JP5855780B1 - Container take-out device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a container take-out device capable of stably supporting a flange portion of a lowermost container of a plurality of containers to be loaded and capable of reliably separating and taking out individual containers. A container take-out device (1) comprising a storage space (S) for a container (P) and a separating member (21) for separating and taking out the container (P), the separating member (21) having a support part (22) capable of supporting a flange part (F). Then, the support part 22 is orthogonal to the rotation axis R of the separation member 21 on the downstream side in the rotation direction from the upper start end part of the surface 24 that appears in plan view in the origin posture of the separation member 21, and the container P of the lowermost layer P The mounting surface 26 on which the flange portion F can be mounted is provided, and the separation member 21 is arranged in an origin posture, and rotates in a predetermined direction from the state in which the flange portion F is mounted on the mounting surface 26, thereby supporting the support portion 22. When the upper start end part enters above the flange F part, the container P is separated from the laminated body, and the container P is sent downward along the rotating support part 22. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a container take-out apparatus that stacks a plurality of containers each having an accommodating part and a flange part, and separates and takes out the containers by rotation of a separating member.

  For example, a container in which contents such as tofu are accommodated in the accommodating portion has a flange portion formed on the upper portion of the side wall of the accommodating portion, and the lowest layer container is taken out from a laminate in which a plurality of containers are stacked. The contents are accommodated in the container accommodating portion. At this time, when removing the lowermost container from the container stack, insert a wedge between the flanges of the container to be loaded, or scrape the side of the lowermost container downward with a rubber plate or the like. It is known to separate individual containers from a laminate by dropping.

  However, in the method of inserting a wedge between the flange portions of the container to be loaded, it is necessary to load the container with a gap between the flange portions so that the wedge enters. At this time, it is necessary to support the lowermost container to be taken out so that it does not fall before the wedge is inserted, and it is necessary to release the support in accordance with the timing of the fall due to the wedge being inserted. This complicates the container support mechanism and the timing control for releasing the support. Also, in the method of scraping the bottom layer container with a rubber plate, etc., depending on the deterioration of the rubber plate or the contact area between the rubber plate and the container, it may not be able to drop reliably, or multiple containers may fall The certainty of taking out the container is not sufficient. Further, since the loaded container is supported with a strength that can be scraped off, when the number of containers decreases, the support of the containers may fall off due to the impact of the added containers.

  Therefore, taking out the lowermost pack among the stacked packs by supporting the edge (flange portion) of the pack (container) by a rotating separation jig (separating member) having a spiral concave groove on the outer periphery. An apparatus is proposed in US Pat.

Republished patent WO2009 / 150755

  By the way, in the pack take-out device described in Patent Document 1, the flange portions of a plurality of stacked containers are supported on the uppermost surface of the separation member, and the containers are separated and taken out by rotation of the separation member. As shown in FIG. 11, the separation member 100 has spiral groove portions 110 and convex convex portions 120 alternately formed, and a thin insertion portion 120 a is formed at the upper end of the convex portion 120. Has been. Thereby, the flange part of the lowest layer container is supported by the uppermost surface of the separating member 100, and the container of the lowest layer is separated by inserting the insertion part 120a between the flange parts by the rotation of the separating member 100. .

  However, since the groove part 110 and the convex part 120 of the separating member 100 are formed in a spiral shape, they are inclined with respect to the flange part of the container. Therefore, the support of the flange part by the convex part 120 becomes a point contact of the part where the upper surface of the convex part 120 and the flange part contact, and there is a problem that the stability of the support of the flange part is lacking. Also, when inserting the insertion portion 120a between the flange portions of the container, because the flange portion supported by the upper surface of the convex portion 120 is inclined, when the flange portion is curved, The insertion portion 120a at the upper end of the separation member 100 may come into contact with the flange portion. In such a case, the insertion portion 120a cannot be inserted between the flange portions, and the stacked containers cannot be reliably separated and taken out.

  In addition, since the stacked containers are sequentially separated and taken out from the lower side, it is necessary to add a new container when the number decreases. In that case, since the laminated body which loaded many containers is supplied from the upper direction of an apparatus, a load and an impact are applied to the container already loaded in the apparatus. At this time, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, since the flange portion of the container is supported by point contact as described above, the flange portion is supported by the separation member 100 due to an impact when the container is additionally supplied. May come off and the lower container may fall. Such a problem of the stability of the support of the flange portion at the time of contact between the insertion portion 120a and the flange portion is particularly noticeable when the thickness of the container or the flange portion is thin.

  The present invention made in view of the above circumstances can stably support the flange portion of the lowermost container of a plurality of containers to be loaded, and can reliably separate and take out individual containers. It is a technical problem to provide a container take-out device.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a container take-out device according to the present invention includes a storage space that can store a stacked body in which a plurality of containers each including a storage portion and a flange portion extending from the upper end of the storage portion to the outer peripheral side are stacked, A separating member that is disposed so that the rotation axes are parallel to each other across the container accommodating portion of the container accommodated in the container, and separates and takes out the individual containers from the laminate by rotating. The separation member has a spiral support portion that extends to the outer peripheral side and can support the flange portion, and the support portion has an upper start end portion in the rotation direction upstream of the flange portion. In the origin posture of the separation member located on the side, the flange portion of the container in the lowermost layer of the laminate, which is orthogonal to the rotation axis of the separation member, on the downstream side in the rotation direction with respect to the upper starting end portion in the plane appearing in plan view from above Can be placed The separation member is arranged in an origin posture, rotates in a predetermined direction from a state where the flange portion of the lowermost container is placed on the placement surface, and the upper start end portion of the support portion is above the flange portion. By entering, the lowermost container is separated from the laminated body, and the container is sent downward along the rotation axis along the support portion.

  According to such a configuration, the flange portion of the lowermost container of the laminate accommodated in the accommodation space is placed in surface contact with the placement surface formed on the support portion of the separation member in the origin posture. Is done. Since the mounting surface is a surface orthogonal to the rotation axis of the separation member, the flange portion is supported on the mounting surface with a wide contact area. Further, since the mounting surface is formed on the downstream side in the rotation direction from the upper start end portion of the support portion, the upper start end portion of the support portion is surely positioned above the mounted flange portion by the rotation of the separation member. You can enter. Therefore, the lowermost container can be reliably separated and taken out, and can be sent along the support portion downward in the direction of the rotation axis (hereinafter simply referred to as “downward”).

