JP2009029595A - Partition plate transfer device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a partition plate transfer device capable of stably holding and transferring a partition plate, by using the partition plate provided with a large number of existing opening holes. <P>SOLUTION: This partition plate transfer device is provided for transferring the partition plate interposed between canning of adjacent two stages in a basket from a partition plate storage part when stacking and storing a large number of canning in a plurality of stages in the basket, and has a holding mechanism for holding the partition plate and a moving mechanism connected to the holding mechanism. The holding mechanism has a connecting part for connecting the holding mechanism to the moving mechanism, a plurality of support members 22 arranged so as to extend in the centrifugal direction with the connecting part as a starting point, a pin frame 23 arranged on the end part side of the plurality of support members 22 and having a downward projecting pin 232, a pin frame moving means 24 moving a plurality of pin frames 23, and a guide frame 25 arranged on both sides of the plurality of pin frames 23 and guiding the movement of the plurality of pin frames 23. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a partition plate transfer device, and more particularly to a partition plate transfer device used for stacking cans in a basket in a retort sterilization process.

  In general, canned foods such as canned coffee are subjected to retort heat sterilization for the purpose of sterilizing the canned food. This retort heat sterilization treatment is performed in a state where a large number of cans are accommodated in a basket in multiple stages in order to improve the efficiency of accommodating the cans in the retort kettle. And in order to accommodate canned goods in a basket in a multistage, the partition plate is interposed between the canned group of each stage and the canned group. Further, the partition plate is provided with a large number of holes so that steam and water can flow uniformly through all the cans in the basket during the retort heat sterilization treatment.

  Multi-stage storage of canned goods in a basket is performed by alternately storing canned foods for one stage and a partition plate in a basket. When the partition plate is placed on the canned group for one stage in the basket, a partition plate transfer device is used. By the partition plate transfer device, the partition plate is held at the uppermost stage from the partition plate storage portion in which a plurality of partition plates are stacked and stored, the held partition plate is moved vertically upward, and then horizontally It is moved and placed on a single canned group in a basket arranged at a position adjacent to the partition plate storage.

As means for holding the partition plate in the partition plate transfer device, there is provided a device that includes four vacuum suction means, and sucks and holds the partition plate by the vacuum suction means (see Patent Document 1).
However, in the holding means described in Patent Document 1, since the partition plate is adsorbed by the vacuum adsorbing means, no opening can be provided in the adsorption part of the vacuum adsorbing means in the partition plate. There was a problem that water and water did not flow uniformly.
Therefore, assuming that a large number of apertures are formed over substantially the entire area of the partition plate, the shape of the predetermined aperture among the numerous apertures formed in the partition plate is a tapered shape whose upper surface side is reduced in diameter, A partition plate transfer device that holds the partition plate by holding the partition plate with a conical tip at the tip and opening at substantially the same angle as the tapered inclination angle is also proposed (see Patent Document 2).
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 61-17007 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-87941

  However, in the partition plate transfer device described in Patent Document 2, it is necessary that only a predetermined opening in the partition plate be a special-shaped opening, and a partition provided with many existing openings having the same shape. There was a problem that the board could not be used. Moreover, since a partition plate is used repeatedly, it will be exposed to a high temperature state repeatedly in a retort heat sterilization treatment process. For this reason, there has been a problem in that the partition plate cannot be stably held by the holding means because the shape of the predetermined opening is deformed and the inclination angle of the tapered shape is changed due to the long-term use of the partition plate.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a partition plate transfer device that can use an existing partition plate having a large number of openings having the same shape and can stably hold and transfer the partition plate. There is.

  (1) A partition plate interposed between two vertically adjacent cans when a large number of cans are stacked and accommodated vertically in a basket having an open top surface. A partition plate transfer device for transferring a provided partition plate from a partition plate storage portion into the basket, the holding mechanism holding the partition plate, and the holding mechanism connected to the holding mechanism in the vertical and horizontal directions. And a holding mechanism that is connected to the holding mechanism and the moving mechanism, and is arranged to extend in the horizontal centrifugal direction starting from the connecting portion. A plurality of support members, a pin frame having pins that are arranged on end sides of the plurality of support members and project downward in the vertical direction, and each of the plurality of pin frames in the horizontal direction Pin frame moving means for moving in the centrifugal direction, and guide frames arranged on both sides of each of the plurality of pin frames in a direction crossing the centrifugal direction, and for guiding the movement of each of the plurality of pin frames. Partition plate transfer device.

  (2) The holding mechanism moves the pin frame in the centrifugal direction in a state where the pins are inserted into predetermined openings in the multiple openings and moves the pins on the side walls of the predetermined openings. The partition plate transfer device according to (1), wherein the partition plate is held in contact with each other so as to be transportable.

