JP2003192133A - Bottle handling device, bottle handling method, palletizing device, de-palletizing device, and combination palletizing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bottle handling device that can transfer a bottle group having a predetermined stages within a short time, install it at a position lower than a floor, miniaturize the entire facility, and improve safety of work. <P>SOLUTION: The bottle handling device 8 has a suction hand 9 for sucking and hoisting one bottle group 2 to be handled in a lump, and the suction hand 9 has a storing hood 15 for covering and storing the bottle group 2. The storing hood 15 is provided with an intake port 15c in its upper part 15b, and a position regulating plate 17 for regulating upward movement of the bottle 2 is mounted to the inner surface side of the upper part 15b. The bottle handling device comprises a suction driving source 10 for depressurizing the inside of the storing hood 15 through the intake port 15c, and a movable device 12 for moving the suction hand 9 freely in longitudinal, lateral, and vertical directions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bottle handling device for collectively handling a group of bottles, a bottle handling method, and a palletizing device, a depalletizing device and a combination palletizing device using the bottle handling device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, when transporting bottles filled with drinking water or the like to a drinking water maker or the like, the bottles are preliminarily stacked on a pallet in a plurality of stages, and upper and lower stages are divided between the stages. Sheets are placed.

By the way, as a handling device for loading a plurality of stages of bottles on a pallet as described above, in the prior art, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-119.
There is one disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 451. This handling device, after arranging the bottles carried in via the transport conveyor for each row on the pallet, while holding the bottles for one row by the gripping mechanism, ascending by the transfer mechanism, horizontal movement, It is configured to be transferred by performing each descending handling operation.

However, when the bottles are arranged on the pallet one row after another and the bottles for one row are transferred, when one stage of the pallet is formed by m rows (for example, m = 20), It is necessary to repeat the operation m times. Moreover, when it is necessary to stack n bottles (for example, n = 7) on the pallet, m ×
Handling must be repeated n times (20 × 7 = 140 times in the above example), which requires a great deal of time when transferring the bottle onto the pallet.

As a countermeasure, for example, it is possible to reduce the transfer time of the bottles by simultaneously grasping not only one row but three rows or more of bottles by the grasping mechanism. However,
When these bottles are lifted by the transfer mechanism while holding three or more rows of bottles by the gripping mechanism, the bottles usually have a shape that is narrower than the bottom, so that the bottles project downward. It was difficult to handle because the intermediate bottle easily dropped.

Therefore, in order to eliminate such inconvenience and to be able to stack bottles on a pallet in a plurality of stages in a short time, conventionally, a handling device as shown in FIG. 12 has been provided.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a conventional palletizing device equipped with a bottle handling device. In this palletizing device, the bottle 2 is carried by the carrying conveyor 1 to the bottle handling device 45 installed on the work stage 44 located at a high position from the floor surface. The bottle handling device 45 grips each side around a group of bottles 2 arranged vertically and horizontally so as to form a quadrangle in a plan view by a gripping arm 46 arranged for each side, and horizontally in this state. The group of bottles 2 is slid horizontally by the moving mechanism 47 as it is, and is directly transferred onto the pallet 4 or onto the pallet 4 and the bottles 2 already stacked. Then, each time a bottle 2 for one stage is stacked by the handling device 45, the lifter 48 lowers the pallet 4 by the height of the bottle 2 for one stage, and a predetermined number of bottles 2 are stacked on the pad 4. When attached, the pad 4 is transported to another process by the transport conveyor 5.

Therefore, the bottle handling device 45 does not hold a group of bottles 2 and then pulls them up, but simply slides the number of bottles 2 for one stage of the pallet horizontally. , Bottle 2
There is no danger of accidentally dropping even if you grip the. Moreover, since the number of bottles 2 corresponding to one stage of the pallet can be transferred at one time, it is possible to significantly reduce the transfer time when the bottles 2 are stacked on the pallet 4 in a plurality of stages.

