JP4480228B2 - Article supply device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an article supply apparatus suitable for the case of grouping articles to be conveyed by a conveyor and feeding them to a downstream side.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As this type of conventional grouping means, the engagement pin protrudes from below to engage with the article being conveyed in accordance with the interval between a predetermined number of articles continuously conveyed on the conveyor, and the movement speed of the article is increased. By restricting the moving speed slower than the conveying speed of the conveying conveyor, lowering the front engaging pin to release the engagement, and returning the front group consisting of a predetermined number of articles to the conveying speed of the conveying conveyor, A method of forming a gap with a rear article and performing grouping is widely known (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-48311). However, since this conventional technical means employs a method of engaging the engaging pin from below with the article being conveyed, if the projection timing of the engaging pin deviates from the gap between the articles, There was a problem that the stability of the article was damaged by pushing up the bottom. In particular, when a soft article such as a PET container is handled, there is a great problem because the article is easily deformed during conveyance by the conveyance conveyor and the position of the article tends to shift. Further, even when the gap formed between the articles is narrow, such as a circular container having a small diameter, the push-up by the engagement pin is likely to occur. Furthermore, since it is necessary to project the engagement pin almost vertically from the bottom even if an attempt is made to increase the contact height between the engagement pin and the article due to the stability of the article, there are not only restrictions coming from the mechanism, There is a technical problem that the operation mechanism of the engaging pin is complicated.
[0003]
In view of this, the present applicant has proposed a technical means for performing grouping by rotating a plate-like engagement member from the side to between articles being conveyed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-11646). ). Thereby, the conventional problem due to the push-up from below when the engagement pin is engaged is solved. Further, regarding the contact height between the engaging member and the article, the conventional mechanical restrictions have been eliminated, and a free setting as required has become possible. However, since the method of rotating the plate-like engagement member and inserting it from one side to the article being conveyed is adopted, the operation range of the engagement member when inserting between the articles is large, and the operation Since it is necessary to make the gap between the articles wide to some extent so that they do not come into contact with the article in the middle of the process, a rotary topper or the like for forming in advance a gap necessary for the insertion operation of the engaging member with respect to the article being conveyed An interval forming means consisting of
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the conventional circumstances as described above, and it is possible to insert an engaging member into a small gap formed between articles conveyed on a conveyor. Moreover, the stability of the article during insertion of the engaging member and the subsequent transfer is good, and if there is a small gap on both sides even when the article is in contact, such as a circular article, it is necessary in the past. An object of the present invention is to provide an article supply apparatus that can omit the interval forming means.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a transport conveyor for continuously transporting articles, a circulating travel mechanism arranged to travel along a transport path of the transport conveyor, and the circulating travel mechanism. And a pair of engaging members that engage with an article conveyed by the conveying conveyor, and the pair of engaging membersAre arranged at the tip of a swing arm that is rotatably supported via a support shaft installed in the circulating travel mechanism.Provided so that it can move between a position that engages with the article and a position that does not engageIs, The engagement members against the gap formed between the articles conveyed on the conveyor, Of the article to be conveyed by swinging the swing arms with respect to each otherThe technical means of restricting the article to the traveling speed of the circulating traveling mechanism by inserting and engaging from both sides was adopted. In the present invention, since a pair of engaging members are inserted into the gap between the articles from both sides to be engaged with the article and the article is supported from both sides, the technical means is adopted. The insertion amount of the joint member can be reduced, and the operation amount of the engagement member can be reduced.In addition, the engaging members are disposed at the tip of the swing arm, and the engaging member disposed only at the tip is inserted into the gap between the articles by the rotational motion associated with the swing arm. Since the range in which the engaging member can be contacted with other parts can be reduced when the engaging member is inserted into the gap between the articles, the inserting operation of the engaging member can be performed more easily and accurately even in a narrow gap. Is possible.Therefore, in the case where a small gap is formed on both sides even in a state where the articles are in contact with each other, such as a circular article, it is possible to omit the interval forming means that has been conventionally required. Further, since the engagement member is inserted into the gap between the articles from both sides, the problem of pushing up the article from below by the engagement pins as in the prior art is solved. Moreover, since the engaging members are engaged with both sides of the article, rotation during the transfer of the article is prevented. Furthermore, since it is possible to arbitrarily set the height of the engaging member, the contact length with the article can be increased, and the stability of the article can also be improved in this respect.
