JP5448417B2 - Article conveying apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an article conveying apparatus and method.

  As an article conveying device, as described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of movable blades and fixed blades are alternately arranged in parallel on a terminal of a chute that receives a workpiece, and each upper end surface of each of the plurality of fixed blades is the above-mentioned The workpieces on the chute are fixed on the movable blade and the fixed blade by fixing the plurality of movable blades repeatedly in a predetermined raising / lowering cycle by the raising / lowering driving means by fixing them in a staircase shape that gradually increases as they move away from the chute. In the workpiece supplying apparatus that supplies the aligned next stage through the upper end surface of the last stage fixed blade while sequentially replacing the end surface, the upper and lower surfaces of any one of the plurality of movable blades are repeatedly uneven in the longitudinal direction. There is something formed into a shape.

In this article conveying device, the workpiece is columnar or cylindrical, the ratio of the outer diameter to the length is small, and even when the workpiece is standing on the chute, the workpiece has an uneven shape whose upper end surface is repeated in the longitudinal direction. When it is transferred to the movable blade formed on the top of the movable blade, it stands in an unstable state when it is transferred to the upper end surface or even when it is standing. They fall into a valley and are lined up side by side. Therefore, the workpiece is surely supplied in an aligned state.
JP2003-292138

  In the article conveying apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when an article falls to the valley of the concave portion of the movable blade, the columnar or cylindrical side surface abuts against the front surface of the subsequent fixed blade, and the height direction of the article is fixed blade. Are regulated and aligned in a direction along the front surface, in other words, in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction.

  Further, even if the article is on the ridge line of the convex part of the movable blade, its columnar or cylindrical side surface abuts on the front surface of the subsequent stationary blade, and its height direction is along the front surface of the stationary blade. In other words, it is transferred onto the upper surface of the fixed blade in the subsequent stage while being regulated in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction.

  Accordingly, the article is conveyed while its height direction is restricted to a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. Thereby, for example, when the article to be transported is a cap having a top surface at one end in the height direction, the height direction of the cap (the direction along the central axis passing through the center of gravity) is regulated to be along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. Is discharged. When the cap is supplied to the cap tightening machine, the height direction passing through the center of gravity of the cap cannot be aligned and discharged along the transport direction.

  It is an object of the present invention to align and discharge the height direction passing through the center of gravity of an article in a direction along the conveyance direction.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, each of the plurality of fixed beds is juxtaposed with each other so as to form a downward gradient along the transport direction, and each of the plurality of movable beds is disposed adjacent to each fixed floor on the side in the transport direction. And each of them is arranged so as to form a downward slope along the conveying direction, and the moving floor is repeatedly moved up and down to position the moving floors at the upper and lower positions with respect to the floor surface of the adjacent fixed floor at the same time. In the article conveying apparatus for sending articles downstream, the floor surface of the fixed floor and the moving floor is inclined so as to form a downward gradient toward the downstream side in the conveying direction, and the floor surface of at least a part of the moving floor is An uneven part is formed along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and the ridge line of the convex part is inclined toward the downstream side in the transport direction so as to form a downward slope , and at the most downstream of the moving beds The moving floor to be placed, other movement Than the floor is obtained so as to steeper moving bed having a floor surface of the steep slope.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the article conveying device 10 has a direction from one end side to the other end side of the gantry 11 as an article conveying direction, and an inlet chute 12 is provided on one end side thereof, and is conveyed to the back surface of the inlet chute 12. It is equipped with a vibrator 13 for increasing power. The inlet chute may be equipped with an automatic supply device.

  The article conveyance device 10 supports a plurality of fixed floors 20 on a support member 14 provided on the gantry 11. The article conveying apparatus 10 has a downward gradient (an angle θ with respect to the horizontal: 5 to 35 degrees, for example) (downward arrangement) with the individual floor surfaces 21 of the plurality of fixed floors 20 facing each other downstream in the conveying direction (FIG. 4). It is arranged to make. At this time, the floor surface 21 of each fixed floor 20 itself is a slope inclined so as to form a downward slope toward the downstream side in the transport direction. The fixed floor 20 may be equipped with a vibrator to increase the conveying force.

  The article conveying device 10 connects the left and right side guide plates 16 to the lifting drive device 15 supported on the gantry 11, and can freely slide the slide portion 18 fixed to the side guide plate 16 on the slide shaft 17 supported on the gantry 11. Is fitted. Further, an impact relaxation damper 19 is interposed between the gantry 11 and the slide portion 18. The left and right side guide plates 16 are arranged on both sides of the entrance chute 12 and the fixed floor 20 in the width direction, and are provided with a plurality of movable floors 30 interposed therebetween. Each of the plurality of moving floors 30 is arranged adjacent to each fixed floor 20 on the side in the transport direction (in the present embodiment, on the side on the upstream side). The fixed floor 20 and the movable floor 30 are alternately arranged along the transport direction through a certain gap. The article conveying apparatus 10 repeats the raising / lowering operation of the side guide plate 16 and the moving floor 30 by the raising / lowering driving device 15 (the moving floor 30 is directly connected to the raising / lowering driving device 15 and the side guide plate 16 does not necessarily have to be raised / lowered. Absent). That is, the raising / lowering operation of positioning each moving floor 30 at the same time (FIG. 4 (A)) and lower (FIG. 4 (B)) with respect to the floor 21 of the fixed floor 20 to which the floor 31 is adjacent is repeated.

