JP2016147756A - Sorting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sorting device capable of improving producibility of a manufacturing apparatus for intermittently manufacturing a plurality of objects as one unit.SOLUTION: A capsule sorting device 14 includes: a capsule dividing conveyor 141 by which one unit of capsules C is divided into a first group and a second group having a number different from that of the first group and conveyed; a first conveyor 144 for conveying a case CS for storing the first group; a second conveyor 145 for conveying a case CS for storing the second group; and sorting control means for controlling the whole of the capsule sorting device 14. The sorting control means includes a carrying-out execution part for causing the first conveyor 144 and the second conveyor 145 to carry out the case CS when determining that a predetermined number of capsules C have been stored in the case CS.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 47

Description

  The present invention relates to a sorting apparatus that sorts a unit of objects into a predetermined number and stores them in a case by being used in a manufacturing apparatus that intermittently manufactures a plurality of objects as a unit.

  Conventionally, a manufacturing apparatus that intermittently manufactures a plurality of objects as a unit is known. For example, an apparatus for manufacturing a capsule-containing product described in Patent Document 1 supplies a capsule (target object) fitted to each of 50 capsule holding parts formed on the top surface of a capsule transporting pallet, Each capsule is filled with powder. And this manufacturing apparatus has sealed the cosmetic powder to each capsule by sticking the cover material made from an aluminum film to the opening of each capsule. In other words, this manufacturing apparatus manufactures 50 capsules as a unit intermittently for each pallet for capsule transport.

JP-A-6-191593

  However, since the manufacturing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 uses 50 capsules as one unit, when a different number (for example, 30) is stored in the case, it must be relied on manually. In other words, there is a problem that the production efficiency is lowered.

  The objective of this invention is providing the sorting apparatus which can improve the manufacture efficiency of the manufacturing apparatus which manufactures a several target object as a unit intermittently.

  The sorting device of the present invention is a sorting device that sorts a unit of objects into a predetermined number and stores them in a case by being used in a manufacturing apparatus that intermittently manufactures a plurality of objects as a unit. Then, by dividing one unit of the object, the first group and the second group having a different number from the first group are transported by the divided transport unit and the divided transport unit. Among the groups, a first transport unit that transports a case that stores the first group, and a second transport that transports a case that stores the second group among the groups transported by the split transport unit. And a sorting control means for controlling the whole sorting apparatus, and the sorting control means determines whether or not a predetermined number of objects are stored in the case transported by the first transport means. It is transported by the first storage determination unit and the second transport means. A second storage determination unit that determines whether or not a predetermined number of objects are stored in the case, and a first storage determination unit that determines whether a predetermined number of objects are stored in the case. And a carry-out executing unit that causes the second carrying unit to carry out the case when it is determined by the second storage determining unit that a predetermined number of objects are stored in the case. And

According to such a configuration, the sorting apparatus includes the division conveyance unit that divides and conveys one unit of the object into the first group and the second group having a different number from the first group. . Therefore, for example, when 50 units are taken as one unit, the divided transport unit can transport 15 first groups into three and five second groups into one unit.
The sorting device causes the first transport means to carry out the case when the first storage determination unit determines that a predetermined number of objects have been stored in the case, and the second storage determination unit determines the case. When it is determined that the number of objects have been stored, a carry-out execution unit is provided that causes the second carrying means to carry out the case. Therefore, for example, when the number of objects to be stored in the case is 30, the carry-out execution unit is configured to transfer one unit of the object twice by the dividing and conveying means (if the first group of 15 is 2). The case can be made to be carried out by the first transport means when the 30 objects are accommodated in the case and the case is stored in the case. Further, the carry-out execution unit transfers the unit of the object six times by the divided conveying means (when the five second groups are conveyed six times and 30 objects are stored in the case). The case can be carried out by the second conveying means.
In this way, the carry-out execution unit can carry out the case independently by the first carrying means and the second carrying means, so that a predetermined number of objects have not been stored yet, and the predetermined number of objects are not yet stored. A case storing a number of objects can be carried out. Therefore, the sorting apparatus can efficiently sort the objects without depending on human hands even when a number different from one unit is stored together in the case.

  In the present invention, the first transport means and the second transport means place the case, move the case along a predetermined transport direction, and a predetermined position of the transport path against the movement of the transport path. It is preferable to provide a stationary means for stationary the case.

  According to such a configuration, the first transport unit and the second transport unit can make the case stationary at a predetermined position without stopping the movement of the transport path by the stationary unit. And the structure of the 2nd conveyance means can be simplified.

  In the present invention, the divided conveyance means includes detection means for detecting whether or not one unit of the object has been conveyed, and the first storage determination unit and the second storage determination unit are configured to detect one unit of object by the detection unit. It is preferable to determine whether or not a predetermined number of objects are stored in the case by counting the number of times that it is detected that the container has been conveyed.

  According to such a configuration, the first storage determination unit and the second storage determination unit count a predetermined number of times in the case by counting the number of times the detection unit detects that one unit of object has been conveyed. Since it can be determined whether or not the object has been stored, the structure of the sorting apparatus can be simplified.

  In the present invention, the group transported by the divided transport unit and the first transport unit and the second transport unit are transported by the first transport unit and the second transport unit. The guide means is provided corresponding to each group transported by the divided transport means, and the guide means is reduced in diameter as it approaches the case, and the size of the opening on the case side. Is provided between the plurality of cylindrical portions set smaller than the opening of the case, the divided conveying means, and the respective cylindrical portions, and is inclined so as to incline vertically downward toward each cylindrical portion side. And a guide portion that is provided in the inclined portion and guides each group conveyed by the divided conveying means to each cylindrical portion.

  According to such a configuration, each group transported by the divided transport means falls so as to slide on the inclined portion of the guide means, is guided to each cylindrical portion by the guide portion, and then opens the case. It is dropped into the case from the opening of each cylindrical part set to a smaller size and stored. Therefore, the sorting apparatus can sort one unit of objects into a predetermined number and reliably store them in the case.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the opening on the case side of the cylindrical portion and the opening of the case are disposed with a space smaller than the size of the object.

According to such a configuration, the opening on the case side of the cylindrical portion and the opening of the case are arranged with an interval smaller than the size of the object, so that the object does not spill out. Stored in a case. Therefore, the sorting apparatus can sort one unit of objects into a predetermined number and reliably store them in the case.
In addition, since the opening on the case side of the cylindrical part and the opening of the case are arranged with an interval smaller than the size of the object, the first conveying means and the second conveying means include the cylindrical part. The case can be carried out without bringing the case side opening into contact with the case opening.

  In the present invention, the first transport unit and the second transport unit include a transport path that places the case and moves the case along a predetermined transport direction, and a case vibration unit that vibrates the transport path. preferable.

  According to such a configuration, the case transported by the first transport unit and the second transport unit vibrates together with the transport path by the case vibration unit, so that a plurality of objects stored in the case are leveled. Can do. Therefore, the sorting apparatus can efficiently store a plurality of objects in the case.

  In the present invention, the divided conveying means includes a detecting means for detecting whether or not one unit of the object is conveyed, and the sorting control means detects that the one unit of the object is conveyed by the detecting means. In this case, it is preferable that the case vibration means includes a vibration execution unit that vibrates the conveyance path.

  According to such a configuration, the vibration execution unit vibrates the conveyance path in the case vibration unit when the detection unit detects that one unit of the object has been conveyed. Whenever these objects are transported and stored in the case, the case transported by the first transport means and the second transport means can be vibrated together with the transport path by the case vibration means and stored in the case. A plurality of objects can be leveled. Therefore, the sorting apparatus can more efficiently store a plurality of objects in the case.

The figure which shows the perspective view which shows the capsule which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention Diagram showing capsule manufacturing equipment Top view of main pallet used for main conveyor Cross section of main pallet Schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the main conveyor Cross section of main conveyor Top view of dummy pallet used in container supply device Side view of a container supply device that supplies a plurality of containers to a dummy pallet Enlarged view of the vicinity of the container hopper The figure which shows the relationship between the accommodating part of a dummy pallet, and a guide member Top view showing the periphery of the container supply device placement table Functional block diagram showing schematic configuration of container supply device The figure which shows the state which has thrown in several containers inside the bucket The figure which shows the state which stopped injection | throwing-in to the bucket of several containers The figure which shows the state which raised the bucket The figure which shows the state which is moving the some container to the container hopper The figure which shows the state which rotated the guide member to the guide position The figure which shows the state which moved the main-body part of the container hopper along the rail member The figure which shows the state which conveyed the dummy pallet to the loading standby position of a dummy pallet The figure which shows the state which pushed the dummy pallet for standby toward the arrangement | positioning stand The figure which shows the state which pulled the dummy pallet for arrangement | positioning last from the arrangement | positioning stand The figure which shows the process of pulling out the last dummy pallet for arrangement from an arrangement stand The figure which shows the flowchart of the container conveyance supply process performed with a container supply apparatus. The figure which shows the flowchart of the pallet conveyance process performed with a container supply apparatus. Side view of container transfer device Top view of filling device Side view of filling device Sectional view of metering and filling mechanism and filling hopper Top view and cross-sectional view of charging hopper input section The figure which shows the state which closed the shutter of the measurement unit. The figure which shows the state which has filled the measuring hole of the measuring plate with the granular material The figure which shows the state which has filled the granular material in the container Diagram showing filling check device Side view of film feeder Side view of film feeder The figure which shows the film cut with the film die-cutting device Top view of film die cutting equipment Side view of film die cutting equipment Side view of film die cutting equipment Sectional drawing which shows the principal part of a film transfer apparatus Side view of sealing device Enlarged sectional view showing a state in which the hot plate and the opening of the container are brought into close contact with each other via a lid Side view of film separator The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the scrap holding stand which comprises a film separation apparatus Side view of capsule transfer device Bending plate through-hole Top view of capsule sorting device Perspective view showing capsule and case Top view of case conveyor The figure which shows a case conveyance conveyor and a capsule shooter Functional block diagram showing schematic configuration of capsule sorting device The figure which shows the flowchart of a capsule sorting process The figure which shows the state determined with the 1st accommodation determination part having accommodated the capsule in the case The figure which shows the state which determined with the 2nd accommodation determination part having accommodated the capsule in the case

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The capsule manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment fills a granular material as a content into a dish-like container, and seals the granular material in the container by attaching a film-like lid material to the opening of the container. A device for producing capsules. First, the capsule will be described.
In this embodiment, the capsule manufacturing apparatus fills the dish with a granular material, but is configured to fill other contents such as powder and liquid into the dish. May be.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a capsule according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the capsule C has a dish-like container C1 filled with the granular material P, and a film-like lid C2 that seals the granular material P by being attached to the opening of the container C1. And.
The container C1 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and has a body C11 having a hexagonal cross section formed so as to be slightly reduced in diameter from the top toward the bottom, and a flange C12 formed at the top. ing.
The lid member C2 has a hexagonal base C21 that covers the opening of the container C1 and rectangular ears C22 formed on each of two opposing sides of the base C21.

  In the present embodiment, the container C1 has the body C11 having a hexagonal cross section, but may have a body having another cross sectional shape such as a square cross section. Moreover, although the container C1 has the flange C12, it does not need to have this. Furthermore, the lid member C2 has two rectangular ears C22, but may have one, three or more ears, or may not have ears. . In short, in the present invention, the container and the lid member may have any shape.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a capsule manufacturing apparatus. Specifically, FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the capsule manufacturing apparatus 1 as viewed from vertically above. In FIG. 2, a description is given assuming that the vertically upward direction is the + Z-axis direction, and two axes orthogonal to the Z-axis are the X and Y axes. The same applies to the following drawings.
As shown in FIG. 2, the capsule manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a main conveyor 2 that transports a plurality of containers C1 by transporting a main pallet MP containing a plurality of containers C1 in a predetermined direction (+ X-axis direction). ing.

  In addition, the capsule manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a container supply device 3, a container transfer device 4, a container cleaning device 5, a filling device 6, and a filling check device 7 from the upstream side to the downstream side of the main conveyor 2. A film supply device 8, a film die cutting device 9, a film transfer device 10, a seal device 11, a film separation device 12, a capsule transfer device 13, and a capsule sorting device 14.

The container supply device 3 supplies a plurality of containers C1 to a dummy pallet DP formed in a shape substantially similar to that of the main pallet MP. The dummy pallet DP will be described in detail later (see FIG. 7).
The container transfer device 4 transfers a plurality of containers C1 supplied to the dummy pallet DP by the container supply device 3 and stores them in the main pallet MP. The main pallet MP transferred with a plurality of containers C1 by the container transfer device 4 is conveyed toward the downstream side by the main conveyor 2.

The container cleaning device 5 includes a nozzle 51 that removes foreign matters such as dust adhering to the container C1 by blowing air onto the container C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP conveyed by the main conveyor 2, and a nozzle And a suction device 52 for sucking the foreign matter removed at 51.
The filling device 6 fills the powder P in the container C1 from which foreign matter has been removed by the container cleaning device 5.
The filling check device 7 confirms whether or not the powder P is filled in the container C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP conveyed by the main conveyor 2.

The film supply device 8 supplies a film for cutting out the cover material C <b> 2 to the film die cutting device 9.
The film die cutting device 9 forms a perforation for cutting out the cover material C2 in the film supplied by the film supply device 8, and cuts the film into a size corresponding to the main pallet MP.
The film transfer device 10 transfers the film cut by the film die cutting device 9 to the main pallet MP that has been conveyed by the main conveyor 2. At this time, the film transfer device 10 transfers the film so that the position of the lid member C2 formed on the film matches the position of the opening of the container C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP.

The sealing device 11 seals and bonds the lid C2 formed on the film transferred to the main pallet MP by the film transfer device 10 and the opening of the container C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP. The powder P is sealed in the capsule C.
The film separating device 12 separates the lid material C2 sealed by the sealing device 11 from the film, and collects the remaining film other than the lid material C2.

The capsule transfer device 13 takes out the capsule C accommodated in the main pallet MP conveyed by the main conveyor 2 from the main pallet MP and transfers it to the capsule sorting device 14.
The capsule sorting device 14 sorts the capsules C transferred by the capsule transfer device 13 into a predetermined number and stores them in a case.
Hereafter, each apparatus which comprises the capsule manufacturing apparatus 1 is demonstrated in order.

[Main conveyor]
FIG. 3 is a top view of a main pallet used for the main conveyor.
The main conveyor 2 conveys the plurality of containers C1 by conveying the main pallet MP containing the plurality of containers C1 in a predetermined direction (+ X-axis direction). First, the main pallet MP used for the main conveyor 2 will be described.
The main pallet MP is formed in a rectangular plate shape as shown in FIG. The main pallet MP has a plurality of accommodating portions MP1 formed on the upper surface. Specifically, the main pallet MP has 10 accommodating portions MP1 arranged at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction (row direction) and 5 at equal intervals along the short direction (column direction). The accommodating parts MP1 are arranged. In other words, the main pallet MP has 50 accommodating portions MP1 in a lattice point shape.
In the present embodiment, the main pallet MP has 50 accommodating portions MP1 in a lattice point shape, but may have two or more accommodating portions different from 50. Moreover, in this embodiment, although the accommodating part is arranged in the shape of a lattice point, it does not need to be arranged in the shape of a lattice point, and the arrangement method may not have regularity.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the main pallet. Specifically, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view in which the center is cut along the longitudinal direction of the main pallet. FIG. 4 illustrates only one storage unit MP1 among the storage units MP1, and omits the other storage units MP1.
As shown in FIG. 4, each housing portion MP1 is formed on the lower surface side of the main pallet MP so as to communicate with the upper hole portion MP11 formed on the upper surface side of the main pallet MP and the upper hole portion MP11. In addition, a lower hole MP12 formed with a larger diameter than the upper hole MP11 and a bushing MP13 inserted into the upper hole MP11 and the lower hole MP12 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper hole MP11 has a base MP11A formed in a hexagonal cross section and an ear MP11B having a rectangular cross section formed on each of two opposing sides of the base MP11A. Yes. In other words, the upper hole MP11 is a hole formed in the same cross-sectional shape as the lid member C2.
As shown in FIG. 4, the lower hole portion MP12 includes a spring MP12A that urges the bushing MP13 toward the upper surface side of the main pallet MP.