  In addition, the upper start end portion of the support portion is preferably formed with an inclined portion on at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the upper start end portion by gradually reducing the thickness dimension toward the front side in the rotation direction. . Thereby, when the upper start end portion of the support portion of the separation member enters above the flange portion of the lowermost layer container placed on the placement surface by the rotation of the separation member, the lowermost layer to be separated The flange portion of the container is guided toward the lower surface side of the support portion along an inclination formed on the lower surface side of the upper start end portion. Therefore, the flange part of the lowermost container can be reliably sent downward along the support part. On the other hand, at this time, the flange portion of the container stacked above the container to be separated is guided toward the upper surface side of the support portion along the inclination formed on the upper surface side of the upper start end portion. Therefore, the lowest layer container and the container stacked second from the bottom can be reliably separated. Moreover, since the thickness dimension of a front-end | tip upper end part of a support part is small, it can approach reliably between each flange part of the container laminated | stacked, without contact | abutting the flange part of a container.

  Further, it is preferable that the separation member stops rotating in a posture that is the original posture. Thereby, the separation member stops in a state where the flange portion of the lowermost container is placed on the placement surface of the support member. Therefore, since the flange portion can be supported by the mounting surface with a wide contact area, for example, even when the container is replenished, the mounting surface can sufficiently support the impact caused by the load of the added container stack. it can. Therefore, since the container already loaded does not fall or shift its position due to the addition of the container, the removal of the container can be reliably restarted even after the container is replenished. .

  Further, the flange portion of the container is rectangular, and the separating members facing each other across the container accommodating portion are arranged on both ends of the container along the opposite sides of the flange portion, respectively. In this case, adjacent separating members along opposite sides of the flange portion may rotate in opposite directions. As a result, in each side of the flange portion where the separating member is arranged, when the adjacent separating member rotates in the opposite direction, a force in the opposite direction is applied to the flange portion. Such power balances. Therefore, when the container is taken out, it is possible to prevent the container from being displaced in the plane direction due to the rotation of the separating member and to separate and take out the container in a stable posture.

  By the way, the container stack is strongly compressed in the laminating direction, so that the distance between the upper and lower containers becomes narrow, or the container flange portion is curved so as to protrude downward. When the interval between the flange portions becomes narrow or partially touches, the upper start end portion of the support member may enter above the upper flange portion with the flange portions overlapping. If such a state occurs on one side of the opposing separating member, the container having the overlapping upper flange portion is supported at a different support position from the other separating member. It is sent downward while being inclined between the separating members.

  Therefore, a photoelectric sensor having a light emitting means and a light receiving means is provided, and the photoelectric sensor has an optical axis connecting the light emitting means and the light receiving means passing through both rotation axes of the opposing separating members and orthogonal to both rotation axes. Is arranged parallel to the direction in which the rotation axis extends and spaced from the straight line to the outer peripheral side of the container, passing through the region through which the flange portion of the container sent downward passes, and emits light from the light emitting means. It is preferable to detect that the container is tilted by the light being shielded by the flange portion of the container sent downward. As a result, the flange portion of the inclined container is supported even when the container is sent downward in an inclined state by being supported in a state where the flange portion overlaps in one of the opposing separating members. Since the light emitted from the light emitting means of the photoelectric sensor is shielded, it can be reliably detected by the photoelectric sensor that the container is being sent downward in an inclined state.

  Further, the flange portion of the container has a rectangular shape, and the set of separating members facing each other across the container accommodating portion is disposed on both ends of the container along the opposite sides of the flange portion, respectively. Of the set of separation members disposed on both ends of the container, the first photoelectric sensor provided for at least one set of separation members of the pair of separation members disposed on both ends of the container, A second photoelectric sensor provided for an adjacent separating member along at least one of the opposing sides of the flange portion, wherein the first photoelectric sensor includes the first light emitting means and the first light emitting means. The first optical axis connecting the first light emitting means and the first light receiving means passes through both rotation axes of the pair of opposing separating members and is orthogonal to both rotation axes. Parallel to the direction in which the rotation axis extends with respect to the first straight line The first light emitting means is disposed so as to pass through the region where the side of the flange parallel to the first straight line of the flange portion of the container sent downward is spaced from the first straight line to the outer peripheral side of the container. The emitted light is shielded by the flange portion of the container that is sent downward to detect that the container is tilted, and the second photoelectric sensor has the second light emitting means and the second light receiving means. And the second optical axis connecting the second light emitting means and the second light receiving means passes through both rotation axes of the adjacent separating member and is perpendicular to both rotation axes. Parallel to the direction in which the rotation axis extends, the second flange portion of the container to be sent downward is arranged so as to pass through the region on the side of the second straight line, and emitted from the second light emitting means. The container is tilted by the light being shielded by the flange part of the container sent downward. The first photoelectric sensor is provided for each pair of separating members arranged on both ends of the container, and the second photoelectric sensor is one of the opposing sides of the flange portion. Or a first photoelectric sensor is provided for one set of separation members, and a second photoelectric sensor is provided on each opposite side of the flange portion. You may make it provide with respect to the separation member adjacent along.

  With this configuration, a plurality of separation members are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the rectangular flange portion of the container. Therefore, in at least one separation member, when the upper start end portion enters in a state where the flange portions overlap as described above, the container tilts between the separation members facing each other or between the adjacent separation members. Sent down. Therefore, as described above, since the photoelectric sensor is provided for a pair of opposing separating members or adjacent separating members, the inclined flange portion even if the container is inclined between any separating members. Can be reliably detected by the first photoelectric sensor or the second photoelectric sensor.

  At this time, it is preferable that the second photoelectric sensor detects whether the container is tilted when the separation member is in the origin posture. When the container is sent downward, there is always a moment of light shielding when the flange portion passes through the photoelectric sensor. Therefore, there is a risk of erroneous detection when continuously detected. Therefore, such erroneous detection can be prevented by detecting when the separation member is in a predetermined origin posture.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the separation member is formed with a passage portion for allowing light emitted from the second light emitting means of the second photoelectric sensor to pass through in the origin posture. When separating members adjacent along opposite sides of the flange portion are brought close to the container, the light emitted from the second light emitting means of the second photoelectric sensor is blocked. Therefore, by configuring as described above, the separating member can prevent light emitted from the second photoelectric sensor and the second light emitting unit from being blocked in the origin posture. Moreover, since the separating member can be disposed close to the container accommodating portion, the contact area between the mounting surface of the supporting portion of the separating member and the flange portion can be increased, and the flange portion can be reliably supported by the mounting surface.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the separation member rotate a predetermined number of times in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction after detecting that the container is tilted, and then rotate again in the predetermined direction. Thereby, the separation member can return the container once upward after detecting that the container sent downward is tilted by the photoelectric sensor. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the container from being sent downward when the flange portion of the container is overlapped by the separating member, and to release the support of the overlapped flange portion when the container is returned upward. At this time, the container sent with the flanges overlapped is returned to the upper side from the state where the other parts of the container are separated by the separating member even when the gap between the upper and lower containers is clogged. The upper and lower containers are returned in a state where they can be easily separated. Thereafter, the separation member can separate the container again by rotating the separation member again in a predetermined direction. At this time, since the clogging between the containers is eliminated, the separation member can be sent downward without overlapping the flange portion. In this way, the container can be reliably separated and sent downward without stopping the device.

