JP6348625B2 - Bucket conveyor - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a bucket conveyor that travels a bucket that accommodates articles and conveys the articles.

  In a non-woven fabric hand towel production line, a plurality of non-woven fabric hand towels are sequentially wrapped in the first packaging machine. Then, the plurality of non-woven towels individually packed are packed in a bundle by a second packaging machine after the timing is adjusted by the buffer device.

  For example, a bucket conveyor including a plurality of buckets is used as the buffer device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A bucket conveyor adjusts timing, conveying a nonwoven fabric hand towel by running a some bucket intermittently along the track | orbit which circulates in a horizontal surface.

Japanese Patent No. 4131922

  The interval between the buckets is widened where the trajectory is a curve and narrowed where the trajectory is a straight line (see FIG. 1 illustrating the present invention). In the future, it is expected that buckets will run at high speeds to improve processing capacity. However, in bucket conveyors where the trajectory changes (curves and straight lines) and the intervals between buckets change, multiple buckets can be There are variations in the postures of the articles carried into each of them, and it may be difficult to discharge the articles in the same posture when the articles are carried out.

  In particular, when carrying in, the articles are carried into the respective buckets, and at the time of carrying out, the articles are discharged in a predetermined posture (for example, a sashimi-like posture in which the articles are inclined and stacked so that parts of the articles overlap each other). In such a case, the variation in the posture of the article being conveyed by the bucket becomes a big problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and even if it is a bucket conveyor in which a change in the bucket trajectory (curve and straight line) and a change in the interval between the buckets occur, each bucket is loaded into each of the plurality of buckets. It is an object of the present invention to provide a bucket conveyor that prevents variations in postures of articles.

(1) In the bucket conveyor including a plurality of buckets according to the present invention, each of the plurality of buckets has a storage groove for storing an article, and the storage groove is lifted toward the front in the traveling direction. The plurality of buckets are arranged side by side so that the direction of the inclination is the same along the traveling direction, and the article is the length of the groove of the receiving groove. The bucket conveyor is configured such that the bucket is supplied in a standing state from the lateral side of the bucket along the vertical direction so that the bucket moves intermittently .

(2) According to the present invention, a plurality of the articles are arranged in a sashimi shape in which a part of the preceding and following articles overlap each other at the carry-out portion and are stacked, and a plurality of the articles are collectively carried out to a downstream process. The bucket conveyor according to (1 ) above, characterized in that

  According to the bucket conveyor described in the above (1) to (3) of the present invention, a plurality of buckets may be used even in a bucket conveyor in which a change in bucket trajectory (curve and straight line) or a change in the interval between buckets occurs. It is possible to prevent variations in the postures of the articles carried into the respective items, and to discharge the articles in a state in which the postures are aligned when the articles are carried out.

  In particular, when carrying in, the articles are carried into the respective buckets, and at the time of carrying out, the articles are discharged in a predetermined posture (for example, a sashimi-like posture in which the articles are inclined and stacked so that parts of the articles overlap each other). Even in such a case, it is possible to prevent variations in the postures of the articles being conveyed by the bucket and carry them out to the downstream process in a state where the postures of the plurality of articles are aligned.

It is a top view of the bucket conveyor which concerns on this invention. It is an external appearance perspective view of a bucket. It is a disassembled perspective view of a bucket. It is the schematic explaining operation | movement of a bucket conveyor, (A) shows the state before buckets collide, (B) shows the state when buckets are colliding. It is the schematic explaining the attitude | position of a nonwoven fabric hand towel, (A) shows the state when accommodated in the accommodation groove | channel of a bucket, (B) shows the state after discharging | emitting from the accommodation groove | channel of a bucket.

  Hereinafter, a bucket conveyor according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, the structure of the bucket conveyor 1 is demonstrated using FIG.1 and FIG.2. FIG. 1 is a top view of the bucket conveyor 1. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the bucket 13. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the bucket 13. Note that in each drawing, a part of the configuration is omitted as appropriate to simplify the drawing.

  The bucket conveyor 1 shown in FIG. 1 is used as a buffer device that adjusts the flow timing of the nonwoven fabric towel XA1 in a line for manufacturing the nonwoven fabric towel XA1. The bucket conveyor 1 operates intermittently to carry out the nonwoven fabric hand towel XA1 carried in from the carry-in position PO1 from the carry-out position PO2.

  The carry-in to the carry-in position PO1 is performed, for example, when the lower belt and the side belt (both not shown) arranged upstream (not shown) urge the nonwoven fabric towel XA1.

  The carry-out from the carry-out position PO2 is performed, for example, by pushing by an upper conveyer (also referred to as an overhead conveyer or a Koyagura conveyer) (not shown) arranged from above the bucket conveyor 1 to the downstream (upward in FIG. 1). .

  Carry-in is carried out every one, carry-out is carried out every five, and 250 non-woven towels XA1 are processed per minute. Specifically, the carry-in is performed by raising the individually wrapped non-woven towels XA1 one by one and supplying them to the bucket conveyor 1. For details, see Japanese Patent No. 4112698, for example.

