JP2018184180A - Separation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device capable of separating contents from an opened blister packaging body.SOLUTION: A separating device 100 comprises a rocking mechanism 60 which rocks a blister packaging body 1 between a laying position P4 for laying the blister packaging body 1, a swinging-up position P5 for swinging-up the blister packaging body 1, and a swinging-down position P6 for swinging-down the blister packaging body 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a sorting device for sorting a blister package and its contents.

  The blister package is a package of a plurality of contents (for example, tablets). Specifically, a plurality of pocket portions are formed on the first sheet so as to be arranged in a two-dimensional array, and the pocket portions are provided in a convex shape on the front surface side of the first sheet, It is provided in a concave shape on the back surface side, the contents are accommodated in these pocket portions, and the cover portion is adhered to the back surface of the first sheet, whereby the pocket portion is covered with the cover sheet. If the cover sheet is broken by the contents by crushing the pocket portion, the contents can be easily taken out.

  In addition, an apparatus for automatically taking out contents from a blister package has been developed. For example, the apparatus described in Patent Document 1 takes out the contents by crushing the pocket portion of the blister package to be conveyed with a roller.

Japanese Patent No. 4999612

  However, the contents may not be satisfactorily removed from the blister package for reasons such as the pocket portion of the blister package is less likely to be deformed and the contents are easily damaged. Therefore, it is conceivable to open the blister package by cutting out the portion of the cover sheet that closes the pocket with a blade.

  Although it is necessary to take out the contents from the opened blister package and separate the blister package from the contents, an apparatus for automatically separating the blister package from the contents has not been developed.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an apparatus capable of separating the opened blister package from the contents.

  The main invention for solving the above problems is between the lying position where the blister package is laid, the swinging position where the blister package is swung up, and the swinging position where the blister package is swung down, It is a sorting apparatus provided with the rocking | fluctuation mechanism which rocks | blends the said blister package.

The reason why the swing mechanism swings to the side position is that the blister package in a lying state is opened or the opened blister package is supplied to the swing mechanism.
When the swing mechanism swings the opened blister package from the lying position to the swing-up position, the contents of the blister package fly from the blister package. Therefore, the contents can be separated from the blister package. Thereafter, when the swing mechanism swings the blister package to the lowered position, the contents taken out from the blister package and the blister package can be collected separately. Therefore, the contents and the blister package can be separated.

  According to the present invention, the blister package and its contents can be easily separated by the sorting device.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a blister package. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view of the sorting apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main part of the sorting apparatus. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the tray, the first clip, and the second clip. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of moving the blister package and the tray from the first position to the second position. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of the operation of raising the blister package and the tray from the second position. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of the operation of lowering the blister package and the tray to the second position. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of moving the blister package and the tray from the second position to the third position. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of the operation of swinging up the blister package from the lying position to the swing-up position. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of swinging down the blister package from the swing-up position to the swing-down position. FIG. 12 is a side view of the sorting apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are given various technically preferable limitations for carrying out the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

<First Embodiment>
<1. Blister package>
First, with reference to FIG.1 and FIG.2, the blister package 1 is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the blister package 1 and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II shown in FIG. The blister package 1 is also referred to as a PTP (Press Through Pack) package 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a blister package 1 includes a container material 3 that houses a plurality of solid articles 2 such as tablets or capsules, and a sheet-like cover sheet 6 that is adhered to the container material 3. . The container material 3 is obtained by shaping a resin sheet, a metal sheet (for example, an aluminum sheet), or a composite sheet thereof. The container 3 includes a rectangular sheet-like thin plate portion 4 and a plurality of pocket portions 5 provided in a convex shape on the front surface side of the thin plate portion 4 and in a concave shape on the back surface side of the thin plate portion 4. And mainly consists of. The pocket portions 5 are arranged in a two-dimensional array at a predetermined interval. More specifically, the pocket portions 5 are arranged in five rows in the long side direction of the thin plate portion 4 and in the short side direction of the thin plate portion 4. Pocket portions 5 are arranged in two rows. By opening the cover sheet 6 on the back surface of the container material 3, the opening of the pocket portion 5 is closed by the cover sheet 6. The cover sheet 6 is made of a resin sheet, a metal sheet (for example, an aluminum sheet), or a composite sheet thereof. A portion of the cover sheet 6 that covers and closes the opening of the pocket portion 5 is referred to as a lid portion 7.

