JP5356167B2 - Device for changing the interval between sheets in the lateral direction - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To cope with a high speed, without its dropped sheet-like article by contacting with a driving means and damaging, even if the sheet-like article drops from carrying passages by high speed operation. <P>SOLUTION: This lateral directional interval changing device includes the carrying passages 13a, 14a and 15a for carrying the sheet-like article (a PTP sheet 1) in two rows, and a push-sending conveyor device 12 arranged above its carrying passages and push-sending the sheet-like article while moving along its carrying passages. An interval between the carrying passages of the two rows includes a direction changing area (the second carrying passage 14a) gradually changing along the carrying direction, and the push-sending conveyor device includes a push-sending claw arranged with every carrying passage and a driving means for moving its push-sending claw along the respective carrying passages. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention can change a lateral interval of a sheet-like article that can change the interval between adjacent sheet-like articles while conveying a sheet-like article such as a PTP (Press Through Packaging) sheet in a plurality of rows and at regular intervals. Relates to the device.

  As is well known, a PTP (Press Through Packaging) sheet is a packaging form in which the contents are pushed out from the container (pocket part) side to break the top lid and the contents are taken out. Often used for packaging. And the PTP sheet which concerns is usually marketed in the state which carried out pillow packaging in the state (article assembly) which laminated | stacked two or more, and also stored the pillow-wrapped package in the box. At this time, in a state where the plurality of PTP sheets are laminated, the packaging process or the box packing may be performed in a state where the PTP sheets are banded with a bundled tape and bundled together.

  For example, in such a PTP sheet packaging system, an apparatus for manufacturing a PTP sheet, an apparatus for tying a pair of PTP sheets, an apparatus for laminating a plurality of pairs of tangled PTP sheets, and an apparatus for packaging an assembly of laminated PTP sheets For example, various apparatuses are installed in an appropriate layout, and a PTP sheet having a predetermined form is passed between the apparatuses, so that processing is performed in a series of continuous processes from the manufacture of PTP to the final package. Since each apparatus constituting such a system transports a PTP sheet to be processed in a single row or a plurality of rows, a row increasing device that increases the number of rows in the middle of conveyance may be provided. An apparatus for changing the interval between adjacent PTP sheets when the interval between adjacent PTP sheets arranged side by side is different between apparatuses or between processing units even in the same apparatus even in the same plurality of rows. Will be provided. Of course, such a situation is not limited to the PTP sheet, and corresponds to various sheet-like articles.

  As a row increasing device that performs such row increasing, there is a press-through pack sheet increasing row conveyor disclosed in Patent Document 1. This apparatus has a pair of left and right endless chains arranged in parallel, and a plurality of guide bars are fixed at predetermined intervals so as to be spanned between the endless chains, and each guide bar has a press-through pack sheet. Is mounted so as to be slidable in the lateral direction. Furthermore, a guide rail is provided that can move the transport plate along the guide bar and distribute it to the left and right. When the guide bar passes through the guide rail, the transport plate is guided by the guide rail and moves on the guide bar. It is arranged to slide left and right while sliding. Therefore, for example, by alternately distributing the transport plates to the left and right, the press-through pack sheets that have been transported in one row can be added to a plurality of rows.

  In addition, the transport plate of the transport device transported in a plurality of rows can be slid in the lateral direction in this way, and the transport plate is moved in the lateral direction at an appropriate position during the forward movement, so that it is adjacent to the lateral direction. It is possible to configure an apparatus for changing the interval between the sheet-like articles placed on the conveyance plate and thus the conveyance plate.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-19235

  However, in the above-described apparatus, if a defective sheet-like article is found in the middle of conveyance, it is necessary to discharge the defective article. However, since it is difficult to discharge the defective article downward, a discharge device is provided outside the apparatus. Must be placed. Therefore, the device configuration becomes complicated and large, and it becomes difficult to adapt to high-speed operation.