The bush MP13 is disposed inside the upper cylindrical portion 13A having a hexagonal cross section disposed inside the base portion MP11A of the upper hole portion MP11, and inside the lower hole portion MP12, and more than the bottom area of the container C1. And a lower cylindrical portion 13B having a through-hole 13B1 having a small cross-sectional area. The upper cylindrical portion 13A can accommodate one container C1 inside.
Here, the outer diameter of the body C11 of the container C1 is formed slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the upper cylindrical portion 13A. The outer diameter of the flange C12 of the container C1 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the upper cylindrical portion 13A and slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the upper cylindrical portion 13A. The depth of the upper cylindrical portion 13A is slightly deeper than that of the body C11.

Therefore, when the container C1 is accommodated inside the accommodating part MP1 of the main pallet MP (upper cylindrical part 13A), the flange C12 protrudes outside the accommodating part MP1, and the body C11 is accommodated inside the accommodating part MP1. In other words, the container C1 is accommodated in the accommodating portion MP1 so that the top portion is positioned on the vertically upper side and the bottom portion is positioned on the vertically lower side, and is accommodated in the accommodating portion MP1. Thus, it is not accommodated in accommodating part MP1.
Further, as described above, the container C1 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and has the body C11 having a hexagonal cross section formed so as to be slightly reduced in diameter from the top toward the bottom. It is easy to enter the accommodating part MP1.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the main pallet MP has two pins MP2 formed at end portions in the longitudinal direction, two insertion holes MP3 formed below each pin MP2, and a longitudinal direction. And a position detection mark MP4 formed on one side surface of the direction. These parts will be described in detail later.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the main conveyor. Specifically, FIG. 5 is a view of the main conveyor 2 viewed from the + Y axis direction side.
As shown in FIG. 5, the main conveyor 2 includes a rotary conveyor 21 that transports the main pallet MP, and a free flow conveyor 22 that is installed on the vertical lower side of the rotary conveyor 21.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the main conveyor. Specifically, FIG. 6 is an AA cross-sectional view of FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the rotary conveyor 21 includes four rollers 211 provided at two positions above and below the start point and the end point of the main pallet MP, and a pair of chains 212 wound around each roller 211, And a pallet table 213 attached to the chain 212 at regular intervals.

Each roller 211 is intermittently moved along the transport direction by being rotated in a predetermined direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 5) by a motor (not shown).
The chain 212 rotates in accordance with the rotation of each roller 211, moves the pallet table 213 on the vertically upper side toward the conveyance direction (+ X axis direction) of the main pallet MP, and the direction opposite to the conveyance direction of the main pallet MP. The pallet stand 213 on the vertically lower side is moved toward (−X axis direction).
The pallet stand 213 is a stand to which the main pallet MP is attached, and is formed in a size substantially the same as the main pallet MP. Further, the pallet table 213 has two pins 213A at positions corresponding to the two insertion holes MP3 of the main pallet MP described above. The main pallet MP is attached to the pallet table 213 by inserting the pins 213A of the pallet table 213 into the respective insertion holes MP3. Furthermore, the pallet stand 213 has a through hole 213B formed so as to expose all the bushings MP13 of the main pallet MP. In other words, in the state where the main pallet MP is attached to the pallet stand 213, all the bushings MP13 are exposed through the through holes 213B.

As shown in FIG. 5, the free flow conveyor 22 is installed at a transfer path 221 that moves faster than the transfer speed of the rotary conveyor 21 in the direction opposite to the transfer direction of the main pallet MP, and at the start point of the transfer path 221. Further, a removal cylinder 222 and a transfer cylinder 223, and an attachment cylinder 224 installed at the end point of the conveyance path 221 are provided.
In the present embodiment, the free flow conveyor 22 is configured by a roller conveyor.

The removal cylinder 222 pushes the main pallet MP from the insertion hole MP3 of the main pallet MP in a direction (vertically downward) to separate the pins 213A of the pallet base 213, thereby causing the main pallet to move from the pallet base 213 of the rotary conveyor 21. Remove the MP.
The transfer cylinder 223 transfers the main pallet MP by placing the main pallet MP removed from the pallet table 213 by the removal cylinder 222 on the conveyance path 221.
The mounting cylinder 224 pushes the main pallet MP to the pallet table 213 of the rotary conveyor 21 by pushing the main pallet MP in the direction (vertically upward) to insert each insertion hole MP3 of the main pallet MP into each pin 213A of the pallet table 213. Install the MP.

Therefore, since the conveyance speed of the free flow conveyor 22 is faster than the rotation speed of the rotary conveyor 21, the capsule manufacturing apparatus 1 can be configured with a smaller number of main pallets MP than the number of pallet stands 213.
Moreover, since the transfer cylinder 223 has the main pallet MP placed on the transport path 221, the operator can easily replace the main pallet MP.

[Container supply device]
FIG. 7 is a top view of a dummy pallet used in the container supply device.
The container supply device 3 is a device that supplies a plurality of containers C1 to the dummy pallet DP. First, the dummy pallet DP used for the container supply device 3 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 7, the dummy pallet DP is formed in a rectangular plate shape with four corners chamfered. The dummy pallet DP has a stainless steel plate DPL attached to the upper surface. The upper surface of the plate DPL is subjected to surface treatment for smoothing the surface. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP is subjected to a surface treatment for smoothing the surface.

Here, as the surface treatment for smoothing the surface, for example, Nidax (registered trademark) treatment can be adopted, but other treatments are adopted as long as the surface treatment is for smoothing the surface. May be.
In the present embodiment, the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP is subjected to a surface treatment for smoothing the surface, but the surface treatment may not be performed.

Further, the dummy pallet DP has a plurality of accommodating portions DP1 formed on the upper surface. Specifically, the dummy pallet DP has 10 accommodating portions DP1 arranged at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction (row direction), and 5 at equal intervals along the short direction (column direction). The accommodating portions DP1 are arranged. In other words, the dummy pallet DP has 50 accommodating portions DP1 in the form of lattice points.
In the present embodiment, the dummy pallet DP has 50 accommodating portions DP1 in a lattice point shape, but may have two or more accommodating portions different from 50. Moreover, in this embodiment, although the accommodating part is arranged in the shape of a lattice point, it does not need to be arranged in the shape of a lattice point, and the arrangement method may not have regularity.

Each accommodating portion DP1 is a hole formed in a hexagonal cross section, and can accommodate one container C1 therein.
Here, the outer diameter of the body C11 of the container C1 is formed to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the housing portion DP1 of the dummy pallet DP. Further, the outer diameter of the flange C12 of the container C1 is formed to be slightly larger than the inner diameter of the housing portion DP1 of the dummy pallet DP. The depth of the housing portion DP1 is formed deeper than that of the body C11.

Therefore, when the container C1 is accommodated inside the accommodating part DP1 of the dummy pallet DP, the flange C12 protrudes outside the accommodating part DP1, and the body C11 is accommodated inside the accommodating part DP1. In other words, the container C1 is accommodated in the accommodating portion DP1 so that the top portion is positioned on the vertically upper side and the bottom portion is positioned on the vertically lower side so that the container C1 is positioned in the accommodating portion DP1. Thus, it is not accommodated in accommodating part DP1.
Further, as described above, the container C1 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and has the body C11 having a hexagonal cross section formed so as to be slightly reduced in diameter from the top toward the bottom. It is easy to enter the housing portion DP1.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a container supply device that supplies a plurality of containers to a dummy pallet. Specifically, FIG. 8 is a view of the container supply device 3 as seen from the + Y axis direction side.
The container supply device 3 supplies a plurality of containers C1 to each of the plurality of accommodating portions DP1 formed on the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP. As shown in FIG. 8, the container supply device 3 includes a placement table 31 for placing the dummy pallet DP, and a small electromagnetic as a pallet vibration means for vibrating the placement pallet 31 to vibrate the dummy pallet DP. A feeder 32 and a container hopper 33 as a holding means for holding a plurality of containers C1 are provided above the placement table 31 (positioning position of the dummy pallet DP).

In addition, the container supply device 3 is provided below the container hopper 33 and conveys a container storage tank 34 as a storage unit that stores a plurality of containers C1 and a plurality of containers C1 stored in the container storage tank 34. By doing so, a container transport means 35 that is held by the container hopper 33 is provided.
In the present embodiment, the small electromagnetic feeder 32 is employed as the pallet vibration means, but a vibration generator of another method different from the electromagnetic method may be employed. In short, in the present invention, the pallet vibrating means only needs to vibrate the dummy pallet.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the container hopper.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the arrangement table 31 is supported by the small electromagnetic feeder 32 so as to be lowered toward the container storage tank 34 side (the right side of the drawing). The dummy pallet DP is arranged on the arrangement table 31 with the front / back direction of the paper surface as the long direction and the left / right direction of the paper surface as the short direction.
The container hopper 33 is disposed in parallel with the lateral direction of the dummy pallet DP disposed on the placement table 31, and is disposed above the placement table 31 with an inclination similar to the inclination of the placement table 31. A rail member 331, a slider 332 slidably provided along the rail member 331, and a tilted so as to rise toward the container storage tank 34 side are attached to the slider 332, and a plurality of containers C <b> 1 are attached. A main body portion 333 to be held and a guide member 334 attached to the lower end of the main body portion 333 are provided.

The rail member 331 includes a compressor 331A that is attached to the upper end portion (left end portion on the paper surface) and that discharges air toward the container storage tank 34 along the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP disposed on the placement table 31.
The slider 332 moves along the rail member 331 by a driving force of a motor (not shown) provided therein, and the main body 333 moves along the rail member 331 as the slider 332 moves. Therefore, the rail member 331 and the slider 332 function as the moving means of the present invention that moves the container hopper 33 along a predetermined direction (short direction of the dummy pallet DP).
In addition, in this embodiment, although the container supply apparatus 3 is provided with the moving means, it does not need to be provided with this.

The main body portion 333 includes a hopper conveyor 333A constituting the bottom surface and a cover 333B constituting three side surfaces excluding the side surface on the lower end side of the main body portion 333, and in a space formed by the hopper conveyor 333A and the cover 333B. A plurality of containers C1 are held.
The hopper conveyor 333 </ b> A moves the conveyance path from the upper end side (right side on the paper surface) to the lower end side (left side on the paper surface) of the main body portion 333 by the driving force of a motor (not shown) attached to the main body portion 333. Accordingly, the plurality of containers C1 accommodated in the main body portion 333 move from the upper end side to the lower end side of the main body portion 333.
Here, since the cover 333B does not constitute the side surface on the lower end side of the main body portion 333, when the transport path of the hopper conveyor 333A is moved from the upper end side of the main body portion 333 toward the lower end side, the plurality of containers C1 are After being transported by the hopper conveyor 333A, it falls from the lower end side of the main body portion 333.

The guide member 334 is attached to the main body 333 so as to be rotatable about an axis in the front and back direction of the paper surface, and is rotated by a driving force of a cylinder (not shown) provided in the main body 333. Specifically, the guide member 334 has one of two positions: a container holding position where the tip is positioned upward (solid line in the figure) and a guide position where the tip is positioned below (two-dot chain line in the figure). Rotate to stop.
In the present embodiment, the container hopper 33 is provided with the guide member 334, but may not be provided with this. In short, in the present invention, the holding means only needs to be able to drop a plurality of containers toward the upper surface of the dummy pallet.

In the container holding position, the guide member 334 is inclined so as to rise toward the tip end side, so that a bottomed cylindrical space is formed by cooperating with the hopper conveyor 333A and the cover 333B. The container C1 is prevented from dropping from the lower end side of the main body 333. In other words, in a state where the guide member 334 is rotated to the container holding position and stopped, the guide member 334 forms a side surface on the lower end side of the main body portion 333.
At the guide position, the guide member 334 is inclined so as to descend toward the front end side. Therefore, the plurality of containers C1 are slid on the upper surface of the guide member 334 after being transported by the hopper conveyor 333A. It will fall from the lower end side of the part 333.

  In the present embodiment, the guide member 334 is rotated and stopped at one of two positions: a container holding position with the tip positioned upward and a guide position with the tip positioned downward. Although it is comprised so that it can do, it does not need to be comprised so that it can rotate. In this case, the guide member 334 only needs to be fixed at the guide position.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the dummy pallet housing portion and the guide member. Specifically, FIG. 10A is a view of the dummy pallet DP and the guide member 334 as viewed from above, and FIG. 10B is a guide member along the left and right direction of FIG. 10A. It is a figure showing the section which cut 334. FIG. 10A is a diagram showing a state in which the guide member 334 is rotated to the guide position and stopped.
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the guide member 334 is formed in a rail shape that is inclined so as to descend from the base end portion attached to the main body portion 333 toward the tip end portion on the dummy pallet DP side. Each rail part 334A is formed, and each rail part 334A is integrally formed as one member.

  Each rail portion 334A is provided so as to correspond to ten accommodating portions DP1 arranged at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction of the dummy pallet DP. Each rail portion 334A has a V-shaped groove portion 334A1 that slides and guides the container C1 toward the center of each accommodating portion DP1 of the dummy pallet DP. Specifically, each rail part 334A is provided along a direction parallel to the short side direction of the dummy pallet DP, and the groove part 334A1 has its deepest part positioned vertically above the center of the housing part DP1. (The chain line in the figure). Therefore, the guide member 334 guides the container C1 to drop toward the center of the housing portion DP1 of the dummy pallet DP.

  In this embodiment, the guide member 334 is formed in a rail shape that is inclined so as to descend from the base end portion attached to the main body portion 333 toward the tip end portion on the dummy pallet DP side, and the dummy pallet. Although it has V-shaped groove part 334A1 which slides and guides container C1 toward the center of each accommodating part DP1 of DP, for example, it may be formed in other shapes such as a tunnel shape. In short, in the present invention, the guide member may be guided so as to drop the container toward the center of the housing portion of the dummy pallet.

  Each rail portion 334A is provided so as to protrude from the tip on the dummy pallet DP side along the direction of guiding the container C1, and includes a pair of protruding pieces 334A2 provided on both sides of the groove portion 334A1. The distance between the pair of projecting pieces 334A2 increases toward the tip on the dummy pallet DP side. And the space | interval of the front-end | tip is wider than the outer diameter of the trunk | drum C11 of the container C1, and is narrower than the outer diameter of the flange C12 of the container C1.

In the present embodiment, the distance between the pair of protruding pieces 334A2 increases toward the front end on the dummy pallet DP side, but may be a constant distance from the base end to the front end. In short, in the present invention, the distance between the pair of protruding pieces may be wider than the outer diameter of the container and narrower than the outer diameter of the flange of the container.
Moreover, in this embodiment, although the guide member 334 is provided with a pair of protrusion piece 334A2, it does not need to be provided with this. In short, in the present invention, the guide member may be guided so as to drop the container toward the center of the housing portion of the dummy pallet.

As shown in FIG. 8, the container transport means 35 includes a bucket mechanism 351 provided on the left side of the container storage tank 34, a belt conveyor 352 that transports a plurality of containers C1 from the container storage tank 34 to the bucket mechanism 351, and a bucket. A shutter 353 provided between the mechanism 351 and the belt conveyor 352 and a compressor 354 provided on the belt conveyor 352 side of the shutter 353 are provided.
In this embodiment, the container transport unit 35 includes a bucket mechanism 351, a belt conveyor 352, a shutter 353, and a compressor 354, but may have a different configuration. In short, in the present invention, the container transport unit only needs to be able to be held by the holding unit by transporting a plurality of containers stored in the storage unit.

  The bucket mechanism 351 includes a bucket 351A, an elevator 351B, and an extruder 351C. The bucket 351A includes a sensor 351A1 that detects that the plurality of containers C1 are in contact with the floor surface, and stores the plurality of containers C1. The elevator 351B raises and lowers the bucket 351A along the vertical vertical direction, whereby the height position of the container storage tank 34 (specifically, the floor surface of the bucket 351A is lower than the upper surface of the conveyance path of the belt conveyor 352). And a height position of the container hopper 33. The extruder 351C pushes and moves the plurality of containers C1 stored in the bucket 351A that has been raised to the height position of the container hopper 33 by the elevator 351B toward the container hopper 33.

