JP2018135187A - Boundary display device of cartons and boundary display method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a boundary display device of cartons and a boundary display method thereof capable of displaying a boundary between preceding cartons and subsequent cartons without physically interfering the cartons and a blank sheet.SOLUTION: A boundary display device comprises a visible light-irradiation part constituted so as to be capable of irradiating a carton positioned in a boundary between preceding cartons and subsequent cartons out of plural cartons continuously conveyed with visible light so that it can be distinguished from the cartons other than the carton positioned in the boundary and capable of changing an irradiation position of visible light as the carton positioned in the boundary is conveyed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a boundary display device and a boundary display method for a carton group for assisting an operation of collecting a predetermined number of manufactured cartons.

  In a carton production factory, a predetermined number of products (cartons) continuously carried out from a sack machine (box making machine) are collected and boxed. Conventionally, in order to facilitate such a collection operation, a mark is attached to each carton that is being transported or a blank sheet that has not been formed into a carton shape for each packing required. (Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  In Patent Document 1, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, between an upstream side mechanism (not shown) that folds and glues the blank sheet 100 and a crimping conveyor 102 that crimps the glued blank sheet 100, A method is described in which a batting mechanism 104 is arranged, and the blank sheet 100 is struck by the batting mechanism 104 for each required number of boxes to shift the position, and this is used as a mark for collection. (Patent Document 1, paragraph [0011] and the like).

  Further, in Patent Document 2, ink or the like is attached to a sheet positioned at a boundary between a group belonging to the preceding group and a group belonging to the succeeding group for the sheet being conveyed by the conveyor. In addition, a method of using this as a mark at the time of collection is described (paragraph [0003] in Patent Document 2).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-16960 JP 2000-281261 A

  However, in the method of hitting a carton or blank sheet being conveyed as in the method described in Patent Document 1, the carton or the blank sheet may be damaged by hitting, and the blank sheet is displaced. There is a problem in that there is a possibility that a bonding failure or the like may occur. In addition, as in the method described in Patent Document 2, in the method of attaching ink to a carton or blank sheet being conveyed, the ink used for the mark is basically a foreign substance, which may cause sanitary problems. Therefore, there is a problem that there is a restriction that it cannot be used for cartons for food packaging or pharmaceutical packaging.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a carton group boundary display device and a boundary display method capable of displaying a boundary between a preceding carton group and a subsequent carton group without physically interfering with a carton or a blank sheet. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, a carton group boundary display device according to the present invention is a carton group boundary display device for displaying a boundary between a preceding carton group and a subsequent carton group, Visible light can be irradiated to a carton located at the boundary between the preceding carton group and the succeeding carton group among a plurality of cartons to be distinguished from cartons other than the carton located at the boundary. And the visible light irradiation part comprised so that the irradiation position of the said visible light can be changed so that the conveyance of the carton located in this boundary may be followed, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  The carton group boundary display device according to the present invention further includes a counting unit capable of counting a plurality of cartons continuously conveyed, and based on the counting by the counting unit, the preceding carton group and the succeeding carton group Is preferably configured to discriminate the carton located at the boundary.

  In the carton group boundary display device according to the present invention, the counting unit irradiates the visible light to the carton located at the boundary between the preceding carton group and the subsequent carton group. In the state, the counting of the subsequent carton group is configured to be executed in parallel, and the visible light irradiating unit, after the count of the subsequent carton group reaches a predetermined value, The carton positioned at the boundary between the subsequent carton group and the subsequent carton group may be irradiated.

  The carton group boundary display device according to the present invention further includes a take-out detection sensor capable of detecting that the preceding carton group has been taken out from the transport path, and the visible light irradiation unit is provided by the take-out detection sensor. After the removal of the preceding carton group is detected, the carton located at the boundary between the succeeding carton group and the carton group after the succeeding carton group may be irradiated.

  A carton group boundary display method according to the present invention is a carton group boundary display method for displaying a boundary between a preceding carton group and a succeeding carton group, and a transporting step for continuously transporting a plurality of cartons. And the irradiation position of the visible light in a state in which the visible light is irradiated to the carton located at the boundary between the preceding carton group and the subsequent carton group so that it can be distinguished from the carton other than the carton located at the boundary. And a visible light irradiating step of moving the lens together with the carton located at the boundary.

