JP2020147413A

JP2020147413A - Feeding device

Info

Publication number: JP2020147413A
Application number: JP2019047287A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 壽晃菊池; Hisaaki Kikuchi
Original assignee: Anritsu Infivis Co Ltd
Current assignee: Anritsu Infivis Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-03-14
Filing date: 2019-03-14
Publication date: 2020-09-17
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-14
Also published as: JP7242356B2

Abstract

To provide a feeding device capable of feeding products W of a prescribed shape carried in one by one, to a subsequent stage device in a prescribed posture.SOLUTION: A feeding device 1 includes a feeder 2 and a belt conveyor 3. A conveyor belt 12 of the conveyor holds a product W in a prescribed posture in an inclined conveyance area A, and has a bar 15 where a center of gravity G of a product WB not in a prescribed posture is positioned below a vertical line VL in an inclination direction (Figure 3). While conveying the products in the prescribed posture, carried in to the conveyor one by one by the feeder 2, by the conveyor belt, the products WB not in the prescribed posture are eliminated by dropping from the conveyor belt by its weight, to convey only the products in the prescribed posture to a subsequent stage device 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

本発明は、一個ずつ搬入された所定形状の製品を所定の姿勢で後段の工程に供給することができる供給装置に係り、特に、製品を搬送ベルトで搬送しながら、所定の姿勢から外れた姿勢の製品を排除し、搬送ベルト上で所定の姿勢にある製品だけを後段に送ることができる供給装置に関するものである。 The present invention relates to a supply device capable of supplying products of a predetermined shape carried in one by one to a subsequent process in a predetermined posture, and in particular, a posture deviating from the predetermined posture while transporting the products with a transport belt. It relates to a supply device capable of excluding the products of the above-mentioned products and sending only the products in a predetermined posture on the transport belt to the subsequent stage.

下記特許文献１には、供給装置１に関する発明が開示されている。この供給装置１のベルトコンベア７は搬送方向に向けて上昇する角度で設置されている。搬送ベルト１１の搬送面には係止部１３が所定間隔で設けられ、ベルトには振動手段２０が下側から振動を与える。コンベアの両側にはベルトよりも低い案内面を有するベルトと平行な回収手段１５があり、コンベアの上流側のホッパ１６に連通している。被搬送物Ｗはホッパからベルトの係止部に載って上方に送られる。２個乗りの被搬送物はベルトの振動で落下し、回収手段を滑ってホッパに戻る。各係止部に載った被搬送物は所定間隔で後工程に搬送される。この供給装置によれば、搬送ベルト上で不規則な位置にある物品を排除して再度の供給のために回収しつつ、所定間隔に並んだ物品を搬送して後工程に供給することができるものとされている。 The following Patent Document 1 discloses an invention relating to the supply device 1. The belt conveyor 7 of the supply device 1 is installed at an angle that rises in the transport direction. Locking portions 13 are provided on the transport surface of the transport belt 11 at predetermined intervals, and the vibrating means 20 applies vibration to the belt from below. On both sides of the conveyor, there are collecting means 15 parallel to the belt having a guide surface lower than the belt, and communicate with the hopper 16 on the upstream side of the conveyor. The object to be transported W is placed on the locking portion of the belt from the hopper and sent upward. The two-seater object to be transported falls due to the vibration of the belt, slides on the recovery means, and returns to the hopper. The object to be transported on each locking portion is transported to a subsequent process at predetermined intervals. According to this supply device, articles arranged at predetermined intervals can be conveyed and supplied to a subsequent process while removing articles at irregular positions on the conveying belt and collecting them for resupply. It is supposed to be.

下記特許文献２には、パーツフィーダ４により非定型物品を所定の間隔を隔てて順次供給し、これら物品を順次重量計量する計量装置１８の発明が開示されている。この発明によれば、計量装置１８に搬送されてくる物品を検知し、物品の供給方向の間隔を検出し、その間隔が、計量装置による重量の計量に必要な間隔に満たない場合は、その間隔を隔てている２個の物品の一方を排除するようになっている。この計量装置によれば、供給されるすべての物品を計量に必要な一定の計量間隔で供給できるので正確に計量できるという効果が得られるものとされている。 Patent Document 2 below discloses an invention of a weighing device 18 in which atypical articles are sequentially supplied by a parts feeder 4 at predetermined intervals and these articles are sequentially weighed. According to the present invention, the article conveyed to the weighing device 18 is detected, the interval in the supply direction of the article is detected, and if the interval is less than the interval required for weighing the weight by the weighing device, the interval is detected. It is designed to eliminate one of the two articles that are spaced apart. According to this weighing device, all the supplied articles can be supplied at a fixed weighing interval required for weighing, so that the effect of accurate weighing can be obtained.

特開２０１３−２２０８８３号公報Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-228083 実開平０４−１２６１３０号公報Jikkenhei 04-126130

前記特許文献１に開示された供給装置の発明は、同文献中の実施形態に記載されているように、例えば冷凍のホタテ貝等の一次産品を検査装置に供給するために有用であり、多数の製品をホッパに投入しておけば、ベルトコンベアがホッパ内から製品を１個ずつ運び出して後工程の装置へ搬送していくことができる。 The invention of the supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is useful for supplying a primary product such as a frozen scallop shell to an inspection device as described in the embodiment in the same document, and many of them are useful. If the above products are put into the hopper, the belt conveyor can carry out the products one by one from the hopper and convey them to the equipment in the subsequent process.

前記特許文献１に開示された供給装置が対象とする製品よりも、さらに小さい製品を対象とする供給装置の場合には、上述したように多数の製品をまとめて投入したホッパから製品を取り出して供給する方法ではなく、前記特許文献２に開示された計量装置で使用されているようなパーツフィーダを利用することも考えられる。 In the case of a supply device for a product smaller than the target product for the supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the product is taken out from the hopper in which a large number of products are put together as described above. It is also conceivable to use a parts feeder as used in the measuring device disclosed in Patent Document 2 instead of the method of supplying.

前記特許文献２に記載されたパーツフィーダは、搬送対象である製品を移動させる円形の経路を備えており、経路を介して製品に与える振動等の外力で製品を一列の状態で先方に移動させる。このようなパーツフィーダの他、一般的なパーツフィーダとしては、皿型の製品収納容器を備えたパーツフィーダも知られている。このようなパーツフィーダでは、製品収納容器の内周面には底部から上部へと螺旋状に繋がる製品の搬送ルートが形成されており、搬送ルートの先端は本体の外部に突出して製品の供給先に連続している。製品は本体の底部に投入され、本体の振動によって製品は螺旋状の搬送ルートを一列になって徐々に登りながら進んでいき、本体から出て製品の供給先（又は後段の搬送装置等）に送られるようになっている。 The parts feeder described in Patent Document 2 has a circular path for moving a product to be transported, and moves the product in a row in a row by an external force such as vibration applied to the product through the path. .. In addition to such parts feeders, as a general parts feeder, a parts feeder provided with a dish-shaped product storage container is also known. In such a parts feeder, a product transport route that spirally connects from the bottom to the top is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the product storage container, and the tip of the transport route projects to the outside of the main body to supply the product. It is continuous with. The product is thrown into the bottom of the main body, and due to the vibration of the main body, the product advances in a row in a spiral transport route while gradually climbing, and then exits the main body to the product supply destination (or the subsequent transport device, etc.) It is supposed to be sent.

