JP5006749B2 - Container breakage device, container breakage method, and container inspection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for and a method of breaking a container, which break a breakable container beforehand, and to provide a device for and a method of examining a container, which detect a breakable container beforehand. <P>SOLUTION: The device includes a conveyor 2 for conveying a transport case C storing a plurality of bottles BT filled with the contents, and an impact portion 3 for breaking a bottle BT breakable after an elapse time out of the plurality of bottles BT beforehand. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

The present invention, among the container contents is filled, broken possible containment failure device and a containment failure METHOD damaging things, or corruption possible about the container inspection equipment for inspecting a container.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, products such as beverages and alcoholic beverages are filled in a container such as a bag by a filling machine in a manufacturing process, and a plurality of containers are stored in a case by a caser. Thereafter, a plurality of cases are loaded on a pallet by a palletizer, stored in a warehouse in units of pallets, and shipped to the market. In order to inspect whether or not the container filled with these contents is damaged, the container itself is inspected after filling by the filling machine, the case is inspected after the case is stored by the caser, and the palette by the palletizer. Inspections are carried out in units of pallets after loading. The following devices are known as such devices for inspecting breakage of containers filled with contents (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
JP-A-52-73084 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 03-43397

  Some containers filled with contents are not damaged in the manufacturing process, but are damaged after being shipped to the market. In Patent Document 1, it is possible to detect in advance a crack that has not yet been damaged, but has cracks, but the use of a sound level meter has been proposed. Becomes expensive. Moreover, since it becomes a test | inspection for every container, it is not efficient. In Patent Document 2, a detection target is a container that has already been damaged, and a container that may be damaged cannot be detected.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a container breaker and a container breakage method that break a container that may be broken in advance. Further, the present invention aims to provide a detectable container inspection equipment damage potential container in advance.

The container breaking device according to the present invention includes a transport means (2) for transporting a case (C) in which a plurality of containers (BT) filled with contents are stored, and the plurality of containers after a lapse of time. Breakage means (3) for preliminarily breaking a container that may break, and the case is provided with a partition (Ca) so that each of the plurality of containers does not contact each other, By applying an impact force to the case and damaging only the container that may be damaged after the time, the case distributes the impact force to each of the plurality of containers. Solve the above problems.

  Among containers filled with contents, there may be containers that can break over time. In the stage where a plurality of containers including containers that may be damaged are stored in a case and transported, containers that may be damaged are damaged in advance so that they can be stored in a warehouse before shipping products or after shipping. Can be prevented in advance.

In addition, according to the container breaker of the present invention, the partition provided in the case can prevent normal containers from being damaged due to contact between the stored containers, and can damage only containers that may be damaged. .

Furthermore, according to the container damaging apparatus of the present invention, by applying an impact force to the case, the impact force is distributed and applied to each of the plurality of stored containers via the partition of the case. Therefore, it is possible to break only a container that has a possibility of breakage and not to affect a normal container.

In one form of the container breaker of the present invention, the breakage means is constituted by the transport means, and is provided on the downstream side of the first conveyor (2a) for transporting the case and the first conveyor. A second conveyor (2b) that continuously conveys the case conveyed by the first conveyor, and the second conveyor has a conveyance height set lower than that of the first conveyor. When the case moves from the first conveyor to the second conveyor, an impact force may be applied to the case. Since the breakage means is constituted by the transfer means for transferring the case in which the container is stored, the breakage means can be realized with a simple configuration. Further, in this embodiment, a step (h) is provided on the first conveyor and the second conveyor, and an impact force is applied when the case passes the step. Therefore, an impact force can be applied with a simple configuration.

In this form, the water receiver (32) which has the receiving member (32) which is arrange | positioned under the said 2nd conveyor and receives the fallen object from the case currently conveyed by the said 2nd conveyor in the receiving surface (32a) ( 30) may be further provided. In this case, it is possible to prevent the broken pieces of the container from being scattered .