  At this time, when the container is taken out, it is preferable that adjacent separating members rotate in opposite directions along opposite sides of the flange portion. Thus, as described above, in each side of the flange portion, when the adjacent separating members rotate in the opposite directions, a force in the opposite direction is applied to the flange portion. Balance. Therefore, when the container is taken out, it is possible to prevent the container from being displaced in the plane direction due to the rotation of the separating member and to separate and take out the container in a stable posture.

  In addition, the separation member is preferably formed such that the pitch dimension of the groove formed between the upper and lower support portions becomes wider toward the lower side in the rotation axis direction. Thus, as the container is sent downward by the separating member, the distance between the upper and lower containers becomes wider, so at the start of container removal, the upper and lower containers can be gradually separated, and after being separated to some extent Can be sent rapidly, downwards. Moreover, when it is sent in a state where the flange portion overlaps with the support portion of the separating member, it is more widely separated from the other part of the container (the part that is normally sent) as it is sent downward. . Therefore, after the inclination of the flange portion is detected by the photoelectric sensor, when the container is returned to the upper side, it is possible to make the state more easily separated.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to stably support the flange portion of the lowermost container of a plurality of containers to be loaded, and to reliably separate and take out individual containers. A container removal device can be provided.

It is a front view which shows notionally the container extraction apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the container extraction apparatus of FIG. It is a top view of the container extraction apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the separation member in the container extraction apparatus of FIG. (A) is a top view, (b) is a side view, (c) is sectional drawing of the principal part in AA. It is a figure which shows the state at the time of isolation | separation of the container by a separation member, and taking out. (A) is a top view, (b) is a side view. It is a side view which shows the outline when a container inclines between the separating members which oppose. It is a side view which shows the outline when a container inclines between adjacent separating members. It is sectional drawing of the principal part which shows the other example of the passage part of a separation member. It is sectional drawing which shows the other example of the passage part of a separation member. It is a top view which shows notionally the container extraction apparatus concerning other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the separation member in the conventional container extraction apparatus. (A) is a top view, (b) is a side view.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a container take-out device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The container take-out apparatus 1 of the present invention is an apparatus for separating and taking out individual containers P from a stacked body of a plurality of containers P to be loaded. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a container stacking unit 10 that houses a stacked body of a plurality of containers P and a lowermost layer of the stacked body of containers P that are stored above the main body frame 2. And a container separation unit 20 for separating and taking out the container P downward. Further, below the container separation unit 20, a transport mechanism 30 is provided that places the container P taken out from the container take-out device 1 and transports it to the next process. Here, the container P used in the present embodiment has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has a housing part PA having side surfaces on the long side and short side and a rectangular bottom surface, and an upper end of the side surface is opened, And a rectangular flange portion F projecting from the upper end of the side surface to the outer peripheral side.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the container stacking unit 10 includes a support member 11 that supports the flange portion F of each container P of the laminated body from the outer peripheral side and is disposed so as to surround each side of the flange portion F of the container P. The member 11 forms an accommodation space S for the stacked body of the containers P. In the present embodiment, the support member 11 is an inverted U-shaped member in which two support pillars are connected at the upper part, and is attached via an attachment member so as to support the vicinity of the center of each side of the container P. It is attached to the main body frame 2. Thereby, the container P is accommodated in the accommodation space S in a state where each side of the flange portion F is supported from the outer peripheral side by the two support columns of the support member 11. The support member 11 has a height that can accommodate the stacked body of the containers P, and the height dimension of the support member 11 that supports one side of the long side is the height dimension of the other support member 11. (Indicated by the support member 11A in FIG. 2). The support member 11 is provided with a slight gap between each side of the container P and the support member 11 in consideration of variations in the shape and width dimension of the flange portion F of the container P.

  The container separating unit 20 separates the individual containers P from the stacked body by rotating and rotating the flange portion F of the lowermost container P of the stacked body stored in the storage space S of the container stacking unit 10. A plurality of separation members 21 to be taken out, a drive mechanism 40 for driving the separation member 21, a photoelectric sensor 50 for detecting that the container P sent downward is inclined, and a control means 60 for controlling the operation of the container separation unit 20; Have

  The separation member 21 is connected to the drive mechanism 40 and is rotatably provided. Specifically, the separating members 21 are respectively arranged at positions facing each other across the housing portion PA of the container P so that the rotation axes R (see FIG. 6) are parallel to each other (hereinafter, the set of separating members 21). And are disposed on both ends of the container P along opposite sides of the flange portion F (see FIG. 3). Moreover, the separation member 21 is arrange | positioned adjacent to the outer peripheral surface of the accommodating part PA of the container P, respectively (refer FIG. 2). Therefore, the separation member 21 restricts the movement of the container P in the short side direction. Accordingly, even if the width dimension of the flange portion F of the container P varies, the accommodating portion PA of the container P can be positioned at a predetermined position.

  As shown in FIG. 4, each separation member 21 is a substantially columnar member having a spiral support portion 22 projecting to the outer peripheral side. The upper surface of the support portion 22 (indicated by the upper surface 22A in FIG. 4C) extends horizontally in the radial direction of the separation member 21 and functions as a guide for supporting the flange portion F of the container P. Further, a groove portion 23 is formed between the upper and lower support portions 22 having a spiral shape (see FIG. 4B). In the present embodiment, the thickness of the support portion 22 increases as it goes downward. As a result, the gap (pitch dimension) between the groove portions 23 in the vertical direction is narrow above the separating member 21 and wide below. In the vicinity of the lower end of the separating member 21, the thickness dimension of the support portion 22 is gradually reduced.

  Here, the separation member 21 has a spiral forming direction of the support portion 22 in a clockwise direction in plan view from above (indicated by the separation member 21A in FIGS. 1 to 3) and in a counterclockwise direction (see FIG. 1 to 3, which are mirror images of the separation member 21 </ b> B). As shown in FIG. 3, the separation members 21 </ b> A and 21 </ b> B of these different forms are respectively opposed to the set of separation members 21 arranged at positions facing each other with the accommodating portion of the container P interposed therebetween, and the flange portion F. It arrange | positions so that each of what adjoins along each edge | side to become a different form.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the support member 22 of the separation member 21 is formed with an inclined portion 25 and a placement surface 26 on a surface that appears in plan view from above (hereinafter referred to as the uppermost surface 24). The The inclined portion 25 is formed at the upper start end portion of the support portion 22 so that the thickness dimension of the upper start end portion is gradually reduced (thinned) toward the front end 27 on the front side in the rotation direction. In the present embodiment, the inclined portions 25 are formed on both sides of the support portion 22. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4C, a first inclined portion 25A that is inclined upward toward the tip 27 of the support portion 22 is formed on the lower surface side of the upper start end portion, and the upper surface of the upper start end portion. On the side, a second inclined portion 25B that is inclined downward toward the tip 27 of the support portion 22 is formed. The inclined portion 25 is formed such that the angle of the second inclined portion 25B on the upper surface side becomes steeper than the angle of the first inclined portion 25A on the lower surface side. Therefore, the tip 27 of the support portion 22 is located slightly below the center of the support portion 22 in the thickness direction. As shown in FIG. 4A, the tip 27 of the support portion 22 has a shape having a curved portion in plan view from above.

