JP2006052088A - Reversal type unloading method, and reversal type unloader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve work efficiency, and achieve compactness to eliminate need of a large space in a reversal type unloader for reversing a tray T carried in an upward and horizontal state onto a reversal element to reverse with the reversal element, discharging a retort pouch in the tray out of the tray, feeding it out of the reversal element, and reversing the empty tray again with the reversal element to be carried out. <P>SOLUTION: The reversal element 1 is rotated by 180 deg each time around a reversal axis 2, with tray carrying-in positions A and B set on both sides. On the reversal element, a chain conveyor 5 for carrying in/out the tray, and tray moving members 6 and 7 for supporting a lower surface of the tray, and moving it outward are installed. On the outer side of the reversal element, belt conveyors 3 and 4 and stoppers 12 and 13 are installed. Separately from the reversal element, a tray lifting member 52 is installed. When the reversal element is reversed, the tray moving members pushes the tray to the stopper, and the belt conveyor presses the retort pouch in the tray. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention reverses the tray loaded in the reversing body in an upwardly horizontal state together with the reversing pouch together with the reversing body, discharges the retort pouch out of the tray out of the tray, and carries it out of the reversing body to the outside. Next, the present invention relates to a reversing pouch unloading method and apparatus for retort pouches that are unloaded again after the empty tray is turned over together with the reversing body.

  For retort packaged products, for example, retort pouches filled with contents are placed and placed on a tray by a loader, the trays (actual trays) are stacked, placed in a retort kettle, sterilized with hot water, and then pulled out. The processed retort pouch is removed from the tray by an unloader, dried and boxed. As an unloader used for this application, a vacuum suction type, a lifting pin type disclosed in the following Patent Document 1, or an inversion type unloader disclosed in the following Patent Documents 2 and 3, are known. Inverting unloaders are attracting attention in terms of safety and reliability.

JP 2004-75295 A JP-A-8-104419 JP 2002-114360 A

  The reversing device disclosed in Patent Document 2 is composed of a horizontal tray frame 2 and a roller plate 6 tilted downwardly disposed on the operation table 1, and the tray frame 2 fixes the tray in a detachable manner, and the front end side pivots. The roller plate 6 is attached to the support shaft 5 and can be reversed, and the rear end side of the roller plate 6 is attached to the pivot shaft and can be reversed. All the operations of the reversing device are performed manually. First, the tray 3 is placed and fixed on the tray frame 2, the roller plate 6 is reversed and covered on the tray 3, and the tray frame 2 and the roller plate 6 are covered. When the tray frame 2 and the tray 3 are finally reversed backward, the retort food R slides down on the roller 8. The numbers and symbols listed here correspond to those described in Patent Document 2.

  The reversing device disclosed in Patent Document 3 is extended with a tray support means 4 provided with an air cylinder 4a and detachably supporting the tray, and an article support means 5 provided with a belt conveyor 51 driven by a motor 5d. The tray support means 4 and the article support means 5 are reversed via the arms 2 and 3 and the reversing means (shaft 1) is reversed. In this reversing device, first, the tray T stopped at a predetermined position below the tray support means 4 is lifted by the lifter 7, the air cylinder 4 a is operated to support the tray T on the tray support means 4, and the article support means 5. Is turned leftward about the axis 1 and stacked on the tray support means 4 from above to hold the bag on the tray T, and the tray support means 4 and the article support means 5 are turned together around the axis 1 to the right, and then the tray support. Only the means 4 is reversed to the left and returned to the original position. On the other hand, on the article support means 5 side, the bag is discharged by the belt conveyor 51. The numbers and symbols listed here correspond to those described in Patent Document 3.

  All of the conventional reversing devices exemplified above are configured to make a large rotation with the reversing portion being away from the tray as a fulcrum. Therefore, since the inertia of the reversing part is large, acceleration is not effective and it takes time to reverse, and the retort pouch is finally discharged from one tray by one reciprocal reversal. Moreover, the apparatus becomes large and requires a large space.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems related to the conventional reversal type unloading method and apparatus, and to obtain a reversal type unloading method and apparatus that have good work efficiency, are compact, and do not require a large space. With the goal.

In the unloading method according to the present invention (Claim 1), the tray carried in the reversing body in an upward horizontal state is reversed together with the reversing pouch together with the reversing body, and the retort pouch taken out of the tray is removed from the reversing body from the outside. The empty tray is then reversed again together with the reversing body and then unloaded. In the present invention, the step of taking the retort pouch out of the tray may be performed before the tray is inverted (from the upward tray) or after the tray is inverted (from the downward tray).
In the present invention, the reversing body has a horizontal reversing shaft at the center, and the tray loading positions are set on both sides of the reversing shaft, respectively, and the reversing body rotates 180 degrees at a time around the reversing shaft. The carry-in position stops at a horizontal position, and every time the reversing body rotates 180 degrees, the tray is brought into the upper or lower carry-in position, the retort pouch is taken out, and the tray is taken out. It is done sequentially.

  According to this unloading method, the retort pouch can be carried out at the other loading position while the tray with the retort pouch is carried in and out at either the upper loading position or the lower loading position. That is, since one tray can be received for every rotation of 180 degrees and the unloading process of the retort pouch can be performed, the work efficiency is higher than that of the conventional method. Also, since the reversing body rotates around the reversing shaft installed at its center, its rotation is extremely compact compared to the conventional large rotation, and it is possible to increase the rotation speed and increase the work efficiency. In addition, the space of the apparatus can be made compact.

The unloading method according to the present invention will be described at a more specific level.
In addition, in this invention, an outer side is the direction of the said belt conveyor seen from the center side of the said inversion body, and an inner side means the opposite direction. Further, when referring to front and rear, the front side means the upstream side in the tray transport direction, and the rear side means the downstream side.
(1) One of the unloading methods according to the present invention (Claim 2) is a type in which the tray is turned downward and then the retort pouch is taken out of the tray. A belt conveyor is arranged at a position opposite to each other. Then, the tray carried into the upper carry-in position is moved to a predetermined position outside and held at that position, and at that position, pressed against the belt conveyor to press the retort pouch in the tray from above, and then the inversion The body and the belt conveyor are rotated 180 degrees, the tray turned upside down is moved inward, the retort pouch that has come out of the tray is carried out by the belt conveyor, the tray is moved outward, The inversion body and the belt conveyor are then rotated 180 degrees while being held at a predetermined position, and the tray returned upward is carried out to the outside.

  According to this unloading method, the tray is inverted while the tray is held at a predetermined position and the retort pouch in the tray is held between the belt and the belt of the belt conveyor. The tray and the retort pouch can be prevented from falling or misaligned, and the retort pouch can be sent out of the apparatus in the aligned state (without destroying the aligned state in the tray).

  The unloader for carrying out this method (Claim 9) is connected to the reversing shaft in addition to the reversing body and the belt conveyor, and rotates the reversing body 180 degrees at a time so that the loading position becomes horizontal. A reversing drive means for stopping at the position, a tray carry-in / out means for carrying in and out of the tray from the carry-in position, and a tray carried into the upper carry-in position on the outside The tray is moved to a predetermined position and held at that position, and at that position, the tray holding means that presses the retort pouch in the tray against the belt of the belt conveyor, and the tray that is inverted and turned downward are moved inward to Tray lifting means for separating from the belt conveyor is provided.

In this unloader, the tray holding means is, for example, a tray stopper disposed in the vicinity of the belt conveyor, and is movable inward and outward. When the tray is moved outward, the tray is pressed against the tray stopper to move to the predetermined position. When the tray is held at the predetermined position, the tray and the retort pouch are pressed against the belt conveyor, and the retort pouch is held between the tray and the belt. Yes.
In this case, it is desirable that the tray stopper is disposed so as to contact the upper edge of the outer peripheral portion of the tray, and the tray moving member is in surface contact with the lower surface of the tray. As a result, when the tray is pressed against the tray stopper by the tray moving member and held, the lower surface of the tray can be pushed up to correct anyone. By correcting the slack on the lower surface of the tray, the upper surfaces of the plurality of retort pouches in the tray come on substantially the same horizontal plane, and the retort pouch is reliably pressed by the belt of the belt conveyor.

Further, in this unloader, instead of the stopper and the tray moving member, for example, the tray loaded in the upper loading position is held at this position as the tray holding means, and moved to a predetermined position outside in the held state. In addition, a tray holding means that can be held at that position can also be used. As a specific form, a tray holding means including a gripping member that can grip the tray that has come to the carry-in position can be exemplified.
Furthermore, in this unloader, it is desirable that the tray lifting means is not supported by the reversing body, but is installed in the vicinity of the reversing body independently of the reversing body.