  The container inspection apparatus (1) of the present invention solves the above-described problems by including the container breaker described above and a detection unit that detects a container damaged by the breaker.

  The container which may be damaged can be broken by the breakage means. By detecting the damaged container, it is possible to detect in advance a container that is filled with contents and that may be damaged after a long time. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the container from being damaged at the time of warehouse storage before product shipment or after shipment.

The container breakage method of the present invention includes a transporting step of transporting a case (C) that is partitioned and stored in a partition (Ca) so that each of a plurality of containers ( BT ) filled with contents does not contact each other; A breakage step that breaks in advance a container that may break after a lapse of time among the plurality of containers, and breaks the breakable container while transporting the case , the breakage In the step, an impact force is applied to the case, and the case solves the above problem by dispersing the impact force in each of the plurality of containers .

  A plurality of containers including containers that may be damaged are separated into partitions and stored in a case. By transporting the case, by damaging a container that may be damaged after a while, the container that may be damaged can be broken by a simple method.

  In addition, in the above description, in order to make an understanding of this invention easy, the reference sign of the accompanying drawing was attached in parenthesis, but this invention is not limited to the form of illustration by it.

As described above, according to the container damaging apparatus and the container damaging method of the present invention, a container that may be damaged at the stage where a plurality of containers including a container that may be damaged are accommodated in a case and transported. Is previously damaged. A container that may be damaged can be damaged in advance with a simple configuration and method. In addition, according to the container inspection apparatus of the present invention, by detecting a damaged container by a damaging means, it is possible to detect in advance a container filled with contents that may be damaged after a long time. Can do. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the container from being damaged at the time of warehouse storage before product shipment or after shipment.

  FIG. 1 is a top view showing a part of a production line to which a container breakage device and a container inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention are applied, and FIG. 2 is a drink etc. conveyed on the production line of FIG. It is a figure which shows the case for conveyance as a case in which a plurality of baskets as containers filled with the above contents were stored. In the production line shown in FIG. 1, the container inspection apparatus 1 inspects a plurality of bags BT after the contents are stored in a transfer case C transferred by a conveyor 2 as a transfer means. The transport case C is provided with a partition Ca so that the heels BT do not contact each other. The transport case C is transported in a direction in which a predetermined number (5 in the illustrated example) of 壜 BT is stored in the transport direction and a predetermined number (4 in the illustrated example) of 壜 BT is stored in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction. . The container inspection device 1 is provided on the downstream side of the impact part 3 as an impact part 3 composed of an upstream conveyor 2a and a downstream conveyor 2b for transporting the transport case C, and damages the bag BT. And a breakage detection unit 4 for detection.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the impact part 3. The upstream conveyor 2a and the downstream conveyor 2b are constituted by roller conveyors, and are connected to each other to continuously convey the conveyance case C. The transport case C is directly placed on the conveyors 2a and 2b and transported. The downstream conveyor 2b is installed so that the conveyance height is lower than that of the upstream conveyor 2a. For this reason, the level | step difference h has arisen between the upstream conveyor 2a and the downstream conveyor 2b. Due to the level difference h, an impact force is applied to the transfer case C when moving from the upstream conveyor 2a to the downstream conveyor 2b. This level difference h damages a flaw that may be damaged (a flaw that is weaker in impact force than a normal flaw that cannot be damaged due to scratches, etc.), and has a shock force that does not cause damage to the normal flaw. It can set suitably to the grade to give. The relationship between the level difference h and the impact force is determined by factors such as the weight of the bag or case, the conveyor speed, and the like.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the damage detection unit 4. The breakage detector 4 is installed above the conveyor 2 on a gantry 10 that extends horizontally in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the conveyor 2. The damage detection unit 4 includes a sensor 11 as detection means for detecting the heel BT, and an operation box 12 for operating the damage detection unit 4. The number of sensors 11 is the same as the number of hooks BT stored in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction in the case so as to face the heads of the baskets BT arranged in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the conveyor 2 (see FIG. In the example shown, four) are provided. The sensor 11 is a proximity sensor and reacts to metal. That is, the metal crown W attached to the head of the heel BT is detected. A commercially available proximity sensor may be used. The operation box 12 is installed on the side surface of the gantry 10 and has an inspection start button 12a for starting damage detection, and a height position changeover switch 12b for switching to a preset height corresponding to the type of bag BT to be conveyed. Have.