  According to the present invention, a carton group boundary display device and a boundary display method capable of displaying a boundary between a preceding carton group and a subsequent carton group without physically interfering with a carton or a blank sheet. Can be provided.

1 is a diagram schematically showing a boundary display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C are diagrams schematically illustrating a process of tracking a preceding carton group in the boundary display method according to the first embodiment. FIGS. 3A to 3C are diagrams schematically illustrating a process of tracking a subsequent carton group in the boundary display method according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows schematically the boundary display apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D are diagrams schematically illustrating a boundary display method according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C are diagrams schematically showing a boundary display device and a boundary display method according to the third embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the conventional apparatus schematically.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the invention according to each claim, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the invention. .

[Boundary display device 1 according to the first embodiment]
First, the configuration of the boundary display device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the boundary display device 1 according to the first embodiment is a sheet-like product that is continuously carried out from a sack machine (not shown) and conveyed in a sashimi state by the conveying unit 10. (Counter 20) for counting (carton P), visible light irradiation unit 30 configured to irradiate visible light to the carton P transported by the transport unit 10, and a transport belt 12 described later of the transport unit 10 A movement measurement unit 16 capable of measuring a movement speed and a movement distance and a control unit 40 that executes various controls are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the transport unit 10 includes a transport belt 12, a plurality of pulleys 14 a and 14 b around which the transport belt 12 is bridged, and a drive source (not shown) that drives the transport belt 12. It is a conveyor. The transport unit 10 continuously transports a plurality of cartons P in a state where the rear end part in the transport direction of the preceding carton P overlaps the front end part in the transport direction of the subsequent carton P (that is, a sashimi-like state). It is configured. In addition, the conveyance part 10 is not limited to the structure mentioned above, A various well-known structure can be employ | adopted arbitrarily.

  The movement measuring unit 16 includes a wheel provided in contact with the conveyor belt 12 and a rotary encoder attached to the wheel. The wheel is a roller having a predetermined circumferential length, and is configured to be able to rotate with respect to the conveyor belt 12. The rotary encoder is a device that converts the rotational displacement (angle / analog amount) of the wheel into an electrical pulse signal (digital amount), and is configured to output the pulse signal to the control unit 40. By having the above configuration, the movement measuring unit 16 causes the control unit 40 to calculate the moving speed and the moving distance of the conveyor belt 12 based on the circumferential length of the wheel and the rotational displacement (pulse signal) of the wheel. Is configured to be possible. As the rotary encoder, for example, an incremental rotary encoder can be used, but is not limited to this. Moreover, the movement measurement part 16 is not limited to the structure mentioned above, A various structure can be employ | adopted arbitrarily.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the counting unit 20 includes a laser displacement sensor 22 provided above an arbitrary position on the upstream side of the conveyor belt 12. The laser displacement sensor 22 is configured to be able to detect a height difference between the trailing end of the preceding carton P in the conveying direction and the succeeding carton P, and by counting the height difference in the control unit 40, the conveying unit 10 is configured to be capable of counting the carton P transported by 10 (the carton P that has passed through the laser displacement sensor 22).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the visible light irradiation unit 30 includes a visible light irradiator 32 that can irradiate visible light onto the carton P conveyed by the conveyance unit 10, and a slide unit 34 that supports the visible light irradiator 32. And.

  The visible light irradiator 32 is a visible light irradiator capable of irradiating visible light having directivity (linearity) high enough to distinguish the irradiated carton P from other cartons P. In this embodiment, the visible light irradiator 32 is a laser. A line laser irradiator (laser pointer) capable of irradiating L. Note that the visible light irradiator 32 can employ various configurations, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The slide unit 34 includes a slider 34a that supports the visible light irradiator 32, a rail 34b that movably supports the slider 34a, and a servo motor 34c that moves the slider 34a along the rail 34b. The rail 34 b is provided above the transport path along the transport path of the carton P transported by the transport unit 10.