  A region 8 from one end in the longitudinal direction of the thin plate portion 4 to the pocket portion 5 is wider than a region 9 from the other end to the pocket portion 5, and the region 8 is a tag portion 8 on which various information is printed.

  The article 2 is pushed out from the pocket part 5 side toward the lid part 7 because the pocket part 5 is difficult to deform, the cover sheet 6 is difficult to tear, the article 2 is soft, or the article 2 is easily damaged. Is difficult. Therefore, the blister package 1 is opened using the sorting device 100 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and the article 2 is taken out.

<2. Configuration of sorting device>
FIG. 3 is a side view of the sorting apparatus 100. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the swing mechanism 60 and the collection chutes 70 and 72 provided in the sorting apparatus 100. In the drawings, auxiliary lines representing directions common to all the drawings are illustrated, but the vertical direction is the vertical direction, and the left and right directions are determined when viewed forward.
The sorting device 100 includes an opening device 10, a tray 50, an elevating mechanism 55, a linear drive mechanism 57, a swing mechanism 60, a package collection chute 70, a content collection chute 72, and the like. Hereinafter, these components will be described in detail.

<2-1. Tray>
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the tray 50. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a rectangular pedestal 52 is formed on the upper surface of the rectangular tray 50 in a raised state. A plurality of fitting recesses (fitting portions) 51 are formed on the upper surface of the pedestal portion 52. These fitting recesses 51 are arranged in a two-dimensional array at a predetermined interval at the same pitch as the pitch of the pocket portions 5 of the blister package 1. More specifically, the fitting concave portions 51 are arranged in five rows in the long side direction of the tray 50, and the fitting concave portions 51 are arranged in two rows in the short side direction of the tray 50. The blister package 1 lies horizontally on the pedestal portion 52 with its front surface facing the pedestal portion 52. The long side of the tray 50 is parallel to the left-right direction, and the short side of the tray 50 is parallel to the front-rear direction.

  In the long side portion of the tray 50, notches 53 and 54 are formed in a state of being arranged in parallel in the long side direction of the tray 50. The notch 53 is formed at a position away from the pedestal 52. The notch 54 is formed so as to extend to the pedestal 52, and is arranged between the fitting recesses 51 adjacent in the long side direction. The notch 53 is larger in size than the notch 54. That is, the width of the notch 53 is wider than the width of the notch 54, and the distance from the long side of the tray 50 to the abutting portion of the notch 53 is the distance between the long side of the tray 50 and the notch 53. Longer than the distance to the end.

  In a state where the blister package 1 is placed on the pedestal portion 52, the thin plate portion 4 is in surface contact with the upper surface of the pedestal portion 52, and the pocket portion 5 is fitted in the fitting recess 51. In addition, the tag portion 8 of the blister package 1 protrudes from the pedestal portion 52 and is disposed on the notch portion 53.

  The blister package 1 placed on the pedestal 52 of the tray 50 is supplied to the sorting device 100 together with the tray 50. A fitting hole may be formed instead of the fitting recess 51, and the pocket portion 5 of the blister package 1 may be fitted into the fitting hole.

<2-2. Linear motion drive mechanism and lifting mechanism>
As shown in FIG. 3, a linear drive mechanism 57 is provided in the machine frame of the sorting apparatus 100. A lift mechanism 55 is attached to the linear drive mechanism 57, and a tray 50 is attached to the lift mechanism 55.

The direct drive mechanism 57 includes a solenoid actuator, an air cylinder actuator, a motor, or the like. The linear drive mechanism 57 moves the tray 50 and the lifting mechanism 55 linearly in the front-rear direction and in the horizontal direction. Specifically, the linear drive mechanism 57 moves the tray 50 and the elevating mechanism 55 into a first position (supply position) P1, a second position (cutting preparation position) P2, and a third position (retraction position) P3. Move back and forth between.
The trajectory of the tray 50 by the linear drive mechanism 57 is linear, the first position P1 is one end (front end) of the trajectory, and the third position P3 is the other end (rear end) of the trajectory, The second position P2 is a position between the first position P1 and the third position P3.
The first position P <b> 1 is a position where the blister package 1 is supplied to the tray 50.
The second position P2 is a position away from the position where the lid portion 7 of the blister package 1 is cut off by the opening device 10, and is a position prepared when the lid portion 7 is cut off.
The third position P3 is a position where the blister package 1 is delivered to the swing mechanism 60.

