JP6264689B2 - Automatic tray feeder, container transport system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic tray supply device that can automatically supply, for example, a tray accommodated in an outer box of a lunch box to a predetermined position, and a container transport system including such an automatic tray supply device.

  For example, in the case of mass production and supply of bento, a system for automating part or all of the work that has been conventionally performed manually has been devised and put into practical use. In such a system, when the lunch box is composed of an outer box and a tray accommodated in the outer box, a large number of trays that are stacked in advance (hereinafter referred to as “tray group” for convenience) It is required to take out only one tray from the container and store it in the outer box.

  An apparatus that meets such a requirement is disclosed in Patent Document 1. That is, Patent Document 1 discloses a tray suction head capable of sucking and holding a tray, lifting means for moving the tray suction head up and down, and a tray suction head along a direction intersecting the conveyance line of the lunch box outer box. Traveling means for reciprocating, with the suction head positioned at a predetermined suction standby position by the traveling means, the suction head is lowered by the lifting / lowering means, and each tray is in an upward state (the inward surface of the bottom is The uppermost tray in the tray group set at a predetermined position in a posture that is oriented upward) is sucked up and lifted by the lifting and lowering means while maintaining the suction holding state, and subsequently, the predetermined feeding position by the traveling means After moving the suction head to the bottom, the suction head is lowered by the lifting / lowering means, and is sprayed by the tray suction head. He was charged tray lunch outer box Te, further, by raising the suction head by the lifting means, accommodating capable device is disclosed only to the lunch outer case tray.

  After the trays are accommodated in the lunch box outer box, the tray suction head is moved to a predetermined suction standby position by the traveling means, and the above steps are repeated, so that the trays in the tray group are sequentially lunched one by one. It can be housed in an outer box.

Japanese Patent No. 4990051

  However, as described in Patent Document 1, if it is indispensable to reciprocate the tray suction head along the direction intersecting the lunch box outer box conveyance line, the tray suction head sucks one tray. The same tray until the time when the tray suction head is returned to the predetermined suction standby position after the tray suction head is moved to the predetermined supply position and the tray is completely put into the lunch box. The next tray cannot be sucked by the suction head, and the larger the tray size, the longer the traveling distance. As a result, the time interval from the time when one tray is sucked to the time when the next tray is sucked (the tray (Suction pitch) also becomes longer, and the problem arises that the tray supply pitch (tray supply pitch) also becomes longer.

  Further, when the tray suction head is moved from the position along the direction intersecting the conveyance line of the lunch box outside when one tray in the tray group is sucked, the tray suction head in the tray group is sucked by the tray suction head. The trays other than the existing tray (hereinafter referred to as “supplier tray”) cannot be smoothly transported to the predetermined supply position, and the good stacking state of the tray group can be lost. Accordingly, if it is essential to reciprocate the tray suction head along the direction intersecting the conveyance line of the lunch box outer box, the tray suction head at the predetermined suction standby position is replaced with one sheet in the tray group. It is an indispensable condition to lower the tray (supply target tray) to a position where it can be sucked and to raise the tray after the suction target tray is sucked. In this way, in addition to reciprocating the tray suction head along the direction intersecting the lunch box outer box conveyance line, at least the tray suction head arrives at the time of sucking the tray at the turn-back point of the reciprocating travel. If it is essential to move the tray suction head up and down at the point (corresponding to the above-described suction standby position), the tray supply pitch is further delayed, which causes a reduction in supply efficiency. Note that the configuration described in Patent Document 1 described above is not limited to the point where the tray suction head reaches when the tray is sucked among the return points of the reciprocating travel (corresponding to the suction standby position described above), but also the tray. Since the tray suction head is moved up and down even at the point where the tray suction head arrives (equivalent to the above-mentioned supply position) when being put into the lunch box, the tray suction pitch and the tray supply pitch are further slowed down. .

  In addition, if the tray in the tray group in which a plurality of trays are stacked in an upward state (a state in which the bottom inward surface of the tray is open upward) is absorbed by the tray suction head, the tray supply process Since the bottom inward surface of the tray, which is a portion where the side dish, cooked rice, etc. are directly placed later, is adsorbed, it is not hygienic and there is room for improvement.

  In view of the problems as described above, the present invention performs processing (tray supply processing) of taking out trays one by one from a large number of trays (tray groups) in a pre-stacked state and storing them in an outer box. The main purpose is to provide an automatic tray supply device that is smooth and accurate, is hygienic and can realize a high tray supply pitch, and a container transport system equipped with such an automatic tray supply device. Yes.

  That is, the present invention provides a single sheet from a tray group, which is a large number of trays that are pre-stacked with respect to an outer box that has a tray storage space that is transported on a predetermined transport line and that is open at least upward. The present invention relates to an automatic tray feeding apparatus for feeding trays taken out one by one. And the tray automatic supply apparatus which concerns on this invention can adsorb | suck a supply target tray and the tray adsorption | suction part which can adsorb | suck the supply target tray which is the uppermost tray in the tray group laminated | stacked in the state which turned down several trays A rotation drive unit that rotates and moves the tray adsorption unit between a rotation start end position and a predetermined rotation end position, and a tray adsorption unit positioned at the rotation end position and supported by the tray adsorption unit in a face-up state. A blower that blows gas to the supply target tray that has been released from the state, sucks the supply target tray by the tray suction unit that is positioned at the rotation start position, and maintains the suction state with the rotation drive unit. When the suction unit is rotated to the rotation end position, the supply target tray is blown toward the predetermined supplyable position by the blower unit, thereby supplying the supply pair. The tray is moved from the tray adsorption unit so that it can be accommodated in the tray storage space of the outer box. After the supply target tray is moved from the tray adsorption unit by the gas blowing process by the blower unit, the tray adsorption unit is moved by the rotation drive unit. It is characterized in that it is configured to be able to suck the supply target tray at the next point by moving to the rotation start end position.

  Here, the “tray-down state” means a state in which the opening of the tray faces downward, and the stacking direction of the trays in the “tray group in which a plurality of trays are stacked” is the vertical direction or Any direction other than the vertical direction may be used. The “front-facing state” of the tray is a state in which the opening of the tray faces upward, and is synonymous with the supine state and the upward state.

  With such a tray automatic supply device according to the present invention, the supply target tray, which is the uppermost tray in the tray group, is adsorbed by the tray adsorbing portion positioned at the rotation start position, and the adsorbed state is maintained. By rotating the tray suction part to the rotation end position by the rotation drive part, the tray to be supplied can be supported on the tray suction part in the face-up state, and the supply target tray released from the suction state by the tray suction part can be supported. Then, the blower unit blows gas to move the supply target tray in the face-up state toward a predetermined supplyable position and accommodate it in the tray storage space of the outer box, and the gas blowing process by the blower unit Later, immediately after the tray to be supplied is moved from the tray suction portion toward the supply possible position, the tray suction portion is rotated from the rotation end position. It is moved to the end position it is possible to adsorb the supply target tray runner-up. Therefore, according to the tray automatic supply device according to the present invention, the tray to which the next supply target is to be picked up after the supply target tray is sucked by the tray suction unit until the tray is completely stored in the tray storage space of the outer box. Can be adsorbed by the unit, and from the point of time when a tray is adsorbed by the tray adsorbing head, the tray adsorbing head is moved to a predetermined supply position to move the tray to the outer box. 1 sheet supply target as compared with the configuration in which the next tray cannot be sucked by the same tray suction head until the tray suction head is returned to the predetermined suction standby position after being put into the tray. The time interval (tray suction pitch) from the time when the tray is sucked to the time when the next target tray is picked up can be shortened. Ji (tray feed pitch) also becomes possible to increase. Further, in the tray automatic supply device of the present invention, the movement of the tray adsorbing unit only needs to be rotational movement between the rotation start end position and the rotation end position. The problem that occurs if the configuration is indispensable, that is, the longer the tray size, the longer the travel distance of the tray suction part, and the higher the speed of the tray suction pitch and the tray supply pitch can be solved. Tray supply processing efficiency can be improved.

  Furthermore, with the tray automatic supply device of the present invention, the tray to be supplied can be sucked by the tray suction portion positioned at the rotation start end position, and the tray suction portion can be moved from the rotation start end position toward the rotation end position. By rotating, it is possible to take out only the supply target tray from the tray group, and the blower blows gas to the supply target tray supported by the tray adsorption unit and released from the adsorption state by the tray adsorption unit. Therefore, there is no need to move the tray adsorbing part up and down at the rotation start end position and the rotation end position. It greatly contributes to speeding up the suction pitch and tray supply pitch.

  In addition, in the tray automatic supply device of the present invention, the uppermost tray in the tray group in which a plurality of trays are stacked is referred to as a “supply target tray”, and the suction position of the tray adsorption unit with respect to this supply target tray is: After the tray supply process, for example, the side of the bottom of the tray, which is the portion where the side dish, cooked rice, etc. are directly served, and the bottom of the tray, the surface of the bottom of the tray is outward. Not only hygienicly preferable, but also, for example, as a tray, when the inner space of the tray is divided into a plurality of regions by a partition protruding upward from the bottom of the tray, the tray bottom outward Since the surface is hardly affected by the uneven shape due to the partition, or is not affected at all, the tray suction depends on the number and presence of the partition provided on the tray. Change the suction position by the parts, it is possible to omit the trouble of re-consideration, it is suitable.

