JP5036180B2 - Container alignment method, container alignment apparatus, multipack manufacturing method, and multipack manufacturing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a container aligning method for aligning a plurality of self-supporting containers such as a cylindrical can or bottle filled with a beverage, for example, and a container aligning apparatus for carrying out such a method. In particular, the present invention relates to a container alignment method for aligning a plurality of containers of the same product of different varieties and a container alignment apparatus for performing such a method. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a multipack manufacturing method and a multipack manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing containers aligned by a container alignment method and a container alignment apparatus as a multipack.

  Arranging multiple containers such as cans or bottles for alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, etc. in a single or multiple rows, and then wrapping the upper, side and lower parts of the container with a package to form a multipack Is performed by, for example, a multipack packaging apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  The multipack packaging apparatus as disclosed in Patent Document 1 assumes that a plurality of containers of the same product type and the same product are wrapped to form a multipack. For example, when forming a multipack from four containers, these four containers are wrapped in a package after being arranged in two rows and two columns.

By using such a package, a plurality of containers are collected as a single multi-pack, so that these containers can be easily carried at a time, and the plurality of containers can be sold at the same time.
JP 2003-276706 A

  However, some alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and the like may have a plurality of types of varieties even though they are the same product. For example, there are a plurality of varieties, for example, lemon / flavor, plum / flavor, grapefruit / flavor, and grape / flavor, in the same product Chuhai.

  A sales form is assumed in which each of these four types of products is extracted one by one and these four products are sold as a single multipack. However, it is necessary for the operator to manually arrange the four types of products in two rows and two columns before supplying them to the multipack packaging apparatus. For this reason, labor and working time increase, which is inefficient and prone to human trouble.

  For example, when two products of a specific product type are mixed into four products due to human trouble, the number of product types of the four products in the multipack is three. That is, there is a possibility that a multi-pack that does not cover all four varieties may be formed due to human trouble. The above-described sales form in which four types of products are sold as a single multi-pack has an added value in that the multi-pack includes all four types of products. Therefore, in such a case, even if four products are included, the added value as a multipack is greatly reduced, and the reliability of the multipack is also involved. Furthermore, after four products are formed as a multipack, it is extremely difficult to find that two or more products of a specific variety are mixed.

  The present inventor examined the cause that the human trouble when aligning four containers of different varieties in the prior art could not be completely solved, and if it depends on human power, it is possible to completely eliminate the human trouble As a result of earnest research based on the idea that it would be impossible, the present invention was completed with the knowledge that the above problems could be solved by a container alignment device that can automatically align multiple containers of different varieties. It came to do.

  That is, the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a container aligning method for aligning a plurality of containers of the same product of different varieties and a container aligning apparatus for performing such a method. And Furthermore, an object of this invention is to provide the multipack manufacturing method and multipack manufacturing apparatus which manufacture the container aligned using such a container alignment method and a container alignment apparatus as a multipack.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to a first invention, a first conveyor for conveying a first container in a row, a second conveyor for conveying a second container in a row, and the first container And a first merging means for merging the row of the first container and the row of the second container so that the second container and the second container are alternately positioned, whereby the first container and the second container Forming a row of containers, wherein the first merging means includes a first converging conveyor, a first pushing screw for connecting the first conveyor, the second conveyor, and the first converging conveyor, respectively, and a first Each of the first push screw and the second push screw is provided with a pocket for receiving the first container and the second container, respectively. The first container and the second container are transported so as to coincide with the widths of the first container and the second container on the inlet side and to be twice the width of the first container and the second container on the outlet side. The first container and the second container at a speed corresponding to the conveying speed of the first conveyor and the second conveyor on the inlet side of the first converging conveyor. The first pushing screw and the second pushing screw are operated so as to convey the containers, respectively, and further, a third conveyor for conveying the third container in a row, and a fourth container in a row And a second merging means for merging the third container row and the fourth container row so that the third container and the fourth container are alternately positioned, According to the third The second converging means connects the second converging conveyor, the third conveyor, the fourth conveyor, and the second converging conveyor, respectively. A third pushing screw and a fourth pushing screw, each of the third pushing screw and the fourth pushing screw has a pocket for receiving the third container and the fourth container, respectively. The third container and the fourth container have the same width as that of the third container and the fourth container on the inlet side of these pushing screws, and double the width of the third container and the fourth container on the outlet side. It expands toward the downstream side with respect to the conveying direction of the container, and the third conveyor and the fourth conveyor are carried on the inlet side of the second converging conveyor. The third pushing screw and the fourth pushing screw are operated so as to respectively carry the third container and the fourth container at a speed corresponding to the feeding speed, and are further carried by the first converging conveyor. The first container and the second container adjacent to each other at the head of the row of the first container and the second container, the third container and the fourth container conveyed by the second converging conveyor And a third container and a fourth container set adjacent to each other at the head of the row, the alignment means having a width large enough to align the sets parallel to each other, and first pushing screw and the second pushing screw, when forming a string consisting of said first container and said second container, and supply the second order of the first container and the second container A switchable supply order of vessel and the first vessel, the third push screw and the fourth push screw, when forming a string consisting of said third container and the fourth container, There is provided a container alignment device capable of switching between the sequential supply of the third container and the fourth container and the sequential supply of the fourth container and the third container .