  In the present specification, the case of the individually wrapped non-woven hand towel XA1 will be described as an example, but the present invention can be applied to various articles such as other daily necessities and foods.

  Specifically, the bucket conveyor 1 includes a central control unit (not shown), a servo motor (not shown) that generates power under the control of the control unit, and a driving sprocket 10 that is rotated by the servo motor. A driven sprocket 11 interlocked with the drive sprocket 10, an annular chain 12 that travels by being hooked on the sprockets 10, 11, and metal fittings (not shown) that are continuous with the chain 12. And a plurality of attached buckets 13.

  The control unit comprehensively controls each part of the bucket conveyor 1. That is, each part of the bucket conveyor 1 operates under the control of the control unit, and the operation status is managed by the control unit.

  Specifically, the control unit includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like, and executes various controls. The CPU is a so-called central processing unit, and various programs are executed to realize various functions. The RAM is used as a work area for the CPU. The ROM stores a basic OS and programs executed by the CPU.

  The driving sprocket 10 is rotated by driving a servo motor. The driven sprocket 11 rotates in conjunction with the driving sprocket 10 as the chain 12 travels. The chain 12 travels so as to circulate by the rotation of the driving sprocket 10. Each of the plurality of buckets 13 is configured to be removable from the chain 12 and exchangeable. That is, each of the plurality of buckets 13 can be exchanged for the same replacement product as the bucket 13. That is, the plurality of buckets 13 can be said to be exchanged items. The plurality of buckets 13 are arranged on the outer periphery of the chain 12 so as to be radial and continuous with each other, and travel so as to circulate in a horizontal plane integrally with the chain 12.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bucket 13 includes a bucket body 14 and an impact absorber 15.

  For example, the bucket body 14 is molded by a resin (molding by cutting, injection molding, or the like), or is formed by scraping aluminum and exhibits a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The bucket body 14 includes two housing grooves 16 for housing nonwoven fabric hand towels one by one, and a recess 17 for attaching the shock absorber 15.

  The two accommodation grooves 16 have bottom portions 16a (see FIG. 5) that are inclined in the same direction.

  The depression 17 is provided on the side of the bucket 13 on the traveling direction side. Specifically, the recess 17 is on the lower side of the bucket body 14 (below the portion on which the nonwoven fabric towel XA1 is placed), and on the outer side away from the chain 12 (from the center to the outer side, approximately (Outside half). The depth D of the recess 17 is 14.7 mm in this embodiment. A bolt hole (reference numeral omitted) for the bolt 19 is formed inside the recess 17. In the present embodiment, the interval between adjacent bucket bodies 14 is 0.45 mm where the track is a straight line.

  Here, the outer side away from the chain 12 (the outer side of the bucket body 14) is one of the width directions intersecting (orthogonal) with the traveling direction, and the adjacent bucket 13 at a place where the track becomes a curve from a straight line. The distance between the bucket 13 and the adjacent bucket 13 becomes narrower where the path becomes a straight line from the curve.

  That is, the inner side that is not separated from the chain 12 (the inner side of the bucket body 14) is the other side in the width direction that intersects (orthogonally) the traveling direction.

  The shock absorber 15 includes an elastic member 18 interposed between adjacent buckets 13 and a bolt 19 that is attached by screwing the elastic member 18 into the bucket body 14.

  The shock absorber 15 is an integral part of the elastic member 18 and the bolt 19. That is, the elastic member 18 is an integrated product with the bolt 19.

  The elastic member 18 is formed of, for example, urethane rubber and has a cylindrical shape that fits into the recess 17. That is, the head of the elastic member 18 is a flat surface. The length L of the elastic member 18 is slightly longer than the depth D of the recess 17 and is 15 mm in this embodiment. For this reason, the elastic member 18 is detachably attached to the recess 17 so as to slightly protrude from the side of the bucket body 14. The protrusion amount l of the elastic member 18 is smaller than the interval between the bucket bodies 14 and is 0.3 mm in this embodiment.

  Next, operation | movement of the bucket conveyor 1 is demonstrated using FIG. 4 (A) and FIG. 4 (B). FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the bucket conveyor 1. FIG. 4A shows a state before the buckets 13 collide with each other. FIG. 4B shows a state when the buckets 13 collide with each other.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the interval between the buckets 13 is widened where the trajectory is curved.

  And as FIG.4 (B) shows, the space | interval of the buckets 13 becomes narrow in the location where a track | orbit becomes a straight line. For this reason, the buckets 13 may collide with each other where the trajectory is a straight line from the curve. Specifically, the elastic member 18 included in the subsequent bucket 13 hits the side of the bucket body 14 included in the preceding bucket 13.

  Next, the attitude | position of the nonwoven fabric towel XA1 is demonstrated using FIG. 5 (A) and FIG. 5 (B). FIG. 5 is a schematic view for explaining the posture of the nonwoven fabric towel XA1. FIG. 5A shows a state when being accommodated in the accommodation groove 16 of the bucket 13. FIG. 5B shows a state after being discharged from the accommodation groove 16 of the bucket 13.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the nonwoven fabric hand towel XA <b> 1 is accommodated in the accommodation groove 16 of the bucket 13 in an obliquely inclined posture.

