JP2007055739A - Feeding, alignment, and conveying device for small article - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a feeding, alignment, and conveying device for a small article provided with a safe and certain sorting mechanism gentle for a tablet and capable of enhancing predetermined alignment treatment ability. <P>SOLUTION: The feeding, alignment, and conveying device for the small article is provided with a conveying belt for placing and conveying the small article; a guide member arranged on the conveying belt and having a guide side surface for guiding the small article; a height restriction gate for restricting height between the conveying belt and it such that the small article conveyed on the conveying belt can be passed only at stable attitude; an alignment conveying passage including a width restriction guide having a side surface for restricting width between a guide side surface of the guide member and it such that only one small article conveyed on the conveying belt can be passed at stable attitude; and a returning conveying passage adjacent to the alignment conveying passage and returning the small article delivered from the alignment conveying passage to the upstream of the alignment conveying passage. A rotation shaft for sorting the conveyed small article is arranged near an end in an upstream side of the width restriction guide. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a small article supply / conveyance apparatus for aligning small articles such as tablets sent in a complicated state in a predetermined posture and supplying them to a subsequent processing step, and in particular, a predetermined alignment process for small articles. The present invention relates to a small article supply / alignment conveying apparatus provided with a sorting mechanism improved to improve performance.

  As a supply alignment transport device for small articles such as tablets, the applicant can supply at high speed using a flat transport path and a side guide as disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-322727. An aligning and conveying apparatus has already been proposed.

  FIG. 7 shows a partially enlarged schematic view of a small article supply / alignment conveying apparatus proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-322727.

  The supply aligning and conveying apparatus generally includes a conveying path 110 for aligning and conveying tablets T defined on the conveying belt 111, a guide member 120 for defining a conveying path 110 for aligning tablets T moving on the conveying belt 111, and the like. A member that defines the conveyance path 110, a gate member (not shown) that regulates the height, a member that also defines the conveyance path 110, and constitutes a gate member that regulates the width; A reduction conveyance path 140 is provided for returning the tablets distributed and removed from the conveyance path 110 to the upstream side of the supply alignment conveyance apparatus.

  Specifically, the guide member 120 is defined so as to cross the conveying belt 111 obliquely on the upstream side and to narrow the alignment conveying path 110 gradually (not shown) upstream, and to the width regulating guide 130 on the downstream side. An alignment transport path 110 is defined so that the tablets T are transported in a line. The upstream end portion of the width regulation guide 130 is configured to distribute tablets, and for example, a distribution pin or the like may be provided.

  The tablets T quantitatively discharged to the supply alignment conveying device are conveyed from left to right on the conveying belt 111 in FIG. The tablets T brought into a predetermined posture by the height regulation guide are distributed at the upstream end portion of the width regulation guide 130. The tablets T distributed to the conveyance path 110 side are aligned in a line by passing through the conveyance path 110 defined by the guide member 120 and the width regulation guide 130, and are provided downstream of the supply alignment conveyance apparatus. It is supplied to a processing device, for example, an inspection device.

JP 2003-128233 A

  In the conventional example shown in FIG. 7, the tablets T are sorted at the upstream end portion of the width regulation guide 130 as described above. However, in an uncoated tablet with a high friction coefficient, a tablet with a lot of powder scattering, etc., there is a risk that smooth sorting will not be possible at the upstream end of the width regulation guide 130 and braking will be applied. In this case, the stagnation of the tablet is eliminated by being pushed by the subsequent tablet, etc., but the tablet does not flow while the tablet is stagnation, so there is a gap between the tablets that are conveyed in a row. As a result, the quantitative supply is disrupted. As a result, such an irregular supply of tablets leads to a decrease in processing capacity of the entire processing apparatus including the supply alignment transport apparatus.

  In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is a supply and alignment transport apparatus that transports small articles at high speed, and includes a sorting mechanism that is safe, reliable, and gentle to tablets, and can improve a predetermined alignment processing capability. Another object of the present invention is to provide a supply / alignment conveying apparatus for small articles.