That is, in the first invention, by arranging a part of the row consisting of the first container and the second container and a part of the row consisting of the third container and the fourth container in parallel with each other, it is possible to avoid human trouble. The containers can be automatically aligned in two rows and two columns without incurring. Therefore, when the first container to the fourth container are the same products of different varieties, they can be sold as a single multi-pack with added value. Further, the order of the first container and the second container and the third container and the fourth container can be changed, and the combination of the two containers positioned on the end face of the multipack can be changed as desired.

According to a second aspect, in the first aspect, further, rotates integrally with a set of pairs and said third container and fourth container of the first container and the second container is aligned parallel to one another Rotating means is provided.
That is, in the second invention, the combination of two containers positioned on the end face of the multipack can be further changed.

According to the third invention, the first conveyor for conveying the first container in a row, the second conveyor for conveying the second container in a row, and the first container and the second container are alternated. First joining means for joining the row of the first container and the row of the second container so as to be positioned at each other, thereby forming a row composed of the first container and the second container. The first merging means includes a first converging conveyor, a first pushing screw and a second pushing screw that connect the first conveyor, the second conveyor, and the first converging conveyor, respectively. Each of the first pushing screw and the second pushing screw is provided with a pocket for receiving the first container and the second container, respectively, and the pitch of these pockets is determined by the first container on the inlet side of these pushing screws. And the downstream side of the transport direction of the first container and the second container so as to be equal to the width of the first container and the second container on the outlet side. The inlet side of the first converging conveyor is configured to transport the first container and the second container at a speed corresponding to the transport speed of the first conveyor and the second conveyor, respectively. The first pushing screw and the second pushing screw are operating, and further, a third conveyor for conveying a third container in a row, a fourth conveyor for conveying a fourth container in a row, and the first A second merging means for merging the third container row and the fourth container row so that three containers and the fourth container are positioned alternately, thereby providing the third container and the fourth container; Consisting of a fourth container The second converging means includes a second converging conveyor, a third pushing screw and a fourth pushing screw for connecting the third conveyor, the fourth conveyor and the second converging conveyor, respectively. Each of the third pushing screw and the fourth pushing screw is provided with a pocket for receiving the third container and the fourth container, respectively, and the pitch of these pockets is the third pushing screw on the inlet side of the pushing screw. It corresponds to the width of the container and the fourth container, and on the downstream side with respect to the conveying direction of the third container and the fourth container so as to be twice the width of the third container and the fourth container on the outlet side. And at the entrance side of the second converging conveyor, the second conveyor is at a speed corresponding to the conveying speed of the third conveyor and the fourth conveyor. The third pushing screw and the fourth pushing screw are operated so as to convey the three containers and the fourth container, respectively, and further, a fifth conveyor for conveying the fifth container in a row, and a row A sixth conveyor for transporting the sixth container, and a third joining means for joining the fifth container row and the sixth container row so that the fifth container and the sixth container are alternately positioned. Thereby forming a row of the fifth container and the sixth container, the third merging means comprising a third converging conveyor, the fifth conveyor, the sixth conveyor, and the A fifth indenting screw and a sixth indenting screw respectively connecting the third converging conveyor, and the fifth indenting screw and the sixth indenting screw respectively receive the fifth and sixth containers. And the pocket pitches coincide with the widths of the fifth container and the sixth container on the inlet side of the pushing screws, and the widths of the fifth container and the sixth container on the outlet side. The fifth container and the sixth conveyor are enlarged toward the downstream side with respect to the conveying direction of the fifth container and the sixth container, and the fifth conveyor and the sixth conveyor on the inlet side of the third converging conveyor The fifth pushing screw and the sixth pushing screw are operated so as to respectively carry the fifth container and the sixth container at a speed corresponding to the carrying speed, and further carried by the first converging conveyor. The first container and the second container adjacent to each other at the head of the row of the first container and the second container, and conveyed by the second converging conveyor A third container and a fourth container set adjacent to each other at the head of a row of the third container and the fourth container, the fifth container and the sixth container conveyed by the third converging conveyor A set of fifth and sixth containers adjacent to each other at the beginning of the row of containers, and having an alignment means having a width large enough to align the sets parallel to each other; When the first pushing screw and the second pushing screw form a row composed of the first container and the second container, the supply of the first container and the second container in turn and the second pushing screw are performed. When the supply of the container and the first container is switchable, the third pushing screw and the fourth pushing screw form a row composed of the third container and the fourth container. The third container and the The supply of the fourth container and the supply of the fourth container and the third container can be switched, and the fifth push screw and the sixth push screw are the fifth container and the fifth push screw. Container alignment, wherein when forming a row of six containers, the sequential supply of the fifth container and the sixth container and the sequential supply of the sixth container and the fifth container can be switched. An apparatus is provided.