  Further, when a sheet-like article falls from the conveying plate, the dropped sheet-like article is entangled with a guide bar, a guide rail, or the like, and the apparatus is easily damaged. In particular, when a high-speed operation is performed, there is a possibility that the sheet-like article may be violently dropped, and therefore, development of a device having a new configuration suitable for high-speed correspondence is desired in combination with the above-described discharge device. There is a problem.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a lateral distance changing device for a sheet-like article according to the present invention includes (1) a plurality of conveyance paths for conveying sheet-like articles in a plurality of rows, and above the conveyance path. A feeding means for pushing the sheet-like article while moving along the conveying path, and a direction changing region for gradually changing the interval between the conveying paths along the conveying direction, the pushing means Comprises a pushing claw disposed for each conveyance path, and driving means for moving the feeding claw along the conveyance path while moving the feeding claw in a direction crossing the conveyance path. In the embodiment, the direction change area is realized by the direction change guide unit 14.

  Since the sheet-like article is conveyed by the pushing means arranged above the conveyance path, a discharge device can be provided below the conveyance path, and the entire system can be made compact. Further, since the sheet-like article is conveyed by the pushing means disposed above the conveying path, it is possible to avoid damage to the pushing means due to the dropped sheet-like article.

  (2) All or part of the conveyance path including the direction changing area is formed on the surface of a replaceable plate member, and the sheet is conveyed in a plurality of rows by replacing the plate member. It is good to change the space | interval of the adjacent horizontal direction of articles | goods. In this way, since the shape (layout) of the conveyance path can be changed only by replacing the plate-like member, the interval between the sheet-like articles can be easily changed.

  (3) It is good for the said pushing nail | claw which moves the said direction change area | region to have a structure which changes an interval by moving to a mutually reverse direction. In the embodiment, it is realized with a rack and a pinion, but other mechanisms may be used. If it does in this way, since it has the structure where a feed claw moves to a mutually reverse direction and changes an interval, it can change to a desired space | interval in a short time, and it is easy to respond to a high-speed driving | operation.

  (4) The pushing means may have a cantilever structure in which the pushing claw circulates in a vertical plane. Since the feeding claw has a cantilever structure that circulates in the vertical plane, the driving means for moving the feeding claw can be removed from the upper side to the outside of the conveying surface, and machine oil such as grease attached to the driving means There is no risk of falling and soiling the sheet-like article.

  (5) A defective product discharge path may be provided below the transport path. By providing the pushing means above the transport path, a space can be secured below the transport path, and if a defective product carry-out path is provided in the lower space, the defective product can be easily discarded and the entire apparatus It can be put together compactly.

  The conveyance path functions as a guide for defining the movement path of the sheet-like article, and the conveyance force for the sheet-like article is pushed by driving means provided above the conveyance path. Even if it falls, the fallen sheet-like article does not come into contact with the driving means and is not damaged. In addition, since there is no driving means below the conveyance path, a waste passage can be provided below the conveyance path, and when a defective sheet-like article is found during conveyance, the defective article can be easily discharged. it can.

It is a top view which shows suitable one Embodiment of this invention. It is the front view. It is AA sectional drawing in FIG. It is a principal part enlarged view of FIG. It is BB sectional drawing in FIG. It is a principal part enlarged view of FIG.

  1 and 2 show an overall view of a preferred embodiment of a lateral distance changing device for sheet-like articles conveyed in parallel according to the present invention. The lateral distance changing device includes a conveyance guide 11 having a plurality of conveyance paths capable of conveying a PTP sheet 1 that is a sheet-like article in a plurality of rows (two rows in the present embodiment), and the conveyance guide 11. A feed conveyor device 12 that is disposed above and applies a push force to the PTP sheet 1 so that the PTP sheet 1 moves along the plurality of transport paths.

