JP4853052B2 - Grouping device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a grouping device, and more particularly to a grouping device suitable for grouping, for example, a packaged product in which six cans are grouped with a packaging material into a predetermined number.

Conventionally, a grouping device that groups a predetermined number of cans being conveyed has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). In this apparatus, grouping is performed by projecting a plurality of engaging pins on the can conveyance path to engage the can, thereby restricting the moving speed of the can.
Conventionally, a packaged product in which a total of 6 cans of 2 × 3 are grouped with a packaging material has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 2). Such a packaged product has a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, but two openings that are not covered with the packaging material are formed on the side.
Japanese Utility Model Publication 7-18653 JP 2004-161337 A

By the way, conventionally, when the above-mentioned six cans are grouped with a packaging material and a packaged product is grouped into a predetermined number, the following processing is performed. That is, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 10, the packaged product 5 is placed on the transport conveyor and transported so that the side portions covered with the packaging material 4 are positioned before and after the transport direction, and the transport path of the transport conveyor The engaging pins 14 protruded upward are brought into contact with the packaging material 4 of the packaged product 5 to be grouped.
In such a conventional grouping method, the engagement pin 14 abuts on the packaging material 4 in front of the packaged product 5 in the conveying direction to regulate the moving speed of the packaged product 5. The side portions in contact with each other are covered with the packaging material 4 so that the strength is high, and the side portions (the packaging material 4) are not deformed or damaged by the engaging pins 14.
By the way, in the case of grouping the packaged goods 5 in which the six cans 3 as described above are grouped by the packaging material 4, as shown in FIG. 3, the opening 4A on the side surface of the packaged product 5 is positioned forward in the transport direction. Thus, it is desired to transport the packaged product 5 and group the packaged product 5 in that state into a required number.
However, when the engagement pin 14 is brought into contact with the packaged product 5 and grouped while the packaged product 5 is conveyed by the conveyance conveyor in this way, the engagement pin 14 is the front end of the packaging material 4 which is the bottom of the opening 4A. 4B, the front end 4B of the packaging material 4 in contact with the engaging pin 14 is deformed or damaged.

In view of the circumstances described above, the present invention wraps a plurality of articles with a packaging material and conveys a packaged product having an opening formed on a side portion of the packaging material, and a packaged product on the conveyor. A plurality of engagement pins that are in contact with each other to regulate the moving speed of the packaged product on the conveyor and a drive source for moving the engagement pin, and group the packages to be conveyed by the conveyor into a required number In the grouping device,
The packaged product is transported by a transport conveyor so that the opening is positioned forward or backward in the transport direction, and a protrusion that contacts the article in the packaged product is formed on the engagement pin through the opening. At the same time, an escape portion is formed to prevent the engagement pin from coming into contact with the packaging material of the packaged product when the projecting part comes into contact with an article in the packaged product.

  According to the configuration described above, even if the protruding portion of the engagement pin contacts the article in the packaged product through the opening, the engagement pin does not contact the packaging material of the packaged product by the escape portion. . Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the packaging material of the packaged product from being deformed or damaged by the engagement pin, and group the packaged product into a predetermined number.

The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments. In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a dual-purpose grouping device. The grouping apparatus 1 can group individual cans 3 (FIG. 2) conveyed by the conveyer 2 into a required number, and can also package a packaged product 5 in which six cans 3 are packaged together with a packaging material 4. The required number can be grouped (FIG. 1).
As will be described in detail later, FIG. 1 shows a state in which a predetermined number of packages 5 on the conveyor 2 are grouped by the first grouping mechanism 6, and FIG. 2 shows the condition on the conveyor 2 by the second grouping mechanism 7. The cans 3 are grouped into a predetermined number.