  The floor surface 31 of each moving floor 30 protrudes above the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 at the upper level and immerses below the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 at the lower level. “Immersion” in the present invention means that the moving floor 30 is located below the fixed floor 20. Specifically, the entire moving floor 30 is completely located below the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20. Of course, the case where the floor surface 31 of the moving floor 30 stops at substantially the same position as the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 is also included. The floor surfaces 31 of the respective movable floors 30 positioned at the upper level are arranged so as to form a downward gradient (angle θ with respect to the horizontal, for example, 5 to 35 degrees) toward the downstream side in the transport direction. At this time, the floor surface 31 of each moving floor 30 is itself a slope inclined so as to form a downward slope toward the downstream side in the transport direction (FIG. 4).

  It is preferable that the angle θ (θ1) for the moving floor arrangement is substantially the same as the angle θ (θ2) for the fixed floor arrangement because the article behavior at the time of article conveyance is stable. The value of θ is appropriately adjusted depending on the friction state between the article and the fixed floor 20 or the movable floor 30. As an example, articles such as resin caps such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, and ABS, and metal caps such as aluminum, (a) metals such as stainless steel and aluminum whose surface is finished by general machining Fixed floor 20 and moving floor 30 made of resin, (b) Fixed floor 20 and moving floor 30 made of resin such as polyacetal and polyvinyl chloride whose surface is finished by general machining, (c) Furthermore, on these surfaces The angle θ in the case of transporting on the fixed floor 20 or the movable floor 30 to which a tape material with good slipping property is applied is preferably 8 to 25 degrees, more preferably 12 to 20 degrees. If the angle θ1 for the moving floor arrangement is different from the angle θ2 for the fixed floor arrangement, the movement behavior in the upstream and downstream can be changed.

  FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the moving floor arrangement and the fixed floor arrangement with respect to the horizontal angle θ, the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 with respect to the horizontal angle α, and the floor surface 31 of the moving floor 30 with respect to the horizontal angle β.

  The angle α of the fixed floor 20 with respect to the horizontal of the floor surface 21 is set to be approximately −5 to +15 degrees, which is approximately equal to or slightly larger than the angle θ1 with respect to the moving floor arrangement. This is because the articles are slowly and stably conveyed on the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 to the floor surface 31 of the moving floor 30 downstream. Even if the article does not slip by itself, it is pushed and conveyed by another article from upstream. Next, the angle [beta] with respect to the level of the floor 31 of the movable floor 30 is set to a large value of about +5 to +25 degrees with respect to the angle [alpha] with respect to the level of the floor 21 of the fixed floor 20. This is because the articles are reliably conveyed to the floor surface 21 of the fixed bed 20 downstream while the floor surface 31 of the moving floor 30 is protruding.

  When the article is to be transported particularly smoothly, the angle α of the floor 21 of the fixed floor 20 with respect to the horizontal is set to be approximately the same as the angle θ1 for the moving floor arrangement. Furthermore, the angle β with respect to the horizontal of the floor 31 of the moving floor 30 is also set to be approximately the same as the angle θ1 for the moving floor arrangement. This is because when the floor surface 31 of the moving floor 30 is immersed, the articles are smoothly transported to the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 downstream without being rattled. Therefore, the immersion position of the movable floor 30 is such that the floor surface 31 of the movable floor 30 does not immerse into the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20, and the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 and the floor surface 31 of the movable floor 30 are approximately straight. It is preferable that the position where the relationship can be established or the position (not shown) where the floor surface 31 of the moving floor 30 is slightly immersed about 0.5 to 3 mm.

  The elevating drive device 15 can use an electric cylinder capable of changing and controlling the elevating speed and elevating stroke. The elevating drive device 15 may be a mechanism that converts the rotation of the electric motor into a linear motion, a pneumatic cylinder, or the like.

  In such an article conveying apparatus 10, the floor surfaces 21 of the plurality of fixed floors 20 are arranged so as to have a downward slope, and the floor surfaces 31 of the plurality of movable floors 30 are also downwardly inclined. The articles 1 having a smaller size than the pitch p of the adjacent moving beds 30 and the articles 1 having a larger size are conveyed by repeating the raising and lowering operations of the respective moving beds 30. That is, when the floor 31 of the moving floor 30 pushes up the article 1 on the floor 21 of the fixed floor 20 due to the rising of the moving floor 30, the inclination of the floor 31 itself of the moving floor 30 moves downstream in the article 1. The conveyance force of is given. The article 1 to which the conveyance force is applied is transferred onto the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 that has a downward gradient along the downstream conveyance direction due to the lowering of the moving floor 30, and the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 itself. Are further slid on the slopes of the floor surfaces 21 of the fixed floor 20 having a downward slope along the transport direction, and are transported downstream. In the process of sliding on the slope of the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20, even if it is caught on the fixed floor 20 on the downstream side, it is pushed up from the fixed floor 20 by the next rising of the moving floor 30 and is conveyed downstream.

  Accordingly, in the article transporting apparatus 10, the fixed floor 20 and the moving floor 30 are alternately arranged adjacent to each other along the transport direction, and the floor surfaces 21 and 31 are inclined downward toward the downstream side in the transport direction. Any article 1 is placed on the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 and pushed up by the floor surface 31 of the movable floor 30 regardless of the size and shape of the article 1 and the loading posture. Operates and can discharge approximately a certain amount.

  The article transporting apparatus 10 has a direction (in the longitudinal direction of the moving floor 30) perpendicular to the transporting direction (L direction in FIG. 1) on the floor surface 31 of the uneven moving floor 30A that is a part of the plurality of moving floors 30. 1 along the direction along the direction W in FIG. 1), and a ridgeline 32A of the convex portion 32A toward the downstream side in the transport direction is inclined downward (angle γ with respect to the horizontal). The article having the center of gravity is conveyed toward the downstream side in the conveying direction by turning the article passing through the ridge line 32A of the convex portion of the convex and concave moving floor 30A and turning on the ridge line 32A. The inclination angle γ of the ridge line 32A of the convex portion of the uneven moving floor 30A is appropriately set to about γ = 10 to 60 degrees. For example, when it is desired to increase the article conveyance speed by the moving floor 30A with unevenness, γ may be increased. If γ is small, the conveying force applied to the article 1 may be insufficient. If γ is too large, the article 1 may be sent downstream without rotating smoothly on the ridgeline 32A.