ここで、上述したようなパーツフィーダを用いて後段の装置に製品を供給するのは、後段の装置で製品に対して必要な処理等を行うためであり、そのためには製品の供給状態について満たされるべき条件がある。例えば、後段の装置が重量測定装置やＸ線検査装置等であれば、装置に搬入されてくる製品を１個ずつ精密に検査する必要から、容易には移動しないような安定した所定の姿勢で供給されることが必要であり、また製品は隣接する製品との間に所定の間隔をおいて供給されなければならない。 Here, the reason why the product is supplied to the subsequent device using the parts feeder as described above is that the latter device performs necessary processing and the like for the product, and for that purpose, the supply state of the product is satisfied. There are conditions to be met. For example, if the device in the subsequent stage is a weight measuring device, an X-ray inspection device, or the like, it is necessary to inspect each product brought into the device precisely one by one, so in a stable and predetermined posture that does not move easily. It needs to be supplied and the product must be supplied at a predetermined interval from the adjacent product.

ところが、上述したようなパーツフィーダを用いて後段の装置に製品を供給すると、製品は搬送ルートの上を一列になって押し合いながら移動してくるため、ある製品の姿勢が所定の姿勢にない場合でも、当該製品は前後の製品に接触して挟まれた状態で搬送されるため、姿勢が修正される可能性は低く、そのままの不正規の姿勢を維持して後段の装置に供給されてしまう。 However, when the product is supplied to the subsequent device using the parts feeder as described above, the products move in a row on the transport route while pushing each other, so that the posture of a certain product is not in the predetermined posture. However, since the product is transported in a state of being sandwiched in contact with the front and rear products, it is unlikely that the posture will be corrected, and the product will be supplied to the subsequent equipment while maintaining the irregular posture. ..

本発明は、以上の課題に鑑みてなされたものであり、一個ずつ搬入された所定形状の製品を所定の姿勢で後段の工程に供給することができる供給装置を提供することを目的としている。 The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a supply device capable of supplying products of a predetermined shape carried in one by one to a subsequent process in a predetermined posture.

請求項１に記載された供給装置１は、
一個ずつ搬入された所定形状の製品Ｗを搬送ベルト１２，１２ａ，１２ｂ，１２ｃ，１２ｄに載置して搬送しつつ所定姿勢にない製品ＷＢを搬送ベルト１２，１２ａ，１２ｂ，１２ｃ，１２ｄから排除して所定姿勢の製品Ｗを後段の装置４へ搬送する供給装置１であって、
前記搬送ベルト１２，１２ａ，１２ｂ，１２ｃ，１２ｄには、
前記搬送ベルト１２，１２ａ，１２ｂ，１２ｃ，１２ｄに載置された製品Ｗを水平面に対して傾斜して搬送する傾斜搬送領域Ａが設けられており、
かつ前記傾斜搬送領域Ａにおいて、所定姿勢の製品Ｗを保持するとともに、所定姿勢にない製品ＷＢの重心Ｇが製品ＷＢとの接触点を通過する垂線ＶＬを基準として前記搬送ベルト１２，１２ａ，１２ｂ，１２ｃ，１２ｄの傾斜方向の下方側に位置するように構成された保持部１５，１５ａ，１５ｂ，１５ｃ，１５ｄが設けられていることを特徴としている。 The supply device 1 according to claim 1 is
Products WB having a predetermined shape carried in one by one are placed on the transport belts 12, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d and transported, while products WB not in the predetermined posture are excluded from the transport belts 12, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d. A supply device 1 that conveys the product W in a predetermined posture to the device 4 in the subsequent stage.
The transport belts 12, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d have
An inclined transport region A for transporting the product W mounted on the transport belts 12, 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane is provided.
In addition, in the inclined transport region A, the transport belts 12, 12a, 12b are held in a predetermined posture, and the center of gravity G of the product WB that is not in the predetermined posture passes through the contact point with the product WB. , 12c, 12d are provided with holding portions 15, 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d configured to be located on the lower side in the inclination direction.

請求項２に記載された供給装置１は、請求項１記載の供給装置１において、
前記保持部は、前記搬送ベルト１２，１２ａ，１２ｂ，１２ｃ，１２ｄの搬送面Ｓから突出して設けられた桟１５，１５ａ，１５ｂ，１５ｃ，１５ｄであることを特徴としている。 The supply device 1 according to claim 2 is the supply device 1 according to claim 1.
The holding portion is characterized in that it is a crosspiece 15, 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d provided so as to project from the transport surface S of the transport belts 12, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d.

請求項３に記載された供給装置１は、請求項２記載の供給装置１において、
前記桟１５ｂ，１５ｃ，１５ｄには、隣り合う製品Ｗを所定の間隔をおいて保持する保持溝２６，２８，２９が設けられていることを特徴としている。 The supply device 1 according to claim 3 is the supply device 1 according to claim 2.
The crosspieces 15b, 15c, and 15d are characterized in that holding grooves 26, 28, and 29 for holding adjacent products W at predetermined intervals are provided.

請求項１に記載された供給装置によれば、一個ずつ搬入された所定形状の製品を搬送ベルトに載置して搬送していくことができる。搬送ベルトの傾斜搬送領域では、搬送ベルト上の製品のうち所定姿勢にある製品は、搬送ベルトの保持部によって安定的に保持され、そのまま搬送されていく。所定姿勢にない製品は、搬送ベルトの保持部を乗り越えて搬送ベルトの傾斜方向の下方側へ自重によって落下し、搬送ベルトから排除される。これによって所定姿勢の製品だけを後段の装置へ供給することができる。 According to the supply device according to claim 1, the products having a predetermined shape carried in one by one can be placed on a transport belt and transported. In the inclined transport region of the transport belt, among the products on the transport belt, the products in a predetermined posture are stably held by the holding portion of the transport belt and are conveyed as they are. A product that is not in the predetermined posture is removed from the transport belt by passing over the holding portion of the transport belt and falling to the lower side in the inclined direction of the transport belt by its own weight. As a result, only the product in a predetermined posture can be supplied to the subsequent device.

請求項２に記載された供給装置によれば、搬送ベルトの傾斜搬送領域では、搬送ベルトの搬送面に載置された所定姿勢にある製品は、搬送ベルトの搬送面から突出して設けられた桟によって安定的に保持され、搬送されていく。 According to the supply device according to claim 2, in the inclined transport region of the transport belt, the product in a predetermined posture placed on the transport surface of the transport belt is provided so as to project from the transport surface of the transport belt. It is stably held and transported.

請求項３に記載された供給装置によれば、搬送ベルトの傾斜搬送領域では、搬送ベルトの搬送面に載置された所定姿勢にある製品は、搬送ベルトの搬送面から突出して設けられた桟の保持溝に係合することにより、確実に所定の間隔をおいた状態でより安定的に保持され、搬送されていく。これによって所定姿勢の製品だけを、１個ずつ間隔をおいて後段の装置へ供給することができる。 According to the supply device according to claim 3, in the inclined transport region of the transport belt, the product in a predetermined posture placed on the transport surface of the transport belt is provided so as to project from the transport surface of the transport belt. By engaging with the holding groove of the above, the belt is held and conveyed more stably at a predetermined interval. As a result, only the products in a predetermined posture can be supplied to the subsequent device at intervals one by one.