The belt conveyor 352 has an inlet 352A for introducing the plurality of containers C1 stored in the container storage tank 34, and an outlet 352B for discharging the plurality of containers C1 introduced via the inlet 352A toward the bucket mechanism 351. Has a passage. This passage is formed by a conveyance path of the belt conveyor 352, a side wall of the container storage tank 34, and a ceiling 34A of the container storage tank 34 provided above the conveyance path of the belt conveyor 352.
Here, the inlet 352A is set to have a predetermined area by a plate material 352A1 attached to the container storage tank 34. In other words, the belt conveyor 352 has an inlet 352A having a predetermined area for introducing the plurality of containers C1 stored in the container storage tank 34.

The shutter 353 is provided between the bucket mechanism 351 and the belt conveyor 352 so as to close the outlet 352B of the path of the belt conveyor 352 by moving up and to open the outlet 352B of the path of the belt conveyor 352 by moving down. Yes.
The opening area of the shutter 353 is set to be substantially the same as the area of the entrance 352A of the belt conveyor 352.

The shutter 353 includes a shutter main body 353A that closes or opens the outlet 352B of the path of the belt conveyor 352, a drive unit 353B that raises or lowers the shutter main body 353A, and a vibrator 353C that functions as a shutter vibration unit that vibrates the shutter main body 353A. It has.
In this embodiment, the vibrator 353C is employed as the shutter vibration means, but another vibration generator different from this may be employed. In the present invention, the shutter may not include the shutter vibration means.

The compressor 354 blows off the plurality of containers C1 toward the bucket 351A by discharging air toward the opening of the shutter 353. Therefore, the compressor 354 functions as the discharge means of the present invention.
In the present embodiment, the shutter is provided with the compressor 354, but may not be provided with this.

FIG. 11 is a top view showing the periphery of the arrangement table of the container supply device.
In addition, the container supply device 3 includes pallet transport means 36 that transports the dummy pallet DP into and out of the placement table 31. As shown in FIG. 11, the pallet conveying means 36 includes an upstream pallet conveyor 361 that conveys the dummy pallet DP to a dummy pallet DP loading standby position W1 provided adjacent to the placement table 31 and on the upper side of the drawing, A pusher 362 that pushes the dummy pallet DP conveyed to the carry-in standby position W1 of the dummy pallet DP by the side pallet conveyor 361 toward the placement table 31; A puller 363 that pulls out the dummy pallet DP to the unloading standby position W2, and a downstream pallet conveyor 364 that conveys the dummy pallet DP from the unloading standby position W2 of the dummy pallet DP.

  The pallet conveying means 36 may have a configuration different from the above-described configuration including the upstream pallet conveyor 361, the pusher 362, the puller 363, and the downstream pallet conveyor 364. For example, the pallet conveying means may carry the dummy pallet into and out of the dummy pallet placement position manually by the operator. In short, in the present invention, the pallet conveying means only needs to be able to carry in / out the dummy pallet by moving the dummy pallet.

The upstream pallet conveyor 361 is provided in parallel with the transfer path 361A that moves toward the loading standby position W1 of the dummy pallet DP (to the right in the drawing) and the movement direction of the transfer path 361A. And a pair of guide rails 361B provided on both sides. The interval between the pair of guide rails 361B is set slightly longer than the length of the dummy pallet DP in the longitudinal direction. Here, at the carry-in standby position W <b> 1 of the dummy pallet DP, the conveyance path 361 </ b> A is inclined similarly to the arrangement table 31.
The downstream pallet conveyor 364 is provided in parallel with the transport path 364A that moves from the unloading standby position W2 of the dummy pallet DP toward the left side of the sheet, and the movement direction of the transport path 364A, and is provided on both sides of the transport path 364A. And a pair of guide rails 364B. The distance between the pair of guide rails 364B is set slightly longer than the length of the dummy pallet DP in the longitudinal direction. Here, at the carry-out standby position W <b> 2 of the dummy pallet DP, the transport path 364 </ b> A is inclined similarly to the arrangement table 31. The downstream pallet conveyor 364 has a switching mechanism (not shown) that switches between the state in which the conveyance path 364A at the unloading standby position W2 of the dummy pallet DP is inclined in the same manner as the placement table 31 and the horizontal state. I have.

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the container supply device.
Furthermore, the container supply apparatus 3 is provided with the container control means 37 which controls the whole container supply apparatus 3, as shown in FIG.
The container control means 37 is constituted by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and the like, and executes information processing according to a predetermined program stored in the memory. The container control means 37 includes a container transport unit 371, a container supply unit 372, and a pallet transport unit 373.

The container transport unit 371 includes a container input unit 371A, an input stop unit 371B, and a container moving unit 371C, and controls the container transport unit 35 to transport a plurality of containers C1 stored in the container storage tank 34. Thus, the container hopper 33 holds the container.
Hereinafter, functions of the units 371A to 371C constituting the container transport unit 371 will be described in detail with the state of the container supply device 3 illustrated in FIG. 8 as an initial state.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which a plurality of containers are put into the bucket.
As shown in FIG. 13, the container loading unit 371A moves the bucket 351A to the height position of the container storage tank 34 (after the initial state shown in FIG. 8), and then moves the conveyance path to the belt conveyor 352. In addition, the shutter 353A is lowered by the drive unit 353B and the shutter 353 is opened (downward arrow in the figure), whereby a plurality of containers C1 conveyed by the belt conveyor 352 are placed inside the bucket 351A. throw into.
Here, since the belt conveyor 352 has an inlet 352A having a predetermined area for introducing the plurality of containers C1 stored in the container storage tank 34, the amount of the containers C1 per unit time charged into the bucket 351A is determined. Can be constant.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the charging of a plurality of containers into the bucket is stopped.
As shown in FIG. 14, the charging stop unit 371B conveys to the belt conveyor 352 when a predetermined time has elapsed after the sensor 351A1 detects that the plurality of containers C1 have contacted the floor of the bucket 351A. While stopping the movement of the road, the shutter 353A is raised by the drive unit 353B to close the shutter 353 (upward arrow in the figure). In other words, the charging stop unit 371B stops the charging of the plurality of containers C1 into the bucket 351A by closing the shutter 353 when a predetermined amount of the plurality of containers C1 is charged into the bucket 351A.

  In the present embodiment, the charging stop unit 371B closes the shutter 353 when a predetermined time has elapsed after the sensor 351A1 detects that the plurality of containers C1 have contacted the floor of the bucket 351A. As a result, the charging of the plurality of containers C1 into the bucket 351A has been stopped. On the other hand, for example, the charging stop unit measures the weight of the plurality of containers put into the bucket, and closes the shutter when the predetermined weight is reached, thereby throwing the plurality of containers into the bucket. May be stopped. In short, in the present invention, the charging stop unit may stop the charging of the plurality of containers into the bucket by closing the shutter when a predetermined amount of the plurality of containers is charged into the bucket.

  Further, when closing the shutter 353, the closing stop unit 371B vibrates the shutter main body 353A with the vibrator 353C and causes the compressor 354 to discharge air. According to this, it is possible to suppress the plurality of containers C1 conveyed by the belt conveyor 352 from being sandwiched by the shutter main body 353A.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a state where the bucket is raised.
After stopping the charging of the plurality of containers C1 into the bucket 351A by the charging stop section 371B, the container moving section 371C moves the bucket 351A to the height position of the container hopper 33 by the elevator 351B as shown in FIG. Raise (upward arrow in the figure). At this time, the movable part (dotted line in the drawing) of the extruder 351C is inserted into the bucket 351A by raising the bucket 351A by the elevator 351B.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a state where a plurality of containers are moved to the container hopper.
Then, as shown in FIG. 16, the container moving part 371C pushes and moves the plurality of containers C1 stored in the bucket 351A toward the container hopper 33 by the movable part of the extruder 351C (rightward in the figure). Arrow).
In this way, the container transport unit 371 controls the container transport means 35 to transport the plurality of containers C1 stored in the container storage tank 34, thereby holding them in the container hopper 33. Moreover, in this embodiment, the container conveyance means 35 makes the container hopper 33 hold | maintain the fixed quantity of several containers C1.

As shown in FIG. 12, the container supply unit 372 includes a hopper drive unit 372A, a pallet vibration unit 372B, and an air discharge unit 372C, and controls the small electromagnetic feeder 32 and the container hopper 33 to control the dummy pallet DP. A plurality of containers C1 are supplied to each of the plurality of accommodating portions DP1 formed on the upper surface.
Hereinafter, functions of the respective units 372A to 372C configuring the container supply unit 372 will be described in detail with the state of the container supply device 3 illustrated in FIG. 16 as an initial state.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the guide member is rotated to the guide position.
As shown in FIG. 17, the hopper driving unit 372A rotates the guide member 334 from the container holding position to the guide position (downward arrow in the figure), and moves the conveyance path of the hopper conveyor 333A from the upper end side of the main body 333. Move toward the lower end. As a result, the plurality of containers C <b> 1 slide on the upper surface of the guide member 334 and drop from the lower end side of the main body 333.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the main body of the container hopper is moved along the rail member.
Further, as shown in FIG. 18, the hopper driving unit 372A moves the slider 332 along the rail member 331 when the plurality of containers C1 are dropped from the lower end side of the main body 333. 333 is moved to the container storage tank 34 side along the rail member 331.
Here, since the rail member 331 is arranged in parallel with the short direction of the dummy pallet DP arranged on the arrangement table 31, the dummy pallet DP moves the main body 333 by the rail member 331 and the slider 332. It has a plurality of accommodating portions DP1 formed so as to be arranged along the direction (predetermined direction) to be made.
The hopper driving unit 372A causes the plurality of containers C1 held by the main body 333 to drop toward the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP when the main body 333 is moved by the rail member 331 and the slider 332. Yes.

The pallet vibration unit 372B vibrates the dummy pallet DP by causing the small electromagnetic feeder 32 to vibrate the placement table 31 when a plurality of containers C1 are dropped from the lower end side of the main body 333 by the hopper driving unit 372A. Vibrate.
Accordingly, when the dummy pallet DP is vibrated by the small electromagnetic feeder 32, the container supply unit 372 drops the plurality of containers C1 held by the container hopper 33 toward the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP.

The plurality of containers C1 dropped on the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP by the container supply unit 372 will enter each housing part DP1 of the dummy pallet DP while rolling by the vibration of the dummy pallet DP.
On the other hand, the arrangement table 31 is tilted so as to descend toward the container storage tank 34 and is supported by the small electromagnetic feeder 32, so that it drops onto the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP by the container supply unit 372. Among the plurality of containers C1, the plurality of containers C1 that have not been accommodated in the accommodating portion DP1 of the dummy pallet DP will freely fall into the container storage tank 34. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the arrangement table 31 functions as a dropping unit that drops the plurality of containers C1 onto the container storage tank 34 by inclining the dummy pallet DP so as to descend toward the container storage tank 34 side. To do.

  The air discharge unit 372C causes the compressor 331A to discharge air after dropping a plurality of containers C1 from the lower end side of the main body 333 by the hopper driving unit 372A. According to this, among the plurality of containers C1 dropped on the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP by the container supply unit 372, the plurality of containers C1 that are not accommodated in the accommodation part DP1 of the dummy pallet DP are blown off and stored in the container. It will fall into the tank 34. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the compressor 331A functions as a dropping unit that drops a plurality of containers C1 onto the container storage tank 34 by discharging air toward the container storage tank 34 along the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP.

  In the present embodiment, by tilting the dummy pallet DP so as to descend toward the container storage tank 34 side, the arrangement table 31 for dropping the plurality of containers C1 into the container storage tank 34, and the dummy pallet DP A compressor 331A that drops a plurality of containers C1 into the container storage tank 34 by discharging air toward the container storage tank 34 along the upper surface is used as the dropping means, but only one of them is used. Also good. The dropping means may drop the plurality of containers onto the storage means, for example, by vibrating a dummy pallet. In short, in the present invention, the dropping means causes the storage means to drop a plurality of containers that are not accommodated in the dummy pallet accommodating portion among the plurality of containers that are dropped toward the upper surface of the dummy pallet by the holding means. If you can.

As described above, the container control unit 37 holds the plurality of containers C1 in the container hopper 33 by the container transport unit 35, and then sets the plurality of containers C1 held in the container hopper 33 to the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP. The plurality of containers C1 are circulated and reused by dropping the plurality of containers C1 into the container storage tank 34 by the dropping means.
Further, as described above, the container transport means 35 holds the container hopper 33 with a certain amount of the plurality of containers C1, so that the container hopper 33 is fixed to the container hopper 33 during one cycle of circulating the plurality of containers C1. A plurality of containers C1 are held.
In the present embodiment, the container transport means 35 holds the container hopper 33 with a fixed amount of the plurality of containers C1 in one cycle of circulating the plurality of containers C1. C1 may not be held.

As shown in FIG. 12, the pallet transport section 373 includes a pallet carry-in section 373A, a pallet push-out section 373B, a pallet pull-out section 373C, and a pallet carry-out section 373D, and controls the pallet transport means 36 to control the dummy pallet DP. Is carried into and out of the placement table 31.
Hereinafter, functions of the units 373A to 373D constituting the pallet transport unit 373 will be described in detail with the state of the container supply device 3 illustrated in FIG. 11 as an initial state. In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, the dummy pallet DP arrange | positioned on the arrangement | positioning stand 31 is demonstrated as dummy pallet DP (n: cycle number). The same applies to the following drawings.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the dummy pallet is transported to the dummy pallet loading standby position.
When the dummy pallet DP is placed on the transport path 361A of the upstream pallet conveyor 361 by the operator's manual operation, the pallet carry-in section 373A places the dummy pallet DP on the upstream pallet conveyor 361 as shown in FIG. The dummy pallet DP is transported to the carry-in standby position W1 to obtain a standby dummy pallet DPw (right arrow in the figure). Therefore, the upstream pallet conveyor 361 functions as the pallet conveying means of the present invention.
The upstream pallet conveyor 361 guides the dummy pallet DP with the guide rail 361B, so that the short side direction of the dummy pallet DP and the moving direction of the transport path 361A are parallel to each other. Transport.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the standby dummy pallet is pushed out toward the placement table.
As shown in FIG. 20, the pallet pusher 373B pushes the standby dummy pallet DPw toward the placement table 31 by the pusher 362, thereby placing the standby dummy pallet DPw on the placement table 31. The dummy pallet DP (n) is used, and the previous placement dummy pallet DP (n-1) is pushed out of the placement table 31 via the current placement dummy pallet DP (n) (downward arrow in the figure). Therefore, the pusher 362 functions as the extrusion means of the present invention.
The pusher 362 pushes the standby dummy pallet DPw to the dummy pallet DP placement position, thereby setting the current placement dummy pallet DP (n) and the previous placement dummy pallet DP (n−1). The process of pushing out the dummy pallet DP from the arrangement position of the dummy pallet DP is performed in a single process, but may be performed in a separate process.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the previous placement dummy pallet is pulled out from the placement table.
As shown in FIG. 21, the pallet drawer 373C draws the previous placement dummy pallet DP (n−1) pushed out by the pusher 362 from the placement table 31 by the puller 363 (downward arrow in the figure). Therefore, the puller 363 functions as the drawing means of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a process of drawing the previous placement dummy pallet from the placement table. Specifically, FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view in which the vicinity of the puller 363 is cut along the longitudinal direction of the dummy pallet DP.
As shown in FIG. 22, the puller 363 includes a stopper 363 </ b> A provided so as to protrude and retract with respect to the placement surface of the dummy pallet DP, and a pin 363 </ b> B provided on the arrangement base 31 side (left side of the drawing) from the stopper 363 </ b> A. And.
The pin 363B is provided so as to protrude and retract with respect to the placement surface of the dummy pallet DP, and is provided so as to advance and retreat along the drawing direction (right direction in the figure) of the dummy pallet DP.

First, the pallet drawer 373C is in an initial state in which the stopper 363A protrudes from the placement surface of the dummy pallet DP and the pin 363B is buried in the placement surface of the dummy pallet DP. In this initial state, the end face of the previous placement dummy pallet DP (n−1) pushed out by the pusher 362 abuts against the stopper 363A as shown in FIG. 22A (right arrow in the figure). The previous placement dummy pallet DP (n−1) stops at a predetermined position.
Next, the pallet drawer portion 373C projects the pin 363B from the placement surface of the dummy pallet DP and inserts the pin 363B into the hole DP2 formed on the lower surface of the dummy pallet DP (upward arrow in the figure). The hole DP2 is formed at a position that does not interfere with the housing portion DP1 of the dummy pallet DP.

