JP2013230925A - Automatic loading device of sheet-like article and feeder of sheet-like article - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To collectively transfer multiple sheet-like articles in a storage container into a moving hopper, for enabling automatic quick loading.SOLUTION: An erecting means (moving cassette 25 or the like) receives a storage container 1 where multiple PTP sheets 2 are stored in an erected state, and causes the opening face of the storage container to face a moving hopper 40 at a loading position. A transfer unit 39 holds the multiple PTP sheets in the storage container and horizontally moves them to remove the multiple PTP sheets out of the opening face to be transferred into the moving hopper. The erecting means comprises a locking part to shift between a position that covers at least a part of the opening face of the storage container to prevent removal of the PTP sheets, and a position that comes off from the opening face to enable removal of the PTP sheets.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet-like article automatic loading apparatus and a sheet-like article supply apparatus.

  For example, a hopper that stores a number of PTP sheets in a stacked state is disposed above a transport device that transports PTP (Press Through Package) sheets at regular intervals, and the PTP sheet transported by the transport device is chipped (missed). When this occurs, there is a device that takes out one PTP sheet from below the hopper and replenishes and supplies it to the transport device. As this type of apparatus, there is an automatic replenishment apparatus for PTP sheets disclosed in Patent Document 1 of the prior art.

  Then, for example, a plurality of hoppers are prepared, and when filling and feeding from one hopper to the transfer device is completed, the other hoppers are set at a filling and feeding position above the transfer device, and subsequent replenishment is performed. The PTP sheet is refilled into the waiting hopper manually.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-13138

  When the PTP sheet is replenished when the PTP sheet conveyed on the conveying device is chipped like the automatic packaging device of Patent Document 1, all the PTP sheets filled in the hopper are all on the conveying device. It takes some time to be supplied. That is, for example, if the PTP sheet is transported at regular intervals without being lost in the transport device, the filling and supply from the hopper is not performed, and the PTP sheet stored in the hopper is not reduced. In that case, the manual replenishment interval of the PTP sheet with respect to the hopper is relatively long, and it can be dealt with manually.

  However, for example, if a relatively large number of chipped PTP sheets occur in the transport device, the replenishment interval is shortened. Then, complicated replenishment work is caused. The occurrence rate of chipping of the PTP sheet in the transport device is not constant, and it is necessary to prepare for replenishment of the PTP sheet to the hopper on the assumption that chipping occurs relatively frequently.

  Further, for example, when the present invention is applied to a supply device that continuously feeds the conveyance device one by one from the lower side of the hopper instead of the replenishment device for the conveyance device as in Patent Document 1, a PTP sheet stored in the hopper is Since it is discharged in a short period of time, it is not realistic to manually fill the waiting hopper, or even if it is in time, a worker is resident in front of the apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides: (1) Sheets stacked from the front side with respect to a moving hopper that moves between a loading position of sheet-like articles and a supply position to a conveyance line. A sheet-like article automatic loading device for loading a article-like article, wherein a storage area for temporarily storing a storage container in which a plurality of sheet-like articles are accommodated in a framed state is provided at a location away from the supply position, It is good to provide the setting means which extracts the several sheet-like article accommodated in the storage container in a storage area, and sets it to the said movement hopper. The storage area corresponds to the storage container stocker 13 in the embodiment.

  The moving hopper moves between the loading position and the supply position, but the user can store the sheet-like article in a frame shape in the storage container and place it in the storage area regardless of the operation of the moving hopper. The storage area is also away from the supply position of the mobile hopper, and the storage container can be safely placed in the storage area even during the loading operation to the mobile hopper by the setting means or during the movement of the mobile hopper. The storage operation of the sheet-like article in the storage container and the arrangement of the storage container in the storage area can be performed at any timing. For example, by placing a large number of storage containers (sheet-like articles already stored) in the storage area in advance. It is also possible to leave the device for a relatively long time.

  (2) The setting means receives and erects a storage container in which a plurality of sheet-like articles are stored in a standing state, and stands up so that the open surface of the storage container faces the moving hopper in the loading position; Transfer means for holding the plurality of sheet-like articles in the storage container and moving horizontally to take out the plurality of sheet-like articles from the open surface and transfer them to the movable hopper, A latching portion that covers at least a part of the open surface of the storage container and prevents the separation of the sheet-shaped article and a position that is removed from the open surface and enables the removal of the sheet-shaped article. I made it. In the embodiment, the standing means corresponds to the moving cassette 25 and a driving mechanism for rotating the moving cassette 25 forward and backward. The transfer means corresponds to the transfer unit 39 in the embodiment. In the embodiment, the locking portion corresponds to the upper locking portion 33a.

  According to the present invention, the plurality of sheet-like articles stored in the storage container in the standing state are raised by the standing means, and the plurality of sheet-like articles in the storage container are collectively transferred into the moving hopper by the transferring means. And load. Therefore, the loading process can be performed at high speed. In addition, since the storage container is detachably set on the standing means, and a plurality of storage containers are prepared, even if the process of storing the sheet-like article in a frame-like manner with respect to the storage container is performed manually, the storage container can be operated at a higher speed. Loading is possible. The set of the storage container in which the sheet-like article is stored in the standing means and the discharge of the empty storage container may be performed by the apparatus as in the embodiment.