(2) One of the unloading methods according to the present invention (Claim 3) is a type in which the tray is inverted downward, and then the retort pouch is taken out of the tray, and a plurality of holes are formed in the bottom as the tray. The reversing body is provided with a large number of pouch holding pins that can move a predetermined distance inward and outward, and a belt conveyor is disposed on the outside of the reversing body at a position facing the both loading positions. ing. Then, the tray carried into the upper carry-in position is moved to a predetermined position outside and held at that position, the pouch holding pin is moved outwardly through the hole in the tray, and the retort pouch is pushed up from the inside to move the belt Press and hold the belt on the conveyor, and then rotate the reversing body and the belt conveyor 180 degrees, move the tray that is turned downward by reversing the pouch holding pin and move the retort pouch out of the tray. The belt conveyor carries out the outside, moves the tray to the outside and holds it again at the predetermined position, then rotates the reversing body and the belt conveyor 180 degrees, and carries the tray returned to the outside to the outside. .
In this unloading method, desirably, the tray loaded into the upper loading position is moved to a predetermined position outside and held at that position, and at that position, the tray is pressed against the belt conveyor to raise the retort pouch in the tray. Try to hold from.

  According to this unloading method, since the retort pouch is held between a large number of pouch holding pins and the belt of the belt conveyor, the retort pouch is more reliably held when the reversing body rotates. In particular, when there is a variation in thickness for each retort pouch, when the surface of the retort pouch has irregularities, or in the case of a pouch with a spout having a spout with a diameter larger than the thickness of the retort pouch, the effect is remarkable. That is, in the method and apparatus of the above (1), a plurality of retort pouches are held and held at a time by the bottom surface of the tray and the belt surface of the belt conveyor. Therefore, in such a pouch, only the pouch having a large thickness or the pouch is used. Only a part (for example, a spout having a large diameter) is held under pressure, so that reliable holding at the time of reversal cannot be performed, and the retort pouch may be displaced or dropped at the time of reversal. However, according to this unloading method, such a problem is solved. Furthermore, when the tray is held at the predetermined position, the retort pouch can be held more reliably by pressing the tray against the belt conveyor and pressing the retort pouch in the tray from above.

Compared with the unloader described in (1), the unloader for carrying out this method (claim 11) has a large number of reversible bodies that can move a predetermined distance inward and outward and can penetrate the holes of the tray. The difference is that the pouch holding pin is installed. The pouch holding pin is positioned inside the carry-in position when moved inward, and presses and holds the retort pouch against the belt conveyor when moved outward.
The pouch holding pin is preferably biased outward by a spring so that it can be retracted when a load is applied. This is because when the pouch holding pins are moved all at once, the pouch holding pins that hit the thick part of the retort pouch or the spout with a large diameter are individually retracted so that all the pouch holding pins hit the retort pouch. This is for equalizing with the pouch holding pin.
In this unloader, for example, the tray holding means is movable inward and outward with a tray stopper disposed in the vicinity of the belt conveyor, and when moving outward, the tray is pressed against the tray stopper to move the tray. The tray moving member is held at a predetermined position. In this case, it is desirable that when the tray is held at the predetermined position, the tray is pressed against the belt of the belt conveyor, and the retort pouch is pressed from above by the belt.

  Also in this unloader, instead of the stopper and the tray moving member, for example, the tray loaded in the upper loading position is held at this position as the tray holding means, and in the held state, the tray is moved to a predetermined position outside. A tray holding means that can be moved and further held in that position can be used.

(3) One of the unloading methods according to the present invention (Claim 5) is a type in which the tray is inverted downward, and then the retort pouch is taken out of the tray. A belt conveyor is arranged at a position opposite to each other. The tray loaded in the upper loading position is held at the loading position, and the belt conveyor is pressed at the position to press the retort pouch in the tray from above, and then the reversing body and the belt conveyor are moved 180 degrees. Rotate, move the belt conveyor to the outside and turn away from the tray that is turned downward, retreat pouch out of the tray to the outside by the belt conveyor, then the reverse body and the belt conveyor Is rotated 180 degrees, and the tray returned upward is carried out to the outside. In this case, the basic effect is the same as the unloading method (1).

Compared with the unloader described in (1), the unloader for carrying out this method (Claim 16) is such that the belt conveyor can move in a predetermined distance in the inward and outward directions, and the tray holding means is in the upper carry-in position. The difference is that the tray loaded in is held at the loading position. When the belt conveyor moves inward, the belt of the belt conveyor is pressed against the retort pouch in the tray, and the retort pouch is held between the tray and the belt.
The tray holding means is, for example, a support member that is installed at a position where the reversing body is loaded and is in surface contact with the lower surface of the tray, and is movable inward and outward with respect to the reversing body. It consists of a pressing member that contacts the upper edge of the outer peripheral portion and holds the tray against the support member. The pressing member is attached to the belt conveyor, for example, and moves inward and outward together.

(4) One of the unloading methods according to the present invention (Claim 6) is a type in which the retort pouch is taken out of the tray before the tray is inverted downward, and a large number of holes are formed in the bottom as the tray. The reversing body is provided with a large number of pouch holding pins that can move a predetermined distance inward and outward, and a belt conveyor is disposed on the outside of the reversing body at a position facing the both loading positions. ing. Then, the tray carried into the upper carry-in position is held at the carry-in position, the pouch holding pin is moved outwardly through the hole in the tray, the retort pouch is pushed up from the inside and removed from the tray, and the belt conveyor The reversing body and the belt conveyor are rotated 180 degrees, the pouch holding pin is retracted, the retort pouch that has come out of the tray is carried out to the outside by the belt conveyor, and then the reversing body The belt conveyor is rotated 180 degrees, and the tray returned upward is carried out to the outside. In this case, the basic effect is the same as the unloading method (2).

The unloader for carrying out this method (Claim 17) is characterized in that, compared with the unloader described in (2), the tray holding means holds the tray loaded in the upper loading position at the loading position. When the pouch holding pin moves forward, the retort pouch is pushed up and removed from the tray, and pressed against the belt conveyor and held.
In this unloader, the tray holding means is, for example, a support member that is installed at a position where the reversing body is carried in and is in surface contact with the lower surface of the tray, and is movable inward and outward with respect to the reversing body. It comprises a pressing member that contacts the upper edge of the outer periphery of the tray when moved, and presses and holds the tray against the support member.

(5) One of the unloading methods according to the present invention (Claim 7) is a type in which the tray is turned downward and then the retort pouch is taken out of the tray, and a plurality of holes are formed in the bottom as the tray. The reversing body is provided with a large number of spout holding pins that can move forward and backward in a predetermined distance in the inward and outward directions, and on the outer side of the reversing body, at a position facing the both loading positions at a predetermined distance in the inward and outward directions. A belt conveyor that is movable is arranged. The tray loaded in the upper loading position is held at the loading position, and the belt conveyor is pressed to press the retort pouch in the tray from above, and the pouch holding pin is moved outward through the hole in the tray. The retort pouch is pushed up from the inside and held against the belt conveyor, and then the reversing body and the belt conveyor are rotated 180 degrees, the belt conveyor is moved outward, and the retort pouch that has come out of the tray is removed. The belt conveyor is carried out to the outside, and then the reverse body and the belt conveyor are rotated 180 degrees, and the tray returned upward is carried out to the outside. In this case, the basic effect is the same as the unloading method (2).

The unloader for carrying out this method (Claim 18) is characterized in that, compared with the unloader described in (2), the tray holding means holds the tray loaded in the upper loading position at the loading position. The belt conveyor is different in that it can be moved a predetermined distance in the inner and outer directions. When the belt conveyor moves inward, it is desirable that the belt of the belt conveyor presses and holds the retort pouch in the tray.
In this unloader, the tray holding means is, for example, a support member that is installed at a position where the reversing body is carried in and is in surface contact with the lower surface of the tray, and is movable inward and outward with respect to the reversing body. It comprises a pressing member that contacts the upper edge of the outer periphery of the tray when moved, and presses and holds the tray against the support member. The pressing member is installed on, for example, a belt conveyor, and both move inward and outward.

As desirable forms common to the unloaders (1) to (5) described above, the following points can be further mentioned.
The carrying-in / out means comprises an annular conveyor disposed on the reversing body and disposed so as to pass through both loading positions of the reversing body.
A part of the belt conveyor facing the reversing body can partially enter the tray, and the belt of the part presses the retort pouch in the tray. Thereby, even if the height of the retort pouch in the tray is not higher than the height of the outer peripheral edge of the tray, the retort pouch is reliably pressed by the belt of the belt conveyor.
The side of the belt conveyor facing the reversing body is inclined in a direction in which the delivery side of the retort pouch is separated from the reversing body. Thereby, the clearance gap between the said belt conveyor and the conveyor etc. which were installed in the downstream of this belt conveyor (it installs outside the inversion body) can be made small, and the transfer of a retort pouch can be performed smoothly.

The belt conveyor has a plurality of belts arranged in parallel. For example, a plurality of belts are arranged in parallel according to the row of retort pouches in the tray. In this case, even if the thickness of the retort pouch is not uniform, it is easier to follow the difference in the thickness of the retort pouch and the retort pouch can be held down more reliably than when the belt is composed of one wide belt. Is called.
In the belt conveyor, a number of through holes are formed in the belt, and an airtight box is disposed on the back surface of the belt on the side facing the reverse body, and the airtight box is connected to a vacuum source. By adsorbing the retort pouch through the hole in the belt, it is possible to more reliably prevent the retort pouch from dropping and being displaced during tray reversal.
A driving pulley is fixed to a driving shaft of the belt conveyor, and a driving mechanism of the driving pulley is installed in the vicinity of the reversing body independently of the reversing body, and the driving mechanism is connected to the driving pulley and The connection can be released. By installing the drive mechanism of the belt conveyor outside the reversing body, the structure of the belt conveyor is simplified and the inertia is reduced, and it is not necessary to provide electric wiring for the belt conveyor on the reversing body.

