JP5227048B2 - Article transport device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an article conveying device used in a packaging machine, and more specifically to a finger conveyor device in which fingers are attached at predetermined intervals of an endless chain.

  A pillow packaging machine, which is one form of a packaging machine, has the following configuration. First, the strip-shaped film wound up by the raw fabric roll is continuously supplied to the bag making device, and when the bag making device is passed, the tubular film formed into a tubular shape is formed. In addition, an article transporting and supplying device is arranged on the upstream side of the bag making device, and an object to be packaged conveyed at predetermined intervals from the object to be packaged conveying and supplying device is supplied into the bag making device. Accordingly, when the article to be packaged passes through the bag making machine, the article to be packaged is stored at predetermined intervals in the cylindrical film, and the article to be packaged is conveyed together with the cylindrical film. A center seal device and an end seal device are arranged along the conveying direction. The center seal device seals the film polymerization end of the tubular film. The end seal device seals the tubular film in the lateral direction of travel (portion where the front and rear packages are not present) and cuts the portion of the tubular film in which the front package is stored. Is separated from the subsequent cylindrical film to produce a package.

  Since the packaged article conveyance supply device conveys the article to be packaged at regular intervals and supplies it to the bag making machine of the packaging machine body, a finger conveyor device is usually used (see Patent Document 1). This finger conveyor device includes sprockets arranged at the front and rear, an endless chain spanned over the plurality of sprockets, and a plurality of push fingers attached to the endless chain at predetermined pitches. Thus, when the pushing finger hits the rear surface of the article, the article also moves forward with the movement of the pushing finger.

Further, as disclosed in Patent Document 2 and the like, a guide rail that receives the endless chain is arranged at a predetermined position below the conveyance surface. By moving the endless chain so that the endless chain slides in contact with the upper surface of the guide rail, the endless chain moves stably in a horizontal state without hanging down. Further, the guide rail enters between a pair of left and right outer plates (inner plates), thereby restricting the lateral movement of the endless chain, so that the endless chain moves stably.
JP 2001-354212 A JP 2003-212329 A

  By the way, in the transport apparatus in the pillow packaging machine, for example, when transporting food, it is necessary to clean the transport apparatus in order to keep the transport apparatus clean. In such a case, remove the endless chain from the sprocket and clean the endless chain and the push finger attached to it, or remove the endless chain and clean the packaged article transport and supply device (transport device) side To do. Further, the present invention is not limited to cleaning, and it may be necessary to remove the endless chain in maintenance such as component replacement.

  In the case of an endless chain, the sprocket teeth are firmly fitted in the front and back, and the movement of the endless chain in the vertical and horizontal directions is restricted by the above guide rail (chain rail). In the state where it cannot be removed) (the endless shape is removed) and the chain is divided by removing the fixing members such as clips and split pins attached to the predetermined joint links constituting the endless chain. Removed. When the cleaning / maintenance processing is completed, the single belt-like chain is passed over the front and rear sprockets, and the ends of the belt-like chain are connected to each other by a joint link to form an endless chain. ing. Therefore, a special tool is required for attaching / detaching the joint ring, and the attaching / detaching operation of the endless chain is very complicated and takes time.

  The present invention provides an apparatus for conveying articles that can easily remove an endless chain for maintenance such as cleaning and parts replacement without requiring a large-scale disassembly operation or the like in a conveyance apparatus having an endless chain. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, an article conveying apparatus according to the present invention includes: (1) a pair of front and rear sprockets that are cantilevered with respect to a machine frame; and an endless chain that spans between the pair of sprockets. A chain rail disposed below the endless chain, a vertical movement mechanism for moving the chain rail in the vertical direction, a plurality of push fingers attached to the endless chain, and at least one of the pair of sprockets. Moving means capable of moving along the conveying direction and changing the distance between the two sprockets, and the chain rail located at the upper position by the up-and-down moving function can contact the endless chain. The chain rail that controls the lateral movement of the endless chain and is located at the lower position is It is configured to be separated from the endless chain to permit movement of the lateral moving distance of the sprocket by the moving means, and the distance that the teeth of the sprocket can be disengaged from the endless chain.