  The grouping apparatus 1 of this embodiment is arranged on the transport path of the transport conveyor 2 for placing a large number of cans 3 or packages 5 and transporting them downstream, and arranged in a horizontal row when required. A stopper mechanism 8 that sandwiches and stops the packaged product 5 from above and below, a first grouping mechanism 6 disposed on the lower side of the conveyor 2 and adjacent to the downstream side of the stopper mechanism 8, and the first grouping mechanism 6. And a second grouping mechanism 7 disposed below the transport conveyor 2 on the adjacent downstream side in the transport direction. Further, the grouping device 1 is provided with a delivery mechanism 11 on the upper side of the transport conveyor 2 adjacent to the second grouping mechanism 7, and this delivery mechanism 11 has a predetermined number of cans 3 or packages 5 after being grouped. Can be sent further downstream. The operations of the conveyor 2, the grouping mechanisms 6, 7, the stopper mechanism 8, and the delivery mechanism 11 are controlled by a control device (not shown). When the grouping target is the packaged product 5, the first grouping mechanism 6 and the stopper mechanism 8 are operated. When the grouping target is the individual can 3, the second grouping mechanism 7 is It is to be activated.

As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7, in this embodiment, a total of six cans 3 of the same capacity and the same shape, two cans 3 in the horizontal direction and three in the vertical direction are made of paperboard. The packaging material 4 continuously covers the upper surface, both side portions, and the bottom portion to form a rectangular parallelepiped packaged product 5 as a whole. In the packaged product 5, the two side portions not covered with the packaging material 4 are openings 4A and 4A, from which the brand and capacity of the internal can 3 can be visually observed.
In this embodiment, the packages 5 are supplied onto the transport conveyor 2 in three vertical rows so that the openings 4A and 4A are positioned before and after in the transport direction. In this state, the transport conveyor The packaged goods 5 conveyed by 2 are grouped by the first grouping mechanism 6 every three in total for one horizontal row.

Before explaining the configuration of the first grouping mechanism 6, the conveyance conveyor 2 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the conveyance conveyor 2 is arranged in parallel while maintaining a predetermined interval and circulates in the same direction. It is composed of a plurality of endless belts 2A that travel. The mounting surface which is the upper surface of these endless belts 2A is on the same horizontal plane, and the package 5 or can 3 is mounted on the mounting surface which is the upper surface of these endless belts 2A.
As shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 11, a plurality of guide plates 12 are arranged in parallel along the transport direction of the transport conveyor 2 above the placement surface of the transport conveyor 2. These guide plates 12 are arranged so as to be suspended above the endless belt 2A of the conveyor 2 by support means (not shown).
The set number and interval of the guide plates 12 are changed depending on whether the grouping target is the can 3 or the packaged product 5. That is, when the grouping target is individual cans 3, as many guide plates 12 as can be transported in six vertical rows are arranged as shown in FIG. 11. On the other hand, when the target of grouping is the packaged product 5, as shown in FIG. 6, the guide plates of a number that can convey the packaged product 5 with the openings 4A and 4A positioned in the front and rear in the conveying direction in three vertical rows. 12 are arranged.

  Next, the conventionally known stopper mechanism 8 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a pair of upper and lower clamping members 13, and the stopper mechanism 8 is operated by the control device when grouping the packaged products 5. ing. That is, when the package mechanism 5 is transported by the transport conveyor 2 in the above-described state, when the stopper mechanism 8 is actuated by the control device, the sandwiched member 13 causes the three packages in the horizontal row on the transport conveyor 2. 5 is sandwiched and stopped so that the package 5 for the three adjacent horizontal rows conveyed by the conveyor 2 and the three packages 5 for the stopped horizontal row are separated from each other. It has become.

Next, the first grouping mechanism 6 will be explained.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, a pair of left and right support frames 15, 15 are provided along the longitudinal direction of the transport conveyor 2 on the lower side of the transport conveyor 2. 15, two rotating shafts 16 and 17 are rotatably supported while maintaining a predetermined interval in the conveying direction of the conveying conveyor 2.
These rotary shafts 16 and 17 are supported by the support frames 15 and 15 so as to be horizontal and at the same height, and the rotary shaft 16 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. It has become so. The other rotating shaft 17 is rotated in the same direction as the rotating shaft 16 in conjunction with the servo motor 21.

