JP4911840B2

JP4911840B2 - Container transport equipment and container transport method

Info

Publication number: JP4911840B2
Application number: JP2001221542A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 俊二森数; 健壽長岡; 信二小西
Original assignee: Suntory Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Suntory Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2001-07-23
Filing date: 2001-07-23
Publication date: 2012-04-04
Anticipated expiration: 2021-07-23
Also published as: JP2003034427A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、隣接する搬送装置に容器群を受け渡し、前記搬送装置にて容器を次工程に搬送する容器搬送設備に関し、詳しくは、複数の容器を立ち姿勢でその横方向に配列集合させた容器群の複数を上下方向に段積みして、その段積みされた前記複数の容器群を載置して一段ずつ上方にせり上げるリフト装置を設け、前記リフト装置に隣接し、且つ、前記リフト装置によりせり上げられた最上段の前記容器群を受取って、横方向に搬送可能なエアーフローコンベヤを設け、前記最上段の前記容器群の側方から接当して、他側方への横移動により前記容器群を隣接する前記エアーフローコンベヤ上に押し出す押出部材を備えると共に、前記押出部材の押出方向前方への横移動に伴って前記容器群の押出方向前方に位置して容器が前倒れするのを防止可能な閉状態と、前記容器群が前記エアーフローコンベヤ上にきたときに前記容器群の押出方向前方を開放して前記容器群を排出可能な開状態とに切替自在に構成した前倒防止部材とを備えた容器搬送設備、及び、前記容器群を搬送する容器搬送方法に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
例えば、ビール、清涼飲料水等の飲料の製造工程において、飲料の容器はパレットで納入され、一段ずつパレットから払い出され、複数の容器が一群として搬送され、漏斗状に形成した単列搬送経路により最終的には単列となり、充填機により中身の充填が行われる。このようなパレットからの容器搬送設備としては、複数の容器を立ち姿勢でその横方向に配列集合させた容器群の複数を上下方向に段積みして、その段積みされた複数の容器群を載置して一段ずつリフト装置にて上方にせり上げ、前記リフト装置によりせり上げられた最上段の容器群を受取り、押出部材による横移動により隣接するエアーフローコンベヤ上に移動させると共に、前倒防止部材を開状態に切替えて容器群をエアーフローコンベヤ上に排出し、その排出された容器をエアーフローコンベヤにより次工程に搬送している。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
従来のものは、例えば、転倒しやすい容器は、エアーフローコンベヤに移送するまでは搬送中にバラけない様にあえて押出部材に接当させたまま搬送したり、また、傷つきやすい容器は、容器相互や押出部材による接当圧を極力小さくして傷つきを抑制するために、むしろある程度バラけさせて搬送する必要性があるが、これを制御する方法はなく、その搬送形態に応じた搬送機能を有する装置及び方法は開発されていなかった。
【０００４】
従って、本発明の目的は、容器群をエアーフローコンベヤ上に押し出す押出部材による押出速度を、エアーフローコンベヤによる容器の搬送速度との相対関係において制御し、上記問題点を解消し、搬送形態に応じた搬送機能を有する容器搬送設備及び容器搬送方法を提供するところにある。
【０００５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
〔構成〕
請求項１の発明の特徴構成は図４に例示するごとく、複数の容器を立ち姿勢でその横方向に配列集合させた容器群の複数を上下方向に段積みして、その段積みされた前記複数の容器群を載置して一段ずつ上方にせり上げるリフト装置を設け、前記リフト装置に隣接し、且つ、前記リフト装置によりせり上げられた最上段の前記容器群を受取って、横方向に搬送可能なエアーフローコンベヤ１２を設け、前記最上段の前記容器群の側方から接当して、他側方への横移動により前記容器群を隣接する前記エアーフローコンベヤ１２上に押し出す押出部材２３を備えると共に、前記押出部材２３の押出方向前方への横移動に伴って前記容器群の押出方向前方に位置して容器が前倒れするのを防止可能な閉状態と、前記容器群が前記エアーフローコンベヤ１２上にきたときに前記容器群の押出方向前方を開放して前記容器群を排出可能な開状態とに切替自在に構成した前倒防止部材２４を備えた容器搬送設備であって、容器搬送設備の稼動中において、前記エアーフローコンベヤ１２による搬送速度と、前記押出部材による押出速度との相対速度を変更自在な速度変更機構６２を備えてあるところにある。
【０００６】
請求項２の発明の特徴構成は図１４に例示するごとく、前記エアーフローコンベヤ１２による搬送速度と、前記押出部材２３による押出速度とを自動的に変更制御自在な制御装置６６を備えてあるところにある。
【０００７】
請求項３の発明の特徴構成は前記エアーフローコンベヤによる搬送速度よりも前記押出部材による押出速度の方が速くなるように設定してあるところにある。
【０００８】
請求項４の発明の特徴構成は前記エアーフローコンベヤ上を移動する前記押出部材の押出方向前方への横移動に伴って、前記前倒防止部材を開状態に切替えると共に、前記エアーフローコンベヤによる搬送速度が搬送方向前方程速くなるように構成してあるところにある。
【０００９】
請求項５の発明の特徴構成は図１５に例示するごとく、複数の容器３を立ち姿勢でその横方向に配列集合させた容器群４の複数を上下方向に段積みして、その段積みされた前記複数の容器群４を載置して一段ずつ上方にせり上げるリフト装置を設け、前記リフト装置に隣接し、且つ、前記リフト装置によりせり上げられた最上段の前記容器群４を受取って、横方向に搬送可能なエアーフローコンベヤ１２を設け、前記最上段の前記容器群４の側方から接当して、他側方への横移動により前記容器群４を隣接する前記エアーフローコンベヤ１２上に押し出す押出部材２３を備えると共に、前記押出部材２３の押出方向前方への横移動に伴って前記容器群４の押出方向前方に位置して容器が前倒れするのを防止可能な閉状態と、前記容器群４が前記エアーフローコンベヤ１２上にきたときに前記容器群４の押出方向前方を開放して前記容器群４を排出可能な開状態とに切替自在に構成した前倒防止部材２４を備えた容器搬送設備であって、前記前倒防止部材２４の開作動域６９内における容器の存在を検出する検出センサー６７を設け、前記押出部材２３により前記容器群４が前記エアーフローコンベヤ１２上にきたとしても、前記検出センサー６７により前記開作動域６９内に容器の存在を検出した場合は前記前倒防止部材２４の閉状態を維持し、容器３の非存在を検出した場合は前記前倒防止部材２４を開作動して前記容器群４を排出可能な開状態に切替制御する制御装置６８を備えたところにある。
【００１０】
請求項６の発明の特徴構成は前記エアーフローコンベヤの上方に、容器の上端に接当して搬送中の容器が転倒するのを防止するアッパーガイドを設け、前記押出部材による横移動により前記容器群の内の少なくとも押出方向前側の容器が前記アッパーガイドの下方に位置したときに前記前倒防止部材を開状態に切替作動するところにある。
【００１１】
請求項７の発明の特徴手段は、複数の容器を立ち姿勢でその横方向に配列集合させた容器群の複数を上下方向に段積みして、その段積みされた前記複数の容器群を載置して一段ずつ上方にせり上げるリフト装置を設け、前記リフト装置に隣接し、且つ、前記リフト装置によりせり上げられた最上段の前記容器群を受取って、横方向に搬送可能なエアーフローコンベヤに、前記最上段の前記容器群の側方から接当して、他側方への横移動により前記容器群を隣接する前記エアーフローコンベヤ上に押し出す押出部材で押し出し、前記押出部材の押出方向前方への横移動に伴って前記容器群の押出方向前方に位置して容器が前倒れするのを防止可能な閉状態と、前記容器群が前記エアーフローコンベヤ上にきたときに前記容器群の押出方向前方を開放して前記容器群を排出可能な開状態とに切替自在に構成した前倒防止部材を、開状態にして排出し、前記エアーフローコンベヤで搬送する容器搬送方法において、前記押出部材及び前記エアーフローコンベヤの稼動中において、前記エアーフローコンベヤによる搬送速度と、前記押出部材による押出速度との相対速度を自在に変更させて前記容器群を排出するところにある。
【００１２】
尚、上述のように、図面との対照を便利にするために符号を記したが、該記入により本発明は添付図面の構成に限定されるものではない。
【００１３】
〔作用及び効果〕
請求項１及び請求項７の発明により、搬送機能を変更することができる。
つまり、リフト装置から隣接するエアーフローコンベヤ上に容器群を排出する排出工程は、容器群をエアーフローコンベヤ上に排出した後、次の容器群を受取るためにリフト装置上に押出部材を後退させ、リフト装置によりせり上げられた最上段の容器群を受取り、押出部材による横移動により隣接するエアーフローコンベヤ上に移動させると共に、前倒防止部材を開状態に切替えて容器群をエアーフローコンベヤ上に排出するといった工程を繰り返し行うが、次の容器群をエアーフローコンベヤ上に排出するまでの間、容器の供給されない無供給時間を生じ、この無供給時間により単列搬送経路にて搬送される容器が途切れてしまうことがある。
この容器の無供給時間は、パレット上の最下段の容器群をエアーフローコンベヤ上に排出した後、そのパレットを排出して次のパレット上の最上段にある容器がエアーフローコンベヤ上に排出されるまでの間ではさらに長いものとなる。
そのため、前記単列搬送経路にて搬送される容器が途切れないようにするためには、前記無供給時間内に前記単列搬送経路にて搬送される容器を補うことができる数量の容器をエアーフローコンベヤ上に蓄えておくか、または、容器の搬送速度を速くして前記単列搬送経路にて搬送される容器が途切れないようにする必要がある。
そこで、本発明のものは、エアーフローコンベヤによる搬送速度と、押出部材による押出速度との相対速度を変更自在な速度変更機構を備えてあるから、前記単列搬送経路にて搬送される容器が途切れないように搬送する方法として、エアーフローコンベヤと押出部材とを同速度になるように容器群を搬送する方法以外に、エアーフローコンベヤによる搬送速度よりも押出部材による押出速度の方が速くなるように速度変更して容器を搬送する方法を採用することができる。
つまり、例えば、エアーフローコンベヤの上方にアッパーガイドを設けてなく、ショート缶等の容器を搬送する場合、エアーフローコンベヤ上での容器の転倒を抑制するためにエアーフローコンベヤによる搬送速度を遅くしたとしても、押出部材による容器群の供給速度を速くすることで、前記単列搬送経路にて搬送される容器が途切れないだけの数量の容器をエアーフローコンベヤ上に確保することができる。
また、押出部材による押出速度よりもエアーフローコンベヤによる搬送速度の方が速くなるように速度変更して容器を搬送する方法を採用することができる。
