JP2004067249A - Method of transferring large pane and transfer tray - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of transferring a large pane and a transfer tray which can be easily automatized and by which workability and storage efficiency of packing and transferring are increased and the pane is securely fixed and retained to prevent any damages at the time of transferring if the large pane with one side of 1 meter or longer is loaded and unloaded by the pawl of a transfer device such as a fork lift and a robot hand. <P>SOLUTION: A large rectangular pane with one side of 1 meter or longer is horizontally stored one by one in a front side/upper side opened box-like tray 1, the pane is retained in a recess 8 with the the pane positioned in a horizontal plane and the pane is pressed by the trays 1 provided on the tray piled up, the tray has a space under the panes inside each tray into which the pawl of the pane transfer device ingresses and the transfer tray transfers the trays with the same piled up and bonded. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

The present invention relates to a method for transporting a large glass plate such as a large and thin liquid crystal substrate used for a flat panel display, and a transport tray.

Conventionally, when transporting a glass plate, use a transport pallet or the like that stores the glass plates in an upright arrangement, or insert a glass plate vertically into a box in which a groove for storing the glass plate is previously formed and store the glass plate It was transported using a transport box.

However, in the conventional glass plate transport box and the like, since the glass plate is transported while being held vertically, the glass plate to be transported is easily bent as the glass plate becomes larger and thinner, as in the conventional case. If only the edge of the glass plate is held, the glass plate may be damaged due to vibration during conveyance or the glass plate surface may be damaged due to interference between adjacent glass plates.

In addition, when the glass plate is stored in the transport box, the glass plate must be made vertical, so that the size of the glass plate is increased. In particular, a large and thin glass plate having a side of 1 m or more and a thickness of 3 mm or less. Then, it becomes difficult to suck the glass plate with the arm of the automatic robot and store it in the transport box. In particular, in the case of a glass plate having a thickness of about 1 mm or less, it is extremely difficult to suck and convey the glass plate on one side and store it vertically.

On the other hand, there is disclosed a liquid crystal plate transport container in which liquid crystal plates are horizontally accommodated in a container and the containers can be stacked in multiple stages so as to improve handling and storage space efficiency when transporting large liquid crystal plates. It is disclosed in the gazette.

However, the transport container described in this publication is intended for a liquid crystal plate whose size is several tens of centimeters even when the size of the liquid crystal plate is large. The robot hand (arm) is not considered in and out. For this reason, this conveyance container cannot be applied as it is to a larger glass plate having one side of 1 m or more.

The present invention takes the above-mentioned prior art into consideration, and when a large glass plate having a side of 1 m or more is loaded or unloaded by a claw of a transfer device such as a robot hand, it can be easily automated and packed. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a transport method and transport tray for a large glass plate that improves workability and storage efficiency of transport and storage, and is securely fixed during transport to prevent damage.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in the method for transporting a rectangular large glass plate having a side of 1 m or more, the glass plate is horizontally stored in a box-shaped tray having an open front surface and an upper surface for each sheet. The glass plates are held in a state where they are positioned in a horizontal plane, and the trays hold the glass plates in the trays in a stacked state from above, and the nail of the glass plate conveying device is placed below the glass plates. There is provided a method for transporting a large glass plate, characterized in that the tray has a space to enter, and the trays are stacked and transported.

According to this configuration, the glass plate is horizontally stored in the tray, the front and top surfaces of the tray are opened, and a space is formed under the glass plate to allow the claw of the glass plate transport device such as a robot hand to enter. Therefore, it is possible to easily load and unload the tray from the claw of the transport device as it is, and to easily handle packing of a large glass plate and automation of the transport operation.

When transporting glass plates, they are loaded on trucks in a packaged state in which trays containing glass plates are stacked and packed, and then transported to other factories, business partners or customers. During the conveyance, the glass plate is pressed and held from above, so that the glass plate does not rattle up and down, which is very effective in avoiding the influence of vibration during the conveyance. In this case, as a configuration for pressing the glass plate from the top, a pressing member for pressing the glass plate of the lower tray can be provided on the lower side of the upper tray when the trays are stacked. There may be a slight gap between the pressing member and the glass plate as long as the quality of the glass is not affected. As a result, it is possible to stably hold the lower glass plate by suppressing the rattling of the lower glass plate with the upper pressing member, and to reduce the influence on the glass surface as much as possible.

