JP4946636B2 - Container alignment device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a container alignment apparatus, and more particularly to a container alignment apparatus that discharges containers one by one from a pallet and aligns them in a row.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a bulk depalletizer is known as a container transfer device configured to discharge a group of containers stacked in multiple stages on a pallet from the uppermost layer one by one sequentially.
In addition, a container aligning device has been proposed that aligns a single-layer container of PET bottles discharged from a pallet by a bulk deballetizer in a suspended state (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In the container aligning apparatus of Patent Documents 1 and 2, a single layer of containers discharged from the pallet are inserted into a plurality of neck guides arranged in parallel and supported in a suspended manner. . And it sends out in order from each neck guide, and is arranged in a line.
By the way, when a large number of containers are stacked on a pallet, the containers on the outer periphery may be dropped. In this case, the arrangement of the containers is disturbed and cannot be inserted into the neck guide.
Japanese Patent No. 2504280 JP 2000-344215 A

With respect to the occurrence of the above-mentioned disorder of arrangement, Patent Document 2 includes a detecting means for detecting whether or not the arrangement is normal when the container is discharged from the pallet by the bulk depalletizer. In such a case, a container alignment / conveying device has been proposed in which the discharging mechanism is operated to recover the container.
However, in the apparatus of Patent Document 2, since the containers once collected are discarded without being reused, it has been pointed out that many containers are wasted.

In view of the circumstances described above, the present invention described in claim 1 includes a container discharge device that discharges containers stacked in a plurality of stages on a pallet every one layer, and a first line that aligns the containers in a suspended state. 1 alignment device, and a second alignment device that aligns in a row while transporting the container in a state of being placed,
The container discharge device is provided with detection means for detecting whether or not the container is in a normal arrangement state for one layer of containers discharged from the pallet and aligned, and the container is in a normal arrangement state. Is detected by the detection means, the containers are aligned in a row by the first alignment device. If the detection means detects that the containers are in an abnormal alignment state, the containers are aligned in a row by the second alignment device. It is what I did.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container discharge device that discharges containers stacked in a plurality of stages on a pallet every layer, and a first alignment device that aligns the containers in a line in a suspended state. A second alignment device that aligns the containers in a row while being transported in a state of being placed,
The container discharge device includes a lifting platform that supports and lifts the pallet, a carry-out mechanism that discharges one layer of containers from the pallet, and a discharge table on which the discharged containers are placed. Delivery means for delivering the containers on the table to the second alignment device is provided, and the containers are sent from the discharge table to the first alignment device by the carry-out mechanism, and to the second alignment device by the delivery means. The container is delivered from the discharge table.
Furthermore, the present invention described in claim 3 is a container discharge device for discharging containers stacked in a plurality of stages on a pallet every layer, and a first alignment device for aligning the containers in a line in a suspended state. A second alignment device that aligns the containers in a row while being transported in a state of being placed,
The container discharge device includes a carry-out mechanism that discharges one layer of containers from the pallet, a discharge table on which the discharged containers are placed, and a lift mechanism that raises and lowers the carry-out mechanism and the discharge table. The first alignment device and the second alignment device are arranged up and down adjacent positions of a discharge table that is lifted and lowered by the lifting mechanism, and the discharge table on which the container is placed is moved by the lifting mechanism to the first and second alignment devices. Adjacent to one of the second aligning devices, the container is sent out from the discharge table by the carry-out mechanism.

  According to the configuration described above, the container discharged from the container discharge device can be selectively executed in the suspended state and the alignment while being transported while being placed. Even when alignment in the lowered state is difficult, the containers can be aligned in a row.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the illustrated embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a container aligning apparatus that discharges containers 2 from the pallet P one by one and aligns them in a row.
The container 2 to be processed is a plastic bottle, and as shown in FIG. 5, a flange portion 2C is provided between the mouth portion 2A and the trunk portion 2B. By supporting the flange portion 2C from below, the container 2 is supported in a suspended state.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, such containers 2 are supplied on the pallet P in a plurality of stages via the intermediate sheet 3, and the containers 2 of each layer are supplied on the intermediate sheet 3. In a multi-row, the rows are arranged in a staggered manner with the positions shifted for each adjacent row.

  The container alignment apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a bulk depalletizer 4 as a container discharge apparatus that discharges the containers 2 from the pallet P one layer at a time, and a first alignment apparatus that aligns the containers 2 in a line while being suspended. Alignment is performed by the suspending and aligning device 5, the alignment conveyor device 6 as the second aligning device that aligns the containers 2 while being transported in a state of being placed, and the suspending and aligning device 5 and the alignment conveyor device 6. The air conveyor apparatus 7 which receives the container 2 made, and conveys it in the suspended state, and the confluence | merging apparatus 8 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the bulk depalletizer 4 includes a lift 11 that supports the pallet P and moves up and down, a carry-out mechanism 12 that discharges the uppermost container 2 from the pallet P, and a discharged container. 2 and a sheet removing unit 14 for removing the intermediate sheet 3.
The carry-out mechanism 12 includes a holding frame 15 that holds the containers 2 arranged in multiple rows, and a reciprocating mechanism 16 that reciprocates the holding frame 15. Here, the arrangement of the containers 2 in the same direction as the discharge direction is a row.
The reciprocating mechanism 16 includes a chain 16 </ b> A disposed from a position above the lifting platform 11 beyond the discharge table 13, and a pair of sprockets 16 </ b> B spanning the chain 16 </ b> A, and these are stacked on the lifting platform 11. The holding frame 15 is connected to the chain 16A and is reciprocated by a motor (not shown) and a control device (not shown) for controlling the holding frame 15.