[0009]

However, as shown in FIG.
The conventional bottle handling device 45 shown in FIG.
It is necessary to lower the bottle 2 by 8. In addition, it is necessary to place the separating sheet 23 between the bottles 2 of each stage every time the bottles 2 for one stage are transferred.

To this end, a bottle handling device 45 for horizontally sliding a group of bottles 2 and a work stage 44 for installing the bottle handling device 45 are set at a predetermined height H above the floor surface (for example, from the floor surface). It becomes necessary to provide it at a position elevated by a height of 3500 mm), and accordingly, a structure for transporting the bottle 2 and the sheet 23 to a high position is required. Therefore, the size of the entire equipment becomes large, and when viewed as an actual production line, it becomes a large structure that obstructs the field of view, which is the greatest adverse effect that makes it difficult to monitor the line.

Further, since it is necessary for the worker to perform the adjustment work of the device and the countermeasures when trouble occurs at a high position,
Work in high places, falling from work stage 44 and stairs 4
There was a risk of falling from 9.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to transfer a predetermined number of bottle groups in a short time and to install the bottle group at a lower position from the floor. A bottle handling device, a bottle handling method, and a palletizing device, a depalletizing device, and a combination palletizing device, which are capable of reducing the size of the entire facility and improving work safety. And

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a bottle handling apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, in which a group of bottles to be handled are sucked and hoisted together. The suction hand has a storage hood that covers and stores the group of bottles. The storage hood has an intake port formed in the upper portion, and the bottle moves upward on the inner surface of the upper portion. A suction drive source for depressurizing the inside of the storage hood of the suction hand through the suction port, and a movable device for freely moving the suction hand in the front, rear, left, right, and up and down directions. It is characterized by that.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the bottle handling device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the position regulating plate is set to have the same size as the inner surface of the peripheral side portion of the storage hood. It is characterized in that a large number of intake holes having a diameter smaller than that of the bottle are formed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the bottle handling apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the suction hand has a sheet suction mechanism for sucking a sheet arranged on the uppermost stage of the pallet and the sheet. It is characterized in that a centering mechanism is provided for centering the position regulating plate with respect to the position regulating plate.

A bottle handling device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the bottle handling device according to any one of the first to third aspects, in which the bottle is provided on the inner surface side of the peripheral side portion of the storage hood. It is characterized in that a projection is formed to press the shoulder portion of the.

A bottle handling device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the bottle handling device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the suction hand is provided with a suction force by the suction drive source. It is characterized in that a suction mechanism for sucking the body of the bottle is provided.

A bottle handling device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the bottle handling device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the suction hand is provided with a height of a storage hood. It is characterized in that a height adjusting mechanism for changing the height according to the height is provided.

A bottle handling method according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the bottle handling apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, in which a sheet is laid on the bottom of a group of bottles to be handled. Is used to collectively store a group of bottles in a storage hood of a suction hand, and the suction drive source is used to depressurize the storage hood to suction and handle a group of bottles and sheets together. .

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a palletizing device provided with the bottle handling device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects.

A depalletizing device according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is equipped with the bottle handling device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects.

A combination palletizing device according to the invention of claim 10 is provided with the bottle handling device of any one of claims 1 to 6, and the bottle handling device has a palletizing operation and a depalletizing operation. Is to do.

[0023]

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a front view showing the overall configuration of a palletizing device equipped with a bottle handling device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a suction hand constituting the bottle handling device. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the schematic configuration of FIG. 3, and FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the suction hand.

In the palletizing apparatus according to the first embodiment, the number of bottles 2 sent via the conveyor 1 is a group of bottles 2 (hereinafter, these group of bottles 2 are bottle groups). A bottle handling device 8 is provided between a multi-row stage 3 that is multi-row-shaped (referred to as 2G) and a transport conveyor 5 that carries out a plurality of bottle groups 2G stacked on the pallet 4 in multiple stages. Each of the conveyors 1 and 5, the multi-row stage 3, and the bottle handling device 8 are installed on the same floor surface.