[0006]
If the engaging member is composed of an engaging pin disposed at the tip of the swing arm, the engaging pin as an engaging member can be inserted more smoothly into a small gap between articles with a simple structure. Can be made. Further, if the circulating travel mechanism is arranged so as to circulate in the vertical direction, a smaller installation space can be achieved. Furthermore, if two sets of the circulating travel mechanisms are provided and controlled to be driven independently, it is possible to easily cope with various grouping forms.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The article supply apparatus according to the present invention can be widely applied to the case where articles such as containers continuously conveyed on a conveyor are grouped and supplied to the downstream side. As the transfer conveyor, any type of transfer means that is relatively slidable between the transfer surface and the article can be widely 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 roller chain that travels while being supported by a sprocket. In this case, if the circulation traveling mechanism is arranged so as to circulate in the vertical direction using the space below the conveyor, etc., it is very effective for space saving. In addition, regarding the installation site of the circulating travel mechanism, it is generally incorporated below the transport surface of the transport conveyor, but the present invention can also be applied when installed above. In addition, regarding the number of conveyor conveyor rows, the same can be applied to a single row or a plurality of rows.
[0008]
Incidentally, when the traveling speed of the annular traveling mechanism is set slower than the transportation speed of the conveyor, the moving speed of the article is reduced to the traveling speed of the annular traveling mechanism by the engagement pins arranged at a predetermined interval. It is possible to execute grouping by releasing the engagement of the front engagement pin and increasing the predetermined number of articles to the transport speed of the transport conveyor or the second travel speed of the annular travel mechanism. Conversely, when the traveling speed of the annular traveling mechanism is set to be faster than the transportation speed of the conveyor, grouping is executed by ejecting an article ahead of the engagement pin while increasing the traveling speed of the annular traveling mechanism. It is possible. That is, by restricting the moving speed of the article on the conveyor by the engaging pin to the traveling speed of the circulating traveling mechanism, it can be used as a general grouping mechanism as in the former form or as an ejecting mechanism as in the latter form. Can also be applied.
[0009]
In addition, if at least two sets of the circulating travel mechanisms are provided for the same conveyor and are driven and controlled independently of each other, the traveling state of the circulating travel mechanisms can be controlled relatively, thereby simplifying the grouping. The state can be adjusted. For example, the engagement pins provided in each circulation travel mechanism are alternately arranged, and after the engagement pins provided in one of the circulation travel mechanisms are engaged with articles on the conveyor, they are arrayed behind them. By adjusting the interval until the engaging pins provided on the other circulating traveling mechanism are engaged with the articles on the conveyor, the number of articles in one group inserted between the engaging pins is adjusted. By adjusting, the group state can be easily adjusted. In this case, the traveling speed of the circulating traveling mechanism is set to the first traveling speed equal to or lower than the conveying speed of the conveyor until the rear article is engaged with the engaging pin provided in the other circulating traveling mechanism. After the engagement, the grouping is executed by controlling the second traveling speed faster than the traveling speed of the other circulation traveling mechanism and lower than the conveying speed of the conveyor.
[0010]
Further, when the grouped article is taken out intermittently via the taking-out means, the article on the rear side is in a state where the article on the conveyor is engaged with the engagement pin and decelerated to the first traveling speed. When it reaches a state where it can be engaged or accurately engaged with an engagement pin provided in the other circulation traveling mechanism, the traveling speed of the circulation traveling mechanism is increased as much as possible, and the article behind the deceleration state A larger distance is formed between When the article in front reaches the take-out position, the traveling of the circulating travel mechanism is temporarily stopped, and the take-out operation is performed during that time. The speed increasing control for the circulating travel mechanism does not necessarily need to be increased to a predetermined speed step by step, and may be controlled to gradually increase and then gradually decelerate and stop. Good. The point is that the grouping is possible and the stop time required for the take-out operation can be secured. The take-out means may be a type that takes out an article upward or a type that extrudes the article in a direction perpendicular to the carrying direction of the carrying conveyor.