As shown in FIG. 3, the holding frame 15 is formed in a U-shape and is connected to the pair of left and right chains 16 </ b> A of the reciprocating mechanism 16 so as to be reciprocated with the U-shaped opening as the front. Yes. Inside the holding frame 15, an alignment bar 21A that advances and retreats toward the opening by the air cylinders 17A and 17A, and an alignment bar 21B that is arranged orthogonal to both sides of the alignment bar 21A and that is advanced and retracted by the air cylinders 17B and 17B. , 21B are provided.
When the holding frame 15 is positioned above the lifting platform 11, the uppermost container 2 to be raised can be surrounded from three sides by U-shaped alignment bars 21A, 21B, and 21B. . Further, the opening portion of the holding frame 15 can be opened and closed by an opening / closing bar 22, and both end portions of the opening / closing bar 22 are pivotally supported by the holding frame 15 via a rotating shaft 23, and the opening / closing bar 22 has a lever 24. Via the air cylinder 25.
The container 2 can be pressed and held by the open / close bar 22 and the alignment bars 21A, 21B, 21B by advancing the alignment bars 21A, 21B, 21B by the air cylinders 17A, 17B with the open / close bar 22 closed. It has become. By operating the reciprocating mechanism 16 in a state where the container 2 for one layer is held in this way, the held container 2 can be discharged onto the discharge table 13 and further sent out to the hanging alignment device 5 beyond that. It can be done. Further, by stopping on the discharge table 13 and opening the opening / closing bar 22, the holding frame 15 can be retreated to the upper position of the elevator 11 while leaving the container 2 on the discharge table 13.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, detection is performed to detect whether or not the container 2 is in a normal arrangement state for the container 2 of one layer that is held by the holding frame 15 and is discharged from the pallet P and aligned in a row. Means 26 are provided in the bulk depalletizer 4.
As shown in FIG. 4, the detection means 26 includes a support shaft 28 supported between the brackets 27 and 27, a plurality of test pieces 31 supported on the support shaft 28 so as to be rotatable at an equal pitch, The light shielding sensor 32 attached to both the brackets 27 and 27 is provided.

The light shielding sensor 32 includes a light projecting unit 32A disposed on one bracket 27 and a light receiving unit 32B disposed on the other bracket 27, and the inspection light is irradiated from the light projecting unit 32A toward the light receiving unit 32B. ing. The inspection light passes through the adjacent positions of the inspection pieces 31, and the swinging of any of the inspection pieces 31 is detected by blocking the inspection light.
As shown in FIG. 2, each test piece 31 of the detection means 26 is in contact with the mouth 2 </ b> A of the container 2 slightly ahead of the discharge direction on the discharge table 13 for the uppermost container 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the positions are arranged between the nine rows of the containers 2 a to 2 j at the possible height positions.
In this state, when the container 2 for one layer held and discharged by the carry-out mechanism 12 is in a normal arrangement state, the test pieces 31 do not come into contact with the containers 2, and the test light is transmitted by the test pieces 31. By not being shielded from light, it is possible to detect that the single-layer containers 2 discharged this time are in a normal array state.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, when there is a container 2 </ b> X that disturbs the arrangement, the test piece 31 comes into contact with the container 2 </ b> X during the discharge by the carry-out mechanism 12, and the container 2 is in the discharge direction side. And the inspection light is shielded. As a result, it is possible to detect that the one-layer containers 2 discharged this time are not in a normal arrangement state.
The detection means 26 can be moved from the detection position on the discharge table 13 to the retreat position on the opposite side to the discharge direction of the container 2 and avoiding interference with the container 2 by the reciprocating mechanism 33. .

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the suspending and aligning device 5 includes an expansion / contraction mechanism 34 that widens the rows of the containers 2 for one layer supplied by the carry-out mechanism 12, and a container 2 that is widened between the rows. A delivery mechanism 35 that feeds out each row and an air conveyor 36 that transports the containers 2 sent out in one row while the containers 2 are suspended are provided.
The expansion / contraction mechanism 34 and the delivery mechanism 35 are provided with the same number of suspension support members 37 and 38 as the number of rows of containers 2 for one layer, respectively. The suspension support member 37 (38) is shown in FIG. Thus, it is formed in a U shape with the opening directed downward. Engaging portions 37A (38A) projecting inward are formed at the lower ends of both side walls, and the flange portions 2C of the container 2 are supported from below by these engaging portions 37A (38A). It has the full length which can support the container 2 for 1 row.

Such a suspension support member 37 is attached to the expansion / contraction operation means 41 of the expansion / contraction mechanism 34, and each interval is expanded by the operation of the expansion / contraction operation means 41. The expansion / contraction mechanism 34 is connected to the elevating mechanism 42, and is moved up and down to a lower height position for receiving the container 2 from the carry-out mechanism 12 and an upper height position for delivery to the delivery mechanism 35. .
When the interval between the suspension support members 37 of the expansion / contraction mechanism 34 is reduced and is in the lowered position by the elevating mechanism 42, as shown in FIG. The suspension support member 37 can be fed out from the suspension support member 37.
As shown in FIG. 7, the suspension support member 37 into which the container 2 has been introduced is raised by the elevating mechanism 42, and each interval is enlarged by the expansion / contraction operation means 41. The containers 2 suspended and supported in this state are extruded all at once by the pusher bar 44 of the push-out mechanism 43 and introduced into the suspension support member 38 of the delivery mechanism 35.

The delivery mechanism 35 is provided with the same number of suspension support members 38 as the expansion / contraction mechanism 34. The suspension support members 38 are moved in the direction crossing the longitudinal direction by the intermittent feeding means 45 in order, and the air conveyor 36A, The containers 2 are alternately introduced by pushers (not shown) in alignment with the introduction rails 46A and 46B of 36B.
The introduction rails 46A and 46B and the air conveyors 36A and 36B continuous thereto support the flange portion 2C of the container 2 in the same manner as the suspension support members 37 and 38, and support the container 2 by suspending it. . In addition, a merging portion 47 for merging the air conveyors 36A and 36B in one row is provided, and the containers 2 for each one row alternately pushed out from the suspension support member 38 to the introduction rails 46A and 46B are alternately joined together. From 47, the air conveyor apparatus 7 which comprises the downstream air conveyor apparatus 7 is sent in a line in a line.