  As a result, when the chain rail is positioned at the lower position by the vertical movement mechanism, the endless chain is released from the restriction by the chain rail and can move in the lateral direction, that is, the direction away from the machine frame (front side). It becomes. Furthermore, the engagement between the sprocket and the endless chain can be released by shortening the distance between the two sprockets by the moving means. Therefore, the endless chain can be removed to the near side without being disassembled without being disassembled.

  (2) The vertical movement mechanism supports the chain rail, and rotates at least when the chain rail is positioned at an upper position, and a rotating arm member that rotates forward and backward in a plane orthogonal to the transport direction. Fixing means for fixing the posture of the arm member (in the embodiment, “toggle lever 67” + “fixing tool 69”) may be provided. In this way, the chain rail can be moved in the vertical direction with a simple configuration, and the chain rail is kept in the upper position in normal use, and the movement of the endless chain is reliably restricted. Yes. In this embodiment, when the fixing by the fixing means is released by shifting the center of gravity outward from the center of rotation, the rotating arm member rotates by its own weight, and the chain rail is moved downward. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and after releasing the fixing by the fixing means, for example, a handle or the like as in the embodiment may be grasped and lowered to be manually moved downward. Of course, other than this, it may be moved up and down automatically (using predetermined power).

  (3) It is preferable that the moving means is composed of a cylinder, and the tension of the endless chain can be adjusted and controlled by controlling the pressure of the cylinder to be constant. This is preferable because the sprocket can be easily moved along with the attachment / detachment of the endless chain and the tension on the endless chain can be automatically adjusted during normal operation.

  (4) Positioning rollers may be provided at regular intervals with respect to the endless chain, and a cam that matches the positioning roller may be provided on at least one of the pair of sprockets. The “cam” corresponds to the “guide boss 41 (recess 41a)” in the embodiment. In this case, when the endless chain is removed and then mounted on the sprocket, the positioning roller can be linked to the cam so that the positioning can be easily performed. In the embodiment, the positioning roller is attached to the endless chain in accordance with the attachment position of the push finger. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the positioning roller is attached to an arbitrary position of the endless chain. Can do.

  (5) Provided is a position detecting means for detecting the position of the moving member together with the sprocket moving by the moving means, and based on the output of the position detecting means, detects that the endless chain has been extended more than a certain length. Configure. The position detecting means may be one that automatically detects like a limit switch, proximity sensor, or other sensor, or may be means that is detected by human eyes like the scale 53b.

  According to the present invention, since the endless chain can be easily removed, maintenance such as cleaning of the transfer device and replacement of parts can be performed in a short time.

  FIG. 1 shows a pillow wrapping machine 10 on which an embodiment of the article transporting apparatus of the present invention is mounted. A wrapping machine body 11 and a film for continuously supplying a belt-like wrapping film to the wrapping machine body 11. A supply device 12 and a packaged material transport and supply device 14 that are arranged on the upstream side of the packaging machine body 11 and that supply the packaged material 13 that is an article to the packaging machine body 11 at predetermined intervals are provided. The packaged article conveying and supplying apparatus 14 constitutes an article conveying apparatus.

  The film supply device 12 links the output of a drive motor (not shown) (speed-controllable motor such as a servo motor) to the original roll 16 obtained by winding the belt-like film 15 into a roll. Supplying to the packaging machine body 11 at a constant speed while appropriately controlling the rotation speed. Although not shown, various rollers are arranged at predetermined positions from the original fabric roll 16 to the packaging machine body 11, and the belt-like film 15 fed out from the original fabric roll 16 is passed over the rollers. Then, it is guided to the packaging machine body 11 through a predetermined path. Of course, in the present invention, it is not always necessary to link the drive motor to the raw roll 16, and a feed roller may be provided on the transport path of the packaging film and pulled out.