In a preferable configuration example, the front surface of the stacked trays is covered with a lid.

According to this configuration, since the opened front surface is covered with a lid, the inside of the stacked trays is sealed to prevent entry of dust during storage and transportation, the glass plate surface is kept clean, and the quality of the liquid crystal substrate is maintained. Is planned. At the same time, the front surface of the bottom plate of the tray can be supported by the lid, thereby preventing the bottom plate from being bent and the front side being lowered when a slit is formed on the bottom plate for entering and exiting the claw of the robot hand. .

In a preferred configuration example of a glass plate carrying tray for carrying out such a large glass plate carrying method, the tray comprises a bottom plate, left and right side plates, and a rear plate, and has a glass plate placing portion on the bottom plate. And positioning means for holding the glass plate outside the glass plate mounting portion in the front-rear and left-right directions, and when the tray is stacked on the lower side of the bottom plate, it is stored in the lower tray. And a press member for pressing the glass plate, and a space is formed below the glass plate placement portion for the nail of the glass plate transport device to enter.

According to this configuration, the tray is composed of a bottom plate, left and right side plates, and a rear plate, and is an open box with the front plate and the top plate omitted, and the bottom plate also serves as the top plate of the lower tray when stacked. In addition to improving the space storage efficiency, the holding member on the lower side of the bottom plate presses the glass plate stored in the lower tray and reliably holds the vibration of the glass plate being conveyed in the holding tray.

In a further preferred configuration example, the positioning means is formed by denting the glass plate placement portion corresponding to the shape of the glass plate on the upper surface side of the bottom plate, and a slit through which the claw is inserted is formed in the bottom plate. It is characterized by that.

According to this configuration, the glass plate is positioned and securely held in the recess formed in the bottom plate, and the glass plate can be taken in and out by inserting the claw of the robot hand through the bottom plate.

In another preferred configuration example, the glass plate mounting portion is provided by projecting a plurality of columnar pins supporting the glass plate on the upper surface side of the bottom plate, and forming a slit through which the claw is inserted in the bottom plate It is characterized by that.

According to this configuration, the glass plate is supported on the pins protruding on the bottom plate together with the positioning means described above. Further, the glass plate can be taken in and out by inserting the claw of the robot hand through the slit of the bottom plate.

In still another preferred configuration example, the glass plate mounting portion is characterized in that a plurality of glass plate support members are provided on the upper surface side of the bottom plate with an interval through which the claw is inserted.

According to this configuration, since a plurality of glass plate support members are provided at intervals on the upper side of the bottom plate, these glass plate support members form a space having a width and a height that allows the nails of the robot hand to enter and exit. Therefore, it is not necessary to form a slit through which the nail or the like of the robot hand is inserted in the bottom plate itself.

As described above, in the present invention, the large glass plate is horizontally stored in the tray, the front and upper surfaces of the tray are open, and the nail of the glass plate transport device such as a robot hand is located below the glass plate. Since a space for entering is formed, it is possible to easily load and unload the tray as it is from the claw of the transport device. In particular, it is possible to easily cope with the packing of a large glass plate whose side is 1 m or more and the automation of the carrying work, and the workability and storage efficiency of the packing and carrying can be improved.

Also, by simply stacking trays, the glass plate can be fixed and held, and packing can be done easily. For example, in the case of a glass plate used as a liquid crystal substrate, the use surface side of the liquid crystal glass substrate can be pressed in a non-contact state if the non-use area of the glass plate is pressed by a pressing member (cushion material). As a result, the surface of the glass plate used can be protected.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a large-sized glass sheet carrying tray according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2A and 2B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view thereof.
The tray 1 includes a bottom plate 2, left and right side plates 3, and a rear plate 4. A step 5 is formed on the upper edge of the side plate 3 and the rear plate 4, and the shape of the bottom plate 2 is formed so as to be drawn from the side plate 3 and the rear plate 4 so that a step 5 is formed on the lower edge side correspondingly. To do. In consideration of stability and strength, the pull-in amount is preferably about ½ of the thickness of the side plate 3 and the rear plate 4. Alternatively, the lower edge of the side plate 3 and the rear plate 4 is formed on the lower edge of the side plate 3 and the rear plate 4 as shown in FIG. May be fixed by an appropriate means. By providing such a step, the tray 1 can be stacked stably. In order to ensure airtightness, it is preferable to arrange an elastic material such as foamed resin or rubber as a sealing material in the stepped portion.