  In order to achieve the above object, a small article supply / alignment conveying apparatus according to the present invention includes a conveyance belt that carries and conveys small articles, and a guide that is disposed on the conveyance belt and guides the small articles. A height regulating gate that regulates the height between the member and the conveyor belt and the conveyor belt so that the small article conveyed on the conveyor belt can pass only in a stable posture, and the conveyor belt is conveyed on the conveyor belt. An alignment conveying path including a width regulating guide having a side surface that regulates a width between the guide member and a guide side surface of the guide member so that only one small article can pass in a stable posture; and the alignment conveying path A small article supply / arrangement apparatus including a return conveyance path that returns a small article removed from the alignment conveyance path to an upstream side of the alignment conveyance path. Rotation axis for separating, characterized in that disposed near the upstream end of the width regulating guide.

  Further, in the small article supply / alignment conveying apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the rotation shaft rotates in a direction in which the small articles are taken into the alignment conveyance path, and the rotation shaft is driven by compressed air. preferable.

  In addition, the supply / conveyance device for small articles according to the present invention preferably further includes a wind power block detachably attached to the supply / alignment device, and the rotation shaft is rotatably supported by the wind power block. .

  Moreover, it is preferable that the rotating shaft has an uneven wheel that rotates by receiving the compressed air.

  In addition, it is preferable that the said wind power block is provided with the channel | path which supplies the said compressed air, and the blowing hole for spraying compressed air to the said uneven vehicle.

  The small article supply / alignment conveying apparatus according to the present invention distributes the small articles by providing the rotating shaft, so that the small articles are smoothly aligned and conveyed in a row. In addition, the rotation direction of the rotation shaft is set to a direction in which small articles are taken into the alignment conveyance path, thereby improving the alignment conveyance processing capability. Further, since the rotation shaft is driven by compressed air, the rotation control is easy, the safety is excellent, the rotation shaft is decelerated or stopped quickly, and the tablet is damaged. It is kind to tablets without any problems. In addition, since the wind power block that indicates the rotation axis is detachable, the rotation axis can be easily replaced or removed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, a description will be given of a device that conveys a substantially flat agent, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a small article supply / alignment conveying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic view of a main part when the second gate portion of the supply alignment transport device shown in FIG. 1 is viewed from above. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the distribution mechanism of the supply alignment transport device shown in FIG. 1 as viewed obliquely from above. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the sorting mechanism shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a main part of the supply / alignment transport apparatus to which the sorting mechanism shown in FIG. 3 is attached, as viewed obliquely from the bottom with the transport belt removed for easy understanding. FIG. 6 is a comparison diagram of processing capacity between the conventional example and this embodiment.

  The supply alignment transport apparatus 1 for transporting the tablets T is roughly composed of a first alignment transport path 10a, a second transport path 10b, and a reduction transport path 80 disposed between the two transport paths 10a and 10b. Consists of

  The two transport paths 10a and 10b are installed substantially horizontally and have a symmetrical shape with an inclined return transport path 80 disposed at the center.

  A first alignment conveying path (conveying path located below the reducing conveying path 80 in FIG. 1) 10a guides the conveying belt 11a and tablets T that convey the tablet T in the main conveying direction (arrow X). It includes a guide member 20a on which a guide side surface 21a is formed, a first gate portion 30a, and a second gate portion 40a.

  The conveyor belt 11a is an endless conveyor, and is passed and driven between two pulleys so that the conveyance surface of the tablet T extends from the preceding conveyance device F to the subsequent tablet inspection processing device C.