  The moving floor 30 in FIG. 6 does not have the uneven portion 32 on the floor surface 31, but the uneven moving floor 30 </ b> A in FIGS. 7 and 8 has the uneven portion 32 on the floor surface 31. The concavo-convex portion 32 in FIG. 7 has a triangular shape (sawtooth shape). The concavo-convex portion 32 in FIG. 8 has a triangular shape (sawtooth shape), and the heights of the apexes of adjacent triangles have a height difference.

  In order to roll the article 1 with the uneven moving floor 30A as described above, as shown in FIG. 9, the width w of the article 1 is set to an interval I between the fixed floors 20 on both sides of the uneven moving floor 30A. 1.0 to 2.0 times, more preferably 1.2 to 1.6 times. The width dimension w of the article 1 is the maximum dimension of the top or bottom surface of the article 1, and is a diameter d for a circular cap and a major axis a for an elliptical cap.

  When the width dimension w of the article 1 is smaller than the interval I formed between the fixed floors 20 on both sides, the article 1 is between the fixed floors 20 before the uneven moving floor 30A rises between the fixed floors 20 on both sides. , Falls to the valley of the concave portion of the concave-convex moving floor 30A below, and is hardly lifted by the ridge line 32A of the convex portion of the concave-convex moving floor 30A.

  When the width dimension w of the article 1 is in the range of 1.0 to 2.0 times the interval I between the fixed floors 20 on both sides, as shown in FIG. 10, the lifting is started to the ridgeline 32A of the convex portion of the uneven moving floor 30A. The article 1 does not appear to interfere with the fixed floors 20 on both sides in the width direction to be prevented from turning (FIG. 10A), and is lifted by the ridge line 32A of the convex portion of the uneven moving floor 30A and tries to turn. The center of gravity G of the article 1 has a small advance angle ψ in the conveying direction with respect to the contact point J between the article 1 and the ridgeline 32A, and the component rotational direction component Fcosψ of the moving force F acting on the center of gravity G of the article 1 does not become small (see FIG. 10 (B), (C)), the rollability of the article 1 is good.

  When the width dimension w of the article 1 is larger than 2.0 times the interval I formed between the fixed floors 20 on both sides, as shown in FIG. 11, the article 1 started to be lifted to the ridgeline 32A of the convex portion of the uneven moving floor 30A It is easy to interfere with the fixed floors 20 on both sides in the width direction and is easily prevented from turning (FIGS. 11A and 11B), and the convex portions of the uneven moving floor 30A to the position where they do not interfere with the fixed floors 20 on both sides. When the article 1 is lifted to the ridgeline 32A, the article 1 is moved further downstream of the ridgeline 32A, and the center of gravity G of the article 1 to be turned on the ridgeline 32A is in the conveying direction with respect to the contact point J between the article 1 and the ridgeline 32A. The advance angle ψ is increased, the component force Fcosψ in the rotational direction of the moving force F acting on the center of gravity G of the article 1 is reduced (FIGS. 11C and 11D), and the turnability of the article 1 is poor.

  In order to roll the article 1 as described above by the moving floor 30A with unevenness, as shown in FIG. 12A, when the heights of the vertices of the convex portions of the serrated uneven portion 32 are made equal (FIG. 7). ), The height dimension h of the article 1 is 0.4 to 1.4 times, more preferably 0.6 to 1.0 times the interval R between the convex parts on both sides sandwiching the ridgeline 32A of the convex part that turns the article 1 on the moving floor 30A with unevenness. And The article 1 stably rolls on the ridgeline 32A of the central convex portion between the convex portions on both sides forming the interval R of the moving floor 30A with unevenness. When the height h of the article 1 exceeds 1.4 times the interval R between the convex portions on both sides of the uneven moving floor 30A, the article 1 may ride on three adjacent convex portions. More preferably, the height dimension h of the article 1 is 1.0 times or less of the interval R between the convex portions on both sides of the moving floor with unevenness 30A, and the article 1 rides on one convex portion. Further, if the height dimension h of the article 1 is less than 0.6 times the interval R between the convex portions on both sides of the movable floor with unevenness 30A, the article 1 is too small to be placed on the ridge line 32A of the central convex portion, It becomes impossible to stably roll on the ridgeline 32A of the central convex portion.

  As shown in FIG. 12B, when the height of the apex of each convex portion of the serrated uneven portion 32 has a height difference (FIG. 8), the height dimension h of the article 1 is set on the moving floor with unevenness 30A. The distance R between the convex portions on both sides sandwiching the ridge line 32A of the convex portion to which 1 is rotated is 0.4 to 1.0 times, more preferably 0.6 to 0.9 times. The article 1 stably rolls on the ridgeline 32A of the low convex portion at the center between the convex portions on both sides forming the interval R of the moving floor 30A with unevenness. Here, the difference in height between the central low convex portion and the convex portions on both sides is not more than the minimum dimension i of the article 1 described later, preferably 0.2 to 1.0 times, more preferably 0.3 to 0.6 times. . If it is smaller than this range, the effect of the height difference is small, and if it is larger than this range, even when the uneven moving floor 30A descends, the convex portion may protrude from the fixed floor 20 around the uneven moving floor 30A, There is a possibility that the movement of the article 1 may be disturbed.

  Accordingly, in the article transporting apparatus 10, when the moving floor 30 does not have the uneven portion 32, the article 1 moves downstream in the same direction in both the circular cap and the elliptical cap as shown in FIG. It is difficult to align the direction of movement and directing the side with the center of gravity G to the downstream side in the transport direction. In the uneven moving floor 30A, as shown in FIG. 14, the article 1 is aligned in the direction in which the side having the center of gravity G is directed to the downstream side in the conveying direction in both the circular cap and the elliptical cap.

