JP2023105783A - Container supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a container supply device capable of smoothly supplying a container to a delivery position.SOLUTION: A container supply device 2 comprises: a first guide part 10 which guides a first container 90A and a second container 90B in their movements; a second guide part 20 which is arranged downstream from a first guide part 90A in a conveyance direction, and guides the first container 90A or second container 90B in its movement to a delivery position P0; a sending-out device 30 which sends the first container 90A and second container 90B in order from the first guide part 10 to the second guide part 20; and a delivery device 40 which delivers the first container 90A or second container 90B, sent out to the second guide part 20, to the delivery position P0.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present disclosure relates to container feeders.

Conventionally, as a conveying device for conveying pouch containers, International Publication No. 2019/026349 (Patent Document 1) discloses a plurality of pouch containers along the support rails, with the spouts of the pouch containers being supported by the support rails. A technique for linearly conveying is disclosed.

International Publication No. 2019/026349

However, in Patent Document 1, sufficient consideration is not given to feeding the containers to the next post-process by the conveying device. If the position at which the containers are transferred from the transfer device to the next process is not continuous with the transfer path of the transfer device, a supply device is required to supply the containers transferred by the transfer device to the transfer position. Furthermore, when two containers are conveyed by rod feeding at a predetermined pitch and a plurality of containers are individually and continuously conveyed in the next step, the supply device needs to be devised.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the problems as described above, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a container supply device capable of smoothly supplying containers to a transfer position.

A container feeder according to the present disclosure is a device that feeds containers to a transfer position. The container supply device receives the first container and the second container in this order along the transport direction, and includes a first guide part for guiding the movement of the first container and the second container, and the second container in the transport direction. a second guide portion disposed downstream of the first guide portion for guiding the movement of the first container or the second container to the transfer position; and a delivery device for delivering the first container or the second container delivered to the second guide to the delivery position.

In the container feeding device based on the present disclosure, the second guide section has a first state in which the conveying path of the second guide section is continuous with the first guide section and discontinuous at the delivery position; The conveying path may be provided rotatably between a second state continuing to the delivery position.

In the container feeding device based on the present disclosure, the dispensing device is provided slidably, and is a pressing device that presses and moves the first container or the second container delivered to the second guide part. You may have a member. In this case, the first container or the second container delivered to the second guide portion is positioned at the transfer position in a state in which the second guide portion is rotated from the first state to the second state. It is preferably positioned downstream of the pressing member in the direction of movement of the pressing member toward the direction of movement of the pressing member.

In the container feeding device based on the present disclosure, the first state and the first guide part receive the first container at the first position, and the upstream side of the conveying direction from the first position. from a state in which the second container is received at the second position located at the position of the feeding device, the feeding device conveys the first container to the second guide portion, and further downstream of the second position in the conveying direction. Further, it is preferable that the second container is conveyed to a standby position located upstream of the second guide portion. In this case, it is preferable that the second guide section to which the first container has been conveyed rotates from the first state to the second state while the second container is waiting at the standby position. . Further, after the first container is dispensed from the second guide section to the transfer position in the second state, the second guide section may rotate from the second state to the first state. preferable.

In the container feeding device based on the present disclosure, the feeding device is arranged at intervals in a direction parallel to the conveying direction, and is provided to be movable in a direction parallel to the conveying direction. and a second push portion. In this case, in the first state, the first guide part receives the first container at the first position, and the guide part receives the first container at the second position located upstream in the conveying direction from the first position. From the state in which the second container is received, the first push part preferably moves the first container from the first position to the second guide part while pushing the first container. In addition, the second push part pushes the second container from the second position to a standby position located downstream of the second position and upstream of the second guide part in the conveying direction. , the second container is preferably moved.

In the container feeding device based on the present disclosure, the first push part and the second push part are in a transportable state in which at least a portion is positioned on a transport path of the first guide part; 1 guide section may be provided so as to be switchable between a retracted state in which it is retracted from the conveying path of the guide section. In this case, the first push portion moves the first container from the first position to the second guide portion, and the second push portion moves the first container from the second position to the standby position. After moving the container, the first push part and the second push part are in the retracted state and move upstream of the second container in the conveying direction while avoiding the second container. is preferred. Further, the second guide section to which the first container has been conveyed is rotated from the first state to the second state, and the first container is dispensed from the second guide section to the transfer position. After that, in the state rotated to the first state, it is preferable that the first push portion moves the second container from the standby position to the second guide portion while pushing the second container.

The container feeding device based on the present disclosure connects the first guide portion and the second guide portion, and moves the first container or the second container from the first guide portion to the second guide portion. may be provided with a third guide portion for guiding the. In this case, the delivery device may include a first transport mechanism and a second transport mechanism. Further, in this case, the first transport mechanism preferably transports the first container or the second container from the first guide portion to the third guide portion, and the second transport mechanism preferably transports the first container or the second container from the first guide portion to the third guide portion. 3 It is preferable to convey the first container or the second container from the guide section toward the second guide section.

The container feeding device according to the present disclosure includes an enterable state in which the first container or the second container can enter from the third guide portion to the second guide portion, and an enterable state from the third guide portion to the A switching mechanism may be provided for switching between an entry-disabled state in which entry of the first container or the second container into the second guide section is disabled.

In the container feeding device based on the present disclosure, the dispensing device is provided slidably, and is a pressing device that presses and moves the first container or the second container delivered to the second guide part. You may have a member. In this case, the switching mechanism may be configured by part of the pressing member.

The container feeding device based on the present disclosure includes a detection unit that detects the first container or the second container positioned in the third guide unit, and controls the operation of the switching mechanism based on the detection result of the detection unit. and a control unit for In this case, when the detection unit detects the first container or the second container, the control unit controls the operation of the switching mechanism so that the entry-impossible state changes to the entry-enabled state. is preferred.