  In the tray automatic supply device of the present invention, when the tray adsorbing portion that adsorbs the supply target tray that is the uppermost tray in the tray group is moved from the rotation start end position toward the rotation end position, the supply target tray is moved to the tray. To avoid the problem of catching on trays other than the supply target tray in the group and to smoothly remove the supply target tray from the tray group, or to maintain a good stacking state of the tray group, What is necessary is just to employ | adopt the structure which moves a tray group to the direction opposite to the attraction | suction direction by a tray adsorption | suction part simultaneously or substantially simultaneously with adsorption | suction by a tray adsorption | suction part. With such a configuration, the tray group can be separated into the supply target tray which is the uppermost tray and the other trays at the same time or almost simultaneously with the supply target tray being sucked by the tray suction unit.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, when the tray group is moved in a direction opposite to the suction direction of the tray suction unit with respect to the supply target tray at the same time or almost simultaneously with the suction of the supply target tray by the tray suction unit, While the suction unit returns from the rotation start position to the rotation start position through the rotation end position, the tray group is moved to a position where the tray to be supplied at the next point can be sucked by the tray suction section positioned at the rotation start position. If it is configured to move, after the supply target tray supported at the rotation end position is moved to the supplyable position by the blower unit, the tray adsorption unit is rotated from the rotation end position to the rotation start position. Then, the tray to be supplied at the next point can be sucked at that moment, and after the tray suction portion is rotated from the rotation end position to the rotation start end position, the next point is supplied. In comparison with a structure for moving the tray unit to the available suction position by the tray suction section target tray is positioned at the pivot start position, it is possible to realize a higher speed of the tray adsorption pitch and the tray feed pitch.

  As a tray automatic supply apparatus according to the present invention, a regulation guide unit capable of regulating a moving range of a supply target tray to which gas is blown by a blower and guiding the supply target tray to a position that can be accommodated in a tray accommodating space of an outer box Is applied, it is possible to smoothly and appropriately move the supply target tray from the tray adsorbing portion positioned at the rotation end position toward the supplyable position along the gas blowing direction. The efficiency of the supply process can be improved.

  In particular, the tray automatic supply device of the present invention can be configured so that the blowing direction of the gas by the blower can be adjusted. With such a configuration, an accurate gas blowing process by a common blower can be ensured even with trays having different sizes and weights.

  A container transport system according to the present invention includes an outer box transport device that transports an outer box on a predetermined transport line, and a tray automatic supply device having the above-described configuration, and the tray supplied by the tray automatic supply device. Is transported as a container in which these trays and the outer box are combined. With such a container transport system, it is possible to obtain the same operational effects as the various operational effects exhibited by the tray automatic supply device described above, and it is possible to improve the processing efficiency of accommodating the tray in the outer box. It is possible to transport a container in which a tray and an outer box are integrally combined to a predetermined transport destination along a transport line.

  In the container transport system according to the present invention, the chute opening is formed above the transport line, and the supply target tray moved from the tray adsorbing unit to above the chute opening by the blower unit sets the chute opening by its own weight. If it is configured to pass and fall onto the transport line, the tray to be supplied, which has been supplied up to the feedable position set above the transport line by the automatic tray feeding device, is placed on the transport line through the chute opening. By dropping it, it can be stored in the outer box on the transfer line, and a dedicated shooter or tray transfer mechanism for storing the supply target tray supplied up to the supplyable position in the outer box on the transfer line, etc. Is not required, and the structure can be simplified.

  Further, in the container transport system according to the present invention, the chute opening is passed through the tray accommodating space of the outer box passing through the lower region of the chute opening while being transported from the upstream side to the downstream side on the transport line. If the falling supply target tray is configured to be able to be accommodated, the container conveyance processing efficiency is improved as compared with the configuration in which the supply target tray is accommodated in the tray accommodating space of the outer box with the conveyance of the outer box temporarily stopped. .

  According to the tray automatic supply device of the present invention, the bottom outward surface of the tray to be supplied that is the uppermost tray in the tray group is configured to be adsorbed by the tray adsorbing portion positioned at the rotation start end position. When the tray suction unit is rotated from the rotation start end position to the rotation end position by the rotation drive unit while maintaining the suction state, the tray to be supplied is supported by the tray suction unit in a face-up posture, and the blower unit Is moved from the tray adsorbing unit toward a predetermined supplyable position by the gas spraying process by, and is accommodated in the tray housing space of the outer box. Further, after the gas blowing process by the air blowing unit, the tray adsorbing unit is moved from the rotation end position. It is possible to return to the starting position of rotation and suck the tray to be supplied at the next point, so that the tray suction pitch and tray supply pitch can be increased while smoothing. And accurately tray supply processing can be performed. Further, according to the container transport system according to the present invention equipped with such an automatic tray supply device, the tray supplied at a fast pitch is accommodated in the inner space of the outer box, and these trays and the outer box are combined with each other. For example, it is possible to improve the processing efficiency of conveying as a container that can be used as a lunch box.

1 is an overall perspective view of a container transport system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The top view of the container conveyance system which concerns on the same embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view in the direction of arrow d in FIG. 1 in a state where the tray suction portion of the embodiment is positioned at the rotation start end position (entire side view of the container transport system). FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line aa in FIG. 2 in a state where the tray suction portion of the same embodiment is positioned at the rotation start end position. The enlarged schematic diagram which abbreviate | omits and partially shows the principal part of FIG. The figure which positions the tray adsorption | suction part of the embodiment in the rotation termination position, and made it correspond to FIG. 4 before the gas blowing process. The enlarged schematic diagram which abbreviate | omits and shows the principal part of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line bb of FIG. 2 in a state where the tray suction portion of the same embodiment is positioned at the rotation start end position. The enlarged schematic diagram which abbreviate | omits and partially shows the principal part of FIG. The figure which positions the tray adsorption | suction part of the same embodiment in a rotation termination position, and made the time before a gas blowing process correspond to FIG. The enlarged schematic diagram which abbreviate | omits and partially shows the principal part of FIG. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line cc of FIG. 3. The figure which positions the tray adsorption | suction part of the embodiment in the rotation termination position, and made it correspond to FIG. 12 before the gas blowing process. The figure which shows the time of a supply target tray beginning to move toward a supply possible position from a tray adsorption | suction part by the gas blowing process in the embodiment corresponding to FIG. 9 or FIG. The figure which shows the time of a supply target tray having reached the supply possible position by gas blowing process corresponding to FIG. 9 or FIG. The figure which shows the time of a supply object tray falling from the supply possible position in the same embodiment, and corresponding to FIG. 9 or FIG. 11 through the opening part for chute | shoots. The figure which shows the state in which the supply object tray was accommodated in the tray accommodation space of an outer box in the same embodiment corresponding to FIG. 9 or FIG.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and the like, the automatic tray feeder X according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured to place the outer box U on a predetermined outer box transport line Y1 (corresponding to the “transport line” of the present invention). The container transport system W is configured together with the outer box transport device Y to be transported. 1 is an overall perspective view of the container transport system W, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the container transport system W, and FIG. 3 is a view in the direction of the arrow d in FIG.

  The container transport system W accommodates the tray T supplied by the automatic tray feeder X in the outer box U transported by the outer box transport apparatus Y, and transports the tray T and the outer box U as a combined container. Is. The container transport system W according to the present embodiment has an internal space of the outer box U that is transported on the outer box transport line Y1 by performing a predetermined processing procedure in a state in which each device described in detail below operates normally. A container containing the tray T in the US can be transported toward the downstream end of the outer box transport line Y1 as a lunch box.

  The outer box U used in the present embodiment is a box-shaped container having an upwardly opened internal space US that can be used as a tray storage space, and rises obliquely upward from the outer box bottom U1 and the peripheral edge of the outer box bottom U1. A plurality of layers can be stacked by integrally including an outer box body U2 having an inward surface and setting the inward surface of the outer box body U2 to a tapered surface with a predetermined gradient. In the outer box U of the present embodiment, the outward surface of the outer box body U2 and the inward surface of the outer box body U2 are set to taper surfaces having the same angle. In addition, it is also possible to apply the outer box U set to the taper surface from which an angle differs by the outward surface and inward surface of the outer case trunk | drum U2. The outer box U of the present embodiment has a stepped portion U3 at the upper end of the outer case barrel U2, and is set so that the stepped portion U3 is exposed in a state where a plurality of outer boxes U are stacked (FIG. 3). reference). Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4, the leg part U4 which protrudes below is formed in the outward surface (back surface, downward surface) of the outer box bottom part U1. In addition, in the state which laminated | stacked the several outer box U, it sets so that the leg part U4 of the upper outer box U may not contact the outer box bottom part U1 of the lower outer box U relatively. . In the present embodiment, the outer box U has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and an outer box U that can distinguish between the longitudinal direction and the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (hereinafter referred to as the short direction) is used. It is set to be conveyed in the same direction (posture) on Y1.