(6) One of the unloading methods according to the present invention (Claim 8) is a type in which the tray is inverted downward, and then the retort pouch is taken out of the tray, and the reversing body is disposed inside the both loading positions. The tray loaded into the lower loading position is moved to a predetermined position inside and held at that position, and the retort pouch in the tray is raised by pressing against the belt conveyor at the position. Then, the reversing body is rotated 180 degrees, the tray turned upside down is moved outward, the retort pouch that has come out of the tray is carried out to the outside by the belt conveyor, and then the reversing is carried out. The body is rotated 180 degrees, and the tray returned upward is carried out to the outside.
Also in this unloading method, the retort pouch can be discharged and delivered on the upper side of the reversing body while the tray with the retort pouch is being carried in and out on the lower side of the reversing body. That is, it is possible to accept one tray for every rotation of 180 degrees and perform the discharge processing of the retort pouch.

  An unloader for carrying out this method (Claim 26) is connected to the reversing shaft in addition to the reversing body and the belt conveyor, and rotates the reversing body 180 degrees at a time so that the carrying-in position becomes horizontal. A reversing drive means for stopping at a position; a tray carrying-in / out means for carrying the tray into and out of the reversing body; and a tray carried into the lower carrying-in position. Tray holding means is provided for holding and moving from the carry-in position to a predetermined position inside and holding at that position, and pressing the retort pouch in the tray against the belt of the belt conveyor at the position.

  According to the present invention, the tray carried in the reversing body in an upwardly horizontal state is reversed together with the reversing pouch together with the reversing body, the retort pouch taken out of the tray is carried out of the reversing body, and then the empty tray is removed. In the reversing type unloading method and apparatus for carrying out reversing with the reversing body and then carrying it out, a series of operations can be performed with high efficiency, and the falling tray and retort pouch are prevented from falling and misaligned. The retort pouch can be sent out of the apparatus without breaking the alignment state of the retort pouch. In addition, there is an advantage that the apparatus is compact and does not require a large space.

Hereinafter, an inversion type unloader according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The unloader shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 has a horizontal reversing shaft 2 at the center, is rotatable about the reversing shaft 2, and is symmetrically placed on both sides of the tray T loading position (arrows A, (Represented by B) is connected to the reversing body 1, the two belt conveyors 3, 4 symmetrically arranged outside the reversing body 1, and the reversing shaft 2 of the reversing body 1. A reversing drive means (not shown) that rotates the body 1 180 degrees at a time and stops at the position where the carry-in position becomes horizontal, and a tray T that is installed on the reversing body 1 to the carry-in position above the reversal body 1 and A tray conveyor 5 for carrying in and out of the tray, tray moving members 6 and 7 installed on the reversing body 1 and moving the tray T coming to the loading position outward by the operation of the air cylinders 8 and 9, and the belt Installed on the frame 11 of the conveyors 3 and 4 Provided with a stopper 12, 13 and the like. The tray moving members 6 and 7 and the stoppers 12 and 13 correspond to the tray holding means of the present invention.

  The reversing body 1 includes a reversing shaft 2, a pair of plate-shaped reversing frames 14 that are fixed to the reversing shaft 2 at a predetermined interval, and that rotate in accordance with the rotation of the reversing shaft 2 in the vertical plane. It consists of a beam member 15 to be connected. Inside the reversal frame 14, guide members 16 and 17 for guiding the tray T along the length direction of the reversal frame 14 (the direction in which the tray T is conveyed (carrying in and out)) are fixed near the upper end and the lower end. ing. Further, a positioning member 18 (only the upper side is shown in FIG. 1 but symmetrically arranged on the lower side) for positioning the front and rear positions of the tray T carried in the reversing body 1 in the conveying direction, It is rotatably supported by a shaft 19 fixed to the beam member 15 via a bracket (not shown), and can be swung in a vertical plane by a driving means (not shown). Note that the reversal body 1 may rotate in the same direction by 180 degrees or alternately in forward and reverse directions.

  The tray carry-in / out chain conveyor 5 includes a drive shaft 21 and a driven shaft 22 rotatably supported at front and rear positions of the reversing frame 14, and a pair of sprockets 23 and 24 fixed to the drive shaft 21 and the driven shaft 22. The transport chain 25 that is stretched over the sprockets 23 and 24 and rotates in a vertical plane parallel to the guide members 16 and 17, the drive sprocket 26 fixed to the drive shaft 21, and the sprocket 26 are It comprises a drive source (not shown) that rotates at timing. The tray T is carried in a horizontal state toward the carry-in position on the upper side of the reversing body 1 (position indicated by A in FIG. 1) by the carrying chain 25, and both sides are guided by the guide member 16 at that time. When the conveying chain 25 stops, the positioning member 18 operates (imaginary line → solid line in FIG. 1), and the tray T is reliably positioned at the upper carry-in position (position indicated by A in FIG. 1). The conveyance direction of the tray carry-in / out chain conveyor 5 is set to a direction orthogonal to the central axis (reversal axis 2) of the reversal body 1.

  The belt conveyor 3 (4 is the same) includes a conveyor shaft 11 fixed to the reversal frame 14 via a member (not shown), a roller shaft 28 rotatably supported by a bearing portion 27 fixed to the conveyor frame 11, and A driving roller 29 fixed to the roller shaft 28, driven rollers 33 and 34 rotatably attached to roller shafts 31 and 32 fixed to the conveyor frame 11, and a plurality of fixed rollers fixed to the conveyor frame 11, respectively. A guide roller 36 rotatably attached to the roller shaft 35, a conveyor belt 37 stretched over each of the rollers 29, 33, 34, and 36, and fixed to the roller shaft 28, and rotated by a conveyor driving device described later. It consists of a driving pulley 38. The conveying direction of the belt conveyor 3 is set to a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the conveying chain conveyor 5.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each roller 29, 33, 34, 36 of the belt conveyor 3 is divided into four in the axial direction, and the conveyor belt 37 is also divided into four rows. Each of the divided conveyor belts 37 corresponds to a row (four rows) of retort pouches P placed in the tray T. When the retort pouch P is reversed, each conveyor belt 37 holds the retort pouch P for each row. The rows are sent out simultaneously.
As shown in FIG. 4, the driven rollers 33 and 34 of the belt conveyor 3 are installed at the same height (the same distance from the reversing body 1), and the distance between them is the width in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the tray T (see FIG. 4). The width of the tray T shown in FIG. 4 is set slightly smaller, and the driving roller 29 is installed at a position higher than the driven rollers 33 and 34. The width of the belt conveyor 3 (the width in the direction perpendicular to the feeding direction) is set slightly smaller than the width in the direction parallel to the transport direction of the tray T (the width of the tray T shown in FIG. 1). Thus, a part of the belt conveyor 3 (between the driven roller 33 and the driven roller 34) can enter the tray T.

The driving pulleys 38 of the belt conveyors 3 and 4 are timing pulleys having teeth of a predetermined pitch formed around them, and when the belt conveyors 3 and 4 come down, the timing of the driving mechanism 39 shown in FIGS. It meshes with the belt 40. The timing belt 40 has teeth formed on both front and back surfaces.
The drive mechanism 39 is installed independently from the reversal body 1, and includes a main shaft 43 that is rotatably supported by a bracket 41 fixed on the frame via a bearing 42, and a timing that is fixed to the main shaft 43. A pulley 44, a driving gear 45, a swinging arm 47 whose base is rotatably attached to the main shaft 43, swinging as the rod 46 is connected to a driving source (not shown), and a tip of the swinging arm 47 A timing pulley 48 rotatably attached to the timing pulley, the timing belt 40 stretched over the timing pulleys 44 and 48, and a driving source (not shown) connected to the driving gear 45 to rotate it. When the rod 46 is raised and the swing arm 47 is raised, the timing belt 40 meshes with the driving pulley 38 of the belt conveyors 3 and 4 that are on the lower side.

  In the tray holding means, the air cylinders 8 and 9 are attached to the beam member 15 via a bracket 51, and the tray moving members 6 and 7 are attached to the tips of the piston rods of the air cylinders 8 and 9. The tray moving members 6 and 7 are long plate-like members having a predetermined width, the length of which is set slightly longer than the width of the tray T (the width in the direction parallel to the transport direction), and the upper surface of the tray moving members 6 and 7 Surface contact is made with the lower surface, and movement between the solid line position and the virtual line position shown in FIG. The tray stoppers 12 and 13 are arranged so that the upper edges of the outer periphery of the tray T abut when the tray moving members 6 and 7 move the tray T outward. In general, the lower surface of the tray T is inclined downward. In this case, when the tray stoppers 12 and 13 come into contact with the outer peripheral portion of the tray T and the tray moving members 6 and 7 move further outward from the tray T, the lower surface of the tray T. Is pushed up, and who is corrected. Thus, this tray holding means has both functions of holding and correcting the tray T. The stoppers 12 and 13 can be adjusted in the vertical position so that the height of the tray T and the height of the retort pouch P can be changed.

