JP4367680B2 - Cutting device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a cutting device that cuts out articles arranged in a plurality of rows in units of rows.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  Conventionally, for example, when various containers such as plastic bottles such as plastic bottles, bottle cans, and bottles are stored or transported, the containers are arranged in an aligned state in which a plurality of containers are assembled into a plurality of rows. Are stacked in multiple stages on a pallet. And when using the containers stacked on the pallet, after dropping the containers one by one from the pallet, the containers arranged in a plurality of rows are cut out row by row using the cutting device, It is transported to the subsequent process.
[0003]
  The cutting device has a clamp unit that removably clamps the neck portion of the container, as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-34516, and this clamping unit is aligned with the container by a parallel link mechanism. And the transfer position are reciprocally swung so as to draw an arcuate locus in the vertical plane. Then, the containers arranged in a plurality of rows by the first conveyor are conveyed to the alignment position, the clamp unit is swung to the alignment position, and the neck portions of the one row of containers are clamped by the clamp bodies on both sides of the clamp unit, The clamp unit is moved toward the transfer position by the parallel link mechanism so as to draw an arc-shaped locus in the vertical plane, and the one row of containers is moved from the alignment position, and on the second conveyor at the transfer position. After the transfer, the clamp of one row of containers by the clamp bodies on both sides of the clamp unit is released, and the one row of containers transferred by the second conveyor is carried out, and the clamp unit reciprocally swings. The containers arranged in a plurality of rows are sequentially cut out one by one.
[0004]
  This cutting device has a structure in which the clamp unit is moved so as to draw an arc-shaped trajectory in the vertical plane by the parallel link mechanism. When removing the clamp unit from the neck portion of the container at the loading position, it is necessary to largely release the clamp of the clamp unit on both sides in order to avoid interference with the neck portion of the container.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  However, the conventional cutting apparatus has a problem that the containers are cut out only one row at a time, and the cutting ability of the containers is low.
[0006]
  In addition, since the clamp unit is structured to swing so as to draw an arc-shaped locus in the vertical plane by the parallel link mechanism, when the clamp unit is put on the neck portion of the container at the aligned position or at the transfer position When removing the clamp unit from the neck of the container, it is necessary to largely release the clamp bodies on both sides of the clamp unit to avoid interference with the neck of the container, and there is a mechanism for opening and closing the clamp bodies on both sides. Further, since it protrudes to both sides and is large in both sides, for example, even if two clamp units are arranged in parallel, the pitch between these clamp units is arranged in a plurality of rows at the alignment position. It is structurally difficult to cut out two rows of containers one by one at a time, and therefore, only one row of containers is cut out. It is not possible, there is a cut-out capacity of the container is low problem.
[0007]
  Further, in the structure in which the clamp unit is rocked and cut out, the container is transferred from an oblique direction with respect to the transfer position, so that there is a problem that the container is likely to fall down when the clamp is released. In order to prevent the container from falling down, it is necessary to slow down the moving speed of the clamp unit during transfer, or to stop the transfer unit until the container is stable after the transfer. There exists a problem which falls and the cutting ability of a container becomes low.
[0008]
  In addition, in the structure where the clamp unit is rocked and cut out, when processing containers of different sizes and types, it is necessary to consider the parallel link mechanism itself and the relationship between the alignment position and the transfer position as a whole. However, there is a problem that it is not easy to cut out various types of containers.
[0009]
  The present invention has been made in view of such points, and a cutting device that can simultaneously cut out a plurality of rows of articles in units of rows to improve the ability to cut out the articles and can easily cope with the cutting out of various types of articles. The purpose is to provide.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The cutting device according to claim 1 is a clamp unit that detachably clamps a plurality of aligned articles, advancing / retracting means for moving the clamp unit forward / backward with respect to the article, and the clamping unit via the advancing / retracting means. A plurality of moving means for moving between an alignment position to be aligned and a transfer position for transferring an article cut out from the alignment position, each of which is arranged in parallel so that the articles can be cut out in units of rows. It has a cutting meansThe clamp unit includes a base that is elongated along the column direction of the article, a slider that is moved along the longitudinal direction of the base, and a clamp driving unit that is disposed along the longitudinal direction of the base and moves the slider A clamp body that is opened and closed with each other on the lower side of the base so as to detachably clamp articles in a row unit, and an interlocking mechanism that opens and closes the clamp bodies in conjunction with the movement of the slider.Is.
[0011]
  In the cutting means, the advancing / retracting means causes the clamp unit to enter the article at the aligned position, the clamp unit clamps the article in a row unit, the advancing / retreating means retracts the clamp unit and the article from the aligned position, and the moving means Then, the clamp unit is moved to the transfer position, the clamp unit and the article are moved into the transfer position by the advance / retreat means, the clamp by the clamp unit is released, and the article is transferred to the transfer position. By using a plurality of the cutting means and arranging the plurality of cutting means in parallel so that the articles can be cut out in units of columns, a plurality of rows of articles can be cut out in units of rows at the same time. The output capability is improved, and it is possible to easily cope with the cutting out of various kinds of articles by setting the moving means and the advancing / retreating means of the cutting means.In addition, the clamp unit is provided with a slider and a clamp driving unit along the longitudinal direction of the long base along the row direction of the articles, and the clamp bodies are opened and closed with each other via an interlocking mechanism interlocking with the movement of the slider. As a result, the width of the clamp unit, that is, the width in the direction in which the plurality of cutting means are arranged side by side becomes small, and the parallel arrangement pitch of the cutting means becomes small, so that an article having a small alignment pitch can be handled. .
[0012]
  The cutting device according to claim 2 is the cutting device according to claim 1, wherein when the article is transferred at the transfer position, the plurality of cutting means are arranged in parallel when the article is cut out at the alignment position. The pitch is widened to a pitch that separates the rows of articles cut by each cutting means.