  The to-be-packaged goods conveyance supply apparatus 14 is attached to the sprockets 17 and 17 ′ arranged at the front and rear, the endless chain 18 laid over the plurality of sprockets 17 and 17 ′, and the endless chain 18 at predetermined pitches. And a plurality of pushing fingers 19. Thereby, when the pushing finger 19 hits the rear surface of the article 13 to be packaged, the article 13 also moves forward with the movement of the pushing finger 19.

  The packaging machine main body 11 includes a bag making device 20 that sets the supplied belt-like film 15 into a cylindrical film 21, a center seal device 24 disposed on the downstream side of the bag making device 20, and the center seal device 24. A belt conveyor 23 that conveys the tubular film 21, an upper restraining belt 25 that is disposed above the belt conveyor 23, an end seal device 30 that is disposed on the downstream side of the belt conveyor 23, And an unloading conveyor 26 disposed on the downstream side of the end seal device 30.

  The bag-making device 20 allows the side film edges 15a of the belt-like film 15 to contact (polymerize) with each other by passing the belt-like film 15 continuously supplied from the film feeding device 12, and the tube that has become cylindrical. The bag is placed on the film 21. In addition, the articles to be packaged 13 that are sequentially supplied from the article to be packaged supply apparatus 14 to the packaging machine main body 11 are inserted into the bag making machine 20. Thereby, the article 13 to be packaged supplied to the bag making machine 20 is arranged in the cylindrical film 21 at predetermined intervals.

  The center seal device 24 seals both side edge portions 15a of the polymerized belt-like film 15. The center seal device 24 sandwiches both side edge portions 15a of the belt-like film 15 from both sides and performs heat sealing.

  The upper restraining belt 25 is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the upstream side of the end seal device 30 and suppresses the article 13 in the tubular film 21 from being lifted upward so that it can be conveyed while maintaining a horizontal state. ing.

  The end seal device 30 seals and cuts the tubular film 21 in a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction, that is, in a transverse direction. The film part to be sealed / cut is a predetermined position between the front and back objects 13 to be packaged. Thereby, the head part of the cylindrical film 21 is isolate | separated from the subsequent by passing the end seal apparatus 30, and the package body 27 is manufactured. The end seal device 30 is of a box motion type that revolves along a predetermined locus while maintaining a state in which the seal surfaces of the top sealer 30a face each other. However, there is also a rotary end seal device.

  Hereinafter, the package transport / supply device 14 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the endless chain 18 is configured to rotate while being cantilevered by the machine frame 31. That is, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the drive-side sprocket 17 has a drive sprocket 17 at one end of a rotating shaft 33 that is rotatably inserted into a bearing portion 32 attached to the front of the machine frame 31. The bevel gear 34 is connected to the other end of the rotating shaft 33. The bevel gear 34 is linked to a gear 35 and linked to a drive motor via a power transmission mechanism (not shown). Therefore, the rotational force of the drive motor is transmitted to the sprocket 17, and the sprocket 17 is driven to rotate. Since the endless chain 18 meshes with the tooth portion 17a of the sprocket 17, the endless chain 18 also rotates as the sprocket 17 rotates.