  In the article transporting apparatus 10, the article 1 is rotated by the moving floor 30A with unevenness, the direction alignment is performed in which the center of gravity of the article 1 is directed to the downstream side in the transporting direction, and the subsequent fixed floor 20 and moving floor 30 are followed. In order to ensure that the article 1 is further rotated and conveyed and then aligned and discharged so that the side with the center of gravity of the article 1 faces the upstream side in the conveying direction, the following configuration is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the article transporting apparatus 10 has a moving floor 30 </ b> B arranged at the most downstream of the plurality of moving floors 30, the floor surface 31 of which is steeper than the floor surfaces 31 of the other moving floors 30. It is assumed that the steeply inclined moving floor 30B is inclined. The angle of the floor 31 of the moving floor 30 with respect to the horizontal is β, and the angle of the floor 31 of the steeply moving floor 30B with respect to the horizontal is β1. β1 is preferably +15 to 45 degrees of an angle β of the floor 31 of the moving floor 30 with respect to the horizontal, more preferably +20 to 35 degrees of β. If β1 is larger than this range, the moving distance of the moving bed 30 is increased, the dead time is increased, and the productivity is lowered. Further, if β1 is smaller than this range, the floor surface 31 of the steeply moving floor 30B cannot sufficiently obtain the effect of pushing the article 1 in the horizontal direction.

  As shown in FIG. 33, it is desirable that the article 1 is directed on the most downstream fixed floor 20 and the discharge chute 40 so that the side having the center of gravity is directed upstream in the conveying direction. As a result, when the article 1 is a cap having a biased center of gravity in the height direction, for example, a cap having a top surface, the article is positioned on the conveyor so that the top surface side is directed upward (step (28 described later) )), This article can be easily supplied to the capping machine.

  When the article 1 is loaded into the steeply inclined moving floor 30B with the side having the center of gravity facing the upstream side in the transport direction (step (25) described later), the steeply inclined moving floor 30B fixes the article 1 as it is at the most downstream side. In order to carry it out to the floor 20 (steps (27, 28) to be described later), as shown in FIG. 15A, the height h of the article 1 is set so that the fixed floors 20 on both sides of the steeply moving floor 30B are in contact with each other. The interval K formed is 1.0 to 2.5 times, more preferably 1.1 to 2.0 times. When the height dimension h of the article 1 is smaller than the distance K formed between the fixed floors 20 on both sides of the steeply moving floor 30B, the contact point of the article 1 with the downstream fixed floor 20 is shown in FIG. Since the distance between M and the center of gravity G of the article 1 is small, when the steeply inclined moving floor 30B pushes up the article 1, the article 1 causes an unexpected rotation around the contact point M with a slight rotational moment, which is not appropriate. As shown in FIG. 15C, if the height dimension h of the article 1 is larger than 2.5 times the interval K formed by the fixed floors 20 on both sides of the steeply inclined moving floor 30B, the article 1 becomes more twisted than the steeply inclined moving floor 30B. Since the center of gravity G of the article 1 is positioned on the upstream side, the article 1 pushed up by the steeply inclined moving floor 30B tends to fall to the upstream moving floor 30 side, and an unstable conveyance state is likely to occur.

  When the article 1 is carried into the steeply inclined moving floor 30B with the center of gravity G facing downward (step (32) described later), the steeply inclined moving floor 30B centers the article 1 on the contact point M with the most downstream fixed floor 20. In order to rotate and carry the side having the center of gravity G toward the upstream side in the transport direction to the fixed bed 20 at the most downstream side (step (28) to be described later), as shown in FIG. The minimum dimension i of the bottom surface is set to be 1.9 times or less, more preferably 1.5 times or less of the interval K formed by the fixed floors 20 on both sides of the steeply moving floor 30B. The minimum dimension of the bottom surface of the article 1 is the diameter d for a circular cap and the short diameter b for an elliptical cap. At this time, the distance between the contact point M between the article 1 and the fixed bed 20 on the downstream side and the center of gravity G of the article 1 is small, and the article 1 pushed up by the steeply inclined moving floor 30B can rotate with a slight rotational moment. As shown in FIG. 16 (B), when the minimum dimension i of the bottom surface of the article 1 is larger than 1.9 times the interval K formed by the fixed floors 20 on both sides of the steeply inclined moving floor 30B, the article 1 is fixed on the downstream fixed floor 20. The distance between the contact point M and the center of gravity G of the article 1 is large, and a large rotational moment is required to rotate the article 1 pushed up by the steeply inclined moving floor 30B. It will be carried out to the floor 20.

  The article 1 to be transported by the article transporting apparatus 10 preferably has a center of gravity deviated from the center position in the height direction. For example, a circular cap shown in FIG. 17 and an upper lid shown in FIG. There is an attached circular cap and an elliptical cap with an upper lid shown in FIG. 19, and the position of the center of gravity is closer to the top surface than the center position in the height direction. Moreover, there is a solid cylinder shown in FIG. 20 that does not have a top surface, and the position of the center of gravity is deviated from the center position in the height direction toward the higher internal density side. As the article 1, an article that is vertically long along the central axis (height direction) passing through the center of gravity is easy to handle. A preferable height dimension h of the article 1 is 0.9 to 4.0 times, more preferably 1.0 to 3.0 times the minimum dimension i (d of the circular cap, a of the elliptical cap) of the bottom surface of the article 1. When the height dimension h of the article 1 is smaller than the above range, the articles 1 can be aligned without using the article conveying device 10 of the present invention. When the height dimension h is larger than the above range, the discharge chute 40 is moved from the exit side of the fixed floor 20 or the movable floor 30. As a result, it becomes difficult to stably erect the article 1 on the conveyor 50.