The container feeding device based on the present disclosure includes a downstream detection unit that detects that the first container or the second container positioned at the transfer position has been transferred, and based on the detection result of the downstream detection unit. , and a control unit for controlling the operation of the switching mechanism. In this case, the control unit controls the switching mechanism so as to maintain the entry-impossible state until the downstream detection unit detects that the first container or the second container has been delivered. It is preferred to control the motion.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a container supply device capable of smoothly supplying containers to the transfer position.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a container transport system according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a container supply device according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 1 is a top view of a container according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing how the first guide part receives the first container and the second container in the container feeding device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing how the delivery device can transport the first container and the second container in the container supply device according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing how the delivery device conveys the first container and the second container in the container supply device according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how the delivery device is retracted from the conveying path and the second guide section rotates from the first state to the second state in the container feeding device according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how, in the container supply device according to Embodiment 1, the delivery device moves upstream of the second container positioned at the standby position, and the delivery device delivers the first container to the delivery position. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how the delivery device is in a transportable state and the second guide part rotates from the second state to the first state in the container feeding device according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the pressing member of the dispensing device returns to its original position and the delivery device conveys the second container to the second guide section in the container feeding device according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how the delivery device is retracted from the conveying path and the second guide section rotates from the first state to the second state in the container feeding device according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 8 is a diagram showing how the delivery device returns to the standby position and the delivery device delivers the second container to the transfer position in the container supply device according to the first embodiment; 10 shows a state in which the second guide part rotates to the first state, the pressing member returns to its original position, and the first guide part receives the first container and the second container in the container feeding device according to the first embodiment; It is a diagram. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how the first guide part receives the first container and the second container in the container feeding device according to the second embodiment; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how the first transport mechanism of the delivery device transports the first container and the second container in the container supply device according to Embodiment 2; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how the second transport mechanism of the delivery device transports the first container in the container supply device according to Embodiment 2; In the container feeding device according to the second embodiment, the first container is conveyed to the second guide portion, and the first conveying mechanism is retracted from the conveying path and positioned upstream of the second container positioned at the standby position. It is a figure which shows the state which moved to. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how the dispensing device dispenses the first container to the delivery position and the first transport mechanism transports the second container to the third guide section in the container supply device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the second container is conveyed to the second guide portion and the first guide portion receives the first container and the second container in the container feeding device according to the second embodiment; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a plurality of first containers and second containers stay in the third guide section in the container supply device according to Embodiment 2; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a container supply device according to Embodiment 3; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing how a second transport mechanism according to Embodiment 3 transports a first container;

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments shown below, the same or common parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof will not be repeated.
[Embodiment 1]
(container transport system)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a container transport system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. A container transport system 100 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, arrows indicate movement of container 90 (see FIG. 3). Moreover, the dashed-dotted line indicates the transport path of the transport device 3, which will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the container transport system 100 includes a pre-process 1 , a container supply device 2 , an inspection process 5 and a post-process 6 .

In the pre-process 1, the container 90 is manufactured. The configuration of the container 90 will be described later with reference to FIG. 3 . The container supply device 2 supplies the container 90 manufactured and conveyed in the preceding process 1 to the delivery position P0 (see FIG. 2) of the inspection process 5. As shown in FIG. From the previous process 1, two containers are sequentially conveyed by rod feeding, as will be described later. That is, the first container 90A (see FIG. 2) and the second container 90B (see FIG. 2) are simultaneously conveyed at a predetermined pitch. Since the first container 90A and the second container 90B have the same configuration, they are simply referred to as the container 90 as described above unless otherwise distinguished.

The inspection process 5 includes a conveying device 3 and an inspection device 4 . The transport device 3 has an arc-shaped transport path, introduces the container 90 supplied from the container supply device 2 to the inspection device 4 , and transports the inspected container 90 to the post-process 6 . The transport device 3 continuously transports the containers 90 supplied from the container supply device 2 to the post-process 6 . The inspection device 4 captures an image of the container 90 and inspects the appearance quality and the like of the container 90 based on the captured image.

(Container supply device)
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a container supply device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. A container supply device 2 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the container supply device 2 includes a first guide section 10 , a second guide section 20 , a delivery device 30 and a delivery device 40 . The operations of the second guide section 20, the delivery device 30, and the delivery device 40 are controlled by a control section (not shown) provided in the container supply device 2. FIG.

The first guide part 10 extends linearly along the transport direction (arrow AR1 direction) of the container 90 transported from the previous process 1 . The first guide part 10 receives the first container 90A and the second container 90B in this order along the transport direction, and guides the movement of the first container 90A and the second container 90B.

The first guide portion 10 has a pair of rail portions 11 and 12 and a rail groove 13 . The pair of rail portions 11 and 12 extend linearly along the transport direction. A rail groove 13 is provided between the pair of rail portions 11 and 12 . The rail groove 13 constitutes the transport path of the first guide portion 10 , and the first container 90A and the second container 90B are movable along the rail groove 13 .

The second guide part 20 is arranged downstream of the first guide part 10 in the transport direction. A single container 90 is conveyed to the second guide part 20 . The second guide part 20 guides the movement of the first container 90A or the second container 90B to the transfer position P0. The delivery position P0 is located at a position deviated from the extension line of the conveying path of the first guide section 10 .

The second guide portion 20 has a pair of linearly extending rail portions 21 and 22 and a rail groove 23 . A rail groove 23 is provided between the pair of rail portions 21 and 22 . The rail groove 23 constitutes a conveying path of the second guide portion 20 . The first container 90A or the second container 90B becomes movable along the rail grooves 23 .

