents are discharged to the hopper etc. A method of automatically dispensing the contents of the characteristic packaging body. 2. The automatic dispensing method for the contents of a package according to claim 1, wherein the remaining part of the package is rotated around a horizontal axis passing substantially through its center of gravity. 3. The remaining part of the package is temporarily stopped at a downward tilt position in the middle of vertically reversing by rotating the remaining part of the package around a horizontal axis. How to automatically pay out the contents of the stated package. 4. The lower part of the package placed on the support base,
4. The needle is pierced from the side until it enters the bag, and then the needle, the support and the packaging body are integrally rotated and turned upside down. How to automatically dispense the contents of the package. 5. The needle is provided with an air introduction hole opening at its tip, and after at least reversing the package, compressed air is ejected into the bag through the air introduction hole to adhere to the inner surface of the bag. The automatic dispensing method of the contents of the package according to claim 4, wherein the contents are blown off. 6. A support base for enclosing the contents in a bag and supporting a package housed in the box, and the box and the upper part of the bag in the package placed on the support table are substantially horizontal. A cutting means for cutting, a lid removing means which is arranged above the support table and transfers the cut upper pieces of the box and bag of the package from the upper side of the support table to the side, and the support table. A package comprising a rotating means for rotating the package around the horizontal axis together with the package placed on the package, and a hopper arranged below the support table and receiving contents falling from the package. Automatic dispensing device for contents. 7. The automatic dispensing device for contents of a package according to claim 6, wherein the center of rotation of the support by the rotating means is aligned with a horizontal axis passing through substantially the center of gravity of the package placed on the support. 8. The automatic dispensing device for the contents of a package according to claim 6 or 7, wherein needles that can move forward and backward toward the package are provided on both sides of the mounting portion of the package on the support base. 9. The automatic package contents according to claim 8, wherein the needle is provided with an air introduction hole opening at its tip, and the air introduction hole is connected to a compressed air source via an opening / closing valve. Dispensing device.