つまり、例えば、エアーフローコンベヤの上方にアッパーガイドを設けてあり、ロング缶等（ショート缶であっても良い）の容器を搬送する場合、押出部材による容器群のエアーフローコンベヤ上への排出を転倒なく確実に行うために押出部材による押出速度を遅くしたとしても、アッパーガイドにより容器転倒が防止できるから、エアーフローコンベヤによる搬送速度を速くすることで前記単列搬送経路にて搬送される容器が途切れないようにすることができる。
更に、押出部材による押出速度よりもエアーフローコンベヤによる搬送速度の方が速くなるように速度変更して容器を搬送する方法を採用することで、容器をある程度ばらけさせて搬送することで容器相互や押出部材による接当圧を小さくして、特に傷付きやすい容器の場合、傷付きを抑制することができる。
その結果、各種容器の形状及び設備に対応させて容器の搬送速度を変更可能な容器搬送設備及び容器搬送方法を提供できるようになった。
【００１４】
請求項２の発明によれば、請求項１の発明による作用効果を叶えることができるのに加えて、エアーフローコンベヤによる搬送速度と、押出部材による押出速度との相対速度の変更を自動で制御することができる。
つまり、エアーフローコンベヤの搬送速度と、押出部材による押出速度とを変更制御自在な制御装置を備えてあるから、例えば、搬送経路中のアッパーガイドの有無やその取付け位置、容器の大小等の形状、搬送される容器の間隔及び容器の転倒の有無を認識可能なセンサーを設け、それらセンサーからの情報を制御装置に伝達することにより、エアーフローコンベヤの搬送速度と、押出部材による押出速度とを適切な相対速度に自動変更したり、容器の搬送状況を検出するセンサーを設け、それらセンサーからの情報を制御装置に伝達することにより、エアーフローコンベヤの搬送速度と、押出部材による押出速度とを適切な相対速度に自動変更することが可能となる。
その結果、各種容器の形態、設備、搬送状況に対応させて容器の搬送速度を自動変更可能な容器搬送設備を提供できるようになった。
【００１５】
請求項３の発明によれば、請求項１又は２の発明による作用効果を叶えることができるのに加えて、押出部材の押出方向前方への横移動中に前倒防止部材を開作動してエアーフローコンベヤ上に容器群を排出しようとした場合に、容器どうしを接当させたままエアーフローコンベヤ上に排出することができる。
つまり、例えば、容器の排出時間を短縮するために押出部材の押出方向前方への横移動中に前倒防止部材を開作動して、エアーフローコンベヤ上に容器を排出させることが考えられるが、リフト装置からエアーフローコンベヤ上に容器群を排出する際には、リフト装置とエアーフローコンベヤとの間に段差（排出の際に容器が引っ掛からないようにリフト側が高くなるようにしてある。）を生じている場合が多いため、前方の容器に接当しているほど後に続く容器がその前方の容器により前倒れし難くなるため、例えば、押出部材による押出速度よりもエアーフローコンベヤによる搬送速度の方が速くなるように設定してあった場合、押出部材の押出方向前方への横移動中に前倒防止部材を開作動してエアーフローコンベヤ上に容器群を排出しようとすると、押出部材内にある容器群の前側の容器がエアーフローコンベヤ上に位置したときに、エアーフローコンベヤによって速く搬送されるから、その後に続く容器との間に隙間ができるため容器が前倒れし易くなるといった問題を生じる。
ところが、本発明のものだと、エアーフローコンベヤによる搬送速度よりも押出部材による押出速度の方が速くなるように設定してあるから、押出部材の押出方向前方への横移動中に前倒防止部材を開作動しても、押出部材内にある容器群の前側の容器がエアーフローコンベヤによって速く搬送されるといったことがなく、容器どうしを接当したままエアーフローコンベヤ上に排出することができる。
その結果、リフト装置からエアーフローコンベヤ上に容器群を排出する際の容器の前倒れを抑制することが可能な容器搬送設備を提供できるようになった。
【００１６】
請求項４の発明によれば、請求項１又は２に記載の発明による作用効果を叶えることができるのに加えて、リフト装置からエアーフローコンベヤ上への容器の排出を安定的、かつ、その排出時間を短縮することができると共に、排出後の容器を高速搬送することができる。
つまり、エアーフローコンベヤ上を移動する押出部材の押出方向前方への横移動に伴って前倒防止部材を開状態に切替るから、前倒防止部材を開状態にするのに費やす時間を押出部材の横移動時間内に消化させることができる。そのため、エアーフローコンベヤ上への押出部材の横移動が終わってから前倒防止部材を開作動させてエアーフローコンベヤ上に容器を排出するものに比して、容器の排出時間を短縮することができる。
また、例えば、高速搬送箇所へいきなり容器を排出した場合、その相対速度差により容器が転倒し易いものとなるが、本発明のように、エアーフローコンベヤによる搬送速度が搬送方向前方程速くなるように構成したものだと、エアーフローコンベヤにおける搬送速度の緩やかな箇所に容器を排出することができると共に、受取った容器の搬送速度を除々に速くすることができるから、容器の転倒を抑制した安定的な容器排出及び容器搬送が可能となる。
その結果、容器搬送の搬送性能を向上させることができる容器搬送設備を提供できるようになった。
【００１７】
請求項５の発明によれば、先に排出済みの容器の転倒を防止することができる。
つまり、押出部材による容器群のエアーフローコンベヤ上への排出は、押出部材の押出方向前方への横移動に伴って、押出部材内の容器群がエアーフローコンベヤ上にきたときに前倒防止部材を開放して容器群を排出する排出工程が一定間隔で繰り返し行われているため、例えば、先の排出工程で排出した容器が何らかの事情（容器搬送の混み具合等）で前倒防止部材の開作動域内に存在していた場合、前倒防止部材の開作動域内に存在している前記容器を、開放操作により開作動する前倒防止部材で転倒させてしまう。さらに、その容器の転倒により次々と隣接する容器を連鎖的に倒してしまう可能性があり問題であった。
ところが、本発明のものだと、前倒防止部材の開作動域内における容器の存在を検出する検出センサーを設け、押出部材により容器群がエアーフローコンベヤ上にきたとしても、前記検出センサーにより前記開作動域内に容器の存在を検出した場合は前倒防止部材の閉状態を維持するから、開放操作により開作動する前倒防止部材で前記容器を転倒させてしまうのを防止することができると共に、開作動域内に容器の非存在を検出した場合は前倒防止部材を開作動して容器群を排出可能な開状態に切替えて通常の容器群の排出工程を行うことができる。
その結果、容器の搬送性能を向上させることができる容器搬送設備を提供できるようになった。
【００１８】
請求項６の発明によれば、請求項１〜４の発明による作用効果を叶えることができるのに加えて、エアーフローコンベヤ上への容器の排出を転倒なく行うことができる。
容器の上端に接当して搬送中の容器が転倒するのを防止可能なアッパーガイドに対し、例えば、アッパーガイドの下方に位置するまえに前倒防止部材を開状態に切替作動して容器群を排出可能に構成したものだと、アッパーガイドの下方に位置するまでに容器が転倒しまう危険性があるが、本発明のものだと、アッパーガイドの下方に位置したときに前倒防止部材を開状態に切替作動して容器群を排出可能に構成してあるから、転倒を防止した容器のエアーフローコンベヤ上への排出が可能となる。
その結果、容器の搬送性能を向上させることができる容器搬送設備を提供できるようになった。
【００１９】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下に本発明に係る容器搬送設備１の一実施形態を図面に基づいて説明する。
尚、図面において従来例と同一の符号で表示した部分は、同一又は相当の部分を示している。
【００２０】
前記容器搬送設備１は、図１に示すように、複数のビールや清涼飲料水等の缶７（容器３の一例）を立ち姿勢でその径方向に配列集合させた缶群６（容器群４の一例）の複数を上下方向にセパレートシート８を間に介してパレット９上に段積み載置した缶群積層体５を搬送する搬送コンベヤ１１と、搬送コンベヤ１１から搬送された缶群積層体５を一段ずつ上方にせり上げるリフト装置１４と、リフト装置１４に隣接し、且つ、リフト装置１４によりせり上げられた最上段の缶群６を受け取って次工程への横方向に搬送可能なエアーフローコンベヤ１２と、リフト装置１４でせり上げられた最上段の缶群６の側方から接当して、他側方への横移動により缶群６を隣接するエアーフローコンベヤ１２上に押し出す押出部材２３と、押出部材２３の押出方向前方への横移動に伴って缶群６の押出方向前方に位置して缶７が前倒れするのを防止可能な閉状態と、缶群６がエアーフローコンベヤ１２上にきたときに缶群６の押出方向前方を開放して缶群６を排出可能な開状態とに切替自在に構成した前倒防止部材２４とを備えた容器群受渡装置２と、缶群６を全て排出した後の不要になったパレット９を排出するパレット排出コンベヤ１３とを設けて構成されている。
【００２１】
前記リフト装置１４は、図２に示すように、搬送コンベヤ１１により搬送された缶群積層体５を載置するリフト台１５と、ＡＣサーボ等のモーター駆動により、例えば、ギヤ係合でリフト台１５を上下方向に移動させるリフト台移動機構１６を設け、上昇時にはリフト台１５に載置された缶群積層体５を随時缶群６が一段ずつ上方にせり上がるように駆動すると共に、缶群６を全て排出した後の不要になったパレット９を下降させて、図示しないパレット移送装置によりパレット排出コンベヤ１３にパレット９を移送可能に構成してある。
【００２２】
前記エアーフローコンベヤ１２における下流側の後端部には、その搬送経路における側壁板が先細りになるように漏斗状に形成して缶を一缶ずつ並べ替えて次工程へ供給する図示しない単列搬送経路が設けられている。
このエアーフローコンベヤ１２は、図１２，１３に示すように、複数のエアー吹出孔１８を設けたデッキプレート１９と、デッキプレート１９の上方に、缶の高さよりも３ｍｍ〜５ｍｍ程高い位置に平行配置した板状のアッパーガイド２０を設けて形成されており、デッキプレート１９上に載置された缶７の底部にエアー吹出孔１８から空気を吹付けて缶７を浮かし気味にしながら下流側に向けて搬送する。このとき、缶が転倒しかかったとしてもその上端部がアッパーガイド２０に接当して缶７の転倒が防止される。これは、缶７とアッパーガイド２０との間に缶７の転倒を許容するクリアランスを有していないことに基づく。
【００２３】
前記アッパーガイド２０は、エアーフローコンベヤ１７の両側壁における搬送長手方向の複数箇所に立設した図示しないエアーシリンダによりその側壁を支持固定されると共に、搬送する缶７に合わせた設定高さ（ロング缶やショート缶等）に、押釦スイッチによるエアーシリンダの作動によってワンタッチで切替変更可能に構成されている。
例えば、図５右側に示すように、高さの低い缶７ａ（ショート缶）を搬送する場合、押釦スイッチによるエアーシリンダの作動によって、ワンタッチでアッパーガイド２０を低い設定位置に切替変更して高さの低い缶７ａの転倒を防止する。
また、図５左側に示すように、高さの高い缶７ｂ（ロング缶）を搬送する場合、押釦スイッチによるエアーシリンダの作動によって、ワンタッチでアッパーガイド２０を高い設定位置に切替変更して高さの高い缶７ｂの転倒を防止する。
【００２４】
前記押出部材２３は、図４，６に示すように、エアーシリンダ３４により出退自在に構成した三個のホールドバー２５をその内面の三箇所に設けた平面視コの字形状の枠体２６と、枠体２６の下方に取付け固定した複数のブラケット２７に設けた係合部材２８を、枠体支持側壁に設けたガイドレール２９に係合支持案内させると共に、枠体２６の上方から外側方に突出させて取付けたアーム３０に、サーボモーター３１により駆動されるベルト３２を挟持させ、缶群６の押出方向へのベルト３２の前後移動により枠体２６を前後方向に横移動させる枠体移動機構３３とからなる。
【００２５】
前記ホールドバー２５は、図６に示すように、エアーシリンダ３４のシリンダ軸に取付けた板状体３５に樹脂製のバー部材３６を外嵌させて形成してあり、このバー部材３６により接当したときの缶７の傷付きを抑制することができる。