  The elevating mechanism 55 has a solenoid actuator, an air cylinder actuator, a motor, or the like. The elevating mechanism 55 elevates and lowers the tray 50 and the blister package 1 placed thereon. The position where the tray 50 and the blister package 1 are moved up and down by the lifting mechanism 55 is a second position P2.

  The tray 50 has a long side direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 3 and a short side direction parallel to the trajectory connecting the first position P1 and the third position P3. As shown in FIG. That is, the tray 50 is attached to the lifting mechanism 55 in such a posture that the long side direction is the left-right direction and the short side direction is the front-rear direction.

<2-3. Opening device>
The opening device 10 is a mechanism for opening each pocket portion 5 by cutting off each lid portion 7 of the blister package 1. The opening device 10 is provided in the machine frame of the sorting device 100 above the second position P2. The opening device 10 includes a plurality of cutting blades 24 and a plurality of vacuum suction portions 27.

The vacuum suction portions 27 are arranged in a two-dimensional array like the lid portion 7 of the blister package 1. That is, the vacuum suction portions 27 are arranged in five rows in the left-right direction and two rows in the front-rear direction. The vacuum suction part 27 sucks the lid part 7 of the blister package 1 raised by the lifting mechanism 55.
The cutting blade 24 is provided on the radially outer side with respect to the vertical axis with the vacuum suction portion 27 as the center. The cutting blade 24 is a rotary blade that is rotationally driven along the circumferential direction around the vacuum suction portion 27, or a cylindrical blade that surrounds the vacuum suction portion 27 (the lower end of the cylindrical shape is the blade tip). Is.) The cutting blade 24 cuts off the lid portion 7 along the circumferential direction around the vacuum suction portion 27.

<2-4. Swing mechanism>
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the swing mechanism 60 includes a driving device 61, a rotating shaft 62, a first pinch (first support portion) 63, and a second pinch (second support portion). 65).

  The rotation shaft 62 is rotatably attached to the machine frame of the sorting apparatus 100 by a bearing or the like at a position opposite to the second position P2 with respect to the third position P3. That is, the rotation shaft 62 is located at a position ahead of the third position P3 (a position extending from the second position P2 toward the third position P3 toward the third position P3). It is rotatably mounted on the machine frame. The axis of the rotating shaft 62 is horizontal and is orthogonal to the trajectory connecting the first position P1 to the third position P3. Further, the axis of the rotating shaft 62 is parallel to the long side direction of the tray 50. That is, the axis of the rotating shaft 62 extends in the left-right direction.

  The first clip 63 and the second clip 65 are attached to the rotary shaft 62 in a state where they are arranged in parallel in the axial direction (left-right direction) of the rotary shaft 62. The first clip 63 is aligned with the notch 53 of the tray 50 in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 62. The position of the second pinch 65 in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 62 is aligned with the notch 54 of the tray 50.

  The first clip 63 and the second clip 65 extend radially outward from the rotary shaft 62. The first clip 63 is formed with an insertion slit 64 cut out from the protruding end toward the base end on the rotating shaft 62 side. The second clip 65 is also formed with an insertion slit 66 cut out from the protruding end toward the base end on the rotating shaft 62 side. The insertion slit 64 and the insertion slit 66 are parallel to each other.

The first clip 63 is larger in size than the second clip 65. Specifically, the distance from the axis of the rotating shaft 62 to the protruding end of the first clip 63 is longer than the distance from the axis of the rotating shaft 62 to the protruding end of the second clip 65.
Further, the insertion slit 64 of the first clip 63 is longer than the insertion slit 66 of the second clip 65. That is, the distance from the projecting end of the first clip 63 (opening of the insertion slit 64) to the contact of the insertion slit 64 is the distance from the projecting end of the second clip 65 (opening of the insertion slit 66) to the contact of the insertion slit 66. Longer than.
The distance from the end of the insertion slit 64 to the axis of the rotary shaft 62 is equal to the distance from the end of the insertion slit 66 to the axis of the rotary shaft 62.