  The guide member 20a is disposed immediately above the conveyor belt 11a and has the guide side surface 21a for guiding the tablet T as described above. The guide side surface 21a defines the first alignment transport path 10a substantially equal to the width of the transport belt 11a in the tablet receiving portion upstream of the tablet T in the main transport direction. It is formed so as to cross 11a diagonally. That is, as the guide side surface 21a of the guide member 20a goes downstream, the tablet T is moved closer to the reduction conveyance path 80, and as a result, the width of the first alignment conveyance path 10a of the tablet T is gradually reduced. The first alignment transport path 10a is defined. In this case, the guide side surface 21a formed so as to cross the conveyor belt 11a obliquely may be linear or curvilinear. Further, as shown in detail in FIG. 2, the guide side surface 21a has the smallest width of the first alignment transport path 10a in the vicinity of the entrance of the second gate portion 40a described later, and the diameter of the tablet T to be transported. The first alignment transport path 10a is defined so as to have a width substantially equal to. The guide side surface 21a is finally formed so as to be parallel to the main transport direction (arrow X) and, together with a width regulating guide 42a of the second gate 20a described later, the width of one tablet T1 to be transported, that is, transport The first alignment transport path 10a is defined so as to have a width substantially equal to the diameter of the tablet T to be formed. Therefore, the guide side surface 21a is configured to change the direction from an inclined surface that obliquely blocks and crosses the transport belt 11a to a parallel surface that is parallel to the main transport direction (arrow X) of the transport belt 11a.

  As shown in the present embodiment, the guide member 20a is configured to be movable in the horizontal direction and in a direction perpendicular to the main transport direction (arrow X), and is guided by the position adjustment knob 16a. It is preferable that the member 20a and therefore the guide side surface 21a be moved so that the width of the first alignment transport path 10a can be adjusted in accordance with the size of the tablet T to be transported. Reference numerals 17a and 17a are clampers for fixing the guide member 20a to the base.

  The first gate portion 30a is provided substantially in the middle of the first alignment transport path 10a along the guide side surface 21a constituting the first alignment transport path 10a. The 1st gate part 30a is comprised from the 1st height control gate 31a which controls height corresponding to the tablet T conveyed. The bottom surface of the first height regulating gate 31a is separated from the transport surface of the first alignment transport path 10a by a predetermined distance, for example, a distance slightly longer than the height of the tablet T, and is parallel to the transport surface. It is attached to the guide member 20a so that it becomes. Further, the first height regulating gate 31a has a side surface 32a that obliquely crosses the first alignment conveying path 10a and extends to the reducing conveying path 80, and is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the height regulating gate 31a. Is formed. The first gate member 30a provided with the first height regulating gate 31a is provided substantially in the middle of the first alignment transport path 10a, so that the tablets T that are transported stand or overlap. The tablet T to be laid down is laid sideways by the side surface 32a of the gate 31a, the overlap is released, in other words, the posture is made stable. Alternatively, it is excluded from the first alignment transport path 10a toward the return transport path 80 along the side surface 32a. The first height regulating gate 31a is preferably configured so that its height (distance from the conveying surface of the first alignment conveying path 10a) can be adjusted by the height adjusting knob 35a. .

  The second gate portion 40a is provided downstream of the first alignment transport path 10a along the guide side surface 21a that changes the direction from the inclined surface to the parallel surface. As shown in FIG. 2, the second gate portion 40a includes a second height regulating gate 41a, a width regulating guide 42a, a sorting mechanism, a first side guide 43a, and a second side guide 44a.

  On the upstream side of the second height regulating gate 41a (reduction conveyance path 80 side), the first alignment conveyance path 10a obliquely crosses the first alignment conveyance path 10a and extends to the reduction conveyance path 80. The side surface 45a perpendicular to the bottom surface of the height regulating gate 41a and the tip of the rotating shaft 55a constituting the sorting mechanism to be described later protrude below the second height regulating gate 41a, and the first alignment transport path 10a. It has a U-shaped groove 46a that allows it to face upward. The depth of the U-shaped groove 46a is such that the rotation shaft 55a constituting the sorting mechanism is the edge of the first alignment transport path 10a on the side of the transport path 80 for reduction, that is, the edge of the transport belt 11a on the side of the transport path 80 for reduction. It is set so that it can be arranged near the part. The U-shaped groove 46a may be a through-hole penetrating the second height regulating gate 41a in the vertical direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2).

  The inner side of the second height regulating gate 41a is along the guide side surface 21a of the guide member 20a, and the bottom surface of the second height regulating gate 41a is the same as the first height regulating gate 31a. It is attached to the guide member 20a so as to be separated from the transport surface by a predetermined distance, for example, a distance slightly longer than the height of the tablet T and to be parallel to the transport surface 10a. The side surface 45a perpendicular to the bottom surface of the second height regulating gate 41a excludes the tablet T that is still in an unstable posture into the reducing conveyance path 80.

