JP2730792B2 - Box storage device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a box storage device suitable for use in, for example, a fruit and vegetable sorting device, and sorts and discharges a predetermined sorting category from a sorting section of a sorting conveyor. And a container that can be primarily pooled for each sorting section and can be guided in a line to a predetermined packing position, and can automatically discharge only empty trays after picking up the sorted objects. .

[Conventional technology]

As shown in FIG. 5, the sorting of the sorting conveyor 11 in the sorting apparatus in which fruits and vegetables placed on the tray are sorted in the middle of the transport and the whole tray is discharged from a predetermined sorting position to the side of the transport path. A storage device 12 for pooling each of the sorting sections is disposed in each of the sections, and a box container 13 is arranged outside the terminal end of the storage device 12, and a boxing worker 14 outputs a fruit or vegetable 15 on the storage device 12 by a boxing worker 14. A method of picking up a box and packing it in a box 13 is generally used.

The storage device 12 is a pool in which vegetables and fruits trays are arranged in a row in a row at the end thereof, and when all the fruits and vegetables 15 are picked up from the horizontal rows of saucers, an empty tray is below the storage device 12 or It is designed to discharge to the side.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

According to the conventional box packing method shown in FIG. 5, the container for packing is placed outside the terminal end of the storage device.
The boxing worker stands outside the boxed container, reaches out from above the boxed container, picks up the fruits and vegetables on the storage device, and packs the fruits and vegetables into the container.

For this reason, the boxing worker has a leaning posture during the boxing operation, and the degree of fatigue increases with the elapse of time, and the efficiency of the operation decreases. This tendency is greater as the size of the fruits and vegetables or the size of the boxed container increases, and improvement is desired.

Further, in the above conventional storage device, the saucers containing fruits and vegetables are pooled in a row in a row at the end of the storage surface, and when all the fruits and vegetables are picked up from the rows of the trays, the empty trays in a row are discharged. Configuration. For this reason, the box packing operation cannot be performed continuously in units of horizontal rows, and the operation is intermittent, resulting in a reduction in the operation efficiency.

A problem to be solved by the present invention is to make it possible to easily take out a sorting object from a tray containing a sorting object discharged by a sorting conveyor and put it in a box.

In addition, when a small amount of paper is discharged due to fluctuations in the distribution rate, the container is preferentially sent to the boxing position without pooling so that the container can be packed. Further, when the amount of sorted and discharged is large, the surplus is pooled so that the boxes can be continuously packed regardless of the distribution ratio.

[Means for solving the problem]

In order to solve the above problems, a box storage device of the present invention is provided.
A pool device that conveys the trays containing the sorted objects, which are sorted and discharged according to a predetermined sorting section from the sorting section of the sorting conveyor, into a plurality of rows on a transfer surface that can be pooled and sends them out of this end section in a single row, and an end section of the pool apparatus A take-out conveyer device that conveys the trays containing the objects to be sorted sent out from the end of the pool device in a row and reverses the conveyance direction by 180 ° in the horizontal direction at a predetermined position on the downstream side from the end of the pool device, and runs in reverse. A transport control device is provided at the terminal end, and detects a presence / absence of an object to be sorted on the tray and controls the transport of the tray based on the detection.

Further, the pool apparatus is provided with a partitioning means for partitioning the transport surface in the width direction on the transport surface to divide the transport surface into a priority transport path and a pool section, and to receive the trays containing the sorted objects discharged from the sorting conveyor. The guide is preferentially guided to the preferential transport path, and when the preferential transport path is full, the trays containing the sorted objects are sent to the pool section and pooled.

Further, the partitioning means is configured such that an opening through which the tray containing the sorted objects can pass is opened and closed, and the opening is opened to transfer the tray containing the sorted objects pooled in the pool section to the priority transport path. can do.

[Action]

According to the box storage device of the present invention configured as described above, the trays containing the objects to be sorted discharged from the sorting section of the sorting conveyor for each of the predetermined sorting categories are transported on the transport surface of the pool apparatus and are terminated at the end portion. And sent in a line on a conveyor device. Then, while the trays containing the objects to be sorted are conveyed in a line by this take-out conveyor device, and are transported while being turned 180 ° in the horizontal direction, for example, the items to be sorted on the trays can be picked up and boxed by a boxing worker. . On the other hand, at the end portion of the take-out conveyor device, the presence or absence of the sorting object on the tray is detected by the transport control device, and only the empty tray can be discharged from the end portion to a predetermined position. When the tray on which the objects to be sorted are placed reaches the end of the take-out conveyor device, the tray is temporarily stopped by the transport control device, and when the objects to be sorted are picked up from the tray, this is detected and only the empty tray is removed. Can be discharged.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a box storage device of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG.