The driving device 61 is provided in the machine frame of the sorting apparatus 100. The drive machine 61 has a rotary air cylinder actuator or a motor. The drive device 61 swings the first clip 63 and the second clip 65 by rotating the rotary shaft 62. Specifically, the driving device 61 includes a horizontal position (horizontal position) P4 in which the first clip 63 and the second clip 65 are horizontally extended from the rotary shaft 62 toward the third position P3. The swing position P5 in which the first clamp 63 and the second clamp 65 are swung up vertically, and the first clamp 63 and the second clamp 65 are tilted downward with respect to the horizontal plane below the third position P3. The first clip 63 and the second clip 65 are swung between the lowered position P6.
The tray 50 located at the third position P3 is close to the catches 63 and 65 located at the lying position P4. In this state, the clips 63 and 65 are inserted into the notches 53 and 54 of the tray 50, and the tray 50 and the clips 63 and 64 partially overlap when viewed in the left-right direction.

<2-5. Package recovery chute and container>
The package collection chute 70 is provided below the second position P2, the third position P3, and the horizontal position P4, and the opening device 10 is provided above the package collection chute 70. The package collection chute 70 is provided in a box shape whose upper and lower surfaces are open. A downwardly inclined surface 70 a is formed on the inner surface of the package collection chute 70.

  A package collection container 71 is provided below the package collection chute 70. The package collection container 71 is, for example, an opened bag or container. The mouth of the package collection container 71 is provided so as to face the opening at the lower end of the package collection chute 70.

<2-6. Content collection chute and container>
The content collection chute 72 is provided below the position opposite to the third position P3 with respect to the rotary shaft 62. Further, the content collection chute 72 is provided on the lower side of the swing-up position P5 from the lying position P4 toward the swing-up position P5. That is, the content collection chute 72 is provided on the front side and the lower side of the swing-up position P5. The content collection chute 72 is provided in a box shape whose upper and lower surfaces are open. On the inner surface of the content collection chute 72, a downwardly inclined surface 72a is formed.

  Under the content collection chute 72, a content collection container 73 such as a bag or a container is provided. The mouth of the content collection container 73 is provided in a state directed to the opening at the lower end of the content collection chute 72.

<3. Operation of the sorting device>
Subsequently, the operation of the sorting apparatus 100 will be described. Here, when the control unit 99 including a computer (for example, a programmable logic controller) controls the operation timing of the elevating mechanism 55, the linear drive mechanism 57, and the drive device 61, the sorting apparatus 100 operates in the following order. To do.

  First, the tray 50 is lowered by the elevating mechanism 55, and the tray 50 and the elevating mechanism 55 are moved to the first position P1 by the linear drive mechanism 57. Further, the first clip 63 and the second clip 65 are swung to the horizontal position P4 by the driving device 61 of the swing mechanism 60.

  Then, the blister package 1 is supplied to the tray 50. Then, the blister package 1 is placed on the pedestal portion 52 in a lying state, and the pocket portion 5 is fitted in the fitting recess 51. In addition, the tag portion 8 of the blister package 1 protrudes from the pedestal portion 52 and is disposed on the notch portion 53.

  Next, when the linear drive mechanism 57 is actuated, the tray 50 and the blister package 1 are moved forward from the first position P1 to the second position P2 by the linear drive mechanism 57 (see FIG. 6).

  Next, when the lifting mechanism 55 is activated, the tray 50 and the blister package 1 are lifted by the lifting mechanism 55 (see FIG. 7). Then, the vacuum suction part 27 sucks the lid part 7 of the blister package 1 and the cutting blade 24 cuts the lid part 7 from the blister package 1.

  Next, when the lifting mechanism 55 is operated, the tray 50 is lowered by the lifting mechanism 55. Then, the blister package 1 descends following the tray 50 (see FIG. 8). At this time, the cut lid portion 7 is maintained in a state of being sucked by the vacuum suction portion 27, and the lid portion 7 and the blister package 1 are separated.

  Next, when the linear drive mechanism 57 is actuated, the tray 50 and the blister package 1 are moved forward from the second position P2 to the third position P3 by the linear drive mechanism 57 (see FIG. 9). Then, the tray 50 and the blister package 1 approach the first clip 63 and the second clip 65, and the blister pack 1 is inserted into the insertion slits 64 and 66 of the clips 63 and 65. Specifically, the tag portion 8 of the blister package 1 is inserted into the insertion slit 64 of the first clip 63, and the portion from the pocket portion 5 to the edge of the blister package 1 is the insertion slit of the second clip 65. 66 (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5). Thereby, the blister package 1 is sandwiched between the first sandwich 63 and the second sandwich 65.

  In a state where the tray 50 is located at the third position P3, the first clip 63 is inserted into the notch 53 of the tray 50, and the second clip 65 is inserted into the notch 54 of the tray 50. Therefore, the blister package 1 can be inserted into the insertion slits 64 and 66 of the sandwiches 63 and 65 as described above.