  (3) In the guide frame, the lower surface in the vertical direction of the guide frame presses the upper surface in the vertical direction of the partition plate in a state where the pin is inserted into the predetermined opening (1) or (2) The partition plate transfer apparatus as described.

  (4) The partition plate has a rectangular shape, the holding mechanism includes four support members and four pin frames, and each of the pins in each of the four pin frames has the plurality of openings. The partition plate transfer device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the partition plate is inserted into predetermined openings respectively positioned near four vertices of the partition plate.

  (5) The guide frame has a guide portion formed such that a surface facing the pin frame is recessed in a concave shape, and the pin frame includes a roller member disposed on a surface facing the guide frame, The said roller member is a partition plate transfer apparatus in any one of (1)-(4) accommodated rotatably in the said guide part.

  According to the partition plate transfer device of the present invention, it is possible to use an existing partition plate provided with a large number of openings having the same shape, and to stably hold and transfer the partition plate.

  Hereinafter, the partition plate transfer device of the present invention will be described based on a preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an outline of a partition plate transfer device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a distal end portion of a support member in the holding mechanism of the partition plate transfer apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view of the distal end portion of the support member shown in FIG. 2, and shows a state where the pin frame is positioned inward. FIG. 4 is a side view of the distal end portion of the support member shown in FIG. 2, and shows a state in which the pin frame is located outward. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the distal end portion of the support member shown in FIG. 2 and shows a state in which the pin frame is positioned inward. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the distal end portion of the support member shown in FIG. 2, and shows a state where the pin frame is located outward. FIG. 7 is a front view of the distal end portion of the support member shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an outline of a process of transferring the partition plate using the partition plate transfer device of the present invention, by a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the partition plate transfer apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has two stages of cans that are adjacent to each other in the vertical direction when a large number of cans are stacked in a vertical direction in a basket having an open top surface. The partition plate 4 interposed between the partition plates 4 is transferred from the partition plate storage portion 5 in which the plurality of partition plates 4 are stacked and stored into the basket stored in the basket storage portion 6 disposed adjacent thereto. It is something to be made.

As shown in FIG. 1, the partition plate 4 used in the present embodiment has a rectangular shape in plan view, and is provided with a large number of apertures 41. Each of the large number of apertures 41 has a substantially circular shape, and the size of each aperture 41 is substantially equal. In the retort heat sterilization treatment, a large number of openings 41 are provided vertically and horizontally across the entire surface of the partition plate 4 from the viewpoint of allowing steam and water to flow uniformly to all cans in the basket. It is preferable.
In the present embodiment, the partition plate 4 is made of polypropylene. The partition plate 4 can be made of a metal such as aluminum in addition to a resin made of polypropylene or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the partition plate transfer device includes a holding mechanism 2 that holds the partition plate 4, and a moving mechanism 3 that is connected to the holding mechanism 2 and can move the holding mechanism 2 in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. I have.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, the moving mechanism 3 includes a moving mechanism main body 31 coupled to the holding mechanism 2, vertical moving means 32 that moves the holding mechanism 2 in the vertical direction, and the holding mechanism 2 in the horizontal direction. Horizontal moving means 33 for moving to the right.

The vertical moving means 32 is configured to move the holding mechanism 2 up and down in the vertical direction by a holding mechanism lifting cylinder provided on the lower surface of the moving mechanism main body 31.
As shown in FIG. 1, the horizontal moving means 33 is disposed on the two rails spanning above the partition plate storage portion 5 and the basket storage portion 6 and the moving mechanism main body portion 31. A roller (not shown). The horizontal moving means 33 moves the holding mechanism 2 connected to the moving mechanism main body 31 in the direction in which the rail in the horizontal direction is arranged as the roller moves on the rail.

As shown in FIG. 1, the holding mechanism 2 includes a connecting portion 21 that connects the holding mechanism 2 and the moving mechanism 3, and a plurality of support members that are arranged to extend in the centrifugal direction in the horizontal direction starting from the connecting portion 21. 22. In the present embodiment, four support members 22 are arranged so as to extend radially from the connecting portion 21.
As shown in FIG. 1, a rectangular plate-like member 26 is connected below the connecting portion 21 and the four support members 22 in the vertical direction. The plate-like member 26 is connected and fixed to each of the four support members 22.
As shown in FIG. 2, a pin frame 23 having a pin 232 projecting downward in the vertical direction and the four pin frames 23 are arranged in the centrifugal direction and anti-centrifugation in the vicinity of the tips of the four support members 22, respectively. Pin frame moving means 24 that moves in the direction and guide frames 25 that are arranged on both sides of the four pin frames 23 in the direction intersecting the centrifugal direction and guide the movement of the four pin frames 23 are provided. ing.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, the pin frame 23 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped pin frame main body 231, a pin 232 protruding downward from the lower surface of the pin frame main body 231, and an upper side from the upper surface of the pin frame main body 231. And a pin frame connecting part 233 connected to the pin frame moving means 24.
The pin 232 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and a large number of irregularities (not shown) are formed on the peripheral surface thereof. Thus, by forming many unevenness | corrugations in the surrounding surface of the pin 232, the frictional force with the side wall in the opening 41 of the partition plate 4 mentioned later becomes large, and holding | maintenance of the partition plate 4 becomes easy.