  Outer box conveyance device Y arranges outer box stocker Y2 which can be held in the state where a plurality of outer boxes U were laminated in the upward posture on the upstream side of outer box conveyance line Y1 formed by, for example, a belt conveyor, Out of the plurality of outer boxes U held in the outer box stocker Y2, the lowermost outer box U is supplied to the outer box transport line Y1 one by one in order at a predetermined timing, and downstream of the outer box transport line Y1. It is to be conveyed. In the outer box transport device Y of the present embodiment, the longitudinal direction in the planar shape of the outer box U is perpendicular to the transport direction of the outer box U along the outer box transport line Y1 (outer box transport direction UA). Each outer box U is transported.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer box transfer device Y of the present embodiment sandwiches the outer box transfer line Y1 between the both sides of the outer box transfer line Y1 in the direction orthogonal to the outer box transfer direction UA. A pair of outer box conveyance line side covers Y3 (conveyor covers) arranged opposite to each other are provided. These outer box conveyance line side covers Y3 have a flat upper end surface Y31 set at a position higher than the upper end of the outer box U conveyed on the outer box conveyance line Y1 (see FIG. 4), and these upper end surfaces Y31. However, the inner space (tray housing space US) of the outer box U transported on the outer box transport line Y1 is set so as not to be covered from above (see FIGS. 1 and 3). Therefore, the inner space (tray storage space US) of the outer box U transported on the outer box transport line Y1 is the upper end surface of the outer box transport line side cover Y3 in relation to the pair of outer box transport line side covers Y3. It is fully opened upward between Y31.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the container transport system W according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of outer boxes U (hereinafter referred to as replenishment outer box group UG) stacked in an upward attitude in the outer box stocker Y2. A replenishable outer box group transfer section Z is provided. The replenishment outer box group transfer section Z is configured when the outer box U is not accommodated in the outer box stocker Y2 or when the number of outer boxes U accommodated in the outer box stocker Y2 becomes a predetermined number or less (remaining amount is small). In this case, the replenishment outer box group UG at the predetermined standby position is moved toward the outer box stocker Y2 while maintaining its stacked state. The replenishment outer box group transfer section Z of the present embodiment can be refilled along the slide rail Z1 into a predetermined standby position (position of the replenishment outer box group UG shown in FIG. 1 and the like) and the outer box stocker Y2. The slider Z2 is slidably movable between a replenishment position (not shown) and a plurality of transfer shafts Z3 fixed to the slider Z2 and in contact with the replenishment outer box group UG with priority over the slider Z2. To do. Furthermore, the container transport system W according to the present embodiment includes a refill outer box group transport line Z4 that can transport the refill outer box group UG sequentially to a predetermined standby position. In the present embodiment, the replenishment outer box group transport line Z4 and the above-described outer box transport line Y1 are arranged so as to be parallel to each other, and the replenishment outer box group transport line Z4 along the replenishment outer box group transport line Z4. The conveyance direction is set to a direction opposite to the conveyance direction (outer box conveyance direction UA) of the outer box U conveyed one by one along the outer box conveyance line Y1. The replenishment outer box group transport line Z4 is disposed at a position higher than the outer box transport line Y1 (see FIGS. 1 and 3). The process of supplying the replenishment outer box group UG onto the replenishment outer box group transport line Z4 may be either manual work or an appropriate automated process.

  The automatic tray feeder X is a large number of trays T that are pre-stacked on the outer box U that is transported along the outer box transport line Y1 in a posture in which the tray housing space US is opened upward. The tray T taken out one by one from the tray group TG is supplied.

  The tray T used in the present embodiment is a lightweight, for example, synthetic resin molded container formed in a predetermined size that can be accommodated in the tray accommodating space US of the outer box U, as shown in FIGS. A box shape having a space in which cooked rice, side dishes, or the like can be placed, and a tray bottom portion T1 and a tray body portion T2 that rises obliquely upward from the periphery of the tray bottom portion T1 are integrally provided. A plurality of such trays T can be stacked by setting the tray body T2 in a tapered shape. In the present embodiment, a tray T is used in which the shape in plan view is substantially rectangular, and can distinguish between the longitudinal direction and the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (hereinafter referred to as the short direction), and the outer box transport line Y1. The top is set to be supplied in the same direction (posture). In the tray T used in the present embodiment, a flange protruding in a direction away from the space surrounded by the tray bottom T1 and the tray barrel T2 is integrally formed at the tip of the tray barrel T2. In addition, the tray T of the present embodiment is, for example, a staple food tray in which the inner region surrounded by the tray bottom T1 and the tray body is not divided into a plurality of regions. For example, it may be a side food tray (including both uniform and non-uniform trays). Of course, it may be a tray that can serve a staple food and a side meal together.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 13 and the like, the automatic tray feeding apparatus X according to the present embodiment is a state in which each tray T is turned down, in other words, the inward surface of the tray bottom T1 (a staple food or a side meal is directly arranged. The top surface of the tray group TG held in the trace stocker 1 and the trace stocker 1 that can accommodate and hold the tray group TG in a state where the surface and the front side face downward (including diagonally below). The tray adsorbing unit 2 that can adsorb the supply target tray Ta and the tray adsorbing unit 2 between the rotation start end position (S) and the predetermined rotation end position (E) that can adsorb the supply target tray Ta. A gas is supplied to the supply target tray Ta supported in a face-up state (a face-up state or a face-up state) on the rotation drive unit 3 that rotates and the tray suction unit 2 positioned at the rotation end position (E). Blowing Part 4 and a regulation guide part 5 that regulates the movement range of the supply target tray Ta to which the gas is blown by the blower part 4 and can guide the supply target tray Ta to a position that can be accommodated in the tray accommodation space US of the outer box U. And.

  4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line aa of FIG. 2 in a state where the tray adsorbing portion 2 is positioned at the rotation start end position (S), and FIG. 5 is a partially omitted main portion of FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 4 when the tray adsorbing unit 2 is positioned at the rotation end position (E) and before the gas blowing process by the blower unit 4. FIG. 7 is an enlarged schematic diagram in which some of the main parts of FIG. 6 are omitted. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line bb of FIG. 2 in a state where the tray adsorbing portion 2 is positioned at the rotation start end position (S), and FIG. 9 is a partially omitted main portion of FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the tray adsorbing unit 2 at the rotation end position (E) and the time before the gas blowing process corresponding to FIG. 8, and FIG. It is an enlarged schematic diagram which abbreviate | omits and shows some principal parts. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line cc of FIG. 3, and FIG. 13 shows that the tray adsorbing portion 2 is positioned at the rotation end position (E) and the time before the gas blowing process is made to correspond to FIG. FIG.

  The trace stocker 1 is accommodated in the tray rack 11 that can accommodate the tray group TG, the tray group uppermost position detector 12 that can detect the uppermost position of the tray group TG accommodated in the tray rack 11, and the tray rack 11. And a tray group elevating unit 13 that moves the entire tray group TG up and down. 4 to 7, the trays other than the supply target tray Ta in the tray group TG are drawn so that they can be intuitively grasped by painting the portions that contact or approach in the height direction with the same color. Yes. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 8 and the like, a rack door 14 that can be accessed from the outside of the tray rack 11 is provided, and a new tray group TG is opened by opening and closing the rack door 14 appropriately. It is possible to replenish the tray rack 11 or replace the tray group TG in the tray rack 11. In the present embodiment, the posture in which the longitudinal direction in the planar shape of each tray T is orthogonal to the outer box transport direction UA along the outer box transport line Y1 (the longitudinal direction of the tray T is relative to the outer box transport direction UA). The tray group TG is accommodated in the tray rack 11 in an orthogonal posture. In other words, the tray group TG is accommodated in the tray rack 11 in a posture in which the short direction of each tray T is parallel to the outer box transport direction UA (see FIG. 13).

  The tray group uppermost position detection unit 12 is configured using, for example, a photoelectric sensor. The tray group uppermost position detection unit 12 in the present embodiment is configured by using a pair of photoelectric sensors that are opposed to each other at a position sandwiching the tray T constituting the tray group TG from the longitudinal direction, and light projected from one of the photoelectric sensors. When the amount of light received by the other photoelectric sensor changes from the state where the other photoelectric sensor receives light, by detecting the change, the uppermost position of the tray group TG, that is, the tray of the supply target tray Ta is detected. The bottom T1 detects that the sensing position by the photoelectric sensor has been reached (see FIGS. 3, 6, and 7). Instead of such a transmission type photoelectric sensor, a retro-reflection type photoelectric sensor, a diffuse reflection type photoelectric sensor, or a sensor other than a photoelectric sensor (a non-contact type sensor is preferable, but a contact type sensor is used. The tray group uppermost position detection unit 12 may be configured using the above.