As shown in FIG. 4, a pair of sprockets 22 and 22 are fitted on the rotary shaft 16, and a pair of sprockets 23 and 23 are rotatably attached to the other rotary shaft 17 via bearings. Endless chains 24 and 24 are spanned across the sprockets 22 and 23.
Two plate-like members 25 are installed at two positions in the longitudinal direction of the pair of chains 24, 24 across the chains. Then, five engagement pins 14 are attached to these plate-like members 25 at a predetermined pitch in the width direction of the transport conveyor 2 in the vertical direction.
A pair of sprockets 26, 26 are fitted on the rotary shaft 17, and a pair of sprockets 27, 27 are rotatably attached to the other rotary shaft 16 via bearings. Then, endless chains 28 and 28 are spanned across the sprockets 26 and 27.
Two plate-like members 25 ′ are installed at two locations in the longitudinal direction of the pair of chains 28, 28 across the chains. Further, five engagement pins 14 ′ are attached to these plate-like members 25 ′ at a predetermined pitch in the width direction of the conveyor 2 so as to be directed in the vertical direction.

The chains 24, 24 and the chains 28, 28 are arranged such that plate-like members 25 to which the engagement pins 14 are attached and plate-like members 25 'to which the engagement pins 14' are attached are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction. It hangs around each sprocket 22,23,26,27.
The operation of the servo motors 18 and 21 is controlled by a control device (not shown), and the control device can operate the servo motors 18 and 21 independently. When the servo motor 18 is operated, the chains 24 and 24 are circulated in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. When the servo motor 21 is operated, the chains 28 are circulated counterclockwise in FIG. 1 via the rotary shaft 17.

Also, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a rotating roller 31 is attached to each of the end surfaces of the left and right ends of each plate member 25, 25 ′. Each rotating roller 31 attached to each plate-like member 25, 25 'rolls on a guide rail 32 that is connected to face the inner surfaces of the left and right support frames 15.
As shown in FIG. 5, a guide rail 33 is connected to the inner surface of one support frame 15 at a vertical position adjacent to the guide rail 32. A rotating roller 34 attached to an end portion on the right side of each plate-like member 25, 25 'is engaged with a guide groove formed in the guide rail 33 so as to be able to roll.
As a result, when the chains 24, 24 and the chains 28, 28 are circulated, the rotating roller 34 rolls in the guide groove of the guide rail 33, and the lateral members provided on the plate-like members 25, 25 ′. Five engagement pins 14, 14 'for one row are circulated and moved in conjunction with the chains 24, 24 and the chains 28, 28. In that case, in the upper region where the chains 24, 24 and the chains 28, 28 run in the same direction as the conveyor 2, the five horizontal rows of the engagement pins 14, 14 'are located above the conveyor 2. It is possible to come into contact with the packaged product 5 that protrudes and is conveyed.
In this embodiment, the engaging pins 14 and 14 ′ protrude upward from the conveying conveyor 2 and come into contact with the packaged product 5, and the conveying speed downstream is slightly slower than the conveying speed of the conveying conveyor 2. The package 5 is regulated to the conveying speed of the engaging pins 14 and 14 '.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the engagement pins 14 and 14 'are improved as follows, so that the packaging pins 5 and 14' are brought into contact with the package 5 on the transport conveyor 2 as follows. The front end 4B of the packaging material 4 of 5 is not deformed or damaged.
That is, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the engaging pins 14, 14 ′ have an upper end projecting upward from the placement surface of the transport conveyor 2 on the rear side in the transport direction of the transport conveyor 2, That is, the protrusions 14A and 14'A are protruded to the side in contact with the can 3 in the packaged product 5, and the space portions on the lower side adjacent to the protrusions 14A and 14'A are escaped portions 14B and 14'B. It is said. The protrusions 14A and 14'A can come into contact with the can 3 in the packaged product 5 through the opening 4A in front of the conveying force. At that time, the escape portions 14B and 14 ' B is positioned at the front end 4 </ b> B of the packaging material 4.
When the engaging pins 14 and 14 'configured as described above protrude upward from the conveyor 2, the protrusions 14A and 14'A pass through the opening 4A of the packaged product 5 on the conveyor 2 to the inside. The can 3 comes into contact. In this way, the protrusions 14A and 14'A of the engagement pins 14 and 14 'are brought into direct contact with the foremost can 3 in the package 5 through the opening 4A, so that the package 5 is engaged. The movement is restricted by the moving speed of the pins 14 and 14 '. At this time, the engaging pins 14 and 14 ′ are formed with relief portions 14 B and 14 ′ B on the lower side adjacent to the protrusions 14 A and 14 ′ A, so the front end 4 B of the bottom of the packaging material 4 in the packaged product 5. Is located in the clearance 14B, which is a space, and does not contact the engaging pins 14, 14 '. Therefore, the front end 4B at the bottom of the packaging material 4 of the package 5 and its surroundings are not deformed or damaged by the engagement pins 14.14 ′.
Next, the second grouping mechanism 7 of the grouping device 1 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 11 will be described. Measure 2 The engaging pins 36 of the grouping mechanism 7 are round bar-shaped and are mounted in 12 rows in a horizontal row so as to come into contact with the can 3 two by two (see FIG. 11). The configuration other than the shape and number of the engagement pins 36 is substantially the same as that of the first glue pinder mechanism 6, and two sets of engagement pins 36 are provided in each of the two sets of chains, and the respective chains are driven independently. It has a possible configuration.