In contrast to the hanging alignment apparatus 5 having the above configuration, an alignment conveyor apparatus 6 as a second alignment apparatus is arranged on the side in the discharge direction of the container 2 by the carry-out mechanism 12 as shown in FIG. The container aligning device 1 is further provided with a delivery means 51 for delivering the containers 2 on the discharge table 13 to the aligning conveyor device 6.
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the delivery means 51 is disposed between the discharge mechanism 52 that holds and moves the container 2 for one layer, the discharge table 13, and the introduction conveyor 53 of the alignment conveyor device 6. And a comb-like bridge plate 54.
The payout mechanism 52 includes a grip arm 55 that grips the container 2 for one layer from four directions. The grip arm 55 spans a pair of sprockets 56A (only one is shown) shown in FIG. The reciprocating mechanism 56 having the chain 56 </ b> B can reciprocate over the discharge table 13 and the introduction conveyor 53.

Normally, as shown in FIG. 2, since the payout mechanism 52 raises the four gripping arms 55, the gripping arms 55 do not interfere with the holding frame 15 of the carry-out mechanism 12 that performs the discharging operation.
On the other hand, when it is detected by the detection means 26 that the container 2 for one layer is in an abnormal arrangement state, the carry-out mechanism 12 leaves the container 2 for one layer directly under the dispensing mechanism 52 and holds the holding frame. 15 is retracted, and the payout mechanism 52 lowers the four gripping arms 55 to grip the container 2 for one layer on the discharge table 13 and move it toward the introduction conveyor 53.
As shown in FIG. 11, the comb-like bridge plate 54 includes a fixed portion 54 </ b> A that is fixedly disposed at a position adjacent to the introduction conveyor 53, and a movable portion 54 </ b> B that is meshed with the fixed portion 54 </ b> A and can be expanded and contracted. When the container 2 is delivered from the discharge table 13 to the introduction conveyor 53, the movable portion 54B is extended to a position close to the discharge table 13 by the air cylinder 57.
In this state, the dispensing mechanism 52 that grips the container 2 by the gripping arm 55 is moved from the discharge table 13 onto the introducing conveyor 53 by the reciprocating mechanism 56, so that one container 2 is placed on the introducing conveyor 53. It is designed to be handed over.

Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the alignment conveyor device 6 of this embodiment includes the introduction conveyor 53, conveyor means 61 arranged so as to cross the front side in the conveyance direction, and the conveyor means 61. Conveying means 62 arranged in parallel, a guide member 64 for aligning the containers 2 to be transported in a placed state above them, and a conveyor 63 for transporting the containers 2 aligned in a row are provided above them. Furthermore, a control device (not shown) for controlling the conveying speed of the conveyor means 61 and 62 and the conveyor 63 is provided.
Each of the conveyor means 61 and 62 includes a plurality of conveyors arranged in parallel, and the conveyance speed is set so as to accelerate in a stepwise manner toward the conveyor 63.
As a result, the container 2 sent by the introduction conveyor 53 is changed in its traveling direction by the conveyor means 61 from the leading one, so that the dense state is destroyed, and while being guided by the guide member 64, it is transferred from the conveyor means 61 to 62. In addition, they are arranged in a line and sent to the conveyor 63.

  A second air conveyor 7B constituting the air conveyor device 7 is arranged downstream of the conveyor 63. As shown in FIG. 12, the left and right sides supporting the flange portion 2C of the container 2 from the introduction portion 65 of the air conveyor 7B. A pair of neck guides 66 are extended on the conveyor 63, and the container 2 to be transported while being placed on the conveyor 63 is supported by the neck guide 66 with the flange portion 2C extended, and the air conveyor 7B. Is to be handed over.

Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the air conveyor device 7 is supplied from a first air conveyor 7 </ b> A that receives and conveys a row of containers 2 supplied from the hanging alignment device 5, and the alignment conveyor device 6. A second air conveyor 7B that receives and conveys one row of containers 2 and a merging device 8 that merges the containers 2 carried by both air conveyors 7A and 7B and sends them downstream in a row.
As shown in FIG. 8, the merging device 8 includes a trunk guide 67A for guiding the trunk 2B of the container 2 fed from the first air conveyor 7A, and the trunk of the container 2 fed from the second air conveyor 7B. A body guide 67B for guiding 2B is provided, and a switching guide 71 is disposed at a junction where the body guides 67B are joined together and continue to the body guide 68a that feeds the container 2 downstream in a row. Grip mechanisms 72 </ b> A and 72 </ b> B for gripping the container 2 are disposed at positions of the body guides 67 </ b> A and 67 </ b> B that are slightly upstream from the switching guide 71.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, neck guides 73A and 73B for supporting the flange portion 2C of the container 2 are provided at positions above the body guides 67A and 67B, and these are the air ducts 74 for supplying the propulsion air. Located at the bottom. A movable air duct 75 that is movable in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction is disposed above the switching guide 71, that is, at a position where both neck guides 73A and 73B merge, and below the movable air duct 75, the neck guide 73A. And a neck guide 77B for connecting the neck guide 73B for feeding the container 2 in a row, and a neck guide 77B for connecting the neck guide 73B and the neck guide 76b.
Each row of containers 2 conveyed by the air conveyors 7A and 7B is conveyed in a state where the body 2B is guided from both sides by the body guides 67A and 67B and the flange 2C is held by the neck guides 73A and 73B. It has become so.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the switching guide 71 communicates the body guide 67A with the body guide 68a, and the movable air duct 75 communicates the air conveyor 7A with the neck guide 73A. The container 2 to be conveyed is sent to the downstream side, and the container 2 conveyed on the other air conveyor 7B is gripped by the grip mechanism 72B and is prevented from proceeding.

  To join the containers 2 transported by the air conveyor 7B from this state, the containers 2 transported by the air conveyor 7A are gripped and stopped by the grip mechanism 72A, while the switching guide 71 and the movable air duct are driven by a driving mechanism (not shown). 75, the communication state of 75 is switched, the body guide 67B and the body guide 68a are connected, the neck guide 73B and the neck guide 76b are connected, the grip of the grip mechanism 72B is released, and the air conveyor 7B is conveyed. 2 is sent downstream. In this manner, each row of containers 2 conveyed in a state of being suspended by the air conveyors 7A and 7B are joined together in one row by the merging device 8.