  The tray group elevating unit 13 is an elevating drive unit (illustrated) in which an elevating floor surface 13a (see FIGS. 4 and 6) with which the lowermost tray T in the tray group TG contacts is disposed in a space below the elevating floor surface 13a. The whole tray group TG accommodated in the tray rack 11 is moved up and down by moving up and down. In the present embodiment, as the lifting drive unit, the two chains are engaged with each other like a fastener, and can form a column to push up the lifting floor surface 13a, and the meshing state is released to release the lifting floor surface 13a. A linear actuator type actuator capable of lowering is applied (not shown). This elevating drive unit has a configuration in which each chain that has been disengaged is individually housed in an appropriate shape (such as a spiral) other than a straight line, and is a linear actuator type that uses a conventional ball screw mechanism or the like. Compactness can be achieved as compared with the actuator, and it can be suitably arranged in a place where the installation space in the height direction is narrow.

  In the automatic tray feeder X of the present embodiment, the trace stocker 1 is arranged on either one of the two sides of the outer box transport line Y1. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8 and the like, at the position aligned with the outer box transfer line Y1 across either one of the left and right outer box transfer line side covers Y3 described above. A trace stocker 1 is arranged. In the following description, out of the pair of left and right outer box transfer line side covers Y3, the outer box transfer line side cover Y3 disposed between the outer box transfer line Y1 and the trace stocker 1 (tray group TG) is referred to as “ The outer box transfer line right side cover Y3 (R) is referred to as the other outer box transfer line side cover Y3 is referred to as “outer box transfer line left side cover Y3 (L)”. Further, in the container transport system W of the present embodiment provided with the replenishment outer box group transport line Z4, as shown in FIG. 8, the trace stocker 1 is disposed below the replenishment outer box group transport line Z4. In the present embodiment, the trace stocker 1 is disposed on the downstream side of the outer box stocker Y2 with respect to the outer box stocker Y2 (see FIG. 4).

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, the tray suction unit 2 mainly includes a tray suction plate 22 provided with suction nozzles 21 at appropriate positions. The tray adsorption plate 22 is the entire outward surface of the tray bottom T1 (the surface opposite to the surface on which the main food or side food is directly placed, the back surface) of the uppermost tray T (the supply target tray Ta) in the tray group TG. Alternatively, the flat plate bottom portion 23 that is in contact with or close to the entire surface and the outward surface of the portion corresponding to the two opposite sides (the long sides facing each other) of the tray body T2 of the supply target tray Ta, respectively. And a pair of body contact portions 24 in contact with each other. In the present embodiment, the plate bottom portion 23 and the pair of body portion contact portions 24 are formed from a common sheet metal. Further, the suction nozzle 21 is provided in a state of being inserted into suction nozzle holes formed in the vicinity of the four corners of the plate bottom portion 23 having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. By vacuum-sucking the vicinity of the four corners on the outward surface of the bottom T1, the supply target tray Ta can be sucked and held in a balanced manner.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, the rotation drive unit 3 is mainly composed of a rotation drive motor 32 having an output shaft 31 attached to the tray suction unit 2 so as to be integrally rotatable, and is arranged in a horizontal or substantially horizontal posture. The tray suction portion 2 is rotated and reciprocated between a predetermined rotation start position (S) and a predetermined rotation end position (E) according to the rotation angle and rotation speed of the output shaft 31. In the present embodiment, an air motor that can be driven using air pressure as a power source is applied as the rotation drive motor 32. The air motor can adjust the rotation speed within the predetermined range by adjusting the air pressure within the predetermined range. An output shaft mounting portion 25 for mounting the output shaft 31 of the rotary drive motor 32 is provided at a predetermined position of the tray suction unit 2 (see FIGS. 7, 9, and 12). In the present embodiment, when the tray suction portion 2 is positioned at the rotation start end position (S) or the rotation end position (E), the output shaft 31 (rotation center axis) in the plan view has the suction nozzle 21. The position is set so as not to overlap the suction plate 22 (see FIGS. 5 and 7).

  In the tray automatic supply device X according to the present embodiment, the tray to be supplied Ta is sucked and held by the tray suction unit 2 positioned at the rotation start end position (S), and the tray suction unit 2 is moved to the rotation end position (E). The supply target tray Ta supported by the tray adsorbing unit 2 moves toward a predetermined supplyable position set on the outer box transport line Y1 by the gas blowing process by the blower unit 4 in the state of being positioned at the position. It is configured as follows. In the tray automatic supply device X of the present embodiment, the rotation angle for moving the tray suction unit 2 between the rotation start end position (S) and the rotation end position (E) is set to 180 degrees, and the rotation start end position is set. The tray adsorbing unit 2 positioned in (S) adsorbs the outward surface of the tray bottom T1 of the supply target tray Ta in the face-down state (see FIGS. 5, 9, and 12), and maintains the adsorbing state. If the output shaft 31 of the rotary drive motor 32 is rotated 180 degrees in a predetermined direction with the output shaft 31 being rotated, the tray suction portion 2 can also be rotated 180 degrees around the output shaft 31 and positioned at the rotation end position (E). (Refer to FIG. 7, FIG. 11 and FIG. 13) As the tray suction section 2 rotates, the supply target tray Ta is also reversed. The tray automatic supply device X of the present embodiment can support the supply target tray Ta that is inverted and in the upward posture on the tray suction unit 2. Further, in this embodiment, the movement trajectory between the rotation start end position (S) and the rotation end position (E) of the tray suction unit 2 is the outer box transport along the outer box transport line Y1 in plan view. It is set to be parallel to the direction UA, and the rotation start end position (S) is set relatively upstream of the rotation end position (E) in the outer box conveyance direction UA. Further, in the automatic tray feeder X of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, the tray suction unit 2 (specifically, the plate bottom 23 of the tray suction plate 22) positioned at the rotation end position (E). ) Is set to be the same height position as the upper end surface Y31 of the outer box transfer line side cover Y3 disposed on both sides of the outer box transfer line Y1. As a result, when the supply target tray Ta supported by the tray suction unit 2 positioned at the rotation end position (E) moves toward the outer box transport line Y1 by the blower unit 4 described below, It passes through the upper end surface Y31 of the outer box transfer line right side cover Y3 (R) disposed at a position adjacent to the tray suction portion 2 of the pair of outer box transfer line side covers Y3.

  As shown in FIGS. 10, 11, and 13, the blower unit 4 is configured to supply gas (mainly) to the supply target tray Ta supported in an upward state on the tray suction unit 2 positioned at the rotation end position (E). In the embodiment, clean air) can be sprayed. The blower 4 includes a blower main body 42 that has a gas blowing port 41 that blows gas at the tip, and a support 43 that supports the blower main body 42. In this embodiment, the front-end | tip part which has the gas blowing port 41, and its peripheral part are formed in a spatula shape, for example, and the ventilation part main body 42 which has a connection part which can be connected to the gas supply tube in a base end part is applied. And such a ventilation part main body 42 is supported by the support part 43 in a recumbent posture. The support portion 43 is obtained by connecting a first support portion 44 having a lower end fixed to a predetermined base and a second support portion 45 having a placement portion for placing the blower main body 42 on the upper end portion. The connection position of the second support part 45 with respect to the first support part 44 can be adjusted in the height direction, and the connection angle of the second support part 45 with respect to the first support part 44 can be adjusted. In this way, by applying the support portion 43 having the height adjustment function and the swing function, the height and the recumbent posture of the blower body 42 placed on the placement portion of the second support portion 45 are changed. It is possible to adjust the height position of the gas blowing port 41 and the gas blowing angle. The tray automatic supply device X of the present embodiment has an outer box transport line that is more than the tray suction unit 2 positioned at the rotation end position (E) in the direction orthogonal to the outer box transport direction UA along the outer box transport line Y1. The blower unit 4 is disposed at a position away from Y1 (see FIGS. 11 and 13), and the tray body T2 of the supply target tray Ta supported by the tray suction unit 2 positioned at the rotation end position (E). On the other hand, the supply target tray Ta can be moved toward the outer box conveyance line Y1 by the airflow in the horizontal direction (including the horizontal direction other than the right side) by blowing the gas from the blower unit 4. The supply target tray Ta is separated from the tray adsorbing unit 2 by such a blowing process by the blower unit 4 and is disposed in a position adjacent to the tray adsorbing unit 2 in the pair of left and right outer box conveyance line side covers Y3. It passes through the upper end surface Y31 of the transfer line right side cover Y3 (R) and moves toward the outer box transfer line Y1. At this time, the supply target tray Ta is guided in a position (accommodable position) that can be accommodated in the outer box U on the outer box conveyance line Y1 by the movement range being regulated by the regulation guide unit 5 described below.