Then, as shown in FIG. 22 (B), the pallet drawer 373C has the stopper 363A buried in the placement surface of the dummy pallet DP (downward arrow in the figure), and then the pin 363B is inserted into the dummy pallet DP. By sliding along the pull-out direction, the dummy pallet DP is further pulled out from the arrangement table 31 (right arrow in the figure).
Finally, as shown in FIG. 22 (C), the pallet drawer portion 373C has the pin 363B buried in the placement surface of the dummy pallet DP to remove the pin 363B from the hole DP2 formed in the lower surface of the dummy pallet DP. Pull out.

  The puller 363 includes a pin 363B, and the pallet drawer portion 373C is inserted in the hole DP2 formed on the lower surface of the dummy pallet DP and then slid along the pulling direction of the dummy pallet DP. The dummy pallet DP was further pulled out from the arrangement position of the dummy pallet DP. On the other hand, for example, the drawer means may be configured to further pull out the dummy pallet from the dummy pallet placement position by gripping the dummy pallet. In short, in the present invention, the drawing means only needs to be configured so that the previous placement dummy pallet pushed out by the pushing means can be further pulled out from the placement position of the dummy pallet.

Then, as shown in FIG. 21, the pallet unloading unit 373D conveys the previous placement dummy pallet DP (n−1) pulled out by the puller 363 to the downstream pallet conveyor 364 (left arrow in the figure). .
The downstream pallet conveyor 364 guides the dummy pallet DP with the guide rail 364B, so that the short side direction of the dummy pallet DP and the moving direction of the transport path 364A are parallel to each other. Transport.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of the container transport and supply process executed by the container supply device.
When the container supply device 3 supplies a plurality of containers C1 to the dummy pallet DP, the container control unit 37 performs steps S1 to S4 according to a predetermined program stored in the memory, as shown in FIG. Run.
Hereinafter, the details of steps S1 to S4 will be described with reference to the drawings described above.

First, as shown in FIG. 13, the container loading unit 371A lowers the shutter main body 353A by the driving unit 353B and opens the shutter 353, whereby a plurality of containers C1 conveyed by the belt conveyor 352 are bucketed 351A. (S1: Container loading step).
Next, as shown in FIG. 14, the charging stop unit 371 </ b> B is configured such that when a predetermined time has elapsed after the sensor 351 </ b> A <b> 1 detects that the plurality of containers C <b> 1 have contacted the floor of the bucket 351 </ b> A, At 353B, the shutter body 353A is raised and the shutter 353 is closed (S2: closing stop step).

After stopping the charging of the plurality of containers C1 into the bucket 351A by the charging stop section 371B, the container moving section 371C moves the bucket 351A to the height position of the container hopper 33 by the elevator 351B as shown in FIG. Raise. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 16, the container moving part 371C pushes and moves the plurality of containers C1 stored in the bucket 351A toward the container hopper 33 by the movable part of the extruder 351C (S3: container movement). Step).
In addition, after performing container moving step S3, the container moving part 371C moves the movable part of the extruder 351C to the opposite side to the container hopper 33, and returns it. Further, after executing the container moving step S3, the container loading unit 371A moves the bucket 351A to the height position of the container storage tank 34 and returns it to the original position.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 17, the hopper driving unit 372A rotates the guide member 334 from the container holding position to the guide position, and moves the conveyance path of the hopper conveyor 333A from the upper end side to the lower end side of the main body unit 333. To move. Then, as shown in FIG. 18, the hopper driving unit 372A moves the slider 332 along the rail member 331 when the plurality of containers C1 are dropped from the lower end side of the main body 333, thereby 333 is moved to the container storage tank 34 side along the rail member 331. Accordingly, the plurality of containers C1 slide on the upper surface of the guide member 334 and drop from the lower end side of the main body 333 (S4: container supply step).

  As described above, the pallet vibration unit 372B causes the small electromagnetic feeder 32 to vibrate the placement table 31 when the plurality of containers C1 are dropped from the lower end side of the main body 333 by the hopper driving unit 372A. As a result, the dummy pallet DP is vibrated. The air discharge unit 372C causes the compressor 331A to discharge air after dropping a plurality of containers C1 from the lower end side of the main body 333 by the hopper driving unit 372A.

Finally, the hopper driving unit 372A rotates the guide member 334 from the guide position to the container holding position, and stops the movement of the transport path of the hopper conveyor 333A. Further, the hopper driving unit 372A moves the slider 332 along the rail member 331, thereby moving the main body unit 333 to the bucket mechanism 351 side along the rail member 331 and returning it to the original state.
Thereafter, the container control means 37 repeatedly executes steps S1 to S4 described above, thereby repeatedly executing steps S1 to S4, and the container supply device 3 supplies a plurality of containers C1 to the dummy pallet DP.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a pallet transport process executed by the container supply device.
When the dummy pallet DP is transported by the pallet transporting means 36 to carry in / out the placement table 31, the container control means 37 is shown in FIG. 24 according to a predetermined program stored in the memory. As described above, steps S11 to S14 are executed.
Hereinafter, the details of steps S11 to S14 will be described with reference to the above-described drawings.

First, when the dummy pallet DP is placed on the transport path 361A of the upstream pallet conveyor 361 by the operator's manual operation, the pallet carry-in section 373A places the dummy pallet on the upstream pallet conveyor 361 as shown in FIG. The dummy pallet DP is transported to the DP loading standby position W1 to be a standby dummy pallet DPw (S11: pallet loading step).
Next, as shown in FIG. 20, the pallet pusher 373B pushes the standby dummy pallet DPw toward the placement table 31 by the pusher 362, thereby placing the standby dummy pallet DPw on the placement table 31. And the previous placement dummy pallet DP (n-1) is pushed out from the placement table 31 via the current placement dummy pallet DP (n) (S12: pallet extrusion step) ).

Next, as shown in FIG. 21, the pallet drawer 373C pulls out the previous placement dummy pallet DP (n−1) pushed out by the pusher 362 from the placement stand 31 by the puller 363 (S13: pallet draw-out). Step).
Then, the pallet unloading unit 373D conveys the previous placement dummy pallet DP (n−1) pulled out by the puller 363 to the downstream pallet conveyor 364 (S14: pallet unloading step).

Finally, the pallet pusher 373B moves the pusher 362 away from the placement table 31 to return it, and the pallet drawer 373C causes the stopper 363A to protrude from the placement surface of the dummy pallet DP, The pin 363B is slid toward the arrangement table 31 along the drawing direction of the dummy pallet DP to return to the initial state.
Thereafter, the container control means 37 repeats Steps S11 to S14 by executing Step S11 described above again, and the pallet conveying means 36 conveys the dummy pallet DP.

Here, steps S11 to S14 are executed in parallel with steps S1 to S4 described above.
Specifically, the pallet extrusion step S12 and the pallet extraction step S13 are executed at a timing after executing the container supply step S4 and before executing the container movement step S3 of the next cycle.

  The container control means 37 stops the repetition of steps S1 to S4 and steps S11 to S14 described above when a stop button (not shown) provided in the container supply device 3 is pressed. The container control unit 37 returns the container hopper 33, the container transport unit 35, and the pallet transport unit 36 to the initial state when a reset button (not shown) provided in the container supply device 3 is pressed. Let

Moreover, in this embodiment, although the container supply apparatus 3 was equipped with the small electromagnetic feeder 32 as a pallet vibration means to vibrate the dummy pallet DP, it does not need to be equipped with this.
In the present embodiment, the container supply device 3 includes a container storage tank 34, a container transporting unit 35, and a dropping unit. After holding a plurality of containers in the container hopper 33, the container hopper 33 The plurality of held containers C1 are dropped toward the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP, and the plurality of containers C1 are dropped into the container storage tank 34 by the dropping means, whereby the plurality of containers C1 are circulated and reused. However, it does not have to be reused.

[Container transfer device]
FIG. 25 is a side view of the container transfer device. Specifically, FIG. 25 is a view of the container transfer device 4 as viewed from the + X axis direction side.
The container transfer device 4 transfers a plurality of containers C1 supplied to the dummy pallet DP by the container supply device 3 and stores them in the main pallet MP. The main pallet MP transferred with the plurality of containers C1 by the container transfer device 4 is conveyed toward the downstream side by the main conveyor 2 as described above.

As shown in FIG. 25, the container transfer device 4 includes a suction head 41 that sucks and holds the plurality of containers C1 supplied to the dummy pallet DP by the container supply device 3, and the suction head 41 in the vertical vertical direction. A vertical movement mechanism 42 for moving the vertical movement mechanism 42 and a horizontal movement mechanism 43 for moving the vertical movement mechanism 42 in the horizontal direction.
Hereinafter, the function of the container transfer device 4 will be described in detail with the state of the container transfer device 4 shown by a solid line in FIG. 25 as an initial state.

First, the container transfer device 4 moves the suction head 41 by the horizontal movement mechanism 43 (arrow A in the figure), thereby vertically above the dummy pallet DP supplied with the plurality of containers C1 by the container supply device 3. Set to the initial state. Specifically, the container transfer device 4 is positioned vertically above the dummy pallet DP drawn from the placement table 31 by the puller 363. At this time, the downstream pallet conveyor 364 of the container supply device 3 switches the state of the transport path 364A at the unloading standby position W2 of the dummy pallet DP to a state where it is leveled by the switching mechanism.
Next, the container transfer device 4 lowers the suction head 41 by the vertical movement mechanism 42 (arrow B in the figure), and then causes the suction head 41 to start sucking the plurality of containers C1, thereby enabling the dummy pallet DP. A plurality of containers C1 accommodated in the container are sucked and held.

Next, the container transfer device 4 removes the plurality of containers C1 accommodated in the dummy pallet DP from the dummy pallet DP by raising the suction head 41 by the vertical movement mechanism 42 (arrow C in the figure). Thereafter, the downstream pallet conveyor 364 of the container supply device 3 switches the state of the conveyance path 364A at the unloading standby position W2 of the dummy pallet DP to a state where the state is inclined in the same manner as the arrangement table 31 by the switching mechanism. And the dummy pallet DP is conveyed by the downstream pallet conveyor 364 as mentioned above.
Next, the container transfer device 4 is positioned vertically above the main pallet MP conveyed by the main conveyor 2 by moving the suction head 41 by the horizontal movement mechanism 43 (arrow D in the figure).
Then, the container transfer device 4 lowers the suction head 41 by the vertical movement mechanism 42 (arrow E in the figure), and then causes the suction head 41 to stop sucking the plurality of containers C1 so that the main pallet MP is placed. A plurality of containers C1 are transferred.
Thereafter, the container transfer device 4 raises the suction head 41 by the vertical movement mechanism 42 (arrow F in the figure), and then moves the suction head 41 by the horizontal movement mechanism 43 (arrow A in the figure). Then, a plurality of containers C1 are positioned vertically above the supplied dummy pallet DP by the container supply device 3, and the initial state is set again.

[Filling equipment]
FIG. 26 is a top view of the filling device. FIG. 27 is a side view of the filling device. Specifically, FIG. 27 is a view of the filling device 6 as viewed from the + X axis direction side.
As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the filling device 6 includes a weighing and filling mechanism 61 provided on the downstream side of the main conveyor 2, a filling hopper 62 provided on the upstream side of the main conveyor 2, and a weighing and filling mechanism. 61 and an advance / retreat mechanism 63 for advancing and retreating the filling hopper 62 along the conveyance direction of the main conveyor 2, a push-up plate 64 for pushing the main pallet MP conveyed by the main conveyor 2 vertically upward, and a push-up plate 64 And a push-up cylinder 65 that moves up and down. The filling device 6 fills the container P1 from which foreign matter has been removed by the container cleaning device 5 with the powder P.

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the metering and filling mechanism and the filling hopper. Specifically, FIG. 28 is a view showing a cross section of the metering and filling mechanism 61 and the filling hopper 62 cut along the conveying direction of the main conveyor 2.
As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the metering and filling mechanism 61 is disposed above the main pallet MP, above the metering unit 66, and adjacent to the filling hopper 62. And an extrusion unit 67 arranged as described above.
The weighing unit 66 includes a rectangular plate-like weighing plate 661 fixed below the extrusion unit 67, a rectangular plate-like shutter 662 attached below the weighing plate 661, and a rectangular plate attached below the shutter 662. And a motor 664 that slides the shutter 662.

The measuring plate 661 has a plurality of measuring holes 661A formed so as to correspond to each of the accommodating portions MP1 of the main pallet MP.
The shutter 662 is slidably attached along a direction (Y-axis direction) orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the main conveyor 2. The shutter 662 has through-holes 662A formed so as to correspond to the respective measurement holes 661A of the measurement plate 661. The inner diameter of the through hole 662A is larger than the inner diameter of the measuring hole 661A of the measuring plate 661.
The guide plate 663 has through holes 663A formed so as to correspond to the respective measurement holes 661A of the measurement plate 661. The inner diameter of the through hole 663A is substantially the same as the through hole 662A of the shutter 662.
Therefore, the weighing unit 66 is configured by overlapping the weighing plate 661, the shutter 662, and the guide plate 663. In addition, the weighing unit 66 is not in communication with the state in which the measurement holes 661A and the through holes 662A and 663A are in communication with each other by opening and closing the shutter 662 by sliding the shutter 662 with the motor 664. You can switch between states.

The push-out unit 67 includes a lift plate 671 provided so as to be movable up and down with respect to the measurement plate 661, and a plurality of push pins 672 provided in the lift plate 671 so as to correspond to the measurement holes 661A of the measurement plate 661, respectively. And an extrusion cylinder 673 for raising and lowering the elevating plate 671.
In the push-out unit 67, the push-out plate 671 is lowered by the push-out cylinder 673, whereby each push-out pin 672 can be lowered to a position penetrating each measurement hole 661A of the measurement unit 66.

  As shown in FIG. 28, the filling hopper 62 is slidably mounted on the upper surface of the measuring plate 661, and has a rectangular tubular storage tank 621 for storing the powder P therein, and a storage tank 621. And a bottomed cylindrical charging tank 622 having an opening for charging the granular material P on the vertical upper side.

FIG. 29 is a top view and a cross-sectional view of the charging portion of the filling hopper. Specifically, the upper diagram of FIG. 29 is a top view of the charging tank 622 of the filling hopper 62, and the lower diagram of FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the charging tank 622 closes the rectangular tube-shaped frame 622A that forms the side surface, the plate-like lower cover 622B that forms the bottom surface, and the upper opening of the frame 622A. The upper cover 622C is provided. In FIG. 29, the illustration of the upper cover 622C is omitted for the sake of explanation.

The frame 622A is made of an acrylic resin, and is transparent so that the granular material P introduced therein can be visually recognized.
The lower cover 622B is made of metal and has the same shape as the cross section perpendicular to the axis of the frame 622A. The lower cover 622B has a plurality of circular holes 622B1. Each hole 622B1 has a cylindrical protrusion 622B2 that protrudes toward the inside of the storage tank 621.

Specifically, the lower cover 622B has five holes 622B1 arranged at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction, and two holes 622B1 arranged at equal intervals along the short direction. Yes. In other words, the lower cover 622B has ten holes 622B1 in a lattice point shape.
Therefore, in this embodiment, the charging tank 622 communicates with the ten holes 622B1 formed on the bottom surface and the holes 622B1, and the cylindrical protrusion 622B2 that protrudes toward the inside of the storage tank 621. have.

  In the present embodiment, the lower cover 622B has ten hole portions 622B1 in a lattice point shape, but may have a number of holes different from ten. In short, the charging tank only needs to have at least one hole formed in the bottom surface. Further, in the present embodiment, the holes are arranged in the form of lattice points. However, the holes may not be arranged in the form of lattice points, and the arrangement thereof may not have regularity. Further, in the present embodiment, the charging tank 622 has a protruding portion 622B2, and the protruding portion 622B2 is formed in a cylindrical shape. On the other hand, the charging tank may not have a protrusion, and the protrusion may be formed in a cylindrical shape having another cross-sectional shape such as a rectangular tube shape.