  Next, the suction by the vacuum suction part 27 is released, and the cut lid part 7 falls from the vacuum suction part 27. Then, the lid portion 7 is put into the package collection chute 70 and slides down from the package collection chute 70 to the package collection container 71.

  Next, when the driving device 61 is operated, the sandwiches 63 and 65 and the blister package 1 are swung up from the lying position P4 to the swinging position P5 (see FIG. 10). Then, the article 2 is swung forward from the pocket portion 5 and put into the content collection chute 72. Thereby, the article 2 is separated from the blister package 1. The shaken article 2 is received by the content collection chute 72 and slides from the content collection chute 72 to the content collection container 73.

  Here, since the blister package 1 is supported at two locations by the sandwiches 63 and 65, the blister package 1 can be stably swung up from the lying position P5 to the swing-up position P6. In particular, since the tag portion 8 of the blister package 1 has largely entered the insertion slit 64 of the large first clip 63, the blister package 1 comes off from the clips 63 and 65 when the blister package 1 is shaken up. Hateful.

  Next, when the linear drive mechanism 57 is activated, the tray 50 is moved rearward from the third position P3 to the first position P1 by the linear drive mechanism 57 (see FIG. 11).

Next, when the driving device 61 is operated, the clips 63 and 65 and the blister package 1 are swung down from the swing-up position P5 to the swing-down position P6. Then, the blister package 1 comes out of the insertion slits 64 and 66 of the sandwich 63.65.
Here, since the blister package 1 has entered the insertion slit 66 of the small second pinch 65 small, the blister pack 1 is inserted into the insertion slit 66 of the second pinion 65 when the blister package 1 is shaken. Easy to get out of. The blister package 1 is further pulled out from the insertion slit 64 of the first clip 63 by the inertial force of the operation of the blister package 1 being pulled out from the insertion slit 66 of the second clip 65.

  The blister package 1 that has passed through the insertion slits 64 and 66 of the sandwiches 63 and 65 is received by the package collection chute 70 and slides down from the package collection chute 70 to the package collection container 71.

  Next, when the driving device 61 is operated, the clamps 63 and 65 are swung up from the swinging position P6 to the lying position P4.

  Thereafter, the series of operations described above are repeated. That is, each time a new blister package 1 is supplied to the tray 50 at the first position P1, a series of operations shown in FIGS. 6 to 11 is performed.

<4. Effect>
According to the above embodiment, the following effects are brought about.

(1) As shown in FIG. 10, by swinging up the blister package 1, the article 2 therein jumps forward from the swing-up position P5. After that, as shown in FIG. 11, the blister package 1 slides backward and downward by swinging down the blister package 1 in the reverse direction. In this way, the blister package 1 and the article 2 can be collected at different positions by a simple operation of swinging up and down the blister package 1 and the blister package 1 and the article 2 can be separated.

(2) The power source for swinging the blister package 1 is only one drive unit 61, and no other actuator is used. Therefore, the sorting apparatus 100 has a simple configuration.

(3) Since the blister package 1 is sandwiched between the two large and small sandwiches 63, 65, the blister package 1 is prevented from coming off when the blister package 1 is swung up, and the blister package 1 is shaken down. Both ease of removal of the blister package 1 can be achieved.
More specifically, the blister package 1 is greatly advanced into the insertion slit 64 of the first clip 63 while the blister package 1 is supported by the sandwiches 63 and 65 at two locations. When raising, the blister package 1 can be prevented from rotating around an axis perpendicular to the front surface or the back surface. Therefore, the blister package 1 does not come out of the pinches 63 and 65 when the blister package 1 is swung up.
On the other hand, when the blister package 1 is shaken down, the blister package 1 is first removed from the insertion slit 66 of the second clip 65, and the blister package 1 is moved into the first clip 63 by using the movement. Comes out of the insertion slit 64. Therefore, when the blister package 1 is shaken down, the blister package 1 is easily removed from the sandwiches 63 and 65.

(4) Since the distance from the end of the insertion slit 64 to the axis of the rotary shaft 62 is equal to the distance from the end of the insertion slit 66 to the axis of the rotary shaft 62, the blister package 1 is swung up to the swinging position P5. The lower edge of the package 1 is horizontally supported by the insertion slits 64 and 66. That is, the blister package 1 is not inclined around an axis perpendicular to the front surface or the back surface. Therefore, when the blister package 1 is swung up to the swing-up position P5, the blister package 1 is stabilized and the blister package 1 can be prevented from falling off from the sandwiches 63 and 65.

