JP3540893B2

JP3540893B2 - Article removal method and apparatus

Info

Publication number: JP3540893B2
Application number: JP10628596A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 久司山本
Original assignee: Shibuya Corp
Current assignee: Shibuya Corp
Priority date: 1996-04-03
Filing date: 1996-04-03
Publication date: 2004-07-07
Anticipated expiration: 2016-04-03
Also published as: JPH09272624A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、搬送コンベヤ上を所定列数で連続的に搬送される容器などの物品を所定の取出し位置において所定数にグルーピングして搬送コンベヤから取出すための物品の取出し技術に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
搬送コンベヤ上を所定列数で連続的に搬送される物品を、その搬送過程で所定の個数毎のグループにグルーピングして下流側に供給するための手段として、搬送コンベヤの搬送速度より遅い速度で走行するチェーンに物品の前面に係合する係合部材を設け、その係合部材によって物品の搬送速度を規制することにより、所定個数単位にグルーピングする従来方法が知られている。さらに、その従来方法の改良型として、搬送速度規制用の手段としてそれぞれ独立して駆動可能な２組のチェーンを使用し、各々のチェーンに設けられた係合部材相互間の間隔を調整することにより、グルーピングする単位個数を変えられるように構成した物品の供給装置が開示されている（実公平７−１８６５３号公報）。他方、互いに独立して走行可能に構成された２組の搬送手段を１列の搬送路として組込み、それらの２組の搬送手段を用いて物品を相互に独立して搬送することにより、一方の搬送手段において物品の取出し動作を実行している間、他方の搬送手段においては物品の受入れ動作を継続することにより、物品の受入れを間断なく継続し得るように構成した物品搬送取出し装置が開示されている（特開平５−２７８８４０号公報）。
【０００３】
ところで、前者の物品供給装置は、所定の個数単位にグルーピングできるものの、前記係合部材から開放された物品は搬送コンベヤの搬送速度で搬送されるため、その搬送コンベヤから物品を取出すためには、取出し手段側を前記搬送速度に同期させるか、あるいは物品を取出し位置で停止させるための停止手段を新たに設置する必要があった。
【０００４】
また、後者の物品搬送取出し装置は、一方の搬送手段において物品の取出し動作を実行している間、他方の搬送手段においては物品の受入れ動作を継続することにより、物品の受入れを間断なく継続しながら、同時に物品の取出しが可能である点で優れているものの、その構造がきわめて複雑であるだけでなく、物品の受入れ動作が介在する方式を採用したものであるため、搬送コンベヤ上を連続的に搬送される物品を、そのまま搬送経路中においてグルーピングする方式に直ちに転用することはできなかった。さらに、この物品搬送取出し装置においては、グループの単位個数を変えたい場合に簡単には対応できない点も大きな欠点であった。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
本発明は、以上のような従来の事情に鑑みてなされたもので、搬送コンベヤにより連続的に搬送される物品を、その搬送経路中において、任意の個数単位でグルーピングが可能であるとともに、新たな機構を追加することなく、そのグルーピングされた物品を所定の取出し位置において停止した状態で取出しが可能な物品取出し技術を提供することを目的とするものである。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は、前記課題を解決するため、物品を連続的に搬送する搬送コンベヤと、該搬送コンベヤの搬送路と平行に配設された少なくとも２組の循環走行機構と、それらの各循環走行機構に設けられ、前記搬送コンベヤにより搬送される物品の前面に係合して該物品を各々の循環走行機構の走行速度に規制する複数個の係合部材と、前記各循環走行機構をそれぞれ独立して駆動する速度制御可能な駆動手段と、前記係合部材により規制された物品を取出し位置において取出す取出し手段とを備え、各々の循環走行機構を駆動する前記駆動手段の速度制御を介して、一方の循環走行機構に設けられた前記係合部材により、他方の循環走行機構に設けられた係合部材が物品に係合するまでは、前記物品の搬送速度を前記搬送コンベヤの搬送速度以下の第１規制速度に規制し、他方の係合部材が物品に係合した後は、前記第１規制速度より速く、かつ前記搬送コンベヤの搬送速度以下の第２規制速度にて下流側の取出し位置まで規制するとともに、その取出し位置で所定時間停止させ、その間に前記取出し手段を介して物品を搬送コンベヤから取出すという技術手段を採用した。
【０００７】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明に係る物品取出し方法及び装置は、搬送コンベヤ上を連続的に搬送される容器などの物品を所定個数からなるグループ毎に取出して箱詰するケーサなどに好適である。搬送コンベヤとしては、その搬送面と物品との間で相対的に摺動可能なタイプの搬送手段であれば広く適用が可能である。また、前記循環走行機構は、スプロケットに支持されて循環走行するチェーンなど、搬送コンベヤの搬送路に沿って平行に走行し得るものであればよい。この循環走行機構は、少なくとも２組設置される。この場合、搬送コンベヤを挟んで両側にそれぞれ対をなす形の循環走行機構を少なくとも２組配設するのが一般的ではあるが、搬送コンベヤの例えば中央下部にそれぞれ１本からなる循環走行機構を２組以上配設する形態も可能である。なお、各循環走行機構は各々制御可能な駆動手段に連結され、それぞれ独立して速度制御される。
【０００８】