  (3) The locking portion is moved by an actuator provided on the standing means to shift between the two positions, and the driving of the actuator is transmitted to a stopper member that opens and closes the front side of the moving hopper. The opening and closing of the stopper and the stopper member may be performed simultaneously. The actuator corresponds to the cylinder 35 in the embodiment. The stopper member corresponds to the stopper plate 53 in the embodiment.

  In this way, there is no need to provide a driving source (actuator) for opening and closing the stopper member in the moving hopper, and the apparatus for moving the moving hopper can be reduced in weight and size. In addition, the same actuator can easily match the opening / closing timing of the front side of the moving hopper and the opening / closing timing of the open side of the storage container.

  (4) The transfer means may include a bifurcated sandwich plate having an opening at an upper portion thereof, and drive means for moving the sandwich plate in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. A plurality of stacked sheet-like articles can be sandwiched together by a bifurcated sandwich plate, and can be transported smoothly and reliably in a stable state.

  (5) The storage container has a side wall that secures a space for storing the sheet-like article, and a groove portion extending in the longitudinal direction is provided at a bottom portion where the side edge of the sheet-like article in the space surrounded by the side wall can contact The side walls located on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the storage container may be provided with notches extending from the groove to the open surface side end.

  (6) A sheet-like article supply device according to the present invention includes a sheet-like article automatic loading device according to any one of (1) to (5), and the moving hopper between the loading position and the supply position. A moving means for moving and a supply means for supplying the sheet-like article to the transport line from the lower end of the moving hopper reaching the supply position are provided. The moving means corresponds to the turning device 41 in the embodiment. Since the setting position of the storage container to the standing means, the transfer means, and the moving means can be spaced apart, the storage container can be set safely.

  (7) The supply means includes a fixed hopper disposed above the conveyance line, and a means for supplying a sheet-like article in the fixed hopper to the conveyance line, and is located in a lower end opening region of the moving hopper. And a lowering movement assisting means having a receiving member that moves downward in the fixed hopper while receiving the sheet-like article in the moving hopper and is detached from the outer side of the fixed hopper, the receiving member being the fixed The position at which the hopper is separated from the outside of the hopper is preferably controlled based on the upper end position of the sheet-like article in the fixed hopper.

  (8) The moving means may be a turning device that revolves the moving hopper. In particular, when an actuator that opens and closes the stopper member of the moving hopper is provided on the standing means side as in the sheet-shaped article automatic loading device of (3), it is necessary to route piping or the like for driving the actuator on the swiveling device side. This is preferable because the configuration can be simplified.

  According to the present invention, a plurality of sheet-like articles in a storage container can be collectively transferred into a moving hopper, and a loading process can be automatically performed at a high speed.

It is a top view which shows the whole structure of suitable one Embodiment of this invention. It is the side view (B arrow view of FIG. 1). It is the side view (A arrow line view of FIG. 1). It is a side view which mainly shows a turning apparatus. It is a top view which mainly shows a turning apparatus. It is a side view which mainly shows an automatic loading apparatus. It is a top view which mainly shows an automatic loading apparatus. It is a side view which mainly shows the automatic loading apparatus (it exists in the 2nd position where the movement cassette stood up). (A) is a sectional view taken along the line aa in FIG. 7, and (b) is a sectional view taken along the line bb in FIG. It is a figure explaining the effect | action. It is a top view which shows a turning apparatus and a fixed hopper and supply apparatus. It is a side view by the side of a fixed hopper. It is the front view. It is the enlarged side view. It is the enlarged front view. It is the enlarged plan view. It is the enlarged side view. It is a perspective view which shows the aggregate | assembly of a PTP sheet, and the storage container which accommodates it.

  1 to 17 show an overall view and a partially enlarged view showing a preferred embodiment of a sheet-like article supply apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 18 shows an assembly of the storage container 1 used in the sheet-like article supply device and the sheet-like article (PTP sheet 2) in a framed state mounted on the storage container 1.

  The sheet-like article to be processed in the present embodiment is a PTP sheet 2. The PTP sheet 2 is based on a rectangular sheet piece as a whole and includes a predetermined number of pot portions 2a for storing articles to be packaged such as medicines, tablets, and capsules. The PTP sheet 2 is a packaging form in which the contents are pushed out from the pocket portion 2a side to break the upper lid and the contents are taken out, and is often used for packaging tablets and capsules in medicine packaging.

  The storage container 1 stores a large number of PTP sheets 2 in a framed state, and is basically a rectangular container opened at the top. Specifically, the storage container 1 has a rectangular peripheral wall portion 1b standing upright on the upper surface of an elongated strip-like base 1a. Both long sides of the peripheral wall portion 1b are disposed over almost the entire length along the side edges of the long side of the base 1a so that they do not reach both ends in the longitudinal direction. Further, both short sides of the peripheral wall portion 1b are formed with a cutout portion 1e extending in the vertical direction at the center thereof, and the inner and outer spaces of the peripheral wall portion 1b are connected. Furthermore, the bottom 1c of the region surrounded by the peripheral wall 1b is one step higher than the upper surface of the base 1a. A concave portion 1d extending in the longitudinal direction is formed in the bottom portion 1c connected to the notch portion 1e provided on both short sides. The bottom surface position of the groove 1d is the same as the top surface of the base 1a. Thereby, the base 1a protrudes on the outer side of both short sides of the peripheral wall portion 1b. Further, a through hole 1f is formed on one side of the protruding base 1a, and a beam portion 1g is formed outside the through hole 1f.