In this embodiment, fruits and vegetables 100 are used as the sorting target.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a sorting conveyor. The sorting conveyor 2 transports the saucer 1 containing the fruits and vegetables 100 in a line, performs a predetermined sorting by a measuring device (not shown) during the transport, and transports the tray 1 from a predetermined sorting position based on the result. Saucer 1 on the side of the road
Is discharged.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a discharging device, which is provided at a predetermined sorting position of the sorting conveyor 2 for each predetermined sorting section. For example, a sorting / discharging device disclosed in JP-A-2-62313 can be used. According to this discharging device 21,
The saucer 1 containing the fruits and vegetables 100 being conveyed by the sorting conveyor 2 can be discharged in the direction of the arrow in the figure without rolling the saucer 1 together.

The saucer 1 has, for example, a circular shape in plan view, and has a mounting portion (not shown) for stably mounting the fruits and vegetables 100 on the upper surface.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a pool device, which is connected to the discharge device 21 and has the following configuration.

That is, reference numeral 31 denotes a pool conveyor, which has a conveying surface 30 of a predetermined length and a width (A) capable of storing a plurality of trays 1 containing fruits and vegetables 100 discharged from the discharge device 21 in the width direction. As the pool conveyor 31, for example, a roller conveyor capable of accumulating is preferably used, but a resin belt conveyor having a small surface friction coefficient may be used. Also,
The width (A) may be configured by arranging a plurality of rows of conveyors side by side. The size (width × length) of the transport surface 30 of the pool conveyor 31 can be arbitrarily configured based on the size and distribution rate of the fruits and vegetables 100 to be sorted.

The width (A) of the transport surface 30 of the pool conveyor 31 of the embodiment.
Has a size obtained by adding an area (B ₂ ) as a box packing section to a machine width (B ₁ ) of the take-out conveyor device 4 described later.
With this configuration, there is no one that protrudes outward beyond the width of the pool device 3, and the pool device 3 can be arranged close to the adjacent pool device 3. This is effective because the length of the sorting conveyor 2 can be shortened and the whole can be made compact.

32 are guide rails respectively arranged on both sides of the transfer surface 30, and the guide rails 32, 32 are formed so that the distance between the transfer surfaces 30 is gradually reduced as the transfer surface 30 is located on the downstream side. The receiving trays 1 are arranged in a row in the middle of the conveyance, and are sent out in a line from the terminal end 30b.

Reference numeral 33 denotes a partitioning means disposed at a predetermined interval from the guide rail 32 on one side. The partitioning means 33 uses a rail-shaped member to move the transport surface 30 of the pool conveyor 31 in the width direction with a width of one tray 1. It is done so that it is divided. Then, the arrangement of the pool conveyor 31 and the discharge device 21 is performed so that the saucer 1 containing the fruits and vegetables 100 discharged by the discharge device 21 is preferentially conveyed on the conveying path of the partitioned width (A ₁ ). Configure. As a result, the transport surface 30 of the pool conveyor 31 is
34 and a pool section 35.

An opening 36 lacks a size that allows the trays 1 to pass through a part of the partitioning means 33 in a line.

Reference numeral 37 denotes a carry-out switching lever for controlling the passage of the tray 1 from the opening 36. Also, this carry-out switching lever 37 is
Depending on the operating position, the receiving tray 1 containing the fruits and vegetables 100 in either the priority transport path 34 or the pool section 35 is transported. That is, the carry-out switching lever 37 prevents passage from the opening 36 while the tray 1 is being conveyed in the priority conveying path 34,
When the tray 1 passes through the opening 36, the transport of the tray 1 in the priority transport path 34 on the upstream side from the opening 36 is prevented.

Reference numeral 38 denotes an entry switching lever, which is a guide rail 32 on the upstream side.
A fulcrum 38a is set at a part of the slab to swing horizontally by a predetermined angle. The tray 1 containing fruits and vegetables 100 discharged from the discharge device 21 can be carried into either the priority conveyance path 34 or the pool section 35 by the operation of the entry switching lever 38.