[0013]
  The pitch of the plurality of cutting means arranged in parallel when transferring the article at the transfer position is wider than the pitch when cutting the article at the alignment position, and between the rows of articles cut by each cutting means For example, articles arranged in a staggered pattern can be cut out in a state of being separated in units of rows.
[0014]
  ContractClaim3The cutting device according to claim1 or 2In the cutting apparatus described above, the clamp driving unit includes a screw shaft that is rotatably provided along the longitudinal direction of the base, and a servo motor that is disposed along the longitudinal direction of the base and rotates the screw shaft. Is.
[0015]
  And since the clamp drive unit has a screw shaft and a servo motor that rotates the screw shaft along the longitudinal direction of the base, the width of the clamp drive unit, that is, the width of the clamp unit becomes small, The opening / closing amount of the clamp body can be controlled by the servo motor, so that it can easily handle the clamping of various kinds of articles.
[0016]
  Claim4The cutting device according to claim1 to 3In the described cutting device, the number of the cutting means is two, and the clamp body of each cutting means is arranged at a position offset to the other cutting means side.
[0017]
  And since there are two cutting means, and the clamp body of each cutting means is disposed at a position offset to the other cutting means side, the pitch of the clamp bodies of the two cutting means is reduced. It is possible to deal with articles having a small alignment pitch.
[0018]
  Claim5The cutting device according to claim 1 to claim 1.4In any of the cutting apparatuses described above, a servo motor is used to drive the advance / retreat means and the movement means.
[0019]
  Then, by using a servo motor to drive the advance / retreat means and the moving means, it is possible to easily cope with cutting out various kinds of articles.
[0020]
  Claim6The cutting device according to claim 1 to claim 1.5In any one of the cutting apparatuses, the article is a container having a container main body and a neck portion, and the clamp unit clamps a portion of the container main body in the vicinity of the neck portion and the neck portion of the container.
[0021]
  When the article is a container having a container body and a neck part, the clamp unit clamps the container neck part and the part of the container body near the neck part to prevent the container from shaking during the movement. To prevent the container from falling over during transfer.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0023]
  FIG. 14 shows a configuration diagram of a depalletizer to which a cutting device is applied. As shown in FIG. 10, an article handled by this depalletizer is a container 1 such as a plastic bottle including a plastic bottle for beverages. And a bottomed container body 2 and a mouth 3 provided on the top of the container body 2 and opened and closed by a cap (not shown). The mouth 3 has a neck 4 projecting in the shape of a ring around it. Is formed.
[0024]
  In the depalletizer, a plurality of containers 1 are stacked on a pallet (not shown) in an aligned state assembled in a plurality of rows, and are stacked in a plurality of stages via separate sheets (not shown) and supplied with an actual pallet. The containers are arranged one by one from the top of the pallet, cut out one by one in units of rows, and sent to the post-processing step in a single row state.
[0025]
  As shown in FIG. 14, the depalletizer removes the carry-in conveyor 12 that receives the actual pallet and carries it into the leveling position 11, and removes the uppermost separate sheet on the actual pallet that is loaded into the leveling position 11. The sheet removing means 14 to be accommodated, the unloading means 16 for unloading the uppermost container 1 on the actual pallet at the unloading position 11 and unloading to the position 15, unloading of all containers 1 and separate sheets Empty pallet stacker 17 that receives and accommodates empty pallets after completion, supply conveyor 18 that loads and conveys one-stage containers 1 unloaded at unloading position 15, and containers that are aligned from supply conveyor 18 A cut-out mechanism 19 that receives 1 and cuts out one row at a time in units of rows, and a one-row transport conveyor 20 that transports the containers 1 cut out from the cut-out mechanism 19 to the post-processing step in a single row state.
[0026]
  6 and 7 show a cutting mechanism 19 into which the downstream side in the conveying direction A of the supply conveyor 18 enters and is arranged. The supply conveyor 18 has a conveyor frame 25 and an endless body 26 such as an endless belt that is rotatably extended along the conveyor frame 25, and an unloading position 15 is placed on the endless body 26. , The plurality of containers 1 for one stage are placed and the plurality of containers 1 for one stage are maintained in an aligned state by rotation of the endless body 26 toward the direction change position 27 on the downstream side in the transport direction A. Be transported.
[0027]
  Further, the cutting mechanism 19 has a main body frame 31 installed on the floor surface or the like. Inside the main body frame 31, a downstream side in the transport direction A of the supply conveyor 18 enters and is arranged at one end. An alignment conveyor 32 is disposed as a conveying means for loading and conveying the containers 1 in the conveying direction B perpendicular to the conveying direction A of the supply conveyor 18 from one end side to the other end side. The alignment conveyor 32 has a conveyor frame 33 and an endless body 34 such as an endless belt that is rotatably arranged along the conveyor frame 33, and is transferred from the supply conveyor 18 onto the endless body 34. The plurality of containers 1 to be replaced are placed, and the plurality of containers 1 are transported toward the alignment position 35 on the downstream side in the transport direction B while maintaining the aligned state by the rotation of the endless body 34. The containers 1 transported in the transport direction B by the alignment conveyor 32 are arranged in a plurality of rows along the transport direction B. When the peripheral surface shape of the containers 1 is other than a square such as a circle or a hexagon, Adjacent rows of containers 1 are aligned in a staggered manner with a half pitch shift in the width direction intersecting the transport direction B.