第１実施形態の供給装置を正面側から見た斜視図である。It is a perspective view which looked at the supply device of 1st Embodiment from the front side. 第１実施形態の供給装置を背面側から見た斜視図である。It is a perspective view which looked at the supply device of 1st Embodiment from the back side. 第１実施形態の供給装置の傾斜搬送領域における製品の姿勢等による挙動の差異を説明する模式図である。It is a schematic diagram explaining the difference of the behavior by the posture of the product and the like in the inclined conveyance region of the supply device of 1st Embodiment. 第１実施形態の供給装置において搬送ベルトを交換した場合を示す斜視図である。It is a perspective view which shows the case where the transport belt is exchanged in the supply device of 1st Embodiment. 第２実施形態の供給装置のベルトコンベアの構成を示す斜視図である。It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the belt conveyor of the supply device of 2nd Embodiment. 第３実施形態の供給装置のベルトコンベアの構成を示す斜視図である。It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the belt conveyor of the supply device of 3rd Embodiment. 第４実施形態の供給装置のベルトコンベアの構成を示す斜視図である。It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the belt conveyor of the supply device of 4th Embodiment.

本発明の第１実施形態に係る供給装置について図１〜図４を参照して説明する。
まず供給装置の概要と、供給される製品について説明する。
図１及び図２に示すように、この供給装置１は、製品Ｗが貯えられたフィーダ２と、フィーダ２から送り出された製品Ｗを搬送するベルトコンベア３を備えている。ベルトコンベア３は製品Ｗを所定間隔おいた１列の状態にして運び、後段の重量測定装置４に供給し、重量測定装置４は製品Ｗの重量を１個ずつ測定する。この供給装置１が供給する製品Ｗは、具体的な一例を挙げれば、「おつまみ」として販売されるホタテ貝の貝柱の乾燥品等である。 The supply device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.
First, the outline of the supply device and the products to be supplied will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the supply device 1 includes a feeder 2 in which the product W is stored and a belt conveyor 3 for transporting the product W sent out from the feeder 2. The belt conveyor 3 carries the products W in a row at predetermined intervals and supplies them to the weight measuring device 4 in the subsequent stage, and the weight measuring device 4 measures the weight of the products W one by one. The product W supplied by the supply device 1 is, to give a specific example, a dried scallop adductor muscle sold as a “snacks”.

第１実施形態では、重量測定装置４での測定結果を元にして、図示しない後段の重量選別装置で製品Ｗを重量別に選別して複数の等級（サイズ）に分類する。このように重量に基づいて製品Ｗを複数の等級（サイズ）に分類する必要上、重量測定装置４に対しては、製品Ｗを所定の安定した姿勢で、かつ１個ずつ所定間隔で搬入し、正確に重量測定を行う必要がある。本実施形態の供給装置１は、このような選別ラインにおける必要性から、製品Ｗを後段の重量測定装置４に所定の姿勢で、かつ所定の間隔をおいて１個ずつ供給するために設けられたものである。 In the first embodiment, the product W is sorted by weight by a weight sorting device (not shown) in the subsequent stage based on the measurement result of the weight measuring device 4, and classified into a plurality of grades (sizes). Since it is necessary to classify the product W into a plurality of grades (sizes) based on the weight in this way, the product W is carried into the weight measuring device 4 in a predetermined stable posture and one by one at a predetermined interval. , It is necessary to measure the weight accurately. Due to the necessity in such a sorting line, the supply device 1 of the present embodiment is provided to supply the product W to the weight measuring device 4 in the subsequent stage one by one in a predetermined posture and at a predetermined interval. It is a thing.

この供給装置１による製品Ｗであるホタテ貝柱の乾燥品は、直径に比して高さの小さい円柱状（円柱形に近い半球状又はドーム状のような概ね丸い外形も含む。）の塊体である。また、そのサイズは円柱形であるとした場合、直径が２．０〜２．５ｃｍ程度であり、高さは１．５ｃｍ程度である。この製品Ｗは、底面が比較的平らであり、平坦な載置面に安定して接することができるが、横倒しの状態になり、平坦な載置面に外周面で接すると転がりやすく不安定な状態になる。ここで、平坦な載置面に底面で接して安定した状態を、重量測定に適した安定した姿勢との意味で「所定姿勢（又は正規姿勢）」と呼ぶこととする。また、所定姿勢（正規姿勢）以外の姿勢、例えば前述した横倒しの姿勢は重量測定に不適な姿勢であり、これを「所定姿勢以外の姿勢（又は不正規姿勢）」と呼ぶこととする。なお以下の説明では、不正規姿勢にある製品に言及する場合は「ＷＢ」の符合を用い、直径に比して高さが基準範囲を外れて大きい製品に言及する場合は「ＷＬ」の符合を用いる。 The dried scallop scallop, which is the product W of the supply device 1, is a cylindrical mass (including a hemispherical shape close to a columnar shape or a substantially round outer shape such as a dome shape) having a height smaller than the diameter. Is. Further, assuming that the size is cylindrical, the diameter is about 2.0 to 2.5 cm and the height is about 1.5 cm. This product W has a relatively flat bottom surface and can stably contact a flat mounting surface, but it is in a sideways state and is easily rolled and unstable when it touches a flat mounting surface on the outer peripheral surface. Become in a state. Here, the state in which the flat mounting surface is in contact with the bottom surface and is stable is referred to as a "predetermined posture (or normal posture)" in the sense of a stable posture suitable for weight measurement. Further, a posture other than the predetermined posture (normal posture), for example, the above-mentioned sideways posture is an unsuitable posture for weight measurement, and this is referred to as a "posture other than the predetermined posture (or irregular posture)". In the following explanation, the sign of "WB" is used when referring to a product in an irregular posture, and the sign of "WL" is used when referring to a product whose height is out of the reference range compared to the diameter. Is used.

次に供給装置１の構成について説明する。
図１及び図２に示すように、本実施形態の供給装置１が備えるフィーダ２は、多数の製品Ｗを貯容し、これを順次一個ずつ下流に送り出すための装置である。フィーダ２は、基台６の上に設置された収納容器７を備えている。収納容器７は上面が開放された皿型である。収納容器７の内周面には底部から上部へと内周面に沿って螺旋状に連続する製品Ｗの搬送ルート８が形成されている。搬送ルート８の底面は実質的に水平な緩傾斜面であり、かつ平面である。収納容器７は図示しない動力源によって振動するように構成されている。製品Ｗは、収納容器７の振動によって隙間なく密着した状態で螺旋状の搬送ルート８を一列になって登りながら徐々に進んでいく。 Next, the configuration of the supply device 1 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the feeder 2 included in the supply device 1 of the present embodiment is a device for storing a large number of products W and sequentially sending them downstream one by one. The feeder 2 includes a storage container 7 installed on the base 6. The storage container 7 is a dish type with an open top surface. A transport route 8 for the product W, which is spirally continuous along the inner peripheral surface from the bottom to the top, is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the storage container 7. The bottom surface of the transport route 8 is a substantially horizontal gently sloping surface and is flat. The storage container 7 is configured to vibrate by a power source (not shown). The product W gradually advances while climbing the spiral transport route 8 in a line in a state of being in close contact with each other due to the vibration of the storage container 7.