前記各循環走行機構の速度制御は次のように実行される。すなわち、いずれか一方の循環走行機構に付設された係合部材が搬送コンベヤ上の物品に係合した状態から説明すると、他方の循環走行機構に付設された係合部材が搬送コンベヤ上の物品に係合するまでは、その循環走行機構の走行速度を当該駆動手段の速度制御を介して搬送コンベヤの搬送速度以下の第１規制速度に制御する。これによって、物品の搬送速度は第１規制速度に減速される。また、他方の循環走行機構は、係合部材相互間にグルーピングの単位個数に対応した所定の間隔が形成されるように制御される。すなわち、前記第１規制速度との関係において、目標の単位個数の物品が通過したタイミングで、他方の係合部材が搬送コンベヤ上の物品に係合し得るように制御される。したがって、新たな機構は何ら追加することなく、前記駆動手段の速度制御を介して循環走行機構相互間の相対的な間隔を調整することにより、グループの単位個数をきわめて簡便に変えることができる。
【０００９】
しかして、前記他方の循環走行機構に付設された係合部材が搬送コンベヤ上の物品に係合した後は、前記一方の循環走行機構は、前記取出し位置まで、当該駆動手段の速度制御を介して、前記第１規制速度より速く、かつ前記搬送コンベヤの搬送速度以下の第２規制速度に制御される。これにより、前記他方の循環走行機構に付設された係合部材より下流側の物品は、第２規制速度に増速される結果、後方の物品との間に間隔が形成されグルーピングが行われる。そして、その先方の係合部材が取出し位置に到達した時点で所定時間停止され、その停止中に取出し動作が行われることになる。なお、この第２規制速度は、必ずしも常に一定速度である必要はなく、徐々に増速し、しかる後、徐々に減速して停止するように制御してもよい。要はグルーピングが可能で、かつ取出し動作に必要な停止時間がとれればよい。なお、取出し手段としては、上方から物品を取出すタイプのものでも、搬送コンベヤの搬送方向に対して直角方向に押出すタイプのものでもよい。
【００１０】
以上のように、本発明の特徴は、搬送コンベヤの搬送面上で動作する前記係合部材相互間の相対的な関係を制御することにより、グループの単位個数を設定し得るとともに、グルーピングのための間隔を形成し、更に停止状態における物品の取出しを可能にした点にある。すなわち、後方の係合部材が搬送コンベヤ上の物品に係合した時点における先方の係合部材との相対的な間隔によりグループの単位個数を設定し、しかる後、先方の係合部材の移動速度を増速することにより両係合部材間の間隔を拡げてグルーピングのための間隔を形成し、更に取出し位置において先方の係合部材を所定時間停止することにより停止状態における物品の取出しを可能にするという、一連の各動作を、全て係合部材相互間の相対的な関係制御のみにより実現したところに本発明の特徴がある。
【００１１】
【実施例】
以下、図面を用いて本発明の実施例に関して説明する。図１は本発明の一実施例の要部を示した概略平面図、図２はその拡大Ａ−Ａ断面図である。図中、１は搬送コンベヤ、２はその搬送コンベヤ１により搬送される容器などの物品で、本実施例では３列で搬送されるように構成されている。搬送コンベヤ１の両側には、スプロケット３，４間を循環走行するように構成されたチェーンなどからなる適宜の循環走行手段５とスプロケット６，７間を循環走行するように構成されたチェーンなどからなる適宜の循環走行手段８との対により構成される第１の循環走行機構と、スプロケット９，１０間を循環走行するように構成されたチェーンなどからなる適宜の循環走行手段１１とスプロケット１２，１３間を循環走行するように構成されたチェーンなどからなる適宜の循環走行手段１４との対により構成される第２の循環走行機構が配設されている。
【００１２】
前記第１の循環走行機構を構成する各循環走行手段５，８間には、図２に示すように、各物品２に対して前面で係合する一対ずつの係合部材１５を３列分備えた走行支持板１６が２組架設されている。同様に、前記第２の循環走行機構を構成する各循環走行手段１１，１４間にも、各物品２に対して前面で係合する一対ずつの係合部材１７を３列分備えた走行支持板１８が２組架設されている。すなわち、前記実施例の要部を機能的に示した図３の機能概念図に示したように、第１及び第２の循環走行機構には、それぞれ互いに反対側に設置された係合部材１５ａと１５ｂあるいは係合部材１７ａと１７ｂからなる２組の係合手段が備えられ、後述のようにその間の関連動作に基づいて所定の作用を奏するように構成されている。
【００１３】
なお、図２に示すように、前記スプロケット４，７は駆動軸１９に回転可能に支持されるとともに、それぞれスプロケット４，７に付設されたギヤ部分２０，２１が駆動軸２２に固定された中間ギヤ２３，２４と噛合い状態にあり、前記駆動軸２２に固着された駆動ギヤ２５を介して図示しない電動モータ等の速度制御可能な第１駆動手段に連結されている。これにより、前記第１循環走行機構を構成する一対の循環走行手段５，８を第１駆動手段により駆動して、前記係合部材１５ａ，１５ｂを搬送コンベヤ１と同方向に所定速度で走行させることが可能になる。他方、前記スプロケット１０，１３は駆動軸１９に固定され、その駆動軸１９に固着された駆動ギヤ２６を介して図示しない電動モータ等の速度制御可能な第２駆動手段に連結されている。これにより、同様に前記第２循環走行機構を構成する一対の循環走行手段１１，１４を第２駆動手段により駆動して、前記係合部材１７ａ，１７ｂを搬送コンベヤ１と同方向に所定速度で走行させることが可能になる。
【００１４】
次に、図４〜図１４の動作説明図に従って、本実施例の動作の仕方に関して説明する。図４の状態を説明すると、前記第１循環走行機構に付設された係合部材１５ａが物品２の前面に係合し、その物品２を搬送コンベヤ１の搬送速度Ｖｃ以下の前記第１規制速度Ｖ₁に減速した状態で、丁度グルーピングの単位個数の８個分、前方に移動し、同時に８番目と９番目の物品相互間に第２循環走行機構に付設された係合部材１７ａが挿入され、その係合部材１７ａが丁度、９番目の物品２の前面に係合した状態を示したものである。この場合、前述のように、前記係合部材１７ａの挿入されるタイミングを制御して、係合部材１５ａと１７ａとの相対的な間隔を調整すれば、グループの単位個数をきわめて簡便に増減することが可能である。
【００１５】