The entry switching lever 38 is preferably used and need not be provided. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, if the partitioning means 33 and the guide rails 32 are formed so that the approaching direction of the priority transport path 34 is slightly bent with respect to the unloading direction of the discharge device 21, and the approaching is performed, the circular tray 1 is particularly preferable. In the case of (1), when the priority transport path 34 is full, the subsequent tray 1 is displaced by the pressure of the transport surface and the transport direction is shifted aside.
Acts to flow to.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a take-out conveyor device, and the pool device 3
The saucer 1 containing the fruits and vegetables 100 sent out from the end portion 30b of
They are conveyed in a line, and are reversed 180 degrees in the horizontal direction at a predetermined position on the downstream side from the terminal end 30b and run backward. The take-out conveyor device 4 is provided with a width (B ₁ ) smaller than the machine width of the pool device 3 and protrudes from the terminal end portion 30b of the pool device 3, and forms a take-out portion for fruits and vegetables.

Further, the take-out conveyor device 4 is configured as a single member using a conveyor capable of traveling in a curved line in the horizontal direction, or
It is also possible to combine a straight section and a turn section, for example, by arranging a well-known turn conveyor, turntable or the like at a section to be turned 180 °.

The end portion 4b of the take-out conveyor device 4 has a conveying path
Inside the work area when the boxer stands outside the turn that turns 180 °.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a stopper device as a transport control device, which is provided at the terminal end 4 b of the take-out conveyor device 4.
The stopper device 5 has a tongue-like shape as shown in the figure, and is configured to engage with the side surface of the tray 1 by an unillustrated actuator to stop. The stopper device 5 is provided with a switch (not shown) for detecting the presence or absence of the fruits and vegetables 100 on the saucer 1, for example, a photoelectric sensor near the stop position of the saucer.

Reference numeral 6 denotes an empty tray transport device provided below the pool device 3 so that the transport direction is opposite to that of the pool device 6, and the start end portion 6a is connected to the end portion 4b of the take-out conveyor device 4, and It is provided on a downward slope. The empty tray transfer device 6 can be configured by combining a slide table such as a chute, a roller conveyor, or the like, and is terminated so that the empty tray 1 is merged and discharged onto an empty tray collection conveyor 7 provided below the sorting conveyor 2. The portion 6b is provided with a stopper device (not shown).

The empty tray collection conveyor 7 uses a known conveyor device such as a chain conveyor or a belt conveyor, and is provided below the sorting conveyor 2 with the transport direction reversed.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a product delivery device as a box packing portion arranged on the side of the take-out conveyor 4 so that the boxed container 81 waits at an upper predetermined position and sends out a product 82 packed with fruits and vegetables 100 to a predetermined lower position. It can be configured by combining known table lifters, conveyors, and the like.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a product transport conveyor, which is configured using a roller conveyor, a chain conveyor, or the like so that the products 82 sent out by the product delivery device 8 are conveyed together.

In the embodiment, the packaging container 81 is raised and waited by the product delivery device 8, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a packaging table (not shown) or the like is arranged and the packaging container 81 is placed thereon. You may.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a configuration in which box packing portions are arranged on both sides of the take-out conveyor device 4, and the machine width (A) of the transport surface 30 of the pool conveyor 31 is an area formed by these arrangements. It is preferable to set in accordance with (B ₁ + B ₂ + B ₂ ). The partitioning means 33, 33 are provided on the transport surface 30 of the pool conveyor 31 at intervals (A ₁ ) at which the trays 1 can pass in a line, and the partitioning means 33, 33 cut a part of the downstream side. A carry-out switching lever 37 similar to that shown in FIG. 1 is provided. Further, on the upstream side of the transport surface 30, an entry switching lever 38 similar to the above is provided so as to control the transport direction of the tray 1.

In addition, the box packing parts arranged on both sides of the take-out conveyor device 4 are configured so that the product sending device 8 is arranged on one side and the product is automatically sent out, and the box packing table is arranged on the other side and the product is sent out manually. As described above, it is also possible to combine automatic and manual operations.

The operation of the box storage device configured as described above will be described.

The saucer 1 containing fruits and vegetables 100 discharged from the sorting section of the sorting conveyor 2 by the discharging device 21 according to a predetermined sorting section,
The transport surface 30 of the pool conveyor 31 sequentially feeds in a line into the priority transport path 33 and is transported toward the terminal end 30b. Then, the trays 1 containing fruits and vegetables 100 which are taken out in a line from the terminal end portion 30b and sent out onto the conveyor device 4 are conveyed in a line by the take-out conveyor device 4 and are also transferred by being turned 180 ° in the horizontal direction. During this transfer, the boxing worker can pick up the fruits and vegetables 100 on the pan 1 and pack them in the boxed container 81 waiting on the product delivery device 8 in the boxed section.

On the other hand, at the end portion 4b of the take-out conveyor device 4, the presence or absence of the fruits and vegetables 100 on the tray 1 is detected by a photoelectric sensor (not shown), and only the empty tray 1 is discharged from the end portion 4b onto the empty tray discharge device 6. .