[0011]
【Example】
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the basic operation of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a main part schematically showing the basic operation of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view thereof. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the swinging arm is used as an engaging member so that it can be engaged with an article 2 such as a circular container transported on a transport conveyor 1 composed of a top chain or the like from both sides. The case where a pair of engagement pins 5 and 6 supported by the tip portions of 3 and 4 is disposed is illustrated. As shown in the partially enlarged view of FIG. 2, the swing arms 3 and 4 are rotatably supported via the support shafts 7 and 8, respectively, and are fixed to the support shafts 7 and 8. The gears 9 and 10 are configured to interlock with each other. Further, in either of the support shafts 7 and 8, in this embodiment, a cam follower 12 is installed on the support shaft 7 via a drive arm 11, and the drive arm 11 is driven by the cam action of the cam follower 12 and the groove cam 13. Is pivoted and the support shaft 7 is rotated. By this rotation of the support shaft 7, the other support shaft 8 is rotated symmetrically via the gears 9 and 10, and the respective swing arms 3 and 4 are swung to be supported at their tip portions. The engaged pins 5 and 6 are operated symmetrically to engage or disengage from the article 2. A pair of engaging means 5 and 6 that operate symmetrically constitute one set of engaging means, and the required number of engaging means is used for the article 2 for each grouping unit as follows. By repeating the engagement / disengagement operation, the grouping operation is sequentially executed.
[0012]
Therefore, in the state (A) of FIG. 1, the engaging pins 5 and 6 constituting the front engaging means (A) are engaged with the foremost article 2 and the moving speed of the article 2 is set to the speed of the movement. The travel speed of a first circulating travel mechanism (described later) that supports the engagement pins 5 and 6 is regulated. In this case, the traveling speed of the first circulation traveling mechanism is controlled to a first traveling speed that is slower than the conveying speed of the conveyor 1, and thereby the moving speed of the article 2 is also reduced. On the other hand, since the cam follower 12 on the rear engagement means (b) side is positioned in front of the inclined portion 14 of the groove cam 13, the engagement pins 5 and 6 are in a state of being separated from the article 2. Therefore, the flow of the article 2 at this stage is restricted only by the front engaging pins 5 and 6.
[0013]
Next, when the state (B) is entered, the cam follower 12 on the rear engagement means (b) side comes into contact with the inclined portion 14 of the groove cam 13, and the swing arms 3 and 4 are gradually swung inwardly. The Accordingly, the engaging pins 5 and 6 are also moved inwardly and gradually inserted into the gaps 15 and 16 formed between the articles 2 from both sides. When the cam follower 12 reaches the state (C) where the cam follower 12 finishes passing through the inclined portion 14 of the groove cam 13, the insertion operation of the engagement pins 5 and 6 into the gaps 15 and 16 between the articles 2 ends. The rear engaging means (b) is supported by a second circulating travel mechanism that is different from the front engaging means (b). At this stage, the rear engaging means (b) is the same as the front engaging means (b). It is controlled to 1 traveling speed. Therefore, since the insertion operation of the engagement pins 5 and 6 is executed while running in parallel with the article 2 at the same speed, an extremely smooth insertion into the gap is possible.
[0014]
When the insertion operation of the rear engagement pins 5 and 6 into the gaps 15 and 16 is completed, the first circulation travel mechanism on the front engagement means (A) side is directed toward the second travel speed. It is controlled to increase gradually. The second travel speed is set to be faster than the first travel speed and slower than the transport speed of the transport conveyor 1. When the moving speed of the article 2 is increased along with the increase in speed on the front engagement means (A) side, the engagement on the rear engagement means (B) side as shown in the state (D). The combined pins 5 and 6 engage with the front surface of the article 2 to restrict the subsequent article 2 to the first traveling speed.
[0015]
Accordingly, when the state in which the front engaging means (A) is further accelerated toward the second traveling speed and the rear engaging means (B) is controlled to the first traveling speed is continued, the state ( As shown in E) and state (F), in this embodiment, the group of articles composed of the four articles 2 is gradually separated from the rear articles 2 and the desired grouping is performed.
[0016]
As described above, in the present invention, the pair of engagement pins 5 and 6 are employed as the engagement members, and the engagement pins 5 and 6 are arranged on both sides with respect to the gaps 15 and 16 formed between the articles 2. And the engagement pins 5 and 6 can be inserted smoothly even when the gaps 15 and 16 are small. Conventional problems such as overturning are eliminated, and both front sides of the article 2 are supported, so that the article 2 does not rotate during transportation, and a stable grouping action is obtained. Further, since the amount of insertion of the engaging pins 5 and 6 into the gaps 15 and 16 may be small and even a small gap can be inserted without difficulty, the cross-sectional shape of the article 2 is circular as in this example, and the articles 2 are In the case where the gaps 15 and 16 are formed on both sides in the contact state, it is possible to omit the interval forming means composed of a rotary topper or the like that is conventionally required. Incidentally, when a gap is not formed when the articles are in contact with each other, such as a square article, it can be dealt with by installing a small gap forming means. Furthermore, the contact height with the article 2 can be freely set via the setting relating to the length of the engagement pins 5 and 6.