図４中３７は、エアーシリンダ３４の左右に設けたスライドシャフトであり、エアーシリンダ３４によるホールドバー２５の出退移動をこじれを生じることなく案内することができる。
【００２６】
前記前倒防止部材２４は、図７に示すように、一対の所定角度範囲内で揺動駆動自在な回転駆動機構３８と、夫々の回転駆動機構３８の回転軸３９に枢支連結した回転体４０と、缶群６の押出方向前端に接当して缶７の前倒れを防止可能に回転体に支持固定したゲート部材４１とからなり、回転駆動機構３８の駆動操作によりゲート部材４１を観音開きに開閉揺動自在に構成してある。
【００２７】
このとき、回転体４０の延設長さを短くしてその重心位置をゲート部材の重心位置よりも回転軸側に位置するように形成することで、閉作動に伴う回転体及びゲート部材に作用する慣性力を減少させ、缶７に接当するゲート部材４１の衝撃を低減して缶７が傷付くのを抑制してある。
【００２８】
前記ゲート部材４１は、図８に示すように、ゲート部材４１における缶群６の押出方向前端に接当する箇所にポリエチレン樹脂（弾性材５９の一例）で形成したゲートバー６０を、回転体４０に設けた断面コの字形状の取付部６１に係合保持させて構成してある。これだと、缶群６に接当したときの衝撃をポリエチレン樹脂の弾性変形により吸収することが可能となり、缶７を傷つけるのを抑制することができる。
また、ゲート部材４１において損傷や摩耗の激しいのは缶群６との接当箇所であり、取付部６１に係合保持させてあるゲートバー６０の係合を解除して新たなゲートバー６０を取替るだけで良いため、経済性及び取替作業の作業性を向上させることができる。
【００２９】
前記回転駆動機構３８は、図９に示すように、回転軸３９にピニオンギヤ３９ａを設けると共に、そのピニオンギヤ３９ａに噛合するラック４３ａ，４３ｂを左右のピストン４３Ａ，４３Ｂ夫々に設け、シリンダ４４内へのエアーの給排によりピストン４３Ａ，４３Ｂを移動自在に構成したエアーシリンダ４２からなる。
そして、このピストン４３Ａ，４３Ｂの移動により回転軸３９を回転揺動させ、回転軸３９に枢支連結した回転体４０及びゲート部材４１を開閉作動させることができる。
このとき、夫々のシリンダ４４Ａ，４４Ｂ内の一端面にクッションゴム４６ａ，４６ｂを設けてあり、缶群６の押出方向前方を開放して缶群６を排出可能な開状態に開作動したときには、ピストン４３Ａの端面がクッションゴム４６ａに接当して開作動に伴う回転体４０とゲート部材４１に作用する慣性力をクッションゴム４６ａの弾性変形により吸収すると共に、缶群６が前倒れするのを防止可能な閉状態に閉作動したときには、ピストン４３Ｂの端面がクッションゴム４６ｂに接当して閉作動に伴う回転体４０とゲート部材４１に作用する慣性力をクッションゴム４６ｂの弾性変形により吸収し、缶７に接当するゲート部材４１の衝撃力を低減して缶７が傷付くのを抑制してある。（図９参照）
【００３０】
次に缶７の搬送経路に沿ってその工程を説明する。
イ）缶群６の複数をパレット９上に段積み載置した缶群積層体５を、搬送コンベヤ１１でリフト装置１４のリフト台１５上に搬送し、缶群積層体５における缶群６の一段分が上方にせり上がるようにリフト台移動機構１６を駆動し、リフト装置１４の上方で前倒防止部材２４を閉状態にしたまま待機（容器搬送設備の起動時）している容器群受渡装置２内に内包する。（図１０（イ），図１２（イ）参照）
【００３１】
ロ）前記リフト装置１４でせり上げられた最上段の缶群６の上部に載置してあるセパレートシート８を、図２，３に示すような、リフト装置１４の上方に設けたセパレートシート除去搬送装置４７により除去搬送する。
前記セパレートシート除去搬送装置４７は、吸引によりセパレートシート８を吸着支持するバキュームヘッド４８を複数備えたバキュームヘッド支持体４９と、バキュームヘッド支持体４９を上下に移動可能に駆動するリフトシリンダ５０とを備えたセパレートシート除去機構５３を形成すると共に、ガイドレール５１に沿って移動自在な移動枠体５２に複数（本実施形態では２個）の第１、第２セパレートシート除去機構５３Ａ，５３Ｂを設けて構成してある。
【００３２】
そして、セパレートシート８を除去するには、リフト装置１４上に待機させてある第１セパレートシート除去機構５３Ａのバキュームヘッド支持体４９Ａを下降させ、最上段の缶群６の上部に載置してあるセパレートシート８をバキュームヘッド４８により吸着支持させた後、バキュームヘッド支持体４９Ａを上昇させると共に、移動枠体５２を横移動させて第１セパレートシート除去機構５３Ａをセパレートシート仮置部５４の上方に位置させ、バキュームヘッド４８の吸引を解除してセパレートシート８をセパレートシート仮置部５４に仮置きする。
その後、第１セパレートシート除去機構５３Ａをリフト装置１４上に移動させ（このとき、第２セパレート除去機構５３Ｂはセパレートシート仮置部５４の上方に位置する。）、バキュームヘッド支持体４９Ａを下降させて最上段の缶群６の上部に載置してあるセパレートシート８をバキュームヘッド４８により吸着支持させた後、バキュームヘッド支持体４９Ａを上昇させて缶群６の上部に載置してあるセパレートシート８を除去する作業と同時に、第２セパレートシート除去機構５３Ｂのバキュームヘッド支持体４９Ｂを下降させてセパレートシート仮置部５４に仮置きしてあるセパレートシート８を吸着支持させた後、バキュームヘッド支持体４９Ｂを上昇させ、移動枠体５２の横移動により第２セパレートシート除去機構５３Ｂを、セパレートシート８を排出する排出リフト５５上に位置させてバキュームヘッド４８の吸引を解除してセパレートシート８を排出リフト５５上に落とすと共に、第１セパレートシート除去機構５３Ａをセパレートシート仮置部５４上に位置させてバキュームヘッド４８の吸引を解除してセパレートシート８を仮置部５４に仮置きする。
上記工程を、缶群６がリフト装置１４により一段ずつせり上げられる度に行う。
【００３３】
上記のように複数のセパレートシート除去機構５３を設ける構成を採用したことによって、１個のセパレートシート除去機構５３によりセパレートシート８を除去するものに比して、個々のセパレートシート除去機構５３の移動距離を短くすることができるから、セパレートシート除去効率を向上させることができ、缶群６の搬送効率を向上させることができるようになる。
また、前記排出リフト５５の上方には、シリンダ５６の伸縮により軸芯回りに揺動自在な一対のアーム５７を対向配置させてあり、排出リフト５５上に落とされたセパレートシート８はある程度その数がまとまるまで一旦アーム５７に載置させた後、シリンダ５６の収縮操作によりアーム５７を下方に揺動させてアーム５７に載置してあったセパレートシート８を排出リフト５５上に落とし、排出リフト５５を下降させてセパレートシート８を排出する。セパレートシート８をアーム５７に一旦載置させるのは、排出リフト５５によるセパレートシート８の排出作業の時間を稼ぐためであり、言い換えれば、排出作業によりセパレートシート８の除去作業が停滞するのを防止するためである。
【００３４】
ハ）前記缶群６上部のセパレートシート８除去作業と同時にエアーシリンダ３４を伸張操作して各ホールドバー２５を、缶群６の押出方向後端と両側端に接当させて缶群６を容器群受渡装置２の枠体２６内にホールドする（缶群６の前端はゲート部材４１に接当している。）と共に、枠体移動機構３３に備えたサーボモーター３１によるベルト駆動により、枠体２６をエアーフローコンベヤ１２に向けて横移動させる。（図１０（イ），図１２（イ）参照）
【００３５】
リフト装置１４でせり上げられた缶群６は、セパレートシート８の端部が上方又は下方に折れ曲がっているのを見越して、エアーフローコンベヤ１２とリフト装置１４との間に設けた渡板５８よりも若干上の位置で停止するように構成されているため、リフト装置１４から渡板５８に缶７が移動する際に缶７が傾斜して前倒れし易くなるが、缶群６の前方をゲート部材４１で押さえているから缶を転倒させることなくエアーフローコンベヤ１２へ排出することができる。（図１２参照）
本実施例では、エアーフローコンベヤ１２とリフト装置１４との間に渡板５８を設けて缶群６をエアーフローコンベヤ１２に排出する例について説明しているが、渡板５８を設けることなくリフト装置１４から直接エアーフローコンベヤ１２に排出する構成としても良い。
【００３６】
エアーフローコンベヤ１２と押出部材２３とは、速度変更機構６２により、その相対速度を変更自在に構成してある。
前記速度変更機構６２は、その一例として、ブロワー６３による風力の強弱を切換え可能な風力切換装置６４と、サーボモーター３１の駆動速度を変更可能な変速装置６５とからなり、前記風力切換装置６４によりエアー吹出孔１８からのエアー吹出量を変更してエアーフローコンベヤ１２による缶７の搬送速度を変更可能に構成すると共に、前記変速装置６５によりベルト３２の駆動速度を変更して押出部材２３による缶７の搬送速度を変更可能に構成してあるから、エアーフローコンベヤ１２による搬送速度と、押出部材２３による搬送速度とを各別に変更することができる。
そのため、エアーフローコンベヤ１２による搬送速度と、押出部材２３による押出速度とを同速度に設定することはもちろん、エアーフローコンベヤ１２による搬送速度よりも押出部材２３による押出速度の方が速くなるように設定したり、押出部材２３による押出速度よりもエアーフローコンベヤ１２による搬送速度の方が速くなるように設定したりして、その搬送形態に対応した搬送機能に変更して対応させることができる。（図４参照）
【００３７】
例えば、その一実施形態として、エアーフローコンベヤ１２による搬送速度よりも押出部材２３による押出速度の方が速くなるように設定した場合、前記枠体２６内にホールドされた缶群６がエアーフローコンベヤ１２上に位置したときに回転体４０及びゲート部材４１の開作動を開始して缶群６の押出方向前方を開放させながらエアーフローコンベヤ１２上を押出方向前方に向けて横移動させても、枠体２６内にある缶群６の前側の缶７が、押出部材２３よりも遅く設定してあるエアーフローコンベヤ１２によって先に搬送されるといったことがなくなるため、缶７どうしを接当させたままエアーフローコンベヤ１２上に排出して下流側に向けて搬送することができる。（図１０（ロ）、図１２（ロ）参照）
尚、このとき、エアーフローコンベヤ１２の上方に設けたアッパーガイド２０の下方に位置したときに、回転体４０及びゲート部材４１を開状態に切替作動して缶群を排出可能に構成してあると、アッパーガイド２０が缶群６の上端に接当して缶７の転倒を防止することができるから、缶群６の転倒を防止したエアーフローコンベヤ１２への排出が可能となる。
【００３８】
ニ）エアーフローコンベヤ１２への缶群６の排出が終わると、回転体４０とゲート部材４１の閉作動を開始して閉鎖させながら、且つ、各ホールドバー２５を引退させつつリフト装置１４上に後退させる。（図１１（ハ），図１３（ハ）参照）
そして、リフト台移動機構１６によりせり上げられた缶群積層体５における次の缶群６の一段分を容器群受渡装置２内に内包する。（図１１（ニ），図１３（ニ）参照）
【００３９】
以後パレット９上の缶群６が無くなるまでロ）からニ）の工程を繰り返す。
尚、容器群受渡装置２がリフト装置１４の上方に引戻されるまでに次の缶群６の上に残っているセパレートシート８がセパレートシート除去搬送装置４７により取り除かれる。
ホ）パレット９上の缶群６が全て無くなると、リフト台１５を下降させて図示しないパレット移送装置によりパレット排出コンベヤ１３へ向けてリフト装置１４内から移送された後、再度イ）以下の操作が繰り返えし行われる。
【００４０】
〔別実施形態〕
以下に他の実施形態を説明する。
〈１〉先の実施形態では、エアーフローコンベヤによる搬送速度と、押出部材による押出速度との相対速度を変更自在な速度変更機構を備えた容器搬送設備について説明したが、図１４に示すように、エアーフローコンベヤ１２による搬送速度と、押出部材２３による押出速度とを変更自在な制御装置６６を備えたものであっても良い。