以上のように、係合部材１７ａが物品間に挿入され、後方グループの先頭物品２の前面に係合された後は、その係合部材１７ａはそのまま前記第１規制速度Ｖ₁を維持するが、先方の係合部材１５ａは前記第１規制速度Ｖ₁より速く、かつ搬送コンベヤ１の搬送速度Ｖｃ以下の第２規制速度Ｖ₂に増速される。そして、所定時間、例えば一例として0.6秒程度が経過すると図５の状態に移行し、先方の係合部材１５ａに規制されるグループの最後部の物品２と後方の係合部材１７ａに規制されるグループの先頭の物品２との間には間隔Ｓ₁が形成され、これによりグルーピングが行われる。図６は更に同様の動作条件で所定時間が経過した状態を示したもので、グルーピングが更に進み、前記グループ間の物品２相互間の間隔がＳ₂に拡大した状態を示したものである。
【００１６】
図７は図６の状態から同様の動作条件で更に所定期間が経過した状態を示したもので、この状態では、前記グループ間の間隔が更にＳ₃に拡大されると同時に、先方の係合部材１５ａが取出し手段２７の真下の取出し位置に到達する。こうして、係合部材１５ａが取出し位置に到達した時点では、前記第１駆動手段を停止させ、係合部材１５ａを所定時間、取出し手段２７の直下で停止させることになる。
【００１７】
図８及び図９は更に所定時間ずつ経過した状態を示したもので、図８に示したように、先ず前記取出し手段２７を下降させて、その各把持部２８により物品２を把持し、しかる後、図９のように取出し手段２７を上昇させ、さらに図示しない所定の場所に移送することにより取出し動作が実行される。この間、係合部材１５ａは停止状態を保持するとともに、他方の係合部材１７ａは、前記第１規制速度Ｖ₁のままの動作を継続する。したがって、前記グループ間の間隔Ｓはその間に徐々に縮小される。なお、前述の図７における間隔Ｓ₃としては、以上の取出し動作時間に見合った間隔を確保しておく必要がある。
【００１８】
しかして、以上の取出し動作が終了した場合には、図１０に示したように、前記第１駆動手段を介して係合部材１５ａの前進を再開する。この間も他方の第２駆動手段による係合部材１７ａの動作は前記第１規制速度Ｖ₁による前進動作を継続する。さらに、係合部材１７ａは、そのまま第１規制速度Ｖ₁による前進動作を継続して、所定時間が経過する毎に図１１の状態、さらに説明当初の図４の状態に相当する図１２の状態に至る。この間に、前記係合部材１５ａの方は、次に物品２相互間に挿入する係合部材１５ｂがグループの単位個数に適合したタイミングで挿入できるように、前記第１駆動手段を制御することになる。
【００１９】
以上のようにして、図１２の状態、すなわち当初の図４の状態に相当する動作状態に復帰した後は、新たに先方の係合部材となった係合部材１７ａと後方の係合部材１５ｂとの間で、前述と同様の制御が行われ、更に引続いて係合部材１５ｂと１７ｂの間、係合部材１７ｂと１５ａとの間で同様の制御を繰返して、物品２のグルーピング動作を繰返しながら、同時にその間、間断なく取出し作業が継続されることになる。この場合、第１循環走行機構に付設された係合部材１５ａ，ｂと第２循環走行機構に付設された係合部材１７ａ，ｂとの前後関係は一連の動作毎に変るため、それに応じて第１駆動手段に対する制御パターンと第２駆動手段に対する制御パターンが交互に入れ替ることはいうまでもない。
【００２０】
【発明の効果】
本発明によれば、搬送コンベヤにより連続して搬送される物品を所定の単位個数にグルーピングし、そのグルーピングされた物品を停止させた状態において搬送コンベヤから取出すことができ、より安定した取出し動作が容易に得られるとともに、同時にそのグルーピングの単位個数を簡便に変更できるという機能を合せ持ち、しかもそれらの機能を実現するための一連のグルーピング及び停止動作を前記各循環走行機構を駆動するそれぞれの駆動手段に対する速度制御のみを介して簡便に実行できるという優れた効果を得ることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施例の要部を示した概略平面図である。
【図２】同実施例の概略Ａ−Ａ断面図である。
【図３】同実施例の要部を機能的に示した機能概念図である。
【図４】同実施例の動作説明図である。
【図５】同実施例の動作説明図である。
【図６】同実施例の動作説明図である。
【図７】同実施例の動作説明図である。
【図８】同実施例の動作説明図である。
【図９】同実施例の動作説明図である。
【図１０】同実施例の動作説明図である。
【図１１】同実施例の動作説明図である。
【図１２】同実施例の動作説明図である。
【符号の説明】
１…搬送コンベヤ、２…物品、３，４…スプロケット、５…循環走行手段、６，７…スプロケット、８…循環走行手段、９，１０…スプロケット、１１…循環走行手段、１２，１３…スプロケット、１４…循環走行手段、１５…係合部材、１６…走行支持板、１７…係合部材、１８…走行支持板、１９…駆動軸、２０，２１…ギヤ部分、２２…駆動軸、２３，２４…中間ギヤ、２５，２６…駆動ギヤ、２７…取出し手段、２８…把持部[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technique for taking out articles such as containers, which are continuously conveyed in a predetermined number of rows on a conveyor, in a predetermined takeout position and grouping the articles into a predetermined number and taking out the articles from the conveyor.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a means for grouping articles continuously conveyed in a predetermined number of rows on a conveying conveyor into groups of a predetermined number in the conveying process and supplying them to the downstream side, at a speed lower than the conveying speed of the conveying conveyor. 