The operation of the grouping apparatus 1 according to the above configuration will be described.
First, the operation in the case of grouping the packaged goods 5 every three horizontal rows by the first grouping mechanism 6 and the stopper mechanism 8 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Note that when the first grouping mechanism 6 groups the packages 5 on the transport conveyor 2 every predetermined number, the operation of the second grouping mechanism 7 is stopped and all the engaging pins 36 are transported by the transport conveyor 2. Further, it is retracted downward so as not to contact the packaged product 5 on the conveyor 2.
In a state where the opening 4A is positioned before and after in the transport direction and the packaged product 5 is transported by the transport conveyor 2 in three vertical rows, the control device operates the stopper mechanism 8 to operate the holding member 13. As a result, the three packaged articles 5 for one horizontal row on the conveyor 2 are pinched and stopped every predetermined timing.
At this time, the control device causes the set of engaging pins 14 of the first grouping mechanism 6 to protrude on the conveyor 2, and the packaged product 5 released from the stopper mechanism 8 is connected to the protruding portions 14 </ b> A of the engaging pins 14. They are in contact (see FIG. 8a).

Since the moving speed of the engaging pin 14 that is moved by the operation of the servomotor 18 is slower than the conveying speed of the conveying conveyor 2, the packaged product 5 that is in contact with the engaging pin 14 has the moving speed of the engaging pin 14. It is regulated and moved on the conveyor 2. At this time, the protruding portion 14A of the engaging pin 14 comes into contact with the can 3 in the packaged product 5 through the opening 4A to restrict the moving speed of the packaged product 5, and the front end of the packaging material 4 of the packaged product 5 is controlled. Since 4B has the escape portion 14B, it does not come into contact with the engagement pin 14 and the front end 4B is not damaged or deformed (see FIGS. 6 and 7).
While the preceding set of engaging pins 14 is transporting the package 5, the control device recognizes the position of the preceding engaging pin 14 based on the pulse signal from the servo motor 18. When a predetermined interval occurs between the three packaged products 5 for one horizontal row on the transport conveyor 2 sandwiched by the sandwiching member 13 of the stopper mechanism 8 and the packaged product 5 transferred by the preceding engaging pin 14, the control is performed. The apparatus operates the second set of engaging pins 14 'by the servo motor 21 so as to project between the adjacent one row of packages 5 (see FIG. 8b). Thereafter, the stopper mechanism 8 releases the three packages 5 in the horizontal row, so that the cans 3 in these packages 5 come into contact with the protrusions 14'A of the engagement pins 14 ', and the engagement It is transferred while its moving speed is regulated by the pin 14 '(see FIG. 8c). At that time, since the engaging pin 14 'is configured in the same manner as the engaging pin 14, the front end 4B of the packaging material 4 of the package 5 is not deformed or damaged (see FIG. 3).
In this way, the moving speed is regulated by the respective sets of the engaging pins 14 and 14 'that are adjacent to each other, and the three packages 5 in the horizontal row are sequentially moved on the transport conveyor 2 so that the preceding set of the engagement is engaged. When the pins 14 are moved and retracted below the conveyor 2, the packaging products 5 in the horizontal row are separated from the engaging pins 14 and transferred to the downstream side by the conveyor 2. (See FIGS. 8c and 8d).
Thereafter, the other set of engagement pins 14 ′ are also moved and retracted downward from the conveyor 2, so that the three packages 5 are separated from the engagement pins 14 ′ and conveyed. It is transferred downstream by the conveyor 2.
By this time, the control device sandwiches the three packages 5 to be processed next by the stopper mechanism 8 and stops them on the conveyor 2. Further, the control device conveys the next set of engagement pins 14 by the operation of the servo motor 18 when the interval between the adjacent packages 5 becomes a predetermined amount based on the pulse signal from the servo motor 21. Since the state in which the packaged product 5 is held by the stopper mechanism 8 is released after being projected onto the conveyor 2, the can 3 in the released packaged product 5 comes into contact with the protruding portion 14A of the engagement pin 14 (FIG. 1). reference).