  A sheet transfer device 10 is disposed on the upstream side of the conveyance guide 11. The sheet transfer apparatus 10 receives PTP sheets 1 conveyed in a two-row column from an upstream apparatus (such as an apparatus for producing PTP sheets) (not shown), and each PTP sheet 1 is transferred to 2 of a conveyance guide 11. It is supplied to the book transport path. In this sheet transfer device 10, suction nozzles 10d are attached at intervals of 120 degrees on the peripheral surface of a rotating body 10c mounted on a rotating shaft 10b supported in a cantilevered manner by a machine frame 10a. Since the rotating body 10c has a structure that rotates about a rotating shaft 10b that moves in a circular motion, the rotating body 10c itself performs a revolving motion while rotating. The suction nozzle 10d sucks and holds the PTP sheet carried out from the upstream device by controlling the ON / OFF of the suction of each suction nozzle 10d in accordance with the timing, and revolves while rotating in that state. When it moves and reaches the supply position on the carry-in side of the conveyance guide 11, the suction of the suction nozzle 10 d is stopped and supplied to the respective conveyance paths of the conveyance guide 11 by dropping.

  The conveyance guide 11 includes a carry-in guide portion 13, a direction change guide portion 14, and a carry-out guide portion 15 from the upstream side in the conveyance direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the carry-in guide portion 13 has a curved shape that gradually descends toward the front in the traveling direction, and as shown in FIG. 3, the carry-in guide portion 13 has two parallel surfaces on its upper surface. A first transport path 13a is provided. The two first transport paths 13a extend in the advancing direction and regulate the movement in the width direction while supporting both end portions of the PTP sheet, and side rails 13a ′ supporting the central portion and receiving rails 13a ″ having a concave cross section. The distance between the two first transport paths 13a is adjacent to the carry-out side of the apparatus installed on the upstream side of the lateral distance changing device. This corresponds to the interval between the PTP sheets, that is, the interval between the two PTP sheets 1 that are dropped and supplied simultaneously by the transfer device 10. Thereby, the two PTP sheets 1 dropped and supplied by the transfer device 10 are respectively The front rail 13a ′ and the receiving rail 13a ″ move forward in a downward movement along the corresponding first transport path 13a. It can respond to, etc. If you have changed. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4, the center side rail 13a is formed with grooves for supporting the end portions of the PTP sheet 1 on both sides thereof, and serves as a shared member of the two first transport paths 13a. However, it may be formed by two members for each conveyance path so as to be movable in the lateral direction. Then, even when the horizontal interval of the PTP sheet 1 that is carried out and supplied from the upstream device is different, the lateral position of the outer side rail and the side rail divided into the two inner members is appropriately set. By shifting, the position of the first transport path 13a can be adjusted to the supplied position.

  Moreover, the two 1st conveyance paths 13a formed in the carrying-in guide part 13 are each comprised by two independent members, and it is good to enable it to change the space | interval. The two first transport paths 13a are curved in the vertical direction, but are straight paths, and can be accommodated by making at least one of them movable in the horizontal direction. Thereby, when the space | interval of the horizontal direction of the PTP sheet 1 carried out from an upstream apparatus differs, a space | interval can be adjusted easily in connection with it.

The direction changing guide portion 14 is made of a flat plate-like member and is detachable. As shown in FIG. 2, two second transport paths 14 a are formed on the upper surface of the direction change guide portion 14. The second transport path 14a is also formed of a concave groove (the lateral width is matched to the width of the PTP sheet 1) opened at both front and rear ends, and the upstream side thereof is installed at a position continuous with the first transport path 13a. . Then, the second transport path 14a is formed in a pattern that gradually moves away from each other and increases the distance between them as it goes forward in the traveling direction. As a result, the intervals between the PTP sheets 1 arranged side by side along the second transport path 14a are gradually widened with forward movement. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the direction change guide portion 14 is configured such that the front side in the traveling direction is raised and a slope that slopes upward as it goes forward as a whole is used to set the transport level once lowered as a reference. Return to the transport level.

Moreover, since this direction change guide part 14 is detachable, prepare the one in which the layout of the second transport path 14a (interval of the second transport path 14a on the carry-out side, etc.) is different and replace it. Thus, it is possible to adjust the extent of the interval between the adjacent PTP sheets 1 when passing through the second transport path 14a. Of course, in the present embodiment, since the first transport path 13a is arranged close to each other, the interval adjustment is made wider toward the downstream side, but the adjacent distance of the first transport path 13a is widened. In some cases, conversely, the distance can be reduced in the direction of the center as it goes forward in the direction of travel. As described above, the interval between adjacent PTP sheets can be easily adjusted by exchanging the direction change guide portion 14 itself. Moreover, when the dimension (horizontal width) of PTP sheet 1 differs, it can respond by preparing direction change guide part 14 which has a ditch | groove of the dimension according to it, and exchanging it.