[0028]
  The main body frame 31 is provided with transfer means 38 for transferring a plurality of containers 1 for one stage from the direction changing position 27 on the supply conveyor 18 onto the alignment conveyor 32. This transfer means 38 has a moving part 39 that moves along the conveying direction B between the direction changing position 27 of the supply conveyor 18 and the alignment conveyor 32 with respect to the main body frame 31, and this moving part 39 includes A cylinder 40 is disposed, and a hand 41 that is moved up and down by driving the cylinder 40 is attached to the cylinder 40. The hand 41 has a base 42 supported by the cylinder 40, and plates 43 and 44 for holding a plurality of containers 1 for one stage are arranged at four positions of the base 42, and the plates 43 and 44 facing each other. Is driven to open and close. When transferring a plurality of containers 1 for one stage from the supply conveyor 18 onto the alignment conveyor 32, one stage is placed at the direction changing position 27 on the supply conveyor 18 with the hand 41 retracted upward. A plurality of containers 1 are conveyed, and when the hand 41 is lowered, the four plates 43 and 44 enter the four sides of the container 1 for one step, and the four plates 43 and 44 are closed to one step. Holding a plurality of containers 1, the moving unit 39 moves in the conveyance direction B, and a plurality of containers 1 for one stage are transferred onto the alignment conveyor 32 together with the hand 41, and the four plates 43 and 44 are opened. The hand 41 is raised.
[0029]
  The aligning conveyor 32 is provided with aligning means 47 for aligning the containers 1 conveyed by the aligning conveyor 32 in a plurality of rows with the front row in the transport direction B as a reference. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the aligning means 47 includes a stopper 48 disposed at the end in the transport direction B on the aligning conveyor 32, and a transport direction B at the end in the transport direction B on the aligning conveyor 32. And movable side guides 49 disposed on both sides intersecting with. The stopper 48 can be advanced upstream in the transport direction B and can be retracted downstream, and the frontmost containers 1 are stopped at a predetermined stop position, that is, the alignment position 35 at the time of advancement. The side guides 49 on both sides are allowed to advance toward the inside of the alignment conveyor 32 and retract outwardly, and position the row direction of the containers 1 at the time of advancement. On the upstream side of each side guide 49, a fixed side guide 50 that guides the aligned containers 1 to the alignment position 35 is disposed.
[0030]
  As shown in FIG. 10, the alignment means 47 has detection means 51 for detecting the alignment state of the containers 1 aligned at the alignment position 35 with the stopper 48 and the side guide 49. The detection means 51 detects the alignment state of the containers 1 in the front row and the second row. A light projection / reception type optical sensor having a light projector 52a and a light receiver 52b disposed on both sides of the alignment conveyor 32 is provided. The detection light 53 passes through both sides of the shoulder portion that is used and continuously shrinks to the mouth portion 3 of the container body 2 of the container 1 of each row, and is normally aligned in the projection state of the detection light 53. Detected and it is detected that an alignment error has occurred in the light blocking state of the detection light 53. If an alignment abnormality is detected by the detecting means 51, the stopper 48 and the side guide 49 are moved backward in the conveying direction B of the container 1 by the aligning conveyor 32 after the stopper 48 and the side guide 49 are retracted. Each has the function of advancing and realigning.
[0031]
  Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the main body frame 31 is provided with containers 1 for a plurality of rows from the front row aligned at the alignment position 35 of the alignment conveyor 32, in this embodiment, two rows of containers 1. A cutting device 57 that cuts out and transfers to a transfer position 56 adjacent to the downstream end of the alignment conveyor 32 is disposed. The cutting device 57 has a cutting unit 58 as two cutting means arranged in parallel along the transport direction B so that the containers 1 can be cut out one by one independently. Each cutting unit 58 includes a clamp unit 59 that detachably clamps one row of containers 1, a moving means 60 that moves the clamp unit 59 between an alignment position 35 and a transfer position 56, and a clamp unit 59. Advancing / retreating means 61 for advancing and retracting, that is, raising and lowering the container 1 is provided.
[0032]
  The moving means 60 of each cutting unit 58 is movable with respect to the guide base 64 disposed along the transport direction B on both sides intersecting the transport direction B on the main body frame 31. FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, a gantry 65 that moves in the transport direction B along the guide tables 64 on both sides is provided. A screw shaft 66 is rotatably disposed in each guide base 64, and a servo motor 67 that rotationally drives each screw shaft 66 is disposed at an end of each guide base 64. A timing pulley 68 is attached to the drive shaft of each servo motor 67, a timing pulley 69 is attached to the screw shaft 66, and a timing belt 70 for transmitting a rotational driving force to these timing pulleys 68 and 69 is stretched. . One screw shaft 66 is connected to a frame 65 of one cutting unit 58 via a screwing member (not shown), and the other screwing unit 66 is connected to the other cutting unit 58 via a screwing member (not shown). Each cutting unit 58 is independently movable by being driven by each servo motor 67.
[0033]
  The advancing / retreating means 61 of each cutting unit 58 has a guide portion 73 attached along the vertical direction to the mutually opposing surfaces of each gantry 65, and an elevating portion that can be raised and lowered in the vertical direction with respect to the guide portion 73 74 is attached, and a clamp unit 59 is attached to the lower part of the elevating part 74. A screw shaft (not shown) is disposed in the guide portion 73 along the vertical direction, and a servo motor 75 that rotationally drives the screw shaft is disposed above the guide portion 73.
[0034]
  A flexible cover 78 that accommodates a cable for supplying power to the cutting unit 58 is disposed between each guide base 64 and each base 65, and a clamp unit is provided between each base 65 and the lift 74. A flexible cover 79 that accommodates a cable for supplying power to 59 is provided.
[0035]
  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the clamping unit 59 of each cutting unit 58 has a base 82 formed in a long plate shape along the row direction of the containers 1, and a plurality of the clamping units 59 are provided on the base 82. The attachment plate 84 is attached via the attachment member 83, and this attachment plate 84 is attached to the elevating part 74 of the advance / retreat means 61.
[0036]
  A plurality of guide rails 85 and 86 are disposed on the upper surface of the base 82 along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, and the slide members 87 and 88 are slidably engaged along the guide rails 85 and 86, respectively. Support members 89, 90 are attached to the slide members 87, 88, and a pair of clamp plates 91, 92 as clamp bodies for detachably clamping the container 1 are supported by the support members 89, 90.