Thus, after stopping the packaged goods 5 conveyed by the conveyance conveyor 2 at a predetermined timing by the stopper mechanism 8 and separating the adjacent packaged goods 5, each set of engagement pins 14 is provided in the gap. , 14 'are projected so that the packages 5 on the transport conveyor 2 are grouped every three horizontal rows.
Each of the three packaged products 5 after being grouped is further sent to the downstream side in the transport direction by the engagement element 11A provided in the delivery mechanism 11.

Next, the case where the cans 3 are grouped by the second grouping mechanism 7 will be described.
When the cans 3 are grouped for each predetermined number, the operation of the first grouping mechanism 6 is stopped, and the engaging pins 14 and 14 ′ are retracted below the transport conveyor 2 to be on the transport conveyor 2. The can 3 does not come into contact (see FIG. 2). Further, the stopper mechanism 8 is also stopped, and the clamping member 13 does not come into contact with the can 3 on the transport conveyor 2. In this state, the cans 3 are conveyed on the conveyor 2 in six columns.
Similarly to the first grouping mechanism 6, the second grouping mechanism 7 is provided with two sets of engagement pins 36 in two sets of chains. While the rear set of engaging pins 36 is in contact with the can 3 and stopped moving, the preceding set of engaging pins 36 is moved to move the vertical set in contact with the preceding engaging pin 36. Six rows × horizontal three cans 3 and the succeeding cans 3 are spaced apart, and when the spacing reaches a predetermined distance, the subsequent set of engagement pins 36 are moved. At that time, the preceding set of engaging pins 36 retreats from the conveyor 2 and is separated from the can 3, and the can 3 released from the preceding set of engaging pins 36 is moved by the feed and discharge mechanism 11. It is sent out further downstream by the engaging rod 11A.
In this way, the cans 3 at the front and rear positions in the transport direction are separated by the engagement pins 36 that are sequentially projected on the transport conveyor 2, so that the cans 3 are grouped every 6 rows × 3 rows. It has become.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the packaged products 5 are grouped into a predetermined number by the first grouping mechanism 6, the opening 4A of the packaging material 4 is positioned before and after the conveying direction in each packaged product 5. In this way, it is supplied to the transfer conveyor 2, and the transfer conveyor 2 is configured to transfer the packaged product 5 in the above-described state to the downstream side (see FIGS. 3 and 6). When the engaging pins 14, 14 ′ of the first grouping mechanism 6 are projected on the transport conveyor 2, the protruding portions 14 A, 14 ′ A of the engaging pins 14, 14 ′ are replaced with the can 3 of the packaged product 5. In this case, the front end 4B of the packaging material 4 of the package 5 is positioned in the relief portions 14B and 14'B of the engagement pins 14 and 14 'and contacts the engagement pins 14 and 14'. There is no contact (see FIGS. 6 and 7). Therefore, even if the packaged product 5 is grouped while being transported by the transporting conveyor 2 in the state described above, the front end 4B of the packaging material 4 of the packaged product 5 is not deformed or damaged.
Further, according to the grouping device 1 of the present embodiment, while the packaged product 5 can be transported with the opening 4A as described above in front of the transport direction, they can be grouped into a predetermined number. As in the conventional case shown in FIGS. 9 to 10, while transporting the packaged product 5 so that the side packaging material 4 is positioned before and after in the transport direction (so that the opening 4 </ b> A is on both sides in the transport direction), It can also be grouped into a predetermined number. Therefore, it is possible to provide the grouping device 1 having higher versatility than the conventional one.