  The regulation guide part 5 has a function of regulating the movement range of the supply target tray Ta to which the gas is blown by the blower part 4 and a supply target tray at a position (accommodable position) that can be accommodated in the tray accommodation space US of the outer box U. And a guide function for guiding Ta. As shown in FIGS. 2, 7, 11, and 13, the regulation guide unit 5 is configured so that both sides of the supply target tray Ta in the moving direction (gas blowing direction) of the supply target tray Ta blown off by the blower unit 4. The lateral restriction guide part 51 that minimizes left and right shaking in the movement direction (traveling direction) of the supply target tray Ta that is being moved and the supply target tray Ta in the movement direction (traveling direction) of the supply target tray Ta And a front regulation guide portion 52 that is disposed in front of Ta and regulates further forward movement of the supply target tray Ta that is moving. Further, the restriction guide portion 5 of the present embodiment is surrounded by the side restriction guide portion 51 and the front restriction guide portion 52 by connecting the upper end portions of the side restriction guide portion 51 and the front restriction guide portion 52 to each other. An upper restriction guide portion 53 that covers the internal space (supply target moving space 5S) from above and restricts the upward movement of the supply target tray Ta that is moving is provided. In addition, the regulation guide portion 5 of the present embodiment is from the inner space 5S surrounded by the side regulation guide portion 51 and the front regulation guide portion 52 at the lower end of the side regulation guide portion 51 and the lower end of the front regulation guide portion 52, respectively. A horizontal flange portion 54 that protrudes in the separating direction is formed. In this embodiment, a pair of side regulation guide part 51, the front regulation guide part 52, the upper regulation guide part 53, and the horizontal flange part 54 are integrally formed using the common sheet metal. Here, the separation dimension (inner dimension) between the side regulation guide parts 51 that form a pair facing each other is the separation dimension between the edges on both sides in the direction (moving direction) of the tray T that is blown off by the blower section 4. It is set a little larger than. Specifically, the separation dimension (inside dimension) between the side regulation guide parts 51 is the separation dimension (outside dimension) between the long sides of the opening edge of the tray body T2 in the supply target tray Ta, in other words, the tray. It is set slightly larger than the outer dimension of T in the short direction. Further, a window portion (not shown) penetrating in the height direction (plate thickness direction) is formed in a predetermined portion of the upper restriction guide portion 53, and almost the entire upper restriction guide portion 53 including this window portion is covered with the cover plate. 56 is covered from above. When a cover plate 56 made of a transparent or semi-transparent material is applied, the internal space (supply target tray moving space 5S) of the restriction guide portion 5 is visually recognized through the cover plate 56 and the window portion of the upper restriction guide portion 53. can do.

  In the tray automatic supply apparatus X of the present embodiment, such a regulation guide portion 5 is disposed above the outer box conveyance line Y1. Specifically, the horizontal flange portion 54 of the restriction guide portion 5 is placed on the upper end surface Y31 of the pair of outer box conveyance line side covers Y3 facing each other across the outer box conveyance line Y1, and appropriate fixing such as screws is performed. The horizontal flange portion 54 is fixed to the upper end surface Y31 of the outer box conveyance line side cover Y3 by means. In this fixed state, the tray adsorption in which the internal space (supply target tray movement space 5S) of the restriction guide part 5 surrounded by at least the side restriction guide part 51 and the front restriction guide part 52 is positioned at the rotation end position (E). A pair of outer box transport line side covers that are opened toward the supply target tray Ta supported by the section 2 (see FIG. 7) and the front regulation guide section 52 faces each other across the outer box transport line Y1. In Y3, the outer box transport line side cover Y3 (outer box transport line left side cover Y1 (L)) farther from the tray suction portion 2 is slightly closer to the outer box transport line Y1 in plan view. (See FIGS. 9 and 12). Further, in a state where the regulation guide portion 5 is fixed above the outer box conveyance line Y1, the height position of the upper regulation guide portion 53 is supported by the tray suction portion 2 positioned at the rotation end position (E). It is set to be higher than the upper end of the supply target tray Ta (see FIG. 7).

  As described above, the regulation guide portion 5 is arranged above the outer box conveyance line Y1, so that the supply target tray moved from the rotation end position (E) by the air blower 4 above the outer box conveyance line Y1. A chute opening K for dropping Ta onto the outer box transport line Y1 is formed (see FIGS. 9 and 11 to 13). In the present embodiment, the outer box conveyance line side cover Y3 (outer box conveyance line right side cover Y3) closer to the tray adsorbing portion 2 among the pair of outer box conveyance line side covers Y3 facing each other across the outer box conveyance line Y1. (R)), a substantially rectangular opening partitioned by the front restriction guide portion 52 of the restriction guide portion 5 and the pair of side restriction guide portions 51 is made to function as the chute opening K. The outer box transport line Y1 exists below the chute opening K, and the outer box U transported from the upstream side to the downstream side on the outer box transport line Y1 is the outer box transport direction of the chute opening K. The opening edge on the upstream side of the UA (the side regulating guide portion 51 on the upstream side in the outer box transport direction UA in the pair of side restriction guide portions 51) reaches the opening edge on the downstream side in the outer box transport direction UA. Part (a side regulation guide 51 on the downstream side of the outer box conveyance direction UA in the pair of side regulation guide parts 51) and further conveyed downstream in the outer box conveyance direction UA. In the present embodiment, when the outer box U passes below the chute opening K, the left and right edges of the outer box U in the outer box transport direction UA are the chute openings in plan view. K is set so as not to overlap the opening edge portions on the left and right sides in the outer box conveyance direction UA (outer box conveyance line right side cover Y3 (R), front restriction guide portion 52 of the restriction guide portion 5).

  In the container transport system W according to the present embodiment, the tray automatic supply device X having such a configuration is fixedly attached to a frame body F common to the outer box transport device Y (see FIGS. 1 and 3). . Further, the above-described replenishment outer box group transfer unit Z and the replenishment outer box group transport line Z4 are also held by a common frame body F. In addition, the container conveyance system W of this embodiment can be moved with a light operation force if the caster provided at the bottom of the frame body F is switched from a state in which rolling is not possible to a state in which rolling is possible. Furthermore, the container transport system W of the present embodiment also holds the control box B1 and the operation box B2 in the common frame body F. A control unit (not shown) that controls the operation of the container transport system W is stored in the control box B1. An operation unit (not shown) such as a switch or a button for operating the container transport system W is provided inside the operation box B2.

  For example, individual control units such as a control unit that controls the operation of the automatic tray feeding apparatus X and a control unit that controls the operation of the outer box transport apparatus Y can be provided for each apparatus. A common control unit that can control the operation of each device and each part constituting the container transport system W is employed.

  Next, the container transport processing by the container transport system W according to the present embodiment, in particular, the tray T is supplied one by one toward the supplyable position set above the outer box transport line Y1 by the automatic tray feeder X, A process until the tray T is accommodated in the tray accommodating space US of the outer box U that is transported along the outer box transport line Y1 by the outer box transport device Y will be described.

  First, the container transport system W of the present embodiment is provided in the vicinity of the lower end of the outer box stocker Y2 in a state where a plurality of outer boxes U are held in the outer box stocker Y2 of the outer box transporter Y. By the appropriate outer box holding / leaving mechanism, the lowermost outer boxes U among the plurality of outer boxes U are sequentially supplied to the outer box transport line Y1 one by one at a predetermined timing. The outer box U supplied from the outer box stocker Y2 is transported toward the downstream of the outer box transport line Y1 in a predetermined transport attitude (in this embodiment, the longitudinal direction is orthogonal to the outer box transport direction UA). Is done. At this time, the outer box U being transported maintains a predetermined transport posture on the outer box transport line Y1 without contacting the pair of outer box transport line side covers Y3 provided on both sides of the outer box transport line Y1. It is transported smoothly as it is.

  In the container transport system W of the present embodiment, when the outer box U is not accommodated in the outer box stocker Y2, or when the outer boxes U accommodated in the outer box stocker Y2 become a predetermined number or less. The replenishment outer box group UG that is in a standby state at a predetermined standby position is moved to a predetermined replenishment position by the replenishment outer box group transfer unit Z while maintaining its stacked state, thereby providing an outer box stocker Y2. The outer box U can be replenished.

  The container transport system W according to this embodiment starts the process of transporting the outer box U along the outer box transport line Y1 by the outer box transport device Y, or at the same time or with a predetermined time difference, tray supply by the automatic tray feeder X Start processing. Before starting the tray supply process, it is confirmed in advance that the tray group TG is accommodated in the trace stocker 1. This confirmation may be either visual inspection by an operator or appropriate automatic detection processing. Then, the tray automatic supply device X of the present embodiment moves the tray group up and down to a point where the uppermost position of the tray group TG accommodated in the trace stocker 1 reaches a predetermined sensing position by the tray group uppermost position detection unit 12. The entire tray group TG is raised by the unit 13. In the tray automatic supply device X of the present embodiment, the tray group uppermost position detection unit 12 detects that the uppermost position of the tray group TG has reached a predetermined sensing position and is set in advance before starting. It is the uppermost tray T in the tray group TG by operating the tray adsorbing unit 2 waiting at the standby position (either one of the rotation start end position (S) or the rotation end position (E)). The supply target tray Ta is adsorbed (see FIGS. 5, 9, and 12). That is, when the standby position before start is set to the rotation start position (S), the supply target tray Ta is sucked and held by the suction nozzle 21 without rotating the tray suction unit 2 from the state. On the other hand, when the standby position before start is set at the rotation end position (E), the suction nozzle 2 is rotated after the tray suction portion 2 is rotated from the rotation end position (E) to the rotation start position (S). The supply target tray Ta is sucked and held by 21. According to the automatic tray supply apparatus X including the tray suction unit 2 of the present embodiment, the tip of the suction nozzle 21 is given priority over the plate bottom 23 of the tray suction plate 22 and the tray bottom T1 of the tray T1 to be supplied. While contacting and holding the outward surface (back surface), the tray body T2 of the tray Ta to be supplied is sandwiched from a predetermined direction by at least each tip of the body contact part 24 forming a pair of the tray suction plate 22. The state (in the present embodiment, the state where the tray body T2 is sandwiched from the short side of the tray T) can be maintained.