図１及び図２に示すように、搬送ルート８上を移動する製品Ｗは、概ね振動を受けて安定した所定の姿勢となり、隙間なく並んだ状態にあるが、中には所定の姿勢から外れた不正規姿勢をとるもの（製品ＷＢ）もある。しかし、不正規姿勢の製品ＷＢは前後から正規姿勢の製品Ｗに挟まれていれば、そのままの姿勢で所定姿勢の製品Ｗとともに搬送ルート８に沿って順次移動していく。なお、図１及び図２では、搬送ルート８の終端に連続する受け渡し部９（後述する。）を経て後述するベルトコンベア３に乗り移ったばかりの製品Ｗのなかに、１個の不正規姿勢の製品ＷＢが混在している状態を示している。 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the product W moving on the transport route 8 is generally subjected to vibration and has a stable predetermined posture, and is in a state of being lined up without a gap, but some of the products W deviate from the predetermined posture. Some take an irregular posture (product WB). However, if the product WB in the irregular posture is sandwiched between the product W in the normal posture from the front and back, the product WB in the irregular posture moves sequentially along the transport route 8 together with the product W in the predetermined posture in the same posture. In addition, in FIGS. 1 and 2, one product W having an irregular posture is included in the product W which has just been transferred to the belt conveyor 3 described later through the delivery unit 9 (described later) continuous at the end of the transport route 8. It shows a state in which WB is mixed.

図１及び図２に示すように、搬送ルート８の末端には受け渡し部９が接続されている。この受け渡し部９は、製品Ｗの搬送方向に平行な視線で端面を見ると略Ｖ字形の板体である。従って収納容器７内の搬送ルート８を搬送されてきた製品Ｗは、受け渡し部９に入ると傾斜した姿勢になる。すなわち、搬送ルート８を所定姿勢で搬送されてきた製品Ｗは、受け渡し部９に入ると、受け渡し部９の傾斜した一方の板体９ａに底面を接触させることにより、所定姿勢であるとともに傾斜した状態となる。また、搬送ルート８を不正規姿勢で搬送されてきた製品ＷＢは、受け渡し部９に入ると、受け渡し部９の傾斜した一方の板体９ａに周面を接触させるとともに他方の板体９ｂには底面を接触させることにより、不正規姿勢のままで傾斜した状態となる。このように、所定姿勢の製品Ｗも、所定姿勢にない製品ＷＢも、その姿勢を保ちつつ、傾斜した状態で受け渡し部９から後述するベルトコンベア３に送り込まれるようになっている。 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a delivery portion 9 is connected to the end of the transport route 8. The delivery portion 9 is a substantially V-shaped plate when the end face is viewed from a line of sight parallel to the transport direction of the product W. Therefore, the product W that has been transported through the transport route 8 in the storage container 7 takes an inclined posture when it enters the delivery section 9. That is, when the product W transported along the transport route 8 in a predetermined posture enters the delivery portion 9, the product W is in a predetermined posture and tilted by bringing the bottom surface into contact with one of the tilted plates 9a of the delivery portion 9. It becomes a state. Further, when the product WB transported through the transport route 8 in an irregular posture enters the delivery section 9, the peripheral surface of the product WB is brought into contact with one of the inclined plates 9a of the delivery portion 9 and the other plate 9b is contacted. By contacting the bottom surface, the body is tilted in an irregular posture. As described above, both the product W in the predetermined posture and the product WB not in the predetermined posture are sent from the delivery unit 9 to the belt conveyor 3 described later in an inclined state while maintaining the posture.

図１及び図２に示すように、収納容器７の受け渡し部９と、前述した重量測定装置４の間にはベルトコンベア３が設けられている。ベルトコンベア３は、モータ等の駆動源（図示せず）に連動連結された下流側の駆動ローラ１０と、上流側の従動ローラ１１と、これら両ローラ１０，１１に巻き付けられた無端状の搬送ベルト１２を有している。なお、図において搬送ベルト１２に隠れて現れていない両ローラ１０，１１については存在する位置を破線で示すものとする。ベルトコンベア３は、下流側の駆動ローラ１０が水平であるのに対し、上流側の従動ローラ１１は傾斜しており、これによって水平状態にある下流側の搬送ベルト１２に対して上流側の搬送ベルト１２が捩じれて傾斜した状態となっている。このベルトコンベア３は、以下に説明するように、搬送ベルト１２の傾斜した領域（後述する傾斜搬送領域Ａ）の少なくとも一部分において、所定姿勢の製品Ｗは保持部（後述する桟１５）で保持されるが、所定姿勢にない製品ＷＢは自重で落下させて搬送対象から排除されるように構成されている。 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a belt conveyor 3 is provided between the delivery portion 9 of the storage container 7 and the weight measuring device 4 described above. The belt conveyor 3 is a drive roller 10 on the downstream side linked to a drive source (not shown) such as a motor, a driven roller 11 on the upstream side, and an endless conveyor wound around both rollers 10 and 11. It has a belt 12. In the figure, the existing positions of the rollers 10 and 11 that are hidden behind the transport belt 12 and do not appear are indicated by broken lines. In the belt conveyor 3, the drive roller 10 on the downstream side is horizontal, while the driven roller 11 on the upstream side is inclined, so that the conveyor belt 12 on the upstream side is conveyed to the conveyor belt 12 on the downstream side in a horizontal state. The belt 12 is twisted and tilted. As described below, in the belt conveyor 3, the product W in a predetermined posture is held by the holding portion (the crosspiece 15 described later) in at least a part of the inclined region (tilted transport region A described later) of the transport belt 12. However, the product WB that is not in the predetermined posture is configured to be dropped by its own weight and excluded from the transport target.

図１及び図２に示すように、受け渡し部９の出口部分の高さと、重量測定装置４の入口部分の高さは概ね同一である。従って、ベルトコンベア３の高さは、その搬送長さのなかで概ね一定になっている。しかしながら、前述した通り、受け渡し部９からは傾斜した状態の製品Ｗが送り込まれるので、これをそのまま受け入れるため、搬送ベルト１２の搬送方向の上流側は前述したように傾斜している。このように製品Ｗを水平面に対して傾斜して搬送する領域を、この供給装置１では搬送ベルト１２の傾斜搬送領域Ａと称している。傾斜搬送領域Ａにおける搬送ベルト１２の傾斜は一定ではなく、下流に進むに従って水平に近づき、製品Ｗを水平な状態で重量測定装置４に渡せるようになっている。 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the height of the outlet portion of the delivery portion 9 and the height of the inlet portion of the weight measuring device 4 are substantially the same. Therefore, the height of the belt conveyor 3 is substantially constant within the transport length. However, as described above, since the product W in an inclined state is sent from the delivery portion 9, the upstream side of the transport belt 12 in the transport direction is tilted as described above in order to accept the product W as it is. The region for transporting the product W at an angle with respect to the horizontal plane in this way is referred to as an inclined transport region A of the transport belt 12 in the supply device 1. The inclination of the transfer belt 12 in the inclined transfer region A is not constant, and it approaches horizontal as it goes downstream, so that the product W can be passed to the weight measuring device 4 in a horizontal state.