Furthermore, a tray lifting member 52 is provided on both sides in the vicinity of the reverse body 1 independently of the reverse body 1. The tray lifting member 52 is rotatably supported by a frame (not shown), and a base portion is fixed to a shaft 53 that is rotated by a driving source (not shown). The tray lifting member 52 has a tray engaging portion 54 at the tip, and is inverted as shown in FIG. When swinging up from a lower position (indicated by phantom lines) that does not interfere with the body 1, the tray engaging portion 54 engages with the outer peripheral portion of the inverted tray T and lifts the tray T.
Independent of the reversing body 1, tray conveyors 55 and 56 are installed on both sides of the reversing body 1. The transport direction of the tray transport conveyors 55 and 56 is set in the same direction as the transport direction of the tray transport chain conveyor.

Then, an example is demonstrated about the operation | movement order of this unloader.
(1) When the reversing body 1 rotates 180 degrees and stops, on the upper side of the reversing body 1, the tray moving member 6 moves (rises) outward as shown by the phantom line in FIG. T is held between the stopper 12 and T.
At this time, on the lower side of the reversal body 1, the tray moving member 7 moves (lowers) to the outside, and holds the reversed tray T between the stopper 13. The retort pouch P in the tray T is placed on the belt conveyor 4.
(2) On the upper side of the reversing body 1, the tray positioning member 18 is operated and opened to the outside, the air cylinder 8 is operated and the tray moving member 6 is moved (lowered) to the inside, and the empty tray T is loaded and unloaded. It is mounted on the chain conveyor 5 for use.
At this time, also on the lower side of the reversing body 1, the tray positioning member is activated and opened, the air cylinder 9 is activated, and the tray moving member 7 is moved (raised) inward to be separated from the lower surface of the inverted tray T. The tray T containing the retort pouch P is left on the belt conveyor 4. Subsequently, the tray lifting member 52 swings up and lifts the tray T. Thereby, the retort pouch P is left behind on the conveyor belt 37 (the retort pouch P comes out of the tray T).

(3) On the upper side of the reversing body 1, the tray carry-in / out chain conveyor 5 is operated, and the empty tray T is carried out of the reversing body 1 and is transported toward the next process by the tray transporting conveyor 56. At the same time, the tray T containing the retort pouch P is fed into the reversal body 1 by the tray transfer conveyor 55 and is carried toward the upper loading position A by the tray carry-in / out chain conveyor 5.
At this time, on the lower side of the reversing body 1, the timing belt 40 of the driving mechanism 39 is engaged with the driving pulley 38 of the belt conveyor 4 and rotates, and the belt conveyor 4 operates to carry out the pouch P in the aligned state. Then, the belt conveyor 4 is stopped, the tray lifting member 52 swings down, and the inverted tray T is placed on the stopper 13.
(4) On the upper side of the reversing body 1, the tray positioning member 18 is actuated inward and closed, and the tray T containing the retort pouch P is positioned on the tray carry-in / out chain conveyor 5 at the loading position A of the reversing body 1. To do.
The tray positioning member also operates simultaneously on the lower side of the reversal body 1.

(5) On the upper side of the reversing body 1, the air cylinder 8 is actuated, the piston rod is extended, the tray moving member 6 is moved outward (raised), and is brought into contact with the lower surface of the tray T and moved outward (raised). ), The outer peripheral portion of the tray T is brought into contact with the stopper 12 and held at that position, and if the lower surface of the tray T is bent, correction is performed simultaneously. At this time, a part of the belt conveyor 3 enters the tray T, and the retort pouch row in the tray T is pressed by the conveyor belt 37. When the tray T is raised, the outer peripheral portion thereof is guided and raised by the contact surface 57 inside the tray positioning member 18.
Even at the lower side of the reversing body 1, the air cylinder 9 operates simultaneously, the piston rod extends, the tray moving member 6 moves outward (lowers), and holds the tray T with the stopper 13.
(6) The reversing body 1 rotates 180 degrees, the retort pouch-containing tray held on the upper side is inverted and turned downward, and the empty tray held on the lower side is inverted again and turned upward. This is the state (1).

In the unloader, the transport direction of the tray carry-in / out chain conveyor 5 is set to a direction orthogonal to the central axis (reverse shaft 2) of the reversing body 1, and the transport direction of the tray carry-in / out chain conveyor 5 and the belt conveyors 3, 4 These transport directions are appropriately determined, for example, the transport direction of the tray carry-in / out chain conveyor 5 is made parallel to the central axis (reversal shaft 2) of the reversal body 1, for example.
In the above unloader, the stoppers 12 and 13 are installed to hold the tray T. However, since the tray T can be held in and out of the belt conveyors 3 and 4, it can be held in the horizontal direction ( The stoppers 12 and 13 are not essential if the tray moving members 6 and 7 can be held so as not to be displaced in the plane. In that case, as means for enabling horizontal holding, for example, when the top of the tray positioning member 18 is extended to make the contact surface 57 longer and the tray T is held between the belt conveyors 3 and 4, Assume that the tray T is guided by the contact surface 57. Alternatively, a holding function for holding the tray is added to the tray moving members 6 and 7 (for example, a holding member for holding the outer peripheral portion of the tray T before and after the tray moving members 6 and 7 (a tray holding member 73 and a holding member described later). 93)). In the latter case, the tray T is held at the carry-in position, moved to the outside while being held, and can be further held there, and the tray lifting member 52 becomes unnecessary.
Furthermore, in the unloader, the tray lifting member 52 is installed in the vicinity of the reversing body 1 independently of the reversing body 1, but this is installed on the reversing body 1 like the belt conveyors 3 and 4. You can also. However, in that case, it is necessary to install the tray lifting member on both the upper side and the lower side of the reversing body 1, and furthermore, it is necessary to provide electrical wiring and air conduits for the drive source of the tray lifting member in the reversing body 1. Comes out.

  FIG. 5 shows another belt conveyor 58 that can be applied to the unloader, and can be used instead of the belt conveyors 3 and 4. This belt conveyor 58 has a conveyor belt 61 in which a large number of through holes 59 are formed, and an airtight box 62 is disposed on the back surface of the conveyor belt 61 on the side facing the reversing body 1, and the airtight box 62 is not shown. It is connected to a vacuum source via a switching valve or the like. When the retort pouch row in the tray T is pressed by the belt conveyor 58, the retort pouch P is adsorbed through the holes 59, so that the position of the retort pouch P can be further prevented.

FIG. 6 shows another inversion type unloader according to the present invention. The difference from the unloader shown in FIGS. In FIG. 6, substantially the same members as those of the unloader described in FIGS.
(A) Instead of providing the tray moving members 6 and 7, the belt conveyors 3 and 4 can be moved in a predetermined distance in the inner and outer directions. The belt conveyors 3 and 4 are moved by air cylinders 65 and 66 attached to the reversal frame 14. When the belt conveyors 3 and 4 are moved outward, the belt conveyors 3 and 4 move to the solid line position in FIG. Come to the position and press the retort pouch P in the tray T from above. In this example, when the belt conveyors 3 and 4 move inward, the stoppers 12 and 13 attached to the belt conveyors 3 and 4 press the outer peripheral portion of the tray T.

(B) Instead of providing the carry-in / out chain conveyor 5 on the reversal body 1, carry-in / out means (not shown) is provided. The carry-in / out means may be, for example, a pusher provided outside the reversal body independently of the reversal body 1. Further, plate-like support members (support rails) 67 and 68 are installed on the reversing frame 14 along the transport direction of the tray T, and the tray T is carried into or out of the reversing body 1, or the loading position A and When positioned at B, the tray T is supported. Since the support rails 67 and 68 are in surface contact with the lower surface of the tray T, when the stoppers 12 and 13 hold the outer periphery of the tray T, the correction of the tray T is performed as in the unloader shown in FIGS. Is done. That is, in this example, the stoppers 12 and 13 are the pressing members referred to in the paragraph 0020, and the support rails 67 and 68 are also the support members.

(C) Instead of holding the tray T between the tray moving members 6 and 7 and the stoppers 12 and 13, tray holding means 71 and 72 for holding the tray T at the loading positions A and B are provided. The tray holding means 71 and 72 are swingably supported by the reversal frame 14 and have a tray holding member 73 having a locking portion 74 formed at the tip, and an air cylinder 75 attached to the beam member 15 via a bracket 74. Consists of. When the tray holding member 73 swings in a plane perpendicular to the support surfaces of the support rails 67 and 68 by the operation of the air cylinder 75 and swings inward (see the solid line in FIG. 6), the support rails 67 and 68 are supported. The upper tray T is clamped from the front-rear direction and held at the loading positions A and B.