[0037]
  The support members 89 and 90 are connected to the slide members 87 and 88, the connecting portions 93 and 94, and the clamp plate mounting portions to which the clamp plates 91 and 92 are attached by being suspended from the connecting portions 93 and 94 on the side of the base 82. 95,96. One support member 89 on the side of each clamp unit 59 adjacent to each other is formed in a substantially L-shaped cross section at the connecting portion 93 and the clamp plate mounting portion 95, and is opposite to the side of each clamp unit 59 adjacent to each other. The other support member 90 is formed in a substantially L-shaped cross section in which the tip of the clamp plate mounting portion 96 approaches the one support member 89 side through the lower side of the base 82, and the connecting portion 94 and the clamp plate mounting portion 96. The cross section is formed in a substantially U shape. Accordingly, the pair of clamp plates 91 and 92 are disposed opposite to each other on the lower side of the base 82, and are disposed at positions offset from the center of the base 82 toward the other clamp unit 59 side. The pitch between the centers of the 59 clamp plates 91 and 92 can be matched with the alignment pitch of the containers 1 aligned in a plurality of rows on the alignment conveyor 32.
[0038]
  On the opposing surfaces of the clamp plates 91 and 92, the mouth portion 3, the neck portion 4, and the portion of the container body 2 in the vicinity of the neck portion 4 can be integrally clamped, and have elasticity such as rubber or urethane, for example. A contact member 97 made of a material is attached. The clamp plates 91 and 92 are detachably attached to the support members 89 and 90 by bolts 98.
[0039]
  A slider 99 that moves along the longitudinal direction of the base 82 is disposed on the base 82. The slider 99 has slide plates 100 at both ends in the longitudinal direction and connecting members 101 that are connected across the slide plates 100, and guide rails 102 are mounted on the base 82 corresponding to the positions of the slide plates 100. A slide member 103 disposed along the longitudinal direction of 82 and slidably engaged along each guide rail 102 is attached to the slide plate 100.
[0040]
  On the base 82, a clamp driving unit 104 for moving the slider 99 is disposed along the longitudinal direction of the base 82. The clamp drive unit 104 has a servo motor 105. The servo motor 105 is arranged such that the axial direction of the servo motor 105 is along the longitudinal direction of the base 82 by a fixing member 106 attached between the base 82 and the mounting plate 84. So that it is supported. The drive shaft of the servo motor 105 is coupled to a screw shaft 108 rotatably disposed along the longitudinal direction of the base 82 by a bearing 107 attached to the base 82, and a screw member 109 is screwed to the screw shaft 108. The screwing member 109 is connected to the connecting member 101 of the slider 99.
[0041]
  An interlocking mechanism 110 that opens and closes the clamp plates 91 and 92 in association with the movement of the slider 99 is disposed between the slider 99 and the support members 89 and 90. In this interlocking mechanism 110, one end of a pair of levers 111, 112 is pivotally supported by a shaft 113 on a slider 99, and the other end of each lever 111, 112 is a connecting portion 93 of each support member 89, 90. , 94 are rotatably connected by shafts 114, 115.
[0042]
  Further, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the two rows of containers 1 cut out by the cutting device 57 are received one by one at the transfer position 56 adjacent to the end portion of the alignment conveyor 32 in the transport direction B. A plurality of receiving lanes 118 are arranged in a plurality of rows, in this embodiment. These receiving lanes 118 are wider than the alignment pitch of the containers 1 aligned on the alignment conveyor 32, and are arranged at a pitch at which the two rows of containers 1 are separated from each other. The placement unit 119 for placing the containers 1 for one row cut by each of the clamp units 59 is provided, and positioning guides are provided on both sides of the placement unit 119 on both sides of the lower portion of the container 1 placed on the placement unit 119. Lane guides 120 and 121 are provided. The mounting portion 119 and the lane guides 120 and 121 are disposed on a plurality of support portions 122, and the support portions 122 are disposed on a frame body 123 whose height is adjusted.
[0043]
  A guide rail 124 is disposed on each support portion 122 along a lane width direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the receiving lane 118, and each receiving lane is slidable along the guide rail 124 via a slide member 125. 118 lane guides 120 and 121 are attached so as to be movable in the lane width direction, that is, openable and closable. A plurality of open / close interlock mechanisms 126 are connected to the lane guides 120 and 121 on both sides, and the open / close interlock mechanisms 126 interlock the mutual opening and closing movements of the lane guides 120 and 121 on both sides with respect to the center of the receiving lane 118. The lane guides 120 on one side of each receiving lane 118 and the lane guides 121 on the other side are connected to each other by connecting portions 120a and 121a, respectively, and the opening and closing movements of the lane guides 120 and 121 of both receiving lanes 118 are interlocked. The A lane guide drive unit 127 using a servo motor as a drive source is disposed between the support units 122, and the guide lane 121 is connected to a moving unit 128 that is moved in the lane width direction by the lane guide drive unit 127. Accordingly, the driving of the lane guide driving unit 127 causes the lane guides 120 and 121 on both sides to be linked to the center of the receiving lane 118 via the lane guide 121 and the opening / closing interlock mechanism 126.
[0044]
  Disposed next to the side of the receiving lane 118 is a dispensing means 131 for dispensing the container 1 in the transport direction C along the receiving lane 118. The paying-out means 131 includes a sprocket 132 that is rotatably arranged with its axial direction oriented vertically corresponding to both longitudinal positions of the receiving lane 118, and a chain 133 that is stretched between the sprockets 132 at both ends. A chain guide 134 for guiding the chain 133 parallel to the receiving lane 118 is disposed between the sprockets 132 at both ends. The driving force from the servomotor 135 is transmitted to one sprocket 132, and the chain 133 is rotated so that the side facing the receiving lane 118 in the clockwise direction of FIG. Pushing bodies 136 are attached to the chain 133 at two symmetrical positions, and the pushing bodies 136 are supported via links 137 so as to always face perpendicular to the rotation direction. The pusher 136 is attached with a pusher 138 made of a material such as rubber or urethane that abuts against the container 1 in each receiving lane 118 and pushes. The pusher 136 can be moved in the transport direction C in the upper area of the lane guides 120 and 121 of the receiving lane 118, and one pusher 136 is located at the downstream end of the receive lane 118 in the transport direction C. The stand-by position is set so as to make a half-turn by one payout operation.