As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the advance / retreat mechanism 63 supports the base 631 on which the metering and filling mechanism 61 and the filling hopper 62 are placed, the base 631 slidably supported, and in the conveying direction of the main conveyor 2. A rail 632 extending along the rail 632, a ball screw 633 that moves the base 631 back and forth along the rail 632, and a motor 634 that rotates the ball screw 633 are provided.
Therefore, the advance / retreat mechanism 63 rotates the ball screw 633 by the motor 634 and advances / retreats the base 631 along the rail 632, whereby the metering / filling mechanism 61 and the filling hopper 62 placed on the base 631 are moved to the main conveyor. Advancing and retreating along the conveyance direction 2.
Hereinafter, the function of the filling device 6 will be described in detail with the state of the filling device 6 shown in FIG. 28 as an initial state.

First, the filling device 6 lowers the push-up plate 64 by the push-up cylinder 65 and raises the lift plate 671 by the push-out cylinder 673 to raise the plurality of push pins 672 to an initial state. Further, in this initial state, the filling device 6 moves the extrusion unit 67 vertically above the measuring hole 661A of the measuring plate 661 by moving the base 631 back and forth by the advance / retreat mechanism 63.
Thereafter, the main pallet MP is transported by the main conveyor 2 so as to be arranged vertically above the push-up plate 64.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a state where the shutter of the weighing unit is closed.
Next, as shown in FIG. 30, the filling device 6 does not allow the measurement holes 661A to communicate with the through holes 662A and 663A by sliding the shutter 662 with the motor 664 and closing the shutter 662. Switch to state. Here, the concave space partitioned by each measuring hole 661A and the shutter 662 corresponds to the internal volume of the powder P to be filled in the capsule C.

  Next, the filling device 6 moves the filling hopper 62 vertically above the measuring hole 661A of the measuring plate 661 by moving the base 631 back and forth by the advance / retreat mechanism 63 (arrow A in the figure). As a result, the granular material P stored in the storage tank 621 of the charging hopper 62 is filled in the measuring hole 661A of the measuring plate 661. Specifically, the filling device 6 drops the granular material P from the storage tank 621 and fills the measuring hole 661A as the filled portion.

Therefore, the granular material P stored in the storage tank 621 is reduced by filling the measuring hole 661A. And the storage tank 621 stores the granular material P inside when the granular material P thrown into the charging tank 622 falls through hole part 622B1 and protrusion part 622B2. Here, the horizontal position where the granular material P charged into the charging tank 622 falls into the storage tank 621 is different from the horizontal position of the measuring hole 661A. In other words, the horizontal position at which the granular material charged into the charging tank falls into the storage tank is different from the horizontal position at which the granular material is filled into the filled portion in the storage tank.
In this embodiment, the horizontal position at which the granular material charged into the charging tank falls into the storage tank is different from the horizontal position at which the granular material is filled into the filled portion in the storage tank, but the same. It may be a position.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a state in which powder particles are filled in the measurement holes of the measurement plate.
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 31, the filling device 6 moves the push-out unit 67 again vertically above the measuring hole 661A of the measuring plate 661 by moving the base 631 back and forth by the advancing and retracting mechanism 63 (arrow B in the figure). ). As a result, the granular material P filled in the measurement hole 661A of the measurement plate 661 is scraped off at the lower end of the storage tank 621 of the filling hopper 62, so that the filling device 6 includes the measurement holes 661A and the shutter 662. A certain amount of the granular material P can be filled into the concave space partitioned by.

Thus, the advancing / retreating mechanism 63 functions as a swinging means for swinging the filling hopper 62, and swings the filling hopper 62 when the powder P is dropped from the storage tank 621 and filled into the measuring hole 661A.
In the present embodiment, the filling device 6 includes a swinging unit that swings the filling hopper 62, but may not include this.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a state in which the container is filled with the granular material.
Next, as shown in FIG. 32, the filling device 6 raises the push-up plate 64 by the push-up cylinder 65 to push up the main pallet MP conveyed by the main conveyor 2 vertically upward (in the drawing). Arrow C). Accordingly, the openings of the plurality of containers C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP are close to the through hole 663A of the guide plate 663.
Thereafter, the filling device 6 switches the state in which each measuring hole 661A and each through-hole 662A, 663A are in communication with each other by sliding the shutter 662 with the motor 664 to open the shutter 662. As a result, the powder P filled in the measurement hole 661A of the measurement plate 661 drops and fills the plurality of containers C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP.

Further, the filling device 6 lowers the elevating plate 671 by the extrusion cylinder 673 so that the granular material P filled in the measurement holes 661A of the measurement plate 661 by the plurality of extrusion pins 672 is accommodated in the main pallet MP. Extruded into a plurality of containers C1 (arrow D in the figure).
In the present embodiment, the filling device 6 extrudes the granular material P filled in the measurement hole 661A of the measurement plate 661 with a plurality of extrusion pins 672. On the other hand, for example, when the particle size of the granular material P is large, the filling device 6 may drop and fill the granular material P into the plurality of containers C1 only by opening and closing the shutter 662. . Further, for example, the filling device 6 causes the powder P to drop into the plurality of containers C1 by vibrating the plurality of extrusion pins 672 when the particle size of the powder P is small. It may be filled easily.

  Thereafter, the filling device 6 lowers the push-up plate 64 by the push-up cylinder 65 and raises the lift plate 671 by the push-out cylinder 673 to raise the plurality of push pins 672 to be in the initial state again.

[Filling check device]
FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a filling check device.
As shown in FIG. 33, the filling check device 7 is provided on the side (−Y axis direction) in the transport direction of the main conveyor 2 and detects the position of the main pallet MP transported by the main conveyor 2. A photoelectric sensor 71 and a CCD camera 72 that images the upper surface of the main pallet MP conveyed by the main conveyor 2 are provided.

The photoelectric sensor 71 detects the position detection mark MP4 formed on the side surface on one side in the longitudinal direction of the main pallet MP conveyed by the main conveyor 2, so that the main pallet MP arrives at a predetermined position. Whether or not is detected.
The CCD camera 72 images the upper surface of the main pallet MP when the photoelectric sensor 71 detects that the main pallet MP has arrived at a predetermined position.
Thereafter, the filling check device 7 performs predetermined processing on the image captured by the CCD camera 72 to confirm whether or not the powder P is filled in the container C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP.

[Film supply device]
34 and 35 are side views of the film supply apparatus. Specifically, FIG. 34 is a view of the film supply device 8 as viewed from the + X-axis side direction. FIG. 35 is a view of the film supply device 8 as seen from the left side (the −Y axis direction side) of FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, the film supply device 8 is pulled out from the sheet roll SR, the two holders 81 holding the sheet roll SR in which the sheet-like film (aluminum film) SR1 is wound around the paper tube. And a plurality of guide rollers 82 for guiding the film SR1. The film supply device 8 supplies a film SR1 for cutting out the cover material C2 to the film die cutting device 9.

Each holder 81 has the same function. Therefore, when the sheet roll SR is held in one holder 81 and used, another sheet roll SR can be held in the other holder 81 and used as a spare. According to this, the efficiency of the replacement work of the sheet roll SR can be improved.
In the present embodiment, the holder 81 disposed on the right side in FIG. 34 will be described as a holder 81A, and the holder 81 disposed on the left side will be described as a holder 81B.

  Each guide roller 82 is sequentially arranged from the holder 81 toward the film die cutting device 9 to guide the film SR1. Specifically, the film SR1 of the sheet roll SR held by the holder 81A is supplied to the film die cutting device 9 by being guided in the order of guide rollers 821A, 822, 823, 824, and 825. . Further, the film SR1 of the sheet roll SR held by the holder 81B is supplied to the film die cutting device 9 by being guided in the order of guide rollers 821B, 822, 823, 824, and 825.

[Film die cutting equipment]
FIG. 36 is a view showing a film cut by a film die cutting apparatus.
As shown in FIG. 36, the film die cutting device 9 forms a perforation SR11 for cutting out the cover material C2 on the film SR1 supplied by the film supply device 8. Further, the film die cutting device 9 forms punch holes SR12 at positions corresponding to the two pins MP2 respectively formed at the longitudinal end portions of the main pallet MP. Then, the film die cutting device 9 cuts the cut line SR13 along the short direction of the film SR1 to cut it into a size corresponding to the main pallet MP.

FIG. 37 is a top view of the film die cutting apparatus. 38 and 39 are side views of the film die cutting apparatus. Specifically, FIG. 38 is a view of the film die cutting device 9 as seen from the lower side of the drawing in FIG. FIG. 39 is a view of the film die cutting device 9 as viewed from the right side of FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 37 to 39, the film die cutting device 9 includes a film base 91 on which the film SR1 supplied by the film supply device 8 is placed, and a press head 92 provided vertically above the film base 91. , An elevator 93 that raises and lowers the press head 92 and an air hand 94 that draws the film SR1 supplied by the film supply device 8 to the film base 91.

The press head 92 includes a die-cutting blade that forms a perforation SR11, a punch that forms a punch hole SR12, and a cutter that cuts a cut line SR13 (not shown), and is attached to the film SR1 placed on the film base 91. By pressing, a perforation SR11 and a punch hole SR12 are formed in the film SR1, and the film SR1 is cut into a size corresponding to the main pallet MP.
The elevator 93 presses the press head 92 against the film SR1 placed on the film base 91 by lowering the press head 92.
The air hands 94 are provided on both sides of the film SR1 in the short direction, respectively, and a pair of sandwiching portions 941 that sandwich the film SR1 and rails on which the sandwiching portions 941 are disposed along the longitudinal direction of the film SR1. And a moving unit 942 for moving.
Hereinafter, the function of the film die cutting apparatus 9 will be described in detail with the state of the film die cutting apparatus 9 shown in FIG. 37 as an initial state.

  First, the film die cutting device 9 holds the film SR1 supplied by the film supply device 8 between the pair of holding portions 941 of the air hand 94, and then moves each holding portion 941 in the longitudinal direction of the film SR1 by the moving portion 942. By moving it along, the film SR1 is pulled out and placed on the film base 91. Specifically, the film die cutting device 9 extracts the length of one main pallet MP (the length in the longitudinal direction of the main pallet MP).

  Here, the moving unit 942 moves each clamping unit 941 at a predetermined speed to a position before the end point. Thereafter, the moving unit 942 moves each clamping unit 941 to the end point at a speed slower than the speed to the position before the end point. In other words, the moving unit 942 moves each clamping unit 941 at a lower speed than before in the vicinity of the end point. According to this, the movement part 942 can perform alignment with film SR1 and the film stand 91 easily.

  Next, the film die cutting device 9 presses the press head 92 against the film SR <b> 1 placed on the film base 91 by lowering the press head 92 with the elevator 93. Thereby, the film die cutting apparatus 9 forms the perforation SR11 and the punch hole SR12 in the film SR1, and cuts the cut line SR13 of the film SR1.

  Here, the film SR1 drawn from the film base 91 by the pair of sandwiching portions 941 of the air hand 94 is cut into a length corresponding to one sheet of the main pallet MP by cutting the cut line SR13. (Hereinafter, the film SR1 processed in this state is referred to as a cut film CF). Note that the cut film CF already has the perforation SR11 and the punch hole SR12 formed in the previous step.

  The film die cutting device 9 then releases the film SR1 to the pair of sandwiching portions 941 of the air hand 94, and then moves each sandwiching portion 941 to the vicinity of the film base 91 along the longitudinal direction of the film SR1 by the moving portion 942. Let the initial state again.

[Film transfer equipment]
FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of the film transfer apparatus.
As shown in FIG. 40, the film transfer device 10 sucks and holds the film (cut film CF) cut by the film die cutting device 9, and the suction head 101 in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. And a movement mechanism (not shown) for movement along the line.

The suction head 101 is inserted into the hole portion 102 provided at a position corresponding to the two pins MP2 respectively formed at the longitudinal end portions of the main pallet MP, and is inserted into the hole portion 102 and sucks the cut film CF. And a spring 104 that is housed inside the hole 102 and biases the protrusion 103 downward in the vertical direction.
The protrusion 103 has a recess 103A that is formed at the tip of the protrusion 103 and engages with two pins MP2 formed at the ends in the longitudinal direction of the main pallet MP. Further, the protrusion 103 can be pushed into the hole 102 against the urging force of the spring 104, so that its tip can be sunk into the surface of the suction head 101 that sucks the cut film CF. Is set.
Hereinafter, the function of the film transfer apparatus 10 will be described in detail.

  First, the film transfer device 10 moves the suction head 101 by a moving mechanism so as to be positioned above the cut film CF, and after lowering the suction head 101, causes the suction head 101 to start sucking to cut the cut film. Hold CF. At this time, since the protrusion 103 is inserted into each punch hole SR12 formed in the cut film CF, the suction head 101 can hold the cut film CF in a predetermined position.

  Next, the film transfer apparatus 10 moves the suction head 101 by the moving mechanism so as to be positioned above the main pallet MP conveyed by the main conveyor 2, and lowers the suction head 101 to thereby move the main Each pin MP2 of the pallet MP and the concave portion 103A of the protruding portion 103 are fitted. Thereafter, the film transfer device 10 further lowers the suction head 101 by a moving mechanism (downward arrow in the figure), and pushes the protruding portion 103 toward the hole portion 102 with each pin MP2 of the main pallet MP. .

Then, the film transfer device 10 releases the cut film CF by causing the suction head 101 to stop the suction in a state where the cut film CF and the main pallet MP are brought close to each other. As a result, the film transfer device 10 transfers the cut film CF to the main pallet MP that has been conveyed by the main conveyor 2.
Therefore, the film transfer apparatus 10 transfers the cut film CF so that the position of the lid C2 formed on the cut film CF and the position of the opening of the container C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP are matched. be able to.

[Seal device]
FIG. 41 is a side view of the sealing device. Specifically, FIG. 41 is a view of the sealing device 11 viewed from the + X axis direction side.
As shown in FIG. 41, the sealing device 11 includes a lid C2 formed on the cut film CF transferred to the main pallet MP by the film transfer device 10 and an opening of the container C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP. A sealing mechanism 111 that seals and bonds the parts to each other, and a push-up mechanism 112 that pushes up the container C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP toward the sealing mechanism 111, and seals the powder P in the capsule C.

The sealing mechanism 111 includes a sealing head 111A having a hot plate 111A1 whose lower surface is kept at a high temperature so as to seal and bond the lid C2 to the opening of the container C1, and a fluororesin sheet covering the lower surface of the hot plate 111A1. 111B and an elevator 111C that raises and lowers the seal head 111A.
The sheet 111 </ b> B includes a pair of reels 111 </ b> B <b> 1 that wind up both ends of the sheet 111 </ b> B, and a part that covers the lower surface of the hot plate 111 </ b> A <b> 1 can be renewed by winding the sheet 111 </ b> B from one reel 111 </ b> B <b> 1 to the other reel 111 </ b> B <b> 1.
The elevator 111C includes a slide shaft 111C1 that slidably supports the seal head 111A along the vertical vertical direction, and an air cylinder 111C2 that slides the seal head 111A along the slide shaft 111C1 to move up and down.

The push-up mechanism 112 includes a plurality of pins 112A provided to correspond to the bushes MP13 of the main pallet MP, a pin plate 112B that supports the plurality of pins 112A, and an elevator 112C that lifts and lowers the pin plate 112B. ing.
The elevator 112C includes a slide shaft 112C1 that slidably supports the pin plate 112B along the vertical vertical direction, and an air cylinder 112C2 that slides the pin plate 112B along the slide shaft 112C1 to move up and down.
Hereinafter, the function of the sealing device 11 will be described in detail.

First, the sealing device 11 raises the seal head 111A by the elevator 111C and lowers the pin plate 112B by the elevator 112C to be in an initial state (not shown).
Thereafter, the main pallet MP is transported by the main conveyor 2 so as to be arranged vertically above the pin plate 112B.

Next, the sealing device 11 lowers the sealing head 111 </ b> A with the elevator 111 </ b> C, thereby positioning the hot plate 111 </ b> A <b> 1 in the vicinity of the cut film CF transferred to the main pallet MP with the film transfer device 10.
Then, the sealing device 11 causes the opening of the container C1 and the hot plate 111A1 to closely contact each other via the lid member C2 by raising the pin plate 112B by the elevator 112C. Thus, the sealing device 11 seals and bonds the lid material C2 to the opening of the container C1. Specifically, the sealing device 11 seals the lid C2 at the opening of the container C1 by melting the heat-meltable adhesive applied to the lower surface of the cut film CF at the high temperature of the hot plate 111A1. And glue.