Next, the operation sequence of the unloader will be described.
(1) When the reversing body 1 rotates 180 degrees and stops, on the upper side of the reversing body 1, the tray holding member 73 is closed to hold the empty tray T on the support rail 67, and the belt conveyor 3 It is moving (lowering) (the position of the imaginary line in FIG. 6).
At this time, on the lower side of the reversing body 1, the tray holding member 73 is closed to hold the tray T on the support rail 67, and the belt conveyor 4 moves (increases) inward, so that the retort pouch P in the reversed tray T is reached. Is held down from below.
(2) On the upper side of the reversing body 1, the air cylinder 65 is operated, the belt conveyor 3 moves outward (rises), and moves away from the empty tray T (solid line position in FIG. 6). Subsequently, the tray holding member 73 swings outward to release the tray T (imaginary line position in FIG. 6).
At this time, the air cylinder 66 is also operated on the lower side of the reversing body 1 so that the belt conveyor 4 moves outward (lowers), and the retort pouch P comes out of the reversed tray T and is placed on the belt conveyor 4. To move outward (down).

(3) On the upper side of the reversing body 1, the tray T containing the retort pouch P is fed toward the reversing body 1 by the tray transporting conveyor 55, and then a pusher (not shown) is activated to move the supporting rail 67 onto the loading position. Push towards A. Along with this, the empty tray T is pushed out of the reversal body 1 and is transported toward the next process by the tray transport conveyor 56. Subsequently, the tray holding member 73 swings inward and closes, and the tray T containing the retort pouch P is held at the carry-in position A of the reversal body 1 on the support rail 67.
At this time, on the lower side of the reversing body 1, the timing belt 40 of the drive mechanism 39 is engaged with the driving pulley 38 of the belt conveyor 4 and rotates, and the belt conveyor 4 operates to bring the retort pouch P in an aligned state to the outside. Send it out.

(4) On the upper side of the reversing body 1, the air cylinder 65 operates, the belt conveyor 3 moves inward (lowers), the stopper 12 comes into contact with the outer periphery of the tray T, and the lower surface of the tray T is bent. Then, correction is performed, and at the same time, the retort pouch row in the tray T is pressed by the conveyor belt 37.
The air cylinder 66 is also operated at the lower side of the reversing body 1, and the belt conveyor 4 moves (increases) inward.
(5) The reversing body 1 is rotated 180 degrees, the retort pouch containing tray T held on the upper side is inverted and turned downward, and the empty tray held on the lower side is inverted again and turned upward. This is the state (1).

  FIG. 7 shows still another inverting unloader according to the present invention. The unloader is rotatable about a reversing axis (not shown), and has a reversing body 81 in which tray T loading positions (shown by A and B in FIG. 7) are set symmetrically on both sides. An annular belt conveyor 82 that is installed and rotates inside the carry-in position and the reversing shaft of the reversing body 81 are connected, and the reversing body 81 is rotated 180 degrees at a time to stop at the position where the carrying-in position is horizontal. Reversing drive means (not shown), tray holding means 83 and 84 installed on the reversing body 81, and loading of the tray T to the loading position B below the reversing body 81 and unloading of the tray T from the loading position are performed. A tray carry-in / out means (not shown) is provided.

In the reversing body 81, the reversing shaft is disposed in parallel with the tray T carry-in / out direction, and a reversing frame 85 is fixed to the reversing shaft. Outside the reversal frame 85, plate-like support rails 87 and 88 having inward support surfaces are provided symmetrically via a connecting member 86, and the carry-in positions A and B are set therein.
The belt conveyor 82 is supported by a reversing frame 85 and is provided with a number of guide rollers 89 disposed at equal distances from the support rails 87 and 88, a driving roller 91 disposed so as to protrude at the center position of the reversing body 81, and these It consists of a conveyor belt 92 that is stretched over the belt. The driving roller 91 can be rotated forward and backward by a 180-degree rotation of the reversing body 81 by a driving source (not shown), and is disposed so as to protrude toward the feed direction side. Due to the arrangement of the guide roller 89 and the driving roller 91, the conveying surface of the belt conveyor 82 is constituted by a surface (horizontal plane) parallel to the supporting surfaces of the support rails 87 and 88 and a surface inclined from the supporting surface. A part of the belt conveyor 82 can enter the tray T in the same manner as the belt conveyors 3 and 4.

The tray holding means 83 and 84 include a holding member 93 that holds the tray T from the side, an air cylinder 94 that moves the holding member 93 inward and outward, and the holding member 93 that is perpendicular to the support surfaces of the support rails 87 and 88. The air cylinder 95 swings in the plane, and the air cylinder 95 swings the air cylinder 94, whereby the holding member 93 swings.
The tray carry-in / out means may be, for example, a pusher provided outside the reverse body 81 independently of the reverse body 81.
Independent of the reversing member 81, tray conveyors 96 and 97 are installed on both sides of the reversing member 81. Reference numeral 98 denotes a conveyor for a retort pouch.

Next, the operation sequence of the unloader will be described.
(1) When the reversing member 81 rotates and stops by 180 degrees, the holding member 93 closes to hold the empty tray below the reversing member 81, moves inward (lifts), and is held at that position. (See the phantom line in FIG. 7).
At this time, on the upper side of the reversing body 81, the holding member 93 holds the tray T containing the retort pouch P, moves inward (lowers), holds it in that position, and presses it against the upper surface of the belt conveyor 82.
(2) Below the reversing body 81, the air cylinder 94 operates, the holding member 93 moves outward (lowers), the empty tray T is placed on the support rail 88, and then the air cylinder 95 It operates to open the holding member 93 (see the phantom line in FIG. 7) and release the tray T.
At this time, the air cylinder 94 also operates on the upper side of the reversing body 81, the holding member 93 moves outward (rises), moves only the inverted tray T outward (lifts), and puts the retort pouch P on the belt conveyor 82. Leave behind.

(3) On the lower side of the reversing body, the tray T containing the retort pouch P is fed toward the reversing body 81 by the tray transporting conveyor 96, and subsequently, a pusher (not shown) is operated to move on the support rail 88. Push in toward B. Along with this, the empty tray T is pushed out of the reversing body 81 and conveyed toward the next process by the tray conveying conveyor 97.
During this time, the belt conveyor 82 is operated, and the retort pouch P is carried out of the reversing body 81 and delivered to the transport conveyor 98. After delivery, the belt conveyor 82 stops.
(4) Below the reversing body 81, the air cylinder 95 is operated and the holding member 93 is closed to hold the tray T on the support rail 88. Subsequently, the air cylinder 94 is operated and the holding member 93 is moved inward. Move (rise) and hold in that position. At this position, the holding member 93 presses the tray T toward the belt conveyor 82, and the retort pouch P in the tray T is pressed from above by the belt conveyor 82.
On the upper side of the reversing body 81, the air cylinder 94 operates simultaneously, and the holding member 93 moves (lowers) inward.
(5) The reversing body 81 rotates 180 degrees, the retort pouch-containing tray T held on the lower side is reversed and turned downward, and the empty tray held on the upper side is reversed again and turned upward. This is the state (1).

FIGS. 8 to 10 show another inversion type unloader according to the present invention. The difference from the unloader shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the same reference numerals are given to substantially the same members as the unloader described in FIGS.
(A) A large number of holes Ta are formed in a grid pattern on the bottom surface of the tray T applied to the unloader.
(B) Inside the tray moving members 6, 7, the lifting plates 101, 102 are arranged along the loading positions on both sides of the reversing body 1, and a large number of pouch holding pins 103 are provided on the outer surface side of the lifting plates 101, 102. Corresponding to each hole Ta of the tray T positioned at the carry-in position, it is installed outward in a grid pattern. The elevating plates 101 and 102 are moved inward and outward by the operation of the air cylinders 106 (elevating plate 101 side) and 107 (elevating plate 102 side) attached to the beam member 15 via the bracket 104, and accordingly, the pouch is held. When the pin 103 moves inward and outward and moves inward (the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 8), the pin 103 is located inside the carry-in position (inside the transport chain 25) and when moved outward, the hole in the tray T Protruding through Ta.
As shown in FIG. 11, the pouch holding pin 103 is supported by a pin support portion 110 of a pin holder 109 in which a shaft portion 108 is fixed to an elevating plate 101 (the same as the elevating plate 102 side), and has a slightly smaller diameter at the tip. The head portion 111 having a large diameter and the stopper portion 112 at the rear end are urged outward by a compression spring 113 disposed in the hollow interior of the pin holder 109. When there is no load, the biasing force of the compression spring 113 is at the protruding position shown in FIG. 11 (the stopper portion 112 is in contact with the pin support portion 110), and when the head portion 111 is loaded, the magnitude of the load Retreat according to.
(C) As shown in FIG. 9, holes 114 into which the pouch holding pins 103 are loosely fitted are formed in the tray moving members 6 and 7 corresponding to the respective pouch holding pins 103. However, if the tray moving members 6 and 7 are disposed in the gaps between the rows of pouch holding pins, the holes 114 are not necessary.