  An upper portion of the space surrounded by the peripheral wall portion 1b is open, and a large number of PTP sheets 2 are stored in the space in a framed state. In this embodiment, the PTP sheet 2 is stored manually. A plurality of storage containers 1 storing the PTP sheets 2 are prepared and set in the sheet-like article supply apparatus 10.

  The sheet-like article supply device 10 according to the present embodiment supplies the PTP sheets 2 one by one to the transport device 5 of the packaging system for packaging the PTP sheets. That is, the conveying device 5 is a finger conveyor, and conveys the PTP sheet 2 at regular intervals by fingers 5a arranged at a predetermined pitch. The sheet-like article supply device 10 drops and supplies the PTP sheets 2 one by one between the front and rear fingers 5 a of the transport device 5.

  The sheet-like article supply device 10 includes a supply device main body 11, an automatic loading device 12 that loads a large number of PTP sheets 2 on the supply device main body 11, and a plurality of automatic loading devices 12. A storage container stocker 13 for supplying the storage container 1 in which the PTP sheet 2 is stored in a standing state, and a carry-out device 14 for carrying out the empty storage container stocker 13 are provided.

  The storage container stocker 13 includes two conveyor belts 17 that are rotationally driven and arranged in parallel, and a bottom plate 19 is disposed between and outside the conveyor belts 17. The transport belt 17 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the bottom plate 19 and applies a transport force to the storage container 1 placed on the transport belt 17. Side wall guides 15 and 16 are disposed on the left and right sides above the bottom plate 19, respectively. The distance between the opposing surfaces of the side wall guides 15 and 16 is substantially equal to the length of the storage container 1 in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 1 and the like, each storage container 1 is transported in a horizontally long state, and the lateral movement is regulated by the side wall guides 15 and 16, so that each storage container 1 is aligned in a single row. Are transported.

  A stopper 18 is disposed at a predetermined position of the side wall guides 15 and 16. The stopper 18 moves forward and backward toward the transport belt 17 using a cylinder as a drive source. That is, when the stoppers 18 provided on the left and right are moved forward (moving in directions approaching each other), they are held in contact with both end faces of the storage container 1 respectively. At this time, the storage container 1 is held by both stoppers 18 against the conveying force received from the conveying belt 17. Further, the storage container 1 set on the storage container stocker 13 from the rear side of the storage container 1 held by the stopper 18 moves forward by receiving the transport force from the transport belt 17 and is held by the stopper 18. Further contact with the temporarily stopped storage container 1 prevents further forward movement. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the storage container 1 located at the rearmost position that is not held by the stopper 18 on the storage container stocker 13 also waits in a state where it is in contact with the front and rear.

  When the stopper 18 moves backward (moves in a direction away from each other) from the state in which the storage container 1 is held, the storage container 1 held by the stopper 18 advances by receiving the transport force from the transport belt 17. Moving.

  On the front side in the transport direction of the storage container stocker 13, a stopper member 21 that crosses in the lateral direction is arranged so as to be movable up and down. The stopper member 21 transitions between two states: a standby position whose upper end is substantially the same as the upper surface of the bottom plate 19 (lower than the conveying belt 17) and an operating position that protrudes larger than the conveying belt 17. The transition between the two states is performed by, for example, cylinder driving. When the stopper member 21 is in the standby position, the storage container 1 transported by the transport belt 17 moves forward as it is and is transferred to the next-stage unloading device 14. On the other hand, when the stopper member 21 is in the operating position, the front surface in the advancing direction of the storage container 1 contacts the stopper member 21 and further advancement is suppressed.

  A moving table that moves up and down is disposed below the region where the storage container 1 that comes into contact with the stopper member 21 is temporarily stopped. This moving table has two states: a standby position whose upper end is substantially the same as the upper surface of the bottom plate 19 (lower than the conveyor belt 17) and an operating position that protrudes above the conveyor belt 17 (lower than the stopper 18). Transition. The transition between the two states is driven by a cylinder, for example. When the moving table is at the standby position, the storage container 1 conveyed by the conveying belt 17 passes over the moving table as it is. On the other hand, when the moving table is in the operating position, the storage container 1 positioned on the moving table is also lifted and no longer receives the conveying force from the conveying belt 17. Therefore, the storage container 1 that is temporarily stopped after coming into contact with the stopper member 21 is then lifted by the moving table and stands by on the moving table in a free state where the conveying force from the conveying belt 17 is not received. Further, when both the stopper member 21 and the moving table are in the raised position, the stopper member 21 is positioned above the moving table. Therefore, the storage container 1 placed on the moving table is positioned by contacting the front surface in the traveling direction with the stopper member 21.

  The front end position of the side wall guide 16 located on the right side in the traveling direction of the storage container 1 is located behind the front end position of the side wall guide 15 located on the left side in the traveling direction. That is, the side wall guide 16 does not exist in the region facing the above moving table. Therefore, the storage container 1 placed on the moving table can be moved forward and backward relative to the adjacent automatic loading device 12 side from the open portion where the side wall guide 16 on the right side in the traveling direction does not exist.