The second guide part 20 is rotatably provided around the rotation axis C1. The rotating shaft C1 is provided at a position that does not interfere with the first guide portion 10 when the second guide portion 20 rotates. The rotation axis C<b>1 is positioned, for example, at the boundary between the second guide portion 20 and the first guide portion 10 and substantially at the center of the groove width of the rail groove 23 . The second guide part 20 is provided so as to be rotatable between a first state and a second state.

In the first state, the transport path of the second guide part 20 is continuous with the first guide part 10 (more specifically, the transport path of the first guide part 10) and is at the transfer position P0. This is a discontinuous state. The second state is a state in which the transport path of the second guide section 20 continues to the transfer position P0.

The delivery device 30 is a device for delivering the first container 90</b>A and the second container 90</b>B from the first guide section 10 to the second guide section 20 in order.

The delivery device 30 includes an arm portion 34 , a moving body 35 and a driving portion 36 . The moving body 35 supports the arm portion 34 via the drive portion 36 . The moving body 35 is provided so as to be movable in a direction (DR1 direction) parallel to the transport direction.

The drive section 36 connects the arm section 34 and the moving body 35 . The drive unit 36 is provided so as to be able to move the arm unit 34 in an orthogonal direction (DR2 direction) perpendicular to the transport direction (AR1 direction). The drive unit 36 is composed of, for example, an air cylinder, and is configured to extend and contract in the orthogonal direction.

As the moving body 35 moves in the direction parallel to the transport direction, the arm part 34 moves in the direction parallel to the transport direction together with the moving body 35 . The arm portion 34 moves in the orthogonal direction as the driving portion 36 expands and contracts.

The arm portion 34 has a first push portion 31 , a second push portion 32 and a connection portion 33 . The first push portion 31 and the second push portion 32 are spaced apart in a direction parallel to the transport direction. The first push section 31 is located downstream of the second push section 32 in the transport direction.

The first push portion 31 and the second push portion 32 are provided so as to extend in the orthogonal direction. The first push section 31 and the second push section 32 are provided so as to be switchable between a transportable state and a retracted state as the drive section 36 expands and contracts.

The transportable state is a state in which a portion of each of the first push portion 31 and the second push portion 32 is positioned on the transport path of the first guide portion 10 . In this state, the first push part 31 and the second push part 32 move toward the downstream side in the transport direction with the movement of the moving body 35, so that the container 90 positioned downstream in the transport direction is pushed. can be moved while pressing

The retracted state is a state in which each of the first push section 31 and the second push section 32 is retracted from the conveying path of the first guide section 10 . In this state, the first push part 31 and the second push part 32 can move in the direction parallel to the transport direction without interfering with the first container 90A and the second container 90B.

The dispensing device 40 is a device that dispenses the first container 90A or the second container 90B delivered to the second guide section 20 by the delivery device 30 to the delivery position P0.

The dispensing device 40 includes a pressing member 41 , a slide guide portion 42 and a fixing portion 43 . The pressing member 41 is slidably provided toward the delivery position P0. Specifically, the pressing member 41 is provided so as to be movable in a direction (DR3 direction) orthogonal to the arc-shaped transport path of the transport device 3 . By sliding, the pressing member 41 presses the first container 90A or the second container 90B delivered to the second guide portion 20 and moves it to the transfer position P0.

The slide guide portion 42 guides the sliding movement of the pressing member 41 . The slide guide portion 42 extends along the DR3 direction. The fixed portion 43 is connected to the slide guide portion 42 and fixed at a predetermined position.

(container)
3 is a top view of the container according to Embodiment 1. FIG. A container 90 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, container 90 is, for example, a pouch container. Container 90 includes spout 92 and bag 91 .

The bag body 91 is formed in a bag shape from a flexible sheet such as a synthetic resin film. Alternatively, the bag body 91 may be composed of a laminated film in which a light-shielding layer such as aluminum foil or an aluminum deposition layer or an oxygen barrier layer is arranged between a plurality of synthetic resin layers.

The spout 92 has a tubular mouth portion 93 and a flange portion 94 . The flange portion 94 has a first end 94a and a second end 94b. The first end portion 94a and the second end portion 94b are provided so as to face each other in the direction in which the bag body 91 protrudes from the spout 92 when viewed from above. The first end portion 94 a is pressed by the first push portion 31 or the second push portion 32 and the pressing member 41 .

At the transfer position P0, the first end portion 94a and the second end portion 94b are gripped by a gripping device (not shown) provided in the transport device 3, and while being gripped, move along the arc-shaped transport path. be transported.

The transport device 3 has a positioning section 7 for positioning the container 90 at the transfer position P0. The positioning portion 7 positions the container 90 by contacting the second end portion 94b, for example.

(Operation of container supply device)
4 to 13 are diagrams showing predetermined states of the container feeding device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. A series of operations of the container supply device 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 13 .

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing how the first guide part receives the first container and the second container in the container feeding device according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, the container supply device 2 receives the first container 90A and the second container 90B in this order along the transport direction while the second guide portion 20 is in the first state. Specifically, the first guide part 10 receives the first container 90A at the first position P1 and receives the second container 90B at the second position P2. The second position P2 is positioned upstream in the transport direction from the first position P1. The first container 90A and the second container 90B are transported from the previous process 1 by a transport device (not shown).

The delivery device 30 is on standby at the standby position. At the standby position, the first push section 31 and the second push section 32 are in a retracted state in which they are retracted from the conveying path of the first guide section 10 . Thereby, the first container 90A and the second container 90B carried into the first guide portion 10 can be prevented from interfering with the first push portion 31 and the second push portion 32 .