In the above-described embodiment, the first grouping mechanism 6 is disposed on the lower side of the transport conveyor 2, and the engagement pins 14, 14 ′ protrude above the transport conveyor 2 so as to contact the packaged product 5. However, the first grouping mechanism 6 is arranged on the upper side or the side of the conveyor 2, and the engaging pins 14, 14 'are lowered from the upper side or the engaging pins 14, 14'. May be moved from the side and brought into contact with the can 3 in the package 5.
In the above embodiment, the protrusions 14A, 14′A of the engagement pins 14, 14 ′ are brought into contact with the can 3 of the packaged product 5 from the front side in the transport direction of the packaged product 5, The engaging pins 14 and 14 ′ may be brought into contact with the packaged product 5 from the rear rear side of the packaged product 5 with the projecting portions 14 A and 14 ′ A. In that case, the moving speed of the engaging pins 14 and 14 ′ is set higher than the conveying speed of the conveying conveyor 2.

The front view which shows one Example of this invention. The front view which shows the different operating state of the apparatus shown in FIG. The perspective view which expanded the packaged goods 5 shown in FIG. Sectional drawing of the principal part in alignment with the IV-IV line | wire of FIG. Sectional drawing which follows the VV line | wire of FIG. The top view which expanded the principal part of FIG. Sectional drawing in alignment with VII-VII of FIG. The figure which shows the operation | movement process of the grouping apparatus 1 shown in FIG. The top view which shows a prior art. Sectional drawing which follows the XX line of FIG. The top view of the principal part which shows the case where the cans 3 are grouped by the grouping apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Grouping apparatus 2 ... Conveyor 3 ... Can (article) 4 ... Packaging material 4A ... Opening part 5 ... Package 6 ... 1st grouping mechanism (drive source) 14, 14 '... Engagement pins 14A, 14'A ... Protrusion part 14B, 14'B ... escape part

Claims (2)

A plurality of articles are wrapped with a packaging material, and a conveyor conveys a packaged product having an opening formed on the side of the packaging material, and the packaged product moves on the conveyor by contacting the packaged product on the conveyor. In a grouping device that includes a plurality of engagement pins that regulate the speed and a drive source that moves the engagement pins, and groups packages to be transported by the transport conveyor into a required number,
The packaged product is transported by a transport conveyor so that the opening is positioned forward or backward in the transport direction,
The engaging pin is formed with a projecting portion that comes into contact with an article in the packaged product through the opening, and the engaging pin is used to package the packaged product when the projecting unit comes into contact with the product in the packaged product. A grouping device having a relief portion for preventing contact with a material. While transporting the packaged product by the transport conveyor so that the opening is positioned in front of the transport direction of the transport conveyor,
The grouping device according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion of the engaging pin protrudes from the lower side of the conveying conveyor to the upper side of the conveying conveyor and comes into contact with an article in the packaged product.

Images