JP2898273B1 - Egg transporter - Google Patents

Abstract

An egg transport device for charging an accommodation container can be downsized and the configuration can be simplified as compared with the prior art. SOLUTION: A chain 20 that receives eggs at a position P1 and conveys a large number of units 21 from which the eggs 1 are taken out at a position P2 along a circulation path, and conveys the units 21 from the position P1 to the position P2. It is provided with a forward path and a return path for returning the empty unit 21 from which the egg 1 has been taken out at the position P2 to the position P1 again, so that a large number of units 21 are mounted on the chain 20 and transported. When the unit 20 switches from the outbound route to the inbound route and from the inbound route to the outbound route,
, The unit 20 is transported on the outer circumference of the chain 20 on the outward path, and the unit 20 is transported on the inner circumference of the chain 20 on the return path.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an egg container for receiving an egg at a receiving position and extracting the egg at a retrieval position, and a circulation transport mechanism for transporting a large number of the containers along a circulation path. The circulation path is a forward path for transporting the storage container from the receiving position to the removal position, and a return path for returning the empty storage container from which the eggs have been removed at the removal position toward the removal position again. The present invention relates to an egg transport device comprising:

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art To explain the processing steps of chicken eggs (eg, eggs as an example of eggs), which are currently often performed, first, eggs brought in from a poultry house are subjected to washing and drying, followed by defective eggs. An inspection for inspecting is performed. In these processes, eggs are transported by a conveyor in a state in which the eggs are arranged in a plurality of rows (often 6 rows), and are input to a weighing device in order to weigh the weight at the most downstream of the transport path. Here, sorting (S, M, L, etc.) is performed according to the agricultural and forestry standards, and automatic packaging is performed according to the sorting. The calculations weighed on the weighing device are then transferred to a single row conveyor.
Further, a plurality of container conveyors orthogonal to the single-row conveyor are provided in accordance with the classification of the agricultural and forestry standards. Predetermined packaging containers are sequentially conveyed to the container conveyor, and packaging is completed by storing a predetermined number of eggs released from the single-row conveyor in the packaging containers. The problem in the conventional technology as described above is a case where a packaging container conveyed by a container conveyor is replaced. There are various types of packaging containers according to the demands of the shipping destination. For example, there are many packaging containers such as 10, 12, 36, and the like, and packaging containers having the same number but different shapes of packaging containers. There are various types. In order to replace the packaging container with another one, it is necessary to stop the container conveyor, so it is necessary to stop the single-row conveyor, etc. Therefore, the entire egg processing equipment must be stopped, and the entire equipment operates Efficiency was low to reduce the rate.

As a prior art for solving the above problems, there is a chicken egg sorting and packaging apparatus (hereinafter referred to as prior art) disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-11826. This is provided with upper and lower transport means for transporting the storage container mounted thereon, the storage container is formed by connecting a plurality of chicken egg storage portions in a row and forming a container body, and from both ends of the container body. And a support rod having a pivot member mounted on the tip of the protrusion. In this manner, the eggs are not delivered directly from the single-row conveyor to the packaging container, but are once delivered to the storage container so that the egg can be transferred from the storage container to the packaging container. Since there is a mechanism for charging the storage containers even when the container conveyor is stopped, there is no need to stop the conveyance on the upstream side such as a single-row conveyor.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, the upper and lower parts are required to circulate and transport the container.
Two conveyance means (V belt) of the lower conveyance means are required. The need for two transport means in the prior art is for the following reasons. That is, in the prior art, a V-belt is used as an endless member for conveyance, and the container is conveyed on the outer peripheral portion of the V-belt, but if only one rather than the two upper and lower V-belts is used, There is no problem on the outward path because the container is located above the V-belt, but on the return path there is a problem that the container is dropped because the container is located below the V-belt.
Therefore, two V-belts are provided so that the container is always mounted on the outer periphery of the V-belt and on the V-belt.

[0005] However, there has been a problem that not only the size of the egg carrier is increased, but also the configuration is complicated. The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and its purpose is to reduce the size of an egg carrier for charging an accommodation container, as compared with the related art, and
It is to simplify the configuration.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, an egg transport device according to the present invention receives an egg at a receiving position and retrieves the egg at a retrieval position. A circulation transport mechanism for transporting a large number of the containers along the circulation path, the circulation path being a forward path for transporting the storage container from the receiving position to the removal position, and an empty storage where the eggs have been removed at the removal position. A return path for returning the container to the takeout position again, and the circulating conveyance mechanism includes a plurality of storage containers provided on a pair of endless transfer members provided on both sides in the conveyance width direction of the circulation path. It is configured to be mounted and transported, and when switching from the forward path to the return path, or from the return path to the forward path, the storage container is transported endless portion Once configured to be detached from,
In the forward path or the return path, the storage container is transported by using the outer periphery of the transport endless member, and in the return path or the forward path, the storage container is transported by using the inner circumference of the transport endless member. It is characterized by comprising.