  On the other hand, the mounting surface 26 is configured so that the tip 27 of the upper start end portion of the support portion 22 is in the posture of the separation member 21 (hereinafter referred to as an origin posture) in which the distal end 27 of the support portion 22 is located upstream of the flange portion F. A part of the uppermost surface 24 of the support portion 22 is formed so as to be orthogonal to the rotation axis R (see FIG. 4B) of the separation member 21 on the downstream side in the rotation direction from the upper start end portion. In addition, the separating member 21 is configured such that the leading end 27 of the upper start end portion of the support portion 22 and the outer peripheral end portion of the flange portion F are separated from each other by about 1 to 2 mm in a state of the origin posture. Is preferred. Further, the support portion 22 on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the mounting surface 26 is inclined downward so as to overlap the uppermost surface 24, and the groove portion 23 is formed between the upper start end portion of the uppermost surface 24 support portion 22. It is formed. Here, the vertical dimension of the upper end portion (starting portion) of the groove portion 23 is larger than the thickness dimension of the flange portion F of the container P.

  The drive mechanism 40 (see FIG. 1) is a mechanism that transmits drive to each separation member 21, and a drive means M such as a motor that can be rotationally driven in the forward rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction; A drive transmission gear provided at M, two drive shafts coupled to the drive transmission gear and rotatable, rotation transmission gears provided at predetermined positions (two locations) of each drive shaft, and each rotation transmission gear And a rotation shaft portion that transmits the rotation of the drive shaft portion to the separation member 21. Each drive shaft portion is arranged below each long side of the flange portion F of the container P so as to extend in parallel with each long side, and each drive shaft portion is opposite to the rotation direction by the drive means M. It is connected by a drive transmission gear so as to rotate in the direction. In addition, the rotation shaft portions are arranged so as to extend in a direction (upward) perpendicular to the drive shaft portion, and the rotation shaft portions rotate in directions opposite to each other with respect to the rotation direction of the drive shaft portion. It is connected by a rotation transmission gear. In this way, adjacent separating members 21 along opposite sides of the flange portion rotate in opposite directions.

  In the present embodiment, a stepping motor that can accurately perform positioning is used as the driving unit M. Here, the separating member 21 is connected to the drive mechanism 40 in a state where each of the separating members 21 is in the origin posture, and this state is set as the origin position of the stepping motor. Further, when the number of pulses necessary for one rotation of the separation member 21 is given to the stepping motor at the origin position, each separation member 21 again assumes the origin posture. Therefore, by controlling the number of pulses applied to the stepping motor by the control means 60 (details will be described later), the separation member 21 can be stopped at the origin posture, and it can be grasped that the separation member 21 is at the origin posture.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the photoelectric sensor 50 includes a first photoelectric sensor 50 </ b> A provided for a set of separation members 21 facing each other with the housing portion PA of the container P interposed therebetween, and a flange portion F of the container P. The main body frame 2 is provided with a second photoelectric sensor 50 </ b> B provided for the separating member 21 adjacent to each other along the opposite sides.

  The first photoelectric sensor 50A has a first light emitting means 51A and a first light receiving means 52A, and an optical axis L1 connecting the first light emitting means 51A and the second light receiving means 52A is accommodated in the container P. Direction in which the rotation axis R extends with respect to a straight line D1 passing through both rotation axes R of the pair of separating members 21 facing each other across the portion PA and perpendicular to both rotation axes R (paper surface direction in FIG. 3) Is parallel to the first straight line of the flange portion F of the container P which is parallel to the first straight line and spaced apart from the first straight line toward the outer peripheral side of the container P. It is arranged so as to pass through the passing area. In the present embodiment, the first photoelectric sensor 50 </ b> A is provided for each set of separation members 21 disposed on both ends of the container P.

  The second photoelectric sensor 50B has a second light emitting means 51B and a second light receiving means 52B, and an optical axis L2 connecting the first light emitting means 51B and the second light receiving means 52B is adjacent. The flange portion F of the container P that is sent downward is parallel to the direction in which the rotation axis R extends with respect to the second straight line D2 that passes through both the rotation axes R of the separation member 21 and is orthogonal to both rotation axes R. The side of the second straight line D2 side (the long side of the container P in the drawing) is disposed so as to pass through the region through which the portion passes. In the present embodiment, the second photoelectric sensor 50B is provided with respect to the separating member 21 adjacent along one side (the upper side in the drawing) of the opposing sides of the flange portion F of the container P.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4B, the vertical position of the photoelectric sensor 50 is a flange portion in a state where the separating member 21 is rotated once in a predetermined direction from the origin posture in a side view of the container unloading device 1. It arrange | positions so that the optical axis L may pass between the position of F and the position of the flange part F of the state rotated 2 times. In this case, in the second photoelectric sensor 50B arranged on the long side of the container P, the separation member 21 and the container PA of the container P are close to each other. The support portion 22 is formed with a notch 22B as a passing portion through which the optical axis L2 (specifically, light emitted from the second light emitting means 51B) can pass.

  The second photoelectric sensor 50B is not limited to being arranged as shown in FIG. 3, but the position where the optical axis L2 passes through the region through which the other long side portion of the flange portion F of the container P passes. You may arrange in. In this position, the notch 22B through which the light emitted from the second light emitting means 51B can pass is formed in the support 22 of the separation member 21 in the same manner as described above. Moreover, what is necessary is just to set the photoelectric sensor 50 (1st photoelectric sensor 50A and 2nd photoelectric sensor 50B) in any three places among the four places shown above.

  Furthermore, the drive means M of the drive mechanism 40 and the photoelectric sensor 50 are each connected to the control means 60 (refer FIG. 1). The control unit 60 controls the driving timing of the driving unit M. Moreover, the control means 60 switches the rotation direction of the drive means M based on the detection signal of the photoelectric sensor 50 as will be described later.