これだと、例えば、エアー吹出孔１８からのエアー吹出量、及び、サーボモーター３１のベルト３２の駆動速度を自動的に変更制御することができるから、例えば、図示しない、アッパーガイド２０の有無やその取付け位置を検出するセンサー、及び、搬送する容器３の大小等の形状を認識可能なセンサー等を設けることにより、アッパーガイド２０の取付け状態、及び、搬送する容器３の形状が変わったとしても、それらセンサーからの情報に基づいてエアーフローコンベヤ１２による搬送速度と、押出部材２３による押出速度とを適切な相対速度に自動的に変更することが可能となる。
また、容器３の搬送状況を検出するセンサー等を設けることにより、容器３の搬送状況（例えば、搬送容器の混み具合等）に応じて両者の速度を変更することも可能となる。
〈２〉先の実施形態では、エアーフローコンベヤによる搬送速度よりも押出部材による押出速度の方が速くなるように設定したものについて説明したが、エアーフローコンベヤ上を移動する押出部材の押出方向前方への横移動に伴って、前倒防止部材を開状態に切替ると共に、エアーフローコンベヤによる搬送速度が容器の搬送方向前方ほど速くなるように、具体的には、エアー吹出孔からのエアー吹出量を、押出部材による容器の受取り箇所では小に設定すると共に、その受取り箇所から搬送方向に離れる程大にする構成のものであっても良い。
これだと、前倒防止部材を開状態にするのに費やす時間を押出部材の横移動時間内に消化させることができるから、エアーフローコンベヤ上への押出部材の横移動が終わってから前倒防止部材を開作動させてエアーフローコンベヤ上に容器を排出するものに比して、容器の排出時間を短縮することができる。
また、例えば、高速搬送箇所へいきなり容器を排出した場合、その相対速度差により容器が転倒し易いものとなるが、上記構成のように、エアーフローコンベヤによる搬送速度が搬送方向前方程速くなるように構成したものだと、エアーフローコンベヤにおける搬送速度の穏やかな箇所に容器を排出することができると共に、受取った容器の搬送速度を除々に速くすることができるから、容器の転倒を抑制した安定的な容器排出及び容器搬送が可能となる。
〈３〉図１５に示すように、前倒防止部材２４の開作動域６９における容器３の存在を検出する検出センサー６７を設け、押出部材２３により容器群４がエアーフローコンベヤ１２上にきたとしても、検出センサー６７により開作動域６９内に容器３の存在を検出した場合は前倒防止部材２４の閉状態を維持し、容器３の非存在を検出した場合は前倒防止部材２４を開作動して容器群４を排出可能な開状態に切替制御する制御装置６８を備えたものであっても良い。
これだと、先の容器群４の排出工程で排出した容器３が何らかの事情で前倒防止部材２４の開作動域内に存在していたとしても、検出センサー６７により容器３の存在を検出可能であり、検出センサー６７により開作動域内に容器３の存在を検出した場合は前倒防止部材２４の閉状態を維持するから、開放操作により開作動する前倒防止部材２４で容器３を転倒させてしまうのを防止することができる。
〈４〉先の実施形態では、ゲートバーをポリエチレン樹脂で形成したものについて説明したが、ゲートバーは、ポリエチレン樹脂で形成されたものに限定されるものではなく、ポリエチレン樹脂以外の弾性樹脂や弾性ゴム等からなる弾性材で形成されたものであっても良い。
また、ゲートバーは、弾性材以外にも金属製又は弾性力を有していない樹脂製のものであっても良い。
尚、上記構成は、ホールドバー２５にも適用可能である。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係る搬送設備の一実施形態を示す全体側面図
【図２】本発明に係るリフト装置を示す正面図
【図３】本発明に係るセパレートシート除去装置を示す要部拡大図
【図４】本発明に係る容器搬送設備を示す概略平面図
【図５】本発明に係るアッパーガイドの取付け状態を示す作用説明図
【図６】本発明に係る取付部を示す部分拡大図
【図７】本発明に係る前倒防止部を示す要部拡大作用説明図
【図８】本発明に係る回転駆動機構を示す部分拡大説明図
【図９】本発明に係る回転駆動機構を示す部分断面説明図
【図１０】本発明に係る容器群受渡装置を示す作用説明平面図
【図１１】本発明に係る容器群受渡装置を示す作用説明平面図
【図１２】本発明に係る容器群受渡装置を示す作用説明側面図
【図１３】本発明に係る容器群受渡装置を示す作用説明側面図
【図１４】別実施形態の容器搬送設備を示す概略平面図
【図１５】別実施形態の容器搬送設備を示す作用説明図
【符号の説明】
３容器
４容器群
１２エアーフローコンベヤ
２３押出部材
２４前倒防止部材
６２速度変更機構
６６制御装置
６７検出センサー
６８制御装置
６９開作動域[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a container transport facility that delivers a container group to an adjacent transport device and transports the container to the next process by the transport device, and more specifically, a container in which a plurality of containers are arranged and set in a lateral direction in a standing posture. A plurality of groups are stacked in a vertical direction, and a lift device is provided that places the plurality of stacked container groups and lifts them up one by one, adjacent to the lift device, and the lift device An airflow conveyor that can receive the uppermost container group raised by the above and transport it in the lateral direction is provided, and a lateral movement to the other side is made by contacting from the side of the uppermost container group. Is provided with an extruding member for extruding the container group onto the adjacent air flow conveyor, and the container is tilted forward by being positioned forward in the extruding direction of the container group as the extruding member is laterally moved forward in the extruding direction. Prevent A forward-preventing member configured to be switchable between a possible closed state and an open state in which the container group can be discharged by opening the front of the container group in the pushing direction when the container group is on the airflow conveyor. And a container transport method for transporting the container group.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, in the manufacturing process of beverages such as beer and soft drinks, beverage containers are delivered on a pallet, discharged from the pallet one by one, and a plurality of containers are transported as a group, forming a funnel shape Finally, it becomes a single row, and the contents are filled by the filling machine. As a container transportation facility from such a pallet, a plurality of container groups in which a plurality of containers are arranged in a horizontal position in a standing posture are stacked in a vertical direction, and the plurality of stacked container groups are Place it one step at a time with a lift device, receive the uppermost container group raised by the lift device, move it on the adjacent air flow conveyor by lateral movement by an extrusion member, and move forward The prevention member is switched to the open state, the container group is discharged onto the air flow conveyor, and the discharged container is conveyed to the next process by the air flow conveyor.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For example, conventional containers that are easy to tip over are transported while being kept in contact with the extrusion member until they are transferred to the airflow conveyor. In order to reduce the contact pressure between each other and the extruded member as much as possible and suppress damage, there is a need to transport the product with some variation, but there is no way to control this, and the transport function according to the transport mode No device or method has been developed.