FIG. 42 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which the hot plate and the opening of the container are brought into close contact with each other via a lid member.
As shown in FIG. 42, the pin plate 112B is formed so as to penetrate the pin plate 112B, and includes a plurality of holding holes 112B1 for storing and holding each pin 112A therein, and the inside of each holding hole 112B1. And a plurality of springs 112B2 for urging the pin 112A toward the upper surface side of the pin plate 112B.
Each pin 112A has a top surface having the same shape as the bottom surface of each bushing MP13 of the main pallet MP.

  Therefore, the sealing device 11 can push up each bushing MP13 by bringing each pin 112A into contact with each bushing MP13 of the main pallet MP by raising the pin plate 112B with the elevator 112C. In other words, the sealing device 11 pushes up only the bush MP13 by the push-up mechanism 112 to push up the container C1 toward the hot plate 111A1, so that the main pallet MP is directly heated by the hot plate 111A1. There is nothing, and the alteration and deformation of the main pallet MP can be suppressed.

  Further, since each pin 112A is biased toward the upper surface side of the pin plate 112B by a plurality of springs 112B2, a dimensional error of the main pallet MP including each bush MP13 and the container C1 causes each bush MP13 to be urged. Can be absorbed when pushed up. In other words, the container C1 is pushed down by the hot plate 111A1, the force that urges the bush MP13 toward the upper surface of the main pallet MP by the spring MP12A, and the spring 112B2 is applied toward the upper surface of the pin plate 112B. By generating the urging force, it is possible to absorb the dimensional error of the main pallet MP including the bushings MP13 and the container C1. Therefore, the sealing device 11 can equalize the pressure for bringing the hot plate 111A1 and the opening of the container C1 into close contact with each other via the lid member C2.

  Thereafter, the seal device 11 raises the seal head 111A with the elevator 111C and lowers the pin plate 112B with the elevator 112C to make it the initial state again (not shown).

[Film separator]
FIG. 43 is a side view of the film separating apparatus. Specifically, FIG. 43 is a view of the film separating apparatus 12 as viewed from the + X-axis direction side. FIG. 44 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a scrap holding table constituting the film separating apparatus.
As shown in FIG. 43, the film separating apparatus 12 separates the cover material C2 sealed by the sealing apparatus 11 from the cut film CF, and separates and collects a separation / recovery mechanism 121 that collects the remaining film other than the cover material C2. And a moving mechanism 122 that moves the recovery mechanism 121 in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 44, the film separating apparatus 12 includes a scrap holding base 123 that holds the remaining film (scrap) other than the cover material C2 recovered by the separation / recovery mechanism 121.

  As shown in FIG. 43, the separation / recovery mechanism 121 has a suction plate 124 for sucking and holding the scrap SC (see FIG. 36) after separating the lid C2 sealed by the sealing device 11 from the cut film CF. , And a pin unit 125 provided vertically above the suction plate 124.

The suction plate 124 has an appropriate distance to a plurality of through holes 124A provided so as to correspond to the respective cover materials C2 formed on the cut film CF, and a portion of the suction plate 124 where each through hole 124A is not formed. And a plurality of suction cups 124B attached to each other.
The pin unit 125 is provided so as to correspond to each of the lid materials C2 formed on the cut film CF, and a plurality of pins 125A formed to have an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole 124A of the suction plate 124. And a pin plate 125B that supports the plurality of pins 125A, and an air cylinder 125C (arrow A in the drawing) that moves the pin plate 125B up and down relative to the suction plate 124. The length of each pin 125A is set so that the tip thereof is positioned below each suction cup 124B when the pin plate 125B is lowered with respect to the suction plate 124 by the air cylinder 125C.

  The moving mechanism 122 includes a lift cylinder 122A (arrow B in the figure) that moves the separation and recovery mechanism 121 in the vertical direction, and a vertical movement of the main conveyor 2 and a scrap holding table by moving the separation and recovery mechanism 121 in the horizontal direction. And a rodless cylinder 122B (arrow C in the figure) that travels vertically above 123.

As shown in FIG. 44, the scrap holding table 123 includes two poles 123A that protrude upward in the vertical direction. The scrap holding base 123 holds the scrap SC by inserting the poles 123A into the holes SC1 formed in the scrap SC by separating the lid C2 from the cut film CF by the separation and recovery mechanism 121.
Hereinafter, the function of the film separating apparatus 12 will be described in detail with the state of the film separating apparatus 12 shown in FIG. 43 as an initial state.

First, the film separating apparatus 12 is moved in the horizontal direction by the moving mechanism 122 to move the separating and collecting mechanism 121 vertically above the main conveyor 2 to be in an initial state. In this initial state, the film separating apparatus 12 raises the pin plate 125B with respect to the suction plate 124 by the air cylinder 125C, and moves the separation and recovery mechanism 121 vertically by the moving mechanism 122.
Thereafter, the main pallet MP is transported by the main conveyor 2, and is disposed vertically below the separation and recovery mechanism 121.

Next, the film separating apparatus 12 moves the separation and recovery mechanism 121 vertically downward by the lift cylinder 122A, thereby positioning the suction plate 124 in the vicinity of the cut film CF (not shown).
Then, the film separating apparatus 12 lowers the pin plate 125B with respect to the suction plate 124 by the air cylinder 125C, thereby the cut film CF at each pin 125A of the pin plate 125B through the through hole 124A of the suction plate 124. Each lid member C2 formed in the above is pushed down. In other words, each pin 125A pushes down the opening of the container C1 accommodated in the main pallet MP. Thereby, the capsule C accommodated in the main pallet MP is buried in the upper hole portion MP11 and the lower hole portion MP12, and the lid member C2 is completely separated from the cut film CF.

Next, the film separating apparatus 12 starts the suction to each suction cup 124B of the suction plate 124, thereby holding the scrap SC after the cover material C2 is separated from the cut film CF, and then pinning it with the air cylinder 125C. The plate 125B is raised relative to the suction plate 124.
The film separating apparatus 12 moves the separation and recovery mechanism 121 vertically upward by the moving mechanism 122 to separate the scrap SC held by the suction plate 124 from the main pallet MP, and then moves the moving mechanism 122. The separation / recovery mechanism 121 is moved vertically above the scrap holding base 123 by moving it horizontally.

Next, the film separating apparatus 12 stops the suction to each suction cup 124 </ b> B of the suction plate 124, thereby releasing the scrap SC after separating the cover material C <b> 2 from the cut film CF and holding the scrap SC on the scrap holding table 123. .
Thereafter, the film separating apparatus 12 is moved in the horizontal direction by the moving mechanism 122 to move the separation / recovery mechanism 121 vertically above the main conveyor 2 to be in the initial state again.

[Capsule transfer device]
FIG. 45 is a side view of the capsule transfer device. Specifically, FIG. 45 is a diagram of the capsule transfer device 13 viewed from the + X axis direction side.
As shown in FIG. 45, the capsule transfer device 13 takes out the capsule C from the main pallet MP by sucking and holding the capsule C accommodated in the main pallet MP conveyed by the main conveyor 2. A transfer mechanism 131 for transferring to the capsule sorting device 14, a push-up mechanism 132 that is provided below the transfer mechanism 131 and pushes up the capsule C accommodated in the main pallet MP vertically upward, the transfer mechanism 131, and the push-up mechanism A bending mechanism 133 is provided between the mechanisms 132 and bends the ear portion C22 of the lid member C2.

  The transfer mechanism 131 is provided so as to correspond to each of the capsules C accommodated in the main pallet MP, and sucks and holds the capsules C accommodated in the main pallet MP conveyed by the main conveyor 2. A plurality of suction cups 131A, a transfer head 131B that supports the plurality of suction cups 131A, a pusher cylinder 131C that moves the transfer head 131B in the vertical direction, and a transfer head 131B that moves in the horizontal direction A slide table 131 </ b> D that travels vertically above the conveyor 2 and vertically above the capsule sorting device 14 is provided.

The push-up mechanism 132 includes a plurality of push-up pins 132A provided so as to correspond to the through holes 13B1 of the bushing MP13, a plate 132B that supports the plurality of push-up pins 132A, and an elevator 132C that lifts and lowers the plate 132B. ing.
Each push-up pin 132A has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the through-hole 13B1 of the bushing MP13. Therefore, the push-up mechanism 132 raises the plate 132B by the elevator 132C, thereby causing the through-hole of the bushing MP13 to rise. Each push-up pin 132A can be inserted into 13B1.

  The bending mechanism 133 includes a bending plate 133A having a plurality of through holes 133A1 formed so as to correspond to the capsules C accommodated in the main pallet MP, and an elevator 133B that lifts and lowers the bending plate 133A.

FIG. 46 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the through hole of the bending plate.
The through hole 133A1 of the folding plate 133A is formed in a hexagonal shape similar to the opening of the container C1. Further, as shown in FIG. 46, the through-hole 133A1 has an inclined portion 133A2 that increases in diameter toward the capsule C side, and has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the opening of the container C1. Yes.
Hereinafter, the function of the capsule transfer device 13 will be described in detail with the state of the capsule transfer device 13 shown in FIG. 45 as an initial state.

First, the capsule transfer device 13 moves the transfer head 131B vertically upward by the pusher cylinder 131C and horizontally by the slide table 131D, thereby moving the transfer head 131B vertically upward of the main conveyor 2. To the initial state. In this initial state, the capsule transfer device 13 lowers the plate 132B by the elevator 132C and raises the bending plate 133A by the elevator 133B.
Thereafter, the main pallet MP is transported by the main conveyor 2 so as to be arranged vertically below the transfer head 131B.

Next, the capsule transfer device 13 moves the transfer head 131B vertically downward by the pusher cylinder 131C, and lowers the bending plate 133A by the elevator 133B, so that the suction cups 131A of the transfer head 131B and The folding plate 133A is positioned in the vicinity of the main pallet MP.
The capsule transfer device 13 then inserts each push-up pin 132A into the through hole 13B1 of the bushing MP13 by raising the plate 132B by the elevator 132C, and is accommodated in the main pallet MP by each push-up pin 132A. Push each capsule C up.

In addition, the capsule transfer device 13 pushes up each capsule C by the push-up mechanism 132 and simultaneously starts suction by each suction cup 131A, thereby allowing the transfer head 131B to pass through the through hole 133A1 of the bending plate 133A. Each capsule C is held (FIG. 46 arrow A).
Here, since the through-hole 133A1 of the bending plate 133A has an inclined portion 133A2 that increases in diameter toward the capsule C side, each capsule C has an ear portion C22 of the lid member C2 at the inclined portion 133A2. Is passed through the through hole 133A1 of the folding plate 133A.

Next, the capsule transfer device 13 moves the transfer head 131B vertically upward by the pusher cylinder 131C, and then lowers the plate 132B by the elevator 132C. Moreover, the capsule transfer apparatus 13 raises the bending plate 133A by the elevator 133B.
Then, the capsule transfer device 13 moves the transfer head 131B vertically above the capsule sorting device 14 by moving the capsule transfer device 13 in the horizontal direction on the slide table 131D.

Next, after moving the transfer head 131B vertically downward by the pusher cylinder 131C, the capsule transfer device 13 stops the suction to each suction cup 131A, thereby releasing each capsule C and the capsule sorting device. 14 is transferred.
Thereafter, the capsule transfer device 13 moves the transfer head 131B vertically upward by the pusher cylinder 131C and horizontally by the slide table 131D, thereby moving the transfer head 131B vertically upward of the main conveyor 2. To the initial state again.

[Capsule sorting equipment]
FIG. 47 is a top view of the capsule sorting apparatus.
As shown in FIG. 47, the capsule sorting device 14 divides the capsule C as the object transferred by the capsule transfer device 13 and conveys it, and the capsule dividing conveyor 141 in the conveying direction of the capsule dividing conveyor 141 A case transport conveyor 142 that is provided on the downstream side (lower side of the paper) and transports a case CS for storing capsules C, and a capsule shooter 143 provided between the capsule dividing conveyor 141 and the case transport conveyor 142 I have. The capsule sorting device 14 sorts the capsules C transferred by the capsule transfer device 13 into predetermined cases and stores them in the case CS. Specifically, the capsule sorting device 14 sorts the capsules C every 30 and stores them in the case CS.

FIG. 48 is a perspective view showing a capsule and a case.
As shown in FIG. 48, the case CS has a storage portion CS1 formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having an elliptical cross section, an elliptical lid portion CS2 that closes the opening of the storage portion CS1, and the storage portion CS1. And a hinge portion CS3 for connecting the lid portion CS2 so as to be freely opened and closed. As described above, the case CS is formed in a size that can accommodate the 30 capsules C and close the lid CS2.

  As shown in FIG. 47, the capsule dividing conveyor 141 places the capsule C and conveys the capsule C along a predetermined conveying direction (downward in the drawing), along the conveying direction. It includes five guide rails 141B1 to 141B5 provided and a photoelectric sensor 141C provided on the downstream side of the conveyance path 141A.

The guide rails 141B1 to 141B4 are provided at equal intervals so as to divide the capsule C transferred by the capsule transfer device 13 into every three rows. The guide rail 141B5 is provided so as to divide the remaining one row of the capsules C transferred by the capsule transfer device 13 with respect to the guide rail 141B4. Therefore, the capsule dividing conveyor 141 is divided into 15 groups and 5 groups by dividing 50 capsules C corresponding to one sheet of the main pallet MP by the guide rails 141B1 to 141B5. Can be transported. In other words, in the present embodiment, the capsule dividing conveyor 141 divides one unit of capsule C (50 capsules C corresponding to one sheet of the main pallet MP), thereby dividing the first group (15 pieces). ) And the second group (5 groups) having a different number from the first group.
Note that the number of capsules C per unit, the number of capsules in the first group and the second group, and the number of capsules C stored in the case CS may be different from those in the present embodiment.

  The photoelectric sensor 141C detects 50 capsules C corresponding to one main pallet MP by detecting the capsules C in the first row among the capsules C transferred by the capsule transfer device 13. Is detected. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the photoelectric sensor 141C functions as a detection unit that detects whether or not one unit of capsule C has been conveyed.

FIG. 49 is a top view of the case transport conveyor.
As shown in FIGS. 47 and 49, the case transporting conveyor 142 places the case CS and transports the case CS along a predetermined transporting direction (left direction in the drawing) and the second conveyor 144 and the second conveyor. 145. Here, the first conveyor 144 and the second conveyor 145 are arranged vertically below the capsule dividing conveyor 141 at a predetermined interval, and along the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the capsule dividing conveyor 141. It is arranged to carry the CS.

The first conveyor 144 mounts the case CS, transports the case CS along a predetermined transport direction, and a stopper 144B as a stationary unit that stops the case CS at a predetermined position on the transport path 144A. And case vibration means 144C for vibrating the conveyance path 144A.
The stopper 144B is attached to the conveyance path 144A so as to protrude and retract. Since the stopper 144B protrudes with respect to the transport path 144A, the stopper 144B comes into contact with the case CS transported by the first conveyor 144. Therefore, the case 144 is placed at a predetermined position on the transport path 144A against the movement of the transport path 144A. CS can be stationary. Further, the stopper 144B is separated from the case CS being transported by the first conveyor 144 by being immersed in the transport path 144A, so that the case CS can be transported by the first conveyor 144.
In the present embodiment, the first conveyor 144 includes a stopper 144B that stops the case CS at a predetermined position of the transport path 144A. For example, the first conveyor 144 may be stopped by another method such as stopping the transport path 144A. The case CS may be stationary at a predetermined position. FIG. 49 shows a state in which the stopper 144B protrudes from the transport path 144A.