  The conveyance mechanism 30 is disposed below the container separation unit 20 and, as shown in part in FIG. 1, is bridged between a pair of horizontally disposed roller pairs 31 and the roller pair 31, A conveyor 32 for sending the containers P to the next process on the downstream side is arranged. One roller of the roller pair 31 is a drive roller connected to a transport motor (not shown), and the conveyor motor is rotated in a predetermined direction by rotating the drive roller by the transport motor. The transport motor is connected to the control means 60 described above.

  Below, the separation and extraction operation of the container P by the container extraction device 1 of the present invention will be described. First, a stacked body of a plurality of stacked containers P is put into the accommodation space S of the container stacking unit 10. The stacked body of the plurality of containers P loaded is supplied from the side of the supporting member 11A having a low height (see FIG. 2). At this time, each separating member 21 of the container separating unit 20 has an origin posture in which the mounting surface 26 formed on the uppermost surface 24 of the supporting unit 22 is disposed at a position where the flange portion F of the container P can be supported. It has stopped (see FIG. 3). For this reason, the flange portion F of the lowermost container P of the stacked body put into the accommodation space S is supported by the placement surface 26 with a wide contact area. Therefore, even when a strong impact is applied to the lowermost container P when the stacked body of containers P is charged, it is reliably supported by the mounting surface 26. Here, in the stacked body of containers P accommodated in the accommodation space S, the lowermost container P supported on the placement surface 26 of the separating member 21 is loaded with the weight of the loaded container P. The flange portion F of the lowermost container P is supported in a state of being in horizontal contact with the placement surface 26.

  When the take-out operation of the container P is started, the driving means M is driven by the start signal from the control means 60, and each separation member 21 supporting the flange portion F of the container P starts to rotate in a predetermined direction. To do. As shown in FIG. 3, the separating members 21 have different spiral forming directions (directions of the grooves 23) of the support portions 22 at the respective sides, so that adjacent members and opposing members rotate in opposite directions. At this time, on each side of the flange portion F of the container P, a force due to the rotation of the separation member 21 is applied in the opposite direction. Therefore, the container P can maintain a stable state without moving. Thus, when each separating member 21 rotates in a predetermined direction, the lowermost container P is separated from the stacked body and moved downward.

  Here, details of the separation of the lowermost container P by the rotation of the separation member 21 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. Separation of the container P is performed by rotating the separation member 21 in a predetermined direction so that the tip 27 of the upper start end portion of the support portion 22 is placed on the placement surface 26 and the container P (lowermost-layer container P is placed on the placement surface 26). ) To enter above the flange portion F. Here, the support portion 22 is formed with an inclined portion 25 formed so as to gradually become thinner toward the tip 27, and an end portion on the outer peripheral side of the tip 27 has a curved shape (see FIG. 4A). Therefore, when the leading end 27 of the upper starting end enters above the flange portion F of the lowermost container P, the flange portion F and the leading end 27 are formed from a minute region of the curved portion having a small thickness dimension. The entry begins. At this time, since the tip 27 of the upper start end portion has a small thickness dimension, it can enter above the flange portion F without contacting the flange portion F.

  Thereafter, as the separating member 21 rotates, the region where the upper start end enters the flange portion F and the support portion 22 gradually expands. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the flange portion F of the lowermost container P is guided downward by the first inclined portion 25A formed on the lower surface side of the upper start end portion of the support portion 22 and sent downward. It is done. By further rotating the separation member 21, the flange portion F of the lowermost container P is guided to the groove portion 23. Thus, by guiding the flange portion F of the container P with the groove portion 23 by the four separation members 21, the container P can be sent downward while being supported by the support portion 22 in a horizontal state. Here, when the lowest layer container P is not yet separated and is in a laminated state, the flange portion F is sent in the groove portion 23 along the lower surface side (upper side of the groove portion 23) of the support portion 22, When the container P is separated from the laminate, the container P falls due to its own weight, and the flange portion F of the container P is supported by the upper surface 22A of the support portion 22. At this time, when the lowermost container P is sent downward in a stacked state, a force that moves the stacked body of the containers P together is applied, but the flange portion F of the second container P from the bottom is separated. Since it is supported by the uppermost surface 24 of the member 21, only the lowermost container P is transported downward and reliably separated from the laminate.

  When the separation member 21 rotates once in a predetermined direction from the origin posture, the lowermost container P separated from the laminated body moves downward, and the flange portion F of the second container P from the bottom is placed on the separation member 21. It is supported by the surface 26 (see FIG. 4B). As the separation member 21 further rotates, the tip 27 of the upper start end portion of the support portion 22 enters above the flange portion F placed on the placement surface 26 in the same manner as described above, and the container P is placed. Separate and move down. Thus, by rotating the separating member 21 in a predetermined direction, the stacked containers P can be sequentially separated and moved downward.

  Here, in the present embodiment, on the upper surface side of the upper start end portion of the support portion 22, a second inclined portion 25B that is inclined downward toward the tip end side of the support portion 22 is formed. As a result, when the lowermost container P is separated, for example, even if the flange F of the second container P from the bottom is bent so as to protrude downward, the flange portion of the second container P from the bottom F is guided upward along the second inclined portion 25 </ b> B as the separation member 21 rotates. As a result, the second container P from the bottom and the lowest container P can be reliably separated.

  Further, in the separation member 21 of the present embodiment, the interval (pitch dimension) between the groove portions 23 in the vertical direction is narrower above the separation member 21 and wider toward the lower side. Therefore, the container P is located above the separating member 21 and gradually moves downward in a state where it is not separated from the laminated body, and rapidly moves downward after completely separating from the laminated body. In the present embodiment, the distance between the groove portions 23 is changed by changing the thickness dimension of the support portion 22. However, the thickness dimension of the support portion 22 is made constant and the distance from the separation member 21 is reduced. Accordingly, the support portion 22 may be arranged in a spiral shape so that the width dimension of the groove portion 23 becomes wider.

  When the flange portion F guided in the groove portion 23 by the rotation of the separation member 21 reaches the lowermost portion of the separation member 21, the support by the support portion 22 is released at the lower end of the separation member 21. As a result, the container P falls downward and is placed on the conveyor 32 of the transport mechanism 30. At this time, since the release of the support by the separating member 21 is simultaneously performed at four locations, the containers P fall on the conveyor 32 while maintaining a horizontal state. Therefore, the container P can be reliably placed on the conveyor 32 in a horizontal state.

  The containers P placed on the conveyor 32 are transported toward the next process on the downstream side by the conveyor 32 driven by rotation of the roller pair 31 by a transport motor (not shown). In the next process transported by the conveyor 32, processing is appropriately performed, such as supplying the contents into the container PA of the containers P. Here, the conveyor 32 may be driven by the control means 60 to which the conveyance motor is connected at a timing at which the containers P on the conveyor 32 are conveyed to the next process until the next container P falls. At this time, each time the separation member 21 rotates, the next container P falls from the separation member 21 and is placed on the conveyor 32. Therefore, while the separation member 21 is rotating, What is necessary is just to convey the container P to the next process. In addition, when the conveyance distance by the conveyor 32 is long, you may lengthen the time until the fall of the next container P by driving the separation member 21 intermittently. At this time, when the separation member 21 is temporarily stopped, the separation member 21 is preferably stopped in a state where the flange portion F is supported on the mounting surface 26. Alternatively, the separation member 21 may be continuously driven so that a plurality of containers P are placed on the conveyor 32 and sequentially conveyed toward the downstream side.