  The tray automatic supply device X according to the present embodiment moves the tray group TG in a direction opposite to the suction direction by the tray suction unit 2 at the same time or almost simultaneously with the suction of the supply target tray Ta by the tray suction unit 2 ( (See FIG. 5). Specifically, the tray group elevating unit 13 lowers the entire tray group TG by a predetermined distance. As a result, the supply target tray Ta in the tray group TG and the tray T other than the supply target tray Ta in the tray group TG can be separated in the height direction. In this state, the tray automatic supply device X of the present embodiment is configured so that the tray adsorption unit 2 is rotated from the rotation start position (S) to the rotation end position (E by the rotation drive unit 3 around the output shaft 31 of the rotation drive unit 3. ) To rotate. At this time, by separating the supply target tray Ta in the tray group TG and the tray T other than the supply target tray Ta in the tray group TG in the height direction in advance, the trays other than the supply target tray Ta in the tray group TG are separated. Only the supply target tray Ta from the tray group TG can be smoothly reversed (turned over) together with the tray suction unit 2 without disturbing the stacked state. The rotation direction of the tray suction unit 2 when moving from the rotation start end position (S) to the rotation end position (E) is a direction in which the tray suction unit 2 gradually moves away from the tray group TG.

  In the present embodiment, when the supply target tray Ta is sucked by the tray suction portion 2 positioned at the rotation start end position (S), at least each of the front end portions of the body contact portions 24 that form a pair in the tray suction plate 22. In the thin and flexible supply target tray Ta, a predetermined portion of the tray body T2 set on the tapered surface is pressed, and as a result, the tray body T2 enters the internal space of the tray. The supply target tray Ta can be smoothly detached from the tray stacked immediately below the supply target tray Ta in the tray group TG. In addition, in the present embodiment, the tray group TG moves in a direction opposite to the suction direction by the tray suction unit 2 at the same time or almost simultaneously with the tray suction unit 2 sucking the supply target tray Ta. Only the supply target tray Ta can be accurately adsorbed by the tray adsorbing unit 2.

  In the automatic tray feeding apparatus X according to the present embodiment, the rotation suction unit 2 is driven while maintaining the suction state of the supply target tray Ta by the tray suction unit 2 to move the tray suction unit 2 to the rotation start end position (S). When the tray is moved to the rotation end position (E), the supply target tray Ta adsorbed to the tray adsorption unit 2 changes from the face down state to the upward state, and the tray bottom portion of the supply target tray Ta in the tray adsorption unit 2 The surface supporting T1, that is, the upward surface of the plate bottom 23 of the tray suction plate 22, is the same height as the upper end surface Y31 of the outer box transport line side cover Y3 disposed on both sides of the outer box transport line Y1. Position (see FIGS. 6 and 11). During the rotational movement of the tray suction unit 2, as described above, the tray bottom T 1 of the supply target tray Ta is directly suctioned by the suction nozzle 21 at the same time as when the supply target tray Ta is sucked by the tray suction unit 2. By holding the tray body portion T2 between the pair of body portion contact portions 24 of the tray suction portion 2, a stable holding state of the supply target tray Ta by the tray suction portion 2 can be maintained.

  Subsequently, the tray automatic supply device X of the present embodiment blows gas by the blower unit 4 to the supply target tray Ta supported by the tray suction unit 2 positioned at the rotation end position (E), The supply target tray Ta on the tray suction unit 2 is moved toward the outer box transport line Y1. After the time when the tray adsorbing unit 2 is moved to the rotation end position (E), the adsorbing state by the tray adsorbing unit 2 is released at an appropriate timing (for example, immediately before the gas blowing process) until the gas is blown from the air blowing unit 4. Thus, the supply target tray Ta can be smoothly moved toward the outer box conveyance line Y1 by the gas blown from the blower unit 4.

  As shown in FIGS. 14 to 17, the tray automatic supply device X of the present embodiment blows the supply target tray Ta in the gas blowing direction by the gas blowing process, and the trays of the pair of left and right outer box transport line side covers Y3. It passes above the upper end surface Y31 of the outer box conveyance line right side cover Y3 (R) disposed at a position adjacent to the suction part 2, and the side regulation guide part 51 and the front regulation guide part 52 of the regulation guide part 5 are passed. A straight line travels along the gas blowing direction (see FIG. 14). Then, the supply target tray Ta comes into contact with the front restriction guide portion 52 when the supply target tray moving space 5S goes straight a predetermined distance (see FIG. 15), and further straight movement is restricted and falls by its own weight. Here, the time required for the supply target tray Ta blown off in the gas blowing direction by the gas blowing process to come into contact with the front regulating guide portion 52 is extremely short (for example, 0.15 seconds).

  A pair of outer boxes that face each other with the outer box transport line Y1 sandwiched below the tray to be supplied Ta that has moved to a position (suppliable position) that is in contact with the front regulation guide portion 52 and is further prevented from moving straight forward. Of the transfer line side cover Y3, the outer box transfer line right side cover Y3 (R) closer to the tray suction portion 2, the front restriction guide portion 52 of the restriction guide portion 5, and the paired side restriction guide portions 51 are partitioned. A chute opening K exists. In the present embodiment, the opening size of the chute opening K is one size larger than the outer size of the supply target tray Ta in plan view, and the tray accommodating space in the outer box U conveyed on the outer box conveying line Y1. The dimension is set to be slightly larger than the opening size in the plan view of the US. Therefore, the tray automatic supply device X of the present embodiment allows the supply target tray Ta that has reached the supplyable position to pass through the chute opening K by its own weight (see FIG. 16), and toward the outer box conveyance line Y1. By dropping it, it can be accommodated in the tray accommodating space US of the outer box U that is conveyed on the outer box conveying line Y1 at that timing and passes through the lower region of the chute opening K (see FIG. 17). In the container transport system W of the present embodiment, for example, the outer box U transported from the upstream side to the downstream side on the outer box transport line Y1 is the opening edge (the present embodiment) on the upstream side in the transport direction of the chute opening K. In the embodiment, when the pair of side regulation guide portions 51 reach the side regulation guide portion 51) which is relatively disposed on the upstream side in the outer box conveyance direction UA, the blowing process by the blower unit 4 is executed. By doing so, all or almost all of the outer box U being transferred on the outer box transfer line Y1 is within the opening range of the chute opening K below the supply target tray Ta that has reached the supply enabled position. The supply target tray Ta falling through the chute opening K can be accommodated in the tray accommodating space US of the outer box U that is conveyed without being temporarily stopped on the outer box conveying line Y1.

  Note that, due to the influence of the gas blowing process by the blower 4, the supply target tray Ta is positioned at the rotation end position (E) after the gas blowing process until the supply tray Ta comes into contact with the front regulation guide part 52. Although the posture (horizontal posture) at the time of being supported by 2 may collapse, the connection position of the second support portion 45 with respect to the first support portion 44 of the blower portion 4 is adjusted in the height direction, or the first support If the connection angle of the second support part 45 with respect to the part 44 is adjusted, the height position of the gas blowing port 41 and the gas blowing angle can be adjusted to appropriate positions and angles, and the front restriction guide after the gas blowing process. It is possible to prevent and suppress a situation in which the posture of the supply target tray Ta is largely changed before it comes into contact with the portion 52. In addition, according to the tray automatic supply apparatus X of the present embodiment, the movement range of the supply target tray Ta can be regulated by the regulation guide unit 5. In the present embodiment, although the posture of the supply target tray Ta may collapse due to the reaction that has come into contact with the front regulation guide portion 52 (see FIG. 16), the supply target tray Ta comes into contact with the front regulation guide portion 52. Thereafter, it falls only by its own weight, and when it reaches the tray accommodating space US of the outer box U through the opening K for chute, the entire tray bottom T1 is the inward surface (front surface, upward surface) of the outer box bottom U1. It accommodates in the regular accommodation attitude | position which contacts (refer FIG. 17).

  Further, the tray automatic supply device X of the present embodiment is configured so that the tray suction unit 2 is rotated by the rotation driving unit 3 at the rotation end position around the output shaft 31 of the rotation driving unit 3 immediately after the gas blowing process by the blowing unit 4. A process of rotating the tray T to be supplied next, that is, the tray T of the uppermost layer in the tray group TG at that time is executed by rotating from (E) to the rotation start position (S) (see FIG. 15). ). Therefore, in the tray automatic supply device X of the present embodiment, the tray group TG held by the trace stocker 1 is rotated again after the tray suction unit 2 passes from the rotation start end position (S) to the rotation end position (E). While returning to the movement start end position (S), a process of moving the next supply target tray Ta to a position where it can be sucked by the tray suction unit 2 positioned at the rotation start end position (S) is executed. This process is executed using the tray group elevating unit 13 and the tray group uppermost position detecting unit 12. Specifically, as described above, the tray group elevating unit 13 moves the tray group TG in a direction opposite to the suction direction by the tray adsorption unit 2 at the same time or almost simultaneously with the moment when the tray Ta is adsorbed by the tray adsorption unit 2. After the time when the tray adsorbing unit 2 is moved (lowered) by the above-described timing, the tray adsorbing unit 2 passes through the rotation end position (E), returns to the rotation start end position (S), and returns to the rotation start end position (S). The entire tray group TG is moved (raised) by the tray group elevating unit 13 until the uppermost position of the tray group TG at that time reaches a predetermined sensing position by the tray group uppermost position detecting unit 12. In addition, the rotation direction of the tray suction unit 2 when moving from the rotation end position (E) to the rotation start end position (S) is when moving from the rotation start end position (S) to the rotation end position (E). The direction of rotation of the tray suction portion 2 is the opposite direction. That is, the tray automatic supply device X of the present embodiment rotates the tray adsorbing unit 2 in the forward and reverse directions between the rotation start end position (S) and the rotation end position (E), which are two predetermined positions. While adopting a configuration to reciprocate.