[0045]
  Disposed on the downstream side of each receiving lane 118 in the sending direction C is a sending mechanism 141 on which the bottom of the container 1 is transferred from the placement unit 119 and transports in the sending direction C. Each of these delivery mechanisms 141 has a plurality of rollers 142 and a belt 143 stretched between the rollers 142, and the lower side of the portion of the belt 143 on which the container 1 is placed is supported by the guide plate 144 so that the belt 143 can be lowered. It is regulated. A pulley 145 is coaxially attached to one roller 142 of each delivery mechanism 141, and a transmission belt 148 is stretched between the pulley 145 and a pulley 147 attached to a drive shaft of the motor 146. , The belt 143 is rotated in the direction of transporting the container 1 in the transport direction C in the counterclockwise direction of FIG.
[0046]
  In addition, as shown in FIG. 13, a transport lane 151 for receiving the containers 1 discharged from each receiving lane 118 one by one and transporting it along the transport direction C is arranged downstream of each receiving lane 118 in the sending direction C. It is installed. Each of these transport lanes 151 includes a neck guide 152 on both sides for supporting the lower side of the neck portion 4 of the container 1 and movably supporting the container 1 in a suspended state, and side guides on both sides for guiding both sides of the container body 2. The neck guide 152 and the side guide 153 are attached to the main body 155 of the air conveyor 154. A fan device 156 for sending air into the internal space of the main body 155 is disposed on the upper portion of the main body 155, and the air sent into the internal space of the main body 155 along both sides of the neck guide 152 is blown out in the conveyance direction C. A plurality of nozzles are arranged. Air blown from the plurality of nozzles is blown to the container 1 in the transport lane 151, and the container 1 is transported in the transport direction C.
[0047]
  Further, on the downstream side of the transport lane 151, a sending means 159 for sending out the containers 1 sent from the respective transport lanes 151 one by one is disposed. The delivery means 159 has a row of delivery lanes 160 that receive and transport the containers 1 delivered from the respective transport lanes 151 one by one, and this delivery lane 160 supports the lower side of the neck portion 4 of the containers 1. The neck guide 161 on both sides for movably supporting the container 1 in a suspended state, and the side guides 162 on both sides for guiding both sides of the container main body 2, and the neck guide 161 and the side guide 162 are used for the air conveyor 163. It is attached to the main body 164. A fan device 165 for sending air into the internal space of the main body 164 is disposed at the upper part of the main body 164, and the air sent into the internal space of the main body 164 along both sides of the neck guide 161 is blown out in the conveying direction C. A plurality of nozzles are arranged. The air blown out from the plurality of nozzles is blown to the containers 1 in the delivery lane 160, and the containers 1 are conveyed in the conveyance direction C and delivered to the one-line delivery conveyor 20.
[0048]
  A support shaft 166 with the axial direction oriented in the vertical direction protrudes from the downstream end of the main body 164 in the conveyance direction C, and this support shaft 166 rotates to the bearing portion 168 of the frame portion 167 on the main body frame 31 side. It is pivotally supported. A slide member 170 is attached to an upper surface of a substantially intermediate portion of the main body 164 via a substantially L-shaped bracket 169, and the slide member 170 is disposed on the frame portion 167 in an arc shape with the bearing portion 168 as a fulcrum. 171 is slidably engaged. The main body 164 receives the container 1 with the upstream end in the transport direction C of the delivery lane 160 facing the end of the one transport lane 151 and the other transport lane 151 by a switching means (not shown). Switching to the position where the container 1 is received facing the end is performed. A stopper 172 that prevents the container 1 from popping out by closing the end of the transport lane 151 where the end of the delivery lane 160 does not face is attached to the end of the delivery lane 160 on the upstream side in the transport direction C. .
[0049]
  Next, the operation of the entire palletizer provided with the cutting mechanism 19 will be described.
[0050]
  The actual pallet received by the carry-in conveyor 12 is transported to the separation position 11, the separate sheet is removed by the sheet removing means 14, and stored in the sheet stacker 13. The containers 1 are lowered to the unloading position 15 of the supply conveyor 18, and the plurality of containers 1 for one stage are conveyed to the direction changing position 27 in the conveyance direction A by the supply conveyor 18.
[0051]
  In the cutting mechanism 19, a plurality of containers 1 for one stage that have been transported to the direction changing position 27 of the supply conveyor 18 and stopped are moved in the transport direction B by the transfer means 38 and transferred onto the alignment conveyor 32. . In the alignment conveyor 32, the transferred containers 1 for one stage are conveyed toward the alignment position 35 on the downstream side in the conveyance direction B, and the containers 1 that are not yet cut out remain on the downstream side of the alignment conveyor 32. In this case, the containers 1 transferred to the container 1 are joined and aligned. At the alignment position 35 on the alignment conveyor 32, the alignment means 47 aligns the containers 1 in a plurality of rows with the frontmost row of containers 1 as a reference.
[0052]
  In the cutting mechanism 19, the cutting device 57 cuts out the first row and the second row of containers 1 aligned at the alignment position 35 one by one and transfers them to each receiving lane 118. The delivery means 131 delivers the two rows of containers 1 in each receiving lane 118 to each transport lane 151 and transports them in the transport direction C by each transport lane 151. The delivery lane 160 of the delivery means 159 faces one of the transport lanes 151 to receive the container 1 from the transport lane 151 and sends it to the one-line transport conveyor 20, and the transport lane 160 faces the other transport lane 151 and transports it. The container 1 is received from the lane 151 and sent to the one-line conveyor 20.
[0053]
  In this way, it is possible to cut out the two rows of containers 1 aligned by the aligning means 47 on the aligning conveyor 32 and cut them one by one and sequentially send them to the one-row transport conveyor 20.
