JP2020019552A - Transfer device and egg transfer system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a transfer device capable of easily switching a holding mechanism and an egg transfer system including the transfer device.SOLUTION: A transfer device for transferring a container having a bottom wall and a side wall and a cardboard box from a predetermined temporary standby area, comprises one head part 41, the other head part 42, a body part 43, and a control part 44. The one head part 41 is provided with a holding mechanism 45 for lifting the container. The other head part 42 is provided with a holding mechanism 46 for lifting the cardboard box. In the body part 43, the one head part 41 and the other head part 42 are detachably provided. The control part 44 accesses a storage location 48 of the one head part 41 and the other head part 42 provided within an operating range of the body part 43, and controls to change the one head part 41 with the other head part 42.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present invention relates to a transfer device and an egg transfer system.

The eggs selected at the GP center are stored in a predetermined number of packs or trays, and then packed in a cart for transportation, a cardboard box or a container, and shipped. The stuffing work at that time was performed manually, and was burdensome for the worker. In order to reduce the burden on the operator, a case packer for packing egg packs in boxes has been developed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

One case packer of this type can support both a cardboard box and a container. Therefore, it is not necessary to secure separate work lanes for the cardboard box and the container, which is suitable for a GP center with limited space.

JP 2015-196522 A

The task of packing egg packs into cardboard boxes or containers is becoming automated. However, in order to handle a plurality of containers having greatly different external shapes, such as a cardboard box and a container, there is a problem that the upstream process and the downstream process still have many manual operations. The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and one object is to provide a transfer device capable of easily switching a holding mechanism, and another object is to provide such a transfer device. An object of the present invention is to provide an egg transfer system to which a simple transfer device is applied.

A transfer device according to the present invention is a transfer device that transfers a container having a bottom wall and a side wall and a cardboard box from a predetermined temporary standby area, and includes one head unit, another head unit, and a main body unit. And a control unit. One head unit is provided with a holding mechanism for lifting the container. The other head unit is provided with a holding mechanism for lifting the cardboard box. In the main body, one head and another head are detachably provided. The control unit accesses the storage locations of the one head unit and the other head unit provided within the operating range of the main body unit, and performs control so that one head unit is replaced with another head unit.

The egg transfer system according to the present invention includes a transport device, a case packer, and a transfer device. The transfer device transfers the container and the cardboard box. The case packer transfers an egg pack or a tray containing a plurality of eggs to a container or a cardboard box carried by a transport device. In the transfer device, a transfer device is arranged within an operating range of the main body.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the transfer apparatus which can switch a holding mechanism easily and an egg transfer system provided with this transfer apparatus can be provided.

It is a top view showing the outline of the egg transfer system concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view in the embodiment showing the holding state of the container by the 1st transfer device. It is a side view in the embodiment showing a holding state of a cardboard box by the 1st transfer device. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing replacement of a head unit of the first transfer device in the embodiment. It is a side view in the embodiment showing the holding state of the container by the 2nd loading device. It is a side view in the embodiment showing the state where the cardboard box is held by the second transfer device. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing replacement of a head unit of a second transfer device in the embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1, the egg transfer system S includes a transport device 1, a case packer 2, a first transfer device, and a second transfer device. The first transfer device is a case feeder 3 arranged on the upstream side of the case packer 2. The second transfer device is a case palletizer 4 disposed downstream of the case packer 2. The details will be described below.

The transport device 1 transports the container C and the cardboard box B. The container C is made of plastic, has a bottom wall C1 and a side wall C2, and can accommodate a plurality of egg packs P. The container C is supplied to the case feeder 3 in an empty state. The container C is supplied to the case palletizer 4 in a state in which a plurality of egg packs P are stored. The cardboard box B has a bottom wall B1 and a side wall B2, and can accommodate a plurality of egg packs P. The cardboard box B is supplied to the case feeder 3 in an unfolded and folded state. The cardboard box B is assembled to form a bottom B3, contains a plurality of egg packs P, and is finally supplied to the case palletizer 4 with the lid B4 closed. A case feeder 3, a case packer 2, and a case palletizer 4 are arranged adjacent to the transport device 1 in order from the upstream side. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the cardboard box B is transported.

The case feeder 3 transfers the container C and the cardboard box B from a predetermined temporary standby area 37, as shown in FIGS. In the present embodiment, a conventional articulated robot (for example, a 6-axis vertical articulated robot) in which the head operates arbitrarily is used as the case feeder 3, but the head is arbitrarily arranged with respect to the X, Y, and Z axes. Various things such as a movable robot or device can be employed. The case feeder 3 includes one head section 31, another head section 32, a main body section 33, and a control section 34.