The operation of the container alignment apparatus 1 according to the present invention configured as described above will be described. In the bulk depalletizer 4, the containers 2 are stacked in a plurality of stages from the carry-in part 4 a in a state where the lifting platform 11 is positioned at the introduction height of the pallet P and the holding frame 15 of the carry-out mechanism 12 is disposed above the lift platform 11. The pallet P is carried into the lifting platform 11. The loaded pallet P is lifted by the elevator 11 and the uppermost container 2 is positioned in the holding frame 15 in which the opening / closing bar 22 of the carry-out mechanism 12 is closed. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, ten rows of containers 2 are arranged in a staggered manner for each layer, and the air cylinders 17A and 17B of the holding frame 15 are operated to thereby arrange the alignment bars 21A and 21B. 21B is advanced, and the container 2 for one layer is held from all sides.
The container 2 for one layer held by the holding frame 15 of the carry-out mechanism 12 is discharged from the position stacked on the pallet P onto the discharge table 13 by the operation of the reciprocating mechanism 16. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, the detection means 26 is arranged above the inlet end of the discharge table 13, and the arrangement state of the containers 2 for one layer moved on the discharge table 13 this time is the target. Are inspected in order from the end. When it is detected that all the containers 2 for one layer have passed the inspection position of the detection means 26 and are in a normal arrangement state, the carry-out mechanism 12 does not stop the holding frame 15 on the discharge table 13. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the holding containers 2 are introduced to the respective suspension support members 37 of the expansion / contraction mechanism 34 lowered to the lowered position as the introduction height for each row, so that the suspension is aligned. An aligning operation for aligning the containers 2 in a line by the apparatus 5 is executed.

  When the container 2 is suspended by the suspension support member 37, the cylinders 17A and 17B of the holding frame 15 are operated to release the holding state by the alignment bars 21A, 21B, and 21B, and then the lifting mechanism 42 After the expansion / contraction mechanism 34 is raised and each suspension support member 37 is positioned at the lift position that is the carry-out height to be delivered to the delivery mechanism 35, the expansion / contraction operation means 41 is operated to increase the interval between the suspension support members 37. Let In this state, the suspension support members 37 of the expansion / contraction mechanism 34 and the suspension support members 38 of the delivery mechanism 35 are aligned and aligned with each other, and the push-out mechanism 43 is operated. Then, the pusher bar 44 pushes the container 2 supported by each suspension support member 37 to the corresponding suspension support member 38 and supports it in a suspended state. Further, when the container 2 that is lifted and supported by the suspension support member 37 is pulled out from the inside of the holding frame 15, the reciprocating mechanism 16 is operated as shown in FIG. The holding frame 15 is retracted to the upper side of the pallet P, and the carry-out mechanism 12 is prepared for the next discharging operation.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the container 2 introduced into each suspension support member 38 of the delivery mechanism 35 has the suspension support members 38 in the fifth row from the end as the introduction rails 46 </ b> A and 46 </ b> B of the air conveyor 36. First, a row of containers 3 are introduced into the air conveyor 36A by a pusher (not shown) from the end suspension support member 38 aligned with one introduction rail 46A, and then the other One row of containers 2 is introduced into the air conveyor 36B by a pusher (not shown) from the suspension support members 38 in the fifth row from the end aligned with the introduction rail 46B. Thereafter, each suspension support member 38 is moved by one row by the intermittent feed means 45, so that instead of the suspension support member 38 from which the container 2 has already been carried out, the adjacent suspension support member 38 is introduced to the introduction rail 46A, 46B, the introduction operation to the air conveyors 36A and 36B is alternately repeated. The containers 2 introduced into the air conveyors 36 </ b> A and 36 </ b> B are joined to the first air conveyor 7 </ b> A of the downstream air conveyor device 7 at the junction 47 and aligned.

  During the operation of the suspending and aligning device 5, the sheet removing means 14 is activated to adsorb the intermediate sheet 3 placed on the uppermost container 2 and onto the empty pallet placed on the side of the pallet P. The intermediate sheet 3 is placed. Thereafter, the elevator 11 is raised by one stage, and the uppermost container 2 is positioned inside the holding frame 15 of the carry-out mechanism 12 waiting upward, and the next carry-out operation is started. Then, when the discharging operation of the containers 2 for all the stages is completed, the empty pallet placed on the side of the pallet P and carrying the intermediate sheet 3 is unloaded from the unloading unit 4b, and the discharging operation is completed. The pallet P is moved to the side.

In addition to the above operations, the alignment conveyor device 6 is configured to execute an alignment operation for aligning the containers 2 in a row for the single-layer containers 2 in which the abnormality in the alignment state is detected by the detection means 26. Yes.
That is, when the container 2 for the upper layer on the discharge table 13 is discharged by the unloading mechanism 12, if the shortage occurs in the container 2 for one layer and the arrangement state is disturbed, the containers 2X that are shifted between the rows Comes into contact with the test piece 31 of the detecting means 26 and swings the test piece 31 in the discharging direction of the container 2. As a result, the inspection light from the light shielding sensor 32 is shielded and an abnormality in the arrangement state is detected. When an abnormality in the arrangement state is detected in this way, the carry-out mechanism 12 positions the discharged two-layer container 2 immediately below the discharge mechanism 52 of the delivery means 51 that is placed above the discharge table 13. The holding frame 15 is stopped. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, in a state where the reciprocating mechanism 33 is operated and the detection means 26 is retracted from above the discharge table 13, the air cylinders 17A and 17B of the holding frame 15 are operated and the alignment bars are operated. 21A, 21B, and 21B are retracted to release the holding of the container 2, and the opening / closing bar 22 is moved to the upper position by the operation of the air cylinder 25 so that the opening portion of the holding frame 15 is in the open state, and the The holding frame 15 is moved backward to the upper position of the pallet P with the container 2 for one layer remaining. Further, the left container 2 is gripped by the gripping arm 55 of the payout mechanism 52, and the comb-like bridge plate 54 is extended by the air cylinder 57 to connect the discharge table 13 and the introduction conveyor 53 to the alignment conveyor device 6. In this state, the reciprocating mechanism 56 is operated to move the discharge mechanism 52, and the containers 2 for one layer gripped by the grip arm 55 are discharged from the discharge table 13 onto the introduction conveyor 53 all at once.
The discharged containers 2 are sent to the conveyor means 61 of the aligning conveyor device 6 to release the dense state, and are conveyed in the same direction as the discharge direction of the containers 2 by the discharge mechanism 12 that intersects the introduction conveyor 53. On the conveyor means 61, 62, the containers 2 are arranged in a row while being transported in a state where they are placed. The containers 2 are fed into the conveyor 63 in a row and conveyed downstream, and the introduction section 65 Is transferred to the second air conveyor 7B of the air conveyor device 7 and conveyed in a suspended state. The containers 2 transported on the second air conveyor 7B are joined to the containers 2 transported on the first air conveyor 7A by the joining device 8 and transported further downstream in a row.