The above-mentioned bottle handling device 8 sucks up a group of bottles 2G corresponding to one stage of a pallet to be handled and sucks them up, and depressurizes the inside of a storage hood 15 of the suction hand 9 which will be described later. The main components are a suction drive source 10, an intake duct 11 connecting the suction hand 9 and the suction drive source 10, and a movable device 12 for freely moving the suction hand 9 in the front, rear, left, and right directions. There is.

The suction hand 9 has a storage hood 15 which is a quadrangle in plan view and stores the bottle group 2G in a covered state. This storage hood 15 has a bottle group 2G below it.
An opening portion 15a for insertion of the intake duct is formed, and an intake port 15c communicating with the intake duct 11 is formed in an upper portion 15b thereof. A shaft 16 for connecting the suction hand 9 to the movable device 12 is attached to the center of the outer surface of the upper portion 15b of the storage hood 15. Further, on the inner surface side of the upper portion 15a of the storage hood 15, a position regulating plate 17 made of stainless steel or the like for regulating the upward movement of the bottle group 2G.
Are attached by a plurality of columns 18 in a state of facing the opening 15a. Furthermore, on each side of the peripheral side portion 15d of the storage hood 15, a bottle group 2G is stored.
An extruding mechanism 20 is provided on the inner side of the press unit 5.

Here, the dimension of each side of the position regulating plate 17 is
It is set to be slightly smaller than the size of each side of the inner surface of the peripheral side portion 15d of the storage hood 15. Therefore, the outer peripheral portion of the position regulating plate 17 and the peripheral side portion 15d of the storage hood 15 are set.
There is a slight gap with the inner surface.

Further, in the above-mentioned pushing mechanism 20, air cylinders 21 are attached to each side of the outer side of the peripheral side portion 15d of the storage hood 15, and the rods of each air cylinder 21 are connected to the peripheral side portion 1.
A pushing plate 22 having an L-shaped cross section is attached to the tip of the projecting portion penetrating through 5d in the circumferential direction and being pressed against the bottle group 2G.

On the other hand, the suction duct 11 has a partly flexible structure so that it can follow the movement of the suction hand 9 by the movable device 12. A blower or the like is applied as the suction drive source 10. Further, it is desirable to use a multi-joint robot having a high degree of freedom as the movable device 12, but any other movable device can be used as long as the suction hand 9 can be freely moved in the front, rear, left, right and up and down directions. A device may be used.

Next, the operation when palletizing a bottle using the bottle handling device having the above-mentioned structure will be described.

The movable unit 12 moves the suction hand 9 in the front, rear, left, right, and up and down directions to form a bottle group 2G corresponding to one stage of the pallets arranged on the multi-row stage 3.
Is covered with a storage hood 15 and the bottle group 2G is stored therein. At that time, the pressing plate 22 of the pushing mechanism 20 provided on the side surface of the storage hood 15 is retracted in advance by the air cylinder 21 so that the bottle group 2G can be easily stored. In addition, in the multi-row stage 3, before the bottle group 2G corresponding to one stage of the pallet is aligned, a sheet (mounting sheet) is beforehand prepared.
23 is supplied. Therefore, the bottle group 2G is aligned on the sheet 23.

When the bottle group 2G is stored in the storage hood 15, the air cylinder 21 of the pushing mechanism 20 is extended to press the side surface of the bottle group 2G with the pressing plate 22 for centering and to reduce the opening area. To do. At that time, since the pressing plate 22 is attached so that the bottom surface thereof is slightly higher (for example, about 2 mm) than the bottom surface of the bottle group 2G in advance, even if the air cylinder 21 is extended, the pressing plate 2 may be extended.
2 is not disturbed by the sheet 23 laid on the bottom of the bottle group 2G.