  The forward and backward movement of the storage container 1 with respect to the automatic loading device 12 is performed by the transfer robot 20. The main body of the transfer robot 20 is installed so as to cross the storage container stocker 13 in front of the transfer direction, and the slider 20a is movable forward and backward along the main body by a driving device in the main body. The arm 20b is connected to the slider 20a. The arm 20b is in contact with the stopper member 21 and is connected to the left end portion in the advancing direction of the storage container 1 that is temporarily stopped on the moving table, and the slider 20a advances toward the automatic loading device 12 in this state. When moved, the arm 20 b pushes out the storage container 1 and sets it in the moving cassette 25 of the automatic loading device 12. Contrary to the above, the slider 20a at the forward position close to the automatic loading device 12 is separated from the automatic loading device 12 in cooperation with the storage container 1 set in the moving cassette 25 of the automatic loading device 12. When the storage container 1 moves backward in the direction, the storage container 1 is pulled out by the arm 20b and returned to the moving table. That is, as will be described later, since the PTP sheet 2 in the storage container 1 set in the moving cassette 25 of the automatic loading device 12 is loaded into the hopper of the supply device body 11, the PTP sheet 2 is taken out and emptied. Return the storage container 1 to the moving table again.

  The connection between the arm 20b and the storage container 1 is performed by inserting the arm 20b into the through hole 1f of the storage container 1 in FIG. Thus, for example, when moving forward, the arm 20b contacts a predetermined portion of the base 1a and urges forward, and when moving backward, the arm 20b operates so as to be caught by the beam portion 1g and pulled out. In addition, when moving forward, the outer peripheral surface of the beam portion 1g may be contacted and urged forward.

  As the arm 20b moves backward, the empty storage container 1 pulled out from the moving cassette 25 of the automatic loading device 12 returns to the moving table. When the movable table and the stopper member 21 are lowered and reach the standby position at a predetermined timing, the storage container 1 receives the transport force of the transport belt 17 and is delivered to the carry-out device 14.

  The carry-out device 14 has a conveyance path composed of a large number of free rollers (rollers) 14a disposed in a generally downwardly inclined manner. As a result, the storage container 1 that has moved onto the transfer device 14 moves along the downhill by its own weight and is carried out.

  As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 6 which is an enlarged view, the moving cassette 25 of the automatic loading device 12 is within an angle range of 90 degrees with the one end in the longitudinal direction (the side opposite to the storage container stocker 13) as the rotation center. Rotate forward and backward to take a first position in a horizontal posture indicated by a solid line and a second position in a standing posture indicated by a two-dot chain line. That is, the movable cassette 25 has an elongated base member 26 that constitutes the bottom, and one end of the base member 26 is connected to the rotating shaft 28 via the connecting member 27 and integrated. The rotary shaft 28 is supported by a bearing portion 29 so as to be rotatable forward and backward, and one end thereof is linked to a drive motor 30. In response to the rotational output of the drive motor 30, the rotary shaft 28 and thus the base member 26 rotate forward and backward, and the moving cassette 25 transitions between the first position and the second position.

  The base member 26 that forms the bottom of the movable cassette 25 has a lateral width (width in the short direction) that is sufficiently longer than the lateral width of the storage container 1. At a predetermined position on the upper surface of the base member 26, a pair of fixed side walls 31 are arranged in parallel so as to extend in the longitudinal direction. The distance between the opposing surfaces of the pair of fixed side walls 31 is matched with the lateral width of the storage container 1. In addition, the end of the fixed side wall 31, that is, the end close to the storage container stocker 13 at the first position in the horizontal posture, has an inner side surface that becomes a tapered surface 31 a, and the pair of fixed side walls 31 extends toward the front end. The distance between the opposing surfaces becomes longer. Therefore, the tapered surface 31 a becomes a guide surface, and the storage container 1 carried out from the storage container stocker 13 by the transport robot 20 is guided by the guide surface and inserted between the fixed side walls 31. The inserted storage container 1 is prevented from moving in the width direction by the fixed side wall 31.

  A movable side wall 32 is disposed above the pair of fixed side walls 31. The pair of moving side walls 32 move toward and away from each other. That is, the movable side wall 32 is supported by being linked to the cylinder 35 installed on the side edge of the upper surface of the base member 26 at two positions in the longitudinal direction of the outer surface. When the cylinder 35 reciprocates, the closed position where the movable side wall 32 is located immediately above the fixed side wall 31 and the open position where the movable side wall 32 moves away from the closed position are shifted. Further, an L-shaped plate 33 is attached to an upper part of the moving side wall 32. That is, the L-shaped plate 33 is connected to the upper part of the outer side surface of the movable side wall 32, and the bent tip part projects inward from the upper end surface of the movable side wall 32 to form the upper locking portion 33a.

  When the movable side wall 32 is in the closed position, the upper locking portion 33a is located above the storage container 1 and covers a part of the upper side of the PTP sheet 2 stored in the storage container 1 (FIG. 9). FIG. 10 (a) etc.). Thereby, the PTP sheet 2 is prevented from detaching from the upper open portion of the storage container 1 by the upper locking portion 33a. Therefore, even if the movable cassette 25 rotates 90 degrees in this state and reaches the second position in the standing posture, not only the storage container 1 but also the PTP sheet 2 in the storage container 1 is not detached or dropped from the movable cassette 25.

