JP2016033068A - Article transfer device, article transfer method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable stable transfer of, for example, articles in an aligned state.SOLUTION: An article transfer device 1 comprises: a conveyance device 30 for conveying an article P carried into carry-in areas 34, 36; a feeding device 10 for feeding the article P to the carry-in areas 34, 36 from a conveyance width direction; and a downstream side support device 60 having a downstream side support part 86 for supporting a downstream side end of the article P in a conveyance direction. In the downstream side support device 60, the downstream side support part 86 is moved within a first speed range when the article P is being fed to the carry-in areas 34, 36. After the article P has been fed to the carry-in areas 34, 36, the downstream side support part 86 is moved within a second speed range, which is faster than the first speed range.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an article transfer apparatus and an article transfer method for transferring an article.

  For example, when transporting beverage containers, the containers are arranged in advance in a plurality of rows on the supply device side, the plurality of containers in the foremost row are advanced and supplied to a conveyor (conveyance device), and the conveyor conveys the containers in the direction perpendicular to the rows. An article transfer device that conveys a container is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the article transfer device described in Patent Document 1, the conveyor is a so-called side bucket type equipped with a pair of fingers (partition plates), and the supply device has a timing between a pair of fingers that are continuously operated. Combine and quickly supply multiple containers. The conveyor conveys the supplied container row while holding the front end and the rear end with a pair of fingers. In order to cope with the change in the number of containers supplied from the supply device to the conveyor, the distance between the pair of fingers can be variably controlled in advance before the containers are supplied.

Japanese Patent No. 5359060

  However, in the article transfer apparatus of Patent Document 1, for example, when an integrated product consisting of a plurality of rows and columns is to be supplied together between a pair of fingers of a conveyor, a predetermined time is required until the supply of the last article is completed. Cost. Therefore, there is a problem that the accumulated product in the middle of supply collides with the upstream finger.

  In order to solve the above problem, it can be considered that the distance between the pair of fingers is set to be larger than the length in the conveyance direction of the stacked product. However, in such a case, there is a problem that the aligned state of the integrated product is broken between the pair of fingers.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an article transfer device and a transfer method that can be stably transferred without breaking the attitude of the article.

  (1) The present invention includes a transport device that transports an article to be carried into a carry-in area, a supply device that supplies the article from the transport width direction to the carry-in area of the transport device, and a carry-in to the carry-in area. A downstream support unit that supports a downstream end of the article in the conveyance direction, and moves the downstream support unit in the conveyance direction of the conveyance device together with the article conveyed by the conveyance device The downstream support device is within a first speed range while the article is being supplied to the carry-in area, and is more than the first speed range after the article is supplied to the carry-in area. In the article transporting apparatus, the downstream support portion is moved in the transport direction within a fast second speed range.

  (2) In the present invention, the downstream support device is provided in the base portion that moves within the second speed range in the transport direction, and the downstream support portion is transported in the transport direction with respect to the base portion. A connecting portion that is held in a state of being relatively movable on the upstream side; and a driving portion that drives the connecting portion, and the driving portion is connected to the connecting portion at a timing when the downstream support portion passes through the carry-in area. (1), wherein the moving speed of the downstream support portion is temporarily within the first speed range by driving the downstream support portion relative to the upstream side. It is an article transfer apparatus of description.

  (3) The present invention is also the article transfer device according to (2), wherein the driving unit is a cam mechanism.

  (4) The article according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the conveyance device includes a finger that presses and conveys an upstream end in a conveyance direction of the article. It is a transfer device.

  (5) In the present invention, the downstream support device may be configured such that at least after the downstream support portion arrives in the vicinity of the downstream end of the carry-in area, the finger arrives at the upstream end of the carry-in area. The article transfer device according to (4), wherein the downstream support portion is moved within the first speed range.

  (6) In the present invention, the second speed range is the same as the conveyance speed of the article by the conveyance device. The article transfer apparatus according to any one of (1) to (5), It is.

  (7) In the present invention, the downstream support device may be configured such that, after the article is supplied to the carry-in area, the downstream support unit is moved in the transport direction within a second speed range that is faster than the first speed range. And further downstream, by moving the downstream support portion within a third speed range faster than the second speed range, the timing delay due to the movement within the first speed range is restored. The article transfer device according to any one of (1) to (6) above.

