JP2019043623A - Egg pack boxing system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an egg pack boxing system capable of achieving a smooth boxing.SOLUTION: An egg pack boxing system includes: a transport device disposed in a temporary standby region into which egg packs are intermittently sent; a transfer device that lifts egg packs collected in the temporary standby region and then transfers the egg packs into an upward opening box-shaped collection container; and a control device that controls the transport device so as to be stopped for a predetermined period of time when the egg packs are lifted from the temporary standby region by using the transfer device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

The present invention relates to an egg pack packaging system in which a predetermined number of egg packs transferred one by one are packed into an assembled container such as a cardboard box.

As a box packing system of this kind of egg pack, a thing as described in the following patent documents 1 is known, for example. In this patent document 1, egg packs intermittently fed by a conveyor are arranged in a temporary standby area on a flat plate. Then, with the moving conveyor, the egg pack is sucked from the upper surface side in a temporarily waiting area which is mechanically separated, and is packed in a box while maintaining the arranged shape.

On the other hand, in fields other than egg packs, various ones are known that pick up and pack target products to be packed from a moving conveyor.

Patent No. 5802932

Attempts have also been made to apply the method of picking up and packing directly from the moving conveyor directly to the egg pack. However, it is difficult to carry out the packing smoothly because there is a circumstance that the egg is a fragile object which is difficult to handle and the shape of the egg pack is very special compared to a general packaging container.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an egg pack packaging system that can be packaged smoothly.

The packing system of the egg pack of the present invention comprises a transport device disposed in a temporary standby area to which the egg pack is intermittently fed, and a box-like shape opened upward after lifting the egg pack collected in the temporary standby area. And a controller for controlling the transfer device to stop for a predetermined time when lifting the egg pack from the temporary waiting area using the transfer device. .

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an egg pack packaging system capable of facilitating packaging.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an egg pack packaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The front view which shows the packing system of the egg pack of the embodiment. The top view which shows the packing system of the egg pack of the embodiment. The top view which shows the assembled container with which the egg pack of the embodiment was packed. The side view which shows the internal state of the assembled container with which the egg pack of the embodiment was packed. Operation | movement explanatory drawing of the box packing system of the egg pack of the embodiment. Operation | movement explanatory drawing of the box packing system of the egg pack of the embodiment. Operation | movement explanatory drawing which expands and shows the box packing system of the egg pack of the embodiment. Operation | movement explanatory drawing which expands and shows the box packing system of the egg pack of the embodiment. The reference drawing for explaining the packing system of the egg pack of the embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described using the drawings.

The egg pack packaging system 10 according to the present embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as the “packing system 10”) is, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, FIG. 6 and FIG. A plurality of egg packs P in a closed state are collected and boxed in an assembled container B such as a cardboard box or a synthetic resin container for easy transportation and management. The boxing system 10 mainly includes a transfer device 1, a transfer device 2, and a control device (not shown).

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIGS. 6 and 7, the transfer device 1 transfers the egg pack P into the box-like assembled container B. As shown in FIG. The transfer device 1 of the present embodiment is for transferring the egg pack P, which is intermittently fed to the temporary standby area 3, into the box-like assembled container B opened upward, and collected in the temporary standby area 3. The picked up egg pack P is lifted and then transferred to the assembled container B.

Moreover, the transfer apparatus 1 of this embodiment divides and performs transfer for forming one step in the said assembled container B in multiple times. In the transfer device 1, the number of egg packs P transferred in one transfer operation is set to an arbitrary number, and at least once in the plurality of times, the arbitrary number is another time Is set to a different number. The transfer device 1 is controlled to start the transfer operation when the set arbitrary number of egg packs P gather in the temporary standby area 3.

For example, in the case where the egg packs P are arranged in the assembled container B in the arrangement as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the transfer device 1 transfers two of the transfer for forming one step in the assembled container B. The number of egg packs P transferred in one transfer operation is set to three and two. That is, the transfer device 1 of the present embodiment is controlled so as to be able to selectively take a first mode for holding three egg packs P and a second mode for holding two egg packs P. Be done.