[0004]
Therefore, the object of the present invention is to control the extrusion speed of the extrusion member that extrudes the container group onto the air flow conveyor in a relative relationship with the conveyance speed of the container by the air flow conveyor, to solve the above problems, and to achieve a conveyance form. The present invention is to provide a container transport facility and a container transport method having a corresponding transport function.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
〔Constitution〕
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the characteristic configuration of the invention of claim 1 is a stack of a plurality of container groups in which a plurality of containers are arranged in a horizontal position in a standing posture in the vertical direction, A lifting device is provided for placing a plurality of container groups and raising them upward one by one, receiving the uppermost container group that is adjacent to the lifting device and raised by the lifting device, and in the lateral direction. An extruding member provided with a transportable airflow conveyor 12, which contacts from the side of the uppermost container group and pushes the container group onto the adjacent airflow conveyor 12 by lateral movement to the other side 23, and in a closed state in which the container group can be prevented from being tilted forward by being positioned forward in the extrusion direction of the container group in association with the lateral movement of the extrusion member 23 forward in the extrusion direction, Air flow control A container transport facility equipped with a credit preventing member 24 before the switchable constructed in the open state capable of discharging the container group by opening the extruding direction front side of the container group when came to ya 12 on, While the container transport equipment is in operation, A speed changing mechanism 62 is provided that can change the relative speed between the conveying speed by the airflow conveyor 12 and the extruding speed by the extruding member.
[0006]
As illustrated in FIG. 14, the characteristic configuration of the invention of claim 2 is provided with a control device 66 capable of automatically changing and controlling the conveyance speed by the airflow conveyor 12 and the extrusion speed by the extrusion member 23. It is in.
[0007]
The characteristic configuration of the invention of claim 3 is that the extrusion speed by the pushing member is set faster than the conveying speed by the airflow conveyor.
[0008]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the forward-preventing member is switched to the open state along with the lateral movement of the push-out member moving on the air-flow conveyor forward in the push-out direction, and the air-flow conveyor is used for conveyance. The speed is configured so as to increase toward the front in the transport direction.
[0009]
As illustrated in FIG. 15, the characteristic configuration of the invention of claim 5 is that a plurality of container groups 4 in which a plurality of containers 3 are arranged in a horizontal position in a standing posture are stacked in the up-down direction and stacked. A plurality of container groups 4 mounted thereon and lifted upward one by one; receiving the uppermost container group 4 adjacent to the lift apparatus and lifted by the lift apparatus; The airflow conveyor 12 that can be transported in the lateral direction is provided, is contacted from the side of the uppermost container group 4, and the airflow conveyor adjacent to the container group 4 by lateral movement to the other side. 12 is provided with an extruding member 23 that extrudes onto the container 12, and a closed state in which the container group 4 is positioned in front of the extruding direction of the container group 4 and the containers can be prevented from falling forward as the extruding member 23 moves laterally forward. And the container group 4 is in front A container transport facility provided with an anti-tilt member 24 that is configured to be switchable to an open state in which the container group 4 can be discharged to the open state by opening the front of the container group 4 in the extrusion direction when it comes onto the airflow conveyor 12. Even if the container group 4 comes on the airflow conveyor 12 by the pushing member 23, the detection sensor 67 for detecting the presence of the container in the open operation area 69 of the forward-preventing member 24 is provided. When the detection sensor 67 detects the presence of the container in the open operation area 69, the forward-preventing member 24 is kept closed, and when the absence of the container 3 is detected, the forward-preventing member 24 is opened. There is a control device 68 that operates to switch the container group 4 to an open state in which the container group 4 can be discharged.
[0010]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, an upper guide is provided above the air flow conveyor so as to contact the upper end of the container and prevent the container being conveyed from falling down. When the container at least in the front direction of extrusion in the group is positioned below the upper guide, the forward-falling prevention member is switched to the open state.
[0011]
The characteristic means of the invention of claim 7 is a method of stacking a plurality of container groups in which a plurality of containers are arranged in an upright position in a standing posture in a vertical direction, and mounting the plurality of stacked container groups. An airflow conveyor that is provided with a lifting device that is placed and lifted upward one by one, receives the uppermost container group that is adjacent to the lifting device and lifted by the lifting device, and can be conveyed in the lateral direction To the uppermost stage of the container group, and extrude the container group by an extruding member that pushes the container group onto the adjacent air flow conveyor by lateral movement to the other side, and the extrusion direction of the extruding member A closed state where the container group is positioned in front of the container group in the push-out direction along with the lateral movement to prevent the container from falling forward, and when the container group comes on the air flow conveyor, In the extrusion direction The debt prevention member before you switched freely configured and opened capable of discharging the container group and release, and discharged in the open state, the container transporting method for transporting in the air flow conveyor, During operation of the extrusion member and the airflow conveyor, The container group is discharged by freely changing the relative speed between the conveying speed by the airflow conveyor and the extrusion speed by the extruding member.
[0012]
In addition, as mentioned above, although the code | symbol was written in order to make contrast with drawing convenient, this invention is not limited to the structure of an accompanying drawing by this entry.
[0013]
[Action and effect]
According to the first and seventh aspects of the invention, the transfer function can be changed.
In other words, in the discharging step of discharging the container group from the lift device onto the adjacent air flow conveyor, after the container group is discharged onto the air flow conveyor, the extrusion member is moved backward on the lift device to receive the next container group. The uppermost container group raised by the lift device is received and moved onto the adjacent air flow conveyor by lateral movement by the extrusion member, and the container group is placed on the air flow conveyor by switching the forward prevention member to the open state. The process is repeatedly performed, but there is a non-supply time during which the containers are not supplied until the next container group is discharged onto the airflow conveyor, and the containers are transported through the single-line transport path by this non-supply time. The container may break.
During this non-supply period, the lowest container group on the pallet is discharged onto the airflow conveyor, then the pallet is discharged, and the uppermost container on the next pallet is discharged onto the airflow conveyor. It will be even longer in the meantime.
Therefore, in order to prevent the containers transported in the single row transport path from being interrupted, a quantity of containers that can supplement the containers transported in the single row transport path within the non-supply time are air-filled. It is necessary to store them on a flow conveyor or to increase the transport speed of the containers so that the containers transported in the single-line transport path are not interrupted.
Therefore, the present invention is provided with a speed changing mechanism capable of changing the relative speed between the conveying speed by the airflow conveyor and the extruding speed by the extruding member. In addition to the method of transporting the container group so that the airflow conveyor and the extrusion member have the same speed as the method of conveying without interruption, the extrusion speed by the extrusion member becomes faster than the conveyance speed by the airflow conveyor. Thus, it is possible to adopt a method of changing the speed and transporting the container.
In other words, for example, when an upper guide is not provided above the airflow conveyor and a container such as a short can is transported, the transport speed by the airflow conveyor has been slowed to prevent the container from overturning on the airflow conveyor. However, by increasing the supply speed of the container group by the pushing member, it is possible to secure a quantity of containers on the airflow conveyor that does not interrupt the containers that are transported in the single row transport path.
Moreover, the method of conveying a container by changing speed so that the conveyance speed by an airflow conveyor may become faster than the extrusion speed by an extrusion member is employable.
That is, for example, when an upper guide is provided above the air flow conveyor and a container such as a long can (or a short can) is transported, discharge of the container group onto the air flow conveyor by the extrusion member is performed. Even if the extrusion speed by the extrusion member is slowed down in order to perform reliably without falling, the container can be prevented from falling by the upper guide. Therefore, the container conveyed by the single-line conveying path by increasing the conveying speed by the airflow conveyor. Can be uninterrupted.