  Roller members 234 are disposed on both side surfaces of the pin frame main body 231 in the horizontal direction and in the direction crossing the centrifugal direction. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, two roller members 234 are arranged on each side surface, that is, two pairs of roller members 234. The paired roller members 234 are connected to each other by a shaft 235 that penetrates the pin frame main body portion 231, and each roller member 234 is rotatable about the shaft 235.

The pin frame moving means 24 includes a pin frame moving cylinder 240. 2 to 6, the pin frame moving cylinder 240 is disposed closer to the center side of the holding mechanism 2 than the pin frame 23, that is, closer to the connecting portion 21, and has a cylindrical cylinder tube 241 and a cylinder tube 241. A rod-shaped piston rod 242 extending and contracting from one end of the rod is provided. The pin frame moving cylinder 240 and the pin frame 23 are connected by connecting the tip end portion of the piston rod 242 and the pin frame connecting portion 233. The pin frame 23 is moved in the horizontal direction as the piston rod 242 expands and contracts.
In the present embodiment, when the piston rod 242 is extended, the pin frame 23 is moved in the centrifugal direction (see FIGS. 4 and 6), and when the piston rod 242 is contracted, the pin frame 23 is moved in the anti-centrifugal direction. (See FIGS. 3 and 5).

  As shown in FIG. 7, the guide frame 25 has a guide portion 250 formed so that a surface facing the pin frame 23 is recessed in a concave shape. In the present embodiment, the guide frame 25 includes a pair of guide frame constituent members 251 and 251, and each of the pair of guide frame constituent members 251 and 251 has a concave surface facing the pin frame 23. It has a recessed shape. That is, each of the pair of guide frame constituent members 251 and 251 has a substantially U-shaped cross section in the vertical direction, and the concave-side surfaces of these substantially U-shaped surfaces are It arrange | positions so that the pin frame 23 may be pinched | interposed. And the recessed part in the concave shape in each of a pair of guide frame structural members 251 and 251 becomes the guide part 250.

  Roller members 234 disposed on the side surfaces on both sides of the pin frame main body 231 are rotatable in the guide portions 250 in the guide frame 25, that is, in the recessed portions of the pair of guide frame constituent members 251 and 251 respectively. Contained. In the present embodiment, the roller member 234 rotates while being guided by the guide portion 250, and the pin frame 23 is moved in the horizontal direction.

The bottom surface of the guide frame 25 is formed in a flat shape. And the pin 232 mentioned above is comprised so that the lower end may be located below rather than the bottom face of the guide frame 25. FIG.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, the pin frame moving cylinder 240 and the pair of guide frame constituent members 251 and 251 are connected to the vicinity of the distal end portion of the support member 22 via a plurality of fixing members 27. Has been.

Next, the preferable size of each member which comprises the partition plate transfer apparatus 1 of this embodiment is described.
The size of the partition plate 4 can be appropriately selected depending on the size of the basket that can be accommodated in the retort pot. When the shape of the partition plate 4 in a plan view is a rectangle, the length of the long side is preferably 168.0 to 168.5 cm and the length of the short side is 130.0 to 130.5 cm. Moreover, the thickness of the partition plate 4 is preferably 0.6 to 0.5 cm.
When the shape of the opening 41 is circular, the diameter of each of the many openings 41 provided in the partition plate 4 is preferably 2.0 to 2.5 cm. When the diameter of the opening 41 is less than 2.0 cm, steam or water does not sufficiently flow through the basket in the retort heat sterilization process, and heat may not be uniformly applied to the can in the basket. If the diameter of the opening 41 exceeds 3.0 cm, the can placed on the partition plate 4 may be tilted or fall out of the opening 41.

  The length of the pin 232 in the pin frame 23 is preferably 0.6 to 0.5 cm from the viewpoint of stably holding the partition plate 4. Further, the thickness of the pin 232 is preferably 0.8 to 0.9 cm in diameter from the viewpoint of securing the strength of the pin 232.