(5) Since the package collection chute 70 is installed below the opening device 10 and the clamps 63 and 65, the lid 7 and the blister package 1 are collected in a common collection place (package collection container 71). Can do.

(6) Since the lid portion 7 cut out by the cutting blade 24 is adsorbed by the vacuum suction portion 27, the cut lid portion 7 does not fall into the pocket portion 5, and the lid portion 7 is placed in the blister package 1 and the solid article. 2 can be easily separated.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 12 is a side view of the sorting apparatus 100A of the second embodiment. Here, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component which mutually respond | corresponds between the sorting apparatus 100A of 2nd Embodiment and the sorting apparatus 100 of 1st Embodiment. The difference between the sorting apparatus 100A according to the second embodiment and the sorting apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment is mainly described below by comparing the sorting apparatus 100A according to the second embodiment with the sorting apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. Explained. Moreover, since the components corresponding to each other are similarly provided between the sorting apparatus 100A of the second embodiment and the sorting apparatus 100 of the first embodiment, except for the differences described below, these same components are provided. A description of one point is omitted.

  Similar to the sorting apparatus 100 of the first embodiment, the sorting apparatus 100A of the second embodiment has an opening device 10, a tray 50, an elevating mechanism 55A, a linear drive mechanism 57, a swing mechanism 60A, a package collection chute 70, contents. An object recovery chute 72 and containers 71 and 73 are provided.

  In the first embodiment, the elevating mechanism 55 is attached to the linear drive mechanism 57, the tray 50 is attached to the elevating mechanism 55, the tray 50 and the elevating mechanism 55 are driven in the horizontal direction by the linear drive mechanism 57, and the tray 50 Is moved up and down by the lifting mechanism 55.

  On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the elevating mechanism 55A is attached to the machine frame of the sorting apparatus 100A, the unsealing device 10 is attached to the elevating mechanism 55A, the swing mechanism 60A is attached to the linear drive mechanism 57, and the tray 50 and the swing mechanism 60A are driven in the horizontal direction by the linear drive mechanism 57, and the tray 50 swings by the swing mechanism 60A. This will be specifically described below.

  As in the case of the first embodiment, the linear drive mechanism 57 moves the tray 50 and the swing mechanism 60A horizontally between the first position P1, the second position P2, and the third position P3. Move.

  The swing mechanism 60A swings the tray 50 between a horizontal position P14 where the tray 50 is leveled, a swing position P15 where the tray 50 is swung up vertically, and a swing position P16 where the tray 50 is swinged down. Let When the tray 50 is positioned at the side position P14, the upper surface of the tray 50 is directed upward. When the tray 50 is positioned at the swing position P15, the upper surface of the tray 50 is directed forward. When the tray 50 is positioned at the swing position P16, The upper surface of the tray 50 faces rearward.

  The swing mechanism 60A includes a drive machine (for example, a motor or a rotary air cylinder actuator) attached to the linear drive mechanism 57, and a rotating shaft connected to the drive machine. The tray 50 is connected to the rotation shaft, and the tray 50 swings when the drive machine rotates the rotation shaft.

  The elevating mechanism 55A moves the unsealing device 10 up and down between a position where the unsealing device 10 is spaced upward from the second position P2 and a position where the unsealing device 10 is close to the second position P2.

  The insertion slits are also formed in the tray (supporting portion) 50 in the same manner as the insertion slits 64 and 66 are formed in the sandwiches 63 and 65 in the first embodiment. Therefore, even if the tray 50 is located at the swing-up position P15, the blister package 1 is not dropped from the tray 50 because the blister package 1 is inserted into the insertion slit of the tray 50. On the other hand, even if the tray 50 is located at the swing-down position P16, the blister package 1 comes out of the insertion slit due to its own weight.

  Next, the operation of the sorting apparatus 100A will be described. Here, when the control unit 99 including a computer (for example, a programmable logic controller) controls the operation timing of the driving units of the elevating mechanism 55, the linear drive mechanism 57, and the swing mechanism 60A, the sorting apparatus 100 is as follows. Works in the correct order.