  The damage detection unit 4 further includes a control unit 20. The control unit 20 is connected to a sensor 11 as an input target and a monitoring device 21 as an output target. When the sensor 11 detects the crown W of the heel BT, the sensor 11 outputs a crown detection signal to the control unit 20. The monitoring device 21 is composed of a monitor, a lamp, a speaker or the like alone or in combination. When a damage detection signal based on the crown detection signal is input from the control unit 20, information indicating the detection status of the damage detection unit 4 is sent to the operator. Notice.

  Next, the operation of the container inspection apparatus 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the transport case C transported along the upstream conveyor 2 a is given an impact force by a step h between the conveyors 2 a and 2 b at the impact section 3. This impact force is distributed and applied to the individual ridges BT via the transfer case C. For this reason, the heel BT having a possibility of breakage is damaged by the impact force because it is weaker in impact force than a normal heel having no possibility of breakage due to a flaw or the like. On the other hand, normal heel BT is within an allowable range even when an impact force is applied, and is not affected by the impact. Therefore, only the heel BT that may be damaged can be damaged. After passing through the impact unit 3, the transport case C is transported to the breakage detection unit 4.

  In the breakage detection unit 4, the height position changeover switch 12b is operated according to the type of the bag BT to be conveyed. When the inspection start button 12a is pressed by the operator, the sensor 11 is moved to a predetermined position. Note that a height switching signal from the control unit 20 may be used instead of the height position change-over switch 12b, and an inspection start signal from the control unit 20 may be used instead of the inspection start button 12a. With reference to FIG. 5, the damage detection process which the control part 20 of the damage detection part 4 performs is demonstrated. The damage detection process is executed when the inspection start button 12a is turned on. First, the control part 20 counts the detection frequency of each sensor 11 in step S1. Four sensors 11 provided in the transport direction of the conveyor 2 detect the crown W of the heel BT stored in the transport case C in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction. If all the heels BT of the transport case C are not damaged and are normal, each sensor 11 has the same number of crowns W as the number of heels BT stored in the transport direction in the case (in this case, 5 times). ) Will be detected.

  In step S <b> 2, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the count number of each sensor 11 is the same number (5 in this case) as the number of 壜 BT stored in the transport direction in the case. When the heel BT is damaged at the impact portion 3 or when the heel BT is damaged due to other causes, the crown W of the heel BT is not located in a range that can be detected by the sensor 11, so the crown W Not detected. Therefore, when the bag is damaged, the count number of any of the sensors 11 does not reach the same number as the number of the bag BT stored in the transport direction in the case. be able to.

  When all the count numbers of the sensors 11 are 5, the control unit 20 proceeds to step S3, resets the counter for counting the number of detections, and waits for the transport case C to be transported next. If all the counts of the sensors 11 are not 5, the control unit 20 proceeds to step S4, outputs a damage detection signal, and gives an instruction to the monitoring device 21. The information from the monitoring device 21 informs the operator that the bag BT is damaged. In step S5, the counter for counting the number of times of detection is reset, and the apparatus waits for the transport case C to be transported next.