  On the other hand, when the movable side wall 32 is in the open position, the upper locking portion 33a is located outside the upper opening of the storage container 1 (see FIG. 10B and the like). In this state, the PTP sheet 2 can be taken out from the upper opening of the storage container 1.

  Further, a locking protrusion 34 protruding upward is attached to the moving side wall 32 (see FIG. 9 and the like). The locking protrusion 34 is integrated with the moving side wall 32, and the locking protrusion 34 moves together with the moving side wall 32 as the cylinder 35 reciprocates.

  The supply device main body 11 has a turning device 41 that revolves and moves two moving hoppers 40 arranged at intervals of 180 degrees, and a fixed hopper 42 that receives a PTP sheet in the moving hopper 40. And a filling device 44 for filling and supplying the PTP sheet 2 to the lower conveying device 5.

  The swivel device 41 attaches connecting rods 46 projecting radially opposite to the upper and lower portions of the rotating support column 45, and connects the moving hopper 40 to the tip of the connecting rod 46. The support 45 is linked to the drive motor 47 at its lower end, rotates every 180 degrees, and temporarily stops. At the time of this temporary stop, one moving hopper 40 faces the moving cassette 25 in the second position of the standing posture, and the other moving hopper 40 is positioned above the fixed hopper 42.

  As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 10, the moving hopper 40 includes a rear wall 51 fixed to an L-shaped connecting plate 50 attached to the tip of the connecting rod 46, and a side wall 52 connected to both sides of the rear wall 51. And the cross section is substantially U-shaped. The rear wall 51 is formed with a concave groove 51a extending in the front-rear direction. The concave groove 51 a is formed over the entire length of the rear wall 51, and both ends of the concave groove 51 a are opened at the upper end and the lower end of the rear wall 51.

  Moreover, the upper end of the moving hopper 40 is opened, and the open / close bottom plate 56 is disposed at the lower end (see FIG. 12 and the like). Furthermore, the moving hopper 40 includes a stopper plate 53 that can be freely opened and closed at the tip of the side wall 52, and the stopper plate 53 can block the vicinity of both sides of the front opening portion of the moving hopper 40. That is, the stopper plate 53 is linked to the guide rod 54 that is disposed so as to protrude outwardly from the front end of the outer surface of the side wall 52, and can be reciprocated linearly along the guide lot 54. The stopper plate 53 is urged toward the inner side of the side wall 52 by the elastic restoring force of the coil spring 55 attached to the guide rod 54, and in the steady state, the tip of the stopper plate 53 (on the non-cooperation side with the guide rod 54). Covers a part of the front opening portion of the moving hopper 40 (see FIG. 10A, etc.). Accordingly, for example, as shown in FIG. 11 and the like, the stopper plate 53 prevents the PTP sheet 2 filled in the moving hopper 40 in a stacked state from being removed from the front.

  On the other hand, when the stopper plate 53 moves outward (in a direction away from each other) against the elastic force of the spring 55, the tip of the stopper plate 53 is positioned up to the side wall 52 as shown in FIG. The front opening part between both side walls 52 is opened, and the PTP sheet 2 can be inserted from the front opening part side.

  Further, a slit-like through hole 53a is formed at a predetermined position on the base end side of the stopper plate 53, and an engagement receiving plate 56 protruding forward is disposed outside the through hole 53a. The through hole 53a is a latch attached to the moving side wall 32 at the closed position of the moving cassette 25 in a state where the moving cassette 25 is in the second position where the moving cassette 25 is in a standing position and one moving hopper 40 faces the moving cassette 25. It is formed in a region facing the protruding piece 34. Thus, when the moving side wall 32 of the moving cassette 25 and the front end of the side wall 52 of the moving hopper 40 are close to each other, the locking protrusion 34 is inserted into the through hole 53a, and the moving cassette 25 and the moving hopper 40 are connected. The Further, in this state, the outer surface of the locking protrusion 34 and the inner surface of the locking receiving plate 56 are in surface contact. Then, when the cylinder 35 is operated and the movable side wall 32 moves away from the closed position to the open position and reaches the open position, the locking protrusion 34 also moves to the outside, and the locking protrusion 34 is connected following the movement. The stopper plate 53 also moves outward. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10B, the tip of the stopper plate 53 is positioned up to the side wall 52, and the front open portion between the side walls 52 is opened. In this state, the opposing surfaces of the moving cassette 25 and the moving hopper 40 are opened to form a continuous space, and the moving side wall 32 of the moving cassette 25 and the end of the side wall 52 of the moving hopper 40 are close to each other. This space becomes a simple closed space in the horizontal plane. Therefore, the PTP sheet 2 stored in the storage container 1 in the moving cassette 25 can be transferred from the storage container 1 into the moving hopper 40. And since it becomes the space closed simply as mentioned above, it does not detach | leave outside at the time of the transfer. Such transfer is performed by the transfer unit 39 of the automatic loading device 12.