One head section 31 of the case feeder 3 is provided with a holding mechanism 35 for lifting the container C, as shown in FIGS. In other words, one head unit 31 holds an empty container C for transferring a plurality of egg packs P therein. The holding mechanism 35 is an arm-shaped member that supports both ends of the container C. The holding mechanism 35 is controlled so as to move between a posture that supports and holds the container C from the inside and a posture that is not related to the container C.

The other head portion 32 of the case feeder 3 is provided with a holding mechanism 36 for lifting the cardboard box B as shown in FIGS. In other words, the other head section 32 holds an empty cardboard box B for transferring a plurality of egg packs P therein. The holding mechanism 36 is a suction pad that suctions the side wall B2 of the cardboard box B. The holding mechanism 36 is connected to a vacuum mechanism (not shown). The holding mechanism 36 is controlled so as to move between a posture corresponding to the folded state of the cardboard box B and a posture corresponding to the assembled state in a cylindrical shape.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the main body 33 of the case feeder 3 is provided with one head unit 31 and another head unit 32 so as to be detachable. The attachment / detachment operation of the head units 31 and 32 to / from the main body unit 33 can be performed unattended by a well-known coupling means (not shown) in the art to which a signal of attachment / release is given via the control unit 34. The transport device 1 is arranged within the operating range of the main body 33. A storage space 38 for one head unit 31 and another head unit 32 is provided within the operating range of the main body unit 33.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the control unit 34 of the case feeder 3 is configured by a dedicated or general-purpose computer such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an internal memory, an input / output interface, and an AD conversion unit. The function of the control unit 34 is exhibited by the cooperation of the CPU and other peripheral devices in accordance with the program stored in the internal memory. In the present embodiment, the control unit 34 controls the main unit 33 to access the storage location 38 and replace one head unit 31 with another head unit 32. In other words, the control unit 34 functions as a head switching mechanism that switches the type of the head units 31 and 32 in response to switching between the container C to be transported by the transport device 1 and the cardboard box B.

As shown in FIG. 1, the case packer 2 transfers the egg pack P to a container C or a cardboard box B carried by the transport device 1. The egg pack P contains a plurality of eggs. In the present embodiment, a robot according to the case feeder 3 is employed as the case packer 2. The case packer 2 includes a head unit, a main unit, and a control unit.

The head of the case packer 2 is provided with a holding mechanism for lifting an egg pack P containing a plurality of eggs. The holding mechanism is a suction pad that sucks the lid of the egg pack P. The holding mechanism is connected to a vacuum mechanism (not shown).

The main body of the case packer 2 is provided with a head. The transport device 1 is arranged within the operating range of the main body.

The control unit of the case packer 2 is configured by a dedicated or general-purpose computer such as a CPU, an internal memory, an input / output interface, and an AD conversion unit. The CPU and other peripheral devices cooperate according to the program stored in the internal memory, so that the function as the control unit is exhibited.

The case palletizer 4 transfers the container C and the cardboard box B from a predetermined temporary standby area 47 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 to 7. In this embodiment, a robot according to the case feeder 3 is employed as the case palletizer 4. The case palletizer 4 includes one head section 41, another head section 42, a main body section 43, and a control section 44.

One head part 41 of the case palletizer 4 is provided with a holding mechanism 45 for lifting the container C, as shown in FIGS. In other words, one head unit 41 holds a package in which a plurality of egg packs P are arranged in an empty container C. The holding mechanism 45 is an arm-shaped member that supports both ends of the container C. The holding mechanism 45 is controlled so as to move between a posture that supports and holds the container C from the side and a posture that is not related to the container C.

The other head portion 42 of the case palletizer 4 is provided with a holding mechanism 45 for lifting the cardboard box B, as shown in FIGS. In other words, the other head unit 42 holds a package in which a plurality of egg packs P are arranged in an empty cardboard box B. The holding mechanism 45 is a suction pad that suctions the lid B4 of the cardboard box B. The holding mechanism 45 is connected to a vacuum mechanism (not shown).

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the main body 43 of the case palletizer 4 is provided with one head 41 and another head 42 detachably provided. The attachment / detachment operation of the head units 41 and 42 with respect to the main body unit 43 can be performed unattended by coupling means (not shown) well-known in the art to which a signal of attachment / release is given via the control unit 44. The transfer device 1 is arranged within the operating range of the main body 43. Within the operating range of the main body 43, a storage location 48 for one head 41 and another head 42 is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the control unit 44 of the case palletizer 4 is configured by a dedicated or general-purpose computer such as a CPU, an internal memory, an input / output interface, and an AD conversion unit. The CPU and other peripheral devices cooperate in accordance with the program stored in the internal memory, whereby the function as the control unit 44 is exhibited. In the present embodiment, the control unit 44 controls the main unit 43 to access the storage location 48 so that one head unit 41 is replaced with another head unit 42. In other words, the control unit 44 functions as a head switching mechanism that switches the type of the head units 41 and 42 in response to switching between the container C and the cardboard box B transported by the transport device 1.