Subsequently, an example of the operation sequence of the unloader will be described. The basic operation is the same as that of the unloader shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, but the operation of the pouch holding pin 103 is added.
(1) When the reversing body 1 is rotated 180 degrees and stopped, on the upper side of the reversing body 1, the tray moving member 6 moves (rises) outward as shown by the phantom line in FIG. T is held between the stopper 12 and T.
At this time, on the lower side of the reversal body 1, the tray moving member 7 moves (lowers) to the outside, and holds the reversed tray T between the stopper 13.
On the other hand, the pouch holding pin 103 is moved outwardly at the top and bottom of the reversing body 1, and on the lower side of the reversing body 1, the retort pouch P (pouch with spout in this example) is pressed against the belt 37 of the belt conveyor 4, It is held between the pouch holding pin 103 and the belt 37.

(2) On the upper side of the reversing body 1, the tray positioning member 18 is operated and opened to the outside, the air cylinder 8 is operated and the tray moving member 6 is moved (lowered) to the inside, and the empty tray T is loaded and unloaded. It is mounted on the chain conveyor 5 for use.
At this time, even on the lower side of the reversing body 1, the tray positioning member 18 is actuated outward to open, the air cylinder 9 is actuated, and the tray moving member 7 is moved inward (raised) to be reversed from the lower surface of the tray T. The tray T containing the retort pouch P is left on the belt conveyor 4.
At the same time, the air cylinders 106 and 107 are operated to move the pouch holding pin 103 inward, and the retort pouch P is released from being held by the pouch holding pin 103 and the belt 37 below the reversing body 1.
Subsequently, the tray lifting member 52 swings up and lifts the tray T on the lower side of the reverse body 1. As a result, the retort pouch P is left on the conveyor belt 37.

(3) On the upper side of the reversing body 1, the tray carry-in / out chain conveyor 5 is operated, and the empty tray T is carried out of the reversing body 1 and is transported toward the next process by the tray transporting conveyor 56. At the same time, the tray T containing the retort pouch P is fed into the reversal body 1 by the tray transfer conveyor 55 and is carried toward the upper loading position A by the tray carry-in / out chain conveyor 5.
At this time, on the lower side of the reversing body 1, the timing belt 40 of the driving mechanism 39 is engaged with the driving pulley 38 of the belt conveyor 4 and rotates, and the belt conveyor 4 operates to carry out the pouch P in the aligned state. Next, the belt conveyor 4 is stopped, the tray lifting member 52 swings and descends, and the inverted tray T is placed on the stopper 13.
(4) On the upper side of the reversing body 1, the tray positioning member 18 is actuated inward and closed, and the tray T containing the retort pouch P is positioned on the tray carry-in / out chain conveyor 5 at the loading position A of the reversing body 1. To do.
The tray positioning member 18 operates simultaneously also on the lower side of the reverse body 1.

(5) On the upper side of the reversing body 1, the air cylinder 8 is actuated, the piston rod is extended, the tray moving member 6 is moved outward (raised), and is brought into contact with the lower surface of the tray T and moved outward (raised). ), The outer peripheral portion of the tray T is brought into contact with the stopper 12 and held at that position, and if the lower surface of the tray T is bent, correction is performed simultaneously. At this time, a part of the belt conveyor 3 enters the tray T, and the retort pouch row in the tray T is pressed by the conveyor belt 37.
Even on the lower side of the reversing body 1, the air cylinder 9 operates simultaneously, the piston rod extends, the tray moving member 7 moves outward (lowers), and holds the tray T with the stopper 13.
Subsequently, the air cylinders 106 and 107 are operated to move the pouch holding pin 103 to the outside. On the upper side of the reversing body 1, the pouch holding pin 103 pushes up the retort pouch P and presses it against the belt 37. Hold between the pouch holding pin 103 and the belt 37.
(6) The reversing body 1 rotates 180 degrees, the retort pouch-containing tray held on the upper side is inverted and turned downward, and the empty tray held on the lower side is inverted again and turned upward. This is the state (1).

  In this unloader, the upper and lower pouch holding pins 103 do not necessarily move at the same time. For example, at the stage of the above (5), the pouch holding pins 103 are not moved to the outside under the reversal body 1. May be.

FIGS. 12 to 14 show another inversion type unloader according to the present invention. The difference from the unloader shown in FIGS. In addition, in FIGS. 12-14, the same number is provided to the substantially same member as the unloader described in FIGS.
(A) There are no tray moving members 6 and 7 and members such as air cylinders 8 and 9 for moving the tray moving members 6 and 7.
(B) At the upper ends of the guide members 16, 16 and the guide members 17, 17 arranged to face each other, tray holding portions 115, 116 projecting toward the tray T along the length direction are formed. Further, the guide members 16 and 17 can move a predetermined distance inward and outward by the operation of the air cylinders 118 and 119 fixed to the reversal frame 14 via the bracket 117 (see the solid line and the virtual line in FIG. 14). When the guide members 16 and 17 are moved outward, a gap into which the tray T can enter is formed between the tray holders 115 and 116 and the transport chain 25, and when the guide members 16 and 17 are moved inward, the tray The holding portions 115 and 116 hold the outer peripheral portion of the tray T and hold the tray T with the transport chain 25. That is, in this unloader, the guide members 16 and 17 and the transport chain 25 correspond to the tray holding means of the present invention.
(C) The tray T carried into the upper carry-in position is held at that position.
(D) Before reversing the tray T downward, the retort pouch P (pouch with spout in this example) is taken out of the tray.

Subsequently, an example of the operation sequence of the unloader will be described.
(1) When the reversing body 1 rotates by 180 degrees and stops, the guide member 16 moves (lowers) inwardly on the upper side of the reversing body 1 so that the empty tray T is moved between the transport chain 25 and keeping.
At this time, on the lower side of the reversal body 1, the guide member 17 moves (increases) inward, and the reversed tray T is held between the transport chain 25.
On the other hand, the pouch holding pins 103 are moved outwardly above and below the reversing body 1, and below the reversing body 1, the holding pins 103 protrude the retort pouch P from the tray T and press it against the belt 37 of the belt conveyor 4. And held between the pouch holding pin 103 and the belt 37.

(2) On the upper side of the reversing body 1, the tray positioning member 18 is operated and opened outward, the air cylinder 118 is operated and the guide member 16 is moved (raised) outward, and the tray T is conveyed with the guide member 16 Release from holding by the chain 25.
At this time, also on the lower side of the reversing body 1, the tray positioning member 18 is operated and opened outward, and the air cylinder 119 is operated and the guide member 17 is moved (lowered) outward.
At the same time, the air cylinders 106 and 107 are operated to move the pouch holding pin 103 inward, and the retort pouch P is released from being held by the pouch holding pin 103 and the belt 37 below the reversing body 1.

(3) On the upper side of the reversing body 1, the tray carry-in / out chain conveyor 5 is operated, and the empty tray T is carried out of the reversing body 1 and is transported toward the next process by the tray transporting conveyor 56. At the same time, the tray T containing the retort pouch P is fed into the reversal body 1 by the tray transfer conveyor 55 and is carried toward the upper loading position A by the tray carry-in / out chain conveyor 5.
At this time, on the lower side of the reversing body 1, the timing belt 40 of the driving mechanism 39 is engaged with the driving pulley 38 of the belt conveyor 4 and rotates, and the belt conveyor 4 operates to carry out the pouch P in the aligned state. It sends out to the conveyor 50 (refer FIG. 14).
(4) On the upper side of the reversing body 1, the tray positioning member 18 is actuated inward and closed, and the tray T containing the retort pouch P is positioned on the tray carry-in / out chain conveyor 5 at the loading position A of the reversing body 1. To do.
The tray positioning member 18 operates simultaneously also on the lower side of the reverse body 1.

(5) On the upper side of the reversing body 1, the air cylinder 118 operates, the guide member 16 moves inward (lowers), abuts against the outer periphery of the tray T, and presses the tray against the transport chain 25, and the position Hold on.
The air cylinder 119 operates simultaneously on the lower side of the reversing body 1 and the guide member 17 moves (increases) inward, contacts the outer periphery of the tray T, presses the tray against the transport chain 25, and holds it therebetween. .
Subsequently, the air cylinders 106 and 107 are operated to move the pouch holding pin 103 to the outside, and on the upper side of the reversing body 1, the pouch holding pin 103 pushes up the retort pouch P to come out from the tray T and presses against the belt 37. And held between the pouch holding pin 103 and the belt 37.
(6) The reversing body 1 rotates 180 degrees, the retort pouch-containing tray held on the upper side is inverted and turned downward, and the empty tray held on the lower side is inverted again and turned upward. This is the state (1).

  In this unloader, the upper and lower pouch holding pins 103 do not necessarily move at the same time. For example, at the stage of the above (5), the pouch holding pins 103 are not moved to the outside under the reversal body 1. May be. Moreover, the movement of the guide members 16 and 17 does not necessarily need to be simultaneous, for example, the guide member 17 does not need to move outside in the step (2).

  Further, in this unloader, instead of holding the tray T by the guide members 16 and 17, the belt conveyors 3 and 4 can be moved inward and outward (see the unloader shown in FIG. 6) and installed on the belt conveyors 3 and 4. The stopper T may be applied to the tray T to hold the tray T.