Furthermore, by adopting a method of transporting containers by changing the speed so that the transport speed by the airflow conveyor is faster than the extrusion speed by the extrusion member, the containers can be transported with a certain degree of dispersion. In the case of a container that is particularly easily damaged, the damage can be suppressed.
As a result, it has become possible to provide a container transport facility and a container transport method that can change the transport speed of the container in accordance with the shapes and facilities of various containers.
[0014]
According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to being able to achieve the effect of the invention of claim 1, in addition to automatically controlling the change of the relative speed between the conveying speed by the airflow conveyor and the extrusion speed by the pushing member. can do.
In other words, it is equipped with a control device that can change and control the conveyance speed of the airflow conveyor and the extrusion speed by the extrusion member. For example, the presence or absence of the upper guide in the conveyance path, its mounting position, the size of the container, etc. By providing sensors capable of recognizing the interval between containers to be conveyed and the presence or absence of container overturning, and transmitting information from these sensors to the control device, the conveyance speed of the air flow conveyor and the extrusion speed by the extrusion member can be determined. By automatically changing to an appropriate relative speed or by providing a sensor that detects the conveyance status of the container, and transmitting information from these sensors to the control device, the conveyance speed of the air flow conveyor and the extrusion speed by the extrusion member can be adjusted. It is possible to automatically change to an appropriate relative speed.
As a result, it has become possible to provide a container transport facility that can automatically change the transport speed of a container in accordance with the form, facility, and transport status of various containers.
[0015]
According to the invention of claim 3, in addition to being able to achieve the operational effect of the invention of claim 1 or 2, in addition to opening the front-end prevention member during the lateral movement of the pushing member forward in the pushing direction. When the container group is to be discharged onto the air flow conveyor, the container group can be discharged onto the air flow conveyor while keeping the containers in contact with each other.
That is, for example, in order to shorten the discharge time of the container, it is conceivable to open the front-end prevention member during the lateral movement of the extruding member forward in the extruding direction and discharge the container onto the airflow conveyor. When discharging a group of containers from the lift device onto the airflow conveyor, a level difference is made between the lift device and the airflow conveyor (the lift side is raised so that the container is not caught during discharge). Since the container that follows is less likely to fall forward due to the container in front of the container as it is in contact with the container in front, the conveyance speed by the airflow conveyor is higher than the extrusion speed by the extrusion member, for example. If it is set to be faster, the front-end prevention member is opened during the lateral movement of the extruded member forward in the extrusion direction, and the containers are discharged onto the airflow conveyor. When trying to do so, when the container on the front side of the container group in the extrusion member is positioned on the air flow conveyor, it is quickly conveyed by the air flow conveyor, so there is a gap between the container and the subsequent container. There arises a problem that it is easy to fall forward.
However, in the case of the present invention, the extruding speed by the extruding member is set to be higher than the conveying speed by the air flow conveyor, so that the extruding member is prevented from being moved forward during the lateral movement in the extruding direction. Even if the member is opened, the containers on the front side of the container group in the extrusion member are not quickly conveyed by the air flow conveyor, and can be discharged onto the air flow conveyor while keeping the containers in contact with each other. .
As a result, it has become possible to provide a container transport facility capable of suppressing the forward collapse of the container when discharging the container group from the lift device onto the airflow conveyor.
[0016]
According to the invention of claim 4, in addition to being able to achieve the function and effect of the invention of claim 1 or 2, it is possible to stably discharge the container from the lift device onto the airflow conveyor, and The discharge time can be shortened and the discharged container can be conveyed at high speed.
In other words, since the forward-preventing member is switched to the open state in accordance with the lateral movement of the extruding member moving on the airflow conveyor forward in the extruding direction, the time required for opening the forward-preventing member is opened. Can be digested within the lateral movement time. Therefore, the container discharge time can be shortened compared with the case where the forward movement prevention member is opened after the lateral movement of the extrusion member onto the airflow conveyor is finished and the container is discharged onto the airflow conveyor. it can.
In addition, for example, when the container is suddenly discharged to a high-speed conveyance location, the container is likely to fall down due to the difference in relative speed. However, as in the present invention, the conveyance speed by the airflow conveyor is increased toward the front in the conveyance direction. With this configuration, the container can be discharged to a place where the conveyance speed of the air flow conveyor is slow, and the conveyance speed of the received container can be gradually increased. Container can be discharged and transported.
As a result, it has become possible to provide a container transport facility capable of improving the transport performance of container transport.
[0017]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the container that has been previously discharged from falling.
In other words, the discharge of the container group by the pushing member onto the air flow conveyor is prevented when the container group in the pushing member comes on the air flow conveyor as the pushing member moves laterally forward in the pushing direction. Since the discharging process of opening the container group and discharging the container group is repeatedly performed at regular intervals, for example, the container discharged in the previous discharging process may open the forward-prevention prevention member due to some circumstances (such as congestion of container transport). If it exists in the operating region, the container existing in the opening operation region of the forward-preventing member is overturned by the forward-preventing member that is opened by the opening operation. Furthermore, there is a possibility that the adjacent containers may be cascaded one after another due to the falling of the container.
However, in the case of the present invention, a detection sensor for detecting the presence of the container in the opening operation area of the forward-prevention member is provided, and even if the container group is brought on the air flow conveyor by the pushing member, the detection sensor is used to When the presence of the container is detected in the operating range, the closed state of the forward-preventing member is maintained, so that the container can be prevented from being overturned by the forward-preventing member that is opened by an opening operation. When the absence of the container is detected in the open operation area, the forward-preventing member is opened to switch to an open state in which the container group can be discharged, and a normal container group discharging process can be performed.
As a result, it has become possible to provide a container transport facility capable of improving the container transport performance.
[0018]
According to the sixth aspect of the invention, in addition to achieving the operational effects of the first to fourth aspects of the invention, the container can be discharged onto the airflow conveyor without falling.
For upper guides that can prevent the containers being transported from falling over while being in contact with the upper ends of the containers, for example, the front anti-tilt member is switched to the open state before being positioned below the upper guides, and the container group If it is configured to be able to discharge the container, there is a risk that the container will fall before it is positioned below the upper guide. Since the container group can be discharged by switching to the open state, it is possible to discharge the container that has been prevented from overturning onto the airflow conveyor.
As a result, it has become possible to provide a container transport facility capable of improving the container transport performance.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a container transport facility 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the drawings, the parts indicated by the same reference numerals as those in the conventional example indicate the same or corresponding parts.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 1, the container transport facility 1 has a can group 6 (container group 4) in which cans 7 (an example of the container 3) such as a plurality of beers and soft drinks are arranged in a standing posture in the radial direction. 1), a transport conveyor 11 that transports the can group stack 5 stacked in a vertical direction on the pallet 9 with a separate sheet 8 interposed therebetween, and a can group stack transported from the transport conveyor 11 Lifting device 14 that lifts up 5 one step at a time, and air that is adjacent to the lifting device 14 and receives the uppermost can group 6 lifted up by the lifting device 14 and can be transported laterally to the next process Extrusion that contacts the flow conveyor 12 from the side of the uppermost can group 6 raised by the lift device 14 and pushes the can group 6 onto the adjacent air flow conveyor 12 by lateral movement to the other side. Member 23 and extrusion member 23 A closed state in which the cans 7 can be prevented from being tilted forward by being moved forward in the extruding direction along with the lateral movement forward in the extruding direction; After discharging the can group 6, the container group delivery device 2 provided with the forward-prevention preventing member 24 configured to be switched to an open state in which the front of the group 6 in the extrusion direction can be opened and the can group 6 can be discharged. And a pallet discharge conveyor 13 for discharging the pallet 9 that is no longer needed.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 2, the lift device 14 includes a lift table 15 on which the can group laminate 5 conveyed by the conveyor 11 is placed, and a motor driven by an AC servo or the like, for example, a gear-engaged lift table. The lift table moving mechanism 16 that moves the table 15 in the vertical direction is provided, and when it is lifted, the can group stacked body 5 mounted on the lift table 15 is driven so that the can group 6 can be moved up one step at a time. The pallet 9 that is no longer required after all 6 has been discharged is lowered, and the pallet 9 can be transferred to the pallet discharge conveyor 13 by a pallet transfer device (not shown).
[0022]
At the rear end of the downstream side of the air flow conveyor 12, a single row (not shown) is formed in a funnel shape so that the side wall plate in the transport path is tapered and the cans are arranged one by one and supplied to the next process. A conveyance path is provided.
As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the airflow conveyor 12 is parallel to a deck plate 19 provided with a plurality of air blowing holes 18 and a position 3 mm to 5 mm higher than the height of the can above the deck plate 19. The plate-shaped upper guide 20 is provided and formed on the bottom of the can 7 placed on the deck plate 19, and air is blown from the air blowing holes 18 to float the can 7 to the downstream side. Transport toward. At this time, even if the can is about to fall, the upper end of the can comes into contact with the upper guide 20 to prevent the can 7 from falling. This is based on the fact that there is no clearance between the can 7 and the upper guide 20 that allows the can 7 to fall.
[0023]
The upper guide 20 has its side walls supported and fixed by air cylinders (not shown) standing at a plurality of locations in the longitudinal direction of conveyance on both side walls of the airflow conveyor 17 and has a set height (long) corresponding to the can 7 to be conveyed. Cans, short cans, etc.) can be switched and changed by one-touch operation of an air cylinder by a push button switch.
For example, as shown on the right side of FIG. 5, when transporting a can 7a (short can) having a low height, the upper guide 20 is switched to a low set position with one touch by the operation of an air cylinder by a push button switch. Prevent the can 7a from falling over.
Also, as shown on the left side of FIG. 5, when transporting a high can 7b (long can), the upper guide 20 is switched to a high set position with one touch by the operation of an air cylinder by a push button switch. Prevents the can 7b having a high height from falling.