[0054]
  Next, the alignment operation by the alignment means 47 will be described.
[0055]
  First, the case where the alignment of the containers 1 is normal will be described. As shown in FIG. 8 (a), the stoppers 48 are advanced upstream in the transport direction B, and the side guides 49 are closed. In this aligned state, as shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b), if the detection light 53 of the detecting means 51 for detecting the aligned state of the containers 1 in the front row and the second row is in the light projection state, it is normal. The alignment is detected, and the cutting operation by the cutting device 57 is allowed.
[0056]
  As shown in FIG. 8 (b), when the containers 1 in the foremost row and the second row are cut out by the cutting device 57, the stopper 48 is moved backward in the transport direction B, and after cutting out, As shown in FIG. 8 (c), the stopper 48 is moved forward, and the containers 1 are fed in the transport direction B by the alignment conveyor 32, and aligned in a plurality of rows with the frontmost row of containers 1 as a reference.
[0057]
  A case where the alignment of the containers 1 is abnormal will be described. As shown in FIG. 9A, the stoppers 48 are advanced upstream in the transport direction B, and the side guides 49 are closed. In this aligned state, as shown in FIGS. 10 (c) and 10 (d), if any one of the detection lights 53 of the detecting means 51 for detecting the aligned state of the containers 1 in the front row and the second row is in a light-shielded state. When it is detected that an alignment error has occurred, the cutting operation by the cutting device 57 is prohibited and the realignment operation is executed.
[0058]
  In the realignment operation, as shown in FIG. 9 (b), the stopper 48 is moved backward in the transport direction B, the side guide 49 is opened, the alignment is once released, and then, as shown in FIG. 9 (c). At the same time, the stopper 48 is advanced, the side guide 49 is closed, and the containers 1 are fed in the transport direction B by the alignment conveyor 32 to align the containers 1 in the front row. Even after the realignment operation is performed, if an abnormality in alignment is detected by the detection means 51, the same realignment operation is repeated and repeated several times until the alignment is normally performed. Usually, by repeating the realignment operation several times, at least the first row and the second row of containers 1 are often normally aligned.
[0059]
  Next, the cutting operation by the cutting device 57 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0060]
  As shown in FIG. 1 (a), the clamp plates 91 and 92 of each clamp unit 59 are moved above the foremost and second rows of containers 1 at the alignment position 35 of the alignment conveyor 32, and both clamp units 59 are moved. The pitch between the centers of the clamp plates 91 and 92 is matched with the alignment pitch of the container 1.
[0061]
  As shown in FIG. 1B, each clamp unit 59 is lowered, and the clamp plates 91 and 92 of each clamp unit 59 are advanced to both sides near the neck portion 4 of each row of containers 1.
[0062]
  As shown in FIG. 1 (c), the clamp plates 91 and 92 of each clamp unit 59 are closed, and the neck portion 4 of the container 1 is clamped. At this time, the mouth portion 3, the neck portion 4, and the portion of the container main body 2 in the vicinity of the neck portion 4 are integrally clamped.
[0063]
  As shown in FIG. 1 (d), the stopper 48 is moved backward in the transport direction B, the clamp units 59 are raised, and the containers 1 are cut out in a row together with the clamp units 59. Each clamp unit 59 is moved in the transport direction B while being lifted.
[0064]
  As shown in FIG. 2 (e), the pitch between the centers of the clamp plates 91 and 92 of both clamp units 59 is adjusted to the pitch of both receiving lanes 118, and the containers 1 in each row clamped to each clamp unit 59 are placed. Move above each receiving lane 118.
[0065]
  As shown in FIG. 2 (f), each clamp unit 59 is lowered, and the lower part of each row of containers 1 is entered into each receiving lane 118 and placed on the placement unit 119. At this time, the lane guides 120 and 121 on both sides of each receiving lane 118 are opened, and the lower part of the container 1 can be surely entered into each receiving lane 118.
[0066]
  As shown in FIG. 2 (g), the lane guides 120 and 121 on both sides of each receiving lane 118 are closed to hold the lower sides of the container 1, and the clamp plates 91 and 92 of each clamp unit 59 are opened to open the container 1 Release the clamp.
[0067]
  As shown in FIG. 2 (h), each clamp unit 59 is raised, and the container 1 in each receiving lane 118 is collectively discharged to the transport lane 151 on the downstream side by the discharging means 131.
[0068]
  As shown in FIG. 1A, each clamp unit 59 is moved above the alignment position 35, and the next cutting operation is started.
[0069]
  Further, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, since the cutting unit 58 of the cutting device 57 can operate independently, only the one cutting unit 58 on the downstream side in the transport direction B is cut out. The other cutting unit 58 can be retracted above the alignment position 35 and stopped. Thereby, for example, it is possible to cope with the case where the two containers 1 cannot be cut out simultaneously according to the type of the container 1 or the like, or the case where the cutout amount of the container 1 is adjusted according to the situation in the post-processing step.
[0070]
  As described above, a plurality of rows of containers 1 are clamped one by one from the foremost row aligned by the aligning means 47 by the plurality of clamp units 59 of the cutting device 57 and cut out from the alignment conveyor 32 to form a plurality of rows. Since one row is delivered to the receiving lane 118 and the containers 1 discharged from the receiving lane 118 are sent out one row at a time, the cutting ability of the containers 1 is high, and the containers 1 can be reliably cut out one row at a time. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with cutting out various types of containers 1.
[0071]
  Further, among the plurality of clamp units 59 in which the cutting device 57 operates independently, the clamp unit 59 to be operated can be switched according to the number of cut rows of the containers 1, so that the various types of containers 1 can be cut out. Can be easily accommodated.
[0072]
  Furthermore, when the detection means 51 detects the alignment abnormality of the container 1 in the alignment means 47, the stopper 48 and the side guide 49 are moved backward, and then the container 1 is transported in the transport direction B by the alignment conveyor 32. Since the stopper 48 and the side guide 49 are advanced and realigned, the container 1 can be normally aligned even if the alignment of the containers 1 is disturbed.