  In this embodiment, the width regulating guide 42a is formed integrally with the second height regulating gate 41a, and is formed below the second height regulating gate 41a (see FIG. 5). ). In the present embodiment, the width regulation guide 42a extends downstream from the U-shaped groove 46a of the second height regulation gate 41a. From this configuration, it is understood that the rotation shaft 55a constituting the distribution mechanism is disposed near the upstream end portion of the width regulating guide 42a. The width regulating guide 42a also has an inner side surface that is separated from the guide side surface 21a of the guide member 20a by a predetermined distance, for example, a distance slightly longer than the diameter of the tablet T, and is parallel to the guide side surface 21a. Placed in. As a result, the first alignment transport path 10a having a width corresponding to the diameter of the tablet T on the inner side surface 48a of the width regulating guide 42a and the guide side surface 21a of the guide member 20a, that is, the tablets T are transported in a line. A conveyance path 10a is formed. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, it is preferable that an inclined side surface 47 a is formed on the outer side of the width regulation guide 42 a (returning conveyance path 80 side) so that the upstream side is tapered. By providing the inclined side surface 47a, the tablets T distributed to the reduction conveyance path 80 side by the distribution mechanism (more specifically, the rotation shaft 55a) described later can smoothly fall into the reduction conveyance path 80. However, the width regulating guide 42a may not include the inclined side surface 47a. For example, the outer shape of the width regulating guide 42a may be the same as the outer shape of the second height gate 41a.

  In addition, it is preferable that the 2nd height control gate 41a and the width control guide 42a which are integrally formed are comprised so that each height and width can be adjusted. In the present embodiment, the second height regulating gate 41a and the width regulating guide 42a are integrally formed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the second height regulating gate 41a and the width regulating guide 42a may be formed separately so that the height and width can be adjusted independently.

  The distribution mechanism is the most characteristic component of the present invention. 3 to 5 are detailed views of the distribution mechanism.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the distribution mechanism roughly includes a windmill 50a and a wind block 60a.

  The windmill 50a includes a windmill main body 51a, an uneven wheel 52a, a rotating shaft 55a, a first bearing portion 56a, and a second bearing portion 57a.

  The windmill main body 51a is a member that supports the uneven wheel 52a, and has a cylindrical shape with a through hole formed in the center. The rotation shaft 55a passes through the center through hole of the windmill main body 51a, and the windmill main body 51a and the rotation shaft 55a are integrated by a screw or the like through a shaft fixing hole 54a formed in the windmill main body 51a.

  The uneven wheel 52a is disposed on the windmill main body 51a and is fixed to the windmill main body 51a by an appropriate means. In the uneven wheel 52a, a plurality of convex portions 53a (see FIG. 4) are formed on the outer periphery, and a through hole through which the rotation shaft 55a passes is formed in the center portion. The convex part 53a formed in the outer periphery of the uneven | corrugated wheel 52a may have the shape of the gear tooth, and may be a shape like a flat blade | wing. In short, any shape can be used as long as it can catch the blowing of compressed air.

  The rotation shaft 55a is a member that distributes the tablets T, passes through the through holes of the windmill body 51a and the uneven wheel 52a, and has first bearing portions 56a disposed on both sides of the windmill body 51a and the uneven wheel 52a. The second bearing portion 57a is rotatably supported.

  Further, as shown in the drawing, the rotating shaft 55a projects a lower end portion from the second bearing portion 57a by a predetermined length, and allows the free end of the projecting portion to function as a member for distributing the tablets T. The rotating shaft 55a may be made of any material, but is preferably made of stainless steel (SUS) having a surface treated with Teflon (registered trademark). Furthermore, when the tablet T is a flat circular tablet (round tablet), the diameter of the rotation shaft 55a is preferably slightly smaller (about 1 mm smaller) than the diameter. For example, when the diameter of the tablet T is 5 mm, the diameter of the rotating shaft 55a is preferably 4 mm. Alternatively, in the case where the tablet is an oval or oval cross-sectional tablet (an irregular tablet), the diameter of the rotation shaft 55a is preferably slightly smaller than the length of the short axis. If the diameter of the rotation shaft 55a is too large, the tablet is likely to be clogged, and if it is too small, the strength of the rotation shaft 55a becomes weak and the shaft 55a may be bent.