  (8) In the present invention, the first velocity range is set to approximately 0 cm / s, and the downstream support portion is in a stationary state, according to any one of (1) to (7), This is an article transfer device.

  (9) The present invention is also the article transfer device according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the article is an integrated product having a plurality of articles in the width direction of the transport direction.

  (10) In the present invention, when the article carried into the carry-in area is carried by the carrying device, the downstream support portion that supports the downstream end in the carrying direction of the article is provided in the vicinity of the downstream end of the carry-in area. In addition to being moved within a speed range, the downstream support portion is moved within a second speed range that is faster than the first speed on the downstream side from the vicinity of the downstream end, and the downstream support portion is moved to the first speed While moving within the range, by supplying the article from the width direction of the conveyance direction of the conveyance device to the carry-in area, the downstream end in the conveyance direction of the article being supplied is the downstream side After the support is supported and the supply of the article to the carry-in area is completed, the downstream support is moved within the second speed range in conjunction with the transport of the article by the transport device, How to transport goods An article transfer method characterized by continuing supporting the downstream end.

  (11) In the present invention, the downstream support portion is installed in a state in which the downstream support portion can move relative to the base moving in the second speed range in the transport direction, and the downstream support portion is moved into the carry-in portion. By moving the downstream support portion relative to the base relative to the base at the timing of passing through the downstream vicinity of the area, the moving speed of the downstream support portion is temporarily within the first speed range. The article transfer method according to (10) above, characterized in that:

  According to the configuration described in the above (1) to (11) of the present invention, for example, it is possible to stably transport the articles in an aligned state without breaking the posture.

It is a top view of the article | item transfer apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the article | item transfer apparatus by the aspect which abbreviate | omitted the supply apparatus. (A) of a downstream side support apparatus is a top view, (B) is a side view, (C) is a front view, (D) is a DD arrow sectional view of (B). (A) is a front view which shows the time of the start of the carrying-in of the goods to a carrying-in area, (B) is a front view which shows the carrying-in of the goods to the carrying-in area, (C) is an article into the carrying-in area. It is a front view which shows the time of completion of carrying in. (A) is a top view which shows the time of the start of the carrying-in of the goods to a carrying-in area, (B) is a top view which shows the carrying-in of the goods to the carrying-in area, (C) is an article into the carrying-in area. It is a top view which shows the time of completion of carrying in. It is a top view which shows turning operation | movement of the finger in a conveying apparatus. It is a front view which shows transition of the transfer state of the articles | goods by an article transfer apparatus.

  Hereinafter, an article transfer device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, the overall configuration of the article transfer device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The article transfer device 1 includes a supply device 10, a transport device 30, and a downstream support device 60, and supplies bottled beverages P from the supply device 10 to the transport device 30 in an accumulated state. The beverage P is conveyed by 30. Here, a direction in which the beverage P is transported by the transport device 30 is defined as a transport direction X, and a direction perpendicular to the transport direction is defined as a transport width direction W.

  The supply device 10 is provided with a pair on the upstream side and the downstream side in the transport direction X, and includes a guide mechanism 12, a standby region 14, and a pusher 16, respectively. The guide mechanism 12 includes a plurality of guides 12A extending in the conveyance width direction W, and guides the beverage P to the standby area 14 in a plurality of rows (here, four rows) along the guides 12A. A plurality of rows (four rows) of beverages P guided from the guide mechanism 12 wait in a plurality of rows (here, three rows) in the standby area 14. Therefore, a total of 12 beverages P are waiting in this waiting area 14 in a stacked state of 4 columns × 3 rows. The pusher 16 pushes the twelve beverages P in the standby area 14 together in the transport width direction W and supplies them to the transport device 30.