[0073]
  Further, in each receiving lane 118, lane guides 120 and 121 arranged on both sides of the placement unit 119 on which the containers 1 for one row cut by the clamp unit 59 of the cutting device 57 are placed are connected to the placement unit 119. When the container 1 is transferred, the containers 1 expand and contract with each other and are contracted after the transfer to guide both sides of the container 1, so that the container 1 can be easily and reliably received and the containers 1 are reliably delivered in one row. Can guide to.
[0074]
  Further, since each clamp unit 59 of the cutting device 57 clamps the neck portion 4 of the container 1 for one row, a plurality of containers 1 in an aligned state can be easily clamped and cut out by the plurality of clamp units 59. it can.
[0075]
  Further, a plurality of rows of transport lanes 151 for receiving and transporting the containers 1 discharged from the receiving lanes 118, and a sending means 159 for sending the containers 1 from the transport lanes 151 one by one are provided via the neck portion 4 of the containers 1. Since the container 1 is transported in a suspended and supported state, the container 1 does not fall down, can be transported at high speed, and the payout ability can be improved.
[0076]
  Further, the cutting unit 58 includes a clamp unit 59, an alignment position 35 where the containers 1 are aligned in a plurality of rows, and a transfer position 56 where the containers 1 cut out from the alignment positions 35 are transferred. And a moving means 60 for moving the clamping unit 59 with respect to the container 1 and advancing / retreating means 61 for moving the clamping unit 59 forward and backward. A plurality of the cutting units 58 are used. Since a plurality of containers 1 can be cut out one by one at the same time, the cutting ability of the containers 1 can be improved, and the moving means 60 and the advancing and retreating of the cutting unit 58 can be improved. By setting the means 61, it is possible to easily cope with the cutting out of the various types of containers 1.
[0077]
  Furthermore, when transferring the container 1 at the transfer position 56, the pitch of the plurality of cutting units 58 arranged in parallel is wider than the pitch when cutting the container 1 at the alignment position 35, and the cutting units 58 cut out. Since the pitch between the rows of the containers 1 separated from each other is increased, even the containers 1 arranged in a staggered manner can be cut out in a state of being separated into rows.
[0078]
  Furthermore, a clamp unit 59 is provided along the longitudinal direction of the base 82, the long base 82 along the row direction of the containers 1, the slider 99 moved along the longitudinal direction of the base 82, and the slider 99 moved along the longitudinal direction of the base 82. The clamp drive unit 104 to be opened, the clamp plates 91 and 92 that are opened and closed to each other under the base 82 and detachably clamp the container 1, and the interlocking mechanism that opens and closes the clamp plates 91 and 92 in conjunction with the movement of the slider 99 Since 110 is provided, the width of the clamp unit 59, that is, the width in the direction in which the plurality of cutting units 58 are arranged side by side can be reduced, and the arrangement pitch of the cutting units 58 is reduced and the alignment pitch is reduced. It can correspond to the container 1.
[0079]
  Further, the clamp drive unit 104 includes a screw shaft 108 that is rotatably provided along the longitudinal direction of the base 82, and a servo motor 105 that is disposed along the longitudinal direction of the base 82 and rotates the screw shaft 108. Therefore, the width of the clamp drive unit 104, that is, the width of the clamp unit 59 can be reduced, and the opening / closing amount of the clamp plates 91 and 92 can be controlled by the servo motor 105, so that it can easily cope with the clamping of various types of containers 1. .
[0080]
  Further, since two cutting units 58 are provided and the clamp plates 91 and 92 of each cutting unit 58 are disposed at a position offset to the other cutting unit 58 side, the clamps of the two cutting units 58 are clamped. The pitch of the plates 91 and 92 can be reduced, and the container 1 with a small alignment pitch can be handled.
[0081]
  Furthermore, since the servo motors 67 and 75 are used to drive the moving means 60 and the advancing / retreating means 61, it is possible to easily cope with cutting out various types of containers 1.
[0082]
  Further, in the case of the container 1 having the container main body 2 and the neck portion 4, the clamp unit 59 clamps the neck portion 4 of the container 1 and the portion of the container main body 2 near the neck portion 4. The shake can be prevented and stabilized, and the container 1 can be prevented from falling during the transfer.
[0083]
  In the above-described embodiment, two cutting units 58 are arranged in parallel and two or one row of containers 1 are cut out. However, three or more cutting units 58 are arranged in parallel and three or more rows are cut out. The container 1 may be cut out at the same time, and the cutting efficiency can be further improved.
[0084]
  In the above-described embodiments, containers such as plastic bottles are shown as articles. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and containers such as bottle cans and bottles, or articles other than containers may be used. Similar effects can be obtained by making each configuration correspond to each other.
[0085]
  Further, the cutting device can be applied not only to the depalletizer cutting mechanism but also to other cutting mechanisms, and the same effect can be obtained.
[0086]
【The invention's effect】
  According to the cutting device according to claim 1, the cutting means includes a clamp unit, an alignment position where the articles are aligned in a plurality of rows, and a transfer position where the articles cut from the alignment position are transferred. Moving means for moving between and an advancing / retreating means for advancing and retreating the clamp unit with respect to the article. A plurality of the cutting means are used, and each of the plurality of cutting means is independently cut into a row unit. Since it is arranged side by side so that it can be taken out, it is possible to cut out a plurality of rows of articles at the same time, improving the ability to cut out the articles, and by setting the moving means and the advancing / retreating means of the cutting means, Can be easily cut out.Further, the clamp unit has a long base along the row direction of the articles, a slider that moves along the longitudinal direction of the base, a clamp drive unit that moves along the longitudinal direction of the base, and moves the slider. Since it has a clamp body that opens and closes each other and clamps the article detachably, and an interlocking mechanism that opens and closes the clamp body in conjunction with the movement of the slider, the width of the clamp unit, that is, a plurality of cutouts The width in the direction in which the means are arranged side by side can be reduced, and the parallel arrangement pitch of the cutting means can be reduced to accommodate articles having a small alignment pitch.