図１及び図２に示すように、搬送ベルト１２の幅方向の中央には、搬送方向に連続する無端状の桟１５が設けられている。桟１５は、搬送ベルト１２の幅方向に沿って切断した断面が矩形であり、載置面から上方に突出している。桟１５は、搬送ベルト１２の傾斜搬送領域Ａにおいて、搬送ベルト１２の載置面に所定の姿勢で載置された製品Ｗに接触してこれを落ちないように保持する。また、詳細は以下に図３を参照して後述するが、桟１５は、搬送ベルト１２の傾斜搬送領域Ａにおいて、搬送ベルト１２の載置面に非正規姿勢で載置された製品ＷＢを自重で落下させるような構成となっている。 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an endless crosspiece 15 continuous in the transport direction is provided at the center of the transport belt 12 in the width direction. The cross section of the crosspiece 15 cut along the width direction of the transport belt 12 is rectangular, and protrudes upward from the mounting surface. The crosspiece 15 contacts the product W mounted in a predetermined posture on the mounting surface of the transport belt 12 in the inclined transport region A of the transport belt 12 and holds the product W so as not to fall. Further, the details will be described later with reference to FIG. 3, but the crosspiece 15 weights the product WB mounted on the mounting surface of the transport belt 12 in a non-regular posture in the inclined transport region A of the transport belt 12. It is configured to drop with.

次に供給装置１の作用について、特に傾斜搬送領域Ａにおいて所定姿勢の製品Ｗが保持され、所定姿勢にない製品Ｗが排除される原理を中心として、図３を参照して説明する。
図３（ａ）は、所定姿勢の製品Ｗが、傾斜搬送領域Ａにおいて所定の傾斜状態にある搬送ベルト１２の搬送面Ｓに載置されており、桟１５に当接して保持されている状態を示している。所定姿勢の製品Ｗの重心Ｇは、桟１５の上端と製品Ｗとの接触点を通過する垂線ＶＬ（一点鎖線で示す）を基準として、搬送ベルト１２の傾斜方向の上方側に位置している。この状態は、傾斜搬送領域Ａのすべてにおいて保持される。従って、製品Ｗは搬送ベルト１２の上で安定しており、搬送ベルト１２によって所定姿勢のままで搬送される。 Next, the operation of the supply device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3, focusing on the principle that the product W in the predetermined posture is held and the product W not in the predetermined posture is excluded, particularly in the inclined conveyance region A.
FIG. 3A shows a state in which the product W in a predetermined posture is placed on the transport surface S of the transport belt 12 in a predetermined tilted state in the tilted transport region A, and is held in contact with the crosspiece 15. Is shown. The center of gravity G of the product W in the predetermined posture is located on the upper side in the inclination direction of the transport belt 12 with reference to the vertical line VL (indicated by the alternate long and short dash line) passing through the contact point between the upper end of the crosspiece 15 and the product W. .. This state is maintained in all of the inclined transport areas A. Therefore, the product W is stable on the transport belt 12, and is transported by the transport belt 12 in a predetermined posture.

図３（ｂ）は、所定姿勢以外の姿勢（不正規姿勢）である製品ＷＢが、傾斜搬送領域Ａにおいて所定の傾斜状態にある搬送ベルト１２の搬送面Ｓの上に載置されており、桟１５に当接している状態を示している。所定姿勢にはない製品ＷＢの重心Ｇは、桟１５の上端と製品Ｗとの接触点を通過する垂線ＶＬ（一点鎖線で示す）を基準として、搬送ベルト１２の傾斜方向の下方側に位置している。従って、製品ＷＢは自重によって前記接触点を中心に回転し、桟１５を乗り越えて搬送ベルト１２から離れ、搬送ベルト１２の外に落下して排除される。 In FIG. 3B, the product WB in a posture other than the predetermined posture (irregular posture) is placed on the transport surface S of the transport belt 12 in a predetermined tilted state in the tilted transport region A. It shows a state of being in contact with the crosspiece 15. The center of gravity G of the product WB that is not in the predetermined posture is located on the lower side in the inclined direction of the transport belt 12 with reference to the vertical line VL (indicated by the alternate long and short dash line) that passes through the contact point between the upper end of the crosspiece 15 and the product W. ing. Therefore, the product WB rotates about the contact point by its own weight, gets over the crosspiece 15, separates from the transport belt 12, falls out of the transport belt 12, and is eliminated.

図３（ｃ）は、製品の形状が、製品として求められている基準範囲（又は許容範囲）から外れた場合の作用を示している。この製品ＷＬは、図３（ａ）に示す基準範囲内の製品Ｗとは異なり、直径に比して高さが大きく、従って製品Ｗよりも重心Ｇの位置が高い円柱状の塊体である。この製品ＷＬは、搬送ベルト１２の搬送面Ｓに底面を接触させた所定姿勢で載置されているが、搬送ベルト１２の上では安定しない。背が高い当該製品ＷＬの重心Ｇは、桟１５の上端と製品ＷＬとの接触点を通過する垂線ＶＬ（一点鎖線で示す）を基準として、搬送ベルト１２の傾斜方向の下方側に位置している。従って、製品ＷＬは自重によって前記接触点を中心に回転し、桟１５を乗り越えて搬送ベルト１２から離れ、搬送ベルト１２の外に落下して排除される。 FIG. 3C shows the action when the shape of the product deviates from the reference range (or allowable range) required for the product. This product WL is a columnar mass having a height larger than the diameter and therefore a position of the center of gravity G higher than that of the product W, unlike the product W within the reference range shown in FIG. 3 (a). .. This product WL is placed in a predetermined posture with the bottom surface in contact with the transport surface S of the transport belt 12, but is not stable on the transport belt 12. The center of gravity G of the tall product WL is located on the lower side in the inclined direction of the transport belt 12 with reference to the vertical line VL (indicated by the alternate long and short dash line) passing through the contact point between the upper end of the crosspiece 15 and the product WL. There is. Therefore, the product WL rotates about the contact point by its own weight, gets over the crosspiece 15, separates from the transport belt 12, falls out of the transport belt 12, and is eliminated.

先に説明したように、傾斜搬送領域Ａにおける搬送ベルト１２の傾斜は一定ではないが、傾斜搬送領域Ａの全領域において図３（ａ）の状態が維持され、傾斜搬送領域Ａの少なくとも一部の領域において図３（ｂ）及び（ｃ）の状態が維持されることが必要である。 As described above, the inclination of the transport belt 12 in the inclined transport region A is not constant, but the state of FIG. 3A is maintained in the entire region of the inclined transport region A, and at least a part of the inclined transport region A. It is necessary that the state of FIGS. 3 (b) and 3 (c) is maintained in the region of.

次に供給装置１の後段に設置された重量測定装置４について説明する。
図１及び図２に示すように、重量測定装置４は、基台２０の上に設置された導入ベルトコンベア２１と、秤量ベルトコンベア２２と、操作表示パネル２３を備えた制御部２４とを有している。導入ベルトコンベア２１は水平な搬送面を備え、供給装置１のベルトコンベア３の水平な最下流部分に対向している。秤量ベルトコンベア２２は水平な搬送面を備え、導入ベルトコンベア２１と同一高さで対向している。ベルトコンベア３から供給された所定姿勢の製品Ｗは、適速で運転される導入ベルトコンベア２１で搬送されて間隔を調整され、秤量ベルトコンベア２２に１個ずつ載せられて重量を測定される。 Next, the weight measuring device 4 installed after the supply device 1 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the weight measuring device 4 includes an introduction belt conveyor 21 installed on the base 20, a weighing belt conveyor 22, and a control unit 24 provided with an operation display panel 23. are doing. The introduction belt conveyor 21 has a horizontal transport surface and faces the horizontal most downstream portion of the belt conveyor 3 of the supply device 1. The weighing belt conveyor 22 has a horizontal transport surface and faces the introduction belt conveyor 21 at the same height. The products W in a predetermined posture supplied from the belt conveyor 3 are conveyed by the introduction belt conveyor 21 operated at an appropriate speed to adjust the interval, and are placed one by one on the weighing belt conveyor 22 to measure the weight.