[0017]
FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory diagram schematically showing a grouping operation based on the above basic operation. In this operation explanatory drawing, the case where the articles | goods 2 which consist of circular containers are grouped by a unit of 6 pieces is illustrated. The state (G) shows a state in which the previous grouping has been completed by the basic operation from the state (A) to the state (F), and is grouped during the transition to the next state (H). The front article group is supplied to the downstream side via an appropriate take-out means (not shown). As shown in the figure, this embodiment exemplifies a case where four engaging means (a) to (d) are used. As will be described later, every other engaging means (a) The group (c) and the group (b) and (d) are configured to be driven by separate first and second annular travel mechanisms. In addition, it can replace with a present Example and the form using one cyclic | annular traveling mechanism is also possible. In this case, when the engagement of the engagement pins 5 and 6 constituting the front engagement means is released, the group of articles released from the engagement is increased to the transfer speed of the transfer conveyor 1, They are grouped and supplied to the downstream side while widening the interval with the article 2 regulated by the rear engaging means.
[0018]
In the state (H), the article 2 transported by the transport conveyor 1 travels for the first time while sliding on the transport conveyor 1 by the engagement of the engagement pins 5 and 6 constituting the front engagement means (a). Decelerated to speed. Meanwhile, the rear engagement means (b) moves at the first traveling speed that is the same speed as the front engagement means (b) while matching the timing of the grouping consisting of the six articles 2. When the state (I) is reached, the rear engagement means (b) moves upward. At this stage, as shown in the state (A), the engagement pins 5 and 6 constituting the engagement means (b) are opened outward by the cam action of the cam follower 12 and the groove cam 13.
[0019]
After reaching the state (I), the state (J) passes through the states (B) to (D). That is, as described above, when the cam follower 12 passes through the inclined portion 14 of the groove cam 13, the swing arms 3 and 4 gradually swing inward to reduce the interval between the engagement pins 5 and 6, As shown in the state (C), the engaging pins 5 and 6 are inserted into the gaps 15 and 16 formed between the articles 2. Thereafter, when the moving speed of the front engaging means (A) is increased toward the second traveling speed, the rear engaging pins 5 and 6 are connected to the article 2 as shown in the state (D). Engage with the front face to restrict the article 2 thereafter to the first traveling speed. Thereby, the article group regulated by the front engagement means (A) and the article group regulated by the rear engagement means (B) are gradually separated, and the state of (E), that is, The state (J) in FIG. 3 is reached.
[0020]
And if the above operation state is further continued, based on the speed difference between the second traveling speed of the front engaging means (A) and the first traveling speed of the rear engaging means (B), The space between the article group and the rear article group is further expanded to reach the state (K), and the grouping operation is completed. This state (K) corresponds to the initial state (G) in the above description of the operation, and thereafter the engagement means (b) and the engagement means (c), and then the engagement means (c). The grouping operation is continued by repeating the above operation while sequentially changing the engagement means between the engagement means (d) and the engagement means (d).
[0021]
Next, an embodiment related to a specific grouping apparatus will be described. In the following description of the embodiments, a case where two sets of circulating travel mechanisms are installed for one row of conveyors will be described as an example. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing a main part related to the driving mechanism of the engaging means arranged below the transport conveyor in the embodiment relating to the grouping apparatus of the present invention. In the figure, 17 and 18 are drive shafts that are independently driven, and 19 is a common driven shaft. The drive shaft 17 is engaged with drive sprockets 20 and 21 directly connected to the drive shaft 17 and gears 22 and 23 directly connected to the drive shaft 18, and is fixed to gears 24 and 25 loosely fitted to the drive shaft 17. The driven sprockets 26 and 27 are alternately arranged. That is, the drive sprockets 20 and 21 driven by the drive shaft 17 and the drive sprockets 26 and 27 driven by the drive shaft 18 via the gears 22 to 25 are alternately arranged on the same drive shaft 17. . Corresponding to these drive sprockets 20, 21, 26, and 27, driven sprockets 28 to 31 are installed on the driven shaft 19, and endless traveling zones 32 to 35 made of chains or the like are provided between the sprockets. It is stretched. The drive sprockets 20 and 21 driven by the drive shaft 17, the driven sprockets 28 and 29, and the endless travel zones 32 and 33 constitute a first annular traveling mechanism, and the drive sprockets 26 and 27 driven by the drive shaft 18, The driven sprockets 30 and 31 and the endless traveling zones 34 and 35 constitute a second annular traveling mechanism. The groove cam 13 is disposed in parallel to the side of the endless traveling belt 35, and the conveyor 1 is disposed almost directly above the groove cam 13.