That is, in the third invention, a part of a row consisting of the first container and the second container, a part of a row consisting of the third container and the fourth container, and a row consisting of the fifth container and the sixth container. By aligning the parts parallel to each other, the containers can be automatically aligned in two rows and three columns without incurring human trouble. Therefore, when the first container to the sixth container are the same product of different varieties, they can be sold as a single multi-pack with added value. Also, change the order of the first container and the second container, the third container and the fourth container, the fifth container and the sixth container, and change the combination of the two containers located on the end face of the multipack as desired. it can.

Further, according to a fourth invention, in the third invention, the set of the first container and the second container, the set of the third container and the fourth container and the fifth container which are aligned in parallel with each other. And rotating means for integrally rotating the sixth container set.
  According to the fourth aspect, the combination of the two containers located on the end face of the multipack can be further changed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-pack manufacturing means for manufacturing a multi-pack of the containers by packaging the containers aligned by any one of the first to fourth container aligning devices with a packaging sheet. A pack manufacturing apparatus is provided.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following drawings, similar members are denoted by the same reference numerals. In order to facilitate understanding, the scales of these drawings are appropriately changed.
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a container alignment device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. A container alignment apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a first conveyor 11 that sequentially conveys a first container A, a second conveyor 12 that sequentially conveys a second container B, and a third conveyor that sequentially conveys a third container C. 13 and a fourth conveyor 14 for sequentially transporting the fourth containers D. In FIG. 1, the first conveyor 11 to the fourth conveyor 14 are arranged in parallel to each other and convey the respective containers in the direction of the arrows. These conveyors and the conveyors described below include all known types of conveyors.

  The first container A to the fourth container D conveyed by each conveyor are containers of the same size, have a certain degree of rigidity and have self-supporting properties. A typical example of the first container A to the fourth container D is an aluminum can or a plastic bottle. And these 1st container A-4th container D is filled with the drink which is the same product, and differs only in the kind. Such products are, for example, Chu-Hi, where there are varieties of lemon and flavor, plum and flavor, grapefruit and flavor, and grape and flavor. As a matter of course, beverages other than Chuhai, which are the same product and differ only in their varieties, may be filled in each of the first container A to the fourth container D.

  As illustrated, the first container A and the second container B respectively conveyed by the first conveyor 11 and the second conveyor 12 are supplied to the first junction 21. Similarly, the third container C and the fourth container D conveyed by the third conveyor 13 and the fourth conveyor 14 are supplied to the second junction 22. The details of the first junction 21 and the second junction 22 will be described later.

  Furthermore, the container alignment apparatus 10 includes a converging transport conveyor 31 extending from the first merging portion 21 and a converging transport conveyor 32 extending from the second merging portion 22. As shown in the figure, these converging transport conveyors 31 and 32 converge to each other and are connected to a common transport conveyor 35. As shown in the drawing, the width of the common transport conveyor 35 is sufficiently large to transport the containers transported by the converging transport conveyors 31 and 32 in parallel with each other.

  Furthermore, a rotary table 41 is provided in the middle of the common transport conveyor 35. Furthermore, a container packaging unit 60 is provided downstream of the turntable 41 for packaging a plurality of containers as a multipack by a known method using the packaging sheet 70. These components of the container alignment apparatus 10 and other components described later are connected to a control device (not shown), and these components and other components described later are connected to each other and operated synchronously by the control device.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view of a merging portion according to the present invention. In FIG. 2, the first merging portion 21 is shown as a representative, but the second merging portion 22 is assumed to have substantially the same configuration as the first merging portion 21.

  The converging transport conveyor 31 shown on the left side of FIG. 2 corresponds to the processing capacity (for example, 400 bpm) of a container processing apparatus such as a filling machine into which the containers A and B are carried via the converging transport conveyor 31. In contrast to this, both the upstream conveyors 11 and 12 are driven at a speed (for example, a speed corresponding to 200 bpm) approximately one half of the traveling speed of the converging conveyor 31.

  Pushing screws 28 and 29 are disposed obliquely from both outer sides of the conveyors 11 and 12 toward the center line between the conveyors 11 and 12, respectively. Furthermore, container guides 26 and 27 are arranged inside the push-in screws 28 and 29 so as to be parallel to these screws and converge with each other.

  Each of the pushing screws 28 and 29 has pockets 28a and 29a having a width capable of receiving a large-diameter container so as to be used for containers of various sizes. These pockets 28a and 29a have a pitch substantially matching the width of the container on the inlet side (right side in FIG. 2) of the screws 28 and 29, and the pitch increases toward the downstream side, and on the outlet side. , Having a pitch approximately twice the width of the container.

  These screws 28 and 29 are rotated on the inlet side so as to transport the containers A and B at a speed corresponding to the transport speed of the transport conveyors 11 and 12, and the first containers A and B respectively received on the inlet side. While the second container B is held and transported, acceleration is performed while increasing the interval between adjacent containers in accordance with the increase in the pitch of the pockets 28a and 29a.

  The screws 28 and 29 on both sides are different in phase from each other by 180 degrees. On the outlet side (downstream side), the pocket 28a of one screw 28 faces the peak portion 29b of the other screw 29 (the position in the traveling direction is the same). In addition, the peak portion 28 b of the one screw 28 faces the pocket 29 a of the other screw 29.