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing how the delivery device can transport the first container and the second container in the container supply device according to the first embodiment.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 5, in a state in which the first guide portion 10 receives the first container 90A at the first position P1 and the second container 90B at the second position P2, and in the first state, The first push section 31 and the second push section 32 change from the retracted state to the transportable state. Specifically, the driving portion 36 extends in the orthogonal direction, and the first push portion 31 and the second push portion 32 move toward the spout 92 of the first container 90A and the spout 92 of the second container 90B, respectively, in the transport direction. located upstream of

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how the delivery device conveys the first container and the second container in the container supply device according to the first embodiment.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 6, from the first state, in which the first guide portion 10 receives the first container 90A at the first position P1 and the second container 90B at the second position P2, , the moving body 35 moves along a direction parallel to the conveying direction. As a result, the first push section 31 and the second push section 32 move together with the moving body 35 along the transport direction.

At this time, the first push part 31 moves the second guide part 20 from the first position P1 while pushing the first container 90A (more specifically, the first end 94a of the spout 92 of the first container 90A). to move the first container 90A. The second push part 32 moves the second container 90B from the second position P2 to the standby position P3 while pushing the second container 90B (more specifically, the first end 94a of the spout 92 of the second container 90B). to move. Thus, the two containers 90 can be rod-fed at a predetermined pitch by the first push section 31 and the second push section 32 . Moreover, damage to the mouth portion 93 can be suppressed by pressing the first end portion 94a of the container 90 .

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing how the feeding device is retracted from the conveying path and the second guide section rotates from the first state to the second state in the container feeding device according to the first embodiment.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7, the first push portion 31 and the second push portion 32 are in a retracted state in which they are retracted from the conveying path of the first guide portion 10, and the second container 90B waits at the standby position P3. , the second guide part 20 to which the first container 90A has been conveyed rotates from the first state to the second state. At this time, the first container 90A conveyed to the second guide portion 20 is located downstream of the pressing member 41 in the moving direction of the pressing member 41 toward the delivery position P0. As a result, the pressing member 41 can efficiently move the first container 90A. Further, since the second container 90B is waiting at the standby position, the second guide portion 20 is prevented from interfering with the second container 90B when the second guide portion 20 rotates to the second state. be able to.

FIG. 8 shows how, in the container supply device according to Embodiment 1, the delivery device moves upstream of the second container located at the standby position, and the delivery device delivers the first container to the transfer position. It is a diagram.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 8, the delivery device 30 moves to the upstream side in the conveying direction in the retracted state, and the first push portion 31 and the second push portion 32 avoid the second container 90B and move the conveying portion. In the direction, it moves upstream of the second container 90B.

Further, the pressing member 41 moves toward the transfer position P0 while pressing the first container 90A, thereby moving the first container 90A to the transfer position P0. The first container 90A is positioned at the transfer position P0 by abutting against the positioning portion 7 provided in the transport device 3. As shown in FIG.

9A and 9B are diagrams showing how the feeding device is in the transportable state and the second guide portion rotates from the second state to the first state in the container feeding device according to Embodiment 1. FIG.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 9, the first container 90A delivered to the transfer position P0 is gripped by a gripping device (not shown) provided in the transporting device 3, and is held by a substantially arc-shaped gripping device of the transporting device 3. It is transported along the transport path.

Further, in the delivery device 30, the driving section 36 is extended, and a part of the first push section 31 and the second push section 32 is positioned on the conveying path of the first guide section 10, so that the second container 90B can be conveyed. state. Further, the second guide portion 20 from which the first container 90A has been dispensed rotates from the second state to the first state. As a result, the transport path of the first guide part 10 and the transport path of the second guide part 20 are linearly continuous, and the second container 90B can be fed to the second guide part 20 .

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how the pressing member of the dispensing device returns to its original position and the delivery device conveys the second container to the second guide section in the container feeding device according to the first embodiment.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 10, the pressing member 41 of the dispensing device 40 moves away from the transfer position P0 to the original position (the position before dispensing the first container 90A). Also, the delivery device 30 delivers the second container 90B to the second guide section 20 . Specifically, the first push section 31 moves the second container 90B from the standby position P3 to the second guide section 20 while pushing the second container 90B.

11A and 11B are views showing how the feeding device is retracted from the conveying path and the second guide portion is rotated from the first state to the second state in the container feeding device according to the first embodiment.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 11, the first push section 31 and the second push section 32 are in a retracted state in which they are retracted from the conveying path of the first guide section 10, and the second guide section 20 to which the second container 90B has been conveyed. rotates from the first state to the second state. At this time, the second container 90B conveyed to the second guide portion 20 is located downstream of the pressing member 41 in the moving direction of the pressing member 41 toward the delivery position P0. As a result, the pressing member 41 can efficiently move the second container 90B.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing how the delivery device returns to the standby position and the delivery device delivers the second container to the delivery position in the container supply device according to the first embodiment.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 12, the delivery device 30 moves to the upstream side in the conveying direction in the retracted state and moves to the standby position. Further, the pressing member 41 moves toward the transfer position P0 while pressing the second container 90B, thereby moving the second container 90B to the transfer position P0. The second container 90B is positioned at the transfer position P0 by abutting against the positioning portion 7 provided in the transport device 3. As shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 shows, in the container feeding device according to Embodiment 1, the second guide portion rotates to the first state, the pressing member returns to its original position, and the first guide portion moves the first container and the second container. It is a figure which shows a mode of receiving.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 13, the second guide portion 20 rotates from the second state to the first state, and the pressing member 41 of the dispensing device 40 returns to its original position (before dispensing the second container 90B). position). In such a state, the first guide part 10 receives the first container 90A and the second container 90B again. Subsequently, the series of operations described above is repeated again.

As described above, in the container feeding device 2 according to Embodiment 1, the second guide part 20 sequentially receives the first container 90A and the second container 90B one by one, and furthermore, the first state and the In the second state, the first container 90A or the second container 90B is delivered to the transfer position P0 by the delivery device 40, thereby transferring the container from the previous process 1 to the next process. Even if the transfer position of the container 90 is not linearly connected to the conveying path from the previous process 1, the container 90 can be smoothly supplied to the transfer position P0.