  The carry-out guide unit 15 includes two third conveyance paths 15a. The third transport path 15a includes a side rail that supports both ends of the PTP sheet from below and a guide plate that restricts movement of the sheet in the width direction, and the upstream side of the third transport path 15a is a position that is continuous with the second transport path 14a. Is installed. And this 3rd conveyance path 15a takes the layout arrange | positioned in parallel at a predetermined distance. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the carry-out guide portion 15 is configured such that the front side in the traveling direction is raised and a slope that is inclined upward as it goes forward as a whole. And the inclination of this carry-out guide part 15 and the inclination of said direction change guide part 14 are made to correspond, and it comes to be located on a straight line as a whole. Thereby, the PTP sheet 1 can smoothly move from the second conveyance path 14a to the inside of the third conveyance path 15a. In addition, for example, by making the position of the guide plate movable in the horizontal direction, it is possible to cope with PTP sheets having different dimensions such as width.

Further, the carry-out guide portion 15 is provided with a disposal mechanism 17 on the upstream side thereof. The disposal mechanism 17 includes a discharge guide pipe 17a provided below the carry-out guide section 15, a storage box 17b provided below the discharge guide pipe 17a, and a discharge section 17d constituting a part of the third transport path 15a. It has. In the discharge portion 17d, a part of the side rail can be retracted to the outside by the cylinder 17c. When in the retracted state, the defective PTP sheet is dropped from the side rail and dropped into the discard guide tube 17a for discharge. It can be done. The disposal guide pipe 17a is a pipe line that is open at the top and bottom. If the inspection device (not shown) for determining the quality of the PTP sheet 1 disposed before the disposal mechanism 17 is determined to be non-defective, the side rail that has been waiting in the retracted state with the cylinder 17c extended. Is set in the third conveyance path 15a so that a non-defective PTP sheet can pass therethrough. Of course, when it is determined to be defective, one of the side rails may be retracted to discharge the defective product.

  Further, a finger conveyor device 16 is provided on the downstream side of the carry-out guide portion 15. The finger conveyor device 16 is arranged such that the conveyance path is arranged on an extension line of the third conveyance path 15a, and the two rows of PTP sheets 1 conveyed on the third conveyance path 15a are separated from each other in the front-rear direction and the adjacent left and right intervals. Are also set to be transported in the same state. Thereby, each PTP sheet 1 conveyed on the 3rd conveyance path 15a is smoothly transferred to the finger conveyor apparatus 16, and is supplied to the apparatus of a subsequent stage in the state of desired relative positional relationship.

  As described above, each of the transport paths 13a, 14a, 15a provided in the transport guide 11 has a function of guiding the transport direction of the PTP sheet 1 in the transport path, but advances with respect to the PTP sheet 1. There is no function to give power directly. In particular, since the second and third transport paths 14a and 15a are uphill, considering gravity, the PTP sheet 1 tends to move backward. In addition, since the 1st conveyance path 13a is a downhill, the PTP sheet 1 supplied to the 1st conveyance path 13a moves along the 1st conveyance path 13a by the natural fall by gravity.