As described above, the container alignment apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes the hanging alignment apparatus 5 that suspends and conveys the containers 2 and aligns them in one row, and aligns them in one line while placing and conveying the containers 2. The container 2 can be selectively aligned by the hanging alignment device 5 and the alignment conveyor device 6 based on the detection result by the detection means 26.
According to such a present Example, even if the arrangement | sequence disorder is in the container 2 for one layer discharged | emitted from the pallet P, it is not necessary to discard this container 2. FIG. Therefore, all containers 2 discharged from the pallet P by the bulk depalletizer 4 can be aligned in a row by the hanging alignment device 5 or the alignment conveyor device 6 and it is difficult to align in the suspended state. Even so, it is possible to align the containers 2 in a row.

  Next, FIGS. 13 to 18 show a container aligning apparatus 101 as a second embodiment of the present invention. In the container aligning apparatus 101 of the second embodiment, containers 2 are placed one layer at a time from the pallet P. A bulk depalletizer 104 as a container discharge device to be discharged, a suspension alignment device 105 as a first alignment device that aligns the containers 2 in a line in a suspended state, and the container 2 being transported in a state of being placed. However, an alignment conveyor device 106 as a second alignment device aligned in a row, and an air conveyor device 7 and a merging device 8 having the same configuration as the first embodiment are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 13 to FIG. 14, the bulk depalletizer 104 includes a mounting table 111 on which the pallet P in which the containers 2 are stacked in a plurality of stages and a container 2 for the uppermost layer from the pallet P. A discharge mechanism 112 for discharging, a discharge table 113 on which the discharged container 2 is placed, a lifting mechanism 200 for lifting and lowering the discharge mechanism 112 and the discharge table 113 integrally, and a sheet removing means 114 for removing the intermediate sheet 3. I have.

The elevating mechanism 200 includes a fixed portion 201 made up of a pair of support columns that are erected on both sides of the mounting table 111, and a movable unit 202 that is disposed between the support columns of the fixed portion 201 and is moved up and down along the support columns. The movable part 202 is provided with a carry-out mechanism 112 and a discharge table 113.
The fixed portion 201 has a drive mechanism for raising and lowering each column, and the movable portion 202 is moved up and down by these drive mechanisms while maintaining the level. Moreover, the movable part 202 is provided with the side wall part connected with the drive mechanism of each support | pillar of the fixing | fixed part 201, and is comprised by the gate type which connected each side wall part in the upper part, and the bottom face and the front-back surface are open | released. .
A discharge table 113 is horizontally attached to the open bottom surface of the movable portion 202 toward the open front side to cover the bottom surface, and the top surface of the gate-shaped movable portion 202 is above the discharge table 113. Only the upper portion of the rear side portion where the bottom surface is opened is covered without being covered and is opened. The part opened to the top and bottom and the rear is used as an opening 202A, and the mounting table 111 is arranged so that the container 2 stacked on the pallet P is positioned in the opening 202A. The discharge table 113 can be moved up and down along.

As shown in FIG. 14, the carry-out mechanism 112 includes a holding frame 115 that holds the containers 2 arranged in multiple rows, and a reciprocating mechanism 116 that reciprocates the holding frame 115 along the longitudinal direction of the movable portion 202. I have. In the second embodiment, the arrangement of the containers 2 in the same direction as the discharge direction is a row.
The reciprocating mechanism 116 includes sprockets 116B and 116B provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of each of the left and right side walls of the movable portion 202, and a pair of left and right chains 116A and 116A spanned between the sprockets 116B and 116B, respectively. And a bracket 116C attached to both the chains 116A and 116A and coupled to the holding frame 115 from both sides. The holding frame 115 is moved by the movable portion 202 by a motor (not shown) and a control device (not shown) for controlling the motor. It is designed to reciprocate along the longitudinal direction.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the holding frame 115 is formed in a square frame shape, and four holding bars 121 are arranged on the holding frame 115 so as to form a cross beam on the inner side of the four sides. These alignment bars 121 are moved forward and backward by a pair of air cylinders 117A and 117B attached to two opposing sides of the holding frame 115, respectively.

Each alignment bar 121 is retracted outward, the holding frame 115 is in the retracted position above the mounting table 111, and the movable frame 202 is moved upward so that the holding frame 115 is above the uppermost container 2. By lowering the movable portion 202 by a required amount from the end position, the uppermost layer of the container 2 can be surrounded from the four sides by the four alignment bars 121 of the holding frame 115. Yes.
In this state, the air cylinders 117 </ b> A and 117 </ b> B are actuated to bring the alignment bars 121 closer to the inward side even if they are synchronized, so that the four alignment bars 121 can press and hold the container 2 for one layer. It is like that.
Thus, by operating the reciprocating mechanism 116 with the container 2 for one layer held on the holding frame 115, the held container 2 can be discharged from the pallet P onto the discharge table 113, and thereafter Further, by lowering the movable part 202, the discharge table 113 can be positioned at a height adjacent to the hanging alignment device 105 or the alignment conveyor device 106.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 14, in this embodiment, whether or not the container 2 is in a normal arrangement state with respect to one container 2 held on the holding frame 115 and discharged from the pallet P to the discharge table 113. The detecting means 26 for detecting this is provided above the inlet end of the discharge table 113 and fixed between both side walls of the movable portion 202.
The configuration of the detection means 26 of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4, and the detection means 26 is mounted on the brackets 27, 27 at positions opposite to both side walls in the movable portion 202. The support shaft 28 supported horizontally between the brackets 27, 27, the plurality of test pieces 31 supported on the support shaft 28 so as to be rotatable at an equal pitch, and the above-mentioned The light shielding sensor 32 attached to both the brackets 27 and 27 is provided.