[Embodiment 2]
(Container supply device)
14 to 20 are diagrams showing predetermined states or states of the container feeding device according to Embodiment 2. FIG. A configuration and a series of operations of a container feeding device 2A according to Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 20. FIG.

When compared with the container feeding device 2 according to the first embodiment, the container feeding device 2A according to the second embodiment has the configuration of the conveying path, the configuration of the delivery device 30, the configuration of the dispensing device 40A, the detection unit 70, the downstream The main difference is that a side detector 71 and a switching mechanism 80 are provided. Other configurations are substantially the same.

The container supply device 2A includes a flat plate body 200 on which a first guide portion 10A, a second guide portion 20A, and a third guide portion 50 are provided. Plate body 200 includes first portion 201 , second portion 202 and third portion 203 .

The first portion 201 is a portion that extends linearly along the transport direction (AR1 direction) of the container 90 transported from the previous process 1 . The first portion 201 is provided with a first guide hole 13A linearly along the transport direction. The first guide portion 10A is formed by the first guide hole 13A.

The first guide part 10A receives the first container 90A and the second container 90B in this order along the transport direction, and guides the movement of the first container 90A and the second container 90B.

The second portion 202 is located downstream of the transport path of the container within the structure 200 with respect to the first portion 201 . The second portion 202 is a portion that extends toward the delivery position P0. More specifically, the second portion 202 extends along a direction (DR3 direction) perpendicular to the arc-shaped transport path of the transport device 3 . The second portion 202 is provided with a second guide hole 23A extending toward the delivery position P0. A second guide portion 20A is formed by the second guide hole 23A.

A single container 90 is conveyed to the second guide part 20A. The second guide part 20A guides the movement of the first container 90A or the second container 90B to the transfer position P0. In this embodiment, the second guide portion 20A is provided so as not to rotate.

A third portion 203 connects the first portion 201 and the second portion 202 . The third portion 203 is provided with a third guide hole 53 that connects the first guide hole 13A and the second guide hole 23A. The third guide portion 50 is formed by the third guide hole 53 .

The third guide portion 50 connects the first guide portion 10A and the second guide portion 20A, and guides the movement of the container 90 from the first guide portion 10A to the second guide portion 20A.

In the present embodiment, the delivery device 30 for delivering the first container 90A and the second container 90B from the first guide portion 10A to the second guide portion 20A in order includes a first transport mechanism 30A and a second transport mechanism 60. and

The first transport mechanism 30A has the same configuration as the delivery device 30 according to the first embodiment. The second transport mechanism 60 transports the first container 90A or the second container 90B from the third guide portion 50 toward the second guide portion 20A. The second transport mechanism 60 includes a first transport section 61 and a second transport section 62 .

The first transport section 61 transports the container 90 transported to the receiving position P4 (see FIG. 15) of the third guide section 50 toward the second transport section 62 side. Specifically, for example, the first conveying unit 61 is provided so as to be able to blow air in the direction of the arrow AR4, and conveys the container 90 toward the downstream side in the conveying direction by blowing the air.

The second conveying section 62 is located downstream of the first conveying section 61 and conveys the container 90 conveyed by the first conveying section 61 further downstream. The second conveying portion 62 is arranged on both sides of the third guide hole 53 . The second conveying section 62 is provided so as to be capable of blowing air in the directions of arrows AR5 and AR6, and conveys the container 90 toward the second guide section 20A by blowing air.

The delivery device 40A delivers the first container 90A or the second container 90B delivered to the second guide section 20 by the delivery device (more specifically, the second transport mechanism 60) to the transfer position P0.

The dispensing device 40A receives the first container 90A or the second container 90B transported from the second transport mechanism 60 at the receiving position P5. The receiving position P5 is located upstream of the conveying path of the second guide section 20 .

The dispensing device 40A includes a pressing member 41A, a slide guide portion 42, and a fixing portion 43. As shown in FIG. The configurations of the slide guide portion 42 and the fixed portion 43 are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment.

The pressing member 41A is slidably provided toward the transfer position P0. The pressing member 41A moves above the second portion 202 in the DR3 direction.

The pressing member 41A includes a pressing surface 401 and an extending wall portion 402 . The pressing surface 401 is a surface that presses the first end portion 94 a of the container 90 . The pressing surface 401 is perpendicular to the DR3 direction.

The extending wall portion 402 is connected to one end 401a side of the pressing surface 401 located on the third guide portion 50 (more specifically, the third guide hole 53) side in the direction orthogonal to the DR3 direction, It extends along the DR3 direction. The extending wall portion 402 extends from one end 401a of the pressing surface 401 toward the side opposite to the side where the transfer position P0 is located.

The extending wall portion 402 closes the connecting portion between the conveying path of the third guide portion 50 and the conveying path of the second guide portion 20A when the pressing surface 401 is positioned downstream of the receiving position P5. That is, until the pressing surface 401 presses the container 90 to move it to the delivery position P0 and move to the upstream side of the receiving position P5, the container moves from the third guide portion 50 to the second guide portion 20A. 90 entry is disabled. On the other hand, the extended wall portion 402 allows the container 90 to enter from the third guide portion 50 to the second guide portion 20A in a state where the pressing surface 401 is located upstream of the receiving position P5.

In this way, the extended wall portion 402 is divided into an enterable state in which the first container 90A or the second container 90B can enter from the third guide portion 50 to the second guide portion 20A, and an entry-enabled state from the third guide portion 50. It functions as a switching mechanism 80 that switches between an entry-disabled state in which entry of the first container 90A or the second container 90B into the second guide portion 20A is disabled.