  Therefore, the lateral direction interval changing device of this embodiment is configured to apply a transport force to the PTP sheet 1 on the transport path by the pusher device 12 provided above the transport guide 11. That is, a plurality of pushing claws 21 revolving and moving along a predetermined trajectory in a vertical plane are provided, and the leading ends of the pushing claws 21 are inserted into the respective conveying paths 13a, 14a, 15a along the conveying paths. I moved it. Thereby, in the 1st conveyance path 13a, although the PTT sheet | seat 1 is going to fall and move, it contacts the pushing nail | claw 21 located in the front, and the further forward movement is suppressed. Therefore, the PTP sheet 1 moves forward with the movement of the front pushing claw 21 so that it is aligned with the front and rear arrangement intervals of the feeding claw 21 in the front-rear direction. Further, the PTP sheet 1 in the second and third conveyance paths 14 a and 15 a that are uphill is pushed by the pushing claw 21 on the rear side and conveyed following the movement of the pushing claw 21. The interval in the front-rear direction of the PTP sheet 1 also matches the interval in the front-rear direction of the pushing claw 21. Further, the pushing claw 21 has a bifurcated tip, and a space is formed in each of the conveyance paths 13a, 14a, 15a facing the bifurcated tip. The pushing claw 21 is moved along the transport paths 13a, 14a and 15a in a state of entering the space. Thereby, the front-end | tip of the pushing nail | claw 21 can be located below the conveyance surface in each conveyance path 13a, 14a, 15a, and it can be made to contact the front end or rear end of the PTP sheet 1 reliably. Such a space may be a bottomed one like a concave groove or may be an open one with no bottom. For example, when the transport path is configured by a plurality of members such as the receiving rail and the side rail as in the first transport path 13a, the side rails are provided at predetermined intervals on both sides of the receiving rail. By arranging, a space for inserting the tip of the pushing claw 21 can be secured. The same applies to the third transport path 15a. Moreover, when the conveyance path is formed by forming a concave groove on the upper surface of the flat plate as in the second conveyance path 14a, a predetermined position of the concave groove (a position corresponding to the feeding claw 21) is further set. This can be dealt with by forming a narrow groove that is one step lower (deeper).

  Next, a mechanism for revolving the feeding claw 21 along a predetermined locus will be described. An endless chain 23 is spanned between a pair of sprockets 22 arranged at the front and rear. The upstream sprocket 22 is linked to a drive motor 61 via a power transmission mechanism 60, and the endless chain 23 is rotated by the rotational force of the drive motor 61. The endless chain 23 rotates in a vertical plane. The pushing claw 21 is cantilevered with respect to the endless chain 23 via a predetermined coupling mechanism described below.

  That is, first, one end of the connecting plate 24 is attached to the endless chain 23 at equal intervals. The connecting plate 24 is located in a plane parallel to the rotation surface (vertical surface) of the endless chain 23, and the other end of the connecting plate 24 is arranged to extend toward the center (inner side) of the endless chain 23. . A support plate 25 that protrudes forward is attached to the other end of the connecting plate 24. The support plate 25 and the connecting plate 24 are orthogonal to each other. An L-shaped plate 26 is attached to the outer surface at the tip of the support plate 25 (outside the trajectory for revolving movement). A mounting plate 28 is fixed to the rear surface of the L-shaped plate 26 upright, and a roller 29 is attached to the mounting plate 28. Install. Four rollers 29 are provided on the top, bottom, left, and right, and are rotatably supported by a shaft 29 a that is parallel to the support plate 25. A groove 29 b is formed on the peripheral surface of the roller 29, and the groove 29 b coincides with the guide rail 30. That is, the four rollers 29 are sandwiched from above and below with respect to the guide rail 30, so that the guide rail 30 can be firmly linked to each other, and the support plate 25 extends along the guide rail 30 via the L-shaped plate 26. It can revolve stably.

  Further, the guide rail 30 has a layout in which the guide rail 30 is arranged in an endless manner substantially parallel to the endless chain 23. As a result, the support plate 25 is supported at two locations on the outer surface along the axial direction by the cooperation of the roller 29 and the guide rail 30 and the cooperation with the endless chain 23 via the connecting plate 24, so that it is stable. Can hold cantilevered state.

  On the other hand, an interval change adjustment box 27 is attached to the inner surface of the front end of the support plate 25 (inside the trajectory for revolving movement). In this interval change adjustment box 27, the base ends of two parallel actuating rods 31 and 32 are linked, and the actuating rods 31 and 32 are relatively reciprocated linearly to change the distal end positions of the actuating rods 31 and 32. It is possible. The operating rods 31 and 32 are arranged so as to extend in a direction parallel to the support plate 25, that is, forward in the direction orthogonal to the rotation surface of the endless chain 23. The support rods 31 a and 32 a are attached to the tips of the operating rods 31 and 32. Each of the feeding claws 21 is attached via a via.