  The wind power block 60a rotatably supports the windmill 50a and has a function of blowing compressed air to the uneven wheel 52a of the windmill 50a as shown in FIG. By blowing the compressed air, the integrated windmill main body 51a, concave / convex wheel 52a and rotating shaft 55a are rotated in the counterclockwise direction, that is, the direction in which the tablets are taken into the conveying path for alignment.

  The wind power block 60a includes a block main body 61a and a first bearing holder 67a.

  The block main body 61a has a vertical block 62a and a base 65a, and the vertical block 62a and the base 65a are substantially L-shaped. The vertical block 62a is provided with a blowing hole 64a for blowing compressed air sent from the air supply pipe 71a through the pipe joint 72a and the passage 63a to the uneven wheel 52a of the windmill 50a. The base 65a constitutes a second bearing holder, and a fixing hole 66a is formed. The block main body 61a is detachably attached to the second height regulating gate 41a of the second gate portion 40a with a screw or the like through the fixing hole 66a (see FIG. 5).

  The first bearing holder 67a is fixed on the vertical block 62 with a screw member 68a or the like. Further, the first bearing holder 67a and the base 65a employ a fixing method such as press-fitting the first bearing portion 56a and the second bearing portion 57a of the windmill 50a into the mounting holes formed respectively. The windmill 50a is rotatably supported.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the wind turbine 50a and the wind turbine block 60a constituting the distribution mechanism are assembled on the second height regulating gate 45a, the lower end portion of the rotating shaft 55a of the wind turbine 50a has the second height. It passes through the U-shaped groove 46a of the regulating gate 41a and faces the first alignment transport path 10a. In this case, the lower free end of the rotation shaft 55a of the windmill 50a is smaller than the height (thickness) of the tablet T conveyed relative to the upper surface of the conveyance belt 11a constituting the first alignment conveyance path 10a. It will be understood that they are arranged at a distance that does not touch the top surface of the conveyor belt 11. Further, the rotation shaft 55a is in the vicinity of the upstream end portion of the width regulating guide 42a, and is opposed to the portion where the direction of the guide side surface 21a is changed from the inclined surface to the parallel surface with the first alignment transport path 10a interposed therebetween. The conveyor belt 11a is disposed in the vicinity of the edge on the side of the conveyance path 80 for reduction. Although not shown, it is more preferable that the sorting mechanism is entirely covered with a cover or the like when assembled as the supply alignment transport device 1.

  The distribution mechanism in the present embodiment has the above-described configuration, so that the compressed air discharged from the blowing hole 64a hits the convex portion 53a of the concave / convex vehicle 52a as shown in FIG. Rotates counterclockwise in the figure. Thereby, the windmill main body 51 formed integrally with the uneven wheel 52 also rotates. As a result, the rotating shaft 55a integrated with the windmill main body 51a rotates counterclockwise, that is, in the direction in which the tablets are taken into the first alignment transport path 10a, and the tablet T hitting the rotating shaft 55a is removed. It is possible to smoothly guide to the first alignment transport path 10a and prevent the stagnation of the tablet T.

  Even if the tablet T is sandwiched between the rotation shaft 55a and the guide side surface 21a of the guide member 20a and tries to stagnate, the rotation of the rotation shaft 55a is added to the subsequent tablet pushing action that also exists in the conventional example. The tablet T hardly stagnates due to the action of taking in force. Further, since the rotation of the rotating shaft 55a is due to the blowing force of the compressed air, even if the stagnation occurs momentarily and a load is applied to the rotating shaft 55a, the rotation of the rotating shaft 55a is easily decelerated or stopped. . Thereby, the sorting mechanism in the present embodiment does not apply excessive force to the tablet T and does not damage the tablet T as compared to forcibly driving the rotating shaft 55 with a motor or the like.