According to this configuration, the egg is received in the container at the receiving position on the outward path of the circulation path, and the container in which the egg is stored is transported to the retrieval position on the outward path, and the retrieval position is determined. The eggs are removed by an appropriate method. The empty container from which the eggs have been taken out is emptied and returned to the receiving position via the return path. Thus, the container is circulated and transported along the circulation path. Although a pair of endless transfer members constituting the circulating transfer mechanism is provided in the conveying width direction of the circulating path, there is only one in a plane (side view) orthogonal to the circulating path. That is, there are no two upper and lower transport means as in the prior art. According to the present invention, the number of transport means in the prior art is one, so that the entire apparatus can be reduced in size and the configuration can be simplified. Then, on the outward path (upper side of the circulation path), the container is transported using the outer periphery of the transporting endless member. This is a state where the storage container is mounted on the transport endless member. When switching from the forward path to the return path, the storage container temporarily separates from the transport endless member, but on the return path (below the circulation path), the storage container is transported using the inner periphery of the transport endless member. Therefore, even in the return path, the container is mounted on the transporting endless member, and the problem of falling of the container while the number of the transport means in the prior art is one is solved. It is.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pair of transport endless members is a pair of chains, and the storage container is mounted and transported on a number of rollers rotatably mounted on the chain. There is something. According to this configuration, the storage container is mounted and transported on the roller of the chain, but it is necessary to stop the storage container at the receiving position or the take-out position. As described above, while the storage container is stopped in a predetermined area of the circulation path, it may be necessary to transport the storage container in another area. For this purpose, the chain is always driven, and the transport of the storage container is stopped and the stop is released.However, even when the storage container is stopped, the chain is driven. It is preferable to stop the container so that no extra load is applied. According to the above configuration, since the roller is rotatable, the friction loss can be reduced and an extra load can be prevented. Further, in the prior art, the container is provided with a roller, but in the present invention, since the roller incorporated in the chain is used, the manufacturing cost of the container can be reduced, and the structure is also simplified. Benefits arise.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the width of the pair of transport endless members is increased when switching from the forward path to the return path or from the return path to the forward path. There is something. By increasing the width of the transfer endless member, the width becomes wider than the width of the storage container, whereby the storage container can be easily separated from the transfer endless member. This configuration has a cost advantage because it does not require a dedicated member for detachment.

As still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a guide for guiding the storage container once separated from the transfer endless member along the circulation path and for guiding the storage container in a transfer width direction. Some have a mechanism. When detached from the transfer endless member, it is necessary to guide the container along the circulation path by a mechanism other than the transfer endless member. The guide mechanism is convenient because it can guide not only along the circulation path but also in the width direction of the container.

In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the receiving positions are provided at two positions, a first receiving position and a second receiving position.
In some cases, a transfer endless member and a second transfer endless member are provided. The egg transport device according to the present invention is preferably incorporated in an automatic egg packaging device, but when the processing capacity of the automatic packaging device is increased, two single-row conveyors for delivering the eggs at the receiving position are provided. There is also an automatic packaging device. In order to cope with high processing capacity, it is preferable that a plurality of receiving positions are provided.

In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first transport endless member is a pair of first chains provided on both sides in the transport width direction, and the second transport endless member is on both sides in the transport width direction. , The width dimension of the first chain is set to be smaller than the second chain, and the second receiving position is higher than the first receiving position. Some are set. According to this, the container transported to the first receiving position is driven by the first chain, and
The container transported to the receiving position is transported by the second chain. In addition, it is necessary not only that the container transported by the first chain and the container of the second chain do not interfere with each other, but also that the provision of two circulation paths minimizes the size of the entire apparatus. You also need. In the above configuration, the width of the chain is made different so that the basic circulation path in side view has a considerable portion in common, and the height is changed only at the receiving position. By changing the height, the eggs can be smoothly received at the first and second receiving positions at the same time.