2. Description of the Related Art A conventional method is known in which a traveling chain is provided with an engaging member that engages with the front surface of an article, and the conveying speed of the article is regulated by the engaging member to perform grouping into a predetermined number of units. Further, as an improved type of the conventional method, two sets of chains that can be driven independently are used as means for regulating the conveying speed, and the distance between the engaging members provided on each chain is adjusted. (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. Hei 7-186553) discloses an article supply apparatus configured to change the number of units to be grouped. On the other hand, two sets of transporting means configured to be able to travel independently of each other are incorporated as a single row of transporting paths, and articles are transported independently of each other using these two sets of transporting means, whereby Disclosed is an article carrying / unloading device configured to be able to continue receiving goods without interruption by continuing the receiving operation of articles in the other carrying means while performing the taking out operation of the goods in the carrying means. (JP-A-5-278840).
[0003]
By the way, although the former article supply device can be grouped into a predetermined number unit, since the articles released from the engaging members are conveyed at the conveying speed of the conveying conveyor, in order to take out the articles from the conveying conveyor, It was necessary to synchronize the take-out means with the above-mentioned transport speed, or to newly install a stop means for stopping the article at the take-out position.
[0004]
In addition, the latter article transfer and unloading device continues to receive articles without interruption by performing the operation of taking out articles in one of the transporting means and continuing the operation of receiving articles in the other transporting means. However, although it is excellent in that it is possible to take out articles at the same time, it is not only extremely complicated in structure, but also adopts a method that interposes the operation of receiving goods, so that it can be continuously moved on the conveyor. Can not be diverted immediately to a method of grouping articles conveyed in the same way in the conveyance path. In addition, this article transporting and unloading apparatus has a major drawback in that it cannot easily cope with a case where it is desired to change the unit number of a group.