  By performing the above process, the tray target 2 that has been rotated from the rotation end position (E) to the rotation start position (S) immediately after the gas blowing process by the blower 4 causes the next supply target tray Ta. By repeating the above steps, the trays to be supplied Ta can be supplied one by one to the supplyable position by the automatic tray feeding device X, and is being transported on the outer box transport line Y1. Can be conveyed toward the downstream of the outer box conveyance line as a container (lunch box) in which the supply target tray Ta is accommodated in the tray accommodating space US of the outer box U.

  As described above, the automatic tray supply apparatus X according to the present embodiment moves the supply target tray Ta, which is the uppermost tray T in the tray group TG held in the trace stocker 1 in a stacked state, to the rotation start end position (S ) And the tray suction unit 2 is rotated to the rotation end position (E) by the rotation drive unit 3 while maintaining the suction state. 2 can be supported in an upward state (upward state), and gas is blown from the blower unit 4 to the supply target tray Ta released from the suction state by the tray suction unit 2, so that the supply target tray Ta in the upward state is It is possible to move it toward a predetermined supplyable position and accommodate it in the tray accommodating space US of the outer box U. In addition, the tray automatic supply device X according to the present embodiment immediately after the gas spraying process by the blower unit 4 moves the supply target tray Ta from the tray suction unit 2 toward the supplyable position. 2 is moved from the rotation end position (E) to the rotation start end position (S), and the next supply target tray Ta can be adsorbed. Therefore, the supply target tray Ta is adsorbed by the tray adsorption unit 2. The second tray T 2 can be sucked by the tray adsorbing unit 2 until it is completely stored in the tray storage space US of the outer box U. The configuration of the conventional tray supply device, that is, the tray suction From the time when one tray is sucked by the unit, the tray sucking unit is moved to the predetermined supply position, and the tray is put into the outer box, and the tray sucking unit is moved to the predetermined sucking standby position. Compared to the configuration in which the next tray cannot be sucked by the same tray suction unit until the time of returning, the same tray suction is applied to the next supply target tray Ta after sucking one supply target tray Ta. It is possible to shorten the time interval (tray suction pitch) until suction by the section 2 and to increase the pitch for supplying the tray T (tray supply pitch).

  Further, in the automatic tray feeder X of the present embodiment, the tray adsorbing unit 2 can be moved only by reciprocating rotation between the rotation start end position (S) and the rotation end position (E). If the configuration requires the linear reciprocating travel of the section, that is, the larger the size of the tray T, the longer the travel distance of the tray suction section and the higher the speed of the tray suction pitch and tray supply pitch. It is possible to eliminate the inconvenience of performing and improve the tray supply processing efficiency.

  Furthermore, the tray automatic supply device X of the present embodiment can suck the supply target tray Ta by the tray suction unit 2 positioned at the rotation start end position (S), and the rotation end point from the rotation start end position (S). By rotating the tray suction unit 2 toward the position (E), it is possible to take out only the supply target tray Ta from the tray group TG, and it is supported by the tray suction unit 2 positioned at the rotation end position (E). In addition, for the supply target tray Ta that has been released from the suction state by the tray suction unit 2, a configuration is adopted in which gas is blown by the blower unit 4 to move the supply target tray Ta to a predetermined supplyable position. There is no need to move the tray suction unit 2 up and down at the rotation start position (S) and the rotation end position (E). Such a configuration also greatly contributes to an increase in tray suction pitch and tray supply pitch.

  In addition, in the automatic tray supply apparatus X according to the present embodiment, the uppermost tray T in the tray group TG stacked with the plurality of trays T faced down is set as the supply target tray Ta, and the tray adsorption to the supply target tray Ta is performed. The suction position of the portion 2 is not the inward surface of the tray bottom T1, which is a portion where, for example, sugar beet or cooked rice is directly served after the tray supply process, but the outward surface of the tray bottom T1, so that the inward direction of the tray bottom T1 Compared with the structure that adsorbs the surface, it is not only hygienicly preferable. For example, as the tray T, the inner space of the tray T is divided into a plurality of regions by partitions that protrude upward from the tray bottom T1. Even if it is applied, the outward surface of the bottom T1 of the tray is not easily affected by the uneven shape due to the partition, or not at all. Labor is not required to change the suction position by the tray adsorption unit 2 in accordance with the number and presence or absence of a partition provided in the over T, it is suitable.

  Furthermore, in the automatic tray supply apparatus X according to the present embodiment, the tray group TG is moved in a direction opposite to the suction direction by the tray suction unit 2 simultaneously or substantially simultaneously with the supply target tray Ta being sucked by the tray suction unit 2. Since the moving configuration is adopted, the tray adsorbing portion 2 that adsorbs the supply target tray Ta that is the uppermost tray T in the tray group TG is moved from the rotation start end position (S) to the rotation end position (E). In this case, it is possible to avoid a problem that the supply target tray Ta is caught on a tray T other than the supply target tray Ta in the tray group TG. A good stacked state of the tray group TG after taking out the tray Ta can be maintained.

  In particular, in the tray automatic supply device X according to the present embodiment, while the tray suction unit 2 returns from the rotation start position (S) to the rotation start position (S) through the rotation end position (E), the next point Since the tray group TG is moved to the position where the tray Ta can be sucked by the tray suction portion 2 positioned at the rotation start end position (S), the supply target tray Ta is positioned at the rotation end position (E). After the supply target tray Ta supported on the tray adsorption unit 2 is moved to the supplyable position by the blower unit 4, the tray adsorption unit 2 is moved from the rotation end position (E) to the rotation start end position (S). When it is rotated, it becomes possible to adsorb the next supply target tray Ta at that moment, and after the tray adsorbing unit 2 is rotated from the rotation end position (E) to the rotation start end position (S). Next, the supply target tray Ta at the next point is at the rotation start end position (S). In comparison with a structure for moving the tray unit TG to possible sucking position by the tray suction portion 2 with location, it is possible to realize a higher speed of the tray adsorption pitch and the tray feed pitch.

  In addition, the tray automatic supply device X according to the present embodiment regulates the movement range of the supply target tray Ta to which the gas is blown by the blower unit 4 and can be accommodated in the tray accommodation space US of the outer box U (supply) Since the regulation guide portion 5 capable of guiding the supply target tray Ta at the possible position) is provided, the flapping of the supply target tray Ta moving from the tray adsorption portion 2 to the supplyable position along the gas blowing direction by the blower portion 4 is provided. Can be minimized and the efficiency of the tray supply process can be improved.

  In particular, in the tray automatic supply device X of the present embodiment, the gas blowing direction by the blower 4 is configured to be adjustable, so that the gas is placed at the optimum blowing position in the different trays T depending on the size and weight of the tray T. Therefore, even if the trays T have different sizes and weights, an accurate gas blowing process by the common blower 4 can be ensured. Furthermore, since the tray automatic supply device X of the present embodiment is configured so that the position of the gas blowing height by the blower unit 4 can also be adjusted, the optimum spraying height according to the height dimension of the tray body T2, etc. The position can be secured.

  Further, since the container transport system W according to the present embodiment includes the outer box transport device Y and the tray automatic supply device X described above, the tray T supplied by the tray automatic supply device X can be smoothly transferred to the outer box U. It can be efficiently stored and can be transported to a predetermined transport destination as a container (lunch box) in which the tray T and the outer box U are integrally combined.

  Furthermore, the container transport system W according to the present embodiment forms a chute opening K above the outer box transport line Y1 and is moved from the tray suction unit 2 to the supplyable position by the blower unit 4 to the supply target tray Ta. Is set so that there is a chute opening K, and the supply target tray Ta moved to the supplyable position passes through the chute opening K by its own weight and falls onto the outer box transport line Y1. Therefore, the tray T that has been supplied up to the supplyable position set above the outer box transport line Y1 by the automatic tray feeder X is self-weighted onto the outer box transport line Y1 through the chute opening K. Can be accommodated in the outer box U on the outer box transport line Y1, and the supply target tray Ta supplied up to the supplyable position can be stored on the outer box transport line Y1. Such dedicated chute and transfer mechanism for accommodating the outer box U is not required, it is possible to realize simplification of the structure.