In the present embodiment, a conventional articulated robot (e.g., a six-axis vertical articulated robot) in which the head unit 14 arbitrarily operates as the transfer device 1 is used, but the head unit 14 is parallel to the X, Y and Z axes. Various things, such as a robot and an apparatus which can move arbitrarily, can be adopted. The transfer device 1 includes a plurality of suction units 11 for holding the egg pack P by suction from the upper surface (top surface) P1 side. Each suction part 11 provided in the head part 14 is connected to a vacuum mechanism (not shown) so that the egg pack P can be vacuum-sucked.

As shown in FIG. 1, the suction unit 11 is divided into two types, a main suction unit 12 and a sub-suction unit 13. The main adsorbing portion 12 is used in the first and second aspects, and corresponds to two adjacent egg packs P. The sub-sucking portion 13 is used only in the first aspect and is not used in the second aspect, and corresponds to one egg pack P. In other words, at least one of the plurality of suction portions 11 provided in one head portion 14 is not used in the second mode, but used only in the first mode. It is configured.

The main suction unit 12 and the sub suction unit 13 according to the present embodiment are connected to different vacuum mechanisms, and both of the main suction unit 12 and the sub suction unit 13 are vacuumed when the main suction unit 12 is evacuated. It is controlled to switch between pulling and pulling.

The transport device 2 is for feeding the egg pack P into the temporary standby area 3 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIGS. 6 and 7. In the present embodiment, the transport device 2 is also disposed in the temporary standby area 3. Specifically, the transport device 2 is a belt conveyor on which the egg pack P is loaded and transported to the downstream side, and a temporary standby area 3 is set on the downstream side of the transport device 2. The temporary standby area 3 is a place where the movement of the egg pack P in the transport direction of the transport device 2 is regulated. Specifically, egg packs P transported one after another are provided on the transport device 2 It is regulated by the stopper 31.

Further, the transport device 2 is disposed in the temporary standby area 3 when an arbitrary number of set egg packs P gather in the temporary standby area 3 prior to the transfer operation of the transfer apparatus 1. It is controlled to stop the operation of the transfer device 2. More specifically, when the egg pack P is lifted from the temporary waiting area 3 using the transfer device 1, the transfer device 2 is controlled to stop for a predetermined time.

The packaging system 10 of the present embodiment further includes an alignment mechanism 4 for aligning the egg packs P in the temporary standby area 3 and a sensor 5 for detecting the egg pack P in the temporary standby area 3. The alignment mechanism 4 mainly includes the stopper 31 described above, a fixed guide 41 provided along the transport direction of the transport device 2, and a movable guide 42 provided to face the stationary guide 41. Is configured. The movable guide 42 is for aligning the egg packs P collected in the temporary waiting area 3, and any number of egg packs P set prior to the transfer operation in the transfer device 1. When it gathers in the said temporary waiting area 3, it is operated so that it may push out to the said fixed guide 41 direction. Since the surface of the transport device 2 is formed of a slippery material, the egg pack P pushed by the movable guide 42 approaches the fixed guide 41 side. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the alignment mechanism 4 and the sensor 5 are not shown.

The control device is configured by a dedicated or general-purpose computer such as a CPU, an internal memory, an input / output interface, an AD conversion unit, and the like. Then, the CPU and other peripheral devices cooperate in accordance with the program stored in the internal memory to exhibit the function as a control device.

Next, an example of the operation of the above-described packing system 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

An egg packaging apparatus (not shown) well-known in the field is connected to the upstream side of the transport apparatus 2, and the egg pack P packed by this packaging apparatus is intermittently connected to the temporary standby area 3 side. It will be carried to.

First, when three egg packs P are set to be transferred in the assembled container B, control is performed when the corresponding sensor 51 detects the egg pack P via the states shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b). The apparatus moves the movable guide 42 from the retracted position (A) toward the direction of the fixed guide 41, as shown in FIG. 6 (c). Then, the movement of the transport device 2 is stopped. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6 (d) and FIG. 8, the transfer operation by the transfer device 1 is performed.