  When the first junction 21 is driven, the first container A transported by the transport conveyor 11 is received in the pocket 28 a of the screw 28 and is transported along the guide 26 by the screw 28. Similarly, the second container B transported by the transport conveyor 12 is received in the pocket 29 a of the screw 29 and is transported along the guide 27 by the screw 29.

  Since the phases of the screws 28 and 29 are different from each other by 180 degrees, the rows of the containers A and B transported by the screws 28 and 29 are alternately delivered to a single converging transport conveyor 31. Merged. Therefore, in the convergence type conveyance conveyor 31, the row | line | column by which the 1st container A and the 2nd container B are arrange | positioned alternately is formed.

  In FIG. 2, the conveyors 11 and 12 and the screws 28 and 29 are operated synchronously so that the first container A is at the head of the convergent conveyor 31. However, the conveyors 11 and 12 and the screws 28 and 29 may be operated synchronously by a control device (not shown) so that the second container B is at the head of the converging conveyor 31.

  Moreover, the 1st junction part 21 and the 2nd junction part 22 may be another structure. FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are partial plan views of other container merging portions. Also in these drawings, the 1st junction part 21 is shown as a representative and shall be the structure similar to the 2nd junction part 22. FIG. In the first junction 21 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the gap between the transfer conveyors 11 and 12 is approximately equal to the width of the converging transfer conveyor 31. Further, the convergent transport conveyor 31 on the upstream end side is arranged so as to be partially inserted between the transport conveyors 11 and 12. The length of the insertion portion in the conveyance direction is larger than the width of the containers A and B.

  Openings 11a and 12a facing each other are formed at the downstream ends of the conveyors 11 and 12, respectively. The widths of these openings are larger than the widths of the containers A and B. Further, as shown in the figure, extrusion systems 51 and 52 are provided in the openings 11a and 12a, respectively, for extruding the containers A and B perpendicularly to the conveying direction.

  The extrusion systems 51 and 52 are provided at the front ends of the push rods 51b and 52b in the transport conveyors 11 and 12, respectively, and push rods 51b and 52b that reciprocate through holes formed on the opposite sides of the openings 11a and 12a. And pressing plates 51a and 52a. These push plates 51a and 52a are large enough to extrude the containers A and B. Accordingly, when the extrusion systems 51 and 52 are driven, the containers A and B are extruded from the conveyors 11 and 12 to the upstream end of the convergent conveyor 31 respectively.

  When driving the first junction 21, first, as shown in FIG. 3A, the extrusion system 51 is driven to cause the push bar 51 b to protrude into the transport conveyor 11, thereby the first of the transport conveyor 11. The container A is extruded through the opening 11a to the converging transport conveyor 31. The extruded first container A is transported downstream by the operation of the converging transport conveyor 31.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, the push bar 51 b of the extrusion system 51 is retracted and the push bar 52 b of the extrusion system 52 is protruded into the transport conveyor 12. Thereby, the 2nd container B of the conveyance conveyor 12 is extruded to the convergence type conveyance conveyor 31 through the opening part 12a. While the extruded second container B is transported downstream by the operation of the converging transport conveyor 31, the push bar 52b of the extrusion system 52 is retracted and the first container A of the transport conveyor 11 is extruded as described above. . Hereinafter, by repeating such an operation, a row in which the first containers A and the second containers B are alternately arranged is formed on the converging transport conveyor 31.

  3 (a) and 3 (b), the extrusion system 51 and the extrusion system 52 are operated synchronously so that the first container A is at the head of the row in the convergent transport conveyor 31, but the second container Synchronous operation may be performed so that B is at the head of the line. Moreover, you may employ | adopt the junction parts 21 and 22 which can arrange | position a different container alternately using systems other than the screw mentioned above and an extrusion system.

  As can be seen again with reference to FIG. 1, the converged transport conveyor 32 is formed with a row in which the third containers C and the fourth containers D are alternately arranged by the second junction 22.

  As shown in FIG. 1, gates 37 and 38 that slide in the vertical direction are provided at the downstream ends of the converging-type transport conveyors 31 and 32, respectively. The gate 37 separates the pair of containers A and B positioned at the head of the row in which the first containers A and the second containers B are alternately arranged from the row on each converging transport conveyor 31 and sends it to the downstream side. Play a role. Similarly, the gate 38 separates the pair of containers C and D positioned at the head of the row in which the third container C and the fourth container D are alternately arranged from the row on each converging transport conveyor 32 and downstream. Play the role of sending out to the side.

  The set of containers A and B that have passed through the gate 37 and the set of containers C and D that have passed through the gate 38 are supplied to the common conveyor 35 almost simultaneously. The width of the common transport conveyor 35 is sufficiently large to transport the containers transported by the converging transport conveyors 31 and 32 in parallel with each other, so that a pair of containers A and B and a pair of containers C and D that have passed through. Are aligned side by side on the common transport conveyor 35. That is, in the common transport conveyor 35, the first container A to the fourth container D are automatically aligned in two rows and two columns.

  Next, the first container A to the fourth container D having two rows and two columns are integrally supplied to the rotary table 41 by the common transport conveyor 35. In the turntable 41, the first container A and the third container C are located on the downstream side, and the second container B and the fourth container D are located on the upstream side. The turntable 41 rotates 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise, and the directions of the first container A to the fourth container D in two rows and two columns can be changed as desired.

  FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are enlarged views of the rotary table. For example, when the turntable 41 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise, the second container B and the first container A are positioned on the downstream side as shown in FIG. Further, when the rotary table 41 is rotated by 180 degrees clockwise, the fourth container D and the second container B are positioned on the downstream side as shown in FIG. 4B.

  As a matter of course, the first container A to the fourth container D having two rows and two columns without being rotated may simply pass through the rotary table 41. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the first container A to the fourth container D having two rows and two columns are conveyed to the container packaging unit 60 without being rotated on the rotary table 41.

  Next, the first container A to the fourth container D having two rows and two columns are packaged as a multipack in the container packaging unit 60 by a known method using the packaging sheet 70. The packaging sheet 70 formed from cardboard is folded into a rectangular parallelepiped shape as illustrated during packaging. The upper surfaces of the first container A to the fourth container D in two rows and two columns are covered with the upper surface 71 portion of the packaging sheet 70, and the side surfaces of the adjacent third container C and fourth container D are the packaging sheet 70. The side surfaces 74 of the first container A and the second container B are covered with the side surface 75 portion of the packaging sheet 70, and the lower surfaces of the first container A to the fourth container D are side surfaces 74. , 75 are covered by the folded part. Thereby, the first container A to the fourth container D having two rows and two columns are packaged as a multipack.

  In addition, the packaging sheet 70 does not exist in the downstream end surface 72 and the upstream end surface 73 of the multipack, and the side surfaces of the two containers in the multipack can be directly seen through the end surfaces 72 and 73. . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the side surfaces of the first container A and the third container C can be seen through the downstream end surface 72, and the side surfaces of the second container B and the fourth container D through the upstream end surface 73. Can see.

  In the present invention, not only carrying and selling of containers are facilitated, but a multipack including a plurality of containers of different varieties can be easily formed. Particularly in the present invention, since the varieties of these containers are different from each other, it is possible to form a multipack having a higher added value than when all four containers are the same varieties.

  Further, in the present invention, by changing the operating state of the screws 28, 29 or the extrusion systems 51, 52, and rotating the first container A to the fourth container D integrally using the rotary table 41, The combination of the two containers located on the end face of the multipack can be changed. In the case of a container group with two rows and two columns of different varieties, all four containers A to D can be seen on either the end face 72 or 73 side of the multipack. Does not bring merit.

  However, when two of the container groups in two rows and two columns are of the same type, for example, when the first container A is being transported to both the transport conveyor 11 and the transport conveyor 14, The screw or the extrusion system is operated synchronously so that the container to be transported is positioned at the top of the row. Thereby, the 1st container A from the conveyance conveyor 14 comes to be located in the place of the 3rd container C among the container groups shown by the left of FIG. Accordingly, two first containers A can be seen from the downstream end surface 72 of the formed multi-pack.

  Similarly, for example, when the first container A is being transported to both the transport conveyor 11 and the transport conveyor 12, the container group of two rows and two columns is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise on the rotary table 41, Two first containers A can be seen from the downstream end face 72 of the multipack. Therefore, changing the operating state of the screws 28 and 29 or the extrusion systems 51 and 52 and using the rotary table 41 can be applied to a specific product among a plurality of products in a group of containers in two rows and two columns. This is particularly advantageous when it is desired to call the buyer's attention.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a container alignment apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the first conveyor 11 to the fourth conveyor 14, the container alignment device 10 ′ shown in FIG. 5 includes a fifth conveyor 15 that sequentially conveys the fifth container E, and a sixth conveyor that sequentially conveys the sixth container F. 16 is included. The fifth container E and the sixth container F are the same products as the first container A and the like, and only the varieties thereof are different.

  As illustrated, the fifth container E and the sixth container F conveyed by the fifth conveyor 15 and the sixth conveyor 16 are supplied to the third junction 23. The 3rd junction part 23 is the structure similar to the 1st junction part 21 and the 2nd junction part 22 which were demonstrated with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. In addition, a converging transport conveyor 33 connects the third junction 23 and the common transport conveyor 35. Further, a gate 39 that slides in the vertical direction is provided at the downstream end of the converging type conveyor 33.

  The set of containers A and B that have passed through the gate 37, the set of containers C and D that have passed through the gate 38, and the set of containers E and F that have passed through the gate 39 are supplied to the common conveyor 35 almost simultaneously. The The width of the common transport conveyor 35 shown in FIG. 5 is large enough to transport the containers transported by the three converging transport conveyors 31, 32, 33 in parallel with each other, so that a pair of containers A, B and A set of containers C and D and a set of containers E and F are aligned side by side on a common transport conveyor 35. That is, in the common transport conveyor 35, the first container A to the sixth container F are automatically aligned in two rows and three columns.

  Next, the first container A to the sixth container F in two rows and three columns are integrally supplied to the rotary table 41 by the common transport conveyor 35. The turntable 41 shown in FIG. 5 is sufficiently large to receive these first container A to sixth container F. In the rotary table 41, the first container A, the third container C, and the fifth container E are located on the downstream side, and the second container B, the fourth container D, and the sixth container F are located on the upstream side. is doing.