A handle plate 6 is provided on the outside of the left and right side plates 3 for carrying by a transfer device such as a robot hand and other handling. Instead of the handle plate 6, pin-like protrusions or dents may be provided outside the side plate 3. On the upper surface side of the bottom plate 2, a recess 8 is formed corresponding to the shape of the glass plate 7 to be housed (the dashed line in FIG. 2B). This dent 8 constitutes a glass plate placement portion, and holds the glass plate 7 in a state of being positioned in the front-rear and left-right directions. The height of the recess 8 is preferably about 0 to 3 mm higher than the thickness of the glass plate to be stored. Instead of the dents 8, positioning pieces may be projected along the four corners or the periphery of the glass plate 7.

The glass plate 7 is a large glass plate for, for example, a display substrate having a side of 1 m or more and a thickness of 3 mm or less, particularly for a thin, for example, liquid crystal substrate having a thickness of 0.3 mm or more and 1.1 mm or less. It is a glass plate.

A slit 9 is formed in the bottom plate 2 so that a claw (not shown) of the robot hand can enter from the front and can be inserted vertically. The slit 9 forms a space in the width direction corresponding to the claw of the robot hand on the bottom plate 2. The front end of the intermediate piece 10 of the bottom plate 2 divided by the slit 9 is bent upward in an L shape. By engaging this L-shaped portion with a front lid 16 (FIG. 4) described later, the rigidity of the intermediate piece 10 of the bottom plate 2 that is elongated and easily bent can be increased.

Although the number of slits 9 is not limited to three, two or more slits are preferable. The entire central portion of the bottom plate 2 may be opened as a single slit.

A cushion material 12a made of an elastic material such as rubber or an elastic film material is attached to the inside (glass plate placement portion) of the recess 8 of the bottom plate 2. When using an elastic film material for receiving glass, it is desirable that the film surface be clean so that moisture and organic degassing are small to prevent the dirt from being transferred to the glass plate in order to protect the glass plate itself. Specifically, for example, a cycloolefin polymer is preferable.

On the lower side of the bottom plate 2, a substantially U-shaped presser member 11 (see the dotted line in FIG. 2A) protrudes and is provided on both the left and right sides of the upper glass plate placement portion (inside the recess 8). The cushion material 12b is affixed to the lower surface (pressing surface) of each pressing member 11 on both sides. The pressing member 11 is for preventing vertical vibration and popping out during conveyance by pressing the glass plate placed on the lower tray when the trays 1 are stacked.

As shown in the figure, the presser member 11 is disposed so as to protrude from the outside of the glass plate over the dent 8 (FIG. 2) of the bottom plate 2 or the edge of the positioning guide 18 (FIGS. 5 and 6). The edge of the recess 8 (FIG. 2) or the positioning guide 18 (FIGS. 5 and 6) of the bottom plate 2 may be pressed together with the peripheral edge of the glass plate by the elasticity of the cushion material 12b, or the pressing member 11 may be It is good also as a structure which is provided along the inner side of the dent 8 (FIG. 2) or the positioning guide 18 (FIGS. 5 and 6) of the bottom plate 2 and presses only the peripheral edge of the glass plate.

The combined height of the pressing member 11 and the cushion material 12b is configured to be substantially the same as the height from the bottom of the step 5 of the side plate 3 to the surface of the glass plate 7, but considering the elastic deformation of the cushion material 12b. Then, the cushion material may be installed longer than the elastic deformation.

For example, in the case of a glass plate used as a liquid crystal substrate, the pressing member 11 is disposed in a glass plate peripheral edge non-use region and presses this non-use region. Note that the cushion material 12b can be omitted when the unused area is pressed. However, the cushion material 12b is preferable in terms of preventing scratches and preventing progress of cracks. When the cushion material 12b is omitted, it is preferable to provide a protective film such as a polyethylene terephthalate type or polyurethane type at the tip of the pressing member 11 instead.