  The interval change adjustment box 27 includes a pinion 34 inside thereof, and a first rack 35 and a second rack 36 that mesh with the pinion 34. The first rack 35 is connected to the first slider 37a, and the second rack 36 is connected to the second slider 37b. The first and second sliders 37a and 37b move along first and second slide rails 38a and 38b attached to the inner wall of the interval change adjustment box 27 in parallel vertically. The first and second sliders 37 a and 37 b are connected to the operating rods 31 and 32. As a result, the operating rods 31 and 32 and thus the two feeding claws 21 connected thereto can be moved in opposite directions by the action of the racks 35 and 36 and the pinion 34, and the interval can be changed.

  In other words, the cam floor 41 is attached via the base 40 to the base end side (the back side; the endless chain 23 side) of the operation rod 32 with which the outer pushing claw 21 is linked. The cam floor 41 coincides with the first cam groove 42 disposed on the carry-in side (see FIGS. 2, 3, and 4). The first cam grooves 42 are arranged in parallel along the traveling direction at a position close to the endless chain 23 side. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the cam floor 41 is aligned with the first cam groove 42, the cam floor 41 is lowered to a position close to the endless chain 23, that is, when viewed from the first conveying path 13a. To the position. Accordingly, the operating rod 32 and the second slider 37b and the second rack 36 are also located on the back side, and the pushing claw 21 attached to the operating rod 32 is also located on the back side. Accordingly, the first rack 35 is moved to the near side away from the endless chain 23 by the action of the rack and the pinion, and further, the first slider 37a, the operating rod 31 and the feed claw 21 associated therewith are also on the near side. Move to the side. Therefore, the two pushing claws 21 approach each other and move forward in parallel in that state. The interval and the position when approaching each other are set to positions where the respective pushing claws 21 enter the first transport path 13a (see FIG. 3).

  On the other hand, the second cam groove 44 arranged on the carry-out side is provided on the near side away from the endless chain 23 as shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, and is arranged in parallel along the traveling direction. . Accordingly, the cam floor 41 that coincides with the second cam groove 44 is also positioned on the near side as compared with the case that the cam floor 41 coincides with the first cam groove 42. Therefore, contrary to the above, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the cam floor 41 is aligned with the second cam groove 44, the cam floor 41 is located away from the endless chain 23, that is, the third transport path 15 a. When viewed from the side, it reaches a position closer to the front side. As a result, the operating rod 32 and the second slider 37b and thus the second rack 36 are also positioned on the front side, and the pushing claw 21 attached to the operating rod 32 is also positioned on the front side. Along with this, the first rack 35 is moved to the back side closer to the endless chain 23 by the action of the rack and the pinion, and accordingly, the first slider 37a, the operating rod 31 and the feeding claw 21 linked thereto are also moved to the back side. Move to the side. Therefore, both the pushing claws 21 are separated from each other and move forward in parallel in that state. The interval and the position at the time of separation are set to positions where the respective feeding claws 21 enter the third transport path 15a.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a swing cam groove 46 that connects the first cam groove 42 and the second cam groove 44 is provided. The swing cam groove 46 is disposed so as to be inclined with respect to the traveling direction, and both ends thereof are continuous with the first cam groove 42 and the second cam groove 44, respectively. That is, although the first cam groove 42 and the second cam groove 44 are parallel to each other, the distance from the endless chain 23 (conveying guide 11) is different. Therefore, the swing cam groove 46 is inclined (skewed). To absorb. As a result, the cam floor 41 that has moved forward in the first cam groove 42 enters the swing cam groove 46 as it is. Then, by moving in the swing cam groove 46, the cam floor 41 gradually moves away from the endless chain 23 while moving forward, and finally moves into the second cam groove 44. 3 and 4, while moving in the swing cam groove 46, the pushing pawls 21 are gradually moved away from each other by the action of the rack and pinion, and the interval therebetween. When the second chamfer 44 reaches the second cam groove 44, the pushing claw 21 reaches a parallel region in which the interval on the carry-out side of the second conveyance path 14a is widened, and thereafter moves straight as it is. .