  The push finger 18 is rotatably connected to the endless chain 18 using a pin 37 at a lower portion thereof. A coaxial disc-shaped positioning roller 36 is attached to the pin 37. Further, one end of a connecting bar 38 constituting a link mechanism is connected by a pin 39 in the vicinity of the lower end of the pushing finger 19 (inside the endless chain 18 from the connecting portion of the pin 37). The other end of the connecting bar 38 is connected by a pin 40 to a predetermined position of the endless chain 18 (rear position in the advancing direction by a predetermined distance from the attachment position of the pushing finger 18). By connecting with the pins 39 and 40, each part can be rotated forward and backward within a predetermined angle range. Therefore, when moving in the horizontal direction, as shown in FIG. 5 and the like, the pushing finger 19 is in an upright state, and the other end of the connecting bar 38 is connected when turning along the sprockets 17 and 17 ′. Since the distance in the front-rear direction of the pin 37 connected to the pin 40 and the push finger 19 is narrowed, the pin 39 is urged forward in the moving direction by the connecting bar 38, and accordingly, the push finger 19 is moved backward in the moving direction. It starts to fall down. If the sprocket 17 is rotated by a predetermined angle, the sprocket 17 is operated in the opposite direction, and the push finger 19 is operated so as to gradually stand up. Since the mechanism for appropriately changing the posture of the pushing finger 19 (standing state → falling → returning to the standing state) is the same as the conventional mechanism, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  A guide boss 41 is connected to the front side of the drive-side sprocket 17. Since this guide boss 41 is attached to the sprocket 17 with screws, it rotates integrally with the sprocket 17. The guide boss 41 has a shape in which a recessed portion 41a that is recessed toward the center is provided at a predetermined position on the outer peripheral edge of the disc-shaped main body. In the present embodiment, the recesses 41a are provided at two locations at intervals of 180 degrees. And this recessed part 41a becomes the shape cut off in circular arc shape, and the positioning roller 36 installed in the attachment position to the endless chain 18 of the feeding finger 19 enters in this recessed part 41a. That is, the half of the circumference of the guide boss 41 (the arc distance between the recesses 41a) and the finger pitch of the push finger 19 are substantially the same, and when the push finger 19 moves along the sprocket 17, positioning is performed. The roller 36 moves with the rotation of the sprocket 17 in a state where the roller 36 enters the recess 41a. As will be described later, when the endless chain 18 is detached from the sprocket 17 and then is transferred to the sprocket 17 again, the positioning roller 36 is set in such a positional relationship as to coincide with the OR portion 41a. Thereby, positioning is performed regardless of before and after removal of the endless chain 18.

  On the other hand, the driven sprocket 17 ′ on the rear side in the traveling direction is cantilevered on the machine frame 31 and is configured to apply a predetermined tension toward the rear side in the traveling direction. Specifically, as shown in enlarged views in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cylinder 51 is attached to a predetermined position on the rear side in the traveling direction of the machine casing 31. The cylinder lot 51a of the cylinder 51 is arranged to reciprocate forward in the traveling direction. A lower part of the connecting plate 52 is attached to the tip of the cylinder lot 51 a, and one end of an elongated rectangular slide block 53 is connected to the upper part of the connecting plate 52. The slide block 53 is disposed in parallel along the endless chain 18 and is disposed so as to be movable forward and backward in the traveling direction (axial direction). Specifically, a guide rail 56 is attached to the top surface of the machine frame 31, and a slider 57 provided on the upper surface of the slide block 53 is movably connected to the guide rail 56, so that the slide block 53 is attached to the machine frame 31. On the other hand, it is suspended and supported, and can be moved while maintaining a horizontal state. Then, a shaft portion 54 is connected to the tip 53a of the slide block 53 so as to protrude to the endless chain 18 side (front side) in a cantilevered manner, and the tip of the shaft portion 54 is driven via a bearing portion 55. Install the side sprocket 17 '. As a result, the sprocket 17 ′ is cantilevered by the slide block 53 and by the machine casing 31.

  Further, when the cylinder 52 is operated and the cylinder lot 51a is reciprocated, the slide block 53 is also moved forward and backward in accordance therewith. Therefore, the driven sprocket 17 'also moves forward and backward. Accordingly, when the cylinder 52 is operated from the normal state and moved in the direction in which the cylinder lot 51a protrudes (extends) greatly, the slide block 53 and thus the sprocket 17 'move greatly forward in the advancing direction. Move to the position indicated by the chain line. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, since the distance between the two sprockets 17 and 17 'is shortened, the endless chain 18 sag downward.