In this way, by pressing only the peripheral edge other than the central portion of the glass plate, the glass plate can be fixed and held while the use surface side of the liquid crystal glass substrate on which the electrode pattern or the like is formed is not in contact.

When the substrate surface is covered with a protective film such as a polyethylene terephthalate-based or polyurethane-based material, a cushioning material 12b is pasted on the pressing member 11, and the pressing member 11 is placed in a region other than the unused area on the periphery of the glass plate. It is also possible to arrange in the central part. The glass plate can be more securely fixed and held in the recess 8 by pressing the center portion as well as the peripheral portion of the glass plate with the pressing member 11 to which the cushion material 12b is stuck.

Even if the surface of the substrate is not covered with a protective film or the like, the surface of the cushion material 12b affixed to the presser member 11 is provided with a function as a protective film, and the presser member 11 is disposed in the central portion of the glass plate. May be.

The presser member 11 forms a space in the height direction corresponding to the movement of the claw of the robot hand below the bottom plate 2.

The material of the tray 1 is a foamed resin or a metal material. When the tray is made of a foamed resin molding, the base resin is preferably a polyolefin resin, particularly preferably polyethylene from the viewpoint of dust resistance and polypropylene from the viewpoint of rigidity. In the case of a metal material, aluminum or an alloy thereof is preferable from the viewpoint of weight reduction.

When loading a glass plate, the glass plate supported horizontally on the claw (or arm) of the robot hand is lowered from the top of the tray and placed in the recess 8 of the bottom plate 2, and then the claw of the robot hand is used as it is. 2 is inserted through the slit 9 and pulled forward. Thereby, the glass plate is placed in the tray and remains, and only the claw of the robot hand is pulled out. At this time, since the height of the nail of the robot hand is secured by the presser member 11 below the bottom plate, the robot hand can be easily inserted and removed without any trouble.

When loading and unloading the glass plates, the nails of the robot hand are inserted from below the bottom plate 2 of the tray 1 with the top opened, and the glass plates are lifted through the slits 9 and taken out from the tray 1.

When transporting, stacking or unloading the entire tray 1, the left and right handle plates 6 of the tray 1 are supported by the claw of the robot hand.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tray 1 stacked.
As illustrated, the tray 1 containing the glass plate 7 is stacked in a plurality of stages by fitting the upper and lower steps 5 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of each tray. An upper lid 13 is provided on the upper side of the uppermost tray 1 to cover the upper surface, and the pressing plate 11 holds the glass plate 7 of the uppermost tray 1. A receiving tray 14 is disposed at the lowest level. The receiving tray 14 is not provided with the pressing member 11. A glass plate can also be accommodated in the receiving tray 14.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the stacked trays 1.
A front lid 16 is attached to the front surface of the stacked package 15 of the tray 1 to cover the opening on the front surface of each tray 1. The front lid 16 may be fixed to the uppermost upper lid 13 and the lowermost receiving tray 14 by appropriate fixing means (not shown). Further, a projection 17 is formed on one of the front surface of the bottom plate of each intermediate tray 1 and the front lid 16 at a position corresponding thereto, and a recess (not shown) in which the projection 17 is fitted is provided on the other, thereby positioning the front lid 16. In addition to fixing and holding, the rigidity of the intermediate piece 10 of the bottom plate 2 of each tray 1 may be reinforced by the front lid 16 to prevent the intermediate piece of the bottom plate from bending and falling forward.

The stacked package 15 of the tray 1 to which the front lid 16 is attached is bound and fixed by an appropriate band (not shown). A stacked package may be formed by fixing the stacked trays using an appropriate means other than a band.

FIG. 5 is a plan view and a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention.
In this embodiment, a plurality of columnar pins 20 are provided so as to protrude on the bottom plate 2 (including the intermediate piece 10 of the bottom plate 2), and the glass plate 7 is received by the pins 20 to reduce the contact area. The material of the pin is not particularly limited, but is preferably the same as the material of the other members of the tray. The tip of the pin is preferably flat or convex. Further, the number of pins is not particularly limited as long as the glass can be stably held. A cushion material 12c is affixed to the upper end (receiving surface) of the pin 20. Positioning guides 18 are provided at the four corners of the glass plate placement portion on which the glass plate 7 is placed, and the positions of the glass plate 7 in the front-rear and left-right directions are fixed and held. In this embodiment, since the pin 20 that supports the glass plate protrudes on the bottom plate 2, the pressing member 11 on the lower side of the bottom plate 2 can be shortened by the height. Thereby, stability is ensured. Other configurations and operational effects are the same as those of the embodiment shown in FIGS.