The support shaft 28 is disposed above the container 2 held by the holding frame 115 and orthogonal to the moving direction of the holding frame 115.
The light shielding sensor 32 includes a light projecting unit 32A disposed on one bracket 27 and a light receiving unit 32B disposed on the other bracket 27, and the inspection light is irradiated from the light projecting unit 32A toward the light receiving unit 32B. ing. The inspection light passes through the adjacent positions of the inspection pieces 31, and the swinging of any of the inspection pieces 31 is detected by blocking the inspection light.

Each test piece 31 of the detection means 26 is positioned between the nine rows of the containers 2a to 2j for the uppermost container 2 held on the holding frame 115 and discharged from the pallet P to the discharge table 113. Are arranged together.
In this state, when the single-layer containers 2 held on the holding frame 115 and discharged from the pallet P onto the discharge table 113 are in a normal arrangement state, the test pieces 31 come into contact with the containers 2. However, since the inspection light is not shielded by the inspection piece 31, it can be detected that the one-layer containers 2 discharged this time are in a normal arrangement state.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, when there is a container 2 </ b> X that disturbs the arrangement, the test piece 31 comes into contact with the container 2 </ b> X during discharge by the holding frame 115 of the carry-out mechanism 112, and the container 2 The inspection light is shielded by swinging toward the discharge direction side. As a result, it is possible to detect that the one-layer containers 2 discharged this time are not in a normal arrangement state.

The bulk depalletizer 104 of the second embodiment is configured as described above, and is further arranged adjacent to a region composed of an upper and lower space in which the discharge table 113 of the bulk depalletizer 104 is raised and lowered. 105 and the aligning conveyor device 106 are arranged up and down. In this embodiment, the alignment conveyor device 106 is installed on the floor, and the suspended alignment device 105 is disposed above the alignment conveyor device 106.
The suspending and aligning device 105 in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment except that the lifting mechanism 42 in the first embodiment is omitted, and the corresponding member numbers are obtained by adding 100 to the corresponding members. Is attached. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, the suspending and aligning device 105 includes an expansion / contraction mechanism 134 that expands the space between the rows of the containers 2 supplied by the holding frame 115 of the carry-out mechanism 112, and a container in which the space between the rows is widened. 2 and the air conveyor 136 which conveys the container 2 sent out in one row in a state where the container 2 is suspended.
The expansion / contraction mechanism 134 and the delivery mechanism 135 are respectively provided with the same number of suspension support members 137, 138 as the number of rows of containers 2 for one layer, and the suspension support members 137, 138 are provided in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the suspension support members 37 and 38 are formed in a U-shape with the opening facing downward. Similarly to the engagement portion 37A of the suspension support member 37, each of the suspension support members 137 and 138 has an engagement portion protruding inward at the lower ends of both side walls. The flange portion 2C of the container 2 is supported from below by the portion, and has a total length that can support the container 2 for one row.

A pallet mounted on the mounting table 111 with a space for the discharge table 113 to move up and down so that such a suspension support member 137 is positioned on an extension in the discharge direction of the container 2 from the discharge table 113. Opposite to the container 2 on P, it is attached to the expansion / contraction operation means 141 of the expansion / contraction mechanism 134, and each interval is expanded by the operation of the expansion / contraction operation means 141.
In a state where the intervals between the suspension support members 137 of the expansion / contraction mechanism 134 are reduced, the movable portion 202 is moved up and down to make the discharge table 113 adjacent to each other, and the height of the flange portion 2C of the container 2 placed on the discharge table 113 is increased. Then, the reciprocating mechanism 116 is operated to feed the container 2 for one layer held by the holding frame 115 from the discharge table 113 to the suspension support member 137 all at once. To be introduced.
The suspension support member 137 into which the container 2 has been introduced is expanded in the interval by the expansion / contraction operation means 141, and the container 2 supported by being suspended in this state is a pusher bar (not shown) similar to that of the first embodiment. Are pushed all at once and introduced into the suspension support member 138 of the delivery mechanism 135.

The delivery mechanism 135 is configured in the same manner as the delivery mechanism 35 of the first embodiment, and includes the same number of suspension support members 138 as the expansion / contraction mechanism 134, and the suspension support members 138 are sequentially supplied by the intermittent feeding means 145. The container 2 is moved in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction, aligned with the introduction rails 146A and 146B of the air conveyors 136A and 136B, and the containers 2 are alternately introduced by pushers (not shown).
The introduction rails 146A and 146B and the air conveyors 136A and 136B continuing to the support rails 146A and 136B support the flange portion 2C of the container 2 in the same manner as the suspension support members 137 and 138, and suspend and support the container 2. . In addition, a confluence portion 147 for joining the air conveyors 136A and 136B in one row is provided, and the containers 2 for each one row alternately pushed out from the suspension support member 138 to the introduction rails 146A and 146B are alternately joined to each other. From 147, it is sent in a line to the first air conveyor 7A constituting the air conveyor device 7 on the further downstream side.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the alignment conveyor device 106 as the second alignment device holds the carry-out mechanism 112 when the discharge table 113 is adjacent to the hanging alignment device 105 having the above configuration. It arrange | positions under the said suspension alignment apparatus 105 so that it may be located on the extension of the discharge direction of the container 2 by the flame | frame 115. FIG.
The aligning conveyor device 106 includes a conveyor means 161 arranged on the extension of the discharge direction of the container 2 by the holding frame 115 when the discharge table 113 is adjacent, and a conveyor means arranged in parallel adjacent to the conveyor means 161. 162, a guide member 164 for aligning the containers 2 to be transported in a mounted state above them, and a conveyor 163 for transporting the containers 2 aligned in a row. 161, 162 and a control device (not shown) for controlling the conveying speed of the conveyor 163 is provided.
Each of the conveyor means 161 and 162 is configured by arranging a plurality of conveyors in parallel, and the conveyance speed is set so as to accelerate stepwise toward the conveyor 163. As a result, the single-layer containers 2 placed on the conveyor means 161 are aligned and sent to the conveyor 163 while being transported from the conveyor means 161 to 162 while being guided by the guide member 164. It has become.