The second conveyor 145 mounts the case CS, transports the case CS along a predetermined transport direction, and a stopper 145B as a stationary unit that stops the case CS at a predetermined position in the transport path 145A. And case vibration means 145C for vibrating the conveyance path 145A.
The stopper 145B is mounted so as to protrude and retract with respect to the transport path 145A. Since this stopper 145B protrudes with respect to the conveyance path 145A, the stopper 145B comes into contact with the case CS being conveyed by the second conveyor 145. CS can be stationary. Moreover, since the stopper 145B is separated from the case CS being transported by the second conveyor 145 by being immersed in the transport path 145A, the case CS can be transported by the second conveyor 145.
In the present embodiment, the second conveyor 145 includes a stopper 145B that stops the case CS at a predetermined position of the transport path 145A. However, for example, by other methods such as stopping the transport path 145A, The case CS may be stationary at a predetermined position. FIG. 49 shows a state in which the stopper 145B protrudes from the transport path 145A.

FIG. 50 is a diagram illustrating a case transport conveyor and a capsule shooter. Specifically, FIG. 50 is a view of the case transport conveyor 142 and the capsule shooter 143 as seen from the −Y axis direction side.
As shown in FIGS. 47 and 50, the capsule shooter 143 includes a plurality of cylindrical portions 143A provided corresponding to the groups conveyed by the capsule dividing conveyor 141, the capsule dividing conveyor 141, It is provided between the cylindrical portion 143A, and is provided on the inclined portion 143B and the inclined portion 143B which are inclined downward in the vertical direction toward the respective cylindrical portions 143A, and is conveyed by the capsule dividing conveyor 141. 143C which guides each group to each cylindrical part 143A is provided.

  Each cylindrical portion 143A is reduced in diameter as it approaches the case CS, and the size of the opening on the case CS side is set smaller than the opening of the case CS. Each cylindrical portion 143A includes three cylindrical portions 143A1 provided corresponding to each of the first group conveyed by the capsule dividing conveyor 141, and the second cylindrical portion 143A conveyed by the capsule dividing conveyor 141. And one cylindrical portion 143A2 provided corresponding to the group.

Each tubular portion 143A1 is disposed vertically above the conveyance path 144A of the first conveyor 144. Moreover, each cylindrical part 143A1 is arrange | positioned adjacently along the conveyance direction of the 1st conveyor 144, and respond | corresponds with three cases CS stopped by the stopper 144B of the 1st conveyor 144. (See FIG. 49). Further, the opening on the case CS side of each cylindrical portion 143A1 and the opening of the case CS are arranged with an interval smaller than the size of the capsule C. Here, in FIG. 49, the opening of each cylindrical portion 143A1 is indicated by a two-dot chain line.
In the present embodiment, the opening on the case CS side of each cylindrical portion 143A1 and the opening of the case CS are arranged with an interval smaller than the size of the capsule C. It may be arranged apart.

  Therefore, the first group conveyed by the capsule dividing conveyor 141 falls so as to slide on the inclined portion 143B of the capsule shooter 143, and is guided to each cylindrical portion 143A1 by the guide portion 143C, and then the case CS Is dropped and stored in the case CS placed on the conveyance path 144A of the first conveyor 144 through the opening of each cylindrical portion 143A1 set to a size smaller than the opening of the first conveyor 144. In other words, in this embodiment, the 1st conveyor 144 functions as a 1st conveyance means which conveys case CS which accommodates the 1st group among each group conveyed with the capsule division conveyor 141. FIG.

The cylindrical portion 143A2 is disposed vertically above the conveyance path 145A of the second conveyor 145. Moreover, cylindrical part 143A2 is arrange | positioned in the position corresponding to case CS stopped by the stopper 145B of the 2nd conveyor 145 (refer FIG. 49). Further, the opening on the case CS side of the cylindrical portion 143A2 and the opening of the case CS are arranged with an interval smaller than the size of the capsule C. Here, in FIG. 49, opening of cylindrical part 143A2 is shown with the dashed-two dotted line.
In the present embodiment, the opening on the case CS side of the cylindrical portion 143A2 and the opening of the case CS are arranged with an interval smaller than the size of the capsule C, but with an interval larger than this. May be arranged.

  Therefore, the second group transported by the capsule dividing conveyor 141 falls so as to slide on the inclined portion 143B of the capsule shooter 143, and is guided to the cylindrical portion 143A2 by the guide portion 143C. It is dropped and stored in the case CS placed on the transport path 145A of the second conveyor 145 through the opening of the cylindrical portion 143A2 set to a size smaller than the opening. In other words, in this embodiment, the 2nd conveyor 145 functions as a 2nd conveyance means which conveys case CS which accommodates the 2nd group among each group conveyed with the capsule division | segmentation conveyor 141. FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the capsule sorting device 14 includes the first conveyor 144 as the first conveying means and the second conveyor 145 as the second conveying means, but the first conveying means and the second conveyor 145 are each included. You may comprise a conveyance means with the same conveyor. Specifically, for example, the first transport unit and the second transport unit may be configured by dividing the transport path of one conveyor into two lanes and transporting the case in each lane. In this case, for example, a stopper having the same function as the stoppers 144B and 145B in the present embodiment may be provided in each lane so that the case transported in each lane is stopped at a predetermined position. In short, it is sufficient that the first transport unit and the second transport unit can transport the case storing the first group and the second group.

The capsule shooter 143 functions as guide means for guiding each group conveyed by the capsule dividing conveyor 141 to the case CS conveyed by the first conveyor 144 and the second conveyor 145.
In this embodiment, the capsule sorting device 14 includes the capsule shooter 143, but the guide means may have a different configuration. In short, the guiding means is provided between the divided conveying means and the first conveying means and the second conveying means, and each group conveyed by the divided conveying means is used by the first conveying means and the second conveying means. What is necessary is just to be able to guide to the case conveyed. Further, the sorting apparatus may not include the guiding means.

FIG. 51 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the capsule sorting apparatus.
As shown in FIG. 51, the capsule sorting device 14 includes sorting control means 146 for controlling the entire capsule sorting device 14, in addition to the capsule dividing conveyor 141, the case transporting conveyor 142, and the capsule shooter 143 described above. .
The sorting control unit 146 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and the like, and executes information processing according to a predetermined program stored in the memory. The sorting control unit 146 includes a first storage determination unit 146A, a second storage determination unit 146B, a carry-out execution unit 146C, and a vibration execution unit 146D.

The first storage determination unit 146A determines whether or not 30 capsules C are stored in the case CS conveyed by the first conveyor 144. Specifically, the first storage determination unit 146A counts the number of times that the photoelectric sensor 141C detects that one unit (50 pieces) of the capsule C has been conveyed, and determines whether or not the number is two times. Thus, it is determined whether or not 30 capsules C are accommodated in the case CS.
The second storage determination unit 146B determines whether or not 30 capsules C are stored in the case CS transported by the second conveyor 145. Specifically, the second storage determination unit 146B counts the number of times that the photoelectric sensor 141C has detected that one unit (50 pieces) of the capsule C has been conveyed, and determines whether or not the number is six times. Thus, it is determined whether or not 30 capsules C are accommodated in the case CS.

  In the present embodiment, the first storage determination unit 146A and the second storage determination unit 146B count the number of times the photoelectric sensor 141C detects that one unit (50) of capsules C has been conveyed, It is determined whether or not 30 capsules C are accommodated in the case CS. For example, the capsules 30 and 30 capsules are measured by other methods such as measuring the total weight of the capsule C and the case CS. It may be determined whether or not C is stored. In short, the first storage determination unit only needs to be able to determine whether or not a predetermined number of capsules have been stored in the case transported by the first transport unit. It is sufficient if it is possible to determine whether or not a predetermined number of capsules are accommodated in the case transported by.

The carry-out execution unit 146C causes the first conveyor 144 to carry out the case CS when the first storage determination unit 146A determines that 30 capsules C have been stored in the case CS, and the second storage determination unit 146B. When it is determined that 30 capsules C are stored in the case CS, the case CS is carried out to the second conveyor 145.
When the vibration executing unit 146D detects that one unit (50 pieces) of the capsule C is conveyed by the photoelectric sensor 141C, the vibration executing unit 146D vibrates the conveyance path 144A in the case vibration means 144C and the conveyance path in the case vibration means 145C. 145A is vibrated.
Hereinafter, the function of the capsule sorting device 14 will be described in detail with the capsule sorting device 14 shown in FIG. 49 in the initial state.

FIG. 52 is a flowchart of the capsule sorting process.
When the capsule sorting apparatus 14 sorts the capsules C into a predetermined number and stores them in the case CS, the sorting control unit 146 performs steps according to a predetermined program stored in the memory, as shown in FIG. S21 to S26 are executed.
Details of steps S21 to S26 will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  First, as shown in FIG. 49, the capsule sorting device 14 causes the stopper 144B to protrude with respect to the transport path 144A, thereby stopping the case CS at a predetermined position in the transport path 144A and moving the stopper 145B to the transport path 145A. , The case CS is stopped at a predetermined position on the transport path 145A to be in an initial state. In this initial state, each group conveyed by the capsule dividing conveyor 141 falls so as to slide on the inclined portion 143B of the capsule shooter 143, and is guided to each cylindrical portion 143A by the guide portion 143C. The case CS is dropped and stored in the case CS placed on the transport path 144A of the first conveyor 144 and the case CS placed on the transport path 145A of the second conveyor 145.

  Next, the first storage determination unit 146A determines whether or not 30 capsules C are stored in the case CS conveyed by the first conveyor 144 (S21: first storage determination step). In other words, the first storage determination unit 146A determines whether or not the case CS can be carried out by the first conveyor 144.

FIG. 53 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the first storage determination unit determines that the capsule is stored in the case.
When the carry-out execution unit 146C determines that 30 capsules C have been stored in the case CS by the first storage determination unit 146A, as shown in FIG. 53, the carry-out execution unit 146C immerses the stopper 144B into the transport path 144A. Thus, the case CS is unloaded to the first conveyor 144 (S22: first conveyor unloading execution step). In other words, the carry-out execution unit 146C transports one unit of capsule C twice on the capsule dividing conveyor 141 (conveys 15 first groups twice and stores 30 capsules C in the case) The case CS is carried out to the first conveyor 144. Further, the unloading execution unit 146C unloads the three cases CS containing the 30 capsules C through the openings of the respective cylindrical portions 143A1, and then causes the stopper 144B to protrude with respect to the conveying path 144A. The case CS is newly stopped at a predetermined position on the path 144A.

  The second storage determination unit 146B determines that the 30 capsules C are not stored in the case CS in the first storage determination step S21, or after executing the first conveyor unloading execution step S22. It is determined whether or not 30 capsules C are stored in the case CS conveyed at 145 (S23: second storage determination step). In other words, the second storage determination unit 146B determines whether or not the case CS can be carried out by the second conveyor 145.

FIG. 54 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the second storage determining unit determines that the capsule is stored in the case.
When the second storage determining unit 146B determines that 30 capsules C have been stored in the case CS, the unloading execution unit 146C causes the stopper 145B to be immersed in the transport path 145A as illustrated in FIG. Thus, the case CS is carried out to the second conveyor 145 (S24: second conveyor carry-out execution step). In other words, the carry-out execution unit 146C conveys one unit of capsule C six times on the capsule dividing conveyor 141 (conveys five second groups six times and stores 30 capsules C in the case) The case CS is carried out to the second conveyor 145. Moreover, after carrying out case CS which accommodated 30 capsules C through the opening of each cylindrical part 143A2, the carry-out execution part 146C makes the stopper 145B protrude from the conveyance path 145A, thereby conveying the path 145A. The case CS is newly stopped at a predetermined position.

  As described above, the carry-out execution unit 146C causes the first conveyor 144 to carry out the case CS when the capsule dividing conveyor 141 transports one unit of capsule C twice. At the same time, the case CS is also carried out to the first conveyor 144.

  When it is determined in the second storage determination step S23 that the 30 capsules C are not stored in the case CS, or after the second conveyor carry-out execution step S24 is executed, the vibration execution unit 146D uses the photoelectric sensor 141C. It is determined whether it is detected that one unit (50 pieces) of capsules C has been conveyed (S25: capsule detection step). When the vibration execution unit 146D determines that the photoelectric sensor 141C has detected that one unit (50 pieces) of capsules C has been conveyed, the vibration execution unit 146D causes the case vibration means 144C to vibrate the conveyance path 144A and the case vibration. The conveying path 145A is vibrated by the means 145C. In other words, the vibration execution unit 146D transports one unit of capsule C by the capsule dividing conveyor 141, and the case CS is transported by the first conveyor 144 and the second conveyor 145 each time they are stored in the case CS. Are vibrated together with the transport paths 144A and 145A by the case vibration means 144C and 145C.

  In the present embodiment, the vibration execution unit 146D vibrates the conveyance path 144A to the case vibration unit 144C when it is determined that the photoelectric sensor 141C has detected that one unit (50 pieces) of the capsule C has been conveyed. At the same time, the conveying path 145A was vibrated by the case vibrating means 145C. On the other hand, the vibration execution unit may cause the case vibration means to vibrate the conveyance path when different from this. Moreover, in this embodiment, although the 1st conveyor 144 and the 2nd conveyor 145 were provided with the case vibration means 144C and 145C which vibrate the conveyance paths 144A and 145A, it does not need to be provided with this.

Thereafter, the sorting control unit 146 executes Step S21 described above again, thereby repeatedly executing Steps S21 to S26, and sorts the capsules C into a predetermined number and stores them in the case CS.
The sorting control unit 146 stops the repetition of steps S21 to S26 described above when a stop button (not shown) provided in the capsule sorting device 14 is pressed. In addition, the sorting control unit 146 returns the stoppers 144B and 145B to the initial state when a reset button (not shown) provided in the capsule sorting device 14 is pressed.

According to the present embodiment as described above, the following operations and effects can be achieved.
(1) Since the capsule manufacturing apparatus 1 includes the capsule sorting device 14 that sorts a predetermined number of capsules C and stores them in the case CS, a number different from one unit is stored in the case CS. Even so, the capsules C can be sorted without relying on human hands. Therefore, the capsule manufacturing apparatus 1 can intermittently manufacture a plurality of capsules C as a unit, and can improve manufacturing efficiency.

(2) Since the capsule sorting device 14 includes the capsule dividing conveyor 141 that divides and conveys one unit of capsule C into a first group and a second group having a different number from the first group, The fifteen first groups can be divided into three and the five second groups can be divided into one. Further, the capsule sorting device 14 causes the first conveyor 144 to carry out the case CS when the first storage determining unit 146A determines that 30 capsules C are stored in the case CS, and the second storage determining unit 146B. When the case CS determines that 30 capsules C are stored in the case CS, the second conveyor 145 includes a carry-out execution unit 146C that carries out the case CS. Therefore, the carry-out execution unit 146C transports one unit of capsule C twice on the capsule dividing conveyor 141 (conveys 15 first groups twice and stores 30 capsules C in the case CS. Case) can be carried out to the first conveyor 144. In addition, the carry-out execution unit 146C transports one unit of capsule C six times on the capsule dividing conveyor 141 (conveys five second groups six times and stores 30 capsules C in the case CS. The case CS can be carried out to the second conveyor 145. In this way, the carry-out execution unit 146C can carry out the case CS independently to the first conveyor 144 and the second conveyor 145, respectively, and therefore precedes the case CS that has not yet accommodated 30 capsules C. A case CS containing 30 capsules C can be carried out. Therefore, the capsule manufacturing apparatus 1 can efficiently sort the capsules C without relying on human hands even when a number different from one unit is collectively stored in the case CS.

(3) The first conveyor 144 and the second conveyor 145 can stop the case CS at a predetermined position without stopping the movement of the transport paths 144A and 145A by the stoppers 144B and 145B. The structure of 144 and the 2nd conveyor 145 can be simplified.
(4) The first storage determination unit 146A and the second storage determination unit 146B count 30 capsules C in the case CS by counting the number of times the photoelectric sensor 141C detects that one unit of capsule C has been conveyed. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether the capsule sorting apparatus 14 has a structure.

(5) Each group conveyed by the capsule dividing conveyor 141 falls so as to slide on the inclined portion 143B of the capsule shooter 143, and is guided to each cylindrical portion 143A by the guide portion 143C. From the opening of each cylindrical part 143A set to a size smaller than the opening, it is dropped into the case CS and stored. Therefore, the capsule sorting device 14 can sort one unit of capsules C every 30 and store them securely in the case.
(6) Since the opening of the cylindrical portion 143A on the case CS side and the opening of the case CS are arranged with an interval smaller than the size of the capsule C, the capsule C does not spill out. It is stored in. Therefore, the capsule sorting device 14 can sort one unit of capsules C every 30 and securely store them in the case CS. In addition, since the opening on the case CS side of the cylindrical portion 143A and the opening of the case CS are arranged with an interval smaller than the size of the capsule C, the first conveyor 144 and the second conveyor 145 are The case CS can be carried out without contacting the opening on the case CS side of the cylindrical portion 143A and the opening of the case CS.