Subsequently, the suction drive source 10 is activated to reduce the pressure in the storage hood 15 of the suction hand 9 from the intake duct 11 via the intake port 15c. Due to this reduced pressure, bottle group 2
Both G and the sheet 23 are sucked and lifted. At that time, since the mouths of the bottle group 2G come into contact with the position regulating plate 17 and further upward movement of the bottle group 2G is regulated,
The bottle group 2G and the sheet 23 are stably adsorbed. As described above, if the bottle group 2G and the sheet 23 are sucked together, the bottle group 2 can be sucked without increasing the degree of vacuum in the storage hood 15 as compared with the case where only the bottle group 2G is sucked.
G can be surely adsorbed. For example, empty PE
360 T-bottles and one of the sheets 23 laid on the bottom
In order to adsorb one sheet, it is sufficient to reduce the pressure to about -30 mmAq.

In this way, the suction hand 9 is used for the bottle group 2
In the state where both G and the sheet 23 are attracted, the movable device 12
By this, the suction hand 9 is moved so as to be positioned directly above the pallet 4, or as shown in FIG. 1, above the bottle group 2G already mounted on the pallet 4 in a plurality of stages.

In this state, next, the suction by the suction drive source 10 is stopped and the decompression in the storage hood 15 of the suction hand 9 is released. Along with this, the bottle group 2G and the sheet 23 both drop gently, so that the bottle group 2G corresponding to one stage is transferred onto the pallet 4.

By repeating the above operation for a predetermined number of stages, the operation of stacking the bottle group 2G with the sheet 23 interposed between the stages on the pallet 4 for a predetermined number of stages is completed.

In the above description of the operation, the bottle handling device 8 is used to palletize the bottle group 2G on the pallet 4. However, among the plurality of stages of bottle groups 2G already stacked on the pallet 4. Even when the bottle group 2G for one stage is sucked by the suction hand 9 and transferred to the multi-row stage 3 by the movable device 12 to be depalletized, the operation of the movable device 12 is simply reversed, and the bottle handling device is basically Behavior does not change.

Embodiment 2. FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of a suction hand which constitutes a bottle handling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a part of a position regulating plate which constitutes the suction hand. The same components as those of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are designated by the same reference numerals.

The feature of the second embodiment is that the position regulating plate 17 disposed inside the storage hood 15 of the suction hand 9 is set to have the same size as the inner surface of the peripheral side portion 15d of the storage hood 15. Therefore, there is no gap between the outer peripheral portion of the position regulating plate 17 and the inner surface of the peripheral side portion 15d of the storage hood 15 as in the first embodiment. Instead, the position regulation plate 17 has a large number of intake holes 17a having a diameter smaller than the diameter of each bottle 2 over substantially the entire surface. As the air intake hole 17a in this case, a round hole as shown in FIG. 5A or an elongated hole as shown in FIG. 5B can be applied.

With this structure, a uniform suction force can be obtained by the intake hole 17a of the position regulating plate 17, so that stable handling of the bottle group 2G becomes possible.

The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and the bottle group 2G is used.
Since the repeated operation for loading or unloading is basically the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 6 is a plan sectional view of a suction hand which constitutes a bottle handling apparatus according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of the suction hand shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.

When the bottle group 2G is placed on the pallet 4 in a plurality of stages, the sheet 23 is usually arranged for the uppermost bottle group 2G of the pallet 4 in view of hygiene. The top frame 24 is arranged as a weight so that the top frame 24 does not come off unexpectedly. In this case, the seat 23 is a relatively hard one having a thickness of about 2 mm, and the top frame 24 has openings 24a formed at four positions, as shown in FIG. It is shaped like a field.

Therefore, in the third embodiment, the position regulating plate 17 is formed with four window portions 17b at the upper, lower, left, and right positions in accordance with the shape of the top frame 24, and is arranged at the uppermost stage of the pallet 4. A centering mechanism 27 for centering both the seat 23 and the top frame 24 with respect to the position regulating plate 17 is provided.
A sheet suction mechanism 28 that sucks the sheet 23 is provided on the upper portion 15b of the storage hood 15.