As still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a circulation path formed by the first transfer endless member and the second transfer endless member are provided.
The circulation path formed by the endless transfer member is configured to branch before reaching the first and second receiving positions and to merge after passing through the first and second receiving positions. Some of the storage containers that have passed through the first and second receiving positions are provided with control means for controlling which of the containers is passed. according to this,
Eggs can be received at the first and second receiving positions, respectively, but it is necessary to prevent the containers transported from the respective receiving positions from interfering with each other where the circulation paths join. Therefore, by controlling which storage container is passed at the junction (traffic arrangement), while having two circulation routes,
The transfer of the container becomes smooth. In addition, since the two circulation paths branch off and merge at portions before and after the receiving position, there is an advantage that the entire apparatus is not unnecessarily enlarged.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0015]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an entire automatic egg packaging apparatus suitable for applying the egg carrier according to the present embodiment. [Overall Configuration of Automatic Egg Packaging Apparatus] This apparatus comprises an egg feeding transport section 2 for transporting chicken eggs 1 in six rows in the direction of arrow A, and receiving the eggs 1 from the egg feeding transport section 2 in the direction of arrow B. Single-row transport unit 3 for transporting the eggs in a single row, and an egg transport device 4 for transporting the chicken eggs 1 released from the single-row transport unit 3 to the egg packaging unit 5
And a control device 6 for controlling each part. The control device 6 is mainly composed of hardware parts such as a CPU and a storage device, and software parts such as an operation program of the automatic egg packaging apparatus. The egg feeding and transporting unit 2 is linked to an automatic egg inspection device 10 for inspecting defective eggs such as cracks, blood eggs, dirt, and decay, a weighing device 11 provided at the most downstream of the transport route, and an egg feeding conveyor 7. An encoder 12 is provided. When the weight of each chicken egg 1 is measured by the weighing device 11, the standard of agriculture and forestry (S size, M size, L size, etc.)
Is performed in the chicken egg packaging section 5. The encoder 12 generates a pulse each time the egg feeding conveyor 7 moves a predetermined distance, and the operation control of the egg feeding transport unit 2 and the automatic egg inspection apparatus 10 is performed based on this signal. Weighing device 11
The weighing data of the hen egg 1 weighed in is sent to the control device 6.

The single-row conveyor 3 includes a single-row conveyor 13 for transporting the eggs 1 in one row, a drive motor 14 for driving the single-row conveyor 13, an encoder 15 linked to the single-row conveyor 13, and A transfer device 16 for transferring from the weighing device 11 of the egg feeding / conveying section 2 to a cup for storing the eggs of the single-row conveying section 3 and a kick device 17 for dropping and releasing the eggs 1 from the cup are provided. The control device 6 includes the encoder 1
The control of the drive motor 14 is performed based on the output pulse from the weighing device 5 and the control of which kick device 17 the egg 1 is to be released based on the weighing data from the weighing device 11. The technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-82546 of the present applicant can be used for the transport control of the eggs 1 in the single-row transport section 3 and the kick device 17. The egg packaging unit 5 includes a first container conveyor 5a.
And a second container conveyor 5b. These conveyors 5a and 5b are arranged orthogonal to the single-row conveyor 13. In the first container conveyor 5a, 12 chicken eggs 1 (2 *
6) The packaging container 18a that can be stored is transported in the direction of arrow C in FIG. In the second container conveyor 5b, a packaging container 18b capable of storing 30 (5 * 6) chicken eggs 1 is similarly conveyed. In addition, it is possible to arbitrarily set the number of the container conveyors to be further increased, and which container of which specification is transported by which container conveyor.

In FIG. 1, four egg transporting devices 4 (M,
S, L, and LL), but is not limited thereto. Egg carrier 4 and container conveyor 5
A guide rail 31 is provided so as to cross over a and 5b,
The vacuum suction device 30 moves along this. The vacuum suction device 30 sucks the chicken eggs 1 from the transport unit 21 and transports them to the container conveyors 5a and 5b.

[Egg Transfer Apparatus According to First Embodiment] First, the first embodiment of the egg transfer apparatus 4 will be described. 2A and 2B schematically show an egg transporting apparatus, wherein FIG. 2A is a plan view and FIG. 2B is a side view. A pair of endless chains 20 for forming a circulation path are provided at both ends in the width direction of the conveyance path. A large number of transport units 21, 21,... Are circulated and transported while being mounted on the endless chains 20, 20. The circulation path includes a forward path corresponding to the upper side of the endless chain 20 and a return path corresponding to the lower side, and further includes a first guide mechanism 22 that guides the transport unit 21 from the end of the forward path to the start end of the return path. Guide mechanism 23 that guides transfer unit 21 from the end of the path to the start of the outward path
And The details of the transport unit 21 will be described later.