(7) Since the case CS transported by the first conveyor 144 and the second conveyor 145 vibrates together with the transport paths 144A and 145A by the case vibration means 144C and 145C, the plurality of capsules C stored in the case CS are Can be leveled. Therefore, the capsule sorting device 14 can efficiently store a plurality of capsules C in the case CS.
(8) The vibration executing unit 146D vibrates the transport paths 144A and 145A in the case vibration means 144C and 145C when it detects that the photoelectric sensor 141C transports one unit of the capsule C. Therefore, the capsule dividing conveyor 141 The unit CS is transported by the first vibration 144 and the second conveyor 145 each time the capsule C is transported in the case CS, and the transport paths 144A and 145A are transported by the case vibration means 144C and 145C. The plurality of capsules C stored in the case CS can be leveled. Therefore, the capsule sorting apparatus 14 can store the plurality of capsules C in the case CS more efficiently.

(9) The storage tank 621 stores the powder P inside when the powder P injected into the input tank 622 falls through the hole 622B1 and the protrusion 622B2. The granular material P reduced by filling is always replenished to the storage tank 621 when the granular material P charged into the charging tank 622 falls through the hole 622B1 and the protrusion 622B2. . Therefore, the powder filling device 6 can always keep the bulk of the powder P stored in the storage tank 621 constant, so that the filling pressure of the powder P can be made constant. A certain amount of the granular material P can be filled in the measuring hole 661A.
(10) The powder filling device 6 adjusts the protruding amount of the protrusion 622B2, thereby adjusting the depth of the storage tank 621 without adjusting the depth of the storage tank 621. Since the bulkiness can be adjusted, the filling pressure of the granular material P can be easily adjusted.

(11) The horizontal position where the granular material P charged into the charging tank 622 falls into the storage tank 621 is different from the horizontal position where the granular material P is filled in the measuring hole 661A in the storage tank 621. When filling the measurement hole 661 </ b> A with the body P, it becomes difficult to receive disturbance caused by the powder P put into the charging tank 622 falling into the storage tank 621. Therefore, the powder filling device 6 can reliably make the filling pressure of the powder P constant, and can reliably fill a certain amount of the powder P into the measuring hole 661A.
(12) The advancing / retreating mechanism 63 swings the filling hopper 62 when dropping the granular material P from the storage tank 621 to fill the measuring hole 661A, so that the granular material P charged into the charging tank 622 falls. By doing so, the granular material P replenished to the storage tank 621 can be leveled. Therefore, the powder filling device 6 can reliably make the filling pressure of the powder P constant, and can reliably fill a certain amount of the powder P into the measuring hole 661A.

(13) The container supply device 3 includes a container control unit 37, which is held by the container hopper 33 when the dummy pallet DP is vibrated by the small electromagnetic feeder 32. Since the plurality of containers C1 are dropped toward the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP, the plurality of containers C1 that have dropped onto the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP roll into the respective housing portions DP1 of the dummy pallet DP while rolling due to the vibration of the dummy pallet DP. It will go in. Therefore, the container supply device 3 can automatically supply the plurality of containers C1 to the dummy pallet DP, and can improve the manufacturing efficiency.
(14) The container supply device 3 supplies the container C1 to the dummy pallet DP by dropping the plurality of containers C1 held by the container hopper 33 toward the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP. Is not gripped by the operator's hand or the container C1 is not sucked. Therefore, since the container supply apparatus 3 can suppress that the container C1 is soiled or deformed, it is possible to improve the yield and thus improve the manufacturing efficiency.

(15) The container control means 37 moves the container hopper 33 with the rail member 331 and the slider 332 along the direction in which the respective accommodating portions DP1 of the dummy pallet DP are arranged. Since the plurality of containers C1 held by the container are dropped toward the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP, the position at which the containers C1 are dropped can be moved along the direction in which the plurality of storage portions DP1 are arranged. In other words, since the container supply device 3 can drop the container C1 in the vicinity of each accommodating part DP1 of the dummy pallet DP, the container C1 can easily enter the accommodating part DP1 of the dummy pallet DP. Manufacturing efficiency can be further improved.

(16) Since the container hopper 33 includes the guide member 334 that guides the container C1 to drop toward the center of the housing part DP1 of the dummy pallet DP, the container C1 is provided in each housing part DP1 of the dummy pallet DP. Can be made easier to enter, and the production efficiency can be further improved.
(17) The guide member 334 is formed in a rail shape that is inclined so as to descend from the base end portion attached to the main body portion 333 toward the tip end portion on the dummy pallet DP side, and the housing portion for the dummy pallet DP Since the container C1 can be guided to drop toward the center of the housing portion DP1 of the dummy pallet DP by a simple configuration having the groove portion 334A1 that guides the container C1 by sliding toward the center of the DP1, the container supply The apparatus 3 can be configured at low cost.

(18) The container C1 has a flange C12 at the top, and the distance between the pair of protruding pieces 334A2 provided on the guide member 334 is wider than the outer diameter of the body C11 of the container C1, and the outside of the flange C12 of the container C1. Since it is narrower than the diameter, when the groove 334A1 of the guide member 334 is slid into the pair of protruding pieces 334A2, the body C11 of the container C1 protrudes below the pair of protruding pieces 334A2, and the flange C12 of the container C1 The protrusion piece 334A2 is caught and remains. In other words, when the container supply device 3 drops the plurality of containers C1 held by the container hopper 33 toward the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP, the container supply device 3 positions the top portion vertically upward and the bottom portion vertically downward. The container C1 can be taken and dropped in a certain posture located on the side. Therefore, the container supply device 3 can further make it easier for the container C1 to enter the accommodating portions DP1 of the dummy pallet DP, and can further improve the manufacturing efficiency.

(19) Since the interval between the pair of protruding pieces 334A2 provided on the guide member 334 gradually increases as the container C1 slides, the container C1 can be made to take a certain posture. Therefore, the container supply device 3 can further make it easier for the container C1 to enter the accommodating portions DP1 of the dummy pallet DP, and can further improve the manufacturing efficiency.
(20) Since the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP is subjected to a surface treatment for smoothing the surface, the plurality of containers C1 that have dropped on the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP roll due to the vibration of the dummy pallet DP. It becomes easy. Therefore, the container supply device 3 can further make it easier for the container C1 to enter the accommodating portions DP1 of the dummy pallet DP, and can further improve the manufacturing efficiency.

(21) Since the container supply device 3 includes the pusher 362, the process of setting the dummy pallet DPw for placement this time by pushing the dummy pallet DPw for standby to the placement position of the dummy pallet DP, and the previous time The step of pushing out the dummy pallet DP (n−1) for placement from the placement position of the dummy pallet DP can be executed in one step.
(22) Since the container supply device 3 includes the puller 363, the previous placement dummy pallet DP (n-1) pushed out by the pusher 362 is further pulled out from the placement position of the dummy pallet DP by the puller 363. be able to. Therefore, the container supply device 3 can open a space with the puller 363 between the current placement dummy pallet DP (n) and the previous placement dummy pallet DP (n−1). Even when the current placement dummy pallet DP (n) is vibrated by the feeder 32, the vibration is transmitted to the previous placement dummy pallet DP (n-1), the downstream pallet conveyor 364, and the like. There is no end to it.

(23) The puller 363 is provided so as to be able to protrude and retract with respect to the mounting surface of the dummy pallet DP, and includes a pin 363B provided to be movable back and forth along the pull-out direction of the dummy pallet DP. A simple configuration in which the dummy pallet DP is further pulled out from the arrangement position of the dummy pallet DP by inserting the pin 363B into the hole DP2 formed in the lower surface of the dummy pallet DP and then sliding it along the pull-out direction of the dummy pallet DP. By this, the dummy pallet DP can be further pulled out from the arrangement position of the dummy pallet DP, so that the container supply device 3 can be configured at low cost.

(24) The container supply device 3 includes a container storage tank 34, a container transporting unit 35, a container hopper 33, and a dropping unit, and circulates and reuses a plurality of containers C1. Of the plurality of containers C1 that have fallen on the upper surface, the container C1 that has not entered the housing part DP1 of the dummy pallet DP repeatedly falls on the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP, and eventually enters the housing part DP1 of the dummy pallet DP. Will be going. Therefore, the container supply device 3 can automatically supply the plurality of containers C1 to the dummy pallet DP, and can improve the manufacturing efficiency.

(25) Since the container transport means 35 causes the container hopper 33 to hold a certain amount of the plurality of containers C1 in one cycle of circulating the plurality of containers C1, each container DP1 of the dummy pallet DP at a certain ratio. The container C1 can be inserted into the container.
(26) Since the container control means 37 includes a container loading unit 371A and a loading stop unit 371B, the interior of the bucket 351A is opened and closed by opening and closing the shutter 353 in cooperation with the bucket 351A and the belt conveyor 352. A fixed amount of a plurality of containers C1 can be charged. And since the container control means 37 is provided with the container moving part 371C, it can move the some container C1 thrown into the inside of the bucket 351A to the container hopper 33. Therefore, the container transport means 35 can hold a certain amount of the plurality of containers C1 in the container hopper 33 with a simple configuration.

(27) Since the belt conveyor 352 has an inlet 352A having a predetermined area for introducing the plurality of containers C1 stored in the container storage tank 34, the amount of the containers C1 per unit time charged into the bucket 351A is determined. Can be constant. The charging stop unit 371B closes the shutter 353 when a predetermined time has elapsed after the sensor 351A1 detects that the plurality of containers C1 have contacted the floor of the bucket 351A. The shutter 353 can be closed when a predetermined amount of the plurality of containers C1 is charged therein. Therefore, the container transport means 35 can hold a certain amount of the plurality of containers C1 in the container hopper 33 with a simple configuration.

(28) Since the container control means 37 vibrates the shutter main body 353A with the vibrator 353C when closing the shutter 353, the plurality of containers C1 conveyed by the belt conveyor 352 are sandwiched between the shutter main bodies 353A. Can be suppressed. Therefore, since the container supply apparatus 3 can suppress that the container C1 is deformed, the yield can be improved, and the manufacturing efficiency can be improved.
(29) Since the container control means 37 causes the compressor 354 to discharge air when the shutter 353 is closed, a plurality of containers C1 conveyed by the belt conveyor 352 are sandwiched by the shutter main body 353A. Can be suppressed. Therefore, since the container supply apparatus 3 can suppress that the container C1 is deformed, the yield can be improved, and the manufacturing efficiency can be improved.

(30) Since the placement table 31 tilts the dummy pallet DP so as to descend toward the container storage tank 34 side, the housing part for the dummy pallet DP among the plurality of containers C1 dropped on the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP. The container C1 that has not entered DP1 will fall freely into the container storage tank. Therefore, the arrangement table 31 can drop the plurality of containers C1 into the container storage tank 34 with a simple configuration.
(31) Since the compressor 331A discharges air to the container storage tank 34 side along the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP, among the plurality of containers C1 falling on the upper surface of the dummy pallet DP, the compressor 331A The container C <b> 1 that has not entered is blown away and falls into the container storage tank 34. Therefore, the container supply device 3 can drop the plurality of containers C1 into the container storage tank 34 with a simple configuration.

[Modification of Embodiment]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications, improvements, and the like within a scope in which the object of the present invention can be achieved are included in the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the capsule sorting apparatus 14 is used in the capsule manufacturing apparatus 1 that intermittently manufactures a plurality of capsules C as a unit, but may be used in other manufacturing apparatuses. .

  As described above, the present invention can be suitably used for a manufacturing apparatus that intermittently manufactures a plurality of objects as a unit.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Capsule manufacturing apparatus 2 Main conveyor 3 Container supply apparatus 4 Container transfer apparatus 5 Container cleaning apparatus 6 Filling apparatus 7 Fill check apparatus 8 Film supply apparatus 9 Film die cutting apparatus 10 Film transfer apparatus 11 Seal apparatus 12 Film separation apparatus 13 Capsule Transfer device 14 Capsule sorting device 141 Capsule dividing conveyor (dividing and conveying means)
141C Photoelectric sensor (detection means)
142 Case Conveyor 143 Capsule Shooter (Guide means)
143A cylindrical part 143B inclined part 143C guide part 144 1st conveyor (1st conveyance means)
144A Conveying path 144B Stopper (stationary means)
144C Case vibration means 145 Second conveyor (second conveying means)
145A Conveying path 145B Stopper (stationary means)
145C Case vibration means 146 Sorting control means 146A First storage determination section 146B Second storage determination section 146C Unloading execution section 146D Vibration execution section 61 Weighing and filling mechanism 62 Filling hopper 63 Advance and retreat mechanism (swinging means)
64 Plate 65 Cylinder 66 Weighing unit 67 Extrusion unit 621 Storage tank 622 Loading tank 622A Frame 622B Lower cover 622B1 Hole 622B2 Projection 622C Upper cover 631 Base 632 Rail 634 Motor 661 Weighing plate 661A Weighing hole (filled part)
662 Shutter 662A Through hole 663 Guide plate 663A Through hole 664 Motor 671 Lift plate 672 Extrusion pin 673 Extrusion cylinder

Claims (7)

A sorting apparatus that sorts a single unit of objects into predetermined cases and stores them in a case by being used in a manufacturing apparatus that intermittently manufactures a plurality of objects as a unit,
By dividing the unit of the object, divided transport means for transporting the first group and a second group having a different number from the first group,
Of each group transported by the divided transport means, a first transport means for transporting a case storing the first group;
Out of each group transported by the divided transport means, a second transport means for transporting a case storing the second group;
Sorting control means for controlling the whole of the sorting device,
The sorting control means includes:
A first storage determining unit that determines whether or not a predetermined number of objects are stored in a case transported by the first transport means;
A second storage determining unit that determines whether or not a predetermined number of objects are stored in a case transported by the second transport means;
When it is determined that a predetermined number of objects are stored in the case by the first storage determination unit, the case is carried out by the first transport means, and a predetermined number of cases are stored in the case by the second storage determination unit. A sorting apparatus comprising: a carry-out execution unit that causes the second carrying means to carry out a case when it is determined that an object is stored. The sorting apparatus according to claim 1,
The first conveying means and the second conveying means are:
A transport path for placing the case and moving the case along a predetermined transport direction;
A sorting device comprising: a stationary means for stopping the case at a predetermined position on the transport path against the movement of the transport path. In the sorting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The divided conveying means includes
Detecting means for detecting whether or not the one unit of object has been conveyed;
The first storage determination unit and the second storage determination unit store a predetermined number of objects in the case by counting the number of times the detection unit detects that the unit of the object has been conveyed. A sorting apparatus, characterized by determining whether or not In the sorting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Provided between the divided conveying means, the first conveying means, and the second conveying means, and each group conveyed by the divided conveying means by the first conveying means and the second conveying means. A guide means for guiding the case to be conveyed;
The guiding means includes
A plurality of cylinders provided corresponding to each of the groups transported by the divided transport means and having a diameter reduced as they approach the case, and the size of the opening on the case side being set smaller than the opening of the case And
An inclined portion that is provided between the divided conveying means and each cylindrical portion, and that is inclined downward in the vertical direction toward the respective cylindrical portion side,
A sorting apparatus, comprising: a guide portion that is provided in the inclined portion and guides each group conveyed by the divided conveyance means to each cylindrical portion. The sorting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
An opening on the case side of the cylindrical portion and an opening of the case are arranged with an interval smaller than the size of the object. In the sorting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The first conveying means and the second conveying means are:
A transport path for placing the case and moving the case along a predetermined transport direction;
A sorting apparatus comprising: case vibration means for vibrating the transport path. The sorting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein
The divided conveying means includes
Detecting means for detecting whether or not the one unit of object has been conveyed;
The sorting control means includes:
A sorting apparatus comprising: a vibration execution unit configured to vibrate the conveyance path in the case vibration means when the detection means detects that the unit of the object has been conveyed.

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