  Hereinafter, the conveyance process of the articles | goods 1 (a circular cap or an elliptical cap etc.) by the article conveyance apparatus 10 is demonstrated (FIGS. 21-32).

  21A, FIG. 23A, FIG. 25A, FIG. 27A, FIG. 29A, and FIG. 32A are all lowered in the moving beds 30, 30A, and 30B. Completion and rise start timing. FIGS. 21 (B), (C), FIG. 23 (B), FIG. 25 (B), FIG. 27 (B), FIG. 29 (B), and FIG. FIG. 21 (D), FIG. 23 (C), FIG. 25 (C), FIG. 27 (C), FIG. 29 (C), and FIG. 32 (C). Are the ascending and decelerating processes of the moving beds 30, 30A, 30B, and are shown in FIGS. 22 (A), 24 (A), 26 (A), 28 (A), and 30 (A) to (C). ) And FIG. 31 (A) are timings when the moving floors 30, 30 </ b> A, and 30 </ b> B are completely lifted and lowered, and FIGS. 22 (B), 24 </ b> B, 26 </ b> B, and 2. Both (B) and FIG. 31 (B) are descending acceleration processes, and FIG. 22 (C), FIG. 24 (C), FIG. 26 (C), FIG. 28 (C), and FIG. Both are descending and decelerating processes.

(1) Lowering completion of moving floors 30, 30A, 30B, and rising start timing (FIG. 21 (A), FIG. 33 (A))
The article 1 with the top surface (center of gravity side) facing sideways is on the floor surface 31 of the floor surface 30A of the moving floor with unevenness 30A.

(2) Ascending acceleration process of moving beds 30, 30A and 30B (FIGS. 21B and 21C)
As the moving floor 30 </ b> A with unevenness rises, the article 1 rides on the ridge line 32 </ b> A of the convex portion of the uneven portion 32 of the floor surface 31. A downstream upward force is applied to the article 1.

  When the article 1 lifted by the uneven moving floor 30A exceeds the top of the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 on the downstream side, the article 1 on the ridge line 32A of the convex part of the uneven part 32 of the uneven moving floor 30A Since there is a center of gravity on the surface side, turning to turn the top surface side with the center of gravity toward the downstream side in the transport direction starts on the ridgeline 32A of the convex portion so as to stabilize the posture (FIG. 21C). At this time, since the article 1 is on the ridge line 32A of the convex portion of the uneven moving floor 30A, the article 1 easily rotates even if its center of gravity G is slightly shifted from the center position in the height direction.

(3) Ascending and decelerating process of moving floor 30, 30A, 30B (FIG. 21D)
The article 1 continues to rotate until its top surface faces the downstream side. From FIG. 21D to FIG. 32, the article 1 is a cross-sectional view so that the top surface direction can be easily understood.

(4) Ascending completion and descending start timing of moving floors 30, 30A, 30B (FIGS. 22A, 33B)
When the article 1 is rotated until the top surface is directed to the downstream side, the top surface on the center of gravity side is on the lower side, the posture is stabilized and the rotation is finished, and the article 1 is moved on the adjacent movable floors 30A and 30. Stop moving.

(5) Lowering acceleration process of moving beds 30, 30A, 30B (FIG. 22B)
When the moving floors 30 and 30 </ b> A descend, the article 1 on the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 hits the side surface of the downstream moving floor 30 and stops.

(6) Lowering and decelerating process of moving floors 30 and 30A (FIG. 22C)
When the moving floor 30 further descends and the obstacle of the downstream moving floor 30 with respect to the movement of the article 1 disappears, the article 1 moves onto the floor surface 31 of the downstream moving floor 30.

(7) Lowering completion of moving floors 30, 30A, 30B, and rising start timing (FIG. 23 (A), FIG. 33 (A))
The article 1 on the floor surface 31 of the moving floor 30 stops by hitting the side surface of the fixed floor 20 on the downstream side.

(8) Ascending acceleration process of moving floor 30, 30A, 30B (Fig. 23 (B))
As the moving floor 30 rises, the article 1 rises. The article 1 receives a rotational force with the vertex of the floor surface of the downstream fixed floor 20 as the center of rotation.

(9) Ascending and decelerating process of moving floor 30, 30A, 30B (FIG. 23C)
When the article 1 raised by the moving floor 30 exceeds the apex of the floor surface 21 of the fixed bed 20 on the downstream side, the top of the article 1 faces the downstream side, but the top side faces further downward. Rotation starts.

(10) Completion of raising and lowering of moving floors 30, 30A, 30B (FIG. 24 (A), FIG. 33 (B))
The article 1 rotates on the fixed floor 20 until the top surface side faces downward, and stops rotating by hitting the side surface of the moving bed 30 that is descending on the downstream side.

(11) Lowering acceleration process of moving floor 30, 30A, 30B (FIG. 24B)
The article 1 on the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 hits the side surface of the moving floor 30 that is descending on the downstream side and stops.

(12) Lowering and decelerating process of moving floors 30, 30A, 30B (FIG. 24C)
When the moving floor 30 further descends and the obstacle of the downstream moving floor 30 with respect to the movement of the article 1 disappears, the article 1 moves on the floor surface 31 of the downstream moving floor 30.

(13) Lowering completion of moving floors 30, 30A, 30B and rising start timing (FIG. 25 (A), FIG. 33 (A))
The article 1 on the floor surface 31 of the moving floor 30 stops by hitting the upstream side surface of the downstream fixed floor 20.

(14) Ascending acceleration process of moving beds 30, 30A, 30B (FIG. 25 (B))
As the moving floor 30 rises, the article 1 rises. The article 1 is applied with a rotational force with the vertex of the floor surface of the fixed bed 20 on the downstream side as the center of rotation.