  According to the above processing, when the heel BT that may be damaged is damaged in the impact portion 3, the damage detection portion 4 detects the damaged 壜 BT by the sensor 11. By preliminarily breaking the heel BT that may be damaged by the impact part 3, it can be detected in advance in the production line. Therefore, damage to the bag after being shipped to the market can be prevented.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described form and can be implemented in various forms. For example, in the present embodiment, the breakage detection unit 4 detects the heel BT broken by the impact unit 3, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the breakage detection unit is installed in front of the palletizer that loads a plurality of cases on the pallet. May be. Among the wrinkles having a possibility of breakage to which the impact force is applied in the impact portion 3, there is a wrinkle that has been broken but has not been broken. This wrinkle passes through the breakage detection unit 4 without being detected by the breakage detection unit 4 as a broken wrinkle BT. However, since the possibility of breakage is increasing, it may be broken by conveyance up to the front of the palletizer. Therefore, by installing a breakage detection unit in front of the palletizer, it is possible to detect such a flaw that has increased the possibility of breakage, and more reliably prevent damage to the flaw after it is shipped to the market. it can.

  Although the damage detection unit 4 uses a proximity sensor that reacts with a metal, it is not limited to this, and various sensors may be used. For example, a non-metallic material may be detected using a reflective infrared proximity sensor or the like. Other well-known techniques for detecting a broken heel BT may be used.

  In the above-mentioned form, although the impact part 3 was comprised by the upstream conveyor 2a and the downstream conveyor 2b, it is not limited to this. For example, a protrusion may be provided on the conveyor to apply an impact force to the transfer case C. Moreover, you may provide the level | step difference h in the roller of a roller conveyor. Moreover, the impact part 3 does not need to be comprised with a conveyor, For example, you may provide the member which provides an impact force on the conveyance path | route of the case C for conveyance.

  The partition Ca of the transport case C is provided so that the heels BT do not contact each other, but is not limited thereto, and may be one that fixes the heel BT to the transport case C, for example. Even in this case, if an impact force is applied to the transport case C, the impact force is distributed to the heel BT accommodated via the transport case C, so that only the heel BT that may be damaged is damaged. It is possible to prevent the normal heel BT from being affected.

  In the above-described embodiment, the inspection object is a candy, but the present invention is not limited to this. In addition to glass containers such as baskets, for example, metal containers, plastic containers, resin containers, ceramic containers, and the like may be used. The container inspection apparatus of the present invention can be applied to any container that may be damaged.

  As shown in FIG.6 and FIG.7, the water receiver 30 may be provided under the downstream conveyor 2b. 6 is a view of the section from the impact section 3 to the breakage detection section 4 of the downstream conveyor 2b as seen from the side surface of FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the downstream conveyor 2b in that section. As shown in FIG. 6, the downstream conveyor 2 b is a well-known roller conveyor that includes a plurality of rollers 50 provided in a direction crossing the transport path and a motor 51 that drives the plurality of rollers 50. Further, the downstream conveyor 2b includes a guide 52 that guides the case C so that the case C does not come out of the conveyance path formed by the plurality of rollers 50. The case C is conveyed from the left to the right in FIG. 6 on the plurality of rollers 50. As shown in FIG. 6, the water receiver 30 is attached to the downstream conveyor 2b by the legs L and the support members 31 that support the downstream conveyor 2b so as to be substantially parallel to the transport path of the case C of the downstream conveyor 2b. It has been. Moreover, the water receiver 30 is provided over the whole lower surface of the downstream conveyor 2b.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the water receiver 30 includes a plurality of pans 32 as receiving members formed in a tray shape in which a frame 33 is provided around the bottom surface 32 a and the upper side is open. The depth of the bread 32 is set to be approximately the same length as the width of the downstream conveyor 2b. The pan 32 is made of, for example, resin, aluminum, or steel. The weight of the pan 32 is set to a weight that allows the operator to open and close with one hand, for example, 1 to 1.5 kg. The bread | pan 32 is each provided between the leg parts L of the downstream conveyor 2b. A sheet 34 is laid on the bottom surface 32a of the pan 32 so as to cover the entire surface. The sheet 34 is a sheet-like material that can absorb contents such as a beverage filled in the bag BT, and in which a visual change occurs in a portion that has absorbed the contents. As the sheet 34, for example, a sheet of paper, cloth or sponge is used. In addition, for example, recycled paper is used as the paper. For example, by placing recycled paper as the sheet 34 on the bottom surface 32a, the sheet 34 can absorb contents such as beverages. Further, when the content is absorbed into the recycled paper, a stain is generated in the portion, and thus a visual change can be caused in the portion where the content is absorbed. The visual change of the sheet 34 when the contents are absorbed is not limited to discoloration due to a stain or the like. For example, a material that changes its shape, such as a portion that absorbs the contents swells, may be processed into a sheet and used as the sheet 34.