A second air conveyor 7B constituting the air conveyor device 7 is disposed downstream of the conveyor 163, and, similar to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 12, from the introduction part 65 of the second air conveyor 7B, A pair of left and right neck guides 66 that support the flange portion 2C of the container 2 are extended on the conveyor 63, and the flange portion 2C of the container 2 that is transported while being placed on the conveyor 163 is extended. It is supported by the neck guide 66 and delivered to the second air conveyor 7B.
The suspending and aligning device 105 and the aligning and conveying device 106 in the second embodiment are configured as described above.

Next, as shown in FIG. 13, also in the second embodiment, the air conveyor device 7 is aligned with the first air conveyor 7A that receives and conveys a row of containers 2 supplied from the hanging and aligning device 105. A second air conveyor 7B that receives and conveys a row of containers 2 supplied from the conveyor device 106, and a merging device 8 that joins the containers 2 conveyed by both the air conveyors 7A and 7B and sends them in a row downstream. ing.
Since the configurations of the air conveyor device 7 and the merging device 8 in the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The operation of the container alignment apparatus 101 of the second embodiment configured as described above will be described. In the bulk paper palletizer 104, the movable portion 202 is in the ascending end position, the holding frame 115 of the carry-out mechanism 112 is in a retracted position above the mounting table 111, and each alignment bar 121 of the holding frame 115 is further retracted. In this state, when the pallet P in which the containers 2 are stacked is supplied to the mounting table 111, the movable portion 202 of the lifting mechanism 200 is lowered by a required amount, and as shown in FIG. The alignment bar 121 surrounds the uppermost container 2 from four sides.
Thereafter, each of the air cylinders 117A and 117B is operated to advance each alignment bar 121 inward, so that the uppermost container 2 is pressed and held from all sides by the alignment bar 121 as shown in FIG. The
The container 2 for one layer held on the holding frame 115 of the carry-out mechanism 112 is discharged onto the discharge table 113 from the position stacked on the pallet P by the operation of the reciprocating mechanism 116. Then, in the discharging process of the containers 2, whether or not the arrangement state is normal is inspected by the detection means 26 for all the containers 2 for one layer.

When the detection means 26 detects that the containers 2 are in a normal arrangement state, the lifting mechanism 200 is operated to lower the discharge table 113 to a height at which the containers 2 can be introduced into the suspension support member 137 of the alignment device 105. Let At this time, the adjacent suspension support members 137 of the suspension alignment device 105 are narrowed by the expansion / contraction operation means 141 so that each row of the containers 2 can be received.
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 16, the holding frame 115 holding the containers 2 is pushed out by the reciprocating mechanism 116 to the forward end position below the suspension support member 137, so that the containers 2 in each row are discharged. It is fed out from the table 113 and introduced into the suspension support member 137 of the suspension alignment device 105.

Thereafter, the air cylinders 117A and 117B of the holding frame 115 are operated, and the alignment bars 121 are simultaneously retracted outward, so that the holding state of the container 2 by the alignment bars 121 is released, and this state Then, the lifting mechanism 200 is operated to lower the holding frame 115 to a height position that does not interfere with the container 2 suspended by the suspension support member 137, and then, as shown in FIG. Retreat to the top of the discharge table 113.
When the container 2 is in a state of being suspended by the suspension support member 137, the expansion / contraction operation means 141 is operated to increase the interval between the suspension support members 137. In this state, the suspension support members 137 of the expansion / contraction mechanism 134 and the suspension support members 138 of the delivery mechanism 135 are aligned and aligned with each other. The container 2 supported by each suspension support member 137 is operated to be pushed out to the corresponding suspension support member 138 and supported in a suspended state. Further, when the holding frame 115 is retracted on the discharge table 113, the movable portion 202 is raised to the rising end, and then the reciprocating mechanism 16 is operated to move the holding frame 115 backward to above the pallet P and carry it out. The mechanism 12 is prepared for the next unloading operation.

As shown in FIG. 13, the container 2 introduced into each suspension support member 138 of the delivery mechanism 135 has the suspension support members 138 in the fifth row from the end as the introduction rails 146A, 146B of the air conveyor 136. First, the container 3 for one row is introduced into the air conveyor 136A by the pusher (not shown) from the end suspension support member 138 aligned with one introduction rail 146A, and then the other One row of containers 2 is introduced into the air conveyor 136B by a pusher (not shown) from the suspension support members 138 in the fifth row from the end aligned with the introduction rail 146B.
Thereafter, each suspension support member 138 is moved by one row by the intermittent feeding means 145, and instead of the suspension support member 138 from which the container 2 has already been carried out, the adjacent suspension support members 138 are introduced to the introduction rails 146A, 146A, 146B and the introduction operation to the air conveyors 136A and 136B are alternately repeated. The containers 2 introduced into the air conveyors 136A and 136B are joined to the first air conveyor 7A of the downstream air conveyor device 7 via the joining portion 147 and aligned.

During the operation of the above-described suspending and aligning apparatus 105, the sheet removing means 114 shown in FIG. 13 is operated to adsorb the intermediate sheet 3 placed on the uppermost container 2 and to the side on the pallet P. The intermediate sheet 3 is placed on the placed empty pallet.
Thereafter, the holding frame 115 waiting at the upper position of the pallet P is lowered to a height that surrounds the uppermost container 2 by the lowering of the movable portion 202, and shifts to the next carry-out operation.
When the discharging operation of the containers 2 is completed for all the stages on the pallet P, the empty pallet placed on the side of the pallet P and carrying the intermediate sheet 3 is unloaded from the unloading unit 104b, and the discharging operation is performed. The current pallet P that has finished is moved to the side.