  In addition, control of the rotational speed of the rotating shaft 55a can be easily performed by changing the speed of the air sprayed on the uneven wheel 52a by adjusting the pressure and flow rate of the compressed air. In addition, as a compressed air supply source, a compressor or the like provided in a factory facility supplied to an apparatus for cleaning the conveyor belt or dustproof for an inspection camera is used.

  The first side guide 43a and the second side guide 44a are used in the subsequent tablet inspection process for the tablets T sent from the conveyance path defined by the inner side surface 48a of the width regulating guide 42a and the guide side surface 21a of the guide member 20a. It is a component for delivery to the device C. Therefore, the first side guide 43a and the second side guide 44a are arranged so as to be separated from each other by a distance slightly longer than the diameter of the tablet T and parallel to each other, thereby defining the first alignment transport path 10a. It attaches to the guide member 20a so that it may comprise. The conveyance path defined by the first side guide 43a and the second side guide 44a is formed in parallel to the main conveyance direction (arrow X) of the tablet T. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the conveyance path defined by the first side guide 43a and the second side guide 44a is a second height regulation guide for delivery to the tablet inspection processing apparatus C at the subsequent stage. 41a is not covered. The first side guide 43a and the second side guide 44a are also preferably configured so that the widths thereof can be adjusted.

  Here, the operation in which the tablets T are aligned in a row in a stable posture in the second gate member 40a will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

  The tablets T that have been transported on the first alignment transport path 10a, more specifically, the transport surface of the transport belt 11a, take a stable posture (in the present embodiment, in a lying state). Only the tablets enter between the conveyance surface of the conveyance belt 11a and the second height regulation guide 41a. Further, the tablet T to be conveyed advances to the first alignment conveying path 10a defined by the guide surface 21a and the inner side surface 48a of the width regulating guide 42a due to the presence of the rotation shaft 55a constituting the sorting mechanism. And those that are excluded to the return conveyance path 80.

  Even if the tablet T conveyed along the guide side surface 21a has a slight inertial force and hits the rotation shaft 55a, the tablet T at that moment, as described above, takes in the rotation shaft 55a, Without being clogged, it is conveyed through the first alignment conveying path 10a defined by the guide side surface 21a and the inner side surface 48a of the width regulating guide 42a.

  On the other hand, the tablet T conveyed away from the guide side surface 21a is narrowed to the diameter of the tablet T by the guide side surface 21a because the first alignment transport path 10a is narrowed along the guide side surface 21a. Due to the presence of the tablets T being conveyed, they are pushed out from the first alignment conveying path 10a to the reducing conveying path 80 or hit the rotating shaft 55a and excluded to the reducing conveying path 80 side.

  In this way, the tablets T that have passed through the rotating shaft 55a and have been transported to the first alignment transport path 10a defined by the guide side surface 21a and the inner side surface 48a of the width regulating guide 42a are aligned in a line. The first side guide 43a and the second side guide 44a are sent to the first alignment transport path 10a.

  A second alignment transport path (a transport path positioned above the return transport path 80 in FIG. 1) 10b is paired with the first alignment transport path 10a and has substantially the same structure. Therefore, the description thereof is omitted (each component is given the same numeral as the component of the first alignment transport path by substituting b for the alphabet a).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the reduction conveyance path 80 is disposed between the first alignment conveyance path 10 a and the second alignment conveyance path 10 b having a symmetrical shape, and the first and second alignment paths are arranged. The tablets T excluded from the transport paths 10a and 10b are returned to the transport apparatus F disposed upstream of the supply and alignment transport apparatus 10, and the first alignment transport path 10a or the second alignment transport path 10b is set again. For passing and aligning. The specific configuration of the return conveyance path 80 is the same as that of the conventional example, and the description thereof is omitted here.

  Next, the conveyance operation of the tablet T in the supply alignment conveyance apparatus of a present Example is demonstrated.