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional circumstances, and enables articles that are continuously conveyed by a conveyor to be grouped by an arbitrary number of units in the conveyance path, and a new method is provided. It is an object of the present invention to provide an article taking-out technique capable of taking out the grouped articles at a predetermined taking-out position without adding a simple mechanism.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention conveys articles continuously, at least two sets of circulation traveling mechanisms arranged in parallel with a conveyance path of the conveyor, and each of these circulation traveling mechanisms. And a plurality of engaging members that engage with the front surface of the article conveyed by the conveyor and regulate the article at the traveling speed of each circulation traveling mechanism, and each of the circulation traveling mechanisms is independently provided. A driving means capable of controlling the speed of driving and a take-out means for taking out the article regulated by the engaging member at a take-out position. Until the engaging member provided on the other circulation traveling mechanism engages with the article by the engaging member provided on the circulation traveling mechanism, the transport speed of the article is equal to or less than the transport speed of the transport conveyor. After the first regulating speed is regulated and the other engaging member is engaged with the article, the take-out position on the downstream side is higher than the first regulating speed and at a second regulating speed equal to or lower than the transport speed of the transport conveyor. And taking the article out of the transport conveyor via the take-out means during that time.
[0007]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The article removal method and apparatus according to the present invention are suitable for a caser or the like that removes articles such as containers continuously transported on a transport conveyor into groups of a predetermined number and packs the articles. As the transport conveyor, any type of transport means that can relatively slide between the transport surface and the article can be applied. The circulating travel mechanism may be any mechanism that can travel in parallel along the transport path of the transport conveyor, such as a chain supported by a sprocket and circulating. At least two sets of the circulation traveling mechanism are installed. In this case, it is common to arrange at least two sets of circulation traveling mechanisms each in a pair on both sides of the transport conveyor. However, for example, one circulation traveling mechanism is provided at the lower center of the transport conveyor. A configuration in which two or more sets are provided is also possible. In addition, each circulation traveling mechanism is connected to a controllable driving means, and the speed is independently controlled.