In addition to the above-described operation, the alignment conveyor device 106 is configured to execute an alignment operation for aligning the containers 2 in a row for the single-layer containers 2 in which the abnormality in the alignment state is detected by the detection means 26. Yes.
That is, when the container 2 corresponding to the upper layer on the discharge table 113 is discharged from the pallet P by the holding frame 115 of the unloading mechanism 112, the container 2 is insufficient and the arrangement state is disturbed. As shown in FIG. 4, the containers 2 </ b> X that are displaced between the rows come into contact with the test piece 31 of the detection means 26, and are swung in the discharge direction of the containers 2. As a result, the inspection light from the light shielding sensor 32 is shielded and an abnormality in the arrangement state is detected. When abnormality in the arrangement state is detected in this way, the discharge table 113 on which the container 2 for one layer is placed is lowered by the lifting mechanism 200 to the position adjacent to the alignment conveyor device 106.
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 18, the holding frame 115 holding the container 2 is advanced by the reciprocating mechanism 116 from the discharge table 113 to the advance end position on the alignment conveyor 106, so one container from the discharge table 113. 2 is delivered onto the conveyor 161 of the alignment conveyor device 106.

Thereafter, all the alignment bars 121 of the holding frame 115 are retracted outward by the operation of the air cylinders 117A and 117B, so that the holding state of the containers 2 by the alignment bars 121 is released. In this state, the lifting mechanism 200 is operated to raise the holding frame 115 to a height that does not interfere with the container 2, and then the holding frame 115 is moved back onto the discharge table 113 by the reciprocating mechanism 116.
The one-layer containers 2 delivered on the conveyor means 161 of the aligning conveyor device 106 are broken down by the guide member 164 by the operation of the conveyor means 161 and then aligned in a line by the conveyor means 161 and 162. Then, it is transferred to the second air conveyor 7B of the air conveyor device 75 via the conveyor 163 and the introducing portion 65, and is conveyed in a suspended state.
The containers 2 transported on the second air conveyor 7B are joined to the containers 2 transported on the first air conveyor 7A by the joining device 8, and are transported further downstream in a row.

As described above, the container alignment apparatus 101 of the second embodiment also has a suspension alignment apparatus 105 that aligns in one row while the container 2 is suspended and conveyed, and a row while the container 2 is placed and conveyed. An alignment conveyor device 106 that aligns the containers 2 can be selectively aligned by the hanging alignment device 105 and the alignment conveyor device 106 based on the detection result of the detection means 26.
According to the second embodiment as described above, even if the arrangement of the containers 2 discharged from the pallet P is disturbed, it is not necessary to discard the containers 2. Therefore, all the containers 2 discharged from the pallet P by the bulk depalletizer 104 can be aligned in a row by the hanging alignment device 105 or the alignment conveyor device 106, and it is difficult to align in the suspended state. Even so, it is possible to align the containers 2 in a row.
In the second embodiment, the suspension alignment device 105 and the alignment conveyor device 106 can be arranged with the alignment conveyor device 106 upward and the suspension alignment device 105 downward.

The top view of the container alignment apparatus 1 which shows one Example of this invention. The front view of the principal part of FIG. The top view of the principal part of FIG. The right view of the detection means 26 of FIG. The left view of the principal part of FIG. The figure which shows the operating state of the carrying-out mechanism 12 and the suspension alignment apparatus 5 which were shown in FIG. The figure which shows the operating state of the carrying-out mechanism 12 and the suspension alignment apparatus 5 which were shown in FIG. The enlarged view which shows the lower part of the merge apparatus 8 of FIG. The enlarged view which shows the upper part in the merge apparatus 8 of FIG. The figure which shows the operating state of the carrying-out mechanism 12 and the delivery means 51 of FIG. The right view of FIG. The side view of the introduction part 65 of FIG. 1 and its adjacent location. The top view which shows 2nd Example of this invention. The front view of the principal part of FIG. The top view of the principal part of FIG. The figure which shows the operating state of the bulk depalletizer 104 shown in FIG. The figure which shows the operating state of the bulk depalletizer 104 shown in FIG. The figure which shows the operating state of the bulk depalletizer 104 shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,101 ... Container alignment apparatus 2 ... Container 4, 104 ... Bulk depalletizer (container discharge apparatus)
5, 105 ... hanging alignment device (first alignment device)
6, 106 ... alignment conveyor device (second alignment device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Elevating platform 12, 112 ... Unloading mechanism 13, 113 ... Discharge table 51 ... Delivery means 200 ... Elevating mechanism P ... Pallet

Claims (4)

While discharging containers stacked in multiple stages on a pallet one layer at a time, a first alignment device that aligns the containers in a line with the containers suspended, and transporting the containers in a state of being placed A second alignment device that aligns in a row;
The container discharge device is provided with detection means for detecting whether or not the container is in a normal arrangement state for one layer of containers discharged from the pallet and aligned, and the container is in a normal arrangement state. Is detected by the detection means, the containers are aligned in a row by the first alignment device. If the detection means detects that the containers are in an abnormal alignment state, the containers are aligned in a row by the second alignment device. A container alignment apparatus characterized by the above. While discharging containers stacked in multiple stages on a pallet one layer at a time, a first alignment device that aligns the containers in a line with the containers suspended, and transporting the containers in a state of being placed A second alignment device that aligns in a row;
The container discharge device includes a lifting platform that supports and lifts the pallet, a carry-out mechanism that discharges one layer of containers from the pallet, and a discharge table on which the discharged containers are placed. Delivery means for delivering the containers on the table to the second alignment device is provided, and the containers are sent from the discharge table to the first alignment device by the carry-out mechanism, and to the second alignment device by the delivery means. A container alignment apparatus for delivering a container from the discharge table. While discharging containers stacked in multiple stages on a pallet one layer at a time, a first alignment device that aligns the containers in a line with the containers suspended, and transporting the containers in a state of being placed A second alignment device that aligns in a row;
The container discharge device includes a carry-out mechanism that discharges one layer of containers from the pallet, a discharge table on which the discharged containers are placed, and a lift mechanism that raises and lowers the carry-out mechanism and the discharge table.
The first alignment device and the second alignment device are arranged up and down adjacent to a discharge table that is lifted and lowered by the lifting mechanism,
A container alignment apparatus characterized in that a discharge table on which a container is placed is adjacent to either the first or second alignment apparatus by the lifting mechanism and the container is sent out from the discharge table by the carry-out mechanism.   A first air conveyor that conveys containers aligned in a row by the first alignment device in a suspended state, and a second air conveyor that conveys containers aligned in a row by the second alignment device in a suspended state. The container alignment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an air conveyor and a merging means for merging the containers conveyed by the air conveyors in a row.

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