  The conveying device 30 is fixed in a protruding state on the conveying surface 32 on which the beverage P is placed and moves in the conveying direction X, and is engaged with the upstream end PU of the accumulated beverage P. 32 A of engaging parts are provided. The conveyance surface 32 is a conveyance area of a plate conveyor composed of a large number of flat plates, and conveys the beverage P in the conveyance direction X. The engaging portion 32A engages with the beverage P when the beverage P supplied from the conveyance width direction W to the moving conveyance surface 32 attempts to move relative to the upstream side in the conveyance direction by inertial force. Play a role in regulating movement. In addition, although the plate conveyor was illustrated here, you may comprise the conveyance surface 32 with a belt conveyor, a roller conveyor, etc. FIG.

  The conveyance device 30 has carry-in areas (in this embodiment, an upstream first carry-in area 34 and a downstream second carry-in area 36) at a plurality of locations along the carrying direction X. The supply device 10 is provided so as to correspond to the carry-in areas 34 and 36. Accordingly, since the beverage P can be simultaneously supplied to the plurality of carry-in areas 34 and 36 in an accumulated state, the supply cycle time of the supply device 10 to the transfer device 30 can be extended, and the standby region 14 can be filled with a beverage. A sufficient time for accumulating the objects P can be secured.

  The transport device 30 further includes a transport-side chain mechanism 40 that moves in the transport direction X, and a finger device 50 that is fixed to the transport-side chain mechanism 40. The transport-side chain mechanism 40 includes a chain 42 and a sprocket 44, and the chain 42 moves when the sprocket is rotated by a motor (not shown). A plurality (six in this case) of the finger devices 50 are provided at a constant interval with respect to the chain 42. As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 6, each finger device 50 includes a swing portion 52 in which a swing shaft 52 </ b> A is swingably fixed with respect to the chain 42, and a swing portion 52. A link shaft 52B provided at a position shifted to the inside of the chain 42, one end fixed to the link shaft 52B, the other end fixed to the chain 42, and the swinging portion 52 fixed to the beverage P A finger 56 that presses and conveys the upstream end PU in the conveyance direction is provided. When the swinging part 52 is moved in the transport direction X by the transport side chain mechanism 40, the finger 56 extends in the transport width direction W (the direction perpendicular to the chain 42), and the beverage P is transported upstream. The end PU is pushed out in the transport direction X (see FIG. 1A).

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 6B to 6F, when the swinging portion 52 rotates along the sprocket 44 on the downstream side, the swinging portion 52 swings by the link 54, and the fingers are interlocked with this. 56 swings in a direction delayed with respect to the traveling direction of the chain 42. As a result, the finger 56 moves away from the transport surface 32 in the transport width direction W while moving away from the upstream end PU in the transport direction of the beverage P to the upstream side. Thereby, when the finger apparatus 50 rotates along the circumferential direction of the sprocket 40, the trouble that the tip of the finger 56 interferes with the beverage P and breaks the alignment state is avoided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the downstream support device 60 includes a support side chain mechanism 70 that moves in the transport direction X, and a support mechanism 80 that is fixed to the support side chain mechanism 70. The support side chain mechanism 70 includes a chain 72 and a sprocket 74. The sprocket 74 is rotated by a motor (not shown), and the chain 72 is driven. In this embodiment, the sprocket 44 of the transport side chain mechanism 40 and the sprocket 74 of the support side chain mechanism 70 are arranged coaxially and rotate at a constant speed by a common motor (not shown). Can also be driven separately.

  A plurality (six in this case) of the support mechanisms 80 are provided with a certain distance from the chain 72. As shown in FIG. 3, each support mechanism 80 includes a base portion 82 fixed to the chain 72, a connecting portion 84 provided on the base portion 82, a downstream support portion 86 provided on the connecting portion 84, and a connecting portion 84. A drive unit 90 for driving is provided. The connecting portion 84 extends in a direction perpendicular to the chain 72 so as to be rotatable on the base portion 82, and an upper end edge is fixed to the swinging shaft 84B. It has a support plate 84A extending in the direction. The downstream support portion 86 is formed at the lower end of the support plate 84A. When the support plate 84A of the connecting portion 84 swings with respect to the swing shaft 84B, the downstream support portion 86 is moved in the longitudinal direction of the chain 72, that is, It reciprocates in the transport direction X (see FIG. 4).