  The turntable 41 rotates 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise, and the directions of the first container A to the sixth container F in two rows and three columns can be changed as desired. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the rotary table 41 is rotated counterclockwise by 90 degrees so that the first container A and the second container B are located on the downstream side.

  Next, in the container packaging unit 60, the packaging sheet 70 multipacks the first container A to the sixth container F. It will be understood that the packaging sheet 70 shown in FIG. 5 is larger in size than the case of FIG. 1 in order to wrap a group of containers in two rows and three columns. In this case, the first container A and the second container B among the multi-packed first container A to sixth container F are located on the end surface 72 side of the multi-pack, and the fifth container E and the sixth container F. Is positioned on the end surface 73 side of the multipack. Thereby, it is possible to form a multi-pack with higher added value than when all six containers are of the same type.

  In the multipack in which a group of containers in two rows and three columns is packaged, the two containers located at the center, in FIG. 5, the third container C and the fourth container D are covered by the side surfaces 74 and 73 of the packaging sheet 70, respectively. Therefore, the third container C and the fourth container D cannot be seen from the outside through the end faces 72 and 73.

  In such a case, the use of the first container A to the sixth container F by using a screw (see FIG. 2) or an extrusion system (see FIG. 3) and / or a rotary table 41. The desired container is positioned on the end faces 72 and 73 of the multipack. In other words, when required, the third container C and the fourth container D located in the center in FIG. 5 are moved toward the end faces 72 and 73 of the multipack so that these containers can be seen from the outside. . Therefore, the use of the screw or extrusion system and / or the rotary table 41 can be used in a multipack in which there are containers that cannot be seen from the outside, for example in a multipack of two rows and three rows of containers, the desired container being the end face of the multipack. It is particularly advantageous for positioning on the 72, 73 side.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of a container alignment device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The container aligning apparatus 10 '' shown in FIG. 6 has the same configuration as the container aligning apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, but the three conveyors 11, 12, and 13 are a first container A, a second container B, a first container Each of the three containers C is conveyed to the first junction 21, and the other three conveyors 14, 15, 16 transfer the fourth container D, the fifth container E, and the sixth container F to the second junction 22. It is different that it is transported to.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a merging portion in the third embodiment. In FIG. 7, the first merging portion 21 is shown as a representative, but the second merging portion 22 may have a configuration substantially similar to that of the first merging portion 21. In addition, the 1st junction part 21 and the 2nd junction part 22 may be another structure.

  In the 1st junction part 21 shown by FIG. 7, the 1st conveyor 11, the 2nd conveyor 12, and the 3rd conveyor 13 are arrange | positioned in each casing, and these casings are arrange | positioned adjacent to each other. In the following, it is noted that the terms first conveyor 11, second conveyor 12 and third conveyor 13 may indicate corresponding casings.

  As shown in the drawing, the downstream end of the second conveyor 12 located between the first conveyor 11 and the third conveyor 13 is retreated more upstream than the downstream ends of the first conveyor 11 and the third conveyor 13. Is positioned. As illustrated, the distance between the downstream end of the first conveyor 11 and the third conveyor 13 and the downstream end of the second conveyor 12 is greater than the width of the container. The convergent transport conveyor 31 is disposed such that its upstream end is adjacent to the downstream end of the second conveyor 12.

  Further, as shown in the figure, an extrusion system 51 similar to that described with reference to FIG. 3 is disposed outside the first conveyor 11. An opening 11 a is formed inside the downstream end of the first conveyor 11. The opening 11a is opened and closed by a gate 11b that slides in the vertical direction. The push plate 51a of the extrusion system 51 interlocked with the gate 11b pushes the container A in the first conveyor 11 to the convergent transfer conveyor 31 in the vertical direction with respect to the first conveyor 11 through the opened opening 11a. Yes.

  A similar extrusion system 53 is arranged outside the third conveyor 13. Although not shown, it is assumed that a gate 13b that slides in the vertical direction is also provided in the opening 13a formed inside the downstream end of the third conveyor 13.

  Furthermore, the opening 12a formed at the downstream end of the second conveyor 12 is opened and closed by a similar gate 12b. Although the second conveyor 12 is not provided with an extrusion system, the container B is transported to the upstream end of the convergent transport conveyor 31 by the normal operation of the second conveyor 12 when the gate 12b is opened. The extrusion systems 51 and 53 and the sliding gates 11b, 12b, and 13b shown in FIG. 7 are connected to a control device that is not shown in FIG.

  At the initial stage of the first junction 21, the sliding gates 11 b, 12 b, 13 b are in a closed position for closing the corresponding openings 11 a, 12 a, 13 a. When the first junction 21 is driven, the gate 11b is first opened, and the container A in the first conveyor 11 is pushed out to the upstream end of the converging transport conveyor 31 by the push plate 51a. The extruded container A is transported on the converging transport conveyor 31.

  Next, the gate 11b is closed and the push plate 51a is retracted, and the gate 12b is opened to convey the container B of the second conveyor 12 to the upstream end of the converging type conveyor 31. And this container B is conveyed on the convergence type conveyance conveyor 31 following the container A, and the gate 12b is closed.