At the receiving position P1, the single-row conveyor 13
Is received in the transport unit 21. As shown in FIG. 2A, the transport unit 21 can receive six eggs 1 in a row. Of course, the number to be accepted is not limited to six. A first stopper 24 is disposed at the head of the receiving position P1, and can be switched between a state of entering the circulation path and a state of being retracted by the hydraulic cylinder 24a. When the egg 1 is received in the transport unit 21, the first stopper 24 is advanced to prevent the transport of the transport unit 21 and stop, so that the egg 1 can be reliably received. The endless chain 20 is constantly driven even when the transport unit 21 is stopped. At the receiving position P1, several transport units 21 are in a standby state (charged state). When six eggs 1 are received by the foremost transport unit 21, the first stopper 24 is released, The transport unit 21 is moved to the next take-out position P2. The first sensor 2 is located near the first stopper 24.
When the first transport unit 21 is detected to have passed, the first stopper 24 is re-entered, and the next transport unit 21 can receive the eggs 1.

The transport unit 21 that has received the egg 1 at the receiving position P1 is transported to the take-out position P2.
The vacuum suction device 30 is configured to move along the guide rail 31 at the take-out position P2. The vacuum suction device 30 includes a suction unit 3 having a sucker for sucking the chicken eggs 1.
0a are provided, and in the present embodiment, 10 * 6
= 60 are provided. Of course, the number of the suction portions 30a can be arbitrarily selected. A second stopper 25 driven by the hydraulic cylinder 25a is provided at the head of the take-out position P2, and a plurality of the transport units 21 are stopped before the take-out operation is performed. When ten transport units 21 containing the eggs 1 are charged behind the second stopper 25, the suction unit 30a of the vacuum suction device 30 is operated to suck the eggs 1 and take them out of the transport unit 21. . The vacuum suction device 30 that has sucked the chicken egg 1 moves along the guide rail 31, and discharges the chicken egg 1 on one of the container conveyors 5a and 5b.

When the eggs 1 have been adsorbed, the second stopper 25 is retracted, and the empty transport unit 2 is removed.
1 is transported by the endless chain 20 toward the return path. The second sensor 28 detects the number of transport units 21 that have passed. In the present embodiment, ten transport units 21 are used.
Is detected, the second stopper 25 is re-entered to charge the transport unit 21 in which the eggs 1 are stored. The empty transport unit 21 heads for the return path via the first guide mechanism. In the return path, the transport unit 21 is transported in an upside down posture. A third stopper 26 driven by a hydraulic cylinder 26a is provided at the end position P3 of the return path. Also in this part, the plurality of transport units 21 are charged.
When one transfer unit 21 is sent out at the receiving position P1, the third stopper 26 is released, and only one empty transfer unit 21 is sent out toward the outward path. This makes the flow of the transport unit 21 in the circulation path smooth. A third sensor 29 is provided near the third stopper 26, and when it is detected that only one empty transport unit 21 has been sent out, the third stopper 26 is reentered into the path. The transported unit 21 is sent from the return path to the outward path via the second guide mechanism 23.

FIG. 2A is a view of the circulation path viewed from above. The width of the first and second guide mechanisms 22 and 23 is larger than the width H1 of the pair of endless chains 20 in the forward path and the return path. The width H2 is wider. As will be described in detail later, this is performed by connecting the transport unit 21 to the first and second transport units.
This is because the transport unit 21 is once separated from the endless chains 20, 20 when transported by the guide mechanism.

[Configuration of Guide Mechanism and Transport Unit]
Next, the configurations of the guide mechanism and the transport unit 21 will be described.
3 is an enlarged detailed view of the first guide mechanism 22, FIG. 4 is a rear view thereof, FIG. 5 is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view thereof. FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged detailed view of the transport unit 21, and FIG.
9 is a plan view of the transport unit 21, and FIG.
FIG. In FIG. 3, the endless chain 20
Is wound around the first sprocket 35 at the end of the forward path and wound around the second sprocket 36 at the start end of the return path. In the first sprocket, the endless chain 20 has an obtuse angle (about 13
5 °), and in the second sprocket 36, the endless chain 20 is hooked at an acute angle (about 45 °). Also,
The support shaft 35a of the first sprocket 35 is slightly inclined (see FIG. 4), so that the pair of endless chains 2
It acts to increase the width of 0,20 from H1 to H2. The support shaft 36a of the second sprocket 36 is horizontal.
At the start of the return path, the width dimension is again set to the same dimension H1 as the forward path due to a sprocket and a chain slash (not shown).