  The drive unit 90 includes an arm 92 that is fixed so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the pivot shaft 84B, a cam follower 94 that is disposed at the tip of the arm 92, and a rectilinear cam 96 that is disposed along the transport direction X. Have When the cam follower 94 that contacts the cam surface 98 of the rectilinear cam 96 moves in the transport direction X, the cam follower 94 is displaced in the vertical direction. As a result, the arm 92 swings about the swing shaft 84B, and the support plate 84A also swings in conjunction with the swing shaft 84B. The downstream support portion 86 formed at the lower end of the arm 92 reciprocates in the transport direction X. That is, the drive unit 90 functions as a drive device that reciprocates the connecting unit 84.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the cam surface 98 formed on the upper surface of the rectilinear cam 96 has a first speed range generation surface 98A, a second speed range generation surface 98B, and a third speed range generation surface 98C. The first speed range generation surface 98 </ b> A increases rapidly along the transport direction X in the vicinity of the downstream end of the carry-in areas 34 and 36. The third speed range generation surface 98 </ b> C gradually decreases along the transport direction X in the vicinity of the upstream of the carry-in areas 34 and 36. The second speed range generation surface 98B is continuously formed on the downstream side of the first speed range generation surface 98A and has a constant height (horizontal) along the transport direction X. In the present embodiment, the second speed range generation surface 98B is also formed between the first speed range generation surface 98A and the third speed range generation surface 98C in the carry-in areas 34 and 36.

  When the chain 72 moves at a constant speed within the second speed range, when the support mechanism 80 passes near the downstream end of the carry-in areas 34 and 36, the cam follower 94 is guided along the first speed range generation surface 98A. The support plate 84A swings upstream. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the downstream support portion 86 moves relative to the chain 72 in the upstream direction, and the downstream support portion 86 is within the first speed range (having an absolute speed). To move in the transport direction X. In the present embodiment, the downstream support portion 86 is set to move at 10 cm / s or less and 0 cm / s or more within the first speed range. More specifically, the upstream relative movement speed of the downstream support portion 86 with respect to the chain 72 and the (absolute) movement speed of the chain 72 in the downstream direction substantially coincide with each other. As a result, the downstream support portion 86 is in a stationary state at approximately 0 cm / s.

  When the cam follower 94 that has passed through the first speed range generation surface 98A is guided to the second speed range generation surface 98B that continues downstream, the swinging of the support plate 84A stops, and the posture of FIG. 4C is maintained. The downstream support portion 86 moves in the transport direction X at the same speed (within the second speed range) as the chain 72. The second speed range is faster than the first speed range.

  When the cam follower 94 is guided to the third speed range generation surface 98C, the support plate 84A swings downstream in the transport direction X (see FIG. 7). As a result, the downstream support portion 86 moves relative to the chain 72 in the downstream direction, and the downstream support portion 86 moves in the transport direction X within the third speed range (which is an absolute speed). This third speed range is faster than the second speed range.

  In this embodiment, the case where the support plate 84A is inclined in the vertical direction like a pendulum by the swing shaft 84B extending in the horizontal direction is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the support shaft 84A can be swung in the horizontal direction (horizontal direction) so that the swing shaft 84B extends in the vertical direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, although the connection part 84 employ | adopted the plate-shaped support plate 84A and illustrated the structure which makes the edge part the downstream side support part 86, this invention is not limited to this. For example, the downstream support portion 86 may be formed of an independent member, and the downstream support portion 86 may be held by a rod-shaped connecting portion 84. Here, the case where the downstream support portion 86 is relatively moved in the transport direction by using the swinging motion of the support plate 84A is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the downstream support portion 86 is moved downstream by a reciprocating motion such as a piston. You may move the side support part 86 relatively.

  Next, with reference to FIG.4 and FIG.5, the operation | movement which carries in the beverage P with respect to the carrying-in areas 34 and 36 is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 5A, when the downstream support portion 86 of the downstream support device 60 reaches the vicinity of the downstream end of the carry-in areas 34 and 36, the pusher 16 of the supply device 10 is integrated. The beverage P in a state is pushed out into the carry-in areas 34 and 36. In this state, the interval QA between the downstream support portion 86 and the finger 56 of the transport device 30 is set to be larger than the transport direction dimension PX of the beverage P to be an accumulation body. In addition, the difference (QA−PX (cm)) between the interval QA and the size PX of the beverage P is the product of the supply time T (second) of the beverage P and the transport speed S (cm / second) of the transport device 30 (T X is set larger than S). Further, this difference (QA−PX (cm)) substantially coincides with the length in the conveyance direction of the first speed range generation surface 98A of the linear cam 96.