(15) Ascending and decelerating process of moving floor 30, 30A, 30B (FIG. 25C)
When the article 1 raised by the moving floor 30 exceeds the apex of the floor surface of the fixed floor 20 on the downstream side, the center of gravity of the article 1 is below, but is further rotated by the action of pushing up the moving floor 30.

  At this time, the article 1 may not rotate. In this case, the process proceeds to step (29) described later.

(16) Moving bed 30, 30A, 30B lift completion, descent start timing (FIG. 26 (A), FIG. 33 (B))
The article 1 rotates on the fixed floor 20 until the top surface side with the center of gravity faces the upstream side, and stops rotating by hitting the side surface of the moving bed 30 that is descending on the downstream side.

(17) Lowering acceleration process of moving floor 30, 30A, 30B (FIG. 26 (B))
When the moving floor 30 is lowered, the article 1 comes into contact with the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20.

(18) Lowering and decelerating process of moving floors 30, 30A, 30B (FIG. 26C)
When the moving floor 30 descends, the article 1 moves on the floor surface 31 of the moving bed 30 on the downstream side as it is.

(19) Lowering completion of moving floors 30, 30A, 30B, and rising start timing (FIG. 27 (A), FIG. 33 (A))
The article 1 on the floor surface 31 of the moving floor 30 stops by hitting the side surface of the fixed floor 20 on the downstream side.

(20) Ascending acceleration process of moving floor 30, 30A, 30B (Fig. 27 (B))
Even if the moving floor 30 rises and the article 1 is pushed up, the center of gravity of the article 1 is farther from the apex of the downstream fixed floor 20 (the center of rotation when rotating), and the article 1 simply rises without rotating. To do.

(21) Ascending and decelerating process of moving floor 30, 30A, 30B (FIG. 27C)
The article 1 moves in the same direction and onto the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 on the downstream side.

(22) Ascending completion and descending start timing of moving floors 30, 30A, 30B (FIG. 28 (A), FIG. 33 (B))
The article 1 stops moving on the downstream fixed floor 20 by hitting the side surface of the steeply inclined moving floor 30B that is descending on the downstream side.

(23) Lowering acceleration process of moving floor 30, 30A, 30B (FIG. 28B)
When the steeply inclined moving floor 30 </ b> B descends, the article 1 comes into contact with the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20.

(24) Lowering and decelerating process of moving floors 30, 30A, 30B (FIG. 28C)
When the steeply inclined moving floor 30B is further lowered, the article 1 moves on the floor surface 31 of the steeply inclined moving floor 30B in the same posture.

(25) Lowering completion of moving floors 30, 30A, 30B, and rising start timing (FIGS. 29A, 33A)
The article 1 on the floor surface 31 of the steeply inclined moving floor 30B hits the side surface of the fixed floor 20 on the downstream side and stops.

(26) Ascending acceleration process of moving beds 30, 30A, 30B (FIG. 29B)
Even if the steeply inclined moving floor 20B rises and the article 1 is pushed up, the center of gravity of the article 1 is farther from the apex of the downstream fixed floor 20 (the center of rotation when it is rotated), and the article 1 does not rotate. It simply rises and moves to the fixed bed 20 on the downstream side. The floor surface angle of the steeply moving floor 30B is steeper than the floor surface angle of the other moving floors 30, but may be the same as the floor surface angle of the other moving floors 30.

(27) Ascending / decelerating process of moving floor 30, 30A, 30B (FIG. 29C)
The article 1 moves to the floor surface 21 of the fixed bed 20 on the downstream side in the same direction.

(28) Ascending completion and descending start timing of moving floors 30, 30A, 30B (FIGS. 30A to 30C, FIG. 33B)
The article 1 slides down on the fixed floor 20 and is sent to the discharge chute 40. When the article 1 falls from the discharge chute 40 onto the conveyor 50, the article 1 changes its direction so that the top surface side with the center of gravity faces upward. The article 1 is positioned on the conveyor surface of the conveyor 50 so that its top surface is upward. For example, if the article 1 is a cap, the article can be easily supplied to the cap fastening machine in the next process.

(29) Completion of rise and start of descent when the article 1 does not rotate to the position where the top surface with the center of gravity is directed upstream in the step (15) (FIG. 31 (A), FIG. 33 (B))
The article 1 stops moving on the downstream fixed floor 20 while striking the side surface of the steeply inclined moving floor 30B that is descending on the downstream side while keeping the center of gravity in the step (15) downward.

(30) Lowering acceleration process of moving beds 30, 30A, 30B (FIG. 31 (B))
When the steeply inclined moving floor 30 </ b> B descends, the article 1 comes into contact with the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20.

(31) Lowering and decelerating process of moving floors 30, 30A, 30B (FIG. 31C)
When the steeply inclined moving floor 30B is lowered, the article 1 moves to the steeply inclined moving floor 30B side with the posture as it is.

(32) Descent completion of moving floors 30, 30A, 30B, start timing of rising (FIG. 32 (A), FIG. 33 (A))
The article on the steeply inclined moving floor 30B moves onto the floor surface 31 of the steeply inclined moving floor 30B and stops by hitting the side surface of the fixed floor 20 on the downstream side.

(33) Ascending acceleration process of moving beds 30, 30A, 30B (FIG. 32 (B))
When the steeply inclined moving floor 30B rises and the article 1 is pushed up, the angle of the floor surface of the steeply inclined moving floor 30B is steeper than the angle of the floor face of the other moving floor 30. It rotates around the vertex of the fixed floor 20 as the center of rotation. Note that even if the angle of the floor surface of the steeply inclined moving floor 30B is the same as the angle of the floor surface of the other moving floor 30, this rotation phenomenon of the article 1 may occur, and the floor surface angle of the steeply inclined moving floor 30B is appropriately set. Adjust it.