[0024]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the pushing member 23 is a U-shaped frame body 26 in plan view in which three hold bars 25 configured to be freely retractable by an air cylinder 34 are provided at three locations on the inner surface thereof. The engaging members 28 provided on the plurality of brackets 27 attached and fixed to the lower side of the frame body 26 are engaged and supported and guided by the guide rails 29 provided on the frame body supporting side wall. The frame 30 is moved so that the belt 32 driven by the servo motor 31 is clamped by the arm 30 protruding and attached, and the frame 26 is moved in the front-rear direction by the front-rear movement of the belt 32 in the pushing direction of the can group 6. Mechanism 33.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 6, the hold bar 25 is formed by externally fitting a resin bar member 36 to a plate-like body 35 attached to the cylinder shaft of the air cylinder 34. The can 7 can be prevented from being damaged.
In FIG. 4, reference numerals 37 denote slide shafts provided on the left and right sides of the air cylinder 34, and can guide the movement of the hold bar 25 by the air cylinder 34 without twisting.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 7, the forward-preventing member 24 includes a pair of rotation drive mechanisms 38 that can be driven to swing within a predetermined angle range, and a rotating body that is pivotally connected to a rotation shaft 39 of each rotation drive mechanism 38. 40 and a gate member 41 which is in contact with the front end of the can group 6 in the extruding direction and is supported and fixed to the rotating body so that the can 7 can be prevented from being tilted forward. It can be opened and closed freely.
[0027]
At this time, the extending length of the rotator 40 is shortened so that its center of gravity is positioned closer to the rotating shaft than the center of gravity of the gate member, thereby acting on the rotator and gate member associated with the closing operation. The inertial force is reduced, the impact of the gate member 41 contacting the can 7 is reduced, and the can 7 is prevented from being damaged.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 8, the gate member 41 includes a gate bar 60 formed of polyethylene resin (an example of an elastic material 59) at a location where the gate member 41 contacts the front end of the can group 6 in the extrusion direction. It is configured to be engaged and held by the provided U-shaped mounting portion 61. If it is this, it becomes possible to absorb the impact at the time of contact | abutting to the can group 6 by the elastic deformation of polyethylene resin, and it can suppress that the can 7 is damaged.
Further, the gate member 41 is severely damaged or worn at the contact point with the can group 6, and the gate bar 60 engaged with the mounting portion 61 is released to replace the new gate bar 60. Therefore, economic efficiency and workability of replacement work can be improved.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 9, the rotary drive mechanism 38 is provided with a pinion gear 39a on the rotary shaft 39, and racks 43a and 43b meshing with the pinion gear 39a are provided on the left and right pistons 43A and 43B, respectively. The air cylinder 42 is configured such that the pistons 43A and 43B are movable by supplying and discharging air.
Then, the rotation shaft 39 is rotated and swung by the movement of the pistons 43A and 43B, and the rotating body 40 and the gate member 41 pivotally connected to the rotation shaft 39 can be opened and closed.
At this time, cushion rubbers 46a and 46b are provided on one end face in each of the cylinders 44A and 44B, and when the can group 6 is opened to open and the can group 6 can be discharged, the front of the can group 6 is opened. The end face of the piston 43A is in contact with the cushion rubber 46a, and the inertial force acting on the rotating body 40 and the gate member 41 accompanying the opening operation is absorbed by the elastic deformation of the cushion rubber 46a, and the can group 6 is tilted forward. When the closing operation is performed in a preventable closed state, the end surface of the piston 43B contacts the cushion rubber 46b, and the inertial force acting on the rotating body 40 and the gate member 41 accompanying the closing operation is absorbed by the elastic deformation of the cushion rubber 46b. The impact force of the gate member 41 contacting the can 7 is reduced to prevent the can 7 from being damaged. (See Figure 9)
[0030]
Next, the process is demonstrated along the conveyance path | route of the can 7. FIG.
B) A can group stack 5 in which a plurality of can groups 6 are stacked on a pallet 9 is transported onto a lift table 15 of a lift device 14 by a transport conveyor 11, and the can groups 6 in the can group stack 5 are Container group delivery in which the lift table moving mechanism 16 is driven so that one stage rises upward, and the front-end prevention member 24 is kept in the closed state above the lift device 14 (when the container transport equipment is activated). It is included in the device 2. (See Fig. 10 (a) and Fig. 12 (a))
[0031]
B) The separation sheet 8 placed on the upper part of the uppermost can group 6 raised by the lifting device 14 is removed from the separating sheet provided above the lifting device 14 as shown in FIGS. It is removed and conveyed by the conveying device 47.
The separate sheet removing and conveying device 47 includes a vacuum head support 49 having a plurality of vacuum heads 48 that suck and support the separate sheet 8 by suction, and a lift cylinder 50 that drives the vacuum head support 49 to move up and down. The separation sheet removing mechanism 53 provided is formed, and a plurality of (two in the present embodiment) first and second separate sheet removing mechanisms 53A and 53B are provided on the movable frame 52 that is movable along the guide rail 51. Configured.
[0032]
In order to remove the separate sheet 8, the vacuum head support 49 </ b> A of the first separate sheet removing mechanism 53 </ b> A waiting on the lift device 14 is lowered and placed on the uppermost can group 6. After a certain separate sheet 8 is sucked and supported by the vacuum head 48, the vacuum head support 49A is raised and the moving frame body 52 is moved laterally so that the first separate sheet removing mechanism 53A is located above the separate sheet temporary placement portion 54. The suction of the vacuum head 48 is released, and the separate sheet 8 is temporarily placed on the separate sheet temporarily placing portion 54.
Thereafter, the first separate sheet removal mechanism 53A is moved onto the lift device 14 (at this time, the second separate removal mechanism 53B is located above the separate sheet temporary placement portion 54), and the vacuum head support 49A is lowered. After the separate sheet 8 placed on the top of the uppermost can group 6 is sucked and supported by the vacuum head 48, the vacuum head support 49A is lifted and separated on the top of the can group 6. Simultaneously with the operation of removing the sheet 8, the vacuum head support 49B of the second separate sheet removing mechanism 53B is lowered to adsorb and support the separate sheet 8 temporarily placed on the separate sheet temporarily placing portion 54, and then the vacuum head The support 49B is raised and the second separate sheet removing mechanism 53B is moved by the lateral movement of the moving frame 52. The suction of the vacuum head 48 is released by positioning it on the discharge lift 55 for discharging the separate sheet 8 to drop the separate sheet 8 onto the discharge lift 55, and the first separate sheet removing mechanism 53A is mounted on the separate sheet temporary placement portion 54. Then, the suction of the vacuum head 48 is released and the separate sheet 8 is temporarily placed on the temporary placement portion 54.
The above process is performed each time the can group 6 is raised by the lift device 14 step by step.
[0033]
By adopting a configuration in which a plurality of separate sheet removing mechanisms 53 are provided as described above, the movement of each separate sheet removing mechanism 53 is compared with the case where the separate sheet removing mechanism 53 removes the separate sheet 8. Since the distance can be shortened, the separation sheet removal efficiency can be improved, and the conveyance efficiency of the can group 6 can be improved.
Above the discharge lift 55, a pair of arms 57 that can swing around the axis by expansion and contraction of the cylinder 56 are arranged to face each other, and the number of separate sheets 8 dropped onto the discharge lift 55 is to some extent. After being placed on the arm 57 until it is settled, the arm 57 is swung downward by the contraction operation of the cylinder 56, and the separate sheet 8 placed on the arm 57 is dropped onto the discharge lift 55, and the discharge lift 55 is lowered and the separate sheet 8 is discharged. The separation sheet 8 is temporarily placed on the arm 57 in order to increase the time for discharging the separation sheet 8 by the discharge lift 55. In other words, the removal operation of the separation sheet 8 is prevented from stagnation due to the discharge operation. It is to do.
[0034]
C) Simultaneously with the operation of removing the separate sheet 8 on the upper side of the can group 6, the air cylinder 34 is extended so that the hold bars 25 are brought into contact with the rear end and both side ends in the extrusion direction of the can group 6 to place the can group 6 in the container. The frame body 26 is held in the frame body 26 of the group delivery device 2 (the front end of the can group 6 is in contact with the gate member 41), and is driven by a belt by a servo motor 31 provided in the frame body moving mechanism 33. 26 is moved laterally toward the airflow conveyor 12. (See Fig. 10 (a) and Fig. 12 (a))
[0035]
The can group 6 lifted up by the lift device 14 can be seen from a bridge plate 58 provided between the airflow conveyor 12 and the lift device 14 in anticipation that the end of the separate sheet 8 is bent upward or downward. Is also configured to stop at a slightly higher position, so that when the can 7 moves from the lifting device 14 to the transfer plate 58, the can 7 is inclined and easily tilted forward. Since it is held down by the gate member 41, it can be discharged to the airflow conveyor 12 without overturning the can. (See Figure 12)
In this embodiment, a description is given of an example in which a crossing plate 58 is provided between the airflow conveyor 12 and the lift device 14 and the can group 6 is discharged to the airflow conveyor 12. It is good also as a structure discharged | emitted from the apparatus 14 to the airflow conveyor 12 directly.
[0036]
The air flow conveyor 12 and the extrusion member 23 are configured such that their relative speeds can be changed by a speed changing mechanism 62.
As an example, the speed changing mechanism 62 includes a wind power switching device 64 capable of switching the strength of wind power by the blower 63 and a transmission 65 capable of changing the drive speed of the servo motor 31. The air blowing amount from the air blowing hole 18 can be changed to change the conveying speed of the can 7 by the air flow conveyor 12, and the driving speed of the belt 32 can be changed by the transmission 65 to change the can of the pushing member 23. 7 is configured to be changeable, the conveyance speed by the airflow conveyor 12 and the conveyance speed by the pushing member 23 can be changed separately.