  First, the tray 50 is swung to the horizontal position P4 by the swing mechanism 60A. Further, the unsealing device 10 is lifted by the lifting mechanism 55A, and the tray 50 and the swinging mechanism 60A are moved to the first position P1 by the direct drive mechanism 57.

  Then, the blister package 1 is supplied to the tray 50. Then, the blister package 1 is placed on the pedestal portion 52 in a lying state, and the pocket portion 5 is fitted in the fitting recess 51. Further, it is inserted into the insertion slit of the tray 50 of the blister package 1.

  Next, when the linear motion drive mechanism 57 is activated, the tray 50 and the blister package 1 are moved forward from the first position P1 to the second position P2 by the linear motion drive mechanism 57.

  Next, when the lifting mechanism 55A is operated, the unsealing device 10 is lowered by the lifting mechanism 55A. Then, the vacuum suction part 27 sucks the lid part 7 of the blister package 1 and the cutting blade 24 cuts the lid part 7 from the blister package 1.

  Next, when the lifting mechanism 55 </ b> A is operated, the opening device 10 is lifted by the lifting mechanism 55. If it does so, since the cut-out cover part 7 will raise with the vacuum suction part 27, the cover part 7 and the blister package 1 will isolate | separate.

  Next, when the linear drive mechanism 57 is activated, the tray 50 and the blister package 1 are moved forward from the second position P2 to the third position P3 by the linear drive mechanism 57.

  Next, the suction by the vacuum suction unit 27 is released, and the cut lid 7 is put into the package collection chute 70 from the vacuum suction unit 27 and slides down from the package collection chute 70 to the package collection container 71.

  Next, when the swinging mechanism 60A is operated, the tray 50 and the blister package 1 are swung up from the lying position P14 to the swinging position P15. Then, the article 2 is shaken off from the pocket portion 5, is put into the content collection chute 72, and slides down from the content collection chute 72 to the content collection container 73.

  Next, when the swing mechanism 60A is operated, the tray 50 and the blister package 1 are swung down from the swing-up position P15 to the swing-down position P6. Then, the blister package 1 comes out of the insertion slit of the tray 50 and falls off from the tray 50. The blister package 1 is received by the package collection chute 70 and slides down from the package collection chute 70 to the package collection container 71.

  Next, when the swing mechanism 60A is operated, the tray 50 is swung up from the swing position P16 to the horizontal position P14.

Next, when the linear motion drive mechanism 57 is activated, the tray 50 is moved rearward from the third position P3 to the first position P1 by the linear motion drive mechanism 57.
Thereafter, the series of operations described above are repeated.

  Also in the present embodiment, the blister package 1 and the article 2 can be collected at different positions by a simple operation of swinging and swinging the blister package 1 to separate the blister package 1 and the article 2 from each other. it can.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Blister package, 2 ... Solid article (contents), 5 ... Pocket part, 7 ... Lid part, 60 ... Swing mechanism, 61 ... Drive machine, 62 ... Rotary shaft, 63 ... First pinch, 64 ... First insertion slit, 65 ... second pinching, 65 ... second insertion slit, 100 ... sorting device, 100A ... sorting device

Claims (6)

A swing mechanism for swinging the blister package between a lying position where the blister package is laid, a swing-up position where the blister pack is swung up, and a swing-down position where the blister pack is swung down. Separation device provided. The swing mechanism is
A rotatable rotating shaft;
A first clip and a second clip extending radially outward from the rotating shaft and juxtaposed in the axial direction of the rotating shaft;
A drive unit that oscillates the first pinch and the second pinch between the horizontal position, the swing-up position, and the swing-down position by rotationally driving the rotary shaft;
The distance from the axis of the rotating shaft to the protruding end of the first pinch is longer than the distance from the axis of the rotating shaft to the protruding pin of the second pinch, and the distance from the protruding end of the first pinch to the rotating shaft. The separation device according to claim 1, wherein the first insertion slit cut out is longer than the second insertion slit cut out from the protruding end of the second pinch toward the rotating shaft. The separation device according to claim 2, wherein a distance from an axis of the rotation shaft to the end of the first insertion slit is equal to a distance from the axis of the rotation shaft to the end of the second insertion slit. The sorting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a content collection unit provided on a lower side of the tip of the swing-up position from the horizontal position toward the swing-up position. The sorting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a package collection unit provided below the swing-down position. The separation device according to claim 5, further comprising an opening device provided above the package collection portion and for cutting off a lid portion that covers and closes the pocket portion of the blister package.

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