なお、図１及び図２では、重量測定装置４の下流側には格別の構成は図示されていないが、重量測定装置４における重量の測定結果に基づいて製品Ｗを選別する選別装置等を設けることができる。また、ベルトコンベア３の周辺にも格別の構成は図示されていないが、これはベルトコンベア３の構造を明瞭に図示するための便宜であって、特に搬送ベルト１２の傾斜搬送領域Ａの下方を含む周辺領域には、搬送ベルト１２から落下して排除された製品Ｗを受け取る回収手段を設けることができる。 Although a special configuration is not shown on the downstream side of the weight measuring device 4 in FIGS. 1 and 2, a sorting device or the like for sorting the product W based on the weight measurement result of the weight measuring device 4 is provided. be able to. Further, although a special configuration is not shown around the belt conveyor 3, this is a convenience for clearly showing the structure of the belt conveyor 3, and particularly below the inclined transport area A of the conveyor belt 12. In the peripheral region including the product W, a collecting means for receiving the product W which has fallen from the conveyor belt 12 and is excluded can be provided.

図４は、第１実施形態の供給装置１において搬送ベルト１２を搬送ベルト１２ａに交換した場合を示す斜視図である。図１及び図２の第１実施形態では、製品Ｗの保持部である桟１５は、搬送ベルト１２の幅方向の中央に、搬送方向を長手方向として設けられていた。搬送する製品Ｗが比較的小さい、軽いものであれば、このような構成でよく、製品Ｗ及び桟１５が搬送ベルト１２の幅方向の中央に集まるため、搬送は安定する。しかしながら、搬送する製品Ｗが比較的大きい、重いものである場合には、図４に示すような構成の桟１５ａが好ましい。図４に示す搬送ベルト１２ａの桟１５ａは、桟１５と形状は同じであり搬送方向に連続する断面矩形の帯状であるが、搬送ベルト１２ａの搬送面Ｓ上での配置が異なる。すなわち、桟１５ａは搬送ベルト１２ａの幅方向の傾斜方向下側に寄った位置に設けられている。搬送する製品Ｗが比較的大きくても、製品Ｗを搬送ベルト１２ａの略中央に載置することができるため、搬送は安定する。 FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a case where the transport belt 12 is replaced with the transport belt 12a in the supply device 1 of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the crosspiece 15 which is the holding portion of the product W is provided at the center of the transport belt 12 in the width direction with the transport direction as the longitudinal direction. If the product W to be transported is relatively small and light, such a configuration may be used, and the product W and the crosspiece 15 are gathered at the center in the width direction of the transport belt 12, so that the transport is stable. However, when the product W to be conveyed is relatively large and heavy, the crosspiece 15a having the configuration shown in FIG. 4 is preferable. The cross section 15a of the transport belt 12a shown in FIG. 4 has the same shape as the crosspiece 15 and has a rectangular strip shape continuous in the transport direction, but the arrangement of the transport belt 12a on the transport surface S is different. That is, the crosspiece 15a is provided at a position closer to the lower side in the inclination direction in the width direction of the transport belt 12a. Even if the product W to be transported is relatively large, the product W can be placed substantially in the center of the transport belt 12a, so that the transport is stable.

以上説明したように、第１実施形態の供給装置１によれば、所定形状の製品Ｗをフィーダ２から一個ずつ傾斜した状態で傾斜搬送領域Ａの搬送ベルト１２，１２ａに受け入れ、これを搬送していくことができる。搬送ベルト１２，１２ａの傾斜搬送領域Ａでは、搬送ベルト１２，１２ａ上に載置された製品Ｗのうち、所定姿勢にある製品Ｗは、搬送ベルト１２，１２ａの桟１５，１５ａによって安定的に保持されるため、そのまま下流へと搬送されていくが、所定姿勢にない製品ＷＢや基準範囲外で相対的に背の高い製品ＷＬは、搬送ベルト１２，１２ａの桟１５，１５ａを乗り越えて搬送ベルト１２，１２ａの傾斜方向の下方側へ自重で落下し、搬送ベルト１２，１２ａから排除される。これによって後段の重量測定装置４の導入ベルトコンベア２１へ、所定姿勢の製品Ｗだけを水平な状態で１個ずつ間隔をおいて供給することができる。 As described above, according to the supply device 1 of the first embodiment, the products W having a predetermined shape are received in the transport belts 12 and 12a of the tilted transport region A in a state of being tilted one by one from the feeder 2, and the products W are conveyed. You can go. In the inclined transport region A of the transport belts 12 and 12a, among the products W mounted on the transport belts 12 and 12a, the product W in a predetermined posture is stably controlled by the crosspieces 15 and 15a of the transport belts 12 and 12a. Since it is held, it is transported downstream as it is, but the product WB that is not in the predetermined posture and the product WL that is relatively tall outside the reference range are transported over the crosspieces 15, 15a of the transport belts 12, 12a. The belts 12 and 12a fall to the lower side in the inclined direction by their own weight and are removed from the conveyor belts 12 and 12a. As a result, only the products W in a predetermined posture can be supplied to the introduction belt conveyor 21 of the weight measuring device 4 in the subsequent stage in a horizontal state at intervals of one by one.

本発明の第２〜４実施形態に係る供給装置について、それぞれ図５〜図７を参照して説明する。第１実施形態と対応する部分には第１実施形態と同一の符合を付して説明を省略する。
図５〜図７に示したのは、それぞれ第２〜４実施形態の各供給装置であるベルトコンベア３ｂ，３ｃ，３ｄである。図示はしないが、各図において右側の上流側には製品Ｗの供給元となるフィーダ２等の機器が設置され、左側の下流側には重量測定装置４等のような製品Ｗの供給先となる後段の機器等が設置される。第１実施形態の供給装置１のベルトコンベア３，３ａは、下流側は水平であるが上流側が傾斜するように搬送ベルト１２，１２ａが捩じれていたが、第２〜４実施形態の各ベルトコンベア３ｂ，３ｃ，３ｄは、いずれも搬送ベルト１２ｂ，１２ｃ，１２ｄが捩じれておらず、一様に平坦な搬送面Ｓを有しており、全体として傾斜して設置されている。すなわち、ベルトコンベア３ｂ，３ｃ，３ｄの入口側も出口側も同様に傾斜しており、その搬送長さの全長が傾斜搬送領域Ａとなっている。従って、図５〜図７には示していない上流側のフィーダ２等及び下流側の重量測定装置４等と、傾斜したベルトコンベア３ｂ，３ｃ，３ｄとの各間には、フィーダ２等及び重量測定装置４等との間で製品Ｗを受け渡すために必要な機能を備えた適宜の受け渡し装置が必要に応じて設けられる。 The supply devices according to the second to fourth embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, respectively. The parts corresponding to the first embodiment are designated by the same symbols as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.
5 to 7 show the belt conveyors 3b, 3c, and 3d, which are the supply devices of the second to fourth embodiments, respectively. Although not shown, equipment such as a feeder 2 that is a supply source of the product W is installed on the upstream side on the right side in each figure, and a supply destination of the product W such as the weight measuring device 4 etc. is installed on the downstream side on the left side. Equipment, etc. in the latter stage will be installed. In the belt conveyors 3 and 3a of the supply device 1 of the first embodiment, the conveyor belts 12 and 12a were twisted so that the downstream side was horizontal but the upstream side was inclined, but each of the belt conveyors of the second to fourth embodiments was twisted. In each of 3b, 3c, and 3d, the conveyor belts 12b, 12c, and 12d are not twisted, have a uniformly flat conveyor surface S, and are installed at an angle as a whole. That is, both the inlet side and the outlet side of the belt conveyors 3b, 3c, and 3d are inclined in the same manner, and the total length of the transfer length is the inclined transfer area A. Therefore, between the upstream side feeder 2 and the like and the downstream side weight measuring device 4 and the like and the inclined belt conveyors 3b, 3c and 3d, which are not shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the feeder 2 and the like and the weight An appropriate delivery device having a function necessary for delivering the product W to and from the measuring device 4 and the like is provided as needed.