  The transfer unit 39 moves and loads the PTP sheets 2 stacked in a stacked state in the moving cassette 25 at the second position into the moving hopper 40. As shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the transfer unit 39 is disposed in the vicinity of the rotation shaft 28 of the moving cassette 25 that rotates forward and backward and below the moving cassette 25 that has reached the second position. A bifurcated clamping plate 36 is set upward, and a first driving device 37 that moves the clamping plate 36 in the horizontal direction and a second driving device 38 that moves the clamping plate 37 in the vertical direction are provided. The interval between the clamping plates 36 is substantially equal to the width in the short direction of the PTP sheet 2, and the length of the clamping plate 36 is substantially equal to the length in the longitudinal direction of the storage container 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sandwiching plate 36 is moved by the first driving device 37 so as to overlap the moving hopper 40 in the vertical direction, the moving cassette 25 in the second position, and more specifically, stored in the moving cassette 25. A transition is made between positions overlapping the container 1 in the vertical direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the sandwiching plate 36 is shifted by the second driving device 38 between a state where the upper end is located below the moving hopper 40 and a state where the upper end is moved and located inside the moving hopper 40. In the state of being located in the moving hopper 40, one of the forked clamping plates 36 is inserted into the recessed groove 51 a of the rear wall 51, and the upper end thereof reaches the upper part of the moving hopper 40.

  Further, when the holding plate 36 reaches the lower position at a position where it vertically overlaps the moving cassette 25, the upper end of the holding plate 36 is positioned below the lower end of the moving cassette 25. Therefore, when the clamping plate 36 is positioned at the lower position by the second driving device 38, the clamping plate 36 can be moved according to the reciprocating movement of the first driving device 37 regardless of the state / position of the moving cassette 25 and the moving hopper 40. Become.

  Further, when the clamping plate 36 reaches the upper position in the position where it vertically overlaps the movable cassette 25, the clamping plate 36 is positioned in the movable cassette 25 and thus in the storage container 1, and the other of the bifurcated sandwich plate 36 is the storage container 1. The upper end reaches the upper part of the storage container 1 while being inserted into the inner groove 1d. In this state, the sandwiching plate 36 sandwiches and holds a large number of PTP sheets 2 stacked in the storage container 1.

  Further, by the operation of the first driving device 37 and the second driving device 38, the holding plate 36 is moved “below the moving cassette 25 at the second position → upward and moved into the moving cassette 25 (storage container 1) → the rising position. It moves horizontally like the box motion, moving horizontally into the moving hopper 40, moving downward, moving below the moving hopper 40, and below the moving cassette 25 ... ". In other words, the reciprocating operation of both the drive devices 37 and 38 is controlled so that the clamping plate 36 moves along the locus. By such control, the sandwiching plate 36 that sandwiches and holds the large number of PTP sheets 2 in the storage container 1 moves horizontally and enters the moving hopper 40. Then, the PTP sheet 2 held on the sandwiching plate 36 also moves together and is positioned in the moving hopper 40. At this time, one of the clamping plates 36 is located in the concave groove 51 a of the rear wall 51.

  Next, when the moving side wall 32 reaches above the original fixed side wall 31 approaching each other by the operation of the cylinder 35, the integrated stopper plate 53 also returns to a steady state, and the tip of the stopper plate 53 is a front opening portion of the moving hopper 40. Occlude a part of Thereby, the front opening part of the movement hopper 40 is closed, and the PTP sheet 2 in the movement hopper 40 is prevented from being detached from the front opening part.

  Thereafter, when the clamping plate 36 moves downward, the lower end of the moving hopper 40 is closed by the opening / closing bottom plate 56, so that only the clamping plate 36 is lowered without the PTP sheet 2 moving downward. Thereby, the automatic loading operation of the PTP sheet 2 from the movable cassette 25 (storage container 1) to the movable hopper 40 is completed (see FIG. 10B, etc.).

  Thereafter, the moving cassette 25 returns to the first position in the horizontal posture in preparation for the next loading operation, and the empty storage container 1 is taken out from the moving cassette 25 by the transfer robot 20 and transferred to the carry-out device 14.

  Further, as the turning device 41 rotates 180 degrees, the moving hopper 40 loaded with the PTP sheet 2 revolves 180 degrees and is positioned above the fixed hopper 42. In addition, since the front surface and the bottom of the moving hopper 40 are firmly suppressed, the PTP sheet 2 is prevented from being detached from the moving hopper 40 during the revolving movement.

  In the present embodiment, the cylinder 35 provided in the moving cassette 25 by being connected and integrated with the moving side wall 32 (locking protrusion 34) of the moving cassette 25 is used as a drive source for opening and closing the stopper plate 53. In addition, since the drive source for opening and closing the stopper plate 53 is not provided on the swivel device 41 (moving hopper 40) side, the swivel portion can be reduced in weight and simplified, and the drive motor 47 can be small. It becomes possible.