The centering mechanism 27 includes the position regulating plate 17
The air cylinders 29 are attached to the upper surface of the air cylinder 29 at four positions, and the provision pieces 3 are attached to the tips of the rods of the air cylinders 29.
0 is attached and configured. In addition, the sheet suction mechanism 28 includes a plurality of (four in this embodiment 3) suction pads 31 for sheet suction that are provided so as to project downward through the window portion 17 b of the position regulation plate 17, and each suction pad 31. The air cylinder 32 is vertically driven.

Since the other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

Next, the operation of the bottle handling device 8 according to the third embodiment will be described. Here, since the attaching / detaching operation of the seat 23 and the top frame 24 is slightly different between the case of using as a palletizing device and the case of using as a depalletizing device, the operation in each case will be described separately.

In the case of using as a palletizing device In this case, the operation of adsorbing the sheet 23 and the top frame 24 together is performed before the repeated operation of bottle packing. For this purpose, the movable hand 12 is used to move the suction hand 9 so that the seat 23 and the top frame 24, which are preliminarily placed on another stage arranged close to the multi-row stage 3, are moved together. It is stored in the storage hood 15 of the suction hand 9.

Next, the air cylinder 29 of the centering mechanism 27 is driven to drive the seat 23 and the top frame 24.
After sandwiching the sheet with the allocation piece 30 and performing centering on the position regulating plate 17, the air cylinder 32 of the sheet suction mechanism 28 is extended to lower the suction pad 31 to lower the sheet 2.
Adsorb 3 Next, the air cylinder 32 is retracted to raise the suction pad 31 to the top dead center. Then, the sheet suction mechanism 28 moves the sheet 23 into the top frame 24.
Along with that, it will be held as it is in a raised state.

Subsequent operations for stacking bottles are performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. That is, while the sheet suction mechanism 28 holds both the sheet 23 and the top frame 24 by suction, the one-stage bottle group 2G is sequentially sucked by the suction hand 9 and handled by the movable device 12 to be stacked. It is attached. Since the operation in that case is similar to that described in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

When the uppermost group of bottles 2G has been stacked, the sheet 2 by the centering mechanism 27 is placed.
3 and the top frame 24 are released from each other, and the suction of the sheet 23 by the sheet suction mechanism 28 is also released. 23 and the top frame 24 are set together.

In the case of using as a depalletizing device In this case, before repeating the operation of loading and unloading the bottle group 2G step by step, the sheet suction mechanism 28 provided in the suction hand 9 preliminarily places the bottle group 2G on the uppermost stage of the pallet 4. The operation of sucking and holding the placed sheet 23 and top frame 24 is performed.

That is, the suction device 9 is moved by the movable device 12, and the sheet 23 and the top frame 24 placed on the uppermost stage of the pallet 4 placed on the conveyor 5 are stored in the storage hood 15. .

Next, the seat 2 is moved by the centering mechanism 27.
3 and the top frame 24 are sandwiched together, and the position regulating plate 1
After centering the sheet 7, the air cylinder 29 of the sheet suction mechanism 28 is extended and the suction pad 31 is lowered to suck the sheet 23. Next, the air cylinder 2
9 is degenerated to raise the suction pad 31 to the top dead center. Then, the sheet suction mechanism 28 causes the sheet 23
Will be held together with the top frame 24 in the raised state.

After that, the suction drive source 10 is operated to reduce the pressure in the storage hood 15 of the suction hand 9 to suck the uppermost bottle group 2G and load / unload the bottles. With respect to the repeated operation of loading and unloading bottles thereafter, while the sheet suction mechanism 28 holds the sheet 23 and the top frame 24 by suction,
The bottle group 2G for stages is sequentially adsorbed by the adsorption hand 9 and is handled by the movable device 12 to be loaded and unloaded. Since the operation in that case is similar to that described in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

When the loading and unloading of the lowermost bottle group 2G is completed, the nipping of the seat 23 and the top frame 24 by the centering mechanism portion 27 is released, and
When the suction of the sheet 23 by the sheet suction mechanism 28 is also released, both the sheet 23 and the top frame 24 are placed on another stage arranged in proximity to the multi-row stage 3.