[0022]
5 and 6 show a portion of the engaging means driven by the first annular traveling mechanism, and FIGS. 7 to 8 show a portion of the engaging means driven by the second annular traveling mechanism. As shown in the partially enlarged plan view of FIG. 5, the required number of attachment bases 36 are also provided in the endless traveling zones 32 and 33 constituting the first annular traveling mechanism, and the endless traveling belt constituting the second annular traveling mechanism. As shown in the partially enlarged plan view of FIG. 7, a required number of mounting bases 37 are fixed to the bands 34 and 35, and the engaging means (ii) are attached via the mounting bases 36 and 37. By being attached, it is configured to be driven by the endless travel zones 32 to 35. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the endless traveling zones 32 to 35 are configured to travel in a state where they are supported from above and below by the lower guide rail 38 and the upper guide rail 39, respectively. The bases 36 and 37 are attached to the endless traveling zones 32 to 35 via attachment members 40 and 41. Furthermore, cam followers 42 and 43 are provided on the upper surfaces of the mounting bases 36 and 37, respectively, and are fitted to the guide groove rails 45 installed on the machine frame 44 side, so that the endless traveling zones 32 to 35 are fitted. The deviation in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the traveling direction is regulated. In addition, cam followers 46 and 47 are provided at the ends of the mounting bases 36 and 37, respectively, and are engaged with guide groove rails 49 installed on the machine frame 48 side to restrict vertical displacement. ing.
[0023]
The mounting bases 36 and 37 are provided with a pair of swing arms 3 and 4 at positions substantially corresponding to the groove cam 13, respectively, and the engagement pins 5 and 6 are fixedly attached to the tip portions thereof. Yes. As shown in the longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 8, these swing arms 3 and 4 are provided with bearing means 50 such as a bearing disposed on the mounting bases 36 and 37 side via the respective support shafts 7 and 8. Is supported rotatably. The gears 9 and 10 are fixed to the lower portions of the support shafts 7 and 8, and are configured to mesh with each other and rotate the swing arms 3 and 4 symmetrically in opposite directions. Further, the drive arm 11 is fixed to the lower portion of one of the support shafts 7, and the cam follower 12 disposed at the tip of the drive arm 11 is fitted to the groove cam 13 as shown in FIGS. Then, the support shaft 7 is rotated by swinging the drive arm 11 along the shape of the groove cam 13. Thus, when the drive arm 11 is swung by the cam action caused by the engagement of the cam follower 12 and the groove cam 13 and the support shaft 7 is rotated, the support shaft 8 is moved through the engagement of the gears 9 and 10. The pair of engaging pins 5 and 6 are rotated symmetrically and the pair of engaging pins 5 and 6 are moved symmetrically inward or outward via the swinging arms 3 and 4. As a result, as described above, the gaps 15 and 16 formed between the articles 2 conveyed by the conveyance conveyor 1 disposed between the engagement pins 5 and 6 are engaged from both sides. The pins 5 and 6 are engaged or disengaged, and the above-described grouping operation is executed. In addition, in the figure, 51 is a guide member of the conveyance conveyor 1, and guides the movement of the article 2 together with a similar guide member installed on the opposite side (not shown).