  As shown in FIGS. 4B and 5B, while the beverage P is pushed out by the pusher 16 and supplied to the carry-in areas 34 and 36, the base 82 of the downstream support device 60 is moved together with the chain 72. Although it moves in the transport direction X within the second speed range, the downstream support portion 86 is substantially stationary because the downstream support portion 86 is relatively moved in the upstream direction by the drive unit 90. Therefore, although the conveyance surface 32 is moved in the conveyance direction X within the second speed range together with the chain 72, the downstream end of the beverage P is regulated by the downstream support portion 86, and the beverage P is moved in the conveyance direction X. I can't move. During this time, the finger 56 moves downstream and gradually approaches the upstream end of the beverage P, and the interval QB between the downstream support portion 86 and the finger 56 is reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 4C and FIG. 5C, at the same time as the supply of the beverage P to the carry-in areas 34 and 36 is completed, the finger 56 is at the upstream end of the beverage P (upstream of the carry-in areas 34 and 36). The distance QC between the downstream support portion 86 and the finger 56 substantially coincides with the conveyance direction dimension PX of the beverage P. In conjunction with this timing, the cam follower 94 of the downstream support device 60 passes through the first speed range generation surface 98A and enters the second speed range generation surface 98B, and the downstream support portion 86 is within the second speed range. To move in the transport direction. That is, the finger 56, the downstream support part 86, and the transport surface 32 move in the transport direction X at the same speed while maintaining the distance QC between the finger 56 and the downstream support part 86. The beverage P that is an accumulation body rapidly accelerates to the second speed range, but since the beverage P is sandwiched between both the downstream end and the upstream end, the beverage P falls down or its alignment state collapses. Can be prevented. As described above, the downstream support portion 86 is at least within the first speed range after the finger 56 arrives at the upstream end of the carry-in areas 34, 36 after it arrives at the vicinity of the downstream end of the carry-in areas 34, 36. Maintain

  Next, an article transfer method by the article transfer apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the downstream support portion 86 reaches the downstream end of the first carry-in area 34 and the second carry-in area 36 as shown in FIG. 7B through the state of FIG. Supply of the thing P1 and the 2nd drink P2 starts. When the supply of the first beverage P1 and the second beverage P2 is completed in a state where the downstream support portion 86 is substantially stationary, as shown in the transition of FIGS. 7C and 7D, FIG. ), The first beverage P1 and the second beverage P2 are conveyed within the second speed range while sandwiching the first beverage P1 and the second beverage P2 by the downstream support portion 86 and the finger 56, respectively. To do.

  Thereafter, as shown in the transition state of FIG. 7 (F) to FIG. 7 (G), the cam follower 94 of the downstream support portion 86 supporting the first beverage P1 is the third on the second carry-in area 36 side. When passing through the speed range generating surface 98C, the moving speed of the downstream support portion 86 is in the third speed range that is faster than the second speed range, and the downstream support portion 86 is downstream from the downstream end of the first beverage P1. To leave. However, at this timing, since the first beverage P1 has already stably moved within the second speed range, the alignment state of the first beverage P1 is not broken even if the downstream support portion 86 is separated. No. Incidentally, in the second beverage P2, the downstream support portion 86 is also within the third speed range, and away from the downstream end of the second beverage P2 to the downstream side.