Fourth Embodiment FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a suction hand which constitutes a bottle handling device according to the fourth embodiment. The first embodiment shown in FIGS.
The same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to.

The feature of the fourth embodiment is that a protrusion 35 for pressing the shoulder portion of each bottle 2 located at the outermost side in the bottle group 2G is formed on the inner surface side of the peripheral side portion 15d of the storage hood 15. It is that. Protrusion 35 in this case
Is configured by fixing the strip plate along the inner surface of each side of the peripheral side portion 15d of the storage hood 15, for example.

In this structure, when the inside of the storage hood 15 is depressurized, the bottle group 2G floats up, but at this time, the shoulder portion of each bottle 2 located at the outermost side of the bottle group 2G in the storage hood 15 has a projection 35. By being pressed against, the bottle group 2G is prevented from rising more than necessary, and the mouths of the bottle group 2G are prevented from coming into contact with the position regulating plate 17. As a result, it becomes possible to prevent the occurrence of extra scratches at the mouth of each bottle 2.

The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and the bottle group 2G is used.
Since the repeated operation for loading or unloading is basically the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

Fifth Embodiment FIG. 10 shows the fifth embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a part of a suction hand which constitutes the bottle handling device in FIG. 1, and the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to those of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

The feature of the fifth embodiment is that the suction hand 9 is provided with a suction mechanism 36 for sucking the body portion of each bottle 2 located at the outermost side in the bottle group 2G by the suction force of the suction drive source 10. That is what is being done.

That is, the suction mechanism 36 has the body of each bottle 2 located on the outermost side of the bottle group 2G on the pressing plate 22 of the pushing mechanism 20 provided on the peripheral side portion 15d of the storage hood 15. A plurality of suction ports 22a for sucking are formed,
These suction ports 22a are configured to communicate with the intake duct 11 via the intake tube 37 and the collecting tank 38. In this case, the suction ports 22a are provided so as to individually contact the outermost bottles 2 in the bottle group 2G along the longitudinal direction of the pressing plate 22. There are four locations on each side of the peripheral side portion 15d of the storage hood 15.

In this structure, when the pressure in the storage hood 15 is reduced, at the same time, air is also sucked from the suction port 22a of the pressing plate 22 via the collecting tank 38 and the suction tube 37. As a result, the body of each bottle 2 located at the outermost side of the bottle group 2G in contact with the pressing plate 22 is adsorbed. In that case, due to the piping resistance in the intake tube 37, a slight delay occurs in the time until the predetermined depressurization value is reached, and the body of the bottle group 2G is adsorbed after the bottle group 2G floats. As a result, the bottle group 2G is prevented from rising more than necessary, and the position regulating plate 17 is prevented from coming into contact with the mouth of the bottle group 2G. As a result, as in the case of the fourth embodiment, it becomes possible to prevent extra scratches from being generated at the mouth of each bottle 2.

The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and the bottle group 2G is used.
Since the repeated operation for loading or unloading is basically the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

Sixth Embodiment FIG. 11 shows the sixth embodiment.
4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the suction hand that constitutes the bottle handling device in FIG. 1, and the same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to those of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

A feature of the sixth embodiment is that a height adjusting mechanism 39 for changing the height of the storage hood 15 of the suction hand 9 according to the height of the bottle 2 is provided.

In the height adjusting mechanism 39 in this case, a quadrilateral height adjusting frame 40 which fits the outer shape of the peripheral side portion 15d is fitted outside the peripheral side portion 15d of the storage hood 15,
Vertically elongated long holes (not shown) are formed at predetermined positions on each side of the height adjusting frame 40, and the height adjusting bolts 41 with a handle are inserted through the respective long holes to accommodate the storage hood 15. It is configured by being screwed into the peripheral side portion 15d. Then, the bottle group 2 is attached to the height adjusting frame 40.
The above-mentioned push-out mechanism 20 that collects G to the inner side of the storage hood 15 is attached.