[0008]
The speed control of each of the circulation traveling mechanisms is executed as follows. That is, from the state where the engaging member attached to one of the circulation traveling mechanisms is engaged with the article on the transport conveyor, the engaging member attached to the other circulation traveling mechanism is attached to the article on the transport conveyor. Until the engagement, the traveling speed of the circulation traveling mechanism is controlled to a first regulated speed equal to or lower than the transport speed of the transport conveyor via the speed control of the driving means. Thus, the article conveying speed is reduced to the first regulation speed. Further, the other circulation traveling mechanism is controlled such that a predetermined interval corresponding to the unit number of grouping is formed between the engaging members. That is, in the relationship with the first regulation speed, control is performed such that the other engaging member can engage with the article on the transport conveyor at the timing when the target unit number of articles has passed. Therefore, the unit number of the group can be changed very easily by adjusting the relative distance between the circulation traveling mechanisms through the speed control of the driving means without adding any new mechanism.
[0009]
Thus, after the engaging member attached to the other circulating traveling mechanism engages with the article on the transport conveyor, the one circulating traveling mechanism reaches the unloading position through the speed control of the driving means. Thus, the second regulated speed is controlled to be faster than the first regulated speed and equal to or less than the carrying speed of the carrying conveyor. As a result, the articles on the downstream side of the engagement member attached to the other circulation traveling mechanism are increased in speed to the second regulation speed, so that an interval is formed between the articles on the downstream side and the grouping is performed. Then, when the other engaging member reaches the take-out position, it is stopped for a predetermined time, and the take-out operation is performed during the stop. Note that the second regulation speed does not always need to be a constant speed, but may be controlled so that the speed gradually increases, and then gradually decelerates and stops. In short, it is only necessary that the grouping be possible and that a stop time required for the take-out operation be obtained. The take-out means may be of a type for taking out the article from above or a type of extruding in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveyor.
[0010]
As described above, the feature of the present invention is that by controlling the relative relationship between the engaging members operating on the transport surface of the transport conveyor, the unit number of the group can be set, and Are formed, and the articles can be taken out in the stopped state. That is, the unit number of the group is set according to the relative distance from the preceding engaging member when the rear engaging member engages with the article on the conveyor, and thereafter, the moving speed of the preceding engaging member is set. By increasing the speed, the distance between the two engaging members is increased to form a space for grouping, and the other engaging member is stopped at the unloading position for a predetermined time so that the article can be taken out in the stopped state. The feature of the present invention resides in that all the series of operations to be performed are realized only by controlling the relative relationship between the engaging members.
[0011]
【Example】
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a main part of one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line AA. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a conveyor, and 2 denotes an article such as a container which is conveyed by the conveyor 1, which is configured to be conveyed in three rows in this embodiment. On both sides of the conveyor 1, an appropriate circulating means 5 such as a chain configured to circulate between the sprockets 3 and 4 and a chain configured to circulate between the sprockets 6 and 7 are provided. A first circulating traveling mechanism constituted by a pair with an appropriate circulating traveling means 8; a suitable circulating traveling means 11 comprising a chain or the like configured to circulate between the sprockets 9 and 10; There is provided a second circulation traveling mechanism constituted by a pair with an appropriate circulation traveling means 14 composed of a chain or the like configured to circulate between 13.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of engaging members 15 that engage with each of the articles 2 on the front surface are arranged in three rows between the circulation traveling units 5 and 8 that constitute the first circulation traveling mechanism. Two sets of traveling support plates 16 are provided. Similarly, a traveling support having three rows of a pair of engaging members 17 engaged on the front surface with each article 2 is provided between the respective circulation traveling means 11 and 14 constituting the second circulation traveling mechanism. Two sets of plates 18 are provided. That is, as shown in the functional conceptual diagram of FIG. 3 which shows the main parts of the embodiment in a functional manner, the first and second circulation traveling mechanisms are respectively provided with the engaging members 15a installed on opposite sides of each other. And 15b or two sets of engaging means consisting of engaging members 17a and 17b, and are configured to exert a predetermined action based on the related operation therebetween as described later.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 2, the sprockets 4 and 7 are rotatably supported by a drive shaft 19, and the gear portions 20 and 21 attached to the sprockets 4 and 7 are fixed to the drive shaft 22 respectively. It is in mesh with the gears 23 and 24, and is connected via a drive gear 25 fixed to the drive shaft 22 to first drive means such as an electric motor (not shown) capable of speed control. Thereby, a pair of circulation traveling means 5 and 8 constituting the first circulation traveling mechanism are driven by the first driving means, and the engaging members 15a and 15b travel in the same direction as the transport conveyor 1 at a predetermined speed. It becomes possible. On the other hand, the sprockets 10 and 13 are fixed to a drive shaft 19 and are connected to a second drive means such as an electric motor (not shown) capable of controlling the speed via a drive gear 26 fixed to the drive shaft 19. Thus, a pair of circulation traveling means 11 and 14 constituting the second circulation traveling mechanism are similarly driven by the second driving means, and the engaging members 17a and 17b are moved in the same direction as the conveyor 1 at a predetermined speed. It becomes possible to run.