The visible light irradiating unit 30 configured as described above irradiates the carton P transported by the transport unit 10 with the laser L by the visible light irradiator 32, and the visible light irradiator 32 by the slide unit 34. carton and move in the same direction, located in the irradiation target was by changing the irradiation position of the laser L to follow the conveyance of the carton P, the boundary between the carton group G ₂ and the subsequent carton group G ₁ of the preceding It is configured to be capable to demonstrate the P ₁₀ in a visually recognizable manner.

Based on the output value (pulse signal) of the movement measuring unit 16 and the output value (count value) of the laser displacement sensor 22 of the counting unit 20, the control unit 40 includes the visible light irradiator 32 of the visible light irradiating unit 30. The servo motor 34c is configured to be controlled. Specifically, based on the output value of the movement measurement unit 16, the control unit 40 synchronizes with the transport belt 12 of the transport unit 10 so that the visible light irradiator 32 moves at the same speed. The servo motor 34c is controlled. The control unit 40 based on the output value of the laser displacement sensor 22 of the counting circuit 20, along with specifying the preceding boundary between the carton group G ₂ and the subsequent carton group G _1, carton P located boundary The visible light irradiator 32 and the servo motor 34c of the visible light irradiating unit 30 are controlled so as to be tracked while being irradiated with the laser L.

The control unit 40 according to the first embodiment, in situations where tracking bounded by visible light irradiation section 30 prior carton group G ₁ to the carton group G ₂ which follows, the subsequent carton group G ₂ counting was performed in parallel, in the subsequent counting of the carton group G ₂ has reached a predetermined value (e.g., upon reaching the number immediately before or the carton reaches the carton number constituting a carton group), prior interrupt the tracking of the boundary between the carton group G ₂ and the subsequent carton group G ₁ that is configured to further initiate tracking of the boundary between succeeding carton group G ₃ with subsequent carton group G _2. At this time, the control unit 40, when the boundary between the carton group G ₃ further succeeding carton group G ₂ which subsequent has not reached the initial position of the visible light irradiator 32 (standby position), visible light irradiation run the operation to return the vessel 32 to the initial position, when the boundary between the carton group G ₃ further succeeding carton group G ₂ the subsequent is passing through the initial position of the visible light irradiator 32, the boundary The operation of returning the visible light irradiator 32 to the position is performed.

[Boundary Display Method According to First Embodiment]
Next, a boundary display method using the boundary display device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the operation of the boundary display device 1 described below is executed by controlling each component by the control unit 40 based on a program stored in advance in the storage unit.

The boundary display method according to the first embodiment schematically includes a transporting process for continuously transporting a plurality of cartons P, a counting process for counting the cartons P transported by the transporting process, and a preceding carton group to carton P ₁₀ located at the boundary between the carton group G ₂ and the subsequent G _1, while irradiating the laser L (visible light) so as to be distinguishable carton outside carton P ₁₀ located in the boundary, in which and a visible light irradiation step of moving together with the carton P ₁₀ to position the irradiation position of the laser L to the boundary. In the following, it is assumed that the number of cartons P to be collected at one time is 10, and the first carton group G ₁ that precedes the first carton P ₁ through the tenth carton P ₁₀ The second carton group G ₂ is composed of the _11th carton P ₁₁ to the 20th carton P ₂₀ , and the 21st carton P ₂₁ to the 30th carton P _{30 is} further followed by the _2nd carton group G ₂ . 3 of the carton group G ₃ is described as being configured, but not limited thereto.

The boundary display method according to the first embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), starts counting from the beginning of the carton P ₁ constituting the first carton group G _1. Next, as shown in FIG. 2B, the tenth carton P ₁₀ (that is, the carton located at the boundary between the first carton group G ₁ and the second carton group G ₂ after the start of counting). ) Reaches directly below the visible light irradiator 32, the irradiation from the visible light irradiator 32 to the _tenth carton P10 is started. Then, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), while the carton P ₁₀ is moving on the conveying unit 10, while the visible light irradiator 32 irradiates the carton P _10, moves the carton P ₁₀ at the same speed . Thus, the operator, it is possible to determine a second boundary between the carton group G ₂ following thereafter a first carton group G ₁ at a glance.