As a result, the height adjusting bolt 41 can be loosened and the height adjusting frame 40 can be moved up and down along the elongated hole with respect to the storage hood 15 to adjust the height position. It is possible to easily perform the setup change for the bottle groups of different types.

The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and the bottle group 2G is used.
Since the repeated operation for loading or unloading is basically the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

The present invention is based on the first to sixth embodiments.
It is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the configuration shown in (1), and can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-described first to sixth embodiments, the palletizing device or the depalletizing device provided with the bottle handling device 8 of the present invention is referred to, but the present invention is also applied to the combination palletizing device that performs both the palletizing operation and the depalletizing operation. Can be applied.

[0072]

(1) According to the invention of claim 1,
A group of bottles corresponding to one pallet is stored in the storage hood of the suction hand, and the suction drive source depressurizes the storage hood to suck multiple bottles and the sheet laid on the bottom of the storage hood. It becomes possible to transfer a group of minute bottles collectively in a short time in a simple manner.

Further, since the upward movement of the bottle group in the suction state is regulated by the position regulating plate provided in the upper part of the storage hood, a plurality of bottles corresponding to one stage of the pallet can be stably handled. .

Further, by performing the bottle transfer operation by a movable device such as an articulated robot, it becomes possible to perform equipment adjustment work and countermeasures when trouble occurs on the floor. This eliminates the need for work in high places, eliminates the risk of falling from a high work stage, falling from stairs, etc., and eliminates the need for a large structure that obstructs the field of view. And an advantage that the whole line can be easily monitored.

(2) According to the second aspect of the present invention, a position regulating plate having the same inner size as the storage hood is used as the position regulating plate, and a plurality of intakes smaller than the diameter of the bottle mouth portion are used for the position regulating plate. Since the holes are provided, the suction force can be obtained more uniformly, and stable bottle handling becomes possible.

(3) According to the third aspect of the invention, since the suction hand is provided with the sheet suction mechanism and the centering mechanism, when the bottle handling device is used as a palletizing device or a depalletizing device, Until the palletizing or depalletizing operation of the bottles for one pallet is completed, the mouths of the bottle groups in each stage contact only the same sheet placed on the top stage of the pallet, thus eliminating the cause of excess contamination. It is burnt and kept in good hygiene.

Also, when applied to a combination palletizing device that performs both palletizing operation and depalletizing operation, the mouths of the bottle groups in each tier contact only the same sheet placed on the top tier of the pallet, which results in hygiene. Not only is it superior in terms of performance, but it also makes it possible to efficiently reuse the seat and top frame placed on the top of the pallet.

(4) According to the inventions of claims 4 and 5, a protrusion for pressing the shoulder portion of the bottle is provided on the peripheral side portion of the storage hood constituting the suction hand, or the bottle body portion. Since the suction mechanism for sucking the bottle is provided, it is possible to prevent the bottle mouth from coming into contact with the position regulating plate, so that it is possible to prevent the bottle mouth from being damaged.

(5) According to the invention described in claim 6, since the suction hand is provided with the height adjusting mechanism for adjusting the height of the storage hood according to the height of the bottle, various sizes of the suction hand can be obtained. It becomes possible to easily perform the setup change work for the bottle.

(6) According to the invention described in claim 7, it is possible to transfer the group of bottles corresponding to one stage of the pallet all together easily and in a short time. Work efficiency is improved.

(7) According to the invention described in claim 8, the palletizing device is any one of claims 1 to 6.
Since the bottle handling device described in the item is provided, it becomes possible to perform equipment adjustment work and countermeasures when trouble occurs on the floor. Therefore, work at a high place is not required, and the risk of falling from a high work stage or falling from stairs can be eliminated.