In this embodiment, the switching mechanism 80 is configured by a part of the pressing member 41A, but the switching mechanism 80 is a shutter provided separately from the pressing member 41A. , an electromagnetic valve, or a breaker such as a break rod.

The detection part 70 detects the first container 90A or the second container 90B positioned on the third guide part 50 . The detection unit 70 is provided, for example, in the third guide unit 50 on the downstream side in the transport direction. The detection unit 70 includes, for example, an optical sensor, and has an irradiation unit and a light reception unit facing each other in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the third guide hole 53 such that the third guide hole 53 is positioned therebetween. The detection unit 70 detects the presence or absence of the container 90 by detecting that the container 90 in the third guide unit 50 blocks the light emitted from the irradiation unit.

The container supply device 2A includes a control section 75 that controls the operation of the switching mechanism 80 based on the detection result of the detection section 70 . When the detection unit 70 detects the first container 90A or the second container 90B, the control unit 75 controls the operation of the switching mechanism 80 so that the entry-impossible state changes to the entry-enabled state. .

(Operation of container supply device)
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing how the first guide receives the first container and the second container in the container feeding device according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 14, the container supply device 2A receives the first container 90A and the second container 90B in this order along the transport direction. Specifically, the first guide portion 10A receives the first container 90A at the first position P1 and receives the second container 90B at the second position P2.

In the state in which the first container 90A and the second container 90B are received, the first transport mechanism 30A is on standby at the standby position. At the standby position, the first push section 31 and the second push section 32 are in a retracted state retracted from the conveying path of the first guide section 10A.

The first transport mechanism 30A is switched from the retracted state to the transportable state, and the first push part 31 and the second push part 32 move in the transport direction from the spout 92 of the first container 90A and the spout of the second container 90B, respectively. It is located upstream of 92.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing how the first transport mechanism of the delivery device transports the first container and the second container in the container supply device according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 15, the moving body 35 of the first transport mechanism 30A moves along the direction parallel to the transport direction. As a result, the first push section 31 and the second push section 32 move together with the moving body 35 along the transport direction.

At this time, the first push part 31 moves the first container 90A from the first position P1 to the receiving position P4 of the third guide part 50 while pushing the first container 90A. The second push part 32 moves the second container 90B from the second position P2 to the standby position P3 while pushing the second container 90B.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing how the second transport mechanism of the delivery device transports the first container in the container supply device according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 16, the first container 90A received by the third guide portion 50 at the receiving position P4 is transported by the second transport mechanism 60 toward the second guide portion 20A. Specifically, as indicated by an arrow AR4, the first conveying unit 61 blows air in the extending direction of the conveying path (the third guide hole 53) of the third guide unit 50 to move the first container 90A downstream. to convey. Further, as indicated by an arrow AR5, the second conveying unit 62 blows air onto the first container 90A conveyed by the first conveying unit 61, thereby directing the first container 90A toward the second guide unit 20A. transport.

In this state, the pressing member 41 of the dispensing device 40 is located on the delivery position P0 side, and the pressing surface 401 is located downstream of the receiving position P5 of the third guide portion 50 . As a result, the extension wall portion 402 closes the connecting portion between the conveying path of the third guide portion 50 and the conveying path of the second guide portion 20A, and the flow from the third guide portion 50 to the second guide portion 20A is blocked. It is in an entry-disabled state in which entry of the container 90 is disabled. Therefore, the first container 90A transported by the second transport mechanism 60 is dammed up by the extension wall portion 402 .

FIG. 17 shows the second container in which the first container is conveyed to the second guide section and the first conveying mechanism is retracted from the conveying path and positioned at the standby position in the container feeding device according to the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state which moved upstream rather than.

As described above, the detection unit 70 detects the first container 90A when the first container 90A is conveyed toward the second guide unit 20A. That is, the detection section 70 detects the first container 90A positioned on the third guide section 50 . As a result, the control unit 75 switches the switching mechanism 80 to the entry-enabled state, and moves the pressing member 41 so that the pressing surface 401 is positioned upstream of the receiving position P5.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 17, the conveying path of the third guide portion 50 becomes continuous with the receiving position P5, and the first container 90A moves to the receiving position P5. That is, the first container 90A enters from the third guide portion 50 into the second guide portion 20A.

On the other hand, the first transport mechanism 30A is in a retracted state in which the first push portion 31 and the second push portion 32 are retracted from the transport path of the first guide portion 10, and moves upstream of the second container 90B.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing how the dispensing device dispenses the first container to the delivery position and the first transport mechanism transports the second container to the third guide section in the container feeding device according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 18, when the first container 90A is received at the receiving position P5, the pressing member 41 moves toward the delivery position P0 while pressing the first container 90A, and moves the first container 90A to the delivery position P0. move. The first container 90A is positioned at the transfer position P0 by abutting against the positioning portion 207 provided on the plate body 200. As shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the first transport mechanism 30A switches to the transportable state, part of the first push part 31 and the second push part 32 is positioned on the transport path of the first guide part 10, and the second container 90B is moved to the second position. 3 to convey to the guide section 50 . Specifically, the first push part 31 moves the second container 90B from the standby position P3 to the receiving position P5 of the third guide part 50 while pushing the second container 90B.

The second container 90B received at the receiving position P5 is conveyed toward the second guide section 20A by the second conveying mechanism 60 in the same manner as described above.

As described above, the dispensing device 40 dispenses the first container 90A to the delivery position P0, and the pressing member 41 is positioned on the delivery position P0 side. In other words, the pressing surface 401 is located downstream of the receiving position P5 of the second guide portion 20A, and is kept in the non-enterable state until the detecting portion 70 detects the second container 90B.

19 is a diagram showing a state in which the second container is conveyed to the second guide portion and the first guide portion receives the first container and the second container in the container feeding device according to Embodiment 2. FIG.