In addition, the fruits and vegetables 100 being transported by the take-out conveyor device 4
When the receiving tray 1 reaches the terminal portion 4b without picking up the fruits and vegetables 100 by the boxing worker, the presence of an object is detected by the photoelectric sensor (not shown), and an operation from a control circuit (not shown) based on this signal is performed. In response to the signal, the stopper device 5 operates to prevent the transfer of the saucer 1 containing the fruits and vegetables 100. When the fruits and vegetables 100 are picked up from the pan 1 during the stop, the photoelectric sensor (not shown) detects (nothing).
Then, the operation of the stopper device 5 is released, and only the empty tray 1 is discharged onto the empty tray transport device 6.

In the above description, the operation in the case where the amount of the fruits and vegetables 100 sorted and discharged from the sorting conveyor 2 is relatively sparsely discharged has been described. The operation of the pool device 3 will be described below.

That is, when the saucer 1 containing fruits and vegetables 100 discharged from the sorting conveyor 2 is discharged more than the amount that the fruits and vegetables 100 are temporarily picked up from the take-out conveyor device 4, the saucer 1 with fruits and vegetables 100 gradually becomes the priority transport path 34. When it is pooled and becomes full, it acts so as to overflow from the priority transport path 34 and be pooled in the pool section 35. The saucer 1 containing fruits and vegetables pooled in the pool section 35 can be taken out through the priority conveying path 34 and sent out onto the conveyor 4 by operating the switching lever 37. By configuring the pool apparatus 3 in this way, it is possible to improve the work imbalance due to the difference in the distribution rate.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the box storage device of the sorting device of the present invention, the trays containing the sorted items discharged from the sorting conveyor are conveyed on a poolable transport surface and sent out in a row, and the trays containing the sorted items are sorted. During the transportation by the conveyor device, the sorted items on the tray are picked up and packed in a box, and the boxing worker can place the boxed container on the side of the takeout conveyor and pack it in a box. There is no need to take an excessively leaning posture during work, and workability is good.

In addition, since the packing operation is performed during the transfer in a line by the take-out conveyor device, the operation is continuous, the flow is smooth and efficient.

Furthermore, when the amount of the sorted material is small,
It can be transported to the take-out conveyor device without stagnation by the priority transport path. On the other hand, when the amount of the sorted objects is temporarily concentrated and large, the objects can be pooled by the pool unit, and the efficiency of the boxing work can be mutually improved.

Further, since a take-out conveyor having a width smaller than the machine width of the pool apparatus is protruded from the end of the pool conveyor to form a take-out section, even if means as a box packing section is arranged on the side of the take-out conveyor apparatus, the pool apparatus is not used. And the entire sorting apparatus can be made compact.

[Brief description of the drawings]

The drawings all show embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a box storage device of a sorting device for carrying out the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of an example in which an entry switching lever is not used. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a box storage device showing another embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a conventional box packing method. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Receiving tray, 2 ... Sorting conveyor 21 ... Discharge device 3 ... Pool apparatus, 30 ... Conveying surface 31 ... Pool conveyer, 32 ... Guide rail 33 ... Partition means 34 ... Priority conveying path, 35 … Pool part 36… Opening 37… Unloading switching lever, 38… Entry switching lever 4… Removal conveyor device 5… Stopper 6… Empty tray transfer device 7… Empty tray collection conveyor 8… Product delivery Equipment, 81… Boxed container 82 …… Product 9 …… Product conveyor

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A pooling device for transporting trays containing sorted objects, which are sorted and discharged according to predetermined sorting categories from a sorting section of a sorting conveyor, on a transport surface capable of being pooled in a plurality of rows, and sending out the trays in a row from an end portion thereof. A take-out conveyor device that conveys the trays containing the sorted objects sent out from the terminal end of the pool device in a line and reverses the conveying direction by 180 ° in the horizontal direction at a predetermined position downstream from the terminal end of the pool device and runs backwards, A container control device provided at the end of the take-out conveyor device, for detecting the presence or absence of an object to be sorted on the tray and controlling the transport of the tray based on the detection. . 2. The pool apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a priority transport path for preferentially transporting the trays containing the sorting objects discharged from the sorting section of the sorting conveyor to the terminal end and a pool section for the trays containing the sorting objects. 2. The box storage device according to claim 1, wherein the partitioning means is provided so as to partition in a width direction of the conveying surface. 3. The box storage device according to claim 2, wherein said partitioning means has a part thereof capable of opening and closing an opening through which a tray containing the selected material can pass.