  Further, in the container transport system W according to the present embodiment, in the tray housing space US of the outer box U passing through the lower region of the chute opening K while being transported from the upstream side to the downstream side on the outer box transport line Y1, Since the supply target tray Ta falling through the chute opening K can be accommodated, the supply target tray is placed in the tray accommodation space US of the outer box U that is temporarily stopped on the outer box conveyance line Y1. Compared with a configuration that accommodates Ta, it is possible to achieve higher efficiency in the container transport process. In particular, in this embodiment, since the chute opening K is formed by using a part of the regulation guide part 5 and a part of the outer box transport line side cover Y3, the chute opening using a dedicated part. Compared with the aspect which forms a part, reduction of a number of parts and simplification of a structure can be aimed at.

  In addition, in this embodiment, the movement direction of the supply target tray Ta from the tray suction unit 2 positioned at the rotation end position (E) to the supplyable position is a reciprocating rotational movement locus in the plan view of the tray suction unit 2. Immediately after the gas blowing process by the blower unit 4 is performed on the supply target tray Ta supported by the tray suction unit 2 positioned at the rotation end position (E) because the direction is set to be orthogonal to the rotation end position (E). Even when the tray adsorbing unit 2 is rotated from the rotation end position (E) to the rotation start end position (S), it escapes from the reciprocating rotational movement locus in the plan view of the tray adsorbing unit 2 by the gas blowing process. The feed target tray Ta that moves in the direction and the tray adsorbing unit 2 that is rotating and moving do not interfere with each other, the movement of the feed target tray Ta by the gas blowing process, and the rotation start position from the moving end position (E) Rotational movement of the tray adsorbing part 2 toward S) can be carried out smoothly, respectively.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the tray suction unit 2 is viewed in plan view between the transport direction UA of the outer box U along the outer box transport line Y1, and the rotation start end position (S) and the rotation end position (E). The reciprocating rotational movement trajectories in the can be arranged in parallel with each other, and the separation distance between the outer box transport line Y1 and the moving space of the tray suction unit 2 (moving space in plan view) in the direction orthogonal to the outer box transport direction UA is possible. While setting as short as possible, the moving direction of the supply target tray Ta from the tray suction unit 2 positioned at the rotation end position (E) to the supplyable position is set to the reciprocating rotational movement locus in the plan view of the tray suction unit 2. The supply target tray Ta that has reached the supplyable position passes through the chute opening K by its own weight and is set in the outer box U on the outer box transport line Y1. HaveThereby, the moving distance of the supply target tray Ta from the tray group TG until it is accommodated in the tray accommodating space US of the outer box U can be shortened as much as possible, and the tray suction pitch and the tray supply pitch are further increased. Speeding up can be realized.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the stacking direction of the trays in the tray group in which a plurality of trays are stacked is the vertical direction is illustrated, but the direction other than the vertical direction (however, the horizontal direction is excluded). May be. In this case, each tray constituting the tray group does not have an attitude in which the opening, which is an internal space of the tray, is directed downward, but has an attitude in which the opening is directed obliquely downward according to the stacking direction of the trays. In this way, if the tray stacking direction in the tray group in which the plurality of trays are stacked is a direction other than the vertical direction, the tray at the time of sucking the supply target tray that is the uppermost tray in the tray group is collected. The rotation angle from the position of the suction unit (rotation start end position) to the position of the tray suction unit (rotation end position) that can support the supply target tray in a face-up orientation is a rotation angle other than 180 degrees (less than 180 degrees) Or a rotation angle exceeding 180 degrees), the smaller the rotation angle, the faster the tray suction pitch and the tray supply pitch.

  Further, in the present invention, as the outer box or tray, the shape in plan view is a rectangle or a shape other than a substantially rectangular shape (a square shape, a polygon shape other than a quadrangle, a circle, an oval shape, a shape having a constricted portion in a part thereof, etc. ) Can be applied.

  Further, the rotation center (the position of the output shaft 31 in the above embodiment) of the tray suction portion when rotating between the rotation start end position and the rotation end position can be set to an appropriate position. . For example, when a tray suction portion mainly composed of parts corresponding to the above-described tray suction plate 22 is employed, the rotation center of the tray suction portion may be set at a position away from the tray suction plate in plan view ( The above-described embodiment) may be set at a position overlapping the tray suction plate in plan view.

  Furthermore, when the number and position of the suction nozzles of the tray suction unit are changed as appropriate, or when the tray to be supplied is sucked, the plate bottom portion of the tray suction plate is brought into contact with the whole or part of the outward surface of the tray bottom portion. Can also be set.

  Moreover, you may apply the thing provided with motors other than an air motor as a rotational drive part. Furthermore, you may apply the ventilation part which blows gas other than air, or may apply the ventilation part which can spray gas to several places mutually different in the height direction in a tray trunk | drum simultaneously or with a time difference.

  The tray automatic supply apparatus of the present invention moves the tray to be supplied from the tray adsorption unit by the gas blowing process by the air blowing unit, and then moves the tray adsorption unit to the rotation start end position by the rotation drive unit to supply the next point. The tray may be configured so that it can be sucked, and after the supply target tray is moved from the tray suction unit by the gas blowing process by the blower unit, the tray suction unit is moved to the rotation start position by the rotation drive unit. A configuration may be adopted in which the tray is accommodated in the tray accommodating space of the outer box before the next supply target tray is adsorbed.

  Moreover, what can be utilized for uses other than a lunch box can be applied as a tray and an outer box used with the tray automatic supply apparatus and container conveyance system of this invention.

  The chute opening formed on the outer box conveyance line in the container conveyance system of the present invention is not limited as long as the tray to be supplied can pass through, and as illustrated in the above-described embodiment, It may be an opening parted by a part of the regulation guide part or the like, or may be an part partitioned by a dedicated part.

  Further, in the container transport system of the present invention, while being transported from the upstream side to the downstream side on the transport line, in the lower region of the chute opening or in the slow state (than the speed when transporting other regions) You may comprise so that the supply object tray which passes through the opening part for chute | shoots and falls can be accommodated in the tray accommodation space of the outer box in a slow speed.

  In addition, the specific configuration of each part is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

2 ... Tray adsorption part 3 ... Rotation drive part 4 ... Blower part 5 ... Regulation guide part K ... Chute opening Ta ... Supply target tray TG ... Tray group U ... Outer box US ... Tray storage space X ... Tray automatic supply device Y ... Outer box transfer device Y1 ... Transfer line (outer box transfer line)
W ... Container transport system

Claims (8)

Supplied with trays that are transported on a predetermined transport line and have trays that are open at least upwards. The trays are picked up one by one from a group of trays that are stacked in advance. Automatic tray feeding device
A tray adsorbing unit capable of adsorbing a tray to be supplied, which is the uppermost tray in the tray group in which a plurality of the trays are stacked face down,
A rotation drive unit for rotating the tray adsorption unit between a rotation start end position capable of adsorbing the supply target tray and a predetermined rotation end position;
A blower that blows gas against the supply target tray that is supported in the face-up state by the tray suction unit positioned at the rotation end position and that has been released from the suction state by the tray suction unit;
When the tray to be supplied is adsorbed by the tray adsorbing unit positioned at the rotation start end position, and when the tray adsorbing unit is rotated to the rotation end position by the rotation driving unit while maintaining the adsorption state, By blowing the supply target tray toward a predetermined supplyable position by the blower unit, the supply target tray is moved from the tray adsorption unit so as to be stored in the tray storage space of the outer box, After the supply target tray is moved from the tray adsorption unit by the gas blowing process by the blower unit, the tray adsorption unit is moved to the rotation start position by the rotation driving unit and the next supply target tray is adsorbed A tray automatic supply device characterized by being configured to be possible. 2. The automatic tray supply device according to claim 1, wherein the tray group is moved in a direction opposite to a suction direction by the tray suction unit simultaneously or substantially simultaneously with the suction of the supply target tray by the tray suction unit. In the tray group, the tray to be supplied at the next point is positioned at the rotation start end position while the tray suction portion returns from the rotation start end position to the rotation start end position through the rotation end position. The tray automatic supply device according to claim 2, wherein the tray is moved to a position where the tray can be sucked by the tray suction unit. A regulation guide unit capable of regulating a movement range of the supply target tray to which gas is blown by the blower unit and guiding the supply target tray at a position where the tray can be accommodated in the tray accommodation space of the outer box. Item 4. The tray automatic supply device according to any one of Items 1 to 3. The tray automatic supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a gas blowing direction by the blower is adjustable. An outer box transfer device for transferring the outer box on a predetermined transfer line;
An automatic tray feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A container transport system characterized in that the tray supplied by the tray automatic supply device is accommodated in the outer box and transported as a container combining the tray and the outer box. A chute opening is formed above the conveyance line, and the supply target tray moved from the tray adsorption unit to above the chute opening by the blower passes through the chute opening by its own weight. The container transport system according to claim 6, wherein the container transport system is configured to fall on the transport line. The supply target tray that passes through the chute opening and falls into the tray housing space of the outer box that passes through the lower region of the chute opening while being conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side on the conveyance line. The container transport system according to claim 7, wherein the container can be accommodated.

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