  Tablets T released quantitatively from a hopper or the like are vibrated by a conveying device F, and are appropriately distributed by fins F1a and F1b provided downstream of the conveying device F, for alignment of the supply alignment conveying device 1 of this embodiment. It is sent to the transport paths 10a and 10b. At this time, the tablets T are guided by the fins F1a and F1b so as to be directed to the guide side surfaces 21a and 21b of the alignment transport paths 10a and 10b. The tablets T that are transported through the transport paths 10a and 10b are selected so that only tablets with a stable posture pass through the first gate portions 30a and 30b, and one tablet with a stable posture and the second gate portions 40a and 40b. Only the tablets are selected and consequently aligned in a row. The tablets T that have reached the transport paths 10a and 10b defined by the first side guides 43a and 43b and the second side guides 44a and 44b of the second gate portions 40a and 40b, respectively, After being arranged in a row, it is delivered to the subsequent tablet inspection processing apparatus C.

  FIG. 6 shows a comparison of the tablet alignment processing ability between the case of using the present invention and the conventional example. It will be understood that the provision of the distribution mechanism according to the present invention as shown in FIG. 6 improves the processing capacity per unit time on average by about 5% regardless of the passage of time.

  As mentioned above, as an example of the supply / alignment transport apparatus for small articles according to the present invention, the flat circular tablet supply / alignment transport apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such tablet transport. Needless to say. In particular, the present invention is effective for aligning and conveying tablets having an elliptical cross section (an irregular tablet) such as an ellipse and an oval shape, and R-tight tablets. In addition, the small article supply / alignment apparatus of the present embodiment includes two alignment transport paths and one return transport path, but includes one alignment transport path and one return transport path. Or other combinations.

1 is a schematic plan view of a small article supply / alignment conveying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the principal part expansion schematic which looked at the 2nd gate part of the supply alignment conveyance apparatus shown by FIG. 1 from the top. It is the perspective view which looked at the distribution mechanism of the supply alignment conveyance apparatus shown by FIG. 1 from diagonally upward. It is principal part sectional drawing of the distribution mechanism shown by FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main part of the supply / alignment conveyance apparatus to which the distribution mechanism shown in FIG. 3 is attached, as viewed obliquely from below with the conveyance belt removed for easy understanding. It is a processing capacity comparison figure of a prior art example and a present Example. It is a principal part enlarged view of the conventional supply alignment conveyance apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Small article supply alignment conveying apparatus 10a, 10b Alignment conveying path 11a, 11b Conveying belts 20a, 20b Guide members 21a, 21b Guide side surfaces 30a, 30b First gate portions 31a, 31b First height regulating gates 40a, 40b 2nd gate part 41a, 41b 2nd height control gate 42a Width control guide 50a, 50b Windmill 52a Concavity and convexity wheel 55a Rotating shaft 60a, 60b Winding block 80 Reduction conveyance path

Claims (6)

A transport belt for carrying and transporting small articles, a guide member disposed on the transport belt and having a guide side surface for guiding the small articles, and the small articles transported on the transport belt can pass only in a stable posture. As described above, the guide of the guide member allows the height regulating gate for regulating the height between the conveyor belt and the small article conveyed on the conveyor belt to pass only one in a stable posture. A width regulating guide having a side surface that regulates a width between the side surface and a conveying path for alignment, and a small article adjacent to the alignment conveying path and excluded from the alignment conveying path. A small article supply / alignment conveyance device including a conveyance path for returning to the upstream side of the path,
A small article supply / alignment conveying apparatus characterized in that a rotating shaft for distributing the small articles being conveyed is arranged in the vicinity of an upstream end of the width regulating guide.   2. The small article supply / alignment conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotation shaft rotates in a direction in which the small articles are taken into the alignment conveyance path. A wind block detachably attached to the supply alignment device;
The apparatus for supplying and conveying small articles according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotating shaft is rotatably supported by the wind power block.   The apparatus for supplying and conveying small articles according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rotating shaft is driven by compressed air.   The apparatus for supplying and conveying small articles according to claim 3, wherein the rotating shaft has a concave and convex wheel that rotates by receiving the compressed air. The accessory arrangement / conveyance device for small articles according to claim 5, wherein the wind block is provided with a passage for supplying the compressed air and a blowing hole for blowing the compressed air to the uneven car. .

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