The inverted C fixed to the backup board 37
A semicircular guide groove 39 is formed by the character guide. The backup board 37 is driven to rotate around a rotation shaft 37a by a motor (not shown). The endless chain 20 and the semicircular guide groove 39 intersect at the intersection PO. The guide mechanism 22 shown in FIG. 4 is bilaterally symmetric. The width H3 of the conveyance unit 21 in the conveyance width direction is set to be substantially the same as the width H1 of the pair of endless chains 20, 20. Also, a pair of backup panels 37, 3
7 and widths H4, H5 where the inverted C-shaped guides 38, 38 are arranged.
Is smaller than the width H1 of the endless chain 20.

[Detailed Structure of Transport Unit] As shown in FIG. 7, the transport unit 21 includes a support frame 210 and a support frame 2.
10 for holding the swing shaft 212 provided on the base 10, a pair of swing levers 211 and 211 provided on both sides of the swing shaft 212, and the chicken egg 1 provided at the swing tip of the swing lever 211. 213, a spring 214 for urging the swing lever 211 counterclockwise of the swing shaft 212, and a shock absorbing ring 215 provided on the support frame 210. One set of these members is provided in the accommodation portion of one egg. A first guide portion 210a and a second guide portion 210b that receive a driving force from the endless chain 20 are provided on both ends of the support frame 210 in the conveyance width direction with an inverted L-shaped plate 210c.
Are provided symmetrically above and below. In addition, the inverted L-shaped plate 21
0c is provided with a standing wall portion 210d. FIG. 6 shows the transport state of the transport unit 21 on the outward path. As shown in FIG. 6, the endless chain 20 includes a pair of chain links 20a, 20a, and these chain links 20.
and a roller 20b rotatably supported in a form sandwiched between the rollers 20a and 20a. The diameter of the roller 20b is configured to be slightly lower than the height of the chain link 20a. As shown in FIG. 3A, on the outward path, the transport unit 21 is transported with the first guide portion 210a mounted on the roller 20b. FIG.
As shown in (b), on the contrary, on the return path, the transport unit 21 is turned upside down, but is transported with the second guide portion 210b mounted on the roller 20b. The width of the first and second guide portions 210a and 210b is substantially the same as the width of the roller 20b, and the pair of chain links 20a and 20b
a is guided by being sandwiched between them. As described above, since the transport unit 21 is merely placed on the endless chain 20, it is detachable and cleaning can be performed extremely easily. Further, it is preferable that the holder 213 has been subjected to an antibacterial treatment.

The swing shaft 212 is provided on a jaw portion 210e integrally formed with the support frame 210. The jaw portion 210e and the engaging portion 211a at the base of the swing lever 211 come into contact with each other. This prevents the swing lever 211 from rotating counterclockwise. Further, a shock absorbing ring 215 is provided coaxially with the swing shaft 212, and is formed of a material such as rubber, and is used to swing the swing lever 21 when the egg 1 is stored.
Absorbs shock caused by clockwise rotation of 1.
The contact portion 211 b formed integrally with the swing lever 211 is configured to contact the shock absorbing ring 215.
The holder 213 holds the egg 1 by four arms 213a.

The mechanism for holding the chicken eggs 1 in the single-row conveyor 13 is simply shown in FIG. Chicken egg 1 is a pair of eggs 13
0, 131, each of which is a swing center 130
a, and swings in conjunction with the periphery of 131a. Here, when the left egg seat 130a is swung clockwise (the drive actuator is not shown), the egg seats 130 and 131 are opened, and the egg 1 is dropped and released. The chicken egg 1 is conveyed at a constant speed and does not fall directly below when released, but falls in a parabola as shown by a dotted line in FIG. Chicken egg 1
The position of the holder 213 until it is stored is indicated by a dashed line in FIG.
11 swings clockwise against the urging force of the spring 214, and the contact portion 211 b provided on the swing lever 211 comes into contact with the shock absorbing ring 215 and stops. During this movement, the spring 214 absorbs energy, and the holder 213, which was in the oblique position of the dashed line, finally becomes the horizontal position, and the egg 1 is in the correct position with its sharp end pointed directly downward, and the receiving operation is completed. I do. In addition, swing lever 2
Since 11 also has flexibility, energy absorption is achieved by this as well. According to the configuration of the transport unit 21, it becomes possible to absorb not only the energy of the vertical component but also the energy of the horizontal component when the eggs are released and fall,
This can contribute to speeding up the processing of chicken eggs.