It is whole front sectional drawing of the inversion type unloader which concerns on this invention. FIG. It is II plane sectional drawing of FIG. It is II-II side sectional drawing of FIG. It is side surface sectional drawing of the belt conveyor used for the inversion type unloader which concerns on this invention. It is whole front sectional drawing of another inversion type unloader which concerns on this invention. It is whole front sectional drawing of another inversion type unloader which concerns on this invention. It is whole front sectional drawing of another inversion type unloader which concerns on this invention. It is III-III top sectional drawing of FIG. It is IV-IV side surface sectional drawing of FIG. It is a partial cross section detail drawing of the pouch holding pin used for the inversion type unloader. It is whole front sectional drawing of another inversion type unloader which concerns on this invention. It is VV plane sectional drawing of FIG. It is VI-VI side surface sectional drawing of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reversing body 2 Reversing shaft 3, 4, 58 Belt conveyor 5 Chain conveyor 6, 7 Tray moving member 12, 13 Stopper 18 Positioning member 37 Conveyor belt 39 Drive mechanism 52 Tray lifting member 55, 56 Tray conveying conveyor 67, 68 Support member (rail)
71, 72 Tray holding means 81 Inverted body 82 Belt conveyor 83, 84 Tray holding means 87, 88 Support rail 101, 102 Lifting plate 103 Pouch holding pin 115, 116 Tray holding part

Claims (26)