  Here, if the stacked containers P are separated and removed, the number of stacked containers P accommodated in the accommodating space S decreases, and therefore the containers P are appropriately replenished in the accommodating space S. At that time, the removal of the container P is temporarily stopped by stopping the rotation of the separation member 21, and the loaded container P is replenished to the storage space S as described above. At this time, the separation member 21 stops rotating in a posture where the placement surface 26 is in the home posture where the flange portion F is supported. Thereby, the flange part F is supported by the mounting surface 26 in a state of being in contact with a wide contact area. Therefore, even if a load is applied to the container P placed on the placement surface 26 due to an impact caused by replenishment of the stacked body of the containers P, the load applied to the flange portion F is dispersed by the placement surface 26. The support of the container P by the separation member 21 can be reliably maintained.

  In this way, the plurality of containers P loaded in the storage space S can be separated from the lowest layer container P of the stacked body in order and reliably taken out. Therefore, it is possible to use a container P in which the housing part PA and the flange part F are thin. By using the thin container P, the cost of the container P can be reduced, and the interval between the containers P in the laminated body can be narrowed, so that a large number of containers P can be shipped. Therefore, it becomes possible to improve the conveyance efficiency and storage efficiency of the container P.

  By the way, when handling the laminated body of the containers P, it may be strongly compressed by applying a force in the laminating direction, and the interval between the containers P may become narrower. In particular, in the case of a rectangular container P in plan view, when the container P is strongly compressed in the stacking direction of the containers P, for example, the containers P partially enter at any one of the four corners. In addition, the flange portion F may be curved so as to protrude downward at the position where the tip 27 of the support portion 22 enters. In these cases, the interval between the flange portions F of the upper and lower containers P in the laminate is narrower than the interval in the normal state, and may be in partial contact.

  Thus, when the space | interval of the upper and lower flange parts F of the laminated | stacked container P becomes narrow, when isolate | separating the container P by the separation member 21, the front-end | tip 27 of the upper start end part of the support part 22 has overlapped. There is a possibility of entering the upper side of the flange portion F. In this case, the flange portion F of the two containers P enters the groove portion 23 and is sent downward in a state where the containers P partially overlap. At this time, since the flange portion F of one container P is sent in the groove portion 23 of the other separation member 21, the upper container P sent in an overlapped state is moved downward by the separation member 21 in an inclined state. Sent. As a result, the container P sent in an inclined state may be clogged in the middle, or the lower container P may not fall from the lowermost end of the separation member 21. In particular, when a thin container P is used, it is likely that the two flange portions F are sent to the groove portion 23 in a state where they overlap each other.

  FIG. 6 shows a state in which the flange portion F of the container P is overlapped and sent on one side (left side in the drawing) of the separation member 21 facing the container P with the accommodation portion PA interposed therebetween. As shown in FIG. 6A, when the flange portion F is sent to the groove portion 23 with the flange portion F overlapped, the other part of the container P is normally supported by the separating member 21, so the container P is Inclined posture. FIG. 7 shows a state where the flange portion F of the container P is overlapped and sent on one side (left side in the drawing) of the separating members 21 adjacent to each other on one side of the container P. Also in this case, as in FIG. 6, the upper container P is inclined.

  As described above, when the container P is separated and taken out by the separating member 21, the container P may be sent downward in an inclined posture by being sent to the groove portion 23 with the flange portion F overlapped. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the inclined flange portion F is detected by arranging the photoelectric sensors 50 at a plurality of positions (three places in the drawing). 6 and 7, the optical axis L (optical axis L1, optical axis L2) of the photoelectric sensor 50 (first photoelectric sensor 50A, second photoelectric sensor 50B) is indicated by a two-dot chain line. In the state of FIG. 6A, the inclination of the container P is not yet detected by the first photoelectric sensor 50A, but as shown in FIG. 6B, the separation member 21 further rotates and the container P Is sent downward, the optical axis L1 (light emitted from the first light emitting means 51A) is shielded by the inclined flange portion F, and is thus detected by the first photoelectric sensor 50A.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, in the short side direction of the container P, the light shielding of the optical axis L by the flange portion F can be immediately detected by the first photoelectric sensor 50A. However, in the long side direction of the container P, in the second photoelectric sensor 50B, the optical axis L2 passes through the notch 22B in a state where the separation member 21 is in the origin posture, but the separation member 21 rotates. Since the optical axis L2 is shielded by the support portion 22 of the separating member 21 during the operation, it is necessary to detect whether or not the optical axis L is shielded by the flange portion F at the timing when the separating member 21 is in the origin posture. . Therefore, in this embodiment, the presence or absence of light shielding of the optical axis L of the photoelectric sensor 50 by the flange portion F is detected at the timing when the separation member 21 is in the origin posture. When the first photoelectric sensor 50A and the second photoelectric sensor 50B detect that the light emitted from either the first light emitting means 51A or the second light emitting means 51B has been blocked, the first photoelectric sensor 50A and the second photoelectric sensor 50B A detection signal indicating that the inclination of P has been detected is transmitted.

  Hereinafter, operation | movement of the container extraction apparatus 1 when the container P is sent below in the inclined state is demonstrated. The operation in this case is started when the control unit 60 controls the driving of the driving unit M of the driving mechanism 40 by the detection signal from the photoelectric sensor 50.

  When the control means 60 receives a detection signal from the photoelectric sensor 50 that detects that the container P is tilted (see FIG. 6B), the control means 60 further rotates each separation member 21 once in a predetermined direction, The driving means M (see FIG. 1) is controlled to rotate three times in the direction. In this way, both the flange portions F of the containers P sent in an overlapping state are returned to the uppermost surface 24 of the support portion 22. Here, after the inclination of the container P is detected by the photoelectric sensor 50, further one rotation in a predetermined direction means that the container P sent with the flange part F overlapped by the separating member 21 and the flange part are sent separately. This is because the difference in the distance between the upper and lower containers P with respect to the container P is increased, and the distance between the upper and lower containers P is further opened. Thereby, after rotating once in a predetermined direction, each upper and lower container P which entered partially can be reliably separated by rotating each separation member 21 in the opposite direction. In addition, after the detection by the photoelectric sensor 50, in a state where the separating member 21 is further rotated one time, the flange portion F is positioned two rotations below the position shown in FIGS. Therefore, the container P sent in an overlapping manner can be returned to the uppermost surface 24 by making three rotations in the reverse direction.