Returning to FIG. The inside surrounded by the endless chain 20 is defined as the chain inner circumference, and the outside is defined as the chain outer circumference. The transport unit 21 that has reached the end of the outward path
Once detached from the endless chain 20. After being once detached, it is moved along the semicircular guide groove 39 by receiving the driving force from the backup board 37. The semicircular guide groove 39 guides the inverted L-shaped plate 210c, and more precisely, the first and second guide portions 210a and 210b along the circulation path. During this movement, a pair of endless chains 20, 2
Since the width H2 of 0 is wider than the width of the transport unit 21, it does not interfere with the endless chain 20.
In addition, the guide in the conveyance width direction includes a vertical wall portion 210d.
Is guided in such a form as to slide on the inner surface of the backup board 37. At the end of the semicircular guide 39, the width of the endless chains 20, 20 becomes the original dimension H1, and the conveying unit 21 is conveyed by the endless chain 20 again. As is apparent here, the endless chain 20
The transport unit 21 is mounted on the outer periphery (upper side) of the endless chain 20 while the transport unit 21 is upside down on the return path, but is mounted on the inner circumference (also upper side) of the endless chain 20. Transported. Therefore, the transport unit 21 does not fall from the circulation path while being in the upside down state on the return path.

Although not shown, it is preferable that a hook-shaped portion to be engaged with the transport unit 21 is formed on the backup panel 37 so that the transport unit 21 is guided in a manner of being hooked. Thereby, the endless chain 20
The transport unit 21 that has once separated from the transport unit 21 can be reliably guided. This is true not only for the first guide mechanism 22 but also for the second guide mechanism 23.

Although the first guide mechanism 22 has been described above, the same applies to the second guide mechanism 23, and a description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 10 shows a control block diagram. The hydraulic cylinder driving means 60 is adapted to drive the egg 6 from the kick device 17.
The operation of the first hydraulic stopper 24 is controlled based on the individual discharge completion signal and the signal from the first sensor 27. Also,
Egg removal completion signal by the vacuum suction device 30
The operation of the second stopper 25 is controlled based on a signal from the sensor 28. Furthermore, the operation of the third hydraulic stopper 26 is controlled based on signals from the first sensor 27 and the third sensor 29. The vacuum suction device driving means 61 controls the operation of the vacuum suction device 30 based on a signal from the first sensor 27 (the number of passing units of the transfer unit 21). The egg transport device driving means 62 controls the operation of the endless chain 20 and the backup panel 37 based on a signal from the input / output switch 34.

[Description of Operation] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The points that are the same as those already described will be briefly described. The operation control is performed based on a command from the control device 6. When six chicken eggs are received from the single-row conveyor 13 at the receiving position P1, the first stopper 24 is released, and only one transport unit 21 is sent out. The transport units 21 sent out one by one are sequentially charged to the take-out position P2. In the charged state, the transport unit 21 is in a stopped state, and the endless chain 20
Is always driven, but the roller 20b is rotatably mounted.
In the region (2), the endless chain 20 is driven while the roller 20b rotates counterclockwise. Therefore, even if the transport unit 21 is stopped, the load is not so large.

When ten transfer units 21 are charged at the take-out position P2, the vacuum suction device 30 is operated to suck the eggs. After that, release the second stopper 25,
Ten empty transport units 21 are sent out,
After passing through the first guide mechanism 22, it is sent to the return path. On the return path, the sheet is conveyed while the second guide portion 210b of the conveying unit 21 is mounted on the inner peripheral portion of the roller 20b of the endless chain. The transport unit 21 sent to the return path is sequentially charged before the third stopper 26. Then, when one transport unit 21 is sent out at the receiving position P1, the third stopper 26 is released and only one transport unit 21 is sent out toward the receiving position P1. When transporting from the end of the return trip to the start of the forward trip, the second
It is transported by a circulation path formed by the guide mechanism 23.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the whole egg packaging apparatus. This device has about twice the processing capacity as that of the first embodiment. Explaining the differences, the egg feeding transport unit 2
First egg feeding conveyor 70 and second egg feeding conveyor 71
And the eggs 1 are transported in six rows. Each of them is connected to the first single-row conveyor 132 and the second single-row conveyor 133.

FIG. 12 schematically shows an egg transporting apparatus according to a second embodiment. A first receiving position P11 corresponding to the first single-row conveyor 132 and a second single-row conveyor 133;
Is provided, and the second receiving position P12 is higher than the first receiving position P11. First receiving position P11
A pair of first endless chains 200, 200 provided on both sides in the conveying width direction for circulating and driving the conveying unit 21 for receiving the chicken eggs 1 from the outside, and a pair of second endless chains for the second receiving position P12. Chains 201,20
1 is provided. As can be seen from the plan view of FIG. 13, the first endless chain 200 is set inward and the second endless chain 201 is set in outward. Also, as in the first embodiment, the width of the chain is increased at both ends of the circulation path. H for the first endless chain 200
2> H1 and, for the second endless chain 201, H2 ′> H1 ′. First endless chain 20
0 and a second endless chain 20
In the side view of FIG. 12, the second circulation path constituted by 1 branches off substantially at the start end side of the outward path and joins at almost the center of the outward path. In branching, the second endless chain 201 branches upward, and the first endless chain 200 branches downward. In other words, the wider outer chain branches upward. Thus, there are two circulation paths. In this case, the wide second endless chain 201 is branched upward in order to make the flow of the transport unit 21 smooth even when branched.