Therefore, not only the conveyance speed by the airflow conveyor 12 and the extrusion speed by the extrusion member 23 are set to the same speed, but also the extrusion speed by the extrusion member 23 is higher than the conveyance speed by the airflow conveyor 12. It can be set or set so that the conveying speed by the airflow conveyor 12 becomes faster than the extruding speed by the extruding member 23, and the conveying function corresponding to the conveying form can be changed to correspond. (See Figure 4)
[0037]
For example, as one embodiment, when the extrusion speed by the extrusion member 23 is set to be faster than the conveyance speed by the airflow conveyor 12, the can group 6 held in the frame body 26 is the airflow conveyor. Even when the rotary body 40 and the gate member 41 are opened on the airflow conveyor 12 and moved forward on the airflow conveyor 12 in the extruding direction while opening the front of the can group 6 in the extruding direction, Since the cans 7 on the front side of the can group 6 in the frame 26 are not transported earlier by the airflow conveyor 12 set later than the pushing member 23, the cans 7 are brought into contact with each other. As it is, it can be discharged onto the airflow conveyor 12 and conveyed downstream. (See FIG. 10 (B) and FIG. 12 (B))
At this time, when positioned below the upper guide 20 provided above the airflow conveyor 12, the rotating body 40 and the gate member 41 are switched to the open state so that the can group can be discharged. Then, the upper guide 20 can contact the upper end of the can group 6 to prevent the can 7 from toppling over, so that the can group 6 can be discharged to the airflow conveyor 12 in which the overturning is prevented.
[0038]
D) When the discharge of the can group 6 to the air flow conveyor 12 is finished, the closing operation of the rotating body 40 and the gate member 41 is started and closed, and each hold bar 25 is withdrawn, and then on the lift device 14. Retreat. (See Fig. 11 (c) and Fig. 13 (c))
Then, the container group delivery device 2 encloses one stage of the next can group 6 in the can group stack 5 raised by the lift table moving mechanism 16. (See Fig. 11 (D) and Fig. 13 (D))
[0039]
Thereafter, steps b) to d) are repeated until the can group 6 on the pallet 9 is eliminated.
The separate sheet 8 remaining on the next can group 6 is removed by the separate sheet removing and conveying device 47 until the container group delivery device 2 is pulled back above the lift device 14.
E) When all of the cans 6 on the pallet 9 are gone, the lift table 15 is lowered and transferred from the lift device 14 to the pallet discharge conveyor 13 by a pallet transfer device (not shown). Is repeated.
[0040]
[Another embodiment]
Other embodiments will be described below.
<1> In the previous embodiment, the container transport facility provided with the speed changing mechanism that can freely change the relative speed between the transport speed by the airflow conveyor and the extrusion speed by the pushing member has been described. As shown in FIG. A control device 66 that can freely change the conveyance speed by the airflow conveyor 12 and the extrusion speed by the extrusion member 23 may be used.
In this case, for example, the air blowing amount from the air blowing hole 18 and the driving speed of the belt 32 of the servo motor 31 can be automatically changed and controlled. Even if the mounting state of the upper guide 20 and the shape of the container 3 to be transported are changed by providing a sensor for detecting the mounting position and a sensor capable of recognizing the size of the container 3 to be transported. Based on the information from these sensors, it is possible to automatically change the conveyance speed by the airflow conveyor 12 and the extrusion speed by the pushing member 23 to an appropriate relative speed.
Further, by providing a sensor or the like for detecting the conveyance status of the container 3, it is possible to change both speeds according to the conveyance status of the container 3 (for example, the degree of congestion of the conveyance container).
<2> In the previous embodiment, the description has been given of the case where the extrusion speed by the extrusion member is set to be higher than the conveyance speed by the airflow conveyor, but the extrusion direction of the extrusion member moving on the airflow conveyor is forward. In order to switch the forward-prevention prevention member to the open state along with the lateral movement of the container, specifically, the air blowing from the air blowing hole so that the conveying speed by the air flow conveyor increases toward the front in the container conveying direction. The amount of the container may be set to be small at the receiving portion of the container by the pushing member, and the amount may be increased as the distance from the receiving portion in the transport direction is increased.
In this case, it is possible to digest the time required for opening the forward-prevention prevention member within the lateral movement time of the extrusion member, so that the forward movement is completed after the lateral movement of the extrusion member on the airflow conveyor is finished. The container discharge time can be shortened as compared with the case where the prevention member is opened to discharge the container onto the airflow conveyor.
In addition, for example, when the container is suddenly discharged to a high-speed conveyance location, the container is likely to fall down due to the difference in relative speed. With this configuration, the container can be discharged to a place where the airflow conveyor has a gentle conveyance speed, and the conveyance speed of the received container can be gradually increased. Container can be discharged and transported.
<3> As shown in FIG. 15, it is assumed that a detection sensor 67 is provided for detecting the presence of the container 3 in the open operation area 69 of the forward-falling prevention member 24, and the container group 4 is brought onto the airflow conveyor 12 by the pushing member 23. However, when the detection sensor 67 detects the presence of the container 3 in the open operation area 69, the forward-prevention member 24 is kept closed, and when the absence of the container 3 is detected, the forward-prevention member 24 is opened. It may be provided with a control device 68 that operates to switch to an open state in which the container group 4 can be discharged.
In this case, even if the container 3 discharged in the previous discharging process of the container group 4 exists in the open operation region of the forward-preventing member 24 for some reason, the presence of the container 3 can be detected by the detection sensor 67. Yes, if the detection sensor 67 detects the presence of the container 3 in the open operation area, the forward-preventing member 24 is maintained in the closed state. Can be prevented.
<4> In the previous embodiment, the gate bar was formed of a polyethylene resin. However, the gate bar is not limited to the one formed of a polyethylene resin, and an elastic resin other than the polyethylene resin, an elastic rubber, or the like. It may be formed of an elastic material made of
Further, the gate bar may be made of metal or resin having no elastic force other than the elastic material.
The above configuration can also be applied to the hold bar 25.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall side view showing an embodiment of a transport facility according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing a lift device according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part showing a separate sheet removing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing a container transport facility according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory view showing a mounting state of the upper guide according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view showing a mounting portion according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an enlarged operation of a main part showing a forward-preventing part according to the present invention
FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged explanatory view showing a rotational drive mechanism according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional explanatory view showing a rotational drive mechanism according to the present invention.
FIG. 10 is an operation plan view showing a container group delivery device according to the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a functional plan view showing a container group delivery device according to the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a side view for explaining the operation of the container group delivery device according to the present invention.
FIG. 13 is an operation side view showing a container group delivery device according to the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view showing a container transport facility according to another embodiment.
FIG. 15 is an operation explanatory view showing a container transport facility according to another embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
3 containers
4 containers
12 Air flow conveyor
23 Extruded member
24 Forward-prevention member
62 Speed change mechanism
66 Controller
67 Detection sensor
68 Controller
69 Opening range

Claims

A lift in which a plurality of container groups in which a plurality of containers are arranged in a horizontal position in a standing posture are stacked in a vertical direction, and the plurality of stacked container groups are placed and lifted upward one by one. An apparatus is provided, an airflow conveyor is provided that is adjacent to the lift apparatus and receives the uppermost container group raised by the lift apparatus and can be conveyed in the lateral direction.
An extrusion member that abuts from the side of the uppermost container group and extrudes the container group onto the adjacent air flow conveyor by lateral movement to the other side; A closed state that is positioned forward of the container group in the extrusion direction along with the lateral movement to prevent the container from falling forward, and the container group is pushed out when the container group comes on the air flow conveyor. It is a container transport facility provided with a forward-prevention member configured to be openable in the open direction and switchable to an open state in which the container group can be discharged , and transported by the airflow conveyor during operation of the container transport facility Container transport equipment provided with a speed changing mechanism capable of changing a relative speed between a speed and an extrusion speed by the pushing member.

The container conveyance facility according to claim 1, further comprising a control device capable of automatically changing and controlling a conveyance speed by the air flow conveyor and an extrusion speed by the extruding member.

The container conveying equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the container conveying equipment is set such that an extruding speed by the extruding member is faster than a conveying speed by the airflow conveyor.

As the extruding member moving on the airflow conveyor moves laterally forward in the extruding direction, the forward-preventing member is switched to the open state, and the conveying speed by the airflow conveyor is faster toward the front of the container in the conveying direction. The container transport facility according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the container transport facility is configured as described above.

A detection sensor for detecting the presence of a container in the opening operation region before Symbol forward tilting prevention member is provided, said even as the container group came on the air flow conveyor by extrusion member, the container the opening operation region by the detecting sensor When the presence of the container is detected, the forward-preventing member is kept closed, and when the absence of the container is detected, the forward-preventing member is opened to control the switching to an open state in which the container group can be discharged. The container transport facility according to claim 1, further comprising a control device that performs the control.

An upper guide is provided above the airflow conveyor so as to prevent the container being conveyed from falling over by coming into contact with the upper end of the container. The container conveyance equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the container is positioned below the upper guide, the forward-preventing member is switched to an open state.

A lift in which a plurality of container groups in which a plurality of containers are arranged in a horizontal position in a standing posture are stacked in a vertical direction, and the plurality of stacked container groups are placed and lifted upward one by one. An apparatus is provided, and the uppermost container group adjacent to the lift apparatus and lifted by the lift apparatus is received and transported in the lateral direction to the airflow conveyor capable of transporting in the lateral direction. The container is pushed from the side and pushed out by an extruding member that extrudes the container group onto the adjacent airflow conveyor by lateral movement to the other side, and the container is moved along with the lateral movement of the extruding member forward in the extruding direction. A closed state that is positioned in front of the group in the extrusion direction and prevents the container from falling forward; and when the container group comes on the airflow conveyor, the container group is opened in the direction of extrusion of the container group. Can be discharged The debt prevention member before the switchable constructed in an open state, and discharged in the open state, the container transporting method for transporting in the air flow conveyor, in the pushing member and during operation of the air flow conveyor, the air flow A container conveying method characterized by discharging the container group by freely changing a relative speed between a conveying speed by a conveyor and an extruding speed by the extruding member.