  Thereafter, after being discharged from the storage groove 16 of the bucket 13, as shown in FIG. 5B, the nonwoven fabric towel XA <b> 1 is arranged in a sashimi shape in which a flat sashimi is arranged.

  Thus, according to the bucket conveyor 1, even if the buckets 13 collide with each other, since the elastic member 18 is interposed, the bucket main bodies 14 are prevented from directly colliding with each other. Thereby, it can prevent that an impact sound generate | occur | produces.

  And since it has the hollow 17 in the side of the bucket main body 14, the space for attaching the elastic member 18 is securable. That is, by forming the depression 17 in an appropriate size, the elastic member 18 having any thickness and size can be attached.

  Further, the bucket body 14 has the accommodation groove 16 and has a property of reflecting and increasing the sound. However, since the impact sound is prevented from being generated in the first place, a large impact sound is generated. Nor.

  Furthermore, since the accommodation groove | channel 16 has the bottom part 16a inclined in the mutually same direction, the nonwoven fabric hand towel XA1 can be accommodated diagonally. Thereby, when discharging the several nonwoven fabric hand towel XA1 accommodated in the accommodating part 16 collectively, it can be carried out to a downstream process by making it into the shape of a sashimi where the flat sashimi is arranged.

  When an elastic member (not shown) is attached to the side of the bucket body 14 with an adhesive tape or adhesive instead of the elastic member 18, the elastic member is peeled off by an impact caused by the collision between the buckets 13, and the elastic member There is a risk of contamination. On the other hand, when the elastic member 18 is attached, the elastic member 18 is prevented from being removed due to an impact caused by the collision between the buckets 13. Thereby, it can prevent that the elastic member 18 mixes in as a foreign material.

  Since the elastic member 18 is an integral part of the bolt 19, the elastic member 18 can be easily attached to the bucket body 14. In addition, since the number of parts is reduced, parts management and installation work are simplified.

  Furthermore, since the elastic member 18 is detachable, the elastic member 18 can be exchanged. Thereby, the quantity 1 which protrudes from the side of the bucket main body 14 can be adjusted by selecting the elastic member 18 suitably.

  Since the bucket 13 is a replacement product, the bucket 13 can be maintained.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and technical idea thereof.

  That is, in the above embodiment, the position, size, shape, material, orientation, quantity, and the like of each component can be changed as appropriate. For example, the number of receiving grooves 16 for each bucket 13 is not limited to two, but may be one, or may be three or more. The number of shock absorbers 15 attached to the bucket body 14 is not limited to one, and may be two or more.

  Or in the said embodiment, although the bucket main body 14 has the accommodation groove | channel 16a which accommodates the nonwoven fabric hand towel XA1, the bucket main body of this invention should just be able to convey articles | goods, and the nonwoven fabric hand towel XA1 is mounted. It may be a plate shape.

  Alternatively, in the above embodiment, the shock absorber 15 is an integral part of the elastic member 18 and the bolt 19, but the elastic member 18 and the bolt 19 may be separate parts.

  Or in the said embodiment, it may replace with the volt | bolt 19 and may be made to provide a screw | thread.

  Or in the said embodiment, although the bottom part 16a of the accommodation groove | channel 16 is inclined in R shape (curved shape), it may replace with this and may be inclined linearly.

  Alternatively, in the above-described embodiment, the elastic member 18 is screwed and attached to the bucket body 14 with the bolt 19, but instead, the elastic member 18 is press-fitted and bonded to the recess 17 of the bucket body 14. May be.

  Or in the said embodiment, although the case where the elastic member 18 which the subsequent bucket 13 has collided with the side of the bucket main body 14 which the preceding bucket 13 had was demonstrated as an example, of the bucket main body 14 which the subsequent bucket 13 has, is demonstrated. You may make it a side collide with the elastic member 18 which the preceding bucket 13 has.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bucket conveyor 13 Bucket 14 Bucket main body 16 Accommodating groove 16a Bottom part 17 Indentation 18 Elastic member 19 Bolt XA1 Nonwoven cloth towel (article)

Claims (2)

In a bucket conveyor comprising a plurality of buckets,
Each of the plurality of buckets has a storage groove for storing an article,
The receiving groove has a bottom portion that is inclined so as to rise toward the front in the traveling direction,
The plurality of buckets are arranged side by side so that each bottom portion has the same direction of inclination along the traveling direction ,
The article is supplied in a state in which the article is erected from the lateral side of the bucket along the length direction of the groove of the storage groove.
A bucket conveyor, wherein the bucket is configured to move intermittently . The plurality of articles are arranged in a sashimi shape that is inclined and stacked so that a part of the front and rear articles overlap each other at the carry-out part, and a plurality of the articles are collectively carried out to a downstream process.
The bucket conveyor according to claim 1.

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