  When the container B transported on the converging transport conveyor 31 passes through the opening 13a of the third conveyor 13, the gate 13b (not shown) is opened, and the container C in the third conveyor 13 is transported by the push plate 53a. 31 is pushed out to the upstream end. The extruded container C is transported on the converging transport conveyor 31 following the containers A and B.

  After that, the gate 13b is closed and the push plate 53a is retracted, and the gate 11b is opened and the container A in the first conveyor 11 is pushed out. In the illustrated first junction 21, such an operation is repeatedly performed, so that these containers are conveyed onto the converging-type conveying conveyor 31 in the order of container A, container B, and container C. Since the 2nd confluence | merging part 22 is also the structure similar to the 1st confluence | merging part 21, these containers are conveyed in the order of the container D, the container E, and the container F on the convergence type conveyance conveyor 32 of the 2nd confluence | merging part 22. Become so.

  Referring again to FIG. 6, the set of containers A, B, and C that have passed through the gate 37 and the set of containers D, E, and F that have passed through the gate 38 are supplied to the common transport conveyor 35 almost simultaneously. The width of the common transport conveyor 35 shown in FIG. 6 is large enough to transport the containers transported by the two converging transport conveyors 31 and 32 in parallel with each other, so that a pair of containers A, B and C A set of containers D, E, F are aligned side by side on a common transport conveyor 35. That is, in the common transport conveyor 35, the first container A to the sixth container F are automatically aligned in three rows and two columns. After that, the containers having three rows and two columns are supplied to the container packaging unit 60 through the rotary table 41 and covered with the packaging sheet 70 to form a multipack as in the case of FIG. Thereby, it is possible to form a multi-pack with higher added value than when all six containers are of the same type.

  In the 1st confluence | merging part 21 and the 2nd confluence | merging part 22 as shown by FIG. 7, by changing the driving | running state of an extrusion system and a sliding-type gate, the desired one of the 1st container A-the 6th container F is used. It will be apparent that the container can be positioned on the end face 72, 73 side of the multipack.

It is a schematic plan view of the container alignment apparatus based on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the confluence | merging part based on this invention. (A) It is a partial top view of another container junction part. (B) It is another partial top view of another container junction part. (A) It is an enlarged view of a rotary table. (B) It is an enlarged view of a rotary table. It is a schematic plan view of the container alignment apparatus based on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic plan view of the container alignment apparatus based on 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the confluence | merging part in 3rd embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10, 10 ′, 10 ″ container alignment device 11 first conveyor 11a, 12a, 13a opening 11b, 12b, 13b sliding gate 12 second conveyor 13 third conveyor 14 fourth conveyor 15 fifth conveyor 16 sixth Conveyor 21 First merging portion 22 Second merging portion 23 Third merging portion 26, 27 Container guide 28, 29 Push screw 28a, 29a Pocket 28b, 29b Convex-type conveyor 31, 35 Conveying conveyor 35 Common conveying conveyor 37 , 38, 29 Gate 41 Rotary table 51, 52, 53 Extrusion system 60 Container packaging part 70 Packaging sheet 72 Downstream end surface 73 Upstream end surface A First container B Second container C Third container D Fourth container E Fifth container F 6th container

Claims (5)