In the boundary display method according to the first embodiment, the tracking of the boundary (carton P ₁₀ ) between the first carton group G ₁ and the subsequent second carton group G ₂ by the visible light irradiator 32 is performed in parallel. Te, the second count of the carton group G ₂ is performed. Then, when the second count of the carton group G ₂ reaches a predetermined value, in the illustrated example, reach the number just before reaching the number of cartons constituting one carton group (10) (e.g., 9) The tracking of the boundary (carton P ₁₀ ) between the first carton group G ₁ and the second carton group G ₂ is interrupted, and the second carton group G ₂ and the third carton group G ₃ Transition to tracking of the boundary (carton P ₂₀ ).

Specifically, the 20th carton P ₂₀ (that is, the carton located at the boundary between the second carton group G ₂ and the third carton group G ₃ ) has reached the initial position of the visible light irradiator 32. If not, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), to wait after having returned to visible light irradiator 32 to the initial position, when the 20-th carton P ₂₀ reaches just below the visible light irradiator 32 As shown in FIG. 3B, irradiation from the visible light irradiator 32 to the _20th carton P20 is started. On the other hand, when the 20-th carton P ₂₀ has already passed the initial position of the visible light irradiator 32 is, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the visible light to a position in alignment with the 20th carton P ₂₀ After returning the irradiator 32, the irradiation from the visible light irradiator 32 to the _20th carton P20 is started. Then, as shown in FIG. 3 (c), while the carton P ₂₀ is moving on the conveying unit 10, while the visible light irradiator 32 irradiates the carton P _20, moves the carton P ₂₀ at the same speed . Thus, the operator, it is possible to determine a third boundary between the carton group G ₃ in further subsequent thereto the second carton group G ₂ at a glance. 3A to 3C show a state after the _first carton group G1 is taken out by the operator.

Thereafter, by repeatedly executing the above processing, the carton group after the _third carton group G3 is also displayed with the boundary with the subsequent carton group, and the collection and boxing operations of the carton group are continued and supported. It becomes possible to do.

[Boundary Display Device 1 ′ According to Second Embodiment]
Next, a boundary display device 1 ′ according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the boundary display device 1 ′ according to the second embodiment, the transport unit 10, the movement measurement unit 16, the counting unit 20, and the visible light irradiation unit 30 are the transport unit 10 in the boundary display device 1 according to the first embodiment, Since it has the same configuration as the movement measuring unit 16, the counting unit 20, and the visible light irradiating unit 30, the description thereof is omitted by giving the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the boundary display device 1 ′ according to the second embodiment counts the carton P that is continuously carried out from a sack machine (not shown) and conveyed in a sashimi state by the conveying unit 10. The measuring unit 20, the visible light irradiating unit 30 configured to irradiate the laser L to the carton P conveyed by the conveying unit 10, and the movement measurement capable of measuring the moving distance of the conveying belt 12 of the conveying unit 10. Unit 16, a take-out detection sensor 50 capable of detecting the take-out of the carton group transported by the transport unit 10, and a control unit 40 ′ that executes various controls.

  The take-out detection sensor 50 is provided on the downstream side of the laser displacement sensor 22, and the carton group that has entered the take-out detection sensor 50 is removed from the take-out detection sensor 50, that is, taken out from the transport unit 10. It is configured so that it can be detected.

Similar to the control unit 40 in the boundary display device 1 according to the first embodiment, the control unit 40 ′ outputs the output value (pulse signal) of the movement measuring unit 16 and the output value (count) of the laser displacement sensor 22 of the counting unit 20. Value), the visible light irradiator 32 of the visible light irradiation unit 30 and the servo motor 34c are controlled. Specifically, based on the output value of the movement measuring unit 16, the control unit 40 ′ is configured so that the visible light irradiator 32 moves at the same speed in synchronization with the transport belt 12 of the transport unit 10. 30 servo motors 34c are configured to be controlled. The control unit 40 based on the output value of the laser displacement sensor 22 of the counting circuit 20, along with specifying the preceding boundary between the carton group G ₂ and the subsequent carton group G _1, carton P located boundary The visible light irradiator 32 and the servo motor 34c of the visible light irradiating unit 30 are controlled so as to be tracked while being irradiated with the laser L.