Next, referring to FIG. 8, how the partition plate is transferred by the partition plate transfer device 1 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 to FIG. 6, how the partition plate 4 is held by the holding mechanism 2. To explain. In the partition plate transfer apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, first, the holding mechanism 2 is moved downward by the vertical moving means 32 in the moving mechanism 3 in a state where the holding mechanism 2 is positioned above the partition plate storage portion 5. The holding mechanism 2 is moved downward until the distance between the bottom surface of the pin 232 and the upper surface of the uppermost partition plate 4 stored in the partition plate storage portion 5 becomes a predetermined distance. In this state, the pin frame 23 is located on the inner side (see FIGS. 3 and 5).
Subsequently, the laminated body of the partition plates 4 in the partition plate storage portion 5 is moved upward by the position adjusting means 61. The laminated body of the partition plates 4 is moved upward until a sensor (not shown) provided on the lower surface of the plate-like member 26 in the holding mechanism 2 comes into contact with the partition plate 4. Then, when the laminated body of the partition plates 4 is moved upward, the four pins 232 are respectively inserted into the predetermined openings 41a among the many openings 41 as shown in FIGS. Is done. In the present embodiment, the four pins 232 are inserted into the openings 41a located in the vicinity of the four apexes of the rectangular partition plate 4, respectively. Further, in a state where the pin 232 is inserted into the predetermined opening 41a, the bottom surface of the guide frame 25 presses the upper surface of the partition plate 4 (see FIGS. 3 to 6).

Thus, in the holding mechanism 2, the four pins 232 are inserted into the predetermined openings 41 a positioned in the vicinity of the four apexes of the partition plate 4 to hold the partition plate 4. Can be held and transported.

Next, in a state where the four pins 232 are respectively inserted into the predetermined openings 41a, the respective pin frames 23 are moved in the centrifugal direction by the pin frame moving means 24 (see FIGS. 4 and 6). The pin frame moving means 24 is configured to operate by sensing that the above-described sensor (not shown) has come into contact with the partition plate 4. Then, as the pin frame 23 moves in the centrifugal direction, the pin 232 comes into contact with the side wall of the predetermined opening 41a. In the present embodiment, the four pins 232 abut against the outer side walls of the predetermined openings 41a, respectively, and each of the abutting pins 232 presses the side walls of the openings 41a outward, thereby separating the partition plate. 4 is held transportable.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the holding mechanism 2 is moved upward by the vertical moving means 32 in the moving mechanism 3 while holding the partition plate 4, and is further moved onto the basket housing portion 6 by the horizontal moving means 33. Moved.
The partition plate 4 that has been moved by the holding mechanism 2 and moved onto the basket accommodating portion 6 that accommodates the basket is moved downward to a predetermined position in the basket by the vertical moving means 32 in the moving mechanism 3. . The canned group 7 for one stage is placed in the basket by canned placing means (not shown), and the partition plate 4 is disposed on the canned group 7.

  In the partition plate 4 arranged on the can group in the basket, the pin frame 23 is moved in the anti-centrifugal direction by the pin frame moving means 24, and the holding state of the partition plate 4 by the holding mechanism 2 is released. Thereby, the partition plate 4 is mounted on the canned group 7 in the basket. The holding mechanism 2 that has transferred the partition plate 4 into the basket is moved again to the partition plate storage 5 by the moving mechanism 3.

  In the partition plate transfer apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the partition plate 4 is thus transferred into the basket, and the canned groups 7 and the partition plates 4 are alternately stacked.

  According to the partition plate transfer device 1 of the present embodiment, since the holding mechanism 2 includes the guide frame 25 that guides the movement of the pin frame 23, the pin frame 23 is stably moved in the horizontal direction. The partition plate 4 can be stably held and transferred. Further, since the force applied to the pin frame 23 when holding and transferring the partition plate 4 can be reduced, the durability of the pin frame 23 can be improved. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to provide openings with special shapes, it is possible to use the partition plate 4 provided with many existing openings.

Further, the guide frame 25 has a guide portion 250 formed such that a surface facing the pin frame 23 is recessed in a concave shape, and the pin frame 23 includes a roller member 234 disposed on a surface facing the guide frame 25. Since the roller member 234 is rotatably accommodated in the guide portion 250, the pin frame 23 can be smoothly moved in the horizontal direction.