The tray loaded in an upside down horizontal state is reversed together with the reversing pouch together with the reversing body, the retort pouch taken out of the tray is carried out of the reversing body, and then the empty tray is reversed again together with the reversing body. In the reversing type unloading method of the retort pouch that is carried out, the reversing body has a horizontal reversing shaft at the center, and the tray loading positions are set on both sides of the reversing shaft, respectively. It rotates 180 degrees at the center and stops at the position where the loading position becomes horizontal. Each time the reversing body rotates 180 degrees, the tray is loaded into the upper or lower loading position, and the retort A retort pouch reversible unloading method comprising carrying out pouch unloading and tray unloading sequentially. The tray loaded in an upside down horizontal state is reversed together with the reversing pouch together with the reversing body, the retort pouch taken out of the tray is carried out of the reversing body, and then the empty tray is reversed again together with the reversing body. In the reversing type unloading method of the retort pouch that is carried out, the reversing body has a horizontal reversing shaft at the center, and the tray loading positions are set on both sides of the reversing shaft, respectively. The belt is rotated 180 degrees at the center and stopped at a position where the carry-in position becomes horizontal, and a belt conveyor is disposed on the outside of the reversing body at a position facing both the carry-in positions. The tray carried into the position is moved to a predetermined position outside and held at that position, and the tray is pressed against the belt conveyor at the position. Press the retort pouch from above, then rotate the reversing body and the belt conveyor 180 degrees, move the tray that is reversed and turned downward, and move the retort pouch out of the tray to the outside by the belt conveyor. A retort pouch that carries out the tray, moves the tray to the outside and holds it in the predetermined position, rotates the reversing body and the belt conveyor 180 degrees, and carries the tray returned to the outside to the outside. Inversion type unloading method. The tray loaded in an upside down horizontal state is reversed together with the reversing pouch together with the reversing body, the retort pouch taken out of the tray is carried out of the reversing body, and then the empty tray is reversed again together with the reversing body. In a reversing type unloading method of a retort pouch that is carried out after being used, a tray having a plurality of holes formed in the bottom is used as the tray, the reversing body has a horizontal reversing shaft at the center, and the reversing shaft sandwiches the reversing shaft. The tray loading position is set on both sides, and the tray is rotated 180 degrees at a time around the reversing axis and stopped at a position where the loading position becomes horizontal, and the reversing body can move a predetermined distance inward and outward. A large number of pouch holding pins are installed, and a belt conveyor is disposed on the outer side of the reversing body at a position opposite to the both loading positions. The tray loaded in is moved to a predetermined position outside and held in that position, the pouch holding pin is moved outward through the hole in the tray, the retort pouch is pushed up from the inside and pressed against the belt of the belt conveyor. Then, the reversing body and the belt conveyor are rotated by 180 degrees, the tray that is turned downward by reversing the pouch holding pin is moved inward, and the retort pouch that has come out of the tray is moved outside by the belt conveyor. Unloading, moving the tray to the outside and holding it again at the predetermined position, rotating the reversing body and the belt conveyor by 180 degrees, and unloading the tray returned upward to the outside Pouch inversion unloading method. The tray loaded in the upper loading position is moved to a predetermined position outside and held at that position, and pressed against the belt conveyor at the position to hold the retort pouch in the tray from above. 4. A retort pouch inversion unloading method according to 3. The tray loaded in an upside down horizontal state is reversed together with the reversing pouch together with the reversing body, the retort pouch taken out of the tray is carried out of the reversing body, and then the empty tray is reversed again together with the reversing body. In the reversing type unloading method of the retort pouch that is carried out, the reversing body has a horizontal reversing shaft at the center, and the tray loading positions are set on both sides of the reversing shaft, respectively. The belt is rotated 180 degrees at the center and stopped at a position where the carry-in position becomes horizontal, and a belt conveyor is disposed on the outside of the reversing body at a position facing both the carry-in positions. While holding the tray carried into the position at the carrying-in position, the belt conveyor is pressed at the position to move the retort pouch in the tray from above. Even then, the reversing body and the belt conveyor are rotated 180 degrees, the belt conveyor is moved outward and reversed to be separated from the tray turned downward, and the retort pouch that has come out of the tray is moved by the belt conveyor. A retort pouch reversing type unloading method, wherein the reversing pouch is carried out to the outside, the reversing body and the belt conveyor are rotated 180 degrees, and the tray returned upward is carried out to the outside. The tray loaded in an upside down horizontal state is reversed together with the reversing pouch together with the reversing body, the retort pouch taken out of the tray is carried out of the reversing body, and then the empty tray is reversed again together with the reversing body. In a reversing type unloading method of a retort pouch that is carried out after being used, a tray having a plurality of holes formed in the bottom is used as the tray, the reversing body has a horizontal reversing shaft at the center, and the reversing shaft sandwiches the reversing shaft. The tray loading position is set on both sides, and the tray is rotated 180 degrees at a time around the reversing axis and stopped at a position where the loading position becomes horizontal, and the reversing body can move a predetermined distance inward and outward. A large number of pouch holding pins are installed, and a belt conveyor is disposed on the outer side of the reversing body at a position opposite to the both loading positions. The tray loaded in is held in the loading position, the pouch holding pin is moved outwardly through the hole in the tray, the retort pouch is pushed up from the inside and removed from the tray and pressed against the belt conveyor, and held. Subsequently, the reversing body and the belt conveyor are rotated 180 degrees, the pouch holding pin is moved inward, the retort pouch that has come out of the tray is carried out to the outside by the belt conveyor, and then the reversing body and the belt conveyor are moved to the outside. A retort pouch reversible unloading method, wherein the tray rotated 180 degrees and returned upward is unloaded. The tray loaded in an upside down horizontal state is reversed together with the reversing pouch together with the reversing body, the retort pouch taken out of the tray is carried out of the reversing body, and then the empty tray is reversed again together with the reversing body. In a reversing type unloading method of a retort pouch that is carried out after being used, a tray having a plurality of holes formed in the bottom is used as the tray, the reversing body has a horizontal reversing shaft at the center, and the reversing shaft sandwiches the reversing shaft. The tray loading position is set on both sides, and the tray is rotated 180 degrees at a time around the reversing axis and stopped at a position where the loading position becomes horizontal, and the reversing body can move a predetermined distance inward and outward. A large number of pouch holding pins are installed, and a belt conveyor is disposed on the outer side of the reversing body at a position opposite to the both loading positions. Holding the tray carried in to the loading position, pressing the belt conveyor at the position to hold the retort pouch in the tray from above, moving the pouch holding pin outward through the hole in the tray, The retort pouch is pushed up from the inside and held against the belt conveyor, and then the reversing body and the belt conveyor are rotated 180 degrees, the belt conveyor is moved outward, and the retort pouch that has come out of the tray is moved to the belt conveyor. The retort pouch reversing type unloading method is characterized in that the reversing pouch is unloaded and then the reversing body and the belt conveyor are rotated 180 degrees, and the tray returned upward is unloaded. The tray loaded in an upside down horizontal state is reversed together with the reversing pouch together with the reversing body, the retort pouch taken out of the tray is carried out of the reversing body, and then the empty tray is reversed again together with the reversing body. In the reversing type unloading method of the retort pouch that is carried out, the reversing body has a horizontal reversing shaft at the center, and the tray loading positions are set on both sides of the reversing shaft, respectively. Rotates 180 degrees at the center and stops at a position where the carry-in position becomes horizontal, and the reversing body includes an annular belt conveyor arranged inside both the carry-in positions, and carries into the lower carry-in position. The tray is moved to a predetermined position on the inner side and held at that position, and the retort pouch in the tray is pressed against the belt conveyor at the position. Then, the reversing body is rotated 180 degrees, the tray turned upside down is moved outward, the retort pouch that has come out of the tray is carried out to the outside by the belt conveyor, and then the reversing is carried out. A method for unloading a retort pouch, wherein the tray is rotated 180 degrees and the tray returned upward is carried out. The tray loaded in an upside down horizontal state is reversed together with the reversing pouch together with the reversing body, the retort pouch taken out of the tray is carried out of the reversing body, and then the empty tray is reversed again together with the reversing body. In the reversing unloader that is unloaded, the reversing body has a horizontal reversing shaft at the center and is rotatable about the reversing shaft, and the tray loading positions on both sides of the reversing shaft, respectively. And a reversing drive means connected to the reversing shaft, rotating the reversing body 180 degrees at a time and stopping the loading position at a horizontal position, and a reversing driving means to the upper loading position of the reversing body. A tray carry-in / out means for carrying in the tray and carrying out the tray from the carry-in position, and a belt roller disposed at a position facing both the carry-in positions outside the reversing body. The bear and the tray loaded in the upper loading position are moved to a predetermined position outside and held at that position, and the tray holding means for pressing the retort pouch in the tray against the belt of the belt conveyor at the position is reversed. The tray unloader further comprises tray lifting means for moving the tray, which is directed downward, away from the belt conveyor. The tray holding means and a tray stopper arranged in the vicinity of the belt conveyor are movable inward and outward, and when moved outward, the tray is pressed against the tray stopper and held in the predetermined position. 10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the tray is pressed against a belt of the belt conveyor when the tray is held at the predetermined position, and the retort pouch is held between the tray and the belt. Reversed unloader. The tray loaded in an upside down horizontal state is reversed together with the reversing pouch together with the reversing body, the retort pouch taken out of the tray is carried out of the reversing body, and then the empty tray is reversed again together with the reversing body. In the reversing type unloader that is unloaded, the tray is a tray having a plurality of holes formed in the bottom, and the reversing body has a horizontal reversing axis at the center and is rotatable about the reversing axis. And the tray loading positions are set on both sides of the reversing shaft, and the reversing body is provided with a large number of pouch holding pins that can be moved a predetermined distance inward and outward and can pass through the holes of the tray. A reversing drive unit connected to the reversing shaft and rotating the reversing body by 180 degrees at a time to stop the loading position at a horizontal position; A tray loading / unloading means for loading and unloading the tray from the loading position, a belt conveyor disposed at a position facing both the loading positions outside the reversing body, and loading to the upper loading position. A tray holding means for moving the tray that has been moved to a predetermined position on the outside and holding the tray; and a tray lifting means for moving the tray that has been reversed and turned downward to move away from the belt conveyor, and holds the pouch. A reversing type unloader, wherein the pin is located inside the loading position when moved inward and holds the retort pouch against the belt conveyor when moved outward. The tray holding means and a tray stopper arranged in the vicinity of the belt conveyor are movable inward and outward, and when moved outward, the tray is pressed against the tray stopper and held in the predetermined position. The reversible unloader according to claim 11, comprising a member. 13. The reversible unscrew according to claim 11, wherein when the tray is held at the predetermined position, the tray is pressed against a belt of the belt conveyor, and the retort pouch is pressed from above by the belt. Loader. 13. The tray holding unit, wherein the tray stopper is disposed so as to contact an upper edge of an outer peripheral portion of the tray, and the tray moving member is in surface contact with the lower surface of the tray. Inverted unloader. The reversing type unloader according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the tray lifting means is installed in the vicinity of the reversing body independently of the reversing body. The tray loaded in an upside down horizontal state is reversed together with the reversing pouch together with the reversing body, the retort pouch taken out of the tray is carried out of the reversing body, and then the empty tray is reversed again together with the reversing body. In the reversing unloader that is unloaded, the reversing body has a horizontal reversing shaft at the center and is rotatable about the reversing shaft, and the tray loading positions on both sides of the reversing shaft, respectively. And a reversing drive means connected to the reversing shaft, rotating the reversing body 180 degrees at a time and stopping the loading position at a horizontal position, and a reversing driving means to the upper loading position of the reversing body. A tray carry-in / out means for carrying in the tray and carrying out the tray from the carry-in position, and a position facing the both carry-in positions on the outside of the reversing body, respectively, inward and outward directions A belt conveyor capable of moving a predetermined distance; and a tray holding means for holding the tray loaded in the upper loading position at the loading position. When the belt conveyor moves inward, the belt of the belt conveyor A reversible unloader that is pressed against a retort pouch in a tray. The tray loaded in an upside down horizontal state is reversed together with the reversing pouch together with the reversing body, the retort pouch taken out of the tray is carried out of the reversing body, and then the empty tray is reversed again together with the reversing body. In the reversing type unloader that is unloaded, the tray is a tray having a plurality of holes formed in the bottom, and the reversing body has a horizontal reversing axis at the center and is rotatable about the reversing axis. And the tray loading positions are set on both sides of the reversing shaft, and the reversing body is provided with a large number of pouch holding pins that can be moved a predetermined distance inward and outward and can pass through the holes of the tray. A reversing drive unit connected to the reversing shaft and rotating the reversing body by 180 degrees at a time to stop the loading position at a horizontal position; A tray loading / unloading means for loading and unloading the tray from the loading position, a belt conveyor disposed at a position facing both the loading positions outside the reversing body, and loading to the upper loading position. Tray holding means for holding the tray in the carry-in position, and the pouch holding pin is located inside the carry-in position when moved inward, and pushes the retort pouch up and out of the tray when moved outward. A reversible unloader, wherein the reversible unloader is pressed against and held by the belt conveyor. The tray loaded in an upside down horizontal state is reversed together with the reversing pouch together with the reversing body, the retort pouch taken out of the tray is carried out of the reversing body, and then the empty tray is reversed again together with the reversing body. In the reversing type unloader that is unloaded, the tray is a tray having a plurality of holes formed in the bottom, and the reversing body has a horizontal reversing axis at the center and is rotatable about the reversing axis. And the tray loading positions are set on both sides of the reversing shaft, and the reversing body is provided with a large number of pouch holding pins that can be moved a predetermined distance inward and outward and can pass through the holes of the tray. A reversing drive unit connected to the reversing shaft and rotating the reversing body by 180 degrees at a time to stop the loading position at a horizontal position; The tray loading / unloading means for loading and unloading the tray from the loading position and a position facing the both loading positions on the outside of the reversing body are respectively movable in a predetermined distance inward and outward. A belt conveyor and a tray holding means for holding the tray loaded in the upper loading position at the loading position, and the pouch holding pin is positioned inside the loading position when moved inward and moved outside A reversible unloader that presses and holds the retort pouch against the belt conveyor. The tray holding means is installed at the carry-in position of the reversing body and is in contact with the lower surface of the tray, and is movable inward and outward relative to the reversing body, and when moved inward, the outer periphery of the tray The reversible unloader according to any one of claims 16 to 18, comprising a pressing member that contacts an upper edge of the portion and holds the tray against the support member. The tray holding means is installed at the carry-in position of the reversing body and is in contact with the lower surface of the tray, and is movable inward and outward relative to the reversing body, and when moved inward, the outer periphery of the tray 17. A pressing member that contacts an upper edge of the section and presses and holds the tray against the support member, and the pressing member is attached to the belt conveyor and moves inward and outward together. The inversion type unloader described in any one of -18. The side of the belt conveyor facing the reversing body can be partially entered into the tray, and the belt of the portion presses the retort pouch in the tray. Reversing type unloader described in 1. The reversible unloader according to claim 21, wherein a side of the belt conveyor facing the reversing body is inclined in a direction in which a carry-out side of the retort pouch is separated from the reversing body. The inversion unloader according to any one of claims 9 to 22, wherein the belt conveyor has a plurality of belts arranged in parallel. A driving pulley is fixed to a driving shaft of the belt conveyor, and a driving mechanism of the driving pulley is installed in the vicinity of the reversing body independently of the reversing body, and the driving mechanism is connected to the driving pulley and The reversible unloader according to any one of claims 9 to 23, wherein the connection can be released. The inversion according to any one of claims 11, 17, and 18, wherein the pouch holding pin is biased outward by a spring and held in a predetermined position, and can be retracted when a load is applied. Expression unloader. The tray loaded in an upside down horizontal state is reversed together with the reversing pouch together with the reversing body, the retort pouch taken out of the tray is carried out of the reversing body, and then the empty tray is reversed again together with the reversing body. In the reversing unloader that is unloaded, the reversing body has a horizontal reversing shaft at the center and is rotatable about the reversing shaft, and the tray loading positions on both sides of the reversing shaft, respectively. An annular belt conveyor is disposed inside the carry-in position, and is further connected to the reversing shaft, and the reversing body is rotated 180 degrees at a time to stop the carry-in position at a horizontal position. Reversing drive means, tray loading / unloading means for loading the tray into the lower loading position of the reversing body and unloading the tray from the loading position, and loading into the lower loading position A tray holding means for moving the tray from the carry-in position to a predetermined position inside and holding the tray at that position, and pressing the retort pouch in the tray against the belt of the belt conveyor at the position. Expression unloader.

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