  In the present embodiment, the second cam groove 44 is fixed to the machine frame 53 via the connecting rod 50. The swing cam groove 46 can be rotated in a horizontal plane within a predetermined angle range with respect to the second cam groove 44, and the angle formed by the swing cam groove 46 and the second cam groove 44 can be adjusted. Yes. Further, the swing cam groove 46 and the first cam groove 42 can be rotated (turned) within a predetermined angle range. The first cam groove 42 is linked to the base plate 51, and the base plate 51 is linked to the machine frame 53 via the moving rod 52. Therefore, when the moving rod 52 moves forward and backward with respect to the machine frame 53, the base plate 51 and, therefore, the first cam groove 42 moves away / approaches with respect to the machine frame 53 (endless chain 23) and swings accordingly. By rotating the moving cam groove 46, a continuous cam groove from the first cam groove 42 to the second cam groove 44 can be formed, and the interval between the first cam groove 42 and the second cam groove 44 can be adjusted. . Note that when the distance between the first cam groove 42 and the second cam groove 44 is changed in this way, the distance between the feeding claws 21 defined by the position of the first cam groove 42 is changed. In order to change the interval of the first transport path 13a in 13 and also to change the layout of the second transport path 14a, the direction change guide unit 14 having an appropriate layout of the second transport path 14a is replaced.

  In the above embodiment, the second cam groove 44 is fixed, and accordingly, the horizontal distance of the third conveyance path 15a of the carry-out guide portion 15 is also fixed, and the layout of the first conveyance path 13a and the second conveyance path 14a is fixed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the third conveyance path 15a side or both may be changed. Further, the layout change of the second transport path 14a is performed by replacing the direction change guide part 14 itself, but the pattern of the transport path is changed on the upper surface of the same direction change guide part 14 (for example, a transport path is formed). The position of the side wall to be shifted may be shifted).

  In the above-described embodiment, the adjacent horizontal interval of the PTP sheets conveyed in two rows is changed. Of course, three or more rows may be used. In the present embodiment, the two feeding claws 21 are moved closer to each other or moved away from each other by the rack / pinion. However, one of them is moved straight and the other is moved laterally so that the interval is changed. Anyway. This also applies to the case of three or more rows. In the case of three rows, the center PTP sheet (sheet-like article) is moved straight, and the PTP sheets (sheet-like article) on both sides are gradually separated by using the mechanism of the above-described embodiment, so that the conveyance center The interval can be expanded equally without shifting.

1 PTP sheet (sheet-like article)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Conveyance guide 12 Pushing conveyor apparatus 13 Carry-in guide part 13a 1st conveyance path 14 Direction change guide part 14a 2nd conveyance path 15 Unloading guide part 15a 3rd conveyance path 16 Finger conveyor apparatus 17 Disposal mechanism 21 Pushing claw 34 Pinion 35 1st Rack 36 Second rack 41 Cam floor 42 First cam groove 44 Second cam groove 46 Oscillating cam groove

Claims (5)

A plurality of conveyance paths for conveying sheet-like articles in a plurality of rows;
Arranged above the conveying path, and provided with a pushing means for pushing the sheet-like article while moving along the conveying path;
A direction changing region for gradually changing the interval between the plurality of transport paths along the transport direction;
The pushing means includes a pushing claw disposed for each conveyance path, and a driving means for moving the feeding claw along the conveyance path while moving the feeding claw in a direction intersecting the conveyance path;
A lateral distance changing device for a sheet-like article, comprising: All or part of the transport path including the direction changing region is formed on the surface of a replaceable plate member,
2. The lateral interval changing device for sheet-like articles according to claim 1, wherein the lateral interval between adjacent sheet-like articles conveyed in a plurality of rows is changed by exchanging the plate-like members. .   3. The lateral distance changing device for a sheet-like article according to claim 1, wherein the feeding claws that move in the direction changing area are configured to change the distance by moving in opposite directions. 4.   The lateral distance changing device for a sheet-like article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the feeding means has a cantilever structure in which the feeding claw circulates in a vertical plane.   5. The lateral interval changing device for sheet-like articles according to claim 1, wherein a defective product discharge path is provided below the conveyance path.

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