Next, an example of the operation of the egg transfer system S will be described.

First, when packing the egg pack P into the container C in the case packer 2, one head 31 is attached to the main body 33 of the case feeder 3, and one head 41 is attached to the main body 43 of the case palletizer 4. . Specifically, the control section 34 of the case feeder 3 moves the main body section 33 to the storage location 38, and automatically attaches one head section 31. The control section 44 of the case palletizer 4 moves the main body section 43 to the storage location 48, and automatically attaches one head section 41.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 34 of the case feeder 3 lifts the empty container C from the predetermined temporary standby area 37 accessible by the main body unit 33 using the holding mechanism 35 and transfers the empty container C to the transport device 1. I do. The control unit of the case packer 2 transfers a plurality of egg packs P to the empty container C. As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 44 of the case palletizer 4 uses the holding mechanism 45 to transfer the container C containing the egg pack P from the transport device 1, which is a predetermined temporary area accessible by the main body 43. Lift and transfer to pallet 49. The pallet 49 for transportation may be a plate-like pallet, or may have a frame or a wall covering the side. The case feeder 3, the case packer 2, and the case palletizer 4 repeat these operations until the set number is processed.

When the packing of the egg packs P into the container C is completed, one head 31 is removed from the main body 33 of the case feeder 3 and one head 41 is removed from the main body 43 of the case palletizer 4. Specifically, the control section 34 of the case feeder 3 moves the main body section 33 to the storage location 38 and automatically removes one head section 31. The removed one head part 31 is stored in the storage place 38. The control unit 44 of the case palletizer 4 moves the main body unit 43 to the storage location 48, and automatically removes one head unit 41. The removed one head part 41 is stored in the storage place 48.

Next, when packing the egg pack P in the cardboard box B in the case packer 2, another head part 32 is attached to the main body part 33 of the case feeder 3, and another head part is attached to the main body part 43 of the case palletizer 4. 42 is attached. Specifically, the control unit 34 of the case feeder 3 moves the main unit 33 to the storage location 38, and automatically attaches another head unit 32. The control unit 44 of the case palletizer 4 moves the main body unit 43 to the storage location 48, and automatically attaches another head unit 42.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 34 of the case feeder 3 lifts the folded cardboard box B from the predetermined temporary standby area 37 accessible by the main body unit 33 using the holding mechanism 36, and transports the folded cardboard box B. It is transferred to the assembling device 39 connected to the device 1. In the assembling device 39, the bottom B3 is formed in the cardboard box B. The control unit of the case packer 2 transfers a plurality of egg packs P to the empty cardboard box B. The lid B4 of the cardboard box B containing the egg pack P is closed. As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 44 of the case palletizer 4 uses the holding mechanism 46 to move the cardboard box with the lid B4 closed from the transport device 1 which is a predetermined temporary area accessible by the main body 43. B is lifted and moved to the pallet 49. The case feeder 3, the case packer 2, and the case palletizer 4 repeat these operations until the set number is processed.

When the packing of the egg pack P into the cardboard box B is completed, the other head part 32 is removed from the main body part 33 of the case feeder 3 and the other head part 42 is removed from the main body part 43 of the case palletizer 4. Specifically, the control unit 34 of the case feeder 3 moves the main unit 33 to the storage location 38, and automatically removes the other head unit 32. The other removed head part 32 is stored in the storage place 38. The control unit 44 of the case palletizer 4 moves the main body unit 43 to the storage location 48, and automatically removes the other head unit 42. The other removed head part 42 is stored in the storage place 48.

As described above, the case feeder 3 (first transfer device) of the present embodiment moves the container C having the bottom walls C1, B1 and the side walls C2, B2 and the cardboard box B from the predetermined temporary standby area 37. It is to be transferred, and includes one head unit 31, another head unit 32, a main body unit 33, and a control unit 34. One head unit 31 is provided with a holding mechanism 35 for lifting the container C. The other head unit 32 is provided with a holding mechanism 36 for lifting the cardboard box B. The main body section 33 is provided with one head section 31 and another head section 32 detachably provided. The control unit 34 accesses the storage location 38 of one head unit 31 and another head unit 32 provided within the operating range of the main unit 33, and replaces one head unit 31 with another head unit 32. To control. In such a case feeder 3, the holding mechanisms 35 and 36 can be easily and quickly changed depending on whether the egg pack P is packed in the container C or the cardboard box B in the case packer 2. You can switch with.