  Next, as shown in the transition state from FIG. 7 (H) to FIG. 7 (I), the cam follower 94 of the downstream support portion 86 supporting the first beverage P1 is the first on the second carry-in area 36 side. When passing through the speed range generation surface 98A, the moving speed of the downstream support portion 86 is in the first speed range that is slower than the second speed range, and the downstream support portion 86 that has once separated again becomes downstream of the first beverage P1. Return (approach) to the edge. By this returning operation, the first beverage P1 becomes exactly the same as the supply completion state of the second beverage P2 supplied to the second carry-in area 36 (see FIG. 7D). On the other hand, in the downstream second beverage P <b> 2, the downstream support portion 86 is retracted from above the transport surface 32 and is transported further downstream only by the transport surface 32 and the fingers 56.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7 (I), the first beverage P1 that has passed through the second carry-in area 36 is further conveyed downstream, and the state returns to the state of FIG. 7 (A). In FIG. 7 (A), there is no beverage in the first and second carry-in areas 34 and 36, and the beverage acceptance posture is adjusted. Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, new first beverage P1 and second beverage P2 are supplied. By repeating the steps of FIGS. 7A to 7I, the first beverage P1 and the second beverage P2 are sequentially transferred.

  According to the article transfer device 1 of the present embodiment, when the beverage P is supplied to the transport device 30 that transports within the second speed range, the downstream support portion 86 is moved in the carry-in areas 34 and 36 for a predetermined time. Since it is waiting at a low speed (within the first speed range), the movement of the beverage P in the transport direction X is restricted until the supply is completed. Further, during the supply of the beverage P, the upstream finger 56 moves to the carry-in areas 34 and 36, so that the interval with the downstream support portion 86 is narrowed and the beverage P is sandwiched from both sides. Then, the finger 56 and the downstream support part 86 move within the second speed range, and the transport of the beverage P by the transport device 30 is started. Even if a sudden acceleration acts on the beverage P at the start of conveyance, the beverage P is continuously supported by the sandwiching operation of the finger 56 and the downstream support portion 86, so the alignment state of the beverage P does not collapse. In particular, since the downstream support portion 86 stands by in the carry-in areas 34 and 36, even if it takes time for the supply, such as a plurality of beverages P arranged in the transport width direction W, during the supply operation. Since the downstream end in the conveyance direction X of the beverage P is always restricted by the downstream support portion 86, it is possible to prevent the alignment state from being broken even during the supply operation.

  Further, according to the article transfer device 1, the support mechanism 80 that moves at the same speed (within the second speed range) as the transport device 30 temporarily moves the downstream support portion 86 upstream in the transport direction in the carry-in areas 34 and 36. As a result of the relative movement, the downstream support portion 86 is on standby at a low speed (within the first speed range). If the relative movement operation of the support mechanism 80 is utilized in this way, the whole can be operated at a constant speed. In particular, since the drive unit 90 adopts a cam structure, the moving speed of the downstream side support unit 86 is multistage, specifically within the first speed range (standby operation), within the second speed range (conveying operation), It can be switched within the third speed range (return operation). That is, while the beverage P is being supplied to the carry-in areas 34 and 36, the downstream support portion 86 is moved within the first speed range to perform a standby operation, and the beverage P is supplied to the carry-in areas 34 and 36. After that, the downstream side support portion 86 is moved within the second speed range to perform the transfer operation, and thereafter, the downstream side support portion 86 is moved within the third speed range that is faster than the second speed range. It is possible to recover the timing delay due to.

  Furthermore, in this article transfer apparatus 1, the downstream support part 86 can be waited at a low speed by setting the first speed range to 10 cm / s or less and 0 cm / s or more.

  In the present embodiment, in the carry-in areas 34 and 36, the case where the downstream support portion 86 is made to stand by in a stationary state (0 cm / s) is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the downstream support portion 86 is illustrated. Can be moved slowly downstream. Further, it is possible to stand by while moving the downstream support portion 86 slowly toward the upstream side (that is, to set a negative speed). Of course, the moving speed of the downstream support portion 86 can be changed during standby. In other words, in the present invention, the speed of the downstream support unit 86 during standby can be freely changed within a certain range (within the first speed range) as long as the speed is lower than the second speed range during conveyance. . This concept is the same in the second speed range of the transport operation and the third speed range of the return operation.