As described above, the detection section 70 detects the second container 90B when the second container 90B is conveyed toward the second guide section 20A. That is, the detection section 70 detects the second container 90B positioned on the third guide section 50 . As a result, the control unit 75 switches the switching mechanism 80 to the entry-enabled state, and moves the pressing member 41 so that the pressing surface 401 is positioned upstream of the receiving position P5.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 19, the conveying path of the third guide section 50 becomes continuous with the receiving position P5, and the second container 90B moves to the receiving position P5. That is, the second container 90B enters from the third guide portion 50 into the second guide portion 20A. On the other hand, the first guide part 10A receives the first container 90A and the second container 90B in this order.

From this state, the pressing member 41 moves to the transfer position P0 while pressing the second container 90B, thereby moving the second container 90B to the transfer position P0.

Subsequently, the first transport mechanism 30A side, the second transport mechanism 60 side, and the pressing member 41 repeatedly perform the series of operations described above.

As described above, even in the container feeding device 2A according to the second embodiment, the second guide part 20 sequentially receives the first container 90A and the second container 90B one by one, and the first container 90A or the second container 90A When the container 90B is delivered to the delivery position P0 by the delivery device 40, the position at which the container 90 is delivered from the previous process 1 to the next process is not linearly continuous with the conveying route from the previous process 1. Also, the container 90 can be smoothly supplied to the transfer position P0.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a state in which a plurality of first containers and second containers stay in the third guide section in the container feeding device according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 20 , in the second embodiment, the plurality of containers 90 can be retained in the third guide portion 50 by providing the third guide portion 50 .

In the inspection process 5, there may occur a case where the conveying device 3 cannot receive the container 90 delivered to the delivery position P0 at a predetermined timing. A container supply device 2A according to Embodiment 2 includes a downstream detection unit 71 that detects that the container 90 has been transferred to the conveying device 3 at the transfer position P0. Even when the detection unit 70 detects the container 90 positioned on the third guide unit 50, the downstream detection unit 71 detects that the container 90 has been transferred to the conveying device 3 at the transfer position P0. Until then, the control unit 75 stops the pressing member 41 on the side of the transfer position P0, and gives priority to maintaining the above-described inaccessible state.

During this time, the third guide part 50 functions as a buffer, so that the first guide part 10A side sequentially receives the first container 90A and the second container 90B without stopping the operation of the delivery device 30, and the third guide part 50 A container 90 can be moved to the part 50 .

In this case, the processing speed of the dispensing device 40A that dispenses the container 90 from the second guide portion 20A (more specifically, the receiving position P5) to the delivery position P0 is increased from the first guide portion 10A to the third guide portion 50 It is preferable that the processing speed is faster than the processing speed of the first transport mechanism 30A that transports the first container 90A or the second container 90B. As a result, the stagnated containers 90 can be quickly processed, and a situation in which the following first containers 90A and second containers 90B cannot be transported to the third guide section 50 can be suppressed.

[Embodiment 3]
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a container supply device according to Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing how the second transport mechanism according to Embodiment 3 transports the first container. A container supply device 2B according to Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22. FIG.

A container feeding device 2B according to the third embodiment differs from the container feeding device 2A according to the second embodiment mainly in the configuration of a second conveying mechanism 60B included in a delivery device 30B. Other configurations are substantially the same.

The second transport mechanism 60B includes a first transport section 61B and a second transport section 62B. The first conveying portion 61B includes a pin 610 movable in the direction in which the conveying path of the third guide portion 50 extends. The pin 61 pushes the container 90 (specifically, the flange portion 94 ) so that the container 90 can be conveyed toward the downstream side of the conveying path of the third guide portion 50 .

The second conveying portion 62B includes a rotating portion 620, a supporting portion 621, and a plurality of pressing pins 622. The support portion 621 rotatably supports the rotating portion 620 . The rotating part 620 rotates around a rotation axis C2 parallel to the axial direction of the transported container 90 (the axial direction of the spout 92). Rotating portion 620 has a ring-like shape.

A plurality of pressing pins 622 are provided so as to line up in the circumferential direction of the rotating portion 620 at predetermined intervals. A plurality of pressing pins 622 are fixed to the rotating portion 620 . The pressing pin 622 has a tip portion 622 a and a root portion 622 b , and the root portion 622 b side is fixed to the rotating portion 620 .

The tip portion 622a is provided so as to be able to press the mouth portion 93 of the spout 92 . As the rotating portion 620 rotates, the distal end portion 622a moves while pressing the mouth portion 93, thereby conveying the container 90 toward the second guide portion 20A.

The pressing pin 622 includes an elastic portion 623, and the elastic portion 623 is provided to connect the tip portion 622a and the root portion 622b. As a result, when the container 90 pressed by the pressing pin 622 comes into contact with the container located most upstream among the staying containers 90, only the pressing pin 622 is moved in the rotational direction while deforming the elastic portion 623. can be moved. As a result, the subsequent containers 90 can be sequentially transported without stopping the movement of the rotating part 620 .

The container supply device 2B according to the third embodiment can supply the container 90 to the transfer position P0 by performing an operation that basically conforms to the container supply device 2A according to the second embodiment. Movement of the container 90 from the third guide portion 50 to the second guide portion 20A is performed by the first transport portion 61B and the second transport portion 62B described above.

Even with the configuration as described above, the container feeding device 2B according to the third embodiment has substantially the same effect as the container feeding device 2A according to the second embodiment.

In Embodiments 1 to 3 described above, the case where the container 90 is a pouch container provided with a spout 92 has been described as an example. As long as the movement can be guided by the second guide part 20, or the first guide part 10A, the second guide part 20A and the third guide part 50, it can be applied to a container capable of containing contents.