On the other hand, the control unit according to the second embodiment 40 'differs from the control unit 40 at the boundary display device 1 according to the first embodiment, visible light a boundary between the carton group G ₂ which follows the preceding carton group G ₁ to in situations where tracking by the irradiation unit 30, when the carton group G ₁ in which the preceding is detected by the take-out detecting sensor 50 that has been taken out from the upper conveying portion 10, preceding a carton group followed the carton group G ₁ to G interrupt the tracking of boundary _2, it is configured to shift to track the boundary between the carton group G ₃ further succeeding carton group G ₂ the subsequent. At this time, the control unit 40 ', when the boundary between the carton group G ₃ further succeeding carton group G ₂ which subsequent has not reached the initial position of the visible light irradiator 32 (standby position), visible light run the operation for returning the irradiator 32 to the initial position, when the boundary between the carton group G ₃ further succeeding carton group G ₂ the subsequent is passing through the initial position of the visible light irradiator 32, the An operation for returning the visible light irradiator 32 to the position of the boundary is performed.

[Boundary Display Method According to Second Embodiment]
Next, a boundary display method using the boundary display device 1 ′ according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The boundary display method according to the second embodiment is different from the boundary display method according to the first embodiment in that the boundary between the first carton group G ₁ and the second carton group G ₂ (carton P ₁₀ ). Is the condition for switching from tracking to tracking of the boundary (carton P ₂₀ ) between the second carton group G ₂ and the third carton group G _3, and detailed description of common parts is omitted. .

In the boundary display method according to the second embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), the first carton group G1 constituting the first carton group G1 is _first formed by the same method as the boundary display method according to the first embodiment. It starts counting from the carton P _1, 10 th carton P ₁₀ is upon reaching just below the visible light irradiator 32, and starts irradiation from a visible light irradiator 32 for 10 th carton P _10. Further, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), similarly to the boundary display method according to the first embodiment, while the carton P ₁₀ is moving on the conveying section 10, a visible light irradiator 32 cartons P ₁₀ while irradiating, to move the carton P ₁₀ at the same speed. Thus, the operator, it is possible to determine a second boundary between the carton group G ₂ following thereafter a first carton group G ₁ at a glance.

Also, the boundary display method according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 (c), by removal detection sensor 50 when the first carton group G ₁ has detected that it has been taken out from the upper conveying section 10 The tracking of the boundary (carton P ₁₀ ) between the first carton group G ₁ and the second carton group G ₂ is interrupted, and as shown in FIG. 5 (d), the second carton group G ₂ and the _second carton group G ₂ Transition to tracking of the boundary (carton P ₂₀ ) with ₃ carton group G ₃ . Incidentally, removal by the detection sensor 50 when the first carton group G ₁ has detected that it has been taken out from the upper conveying section 10, 20 th carton P _{20 (i.e.,} the second carton group G ₂ and the third when the carton at the boundary of the carton group G ₃₎ has not reached the initial position of the visible light irradiator 32 is on standby after having returned the visible light irradiator 32 to the initial position, 20 th carton when the P ₂₀ reaches just below the visible light irradiator 32, and starts irradiation from a visible light irradiator 32 for 20 th carton P _20. On the other hand, in terms of 20-th carton P ₂₀ is when you have already passed the initial position of the visible light irradiator 32 has returned to the visible light irradiator 32 to a position aligned with the 20-th carton P _20, 20 It starts irradiation from a visible light irradiator 32 for th carton P _20. Then, while the carton _{P 20} is moving on the conveying unit 10, while the visible light irradiator 32 irradiates the carton _{P 20,} moves the carton _{P 20} at the same speed. Thus, the operator, it is possible to determine a third boundary between the carton group G ₃ in further subsequent thereto the second carton group G ₂ at a glance.