(34) Ascending / decelerating process of moving floor 30, 30A, 30B (FIG. 32C)
As the steeply inclined moving floor 30B rises, the article 1 further rotates and stops on the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 until the top surface with the center of gravity faces the upstream side. Then, it continues to a process (28).

  As described above, in the article transporting apparatus 10, as shown in FIG. 34, the top surface side having the center of gravity is directed upstream in the above-described step (24) regardless of whether the article 1 is a circular cap or an elliptical cap. When the article 1 is transferred to the steeply inclined moving floor 30B in this posture, the article 1 passes through the steeply inclined moving floor 30B without changing this posture, and is discharged with the top side facing vertically upward. The chute 40 and the conveyor 50 are discharged and supplied to the cap tightening machine in the detection process.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 35, when the article 1 is transferred to the steeply inclined moving floor 30B in the above-described step (31) with the top surface side having the center of gravity vertically downward in both the circular cap and the elliptical cap. When the article 1 passes through the steeply inclined moving floor 30B, the posture is changed, the top surface side with the center of gravity is rotated to the upstream side, and the top surface side is directed vertically upward to the discharge chute 40 and the conveyor 50. It is discharged and supplied to the cap tightening machine for the next process.

  In the article transporting apparatus 10A shown in FIG. 36, the moving floor 30 disposed at the most downstream side is not the steeply inclined moving floor 30B, but is the same as the other moving floors 30. Even in the article transport apparatus 10A, as with the article transport apparatus 10, (1) the descent completion of the moving floors 30 and 30A, the rising start timing, (2) the ascending acceleration process of the moving beds 30 and 30A, (3) Ascending and decelerating process of moving bed 30, 30A, (4) Ascending completion of moving bed 30, 30A, descent start timing, (5) Descent accelerating process of moving bed 30, 30A, (6) Descent decelerating of moving bed 30, 30A By the transport operation that repeats each step of the process, the side with the center of gravity of the article 1 is aligned toward the downstream side in the transport direction after passing through the uneven moving floor 30A, and then the transport operation of the fixed floor 20 and the movable floor 30 is performed. It is possible to align the article 1 with the center of gravity toward the upstream side in the conveying direction. Thus, the article 1 is discharged to the discharge chute 40 and the conveyor 50 with the top side facing vertically upward.

  An article transporting apparatus 30B shown in FIG. 37 is configured such that, of the plurality of moving floors 30, two moving floors 30 on the upstream side and the middle stream side in the transporting direction are provided with an uneven moving floor 30A. Even in the article transport apparatus 10B, as with the article transport apparatus 10, (1) the descent completion of the moving floors 30, 30B, 30B, the rising start timing, (2) the ascending acceleration process of the moving beds 30, 30B, 30B, (3) Ascending / decelerating process of moving beds 30, 30B, 30B, (4) Ascending completion of moving beds 30, 30B, 30B, descent start timing, (5) Descending acceleration process of moving beds 30, 30B, 30B, (6 ) By moving each of the steps of descending and decelerating the moving floors 30, 30B, 30B, the article 1 is aligned with the center of gravity of the article 1 toward the downstream side in the conveying direction after passing the uneven moving floor 30A. By the transfer operation of the fixed floor 20 and the movable floor 30, the side with the center of gravity of the article 1 can be aligned toward the upstream side in the transfer direction. Thus, the article 1 is discharged to the discharge chute 40 and the conveyor 50 with the top side facing vertically upward.

38 to 42 are schematic views showing modified examples of the moving floor with unevenness 30A.
Each of the movable floors 30 </ b> A with unevenness in FIGS. 38 to 40 is formed by adhering a triangular block to the upper surface of a square bar to form an unevenness portion 32 on the floor surface 31, and conveys the ridgeline 32 </ b> A of the protrusion of the unevenness portion 32 Inclined so as to form a downward gradient (γ) toward the downstream side of the direction. In the moving floor 30A with unevenness in FIG. 38, the heights of the vertices of the convex portions (ridge line 32A) of the uneven portion 32 are the same. The moving floor 30A with unevenness in FIG. 39 has a height difference between the heights of the apexes of adjacent convex portions (ridge lines 32A, 32A) of the uneven portion 32. 40 is provided with a ridge line 32A on one adjacent convex part of the concavo-convex part 32, a ridge line 32B on the other convex part, and the height of each vertex of the ridge line 32A and the ridge line 32B is the same. The ridgeline 32A is provided with the aforementioned downward gradient (γ), and the ridgeline 32B is not provided with a downward gradient (γ = 0), so that the article 1 is reliably rotated on the ridgeline 32A.