The first receiving position P11 includes a first stopper 41 that moves in and out of the circulation path and a first stopper 41 that drives the first stopper 41.
A hydraulic cylinder 41a is provided. Second receiving position P
12, the second stopper 42 that moves in and out of the circulation path.
And a second hydraulic cylinder 42a for driving the same. In this manner, the eggs 1 from the single-row conveyors 132 and 133 can be received at the two receiving positions without interfering with each other. First stopper 4
The first sensor 51 is provided near the second stopper 42 near the first stopper 51.
Are provided in the vicinity of. The function of each member is the same as in the first embodiment. The fifth stopper 4 is located at the take-out position P2 as in the first embodiment.
5 and a fifth hydraulic cylinder 45a for driving the same and a fifth sensor 55 are provided. The first position at the end position of the return path
As in the embodiment, a sixth stopper 46, a sixth hydraulic cylinder 46a for driving the sixth stopper 46, and a sixth sensor 56 are provided. Although the basic configurations of the first guide mechanism 22 and the second guide mechanism 23 are the same as those of the first embodiment, the sizes of the backup panel 370 and the inverted C-shaped guide 380 which are members constituting the second guide mechanism 23 are different from each other. It is larger than that of the first guide mechanism 22. This is to make the branch operation at the branch point smooth. The same applies to sprockets 350 and 360.

Next, a mechanism for controlling traffic at the junction will be described. A third stopper 43 is provided just before the 200 junction in the first endless chain, and is driven by a hydraulic cylinder (not shown). It is temporarily stopped here before being transported to the junction. A third sensor 53 is provided near the third stopper 43, and monitors whether or not the transport unit 21 exists between the third stopper 43 and the junction (region A in FIG. 12). A fourth stopper 44 and a fourth sensor 54 are provided for the same purpose just before the junction in the second endless chain 201.

FIG. 14 is a view for explaining the transport unit 21 for the second receiving position according to the second embodiment. A plurality of rollers 200b rotatably mounted on the inner first endless chain 200 as in the first embodiment, and rollers 201b are provided on the second endless chain 201. An inverted L-shaped plate 220c and a vertical wall portion 220d are provided at the end of the conveyance unit 21 in the conveyance width direction in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and further, a first guide portion 221a and a second guide portion 2 are provided.
21b, third guide portion 222a, fourth guide portion 222b
Are provided. As shown in FIG. 14, in the circulation path on the outward path, the roller 201b contacts the first guide portion 221a, and the roller 200b contacts the third guide portion 222a. On the return path, the roller 201b and the second
The guide 221b abuts, and the roller 200b and the fourth guide 222b abut. In this manner, the transport unit 21 for the second receiving position includes both endless chains 20.
0,201. However, after the circulation path branches off, it contacts only the outer second endless chain 201. As shown in FIG. 15, the first guide portion 221 is provided in the transport unit 21 for the first receiving position.
a, There is no portion corresponding to the second guide portion 221b. That is, it is conveyed only by the inner first endless chain 200.

[Block Diagram] FIG. 16 is a control block diagram according to the second embodiment. Explaining only the parts different from the first embodiment, the merge control means 63 controls the operation of the third and fourth stoppers 43 and 44 based on the signals from the third and fourth sensors 53 and 54. Vacuum suction device driving means 6
1 controls the operation of the vacuum suction device 30 on the basis of a signal from the merge control means 63 regarding the number of passing units 21.

[Flowchart] FIG. 17 is a flow chart for organizing traffic at the junction. First, the second
It is checked whether or not the transport unit 21 exists in the area B (see FIG. 12) of the endless chain 201 (# 1).
0). If the transport unit 21 exists, the third stopper 43 is locked (# 12) to prevent the first endless chain 200 from joining the transport unit 21. Then, the process waits until the transport unit 21 disappears from the area B (# 10).
It is checked whether or not there is a transport unit 21 before (# 14). If the transport unit 21 exists, the third
The stopper 43 is released (# 16), and the transport unit 21 is released.
, And returns to # 10 again. If it is determined in # 14 that there is no transport unit 21, it is checked whether or not the transport unit 21 exists in the area A (see FIG. 12) (# 18). If there is, the state where the merging is prevented by the fourth stopper 44 (# 20), and the process returns to # 10. #
If it is determined at 18 that there is no transport unit 21, it is checked whether the transport unit 21 is located before the fourth stopper 44 (# 22). If not, return to # 10. If there is, the fourth stopper 44 is released and only one transport unit 21 is passed (# 24). As described above, the traffic is arranged so that the transport units 21 from the respective circulation paths do not collide or interfere at the junction.