  Further, when the cylinder 51 is operated in the reverse direction to move the cylinder lot 51a in the direction in which the cylinder lot 51a is housed in the cylinder 51 (the direction in which the tip of the cylinder rod 51a moves backward in the traveling direction), the slide block 53 also advances. The sprocket 17 'can be returned to the base position indicated by the solid line in FIG.

  Further, when the endless chain 18 is extended with use, it is necessary to lengthen the distance between both the sprockets 17 and 17 ′ in order to give a constant tension to the endless chain 18, but in this embodiment, the cylinder rod 51 a is appropriately set. By storing in the main body of the cylinder 51, the distance between the sprockets 17 and 17 'can be increased and tension can be applied. Since the cylinder 51 is controlled so that the internal pressure becomes constant, as a result, the endless chain 18 is automatically adjusted so that a constant tension is always applied.

  Furthermore, the endless chain 18 needs to be replaced because it may be damaged if it extends beyond a certain length. Therefore, a memory 53b is provided at a predetermined position in front of the slide block 53 so that the extension degree of the endless chain 18 can be monitored from the positional relationship between the memory 53b and the machine casing 31. Furthermore, since the positional relationship between the tip position of the cylinder rod 51a and the tip 53a (sprocket 17 ') of the slide block 53 is also uniquely determined, for example, a sensor (microswitch, A proximity sensor or the like) may be provided at a predetermined position, and when the sensor detects the tip of the cylinder rod 51a, it may be notified that the replacement time has come.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a first upper plate 46 and a second upper plate 47 are arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval at a predetermined position above the front side of the machine casing 31, 46 and 47 constitute a conveying surface. A space 48 is formed between the upper plates 46 and 47, and the tip (upper end) of the pushing finger 19 protrudes upward from the space 48 to reach the conveying surface and is placed on the upper plates 46 and 47. The packaged item 13 is pushed. The second upper plate 47 on the machine frame 31 side is fixed to the machine frame 31, and the first upper plate is connected to the machine frame 31 so as to be removable on the front side (see FIG. 9). A front cover 49 is connected to the lower surface of the first upper plate 46 in front of it. The first upper plate 46 and the front cover 49 can be removed and attached together.

  The endless chain 18 is configured by using a general roller chain, and the outer links 44 and the inner links 45 are alternately connected, and both ends of the roller chain are connected by joint links arranged at appropriate positions so that the endless chain 18 is endless. A chain 18 is formed. As is well known, the inner link 45 has a configuration in which inner plates 45b are disposed at both ends of a roller 45a. And the chain rail 50 is arrange | positioned in the downward nearest position of the endless chain 18 which moves the conveyance surface side (above). In the chain rail 50, the upper surface of the convex portion (rail portion) 50a provided on the upper surface of the chain rail 50 comes into contact with the roller 45a of the inner link 45 to prevent the endless chain 18 from sagging downward, and both sides of the convex portion 50a are prevented. Enters between the inner plates 45b of the inner link 45 to suppress lateral movement. As a result, the endless chain itself is not stretchable and is not twisted, so that the endless chain 18 is stably rotated in a vertical plane. Such a mechanism is basically the same as the conventional one.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the chain rail 50 is connected to the machine frame 31 via the rotary arm member 61 so as to be rotatable. In other words, the rotating arm member 61 is formed in a crank shape, and specifically, a lower arm portion 61a that projects forward (on the endless chain 18 side) with respect to the machine casing 31, and a proximal end side of the lower arm portion 61a ( The upper arm 61c extends upward from the machine frame 31 side), and the upper arm 61c extends from the upper end of the vertical wall 61b to the rear side (opposite the lower arm 61a). The part 61a and the upper arm part 61c are set in parallel. Then, at the boundary portion between the lower arm portion 61a and the vertical wall portion 61b, it is rotatably linked to the machine frame 31 via the bearing mechanism 62.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the distance from the bearing mechanism 62 to the upper surface of the machine casing 31 and the length of the vertical wall portion 61b are substantially equal, and the lower arm portion 61a and the upper arm portion 61c take a horizontal posture. In the state, the upper arm portion 61 c is in contact with (close to) the upper surface of the machine casing 31. In this state, it is fixed by the toggle lever 67. That is, the fixing tool 69 attached to the tip 67a of the toggle lever 67 is inserted into the through hole 61c ′ provided on the rear side of the upper arm portion 61c, so that the rotation of the rotary arm member 61 is suppressed, and the posture Is fixed in the state shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, when the toggle lever 67 is locked, the fixture 69 comes into contact with the upper surface (detection unit) 68 a of the sensor 68 provided on the upper surface of the machine frame 31. The sensor 68 detects this contact, and a detection signal is output. The sensor 68 may be a sensor that detects the proximity of the fixture 69 using a magnetic sensor or other proximity sensor, or a sensor that detects the contact of the fixture 69 using a pressure sensor, a limit switch, or the like. good. Furthermore, at least the surface of the fixture 69 is formed of a conductive material such as a metal plate, and the contact of the fixture 69 is detected by connecting the electrode exposed on the upper surface 68a of the sensor 68 with a contactor. Can be adopted. Unless the detection signal is output from the sensor 68, the control program is interlocked and safety control is performed so that the drive motor or the like does not operate.