  The pan 32 is switched between a horizontal position P1 at which the bottom surface 32a is substantially horizontal and an inclined position P2 at which one side portion arranged parallel to the conveying direction of the downstream conveyor 2b opens downward and the bottom surface 32a is inclined. It is attached to the support member 31 via a hinge (not shown) on the other side facing the one side so as to be able to do so. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, on one side of the pan 32, one side of the pan 32 is fixed to the support member 31 so that the pan 32 is held at the horizontal position P1, or the fixing is performed. A lock 35 that can be released is provided. In this case, the pan 32 can be switched to the inclined position P2 by releasing the lock 35. On the other hand, by moving the pan 32 to the horizontal position P1 and fixing it with the lock 35, the pan 32 can be held at the horizontal position P1. The pan 32 is provided with a handle 36 as a place to be operated by the operator during such operation. It should be noted that at the inclined position P <b> 2, the bottom surface 32 a may be tilted to such an extent that the fallen object on the bottom surface 32 a can be moved to one side of the pan 32 by the inclination of the bottom surface 32 a of the pan 32. Therefore, for example, 40 ° is set as the hinge opening angle.

  In this way, by providing a plurality of pans 32 below the downstream conveyor 2b, fallen objects that have fallen from the case C being conveyed by the downstream conveyor 2b, for example, shards of BTBT or contents leaked from the BTBT Or the like can be received by the bottom surface 32a of the pan 32. Therefore, when the heel BT is damaged by the impact portion 3, the broken pieces of the heel BT can be received by the bottom surface 32a, and scattering of the pieces can be prevented. Further, since the sheet 34 is laid on the bottom surface 32a of the pan 32, the contents leaked from the bag BT damaged by the impact portion 3 can be absorbed by the sheet 34. In this case, it is possible to easily determine the presence or absence of a damaged heel BT by examining the presence or absence of a visual change of the sheet 34, for example, the presence or absence of a stain. Since the position of the pan 32 can be switched to the inclined position P2, falling objects received by the bottom surface 32a can be easily removed from the bottom surface 32a. At this time, for example, by putting one side of the bread 32 inside a bag such as a garbage bag, the fallen object can be transferred to the bag without soiling the floor surface. By receiving the fallen object in this way, the bottom surface 32a corresponds to the receiving surface of the present invention.

  With reference to FIG.8 and FIG.9, the other example of the water receiver 30 provided in the downstream conveyor 2b is demonstrated. 8 that are the same as those in FIG. 6 or FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, in this example, the pan 32 is provided so as to be slidable in a direction that intersects with the conveying direction of the downstream conveyor 2b, that is, to the side of the downstream conveyor 2b. As a distance at which the bread 32 can be pulled out, for example, a distance at which more than half of the bottom surface 32a can be taken out from under the downstream conveyor 2b is set. In another example, a sheet 34 is laid on the bottom surface 32a of the pan 32 so as to cover the entire surface. As shown in FIG. 8, a rail member 40 that supports the pan 32 is provided on the leg L of the downstream conveyor 2b so that the pan 32 can be slid. As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 9, the rail member 40 is provided such that the upper surface 41 thereof is inclined from the center 41a to the left and right. By forming the upper surface 41 in this way, a fallen object that has fallen on the top of the rail member 40 can be quickly guided to the left and right pans 32.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 as well, falling objects can be received by the plurality of pans 32, so that scattering of fragments can be prevented. In addition, since the sheet 34 is laid on the bottom surface 32a of the pan 32, it is possible to easily determine the presence or absence of the damaged bag BT. Furthermore, since the pan 32 is provided so as to be pulled out to the side of the downstream conveyor 2b, the fallen object received by the pan 32 can be easily removed.