Further, the guide frame 25 has the pin 232 inserted into the predetermined opening 41a, and its lower surface presses the upper surface in the vertical direction of the partition plate 4, so that the pin 232 fails to be inserted into the opening 41. The partition plate 4 can be stably held and transported.
When the partition plate 4 is repeatedly exposed to a high temperature state by the retort heat sterilization treatment, the partition plate 4 may be deformed to wave. In such a case, the pin 232 is not sufficiently inserted into the opening 41 and the partition plate 4 cannot be held by the holding mechanism 2 in some cases. In this regard, according to the present embodiment, even when the partition plate 4 is slightly deformed, the guide frame 25 presses the periphery of the opening 41 into which the pin 232 is inserted, thereby correcting the deformation of the part. can do. Accordingly, the pin 232 is easily inserted into the opening 41 sufficiently, and a sufficient contact area between the pin 232 and the side wall of the opening 41 can be secured, so that the holding ability of the partition plate 4 by the holding mechanism 2 is improved. To do. This is particularly effective when the partition plate 4 is made of a resin that is easily deformed by heat.

The partition plate transfer device 1 of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.
For example, in the present embodiment, the holding mechanism 2 holds the partition plate 4 by moving each of the plurality of pins 232 in the centrifugal direction. However, the holding mechanism 2 holds each of the plurality of pins 232 in the anti-centrifugal direction. You may hold | maintain the partition plate 4 by moving to.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the bottom surface of the guide frame 25 is configured to be planar, but the bottom surface is not limited to a planar shape. The shape of the bottom surface of the guide frame 25 may be any shape that can press the top surface of the partition plate 4 in a state where the pin 232 is inserted into the opening 41.
In addition, the shape of the opening 41 is circular in the present embodiment, but is not limited to a circular shape, and may be another shape such as an ellipse, a triangle, or a quadrangle.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an outline of a partition plate transfer device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a distal end portion of a support member in the holding mechanism of the partition plate transfer apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view of the distal end portion of the support member shown in FIG. 2, and shows a state where the pin frame is positioned inward. FIG. 4 is a side view of the distal end portion of the support member shown in FIG. 2, and shows a state in which the pin frame is located outward. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the distal end portion of the support member shown in FIG. 2 and shows a state in which the pin frame is positioned inward. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the distal end portion of the support member shown in FIG. 2, and shows a state where the pin frame is located outward. FIG. 7 is a front view of the distal end portion of the support member shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an outline of a process of transferring the partition plate using the partition plate transfer device of the present invention, by a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Partition plate transfer apparatus 2 Holding mechanism 21 Connection part 22 Support member 23 Pin frame 24 Pin frame moving means 25 Guide frame 26 Plate-shaped member 3 Moving mechanism 31 Moving mechanism main-body part 32 Vertical moving means 33 Horizontal moving means 4 Partition plate 5 Partition Board storage unit 6 Basket storage unit 7 Canned food group

Claims (5)

When a large number of cans are stacked and stored in a vertical direction in a basket having an open upper surface, the partition plate is interposed between two cans adjacent in the vertical direction and provided with a large number of openings. A partition plate transfer device for transferring a partition plate from the partition plate storage portion into the basket,
A holding mechanism for holding the partition plate; and a moving mechanism connected to the holding mechanism and capable of moving the holding mechanism in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction,
The holding mechanism includes a connecting portion that connects the holding mechanism and the moving mechanism;
A plurality of support members arranged so as to extend in the centrifugal direction in the horizontal direction starting from the connecting portion;
A pin frame having pins arranged on the end side of each of the plurality of support members and protruding downward in the vertical direction;
A pin frame moving means for moving each of the plurality of pin frames in the centrifugal direction in a horizontal direction;
A partition plate transfer device, comprising: guide frames that are arranged on both sides of each of the plurality of pin frames in a direction crossing the centrifugal direction and guide the movement of each of the plurality of pin frames.   The holding mechanism moves the pin frame in the centrifugal direction in a state where the pins are inserted into predetermined openings in the multiple openings, and causes the pins to contact the side walls of the predetermined openings. The partition plate transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the partition plate is movably held.   3. The partition plate transfer according to claim 1, wherein the guide frame is configured such that the lower surface in the vertical direction of the guide frame presses the upper surface in the vertical direction of the partition plate in a state where the pin is inserted into the predetermined opening. apparatus. The partition plate has a rectangular shape,
The holding mechanism has four support members and four pin frames,
4. Each of the pins in each of the four pin frames is inserted into a predetermined opening located in the vicinity of four apexes of the partition plate among the plurality of openings. Partition plate transfer device. The guide frame has a guide portion formed so that a surface facing the pin frame is recessed in a concave shape,
The pin frame includes a roller member disposed on a surface facing the guide frame,
The said roller member is a partition plate transfer apparatus in any one of Claims 1-4 accommodated rotatably in the said guide part.

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