  On the other hand, the chain rail 50 is attached to the tip of the lower arm portion 61a via the mounting bracket 63. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support mechanism for the chain rail 50, such as the toggle lever 67 and the rotary arm member 61, is provided in a plurality of locations on the machine frame 31, and one chain rail 50 is provided. Support is provided by a plurality of support mechanisms. As shown in FIG. 8, when the rotary arm member 61 is fixed by the toggle lever 67 and the fixture 69 and the lower arm portion 61 a is in the horizontal state, the convex portion 50 a of the chain rail 50 is the endless chain. 18 (enters between the inner plates 45 b of the inner link 45 to support the endless chain 18.

  From this state, when the operating portion 67b of the toggle lever 67 is grasped and lifted up, the fixture 69 is detached from the through hole 61c ′ of the upper arm portion 61c. Then, since the center of gravity of the rotating arm member 61 is located in front of the bearing mechanism 62 (on the side of the chain rail 50), the distal end side of the lower arm portion 61a moves downward with the bearing mechanism 62 as the rotation center due to its own weight. Rotate in the direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the chain rail 50 also moves downward and separates from the endless chain 18. Therefore, since the chain rail 50 supported on the lower side is eliminated, the chain rail 50 is bent downward and there is no restriction in the lateral direction.

Therefore, in this state, as described above, the cylinder 51 is operated to move the sprocket 17 'forward in the traveling direction, thereby shortening the distance between the front and rear sprockets 17, 17'. Then, the portion of the endless chain 18 hung on the sprockets 17 and 17 'is pulled in a direction away from the tooth portions of the sprockets 17 and 17' and moved to the near side (the chain rail 50 is detached). because there, that it is possible to move to the near side), Ru can be removed endless chains 18 from left sprockets 17, 17 'of the endless.

  When the removed endless chain 18 is attached to the sprockets 17 and 17 ', as shown in FIG. 9, the chain rail 50 is moved downward and the endless chain 18 is moved to the sprocket 17 side. The chain 18 is stretched over both sprockets 17, 17 '. At this time, the positioning roller 36 attached to the endless chain 18 is attached while being aligned so as to coincide with the recess 41 a of the guide boss 41. In this state, when the cylinder 51 is operated and the cylinder rod 51a is retracted to move the driven sprocket 17 'away from the driving sprocket 17, the driven sprocket 17' moves while rotating appropriately, and the endless chain 18 is in a tensioned state.

  Then, when the handle 64 attached to the predetermined position of the chain rail 50 is gripped and lifted upward, the chain rail 50 moves upward, and the rotary arm member 61 follows the above with the bearing mechanism 62 as the rotation center. It rotates in the reverse direction and the lower arm 61a rises. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the rotary arm member 61 has a posture in which both arm portions 61a and 61c are in a horizontal state and the chain rail 50 enters a predetermined position below the endless chain 18. The upper arm 61c is fixed by the fixing tool 69 by holding the operating portion of the toggle lever 67 and moving it downward. Note that the endless chain may be attached by moving the chain rail 50 upward by operating the handle 64 prior to the movement of the sprocket 17 ′ by the cylinder 51.