図５に示す第２実施形態のベルトコンベア３ｂは、搬送ベルト１２ｂの幅方向の中央よりも、傾斜方向の下方に寄った位置に、搬送方向に沿って形成された桟１５ｂを有している。第２実施形態の桟１５ｂは、第１実施形態の桟１５，１５ａのように一様な帯状の長体ではなく、矩形のブロック体２５をジグザグ状に配列した構造であり、隣接するブロック体２５とブロック体２５の間に生じる大小２種類の溝のうち、ブロック体２５の長辺で構成される大きい方の溝（保持溝２６と呼ぶ。）に製品Ｗが嵌まり込んで保持されるようになっている。この保持溝２６の形状・寸法と、保持溝２６と保持溝２６のピッチは、製品Ｗのサイズや、隣接する製品Ｗと製品Ｗの間に設けたい距離（製品間隔）に応じて設定することができる。 The belt conveyor 3b of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 has a crosspiece 15b formed along the transport direction at a position closer to the lower side in the inclined direction than the center in the width direction of the transport belt 12b. .. The crosspiece 15b of the second embodiment is not a uniform strip-shaped long body like the crosspieces 15 and 15a of the first embodiment, but has a structure in which rectangular block bodies 25 are arranged in a zigzag shape, and adjacent block bodies. The product W is fitted and held in the larger groove (referred to as the holding groove 26) formed by the long side of the block body 25 among the two types of grooves, large and small, generated between the block body 25 and the block body 25. It has become like. The shape and dimensions of the holding groove 26 and the pitch between the holding groove 26 and the holding groove 26 should be set according to the size of the product W and the distance (product spacing) desired to be provided between the adjacent product W and the product W. Can be done.

このベルトコンベア３ｂによれば、傾斜した状態の製品Ｗを上流側から１個ずつ搬送ベルト１２ａに受け入れて保持溝２６に保持することにより、多数の製品Ｗを所定間隔をおいた一列の状態で搬送していくことができる。搬送ベルト１２ｂの搬送長さの全体が傾斜搬送領域Ａであるため、下流にある後段の装置まで搬送される間に、所定姿勢にない製品ＷＢは、図３を参照して先に説明した原理により自重で落下して搬送ベルト１２ｂから排除される。その結果、後段の装置に対し、所定姿勢の製品Ｗのみを１個ずつ所定の製品間隔をおいて供給することができる。なお、例えば所定姿勢にない製品Ｗが１個排除され、その前後にある製品Ｗが所定姿勢にある場合には、当該前後にある２個の製品Ｗ，Ｗの間隔は、隣接している所定姿勢の２個の製品Ｗ，Ｗの製品間隔よりも大きくなるが、所定寸法以上の製品間隔をおいて製品Ｗを１個ずつ供給することが後段の装置が製品Ｗを受け入れる条件であるとすれば、その保持溝２６のピッチを前記製品間隔以上に設定しておけば、実際の製品間隔が広くなっても特に問題はない。 According to the belt conveyor 3b, the inclined products W are received one by one from the upstream side into the transport belt 12a and held in the holding groove 26, so that a large number of products W are arranged in a row at predetermined intervals. It can be transported. Since the entire transport length of the transport belt 12b is the inclined transport region A, the product WB that is not in the predetermined posture while being transported to the device in the subsequent stage downstream is based on the principle described above with reference to FIG. Therefore, it falls by its own weight and is removed from the transport belt 12b. As a result, only the products W in a predetermined posture can be supplied to the subsequent device one by one at a predetermined product interval. For example, when one product W that is not in the predetermined posture is excluded and the products W before and after the product W are in the predetermined posture, the distance between the two products W and W before and after the product W is adjacent to each other. It is larger than the product spacing of the two products W and W in the posture, but it is said that it is a condition for the subsequent device to accept the product W that the product W is supplied one by one at a product spacing of a predetermined dimension or more. For example, if the pitch of the holding grooves 26 is set to be equal to or larger than the product spacing, there is no particular problem even if the actual product spacing is widened.

図６に示す第３実施形態のベルトコンベア３ｃは、搬送ベルト１２ｃの幅方向の中央よりも、傾斜方向の下方に寄った位置に、搬送方向に沿って形成された桟１５ｃを有している。第３実施形態の桟１５ｃは、傾斜方向の上方に尖端を向けた山形のブロック体２７を一列に並べた構造であり、隣接するブロック体２７とブロック体２７の間に生じる保持溝２８に製品Ｗが嵌まり込んで保持されるようになっている。この保持溝２８の形状・寸法と、保持溝２８と保持溝２８のピッチは、製品Ｗのサイズや、隣接する製品Ｗと製品Ｗの間に設けたい距離（製品間隔）に応じて設定することができる。この実施形態によっても、第２実施形態と同様の効果を得ることができ、さらに保持溝２８から製品Ｗの欠片などを搬送ベルト１２ｃ上から落下させることができる。 The belt conveyor 3c of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 6 has a crosspiece 15c formed along the transport direction at a position closer to the lower side in the inclined direction than the center in the width direction of the transport belt 12c. .. The crosspiece 15c of the third embodiment has a structure in which chevron-shaped block bodies 27 whose tips are directed upward in the inclined direction are arranged in a row, and the product is formed in a holding groove 28 formed between the adjacent block bodies 27 and the block bodies 27. W is fitted and held. The shape and dimensions of the holding groove 28 and the pitch between the holding groove 28 and the holding groove 28 should be set according to the size of the product W and the distance (product spacing) desired to be provided between the adjacent product W and the product W. Can be done. The same effect as that of the second embodiment can be obtained by this embodiment as well, and a fragment of the product W or the like can be dropped from the holding groove 28 from the transport belt 12c.