[0087]
  According to the cutting device according to claim 2, in addition to the effect of the cutting device according to claim 1, when the article is transferred at the transfer position, the pitch of the plurality of cutting means arranged in parallel is aligned. Since it is wider than the pitch at which the article is cut out at the position and the pitch between the rows of the articles cut out by each cutting means is separated, for example, even the articles arranged in a staggered pattern are cut out in a state of being separated into rows. Can do.
[0088]
  ContractClaim3According to the described cutting device, the claim1 or 2In addition to the effect of the cutting device described above, a clamp drive unit is provided with a screw shaft that is rotatably provided along the longitudinal direction of the base, and a servo motor that is disposed along the longitudinal direction of the base and rotates the screw shaft. Accordingly, the width of the clamp drive unit, that is, the width of the clamp unit can be reduced, and the opening / closing amount of the clamp body can be controlled by the servo motor, so that it can easily cope with the clamping of various kinds of articles.
[0089]
  Claim4According to the described cutting device, the claim1 to 3In addition to the effect of the cutting device described above, there are two cutting means, and since the clamp body of each cutting means is disposed at a position offset to the other cutting means side, two cutting means Therefore, it is possible to reduce the pitch of the clamp bodies and to deal with articles having a small alignment pitch.
[0090]
  Claim5According to the cutting device described in claims 1 to4In addition to the effect of any one of the cutting devices described above, a servo motor is used to drive the advance / retreat means and the moving means, so that it is possible to easily cope with cutting out various kinds of articles.
[0091]
  Claim6According to the cutting device described in claims 1 to5In addition to the effect of any of the cutting devices described above, when the article is a container having a container main body and a neck portion, the clamp unit clamps the container main body portion near the neck portion of the container and the neck portion. The movement of the container can be prevented and stabilized, and the container can be prevented from falling over during the transfer.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention and is an explanatory diagram for explaining a cutting operation by a cutting device in the order of (a) to (d).
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view for explaining the cutting operation by the cutting device in the order of (e) to (h) following FIG. 1;
FIGS. 3A and 3B show a moving means of the cutting means of the same cutting apparatus, wherein FIG. 3A is a plan view and FIG. 3B is a front view with a part omitted.
4A and 4B show a clamp unit of the same cutting means, where FIG. 4A is a plan view and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the clamp unit.
6A and 6B show a cutting mechanism to which the above-described cutting device is applied, wherein FIG. 6A is a plan view and FIG. 6B is a front view.
FIG. 7 is a side view of the same cutting mechanism.
FIG. 8 shows the alignment means of the same cutting mechanism as above, and shows the alignment operation when alignment is normal (a) to (a) to FIG.(c)It is explanatory drawing demonstrated in order of.
FIG. 9 shows the alignment means of the above-described cutting mechanism, and shows the alignment operation when the alignment is abnormal (a) to (a) to FIG.(c)It is explanatory drawing demonstrated in order of.
10A and 10B show detection means of the same cutting mechanism, (a) is a plan view when alignment is normal, (b) is a front view when alignment is normal, and (c) is when alignment is abnormal A plan view, (d) is a front view when the alignment is abnormal.
11A and 11B show a receiving lane and a payout means of the same cutting mechanism, in which FIG. 11A is a plan view and FIG. 11B is a front view with a part omitted.
FIG. 12 is a side view in which the receiving lane and the payout means are partially omitted.
FIGS. 13A and 13B show a transport lane and a delivery means of the same cutting mechanism, where FIG. 13A is a plan view and FIG. 13B is a front view.
FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view of a depalletizer to which the same cutting mechanism is applied.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the row-by-row cut-out operation by the above-described cut-out device in the order of (a) to (d).
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the cutting operation for each row by the cutting device in the order of (e) to (h), following FIG. 15;
[Explanation of symbols]
        1 Container as goods
        2 Container body
        4 neck
        35 Alignment position
        56 Transfer position
        57 Cutting device
        58 Cutting unit as cutting means
        59 Clamp unit
        60 means of transportation
        61 Advancement and retreat means
        67, 75 Servo motor
        82 base
        91, 92 Clamp plate as a clamp body
        99 slider
        104 Clamp drive
        105 Servo motor
        108 Screw shaft
        110 interlocking mechanism

Claims (6)

Clamp unit for detachably clamping a plurality of aligned articles, advancing / retracting means for advancing / retreating the clamp unit with respect to the article, and an alignment position where the articles are aligned via the advancing / retracting means and the alignment position It has a moving means for moving between the transfer positions for transferring the cut out articles, and has a plurality of cutting means arranged side by side so that the articles can be cut out in units of columns ,
The clamp unit includes a base that is elongated along the column direction of the article, a slider that is moved along the longitudinal direction of the base, a clamp drive that is disposed along the longitudinal direction of the base and moves the slider, A clamp body that is opened and closed with each other on the lower side of the base so as to detachably clamp an article in a row unit, and an interlocking mechanism that opens and closes the clamp body in conjunction with the movement of the slider. Cutting device to do. When transferring an article at the transfer position, the pitch of the plurality of cutting means arranged in parallel is wider than the pitch at the time of cutting the article at the alignment position, and the rows of articles cut by each cutting means are separated. The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the cutting device is widened to a pitch to be cut . The clamp drive unit includes a screw shaft that is rotatably provided along the longitudinal direction of the base, and a servo motor that is disposed along the longitudinal direction of the base and rotates the screw shaft. The cutting device according to 1 or 2 . The cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein there are two cutting means, and the clamp body of each cutting means is disposed at a position offset to the other cutting means side. . The cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein a servo motor is used to drive the advancing / retreating means and the moving means. The article is a container having a container body and a neck portion,
The cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the clamp unit clamps a neck portion of the container and a portion of the container main body in the vicinity of the neck portion.

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