In addition, it is planned from the beginning to appropriately combine the features of each embodiment unless otherwise specified. For example, in the second embodiment, the first transport mechanism 61B in the third embodiment may be adopted as the first transport mechanism 61. FIG. Further, in the second embodiment, the second transport mechanism 62B in the third embodiment may be adopted as the second transport mechanism 62.

As described above, the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of equivalence to the scope of claims.

1 Pre-process 2, 2A, 2B Container supply device 3 Conveying device 4 Inspection device 5 Inspection process 6 Post-process 7 Positioning part 10, 10A First guide part 11, 12 Rail part 13 Rail groove , 13A first guide hole, 20, 20A second guide portion, 21, 22 rail portion, 23 rail groove, 23A second guide hole, 30 delivery device, 30A first transport mechanism, 31 first push portion, 32 second second push part 33 connecting part 34 arm part 35 moving body 36 driving part 40, 40A dispensing device 41, 41A pressing member 42 slide guide part 43 fixing part 50 third guide part 60, 60B 2 transport mechanism 61, 61B first transport unit 62, 62B second transport unit 70 detection unit 71 downstream detection unit 75 control unit 90 container 90A first container 90B second container 91 bag , 92 spout, 93 mouth, 94 flange, 94a first end, 94b second end, 100 container conveying system, 207 positioning part, C1, C2 rotation shaft, P0 transfer position, P1 first position, P2 second 2 position, P3 standby position, P4, P5 receiving position.

Claims (11)

A container supply device for supplying containers to a delivery position,
a first guide part that receives the first container and the second container in this order along the transport direction and guides the movement of the first container and the second container;
a second guide portion disposed on the downstream side of the first guide portion in the conveying direction and guiding the movement of the first container or the second container to the transfer position;
a feeding device for sequentially feeding the first container and the second container from the first guide portion to the second guide portion;
and a dispensing device that dispenses the first container or the second container delivered to the second guide section to the delivery position. The second guide section has a first state in which its own transport path is continuous with the first guide section and discontinuous with the delivery position, and a second state in which the transport path is continuous with the delivery position. 2. The container feeding device according to claim 1, which is provided so as to be rotatable between and. The dispensing device has a pressing member that is slidably provided and moves while pressing the first container or the second container delivered to the second guide part,
The first container or the second container sent out to the second guide part is pushed by the pressing member toward the transfer position in a state in which the second guide part is rotated from the first state to the second state. 3. The container supply device according to claim 2, located downstream of said pressing member in the direction of movement of said pressing member. In the first state, the first guide receives the first container at a first position, and receives the second container at a second position positioned upstream in the transport direction from the first position. From this state, the delivery device transports the first container to the second guide section, and is located downstream of the second position and upstream of the second guide section in the transport direction. transporting the second container to a standby position;
the second guide part to which the first container has been conveyed rotates from the first state to the second state with the second container waiting at the standby position;
3. The second guide part rotates from the second state to the first state after the first container is dispensed from the second guide part to the transfer position in the second state. 4. or the container feeding device according to 3. The delivery device includes a first push section and a second push section that are spaced apart in a direction parallel to the conveying direction and provided movably in a direction parallel to the conveying direction,
In the first state, the first guide receives the first container at a first position, and receives the second container at a second position positioned upstream in the transport direction from the first position. from the state
The first push part moves the first container from the first position to the second guide part while pushing the first container,
The second push part pushes the second container from the second position to a standby position located downstream of the second position and upstream of the second guide part in the conveying direction. 4. A container feeding device according to claim 2 or 3, which moves the second container. The first push part and the second push part are in a transportable state in which at least a portion thereof is positioned on the transport path of the first guide part, and a retracted state in which the transport path of the first guide part is retracted. and is switchable,
The first push portion moves the first container from the first position to the second guide portion, and the second push portion moves the second container from the second position to the standby position. after that, the first push part and the second push part enter the retracted state and move upstream of the second container in the conveying direction while avoiding the second container;
After the second guide section to which the first container has been conveyed rotates from the first state to the second state, and the first container is dispensed from the second guide section to the delivery position. , from the state rotated to the first state,
6. The container supply device according to claim 5, wherein the first push part moves the second container from the standby position to the second guide part while pushing the second container. a third guide portion connecting the first guide portion and the second guide portion and guiding movement of the first container or the second container from the first guide portion to the second guide portion;
The delivery device includes a first transport mechanism and a second transport mechanism,
The first transport mechanism transports the first container or the second container from the first guide part to the third guide part,
The container supply device according to claim 1, wherein the second transport mechanism transports the first container or the second container from the third guide section toward the second guide section. an enterable state in which the first container or the second container can enter from the third guide portion to the second guide portion; and the first container from the third guide portion to the second guide portion. 8. The container feeding device according to claim 7, further comprising a switching mechanism for switching between a state in which the second container cannot enter and a state in which the second container cannot enter. The dispensing device has a pressing member that is slidably provided and moves while pressing the first container or the second container delivered to the second guide part,
The container supply device according to claim 8, wherein the switching mechanism is configured by part of the pressing member. a detection unit that detects the first container or the second container positioned on the third guide;
a control unit that controls the operation of the switching mechanism based on the detection result of the detection unit;
8 or 8, wherein when the detection unit detects the first container or the second container, the control unit controls the operation of the switching mechanism so that the entry-impossible state changes to the entry-enabled state. 9. The container supply device according to 9. a downstream detection unit that detects that the first container or the second container positioned at the transfer position has been transferred;
a control unit that controls the operation of the switching mechanism based on the detection result of the downstream detection unit;
Until the downstream detection unit detects that the first container or the second container has been delivered, the control unit controls the operation of the switching mechanism so as to maintain the entry-impossible state. The container supply device according to claim 8 or 9.

Images