[0014]
Next, the manner of operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the operation explanatory diagrams of FIGS. 4, the engaging member 15a attached to the first circulation traveling mechanism is engaged with the front surface of the article 2, and the article 2 is moved to the first regulation speed equal to or lower than the conveyance speed Vc of the conveyor 1. while decelerating to V _1, just eight unit number of the grouping component moves forward, the engagement member 17a which is attached to the second circulation running mechanism is inserted between the eighth and ninth articles mutual simultaneously This shows a state in which the engaging member 17a has just engaged with the front surface of the ninth article 2. In this case, as described above, if the relative interval between the engaging members 15a and 17a is adjusted by controlling the timing at which the engaging members 17a are inserted, the unit number of the group can be increased or decreased very easily. It is possible.
[0015]
As described above, the engaging member 17a is inserted between the articles, after being engaged with the front surface of the head article 2 of the rear group, but the engaging member 17a is maintained at the first speed limit V ₁ , other party of the engagement member 15a is accelerated first faster than speed limit V _1, and the second restricting velocity V ₂ of the following transport speed Vc of the conveyor 1. After a lapse of a predetermined time, for example, about 0.6 seconds, for example, the state shifts to the state shown in FIG. 5 and is regulated by the rearmost article 2 and the rear engaging member 17a of the group regulated by the engaging member 15a on the front side. An interval S ₁ is formed between the first article 2 of the group and the group 2. Figure 6 is intended predetermined time showed a state elapsed yet similar operating conditions, further advances are grouped, spacing between the articles 2 cross between the groups shows the expanded state of the S _2.
[0016]
Figure 7 is intended to further show the state in which the predetermined time period has elapsed under the same operating conditions from the state of FIG. 6, in this state, at the same time the spacing between the groups is expanded further to S _3, other party of the engagement The member 15a reaches the take-out position just below the take-out means 27. Thus, when the engaging member 15a reaches the take-out position, the first driving means is stopped, and the engaging member 15a is stopped immediately below the taking-out means 27 for a predetermined time.
[0017]
FIGS. 8 and 9 show a state in which a predetermined time has further elapsed. As shown in FIG. 8, first, the take-out means 27 is lowered, and the article 2 is gripped by the gripping portions 28 thereof. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 9, the take-out operation is executed by raising the take-out means 27 and transferring it to a predetermined place (not shown). During this time, the engaging member 15a is holds the stopped state, the other engagement member 17a continues the operation of leaving said first regulating speed V _1. Therefore, the interval S between the groups is gradually reduced in the meantime. As the spacing S ₃ in FIG. 7 described above, it is necessary to secure a distance commensurate with the above extraction operation time.
[0018]
Thus, when the above-mentioned take-out operation is completed, as shown in FIG. 10, the forward movement of the engagement member 15a is restarted via the first driving means. During this period the operation of the engaging member 17a by the other of the second drive means to continue to move forward by the first regulating speed V _1. Further, the engaging member 17a is directly continues to move forward by the first regulating speed V _1, in FIG. 11 every time a predetermined time elapses state, further description of the original 12 corresponding to the state of FIG. 4 states Leads to. During this time, the engaging member 15a controls the first driving means so that the engaging member 15b to be inserted next between the articles 2 can be inserted at a timing suitable for the unit number of the group. Become.