Specifically, the head portion 14 of the transfer device 1 is positioned above the egg pack P in a state where the three egg packs P are transported to the temporary standby area 3. Then, the control device controls the transfer device 1 so as to evacuate both the main suction unit 12 and the sub suction unit 13. The two egg packs P adsorbed by the main adsorption section 12 and the one egg pack P adsorbed by the sub adsorption section 13 have a width (short length) of the egg pack P while maintaining the vacuumed state. It is carried into the assembled container B in a state of being aligned in three directions). Then, after being placed on the bottom plate of the assembled container B or the egg pack P already contained in the assembled container B, the adsorption state of the main adsorbing portion 12 and the sub adsorbing portion 13 is released, and then transferred. The device 1 moves out of the assembled container B.

Note that after the control device starts lifting the egg pack P from the temporary waiting area 3 using the transfer device 1, for example, when the height dimension of the egg pack P has been lifted after a predetermined time has elapsed, As shown in 9, the movement of the transport device 2 is resumed. The movable guide 42 is also controlled to return to the retracted position (A).

Next, when it is set to transfer two egg packs P into the assembled container B and complete one step of the assembled container B, the corresponding sensor 5 is passed through the state of FIG. 7A. When the egg pack P is detected, the controller moves the movable guide 42 from the retracted position (A) toward the direction of the fixed guide 41, as shown in FIG. 7 (b). Then, the movement of the transport device 2 is stopped. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7C, the transfer operation by the transfer device 1 is performed.

Specifically, the head portion 14 of the transfer device 1 is positioned above the egg pack P in a state in which the two egg packs P are transported to the temporary standby area 3. Then, the control device controls the transfer device 1 so as to evacuate only the main suction unit 12. And, with the vacuumed state of the main suction unit 12 maintained, the two egg packs P adsorbed by the main adsorption unit 12 are arranged in a state where two egg packs P are arranged in the width (short) direction of the egg pack P. It is carried into the container B. Then, after being placed on the bottom plate of the assembled container B or the egg pack P already contained in the assembled container B, the transfer state of the transfer device 1 is released after releasing the adsorption state of the main adsorption portion 12. Move out of B

The control device is configured to, for example, transport the egg pack P at a height equal to the height dimension of the egg pack P after a predetermined time has elapsed after starting to lift the egg pack P from the temporary standby area 3 using the transfer device 1. The movement of the device 2 is resumed. The movable guide 42 is also controlled to return to the retracted position (A).

In this manner, the width of the egg packs P of the egg pack P is alternately repeated by alternately repeating the first mode in which the three egg packs P transferred to the transfer device 2 are transferred and the second mode in which the two are transferred. Short packing is done in the state aligned and aligned. In addition, when carrying the egg pack P to the assembly container B, in order to turn the egg pack P in a desired direction, it may be appropriately rotated in the horizontal direction.

The boxing system 10 of the present embodiment is provided with the transfer device 1 for transferring the egg pack P, which is intermittently fed to the temporary waiting area 3, into the box-like assembly container B opened upward. The transfer device 1 performs transfer for forming one step in the assembled container B in a plurality of times (for example, twice), and is transferred by one transfer operation per time The number of egg packs P is set to an arbitrary number (for example, 3 or 2), and the arbitrary number is set to a number different from other times at least once in the plurality of times (for example, 2 times) When the set number of (for example, three or two) egg packs P gather in the temporary waiting area 3, the transfer operation is started.

Since it is such, when packing in the assembled container B, as shown in FIG. 4, three egg packs P are arranged sideways, and two egg packs P are arranged vertically on the same plane. , Egg pack P specific needs can be met relatively easily.

Furthermore, if it is a thing like this embodiment, the transfer equipment 1 can be moved efficiently. That is, since the combination of the number and arrangement of the egg packs P for packing in the assembled container B is determined for each assembled container B, the set number is a temporary waiting area based on the information set in advance. By controlling so that the transfer operation can be started as soon as it is collected to 3, useless standby time does not occur in the transfer device 1.

The boxing system 10 according to the present embodiment transfers a predetermined number (for example, three) of egg packs P in the odd-numbered transfer operation, and is smaller than the predetermined number (for example, three) in the even-numbered transfer operation. The number of (for example, two) egg packs P are transferred to form one stage in the assembled container B, and the predetermined number (for example, 3) is stored in the temporary standby area 3 during the even transfer operation. It can be said that the transfer operation is started without waiting for accumulation.