図７に示す第４実施形態のベルトコンベア３ｄは、搬送ベルト１２ｄの幅方向の中央よりも、傾斜方向の下方に寄った位置に、搬送方向に沿って形成された桟１５ｄを有している。第３実施形態の桟１５ｄは、搬送方向に連続しているが、第１実施形態のように一様な帯状ではなく、傾斜方向の上側の縁辺に所定の製品間隔で半円状の保持溝２９が形成された帯状である。この保持溝２９の形状・寸法と、保持溝２９と保持溝２９のピッチは、製品Ｗのサイズや、隣接する製品Ｗと製品Ｗの間に設けたい距離（製品間隔）に応じて設定することができる。この実施形態によっても、第２実施形態と同様の効果を得ることができ、特に製品Ｗのサイズ（直径）が一定の場合に、より確実に１個ずつ供給することができる。 The belt conveyor 3d of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 7 has a crosspiece 15d formed along the transport direction at a position closer to the lower side in the inclined direction than the center in the width direction of the transport belt 12d. .. Although the crosspiece 15d of the third embodiment is continuous in the transport direction, it is not a uniform band shape as in the first embodiment, but a semicircular holding groove at a predetermined product interval on the upper edge in the inclined direction. It is a band shape in which 29 is formed. The shape and dimensions of the holding groove 29 and the pitch between the holding groove 29 and the holding groove 29 should be set according to the size of the product W and the distance (product spacing) desired to be provided between the adjacent product W and the product W. Can be done. Even with this embodiment, the same effect as that of the second embodiment can be obtained, and particularly when the size (diameter) of the product W is constant, it is possible to supply one by one more reliably.

本発明の第５実施形態に係る供給装置について説明する。
この供給装置は、第１〜第４実施形態と同様、一個ずつ搬入された所定形状の製品Ｗをベルトコンベアの搬送ベルトに載置して搬送しながら、所定姿勢にない製品Ｗを搬送ベルトから排除して所定姿勢の製品Ｗのみを後段の装置へ搬送する装置である。この供給装置が第１〜第４実施形態と異なる点は、ベルトコンベアの搬送ベルトが平ベルトではなく、複数本の線状ベルトからなる点である。線状ベルトとしては、丸ベルト（ひもベルト）、各種形状のＶベルト、幅の狭い帯状ベルト、幅の狭い帯状の歯付きベルト等を用いることができる。そして、複数本の線状ベルトは互いに平行となるように配置され、その中の一部の線状ベルトで製品Ｗを支えて搬送するとともに、その中の少なくとも１本の線状ベルトが前記桟１５等と同様の機能を果たす製品Ｗの保持部となる。この実施形態においても、所定姿勢以外の姿勢にある製品Ｗは図３参照して説明した原理によって自重で搬送ベルトから落下して排除され、所定姿勢の製品Ｗのみがその姿勢を維持して搬送され、後段に供給される。 The supply device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Similar to the first to fourth embodiments, this supply device mounts the products W of a predetermined shape carried in one by one on the conveyor belt of the belt conveyor and conveys the products W that are not in the predetermined posture from the conveyor belt. It is a device that excludes and conveys only the product W in a predetermined posture to the device in the subsequent stage. This supply device differs from the first to fourth embodiments in that the conveyor belt of the belt conveyor is not a flat belt but a plurality of linear belts. As the linear belt, a round belt (string belt), a V-belt of various shapes, a narrow belt-shaped belt, a narrow belt-shaped toothed belt, or the like can be used. A plurality of linear belts are arranged so as to be parallel to each other, and a part of the linear belts support and convey the product W, and at least one of the linear belts is the crosspiece. It serves as a holding part for the product W that has the same function as the 15th grade. Also in this embodiment, the product W in a posture other than the predetermined posture is removed by falling from the transport belt by its own weight according to the principle described with reference to FIG. 3, and only the product W in the predetermined posture is maintained in that posture and transported. It is supplied to the latter stage.

以上説明した各実施形態における供給装置の目的は、後段にある重量測定装置や重量選別装置に対し、所定姿勢の製品Ｗを一個ずつ、できれば所定の製品間隔以上の間隔をおいて順次供給することであったが、もちろん搬送する製品Ｗは食品以外の製品でもよく、その種類に限定はない。また製品Ｗを供給する目的や製品Ｗが送り込まれる後段の装置や機器等の種類にも限定はない。さらにまた、第１実施形態では、供給装置１に製品Ｗを送り込む螺旋状の搬送ルート８を有する振動式のフィーダ２を供給装置１の一部として説明したが、フィーダ２の原理はこれに限らず、またベルトコンベア３，３ａ，３ｂ，３ｃ，３ｄに製品Ｗが一個ずつ搬入されることを前提条件とすれば、必ずしもフィーダ２を供給装置１の一部と考える必要はない。 The purpose of the supply device in each of the above-described embodiments is to sequentially supply one product W in a predetermined posture to the weight measuring device and the weight sorting device in the subsequent stage, preferably at intervals of a predetermined product interval or more. However, of course, the product W to be transported may be a product other than food, and the type is not limited. Further, there is no limitation on the purpose of supplying the product W and the types of devices and devices in the subsequent stage to which the product W is sent. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the vibration type feeder 2 having the spiral transport route 8 for feeding the product W to the supply device 1 has been described as a part of the supply device 1, but the principle of the feeder 2 is limited to this. However, assuming that the product W is carried into the belt conveyors 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d one by one, it is not always necessary to consider the feeder 2 as a part of the supply device 1.

１…供給装置
２…フィーダ
３，３ａ，３ｂ，３ｃ，３ｄ…ベルトコンベア
４…後段の装置としての重量測定装置
１２，１２ａ，１２ｂ，１２ｃ，１２ｄ…搬送ベルト
１５，１５ａ，１５ｂ，１５ｃ，１５ｄ…保持部としての桟
２６，２８，２９…保持溝
Ｗ…製品（所定姿勢にある製品）
ＷＢ…製品（所定姿勢にない製品）
ＷＬ…製品（基準範囲を外れた相対的に重心Ｇが高い製品）
Ａ…傾斜搬送領域
Ｇ…重心
Ｓ…搬送面
ＶＬ…垂線 1 ... Supply device 2 ... Feeder 3,3a, 3b, 3c, 3d ... Belt conveyor 4 ... Weight measuring device as a device in the subsequent stage 12, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d ... Conveyor belt 15, 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d ... Crossing as a holding part 26, 28, 29 ... Holding groove W ... Product (product in a predetermined posture)
WB ... Product (Product that is not in the specified posture)
WL ... Product (Product with a relatively high center of gravity G outside the standard range)
A ... Inclined transport area G ... Center of gravity S ... Transport surface VL ... Perpendicular line

Claims

Products (W) of a predetermined shape carried in one by one are placed on a transport belt (12, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) and transported, while products (WB) that are not in a predetermined posture are excluded from the transport belt and predetermined. It is a supply device (1) that transports the product in the posture to the device (4) in the subsequent stage.
The transport belt has
An inclined transport region (A) is provided for transporting the product mounted on the transport belt at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane.
In addition, the product in the predetermined posture is held in the inclined transport region, and the center of gravity (G) of the product not in the predetermined posture passes through the contact point with the product on the lower side in the tilt direction with reference to the vertical line (VL). A supply device (1), characterized in that a holding portion (15, 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) configured to be located at is provided.

The holding portion is a crosspiece (15, 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) provided so as to project from the transport surface (S) of the transport belt (12, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d). The supply device (1) according to claim 1.

2. The second aspect of the present invention, wherein the crosspieces (15b, 15c, 15d) are provided with holding grooves (26, 28, 29) for holding adjacent products (W) at predetermined intervals. Supply device (1).