  4 and FIG. 12, FIG. 14 and the like, when the moving hopper 40 loaded with the PTP sheet 2 reaches above the fixed hopper 42, the open / close bottom plate 56 opens at a predetermined timing, and the moving hopper 40 and the internal space of the fixed hopper 42 are made continuous, and the PTP sheet 2 loaded in the moving hopper 40 is dropped and supplied into the fixed hopper 42. That is, the open / close bottom plate 56 is made of a plate member bent in a crank shape, and the lower portion of the intermediate plate portion 56a extending vertically is bent inward to form the bottom portion 56b, and the upper portion of the intermediate plate portion 56a is bent outward to form the operating portion 56c. To do. In the steady state, the intermediate plate portion 56a is along the outer surface of the side wall 52 of the moving hopper 40, and the bottom portion 56b is located in the lower opening portion of the moving hopper 40 and closes the lower end. In this steady state, the operating portion 56c is in a posture extending in the horizontal direction. The open / close bottom plate 56 is configured such that the operating portion 56c is biased downward by an elastic means such as a coil spring (not shown) so as to maintain a steady state posture. Further, the open / close bottom plate 56 is attached to the side wall 52 so as to be rotatable forward and backward with the upper end of the intermediate plate portion 56a, that is, the connecting portion between the intermediate plate portion 56a and the operating portion 56c as a rotation center. By this forward / reverse rotation, the bottom 45b is positioned outside the side wall 52, and the bottom end is released from the lower opening portion of the moving hopper 40 and the lower end is opened.

  An urging plate 58 connected to the cylinder rod of the cylinder 57 that reciprocates up and down is disposed below the operating portion 56c. The urging position 58 moves up and down following the reciprocation of the cylinder 57, and urges the operating portion 56c upward when it rises. Accordingly, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 12, the tip of the operating portion 56 c rises, and the opening / closing bottom plate 56 rotates in a predetermined direction, and the bottom 45 b opens away from the lower opening portion of the moving hopper 40. As a result, the PTP sheet 2 closed by the bottom 45b and held in the moving hopper 40 drops and moves into the lower fixed hopper.

  Further, the cylinder 57 for opening the open / close bottom plate 56 is installed in the machine frame of the apparatus which is a fixed system, and acts on the open / close bottom plate 56 of the moving hopper 42 which has moved above the fixed hopper 42. Therefore, since the moving hopper 40 is not attached with the cylinder 57 as the driving source for opening / closing the opening / closing bottom plate 56 in the same manner as the driving source for opening / closing the stopper plate 53, the turning device 41 is reduced in size and weight.

  By the way, if the remaining number of PTP sheets 2 stored in the fixed hopper 42 is small at the time of dropping, the dropping movement distance becomes long and the PTP sheet 2 cannot be dropped and moved into the fixed hopper 42 in the correct posture. 2 may be damaged or damaged. Therefore, in this embodiment, the descending movement assisting device 60 is provided.

  The descending movement assisting device 60 includes a linear motion robot 61 in which an arm 61a moves up and down, and includes a receiving plate 63 that reciprocates in a horizontal direction by a cylinder 62 installed on the upper surface of the arm 61a. The receiving plate 63 is moved up and down by the linear motion robot 61, and is located in the vicinity of the lower end of the moving hopper 40 in the raised position. Further, as the cylinder 62 is reciprocated, the tip of the receiving plate 63 is positioned on the outside of the moving hopper 40 as shown by a solid line in FIGS. 11, 13, 16, etc., and a two-dot chain line in each figure. As shown, it takes a position that enters the lower end opening region of the moving hopper 40. Therefore, when the open / close bottom plate 56 is opened in a state where the receiving plate 63 has entered the lower end opening region of the moving hopper 40, the bottom end of the multiple PTP sheets 2 loaded in the moving hopper 40 is received. In this state, when the receiving plate 63 is moved downward by the linear motion robot 61, a large number of PTP sheets 2 placed on the receiving plate 63 are also moved downward. At this time, the internal space of the moving hopper 40 and the fixed hopper 42 is connected, and the PTP sheet 2 descends while maintaining the clean stacked state without moving in the lateral direction. When the cylinder 62 double-acts at an appropriate position and the receiving plate 63 reaches the standby position, the tip of the receiving plate 63 moves out of the moving hopper 40 and the holding of the PTP sheet 2 is released. Thereby, the PTP sheet 2 loses support and falls. Therefore, since it falls from the position where it has stably moved down to a predetermined position in the fixed hopper 42, not from the lower end of the moving hopper 40, the supply into the fixed hopper 42 is completed smoothly in a stable state.

  The timing at which the receiving plate 63 moves to the standby position is determined by detecting the upper end position of the PTP sheet 2 stored in the fixed hopper 42 by a plurality of sensors 66 arranged around the fixed hopper 42 and shortening the fall distance. Perform at the position.

  A filling device 44 is installed at the bottom of the fixed hopper 42, and is dropped and supplied one by one from the lower end of the PTP sheet 2 stored in the fixed hopper 42 between the front and rear fingers 5 a of the lower conveying device 5. . In the filling device 44, a pair of first shutters 71 and a pair of second shutters 72 are respectively positioned at the lower end of the fixed hopper 42 so as to oppose both sides in the longitudinal direction of the fixed hopper 42. That is, the first shutter 71 and the second shutter 72 are arranged outside the same side wall of the fixed hopper 42. The pair of first shutters 71 move in close proximity to each other in synchronization with the first cylinder 74. When approaching, the tip of the first shutter 71 enters the fixed hopper 42, and the PTP sheet 2 of the fixed hopper 42 can be supported. At the time of separation, the tip of the first shutter 71 is located outside the fixed hopper 42, the support of the PTP sheet 2 of the fixed hopper 42 is released, and the first shutter 71 can be dropped. Similarly, the pair of second shutters 72 move in close proximity to each other in synchronization with the second cylinder 75. When approaching, the tip of the second shutter 72 enters the fixed hopper 42 and can support the PTP sheet 2 of the fixed hopper 42. At the time of separation, the tip of the second shutter 72 is positioned outside the fixed hopper 42, and the support of the PTP sheet 2 of the fixed hopper 42 is released, and the second shutter 72 can be dropped. The arrangement positions of the first shutter 71 and the second shutter 72 are shifted in height by one sheet of the PTP sheet 2. For example, by setting the first shutter 71 at a low position and moving both shutters 71 and 72 at an appropriate timing, the fixed hopper 42 falls from the lowest end of the PTP sheets 2 stacked in the fixed hopper 42. To do.