  Further, in the downstream side support device 60 of the present embodiment, a case where a cam is employed in the drive unit 90 of the support mechanism 80 and the downstream side support unit 86 is relatively moved upstream in the transport direction is exemplified. It is not limited. For example, a motor, a solenoid, an air cylinder, or the like can be adopted as the drive unit 90 of the support mechanism 80, and the downstream support unit 86 can be relatively moved. Further, the absolute speed of the downstream support portion 86 is directly changed by variably controlling the speed of a motor (not shown) that drives the support side chain mechanism 70 without relatively moving the downstream support device 60. Is also possible.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, although illustrated only in the case of conveying a drink, this invention is not limited to this, It can apply to transfer of various articles | goods. In addition, the case where an integrated product having a plurality of rows in the transport direction X and a plurality of columns in the transport width direction W is illustrated. It is also possible to do.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the case where the finger 56 that supports the upstream end of the article is employed as the conveying device 30 is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the article is conveyed only by a belt conveyor (plate conveyor). May be.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Article transfer apparatus 10 Supply apparatus 30 Conveyance apparatus 32 Conveyance surface 34 1st carrying-in area 36 2nd carrying-in area 40 Conveyance side chain mechanism 50 Finger apparatus 60 Downstream side support apparatus 80 Support mechanism 82 Base part 84 Connection part 86 Downstream side support part P , P1, P2 Beverages (goods)

Claims (11)

A transport device for transporting articles to be carried into the carry-in area;
A supply device that supplies the article from a conveyance width direction to the carry-in area of the conveyance device;
A downstream support portion that supports a downstream end in a transport direction of the article carried into the carry-in area, and the downstream support portion in the transport direction of the transport device together with the article transported by the transport device; A downstream support device to be moved,
The downstream support device includes:
The downstream support portion is within the first speed range during the supply of the article to the carry-in area and within the second speed range that is faster than the first speed range after the article is supplied to the carry-in area. Is moved in the conveying direction. The downstream support device includes:
A base that moves within the second speed range in the transport direction;
A connecting portion that is provided in the base portion and holds the downstream support portion relative to the base portion in a state in which the downstream support portion can be moved relative to the upstream side in the conveyance direction;
A drive unit for driving the coupling unit,
At the timing when the downstream support part passes through the carry-in area, the drive part drives the connecting part to move the downstream support part relative to the upstream side, thereby increasing the moving speed of the downstream support part. The article transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the article transfer apparatus is temporarily within the first speed range. The article transfer device according to claim 2, wherein the driving unit is a cam mechanism. The article transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport apparatus includes a finger that presses and transports an upstream end in a transport direction of the article. The downstream support device includes:
At least after the downstream support portion arrives near the downstream end of the carry-in area, the downstream support portion is moved within the first speed range until the finger arrives at the upstream end of the carry-in area. The article transfer device according to claim 4. 6. The article transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second speed range is the same as a conveyance speed of the article by the conveyance apparatus. The downstream support device includes:
After the article is supplied to the carry-in area, the downstream support portion is moved in the transport direction within a second speed range that is faster than the first speed range, and further on the downstream side, from the second speed range. 7. The timing delay due to the movement in the first speed range is restored by moving the downstream support portion within a fast third speed range. 8. Goods transfer device. The article transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first speed range is set to approximately 0 cm / s, and the downstream support portion is stationary. The article transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the article is an integrated product having a plurality in the width direction of the transport direction. In the case of transporting articles carried into the carry-in area by a transport device,
The downstream support portion that supports the downstream end in the conveyance direction of the article is moved within the first speed range in the vicinity of the downstream end of the carry-in area, and the downstream support portion is moved downstream from the vicinity of the downstream end. Move within a second speed range faster than the first speed,
While the downstream support portion is moving within the first speed range, the article being supplied is supplied to the carry-in area from the width direction of the transfer direction of the transfer device. The downstream end in the transport direction is supported by the downstream support portion,
After the supply of the article to the carry-in area is completed, the downstream support unit is moved within the second speed range in conjunction with the conveyance of the article by the conveyance device, and the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the article An article transfer method characterized by continuously supporting an end. The downstream support portion is installed in a state in which it can move relative to the base portion moving within the second speed range in the transport direction,
The moving speed of the downstream support portion is temporarily moved by moving the downstream support portion relative to the base portion upstream at the timing when the downstream support portion passes the vicinity of the downstream of the carry-in area. The method for transferring articles according to claim 10, wherein the first speed range is set within the first speed range.

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