  After returning the container P sent in the overlapped state to the uppermost surface 24, the separation member 21 is rotated again in a predetermined direction to perform the separation operation of the container P. At this time, as described above, the containers P sent in an overlapped state are returned after widening the interval, so that the interval between the upper and lower containers P is sufficient, and each container P is surely attached. Can send. Moreover, even if the flange portion F is sent in a state where it overlaps again, the separation operation can be performed after returning again by detecting the inclination of the flange portion F by the photoelectric sensor 50. Therefore, it can prevent reliably clogging in the middle by being sent to the downward direction of the separation member 21 in the state in which the container P overlapped. Even if the operation of the separating member 21 is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times), if the container P is not separated, the operation of the container unloading device 1 is stopped, for example, by issuing an alarm. It is preferable that an operator confirms the state of the container take-out device 1. In this case, it is preferable to stop the rotation at the origin posture in the state where the container P sent in an overlapping state is returned to the uppermost surface 24 of the separation member 21.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, two first photoelectric sensors 50A are provided in the region of the flange portion F on the short side of the rectangular container P in plan view, and the second photoelectric sensor 50B. 1 is provided in the region of the flange portion F on the long side, even if the separation member 21 of the four separation members 21 is sent in a state where the container P overlaps, these photoelectric sensors 50 Thus, the inclination of the flange portion F can be reliably detected. In addition, even if it sends in the state which the flange part F overlapped in two places among the four separation members 21, it can detect in these photoelectric sensors 50 similarly.

  Here, in the above embodiment, the separation member 21 in the region of the flange portion F on the long side is used as a passing portion through which the optical axis L2 of the second photoelectric sensor 50B of the separation member 21 can pass. Although the notch 22B is formed on the outer peripheral surface (see FIG. 4C), this is not restrictive. As the passage portion, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the entire outer peripheral portion 22C of the support portion 22 of the separation member 21 in the origin posture may be formed by cutting out so that the radial dimension becomes small. As shown in FIG. 9, the separation member 21 may be formed by reducing the size of the support portion 22 in the radial direction. In this way, a passage part through which the optical axis L2 passes can be formed between the outer peripheral part 22C of the support part 22 and the container P. When the separation member 21 is configured as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the support area of the flange portion F by the support portion 22 becomes narrower in the radial direction of the separation member 21. It is preferable to support by the support portion 22 as close as possible to the wall portion 22D of the inside 23.

  Moreover, in said embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the group of the separation member 21 each arrange | positioned in the position which opposes on both sides of the accommodating part PA of the container P is made into the edge which the flange part F opposes. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a set of separation members 21 may be further disposed between the separation members 21 disposed on both ends. In addition, the set of separation members 21 may be disposed at one central portion of the opposite sides of the flange portion F, or may be disposed at each side of the flange portion F. Furthermore, although the container P was made into the substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape which has the rectangular flange part F, it is not restricted to this. The flange portion F may have a polygonal shape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, an oval shape, or the like, and the container P may have a substantially cubic shape, a substantially cylindrical shape, or the like.

  Here, FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of an example of a container take-out apparatus 1A that takes out a substantially cylindrical container P2 having a circular flange portion F2. In the container take-out device 1A, the pair of separation members 21 are disposed at positions facing each other with the accommodating portion PA2 of the container P2 interposed therebetween. Although illustration is omitted, it is the same as the above embodiment that the lowermost container P2 of the stacked body of the plurality of containers P2 is separated and taken out by the rotation of the separating member 21.

  In the present embodiment, the photoelectric sensor 50 has an optical axis L connecting the light emitting means 51 and the light receiving means 52 passing through both rotation axes R of the separating member 21 and a straight line D perpendicular to both rotation axes R. On the other hand, it is parallel to the direction in which the rotation axis R extends (paper surface direction in FIG. 10), is spaced from the straight line D to the outer peripheral side of the container P2, and passes through the region through which the flange portion F2 of the container P2 sent downward passes. Are arranged as follows. As in the present embodiment, when the separating member 21 is a pair of pairs, the direction in which the container P2 is inclined is limited if the separating member 21 is fed with the flange portion F2 of the container P2 overlapping. Therefore, it is sufficient to arrange the photoelectric sensor 50 at the above-mentioned one place. In addition, the state sent with the container P2 tilted is shown in the same manner as in FIG. The control of the operation of the separation member 21 when the photoelectric sensor 50 detects that the container P2 is tilted is the same as described above, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, in the container take-out device 1 according to the present invention, the mounting that can support the flange portion F of the container P on the uppermost surface 24 of the support portion 22 that is formed so as to protrude from the outer peripheral side of the separation member 21. Since the placement surface 26 is formed, the flange portion F of the container P can be reliably supported in a horizontal state by the placement surface 26 of the separation member 21 in the origin posture. Further, by rotating the separation member 21 in a state where the flange portion F of the container P is supported by the mounting surface 26, the tip 27 of the support portion 22 enters the upper side in the thickness direction of the flange portion F, so that the lowermost layer The container P can be reliably separated and taken out.

  Further, the interval between the containers P of the laminated body is narrowed, and even when the leading end 27 of the separating member 21 enters and is sent to the groove 23 in a state where the flange portion F of the container P is overlapped, it is inclined. Since the photoelectric sensor 50 is disposed at a position shielded from light by the flange portion F, it can be reliably detected that the containers P are sent downward with the containers P overlapping each other. Further, when it is detected by the photoelectric sensor 50 that the container P is being sent in an inclined manner, the container P is once sent downward, and then the separation member 21 is rotated in the reverse direction to return the container P upward, thereby overlapping. The container P sent in this manner can be reliably separated. By comprising in this way, even if it is a case where the container P with the thin thickness of the container P and the flange part F is used, it becomes possible to isolate | separate and take out each container P reliably.

  In the above-described embodiment, the container P may be loaded into the container stacking unit 10 manually by an operator, or an automatic supply unit (not shown) may be used. As the automatic supply means, means for putting the stacked body of the containers P into the accommodation space S of the container stacking unit 10 by a conveyor, a moving arm or the like can be used. In addition, the timing of replenishment of the containers P may be the number of containers P taken out, or the remaining number (height dimension) of the containers P in the laminated body is measured to be a predetermined number (predetermined height) or less. The supply may be automatically started when it is detected. When the container P is loaded, a guide member that guides the stacked body of the containers P may be provided above the storage space S of the container stacking unit 10.