Thereafter, by repeatedly executing the above-described processing, the boundary with the subsequent carton group is displayed for the carton group after the _third carton group G3 as well as the boundary display method according to the first embodiment. It is possible to continue assisting the collection and boxing operations of the carton group.

[Boundary Display Device 1 ″ According to Third Embodiment]
Next, a boundary display device 1 ″ according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the boundary display device 1 ″ according to the third embodiment, configurations other than the visible light irradiation unit 30 ′ can adopt the same configurations as the boundary display devices 1 and 1 ′ according to the first and second embodiments. Therefore, the description thereof is omitted. Moreover, the boundary display method using the boundary display device 1 ″ according to the third embodiment is configured such that the visible light irradiator 32 is moved by the slide unit 34 in the boundary display method according to the first and second embodiments. Is the same except that the light source of the visible light irradiation unit 30 ′ is rotated, and can be easily understood from the description of the boundary display method according to the first and second embodiments. Omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, the visible light irradiation unit 30 ′ includes a light source (not shown) that can irradiate the carton P transported by the transport unit 10 with visible light, A rotation mechanism (not shown) for rotating the light source along the transport path of the carton P;

  The light source is a light source capable of irradiating visible light having directivity (linearity) high enough to distinguish the irradiated carton P from other cartons P, and in this embodiment, a laser element capable of irradiating the laser L It is.

  The rotation mechanism is configured to change the irradiation position of the visible light (laser L) so as to follow the conveyance of the carton P targeted for irradiation by rotating the light source along the conveyance path of the carton P. . As such a rotation mechanism, for example, various motors such as a servo motor or a stepping motor can be appropriately employed.

As shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, the control unit that controls the visible light irradiation unit 30 ′ includes an output value (pulse signal) of the movement measurement unit 16 (not shown in FIG. 6), and Based on the output value (count value) of the laser displacement sensor 22 of the counting unit 20, the boundary between the preceding carton group G ₁ and the subsequent carton group G ₂ is specified, and the carton P located at the boundary is lasered. The rotation mechanism of the visible light irradiating unit 30 ′ is controlled so as to track while irradiating with L.

The visible light irradiation unit 30 ′ configured as described above rotates the light source in the same direction as the carton P by rotating the light source while irradiating the laser L to the carton P transported by the transport unit 10. by changing the irradiation position of the laser L to follow the conveyance of the carton P targeting, preceding in visible state cartons P ₁₀ located at the boundary between the carton group G ₂ and the subsequent carton group G ₁ It is configured to be explicit.

As described above, the boundary display devices 1, 1 ′, and 1 ″ according to the first to third embodiments include the preceding carton group G ₁ and the following carton among the plurality of cartons P that are continuously conveyed. against carton P ₁₀ located at the boundary between the group G _2, can irradiate the visible light so as to be distinguishable carton outside carton P ₁₀ located in the boundary, and the carton P ₁₀ located in the boundary Visible light irradiating units 30 and 30 'configured to be able to change the irradiation position of visible light so as to follow the conveyance of the light.

  According to the boundary display devices 1, 1 ′, 1 ″ configured in this way, unlike the conventional hits and marks by ink, etc., the leading edge without physically interfering with the carton P. It is possible to display the boundary between the carton group to be followed and the subsequent carton group, so that it is possible to prevent the occurrence of defective products due to physical interference and to prevent sanitary problems. Is possible.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above-described embodiment. Various modifications or improvements can be added to the above embodiments.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the visible light irradiation unit 30 is described as including the single visible light irradiator 32. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of visible light irradiators 32 are supported by the slide unit 34. It is good also as a structure. In this case, for example, the first visible light irradiator 32 tracks the boundary between the preceding carton group G ₁ and the subsequent carton group G _2, and the second visible light irradiator 32 follows the carton group G 1. ₂ further may be configured such that track boundary between the carton group G ₃ which follow.