Further, prior to the transfer operation, when the set arbitrary number of egg packs P gather in the temporary waiting area 3, the movable egg packs P aligned in the temporary waiting area 3 are aligned. Since the operation of the guide 42 is started, positional deviation of the transfer device 1 with respect to the egg pack P can be suppressed.

The boxing system 10 according to the present embodiment is configured to set the predetermined number (for example, three) in the temporary standby area 3 during the even-numbered transfer operation (for example, only two transfer operations) prior to the transfer operation. Since the operation of the movable guide 42 is started without waiting for the accumulation, the egg pack P to be transferred at least this time can be aligned with the temporary waiting area 3 without causing unnecessary waiting time.

In addition, when an arbitrary number of set egg packs P gather in the temporary standby area 3 prior to the transfer operation, the transport apparatus 2 is disposed in the temporary standby area 3 and carries the egg pack P. Since the operation is stopped, unnecessary contact between the lifted egg pack P and the adjacent non-lifted egg pack P can be avoided. That is, when the egg pack continues to be transported one after another without stopping the operation of the transport device 2 in the temporary standby area 3, as shown in FIG. 10, when the egg pack collected in the temporary standby area 30 is lifted. As a result of approaching the side of the adjacent non-liftable egg pack P0 against the side of the egg pack to be lifted, the shape of the egg pack (the connecting portion between the body and the lid, in other words, the height of the egg pack) Together with the direction in which the center of the direction protrudes outward, the egg pack P0 which can not be lifted is inclined on the transfer device 20. If it is a thing like this embodiment, generation | occurrence | production of such a situation can be prevented.

The boxing system 10 of the present embodiment lifts the transport device 2 disposed in the temporary standby area 3 to which the egg pack P is intermittently fed, and lifts the egg pack P collected in the temporary standby area 3 and then opens upward. When lifting the egg pack P from the temporary waiting area 3 by using the transfer device 1 to transfer the inside of the assembled box-like container B and the transfer device 1, the transfer device 2 is stopped for a predetermined time And the control device that controls the egg pack P0 to be controlled, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the problem that the egg pack P0 is inclined as described above.

In particular, if the egg pack P is made of plastic, a flange is formed at the joint between the container body and the lid for welding using ultrasonic waves or the like, or for fastening using a tape. , That part protrudes most outward. In other words, the outer periphery in a plan view rectangular shape is formed by the flange which can be deformed relatively easily. Therefore, it may be assembled to temporary waiting area 3 in the state where a part or all of a flange of an adjacent egg pack overlap. However, if control of the transport device 2 as in this embodiment is performed, when lifting up the egg pack P collected in the temporary standby area 3, the flange located on the side of the adjacent non-liftable egg pack P0 has a thickness By only elastically deforming in the direction, the egg pack P0 is maintained on the temporary waiting area 3 without falling.

Even when the egg pack P is a so-called mold pack, the connecting portion between the container body and the lid protrudes most outward compared to the bottom surface side of the container body or the top surface side of the lid. In other words, the outer periphery in a plan view rectangular shape is formed by the coupling portion. Since the mold pack has a large friction as compared to a plastic pack or the like, even slight contact between the lifted egg pack and the non-liftable egg pack as described above is likely to lead to the fall of the egg pack. However, according to the present embodiment, the occurrence of such a defect can be suppressed.

As another method for suppressing "the occurrence of the problem that the egg pack is tilted" as described above, a stopper is provided just before feeding the egg pack to the temporary standby area, and only the egg pack to be lifted this time is It is also conceivable to stop in the temporary standby area so that the portion not to be lifted this time is blocked by the stopper so as not to be sent in the temporary standby area. However, in the case of this embodiment, the egg pack to be picked up next time can be sent to the temporary standby area side (downstream side) as much as possible in comparison with such one, and the operation of the transfer device 1 is possible. It can contribute to the improvement of efficiency.

The boxing system 10 according to the present embodiment is configured to set the predetermined number (for example, three) in the temporary standby area 3 during the even-numbered transfer operation (for example, only two transfer operations) prior to the transfer operation. Since the operation of the transfer device 2 is stopped without waiting for accumulation, at least the egg pack P to be transferred at this time can be aligned in the temporary waiting area 3 without occurrence of unnecessary waiting time.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when lifting up the egg pack P from the temporary waiting area 3 using the transfer device 1, after the transfer device 2 is controlled to stop for a predetermined time, the movement of the transfer device 2 The egg pack P to be transferred next time can be moved to the stopper 31 side as much as possible.