A first conveyor for conveying a first container in a row;
A second conveyor for conveying a second container in a row;
First joining means for joining the first container row and the second container row so that the first container and the second container are positioned alternately, whereby the first container And the second container, wherein the first merging means connects the first converging conveyor, the first conveyor, the second conveyor, and the first converging conveyor, respectively. A first push screw and a second push screw, each of the first push screw and the second push screw is provided with a pocket for receiving the first container and the second container, respectively. The first screw and the second container coincide with the width of the first container and the second container on the inlet side of the pushing screw, and double the width of the first container and the second container on the outlet side. Expansion toward the downstream side with respect to the conveying direction of the container and the second container, and at the inlet side of the first converging type conveyor, at a speed corresponding to the conveying speed of the first conveyor and the second conveyor The first pushing screw and the second pushing screw are operated so as to respectively convey the first container and the second container,
further,
A third conveyor for conveying a third container in a row;
A fourth conveyor for conveying a fourth container in a row;
A second merging means for merging the third container row and the fourth container row so that the third container and the fourth container are located alternately, whereby the third container; And the fourth container, and the second merging means connects the second converging conveyor, the third conveyor, the fourth conveyor, and the second converging conveyor, respectively. A third push screw and a fourth push screw, each of the third push screw and the fourth push screw is provided with a pocket for receiving the third container and the fourth container, respectively. The third and fourth containers are matched to the width of the third container and the fourth container on the inlet side of the pushing screw and double the width of the third container and the fourth container on the outlet side. Expansion toward the downstream side with respect to the conveying direction of the container and the fourth container, and at the inlet side of the second converging conveyor at the speed corresponding to the conveying speed of the third conveyor and the fourth conveyor The third pushing screw and the fourth pushing screw are operated so as to respectively convey the third container and the fourth container,
further,
A set of first and second containers adjacent to each other at the head of a row composed of the first container and the second container conveyed by the first convergent conveyor, and conveyed by the second convergent conveyor. A set of third and fourth containers that are adjacent to each other at the beginning of the row of the third container and the fourth container are supplied at the same time, and have a width large enough to align these sets in parallel with each other. Having alignment means,
When the first pushing screw and the second pushing screw form a row composed of the first container and the second container, the supply of the first container and the second container in turn and the second pushing screw are performed. The container and the supply in order of the first container are switchable,
When the third pushing screw and the fourth pushing screw form a row composed of the third container and the fourth container, the third container and the fourth container are supplied in order and the fourth pushing screw . A container aligning device capable of switching between sequential supply of containers and the third container .   2. The container alignment apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a rotating means for integrally rotating the first container and the second container group and the third container and the fourth container group which are aligned in parallel with each other. . A first conveyor for conveying a first container in a row;
A second conveyor for conveying a second container in a row;
First joining means for joining the first container row and the second container row so that the first container and the second container are positioned alternately, whereby the first container And the second container, wherein the first merging means connects the first converging conveyor, the first conveyor, the second conveyor, and the first converging conveyor, respectively. A first push screw and a second push screw, each of the first push screw and the second push screw is provided with a pocket for receiving the first container and the second container, respectively. The first screw and the second container coincide with the width of the first container and the second container on the inlet side of the pushing screw, and double the width of the first container and the second container on the outlet side. Expansion toward the downstream side with respect to the conveying direction of the container and the second container, and at the inlet side of the first converging type conveyor, at a speed corresponding to the conveying speed of the first conveyor and the second conveyor The first pushing screw and the second pushing screw are operated so as to respectively convey the first container and the second container,
further,
A third conveyor for conveying a third container in a row;
A fourth conveyor for conveying a fourth container in a row;
A second merging means for merging the third container row and the fourth container row so that the third container and the fourth container are located alternately, whereby the third container; And the fourth container, and the second merging means connects the second converging conveyor, the third conveyor, the fourth conveyor, and the second converging conveyor, respectively. A third push screw and a fourth push screw, each of the third push screw and the fourth push screw is provided with a pocket for receiving the third container and the fourth container, respectively. The third and fourth containers are matched to the width of the third container and the fourth container on the inlet side of the pushing screw and double the width of the third container and the fourth container on the outlet side. Expansion toward the downstream side with respect to the conveying direction of the container and the fourth container, and at the inlet side of the second converging conveyor at the speed corresponding to the conveying speed of the third conveyor and the fourth conveyor The third pushing screw and the fourth pushing screw are operated so as to respectively convey the third container and the fourth container,
further,
A fifth conveyor for conveying a fifth container in a row;
A sixth conveyor for conveying a sixth container in a row;
And a third merging means for merging the fifth container row and the sixth container row so that the fifth container and the sixth container are alternately positioned, thereby providing the fifth container. And the sixth container, and the third merging means is connected to the third converging conveyor, the fifth conveyor, the sixth conveyor, and the third converging conveyor, respectively. A fifth push screw and a sixth push screw, each of the fifth push screw and the sixth push screw is provided with a pocket for receiving the fifth container and the sixth container, respectively. The fifth screw and the sixth container coincide with the width of the fifth container and the sixth container on the inlet side of the push-in screw, and double the width of the fifth container and the sixth container on the outlet side. Expansion toward the downstream side with respect to the conveying direction of the container and the sixth container, and at the inlet side of the third converging type conveyor at the speed corresponding to the conveying speed of the fifth conveyor and the sixth conveyor The fifth pushing screw and the sixth pushing screw are operated so as to convey the fifth container and the sixth container,
further,
A set of first and second containers adjacent to each other at the head of a row composed of the first container and the second container conveyed by the first convergent conveyor, and conveyed by the second convergent conveyor. A set of third and fourth containers adjacent to each other at the head of a row of the third container and the fourth container; the fifth container and the sixth container conveyed by the third converging conveyor; A set of fifth and sixth containers that are adjacent to each other at the beginning of a row comprising: an alignment means having a width large enough to align the sets parallel to each other;
When the first pushing screw and the second pushing screw form a row composed of the first container and the second container, the supply of the first container and the second container in turn and the second pushing screw are performed. The container and the supply in order of the first container are switchable,
When the third pushing screw and the fourth pushing screw form a row composed of the third container and the fourth container, the third container and the fourth container are supplied in order and the fourth pushing screw . The supply of the order of the container and the third container can be switched,
When the fifth pushing screw and the sixth pushing screw form a row consisting of the fifth container and the sixth container, the supply of the fifth container and the sixth container in order and the sixth pushing screw are performed. A container aligning device capable of switching between sequential supply of a container and the fifth container .   And rotating means for integrally rotating the set of the first container and the second container, the set of the third container and the fourth container, and the set of the fifth container and the sixth container aligned in parallel with each other. The container alignment apparatus of Claim 3 which comprises.   A multipack manufacturing apparatus comprising a multipack manufacturing means for manufacturing multipacks of the containers by packaging the containers aligned by the container alignment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 with a packaging sheet.

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