  FIG. 10 is a view showing still another example of the water receiver 30. In FIG. 10, the same reference numerals are given to the portions common to FIG. 7 or FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, in this example, the bottom surface 32a of the pan 32 is inclined so that it gradually becomes deeper from the left and right ends toward the central portion 32b, that is, the central portion 32b is lowest. In addition, as an inclination angle of the bottom surface 32a, an angle at which falling objects can be collected in the central portion 32b of the bottom surface 32a by gravity is set. As such an angle, for example, 15 ° is set. And also in this example, the bread | pan 32 is provided so that it can be pulled out to the side of the downstream conveyor 2b similarly to the example shown in FIG. A sheet 34 is also laid on the bottom surface 32a of the pan 32 so as to cover the entire surface.

  Also in this example, falling objects can be received by the pan 32, so that scattering of fragments can be prevented. In addition, since the sheet 34 is laid on the bottom surface 32a of the pan 32, it is possible to easily determine the presence or absence of the damaged bag BT. Since the bread 32 can be pulled out to the side of the downstream conveyor 2b, the fallen object can be easily removed. Furthermore, in this example, since the bottom surface 32a of the pan 32 is inclined toward the central portion 32b, falling objects can be collected in the central portion 32b. Therefore, the fallen object from the pan 32 can be quickly removed.

The top view which shows a part of production line to which the container inspection apparatus which concerns on one form of this invention was applied. The figure which shows the case for conveyance in which multiple baskets as containers filled with contents such as beverages are stored. The figure which shows an impact part. The figure which shows a damage detection part. The flowchart which shows the damage detection process which the control part of a damage detection part performs. The figure which looked at the downstream conveyor provided with the water receiver from the side surface of FIG. The perspective view which shows a part of downstream conveyor. The figure which shows the other example of a water receiver. The figure which expands and shows the rail member of FIG. The figure which shows the further another example of a water receiver.

Explanation of symbols

1 container inspection device 2 conveyor (conveyance means)
3 Impact section (damage means)
4 Damage detection unit (detection means)
11 sensor 20 control unit 30 water receiver 32 pan (receiving member)
32a Bottom (receiving surface)
34 sheet (sheet member)
BT bag (container)
C Transport case (case)
W Crown P1 Horizontal position P2 Inclined position

Claims (5)

Conveying means for conveying a case containing a plurality of containers filled with contents;
Among the plurality of containers, a breakage means that breaks in advance a container that may break after a time , and
The case is provided with a partition so that each of the plurality of containers does not contact each other,
The breakage means applies an impact force to the case, and breaks only a container that may break after the time,
The container damaging apparatus , wherein the case distributes the impact force to each of the plurality of containers . The breakage means is constituted by the transport means, and is provided on the downstream side of the first conveyor that transports the case and the case that is transported by the first conveyor. And a second conveyor for conveying
The second conveyor has a conveying height set lower than that of the first conveyor, and when the case moves from the first conveyor to the second conveyor, an impact force is applied to the case. The container breaking device according to claim 1 . Disposed below the second conveyor, claims, characterized in that it further comprises a water receiving having a receiving member for receiving a drop was receiving surface from the case being conveyed by said second conveyor 2. The container breaker according to 2 . The container breakage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
Detecting means for detecting a container damaged by the damaging means;
A container inspection apparatus comprising: A transporting process for transporting a case stored in a partition so that each of a plurality of containers filled with contents does not contact each other;
Among the plurality of containers, including a breakage step that breaks in advance a container that may break after a time,
Breaking the container that may be damaged while transporting the case ,
In the breakage step, an impact force is applied to the case,
The case is characterized in that the case disperses the impact force in each of the plurality of containers .

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