  Further, in the first and second embodiments described above, the visible light irradiator 32 of the visible light irradiation unit 30 is moved by the slide unit 34, and in the third embodiment described above, the light source of the visible light irradiation unit 30 ′ is rotated. Although described as what moves, it is not limited to this, The visible light tracking in the visible light irradiation part 30 can be performed by various methods. For example, a configuration in which a plurality of light sources are arranged along the transport path of the carton P, and the light source to be lit is switched so as to follow the transport of the carton P to be irradiated (a carton located at the boundary between adjacent carton groups). It may be adopted.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the visible light irradiator 32 is described as a line laser irradiator that can irradiate the laser L. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the carton P located at the boundary is replaced with the other carton P. For example, it is possible to adopt various configurations such as an irradiator capable of irradiating light from a highly directional LED.

  In the embodiment described above, the transport unit 10 is configured to transport a plurality of cartons P in a sashimi-like state. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the transport mode of the plurality of cartons P can be arbitrarily changed. It is. In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the counting unit 20 counts the carton P by detecting a height difference between the trailing end of the preceding carton P in the conveyance direction and the subsequent carton P. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be arbitrarily changed according to the transport mode of the plurality of cartons P.

  In the first embodiment described above, the carton group to be tracked is switched when the count of the subsequent carton group reaches a predetermined value. In the second embodiment, the carton preceding by the take-out detection sensor 50 is switched. Although it has been described that the carton group to be tracked is switched when the removal of the group is detected, the present invention is not limited to this, and the switching timing of the carton group to be tracked can be arbitrarily set.

  In the above-described embodiment, the counting unit 20 has been described as including the laser displacement sensor 22 that counts the height difference between the trailing end of the preceding carton P in the transport direction and the following carton P. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The carton P can be counted by various methods. For example, the count of cartons P that are continuously transported using an image processing apparatus that includes a camera that can capture a predetermined range of the transport path of the carton P and an image processing unit that processes an image captured by the camera. Alternatively, a configuration that performs monitoring of the conveyance state (detection of moving speed and moving distance) may be employed.

  It is clear from the description of the scope of claims that the above modifications are included in the scope of the present invention.

_1, 1 ′, _{1 ″} boundary display device, 10 transport unit, 20 counting unit, 30, 30 ′ visible light irradiation unit, 50 take-out detection sensor, G ₁ first carton group (preceding carton group), G ₂ Second carton group (following carton group), G3 _third carton group (carton group following succeeding carton group), P carton

Claims (5)

A carton group boundary display device for displaying a boundary between a preceding carton group and a subsequent carton group,
Among a plurality of cartons that are continuously transported, visible light is detected so that a carton located at the boundary between the preceding carton group and the following carton group can be distinguished from cartons other than the carton located at the boundary. A carton group boundary display device comprising: a visible light irradiator configured to be able to irradiate and to change the irradiation position of the visible light so as to follow the conveyance of the carton located at the boundary. A counter capable of counting a plurality of cartons continuously conveyed;
2. The carton group boundary display according to claim 1, wherein the carton group boundary display is configured to determine a carton located at a boundary between the preceding carton group and the subsequent carton group based on the counting by the counting unit. apparatus. The counting unit is configured to count the subsequent carton group in a state where the visible light irradiation unit irradiates the visible light with respect to a carton located at a boundary between the preceding carton group and the subsequent carton group. Are configured to run in parallel,
The visible light irradiation unit irradiates a carton located at a boundary between the subsequent carton group and a carton group after the subsequent carton group after the count of the subsequent carton group reaches a predetermined value. The carton group boundary display device according to claim 2, wherein the carton group boundary display device is configured to do so. A removal detection sensor capable of detecting that the preceding carton group has been removed from the conveyance path;
The visible light irradiation unit is located at a boundary between the succeeding carton group and the carton group after the succeeding carton group after the take-out detection sensor detects the removal of the preceding carton group. It is comprised so that a carton may be irradiated. The boundary display apparatus of the carton group of Claim 1 or 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. A carton group boundary display method for displaying a boundary between a preceding carton group and a subsequent carton group,
A transporting process for continuously transporting a plurality of cartons;
The irradiation position of the visible light is set in a state in which the carton located at the boundary between the preceding carton group and the subsequent carton group is irradiated with visible light so as to be distinguishable from cartons other than the carton located at the boundary. And a visible light irradiation step of moving together with the carton located at the boundary.

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