[Modification] A modification will be described. (1) The present invention can be applied not only to chicken eggs but also to other eggs. (2) Control the entrance and exit of the stopper not with a sensor,
It may be performed by time control using a timer. Also,
A pneumatic cylinder may be used as a driving source for the stopper. (3) A belt other than a chain may be used as the transport endless member. (4) The outer peripheral shapes of the backup boards 37 and 370 may be polygonal instead of circular. (5) In the present embodiment, the outward path is on the upper side. However, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the outward path may be on the lower side and the return path may be on the upper side. In these examples, at the take-out position P2, a configuration of directly discharging to the packaging container 18a is adopted. Also in these examples, the chains 20, 20
The unit is transported using the inner circumference of 0,201, and the unit is transported using the outer circumference on the return path.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an entire automatic chicken egg wrapping apparatus suitable for applying an egg carrier according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an egg carrier, wherein (a) is a plan view and (b) is a side view.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detailed view of a first guide mechanism according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the first guide mechanism according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a first guide mechanism according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view including a first guide mechanism according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged detailed view of the transport unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the transport unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a partially exploded perspective view of the transport unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a control block diagram according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the entire automatic egg packaging apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the egg transport device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of an egg carrier according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a rear view of the first guide mechanism according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a rear view of the first guide mechanism according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a control block diagram according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a schematic view of an egg carrier according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a schematic view of an egg carrier according to a fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Chicken egg 6 Control device 13 Single row conveyor 20 Endless chain (endless member for conveyance) 20a Chain link 20b Roller 21 Transport unit (housing container) 22 First guide mechanism 23 Second guide mechanism 30 Vacuum suction device 37,370 Backup board 38 , 380 Reverse C-shaped guide 39 Semicircular guide groove 63 Merging control means 210a First guide part 210b Second guide part 200 First endless chain 201 Second endless chain P1 Receiving position P2 Picking position

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B65B 23/06 B65G 17/00 B65G 47/28 B65G 47/34

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. Receiving an egg at a receiving position,
A container for storing eggs from which eggs are taken out at the take-out position, a circulation / conveyance mechanism that conveys a large number of the containers along a circulation path, and the circulation path moves the storage container from the receiving position to the take-out position. A forward path to be transported, and a return path for returning the empty storage container from which the eggs have been removed at the removal position toward the removal position again, the circulation transport mechanism includes both sides in the transport width direction of the circulation path. The plurality of storage containers are mounted on a pair of transfer endless members provided to be transported, and the storage containers are switched from the forward path to the return path, or from the return path to the forward path. It is configured to temporarily separate from the transport endless member, and transports the storage container using an outer periphery of the transport endless member on the outward path or the return path. The conveying apparatus of eggs, characterized in that it is configured to convey the container by utilizing the inner circumference of the transporting endless member in the backward or the forward. 2. The pair of transport endless members are a pair of chains, and the storage container is mounted and transported on a number of rollers rotatably mounted on the chain. The egg carrier according to claim 1. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a width at which the pair of transport endless members are arranged is widened when switching from the forward path to the return path or from the return path to the forward path. 3. The egg transport device according to 1 or 2. 4. A guide mechanism for guiding the storage container once separated from the transfer endless member along the circulation path and guiding the storage container in a transfer width direction. The egg carrier according to claim 1. 5. The receiving position is provided at two positions, a first receiving position and a second receiving position. Correspondingly, a first transport endless member and a second transport endless member are provided. The egg carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the egg carrier is provided. 6. The first transport endless member is a pair of first chains provided on both sides in the transport width direction, and the second transport endless member is a pair of second chains provided on both sides in the transport width direction.
A chain, wherein the width dimension of the first chain is set to be smaller than that of the second chain, and is set so that the second receiving position is higher than the first receiving position. The egg transport device according to claim 5, wherein the egg is transported. 7. A circulation path formed by the first endless transfer member and a circulation path formed by the second endless transfer member branch before reaching the first and second receiving positions.
A control unit configured to join after passing the first and second receiving positions, and to control which of the storage containers that have passed through the first and second receiving positions at the joining point is passed; The egg carrier according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising: