JP2023167285A - Reject device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a reject device which can suppress an influence of an overturned container on containers at the front and back to the minimum, in the processing of discharging the overturned container from a conveyance container.SOLUTION: A conveyance conveyor 10 conveys containers in a state of being aligned in one row. A posture sensor 30 detects the posture of the containers conveyed by the conveyance conveyor 10. A first pusher 12 is provided on the downstream of the posture sensor 30, presses an overturned container from the lateral side, and discharges it to the outside of the conveyance conveyor. A second pusher 13 is provided between the posture sensor 30 and the first pusher 12, presses standing containers from the lateral side, and discharges them to the outside of the conveyance conveyor 10. An encoder 35 detects the position of the container conveyed by the conveyance conveyor 10 in the conveyance conveyor 10. A control device discharges standing containers C12, C14 at the front and back of an overturned container C13 from the conveyance conveyor 10 by activating the second pusher 13, and discharges the overturned container C13 from the conveyance conveyor 10 by activating the first pusher 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a reject device that is installed, for example, in a beverage production line and discharges overturned containers from the conveyor.

In a beverage production line, if a container is supplied to a processing device such as a filling device in an overturned state, it may cause problems such as filling and other processing not being performed properly. Therefore, in a beverage production line, a reject device for ejecting overturned containers from the conveyor is usually provided on the side of the conveyor. For example, in the device disclosed in Patent Document 1, along the conveyance direction of the conveyor, a sensor for detecting an overturned container is provided on the upstream side, and a pusher that can engage with the overturned container is located at a reject position on the downstream side. is placed, and when an overturned container is detected, when it is detected by a signal from the encoder that the overturned container has reached the reject position, the pusher moves forward and discharges the overturned container from the conveyor.

Patent No. 6192011

In the conveyor, the containers are conveyed in a line, and the intervals between the containers in front and behind each other are very small. Therefore, when a container falls, the container may fall while leaning against the front or rear container, and may be conveyed to the reject position in a state in which the container is in close contact with the front or rear container in the conveyance direction or in a state where they overlap. In such a case, in the device of Patent Document 1, when the overturned container is discharged from the transport conveyor, the containers before and after the overturned container are affected by the overturned container and shift in position, which interferes with the guide provided near the pusher. , jamming could occur.

An object of the present invention is to obtain a reject device that can minimize the influence on containers before and after the overturned container in the process of discharging the overturned container from a conveyor.

The reject device according to the present invention includes a conveyor that conveys containers in a lined state, an attitude sensor that detects the attitude of the containers conveyed by the conveyor, and an attitude sensor that is installed downstream of the attitude sensor to detect overturned containers. a first pusher that presses the upright container from the side and discharges it out of the conveyor; and a second pusher that is provided between the posture sensor and the first pusher and presses the upright container from the side and discharges it out of the conveyor. A pusher, a position detection means for detecting the position of the container conveyed by the conveyor on the conveyor, and a control means for controlling the operation of the first and second pushers in response to signals from the posture sensor and the position detection means. When the overturned container is detected by the attitude sensor, the control means recognizes the positions of the upright containers located before and after the overturned container, and operates the second pusher to move the upright containers before and after the overturned container to the conveyor. The container is discharged from the transport conveyor, and the first pusher is operated to discharge the overturned container from the conveyor.

The posture sensor may include an overturning sensor that detects an overturned container and an upright sensor that detects an upright container.

According to the present invention, in the process of discharging an overturned container from a transport conveyor, the influence on containers before and after the overturned container can be minimized.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a reject device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the control device provided in a reject device. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the arrangement of posture sensors. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the operation of the overturning container until it reaches the reject position in the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an operation in which the overturned container is discharged from the conveyor after reaching the reject position in the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the operation of the overturning container until it reaches the reject position in the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an operation in which the overturned container is discharged from the conveyor after reaching the reject position in the second embodiment. It is a top view which shows 3rd Embodiment. It is a front view showing a 4th embodiment. It is a top view which shows the operation|movement of 4th Embodiment.

The invention will now be described with reference to illustrated embodiments.
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a reject device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a control device provided in the reject device. This reject device is constructed as a part of a beverage production line, and a processing device such as a labeler (not shown) is provided downstream of the linearly extending conveyor 10 (on the right side in FIG. 1).

Guides 11 are provided on both left and right sides of the conveyor 10 along the conveyance direction (rightward in FIG. 1). The containers C are made of synthetic resin, and after being filled and capped upstream, they are conveyed in a line. The guide 11 is interrupted in the middle of the conveyance direction, and this part is a reject position for discharging the overturned container C from the conveyor 10. At the reject position, a first pusher 12 and a second pusher 13 are provided on the right side (lower side in FIG. 1) along the conveyance direction, and a collection box 14 is provided on the left side (upper side in FIG. 1) along the conveyance direction. provided.

The first pusher 12 is provided to press the overturned container C from the side and discharge it to the collection box 14, and is located downstream of the second pusher 13. As will be described later, the second pusher 13 is provided to push the upright containers C located before and after the overturned container C from the side and discharge them to the collection box 14. Therefore, the width of the first pusher 12 is larger than that of the second pusher 13. The first pusher 12 is provided at the tip of the piston of the first air cylinder 15, and the second pusher 13 is provided at the tip of the piston of the second air cylinder 16. The operations of the first and second pushers 12 and 13, that is, the first and second air cylinders 15 and 16, are controlled by a control device (control means) 20.

On the upstream side of the reject position, an attitude sensor 30 is provided outside the guide 11 to detect the attitude of the container C conveyed by the conveyor 10. In this embodiment, the posture sensor 30 is composed of first, second, and third fall sensors 31, 32, and 33 that detect a container C that has fallen, and an upright sensor 34 that detects a container C that has stood up. A single line sensor extending in the vertical direction may be used, or the container C may be photographed by a camera and the attitude of the container C may be detected by image processing.

As will be described later, the overturned container C detected by the attitude sensor 30 is discharged out of the conveyor 10 (that is, into the collection box 14) by the first pusher 12 provided downstream of the attitude sensor 30. Before this ejection operation, the upright containers C located before and after the overturned container C are ejected out of the conveyor 10 by the second pusher 13 provided between the posture sensor 30 and the first pusher 12.

An encoder 35 is provided upstream of the attitude sensor 30. The encoder 35 is attached to the drive shaft of the conveyor 10 and outputs a signal to the control device 20 in accordance with the rotation of the drive shaft. This output signal is used to detect the position of the container C conveyed by the conveyor 10 on the conveyor 10, and therefore the encoder 35 constitutes a position detecting means.

The control device 20 receives signals from the attitude sensor 30 and the encoder 35 and controls the first and second air cylinders 15 and 16. Output signals from the fall sensors 31 , 32 , 33 , the standing sensor 34 , and the encoder 35 are input to the control device 20 . The control device 20 includes a position recognition section 21 , a first air cylinder command section 22 , and a second air cylinder command section 23 . Based on the output signals of the encoder 35, the overturning sensors 31, 32, 33, and the upright sensor 34, the position recognition unit 21 recognizes the positions of the overturning container C and the upright containers C located before and after the overturning container C, and The first air cylinder command section 22 outputs a command signal to the first air cylinder 15, and the second air cylinder command section 23 outputs a command signal to the second air cylinder 16.

FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of the attitude sensor 30. The overturning sensors 31, 32, and 33 detect the overturned container C1, and the second overturning sensor 32 detects the height position of the cap of the overturned container C1. It is located close to the The first and third overturning sensors 31 and 33 are provided at a position higher than the overturning container C1 in order to detect the central height position of the upright container C2. The upright container sensor 34 is provided at the height of the cap of the upright sensor 34 in order to detect the upright container C2.

Each of the sensors 31 to 34 is arranged at substantially the same position in the transport direction on the transport conveyor 10, and the second fall sensor 32 is located directly below the upright sensor . On the other hand, the first and third fall sensors 31 and 33 are slightly shifted from the second fall sensor 32 and the upright sensor 34 in the front and back direction, and the first fall sensor 31 is slightly upstream of the second fall sensor 32 and the upright sensor 34. On the side, the third fall sensor 33 is located slightly downstream of the second fall sensor 32 and the upright sensor 34.

Therefore, when the overturning container C1 reaches the side of the posture sensor 30, only the second overturning sensor 32 outputs a detection signal. On the other hand, when the stand-up container C2 reaches the side of the posture sensor 30, first the first fall sensor 31 outputs a detection signal, then the second fall sensor 32, then the third fall sensor 33, and the stand-up sensor The detection signals are output in the order of 34. The control device 20 discriminates between the overturning container C1 and the upright container C2 based on the detection signals output from the sensors 31 to 34, and upon receiving the signal from the encoder 35, the position recognition unit 21 determines whether the overturning container C1 or the upright container C2 is the same. The positions are recognized and the operations of the first pusher 12 and the second pusher 13 are controlled.

The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. In this illustrated example, the first container C11 and the second container C12 are standing up, the third container C13 is overturned, and the fourth container C14 is standing up (symbol (a)). Detected by sensor 30. While maintaining this state, these containers C11 to C14 approach the reject position (symbol (b)), and when the container C12 reaches the position of the second pusher 13, the second pusher 13 moves forward and rejects the container C12. It is discharged to the outside of the conveyor 10 (symbol (c)). When the container C12 is collected into the collection box 14, the second pusher 13 retreats to the outside of the transport conveyor 10 and waits until the overturned container C13 passes and the container C14 immediately after it arrives (reference numeral (d)).

When the container C14 reaches the position of the second pusher 13, the second pusher 13 moves forward and discharges the container C14 out of the conveyor 10 (symbol (e)). At this time, since the container C14 is close to the overturned container C13, the overturned container C13 may interfere with the second pusher 13 and tilt with respect to the conveyance direction as shown in the figure, but this does not cause any problems. . Thereafter, the second pusher 13 retreats to the outside of the conveyor 10 (symbol (f)). When the overturned container C13 reaches the position of the first pusher 12 (symbol (g)), the first pusher 12 moves forward and discharges the overturned container C13 out of the conveyor 10 (symbol (h)). As a result, the overturned container C13 and the containers C12 and C14 located before and behind it are collected in the collection box 14.

As described above, in this embodiment, in the operation of discharging the overturned container C13 to the outside of the transport conveyor 10, the upright containers C12 and C14 adjacent to the front and back are discharged to the outside of the transport conveyor 10, so that the overturned container C13 Sufficient space is created in front and behind. Therefore, at the reject position, the first pusher 12 presses only the overturned container C13, so there is no risk of other containers overturning on the transport conveyor 10, and at the downstream side of the reject position, the containers interfere with the guide and the containers are separated from each other. Jamming is prevented and the ejection operation is performed very smoothly.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the second embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment, except that the width of the first pusher 12 is larger than that of the first embodiment. As described below, if the distance between the overturned container and the containers in front and behind it is detected and it is determined that the overturned container and the containers in front and behind it are in close contact with each other, then the upright container that is in close contact with the overturned container will also be moved along with the overturned container. This is for discharging to the outside of the transport conveyor 10.

The operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. In this illustrated example, the first container C21 and the second container C22 are standing up, and the third container C23 is also standing up, but it is in close contact with or engaged with the tip of the fourth overturned container C24 ( Code (a)). That is, when viewed from the side of the conveyor 10, the container C23 and the overturned container C24 partially overlap. In such a case, the second fall sensor 32 that detects the container C23 will continuously detect the fall container C24 even if the container C23 passes, and the detection signal from the second fall sensor 32 will not be interrupted. Therefore, the control device 20 determines that the container C23 and the overturned container C24 are in close contact or engaged. Further, the fifth container C25 is standing up and is separated from the overturned container C24.

When these containers C21 to C25 reach the reject position and the container C22 reaches the position of the second pusher 13 (symbol (b)), the second pusher 13 moves forward and discharges the container C22 out of the conveyor 10. (symbol (c)). Next, the second pusher 13 retreats to the outside of the conveyor 10 and waits until the container C25 immediately after the overturned container C24 arrives (symbol (d)).

When the container C25 reaches the position of the second pusher 13, the second pusher 13 moves forward and discharges the container C25 out of the conveyor 10 (symbol (e)). Then, the second pusher 13 retreats to the outside of the conveyor 10 (symbol (f)). At this time, the overturned container C24 and the upright container C23 that is in close contact with its tip have reached the position of the first pusher 12, and the first pusher 12 advances to move the overturned container C24 and the upright container C23 out of the conveyor 10. (symbol (g)). As a result, the overturned container C24 and the containers C22, C23, and C25 located before and behind it are collected in the collection box 14.

In this way, the second embodiment also provides the same effects as the first embodiment, and prevents the containers from interfering with the guide on the downstream side of the reject position and causing jamming between the containers in the operation of discharging overturned containers. is prevented, and the ejection operation is performed very smoothly. Note that the upright containers following the overturned container may be discharged together, or the upright containers before and after the overturned container may be discharged together.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The difference between the configuration of this embodiment and the first embodiment is the shape of the first pusher 12, in which an inclined surface 17 facing the upstream side of the conveyor 10 is formed. When the conveyor 10 is viewed from above, the inclined surface 17 is inclined at, for example, about 45 degrees with respect to the conveyance direction, and this is to accommodate high-speed operation. In other words, when overturned containers are continuously conveyed to the reject position, when the first pusher is reciprocated to eject one overturned container and then the subsequent overturned container is to be ejected, the first pusher displaces the subsequent overturned container. The overturned container may not be able to be ejected and may collide with the guide on the downstream side. The third embodiment can deal with such problems.

FIG. 8 shows a state in which two overturned containers C32 and C33 have successively reached the reject position, and the upright container C31 immediately in front of the overturned container C32 is discharged from the conveyor 10 by the second pusher 13. (symbol (a)). When the first overturned container C32 reaches the position of the second pusher 12, the second pusher 12 moves forward and discharges the overturned container C32 out of the conveyor 10 (symbol (b)). At this time, the subsequent overturned container C33 is in contact with the inclined surface 17 of the first pusher 12, and the second pusher 13 moves forward to move the upright container C34 located immediately behind the subsequent overturned container C33 onto the conveyor 10. It is being discharged outside.

As the transport conveyor 10 moves, the overturned container C33 that comes into contact with the slope 17 is guided by the slope 17 and moves to the outside of the transport conveyor 10 (symbol (c)), and is guided to the collection box 14 (symbol (c)). d)). Therefore, in the collection box 14, the overturned containers C32 and C33 and the containers C31 and C34 located in front and behind these have been collected.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, in addition to obtaining the same effects as the first and second embodiments, there is also an effect that it can be applied even when the conveyor 10 is operated at high speed.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. Like the third embodiment, this embodiment also has a configuration for supporting high-speed operation, and the differences from the third embodiment are in the first pusher 12, first air cylinder 15, and collection boxes 14 and 18. . That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the second collection box 18 is provided on the opposite side of the first collection box 14 with the transport conveyor 10 in between. Further, the piston of the first air cylinder 15 is arranged above the standing containers on the conveyor 10 so that the first pusher 12 can discharge the containers on the conveyor 10 into the collection boxes 14 and 18.

FIG. 10 shows a state in which two overturned containers C42 and C43 have reached the reject position in succession, and the upright container C41 immediately in front of the overturned container C42 is discharged from the conveyor 10 by the second pusher 13. (symbol (a)). When the top overturned container C42 reaches the position of the second pusher 12, the second pusher 12 moves forward and discharges the overturned container C42 to the first collection box 14 (symbol (b)). At this time, the subsequent overturned container C43 is between the first pusher 12 and the second pusher 13, and the second pusher 13 moves forward to move the upright container C44 located immediately behind the overturned container C43 into the first collection box 14. is being discharged to.

The subsequent overturning container C43 engages with the back surface of the first pusher 12 as the transport conveyor 10 moves (symbol (c)). Here, the first pusher 12 moves backward and discharges the overturned container C43 to the second collection box 18 (symbol (d)). Therefore, the first overturned container C42 and the upright containers C41 and C44 located before and after this are collected in the first collection box 14, and the subsequent overturned container C43 is collected in the second collection box 18. Become.

The fourth embodiment also provides the same effects as the third embodiment.

10 Conveyor 12 First pusher 13 Second pusher 20 Control device (control means)
30 Posture sensor 35 Encoder (position detection means)

Claims (2)

a conveyor that transports the containers in a line;
a posture sensor that detects the posture of the container conveyed by the conveyor;
a first pusher that is provided downstream of the attitude sensor and presses the overturned container from the side to discharge it out of the conveyor;
a second pusher that is provided between the attitude sensor and the first pusher and presses the upright container from the side to discharge it out of the conveyor;
position detection means for detecting the position of the container transported by the transport conveyor on the transport conveyor;
control means for controlling operations of the first and second pushers in response to signals from the attitude sensor and the position detection means;
When the overturned container is detected by the attitude sensor, the control means recognizes the positions of the upright containers located before and after the overturned container, and operates the second pusher to move the upright containers before and after the overturned container to the above position. A reject device characterized in that the overturned container is discharged from the conveyor, and the first pusher is operated to discharge the overturned container from the conveyor. 2. The reject device according to claim 1, wherein the attitude sensor includes an overturning sensor that detects an overturned container and an upright sensor that detects an upright container.

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