(8) According to the invention described in claim 9, since the depalletizing device comprises the bottle handling device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, it is possible to perform equipment adjustment work or trouble occurrence. It becomes possible to take the countermeasures of 1. on the floor. Therefore, work at a high place is not required, and the risk of falling from a high work stage or falling from stairs can be eliminated.

(9) According to the invention of claim 10,
The combination palletizing device is equipped with the bottle handling device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 so as to perform the palletizing operation and the depalletizing operation. Can be performed on the floor. For this reason,
It eliminates the need for work in high places and eliminates the risk of falling from high work stages or falling from stairs.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an overall configuration of a palletizing device including a bottle handling device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a suction hand which constitutes the bottle handling device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the suction hand.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a suction hand that constitutes a bottle handling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a plan view showing a part of a position regulating plate which constitutes the suction hand shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a plan cross-sectional view of a suction hand that constitutes a bottle handling device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a vertical sectional view of the suction hand shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a top frame suspended by the suction hand of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a suction hand that constitutes a bottle handling device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a part of a suction hand that constitutes a bottle handling device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a suction hand that constitutes a bottle handling device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing the overall configuration of a palletizing device equipped with a conventional bottle handling device.

[Explanation of symbols]

2G bottle group, 2 bottles, 8 bottle handling device, 9 suction hand, 10 suction drive source, 12 movable device, 15 storage hood, 15a opening, 15b upper part, 15c intake port, 15d peripheral side part, 17 position regulation plate, 17a Intake hole, 23 seat, 27 centering mechanism, 28 seat suction mechanism, 35 protrusion, 36 suction mechanism, 39 height adjusting mechanism.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Tetsuya Nishitsu             2-3 2-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo             Inside Ryo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Osamu Tanaka             2-3 2-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo             Inside Ryo Electric Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3C007 DS01 DS05 FS01 FT11 FU02                       NS07 NS11                 3E030 AA01 DA01 DA02 DA08 GA05                 3F029 AA09 BA00 CA52 CA56 CA82                       DA02                 3F030 AA00 AB04

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A suction hand for collectively sucking and lifting a group of bottles to be handled is provided, and the suction hand has a storage hood that covers and stores the group of bottles. , An intake port is formed in the upper part, and a position regulating plate for restricting upward movement of the bottle is attached to the inner surface of the upper part, while a suction drive source for decompressing the inside of the storage hood of the suction hand through the intake port, A bottle handling device, comprising: a movable device that freely moves the suction hand back and forth, left and right, and up and down. 2. The position regulating plate is set to have the same size as the inner surface of the peripheral side portion of the storage hood, and is provided with a large number of intake holes having a diameter smaller than the diameter of each bottle. The bottle handling device according to claim 1. 3. The suction hand is provided with a sheet suction mechanism for suctioning a sheet arranged on the uppermost stage of the pallet and a centering mechanism for centering the sheet with respect to a position regulating plate. Claim 1
The bottle handling device described. 4. The inner surface side of the peripheral side portion of the storage hood,
The bottle handling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a projection for pressing the shoulder portion of the bottle is formed. 5. The suction hand is provided with a suction mechanism for sucking the body of the bottle by a suction force of the suction drive source.
The bottle handling device according to any one of 1. 6. The height adjusting mechanism for changing the height of the storage hood according to the height of the bottle is provided in the suction hand. The bottle handling device according to item 1. 7. An adsorption hand for a group of bottles using the bottle handling device according to claim 1, wherein a sheet is laid on the bottom of the group of bottles to be handled. The bottle handling method is characterized in that the storage hood is collectively stored, and the suction drive source depressurizes the storage hood to adsorb and handle a group of bottles and sheets together. 8. A palletizing device comprising the bottle handling device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. 9. A depalletizing device comprising the bottle handling device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. 10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
A combination palletizing device, which comprises the bottle handling device according to the item (3), and performs palletizing operation and depalletizing operation with the bottle handling device.