6A and 6B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view of still another embodiment of the present invention.
In this embodiment, a plurality of glass plate support members 19 are provided on the upper surface side of the bottom plate 2 with an interval through which a claw or the like of a robot hand is inserted. The height of the glass plate support member 19 is such that the nail or the like of the robot hand can enter and move up and down. A cushion material 12 a is attached to the upper surface of the glass plate support member 19. Positioning guides 18 are provided at the four corners on which the glass plate 7 is placed, integrally or separately from the glass plate support member 19.

In this embodiment, since the glass plate support member 19 protrudes on the bottom plate 2 as in the embodiment of FIG. 5, the presser member 11 on the lower side of the bottom plate 2 can be shortened by the height thereof. Further, as shown in FIG. 6C, the pressing member 11 is omitted, and only the cushioning material 12d is disposed below the bottom plate 2, and the glass plate placed on the lower tray by the cushioning material 12d. It is also possible to have a structure that can hold Furthermore, in this embodiment, the space for allowing the claw of the robot hand to be inserted is secured by the height of the glass plate support member 19, so that it is not necessary to form the slit 9 in the bottom plate 2. The claw of the robot hand can be inserted and removed through the space formed on the side surface of the glass plate support member 19 from the front surface of the tray, and the glass plate can be inserted and removed. Other configurations and operational effects are the same as those of the above-described embodiment shown in FIGS.

The perspective view of embodiment of this invention, and the partial cross section figure of another shape example. The top view and sectional drawing of embodiment of FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a stacked state. The side view of the accumulation state of embodiment of FIG. The top view and sectional drawing of another embodiment of this invention. The top view and sectional drawing of another embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1: tray, 2: bottom plate, 3: side plate, 4: rear plate, 5: step, 6: handle plate,
7: glass plate, 8: dent, 9: slit, 10: intermediate piece,
11: Presser member, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d: Cushion material,
13: upper lid, 14: receiving tray, 15: stacked package, 16: front lid,
17: protrusion, 18: positioning guide, 19: glass plate support member,
20: Pin.

Claims (6)

In a method for transporting a rectangular large glass plate having a side of 1 m or more,
Each glass plate is horizontally stored in a box-shaped tray whose front and upper surfaces are opened,
While holding the glass plate positioned in a horizontal plane, the tray is pressed from above the glass plate in each tray in a stacked state,
Under the glass plate, there is a space for the nails of the glass plate transport device to enter,
A method for conveying a large glass plate, wherein the trays are stacked and conveyed. 2. The method for conveying a large glass plate according to claim 1, wherein the front surface of the stacked trays is covered with a lid. The tray includes a bottom plate, left and right side plates, and a rear plate, and has a glass plate placement portion on the bottom plate,
It has positioning means in the front-rear and left-right directions for holding the glass plate outside the glass plate mounting portion,
On the lower side of the bottom plate, there is a pressing member for pressing the glass plate stored in the lower tray when the trays are stacked,
3. A large-sized glass plate carrying method for carrying a large glass plate according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a space into which a claw of the glass plate carrying device enters is formed below the glass plate placing portion. Glass plate transfer tray. The positioning means is formed by denting the glass plate placement portion corresponding to the shape of the glass plate on the upper surface side of the bottom plate, and forming a slit through which the claw is inserted in the bottom plate. Item 4. A tray for carrying a large glass plate according to Item 3. The glass plate mounting portion is provided by projecting a plurality of columnar pins for supporting the glass plate on an upper surface side of the bottom plate, and forming a slit through which the claw is inserted in the bottom plate. Item 4. A tray for carrying a large glass plate according to Item 3. The said glass plate mounting part was provided with the several glass plate support member in the upper surface side of the said baseplate through the space | interval which the said nail | claw penetrates, The conveyance of the large sized glass plate of Claim 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Tray.

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