  That is, for example, when the first shutter 71 and the second shutter 72 move together, the pair of first shutters 71 supports the lowermost PTP sheet 2 and the pair of second shutters is the second PTP sheet 2 from the bottom. Support. In this state, when the pair of first shutters 71 move away from each other, the lowermost PTP sheet 2 is dropped and supplied by being dropped between the fingers 5 a of the transport device 5. The PTP sheet 2 in the fixed hopper 42 is supported by the second shutter 72 and does not fall.

  Next, when the first shutter 71 approaches and closes the bottom of the fixed hopper 42, and the second shutter 72 moves away and is positioned outside the fixed hopper 42, the inside of the fixed hopper 42 held by the second shutter 72. The PTP sheet 2 moves downward while the die is not held from the shutter 72, but is supported by the first shutter 71 located immediately below it and remains in the fixed hopper 42.

  Thereafter, when the second shutter 72 moves again and enters the fixed hopper 42, the second shutter supports the second PTP sheet 2 from the bottom. Thereafter, by repeating the above processing, the PTP sheets 2 in the fixed hopper 42 are supplied one by one.

  In the above-described embodiment, the filling device 44 has the one that opens and closes the first shutter 71 and the second shutter 72 at an appropriate timing, and drops and supplies the first shutter 71 and the second shutter 72 from the lowermost PTP sheet in the fixed hopper 42 to the conveying device 5. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the adsorption method disclosed in Patent Document 1 and other various types can be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the sheet-like article is applied to a PTP sheet has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a flat sheet-like shape such as a mount, card, plate-like desiccant, or letter of writing The thickness may also be applied to various types.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Storage container 2 PTP sheet 25 Moving cassette 40 Moving hopper 41 Turning apparatus (moving means)
42 fixed hopper 60 descending movement assisting device 63 backing plate

Claims (8)

A sheet-like article automatic loading device for loading sheet-like articles stacked from the front side of a moving hopper that moves between a loading position of sheet-like articles and a supply position to a conveyance line,
In a place away from the supply position, a storage area for temporarily storing a storage container in which a plurality of sheet-like articles are stored in a framed state is provided,
An apparatus for automatically loading sheet-like articles, comprising a setting means for extracting a plurality of sheet-like articles stored in a storage container in the storage area and setting the same in the moving hopper. The setting means includes
Standing means for receiving and standing up in a storage container in which a plurality of sheet-like articles are stored in a stand-up state, and making the open surface of the storage container face the moving hopper in the loading position;
Transfer means for holding the plurality of sheet-like articles in the storage container and moving horizontally and taking out the plurality of sheet-like articles from the open surface and transferring them into the movable hopper,
The upright means covers at least a part of the open surface of the storage container and shifts between a position where the release of the sheet-like article is suppressed and a position where the sheet-like article is removed from the open face and the sheet-like article can be taken out. The sheet-like article automatic loading device according to claim 1, further comprising a section. The locking portion is moved by an actuator provided in the standing means to transition between the two positions,
3. The sheet-like article according to claim 2, wherein the driving of the actuator is transmitted to a stopper member that opens and closes the front side of the movable hopper, and the locking portion and the stopper member are simultaneously opened and closed. Automatic loading device.   The sheet according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the transfer means includes a bifurcated sandwiching plate having an opening at an upper portion thereof, and driving means for moving the sandwiching plate in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. Automatic loading device for shaped articles. The storage container has a side wall that secures a space for storing a sheet-like article,
A groove extending in the longitudinal direction is provided at the bottom where the side edge of the sheet-shaped article in the space surrounded by the side wall can contact,
The sheet-like article automatic according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a cutout portion extending from the groove portion to the open surface side end portion is provided on the side wall located on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the storage container. Loading device. An automatic loading device for sheet-like articles according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Moving means for moving the moving hopper between the loading position and the supply position;
A sheet-like article supply apparatus comprising: a supply means for supplying the sheet-like article to the transport line from a lower end of the moving hopper reaching the supply position. The supply means has a fixed hopper disposed above the conveyance line, and means for supplying a sheet-like article in the fixed hopper to the conveyance line,
Lowering movement assist having a receiving member located in the lower end opening region of the moving hopper and moving down in the fixed hopper while receiving a sheet-like article in the moving hopper and detaching to the outside of the fixed hopper With means,
The apparatus for feeding a sheet-like article according to claim 6, wherein the position at which the receiving member separates from the outside of the fixed hopper is controlled based on the upper end position of the sheet-like article in the fixed hopper.   The sheet-like article supply device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the moving means is a turning device that revolves the moving hopper.

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