[0019]
As described above, after returning to the state of FIG. 12, ie, the operation state corresponding to the initial state of FIG. 4, the engagement member 17a and the rear engagement member 15b which have newly become the engagement members on the front side are returned. , The same control as described above is performed, and subsequently, the same control is repeated between the engaging members 15b and 17b and between the engaging members 17b and 15a, and the grouping operation of the articles 2 is performed. At the same time, the removal operation is continued without interruption. In this case, the front-back relationship between the engaging members 15a, b attached to the first circulation traveling mechanism and the engagement members 17a, b attached to the second circulation traveling mechanism changes for each series of operations. It goes without saying that the control pattern for the first driving means and the control pattern for the second driving means are alternately exchanged.
[0020]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, articles continuously conveyed by the conveyor can be grouped into a predetermined unit number, and the grouped articles can be taken out from the conveyor in a stopped state, and a more stable take-out operation can be performed. It has a function that it can be easily obtained and at the same time can easily change the number of units of the grouping, and furthermore, a series of grouping and stopping operations for realizing those functions are performed by the respective drives that drive the respective circulation traveling mechanisms. It is possible to obtain an excellent effect that it can be easily executed only through speed control of the means.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a main part of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view taken on line AA of the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a functional conceptual diagram functionally showing a main part of the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory diagram of the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory diagram of the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram of the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram of the embodiment.
FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory diagram of the embodiment.
FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram of the embodiment.
FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram of the embodiment.
FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory diagram of the embodiment.
FIG. 12 is an operation explanatory diagram of the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Conveying conveyor, 2 ... Article, 3, 4 ... Sprocket, 5 ... Circulation running means, 6, 7 ... Sprocket, 8 ... Circulation running means, 9, 10 ... Sprocket, 11 ... Circulation running means, 12, 13 ... Sprocket , 14 ... circulation running means, 15 ... engaging member, 16 ... running support plate, 17 ... engaging member, 18 ... running support plate, 19 ... drive shaft, 20, 21 ... gear part, 22 ... drive shaft, 23, 24 intermediate gear, 25, 26 drive gear, 27 extracting means, 28 gripping part

Claims

A transport conveyor for continuously transporting articles, at least two sets of circulation traveling mechanisms arranged in parallel with the transport path of the transport conveyor, and provided in each of the circulation traveling mechanisms, and transported by the transport conveyor. A plurality of engaging members that engage with the front surface of the article to regulate the article to the traveling speed of each circulation traveling mechanism, and a speed-controllable driving unit that independently drives each of the circulation traveling mechanisms; Take-out means for taking out the article regulated by the engagement member at a take-out position, and the engagement provided on one of the circulation traveling mechanisms through speed control of the driving means for driving each circulation traveling mechanism. Until the engaging member provided on the other circulation traveling mechanism engages with the article, the conveying speed of the article is regulated to a first regulating speed equal to or lower than the conveying speed of the conveying conveyor. After the material is engaged with the article, the material is regulated to the downstream take-out position at a second regulated speed higher than the first regulated speed and equal to or lower than the carrying speed of the conveyor, and is stopped at the taken-out position for a predetermined time. And removing the article from the transport conveyor via the removal means during the time.

A transport conveyor for continuously transporting articles, at least two sets of circulation traveling mechanisms arranged in parallel with the transport path of the transport conveyor, and provided in each of the circulation traveling mechanisms, and transported by the transport conveyor. A plurality of engaging members that engage with the front surface of the article to regulate the article to the traveling speed of each circulation traveling mechanism, and a speed-controllable driving unit that independently drives each of the circulation traveling mechanisms; Speed control means for controlling the driving means, and a take-out means for taking out the article regulated by the engaging member at a take-out position. However, until the engaging member provided on the other circulation traveling mechanism engages with the article, the first regulating speed is controlled to be equal to or lower than the conveying speed of the conveying conveyor, and the other engaging member is controlled. After engaging with the article, control is performed so that the second regulated speed is higher than the first regulated speed and equal to or less than the carrying speed of the carrying conveyor, to a downstream take-out position. An article take-out apparatus, wherein the article take-out device is controlled so as to stop, and takes out an article from the transport conveyor via the take-out means during the stop.