JP2014019539A - Distribution apparatus for delivery items - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable use of a distribution apparatus arranged on a transportation passage, in a combination of flexibly varying arrangement patterns so as to variedly cope with requirements of users by a single distribution apparatus.SOLUTION: Combining receiving operations and shift operations of a pre-distribution conveyer 56 including a plurality of space conveyers 561, 562 and a post-distribution conveyer 57 including a plurality of space conveyers 571-574, converts a row of bread pieces delivered from an upstream conveyer 54 into a variety of arrangement patterns and sends them to a downstream conveyer 58.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sorting apparatus that converts a conveyed product such as a piece of bread obtained by slicing a block of bread into a predetermined number of rows.

  For example, when a sandwich is manufactured in a factory, a bread piece obtained by slicing a loaf of bread is flowed on a belt conveyor, and a predetermined process is performed on the bread piece that is dropped downstream if necessary (for example, work) As a process, for example, a tool to be sandwiched in is arranged, but sliced bread pieces are sent in a row to the downstream, and the rows are increased in the middle to increase work efficiency. A transfer line may be used.

JP 2008-105833 A

  According to this patent document, for example, the conveyed items that are flowed in one row are increased to flow in two or more rows. However, it is fixed to 2 columns in the device that converts 1 column to 2 columns, and is fixed to 3 columns in the device that converts 1 column to 3 columns and flows. There is no freedom. For this reason, it has been necessary to carefully invest in facilities such as factories, and there has been a need to replace manufacturing facilities when manufacturing conditions change.

  An object of the present invention is to make it possible to use a sorting device placed in the middle of a conveyance path with a combination of array patterns that change flexibly, and to deal with a variety of needs with a single sorting device in response to a user's request. It is in.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides:
When conveying conveyed items such as bread pieces from the upstream conveyor to the downstream conveyor, the conveyed items sent from the upstream conveyor at a predetermined interval are positioned between the upstream conveyor and the downstream conveyor. A sorting device that converts to a downstream conveyor and sends it to the downstream conveyor,
A plurality of receiving spaces provided adjacent to the upstream conveyor for receiving the conveyed product sent from the upstream conveyor are provided in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, and the pitch of the receiving spaces is defined in a minimum unit in the direction intersecting the conveying direction. And a sorting conveyor provided with space belt conveyors that can be driven independently of each other in the direction along the conveying direction in each receiving space,
By combining the receiving operation and the shifting operation of the sorting conveyor, a predetermined number of conveyed objects are arranged on the downstream conveyor in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, and the conveyed objects are sent out in a predetermined combination in the conveying direction. And a controller for driving each space belt conveyor in the sorting conveyor and further shifting the sorting conveyor.

In addition, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides:
When conveying conveyed items such as bread pieces from the upstream conveyor to the downstream conveyor, the conveyed items sent from the upstream conveyor at a predetermined interval are positioned between the upstream conveyor and the downstream conveyor. A sorting device that converts to a downstream conveyor and sends it to the downstream conveyor,
A plurality of receiving spaces provided adjacent to the upstream conveyor for receiving the conveyed product sent from the upstream conveyor are provided in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, and the pitch of the receiving spaces is defined in a minimum unit in the direction intersecting the conveying direction. And a first sorting conveyor provided with a space belt conveyor that can be driven independently of each other in the direction along the conveying direction in each receiving space,
A direction that is provided adjacent to the first sorting conveyor, and that has a plurality of receiving spaces for receiving the objects to be delivered from the first sorting conveyor in a direction that intersects the conveying direction, and that intersects the conveying direction. A second sorting conveyor provided with a space belt conveyor that can be driven independently of each other in the direction along the conveying direction in each receiving space.
By combining the receiving operation and the shifting operation of the first sorting conveyor and the second sorting conveyor, a predetermined number of transports from the second sorting conveyor to the downstream conveyor in a direction crossing the transporting direction. The space belt conveyors in the first sorting conveyor and the second sorting conveyor are driven so that the articles are arranged and the conveyed items are sent out in a predetermined combination in the transport direction, and the first sorting is further performed. And a control device for shifting the conveyor and the second sorting conveyor.

  According to the present invention, for example, the arrangement pattern flowing downstream can be kept flowing with one row fixed to two rows (two rows), for example, or the one row can be fixed to four rows (four rows) and kept flowing. 1 row is flowed in a mixed (mixed) array pattern of 4 rows (4 rows), 2 rows (2 rows), 4 rows (4 rows), 2 rows (2 rows), and 1 Column (only 1), 2 columns (2 aligned), 3 columns (3 aligned), 4 columns (4 aligned), 1 column (only 1), 2 columns (2 aligned), 3 columns ( It is possible to flow in a complicated combination such as three rows, four rows (four rows), etc., and it is possible to satisfy various requests of the user even though it is a single sorting device.

The front view which shows roughly an example of the conveying apparatus of the bread piece in which the distribution apparatus of this invention is provided. The top view which shows one Example of the distribution apparatus which concerns on this invention. The front view of FIG. The side view seen from the upstream of FIG. The side view seen from the downstream of FIG. The block diagram which shows a control system. The functional block diagram of a control part. The flowchart which shows the action | operation of a control part. The flowchart which shows the distribution process of the pattern 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a four-row distribution operation. The top view following FIG. 10A. The top view which shows an example of distribution operation | movement of 3 rows. The top view which shows the other example of distribution operation | movement of 3 rows. The top view following FIG. 12A. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a two-row distribution operation. The top view which shows operation | movement of 1 row. The top view which shows the hybrid pattern of 1 row, 2 rows, 3 rows, 4 rows. The top view which shows the hybrid pattern of 2 rows, 4 rows, 2 rows, 4 rows. The top view which shows the hybrid pattern of 2 rows, 2 rows, 3 rows, 3 rows, 4 rows, 4 rows. The top view which shows the hybrid pattern of 1 row and 2 rows. 10 is a flowchart showing pattern 6 distribution processing. The top view which shows the example of arrangement | positioning in case a sorting conveyor is comprised by 1 step | paragraph. The top view which shows the example of arrangement | positioning in the case of installing a relay conveyor between two distribution conveyors. The top view which shows the other structural example of the distribution conveyor.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to examples shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of a bread piece conveying apparatus 1 provided with a sorting apparatus 100 of the present invention. On the upstream side of this conveyance line (conveyance device 1), on the upstream side, a slicing device 2 for slicing a bread lump to a predetermined thickness and making each piece of bread, and a bread piece SB sliced by the slicing device 2 downstream And a conveyor 54 that conveys the bread pieces SB whose ears have been cut by the ear drop device 3 to the downstream. A conveyor that holds and conveys the slice surface (lower surface) of the bread piece SB after cutting the ear portion is used as an upstream conveyor 54, and the sorting device 100 described above is provided adjacent to the downstream side. A downstream conveyor 58 is located downstream of the vehicle.

  The sorting apparatus 100 includes a first sorting conveyor (hereinafter also abbreviated as a pre-sorting conveyor or a pre-sorting C) 56 adjacent to the downstream side of the upstream conveyor 54, and a downstream side of the first sorting conveyor 56. A second sorting conveyor 57 (hereinafter also abbreviated as a rear sorting conveyor or a rear sorting C) 57, and for example, one row of bread pieces SB sent by the upstream conveyor 54 is divided into four by the sorting device 100. It is converted into a column or other predetermined arrangement pattern. The bread pieces SB of the converted array pattern are flowed to the downstream conveyor 58, and in the downstream conveyor 58, for example, the placement of tools and other necessary operations may be performed on the slice surface (upper surface) of the bread pieces SB. Further, it may be transported to a further downstream automatic process.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view of the sorting apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a front view thereof. In the figure, the left side is a front distribution conveyor 56, and the right side is a rear distribution conveyor 57. In FIG. 2, the front distribution conveyor 56 includes a plurality of (for example, two frames) receiving spaces in parallel in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the upstream conveyor 54, and each space (each frame) is independent of each other in the conveyance direction. Driven space belt conveyors (hereinafter also abbreviated as space conveyors) 561 and 562 are installed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, each space conveyor 561, 562 is provided on a moving base 56b (moving portion main body), and the moving base 56b and a nut 56d integrated therewith are driven by a driving mechanism such as a ball screw 56c. , 562 is shifted along a linear guide member 56a (commonly referred to as a linear guide) arranged in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction with a distance corresponding to the pitch of 562 as a minimum unit. The ball screw 56c is driven by the motor FS, and the space conveyors 561 and 562 are driven by the motors FC1 and FC2 via the belt handling rotary shafts 90 and 91, respectively.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the rear distribution conveyor 57 includes a plurality of (for example, four frames) receiving spaces in parallel in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the upstream conveyor 54, and each space (each frame) is independent from each other in the conveying direction. Space belt conveyors (hereinafter also abbreviated as space conveyors) 571, 572, 573, and 574 that are driven in this manner are installed.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the rear distribution conveyor 57 has the same structure as the front distribution conveyor 56. That is, each of the space conveyors 571 to 574 is provided on the moving base 57b (moving part main body), and the moving base 57b (moving part main body) and the nut 57d integrated therewith are driven by a driving mechanism such as a ball screw 57c driven by the motor RS. Is shifted along a linear guide member 57a (commonly referred to as a linear guide). Further, the space conveyors 571, 572, 573, and 574 are driven by motors RC1, RC2, RC3, and RC4, respectively, via belt handling rotary shafts 90 and 91, respectively.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the control system. Motors B1 and B2 for upstream conveyor 54 and downstream conveyor 58, motors FC1 and FC2 for space conveyors 561 and 562 for front distribution conveyor 56, motor FS for driving a ball screw for shifting, and rear distribution conveyor Motors RC1 to RC4 of 57 space conveyors 571 to 574 and a motor RS for driving a ball screw for shifting are connected to the control unit 60 (control device), and the control unit 60 distributes the patterns in various patterns. 100 is controlled. The control unit 60 is connected to an operation panel 70 (touch panel) for setting and inputting an arrangement pattern of conveyance (in other words, distribution).

  The operation panel 70 includes a display screen 71 that can be input by an operator. For example, a selection pattern can be selected from 10 patterns (P) 1 to 10 on the selection pattern (array pattern) selection screen. For example, P1 is fixed to 4 columns, P2 is fixed to 3 columns, P3 is fixed to 2 columns (upper), P4 is fixed to 2 columns (middle), P5 is fixed to 1 column, P6 is fixed to 4 columns, P7 is 1 to 2 Sorting patterns such as the 3-3 column, P8 for the 2-3-2 column, P9 for the 3-1 column, and P10 for the 4-3-2-1 column can be selected.

  FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the control unit. The motors B1, B2, FC1, FC2, FS, RC1, RC2, RC3, RC4, RS and the operation panel 70 are connected to the I / O interface 61 of the control unit 60. The control unit 60 includes a CPU 63, a ROM 64, and a RAM 65 that are connected to each other via the I / O interface 61 and a bus 62. The ROM 64 includes a pattern 1 sequence program (P1 sequence PG) and a pattern 2 sequence program (P2 sequence PG) described later. ),... Pattern 10 sequence program (P10 sequence PG) is stored, and other programs for performing other controls are also stored.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the ROM program of FIG. Sequence programs of patterns 1 to 10 in FIG. 7 are prepared according to the distribution pattern (see FIG. 6) displayed on the display screen 71 of the operation panel 70. In FIG. 8, when there is an input from the operation panel 70 in S1, the pattern 1 (P1) distribution process to the pattern 10 (P10) distribution shown in S12 to S21 according to the selected pattern (S2 to S11). Minute processing is executed. When the end operation is performed in S22, the process is ended, and processing other than pattern selection is performed in S23.

  FIG. 9 shows the sorting process of pattern 1, which is a pattern in which the bread pieces sent in one row are fixed to four rows and sent downstream. 10A and 10B are plan views showing how patterns 1 are sorted. In the following description, the distribution operation of FIGS. 10A and 10B corresponding to FIG. 9 is shown in parentheses. When the front sorting conveyor 56 receives the first bread piece at T1, the motor FC1 of the space conveyor 561 that receives it is turned on, and the space conveyor 561 is driven by a distance necessary to receive the bread piece SB ( FIG. 10A (1)). The front distribution conveyor 56 is shifted by one frame by driving the motor FS at T2, and the second bread piece is received by the front distribution conveyor 56 at T3. At this time, the space conveyor 562 for receiving it is driven downstream by a distance necessary for receiving the motor FC2 (FIG. 10A (2)).

  At T4, it is determined whether the post-distribution conveyor 57 has not yet undergone an acceptance shift or has already undergone an acceptance shift once. If the receiving shift has not been performed yet, T4 is NO, and at T5, the two bread pieces are discharged from the space conveyors 561 and 562 of the front distribution conveyor 56 by driving the motors FC1 and FC2, and at T6, the rear distribution conveyor 57 is reached. The space conveyors 571 and 572 in the space for receiving the two pieces of bread are driven by the motors RC1 and RC2 to receive and temporarily hold the two pieces of bread (FIG. 10A (3)), At T7, the post-sorting conveyor 57 receives and shifts one frame by driving the motor RS and waits for the next (FIG. 10A (4)).

  When the rear distribution conveyor 57 has received two pieces of bread, T8 becomes NO and returns to T1, and two pieces of bread are again received by the front distribution conveyor 56 at T1 to T3 (FIG. 10A (4)). (5)). If it is determined that the rear distribution conveyor 57 has already received and shifted once, T4 becomes YES, two bread pieces are sent from the space conveyors 561 and 562 of the front distribution conveyor 56 at T9, and after T10 The space conveyors 573 and 574 of the sorting conveyor 57 receive the two pieces of bread (FIG. 10B (6)), and at T11, the rear sorting conveyor 57 is shifted by one frame by driving the motor RS (FIG. 10B ( 7)).

  When the post-sorting conveyor 57 receives four bread pieces, T8 becomes YES, and at T12, the four pan pieces of the post-sorting conveyor 57 are sent to the downstream conveyor 58 when the motors RC1 to RC4 are turned on. (FIG. 10B (8)), when an end instruction is given at T13, the end is reached.

  FIGS. 10A and 10B show a state of sorting in which one row of bread pieces SB is converted into four rows in this way. However, there are cases where the four rows are fixed and a mixed pattern including four rows.

  FIG. 11 and FIGS. 12A and 12B show different operation examples in the case where one row of bread pieces SB is converted into three rows (in the case of fixed three rows or in a mixed pattern including three rows). Yes. First, the operation example of FIG. 11 will be described focusing on differences from FIGS. 10A and 10B.

  The space conveyors 561 and 562 of the front distribution conveyor 56 receive the first and second bread pieces SB and deliver them to the space conveyors 571 and 572 of the rear distribution conveyor 57 (FIGS. 11 (1) to (3)). ). While the rear distribution conveyor 57 is shifted by one frame, the space conveyor 562 of the front distribution conveyor 56 receives the third bread piece SB (FIG. 11 (4)). Thereafter, the front distribution conveyor 56 and the rear distribution conveyor 57 are shifted by one frame in the same direction. During that time, the space conveyor 562 of the front distribution conveyor 56 and the space conveyor 573 of the rear distribution conveyor 57 are synchronously conveyed. Driven, the delivery of the third bread piece SB is performed (FIG. 11 (5)). Three bread pieces are sent to the downstream conveyor 58 from the space conveyors 571, 572, 573 of the rear distribution conveyor 57, and the space conveyor 561 of the front distribution conveyor 56 transfers the first bread piece SB of the next row. Accept (FIG. 11 (6)), return to the state of FIG. 11 (1) and repeat the operation so far.

  Next, in the operation example of FIGS. 12A and 12B, (1) to (4) are the same as those in FIG. 11, but the BL shown in (2) in FIG. (To create this empty space BL, the slice in the slicing apparatus 2 is paused or swung at a rate of once every four times).

  The third bread piece SB is transferred from the space conveyor 562 of the front distribution conveyor 56 to the space conveyor 573 of the rear distribution conveyor 57 (FIG. 12A (5)), and the rear distribution conveyor 57 is shifted by one frame. In the meantime, an empty space BL (corresponding to the fourth sheet) reaches the space conveyor 562 of the pre-distribution conveyor 56, but since there is no bread piece in the empty space BL, the space conveyor 562 is not driven and no bread piece is received. (FIG. 12A (6)). Three bread pieces are sent from the space conveyors 571, 572, 573 of the rear distribution conveyor 57 to the downstream conveyor 58, and the front distribution conveyor 56 is shifted by one frame (FIG. 12B (7)). The space conveyor 561 of the front distribution conveyor 56 receives the first bread piece SB in the next row (FIG. 12B (8)), returns to the state of FIG. 12A (1), and repeats the operation so far.

  Thus, both FIG. 11 and FIGS. 12A and 12B can convert one row of bread pieces SB into three rows. In the former case, the slice apparatus 2 is complicatedly operated to create an empty space BL. There is an advantage that control is not required. In the latter case, there is an advantage that complicated synchronization adjustment (FIG. 11 (5)) between the front distribution conveyor 56 and the rear distribution conveyor 57 is not required.

  FIG. 13 shows a case in which one row of bread pieces SB is converted into two rows (a case where two rows are fixed or a mixed pattern including two rows). The sorting conveyor 57 receives it and transfers it to the downstream conveyor 58 as it is. FIG. 14 shows a case where one row of bread pieces SB is flowed in one row (a case where a single row is fixed or a mixed pattern including one row), and the bread received from the upstream conveyor 54 by the front distribution conveyor 56. The piece SB is immediately sent to the rear distribution conveyor 57, and is immediately transferred from the rear distribution conveyor 57 to the downstream conveyor 58. By operating in this way, the sorting apparatus 100 is simply passed through and the same state as the upstream conveyor 54 is also maintained in the downstream conveyor 58. 13 and 14 is provided with five space conveyors 571, 572, 573, 574, and 575.

  From such a single bread piece, patterns such as 4 rows (4 rows), 3 rows (3 rows), 2 rows (2 rows), 1 row (only 1) are combined (mixed). For example, in FIG. 15A, the number of columns is changed in the order of one column, two columns, three columns, and four columns, and the same pattern is repeated from 4 columns to 1 column. This is a distribution pattern. Further, FIG. 15B shows an allocation pattern to be converted into 2, 4, 2, 4 columns, and FIG. 15C shows an allocation pattern to be converted into 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, and 4. FIG. 15D shows a pattern in which one row and two rows are alternately mixed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 16, in order to execute the distribution process of pattern 6 (that is, the distribution pattern shown in FIG. 15B), the front distribution conveyor 56 receives the first bread piece at R1 and the front at R2. The sorting conveyor 56 shifts and the second bread piece is received by the front sorting conveyor 56 at R3.

  In R4, it is determined whether or not the rear distribution conveyor 57 is in the four-sheet mode. If it is in the four-sheet mode (R4: YES), it is determined in R5 whether or not the rear distribution conveyor 57 has been received and shifted. If the receiving shift has not been performed (R5: NO), two bread pieces are sent from the front distribution conveyor 56 at R6, the rear distribution conveyor 57 receives the two bread pieces at R7, and the rear at R8. The sorting conveyor 57 is shifted to an acceptance shift and waits for the next.

  In this state, after passing through R9 (R9: NO), the process returns to R1, and two pieces of bread are stocked again on the pre-distribution conveyor 56 at R1 to R3. (R4: YES & R5: YES), two pieces (third and fourth) of bread pieces are sent from the front distribution conveyor 56 at R10, and two rear distribution conveyors 57 are received at R11. The rear distribution conveyor 57 is adjusted and shifted at R12. When the rear distribution conveyor 57 receives four pieces of bread at R9 (R9: YES), the rear distribution conveyor 57 sends the four pieces of bread to the downstream conveyor 58 at R13.

  After returning to R1 via R14 (R14: NO), the two-sheet mode is executed next, and the two bread pieces stocked on the pre-distribution conveyor 56 at R1 to R3 pass through R4 (R4: NO). In R15, two bread pieces are sent from the front distribution conveyor 56. In R16, the rear distribution conveyor 57 receives the two bread pieces. In R17, the rear distribution conveyor 57 immediately receives the two bread pieces. Send to downstream conveyor 58. In this way, the sorting between the four-sheet mode and the two-sheet mode is repeated via R14, and when the end determination is made at R14, the end is reached.

  The array pattern is not limited to the pattern described above, and can be applied to various distribution patterns (array patterns). For example, as the mixed distribution pattern, 3 rows (3 rows) and 5 rows (5 rows) ) 2 columns (2 rows) and 3 rows (3 rows), 1 row (1 row), 5 columns (5 rows), etc., 4 rows (4 rows) are continuous as a fixed distribution pattern. There are patterns.

  Even if the sorting conveyor has a two-stage configuration that combines the front sorting conveyor and the rear sorting conveyor, the bread piece (conveyed material) can be transported at a high speed, and the permissible unit time (tact time) for sorting is short. The bread pieces can be continuously sent out to the downstream conveyor in a predetermined arrangement pattern (without interruption). However, when the transport speed is slow and the time allowed for sorting (tact time) can be long, it is not a two-stage configuration of a front distribution conveyor and a rear distribution conveyor arranged along the transport direction. It can also be constituted by a one-stage sorting conveyor 55 as shown in FIG. The sorting conveyor 55 in FIG. 17 includes a plurality of (for example, four frames) receiving spaces in parallel in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the upstream conveyor 54, and each space (each frame) is driven independently from each other in the conveying direction. Space conveyors 551 to 554 are installed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 18, a relay conveyor 59 (intermediate conveyor) or the like may be installed between the front distribution conveyor 56 and the rear distribution conveyor 57. In FIG. 18, the relay conveyor 59 transports the bread pieces SB (conveyed material) converted into the mixed pattern of one row (one) and two rows (two rows) by the front sorting conveyor 56 to the downstream. The case where the minute conveyor 57 is reconverted into a hybrid pattern of 2 rows (2 rows) and 3 rows (3 rows) is exemplified, and more various arrangement patterns are possible.

  In the above description, the bread piece SB sliced by the slicing device 2 and ear-dropped by the ear drop device 3 is defined as the conveyed item, but the conveyed item is not limited to the bread piece in the present invention. Moreover, although the 1st distribution conveyor (front distribution conveyor) and the 2nd distribution conveyor (rear distribution conveyor) were each comprised by one, along the direction where one or both of these conveyors shift A plurality (multiple or multiple) may be provided. Alternatively, in addition to the first and second sorting conveyors, a third sorting conveyor or the like may be provided on the downstream side (or upstream side) in the transport direction to form a multistage configuration. These sorting conveyors may move by a plurality of pitches in the receiving space during shift movement.

  Furthermore, although only the case where a piece of bread (conveyed material) is conveyed in a row (one by one) with one upstream conveyor has been described, a plurality of rows of conveyed items are conveyed with one upstream conveyor, A single line of conveyed items may be conveyed by each upstream conveyor, or a plurality of rows of conveyed objects may be conveyed by a plurality of upstream conveyors. On the other hand, a case has been described in which bread pieces (conveyed objects) distributed in a predetermined arrangement pattern are conveyed by one downstream conveyor, but the downstream conveyors are parallel to the conveying direction of a plurality of (multiple) conveyed objects. The conveyors may be divided into a plurality of conveyors, and each conveyor may be driven by a corresponding motor to convey a predetermined number of columns (for example, one column) for each conveyor downstream. These upstream and downstream conveyors may always be continuously rotated or intermittently rotated.

  Further, when the sorting conveyor is composed of two stages or the like, it is not limited to the combination of the two-frame front sorting conveyor and the four-frame rear sorting conveyor as described above, for example, the two-frame shown in FIG. Various combinations are possible including the two-stage configuration of the front distribution conveyor 56 and the rear distribution conveyor 57 of the three frames, and the two-stage configuration of three frames and five frames shown in FIG. Further, as shown in (C) and (D), when the front distribution conveyor 56 is one frame and the rear distribution conveyor 57 is two frames, five frames, or more, the front distribution conveyor 56 is rear Although the pitch of one frame of the distribution conveyor 57 is shifted as a minimum unit, the rear distribution conveyor 57 may be shifted or may be a fixed type that does not shift. In (C) and (D), the front distribution conveyor 56 performs a substantial distribution operation, and the rear distribution conveyor 57 is configured to temporarily hold the bread pieces in a predetermined pattern (the conveyance speed of the conveyed product, and consequently (It is suitable when the unit allowable time (tact time) of distribution is relatively long).

  Further, instead of setting and inputting (selecting input) the array pattern to be distributed by the distribution device 100, a predetermined array pattern (for example, a combination pattern of one column, two columns, and four columns) is controlled by the control unit. It may be set to 60, and the sorting operation may be performed in the pattern.

  In the description of each embodiment, parts having a common function are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted. Further, the above embodiments can be appropriately combined and implemented within a range that does not cause technical contradiction.

54 Upstream conveyor 55 Sorting conveyor 551-554 Space conveyor (Space belt conveyor)
56 Forward sorting conveyor (first sorting conveyor)
561,562 Space conveyor (Space belt conveyor)
57 Rear sorting conveyor (second sorting conveyor)
571-574 Space conveyor (Space belt conveyor)
58 Downstream conveyor 60 Control unit (control device)
70 Operation panel (touch panel)
100 Sorting device SB Bread pieces (conveyed items)

The present invention relates to a sorting device that converts a conveyed product (for example, a piece of bread obtained by slicing block bread) into a predetermined number of rows.

The premise for solving the above problems is as follows:
When conveying conveyed items such as bread pieces from the upstream conveyor to the downstream conveyor, the conveyed items sent from the upstream conveyor at a predetermined interval are positioned between the upstream conveyor and the downstream conveyor. A sorting device that converts to a downstream conveyor and sends it to the downstream conveyor,
A plurality of receiving spaces provided adjacent to the upstream conveyor for receiving the conveyed product sent from the upstream conveyor are provided in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, and the pitch of the receiving spaces is defined in a minimum unit in the direction intersecting the conveying direction. And a sorting conveyor provided with space belt conveyors that can be driven independently of each other in the direction along the conveying direction in each receiving space,
By combining the receiving operation and the shifting operation of the sorting conveyor, a predetermined number of conveyed objects are arranged on the downstream conveyor in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, and the conveyed objects are sent out in a predetermined combination in the conveying direction. each space belt conveyor in the sorting conveyor is driven as is further comprising a control device for shifting the sorting conveyor.

In addition, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides:
When transporting a transported object from the upstream conveyor to the downstream conveyor, the transported object that is located between the upstream conveyor and the downstream conveyor and is sent from the upstream conveyor at a predetermined interval is converted into a predetermined array pattern. A sorting device for feeding to the downstream conveyor,
A plurality of receiving spaces provided adjacent to the upstream conveyor for receiving the conveyed product sent from the upstream conveyor are provided in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, and the pitch of the receiving spaces is defined in a minimum unit in the direction intersecting the conveying direction. And a first sorting conveyor provided with a space belt conveyor that can be driven independently of each other in the direction along the conveying direction in each receiving space,
A direction that is provided adjacent to the first sorting conveyor, and that has a plurality of receiving spaces for receiving the objects to be delivered from the first sorting conveyor in a direction that intersects the conveying direction, and that intersects the conveying direction. A second sorting conveyor provided with a space belt conveyor that can be driven independently of each other in the direction along the conveying direction in each receiving space.
By combining the receiving operation and the shifting operation of the first sorting conveyor and the second sorting conveyor, a predetermined number of transports from the second sorting conveyor to the downstream conveyor in a direction crossing the transporting direction. The space belt conveyors in the first sorting conveyor and the second sorting conveyor are driven so that the articles are arranged and the conveyed items are sent out in a predetermined combination in the transport direction, and the first sorting is further performed. And a control device for shifting the conveyor and the second sorting conveyor.

Claims (4)

When conveying conveyed items such as bread pieces from the upstream conveyor to the downstream conveyor, the conveyed items sent from the upstream conveyor at a predetermined interval are positioned between the upstream conveyor and the downstream conveyor. A sorting device that converts to a downstream conveyor and sends it to the downstream conveyor,
A plurality of receiving spaces provided adjacent to the upstream conveyor for receiving the conveyed product sent from the upstream conveyor are provided in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, and the pitch of the receiving spaces is defined in a minimum unit in the direction intersecting the conveying direction. And a sorting conveyor provided with space belt conveyors that can be driven independently of each other in the direction along the conveying direction in each receiving space,
By combining the receiving operation and the shifting operation of the sorting conveyor, a predetermined number of conveyed objects are arranged on the downstream conveyor in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, and the conveyed objects are sent out in a predetermined combination in the conveying direction. And a control device for driving each space belt conveyor in the sorting conveyor and further shifting the sorting conveyor. When conveying conveyed items such as bread pieces from the upstream conveyor to the downstream conveyor, the conveyed items sent from the upstream conveyor at a predetermined interval are positioned between the upstream conveyor and the downstream conveyor. A sorting device that converts to a downstream conveyor and sends it to the downstream conveyor,
A plurality of receiving spaces provided adjacent to the upstream conveyor for receiving the conveyed product sent from the upstream conveyor are provided in a direction intersecting the conveying direction, and the pitch of the receiving spaces is defined in a minimum unit in the direction intersecting the conveying direction. And a first sorting conveyor provided with a space belt conveyor that can be driven independently of each other in the direction along the conveying direction in each receiving space,
A direction that is provided adjacent to the first sorting conveyor, and that has a plurality of receiving spaces for receiving the objects to be delivered from the first sorting conveyor in a direction that intersects the conveying direction, and that intersects the conveying direction. A second sorting conveyor provided with a space belt conveyor that can be driven independently of each other in the direction along the conveying direction in each receiving space.
By combining the receiving operation and the shifting operation of the first sorting conveyor and the second sorting conveyor, a predetermined number of transports from the second sorting conveyor to the downstream conveyor in a direction crossing the transporting direction. The space belt conveyors in the first sorting conveyor and the second sorting conveyor are driven so that the articles are arranged and the conveyed items are sent out in a predetermined combination in the transport direction, and the first sorting is further performed. A distribution device for a transported object such as a bread piece, comprising a conveyor and a control device for shifting the second distribution conveyor.   The receiving space of the first sorting conveyor has at least two frames, and at least two space belt conveyors are installed correspondingly, and the receiving space of the second sorting conveyor is equal to or more than the first sorting conveyor. The apparatus for allocating a transported object such as a bread piece according to claim 2, wherein the space belt conveyor of the same number as the number of frames is installed.   The sorting device for a transported object such as a bread piece according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transported object is distributed according to an array pattern set and input to the control device.

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