  41 and 42, each moving floor 30A with unevenness is formed by bonding a plate piece to the upper surface of a square bar to form an uneven portion 32 on the floor surface 31, and the ridge line 32A of the protruding portion of the uneven portion 32 is conveyed in the conveying direction. Inclined so as to form a downward gradient (γ) toward the downstream side. The moving floor 30 </ b> A with unevenness in FIG. 41 is configured such that the heights of the vertices of the convex portions (ridge lines 32 </ b> A) of the unevenness portion 32 are the same. The moving floor 30A with unevenness shown in FIG. 42 has a height difference between the heights of the apexes of adjacent convex portions (ridge lines 32A, 32A) of the uneven portion 32.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and even if there is a design change or the like without departing from the gist of the present invention. It is included in the present invention. For example, the articles handled in the present invention are not limited to the caps described in detail or similar shaped articles. For example, a cup, a vertically long circular or square bowl-shaped article, a wide-mouth container, and the like can be given. Furthermore, it is possible to align the direction of various articles such as solid articles such as a cylinder, a rectangular parallelepiped, and a thick plate-like body having no depression, such as those having a center of gravity biased in the height direction.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the moving floor of the article conveying apparatus is immersed. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the moving floor of the article transporting device protrudes. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the article conveying apparatus. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the moving up and down operation of the moving floor. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the floor surface angles of the fixed floor and the movable floor. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a moving floor. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a moving floor with unevenness. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a moving floor with unevenness. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the movable floor with unevenness and the width dimension of the article. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an article turning operation by the moving floor with unevenness. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an article turning operation by the moving floor with unevenness. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the movable floor with unevenness and the height dimension of the article. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an article that passes through a moving floor that does not include an uneven portion. FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing an article passing through a moving floor with unevenness. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the steeply inclined moving floor and the height dimension of the article. FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing the relationship between the steeply inclined moving floor and the bottom surface dimensions of the article. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a circular cap. FIG. 18 is a schematic view showing a circular cap with an upper lid. FIG. 19 is a schematic view showing an elliptical cap with an upper lid. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a solid cylinder. FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating the conveying operation of the article conveying device. FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing the conveying operation of the article conveying device. FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the conveying operation of the article conveying device. FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing the conveying operation of the article conveying apparatus. FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing the conveying operation of the article conveying device. FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing the conveying operation of the article conveying device. FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing the conveying operation of the article conveying apparatus. FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing the conveying operation of the article conveying apparatus. FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing the conveying operation of the article conveying device. FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing the conveying operation of the article conveying device. FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing the conveying operation of the article conveying apparatus. FIG. 32 is a perspective view showing the conveying operation of the article conveying device. FIG. 33 is a schematic view showing the cap aligning action by the article conveying device. FIG. 34 is a perspective view showing the cap aligning action by the steeply inclined moving floor. FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing the cap aligning action by the steeply inclined moving floor. FIG. 36 is a schematic diagram showing a modification of the article transporting apparatus. FIG. 37 is a schematic diagram showing a modification of the article transporting apparatus. FIG. 38 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the movable floor with unevenness. FIG. 39 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the movable floor with unevenness. FIG. 40 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the movable floor with unevenness. FIG. 41 is a schematic view showing a modified example of the movable floor with unevenness. FIG. 42 is a schematic view showing a modified example of the movable floor with unevenness.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Article 10, 10A, 10B Article conveyance apparatus 15 Elevating drive apparatus 20 Fixed floor 21 Floor 30 Moving floor 30A Uneven moving floor 30B Steeply moving floor 31 Floor 32 Uneven section 32A Ridge line

Claims (10)

Each of the plurality of fixed beds is juxtaposed with each other so as to form a downward slope along the conveyance direction,
Each of the plurality of moving floors is arranged adjacent to each fixed floor on the side in the conveyance direction, and each of those pieces is arranged so as to form a downward gradient along the conveyance direction,
An article transporting apparatus that sends articles downstream by repeating an elevating operation that positions each moving floor at the upper and lower positions with respect to the floor of a fixed floor adjacent to the floor,
Inclining the fixed and moving floors toward the downstream side in the transport direction with a downward slope,
At least part of the floor of the moving floor is provided with an uneven portion that is uneven along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and the ridge line of the convex portion is inclined downward toward the downstream side in the transport direction. With
The article conveying apparatus which makes the moving floor arrange | positioned in the most downstream among the said moving beds into the steeply inclined moving floor which has a floor surface steeply inclined rather than the floor surface of another moving floor . Of the plurality of moving floors, the floor surface of the moving floor other than the moving floor arranged at the most downstream side has a downward slope angle with respect to the horizontal, and the floor surface of the plurality of fixed floors has a downward slope angle with respect to the horizontal. The article conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the article conveying apparatus is 5 to 25 degrees larger .   The article conveying apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a position of the center of gravity of the article is deviated from a center position in a height direction thereof.   The article transport apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the article is a cap having a top surface at one end in a height direction thereof.   The article conveying apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a width dimension of the article is 1.0 to 2.0 times a distance between fixed floors on both sides of a movable floor provided with a concavo-convex portion. Each of the plurality of fixed beds is juxtaposed with each other so as to form a downward slope along the conveyance direction,
Each of the plurality of moving floors is arranged adjacent to each fixed floor on the side in the conveyance direction, and each of those pieces is arranged so as to form a downward gradient along the conveyance direction,
An article transporting method for sending articles downstream by repeating an elevating operation that positions each moving floor at the upper and lower positions with respect to the floor surface of the fixed floor adjacent to the floor,
Inclining the fixed and moving floors toward the downstream side in the transport direction with a downward slope,
At least a part of the floor of the moving floor is provided with an uneven portion that is uneven along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and the ridge line of the convex portion is inclined so as to form a downward slope toward the downstream side in the transport direction. ,
By rotating the article passing through the ridge line of the convex part of the moving floor provided with the uneven part on the ridge line, the side with the center of gravity is conveyed toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction , and
The goods conveyance method which makes the moving floor arrange | positioned in the most downstream among the said moving floors the steeply inclined moving floor which has a floor surface steeply inclined rather than the floor surface of another moving floor . Of the plurality of moving floors, the floor surface of the moving floor other than the moving floor arranged at the most downstream side has a downward slope angle with respect to the horizontal, and the floor surface of the plurality of fixed floors has a downward slope angle with respect to the horizontal. The method for conveying an article according to claim 6 , which is 5 to 25 degrees larger .   The article conveyance method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein a center of gravity position of the article is deviated from a center position in a height direction thereof.   The article transport method according to claim 8, wherein the article is a cap having a top surface at one end in a height direction thereof.   The method for conveying an article according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the width dimension of the article is 1.0 to 2.0 times as long as an interval between fixed floors on both sides of a movable floor provided with an uneven portion.

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