The egg transfer system S includes such a case feeder 3, a case packer 2, and a transport device 1 disposed between the case feeder 3 and the case packer 2. The transport device 1 transports the container C and the cardboard box B. The case packer 2 transfers an egg pack P in which a plurality of eggs are stored in a container C or a cardboard box B carried by the transport device 1. The case feeder 3 is configured such that the transport device 1 is disposed within an operation range of the main body 33. In such an egg transfer system S, the switching operation in the upstream process of the case packer 2 having the switching operation between the container C and the cardboard box B can be automated. This can also lead to effective use of egg sorting space or packaging space, which has many space restrictions.

The case palletizer 4 (second transfer device) of the present embodiment transfers a container C having bottom walls C1, B1 and side walls C2, B2 and a cardboard box B from a predetermined temporary standby area 47. Thus, one head section 41, another head section 42, a main body section 43, and a control section 44 are provided. One head unit 41 is provided with a holding mechanism 45 for lifting the container C. The other head unit 42 is provided with a holding mechanism 46 for lifting the cardboard box B. In the main body 43, one head 41 and another head 42 are detachably provided. The control unit 44 accesses the storage location 48 of the one head unit 41 and the other head unit 42 provided within the operating range of the main body unit 43, and replaces one head unit 41 with another head unit 42. To control. In such a case palletizer 4, the holding mechanisms 45 and 46 can be simply and shortly set depending on whether the case packer 2 has the container C packed with the egg pack P or the cardboard box B packed with the egg pack P. You can switch by time.

Further, the egg transfer system S includes such a case palletizer 4, a case packer 2, and a transport device 1 disposed between the case palletizer 4 and the case packer 2. The transport device 1 transports the container C and the cardboard box B. The case packer 2 transfers an egg pack P in which a plurality of eggs are stored in a container C or a cardboard box B carried by the transport device 1. The case palletizer 4 has the transfer device 1 arranged within the operating range of the main body 43. In such an egg transfer system S, the switching operation in the downstream process of the case packer 2 having the switching operation between the container C and the cardboard box B can be automated, and the egg sorting space or the space-constrained egg sorting space can be automated. This can lead to effective use of packaging space.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.

One of the head portions 31 and 41 may be any type as long as the container C can be lifted, and is not limited to the illustrated one. The other heads 32 and 42 may be of any type as long as the cardboard box B can be lifted, and are not limited to those illustrated. The object packed in the container C or the cardboard box B may be a tray in which a plurality of eggs are stored.

The egg transfer system S includes only the transfer device 1, the case packer 2, and the first transfer device (case feeder 3), the transfer device 1, the case packer 2, and the second transfer device (case pallet). It may have only the Tiza 4). The arrangement and number of the transfer devices 1 may be any as long as they are provided in association with the transfer device.

The embodiment disclosed this time is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the range described above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION This invention can be utilized for the case feeder used when the object to be transferred is the container (empty cardboard box or empty container) which accommodates an egg pack. Further, the present invention is used for a case palletizer used when the object to be transferred is a container containing an egg pack (a plurality of egg packs arranged in a cardboard box or container). be able to.

S ... Egg transfer system 1 ... Conveying device 2 ... Case packer 3 ... Case feeder (transfer device)
4: Case palletizer (transfer equipment)
35, 36, 45, 46 ... holding mechanisms 31, 41 ... one head part 32, 42 ... other head parts 33, 43 ... body parts 34, 44 ... control parts 37, 47 ... temporary standby areas 38, 48 ... storage Location C: Container B: Cardboard boxes C1, B1: Bottom wall C2, B2: Side wall P: Egg pack

Claims (2)

A transfer device for transferring a container having a bottom wall and a side wall and a cardboard box from a predetermined temporary standby area,
One head portion provided with a holding mechanism for lifting the container,
Another head portion provided with a holding mechanism for lifting the cardboard box,
A main body part in which the one head part and the other head part are detachably provided,
A control unit that accesses a storage location of the one head unit and the other head unit provided within an operation range of the main body unit and controls to change the one head unit and the other head unit. Transfer equipment. A transport device for transporting the container and the cardboard box,
A case packer for transferring an egg pack or tray containing a plurality of eggs in the container or cardboard box carried by the transport device,
An egg transfer system, comprising: the transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the transfer device is disposed within an operation range of the main body.

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