[0024]
In the above embodiment, the case where two sets of circulating travel mechanisms are used has been described. However, as described above, a mode using one set of circulating traveling mechanisms is also possible. Further, the height of the engagement pins 5, 6, the number of engagement means installed, the installation interval, and the like can be freely set in consideration of the relationship with the shape of the article 2, the grouping configuration, and the like.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
  According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since a method in which a pair of engaging members are inserted from both sides into a gap formed between articles being conveyed by the conveyor and engaged with the articles from both sides is adopted, for example, a container having a small diameter It can be easily inserted into a narrow gap formed between them. And since it comprised so that it might support from both sides with respect to articles | goods, rotation of the articles | goods during conveyance is also prevented. Therefore, the article can be prevented from being overturned or damaged when the engaging member is engaged, and a smoother and stable grouping operation can be obtained.
(2) As described above, since the gap formed between the articles is engaged from both sides, the insertion amount of the engaging member can be reduced, so that the articles are in contact with each other like a circular article. In the case where a small gap is formed on both sides even in such a state, it is possible to omit the interval forming means composed of a rotary topper or the like that has been conventionally required.
(3)In addition, since the engaging member is disposed at the tip of the swing arm, and the engaging member disposed only at the tip is inserted into the gap between the articles by the rotational motion associated with the swing arm. Since the range in which the engaging member can be contacted with the other part can be reduced when the engaging member is inserted into the gap between the articles, the engaging member can be inserted more easily and accurately even in a narrow gap. .
(4) In addition, since the engagement member is inserted from the side into the gap formed between the articles being conveyed by the conveyor, it can be used from the lower side even if the conveyance position of the article is slightly deviated. The problem of overturning the article by pushing up is eliminated, and there is no restriction on the contact height between the engagement member and the article, and free setting is possible. It is also possible to improve the stability of the article during transfer.
(5Further, the engaging memberTheIf it consists of an engagement pin, with a simple construction,MoreIt can be inserted smoothly.
(6) If the circulating travel mechanism is arranged so as to circulate in the vertical direction using the space below the conveyor, etc., it is extremely effective in saving space.
(7) Furthermore, the group state can be easily adjusted by installing a plurality of sets of circulating traveling mechanisms for the same conveyor and relatively controlling the traveling state of the circulating traveling mechanisms. It is also possible to control to take out the article intermittently while one of the circulating travel mechanisms is temporarily stopped.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a main part schematically showing a basic operation of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view showing a part of FIG. 1 in an enlarged manner.
FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory view schematically showing a grouping operation related to the main part of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing a main part of a drive mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view showing an enlarged portion of the engaging means driven by the first annular traveling mechanism.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged elevation view showing the same part.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view showing an enlarged portion of the engaging means driven by the second annular traveling mechanism.
8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX indicated in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Conveyor, 2 ... Goods, 3, 4 ... Swing arm, 5, 6 ... Engagement pin, 7, 8 ... Support shaft, 9, 10 ... Gear, 11 ... Drive arm, 12 ... Cam follower, 13 ... Groove Cam, 14 ... Inclined portion, 15, 16 ... Gap, 17, 18 ... Drive shaft, 19 ... Drive shaft, 20, 21 ... Drive sprocket, 22-25 ... Gear, 26, 27 ... Drive sprocket, 28-31 ... Drive Sprocket, 32 to 35 ... endless traveling belt, 36, 37 ... mounting base, 38 ... lower guide rail, 39 ... upper guide rail, 40, 41 ... mounting member, 42, 43 ... cam follower, 44 ... machine frame, 45 ... guide Groove rail, 46, 47 ... cam follower, 48 ... machine frame, 49 ... guide groove rail, 50 ... bearing means, 51 ... guide member

Claims (4)

A conveyor for continuously conveying articles, a circulation traveling mechanism disposed so as to be able to travel along a conveyance path of the conveyor, and an article provided in the circulation traveling mechanism and conveyed by the conveyor And a pair of engaging members disposed at the tip of a swing arm that is rotatably supported via a support shaft installed in the circulating travel mechanism. And a gap formed between the articles conveyed on the conveying conveyor, the movable member being provided so as to be movable between a position engaging with the article and a position not engaging with the swinging arm. On the other hand , the article supply device is characterized in that the article is regulated to the traveling speed of the circulation running mechanism by inserting and engaging the swing arms from both sides of the article to be conveyed while being swung with respect to each other .   2. The article supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the engaging member is constituted by an engaging pin disposed at a tip end portion of a swing arm.   The article supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circulation traveling mechanism is arranged to circulate in a vertical direction.   The article supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein two sets of the circulating travel mechanisms are provided and are independently driven and controlled.

Images