As described above, the amount transferred in one operation is reduced compared to the conventional one, and the first and second aspects and the rotation of the egg pack P in the horizontal plane are combined as appropriate. Thus, it is possible to achieve, in a simple manner, a response to variations in the arrangement of the egg packs P in the assembled container B. Therefore, in the case where the egg packs P are stacked in multiple stages in the vertical direction in the assembled container B, when it is desired to change the arrangement of the egg packs P for each stage, it is possible to cope with more easily than in the past. Of course, it is possible to cope with stacking in the same way in all stages. Moreover, the variation of the box packing pattern of the egg pack P can be increased by controlling to use properly the main adsorption part 12 and the sub adsorption part 13, respectively.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.

The transport device is not limited to the belt conveyor as long as it can transport the egg pack, and various changes can be made. Also, the transport device disposed in the temporary standby area and the transport device disposed upstream of the temporary standby area may be separately driven.

The transfer device is not limited to the adsorption type as illustrated. In other words, the method of lifting the egg pack can be variously changed, for example, as shown in, for example, WO 2011/162601, in addition to or instead of the suction portion of the embodiment described above. It may be provided with a pair of arm portions for supporting and holding the pack from the side and the lower side.

The transfer device may perform transfer for forming one stage in the accumulation container at one time, or may perform transfer at three or more times. The setting of the number of egg packs transferred in one transfer operation is not limited to that in the above-described embodiment, and may be one or four or more. In the case where transfer for forming one stage in the accumulation container is performed in a plurality of times, each time may be set to the same number. Furthermore, the arrangement of the egg packs in the assembled container is not limited to that illustrated, but can be variously changed.

In the embodiment described above, after transferring three egg packs at the first time, transferring two egg packs at the second time to complete one stage, and repeating this for four stages For example, after transferring three egg packs at the first time, transfer one egg pack at the second time, transfer three egg packs at the third time, and complete one stage This may be repeated for a plurality of steps. As another example, four egg packs are transferred each time to complete one step, and this is repeated for multiple steps, or after three egg packs are transferred at the first time, 2 Even in the third transfer, three egg packs may be transferred to complete one step and repeat this for a plurality of steps.

The transfer device is set such that the number and arrangement of egg packs differ in each stage, in other words, at least one stage is different from the other stages, in the case where the egg packs are vertically stacked in multiple layers in the assembled container. It may be as

The transfer device may increase variations of the holding state of the egg pack with the third aspect, the fourth aspect, and the like in addition to the first aspect and the second aspect described above. For example, it is not limited to the case where the whole suction unit is divided into two, ie, the main suction unit and the sub-suction unit, and may be divided into three or more, and the corresponding suction units may be used properly according to the pattern to be packed. Specifically, in the transfer device provided with a group of three suction units of X, Y and Z, when transferring three egg packs using all of X to Z, two of X to Z In the case of transferring two egg packs using one, it is sufficient if they can be switched to each other in the case of transferring one egg pack using only one of X to Z.

Of course, the size and shape of the egg pack used in the present invention is not limited to the illustrated ten-piece rectangular in plan view. Specifically, it may be a regular pack, a mold pack, a six pack, etc. other than the so-called flat pack as shown.

The assembled container may be anything as long as an egg pack containing eggs can be placed, and can be variously changed such as a cardboard box for transportation or a plastic container.

The embodiment disclosed this time is an example and is not limited thereto. The present invention is not the scope described above, is shown by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

The present invention can be used in an egg pack packaging system for packing a predetermined number of egg packs into an assembled container.

1 ... Transfer device 2 ... Transport device 3 ... Temporary standby area P ... Egg pack B ... Integrated container

Claims (1)

A transport device disposed in a temporary standby area into which the egg pack is intermittently fed;
A transfer device for lifting the egg pack collected in the temporary waiting area and transferring it into a box-like assembly container opened upward;
And a control device that controls the transfer device to stop for a predetermined time when the transfer device is used to lift the egg pack from the temporary standby area.

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