  In the above embodiment, the chain rail 50 is moved up and down while being rotated using the rotary arm member 61. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the chain rail 50 may be moved up and down linearly. Good. In short, the chain rail moves in the vertical direction, the chain rail can come into contact with the endless chain at the upper position to restrict lateral movement, and the chain rail moves away from the endless chain at the lower position to move the side of the endless chain. As long as the movement in the direction is allowed, the trajectory at the time of movement and the mechanism for the movement are arbitrary. However, it is preferable to adopt the configuration of the present embodiment because it can be realized with a simple configuration and the operation becomes simple.

  In the embodiment described above, the case where all are applied to a pillow packaging machine is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a four-side seal packaging machine, a deep-drawing packaging machine, and other various packaging machines.

It is a figure which shows an example of the packaging machine with which the conveying apparatus (packaged goods conveyance supply apparatus) of this invention is mounted. It is a front view which shows one Embodiment of the conveying apparatus (packaged goods conveyance supply apparatus) which concerns on this invention. It is a plane which shows one Embodiment of the conveying apparatus (packaged article conveyance supply apparatus) which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the sprocket part by the side of a drive. It is a front view which shows the sprocket vicinity of a drive side. It is a front view which shows the sprocket vicinity of a driven side. It is a top view which shows the sprocket vicinity of a driven side. It is sectional drawing (upward (upward) position) which shows the up-and-down moving mechanism which moves the chain rail 50 up and down. It is sectional drawing (downward (down) position) which shows the up-and-down moving mechanism which moves the chain rail 50 up and down. It is a figure explaining an effect | action.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Pillow packaging machine 11 Packaging machine main body 12 Film supply apparatus 13 Packaged object 14 Packaged article conveyance supply apparatus 17 Sprocket (drive side)
17a Teeth 17 'Sprocket (driven side)
18 Endless chain 19 Pushing finger 21 Cylindrical film 24 Center seal device 30 End seal device 31 Machine frame 36 Positioning roller 41 Guide boss 41a Recess 50 Chain rail 51 Cylinder 51a Cylinder rod 61 Rotating arm member 67 Toggle lever 69 Fixing tool

Claims (5)

A pair of front and rear sprockets cantilevered to the machine frame;
An endless chain spanned between the pair of sprockets,
A chain rail located under the endless chain;
A vertical movement mechanism for moving the chain rail in the vertical direction;
A plurality of push fingers attached to the endless chain;
Moving means that enables movement of at least one of the pair of sprockets along the conveying direction, and that can change the interval between the two sprockets;
With
The chain rail located in the upper position by the vertical movement function is capable of contacting the endless chain and restricts the lateral movement of the endless chain, and the chain rail located in the lower position is separated from the endless chain. Configured to allow the lateral movement away from,
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving distance of the sprocket by the moving means is a distance at which the sprocket teeth can be detached from the endless chain.   The vertical movement mechanism supports the chain rail and rotates in the forward and reverse directions in a plane orthogonal to the transport direction, and at least when the chain rail is positioned at the upper position, The article conveying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a fixing unit that fixes the posture.   The article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the moving means is composed of a cylinder, and the adjustment of the tension of the endless chain can be controlled by controlling the pressure of the cylinder to be constant. Transport device. Provide positioning rollers at regular intervals with respect to the endless chain,
The article conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a cam that matches the positioning roller is provided on at least one of the pair of sprockets. A position detecting means for detecting a position of a member moving together with the sprocket moving by the moving means;
5. The article conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the article conveying apparatus is configured to detect that the endless chain has extended a predetermined length or more based on an output of the position detecting means.

Images