  In addition, the support member 11 in the container stacking unit 10 is disposed so as to surround each side of the flange portion F of the container P, but is not limited thereto. Since the stacked body of the containers P is sequentially stacked on the lowermost container P due to the overlap of the accommodating portions PA, if the lowermost container P can be positioned, the entire stacked body can be positioned. Here, since the separating member 21 is disposed on the long side of the flange portion F of the container P, the lowermost container P is restricted from moving in the short side direction. Therefore, the support members 11 and 11A on the long side of the container P (the side on which the separation member 21 is disposed) can be omitted. Further, the container P may be caught by the support member 11 due to variations in the width dimension of the flange portion F due to manufacturing errors, and may not move downward. Therefore, the height of the support member 11 may be slightly higher than the upper end of the separation member 21. Furthermore, the support member 11 may not be a columnar support column, but may be a plate-like member surrounding the flange portion F.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, although the inclination part 25 formed in the upper start end part of the support part 22 showed the example formed in both surfaces of the support part 22 (inclination part 25A, 25B), it is restricted to this. is not. The support portion 22 may be formed on only one side of the inclined portion 25A formed on the lower surface of the upper start end portion or the inclined portion 25B formed on the upper surface, and the inclined portion 25 is formed on the upper start end portion. It does not have to be.

  Further, after the inclination of the container P is detected by the photoelectric sensor 50, the separation member 21 is further rotated once and then controlled to rotate three times in the reverse direction. The separating member 21 may be rotated in the reverse direction immediately after detection. In this case, it is only necessary to make two rotations in the reverse direction. In addition, these rotation speeds can be appropriately set according to the shape of the support portion 22 (groove portion 23) of the separation member 21.

    The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  The contents accommodated in the container P according to the present invention are not limited to tofu, and may be foods such as jelly, menta, and steamed tea. The container P can also be suitably used as a container P for storing heated food that is heated and eaten in a microwave oven such as cooked rice.

P container PA accommodation part F flange part S accommodation space R rotating shaft 1 container take-out device 21 separation member 22 support part 24 uppermost surface 25 inclined part (upper start part)
26 Placement surface

Claims (10)

A housing space capable of housing a stack of a plurality of containers having a housing portion and a flange portion extending from the upper end of the housing portion to the outer peripheral side, and the housing portion of the container housed in the housing space are opposed to each other. A container take-out device comprising a separating member that is arranged so that the rotation axes thereof are parallel to each other and rotates to separate and take out the individual containers from the laminate,
The separation member has a spiral-shaped support portion that projects to the outer peripheral side and can support the flange portion,
The support portion has a rotation direction that is higher than the upper start end portion in a plane appearing in a plan view from above in an origin posture of the separation member in which the upper start end portion of the support portion is located upstream of the flange portion in the rotation direction. On the downstream side, equipped with a mounting surface that is orthogonal to the rotation axis of the separation member and on which the flange portion of the lowermost container of the laminate can be mounted,
The separation member is arranged in the origin posture, rotates in a predetermined direction from the state where the flange portion of the lowermost container is placed on the placement surface, and the upper start end portion of the support portion is the flange portion of the flange portion. by entering the above, as well as separating the lowermost layer of containers from the laminate, Ri feeding said container along said support portion below the rotation axis direction,
Comprising a photoelectric sensor having a light emitting means and a light receiving means,
The photoelectric sensor is configured such that an optical axis connecting the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit passes through the rotational axes of the opposing separating members and is perpendicular to the rotational axes. The light emitted from the light-emitting means is arranged so as to be parallel to the direction in which the light-emitting element extends and is spaced from the straight line toward the outer peripheral side of the container and through a region through which the flange portion of the container that is sent downward passes. container take-out apparatus characterized that you sensing that the said container tilted by being shielded by the flange portion of the container to be sent to the lower.   The upper start end portion of the support portion is formed with an inclined portion on at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the upper start end portion by gradually reducing the thickness dimension toward the front side in the rotation direction. The container take-out device according to claim 1.   The container take-out device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the separation member stops rotating in a posture that is the origin posture. The flange portion of the container is rectangular,
Separating members facing each other across the container accommodating portion are respectively disposed on both ends of the container along opposite sides of the flange portion, and when the container is taken out, The container taking-out apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein adjacent separating members along opposite sides rotate in directions opposite to each other. The flange portion of the container is rectangular,
A set of separating members facing each other across the container accommodating portion is disposed on both ends of the container along opposite sides of the flange portion, respectively.
The photoelectric sensor is disposed on both ends of the container and a first photoelectric sensor provided for at least one of the separation members disposed on both ends of the container. A second photoelectric sensor provided for an adjacent separating member along at least one of the opposing sides of the flange portion of the set of separating members;
The first photoelectric sensor includes first light emitting means and first light receiving means, and first optical axes connecting the first light emitting means and the first light receiving means are opposed to each other. A first straight line that passes through both rotation axes of the set of separating members and is orthogonal to both the rotation axes is parallel to the direction in which the rotation axis extends and the outer periphery of the container from the first line The light emitted from the first light-emitting means is disposed so as to pass through a region where the side of the flange portion of the container sent to the lower side and parallel to the first straight line passes. , Detecting that the container is tilted by being shielded from light by the flange portion of the container sent downward,
The second photoelectric sensor has a second light emitting means and a second light receiving means, and a second optical axis connecting the second light emitting means and the second light receiving means is the adjacent separation. The second portion of the flange portion of the container sent downward is parallel to the direction in which the rotation axis extends with respect to a second straight line passing through both rotation axes of the member and perpendicular to both the rotation axes. The container is arranged so that light emitted from the second light-emitting means is shielded by a flange portion of the container that is sent downward, so that the portion on the side of the straight line passes through the region through which it passes. Detects tilting,
The first photoelectric sensor is provided for each pair of separating members disposed on both ends of the container, and the second photoelectric sensor is provided on one of the opposing sides of the flange portion. The first photoelectric sensor is provided for a pair of the one separation member, and the second photoelectric sensor is opposed to the flange portion. The container take-out device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the container take-out device is provided for adjacent separating members along each side. 6. The container take-out apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the second photoelectric sensor detects whether the container is tilted when the separation member is in the origin posture. 7. The separation member according to claim 6 , wherein a passage portion for allowing light emitted from the second light emitting means of the second photoelectric sensor to pass therethrough is formed at the origin posture. Container take-out device. The separating member, after said container is inclined is detected, the the predetermined direction rotated by a predetermined number of times in the reverse direction, of claims 1 to 7, then characterized by rotating again in the predetermined direction The container take-out device according to any one of the above. The container according to any one of claims 5 to 8 , wherein, when the container is taken out, adjacent separating members rotate in opposite directions along opposite sides of the flange portion. Take-out device. The separating member are both pitch dimension of the groove formed between the upper and lower the support portion, according to claim 1-9, characterized in that it is formed to be wider toward the lower side of the rotation axis direction The container take-out device according to claim 1.

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